Bigjigs Fairy Figure of Eight Train Set - Review & Giveaway #PlayPatrol

We have absolutely loved being a part of the Bigjigs Play Patrol over the past few months and we've enjoyed testing out a variety of different sets from the Bigjigs rail range. Most of what we've reviewed were stereotypically "boys themes", E loves train sets and had as much fun as C, but there's no denying that she can be a typical girly girl who loves all things pink too.

The Bigjigs Fairy Figure of Eight Train Set was perfect for her. She was so excited to have a train set just for her and instantly fell in love before I'd even opened the box because she spotted her favourite pink and purple colours.

The set contains 40 pieces:

• 17 pieces of track
• 2 ramps
• 3 train pieces
• 2 signs
• 8 trees
• 2 toadstools
• 3 fairies
• 3 houses

Figure of eight sets are always my favourite to put together because they are so simple - there really is no way you can get it wrong. It took about five minutes to set it all up and E was raring to go. As well as pushing the train around the track, E enjoyed making the fairies interact with each other, play at their houses and go for rides on the train. As long as you have your imagination, you can do anything.

In typical Bigjigs fashion, the wooden train track and ramps are left plain but sanded down which just makes it look gorgeous and good for little hands to hold (no risk of splinters!). All of the other pieces are painted beautifully with tons of detail included from little hedges on the houses and apples on the trees. You can also purchase addional track and accessories to expand the set.

I think it's beautiful toy for any child who loves fairytales and train sets. The Fairy Figure of Eight Train Set retails at £25.99 and is available from the Bigjigs website. You can also keep up to date with all things Bigjigs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Want to win a Bigjigs Fairy Figure of Eight Train Set for your little one for Christmas? Just enter via the Gleam widget below. Don't forget to read the terms and conditions before entering. Good luck!

T&C's:

• The giveaway will run from 24th October to November 12th
• One winner will win one Bigjigs Fairy Figure of Eight Train Set
• Open to entrants aged 18+
• UK residents only 
• One entry per person
• No automated entries

Bigjigs Fairy Figure of Eight Train Set

(We received this item for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)  

 

Bigjigs High Level Expansion Set - Review #PlayPatrol

We absolutely love being a part of the Bigjigs #PlayPatrol. We have already reviewed three items of the Bigjigs Rail range and were so excited to receive our next item. We never know what we are going to get so it's always a lovely surprise. 

 

This time round, we received the Bigjigs High Level Expansion Set. As the name suggests, this works best as an add-on to a track set but if you already own some Bigjigs compatible trains, you could probably use it as a standalone. 

 

The set is comprised of 27 pieces; 17 pieces of train track and 10 girders of a different height. I have to admit that I got myself a bit confused whilst setting it up (although that could be because I had two excited children chattering in my ear). I made sure that I had each girder in height order to make it easier for me to know which one corresponded to the letter in the instruction sheet. They don't go in size order so I think that threw me a bit. 

 

Eventually, I got that track built and I was pleased with how sturdy it is. Each girder has little grooves to hold the track in place so I don't have to worry about the children playing a little too roughly and me having to fix it over and over again.

Both C and E really enjoy this track because it's so different to any other track that we have had. The circular shape is new, as is the fact that there are two levels to it. E gets very excited and refers to it as a "train slide" - super cute! She was also excited to see the little plant and animal images on the sides of the girders. These are made of plastic and I like that there are two different textures to the track. They also add a bit of colour to the plain wooden track. 

 

I've found that the children need to focus a bit more when moving the train around. If they take their eyes off for a second, they tend to lose momentum so it's great for hand-eye coordination and dexterity. They have been playing together with two trains most of the time and using their imaginations to construct a little scenario that is happening between them. 

 

If your children are fans of train tracks - they will love this! The Bigjigs High Level Expansion Set retails at £34.99. You can find out more at the Bigjigs website and you can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. 

(We received this item as part of our role as member of the Bigjigs #PlayPatrol. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

 

Bigjigs Dungeon - Review #PlayPatrol

As a member of the Bigjigs Play Patrol, last time round, we reviewed the Medieval Train Set which the children loved and this time we are testing out the Dungeon. I love that although it isn't a full train set, it connects well to the previous set for additional play.

The Medieval Train Set and Dungeon tie in well together so as soon as it arrived, C was eager to get both sets built up to play together. The Dungeon comes in only ten pieces, including lanterns and a pillory, and I was able to put it together easily in a matter of seconds. It comes with a few pieces of track and really the only difficult part was deciding where to connect it with our previous set.

C and E very happily engaged with the set along with the character figures from the Medieval Castle and I feel like it's enhanced their play. C's favourite aspect of the Dungeon set is the shutter to allow the train to stop or pass through the actual dungeon. 

The set has been a great educational tool too. C, at four years old, has not yet learned much about castles and dungeons so he was really interested in learning what dungeons were and what they're used for.

All in all, I think it's a fab addition to any existing track set, as it doesn't come with a train itself, although it works fantastically with the Bigjigs Medieval Castle. The pieces are all made from sturdy wood which is sanded smoothly so it's perfect for little hands. The paintwork is brilliant too.

The Bigjigs Dungeon is recommended for children aged 3+ and retails at £20.99. You can find out more at the Bigjigs website and you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

(I received this item for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

 

Bigjigs Medieval Train Set - Review #PlayPatrol

We were so excited to recently become a part of the Bigjigs Play Patrol, meaning that we will have the opportunity to review some toys from the Bigjigs Rail range. This could not be more perfect for C as he's very much a typical boy who has adored trains since he was a baby. Since his little sister E has grown up, she loves playing trains with her big brother too.

The first set that we received was the Medieval Train Set and honestly, it's as though Bigjigs knew how much C loves this type of thing. He actually requested to dress up as a knight for Halloween last year. As you can imagine, he was delighted and instantly asked to play with the knight figures.

The Medieval Train Set contains 46 pieces in total which looked a little scary in the box and instruction sheet but I was able to put it together in less than five minutes. The castle is the main feature with a train track that runs through it and lots of figures of people, trees, a target and well.

The attention to detail in the set is fantastic. The Queen's colours are blue and the King's are red and there are even blue and red banners for the front of the castle and matching stands. Each person is painted front and back which I thought was a lovely touch as you can see all the detail in their clothing.

C is a massive fan of role-playing so his favourite thing to do is to have the jester make the King and Queen laugh or have the knight rescue the gold from the train which is being protected by a scary dragon. The set helps children with dexterity, imagination, creativity, co-ordination, problem solving and cause and effect. The thing C struggles with most is getting the train around the entire track whilst the three carriages are connected by the magnets. He tends to go a bit fast when he's excited which means the wheels don't always stay in the right place - he's getting there though! 

I've been observing both C and E playing with the Medieval Train Set together and it is just so lovely to watch. They really enjoy creating scenarios for the characters together and coming up with new ways to play. The chunky wooden pieces are very well made and smooth so they are perfect for little hands to play with. My two can also be quite rough with playtime so I always look for toys that will last. I'm pleased to say that the set has withstood the force that C and E have exerted on it - even the thinner, castle pieces - definitely a plus when you have young children! 

The Bigjigs Medieval Train Set is suitable for children aged 3+ (although I have been letting E aged 2.5 play with it when supervised) and it retails at £42.99.

You can find out more at the Bigjigs website or you can keep up to date on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

(We received this item as part of our role as Bigjigs Play Patrol bloggers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)