At the wheel

Wheeled toys

Tandem trike (Asco, 132, tel: 0113 2707070) is a sturdy two-seater trike.

Speedy trike (Step by Step, 69.95, tel: 08451 252550) is robust and colourful and has a trailer pick-up (64.95) for carrying one passenger.

Super trike (Asco, 137.50) has a rickshaw (102) for carrying two passengers.

Rocket sit and ride (Step by Step, 154.95) is a fun trike with cockpit front and tailfin end, see above. It can accommodate several children.

Loopy (Asco, 87.50) is a hand-propelled 'trike' that can be propelled, or rotated, in any direction.

Pushbike for three (Philip and Tacey, 75, tel: 01264 332171) includes double front wheels for safety.

Role play

Lollipop person dressing-up clothes (NES Arnold, 16.95, tel: 0845 120 4525), traffic police coat (J&M Toys, for three to five years, 10, tel: 01274 599314), airline pilot jacket (J&M Toys, for three to five years, Pounds 10) are all useful outfits for transport role play.

Playcovers for tractor (H105 x L187 x W75), school bus (H105 x L155 x W65), police van, ambulance and fire engine (each H105 x L150 x W75) are large enough for several children to get on board (Three Bears Playthings, 125 each, tel: 01669 620315).

Petrol pump (Galt, 64.95, tel: 08702 424477) is made of coloured board with hardwood nozzles.

1938 Classic car (Galt, 109.95) is an elegant open-topped pedal-powered car that will help to develop children's sense of time.

A deluxe Road safety activity set (Philip and Tacey, 149) comes in a holdall and includes a zebra crossing mat, six white lines, two road barriers, five road signs with posts and bases, one Belisha beacon, one lollipop crossing sign and six road cones.

Doll's pushchair (Galt, 39.95) is a durable pushchair designed for early years settings.

Mobile telephone (Wesco, 3.90, tel: 01376 503590) is a battery-operated plastic phone.

Small-world play

The sturdy wooden airport (Hope, 42.95, tel: 08451 202055, 61cm x 51cm) is made from a combination of plywood and MDF.

Aeroplane set (Hope, 15.95) is a set of six die-cast metal aeroplanes, including a Boeing 747 and Airbus 300.

Express train (Step by Step, 11.95) is a four-piece wooden express train with magnetic couplings.

Little Tikes big car transporter (Step by Step, 34.95) features a flip-down ramp enabling easy access for loading.

Mobile camper (Philip and Tacey, 69) is a traditionally made wooden truck that turns into a fun house. Furniture and a family of dolls are included.

The Brio road and rail set (Philip and Tacey, 49.95) combines the Brio railway with the Plan Toys road way. Contains a special adapter to join the two systems.

The 24 die-cast cars (Philip and Tacey, 11.25) come in assorted shapes and colours and are made from die cast metal and plastic.

City life wooden city (Philip and Tacey, 34.95) is a set of 140 wooden pieces.

Giant Noah's Ark (Galt, 64.95) has Noah and his wife and 50 animals, all made from wood, see below.

Vehicle set (Philip and Tacey, set of 14, 24.95) includes cars, vans, trucks, helicopters, a London bus and a taxi.

The trees, lights and signs (Philip and Tacey, 13.95) will help children to understand traffic rules and safety through play. There are six trees, four lights and 14 signs.

Brio canal system (Step by Step, 59.95) is a 70-piece waterway system. It includes interchangeable locks and channels and eight boats.

Acquatic circuit with lock (Wesco, 58.60) is a 27-piece set including a lock and water pump.

Sand and water tubs (Step by Step, 49.95 for set of four) are brightly-coloured tubs, ideal for building waterways.

Boats and peg people (NES Arnold, 42.95) has six wooden boats and 17 assorted people.

The NASA space shuttle (Galt, 19.95) is crafted in solid wood and is really robust.

Road and rail track system (Step by Step, 99.95) has 118 pieces ideal for creating a road and rail layout.

Road layout mats (Wesco, 200cm x 95cm, 20.70; 200cm x 140cm, Pounds 30.20).

Construction

Mobilo (Philip and Tacey, 100 pieces 19.95, 300 pieces 49.95) are well-designed pieces that snap together to make planes, trains or helicopters.

Brio mec (Philip and Tacey) is a starter set of 79 pieces including wheels, cogs, bolts, bark, shapes, three hammers and a plastic plate (95).

Craft sticks (NES Arnold, 20.50 for a pack of 1,000) include rods, dowels and lolly sticks, and are ideal for using as wheels and axles.

Clothes pegs (NES Arnold, 1.99 for a pack of 36) are wooden and ideal for attaching to a model 'chassis' as brackets for axles.

Games, puzzles and jigsaws Vehicle beads (Wesco, 9.40 for a pack of 98) featuring multicoloured cars, trains, planes and boats are suitable for sorting games.

Several board games can be played on Parcours (Asco, 32.50). The board (37cm x 37cm) shows a series of roads, houses and vehicles and comes with task cards, four cars, counters and dice.

Vehicle multi puzzles (NES Arnold, 49.95) are a set of ten wooden mini puzzles with a transport theme.

Transport jigsaw (NES Arnold, 8.99) is a 20-piece motorbike jigsaw.

Recordings Nature recording 'The Sea' (CD 10.99, cassette 7.99) will help children to imagine that they are embarking on a boat journey across the sea.

Roamers

Basic Roamer (NES Arnold, 84.50) introduces children to the world of robotics.

Books

Mr Gumpy's Outing and Mr Gumpy's Motor Car by John Burningham (Red Fox, Pounds 5.99 each).

The Blue Balloon by Mick Inkpen (Hodder, 5.99).

Let's Go Driving by Gus Clarke (Walker Books, 7.99).

Train stories (Farmyard Tales) by H Amery and S Cartwright (Usbourne Books, 6.99).

Travel and Transport by A Smith (Usbourne flip-flaps, 5.99).