There are so many toys for kids on the market these days; it's difficult making the right choice. At least it can be narrowed down a bit now, as a lot of toys come in age groups, the shops are also helping by having boys and girls sections, even board games and jigsaw puzzles can be found separate. There are now some shops that only sell jigsaw puzzles, and the choice is immense.



Okay let's have a look at some of the age groups, and a choice selection of what's on offer:

0-6 Months Mobiles (these hang on the cot) buggy activity centre, activity mats, cloth books, chime balls, teddy bears (check warnings about eyes etc). Of course there's the usual rattles, musical teethers.

6-12 Months. Stacking cups, sit and ride boats and cars, baby walkers, activity centres, rocking horses, baby swing for the garden.

1-2 Years. Shape sorting activity games, tabletop sandpits, cars, trains, planes, fairytale castles, workshops with plastic tools, little kitchens and supermarkets.

2-3 Years. Tricycles, V-Tech alphabet desk, scooter, friction movement toys, shape sorters, dolls and dolls prams, Duplo bricks and characters.

3-4 Years. Dolls houses, swings, slides, bubble makers, books, Lego, art centres, drum kits, keyboards, guitars, cash register with plastic money, toy soldiers.

4+ Years. Workbench (to look like dad's) tabletop cooker, play tables, toy digital cameras and CD players that actually work, etch a sketch, magnetic letters, play houses and play tents, bikes, skateboards, roller skates, spirograph. The list is endless.

One of the best shops to go to for babies and toddlers toys, is The Early Learning Centre, the kids can play while you browse.

Kids and grown ups all love the old classics, especially train sets and Scalextric, these can be built on and added to and last for many years, a lot of been handed down over the generations, and some have sold for quite a lot of money at auctions, there are collectors of all ages. Also worth saving are Matchbox and Corgi cars, especially the boxes, also Airfix model planes, which you build and paint.

Rocking horses are very hard to get hold of these days, and can be very expensive, try avoiding hand made ones as they sell for hundreds of pounds. Be careful with plastic ones, as they tend to snap with time and then you get very sharp edges. The first thing that tends to go with the plastic ones is the saddle.