Hasbro Giant Connect 4

We were sent a Hasbro Giant Connect 4 by Garden Games.

This is the original Hasbro Connect 4 game, but on a much larger scale. I used to love playing Connect 4 when I was a child. I hated to lose. Not that I'm competitive or anything...

Giant Connect 4 arrives in pieces in a large box. It is simple and quick to put together. I did it on my own in about fifteen minutes. I would have been quicker, but I had two excited little helpers who couldn't wait to start playing. The instructions are clear and the plastic pieces are very well made. There are no sharp edges and all the pieces fit together well. There were some small clips keep the top and bottom sections together, but my fingers were too cold to put them on! My husband and I were able to lift the game and move it without them, so I guess they are only for added security. The large stickers were robust enough to withstand my first wonky application and I was able to move them easily. They are now firmly in place.

Presley, 4, and Cash, 3, are too young to understand the rules of Connect 4, but they managed to play with their 'button machine' for about three hours the first weekend we had it. The red and yellow counters feel great and the game operates as you would expect. There are two sliders at the bottom to release the counters, instead of the bar on the small version. The counters stack in the sides and there are also two net bags to keep them in.

I am confident our Giant Connect 4 will last for years. I imagine it will get played with all year round, but will come into it's own at play dates, parties and barbeques. It would be a great draw in a pub garden or at a summer fete.

We really love this game, but I have to say I was shocked at the price. The RRP is £179.99. I have looked around the internet (independent stockists are listed on the Garden Games website) and the cheapest I have found is £159.99. It is the original Hasbro game and that must add a premium, but at the end of the day it is just a big bit of plastic, albeit a quality, nostalgia-rich, big bit of plastic.


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Tonka Chuck's Garage Deluxe Stunt Playset

Tonka Chuck's Garage Deluxe Stunt Playset is a stunt park with a Tonka Chuck motorised vehicle, made by Hasbro.

Once assembled your child can set Chuck going and watch him do stunts. There is interaction as they have to help him onto the bridge section. They can also direct him where to go by positioning the track to keep him moving.

Presley, 3 and Cash, 2, absolutely loved this toy. I have to admit being a little surprised by this as they normally like to control all the vehicles in the house by 'brumming' them. The both spent hours watching and helping Chuck. The stunts are excellent and I found it mesmerising to watch! There is also a Chuck story book to set the scene.

We weren't keen on the packaging. We had to tear the box to get everything out. This meant that we couldn't then store it in the box. Also, there are sections that once clipped together do not come apart, so you need a large box to keep it in.

Having said that this toy gets the thumbs up from us.

You can see this and other toys in the range in action on YouTube.

Tonka Chuck's Garage Deluxe Stunt Playset is currently available for £34.99 (down from £39.99) at Toys R Us

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