Toy Collectors Fair

The Toy Collectors Fair returns to The EXO Centre on Sunday 6 December, the second of two dates this year, the first having been on Sunday 25 October. It's a big one: over 150 table tops of collectables to pick through, with Corgi, Hornby, Sci-Fi and Star Wars all well represented. If you're into die-cast cars, model trains, or the space-faring side of things, there's plenty to get stuck into.

The fair is run by Kidora, the UK parent-to-parent marketplace for baby and children's items. It was founded by Karolina Gudes, a mum-of-two who charges sellers no fees and encourages parents to look at age, condition and value rather than assuming every present needs to be brand new. That ethos carries over into the fair, where the focus is on pre-loved items and the value they hold, rather than the latest thing off a shop shelf.

One thing to keep in mind: the organisers stress that this is a collectors' fair, not a sale of children's play equipment. Some items are intended for adult collectors, and others may contain small parts, so it's worth keeping that in mind if you're browsing with kids in tow. It's also distinct from the county council's Reuse Shop, which sells pre-loved goods, and from the council's free Lending Library of play resources for children from birth to five.

The EXO Centre sits on the Lincolnshire Showground, home of the celebrated Lincolnshire Show and a venue just outside the city that hosts events, live shows, conferences and meetings. The fair runs from 10:00 to 14:00, so you've got a good window to wander through the tables. Entry is £3.50 for adults (16+), and accompanied children up to 15 enter free.