Welcome to our regular weekly roundup of the best gear for families

For little builders aged 6 and over

If your child likes making things, but you despair of the mess, here's a new creative building set which might please you both. Real Construction uses a combination of realistic-looking tools and foam planks. The manufacturers call this "Kid-Wood" - it's a durable foam, specially designed for children to saw, nail and build just like real wood. Only with this material there are no splinters or wood shavings, and no trees get the chop.

The kits include ideas and equipment for several building projects, including a pirate ship and a chair (shown here). My seven-year-old son was very engaged by this - the tools look authentic, but are actually quite light and safe and easy to use.

Real Construction comes as a starter set at RRP £9.99, or the Deluxe Workshop with over 125 pieces is RRP £29.99, and a range of refill packs from £4.99 to expand your collection.

There's currently a special offer on at Toys R Us, giving a half price refull pack when you buy the starter set. This offer ends on 21st October.












Baby You Can Push My Pram
A few weeks ago we told you about the Zodiac Buggy, the perfect thing for anyone having Russell Grant's lovechild. Now Maclaren have come up with another limited edition pram: it's the Beatles Buggy, the Yellow Submarine you can push.

I love this, I think it's great fun - but will Beatles fans think it's a merchandising step too far? What do you think?

Suitable for babies from three months, RRP £220. To find a stockist near you check out the Maclaren website, or call 01327 841 300




For musical toddlers
Classic FM and Baby TV (the ad-free Sky TV channel for the under fours) have teamed up to produce a new DVD featuring animated versions of some of your child's best loved traditional rhymes.

My Favourite Nursery Rhymes is a great way to remind yourself of nursery rhymes you might have forgotten, and the gentle rhythms mean this would be useful for getting children relaxed as part of their bedtime routine.

RRP 14.99, which includes an animal sticker booklet. Currently reduced to £9.99 at Amazon




Baby bargains
Asda have relanched their baby range, so you can pick up whatever you need for your baby when you're doing the weekly shop.

The Little Angels range has been extensively tried and tested by mums, and their feedback has been incorporated into the range. It's got a fresh new look, and is now much more comprehensive, with everything from stretch mark oil to liquid talc to gripper bottles (shown here).

Asda Little Angels baby care range is in stores now, prices vary.




You're toast!
And finally, is there something missing from your family breakfast time? Well, I know exaclty what you need - your face in toast. Sadly it's not real toast, but it is still hilarious fun. And it's free. Visit the Toastarizer at the Vogel website and you too can have a toast portrait to embarrass your children with.