Orbeez Soothing Spa

I love the rare opportunities I get to pamper my feet. It feels so wonderfully relaxing. I do own a Foot Spa that I don't use nearly enough.

I was intrigued by a new product launched by Character that brings the foot pampering experience to children in a fun and unique way. The product is the Orbeez Soothing Spa and I wondered what my little girl, Addy, would make of it when we were offered one to review.

The spa required a small amount of assembly, including fitting two C batteries.

The Orbeez themselves are squidgy little hydrated gel spheres in an array of colours. The kit contained two bags of these - a total of 1,500 Orbeez.

With both bags emptied into the spa it looked like a most inviting, moist mini ball pool especially for feet.  By soaking the Orbeez  in warm water prior to use you can achieve your preferred temperature for optimum enjoyment - but we left them as they were.

Addy sat on a comfortably low seat and plunged her feet into the spa. When we turned it on, the balls were picked up by a slowly rotating (shielded) wheel and deposited into the top reservoir where they gently cascaded down into the bowls below. It was a relaxing and quite mesmerising effect. She said that the Orbeez felt soft and happily wiggled her toes around.

Unfortunately, we did not have alkaline batteries and the cheap ones that we used drained too quickly to get the full effect of the ambient light that is a feature of the Spa. 

Addy loved the little bottle of perfume provided that can be added to the Orbeez for another sensory dimension to the relaxing spa experience.

The bowls that form the cascading Orbeez waterfall are easily removable and double up as finger soaking bowls for manicures.

Two sealable bags are provided to store the Orbeez after use to keep them in good condition for the next time that little feet need a treat.

I have to admit that it was a bit of a fiddle trying to manage the multitude of slippery little Orbeez and several did end up rolling away and getting damaged when I tried to retrieve them. Replacements are available to order.

Although this is quite a large piece of equipment to find a home for when not in use, I did think it was a lot of fun and worth the effort. Next time I treat myself to a grown up pampering home foot spa session, I will definitely have my little girl beside me for some mother/daughter bonding with her very own Orbeez Soothing Spa. If I am honest, I might even be a little bit envious. My own foot spa seems  quite boring now by comparison!

Caring for little feet with Bobux

As a teenager, I worked in a shoe shop. Part of the training involved being shown pictures of feet deformities caused by ill fitting shoes.  

Tiny baby feet are so soft and precious.

Bobux are a company dedicated to understanding and loving little feet.

They have produced a range of footwear suitable for newborn babies through to active toddlers designed to  promote better foot health. By acknowledging that barefoot is best for developing feet, Bobux have created shoes that mimic the freedom of bare feet and support  healthy, natural development.

In addition to the commitment to protect our children's feet, the company have a strong environmental ethos which resonates well with my values.

Even without the good feeling that comes from buying eco friendly shoes that allow feet to develop naturally without restriction, there is also a huge 'cute' factor. These shoes are adorable.

When I was given the opportunity to try a pair of  Bobux shoes for my 19 month son, I chose the Black Nubuck Desert Boot from the i-walk range.

I was very impressed with quality and loved that the shoes were delivered in their own little bag. Most importantly was that they fit my son perfectly. He was very happy wearing them.

The video shows Dylan trying his shoes on for the first time aided by an enthusiastic but not necessarily very capable older sister.