Marvel Kids Spiderman Online Free Games Review

Any regular reader knows we're big Super Hero fans here, and we like Marvel a lot. It'll also come as no surprise to find that my kids like playing computer games and apps. Being asked to review the Marvel Kids Spiderman games was hardly a chore for my 7 and 5 year old boys.

There are 8 different games to play and they all start with a comic strip introduction to the story and the challenge ahead. The games are actually very different and compliment each other well. 

Og On The Bog family game review from Drumond Park

For the last couple of weeks we've had a horrid troll in our living room grunting and passing wind and being generally disgusting. And making my youngest son laugh - a lot. Og On The Bog is our latest family game review for Drumond Park, and he's proven a surprisingly popular hit.

Hotel Tycoon Family Game Review and Giveaway

Hotel Tycoon is a game designed for 2-4 players aged 8 and over. Using a traditional board and playing pieces, players travel around purchasing land, building hotels and then charging their opponents to stay in the hotels until all but one player has run out of money and you have a winner!

I'd heard of Hotel Tycoon before as it was previously released as 'Hotels' in the 1970's, but I've never seen it in person. The first thing to mention is just how complex and creative the new design is. The board is really big, and split into the various resort areas...

Paracords Survival Bands Giveaway from Interplay

Last week I posted our review of the brilliant Paracords Survival Bands kit from Interplay. It's a great kit to make genuine Paracord Survival Bands for children and young people over 8 - and adults too.

Including a compass, carabiner, chalk and other items, the kit has full instructions on how to change a 2.4m long piece of cord into a useable item that can be unwoven in seconds when necessary.

6 Ways To Impress Your House Guest

6 Ways To Impress Your House Guest

Having friends or family over to stay can either be a stressful experience or positive, memorable one. We’re entering that time of year when family tend to start booking their reservations to stay at your home and why not give them the luxury hotel experience? Here are some tips to help create a stunning guest room.

Books

Storing as many of your books in your spare room as you can is not only a great way to give a really comforting space to your guests but it also frees up a lot of storage space around the rest of the house. A variety of books, some tasteful lamps and a comfortable reading chair to curl up in lets your guest know they have their own space where they can escape to guilt-free to just enjoy themselves with a good read.

Hotel Transylvania 2 Review

This morning we were one of the lucky families at the Odeon Cinema in Manchester for a preview screening of Hotel Transylvania 2 arranged by Mumsnet. I really liked Hotel Transylvania, as did my 2 young boys, and so we were hopeful the sequel would be good. There are no spoilers in my review.

The story focuses on a vampire, Count Dracula, and his daughter Mavis, her partner Johnny and their families and friends. They run the Hotel Transylvania, a hotel originally a haven for monsters which now also accepts human guests.

The Project MC2 Doll - Complete With Her Own Science Experiment!

Project Mc2 started as a TV show on Netflix in which a group of girls become spies and use Science and Maths to solve problems. It aims to help show young girls that 'smart is the new cool' and Science can be fun that's relevant to them. The people behind Project Mc2 have now released a range of accompanying dolls, each with their own scientific experiment in the box with them.

Make Your Own Paracord Survival Bands with Interplay (age 8+)

Our latest review for Interplay is one I have had my eye on since I heard about it. Paracord Survival Bands are survival wristbands made from carefully woven cord which can be quickly unwoven and is strong enough to be used in an emergency situation. We might not be about to face a zombie apocalypse, but how many times do you find yourself thinking that a piece of string or rope would have been handy?

The Interplay Paracord Survival Bands are made from "military grade parachute lanyard rope" or 'Paracord'. They are strong, they actually can save you in an emergency and as this is 7 strand Paracord it should bear around 400lbs+ of weight - more than enough to lift, pull or rescue any person.

Dora and Friends DVD review and giveaway.

My two young boys liked Dora The Explorer when they were younger, but they are a little old for it now. Nickelodeon favourite Dora however is also aging it seems, and is moving on in the guise of Dora And Friends, featuring an 8 year old Dora and a new gang, as Dora has moved to a new house and school by the sea.

We've been sent a copy of the new Dora And Friends DVD to review and both of my boys really like it. It is a lot more 'mature' than little Dora, and suits junior school aged children. Dora and her friends still use occasional Spanish words throughout, teaching your child without them realising they're learning another language, and the essence of the DVD is friendship and celebrating what makes us different.

University Fees - How Much?

This is a guest post on behalf of Experian

University fees – how much?

As a family, we have always wanted our children to be happy first and foremost but we would also like to think that, one day, they will all go onto to study at university.

Obviously it’s not the end of the world if they choose to take a different path in life (which some of them already have), especially if the skills they need for their chosen career do not require a university level education. However I would love to see the kids be successful in well-paid jobs and graduate with a degree if that’s what it takes to get their dream job.