The Great Outdoors play - Early Learning Centre Spring 2006

With spring fast approaching now is the time to start planning the garden and deciding which fantastic new toys and garden accessories to buy to tempt children outdoors.

Outdoor Entertaining

When planning the layout for the patio, leave room for the funky wooden Garden Patio Set (http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-40227 ), two wooden slatted chairs, matching foldaway table and summery striped parasol, no patio is complete without it (£75, 3 – 8yrs). For a more relaxing time the canvas Deckchair is a must-have (£12.50 each, 3 – 10yrs).

Setting up home

The fabulous new Summer Cottage (http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-40654 - £350, 3 - 8yrs) sits on stilts with a small ladder for easy access and a fun slide across the balcony; it also comes with gingham curtains and flowerpots to tend. The exciting new Adventure Fort (£350, 3 – 8yrs) is a sturdy castle fortress with ladder and slide, great for medieval adventures.

Junior Gardeners

Keen little gardeners will be amazed at this great new range of garden accessories for children. The bright Lawnmower (£8, 3 – 8yrs) has pretend grass whizzing around inside and can be pushed around the garden, there are wood & metal garden tools including an adorable Pink Spade & Fork (£2 each, 3 –8 yrs). The Flower Growing Kit (£10, 4 – 8yrs) contains everything you need to grow flowers, a beautiful tin with apron, gloves, 2 pots, compost and 2 packets of seeds. Watering cans are plain or printed (from £3, 3 – 10yr) or choose the Garden Caddy (£10, 3 – 10yrs) with canvas bag, watering can, spade, fork & mini rake.

Glorious Games

On your marks, get set and go to Early Learning Centre (http://www.elc.co.uk ) this season to find everything you need to hold a sports day in your back garden. Kids can master the balance and concentration required in the egg and spoon race with the Egg & Spoon set (£6, 3 – 8yrs) with 4 eggs and 4 spoons that crack open to reveal a beanbag yolk. The whole family can practise catching beanbags with the stripy Bean Bag set (£4 for 4, 2 – 8yrs). The Sit & Bounce balls (£5, 3 – 8yrs) are essential for hilarious garden races and the Wobble Frog (£12.50, 3 – 8yrs) will test balance and agility. Other new arrivals are Farm Croquet (£12.50, 3 – 8yrs), friendly animal faces on 6 wooden hoops with a set of 2 balls and 2 mallets and the Rounders Bat Set (£10, 3 – 8yrs) is the perfect for the park or as a party game.

For further information, please contact the Early Learning Centre (http://www.elc.co.uk ) press office:
Noella Dixon
020 7321 6428
noella.dixon@elc.co.uk