Pre-school puzzles and games remain at the heart of Ravensburger’s range.
The ‘My First’ puzzles range, developed for youngsters aged
18 months and over, bridges the gap between playtrays and conventional jigsaw puzzles, and includes four puzzles made from super-thick board. Consumers can choose from popular characters Minnie Mouse and Thomas & Friends, plus colourful generic titles too. Once children have developed confidence in simple puzzling, Ravensburger recommends its four- in-a-box licensed puzzles, including popular characters Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Mike the Knight, Octonauts, Thomas & Friends, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Disney Princess, Hello Kitty and Dora the Explorer. New for autumn is a range of simple games based
on more favourite characters. Suitable for ages three and up, titles include the Mike The Knight Treasure Hunt Game, Thomas & Friends Roads & Rails Game, Octonauts Sea Eels and Ladders Game, Minnie Fashion Mouse Game and Hello Kitty Fun Day Out Game. Ravensburger’s Memory brand is now also
available in a ‘mini’ format, again featuring popular characters like Moshi Monsters, The Amazing Spider- Man, Disney Cars and more. The classic picture- matching game is a fun way to develop memory and picture matching skills, and it’s also a game where youngsters can readily beat adults.
ORCHARD TOYS 01953 859525
Distributor The In Thing has recently debuted a new range of Puzzle Erasers focusing on both the huge Angry Birds and Moshi Monsters licences. Measuring approximately 3cms in height, each of the collectable Puzzle Erasers come in a variety of guises, featuring the most iconic characters from both of the huge entertainment properties.
The unique erasers are both practical and fun for kids who want to get to grips with their favourite characters. Imagine a puzzle eraser as a jigsaw – each eraser divides up into multiple parts which then need to be put back together. But while being a puzzle, the eraser is still fully usable for getting rid of any pencil mistakes kids might make. Each pack of three Angry Birds Puzzle Erasers
are priced at £2.99 and each pack of four Moshi Monsters is available for £3.99. Both are essential back-to-school products, says the firm.
SPIN MASTER 01628 535000 THE IN THING
SECTOR GUIDE GAMES & PUZZLES 57 0845 365 3030
Spin Master says it is delighted to venture into the games market, with the firm offering a selection of fun, fast-paced games.
Monster Catcher is a matching game from Orchard Toys for children aged over three years old. The box’s strapline reads: “How many monsters
can you catch in this fun colour-matching game?” “But be careful – the monster catcher is waiting to take them from you”. Orchard says the game will help develop kids’ matching and counting skills, encourage social interaction and help them to follow instructions and take turns. Monster Catcher also links to the National Curriculum and Early Learning Goals. According to reviews coming in from mummy bloggers, Monster Catcher is being received ‘extremely well’ by their children, and even the mums enjoy playing it, too. Orchard is keen to inform the trade on its Twitter account @OrchardToys which contains blogger reviews and more information. All Orchard Toys products are made in the UK from 100 per cent recycled board. They have bright, colourful, chunky pieces for little hands to pick up. And in the case of a mishap, they have wipe-clean surfaces, too.
Autumn sees the launch of Hedbanz for kids, the best-selling, quick question game of ‘Who am I?’ in which players ask yes or no questions to figure out if the cartoon on their head is an animal, food or object. The winner is the player who correctly guesses what they are first. Hedbanz will be supported by a heavyweight TV campaign throughout October and November, alongside an extensive PR programme. There is also a trickier Hedbanz for Adults version launching. From the app Temple Run comes two great family games. Aimed at kids over eight years old, the electronic board game and the fast action electronic card game require players to keep on their toes as they follow the instructions called by the Temple Idol. They must beat him against the clock, whilst being chased by evil demonic monkeys. Kids love gore and gross humour – and Dr.
Dreadful’s Scabs and Guts game has bucket loads of both. The player with the cleanest fingernails always goes first, as players answer gruesome questions about science and the anatomy. They learn lots of fun facts along the way. Do parents really know everything? Or do the kids call the shots? Beat The Parents puts both kids and adults knowledge of the other generation to the test. Players answer lots of silly questions as they make their way across the board. This is aimed at families and kids over six years old.