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Someone has just told me about another use for our fishing nets . They could be used like a sweeping net to collect bugs for examining. We think it would be great fun to get the little ones out running through the long grass in a nearby field to see what they can find. The correct action would be to gently sweep the net from side to side to collect the bugs, hence the name sweep net. Hopefully we'll catch some interesting suspects by surprise and then pop them into our bug viewer to have a closer look through the magnifying lenses. If you don't have a bug box any old jar will do, with a few air holes. Once we've had our fun and maybe even taken a few pictures, we'll pop the creatures back. Here in Looe our fishing nets get used for crabbing or rock pooling. It's a great spot for catching crabs on the Looe river. With one crab line and an hour to spare we managed to catch 28 little crabs. All you need is a bucket, crab line and some bait and we happen to sell all t...

Shut the Box is a traditional game and can be played by one or more players. It is usually played with tiles numbered from one to nine, although there are variations with numbers up to twelve, and two dice. Although the origin of the game is a little unclear there are references going back to roughly the 12th century in Europe and it is believed that is was being played in England in the middle of the last century. In recent times this game has become very popular again and is a very good mathematical game for teaching children basic numeracy and improve counting skills. At the start of the game all the numbers are turned up and are facing you. The first player throws the two dice and the numbers thrown are added up and a combination of tiles eq ualling that number are turned over. So for an example if the dice thrown are showing a 3 and a 6 then the following numbers could be turned down, 9, 1 and 8, 2 and 7 and so on. If the remaining numbers uncovered do not total more than 6 then ...

With knitting becoming a hobby more than a necessary skill, more and more children are taking an interest in the technique. Our French Knitting Doll is as popular now as it was when it was first made and our Knitting Art Kit is a great way for Children to get to grips with the beginning stages of knitting. Totnes Library is hosting a free knitting workshop for people to exchange tips, learn new techniques and make new friends. Mainly aimed for children but teens and adults are welcome to come along and join in. Wednesday 1st June, from 11 - 12.30 you can turn your knitting into a bag, a purse or a scarf - anything you choose! If you are interesting then please collect a ticket from the library as there are a limited number of places. This is a fun way for the skill to be passed from generation to generation - something not to be missed!

Since the expiry of the LEGO Groups patented design of their world famous LEGO® bricks in 1988, there have been many manufacturers that have started producing building LEGO® compatiable bricks, which are the same size and interlock with all original LEGO® sets. We are pleased to announce that we now supply both the Cobi and the M.Y range of building blocks, which we believe represents the best  quality and value for money LEGO® compatiable sets out there. Our new range of building bricks start from just £3.99, which will buy you a cobi tractor and trailer or an M.Y 56 pce Digger or dumper truck to build. Our mid-range sets include a police helicopter or fire engine for under a fiver, right up to our Creative Power 1000 piece brick set which includes a storage tub to keep all the pieces in, and would make a very exiting present for any child for just £49.99. To celebrate the launch of our LEGO® compatible building bricks, we are giving away a bundle of M.Y building blocks to th...

Just a little up date on how our Mr Grasshead in the Totnes shop window is getting on. It's been a week and a half now since I started off the Mr Grasshead and he is doing well, despite his lack of water. I keep forgetting to water the little fella but I've not killed him yet. Comically he doesn't seem to have a forehead, his hair is growing right from his eyes and over his head. Quite thin on top at the moment but I will try and water him more frequently and we should see a fuller head of hair next week. I'll keep you posted. Can't wait to give him his first hair cut!!

Well we seem to of been waiting a long time but spring is well and truly here in Looe and this month we have a window display of some ideas for you to introduce your children to having fun in the garden. My father was a very enthusiastic gardener and I was brought up with having a large garden but unfortunately gardens seem to be making way for driveways and patio's but there is a comeback with a huge increase in the number of garden allotments becoming available all through the country. A must have for any little gardener is a good sturdy wheelbarrow and our metal one will have no problem coping with heavy loads. In the wheelbarrow are a pair of Monster Feet , which can be used as a pair of stilts but as any child will know they make good flower pots! No gardener would be complete without a metal watering can and we have a good quality of small garden tools which are perfect for the garden or can be equally as useful on the beach. Now there is no need to go down to the woods ...

Have you ever wondered how all the toys in our shops are always in pristine condition? Never a battered box or split packaging? Well things do arrive damaged or tatty from time to time, but these products never make in into our shops because they have to be 100% perfect to sit on our shelves! So these items all go into a big brown box and until we would forget about them altogether!... Until now, where we have decided to let them go to the highest bidder on ebay. All of our auctions start on a 99p with no reserve auction , with fair postage, and we are happy to sell them for that, so long as we know they are going to a good home. Most of the toys are brand new and just have a battered box, or split bag, others are ex shop-demos that may need a dusting off, and others may need a spot of glue and a little bit of tlc. Just visit our ebay listings and read the description carefully to find out why they ended up in the big brown box. There are some real bargains to be had, an...