The Christmas Bigjigs Advent Calendar continues today, and for each day leading up to Christmas Day.

The Christmas Bigjigs Advent Calendar continues today, and for each day leading up to Christmas Day.

The Christmas Bigjigs Advent Calendar continues today, and for each day leading up to Christmas Day.

Play Patrol 2016 Agents

Thank you to everyone who sent in their applications, we have been inundated with applicants again, which we thank you for and it has a really been a tough decision to pick the final 6 for each category, but, we have selected our finalists, without further ado please see below if you are successful...

The confirmed line up for the reviewing panel for Play Patrol 2016:

Bloggers

Catherine Killen

Donna Wishart

Jade Wilson

Sarah Brew

Tami Anderson

Zoe Lester

Vloggers

Christina Gibson

Hannah Atkinson

Kara Guppy

Lisa Hodson

Sabrina Jillah

Sophie Hull

Retailers

TBC

If your name appears above, please all check your emails for more information.

If you name does not appear, please do not be disheartened, we may be in touch in the future for other opportunities, watch this space.

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If you already have a Bigjigs Toys and would like the chance to win £20

Simply review the item here

you have a chance to WIN every month!

Top 5 Gifts Bigjigs Toys Ltd for Boys and Girls

These are the results of the two polls we placed on our social media channels a few weeks ago; we invited all of the Bigjigs Rail, Bigjigs Toys & Green Toys followers on Facebook and Twitter to vote for their child's or children's favourite toys.

Many people questioned why the polls were split by gender, and suggested it was creating a stereotype, and suggested incorrectly, that here at Bigjigs Toys that boys should play with blue toys and girls with pink, because we produce toys in these colours. However, this was not the intention at all. This quote sums up my response to those felt this;

"Pink and blue aren't the problem, it's the meaning people attach to those colors that become problematic,"

Katie Hurley, LCSW, a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting expert, and author of the new book, "The Happy Kid Handbook".

The intention was to create a list of the top 5 gifts for boys and girls, in an effort to help the struggling gift buyers this season; often gift buyers will not know your child, like you do, gender whether we like it or not is often one factor which will help with the gift buying selection process.

each parent selected 5 toys that their child would love as a gift, often with the help of their children from a list of 20 toys, which was the same for boys and girls:

The list of 20 toys:

My Tool Bench Dino Train Set Farm Train Set Magnetic Fishing Game with Base Cook Set Trike (blue) Heritage Playset Rose Cottage My Tool Box Click Blocks (Intermediate)

Stacking Tower Cleaning Set Alice Doll Trike (red) Trike (pink) Magnetic Theatre Jar of Nuts and Bolts Candy Floss Food Mixer Set Cutting Fruit Chef Set Fairy Town Train Set Tool Set

With a mix of themes, colours and products, this gave the children and parents the opportunity to pick their favourites, and of course, the results were different for both genders, it was great to see the following from the results!

1. My Tool Bench
2. Dino Train Set
3. Farm Train Set
4. Magnetic Fishing Game with Base
5. Cook Set GW

1. Farm Train Set

2. Tool Set

3. Alice Doll

4. Rose Cottage

5. Cook Set

So, if you are struggling with gift buying or know someone who will be this Christmas then refer them to this list, which has been selected by parents and their children!

And if you still need more help, refer to our Top 10 Toys post or our Gift Finder.

When I was on my family holiday to my hometown in Yorkshire I made an effort to visit the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

Do you limit screen time?

It is a concern for many, a godsend for some and a pain for other.

Interestingly, 87% of all of the parents surveyed, limit screen time.

Over the past 10-15 years or so, many toy companies have integrated technology into toys. It is not unusual for technology to be a part of a child's life from an early age. This brings the need for many parents to monitor their child's use of technology and in some cases limit it. Bigjigs Toys are designed to be enjoyed for pure play, with traditional play value and therefore, do not include technology or screens.

However, it is important for Bigjigs to understand our customers and their needs regarding toys.

Your opinions count, in order to find out more, we invited our social media followers to give their opinions in our survey.

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The Results of the Toys and Technology Survey

the number of respondents who completed the survey

90% of the respondents were female and the remaining 10% male

Majority of respondents were aged between 25 and 44

98% of those who responded were parents or guardians

The majority of respondents have 2 or 3 children

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87% of the parents who limited screen time:

Typically, their children are allowed from 30 minutes to 2 hours screen time per day.

A few parents chose to give alternative answers about how many minutes they allow for screen time:

- Give less than 30 minutes per day

- Only allow at certain times of the day

- Allow on certain days of the week

- Use as a reward for good behaviour

- Limit use dependent on which child and their age

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Parent vs Toys and Technology

When asked which type of toys the parents prefer:

74% say that toys without technology are better

26% prefer toys with technology

Child vs Toys and Technology

When asked which type of toys the respondents children prefer:

52% prefer with technology

48% disagree and think toys without technology are better

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What type of Toy buyer are you?

We asked the respondents to pick from the following options about what type of toy buyer they are:

18%: I am a traditional toy buyer; choosing toys without technology or screens

44%: I am a playful toy buyer, choosing toys with or without technology, it should just be fun

35%: I am an educational toy buyer choosing toys with technology or not, it should be educational

2%: I am a techno toy buyer, all or most of the toys I buy should include technology

1%: Educational and fun toys which are engaging, some technology, some without

65% of Traditional toy buyers stated that their children also prefer toys without technology, the other 35% disagree with their parents opinion about technology and toys.

71% of educational buyers said that toys that do not include technology are better.

So, the results from the survey show that many parents limit screen time for their children, ultimately, you should do what is right for you and your family.

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Thank you all for taking part in the survey!

Do you agree with the above results from Toys and Technology survey?

Give your opinion about screen time in the comments below.

Well done to the winner of the Mini Play Farm Set

Dan Kat

Visit Bigjigs Toys

Following the popularity of my first review looking at the Black 5, Bigjigs have kindly sent me another loco to review and it is not a great surprise that I went for the ranges only Bulleid locomotive - the Bluebell Railway's 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair.

Bigjigs Top 10 Christmas Toys

The poll is closed for Top 10 Bigjigs Christmas Toys, thank you to everyone who took part; many social media followers voted for their Top 10 Bigjigs Christmas Toys and Rail, Gowi Toys and Green Toys products.

We are pleased to announce the Top 10. Find these below, each with a short description about why we think each product is a perfect gift this Christmas!

1.Heritage Playset Rose Cottage JT101

This beautiful award winning Rose Cottage will make a huge impact wrapped up by the Christmas tree, at just under 1m tall and wide. It was voted number one because once it is unwrapped this cottage will become cherished and part of the furniture in your home for many years to come, and your little one can fill it and dress it up using their imagination and the 27 pieces which come with it.

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2. Bigjigs Rail Dino Train Set BJT035

The fantasy Dino rail set is a popular choice at number 2 in the poll, it will transport your little Bigjigger to a land of prehistoric creatures and pools of lava, with brightly coloured play pieces and track that will create endless playtime fun! Also, an award-winning toy; taking home Gold from the Practical Preschool awards this year, it certainly is a true winner!

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3. Bigjigs My Tool Bench BJ310

A good workman never blames his tools, and who could blame these tools anyway, voted as number 3 in the poll, another BIG hit wrapped up and next to the tree, it's a sizable gift measuring 1.25m high and 1m wide! This tool bench is what every young crafter needs to get to grips with understanding what each tool does and developing their dexterity and co-ordination.

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4. Bigjigs Rail Fairy Town Train Set BJT023

It is not surprising this pretty in pink train set has made number 4 on the poll, it is has been a popular choice over the years and has won many awards! The 75 colour co-ordinated play pieces, including a pink bridge and pastel coloured engine-shed, creates the prettiest of landscapes in any home.

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5. Bigjigs Rail Farm Train Set BJT036

Another firm favourite from the Bigjigs Rail range is the Farm theme which was new for 2015; the Farm train brings the farmyard to your front room, including a duck, pig, sheep and chicken! With 44 pieces to play with, this is a great set to start your collection.

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6. Bigjigs Cutting Fruit Chef Set BJ648

At number 6 this bright selection of play food and apron are a hit, creating a perfect excuse to learn about healthy foods and kitchen safety, this is a great present for any little Bigjigger!

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7. Bigjigs Candy Floss Food Mixer Set BJ396

Pretty as a picture this food mixer set is perfect to help discover the art of baking in pastel shades, part of a wider candy floss range this would make a great gift for any little Bigjigger baker this Christmas.

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8. Bigjigs Click Blocks (Intermediate) BB402

An award-winning set, with a multitude of colours, shapes and build possibilities, these click blocks are a great gift with so much play potential. Stack the blocks to create towers, buildings, vehicles and then when you are done detach them all and start again!

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9. Bigjigs Magnetic Theatre BJ948

Perfect for panto season, let the show begin, this little theatre will help make memories over the Christmas festive period using their imagination to create scenes from 3 favourite classic children's stories using the 18 magnetic play pieces, of which include the Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella.

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10. Gowi Toys Cook Set GW45471

A favourite from the Gowi Toys range, this cook set is a brilliant ensemble of 15 brightly coloured utensils to whip up an imaginary treat for all your visitors through the festive season and beyond! This is a perfect little present to create a culinary collection this Christmas, which will ignite their passion for cooking and food preparation.

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Buy Now: bigjigstoys.com

Do you want to join the Bigjigs review Team? We need you! 2016 is set to be a fantastic year for Bigjigs Toys, with lots of new products in the range. What's more, we are looking for a new team of reviewers to blog and vlog about the new products. Starting in January 2016, we will select a new toy every month for you and send it out, it is then up to you and your little bigjiggers (0months -6years) to review it and get it posted! If you would like to join the Play Patrol team and review the new products for 2016, follow the link for either PDF or Word Survey: PDF - Play Patrol Survey / Word - Play Patrol Word Survey Complete the form with all of your information and be as honest as possible, save and send to us @ bigjigstoys@bigjigstoys.com , please use your name as the title of the email & 'PlayPatrol - BigBlog'. Once we have all of the surveys back we will choose who we think will be the most honest reviewers. The team will be made up of 6 vloggers, 6 bloggers for January to June, and also 2 retailers per month will review a toy. We will let you know by email who will become part of the team in November. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Kind Regards Bigjigs Toys

Last month we celebrated Get Caught Reading month and invited you to share photos with us on social media of your mini bookworm enjoying their favourite book. We've collected up all the snaps and created one big montage of our Bigjigs bookworms. We hope they're all enjoying reading with their new Bigjigs wooden bookmarks! Thank to everyone who got involved. Follow our other activities on social media by finding us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

Although they may not realize it, playing with toys is how children practice for growing older. The toys that parents choose for their children have a significant impact on many aspects of the child's overall development, including his or her motor skills, cognitive function, social skills, and problem solving skills. Many progressive parents are carefully considering which toys their children should use, as toys can shape their future. Here are just a few of the benefits the right toys can provide. Cognitive Skills Toys help your child to learn about cause and effect. For example, a baby may learn that shaking a rattle causes noise. When a toddler stacks building blocks, they realize that pushing on them knocks the tower down. To an adult, these facts of life are so basic that they Don't ever cross our minds, but for a developing child, every discovery is significant. Puzzles can help children to fit the pieces together, providing valuable insight about perspective and problem solving. Toys that must be assembled in a certain order can be great for memory. A Sense of Well-Being It is so important to provide a safe and comforting environment for your child. Spending time playing with children alone gives them a feeling of protection and well-being. Reading books, working on puzzles, teaching them with flash cards, and other educational activities let children know that someone cares about them and wants the best for them. It is important to form a strong relationship with children early on, and toys are the perfect outlet to accomplish that. Social Skills Interacting with your child regularly allows them to develop important social and communication skills. Once the child becomes old enough, playing with other children is crucial. Educational toys give children common ground to relate to, allowing for accelerated interactions. While there is nothing wrong with playing with dolls or action figures, incorporating other educational toys into the mix makes playtime more productive. And, your child doesn't even need to know that they are playing with educational toys! Remember, fun and educational Don't have to be mutually exclusive. Physical Growth Just like with adults, regular exercise helps your child to be happy and healthy. The right toys can help them to fall in love with physical activity early, setting an important precedent that can last a lifetime. Bring a child to the playground can be a wonderful treat, and it also helps them to stay active. Physical activity also improves basic skills like balance, while also instilling less tangible gifts like motivation and drive. Exercise gives your child an outlet to let off aggression and stress in a natural and healthy way. Plus, it helps children to sleep better at night, which means you do too. Invest in Your Child's Future There are endless reasons why you should keep your child's playroom stocked with educational toys. Try to find a balance between fun for the sake of fun, and fun for the sake of learning and developing. Your child deserves the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, so consider the long-term implications of the toys you buy. Bigjigs Toys offer a wide range of educational toys, available to purchase online and in independent toy shops nationwide. Author Bio Alicia Dobbs is a proud mother of three, and a toy enthusiast by proxy. Working with Educational Insights has helped her to understand the importance of using the right toys during a child's developmental stages, and she is committed to sharing this valuable information with other parents.