Bob The Builder has a whole Interactive Construction Site which is currently on sale at Debenhams for £15.00, which is a great saving off the original £50.00 price tag. It's also still £44.99 at Play.com and £39.99 on Amazon.

• Bob The Builder Interactive Construcion Set from Debenhams, here

The Bob the Builder Interactive Construction Site is a modular play centre complete with an electronic recognition system.

The play set detects when any of the supplied Machine Team vehicles move forwards or backwards and sounds a beep or one of several character phrases relating to the moving vehicle. The Construction set intuitively knows when the lift and crane are being moved and responds with appropriate phrases.

The barriers can be raised and lowered to control vehicle access, and the set can be constructed in as many was as a child's imagination will allow.

In the box you'll get a working vehicle lift, turn handles to operate the crane, a cement mixer, Bob and three talking vehicles.

Delivery is free, and will take around four days.

Thanks to redvers from HUKD

I'm a habitual detoxer. I don't remember quite when it started, but every January, I do a detox to rid myself of the excesses of December. It's not a resolution, as such, but rather, a habit.

For a few years now, I've been using UltraLife Detox juice to help me, and this year will be the same. You drink one sachet in a glass of water an hour before breakfast, and a glass of water during that hour, before going on to have your regular food for the rest of the day.

By eating normal, but healthy food, laying off the alcohol and chocolates for the month and drinking the Ultralife Detox juice, I normally lose around 3kg during the two week program, and reach the end of January feeling fit and full of energy again.

UltraLife Detox is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers – I've used it in both circumstances. It helps relieve constipation, and maintain regularity, promotes healthy intestinal function and works without the need for starving.

It contains no artificial colourings, flavourings, preservatives or aspartame or saccharin. It is also sucrose, dairy, lactose, egg, wheat and gluten free, and suitable for vegetarians, diabetics and children.

I've only ever used the Tropical flavour, which is great, but it's available in Orange too, and two weeks supply will cost you £9.45.

The Creature Peeper is a specially designed magnifiying glass for little ones to use to look at bugs without injuring them. It is £3.07 at Amazon, a 32% saving off the £4.50 RRP.

• Creep over to Amazon for the Creature Peeper

This is just such a great toy, I think, and one I'd love to have for my daughter.

The Creature Peeper is a bug viewer which allows children to see the bug two ways, from the top or from the side. It is watertight, so children can view tadpoles or small fish.

“The peeper is escape proof and won't break or tip over”, says Amazon, however a few reviewers mention that the lid does not seal, so insects can escape, which is probably a good thing, otherwise the watertight container might also be airtight.

The Creature Peeper has a 3x magnification glass, so gives a good view of the insect.

It's recommended for 4+ year olds, but a few reviewers have mentioned how their two year olds love it and also that it is hardy and durable and has withstood a few knocks and bumps.

Thanks to ben777neb at HUKD

There's currently up to 75% off adult clothing at Boohoo.com, with some fantastic bargains. The sale won't last forever, so have a look and see if there's anything that interests you - I'm sure there will be!

• Avoid tears by clicking over to Boohoo.com now

Boohoo.com stocks clothing in sizes 8 – 16 for women and ages 9 – 14 years for girls. They also stock shoes and accessories.

There are so many great offers, so here are a few for you:

• Dresses from £5
• Tops from £2.50
• Knitwear from £8
• Coats, Jackets & Shrugs from £10
• Trousers from £7
• Jeans from £3.75 to £10
• Jeggings/Leggings from £4
• Shorts & Playsuits £4 to £10
• Skirts from £4
• Shoes from £3
• Swimwear from £2.50

Images of outfits have 'catwalk videos' so you can see them in action, and many also have customer feedback to help you make your decisions.

UK Saver delivery is £3.99 and can take up to four working days. Next day delivery is £4.99, and Saturday delivery is £5.99.

Big thanks to Andywedge at HUKD

Tidy up with the Waybuloo Toy Box, £9.99 from Amazon, down 71% from £34.99.

• Clean up your child's room with the Waybuloo Toy Box

I don't know if it's just in our house, or if it's because my daughter is 15 months old, but there are always toys strewn pretty much everywhere. I can tidy up, turn my back to tidy something else, and when I turn back, the blocks are strewn across the ground, the felt figures and pipe cleaners are turned upside down, and the doll and pram are face down.

My little girl is pretty good at tidying up too – until she gets bored. I'll tell her to tidy up please, and she'll pick up a few things, pop them in the cupboard, then close the door, as if to say 'okay, all done.' While I'm left thinking, “um, not so much!”

So, really, I'm not so sure this would solve our problem, but at least it's cute, and she'll like unpacking it, and it's easy enough for me to repack night after night till she's old enough to do it herself.

The compartments are fabric, but the sides are wooden and are beautifully decorated with fun-loving Waybuloo characters.

The Paint-Your-Own Dollshouse at Hawkins Bazaar is down from £15.00 to £7.50, and with the code below also includes free delivery.

• Paint-Your-Own Dolls House with Hawkins Bazaar

I'm a big lover of things that cause creativity to flow, and I know that when children put a bit of effort into something, it adds a bit of value to the resulting item, so they'll probably enjoy it more, and take care of it better.

That's why I love this doll's house. It's not just a toy, but a creative experience which can be shared.

Press-out and slot together wooden shapes together to create a pretty doll's house. It simple enough for children to build, and is a great value alternative to a traditional doll's house, with an open structure to enable more than one child to play comfortably.

It comes with a pack of colourful transfers to decorate the finished piece. The pitched roof encloses four rooms and two balconies, all sized to 1/16th scale, and stands 35cm high.

Add the Hawkins bazaar special code FP9908 at checkout for Free Delivery saving £3.99.

Thanks to lucerysmum at HUKD

I've never made a secret of the fact that politics is way beyond me. Maybe I'm too trusting, too naïve or just plain not smart enough, but I can never remember who promised what, to whom and who actually delivered on it or not.

But I have been paying attention, lately, as services have been cut, and these might affect us. Our Friday morning Bookstart sessions, for example, are among our favourite activities. It's a morning out with other children and activities that doesn't cost me anything – in comparison to every other group we attend where there's always a fee. Losing Bookstart would be unfortunate for us, and isolating for so many of the other mums and toddlers who attend.

Losing the 'Health in Pregnancy' grant is a great loss too. Last pregnancy, that £190.00 paid for my antenatal classes. I'm confident it would have come in handy should we have another child any time soon.

Not to mention the Child Trust fund. I remember thinking how pithy that £250.00 was against the almost £600.00 a Norwegian friend receives for every child, but in the face of losing it for a future child, I find myself wondering how we'll be able to put that much money away so that both children have the same.

The list goes on, and I'm sure I'm not the only one disappointed with these losses. No, we're not entitled to it, but it was rather nice knowing I was getting a little something back after years of paying into the tax system.

In light of all this, I find the latest brainwave rather irritating. Reported by the Daily Mail in a tag-on story, ministers “gave their blessing to schemes that reward pupils with Topshop vouchers and free cinema tickets” for walking to school.

The report, unveiled by Cabinet Office minister Oliver Letwin and compiled by the government’s Behavioural Insight Team reportedly endorses a scheme in which teenagers receive a £5 Topshop voucher if they walk to school eight times and a cinema ticket for five trips.

To make it work, every school in the country will be offered access to technology that would allow children to use swipe cards to track their journeys. These journeys would garner points which can be exchanged for commercial purchases.

I'm with Emma Boon of the TaxPayer's Alliance, who said: ‘It’s worrying that the Government is thinking of spending taxpayers’ money on these sorts of schemes at a time when there is such huge pressure on public finances. We shouldn’t have to bribe children into walking to school.'

Honestly, is this where our money should be spent? What do you think of this idea?

Images:

No Mad Drivers - Caro's Lines @ Flickr
Children Walking to School - Dey @ Flickr
School Zone Road Traffic Sign - Ian Britton @ Freefoto.com

The winner of the Pregnancy Best Buy, Mother & Baby Favourite Oct 2004, and Prima Baby Best Buy Nov 2003 Mamas and Papas Primo Viaggio IP Car seat is on sale at Argos for £69.94, half of the original £139.89

• Click here to see the Mamas and Papas Primo Viaggio IP Car seat at Argos

Car seats are so important and recommendations are that you should never use a second hand car seat as you don't know if it's been in an accident or not. At they same time, they are usually so expensive, it can seem like a lot of money to spend in one go – and yet it is essential baby equipment. Most hospitals won't let you drive away without one.

This Mamas and Papas car seat is a group 0+ seat, meaning it is suitable for babies from birth to around 12 – 15 months, or around 13kg. It fits rear and front seats – so long as the front seat air bag has been disabled, and is a rear facing chair as that is what is recommended for babies and children up to ever increasing ages.

This car seat is for use with lap and 3 point seat belts, and is ISOFIX compatible. It has a five point harness, quick release buckle and buckle pad and has side impact protection. For maximum comfort, it has five shoulder positions and a five position headrest (and a removable newborn support cushion), so your baby is driving in style.
The Primo Viaggio IP Car seat is compatible with Mamas & Papas Aria, Ora, O-Zon pram and Skoot prams, has a removable, washable cover and weighs 4.5kg

Thanks to crosswski at HUKD

The Vtech Splash and Sing Bath Toy has been reduced to £9.70 a whopping 61% off the £24.99 RRP.

• For bath time fun, click over to Amazon now

Bath time is always so hit and miss. Sometimes it's great fun and other times it's more of a screaming torment. Adding toys to the regular bathing routine has extended the length of bath time to at least ten minutes now, which is plenty enough time to get nice and clean.

The Vtech Splash and Sing bath toy splashes water from the submarine’s funnel in time to music. There are buttons to push, which introduce animals, colours and numbers which also activate the water splashes. The mini detachable submarine acts as a cup for pouring water and there's a squirty dolphin – just in case there was a dry spot left in the bathroom.

Although the Splash and Sing is actually a bath toy, it can also be played with out of the water, with a motion sensor that activates music and songs for out-of-bath play.

The toy requires 3xAA batteries, which are included in your purchase, and the Splash and Play is aimed at toddlers over 12 months.

Thanks to rattler9uk at HUKD

Most parents I know have a cupboard full of random varieties of sippy cups and beakers all with their own stories of failed cup-training attached. I really didn't want to spend a fortune on one failed cup after the other, so after our sippy cup phase we began researching to find the 'best' drinking cup for toddlers.

What we found was the strange and unusual Doidy cup.

The idea is that babies as young as three months could hold it, tip it slightly enough to see the liquid and be able to drink without a gush of water falling on them.

I loved the idea, and it did work on my then eight month old – until she was tired of drinking her water, and would turn the cup into a projectile. So, instead, I held the cup for her, allowing her to drink from it and me to see see when the water was at her lips, and thereby avoiding either her chocking on too much water, or spilling it down her front.

The Doidy cup is dishwasher safe and made from food safe HD Plyethylene and BPA free and confirms to the EN14350 standard for child use and care. The Doidy cup is also recommended by Healthcare Professionals.

The Doidy cup is available at Bickypegs in a choice of 10 colours for £3.70, at John Lewis for £3.50, although postage is an additional £3.00, and at Amazon for £3.30 to £5.22 dependent on colour.

Who Sank The Boat is a 32-page illustrated picture book for children. Amazon currently has it on offer for just £1.49, a £4.50 saving on the original £5.99

• Click over to Amazon for reading time

I can honestly say that not only have I never read this book, but I have also never even heard of it, so there's very little I can tell you about it. So, instead of waffling on about something I know nothing about, here are some of the reviewers opinions:

“I read this book time and time again to my sons and we never tired of it. It is beautifully illustrated and very funny. There are plenty of opportunities for the children to voice their opinions as to "who sank the boat", and after the first read the children love being part of the conspiracy and knowing the identity of the culprit. The book gives you the opportunity to raise lots of side issues with the children, such as the idea that it is sometimes the little things in life that tip the balance.”

Another reviewer says “This is a classic children's story, beautifully illustrated. For the more thoughtful child it is a good introduction to some interesting physical phenomena. The straw that broke the camel's back is an overworked (and unpleasant) metaphor. Our mouse friend is a good analogy to that one snowflake that triggered the avalanche.”

Who Sank The Boat was the winner of the 1983 Australian Picture Book of the Year Award. It sounds as if this illustrated book is ideal for making children giggle and providing some fun reading time.

Thanks to Andywedge at HUKD

This fab little Me To You 1000-piece puzzle is now just £3.89 – down from a whopping £12.98 at Sainsbury's.

• Click here to get personal with Me to You

I love Me To You, specifically because my sister is a massive fan. She has what I'm sure is the world's largest collection and it's one of those things I can by default buy her for Christmas, her birthday, as a thank you and any other occasion. The bonus is that whenever I see Me To You bears, I think of her, too.

Of course, it'll also be a great mother's day gift.

This 1000-piece Me To You puzzle shows Tatty Teddy and his friend in a pretty country cottage scene. One teddy is peeking out through the cottage window at his visitor, who has brought a big bunch of flowers along with him. The country cottage garden is crowded with beautiful plants, but I'm pretty sure he's still going to love his gift!

Buy from Sainsbury's and delivery will cost you £3.95, or use Sainsbury's click and collect service and it'll be free.

Thanks to hotstuffs @ HUKD

The much loved Gruffalo story will appeal to your little ones and keep them busy till they go back to school (or after school, if it's too late for that already!). The Gruffalo Activity Book is £1.98 at Play.com, a £2.01 saving on the usual £3.99.

• Go Play.com with the Gruffalo Activity Book

Has anyone ever read and not loved the Gruffalo? Well, this activity book is packed with puzzles, games and colouring-in. Games such as 'spot the difference', lead the mouse through the deep dark woods maze, a Gruffalo word search, Gruffalo dot-to-dot games and so on will keep your child enthralled for hours. It also features all the characters from the much-loved picture book classic.

And to top it all off, there's also around 50 reusable stickers and a scene from the picture book, so you and your little one can create your own stories again and again.

The Gruffalo Activity Book has 16 pages, and 16 full colour illustrations. It is in stock, so should be dispatched within 24 hours and delivery with Play.com is free .

Thanks to d0rm4nt at HUKD

SnugBaby slings have 15% off on a selected range of their beautiful slings.

• Get cozy with your baby and SnugBaby

Baby wearing is an awesome experience, and when done from birth is also really good for your baby. For premature babies, it keeps them next to mum's heartbeat and the skin on skin regulates their heartbeats too. Studies have found preemies who are carried in a sling rather than in a pram catch up to on time arrivals much quicker too. I love baby wearing my daughter and loved it especially when she was a little baby. I loved having her close, being able to feel her breathing and kiss her on the top of her head.

We didn't have a SnugBaby sling, but had something very similar to this – the style is called Mei Tai, but there are various brands. Two of the more mainstream slings, which everyone seems to buy at first, worked well initially, but by the time my daughter was three months old, they were breaking my back. With the Mei Tai, we still carry my 15 month old sometimes.

SnugBaby baby slings can be used from birth right up to toddlerhood, carrying the child on your front, back or on your hip.

Each SnugBaby sling features an innovative self-adjusting seat area, meaning that your baby can be carried in comfort whatever their size.

SnugBaby also complies to British Standard (BSEN 13209-2:2005), meaning it has been safety tested.

SnugBaby slings are also double sided, meaning dad's are happy using them too as they're not overly feminine.

Personalised calendars at Truprint are 50% off for a few days using the code below.

• Personalise your year with Truprint

Discount: 50% off calendars
Discount Code: BOXCAL
Expires: 4 January 2011

I have grown to love personalised calendars over the last few years. Since the birth of our daughter, we have treated our parents to photo calendars. No, really. They loved it. I know, cause they asked us for more this year! We did spare our friends and co-workers the joy though.

But really, personalised calendars are just such a fun and individual way of decorating your wall in a practical way.

There are loads of variations to allow for personal taste, with 33 different background categories, options for notes and pictures with personalised captions on dates. There are also three different sizes to choose from.

You can also share your online photo album with friends electronically and free of charge once you're done.

Your postage will cost you an additional £1.99 for your first calendar and then 99p per calendar thereafter.

My daughter just never took to a bottle – with the exception of the late introduction of the Medela Calma, nothing we tried worked. During the very hot parts of last summer, we had to find a way of adding to her hydration, so we tried using a straw to transfer water from the bottle to her mouth. It worked, but was time consuming. We tried a normal adult water bottle too, but she kept chocking.

Eventually we contacted Baby BornFree for some advice, and finally settled on their training cups, which, as you can see in the pictures above, were a great success!

These 9 oz. (290ml) cups are BPA, phthalates and PVC free which means that no harmful ingredients seep into the drinking water. The trainer cup also arrived with two different teats so that more or less water can flow freely, depending on the child’s capabilities.The teats are also soft and therefore make great teething toys - which is why Baby BornFree now sell replacement teats.

The valve allows a free flow of liquid, and the handles on either side seem to prepare little hands for holding a cup and otherwise make an interesting plaything.

When held upside down, the cup does leak a little from the teat, but this is solved by keeping the lid on when not in use.

Born free trainer cups are available in five colours and prices vary dependant on size and package options.

If you'd like your little one playing with a little more than dolls, kitchen sets and cars, this medical carrycase could set you on the road to having a doctor in the family. Or, of course, it could just be a playset and costs considerably less than years and years at uni!

• Click here for your child's medical carrycase

This 19 x 24 cm durable plastic carry case contains everything a young doctor could possibly want. It's great for role play and dressing up with enough instruments for more than one to play, so this playset delivers great play value.

Each item is made from hard wearing plastic in chunky sizes and bright primary colours especially for small hands.

The set includes a blood pressure monitor, a thermometer that shows healthy to unhealthy temperatures a syringe plunger which moves up and down. There's also a name badge for the new young doctor, as well as a stethoscope, reflex hammer, otoscope for viewing ears, eye drop bottle, pill bottle with screw off lid, mirror for viewing throats and tonsils, and a tongue depressor.

The case has an easy open clasp and plenty room for any additional items, once the package inserts are removed.

Thanks to great-deals at HUKD

While the cobwebs from last night are still falling away, here at PlayPennies, we're already looking to the future, and we all know what the next big event on the calender is: Valentines day! If you are looking for something special for someone special, Swarovski might just have the answer in their up to 50% off sale.

• Add some sparkle to the occasion with Swarovski Crystals

I can spend hours standing looking in the window of the Swarovski shop in Oxford street. Every sparkle catches my eye and it's like a magical winterscape. I rarely, if ever, go inside, because why on earth would I put myself through the trauma of not being in a position to buy everything I really, really want.

This sale is much the same – with the exception that some of these are entirely affordable!

The sale includes beautiful charms at half price, meaning the Aquamarine Large Starfish Charm is down to £7.34, the Burgundy Polygon Charm is only £6.36 as is the Clear Crystal Flower Charm.

Classic necklaces are 50% off too, meaning the beautiful Cobra Necklace is £100.36, which is still a lot of money, but others, such as the Mariposa Pink Pendant is only £19.58.

The Swarovski sale also includes fashion items, figurines, rings and watches.

Thanks to KazzyD from HUKD

Good morning!

Welcome to 2011!

If the last few weeks have been a little rough on your body, and the toll is showing on your skin, you're in luck. The Dead Sea range from Boots is 25% off making it that little easier to feel fresh and new and get on with those new resolutions.

• Bring your skin back to life with the Dead Sea

The range at Boots has the following to offer:

• Dead Sea Sulpher Soap has antiseptic and purifying qualities which is reputed to help to relieve skin conditions such as acne and eczema. There are no artificial fragrances, just the goodness of the Dead Sea minerals – now £2.47
• Dead Sea Aromatherapy Bath Salts are aromatherapy oils, rose petals, just a handful of salts scattered into the water transform your bath into a haven of relaxation – now £4.46
• Dead Sea Natural Mineral Body Lotion will leave your skin feeling soft and refreshed – now £5.62
• Dead Sea Natural Black Mud Mask, which can help heal skin ailments like eczema, acne, psoriasis, stimulate blood circulation and restore water to body cells.
• Dead Sea Body Scrub with Frankincense Oil boosts circulation, smooths rough and dry skin - leaving skin silky soft and moisturised – now £5.24
• Dead Sea Natural Mineral Shower Cream is an invigorating body wash with a mineral rich lather that simply washes toxins and impurities away - £5.24
• and a few other variations on the themes above

Well, I feel almost good as new just writing about all that!

Wishing you the very best for the year ahead, and a fresh, healthy start to today!

Thanks to LaTerciaReal for posting this deal on HUKD

Storage space is always a massive problem in our house – not really because we have too much stuff, but rather because we have too few cupboards. If you're in the same situation, these under bed storage boxes could come in handy – especially if there's a new mountain of toys after Christmas!

• Get sorted with under bed storage from Woolworths.co.uk

I must admit, I'd not have paid £99.00 for them – half-cut decorated cardboard boxes will suffice for under the bed, thank you very much, but at £22.00 I'm definitely willing to give them a chance!

There are two reviews for this, and both would recommend them, but also say that you should just check the measurements first and make sure they'll fit under the bed.

The drawers are actually made to go with the Kidspace bed, and suit the single bed, bunk-bed and Trio bunk-bed, but will fit under beds of 25.5cm height.

For some reason, the red four drawer set is still £99.00, and the black and pink are unfortunately out of stock now, but the blue and lilac are still in stock.

Add a £6.95 delivery fee and you should be able to start finding order in your child's room again within 14 days.

Happy New Year folks! Have a good New Year's Eve!