Clockwork toys - frog, penguin, monkey, racing snails, and others (Hawkin's Bazaar, 1 to 5 each, tel: 01986 782536, www.hawkin.com).
Dry and wet
Decorating brushes and rollers - five-piece brush set (9.98), paint roller and tray (3.98), easy reach paint roller (5.98), (B&Q stores, www.diy.com).
Heavy and light
Bubble wrap - mini-roll (2.19), large roll (13.98), (Viking Direct, tel: 0870 534 0404, www.viking-direct.co.uk).
Polyshapes - very light polystyrene balls and eggs (NES Arnold, 7.99, tel: 08451 2045 25, www.nesarnold.co.uk).
Feathers - bulk pack (NES Arnold, 7.99).
Bucket balance - plastic (9.99), wooden (39.95) (Hope, tel: 08451 202055, www.hope-education.co.uk).
Pulleys - a pack of pulleys (NES Arnold, 39.95).
Wet and dry
Sea creatures - sealife set (Hope, 8.99).
Shells - large shells (NES Arnold, 7.99).
Quiet and loud
Musical instruments - a wide range is available from Step by Step (tel: 08451 252550, www.sbs-educational.co.uk).
Bird song - Collins Guide to Garden Bird Songs and Calls by Geoff Sample (Collins, book and CD, 12.99); The DVD Guide to British Birds (Pegasus, 10.99); soft toy birds with authentic songs when you squeeze them from the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB, 5.99, tel: 01767 680551).
