Review: Once Upon A Time Dominoes

Lara is turning into a very 'girly girl', with a strong interest in princesses, castles and the like - although she is still mad about Tree Fu Tom, trains, diggers, Mike the Knight and cars too!  But with her love of all things pink and princessy, she was delighted when were sent the neew Once Upon A Time Dominoes from Orchard Toys to review.

The dominoes feature jolly, friendly fairytale characters, like a princess, a mermaid, a unicorn, a dragon, a witch, a pixie and a fairy godmother, in lovely bright colours.  They are easy to recognise and match, and the cards are made from good thick board which will withstand many years of play.

Children aged 3 to 6 can match the enchanting characters and develop observational skills in this first dominoes game which, like all games and puzzles from Orchard Toys, is designed with educational goals in mind:

• Encourages observation

• Develops personal and social skills

• Links with Early Learning Goals in Creative Development

With a reputation for excellence of design, manufacture and service, Orchard Toys has been making educational and fun games and puzzles for children aged between 18 months and 12 years since 1971.  I doubt you'll find a primary classroom in the country that doesn't have a good stash of much-loved Orchard Toys games in the cupboard.  I had loads, some of which are now lining the shelves here for the girls when they're a little older.

Lara has really enjoyed playing with the dominoes and matching up the pictyures, but they have also been used for story-telling (by us and her), and to talk about the colours and objects in the pictures.  This open-ended use is one of the things I love most about Orchard Toys' products, and is part of the reason for their longevity and widespread use.

Lara is not the most patient of children (inherited her mother's Italianate temperament!), but she is quite happy to sit with these chunky, little hand-sized cards and match them up and make games with them.  She has been using them from about 2 years 10 months, and I know they are going to last and last.  Highly recommended.

The Once Upon A Time Dominoes retail at £9.50, and are available online from the Orchard Toys website, where you will find many more fabulous games and jigsaws to add to your shopping basket.  They can also  be found at all good toy shops, you can check where via the Stockist Finder.