Silver Award SpiroBouncer
Supplier: TP Toys Web:
www.tptoys.com Price: £49.99 Age range: 2 to 5 years
Description: Designed for two to-five-year- olds, the SpiroBouncer is perfect for indoor and outdoor use. It has a wipe-clean plastic surface and soft foam pads on the base to protect hard floors. It is equipped with soft ball cushions to minimise impact and maximise bounce, and helps children develop their strength, coordination and balance.
Score: 89.7%
What the testers said: “A really fun toy that the children were immediately attracted to. It is an original design and is fantastic for indoor use as it does not take up too much space. With the revised EYFS paying more attention to physical development this will also be a great tool for learning turn taking.”
Mike the Knight – Deluxe Glendragon Playset
Manufacturer: Character Options Web:
www.character-online.co.uk Price: £24.99 Age range: 3 years +
Description: The Deluxe Glendragon Playset is a two-tier tower, including Mike’s Bedroom in the turret. Just like in the TV show, there is a secret slide down to the lower floor stable where Mike can straddle his trusty steed Galahad. There are also lots of secret treasures waiting to be discovered.
Score: 89.4%
What the testers said: “This sturdy and well-made toy was immediately popular. Based on a familiar TV programme it allowed the children to re-enact stories they had seen, before developing them into more elaborate role-plays. A good size for little hands helping to develop fine motor skills. Would be great if it came with more characters!”
Toys and Games 3-5
Hot Dots® Junior Numbers & Counting and Kat the Talking Teaching Kitty™ Pen
Manufacturer: Learning Resources® Tel: 0845 241 0484 Web:
www.learningresources.co.uk Price: £10.74 Age range: 3 years +
Description: When using the Hot Dots® Junior Numbers & Counting set, simply touch the interactive pen to a Hot Dot and the talking Hot Dot responds instantly with a green light and positive sounds. This set provides 72 early learning activities. Meanwhile Kat the Talking, Teaching Kitty™ Pen lights up learning for youngsters with fun phrases and sound effects.
Score: 89.3%
What the testers said: “This is an excellent learning tool, very brightly coloured and appealing. The different age groups used it in a variety of ways; the youngest children used it for basic counting and the slightly older children, for shape recognition. It is a great concept that aids both numeracy and literacy.”
Rail Carry Set
Manufacturer: Bigjigs Toys Ltd Tel: 01303 250400 Web:
www.bigjigtoys.co.uk Price: £44.99 Age range: 3 to 8 years
Description: Designed and finished to the highest quality, this wonderful Rail Carry Set comprises 40 play pieces including a brightly coloured train engine and carriages, wooden track which is compatible with other leading wooden rail systems, a pull-out park scene and a unique roof carry handle.
Score: 89.3%
What the testers said: “The Rail Carry Set is sturdy, well made and easy to put together. The children loved this new addition to the setting and immediately wanted to play with it. The track pieces are chunky and carriages bright and good quality. There are lots of add-ons and we are already intending to buy more!”
My 1st JCB ‘On Site’ Charlie Crane Set
Manufacturer: Golden Bear Web:
www.goldenbeartoys.com Price: From £9.99 Age range: 3 years +
Description: On Site Charlie Crane Set has many important tasks for children to complete. The crane operator must climb the steps into the office where he can oversee the job at hand. Then Charlie Crane must pick up the barrels with his giant claw and drop them down the chute to be collected by Joey JCB.
Score: 87.5%
What the testers said: “This product really engaged a wide range of age groups. The children played with the product in a very interactive way and it stimulated a range of conversations. It is great for developing hand-eye coordination and the children really enjoyed building and demolishing the wall. A good-value hard wearing toy.”
Community Services Set
Supplier: LEGO Education Tel: 0800 3345346 Web:
www.legoeducation.co.uk Price: £119.99 Age range: 2 years +
Description: This set includes a hospital, police station and fire station for children to build and learn about where the people who help us work. There are also five different vehicles and twelve characters, making it ideal for learning about the rescue services and different roles in the community.
Score: 85.4%
What the testers said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed using this and because it is such a large set, they could play together in groups. The set linked in well with numerous areas of learning. The people and vehicles enhanced the LEGO, encouraging imaginative role-play. It is easily packed away into the storage box.”
20 Practical Pre-School Awards 2012
Toys and Games 3-5
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