The Casdon Supermarket Till

 My kids love imaginative play in an array of many different forms but one of their favourite activities is to play shop.

Heaven knows they’ve seen me in the supermarket enough times to be able to replicate what happens when you go shopping!

I was kindly send a Casdon Supermarket Till complete with all of the accessories to allow my kids the chance to play out their roles thanks to its range of fun, realistic features.

 

 

(Basket not included)

The Casdon shopping till has been created for children aged 18 months to 6 years, though my almost 7 year old really enjoys using it so I personally wouldn’t put an age limit on it.

On the other end of the spectrum, its large, soft touch buttons are perfect for younger, less agile fingers to use so it’s a real crown pleaser whatever your child’s age or ability.

 

 

The till comes complete with a touch sensitive screen, microphone, scanner, working calculator, opening cash till and a chip and pin feature, offering a hyper-realistic play experience.

It also comes with a set of paper notes and plastic coins (hence why not suitable for under 18 months) along with a selection of plastic groceries from well-known brands.

It is this level of attention to detail that my kids really love with this set, as the items looks like real food you’d find on a supermarket shelf!

 

 

The till itself is brilliant.

 It has a real working microphone (which gets massively over used in our house!) as well as beeping sounds when you enter numbers and a ring when the cash tray pops out.

It works like a real calculator too which is just brilliant for helping my son with his counting and maths.

 

 

Similarly, the coins and notes are great for helping children to understand money and the value of products as well as with addition and subtraction but in such a fun way that they don’t even realise that they are actually learning while they’re playing.

My two can while away hours engaging in this form of roleplay and thoroughly enjoy the interactive nature of the till while I enjoy being able to help teach them about money and counting.

 

 

Even when I’m being charged £17 for a lemon…

The Casdon Supermarket Till is a high quality, playful, learning resource which will engage your child for hour upon hour of roleplay fun.

 

 

The Casdon Supermarket Till is available now online from Amazon and costs just £16.79.

Pound Puppies are Back!

 As a kid one of my all-time favourite toys were my collection of Pound Puppies.

I’ve always loved (and owned) dogs and I loved the concept of ‘adopting’ and caring for my very own little pup!

Soft, huggable and undeniably cute they were massive in the 80’s and early 90’s, and while I grew up they disappeared from sight.

Until now that is.

 

 

My favourite, loveable, huggable dog brand is back with a bang with a gorgeous collection of plush toys which are exact replicas of the iconic 80’s originals.

Available in either a Classic plush (£19.99) or a Newborn (£7.99) you can begin your collection *sorry I mean your CHILDREN* can begin their very own collection and experience all over again!

 

 

I’ve always loved the concept of Pound Puppies in that the way in which they help teach children about adoption and rescuing animals.

Both the Classic and Newborn pups come with their very own adoption certificates for you to fill in and name tags for you to name your new furry best friend.

 

 

They come in their own carrier kennel (which bought back SO many vintage memories for me!) which you can choose to keep as a cosy home for them and this August Pound Puppies have created an inspired partnership with The Dogs Trust.

You might notice that the ‘Dogs Trust logo’ features on the front of the carrier for your pup and this is for an amazing reason.

 

 

From August 1st, for every Dogs Trust Pound Puppy sold, Basic Fun will make a donation to the Dogs Trust.

The Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity which sees around 14,300 dogs happily rehomed each year so collaborating with such an iconic brand is simply inspired.

 

 

 

For every Classic toy sold Basic Fun will donate 27p and for every Newborn they’ll donate 11p.

My children just love these toys. From their cute, loveable ‘please love me’ longing eyes, to their super soft, cuddly bodies, they are both well and truly hooked.

 

 

 

They loving playing mummy and baby pup with the newborns which are far smaller in size to the classic and I love seeing the caring way in which their interact together, mimicking the way we look after our own dog, Rosie.

 

 

They play feeding, cuddles and training and they are the perfect toy to help explain the process of rehoming dogs and how important it is to look after your own dogs properly with love, affection and care. 

 

 

You can relive your childhood and bring the joy of Pound Puppies into your own children’s lives now  from Smyths Toys, Amazon or in store at Tesco where you can collect 4 different Classic pups and 8 different puppies.

Candylocks from Spinmaster

If like me you’re already pulling your hair out at ways to entertain your bored kids during down this difficult time then I’ve found some fab, reasonably priced toys that could just do the job.

Meet the ridiculously cute Candylocks Doll + Pet Asst (£12.99)

Packaged in a bright, eye catching yet secret keeping pack you’ll find hidden beneath  swatch of Rapunzel-esq hair a very cute, scented collectible doll complete with their very own pet!

As you’ve probably guessed, the name ‘Candylocks’ is derived from the fact their long locks resemble your favourite seaside sugared treat!

 

This dual pack of joy contains one 3 inch tropical themed doll, all wrapped up with her very own BFF pet to keep her company!

Her 15 inches of colourful, ombré hair come wrapped around the doll and the pet, so they are both hidden inside the pack.

Who will you reveal!?

Tear into the packaging to unwrap the hair to reveal your Summer Pop Party Candylocks besties! 

 Each doll contains a matching tropical treats theme, a bright and summery outfit on your doll and colourful graphics on your pet, making them both ready for some fun in the sun!

 Oh, and with delicious scents like mango, peach, lemon and more, every Candylocks duo smells as sweet as they look!

Mnnnn.

In terms of the unique, non silky texture of the Candylocks’ extra-long hair, its great for making it really easy for young kids with smaller hands to create a variety of different funky looks.

Better still,  It holds its shape and doesn’t come apart!

 Eaxch Doll and Pet 2-Pack, you’ll also find two accessories, including a transforming hair accessory that becomes a pet bowl or water dish when you flip it over! 

Genius!

We were delighted with our duo, ‘Ocean Spray’ and ‘Rickicoon’ which came with a hair bow doubling as a food bowl and a cute visor to keep the sun out of Ocean Spray’s eyes.

Don’t fancy spending quite as much or not sure your kids are going to be that into it, try a smaller doll first in the form of the Candylocks Pets Assy (£4.99.)

Hidden within a very cute, compact slice of watermelon you’ll find a single Candylock pet.

Like their doll counterparts they too feature the same addictive, delicious smelling cotton candy hair wrapped around itself hiding its true identity!

Open up the watermelon which cleverly doubles up as your pet bed to discover your pet waiting inside! 

Open up your pet to see who you’ll reveal! It could be a cute unicorns, llama, dog, cat, fox or ao many more!

In face, there are over 20 Candylocks Pets to collect (including one ultra-rare one!), each with a different scent, fun name and tropical treats theme. 

We discovered ‘Meryl’ the squirrel in our watermelon and she can complete with her own super cute hair clip to help create a variety of fun and funky hair do’s!

I think these are brilliant and personally, while aimed at kids, I rather enjoy sitting back, relaxing and plaiting the creature and dolls scrummy hair!

Candylocks Dolls and Pets Assts are available now!