My Baba Measure / 7 October, 2026 / Christina Walter
Smart Sock Shoe O2, Sense-U
Women’s Slouch Western Boots, Durango
Anti-Blemish Toner, Equals-Even
Music, monsters and a whole lot of Halloween fun are coming to The Strings Club this October half term. Their award-winning, 5-star-rated holiday camps give children aged 4–11 the chance to make music, get creative, make new friends and try something different while school’s out.
What can children expect?
Running across London, Birmingham and Warwickshire from 26th October, camps are Ofsted-registered, with flexible booking from a single day to a full week. We accept Tax-Free Childcare and major childcare vouchers, and offer free instrument hire for children attending more than one day.
My Baba readers get 10% off their first booking with code MYBABA. Book your child’s space: www.thestringsclub.org
Halloween just got a little sweeter!
Wild Thingz just launched its Halloween On Us campaign, giving Ocado shoppers the chance to bag a free bundle of organic sweets throughout October. Customers can simply purchase any Wild Thingz product from Ocado and upload their receipt to claim a surprise selection of at least 24 treat-size packets. Made with natural flavourings, no artificial colours or flavours and half the sugar of leading UK sweet brands, these plant-based treats offered a fun alternative for little trick-or-treaters. What’s not to love?
Trick or treat! Find out more at Wild Thingz.
Ready for every new adventure, the Graco Myavo Stroller is designed to support busy families through the changing seasons. Available exclusively at Kiddies Kingdom in a stylish Fossil colour for just £100, it’s suitable from birth to approximately 4 years (0–22kg), offering comfort and convenience as your little one grows.
Lightweight, compact and easy to fold, the Myavo is perfect for crisp autumn walks, weekend outings and Halloween adventures. Whether you’re heading out for a spooky family stroll, pumpkin picking or seasonal days out, the Myavo helps make every journey simple and comfortable as you create special memories together.
Designed for cold, wet and unpredictable days outdoors, the kids’ ADB Ice collection from XTRATUF® keeps little feet warm, dry and comfortable, whatever the weather. From school runs and weekend walks to puddle jumping, seaside trips and everyday outdoor adventures, these boots are made for exploring.
The 100% waterproof construction provides reliable protection against rain, splashes and muddy conditions, while a cosy faux shearling lining adds warmth and comfort on colder days. The easy pull-on design makes getting ready simple, giving little adventurers more time to enjoy the outdoors.
Underfoot, a slip-resistant outsole offers dependable traction for active kids on the move, while the durable rubber construction is easy to clean, making them a practical choice for parents.
Available in classic Black and versatile Stone Blue, the ADB Ice Kids’ collection brings XTRATUF®’s Alaskan outdoor heritage to a younger generation, with dependable waterproof footwear built for little adventures in all conditions.
PO.P is bringing back its much-loved festive nightwear collection, with seven Christmas-inspired designs perfect for cosy December nights, lazy mornings and those all-important family photos.
The collection features a mix of festive prints, including magical gingerbread houses, delicate winter scenes, Christmas characters, hearts, snowy landscapes, classic tartan and the brand’s Folklore print. There’s something for the whole family, whether you prefer traditional Christmas designs or something a little more playful.
For little ones aged 0-4 years, the collection includes a practical zip-up sleepsuit romper, while children aged 1-12 can choose from classic two-piece, long-sleeve pyjamas. Adults can join in too, with selected designs available in adult sizes, making festive family matching easier than ever.
The Christmas nightwear collection will be available online and in PO.P stores from mid-October, just in time to get everyone ready for the festive season.
For the first time ever, healthy children’s food brand Little Dish has created a limited-edition Festive Feast – a delicious Seasonal Chicken Pie with all the trimmings – specially made for young children that also helps provide healthy meals to families who need them most.
Every Festive Feast purchased comes with Little Dish’s Buy ONE, Give ONE™ promise. For every meal sold, Little Dish will donate a healthy meal to a child experiencing food insecurity through its partnership with Felix.
The Festive Feast features tender chicken breast in an apple and cranberry gravy, topped with a bubble and squeak mash of potato, carrot and parsnip. Like all Little Dish meals, it is made with wholesome ingredients, contains no added salt or sugar, provides one of a child’s five a day and is ready in minutes. It has also been approved by Little Dish’s panel of Tiny Tasters.
Available nationwide from mid-October (RRP £3.15).
As mothers, we all know how overwhelming life’s to-do list can sometimes feel! New research from Kendamil shows that a staggering 75% of Mums with young children struggle to make time for their own health and wellbeing, and that’s why Kendamil want to ‘put mums back on the list’. So, this October, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Kendamil have changed the lids of its Organic Follow-on and Toddler milk to pink. Ten per cent of sales from every pink tin will be donated to Tickled Pink charities: Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel.
With 69% of Mums not checking their chest regularly, and more than a third saying they check less regularly than before they became a mother, Kendamil want to encourage Mums to look after their health in the same way they do their family’s. Campaign ambassador, Anna Whitehouse (Founder of Mother Pukka) puts it beautifully: If we don’t look after our own health, we risk the Mother Ship going down – our family NEED us to start focussing on ourselves a bit more.”
Kendamil Organic Follow-on and Toddler are available to buy at ASDA: £14.97.
The new Toniebox Lite is the smallest audio player from tonies®, designed with little hands and early independence in mind. Priced at £59.99, the Rubie Starter Set includes a Creative-Tonie with Rubie’s Amazing Adventures already loaded, plus the option for children to record their own stories, songs and messages through the tonies app.
With no screen or menus, children can simply pop a Tonie on top and use the tactile controls to change the volume, skip tracks and rewind. The compact, hard-shell design is ideal for taking on trips, while a Sleep Timer helps wind down bedtime. Toniebox Lite works with the full tonies library and offers up to six hours of playtime, USB-C charging and optional Bluetooth or wired headphones. Parents can also manage settings through the tonies app, while children enjoy independent, screen-free listening.
Perfect for children who love farm animals and imaginative play, this fantastic fold-out book transforms into a colourful 3D farm for hours of creative fun!
Following the success of last year’s Fold-out + Play Doll’s House, children can now create their very own farm, complete with stand-up characters and animals, press-out 3D farm equipment and colourful stickers to decorate the big red barn and surrounding fields.
Illustrated in Ingela P Arrhenius’ signature retro style, the innovative format also includes a sturdy attached drawer for neatly storing all the pieces, plus helpful instructions and assembly videos. From the illustrator of the award-winning Felt Flaps: Where’s Mr/Mrs? and bestselling Peekaboo series, the Fold-out + Play Farm is a winning mix of book and toy that makes a brilliant gift for little imaginations, perfect for playtime at home, for children with limited space, or for taking on the go.
(RRP £20, ages 4+, available Waterstones, Amazon)
Ancient Egypt, animal gods and a murderous plot for the throne come together in this thrilling new middle-grade adventure from bestselling Darwin’s Dragons author Lindsay Galvin.
Twelve-year-old Cleopatra has enjoyed a charmed childhood as an Egyptian princess, goddess and the pharaoh’s favourite daughter. But when her father’s life is threatened, Cleopatra must rely on her intelligence and courage to uncover who wants the throne badly enough to kill for it.
Things take a magical turn when a prophecy and an enchanted board game summon the animal gods of Egypt to protect her – although not all of them appear to be on her side. What follows is a fast-paced journey through a world of gods, monsters, danger and ancient mythology as Cleopatra races to save her father and Egypt itself.
Perfect for young readers fascinated by Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt, Galvin brings history and mythology vividly to life in a fun, accessible adventure, with shades of Secrets of a Sun King and Hunt for the Golden Scarab.
A junior novelization that retells Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters!
Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are the world-famous girl group HUNTR/X. When they aren’t selling out stadiums, they protect the world from a force of powerful demons that have threatened the world for centuries. But have they met their match with the arrival of Saja Boys, an infuriatingly cute boy band who happen to be demons in disguise? This junior novelization is the official retelling of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters.
Based on the screenplay by Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan and Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans
Based on KPop Demon Hunters, the film directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans.
Shakespeare gets a brilliantly funny, magical makeover in this new standalone adventure from Maz Evans, bestselling author of the Who Let the Gods Out? and Oh Maya Gods! series.
Will Davenant has known far more tragedy than laughter, but life takes an extraordinary turn when he inherits his grandfather’s copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare. As the last living relative of William Shakespeare himself, Will discovers he has a rather unusual family gift: he can summon the Bard’s characters straight from the pages.
Suddenly, some of literature’s greatest heroes are stepping into Will’s world – and they might just be the friends he needs to help turn his life around.
Packed with Maz Evans’ trademark humour and heart, the story tackles difficult emotions with warmth and poignancy while introducing young readers to some of Shakespeare’s best-loved characters in a wonderfully accessible way. A clever celebration of friendship, family and the enduring magic of storytelling.
The Not So Quiet Life or Marcel Marceau, Jenn Bailey & Sherry Bushue
Marcel Marceau became the most famous mime artist of the twentieth century, but before the stage and the spotlight came an extraordinary story of courage and survival. Born Marcel Mangel into a Jewish family in Strasbourg, he fled to Paris as the Nazis advanced and later joined his brother in the French Resistance.
This beautifully told true story explores Marcel’s remarkable youth, revealing how his bravery helped save lives during the Second World War and, incredibly, how those experiences would eventually lead to his beginnings as a mime artist.
A powerful and accessible introduction to an important figure in cultural history, this is a brilliant choice for readers aged six and over who are fascinated by true stories of courage and resilience. It also offers families and primary school classrooms a thoughtful way into conversations about the Holocaust and the French Resistance, while introducing children to an artist whose extraordinary life extended far beyond the stage. A fascinating addition to any picture-book collection.
Make the most of Halloween half-term with Kids Pass, with spooky days out and family-friendly activities across the UK. With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, families have a whole week of pumpkin picking, fright nights and seasonal adventures to enjoy, with savings of up to 20% on selected attractions.
From a Spooktacular half term at Blenheim Palace and pumpkin festivals at Hobbledown Heath and Hobbledown Epsom, to Pumpkins at the Castle at Watermouth Castle, there are plenty of options across the South. Families further north can enjoy Frightwater Valley at Lightwater Valley for just £15 per ticket, saving £7, alongside pumpkin picking at Kenyon Hall Farm and Farmer Ted’s Pumpkin Village.
There are also spooky adventures in the Midlands and Scottish Highlands, including Landmark Forest Adventure Park’s Spookfest. All offers are available through the Kids Pass app, subject to availability.
Treat the whole family, including your dog, to a trip to the cinema with a difference. Paws at the Pictures comes to Battersea Arts Centre on Saturday 21 November 2026, bringing the world’s first live orchestra cinema experience for dogs and their humans to London.
Created by Carrot Productions, the event features The Snowman and the Snowdog accompanied by a world-class professional orchestra, plus The Great Dog Medley and a singalong of The 12 Dogs of Christmas.
Arrive early to explore dog-focused stalls and the Paws & Pours Bar, serving refreshments for humans and dogs alike. After the performance, meet The Snowman and The Snowdog costume characters and pose for photographs with the musicians, who will be dressed as dogs.
The event raises funds to support Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Spaces are limited to 55 dogs per performance, and anyone bringing a dog must book a dog ticket.
Click here to get your tickets.
Parental Control, Ep 146: The Good, The Bad & The Chaos Of Parenting With Nigel Clarke & Sasha Hall
Step into party season with Linzi’s gorgeous collection of occasion-ready footwear. From sparkling heels and statement platforms to elegant courts and chic ballet flats, there’s something for every festive celebration. Whether you’re dressing up for a Christmas party, heading out for cocktails or planning your New Year’s Eve look, Linzi has the finishing touches covered. Think eye-catching details, flattering silhouettes and plenty of sparkle, all at prices that won’t blow the party budget.
Christmas Gifting / 15 November, 2026
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