You made do with a couple of chairs and a sheet. But in your mind’s eye, that makeshift tent looked exactly like this setup from knitwear genius Donna Wilson. Drape the cozy lamb’s wool throw over the wooden frame for playtime; snuggle up in the same blanket before bed.

Available at donnawilson.com, $293.

The high-contrast wooden dolls — a special issue from our go-to source for black and white baby toys — are made in Russia. They nest inside each other but look even better side by side.

Available at weegallery.com, $38.

Real-life gum ball machines are irresistible, what with all those colorful candies and fun cranks. But the actual gum balls we can do without. Supply that same sense of wonder in a sugar-free solution from Japanese designer Kaz Shiomi.

Available at aplusrstore.com, $58.

Child development experts agree, open-ended play is key. And the new set from UK designer Miller Goodman is just the thing to get minds moving. Group and rearrange the 25 pieces, including eyes, noses, mouths, and hair, to make thousands of faces.

Available at designpublic.com, $75.

Carved out of beech wood, the reptiles make for quite the parade atop a nursery shelf. When baby is big enough to play, the crocs are primed for hours of stacking fun, thanks to interlocking ridges on their backs.

Available at areaware.com, $35 for five.

Meet Oliver, an organic jersey cotton creature who — according to the Brooklyn-based artist who created him — is learning to play the accordion and is particularly attached to his lucky hat.

Available at darlingclementineshop.com, $37.

The Dutch designers channeled retro toys to create a set of old-school cars and trucks made from recycled cardboard. Pop them out, prop them up, and let them race down imaginary streets. Travel with them, too; they pack flat.

Available at shak-shuka.com, $9.

In a time before iPads (and even before iPods), children played with shapes cut from felt. They learned about color and shading, perspective and form, geometry and art. The set, composed of 72 felt triangles, a flocked board, and 100 practice cards to guide the way, brings back a bygone era.

Available at eeboo.com, $19.

Budding architects and urban planners alike will delight in this group of mini DIY dollhouses, made from birch wood and recycled paper. Each seven-inch-tall abode arrives ready to be assembled and personalized by your junior designers. Yes, coloring on the walls is encouraged.

Available at growbookspress.com, $45.

Who says plastic can’t be pretty? This eight-and-a-half-inch-long car, inspired by vintage racer models, is a real looker. And thanks to its ABS plastic body, it’s built to last.

Available at acorntoyshop.com, $35.

Babies need a little help on their way to toddling. Wooden flaps on each side of the walker keep cruisers from toppling sideways; the forward bar position prevents unintended wheelies. Plus, there’s a basket for toting toys and other household items. (If your car keys are missing, you know where to look.)

Available at ellaandelliot.com, $190.

If you’re having a baby, you need a play gym. Which will spend much of its time in your living room, so you better like it. Hape’s new wooden design keeps baby stimulated and your style standards intact.

Available at rightstart.com, $60.

Time-saving tip: Get these blocks for every bundle on your baby gift list. The pieces are carved from walnut, maple, and cherry wood, finished with beeswax and jojoba oil, and engraved with upper- and lowercase letters. They are instant heirlooms.

Available at littlesaplingtoys.com, $45.

Art supplies should look the part. To wit: French toy maker Vilac’s large tin of color cakes. The 24 watercolors run the gamut from primaries to pretty pastels, but the tin itself, with a vintagey painting and phrases en Français, is just as lovely to behold.

Available at moolka.com, $20.

Cure stuffed animals in style with wooden tools from Germany. The tin case, filled with useful extras like Band-Aids and a prescription pad, makes house calls a cinch.

Available at rompstore.com, $34.

The 1001 Nights blocks set gets its title from the Arabic folklore it evokes. Its brightly stained pieces (all 54 of them) really set your skyline apart.

Available at magiccabin.com, $139.