Thursday 30 June 2011

When tots travel, you need these

Holiday firm Tots to Travel has created a handy list of six must have products that genuinely make life easier for parents of babies and young children while they’re on vacation. All six of these products were named as winners in the inaugural Tots to Travel Just Go! Awards and each represents a stress area that parents face while travelling with kids.

“With the summer holidays just around the corner, we wanted to help parents find the essential products that will make their holiday easier and more relaxing,” explains Wendy Shand, family travel expert and founder of Tots to Travel.

“We were looking for items that solved real travel problems that most parents face. The products need to be small, light or easy to pack; be great quality; versatile so that they’re not exclusively used for just two weeks a year; represent good value for money and are thoroughly practical,” she continues.

The six items are:
For the journey – getting there and pack is often the hardest part:
Bubblebum Inflatable Car Booster : This inflatable car booster seat (£29.99) answers the real problem of how to pack a bulky booster seat into holiday luggage. With airlines increasingly charging for every piece of luggage and car hire companies regularly failing to provide suitable car seats, the Bubblebum Inflatable Car Booster is the lightweight answer.

Fun & Games – how to keep children entertained when boredom strikes:
Fuzzoodles: a pipe cleaner craft toy (£9.99) that lets kids create monsters. It packs small, is quiet, suitable for a broad age range and even parents will enjoy playing with them. They’re brilliant for use on the journey, as a rainy day holiday activity or even during meal times to stop boredom setting in.

Sleeping – how to let young children get the sleep they need when they’re not in their own bed
Snoozeshade: a UV protection snooze shade that fits over prams, providing a darkened, shady sleep space for tots (£19.99). This ‘no hassle’ product offers sheer convenience, sun safety and versatility whilst ensuring that the whole family can have a proper holiday whilst your little one sleeps.

Safety – keeping tots safe without the security of home
Milton Sterilising Tablets (£2.29) – an oldie but a goodie! These tablets melt into water to sterilise bottles, dummies and anything else. No need for expensive, clunky gadgets, the Milton Sterilising Tablets are so small, versatile and cost effective that they are an ideal travel product for babies and toddlers.

Feeding – how to enjoy holiday meals without a fuss
Totseat : a fabric high chair alternative (£24.50) which ties to any regular chair. It packs away small, goes in the washing machine and is a ‘no brainer’ product for hungry tots on the go. It’s like having a portable high chair in your pocket.

All round really useful product that will get used daily
Morrck Splasha – soft hooded towelling wrap (£19.95). This is a product that parents would be upset to forget. Brilliant for days on the beach, camping holidays, festivals, next to the swimming pool, after bathtime or just chilling out, the Splasha is one piece of kit kids will use daily, saving on packing lots of extra towels and clothes.

To see reviews of each of these winning products, go to http://totstotravelblog.typepad.com. For ideas on where to have your next family holiday, go to www.totstotravel.co.uk

Morrck Splasha given Special Commendation in the Tots to Travel Just Go! Awards

The Morrck Splasha has received a special commendation in the inaugural Tots to Travel Just Go! Awards. These awards are the first in the UK to focus exclusively on family friendly travel products that make it easier for parents to travel with young children. And let's face it, the more products like this, the better!

The Splasha (£19.95 available from www.morrck.com) is a hooded towelling robe for children aged one to seven that is great for days on the beach, camping holidays, festivals, the swimming pool, after bathtime or just chilling out. It’s a piece of kit kids will use daily, saving on packing lots of extras towels and clothes. And anything that saves time as well as being useful is a bif bonus!

The judges said of the Splasha: “This is a product that didn’t really fit neatly into any one of our award categories. But it’s something we’d be upset to forget to take with us on holiday! We were so impressed with the quality, feel and design of the Morrck Splasha that we felt it deserved a special award for being a product that we all loved!”

The judges, who included Wendy and Rob Shand (founders of Tots to Travel), Kathryn Blundell (editor of Mother & Baby magazine), Amanda Morison (travel editor of Angels & Urchins), Nicola Grant (founder of Holiday Nanny) and Gavin McOwan (family travel writer for the Guardian), collectively have 12 children between them and are experts on what makes travelling with tots easier.

“We were looking for items that solved real travel problems that most parents face. The products need to be small, light or easy to pack; be great quality; versatile so that they’re not exclusively used for just two weeks a year; represent good value for money and are thoroughly practical,” said Wendy Shand, family travel expert and founder of Tots to Travel.

Other winners were:
Fun & Games – Fuzzoodles – a pipe cleaner craft toy (£9.99)
For the journey - Bubblebum Inflatable Car Booster – an inflatable car booster seat (£29.99)
Sleeping – Snoozeshade – UV protection snooze shade for prams (£19.99)
Safety – Milton Sterilising Tablets (£2.29)
Feeding – Totseat – a fabric high chair alternative (£24.50)

To see reviews of each of these winning products, go to http://totstotravelblog.typepad.com. You can see a video clip on the winning products here. For ideas on where to have your next family holiday, go to www.totstotravel.co.uk
 
(EDITOR: These look like some great, innovative products that parents and kids will just love!)

Monday 27 June 2011

Summer Is Officially Here! So break out the Maclaren buggy!

Summer is officially here so its time for some quintessentially British sporting events, with your Maclaren buggy of course!

COME ON ANDY!

Now in its 125th year, the Wimbledon Championships are well underway, this time with the nations pride resting on the shoulders of Andy Murray. To support his efforts, Maclaren, the renowned British buggy manufacturer, wants you to get behind our tennis champ and jazz up your buggy with a fun tennis seat liner (£15). The reversible, washable liner features print and embroidery details and is a universal fit for most umbrella fold strollers.

Crack open the Pimm's, enjoy a strawberry or two (with cream, of course!), and get your little one kitted out in their tennis whites and Wimbledon ready buggy! And if you happen to be off to Murray Mount, don't forget your raincover; it wouldn't be Wimbledon without a spot of rain to suspend play.

AND IT'S GO GO GO!

If you like your sport with a few more thrills and high tech spills, you'll know the F1 racing circus will shortly be rolling into Northamptonshire, the home of Maclaren. Based nearby in Long Buckby, and designed back in 1965 by Owen Maclaren, the Maclaren buggy has become synonymous with innovation, safety, style and quality. Today Maclaren buggies are still designed in the UK and tested to exceed the necessary standards at our in-house facility. We're so confident in the unsurpassed quality and durability of all our buggies that we even offer them with a Sovereign Lifetime Warranty™.

Perfect for your little Lewis or Jenson junior with a reinforced, aeronautical grade aluminium chassis, 5 point safety harness and puncture proof tyres, Maclaren buggies are ready for the daily race. The top of the range Techno XT (£200) even features all round suspension, reflective hub caps and an extendable hood visor to keep the sun out of your budding little racers eyes.

Maclaren buggies with their lightweight chassis and unique 5 second 1 hand fold are the perfect option for trips out and about this summer. All products are available to buy direct from Maclaren (01327 841310) and online from Mothercare and other independent retailers.

Maclaren Buggys are eligible for Maclaren's unique Sovereign Lifetime Warranty™, the world's first global lifetime warranty, when parents register online at maclarenbaby.com within 45 days of purchase.

Maclaren is committed to safeguarding the environment by acting in a socially responsible manner and by adhering to the principles of: reduce, reuse and recycle.

FACTFILE:
Owen Maclaren, a former test pilot and aeronautical engineer, was inspired by the birth of his first grandchild to invent the umbrella-fold buggy. His portable, lightweight yet sturdy invention liberated parents from the bulky, cumbersome pram, revolutionising baby transport and becoming an iconic design.

The company he created continues to lead the industry in innovation, quality and design, offering high performance, stylish wheeled goods, accessories, toys and organic, holistic personal care products for mother and baby. With safety as its top priority, Maclaren have introduced new features and standards to the industry, including the 5 point safety harness, a reinforced chassis, reflective accents for night time safety and linked brakes. Maclaren Europe Limited has its headquarters at its original home in Long Buckby, England. Maclaren USA Inc. headquarters are in South Norwalk, Connecticut. A global brand, Maclaren is pleased to support global and local charities affecting the health and well being of families through organisations such as The Hunger Project, Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. and Baby Buggy.

Sunday 26 June 2011

5 Second Rule Game Launches

Quick! If you're quick-thinking and fast-talking you'll beat the 5 Second Rule! (Well, you will. Won't you?)

Following the success of Who wants to be a Millionaire and Mr&Mrs, the Toy Fair winner '5 Second Rule' launches in July.

It should be easy to name 3 breeds of dog or 3 brands of chocolate... but can you do it under the pressure of delivering the answers within 5 seconds and not getting in a fluster? Introducing an entirely new game from University Games... 5 Second Rule - isn't as easy as players imagine!

Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

It's amazing how quickly five seconds passes by under pressure: with no time to think and every chance of saying what immediately comes to mind, there's a risk of ridiculous answers slipping out and not completing the challenge!

The quirky twisted timer (which really does feel like it counts down faster than it should!), the risk of the Danger Zones and the chance for players to either 'duck' their question or try to 'out-play' their opponents by using the Switch and Pass On cards, simply add an even more frenzied pace of play!

Only the calmest of players will come in under the Five Second Rule. Can you beat the shortest clock of all board games?

5 Second Rule was awarded Best New Toy in the games category at the London Toy Fair 2011.

FACTFILE:

5 Second Rule from University Games is available from all good retailers including Argos, Tesco, Toys R Us, Smyths and WH Smiths

RRP of £19.99

Launch date July 2011

3 or more players

Ages 8+

Thursday 23 June 2011

It's Zooper! The Stylish Collapsible Baby & Toddler High Chair

It's innovative and award winning! Top nursery brand Little Helper have launched another groundbreaking high chair which hits the spot in terms of style, design and functionality.

The new Little Helper Zooper high chair is designed with practicality and style in mind, and is a pioneering new product for the high chair market. Its unique collapsible concept means it can be folded down to a flat and compact ‘0’ shape in just a few easy moves, so it's the perfect high chair for smaller kitchens or for those of you who are on the move. Its contemporary design will suit any modern home, too.

The Little Helper Zooper high chair features a 5 point harness, and is suitable for babies from six months old and up to 50lbs. Available in two colour-ways - red check and blue check, the Little Helper Zooper high chair features an easy-clean removable tray with anti slip surface and wipe clean cushion. The footrest is also adjustable meaning baby is always in optimum comfort.

Mum Kate Allen, 28, from Northamptonshire has tested the Little Helper Zooper with her son Lucas. She says: “From the moment I saw the Zooper it stood out. It is so easy to use and the fold down feature is brilliant. I work as a nanny, so the Zooper is ideal in my job. It’s quick to use, easy to clean and handy for popping in your car. I urge any modern family to invest in a Zooper.”

Reviewers at Made For Mums were more than impressed with the unique high chair: “..Zooper is the new high chair from Little Helper. While the cool retro inspired print on the seat is what will catch your eye, it’s the funky folding mechanism that will win your heart.”

The high chair has been fully tested to all UK standards and will be available from June from all major nursery retailers with an RRP of £139.99.

Wednesday 22 June 2011

That's Holiday: Thinking about a family camping holiday? Read this...

That's Holiday: Thinking about a family camping holiday? Read this...: "Family camping holidays are growing. But a major part of having a camping holiday you can enjoy is a tent that can cope with the very change..."

Tuesday 21 June 2011

That's Books: Represent yourself in court . New books tells you ...

That's Books: Represent yourself in court . New books tells you ...: "The cuts in legal aid announced by the Government in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill will force more and more peo..."

Monday 20 June 2011

That's Holiday: Book your family holiday with Cottages4You and ear...

That's Holiday: Book your family holiday with Cottages4You and ear...: "Now you can enjoy a holiday in an adorable cottage and earn Boots Advantage Card points, too! Because Cottages4you, provider of cottage a..."

Sunday 19 June 2011

Over The Wall' charity provides exciting challenges via holiday camps for seriously ill children

Over The Wall (OTW) was founded in 1999 as part of Paul Newman's international Association of Hole in the Wall Camps to provide free, life-changing, therapeutic holiday camps for children affected by serious, life-limiting illnesses.

The camps take place around the UK during school holidays, and help children try new challenges, build confidence, and interact with others like themselves. Often staying at camps is the only time they spend with their peers away from home, aside from hospital stays.

Richard Mott, who is the CEO of OTW tells us something about the charity and what it does: “These children can spend months or years in and out of hospital undergoing frightening and painful treatments. Many experience isolation, or even peer rejection. OTW camps enable children to gain independence, form friendship groups, and enjoy a range of adventurous and creative activities together.”

Jennifer and Jacqueline are thirteen year old identical twins who both suffer from sickle cell anaemia. As a result of this condition they require frequent hospitalisation, plus constant care and medical treatment.

They have been participating in OTW camps every summer for several years, now. In Jacqueline’s words, “The best thing about the camp is you get to do things you wouldn’t have dreamed of doing before. And you get to meet other people with the same condition. Every camp I’ve been on, I’ve made new friends. You forget about everything at home.”

Jennifer is equally enthusiastic: “The carers were really nice, very generous. They gave me their makeup and painted my nails! The activities I did were zipwire, swimming, music, horse riding and craft. We also did kayaking outdoors on big lakes, and I could see all the trees above which I kept looking at! I didn’t think about home when I was there. When they asked if I wanted to call home, I just said, No! I’ve kept in touch with about half of the friends I made. We use Facebook to stay in touch.”

OTW camps are not just for the children. It also provides their parents with a well-earned break from their often-exhausting care role. What does the mother of Jennifer and Jacqueline think of it? “The Over The Wall camp is fantastic because it gives me a real break so I can just rest and catch up on a few things. I even get to go for a drink with friends, which is something I never get to do. The camp also boosts my confidence that I’ll be able to ‘let go’ of the girls when they’re older.”

The camps are also open to siblings of sick children, whose lives are often substantially impacted upon by the poor health of their brother or sister.

Amelia O’Connell, 13, from Liverpool
Amelia recently represented the UK at the international Association of Hole in the Wall Camps gala in New York. Amelia stunned the audience, which included superstar Stevie Wonder, with her rendition of Over the Rainbow. According to Amelia, “It was an amazing opportunity to sing for such a huge audience, and it just shows that dreams really can come true.” Amelia was six when she underwent a life-saving operation for a serious heart condition.

Vicky Steventon, 18, from Basingstoke, Hampshire
Vicki is studying for four A-levels in the hope of gaining a place to study genetics at university. She is keen to ‘give something’ back through science, having suffered from kidney disease since she was just two years old.
Vicky, who underwent a kidney transplant at age 13, describes how, each year, the OTW Camp played a big and important part in her life. After her exams, Vicky is keen to be a Volunteer at one of OTW’s camps.

Alex Warne, 13, from Worthing, West Sussex
At six, Alex was diagnosed with an acute form of Leukaemia. During that year, his grandfather was also diagnosed with cancer. One year later, the day after his seventh birthday, his grandfather died.

Soon after the funeral, Alex wrote a book in his memory, The Heaven Flower, which tells the story of how a few days after his death, Alex was given a sign that his granddad would visit him one last time. Alex’s book was published by Canaan Press earlier this year.

Famous plaster brand, Elastoplast, sponsors the OTW camps. A spokesman said: “Elastoplast is proud to announce our collaboration with this inspirational children’s charity Over The Wall.”

Simon Edwards, brand manager for Elastoplast adds: “We believe that wherever they are, and whatever their circumstances, children need mental, physical and emotional stimulation that extraordinary experiences provide. Over The Wall has made this opportunity a reality for hundreds of seriously ill children, and Elastoplast is pleased to support this important and inspirational cause.”

Parents, children, relations and carers who want to find out more can visit www.otw.org.uk

Thursday 16 June 2011

Hipp Hipp for your baby's 5 A Day!

HiPP Organic, which can claim to be the original organic baby food company, is delighted to announce the arrival of its brand new range of organic Fruit Pouches, specially developed for babies from four months onwards. Placing their consumers at the heart of everything they do, HiPP Organic understood that mums -and dads!- were looking for their well-renowned tasty, nutritious products in a more convenient format.

They also established that whilst adults are aware of what constitutes their ‘five a day’, the same portion size does not apply to toddlers and babies. HiPP Organic has therefore cleverly placed up to two individual portions of puréed fruit in each pouch, helping parents provide baby with some of their five a day in a simple and convenient way.

To further educate parents readily seeking the importance of 'five a day', HiPP Organic has also developed a comprehensive resource on their website to indicate the recommended portion size for a widespread number of fruit and vegetables.

Made from the finest organic fruits, crammed with 100% natural goodness, the Fruit Pouches are available in four scrumptious flavours – ‘Apple, Strawberry & Banana’, ‘Banana, Pear & Mango,’ ‘Mango, Apple & Peach’ and ‘Peach, Apple, Blueberry & Raspberry’…guaranteed to incentivise little ones to consume wholesome fruit in a much more fun and enjoyable way!

Not only do they serve as the ideal snack between meals, they can also be enjoyed as a tasty dessert. And even better, each of HiPP Organic’s delicious recipes contain no added sugar, ensuring babies really are being fed the very best of organic.

Compact enough to squeeze into your baby changing bag or a handbag, HiPP Organic Fruit Pouches are perfect for busy mums and dads on-the-go. And the re-sealable lid enables the fruit to be retained for later use.

Fruit Pouches are the latest addition to an all encompassing range of popular HiPP Organic products including; a tasty array of organic Jars offering endless recipe combinations across all stages of babies development, resealable Wholesome Pots comprising exciting ingredients & textures, Refreshing Drinks made using the finest organic fruit juices and mineral water, wholesome & nutritious toddler Tray Meals created especially for growing appetites and the Little Nibbles Finger Foods range specially designed for healthy in-between meal snacking.

Priced at 99p, HiPP Organic Fruit Pouches are available in Sainsbury’s & Waitrose amongst other stores. To check availability of HiPP Organic products, you can visit their stockists page.

One Stop Shop for Information
Whether you’re looking to register to the baby club for free samples and information, seeking expert advice from pregnancy through to toddlerhood, in dire need of some innovative homemade recipes, or fancy your chances at a selection of competitions and quizzes, visit us at HiPP Organic where you'll be most welcome!


That's Business: New award aims to celebrate working mum champions

That's Business: New award aims to celebrate working mum champions: "Do you know of someone in your place of work or company who has made a big difference to working mums? Perhaps you have a colleague or an em..."

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Little Terra Helps Children Take Cover In The Sun With UV Resistant Clothing

Little Terra went to Australia to find a modern, workable solution to protect children in the UK from the sun – whatever they are doing.

The children’s retailer has researched the market and chosen to stock the Radicool 100+ UPF Skins range, from Australia.

It now offers a range of tops, shorts, hats and all-in-one suits that combine an exciting, colourful style with optimum protection from UV rays.

Little Terra’s managing director, and mother of two, Carolyn Budding has overseen the introduction of the range. She said: “When it comes to sun protection the Australians are really switched-on.

“We’ve looked carefully at the ranges on the market and really liked the fact their clothing offers a high UPF rating of 100+, which offers an exceptional level of protection and protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

“Whilst many parents apply suncream regularly to their children, they might think that their clothes offer similar protection.

“However, lightweight clothing generally offers a relatively low UPF.

“Aside from the best protection available, we’ve found Radicool's fabric is extremely dense and robust and with proper care easily copes with chlorinated water. The clothes are comfortable to wear and the fabric breathes and dries quickly.

“The quality means they will be able to be used over and over again as ‘pass me downs’ to other children, with the UV protection remaining intact.

“Children and parents who have carried out some trials at home and on holidays for us have been really pleased with the range. Children find them easy to pull on and off and enjoy running around in comfort with no restrictions.

“Parents enjoy the reassurance of the UV protection and other features such as the extremely lightweight fabric which needs no ironing, making it ideal for holiday packing or packing for a day out.”

Visit www.littleterra.co.uk to find out more.

Monday 13 June 2011

An Utterly Charm-ing Gift for Girls!

Searching for the ideal birthday present? Always looking to reward good behaviour? Fancy the latest back-to-school collectables? Or simply "just because" . . . CHARM IT! is the perfect present for all occasions.

Girls will go crazy for CHARM IT!, the enchantingly original, detachable, interchangeable, tradeable, collectable and fully customisable charm jewellery range.

This global success story has been charming girls, tweens and teens for a decade and counting! Super-fun fashion styling, incredible quality, ever-evolving design, and - above all - the highest product safety drive the brand.

There's a delightful range of loose charms to choose (from £3.99 RRP each), including "Teddy Bear", "Rock Star Guitar", "Groovy Flower", "Cupcake" and "Monkey Heart".

. . . or capture the magic in style with the CHARM IT! gift set (from £19.99 RRP), complete with three charms, a bracelet and velvet padded insert for extra protection . . .

. . . whatever your heart's desire, CHARM IT! offers "what a girl wants" again and again. There's a glitteringly great reason to come back for more - collect ten charms and get a FREE charm with the CHARM IT loyalty card!

CHARM IT! is available from all good independent gift shops and department stores. For further information visit www.alsuna.co.uk, email: info@alsuna.co.uk or Tel: 01757 249479.

Thursday 9 June 2011

Last Chance for Disney Tickets Offer

FloridaTix has a great offer on Disney tickets this month but you’ll have to hurry as it will be over rather quickly!

The Disney 14 Day Ultimate for the Price of 7 is a great ticket offer for people planning to visit Walt Disney World either this year or in 2012. However, this offer is only valid for bookings made up until 30th June 2011 for arrivals throughout 2011 and 2012 so you will need to book now!!

You will be able to come and go as you please throughout the 14 days, giving you the freedom to visit other attractions and get the most out of your stay. Gain unlimited access to Disney’s most popular areas such as Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park plus much more!

www.floridatix.co.uk/14for7-ultimate-ticket.aspx

Monday 6 June 2011

Happy Birthday from Peppa Pig!

Why not have your child celebrate their birthday party with Peppa Pig and friends?

You can with a new personalised version of the Peppa Pig Book - Peppa goes to 'Any name's' Birthday Party.

Peppa Pig is a hugely popular pre-school brand with many children adoring the loveable but slightly bossy little pig and this book is your child’s opportunity to star alongside their favourite Peppa characters in their own personalised Peppa Pig Birthday Party book.

On their birthday your child will enjoy sharing their special day with Peppa Pig and George, her adorable if somewhat mardy little brother, starring in the words and pictures of their own personalised birthday book. The three of them deliver party invitations with Mr. Zebra the postman (EDITOR: should that be post Zebra?) in his post van before being joined by Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog, Rebecca Rabbit, Pedro Pony, Emily Elephant and Candy Cat at the child’s very own party.

Personalised books are an ideal gift and a great way of getting your children involved and excited about reading as they hear and read their name and see themselves on the pages of the book in the Peppa Pig illustrations. Start your child’s Peppa Pig adventure at www.penwizard.co.uk.

Personalisation options include; first name, surname, hair colour and style, skin tone and eye colour. You can leave a personal message for the recipient and even have their age included in the birthday balloon on the front cover!

Books cost £14.99 and are available from www.penwizard.co.uk from 30th June.