Historical
J&M's latest range of role play clothes is designed to complement the National Curriculum and all the outfits are made to fit children aged from seven- to 11-years. Larger sizes allow older children more freedom to continue enjoying and experimenting with role play. The company has also attempted to use authentic fabrics and fastenings in this range, so there is not a piece of Velcro in evidence. The range includes a Roman woman and Centurion; a Viking woman and man (pictured); a Medieval woman and a Monk/Scribe; a Tudor woman and man; a Stuart woman and man and a selection of 'cross-period' jerkins, shirts and accessories. If you need an outfit depicting a different period the company is happy to discuss this. Prices range from 7 for a cotton shirt to 32.50 for a Tudor man's outfit. The Viking outfits shown are priced 18 for the woman's and 22 for the man's.
Telephone 01274 599314 www.jandmtoys.co.uk
Society
Young children love to assume the role of recognisable figures in our society and tabards are an easy, quick way of facilitating their play. The Early Steps range from TTS includes six machine-washable tabards depicting a police officer, construction worker, nurse, doctor, vet and firefighter.
Priced 5.99 each.
Telephone 0800 318686
www.tts-shopping.com
LFC also stocks a set of five Occupations Tabards, made from washable polyester cotton with Velcro side fastenings. Each tabard measures 450(l) x 280(w)mm. The set includes police officer, firefighter, postal worker, doctor and nurse. Priced 37.99.
Telephone 0800 616629 www.lfc-ltd.co.uk
Fantasy
This is probably children's favourite role play area, and quite a few adults as well. Letterbox stocks a broad range of fantasy outfits in different sizes. Supergirl comes in the form of a jumpsuit with attached skirt, cape, belt and padded boot tops and Superman comes in the form of an all-in-one jumpsuit, cape and belt. Priced 16.99 for size two to three years and 18.99 for three to five years and five to seven years. Spiderman, Batman, Robin and Power Rangers are also available in this range. Other role play outfits also offered are knight, pirate, dalmatian dog and tiger. The outfits are mostly polyester and are all machine washable.
Telephone 0870 6007878 www.letterbox.co.uk
Holz's role play range is handmade from felt, with the aim of being both long-lasting and comfortable. The pirate costume includes a tunic, eye patch, hat, wooden hook, cutlass and dagger. The Native American costume includes a tunic, feather headdress, wooden bow, two arrows, a tomahawk and peace pipe. The knight's costume, (see above), includes a tunic, scabbard, wooden sword, shield and helmet with moveable visor. Each costume is priced 29.50. Cotton male and female doctors' outfits are also available.
Telephone 0845 130 8697 www.holz-toys.co.uk
Bridging the gap between fantasy and reality, the Astronaut Suit from Eduzone comes in two sizes to fit three to five years and to fit five to eight years. The suit is an all-in-one with elasticated cuffs and Velcro fastening and with matching shiny headgear. Priced 23.95 and 24.95.
Telephone 08456 445 555 www.eduzone.co.uk
For specific 'character parts' like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz or Peter Pan and Tinker Bell try the theatrical costumier Little Angels. Available in three sizes to fit age three to five, five to eight and eight to ten, Dorothy is priced 27. Dressing-up chests are also available and contain either three or five outfits to fit four- to six-year-olds. These include princess, fairy, dragonfly, cowboy, pirate, clown, devil and Ninja.
Priced from 33.50. A mail order catalogue will be sent on request.
Telephone 020 7836 5678 www.littleangels.co.uk
Outdoor role play
Not normally something that is associated with outdoor activity, role play items that will withstand the weather and the playground can be a good means of keeping children moving. Three Bears Playthings has designed a range of wings for just this kind of use, to fit four- to seven-year-olds.
The wings are cut generously to fit over coats and outdoor wear and they are made from washable, waterproof fabric. Choose from a butterfly, bat, ladybird or bee, priced 14.50 each or buy a set of four for 49.50.
Three Bears Playthings also stocks Playground Sets in two themes - Rescue or Traffic. Each Playground Set (see above and top) contains five waterproof, washable waistcoats that are designed to fit over the outdoor coats of four- to seven- year-olds. The Rescue theme consists of air ambulance, first response medic, fire crew, police incident and animal rescue. The Traffic theme includes roadside vehicle repair, police incident, high visibility waistcoat and traffic warden. Both sets are intended to look as realistic as possible with fluorescent strips and 'day-glo' panels. Priced 48 each set.
Telephone 01669 620315 www.threebearsplay.aol.com
Ethnic
The range of ethnic role play items available is gradually increasing to keep pace with education in this area.
Stompers specialises in hand-made role play items, designed with group use in mind. The Ethnic range includes an African tribal chief which consists of an animal print robe and headdress and an African man and woman's brightly coloured robes and headdresses, priced 12 each. An Arab man's robe and headdress, Chinese outfits, ponchos, kimonos and saris are also available, priced from 10 to 16. There is also a broad selection of outfits from Maid Marion and Princess Jasmine to firefighter and chef.
Telephone 020 8873 0511 www.stompers.co.uk
The Universe of the Imagination catalogue from Toys R Us includes a Native American kit in its role play range. The kit includes a headdress, bow and arrow, waistcoat and tomahawk. Designed to fit three years upwards, the set is priced 14.99. Other themes in the range include knight, firefighter, police officer, pop star and princess.
Telephone 0845 786 9778 www.toysrus.co.uk
E-niko also stocks a Native American outfit that consists of cotton, elasticated waist baggy trousers and a printed, fringed top, to fit four- to ten-year-olds, priced 14.
Telephone 01768 210121 www.e-niko.co.uk
Early Steps includes Chinese Pyjamas as part of its role play range. The pyjamas are suitable for boys and girls and are made from 'satin effect'
fabric with a mandarin collar, frog fastenings and two pockets. The inside leg measurement is 39cm and the jacket length is 47cm, priced 10.99.
Telephone as before
ACCESSORIES
Great Gizmos stocks an entire range of animal tails for quick and easy role play. The tails are made from soft, plush fabric in appropriate colours and design. The Tiger Tail is made from a brown and black tiger print and the Dolphin is pale blue, for example, and all the tails have a Velcro fastening waistband. Each tail also has an integral voice box located in its tip which, when squeezed, emits an 'authentic' sound. The tails measure between 60 and 80cm in length and the range also includes a mermaid, dinosaur, dragon and unicorn. Priced from 14.99 to 24.99.
Telephone 01293 543221
