myFirst Voice 2 Kids’ Karaoke System £39.99

As a mum of a lively six-year-old, I was thrilled to find a karaoke set that’s genuinely kid-friendly and fun. This karaoke system is great for ages 3+, so my daughter could use it pretty much straight away without much help. Currys

Right out of the box the unit caught her attention with the wireless microphone, Bluetooth pairing and built-in voice effects like echo and reverb — she felt like a star right away. The purple colour is bright and fun, which helps it feel special for her (rather than “just another gadget”).

What I liked most:

  • The sound is surprisingly good for a kids’ set — the echo effect makes even simple songs seem more “stage-ready”.

  • It has multiple voice modes so she can mess around with her voice and crack up laughing (great for mood-lifting).

  • It’s compact and lightweight (weighs about 287 g) so easy to move around. Currys

  • The setup was straightforward: Bluetooth, aux or micro-SD all supported, so we used her tablet and favourite songs easily.

Areas to consider:

  • While marketed for age 3+, younger kids may need help controlling volume or setting it up.

  • At full volume it can get a bit loud (for the neighbours!) so best use in a dedicated space or with volume limit.

  • It’s a single mic system (wired or wireless?), so for duet parties you might need an extra mic.

A fantastic pick for a birthday or surprise gift. My daughter spends hours singing, dancing, and pretending she’s performing a concert in our living room. As a parent I appreciate how it encourages confidence, creativity and pure fun — and the £39.99 price tag feels very reasonable for the value and joy it brings.

Draw. Copy. Print. Colour. Create! 

£22.99 Age 3+

Introducing the ONLY doodle pad that can print your designs!

The Doodle Copy Draw & Print Set is a one-of-a-kind creative pad that lets kids bring their imagination to life — and then print it instantly! This exclusive doodle pad offers mess-free, screen-free fun that sparks creativity anywhere, anytime.

With its unique drawing board, colourful carbon paper, and 50 reusable stencils, kids can sketch, trace, and doodle whatever they dream up. Then, with the press of a button, their masterpiece prints out — ready to be coloured with the included crayons.
Perfect for budding artists, this innovative, first-to-market set inspires hands-on creativity, builds confidence, and turns every doodle into a printed keepsake.
Available from Smyths

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.