Animal cunning? Croquet for the tots from smart wooden toy specialists Janod

This delightful Forest Animals Wooden Croquet Set made by that smart French toymaker Janod is perfect to start children learning the art of croquet from the tender age of three. Plenty of time later to absorb the guiles and intricacies of this genteel game which at its height requires an icy nerve and low animal cunning!

For the tots, this croquet set is a perfect outdoor summer game, as it can be set up for endless hours of fun on the lawn, as well as indoors, as a child gets his or her ‘eye in’ and cajoles the balls through the animals’ hoops.

Six charming animal characters are in the set, all cheerful individuals made of painted wood, their hoops hollowed out between their legs. There is a fox—very appropriate—a wild boar, a white rabbit, a fawn, a hedgehog and a bear. Each little chap is individually numbered from one to six. Two wooden mallets and two balls complete the set, with delightful leafy-painted stands to stabilise the animals, and it’s all attractively packaged for presentation. Mallet length is 52cm. Suitable for children aged three upwards. Being by Janod, it is extremely well made.

RRP £27. CCUK £19. Free UK mainland delivery.