Traditional Toys

Here's our current selection of recommended traditional children's toys, with each of our entries providing an overview of each highlighted item chosen from a mass of possibilities together with a link to where they can be acquired. As with all pages on our site the content on this one will be refreshed & amended as inspiringyourkids.com develops and grows.

Wooden Circus Game With Animals

Sure to delight small children of three years and over this lovely model big top comes with an array of figures and other accessories. Children can give their imagination full rein as they tame the lions, direct the clowns and act as ringmaster in their own personal version of the greatest show on earth. Available from The Gifted Goat

Bow And Arrow Set

With a target card, quiver with three arrows with suckers on the end, and a wooden 86 cm bow this quality set provides everything required for safe archery play. Suitable for children of three years and up this sturdy lightweight toy can be used for indoor or outdoor play. Available from Toyday

Noah's Ark

Made from handsomely painted wood, this large ark comes with ten pairs of animals together with Mr and Mrs Noah figures all carefully crafted from wood with felt fabric detail. The ark itself has an opening side door, walk in ramp, dovecot mast and removeable opening rearside. Available from Letterbox

Magic Tricks Set

This set enables children to practise and perform eighty great tricks involving coins; cards; rope; paper and other materials. Containing eight mini books of instructions detailing how to make the tricks work, which are laid out in easy to follow steps, this set provides the props required for a wide range of impressive illusions. Available from fabstuff

Flying Scotsman Hornby Train Set

The famous London to Edinburgh non stop express train is presented in its 1930s heyday as a top-of-the-range Hornby model. This lovely set comprises track, a locomotive, four teak coaches and power connection accessories. This classic model train set is available from Hamleys

Diabolo

For anyone unfamiliar with diabolo it is essentially a form of juggling trick in which a plastic or wooden object called a diabolo is set spinning on a string which has handles at each end. Manipulation of the handles affects and alters the diabolo's movement, and with practise a child can learn a spectrum of amazing and highly satisfying stunts. Our featured diabolo is available from Toyday

Wooden Garage

With ground floor petrol pumps and motorists' shop, this garage, featuring ramps and a wind up lift to upper floors together with a helipad, presents three to six year olds with a fantastic focus for imaginative play. This sturdy item is 50 cm in height and measures 50 cm in width x 37 cm in depth. Available from Early Learning Centre

Fern Villa Kit

This beautifully crafted dolls house will bring many hours of enjoyment to the girls in your family. It is available as an unpainted kit, or a painted flat pack with all exterior decoration and detailing, and white painted internal finish ready for your choice of wallpaper. Fern villa includes all windows and doors pre-assembled. For this Victorian style house and thousands of other fabulous toys and games visit Hamleys

Wooden Pirate Ship

This fantastic solid wooden galleon with range of accessories creates the scene for high stakes imaginative play under the billowing Jolly Roger. Available from The Gifted Goat

Thomas The Tank Engine

The gentle but lively world of Thomas the Tank Engine comes to life through this extensive range of wooden track, model engines and robust accessories. Children can conjure up life on the Island of Sodor as Thomas, with friends like Gordon and James, try to tame the Troublesome trucks and journey through tunnels and over suspension bridges. Available from Toys 'N' Fun

Hogwarts Castle (Lego)

Have great fun building Hogwarts castle with 943 pieces of lego. Discover all the rooms of Hogwarts Castle! Find the hidden book, document and envelope! Retrieve the confiscated items in Umbridge's office! Includes greenhouse, 2 Thestrals, Professor Snape, Death Eater, Hagrid, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Professor Umbridge, Professor Dumbledore and Ron Weasley minifigures! Available from Lego.com