PlaySafe
What is PLAYSAFE?
Creative play is a vital element in the process of growing up � but parents, carers or teachers must be confident that play time is safe as well. Who better to think up a toy or game that will grab the imagination of a child than young people themselves - and who more qualified to encourage them to think about safety as well as fun than Trading Standards and its partner the British Toy and Hobby Association?
That is why the annual PlaySafe competition attracts so many entries, year after successful year and offers wonderful prizes for the entrants and their school.
The challenge is for youngsters in two age groups, from 6 to 17 years old to design a toy that is right for children aged three to seven. As well as putting their ideas on paper, they have to provide detailed notes that explain how the toy is to be used, the safety features, the play and child development benefits, whether the toy is for indoor or outdoor use and if it is suitable for children with special needs.
Interested ?
Then all you need to know about the competition is also available in the "Playsafe" section of the British Toy and Hobby association website www.btha.co.uk, or the ask Cedric website www.askcedric.org.uk where you will find useful facts on the value of play, toy safety and understanding fads and fashions in toys.
These websites contain information that will be a valuable resource for teachers wishing to encourage interest and provide their pupils with an enjoyable as well as an educational experience.
Judging of the two age groups and the winners will be announced during the Trading Standards Institute Conference at the Brighton Centre in June 2009, where all the finalists’ designs will be displayed.
As well as many wonderful prizes the outright winner of the competition will receive £1,000 worth of IT equipment for their school, which will be presented later in the year.
TSI Young Consumers of the Year 2009
PLAYSAFE
HOT TIPS TO HELP YOU WIN
1. Your design must be aimed at a child in the age range of 3-7 years.
2. State who your toy will appeal to: a boy, a girl or both, a child with special needs and put this information on your entry.
3. Describe where the toy will be used, for example, in the car, on holiday, indoors or outdoors. Will it be used by a single child or is it more suitable for a group activity?
4. List the safety features that you have included and add safety warnings and instructions for use. Ensure you include relevant safety and conformity symbols such as the CE mark, the Lion Mark, and 0-3 age restriction symbol if small parts are used.
5. Is the toy fun to play with? Tell us why. Does the toy have educational benefits, if so what are these? Would this make your toy more desirable to the market place?
6. Think of an apt and witty name for your toy, something easily remembered but appropriate to the product.
7. Remember unique design ideas earn extra points.
8. Make sure your entry has all the required entry details i.e. your name; your age; your school and contact details
Playsafe in Action
In this section you will find all the information that you need to enter the Playsafe competition.
How to Enter
Produce your design on an A3 piece of paper, fill in the �Returning Your Entries Form� (see link below) and post to the address at the bottom of the form.
Playsafe Returning Your Entries Form
It is as simple as that.
Please ensure that your entries have the following information written on the back of each A3 sheet you return:
School Name, Address and Telephone Number
Teachers Name
Name of Child submitting entry
Age of Child submitting entry
We trust you will enjoy designing toys for the competition and look forward to receiving your entry! Good Luck!!!