In The Know: Cool Things For Parents & Kids

The summer holidays may be over, but half-term will be here before you know it. So we've rounded up some of the best finds for parents, guaranteed to keep the children entertained and you the right side of sane this month, from easy-to-make meals and water parks through to Shakespeare for kids…

Mintie

After nine years of making clothing for women, Mint Velvet has turned its hands to childrenswear. Underpinned with that same easy aesthetic as its main collection, Mintie fabrics are easy to care for and soft to touch, and the pieces coordinate perfectly for a straightforward dressing solution for girls aged three to ten. Our pick of the bunch? The Ink Corduroy Pinafore Dress and the faux fur gilet which perfectly matches the women’s version for the ultimate mini-me style.

Shop the collection at MintVelvet.co.uk

Baby To Toddler Show

An annual shopping event for modern parents, the Baby To Toddler Show is set to take place across two weekends in London and Birmingham this November. The exhibition will feature over 100 carefully selected retailers showcasing leading brands (so you’ll be sure to get your hands on the latest must-have products), plus some tempting items from boutique brands you can’t find on the high street.

ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL; 17th-18th November & NEC Birmingham, 24th-25th November; book tickets at BabyToToddlerEvents.co.uk

The Shakespeare Stories

Start them young with this 16-book collection of some of the Bard’s best tales – currently on offer with over 75% off. with a Featuring an easy-to-read writing style and fabulous illustrations by Tony Ross, this collection brings the well-known characters and their stories to life. We’re most pleased to see that King Lear has made the cut. A fantastic introduction to Shakespeare for the younger reader.

£9.99 (was £78.84) from TheBookPeople.co.uk

Aqua Park Windsor

Open to kids ages six and over, Aqua Park Windsor is a giant inflatable assault course located at Liquid Leisure, home of the largest aqua park in the world. With four zones of increasing intensity, friends and family can challenge one another, bouncing across floating trampolines and racing across monkey bars. New for 2018, sections of the park have been specially designed to replicate the Ninja Warrior UK Aqua Park.

Horton Road, Slough, SL3 9HY; visit LiquidLeisure.com

Nativity! The Musical

The feelgood family film Nativity! has been transformed into a stage musical – and it’s coming to London for Christmas. Following a smash-hit 2017 run in London, Nativity! The Musical embarks on a UK tour this festive season, before returning to London for Christmas. Funny and full of yuletide joy, this cracker of a musical was adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, the creator of the much-loved films. Be quick and grab those tickets now.

Eventim Apollo, 45 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9QH; 19th-31st December; book tickets at NativityTheMusical.com

Beaba

Since its creation in 1989, French brand Beaba has accompanied parents in all moments of their child’s life with quality products that are both innovative and simple to use. Compartmentalising products into ‘The meal’, ‘The outing’ and ‘Home’, ranges span travel bags and bottles through to baby baths and sun protection. Our pick of the latest collection includes multi-portion freezing pods, ergonomic puree flasks and a geometric dummy case.

Shop the brand at Beaba.co.uk

The Food Stork

Launched in 2009, The Food Stork was born when private chef Fleur saw her sister struggling to cook for herself and husband as they tended to their newborn. Now, she compiles wholesome, easy to make dishes for new parents on a large scale. Products currently on sale include granola and porridge oats, herbal tea infusions and food supplements to aid breastfeeding mothers. Her gluten-free chocolate and almond brownies are so good that they’ve even won a Great Taste Gold award.

Available from TheFoodStork.com

Juliet Travers

Juliet Travers is a London-based designer who specialises in luxury wallpapers, fabrics and stationery that are ideal for children’s bedrooms. Combining her passion for wildlife, fine art and interiors, she has created a range of wallpapers and fabrics that create a statement in any space. Our favourite print? This cool collection of zebras for a twisted monochrome look.

Shop online or find your nearest stockist at JulietTravers.com

Mimi’s Bowl

Created by a former womenswear buyer for Harrods, Mimi’s Bowl is an online recipe book that shares baby-friendly meals that can be adapted from the ‘grown-up’ meals cooked for the rest of the family. From morning smoothies through to hot chocolate porridge and kale mac and cheese, the blog offers tasty food, easy instructions and beautiful photography of each dish.

Visit MimisBowl.com

Bob & Blossom

This cute childrenswear boutique on Columbia Road has a new range of super-soft pyjamas, which feature a range of pretty polka dots for ages one-five. Elsewhere, we’re a big fan of their tutus (particularly the apricot hue) and cheeky slogan t-shirts. There’s an online shop too, with free delivery for orders over £15.

140 Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 7RG; shop online at BobAndBlossom.co.uk

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