Scooby-Doo! Where are YOUUU??

With so many TV channels available to watch at any time of day or night, it is hard to imagine how we ever got by with just BBC1, BBC2 and ITV. I remember what a big deal it was when Channel 4 was launched - we felt spoilt having FOUR channels to pick from.

I don't think my children would know what had hit them if they didn't have their own dedicated kids channels. It was so different in my youth (I'm starting to sound really old now!) We had much less availability and choice, but we made the most of what we had.

I have such fond memories of the TV shows I grew up with and one such show was Scooby Doo. I would try to solve the mysteries along with the gang of 'meddling kids' and their faithful Great Dane. It has been lovely to see how Scooby-Doo has evolved over the years to appeal to new generations without ever losing the magic that made it great (although I have to confess I was never very enamoured by the talking pup, Scrappy).

I was excited to see that Scooby Doo now has its own Official Facebook Page, sharing fun facts, games, artwork, chat, news, details of TV shows and the latest Scooby-Doo products (video games, DVDs, toys and books) and featuring Monster Mondays and Fun Fridays.

I was even more excited to be sent a Hide & Seek Scooby to review.

Hide & Seek Scooby is an impressively large plush toy with all the loveable features of the mystery solving canine. It needed four AAA batteries to be inserted into the battery compartment tucked behind a velcro opening on Scooby's back. This enables communication via a bone-shaped Hand Held Unit.

The object of the game is simply to hide Scooby then have the Seeker find him with the help and encouragement of messages received through the Hand Held Unit. Lights on the Unit change from green to amber to red as the Seeker gets closer to the hiding place.

My three year old has recently discovered Hide and Seek but it is not generally a game I  encourage. The potential dangers from over ambitious hiding places and the whole idea of hiding do alarm me. Also, the reward for being good at hiding is a long boring wait until you are eventually found.

The Scooby game totally satisfied her Hide and Seek desires and eliminated all of the objections I have to the original version of the game. Hide and Seek (Scooby style!) is definitely back on the play agenda at our house. Thank you, Scooby-Doo!

Join Scooby-Doo on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ScoobyDooUK

The Gallery - Week 72 - Animals

I've always had a fascination with pachyderms but this Indian Rhinoceros from the collection at West Midlands Safari Park was, for me, a totally remarkable beast. It is also known as an Armoured Rhino for the obvious reason. 

I love the textures and shapes and the sheer elegance of the design. If Darwin's theory is correct, then this is evolution at its best!

Watching these magnificent, powerful animals moving around their paddock did make me feel a little bit like I was in Jurassic Park walking with dinosaurs.

Bob's Big Build

Instead of heading home after a lovely (surprisingly sunny) holiday in Wales, we reorganised our luggage and set off towards London. Why? To attend Bob's Big Build at the O2.

Bob's Big Build at the O2, London

As VIP guests, myself, my husband and our two little builders Addy (3) and Dylan (1) were treated to breakfast on board the Thames Clipper and given exciting Bob the Builder goody bags. The boat ride put us all in the mood for an adventure and as we arrived at the event, it was obvious that there was plenty to keep us all occupied.

The children were provided with little yellow hard hats and a "Bob's Big Build' Booklet which gave details of each of the 10 fun Zones available for their entertainment. Special stickers for the booklet were collected for each zone completed.

Despite having spent the previous week on sandy Welsh beaches (or maybe because of it), Addy made a bee line for The Big Dino Dig Sand Pit (Zone 6). 

Zone 6 - The Big Dino Sand Pit

 Dylan loved the  Bob the Builder balloons and wouldn't let go of his even to Help Bob Build a Wall (Zone 7). He was a bit of a menace, bopping random passers-by in his range with his inflated foil weapon but no one seemed to mind when they saw the cheeky grin that accompanied the  assault!

Zone 7 - Help Bob Build a Wall

Being a fan of face painting, my favourite zone was the one that included the skilled and patient ladies offering a range of Bob the Builder themed images to wriggly customers. Addy opted for this simple but effective Bob face. It has definitely given me some ideas for techniques I can try at home next time I get out my Snazaroo Kit.

Zone 3 - Face Painters, Balloon Twisters & Balloons

Dad was a little star struck when it was his turn to Meet and Greet (Zone 2) Bob and Wendy!  Unfortunately, Addy found the lumbering giants in the likeness of the friendly, familiar, animated characters not to her taste - she fled, not exactly in terror but what could have escalated into something of an episode had I insisted she get any closer than her bravery dictated.

Zone 2 - Meet and Greet

The Interactive Toy Play Area (Zone 8) would have kept my little ones happy all day if there hadn't been so many other activities to try.

Zone 8 - Interactive Toy Play Area

At the end of our allotted time in the Zones, we were ushered into an Extra Zone for a screening of the movie Bob's Big Dino Dig (available on DVD from 19th September).

We had an amazing day out at Bob's Big Build, taking away lots of goodies but even better taking away  a whole lot of happy memories.

Bob the Builder and Friends