Baby & Pre-School: Musical Cat BRIO

The unique spin to this Safari is that it's the animals that boldly go into the wilds of big cat country. A wooden elephant, lion and giraffe are the three fully paid-up members of this little expedition and they sit comfortably in the carriages. The giraffe is even smart enough to bend his articulated neck if the merry little party pass under a tunnel.

The train and carriages are made from a combination of wood and plastic and are joined by magnetic coupling allowing a rich educational opportunity to demonstrate positive and negative poles.

Ideally suited for use on BRIO or other major brand wooden train track but also of play value as a stand-alone item.

Suitable for children aged 2-6 years. --Victoria Mackenzie

Buy your batteries now: browse our full range.

See our full range of BRIO products.

In the front of the Space Shuttle is a pristine cockpit for the accompanying astronaut to sit in during take off. Press down on his yellow steering wheel to hear one of two different space noises--including a really cool crackly NASA-like conversation. Watch the yellow lights flicker at the front and on the wings and "we have take off".

The main body of the Space Shuttle opens at the top, with two futuristic doors, and also at the back to allow its drop-down door to double as a ramp for loading craft. The inside is spacious enough to transport either one BRIO space vehicle (or indeed one BRIO wooden train should the particular flight of fantasy demand). The BRIO Space Shuttle arrives ready fitted with 2 x 1.5V button cell batteries to operate its lights and sounds, and is highly compatible with the BRIO Space Adventure Set.

Recommended for ages 3-7 years, the new Space Shuttle from BRIO is a wonderful way to introduce space adventure to your house.--Victoria Mackenzie

Shaped and coloured like an Alpine tunnel, the sturdy plastic tunnel has a realistic stone-effect surface and flowers. Open at both ends under brick-effect arches, with BRIO track passing through it, the tunnel interlocks easily with other BRIO sets. But the real appeal of the tunnel only becomes apparent once the 2 x AA batteries required (not included) have been fitted in the safely concealed cavity underneath. (A screwdriver will be required to open and close this).

Just push the button, or pass a BRIO train equipped with the necessary magnet through the tunnel, and one of four adventure sounds will bring the tunnel magically to life. A very loud "toot toot" may follow or the echoing sound of a train rushing through a tunnel, or even sounds of people at work inside. Beware, however, though the noises turn themselves off (the longest lasts for around 7-10 seconds) they are very loud. Children will love this feature for realistic play, but for less enthusiastic parents there is an "off" switch. The tunnel also has a flip-up bridge across its top for use with the BRIO people (sold separately).

All in all, this adventure tunnel is a novel, lively toy that children really love. It certainly adds another dimension to the traditional train set format and will soon become a favourite addition to your little station master's kit. --Lucie Naylor

There are 25 pieces of beechwood track all proudly embossed with the BRIO name. In fact total track length is an impressive 365 cm--so make sure the playroom is ready. Helpfully enclosed is a basic layout plan to give every single item in this set a role, but this is likely to be of interest only to grown ups. Your aspiring young train engineer armed with his childish imagination is much more likely to be interested in constructing his own unique layout.

The rolling stock is impressive too. There are 11 different trains, buses and lorries including the marvellous red Push and Pull Switching Engine complete with its retracting coupling mechanism. Naturally all of the trains run smoothly along the BRIO tracks and can be coupled to each other thanks to the powerful coupling magnets. Other gadgets to amuse little fingers include a tipper truck and wagons with struts to secure their removable loads.

The highlight of the set must surely be the high-level Lifting Bridge--a feat of engineering even Brunel himself would have been proud of. Turn the green wheel in order to move the attached string, thereby raising or closing the elevated wooden bridge. As any junior controller will tell you this could be a crash disaster zone, but thoughtful BRIO have added two opening and shutting barrier arms to control traffic flow during an elevation. Other thrilling additions include the super-strong, super-solid wooden tunnel. This particular tunnel is taller than most so is ideal for those high loads. Just to add a little spice to the whole design there are loads of ways to help make an elevated track. As well as a high green track support, there are five sturdy bridge supports, which not only stack on top of each other (now we're really getting dizzy), but are also fitted with special rubber anti slip pads. These bridge supports are a great way to show off the red girder bridge also included.

Naturally the enclosed wooden bus and lorry need to be able to join in the fun, so just for them there's a wooden railway crossing with two lifting barriers. And finally to make sure that your little enthusiast really gets to grips with the magnets attached to the removable cargo, there a fully functioning crane.

The whole set arrives in a very sturdy red tub--perfect for storage.

Recommended for children aged 3-7 years old, the BRIO Lifting Bridge Tub Set is a truly wonderful indulgence. And ideal gift to give today's younger generation hours of pleasure. And finally when the set is packed away in the attic, BRIO's durability will withstand the test of time ready for your children's children to enjoy in their turn. --Victoria Mackenzie