Eighteen to twenty-four months toddlers

By this stage toddlers are more proficient at building and sorting. They may show an interest in 'make-believe' games involving dolls, animals and vehicles. Your child will be keen on playing outside on simple playground equipment, and he or she may also start to want to make things.

Toys to consider:

• dolls and their paraphernalia such as mini buggies and bottles
• child-sized ride-along cars and trucks
• a first train set
• building blocks
• playdough
• matching games


"One of the best things wa ever bought was a play tent. It folds up flat so doesn't take up space and from when they were crawling, our boys have always loved it for imaginary games" - Carlos, father of Emile, 4 and Joe 3