Fri. Dec 6th, 2024

1 – Infantino Foldable Foam Mat, Octopus Light-up Ring Catcher and 7 In 1 Kick N Keys Gym | RRP: from £13.99 – £60 | Stockist: Amazon

Infantino is the ticket to free childcare this summer; sure to keep them occupied, its latest launches will offer you a helping hand during the madness. First up and ideal to take anywhere with you this summer, is the Foldable Soft Foam Mat. Compact, light, and with a fold & go design, it is it ideal to take on-the-go or simply to put in the garden. The soft texture mat gives a bit of cushion while creating a perfect spot for learning new skills like rolling, crawling and sitting. Next, the adorable Octopus Light-up ring catcher is the perfect toy to put out on the lawn. Coming with 5 colourful rings to throw and try to hang from its tentacles, it is ideal for babies to develop their motor skills and dexterity, as well as older siblings. Last but not least, the 7 In 1 Kick N Keys Gym has 7 dynamic grow-with-me play modes. From engaging playtime on their back to interactive sitting sessions with the C-shape seat positioner, this is the perfect gym to keep your little one entertained.

2 – Ladybird Uh-Oh Niko: The Park | RPR: £7.99 | Stockist: from leading retailers (Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith) find out more at Ladybird Books

Help little Niko play some ball and feed the ducks in this interactive board book packed with push-and-pull sliders and flaps. Uh-Oh Niko is a little bear who sometimes gets things a little wrong. Whatever happens, he always tries again and learns new skills along the way. The fun filled rhyming text which will inspire imaginative play within the story, taking little one’s on an adventure, making it the perfect book when trying to keep young babies occupied on flights or long car journeys this summer.

   

3 – Maped – Animaker Flash, Maped Creativ Scrapbooking Set & Maped Activity Travel Board Flash and Flip Animaker | RRP: £8.00 | Stockist: Amazon and Asda

Maped, the world leader in design, and the manufacturer of school and stationery supplies, won’t leave your side this summer! First up, they can bring their drawings to life with the Maped Creativ Animaker Flash Set. Simply colour in the 12 squares, then using the free app, capture a photo of each square, select the pace for their animation, and voila – their very own mini cartoon! Next up, the Maped Creativ Scrapbooking Set, a brilliant way for young minds to reflect and document their time out of school. The scrapbook introduces journaling in a fun and playful way and has more than 50 awesome accessories, including a notebook, photo frames, fun tapes, mini scissors, shape stamps, stickers and so much more. Finally, don’t leave home without your Maped Activity Travel Board this summerAn ideal resource to ensure hours of entertainment by drawing their own creations, it’s a great alternative to screens and perfect to carry in your bag so it is ready to go whenever you and your family are on the go. 

4 – Janod Barbecue | £55 |Stockist: Kidly

New for 2024, the Janod wooden BBQ is ready to cook up some fun! Complete with everything a little chef needs, whether it’s some sizzling sausages or some crunchy vegetables – children from 3 years old can have fun cooking for their friends and take over the job of the adults for the night! Made form FSC™-certified wood, its natural style with wood and brown/orange tones makes the Janod wooden BBQ a gorgeous item for any playroom or children’s bedroom and thanks to its built-in wheels, it can be moved around the home and garden to cook up a storm in any given moment. Whether it’s alongside mum or dad in the kitchen or on the patio, children will enjoy pretend play at its best as they master the art of a classic BBQ.

5 – Janod | Applepop Horse Ring Toss | RRP: £21.99 | Stockist: Binky 

Applepop Mr Bear Tin Can Alley | RRP: £16.50 | Stockist: Binky

Applepop Duck Skittles | RRP: £22.00 | Stockist: Binky

Iconic French toy brand Janod, is delighted to bring hours of fun into the garden this spring and summer with its new super cute Applepop collection! Inspired by the world of funfairs, the creative and colourful collection is ideal for getting children active in the sunshine, while also building on their agility and motor skills. Sure to be a big hit, the range includes a super fun ring toss game that will require the perfect concentration, a competitive tin can game featuring a loveable character and an adorable duck themed skittles game, a true classic that will get the whole family involved. With its new Applepop collection, Janod has something for all ages and abilities to discover as the weather warms up.

6 – Janod | Magneti’stories | RRP: £9 | Stockist: JoJo Maman Bebe

From the outset this clever toy looks like a book, but once opened it displays a smart board – allowing little ones to carefully place their magnets all over in order to create masterpieces! Appearing in the perfect travel size, these magneti’stories will be the perfect companion for long car journeys. Available in a range of themes, including Farm, Dinosaurs, Construction Site and Unicorns your little one will want to collect them all!

7 – Lilliputiens | Little Red Riding Hood Magnetic Theatre | RRP: £35.50 | Stockist:  Binky

It’s show time! Little ones will certainly be kept busy as they create their own productions with all of the iconic little red riding hood characters. Made from FSC wood and cardboard, the eco-conscious set features beautifully illustrated scenery, the clever box turns into a theatre, whilst the magnetic wooden characters glide across the stage to tell the story using the two wooden magnetic sticks that can be hidden under the set – so the magic of the theatre truly stays alive (even if it is at home)!

 

8 – Miss Nella Kids Cosmetics | From £5.99 | Stockist: Miss Nella 

Introducing Miss Nella, a wonderful world that invites children aged 3-12 years on the most magical adventure.  Promising hours of fun, the multi-award-winning children’s make up brand offers a fun, safe and mess-free collection of cosmetic products, thoughtfully designed to stimulate imagination and unleash little ones creativity and individuality to the max. From its iconic peel off nail varnish collection, to make up sets and accessories, Miss Nella will keep little ones entertained and creative for hours!

 

9 – Rosa & Bo | From £10.00 | Stockist: Rosa & Bo

Keep little ones entertained with Rosa & Bo the multi award-winning early years toy brand that parents can trustDeveloped with a clear understanding of early childhood cognitive development, the range is packed with character and crafted with care. Playtime is truly precious and these colourful toys and chiming characters make a wonderful and charming addition to the nursery – providing entertainment for hours!

10 – Smart Toys & Games

 

  • Smart Toys & Games Logi Bugs | £12.99 | Stockist: SmartToysandGamesUK
    Introducing LogiBugs, a compact game for on the go! With 48 challenges to keep players entertained for hours, players must place these 3 spotted ladybug families in their correct spots! Great from 6 years+ and ideal for bug lovers, LogiBugs is a game that tests players deduction skills. To solve the puzzle, players must use their concentration to reunite these cheery little bugs with their correct leafy location. Use the enclosed colour-based and numerical clues to find the right spots, but beware these LogiBugs bite and only the correct place will do!
  • SmartToys & Games Go Genius | £19.99 | Stockist: SmartToysandGamesUK
  • Take the educational trip of a lifetime with this entertaining, eco-friendly board game from Smart Toys and Games! Designed to help and improve kids general knowledge, score as many points as possible by answering multiple choice questions on everything from Maths, Football, History, Science, English and the World. Fun for all the family, Go Genius is also responsibly made with sustainable and recyclable materials.

 

  • Smart Toys & Games My First Stacking Rings  | £17.99 | Stockist: SmartToysandGamesUK
  • For the smallest members of the family, experience stacking and balancing like never before with this super cute and colourful take on the childhood classic game! With engaging play mechanics, this open-ended magnetic discovery kit allows children to create funny-looking figures that balance, wiggle, and wobble to their heart’s content!
  • Smart Toys & Games IQ Gears | £12.99 | Stockist: SmartToysandGamesUK
    Get those brains geared-up with award-winning compact IQ Gears! With up to 120 challenges, players 7+ must fit all the gears on the gameboard to make the cogs rotate ! But Beware, this fidget game is harder than it looks…
If you're thinking of buying something recommended by us, please go via the links on our pages. When you do this we may earn a fee which supports our editorially independent, family business.

By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

Read next