Unique Christmas gift ideas: Gifts for children

Encourage some nurturing tendencies with this addictive set from Playmobil - it's a pleasingly old-fashioned toy in some ways, but with lovely modern touches - you can heal wounded animals by rubbing them better. The attention to detail is superb - though note that tiny pieces such as the clambering monkey make it unsuitable for very young kids

Wildlife rescue station, £49.99
By Playmobil
Buy online at playmobil.co.uk Photograph: PR

Made from recycled materials, this DIY horse puppet makes an entertaining and eco-friendly present that will keep children occupied for hours. And if you'd rather hours turned into days, this knit-it monkey kit might do the trick.

Make your own horse puppet, £11.99
By Crafty Kids
Buy online at nigelsecostore.com Photograph: PR

Oh dear! Oh no! It's the Gruffalo (croquet). If you don't get the reference there, you are probably not going to want to snap this up, but if your little ones love the story of the terrible creature with his terrible claws, this game is the perfect gift. Wholesome indoor or outdoor fun, though watch out for monsters outside.

Gruffalo croquet, £21.95
By Wild and Wolf
Buy online at littlesunflowers.com Photograph: PR

We love this adorable red, cream and black lampshade by Lush Designs. Featuring a fox, a bird and a climbing cat, it also comes in a pastel-coloured arctic fox version.

Red foxy shade, £55
By Lush Designs
Buy online at radiancelighting.co.uk Photograph: PR

If you were cooing with nostalgia before you even started reading this caption, then consider introducing this blast from the past to your own offspring. With any number of animals - who, incidentally, seem to have a great standard of living - you could start a collecting craze. Still, at least you'll know what to buy for Christmas and birthdays for the foreseeable future ...

Sylvanian Family motorbike, £19.49
By Flair
Buy online at toysrus.co.uk Photograph: PR

A rocking chair isn't just for grandmothers, you know. This lovely old-fashioned design comes at a very reasonable price and would be lovely for a child's bedroom. It also comes in some brighter, stronger colours, though we love the soothing white (haven't they got enough brightly coloured plastic?)

Children's Rocking Chair, £35
By PT Design
Buy online at dutchbydesign.com Photograph: PR

With its Ant-O-Sphere, Magical crystal oasis, and Weird slime laboratory, Interplay's website offers a plethora of mind-tickling gifts for all budding scientists out there. As true cubism devotees, we particularly like the idea of growing our own square tomato.

Grow weird plants kit, £13.99
By Interplay
Buy online at interplayuk.com Photograph: PR

A great gift for all aspiring Project Runway contestants, this fashion figure drawing set is an excellent resource for developing those first outfit ideas.

Project Runway Fashion Design & Figure Drawing Set, £28.99
By Wicked Uncle
Buy online at wickeduncle.co.uk Photograph: PR

We hope that playing around with this retro lomography camera will persuade your kids that cool images don't have to be shot on the latest high-tech gadget.

Special edition camera, £50
By Urban Outfitters
Buy online at urbanoutfitters.co.uk Photograph: PR

Tatty Devine's costume jewellery ticks all the right boxes for teens: it's quirky, girly and affordable. Its colourful, handmade in Britain designs have been a strong favourite among young fashion followers for years. Choose from an array of fun, curious pieces which include a moustache brooch, a lolly necklace or a pair of ping-pong earrings.

Bow-tie ring, £10.50
Cartoon Eyes rings, £30
By Tatty Devine
Buy online at tattydevine.com Photograph: PR

Nurturing a future fashionista with shopaholic tendencies? Try to encourage them to do it themselves with these easy-to-follow sewing manuals by DIY couture. With luck, they'll be so busy sewing their own pleated skirt you'll avoid having to go to Topshop for months.

How to make series, £9
By DIY couture
Buy online at diycouture.co.uk Photograph: PR

Made from organic cotton, and handknitted in Nepal, this ethically produced beanie is designed by fashion's latest sweetheart, the actor Emma Watson. It comes in three different colours and a matching crochet scarf is also available. The perfect winter warmer with excellent sartorial and ethical credentials.

Slouchy beanie, £18
By Emma Watson for People Tree
Buy online at peopletree.co.uk Photograph: PR

Magma bookshop is a true goldmine of contemporary gifts ideas, such as these cheerfully coloured, embroidered leather purses by Beci Orpin, an Australian childrenswear and accessories designer. Whether you prefer an owl, bear or fox design, they are guaranteed to make a treasured present for children and adults alike.

Fox purse, £22
By Beci Orpin
Buy online at magmabooks.com Photograph: PR

This lego calendar from the V&A Shop (which we have waxed lyrical about elsewhere) can be built into any number of different formations. Unfortunately it comes with no guarantee that your teenager will remember a single relevant date.

Puzzle calendar, £12
By V&A
Buy online at vandashop.com Photograph: Alicia Canter/Guardian

Unquestionably hip and surprisingly budget-friendly, Mafia's range of handcrafted brass necklaces and enamel rings is a great choice for fashion-forward, design-conscious types.

Guitar cuff, £35
By Mafia
Buy online at supersweetshop.com Photograph: PR