Flip 'n' Tip Fred...Wow!

Perfect Present Ideas For Pre-Schoolers

We are huge fans of Wow Toys.  No other toy is as robust and toddler friendly in our opinion.  Daddy puts Wow toys as his number one brand that he wished he'd had when he was a boy.  He loves how much 'play' they can withstand, and the fact that they care friction driven and have so many features to explore really impresses him.  

Our little boy Freddy's third birthday is fast approaching, and he was sent a Flip 'n' Tip Fred by the lovely folk from Wow.  It really is a perfect birthday gift for him.  Not only do they share the same name, but Flip 'n' Tip Fred will be joining Freddy's much loved and played with Wow collection.

Flip 'n' Tip Fred is a recycling truck complete with three bins and a boy and girl recycling team.  The chunky truck has lots of lovely play features.  A front bucket scoops up bins and a clicking lever tips them into the back of the truck.  A clicking, side door slides open to empty them out again.  The three recycling bins fit into sections, each with a matching picture to help sort the rubbish.  A handle then flips them into the rear.  Friction power drives the vehicle with a realistic engine sound and a revolving waste crusher spins round, all adding to the fun.

Flip 'n' Tip Fred

The truck is suitable for children aged 18 months and over and the developmental benefits grow with your child.  From early motor skills and sensory development through to role play and exploration, Wow Toys deliver fabulous play value at every stage.  With a Great British design, the Flip 'n' Tip Fred truck is colourful with a friendly face, a perfect addition to any toy box.

Sorting the Recycling

Like all Wow toys no batteries are required which is great, saving money and keeping things simple!   They can be played with straight from the box.  The green theme of this toy also allows you to teach little ones about recycling.  Freddy loves pretending to pick up the bins and empty them into his truck.  He recognises the green waste, the paper and the bottle recycling from the images on the bin lids and on the corresponding sections on the truck.  It encourages vocabulary and discussion about green issues from a very young age, which is a really positive thing.  The recycling team are dressed in outfits with a logo on the back that Freddy studies with great interest!  It is nice to see both a boy and girl figure included.

Wow People!

The truck is perfectly sized for small hands and everything is designed for little ones to use independently.  There is nothing fiddly or frustrating about playing with a toy from Wow!

Perfect for Little Hands

Yet again, we are completely impressed by Wow!  Freddy absolutely loves this toy.  He explores every lever, door, handle and wheel.  He pops the people in and out, acting out scenes and engaging in imaginative play.  He loves how he can push it along using it's friction power, and that it is strong enough to scoop other toys out of the way with its bucket. 

Fun With Fred!!

Flip 'n' Tip Fred is one of the wonderful range of Wow Toys available for girls and boys.  Check out the website at www.wowtoys.com and discover a world of toys that don't break their promises!

Wow! It's Robin's Medical Rescue!

It's no secret that I love Wow Toys!!  I love the friendly characterization of the vehicles.  I love the fact that batteries are not required.  I love the way they are perfect for little hands to play with. And I love how robust and tough they are when being 'loved' by a toddler!

I received Robin's Medical Rescue for Freddy to try out from Wow and instantly he fell in love with it telling me to open the box as soon as I showed it to him.  The ambulance is lovely and equipped with lots of bits and bobs for taking care of patients including a stretcher, a wheelchair and an x-ray machine.

There are three figures included, Nina the paramedic, a "grandma" (as Fred called it) and a chap with a broken leg. 

They are easy to pop in and out of the stretcher, wheelchair and driving seat of the ambulance.  Freddy let them all have a turn at "going to sleep" in the stretcher...even Paramedics need a rest sometimes!

The ambulance has a sliding door and the back drops down to make a ramp. A magic button drops the ramp and another button releases the wheelchair.  The top is open allowing little hands to play with the contents.  

The ambulance pushes along with a very satisfying friction powered motorised action and with realistic engine sounds.  Everything fits into the back of the ambulance keeping all the contents together when not in play.

Freddy loves his Wow toys and has learned to say "ambulance"!  He is at the stage where he engages in role play, making the figures interact and snore when they are in the stretcher! He enjoys exploring the magic buttons and using the push down x-ray machine.  The wheelchair also gets zoomed around like a little car adding to Fred's play experience!

All in all, it is another great toy for children aged 18 months to 5 years old.  It can be purchased for £25.48 from Amazon.  It will definitely delight any pre-schooler.

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

Wow! When Dexter Came to Play!

Freddy is a lucky boy!  The lovely people at WOW Toys sent him a new toy that has taken the house by storm.  He is now the proud owner of Dexter the Digger.  The friendly faced, construction vehicle is a rough, tough and strong heavy duty digger.With a mechanical arm and bull dozer scoop he is ready to take on any job.  With his driver Bill on hand, Dexter is ready for action.

Unlike many other toys on the market, Dexter requires no batteries.  What a bonus!  With a friction powered motor and realistic engine sounds the play value is impressive.  Mechanical levers move the arm and allow the boulders (which are included) to be scooped up and moved.  A secret WOW button reveals a hidden engine compartment.  There is lots to explore with Dexter!

I really like how chunky and robust it is.  Toys take a battering Inside the Wendy House, as Freddy tests them to the max.  Dexter is still going strong.  The friction powered motor works well and makes Freddy giggle as it propels Dexter along the laminate making the engine sound.

Dexter is a good size vehicle, but still perfect for little hands.  The secret engine compartment button, using the lever and putting the driver in his seat are all easy for him to do.  His hand eye co-ordination and fine motor skills are being developed without him getting frustrated!

WOW toys are perfect for exploring the exciting development of role play.  Seeing Freddy walking Bill the driver around the digger and popping him into the secret engine compartment and saying "Night, night" as he put him to bed was so very sweet.  Watching him learn through play is so precious.  WOW toys are perfect for toddlers aged 18 months and over.  The friendly characters are very appealing.

Dexter the Digger is available to purchase from Amazon for just £20.99.  It's an impressive toy for a great price.  It really does have the WOW factor!

The Perfect Toy for Daddy's Little Helper

Wooden Toy Shop is an online site selling contemporary, traditional, classic and modern wooden toys for children of all ages.  The toys are are eco-friendly and built to last ensuring years of play value.  Stocking toys from well known brands such as Pintoy and John Crane, alongside less well known brands that produce beautifully crafted handmade wooden toys and furniture, their range is extensive.  With excellent customer service and free delivery to the UK mainland, Wooden Toy Shop is the perfect place to buy wooden toys.

We were delighted to be offered the chance to review a Pintoy Tool Box from woodentoybox.co.uk.  I am a big fan of Pintoy Toys.  I love the quality, craftsmanship and play value of their traditional wooden toys.

When it arrived I was pleased to see the packaging was not excessive and was mostly recyclable.  The set itself contained a sturdy wooden tool box, with a screwdriver, spanner and hammer along with a selection of nuts, bolts, screws and nails.  They were all perfect for little hands to hold!  All the bits fitted into the tool box for storage and could be carried from job to job by Freddy.

He immediately grabbed the hammer and banged the wooden nails into the holes.  With some encouragement he worked out how to put screws into the screw holes on the tool box and use the screwdriver to turn them.  I could see him using hand eye co-ordination and developing his fine motor skills as he used the tools.  He used problem solving strategies as he figured out how the nuts and bolts went together.

Freddy loved playing with his Daddy and the scope for role playing is great.  Freddy recognised the tools from watching Handy Manny on the Disney Junior channel...I can see a few games being based around his favourite handy man!!

Priced at £24.45 it is a good value toy that will last for years to come.  Freddy loves it and it will give him practice for when he's being Daddy's Little Helper!

EverEarth Shape Sorter Box

Wooden Toys for Toddlers

EverEarth's Shape Sorter is another lovely, traditional wooden toy from Babe-Equip.  Made of natural wood from renewable forests and painted with water based paints, it is safe for both the planet and your toddler.  It comes attractively presented in recycled packaging.

It is for children aged 18 months + and encourages shape and colour recognition and problem solving.

The 13cm x 13cm x 13cm wooden cube has a lift off lid and contains ten colourful wooden blocks in different shapes.

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The Shape Sorter Box is beautifully made with no rough edges and the box lids fits on really well into the cut out edges at the top of the cube.

Freddy was very attracted to the Shape Sorter. He enjoyed trying to put the lid on the box and playing with the blocks.   

Freddy is a very physical little boy who can climb, jump, kick, run and throw as well as any baby I've ever seen.  However, he is not the most patient little lad and his spatial awareness is a little lacking (he takes after me in that respect!)  So puzzles frustrate him!  But I was pleased that the nice chunky shape sorter held his concentration.  He was able to manipulate the blocks in his hand and try to fit them in the holes in the box.  He wasn't always successful but he had fun trying!

I was very impressed by the EverEarth Shape Sorter Box jut like I was with the Pull Back Car.  The EverEarth range is absolutely lovely and includes other items such as an activity cube, a farm set, a truck, a kitchen, a work bench, a pull along T-Rex and a gorgeous Noah's Ark playset.  Babe-Equip stocks most of the range and is bringing it to their customers for the best price possible.

The EverEarth Shape Sorter can be purchased from Babe-Equip for £14.99 which is a great price for a solid wooden, educational, eco-friendly toy.  

Brio Pull Along Helicopter Review

We've been reviewing the Brio Pull Along Helicopter on behalf of IzziWizziKids.co.uk for #playfest.

I have been a fan of Brio for two decades having bought a train track and trains for my eldest son when he was a toddler.  That set is still being played with today, having been passed down from sibling to sibling and being added to along the way.  Brio is made to last and is a timeless addition to any toy box.

The new Brio Toys are stand alone toys that are sure to become favourites for years to come.

Take a look at our vlog to find out how Freddy got on with the Brio Helicopter!

John Crane's Stack-Up Cubes

Freddy is a lucky boy!  His latest toy for review from John Crane is their beautifully crafted Stack-Up from the Branching Out range.  The ten large size wooden cubes, featuring colourful wild animal designs, stack up to an impressive 104cm tall tower.  Perfect for floor play and for developing hand-eye co-ordination.  The cubes are numbered 1-10 so they are perfect for early counting skills.  When not in use they neatly nest together for easy storage.

As with all John Crane's toys, the wood comes from replenishable sources from Rubber Trees that have reached the end of their natural cycle, making them environmentally friendly.  The Stack-Up cubes are recommended for ages 18 months and over.  Here is our video review of how Freddy got on with Stack-Up!

This is a lovely toy.  The characters are very cute and appealing and the counting element helps develop early number skills.  The tower stands impressively high and it was very tempting for Freddy to kick over!  He loved exploring the cubes, building them up, knocking them down and fitting smaller ones into bigger ones.  They certainly tested his dexterity and his hand-eye co-ordination.  As he gets older I can see the Stack-Ups playing a bigger role in his learning, whilst remaining a very appealing and fun activity.

I think Stack-Ups are absolutely lovely.  They are robust, sturdy, colourful and big!  The fact that they nest together for storage is brilliant.  I'd highly recommend them!

You can buy Stack-Up from Amazon for £25.49 with free UK delivery.

Happy Hopperz

I remember the excitement back in the 70's when Space Hoppers were all the rage.  We used to bounce around on the iconic big orange inflatables for hours.  Now the toy market has once again seen the introduction of a brand new product that is capturing the imagination of children.  The launch of the Happy Hopperz has taken the UK by storm.  The cute inflatable ride-on animals are the bounciest toys out there with ears or horns for gripping and four sturdy feet to steady the bounce.

Available in a whole menagerie of different animals, everyone will find one to fall in love with.  From the cutest cows, to playful puppies to the new Easter Bunny design, there is a Happy Hopperz for everyone.

We were delighted to be offered a Happy Hopperz to try out with Freddy.  He is a very physical toddler who loves active play, so I thought this would definitely be a toy that he would enjoy playing with.  It arrived deflated and was easy to inflate with a pump.

 Freddy was instantly taken with the friendly, pink cow that we received.  He patted him and petted him.

He quickly realised he could get on his back and bounce whilst holding on to his ears.  The material is durable, soft and flexible.

Not only is bouncing on a Happy Hopperz fun, but it also strengthens core muscles, increases balance control and develops co-ordination skills.  Freddy is getting himself a baby work out!

They are perfect for indoor and outdoor play and can be deflated and packed to take away on holiday for bouncing on the beach.  They are super portable, strong and lightweight.

Happy Hopperz are available nationwide for £21.99.

Here is Freddy and his Happy Hopperz pink cow in action!

You can see he loves bouncing on it and he loves the cute, fun, friendly character.  Happy Hopperz gets a big thumbs up from Freddy.  It is a great toy which helps his physical development and encourages active play and really captures his imagination.  They are made from EU approved phthalates free pvc and contain no heavy metal elements.  They are CE tested and approved.  So I am confident that is is safe for him too.   This is a great toy!

*By law they are recommended for children aged 36 months and over due to the presence of small parts (the valve stopper).  However I was confident for 21 month old Freddy to play with his Happy Hopperz with adult supervision.* 

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