Back to school for everyone it seems, including Playmobil figures, with a new Playmobil School. Marvel at the functional blackboard, desks, posters, books, a science lab with skeleton and microscope, an office with PCs and drinks making facilities, and even boys and girls toilets! £162 from Hamleys and Hamleys.com

Bright Minds, the fantastic site for inquisitive minds, has launched a baby section, Baby BrightMinds. Among lots of great products is this Pull Along Brio Giraffe. £9.99  brightminds.co.uk

Know your kings and queens
Fact cubes are great – our current favourite is this Kings and Queens of England one with time line and key facts about 20 famous monarchs. There are many more cubes on the website with science, maths, history and geography themes.
£6.50 each from zoobookoo.com

Your pre-schooler can steal the show with this bilingual learning microphone, singing along to songs about animals, counting and manners. Two language modes help develop vocabulary in English and Spanish. Learn and Groove Microphone £9.99 from Toys R Us

A fun way to learn about our colourful past: a colour-in map showing famous historic
figures, events, places and landmarks. With crazy cartoons and fascinating facts. 20 fibre pens included. £10 from letterbox.co.uk