TOMY Jungle Magic Sounds Aquadoodle - Review

We were lucky enough to be picked as Babies R Us Babyologists recently and C was sent the TOMY Jungle Magic Sounds Aquadoodle to try out. 

When I opened it, the first thing I noticed was how bright and colourful it was - perfect for stimulating a child! C couldn't wait to get his hands on it.

Inside the box was the Aquadoodle mat, pen and water compartment. Batteries aren't included but they are easy enough to get your hands on so I wasn't too bothered. The water compartment is easily filled and slots into the main 'pen'. The pen is chunky enough for C to hold in his hand comfortably. 

He picked up on how to use it straight away but as the water compartment only slots in, he was able to pull it out. After a few "no"'s though, he soon stopped! The pen is lightweight and mat is durable so I feel that it is great quality.

There are four animal sounds around the edge of the mat and you push the end of the pen down on the sound that you want then that sound is made whilst you draw. C had a little bit of trouble doing this by himself as you need to press down quite hard.

C found it really easy to draw on the mat and it doesn't take overly long to dry out so he was able to continue drawing. He sits for well over an hour playing with it - it's the only toy that's ever kept him that occupied! It's great that it's teaching him how to draw and I don't have to worry about him making a mess. My 12 year old sister even said she wanted one!

The Aquadoodle is recommended for children aged 18 months+ and you can purchase your own TOMY Jungle Sounds Magic Aquadoodle at Toys R Us for £24.99.

(Disclaimer: We received this item free of charge in exchange for an open and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Crazy Circus Character Print - Giveaway!

A few days ago, I posted a review of the beautiful Crazy Circus Character Print (you can read that here).

Now, Art.co.uk and I are giving you the chance to win one for yourself! This gorgeous print is 76x102cm & is in a black frame (RRP £84.99).

Art.co.uk also do a fab range of Art for Kids where you can buy wall decals, murals, posters, canvas etc perfect for your childs' nursery or bedroom!

All you need to do is fill in the Rafflecopter widget below. Don't know how to use Rafflecopter? Di over at Super Lucky has put together a handy how-to guide here. UK entrants only please. Good luck all!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crazy Circus Character Print Review

Last month, I posted about Art.co.uk's 'Art Sparks Learning' campaign (you can read that post here). Basically, members of the public can nominate schools that will each receive 18 framed art prints to decorate the school and inspire their students. It's such a great project and I'm happy that stuff like this exists as art is so important.

Art.co.uk very kindly sent me out one of their framed prints. I was able to choose my own & I opted for Crazy Circus Characters as it would go very nicely in C's 'Jungle Circus' themed nursery.

I was really excited to receive it and it was a lot bigger that I'd expected (I received a 76x102cm print). The colours are so bright and perfect for stimulating young minds. The print itself and frame are fantastic quality and I was eager to get it up on the wall.

Isn't it beautiful? C couldn't stop staring at it so I'm thinking that he likes the colours!

On the back, I found this little sticker:

I think that this is a lovely touch and makes it seem really personalised. I absolutely love having this up and any school that receives prints similar to this one are in for a treat.

Nominations for schools are unfortunately closed now, but if you want to nominate for next time round, you can! Visit www.art.co.uk/artevent to nominate a deserving school to receive artwork through the Art Sparks Learning campaign and to learn more about the previous schools in the program.

They aren't just for schools though, you can buy them yourself! This print including frame is worth £84.99 but if you want, you can buy it in different sizes/frames. Have a nosey here.

Happy shopping!

(Disclaimer: I received this print free of charge in exchange for an open and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Art.co.uk Opens Nominations for Next Art Sparks Learning Campaign

Art.co.uk Opens Nominations for Next Art Sparks Learning Campaign    

Communities Can Help Support Art Education and Inspire the Next Generation of Artists by Recommending their favourite School

To support art education today while inspiring the artists of tomorrow, Art.co.uk (part of Art.com Inc.), the world’s leading online destination dedicated to experiencing and buying art, is accepting nominations for its next Art Sparks Learning campaign launching this Autumn.  For the first time since the program’s inception, the company is inviting the public to nominate schools that will each receive 18 framed artworks of their choice to decorate their schools and inspire their students. Previous campaigns have seen UK and US schools compete for the grand prize, however this September, the UK venture will be a completely separate campaign to the US, with six UK schools competing for a grand prize of art supplies. Nominations for the Autumn campaign can be made at www.art.co.uk/artsparksfrom now through until the end of July (even if you don't get your entries in by this time, you can still nominate as they will still be in the running for next time!)

“We’re very proud to continue the Art Sparks Learning campaign this fall, sharing the power of art with students, teachers and parents by donating framed artworks to schools in need,” said Geoffroy Martin, CEO of Art.com Inc. “This time around, we’re encouraging our fans to nominate schools that have special meaning to them. Anyone who loves art has the opportunity to spread their passion and help foster the creative development of our youth.”

Since its launch in November 2012, the Art Sparks Learning campaign has presented public schools in the U.S. and United Kingdom with framed art in an effort to enhance and inspire students’ learning and art appreciation. For past efforts, schools were selected after receiving nominations offline from parents and teachers; each school chosen received the artworks they curated. As part of the spring campaign, which concluded in April, Art.com also provided the winning school, Woods Cross Elementary School in Utah with $1,000 worth of art supplies from BLICK Art Materials after its moving story and curated gallery received the most votes from Art.com and Art.co.uk visitors. Runners up, Brookland Junior School (from the Spring campaign) and Gloucester Primary School (from the previous campaign) in the UK both received 24 pieces of art from their curated galleries.

Brooklands with their artwork

‘It is amazing to hear the children excitedly and spontaneously talk to each other about the art they see on the walls. In addition, some of the pictures were chosen to complement literacy, history and art topics and will be used throughout the year to broaden the children’s learning across the curriculum’. Heather Blackmore, Head Teacher, Brooklands Junior School.

Gloucester with their favourite art pieces

‘It will be a day I hold close to my heart forever, seeing the children so excited over key pieces of art’ 

Emma Maltby, Teacher, Gloucester Primary School

Visit www.art.co.uk/artevent to nominate a deserving school to receive artwork through the Art Sparks Learning campaign and to learn more about the previous schools in the program.

About Art.com Inc.

Art.com Inc. is the world's largest online retailer of high-quality wall décor. The company was founded in 1998 to make art widely accessible by transforming the way the world discovers, personalizes, shares and purchases art. Today, with more than 17 million customers in 120 countries worldwide, the company hosts two unique properties in the U.K.—Art.co.uk and AllPosters.co.uk—along with a significant international presence in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia, Mexico and South America. 

Art.co.uk and AllPosters.co.uk offer custom framing, specialty printing and interactive visualization tools to help people find the perfect piece of wall décor for their space.  

I'm happy to be lucky enough to review Art for Kids. My post will be up shortly. Meanwhile, get entering!