STEM Toys & Books

Numberblocks are a firm favourite in the Little Nutkins house-hold and have really helped our little ones to get to grips with numbers. So we're excited to bring you this fun learning set!

Meet the Numberblocks, stars of the award-winning CBeebies series!

These fun-loving friends are now available in a MathLink® Cubes Numberblocks 1-10 Activity Set.

This set has everything children need to construct the Numberblocks from One to Ten in all the different ways seen in the episodes in your own home.

Children can join in with 30 Numberblocks maths learning activities or play along with the TV episodes as they learn to count, add subtract, divide and multiplyply, all while having lots of fun.

MathLink Cubes are perfect for maths learning in the classroom and at home. Made from durable, high-quality plastic, they’re easy for little hands to click together and twist apart.

Faceplates & Stickers

Children can use the MathLink Cubes blocks, Faceplates, Numberlings and stickers to build their very own Numberblocks characters in all the different ways seen in the show. This set also features a special edition Zero!

Character Cards

Use the Character Cards to get the most out of the Numberblock cubes. The cards have quick, easy maths activities based on the numbers 1-10, and are ideal for hands-on maths learning. Use the cards with the Supporting Activity Guide to help children see how numbers really work.

Activity Cards

The write-and-wipe Activity Cards feature 30 activities that closely follow several episodes from Series 1-3. Try watching the episodes alongside for even more hands-on learning - double the Numberblock fun!

The play possibilities are endless with this colourful set of doorway, cylinder and plank blocks.

With no instructions, rules or guidelines, imagination is the only limit to play time! Little ones will love exploring shapes and patterns with these colourful shapes.

Stack, balance and build with these 3 different shaped block. 

Develops creativity, dexterity and spatial reasoning skills. Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials.

• Comes in wooden storage tray
• Largest Square: 22cm x 22cm x 2.3cm
• Made from solid wood and coloured with non-toxic paints.
• Conforms to current European safety standards.
• Age 3+ years.

A wonderful colourful 4 layer puzzle from BigJig Toys that introduces the ladybird life-cycle and metamorphosis to your toddler! 

Each layer illustrates the different stages of a butterfly, from a tiny little egg to larva, pupa and adult ladybug.

• Suitable for 2 years +
• Product size: L: 15 x W: 15 x H: 1.6cm

A fun and colourful wooden game  - hours of fun for one or the whole family. Try to balance all the weather-themed pieces on top of the rainbow without them falling off. Take turns to see who can add the next piece. The rainbow can be used either way round to balance the pieces on.

The set from Classic World Toys comes with nine colourful wooden pieces, plus a beautiful pastel rainbow.

Perfect to stimulate young minds and inspire creative play. Balance, stack, rock, or play with the characters separately. Great for hand eye co-ordination, patience, turn-taking and discussions about weather.

• 40 x 20 x 12cm
• Suitable for 18 months+

Phonics is a great way to introduce your child to letter sounds, which will help them to recognise letters and start them off on their reading journey.

This new Phonics pack from Happy Little Doers consists of 37 double-sided cards with simple and fun illustrations of animals doing! 

As an adult phonics may seem a little alien,  but Happy Little Doers have done all the hard work for you. The simple to follow instruction cards, give you everything you need to follow your exciting phonics journey. You'll learn how to use the cards, sound blending, pronunciation, phonics terminology and even phonic games – these cards have you covered! 

Each learning group has been cleverly segmented into their own letter groups by colour, so you can concentrate on one group at a time. From there you can start to introduce sound blending where we will start you off by giving you examples of simple words.

So, what’s included in each pack?

• Introduction, instruction, terminology and game cards
• 1 Sound Group Card
• 1 Pronunciation Card
• 1 Double sided Sound Blending Card
• 25 Phonic Cards – Single letter one side with animal friends doing sports and activities on the reverse
• 7 Digraph Phonic Cards – Double letter one side with animal friends doing sports and activities on the reverse e.g. 'Ch'

Which letters are included in this pack?

Letters a-z (not the letter ‘q’ as ‘qu’ is used in phonics) as well ck, th, sh, ch, ng and nk.

What teachers say

“Any resources that give the child a chance to be creative/create their own games are great and the activity suggestions also give parents a springboard too. The design of the cards are great in terms of engagement – colourful, clear and great examples given. I love the dot underneath or line to indicate the pronunciation – incredibly helpful and quite unique (not seen that on anything before) I have seen a lot of resources on phonics, there are a lot out there but what I like about these is the simplicity of them. As a parent, anything that simplifies and clarifies things is incredibly helpful!”

These phonics cards are ideal to help 3-6 year olds to learn their letter sounds, boost confidence, and develop reading of simple words.

Phonic schemes differ and will vary depending on their specific school syllabus. The aim of all of these cards is to ensure that your child is happy and engaged and becoming a Happy Little Doer!

Packaging:

The cards are printed on FSC durable paper stock, with a matt laminated finish so they can be wiped clean. The rounded edges making them safe and perfect for little hands. The ink used is 100% eco-friendly and entirely plant-based, manufactured from renewable sources.

Specification:

• The box is 125mm wide x 165mm length x 22mm depth.
• Each card is A6 105mm x 148mm

How high can you balance the different fruit in the fruit bowl?

This fun game of skill and nerve from BigJigs will have the whole family joining in!

Players take turns to stack a piece of fruit on top of the basket trying not to make it topple over... The final player to successfully add a piece wins!

Includes 6fruit shapes including apples, oranges, pears, grapes, bananas and strawberries.

Develops hand/eye co-ordination, fine motor skills and dexterity. Encourages problem solving.

• Consists of 13 play pieces
• Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials.
• Conforms to current European safety standards.
• Age 2+ years.

Zoom around with with fun car and driver from Dena.

Made from platinum silicone, which is really hard-wearing and safe to be chewed on, it perfect for outdoor or indoor fun. It can even be played with in the bath or used for baking! And once that is all done, it cleans up easy peasy in the dishwasher!

The durable design will stand up to any throwing, bending and kicking too! 

Dëna's toys are made of food-grade platinum silicone, the same high-quality material as dummies, teethers and baking moulds. It´s a new alternative to wooden toys.

The car and person are bendy so they can take a lot of toddler abuse, but will keep their shape. Their matt non-slip texture means they are great for stacking. They can also be washed (even in the dishwasher) so they are perfect for outdoor and water play too!

Platinum silicone is a soft, strong, bacteria resistant, hypoallergenic and BPA-free material and 100% safe. It resists temperatures from minus 60º C to 220º C. It can be used in the freezer, oven and is dishwasher safe.

Due to its minimalist and timeless design, this toy can be used by babies, pre-schoolers and beyond in many diverse ways. A wonderful open ended toy.

Perfect for:

• Stacking and building
• Water & sand play
• Learning colours
• Small world play - they can be bridges, hills and rockers for your figures and toys.
• Teething - you can even freeze it for extra relief

Each pack contains a car and driver made from 2 multicoloured pieces.

• Approximate size (complete rainbow): 180 x 120 x 40mm.
• Made of BPA-Free, Platinum-Based Silicone
• Resist temperatures between -60 ºC And 220 ºC
• Oven and dishwasher safe
• Minimalistic design facilitates open-ended play
• Suitable for newborn +

A pack of 50 wipe-clean cards with brain-teasing maths puzzles to solve.

Puzzles include "missing angles", "honeycomb number game", "missing symbols" and "cross number", with all the answers given on separate cards. Includes a wipe-clean pen to write on the wipeable cards, and a scribble card for workings out.

The convenient format fits neatly into a bag or backpack, for hours of engaging screen-free entertainment on the go.

Recommended Age 6+

• Author: Usborne
• Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
• Format: Hardback
• Publication Date: 08/08/2019
• ISBN: 9781409524243
• Illustrated: Full colour
  
• Pages: 50
• Dimensions: 156x100mm

This wooden Times Table Box from BigJigs features brightly coloured individual wooden tiles, with various multiplications.

These tiles help to introduce numbers from an early age, their simplicity and colourful design mean kids will be eased into the basic of maths - it will become second nature!

The practical wooden box with sliding lid makes this toy a great travel companion. Helps to develop dexterity and concentration. Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials. Conforms to current European safety standards.

The colourful pieces allow a large combination of simple sums to be laid down and worked out. A fun & rewarding way to learn basic numeracy skills.

• Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials.
  
• Conforms to current European safety standards.
• Includes 81 tile pieces.
• Age 3+ years.
  

This wooden Add and Subtract Box from BigJigs features brightly coloured individual wooden tiles, with various addition and subtraction sums using numbers 1-9.

These tiles help to introduce numbers from an early age, their simplicity and colourful design mean kids will be eased into the basic of maths - it will become second nature!

The practical wooden box with sliding lid makes this toy a great travel companion. Helps to develop dexterity and concentration. Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials. Conforms to current European safety standards.

The colourful pieces allow a large combination of simple sums to be laid down and worked out. A fun & rewarding way to learn basic numeracy skills.

• Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials.
  
• Conforms to current European safety standards.
• Includes 81 tile pieces.
• Age 3+ years.
  

This wooden tracing board from BigJigs will help your children learn the shape of each letter, ready to start writing themselves.

Use a finger (we like to call it their 'magic pencil') to trace the shape of each letter. They will get used to following the form and strokes. Follow the arrows draw on the board for the easiest way to create each letter.

Then encourage them to try and create the shape for themselves with crayons, pencils or even scarves in the air!

• Each letter of the alphabet is recessed on the base board.
  
• Helps little ones to understand more about how each letter is formed.
• Made from quality responsibly sourced materials
• Conform to current EU safety standards
• Ages 3 and up.

These rainbow coloured fractions puzzle is a perfect introduction to basic numeracy and fractions through play. Can be used from 3 years to teach colours, numbers and then fractions when they are a little older. A great tool for home schooling.

This puzzle introduces counting and the concept of fractions using brightly coloured wooden puzzle pieces that include numbers and shapes. Match the coloured shapes to the numbers and colours on the base board and count out how many pieces make a whole as you work out how the pieces fit together.

• Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials.
  
• Conforms to current European safety standards.
• Includes 26 play pieces.
• Age 3+ years.
  

How high can you balance the different weather pieces?

This fun game of skill and nerve from BigJigs will have the whole family joining in!

Players take turns to stack a piece on top of the umbrella trying not to make it topple over... The final player to successfully add a piece wins!

Includes 6 weather symbols including a rainbow, cloud, snowflake, raindrop, sun and lightning.

Develops hand/eye co-ordination, fine motor skills and dexterity. Encourages problem solving.

• Consists of 13 play pieces, including 6 weather symbols: rainbow, cloud, snowflake, raindrop, sun & lightning.
• Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials.
• Conforms to current European safety standards.
• Age 2+ years.

The play possibilities are endless with this fun rainbow triangle stacking toy from BigJigs.

Perfect for open ended play - with no guidelines or rules, creative youngsters can stack the triangles in any way they decide.

Little hands can assemble a variety of shapes and objects while learning all about different sizes and colours.

Pair them with the stacking square for even more possibilities.

And when they're not being played with, they make a beautifully colourful nursery decoration. 

Develops creativity, dexterity and spatial reasoning skills. Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials.

• Made from solid wood and coloured with non-toxic paints.
• Conforms to current European safety standards.
• Age 3+ years.

The play possibilities are endless with this bright rainbow squares stacking toy from BigJigs.

Perfect for open ended play - with no guidelines or rules, creative youngsters can stack the squares in any way they decide.

Little hands can assemble a variety of shapes and objects while learning all about different sizes and colours.

Pair them with the stacking triangles or arches for even more possibilities.

And when they're not being played with, they make a beautifully colourful nursery decoration. 

Develops creativity, dexterity and spatial reasoning skills. Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials.

• Largest Square: 21cm x 21cm
• Made from solid wood and coloured with non-toxic paints.
• Conforms to current European safety standards.
• Age 3+ years.

The play possibilities are endless with this fun rainbow triangle stacking toy from BigJigs.

Perfect for open ended play - with no guidelines or rules, creative youngsters can stack the triangles in any way they decide.

Little hands can assemble a variety of shapes and objects while learning all about different sizes and colours.

Pair them with the stacking square for even more possibilities.

And when they're not being played with, they make a beautifully colourful nursery decoration. 

Develops creativity, dexterity and spatial reasoning skills. Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials.

• Largest Triangle: 44cm x 22cm
• Made from solid wood and coloured with non-toxic paints.
• Conforms to current European safety standards.
• Age 3+ years.

Children will need a steady hand to stack and balance these smooth wooden pebbles from BigJigs!

The play possibilities are endless with this versatile stacking toy, with no guidelines or rules, creative youngsters can stack the pebbles in as many ways as they can find. But, can they keep them balanced?

You can also roll them, spin them, count them, and use for colour match activities.

And when they're not being played with, they make a colourful nursery decoration. 

Develops creativity, dexterity and spatial reasoning skills. Made from high quality, responsibly sourced materials.

• Largest pebble measure 14cm width
• Made from solid wood and coloured with non-toxic paints.
• Conforms to current European safety standards.

Happy Little Doers listened to your feedback and created a new Extension Pack to go alongside their popular Numbers cards.

In this pack, you'll find 26 double-sided Montessori style learning cards.

The pack consists of  2 x set of 10-20 number cards. The back of one set has corresponding number of dots. And the other set has the written version of the number - to help with spelling and association. 

The pack also contains an additional plus, minus, times, divide, and equals symbol, providing longevity of learning by helping to create simple sums alongside our Numbers pack. 

Their modern style and lasting finish means they can be used right through primary school.

Packaging:

The cards are printed on FSC durable paper stock, with a matt laminated finish so they can be wiped clean. The rounded edges making them safe and perfect for little hands. The ink used is 100% eco-friendly and entirely plant-based, manufactured from renewable sources.

Specification:

• The box is 125mm wide x 165mm length x 22mm depth.
• Each card is A6 105mm x 148mm.
• Approx total weight 192g.
• **Pencils not included**

This gorgeous wooden rainbow puzzle from Best Years is handmade from sustainable wood in blue hues.

This seven piece puzzle offers multiple uses and endless possibilities of open-ended play.

You can stack them, balance them on top of each other, they could be bridges or tunnels for small cars - we are sure you will come up with plenty more ideas.

• An ideal gift if you are looking for presents for 3 year olds.
• Fair trade, suitable for children aged 3 years and over.
• Safety tested and painted with non-toxic paints.
• The wood used is sustainably sourced.
• Approximate dimensions:
• Medium: 28.5cm x 2.5cm x 14cm
• Large: 36.5cm x 3cm x 17cm 

NB: Please note this product is handmade so dimensions can vary and are given as a guide only. Because it is handmade, there may be some gaps between arches, and features in the wood - this is normal.

This gorgeous wooden rainbow puzzle from Best Years is handmade from sustainable wood in shades of pink.

This seven piece puzzle offers multiple uses and endless possibilities of open-ended play.

You can stack them, balance them on top of each other, they could be bridges or tunnels for small cars - we are sure you will come up with plenty more ideas.

• An ideal gift if you are looking for presents for 3 year olds.
• Fair trade, suitable for children aged 3 years and over.
• Safety tested and painted with non-toxic paints.
• The wood used is sustainably sourced.
• Approximate dimensions:
• Medium: 28.5cm x 2.5cm x 14cm
• Large: 36.5cm x 3cm x 17cm 

NB: Please note this product is handmade so dimensions can vary and are given as a guide only. Because it is handmade, there may be some gaps between arches, and features in the wood - this is normal.

Children will be able to create their own doorbell with this amazingly cool DIY construction kit from Koa Koa.

They can use the gears, bike bell, screws, washers and nuts to build their own working doorbell for their room!

A great way to help kids learn vital STEM skills, without them even realising their learning.

Once it is all put together, they can even can paint and wall mount their new doorbell.

Age 6+

We love the simplicity but sheer genius of these activity cards from Happy Little Doers.

This new set from Happy Little Doers includes 24 double-sided Montessori style 2D and 3D shapes and shapes.

The cards are designed to help children learn and recognise the shapes, as well as the number of sides each one has. A simple dot to dot connection helps children to learn to draw the shape for themselves too.

The Learn by Doing… Shapes pack is perfect for ages 2 - 6.

The shapes included are: circle, triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, sphere, cylinder, pyramid, cone, cube and cuboid, oval, diamond, parallelogram, nonagon, decagon, semicircle, crescent, star, trapezium, heart, hemisphere and triangular prism.

The 3D shapes are useful for Year 2 and beyond when edges, vertices and faces come into play.

Learn through playing a number of fun games on the reference card to explore shapes in everyday objects in nature and indoors. The pack also contains a prewriting card, designed to highlight developmental ages to encourage your child to draw and write independently.

Their modern style and lasting finish means they can be used right through primary school.

Packaging:

The cards are printed on FSC durable paper stock, with a matt laminated finish so they can be wiped clean. The rounded edges making them safe and perfect for little hands. The ink used is 100% eco-friendly and entirely plant-based, manufactured from renewable sources.

Specification:

• The box is 125mm wide x 165mm length x 22mm depth.
• Each card is A6 105mm x 148mm.
• Approx total weight 192g.

Everyone will love this classic wooden spinning top toy - not just for kids!

Practice your best tricks and movements. Wrap the string around the top and then throw and pull! It may sounds easy, but it takes some skill.

Made from beech wood and Ecological, VOC free paint - and includes a colourful string.

A wonderful stocking filler or party bag toy.

• Diameter: 48mm 6 colours available
• Not suitable for children under 3 years.
  
• Designed and produced by handcrafted in Barcelona by Me&Mine
• Complies with safety regulations for toys: EN 71-1:2014 +A1:2018. EN 71-2:2011 +A1:2014

Create amazing colourful paper planes thanks to this set from Jar Melo.

This Amazing Origami Animal Pilots set guides children through the creation of 28 colourful origami sheets and 4 sheets of stickers to created your animals. Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete the fun colourful animals. 

Great for children's parties, stocking fillers or just indoor fun.

• 28 paper sheets to create 
• Pilot stickers
• Step by step instructions to create: bear, hen, whale, penguin, elephant, bird and owl.
• 3 years +

Create amazing colourful paper planes thanks to this set from Jar Melo.

This Amazing Origami Animal Pilots set guides children through the creation of 35 paper planes, with 7 different designs. Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete the fun colourful paper planes. They also come with pilot stickers to complete the design.

Great for children's parties, stocking fillers or just indoor fun.

• 35 paper plane sheets - 7 different animal-themed designs
• Pilot stickers
• Step by step instructions
• 3 years +

Everybody loves a spinning top - such a simple but classic toy!

This set from Plan Toys includes 4 different shape and colour wooden spinning tops.

See how fast you can spin, see which stays up the longest, or travels the furthest. 

Good for developing fine motor skills. And a great fidget toy for when your child is bored or restless. The box makes them a perfect travel companion.

Suitable from 3-99 years - certainly not just for kids! But be careful these spinners can bring our your competitive streak!

A wonderful stocking filler or party bag toy.

NB: The now come in a box, rather than the tin shown.