Item Reviewed: Discovery Toys Playful Patterns®

Price: $22.50

Age Range: 4 years to primary school

Availability: Discovery Independent Sales Representative Kris Barclay

Product Description (from the Discovery Toys site):

“It’s an early childhood pre-math and pre-reading learning center in a box! Set includes 132 geometric shapes made of slip-proof foam plus 34 progressively challenging designs on 6″ x 6″ cards. Your child can use the shapes to match the card designs or to create open-ended, original patterns and pictures.”

What the PPP family thinks?

The Discovery Toys description describes this great set as a somewhat of a “preschool in a box” and I think that’s a fair description for this set. A child is exposed to many of the concepts they will see in preschool while playing with this set… colors, shapes, numbers, patterns, etc.

This set comes with a variety of geometric shapes, in a variety of colors and little cards with designs that get increasingly difficult as you move along.

I did not realize until we received this toy that the suggested age range is 4 and up. My daughter is 2, almost three, and for now, this is definitely a parent driven activity. She is a tad young right now to fully be able to appreciate and play with this set.

I know a lot of parents (including us) let their little ones play with items that may be tagged as a little older. We always check for small parts, pieces that can break off, etc. before we let our little one do so. With this item, I would definitely wait until your little one is at least 3. Simply due to the fact that the game is pretty much focused on using small geometric foam shapes. My little one, at almost three, can still occasionally be caught sticking things in her mouth, so this set is only brought out when mommy or daddy brings it out.

All my safety warnings aside, this is a fantastic set. My little one is able to take all the concepts we have been learning up until now (i.e. colors, shapes, etc.) and put them to use. She enjoys problem solving and matching the pieces to the patterns on the cards.

Since our little one is a tad bit young to move all the way through the cards, we let her play with them more carefreely than structured. That way she can still learn, be proud of herself when she gets it right and definitely so she can grow with the set.

Here’s a look at some of the things I really like about this set from a mommy perspective:

• Quality- The foam pieces are thick. The cards are a thick coated material. So this set if built to last.
• Packaging- I LOVE that this set comes with little sorters to help make it easier for your child to find the color they are looking for. The box holds everything for play & storage. It’s a great design.
• Concepts- I love that there are so many preschool concepts touched on with this set. Your little one can really learn and develop some great basic skills while playing.
• Growth Potential- Even tough we are starting a little young, I could see a child playing with this set for years, even if they didn’t get it until the recommended starting age of four.

I would definitely recommend this product for anyone with a preschooler. It’s a great way to play with your children, help them learn and best of all have fun!

Disclosure: PennyPinchingParent.com did receive a Playful Patterns® set at no cost so we could review the item and provide you with our opinion.