Bostik

I use a lot of glue at home and at work, and tend to buy it by the box, the thick sticks since these are the ones I think are the easiest for children to hold (the glue sticks, not the box). The things are also available in smaller 8g sticks which are best used by older children who are able to manipulate the glue stick more easily.


**Product and packaging**

Right now, with the summer holidays upon us and lots of small people round at our house wanting to make crafty things, i have bought several of the 8g sticks in bulk. There is a method in this madness- the children are all 7 and 8 years old, quite capable, and because I know that the glue will be left with the tops off, it seems best to let a certain number of skinny sticks dry out rather than the thicker ones!
So, the 8g sticks... these have a blue pull off top and written all over the stick is the Bostik logo. There is a yellow turn up and turn down mechanism at the bottom which makes the actual glue stick move up or down. Younger children are usually quite fascinated by this, and at first twist the glue right to the top, but once the initial attraction has worn off, are usually quite sensible about the whole activity.
So, a simple twist moves the glue so that it can be used; twist in the opposite direction, and down it goes again; put the top back on, and bingo... glue for another day... if they have heeded your warnings about not leaving the top off.
The glue itself is obviously a solid glue stick and is white. I have a sniff of it because it doesn't warn me not to, and rather than finding it odourless as i expected, there is a very slight smell. Yes, it does smell a bit as i imagine and expect glue to smell but not that getting high kind of smell when you have to open all the windows...you have to get very close to it to actually smell it.

**ADVANTAGES**
*The advantage of this type of glue is mainly, from my point of view, that it is not messy. There have been so many occasions when I have had only the "runny" glue and it has got all over the place...I do like peeling off dry glue but it's not as pleasant when it seems to have magically appeared on the furniture. Bostik, like other glue sticks, is also very accurate. Everyone, from quite young children, is able to put some glue exactly where it is needed, mainly because it is not dripping off glue sticks.
*It is also solvent free and non toxic, hence no warning about the sniffing of it. This is obviously a great advantage, because it's not going to poison anyone- no nasty fumes or poisonous ingredients, although I wouldn't advise anyone to eat or start licking it, unless there is a sensory issue and then it could be quite a pleasant feeling.
*It also washes out of clothes so no more gluing and then trying to wash clothes only to find that whilst the majority of the glue has come out there are nasty white marks where it just could noot be moved.
*Another great advantage is that it sticks things! It can easily stick feathers, paper, sequins, tissue, in fact lots of things that are light and easily stickable. However, it doesn't manage to stick heavier items such as buttons, and things which aren't almost flat will prove a problem, so get the pva for those or endure the distress as the twirled pipe cleaner falls off

*The glue is usually quite easy to remove from hands and surfaces. I do say "usually" because so far I have had to get it off only hard surfaces...carpets and sofas I can't comment on!
*Children can't take the top off the glue, (is this a disadvantage). As an advantage, it's a great factor because small children tend to be unable to take the top off so they can't start to use the glue without you knowing!

**DISADVANTAGES**
* Some children don't like the stickiness of it on their hands
* Not suitable for gluing heavier resources.
* If the lid is not put back on the glue dries out.
* Can be more expensive than other similar products although I find that the more expensive the glue, the better the quality, and this tends not to be the most expensive
* Young children find it difficult to take the top off so will need help!

**Price and Availability**

The 8g stick costs about £1.49 which is a bit more expensive than buying the bigger one per gramme. However, there are offers to be had, and if you need lots, look around to buy in bulk

**WARNING**
Not suitable for children under the age of 3 because of the small parts, such as the cap, although looking at the size of this cap, I can't see it being a great danger, so I would imagine this to be true only for the very small Bostik sticks.

**HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?**
That depends on useage and how well you look after it. If you use it infrequently and put the top back on carefully after use, then it lasts ages. If you have 6 weeks holiday with Little Miss and pals or a similar scenario then it won't last long because it's too busy sticking

**PRODUCER*
Bostik LTD., Leicester LE4 6BW

www.bostik.com
Not a child friendly website...more information about the company. However, should you have a fascination or interest in the number of sticky products they make, this is the website for you!


**Verdict**

A good general all round solid glue for everyday sticking. It won't stick heavy things and certainly won't be helping with the diy but for paper crafts it does work. It's non messy, easy to use, non toxic and sticks most things children will want to stick.
A useful addition to any holiday craft pack.

Thanks for reading

Daniela x