TP News

Read our TP blog posts to catch up with the latest TP news and interesting articles
Which trampoline is best for me?
May 26, 2022
Which trampoline is best for me?
Wondering what trampoline is right for you? Take a look at our blog, which highlights the things you need to consider before buying!
The best bedtime stories!
May 20, 2022
The best bedtime stories!
After a long day of play, there’s no better feeling than winding down and getting ready for bedtime (for little ones, and parents!) One of the most common parts of the bedtime routine is the bedtime story. Not only do they help little ones drift off at the end of a busy day, they’re thought to also improve both language skills and sleep in children, plus, have been proven to help foster a bond between parents and children, reduce children’s stress levels and so much more – it’s why we think they’re really important! Parents, if you’re looking for something new to read your little ones at bedtime, then look no further – here’s our top bedtime stories that little ones will love, and parents will love to read! Bedtime stories for new-born to 12 months Dr Seuss’s Sleep Book - By Dr Seuss Goodnight Moon - By Margaret Wise Brown A Recipe for Bedtime - By Peter Bently When your children are in the first 12 months of their life, reading can be really soothing for them! We’ve chosen these 3 books to make our list, but honestly - newborns will not understand what you’re reading, so many parents use this time to read their own books out loud! At this stage, babies can recognise the tones and rhythms when you’re reading, so it’s a great thing to do, but the choice of book probably isn’t as important. Bedtime stories for 1 – 3 year olds The Very Hungry Caterpillar - By Eric Carle The Tiger Who Came To Tea – By Judith Kerr We’re Going On A Bear Hunt – By Michael Rosen When little ones hit the toddler stage, reading becomes even more important! It helps them develop a large vocabulary and helps with understanding words made of similar sounds (called phonemic awareness). They’ll also start to recognise that marks on a page represent letters and words. Bedtime stories for 3 – 5 year olds Bear Called Paddington - By Michael Bond Winnie The Pooh - By A A Milne The Roald Dahl Collection As children get a little older, you can start introducing stories that have more complex plots in them and books with more words than pictures - especially if you’re reading to them at bedtime.  Bedtime stories for 5 – 8 year olds Stuart Little - By E B White The Tales of Beatrix Potter The Greatest Show on Earth - By Mini Grey When children hit the age of 5-8, parents may think it’s time to stop bedtime stories, however, we don’t think that should be the case. Stories are powerful and magical - they help us understand our lives, process our thoughts and feelings, and encourage us to use our imagination! Best bedtime stories for 8+ year olds Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - By J. K. Rowling The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – By C S Lewis The Wind in the Willows – By Kenneth Grahame As your children get older, you might think it’s natural to stop reading to them at bedtime, especially since they’ll be learning to read themselves. Whilst independent reading is certainly important, reading out loud to children as old as 14-15 still has great benefits – both academically and emotionally. To help your older child’s reading fluency, it might be helpful for them to follow along what you’re reading in the book! Bedtime stories are often the favourite part of the bedtime routine, for parents and little ones! We hope our list inspires you to pick up a book at the end of each busy day and wind down with a good story. We’d love to know your favourite bedtime stories – head over to our social media channels to tell us!
Playing in the sun - Top Tips for staying safe
April 28, 2022
Playing in the sun - Top Tips for staying safe
As we approach the summer months, and bask in the unexpected days of sunshine - it's important we remember how powerful the sun can be in the UK! We've pulled together our top tips for those sunshine filled days when little ones will be hard to get indoors! 
A Week of Awards for TP Toys!
October 08, 2021
A Week of Awards for TP Toys!
This week the happy news that our products had won awards came around twice! We started the week hearing back from the Blog on Toy awards and ended the week with news from the Right Start awards. We scooped up 3 awards at the Blog on Toy awards and were the joint winner for the Bloggers choice award for our much-loved TP Splash and Play Wooden Picnic Table! The perfect spot to eat your sandwiches, packed full of activities, including a splash tub to fill with sand or their favourite finds in the garden and even a working sink! Blog on Toy Awards: Joint winner for the Blogger’s Choice Award for the TP Splash and Play Wooden Picnic Table 1st Place in Outdoor Toys for the TP Splash and Play Wooden Picnic Table 2nd Place in Imagination Toys for the TP Splash and Play Wooden Picnic Table We were then very excited to hear back from the Right Start Awards where we picked up a further four awards! Most excitingly we achieved gold AND top investment for our TP Explorer Metal Climbing Frame. The Explorer Climbing Frame has been a TP best-selling item for over 20 years, it is amazing that the product keeps on evolving and is still loved by families. Right Start Awards: GOLD and TOP INVESTMENT for the TP Explorer Metal Climbing Frame (Black Edition) in the Active category Silver for the TP Splash and Play Wooden Picnic Table in the Outdoor Toy category   
We are award winning!
July 29, 2021
We are award winning!
Nothing make us happier than knowing kids love paying on our toys, but it’s all that much more special when it is also recognised by industry professionals! After entering the Outdoor Toy Awards we are so please that our products were both shortlisted and won. This year the Explorer Climbing Frame Black Edition had a makeover with a brand-new black edition to choose from along with new add on accessories, from swing arms to cargo nets. The Explorer Climbing Frame is an evergreen product for TP Toys that has been loved for 25 years, it is great to know that kids today love it just as much as they did when it first released.  The Explorer Climbing Frame Black Edition received a commended award. Our brand-new Splash and Play Wooden Picnic Table also received a commended award. This picnic table with a twist features our brand new TP Working Sink! To get the water running, pump the button, rotate your spout and then drain when you are done. The working sink recycles the water, providing continuous play without the need to refill – a real game changer! Shop our award-winning products on the TP Toys website.
Indoor Activities To Keep The Kids Entertained
January 10, 2023
Indoor Activities To Keep The Kids Entertained
For the days when playing outside isn't an option, keeping the kids entertained indoors can be a challenge for even the most seasoned of parents. But fear not, we are here to help. We've pulled together a list of fun and cheap activities for indoor playtime to keep the kids entertained all day. 1) Indoor Scavenger Hunt Who doesn't love a good scavenger hunt? Planned correctly your little ones will be searching from noon to night. Get their imaginations running wild by placing the big wins in hard-to-find spots and try not to give too much away in the notes they find along the way. That way you can find a spare 5 minutes to pop your feet up with a cup of tea. 2) Movie Night Bring the magic of the movies to your front room with a kid's sing-along movie night. With an endless selection of films to choose from, there will be something for everyone. Deck your living room out to create your very own cinema by switching off the lights, getting out your favourite comfy cushions and beanbags, and lighting up some fairy lights. Why not print off some tickets too?! Pop some popcorn, get cosy and you're ready to go. Since you are at home, anything can go! 3) Bake Off Challenge Get messy in the kitchen with a bake-off challenge that will give Mary Berry a run for her money. Get the kids involved in making their favourite sweet treats with an icing competition at the end. Stock up on sweets to decorate their creations and fairy liquid for the clean-up mission after!  4) Have a Tie Dye Party Pick up a Tybo Design Studio for your very own tie-dye party. This mess-free tie-dye kit is loved by both parents and children, helping them to create colourful masterpieces every time! Grab some old tops, socks, tote bags and much more and bring them back to life! 5) Hold a Paper Airplane Contest Bring back memories of the classroom, without annoying the teacher! Grab some paper and colouring pens and get designing your paper plane. How do you win? See whose plane can fly the furthest of course! For more indoor activities to keep the kids busy, check out our range of indoor toys here. There's something for everyone!
PRINCE LOUIS PLAYS ON THE TP TOYS FOREST SEESAW
July 04, 2023
PRINCE LOUIS PLAYS ON THE TP TOYS FOREST SEESAW
As we all know, children love to be in the outdoors running about and playing, and Princes and Princesses are no exception!  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released a heart-warming short family video to mark their 10th wedding anniversary. Giving us a glimpse into family life at home in Norfolk. The family were seen to be enjoying life outdoors and Prince George and Princess Charlotte were even spotted having a spin on the TP Forest Wooden Seesaw! All the fun of a traditional wooden seesaw with a 360⁰ twist, featuring comfy moulded plastic seats that will have kids bouncing and spinning with joy. Made from sustainable FSC® certified timber this seesaw provides hours of fun.  Recently the TP Forest Wooden Seesaw has had a little re-vamp with bold new colours that little ones will love. Back in stock in mid-May, make sure to mark it in your calendars! Shop the TP Forest Wooden Seesaw here  Article is here
The TP Explorer is Award Winning!
February 01, 2021
The TP Explorer is Award Winning!
It’s rare that playing on a climbing frame will not put a smile on your child’s face, but we always want to make sure parents are just as happy with the purchase, bringing a sense of adventure to your back garden . We are thrilled the TP Explorer has been selected as an Indy Best Buy product in the Independent in the category for the best climbing frames! After keeping the original design, with a few make-overs here there, this climbing frame has been a firm family favourite for the last 20 years. You can build it at low height for children from 18 months, or full height for kids aged three to 12 years, coming with a den with adventure playmat and porthole is sure to be your little one’s favourite hiding spot! The TP Toys Castlewood Wooden Climbing Frame also featured as a runner up! With impressive play value (you can even add on a fireman’s pole!) your child will be smiling from ear to ear every time they step foot in the garden. Now black Friday is just around the corner our sale has started early – you can pick both of these award-winning climbing frames for a fraction of the price!  
TP Trikes
February 01, 2021
Introducing you to the world of TP Trikes
TP Trikes have just rolled onto the scene! Get your little one riding around in style, from the age of 10 months, the TP Trikes adapt as your little one grows and gains more independence. With the release of three different models, the 4 in 1+, 4 in 1 and Early Fun, each with two colourways to choose from there is something for every child who loves to get out and explore! Available exclusively at Argos for the first 6 months!  The 4 in 1+ Trike  A stylish tricycle that grows and adapts with your child from the age of 10+ months. This trike features an adjustable seat, removable parental control handle, allowing your little one to sit back and relax. With a 3-point safety belt and removable safety bar to ensure your little one is kept safe, while the shock resistant wheels ensure for a smooth ride. Coming in greyish black with either Pink Dusk or Midnight Blue, RRP £80. The 4 in 1 Trike   The 4 in 1 trike is sure to be the centre of your little one’s attention, allowing them to ride around in style. Featuring a parental lock mode giving you full steering control, with a 3-point safety belt, removable safety bar and shock resistant wheels for maximum comfort.   Coming in two bold colourways and patterned canopy, Dino Discovery and Unicorn Dream, RRP £60.  The Early Fun Trike  The Early Fun is the perfect first, 2-stage trike, allowing your little one to gain their independence as this training trike turns into an independent tricycle. Featuring an adjustable seat and removable parent handle, with a 3-point safety belt to ensure your little one is kept safe.  Coming in Bubble Gum or Ocean Wave, RRP £40. 
Scuttlebug XL Awards
February 01, 2021
Scuttlebug XL is Award Winning!
After only releasing the Scuttlebug XL earlier on this year we are so happy to have received the news it will be picking up a prize at the Right Start 2020 Awards! 
Ahoy Wooden Play Boat Has Been Shortlisted!
February 01, 2021
Ahoy Wooden Play Boat Has Been Shortlisted!
Knowing your customers love your products is the most important part of the job, but learning you will be receiving a prize at the Right Start 2020 awards is the cherry on top of the cake! 
Learning Through Play
February 01, 2021
Learning Through Play
What might not be so obvious is that a great deal of a child’s development actually comes from their playtime. Core skills, including physical, mental and emotional skills, are all learnt during play both with the child on their own and when playing with other kids.-
TP Toys shortlisted for multiple awards
February 01, 2021
TP Toys shortlisted for multiple awards
We are excited to announce that not one, not two, but THREE of our TP products have been shortlisted for the MadeForMums Toy Awards 2019.
Outdoor Toys: Then and Now
February 01, 2021
Outdoor Toys: Then and Now
Playing out in the great outdoors can bring a smile to almost anyone’s face, especially when the weather is at its best. After looking at over 100 years of Met Office weather data, its been predicted that this summer’s peak conditions in the UK will be the week of 21st to 29th July, so getting out and about around that time is an absolute must. Playgrounds and gardens give kids an ideal opportunity to play with outdoor toys with other kids, so we decided to take a look back at how the outdoor toys we know and love became an essential part of playing outdoors.
Happy 60th Birthday TP!
February 01, 2021
Happy 60th Birthday TP!
Happy Birthday to You Happy Birthday to You Happy Birthday Dear TP Happy Birthday to You! HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY TP TOYS!! The year is 1959, innovation is on the horizon. The UK starts using postcodes and opens the first section of the M1 motorway! Disney injects some magic in the world with the release of Sleeping Beauty and future celebrities Emma Thompson, Simon Cowell and Sarah the Duchess of York are born. However, the most exciting moment of 1959 was the birth of TP Toys! 1959 saw the first Hula Hoop craze begin. Our founders, have access to a supply of semi-rigid plastic tubing which they make into hoops at home and sell from their cars. With the £200 profit they began to develop products which could be made from plastic-sleeved steel tubing, thus Tube Plastics – TP was born! 60 years on since our humble beginnings, TP leads the way in outdoor toys. Now part of the Mookie Family, the home of Swingball, the TP range includes Trampolines, Climbing Frames, Swing Sets, Playhouses, Slides, Sandpits and much, much more. It’s been 60 years of Fun at TP Toys. Have a look below at some of our highlights or click here for the full TP history. 1959 TP is born with their release of a simple hula hoop! 1960 TP Launch their first ever swing. 1963 The first TP designed product is patented - the Single Tower Climbing Set. This initial innovatory design is developed to offer multi tower options and a big range of accessories. It’s the start of the modularity that will become the hallmark of TP outdoor playsets. In the same year the UK's first mini trampolines are designed and manufactured by TP! 1969 TP becomes the the first UK manufacturer to make slides out of fibreglass. 1971  John Lewis become stockists of the TP range. 1975 TP expand their range for nurseries and playgroups. 1985 The Slippy Slide, the forerunner of today’s Aqua Slide, is patented and included in the TP range. 1993 TP are awarded the accolade of Best British Toy Company 1993 by the National Association of Toy Retailers. 1998 tptoys.com launches on the world wide web! 2003 TP commission the largest injection moulding tool ever made for the toy industry and create the new CrazyWavy slide.  2006 The Kingswood range of wooden climbing frames is added to the range and for the first time it is possible to ‘grow’ a wooden climbing frame. 2012 TP is now part of the family of Mookie Toys, the home of the UK’s No1 outdoor toy, Swingball. 2014 TP’s innovation in trampoline design culminates in the launch of the new igloo door. Getting in and out of a trampoline has never been so much fun! 2015 TP delivers their first ever TV advert . 2016 New QuadPod arrives, the new 4 in 1 swing seat which can be used from 6months old. 2017 The TP Design Barn opens in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside, home to TP’s in-house design team. 2018 TP launches their range of award winning Mud Kitchens and Loft Houses. 2019 TP turns 60 years old! Still as Innovative as ever, TP delivers a new range of Mud Kitchen Accessories that can be added to the side of wooden playhouses, adding a whole new world of fun. The fun continues with the revolutionary 3 in 1 Activity Swing Seat, fully equipped with 3 modes that allows you to swing, stand and hang! 2019 has lots more surprises still to come, so stay tuned! Here’s to the next 60 years of play!
TP Mud Kitchen wins Multiple Toy Awards
February 01, 2021
TP Mud Kitchen wins Multiple Toy Awards
We’re proud to announce our TP Muddy Madness Mud Kitchen has cooked up a storm at two recent toy awards! TP Mud Kitchen has been served with multiple awards, winning at both the ‘Best Baby and Toddler Gear Awards’ and the ‘MadeforMums Toy Awards’. Scooping up two awards for Best Role Play Toy at ‘Best Baby and Toddler Gear Awards’, the Mud Kitchen claimed the Consumer Choice and Bronze Award. The annual 'Best Baby and Toddler Gear Awards' by parents site, Mumii test carefully selected children and nursery products assessed by an expert team, as well as tested by a team of parents. When you’re looking for the best mud kitchen, two awards simply won’t do. That’s why we’re delighted to strike gold at the MadeforMums Toy Awards after being voted Best Toy for Pretend Play. With mud pies galore on the menu, It’s easy to see why kids and parents love our mud kitchens so much. The MadeforMums Awards take toy testing very seriously. Tested by over 500 children (with the help of their parents) over the course of 8 weeks to find out which toys are best in class. The Muddy Madness Mud Kitchen from TP is very unique in the mud kitchen world. It comes complete with all the tools you need to whip up some culinary treats including an oven, work surface, pots and pans, cooking utensils and a real working tap! Mud kitchens are fantastic to gets kids excited about outdoor play, sparking their imagination and letting them get creative. Another big feature of the Muddy Madness Mud Kitchen is it comes complete with chalk and stencils so children can personalise their mud kitchen and write their delicious menu on the chalkboard! Mud pies all round! Please see below for a list of the awards the TP Mud Kitchen has won: Best Baby and Toddler Gear 2018 Best Role Play Toy – Consumer Choice Award Best Role Play Toy – Bronze Award MadeforMums Toy Awards 2018  Best Toy for Pretend Play – Gold Award
TP Spiro Spin Seesaw wins big at the Loved by Parents Awards
February 01, 2021
TP Spiro Spin Seesaw wins big at the Loved by Parents Awards
If you’re looking for the best Seesaw for your garden then look no further. Our spinning, bouncing seesaw, TP Spiro Spin won 3 awards in the Loved by Parents Awards 2018! 
TP Loft House
February 01, 2021
Two Storeys of Fun with a TP Loft House
When you imagine a wooden playhouse for your garden, you may think of a door, windows, perhaps a verandah if you're lucky. What you're probably not thinking of is stairs, balcony and a slide!
Introducing Spiro Spin - The spinning bouncing seesaw
September 13, 2023
Introducing Spiro Spin - The spinning bouncing seesaw
We’re very excited to announce the launch of our brand-new bouncing, spinning seesaw – Spiro Spin. Spiro Spin is a revolutionary evolved seesaw, incorporating bouncing and spinning into the traditional playground activity.
TP Pirate Playhouse gets Christmas Makeover
September 13, 2023
TP Pirate Playhouse gets Christmas Makeover
Christmas came early for lucky 3-year-old, Rowan Reedman who had a pirate-themed winter wonderland created in his garden thanks to a competition from chocolate experts, Kinder.
Turn your playhouse into Santa's Grotto
September 13, 2023
Turn your playhouse into Santa's Grotto
We've had a visit from one of Santa's elves who's given a Christmas makeover to one of our playhouses.
Owning a trampoline - The benefits you may not know about!
September 13, 2023
Owning a trampoline - The benefits you may not know about!
In November 2016, we asked 42 trampoline owners if having a trampoline had helped encourage their child
Reasons to buy a trampoline this Christmas!
February 01, 2021
Reasons to buy a trampoline this Christmas!
Here at TP Toys we love Christmas! With winter fast approaching buying a trampoline may not make it to the top of your Christmas list; however a trampoline can provide lots of fun and laughter for the whole family. 
10 Top Tops to Help Build Your TP Wooden Toys!
September 13, 2023
10 Top Tops to Help Build Your TP Wooden Toys!
Wooden product: A tape measure A pen and some scraps of paper A set of good quality tools Before you build your outdoor toy Always try to find a flat level piece of ground on which to build your outdoor toys Open the MAIN product box first and take out the instructions Read through the instructions thoroughly taking special note of any left or right handed parts, at what stage things like roof panels or swing arms are attached whether there are any stages where you will need more than one person during the assembly. Before unpacking the box, think about where in the garden your new equipment will end up – things like our Kingswood are very big and heavy once built so try to start building them where they will eventually end up to avoid any heavy lifting! When unpacking the parts, identify where the part number stickers are and lay out all the parts with the stickers facing up, then try to group identical parts together to make it easy to find them later. Some parts will look very similar, so have a tape measure handy and take note of any holes drilled in parts that might be subtly different to other parts of a similar shape and size. Open the packs containing the nuts and bolts and try splitting them up into neat piles (or better yet little tubs or bowls like TV Chefs) of each type, diameter and length – screw and bolt length is very important and can vary by only a couple of millimeters so take extra care selecting the right fasteners according to the instructions. Top Tip – don’t open the pack on the grass! Nuts and washers all to easily go missing on the grass, so try using the lid of one of the product boxes as a container. During assembly, work slowly and methodically through the instructions, and if you are struggling on a stage, try reading forwards and backwards through the instruction stages to double check everything has gone to plan. Sometimes getting a part the wrong way round at the start can cause a headache at the end!   With modern, powerful drills it’s easy to over tighten screws, sinking them into the parts and potentially splitting the wood. Try using the torque setting on your drill (if it has one) and set it stop at the point the screw wound in just enough. If in doubt, use a power drill for the first 90% of the screw then tighten up the last 10% by hand. Wood is a natural, living material – and as such splinters and knots will occur. As you are building the product keep some sand paper to hand and take off any little splinters that you might find before letting the kids loose on their new swing set, climbing frame or pirate ship!   We know separating all of the parts, nuts, bolts and paraphernalia might seem like a hassle – but it’s worth it! You will find things will run smoother when all the parts are to hand and you’re not trying to find the last 6mm dome nut that may or may not have fallen into the grass!!