JOE AT THE WHEEL

Fasten your seatbelt, take the wheel, and off we go.

This is a toy steering wheel that attaches to a car seat belt, and it addresses one of the more difficult parts of having a toddler: the long journey. Instead of being a passenger with nothing to do, your child is driving alongside you.

There is a mirror to check, a horn to sound and things to turn and work. The appeal is not the toy itself so much as the imitation. At eighteen months children want to do what adults are doing, and a steering wheel gives them that directly.

It comes off in seconds, so it can switch cars, clip to a pushchair or come indoors.

Joe is the magician of the gang, working spells out of his grandfather Walter's old books.

Lilliputiens is a Belgian brand, founded in 1995 and designed by a team largely made up of parents working alongside early-childhood specialists. Tested to EN71 and ASTM standards and screened for AZO dyes, cadmium and phthalates.

THEY DRIVE WHILE YOU DRIVE - A toy steering wheel that straps onto the car seat belt, so your toddler is doing what you are doing. Long journeys become considerably easier.

HORN, MIRROR AND THINGS TO WORK - A rear-view mirror to check, a horn to sound and activities to operate. Enough going on to occupy a two-year-old properly rather than for five minutes.

COPYING ADULTS IS THE WHOLE GAME - At eighteen months children want to do what grown-ups do, not play with abstract toys. A steering wheel is one of the most direct ways to give them that.

COMES OFF IN SECONDS - Removable, so it can move between cars, go on a pushchair or come inside and sit on the sofa. It is not fixed to one seat.

JOE THE DRAGON IS DRIVING - Joe is the magician of the gang, working spells out of his grandfather Walter's old books. Tested to EN71 and ASTM standards and screened for AZO dyes, cadmium and phthalates.

18 months and above

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