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
October 31, 2016 @ 2:29 pm
Looks like a great imagination building toy, hours of fun
October 31, 2016 @ 2:36 pm
This looks like great fun!
October 31, 2016 @ 4:28 pm
This looks really fun, it would keep the kids entertained
November 1, 2016 @ 1:48 am
looks like great fun
November 1, 2016 @ 9:29 am
This looks brilliant!
November 1, 2016 @ 11:46 am
Oh wow! That looks so cool….It has so much detail to it.
#TriedTested
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November 1, 2016 @ 1:51 pm
This looks great. My son would really enjoy playing with this.
November 1, 2016 @ 3:13 pm
This looks fab, really interactive!
November 1, 2016 @ 11:05 pm
I cant believe how intricate and detailed this set is! Toys have come a long way since I was little.
November 2, 2016 @ 2:03 am
this looks so cool
November 2, 2016 @ 2:42 pm
Looks like great fun – there’s lots of detail on this
November 2, 2016 @ 7:38 pm
this looks great. my son is soldier mad
November 2, 2016 @ 8:08 pm
This looks fantastic
November 2, 2016 @ 10:03 pm
Thanks for sharing your review on #TriedTested this week x
November 3, 2016 @ 12:50 am
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!
November 3, 2016 @ 2:53 am
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
November 3, 2016 @ 1:16 pm
My son would love that, great review.
November 3, 2016 @ 5:17 pm
Thanls for sharing. This looks like lots of fun!
November 3, 2016 @ 6:57 pm
looks fab im sure my boy would love something like this x
November 3, 2016 @ 7:06 pm
What a lovely toy this is for boys. (and some girls!)
November 3, 2016 @ 11:03 pm
Looks very involving, but not my girl’s sort of thing at all. No experience of boys!
November 4, 2016 @ 2:04 pm
looks fantastic ! my son would love this x
November 4, 2016 @ 3:22 pm
My son needs this in his life!
November 4, 2016 @ 4:57 pm
This a great review, very informative and helpful. The hovercraft looks like a very interesting toy.
November 4, 2016 @ 9:48 pm
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
November 4, 2016 @ 10:46 pm
This looks fantastic. Great review!
November 5, 2016 @ 10:02 am
Fab review, thanks for sharing, my grandson Dylan would love this
November 5, 2016 @ 8:29 pm
This looks ace! Loads of fun to be had.
November 5, 2016 @ 10:05 pm
This looks so cool! Forget the kids, my husband would love this!
November 6, 2016 @ 4:03 pm
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
November 6, 2016 @ 6:43 pm
I love the details, I didn’t expect a toy like this from Chad Valley – well done!
November 6, 2016 @ 10:20 pm
This is such a good toy. There is loads to do & keep a child interested. My Grandson would love playing with this.
November 7, 2016 @ 8:11 am
this looks great xx
November 7, 2016 @ 1:37 pm
This looks like good fun for any little boy, perfect for a Christmas stocking present.
November 7, 2016 @ 3:37 pm
My Boy is to big for this now but looks a great gift for my great nephew x
November 7, 2016 @ 7:18 pm
This looks great, my son is too young for it at the moment but definitely a thought for the future
November 7, 2016 @ 8:51 pm
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.
November 8, 2016 @ 10:07 pm
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!
November 8, 2016 @ 11:34 pm
my boys would love this they are army mad x
November 8, 2016 @ 11:37 pm
Looks like great fun. My sons would love this
November 9, 2016 @ 6:13 am
It’s great the way it comes in half so two children can play
November 9, 2016 @ 12:59 pm
This looks great with lots to keep little hands busy.
November 9, 2016 @ 8:19 pm
Looks great 🙂
November 9, 2016 @ 8:32 pm
This is just amazing so much detailing & extra items to use with it
November 9, 2016 @ 9:21 pm
My nephew would love this present!
November 10, 2016 @ 10:03 am
I like the look of this and I am sure that girls too will enjoy playing with it!
November 10, 2016 @ 11:04 am
This looks great, my boy would love it. I think Chad Valley toys are great value.
November 10, 2016 @ 6:03 pm
My sons would love this!!
November 10, 2016 @ 7:02 pm
Perfect way for my nephews to have fun and learn at the same time
November 10, 2016 @ 8:47 pm
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.
November 10, 2016 @ 11:08 pm
My son would absolutely be smitten with this!
November 11, 2016 @ 10:54 am
My grandchildren would love this 🙂
November 11, 2016 @ 11:06 am
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
November 11, 2016 @ 1:07 pm
Personally I wouldn’t buy war toys, but generally I know Chad Valley is good value.
November 11, 2016 @ 3:20 pm
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
November 11, 2016 @ 9:43 pm
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
November 11, 2016 @ 9:55 pm
Looks quite good but I do not approve of military themed toys for children so would not buy this.
November 11, 2016 @ 10:58 pm
My nephew would love this (and so would his dad!)
November 12, 2016 @ 8:32 am
My boys love any toys that move and this would definately fire their imaginations
November 12, 2016 @ 11:33 am
Great toy, my son would love this for Christmas
November 12, 2016 @ 12:10 pm
This looks great fun!
November 12, 2016 @ 12:41 pm
I think my nephew would love this !
November 12, 2016 @ 1:21 pm
This looks like a great toy.
November 12, 2016 @ 2:42 pm
This looks like great fun!
November 12, 2016 @ 3:39 pm
What an ace toy!! x
November 12, 2016 @ 4:57 pm
This looks fab. Definitely considering this for my son/husbands Christmas gift!
November 12, 2016 @ 6:25 pm
It certainly looks like a lot of fun, and very good value for money.
November 12, 2016 @ 7:15 pm
My son would totally love this
November 12, 2016 @ 7:25 pm
This looks fantastic, my son would love this
November 12, 2016 @ 8:31 pm
What a great toy, looks lots of fun! x
November 12, 2016 @ 9:48 pm
this looks great I bet my grandson would love it
November 12, 2016 @ 9:52 pm
It looks great! I’ve always found Chad Valley to be good quality toys for half the price tag of the big brands.
November 12, 2016 @ 9:54 pm
What a great toy. My nephew would love this.
November 12, 2016 @ 10:10 pm
My husband would love the Chad Valley Hoverdraft never mind the kids!
November 12, 2016 @ 10:11 pm
My husband would love the Chad Valley Hovercraft never mind the kids!
November 12, 2016 @ 10:20 pm
looks like great fun
November 12, 2016 @ 10:36 pm
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 !!
November 12, 2016 @ 10:46 pm
jazzy!
November 12, 2016 @ 10:46 pm
Its nice to see the quality of toys getting better again, this looks a great toy
November 12, 2016 @ 11:02 pm
This looks fantastic really great toy
November 13, 2016 @ 1:34 am
I love how there is loads of different elements to this! and the fact that it will be pretty durable aswell is great!
November 13, 2016 @ 6:10 am
My nephew would love this set as he would spend hours making up battles with his dad and using his imagination and having fun
November 13, 2016 @ 9:00 am
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
November 13, 2016 @ 9:20 am
My nephew would absolutely love this for Christmas! Chad Valley toys are always excellent quality and fabulous value for money.
November 13, 2016 @ 10:49 am
Have not seen this before. My son would like playing with and being imaginative with it
November 13, 2016 @ 11:00 am
Looks good fun and very robust
November 13, 2016 @ 2:29 pm
Wow what a great toy for boys. Not seen a hovercraft toy before.
November 13, 2016 @ 3:27 pm
This looks great, my six year old would love it.
November 13, 2016 @ 3:33 pm
looks like a good present for my nephew
November 13, 2016 @ 6:04 pm
Looks like a great, entertaining toy
November 13, 2016 @ 6:27 pm
Toys are so much better than they were when I was growing up, this looks awesome!
November 13, 2016 @ 6:32 pm
Great review, sounds like a lot of fun
November 13, 2016 @ 6:33 pm
Looks cool, my nephew would love one of these 🙂
November 13, 2016 @ 7:53 pm
My little boy would love this 🙂
November 13, 2016 @ 8:14 pm
this would make my son weep with joy
November 13, 2016 @ 8:18 pm
looks fab
November 13, 2016 @ 8:24 pm
This looks like so much fun – and a great sized toy too, which I was pleasantly surprised by.
November 13, 2016 @ 8:45 pm
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!
November 13, 2016 @ 9:21 pm
What a great toy for imaginative play!
November 13, 2016 @ 9:26 pm
I think it’s brilliant 🙂 looks like a really interesting toy with lots of different elements and will encourage the imagination!
November 13, 2016 @ 9:38 pm
Look really interesting. Love that kids can use their imagination to play with it
November 13, 2016 @ 9:43 pm
Looks a great toy. A very informative review, thank you
November 13, 2016 @ 10:39 pm
Looks fab
November 13, 2016 @ 10:46 pm
oh cool looks awesome
November 13, 2016 @ 11:17 pm
This looks like great fun!
November 13, 2016 @ 11:22 pm
This looks fab, a real contender for Christmas, great review
November 13, 2016 @ 11:50 pm
Looks like great fun. My nephew would love this!