Toy cars and model cars are often considered as two interchangeable phrases for the same thing, and in a simplistic sense this is true; both refer to a miniaturised version of automobiles (this may also include vans, trucks, etc.). However, there is a definite distinction that can be made between a true model car and a toy car.

Toy Cars

Let’s start with toy cars. In general this term can refer to any representation of an automobile as previously stated, but it also suggests that the focus is more on enjoyment. This means the car is likely to be of a somewhat different shape and size as normal cars, to maximise the usability for the age group it is aimed at.

Model Cars

Model cars, as compared to toy cars, tend to be a highly realistic portrayal of an actual car (and other similar vehicles), albeit in a scaled down form in terms of size. This usually includes minute details like proper looking trimmings and even realistic looking licence plates and branding.

It’s not often that one particular type of product has the potential to encompass people from all age groups, but a train set is one of those rare items.

There are train sets suitable for almost every age; ranging from LEGO Duplo sets for younger children to functional train sets for older kids and continuing all the way up to scaled model kits for adult hobbyists.

Toddlers

For toddlers there are the aforementioned Duplo sets and also large, wooden novelty trains.

Children

For slightly older children (5+ years) there are commercial train products that feature fully working train tracks. These may be general trains sets or themed ones like Thomas the Tank Engine.

Hobbyists

For the more serious followers of the industry, there are train model sets, which often featured scaled down versions of real life trains and tracks.

Stickle Bricks, besides hurting less when you accidentally step on them, are a similar device to Lego in that they can be connected to one another to build representations of pretty much anything.

Stickle Bricks come in a wide variety of colours and shapes. Each piece features numerous small plastic ’stickles’ (cylindrical protrusions) on each of its sides. These stickles can then be joined with one another to combine the pieces and create structures.

The designs of Stickle Bricks vary from simple shapes (squares, rectangles, etc.) to more complex and meaningful shapes (animals, letters, etc.).

You can usually find tubs and sets of Stickle Bricks for around £20-30 and they are suitable for toddlers.

Who would’ve thought that a spring would make for a decent pastime? A naval engineer named Richard James, that’s who. After devising and manufacturing a small supply of Slinkys in the 1940s, James then went on to sell all 400 of his stock within an hour and a half of putting them up for sale.

The Slinky is probably most famously known for it’s ability to ‘walk’ down stairs autonomously once given an initial nudge. There’s something mesmerising about the effects you can make simply by moving and stretching a Slinky between your hands.

Despite being a simple spring that was devised around 70 years ago, you can still buy Slinkys (and similar alternatives) to this day.

You probably already have a good idea of what a skateboard is: a plywood board that tends to feature a design or brand allowing the rider to choose one to suit their tastes. Attached to the board are two pairs of wheels, which allow the user to stand on and roll the skateboard as they please.

However, did you know these facts about skateboards:

• They came about as an alternative to surfing in the 1960s for when the surf wasn’t ideal so surfers could practice on-land
• If you ride with your left foot at the front it’s called ‘regular’; the right foot forward is referred to as ‘goofy’
• The US military trialled using skateboards in urban warfare exercises in the 90s

If you were into transformers as a kid, the ultimate toy had to be Optimus Prime. The original 1984 version came with combat deck and roller and is highly sought after, especially boxed. In 1985 a promotional verison was made available with a Pepsi sticker on the trailer, this is also a must have for any Prime fan However there were only a limited number made so getting hold of one is exceptionally difficult.

There have been many incarnations of the Optimus Prime transformers toy ever since, with models in 1988 called Powermaster Optimus Prime and in 1990 called Action Master Optimus Prime some of the memorable versions.

It can be really difficult choosing a suitable playhouse for a toddler - there’s so much choice available. We won’t feature a specific playhouse here then, just give you some pointers to make choosing easier.

Fabric playhouses

Fabric playhouses are usually relatively cheap. Because of this they are not very sturdy and are affected by strong gusts of wind. They are usually erected on the day of play and taken down again at the end of the day.

Plastic playhouses

A more permanent solution than fabric is plastic. These are also slightly bigger then fabric playhouses too, and come in a range of gaudy colours. They will withstand rain, but if you leave them out through the winter be prepared for mould growth.

Wooden playhouses

These playhouses are a more permanent solution. The playhouse can be just about any size and can even be built on stilts. They can range from about £100 to over £1,000. Bespoke wooden playhouses can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

How things have advanced from the Etch-a-Sketch I had in the early 80s. Although a great product and something we might consider buying our little one in the future, we needed something more toddler friendly when we were looking for a safe, mess-free drawing toy and we think we found it.

Rainbow Aquadoodle uses water as the drawing material, yes water. The pens you get with the Aquadoodle are filled with water and when your little one draws on the included mat their artistic skills are recreated. It’s as simple as that. Because water is the drawing method, there is no mess and you can create as many images as you want. When the mat dries the images disappear leaving you with a blank canvas the next time the mat is used.

All-in-all a great product. The only downside is the price, which at £25 is a little on the steep side.

The Little Tikes 3-in-1 trike is the first step intothe big worrld of bicycles for a baby or toddler. The trike is suit able for use from 9 months to 3 years and is available from most toy shops and retail baby stores.

The 3-in-1 in the trike name refers to the stages at which the trike can be used. For young babies there’s a plastic frame surrounding the seat, so your little one won’t fall out when your pushing them along. When they get a bit older this can be removed.

At the next stage the clutch on the pedals can be activated meaning your little one can learn to pedal along when they want, but you’ll still have control which direction they head in.

The last stage involves the removal of the steering bar and letting them loose on the world. This might not be a good idea for the more cautious parent (especially when out and about) but overall the trike is a good buy at a great price.

Ever since we had kids I’d been waiting for thre day when one of them would ask for a train set. I still have fond memories of my ‘00’ gauge Hornby Intercity Express even though that was over twenty five years ago.

Our little ones are still too small for the electric stuff so in the meantime we took a look at the other options available.

The Lillabo train set from Ikea is the cheapest wooden train set we could find. You start with a 20 piece set which includes a bridge, so you can make a figure of eight, and can then buy accessories and extra track including more bridge pieces, tunnels and even intersections so you can park a train in a siding. The track can be used with most other wooden track manufacturer’s parts and the price is so cheap we bought two – It’s currently on sale at just over £7.00.