"Carol Vorderman's Mathable Junior" by Wooky Entertainment Game Review

Not every child loves Maths but with a game like "Carol Vorderman's Mathable Junior" you can make learning fun!  This game was sent to my family to review from Wooky Entertainment.  It states that the game is suitable for ages 5 and up but to be honest, with all the best will in the world, there's no way you could give this game to a small group of 5 years olds to give yourself an hour of peace and quiet!  At least one adult has to play to help the younger ones with their sums if needed!

Once we had got our heads round the instructions, the game was pretty easy to play - there are only a few simple rules to obey and so once all the children have understood those, it's pretty straightforward.

My son was pleased that he could join in with the game as he's only 5 and often has to go on someone's "team" in order to have chance of winning anything!

The aim of the game is to place your tiles onto the board adjacent to 2 tiles already place to complete a sum - either addition or subtraction.  For example, if there is already a "4" and a "6" on the board (next to each other), you could place either a "10" or a "2" in the adjacent square, with your score being the result of the sum you have just performed.  Sounds a bit complicated, but in practice it's easy to follow.  There are special squares resulting in additional rules but I won't go into that now - when playing it's obvious what to do regarding the additional rules - cross that bridge when you come to it!

The handy number line from 1-20 on the edge of the board is very helpful when working on the sums and deciding where to place the tiles - with older children and adults(!) you could use a bit of skill and strategy if there's a choice of where to put the tiles.  We played at a simple level with my youngest by just placing the tiles where he could recognise where they would go - even if there was a higher scoring spot available!

The reverse of the board had a different game to play - still number based with addition and subtraction the key to the game but with a different scoring system.   Here, you must match your tile to the spaces on the board whilst also completing equations of addition and subtraction.

When playing with my youngest child, we swayed away from the words "equations" and "subtraction" saying instead, "adds and adds" and "take aways"!  With my 8 year old, we used the correct wording and she was fine.  Also, second time round of playing there was much less confusion and no tears!

As a bi-lingual family, this game can be played in any language as the board consists of only numbers and symbols.... whether you're using "one", "un" or "uno" the game works!

The game is endorsed by Carol Vorderman - even though she has gone on to do many other things in her career, Countdown and the number's game is one of her most famous roles.  So hopefully, she will be helping to develop the next generation of mathematicians!

The adult and older child version of the game "Mathable" includes division and multiplication and is available for download and as an app for use with iPad as well as a traditional board game - when I join the iPad generation (hint hint!) this is one app I'll be downloading for sure!

An advantage of games by Wooky Entertainment is that you are able to download a PDF file of the instructions in the event (likely or unlikey!) that you may lose the instructions that come with the game!

***DISCLAIMER***

We were sent this product for free on the understanding I would write an honest review of what I thought about the product. I received no payment and the review is my own honest and unbiased opinion of the product and I retain full editorial control and integrity

Mixy - "Fashion's A Snap" Bead Jewellery Kit Review

This week, we were sent to review two bead jewellery kits from Mixy by Wooky Entertainment.  These kits are aimed at children aged 5 years and older so even my son joined in!  We spent a lovely afternoon creating, un-creating and re-creating many different designs - some practical and some slightly wacky!

The beads easily but securely clip together with a satisfying "click" and can be made to any length (number of beads permitting of course!).  The bonus for me which makes these kit great is that there is no fiddly threading but the beads look as if they have been threaded so you can create jewellery that does not look "pre-school" if you know what I mean!  Older children would be happy using these beads and another advantage is that your creations can be dismantled and new designs created!

There are a generous amount of beads in each set and, of course, additional packs all work together so there can be no end to the amount you create!

Each pack also has it's own special shiny themed beads and one mystery bead(!) - these add a lovely touch as pendants on necklaces or charms on bracelets.

Both of my children (8 & 5) were thrilled with these kits and may daughter has asked "Santa" for them as part of her Christmas present!  Already, I hear you say(!) but she was sooo impressed that this is the first thing on her list!  So a definite thumbs up from us.

Mixy "Fashion's A Snap" kits can be bought at various toy shops, including Armadillo Toys, priced from just £3.50!

Pop over to the Mixy Facebook page here and say "hello"!

"Style Me Up" Jewellery & Fashion Designer Craft Set Review

Sometimes it feels like my 8 year old is going on 18!  But other times, she's still my baby and doesn't want to grow up!  One thing that has changed with how she plays is that she loves (and I mean LOVES!) drawing designs of clothes and "things she wants to make when shes older"!

We were sent 2 craft design sets from Wooky Entertainment.  The Style Me Up Designer Sketchbook is a flip pad full of blank outlines of girls complete with stencils of various items of clothing (from shorts and skirts to sunglasses and bandanas and everything in between!).  There are pattern ideas and colour schemes and themes at the front of the pad and stickers to further adorn your daughter's masterpiece.

My daughter was very impressed with the set and has designed outfits for all of our future outings (including a family wedding... maybe!)... we may need a trip to the fabric wholesaler and dust off my sewing machine as she's itching for these creations to come to life!

There are different themes to each sketchbook available - Pink & Black, Rock Star, Summer Crush, Graphic Tees, to name a few.  Have a look at the website here where you can create a profile and make further designs online.  Or pop over to their Facebook page here, say hello and keep up with the latest products and future fashion designers!

The other craft design set that we received was a Button Weave Jewellery set... an array of buttons, diamante stickers and cords with a set of earring findings.  So now I have my very own CP-styled earrings for the upcoming wedding!

The fastening and threading was a little bit fiddly for my daughter  but she is at the lower end of the age range that these products are aimed at (aged 8+).  There are plenty of buttons and cord in the set to make a pair of earrings and a necklace with some left over - there's nothing worse than running out of something which has kept your child entertained for ages.. and they "have" to finish it!


Products from the Style Me Up range can be purchased from John Lewis and other retailers; with prices starting at just £4.99 you can be assured that a quailty craft kit and at a very reasonable price will keep your tweens entertained for hours!

Fashion designer in the making.....?  If she's happy, then I'm happy!  x