While it is not difficult to find soft animal toys made in South Africa, I have struggled to unearth any ‘to play with’ toys beyond those sold at craft markets.

Mini Mansions offers South African-made doll’s houses. As the name suggests, they are not the petite version.

ByMyShelf makes a slot-together double-storey doll’s house. It’s ideal for fashion doll sizes and accessories and your kid can decorate (and re-decorate!) the plywood walls according to their taste. An added bonus is that you can un-slot the house and store it away easily for that boring rainy day.

It’s easy to find locally made jungle gyms in most corners of South Africa. You have a choice between ones made from recycled plastic, metal and different wooden styles, ie either sawed-and-fitted constructions or natural looking ones made from trunks and branches tied together.

Wooden Elements sells a balance board that looks like great fun for all the wanna-be surfers.

Kiddies over the Moon makes beautiful what it calls ‘cushion toys’, basically big plush/stuffed animals and baby products. Some of them come with a story or a poem.

Ilovebokkie also makes a range of plush toys.

Lily ‘n Jack produces adorably cute and soft snuggle bunnies with long, satiny ears.

Small Talk makes cuddly nursery toys for babies and toddlers. The striped bunnies look like a best seller, but it has branched out and also offer dogs, rhinos, hippos, ducks, pigs, cows, lambs and dolls. Take your pick – they are all too cute for words.

BOO!beloobies offers plush toys in various animal and fantasy shapes, often with felt and button appliqué.

Pod sells hand-knitted teddy bears.

Mungo Design sells handmade cotton, linen and chenille soft toys from the Groenfoentein Toy Project, a community upliftment project.