Dotty Hippo Christmas Gift Guide

Try as you might to ignore how fast the diary pages are turning, there's no denying that Christmas is coming and it's coming fast! For those of you who haven't started your shopping yet or haven't finished we've put together a Christmas gift guide to offer up some inspiration.

Ethical and Educational Toys from Lanka Kade

We are very proud to be stockists of the Lanka Kade range. Lanka Kade helps to support over 200 families in Sri Lanka through the skillful making and selling of these gorgeous wooden toys. All of the toys Lanka Kade produce offer educational benefits as well as enjoyment ones, from literacy and numeracy skills, building, shape recognition and more. See the full range here, with the smallest items starting at just £4.95.

The Enchanted Forest Pop Up Play Tent (with Play Mat)

A perfect place to play, nap, read and more, this very affordable easy to erect and pack away pop up tent makes a great choice of gift. Suitable for use indoors and out the Enchanted Forest Pop Up Play Tent which sports a useful roll up and down door cover may be used all year round.

There are other designs in the range including a farm, fire station and a pirate themed version all priced at £23.50. See all four and read more about their size and specifications here.

Bead Box from Bead Bazaar
The Nature Friend Bead Box is packed with fun for little ones who enjoy jewellery making and arts and crafts. Great to use alone or share with siblings and friends this lovely variety of shaped and coloured beads make great patterns. Priced at just £10.45 it also makes for a budget-friendly buy, always great at Christmas when you might have a number of children to buy for as well as your own.

Janod Magnetic Rocket

Here at Dotty Hippo we are huge fans of the Janod range which is why you'll find we offer a large number of their different toys and games. We turn to Janod because of their high quality craftmanship, bright colours, fun and educational benefits. We also stock them because we like playing with them ourselves from time to time (for professional research obviously!).

This Janod Magnetic Rocket is one of our most popular items and for true fans comes in a large size and a giant size. Visit the website to see the full Janod collection as well as the brightly coloured magnetic rocket ship.

To see more pop along to the website where you will find a wider range of toys, games, decorative items and more with something for all ages and all budgets.

Happy shopping!

Gifts for Older Children

Looking for inspiration when it comes to buying presents for older children isn't always the easiest of tasks, especially if you are buying for someone else's children. Your own are usually quite happy to tell you what they'd like and what they are currently into and yet still finding something as a suprise or something a bit different may require some extra help.

Buying for young children is fairly easy as toys and games are the order of the day and we have plenty of these to choose from. When buying for older children try some of these gift suggestions out for size....

Educational Fun
Children starting school or already enjoying the experience often benefit from more educational gifts, as long as these are fun and not boring. Help them learn and practice the fundementals of maths and literacy with magnetic fun from Fiesta Crafts perhaps?

Cool Accessories

When it comes to being out and about you have to look cool (this awareness of coolness seems to start at around 4 years old!). Choose brightly coloured accessories such as water bottles, lunch bags and backpack which will be useful as well as being fun. Our Stephen Joseph and Skip Hop ranges have proven extremely popular with children from tiny tot age upwards.

Bedroom Decor

Older children love to personalise their own space and how better than with decorative items such as shaped mirrors, wall stickers and more? With a wide range of themes to choose from, from alphabets to fire trucks or fairies, as well as some seriously cute Babyface gingham bedding in a range of colours there are plenty of gift ideas here. 

Many gift buyers struggle to find something new or different when buying on the high street which is why we put together ranges full of fun and quality items all in one place for you to choose from. This makes buying presents much easier when you are trying to find something cool or useful and yet don't want to  try and work out what the latest "thing" or trend is.

Do you have any ideas or advice for buying for older children? If so please do share!