A ball that is soft enough to throw indoors.

That sounds minor until you have a nine-month-old and a lamp. This one is entirely fabric and light, so it can be launched across a room, dropped on a face or kicked into a wall with no consequences.

A ball also happens to be one of the better ways to get a baby moving. Roll it just out of reach and they will set off after it, which does more for crawling than any amount of encouragement. Textures, crinkle and a bell inside mean it still holds attention when it is sitting still.

Little Red Riding Hood brings the oldest story in the book into the nursery.

Machine washable at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. 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.

A BALL THAT CANNOT HURT ANYONE - Entirely soft and light, so it can be thrown indoors, dropped on a face and kicked about without anything getting broken or bruised.

ROLLING IS A REASON TO CRAWL - Put a ball just out of reach and a baby will go after it. It is one of the more effective ways to encourage crawling without turning it into a task.

MORE THAN A BALL - Textures to feel, crinkle to hear and a bell inside, so it holds attention even when it is sitting still in a lap.

EASY TO CATCH HOLD OF - Soft panels and a light body mean a baby can actually grip and lift it, which is where most hard balls fail at this age.

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD IN BALL FORM - Little Red Riding Hood brings the oldest story in the book into the nursery. Machine washable at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle.

6 months and above

Outer 100% polyester, inner 100% recycled polyester; crinkle and bell elements

RED RIDING HOOD BALL