Win £4000 for your Community Project with Dairylea

Dairylea have launched a Campaign for Simple Fun which aims to help encourage parents to revive the memories and fun times from their own childhood for their kids today.


Over the next six months, the team at Dairylea will be providing ways to help parents bring to life the simplest of pleasures. Facebook.com/Dairylea will become a forum dedicated to play where parents can share memories, and child experts, such as Tim Gill, will host ‘chats’ on play. There will be weekly competitions with prizes that all the family can enjoy as well as tips and advice on easy ways to create simple fun.


What’s more, to help parents bring the simple pleasures to life for their children this summer, the team at Dairylea is launching The Dairylea Community Fund to offer parents the chance to win £4,000 to help fund a fun community project in their local area. Parents will be able to apply for the Dairylea Community Fund by posting their wishes for the money and will be judged by Childhood Play Expert Tim Gill, a guest mummy blogger and the Dairylea team.

DJ and mum of three Sara Cox is backing the campaign with Dairylea.
Speaking about the campaign, Sara says,


“As a busy mum of three, I know how hard it can be to find the time to get back to basics with play! After a long day, I know that it can be tough to think of games and ideas for the kids, and the telly can often win out in the battle for their attention. That’s why I am supporting the Dairylea Campaign for Simple Fun.”

Find out more about the campaign visit the Dairylea Facebook Page.

Out, About and Things to Do - Adventure Valley Durham

Place: Adventure Valley

Address: Adventure Valley
(Next to Union Hall Farm), Brasside,
Durham DH1 5SG

Entry Fee: £7.45 per adult or child

Opening Hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm every day in peak season

Suitable For: Families

Out, About and Things to Do -Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

Place: Beamish, The Living Museum of the North 

Address: Beamish Museum, Beamish, County Durham  DH9 0RG

Entry Fee: Adult: £16, Child (5-16): £10, Family: £46 (tickets are valid for 12 months)

Opening Hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm daily in summer (check website for winter opening times)

Suitable For: Families, couples, schools – everyone! Dogs are allowed, although they must stay outdoors.

Boots Advantage Card – Worth using?

Many stores / retailers have a loyalty card of some sort. One of my favourite is the Boots Advantage card.

Boots is a high street chemist which offers everything from medicine to toiletries, homeware and gifts and (in my opinion) has been one of the best companies for giving back. Here is my break down of the pros and cons of the Advantage Card.

Pros

Cons

·         4points per £1 spent instore or online ·         A variety of clubs you can join to increase your points such as the Parenting Club which offers 10points per £1 spent across many ranges ·         Points can be used to buy many things across the store as long as you have enough points to cover the purchase ie 400 points = £4 to spend ·         The advantage card is free, there is no annual fee (etc) ·         Local in store shopping events and the Boots Treat Street are great extra ways to gain points (more on this later) ·         You can manage your account online at Boots.com

·         You can earn points online but need to visit a store with an Advantage card kiosk to “collect” these points. ·         Points cannot be redeemed online. ·         You cannot use points as part payment.

You can get a card by signing up online or in store. If signing up in store you are given a temporary card so you can start earning straight away.

You can manage your account online and easily opt in and out of the many Boots “clubs” all of which offer extra points and offers. You can get more information on the ins and outs of the card and terms and conditions from the Advantage Card page on the website (here).

Boots Treat Street.

I’ve heard a lot about this recently so thought I’d see what the hype was about – and I haven’t been disappointed. You can now earn extra points when shopping with other retailers online. There is a wide choice of “stores” signed up to Boots Treat Street from Ebay to Asos! Again, points aren’t automatically added to your card – after 35 days you can redeem them by inserting your card into a Kiosk machine.  More on Boots Treat Street can be found here.

Does it make a difference?

To me, certainly! Yes, some of the items from Boots are more costly than you can get  in the supermarket but I find that there is more of a selection with Boots and their Basics range is on par with the supermarket. Special offers and selected multi-buys can actually make things cheaper.

My one bugbear is not being able to use redeem points online but I hope that in time this is something Boots will look into.

I tend to save my points up for Christmas shopping (which has taken a huge dint out of the Xmas shopping expenditure) and any left over for the Boots January sale. For us the Advantage card has been, without doubt one of the best and most useful loyalty cards and we really have seen a return.

Nicki Cawood, Busy Mum, Wife, Freelance Writer and Blogger found over at Curly&Candid

Nivea a Million Moments of Closeness

I’m a touchy feely person, I love to hug, cuddle and hold. I hug my friends, family and cushions when no one else is around!

BG also loves to hug and touch which is so lovely. Sometimes she climbs up on me grabs my face and gives me a kiss and then a huge hug and I just melt.

Touch is much more than something that brings us pleasure and comfort – it’s an essential building block of human life. Here are just a few of the ways it plays a role at different times in your family’s life:

 Baby Brain Development

When babies are born, their brains aren’t yet fully formed. Cognitive, brain and socio-emotional development are all dependent on consistent touch from their parents – without it, vital parts of the brain wouldn’t grow properly. Touch is so crucial; it’s the most highly developed sense at birth.

Childhood Stress Management

In the early years of life, children lack the ability to soothe themselves when stressed. Being rocked, stroked and cuddled by their parents is the key – it helps them feel safe and contained.

Bonding in a Relationship

Sex aside, regular physical contact is key to forging intimacy and trust. Several studies have found that women who are frequently touched by their partners in a non-sexual way – for example, hugging – produce higher levels of oxytocin, a feel good hormone associated with feelings of intimacy.

In Sickness

In old age, touch may help improve health and recovery from illness. According to research, elderly patients who are touched by nursing staff – even imperceptibly, with a light tap on the shoulder – are more likely to eat well. And a light touch on the hand can reduce heart rate and blood pressure in patients prior to surgery.

NIVEA is encouraging us to be closer than ever with their Million Moments of Closeness campaign.  They want to see pictures of you being close with family and friends and there are even prizes!

All you need to do is pop over to their Facebook Page facebook.com/niveauk and upload your picture of closeness, or look out for their road shows, throughout the UK, where you can jump into a photo booth and have your picture instantly uploaded.

You can also have your say on the closeness debate.

Are you a touchy, feely person? Do you feel closer when you hug?

Sponsored Post
Viral video by ebuzzing

Bookbug

I come from a big reading family, both sides are avid readers and I am really happy that BG seems to have caught the reading bug. 


For some families it doesn't come easily and some children end up going to school not even knowing how to open a book. That's why I love schemes like Bookbug.


Bookbug is a brilliant scheme, run by Scottish Book Trust, that delivers free packs of books to every baby, toddler, three year old and Primary one in Scotland. They also have some great tips for reading and learning. For more info visit: www.scottishbooktrust.com/bookbug


Some local libraries even run Bookbug sessions, you can find out if your's does here. 


Please check out the site and make sure you get the book packs for your children.


By Carol 

10 Plum Baby Breakfast Bundles to Be Won

Plum Baby has launched some new breakfast pouches. Banana, Apricot & Oaty Porridge, based on a traditional homemade porridge recipe, and Prune, Peach & Baby Rice, the first ever gluten and dairy free breakfast pouch. They are both naturally sweetened with fruit.

One of my lovely mums is currently reviewing them with her son.

While you are waiting for that I have 10 Plum ‘breakfast’ Bundles to giveaway!

Each bundle includes

2 x Banana, Apricot & Oaty Porridge

2 x Prune, Peach & Baby Rice

1 x Four grain super porridge

1 x Four grain super porridge with apple & apricot

T o enter fill in the form below and tell me what you child’s favourite breakfast is.

Closing Date is Sunday 7^th August

Good Luck

*One entry per household

*No cash alternative offered

*Open to residents of the UK only

Toy Review - Squashblox

Squashblox

Squashbloxs are large soft “Construction Panels” that attach together to build whatever you can imagine.  Children can build large structures, yet the set folds down into a neat stack for easy storage and transport.

Price:  £35

Available from:  Several online retailers and shops. See stockists list

Suitable from:  12 months

Initial Reaction: Very bright and soft.

Pros:

• Bright
• Well made
• Soft
• Easy to store
• Make quite a lot of different things
• Easy to use
• Can be used a cushions
• Wipe clean

Cons:

• Can come apart quite easily
• Could do with a few more in the pack
• Not quick to put together

Value for money? Average

Overall Reaction:  Me and BG had great fun making things from the Squashblox’s.  I found they took a little while to put together and if you didn’t get the Velcro lined up perfectly they fell apart.  That didn’t stop BG having a good time.

Perfect rainy day activity. 

How to Make an eco-friendly Bee House by Lyndsey Young

Today's guest post is a fantastic video tutorial by Lyndsey Young, the Queen of Easy Green. Lyndey is a Mum, an Entrepreneur, Eco-Inventor, Innovator of 'eco-easy' kitchenware products, Green living expert, Columnist and Speaker. 


Last month she showed us how to make Eco-Friendly Seedling Pots  , this month its Eco-friendly bee house. 

Want more buzzy-bee buddies to pollinate your garden this year and help the bee population at the same time? Well here is a nifty idea you can have a go at. Make your own bee-house.

This is super simple and super savvy craft, uses wood off cuts and bamboo. It’s a great craft to make yourself or with your children plus it’s a much cheaper version than those on the high street.

Here’s how you can make a bee-house for your garden.

Out, About and Things to Do - Drayton Manor

Drayton Manor is situated in Tamworth, Staffordshire and consists of a general theme park, Thomas Land for the younger children and a Zoo.  We took a family trip there last year and loved it, there was something for everyone, you can read our review here.

Since we visited they have opened a new Ben 10 Ride, I sent my sister along to test it out as she happens to live in Tamworth and is this is what she thought:

Ben 10 Ultimate Mission.
 
The new Ben 10 ride at Drayton manor is a great ride……..for kids. 
 

After being on the ride (being 21 myself) I found that even that what I thought it lacked in speed and variety a child or young adult that its meant for may not. But with that, the build up to the ride was extremely good.
 

As you enter the Ben 10 ride you enter into a dark tunnel almost with lots of green lights until you reach a roundabout of touch screen generators and life size models of aliens on the walls surrounding, I notice that a lot of the children were enjoying playing with the screens and looking at the aliens. Passing this and continuing on the tunnel you will notice yourself passing the where you entered through the same dark tunnel and green lights up to the a open area which is a great picture opportunity as the models of aliens are on the ground for you to have a look and have pictures etc. More green lights direct you to a staircase which brings you to the start of the ride.
 

The ride starts of great, as you don’t expect instead of going forward you find yourself going backwards and stopping at a almost 80c angle in the air looking at the ground and surroundings, I found this very daunting but I was quickly relieved as the ride ploughed forward at a steady speed and after a few loops and twists you are again pulled up to a halt this time you are handing backwards, and again I found this very daunting but once more as the ride returned to its path and you enjoy the ride backward back to the start if the ride.
 

I thought the ride was slightly repetitive, slow and very short not just compared to other rides that Drayton Manor have to offer. With such a great entrance to ride I found myself slightly disappointed but as the ride is intended for children I think that its most suitable for them and think they would really enjoy it.

Drayton Manor have just launched their entertainment for the summer holidays Daredevil Divers!!

Their shows will feature up to 70 different dives, including an assortment of Olympic and synchronised team dives, crazy clown comic dives, as well as an extreme fire dive where the brave stuntman sets himself alight, with flames burning at 800 degrees Celsius, before diving in the pool to cool off.

The dive shows, which are sponsored by 102.2 Capital FM, will take place near to the park’s G-Force rollercoaster and there will be three shows per day at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm.

If that wasn't enough the new Drayton Manor Hotel opens in August so you can play and stay!

You can find full details about Drayton Manor on their website. 

Pond Dipping - A Lovely Way to Spend a Summer's Afternoon!

It was a hot, sweltering day. The sun blazed outside and the kids were running in ever decreasing circles around the living room, occasionally pausing to shout at or prod each other.  I knew, it was a case of go outside and boil, or stay inside and go crazy.  A tough decision to make and I eventually settled on the go outside and boil option.  I amassed a rucksack full of spare clothes, sun cream, drinks, sun-hats, snacks and whilst in the process, came up with the idea of going pond dipping.  This is basically fishing for mini-beasts, there are many more of them than you'd expect in the shallows of ponds and rivers, and they come in all shapes and sizes

Toy Review - Tildo Noah’s Ark from John Crane

Tildo Noah’s Ark

Mr and Mrs Noah with six pairs of animals and one pair of doves Animals and figures can be stored inside ark. The top half of the ark attaches to the base with magnets Gentle rocking motion

Price:  £26.99

Available from:  Several online retailers and shops. See stockists list

Suitable from:  3+

Initial Reaction: Looks lovely. BG was really excited to play with it.

Pros:

• Bright
• Well made
• Easy to use
• Mr and Mrs Noah, the Doves and the top half of the boat have magnets to keep the on top the boat.
• Good amount of animals
• Keeps BG entertained for ages
• Ready to play with straight out of the box

Cons:

• Would be nice for all the animals to have magnets on them.

Value for money? Yes, it’s a well made wooden toy that will last for years.

Overall Reaction:  This is a real big hit in our house. It came ready to play and play is what BG did for hours! She loves walking the animals in and out of the boat through the little door in the side but she also just plays with the animals.

You can take the top off for quick storage of the animals, which BG also likes doing. She makes sure they are in their pairs instead of throwing them. I thinks the only toy we have where we still have all the pieces. 

The only suggestion I have is that all the animals have magnets so they can stand up on the deck BG gets really frustrated when they fall down.

Overall a great toy.

By Carol

John Crane sponsored me to attend Cybermummy this does not effect my views on the toy. 

Exclusive 10% Discount at Grannies Inc

Grannies, Inc. is an online knitwear company specialising in custom made, merino wool knitwear knitted by real grannies around the UK.  

To celebrate the launch of their new kidswear range of truly individual beanies, scarves, snoods and blankets for newborns to teens they are offering New Mummy Tips’ readers an exclusive 10% off any of their products with the use promo code ‘NEWMUMMYTIPS’ at the checkout

5 Copies of Coronation Street; The Mystery of the Missing Hotpot to be Won

I have a little exclusive for you, on the 22^nd July Coronation Street; The Mystery of the Missing Hotpot is being released by Avanquest Software Publishing.

In a bid to protect her famous hotpot recipe from rival pub The Weatherfield Arms, Betty decides to tear it up and destroy it for good!  Just as she’s about to throw the recipe away, a gust of wind takes hold and all the pieces are blown across the street.  Players need to help Betty and friends track down the missing pieces before they fall into the wrong hands. 

The PC game will be available from Aventquest and costs £10.20

I have 5 copies to giveaway all you have to do is fill in the form below and tell me who your favourite Coronation Street Characters past or present is.

Closing Date Sunday 7^th August

I will choose the winners at random

Good Luck

*One Entry Per Household

*No Cash Alternative offered

*Open to residents of the UK Only 

Children's Book Review - The Coffee Table Book for Children - Volume 2

The Coffee Table Book for Children - Volume 2

With this book we're trying to encourage children to have fun being imaginative and thoughtful and silly and slightly surreal. We've hand picked some fantastic high quality photographs from Sarah's huge library and we've added some facts, some conversation starters and some straight forward "what do you imagine?" questions. We love the idea of children being empowered by learning through effortless enjoyment.

Price:  £22

Available from: 2littleboys.co.uk

Initial Reaction:  looks gorgeous. Lovely large hard back book.

Pros:

• Amazing Photos
• Engages Children
• Great questions

Cons:

• A little expensive

Value for money?  It expensive

Overall Reaction:  I think this a great book for children, it’s packed full of pictures and questions. It’s a great book for sitting down with your children going through. It also looks great on your coffee table. BG enjoyed the pictures and would ask questions but at 2 ½ hasn’t got the real benefit from it yet and is still heavy handed so it will go up for now until she’s a little older.

Ideal book for a raining day. 

By Carol

Review - Dettol No-Touch Hand Wash System

Dettol No-Touch Hand Wash System

Price:  Starter sets from £9.98  Refills  £3.15

Available from: Most supermarkets

Initial Reaction:  looks good but will it last.

Pros:

• Easy to set up
• Easy to use
• Only dispenses a small amount
• Helps to stop the spread of germs
• Last quite a while
• The hand wash itself is really nice
• No drips

Cons:

• Sensor quite sensitive
• Expensive

Value for money?  It expensive

Overall Reaction:  The Dettol No-Touch System is really easy to use and the hand wash lasts long than normal bottle as it dispenses the right amount of soap.

BG was really scared of it to start with but has come around and now wants to wash her hands all the time! It has been great as we have just finished potty training and it helps to encourage her to wash her hands after using the toilet. It is really sensitive so you need to move your hands away straight away.

I do find it quite an expensive; ideally I would like to have one in the Kitchen as well as the bathroom.

The starter kit comes with a dispenser, one hand soap refill, and four AA batteries

Great idea. 

By Carol

Children's Book Review - I Am a Parrot by Simon Mayor and Hilary James

I Am a Parrot

Children will delight in following the story of a parrot who just loves to say things twice! Humorous text and illustrations are complemented by the entertaining accompanying song that children will love to sing along with!

Price:  £4.49

Available from:  Top That Publishing

Suitable from:  3+

Initial Reaction:  Great it comes with a CD!

Pros:

• It’s very funny
• Comes with a CD so you can sing along
• Illustrations are good
• Kept BG entertained

 Cons:

• The song can get a little annoying

Value for money?  Yes

Overall Reaction:  BG insisted the CD be played over and over again which a little annoying but at least it engaged her. She really liked this book. It is very funny and entertaining. 

By Carol