When looking for toys for Miss Marnie I want them to be classic, creative and to fuel her imagination. I want her to want to play with them rather than open them and discard them quicker than we can get them out of the box. When the team at Chad Valley asked us to be part of their Play Panel I knew this could be a great way of introducing Miss M to some different toys – ones that we may have overlooked in the past.
Can you believe Chad Valley has been around since the early 19th century? And, even received a royal warrant in the 1930’s. Today, it’s sold exclusively at Argos making it accessible to all – and I think it’s still one of those toy brands most trusted by mums. I mean it seems to be a range I always fall back on for last-minute gifts for babies and toddlers for birthdays and Christmas.
Ok, so back to the Play Panel. Over the next few months, we’re going to be trying out some classic Chad Valley toys, games and dolls and giving you our honest opinion. I mean if a five-year old isn’t honest then I don’t know who is! But, on top of that Argos have given us vouchers to give away here – so you can experience the Chad Valley brand too. How brilliant is that? (All info on giveaway below)
Chad Valley Play Panel: Our first experience
From the moment our first parcel arrived Miss M has been playing with nothing else. Heres the pieces that really captured her:
The one that provides plenty of laughs…Chad Valley Wobbly Worms Game
The Wobbly Worms game is a colourful update to that classic tower game – Jenga. The game says 3+ years so at first I thought it may be too young for Miss M but to be honest the beauty of games is they really are ageless.
The usual wooden style blocks are replaced with plastic blocks with silly worm faces – that Miss M seemed to love that they looked like they were screaming. The colour dice indicates which block needs to be carefully removed and sacked at the top before the tower tumbles. The dice makes it easier for younger kids who may find the wooden version tricky and means they have some colour recognition going on too.
The tower doesn’t really stand for long – due to the chunky blocks but to be honest it gave her so many laughs it was an all-round, fun family game.
Buy the Chad Valley Wobbley Worm Game
The one that kept her entertained for hours…Chad Valley Be U 1000 Piece Sparkle Box
What’s not to love about a box full of sequins, stickers, glitter, gems, paper, pipe cleaners, pom noms and more. This decorate your own craft box contains so many craft pieces (1000 to be exact – although I didn’t check!) as well as child safe scissors, glue and pencils that Miss M really didn’t know what to do first.
It features a study cardboard treasure box to decorate that is perfect to use on a rainy afternoon – as we did – and then come back to it as and when. It provided hours of quiet, somewhat messy craft time that is then easily all packed away in the drawer and lidded area ready for another day of decorating. Miss M loved this and I think many of her friends would do. So, this is now high on my birthday gifts list. Its says its for 7+ but I would say at 5 this was ideal for Miss M – with a little adult help and supervision.
Buy the Chad Valley Be U 1000 Pieces Sparkle Box
The one that we’re saving for a sunny day…Chad Valley Jumbo Bowling
Miss M has played with these jumbo inflatable skittles as one of her cousins has them – so I already know they are a hit with her. Great fun in the garden for all the family young and old – and easy to pack away or even to pack and take on holiday
We’ve got these ready for a sunny day in the garden or even at the beach next year.
The one that almost got away…Chad Valley Designafriend Doll and Accessories
I say ‘almost got away’ because to be perfectly honest I’m not a fan of this style of doll. This is the sort of doll I will walk straight past in a toy shop and when it arrived in my Play Panel package I did wonder what to do. I actually did call the PR for Chad Valley and explain my reservations – as I feel my blog is my space and I only want to share things I truly love. And, I didn’t want to be dishonest and review a toy if my heart wasn’t in it
But, it also taught me something. Being part of this play panel is – ultimately about what Miss M wants to play with. So, even though initially I wasn’t going to give – or even show – this Design a Friend doll to her she caught sight of it and it was love at first sight! What could I do?
I understand Design a Friend is a collection of dolls, that each come dressed up in a lovely box with a charm friendship bracelet for the child to wear. The range of extras is vast – furniture, accessories and clothing sets (that each come with a charm to add to the friendship bracelet).
She has been playing with this doll and the accessories non-stop and I have to stop myself from commenting – as at the end of the day she loves playing with it and it makes her happy – and isn’t that what toys for children should do?
Buy Design a Friend collection here
** GIVEAWAY ** Win £75 in Argos vouchers to spend on Chad Valley toys
Fancy trying out some Chad Valley toys for yourself? Treat the kids to a selection of games, outdoor play and craft sets to keep them entertained this Winter. I have teamed up with Argos – the exclusive Chad Valley stockists – to offer one reader a £75 gift card to spend in stores nationwide.
Just fill in this rafflecopter form below and GOOD LUCK!
My daughter would like Sequestria Castle for Christmas so that’s what I’d buy at Argos
put it towards some new toys for my cousins
This would be super handy with Christmas approaching!
We are huge Chad valley fans, i would buy the Chad valley Jessica doll.
I would get the Chad Valley Tots Town Pirate Ship Playset for my grandson. Thank you for the chance x
my daughter is collecting the design a friend dolls so |i would buy those for her x
Love win the Chad valley bowling we spend hours in garden I didn’t even know this existed wow
would buy Christmas presents from Argos with the voucher
I would get the Chad Valley Floating Ball Fun Zone, it looks so much fun!
The guitar , my daughter would love it
My son would love the Chad Valley Car Transporter 😊
I’d like to buy one of those Baby Quad Bikes for my grandson, he’d love it xx
I would buy some more gifts of Chad valley for our Grandson
Cash register.
As many Chad valley toys as I could get for local food bank at Christmas
I would buy the Chad valley crane for my nephew!
The dolls house
i would get some ps4 games
I’m really tempted by the inflatable dinosaur! But would probably use it to get a game for sons console
I think my son would love the Chad valley animated dog
Would love to get the post office set and doll accessories for my two 🙂
I would buy the Chad Valley Tots Town Cottage Playset
I’d buy the Chad Valley Play Set Toy Kitchen.
i would love to get my son the chad valley airport playset
My daughter would absolutely love the Be U 1000 Piece Sparkle Box for her birthday next month! I’ve entered the competition. Great article, thank you!
The Wobbley worm game!
My granddaughter has asked for Georgie Interactive Puppy for christmas so i would get her this
Looks like alot of fun. My daughter is just getting the hang of toys. ☺
I’d use the £75 gift card towards the Chad Valley Farmhouse
designadoll
I would buy my son a pretend till and wooden train set x
I’d probably go for the Chad Valley Fire Station for my son 🙂
I like the look of the Chad Valley Airport set for my little Grandson
I love the designafriend collection
I’d love to buy Star Wars bb8
Great blog x
Argos is so brilliant for toys!! I’d probably put the money towards a Nintendo Switch for my three children as they want it so much! 😀
I would buy the Chad Valley Baby Activity Saucer
that wobbley worm game looks hilarious! i need it
One thing I would definitely buy would be the Chad Valley street showdown racing track & cars set because I had one just like it when I was younger 🙂 x
LOVE the Chad Valley Fire station
Chad Valley 6ft Trampoline, my son really wants one! I’m just worries it will blow away on a stormy night! 😉
I loved Jenga as a child and would love to introduce E&E to the game.
The Chad valley airport looks really fun for my son
Chad Valley Fire station
I’d but my niece the Chad Valley Designafriend Wooden Dolls House plus Ioved my dolls house I’d play to lol.
My girls would love the Chad Valley trampoline. 🙂
The Chad Valley Be U 1000 Piece Sparkle Box, it looks so much fun & I know a little lady who would love this
i would use it for christmas presents – maybe some books
I would buy design a friend accessories for my niece as she loves them.
The pirate town play boat for my pirate mad little girl!
I think my grandaugter would like the doll you havw reviewed.
towards my daughters bike and safety helmet x
My son would like a Robo lizard and 5 Second Rule game
i would buy a designafriend doll and clothes for our daughter and some craft kits towards her Christmas gifts x
i love the chad vally band set, fingers crossed this would help with christmas
I would by the chadvelley airport for my great nephew he would love it
thank you for the chance to win
Would put towards a playhouse for my two boys
Top of my LG’S list is the bush babies tree house and all the baby pods to fill it.
Would love to try the kitchen play items my son loves playing kitchen
i would get the gorgeous dolls house for my niece , its on her Christmas list
The Chad Valley Airport Play Set and the Crane :o)
I’d get a baby doll for my daughter 🙂
would put it towards buying Christmas presents
I’d buy my daughter a tiny treasures doll, they are so cute! She has the boy one and would love the girl one x
Every little boy loveshas aeroplanes!! Really good.collection
Some toy cars
I think I would buy the Chad Valley Jessica doll as my niece would love it
I like the Chad Valley Be U Creative Jewellery Set
I’d buy the Chad Valley Airport for my little boy.
The StarWars BB8 toy seems to be the obsession of the moment and my nephews would love it to bits
Well the Chad Valley Wobbly Worms Game looks great so i’d have to start with that for the youngest and then maybe something Lego/Star wars for the oldest if I won!
Would put it towards a bike for my little girl
I’d put it towards a new toaster and kettle set as ours are very much on their last legs! Where would I be without coffee and toast lol
I Would buy the Chad Valley 5 Level Car Park with Car
We have just painted our bedroom, so would use it to buy a purple rug to go with our new colour.
The ride on train
I would buy the Chad Valley Airport Playset from Argos for my grandson
we love the designafriends dolls
The Chad Valley Airport Playset for my nephew 🙂
Gift it to the wife
I’d put it towards a new toaster and kettle
Chad valley fire station looks good
my daughter loves the designafriend dolls so i would buy her a doll and some bits to go with it, possibly the horse and some clothes.
I’d love the Chad Valley Baby Playnest, I’m due my first in March!
The chad valley 6ft trampoline would be great
Georgie Interactive Puppy is lovely my granddaughter would love it
I would buy something for my granddaughter
Buy some presents for my little sister
Baby dolls
I would get the Beats by Dre EP On-Ear Headphones – Black they’re a great price
I’d buy my daughter some design a friend accessories
Love to spend on on some toys for my niece xx
I would get the Chad Valley Baby Activity Saucer for my baby boy 🙂 Thanks xx
chad valley fire station and maybe some lego
The Wobbly Worms game looks like great fun so I would probably buy one of them
id buy my daughter Chad Valley Tiny Treasures Baby Doll with Pink Outfit & Hat shes three and loves babies and for her newborn brother id buy Chad Valley Floating Ball Fun Zone he will love it 😀 and tbf the 3 year old will aswell sharing is caring
Sylvanian Families Beechwood Hall Gift Set is top of my great-niece’s wish-list and she’s worked so hard at school this year and got lots of stars and awards I think she’s earned it. She’s also been very good to her baby sister Mylah and will help her Mum to look after Mylah (which we were a bit concerned about).
One of the things I would buy is the chad valley guitar for my son.
I would spend it on christmas and birthday present for my boy and would put it towards hot wheels and some other bits for him xx
love this!
I would love to get my daughter the Chad Valley Deluxe Large Kitchen. This is any little girl’s dream. (when she gets older she’ll realise that being in the kitchen all the time isn’t all its cracked up to be lol) Thank you
I would put it towards a Chad Valley Ride on Car for my son x
I would spoil my daughter Ava 😀
I’d buy some dinosaurs for my son
the Chad Valley Fire station is on my daughters Christmas list 😀 xxx
I’d put it towards a Nintendo Switch
I like the Chad Valley airport x
it would have to be the chad valley inflatable goal set for my nephews they would love it
My goodness. So much choice! Aqua magic mat is right up there as is the activity triangle but I also love the baby play net and the ball pool. So many choices and with such good prices I could probably buy them all!! (Very excited first time mummy)
I’d love to get the till and some toys for my boy 🙂
Id buy the chad valley fire station for my nephew 🙂
I would buy some Star Wars Lego from Argos
my daughter has asked for a few family games , so want to get her connect 4 and kplunk
I would get a designafriend doll for my 5 year old with some outfits too x
I would buy my niece a Chad Valley Keyboard….revenger for buying my daughter play-doh hahahaha
I’d treat my son to the chad valley 6ft trampoline.
I’d put it towards an Xbox one S
I would buy some games for my children. The Wobbly Worms game looks great!
I’d buy my daughter a baby walker and my son an imaginext toy! thanks for the chance 🙂