Your Definitive Tooth Fairy Tradition Guide
How to make it a Meaningful Family Ritual That Instils Magic, Meaning & Belief
The Tooth Fairy tradition isn't just about coins under pillows—it's a meaningful ritual that instils belief, sparks imagination and creates magical memories your child will treasure forever.
Whether it's your child's first lost tooth or their twentieth, you're in the right place.
Read on to discover
- What does the tooth fairy do with teeth?
- How to make the tooth fairy more meaningful
- First Tooth Ideas & Checklist
- What to leave (money, notes & tiny traditions)
- How to store baby teeth (a 20-tooth timeline)
- Common questions
What Does the Tooth Fairy Do With Teeth?
This is the question that captivates children around the world—and it's your biggest opportunity to add meaning to this magical tradition.
The truth is, there are countless wonderful answers, and the beauty of the tooth fairy tradition is that you can make it as imaginative as your family wants it to be.
The Magical Story
Why does the tooth fairy travel all this way for my tooth? This was the number one question my little ones asked, and I was so disappointed in the narratives that were out there. So I went on a magical journey to find out the truth ;).
What we now know—and have documented in our storybook, The Tale of the Forever Tooth Fairies - is that every time your little one loses a baby tooth, they bestow a magical superpower on their very own Forever Tooth Fairy. Powers like love, confidence, kindness, joy....
The message of our story is simple; The Magic is You.
But what's even more exciting? These magical superpowers aren't just kept in Avalon (the home of the Forever Tooth Fairies). No—the Forever Tooth Fairies use these powers they've gained for good, creating magical fairytales all over the world.
This means your child isn't just losing a tooth. They're sharing their inherent magic with the world.
✨ Fun Fact: Forever Tooth Fairies travel to Earth to create these magical fairytales by flying through rainbows during the day, which renders them invisible so they can go undetected on their magical adventures.
Where do Baby Teeth Go (In the World of Avalon)
These baby teeth are extremely precious, so they must be stored very carefully.
In each Forever Tooth Fairy's cottage, you'll find a star-shaped Magic Tooth Chamber that stores these magical baby teeth. When a Forever Tooth Fairy places a new tooth inside, their fairy wand glows and bestows upon them their new superpower.
✨ Another Fun Fact: The Magic Tooth Chamber also creates the gifts that our Forever Tooth Fairies bring to little ones in thanks for the wonderful gift they have bestowed upon them!
What to Tell Your Child
When your child asks where their tooth went, you can share our story: "Your tooth has gone to Avalon, where your Forever Tooth Fairy lives! She/He (yes, we do have a Boy Tooth Fairy) put it in their Magic Tooth Chamber, and it gave them a brand new magical power — YOUR special power of kindness / love / courage / joy. Now your magic is being used to help create magical fairytales all around the world. Isn't that amazing? The magic came from YOU!"
This answer:
- ✅ Makes them feel special and empowered
- ✅ Explains the "why" behind losing teeth
- ✅ Gives them ownership of their magic
- ✅ Creates excitement for the next tooth — and all 20 to come
What Matters Most
However you choose to answer "where do teeth go?"—whether with our story of Avalon or your own family narrative—remember this:
The tooth fairy tradition is about celebrating your child's growth, sparking their imagination, and creating magical moments together.
The story you tell matters less than the ritual itself and the message of love it carries.
First Lost Tooth: What to Do Tonight (Quick Checklist)
Your child has just lost their first tooth, and you're wondering: What happens next? Here's your simple, stress-free checklist for creating magic tonight.
The First Lost Tooth - How to Make it a Magical Milestone
1. CELEBRATE THE LOST TOOTH
A Message from your Forever Tooth Fairy - 'The Magic is You'
Share the enchanting theme of the Forever Tooth Fairies with your child. Explain how with each lost tooth, they bestow a magical superpower on their very own Forever Tooth Fairy, powers like love, kindness, confidence, etc., making them the hero of this magical journey they are now on. And what a journey it is: they'll lose 20 teeth in total, so the magic is only just beginning.
2. Read The Tale of the Forever Tooth Fairies Together
Our story is designed to bring the magic of the Tooth Fairy tradition to life in the most enchanting, meaningful way.
Our beautifully illustrated storybook transports children to Avalon, home of the Forever Tooth Fairies. Our wonderful characters include both a boy and girl fairy, along with their enchanting animal friends. Join them as they tell the story of how each Forever Tooth Fairy gets 'magicated'.
Fun Fact: "Magicated" is one of our special fairy words, and in our gift set, we've included a little fairy dictionary so you can discover the meaning behind all of these new and wonderful fairy sayings and words.
The storybook also includes magical extras:
- Teeth Brushing Song – Make tooth care fun!
- Frequently Asked Fairy Questions – All your child's questions, answered
- Magic Tooth Tracker – Record each lost tooth on the journey to 20!
3. Be Ready for the Questions!
As we know, children's curiosity knows no bounds, so no doubt they will have lots of wonderful questions.
In our storybook, we include a "Frequently Asked Fairy Questions" section that should cover any queries your little loved one might have or feel free to click on the Frequently Asked Fairy Questions section on our website. If your little one has a question we haven't answered, drop us a line at Forever Tooth Fairy HQ, and we'll send you back a response in a pop, fizz, whizz, minute– magicmail@myforevertoothfairy.com.
4. Prepare for the Magical Tooth Exchange
Place the tooth in your tooth tote (if you don't have our gift set a small pouch or tissue paper also works perfectly). Decide where it will go together: Under the pillow (traditional) Beside the bed (easier for the swap!) In the drawer of our gift set (the perfect spot—many families love this option!) Outside their room (if your little one is anxious about the tooth fairy visiting, you can pop the tooth in our gift set and leave it just outside their door)
5. Get Crafty — Encourage Your Little One to Leave a Gift for the Fairy
The best gift you could give your Forever Tooth Fairy? A little note to say hello, or if you have some time, they really love to receive pictures and drawings.
In this image, you can see that our Forever Tooth Fairy, Fayla, keeps all the drawings and notes that her child leaves for her. They are all proudly displayed in her fairy cottage.
Ideas for what your child can create:
- A welcome note: "Dear Tooth Fairy, welcome to my room!"
- A drawing of themselves losing their tooth
- A picture of what they imagine their tooth fairy looks like
- A thank you card
Why this matters: This reverses the dynamic! Instead of just receiving, your child is giving—and that builds empathy, creativity, and connection to the tradition.
And our survey backs this up: 60.5% of children have already left notes for their tooth fairy — and 52.6% of parents write back. This exchange is one of the most treasured parts of the whole tradition.
6. Choose What to Leave
Most UK and Irish families leave £2-£5 or €2-€5, but remember: meaning beats money every time. A heartfelt note from the tooth fairy often means more to children than the amount. Click the link below to find lots of tooth fairy note ideas for you that you can print or write out.
What to leave:
- Money (coins are more magical than notes!)
- A personalised note from the tooth fairy
- A sprinkle of "fairy dust" (click here to view our homemade recipe)
- A tiny certificate or sticker
- Fairy sized sweets (we've got you covered with the most adorable recipe you can bulk make and have ready to go for each lost tooth - click here)
7. Set Your Phone Reminder
This is crucial!
Set a reminder for after your child is asleep (usually 10-11pm). The tooth fairy has never "forgotten" more than when parents simply fall asleep exhausted. (We've all been there!)
Why? Because 43% of families have already had to do an emergency tooth fairy rescue — and another 15.8% live in daily fear of it happening. You are not alone, but a phone reminder fixes everything.
(Source: National Tooth Fairy Index 2026, n=115)
8. Make the Magic Happen
After your child is fully asleep, make the exchange.
Simple magic touches:
- Sprinkle "fairy dust" (edible glitter) on the pillow - click here for our homemade recipe
- Create a tiny trail to the window (shows where he/she flew in!)
- Leave the tiniest pretend footprints by dragging two fingers through the dust
- Move something small in the room (an open window, a shifted book)
- Add your personalised note
Remember: Small touches create big magic. You don't need to go overboard—just one or two special details will maximise the magic when they wake.
9. Magical Mornings
The magical moment when your child discovers the tooth fairy has visited is truly wonderful.
I still remember the first time my son rushed in with sheer excitement because the tooth fairy had collected his tooth. It's a true reflection of the wonder, imagination, and beauty of childhood.
We hope each lost tooth brings with it lots of magical moments for your family. Make sure to take the time to savour them.
Morning celebration ideas:
- 📸 Take a photo or video of their reaction -save it a tooth fairy album in your phone
- 🎉 Read the tooth fairy's note together
- 📝 Update the Magic Tooth Tracker in the storybook
- 📞 Call grandparents to share the news
- 🎊 Special breakfast to celebrate - fluffy, fairy pancakes go down a treat - just cut out a wing shape after baking :)
Don't Stress Over Perfection - Let this Become Your Magical Family Tradition
The first tooth doesn't need to be elaborate. Your presence, your excitement, and your child's sense that something magical just happened—that's what they'll remember.
What to Leave From the Tooth Fairy: Money, Notes, Tiny Traditions
Let's Choose Meaning Over Money
What to Leave From the Tooth Fairy: Money, Notes, Tiny Traditions
Let's Choose Meaning Over Money
As a child growing up in the 1980s, I can tell you the novelty of waking up to coins under the pillow was very real! But the world has changed, so it's no surprise that a few coins alone don't quite carry the same excitement they once did.
And our own survey backs this up in a big way.
Only 11.4% of children get excited purely about the money.
Let that sink in for a moment. For the remaining 88.6%, the money is lovely—but it's the magical qualities of the tooth fairy tradition that drive the real excitement.
(Source: National Tooth Fairy Index 2026, n=115)
What does this mean for you as a parent?
By all means, leave some coins—but it's the ritual you create as a family that will live in their memory long after they've spent the money. The tooth fairy visit isn't a transaction. It's a moment.
The challenge, of course, is that parents today are absolutely love-rich but often time poor. A lost baby tooth can land at any moment—at dinner, at school, on a Tuesday you did not plan for—and suddenly you're wondering: what on earth do I leave tonight?
That's exactly why we created the My Forever Tooth Fairy gift set. It's something you can have quietly tucked away, ready for when a tooth falls out, so you're not scrambling—you're magical. You can also introduce it even if your little one has lost some teeth already, because remember, they will lose 20 up to the age of 12 so there's lots of time to unlock the magic of this tradition for your little one!
But if tonight's the night and you need ideas right now, here's what other families actually do:
What Parents Really Leave (The Real Numbers)
- 47% only leave money
- 31% leave money & a note
- 9% leave a little gift
- 6% leave a gift & note
- 7% leave money and a magical touch (fairy dust, glitter trail, tiny footprints etc.)
National Tooth Fairy Index 2026, n=115 families
The most meaningful traditions almost always involve something beyond the coins—even something tiny can have a big impact.
Beyond Money: The Magic Makers
Here's what children remember far more than the amount left behind:
Personalised Notes from the Tooth Fairy
A small note addressing your child by name—mentioning something specific to them—creates lasting magic. Our survey found that 60.5% of children have already left notes for their tooth fairy, and 52.6% of parents are writing back. Children often treasure these notes for years, tucking them away like tiny keepsakes.
Here's an example to get you started:
"Dear Emma, I noticed this tooth wobbled for three whole weeks! Your patience was remarkable. The magic in this tooth is extra strong because of your courage. Love, Your Forever Tooth Fairy"
It takes two minutes to write and costs nothing—but it's the thing they'll remember at 25.
Avalon Fairy Dust
A small trail of fairy dust from the pillow to the window makes it completely real for little ones—she was here. I can see where she walked.
Walk your fingers lightly through the glitter to create the tiniest fairy footprints. It's the detail that sends them absolutely wild in the morning.
The best part? You don't need to order anything. Icing sugar — already in your kitchen cupboard — makes a trail that looks like moonlight on a dark pillowcase, photographs beautifully, and is completely gone by morning. No glitter in the carpet until Easter.
Add a pinch of crushed gold cake sprinkles from the baking aisle and you have Golden Avalon Dust. Make one small jar at the start of the year and you have fairy dust ready for all 20 teeth.
Avalon Fairy Crumbles
A Sweet Gift from the Fairy Gardens
This is the idea that changes tooth fairy nights permanently — and solves the "caught without any money at 11pm" problem for good.
In the world of Avalon, the Magic Tooth Chamber creates gifts for children in return for the magical superpower each tooth carries. One of the most beloved: a tiny glass jar of Avalon Fairy Crumbles — made from the magical raspberry brambles of the Forever Tooth Fairy gardens, dusted in fairy shimmer.
In your kitchen: white chocolate and freeze-dried raspberries, combined and dusted with gold shimmer. Packaged into mini glass jars. Frozen in batches — they keep for up to 3 months, so one quiet evening in September keeps you stocked through to Christmas.
They look extraordinary through the glass. The raspberry marbling, the irregular shapes, the shimmer. They look like something that genuinely came from somewhere magical. Because — in the right story — they did.
Tiny Treasures Instead of Money
Some families rotate between money and small surprises:
- Tiny erasers or stickers
- A new toothbrush in their favorite color
- A special golden chocolate coin
- A small book
- A charm for a charm bracelet
Small. Thoughtful. Magical.
The Magic Tooth Tracker
The My Forever Tooth Fairy gift set includes a Magical Tooth Tracker where your child can record each tooth lost, the date, and what age they were. This becomes a cherished keepsake. A timeline of growing up, written in a child's own hand.
Tooth Fairy Rate Guidelines for UK & Ireland
From the National Tooth Fairy Index 2026, n=115 families:
If you're wondering what's "normal" in terms of amounts, here's what our survey found across UK and Irish families:
- £/€1 — 6.1% of families
- £/€2 — 20.2%
- £/€3–5 — 56.1% (the most common amount)
- £/€6–10 — 10.5%
- £/€10–20 — 7.0%
First tooth: 30.7% of families leave extra for the very first tooth.
A few things worth keeping in mind:
Sibling consistency — If you have more than one child, keeping amounts similar saves a lot of "but SHE got more!" at breakfast.
The 20-tooth maths — Choose an amount that feels sustainable. Twenty teeth per child adds up, so set a rate you're happy with from the start.
Friend-proofing — Different tooth fairies have different budgets. It's a completely acceptable answer, and most children accept it without question!
The golden rule — A £2 coin with a heartfelt note will always beat £10 left without thought. Every single time.
How to Store Baby Teeth (A 20-tooth timeline)
And now for the question parents ask almost as often as their children do: what do we actually do with the teeth once the tooth fairy has "collected" them?
Our National Tooth Fairy Index 2026 revealed something that might surprise you: 71.1% of families keep their child's baby teeth. Nearly three-quarters. These tiny teeth are part of your little one, and for a lot of parents, that means they don't want to simply throw them out.
Here's everything you need to know — whether you plan to keep them, let them go, or haven't decided yet.
Why Do So Many Families Keep Baby Teeth?
They're tangible proof of your child's early years.
Baby teeth are extraordinary little objects. Each one was growing in your child's jaw before they could walk. They helped them learn to speak, to eat, to smile. And then — in the blink of an eye — they're gone, replaced by the grown-up teeth that will last a lifetime.
Keeping them is a way of holding on to something real from those early years. Something you can hold in your hand and say: they were this small.
The most common reasons families keep them:
- As sentimental keepsakes from childhood
- To give back to their child one day (perhaps when they have their own children)
- For the growing possibility of future medical use (baby teeth contain stem cells — science in this area is still developing, but some families choose to preserve them)
- Simply because they can't bear to let them go
And if you choose not to keep them? That's completely fine too. The photographs, the notes, the memories — those are what truly last.
Creative Storage Solutions
The Simple Approach
A small decorative tin or box, labelled with your child's name, works perfectly. Many parents add the date and tooth number to each one — or tuck in a tiny note alongside.
The Memory Box Method
Create a larger memory box that holds teeth alongside other early-years keepsakes: a hospital bracelet, a first curl, a favourite small toy, a piece of artwork. The teeth become part of a bigger story.
The Jewellery Option
Some artisan jewellers create keepsake pieces from baby teeth — resin pendants, small lockets, charm bracelets. A way to keep one or two teeth in a wearable, everyday form.
The most important thing is to keep the magic alive during those childhood years so wherever you store those baby teeth make sure it's up high & out of sight. We'll be introducing a little storage box for lost baby teeth very soon so don't forget to subscribe to our page for updates.
The 20-Tooth Timeline
Understanding roughly when teeth fall out helps you plan — and helps you appreciate just how long this magical journey lasts.
Teeth 1–5: The Foundation Years (Ages 5–7)
The bottom and top front teeth are the first to go. This is peak tooth fairy magic — the tradition is brand new, your child fully believes, and everything about it is thrilling. These are the gap-toothed grins you'll be showing at their 21st birthday.
Your focus: Establish your family tooth fairy tradition. Build the story. Take approximately one thousand photographs.
Teeth 6–10: The Deepening Years (Ages 7–9)
First molars and the remaining incisors follow. The tradition is familiar now, but absolutely still magical. Your child might start asking more searching questions — how does she get in? Does she really fly?
Your focus: Keep the ritual consistent. Mark Tooth #10 as a milestone — halfway there! A special note or small celebration makes it memorable.
Teeth 11–15: The "Is It Real?" Years (Ages 9–11)
Canines and the larger molars arrive now. Your child is older, possibly hearing things from friends, possibly starting to quietly wonder. Let them lead. Many children who "know" still want to keep the tradition going — the ritual itself has its own value now, separate from the belief.
Your focus: Follow their cues. The Forever Tooth Fairy story actually makes this transition beautiful, because the message was always "The Magic is You." When they're ready to know the truth, it simply confirms what the story was always saying was always true; they are magical, just the way they are! That's something we'll always believe in: YOU!
Teeth 16–20: The Grand Finale (Ages 11–13)
The final molars. The last chapter. For many parents, this is surprisingly emotional — your baby is on the edge of adolescence, and the tooth fairy tradition has been part of your family for seven years.
Your focus: Make Tooth #20 a genuine celebration. A final letter from the tooth fairy. A special gift. An acknowledgement of the journey you've been on together.
A beautiful idea: Write your child a letter — from you, not the tooth fairy — telling them what these years have meant. Tuck it into the gift set alongside the final tooth. Something they might not appreciate until they have children of their own.
Common Tooth Fairy Questions
The frequently asked fairy questions we hear most from little ones and their families
What if the tooth fairy forgets?
It happens to 43% of families — you are not alone. Here's how to handle it gracefully:
The official Forever Tooth Fairy explanation: "Sometimes, in the vast starry sky, there are playful cosmic shenanigans that send shooting stars on unexpected detours. If your Forever Tooth Fairy didn't make it last night, rest assured — she absolutely will tonight."
The practical fix: Keep a small emergency kit somewhere accessible — a few coins, a note template, a pinch of fairy dust. The morning swap (while they're in the bathroom) also works beautifully. Most children accept the "she got delayed" explanation completely.
What if I have no money to hand when the tooth falls out?
Our survey found that 40.4% of parents have been in exactly this situation. You are very much not alone.
Options that work: A note promising something lovely is coming. A jar of Avalon Fairy Crumbles from the freezer. A chocolate gold coin. A small sticker or book. A note from the tooth fairy explaining that the magic gift is on its way. The tooth fairy has never been defined by the cash — she's defined by the magic.
What if my child swallows the tooth?
More common than you'd think! Write a note explaining what happened and place it in the tooth tote instead. The tooth fairy will still come — the magic lives in your child, not the tooth.
Note to leave:
"Dear [Name], I heard about your tooth adventure! Not to worry — I have a direct connection to your magic whether the tooth is there or not. Thank you for sharing it with me. Love, Your Forever Tooth Fairy ✨
How do I handle the 'Is it real?' question?
Let your child lead entirely. Many children who are beginning to wonder still want to keep believing — and that's a completely valid choice. For children who are genuinely ready for the truth, the Forever Tooth Fairy story makes the conversation beautiful rather than deflating: "You were the magic all along. We celebrated YOU with this tradition."
There's no right age and no script you have to follow. Follow your child.
Does it have to be expensive?
No. Our survey found that 76.3% of families leave £/€5 or less per tooth — and the children most enchanted by the tradition weren't the ones who received the most money. They were the ones whose families added meaning: a note, a trail of fairy dust, a small drawing left in return.
The magic is free. The coins are optional.
How do I keep it special across all 20 teeth?
The honest answer: you don't have to make every tooth elaborate. The ritual itself — the tooth tote, the morning discovery, the shared excitement — is what creates the magic. Reserve the extra effort for milestone teeth (the first, the fifth, the tenth, the final). Everything in between can be a simple, loving exchange.
Our My Forever Tooth Fairy gift set is genuinely designed with this in mind. The system does the heavy lifting, so you don't have to reinvent the magic every time.
What do other families think of the tradition?
Our survey found that 75.4% of parents say they absolutely love it — pure childhood magic. A further 21.1% said the kids love it but last-minute scrambles are common. And 8.8% said they'd love to make it more meaningful but don't know how — or don't have the time.
That last group is exactly who we built My Forever Tooth Fairy for.
(Source: National Tooth Fairy Index 2026, n=114 families across Ireland and the UK
If you little one has any curious questions about their Forever Tooth Fairy, like
- Does my Forever Tooth Fairy always collect my tooth the night I lose it?
- How many magical superpowers do I bestow on my Forever Tooth Fairy?
- Do all Forever Tooth Fairies leave Magic Mail?
- Does it really matter how clean my teeth are?
you'll find all the answers you need here
Want This Tradition Done Beautifully and Effortlessly?
After reading this, you might be thinking: this sounds wonderful — but I want a system that makes it effortless. The story, the magic, the beautiful keepsake — without the mental load.
That's exactly what we built.
Unlock the Magic of the Tooth Fairy Tradition with My Forever Tooth Fairy
Introducing the award winning My Forever Tooth Fairy Gift Set; more than just a toy, it's a treasured childhood keepsake, a considered gift meticulously crafted to amplify the magic of this beloved tradition while reinforcing the empowering message that each child is magical, just the way they are.
What’s Included:
- Beautifully Illustrated Picture Book: In our story, you’ll learn all about the enchanting world of the Forever Tooth Fairies and how your own Forever Tooth Fairy came to be. The book includes magical extras; Teeth Brushing Song and a Frequently Asked Fairy Questions Section, complemented by our Fairy Dictionary.
- Meet Your Forever Tooth Fairy Doll: Enchant your little one with our exquisite Forever Tooth Fairy Doll. This doll captivates with her delicate, fairy-like facial features and soft, flowing hair adorned with a floral crown. Her dainty dress, complemented by ethereal wings, makes her the ideal companion for playtime adventures. Designed with a soft and posable body, she is perfect for both imaginative play and comforting snuggles.
- Magic Tooth Tracker & Tooth Tote: Our little velvet pouch is used for every lost tooth - pop under the pillow and wait for the magic to unfold. Our Magic Tooth Tracker records each magical exchange further enhancing the excitement of losing each baby tooth.
- Dis'play' Case: This enchanting home for your Forever Tooth Fairy includes a light-up swing for your doll, storage for your book, tooth tote, and fairy dictionary, making it a beautiful centerpiece in your child's room. (please note battery is not replaceable for safety reasons - light is activated when box is opened to conserve battery power)
Winner of Best Children's Gift — Junior Design Awards UK
Three reasons families love the system:
- A keepsake built to carry you through all 20 teeth — not just the first
- A story-led message that builds genuine confidence in your child
- A repeatable ritual that's effortless for busy parents to maintain
Explore the Gift Set for Girls → Explore the Gift Set for Boys →
Want to go deeper? Read the full findings from our National Tooth Fairy Index 2026 — our annual survey of families across Ireland and the UK on the tooth fairy tradition.
Love for My Forever Tooth Fairy
Kind Words & Reviews
It's refreshing to see a toy with a meaningful message. I love the idea that it will help boost a growing young child's confidence in themselves.
This really brings the magic of the tooth fairy to life. I love that everything is included for parents and it's zero hassle, just maximum magic. It's also a gift that they will return to time & time again with each lost tooth.
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The Magic of Imagination
Our top priority is to create, protect, and enhance the magic of the Tooth Fairy tradition. We're here to make every child the hero of their own story. We focus on creating products and experiences that foster creativity, spark imagination, and inspire children to dream big!
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The Magic of Meaning
For us, it's not just about creating wonderful toys that bring joy—although that's an absolute must. We believe it's our role to instil magic and empower children to understand their inherent worth. Through our products and stories, we aim to reinforce the message that each child is magical, just the way they are.
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Maximise the Magic
We understand that parents want to squeeze the magic out of those precious childhood years. That's why we promise to create products that help you maximise the magic of these core memories with minimal hassle. We believe in making the magic simple, creating a wonderful experience for your little one that you can both savour and enjoy together.