receiving presents. It’s is an opportunity to give, too. You could ask your children to have a little clear out before Christmas and give some old toys away. Or visit a elderly neighbour who lives alone and bring her a nice fresh poinsettia

for the knowing...9. Decorate your bike  Using at least three different colours of crêpe-paper streamers, fluffy wools, coloured straws (for your wheel spikes), bells and toys, create your new super fun bicycle. (Now do that Tour de France – in your garden.)10. Do

or on their own, but can do what they want from The Little Princess to Pippi Longstocking. We’ve already toyed with a few titles, like Maude Abroad…Maude The Not-So-Noticeable Shrimpton by Lauren Child and Trisha Krauss is published by Puffin, £15.

to keep all their toys and clothes in order, but give it just a few months and you'll be regretting it. Having so many things all crowded into one room will decrease mobility around the room and also make tidying up a much bigger chore than it needs to be

for him but couldn’t get started. Then I came across a book of poetry by American writer Shel Silverstein in a charity shop. It was my Eureka moment. I raced back to the toy shop that I was managing and starting writing straight away.What do you look

-to-shoulder with the ‘yummy mummy’ brigade. This café is well-stocked to keep younger customers happy and it even offers a children’s organic picnic platter for £4.95 (which includes organic crisps, Parma ham, cheese and bread). Toys and books are also available to borrow

,the world’s most famous toy shop. Childcare can be arranged.Tel: 001 212 554 6000; www.hudsonhotel.com The Hudson Hotel, New York Jaci’s Safari Lodge, South AfricaStone,canvas and a thatched roof give this cosy, rustic-chic South

for a family break. For children, there’s a cabin bedroom, a den with beanbags, baskets of toys and nursery equipment, plus enclosed gardens. The Mill can sleep six adults and four children, plus cots, with prices starting from £6,000 per week.The Cove

. In the centre, there is a zoo and an aquarium, and throughout the city there are winding alleys that lead to quirky shops and tasty tapas bars. The central boulevard, Las Ramblas, leads to the beach and is lined with street performers and toy stalls. You can

apparent at The Raposinhos Kids Club, which has to be one of the most stylish in the world. Your child can sit on a Panton Verner Junior chair or perch on the Seggiolina Pop Chair or take toys from the El Baúl Storage Box. Not only is it a temple to great