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Introducing Safari Friends: Cuddle Companions, Sensory Play & More
When we first introduced the Little Dutch Safari Friends collection, we fell in love with its charming animal characters, soft textures, and thoughtful designs that encourage little ones to explore the world around them.
Since then, the we've welcomed more exciting new additions to PlayFaire that make playtime, travel, and everyday adventures even more enjoyable. From sensory toys designed to support a baby's earliest discoveries to practical backpacks and creative travel companions for older children, Safari Friends has become a collection that truly grows alongside your child.
Whether you're shopping for a newborn gift, looking for engaging toys for a curious toddler, or searching for screen-free entertainment for family outings, the latest Safari Friends arrivals offer something for every stage of childhood.
Table of contents
Supporting Early Sensory Development
Babies learn through their senses. Every touch, sound, movement, and texture helps them make sense of the world around them. That's why sensory play is such an important part of early childhood development.
The Safari Friends collection includes a wonderful range of soft sensory toys designed specifically for little hands and growing minds.
Featuring adorable safari animals, these toys encourage babies to explore different textures, colours, and sounds while developing important skills such as hand-eye coordination, fine motor control, and sensory awareness.
Unlike many brightly coloured plastic toys, Safari Friends embraces Little Dutch's signature soft colour palette and beautifully crafted designs. The result is a collection that feels calming, inviting, and perfectly suited to modern family homes.
Parents often find that babies are naturally drawn to toys that offer multiple ways to explore. A crinkly ear, a soft fabric tail, or a hidden texture can provide endless fascination for little ones who are discovering something new every day.
These simple interactions may seem small, but they're helping babies build the foundations for future learning through play.
Soft Activity Blocks Full of Discovery
One of the standout additions to the collection is the range of soft activity blocks.
These beautifully designed blocks offer far more than simple stacking fun. Each side introduces babies to different colours, textures, patterns, and interactive features that encourage exploration from every angle.
As little ones grasp, squeeze, stack, and investigate the blocks, they're developing essential motor skills while satisfying their natural curiosity.
Soft blocks are particularly popular because they grow with children through different stages of development.
For younger babies, they're perfect for sensory exploration and tummy time. As children become more confident sitters and crawlers, the blocks become opportunities for stacking, knocking down, and learning about cause and effect.
Before long, toddlers begin incorporating them into imaginative play, creating towers, animal homes, and adventure scenes inspired by the safari world around them.
It's this versatility that makes activity blocks a favourite among both parents and children alike.
Meet the Friendly Safari Characters
A big part of what makes Safari Friends so special is its lovable cast of animal characters.
The collection's adorable animal heads bring plenty of personality to playtime and quickly become familiar faces for little explorers.
From curious lions to gentle elephants and playful giraffes, each character helps introduce children to the wonderful world of animals in a fun and engaging way.
Animal-themed toys often spark some of a child's earliest imaginative adventures. They encourage storytelling, introduce new vocabulary, and help children learn about the natural world around them.
You may find yourself hearing stories about jungle adventures, safari expeditions, and animal friendships before you know it.
These friendly characters help transform everyday play into something truly magical.
Making Every Journey More Fun
Parents know that keeping little ones entertained while out and about can sometimes be a challenge.
That's where the Safari Friends stroller booklets come in.
Designed to accompany babies on their adventures, these interactive booklets attach easily to strollers, pushchairs, and car seats, ensuring entertainment is always within reach.
Whether you're heading out for a walk, running errands, or travelling further afield, stroller toys can make a huge difference to a baby's experience.
The Safari Friends stroller booklets feature engaging illustrations, sensory elements, and interactive details that encourage babies to look, touch, and explore while on the move.
They're lightweight, practical, and easy to take anywhere, making them a valuable addition to any changing bag.
For parents, they're a simple way to add a little extra fun to everyday outings. For babies, every journey becomes another opportunity to learn and discover.
Creative Play Without the Screen
As children grow, their need for entertainment evolves too.
Many parents find themselves searching for activities that encourage creativity while reducing reliance on screens, particularly during travel.
That's why we're so excited about the newest Safari Friends drawing tablet.
Lightweight, portable, and easy to use, this clever travel companion allows children to draw, doodle, practise writing, and create imaginative masterpieces wherever they are.
Whether you're heading on holiday, enjoying a long car journey, visiting family, or simply waiting for food at a restaurant, the drawing tablet provides endless opportunities for creative play.
One of the best things about drawing is that there are no rules.
Children can create safari adventures, practise letters and numbers, draw their favourite animals, or simply enjoy experimenting with shapes and patterns.
The instant erase function means they can start fresh whenever inspiration strikes, making it an ideal reusable activity for families on the go.
For parents looking to balance entertainment with creativity, it's a fantastic alternative to reaching for a tablet or smartphone.
Backpacks for Little Explorers
Every adventure needs the right equipment, and the Safari Friends backpacks are designed with little explorers in mind.
Perfectly sized for young children, these adorable backpacks combine practicality with the playful safari-inspired designs that have made the collection so popular.
Whether they're heading to nursery, preschool, a family day out, or a weekend away, children love having their own special Safari Friends themed bag to carry.
Backpacks offer more than just a convenient place to store snacks and favourite toys. They can also help encourage independence and responsibility as children learn to take ownership of their belongings.
And of course, the safari friends characters make every trip feel even more exciting.
A Collection That Grows Alongside Your Child
One of the things we love most about the Little Dutch Safari Friends collection is how naturally it evolves with children as they grow.
In the early months, babies can enjoy sensory toys, activity blocks, and stroller booklets that support exploration and development.
As they move into toddlerhood, imaginative play begins to take centre stage, with animal characters inspiring stories and adventures.
Then, as children become more independent, practical accessories like backpacks and creative travel essentials such as the drawing tablet help support their growing confidence and curiosity.
Rather than offering products for just one stage of childhood, Safari Friends creates opportunities for play, learning, and adventure throughout those precious early years.
Why We Love the New Safari Friends Arrivals
The newest additions to the Safari Friends collection perfectly capture everything we love about Little Dutch.
They're beautifully designed, thoughtfully created, and centred around the idea that children learn best through play.
From sensory discovery and imaginative storytelling to creative travel activities and independent adventures, each product encourages children to explore the world in their own unique way.
Whether you're welcoming a new baby, shopping for a toddler, or searching for practical gifts that children will genuinely enjoy using, the Safari Friends collection offers something truly special.
After all, every little explorer deserves a companion for their next adventure.
