The Hidey House game from ELC at Mothercare is half price in their current sale, selling for £5 instead of £10.

• Play a different version of peekabo

This seems to be a childs take on battleships - does anyone remember that game? Does it still exist?

In Hidey House, two players try to guess where the other player has hidden their items in their house in this plotting game.

You place your items in your house board and choose a room and number to see if the other player has an item there in that room: if you find a piece, you keep it.

Mark places where you have found things with a green face and places where you have not with a red face to remind yourself.  The game is ideal for children because it's not hugely drawn out: there are four pieces to find, and the first person to find all four pieces wins.

The game comes with a game board, eight game pieces, and 32 markers. It is apparently great for hand-to-eye coordination and thinking skills, as well as social and communication skills

Mothercare has Crazy Foam shapes available for £1.75, reduced from £3.50. If you've not used the VXXN code yet, you can do so now, and get them for £1.40. However, if you're going to have them delivered, it's £2.95 which costs more than the items themselves, but click and collect is available. Alternatively, add them with a larger order to really make it worth while!

• Crazy Foam Monsters*
• Crazy Foam Fairies*

Use this Mothercare promotional code to get 20% off toys, including those already reduced in the sale section. That's a nice little discount all in. And let's face it, you're going to shop at Mothercare at least once in a while if you've got young children, especially as many have integrated their ELC stores.

Click here to use your  Mothercare promotional code*

• Discount: 20%
• Applies to: toys
• Promotional code: RNLH
• Expires: unknown

To use this code, go to the Shopping Basket page and enter it in the Promotion Code box. It will appear in the total column at the bottom of the page. I tested this code out on the Happy Land Rose Cottage, reduced from £38 to £35. The code took another £7 off this.

There's no minimum spend, but it does only work on toys.  The standard delivery charge is £2.95.

Thanks to mama24princesses at HUKD!

ELC Binoculars are on sale at Mothercare for £4, unless you've not used the code VXXN yet, then it's down to £3.20. (Apparently if you clear your cookies, you may be able to use the code again, but you didn't hear that here!)

• Get closer to nature*

My girls and I attend a 'forest school' every week, where in reality we just stroll around the woods. My oldest is only three though, and she's about the oldest in the group, so we just go with the 'learning through play' motto at the moment. It is fun though, going out and about, mixing with other mums and watching the kids jump up and down in puddles - muddy or not.

We have a few 'foresty' or 'pondy' kind of things now, and I think these binoculars will make a nice addition. Although I can't see whether they actually work or not. Does anyone know? Are they just toys or do they actually function as binoculars?

I'd be tempted to say they're just toys, but the fact that they come with a protective case makes me wonder. Either way, at the price they're not a bad purchase for an adventurous little person, even if just for role play.

Thanks to wishihadadonkey at HUKD

Mothercare's sale is producing so many bargains that at the moment you could buy just about every gift you need for the year ahead and their savings apart, with the code VXXN you can take another 20% off. Another item listed in the sale is the ELC Activity Bot which they've put in at 50% off, taking it from £18 to £9. Take another 20% off that and you get an almost £20 toy for £7.80. Who can resist?

• Have lots of fun and play and learn with the Activity Bot*

Annoyingly, while the website says that there's lots to do with the Actvity Bot, they're not terribly descriptive about it. What it does say is that you can move its arms and legs to hear clicking sounds or push the button on its head to turn the eyes and hear funny sounds.

The Activity Bot can sit or stand, twist and turn.  There are also switches on his tummy and curved mirrors on his foot for little ones to explore. 

The Bot is suitable from 12 months of age and requires either 3xAA batteries or 4xAAA - the description seems to be confused, but you receive it with batteries, so you should be okay.

Thanks to xposure at HUKD

Use this Mothercare promotional code to get 20% off toys, including those already reduced in the sale section. That's a nice little discount all in. And let's face it, you're going to shop at Mothercare at least once in a while if you've got young children, especially as many have integrated their ELC stores.

Click here to use your  Mothercare promotional code*

• Discount: 20%
• Applies to: toys
• Promotional code: VXXN
• Expires: unknown

To use this code, go to the Shopping Basket page and enter it in the Promotion Code box. It will appear in the total column at the bottom of the page. I tested this code out on the ELC Mr Mechanic's Racing Car reduced from £20 to £10. The code took another £2 off this.

There's no minimum spend, but it does only work on toys.  The standard delivery charge is £2.95.

Thanks to lenjuz at HUKD!

If you're after a cute little 'just because' toy for a youngster aged 12 months or older, then you might want to consider this My First Popping Toaster from the ELC - it's up for grabs for £5 instead of £10.

• Click HERE to take a look at the My First Popping Toaster *

There's not much to this My First Popping Toaster, when you compare it to other toys with all their educational bells, whistles and flashing lights, but I can guarantee that littlies will be delighted with two pieces of toast popping out of the friendly-faced toaster.

They'll also be able to pretend to butter it with the plastic knife, slap on some jam from the pot, then put it on the plastic plate - brace yourselves for a plastic toast breakfast in bed on Sunday mornings!

ELC are being very slow when it comes to the concept of 'collect in-store for free' so, I'm sorry, delivery of your My First Popping Toaster is going to cost you an additional £2.95.

Thanks to lilliesmummy11 at HUKD

I love these Build It Nuts and Bolts toys - there's something very satisfying about playing with something you've put together with your own fair hands.

• Click HERE to take a look at the Build It Nuts and Bolts Create set*

There's this Build It Nuts and Bolts Create set for girls - although I suppose boys could play with it, if they didn't mind the pastel colours - which is £12 instead of £40, and explains why it's flying off the shelves faster than you could build a helicopter with all the bits and pieces.

The Build It Nuts and Bolts Create set includes 25 construction pieces, 54 nuts and bolts, 1 screwdriver, 1 spanner, 8 flower shaped foam washers and a sheet of stickers to customise your creations with.

As you can imagine, with all the small parts it's not something that's suitable for youngsters under the age of three, but for those older than that it's going to be great.

I do wish the ELC would hurry and come to the 'free collection in-store' party, because at the moment you're going to have pay an extra £2.95 for standard delivery if your order is less than £50.

Thanks to simba1981 at HUKD

When my son was a pre schooler, we got a My First Trampoline. It was fabulous, and I do think it was really worth getting. But if you have a small garden, I'd give the Plum 6ft Trampoline and Enclosure* (£159.99)  a consideration now. One of my best friend's bought this for her children for Christmas, and even though the weather has been awful they've been out in it nearly every day.

It is supplied flat, and while assembly isn't that easy, it took just about an hour for her and her husband to put it together.

The 6ft trampoline frame is made from steel galvanised inside and out for rust free protection and increased strength. The trampoline enclosure is designed to keep the user within a safe area whilst using the trampoline, thus reducing the risk of falling.

The children tend to bounce against the netting, using it for leverage, and it is holding up well so far. Unlike my trampoline, this one has waterproof wrapping down the poles. My trampoline had foam covering for this, and while that's OK, the cat ripped it to pieces in a very short while. I think this is a much better option.

However, I think the padding on my trampoline is better, around the outside. The padding here is adequate, but I'd have preferred it to be more substantial myself.

I think this is a great option for a small garden, but I would question the price tag and would definitely wait if you can until it is reduced or a discount code comes along.

I am not one to start singing about Christmas in March, but good heavens, some of the prices I'm seeing on toys these days make me think you'd be stark raving mad to not stock up for every birthday and Christmas you can right now. For example, the Bead Creation Kit from ELC was £10 but is £5 now. I mean, that's a stocking filler price, for a full gift. Awesome. 

• Create a beady creation*

This set of beads contains over 300 assorted plastic beads, elasticated string and connectors to help you make dazzling necklaces, bracelets and whatever other fashion accessories your little diva can dream up.

Along with the array of beads, including flowers, hearts, butterflies, balls and stars, in various colours, you'll find elasticated string and connectors, and it's all packed in a case, perfect for keeping safe.

Obviously there are really small parts in a bead set, so it's not recommended for children under 3.

Use this ELC promotional code to get 20% off your order when you spend £50 or more. Fortunately, it will work on items in the sale section.

Click here to use your ELC promotional code

• Discount: 20%
• Promotional code: 20TOY
• Expires: unknown

To use this code, go to the View Basket page, and scroll down. Enter it in the Promotional Code box. The code is applied automatically to your order. You will see it appear in red.

I tested it out on three items all from various sections of the website, such as baby and toddler, and puzzles (but not the sale section obviously), and ranging in price from £20 to £7. The code took 20% off each item.

Thanks to kelly_o_fanatic at HUKD!

Now this HappyLand Store and Play looks rather nifty - it's a play mat and storage box all rolled into one (zipped into one actually, but we'll get to that in a minute!).  It's also been reduced down to £11 from £22.

• Click HERE to take a look at the HappyLand Store and Play *

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, and not for the last time either: you can never have too much storage!  Whether it be for kid's toys, or shoes, or just general 'stuff', storage is the key to keeping everything tidy and you'll always seem to be running out of it!

This HappyLand Store and Play unzips and folds out into a play mat - the lid becomes a play tray - and when you're done playing you can just zip it all up again, leaving everything nicely contained on the inside for next time; marvellous.

It's made from water-resistant material, is easy to wipe clean and it's dimensions, in its different guises, are as follows:

• Playmat approximate size: 99cm (W) X 89cm (L)
• Storage box approximate size: 45.5cm x 36.5cm (L) x 29.5cm (H) 

You can't arrange to collect your HappyLand Store and Play from an ELC store, but delivery will only cost you an additional £2.95 and will take up to four working days.

Thanks to sapphire1 at HUKD

The Store And Play HappyLand toy storage at ELC is reduced at the moment from £22 to just £11. There's free click and collect otherwise add  £2.95 for postage.

• Organise your play things

It may seem like I have play and organising things on my mind right now, since this is the second toy storage related post in one day, and I cant really come up with a good excuse. I have always thought, however, that it's better to run out of things than storage space for those things, so this shed should help by providing extra space around the house.

A fantastic backdrop for HappyLand adventures and a practical storage case in one, this store and play box is great for on the go play. It is a lovely box for bedroom storage, keeping toys organized in themed bins zip up for a quick clean-up.

Alternatively you can fold the playmat out and use it for playing on. The mat zips up into a sturdy storage case and the underside of the lid doubles as a play tray. It also has a water resistant easy to clean surface.

Thanks to p_dickinson at HUKD

The HappyLand Village Vet has been reduced at ELC. Whereas it's normal price is £15 it is advertised at £7.50, which is already a fantastic saving. Add the code below, however, and you'll find it further reduced to £6. You do still have to pay the£2.95 postage and packaging, but considering you'd have had to pay that anyway, it's not the end of the world. If your order is over £50 your delivery is free, or you can look for it in store.

Take an additional 20% off at ELC

• Discount: 20% off
• Discount Code: RNLH

It is January. You probably already noticed that. Hard to miss it when all the telltale signs are there. Grey skies, dark afternoons and empty bank accounts. Another clue is all the signs up announcing January sales. Although that's not quite as much an indicator as it used to be. Nowadays, the January sales seem to start in December.

However, for many of us snapping up sale bargains is hard as everything goes on Christmas and we're left staring at brass tacks until payday comes around again.

There is still hope though. As we come to the end of the sales anything that is left may be going in the super clearance bargain basement! Also, there are stores that refresh stock in the sale section each week, and others that don't start their sales until further into January.  Here's a roundup of the big retailers of baby stuff who are still running sales.

Argos have reduced the Early Learning Centre Blossom Farm Play and Perform Platform from £69.99 to £29.99.

• Play and Perform with Argos*

So, Argos' blurb says 'to keep baby amused for hours this entertainer from Early Learning Centre is truly engaging'. I'm pretty sure you shouldn't really have your child in it for hours at a time, okay, so assuming they mean hours over the course for their babyhood, we can proceed.

The Play and Perform platform has a rotating seat providing  360 degrees of play. There are colourful farm animals and activities to play with and there's plenty to keep them busy with a mirror, spinners, melodies and animals sounds; and even a piano that can be detached and taken for on-the-go fun.

This play gym is suitable for ages 6 months and over, with 5 soothing melodies and four fun animal sounds, detachable light and sound keyboard with two play modes.  The whole platform dismantles so it can be stored flat. And for all that you need two AA batteries to make it all work.
Thanks to justinlinham at HUKD

You know that superbly frustrating feeling when your little one is crying in the back seat of the car and all you want to do is give them something to keep them busy for the last part of the journey, but search as you might, you just can't find the Aquadoodle pen? I do! Or worse, one child is playing with the lovely large mat and has the pen, but the other child also wants a go? Why oh why don't they include more pens in the original set?

Well, ELC have a set of 2 Aquadoodle Pens which they're currently selling for £3.49, as compared to the £6.94 they're going for at Amazon.

• Keep the peace with extra Aquadoodle Pens*

One thing to note about these Aquadoodle Pens is that they are larger than the ones that come with the mat, so they hold more water, which is a bonus. These pens aren't going to be delivered in time for Christmas, but they will certainly come in handy when they arrive!

Use this Mothercare promotional code to get 20% off £15 or more of toys reduced in the sale section. That's a nice little discount all in. And let's face it, you're going to shop at Mothercare at least once in a while if you've got young children, especially as many have integrated their ELC stores. Particularly at this time of the year when we're all stocking up on Christmas gifts.

Click here to use your  Mothercare promotional code*

• Discount: 20%
• Applies to: toys
• Minimum spend: £15
• Promotional code: RNLH
• Expires: unknown

To use this code, go to the Shopping Basket page and enter it in the Promotion Code box. It will appear in the total column at the bottom of the page. I tested this code out on two toys from the toy sale - selected toys reduced by up to half price

There's no minimum spend, but it does only work on toys.  The standard delivery charge is £2.95. Both the toys I ordered were available for free delivery to a store.

Thanks to hunter1356 at HUKD!

ELC have a realistic food mixer and accessories for sale for £10 - have the RRP and normally for sale at £20. Using the code SANTA25 that's been floating about for a few days you can take 25% off orders,further reducing it to £7.50 and with free delivery.

• Get stuck into the kitchen and play along*

The Complete Baking Set is a collection of fun, bright cookware, perfect for play mixing, whisking, and blending. The working food mixer comes with 13 accessories, including a rolling pin, weighing scale, spatula and measuring jug. It has two modes, manual and automatic, and a red light that comes on when it's whisking. The two whisks are easily detachable, and the mixer as a whole can be either hand-held or stand-alone – it detaches from its base at the press of a button.

The whisk and blades are detachable and interchangeable. It's probably worth mentioning here that they recommend not using these with real food and not eating anything made using the set. You'll need 2xAA batteries to keep it all running.

Thanks to wishIhadadonkey at HUKD

Use this Mothercare promotional code to get 20% off toys, including those already reduced in the sale section. That's a nice little discount all in. And let's face it, you're going to shop at Mothercare at least once in a while if you've got young children, especially as many have integrated their ELC stores. Particularly at this time of the year when we're all stocking up on Christmas gifts.

Click here to use your  Mothercare promotional code*

• Discount: 20%
• Applies to: toys
• Promotional code: RNLH
• Expires: 18th November 2012

To use this code, go to the Shopping Basket page and enter it in the Promotion Code box. It will appear in the total column at the bottom of the page. I tested this code out on the Big City Carry Along City reduced from £40 to £20. The code took another £4 off this.

There's no minimum spend, but it does only work on toys.  The standard delivery charge is £2.95.

Thanks to taswir1 at HUKD!