Resist the hi-tech hard-sell that surrounds us at this time of year. There’s plenty of time to get caught up in the upgrade-only frenzy of computer games, electronic wizardry and remote control quick-fire entertainment. You’ll only rue the day you first set foot on the slippery slope when next year you find the latest, newest version has already superceded last year’s.

In fact, when you’re buying for children up to the age of six or seven, it’s so much easier than you think because the age-old concepts of creativity, participation and imagination just haven’t gone out of date! Remember as a child the sheer exhilaration of a really great garden swing, the utter absorption of role play with dolls and characters, or the top-of-the world pride that resulted from the completion of a creative project? Such toys needn’t be expensive - and it only needs a little encouragement for a great lo-tech present to be the big winner at any birthday party.

Here are some simple tips on choosing really good lo-tech toys for your children:

• Big it up! Don’t let your hi-tech adult outlook on life under whelm the moment. Act excited – look forward to helping them get started. Make them feel lucky!


• Get some variety. Don’t overdo one particular theme, whatever you think they’re really good at by the age of 5! Kids have the luxury of being able to try many different things, and sometimes they’ll surprise you with what they take to.


• Add-ons are great. A new outfit for dolly can breathe new life into the doll cupboard and stimulate hour upon hour of renewed role play. Similarly, a new set of construction pieces will open up a whole new world of possibilities for the imaginative engineer. It’s amazing how much life you can get out of toys this way.


• Spend some time. It’s what being a parent is all about. We all have a bit of our childhood left in us and there’s not much more rewarding after a stressful build up to the big day, than to allocate some free time to your kids and let yourself regress! You’ll probably really enjoy it!