It’s the school holidays, it can get expensive and even at home the children need a few ideas to keep them entertained and away from the TV and iPad. We were sent a box of pocket money toys from HTI and I discovered that although low cost they were definitely more than they first seemed to be.

This is a fishing net, but not just a fishing net...

This is a net for catching butterflies, a net for fishing flies out of the paddling pool. It has an extendable handle so you can reach further but also store it away more easily. Or pack it in the car. When you are out there are ponds for dipping, crickets for catching in long wavy grass or streams that need the rubbish clearing. 

This is a frisbee, but not just a frisbee…

It’s a Hots Shots Mega Skimmer Frisbee. It is a game a family can play together, it can be packed away easily in a bag and played in the park after a picnic. It can be used at home in the mud kitchen as a tray, to carry the collection of garden finds all served up together. It can be washed clean and played with time and time again.

This is a Boules Set, but not just a Boules set…

It is 8 plastic balls and a jack secured in a plastic carry case that can be reused. It is a game to take camping, it’s a competition between siblings or friends, it’s arguments over who gets to be red, or blue, “but I want to be blue AND green”. It is a fun way to learn to throw, to improve aim and concentration, a game that can be played by all ages. 

These are Squidgi-mal’s, but not just Squidgi-mal’s…

They are a soft toy you can squish, a fun cuddly you can hang on your school bag or clip to your bed. They are toys you can can collect and share with friends, they are balls you can throw at your sister and not be shouted at too much by your mum, because they are soft and understandably ball like. They are animals you can choose to match your personality and take with you anywhere.

This is a small soft football, but not just a soft football… 

This is not suitable for the paddling pool, “no don’t throw it in!” oh well, it will dry. It’s not expensive and it will recover. This ball is easy to catch. It is gentle to throw (even at your baby brother).

This is a Hot Shots Juggling Diablo, but not just a Hot Shots Juggling Diablo…

It’s a reminder of a fun day out we had learning circus skills. It’s a skill to practice over and over. It’s an achievement to show off once achieved. It’s fun, it’s determination, it’s being laughed at and laughing at yourself when it falls off yet again.

This is a selection of poops, but not just a selection of poops…

Ok well yes it is, but children love anything poo related don’t they? They can have whole conversations using the word poo so yes this is a stretchy poop, a sticky poo and a slingshot poop that you can make fly through the air, but that’s more than enough. Poo is funny (well not to me, but to children), poo doesn’t need to be anything else (especially when it doesn't make a mess or smell).

Pocket money toys fuel the imagination and make summer holiday memories.

***Disclosure: we were sent a selection of HTI toys***