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3-YEAR-OLD LANDS DREAM JOB AS ALDI’S FIRST EVER WOODEN TOY TESTER 

15 May, 2026

• Ireayo’s love for Aldi’s famous Wooden Toys earned him exclusive access to the new range 

• Ireayo from Manchester becomes Aldi’s coveted Wooden Toy Tester as the first ever Specialbuys mini specialist 

• Aldi’s Summer Wooden Toy range is in stores 17^th May 

Three-year-old Ireayo from Manchester becomes Aldi’s first ever Wooden Toy tester. With an adorable submission that melted hearts, Ireayo triumphed over hundreds of fantastic applicants to secure the prestigious title of Aldi’s Wooden Toy Tester. The competition, which launched in April, invited Aldi toy lovers aged three and above to win the NEW beautifully crafted wooden toys from this year’s summer range launching 17^th May, in return for their valuable insights for Aldi’s Buying Team. 

Ireayo has secured the Wooden Outdoor BBQ (£24.99) complete with BBQ Food Accessories (£9.99), the fun-packed Mud Kitchen (£34.99) and Mud Kitchen Accessories (£9.99) along with the Wooden Shop Front (£29.99), Shop Front & Role Play Set Accessories (£14.99) and Messy Play Picnic Bench (£34.99), meaning  he has everything he needs to host the whole family in his mud kitchen or shop this summer. 

Ireayo said: “I love my new wooden toys, I can’t wait to play with them with my friends!” 

Ireayo’s mum, Kaosara, added: “Food and wooden toys are two of Ireayo’s favourite things, so he’s the perfect person for this job. We’re so grateful Aldi chose him and look forward to watching him play in his wooden kitchen!” 

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “We loved Ireayo’s enthusiasm and spark in his submission, and we couldn’t be happier to have him as our first official Wooden Toy Tester. Ireayo’s feedback will play a significant role in upcoming product development, which our little shoppers and parents will see come to life on our shelves in future ranges.” 

The Summer Wooden Toy range highlights include:  

• Aldi’s NEW Wooden Outdoor BBQ (£24.99) complete with the essential BBQing tools and grill hood  

• This pairs perfectly with the NEW BBQ Food Accessories (£9.99) featuring four kits: Hot Dog Box, Meat Box, BBQ Burger Box and Veggie Box all complete with wooden toy food and condiments 

• The Mud Kitchen (£34.99) including bread oven, washing up rack, double burner stove top and utensil holders, along with the Mud Kitchen Accessories (£9.99), with four sets of stainless steel or wooden pots and bowls, baking set and veggie prep set 

• The Wooden Shop Front (£29.99) & The Shop Front & Role Play Set Accessories (£14.99) available in six store front role plays of Coffee Shop, Florist, Village Shop, Post Office, Theatre and Vet 

• The Messy Play Picnic Bench (£34.99) fully equipping the garden with everything needed for a perfect day’s play out in the sun 

Aldi’s Summer Wooden Toy range will be available in stores from 17^th May. Shoppers looking to get their hands on the beloved toys better be quick, as with all Aldi Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone!