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?
Looks
immense fun! I love building blocks, so much potential in learning, role play and fun!
Really nice post with some great pictures
These look fab and would make a lovely gift as well xx
They certainly are brightly coloured, I think my niece would like these.
Such a sweet game of bowling, these would be great for garden and indoor play.
Brilliant post! Max looked like he was having lots of fun with the safari blocks and you’ve found great ways to play with them x
Skittles! Genius! Love the little video too x
These look lovely. I love how colourful they are too. My little one would love them
These look like so much fun!
Alex x
http://www.bump-to-baby.com
Love the skittles idea, hadn’t thought of that. We were desperate to have a Safari Hunt in the garden but the weather here has been dire.
Great review, Kate. We love these blocks! Great little video 🙂
What a beautiful set of blocks! X
Lucky you! These look fab and something I know Harry would love. I’m definitely going to buy him some x #TriedTested
these blocks look education and entertaining, would definitely consider buying these ones or similar
Love this! Great review of what looks to be a fab toy for babies and preschool children. #Tried&Tested
hehe this is a fab review love the little video at the end, these are great for any age my boys would love them too! #triedtested
Fantastic post ! I’m linking up with #TriedTested for the first time !!! If you want to you could link up with my newish linky #iPotLinky ?? http://www.daddyspace.co.uk/2014/05/the-im-proud-of-that-link-up-ipotlinky.html 🙂
These are so cute, I love them! I’m a brand new blog so this is my first time linking up – hopefully I have done it correctly!
Super cute and very versatile. Love there are so many things you can do with the bricks.
#Tried/Tested
Fabulous review, and these do look like so much fun!