Walking with dinosaurs

Who would have thought that the MEN Arena would one day play host to 15 life sized dinosaurs! But that’s exactly what it did – when I took the kids to the amazing ‘Walking with dinosaurs’ show last week.

The show, hosted by a palaeontologist named Huxley, traces the earth’s history through the 200 million year story of the evolution, dominance and ultimately the demise of the dinosaurs. It’s informative and although the narration is educational, it’s most definitely not boring!

These part-animatronic, part-puppet creations saunter in to gasps of amazement. The dinosaurs send out loud cries, the big ones bend towards the audience and nibble at the bright flora around the stage area. They prey on other dinos, fight amongst themselves, and protect their young ones to gasps of amazement from the audience.

The grand finale of the T-Rex teaching her baby to roar when all he could muster up was a tiny comical gurgle was no doubt the first and last time any of us could deem a dinosaur cute!

Improve your maths with ..... musical toys!

It appears that not only can music help the development of a child, it can also apply to adults too. There have been studies that show that listening to Mozart for an hour before a test or exam can actually improve analytical and logical skills.

Could it be the genius of Mozart enhancing your brain’s performance or the music relaxing you enough so that you approach the test or exam more calmly and rationally?

It seems that whatever the answer to that quandary, music and musical toys will have an instant effect on babies and children.

We’ve got a wide range of musical toys here at Gifted Originals, including handbells, maracas, xylophones and even a fab wooden banjo – so let the fun begin – get jiggy with it and watch them wiggle and dance to the music!

Anyone know where I can buy an ark?

Yes, we do sell little wooden ones, however I need a big, proper, grown up one!

After promising us a “barbecue summer” the Met Office has finally had to admit they were wrong and it’s turned into a complete washout - with even more rain predicted for August.

While the weather folk will point out there was hot weather in June and that Wimbledon barely needed its new Centre Court roof, I’m beginning to doubt the accuracy and even the point of long-range predictions.

So, dig those wellies back out, because it looks like you’ll be needing them!

BUGGING OUT!

Yes the grotty British Summer is still with us ... where IS Mr Sunshine and why’s he not got his hat on? Not the ideal weather for playing with your outdoor toys.

But hang on, what does exciting things does the rain bring? Hiding under rocks and stones in your garden, or your local park, field or woodland is a fabulous array of creepy crawlies.

With wildlife expert Nick Baker’s Bug Hunting Explorer Kit, you can hunt out and study the life of mini beasts and even catch your own bugs for closer inspection with some ‘bug tongs’. The kit also comes with a carrying sack, explorer tools and a Field Guide full of hints, tips and information from Nick himself.

The Bug Hunting Kit won the Gold Award Winner for Best Science and Nature Toy in the Good Toy Guide 2007, so not only is it fun, it’s also a great children’s educations toy ... so you budding naturalists ... get hunting!

3D Films?

Have you ever seen a film in 3D?

This year a lot of films have used the technology for you to view in 3D, but with ticket prices costing around £2 more than standard movies, are they worth the extra cash?

Cinema bosses believe they are - and say they have to raise prices to pay for expensive equipment to show 3D films.

But others disagree and say they're just not worth the money. I personally love the 3D effects and don’t mind paying the extra – however maybe just £1 more would be more realistic.

What do you think?

Offer of the week – Stripy pink maracas only £2.49

Awaken the musical talent in your child with these fantastic quality pink stripy maracas.

Usually priced at £3.79, this week only we’re selling them at the bargain price of £2.49, so shake away those rainy July blues and have some musical fun!

Favourite outdoor toys – The Space Hopper

The space hopper is a heavy rubber balloon about 60–70 cm in diameter, with two rubber handles protruding from the top. A valve at the top allows the balloon to be inflated by a bicycle pump or car-tyre pump. A child can sit on top, holding the two handles, and bounce up and down until the balloon leaves the ground.

Space hoppers were introduced to the UK in 1969 and although in practical terms they served absolutely no useful purpose whatsoever, nevertheless they became a major craze during the late 60’s/early 70’s.

Available from www.giftedoriginals.co.uk for the bargain price of just £9.89, why not have some space hopping fun this Summer with one of our favourite retro toys and you could even try to break one of the following world records:

Similtaneous hopping for a duration of one minute:

In April 2007, the world record of 2,518 people similtaneously hopping for one minute was recorded in the Netherlands.

Fastest time for 1,000 meters on a space hopper:

In November 2004, Ashrita Furman took just 30.2 seconds to cover the 100 meter dash.

Fastest mile on a space hopper:

In January 2005, Ashrita Furman also set the record for the fastest mile on the Great Wall of China, outside Bejing in just 15 minutes and 3 seconds.

The 'amazing' live Sea Monkeys

Oh no, they're back!

Anyone remember the ads in the back of comics? "The Amazing Live Sea Monkeys" with pictures of these little people type fish things in an underwater civilisation going about their daily business ( mainly looking weird). You sent off for them, what did you get?... tiny little swimming things that take a while before they become visible to the naked eye. And let's be clear, they, in no way, resemble the sea monkeys pictures, come to think of , why are they called sea monkeys! Their proper name is Artemia salina dontcha know, commonly called brine shrimp.

Well these crazy little critters are back, with loads of new places to live... Seamonkeys on the moon, sea monkeys - ghostly galleon, sea monkeys hang 10 (surf themed). And despite my harbouring (he he!) a grudge against them from they day i realised they weren't walking , talking friends, I've given them as presents to my nieces and nephews and they LOVE them, and, to be honest, I've sort of overcome my distrust of their shrimpish ways and grown rather attached to them.

Growing some live little fish dudes out of a packet is an intrinsically a cool thing. It also teaches the kids a bit of responsibility (God knows they need it, I blame the parents!)

At present the sea monkeys on mars are doing well, nearly 10 mm long and having a whale of a time. Honestly, I saw them making plans for an aqua rocket to get them back to sea monkey earth!

I have read online that feeding them mince (raw) makes them get a real growth spurt on. Possibly, they might end up as some mutant drain monkeys that will emerge from the lavvy thay were so unceremoiously deposited down to devour the former owner, who may well have moved up the pet owning ladder to a hamster by now!

Whilst I cannot condone feeding them raw mince, I'll let you know how i get on .

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