Toys

What’s so special about playing with doll’s houses? And what’s the secret to their enduring appeal? In this guide we’ll examine the psychology behind children’s play and how it determines which doll’s houses are best. Discover the psychology of doll’s house play and learn more about why it matters in this guide. Table of contents […]

For an interesting variation on traditional building blocks, try making your own using natural materials. To do this you’ll need branches of varying sizes. Remember you’ll be cutting through these so don’t choose anything too thick. Pieces of bark are also very useful and don’t forget to include conkers and pine cones as these make

Why do children love to play with Maileg? Is it that the mice in matchboxes are just so adorable? Or is there something developmental going on? The world of Maileg characters is huge. From dancing bunnies and cuddly hippos, to doll’s houses and race cars, the focus is on gentle, small-world play, full of nostalgic

How do you play with Grapat? The simple shapes and lack of obvious purpose make them a mystery to most adults. But your child will know exactly what to do: explore. With Grapat, the focus is on discovery and experimentation. The materials invite open-ended play, that is play without a fixed outcome. What is Grapat?

Do you ever feel like your home is full-to-bursting with toys that you don’t want and didn’t ask for? The children in the 100 Toys house are 6, 5, 4 and 2 years old. That’s 17 Christmasses and 17 birthdays in total. Gifts from parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, plus stocking fillers. It’s not unusual

Peaceable Kingdom produce board games that get children working together, instead of against each other. These award-winning games require cooperation between players in order for everyone to win. Games such as Hoot Owl Hoot, Feed The Woozle, and Count Your Chickens, pit players against an opposing force such as a forthcoming sunrise or a wicked

Play people are an especially important part of any pre-school toy box. In these characters children recognise themselves and their families and friends. Their play is usually about enacting real-life or imagined scenes – simple scenarios such as being at home in the kitchen or driving along in the car – compounding their understanding of

Does your child like soft toys? They’re a classic gift for a new baby but they often then sit in the corner unloved and unnoticed for years. But then something magical happens. They are rediscovered and, like an old friend, it’s like they never went away. Your child is now two or three (or eight!)

Loose parts don’t look very inspiring. What can you do with a box-full of identical pieces? But sit with them a while and you’ll understand what makes them so fascinating. Even as adults we gain pleasure from these materials. There’s something soothing and almost meditative about arranging the pieces in a visually harmonious way. Some