The Independent featured Mathshark in 'The Insider' on Saturday 19th May 2007. 
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Bananagrams Travel Game is selected as top toy
Bananagrams the fantastic word play travel game has won several awards and been voted one of the top ten games at the International Toy Fair in New York.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Toys for kids that love ... pink
For some girls the colour matters just as much as the toy. A wooden car is OK, but a Pink Wooden Car - now that's cool!
To ensure these girls with high colour standards exactly what they want kidEstore.co.uk have created their 'I Love Pink' category for them to find all their favourites in one place.
We have pink wooden cars, pink K'Nex, pink Geomag, ping games, pink jigsaw puzzles, pink dolls things, pink tea sets, pink fashion design sets and more.
To ensure these girls with high colour standards exactly what they want kidEstore.co.uk have created their 'I Love Pink' category for them to find all their favourites in one place.
We have pink wooden cars, pink K'Nex, pink Geomag, ping games, pink jigsaw puzzles, pink dolls things, pink tea sets, pink fashion design sets and more.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Magnetic Wooden Letters
This lovely set of 58 magnetic wooden letters is great for encouraging literacy skills in youngsters. Get them spelling their favourite foods and snacks on the fridge.
The letters are lower case, brightly decorated and come in an attractive case with clear lid for storage.
The letters are lower case, brightly decorated and come in an attractive case with clear lid for storage.
New wooden food from Melissa and Doug
At kidEstore.co.uk we have two new wooden play food sets from Melissa and Doug.
The Melissa and Doug Wooden Food Groups Set is a lovely play food set but can also be used to teach children about food groups. The 21 pieces of food are divided into dairy, meat & fish, fruit & veg and breads. Each group comes in it's own little crate for storage, sorting and stacking.
The Melissa and Doug Wooden Cutting Food Set contains 8 bright food items. These items are pre-cut into 31 pieces and fastened with Velcro to give a realistic crunching sound. So much nicer than the plastic alternatives.
New Doll's Bunk Bed perfect for Baby Annabel or Baby Bjorn
We have a new wooden Doll's Bunkbed in stock and it the perfect bed for dolls the size of Baby Annabel or Baby Bjorn.
Made from replenishable rubberwood and MDF the bunks feature rounded corners for safety and a natural and pink finish. Perfect for those sleepover parties.
Made from replenishable rubberwood and MDF the bunks feature rounded corners for safety and a natural and pink finish. Perfect for those sleepover parties.
Toys help learning in Africa
Just stumbled upon a great report (originally from The Lancet) about how a lack of toys and constructive play is holding back the education of African children.
Research has found simple toys made from banana trees, mud, corn on the cob, old plastic bottles, or cloth and straw dolls can make a significant difference to education, mental health and self esteem.
Now we understand the issues are complex, and toys may not be the largest contributing factor and are probably not the greatest priority on the development to-do list for Africa - but it is good to see the value of toys and childhood being recognised and we wish the projects springing from this report every success.
Research has found simple toys made from banana trees, mud, corn on the cob, old plastic bottles, or cloth and straw dolls can make a significant difference to education, mental health and self esteem.
Now we understand the issues are complex, and toys may not be the largest contributing factor and are probably not the greatest priority on the development to-do list for Africa - but it is good to see the value of toys and childhood being recognised and we wish the projects springing from this report every success.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Lights and Action Gears Building Set
kidEstore.co.uk have just added the Learning Resources Lights and Action Gears building set to our range.
Kids can learn mechanical skills with the Gears! Gears! Gears! Lights & Action Building Set.
Pieces snap together and pull apart to let you build anything you can imagine - there is no wrong way! This set 121 durable plastic gears and includes a power motor, flashing lights, glow in the dark stickers and more - all in a handy storage tub.
Button cell batteries included. Motor requires 3 AA batteries, not included. This set is fully compatible with all other Gears! Gears! Gears! construction sets and is suitable from age 5.
Kids can learn mechanical skills with the Gears! Gears! Gears! Lights & Action Building Set.
Pieces snap together and pull apart to let you build anything you can imagine - there is no wrong way! This set 121 durable plastic gears and includes a power motor, flashing lights, glow in the dark stickers and more - all in a handy storage tub. Button cell batteries included. Motor requires 3 AA batteries, not included. This set is fully compatible with all other Gears! Gears! Gears! construction sets and is suitable from age 5.
Kid K'Nex Dino Pals
We have the new Kid K'Nex Dino Pals in stock at kidEstore.co.uk and they are bound to be popular.
They are a new item in the Kid K'Nex range with the usual bright colours and chunky pieces for small hands but this set comes with a super stretchy neck and dinosaur body parts.
We predict prehistoric fun with these kits!
Aqua Beads Art Deluxe Set
Aqua Beads are a new innovative creative bead toy that you simply spray with water to create lovely pictures. Lay the beads out using a template as a guide, or alternatively create pictures using your own imagination and style, spray with water and they "stick" together. They're safe with no ironing required and are completely mess free.
kidEstore sell the Aqua Beads Art Deluxe Set which contains 1200 beads in 8 bright colours, water spray dispenser, 3 shaped bead templates (triangle, circle, square), 8 picture illustration sheets, 1 picture holder plus full instructions.
We also sell the 1200 beal refill packs, Aqua Beads Art Assortment Refill Set - Clear and Aqua Beads Art Assortment Refill Set - Bright
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
New K'Nex Subdomain
We have a new specialist resource for K'Nex on our site - the knex.kidestore.co subdomain.
here you will be able to get collected information on our range of K'Nex construction sets.
New Kid K'Nex Dino Pals - a model for dinosaur crazy kids
Kid K'Nex is great for 3-5 year old kids (and mine carried on using it for a good few years after that). Couple that with the fact that a great many 3-5 year old kids love dinosaurs and you get a perfect match - Kid K'Nex Dino Pals!
The same chunky bright pieces to keep things simple for little hands but with Dinosaur accessories to keep things cool. As with all Kid K'Nex it also comes in a smart plastic briefcase to keep all the pieces safe and tidy when not in use.
We're sure this Kid K'Nex Dino Pals set will never be extinct!
New Math Bingo games help teach arithmetic
Reinforcing maths skills is a key part of early primary education and these great family games really make it fun to practice your maths.
In Math Bingo each player is given one or more bingo cards which contains a number of sums. Players take it in turns to be the caller or announcer and lift a number from a pile of cards, calling the number to the other players. The first player to find a sum on their bingo card whose result is the number on the revealed number gets that number to cover their sum. The first player to cover all of their sums wins.
Math Bingo really brings a bit of competition to maths and encourages kids to practice their mental arithmetic to get quicker with their answers.
Available in two 'flavours', Math Bingo Addition and Subtraction and Math Bingo Multiplication and Division do pretty much what it says on the can.
Math Bingo is available from kidEstore.co.uk in their maths games section.
In Math Bingo each player is given one or more bingo cards which contains a number of sums. Players take it in turns to be the caller or announcer and lift a number from a pile of cards, calling the number to the other players. The first player to find a sum on their bingo card whose result is the number on the revealed number gets that number to cover their sum. The first player to cover all of their sums wins.
Math Bingo really brings a bit of competition to maths and encourages kids to practice their mental arithmetic to get quicker with their answers.
Available in two 'flavours', Math Bingo Addition and Subtraction and Math Bingo Multiplication and Division do pretty much what it says on the can.
Math Bingo is available from kidEstore.co.uk in their maths games section.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Television Limits for Children MPs Urged
Once again MPs are being urged to limit the amount of TV that kids are allowed to watch.
My own two children were outraged! For them (aged 4 & 7) the limits recommend half to one hours television per day. They found this pretty outrageous even though they actually watch less than this on average - the concept of a limit just seemed offensive to them.
They were most outraged that the limits for under threes is no TV at all. Their one year old cousin would therefore not be allowed to watch any television for two years. This seemed like a most cruel and unusual punishment to them.
What peeved them most though was that this 'expert' was ON THE TV!
"If he doesn't want us to watch TV, why is he going on TV?" they demanded!
Whilst we are not going to offer a view on TV watching we know we use educational toys to occupy our children and keep their minds off the TV. Give them a tub of Geomag or box of K'Nex and you will not hear much from them for hours!
Read the full report here.
My own two children were outraged! For them (aged 4 & 7) the limits recommend half to one hours television per day. They found this pretty outrageous even though they actually watch less than this on average - the concept of a limit just seemed offensive to them.
They were most outraged that the limits for under threes is no TV at all. Their one year old cousin would therefore not be allowed to watch any television for two years. This seemed like a most cruel and unusual punishment to them.
What peeved them most though was that this 'expert' was ON THE TV!
"If he doesn't want us to watch TV, why is he going on TV?" they demanded!
Whilst we are not going to offer a view on TV watching we know we use educational toys to occupy our children and keep their minds off the TV. Give them a tub of Geomag or box of K'Nex and you will not hear much from them for hours!
Read the full report here.
PlayFoam magical modelling material
PlayFoam is a new material for kids to model with.
You can squish it, shape it, mould it and squash it. It never sticks to hands or surfaces, it never dries out and best of all if you mix a whole load of colours up you get a multi-coloured ball of beads rather than a brown lump as you do with some modelling materials.
PlayFoam is non toxic and non-allergenic, suitable from age 3 available at the kidEstore.co.uk educational toy store in the creative toy section with out other craft kits.
You can buy a pack of 12 PlayFoam colours for £14.95 or a pack of 6 PlayFoam colours for £7.95.
MathShark hits kidEstore.co.uk
The MathShark makes maths cool!
It will quiz players on on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fraction, decimals, and percentages with eight skill levels in each category. Test can even be done against the clock for an extra challenge. There is a help key to give e little prompt when you get stuck.
The game is a perfect for travel - keeping them concentrating and amused for hours.
The MathShark is also a full function calculator.
It will quiz players on on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fraction, decimals, and percentages with eight skill levels in each category. Test can even be done against the clock for an extra challenge. There is a help key to give e little prompt when you get stuck.
The game is a perfect for travel - keeping them concentrating and amused for hours.
MathShark uses lights and sound to keep kids engaged and importantly the sounds can be turned off so you don't need to listen to it for the whole length of the M1!
The MathShark is also a full function calculator.
New Scrunch Digger - perfect for the beach or sand pit
We have just added the Scrunch Digger to our range. Whilst you can't actually scrunch it, it is pretty compact and is an ideal companion to the Scrunch Ball and Scrunch Bucket. Why not buy all three and you have the perfect beach set for your holidays this year.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Wooden Cooker and Sink
We have a couple of options for people looking for a wooden cooker which you will find in our Role Play section.
The Pintoy Wooden Kitchen Combo is a great combined wooden cooker and sink. It has everything you need and is a great play kitchen for children.
For people looking for something that uses a little less space then the fold away items from Alex Toys might be more suitable. These wooden cookers and wooden sinks fold away into a neat little box when not in use.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Hooked on Phonics Reading Learning System
After 20 years in development Hooked on Phonics finally arrives at kidEstore.co.uk the UK. The concept has truly revolutionised the home learning to read market in the US, achieving a staggering 98% consumer awareness. The line has been totally localised for introduction into the UK and Ireland.
The Hooked on Phonics unique selling point in that everything you need comes in one box, delivering a practical solution and representing fantastic value for money. The products have been designed to help children learn to read in just 3 steps - learn - practice - read.
The Hooked on Phonics unique selling point in that everything you need comes in one box, delivering a practical solution and representing fantastic value for money. The products have been designed to help children learn to read in just 3 steps - learn - practice - read.
- Learn the letters and sounds with audio CDs and flash cards.
- Practice turning the sounds into words with fun CD-ROM and workbook activities.
- Read charming, magical and fun books.
We have Hooked on Phonics Get Ready To Read which is a reading readiness programme with letter sounds for children age 3-5yrs. The box Includes 26 letter blocks, 1 interactive CD-Rom with games and original alphabet songs, 1 workbook that includes alphabet actions and alphabet town poems, 1 set of letter flash cards, 100 picture cards, My Hooked on Phonics dictionary, alphabet poster, progress poster and stickers and a parent guide.
We also carry the Hooked On Phonics Level 1 set which is for children 4-5 yrs, helping with letter sounds and short vowels. The box contains 1 interactive CD-Rom with 28 fun learning games (PC and MAC compatible), 2 audio CD's, 3 sets of flash cards, 1 workbook, 14 delightful reading books, 1 colourful poster with over 60 star stickers to reward your child's success.
You can read more about Hooked on Phonics at their homepage - www.hookedonphonics.com
Hooked on Phonics can be bought at http://www.kidestore.co.uk/
Sunday, April 08, 2007
New Knit It Sheep
The Little Experience do some of the greatest little craft kits for kids so we are pleased to take delivery of their latest products.
The Knit-it Sheep kit contains a large ball of cream wool, a small ball of brown wool, knitting needles, stuffing, sewing needle, 2 felt hearts for love and stars for a sparkling personality. The inside of the carton also has printed instructions for making a pem to ensure you don't lose the pen like Little Bo Peep.
The Make-it Flower Dolly kit lets you make your own flower rag doll to love and treasure forever. Cut out and sew this traditional rag doll using easy to follow patterns that have already been printed directly onto the fabric. Bring this childhood friend to life by adding a heart for love and stars for a sparkling personality.
Knit-It Mice see how they run ... knit your own 3 little mice..they won't chew your toys or pinch your cheese.
Make-it Prima Ballerina - just the right cute size to pop in a pocket and carry around.
Girls, isn't it nice to have one special little friend who's always prepared to hang around through thick and thin ? Thanks to our Prima Ballerina peg doll kit you can create your own personalised dainty dancer by taking one 'au naturel' peg and kitting her out in the finest net tutu and pink ribbons around. She is oh so elegant and light on her pegs.
Knit-it Monkey kit - knit your own mischief making monkey....a cuddly bundle of wool that won't drive you bananas. Create a cuddly new addition to the family with this beginner's step by step knitted monkey making kit. Bring your monkey to life by adding a heart for love and stars for a sparkling personality.
Make-it Princess Castle kit - make your own pretty palace fit for a princess.
Build and glue together this wonderful pretty princess palace. The wooden castle pieces are already painted a lovely pink and lilac shade so all you need to do is decorate to your hearts content with the stickers provided. You can also build and decorate the furniture and of course no castle would be complete without the fair princess, the handsome prince on his fine horse and the green dragon - all part of the kit. Now all you need to do is imagine your own fairy tale.
Make it Jigsaw Kit - make and design your own jigsaws with 2 wooden jigsaws - ready cut and covered in plain papaer - ready and waiting for you to design and paint to make your very own jigsaw - one of a kind.
Build-It Space Rocket kit - launch the creative side of your child ...5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2. ...1...blast off ! This is so much more than a small wooden rocket kit. It is just what you need when you're on a mission to race around space looking for planets and aliens.
All of these items and many more craft, knitting and sewing toys can be found in our creative section.
The Knit-it Sheep kit contains a large ball of cream wool, a small ball of brown wool, knitting needles, stuffing, sewing needle, 2 felt hearts for love and stars for a sparkling personality. The inside of the carton also has printed instructions for making a pem to ensure you don't lose the pen like Little Bo Peep.
The Make-it Flower Dolly kit lets you make your own flower rag doll to love and treasure forever. Cut out and sew this traditional rag doll using easy to follow patterns that have already been printed directly onto the fabric. Bring this childhood friend to life by adding a heart for love and stars for a sparkling personality.
Knit-It Mice see how they run ... knit your own 3 little mice..they won't chew your toys or pinch your cheese.
Make-it Prima Ballerina - just the right cute size to pop in a pocket and carry around.
Girls, isn't it nice to have one special little friend who's always prepared to hang around through thick and thin ? Thanks to our Prima Ballerina peg doll kit you can create your own personalised dainty dancer by taking one 'au naturel' peg and kitting her out in the finest net tutu and pink ribbons around. She is oh so elegant and light on her pegs.
Knit-it Monkey kit - knit your own mischief making monkey....a cuddly bundle of wool that won't drive you bananas. Create a cuddly new addition to the family with this beginner's step by step knitted monkey making kit. Bring your monkey to life by adding a heart for love and stars for a sparkling personality.
Make-it Princess Castle kit - make your own pretty palace fit for a princess.
Build and glue together this wonderful pretty princess palace. The wooden castle pieces are already painted a lovely pink and lilac shade so all you need to do is decorate to your hearts content with the stickers provided. You can also build and decorate the furniture and of course no castle would be complete without the fair princess, the handsome prince on his fine horse and the green dragon - all part of the kit. Now all you need to do is imagine your own fairy tale.
Make it Jigsaw Kit - make and design your own jigsaws with 2 wooden jigsaws - ready cut and covered in plain papaer - ready and waiting for you to design and paint to make your very own jigsaw - one of a kind.
Build-It Space Rocket kit - launch the creative side of your child ...5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2. ...1...blast off ! This is so much more than a small wooden rocket kit. It is just what you need when you're on a mission to race around space looking for planets and aliens.
All of these items and many more craft, knitting and sewing toys can be found in our creative section.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
New Spiderman City Crossing and Marvel Zingo Heroes
We have two great new games from the masters of puzzles at Thinkfun
Position your skyscrapers, buildings and Spiderman's magnetic webs according to the challenge cards. How help your hero elude the powers of evil by swinging across his webs crisscrossing the city to safety.
Spiderman City Crossing is a perilous challenge to crisscross the city.
Position your skyscrapers, buildings and Spiderman's magnetic webs according to the challenge cards. How help your hero elude the powers of evil by swinging across his webs crisscrossing the city to safety.
Zingo Heroes is Bingo with a Marvel Superhero twist!
Pull the Zingo Zinger forward to reveal two mystery tiles conatining images of your favourite Marvel Heroes. The first player to name the tile that matches the images in their card wins the tile. The first player to fill his card with tiles is the winner - Zingo !!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
New Bilibo Mini
Bilibo has been such a success that we now have a 'mini-me' version. 
Meet the Bilibo Mini all of the cute, colourful fun in a smaller package. Great for bathtime, beach time, the sandpit or just keeping your popcorn in whilst watching a DVD.
Suitable from age 1, the Bilibo Mini costs £5.95 from http://www.kidestore.co.uk/
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Horrible Science Jigsaw Puzzles
Horrible Science has made science cool again and we are really pleased to add these four Horrible Science Jigsaws to our range.
The Horrible Science Smashing Solar System Jigsaw is a 300 piece Horrible Science jigsaw based on Scholastic's best selling books written by Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony de Saulles. Take a tour of the solar system with Oddblob the alien from the planet Blurb ! Spot planets in the solar system, answer the cosmic quiz and discover some top space travelling tips.
You wiill really have a blast doing the Horrible Science jigsaw - Loony Lab puzzle! A 300 piece Horrible Science jigsaw in which you can take a peek at Horrible Science's own team of oddball experts in their laboratory carrying out extremely exciting experiments. Spot the suffering scientists, answer the strange quiz and test your teacher.
Complete the Horrible Science Jigsaw - Ugly Bugs potty puzzle and take a peek at the beastly bugs that have escaped into Will D Beest's garden from his creepy collection. Spot some crazy creepy crawlies and ugly bugs, tackle the bloodthirsty bugs quiz and try some torturous teasers on your teacher !
Horrible Science jigsaw - Beastly Body Bits is a brain bending puzzle. Take a tour of the human body with a little help from the one and only madly famous, famously mad scientist, Baron Frankenstein. Spot the Monster's body bits and answer the bloodthirsty quiz.
All jigsaws are 300 pieces, suitable from age 6 and cost £7.95 plus p&p from the range of jigsaw puzzles at kidEstore.co.uk educational toy store.
The Horrible Science Smashing Solar System Jigsaw is a 300 piece Horrible Science jigsaw based on Scholastic's best selling books written by Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony de Saulles. Take a tour of the solar system with Oddblob the alien from the planet Blurb ! Spot planets in the solar system, answer the cosmic quiz and discover some top space travelling tips.
You wiill really have a blast doing the Horrible Science jigsaw - Loony Lab puzzle! A 300 piece Horrible Science jigsaw in which you can take a peek at Horrible Science's own team of oddball experts in their laboratory carrying out extremely exciting experiments. Spot the suffering scientists, answer the strange quiz and test your teacher.
Complete the Horrible Science Jigsaw - Ugly Bugs potty puzzle and take a peek at the beastly bugs that have escaped into Will D Beest's garden from his creepy collection. Spot some crazy creepy crawlies and ugly bugs, tackle the bloodthirsty bugs quiz and try some torturous teasers on your teacher !
Horrible Science jigsaw - Beastly Body Bits is a brain bending puzzle. Take a tour of the human body with a little help from the one and only madly famous, famously mad scientist, Baron Frankenstein. Spot the Monster's body bits and answer the bloodthirsty quiz.
"Science has never been so horrible!"
All jigsaws are 300 pieces, suitable from age 6 and cost £7.95 plus p&p from the range of jigsaw puzzles at kidEstore.co.uk educational toy store.
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