They’re here at last – the results for the Mum’s Choice Awards have now been finalised. We’ll be announcing the winners of the different categories throughout this week. So, if today’s results don’t have what you’re looking for, perhaps tomorrow will instead! Today, we’re pleased to be announcing the winners for the Best Children’s Entertainment category.
What Is the Best Children’s Entertainment?
All parents know that it’s difficult to keep kids entertained, especially in a world where there are so many options. Yet many simply don’t manage to hold a child’s attention for more than few moments. Suddenly, before you know it, they’re after something else to do!
Our winning products have been tried and tested by likeminded families. So hopefully they will give you some ideas for that special time that is looming ahead!
The Best Entertainment For Kids
A whole host of different products and experiences were tested in our Children’s Entertainment category.
Our tester families have been super busy reviewing stacks of incredible children’s books. As well as children’s magazines, video games and live events designed especially for families.
And we’ve whittled it down to three gold, three silvers and three bronze awards, across the category. These are as follows:
Joint Gold
I Remember by Jeanne Willis & Raquel Catalina
(RRP £7.99), from Nosy Crow.
About the book: “A story full of love and gentle humour to help little ones understand dementia. George’s granny is quite forgetful. Sometimes, she can’t even remember George’s name. But George doesn’t mind. Granny might not always remember the little things, but he knows she loves him more than words can say. This book celebrates the unforgettable love between a grandparent and grandchild. Proving that even though the mind can sometimes forget, the heart will always remember.”
Our tester said:
“Touching on an increasingly common condition which blights so many families. It does so in an extremely sensitive way. Helped my grandson to understand a bit more about dementia and why his Great-Gran behaves as she does. It also promotes discussion between adults and children, children themselves as well as between adults too.”
Joint Gold
Explore Under the Sea by Carly Madden & Neil Clark
(RRP £8.99), from The Quarto Group
About the book: “Evie and her pet dog, Juno, use their senses to explore under the sea. This bright, layered board book teaches kids all about the ocean! Watch Evie and Juno play hide and seek in a kelp forest. Or explore a shipwreck deep under the ocean and dance in the midnight zone!
Curved and layered board pages increase in size as you move through the book; perfect for developing a child’s hand-eye coordination as they turn the pages.”
Our tester said:
“Our granddaughter absolutely loved this book. The style itself is imaginative with the layered pages and it is lovely and bright and colourful. She was fascinated by what Evie and Juno found in the sea. It sparked a great deal of discussion. She has taken it in to nursery for her “Show and Tell” session!”
Joint Gold
Fun To Learn Standalone Range
(RRP £4.99-£5.99), from Redan Publishing
About these magazines: “The current Fun To Learn standalone magazine portfolio comprises the very best pre-school entertainment: ; including Peppa Pig, Hey Duggee and Paddington.
These magazines are fun, bright and gender-neutral and aimed at children aged 3-6 years old. The engaging content entices pre-schoolers. and perfectly complements the charm, humour and character and the TV shows. And also extends the world of each character into entertaining and educational activities designed to delight.”
Our tester said:
“Our son loves these magazines, especially seeing his friends from TV in them! He also enjoys the different activities inside them and they are helping to encourage him with his letter and number recognition as well as his dexterity with his crayons.”
Joint Silver
Peekaboo Book Series by Camilla Reid & Ingela P Arrhenius
(RRP £7.99 each), from Nosy Crow
About the series: “An exciting, multi-sensory board book series from Camilla Reid and Ingela P Arrhenius. Each stylish, interactive book comes with 10 easy-to-use peekaboo sliders to push, pull or turn. Plus a funny rhyming text and a surprise mirror ending for babies and toddlers! Connecting with faces and playing peekaboo is one of the first games that babies play.
That’s why the very youngest of children will love this cute baby-themed book. The Peekaboo series currently includes 12 books!
Joint Silver
Sparkle World
(RRP £5.50), from Redan Publishing
About the magazine: “Sparkle World includes a selection of the most popular licensed characters.
Aimed at girls aged 4 – 9, it’s bursting with colour, fun and positivity. Every issue has magical stories to read. Plus there are activities, delicious recipes to make, creative crafts, games to play, puzzles to solve and more!
With 52 pages of content, including an extra tall cover and educational Mini-Mag section, as well as plenty of chances to win amazing prizes, Sparkle World offers excellent value for money.”
Joint Silver
Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Rise of SH1FT3R
(RRP £29.99), from Outright Games
About the Video Game: “Get your spy gear! And ride to victory in the Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Rise of SH1FT3R game. Join Tony Toretto in a racing tournament across the world – from LA to the Sahara Desert.
Take on the role of a hard-driving undercover spy and battle against the resurgent criminal racing organisation, SH1FT3R.”
Joint Bronze
Raver Tots Events
(Tickets from £4), from Raver Tots
About these live events: “RaverTots hosts UK based family events and festivals. Aimed at the whole family, with dancers, confetti and music from top-name DJs playing the tracks of parents’ dancing days. From large-scale festivals with 10,000+ people in attendance. To events at iconic venues, including the O2 and Ministry of Sound. RaverTots provide families with a safe and exciting space to have fun and dance together. All the entertainment on the day is included within the ticket price.
Joint Bronze
PAW Patrol: Grand Prix
(RRP £29.99), from Outright Games
About the video game: “The PAW Patrol are on their fastest mission yet – to win the Pup Cup! Where no track is too big, no racer too small! Race around Adventure Bay, Jake’s Snowboarding Resort and the Jungle. Play as the PAW Patrol pups and up-to 4 players at once. But look out for the obstacles left by Mayor Humdinger! This kart racer includes an easy control option for little ones. Includes auto-acceleration to guide them around the track, as well as a hard mode for experienced track stars. Buckle up for a PAWsome race around 11 tracks with your best pup pals!”
Joint Bronze
PJ Masks Heroes of the Night
(RRP £29.99), from Outright Games
About the video game: “Who goes into the night to save the day? You do! Get your PJs on and become Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko in the most exciting PJ Masks game yet. Set off from Mission Control HQ on a platforming adventure for little heroes. Use your superpowers – like Catboy’s speed, Owlette’s flying, and Gekko’s muscles – to stop the night-time baddies. And explore eight PJ Masks locations, from Mystery Mountain all the way to Moon!
Highly Commended
Stick! by Irene Dickson
(RRP £6.99), from Nosy Crow
About the book:
“Published in collaboration with the National Trust, this bold, beautiful board book is about all the fun you can have with a stick.
Stick! tells the story of a boy and his dog who set off to play together one sunny day, taking nothing with them but a good, useful stick…
There are SO many things you can do with a stick. It’s the best children’s entertainment! You can balance with it, swish it, float it down a stream, draw pictures in the sand and it will even help you make new friends!
All it takes is a child’s zest for life and a bit of creativity. With charming illustrations and a countryside setting, this adorable book celebrates imagination, nature and creative play.”
Highly Commended
Fun To Learn Compilations Range
(RRP £4.99-£5.99), from Redan Publishing
About these magazines: “This wonderful selection of Fun To Learn branded multi-character magazines comprises Friends, Favourites and Bag O’ Fun.
The popular and exciting character assortments, bright and engaging activities, stickers and gift entice pre-schoolers and provide opportunities for them to achieve, be rewarded and to share special time with their grown-ups. Grown-ups trust the esteemed Fun To Learn brand and value the engaging, creative and educational content. At 52 pages, the size of the magazines along with the high quality content really makes them great value for money and the best children’s entertainment.”