FF Play - Summer 2022 by Seven Star Media

Play

BRING YOUR TOYS TO LIFE

THINGS TO DO IN THE

GARDEN THIS SUMMER

PICKS FOR

parents

LOVE OUR EARTH:

TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

SPOTLIGHT ON NI CLIMBING FRAMES YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST: TOYS, GAMES & PLAY IDEAS FOR KIDS

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To p 10...

things to do in the garden From trampolining to mud kitchens, Elena Matsa of Be Active Toys suggests ten fun and fantastic outdoor active play ideas for the whole family.

rowing up at a time when smartphones and tablets were not easily accessible meant that playing outdoors, climbing trees, playing on swings and socialising with other kids in the neighbourhood was easy. With all the temptations technology brings, children now spend a lot more time behind

screens. In fact, Ofcom reports that the amount of time those aged 5-15 years spent online rose from an average of nine hours per week in 2009 to 15 hours in 2018.[1] Further concerns were raised in 2020-2021 as screen times soared during the Covid crisis.[2] Therefore, encouraging kids to engage in outdoor physical activity has become more important than ever.

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Painting is easy, portable and can be done anywhere

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that toddlers aged 1-4 years old should do at least 180 minutes of exercise per day (at any intensity), while children between 5-17 years old should do at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderateto-vigorous-intensity exercise, mostly aerobic, across the week. WHO also highlights the importance of limiting the amount of time children spend being sedentary, particularly the amount of screen time [3]. To give you some inspiration and help kickstart an active summer holiday, we’ve drawn up a list of our top ten outdoor activities:

Take a hike in your local area

Pack a picnic and take the whole family on a hiking adventure. It’s free and a great form of exercise. The UK is a haven of natural beauty – you don’t have to travel too far to find a lush green field, beautiful valley or spectacular forest. With many free hiking routes available online, you have plenty of options to choose from, but make sure to tailor it to your children’s ages and physical abilities, and take frequent breaks.

Go cycling

Cycling is fun and perhaps easier for those little legs that might find walking a bit too tiring. Starting on a good balance bike from as early as one year old can help your little ones learn balance, spatial awareness and coordination, and assist with their transition to a pedal bike. Plus, it’s a fun way for the whole family to exercise.

Get bouncing on a trampoline

Trampolining has become an absolute favourite in the garden. Not only does it help kids burn off some energy and engage in aerobic exercise, but it’s also a great way to spend time with the kids and bond over a fun activity. Set each other different challenges – who can jump the highest, do the best tricks and flips – and start a family record board. Although like any sport, trampolining comes with some risk of injury, with a good quality trampoline and adequate supervision, trampolining can be a family favourite for many years to come.

Climbing is a great way to build confidence

Start climbing from a young age

There’s something special about climbing, whether it’s a toddler climbing up their parents’ sofa or a youngster climbing a tree for the first time. Climbing not only increases muscle tone and strength as kids pull up their body weight, but it also improves gross and fine motor skills, including spatial awareness and hand and foot coordination. It’s also a great way to build their confidence and help develop their social skills as they engage in active play with friends. Encouraging children to develop their climbing skills in a safe environment will have long-lasting benefits. Toddlers can start with an indoor Pikler-inspired climbing frame, such as the Triclimb triangle made in the UK, and as they grow move onto an outdoor play centre complete with swings, slides and monkey bars, such as the Plum Wooden Lookout Towers.

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Paint

All you need to create a family masterpiece is a white canvas, a few paints and a brush. Get each family member to create their own painting, or team up and create a family heirloom. Painting is easy, portable and can be done anywhere. If you’re looking for inspiration, painting outdoors can give you plenty to work with as you enjoy the long, beautiful summer days. To give your little ones easy access to this fun activity, consider investing in a floor or table easel, or alternatively, the Plum Discovery Create and Paint Easel is the perfect outdoor canvas.

Start a family garden

Kids love digging and turning mud upside down, so teach your kids the basics of gardening and the joy of reaping what they sow from a young age. Gardening is great for sensory development, as it engages all sorts of senses and teaches responsibility and patience. Use an old pot, or if you’re looking for a more involved learning experience, the unique TP Wooden Deluxe Potting Bench is ideal for encouraging messy play.

Trampolining can be a family favourite for many years to come

Play with swings

The feeling of weightlessness as you swing up towards the sky is cherished by kids and adults alike, it’s therefore no surprise that swings are one of the most popular playground activities. If your kids cannot get enough of the swings at your local park, consider buying a swing set for your garden. Swing sets come in all shapes and sizes, and some include slides, climbing frames, gliders and other toys. Swinging is not just fun; it has a great calming effect as the body releases endorphins that help reduce stress and meltdowns. It also benefits kids by teaching them body awareness and helps with motor skills such as balance and coordination.

Cook something special

If you’re a passionate cook or baker, get those little hands involved as soon as possible and teach them the joy of creating something from scratch. You’ll be surprised by how much you’ll both enjoy this bonding experience. However, we know that getting a toddler involved in the kitchen can be a messy business. To keep the mess out of the house, encourage creative active play with an outdoor mud kitchen, or water and sand table, and get ready to sample some delicious mud pies.

Scooters

Like cycling, scooting is a great family outing and kids can get involved from as young as two years old. Scooting builds muscle strength and improves balance and coordination, as kids use their arms and legs independently. Making decisions on when to slow down, turn or stop, also requires critical thinking and decision-making skills.

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Garden dance party

Last but not least, everyone loves a good boogie. Hold a disco night in your garden and get the neighbours involved. Add fairy lights, dress up and put your favourite tunes on for a fun, active family experience. References

1. Ofcom (2018). Children and parents media use and attitudes: annex 1. 272 2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ jan/22/children-health-screen-times-covidcrisis-sleep-eyesight-problems-digital-devices 3. World Health Organisation Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour 25 November 2020

Be Active Toys (beactivetoys.co.uk) is a family-run activity toys business based in Hertfordshire. Their carefully curated range includes some of the biggest names in the industry plus unique, innovative brands from the UK and Europe.

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Bring your toys to life! Professional toy photographer Mitchel Wu offers tips and tricks on how to take amazing photographs of your toys at home.

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had so much fun creating this series of photographs for Schleich Toys, photos that bring to life the imaginative stories children created during playtime. From a T-Rex tutor to donkeys playing on a tire swing, nothing is impossible in the imaginative mind of a child – and that’s perfect, since nothing is impossible in toy photography. If it can be imagined, it can be created! And I can’t imagine better toys to inspire a child’s creativity and imagination than toys from Schleich Toys. These toys are beautiful, timeless and durable, many of which are destined to be passed down for generations. Anytime I approach a new image I always start by asking myself these questions: What is the story being told? Who are the primary characters? What kind of world or environment do these characters live in? What is the mood and tone of the story – is it happy, whimsical, dramatic, action-packed or funny? Is there an opportunity to create some special effects in the image to support the story? How can I create motion and emotion in the image?

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Every image seen here was created around my house, either on the porch or in the backyard. The trees you see in my images are actually small tree branches I found around my garden. And the dirt is from my yard as well. I love the dirt here in Southern California, USA; when it’s stirred up it has a dusty, smoky quality to it, which really enhances the atmosphere. To stir up the dirt so it looks like the animals created it while walking or jumping I just throw a bit of dirt into the scene or I blast the dirt with a can of compressed air. Doing this is a great way to create the illusion of motion in my images.

Every image seen here was created around my house

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I love working with water and creating fun splashes. Most of my water environments are created on my stone patio in the backyard. I discovered that I can create almost any kind of watery environment I want on that patio, whether it’s an icy ocean, a serene lake, a pond, or even a river with white water rapids! How do I create a fun splash? I use a can of compressed air to blast the water and capture it with my camera using a fast shutter speed. Based in Los Angeles, Mitchel Wu is the founder of Mitchel Wu Toy Photography. He uses toys to create stories with motion and emotion. Clients include The Walt Disney Company, Marvel Entertainment, Boss Fight Studio, Hasbro, Mattel and others. His work has been featured extensively in print, online and on TV. Mitchel can be seen in the documentary series, “Marvel’s 616, Unboxed “ currently streaming on Disney+. Learn more at mitchelwutoyphotography.com FamilyFirst.co.uk

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Good Play Guide expert Dr Amanda Gummer looks at how toys and play can help children understand climate change.

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t is more important than ever that we take care of the world around us and teach our children to do the same. Play is a wonderful tool for helping children to learn, understand and thrive, and it can help them to learn about being kind to the environment too. We can ensure that play encourages environmental awareness by choosing more sustainable toys and using it to foster an interest and understanding of environmental issues such as climate change.

leadership, they also give children a sense of value of the environment and the things they are seeing. This is because toys that encourage them to visit green spaces and observe birds, plants and animals in the world around them can help them to understand the consequences of concepts such as deforestation or destruction of woodland. By bringing the consequences of issues like global warming into their real world through play, they develop their awareness and understanding of the importance of them.

Picking sustainable toys When picking the most sustainable toys to purchase, this doesn’t only refer to those made of environmentally-friendly materials (although this helps, of course), it also means looking at the longevity and the play value of the toy itself.

Consider toys with more varied and open play possibilities

For example, a toy that can be handed down between siblings and throughout family and friends can be considered sustainable as it is going much further than its one use, or owner. This means investing in something well-made can pay off, as you are only buying it once but reaping its benefits among several children. Thinking about play value and getting the most from one purchase also makes toys sustainable - instead of a ‘one play wonder’, consider things with more varied and open play possibilities. For example, children can turn larger construction toys such as den- or tunnel-making kits into a number of different things through their imagination and play with them both outdoors and indoors. Whereas toys such as puzzles that feature several levels of challenge offer room for progression as children get older or advance their skills.

Environmental focus Toys with a scientific or environmental focus can also help children engage with the natural world around them. In addition to teaching them valuable STEM skills, such as observation, problem-solving and

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As children learn these skills, they are forming the foundation for building healthy and supportive relationships, which are one of the most important factors in developing good mental health. A sense of belonging in their friendships can help children in future times of adversity as well, because it gives them confidence and a source of support and acceptance.

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Relaxation through screenfree play and hobbies Research from The Wildlife Trusts (https://bit.ly/3NSLO8r) shows that time spent in nature benefits children’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and so toys that encourage this – whether it’s a bike, binoculars or a butterfly nature kit – can help children to engage with and value their natural surroundings.

Play can offer a powerful tool to help children understand and make sense of important issues in the world

This can also increase what is called ‘nature connection’, which refers to an identification with nature and feelings of care and concern for the environment. Increasing children’s connection with nature means they are more likely to develop pro-environmental values such as protecting plants and animals, supporting recycling and reducing plastic use.

Help them to care Fostering an interest in important environmental issues such as climate change at a young age makes children more likely to care about it later on. Another good way to encourage them to engage with these important issues is through discussion. Having an open dialogue is an important part of learning and will teach them about important concepts such as community and citizenship. Setting a good example yourself, like recycling and engaging in sustainable activities where possible, will also model positive behaviours for your child. For example, you could go on a litter pick up, a beach clear up or encourage them to help you grow some vegetables at home. Even if you don’t have a garden, there are plenty of smaller vegetables you can grow in pots or on windowsills, such as tomatoes, spring onions and cress. It is important to acknowledge however, that there are some barriers to sustainability and it is not equally easy for everyone to engage in this.

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For example, recycling schemes vary from council to council and some may have less time or money at their disposal to grow their own or buy what are considered ‘more sustainable’ products. It is important to remember that doing what you can is enough and changes, no matter how small, can add up to a big change.

Learn through play Imaginative and role play also offer a powerful tool for helping children to understand environmental issues through play and learn about the world around them. Each time they act out different scenarios, they make sense of things they have seen or heard and develop their understanding of different concepts. Role playing and acting out what they understand about climate change and its impact on the world can also teach children about consequences to behaviour. For example, planting wildflowers to attract bees and butterflies can help the environment, because it provides them with a good source of food meaning they can survive year-round to pollinate our food crops. Also, deforestation for palm oil has a negative impact on wildlife such as orangutans, by taking away their natural habitat. Whilst in theory these can be quite scary concepts, allowing children to make sense of them through role play can be a powerful way to help them truly understand that actions have consequences. This can then encourage children to discuss these issues with their peers and teachers, and come up with practical solutions. For example, making sure to buy products free of palm oil, taking the role of sorting the recycling into different boxes, trying to use fewer plastics in day to day life, or having

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one meat-free day a week (lots of people take part in meat-free Monday).

The power of play Play is one of the most important parts of childhood (and arguably, life in general!) and it provides lots of opportunities for learning and development. It is important to consider sustainability when thinking about which toys our children should play with, as it allows us to choose things that will be enjoyed and valued for longer. This makes a great alternative to ‘one play wonders’, which end up in landfill or are a disappointment as children quickly move on to the next thing.

Time spent in nature benefits children’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing

Play can offer a powerful tool to help children understand and make sense of important issues in the world. By introducing learning about environmental concepts such as global warming and climate change play through play, we take the ‘scariness’ out of them and help children develop the tools to become a productive member of society. As children become more environmentally conscious and aware, you may even find they start teaching you a thing or two!

The Good Play Guide (goodplayguide. com) is your one-stop for all things ‘play’. Find the perfect products for your children with our independent experts’ reviews, get advice on how to help your children thrive and see how play can benefit the whole family.

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Encourage their inner magic Mojo looks at the importance of imaginative play and explains why its animal models are a great way for children to develop key life skills.

ere at Mojo, we love nothing more than to deliver enjoyment through our fantastic models. Not only do our models inspire imaginative play, they also encourage the development of skills that our children need. You never stop learning! Whether it’s through interaction with people and animals or merely the surrounding environment. Children learn especially quickly, and they seem to grow up so fast. We want to instil a passion for the animal kingdom in those early years. Children acquire verbalisation and language skills through play and social interactions with parents and playmates alike. Creating scenarios in which our animals interact with their surroundings is a great way for youngsters to develop both their imagination and understanding of language. There’s a reason we all sang Old McDonald at school; simply learning to use your voice to impersonate animals can encourage toddlers to feel comfortable speaking to other people. As well as developing speech, children also learn very young how to interact with people every day and these playtimes and singalongs may help to ease any social anxiety that they encounter. Our toys have the versatility of being great fun to play with, as well as doubling up as learning material for both social settings

and individual play. They are accomplishing so much whilst simply playing with our toys, such as exercising their creativity in the form of tableaux and making these ‘imagined’ environments come to life before their very eyes. Triggering these creative tendencies is something that we love to see at Mojo. Linking this creativity and the use of language forms a solid basis for the developmental process. Learning about these animals through playing can expand children’s memory ability too. Learning and remembering the names of these animals can result in a greater ability to recall.

Constructing scenarios and animal interactions can be very rewarding for children Constructing scenarios and animal interactions can be very rewarding for

children, particularly when it comes to developing their collaboration and social skills. During this stage, children learn empathy through projecting themselves onto the toys that they play with. Helping to nurture empathy towards animals and people is something we always think about at Mojo. Playing with toys may seem trivial to adults sometimes, but the things children learn through play can mould the person they become. Fostering care for both animals and people is so important in the foundation stages of children’s learning as it sets them up to be able to interact in kind ways and promote healthy behaviours in social situations at home and in school. Projecting themselves onto the animals they are playing with encourages them to see things from another’s perspective – helping them to understand empathy. Studies have shown that unsupervised play is an excellent way for children to exercise their abilities for social interaction and furthers children’s activity and engagement levels. Enhancing these capabilities helps to build on their creative and logical problem-solving skills. Our hand-crafted toys are a wonderful opportunity to practice unsupervised learning, they are safe for children aged three years and above. They have no removable pieces, safe paint and are very sturdy for children that play with a high level of excitement. Our toys encourage the learning of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths.) Scientifically, our models are detailed and anatomically accurate to demonstrate to children what these animals look like in the wild. We aim to cultivate scientific curiosity in children and hope our models spark an intrigue for further research of the animals that they play with. Understanding and exploring the world of nature is not only important for the scientists of the world, but it’s essential for children to interact and get to grips with the animal kingdom to inspire the next generation of biologists, zoologists, and veterinarians. The literal meaning of “MOJO” is “Inner Magic” – we want to create that feeling in every child.

For more information on Mojo, visit: mojofun.eu

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Who will you be? Rubies explains why its costumes are more than just a disguise.

e all know the best way to unlock a child’s endless imagination is by allowing them to explore themselves and their creativity in a fun and safe environment. It’s why we wanted to focus on the joy of dress-up and the importance a costume can make for our little ones to discover their burgeoning personalities. Fun, celebration, imagination and enjoyment are the essence of the Rubies brand and mission. As the world’s largest designer, manufacturer and distributor of fancy dress costumes and accessories, they understand just how beneficial dress-up play is for the development of little minds. When children put on a costume, they are no longer themselves, instead they are caught up in the wonderful world of playful escapism. They can become an astronaut setting off on their first trip into space and discover a fascination with the solar system, or a pirate or an explorer and inspire a lifelong love of travelling and uncovering new places. They can even become the heroes they see on the big and small screens, emulating their personalities whilst they discover their own. Rubies offers a galaxy of different costumes, all created to encourage the endless possibilities of play by exploring characters and qualities to suit them best and build their own traits. Dress-up also has a whole host of developmental benefits; by engaging with others in a fantasy world and imitating characteristics of those they are dressed as, it can help to develop little ones’ language and communication skills. Emotional development is also encouraged, not

just by learning to share during games, which undoubtedly plays a role, but by seeing the world through another’s eyes, safe from potential stressors and in a protected environment, supporting empathy and emotional intelligence.

Fun, celebration, imagination and enjoyment are the essence of the Rubies brand and mission And if these benefits weren’t enough, a study conducted by the National Literacy Trust and commissioned by World Book Day,[1] of which Rubies is a corporate partner, found that costumes are an excellent way to encourage child development. From enjoying imagining themselves “in the shoes” of the character they dressed up as to taking inspiration from their friends’ costumes, the intrinsic link between imagination and fancy dress is undeniable. It also found dressing up encouraged children to get into reading and inspired a passion in them for books, which in itself has untold benefits.

Rubies costumes can bring all of these benefits and more to children through the power of dressing up. And now, Rubies are reaching every child with their range of adaptive costumes, which are designed especially with the considerations in mind of those who use mobility aids. Furthermore, for the environmentally conscious, Rubies have a new range of sustainable costumes made from recycled plastic-based materials and manufactured with responsibly sourced materials, coming soon. Reference 1. Bold National Literacy Trust Article (literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/ research-reports/exploring-the-impact-ofworld-book-day-on-the-reading-lives-ofchildren-in-the-uk-2019-2021/)

Rubies Masquerade UK (rubiesuk. com) and its subsidiaries are supported by their parent company in New York, USA, where it was founded in 1951. You can find Rubies on Facebook @rubiesuk and Instagram @rubies_uk, and find their endless range of costumes and accessories at trusted retailers both online and in-store: rb.gy/mysft5

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A healthy and happy childhood starts here Arran Rooke, head of sales and marketing at NI Climbing Frames, explains why now more than ever providing suitable play equipment in your garden will benefit your children both physically and mentally.

ere at NI Climbing Frames, we are huge believers in play-based learning and what better way to do that than to bring the playground into your own garden! Our mission statement is: “To advance children’s mental and physical development through fun, imaginative play” and we feel our wooden play structures are just the ticket to make that mission statement a reality. Over the years, I’ve heard it be said numerous times that ‘the younger generation are doomed’ or ‘youngsters don’t know how to communicate anymore. They just want to be stuck in front of their phones.’ In some instances, there are certain elements of truth in those statements because let’s face it, the dreaded lockdowns (which are now hopefully far behind us) have tested the majority of us. Even more so the children of today. Our anxiety levels. Our ability to be social butterflies again. Our sense of normality. All tested.

Outdoor play and imagination are fundamental rights of childhood and this is what we strive to provide. Empowering the next generation through cognitive play. The positive spirit with which we support each other fosters open, honest and meaningful relationships. We celebrate and embrace our diversity. We invest in each other because we win or lose as a team.

Integrity is the foundation for everything we do. We are admired and respected for our commitment to honesty, trust and transparency. We do the right thing – even when no one is watching.

We hope that our products can help little ones enjoy their childhood and forget the last few years of uncertainty. While NI Climbing Frames specialises in residential climbing frames, we continue to grow and be market leaders in a range of other products, including sheds, playhouses, outdoor items, gazebos, trampolines, trails, commercial, swing sets, accessories and much more.

The benefits of outdoor play Our climbing frames play a critical role in your child’s development and growth. Climbing allows children to improve their co-ordination and motor skills. This can be through improved fitness levels, spatial and directional awareness, as well as balance and agility. Children love to play and especially love to climb. Our climbing frames and playhouses provide the perfect environment for kids to play with friends and have a fun time within the freedom and safety of their own home. Our products are long-lasting and come with a 10-year anti-rot guarantee, so an investment in an outdoor climbing frame or playhouse will provide years of fun and, more importantly, a healthy and happy childhood.

For more information on NI Climbing Frames, visit: niclimbingframes.com

Our core values This is why NI Climbing Frames’s core values are even more prevalent now than ever: To provide high-quality, affordable climbing frames to the homes of children across the UK.

The Causeway is a wooden climbing frame complete with picnic table, rock wall, slide and monkey bars! (niclimbingframes.com/ causeway-climbing-frame)

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Encouraging STEM learning among children All new Cody Block from QUBS merges traditional design and screen-free technology to encourage STEM learning in early years It is well documented that there are several crucial stages during a child’s early years that will establish key processes for the rest of their lives. From tummy time during infancy – developing neck and shoulder muscles – to introducing children to the physical building blocks and toys that will help them to evolve mathematical, coding, and logic skills crucial for years to come. That being said, the range of developmental toys and technology available for all ages is vast! It is estimated in the UK alone, 120 million toys were neglected over the process of the year, having a huge impact on the environment due to the amount of plastic used within the toy industry, which is why deciphering what is actually going to benefit a child’s early stage development skills and what will simply fall by the wayside is critical. Additionally, there are the environmental impacts of the toy industry to consider. With the toy industry using 40,000 kg of plastic for every £1 million in revenue, it is the most plastic-intensive industry in the world, according to research.

The importance of play Engaging through play with children during their early stages of development is proven to boost and encourage learning. From the ages of 3-12, a child is beginning to connect play and education, achieving a richer understanding by associating the concepts and skills they are learning with real-world examples. QUBS designed Cody Block with the aim of targeting this key stage of learning and development. The intuitive, gender-neutral toys – made from responsibly sourced and long-lasting beechwood – contain patented technology which brings them to life. Unlike other tech-enabled STEM children’s toys, QUBS’ toys have an eternal shelf life, not requiring updates or access to the internet. They are completely screen-less, therefore empowering children to become creators, rather than passive users of smart devices.

Simpler technology Today, while technology dominates the education industry, it so often lacks the basic offering that children need while establishing key training in problem-solving, logic skills, critical thinking, creativity, spatial awareness and resilience. It is for this very reason that we went back to the drawing board when designing our first product, Cody Block, analysing scientific research and methods to build and create a toy that encourages children to build a concept, think laterally, and think like a programmer – introducing them to principles of debugging (the process of identifying a problem and correcting it) and sequencing (the specific order in which instructions are performed in an algorithm) through physical play. Our ultimate goal at QUBS is to encourage imaginative and engaged lifelong learning, without impacting the environment. Through our surprisingly high-tech, patent-pending invention, we blend classical wooden toy blocks with digital technologies, encouraging children to learn while having fun through screen-free play, enabling them to build a happy future, one block at a time. → www.qubs.toys

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The Bike Club Guide to Cycling Confidence Expert advice from Dr Sharie Coombes - Child Psychotherapist Through learning to ride a bike, your child will discover their own emotional and physical capacity to confront worries, achieve mastery and reign victorious over a challenge that felt way too difficult at first. We repeat this cycle throughout our lives, and your mini-me has already done this multiple times from birth with various obstacles, such as learning to roll over, crawl, stand, walk, use cutlery and so much more. You’ll need this gem of information at a few of the crunch points ahead, as you’ll see.

Accept Your child WILL be nervous about getting on that bike. It’s important to accept this, and let them know that.

Articulate Tune your child into their reasons for wanting to learn to ride their bike. Get them to articulate the benefits they’ll get from being a confident cyclist.

Ask Check with them what is worrying them and do your best to give honest answers to their questions. Ask them what they do and don’t want you to do. Make it your mission to help them feel as safe as possible and be playful and positive.

Assure Remind them that you’re in charge and will be making sure everything is okay. Assure them that you’ve thought about everything and realised they have the ability.

Have them think about how life will be more fun, convenient or exciting.

Any new challenge brings inevitable worries. Acknowledge that it’s a physical and emotional challenge, but it’s one you think they can handle. Remind them that when they were a baby, they learnt to do ‘scary things’, like walking.

Keep the stakes low and stay playful. It’s not ‘now or never’.

Acknowledge

Remind them you got them through all the scary baby stuff, so you’re a trustworthy co-pilot.

Agree You’re so close now! Agree together what the plan is and encourage them to be curious about how it might go. Sum up what you’ve decided and then go for it!

Feeling inspired to get your child cycling? Visit bikeclub.com

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A box full of adventure

aged 10+, but there is also a Junior version for 5+ year olds, which uses picture cards to develop vocabulary skills. If you fall in love with Alias, also look out for themed special editions such as UK Alias, Family and Party.

Tactic Games introduces some of its best-selling board games and outdoor games that will provide hours of fun for the whole family.

et’s play! Tactic Games has been entertaining families across the world for more than 50 years with its high-quality, ethically manufactured and fun to play collection of board games and outdoor games. A family business from Pori in Finland, Tactic is famous for classic games such as Kimble, Alias and Mölkky. They have a game for everyone and Tactic thrives on bringing people together to play, learn, laugh, make memories and have a really good time. The global pandemic turned the world upside down, but board games came to the rescue of UK families and helped ease the lockdown boredom and alleviate the stress of home learning. The team at Tactic appreciated how its games were helping people in their time of need and they enjoyed hearing stories of children being cheered by playing a game of Speedy Beedy, Doodle Doo or King of the Hill. Parents were also grateful their children were learning through play, as well as laughing and having hilarious fun during such a challenging time. Here’s a little introduction to some of Tactic’s best-selling games to inspire you to add to your board game shelves, cupboards and gardens this year.

Let’s learn – preschool learning the Finnish way Easy as ABC! Finland is world famous for top-of-the-class education and highly entertaining games, and Tactic has combined the two to create a series of fabulous preschool learning games under the Let’s Learn umbrella. Developed with Finnish teachers to boost children’s cognitive, physical and emotional skills, you can choose from a number of themes,

from Letters and Words and Colours and Shapes to Numbers and Nature. Or why not try a game of Trivia or Skills? In a world where everyone is different, Tactic has also introduced a stunning board game called Children of the World, which takes players on a valuable journey to learn about people and cultures, while collecting stamps for their passport on the way. Suitable for children aged 5-10 years, it is a wonderful family game for everyone to enjoy.

Flags of the World and more… Tactic’s popular Flags of the World trivia game has been challenging, entertaining and educating families for many years. Take a trip around the world to learn about different flags, countries, capital cities and much more to see who is crowned the winner. From natural wonders to amazing man-made structures, our planet is full of incredible sights and landscapes, and your knowledge of these can also be put to the test in the game Wonders of the World. The Of The World collection is perfect for trivia enthusiasts and Tactic has recently added Animals and Heroes to provide even more hours of trivia fun for all the family.

Mölkky – the number 1 outdoor game An outdoor game with a difference, Mölkky is an easy-to-learn skittle throwing game played all around the world. There is even a World Championships! Manufactured in Finland and made from 100% natural wood, simply set the skittles in place, take aim and throw the pin. Reach 50 points to win, score more than 50 and your total drops to 25. Mölkky is the ultimate game for beaches, parks, picnics and camping trips, or to play with family and friends in your own garden.

Alias – the super social experience One of Tactic’s biggest success stories, award-winning word explanation game Alias has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide and is the ideal game to get the party started. It’s fast, it’s furious, it’s super addictive! Played in teams of two or more players, your teammates have to guess the word you are explaining, or trying to explain. You can dive straight into Original Alias, suitable for players

To learn more about Tactic Games visit tacticgames.co.uk and to find Tactic’s fantastic game collection, search online at therange.co.uk

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Family feature

Do lboosts l play development

New research by global toy company Mattel has found that playing with dolls can help develop children’s emotional intelligence.

n the study’s second year, researchers investigated the importance of what kids said while they play and found children use increased language about others’ thoughts and emotions when role-playing alone with dolls – a concept known as internal state language (ISL). Speaking about others’ internal

states allows children to practice social skills they can utilise when interacting with people in the real world and can potentially be beneficial to children’s overall emotional development. “When children create imaginary worlds and role play with dolls, they communicate at first out loud and

then internalise the message about others’ thoughts, emotions and feelings,” explains researcher Dr Sarah Gerson. “This can have positive long-lasting effects on children, such as driving higher rates of social and emotional processing and building social skills like empathy that can become internalised to build and form lifelong habits.”

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During observation of children[1], researchers saw increased brain activity in the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) region when they spoke as though their dolls had thoughts and feelings. The pSTS region is heavily involved in the development of social and emotional processing skills, further supporting year 1 findings, that even when children play by themselves with dolls, it can help build vital social skills like empathy. The study used state-of-the-art equipment to explore the activation of the brain while children played with dolls and on tablets, both by themselves and with another person. The researchers found playing with dolls prompted more ISL about others than playing with tablet games, and using ISL about others was related to increased pSTS activation. Dr Gerson goes on to say that: “Internal state language can indicate that a child is thinking about other people’s thoughts and emotions while playing with dolls. These skills are really important for interacting with other people, learning from other people, and navigating a variety of social situations. It becomes important for making and sustaining friendships, and how they learn from their teachers and parents.”

child develop these crucial skills. Parents and caregivers have also been increasingly concerned over their children’s developmental track during the last two years. In fact, 61% of parents reported that their child’s social-emotional development had been negatively impacted by the pandemic. [3]

Even when children play by themselves with dolls, it can help build vital social skills While cognitive and social stimulation outside of chilren’s homes has been limited due to the pandemic, the Cardiff University research suggests that doll play can offer kids the opportunity to emulate scenes and

interactions from their daily lives. Children mimic what they see their parents, teachers or peers say and do, and dolls can give them an outlet to recreate what they’ve seen and heard to rehearse skills they can use in real-life social situations. The research also suggests that these findings are gender agnostic – revealing the comprehensive critical importance of doll play in practising social skills.

References 1. Study was commissioned by Barbie. Study was conducted with 33 boys and girls aged 4-8 years old 2. Survey by OnePoll in July 2020 in 22 different countries questioning 15,000 parents of children aged from 3-10 years old. 3.According to Harvard’s Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative’s Early Learning Study (July 2021)

Parents and caregivers can visit Barbie.com/Benefits to learn more about the research and access resources.

Empathy and social processing skills appear to be highly valued by parents and essential as children continue to grow emotionally, academically and socially. In 2020, Barbie independently commissioned a global survey[2] that suggested 91% of parents ranked empathy as a key social skill they would like their child to develop, but only 26% were aware that doll play could help their

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s e i s r e o i r m o e m m e e m k e a k M a M r e r m e m m u m s tth hiiss su w wiitthh e g n e a g r n O a e r u O l e B Blu ggaam meess no i m o g Dra

Lost Sea

ep e h S e Battl

Opposing sheep herds go head-to-head in a baa-rilliant game the whole family will love! Plan your moves carefully to occupy the most pastures and fence out your foe.

Museum Suspe cts

A priceless museum artifact has been stolen! Unmask the culprit hidden among the sneaky suspects in the building. Find clues, solve the mystery and don’t let the thief escape!

e Bubbl

Step into the world of amazing stories where you are the hero! Explore worlds, collect stars and discover magical objects hidden at the end of each adventure.

As a young explorer, travel to a mysterious island to discover baby dragons! Build your territory and uncover the most magical dragons to win.

Ahoy there! Arm yourselves with the latest instruments of navigation and set sail on an exploration to map out the terrible Lost Seas.

London has hired you to redesign the famous Underground lines. Optimise interchanges, stop at tourist sites and tunnel under the Thames to meet the city’s requirements.

as ondon L n o i tat Next S

Cross Clues

Cooperate to connect and win! Consider your clues carefully and think as a team to fill in as much of the grid as you can.

ies e Stor BlockNess The Block Ness monsters are finally sticking their heads out of the water! Build the longest monster in the lake to win ‘Monster of the Year.’

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Small but mighty From football stars to world leaders, Creative Toys introduces its popular ranges of mini-figures and figurines – Soccerstarz and Mimiconz.

imiconz and Soccerstarz are the brainchild of Creative Toys Company, a division of the Creative Distribution Group. The leader of the team is Mark Stinchcombe, who was the creator of Prostars 20 + years ago when he headed up Corinthian Marketing.

SoccerStarz Soccerstarz are Creative Toys’ oldest and most established brand, and the only officially licensed football minifigures on the market. The company holds licenses with top clubs, such as Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Spurs and PSG, as well as national teams including England, France, Spain, Belgium and World Cup hosts Qatar. The first-ever Winter World Cup in Qatar this year will see football merchandise high on young (and old) football fans’ Christmas lists and 3D figures over traditional cards and stickers are sure to be popular.

For the first time in at least two decades, the England team is a genuine and credible contender to win. England has huge squad strength in almost every position other than at centre half. This naturally means you can buy England products in a really positive frame of mind knowing that the team have a really good chance of doing us proud, just as they did at the previous Euro Tournament led by Gareth Southgate.

Mimiconz

Soccerstarz are Creative Toys’ oldest and most established brand And yes, Soccerstarz have the national treasure Gareth Southgate in the range, alongside heavyweight players such as Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Mason Mount. Our domestic football can also be celebrated at club level with them having arguably the two best teams in the world battling out in the Premier League. Although recent and, dare we say, fortunate Champions League winners Real Madrid might give merit to an opposing view. Having these licenses allows Soccerstarz to bring figurines of superstars such as Virgil Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne. If you are still not satisfied and want to complete your collection with some of the most famous football players that have ever lived, then that craving can be fixed by nailing a purchase of Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) or Lionel Messi in his PSG colours. Visit soccerstarz.com to see the high quality of these figurines, which start from £2.99. They are painted by hand with more than 17 separate paint processes. It is incredibly unusual to have a figurine of this size possess such intricate detail, which is why we are picking up new collectors on a daily basis. The full range, which also includes some full team packs, is available to buy on the website and through amazon.co.uk

Mimiconz is a new concept brand, which was an idea that came from the global Covid 19 pandemic. The already famous political leaders were becoming even more famous due to the exceptional circumstances we all found ourselves in. Creative Toys launched with Donald Trump, Joe Biden and Boris Johnson, all very divisive characters. However, we always knew there was a novelty market for these characters, regardless of the controversy of Donald Trump in particular. Earlier this year we decided to further the range with established celebrities and have recently announced World Heavyweight champion boxer Tyson Fury and entrepreneur and TV icon Lord Alan Sugar. We have more product releases to announce soon, with a famous comedian and music artist recently signed up. Our market research showed that there was a gap in the market for a 20cm figurine that was well designed and well-made, striking a happy medium in appearance between caricature and lifelike. This is what the market wanted and needed. Visit mimiconz.com to view and purchase the products and to have fun looking through our gallery where collectors have created amusing pictures featuring their Mimiconz figurines. You can also purchase these on Amazon.

Creative Toys Company (creativetoyscompany.com) was established in 2012 as the toy division of Creative Distribution Ltd, one of Europe’s largest video game distributors.

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Game on

There’s time for games and laughter all year round with Ravensburger. Kirsty Barr, Ravensburger PR Manager for the UK, provides an overview of some of the best family games for 2022.

t Ravensburger, there’s always a game for everyone, for all occasions, and particularly for all members of the family. After all, Ravensburger is a family business, now in its third generation of ownership and still treats everyone working in the business as a key person in the Ravensburger family.

Games bring people together, whatever their age. Games make people laugh and smile. Games are for everyone. And games are for every occasion. Games that span the age groups at family occasions are equally as important as the foundation games that young toddlers play together with their early friendship groups or grandparents, their families and siblings.

So, what should be on your games shopping list from the wide range available from Ravensburger? Here’s our Top 5 for the months ahead, which will hopefully provide you with inspiration for everyone, of every age, and even encourage you to visit your local toy shop, garden centre, department store or online retailer.

2022 is going to be a great year for games

And the breadth of games available to purchase today is vast; spanning early learning and educational games for young children, through to family games for all ages, party games that can entertain both children and adults, plus immersive games that are enjoyed by those who like a longer and more in-depth game. That’s not forgetting licensed games, memory games and card games, movie games and sleuthing games – that’s a whole LOT of games to explore and enjoy!

Perhaps that’s why its puzzles, games and other brands within the ‘family’ such as BRIO, GraviTrax & CreArt, do so well – because bringing smiles, entertainment and positivity all lie at the heart of the business and ensure our products bring that to everyone who buys them. If you can’t finish a game because a piece has gone missing, Ravensburger will fix it and send that piece to you. If a game loses a key element, no problem – it’s on its way to you. 2022 is going to be a great year for games because, after two challenging years, family togetherness and creating entertainment with those closest to us is still very much front of mind. And why shouldn’t it be? But rather than be entertained with just a few people, we can once again have a laugh with family and friends wherever we may be – in the sunshine at a picnic, inside on a rainy day, or together as a family on a special occasion.

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Our top tip: There’s nothing better than looking at a product on the shelf in a shop to be able to see for yourself the game concept, what’s included in the game, the number of players, the age group, and the quality of the product. If you’re buying online, make sure you can see plenty of visuals of what you’re wanting to purchase, just as you would do in-store.

The highly hilarious #UpsideDownChallenge game, which was a best-seller in its launch season last Christmas. Wear the blue goggles and your whole world turns upside down! Use the game cards included with the game or create your own challenges. Buttering a slice of toast or pouring a glass of water has never been so challenging, whether you’re five or 75! A huge hit in 2021, this HAS to be the number one family game for 2022.

A new launch for 2022 in our family games range is Zingo! This international best-seller already has a whopping 20,000 5-star reviews from happy Zingo! players and has been revamped for UK players in 2022. Perfectly zinging for playing with all ages in the family, it’s fast and fun as players try to match tiles to the images on the card in front of them. With a smart red ‘Zinger’ that holds the tiles, it’s a race to see who can fill their card and be the first to shout ‘ZINGOOOOOOOOO’.

Children’s games that are associated with popular TV and movie brands are always popular in encouraging young minds to develop an early interest in games, either to play alone or with friends. Their popularity continues to grow due to the growth in new TV series and are great in stimulating young minds and developing STEM skills. Children engage because these games are centred on a TV series or movie that already aspires to them. Look out for 2022 launches, which include Paw Patrol, Blues Clues & You, Batman, Disney Princess and Minions, The Rise of Gru.

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5. 4.

Consumers told us they found it hard to find games that catered for their children in the years as late-toddlers and then from age eight upwards to teens. At each age stage their minds are curious, but they want something just a little more fun. As they grow they want new challenges and sometimes to play alone – there’s nothing wrong with that! Here’s a small selection of our new lines for this year and our seasonal best-sellers: For the 4-6 years age group: Bugs In The Kitchen, Labyrinth Junior, Disney Frozen II Junior Labyrinth, Funny Bunny, Cat & Mouse plus Minions 2 Alarm Game. For age 8+ to tweens there’s nothing more fun than a personal challenge with Gravity Maze (marbles, a maze and gravity all mushed together!); Rush Hour (get those cars out their parking slots!); Minecraft Travel Puzzle; or one of our sleuth games such as Cold Case: A Story To Die For.

memory® is our best-known games brand. Redesigned for this year, memory® is a recognition game that’s suitable for children from pre-school upwards. Starting with My First memory® that’s suitable for age 2+, each game consists of 24 extra-thick cards with rounded edges; available in two lines as Favourite Things and Vehicles. Mini memory® is perfect for entertainment on-the-go thanks to its smaller boxes and 23 different games to choose from spanning children’s favourite characters; choose from PJ Masks and Peppa Pig through to Batman, Frozen and Star Wars. memory® is a perfect birthday present or stocking filler because of its size and affordability.

For more information on Ravensburger, visit: ravesnburger. co.uk

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Be a hero with summer gaming fun Hannah Mason, assistant brand manager at Coiledspring, looks at some of the coolest board games, card games, jigsaws and puzzles for kids this summer.

s summer approaches there is no better time to gather around a table to play games (especially if the weather isn’t friendly.) Board games and puzzles are a fantastic way to learn, play, spend quality time together and engage in some friendly competition.

Be a hero, play a hero The Coiledspring Heroes range of games are fun, family-friendly and super easy to pick up and learn. Adventure to the Forbidden Island to find sacred treasure. Beware, escape is vital before the island sinks. It’s a fierce battle in the dice rolling, city conquering game, King of Tokyo! Take control of mutant monsters and fight it out to reign King of the City. Kingdomino is a popular tile-laying game where building a sprawling and crown laden kingdom will win you a space on the throne. Mix, match, score and win with the abstract Qwirkle and put mind-reading powers to the test with the popular card game, The Mind.

Great for little hands Games for little hands are great for the holidays and a perfect addition to any summer travel plans. Keep everyone entertained with Dragomino, as you connect territories and attempt to discover as many baby dragons as possible. Watch out for the cracked eggs. Say ta-dah! and be the star of the show in Spin Circus; work with acrobats and circus performers to earn a standing ovation.

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Become the best detective on the block with Outfoxed. Keep children’s noses to the ground and harness their powers of deduction to figure out who stole the precious pot pie. Pair these games with Little Hands Card Holders, the perfect way to assist mini gamers in holding all of their cards without dropping them.

Solve the puzzle Jigsaws and puzzles are another great way to brighten up the tabletop this summer. Jigsaws are a relaxing way to keep children (and adults) busy and their brains engaged. Schleich jigsaws are perfect for mini puzzlers with a fantastic range of puzzles and playsets that feature safari scenes, arctic adventures and epic tree houses. These sets come with a collectable Schleich figurine, so play can continue after completing the jigsaw puzzles.

Family fun The ‘Word on the Street’ is that family game nights just got better. This tile tugging, word game tests spelling and quick thinking. Flip the 30-second timer, brainstorm words that fit the category card and spell it out using the letter tiles. Tug these tiles to one side of the street and claim eight letters to win. Admire fossils in Museum Suspects… except, someone has robbed the museum and stolen a priceless artefact. The culprit must be caught quickly. Prowess and deduction skills will be needed to win this game, but watch out, all the suspects might have already escaped.

The Coiledspring Heroes range of games are fun, family-friendly and super easy to pick up and learn Coiledspring Games (coiledspring. co.uk) is the UK’s exclusive distributor of the best board games, puzzles and jigsaws. Our mission is to spread the joy and fun of tabletop gaming one piece at a time. There is always time to play!

Picks for parents

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HAMA

Hama is the original bead brand for arts & craft. Brand new is the Hama Art range! The Hama Art sets include over 10,000 beads in various colours, 6 interconnecting large square pegboards, design guide and ironing paper. Following the design guide, place the beads on the pegboard to create a masterpiece. Hama Art allows everyone to create amazing artwork that could be used as wall décor or even a placemat. hamabeads.com

QUBS

COILEDSPRING Mrs. Plumpert’s prized pot pie has gone missing and it’s now a chicken chase to crack the case! You’ll have to work together quickly because the guilty fox is high-tailing it towards the exit. Solve the clues, check in with the townspeople and try to halt the hungry hooligan before it flies the coop. Will you succeed or be… Outfoxed? coiledspring.co.uk

ALICES GARDEN Peace of mind is guaranteed with the 8ft trampoline pluton inner, £179. Curved poles keep springs and safety poles outside the net and off the jumping mat, reducing the risk of knocking into them. Protective cushion allows for minimal discomfort in case of falling. Foam covered safety net poles provide extra protection against bumps. bit.ly/3zOxxG9

The Cody Block is an independently-moving car (Cody), whose journey changes in response to a child’s placement and arrangement of wooden blocks within its environment. Encouraging creativity and teamwork, Cody Block introduces children to computer programming concepts, robotics, and the Internet Of Things through fun and accessible play. Designed for children aged 3-12, Cody Block retails for €240. qubs.toys

BACHMANN For over 65 years, Günther has been developing and producing ‘classic children’s kites, dynamic stunt kites, model aircraft, gliders, and a variety of airborne toys. New for 2022, the Peppa Pig kite (TWG1216) joins their existing collection of character kites. Made from robust PE-foil, the kite is very easy to fly and is suitable for children of ages 4 years and over. bachmann.co.uk

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HACHETTE BOARD GAMES When a game feels like a classic but full of modernity, looks perfect on a coffee table, you end up with 140 million views on Tiktok! Introducing quoridor. During your turn, you either move your pawn or place a wall, first player to reach the other side wins. Travel version also available. amzn.to/3Ohp5nf hachetteboardgames.co.uk

GIGGLY

NI CLIMBING FRAMES Let the fun begin with the Aston Climbing Frame. The lookout tower can be accessed by climbing the steps or the cargo net for the more daring kids. The wave slide allows a fun and fast descent! The addition of two swings to this frame adds another layer of excitement. bit.ly/3xxFsEL

MOJO FUN 2022 sees another beautiful selection of Animals added to the Mojo Fun range. Ideal for play and collection, all our new models are designed in the UK and hand painted by our dedicated team of artists. Through our realistic highly detailed models we hope ignite the imagination and awaken the inner child that lives in all of us. mojofun.co.uk

This Numberblocks activity set combines magnet magic and hands-on learning, featuring 133 magnets and a pop-up board. The action-packed magazine and 52 activity cards will help children to count, learn shapes, create number sentences and more. Everything comes in a handy box, too, so you can take your set with you wherever you go. bit.ly/3N4ZMmB

SCHLEICH For fast-paced dinosaur rescue missions! Get set for any mission with the latest vehicle from the Colby brothers, Dino Transport Mission, RRP £49.99, age 5-12 years. Includes removable cage, with locking mechanism, unique Triceratops, and pivoting crane with cable winch for hours of dinosaur rescue fun! schleich-s.com

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RUBIES

RAZOR USA Razor embodies the spirit of fun and freedom. Designed in California by a passionate group of people who live to ride and share the experience of riding with others, Razor products have been made with playful enthusiasm since 2000. The complete range, including the dazzling Lightshow collection, is available worldwide. Razor.com

As Thor and Mighty Thor team up on the big screen in Thor: Love and Thunder, any budding superhero can get dressed up as the Marvel icons with Costumes. com. Inspire their imagination with dress-up for both characters; you can even complete the God of Thunder’s new look with a Stormbreaker axe or Mighty Thor’s with a Mjolnir hammer accessory. The perfect gift is waiting for your little one and the kidult inside of you this summer! Dress up and save the world with a multiverse of heroic outfits at costumes.com or uk.costumes.com/collections/marvel

SCHLEICH NOBLE COLLECTION Among the latest releases from the Noble Collection from their partnership with Universal City Studios are the very popular Jurassic Park PVC chess set and three dinosaur dioramas in vinyl display cases. A Tyrannosaurus Rex, Dilophosaurus and a pair Velociraptors are the first in this range. Jurassic fun for all. noblecollection.co.uk

The Horse Club Lakeside Riding Centre, RRP £99.99, age 5-12 years, has an innovative modular design, which means it can be expanded for endless fun, providing no limits to the imagination! Complete with a hayloft and sleeping bags for cool sleepovers! Perfect for both new and existing fans of the Schleich Horse Club range! schleich-s.com

REDAN PUBLISHING Founded in 1990, Redan is an award-winning magazine publisher renowned for producing high quality, fun, imaginative and educational products widely praised by parents and care givers. Content also promotes special family time by providing ideas and inspiration for children and their grown-ups to have fun together completing crafts, recipes, activities and workbooks. redan.co.uk

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Not all stories begin with ‘Once Upon A Time’. In fact, we believe the best stories are ones that look forward, in to the future. Stories that begin with, What If...? Schleich® has been asking, What If...? for 87 years now and the answers change every time a child chooses a figurine and starts to play! We’ve seen children pick up our iconic animal characters and playsets and get drawn into unseen, magical worlds of story and imagination. What If...sharks and cows were friends, What If...unicorns could fly to school, What If...giraffes get caught in the rain? There is no wrong answer, and the only rules are that if you imagine it, it can happen. Schleich® was created in Germany by Friedrich Schleich in 1935, and now, 9 decades later, Schleich® is one of the country’s largest toy makers, and our detailed figurines can be found in children’s toyboxes all over the world. However, Schleich® is convinced that a good toy is 90% child and 10% toy. Our purpose is to make sure that the 10% is as authentic and inspired as possible. We create every Schleich® character by considering how children will pick it up and...touch, feel, look, hold, explore–we know that kids, far more than adults, still experience their world with all the senses, which also helps encourage their development, and so we make sure that all our characters are as detailed and creative as possible. More than

six hundred unique Schleich® characters and playmates populate the six play worlds, from Farm World and Wild Life, to bayala and Horse Club, Eldrador and Dinosaurs, where absolutely anything is possible: Tyrannosaurus Rexs and Elephants can go to school together, Giraffes can splash in puddles, and Lop-Eared Rabbits can fly. When kids play, there is no difference between species and worlds. Schleich® believes encouraging unstructured play is vital for children’s development. By inventing new stories and experimenting with games, children embark on a playful path of learning and discovery, and with limitless possibilities, they learn to solve problems by thinking outside the box and without inhibitions. This year, Schleich® is celebrating a modernised, bold new look that encourages feelings of playfulness–do look out for our new logo in the shape of a thought cloud wherever you buy your toys. We’re also inviting Schleich® fans to share their own stories inspired by play time using #wherestoriesbegin and Schleich® will share their favourite ones! Schleich® can be found at all good toy shops and at www.schleich-s.com

Do giraffes grow in the rain? #wherestoriesbegin

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An extensive range of s, beautifully crafted timeless, and easy to learn games.

Find your nearest store at www.hachetteboardgames.co.uk

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Advertorial

TACTIC GAMES Welcome to the world of tiny creatures! What can you spot? With Seek & Find: Flowers & Bugs you look for the cute bugs shown on the cards and point them out on the beautifully bright and colourful game board made from giant puzzle pieces. Be quick, the first player to collect 5 creepy crawly figures wins! Age 4+. bit.ly/3OhAjHK

THE BIKE CLUB The Forme Cubley 14 is a great first pedal bike that weighs only 6.12kg, which makes it easier to learn on than most other bikes. It’s one of the lightest bikes in the world for its price point and specification. It comes in a range of bright, fun colours too! bit.ly/3xrmqju

SOVEREIGN PLAY This large play table is designed to encourage children to work in groups, expressing themselves through art and play. Let your children explore their imaginations whilst building valuable communication and motor skills. Sand, soil, paint, the possibilities are endless! Inspire your children to get creative with Sovereign. sovereignearlyyears.co.uk

RAINBOW GROUP Be sure to turn on and watch the all NEW animated series of Pinocchio and Friends, showing daily on CBeebies at 4.40pm, with weekend repeats. Pinocchio, the wooden puppet and his friend Freeda, the Pirate Ragdoll, are joined by the grumpy Talking Cricket, as they go on non-stop hilarious adventures. Additional streaming & kids activities also available on YouTube and Facebook! bbc.in/3O2AeIk

SCRUNCH KIDS Scrunch is designed to make travelling and storage easy. Our award-winning Scrunchbucket is the original recyclable, reusable, bucket for life. 100% silicone, they are environmentally friendly and, recyclable. Squash them in pockets, squish them suitcases and contribute more to the environment – Roll them, fold them, scrunch them. scrunchkids.com

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SOCCER STARZ GOAL!!! SoccerStarz Officially Licensed Football mini-figures are back for World Cup 2022! England 15 figure team pack includes Southgate, Kane, Mount, Foden, Trent, Grealish, Saka and more! RRP £59.99. Coming soon on the SoccerStarz Shop (Image shows previous edition) shop.soccerstarz.com

BE ACTIVE TOYS

RAVENSBURGER

Triclimb is an award-winning Pikler-inspired climbing set for the modern family, perfect for aiding climbing and encouraging self-paced exploration from 9 months+. Made in Wales with strong, sustainably sourced wood it is sturdy and safe, easy to build and can be folded away in seconds for easy storage. bit.ly/39Gw0qX

This September’s launch of GraviTrax POWER takes the popular open-ended construction track system to an all new level of play. POWER enables GraviTraxers to launch multiple marbles together, have the ability to influence track changes mid-play, all of which gives greater marble speed. Most importantly GraviTrax POWER gives the players control of the action, with new extensions and elements, and the use of radio signals so they communicate with each other. ravensburger.co.uk

XOOTZ COMET ELECTRIC GO KART Pivot, spin, and drift with the Xootz Comet Electric Go kart. Select your driver mode, put your foot on the throttle and experience an adrenaline fuelled ride. Available in a stealthy black exterior with white Xootz detailing and black alloys, the Xootz Comet Electric Go Kart takes karting up a level. amzn.to/3xAMo3X

NAYLOR ACTIVITY TUNNELS Our range of colourful activity tunnels were designed with the imagination of children in mind. Encouraging children to take daily exercise is more challenging than ever. Our tunnels can withstand lots of playtime fun and can be the start of many adventures from crawling, hiding inside to vigorously rolling around. nayloractivitytunnels.co.uk

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OUTDOOR FUN FOR EVERYONE!

There can be no better way of enjoying nature than by playing with model aircraft, kites and sailing boats made by Günther! Find your nearest stockist at www.toyway.co.uk

BeBop home use inflatable bouncy castles and water slides! BeBop inflatables are lightweight, inflate in 2 minutes and easily stored in their own carry bag Qualities • UK brand with 10 years’ experience • Excellent trusted reviews • Unique, Innovative designs • Manufactured to last

Electric fan

included

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Free delivery at www.bebopfun.co.uk

Why rent a bouncy castle for a weekend when you can buy one to use all summer LONG?

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BATMAN and all related characters and elements © & TM DC Comics. THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY and all related characters and elements © & TM DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s21)

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