The fire engine is in 20 pieces (Orchard Toys - Big Red Fire Engine)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Orchard Toys - Big Red Fire Engine
Date:	28/10/08 (177 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good puzzle

Disadvantages: none

The big red fire engine is getting ready for action. But it's in 20 pieces all over the table you might need to construct the fire engine on the floor. This fire engine puzzle by Orchard toys measures 52 by 42 cm best if it's done on a hard surface.

Are you going to help me make this puzzle? Look at all these bright red pieces. Pieces with feet on, pieces with a traffic cone, this piece has some ladder rungs and here is a smiley fireman face with a hat on his head.

Now I usually start a puzzle with a corner piece or the straight edges, umm the edges of this puzzle are all curvy shaped to go around the fire engine? Let's start here this looks like the fireman's hose and there's another piece that will fit into it, there's the ladder that will fit in there. We go fitting pieces together and talking about the fire engine as we do, look the fire engines red, these yellow stripes these will fit with that yellow strip on that peace by your toes. Look here is the blue light. How many firemen are there? 5 well ok ones a fire lady. One piece left a piece of a ladder, that's easy fits here in the space on top of the fire engine.

Thank you for helping me. We looked at the picture on the lid of the box to help us a little bit but it was quite easy really wasn't it. I like the puzzle picture the firemen are getting ready think they are going to put a fire out somewhere. The firemen look friendly.

This puzzle was a little difficult when you were 3 years old , you helped me a little but now you are 4 its easier for you I expect you might still do this when you are 5 and at 6 finding it easy. You are clever at doing puzzles.

What's that? You like fire engines yes and they flash their blue lights. Fire men help us don't they? you saw a fire engine the other day it was rushing along the road. I think there was a fire.
Be careful on firework night don't let your bonfire get too big or you might need a real fireman.

If you have a young child in your care who has experienced a fire this could be a useful therapy puzzle , don't push it but offered this puzzle they might do it and start talking about their worries fears and experiences.

Sorry doing this puzzle with my 3 year old friend developed into a conversation about fire engines. Puzzles like this are good for helping develop language skills. They are also good for practicing fine motor skills. Good for problem solving, learning which shapes fit together.

This would make a good Christmas present and hopefully your child would spend a few quiet minutes making this puzzle especially if you or one of your guests helps.

Orchard toys are good toys they make some great children's puzzles the card is quite thick does not bend too easily.
You can buy this toy on line at http://www.orchardtoys.com/advanced_search_result. php? categories_id=2&inc_subcat=1&sort=2a&p age=3 for £8.50 you may see it off line in some toy shops too.

Summary: A fire engine puzzle for 3 to 6 year olds