A bakery on the kitchen table, a concert in the living room and a whole sky of questions. Discover toys that invite children to invent, explore and make the story their own.
Watch a child at play and an ordinary afternoon can become almost anything. A favourite teddy needs a check-up. Someone has opened a salon. A camper van is heading to the beach, with a very important passenger and far too much luggage.
The charm is in the details children add for themselves. A toy provides a starting point; the voices, journeys and wonderfully unexpected turns belong to them. Our latest playtime edit brings together Little Dutch’s wooden favourites and pretend-play sets, alongside music and discovery from Kidywolf.
Whether you are choosing a birthday present, starting a Christmas list or looking for something to enjoy together, begin with what draws their attention. The child who follows you around the kitchen may have a bakery in mind. The one who sings through the supermarket may be ready for a living-room stage.
A little bakery, a busy workshop
Familiar routines are rich material for make-believe. Children notice the way we measure, mix, mend and organise, then turn those small actions into stories of their own.
The Little Dutch Wooden Baking Set gives a budding baker a mixing bowl, rolling pin, recipe card and pretend ingredients, with felt dough and a tray of cookies to prepare. Set up a small bakery on a low table and let them decide what is on the menu. You can be the first customer, asking for a recommendation and waiting patiently while a very special order is made.
For the child who likes to build and fix, the Little Dutch Wooden Toolbox keeps a hammer, screwdriver and wrench close at hand. The box also doubles as a pounding bench. A pretend repair shop is an easy invitation: perhaps the camper needs a check, or teddy’s chair needs attention. Let your little carpenter explain the plan before you offer any suggestions.
Who shall we be today?
A pretend job gives children a new part to play. They can welcome a customer, ask a question, explain what happens next and decide how the story ends. Sometimes the best role for a grown-up is simply to join in and follow their lead.
With the Little Dutch Wooden Doctor Play Set, a soft carry bag opens to reveal the tools for a make-believe check-up, including a stethoscope and thermometer. Line up a few willing soft-toy patients and let the doctor take charge. Asking “How shall we help teddy feel comfortable?” can open a gentle conversation within the game.
The Little Dutch Wooden Hair Dresser Set offers a different kind of appointment. An adjustable pink tool belt keeps the wooden styling accessories at hand for pretend trims and blow-dries. A favourite doll, a patient parent and a hand-drawn appointment book are all a small salon needs. Be prepared to leave with a hairstyle you did not request.
Small adventures, close to home
A picnic does not need an outing. Spread a blanket on the playroom floor and the Little Dutch Wooden Picnic Play Set supplies a feast. Its 31 pieces include a wooden basket, little place settings, fruit and sandwich ingredients. Children can separate and reconnect the fruit, choose sandwich fillings and decide who is coming to lunch.
There are easy ways to join the story without directing it. Ask for a plate, suggest inviting another teddy or let your host choose where everyone will sit. The pleasure is in taking their invitation seriously, even when the menu is an unusual one.
For younger explorers, the Little Dutch Wooden Safari Push Car is a charming way to transport favourite toys from room to room. Designed for ages 12 months and up, it has Safari Friends details and rubber-lined wheels. A basketful of soft toys becomes a delivery, a collection or the beginning of another small journey.
The Vintage Camper Van takes the adventure a little further. A removable roof and opening tailgate leave room for four wooden figures, a suitcase, a beach bag and a surfboard. One day it might be heading to the coast; the next, it may be parked beside the pretend picnic.
Try laying out a simple road with a piece of paper and a few drawn landmarks. Then let the travellers choose the route. Who is driving? Where will they stop? The same small vehicle can hold a different holiday every afternoon.
Make room for a little music
Music is an invitation to play together, whether anyone knows the tune or not. The Little Dutch Safari Music Set includes a xylophone, tambourine, maraca, harmonica and recorder, packed into a safari-print bag. Choose soft green or pink, then explore one sound at a time.
Start with a simple rhythm for your child to answer, or take turns being the bandleader. A slow beat can become a marching song; a soft shake can introduce the quietest part of a very dramatic performance. There is no need for a finished tune.
For children who love a singalong, the Kidywolf Portable Karaoke Machine turns the living room into a stage. Two wireless microphones make room for a duet, with a Bluetooth speaker, colourful lights and playful voice effects adding to the occasion. Let everyone choose a song and give each performer their moment, from the enthusiastic soloist to the grandparent persuaded into the final chorus.
Follow the questions
Some gifts begin with a question that keeps coming back: what is that bright light, why does the Moon look different, and what can we see tonight? For children aged seven and up, the Kidywolf Telescope offers a way to explore that curiosity together.
It comes with a tripod and two eyepieces, plus access to a downloadable astronomy booklet through a QR code. Choose a clear evening, allow time to set up together using the instructions, and keep the first outing simple. A notebook for drawings and questions can become part of the ritual, ready to return to on another night.
A few favourites, and time to enjoy them
Play need not fill every moment or follow a plan. A few favourites within reach can be an inviting start, with room for children to combine them in ways we would never think of. The picnic basket may cater for the concert. The doctor may arrive in the camper. That is part of the fun.
For quieter afternoons, browse our Learning, Games & Activities collection for puzzles, shared games and creative activities. When choosing a gift, consider the child’s interests alongside the recommended age and the way their family likes to play.
Explore Wooden & Pretend Play and our full Toys & Activities collection online, or visit The Lemon House in Tamworth. We would love to help you find a new favourite. Complimentary gift wrapping is available; tell us which items you would like wrapped in your cart before checkout.