The Times - UK (2022-04-08)

Bricks

& Mortar

Friday April 8 2022 7

the times

U Baghera Balance

bike for children aged

two to five, £139;

iamfy.co

X Freja

bow, target

and four

arrows set,

£32.50;

liewood.com

Compiled by

Victoria Brzezinski

@vbrzezin

X Mud kitchen from Arlos

Woodshop, £250; etsy.com

I

t’s not too early to

get your garden ready

for some fun in the

sun. A treehouse is

top of many kids’

lust lists, but you don’t

need to spend a fortune

to keep those little minds

and hands engaged all

year long.

Avoiding throwaway

plastic toys? Try a giant

Jenga set (£35.99, Jaques

London) or quoits (£21.99,

Jaques London), both

perennial outdoor

favourites. If

you prefer to

try before you

buy, check

out the toy

subscription

service Whirli

(prices start at

£9.99 a month).

The company

launches its outdoor

range next week, offering

everything from slides to

adventure kits with

binoculars, a compass

and tarpaulin.

Beth Murton, the editor

of Gardeningetc.com, says:

“Climbing frames are still

proving to be incredibly

popular, but what is

interesting is the rise in

search for educational

toys, such as ‘Montessori

climbing frame’. In line

with this, we’re also

seeing mud kitchens

becoming more popular

as parents look for fun

and imaginative ways for

their children to learn

through outdoor play.”

Aldi’s online-only £59.99

mud kitchen is available

for pre-order.

“There are lots of

stylish mud kitchens

available online, but the

great news is that this is

one outdoor toy it’s easy

to DIY if budgets are

tight,” Murton says. “All

you need is a small area

in your garden, a few

containers and old

wooden spoons for

mixing mud, leaves

and soil, and a healthy

dose of imagination.”

Garden toys

Save&splurge

illion with Knight
llion via Sowerbys.
on with Knight Frank

V Limbo

set, wood,

£24.99;

studio.

co.uk

W Discovery

Nature Play

Hideaway,

£599.99;

plumplay.co.uk

W In the Jungle teepee,

£50; rexlondon.com

This gothic former vicarage in Belchamp St Paul, Suffolk, has seven bedrooms

and a chef’s kitchen with an island. It’s for sale for £2.3 million via Nest Seekers

What’s hot

Bootility rooms A hybrid boot and

utility room, luxe spaces with dog

showers, storage and drying cupboards.

Spade-to-fork Reinstate that old walled

vegetable garden, plant a few vines and

install a glasshouse.

Pool parties Dig yourself a swimming

lake, add firepit and stay up to dawn.

Conservatories Ice-cold in winter and

boiling in summer; the days of the uPVC

construction are numbered.

Union Jack cushions The new rules of

rural decor are low-key chintz, frilled

sink skirts and handcrafted rattan.

Bifold doors Opt instead for eco-

friendly insulated frameless glass doors.

i

What’s not

V Sunnylife

inflatable mermaid

pool in shimmering

pink, £45; amara.com