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Eames Elephant by Vitra

Dezeen's Christmas gift guide 2018: kids

Toy elephants modelled on a design by Charles and Ray Eames are among 15 presents we've picked out for children to round off our Christmas gift guides for 2018.


Eames Elephant by Vitra

This bright elephant is the first serial production of the plywood toy that American modernist designers Charles and Ray Eames created in 1945, but never put in production.

Featuring the exaggerated trunk and curving body of the original design, the contemporay animal has now been sized down and made in colourful polypropylene by Vitra.

Shop Vitra now ›


Mini Modern Colours 2.0 by Arckit

Next generation's architects can get to grips with model-making and learn modernist design principles with the Mini Modern Colours kit.

Like all of the products by architectural model kit manufacturer Arckit, which have been hailed as "posh Lego", it is assembled from modular components that connect without glue, offering a less messy alternative to traditional constructions.

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Assembly Square by Lego

A town awaits to be assembled from this intricate Lego set, which comprises a music store, dental office, a dance studio, and an apartment with a rooftop terrace and barbecue.

The Assembly Square kit, which features 4,002 Pieces, is the 10th addition to Lego's Creator Expert Modular Building series, following a Parisian restaurant, a diner, a detective's office and a brickwork bank.

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The Napper by Bearaby

This chunky knit blanket is ideal for cuddling up little ones for afternoon naps, or extra warmth for deep evening sleeps.

Bearaby designed the hand-woven throw to be heavy weighted in order to help induce dozing, while the thick threads come in a range of colours to suit a variety of interiors.

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Printed Organic Cotton Trousers by COS

COS has proven that any age can be fashionable with the Printed Organic Cotton trousers in its kids and babies range.

The fashion brand – which is better known for its minimal garments for adults – has used soft organic cotton-jersey and decorated it with a spotted pattern. The bottoms are pull-on to make them easy for the adult in charge and feature a gusset for added comfort for the little wearer.

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Alessini by Alessandro Mendini

Geometric shapes and stripes in bold colours adorn this playful mini table-set to spice up children's meal times.

Designed by Italian architect and designer Alessandro Mendini for Alessi, the series includes a plate, bowl, cup and a round tray. Accompanying cutlery is shorter than usual, with bulbous handles to help with gripping.

Shop Alessi now ›


Parrot Mambo Fly

Budding photographers will want to get their hands on this minidrone, to capture images from the above. It syncs to a smartphone application so that photos can be downloaded straight away.

The Parrot Mambo Fly can be flown on autopilot or though the app, which also manages other settings, such as adding a cut-out system so it stops on impact and checking battery life.

Shop Parrot now ›


Nutty Squirrel Balance Game by Janod

Colourful blocks cut into hazelnuts are intended to be stacked on top of a squirrel's back as part of this wooden game.

The aim of the game, created by toy brand Jando, is to get the balance just right.

Shop Janod now ›


Organic Cotton Top by Arket 

H&M offshoot Arket has cut this striped, long-sleeved top from organic cotton fabric to make it soft against a baby's skin.

The bold garment has a rounded neck with a pop button, and slits at the ends of the sleeves, to make it easy to pull on and off.

Shop Arket now ›


Duotone cars by Ikonic Toys

Dutch designer Floris Hovers' Dutone cars for brand Ikonic Toys comprises six vehicles modelled into playful wooden toys with mini wheels.

Each is cut from blocks of beech wood and coloured in two tones – including clashes of red and green, turquoise and burgundy, as well as pairings of orange and blue hues.

Shop Ikonic Toys now ›


Pia Panda by Donna Wilson

Designer Donna Wilson took cues from children's drawings to create the friendly and playful outline of arms, legs and ears to form this cuddly panda toy.

Black and white lambswool is stitched together to form the body and detailed with hand-stitched eyes and a nose.

Shop Donna Wilson now ›


Crew by Studio delle Alpi

Five shapes resembling wild animals – including a crocodile, giraffe and elephant – slot into this wooden puzzle created by Studio delle Alpi for toddlers.

Neon pink lines pattern the surface of the Crew toy, with small wooden handles attached to grab each figure.

Shop Studio delle Alpi now ›


Painted Oak Songbird – Ruth by Kay Bojesen

The face of this wooden bird twists in various directions, adding fun to this toy that Danish designer Kay Bojesen created in 1950.

The head, beak, breast and legs of the Songbird are each painted a different colour, creating a bold contrast of yellow, red, pink and green.

Shop Kay Bojesen now ›


The Carousel of Animals by Gérard Lo Monaco 

Add drama to bedtime stories with the pop-up book by Argentinean illustrator Gérard Lo Monaco.

The book opens to reveal stripes that mark out the colourful roof of a carousel. Inside, turned pages reveal a different animal, ranging from an orange kangaroo with a kid in its pouch, jumping pink pigs and a purple hippo.

Shop The Carousel of Animals now ›


Electro Dough by Technology Will Save Us

Kids can make dough light up and buzz in this playful kit by Technology Will Save Us.

A dough recipe, and a gluten free alternative, is included in Electro Dough, along with a bunch of crocodile clips, red and green LED lights, switched buzzer and switches to jazz it up.

Shop Technology Will Save Us now ›

Note: entries in Dezeen's 2018 Christmas gift guides have been paid for or include affiliate links.

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