We recently had a chance to try out the new Jabra Elite 5 earbuds, and oh my gosh are they ever good! So comfortable, so many features, such…
Cluey Learning is an innovative online tutoring platform that is growing rapidly in Australia and New Zealand, and getting great feedback from parents on both sides of the…
Soppycid Reusable Water Balloons are an amazing new water balloon product. The patented magnetic design makes them super-fast to fill and refill, and means they stay closed until…
We recently spent a few days in Queenstown, to see what it’s like in the warmer months. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park and it…
GoDice is an amazing new toy concept by Particula – the makers of GoCube. After a very successful crowdfunding campaign, GoDice was created to bridge the divide between…
ZURU Sparkle Girlz Princess Cone and Princess Cupcake Dolls are adorable little dolls designed for creative play, brought to you by ZURU Toys, the company behind Bunch O…
ZURU Sparkle Girlz styling princess styling head is one of the latest products in the ‘Sparkle Girlz’ range by ZURU toys. It’s a really tactile, educational toy, designed…
Unleash your inner superhero alongside YouTube sensations, Vlad & Niki! Swap your regular clothes for the superhero outfit and open the comic book to start your role play…
Give your child the best chance at reading success and sign up for 30 days FREE access to Reading Eggs – the multi-award winning online reading programme for kids!
We regularly ask our members what their current concerns and frustrations are as parents. And we see issues around internet safety, cyber-bullying and kids’ screen time increasing every…
We recently spent an amazing couple of days in awesome Rotorua, and stayed at the equally awesome Hannah’s Bay Cottage. Find out why this lake-front, family-friendly accommodation just…
The Hapro Zenith Roof Box from The Roofbox Company is one of the larger, yet more slim-lined versions in the Hapro range. It’s a cinch to attach to most…
Big Mamma (the smaller version of Big Daddy) is a naturally fermented bread from Purebread.co.nz developed in two risings over hours that helps break down the complex carbohydrates.
CUPPACOFFEECUP is a New Zealand-made reusable takeaway coffee cup. Instead of disposing of a cup every time you have a takeaway coffee, re-use your CUPPACOFFEECUP.
If you’re looking for good-quality, budget-friendly family accommodation in Nelson, look no further than Tahuna Beach Kiwi Holiday Park and Motel.
We recently had the pleasure of travelling return to Picton from Wellington with the awesome Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries. We sailed on the Strait Feronia, and choose to…
Chipmunks Papanui is a fun, indoor play area filled with stimulating equipment for children from ages 0 – 11 years of age.
Norton Security Premium with Norton Family is solid computer security and parental control software, from a maker we all know and trust, that should meet the needs of…
Stop, Think, Engage: Rethinking child discipline – methods that work is the fantastic parenting book by Dr Anna Martin. This is parenting discipline 101, but in the best…
Determined to protect his castle and its occupants, a little boy stands guard against enemy knights. This is the context of Sally Gould’s The Brave Knight.
Farmer Rochelle owns a cow that says ‘moo moo’, a sheep that says ‘baa baa’, a chicken that says ‘chick chick’ and a horse that says… ‘chick chick’!…
When Tom goes to stay with his Aunt Roz, he meets her pug, Ellie. But Ellie is no ordinary pug: wherever Tom and his aunt go, and whatever…
I’m the biggest by Stéphanie Blake is a great book about sibling rivalry and Jealousy. For any Simon fans (Poo Bum and I want Spaghetti) out there, this book…
Lessons of A LAC is written by Lynn Jenkins and illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan and tells the story of Loppy LAC who is a little anxious creature and Curly…
Toby and Harriet want to fly around the world. But their aeroplane is missing something important. They’d better use their imaginations to come up with a solution.
Mission to Motherhood is an inspiring story from Canadian born Kiwi, Amira Mikhail. Amira shares every detail of her struggle through fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, IVF and finally surrogacy.
The Yoga Babies love to have fun trying new poses. Sometimes life is busy and tricky, but not to worry! Yoga can help everyone chill out.
Collectables are all the rage right now, and Muffin Break has joined the craze with their adorable little Muffin Misfit toys. The Muffin Misfits are available in all Kid’s Mini…
Look, a Butterfly! is a wonderful little picture book by Yasunari Murakami. Murakami is a Japanese writer, designer and illustrator who has won many awards for his work.
Charlie and His Amazing Tales is that special kind of quirky humour in a book that appeals to thinking kids. It’s the sort of story that doesn’t dull,…
The lovely people over at Bento Ninja sent us the Ultimate Ninja pack lunch box to review.
Bright ideas for Young Minds is an activity book packed full of 70 step-by-step activities you can do at home with your children for little or no money.…
Fanny Limehead – the surprising wine with a very funny name. We thought it was timely to review a good wine product, with the long summer holiday in front…
Impossible Inventions is a funky and fascinating collection of ideas, plans and patents from the amazing to the downright absurd!
Twins Grace and Katie have only one thing in common; they love to draw! But Grace likes her drawings to be neat and orderly, while Katie loves hers…
Reena’s Rainbow is a charmingly illustrated book about a little girl and a dog. Reena is deaf and the dog is homeless.
The New Zealand Art Activity Book is a book packed with activities to encourage children to see, think and draw like artists. This wonderful book is full of engaging…
Once upon a time there was a rabbit who had never seen a wolf, and a young wolf who had never seen a rabbit.
We were fortunate enough to try out the new Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link Purifier Heater recently, and we were really surprised by the results!
Lucy lives in a seaside cottage in present-day Eastbourne, near Wellington. Not far away, high on a cliff, is the old Pencarrow lighthouse.
Paddy O’Melon is the story of Paddy, a young joey seperated from his mother and found and raised by an Irish family. A family who live in the…
We’ve been thinking about getting a pair of wireless headphones for our daughter. But I am worried about her ears. She’s not yet 5, so her very tiny ears…
Keeping Your Children Safe Online: A guide for New Zealand parents is written by John Parsons. Parsons is a cyber-safety expert, and is one of New Zealand’s leading…
Little Truff senses something is wrong. At sea, in a boat with her family, she tugs her master to the stern. A whale’s out there. It hasn’t moved, I…
Fletcher of the Bounty by Graeme Lay is a must-read for fans of sea-faring adventures, life in the late 18th century, and the history and culture of the Pacific Islands.
The family were fortunate enough to try out the Toyota Highlander GXL recently. We took the Highlander for a weekender up to Foxton Beach, to put it through it’s…
I Can’t Sleep written by Stephanie Blake is a sweet story about Simon and his little brother. Simon’s little brother can’t sleep without his special blanket. Simon has…
Soda Pop by Barbro Lindgren is a classic Swedish children’s novel that is an absurd tale from a world where anything can happen. The main characters are a…
Our family – a mother and daughter team – have been hosting international students here in New Zealand with Host Families NZ for about 4 years – too…
My son Nathan is currently 9 months old and he is loving the swim lessons at YMCA Glen Innes. I thought I would write this quick review of…
Feel a Little written by Jenny Palmer and Illustrated by Evie Kemp is a beautifully designed book created to help and encourage kids to recognise their emotions. The…
Supertato Run, Veggies, Run! is written by Sue Hendra. It’s sports day in the supermarket and all the veggies are in training. Everyone has been practising hard and…
Where’s my jumper? by Nicola Slater is a picture book about a character called Rudy who has lost his jumper. The story takes the reader on a journey…
My daughter has been attending the YMCA Auckland School Holiday Programme at the Massey Leisure Centre and really loves it. She went again in the April school holidays,…
BabyCues is one of those books that comes along and makes you think, ‘if only this was around when we had our first child.’
Let me just say upfront that I’m an absolute convert to the Action Cam for family home movies. The size, the portability, the durability and how they allow…
Bruce wants to go faster by Dreydon Sobanja is another great installation from the awesome ‘Inspirational Kiwis’ range of books. This is an inspirational story for children about…
YMCA Auckland offers a range of classes for various ages. We recently took part in a term of Gymnastics lessons aimed at children from 1-2 years of age.…
Speed King by David Hill is the story of Burt Munro who broke world records with his Indian motorbike on the Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA. Made…
The Happy Hormone Cookbook by Emma Ellice-Flint with Jill Keyte is a collection of balanced and delicious whole food dishes. Emma and Jill show that by shifting the…
Over the holiday period we got the chance to try out the Get Real Food Free Range Chicken Smugglers, as well as the Get Real Food Tomato and BBQ…
At the end of last year I was lucky enough to receive a care pack in the mail from Skinfood New Zealand. I hadn’t used this product before,…
Te Papa and Weta Workshop bring you a science exhibition like no other – a spectacular, immersive experience ‘designed by bugs, for humans’.
The good people over at LunchBox Inc sent us their Bento Lunch Box – Purple Princess (Kiwi Box) to try out. This is a 6 compartment bento box…
The awesome people over at LunchBox inc gave us a couple of lunch boxes to try out. This is the Silicon Collapsible Bento Lunch Box and I think…
Australia: Illustrated is big, beautiful and diverse. This is a book with huge cross-over appeal, that will engage children and adults alike, in home and in schools. It…
The Hoppleplop is a beautiful book that takes the reader on a tour through a charmingly offbeat house. The story’s narrator tries to show us that the only thing…
Here’s everything you need to know about being a pre-teen, from Kaz Cooke, author of Girl Stuff for Teens. Girl Stuff for Girls aged 8-12 is the fun,…
Lonely Planet Kids, How Cities Work is a book all about the explorations of cities; inside, outside and underground. This amazing book is packed with flaps to lift,…
Scrumptious is the latest instalment from New Zealand MasterChef winner Chelsea Winter.
Dr Libby’s Womens Wellness Wisdom: What Every Woman Needs to Know is an inspiring book for women of all ages. Whether you’re just starting out on your wellness…
Or dear, Hare had an idea… but he’s lost it. Don’t worry though as the Kiwi forest is full of friends who want to help Hare find his…
We are totally in to green smoothies here at Kiwi Families HQ. We’re not quite at the daily goodness level yet, but certainly a couple times a week.…
Most young children I know love Peppa Pig and the newly released Miss Rabbit’s Train & Carriage toy will not disappoint. The train is great, it has a…
Peppa Pig Grandad Dog’s Pirate Ship is a fun free-wheeling toy that comes with 3 removable figures; pirate-themed Peppa, Danny Dog and Grandad Dog figures. The Peppa Pig…
Patch and Ruby is a story about a lonely pony. Sometimes it feels as if he doesn’t quite fit in on the farm. But one day something happens that…
Bud-e-reading is designed to begin children on the road to reading for themselves. It is a fantastic set of resources that are not only print-based but also available…
Take the trip of a lifetime along the world’s largest river – the Amazon – and find out all about the countries and rainforest that dot along this…
The world is, indeed, full of fascinating cities. This book takes you through stacks of cities from throughout the globe. Some are familiar, like Auckland and Queenstown, San…
Ivan and the Lighthouse is the very well written story of a boy growing up in Devonport around the turn of the century. Ivan’s Father is a Lighthouse…
Dough Queen play dough is an all natural, non-toxic alternative to the commercial store-bought play dough. It was born out of a need. When Claire (aka the Dough Queen) noticed…
Rhyme & Reo is a fun way to learn Te Reo. At the Zoo is a tale about two kids having a fun day out at the zoo.…
Hairy Maclary and Friends – Baby’s First Year Cards is a set of 30 delightful cards featuring Hairy Maclary and all his friends you know so well. The…
Feed Your Brain: 7 Steps to a Lighter, Brighter You! is the ultimate guide about keeping your brain in tip-top shape. Delia McCabe has spent over two decades researching…
I was lucky enough to try out Daipers Sensitive Nappies from the Nappy Warehouse. Daipers Sensitive are an economically priced nappy, but still with European made quality and…
Moranifesto is Caitlin Moran’s collection of some of her favourite pieces that she has written, loosely collected into topics “The twenty-first century, where we live,” “The feminisms,” and…
Kai Carrier make reusable food pouches that can be filled with homemade food so you know exactly what you and your children are eating while minimising the mess.…
Kung Fu Panda, you’re either going to love it, or not. I’m firmly in the love it camp. I think Jack Black is excellent, and he’s in fine…
Mais oui bien sûr, Lonely Planet Kids have included a guide to Paris in their new City Trails editions for the 8-12 year old bracket. If you want…
Music Box 2016 is a selection of songs from the New Zealand children’s music awards 2016. Each year the APRA Best Children’s Music Song celebrates the songwriters and composers…
Snooze with Hairy Maclary is another installation from Lynley Dodd sees Hairy Maclary and friends looking for their favourite spots to take a nap.
Lonely Planet Kids London City Trails follows 19 themed trails through London to reveal the city’s best kept secrets. If you’ve got an 8-12 year old who dreams…
This is a great Kiwiana colouring book created by Dave Gunson that gives you true-to-life pictures and unusual facts about all things Kiwiana. This book features 30 simple,…
What Could It Be, by Sally Fawcett is a picture book about exploring shapes and the endless creativity that comes with this.
Dear Mummy, You’re Important Too is the ultimate handbook reminding mothers how important self time truly is. In this beautifully laid out book is a collection of quotes,…
Reo Pēpi presents its first series of beautiful bilingual children’s books with the release of Kanohi – My Face, Kākahu – Getting Dressed & Kararehe – Animals. With…
Mister Maker is a real favourite in our house. There’s not much my kids like more than doing crafts and the crafts Mister Maker does on his TV…
It’s Dani’s first summer vacation—and the best ever! She is staying on an island with Ella, her best friend in the world. Dad is still in hospital but…
Lonely Planet Kids – Spot the Lot! is a really fun new book that is part search-and-find and part colouring book.
Lonely Planet’s new collection of City Trails books reveal secrets, stories and other cool stuff about some of the world’s most popular destinations. New York is my favourite…