Exploration and investigation
* Light box (Galt, 234.95, tel: 08702 424477).
* Sahara box (Galt, 66.95) - sturdy wooden box with fine sand and tools for creating designs.
Mathematical learning
* Baby cube tower - six colourful hardwood cubes that fit inside each other, with the largest measuring 9.3 x 9.3 x 9.3cm (Asco, 27.95 per set, tel: 0113 2707070).
* Playing and stacking cubes - eight coloured cubes, with the largest measuring 25 x 25 x 25cm (Asco, 120 per set - see special discount).
* Five-section sorting plate - set of six assorted colours (Wesco, Pounds 12.30, tel: 0115 9862126).
* Clics - construction set built around a simple square piece (Asco, Pounds 39.95 per set).
* Polydron construction set - triangles and squares for creating three-dimensional shapes (Galt, 99.95).
* Simple balance - a strong but sensitive balance (Asco, 13.50).
* Rocker scales - robust and easy to clean scales (Galt, 9.99).
* Geometric volume set - set of six clear plastic solids that are easy to open and fill (Galt, 21.95).
Imaginative learning
* Doll's accessory pack - plastic case containing various accessories, from bottles to baby soap (Galt, 14.95).
* Rucksack set (Galt, 14.95).
* Suitcase set (Galt, 14.95).
* Toolbox (Wesco, 16.60).
* Tool set (Philip & Tacey, 14.95, tel: 01264 332171).
* Doctor's case (Wesco, 17.80).
* Doll's hairdressing case (Wesco, 9.20).
* Lunch basket - non-toxic play foods in a basket (Asco, 13.95).
* Fruit and vegetable basket - plastic fruit and vegetables in a sturdy plastic carrying basket (Galt, 11.95).
* Little Red Riding Hood - dressing-up outfits for Granny, Little Red Riding Hood and the Woodcutter (Asco, 95.00).
* Little Red Riding Hood skirt and cloak (Three Bears Role-Play, 27.00, tel: 01669 620315).
* My Little Handbag, My Little Toolbox, My Little Doctor's Bag, My Little Lunchbox by Nathan Reed (Campbell Books, 4.99 each, tel: 01256 302692) - new on the market is this series of cardboard 'bags' and 'boxes' designed to provide prompts for children's imaginative and role play. Each has a chunky cardboard handle and a tough Velcro fastening. Lift the flap and inside are four touch-and-feel press-out pieces. In the doctor's bag are a tube of ointment, a sticky medicine spoon, a soft plaster and a hot-water bottle, while the lunchbox has a cheese sandwich, a cup of apple juice, an apple and a jammy biscuit.
Storage andorganisation
* Six-tray storage unit, with deep trays and castors (NES Arnold, Pounds 139.95, tel: 0845 120 4525).
* Double-sided classroom tidy - unit featuring 18 easy-access trays for capacity storage (Galt, 119.95).
* One-bay laminated top unit - mobile (red) measuring 38(w) x 43(d) x 65(h)cm (Hope, 89.95, tel: 08451 202055).
* Giant trunk - heavy-duty storage trunk on castors (NES Arnold, Pounds 30.50).
* 85L lidded box - box with hinged lid and castors (Wesco, 25.00).
* Deep tote trays: saver pack - includes three red, three blue, two green, two yellow and two clear (Galt, 50.00).
* Beech book box - low, mobile box for presenting books to young children (Galt, 59.95).
* Wooden toy box - 60(w) x 60(d) x 65(h)cm in laminated plywood (Wesco, Pounds 76.50).
* Desktop carousel - a table-top single-tier carousel for storing hanging book bags (Hope, 49.95).
* Hanging bags - transparent strong polythene bags with snap-close handles measuring 26.5 x 20cm (Hope, 6.99 for pack of 10).
