Mighty Cards Review

Mighty Cards Review

19 October 2020

5 comments

Disclosure - This is a paid collaboration. We were gifted a set of Mighty Cards for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own. 

We are finally coming up to the home stretch of the first half term back at school since lockdown in March. I had no idea what this half term had in store for us and whether we would all make it to the end in one piece but we did, just about. There have been a few isolation days for us all while we waited for test results but on a whole we made it however we now have the uncertainty about when the boys will return and whether a 'circuit break' lockdown will be imposed over half term. Everyone has been through so much this year and although children are resilient and most have returned to school with smiles on their faces, the unknown is still hanging over us all and I have been trying to look for ways to help us as a family to deal with what this year has thrown at us at so far.

When we were recently sent a set of Mighty Cards, I knew that these may be what I had been looking for. The cards which are designed for ages 4-11, provide effective and engaging strategies to help children manage their feelings and emotions. The pack consists of 36 cards which are divided in to 3 types of activities.

There are a wide range of emotions that we experience every day including happy, sad, excited, worried, embarrassed and anxious. Sometimes these may be difficult to deal with so having some simple strategies to follow can really help deal with those tricky feelings. 

The cards are really simple to use and understand, and for us we have been taking the time to choose a card just before dinner to help us enjoy our evening a little better and then before bed to help us feel rested and content. 

Breathe 

Breathing strategies to calm your body and focus on your mind.

A sample of a Breathe Card is Finger Breathing.

Use a finger from your right hand to gently trace up and down the fingers on your left hand.

Each time you trace up a finger, take a slow deep breath in through your nose. Each time you trace down a finger, slowly release your breath through your mouth. 

Once you have traced the fingers on one hand, swap hands and repeat. 

Move

Physical exercises to help relieve tension in your body.

A sample of a Move Card is Wall Push.

Stand in front of a wall and place your arms out in front of you so your hands are touching the wall. 

When you are ready, try with all your strength to push the wall over. Count for 10 seconds, pushing hard. Then shake your arms and legs gently to release the tension in your body. 

Repeat 3 times. 

Create

Creative activities to build a sense of calm and control. 

A sample of a Create Card is Calm Poster.

Write the word CALM on paper in big writing. Colour and decorate the page using your favourite colours and stickers. 

As you are colouring and decorating, imagine that you are filling yourself with calmness and joy.

Place your CALM poster somewhere where you can see it often. 

How you use the cards is down to your own personal choice however even though they are designed with children in mind we have all been using the cards and after just a few days we have already felt the benefit. 

Dr Gail Sinitsky is a child psychologist and founder of Young & Mighty and has been working with children and families for over 15 years, providing assessment and therapy, in schools and NHS clinics. As part of her work, she specialises in designing and delivering highly successful workshops and groups for children experiencing 'tricky emotions', low self-esteem, trauma, and relational difficulties. I have teamed up with Dr Gail Sinitsky from Young and Mighty to offer one lucky Playdays and Runways reader and follower the chance to win  their own pack of cards.

All you need to do is complete the entry form below and pop back every day at 9pm for bonus chances to win. 

If you would like to know more about Dr Gail and Young and Mighty you can visit the website.

Good Luck.

Win a set of Mighty Cards 

Michelle

Terms

Competition closes on Sunday 1st November 2020

Entrants must have a valid UK address. 

Bulk, third party or any other entries using automated software will be disqualified. 

All entrants and entries are checked and verified. 

1 lucky winner will be chosen at random by the Gleam application. 

Playdays and Runways will contact the lucky winners within 7 days of the competition closing. 

The winners will be emailed to the email address given at the time of entering. 

The winners must respond within 28 days, if no response a new winner will be chosen. 

This prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative 

The Prize : A set of Mighty Cards

Read More

Asda Photo Canvas Review

Asda Photo Canvas Review

12 October 2020

13 comments

Disclosure - We were gifted our Asda Photo Canvas for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own. 

I have written previously about the different types of framed prints and canvas that we like to display at home. As the seasons change we like to update the pictures to be up to date and remind us of all the good times we have had over the last few months. 

Asda was not a provider I had considered before for Canvas, although we have used them before for photo books and prints. Asda offer a range of Canvas prints, amongst other photo related items, and it is really one of the easiest ordering experiences of any Canvas or Print site. 

There are four frame types to choose from for your Canvas:  Slim, Premium, 2 Panel or 4 Panel.  We chose Premium as a closer match to our existing displays.  Next you choose your size. The larger the Canvas, the more it will cost you and the higher resolution you will need your chosen photo to be.  You can also choose borders or break points for multiple pictures. Next you simply upload your picture from your device to the site and it will display what the finalised Canvas will look like. Once you are happy its checkout and wait for your new display to arrive. 

The ordering process is really quick, its actually picking the perfect picture that takes some time! From ordering to delivery our Canvas was with us within a few days, delivered well packaged and safely. 

The quality of the Canvas is very high. The Canvas is thick enough to withstand some slight prodding and poking if thats likely to happen, and the frame, although lightweight is sturdy enough to be able to be hung however you may wish.  Included is a frame hanging kit, however I always just hang the top of the frame onto nails in the wall that means I can change the canvas at any time and not worry about having to have the nail in different places for each canvas depending on the fit of the hanging kit.  As the frame is lightweight this has always been sufficient. 

The one thing different about Asda Photo Canvas was the sizing. All our previous Canvas have been the same size, however as this wasn't available we chose slightly bigger dimensions rather than smaller, however the frame really does look a lot bigger than our existing canvas.  That said, the quality is really good and we love our chosen picture so on a wall with nothing else on it doesn't look out of place. 

Overall I was really impressed with the service and the quality and wouldn't hesitate to use Asda Photo again next time we change the prints we have. 

John

Read More

Discover The World Game | Review

Discover The World Game | Review

22 September 2020

1 comment

Disclosure - We were sent the products below for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own unless stated. This post contains affiliate links.

Over the past few weeks we have been racing around the world, visiting different countries and learning lots of facts as we go and we haven't even left the house. We have been playing Discover The World game, not only is it fun for all the family, it's educational too.

The Aim Of The Game
To be the first person to collect 10 destination cards.

Before You Start
Discover The World game by Fiesta Crafts is aimed at children aged 7+ up to Adult. You can play with 2-6 players and set up is very easy. All you need to do is open your map of the world game board, shuffle the destination cards, arrival cards and journey cards and you are ready to play.

How To Play
Each player takes a coloured token and places it on any country of their choice on the board, this is your starting point. Once deciding on your starting point is done each player picks up a destination card. The destination card is the country that you need to visit. You can show other players your card if you wish.

Play begins once every player has chosen a starting point and has a destination card. You can decide amongst yourselves who goes first, we usually each take a roll of the dice and highest roller wins.

On your turn you roll the dice. If you roll a 1,2,3,4 or 5 you move that number of countries from where you are starting. For example if you are in France and roll a 2 you can move your piece to two connecting countries in the direction of your destination card country. Play continues until a player reaches their destination.

Journey Cards
If you roll a 6 on your turn you do not move that number of spaces you have to pick up a journey card. Each card has different instructions to follow. It may let you add moves on to your dice roll or it could send you on a detour to a different country.

Arrival Cards
Once you arrive at your destination you have to pick up an arrival card. There will be instructions on how to claim or not claim your destination. You may have to challenge another player if so whoever wins will get your destination card.

Win The Game
Once a player has claimed 10 destinations the game is over and the player is the winner.

You can adapt the game to the ability or attention span of the players. We started with a player just needing to claim 3 destinations to win. Also the destination cards are full of fun facts about the countries which we enjoyed reading too.

You can find out more about Discover The World Game by visiting Fiesta Crafts or you can buy online at Amazon.

Michelle

Read More

Intelino Smart Train Review

Intelino Smart Train Review

16 September 2020

24 comments

Disclosure - We were sent the products below for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our unless stated. This post contains affiliate links. 

We have always enjoyed playing with train sets. From when Big J was little we still have both the wooden and plastic Thomas the Tank Engine sets that come down from the loft from time to time. Of course times have moved on and although the classics are usually the best there is also room to add and innovate these days with technology. 

Intelino have developed the 'Smart Train' which looks to build on the classic set with a number of add-ons that can help children's development in STEM and in coding, which is really popular at the moment. 

The starter set itself contains the Train and Wagon, 20 pieces of track, 40 colour snaps and some stickers to decorate your train. You can also buy extra packs containing track, snaps and there is also an adaptor set that you can buy that will allow you to add the intelino set to your existing wooden train track. 

Set up is easy. The track pieces snap together easily and you have enough to create a reasonably complex track if you wish. The train requires a charge before first use, but does last a long time before needing charging again.  The snaps, which are the coding instructions for the train to follow snap into the track really easily and come out again just as easily. 

The Smart train offers two different ways to play. You can choose to use a device such as an Ipad to control everything, or you can use the snaps alone to code instructions onto the track that the train will then follow. its good to have an option that is device free to give some time away from the screen. 

To use the Snaps, you first start with a white snap piece that tells the train an instruction is coming. Next you use a combination of colours from the instruction sheet to give instructions.  You can choose the speed from three settings, tell the train to go left, right or straight on at an intersection, make the train stop, make the train drop off the wagon, make the train make different sounds and also change the lighting on the train. You can even put the train into reverse.  Its amazing to see how the train reacts quickly to the snaps, especially when you put a sequence of instructions one after the other. 

When in device mode, you need to download the intelino app, pair the train within the app via bluetooth and then you have a very simple control panel to control everything. You can control the same things as you can with snaps all at the touch of the screen. The added benefit of pairing with the app is the ability to design your own snap instructions. This gives an extra layer of complexity for the child, and we loved the idea of choosing our own instruction for the train. 

Overall, the Intelino Smart Train is great on its own, or when combined with your existing wooden set.  We haven't added the wooden set in yet as we wanted to explore everything that the set can do before hand. Little J has really enjoyed playing with the set and creating his own tracks, and it's been good to see him using his imagination with the snaps and coding and develop an understanding of how programs work in a simple way. 

To read more visit Intelino or view the range to buy on Amazon.

If you would like to be in with the chance to win your very own Intelino Smart Train Starter Set then all you need to do is complete the entry form below. Make sure you pop back every day after 8:30pm and check the entry form for extra chances to win. 

Win an Intelino Smart Trainer Starter Set Worth £99 

John

Read More

Snowdonia View Farmhouse

Snowdonia View Farmhouse

8 September 2020

15 comments

For the past few years every Summer we have come together as a family and booked a trip away for a few days. We have visited Simgill Cottage in The Lake District in the past which was a great base to explore the Lakes but this year we decided to head west and visit North Wales. Finding a property that can accommodate 14 can be tough but we managed to find Snowdonia View.

Snowdonia View is a large cottage farmhouse situated in Bryn y Maen with Conwy, Betwys-y-Coed and Llandudno being a short distance away.

On arrival Snowdonia View can comfortably park 4 cars at the side of the property and 1 at the front.

When you enter you will be greeted by a large hall/main entrance. This leads on to an open plan dining room with seating suitable for up to 16 people. The kitchen is to the right of the dining room and has everything you need for a self catering holiday. Just at the side of the kitchen are two utility rooms with washing machine and also another full size fridge.  The door from the utility leads on to the back garden.

Back to the main entrance if you turn left you will enter the living room which is a decent size and was more than comfortable for us all.  The living room has a step up towards the back of the room leading to a pool table area and then a door into the conservatory.  The living room comes equipped with tv and DVD player and a wide range of DVD's to choose from. There is also a selection of games and books too. 

There is a bedroom downstairs just to the left of the dining area. It is a double bedroom with a fireplace, wardrobe, dressing table and looks out on to the back garden. We actually popped a single bed in the room too as there was plenty of space. 

There is also a small toilet room downstairs with sink. 

Upstairs consists of a master bedroom with double bedroom and ensuite, a double room which can also include a single bed on request, two bedrooms with two single beds in each and another room with two single beds and a third on request. There is one master bathroom with toilet, sink, bath and walk in shower. 

At the back of the property you could see horses on the field which the children really enjoyed. 

We all arrived at different times during our first evening but the property was ready and waiting for us. The owners do not live far from the property and the key was waiting for us on arrival. 

Check out time was 10am and within minutes of the check out time a van arrived which I think may have been cleaners so there is no hanging around. 

Snowdonia View accommodated our needs perfectly. Some of the decor and furnishing was a little dated and could do with a freshen up but we definitely would return in future.  The property and gardens are very spacious and with 4 children travelling they had plenty of space to explore and play both inside and outside. 

For us Snowdonia View was the perfect base for us to explore North Wales including Greenwood Forest Park, Llandudno and The Welsh Mountain Zoo which were all a short drive away. 

If you found this post useful there are a few ways that you could say thanks and support Playdays and Runways.

Have you stayed in a large accommodation venue? Leave us a comment below and let us know about your visit.

Visit our Out and About Section for lots of travel posts or check out Simgill Farm Cottages

Like us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Buy Us A Virtual Coffee

Share This Post With Friends Who May Also Find It Useful. 

Michelle

Read More

EasiYo Yogurt Maker Review

EasiYo Yogurt Maker Review

7 September 2020

No comments

Disclosure - We were sent the products below for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our unless stated. This post contains affiliate links. 

A few years ago my friend gave me a pot of homemade yogurt and it was the tastiest yoghurt I have ever tried. At first I actually didn't believe her that she had made it and that it wasn't shop bought. I have never thought about making my own yoghurt before but we were recently sent an EasiYo Yogurt Maker and I was eager to give it a try and see if making our own yogurts was fun, easy to do and tastier than the shop bought yogurts we purchase every week.

The EasiYo Yogurt Maker is a very simple piece of equipment with just the yogurt maker and a plastic beaker to shake your yoghurt mix. 

Making the yogurt is very simple and requires just a few steps.

Step One

Half fill your yogurt plastic beaker with cool drinking water. Ideally the water should be between 15-20°C. Add the contents of the yogurt sachet, pop on the lid and give it a good shake. Add more water to the jar until it’s about 5mm from the top, pop on the lid and shake again.

Step Two

Push the red plastic insert into your yogurt maker as far as it can go. Next, pour boiling water up to the top of the plastic insert. Place your plastic beaker into the yogurt maker so it sits on top of the plastic insert, then put the lid on your yogurt maker.

Step Three

Now that your yogurt is inside the maker all you need to do is wait. Leave your yogurt maker on your kitchen surface the yogurt will set after 8 - 12 hours (a little longer for protein yogurt). Most people simply leave it overnight and wake up to fresh homemade yogurt in the morning. You’re nearly there before you dig in, chill it in the fridge for a few hours to complete the set.

Once you have followed all three steps you are ready to enjoy your yogurt. I was really impressed with the finished product. It was really tasty and it made enough for all of us to enjoy so worked out lots cheaper than buying from the shops. 

We are definitely looking forward to trying more flavours. To find out more about making your own yogurts visit EasiYo.

Michelle

Read More

Mandrakes - A Magical Experience

Mandrakes - A Magical Experience

12 August 2020

14 comments

Last week we celebrated John's birthday and as a special treat we booked afternoon tea at Mandrakes - A Magical Experience. Mandrakes is a small cafe based in Ormskirk that is loosely based on Harry Potter. After browsing the menu online we opted for Afternoon Tea. We completed the online booking enquiry form however after not hearing for a few days we just rang up and booked our table. 

When we arrived our table wasn't quite ready so we were shown to the Harry Potter gift shop which sells official Harry Potter Merchandise. As Harry Potter fans it was lovely to see all the products, some we already owned and some that were on our wish lists. 

Once our table was ready we were sat down and our Afternoon tea was explained to us. 

Starting from top to bottom we had 4 finger sandwiches, 2 ham and 2 Wensleydale cheese and cranberry. We asked for no salad on our sandwiches so they came plain. 

On the next tier we had the largest homemade scone I had ever seen with a portion of butter and a pot of strawberry jam. You can choose to have your scone warmed up and also with whipped cream if you prefer. 

On the top tier was a flute of jelly, custard and cream, a macaron, a small chocolate frog and a small plant pot with a chocolate brownie in. When you are ready to eat your brownie they take your pot away top it with mint ice cream, whipped cream and crushed Oreo pieces. 

The afternoon tea is served with unlimited tea however we were able to sub one of our teas for a coke. On the table was also plant pots full of crisps and half way through we also reached little pots of chocolate stars. 

Once we had finished our afternoon tea we were then asked to gather our belongings and we were then taken on a little tour. 

First we were shown the flying mandrake and we then had the chance to take photographs, Next up we found some Mandrakes but we needed to put our earmuffs on first as they have quite a squeal on them. 

Last but not least we visited the potions room. 

The whole experience including the afternoon tea and tour lasts 1hour and 15 minutes. They are quite strict on the times as there was another booking straight after ours. 

The afternoon tea costs £18.50 for adults and £12.50 for children. If afternoon tea isn't for you they do have a small menu available which you can view online. 

We all really enjoyed our visit. The afternoon tea was really nice and the setting is very magical and a   must for Harry Potter fans. Would we visit again? Absolutely and I would probably choose afternoon tea again as it's great value for money. 

Michelle

Read More