Review: Tickit Safari Animal Layer Puzzle, worth £29.99

Review by VIP Club Member Melanie Saunders

We absolutely love the safari animal puzzle! It’s been such a hit with both of my children, despite their age difference, and I love how many different ways there are to play with it.

My nearly 4-year-old has had a fab time drawing around the shape outlines of each animal (and then giving them faces and colouring them in!) and he is now so quick at matching the animals back to their correct spaces. My nearly 2-year-old is learning the names of all the different animals and is enjoying trying to match the shapes. It’s lovely to see them both getting something different out of the same toy.

This is so much more than just a simple shape sorter. I love that it has so many different aspects to it and how it grows with them. Because it’s so versatile, it keeps them entertained for much longer (and means the playroom doesn’t get trashed as quickly!)

I feel like there’s so much hidden learning in playing with this, it helps with learning animal names and recognising shapes, developing their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and problem-solving just to name a few.

The chunky wooden animals are a lovely size for little hands and I particularly like that they stand upright, which opens up even more opportunities for imaginative play.

The quality is lovely, too. The wooden pieces feel sturdy and well made. With so many plastic toys around, it's lovely to have something made from natural materials that feels a little more timeless. It also shows that kids don't need lots of buttons, lights or screens to keep them entertained, sometimes the simplest toys offer the most opportunities for them to develop their imaginations and creativity.

One of my favourite things about this puzzle is that it isn’t something children will necessarily outgrow quickly. There are so many ways to use it as their skills and imagination develop.

Overall, it’s a really versatile, beautifully made educational toy that encourages children to explore, learn and play independently or together. It’s definitely one we’d recommend!

Available to buy from tickit