Altogether less active than kite flying and aerial warfare, but just as absorbing and entertaining, is the Trueshopping Timberkit collection of wooden models. This unusual and fascinating collection features educational toys that promote children’s understanding of basic engineering concepts and are ideal projects for adults and children to work on together. They can construct the caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland, a mystic dragon, a fearsome tyrannosaurus rex, a pianist, a blues-playing clarinetist, a mermaid, a kissing couple and a guitarist. All the kits are supplied in self-assembly packs. The models are built by following the instructions enclosed, pegging and gluing the component parts together. Once assembled correctly, you can turn a handle which drives a system of cams and levers that makes the model ‘move’. All Timberkits wood modelling kits are made from real wood from sustainable sources making them an environmentally friendly toy choice too.

The children (and their adult helpers) who enjoy the Timberkits may be want to move on to the Professor Puzzles, a series of four wooden construction puzzles that become progressively more difficult. Each complex puzzle: The Atom Lab, The Particle Lab, The Molecule Lab and the fiendish Cell Lab comes complete with a DVD solution that you can use before you reach the hair-tearing stage.