Our Blogs
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May 09, 2013
GOING KARTING.....
Reproduced in full from A Bavarian Sojourn with their kind permission........ As well as the enormous mountains on our doorsteps, it's not uncommon to find specially created sledging hills dotted about the place... These massive snow-covered mounds can be quite the village meeting point in mid-winter, as hoards of children wile away the hours hurtling down them. Parents stand precariously at the bottom to catch their high-speed offspring, or chat leisurely at the top ready to send them on their way again with hefty pushes on what will hopefully be a clear no-collision course, and...
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Apr 19, 2013
THAT BONDING MOMENT - WITH AN ATK GO-KART
Isn't it a great feeling - making something with your children when you're all involved. Be it a cake, a Blue Peter rocket or a tree house, there's nothing quite like it. They're happy, you feel good about it and pretty clever, if it works! That's what we love about the ATK - you can all get involved and everything really does fit beautifully. We supply the tools that you need and are very proud of our instruction leaflet, even if us guys don't always read them. In around 30 -45 minutes (depending on how many cups of tea...
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Apr 13, 2013
SO WHAT MAKES THE ATK SO SPECIAL?
Several people we’ve talked to about the ATK have said that we’re far too shy about what makes it so special? It’s not simply that it’s been designed by a top London designer so that it looks really cool. It also has had a huge amount of thought go into how it’s made. So here goes; the techie stuff: The plywood body of the ATK is high-quality ply. The axles and brake are made from mild steel which is zinc-plated then powder coated. This means that it’s protected from rust. The nuts and bolts are all stainless-steel and will remain...
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Apr 09, 2013
CUSTOMER LOVE
When you're selling a great product and everything goes as planned, keeping customers happy is easy. However we are all human and, no matter how hard you try, occasionally things do go wrong. It's then that you have to work hard to put things right as quickly and painlessly as you can, particularly when it's children who are involved. And particularly if it's a present. Try telling a 7 year old on Christmas Day that they can't play on their new ATK because there's a bit missing. Last Christmas we had three teams of people standing by with spare...
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Mar 27, 2013
SAFETY TESTING
Safety testing is a crucial part of the development process of any toy. Designing toys that appeal to children can be a challenge but making sure that they are safe is vital. The days of the Kite Mark are long gone; it's now EU Directive EN71 and the "CE" Mark that are required before you can sell your toy in the European Market. And even in the days of the nanny state, no-one would argue that it's sensible. In the case of the ATK it doesn't make the product any less fun - it just makes it safe. There are...
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Mar 15, 2013
LAUNCHING THE ATK START
An ATK for £99.99? Yes really; it's the ATK Start. It offers the same build-quality as the ATK Classic, but all for under £100. You'll have the same high quality plywood construction, off-road wheels with pnuematic tyres and carefully designed dual-action brake that avoids trapping your fingers but stops your kart smoothly and safely. Like the Classic you'll also be able to remove the wheels and steerer in a flash with the quick-action R Clips; your kart will then slip into the boot of almost any car. The Start is ideal for scooting along on the level -...
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Mar 04, 2013
THE ATK; NO ONE-TRICK PONY
The great thing about the ATK is that it's much more versatile, fun and challenging than a pedal kart so it will retain its appeal much longer. As well as sitting on it downhill you can scoot along on it on the level. Drop down the back-rest, kneel on the seat pad and you can really get up speed scooting along in your local park. Try taking it in turns with your friends to push each other as well: But also, of course, you can take advantage of gravity down those tempting hills: Next time you're out on your...
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Feb 27, 2013
SPRING IS ON THE WAY
Down here in the South-West of England it's been quite a winter; snow, rain and more rain causing horrendous flooding. But wonder of wonders, we are experiencing a long (well, all of ten days so far) period of dry and sunny weather. Even the lambs look happy. In fact, judging by what happened last March, they will shortly be announcing a drought. So for all those of you who were lucky enough to be given an ATK for Christmas (or, of course, for your Birthday), get out there on your All Terrain Kart, get Dad to take a photo...
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Feb 16, 2013
WIN A TEAM GB RAMP HELMET
"Like" our Facebook page, post a photo of you or your children using an ATK and the best entry wins a Team GB Ramp Helmet. The draw will take place on 1 April.
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Feb 16, 2013
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THIS HALF-TERM
Stuck for things to do outdoors with the children this half term? Here are a few ideas. Courtesy of the Guardian: Epping Forest Field Centre, near Loughton in Essex, which will be running family activity events from pond-dipping to stargazing (18–20 February, activities about £6pp, booking required, 020-8502 8500, field-studies-council.org/centres/eppingforest.aspx). Down in Surrey, Painshill Park near Cobham is running Wild Woodland Camps Monday to Friday for eight- to 13-year-olds. There will be a different theme for each day, from wild winter art to bushcraft, and children will be able to try their hand at bivouac-building, archery, animal tracking and orienteering (18–22 February, £35 a...