JCB 5CX Eco Backhoe Loader - toy review

"I'm Fred I'm 5 and my dad's Bruce Lee, Drives me around in his JCB."

Freddy, like lots of other young children, loves trucks, cars and diggers. There is something that holds kids spellbound, when faced with a big, impressive vehicle. JCB is a brand that ticks all the boxes when it comes to delighting digger loving children. The iconic yellow colour and the totally cool designs lend themselves perfectly to firing up a child's imagination.

JCB has a range of brilliant kids' toys, scaling down the designs of their full size vehicles making them the right size for some fun and constructive play! Freddy used to love his My 1st JCB toys when he was younger. The cute, chunky vehicles were just right for him when he was a pre-schooler with a penchant for imaginative play and funny characters such as Joey JCB and Doug Dump Truck. Nowadays, he enjoys playing with more grown up toys, taking an interest in how things work and what they can do.

Freddy received an awesome large size, die cast JCB model of a 5CX Backhoe Loader. This is the classic vehicle that I think of when I think of 'diggers'.

The 1:16 scale JCB 5CX eco Backhoe Loader from Bruder Toys, has a fully functional front loader and backhoe with a tilting and locking bucket. It has a fully functional rear bucket with 2 outriggers for stability. There is a swivelling driver's seat and opening rear window, as well as an off-road front axle and rolling wheels with authentic rubber tread tyres. The attention to detail is brilliant - it is just like a mini version of the real thing.

One great feature is the steering wheel extender that is located in the base of the digger. Through an aperture in the top of the cab, the extender connects with the steering wheel and sticks out of the roof, allowing the vehicle to be steered as you move it along. It really adds to the fun of this toy. The buckets can scoop up objects and drop them where required.

With its fuctionality, this toy isn't just for looking at, it's for playing with! And that is exactly what Freddy did with it!  Whether indoors or outdoors, this is a great fully functional vehicle, which is just like the real thing.

Dad Ian and Grandad Stan both loved this toy. It definitely brought out their inner little boys as they marvelled at the mechanics and the authenticity of the design. They both thought it was incredibly realistic and impressive.

The Bruder Toys  JCB 5CX Backhoe Loader model retails for £39.99 and is available from Amazon.

On Site With My 1st JCB

My 1st JCB On Site play sets from Golden Bear combine construction and role play for pre-schoolers who get to complete important tasks with their favourite JCB characters.  The chunky sets from Golden Bear are robust and  loaded with kid appeal!

The On Site Charlie Crane Set includes Joey, everyone's favourite JCB!  He is ready and waiting to collect the barrels that Charlie Crane is picking up with his giant claws and dropping down the chute.  Charlie has to be careful not to knock down the collapsible wall as he works.  A JCB garage, a giant turn table and the office, where the crane operator can oversee the job at hand, are part of the play set offering lots of scope for imaginative play.  Charlie says seven different phrases with the touch of a button and has a wind up, gripping claw so is very interactive.

The On Site Rock Loader Set includes Doug the Dump Truck.  He must deliver rocks from the excavation site up the chute and into the hopper where they are stored ready to drop and be taken away.  The control panel is up a ladder for the workman to use.

Both sets work together making an action packed and exciting construction site for budding little builders to explore.  Freddy was lucky enough to be sent them both to try out and he really loved putting them through their paces!

Both sets need to be put together and have the stickers put onto them, but full instructions are included.  Once built, they are very sturdy and solid and look great.  There are lots of things to explore and both sets include one workman and a vehicle to add to the play value.  The Crane Set includes a wall that can be built up like a jigsaw puzzle and knocked down by the swinging jaws of the crane.

Charlie Crane requires two AAA batteries (which are not included) which enables him to say phrases to add to the play value.  Other than that, everything else is kid powered!  The sets are fully compatible with existing JCB products so the fun can just keep building.

I love these sets.  The branding is brilliant.  The size, durability and solidity of the sets are superior to many others on the market. The are brightly coloured and look great.  The faces of the characters are just so appealing.  Little hands develop fine motor skills with the interactive features and pretend play is promoted by these imaginative toys.  Freddy really enjoyed role playing with the little workman and the vehicles.  He enjoyed transporting the rocks and the barrels and whizzed the vehicles up and down the slopes.  He had a lot of fun with the two playsets.

The On Site Charlie Crane Play Set is £34.99 (RRP) and the On Site Rock Loader Play Set is £24.99 (RRP).  They are available to buy alongside other toys in the JCB range at www.goldenbeartoys.com.

My First JCB

My First JCB Range from Golden Bear.

Freddy is a proper lad when it comes to toy choices.  I know all the gender neutral parenting arguments and he does have access to more stereotypically feminine toys, but what he really likes is trucks.  His eyes light up at the sight of a digger, tractor, train or car.  He likes to push them along, he studies their wheels, he bashes them against each other or whizzes them across the laminate floor.

When I attended the fabulous Christmas in July event earlier this month I was very excited by the Golden Bear Stand.  Not only is this a fantastic toy company that is located in my home county of Shropshire, but it also had on display the most wonderful toys from their My First JCB range.  The iconic brand has been beautifully characterized and brought to life in a collection of working vehicles, each with their own personality.  I knew Freddy would adore them and I was delighted when Golden Bear agreed for him to test out My First Talking Joey JCB and Doug the Dump Truck.

Open it please mum!!

The toys are made from chunky and durable plastic and are ideal for little hands.  The wheels are very sturdy. With articulated parts, flashing lights and a button which when pressed makes them say one of five unique phrases, Joey and Doug were a huge hit with Freddy.  They gave rise to some great interactive play, each vehicle having its own personality.  Doug is a very sensible, traditional, old truck, whereas Joey is an energetic young hero and up for anything...the muddier the better!  There are more vehicles in the range including Larry Loadall, Freddie Fastrac, Rex Roller and Roxy Robot.

Exploring his new toy!

The range is suitable from ages 12 months and up.  They need 2 x AAA batteries, which are included...I think more toy companies should take note of that.  Well done Golden Bear :)  The packaging was not excessive and mostly consisted of recyclable cardboard.

Doug and Joey

In addition to the Talking My First JCB vehicles, Golden Bear have pull back versions, water squirting bath toy versions and the soon to be released remote controlled JCB. There are also some gorgeous puzzles and games featuring the workforce.

I love the attention to detail and think that giving each vehicle its own personality adds to the play value.  Freddy loved the friendly characters and enjoyed listening to their chatter!

The My First JCB Talking Joey and Doug retail at £9.99 which is excellent value.  They can be purchased from good toy shops or buy online at Golden Bear Toys' website.

Golden Bear produce a whole host of other branded toys including Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom, Peppa Pig and an exciting range of mascots for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.  

Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom at Christmas in July

Wenlock and Mandeville the London 2012 Olympic Mascots

A Driver Dan's Story Train collection is due to be released soon!  The Story Train play set is tipped to be a Christmas must have in the Pre-School category with the Mum's Choice seal of approval.

Driver Dan's Story Train...Mum's Choice for Pre-Schoole