Test result preview
The Busy Board (1/11.23) from the Lions Collections brand is an activity toy for children aged 3 years and over.
The activity toy was inspired by Montessori pedagogy and offers numerous different play options .
For example, there are play options that promote motor skills. These include shoe laces, buckles, belts, cords and zips.
The product also contains play elements that promote mental development . There are many felt components, such as letters in the form of puzzle pieces that can be removed and stuck onto the felt surface in the book. With comic-like illustrations depicting human emotions , the child should learn to interpret the expression of emotions.
The individual pages are fastened with a zip, so they can be removed individually and cleaned if necessary.
The Busy Board can be closed with a rubber band on the outside and carried around like a carrier bag .
Anotherpositive feature is the lovingly designed certificate included with the product, which can be personalised and presented to the child.
In the practical test , the Busy Board impressed with its numerous activity options and represents a good alternative to a world in which much of the action takes place in front of screens.
The seller expressly points out that the product should only be used under adult supervision, otherwise there is a risk of suffocation due to small parts.
Advantages
- Inspired by Montessori pedagogy
- Promotes cognitive and fine motor skills
- Numerous employment opportunities
Disadvantages
- Not all activity options suitable for ages 3 and up
The test
General information
We took a close look at and tested the product in a practical test. In the following, we take a closer look at the features and impressions. From the packaging, materials and quality to the range of functions and handling, the product is subjected to our test procedure.
To give you a quick overview, we work with a points system. The maximum achievable score per area is 100 points. The final overall score is calculated from the average of all tested features, taking into account the respective weighting. For a detailed insight into our comprehensive evaluation process, which forms the basis of all our product ratings, please click here.
The first impression
Packaging and contents
Here we take a closer look at packaging. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor. In addition, adequate protection of the product must of course also be guaranteed. Are the contents of the packaging complete and does the manufacturer make it as easy as possible for me to use the product straight away?
Here we take a closer look at packaging. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor. In addition, adequate protection of the product must of course also be guaranteed. Are the contents of the packaging complete and does the manufacturer make it as easy as possible for me to use the product straight away?
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Remark
Score achieved*
Product protection
Carton is sturdy, product sufficiently protected
Points
Sustainability Packaging
Unnecessary packaging waste has been avoided, the plastic film protects the product components
Points
Package contents & scope
Busy Board, certificate
Points
Instructions for use
Product is self-explanatory
Points
TOTAL
98
Points
Weighting: 20%
*Themaximum score is 100 points
The Busy Board from the Lions Collection brand was delivered in a classic shipping box that was well suited to the size of the product.
Inside the box was the Busy Board, which was packed in a child-friendly printed box . One positive aspect to emphasise here is that a warning is printed in large letters on the back of the box stating that the product contains small parts that can be swallowed.
The Busy Board inside the printed cardboard box is packed in a plastic bag – this raises the question of whether this plastic bag is absolutely necessary or whether it could be replaced by a biodegradable packaging alternative .
Instructions for use are not included with the product ; it would be desirable to have instructions on the surface of the box as to whether or how the product should be cleaned .
The personalisable and loving certificate, which is also included in the product scope, rounds off the product perfectly.
The first time in your hand
Product processing and appearance
Before we start the practical test, we take a close look at the workmanship of the products. How high quality are the materials used? Are the look and feel satisfactory?
Before we start the practical test, we take a close look at the workmanship of the products. How high quality are the materials used? Are the look and feel satisfactory?
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Remark
Score achieved*
Visual appearance
Attractive design
Points
Processing
Very good workmanship
Points
Stability
Very stable
Points
Sustainability of the product
No details, but use of high-quality materials
Points
TOTAL
95
Points
Weighting: 20%
*Themaximum score is 100 points
The Busy Board, which looks like a children’s bag when closed , has a smooth surface on the outside. It can be assumed that the surface is easy to clean due to its texture.
The product isvisually impressive with its child-friendly and very appealing design . The spacy design is gender-neutral .
The product is opened and closed with a rubber band attached to a button. This is an additional motor exercise for the child.
The first impressionof the Busy Board is very positive. It feels stable and well-made, and the individual sides offer a wide variety of different play options.
This is what our practical test showed
Does the manufacturer keep its advertising promises?
Our practical test has the highest relevance and therefore weighting. Here, the product has to undergo a wide range of criteria and tests. We check the functions and product promises of the test article.
Our practical test has the highest relevance and therefore weighting. Here, the product has to undergo a wide range of criteria and tests. We check the functions and product promises of the test article.
show more +Criterion
Remark
Score achieved*
Security / Stability
Good stability and thickness of the sides, unsupervised play not recommended
Points
Quality / Strength
Individual components firmly anchored, good quality
Points
Processing
Sturdy seams
Points
Safety / age suitability
Good attachment; most, not all activity options suitable for ages 3 and up
Points
Ease of use / educational added value
Well suited for children’s hands, versatile activity options
Points
TOTAL
95
Points
Weighting: 45%
*Themaximum score is 100 points
The product was subjected to an extensive practical test .
The overall stability is good and the thickness of the individual sides is also well chosen. Due to the many removable and loose components, unsupervised play is not recommended and the Busy Board should always be used under adult supervision.
The individual product components are firmly anchored and, like the sides as a whole, have good stability. The seams are also neatly stitched.
If you look at the individual play options, you will notice that many, but not all, of the pages are suitable for children aged 3 and over. For example, the pages for correctly recognising emotions or with days of the week, months and seasons are more suitable for older children.
The individual play options are designed in such a way that they are suitable for children’s hands.
The various play options are apositive highlight: On a total of ten different pages, for example, letters can be assigned , buckles can be opened or loops pulled, emotions and colours can be assigned, counting fruits or recognising emotions can be practised. There are four different felt-tip pens on one side, which can be used for creative colouring on a board sewn onto the left-hand side. The colour can be easily removed with water so that the medium can be used and cleaned as often as required .
All in all, it is a very versatile and well thought-out product with added educational value , which was fully convincing in our practical test.
Test plan of the Prüfengel Institute
You can find a detailed insight into the evaluation criteria of the practical part of the test and the distribution of points here. If you are also interested in the evaluation of our other test criteria, please read our document on the evaluation process.
Price/performance ratio
and ratings from consumers
Finally, we analyse how the product compares to the competition. Can it keep up with the competition in terms of price and quality? Would we generally recommend buying it? We also look at the consumer reviews and check whether the critical and positive reviews are actually justified.
Finally, we analyse how the product compares to the competition. Can it keep up with the competition in terms of price and quality? Would we generally recommend buying it? We also look at the consumer reviews and check whether the critical and positive reviews are actually justified.
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Remark
Score achieved*
Price / performance ratio
Very good performance in the high price segment
Points
Rating cut
Still too few customer reviews, not included in the overall rating
TOTAL
50
Points
Weighting: 15%
*Themaximum score is 100 points
At the time of testing, the product had not been listed on Amazon for long enough . Therefore, the existing reviews do not sufficiently reflect the advantages and disadvantages of the product, so this point is neglected in the evaluation .
Prices of up to €30 are charged on the Internet for equivalent products. Very affordable products are available from as little as €14.99 . With a price of €39.90, the Busy Board from Lions Collection is therefore currently in the high price segment. For the quality and performance received, the price-performance ratio is reasonable and in the case of this product it should be noted that it has 10 game pages , while the products of other manufacturers often only contain 6 game pages.
Overall result
Weighting
Points achieved*
1. packaging & contents
20%
Points
2. product processing & appearance
20%
Points
3. in the practical test
45%
Points
4. price/performance & consumer reviews
15%
Points
TOTAL
Points
*Themaximum score is 100 points
