Wet sand is one of the most fun modelling materials that a child gets to use. However, it can be very messy: making it an activity that is best left at the beach or in the garden sand pit.
Thankfully, Moon Sand is a material that offers all the fun of sculpting with sand but without having to mix-up a mud-like substance to play with.
For ages 3 years and older
£9.99 from Amazon.co.uk 
Search Amazon.com
The Moon Sand Ice Cream Sundae set is one of a number of fun themes in the Moon Sand range. The kit includes 3 colours of Moon Sand and 5 moulds, which let you make wafer cones, split bananas, scoops of ice cream, “Mr. Whippy” style soft ice cream and cherries.
Moon Sand is a joy to play with. After a little squishing and squashing, to make it a bit softer after removing it from the packaging, the sand is ready to be moulded. There’s no need to add water to the sand; in fact water must be kept away from it. Treat the moulds as you would treat a sand bucket at the beach by compressing Moon Sand into it and then tip it over and tap it loose to reveal your moulded creation.
A decorated play mat is also provided as a working surface. It would be a bit hopeful to expect children to keep the sand within the confines of this mat but fortunately Moon Sand is easily picked by a vacuum cleaner and leaves no stains on fabrics.
Moon Sand never dries out, so it can always be re-used. However, to keep the original colours, you do need to keep the colours separate. Refills in sealable containers are available to buy separately.
Making sculptures without moulds is very challenging but still great fun with sometimes hilarious results.
The Verdict
WANTED: The Ice Cream Sundae set, like the other sets in the Moon Sand range, not only develops creativity and fine motor skills but also provide an exciting sensory experience. An excellent addition to the toy boxes of 3 to 6 year olds.
Moon Sand Ice Cream Sundae
By Spin Master
For ages 3 years and older
Where to Buy Moon Sand Ice Cream Sundae Maker
|
 |
£9.99 |  |
 |
|
 |
£9.99 | |
|
|
 |
£9.99 | |
|
|
 |
Search | |
All prices correct at the time of publishing. Please check retailer for latest prices, availability and delivery information.
Features & Contents
- Reusable material. It never dries out.
- 3 colours of Moon Sand.
- 5 moulds.
- Playmat.
- Does not stain.
Product Details & Specifications
Product name: Moon Sand Ice Cream Sundae Activity Set
Recommended age: for 3 years and older
Minimum age: 3 years due to small parts and long cord
Battery requirements: n/a
Safety considerations: Not to be eaten or put in mouth.
Assembly requirements:
Manufacturer/Supplier: Spin Master Toys
Manufacturer/Supplier no.: #20031062
Barcode (UPC/EAN): 778988708910
Product dimensions:
Product weight:
Packaging dimensions: 25cm x 25cm x 6.5cm
Packaged item weight: 840g
Country of origin: Sand made in Sweden. Made and assembled in China
Monsters Vs. Aliens is the latest animated movie released by Dreamworks, the makers of the popular Sherk series of films. The film looks like it will do well at both the box office and the toy shop.
There’s a wide variety of products available; in our investigations, we’ve been on the look-out for fun action toys.
Deluxe 6″ Action Figures
There are currently six different figures from the range of Deluxe Action Figures:
- B.O.B.
- Dr. Cockroach
- Ginormica (Susan)
- The Missing Link
- Gallaxhar
- The Alien Clone Robot
Each figure is about six inches tall, which makes Ginormica seem a lot less ginormous when stood next to her contemporaries. However, the figures do look good and B.O.B is even supplied with some real green slime.
Available for around £10.00 from: Argos • Toys R Us • Amazon.co.uk • Amazon.com • eBay
Monsters Vs. Aliens Deluxe 6″ Action Figure
By Vivid Imaginations
For ages 4 years and older
Mini 2 Packs
A smaller range of figures is available in four different combinations:
- President Hathaway & B.O.B
- Dr. Cockroah & Ginormica (Susan)
- The Missing Link and General W.R. Monger
- Alien Clone Robot & Gallaxhar
Again the scale of these mini-figures has been conveniently and quite necessarily ignored.
Available for around £6.00 from: Argos • Toys R Us • Amazon.co.uk • Amazon.com • eBay
Monsters Vs. Aliens Mini 2 Packs
By Vivid Imaginations
For ages 4 years and older
Play Sets
A range of four play sets provide a fun way of recreating some of the best scenes from the movie.
- Robot Blows Apart
- Release B.O.B. from the Chamber
- Drop the Bombs
- Break the Ice
Figures and accessories are included in these sets.
Available for around £15.00 from: Toys R Us • Amazon.co.uk • Amazon.com
Monsters Vs. Aliens Play Sets
By Vivid Imaginations
For ages 4 years and older
Bendees
The Bendees figures set themselves apart from the other action figures with limbs that can – yes, you’re quite right – bend. There are six of these small figurines to collect:
- Ginormica (Susan)
- Dr. Cockroach
- The Missing Link
- President Hathaway
- General W.R. Monger
- Gallaxhar
Available from: Toys R Us • Amazon.co.uk • eBay
Monster Vs. Aliens Bendees
By Vivid imaginations
For ages 4 years and older
Ray Gun
No alien invasion I’ve ever seen in the cinema has failed to include some weaponry and this movie has various dangerous devices on display including ray guns. Pull the trigger on this replica ray gun, in all its 1950s B-movie style glory, and you’ll activate the pulsating lights and super sound effects.
Available from: Toys R Us
Monsters Vs. Aliens Ray Gun
By Vivid Imaginations
For ages 5 years and older | 3 x AAA batteries required
There’s More
Other Monsters Vs. Aliens merchandise includes soft toys and video games.
]]>
Spykee is a high-tech creation from Meccano. As you’d expect with Meccano this robot is in kit form for you to assemble yourself. This means you can choose from three different looks for your Spykee and its compatible with other Meccano parts, so imagination (along with extra Meccano) will allow you to take thing further.
Movement of Spykee is controlled wirelessly from your PC using a WiFi connection. You can turn it into a spy vehicle and move it around the house, to picture or listen-in on people.
Spykee can speak on your behalf using its onboard loudspeaker, which can also play MP3 music files.
Using the internet Spykee works together with Skype so using the inbuilt microphone you can chat to friends across the world. Spykee also acts as a webcam, allowing you to record and send photographs to your friends.
Spykee can be set up like an advanced room guard. So that, if it detects unexpected movement, it will sound an alarm on your computer and email a picture of its sightings.
When the batteries are running low, it will automatically take itself back to its docking station to recharge.
You’ve probably already deduced that a computer is required. Fortunately there’s software for Apple Mac computers as well as Windows PCs. I fear, 2008 really will be like 1984.
Available from: I Want One of Those
Spykee | by Meccano
Suitable for ages 14 years and older | Wi-Fi enabled, Windows of Mac computer required