SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: 60 Activities to Keep Children Entertained at Home

After only three weeks back at school after lockdown in the UK and the Easter Holidays are already almost here! Inset the panic of how we're going to keep the children entertained at home once again. From the 29th March 2021 two households can meet outdoors, which means that small playdates can happen in gardens or at the park again. But other than that we are still mostly advised to stay local and typical school holiday days out (zoos, farms, theme parks etc.) are still all shut. As someone who likes to plan in advance and considers preparation as key I thought I'd put together a whole host of different activities that will keep children entertained over the school holidays, whether that be the upcoming Easter holidays or looking forward to the longer summer holidays.

BABY & TODDLER: How to Create Sensory Messy Play at Home with Messy Senses

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Item

Since lockdown began back in March we haven't be able to go to any children's classes because essentially it isn't safe enough to do so. This not only has had a massive impact on the businesses themselves, but also has meant our babies, toddlers and children have missed out on the opportunities these classes offer too. As we are now six months into this 'new' way of life and it is becoming evident quite how tricky it is for baby and toddler classes to resume; now is the perfect time to consider how we as parents can recreate some aspects of these classes at home.

CHILDREN: How to Throw a Frozen Party at Home

Making birthdays special during lockdown or while socially distancing can be a challenge and the magic of birthdays is especially important to children. Recently it was Poppy's third birthday and as our second birthday during lockdown (Isabella celebrated her fifth birthday right at the start of lockdown, which was tried to make as special as possible) we felt much more equipped on how to make it one to remember. Like many children, Poppy loves everything Frozen related so her birthday couldn't really be based around anything else! Luckily, throwing your own little Frozen party at home is a relatively simple theme to follow and there are lots of DIY additions you can add throughout the day to add that extra special touch. These ideas aren't exclusive to lockdown life and can be utilised whenever we are able to throw 'normal' parties for our children or if you simply want to celebrate at home. 

CHILDREN: 140 Indoor Activities for Hours of Entertainment

There are so many reasons why we may need to stay indoors with our children, whether it be wet weather, a cosy weekend, illness or the current pandemic of Coronavirus. The idea of staying indoors with children for a prolonged period of time can be quite a daunting prospect, but in an aim to help parents I have put together 140 ideas for indoor activities. These will keep you busy for hours, days, if not weeks and can easily be combined with more educational activities too. There are opportunities to practice fine motor skills, be creative, learn new skills and simply have fun, which is really important for children, but especially with the current concerns, unknowns and changes.

REVIEW: Jooki - The Smart Player with ToyTouch Technology

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Item

Turning up the volume, having a boogie, listening to stories or bringing a performance alive children love to be surrounded by music. A day doesn't go past where we don't have a kitchen disco dance or Isabella wants to show us her latest dance performance. However, to access music children often need an adult to select a certain playlist or song, which in turn limits their ability to be creative with sound. Jooki have created The Smart Player with ToyTouch Technology to solve this exact problem and allow children to safely access music and stories; bringing back their creativity and enabling them to enjoy screen-free time.

PARENTHOOD: Our Weekday Routine with a Newborn Baby, School Run and Toddler Group

One thing I was really worried about when we found out we were expecting our third baby was being able to do the school run on time, every day of the working week. I just couldn't see how I was single-handed going to get all three children ready, fed and out of the house all before 8.30am every single day. School doesn't offer any flexibility, so for the first time as a family our lives were being controlled by the constraints of the school day. My eldest daughter, Isabella, started school in September 2019 and I gave birth to our third baby, Rory, in October 2019. It was essential that we established a 'school day routine' as quickly as possible in September, so that when Rory arrived I hoped he would just slot into the routine with ease. 

CHILDREN: Making more Ethical Clothing Choices

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Items

Making ethical, as well as more sustainable and fair, clothing choices is becoming something that a lot of parents are considering when purchasing clothes for their little ones. We are all more aware of the impact our lifestyle over the past decades has had on the planet, so taking action isn't so much of a choice anymore than a necessity. This paired with the desire to make more ethical and fair purchases can leave parents wondering where to shop. Little Green Radicals is a brand I have spoken about on here for years now, as each season they bring out a stunning range of clothing for babies, toddlers and children. Their designs, patterns and colours all work together so beautifully, but the ethos behind the brand is what really makes it stand out.

CHILDREN: Keeping Protected this Summer with Splash About UV Sun Suits

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Items

Summer is finally here and we are being graced with more frequent beautiful sunny days. Doesn't parenting just get so much easier in the summer? The children can happily play outside in the garden, holidays may happen and all of the outdoor spaces can be explored again. However, it is vital that we keep our children protected from the sun during the summer months. You don't have to be going on holiday abroad to be thinking about sun protection; if this year is anything like last (kind of hoping it's not, as I'll be pretty heavily pregnant!) then we'll be enjoying another hot summer here in the United Kingdom. Splash About have an impressive range of swimwear designed to protect our little ones from the sun, sea and wind, so that they can have fun in the sun and we can relax knowing that they are protected from the elements.

PARENTHOOD: Getting around with ease using the JANE Rocket Compact Stroller

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Item

Established in 1936 Samuel Johnston Ltd is a pram specialist that has grown to become one of Europe's leading online Nursery, Pram and Baby Equipment retailers. They have a range of over 80 top nursery brands and are therefore the home of everything you could possibly need for when your little one arrives and into those first few years of life. On our recent family holiday to Copenhagen we had the pleasure of taking the JANE Rocket Stroller (£199) from Samuel Johnston with us. It is a compact stroller that is lightweight, urban and fully-folding, whilst still having a quality finish. Travelling around with small children can be quite intimidating because space is often limited, whether that be with hand luggage allowance of car boot space, and this can make getting children around safely a bit trickier.

FAMILY: Adventures around Copenhagen with Blunts Shoes

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Items

Exploring new places and going on adventures as a family is how we would choose to spend every weekend if we could. The excitement of stumbling across somewhere beautiful, with plenty of space for the children to run around, is a big part of our quality family time together. Ensuring we all have appropriate footwear is really important, especially for Isabella and Poppy as they need that extra support for growing feet. Blunts Shoes was established in 1865 and have been selling footwear ever since, so it's fair to say they are experts in the area. They have 17 stores across the Midlands, but also have an impressive range of shoes, boots and sandals on their website too. As a parent it is very convenient to have the option to either buy online or in-store, as shopping with children in tow isn't always the easiest task.

PARENTHOOD: Our Bedtime Routine with a 1 and 3 year old

*Advertorial Content - Gifted items. 

Our bedtime routine has always been part of the day I really treasure, as we wind down from the busy day and spend some quality quiet time together. Since having two children our bedtime routine has changed, but the main components have stayed the same - bath, book, bottle, bed. While Poppy is still young she has a bottle before bed, whereas Isabella will have a glass of milk at dinner time instead now. We are planning on phasing Poppy's bedtime bottle out soon and replacing it with a glass of milk at dinner time, like Isabella has. But for now it is still part of our routine and one of the only precious one-on-one times I get with Poppy.

PRE-SCHOOLER: Our Experience of Toilet Training Regression and What Helped

At the end of 2017 we decided it was the perfect opportunity to start potty training Isabella, at 2.5 years old she was able to communicate when she needed the toilet and we had around a month with no real commitments. Though I felt very apprehensive about the whole 'potty training' world we took the plunge and put her straight into pants. After a few accidents Isabella seemed to take to potty training really well; my worst fears quickly washed away and I started to feel confident that we could do this big milestone in her life. Months and months passed where there would only be the odd accident, mainly if we were on a long journey or not near a suitable toilet quick enough. I couldn't believe our luck!

SHOPPING: Aldi Baby and Toddler Event January 2019

*Advertorial Content 

It's that time of year again. The busy festive season is over, decorations are down and money is tight. I do love January for its potential, the hope and goals set for the year ahead are exciting. However, there's no denying that Christmas is an expensive time so saving money wherever possible going into the new year is a must in our family. Aldi have perfectly timed their latest Baby and Toddler Event, which started online on the 6th January and will be in stores from tomorrow (Thursday 10th January). Their Baby and Toddler Events are always filled with a wide range of essentials, toys and accessories to make our life easier as parents, but to also keep our little ones entertained. 

CHRISTMAS: How to Make Toy Shopping for Children Easier

*Advertorial Content

When it comes to Christmas shopping for children it can be a challenge to know which toys will appeal to them, actually be used and create lots of fun memories. This is why Fundamentally Children have created The Christmas Good Toy Guide 2018 Edition, which is filled with gifts for all ages and interests. Fundamentally Children is the home of The Good Toy Guide; a place where an independent team try and test a range of toys, so that they can share how long-lasting, age-appropriate, good for learning and development and, most importantly, fun they are! This year they have put together a guide just for Christmas, with the aim of making our shopping experience that bit easier. Parents and children can browse The Christmas Good Toy Guide 2018 here; let the wish list writing commence. 

CHILDREN: Little Green Radicals Organic Fairtrade Autumn/Winter Collection 2018

*Advertorial Content

Every season Little Green Radicals seem to out do themselves with even more beautiful patterns and designs. They release a spring/summer collection and autumn/winter collection, both of which are specifically designed to suit the time of year ensuring that our little ones are wearing clothes that are both stylish and practical. Little Green Radicals have recently released their new autumn/winter collection for 2018 and it is probably my favourite collection to date. The magical, mystical and space inspired designs are simply beautiful and the range of new styles are exciting too.

PARENTHOOD: How we Achieved 'Lie-Ins' with the groclock

Newborns are known for waking up a lot during the night; it's what we expect as parents. Fast forward the first few of months with very little sleep and you're starting to expect some level of routine to be established. Your baby may have moved into their bedroom and you're embracing their longer stretches of sleep. Then something like teething or a sleep regression hits and you're back to the newborn ways of little sleep and lots of coffee. However, by the time your tiny newborn baby has grown into a fully fledged toddler you might be expecting (and seriously hoping) that they will be sleeping through the night and gently waking you at a sociable hour in the morning. 

FAMILY: What does the Aldi Baby & Toddler Specialbuys Event August 2018 have to offer?

It's that time of year again - the Aldi Baby & Toddler Specialbuys Event! The event that many parents brave taking their children to the food shop in order to stock up on the essentials, gifts and/or fun things to do during the summer holidays. Aldi is the shop you walk into planning to buy a loaf of bread and pint of milk, yet leave with a garden chair, waterproof coat and paddling pool. That's why we all love shopping there I think; you never quite know what you'll be able to pick up that week. 

SUMMER: Feeling Nostalgic with Baby Born Outdoor Adventures

If you think back to your childhood are there a few toys or products that really stand out as being special? For me a Baby Born doll does because I spent years and years playing with mine as a child. So when Isabella was kindly offered the opportunity to have her own Baby Born it felt like a trip down memory lane with all the nostalgic feelings that come with that. There's something so special about being able to provide your own children with experiences that you loved all those years ago, isn't there? However, Baby Born has evolved over the years and now has a whole host of accessories and clothing ranges that can add to the imaginary play. 

CHILDREN: The Ultimate List of Fun Garden Activities to do this Summer

Summer is well and truly here, which I for one am so thankful for! Parenting two children while being stuck indoors thanks to the rain is hard work, so we are truly making the most of being able to be outdoors all day long. As the UK summer holidays are quickly approaching I thought I'd put together some of our favourite garden activities that will keep children of all ages busy for hours and hours. There are activities for children that love being creative, sporty and/or imaginative, so hopefully something for everyone. 

CRAFT: Pom Pom Hair Accessories for Children

Now that I have two daughters it is about time I improve my hairstyling skills because I'm useless. Since having Isabella I have taught myself how to do a French plait, but other than that my 'skills' are beyond basic. But I have a secret....hair accessories. Bows, hair clips and hair bands are all perfect at transforming an otherwise below average hair style into a much prettier one. Recently I had a go at making a few pom pom hair accessories, after I was given a pom pom making kit for Christmas.