Product Reviews – Page 4

Top 13 Kids Movies on Netflix UK – According to a 6 year old!

It’s all streamed so no more disc lying around getting damaged or lost!

But one of the biggest things I like about it as a mother, is the dedicated area ‘Just for Kids’, without Teen and Adult content, so I can be confident that she isn’t watching anything inappropriate. She can access it independently via the free App on her iPad. There is a vast selection of content; you’ll find old Disney Classics (e.g. Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp and Mary Poppins), newer TV Programmes (e.g. Sponge Bob, Turbo Fast), Wildlife and Nature Documentaries (e.g. Blue Planet) and films based on Classic Children’s Books (e.g. Little Women).

Big Mother is Watching!

I can also spy on her. It’s easy to see what she has been watching recently in the kids section. Plus, if I’d rather see what she’s watching, as we have an apple TV, I can easily stream the movies to the TV via the iPad using the airplay option. This may be annoying to my Facebook friends but I also have it set up to send a status update whenever we watch something on Netflix. So, if I happen to miss her watching something she shouldn’t one of my friends is sure to let me know pronto.

What are the kids watching these days on Netflix UK

I spent some time with my daughter this morning exploring what she likes to watch and what she has been watching. For the most part I think she may be taken by cute animal pictures when choosing a film, but if it isn’t any good she quickly flicks to something else. I was quite surprised at the variety she has been watching, everything from animations to documentaries.

These are her current favourites on Netflix

(in no particular order)

The Planets

Open Season 3

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman

The Smurfs

Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina

The Wild

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel

Underdog

Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2

Beethoven’s Big Break

Joseph: King of Dreams

Mako Mermaids: An H20 Adventure

Walking with Dinosaurs

Is there any other must see films on Netflix UK I should get her to watch?

Persil’s ‘Cook with the Kids’ Workshop and Food Fight!

Persil Cook with Kids Promise

I ,along with 88% of parents surveyed by the LMRMC, avoid baking with my daughter as it makes a mess. I find myself stressing out as flour is flicked out of the bowl, eggs shells follow the egg in the bowl and vegetable oil being vicariously poured into the measuring jug!

I’ve been to quite a few events in my time as a blogger but have to say this one with Persil UK was one of the best. When I read ‘Giant Food Fight’ in the email, I was all over it. It looked like great fun and not something I would ever do in my own house.

Persil is trying to encourage more parent to chill out, stop worrying about the mess and get cooking with their kids.

The kids had an opportunity to make their own pizzas, decorate a cupcake and then the fun began. They kitted them out in little Oompa–Loompa suits, goggles and then armed them with food ammunition, everything from custard to flour to bottles of squeezy ketchup. I think these photos say it all.

‘Every Kids’ Dream!’

Food Fight Fun - Spaghetti — Food Fight Fun – Spaghetti

The Photographer wasn't safe — The Photographer wasn’t safe

I was picking mushrooms and spaghetti out of her hair for ages and she smelled like ketchup for days, but she had such an amazing time I didn’t mind.

I promise to let the kids enjoy baking and making a mess in the kitchen

As a result of this I have pledged to stop worrying about the mess and start baking with her more. Last night we attempted to bake some Cranberry Chocolate Muffins. All we had to do was add egg, water and oil. Unfortunately, the numbers have been scrubbed off my cooker so I had to guess the temperature, unfortunately, they ended up being a bit burnt but still edible. At least I tried.

You up for the promise?

You can sign up to make the promise yourself by visiting Persil Cook with Kids. After signing up you can download a handy PDF with everything you need to get baking and making a mess with your kids. There is also a chance to win a kid-friendly-baking kit in a weekly prize draw and a kids party worth £500.

Sage Soft Open Kettle by Heston Blumenthal #review

You know you’re middle age when you get excited about a new kettle…..

It’s no secret that I think Sage Appliances by Heston Blumenthal are rather sexy. I’ve also have the Multi-Cooker, which is not only a Slow Cooker but it sautés and makes rice and risotto, I’ve been known to drag friends in just to have a look at it.

Our kettle blew up earlier this week, well it didn’t actually blow up it just stopped working, we checked the fuse in the plug but guessing it is the element. I never liked it anyway; it was dreadful for lime scale, splashed boiling water and took ages to boil. We bought it as a quick cheap replacement for its predecessor.

Introducing my sexy new kettle!

The Sage Soft Open Kettle (RRP £79.99) holds 1.7 litres, has a controlled lid opening so it doesn’t splash boiling water on you, has built in boil dry protection just in case I forget to fill it, not like I’ve ever done that before and it has a tram like ding. ;-). It was a little pricier than other kettles I’ve bought but I’ve had to replace them on a yearly basis so it’s a false economy really. I’d rather pay a bit more for quality.

Just popping the kettle on!

Disclosure: The Kettle was complimentary for review purposes.

More tech specs

Babar the Elephant Turns 80! [Review]

The Story of Babar the Little Elephant

When I was offered a chance to review Babar the Elephant I jumped at the chance. It immediately took me back to my childhood, I can vividly remember the illustrations of the elephants, but if I’m honest I couldn’t actually remember the stories though. We also enjoyed an animated TV series in Canada in the late 80s.

When researching this post I learned the history of the first book ‘The Story of Babar’. Apparently, when one of Jean de Brunhoff’s children was sick as a child, in the 1930s, his wife, Cecile, made up a story about an elephant who escapes the jungle and heads of to the city on a little adventure, to comfort her sick son. The children loved the story so much that they took it to their father, who was a painter and asked him to illustrate it. Coincidently a family member was a publisher and the rest is history.

As a child myself, I never noticed that there are two different authors of the Babar books. After Jean died at the age of 37 his son, Laurent who was also a painter carried on the series ‘to keep the memory of his mother and father alive’.

I’ve been enjoying reading the books to my daughter at bedtime. The first one is a bit graphic at the beginning with Babar’s mother being killed by a hunter, reminiscent of the famous scenes in Bambi. However, my daughter loves the zany adventures and we’ve also enjoyed looking up a few unknown old words like ‘shoes and spats’.

I was also a bit surprised and amused to learn that Babar married his cousin and that they were married for 50 years before having their first child.

These books would make a great present for anyone who read them as a child and would like to introduce their own children to Babar.

Scooters for Children

Y Fliker A1 Extreme Scooter

Seriously, how cool are these self-propelling scooters from Yvolutions? They come in two sizes 5+ and 7-adult and in a choice of colours starting from £69.99.

It was incredibly easy to put together, simply unfold the scooter and assemble the handlebars, be careful not to pinch your fingers. I don’t know why but I thought you would use a pumping action with your legs (in and out motion) to get it going but in fact it’s more of a wiggle of the hip as you can see in the video. It also has a handbrake if you get going too fast.

My daughter is only 6 and took to it very quickly, zooming around the house in minutes. The only challenge we have had is the journey to school is up hill, but makes it rather exciting on the way home. Plus, we have the perfect netball court in our local park to practice on, unfortunately, the idiots from the local council have replaced the tarmac paths with gravel, which makes it impossible to scoot on. Luckily there are other spaces around town we can use it.

I think it would make a great Christmas gift for those who are starting to outgrow their regular scooters or are thrill seekers!

Category: Product Reviews