Why we love it: This certainly delivers on the erupting-volcano-effects excitement front: sounds, vibrations, flashes lights, smoke - wow! "The volcano is great," said our child tester Ted, 7.
Comes with 1 dinosaur researcher figure, 2 dinosaur figures, a firing canon, a removable laboratory container, crystals, stones, plants, and a stalactite. It also features a research station, an obstacle course, an escape slide and a secret cave. What it is: A 45cm x 43cm x 35cm volcano playset that vibrates, smokes and erupts stones, as well as light-up lava. It’s a brilliant playset."Īvailable at: Wooden Toy Shop, Toy Street and Smyths Toys Latest deals from trusted retailersĪge suitability: 4+ | Best for age: 6+ | Batteries: 3 x AA (not included) and 4 x LR44 (included) Awards: Bronze, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2021 "There are so many features and details in this set," said Hayley, mum of our child tester Niko, 3, "that even after 3 days of having it, Niko hasn’t spotted them all yet! His favourite thing is definitely the alarm and lights on the roof. Why we love it: It's a really good size and we love the attention to detail –there's even a treadmill to keep the firefighters fit when they are not putting out fires! We do wish, though, that there was more than 1 firefighter figure. Comes with a firefighter figure and other accessories, including a little rescue dog. What it is: A 60cm x 30cm x 48cm 3-storey wooden fire station with rooftop helipad, helicopter, fire engine, furniture, fireman’s pole, bell, light and a pullstring to open the doors and launch the engine from the garage. I want to play with the Barbie house forever."Īvailable at: Smyths and Argos Latest deals from trusted retailersĪge suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 4 | Batteries: 2 x AAA (not included) Awards: Bronze, MadeforMums Toy Awards 2021
"I really like the pool, it's so much fun and my dolls can do swimming. "It's my favourite toy ever," said Zadie. Our child tester Zadie, 4, was especially taken with the 'flushing' toilet and loved the real lights and sound effects in different areas (though mum, Caroline, was pleased the latter could be switched off). Why we love it: It's massive and very pricey but there are endless clever touches to marvel over – a working lift, a fold-down bunkbed, even a pet play area. Comes with coloured lighting options, ‘soundscapes’ (including party music), a slide, a pool, a grass area, furniture and over 75 accessories. What it is: A 109cm x 104cm 360° playhouse with a layout you can customise by moving the 10 interchangeable living areas between the 3 floors. It's such fantastic quality and offers so much play potential."Īvailable at: Smyths Toys and Schleich Latest deals from trusted retailersĪge suitability: 3+ | Best for age: 4+ | Batteries: 3 x AA (not included) Awards: Editor's Choice, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2021 It's also made her ask lots of questions about the different animals and the job of a zoologist. "I have never seen her so focused on a toy for such a long time. "Mya loves this playset!" said Emma, mum of our child tester Mya, 5. Why we love it: The 'rotten' breakable plank on the suspension bridge is great fun, as is the tree slide (perfect for baby gorilla playtime) and we like how well articulated the ranger figure is – his arms and legs move and he can hold various accessories his hands. Comes with a black panther, a crocodile, 2 baby tortoises, a baby gorilla, a Ranger Steve figure and accessories including a satellite telephone, a torch, binoculars. What it is: A 50cm x 30cm x 35cm playset that can be built in different ways and features a tree with a slide, a wobbly suspension bridge, a ranger station with a rope ladder, swivelling crane and flip-up floor panel and an earth mound with burrow to hide in. Age suitability: 3+| Best for age: 5+ | Batteries: None Awards: Silver, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2021