Guides, gift ideas and play

Play & Learning

Honest buying guides, gift ideas and play advice from the Learning Bugs team, to help you choose toys your child will actually love.

Gift Guides Learning Through Play Scooters & Bikes Yoto Magnetic Tiles Montessori

Connetix magnetic tiles built into a rainbow castle

8 November 20265 min read

Magnetic Tiles Ideas: 15 Things to Build With Connetix

15 magnetic tiles ideas to try at home, from easy first builds to ball runs and portal tile doorways, with the Connetix packs that give you enough pieces.

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Best 1st birthday gift ideas for 1 year olds UK 2026 - Learning Bugs

30 September 202610 min read

14 Best 1st Birthday Gift Ideas for 1 Year Olds (UK 2026)

14 of the best 1st birthday gift ideas for one year olds, picked by Louise, a home-educating mum. Keepsakes, walkers, dolls, trikes and wooden toys, grouped by budget from under £30 to £100 and over.

7 May 202613 min read

Le Toy Van vs Little Dutch Activity Table: Which Is Best for Your Toddler? UK 2026

If you are searching for the best activity tables for toddlers UK families actually buy and love, chances are you have come across both the Le Toy Van Sensory Activity Table and the Little Dutch Activity Table. Both are among...

7 May 20264 min read

Little Dutch Wooden Garden Playhouse FSC: The Kids' Wooden Playhouse Every Garden Needs

Why this beautifully crafted kids' wooden garden playhouse is earning a permanent spot in UK gardens. There's a particular kind of magic that happens when a child has a space to call entirely their own. Not a corner of the...

26 April 20264 min read

Little Dutch Kitchen: Is It Worth It? UK Review 2026

Thinking of buying the Little Dutch wooden play kitchen? We stock it at Learning Bugs and get asked about it every week. Here is our honest UK review covering everything you need to know before you buy - features, accessories, age suitability and whether it is worth the money.

25 April 20268 min read

What Age is Yoto For? An Honest Guide for UK Parents

What age is Yoto suitable for? We sell Yoto at Learning Bugs and get asked this every day. Here is our honest, no-fluff breakdown by age - from toddlers to age 10 and beyond - with specific card recommendations at every stage.

22 April 20268 min read

Best Learning Tower for Toddlers UK 2026: Ette Tete vs Goodevas and What to Look For

Not sure which learning tower is worth buying in 2026? We compare the award-winning Ette Tete STEP'n'SIT with the Goodevas Stable Tower and Goodevas Helper Tower, covering specs, safety, price and which one is right for your family. Free UK delivery over £60.

22 April 20268 min read

Olli Ella is Now Dinkum Dolls — Your Complete Guide to Every Doll

Olli Ella has rebranded to Dinkum Dolls - same magical products, same quality, brand new name. If you're searching for Olli Ella dolls in the UK, you've come to the right place. In this guide we cover every doll in the range - from Dinkum Dolls and Dozy Dinkums to Cozy Dinkums, Dinky Dinkums and Dress Me Dinkys - plus how to clean them, which one to buy, and whether they're really worth it.

21 April 202610 min read

Banwood Bikes, Trikes, Scooters and Helmets: The Complete Guide for UK Parents

If you are trying to decide which Banwood product is right for your child, this is the guide for you. We cover every product in the Banwood range at Learning Bugs, from the balance bike for toddlers aged 2.5 to 5, to the Classic Bike, trikes, scooters, skateboards and helmets, with honest advice on which is best for each age and stage.