Meet the client
Orchard Toys is one of the UK’s most recognised and trusted brands in children’s educational games and puzzles, known for combining learning with fun for over 50 years. With a reputation for high-quality products that support early years development, they are a staple in homes, schools, and nurseries across the country.
Looking to explore digital integration with physical play, Orchard Toys approached us to help bring their first app-based game to life — a bold step into the world of hybrid learning.
Requirements
Orchard Toys asked us to partner with them to create a mobile app that would complement a brand new product: Sound Detectives — a physical board game enhanced by a companion app that plays a key role in gameplay.
Their brief included:
- A fun, child-friendly app interface suitable for ages 3+
- Reliable audio playback and sound sequencing, critical to gameplay
- Offline functionality to work without WiFi or mobile data
- A seamless experience across iOS and Android devices
- Reflecting Orchard Toys’ trusted educational values and bright visual identity
Following the success of Sound Detectives, we were asked to expand the app further to support a second hybrid game: First Sounds Lotto.
Solution
We designed and developed the Orchard Toys app as a fun, intuitive, and robust companion to the board game experience. Built for both iOS and Android, the app plays a key role in the games — playing sequences of sounds that children listen to and match against their board pieces.
The interface was designed to be easily used by young children, with large touch targets, friendly animations, and bold visuals that reflect Orchard Toys’ distinctive branding. We engineered the audio handling to be snappy and reliable, ensuring smooth gameplay with minimal delay or repetition — even when used offline.
After the successful launch of Sound Detectives, we extended the app to include First Sounds Lotto, giving parents and teachers the ability to switch between the two games via a single, child-friendly app environment. All features were carefully tested to ensure they supported learning outcomes, matched Orchard’s product quality, and maintained accessibility for their young audience.
Results
The app launch was a resounding success, with Sound Detectives receiving praise from both parents and educators for its innovative mix of physical play and digital interaction. By enhancing classic board game mechanics with carefully timed sounds, the app added a new layer of engagement while preserving Orchard Toys’ core values of education through play.
The successful expansion to First Sounds Lotto has further solidified the app’s role in Orchard Toys’ product range, helping to future-proof their offering and reach a new generation of digitally native families. The partnership has shown how well-designed technology can enhance traditional learning experiences — and we’re proud to have played a part in it.