This week saw a very exciting email land in my inbox – we had been selected as Bigjigs Play Patrol finalists, alongside a handful of other wonderful bloggers.
Our Secret Mission arrived the following day and the children couldn’t wait to discover the treasure inside – and what we found was a set of Safari Animals building blocks!
I love building blocks. The play possibilities are endless, especially when you have animals, trees and some wonderful colours and shapes to play with!
Max dived right in – exploring the blocks, seeing what happened when he stacked them, rolled them and threw them.
But there is plenty more you can do with these fabulously tough and versatile little blocks. Sharing with friends is always fun:
But how about thinking outside the box? Building blocks don’t have to be just for building. We decided to have a game of Safari skittles! Line up your favourite safari blocks (we chose the animals but you could use any combination of bricks), find a tennis ball, and go for it! See how many you can knock down in one go, see if you can hit a specific one or have 2 sets of skittles and make it into a race with a friend!
If skittles isn’t your thing, what about getting some other toys in on the building block action? Our Lego men were roped into a very elaborate city, where a daring motorbike rider was travelling across the wobbly bridge. These blocks offer heaps of potential for role play fun, dexterity and balance.
Like I said before, the play possibilities are just endless. Sorting games are always popular in this house. You can use the safari blocks for colour and shape sorting, as well as discussing all the animals – their characteristics, what they might like to eat, where they live and who their friends are. (Great opportunities for language development here!) Tip all the blocks into the rather fabulous storage bag they come with, and play a guessing game – which one will you pull out the bag next?
With older children, discuss 3D shapes, place the blocks in height order and – possibly our favourite activity so far – make up a story. Without further ado, I pass you over to Gemma (age 8).
Once upon a time, there were 3 jungle friends out for a walk in the long grass. They stopped for lunch and they didn’t see the naughty 2 headed monster hiding in the bush. When the 3 friends were not looking, the monster leaped out of the bush and scared them, and it made Hippo fall over. Barney Bear came to the rescue on his boat – he jumped off and pushed the naughty monster to the ground. Everyone was happy, and the monster stopped being naughty and started to behave, and so everyone became friends again.
So what do you think? Do you love the Safari Animal building blocks as much as we do? There are so many other things in the Bigjigs range that I have my eye on – I know Gemma would love this cake stand and the my first roadway would be lovely for Max. Do you have a favourite product from the Bigjigs range?
aw these look great! i might put them on Caleb’s birthday list! #TriedTested
I just adore the photos in this post Kate 🙂 The blocks look fabulous!
#TriedTested
Looks like you had as much fun as we did with these blocks! #TriedTested
They look fantastic fun! I do love wooden toys x
I love these, I’ve actually bought something similar for my god daughter for her birthday
what a lovely post. Great blocks too. They are really bright colours and nice soft shapes (if you know what I mean-no sharp edges!!) We love anything animal 🙂
aww I love them they are so good and you have some good ideas there!
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xxx
These are awesome! Missy Moo would love these as much as Buba would. I will have to check them out. What a great review looks like the little one enjoyed reviewing them as much as you! hahaha So cute. Thanks for hosting my dear. #triedtested
Looks like she’s having great fun. My little boy has something similar and he just throws them round the room. They’re now hidden on top of his wardrobe! x
lovely set of blocks. hopping by via #TriedTested
building blocks are always brilliant! loving gemmas story! #triedtested
Great ideas & very creative! Good luck with becoming a chosen one #triedTested