My son is a shopaholic! (Orchard Toys Shopping List)

Member Name: tobymummy

Product:	Orchard Toys Shopping List
Date:	25/04/09 (49 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: develops many skills, useful aid for real shopping

Disadvantages: lots of pieces

A while ago my husband and I went away for a few days, we decided to bring Toby back a small gift. which was this shopping list game made by Orchard Toys.

Since we bought it, Toby has played with it so much I just had to tell you all how great it has been in more ways than one!!

The game itself comes complete with 4 trolleys, 4 list each containing 8 items, which vary from fruit, veg, tins, packets to soaps, washing powders etc; all familar day to day type items. there are also 32 individual cards each featuring the items on the shopping lists.

Each player takes a trolley and list and takes it in turn to turn over a small card. if that item is on their list they can place it in their trolley. the aim of the game is to find all of your shopping before the other players.

The game is great to develop your memory skills, remembering where each piece was left on the table or floor, so you can find them when it's your go.

When Toby first played this game he wasn't too sure about how it worked, but got the hang of it really quickly, he worked his way up to using 2 trolleys and two lists each, when there was only 2 players, and has since learned to cheat when he wasn't getting enough pieces.

All the pieces are made of very strong cardboard, with the Orchard Toys logo printed on the back. The pictures on the front are very clear basic pictures which are easily distinguishable.

Recently Toby was given the expansion packs which can be used with this set, one being clothes and the other fruit & veg; each of these packs contains 2 trolleys, 2 lists and 16 smaller cards just like the main shopping list game. the other day Toby insisted that we were to play the game but use 4 trolleys each. I didn't think he could manage it, but he did really well, he kept all the lists and pieces separate, and didn't even try to cheat.

Since playing this game, it has helped Toby when we do our normal shopping at the supermarket; he likes tohave his own list to hold onto in the trolley (containing items we need of course) I write his list out using clear words and copied pictures from his game; he recognises these and tells me what he wants/needs. once we have found the item he crosses it off his list. It has helped himto be more involved whilst shopping, keeping him happy, and stopping himfrom requesting items we don't want. Recently an old couple saw what I was doing and congratulated me on being a great mother, keeping my son happy rather than allowing him to run up and down aisles. Thank you shopping list game!!

Toby has enjoyed coming home and helping to put his shopping away too, finding where things go in the kitchen, and helping to develop his independence. Ho loves to go shopping now and it's not a chore any more.

During the game and whilst out shopping, the lists are helping with a child's language development, recognising words and letters, and encouraging them to look at and say the words. Matching the pictures up and matching with products helps with basic maths skills, which are all important basic skills. Since playing this game and continuing to use while out shopping it has helped to increase Toby's concentration skills, he can play the game for longer now, and always stays until the game has finished.

I can thoroughly recommend this game to any young child; although focused at children aged 3-7 years, Toby got it when he was two 1/2 and had no trouble matching the pictures and recognising what they were.

The box it comes in is very strong and sturdy and holds the pieces well. the only downside to the game is, to ensure you put all the pieces away when finished with as it would be a shame to lose a piece, and not be able to play it again properly.

Summary: A shopping trolley memory game, a must for any youngster.