What is the Polydron My First Octoplay Set?

The Polydron My First Octoplay Set is a 21-piece construction set for children aged 2 years and above, comprising 20 large slotting pieces made from 100% recycled plastic and one storage pole. The chunky 12cm pieces connect by slotting together along their edges, giving young children a satisfying and accessible building experience without requiring precise grip or dexterity. The set was awarded the Creative Play Awards 2022 prize for Special Educational Needs Toys and Resources in the 0 to 3 years category, recognising its value as a resource for children with additional needs.

Why this set stands out for SEN and early years use

The Creative Play Awards 2022 recognition in the SEN category reflects what practitioners already know: the My First Octoplay Set is genuinely well suited to children with additional needs. The large 12cm pieces are easy to grasp and manipulate, reducing the physical demands on children with dyspraxia, developmental coordination difficulties, or delayed fine motor development. The slot-together connection is firm and stable once engaged, but straightforward enough for children aged 2 and above to manage independently, supporting self-directed play and building confidence alongside skills.

For children with sensory processing differences, the set offers tactile engagement through the satisfying resistance and click of the slotting connection, as well as a manageable visual environment with solid, clearly differentiated colours rather than an overwhelming number of small pieces.

Why it works in nurseries and early years settings

• Award-winning SEN resource: recognised at the Creative Play Awards 2022 as the winner in the Special Educational Needs Toys and Resources (0 to 3 years) category, providing practitioners with independent validation of its suitability.
• Made from 100% recycled plastic: all pieces are manufactured entirely from recycled material, making this one of the most sustainably produced construction sets available for early years settings.
• Large 12cm pieces for children from age 2: chunky pieces are easy to pick up, handle, and connect for toddlers and young children, including those with developing fine motor skills or additional needs.
• Dual-purpose storage pole: threads through the pieces for compact, organised storage in the reusable carton, and can also be used as a construction element for more intricate models as children's skills develop.
• 100% recyclable and BPA free: safe, responsibly produced, and supplied in a recyclable carton, supporting settings with sustainability commitments.
• Model guide included: gives practitioners and parents a range of structured builds for guided play alongside free exploration.

Suitable for home use too

The My First Octoplay Set is equally well suited to home use. The compact reusable carton and storage pole make it easy to keep tidy, and the 21 pieces provide enough variety for sustained individual play. Parents supporting children with fine motor delays, sensory differences, or developmental coordination difficulties will find this a versatile and confidence-building resource, backed by independent award recognition in the SEN category.

Why construction play supports early development

Hands-on manipulative play is consistently recommended by occupational therapists and early years practitioners as important for building the foundational skills children need for literacy and numeracy. Slotting, connecting, and building three-dimensional structures develops fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving. For children with dyspraxia or sensory processing differences, construction activities with large, manageable pieces provide a structured and rewarding context for practising these skills at their own pace.

Ready to order?

The Polydron My First Octoplay Set is available to order for home use and nursery settings. For questions about suitability or to discuss larger orders, our team is happy to help.

• Award winner: Creative Play Awards 2022, Special Educational Needs Toys and Resources (0 to 3 years) category.
• 21 pieces included: 20 Octoplay construction pieces plus 1 storage pole.
• Slot-together connection: pieces connect along their edges by slotting together, accessible for children aged 2 and above without requiring precise grip or dexterity.
• Large piece size: each piece measures 12cm x 12cm, designed for easy handling by toddlers and young children.
• Made from 100% recycled plastic: all pieces are manufactured entirely from recycled material, fully recyclable and BPA free.
• Dual-purpose storage pole: threads through pieces for compact storage and can also be used as a construction element for more detailed models.
• Recyclable carton packaging.
• Model guide included: provides structured build ideas for guided and independent play.
• Cleaning method: hand wash with mild sterilising detergent.
• Age suitability: 2 years and above.
• Weight: 0.8 kg.
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 29 x 13.5 x 13 cm.
• Packaging: sturdy, reusable carton.
• Barcode (EAN-13): 5060164539087.
• Product code (MPN): 81-1010.
• Material: 100% recycled plastic, BPA free.

• What is the Polydron My First Octoplay Set?
  The Polydron My First Octoplay Set is a 21-piece construction set for children aged 2 years and above, comprising 20 large slotting pieces made from 100% recycled plastic and one storage pole. Pieces connect by slotting together along their edges to build 2D patterns and 3D models, and a model guide is included. The set is a winner of the Creative Play Awards 2022 in the Special Educational Needs Toys and Resources (0 to 3 years) category.
• Has the My First Octoplay Set won any awards?
  Yes. The Polydron My First Octoplay Set won the Creative Play Awards 2022 in the Special Educational Needs Toys and Resources (0 to 3 years) category. This award recognises the set's suitability as a construction resource for young children with additional needs, including those with dyspraxia, fine motor difficulties, and sensory processing differences.
• What age is the My First Octoplay Set suitable for?
  The My First Octoplay Set is designed for children aged 2 years and above. The large 12cm pieces are easy for toddlers to handle, and the slot-together connection means children can build independently from age 2. The set remains engaging through nursery and early Reception years as children develop more complex building skills.
• How does the My First Octoplay Set support children with dyspraxia or fine motor difficulties?
  The My First Octoplay Set is well suited to children with dyspraxia or developmental coordination difficulties, as recognised by the Creative Play Awards 2022 SEN category. The large 12cm pieces are easy to grasp and position, and the slot-together connection does not require fine pincer grip or precise alignment. Children can experience success in construction play and build confidence alongside fine motor skills.
• What is the difference between the My First Octoplay Set and the Translucent My First Octoplay Set?
  The My First Octoplay Set is made from 100% recycled plastic and features solid opaque colours. The Translucent My First Octoplay Set uses clear, translucent pieces in vibrant colours that allow light to pass through, making the translucent version particularly suited to light table activities. Both sets contain 21 pieces (20 construction pieces and 1 storage pole) and share the same 12cm piece size and slot-together connection.
• What skills does the My First Octoplay Set develop?
  The My First Octoplay Set develops fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, early geometry and shape awareness, colour recognition, and problem-solving. For children with learning differences including dyspraxia and sensory processing differences, large-piece construction play is widely recommended by occupational therapists as part of a supportive approach to building foundational early development skills.
• Is the My First Octoplay Set suitable for nursery use?
  Yes. The My First Octoplay Set is suitable for nursery and early years settings. The pieces are BPA free, hand-washable, and the compact reusable carton makes storage straightforward. For settings needing a larger quantity of pieces for group activities, the My First Octoplay Class Set is also available and contains 42 pieces.
• Is the Polydron My First Octoplay Set made from recycled materials?
  Yes. All pieces in the Polydron My First Octoplay Set are manufactured from 100% recycled plastic. The set is also fully recyclable and BPA free, and is supplied in a recyclable carton. This makes it one of the most sustainably produced construction sets available for early years and SEN settings.