REVIEW: Orchard Toys Christmas Surprises

Christmas is all the more magical since becoming a mother. Especially this year. Now that Little N is 3 years old he understands what Christmas is about and he recognises lots of things related to the festive season, like snow, Santa, reindeer, Christmas trees and, of course, presents! It makes the planning and preparation for Christmas so much more fun for me, knowing that my little boy is brimming with excitement. To get us in the festive spirit we have been playing the Orchard Toys Christmas Surprises game which was sent to us to review.



Orchard Toys is a British company that has been making educational games and puzzles for over 40 years. With the ethos of "learning made fun" their toys are bright and colourful, offer great value for money, and teach children about language, literacy, numbers, counting, matching, sorting, telling the time, colours, new words and also about sharing, as many of their games are multiplayer.
Orchard Toys Christmas Surprises* (£9.50) is a multiplayer game suitable for 2-4 players and it is aimed at children aged 3-6 years old. There are two games in one: it has a colour match game and a shape sorting game. Th game includes four large double-sided cardboard boards, two die, and several smaller cardboard pieces to go with each of the games.



Little N and I played the colour match game first. In this game each player has a Christmas tree and takes turns rolling the coloured dice. When the dice lands on a colour, you select a bauble with the same colour to put on your tree, and the first player to get all of the baubles on their tree wins!



Over the last couple of months Little N has been getting to grips with learning colours and this game was a fun way for him to practise and show his knowledge whilst still having fun. He found it a little frustrating when he rolled a colour that he already had, and he didn't understand why he couldn't just choose one of the colours that he needed, but considering this is first introduction to board games he did ever so well and was very patient.



Once we finished playing the colour match game, we moved on to playing the shape game. We turned our boards over to reveal Santa and his sack of presents. In this game each player takes turns to roll the dice and when the dice lands on a shape you can add that shaped present to your Santa sack. The first person to get all of the presents wins. With the shape game there is an added element of surprise; once the game is over you turn over the presents to see what is inside them!



Little N has only recently started to learn about shapes so this is a really good game for him and really tested his knowledge. Like with the colour game, he keeps trying to take the shape that he needs rather than waiting until he had rolled it; his impatience did make me laugh! I am sure that in time he will begin to better understand the rules of the game and why he must wait.

This is a fantastic game and has given us lots of fun, whilst helping Little N learn about shapes, colours and improving his coordination at the same time. It is perfect for his age and a great way to introduce him to board games - and get us all in the festive spirit! Pop over to Orchard Toys to find out more about Christmas Surprises and other games.

Do your children enjoy learning through play?


Originally published 17/12/2015; updated 03/12/2020

22 comments

  1. What a great purchase particularly since it is both educational and fun. I like that it teaches colours and shapes

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  2. This game seems like a great way for a child to learn about colours and shapes while having fun.

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  3. Aw this is such a lovely gift, i like that they can play and lear at the same time xxx

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  4. These look such lovely games and would make ideal presents for my nephew x

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  5. my kids have this game. They love playing with the santa's presents side.

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  6. I love Orchard Toys. I have spent afternoons playing Pop to the Shops with my niece.

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  7. I haven't seen these toys before, but I think it's something that my niece and nephew would love!

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  8. I've seen Orchard Toys in my local toy shop. The games look brilliant for little ones.

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  9. My son would love this. He is currently obsessed with everything Christmas.

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  10. I love Orchard Toys so much, and have one for Pickle from Santa this year :) Kaz x

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  11. Christmas with children is so much more exciting! I can’t wait to when my lo is old enough to play games with me. Things to look forward to. x

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  12. Oh wow what a lovely festive and Christmas inspired game - perfect for getting little ones excited for the big day

    Laura x

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  13. Orchard toys so such a great range of games don't they. I've not seen this before but looks like something Arthur would really like as he is learning his shapes and colours.

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  14. I hadnt heard of Orchard toys until I started reading posts from this thread and it seems like they have lots of amazing toys that are educational too x

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  15. This is the best way to learn and it's effortless and kids seems to love it.

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  16. I love this age so much! I'm at the inbetween stage where my older two don't really care anymore and Penny is only 14 months so doesn't get it yet. To see Christmas through the eyes of a 3 year old is magical x

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  17. I think learning through play is the best way for children under five to learn, if not for all children.

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  18. I love Orchard toys, they make such fab products. Didn't know they did festive ones though!

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  19. I love Orchard toys, they make such fab products. Didn't know they did festive ones though!

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  20. I love orchard games. We have many. Might have to add this to our collection. x

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  21. Aww that looks like such a fun game to play! I love children and although I'm currently too young to have children of my own I can't wait to start buying the toys and educational games to play with them in the evenings :) xxx

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  22. My kids really do love learning through play, one of the best way we do this is to use legos and such things to create things and discuss what we learned...my little one got a lego set for Christmas and we have been having a blast with it

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