These delightful Crayon Rocks will have your children clamouring to colour, draw and write, even if they've been reluctant to use conventionally-shaped writing tools. They're just so irresistably pretty in their shades of 16 different colours and shaped like neat little rocks. The form helps your child attain the tripod grip which is the most desirable pencil grip. Fatigue is lessened by putting just the fingers to work instead of the entire forearm.

Created by a special needs teacher who recognised how essential to handwriting it is to establish a tripod grip early in life, the crayons are crafted from soy wax. They inspire children to be adventurous with their art - an unconventional tool can bring out untold talents at the same time as strengthening hand and finger muscles and improving fine motor skills.

Crayon Rocks enable children of diverse abilities to escape the confines of the usual and to step into art, drawing and writing that's extraordinary!

Crayon Rocks can be purchased in sets of 16 (1 of each colour) for US$4.99 and 64 rocks (4 of each colour) for $17.99.  Alternatively, get some people together and go for the classroom set of 24 boxes for $119.76. Nico & Zoe will ship these Internationally.

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In April this year we let you know about these post and play sets from Let's Play Mail. They are now available in Australia from monkeytail & wellington for $55 plus postage.

A fun way to encourage young children about the delights of sending and receiving mail, self-expression and reading is through Lets Play Mail.  In our high-tech world snail mail could easily become a thing of the past – but who doesn’t love to get a personalised letter, postcard or parcel in the post?

The US-designed set comes with a mailbox, a drawstring mail bag, shipping box, three postcards, two envelopes, six stamps, six address labels and six messages. Stamps and messages stick to mail envelops and postcards with velcro. Soon the kids will be ready to send real mail!

There's also special delivery sets of letters To Santa, and another to Grandma and Pa. as well as invitations to special parties, and valentines for special friends. Recommended for ages three and up.

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Lundby architect-designed doll houses have been around since 1947 and the interiors have been repeatedly redesigned over the years, in order to keep up with the very latest in interior design. I have lingered many times over the Stockholm Dolls House, which is beautifully featured in a large clear case in my local toy shop.

Awareness of the design world is what sets Lundy products apart from many others. Modern artwork, miniature versions of Taschen art books, plasma televisions, spa baths and tiny replica contemporary furniture brilliantly complement the boxy architecture that echoes some of Australia's own Harry Seidler's work. This is just the kind of house my husband and I have wanted for years, however, living in Sydney's Inner West has put that wish firmly in pipe dream territory. For those of us entrenched in Federation abodes, here's a way to introduce a little 'mid-century with a modern twist' into your home.

Designed exclusively in Sweden, the Stockholm house has been created to be the ultimate leisure home with its mosaic patterened pull-out pool, pet deck, hot tub on the party roof and many lush furnishings for reading and play.

The house has floor-to-ceiling windows that retract conveniently for play and there are even two working terrace lights to light it up at night.

Happy Little Hippos have a special offer going right now. Buy 4 sets of Stockholm Dolls House accessories and receive 1 extra set for free! (Free item must be equal or lower in value to the lowest priced accessory purchased.)

The Stockholm house is $189.95 and accessory packs range in price from $19.95 to $48.95. 

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This space-age Plasma Car (click on this link for a video demonstration) is a surprising product.  Not only does it cost a mere $47.50 plus post, it holds a load of up to 100kg, making it suitable for practically anyone in the family who cares to take it for a low-riding spin!

I saw one of these in action at our local park and both my 3 year old and I were amazed. Requiring no batteries, the car is propelled using centrifugal force - put your feet up on the foot pads and wiggle the steering wheel from left to right. It's a safer option for a ride-on as it's so low to the ground.  It's also quiet and is manufactured using high quality ABS plastics, making it hard-wearing no matter who rides it.

The Plasma Car is bound to please with its sleek aerodynamic design, reminiscent of a futuristic racing car, and is available in a variety of bright colours - yellow, red, green, blue and purple. If there's going to be squabbles, get the kids to choose a colour each - then the racing can really begin!

Weighing just 3.6kgs, they're easily carried by an older child, but able to be used from age 3. Great for developing physical co-ordination and balance as well as just being loads of fun. This is a toy that you buy for the kids while really knowing it's for you as well. Of course keep to smooth, flat surfaces such as those found at the park - ours would get a good work out on rainy days going up and down our tiled hallway.

Reading the translated instructions is almost as entertaining as riding the car. "With mystic power, wonderful appearance, and congregated by environment protection, body building, as well as entertaining..." I couldn't have summed it up any better!

Available locally from Tomorrow Concept. Shipping varies from state to state.

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There has been a big move towards better quality toys with the recent concerns about certain paints and plastics around our children. The value of keeping the number of toys down, whilst ensuring the ones your children have are multifunctional and open-ended can be seen when they remain appealing over time, and last through several offspring. Boikido's beautiful handcrafted wooden toys take the natural and more tactile approach to toymaking. Wooden toys sound different, feel different, and enable softer play experiences.

A friend of mine was given the Pyramid Stacking Cubes for her newborn daughter, and they are just so sturdy and beautiful. At the moment, the baby just eyes the pretty colours and patterns, but when she's older, they can be used to teach about numbers, French words, colours, animals and letters, as well as helping to develop those motor skills in stacking and nesting. Both my children love to play a game of knocking the stack of blocks over - many giggling sessions have been started this way and it's a game that's achievable for both baby and toddler alike.

Alex's Push Plane is a version of another favourite children's toy that features a removable magnetised Boikido character as the driver. Those not yet walking can push the plane along the floor listening to the click clack sounds. Later, an optional guiding stick can be added for new walkers who are fascinated with pushing and pulling.

The Magnetic Numbers and Letters Case is a neat little kit for those crucial first steps into literacy and numeracy.  It includes 52 numbers, 10 letters and a magnetic whiteboard with case. What begins with simple tile play ends with piecing together word and number combinations!

All Boikido toys are painted in non-toxic cheery paints. The company is dedicated to child safety and their products conform to the highest of safety standards You can even contact them about their testing protocols!

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