Shell collecting is a wonderful pastime. It doesn’t cost a thing, and it is full of possibilities for pleasure and learning alike. Children love shells because they are safe and easy to pick up, they are great for decorating sand pies

. “So she’ll be in her element poking her fingers down the drain, knowing that we’ll be there to pick up the pieces if it all goes wrong.” Of course, exploration doesn’t just mean stopping and staring. It means getting physically stuck in, too, hence

1. Write your name or funny messages in the sand with shells2. Decorate sand-pies and sandcastles with different shaped shells3. Have a rock-pool ramble  Learn about the food chain of this natural aquarium so your child understands how it works

the bait down.3 ShellsIf you find empty mussel shells or other shells of the same size, collect enough to make a necklace or bracelet. Just make a small hole through the top of the shell and carefully threadle them on to a piece of ribbon.4 Fossils

This car seat’s very name conjures up a super-hero aura. Suitable from three to 12 years, using an innovative Stepsize system that adapts both the height of the headrest and the height and width of the shoulder protectors, its unique shell

nappy shell. Choose the one that works best for you and rest safe in the knowledge that you are reducing the size of your baby's carbon footprint.

and white have been removed, gently run water into the egg shell to rinse the insides well, before leaving to dry. Before decorating you can strengthen the eggshell by covering it with layers of tissue paper and PVA glue.1 Marbled eggsCrumple cling film

, sports wear mixed with the draped and oversized silhouettes of the mainline. Jumbo sports wear jackets worn as coats looked novel and sailor’s jackets were cute, a matt boiler suit, slash ski suit, in shell suit fabrics was flashy. It will be interesting

chopped kitchen scraps at the bottom (favourites include banana skin, egg shell, vegetable peelings, tea bags and bread crusts). Step fourWhen the bin is full, lift out the top wormy layers and tip the good compost out of the bottom of the bin, ready

for Junior Gaultier and Little Marc Jacobs dresses and a rhinestone encrusted piggy bank, as well as her own iPad - perhaps she'll be downloading the new Gucci app on Christmas day!