TP Toys launched a Gruffalo-licensed range of toys for Spring/Summer 2026, in partnership with Mookie Toys. The range brings characters from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child — two of the most beloved children's books in the UK — into a collection of wooden developmental toys spanning climbing equipment, learning tools, creative play and bath-time products.
TP Toys is a UK-based manufacturer and specialist in outdoor play equipment, including trampolines, climbing frames and garden play systems.
What is in the TP Toys Gruffalo range and is it worth buying?
The Gruffalo range spans 12 products: the Helper Tower (Gruffalo-themed learning tower), Wooden Figures (5 articulated wooden figures), Height Chart, Projector (torch-style with interchangeable disc reels), Mini Abacus (alphabet and numbers with Gruffalo illustrations), Wooden Magnetic Drawing Board, Play Set (forest backdrop, figures and story cards), Gift Set (pull-along train, stacking game and roller rattle), Counting Clock, Creative Station, Bath Foam Figures, and a Tent (reversible Gruffalo/Gruffalo's Child design). It is worth considering for families who love The Gruffalo books and want toys that connect to this narrative world — the products span a wide age range and serve both independent play and shared parent-child engagement.
The full Gruffalo range by product
|
Product |
Description |
Best age |
Type |
|
Helper Tower |
Gruffalo-themed learning tower with chalkboard panel and character artwork |
18 months+ |
Practical life / independence |
|
Wooden Figures |
5 articulated wooden figures: Gruffalo, Mouse, Fox, Snake, Owl |
18 months+ |
Small world / imaginative play |
|
Height Chart |
Wooden chart with characters at ascending heights; Gruffalo at 140cm mark |
From birth (gift) / usable from standing |
Measurement / room decor |
|
Projector |
Torch-style projector; 3 interchangeable disc reels; 24 scenes from both books |
18 months+ |
Bedtime / imaginative / literacy |
|
Mini Abacus |
Alphabet A-Z and numbers 1-10 on sliding tiles with Gruffalo illustrations; word labels on reverse |
2-5 years |
Early literacy / numeracy |
|
Wooden Magnetic Drawing Board |
Magnetic drawing surface with Gruffalo character magnetic figures (mushroom, leaf, acorn) |
18 months+ |
Creative / fine motor |
|
Play Set |
Forest backdrop; woodland character figures; story cards |
2-5 years |
Imaginative play / narrative / small world |
|
Gift Set |
Pull-along train with character figures + stacking balance game + roller rattle |
6-24 months |
Gross motor / fine motor / gift set |
|
Counting Clock |
Wooden puzzle clock with Gruffalo character disc tokens at hour positions |
2-5 years |
Early numeracy / time concepts |
|
Creative Station |
Magnetic scene board + whiteboard + Gruffalo scene cards + markers |
2-6 years |
Creative / magnetic play / drawing |
|
Bath Foam Figures |
Gruffalo, Mouse, Fox, Snake, Owl + woodland creatures; foam; stick to bath surfaces when wet |
12 months+ |
Bath time / imaginative / sensory |
|
Tent |
Reversible house-shaped tent: The Gruffalo forest scene one side; The Gruffalo's Child winter scene other side |
2-6 years |
Imaginative play / den / role play |
Which Gruffalo products are best for different age groups?
Under 18 months
· Gift Set: the pull-along train, stacking balance game and roller rattle in one package serves multiple developmental domains for 6-18 months; the most complete gift for a baby or very young toddler in the range
· Bath Foam Figures: appropriate from 12 months for supervised bath play; Gruffalo characters familiar from shared reading are engaging for the youngest children
18 months - 3 years
· Helper Tower: Gruffalo-themed version of the standard TP Helper Tower; practical life focus; Gruffalo artwork makes kitchen participation more engaging for Gruffalo-familiar toddlers
· Wooden Figures: 5 articulated wooden figures for small world play; appropriate from 18 months; develops imaginative play and fine motor skills
· Wooden Magnetic Drawing Board: open-ended creative surface with Gruffalo magnetic characters; from 18 months
2-5 years
· Play Set: forest backdrop + woodland figures + story cards brings the book to life; ideal for retelling the Gruffalo story and extending it with new scenarios
· Mini Abacus: alphabet and numbers with Gruffalo illustrations; one of the most educational products in the range
· Counting Clock: wooden puzzle clock; develops number recognition and early time concepts in Gruffalo-familiar packaging
· Creative Station: magnetic scene board + whiteboard + scene cards + markers; the most feature-rich creative product in the range
· Tent: reversible indoor tent; forest/winter scenes on each side; creates the enclosed imaginative play space that 2-5 year olds use most intensively
Any age
· Projector: torch-style projector with 3 disc reels and 24 scenes from both books; works as a bedtime storytelling tool across a wide age range, from 18 months bedtime routine to 5-6 year olds interested in the story details
Frequently asked questions
Is the Gruffalo range suitable for children who haven't read the books?
Yes — while the Gruffalo characters are immediately familiar and meaningful to children who know the books (which is the majority of UK children aged 2-5), the products work as standalone play equipment regardless of book familiarity. The Helper Tower is a functional learning tower; the Mini Abacus teaches letters and numbers; the Creative Station is a drawing board. The Gruffalo characters enhance rather than determine the play value.
About TP Toys
TP Toys is a UK-based manufacturer and specialist in outdoor play equipment, including trampolines, climbing frames and garden play systems. Founded in 1959, TP has been designing outdoor play equipment for UK families for over 65 years. All TP products are EN71 tested and UKCA certified. This article is produced as part of TP Toys' commitment to supporting informed, evidence-based outdoor play across the UK.
