Earlier this month, we announced that we’re going to be taking part in this years Chad Valley Play Panel. If you missed it, make sure you check out our announcement post for your chance to Win a £75 Argos Voucher with The Chad Valley Play Panel, and now it’s time for our first Chad Valley toy review.
My boys have been trying out the Chad Valley Hovercraft, which is available at Argos.
The hovercraft is a large toy with lots of accessories, which is ideally for imaginary play. We’ve never really had army or military themed toys before, although they enjoy playing battles with other sets we have like knights or pirates so this is something a bit different that fits in well to their toy collection and it grabbed their interest straight away.
The hovercraft is made up of two main sections: the main hovercraft, and a tank which can be removed via the ramp – to create two separate vehicles.
The way the two parts split is up quite clever, with the ramp coming down to allow access and it’s very easy for the kids to operate themselves. It also makes it handy when two or more siblings want to play together, as it gives each one a section to be in charge of, while still playing together with the whole set.
Included in the set, you get two army figures with posable limbs, who fit well into the tank or various sections of the hovercraft, and both of these have quite a lot of detail especially on their army uniforms.
One of the best features of the hovercraft, according to my kids, is the darts which shoot out from the sides. This is pretty cool, and it uses soft foam darts similar to the ones you use in Nerf guns, so it’s very safe but definitely adds interest and excitement to the toy for the children. You get 4 darts included which is enough really, but if they lost them later on, then I think any Nerf style darts would fit the toy well to replace them.
You can also add 3x AAA batteries to make the hovercraft light up, and the propellers rotate at the back of the hovercraft.
Along with the two army action figures, you also get loads of little accessories that can be used with the set. These are mainly weapons, and includes little guns and various supplies like binoculars too.
The set is made from plastic, but all of the pieces seem to be pretty hard wearing and durable so it seems like it will last well. The amount of detail on the hovercraft means that there are lots of little bits to prompt ideas for the kids imaginative play.
I’d say this set is best suited for children of around 4+, because it does have a lot of small parts. It’s ideal for my 5 year old boy who loves imaginary play toys, and my older boys 6 (almost 7) and 8 enjoyed joining in with the play too.
The Chad Valley Hovercraft has an RRP of 39.99 but is currently on sale at Argos for 24.99
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
Looks like a great imagination building toy, hours of fun
This looks like great fun!
This looks really fun, it would keep the kids entertained
looks like great fun
This looks brilliant!
Oh wow! That looks so cool….It has so much detail to it.
#TriedTested
This looks great. My son would really enjoy playing with this.
This looks fab, really interactive!
I cant believe how intricate and detailed this set is! Toys have come a long way since I was little.
this looks so cool
Looks like great fun – there’s lots of detail on this
this looks great. my son is soldier mad
This looks fantastic
Thanks for sharing your review on #TriedTested this week x
This looks fab, great review – I really like the fact you can use Nerf bullets if these get lost as so many of my sons toys lost their firepower!
Looks fun my nephew loves nervous guns and call of duty win win situation think he would like this my nephew a solider man tells you that’s what he going be
My son would love that, great review.
Thanls for sharing. This looks like lots of fun!
looks fab im sure my boy would love something like this x
What a lovely toy this is for boys. (and some girls!)
Looks very involving, but not my girl’s sort of thing at all. No experience of boys!
looks fantastic ! my son would love this x
My son needs this in his life!
This a great review, very informative and helpful. The hovercraft looks like a very interesting toy.
Our Dean would love that – he is army mad at the moment (and Thomas mad as well lol) I like how you can fire darts from it – very clever x
This looks fantastic. Great review!
Fab review, thanks for sharing, my grandson Dylan would love this
This looks ace! Loads of fun to be had.
This looks so cool! Forget the kids, my husband would love this!
My just 5 year old grandson would love this, he loves imaginative play and really gets into the characters he is playing with. The hovercraft has so many avenues to explore
I love the details, I didn’t expect a toy like this from Chad Valley – well done!
This is such a good toy. There is loads to do & keep a child interested. My Grandson would love playing with this.
this looks great xx
This looks like good fun for any little boy, perfect for a Christmas stocking present.
My Boy is to big for this now but looks a great gift for my great nephew x
This looks great, my son is too young for it at the moment but definitely a thought for the future
Looks like a great toy, I like the removable tank too, like a 2 – in – 1 toy. It would probably last a good few years too.
I think my son would have to share this with my husband! Never heard of this toy before but now i think we might have to get one!
my boys would love this they are army mad x
Looks like great fun. My sons would love this
It’s great the way it comes in half so two children can play
This looks great with lots to keep little hands busy.
Looks great 🙂
This is just amazing so much detailing & extra items to use with it
My nephew would love this present!
I like the look of this and I am sure that girls too will enjoy playing with it!
This looks great, my boy would love it. I think Chad Valley toys are great value.
My sons would love this!!
Perfect way for my nephews to have fun and learn at the same time
My girls are too girly to really like this, but there are a few boys in the family I can think of who might like it.
My son would absolutely be smitten with this!
My grandchildren would love this 🙂
I think it’s brilliant 🙂 looks like a really interesting toy with lots of different elements and will encourage the imagination! Not quite sure how I feel about darts flying about the room though lol
Personally I wouldn’t buy war toys, but generally I know Chad Valley is good value.
It looks a good, interesting and fun toy, I think Chad Valley offer great value and well made toys, I’ve purchased quite a few that have lasted ages x
Wow, that was way cooler than I was expecting! My partner’s brother would love this, might have to look at it for him. =D
Looks quite good but I do not approve of military themed toys for children so would not buy this.
My nephew would love this (and so would his dad!)
My boys love any toys that move and this would definately fire their imaginations
Great toy, my son would love this for Christmas
This looks great fun!
I think my nephew would love this !
This looks like a great toy.
This looks like great fun!
What an ace toy!! x
This looks fab. Definitely considering this for my son/husbands Christmas gift!
It certainly looks like a lot of fun, and very good value for money.
My son would totally love this
This looks fantastic, my son would love this
What a great toy, looks lots of fun! x
this looks great I bet my grandson would love it
It looks great! I’ve always found Chad Valley to be good quality toys for half the price tag of the big brands.
What a great toy. My nephew would love this.
My husband would love the Chad Valley Hoverdraft never mind the kids!
My husband would love the Chad Valley Hovercraft never mind the kids!
looks like great fun
WOW …. toys have improved so much since I was little .. and infact since my boy was younger …. it looks like lots of fun could be had !!
jazzy!
Its nice to see the quality of toys getting better again, this looks a great toy
This looks fantastic really great toy
I love how there is loads of different elements to this! and the fact that it will be pretty durable aswell is great!
My nephew would love this set as he would spend hours making up battles with his dad and using his imagination and having fun
Think this would go down very well with my nephews, the Chad Valley range has expanded more from when my boys were younger, ,lots more items
My nephew would absolutely love this for Christmas! Chad Valley toys are always excellent quality and fabulous value for money.
Have not seen this before. My son would like playing with and being imaginative with it
Looks good fun and very robust
Wow what a great toy for boys. Not seen a hovercraft toy before.
This looks great, my six year old would love it.
looks like a good present for my nephew
Looks like a great, entertaining toy
Toys are so much better than they were when I was growing up, this looks awesome!
Great review, sounds like a lot of fun
Looks cool, my nephew would love one of these 🙂
My little boy would love this 🙂
this would make my son weep with joy
looks fab
This looks like so much fun – and a great sized toy too, which I was pleasantly surprised by.
What a great toy! Fantastic quality with a lot of detail. The perfect Christmas present for any little one who loves imaginative play..my daughter would love it!
What a great toy for imaginative play!
I think it’s brilliant ???? looks like a really interesting toy with lots of different elements and will encourage the imagination!
Look really interesting. Love that kids can use their imagination to play with it
Looks a great toy. A very informative review, thank you
Looks fab
oh cool looks awesome
This looks like great fun!
This looks fab, a real contender for Christmas, great review
Looks like great fun. My nephew would love this!