The Little Car Company Bugatti Baby II, £27,000
Yes, this is extravagant but let’s be honest, it’s not entirely for the kid, is it? This incredible 75-per-cent-scale Type 35 racer is about as authentic as these things get, right down to the classic, four-spoke steering wheel in the cockpit. The electrically-powered mini-car has a base top speed of 12mph but scales up from there if you really want to start exploring the extras, with a fully charged range of about 15.5 miles. Yes, it’s a toy… but only just.
Available at Bugatti Baby.
Le Toy Van Oxford Toy Kitchen, £199
It’s never too early to hone their culinary skills and while we doubt this charmingly colourful, downsized number quite hits Michelin-star standards, every budding head chef needs to start somewhere. Complete with a (thankfully heat-free) oven, hob, microwave and raft of utensils, the sustainable wooden design is country chic at its finest.
Available at Harrods.
Lego Creator Old Trafford, £249.99
There’s no accounting for taste, but if you have passed the sins of the father onto your children (and with them a season ticket to see Manchester United) then in lieu of match days you might want to consider this. The nearly 4,000-piece set is a perfect replica of Old Trafford, right down to the Munich Clock and Sir Alex Ferguson statue. If you can’t get to the Theatre of Dreams yourself, this isn’t a bad substitute at all.
Available at Lego.
Wonder Workshop Cue Robot, £174
Designed for kids 11 and up, this little robot isn’t just a Pixar mascot in the making; it’s an educational tool designed to teach code, starting from block-based and running up to state-machine and text-based. The award-wining Cue offers a deep, versatile platform for self-exploration and building problem-solving, engineering and design skills. It’s also pretty adorable to boot.
Available are Wonder Workshop.
Uber Games Outdoor Chess Set, £380
It’s never too early to learn the game of kings and, as we get more and more restricted to our gardens, this oversized outdoor chess set makes a nice alternative to repeatedly throwing a ball over the neighbour’s fence. Lightweight and complete with an all-weather board, it’s a good deal easier to handle than a Sicilian Defense. Given it’s winter though, you might want to try it inside for now.
Available at Uber Games.
