Parents value good quality toy brands at Christmas. Parents also value toy brands where you can actually get the toy out of the box and up and running for play time in less than three hours. If it doesn’t need batteries then that’s even better – but that’s a whole other conversation.

Over the years there are a few toy brands that I have come to really value and others that I just won’t buy because I feel they are a waste of money. I really rate Little Tikes toys as they are so well made and resistant to even rough play times. They are well worth the money and I have no complaints. Another brand I really like is Casdon, the reason being, that they produce good quality role play toys which have great learning benefits.

Why not surprise your little one with one of these this year?

This realistic Chip ‘n’ Pin Till has been specially designed to provide hours of fun and stimulation so your little shopkeeper will really feel part of your world while developing essential life skills.
• Role play activities for exploring imagination and developing social skills
• Realistic food packaging, card reader and till for visual stimulation
• Play encourages the development of hand-to-eye co-ordination
• Different functions for understanding cause and effect
• Accessories and components develop problem solving and motor skills
• Different features encourage exploration and discovery
• Calculator and money for development of early counting skills

You could also choose from:

Hetty Vacuum Cleaner

Specially designed to be true to life, right down to the last detail so your little helper will really feel part of your world while developing essential life skills.
• Realistic role play for exploring imagination and developing social skills
• Friendly Hetty character and bright colours for visual stimulation
• Play encourages the development of hand-to-eye co-ordination
• Working suction action for understanding cause and effect
• Moving parts and accessories develop problem solving and motor skills
• Different modes of play encourage exploration and discovery
• True to life sounds for added realism and aural stimulation

The Dyson Ball Upright

This has been specially designed to be true to life, right down to the last detail so your little helper will really feel part of your world while developing essential life skills.
• Realistic role play for exploring imagination and developing social skills
• Replica design with bright colours for visual stimulation
• Play encourages the development of hand-to-eye co-ordination
• Working suction and cyclone action for understanding cause and effect
• Manoeuvrability of toy develops problem solving and motor skills
• Independent play encourages exploration and discovery
• True to life sounds for added realism and aural stimulation

Hetty Cleaning Trolley

This has been specially designed to be true to life, right down to the last detail so your little helper will really feel part of your world while developing essential life skills.
• Realistic role play for exploring imagination and developing social skills
• Friendly Henry character and bright colours for visual stimulation
• Play encourages the development of hand-to-eye co-ordination
• Variety of activities that promote the understanding of cause and effect
• Multiple parts and accessories develop problem solving and motor skills
• Different modes of play encourage exploration and discovery
• Moving trolley encourages mobility and a sense of independent play

Role play is great for children and even more fun when children play with siblings or friends. Role play toys like these always mean my four children play together as a four, despite the age gaps. These types of toys are a great alternative to screen time and promote a range of learning opportunities, as well as the ability for children to model examples of real life situations.

These toys are especially good for children aged 2-6 years, which also means they have quite a long life span, always a bonus for parents. However, another bonus is that these are also great value. Here are some example prices:

Hetty Vacuum Cleaner £17 Toys R Us

Dyson Ball Vacuum £22.99 Amazon

Hetty Cleaning Trolley £14.99 Toys R Us

Chip ‘n’ Pin Till  £15 Amazon

How are you getting on with your Christmas shopping?