Online and in the shops
It’s one of top toys this year, according to farm toy distributors Banaghans, along with the John Deere Combine Harvester, €79.99 (pictured), Rolly John Deere ride-on, €179.99, and die-cast Siku Moser Rear End Digger, €12.99, all for ages 3+. There’s also a wooden farm set, new this year from Chad Valley at Argos, €44.49. Alternatively, eight pairs of animals are included in the Noah’s Ark from Playmobil, which floats on water and has a functional crane to lift on the food, ages 4+, €37.99; www.argos.ie
For little ones, Vilac’s Baby Sheep Rocker is made from wood and soft wool and it can be easily converted to a ride-on, with rubber-coated wheels to minimise noise. It’s suitable from 18 months+, €109.95. Djeco’s Topanifarm, which has five little animals and six stacking boxes made from sturdy cardboard for them to live in, also offers toddlers endless opportunities for fun, €19.95; www.mimitoys.ie
At Pinocchio’s in Paul St, Cork, there’s another take on farm toys with the Bigjigs Farmyard Train and the Haybarn, which are compatible with all Bigjigs Rail as well as most other wooden railway sets, priced from around €5. Little hands will also enjoy Green Toys, including a dumper, mixer, and scooper, €24.95, and tea set, €29.95, ages 2+. Made in the US from recycled plastic, these toys contain no BPA, or phthalates and can be put in the dishwasher for easy clean-up; www.bigjigstoys.co.uk
Tales for Tadpoles, a new store that recently opened on Dublin’s Nassau St, also celebrates favourite children’s books and illustrations. From porcelain Peter Rabbit tea sets to prints from illustrators such as Harry Clarke and Quentin Blake, there’s a wide range of toys, accessories, stationery and other gifts to choose from, including Guess How Much I Love You Wooden Picture Blocks, €21.95 and this Matilda print, €16.50. The last date for online orders at talesfortadpoles.ie to guarantee delivery for Christmas is Friday, December 18.
