Tag Archives: pretend play

Say hello to the new Ikea Duktig play food

Say hello to the new Ikea Duktig play food

Felt play food is enormously popular with parents and children the world over. Most is handmade and of beautiful quality which means it’s not necessarily budget-friendly. I know. My daughter has a quite a collection of felt food and I’ve often thought how fantastic it would be if there was a less expensive option.

The pinnacle of play food from Life’s a Stitch

The pinnacle of play food from Life’s a Stitch

Vibrant fruit, delicious sandwiches, lip-smackingly good biscuits and yummy sushi equal heaven for the taste buds. My daughter and I are big fans of all of these foods – especially the sushi. Combine this enthusiasm with endless play opportunities and I think we’ve hit a toy goldmine.

So many cubby houses, you’ll need to build a village

So many cubby houses, you’ll need to build a village

When I was very little my dad told my brother and I that there was a big surprise waiting for us – as soon as we could solve a cryptic clue. The clue was ‘The king and queen in their castle’. I can’t recall how many days it took us to work out that the … [Read more.]

All aboard the sushi train

All aboard the sushi train

One of my daughter’s favourite treats is to go and have sushi, so the idea of surprising her with this toy is just too delicious!

Softies with a story

Softies with a story

Every night in bed my daughter cuddles up to her favourite softie, a handmade cat in a darling dress that my grandmother made for me when I was young. It is what all softies should be – a lovable and huggable companion for playtime and sleeptime.

The report card is in – we need to play more

The report card is in – we need to play more

I remember spying the ball pit at Ikea for the first time – I was officially too old for the children’s play zone and felt quite envious because it looked like so much fun.  I finally got my chance to try a ball pit when I was in my thirties and was retrieving my own … [Read more.]

A toy Aga kitchen steeped in tradition

A toy Aga kitchen steeped in tradition

The Aga oven is more than a stove, it’s an institution. Think toasty warm kitchens in English country houses, perfect roasts and sponge cakes that defy gravity and it all adds up to the old world charm of the Aga.

Making crafty cakes the Sweetie Pie way

Making crafty cakes the Sweetie Pie way

My daughters have a play kitchen where they spend hours concocting various dishes from plastic food and baking pretend cakes. But now my five-year-old is becoming more dexterous, we need another way to create make-believe food. 

The modern way to play with dolls

The modern way to play with dolls

Picture a doll house.  You can see it in your mind’s eye.  The two-storey Victorian house with pink weatherboards, bay windows and tiled roof.  Yes, that’s the one.  Now think again.  The 21st century doll house is here and it’s more architectural-designed home than pretend-play.

Plan Toys Kitchen and Laundry toys arrive in Australia

Plan Toys Kitchen and Laundry toys arrive in Australia

Children love to role play and given any opportunity to do so, my kids jump at it! Little kitchens are always a hit with children and these beauties from Plan Toys are no exception.

Making a den that bit more stylish!

Making a den that bit more stylish!

My daughters are really into making dens at the moment and they take every piece of manchester they can get their hands on! So I love the idea of a beautiful, ready-made hideaway.

I want to live in this doll house!

I want to live in this doll house!

If I was Alice in Wonderland, I would drink the potion that made me shrink so I could live in this wonderful doll house.