Janod Koala 3D Stacking Puzzle Review

Reviewed by Hannah Chan

Janod are a French company who make toys aimed at children ages 12 months to 9 years, although personally I wouldn’t cap it there as I have had a lot of fun playing with their products in the past. I was really excited about this new range. We have had their magnetic play books in the past which keep my littles (6, 9 and 12) busy on long journeys for hours. Janod aim to inspire self confidence through play, and the toys are simple and open ended to encourage different types of play in children. Experiencing the world and learning through safe and well made toys.

The puzzle itself was designed with the World Wildlife Fund, to raise awareness for the charity about animals in danger around the world. There is quite a varied range of products created with the WWF ranging from wooden puzzles, card games to magnetic books. The company prides itself on creating sustainable children’s toys and games which are playable and long lasting. The quality is fantastic and they have won many awards around the world and are celebrated at toy fairs. These puzzles are new this summer and after receiving ours I really hope they receive the love they deserve.

We received the Koala with a baby Koala on her back. There is also a Blue Whale in the range which my son already has his eye on.  The box is lovely and looks good as a gift, I’d be more than happy to gift or receive this. This puzzle is made from lovely thick, sustainable cardboard and is fully recyclable should you decide one day that you no longer wish to keep it. Saying that though, it is easy enough to take it apart again and because of the good quality card and print it can be used again. In the box you receive the puzzle and the instructions, nothing else, but nothing else is needed at all!

It is so easy to put up, it says 6+ on the box so I asked my 6 year old, who loves puzzles, to complete it thinking he might need a hand with the instructions or putting it together. Nope, the instructions couldn’t have been clearer and once he’d realised that all he did was thread the cardboard pieces onto a little wooden piece which looks like a lolly stick, he was off! It took him about ten minutes which to be fair was on the easier side of puzzles but he really enjoyed it and was so pleased with himself when he saw what he had created! I must add he is very quick with puzzles and great with models and jigsaws, so this will have leant to him completing it so quickly. The completion time will vary with each child. My son then carried it around for hours, it is quite robust so stood up to him playing with it even though it is intended as a puzzle of an ornament. He even dropped it a few times and it did not come apart or even dent which surprised me. It would be great for the summer holidays or even as a gift for a child of any age. Even if the puzzle is easy for older children, they still make a lovely model and the children learn motor skills and patience through the build. Feeling proud of themselves when it is finished and having a lovely animal to display. It has a good weight to it so isn’t going to fall or blow off a shelf.

I give this 5 out of 5 stars. I was going to give it 4 because of how quickly he completed it, however soon changed my mind when I saw how much he loved it and how happy he was that he was able to create it by himself! The more I see it the more I love it, and I love that it was created alongside the WWF.

Rating: 5/5

RRP: £20.00

This product can be purchased from Kidly here.