Cheaper than the similar Bindeez pack

I couldn't find these in the local toy shop and have been buying starter kits for over the odds to keep my niece supplied.

These are more or less identical to the Bindeez and provide a subtle range of extra colours.

One thing that ticked me off was that if you look at the box pictured you think you're getting far more than you actually are. The visible clear plastic area shows what you'll be getting while the area around it is superfluous packaging.

I think these are a great toy if your kids have the patience to set them straight and let them dry off adequately.

The alternative is the Hama bead sets which need adult supervision to use a steam iron to bind the beads together. Ultimately the Hama beads can be put together quicker and feel more solid but obviously you can't let your kids use a steam iron unsupervised. They're also smaller but a fraction of the price.

Fun, but could be better

My daughter really enjoys Doodle Doug, but the pens simply aren't good enough - they do not last, which means sourcing them from the manufacturer as no others appear to fit properly. Sourcing them takes about 2-3 weeks so toy has sat in cupboard unused for that time.

Good, but could be so much better with just a little thought.