The National Trust reveals kids' want and need more family time

The National Trust has revealed one in five 8-11 year olds want to spend more time with their parents and more than a third of parents said they want to spend more time with their kids.

While watching television and DVDs tops the YouGov poll as the most common way for parents and children to spend time together in the UK 26 per cent of children aged 8-11 years old and nearly half (49 per cent) of all parents surveyed said they would like to spend more time together just going for a walk. 

To help families get out on an autumn walk, users of the website Mumsnet have provided some top tips on making sure that parents have got everything ready for a fun day out such as climbing a huge hill, flying a kite or hunting for some treasure on a beach.

Over the half-term period there will be hundreds of family walking adventures at National Trust properties as part of the Great British Walk, which has been organised in partnership with PruHealth.

These walks are the perfect way for kids to tick off their '50 things to do before they’re 11 ¾' , including collecting and play conkers and picking and eating apples straight from the tree.

Simon Pryor, Natural Environment Director at the National Trust, said: "Despite the fact that TV seems to be dominating family life its really encouraging that children and parents want to spend more time together and that walking is seen as a great way of doing just that.

"Walking is a brilliant way for families to spend time together, get fit and discover the joy of the British countryside.

"And with so many great activities taking place at National Trust properties around the country this half-term there's no better time to get out and go on a walking adventure."

Mumsnet co-founder and CEO Justine Roberts added: "It's all too easy to end up spending all family time in front of screens, watching TV or playing video games. Spending time with the children outdoors can be just as cheap as well as fun and educational and offers a bit of balance in a world dominated by X-Factor and Fifa 12."

Dr William Bird, GP, said: "Children can benefit hugely from walking in the outdoors. High blood pressure, cholesterol and depression can be detected in children as young as 10, due to inactivity. Spending time with family, in the outdoors, can invigorate even the most TV or X-box-obsessed children."

Free family friendly trails can be downloaded from www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greatbritishwalk and families can share their favourite walks online for the chance to win a stay in a National Trust holiday cottage.

The Miffy Bath Care Range

Get your kids squeaky clean with the Miffy Hair and Body Wash, Miffy Mild Bath Bubbles and Miffy Baby Lotion (300ml; £2.99 each). The mild mixtures are made with organic camomile to sooth and calm babies (also paraban-free, allergen-free, artificial colour-free, SLS/SLES-free, pH balanced).

To help get scrubbing, the 100% cotton Miffy Wash Mitt (£2.99) comes in red, yellow, blue or green. The wipe-clean Miffy Blue Bib (£4.99) helps keep babies food-free and the Miffy Single Toothbrush (£1.99) is a soft bristle toothbrush delicate enough to use on children aged 0-3. The gorgeous Miffy Hooded Towel (£9.99) is 100% cotton, is super soft and perfect for wrapping your baby in to keep warm after bath time.

Perfect as presents the Miffy Bath Kit contains 70ml of the baby lotion, hair and body wash and bath bubbles as well as a gorgeous Miffy flannel (£9.99). The Miffy Bath Care Collection also makes a great present, including a 300ml bottle of hair and body wash as well as 100% cotton hooded bath towel (£9.99).

Dot Dash for glory! ‘Push Presents’ with a Personal Touch

The popularity of new mothers receiving a ‘Push Present’ to celebrate the arrival of a new baby has increased in recent years with several high profile celebrity mums being showered with extravagant gifts from their partners. Nick Fitch, owner and founder of award-winning contemporary British jeweller, Nicholas James, is himself the proud father of three young sons. The arrival last year of little Jude inspired Nick to create a very special celebration ring to surprise his wife, Rebecca.

Nick envisioned spelling out the name of the new addition to the Fitch brood in Morse code symbols using a mixture of white and brown diamonds set into a platinum band. The resulting ring was an overwhelming hit with Rebecca, who was absolutely thrilled with such an individual gift. Spurred on by this success, Nick now offers this unusual design concept to his customers.

Hand made to order, each item of jewellery offers fantastic scope for creating a truly unique piece. Additional elements of personalisation including the setting of different coloured gems to reflect the appropriate birthstones or using specific precious metals and finishes to complement existing jewellery.

Nick explains; “I’ve always been fascinated by codes and conveying secret messages. There’s an inherent beauty in the simplicity of ‘dots’ and ‘dashes’ created by American artist Samuel F. B. Morse in 1836. A Baby Celebration Ring makes a truly individual memento and is a great contemporary alternative to more traditionally styled eternity rings.”

As each Baby Celebration Ring is bespoke please visit the Nicholas James showroom in Hatton Garden to discuss your requirement

Baby Show Celebrates 10th Birthday at Earls Court, 26-28th October 2012

The Baby Show Earls Court is the flagship event in The Baby Show calendar and this year there’s even more to shout about because they are celebrating their 10th Birthday!

They will be joined by a who’s who of parenting experts including Professor Robert Winston (Child of our time), Annabel Karmel MBE (The Baby & Toddler Mealplanner), Claire Byam-Cook (celebrity breastfeeding expert) and Dr Julie Coultas (baby development expert). There is a host of exciting content for visitors including daily fashion shows, The Face of the Baby Show competition, giveaways and of course, lots and lots of opportunity to shop.

With over 300 brands present at the show it’s the ideal opportunity to test and buy in a tailor made environment that includes free changing facilities courtesy of nappy recycling experts Nappies2Go, a free Fisher-Price crèche (bookable in advance), Vtech Smart Play Zone packed with innovative toys to help development through play, a shopping drop off and collect by car service, so that you don’t have to lug your shopping around with you and for the first time you can take the stress out of shopping completely by booking a personal shopping experience with Baby Concierge.

With leading brands such as Britax, Fisher Price, Mamas & Papas, Mothercare, M&S, Stokke, Superdrug, The Gro Company & Trunki in attendance, The Baby Show really is a one stop shop for all of your parenting needs.

The Baby Show, Earls Court 26th – 28th October 2012. Advance tickets cost £13.50 each (Friday) and £14.50 each (Saturday & Sunday) or £20 on the door. To book advance tickets visit thebabyshow.co.uk