Summer holidays are about long, blissful, warm days spent with family and friends. Keep everyone cool and collected, and dodge the dreaded “I’m borrreeeedddd” with our top picks to help the whole family thrive in the summer holidays. From games to keep little hands and minds entertained for hours on end, to ways to keep the small people from getting too hot and bothered while playing or napping outside; these are some things you wont want to be without this summer.
The Little Green Sheep Teepee Play Tent, £99.95
Beautifully designed using a 5-pole solid wood structure and 100% cotton canvas, the versatile play tent is the perfect creative space for little ones to add their own accessories to create a magical kingdom for the princes and princesses, or cave of wonders for active explorers. The teepee hasn’t been specifically made for outdoor use however under supervision, it would be the perfect addition to any garden this summer.
Available from www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk
Noah’s Ark Magnetic Travel Game by SmartGames, £9.99
All animals must get to their place in the ark – each side by side, in pairs, so all species stay together. Arrange the puzzle pieces to ensure that all 10 animals have their feet on the floorboards and that everyone is stationed on the boat! Includes 48 challenges, from easy to expert. SmartGames, the worldwide leader in multi-level logic games, have challenges from the very easy, to the very challenging; perfect for players of all ages and locations. Suitable for ages 5+
Available from www.smarttoysandgames.co.uk
Geomag Super Colour Magnetic Construction Set, £29.99
Creative kids will love building new designs with this 52-Piece Super Colour Magnetic Construction Set from the Geomag range. Whether they’re building colourful structures or testing new designs, kids will love getting creative with this 52-Piece magnetic construction kit. With everything they need to get started, including handy hints and tips, this kit promises hours of fun. Plus, it’s made from 100% recycled plastic.
Available from www.thetoyshop.com
Experience the magic of magnetism with this toy that lets your child explore magnetism and unleash their creativity. With these Magicubes cubes, your child gets the opportunity to explore magnetism while being invited inside the world of construction. The cubes can be put together in many different combinations and allow children to develop their manual abilities as well as keeping them engaged and entertained for hours on end.
Available from www.coolshop.co.uk
Dantoy Bioplastic Tipper Truck, £23
True to life, this truck is solid and made to last. Your children can roll or drive it around, creating all kinds of fun. The perfect toy for stimulating the imaginations of little future engineers! Use it to transport sand at the beach or mud in the garden. The perfect accompaniment to long days in the fresh air. Made from natural non-toxic materials.
Available from www.smallable.com
FunPlay Attribute Beads, £25.99
Nothing like a slightly fiddly task to keep small hands busy and out of trouble for good chunks of time. These brightly coloured attribute beads help children to exercise their fine motor skills as they learn about size, shape, and colour variations. This set provides endless possibilities for learning these important skills, while also laying the foundations for basic maths concepts. Encourage kids to separate the beads into groups, create specific patterns and sequences; or simply use their imagination to design their own art piece.
Available from www.shopedx.co.uk
Infantino Narwhal Pat & Play Mat, £13
Giving little ones their very own interactive aquarium on the go, the Narwhal Pat & Play Water Mat is bursting with bright, bold colours and 6 fun floating sea pals. The cheerful toy is sure to excite little imaginations as they happily encourage the charming friends to swim around, not only causing much amusement but also teaching cause and effect. Suitable from 3 months old, the extra-large mat is ideal to take on the go, simply fill with water to activate the fun characters, to encourage early development and perfect for muscle strengthening during tummy time and sit up and play anywhere the day takes you.
Available from www.argos.co.uk
You might associate a fluffy sheepskin rug with the wintertime and cosy-ing up in front of a log fire. It’s true that they are great for that, but they are also fantastic for summer. Sheepskin is a temperature regulating natural fabric that provides the perfect play or sleep surface for little people during the hotter months. Baa Baby prides themselves on the exceptional quality of their sheepskins: soft, springy high-grade merino lambskin fleeces carefully selected from free-roaming, locally bred New Zealand flocks for their shape and dense pile. Long hair lambskins have a rich, dense pile of 40-50mm for a sumptuous fluffy look and feel. All Baa Baby lambskins are completely chrome-free, eco-tanned, and safe for use with babies and young children. Plus they are absolutely beautiful. Frankly, we want one in every single colour. Try them for yourself and find comfort, style and luxury for the whole family this summer.
Available from www.baababy.co.uk
Snoozeshade for Travel Cots, £59.99
SnoozeShade® is the original breathable, blackout sun and sleep solution for prams, buggies, car seats and travel cots – a simpler, easier, lightweight and secure alternative to a draped coat or blankets. Designed for use from birth, their sleep and sunshade blocks 99% of UV rays, whilst keeping little ones undisturbed on any family outing, whether in the car, on a walk or in exotic locations! The air-permeable fabrics that are used, allow air to circulate whilst shielding against the elements of rain, wind and chills – it even blocks out any access for insects too! What’s more, each of the products has a handy front zip so you can have a sneak peek at your little one when needed. Also, SnoozeShade for travel cot is a real saviour on holiday when putting your baby down for bed to create a safe and dark sleeping environment whilst on holiday.
Available from www.snoozeshade.com
Organic Muslin Swaddles 4-Pack by Aden + Anais, £54.40
These GOTS certified organic cotton muslin swaddle blankets are consciously crafted with quality and sustainability in mind. Highly breathable and supremely soft, these organic muslin swaddle blankets get softer, and more loved, with each wash. With countless uses – including burp cloth, nursing cover, tummy time mat, changing mat, and receiving blanket, they’re the versatile swaddles you didn’t know you needed and won’t want to leave home without. Organic cotton is extremely breathable From farm to final product, Aden + Anais’ organic muslin swaddles are made according to the strictest ecological, social, and processing standards so you can wrap your baby in luxe fabric free of toxins.
Available from www.adenandanais.co.uk
Travel Changing Mat by Mori, £27.50
This Travel Changing Mat is lightweight and compact when folded, making it perfect for on-the-go use. It’s made from organic cotton with a padded quilted texture for comfort. The lining is wipe-clean for ease. The mat is secured with a button fastening. Made from 100% organic cotton jersey, carbon brushed recycled polyester wadding, wipe-clean EVA lining. Perfect for keeping the littlest ones taken care of on the family adventures this summer.
Available from www.babymori.com
Safari Signature Baby Blanket by Mori, £21
This Safari Signature Baby Blanket by Mori makes a beautiful summer accessory. It’s crafted from Mori’s softest signature fabric which is gentle on a little one’s sensitive skin. The blanket is generously sized so can be used for snuggling, feeding or as a playmat. Made from 30% organic cotton and 70% bamboo fabric and brushed for softness, this blanket is breathable and versatile. Perfect for al-fresco naps and lounging around in the park.
Available from www.babymori.com
Little Butterfly Baby Anti-Pollution Baby Face Cream, £27
Delivering exceptional dermal protection from scientifically validated bio-actives, plant oils and extracts, this innovative blend provides a sustained veil that protects against environmental stressors and soothes irritation, while the hydrating and softening formula offers the ultimate in pampering too. Purisoft™, from the moringa tree, shields from environmental pollutants and gently lifts external impurities from the skin. Lipo® Bisabolol, from the candeia tree, effectively repairs and gently soothes. Nourishing oils of borage and evening primrose support the fragile skin barrier, relieving dryness. Horse chestnut, meadowsweet and calendula flower further calm and comfort, and oat kernel extract gently moisturises, nurtures and protects for blissfully cosseted skin. Specifically formulated and dermatologist-approved for sensitive, eczema-prone or reactive skin.
Available from www.littlebutterflylondon.com
Rachel Riley Wild Strawberry Babysuit, £49
This adorable babysuit perfectly captures the feeling of summer with its cute wild strawberry print. The piece is 100% cotton which makes it perfect for warm summer days – helping to keep baby cool, and easy to wash and dry.
