As part of the award testin our bloggers often place a review of the item on their blog, here is Rachel Bustin chatting about the latest Bigjigs Toys entry.

“I’m a huge fan of wooden toys for children, not only are they sustainable but they last and last forever. We were asked to share our thoughts on a couple of educational toys from Bigjigs for the Rainbow Awards, an award for toy excellence. They provide help to consumers to make smart choices in the run-up to Christmas and beyond in the world of toys.

We received these toys to review and test out. Number Tray for 3 years + so L has been trying that one out, and a Cog Puzzle for Little Dottie.”  Read more by clicking the link below…..

Bigjigs Educational Toys Review

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Here are the Rainbow Toy Awards 2018 results.

Use the “Buy It Now” link or click on the image to be taken directly to an online retailer who stocks the product, you will go directly to the item you are enquiring about.

2018 OVERALL CHAMPION

Wonder Lab

By: Little Tikes

Age: 3-5y

RRP: £99.99

Buy now from –  www.littletikes.co.uk/wonder-lab

AWARD CATEGORY: WHEELED TOYS

WINNER

Wooden Vehicles

By: ALDI

Age: 18m+

RRP: £4.99 each

Buy now from –  www.aldi.co.uk

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Unicorn Scooter with Light Up Wheels

By: H Grossman Ltd

Age: 4-7y

RRP: £29.99

Buy now from – www.amazon.co.uk

AWARD CATEGORY: OUTDOOR TOYS

WINNER

X Shot Flying Bugs

By: ZURU

Age: 6-14y

RRP: £19.99-29.99

Buy now from –  www.smythstoys.co.uk

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Magical Unicorn Carriage

By: Little Tikes

Age: 18m – 5y

RRP: £119.99

Buy now from – www.smythstoys.co.uk

AWARD CATEGORY: EDUCATIONAL TOYS

WINNER

Wonder Lab

By: Little Tikes

Age: 3-5y

RRP: £99.99

Buy now from –  www.littletikes.co.uk/wonder-lab

HIGHLY COMMENDED

123 Pirate Ship

By: Playmobil

Age: 18m+

RRP: £19.99

Buy now from – www.amazon.co.uk

AWARD CATEGORY: GAMES & PUZZLES

WINNER

People Who Help US

By: Bigjigs Toys

Age: 12m+

RRP: £14.99

Buy now from –  www.bigjigs.co.uk

HIGHLY COMMENDED

FReNeTiC

By: Accentuate Games

Age: 8y+

RRP: £22.99

Buy now from – www.amazon.co.uk

AWARD CATEGORY: IMAGINATIVE PLAY

WINNER

Magical Fairy Forest

By: Playmobil

Age: 4y+

RRP: £49.99

Buy now from –  www.amazon.co.uk

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Shop n’ Learn Smart Checkout

By: Little Tikes

Age: 2y+

RRP: £169.99

Buy now from – www.littletikes.co.uk/shop-n-learn-smart-checkout

AWARD CATEGORY: PRESCHOOL TOYS

WINNER

Toot-Toot Drivers Garage

By: Vtech Electronics

Age: 1-5y

RRP: £39.99

Buy now from – www.amazon.co.uk

 

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Wooden Rocking Unicorn

By: ALDI

Age: 2y+

RRP: £29.99

Buy now from – www.aldi.co.uk

AWARD CATEGORY: SOFT TOYS

WINNER

Wooden Rocking Horse

By: ALDI

Age: 2y+

RRP: £29.99

Buy now from –  www.aldi.co.uk

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Rainbocorns

By: ZURU

Age: 3-6y

RRP: £24.99

Buy now from – www.argos.co.uk

AWARD CATEGORY: CONSTRUCTION TOYS

WINNER

LeapBuilders Phonics House

By: LeapFrog

Age: 18m+

RRP: £34.99

Buy now from –  www.amazon.co.uk

 

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Junior Engineer Workshop Helicopter

By: Tobar

Age: 8y+

RRP: £9.99

Buy now from – www.amazon.co.uk

AWARD CATEGORY: ART & CRAFT TOYS

WINNER

Gel-a-Peel Mega Rainbow Kit

By: MGA Entertainment

Age: 8y+

RRP: £39.99

Buy now from –  www.argos.co.uk

 

HIGHLY COMMENDED

STIB Inspirational Mini Colouring Pencils

By: STIB

Age: 3y+

RRP: £6.95

Buy now from – www.temptedgifts.co.uk

AWARD CATEGORY: ELECTRONIC TOYS

WINNER

Robo Alive Dino

By: ZURU by Tobar

Age: 3y+

RRP: £15.00

Buy now from –  www.amazon.co.uk

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Kidizoom Smart Watch DX2

By: Vtech Electronics

Age: 4y+

RRP: £49.99

Buy now from – www.amazon.co.uk

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This year the Overall Champion was a product we really loved and the testers did too!  It’s a toy that promotes STEM education and let’s children use their imagination. Here is what the testers said about it.

“It’s a modern take on the traditional work bench toys, we loved it!”

“My child is a real science buff already, this was a pleasure to see her using, she went back to it day after day.”

“In today’s world, non-gender specific toys are so important, the Wonder Lab is just excellent at creating a love of science and technology in all children.”

…and our overall 2018 champion is…

OVERALL CHAMPION

Wonder Lab

By: Little Tikes

Age: 3-5y

RRP: £99.99

Spark curiosity in budding scientists with the Wonder Lab.  Little Tikes STEM Jr range is specially designed to give your little ones a taster of science, technology, engineering and maths through fun experiments and activities.  This activity packed, brightly coloured laboratory is sure to get your little tikes feeling like scientist, encouraging hands on play to fuel cognitive development.

More information at: www.littletikes.co.uk/wonder-lab

Available from: Argos

Buy now from –  www.littletikes.co.uk/wonder-lab

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Always a wide variety in this section, who knows what electronic toy will be thought of next.  Let’s see what our testers think this year.

WINNER

Robo Alive Dino

By: ZURU by Tobar

Age: 3y+

RRP: £15.00

With realistic features and a mighty roar, Zuru’s Robo Alive Dino is the perfect robot toy for all dino-mad kids.  From the moment you switch it on, this T Rex will charge forwards, roaring and biting.  Kids will be entertained for hours as their toys come to life before their eyes.

More information at: www.tobar.co.uk/robo-alive-dino-jungle-green

Available from: Hawkin’s Bazaar

Buy now from –  www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “The packaging was inviting.  My son loved it and liked when it chased people, roaring at them.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Kidizoom Smart Watch DX2

By: Vtech Electronics

Age: 4y+

RRP: £49.99

Take photos and videos with the dual cameras, then apply cool effects to them! Play Monster Detector, the augmented reality adventure that encourages children to be active and explore.  The splash proof design features a motion sensor, pedometer, voice recorder and learning apps.  Download more from the Learning Lodge.

 More information at: www.vtech.co.uk

Available from: Amazon

Buy now from – www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “Lots of features, they particularly liked the camera, many selfies were taken!”

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WINNER

Gel-a-Peel Mega Rainbow Kit

By: MGA Entertainment

Age: 8y+

RRP: £39.99

Your imagination and design skills are endless as a rainbow with a Gel-a-Peel Mega Rainbow Kit.  Use a rich palette of ten different colours to make over 150 one-of-a-kind accessories to wear or share with your friends.  Includes 50+ design templates to follow along or design your own.

More information at: www.gel-a-peel.mgae.com

Available from: The Entertainer

Buy now from –  www.argos.co.uk

What the testers said   “Making your own jewellery has taken on a whole new twist – bright colours and so easy to do.  The gel sets nicely, and the finished article looks good.”

 

HIGHLY COMMENDED

STIB Inspirational Mini Colouring Pencils

By: STIB

Age: 3y+

RRP: £6.95

STIB inspirational pencils are a brightly striped tube of ten satisfyingly soft-leaded colouring pencils. Each has a positive word upon its triangular sides.  A sharpener is included plus 12 colouring templates, fun, games and quotes, inspiring children to create a world to be proud of.

 More information at: www.stibpencils.com

Available from: Scout & Co

Buy now from – www.temptedgifts.co.uk

What the testers said “Very tactile, the pencils being three sided made it easy for little fingers to manoeuvre.  The addition of inspirational words made us smile.”

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Construction toys are all about making and creating, then creating all over again!  Our testers do love to create mini masterpieces…

WINNER

LeapBuilders Phonics House

By: LeapFrog

Age: 18m+

RRP: £34.99

Little builders can pretend to put on their hard hats and construct a delightful home with more than 60 easy-to-hold pieces including two play people. Children can follow the simple instructions to build a house or use their creativity to create anything they can imagine using regular and movable blocks.

More information at: www.leapfrog.co.uk

Available from: Argos

Buy now from –  www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “Big, bright bricks were easy for little hands. We really thought is has it all – lights music, easy build and we can add to it with other Leapfrog ranges too.”

 

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Junior Engineer Workshop Helicopter

By: Tobar

Age: 8y+

RRP: £9.99

This 183 piece construction set comes with full instructions and a tool kit.  The pieces fit together to make a helicopter.  Pieces will also interact with each other to create other items, plus you can add more sets from the Junior Engineer Workshop range.  Lots of play value at a great price.

 More information at: www.tobar.co.uk

Available from:  Amazon

Buy now from – www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “This is great, back to ‘old school’ toys.  Grandad especially loved helping out with this one and the included tools ensured play started immediately”

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Our soft toy category oozed cuteness this year! Take a look…

WINNER

Wooden Rocking Horse

By: ALDI

Age: 2y+

RRP: £27.99

This wooden rocking horse provides a fun experience for all children.  Developing physical skills and the imagination too.  Children can create various situations and scenarios for their adventures.  This rocking horse has a galloping, clippety clop sound effect to add to the enjoyment.

More information at: www.aldi.co.uk

Available from: ALDI Stores

Buy now from –  www.aldi.co.uk

What the testers said   “The minute he came out of the box the whole family adored him.  My son did actually want it in bed with him – although that was a bit much!”

 

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Rainbocorns

By: ZURU

Age: 3-6y

RRP: £24.99

Rainbocorns are collectible plush that hatch from their pink eggs.  There are 12 to collect; puppycorns, kittycorns, hamstercorns, bunnycorns, unicorns and monkeycorns along with 21 sequin surprises that reveal what they love.  Each Rainbocorn comes with a Boo-Boocorn – a tiny collectible baby Rainbocorn hidden in a secret egg.

 More information at: www.zuru.com

Available from: Asda

Buy now from – www.argos.co.uk

What the testers said “Very clever packaging, made it eye catching.  She was excited to get the toy out to play.”

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