(Ad - Gifted) Geomag Mechanics Gravity Loops and Turns Construction Set - Review!

Ellie loves building things anything from Lego, K'nex and at the moment she is really into the Geomag contruction kits. Her dream is to become a structural engineer so building kits are fantastic for her.

Ellie already has a couple of Geomag sets but most recently we were sent the Geomag Mechanics Loops and Turns 130 Piece Construction Set to have a look at.

Through constructive play, a child will learn what will work and what will not. Overcoming problems to build structures in a particular way will always aid creative thinking and problem solving skills. Construction toys provide an understanding of how pieces fit together and encourage comprehension of differing directions, shapes, and space.

For ages 8 years plus the Geomag Mechanics Gravity Loops and Turns Construction Set is a fascinating. It is a Swiss-made 130 piece set and is made from 74% recycled plastic and winner of numerous awards. 

On opening the box it is clear so see which parts are which. It comes with clear instructions on how to put the track together too.

Mechanics Gravity Magnetic Track harnesses the invisible forces of magnetism and gravity through original and surprising means. The spheres inside the circuit are set in motion by an innovative magnetic cannon that uses the force of attraction of the accelerating magnet. Gravity is the innovative evolution of the Geomag Mechanics line.

Developed with expert players in mind, the new construction system is based on an innovative "gravity motor": this uses the weight of the Geomag spheres to kickstart the mechanisms and movements of the Geomag Mechanics structures.

The pieces easily slot together and the set can be taken apart again easily. This would be a great Christmas present and a fun activity to do over the Christmas holidays. No batteries or electricity is needed as the motion is provided by the invisible forces of Gravity and Magnetism which is a massive bonus when it comes to children's toys.

Key Features:

Mechanical and magnetic construction system.

A STEM product that can stimulate scientific learning.

Winners of numerous awards.

Suitable for children aged 8 + to develop their imagination and curiosity through the science of magnetic construction.

The 130 plastic mechanical elements are at the heart of the Gravity system.

Made using recycled plastic.

This is a STEM product that can truly stimulate curiosity and inspire to learn more about science. It is a great set and can be bought for around £34.99 from The Entertainer. Do keep an eye out on the price though, as of writing this a few days ago it was on offer for £26.24.

I was sent the Geomag Mechanics Gravity Loops and Turns Construction Set free of charge in exchange for this blog post.

Family activities to celebrate world space week!

Did you know the past week has been World Space Week?

World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology. It is held each year from 4th to the 10th of October! 

These dates commemorate two events: 

4th October 1957: Launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, opening the way for space exploration.

10th October 1967: The signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activites of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

There is plenty of places around the UK to learn all about space and science. Here's some of the best!

Liverpool Planetarium - Liverpool,.

Free entry.

For a fascinating day out take the family to the Liverpool Planetarium. Take a journey through space and time and learn all about the magnificent universe! You'll get up close to the moon and lots of amazing planets and be blown away by the new digital show 'Chronicle of a Journey to Earth'.

Island Planetarium - Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. 

Adult £5, Child £3.

The family will be amazed and mesmerised by what they will see at this planetarium and you will learn all about the night sky. You will go on a journey through space and time in the astrodome and the exhibition. Throughout the year they have a changing variety of shows including 'we are aliens', 'a star is born' and 'cell!cell!cell!'. 

Armagh Planetarium - Armagh, Northern Ireland.

Show the kids that science can be both educational and fun at the Armagh Planetarium. It was established in 1968 and has been fascinating visitors ever since. You'll learn all about our solar system and the amazing object that exist in the cosmos.

Southend Planetarium – Southend-on-Sea.

Adults £5, Children £3.

Southend Planetarium is a wonderful and unique experience where you can learn all about the solar system, astronomy and the night sky. You'll have the chance to ask the lecturers any questions so sit back and enjoy the live and rather fascinating talk.

Winchester Science Museum - Hampshire.

£12 per person.

This hands on, interactive science and technology centre is a great place for a family visit and is packed with fascinating exhibits including a space zone where you will be transported through the solar system. Enjoy amazing film screenings in the 360 degree planetarium cinema on lots of interesting topics about our amazing universe and the planets and stars we share it with.

Green’s Windmill Science Centre - Nottingham.

Free entry.

This beautiful windmill was built in the 1800's by a Nottingham baker and has a rich history, having once been owned by a famous mathematical physicist, George Green. Here you can see the windmill working then the wind blows and even buy organic flour. There is a fascinating small science centre next to the mill where you can find out all about George Green and his life story. 

Cambridge Science Centre - Cambridgeshire.

Adults £4.50, Children £3.

The Cambridge Science Centre is full of amazing exhibits and learning activities which will make you and your young ones wide eyed. Take a look at the many displays which include, a spectroscope which will let you see the colours of light the way the naked eye cannot. You can also see how passing an electrical current through a single wire can make it generate enough of its own energy and will jump around.

The Time Machine Museum of Science Fiction. - Herefordshire.

Adult £8, Child £6.

A unique and fun museum for all science fiction fans, with lots of different shows under one roof; see the collection that ranges from Doctor Who to Red Dwarf. Enter through the Tardis like door into the atmospheric museum with sounds effects and props.

Farnborough Air Science Trust Museum - Warwickshire.

Free.

This museum has a fantastic collection of artefacts from the first airborne cameras and flying clothing to high altitude 'space suits', night vision aids and lots more. The museum has exhibitions to interest the children and you will get to see parts of aircraft tunnel, a fully working wind tunnel, models and more. 

Glasgow Science Centre - Glasgow.

Adults £11.50, Children £9.

The Glasgow Science Centre is a fascinating place that's perfect for kids with a thirst for knowledge. Using temporary displays, you'll learn about all aspects of science including the human body and the universe. The Science Centre is also home to an IMAX theatre, so you can take your little ones to see a large scale film in stunning surround sound.

Do any of these take your fancy? Have you visited any of these places before?

The Project MC2 Perfume Science Kit - Review!

Over the past few months we have tried some fab sets from Project MC2 including the Ultimate Spy Bag, the Ultimate Lab Kit and the Ultimate Makeover Bag.....We have been sent another kit to try and Ellie was very excited about this one....She does love perfume.

The scent of sweet success making your own perfume is here with Project MC2 helping you formulate your own perfumes using cosmetic chemistry! Add fragrant household ingredients such as rosewater, flower petals, vanilla and citrus and blend with the science behind perfumery to make your very own personal perfumes.

The Perfume Science Kit includes the perfume station with pump and tubes, beaker, 3 perfume spritzers, 2 scents, 2 pipettes and recipe booklet....

The kit arrived and it obviously needed putting together.....That was no problem at all for Ellie....I read her the instructions and she put everything in place....She could have quite easily managed herself without my instruction. It looked very fancy and professional when it was all put together....Like something that a real scientist would use....

Ellie was keen to get started and make her own perfume....The kit was so simple to use.

You add water to the two containers on each side of the kit....Add food colouring if desired, put a couple of drops of the scent into each container then mix. You then close the containers put the tubes in and use the buttons on the front to pump the liquid into the beaker....When you have enough in the beaker you transfer it to the spray bottle and you then have your perfume....

It took a bit of pumping to get the mixture into the beaker at first....We soon realised that we didn't have one of the containers connected properly. After that it worked perfectly.

Ellie loved it....She thought is was fantastic fun and after making 3 tubes of perfume she wanted to instantly make more....My house is very fragrant at the moment. lol She is planning on making more and more perfume. I read that you can use essential oils when you have used the scents which come with the set....I can see Ellie using this again and again.

I had read reviews about this kit and there were complaints about water leaking out but we didn't have that problem....It is a bit of a nightmare to clean when you have finished using it though. You have to take it all apart and clean the containers and then put it back together and pump clean water through....

The The Project MC2 Perfume Science Kit is available from Smyths, Argos and all good independent toy retailers for £34.99.

We were sent the The Project MC2 Perfume Science Kit free of charge in exchange for this blog post....

How we made a bouncy egg.....

I watch ITV's This Morning most days and a while ago they had the CBeebies presenter Maddie Moate on showing off some fab science experiments which used things from around the home....I watched along and said to myself my girls would love to try these things...

I had seen people make a bouncy egg before but I hadn't tried it myself....To be honest I really didn't think it would work but it is so simple.

The science behind it:

Vinegar is a weak acid. Egg shell is made of calcium carbonate. When the two come together they create a chemical reaction that breaks down the calcium carbonate and produces carbon dioxide which are the bubbles you can see in the photo below. After 24 hours the shell is nearly all dissolved and is weak enough to be rubbed away. Once the shell is gone the vinegar will cross over the semi-permeable membrane (through a process called osmosis) and slightly inflate the egg. This process also “pickles” the egg, by hardening it up. The toughening of that membrane is what lets you bounce it!

To do this all you really need is an egg, clear vinegar and something to put it in. After doing this I do advise a sealable container to reduce the smell of the vinegar!

You put the eggs in a container or glass cover it in vinegar and leave it overnight. When we took it out of the vinegar it was pretty amazing! The shell came off! When we gave it a quick wash under the tap. That was the first thing that amazed me....Then we squeezed it and bounced it and it really was like rubber....

Ellie did not believe it was a real egg....She thought I was tricking her so later on I took her and the egg to the sink and let her cut into it with a knife. The yolk was still there and was just as it should be! 

It was amazing how a bit of vinegar can change an egg so much! The girls were so impressed and fascinated by it.

Some science fun! #MySundayPhoto

Earlier on in the week I saw some fun science experiments on ITV's This Morning and we tried some of them out....Some worked, some didn't but we had fun!

Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit - Review!

Ellie loves doing science experiments at home and recently we were sent the Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit to have a look at.... 

As seen in the Emmy nominated Netflix original series Project Mc2, McKeyla McAlister's Ultimate Lab Kit includes numerous science tools to investigate on their next mission. Conduct your own experiments at home or on the go, just like the girls from Project Mc2. 

The oversized lab bag but unzips to reveal the ultimate collection of science apparatus and fun....I was quite surprised to how much was actually in this set....

There are 30+ pieces including a real working microscope, 3 glass slides, 2 test tubes with stand, funnel, beaker jar, 3 lab flasks, 15 pH strips, pipette dropper, petri dish, safety goggles, Project Mc2 ring and 2 sticker sheets.....



I like once you have opened everything up it can all be put back into the case and stored neatly....Everything has it's place so it is so easy to tidy up...

Ellie first wanted to use the microscope...You need 3 LR44 batteries (the little watch type batteries) but we first used it without and it is pretty good considering it is meant for children....It is a great introduction to what a microscope is and does....

There is a booklet included with about 15 experiments to start you off and they all need things from around the home. There were a couple of random things we didn't have like corn starch and red cabbage but it didn't stop us experimenting.

We then tried to change the colour of a flower....It turns out my baking cupboard wasn't as well stocked as I thought it was and I only had red food colouring instead of the 4 different colours needed...

You fill the conical flask with water and add food colouring. The flower sucks up the mixture and it should change colour....We tried it with a rose and it slightly changed colour to a very pale pink. It was very interesting.



We have so much more to do with this set....It has already given Ellie hours of fun. She has had fun mixing random things in the test tubes and looking at so much under the microscope....

The Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit costs £19.99 from Smyths and I would say it is well worth the price....You get so much in this kit, it's educational and a lot of fun!

We were sent the Project Mc2 Ultimate Lab Kit free of charge in exchange for this blog post.

Brain Lab For Kids - Review!

My girls love anything to do with science and sometimes I get a bit stuck thinking of fun things to do with them...I was sent the Brain Lab For Kids book to have a look through with them. 52 Mind-Blowing Experiments, Models, and Activities to Explore Neuroscience.

Riding a bicycle, learning a new language, catching a ball, reading a book: these activities and everything else we see, hear, feel, and do are made possible by the soft, whitish-pink substance inside our heads called the brain. And yet, we take for granted many of the amazing things our brain does for us. Brain Lab for Kids offers 52 family-friendly activities, science experiments, and models to help us understand how the brain accomplishes all that it does.

There are 10 different sections covering The Neuron, The Brain, Reflexes, Taste, Smell, Vision, Touch, Hearing, Sleep & Body Rythams and Memory.....

With each experiment in this book it gives you a clear indication to how long it will take to compete the experiment and what you will need....The “Methods” section provides a step by step guide of what to do and there is also lots of useful information, facts and trivia.

Most of the experiments use things that you will find around the home so there is no need to be spending extra money on things you will only use once.

My girls love this book and have already done a few of the experiments. Blind Spot was one of the first they did. It showed you how to find your blind spot on the retina of your eye....It took seconds to set up and kept them entertained for about 15 minutes.

The girls also did Drop off time on Friday night. An experiment to see how long it takes you to drop off to sleep....It involved noting what time you started to go to sleep, laying in bed holding a spoon over a plate and when you fall asleep you drop the spoon and it clatters onto the plate & it wakes you up and you note the time. In the morning you work out how long it took you to fall asleep.

This was a funny one because Ellie fell asleep and didn't hear the spoon fall onto the plate. It did because Becky heard it. lol My guess is that because she had her good ear on the pillow and being deaf in the other she just didn't hear it....Becky heard her spoon fall and it took her 18 minutes to fall asleep.

There is plenty of more experiments for us to work through and I think we will....The girls really like this book and have learned things from it which is fantastic.

Brain Lab For Kids is easy to understand, bright and kept my girls engaged. I would say it is more suited for older children but younger children can have fun with the experiments but may not understand the science behind them.....

You can buy this book from Quarto Knows for £12.99....

We were sent this book free of charge in exchange for this blog post.

Project Mc2 Ultimate Spy Bag - Review!

I have seen the Project Mc² toys and sets online over the last few months....Project Mc² is on an important mission to help advance girls in the areas of STEAM. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths). It is loved by both girls and adults for the fun experiment sets, fashionable real-girl inspired dolls and Emmy nominated Netflix original series. The Project Mc² brand believes "Smart is the new Cool".

We were lucky enough to be sent the Project Mc2 Ultimate Spy Bag to try out. I say we but it was all for Ellie. She loves anything like this. In fact the day we received it she had been to SATs revision classes at school and had been doing a detective activity so she was really in the mood to become a spy!

The Project Mc2 Ultimate Spy Bag allows you to investigate in style. When Ellie first saw it she was very impressed and eager to get into it!

The Set includes:

A Fingerprinting kit that also includes dusting powder that can also be used as shimmer makeup powder.

Air blower that looks like a perfume bottle.

Cards to collect fingerprints.

Magnifier hidden in a makeup compact.

Secret message launcher that looks like a lipstick.

Flashlight disguised as a nail polish bottle.

Beakers, test tubes and booklet with fun, secret agent experiments.

The first thing she wanted to do was find a fingerprint which she did using the dusting powder, air blower and specimen cards....All she needed to get the fingerprint which wasn't included in the kit was some clear tape. It does leave a little dust where you are working but it is easy to clean away with something like a wet wipe. Ellie hasn't used the dusting powder as make up as she is too interested in dusting fr fingerprints...

She thought this was fantastic and then proceeded to go around the house collecting everyone's fingerprints. It brought us on to discuss how everyone has different fingerprints although they might look similar....

Ellie had fantastic fun with the secret message launcher that looks like a lipstick....She thought that was so cool and very spy like. She has been writing lots of notes and firing them at whoever will play....

It took me a while to figure out what the test tubes and beakers were for but then Ellie spotted the Top Secret Spy Guide....It has experiments to try and pages to write notes in....We can't wait to give those a go. I just need to buy some baking soda.

This is a great set for any child who wants to be spy or scientist.....I think it's fantastic that there is something out there for girls as I only ever see spy sets aimed at boys! 

At first the bag was a little fiddly to open when you had to squeeze each side of the catch in and move down but after a few goes Ellie soon got the hang of it.

This is made from solid plastic and I can see it lasting a long time. It is strong and sturdy and everything in the bag has it's own place and is secure when Ellie is carrying it about....It is so pretty but very cool at the same time.

Ellie got this just after midday and played with it all afternoon. Since then she has not left it alone....A toy has to be good for her to spend this much time on it....She really does love it!

You can buy the Project Mc2 Ultimate Spy Bag from Smyths Toys for £29.99. It may not be the cheapest of toys but Ellie and I think it is well worth it.

We were sent this free of charge in exchange for this blog post. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Aquafresh Advance just for Tweens!

Ellie hates brushing her teeth but it's one of those jobs which we have to do....We have tried various toothbrushes and different toothpastes over the years. It has taken 10 years but I think we are on to a winner with Aquafresh Advance!

Aquafresh Advance specially designed by dental experts for children aged 9-12 years. Did you know that when kids reach the age of nine special care is still needed for their new, vulnerable adult teeth?

More permanent teeth arrive between the ages of 9-12 years than at any other time, and the enamel is 50% more vulnerable to sugar acid attack. This is because the enamel is softer and new permanent teeth take up to three years to reach full strength.

To give parents of pre-teens one less thing to worry about, Aquafresh Advance toothpaste has been specially designed by dental experts for children aged 9-12 years.

Like I said Ellie has never been keen on brushing her teeth it has always been a nightly battle until last week.....I told Ellie that this toothpaste and the new toothbrush was just for her and she seemed so excited by it. She took great pleasure in telling her sister that the Aquafresh Advance was all hers...hehehe

For the first time ever Ellie asked to brush her teeth! She was keen to give it a try...She was also very eager to try her new toothbrush too. The dental experts have also designed a new Aquafresh Advance 9-12 years toothbrush to help provide care for permanent new teeth. The 6 key features include a small head, soft filaments, mixed bristle length, flex zone, ergonomic handle and a cool design. It is just the right size for Ellie to use. She loves the flexible part and thinks it's very cool....

Ellie has used Aquafresh in the past but not for a long time.....She forgot that the toothpaste was 3 colours and she thought it was so pretty....She compared it to something like a unicorn tail. Pretty, pretty, pretty....

To be honest Ellie still isn't keen on the minty taste. Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with it but it's just one of those things Ellie doesn't like BUT every day for a week she has brushed her teeth without an argument which has never happened before so the fact that the toothpaste and brush are especially for her age group is making a difference to the health of her teeth and the effect it has on our family life.....

I will continue to buy the Aquafresh Advance. It is available in Boots and other retailer stores with a recommended retail price of £2.00...

We have also started using the Aquafresh Brush Time app. Which is basically a timer which has a fun characters and catchy songs...It has been keeping Ellie brushing for the 2 minutes which dentists recommend. It's free and I can't believe we haven't used it before.....

This month they have launched the Aquafresh Inventors Academy competition to help make brush time more fun and reinforce the importance of having healthy teeth.

Children can draw their very own invention. From maraca toothbrushes, to bathroom disco lights this is their chance to get creative, get involved and get inventing. The winning invention will actually be created by Dominic Wilcox, Chief Inventor at Little Inventors and the lucky winner will win a class sleepover at the Science Museum on 6th July 2018 and up to £1000 worth of equipment for their school!

Just visit The Aquafresh Inventors Academy and upload a picture of your child's invention or innovative idea.



We were sent these products mentioned free of charge in exchange for this blog post.

FabLab Bath Bombs Kit - Review!

Recently we were send a few products when I wrote a blog post about the website what2buy4kids. My girls love bath bombs so the FabLab Bath Bombs Kit seemed perfect for them. Making bath bombs was something on our bucket list for the summer and we managed to squeeze it in just before they went back to school....

Kids love bath bombs and what could be more fun than making your own? With this cool kit, kids can tailor-make their own bath bombs, choosing their favourite colours and fragrances to make personalised bombs for their bath. Inside the box you'll find everything needed to make up to 12 bath bombs. The kit includes the fizzy component that makes bath bombs so exciting plus fragrance and colouring. There's also a bath bomb mould to make the iconic bomb shape plus all the accessories needed to create your own bath bomb mini factory. The kit also includes wrapping paper, ribbons and gift tags so kids can give away their creations as gifts for friends and family and comes complete with a step by step guide on how to make the bath bombs. 

We opened the kit and everything looked great....I realised there was no fragrance. That is not included even though on the what2buy4kids website it says it is but on the upside there is 2 bath bomb moulds...I expected there to be only one.

 I read the instructions and to add the fragrance you use liquid soap (shower gel or washing up liquid). We have some fab shower gels at the moment. Ellie decided to use banana flavour and Becky used Bakewell Tart.

There was 2 colours to choose from when it came to making the bath bombs...Blue or Red.

Ellie decided to go first making the first bath bomb. We followed the instructions, added the Sodium Bicarbonate, Ciric Acid and a tiny drop of shower gel and gave it a mix....It bubbled up but we thought we would carry on trying to get it into the mould.

The hole to put the mixture in is quite small and the spoon is quite big compared to the hole...Ellie struggled I could see there was no way this was going to work as we had made the mixture too sloppy. Ellie gave up and let Becky take over....

Becky had more success making the mixture and it was the correct consistency....Hooray. She got on with filling the mould. She found it a bit of a faff too. Well a lot of a faff. She was on a good 10 minutes, probably longer filling it. 

We then open the mould and this happened. It came in two halves....We read the instructions and realised we had packed it in too tightly. We tried 3 times and the same thing happened.

I tried again myself and I tried using washing up liquid and it made no difference....We could just not get a whole bath bomb....

It is such a shame that this didn't work out because we love bath bombs so much. Getting the exact consistency and filling the mould exactly right just takes the fun out of what could have been a great activity.



I would say save your money and just buy some ready made bath bombs.

Since trying this kit I have read some reviews on Amazon and it seems a lot of people have had problems with this kit too.

We were sent this free of charge for our honest review. This is it.