Celebrating World Ocean Day with Bandai UK

Happy World Ocean Day! Let's take a moment to appreciate the vast and beautiful oceans that covers our planet and take a stand for their preservation. As this is such an important day, we should take advantage of it to learn more about oceans, their importance to us, and what we can do to protect and maintain them.

Did you know that oceans  cover 70% of the earth's surface? And yet, only 5% of it has been explored. It’s amazing to think that the smallest and largest animals in the world, both live in the ocean. There are about one million species of animals living in the ocean. So, long story short - oceans are pretty important, and that's exactly why we need to raise awareness on World Oceans Day.

There is a big issue of plastic waste in oceans. Plastic pollution kills wildlife, damages natural ecosystems, and contributes to climate change. We need use this day to raise a global awareness of the impact humans actions on the ocean, strive to make a difference to help protect them for a better future

We want to continue to encourage our daughter to care about the future of our oceans so we thought the best way to captivate her curiosity would be through play. Learning through experiences and play is a powerful thing. We were kindly set over some fascinating National Geographic Dig Kits from Bandai UK to learn about the importance of our beautiful water world and all the amazing creature that live with us on this planet. We have been sent over the Shark Tooth Dig Kit and a Real Bug Dig Kit so our daughter can really unleash her inner Mary Anning and get digging for something a little special.

What are National Geographic Dig Kits?

These National Geographic Dig Kits are fascinating, filled with facts and include REAL Specimens. You will also find a detailed learning guide that is jam-packed with interesting facts to really add to the learning experience that is much more than digging. These dig kits are a great opportunity for curiosity, fun, and learning - all rolled into one!

Every set gives any budding scientist or geologist an opportunity to dig into some hands-on learning whether they are mad about bugs, sharks, fossils or gemstones. These National Geographic kits come in all shapes and sizes, with a wide variety of themes and contents making them perfect for families to explore together and initiate wider discussions around the Ocean and the environment – especially on World Ocean Day!

National Geographic Shark Tooth Dig Kit

My daughter was so eager to get her hands on the Shark Tooth Dig Kit that included a Dig Brick in the shape of a shark, 3 Types of Shark Teeth, 2 Excavation Tools, a Magnifying Glass and a Shark Tooth Learning Guide with Translations. Everything you will need to unleash your inner palaeontologist.

It wasn't too long before my daughter found her first fossilised tooth that belonged to fearsome sea creature from around the world. There are three REAL shark teeth to excavate in this National Geographic Shark Tooth Dig Kits including a Crow Shark, Otodus Shark and a Sand Tiger. You have to dig, poke and get a little messy to find them. My daughter enjoyed using the tools to dig and discovered a brand new shark tooth to add to her ever growing collection of fossils.

These kit is the perfect gift for any child with an interest in geology, and the excavation process provides a fun and educational experience that will captivate their curiosity. Each kit includes everything your child needs for an exciting excavation expedition to discover the beauty and complexity of REAL SPECIMENS in a hands-on way.

National Geographic Real Bug Dig Kit

The Real Bug Dig Kit includes a dig brick with a scorpion on the top with three genuine bug specimens insides. At first, my daughter was a little reluctant to start digging because she thought the Scorpion on the dig brick was a real specimen, but once she realised she got straight to work. Inside this kit will find a Dig Brick, 3 Genuine Bug Specimens, 2 Excavation Tools, a Magnifying Glass and a Real Bug Learning Guide with Translations.

Use the chisel that has been included to help you chip away at each dig brick and reveal REAL SPECIMENS. You can even use a little water to soften the brick if it proves too tricky. Then, take the brush and gently remove any stubborn sediment before placing your find in water to give it a clean.

There are three genuine bug specimens to excavate in this National Geographic Real Bug Dig Kit which includes a Fortune Beetle, Scorpion and a Spiny Spider. Again, you have to dig and get a messy to find them. With this set, my daughter wasn't too sure about how she would find the bugs, but when she found that each of the specimens were encapsulated inside a glass gem, she was very happy to add her 'little babies' to her collection.

Our Thoughts

The National Geographic Shark Tooth Dig Kit was a great way to captivate curious minds to encouraging them to explore and experiment while bring STEM learning to life. In this age of screens and devices, it is more important than ever for children to get away from gadgets and introduce them to STEM toys. Parents and teachers often use STEM toys to reinforce important learning skills in a fun way.

These National Geographic Kits come in all shapes and sizes, with a wide variety of themes and contents making them perfect for families to explore together and initiate wider discussions around the ocean and the environment – especially on World Ocean Day! We have had so much fun digging and learning so many fascinating facts.

Not only did we have fun with these sets, but they have inspired us to look at the different ways we can help raise awareness. My daughter has created a posts with facts about our oceans and included ways that we can all help the protect the planet for a better future. It is something that she is really passionate about and has shared these posters with her school and girl guiding group.

These National Geographic Dig Kits are fantastic and family friendly. With a number of kits to explore, some interesting abilities to achieve they will keep you interested for a some time. My daughter has only really started to get into toys like this so it was a great place to start and with her love of fossils - it was the perfect match for her. The National Geographic Shark Tooth Dig Kit retails £12.99 and available at Amazon, Smyths Toys, Argos and Very. 

**We have been kindly gifted the National Geographic Dig Kits from Bandai UK featured but as always my words and opinions are my own. Images are subject to copyright, please seek permission before using.**