Another age group I’m extremely familiar with, four to five year olds are incredibly imaginative – try to encourage pretend play with shops, dolls’ houses and fancy dress. They also want to get involved in grown-up activities, so a quality set of gardening tools or baking set is a great gift. Construction toys are king in our household – opt for architectural blocks and building sets as a break from the ubiquitous Lego – and we love sitting down as a family for a good old-fashioned game or crafternoon.
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Amy Whitworth Qubis dolls’ house, £34.65 (+ £39 for furniture and people), Sisters Guild. The perfect solution for small spaces, this chic dolls’ house box has wallpaper by Ella Doran no less!
Viking Helmet, £14, Hedgehog. Vikings make a nice change from knights as the warriors of choice.Â
Hape Market Stall, £84.99, Wooden Toys Direct. The shop/stall is still the most popular toy in our house – played with every day.
Morse DIY Cars Kit, £25, Couverture and the Garbstore. Six flatpack cars and straws to create your own vehicles.
Colour Your Own Teepee, £160, LoveKeepCreate. Teepees are pretty special anyway, but one that you’ve coloured in yourself? Yes, please.
Kid O Memory Match, £24, Huggle. Beautiful wooden game with four reversible card designs.
La Loi Paint Palette leggings, £39, Alexandalexa. The coolest leggings in town.
Brio Builders Space Centre, £169, Little Scout. This wooden Meccano-style kit looks amazing – I hope Alfie doesn’t see it as it will be straight on the list!
JipiJipi Stanley bunny, £40, Custard. Your little one may be outgrowing some soft toys, but Stanley exudes hipster cool.
Starry Night Bracelet, £16, I Love Gorgeous. I’d quite like this cute little chain bracelet in my size.
Goki Wooden Balance Crocodile, £14.99, Whirligig Toys. Take it in turns to stack the items on the crocodile – whoever manages the most is the winner.
Seedling The Junior Postman Mail Kit, £39.95, Kind Toys. A wooden mail box containing stamps, letter paper, coloured pencils, envelopes and a canvas delivery bag.
Saracen Bolt 16″ bike, £129, Evans Cycles. At the age of about four, children are ready to progress from balance bikes to pedals. This is a great starter bike with optional stabilisers.
Haba Coliseum Building Blocks, £36.99, Spotty Green Frog. I couldn’t love this range more – there’s also a Russian cathedral, Egyptian pyramid and Mayan temple. Genius!
Nathalie Lete Chinese tin teaset, £35, Heal’s. One of the more expensive teasets, but absolutely exquisite.
Jeujura Wooden Farm Construction Kit, £41.28, Amazon. This 140-piece construction kit comes in a handy suitcase.
Vilac Garden Tools, £32, Little Citizens Boutique. A sturdy, well-designed set comprising a pair of gloves, a hoe, a rake and a spade.
Kiko+ Machi London magnet set, €40, Shak-Shuka. Play at being Boris with this capital city play set.
Siebensachen Colorconda Domino game, £16.99, Toyella. Colourful spin on the traditional game in durable card.
OMY Make Your Own Costume, £11.99, Eeny Meeny Kids. Why buy a ready-made costume when you could customise one yourself?
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