Games and Puzzles

An early matching game for children aged four and above. Roll the two dice and find the corresponding dinosaur.  One dice shows the colour of the dinosaur you're looking for, the other the skin pattern (striped, spotty or plain). 

Teaches pattern recognition, coordination and social development apparently.

Age suitability: 4 years plus.

Box size: 1.2 x 10.0 x 14.5 cm

This games teaches children about different foods and ingredients.

Each player takes a chef's board.  The square cards showing ingredients and cooking utensils are spread face down on the table.  The first player picks a card.  If it matches a picture on the chef's board, the picture is placed on the matching item.  If not, it is returned face down to the table.  Once the player has filled their board, they then have to spin a plate on the spinner and finally  they have to spin a child on the spinner which signifies that the meal is 'cooked'.  The winner is the first to cook their meal.

2-5 players

Age suitability: 3-6 years

Orchard Toys is a Norfolk-based company designing and making their games in-house. They have been going for years and have a reputation for producing good, honest games which are both fun and educational.  All the games are fully tested by teachers and of course by children so they are totally safe and dependable.

Most of the games are aimed at the 3-6 year olds.  To an adult the games will inevitably seem somewhat simplistic but they really know that age group so I never have any hesitation about recommending them.  Obviously children develop at different rates so some children may not be able to follow the instructions at first but that doesn't seem to matter as they enjoy playing with the colourful cards.  As the child develops, it isn't long before they fully appreciate the game and they benefit from the educational aspects whilst enjoying themselves.

This is a game for 3-7 year olds designed to encourage matching and memory.  It is Orchard's best selling game and has sold over a million copies, not bad for a little company.

Each player takes a shopping list and a shopping trolley.The cards are spread face downwards on the table. The first player player chooses a card, turns it over and, if it matches an item on his shopping list, puts it in his trolley. If it doesn't match, he shows it to the other players and then returns it to the table face downwards. The next player then makes his choice.  The winner is the person who fills their trolley first.

2-4 players

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Orchard Toys is a Norfolk-based company designing and making their games in-house. They have been going for years and have a reputation for producing good, honest games which are both fun and educational.  All the games are fully tested by teachers and of course by children so they are totally safe and dependable.

Most of the games are aimed at the 3-6 year olds.  To an adult the games will inevitably seem somewhat simplistic but they really know that age group so I never have any hesitation about recommending them.  Obviously children develop at different rates so some children may not be able to follow the instructions at first but that doesn't seem to matter as they enjoy playing with the colourful cards.  As the child develops, it isn't long before they fully appreciate the game and they benefit from the educational aspects whilst enjoying themselves.

28 chunky wooden dominoes in a sturdy wooden box with a sliding lid.

Storage box measures about 33 x 20 x 2.5 cm

Age suitability: 3 years +

BJ157