Peppa Pig toy boat, with figures and bath crayons; 'Grandpa Pig's Bathtime Boat'; Character Options Ltd; made in China

Boxed toy boat, with Grandpa, George and Peppa Pig figures and three bath crayons.

The boat is made from injection-moulded blue, yellow and white plastic. Some of the moulded details, such as the portholes, have been embellished with paint. The deck is moulded to resemble planks of wood, in it there are three circular depressions for the Grandpa, Peppa and George figures to stand. At the front of the boat is a white plastic railing, behind which is a mast and ship's bell. In the centre of the deck is the wheelhouse, with portholes either side and a black wheel on its back. Next to this is a lever with a red knob. At the stern of the boat is a flagpole flying a plastic Jolly Roger.

The boat is packaged with three figures, all injection-moulded from plastic, assembled from separate parts and finished with paint. The figures of George and Peppa both wear integrally-moulded yellow lifejackets. Grandpa Pig wears a maritime captain's hat. All figures are connected to circular bases at the their feet. It is possible for them to lean forwards at the 'hips', and for their arms to move slightly forwards.

Also included are three bath crayons (red, blue and yellow) which can be used on the surface of a bath or on bathroom tiles.

The box is of printed card, with a transparent plastic (probably polyester) window at the front.

Purchased by the MoC in 2015 [2015/520]

Peppa Pig is a British preschool animated television show, first aired in 2004. The eponymous character is an anthropomorphic pig, four years old, who lives with her mother, father and younger brother, George. Her grandfather, Grandpa Pig, enjoys sailing, and is shown here as the captain of the boat. Most Peppa Pig storylines feature everyday activities, such as going to playgroup, visiting relatives or riding bicycles. Peppa Pig merchandise proved extremely popular and lucrative for the show’s producers; the character’s image has been licenced to dozens of companies to appear, for example, on clothing, stationery, stuffed toys, bed linen and bathroom products. Peppa also has her own dedicated theme park, located at Paulton’s Park in Hampshire.

Toy boats, animals and, more recently, wipe-clean crayons for writing on tiles make children’s bath times more enjoyable (and tolerable for them and their parents). This boxed toy is a combination of floating toy boat and playset, with three characters from a popular children’s television programme.

B.84-2015