Quote from Penny McCarthy on November 19, 2025, 1:06 pm

Build Your Own Matilda Book Nook £24.99

As a mum looking for a creative yet calm activity for my 9-year-old and me to enjoy together, this Book Nook kit has been a delight. The “Matilda” theme is beautifully executed: you’ll spot tiny details like the little armchair, stacked books, and even subtle nods to the story’s quirks.

The pieces are pre-cut cardboard, slotting together neatly (no glue mess!), and the instructions are clear enough that my daughter could assemble significant parts independently, with just gentle supervision. It’s described as suitable for age 8+ (with adult help advised).

What I love most: it encourages focus and conversation (about the story, about design), rather than sugary sugar-rush play. The finished piece looks charming on her bookshelf, and I appreciate that the materials are sustainable and recyclable.

If you’re after a thoughtful gift or a weekend project that blends creativity, story-love and calm time together, this is a winner.

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.

So Bomb Hand Spa & Nail Salon £16.99

As a mum of an 8-year-old who loves all things pamper, the So Bomb Hand Spa & Nail Salon caught my attention immediately. The set is described as suitable for ages 6+ and comes with enough creative bits for a proper DIY spa-session.

What stands out:

• She loved mixing and moulding the 16 mini spa bombs, watching them fizz in the little hand-spa unit with its waterfall effect.

• After the spa bath, she moved on to the mini nail salon bit – two nail polishes, stickers and a file included, so full manicure feel at home.

• From a parent’s perspective, it’s great that it’s a contained activity — no mess of giant tubs of slime or paint everywhere — and it feels quite special rather than generic.

• Price-wise, at around £16.99 it feels decent value for something that offers a spa + nails experience together.

A few caveats:

• Although aimed at 6+, younger children may need help with the spa water setup or the mixing of bomb materials.

• Since the set includes fragrances and fizzing bath bombs, supervision is advised.

• The “spa” unit is small, so it’s more for fun pretend spa play than a full-sized water tub.

This is a lovely gift for a rainy weekend or a birthday for an 8-11 year-old who enjoys pamper play. My daughter absolutely adored the process, and I appreciated the reduction in mess compared to many craft kits.

Style 4 Ever Mini Beauty Surprise Dispenser:

As the mum of a bubbly 9-year-old who loves anything sparkly, this beauty surprise dispenser caught our eye — and delivered. On the Very website it’s priced at £12.99. The set is recommended for ages 8+

She was absolutely thrilled pulling tabs to reveal one of the 15 mini makeup surprises — little lipsticks, nail polishes, eyeshadows. The “vending-machine” style dispenser adds a fun element of surprise, and the included mini bag for storing everything makes it feel like a proper “grown-up” accessory box. The price feels very reasonable for what you get.

From a parent’s viewpoint, it ticks plenty of boxes: exciting packaging, manageable size (not an overwhelming set), and age-appropriate glam fun. My only small caveat is that younger children might need a little help tracking the tiny accessories, so it’s best if they’re a bit steady with small parts.

All in all — a fun treat for a child who enjoys play-makeup and surprises. Perfect for a birthday gift or just a weekend pick-me-up.