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

Hunter Launch Their 2012 Autumn/Winter Kids Collection

Designed to keep children's feet dry, Hunter Boots' new kids collection is perfect for school trips, rainy mornings and weekends spent in the great outdoors this Autumn. The new Autumn/Winter collection features brand new styles designed to be fun and useful, such as Hunter's first glow-in-the-dark boot and a roll-up kids welly boot.

With the nights drawing in, Hunter are proud to announce the launch of their new Kids collection for Autumn/Winter 2012. Featuring an amazing selection of colours, designs, features and accessories, Hunter Boot have created a collection that will keep kids and their parents happy.

Chris Dewbury, Sales Director at Hunter explains: “The team at Hunter are particularly happy with our latest kids collection because it offers so much choice for all the family, from boots, to socks, to bags. We're especially pleased with our Original Kids' Glow Boot which glows green in the dark and is fitted with light reflective strips and a reflective logo, making it perfect for after dark activities, such as Halloween and Bonfire Night.”

As well as glowing green boots, Hunter's latest kids collection also offers a number of handy accessories that are great for kids and their parents, such as a mini version of the Classic Boot Bag, the Kids' Rucksack Boot Bag. The bag, which is available in two vibrant colours, fuschia and blue, is designed to be useful as well as stylish. Featuring adjustable shoulder straps, a reinforced back panel, a reflective logo and an extra internal pocket, it can be used for much more than just carrying muddy wellies this Autumn.

Because the nights are getting darker and colder, Hunter know that keeping little toes toasty this Autumn is very important. So the collection also features a number of variations on their classic welly socks. Kids can choose to accessorise their welly boots with anything from classic school shades such as navy, green and black, or go for bright stripes that will add a pop of fun to their welly boots. The Autumn/Winter 2012 collection features Hunters Kids’ First Welly Socks which are designed to fit the smallest of feet.

Because welly boots can take up a lot of space in bags and the car, Hunter boots have put their innovative stamp on a pair of boots that kids can take with them easily when they travel. The Original Kids' Tour has a light, flexible leg crafted onto a durable Hunter rubber sole so it can be quickly rolled away and packed into a suitcase without taking up lots of space or weight. With a comfortable cuff top and Hunter buckle to the side, the Tour maintains its good looks, as well as its functionality, making it perfect for camping, weekends away and festivals.

Dewbury continues: “Hunter's Autumn/Winter Kids collection is inspired by our adult collection of wellington boots giving little ones the chance to have as much fun as mum and dad do in their Hunter boots. We've also added lots of little fun features, such as reflective strips and the added bonus of extra colours and accessories to make sure that kids feet are warm, dry and fashionable this year. ”

Hunter Original Kids’ boot is available in sizes 8 – 14 and the Hunter Kids’ First boot is available in sizes 4 – 1.

BootsWebMD.com launches Baby Personality Quiz

BootsWebMD.com has launched a new, online Baby Personality Quiz which highlights several key traits to look out for when analysing a baby’s temperament.

With the help of the Baby Personality Quiz on the BootsWebMD.com Children and Parenting Health Centre, users can identify their baby's personality by answering a series of simple questions about their behaviour. The results of the quiz can then be analysed to identify their behaviour patterns. Essential information about the best approach in managing a child's behaviour habits can also be found, with a simple step-by-step guide to keeping in sync with the baby. It could even help users to work in tandem with their child's temperament and personality to make life easier for both parent and child.

Whether the child is feisty or easy-going, the answer to identifying its personality and behaviour patterns lies in a number of key areas. According to paediatrician Dr William Carey, author of 'Understanding Your Child's Temperament', these include:

Activity/energy level - if the child has high or low energy levels, parents need to look for ways to keep them moving at a pace that's comfortable for them
Approach to newness - a naturally hesitant or shy baby will need extra reassurance and patience to overcome their shyness
Intensity - if a baby is laid back, they can get lost in the shuffle of family life and vice versa. If the baby is intense they must be taught to deal with the curves of life
Sensitivity - if a baby has high sensitivity to lights, noise or texture, parents must be patient and look for ways to avoid sensory overload such as the lighting and the type of clothes the baby wears.
Regularity - if everything is unpredictable, potty, naps, moods, parents have to let go of their controlling ways and loosen up. Conversely, if a baby likes structure, parents might have to adhere to the schedule they crave
Persistence - puzzles are great tools to lengthen attention span, along with a daily dose of bedtime reading.
Overall mood - parents should take the time to observe their baby's daily patterns and what makes them smile for a happier baby.

Peggy The Pug - how to use crowd funding for a charitable cause

Peggy The Pug TM fundraising campaign is live now on Peggy The Pug on Indiegogo for 45 more days.

Peggy is an inspiring little dog, who transforms people’s lives with her happiness and positivity. For this reason, Peggy's owner Sara decided to create a book composed by 30 bedtime stories (some true, some more imaginative) that parents will be able to read to their kids, or that kids will be able to read by themselves. Peggy’s stories are not only captivating and unique, but they are also interactive as kids will be able to discover new words, draw their own stories and learn while they read.

But since the team behind this lovely project always wanted to build a brand that was socially minded, they decided to do so by using a brand new way to raise money - crowd funding. With the help of www.indiegogo.com/peggythepug, they built a campaign and they are now working hard to reach their goal. By helping them to raise money for this project, you will also contribute to help organisations working with kids.

In fact, thanks to your contribution, Peggy The Pug's team will be able to print the first 2,000 copies of the book and start distributing them to local libraries, pediatric hospitals, schools and organisations working with kids, completely FREE of charge!

With this money, they will also be able to run a small online advertising campaign to promote the sales of the book online on their website.
Also, they will create a version of the book for iPad, iPhone, Kindle and other tablets and/or phones.

If they beat the goal of 15,000 USD then they already have more ideas that will make your book an extremely interactive story thanks to some magic technology and they will also print even more copies!

With Peggy The Pug learning is fun and accessible to everybody!

The book is currently available in both English and Italian.

How can you also help?

- If you are a journalist, a blogger or you just have many online friends, then spread the voice about our project!
- Like them on Facebook www.facebook.com/peggydpug
- Share this on your Facebook wall: COPY AND PASTE (including this)! By helping Peggy The Pug project on Indiegogo, you will help them to raise money for a great cause! If they reach their goal they will print and GIVE AWAY 2000 copies of their children book to paediatric hospitals, schools, libraries and other organisation working with children! With as little as 25 USD you will get a hard copy of the book for yourself and you will help other kids! They ship worldwide! HELP NOW on www.indiegogo.com/peggythepug!
- Are you a distributor or you would like to retail Peggy’s book offline in your country? Please get in touch with Sara ASAP
- Other ideas? Please contact us!

Thank you!

Sara, Peggy and the team of Peggy The Pug TM.

Disney Princess-Style Locks for Little Princesses!

New Disney Princess Haircare Range:

- Beautifully designed Disney Princess Hair care products
- Caring features which are kinder to the hair
- Unique child proof plug cover to stop your little princess using the product without adult supervision

Millions of children all over the world are enchanted by Disney and its wonderful character-filled world. And if your little girl is a Disney Princess fan she will love you styling her hair with these new Disney Princess haircare products, lovingly created in character. These include a fabulous range of electrical hair styling products that perfectly fit the unique Disney Princess characters – including, Cinderella; Rapunzel; Jasmine; Ariel; Belle and Aurora. Great for birthday and Christmas gift ideas and any other gifting treats, Disney Princess haircare products offer a fantastic choice of products to delight all Disney Princess fans!

Unique Patented Child Proof Safety Plug

Disney Princess haircare products include features that have caring properties for younger hair, and every product comes with a free unique patented child proof plug cover, to stop your little princess from using the product without adult supervision. Simply fit the child proof plug cover onto the product’s plug when not in use. You can remove the cover when you are ready to style your little girl’s hair.

Disney Princess Rapunzel

Known for her highly curious nature and sense of adventure, Rapunzel is also famous for her amazingly long locks. These new haircare products featuring Rapunzel are designed to help create lots of beautiful styles in minutes. Choose from Straighten & Crimp (a combination Straightener and Crimper); a Multi-Styler (with lots of different styling attachments to create masses of princess hairstyles); and a fabulous Hairdryer Gift Set (which includes a Hairdryer, a Disney Princess carry case; hairbrush and hairclips).

Disney Princess Jasmine

An exotic, fiery beauty, Jasmine’s long, smooth and silky hair glistens in the night sky when she is flying high over Agrabah on a magic carpet ride with Aladdin. She styles her hair with a stunning royal jewel head band and neatly tied back with a ribbon. The Jasmine Micro Dryer lets you style your little girl’s hair in lots of different ways quickly and easily, leaving it soft and shiny just like Jasmine’s hair.

Disney Princess Ariel

Ariel has a feisty spirit, that matches her very distinctive long flowing red hair. The distinctive red colour makes her stand out amongst the other magical under the sea characters. The Ariel Ceramic Straighteners lets you straighten your little girl’s hair with care and control, leaving it soft and shiny so she too can feel like a princess.

Disney Princess Belle

Belle is known for her spirit and natural beauty and likes to experiment with different hairstyles for her long flowing brown locks. The Disney Princess Belle Dream Dryerlets you style your little girl’s hair in lots of different ways, the dryer’s Ionic feature,leaving hairwonderfully soft and shiny just like Belle’s.

DisneyPrincess Cinderella

Cinderella wasn’t born a princess, but she has all the natural graciousness and poise of one. Now a Disney Princess, Cinderella often needs to look the part and her Straighten & Curl will create beautifully sleek and smooth straight styles, tumbling curls or waves, quickly and easily. As well as looking fantastic, Straighten & Curl plates are specially coated with tourmaline and ceramic, which is more natural and gentle to hair. Ionic and infrared technology also makes hair softer and easier to style. There’s also comb attachments that slot over the plates for curling – all perfect for creating ‘belle of the ball’ looks.

Disney Princess Aurora

Aurora has an unassuming grace and cheerful, unaffected spirit. Sleeping Beauty Aurora yearns to meet that special someone and discover the wonder of true love. The fabulous Mini Crimper Gifting Set featuring Aurora is perfect for creating beautifully crimped eye-catching locks and includes an easy to use crimper (with variable heat settings) with Disney Princess Carry Case, Hairbrush and Hairclips for your little princess.

Disney Princess fans everywhere can enjoy having their hair styled with the very latest hair care styling products - designed with their favourite Disney Princess characters in mind –offering fabulous inspiration for gifts any time of year.

National Trust recruiting for Kid's Council

The National Trust has announced it is recruiting a group of advisors made up entirely of children to provide advice on how to get more of the nation's kids outdoors.

The idea follows the charity's recent Natural Childhood Report and 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ campaign, and shows the Trust stepping up its game in encouraging children to explore the outdoors and get closer to nature.

The National Trust is looking to sign up ten children aged between seven and twelve to the Kids' Council where they will play an important role in developing the charity's outdoor campaigns, and making their properties more fun for younger visitors.

The perfect candidate will be brimming with enthusiasm and fun, plus have a natural love for the outdoors and fresh air. Potential applicants are also required to have an adventurous spirit and a wild imagination. A fondness for rolling down hills or jumping in muddy puddles would be considered a bonus.

To offer children a chance to try out the National Trust and get inspiration on what they would like to change if they were appointed to the Kids' Council, the Trust will open up its doors to children for free for the whole month of August. Over 200 places will be free of charge to children**, giving them the opportunity to explore National Trust places across the country.

The successful council applicants will be announced later in the year and will be offered free access to National Trust places for themselves and their family. Canoeing, surfing and camping are among the activities that will be part of the winning prize to ensure kids and their families experience the full National Trust offering. The Kids' Council will meet throughout 2013 and report their findings into the National Trust's Visitor Experience Director, so their suggestions can be put into practise to help make the outdoors more fun for the nation's kids.

The application process will close on 7th September 2012. Applications can be downloaded from the website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kidscouncil and sent back via email, post or handed in at National Trust properties.

Tony Berry, Visitor Experience Director of the National Trust, commented: "We are really committed to helping kids enjoy the great outdoors and we want to make our places the most fun and family-friendly day out destinations in the UK. I'm really excited that our new Kids' Council will help us do just that. Our kids go free promotion for the entire month of August will not only give kids and their families the chance to get out and explore, but hopefully inspire them to apply for our Kids' Council and let us know what we can do better in the future."

Back to School with a Little Help

Little Helper's new FunStation Duo

‘Fun, Funky and Safe’ brand Little Helper has launched its new two-seater FunStation Duo toddler desk and chair set, just in time for the new school year.

Perfect for homework or a spot of creativity, Little Helper has taken the success of its FunStation Solo for one child and developed another for two children with the design-led yet practical FunStation Duo. Using all the styling cues of the multi award-winning FunPod®, this is not just a kid’s desk but a piece of stylish furniture.

Designed with budding artists in mind, the new fun and funky FunStation Duo comes with tabletop desk, two chairs and a penholder but with a contemporary designer twist. Two children can comfortably sit at the FunStation Duo with A4 paper, enabling them to interact, play and learn together.

The FunStation Duo meets all international safety standards, and is now available in three colour schemes ‘Natural’, ‘Natural and Red’ and ‘Walnut’ to complement today’s living spaces.

SRP £129.99. Available at www.amazon.co.uk and www.mothercare.com