(Ad|Review) Christmas Gifts For Uni Students...

Uni Students might also want sensible gifts for their studies, but Christmas is about being frivolous, and I like to treat my 4 grown up uni student offspring to things that'll make them smile and maybe also have a practical side. I have previously been sent some of the following items for review - but I wouldn't also include them in this post if I didn't like them! 

Miss You Loads. 

Is anyone ever too old for a soft toy? Uni students this year especially have to cope by themselves far more than in the past. They haven't been able to nip home, and physical contact might be a bit lacking. 

I recently did a review for Moonpig, and sent my 21 year old Uni student this Sloth which warms in the microwave for a very fair £10. Other creatures are available. It's the closest thing to a hug - and it really doesn't have to be pink or fluffy. 

(Ad|Review) Gift Ideas For Pre-Teens - 8-12 Year Olds

Choosing gifts when your child enters that 'in between' stage can feel like you are entering the wilderness. They don't play with toys very much, but they aren't necessarily ready for gig tickets, make up and alcohol. We've been there 7 times now, and actually there are tons of things that have been universally enjoyed here, so there must be at least a couple of other kids out there who would enjoy them too... 

A Telescope.

It doesn't matter who you are, the sky is vast and full of possibility, and the stars are hypnotic. Wishes waiting to fall. We were sent a couple of great examples this year for review, and they're incredibly different. 

The GeoSafari Vega 360 Telescope (Age 8+) from Learning Resources just needs the large parts screwing together and you are good to go. We spent a long time examining the moon with this, and the owl in our tree! 

Comes with different eyepieces, a guide and activity booklet. Rrp £48 in store or direct from Learning Resources.  Here's our full GeoSafari Vega 360 Telescope Review. 

A Paper or Card Construction Craft Kit

If you are a bit more interested in how things work, and yours is the type of child who takes things to pieces, or gets joy from making something themselves, then we also reviewed the Build Your Own Telescope Kit (age 8+). They have several different models available, including a fantastic marble run. 

Hedgeways Strategy Tile Game Giveaway (With Sprout & Gherkin) Age 7-99+

Hedgeways is a wooden strategy game which we were sent to review earlier this Autumn by Sprout & Gherkin. Designed for 2 players (although we have played a version with more), and recommended for anyone aged around 7-99+, it's fun to play, and a beautiful game which comes in the most amazing wooden box... 

Hedgeways is from the same people who make another gorgeous wooden tile game, Sproutword, and it's just as clever. There is no plastic packaging, in fact no plastic at all, and the box itself is part of the joy - created mainly from a single piece of wood, carefully cut to bend over and clip shut. That'll impress the Grandads... 

Players take it in turns to place 1,2 or 3 tiles on the table. Tiles have to match in colour where they touch. Players earn a point for every 'field' they enclose completely. It's pick up and play at it's finest. There are no complicated rules and anyone can win - although you definitely get better as you play! 

The Box - Game And Puzzle Compendium Giveaway - from Around The Box (age 3-99+)

Christmas is coming, and what could be better than a giveaway! Last month we were sent a copy of The Box (and standalone game Penguin Party) from 'Around The Box' for review, and they've kindly offered The Box for one of my readers as an early Christmas present...

So, what's in The Box? This is a fantastic modern game and puzzle compendium, which has been really carefully put together. It offers masses of activities to keep you occupied, all in a very small and easily portable box with a magnetic fastener. The contents are suitable for anyone 3+, almost entirely wooden, and can even be washed. It could last a lifetime. 

The Box has lots of scope for you to play alone, but it really takes on a whole new dimension when you play together. There are no complicated rules, nothing requires a lot of gameplay talk, so The Box encourages chatter - and laughter. We've had loads of fun playing with this, as hopefully you can clearly see in my full Around The Box review. 

Funko Games Review - Disney Something Wild! and Marvel Battleworld Battle Ball (Sent for review)

Funko are really well known for their 'Funko Pops', but that's only part of the story, They also make a range of games, and we've been sent some to review. 

We've been sent Mickey And Friends and Toy Story Something Wild! games (age 6+, 2-4 players), and 2 of the Marvel Battleworld Battle Balls (age 6+)... 

The Marvel Battleworld Battle Balls are quite large and heavy, so straight away the boys were very keen to get into them. They have a plastic sleeve around which really needs scissors to open because the rip strip is a bit hit and miss - don't use your teeth! 

Inside you have 1 Hero, 1 Hero Card, 1 Thanostone (containing a mystery Hero), 1 mystery Hero Card sealed in black plastic, 5 Battle Cards, 1 Attack Die, 5 Danger Tokens, 1 Danger Coin and Instructions.