Cool Things Parents & Kids Need To Know This October

Contemporary art gets a family-friendly spin at Affordable Art Fair Battersea this October, with a special programme designed to get younger visitors making as well as looking. On 17th and 18th October, Petit Pli will host drop-in workshops where children can create origami-inspired designs and decorate their own wearable jet packs, while scavenger hunts and activity packs encourage them to explore the fair along the way. With more than 100 galleries and thousands of artworks under one roof, it’s a fun, low-pressure way to introduce little ones to the art world.

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Animal lovers will be in their element at Church Farm Estate, a new country escape set among the Wiltshire Cotswolds. Part working farm, part beautifully designed retreat, there are pigs and chickens, plus resident Barry the Shetland, while the surroundings offer plenty of space for children to roam. Grown-ups aren’t forgotten either: restored accommodation, award-winning gardens and thoughtfully designed spaces make it feel far more elevated than your average farm stay.

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Mia Wealth offers a different kind of present for children. The family investing and gifting app lets parents open a Junior Stocks & Shares ISA from £20, while grandparents, godparents and friends can contribute from £10 – turning birthdays and milestones into gifts with the potential to grow over time. Gifters can even attach a message, voice note or video, which is stored in the child’s digital Memory Box to unlock when they turn 18. With fewer than one in ten UK children currently holding investments in their name, it’s a clever way to make putting money aside for their future feel simpler and more collaborative.

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Bedtime might just get a little easier thanks to Lumie Willow, a new children’s lamp that combines clever sleep technology with some familiar Disney faces. Rather than simply acting as a nightlight, it emits a warm, low-stimulus glow and features a 20-minute sunset programme, gradually dimming to help create a calmer wind-down routine. There’s also adjustable brightness and an optional nightlight setting for little ones who don’t love the dark. Available in Winnie the Pooh, The Lion King and Mickey & Friends designs, it’s suitable from birth and stylish enough to earn a permanent spot on the bedside table.

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Children’s supplements are getting a more considered update with Mini Vie, a new nutrition brand founded by mother-and-daughter duo Claire and Jemima. Inspired by Jemima’s neuroscience background and their shared frustration with existing options, the pair created Mini Essentials, a daily multivitamin designed around common nutritional gaps in children and teens. Available in separate formulas for ages four to eight and nine to 18, there are mixed berry and flavourless options, with no added sugar, artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners.

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This October, Lazy Oaf launches its first-ever childrenswear line, Oafy, exclusively with John Lewis. The 43-piece collection is designed for ages newborn to 12 and brings the brand’s playful spirit to practical everyday pieces, from reversible trousers and printed fleeces to cord dresses, puffers and character-led knits. Expect clashing checks, happy faces and plenty of colour, all designed with movement, mess and repeat wear in mind. With prices starting from £19, it’s a fun one for younger tweens who’ve already outgrown overly cutesy childrenswear.

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For half-term trips and weekends away, Nuna’s VIAA cabn is one of those clever travel buys. Weighing just 7.6kg, it folds down compactly, has a retractable shoulder strap and – with the armbar removed – meets IATA cabin standards, making airports and train journeys far easier to navigate. It’s also suitable from birth to around four years, with a lie-flat recline, sun protection canopy and generous 10kg basket. A smart choice for families who want something genuinely travel-friendly without sacrificing comfort or everyday practicality.

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Chilly walks are about to get a lot cosier thanks to Organic Zoo x BINIBAMBA. The two British parenting favourites are joining forces for a limited-edition autumn collection. The new Midnight capsule takes Organic Zoo’s signature moon print and gives it the BINIBAMBA treatment, with supersoft sheepskin stroller liners, buggy mitts and winter-ready footmuffs alongside coordinating wool clothing for little ones. Natural fibres including merino wool, organic cotton and sheepskin run throughout, while the neutral palette makes everything easy to mix into an existing wardrobe or buggy set-up. Perfect for crisp, autumnal walks.

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First water bottles tend to become everyday essentials pretty quickly, and Pear Plum has created one that feels as considered as the rest of your parenting kit. Founded by parents, the brand pairs premium stainless steel and medical-grade silicone with a clean, elevated design, while thoughtful details – from the ergonomic shape to the easy-click opening and clear line of sight for sipping – are designed to make independent drinking feel intuitive. Practical enough for nursery bags and park trips, but stylish enough not to feel like an afterthought, it’s a lovely option for little ones graduating to their own bottle.

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The deep dark wood is coming to Whitehall this autumn as Raffles London at The OWO launches a new Gruffalo family experience to celebrate the arrival of Gruffalo Granny – the first new Gruffalo book in 20 years. From 21st September, The Drawing Room will serve a playful afternoon tea featuring Scrambled Snake sandwiches, Owl’s Pot of Soup pastries and sweet treats inspired by much-loved characters from the stories, alongside traditional scones and all the trimmings. Families wanting to make a night of it can also book themed stays complete with an in-room Toniebox and special Gruffalo gifts. A fun half-term treat for younger fans.

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Revision gets a social-media-style rethink with Revyze, the learning app designed to make studying feel a little less like studying. Built around short-form educational videos, quizzes and bite-sized “capsules”, it lets students work through individual topics in a format that feels closer to TikTok or Duolingo than a traditional revision guide. The app also uses streaks, coins and gamified progress to encourage regular use, while content is created by a mix of high-performing students and teachers. For tweens and teens who struggle to sit down with a textbook, it’s a clever way to turn screen time into something more productive.

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Therapy doesn’t have to start at a breaking point and The Nest Club is built around that idea. Founded by psychotherapist Meera Moore Danowski, the platform supports individuals, couples and families through fertility, pregnancy, parenthood, relationships and modern family life, with personally matched therapists and appointments available within 48 hours, seven days a week. Couples therapy sits at the heart of the service, alongside individual and family counselling and therapeutic coaching, with evening and weekend sessions designed to fit around work and childcare. Inclusive, flexible and refreshingly preventative in its approach, it’s one to know for anyone navigating the emotional shifts that come with becoming – and being – a family. Sessions start from £70, with a free ten-minute introductory call.

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Family members’ clubs are growing up. OurHouse Clubs – formerly Little Houses Group – has confirmed three new London openings for 2027 in East Sheen, Chiswick and Clapham, alongside a broader offering designed for school-age children and pre-teens. Expect Ofsted-registered school pick-up and Kids’ Clubs, academic and life-skills programmes, individual tuition and a new 8+ offering focused on independence, confidence and connection, with dedicated social spaces and junior wellness. New All Houses Memberships will also give families more flexibility across locations, making it a smart option for parents looking for childcare, enrichment and somewhere to spend time together under one roof.

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