CHOOSING TOYS FOR KIDS! SPECIAL GIVEAWAY FROM CLICK-CLACK TOYS!

As an occupational therapist and mum, I always have a mental checklist when I am buying toys for my own kids, my practice and as gifts for others.

1. Is the toy made well?
2. Does the toy promote skill development (motor, problem solving, pretend play, co-operation, sensory)?
3. Is the toy "open ended"? Can it be used in a few different ways?
4. Will the toy endure the test of time?
5. Is the toy appealing?

I have recently discovered the beautiful range of Click Clack Toys: "Designing for today's kids for tomorrow's world"!  Click Clack Toys is an Australian owned company which designs and makes handmade toys.  Click Clack Toys have sent me some of their toys for the purposes of review and have a given me an "Airport Starter Kit" and "Helicopter" to giveaway to one lucky Australian reader. More details to follow below.

Back to my checklist when choosing toys...

Is the toy well made?
I was really pleased to "feel" the Click Clack Toys.   The wood is really smooth and made from sustainably managed plantation timber forests. They use water-based non-toxic paint which add really great detail to the toys and won't scratch off easily. 

Does the toy promote skill development (motor, visual-motor, problem solving, pretend play, co-operation, sensory)?
A big tick here! The unique design and main feature of these toys are that they "click" together.  Children are encouraged to join parts of the toy together to make a whole.  From a simple animal "Critterz" that has two parts to a more complex vehicle and then to building a structure that houses the vehicle.   This promotes your child's busy fingers to match components using  fine motor skills, hand strength as well as their problem solving skills.  Younger kids will need help to match the right parts together. Once "clicked" into place, the toys are ready to be played with!

This is where imaginary and pretend play take over.  There are a wide range of vehicles in the range including a plane, helicopter, police car, postal van, fire truck and more.  Made at just the right size for little hands to move, these vehicles can be used to create their own stories of rescue, delivery and construction.  Children develop play themes from their experience with books, story telling and real life opportunities.  Visiting the local fire station may encourage "fire truck" play to rescue people or animals.  Watching a building site may encourage "diggers" and "cement mixers" to create their own work site.  Seeing a plane flying over the house may create intrigue about "plane" and "airport" play. 
​
The "Critterz" range are incredibly cute animals that "pull back" on wheels.  Hand skills are put into practise applying just enough pressure to activate the "pull back" mechanism before seeing these animals race away.  Great for racing with a friend or sibling.  We found the perfect spot on the trampoline!

​Is the toy "open ended"? Can it used in a few different ways?
These toys are definitely "open ended".  Although the nature of the vehicle, structure and animal may guide initial play ideas... there are no set rules.  Children may play with these toys and have a different "story" each time.  The "helicopter" might fly to rescue someone an accident in the snowy mountains one day and then fly on a sight-seeing tour over a volcano next time.  Some children will need help to think of new ideas as play is initially limited to personal experiences. 

To extend play, children may like to use existing toys or create their own extensions. For example, they may create a cardboard city for the people to visit.  They may use blocks to build a bridge or animal shelter. They may use playdough or kinetic sand as a "building material" for the construction toys. 

Changing "where" your child plays with their toys will also extend play.  We took our play set and critterz onto the trampoline! 

Will the toy endure the test of time?
These quality toys are "classics".  They do not follow the latest blockbuster movie or cartoon character.  These toys build on traditional play experiences.  These toys are built to last and can be passed onto the next generation!

Is the toy appealing?
When we opened the box, my children instantly found the toys appealing.  They are child-friendly in size and shape. The painted features and life-like resemblance of the toys will appeal to both kids and adults. The wheels work on the vehicles and "Critterz", moving these great distances on smooth surfaces. Both Mr 6 and Miss 10 found this very appealing as they raced their "Critterz". 
​​
For more information about Click Clack Toys, refer to their website.

Love the sound of Click Clack Toys? Thanks to the lovely people at Click Clack Toys, I am giving away an "Airport Starter Kit and Helicopter" to celebrate reaching 4000 Your Kids OT FB likers!  This set will make an excellent Christmas present for your child, niece, nephew or grand child! Open to Australian residents, enter now! 

Note: I have not received remuneration or compensation from Click Clack Toys.  I have been gifted an "Airport Starter Kit and Helicopter" and Critterz for this review.  All comments and opinions are my own.  Click Clack Toys will supply the winner of this giveaway an "Airport Starter Kit and Helicopter". 

Conditions apply.
1. This is a game of skill.  Mandatory requirements include visiting Your Kids OT FB page and Click Clack Toys FB page.  Entries must answer the question "Complete Click Clack Toys slogan - Designing for today's kids for ........".  Additional entry points are given for following Your Kids OT and Click Clack Toys on Instagram. 
2. This game is open to Australian residents only.
3. This game of skill is open from Monday 26/09/2016 12am and closes Monday 17/10/2016 12am (Sydney time).
4. Eligible prize winners will be drawn randomly on the 17/10/2016 at 12:00PM. Prize winners will be notified via YOUR KIDS OT Facebook page and private message.  Prize winners must inform Your Kids OT of their mailing address within 48 hours of being notified as the winning entry. 
5. There will be 1 prize winner drawn with the winner receiving an airport starter pack and helicopter.  The prize will be delivered by Click Clack toys directly to the winner.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway