Created by four fathers, the Bloom philosophy is to fuse aesthetics and functionality. So it comes as no surprise that the Otto Play Table is easy on the eye, but also has sliding art and play tables at either end and handy wipe-clean surfaces

by tipping in a few plastic sharks, ducks, fairies, or whatever your child enjoys. And if there’s a handy sandpit ‘island’ nearby, so much the better.School-age childrenTo play hosepipe tag, the child who’s It squirts another with water. That child then has

Beneath its curved design, the Clexo Play Table by Timkid is a superbly practical children’s desk. Made from beech and birch plywood, there’s a footrest, washable seat (in red, shown, blue or black) and a tilted table top with two cup holders. £225

1. Jump and hop  Make two circles with two pieces of string – a big circle with a longer piece and a small circle with the shorter piece. Then show your child how to jump up and down inside the bigger circle, then do the same for the small circle. Count each complete jump or chan...

Part of Normann Copenhagen’s New Danish Modern furniture collection, the Play range is stylishly handmade in varnished beech. The series offers a vibrant approach to children’s furniture and includes a table (£300), bench (£250), chair (£210

Sylvanian Families John Lewis Department Store £79.95 exclusively from John Lewis

Is it a chair, is it a table, or is it a giant jigsaw? The Playzzle is all of these things – and much, much more. The six soft foam shapes fit together to make a 1.5x1.25m cube and are available in fabulous Marimekko print. It costs £1,170 for the whole set. 

 affair for older children) to be hung in the bedroom window as a reminder of magical times long after the big thaw. More leisure from Junior:Theatre shows inspired by booksTest out those twinkle toes with Darcey Bussell

An iconic design since 1966, the jewel-like colours of the 48 play pieces catch the light and can be transformed into anything!PlayPlax from £16, by Portobello Games

There are endless possibilities for pretend play with the versatile double-sided play shop and theatre. You can accessorise it with toy groceries, cash register and hand puppets to put on a grand show.Play Shop & Theatre £120 by Great Little Trading