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Ravensburger: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Puzzles!!!

April 14, 2014, 4:47 am
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Available from all good retailers (5 years +) 4 Stars
Parent View:
Ravensburger always produce good quality puzzles – although Con (a keen puzzle builder) did find these new Spider-Man sets a bit “Tricky” and challenging at times. I would say 7 years up is the best age. A nice gift for birthdays and Xmas!!!
Review by kidzcoolit
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Happy Days at Work - The Secretary

April 22, 2014, 2:10 am
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Jigsaw Ravensburger Happy Days At Work Jigsaw Puzzle

Recently my son managed to break his arm playing football at school. This has meant that there are limitations on the things he can do. One of the things he has found is that it is very difficult to use his games consoles, two arms are needed to use a controller. As a result he has been looking for other things to do with his time. Recently I was sent The Secretary, a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle. It is the eighth in the Ravensburger Happy Days at Work jigsaw puzzle series which take a nostalgic look at jobs and professions in older days. This one features a secretary at work in her 1960′s office.

I love the old-fashioned office with the electric typewriter on the desk, the old fashioned telephone with the dial and the tea tray with a few biscuits. The filing cabinets behind complete the picture, now everything is kept on computer. It takes me back to my school days and visiting the dentist office which looked very much like this. The other puzzles in the series are the Milkman, District Nurse, Farmer, Train Driver, Air Hostess, Baker and Mechanic. I think my mum would love to do these puzzles.

I love doing jigsaws, they are a great way to relax. There is something soothing about searching though the pieces and trying to put them together. My son pounced on this jigsaw and said he was going to do it and I was not allowed to help him. I got out the jigsaw board, which is in fact a large piece of wood that was in the garage when I moved it. It is useful as it allows the jigsaw to be moved around if I need to use the table for something else.
When I do jigsaws I do all the edge pieces first. I tried to explain the technique to my son, but he has his own method. It involves dumping all the pieces out on the board and putting together the bits he fancies doing.

jigsaw2 Ravensburger Happy Days At Work Jigsaw Puzzle

It actually seems to work quite well, although you don’t have as much room on the board to see what you are doing. My son has really taken to doing the jigsaw, he rushes in from school and sits down at the table to do a bit more. It is really nice to see him concentrating on it for great lengths of time and it is a great distraction from his arm. I am going to have to get out my other puzzles for him to try when he finishes this one.


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Review - What If? Pet Parlour jigsaw puzzle from Ravensburger

April 28, 2014, 1:47 am
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I've always loved jigsaws, although these days I don't have quite as many opportunities to complete larger, adult puzzles as I used to, both from lack of time and lack of space to leave them out undisturbed! I like to make the time for them when I can though, as I do find jigsaw puzzles relaxing and satisfying.

This week I was sent a puzzle from the What If? range by Ravensburger to review. The What If? range is a collection of puzzles which are a little bit different to a traditional jigsaw. As a twist, the picture that you see on the box is not the image found on the jigsaw inside. Instead, the concept behind the puzzle is that you need to imagine what might happen if things do not go to plan. The puzzle I was sent is called What If? Pet Parlour, and you are invited to imagine what might happen if Pamela's Pampered Pooch Parlour diversified.



As with all Ravensburger puzzles, the quality of the jigsaw is excellent and the pieces are sturdy, fitting together evenly and solidly. It's not as easy as completing a normal puzzle where you can follow the picture on the box, but the clues are there to help you complete it and the extra thought that you need to put in provides a satisfying challenge. 

Review by Jennifers Little World

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Ringo Flamingo

May 6, 2014, 1:52 am
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Ravensburger Ringo Flamingo is a very interesting concept.  The aim of the game is to save the flamingos from the snapping crocodiles lurking in the water!  The player who can flip the most lifebuoys over the flamingos and collect the most seashell chips wins!  So get ready and save those poor flamingos!

Ravensburger Ringo Flamingo Review

The game is aimed at children aged 5+ onwards and for 2 – 4 players.  Inside this game, it comes with:
Game board
7 flamingos
 2 crocodiles
 4 boats
 48 lifebuoys (in 4 different colours: orange, yellow, blue and green)
 12 seashell chips
Instructions
It is very easy to set up this game.  The bottom of the box is the base.  Place the game board on top and place the flamingos and crocodiles into their allocated slot.  It comes with four plastic boats for each player. 
Both of my children had so much of fun flipping the lifebuoys but it is not easy at all.  I think we should use a bigger table for this game.  This game requires the players to flip the lifebuoys and by having a bigger play area, it is easier to place the boat to the right distance to flip it.  We also cheated by placing it next to the wall so the lifebuoys could be easily bounced back into the swamp.  They both find it hard to get the lifebuoys onto the flamingo but when they get one lifebuoy in, they are so proud of themselves!  It is a great achievement!
I love this game not only it is fun but it helps the children practice their hand-eye co-ordination and flipping skills.  After a few rounds of playing, the plastic lifebuoys are quite out of shape but it is simple to flatten it back to restore the shape.

My children love the game as it is quite fun.  But beware of getting hit by flying lifebuoys as they go everywhere in the room! 

Review by ET Speaks From Home


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Happy Days - Lake District 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle

May 12, 2014, 5:24 am
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This is a really nice puzzle featuring a splendid scene of the Lake District with walkers and tourists bustling around.

We found this puzzle to be of medium difficulty. The bottom two thirds of the puzzle were quite straightforward and simple to do but the top half of the puzzle was a little more tricky and required patience to find the right pieces.




Luckily this area was solvable owing to Ravensburger's practice of making each piece different to all others. Something I've personally found infuriating with other puzzle makes.



If you are looking for a classic scene with a challenge than this is an excellent puzzle and this happens to be one of the bestselling of the Ravensburger Happy Days series. Enjoy!

Puzzle available on Amazon priced £10.45
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Ravensburger, In The Night Garden, My First Floor Puzzle

May 19, 2014, 2:10 am
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Find out what I thought of the Ravensburger, In The Night Garden, My First Floor Puzzle

 

We were recently sent the 16 piece Ravensburger In the night garden my first floor puzzle to review. It is aimed at children aged 2 and over, and it measures 49x36cm when assembled. It won't fit inside the box once assembled, hence the "Floor Puzzle" status. (The box itself measures 34x23x6cm).

The puzzle box is really well made, and it has lasted well. The box has a matt finish, so you can easily see the image you're trying to recreate - even under bright lights. Each jigsaw piece is really strong too, and my toddlers haven't managed to bend or break any of the pieces (yet)!

I tipped all 16 of the pieces onto the floor and then sat alongside Syd to help her. The back of each piece is plain white, so it was easy for Syd to see which pieces she needed to turn over to complete the puzzle.>

I helped Syd to put the bottom line of pieces together, and then I started passing her each piece in turn and showing her where to put it. She managed to connect the pieces without any help!

Once the puzzle was completed, Syd and I sat and talked about the characters and the colours in the picture. The image is really fun, and features the main In The Night Garden characters.

The puzzle has an RRP of £8.99, and I feel the quality reflects this price tag. We've had cheaper jigsaws, but the pieces weren't as easy to connect. It is well worth checking prices online when buying Ravensburger puzzles, as there are usually plenty of deals around.

I highly recommend this puzzle, and we will be buying some more from the Ravensburger My First Floor Puzzle series for Syd's birthday next Month.

Review by Mothergeek

Available to buy from Amazon
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The Red Box - By Colin Thompson

May 25, 2014, 2:42 pm
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the red box puzzle
The Puzzle


We like having opportunity to review Ravensburger jigsaw puzzles. We like to research the artists and we enjoy compiling the jigsaws, of course! This is another premium puzzle made up of 1000 engineered cardboard and precision cut pieces. For those who have come to know Ravensburger and have enjoyed their products over the years will know that Ravensburger puzzles are always top quality. Included inside The Red Box, box, is a leaflet with the Artist’s biography and a further picture for reference (which is really useful when more than one person is working on it). This jigsaw is rectangular on completion, and measures 69.9 x 49.7 cm approx. From 12 years to adult. RRP £11.99


The Artist

We have come up nice and close to photograph the many compartments which appears in this beautiful illustration by artist, Colin Thompson (born Colin Willment 1942). The impression is that the picture has been hand drawn and painted using pen and watercolour, but it has been produced digitally in fact with some clever editing techniques used; using computer software. Thompson says that he is able to express his creativity just as effectively as he can when drawing in 2D, by combining digital painting and photographic image manipulation techniques. Thompson’s working background in design and print, and in theatre, will explain his keen eye as his detailing is exquisite and his use of colour makes this a top decision by Ravensburger to produce it in a puzzle format.

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The Theme

The picture is made up of lots of red coloured compartments. Within each compartment Thompson has produced a little work of art in itself. Images of the Far East features. A dark silhouette fronts a fiery sky. Designs include China Blue and other oriental patterns; bright coloured parasols and Chinese lanterns; various water holding vessels; old bounded books and ancient time pieces. As you slowly build the picture piece by piece you will spot the creatures here and there (great and small), acknowledge the symbolism depicted and enjoy it when you discover those pieces that are more identifiable such as the dragon mask and the golden, Koi Carp.

Review by TSS Reviews

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Review - 3D Taj Mahal puzzle from Ravensburger

June 2, 2014, 5:48 am
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I do love doing jigsaws, but because the amount of time that I have to do them is quite limited, I also like trying out something different. I remember my brother enjoying 3D jigsaw puzzles when we were younger, and so when I was offered the chance to try the 3D Taj Mahal puzzle from Ravensburger I thought it would be a fun challenge, and also something that I could involve Harry in.

The Taj Mahal puzzle has 216 pieces and has a RRP of £35.39. When I opened the box I was quite surprised, as there didn't seem to be that many traditional jigsaw pieces inside! Quite a lot of the structure is formed from shaped plastic pieces that slot together, with only the central building and dome being formed from actual puzzle pieces. There is an instruction booklet that takes you through all the steps, and the parts are packaged individually so simple to identify.


I was a bit daunted at first, but quickly worked out what to do. The instructions were easy to follow, and because the design is symmetrical it doesn't matter which way some of the pieces go in.

Taj Mahal 3d puzzle Ravensburger review

The puzzle pieces themselves are made of strong plastic and they click together nicely. Some of the pieces are hinged, so you need to fold them to bend around the corners. Each piece is numbered on the back, and then arrows show you the order that you need to put the pieces together in. This makes it very easy to assemble. To be honest, this puzzle was more like putting together a model kit than doing a jigsaw. I think it would be possible to complete the puzzle without looking at the numbers, although I did find that sometimes the wrong pieces fitted together so you'd need to be careful.

Taj Mahal 3d puzzle review

I sorted out the pieces into the correct numerical order, and then Harry (5) pieced them together. He absolutely loved this, his number recognition is good enough to be able to follow through the numbers, and he was so pleased that he was able to complete it all by himself. It was a fantastic project for us to work on together.

Taj Mahal 3d puzzle

When assembled the finished model is lovely to look at, and a nice way to appreciate the symmetry and design of the Taj Mahal. It came apart easily too, and the box is only the same size as a normal jigsaw puzzle box so it doesn't take up too much storage space.

Although the puzzle is aimed at builders aged 12 and older, I think that a younger child could easily manage the puzzle with a bit of adult help. Some of the parts are a bit fiddly to slot into place, particularly the hinged pieces, but the actual putting together of the jigsaw pieces is quite straightforward. I do think that an adult puzzler would probably find the puzzle very easy and quick to complete, unless of course they attempted it without using the numbers and the instructions!

Harry certainly has the bug now, and I can see that we'll be trying out a few more 3D jigsaw puzzles together.


Available on Amazon 



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Review of Fairytale Fantasia

June 6, 2014, 1:27 am
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The Artist

We admire the work of self taught, photo manipulation artist, Aimee Stewart. Stewart uses digital painting and photo image editing techniques to produce imaginative designs. The artwork used to produce this puzzle is detailed and colourful. The colours are rich, bold and bright, and the composition of her artwork is striking because of this. Stewart’s style and what she can achieve artistically fits the Ravensburger brand very well.





The Theme
Tiny little magical creatures and characters from a fantasy/fairy tale world, hence the puzzle title, sit around large books on four rows of book shelves which are topped with a mystical night sky. Among the Antiquarian bound books with titles written on the book spines, many with cursive writing, there are worldly wonders from land, sea and sky featuring. These will slowly be revealed as you piece together the jigsaw. The theme is an enchanted, mythical version of the world, and, much of those beloved, traditional storytelling elements from our childhood memories are there too. A red haired girl in a long, gossamer dress tied at the waist with a green ribbon has climbed the library ladder and is making a selection from the top shelf.








The Product
Anyone who knows Ravensburger will know their puzzles are premium. This boxed puzzle, has 1000 well engineered cardboard and precision cut pieces inside – (materials responsibly sourced). Also included is a leaflet with the Artist biography and a further picture for reference. This jigsaw is rectangular on completion and measures, once made up 69.9 x 49.7 cm approx. Not suitable for children under 36 months (small pieces). From 12 years to adult. RRP £11.99
The Details
 this puzzle is quite challenging to do, and the difficulty level is high. The artwork is jam packed with detail and the strong primary colours have only slight variations so it is hard to ‘get your eye in’ to start with and difficult to find all those little scenes within the large one. Starting, as always, with the edge bits in place as a frame, and then singling out all the book titles was the best way to organize a way to go forward with it. We found it useful to have a second picture available as two worked together on the puzzle to complete. Nearing the end however, it was easy to pin point pieces because the colour and design is almost in squared sections of pattern because of the nature of composition, and so, following inspection using the picture as a guide, it was possible to drop upon pieces relatively quickly.
Review by tssreviews
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Scotland Yard by Ravensburger

June 9, 2014, 3:51 am
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I love board games and we always make time to play games and spend quality time together. Big J is at an age now where he enjoys more challenging games such as Monopoly, Cluedo, Destination and our new favourite Scotland Yard by Ravensburger.

 















When we first opened it and I saw all the pieces I thought it may be too complicated but it was quite easy to understand.

 























Inside the box is
 
1 game board
 6 playing pieces 
29 start tickets 
130 tickets for different means of transportation 
1 travel log for Mr. X 
1 visor for Mr. X 
2 inserts 
2 rings for bobbies

 

First off I read the instructions and we decided who was going to be detectives (Mummy and Daddy) and who was going to be the naughty and mysterious Mister X (Big J)

 

The object of the game is for the detectives to find Mister X. It is almost like a chasing game similar to cops and robbers, cat and mouse and also hide and seek
 
So Big J was Mister X and he has been a little naughty so it was up to Daddy and I, London's top detectives to stop him.

 

Big J enjoyed playing Mister X, he did need to plan where and when he was moving to so he could outwit us. He found it easy to understand the rules of moving his way around the board.

 

The game features around Central London and Mister X has to escape from the detectives by moving around the 199 locations on the game board. He needs to use his transport tokens to move and not be seen.
 
Playing the detectives, Daddy and I had to become super sleuths and find out just where Mister X is hiding. I found it quite challenging and really enjoyed trying to work out just where Mister X was hiding.

 
Throughout the game Mister X (Big J) gave us clues to exactly where he may be at that point in the game - he did this and even then it was hard to figure it out. So we had to guess where he was and race there before he moved again.
 
Unfortunately we didn't find Mister X he was too smart for us this time so he won the game.
 
We absolutely loved this and it really was lots of fun. It took about 50 minutes from start to finish but that was including reading the instructions.
 
Next time we play I think I will go Mister X and try and beat the boys :)
 
Aimed at ages 8+
2-6 players

Review by Mummy 2 Monkeys

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Ravensburger Best of British: Frog & Trumpet puzzle

June 12, 2014, 8:10 am
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I seem to be building up a nice collection of jigsaw puzzles thanks to Ravensburger.
Prior to blogging, I thought jigsaws were a little boring, but having sampled a few from Ravensburger I am getting a little addicted to them.

20140523-121911-44351602.jpg

My latest one is part of Ravensburgers Best of British collection. Which is a collection of fun puzzles showing several traditional British themes and places.
The puzzle I have is The Frog and Trumpet pub .

I am really glad I chose this puzzle because it actually reminds me of my local pub. There is so much going on in the picture. All sorts of strange characters. People dining, a short dressed woman attempting karaoke (a little like myself ha), a big fat guy playing darts, rugby guy supping a pint, a guy at the snooker table, posh bloke in a suit reading a paper and even the owners dog. Totally chaotic just like most local pubs at weekend.

The puzzle contains 1000 pieces. The pieces are made with the soft click technology, meaning the pieces easily fit and lock together and do not bend or break like I find with some puzzles.

20140523-122415-44655386.jpg

I have not completed this puzzle yet. 1000 pieces with 3 children to watch is no easy task, but I have started it and I find it rather relaxing in the evenings, to complete it bit by bit.
It’s not an easy puzzle. There is a lot going on in the picture and lots of very fine detail. Such as leaflets on the walls, bottles behind the bar and the pattern on the carpet. There are 20 or so characters in the picture, including 2 dogs and characters partially hidden so it’s a lot to be getting on with.

The end result will hopefully look like this.

20140523-122841-44921223.jpg

This puzzle should be available in many good toy and puzzle shops and more information about this particular one can be found at Ravensburger

Review by Bizzimummy's world

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Ravensburger Haberdashery Heaven Perplexing Puzzle

June 16, 2014, 4:16 am
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We were recently sent this fantastic 1000 piece Haberdashery Heaven Puzzle by Ravensburger.


I have always loved puzzles since a young age. My Grandad used to always have a puzzle on the go and I would always help him out, nothings changed now 20 odd years on, its still the same when I visit we crack out the puzzle together!

This colourful scene should get your little grey cells working, as you try to decide which cotton reels go where, and how the piece together all those threads, ribbons and fasteners! The scene has a strong nostalgic feel because many of the items were discovered lurking in old sewing baskets and workboxes. This unique image doesn't use clever computer-based design trickery; instead photographer Greg Shepherd meticulously arranged everything to give a seamless and fascinating image designed to give puzzle fans a challenge.

This busy puzzle has so much going on it will keep you occupied with hours of fun! I love that every time you look at it you see something new in the picture that you didn't notice before like the pin cushion, family photo, safety pins, thimbles, needles and bobbins!

This fantastic puzzle is approximately 69.9 cm x 49.7cm, with a recommended age of 12 years plus and features the premium puzzle soft click technology.



We found this puzzle was such great quality and its not just a puzzle you will do once and then leave in the cupboard to collect dust! It can be done over and over again.

Review by Beth Bear 


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Peppa Pig Colorino

June 24, 2014, 1:57 am
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This week Little Sis has been having fun with a brand new product from Ravensburger called Peppa Pig Colorino. It is aimed at children aged 2+ and involves children learning about colours through matching coloured pegs onto a variety of Peppa pictures.
Peppa Pig Colorino contains 4 colour pictures, 4 black and white pictures, 24 coloured pegs in 6 colours and a clear plastic board. The idea is you choose a picture to play with, slide it behind the plastic board and then ‘colour’ in with the pegs.
Peppa pig Colorino
It’s great for children learning their primary colours and Little Sis has loads of fun with it. She’s able to choose her favourite picture, pick the right colour peg and place it on the board (the pegs just clip in place). When she’s finished a picture she can take the pegs off, turn it over and do the picture again but this time choose which colours go where.
Peppa Pig Colorino
This puzzle is recommended for 2+ years and my daughter is 2.5 years and enjoys colouring in these pictures. She is able to tell me the colours of the pegs and put them in the right place. She also has fun colouring in the black and white pictures. The only thing she has difficulty with is sliding the pictures in and out of the transparent board. However, it’s great for learning colour recognition and manual dexterity and I would recommend this for any little Peppa fans!
Review by the Ginger Bread House
Available from Amazon 

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Ravensburger Peppa Pig Junior Mandala Review

June 26, 2014, 4:15 am
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We were recently sent a Ravensburger Peppa Pig Junior Mandala - Designer set to review which Ben has been having a lot of fun with. 























How it works

The Mandala set is fantastic for encouraging the development of 
fine motor skills, concentration and self confidence as children get 
creative with. It is easy to use, you just pop a sheet of paper 
between the drawing frame and the template, and it is ready 
for drawing around the shapes. You then turn the stencil inside 
the base tray and draw again. To make it easy to use each stencil 
is marked with arrows, which allows you to rotate the stencil 
inside the frame one sixteenth of a rotation. This unique mechanism 
helps you to create some lovely symmetrical designs. Once you’ve 
finished drawing, you can then colour the designs in with the 
colouring pencils that are included and you have it – a finished 
mandala design! You can even cut around the design and use
your unique mandalas to decorate anything from placemats, 
photo frames and gift boxes to book covers and party favours. 
With an infinite number of possible designs that can be created,
 Mandala-Designer® will accompany your child on a brightly 
coloured journey of imagination and creation.

















Putting it to the Test

Ben has been loving playing with the Mandala. He has made special 
presents for his friends using it who loved all the Peppa Pig, hearts, 
suns and other shapes he used. It has definitely held his concentration 
and the results are fantastic. The chunky marker it comes with is perfect 
for little hands to draw around the shapes. Ben really enjoys using the 
Mandala and has created some superb masterpieces to be proud of 
so we definitely give it a thumbs up. 























Review by Mummy's space

Available on Amazon 

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How To Train Your Dragon 2 Puzzle Review

June 30, 2014, 4:55 am
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This is a brand new Ravensburger 100 piece XXL puzzle How To Train Your Dragon 2. It features the new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider. It measures 49 cm by 36 cm when complete. This is suitable for children aged 6 and above. Ms C is only 5 and she managed to do it. So if you have a big fan of puzzles, I’m sure they will love this gorgeous group photo of How To Train Your Dragon 2.

how to train a dragon 2 puzzle ravensburger

how to train a dragon 2 puzzle ravensburgerThis is our second time testing out Ravensburger puzzles. We had the same type of Ravensburger puzzles before, with the 100 XXL of The Muppets. Click to read more about it. Again I am very impressed with the range of puzzles they have. Do check them out on Twitter @RavensburgerPC as they regularly host giveaways!

how to train a dragon 2 puzzle review

how to train a dragon 2 puzzle reviewThe group picture is very attractive and comes with four different knight badges. The surface comes in a matt finish. The pieces are thick, strong and easy to join up. The only problem is there are a lot of blue bits coming off the backing. Once the bits are brushed off, it is fine afterwards. The puzzle can be done over and over again and kept safely in its box when not required. We had to disassemble it as we don’t have space to keep it out. It would be great to frame up.

Ms C and I love doing jigsaw puzzles at home as they are a great work out for the brain and can be beneficial for improving problem solving, motor skills and eye co-ordination for children and adults. If you or your children are a big fans of How To Train Your Dragon 2, you might like to consider this.

how to train a dragon 2 puzzle

how to train a dragon 2 puzzleBoth of our children can’t wait to catch the new movie in July. Not long to go now!


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Empire State Building 3D Puzzle with lights

July 3, 2014, 7:30 am
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puzzle making with DaddyWe’d previously reviewed the Ravensburger Windmill 3D Puzzle and had a lot of fun with it, so H was well up for trying out the Empire State Building 3D Puzzle.  This was a bit of a step up in terms of difficulty, it’s for 12+ rather than 10+, plus it’s a lot more exciting because it lights up in a range of colours.

We did struggle with constructing the first few layers of pieces.  When I say ‘we’ I mean both H and I.  Mr 92three30 then took over and things moved more quickly, although to be fair I think once you get some of the supports inserted, the structure is a lot more stable and easier to add to.  This is a puzzle for adults or older children to build, but H had a lot of fun helping Daddy construct it.

Empire State Building 3D Puzzle This puzzle is made up of 216 plastic pieces which are pretty sturdy.  Once finished the structure measures 46.5cm high. Each puzzle piece is printed with a number on the reverse side, so you can either assemble the puzzle by eye, or just by following the numbers, which did it with the numbers.  You could also do it by eye and then check your work with the numbers. There’s no need for glue or any sticky stuff as the pieces slot into each other like a normal jigsaw and stay there. The puzzle comes with a printed base board, so it can be displayed easily.  Once complete, the Empire State Building 3D Puzzle looks very impressive as you can see.

Empire State Building 3D Puzzle

empire state building at nightYou’ll need to provide 3 AAA batteries to light your finished skyscraper up at night.  It’s very dramatic and moves through a good range of colours: I counted 7 or 8.  H loved having it in his room at night and having it as a sort of night-light.  It’s very impressive to watch it switch from colour to colour and the light highlights all the little details.

empire state building at night

Review by 92three30

Available on Amazon 




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What if? The Racehorse

July 7, 2014, 4:18 am
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Last year Ravensburger launched a fun comedy puzzle range called WHAT IF? The picture on the box shows what the characters would like to happen. The picture you puzzle is what actually does happen. It’s a great idea and we loved doing the puzzle from the outset. 



There are some little clues to help you imagine what the finished puzzle scene will show.

This has to be one of the best puzzles we have ever tried. There are similar versions already out there from different puzzle manufactures but this is simply a joy to do. The main reason for this is that with a Ravensburger 1000 piece puzzle none of the pieces are the same and so there is no confusion about where a piece may fit. 

The finished puzzle is really bright and colourful and as with any Ravensburger puzzle the image is of the highest quality.



For any puzzle fan out there I would recommend you having a go at one of these excellent What iF? Puzzles. 

Available on Amazon 
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Ravensburgers Outdoor Mandala Designer Set review - Romantic Garden

July 13, 2014, 2:54 pm
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I love anything that gets the kids outside and something with a craft element as well, makes for a brilliant school holiday idea.

The girls took the opportunity to try out the Ravensburgers Outdoor Mandala Designer Set that we had been kindly sent to review. There are various designs to choose from and were sent the Romantic Garden set - which is so pretty!





The girls love to colour or paint outside when the weather is good, so the Mandala Designer sets are fantastic for them.  They allow budding artists to become street artists as they chalk works of art on any paved surface.



Each design in the mandala template disk allows you to create various masterpieces - Simply place the stencil on the ground, choosing your chalk colour and colour in the ground through the stencil! ! Children can create beautifully coloured mandalas outside, easily and effectively - it's great fun for all the family! Even I enjoyed having a go!

 This set comes with a detailed template including hearts and flowers, plus a set of 6 coloured chalks and an instruction booklet. We kept our designs simple as it was Little One's first go - but even the simplest designs look amazing!



The sets are aimed at children aged 5+ Even Middle Miss (12) loved helping her sister create her Mandala! 

At around £14.99, I think it's great value for money. Although you'd need to replace the chalks once they are used up, the stencil can be reused time and time again.

Review by White Lily Green

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Board Game review : Bugs In The Kitchen

July 21, 2014, 2:19 am
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As soon as I saw the name of the latest Ravensburger board game that we had received to review, I knew it would be a hit with the Madhouse Mini-testers. "Bugs In The Kitchen." I could already hear them crying "eurgghhh" delightedly !




And that was before we even had a look inside the box and discovered that it has a Hex bug in it. The Madhouse Mini-testers had seen these before in a toy shop and thought they were very cool. They're little robotic bugs that scuttle about in a very fast, erratic and quite random manner. They give me the creeps a bit which just makes them love them even more !




The game is very simple to play. The board is made up of a maze of pivoting knives, forks and spoons. You roll the dice to know which piece of cutlery you can turn to try to guide the Hex bug through the maze to your designated trap.



It's more down to luck than judgement really because you can set up the perfect path to your corner then twiddle your thumbs helplessly when the bug scuttles off in the wrong direction. This evens up the odds for younger players but can be a bit frustrating for older players who want to use skill and strategy rather than sheer luck.

It's great fun and is a quick game to play if you're short on time (about 20 minutes usually). The kids invariably end up playing with the Hexbug on the table when the game is over though. The suggested age range on the box is 6+ but 4-year-old Pierre manages to play (and sometimes even win) quite successfully.

star rating : 4/5

Review by Madhouse Family Reviews 

RRP : £19.99 available on Amazon 
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Disney Eye Found It! Game

July 24, 2014, 1:51 am
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Our family really enjoy playing board games and so when we received the new Disney Eye Found It! Game from Ravensburger my two boys couldn’t wait to get it out of the box. In fact my eldest discarded his favourite tablet device the moment he saw the box!


The first you will notice is that the board is huge! It comes in three parts that slot together and when complete measures six foot long. The jumbo board is packed full of artwork and favourite Disney characters and is solidly made.



Once the game starts the clock is ticking and players must work together to get to Cinderella’s castle before the clock strikes midnight. Traveling through 12 Disney realms, starting from Radiator Springs through Alice's Wonderland to Peter Pan's Never Land and Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. Throughout the race, everyone searches for iconic Disney objects... and gets a chance to say, "Eye found it!"



This game is great as it encourages co-operation and teamwork and everyone has to use their observation skills in order to identify the objects.




My youngest is 3 ½ and wants to play it all the time. As I put him to bed last night he said “The Disney game is my new best friend”



The game will be available in September from Toys R Us, Smyths and Amazon.  It's definitely one to look out for!
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