At a glance:
Lego Duplo's Number Train is a great toy for tots! It’s bright, simple and appealing. There are enough pieces to keep little ones busy but not too many to overwhelm. Parents love a toy that manages to mish-mash some education into the fun, and the Numbers Train is certainly a good vehicle for learning.
What they say:
“The LEGO® DUPLO® Number Train is a colourful introduction to numbers and counting. Your toddler will love to build and rebuild this chunky train, learning early number recognition as they go! With two child DUPLO figures and a cat figure for added role-play opportunities, this set provides endless building, driving and learning fun. DUPLO bricks are designed to be safe and suitable for little hands.”
Tested by mum Katrina Yates for the Mother & Baby Awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would recommend this toy to other mums because it is a great toy! Easy for my son to build and to play with, it helps him to learn and have fun too. It helps kids to count, and encourages them to put the numbers in order. It's also good for saying and matching colours together, and its plastic surfaces can be easily washed if it gets dirty.
How did the product make your life easier?
This toy is great and my son absolutely loves it! It's very easy to play with, and helps him with his counting and matching up colours, which has been great for helping us learn and play together.
Would you choose this product to win?
I really think that this product should win. My son can play and have fun learning, which is great, as well as teaching him numbers, how to put them in the right order, and how to then match the colours. It's easy to use, and you can keep it in the box, meaning you can take it wherever you want.
What changes would you make to the product?
If I really had to change one thing, I would make the connections between the carriages slightly stronger, as they sometimes came unconnected as he was pushing it along the floor. Other than that, it’s perfect!
Tested by mum Ali Saunders for the Mother & Baby Awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would 100% recommend this product to my fellow mums. I loved that the train was easy to put together and that it was so easy to clean. The train is a good size, so I can pop it in my bag and take it out with us for the day when my son needs distracting or wants to play with his own toys. The toy has no sharp edges or small pieces, meaning I don't have to worry when my son is playing by himself or when other mums bring their younger children over. This product also kept my child entertained for a good period of time, not just ten minutes or so, as is sometimes the case with other toys.
How did this product make your life easier?
The product was very easy to put together, and was extremely helpful in making my life easier as a mum, because my son didn't have to wait long to play with the train and when he pulled it apart, I was able to put the train back together in no time. It also helped my son to build the train independently, improving his confidence and keeping him entertained for a long time.
Would you choose this product to win?
We absolutely loved this product and I think it should win. The train is very colourful and has numbers all over, which means that whilst playing we can also use the train as a learning tool, aiding his development as well as his construction skills and imaginative play. Parts of the train can also be used with other Duplo sets that children may have, such as the rocket, allowing them to build a bigger collection. I also loved that the train is easy to clean.
What changes would you make to this product?
Some of the carriages could stay together when being pushed along as they come apart quite easily, and I think that the train is more appropriate for a younger child, rather than older children or toddlers. Some of the smaller blocks were a little more difficult to put together on the front of the train, so this could be simplified and made easier.
Tested my mum Lettie Lawson for the Mother & Baby Awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
Although aimed at toddlers, this is great for slightly older children too. My two-year-old drives the train around and makes towers with the blocks, but my four-year-old son loved putting it together to match the pictures on the box. I'd recommend it to parents with more than one child, as it's something they can play with together, and is great for helping children learn their numbers and colours.
How did this product make your life easier?
This toy kept my children entertained for ages. When it first arrived we took it with us when we went for lunch as I thought it would stop the kids getting bored. They played with it for a lot longer than I thought they would, and it allowed me to relax with my friends. It’s great for me to pull out when I need to get jobs done at home, as they'll sit with it for ages.
Would you choose this product to win?
It's extremely good quality and really easy to use. Though simple, my children didn't get bored with it. I was honestly surprised my how much my children loved it. It's very durable, so doesn't matter it if it gets bashed about. There are no fiddly bits that could easily break. It's also lovely and colourful, so appeals to young children. I would also say that it is educational, as it's helped my boys with their counting skills and colours.
What changes would you make to this product?
It would be helpful if it came in a sealable storage box rather than a cardboard box. The packaging is looking a bit torn and tired after a few uses, but I don't want to throw it away as my older son likes to copy the pictures on the box. My two-year-old son also has a tendency to tip the contents all over the floor, so a box with a lid would've been helpful. This is the only thing I would change, however, as everything else is perfect!
Tested by mum Sarah Carbasse for the Mother & Baby Awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
The Duplo number train has provided many minutes of independent play already, leaving me with my hands free to do other things. As it's so easy for children to put together on their own and has such a variety of uses with the colours and numbers, my toddler has been entertained without needing my help. It's also given me a different way to show my son numbers, making learning fun, enjoyable and fresh for him and me.
How did this product make your life easier?
I would definitely recommend the Duplo number train to a fellow Mum who has a train mad toddler! We loved that there are several ways to construct the train, choosing the number of carriages, putting the number blocks on and using the three inclusive characters. As with other Duplo products we have purchased, all pieces are colourful, sturdy and easily handled by little hands. My two-year-old had no problems making the train himself in different combinations. All pieces are plastic so can be kept clean easily with warm soapy water or antibacterial wipes, a definite bonus with a toddler! Although the box in its entirety is a little too large to take from place to place, we have taken out the small characters individually to play with when we need something small to throw in a bursting changing bag.
Would you choose this product to win?
I think this product should win best product in the toddler toy category as it's affordable, has many options and uses, and is easily accessible for very independent toddlers! The train design is very popular with both boys and girls, and the added three characters included means they can use the toy creatively too. My son uses the train to take the cat to the harbour and shops! It's also great if you have any other Duplo sets, as they can all be used together.
What changes would you make to this product?
I would change the packaging so it can be stored without perishing. Cardboard boxes are often left ripped and without lids, with children regularly accessing them; so a more permanent box would ensure pieces are not lost and everything can be kept in one place. Another possibility is a carry handle attached to the box.
Tested by mum Melissa Birch for the Mother & Baby Awards 2018:
Would you recommend this to other mums?
I would definitely recommend this toy to fellow mums. I love how the colours are unisex, and the addition of the people and the cat is lovely, as it helps my son to learn the animals’ name and the animal sound as we play. This product is not only good for individual play but also for play we can do as a family as well.
How did this product make your life easier?
My two-year-old loves this toy. He has a very short attention span but has loved playing with his train. The way all the blocks fit together in loads of different ways has kept him amused for ages, meaning I am able to do some housework. Most toys he is normally throwing around the room in a few minutes, but the train is great not only for some alone time, but also for some time to play as a family too.
Would you choose this product to win?
I love the range of colours this product offers. I would definitely choose this product above others, as I have never seen anything else similar on the market. I love that my child can enjoy both the building side of the blocks, and the choo-choo sounds and numbers we can make and practice through playing.
What changes would you make to this product?
I would change the size of the blocks so that they are a bit bigger. Some are still a little small for a two-year-old; however, as this toy is from the range of two upwards, I don't see that being so much of an issue as my son gets older.