As my girls get older, I’m becoming increasingly aware of the need to buy them educational toys and activities. This seems particularly pertinent in Winter when they’re inside a bit more. Sometimes though, I do despair of the toys on offer. There is far too much unimaginative plastic tat in the world. So when BrightMinds got in touch and asked me if I’d like to review a couple of things from their website I was delighted.
BrightMinds – The Concept
BrightMinds was founded by a former science teacher. All their toys are handpicked to inspire and educate children while they play. This has resulted in a website full of toys, games and activities that parents love as much as the children.
BrightMinds Djeco Foil Mosaics
When I looked through the BrightMinds website, I was immediately drawn to the Foil Mosaics. Libby was given a little mosaic for her birthday and it was by some distance her favourite present. She spent hours on it but unfortunately the pieces were a bit small and she lost a few and didn’t quite get to the end of it.
However the foil mosaics from brighter minds were much better suited to a four year old. The mosaic is quite large and very colourful. The stickers are all a little under 1cm² in size and peel away from the backing very easily.
As Libby was sitting down doing her mosaic after school, we decided to let Lia have a go at it although it is recommended for children aged 3+. I’m so glad she did try it because it was a real revelation. Lia managed to complete her own mosaic with virtually no help from me. Her fine motor skills were amazing and it’s not something I would have thought to do with her before. She definitely needs more educational toys and activities to stimulate her learning.
BrightMinds Djeco Fireflies Foil Pictures
BrightMinds sells a range of Djeco products and we were sent the Djeco Fireflies Foil Pictures to try out. These are aimed at children aged 7-13, so I did worry a bit that Libby wouldn’t be able to do them.
However whilst older children will definitely find them easier, this was a lovely activity for Libby and I to do together. First you take off the tiny white stickers using the tool provided. Each one is numbered, so you know what colour foil needs to go on it.
When you’ve removed a sticker, you take a piece of foil and place it onto the sticky area that is left. You need to place it on with the silver side down – I made the mistake of doing it with the coloured side down to start off with and thought it wasn’t working.
Then you rub the foil with the other end of the tool, making sure you go right to the edges. When you remove the foil, the colour from it will remain on the picture. The end result is a beautiful, sparkly picture that Libby was particularly proud of. As with the mosaics, I could see her skills developing as we were doing the activity. This is brilliant for fine motor skills.
I like the K Nex construction sets
my son has the Learning Resources Primary Science Lab Set on his xmas list 🙂 i love that they are educational as well as fun!
I would treat my boys to the Quercetti Marble Run with Motor because they love marbles and often create their own marble runs using junk materials or other construction kits!
I’d get my daughter the Stepping into Science Thames and Kosmos Little Labs. She’d love this she’s always getting me look up experiments on youtube for us to do together.
Magnetic Dart board x
I really love the Djeco crafts stuff so I would buy some of that for stocking fillers:)
I think the sticky mosaics look lovely and don’t seem like they would be too fiddly for my niece to do.
Love Alex Learns to dress and Djeco building bricks -perfect for my nephew and his bany sister
Human Body Anatomy Model because my son love science and says he wants to be a Dr when he grows up 🙂
My Fairy Garden looks so much fun and educational. the Rainbow in Your Room light projector looks beautiful and doubles as a nightlight.
I’d love the Djeco Glitter dresses Glitter boards for my niece, as I think crafting is such a lovely, calming hobby, great for anyone, old or young 🙂 thanks so much for the chance 🙂 x
I love this – my 6 year old was always eager to learn so trying to teach her things was quite easy from a early age. My 3 year old is a different story – she has no concentration at all and gets bored so easily but I really think this would hold her attention especially the mosaic.
the Quercetti Marble Run with Motor
I LOVE THE FAIRY DOLL MAKING KIT! AND LEARN TO CROCHET, WHAT A GREAT WEBSITE i HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE
I love the electronics sets
I would buy the Djeco Topanifarm Cubes for infants. They are so cute but also allows children to learn x
I’d get my son the John Adams Eyeball Dissection Gross Science Kit – I would have loved this as a kids and it’s gruesome & engaging enough to really teach him about the eye.
Aww, the girls did a fab job of those! My 5 year old loves doing sticker mosaics, I love the foil ones too, they look brilliant. X
i would buy the Rainbow in Your Room for my daughter
Aww wow I love the look of the fairy garden how very cute! The little washing line is super cute, my daughter Heidi would spend many happy hours with this 🙂
I would buy some of the maths products like the Learning Resources Maths Mat Challenge and the Learning Resources Electronic Flashcard Maths because my eldest son is a maths whizz. The products look great quality and very educational.x
id buy a Planetarium for my daughter, shes really into astronomy
These look great 🙂
Melissa and Doug monster bowling looks good fun.
I love the Large Puzzle Train, I absolutely love wooden toys and bright colours 🙂
I would buy both my girls the Sticky Mosaics Enchanted Forest they would love them.
My fairy garden
Chem Lab C2000 Thames and Kosmos looks so interesting
I would get the Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register for my son for Christmas. I love it because it reminds me of one that I had as a kid, but also he’s asked me for a “shop” for Christmas. Would love to win the voucher, thanks for the chance.
I would but the John Adams Chemistry Set as my daughter has rally taken a like in to science
I like the Rainbow in Your Room ,looks very bright and cheerful
I love the electronics sets.
The Magentic Dart Board as my son would absolutely love that
My kids would love most of the board games on the website! I would pick Brain Box for sure!!!
Think words will get our brains working.
I would choose the Gizmo Static Science as my son loves teaching my Granddaughter about how things work etc and this looks like it would be great for that also My Fairy Garden as my Granddaughter loves fairies and this looks so cute x
Wow what to choose? I have chosen , DragonWood this would be great for my grandsons birthday he is so into Dragons.Brain Box Board Game & Kids Charades are both games that i would keep at our house so when all the grandchildren visit we can play & Nanny & Granddad too lol.
The City of Zombies Maths Game looks fun but educational
The Brain Box Board game looks like fun.
I would buy a microscope. I remember having one when I was little and I loved it! Spend a lot of time collecting things from the garden to inspect with it!
The Tidlo kitchen station, little grandson would love it, he can make me a meal on it, better not be burnt
My niece would love the creativity for kids fashion headbands and the buttonbag learn how to sew suitcase is so cute too!
I’d get the Pintoy Workbench for my grandsons
i would buy the Alex Crafts Fold And Fly set
The tap tap space art would be well used by my son!
I love the “Learn to dress kitty” and the lacing beads – perfect for my little granddaughter
Wow there is just so much to choose from. I love all the wooden toys for my youngest who’s almost 2 amongst other things and for my oldest at 8 the science toys look great
The shape sorting clock for my Granddaughter. It would teach her both shapes & telling the time.
Would choose Rainbow in your room and kitchen science
my grandaughter would love the Great Gizmo Volcano Making Kit
I like the cake sorting shape stand
We would love the Cambridge Brainbox Primary Plus 2 Kit, we love learning and building toys in this house and something that all the family can enjoy together.
Rory’s Story Cubes Original as it looks good for the children’s imagination and fun
Anything by Djeco x
I love the walkie talkies and the telescope, great for getting kids outdoors and encouraging them to look at the world around them. They can play at being spies too 😉
The Melissa & Doug Shopping Trolley would be a great addition to my granddaughter’s kitchen and other items
I like the Learning Resources 10 on the Spot! Ten Frame Game for my son as he really enjoys practising his number skills.
The Djeco Washable Marker Pens look great too, nice colours and good quality
id buy the City of Zombies Maths Game in the hope it gets my son interested in maths again
Creativity for Kids Designed by You ~ it is a fashion kit ~ Looks great.
I’d buy a bookmark dictionary for each of my daughters as they both love reading
I would buy the teaching watches x 3 for my three youngest children (2 blue and 1 red), I love these because they would make learning to tell the time much easier and they are water resistant with a velcro strap, so really child friendly too
i would get some Mosaic Kits for my daughter, shes so creative!
The Learning Resources Primary Science Lab Set and the 4M Great Gizmo Volcano Making Kit. My nephew is only four but he is so interested in science and experiments, so these would be great (supervised of course).
I would get the Anatomy Model for my son as he is just starting to learn at school and will find very useful
The Human Body kits look fab. I like the look of the Smart Lab Squishy Human Brain 🙂
Maths Times Tables Multibandz Wristbands
I would buy the ez fort original
craft kits to encourage creativity
I like the look of the Design and Drill centre and Camelot Junior but there are so many great things. Really love this company.
I would love the Thames and Kosmos First Chemistry Set
I would buy the Human Body learning cube, 4M Great Gizmo glow space and mould and paint for my son and John Adams fuzzy felt farm animals and Djeco The Princess and her frog jigsaw puzzle for my daughter
Can’t decide – there are so many things to choose from. Maybe some story cubes and bingo
Big Jigs Junior Carpenter Tool Set – he learn a trade!
We love K Nex
City Of Zombies Maths Game looks like something that would be great for my maths boffin son!
I’d buy the rainbow-in-your-room. There are so many fab things it’s really difficult to choose!
Big Jigs Junior Carpenter Tool Set xx
I would buy an Ultimate Art Set for my daughter, she is a budding artist and would love this
I really love the Djeco crafts stuff the children would like these
Love the Rainbow in your Room set.
There’s lots to choose from, but I love the Melissa & Doug Self-Correcting Letter Puzzles, great idea
I would get a couple of the art sets, my son loves painting and drawing.
I’d choose the ultimate art set for my drawing mad little girl.
the rainbow in your room set
Brainbox Dinosaurs – my Grandson would love it
I would love to buy the Djeco Big box of colours
If I won, I would buy the 4M Great Gizmo Volcano Making Kit for my son, as he would have lots of fun and it’s a great way to learn. I would also get the Djeco Big box of colours, as it has lots to choose from.
I’d buy the Anatomy model and electronics kit
I would get my daughter the “Rainbow in your room” and my son the carpenter set.
GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope, my daughter would love it
I love the Rainbow in your room – my Daughter would be very happy with one of these x