Gadgets that kids will love including baby monitors and children's tablets
Ewan the Dream Sheep
There are few things more comforting for your tot than a teddy, this one especially so. The super-soft sheep comes with four sounds including heartbeat and womb noise, so babies will feel instantly at ease. Attach Ewan to the top of the cot with it's Velcro tail, then set it on a 20-minute timer and hopefully your own little lamb will be soothed to sleep within minutes, not only by the sounds, but by the warm glow Ewan emits. Got a toddler? Sweetdreamers also have Russell the Dream Sheep Dog, which allows parents to record their own voices to soothe little ones. It costs £29.99 from www.sweetdreamers.co.uk
Vtech InnoTab Max
VTech's flagship learning tablet features a 7-inch multi-touch and responsive screen. Children can boost their reading skills by downloading e-books, in addition to learning key subjects like languages, science and maths. With VTech Kid Connect family bulletin, group chat and one-touch sharing children can also connect to family anywhere. Suitable from 3-9 years. Available for £99.99 at www.argos.co.uk
LeapReader
Children can touch the pen to LeapReader books to hear the words, or use the special no-mess paper to practice letters, with stroke-by-stroke guidance. The learning gadget also features vocabulary-building games, sound-effects and activities to help with comprehension skills. Suitable for children aged four to eight. It costs £39.99 online at leapfrogstore.co.uk
Garmin babyCam
If you have a Garmin satnav (or are looking to buy one), this baby camera is a great add-on as you won't have to turn around to check on your newborn while driving. It attaches to the headrest focussing on your baby in their seat and wirelessly transmits a live stream of footage to your satnav. You can then flick between following a route and checking in on your baby. It's got night vision and you can operate it via voice activation. Obviously you'll want to make sure the babyCam is compatible with your satnav before buying. It costs £159.99 at www.garmin.com
Fire HD Kids Edition
A children's tablet in a kid-proof case, with a year of Fire for Kids Unlimited included, and access to thousands of books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, and games. Features easy-to-use parental controls. Suitable from three years. Available at £119.99 on www.amazon.co.uk
Motorola has become the go-to brand for baby monitors. The cameras are simple to operate and provide high-quality video footage. Last year, their MBP853 model launched and it continues to be a market leader. The HD WiFi gizmo connects to your phone (via their Hubble app) so you can keep an eye on your baby using your tablet/smartphone in addition to the video monitor provided. It's not just a case of watching live footage; you can pan, zoom and tilt the camera all remotely. It doesn't stop there; you can speak to your baby with the two-way communication function, it comes with room temperature monitoring, a lullaby player and infrared night vision. It really is an all-singing-all-dancing device and costs £129.99 from www.motorolastore.co.uk
My Sing-Along Book and Personalised Music
A personalised book, plus a CD and MP3 digital download featuring 12 classic children's songs, personalised with the child's name. The book can be further personalised with a custom dedication and a photo. Suitable for children to to about eight. It costs £28 at www.iseeme.com
