Vilac Lion Beep Car

A lion with a colourful mane, at the wheel of a wooden racing car, who beeps when you press his head. We're not sure what else you need to know, honestly, but we'll carry on. Andy Westface has outdone himself with this one. There's something about the combination of "apex predator" and "tiny wooden vehicle" that toddlers find completely irresistible, and we have watched enough children pick this up in the shop to know that the lion gets pressed immediately, every single time.

We love it because:

• The mane. Andy Westface's lion has a mane so cheerful and technicolour that it barely needs the rest of the car. It does have the rest of the car, though, which is also excellent.
• One press of the lion's head, one deeply satisfying squeak. Simple cause-and-effect at its very best, and the kind of thing a toddler will repeat with genuine scientific dedication.
• It's a proper Vilac wooden toy, built to survive the enthusiasm of an 18-month-old in full experimental mode. Dropped, rolled under the sofa, retrieved, repeated.
• The pushing, rolling and pressing are all doing quiet good work on fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Your child thinks they're just having fun. You know better.
• At 14cm it travels beautifully. Pockets, bags, the bottom of the buggy. The lion goes where the adventure is.

What's in the box:

• 1 wooden car with built-in squeaky horn (and one magnificently maned lion driver)

Great for:

• Ages 18 months and up
• First and second birthday gifts, toddler Christmas presents, the kind of thing grandparents will feel genuinely pleased to give
• Fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, cause-and-effect play, early imaginative adventures

Important to know:

• Recommended from 18 months
• Dimensions: 14 x 7 x 15 cm
• Made from wood with a painted finish
• Tested to EU toy safety standards (Directive 2009/48/EC)
• Wipe clean