HEXBUG BattleBots Arena toy review

Jacob was super excited when the HEXBUG® BattleBots® Arena™ arrived, and so was I.

If like me, you enjoyed watching the TV programme Robot Wars which started back in 1998. Then you will love this new toy from HEXBUG.

This huge box arrived and my son Jacob was desperate to open it. So we decided to record a video of Jacob opening the box and having a battle against daddy!

Here's a little bit about HEXBUG®. 

By leveraging our robotics expertise, we entered the toy industry in 2007 with the launch of the HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures product line. HEXBUG was designed to give children a positive experience with robotics at a young age. Our passion for robotics, as demonstrated by our VEX Robotics program, was the main catalyst fueling HEXBUG's inception. Hence, the brand was born! People are drawn to the HEXBUG brand for our products’ fascinating behaviour, intelligent bug-like attributes and eye-catching packaging. Some of the products are so animated, they even fool cats, dogs and some humans into thinking they are alive!

What's in the box?

The lights dim as the audience roars, you have just entered the ultimate robot showdown! Modeled after television’s favourite metallic war-zone comes HEXBUG® BattleBots® Arena™.

• Two push activated pulverizing hammers
• Battle-worn detachable robot pieces 
• BattleBots I/R Witch Doctor included
• BattleBots I/R Tombstone included
• Realistic protective walls 
• Fold-out game board
• Batteries Included
• Ages 8 and up

Jacob had so much fun playing with the BattleBots. The remote controls are a perfect size for little hands. He took great pleasure in trying to beat daddy. Even though he did cheat a bit!

Check out the video of Jacob and daddy's battle. If you like this video please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to Planet Jacob. Thank you for helping to grow our channel.

You can buy this fab HEXBUG BattleBots Arena from Toys R Us and Smyths Toys.

Disclaimer: We received the HEXBUG BattleBots Arena free of charge. All views our own.

Review: Disney Junior Play App

With so many apps to choose from, it can be tricky to pick one that's right for your toddler.
Disney have just launched the new Disney Junior Play app and we love it!
By we, I mean my three year old son, Jacob, and I.

Jacob's face lights up every time I let him play on it. We're big fans of all things Disney, so we were really excited to see this new app.

It doesn't dissapoint. Great for little fingers, easy to navigate, quick to launch, and lots of games included.

The new iOS app Disney Junior Play is home to Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Disney Junior fans can now get even closer to their favourite characters on the go through a variety of activities including fun games, engaging video-clips and a digital sticker book.

Jacob loves playing on the Disney Junior Play App

Free to download, Disney Junior Play comes with the “Disney Junior Favourites” pack, featuring four multi-level games and a digital sticker book featuring Doc, Sofia, Jake and Mickey. Additional packs based on Disney Junior’s smash-hit shows Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse are available to purchase from within the app, each containing four games, a short form video and a digital sticker book.

It's easy to create a simple profile, and little ones can easily navigate through the home screen and access the games. One of Jacob's favourites is popping the balloons with Mickey and Goofy.

The games encourage creativity, the kids learn how to solve problems, develop dexterity and the app helps with hand-eye co-ordination.

You know how much kids love stickers! Well, stickers are rewarded and collected during gameplay and can be saved in the sticker book; each pack having its own character themed sticker book and 25 stickers to collect.

Disney Junior Play will definitely keep little ones busy with fun, challenging games. Jacob didn't need muy help while playing on it, and I am pleased beacuse there are no adverts within the game, so he can't accidently click on anything. Jacob didn't want to stop playing it!

The app is free to download and you get a good variety of games with the free app. I would recommend you buy the bundle which is currently £4.99, better value which will unlock 4 more parts of the game. Or you can buy them individually at £1.99 each.

These are the games you can buy extra:

• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 'Farmyard Fun'
• Doc McStuffins 'Here to Help'
• Jake and the Never Land Pirates 'Island Adventures'
• Sofia the First 'A Royal Party'

Key Features:

• 20+ games available, including;
• Jigsaw puzzles to encourage problem solving
• Catching games to reward fast fingers
• Dress-up games to inspire imaginative play
• Placement games to encourage logical thinking
• Hide-and-seek games to reward observation skills
• Three levels in each game
• 25 digital stickers to collect in each pack
• Catchy videos to watch again and again!
• Supports up to four profiles, so each of your children can save their progress
• Play anywhere, any time as all content works offline, including videos
• No adverts so your child can play safely
• In-app purchases are only available in the pin-protected store, so only an adult can access
• Supports iPhone 4+, iPod 4+, and iPad 2+

Check out my video review and see the app in real-time.

Each pack features a set of adventures and stimulating play topics that transport kids into the world of their favourite Disney Junior characters; from helping Doc choose the right clothes for the weather to helping Jake and his crew design a sand castle for a pirate king.

Disney Junior Play has been designed to keep little ones busy with fun, challenging games that feature everyday themes, but while a lot of fun for kids, the app has also been developed with parents in mind.

Purchases within Disney Junior Play are both safe and secure with payments facilitated only after parents have correctly passed through the child-protection screen. Once within the store parents can browse and purchase additional character themed packs to add to their Disney Junior Play collection.  Each pack retails at £1.99, or can be purchased as part of a money saving bundle, all 4 games for £4.99

What are you waiting for, go an have a play on the Disney Junior Play app.
Available to download from the app store.

www.disney.co.uk

Disclosure: I was provided with the full app to review free of charge.

Take a trip down memory lane with Victoria Pendleton's vintage look bike range

Ok, I have to admit, it's been years since I was on a bicycle. But when I saw this beautiful vintage looking bike from the new Victoria Pendleton range, I wanted to don a headscarf and go cycling on the sea front pretending it was 1950.

Former British cycling champion Victoria Pendleton's latest cycle in the range is perfect to get the ladies out on their bikes this summer in style!

“Everyone knows I am passionate about cycling,” said Victoria Pendleton, “and I want to encourage as many women as I can back onto their bikes which is why I am so proud of the fact that my classic bikes are for everyday women. You don’t have to wriggle into lycra to ride them and they are perfect for nipping down to the shops or a ride around town or countryside, with friends.”

The 'Ashwell' is the latest in the Victoria Pendleton range at Halfords. This 'Dutch Style' shopper is simply stunning looking and would make any woman proud to be seen riding on it. Aimed at women who are just starting out cycling maybe for slightly longer rides or even just women that haven't been on a bike in years, it'll give you assurance straight away due to the uncomplicated clutter like 20 extra gears you won't use or disc breaks like on most mens bikes!

The retro 1950's styling really gives it a timeless classic look with all the comfort of any quality modern bike. The classic black colour step-through frame comes in 17 and 19 inch sizes and has colour co-ordinated mudguards and chainguard to keep you mud and oil free. It's quality Sturmy Archer 5-Speed gears are all you need, being uncomplicated they're really easy to use and with the traditional swept back handle bars it really gives you a relaxed, but confident ride.

The seat is nice and wide, padded and sprung, so truly comfortable - unlike mountain bikes that give you bottom ache for weeks after! The seat and stitched handle-bar grips are also covered in a beautiful tan coloured leather-style material, that with the cream coloured tyres gives the look of the bike that extra bit of class. With luggage rack and a room for an optional wicker basket at the front, there's plenty of space for your groceries on a trip to your local shop.

The Pendleton Ashwell Hybrid Bike is exclusively distributed by Halfords Ltd. and available online or instore priced at £329.99. This bike is also qualifies for free in-store build and inspection as well as a free 6 week first service.

See more at: www.halfords.com 

Tried & Tested: The energy efficient washing machine from Panasonic available at Appliances Online

Working mum of two Adele Jennings and her husband, stay at home dad Mark put the Panasonic NA-148VX3WGB washing machine to the test.

We all know that we never have enough time to complete all the daily tasks that life throws at us. So it's great when you get a helping hand from modern technology.

My husband Mark and I have 2 children, Amber is 9 and Jacob is 2, and together we get through mountains of washing each week.

Like any other family we care about the environment while trying to save our pennies.

We have been sent the Panasonic NA-148VX3WGB washing machine by Appliances Online to review.

The very user friendly Panasonic NA-148VX3WGB washing machine

The stylish Panasonic NA-148VX3WGB is a perfect example of a simple to use A+++ 'Energy Efficient' washing machine for the average busy family, and because high-efficiency machines have more customisable settings it's by far simpler for parents to find one that's right for a specific load, providing a better, more intelligent wash cycle.

Panasonic's new machine's very modern looking, with it's large tinted door that houses an ample 8 kg drum which is perfect for bedding and larger items without splitting the loads. A contemporary LCD display may deter the technophobe, but it's really not that complicated, with a straight forward function menu that shows the programme you're using, the speed & temperature and the time left on the cycle.

Once you've loaded the machine, chosen your preferred cycle, added the detergent/softener and started the wash, the clever ' Perfect Sense Technology' assesses the wash load to precisely detect the amount of clothes to reduce waste of water and get the best washing results. If you have a small baby vest and a large towel, it cleverly distributes the drum so everything gets a thorough wash.

With the '3D Sensor Wash' it analyses the motion of the drum, detecting the movement of the laundry in the machine and making adjustments to enable the laundry to tumble from the optimal position. Combining this with the 'HydroActive+' technology consisting in 5 point multi-directional showers which quickly penetrate items and guarantee efficient washing and rinsing everytime.  

The Eco/Speed mode see's the machine consuming 50% less energy and up to 30% less water, which may take a little longer, so it's an absolutely ideal if you're going out as the machine also switches itself off once the programme has completed.

With temperature options from from cold to 90 °C and it's water jets coming from 5 different directions, we found this versatile machine washes clothes especially thoroughly and is a very quiet at 53db's on a wash cycle and 72db's on a spin cycle as well as remaining very stable throughout, with possible spin speeds up to 1,400 rpm. So you don't have to worry about the washing machine waking up the kids when you put a wash on in the evening.

Safety features include an 'auto-lock' door whilst in use and you can activate this whilst idle by pressing and holding the option button to prevent curious little one's climbing into the drum! Additionally you can lock the display controls so your little helpers busy fingers don't fiddle around and change all the programme settings.

One of the functions that I love most about this machine is probably the most simplistic but satisfying. The pause function lets you add an item after the cycle has started, how many times have you looked around and found an stray sock on the middle of the kitchen floor - it could possibly solve the infamous odd sock mystery!

Check out my video review below and watch my son Jacob helping me out with the washing.

Priced at £467, available from www.appliancesonline.co.uk

Fed up of your little ones socks coming off? You need Sock Ons!

What a great little invention to solve a niggly problem!

I remember my daughter pulling her socks off, or they would just fall off. I was constantly putting them back on. If you want to keep their little tootsies warm and you have this problem, your solution - Sock Ons.

Sock Ons are clever little things that keep those socks on. The garment is worn over the sock and 'locks' it into place they are a simple yet highly effective solution to the problem of keeping socks on!

The design bit..  

Resembling something like a 'sock jacket', Sock Ons slip on over the sock and 'locks' it into place. The design lies in the fact that if the sock is pulled from the toes, the sock gets locked into the hole around the heel, thus preventing it from slipping off. 

Sock Ons have been invented by a mum of five little boys who always lost their socks! The best products are always designed by mums and dads who have found great solutions to everyday problems.

Sock Ons come in classic colours: Baby Pink, fuchsia, Baby Blue, Navy and White Sock Ons and they have just brought out a funky range of bright colours: Red, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Turquoise, Blueberry, Grape, Chocolate and Charcoal, one to match every outfit. They are made from a softly woven blend of elasticised material with contrasting coloured stitching around the edges. 

They are Size 0-6m and 6-12m.

They also have a range called Dribble Ons to match the Sock Ons. These are great little bibs, bandana style. When your baby is teething and all dribbly, these will keep their clothes clean and dry.

Dribble Ons draw away the moisture with the soft terry cotton lining, whilst being cute and comfortable to wear. Together with Sock Ons they make the perfect gift set and a real fashion statement. Recommended size 0-24m with adjustable popper back.

I already have my Sock Ons and Dribble Ons for when Jacob needs them!

Check out www.sockons.co.uk