It’s just as well that Ollipops has a red ‘Start Here’ sign on their home page as there’s so much there it would be hard to know where to go otherwise. So. Click on to The Shop and then go through to the range of shoes, by Starchild, Bobux, Sole Mania or Aquashoe. Most of the shoes are for tinies, but Aquashoe go from infants to adults, so you can pick up a pair for yourself as well.

This is a fun website for kids’ dressing up costumes of all kinds and there are some great extras here as well, including party games with instructions, recipes for nibbles like Cheesy Straws, Self Portrait Pizzas and (!) Swamp Jelly, some daft stories and a really helpful party planner to try and keep you sane.

You’ll probably have to keep this book close to hand to be able to remember the name of this website, well I certainly would, and this online store is worth remembering as it’s bursting with magic tricks, card tricks, street magic, close up magic tricks, props and magic illusions for both the beginner and more experienced ‘magician’. It’s a colourful website and includes an excellent section on Children’s Magic Shows as well.

Hopscotch have definitely got the children’s dressing up market sewn up with their lovely bright website full of dressing up box clothes for children from angels and fairies to witches and wizards, cowboys and indians to kings and queens and everything in between. There's no question that if your child has been asked to a fancy dress party and is determined to really look the part you absolutely have to visit here.

MagicShop.co.uk is the online face of The Merchant of Magic, a team of dedicated magicians who aim to combine the best selection of high quality magic, fast delivery and expert friendly advice. They hold a range of over 4000 magic tricks permanently in stock and you can expect to receive your order ‘magically’ fast (all orders over £50 get free overnight delivery). This website is definitely dedicated to the real enthusiast although there’s a range for beginners and children’s magic shows here as well.

You’ll find some wonderful ideas for gifts here, from the Cyclopedia of Magic, Wizard School Video and dvd, card magic sets, pub tricks (??) and the Ultimate Magic Trick Set – a compilation of some of the greatest close-up magic tricks ever invented - and this is just a very small selection of what’s on offer. You can also buy Gift Vouchers and lots of their own brand products at all price levels.

Party Domain supplies really well priced dressing up costumes with lots at below £10. There are costumes for grown ups here as well, so make sure that you click through to the right place, unless you’re all going to the same party, of course. They also sell all sorts of fun and themed hats, balloons, masks and (if they want to go that far) wigs.

You’re going to love this website, believe me, as along with all the different storage ideas for children you can also find some excellent toy boxes which would be perfect for dressing up paraphernalia. There are solid wood and fabric covered boxes plus, and most specially, beautiful hand painted personalised boxes covered with fairies, teddys or trains. Expensive, I know, but absolutely gorgeous.

I really like this website, not just because it has a very good choice of themes (because most of the party websites do that) but because it’s dedicated to children and more simply designed than most. You always have to pick your theme first and here is no exception, so whether you want Spiderman or My Little Pony you all need to agree on that then just click through to buy tableware, balloons and decorations, bags, presents and accessories.

On this website you can order a birthday cake for next day delivery (just in case you've forgotten to get one ready in time), order a celebration cake to be sent anywhere in mainland UK and choose from traditional sponge and iced fruit cakes to arrive on the date of your choosing. Their novel speciality is edible pictures – so send them your photo, drawing or any image and they’ll return it as an edible decoration on a cake. They also offer mini decorated cupcakes and shortbread with your choice of photo.

This is another website from Party Ark (see below) but as I though that website was so good I wanted you to be able to go directly to this one as well (but only, obviously, if it’s a first birthday you’re planning). Choose from Hugs and Stitches, One Special Girl (or boy), Old MacDonald or Party Jungle and then click through and you’ll find all you need as individual items or pre prepared party packs to make life simple. There are toys, gifts and birthday cards here too.

They’ve definitely made an effort here to get away from totally theme driven party supplies (although ultimately it’s best to do that here as well and yes there are lots to choose from, from Peter Pan and Noddy to Thomas the Tank, Fifi and the Flowerpots). Alongside these you can also order party music cds, party games, books (party food recipes and planning a party), birthday cake candles and gift wrap. So this is definitely a one stop shop. There are christening party supplies here as well.

I'm sure you've heard of Jane Asher, actress, film star, writer, lifestyle expert and cake designer extraordinaire, but did you also know that you could buy some of her marvellous cakes online? Well now you do. Just click through to her website and her Mail Order cake section and you'll find a choice of about forty different designs for all sorts of different occasions. You can choose from three sizes of cake and sponge or fruit filling. UK delivery only and you need to allow up to ten days for your cake to arrive.

Although at the moment this website says that it really only delivers to London; if you call them they may well have expanded their delivery area (and yes I do have inside information on this). All the cakes are hand made by this family run bakery and in their Cakes for Children section you’ll find traditional cakes which you can customise plus sporting themes and cakes decorated with butterflies, dinosaurs, teddies and mermaids.

This family run cake company will send out most of their cakes to you anywhere in the UK. Because they have so many designs you need to call them to order and confirm prices. They also offer a good range of cake making accessories such as cake tins and forcing bags if you do want to make your own. They’ve now launched their Mother Brown’s range of muffins and flapjacks so you can order those too.

This website is definitely focused on first birthday parties and although there are lots of ideas for slightly older children, if you’re planning his or hers first party this is the place to start. The tableware and accessories are really delightful and it’s easy to make your choice. Buy your wrapping paper and cake candles here too.

Let’s move away for a moment from the huge, multi choice, online party retailers for everyone from 0 – 80 (although they are great) and settle here, on this prettily designed website just for tinies. You have the option of choosing each item to go with your theme, be it Dancing Fairies or Knights and Dragons or you can go straight to Party Packs where they’ve done it all for you. There are tips and advice, planning help and absolutely everything to make your life easier.

At Partybox although there is a huge amount of choice (and the site is for grown ups as well) it’s quite simple to navigate. Choose from the menus on the left for children’s parties 0 – 3 or 3 and up or click on Party Essentials for invitations, party bags, streamers, decorations, party bag gifts and party games. Then there’s also Dress Up - yes there’s all of that here too. The best way to get round is to pick your theme first and the rest should be easy.

This is a really fun and colourful website and it’s very well laid out so although you’re bombarded with choice you shouldn’t find it too difficult to shop even though it’s for adults too. Click to the Party Planner at the foot of the left hand margin, make your list then get going. As on most of these websites the range of themes is astonishing so you definitely need to know whether you’re going for a Fairy Princes, Safari or Happy Feet party. Once you’ve done that everything is together in one place and life becomes simple.

This is another place where you pick your theme first, but thankfully it’s just for kids. Click through to the one you choose and then select from Circus, Pirate, Farm Animals, Fairies and others. Once you’ve done that you can order your tableware, invites and balloons, party bags, gift ideas, costumes and lots of other accessories. They’re excellent value if you’re entertaining loads of kids as you can place bulk orders as well if you’re entertaining the hordes.

At time of writing delivery to the UK is free if you spend over £25 so take a look round here, however make sure that you click on Children’s Party Supplies on the home page to avoid being caught up in the wedding areas. The themes include Juggles the Clown, Pirates of the Caribbean and Glamour Girl and alongside the usual tableware and accessories there are very good small gift ideas and (very inexpensive) pre filled party bags and packs.

The Cake Store offers a range of wonderful birthday cakes for children, including enchanting cakes for toddlers and you really need to take a look round to see the designs. At the moment they only deliver within the M25 (so if that’s not you but you don’t live far away make sure you invite someone who can take delivery and bring your cake for you). Prices include delivery and you need to allow 7 - 10 days for your order to arrive as every cake is hand crafted and specially made for you.

Choose from Historical Costumes, Girls Party Costumes, Books, Rhymes and Fairytales, Christmas and Nativity, Animals and Creatures such as Scooby Doo and Dinosaur, Superman Returns, Disney, and toddler and infant costumes. The menus here are particularly good and although you can find the same types of costumes elsewhere, you can narrow down your search on this website very fast.

If your child fancies himself in a Zoot Suit or as a Clone Trooper at the next fancy dress party he goes to then this is the place. For girls there are the Country and Western or Spiderella outfits and needless to say there are simply loads more to choose from. There are angel and fairy wings, wands and halos, witches broomsticks, devil horns and Cleopatra’s snake. There’ll definitely be a problem here when it’s ‘make your mind up time’.

To get the best out of this website you need to register, then you can take advantage of the huge number of free tricks here designed for beginners and experienced magicians alike. Once you’ve registered you can access the tricks, sign up for the monthly newsletter, create a personal area for storing your favourites and personalise your trick recommendations. You could get sidetracked on to lots of their other website recommendations but I’d take a while to browse here first.

Here you can buy books on magic, close up magic tricks, kids magic tricks, Fire, Flash and Smoke tricks, trick accessories and lots of demo dvds. It’s a busy but well laid out website and there’s almost certainly something for everyone, from complete beginners to real enthusiasts. There are lots (and I mean lots) of special offers as well that are well worth looking through.