Have had a bit of a Ciao holiday but am back on track now. Look forward to reading all your ops soo...
Have had a bit of a Ciao holiday but am back on track now. Look forward to reading all your ops soon.
Member since:03.05.2003
Reviews:16
Members who trust:10
It is really difficult to write an opinion on lots of tiny pieces of plastic but as it keeps my little girl amused for hours on end (well maybe the odd half hour here and there - not an easy thing when you are nearly 6) so here goes:
Hama beads are beads that come in three sizes – mini – 2.5mm in diameter (suitable from age 10), midi – 5mm in diameter (suitable from age 5) and maxi – 10mm (suitable from age 3). For the purposes of this opinion I am going to write about the mini beads which although the packet states Katie is too young to play with, she is more than capable of playing with them!
The idea of Hama beads is that you place them onto different shaped peg boards to make pictures and then iron the beads (using the silicon paper provided between the iron and the beads) so that they stick together. Accordingly to the Hama website (www.hama.dk)(ooh I've just noticed that you are not supposed to place links to other websites but I am sure I have done in previous ops) “many adults like to work with these beads too instead of doing cross-stitch. Very detailed designs can be made thanks to the small size of the beads – but you need patience!”
The beads come in 48 different colours and can be bought in packets varying in size of 100 for one colour – 10000 for a variety of colours. They cost between £1 and £10 at Toys R Us but many listings can also be found on Ebay. You can also buy packs of different shaped peg boards for approximately £5.
The initial pack we bought Katie had 4 different peg boards, a star shape (approximately 5cm with 250 pegs), a heart (also 5cm with 120 pegs), and two square ones (10cm each and 841 pegs (yes I did count them!)) that can be joined together to make a large oblong one. It also had a packet of 3000 beads in bright colours. This pack cost about £8 from Toys R Us. We have since bought her a box of 10000 pastel coloured beads (£9.99 also from Toys R Us).
When ironing the design, I have found that it is better to iron it for about 5 seconds, let it cool slightly and then iron again. Once the beads are joined together and cool, then take the design off the peg board and iron on the reverse in the same way. That way it has been melted on both sides and stops the design from bending.
I would recommend that once the design is finished, it is ironed straight away as Katie has knocked hers over and the beads have landed all over the floor so many times I have lost count and like pine needles from the Christmas tree, you will continue to find them months after they were dropped!
Katie has made many different things using the beads including a doll, a tractor, a giraffe, many different coasters, a Christmas tree and a Union Jack.
I would definitely recommend these to anyone who has children over the age of 5 and you will probably find that you too get hooked.
(In the age group category below I have chosen whole family because there doesn't seem to be an option for over 5).
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This Disney Hama bead kit contains 2 large pegboards, approx 4000 beads, ironing paper, ... more
colour design sheet, instructions. This set has everything to make the following characters: Donald Duck, Daisy and his three nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie.
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: fun, creative, aid childs development, good quality, fair prices Disadvantages: not something you want to knock over, can be a bit fiddly if you get small beads
ilusvm 14.05.2005 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Hama Beads
Advantages: Teaches co-ordination, motoring skills, colours and allows artistic integrity Disadvantages: Can cause World War 3 when a full board gets knocked over
mizz_behaves 20.09.2006 (20.09.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Hama Beads
Jul 26th, 2003
very helpful by (96%):
helpful by (4%):
