SMIGGLE & DOLLY’S DREAM CHOOSE KINDNESS #SMIGGLEDOITFORDOLLY #BEKIND #CHOOSEKINDNESS

And just like that, the holidays is over and a new school year begin - and as the kids start school again, Smiggle and Dolly’s Dream have also launched their annual Choose Kindness campaign…

XMAS GIFTS - FAIRY FUN TOYS - ECO-FRIENDLY TOYS SUPPORTING SMALL AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES

The other day I talked about some great gift ideas for the kids, and today I’m continuing with some ideas for the kids, but with eco-friendly and educational toys, from small Australian businesses! All available from Fairy Fun Toys. 

THE ULTIMATE KIDS TOYS GIFT GUIDE 2020

Finding the right Xmas pressies is always a tricky one… yeah, I’m sure other kids are just like mine and love anything new that they get. But finding that great gift that will continue to get play time, even weeks and months later - that’s the presents that I personally always strive to give to my boys. I’ve got a few great examples here… 

First up is the most adorable one of them all, The Balloon Dog Squeakee. And yes, the plastic dog, looks exactly like he has been made of balloons. But he is so much more than that. He can make over 60 sounds and movements, and the more you play with him, the more he comes to life. I could keep going on and on about all the things he can do, so here’s just a few… if you tickle his tummy, he’ll be very happy, you can train him with the blue squeaker toy - one squeak and he’ll sit, two squeaks and he’ll beg, and three squads and he gets excited. You can also feed him with the pump and he might pee or fart (a clear winner with my boys!!!). And if he’s left alone for too long, he will bark to get your attention, and eventually sit. Continue to leave him, and he’ll drop down and fall asleep… snoring! Oh, and he also responds to your voice, the louder you tell him he’s been naughty, the more he will squeak, and eventually he will pop and deflate. Such a fun toy, which is sure to be a huge suggest. And one that doesn’t have to be fed or walked after all!!! Suitable for children aged 5+.

The Balloon Dog Squeakee - RRP: $100
Available from all good toy stores 

For the car loving boys, there’s this cool Boom City Racers Fireworks Factory, which has been designed for speed.

The playset is the ultimate way to race as it is a 3-in-1 transforming playset with three ways to play. The collectable cars rip out of their fireworks rocket launcher and explode apart on impact!

Kids can also race their friends on the side targets to be the first to set off the rockets, use the ramps to create epic 2-way aerial jumps, or hit the middle target to explode the Fireworks Factory.

The Boom City Racers cars are designed for speed thanks to having a super fast flywheel inside. The playset comes with one exclusive ‘Da Boss’ car, but you can also purchase extra cars individually to add to the collection. Suitable for children aged 4+. 

Boom City Racers Fireworks Factory Playset - RRP: $40
Boom City Racers Single Car pack - RRP; $12
Available from all good toy stores 

My boys are typical boys and love dinosaurs - and cars - so needless to say that the Vtech Switch & Go Dinos is a massive hit. My big boys got one a few years ago for Xmas, and it still gets lot of play time, so in my opinion, a great toy. This new version, which comes in a few different models including a Triceratops, Therizinosaurus and this one, Seeker the T-Rex. 

The Dinos can quickly transform from vehicle to Dino in a few easy steps, so kids thereby get two twos in one!!

Depending on whether you have it transformed into T-Rex mode or Off-Road Car mode, it makes different sound effect as you push it along. And you can also push the action buttons to activate dinosaur facts and sound effects. You can also customise The Dino by choosing from a selection of cool driver and dinosaur faces displayed on the LCD screen, and when you push the different buttons, it activates fun phrases, interesting dinosaur facts and great sound effects. The Action Button on the back, also makes the Dino's claws move, as well as playing dinosaur sound effects, as well as the mouth also light up when the Action Button is pushed. Seriously the coolest toy for little boys!! Suitable for children 3 to 8 years. 

Switch & Go Dinos Action Crew - RRP: $30
Available from Kmart.

Finally there are these cool WOW! Pods, the. Newest way to display your favourite characters.

The cool characters live in a hex-shaped pod with built in UV lights, and you simply swipe to bring the pods to life as the character pops and the light reveals hidden images. 

There are so many different ones to collect, including Marvel, Harry Potter, and DC’s Super Friends, with various characters from each collection, and with collections from Disney Pixar, Disney Princess, Disney Frozen and Disney Classic joining soon - so there’s also characters to collect for both boys and girls!! 

So you can simply keep collecting pods and link them together in any way you like, to create a unique shape of display wall of WOW!!

They absolutely take my boys room’s to a whole new level. Oh, and I love that the light automatically switches off after 30 seconds
Suitable for 5 to 15-year-olds.

WOW! Pods - RRP: $29.95 each
Available from leading independent toy stores. 

* Some products may have been kindly provided for editorial consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy, and reviews are 100% honest and based on personal opinion and experience. Note that The Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter is not a professional or expert, so please do not substitute these opinions as professional advice. 

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XMAS GIFT AND STOCKING FILLER IDEAS FROM SMIGGLE - PRODUCT REVIEW

When it comes to all those extra little Xmas pressies for the kids, calendar presents, stocking fillers, and presents for friends, if there is one store you can be sure covers all your needs, it’s Smiggle. All kids just love going into the stores for a browse, and check out all the newest gadgets and gizmos and not to mention stationary They always have so much with cool stuff all kids will love, and in the lead up to Christmas, there’s even more to check out.. 

HALLOWEEN ON A BUDGET WITH THE REJECT SHOP - TMNT TEENAGE MUTANT TURTLE DRESS UPS

Keeping up with all the traditions and events that kids like, from easter, Christmas, along with Halloween, can become a costly affair. But thankfully when it comes to Halloween, the Reject Shop is always a one stop shop and has you covered this year, and without it costing a fortune. 

KIDS TOY GIFT IDEAS FROM COLORIFIC INCLUDING BUILD A BOT AND CHEEKY CHASERZ

If you’re still on the hunt for some last minute gift ideas for the kids, I’ve got a few more up my sleeve for you, today from Colorific…

XMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR KIDS - ULTIMATE STOCKING FILLERS FROM SMIGGLE

If there is one thing that always gets kids excited, its Smiggle. When I’m at the shopping centre with our two boys, I sometimes, if we’re short on time, have to make a big detour so we don't pass the shop, or I know that it’ll take an hour before we’ll leave the store, and not until we’ve got a big bagful of goodies. But you really cannot blame the kids. They simply have so many cool things, and a forever new range of products arriving. Did you see the recent Frozen and Star Wars ranges (you can read about the last one here). Seriously, where was Smiggle when I was a kid! Anyway, Smiggle also has so many great things suitable for Xmas pressies, or stocking fillers, we’ve got a selection below, so read on…

THE ULTIMATE KIDS TOY GIFT GUIDE 2019

It’s that time of year again… time to work out what the kiddies are getting for Xmas. With so many new toy releases coming out all the time, and even more so, right before Christmas, it is always a tricky thing to find the right toys that you know will be a success and keep them entertained again and again. With two little active boys, we’ve got some great suggestions… read on to see our top suggestions this year…

XMAS GIFT IDEAS FROM PJ MASKS

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With Christmas just around the corner, it is time to start with some Xmas gift ideas, and trust me when I say that I have a lot of great suggestions for you this year.. Let’s start with some cute and gorgeous ones for the little ones from PJ Masks..

PRODUCT REVIEW: BACK TO SCHOOL WITH SMIGGLE STAR WARS LIMITED EDITION RANGE - STAR WARS STORM TROOPER BACKPACK, PENCIL CASE AND STATIONARY

Have you heard that Smiggle currently has the coolest collaborations with Frozen and Star Wars. The Frozen collection is absolutely adorable in all its pastel glitterness and sweet scented products, but having two boys, needless to say that it’s the Smiggle Star Wars collection that has won a place at our house..

PRODUCT REVIEW: THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO TOYS

My hubby grew up watching the Thunderbirds, so he is super excited that he can now watch the Thunderbirds Are Go returning to ABC ME on weekends with final season 3 episodes. He’s so excited to be able to share childhood memories with our two little boys - and they’re loving re-enacting all the action and rescue play of Tracy Island with the newly launched classic Thunderbirds Are Go toys. 

PRODUCT REVIEW: TEAMSTERZ MICRO MOTORZ - TOY REVIEW

With a motorsport fanatic daddy, it is pretty obvious to say that our two boys are growing up loving cars too. And thus also needless to say that the newly launched Teamsterz Micro Motorz, which is a range of surprise collectables cars has been a huge hit with them too. 

PRODUCT REVIEW: KEEPING THE KIDS ENTERTAINED WITH SMIGGLE

If there is one thing that is certain, then it’s that the kids are always begging to go into a Smiggle store when we pass one, they are simply obsessed with all the cute, fun and cool things they always have - things you can always rely on Smiggle to keep the kids entertained. 

PRODUCT REVIEW: PJ MASKS ROLLING LUGGAGE FOR KIDS

When you go on a holiday there is always so many things you need to think about, especially for me, who is a serial over-packer. And this time, I am going to Europe for four weeks with my two little boys in tow. Tell me there is not a lot of things to remember bringing this time. Time to reduce the things I bring for my self, to make room for their stuff too! 

PRODUCT REVIEW: VTECH KIDIZOOM DUO 5.0 DUAL LENS CAMERA - THE PERFECT CAMERA FOR LITTLE ACTIVE EXPLORERS

Times have changed, and these days we all always have a camera with us in our smart phones, and I thin that has made kids even more keen than ever wanting to take photos too. 

PRODUCT REVIEW: VTECH TOOT-TOOT DRIVERS AIRPORT AND DRIVER VEHICLES

Nothing is better than seeing your little kids entertained and playing well, and lately my youngest has had so much fun playing with the Vtech Toot-Toot Drivers Airport - while he is imagining that he is on his way to Europe, which we will be in a few weeks time.

KIDS BOOK REVIEW: WHITEBEARD BY M.C.D ETHERIDGE

My big almost 6 year old only started prep at school at the beginning of this year, and he is so loving learning to read, recognising words, and cannot stop spelling words he sees, anywhere he goes. And as a mum, I really love that. He has such an appetite for learning and he so cannot wait till he can read full books.

PRODUCT REVIEW; EASTER TREATS WITH THE PJ MASKS

Can you believe it, Easter is just around the corner. A quarter of the year gone already. Feels we’ve barely gotten rid of the last leftovers of Chrissy snacks, and we’re loading up again! And as all kids, my two boys couldn’t be any more excited. 

BOOK REVIEW: PENELOPE'S PLAYGROUND BY PIXI AND ROXY JACENKO

My big boy has just started school, and at that age, more than ever, it is important that the children learn that it is ok to be different, and to accept and understand that. And the new book written by Roxy Jacenko and her daughter, Pixi Curtis, Penelope's Playground* is the perfect story book to read out to children, and help them understand how important it is to be kind to each other, regardless of how you look. 

PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOBE X SESAME STREET BOARD

During the school holidays and summer break, keeping the kids busy and entertained can be a tricky thing. You, naturally, cannot take them out to theme parks every single day, and neither buy them new toys daily - so we have tried to keep them active with play in the garden, bike rides, and also teaching big boy how to use a skate board, thanks to the cool Globe x Sesame Street board.