See-saw

See this prickly little fellow from French toy companyBass et Bass in action and rocking it below.

How Swede

Trust the Swedes to have the ultimate "design" toys for kids. Swedish company Playsam was founded by Carl Zedig in 1984 and is best known for its "Streamliner" car (above). It also designed a range of toys for handicapped children during the early 1980s. It's range marries pure form with pure function.

Rocking horses, whatever - put your kid on the Rocking Rabbit

Love the little paddle at the side of this yacht, it's going to make its maiden sea voyage that little bit quicker.

Woof Woof, Oink oink

La Maison de Lola is the result of Lisbon-based Portuguese duo Iolanda Mealha (Lola for short) and Álvaro Ramos. They've just launched cushions (I want the daschund doggy one) to add to their core collection of soft toys like Ms. Oink.

Ms. Oink's made of wool tweed and felt. The La Maison de Lola says that this female hog "likes nothing better than hit the shops for the latest trends, oink on her mobile with her friends and dip in her pool...she has a soft spot for antiques, and can frequently be seen in markets searching for that perfect little something."

Get trolleyed

Beautiful hand-made wooden kids toys by German firm Sirch who also make beautiful sleighs.