Orchard Toys: 'Big Police Car' Jigsaw (Review & Giveaway)

by 160 Comments

The Boy is getting to the point where he comfortable completes 35+ piece jigsaws, using the image to help him identify the correct pieces. He's got the tricks of finding the edges and corners first, then working out the different sections of colour, quite practised and enjoys piecing jigsaw puzzles together.

We were recently sent the new Orchard Toys Big Police Car jigsaw to review, and although it has fewer pieces than he's used to (30 pieces) it actually offered him quite a large challenge due to the nature of the design.

The Orchard Toys Big Police Car jigsaw puzzle doesn't have straight edges or corners, and no two pieces are really the same with the joins. It adds a challenge which defies the normal methods and relies on other problem solving skills to help complete it.

The image is true to the Orchard Toys illustration style; bright colours with bold designs, child-friendly pictures but still incredibly realistic so that children can relate to real-life contexts. The picture shows (funnily enough) a large, estate police car on a road with a police officer driving it, and one 'on the beat' next to it. In the background are a police officer on a motorbike, one on a police horse, a police helicopter and a police officer holding a police dog. It's worth noting officers depicted are both male and female, and from a variety of races; Orchard Toys are very good at representing Britain's diversity in their illustrations.

police jigsaw puzzle

Educational guide

Orchard Toys have identified these as the learning benefits for the Big Police Car jigsaw:

  • Develop knowledge and understanding of the world;
  • Promote manual dexterity;
  • Teach matching skills.

I'd add to this that the puzzle helps to:

  • develop problem-solving and logical thinking through finding the appropriate pieces, made even more challenging as there are no corners or straight edges to it;
  • encourage Oracy through discussion about the different modes of transports that the police use, and where and why they may be used. For example the motorbike in a busy city centre, the helicopter when cars can't access the area, etc. In addition it's great to discuss why the police have dogs and how they help them do their jobs.

The Boy thoroughly enjoys doing this jigsaw, it's great to have a real-life context to his puzzles allowing him to discuss the world around him in a way he can understand. It's bright and attractive, made of thick cardboard for durability; definitely a game to last a few years, challenging in different ways for different ages.

The Orchard Toys Big Police Car jigsaw puzzle is priced at £9.75, aimed at children aged 3-10 years.

I'm lucky enough to be able to offer one of these jigsaws as a prize in a giveaway. To be in with a chance of winning, please complete the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was sent this product for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

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Comments

  6. anna m says

    I love the look of the giant road and giant on the farm jigsaws the ones which can be used as a playmat too, they are so cool

    Reply

  14. says

    Absolutely brilliant, comprehensive review! Many thanks MrsTBandM and to The Boy himself who, as ever, played a big part in this review.
    Great to see that you have added your own observations on extra play/learning value. All in all, an excellent review!

    Reply

    • TheBoyAndMe says

      Thanks Lynda, glad you like the additional learning benefits I've added. The Boy is really enjoying this jigsaw.

      Reply

  15. says

    A firm favourite with Monkey is The Big Tractor which he loves and has put together a lot. We've recently purchased the Giant Alphabet puzzle which is my favourite as we start to learn our ABC's

    Reply

  37. Cheryll H says

    My girls would like the Enchanted Forest the best I think 🙂 Personally I like hem all – Orchard jigsaws are so sturdy we never lose any of the pieces 🙂

    Reply

  39. Alli Marshall says

    I love the Giant Road Jigsaw as it doubles up as 2 games in 1 – I can just imagine Harry lining his toy cars up on the completed road.

    Reply

  42. Joanne McGonagle says

    Love the Orchard Toys range, getting quite a collection of them. Our favourite is the Big Bus jigsaw.

    Reply

  98. Sarah Morris says

    My son is a huge fan of dinosaurs at the moment, so it would have to be Dinosaur Discovery… we have a few of Orchard Toys puzzles & games, they are great, so colourful, fun and educational.

    Reply

  130. CarolD says

    I love any Orchard toys, they are always so well made & colourful. I think my nephew would like the Rescue jigsaw as he loves anything to do with police, fire engines & ambulances.

    Reply

  137. Laura Godfrey says

    Orchard Jigsaws are very well made for young childrens hands, my daughter has many of the orchard jigsaws including the teddys bear picnic. Im sure she would also enjoy this puzzle very much as she is very into cars at the minute

    Reply

  140. Andi Gurney says

    They are all amazing but I love the road and the police car, we have lots of girls puzzles from an older girl but my son isn't overlly impressed with them

    Reply

  150. says

    Tori would love the Big Tractor puzzle – she's got a thing for tractors at the moment. Not sure where it's come from but is a great opportunity to talk about all the interesting attachments they have on them at this time of year!!

    Reply

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