Product Review: Oli's Boxship

Hi!

I am slowly moving to Wordpress to better suit the growing needs of this blog so kindly click on the link below for the details of this entry.  Enjoy!

https://multitaskingdoula.wordpress.com/2017/01/03/product-review-olis-boxship/

Product Review (Pt 2) : Activity in a Box - KaHone

I was fortunate enough to product test another Activity in a Box aside from ExploreSandbox that might of interest to you. It's call KaHone Art - Discover the World in a Box.

The box that I got for this month. The theme is Space. I got excited about this since it is something new for C and I'm sure he would be interested to know what is up in the sky and beyond. The activities are:

1. Alien Headband
2. Build a Rocketship
3. Make Day and Night Happen
4. Bonus Activity - Power of the Sun

On first impression, before even getting the box - there was already a problem with its transport/delivery to me. My friend, Jenny, had to be very careful with its transport since it was a very thin box that would surely be flattened if she asked a messengerial service to send it over to us.

1.) The first among the activities that we did was the ALIEN HEADBAND.

Rave: I like this simple DIY activity. It got him excited though a bit puzzled with the raw materials laid out with him initially. He love the fuzzy twisty stick that he tried following me when he saw me do one side.

Rant: none for the activity. It might be a bit kiddie like for older kids but heck, C loved his headgear!

2.) The next is the BUILD A ROCKETSHIP. This I was curious...and a bit excited. I have a good feeling about it.

Rave: C enjoyed coloring the rocketship template. I think he did a pretty good job! He got excited when he finally found out what the heck mom was deciphering with regards to the instructions in making the rocket fly. We got excited with doing it (blowing) when we all know what to do.

Rant: I don't know if it was me or what but I got so confused with the instructions on how to roll the rectangular paper. I'm sorry but I was overwhelmed? I didn't for the life-of-me know what to do aside from rolling it. The instructions could be better made or worded.  I gave up after a few minutes since C was getting restless already. Daddy had to step in and save-the-day.


3.) Next activity was MAKE DAY AND NIGHT HAPPEN.

Rave: This was an interesting concept with regards to teaching kids light and day - via the shadow and obstructions. C enjoyed making land masses on the "balloon earth". It made him practice his hand coordination. I also got to correct his grip on the scissors.

Rant: The balloon was easy to blow up...it is the tying it to secure the balloon was the tough on. I guess we can't be balloon twisters! Actually, a lot in this activity was done by the adults than C, which left C sometimes bored since it was bit more technical and higher level of comprehension from a 3 year old.

4.) For the POWER OF THE SUN...we had to defer this experiment since it would require the sun out and at its full heat. Its has been pretty gloomy these days so we still need to do the bonus activity Power Of The Sun. But I am sure it's an interesting one but not for C's level yet.


VERDICT?
a.) Packaging is not as sturdy for transport or delivery compared to ExploreSandbox. The box is thin and is a bit on a delicate side thus I had to just pick up my box from my friend's home so she would not have the trouble of having to repackage our KaHone. Tedious but I do like the appealing graphics of the box and their mascot - the Cow.

b.) The activities are easily bought or downloadable, in my opinion on the web. Materials can be store bought and assembled, which isn't very creative. It seems that for a SAHM (Stay-At-Home Mom) like me, I can simply do it and get the materials at the bookstore or department store.

c.) I did enjoy the activities that made him color, use his motor skills and understand blowing unto a straw. It was something that C's school would do and so the activity was smooth and he followed instructions well. But if this was for an older child, maybe some of the activities might not be suited for him like the Alien Headband.

d.) The price of a KaHone is cheaper by around Php250 compared to ExploreSandbox. Based on the activities and for the suitability for C, I would choose ExploreSandbox from the way we did the activities.

For more information about KaHone Art, please visit their Facebook page.

Product Review (Pt. 1 of 2): Boxed Acitivities - ExploreSandbox

This is Part 1 of 2 parts since I recently was given the opportunity to try two types of Activity in a Box from two different suppliers of these in Manila.

The first one is Explore Sandbox. As per the site: "Explore Sandbox is a monthly themed subscription box, targeted for kids ages 3 to 7, that is delivered straight to your doorstep. Themes vary on a month-to-month basis. We do all the research, preparation and sourcing for you, leaving you to focus on connecting with your child."

Activities in a box like these has grown in popularity in recent years as a way for working, busy parents to still provide educational and at the same time, memorable experiences with their children. The concept is be able to take the children away from just being in front of a television set or a gadget and get back to the basics of exploration and discovery through experiments and doing. It can be done alone or with adult supervision. The activities deal can be from sensory play, arts and crafts, to simple experiments and more. The box would contain 4 to 5 activities that revolve around a common theme assigned for the month, and would vary from toys, materials and guidelines, which is included in the box.
 
This month's (February 2014) activity set is Colors and Shapes. There were: (1) Wooden Tops, (2) Accessories Making, (3) Geoboard and (4) Colored Balls.

I suggest you review the box before giving it to your kids to start playing unless they are meticulous in reading instructions and is a bit more organized. In my case, I made sure I was at home to get the box and review what is needed for what activity.  It looked so impressive upon opening! Check out below.

(1) WOODEN TOPS: dealt with Primary and Secondary Colors, hand coordination in spinning the tops

Instructions: color wooden tops and use one color per section. When finished, spin and see how the color changes as the top gains speed.

I would have wanted C to take a bit more effort in coloring the tops so he could see the color changes from Primary to Secondary colors when he spun the tops but I think at this age, he was more interested in the game than the color changes.

(2) ACCESSORIES MAKING: Fine motor skills and patience in getting the bead through the string

Instructions: String together a combination of shapes and colors and when completed, tie the ends together.

I know this is one of the popular exercises in C's school and so he knew what to do immediately. The only difference is that this exercise, it became a necklace to wear.

(3) GEOBOARD: recreation of shapes, promote fine motor and math skills

Instructions: Use the rubber bands to make different shapes on the Geoboard.
Note: the Geoboard is a math manipulative that can be used by older children to understand math concepts like perimeter, area, angle, measurement and polygons. It can also practice and promote fine motor skills to create letters and numbers.

After showing C what to do, he quickly took an interest to this activity. C has been interested in shapes and colors and this was was his "cup of tea". He enjoyed the tactile feel of the board and the interesting shapes he was making just by placing the right rubber bands to the right pegs. He experimented on a lot of types of shapes by stretching and pulling the rubber bands on the board. It also gave him a sense of imagination. He kept overlapping rubber bands to make shapes.
I liked the fact that this can be reused for future educational teaching tools as stated.

(4) COLORED BALLS: chemical changes and observations

Instruction: Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water and pour into container. Choose one colored ball and place in bowl then squirt solution to container. Observe the color change in the solution. See the surprise inside.

I was more excited of this than C, since he was more interested in squirting water unto the container than observe the chemical reaction. Some of the balls arrived crumbled already so I'm wondering if better transport container should be done since some came in half already so "the surprise" can be seen or the ball disintegrated even before we started. Also, the solution might need more strength since I remember using almost the whole bottle for one ball and it wouldn't dissolve the ball to reveal the surprise. You also have to notice the solution well since we only got partial disintegration.
Nonetheless, C enjoyed the chemical reaction and even smelled the solution after, where I had to explain to him what it was since he couldn't find the right words to describe the "sour" smell.

RAVES: 
(1) Being a busy mom with two kids, who is also busy with household chores and kids activities in school, this box really is a life-saver and gives parents like me the chance to do some home-schooling like classes, even if it's within an hour or so at our own leisure. It is allows parents to start activities with their children together without having to plan days in advance for research tools and materials.

(2) I like how the makers of Explore Sandbox thought of the packaging since it came in a very sturdy box for transportation/delivery easy.

(3) Since this box is on a monthly basis, this type of subscription based item provides both, parents and children, an excitement that is very similar to opening a Christmas present though on a monthly basis, while at the same time tackling on the world of discovery and experiments. I loved how they addressed it to my son. It made him realize that the box is for him when he first saw it.

RANTS:
(1) The crumbled color balls was a bit of a disappointment. It sort of lost it's "mystery factor" regarding what is inside since 2 out of the 3 balls had already cracked and I didn't see much color change in the solution till the 3rd (last ball) since it was intact and had better colors to show my son what the solution colors were. Plus the prize inside was basically the same but different colors. I think it might appeal to girls since since boys wouldn't really know what those are. Maybe a small plastic toy or something would have been better.

(2) The sets per activity wasn't packaged as a package. It was laid out all together, though it really looked good in the box, it took a bit of organizing and reading the instructions to make sure the proper item was for the said activity. Not a really huge deal but it would be a good idea if the materials per activity would be individually packaged.


Overall Review: I liked it! I also think C appreciated the change in bonding activity instead of just reading a book, writing practice or watching TV (gasp!) after dinner.
There was much thought for the activities that you couldn't get in a store. I.e. Colored Balls and Geoboard. I do appreciate the further thought that some of the items can be played again and again like the Accessories Making and Geoboard and can later be used for other purpose - whether for play or education.

If you want more information, pricing or would like to order ExploreSandbox you can, email your queries to ExploreSandbox at gmail dot com or via mobile at +63.917.6955.

Product Review: Compact Tangle Teezer

Tangle Teezer

Just a quick rave on a really cool product that was referred to me called the Tangle Teezer! After a few week’s use, I can honestly say that I am addicted to it! It is now my hair necessity and would bring it for travel so the Compact Tangle Teezer is a great item!

I was also told by some good friends based in UK that it's their only hair brush now and is popularly used in salons around Europe! It's proudly made in Great Britain. It's claim to fame is that it's the only comb in the market that glides through wet, vulnerable and colour treated hair with no pulling, tugging or yanking.This what my good friend Leslie of Little Earth Tiddler told me and I was skeptical but since C was quite happy when he used the demo sample, I was okay with getting it with further research/sampling.
Boy, I am sure thankful that I was referred to this item!
Here is C's test at the Mommy Mundo Fair. He was so eager to give it a try and it got yaya's look of approval.

Here's a better shot of the item that we actually got. As I checked online reviews, most are awesome so I had totally high hopes but was not fully convinced that it was a good purchase since it's a pretty pricey brush for a child.

I use it to de-tangling both wet and dry hair…so note that I when I get out of the shower and wipe down my hair, the only thing that comes into contact with my hair is this Compact Tangle Teezer that I got from Little Earth People! It is easy to use with its ergonomically shaped brush for a painless comb! Aside from ensuring that my hair is combed through with no pain, it also provides a relaxing head massage for most scalps so good for sensitive scalps! I do not have to worry about “pre-brushing” from ends of the hair to work up to my roots. I can use it from roots to tips! It cuts my combing and drying time into a few minutes (I timed it to be 2 minutes) compared to 30 minutes of de-tangling! I can do a lot more things with those extra 28 minutes! Check out my little experiment below...actual test - I'm sold!

This comb is also marketed for fidgety kids, since it combs effectively per stroke and is de-tangles in a minutes!

Funny that the kids and I are fighting over this one brush now since it de-tangles our hair faster and is with less pain (less stress on their maids/yayas)! So far, it's with me (haha!) and I've been using this for days and  have been bringing it around whenever I travel and can't leave home without it
I love how fast I get my hair managed after my shower and the massage is very heavenly! :P


I cannot wait to get more when new shipment comes since my mom and I want one for ourselves! I'm getting a few of these for some good friends of mine for 2014!

You can order your own Tangle Teezer at Little Earth Tiddler via their FB page or their website.

Happy grooming!