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IndyBest’s best buys for kids 2020: From toys to pushchairs to games
Our reviewers tested the best kids’ toys, games and gadgets of the year – these were their favourites
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Another year’s nearly over – and with the one we’ve had, thinking about lovely treats for babies, toddlers and kids is a welcome distraction.
Lockdown has meant that many of us have had our little ones around more than we would have anticipated this year.
So we really needed some great toys to keep them occupied for those seemingly endless days stuck inside.
And whenever you have a baby, lockdown or not, certain essentials are oh-so-important to get right, whether its a buggy, car seat, or baby grow.
With all this in mind, our big and little reviewers tested the best gadgets and games out there to ensure you’d be spending your hard-earned cash wisely.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Best pushchair: iCandy lime pushchair and carrycot: £650, UberKids
As well as being a cool-looking buggy, the lime model from iCandy gives you all the functions of the brand’s full-sized pushchairs in a cheaper, easy-to-manoeuvre city stroller. Making light work of tight corners, supermarket aisles and narrow doorways, the big rear wheels help provide a stable feel. In the bundle comes both the carrycot and seat fabrics, so it’s suitable for a newborn, and you can pop on a car seat with the included adaptors. The seat can also be parent or world-facing, which is a feature not often seen on such a compact stroller.
We had no problems transporting it – both in the car and on public transport – thanks to the lime’s patented fold; the seat and bumper bar cleverly stay on when collapsing, and there’s a handle for easy lifting. You can whip off the wheels for an even dinkier fold. We loved that you can adjust the chair’s height and distance using the seat elevators, so it doubled up as a highchair when grabbing a pit-stop lunch. An integrated buggy-board means as your family grows, one tot can ride on the back. A generous storage basket completes this totally urban-friendly buggy.
Best compact stroller: Ickle Bubba globe stroller: £149, Ickle Bubba
Where has this stroller been all of our lives? Many a stressful train or plane journey could have been blissful had we discovered it sooner.
It ticks so many boxes. It looks great, with small details in the stitching, cushioning and leatherette design of the handle and crossbar giving the globe an air of elegance that punches well above its budget price tag. It also provides a level of comfort and control that is rare on compact strollers; it’s easy to recline and lift, the seat is well-cushioned, and the footrest can be adjusted to suit your child’s height.
Considering how many compact strollers are made with holidays in mind, you’d be surprised how few succeed at keeping your child out of the sun. The globe, however, boasts a larger-than-average canopy. Other extras included as standard are a raincover, foot-muff, storage bag and cup holder.
Ickle Bubba isn’t exaggerating when it calls this buggy ultra compact, either. Not only does it shrink down to the size of a backpack – it’s even possible to carry on your back in a canvas bag that ships with the stroller – but it weighs just 6.4kg, meaning it will be accepted as cabin luggage on the majority of airlines.
The downside, however, is that while the stroller is suitable for children up to the age of three, or 15kg, its ultra-compact size meant our large, tall toddler looked a little cramped.
Best sleep aid: pNeo baby shusher: £27.89, Amazon
Most parents use the ancient, universal art of shushing to calm a restless baby. This gadget, however, will do it for you. No fuss or fuzz – just loud, rhythmic shushing. It goes on for 15 or 30 minutes and you can choose the volume, which can drown out the baby’s cries. This may sound mean, but its loudness is said to engage your baby’s "calming reflex”.
The shusher couldn’t have been simpler to set up and the batteries lasted for ages – we should know, as we now use it night and day. It is small enough to carry with you in the pram or while travelling.
The shushing is also loud enough to block out other noises that might disturb the baby. Our baby tester was easily duped into thinking it was us doing the shushing, and was instantly soothed to sleep while we crept off to enjoy our evening. We loved that the sound goes on for 30 minutes, giving us time to enjoy a whole bottle – sorry, glass – of wine.
It was the best money we’ve ever spent. Make sure you have a spare one at home; your baby might get very used to it.
Best baby bouncer: BabyBjorn bouncer bliss, jersey cotton: £154.99, BabyBjorn
This product has a cult following like no other, and we fully understand the appeal. It’s not a cheap purchase, but it will last longer than most other bouncers as it can seat babies from newborn to age two, and even thereafter little ones will still want to sit on it for its soothing and comforting bounce.
There are four positions depending on the age of your baby and whether they are resting, playing or eating. Our tester loved the adjustable height feature and how its chic design complemented her home.
When it’s not being used it can be folded flat, making it easy to transport when you’re visiting friends, travelling or simply storing it in your loft in between having children.
The super-soft jersey fabric is as snug as it gets. Plus, it’s machine washable and doesn’t lose its shape or comfort post-laundering. Our only criticism is that the toy handle must be bought separately, which at this price point is a bit of a shame.
Best baby blanket: Tuppence and Crumble star fleece baby wrap: £25, Not on the high street
What could be sweeter than a fleecy, star-shaped baby? This unique wrap by Tuppence and Crumble is ridiculously soft – it might look like a star, but it’s cloudlike in the comfort stakes.
There are no fastens anywhere – it couldn’t be simpler to pop your baby into and yet it stays in place, with openings for the hands. We were particularly impressed that a five-point harness, like those found on a car seat, worked nicely with this outfit.
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to colour: there are 20 different shades to choose from, including denim, orange and raspberry.
Best car seat: Maxi-Cosi mica: £299, Maxi-Cosi
This car seat promises to make the process of inserting a small child into it "relaxed and hassle free". Now this we had to see!
It swivels 360 degrees and reclines in each position for optimum comfort, has all the safety features you would expect and is suitable from birth up to four years. It has a typical Maxi-Cosi look – sleek lines and ergonomic design, with a slightly bulky but very sturdy base.
As for relaxed and hassle free? We haven’t felt completely sans hassle since embarking on parenthood, but compared to the sweaty, frazzled mess some car seats can turn us into, this was a dream. The swivel made it easy to insert and remove our baby, while the five-point harness was easy enough that we didn’t teach the little testers any new four-letter words.
There are also visual and aural indicators to tell you if the seat isn’t fastened securely. And we appreciated the breathable memory foam and that the cover is easy-to-remove for washing. This seat is fabulous quality all round.
Best baby mobile: Tiny Love magical tales take along mobile: £24.99, John Lewis & Partners
This mobile has a universal attachment which means that as well as being a fixture in your baby’s nursery, it will also work easily on travel apparatus like car seats and pushchairs.
The three woodland animals – with big eyes and smiling faces – move gently, accompanied by 30 minutes of melody.
We really rated the colourway on this – the use of lots of black tones with pastels hues provide the type of visual contrasts which are so key to an infant’s development.
Best baby playmat and gym: Taf Toys musical cosy gym: £69.99, Jojo Maman Bebe
This musical gym makes a fantastic investment for any new arrival. The four-in-one set adapts to different stages of a baby’s growth, from a newborn nest to a baby play gym that’s perfect for tummy time. The padded nest was a big hit with our little testers as well as the four beautifully designed multi-sensory toys. We thought the drawstring edges were a nice touch as they can be released to create a full-sized mat, or drawn up to create a cosy environment.
Best toy of 2020: Brio Smart tech sound action tunnel travel set, £131.75, Jadlam Toys and Models
A new train set from Brio has just landed and to say it’s all singing, all dancing is an understatement. This figure of eight train set comes with 37 pieces to build, but takes playing to a whole new level with the integrated smart technology. The battery-powered engine and sound action tunnel allow children to record and play their own sound clips – favourites for us included “choo, choo” and “honk, honk”.
The engine can also inspire imaginative play with multicolour lights, motion and sounds which are accessed through the Brio “smart tech sound” app, which is incredibly easy to use. Each action tunnel cleverly creates a unique response from the engine, whether that’s slowing it down, changing direction or offering up a spot of maintenance in the fix action tunnel. Built to last years of play, the quality and technology is superlative, and is sure to keep those aged three to seven engaged for hours, plus it’s large enough to play with a friend or sibling.
Best bath toy: Kitpas crayons: £8, Kidly
If you baulk at the idea of a child with crayons let loose in your bathroom, let us reassure you. These crayons are specifically designed for bath times and clean off the sides with no elbow grease required. And, unlike others on the market, they don’t get soggy and disintegrate within seconds of hitting the water. After two weeks of daily use by our three-year-old tester, they are all still in one piece. We also love the retro design of the crayons and covers and were delighted that they floated.
Best play kitchen: Tidlo country play kitchen: £129.99, Bigjigs
A toy kitchen with a Belfast sink? We love the level of imaginative detail that has gone into this play kitchen, making it the most lifelike of all those we tested. It even comes with five oven knobs that make that fun clicking sound that kids don’t tire of.
Made from high-quality and responsibly sourced materials, this product is one of the sturdiest on the market, with carry handles making it easier to move from room to room. Due to the size of this kitchen there are years of play in the product, and two chefs can comfortably use it without getting in each other’s way.
There’s also a storage cupboard, utensil shelves and a clock with moveable hands, plus three utensils which can be easily slotted away in the shelf above the hob, a removable plastic basin, salt and pepper shakers and pretend washing up liquid. Even the instructions were easy and clear to follow, with the build taking us roughly an hour to complete.
Best wooden toy: Brio classic figure 8 set: £39.99, Brio
There’s something so nostalgic about a wooden train set, and you really needn’t look beyond Swedish toy brand Brio for the finest – after all, it has been creating quality products since the late 1800s.
This 22-piece, classic figure-of-eight set has been manufactured to a high standard and is made from FSC-certified wood. In the box you’ll find an engine with two wagons, a station and crossing bridge, 14 track pieces and three trees to dot around.
The design is Scandinavian in style; simple but wonderfully usable. Our two-year-old tester loved the magnetic train and whizzing it around the smooth track.
Best memory game: Wooden memory game, £9.99, Jaques London
This is a beautiful game – consisting of a solid wooden base into which playing pegs can smoothly fit. Made from FSC-approved wood, this has been designed so that little hands and fingers can easily navigate it. The pegs are all topped by different colours – and the game as a whole has an old-fashioned, charming look to it (not least because it arrives in a box complete with a bow and handwritten note).
It might look a little complex to begin with – all new games feel a little daunting before you know the rules – but it’s actually a very simple game, perfect, we think, for children aged four and older.
Players essentially roll the dice and try to locate a piece which matches the colour on the top. You take turns in this way – and whoever has the most pegs at the end is the winner. It’s brilliant for honing memory development as players need to memorise colours and peg positions as well as sequences. Our four-year-old tester was beaming from start to finish – and not just because she won. Amazing value for money – a real find.
This modern twist on the ultimate family board game comes with an interactive Mr Monopoly banking unit, which is voice-activated and handles all of the game’s transactions. He keeps tabs on players’ money and properties so there’s no cash or cards to think about.
It’s a lot of fun but we did initially miss some of the elements of the original game – there are fewer streets, for starters – and Mr Monopoly didn’t seem to understand some of our testers’ accents. Nevertheless, after a few goes this quickly became one of the most popular games among the pile we tried. We’re total converts.
Best development toy: Sphero specdrums: £62.52, Amazon
Initially a little skeptical about the scope of the Specdrums, the whole family (young and old) has grown to love this simple-looking ring, regularly returning to it to play either alone or together.
This ring uses an accelerometer, light sensor and LEDs to turn colours into sounds. Connect the ring via Bluetooth to your phone or tablet, open the Specdrums MIX app and create your own beats, sounds and loops by tapping the ring’s sensor against anything with a strong colour, or against the included pad.
The potential is limitless – each colour can be set to play different sounds from a huge range of pre-loaded noises and samples from every musical genre, or you can record your own, and we were pleasantly surprised with how intuitive it was, even for our four-year-old tester. The ring works best when tapped against the colour mat – using it on colours around the house produced entertaining but with very random results. Suitable for ages five and above.
Best kids’ tablet: Amazon fire HD 10 kids edition: £149.99, Amazon
Amazon has a cool line of tablets called its kids editions. This is the largest display version, with a 10.1in screen. Amazon uses a special version of Android, called Fire OS, which has far fewer apps available – but all of them have been road-tested so you know they work flawlessly, which isn’t always the case with Android apps.
Though they cost more than the version aimed at adults, they have certain extra benefits: a colourful bumper protects the electronic device from harm if it’s dropped, for a start. The price includes a year’s subscription to fire for kids unlimited, which offers access to some games, books, movies, educational apps and more. You can save money by getting the Kindle fire for adults, of course, which costs £20 less and has extra storage, but you don’t get the bumper or other kid-friendly extras.
Best activity book: Ada Twist’s Big Project Book for Stellar Scientists: £8.13, Wordery
The original Ada Twist storybook has long been a smash hit with our junior testers, telling the tale of a young girl who learns through curiosity, perseverance and experimentation. This companion activity book is similarly wonderful, containing a mix of activities (eg “observe a chemical reaction”) and inspiration (a gallery of diverse scientific role models leaves a space blank for users to draw their own image). And it’s absolutely not just for girls, with its rich theme of female empowerment appropriate for all.
Best colouring book for kids: The animal numbers colouring book: £6, The Jam Tart
This 28-page colouring book is both playful and educational – it’s a great introduction to not just numbers but animals too. Made by British children’s graphic brand The Jam Tart, this book is perfect for pre-schoolers or those just starting school. Some formations are more expected – like “seven snakes” – but we enjoyed some niche critters too – “nineteen newts” – that proved good discussion points. The illustrations have been so cleverly slotted together that we enjoyed getting our little tester to point out defining features like eyes and tongues.
Best craft kit: Mouse house sewing kit: £14.99, Button Bag
One of the loveliest things about Button Bag kits is that they each come in a gorgeous little suitcase. There are plenty to choose from but we plumped for this felt kit, in no small part because of the cheese element!
This is perfect for kids of six and older who are budding dab hands with a needle and thread, although younger children can certainly get involved. The sharp needle means that adults will need to closely supervise, however.
We found the instructions clear and precise, although the contents speak for themselves: felt circles ready for stitching into the little mice bodies along with thread and beads. There is plenty of colour and texture here and the experience feels like good old-fashioned craftwork.
We have made two of the six possible mice so far and are slowly building up our multi-coloured rodent family.
Best organic baby grows: In No Particular Order x From Babies with Love multi-print organic baby grow: £21.90, From Babies with Love
It’s hard not to coo over the gender-neutral love collection by From Babies with Love, made in collaboration with artist In No Particular Order. Not only is this baby grow made from certified GOTS organic cotton yarn with an envelope neck for easy dressing, but your money also goes towards helping orphaned and abandoned children globally. What’s not to love?
Best kids’ wellies: Hunter original kids first classic wellington boots: £38, Hunter
These are a classic boot that will stand the test of time aesthetically. We love the red – somewhere in-between postbox and cherry – and soft matte finish. But if you prefer a different palette, there are plenty of other options to browse.
The quality is evident from the moment you hold these boots; it’s not hard to see exactly why Hunter has been so popular for over 50 years. We found these to be true to size with decent grip on the relatively flat sole thanks to the specially developed tread. The cotton lining was comfortable, and the boots felt light – our four-year-old tester’s nimbleness wasn’t compromised in the slightest with these on her feet.
Best kids’ ski jacket: Dinoski spike the dinosaur kids winter coat: £95, Dinoski
Hands down the most fun coat we tested, this is the brand’s new take on its popular all-in-one snowsuit.
A welcome addition to the range, it’s packed with thoughtful features – from 10k waterproofing and toasty microfibre insulation to easy-to-use magnetic pocket closures and really chunky zip toggles.
The hood is removable, but with its dinosaur horns, there was no way our tester was taking it off. It’s made from recycled plastic bottles and Dinoski has introduced a preloved scheme – they’ll buy back grown-out suits and jackets for £40 store credit, and resell them at a discount. We approve. There is also a lilac unicorn or yellow lion version, and they’re available in sizes age 1-2 through to 7-8.
We’ve got lots more reviews of everything for little ones in our dedicated kids’ section
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