REVIEW: Bluey Supermarket Playset

Review by Jon Donnis

The Bluey S3 LPC Supermarket Playset lands as one of those toys that children latch onto straight away. It gives them a lively little world to disappear into, and it does it with the sort of detail that feels instantly familiar to anyone who has watched the show or spent a morning herding small hands round a real shop. The set stands tall at roughly forty centimetres, and that height actually works in its favour. Kids love running the two figures up the working escalator, and it becomes one of those repeat rituals that keeps them busy for ages. The rooftop cafe adds another corner to explore, which feels like a nice touch, and the shelves carry plenty of bits to load into the cart. The sound effects deserve a mention too, since the intercom becomes a clear favourite. It might take you back to supermarket tannoys you grew up with, and children seem to adore making their own announcements.

The build quality is reassuring. It feels tough and ready for the sort of energetic treatment a three year old will give it. The detail is surprisingly rich for a toy at this price. You get tiny grocery bags, a little cafe menu, and a spread of food items that encourage children to act out the sort of errands they see in everyday life. My kids recreated moments from Bluey and even replicated family supermarket trips, which is probably the strongest sign that the set is doing its job. It sparks imagination without effort, and it holds their attention because there is always something to move, press, lift or rearrange.

There is a small catch that is worth keeping in mind. The set includes a lot of little pieces, so supervision is important with younger children. It is clearly intended for those aged three and above, and sticking to that guidance matters, particularly if you have a child who still explores things by putting them in their mouth.

The Bluey Supermarket Playset earns its place in a family playroom. It mixes good build quality with a generous amount of detail, and it gives children the chance to blend their love of Bluey with the everyday world they recognise. It kept my children entertained, it invites them to invent their own stories, and it feels like money well spent for something that will actually be used rather than forgotten in a cupboard.

Out Now in major toy retailers

More Bluey at Amazon - https://amzn.to/3KolFCo

REVIEW: Wicked Students of Shiz 5 Small Dolls & Accessories (2025 Toy) for Ages 4+

Review by Jon Donnis (With help from Nikki)

Mattel's latest release, Wicked Students of Shiz 5 Small Dolls & Accessories, arrives just as interest in Wicked is running high again thanks to Wicked: For Good, which is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025. The set brings together Elphaba, Glinda, Nessarose, Fiyero and Boq in miniature form, each one dressed in their Shiz University outfits, complete with bobbling heads and a good handful of themed accessories. Measuring only 2.75 inches, they're small enough for a child to easily carry around but detailed enough to keep older neckbeard type collectors intrigued.

For a parent, the best test of any toy is whether it holds a child's attention longer than a passing afternoon, and in that respect this one succeeds. After a full week, my daughter was still happily creating stories around the characters, using everything from the poppy to the smoothie cup to build her own version of life at Shiz. The colours are bright, the uniforms are nicely made, and there's a sense of care in how each character has been miniaturised. The overall design feels cheerful and imaginative, which is exactly what you want in a play set like this.

There are some limitations, though. The figures don't stand on their own, which can be slightly frustrating during playtime, and the smaller accessories could easily go missing or end up in the hoover. This is one for children aged four and up, not toddlers. The film itself might have split audiences (I thought it was terrible, and my daughter was not really fussed and fell asleep), but that doesn't really matter here. Kids don't need to know the story to enjoy it, and they'll probably make up their own anyway.

Durability is another win. After a week of fairly rough play, nothing has broken or bent out of shape. That's saying something for a set at this scale. While it's unlikely to impress adult fans looking for display-quality models, it hits the mark perfectly for what it is: a well-made, imaginative and surprisingly robust set of small dolls that keeps young fans entertained.

A charming release with thoughtful detail and solid build quality, slightly let down by its tiny parts and lack of self-standing figures. Still, the fun factor wins out.

Score: 8.5/10

Out now - https://amzn.to/47yUJHr