£10-£30
Dandy Star T-Shirt, £20
Designed to put the innocence back into childhood, these cotton tees are produced in North Cornwall, the home of the company’s co-founder Rose Bamford. With her friend Charlotte Day she tried to recreate the look and feel of the peace generation. Choose from motifs that are cool enough for him without being too “street” for you. Visit www.dandystar.com or call 020 7923 7208.
Under £10
Child’s Sword and Shield Set, English Heritage, £11.99
OK, so this one isn’t strictly under £10, but English Heritage do carry a wonderful range of wooden greatswords, cutlasses, and other historical replicas from £3.50 up. Let your rowdy boys play knights and musketeers in relative safety with these sturdy wood and styrofoam weapons. Any English Heritage property with a shop should carry them: Pendennis and Restormel Castles in Cornwall, Okehampton and Dartmouth Castles in Devon, to name a few (check for opening hours). Or visit www.english-heritageshop.org.uk to buy online.
Over £30
Junior Boys’ Readybed, £49.50
Designers Simon Birchenough and John Stewart from mid-Cornwall got tired of endlessly worrying about how to sleep house guests and their children in comfort. So, these art college graduates designed a mattress, pillow, and duvet all-in-one, easy to assemble and pack away (the cover is washable). Whether it’s for a sleepover or a camping trip, this practical sleeper will provide a cosy night for your adventurer. Visit www.readybed.com or
call 0800 389 8591.
What Credit Crunch?
FAS Fun Football Table, from Bouncy Happy People, £529
Patrick and Pen Polglaze from Mylor near Truro own this fun company, and their four children act as willing guinea pigs for their products. A best-seller, this football table is built with the same components as the commercial ones, but is slightly lighter so you can move it around. Great for kids... and Dads probably can’t resist getting in on the fun. Visit www.bouncyhappypeople.co.uk or call 01326 375 755.
