Getting ready for Christmas

On your doorstep

For toys that imitate life in miniature – dolls houses, castles, farms and pirate ships – go to Soup Dragon (N8). Good all-rounders include Just Williams in East Dulwich (SE24), Fagin’s Toys in Muswell Hill (N10), Snap Dragon in Turnham Green (W4) and of course, Hamley’s in the centre of town (W1).

The specials

For specific items, Patrick’s Toys and Models (SW6) has a well-stocked model department with rockets, planes, cars and more (look out for the new Spitfire, launched to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Blitz); Mystical Fairies in Hampstead (NW3) is a pink and sparkly Aladdin’s cave. Puppet Planet (SW8) has puppet theatres, glove puppets and marionettes galore and the Sylvanian Families shop (N5) is unmissable if you love the little furry critters and their cute accessories.

To you door

If shopping online is more your thing, great all-rounders include Toys Direct (www.toysdirect.com) and GLTC (www.gtlc.co.uk), who stock anything from the latest wave board scooter, Whiplash, to new versions of old favourites. And Woolies, who may have disappeared from our high streets, are still the best for branded dressing-up clothes (www.woolworths.co.uk).

The big boys

But for other big brand toys, stick to Amazon (www.amazon.co.uk) (cheaper Lego here than you’ll buy from Lego.com), as well as the majors such as ToyRUs and John Lewis, who also stock exclusive lines as well as their own brand of well-made affordable toys (www.johnlewis.com).

Get personal

For personalised presents, Letterbox is one of the best, with individually tailored adventure and fairy stories, puzzles, pencils and rubber stamps (www.letterbox.co.uk).

Serious science

For top educational toys, look at Aspace, who have added wormeries, telescopes and microscopes to their range of beds and bunks.  And Bright Minds have science kits of all descriptions including the flowering Magic Garden and Explosive Experiments (www.brightminds.co.uk).

Trad mad

Cox and Cox are currently merging with Tridias and offer a good range of traditional games and wooden toys between them (www.coxandcox.co.uk), with a lovely new kids Christmas catalogue. For something a little different, log on to Lapin and Me, which stocks baking, writing and doll-making kits in unusual retro tins (www.lapinandme.co.uk). For a lovely range of traditional toys including wooden figures, puppets and gorgeous Djeco puzzles, take a look at Ptolemy Toys (www.ptolemytoys.co.uk).  And for very sweet creative felt kits, head for Sparrow Kids (www.sparrowkids.co.uk).

Outdoor fun

Get the kids off the Wii/DSi/Playstation and outside for some fantastic good old-fashioned muddy fun.  The Children's Furniture Company’s original Kombi Kart with four sturdy wheels; thick cut wooden frame; heavy duty rope and chunky bolts is strong enough to take children and adults together.  Customise further with a splash of paint, padding or wing mirrors (www.thechildrensfurniturecompany.com).

Gift lists

If managing your own shopping list as well as your children’s gift wish lists is getting your head in a twist, register at www.formylife.co.uk which allows you to put your child’s wish list online, avoiding present duplicates and offering the chance for givers to buy online.

Cox & Cox T Rex   £13	The Children's Furniture Comapny Kombi Kart   £149	Lapin & Me Kimono Doll Set   £18