Yummy Mummy Magazine June/July 2016

Yummy Mummy @mummymagazine

magazine yummymummymagazine.co.uk

JUNE/JULY issue 10

BABY APPS FOR MUMS MUM’S THE WORD AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL ARMANI JUNIOR AT HARRODS LEGO ANNOUNCES NEW LONDON STORE FAMILIES AT THE SAVOY ANY TOTS FOR TENNIS?

mini summer 2016 collection

The luxury parenting publication for discerning mothers living in London

Welcome to Yummy Mummy Club, Issue 10 New data from online baby name database Nameberry has revealed the Sophia Webster debuted her first collection for Spring/Summer 2013 and has since continued to grow. Her collections combine feminine designs with a sophisticated and modern approach. Sophia Webster has achieved many prestigious awards including the British Fashion Award for Emerging Accessories Designer and Vogue Fashion Fund. Sophia has now designed fun and cheeky collections for children.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, London is honouring new mothers with an exclusive package to kick-start their post-baby fitness programme.

Celebrity personal trainer, Ruben Tabares, shares his secret training regime in Mum’s the Word, a fitness package that will help tone any body in just 4-6 weeks.

The House of Dior will open its doors on 3 June 2016 at 160-162 New Bond Street, marking a significant milestone for Dior in the United Kingdom. Extending over four floors, the store will reflect the diversity of the Christian Dior universe by bringing a wide variety of creations together in a single location.

The four-level boutique, the largest in the United Kingdom, will showcase Baby Dior and children’s wear, women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, alongside jewellery, timepieces. On the lower level, a Dior Homme space will provide a demi-mesure service for the first time in the country.

Harrods is delighted to announce the launch of Snapper Rock swimwear in store in the recently re-developed Children’s swimwear department on Fourth Floor.

Alex Lux Editor

PUBLISHED BY THE FISH MEDIA GROUP LTD The Ridings, Woodfield Lane, Essendon, Herts, AL9 6JJ.

0844 800 8439

www.thelifemagazines.com Editor Alex Lux •••••

•••••

Editor Assistant Katie Miller

senior business account Manager Vanessa Lane

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Design/ Production Emma Andrews

account managers Nicola Drew Lisa Westerman ••••• Directors Rory Smith Patrick Smith

YUMMY MUMMY

Perfectly personalised T

for tiny people

inyme design and create unique personalised products to delight their customers. From personalised bags, name labels, wooden name puzzles and jigsaws with educational super powers to personalised books where your child is the star, Tinyme make the best and most unique gifts for children. Whether you’re shopping for name labels and personalised bags, a cute gift or educational fun, they’ve got it all covered. With 100’s of designs and colour combos you will be spoilt for choice, guaranteed!

Bags

Listen up, because we’re about to let the cat out of the bag about Tinyme’s spiffy personalised bags and backpacks. Whether you’re after a sweet and simple library bag or a school backpack with all the bells and whistles, Tinyme’s range of cute personalised

gear will mean that no one will bag your kiddos’ sense of style. Not only stand out from the crowd, making them easy to find in that after-school rush, but they can be matched to your kids’ style too.

Dull colours and fiddly fasteners have no place in the land of Tinyme: we’re all about trafficstopping hues and kid-friendly design. Think secret compartments, comfy straps and materials so durable that they’ll stand up against even the most rough-and-tumble youngsters.

Not only do our kids bags feature the cutest designs you’ll come across, but they’re durable, lightweight, and brimming with pockets, pouches, and secret compartments too. So, no matter what your kids are looking to tote about, our range of kids’ bags and totes will ensure that your kids truly have style, as they say, in the bag.

Labels

Books, bags, lunchboxes: you name it! Name labels are not only great for keeping track of your child’s belongings, but they’re also a great way of ensuring that your kids come home with the right gear. With our huge collection of premium name labels, you’ll be able to label just about anything in sight - with style.

With Tinyme name labels you won’t have to worry about your labels peeling or fading.

Our name labels are designed to be very durable, and they’ll hold up against whatever punishment your kids subject them to. Our adhesive labels stick fast, and our iron-on clothing labels stay exactly where they’re meant to.

Our vinyl labels are waterproof and scratch-resistant, and they’re also microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe and even freezer-safe. What’s not to love?!

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Name block puzzles

We’ve developed a contemporary, high quality version of the timeless wooden name puzzle which is fully customisable, looks fantastic and has hidden educational super powers. Tinyme wooden name block puzzles are: Unique: You choose the font, colour, pattern and design options to create a truly unique puzzle. We make your wooden puzzle to order providing you with a classic and truly personalised gift which can be treasured for years to come.

Educational: Name Blocks puzzles have 2 slide-in cards. The first card allows your little one to create their name by matching letter and colour.

Once they’ve mastered this step, simply slide out the card to reveal the black and white text version.

No colour prompt means that matching needs to be based only on letter. A child recognising their own name is an exciting first step in opening them up to a whole new world... A world of letters and words! And who doesn’t like working on their fine motor skills, honing their colour and shape matching abilities, and of course packing everything up afterwards?

Practical & great quality: Our Name Blocks puzzles come with a snug felt storage pouch to make packing up easy. They are crafted from premium quality plywood, sealed with a clear protective coating and printed with non-toxic inks. The slide-in cards are made from durable plastic sheet with nice, kid-safe round corners. The puzzles have been independently tested and comply with the toy safety standards for Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Recommended for children over 18 months of age. www.tinyme.co.uk

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Labour signs - the early symptoms

14

Travelling in pregnancy

20

Baby apps for mums

22

Hush a bye baby

24

Keep calm and relax yourself

28

Mums the word at Mandarin Oriental

30

Baby and toddler activity classes

34

Armani Junior at Harrods

38

Sophia Webster new collection

40

Baby Dior store opening

48

Harrods Snapper Rock swimwear

56

Safety in the sun

58

New Lego flagship store

60

Film favourites at Hard Rock CafĂŠ

64

Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique atHarrods

68

Families at the Savoy

70

Any tots for tennis?

78

Archikids festival

82

Discovery days at royal parks

86

Let the drama begin

90

The power of pocket money

94

CONTENTS

YUMMY MUMMY

Childless BUT NOT BY CHOICE Having a baby for many is a fundamental part of life, yet one in every seven couples in the UK struggle to conceive.

IVF is not the only treatment for infertility, there are many treatments depending on the cause, and the cause should be established first. You need to ask the right questions and to understand that if you have got a condition that would prevent IVF working, for example, you have to get that treated first. Make sure you have the most accurate information and that you see experienced and specialised doctors who will listen to your concerns, and advise you on the most effective treatments available, to give you the best possible chance of conceiving.

F

ailure to conceive is caused by a female problem in just over a third of cases.

The most common cause of female infertility is failure to ovulate (around 30%), damage to the fallopian tubes causes around 25% of female infertility cases, while endometriosis is found in about 20% of infertile women. In another third of infertility cases, the problem is that the man is sub-fertile and may have a low sperm count. In addition, a substantial number of couples have what is referred to as ‘unexplained infertility’ - although more detailed testing sometimes reveals a possible cause.

Many couples have two, or occasionally more, infertility causes. Make sure you are properly tested to identify the cause of your infertility and the best treatment.

Only after investigations - ranging from testing women for ovulation, other hormone levels and chromosomal abnormalities, plus using imaging techniques and assessing the number and quality of the man’s sperm, hormones and chromosomes should treatment options be considered.

IVF is appropriate when fallopian tubes are so badly damaged that tubal surgery has failed or can’t be done, if a women isn’t ovulating and ovulationstimulating drugs have repeatedly failed, or if a man has an abnormal or low sperm count, but the sperm are still potentially capable of fertilising

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an egg. It may also be useful in some cases of endometriosis and unexplained infertility, where there are problems with the cervix, where couples have multiple fertility problems, and when there’s a high risk of couples having genetically abnormal babies so preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is needed.

YUMMY MUMMY

LABOUR SIGNS: The Early

Symptoms Expecting a dramatic Call The Midwife-style birth?

Relax… Your due date’s getting closer, but how will you know the labour signs to look out for? Even the most subtle changes can indicate your baby’s on the way.

HEARTBURN RELIEF

As your bump grows, your baby will push your stomach upwards. This forces acid in your stomach into your windpipe, causing heartburn. Luckily, in the weeks running up to your due date, you may notice symptoms get slightly better. This is because your baby has dropped, which means he’s moved down into your pelvis ready for birth. You may also find that you can breathe more easily because your baby isn’t pushing against your lungs and decreasing their capacity.

YOU HAVE BACKACHE

An ache in your lower back can mean your baby is rotating into the right position for labour. This can take a few days and may be painful, It could also be the start of your contractions – some women experience them more in their back than their stomach. Get through the discomfort by taking the recommended dose of paracetamol, then put your feet up, ask your partner for a back rub and have warm a bath.

YOU HAVE A ‘SHOW’

A mucus plug covers your cervix in pregnancy and this may come loose up to a few days before labour starts. A brown, pink or red-tinged stringy or jelly-like discharge, it can come out either in one lump or more gradually over a few days. Speak to a midwife just to make sure you’re not bleeding. If it’s bright red or the discharge starts to look heavy, head to hospital. If your midwife is happy, just eat, sleep and relax before things really get going.

YOUR NIPPLES LEAK

It’s not just during breastfeeding that nipples can leak – it’s all throughout your final trimester. That said, you’ll probably notice it most in the last few weeks before your baby arrives. The milk you’re leaking is colostrum, a nutrient-rich liquid that will nourish your baby until your proper milk comes in a couple of days after the birth. If you’re getting wet patches on your clothes, buy some disposable breast pads that you can pop inside your bra.

DIARRHOEA

The hormones that help your uterus contract can also sometimes cause diarrhoea in the hours before birth. If this happens, increase the amount of water 1 4 june / july 2 0 1 6

you’re drinking and hold off on milk or sugary drinks, which can make diarrhoea worse. Try eating bland food such as rice to keep your energy levels up.

SWOLLEN DOWN BELOW

Pregnancy has a tendency to leave you feeling swollen in different areas of your body, and that includes your labia at the entrance to your vagina.

It can be disconcerting, but it’s very normal. It’s caused by the increase in blood volume in your body. When your baby moves down into your pelvis, generally after week 37, it also puts more pressure around your vagina, making it feel swollen. Ease any discomfort by placing an ice pack in a clean tea towel and resting it on the area.

a sign your baby will soon be arriving. Your pelvis widens in preparation for birth, which can affect the way you walk. If your walk has changed and you’re also experiencing discomfort, it could be a sign of pelvic girdle pain (PGP). Talk to your GP who may refer you to a physiotherapist. They can teach you exercises or provide a special belt to help support your pelvis.

YOUR WATERS BREAK

With a growing baby bump that presses on your bladder, you’ll find you need to pee more regularly during pregnancy. But this could increase even further in the final week before birth, as your baby positions himself in your pelvis. Carry on drinking water as you don’t want to become dehydrated, but avoid coffee, soft drinks and citrus fruits as these tend to irritate the bladder.

Otherwise known as the moment the sac of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby ruptures. This can happen as an all-in-one gush, or a slow trickle that lasts a few days. Your waters can break any time during labour or birth, or they may be broken by a midwife to help kick-start labour. Your waters can break any time during labour or birth. If your waters do break, call the maternity unit. Once your waters break, you’re at risk of infection, so the midwives may want you to go in. They will also ask you about the fluid: it should be a straw-like colour and have a sweet odour. If your waters are green, your baby may have emptied her bowels, a sign of distress, and you’ll need to go to hospital to be checked over.

SUDDEN BURST OF ENERGY

CONTRACTIONS

FREQUENT TOILET STOPS

If getting up off the sofa is about as much activity as you can manage for most of your last trimester, the sudden spurt of energy you get in the days before labour starts (and the urge to clean out your kitchen cupboards) is often a not-unpleasant surprise. Make the most of it! Sort out the house, organise your baby’s clothes and set up a few change stations ready for her arrival home.

WALKING DIFFERENTLY

If your gait has started to resemble a cross between a cowboy and a duck, (attractive!) it could well be

Firstly, are you sure these aren’t Braxton Hicks?

‘These short, painless, tightening sensations mean your uterus is gearing up for labour. Real contractions tend to start weak, perhaps feeling like period pain, then grow in frequency and intensity.

Don’t rush to hospital, but do let the unit know what’s happening. Instead, take the recommended dose of paracetamol and try to chill out. Established labour is usually when you have three, one-minute contractions in the space of 10 minutes. When the contractions become so intense, you struggle to talk, you’ll know it’s definitely time to head to hospital.

YUMMY MUMMY

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YUMMY MUMMY

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YUMMY MUMMY

Can I travel abroad

if I am pregnant?

W

ith the proper precautions, and armed with information on when to travel, vaccination and travel insurance, most women can travel safely well into their pregnancy.

Find out what healthcare facilities are at your destination in case you require urgent medical attention. It’s a good idea to take your medical records with you so you can give doctors the relevant information if necessary.

Make sure your travel insurance covers you for any eventuality, such as pregnancy-related medical care during labour, premature birth and the cost of changing the date of your return trip if you go into labour.

When to travel in pregnancy

Some women prefer not to travel in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy because of nausea and feeling very tired during early stages. The risk of miscarriage is also higher in the first three months, whether you’re travelling or not.

Travelling in the final months of pregnancy

Flying is not harmful to you or your baby, but discuss any health issues or pregnancy complications with your midwife or doctor before you fly

can be tiring and uncomfortable. So, many women find the best time to travel is in mid-pregnancy, between four and six months. Travel during pregnancy is a concern for many women, but if your pregnancy has no complications then there’s no reason why you can’t travel safely, as long as you take precautions.

Flying in pregnancy

If this is your first baby, now’s your chance to enjoy the luxury of uninterrupted time alone with your partner or with friends.

For the next few years, you’ll have to take a car seat, pushchair, nappies and toys with you wherever you go!

Flying is not harmful to you or your baby, but discuss any health issues or pregnancy complications with your midwife or doctor before you fly. The likelihood of going into labour is naturally higher after 37 weeks (around 34 weeks if you’re carrying twins), and some airlines

will not let you fly towards the end of your pregnancy. Check with the airline for their policy on this. After week 28 of pregnancy, the airline may ask for a letter from your doctor or midwife confirming your due date, and that you aren’t at risk of complications.

Long-distance travel (longer than 5 hours) carries a small risk of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). If you fly, drink plenty of water and move about every 30 minutes or so. You can buy a pair of support stockings which will reduce leg swelling.

Travel vaccinations when you’re pregnant Vaccines are not recommended because

of concerns that the virus or bacteria in the jab could harm the baby in the womb. You are generally advised to avoid travelling to countries where immunisation is required.

However, if you must travel to areas requiring inoculation, you should get your jabs. The risk of catching an infectious disease far outweighs the risk from vaccination. Some anti-malaria tablets aren’t safe to take in pregnancy so consult your GP for advice.

If you’re travelling to Europe, make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which entitles you to free treatment while abroad.

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YUMMY MUMMY

Baby Apps for

Mums • Adjustable Night Light • Discreet Vibration alert • Nice Personalisation • Secure and Reliable usage • Fully localised to 13 languages

CALPOL APP

Lots of handy features to help you look after your little one. Everything is personalised to your little one’s age and sex, from products suggested, to upcoming immunisations. And the App will even read out advice on symptoms and treatment tips when you’re too tired to read.

What’s in the App? • Dosage diary – helps you track the medicine you’re giving your child • Temperature tracker – helps you monitor your little one’s fever

M

ums are busy people, no ifs, ands or buts about it. They work, shuttle kids, clean up, manage finances and sometimes, if they’re lucky, try to find a little time for themselves. That’s why more and more mums are turning to smartphone, iPhone and iPad apps to help organise schedules, simplify lives and even provide a bit of entertainment, for both themselves and their children. Here are just some of the apps that will make your life that little bit easier…….

• Easy to use, easy to set up - less than 30 sec.

• Live HD video anywhere - you will not miss any detail • Unlimited reach - over WiFi, LTE, 3G • Enhanced Baby Activity Log • Hear every noise - see every motion • Talk to your baby with your voice

BABY MONITOR 3G

A universal video and audio baby monitor for your phone, tablet, or computer. Hear every noise, stream live video, and soothe your child remotely.

Works with an unlimited reach (WIFI, 3G, LTE) and trusted by many mums and dads.

Everything is personalised to your little one’s age and sex, from products suggested, to upcoming immunisations 2 2 june / july 2 0 1 6

BABY RATTLE TOY APP

Features ambient sounds of the environment that will help you relax during the day and sleep great at night

• Soothers – play calming lullabies from your phone • Symptom checker – a handy guide to symptoms and treatment tips • Find my nearest pharmacy or hospital – see where they are on your phone’s map • Immunisation calendar – see what’s needed, set reminders, and call your doctor for an appointment • Products – discover our whole range of products and how they can help

NHS DIRECT

An ideal app for children from 0 to 2.5 years of age! Created by parents for parents, Baby Rattle Toy is an interactive app that supports your baby’s development through touch, sound and sight.

Features: • Entertains your child - vibrant colours, cheerful melodies and an engaging cast of characters are all designed to keep baby amused for a long time!

• Develops fine motor skills - teaches your child how to perform precise tasks at an early age, improving their dexterity.

• Makes learning fun - repetition is an important part of motor learning, helping your child reinforce new motor skills through practice. This app holds babies’ attention and keeps them learning!

• Recommended for kids with special needs - Baby Rattle Toy makes it easier for a child to learn from their movements through vivid graphics and sound.

MY FITNESS PAL

The perfect app for when your child wakes in the night feeling poorly, the NHS Direct app allows worried parents to enter symptoms and find advice on how to treat minor illnesses. Linked directly to the NHS helpline, users can enter their details and have a health professional contact them if further treatment is advised

Lose any baby weight with MyFitnessPal, the fastest and easiestto-use calorie counter for iOS. With the largest food database by far (over 5,000,000 foods) and amazingly fast and easy food and exercise entry, we’ll help you take those extra pounds off! And it’s FREE!

WHITE NOISE APP

Find out why the world is sleeping better with White Noise Free. Features ambient sounds of the environment that will help you relax during the day and sleep great at night. Do you have trouble going to sleep? Are you traveling on a plane and need a quick power nap? Does your newborn baby wake up in the middle of the night?

There are numerous benefits to using White Noise: • Helps you sleep by blocking distractions • Relaxes and reduces stress • Pacifies fussy and crying babies • Increases focus while enhancing privacy • Soothes headaches and migraines • Masks tinnitus (ringing of the ears) Even when you’re asleep, your brain is constantly scanning and listening for sounds. If it’s too quiet, unwanted noises such as faucet drips or police sirens can interrupt your sleep. White Noise generates sounds over a wide range of frequencies, masking those noise interruptions, so you can not only fall asleep, but stay asleep.

FIRST YEAR

If looking after your new baby’s wellbeing and keeping your sanity in check feel mutually exclusive, you need FirstYear app, which is the easiest way to track your baby’s daily activities as they develop.

With no need for typing and no fussing with alarms, all events can be logged with just two simple taps on your iPhone or iPad. All apps should be this uncomplicated. june / july 2 0 1 6 2 3

YUMMY MUMMY

Hush a Bye Baby

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e’ve all been there - desperately trying to settle the children in bed when sleep is the last thing they want to do. From bribery to cajoling, parents try everything, and if you’re worried about your get-them-to-sleep tactics, we’ve got some reassuring admissions from other parents to share.

Bribery at bedtime is pretty common among parents…

A new survey has revealed the top excuses that children use for not wanting to go to bed – and how parents change their minds.

The study of 1,500 parents, conducted by bedtime toys company Dream Lites, also showed what time children aged between 3-6 years old go to bed and how many times they wake in the night. The average child goes to sleep at 7.22pm and wakes at 6.46am, after waking three times in the night.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, 24% of parents are unable to remember the last time they had a good night’s sleep.

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Top excuses children give for not wanting to go back to bed….

1. Claim not to be tired 2. Want one more story told to them 3. Claim to be hungry or thirsty 4. Want to stay up to watch their favourite TV show 5. Scared of the dark 6. Wants to play on iPad/tablet or games console Top techniques used by parents to get their children to sleep 1. Allow them to sleep in parent’s bed 2. Allow them to stay up and watch TV until they fall asleep 3. Allow them to play with an iPad/games console in bed until they fall asleep 4. Promise to buy them a present 5. Tell them they won’t get any Birthday presents if they don’t go to bed 6. Tell them a white lie

These methods may sound shocking, but sleep expert Mandy Gurney says it’s pretty normal for parents to resort to measures like these. However, she warns of the long-term effect on the child…..

“Though such techniques appear to work in the short term, they may have the opposite effect in the long term,” says Mandy.

“Children who rely on props at bedtime are more vulnerable to waking later in the night – as the child comes into light sleep phases, which we all do throughout the night.

And then they are likely to seek such props to help them get back to sleep again. A good sleep routine is all a parent needs” Mandy explains.

“Just setting aside 30 minutes at the end of the day with a simple, quiet, relaxing bath, a calm story and kiss goodnight is well worth the effort.”

Chances are it will help soothe and relax you, too.

Double win.

YUMMY MUMMY

Parents Urged To Watch St John Ambulance’s

Nursery Rhymes Video To Learn Life-Saving Baby CPR

The characters of Nursery Rhymes Inc. explain the steps to saving a baby who’s unconscious and not breathing:

P

arents are being urged to watch a video that will teach them how to perform baby CPR. St John Ambulance created the animated video after discovering only one in four parents know what to do if their babies stop breathing.

The video is part of their Nursery Rhymes Inc. campaign that features Incy Wincy Spider, Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, and the Cat and the Fiddle learning CPR. Sue Killen, CEO at St John Ambulance, said: “We know that a major barrier to parents learning is that baby CPR frightens them, so we’ve removed the fear factor and made it reassuring and as easy as possible to learn. We hope the song will stick in

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everyone’s heads. We’re asking everyone to share the video so that all parents, grandparents and carers can learn what to do in those crucial minutes after a baby has stopped breathing.”

St John Ambulance’s survey of 2,000 parents, conducted by OnePoll, found an “unconscious child” is the most frightening scenario for 74% of parents. Most parents who know first aid (62%) learned it through a workplace first aid course, yet the charity said baby CPR is different to adult CPR. Only 26% of parents had learned first aid specifically for babies.

The charity hopes the easy step-by-step video tutorial will teach baby CPR in a short, clear and reassuring way to help parents remember what to do in an emergency.

1. Call 999/112 for an ambulance.

If you’re on your own, you need to give one minute’s worth of CPR before you can call for help, taking your baby with you.

2. 5 puffs. Put your lips around their mouth and nose, and blow steadily for up to one second. Give five puffs in total.

3. 30 pumps. Using two fingers placed in the centre of the chest, give 30 pumps at a rate of 100-120 per minute 4. Repeat, but with 2 puffs followed by 30 pumps until help arrives.

The video features the voices of comedians Adam Buxton and Tim Key.

To watch the video and find more information of baby first aid courses for parents, visit www.sja.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

Keep Calm and… relax yourself

I

t’s normal to be a bit stressed about the changes in your life and to your body. But if you’re stressed and anxious day in, day out, speak to your midwife or doctor.

Continuous, high levels of anxiety may affect your baby. That’s because the stress hormone cortisol can cross the placenta and influence the building blocks of your baby’s emotional developmentOf course, many complex factors will shape your baby’s eventual ability to learn and relate to the world. But it makes sense, for your sake and your baby’s, to tackle stress now.

Here are some positive steps you can take…

Rest and focus on your baby

Take time out to focus on your bump. Chat and sing to your unborn baby. From about 23 weeks, he can hear you! Listen to your body, if you’re feeling tired, go to bed early. Your body is working hard to nourish your growing baby and you need plenty of rest.

Talk about it

If you have worries about your baby’s wellbeing, you can turn to your midwife for reassurance. Don’t be frightened to admit how you are truly feeling.

Talk to your partner too. You may discover that you share similar worries. Seek out other mums-to-be, perhaps at an antenatal class or an exercise class. It’s likely that at least some of them will be having the same feelings as you.

Eat well

Eating well is good for your mind as well as your body. A healthy diet of omega-3 essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, can lift your mood, and help to reduce depressionTry to have two portions of oily fish a week. Keep an eye on how much water you’re drinking, as dehydration may affect your mood, and make you more prone to headaches. Aim for six to eight glasses of fluid a day.

Take exercise

Exercise can improve your moodt’s perfectly safe during pregnancy. Make it gentle exercise, though.

Swimming is ideal, as it keeps you toned, without being too hard on your joints. Find out if there’s an aqua-natal class at your local pool. Pregnancy yoga not only tones and stretches your body, but teaches you to breathe correctly and relax.

Coping with commuting

Commuting can be a major source of stress, and it gets worse the more heavily pregnant you are. Try and avoid rush hours. Some train operators offer first-class seats to pregnant season-ticket holders, if standard-class carriages are full. In London, pregnant women who use the underground are entitled to priority seats and can wear a baby-onboard badge to let other passengers know they need a seat. Don’t feel embarrassed. Most people are more than willing to give up their seats, they just need reminding!

Try complementary therapies

Massage is a fantastic way to de-stress. Show your partner how to do a lower back and relaxation massage. If you are using essential oils, check they’re safe for use in pregnancy. Meditation can help to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisolSit in a quiet place and close your eyes. Breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose, keeping your shoulders relaxed. Focus on your breath or an image, such as a candle, and start repeating either a word or phrase you find calming, over and over. Try to fit in 20 minutes of meditation, once a day, five days a week, ideally in the morning.

Treat yourself

Laughter is one of the body’s best ways of relaxing.

So meet up with friends and family and relax doing something you enjoy. Pregnancy is also the perfect time to treat yourself to all those beauty treatments you never normally splash out on.

Be nice to yourself. You deserve it.

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Bax

& Bay

Luxury Products for Parents and Children

carrying everything, while looking great and working subtly with each individuals own look. The close contact bags can be accessed while being worn and are brilliant for baby wearing. They can be tied

These every day luxury bags can be used for carrying everything, while looking great and working subtly with each individuals own look.

B

ax & Bay are the Creators of the Cub Bag, the first super stylish 3 in one changing bag, which also functions as a feeding pillow and carry support. These multi-functional bags are designed to last way beyond the new baby stage. Established in 2015, these bags have been produced in Scotland and designed by a mother who could not see herself carrying around any of the changing bags that were on the market.

These every day luxury bags can be used for

onto the body without affecting how babies are carried in slings/wraps. These bags are also great for using when breast or bottle-feeding. When they are used as a feeding pillow they discourage the mother from hunching over and putting extra pressure on the neck, shoulders and arms.

The fabrics used for the bags have been carefully researched taking into consideration babies with sensitive skin. All products are baby friendly, washable and durable. The bags are designed to meet the needs of mums and dads, not just a changing bag, but a multifunctional bag that can be used as a work bag or sports bag, they are even great for travelling – especially with kids in tow! www.baxandbay.com

YUMMY MUMMY

‘Mum’s the word’

New Mum’s Fitness Package at Mandarin Oriental, London Hyde Park Mum’s the word

T

he Spa at Mandarin Oriental, London is honouring new mothers with an exclusive package to kick-start their post-baby fitness programme. Celebrity personal

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trainer, Ruben Tabares, shares his secret training regime in Mum’s the Word, a fitness package that will help tone any body in just 4-6 weeks.

With extensive expertise in nutrition and fitness,

Priced £500 for 4 hours 50 minutes, and includes: • 1 hour 30 minute private assessment and training with Ruben who customises each session to the needs of the mother, using biochemical analysis.

• Training program designed to strengthen the body, with nutritional guidance for both mother and child.

• 1 hour 20 minute Body Lift and Sculpt treatment to contour and improve appearance of cellulite with immediate visible results.

• 50 minute Detox Massage developed by the Spa team that focuses on areas of concern using natural essential oils of Juniper, Siberian Pine, Mandarin and Amyris to effectively stimulate circulation, energise and tone the body.

• Choice of two 50 minute body wraps: Nourish and Firm Body Wrap intensely hydrates and firms the body using the powerful antioxidant benefits of cranberry; or the Detoxify Body Wrap combines unique Siberian Ginseng, Birch and Green Tea to flush stagnant toxins from the body. Both finished with the Firming Cream by Russie Blanche.

Blending sumptuous guestrooms with a world-leading spa and a stylish bar it is the definitive destination for a luxury escape. and a father himself, Ruben understands fully how important good health is to a new mother.

Combining body strengthening with diet guidance produces fast track results promises Ruben. “With dedication to the right fitness and nutrition, I can promise visible results in 4 to 6 weeks,” he says.

ABOUT MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK, LONDON

With bustling Knightsbridge on its doorstep and

leafy Hyde Park at its rear, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is London’s most prestigious address. Blending sumptuous guestrooms with a world-leading spa and a stylish bar, it is the definitive destination for a luxury escape. And with two award-winning restaurants including Bar Boulud, London and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, the first London restaurant for one of the UK’s most renowned chefs, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park stands at the culinary centre of the capital.

THE DETAILS

For further information, contact the fitness team directly on 020 7838 9888 or email molon-wellbeing@mohg.com ••••• For further information please visit www.mandarinoriental.com/london/luxury-spa june / july 2 0 1 6 3 1

YUMMY MUMMY

Fitness Advice

from Jemma Wayne Fitness and Motherhood sometimes seem at total odds, and at other times are inextricably linked. It is not possible, for example, to run around all day after a toddler without some level of fitness. It’s not possible to walk any distance with a different child on each hip without pretty good upper body strength. Nor to crawl inside a den without some agility

Sometimes this means jogging with the buggy as I take my daughter to nursery, then adding on a quick 15minute run on the way home.

Sometimes it means settling for some stretches in front of the TV.

Since becoming a mother, I spend a lot more time bending, moving, carrying than I ever did sitting at a desk. Proper, high intensity fitness however, is a different matter.

Before children, I used to run a lot. I loved it.

And I took it fairly seriously. But in the early newborn days it wasn’t just the exhaustion that made exercising tough, the anxiety about leaving my baby even for a twenty-minute run, or the military procedure required to arrange this, it was all of those things, and more!

Recently, I’ve been exercising with my eldest daughter. We’ve shared a tennis lesson, cycled, gone climbing. I love sharing this with her, and giving her an example of fitness. But I also still love to run on my own, usually once the kids are in bed, for the great big inhalation of breath.

But fitness is so key to who I am, as well as to my sanity and well-being, that I try now to find ways to work it into my routine of life.

Jemma Wayne’s second novel Chains of Sand is out now. (Legend Press, £9.99) www.jemmawayne.com 3 2 june / july 2 0 1 6

A WORLD OF VARIETY

f

or aisha is a new UK-based baby food company and has launched its new range of baby food pouches, specially formulated for babies from 7 months onwards.

Made with the finest certified British halal meat and crammed with natural goodness, the pouches are available in six scrumptious flavours from around the world – Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Couscous and Apricots, Shepherd’s Pie with Lamb and Aromatic Spices, Authentic Indian Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry, Mild Curried Chicken Dhal made with Lentils, Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Mango and a Vegetarian Tomato and Chunky Chickpea Curry.

The wide range of herbs, spices and ingredients enhances the taste, texture and goodness of the food. This delicious combination of new foods from different cultures will help little ones to develop healthy eating habits and expand their taste buds.

Research has shown that 69% of parents want to

For Babies expand their babies’ tastes palates (Mintel research) and buy meals for their little ones they could not easily cook for themselves - so these dishes, full of variety and exotic ingredients, are the perfect solution.

“The wide range of herbs, spices and ingredients will enhance the taste, texture and goodness of the food. This delicious combination of new foods from different cultures are guaranteed to incentivise little ones to develop healthy eating habits and expand their taste buds,” says Sajida Manzoor, Registered dietitian Bsc, Msc Advanced Nutrition.

The brand new pouches contain only natural ingredients; with no preservatives, artificial flavours or colours. They have been tested for quality and nutrition by a registered dietitian and contain no added sugar and salt and are dairy, soya and nut free.

Most are also gluten-free. for aisha baby food in a pouch is a convenient, delicious and trusted new way to broaden babies taste palates for both muslim and

non-muslim families. Priced at £1.45, for aisha baby food pouches are now in Tesco, ASDA, Morrison’s, Boots and Wholefoods amongst others.

To check availability and learn more, visit www.foraisha.com

YUMMY MUMMY

BABY SENSORY

TODDLER RUGBY

Believe it or not, toddler rugby IS a thing and it’s far gentler than the adult version of the sport. Children as young as two years can attend to build us their balance, agility and co-ordination skills – and have lots of fun doing it.

We recommend: www.rugbytots.co.uk

Ideal for boosting your baby’s development and stimulating his senses, baby sensory classes use varying sensory experiences (e.g. visual, auditory and tactile) to help your tot learn to build on all the skills he needs to grow.

We recommend: www.babysensory.com

BABY SWIMMING

The phrase ‘water baby’ wasn’t pulled out of thin air – a lot of little ‘uns love splashing around and find swimming a really calming activity. Plus, it’s never too soon to introduce your baby to water.

We recommend: www.swimway.co.uk

Baby and Toddler

Activity Classes

Signing up for a baby or toddler class is not only a great way to get you and your tot out of the house regularly, it also gives you both a chance to get all social. Not to mention, your little one can learn a new skill or burn off some excess energy – and hopefully sleep better.

TODDLER FOOTBALL

You don’t have to be at school to play football in a team children as young as 18 months can sign up for this class!

We recommend: www.littlekickers.co.uk

BABY YOGA

Baby yoga is bursting with benefits and is fast becoming a seriously trendy mum/baby activity – so it shouldn’t be too hard to find a class near you.

Using a range of gentle stretches and movements to calm and relax your baby, it aids sleep, boosts digestion and is a great way for you both to bond.

We recommend: www.tattybumpkin.com

TODDLER GYMNASTICS

TODDLER ART CLASSES

Crafting isn’t just fun for little ones – it’s a brilliant way to really encourage them to tap into their creativity. And enrolling your toddler in a class can help him learn to make choices, share, listen, observe and pretend – as well as play and interact with other children.

We recommend: www.thecreationstation.co.uk

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Designed to develop motor skills in areas of agility, balance, climbing and coordination, pre-school gymnastic classes let children explore freely and control their movements more precisely. Plus anything including soft play is bound to be fun for little ones!

We recommend: www.tumbletots.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

presents

T

he Royal Parks Foundation have partnered with Hartbeeps to deliver an immersive, interactive and unique approach to baby development.

Babies are taken on a themed journey in a warm, sensory inspired room, guided by experienced friendly Hartbeeps staff. Set to music and nursery rhymes, props and accessories will help children of any age develop their confidence and allow an even stronger bond between baby and adult to form.

The 6 week long courses are held on Tuesday mornings at the Royal Parks Foundation Education Centre in Hyde Park and cater for new-borns (11am) up to toddlers (10am).

Baby Bells:

Suitable for new-borns to babies almost sitting Baby Bells is a lovely, gentle class, which focuses on bonding and confidence. Using elements of baby yoga, baby massage and calming techniques, they guide little ones through a magical, imaginary ‘Baby Land’.

Your little one will meet friendly puppet characters, be introduced to age-appropriate props and discover sparkly parachutes - all designed to delight those freshly acquired senses and help babies to uncurl and release trapped energy.

Every class is a fun-filled adventure through imaginary ‘Baby Land’ with wacky characters, lighting effects, cool props and parachutes that you won’t see anywhere else.

Baby Beeps:

Older class suitable for babies who are sitting confidently to almost confidently walking A bouncy, interactive baby development class that focuses on early language acquisition. Every class is a fun-filled adventure through imaginary ‘Baby Land’ with wacky characters, lighting effects, cool props and parachutes that you won’t see anywhere else.

The class is set to a funky soundtrack of original baby songs, remixed nursery rhymes and lullabies. From the everyday to the truly spectacular, everything they do in Baby Beeps is magical.

Visit the website to find out more! www.supporttheroyalparks.org/events/ hartbeeps 3 6 june / july 2 0 1 6

YUMMY MUMMY

at

Spring/Summer Collection 2016 Deep Blue

Deep Blue includes garments designed for special occasions and casual outfits. Alongside the great classics, the formal section is given a new look with little eagles in flight ever-present on shirts, T-shirts and polos. The colour palette is traditional and includes navy blue, sky blue, white, pearl grey and royal blue. The urban casual wardrobe features a modern adaptation of graphics. Like in the T-shirt where the eagle motif creates geometrical compositions broken up by contrasting logos and where the navy blue and white are illuminated by lemon yellow.

California mood

A theme inspired by the Californian world: surfers, palm trees and hibiscus flowers create a sporty, summer and modern image. The graphics are central and feature geometrical photographic compositions and all-over floral patterns. The colours are strong impact: lemon yellow, marine green, coral red and khaki. The slub yarn sweatshirts are treated with a tie-dye technique to create that perfect surfing style. Shorts, trousers with floral pockets and coloured costumes are perfect for the beach.

Street Pop

The dynamic and modern Street Pop theme is inspired by street style and the world’s great cities.

The graphics directly and immediately convey the mood of the collection: highly coloured and fun, based on graffiti art. The new denims have fleece inserts, the shorts have all-over patterns and the sweatshirts give that touch of street-class volume.

The look is completed by the accessories: packable backpacks, sneakers and baseball caps. The colours are also urban: mélange grey and charcoal grey are enlivened by intense colours such as lemon yellow, green, ruby red and royal blue.

THE DETAILS

ARMANI JUNIOR at Harrods 4th Floor, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL ••••• www.armani.com/Armani-Junior www.harrods.com 3 8 june / july 2 0 1 6

A theme inspired by the Californian world: surfers, palm trees and hibiscus flowers create a sporty, summer and modern image.

june / july 2 0 1 6 3 9

YUMMY MUMMY

S

ophia Webster debuted her first collection for Spring/Summer 2013 and has since continued to grow. Her collections combine feminine designs with a sophisticated and modern approach. Sophia Webster has achieved many prestigious awards including the British Fashion Award for Emerging Accessories Designer and Vogue Fashion Fund. Sophia has now designed fun and cheeky collections for children.

The award-winning shoe designer launched her kids collection after the birth of her daughter Bibi Blossom. Inspired by the grown-up collections, the super-sweet ‘mini me’ styles come in bright pastel shades. Following the success of Sophia’s debut mini collection, she has updated the range for Spring/ Summer 2016 for the most fashionable juniors.

“It seemed like a natural progression to design a collection of children’s shoes” she says. “When I

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was looking for shoes for Bibi, I couldn’t find any that were really fun, I wanted to bring my colourful aesthetic to the kids’ market.”

A mini shoe for little fashionistas who want to look and copy mummy’s style.​ STOCKISTS Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road London SW1X 7XL ••••• Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street London W1A 1AB ••••• Childsplay Clothing, 11-13 Clements Road Ilford, Essex IG1 1BH ••••• www.childsplayclothing.co.uk

THIS IMAGE: Left: Chiara Baby Silver Mirror, £95 Right: Chiara Mint, £425 BELOW, LEFT: Left: Chiara Mini Silver Mirror, £135 Right: Chiara Mini Pink Glitter, £135

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YUMMY MUMMY

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THI S IMAGE: Holding: Bibi Baby Butterfly White,£75 Wearing: Bibi Baby Butterfly Silver, £75 LEFT: Left: Riko Mini Pastel, £130 Right: Riko Pastel, £495

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YUMMY MUMMY

THIS IMAGE: Riley Tropical, £85 RIGHT: Left: Juana Flamingo, £75 Right: Juana Oceana, £75 4 4 june / july 2 0 1 6

june / july 2 0 1 6 4 5

YUMMY MUMMY

Left: Flutterby Nautical, £120 Right: Flutterby Silver, £120 4 6 june / july 2 0 1 6

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YUMMY MUMMY

DIOR ANNOUNCES

The Opening of

THE HOUSE OF DIOR & BABY DIOR BOUTIQUE IN NEW BOND STREET A new Dior boutique is set to arrive on one of Mayfair’s most famous streets.

T

he House of Dior will open its doors on 3 June 2016 at 160-162 New Bond Street, marking a significant milestone for Dior in the United Kingdom. Extending over four floors, the store will reflect the diversity of the Christian Dior universe by bringing a wide variety of creations together in a single location.

The four-level boutique, the largest in the United Kingdom, will showcase Baby Dior and children’s wear, women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, alongside jewellery, timepieces. On the lower level, a Dior Homme space will provide a demi-mesure service for the first time in the country.

Monsieur Dior’s taste for art will be expressed through the presence of important artworks, including one titled Distant Cousin by the sculptor Tony Cragg, positioned at the foot of the lightdrenched stairwell, and a metal sculpture by Rado Kirov installed in the dedicated shoe salon.

The House of Dior will also offer three private

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salons for VIP clients, as well as a own architect Peter Marino. Conceived to perfume area in which exclusive continually evolve, the Dior HOME creations and the Collection collection will regularly introduce Bond Street Limited Privée Christian Dior will be new collaborations.

Editions - Red pleated presented.

To mark the occasion, Dior organza Baby Dior dress £3,300 The new House of Dior will also unveil a limited-edition boutique in London will also Baby Dior dress, plus a selection of unveil an exclusive Dior HOME iconic Lady Dior bags, and small leather collection. Among the wide variety accessories reinterpreted by the artist of objects on offer, designed for Marc Quinn, who has looked to his all desires and personalities, can be own artworks in order to create found a selection of teas inspired models with floral prints blooming by the House’s iconic fragrances, with violet, white or black orchids, a collection of crystal glassware and silvered leather decorated with embellished with a gold couture flower petals worked in relief. stitch, and limited-edition Christian Dior was founded by creations specially produced the eponymous designer Christian by friends of the House, artists Dior in Paris in 1946.. and designers, including Lucie de la Falaise, 160-162 New Bond Street, London W1S 2UE, India Mahdavi, Hubert le Gall and the boutique’s www.dior.com

Feet

Happy

shoes easy, in a multitude of colours, patterns and textures. Tabs create extra room for high insteps and accommodate for orthotic inserts, giving children maximum control over the look and feel of their shoes, encouraging expression and creativity for kids with a practical purpose parents love.

“It’s all about putting kids first” says Ringholz, “and bringing out the kid in all of us.” www.goplae.co.uk

With the help of orthopaedic specialist Dr Mark Weiss, PLAE was created with a multitude of creative and practical features

P

LAE shoes are a kids shoe innovation.

Created by Ryan Ringholz, ex creative from puma, diesel and new balance.

PLAE were designed to perform to the same high standard as professional athletes shoes.

Following the natural contour of small feet, PLAE’s specially engineered sole is ultra-flexible and light

weight for comfort. Allowing feet to grow healthily and naturally.

With the help of orthopaedic specialist Dr Mark Weiss, PLAE was created with a multitude of creative and practical features, making them suitable for children with or without special orthopaedic needs. PLAE Shoes’ wide toe boxes, removable insoles and flexible construction make them easy to fit a number of orthotic inserts and braces.

PLAE shoes are manufactured in a solar powered, fair labour factory using recycled milk jugs, water based glues as well as offering vegan options within the core range.

PLAE feature the ability to interchange Velcro straps called tabs. Tabs make customising PLAE

YUMMY MUMMY

everything we make,

Makes a happy home

I

n 2004, Jamie Reeve who is a father of three, and a frequent customer of GLTC, took over as CEO of Great Little Trading Company, ‘I didn’t feel the market provided for parents who wanted good quality, classic, stylish products’, says Jamie. ‘There was a glut of plastic and not enough time or money spent on good design. Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean your house has to become a style-free zone.’ Since then Jamie has transformed GLTC into an award-winning British business which designs and makes a unique collection of high-quality products that young families really need.

‘We are parents. We get it’, says Jamie. ‘We understand you’ve spent all day with your children, the house may be a mess, there are toys all over the floor and porridge up the wall. We understand that once the children are in bed, you want to sit down and relax with a glass of wine, in the beautiful home that you created BEFORE the children came along. This is where we come in.’

Today, their range focuses on three key areas; goodlooking, essential wooden toys, which encourage learning through play and make childhood more fun; smart storage that helps organise, stack and store children’s toys, clothes and books; and well-designed children’s bedroom furniture and accessories to create the perfect spaces for children to

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grow, play, learn and sleep. Their products look good in every room and are made to outlast children’s early years to be useful and beautiful long after they’ve flown the nest.

Until April this year, Great Little Trading Co. was always solely an online and catalogue retailer. However following multiple award wins and the growth of their storage and furniture collection, SAVE GLTC opened their use code first flagship store in YUMMYMUMMY at Wandsworth, London. the checkout or They’ve brought their online entire collection to the high street, with a 6,000 square foot retail space dedicated to children’s furniture, family home interiors and toys.

‘We’re so excited to welcome visitors to our new home’ says Jamie Reeve, CEO and proud parent of GLTC. ‘We’re incredibly proud of our reputation, and our awardwinning products, and our first ever UK store will showcase the quality of our huge range in an

20%

inspirational way.’

Friendly and knowledgeable sales experts will be on-hand to offer personal shopping and interior design advice, making the showroom a unique shopping experience for parents looking for innovative design, quality, attention to detail, longevity and the highest safety standards.

‘No-one else on the High Street is dedicating as much space, care or attention to children’s home furnishings and interiors as GLTC’ says Jamie. ‘Children and families are at the heart of everything we design and we are wholeheartedly committed to our promise that everything we make, makes a happy home.’

THE DETAILS The Showroom is open every from 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, 6pm on Saturdays, 11am-5pm on Sundays.You’ll find them at 12 Buckhold Road, Wandsworth, London, SW18 4GP. •••••

READER OFFER

Plus throughout June, GLTC are offering Yummy Mummy Magazine readers 20% off everything with code YUMMYMUMMY, all you need to do is present this offer at the checkout or online in your basket. Offer ends 30th June 2016.

Available on full priced items only. See full terms and conditions www.gltc.co.uk/terms

YUMMY MUMMY

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YUMMY MUMMY

Get set for London’s first family-friendly aqua obstacle event! a maze and live music from a bandstand marooned in a sea of foam; Slip-Slide Stream features the slipperiest toboggan-style water slides; there will be swinging inflatables, water spouts, a slippery pole and monkey bars to navigate in Wild Wild Waters; at Splash ‘n’ Shoot participants will

S

PLASH FEST is set to transform Battersea Park into London’s first family-friendly aqua obstacle course!

Featuring five zones of waterthemed challenges and games – as well as a lively event village – SPLASH FEST will see families conquering slides, foam, water spouts and more!

Organised by lifesaving charity, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), SPLASH FEST is ideal for families with children aged around 7 – 12 and promises to be one of this summer’s unmissable events.

Each zone at SPLASH FEST is specially created to keep families entertained throughout the day.

Bubbly Brook sees giant bubbles, zorbs,

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SUNDAY 7 AUGUST 2016

dodge water fountains before taking aim at RNLI targets on the lake, and finally at Crazy Canyon there will be lily pad challenge pools to cross, and a giant inflatable water slide.

The event village – the Splash Out Zone – will be another highlight, with live music, entertainment, food and drink, and of course a drying-off area, as well as plenty of ways to find out more

about the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

On arrival at the event, each family will be given a SPLASH FEST welcome pack – a waterproof drawstring bag containing a map, obstacle cards and t-shirts. After completing the course, participants will receive a SPLASH FEST medal.

Participants are advised to bring towels, a change of clothes, suncream and a hat.

The Splash Fest ticket price covers most of the activities and entertainment, but tokens (available for purchase on the day) will be required to enjoy some of the attractions in the Splash Out Zone.

THE DETAILS Tickets for SPLASH FEST are on sale at www.splashfest.co.uk and the earlier you book, the cheaper the price.

••••• Standard ticket price is £22 for adults and £10 for children aged 3-18. On the day tickets will cost £25 for adults and £12.50 for children aged 3-18. Under 3s go free. To ensure a steady flow through the SPLASH FEST obstacles, start times will be staggered and can be chosen when purchasing tickets.

••••• All profits will help fund the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

YUMMY MUMMY

Launches

Snapper Rock Children’s Swimwear

H

arrods is delighted to announce the launch of Snapper Rock swimwear in store in the recently re-developed Children’s swimwear department on Fourth Floor.

The collection offers a range of styles and prints for all children, infant to size 14. Loved by celebrities including Gwen Stefani, Orlando Bloom, and Alyson Hannigan, the collection of swimwear offers not only the best sun protective swimwear on the market, but also refreshingly stylish prints and patterns.

From the Hot Pink Pineapple 3 Piece Sports Set for the active girl, the Aqua Vintage Sunsuit for exploring baby and the Nautical Stripe Boardie for the cool boy, Snapper Rock makes a day at the beach or afternoon at the pool super fun and fashionable.

Snapper Rock have created two sun suit styles exclusively for Harrods, including the super sweet nautical inspired whale print all-in-one and the stunning fuchsia feather-effect sun suit. “Our vision was to make UV50+ swimwear the go to purchase and now with Snapper

with Snapper Rock’s bold and vibrant collection, you combine soft materials, trendy patterns, protection and safety Rock’s bold and vibrant collection, you combine soft materials, trendy patterns and most importantly protection and safety. We make playing at the beach far simpler for parents and kids alike.” says Liz Eglinton, founder of Snapper Rock.

Launched in 2003, Liz Eglinton created Snapper Rock, a line of UV50+ swimwear, to provide children with fun, fresh and functional gear while navigating the water. Originally designed in New Zealand where sunrays can be extremely harsh, Snapper Rock leads the industry in UV protective swimwear for kids. Snapper Rock offers children and parents an extensive line of items ranging from baby sun suits to kid’s rash tops and beach accessories to create your own look. With its lightweight and breathable fabric technology and latest designs and colors, Snapper Rock ensures that children worldwide will be free to enjoy the beach without getting sunburned and compromising on style.

Harrods 87-135 Brompton Road Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL. www.harrods.com 5 6 june / july 2 0 1 6

YUMMY MUMMY

Safe in

The Sun Exposing your child to too much sun may increase their risk of skin cancer later in life. Sunburn can also cause considerable pain and discomfort in the short term.

Tips to protect your child from sunburn

• Encourage your child to play in the shade – for example, under trees – especially between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.

• Keep babies under the age of six months out of direct sunlight, especially around midday.

• Cover exposed parts of your child’s skin with sunscreen, even on cloudy or overcast days. Use one that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above and is effective against UVA and UVB. Don’t forget to apply it to their shoulders, nose, ears, cheeks and the tops of their feet. Reapply often throughout the day.

• Be especially careful to protect your child’s shoulders and the back of their neck when they’re playing, as these are the most common areas for sunburn.

• Cover your child up in loose, baggy cotton clothes, such as an oversized T-shirt with sleeves.

• Get your child to wear a floppy hat with a wide brim that shades their face and neck.w • Protect your child’s eyes with sunglasses that meet the British Standard (BSEN 1836:2005) and carry the “CE” mark (check the label or ask the manufacturer).

• If your child is swimming, use a waterproof sunblock of factor 15 or above. Reapply after towelling.

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Be especially careful to protect your child’s shoulders and the back of their neck when they’re playing, as these are the most common areas for sunburn

holidays are coming…

S

wimFin is the Number One innovative swimming aid the the only aid endorsed by the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association- the swimming governing body). We thought you might like to know a few more details about SwimFin as you prepare for a Summer of splash-tastic fun. Let’s dive right in!

1. SwimFin was developed by a swimming instructor, Kevin Moseley, with over 25 years of experience. The SwimFin has been subjected to extensive testing to ensure that it conforms to international safety standards.

2. SwimFin works on all 4 swimming strokesfront crawl, breast stroke, butterfly AND

get your

backstroke! The SwimFin helps to develop a better swimming position in the water and allows arms and legs to be free which significantly speeds up the learning process.

3. SwimFin is ready to go immediately! You never have to inflate or deflate it. SwimFin is self-adjusting and is easy to put on and take off. Kids can’t resist trying one on as well.

4. SwimFin makes learning to swim fun, but even after it has done its job as a learning aid, it will always find use as a water toy, strengthening ability and building confidence. The lower you are in the water, the more support the SwimFin provides as would be the case with a beginner. The higher you are in the water, the less support it gives as would be the case with an improving swimmer.

5. SwimFin does

on

not ‘tip’ the swimmer. Its innovative design provides as much buoyancy as the swimmer needs yet does not restrict the ability to move in the water and helps maintain a good position at all times.

6. SwimFin is designed for use from 18 months and up and makes learning to swim fun for any age, size and ability.

7. SwimFin is unique in every way. Getting kids down to the pool or into the water suddenly becomes a pleasure and not a chore. Kids want to strap on their fin and jump in with their friends and family.

8. SwimFin can also be used by adults learning to swim (larger straps are available) and individuals with special needs.

9. SwimFin is a brilliant swim aid but we always recommend that you NEVER leave your child unsupervised in the water. Always have a competent supervisor to watch your children at all times.

10. SwimFin is perfect as a unique gift or for taking on holiday as the fin is highly visible in a busy pool or on the beach.

Check out SwimFin’s eight fintastic colours and our latest pool toys to join the SwimFin family at www.swimfin.co.uk

YUMMY MUMMY

THE

GROUP

ANNOUNCES LONDON FLAGSHIP STORE

To Open In Leicester Square

T

he world’s number one toy manufacturer, the LEGO® Group, have announced the commencement of construction on a new retail store in the heart of London’s ‘theatreland’ - Leicester Square.

A popular tourist destination, the new LEGO® Store will be created as a must-visit destination for families and aficionados of the iconic brick.

The LEGO Group has an exclusive selection of brand stores worldwide and its new central London location is currently planned to open in late 2016.

It follows the recent unveiling of the LEGO Store in the Les Halles district of Paris, France, and the Asian flagship store in Shanghai, China.

The LEGO Group has confirmed that the new landmark site will be its 37th store in Europe and cover 5,420 square feet over two floors in the prestigious Swiss Court redevelopment on

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Leicester Square.

A recruitment drive has begun and will create approximately 45 permanent jobs in central London.

‘Our stores provide a one-of-a-kind shopping experience and our new venue is in a fantastic location for visitors to the Capital. It will feature innovative interactive technology not yet experienced in a LEGO store and be a fun and engaging encounter for all the family,’ said Ward Van Duffel, Vice President, Direct to Consumer EMEA, the LEGO Group. “The introduction of retail outlets in key locations worldwide forms part of our growth strategy to inspire the LEGO builders of tomorrow. We are confident that the LEGO Store, Leicester Square will realise this and provide residents of and visitors to Central London with a must-see destination in a unique environment.”

To celebrate the wonderful city of London, the LEGO Group has also announced that the newest edition to the Creator Expert theme is a scale copy of Big Ben and the Parliament buildings. The completed LEGO build will stand over 60cm high when fully built and is a tribute to the engineering and architecture of the real building. It features a detailed façade with statues, shields and windows and a clock tower with fou adjustable clock dials, and a removable roof allowing access to the belfry, plus buildable exterior elements including a pavement, lawn and a tree depicting the building’s location.

Put your LEGO® building skills to the test!

• This set includes over 4,000 LEGO® pieces.

• This set offers an age-appropriate building experience for ages 16+.

• The set will be available through shop.LEGO.com and LEGO stores only from 1st July with a RRP of £169.99. www.LEGO.com.

Legoland Windsor

Legoland Windsor

Come to Legoland Windsor Resort!

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is a theme park dedicated to children aged 2-12 years old. Play your part in a world of LEGO® adventure. Plus for the ultimate LEGOLAND experience stay over at the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel right in the heart of all the fun!

With over 55 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops, driving schools and attractions, all set in 150 acres of beautiful parkland, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is a unique family theme park.

Prepare for a soaking on the wet and wild water rides, follow a pirate trail that’ll leave you wetter than walking the plank or join a Viking fleet where you’ll battle sea monsters and rough waters.

Tiny feet will also love making a splash in DUPLO® Valley.

Young and old alike will be fascinated by the incredible Legoland Windsor

LEGO models throughout the park. From comical camels to fearsome fire-breathing dragons, world landmarks to musical pirates, it’s amazing what can be built with LEGO bricks - nearly 55 million of them! www.legoland.co.uk

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Birthday Parties

TO BOAST ABOUT What is the correct way to celebrate a five-year-old’s birthday? The local church hall, a Frozen theme, paper plates and fairy cakes? That is one way we guess, but when it comes to here in London? …We do it differently.

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ome say that the children’s birthday party has got way out of control, that too much cash is being spent on spoilt offsprings, and that competition amongst parents has reached an all-time high.

But no parent one wants their child to become famous for throwing the worst parties in the class do they? And so, save-the-date invitations are sent

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out at the beginning of term in September - to prevent any clashes of bashes.

Five-star hotels are certainly a feature when it comes to holding the ultimate Birthday bash for your little one - there are children’s parties in the ballrooms of the Dorchester, Connaught and May Fair hotels, with DJs and dancefloors. Party planners, including Kasimira, Quintessentially Events and Les Enfants, have found themselves working with budgets for under-10s of up to £150,000.

Bespoke hits the top spot – a weekend spa break for little girls, or a Bond party with a helicopter ride for the boys sound extravagant enough….but there is always a mother that has to go one bigger - one American mother organised a weekend with a TV production company, during which the 10-year-olds wrote, filmed and starred in their own mini feature films.

Bespoke hits the top spot – a weekend spa break for little girls, or a Bond party with a helicopter ride for the boys The acceptable minimum for a party gift hovers at around £40, but can easily go up to £100 for the mother of a reception child keen to ensure continuing invitations - ‘I just wanted to make sure she made friends.’

Of course, there are still plenty of parents who organise a meal out (albeit VIP) or the cinema simply because that’s what their child would most like - though they just have to hire out the whole of the Electric in Notting Hill.

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Film Favourites

FOR LITTLE ONES at FROZEN • THE LEGO MOVIE • MINIONS

Hard Rock Cafe London is getting set to extend its cinema screenings out to little ones this summer with a new series of interactive children’s cinema experiences.

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osting three movie events across the summer months on those what-to-do Saturdays, Hard Rock Cafe London is the perfect place to take the little ones to experience a magical, movie adventure with their favourite film stars, and the perfect cure for that oh-so-frequent summer holiday boredom. Head to Hard Rock Cafe London on 18 June, 23 July and 20 August, tickets on sale now.

Hard Rock Café London will be screening huge blockbuster hits including the magical ‘Frozen’ on 18 June 2016, which is sure to have even the most reluctant parents singing along to ‘Let It Go’. The hilarious and adorable ‘Minions’ will be screened on 23 July 2016 followed by the action packed ‘Lego Movie’ on 20 August 2016.

They will have Elsa and Anna there for Frozen, a Minion or two for Minions and Lego Batman will

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menu will include pastries, scrambled or fried eggs, toast, juice and a special milkshake for each event. There’ll also be adult-sized dishes available for the parents.

Along with amazing actors to bring all the little one’s favourite movie stars to life, a Hard Rock

As always the place will be decked out to the nines so hopefully you’ll feel like you’re in an evil lair when watching minions etc. photographer on hand to make sure everyone gets a snap of the action to take home.

A visit to Hard Rock Cafe is sure to make the summer holidays a magical adventure to remember.

THE DETAILS

be there for the Lego movie!

As always the place will be decked out to the nines so hopefully you’ll feel like you’re in an evil lair when watching minions etc. There’ll also be slightly separated seating for the parents of perhaps older children who want a bit of a break and to

catch up with friends without worrying your kids are running off!

The screenings will be running on the third Saturday of the summer months from 9am – 11:30am.

That’s not all - Hard Rock will have a delicious breakfast on offer to accompany the films - The

Tickets are available for each of the screenings from just £5.50 for kids and £12 for adults ••••• Children’s Cinema Screenings at Hard Rock Cafe London ••••• Hard Rock Cafe London, 150 Old Park Lane, London W1K 1QZ ••••• For more information, visit www.hardrock.com/cafes/london june / july 2 0 1 6 6 5

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Guide To Etiquette For Children

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or once the despairing pundits, pollsters and commentators are in agreement: children’s manners are getting worse.

Table manners are a thing of the past, respect for elders is out of the window, and so on. Yet many parents riposte that it is no longer a question of manners, it’s a question of natural behaviour. Their little darling may like to be louder than the town crier, may want to crawl round other people’s feet in a restaurant, may need to have their parent’s instant attention for their own important demands - but they’re just children, and who are we to say that these natural impulses should be cramped within our own narrow view of manners?

a go on the swing etc. Again, repetition is valuable.

• Remind them of their ps and qs. This effectively means endlessly reiterations of “say please”, “say thank you”…

• Teach your children not to interrupt when you’re speaking. Again, repeated reminders work best.

• Teach your child to listen carefully. This might entail them getting rewards for sitting still and listening attentively. Listening well is an incredibly important social skill, which will prove invaluable when it comes to making conversations.

Why not try and find a compromise between old-school stiffness and laissez-faire carelessness?

Follow these basic precepts: • Teach your child empathy from an early age. Keep reiterating remarks like “how would you feel if someone said that to you?”, and you’ll get your child into the habit of thinking about the impact their behaviour has on others.

• Emphasise the importance of sharing. This doesn’t come naturally, so you have to actually tell children to offer sweets around, give other kids

Table Manners

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Table manners are by no means natural. Eventually you will have to teach children to wield and knife and fork correctly, not slurp from a glass, and may even introduce them to the arcane mysteries of correct cutlery usage, tipping soup bowls way from you etc. Don’t get bogged down in these minutiae.

Concentrate instead on the absolute essentials. And always bear in mind that if you get too uptight about manners, you will turn family mealtimes into an absolute purgatory that is dreaded by children

and adults alike. Repeated lectures about nagging remarks about shortcomings do not make for a convivial atmosphere.

Absolutely Essential Table Manners • Wait until everyone has started before you do; if you are specifically invited to start immediately, it is acceptable to do so.

• Always eat with your mouth closed.

• Always use cutlery (fingers are for bread, fruit and barbecues) • Never reach across the table and help yourself to food; always ask for food to be passed to you (a please won’t go amiss).

• Eat as much as you can, then put your knife and fork together on the plate to indicate you have finished.

• Ask permission to leave the table, or wait until there is a general move to do so Debrett’s Cygnets, classes teaching dining etiquette for children from the age of 7.

For more information or to organise a group class please contact TimHenckens@debretts.co.uk; www.debretts.com

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Introducing…

T

he Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Harrods is a magical retail experience, which invites children to step into the world of their fairy tale heroes and heroines for a magical transformation and a master-class in the qualities it takes to be a Princess or a Knight.

Inspired by the famous “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” scene in the Disney animated Cinderella film, where Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother transforms her for the ball, the Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Harrods is set in a fairy tale castle enclosed within the glittering walls of Harrods. In the stately fitting room behind the large wooden castle doors, dazzling dresses and shimmering accessories are encased and within the boutique salon, ornate golden mirrors line the walls.

From the moment a child steps into the world, imagination becomes reality. Children are hosted by their very own Fairy Godmother-in-Training to learn the qualities needed to become a Princess or Knight, take a royal oath and enjoy the ultimate magical experience. Perfect as a gift for children aged 3-12 or for a special celebration, there are a variety of experiences to choose from:

Knight Experience - £125

The Knight experience includes a deluxe Knight costume and sword, plus, a choice of hairstyle, face painting, Knight t-shirt and commemorative photograph and certificate.

Courtyard Experience - £100

The Courtyard experience includes a choice of hair styling, nail and face-painting along with a choice of hair accessories, a tutu, t-shirt, sash and a commemorative photograph and certificate.

Crown Experience - £200

The Crown experience’s crowning glory is a choice of deluxe Princess costumes (choice of Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Tiana and Snow White) along with a deluxe tiara, sash, t-shirt and beauty bag. It includes a choice of hair styling, nail and face-painting and a commemorative photograph and certificate.

Castle Experience - £500

This enchanting experience not only includes all the elements from the Crown experience, but also a Princess travel case for little Princesses to transport all their possessions back to their palace and glittering Princess shoes to complete the look, plus a stunning glass Cinderella carriage figurine.

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Royal Experience - £1,000

The Royal experience is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With the help of their own Fairy Godmother-in-Training your little Princess will choose from a choice of hairstyles, face paint, nail colour and hair accessories. The Royal experience includes exclusively designed ball gowns in luxurious fabrics befitting of a real Princess! Choose from four luxury gowns, inspired by Belle, Rapunzel, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Each are made with the most luxurious fabrics, sparkle and crystals, complete with matching bag and shoes. In addition to other elements featured in the Crown and Castle packages, a personalised storytelling album complete with an array of photographs from the boutique is included as a stunning keepsake. A crystal slipper and a glass Cinderella carriage is also presented as a gift to each little Princess for a true Cinderella moment.

The Royal Frozen - £1000

This experience contains a very special exclusively designed Elsa dress embellished with iridescent and aqua diamante stones and finished with Austrian Swarovski crystal buttons. As well as some of the favourites from the original Royal Package, this exclusive experience includes an 11inch Deluxe Frozen Doll Set and Olaf soft toy.

Frozen Coronation EXPERIENCE - £200 Your experience includes the beautiful dress worn

by Anna at Elsa’s coronation, plus a choice of hairstyle, face paint, nail colour and hair accessories.

Included in this package is a Tiara, shoes, sash, filled beauty bag, photo and certificate.

Snow Queen EXPERIENCE - £200

Your experience includes the iconic dress worn by Elsa as she breaks free from the shackles that her powerful magic has bound her with, and heads to the mountains to ‘Let It Go’. As well as a choice of hairstyle, face paint, nail colour and hair accessories, included in this package is a Tiara, shoes, sash, filled beauty bag, photo and certificate.

The Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Harrods forms the centre piece of Disney at Harrods, bringing further Disney magic to the world famous department store with a Disney Store at Harrods and Disney Cafe.

For a once in a lifetime experience for your little Princess, visit www.disneyboutiqueatharrods.com.

Harrods 87-135 Brompton Road Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL www.harrods.com

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Families At the Savoy

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he Savoy is the perfect setting for families planning a trip to London. Their team are dedicated to creating an unforgettable luxury experience for both adults and children. To further enhance your stay, the “Savoy Family Offer’ package provides a second room at 50% off and includes breakfast.

Amenities

• Baby cots, roll-away beds and bed side rails available upon request • Connecting rooms and suites available upon request (subject to availability) • Children’s Welcome Kit • Baby bathtub • Children’s bathroom amenities, bathrobes, slippers

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and clothes hangers • Bottle warmers • Highchairs • Baby prams/strollers • In-room games consoles • DVD & CD players • Ipod docking station • 10m swimming pool situated in its own atrium and filled with natural light (Please note children under 16 must be supervised by an adult at all times) Please note:: All amenities are available on request and subject to availability.

in London. Please contact the Housekeeping department for assistance.

Babysitting

For more details, and to make your reservation, please visit www.fairmont.com/savoy. The Savoy, Strand, London, WC2R 0EU. Tel: 020 7836 4343

The Savoy uses the services of Rockabye Babysitters, a well renowned babysitting company

Dining

Children are welcome in Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill, Simpson’s-In-The-Strand, The Thames Foyer and Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill.

Additional services available on request: • Alcohol removal services • Luggage storage • Pay TV channel blocking:

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Willard Wigan’s microscopic art is a BIG deal at

this summer

E

scape the big city this summer and fall into the miniature world of Willard Wigan’s mind boggling creations.

From 1st July 2016, guests at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London will be able to get up close to incredible sculptures such as an astonishing nine camels in the eye of the needle to the extraordinary Homer and Bart Simpson on the head of a pin!

Marvel at the selection of miniature exhibits on display through a microscope as Willard Wigan’s sculptures are of such minute proportions they can virtually not be seen with the naked eye. Willard Wigan’s sculptures are so tiny that to achieve the desired outcome Willard enters a meditative state in which is heartbeat is slowed, allowing him to reduce hand tremors and sculpt between pulse beats.

After learning about Willard Wigan’s work and technique, guests can test their own steady hand with various interactive games on display in the exhibition.

Willard’s artwork is of such high calibre that it has been described by many as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ and he was honoured by HM. Queen Elizabeth II with an MBE for service to art.

Lucy Waddell, General Manager at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London said, “We feel extremely

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privileged to be able to say that we will be hosting Willard Wigan’s extraordinary work at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London attraction. The sculptures truly are masterpieces and have to be seen to be believed! I am sure adults and children alike will be amazed by Willard’s mind blowing work.”

After navigating their way through the wonderful Willard Wigan’s gallery, guests can continue to gaze through a selection of unbelievable exhibits from a life-size knitted Ferrari, a transformer made up of recycled metal and amazing art such as Kate Middleton made from lipstick kisses to canvas.

If this isn’t enough excitement guest can enjoy interactive games and experiences such as the mirror maze and a LaseRace game.

The spectacular Willard Wigan exhibition will be at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London from 1st July, tickets on sale now!

THE DETAILS Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year from 10am until midnight (last admission 10.30pm).

••••• For full pricing options and more information please visit www.ripleyslondon.com.

For additional information call 020 3238 0022 ••••• Like Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London on Facebook The London Pavilion, 1 Piccadilly Circus, London, W1J 0DA. www.facebook.com/RipleysLondon

Summer Fun on the Farm 22nd July – 4th September 2016

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njoy a great day out at Bocketts Farm this summer with a full programme of fun activities! Children will enjoy the Animal Passport Trail as they collect stamps from around the farm. Other daily activities include pony rides, tractor rides, gold panning, animal handling, goat milking and the famous pig racing. In addition, the Small Animal Village and Big Animal Barn are open where you can meet and feed all of the friendly farm animals. Plus, don’t miss the brilliant Water Wars Splash Zone, which involves launching water filled balloons at your opponent’s station – great fun for all ages! With 2 large indoor play barns, trampolines, young driver’s area, sandpits, pedal go-karts, treehouse towers and 2 giant jumping pillows, there’s plenty to keep the whole family amused.

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Get outside with a children’s summer W

garden party

hether it’s to celebrate a birthday or maybe just some school friends coming over to enjoy the summer holidays – if you’re thinking of hosting a kids garden party this summer, take a look at our checklist to ensure you’ve got everything covered!

Where to start?

It can be a little daunting knowing where to even begin - so to give you a sense of direction start by deciding on a theme for the occasion. If your child is a fan of any particular cartoon character for example, or is into pink and fluffy or pirates! Get the kids involved when thinking about the theme.

And when you send out the party invites make sure it’s clear so everyone knows what’s planned and anything they should wear/bring.

Getting your timings right

If you’re planning on hiring an entertainer, book early! This would also include a dancing group or a DJ. You need to send out invitations with plenty

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of notice – other parents will be doing the same!

So sit down with your children and create a guest list. Think about who has invited them to parties recently so that all their friends are there and no one is left out. Give an RSVP deadline, so you can plan catering and activities. A bit nearer the time start thinking about party decorations, whether you’re buying them in or you’re getting creative and making something homemade with the kids. In the week running up to the big day, shop for the party food. Get it done early and if there’s anything you can prep then it’s one less thing to worry about nearer the time! But wait until a couple of days before when buying any fresh food items.

On the day

On the day of the party the main thing you’ll need to focus on is the food and refreshments.A bonus of summer parties is that you can serve up some great simple, fresh food

that can be easy to prepare. Whether you decide on a barbeque or finger buffet ; serve them up with a fresh colourful salad and you’re bound to please both the kids and the adults at the party. If you’re feeling creative, you can even get your chosen theme woven in to the food presentation with little twists on tried and tested recipes whether it’s the plates they’re served on right through to shaped sandwiches and biscuits.

The Aftermath

For the clean-up, make your life as easy as possible! Sort the rubbish from the recycling as you go along with a bin bag and a separate receptacle for both glass and plastic situated outside the house. That way it will stop people coming through the house quite so often. So all that’s left is to get outside, enjoy the sunshine and share the party fun!

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A TREE HOUSE

For Your Children

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t’s a dream of many children to own their own tree house where they can escape and immerse themselves in fantasy and imagination.

The tree house has long been a symbol of the freedom of youth, and of creativity running wild. Tree houses have changed over the years,

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from rickety and unsafe structures, to modern designs that now even incorporate swings, slides and climbing frames. Despite their evolution, their popularity has remained consistent.

When you really want to give your kids the ultimate custom tree house or wooden playhouse for the garden, getting a bespoke timber building from skilled craftsmen guarantees you get exactly what you want!

The shops are full of playhouses barely big enough for the children’s toys and with a similar limited shelf life! If you really want to give your children a playhouse or tree house that lasts their whole childhood, bespoke wooden buildings are ideal.

Bespoke treehouses are a big trend in many gardens; with elaborate designs built high up on stilts, within and around branches. They can take on many different shapes,

sizes, colours and themes, too, and feature a number of cute accessories and fun activities to keep kids entertained throughout the summer!

And you don’t need a tree to have a tree house. It can be built in the right location for you. The areas surrounding your tree house could be landscaped with shrubs, trees or a lawn - whatever is needed to enhance the appearance of your treehouse.

Your children’s safety is of paramount importance. The construction process of a treehouse can be demanding - not kids’ stuff at all; requiring a great deal of planning and ensuring European safety standards are met.

Approach specialist tree house companies and get recommendations from friends. It is crucial that you receive professional advice and guidance, with construction and installation done by experts to keep your child safe.

Provide them with a fantasy hideaway in natural surroundings by making a part of the garden their own.

All images courtesy of Cheeky Monkey Treehouses

Bespoke design & build treehouses, playhouses and elevated platforms.

Commercial & International commissions welcomed

TEL: +44 (0)1403 732452 www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.co.uk

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Any tots W

By Lisa Salmon

ithout more children picking up rackets, Britain’s tennis future doesn’t look promising. Luckily , there is a campaign that is trying to attract more youngsters to the sport, by encouraging parents to get them involved.

The Ready to Play initiative features advice and a series of fun videos showing simple games for parents to play with their children to help them learn the basic skills needed for tennis, including hand-eye coordination, accuracy and ball control.

The videos star the current Davis Cup Captain Leon Smith, who is keen to ensure Britain’s upcoming tennis talents are as successful as the current generation.

“Tennis has so much to offer for a young player and introducing them to it at a younger age will keep them in the sport longer,” he says.

A key part of getting more children interested in tennis is through schools and Smith says the Tennis Foundation, which delivers teacher training in tennis and provides tennis equipment, has now reached more than 20,000 British schools. Getting more clubs and parks to host the sport is also vital, he adds, so kids have somewhere to play outside school.

Tennis icons

Having successful role models is also key to encouraging children to take up a sport. Smith lists Andy and Jamie Murray, Johanna Konta, Heather Watson and Laura Robson as the current tennis icons.

“If you speak to any of the top players, they’ll all

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for tennis?

say they had an idol when they started out. Heather, Laura and most recently Johanna, are fantastic role models for young girls. We’re so lucky to have in Andy Murray a player that’s at the very top of his game that young players can look up to.Jamie Murray had a very successful 2015 and is now competing at the highest levels. We know how popular doubles is for those playing across the country, so it’s great for the sport that we have a top British player there too.”

Active encouragement

Recent research by Pharmaton Active Life, which has teamed up with the LTA to launch the Ready to Play campaign, found more than three quarters (78%) of parents would like to encourage their children to try a new sport, while 40% feel they could do more to

encourage their children to be active.

“The emphasis, especially when children are young, is on the parent to encourage kids to keep active,” says father-of-three Smith, who says the games on the Ready to Play website will help develop tennis skills and can be played indoors and outdoors throughout the year.

Best chance

So, are campaigns like Ready to Play really what Britain needs to become a tennis great?

“It’s such a long road from starting to play the game to getting anywhere near winning a Grand Slam,” admits Smith. ”But our best chance of ensuring we have more players at the top of the game is to grow the base. I’m excited by the Ready to Play campaign and the earlier we engage with players and their parents, the more likely they are to choose tennis as a sport they’ll continue to play throughout school and beyond.”

For more information about the Ready to Play campaign, visit www.readytoplaytennis.co.uk

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One day

Day visits to The Park Club are fun for all the family

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he Park Club in Acton has all that you could want from a health club and more.

Infact, with 27 acres of green space, swimming pools, tennis courts and the all-important kids club and MediSpa, it’s a fabulous way to entertain the family for a day out!

With such a variety of things to do, you can choose whether you want to spend time playing with the family or simply relaxing by yourself; either way the kids will be kept happy the club’s sports coaches are second to none.

With the ever increasing cost of entertaining children in London for even a couple of hours, let alone a day out in the city, the Park Club’s Day Visit offer you a refreshing and surprisingly affordable day out and an alternative to a park, museum, cinema or garden on a hot summer’s day – it even makes for an alternative to a day trip to the countryside.

Set in such an expanse of private

landscaped grounds (you would not know you are in London) the Park Club aims to deliver, space, exercise, activity and fun for all the family.

For families, there’s lazy days relaxing by their 25 meter outdoor pool, or not so lazy if pool zorbing is scheduled! Combined with kids sports camps and activities in all the holidays to keep the kids active, mums and dads can enjoy a world class gym, 17 tennis courts and over 100 studio classes per week whilst their children are coached trained on one of their numerous sports pitches, or simply entertained in their fabulous crèche. Day members will even be offered a complimentary personal training session in their gym –subject to availability.

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Adults also get the chance to retreat to their luxurious MediSpa and indulge in any number of sublime treatments on offer, followed perhaps by an alfresco lunch on their terrace where you can choose a freshly prepared delicious meal off their wellness menu. There’s also the family café where children are offered a fantastic healthy express menu freshly prepared by their chefs every day.

In addition to the Club’s Monthly and annual memberships, Day Visits are a new and great way to try the club out if you are thinking of joining The Park Club and want to give it a trial run, or a great way to visit on an occasional basis if you are only in west London now and again.

Treat yourself or make a fantastic gift to someone you know in the area.

To tailor your day please call 020 8740 4599. www.theparkclub.co.uk

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Archikids Festival 2016 Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th July, 10am-5pm A

rchikids is a weekend festival of free activities for kids and their families to explore the city. It’s a chance to explore London’s iconic buildings while completing scooter trails, building lego landscapes and designing your own skyscrapers!

Open-City have announced the new ‘Festival Hubs’ of Archikids 2016 – revealing the doors set to open for a fun-filled programme of activities.

Over 7,000 families joined in the fun in 2015, and this year the festival aims to expand and inspire even more young Londoners to join in exploring the exciting and evolving architecture across the City of London’s Square Mile, through creative and exhilarating activities, stimulating workshops and intriguing tours of the architecture that is often overlooked by fast-paced city life!

The Gherkin is joined by the roof garden of 6 8 2 june / july 2 0 1 6

Bevis Marks, Broadgate, City of London and the hard-hated construction sites of Aldgate Area. It’s going to be a fantastic weekend of explorations!

What’s On:

Over 30 exciting activities are set to inspire kids about their city and how they can make a difference to it!

Highlights will be: • Design your Geodesic Dome • Get gooey with Solid/Void Creations • Becoming an Eco Explorer on the rooftop of 6 Bevis Marks • Bring your scooting wheels for On your Scooter at Broadgate, City of London Suitable for Children aged 5-11 with their families

this year the festival aims to expand and inspire even more young Londoners THE DETAILS For further details and the full programme visit: www.archikids.org.uk/festival ••••• Follow on: @opencityorg #archikids ••••• The festival is supported by City of London, 30 St Mary Axe, Broadgate City of London, 6 Bevis Marks, The Aldgate Partnership, The Tanner Trust.

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Education?

‘Why Yellowbird

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range of educational areas: Creative Writing Workshops, Grammar Boosters, Handwriting Workshops, Mock Exams, Interview Practice, Parent Information Workshops, and the latest addition to exams: Discursive Writing Workshops.

We initially launched our very much in-demand holiday Workshops, aiming to help children with their creative writing, while having a great time.

These have grown to other educational workshops, primarily supporting Literacy skills. We have long believed that writing should be taught as a life-skill rather than just as a means to pass exams.

We resist hot-housing children because we believe it doesn’t work in the long term. We apply the same approach to mock exams and interview practice: our aim is to provide a good experience of an exam day, building confidence while providing much needed feed-back to parents.

So, why Yellowbird Education? The answer: it’s all about learning how to fly. www yellowbirdeducation.com

rofessionally, I have been working in the Finding the right school for a child isn’t just Education maze for the past 25 years. My about a list of options. It’s about understanding the experience being a teacher, Deputy Head, needs of the whole family. All aspects need to be followed by ten years as a Head teacher considered and thought through properly. It’s about in a leading London Prep School. During that time, the right school in the right location for each child I learned my trade and continually offered advice we look after. We start by establishing requirements to parents about the best way to help their children and then create a path through the maze, step by succeed through the right educational choices. I saw step, which is called ‘School Mapping’. just how testing education has become, alongside Today, Yellowbird Education offers additional the importance of guidance and knowledge that support services to parents and children in a wide parents need to learn.

4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, Pre Tests, SATS, IQ, verbal, non-verbal reasoning tests, interviews, the list of the ways we now assess our children has become endless. I truly began to feel we were losing sight of what was really important in all of this: our children. Additionally, as parents of three children (17, 13 and 5 years old), I, too, have faced the daunting prospect of trying to achieve my stated aim: getting my children to adulthood welleducated, with some good friends, sane and - above all else – happy!

Realising that many parents just weren’t aware of how vital it is to get the process right from the start, I decided that I wanted to help, make a difference in the London Education sector and set Realising that many parents just weren’t aware of how up Yellowbird Education as a School vital it is to get the process right from the start, I decided Search and Support company. I was that I wanted to help, make a difference also amazed by the number of people who beat a path to my office door, and I began to build a team around that unique selling point: experience and knowledge.

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Inspire your child

to discover the magic of nature

Summer holiday activities in Hyde Park

Wild Water Days The activities are suitable for the whole family to enjoy, allowing you and your children to connect with nature together

R

esearch shows that playing outdoors is not only fun but also great for your family’s health and well-being, and London’s Royal Parks provide the perfect environment to put this into practice.

This summer why not visit the Royal Parks Foundation Education Centre in the heart of Hyde Park? During August their expert education team will be running a range of free and exciting nature inspired activities from pond dipping and sweep netting to hunting for beetles, bugs and bees.

The activities are suitable for the whole family to enjoy, allowing you and your children to connect with nature together. There’s even a carpeted corner for those not yet walking, bringing nature inside with animal soft toys and puppets.

There’ll be a nature trail to follow and plenty of arts and crafts to keep your little ones entertained. Or you can just relax on the sun deck and take in the natural world that hustles and bustles around you.

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Wednesday 3 August Discovery Day: Meadow Madness Thursday 4 August Discovery Day: Meadow Madness Wednesday 10 August Discovery Day: Wild Water Thursday 11 August Discovery Day: Wild Water Wednesday 17 August Discovery Day: Meadow Madness Wednesday 24 August Discovery Day: Wild Water

With summer officially here, come and cool down at our Wild Water Discovery Day! • Discover the wild wonders of the water with an expert led pond dipping session in the private pond. You might spot a newt or 2 or maybe even a dragon fly nymph!

• Make your own paper plate frog to take home with you • Follow an educational and fun nature trail whilst learning nuggets of watery wisdom • Create a wild water creature of your own to take home (£1 donation)

Meadow Madness

Sweep netting for creepy crawlies with the experts!

• Visiting our nature discovery rooms • Following our educational and fun nature trail unearthing magical meadow facts • Plenty of nature inspired arts and crafts including crafting your very own seed animal to take home (suggested £2 donation) There is no need to book, simply drop in any time between 11am and 3pm.

For further information please visit www.supporttheroyalparks.org/DiscoveryDays

YUMMY MUMMY

KIDS WEEK 2016 LINE-UP

Announced

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ore than 35 top London shows offering free tickets for children throughout August Kids Week, the annual London theatre initiative, returns for the whole of August 2016, with more than 35 shows offering free tickets for children.

Now in its 19th year, Kids Week encourages young people to experience the magic of live theatre. During Kids Week one child aged 16 or under can go free to a wide range of participating

shows when accompanied by an adult paying full price. In addition two extra children can go for half price and there are no booking, postage or transaction fees.

Kids Week also has a fantastic range of free activities and events. Under 5’s can travel to the deep dark wood for tea with The Gruffalo or enjoy fun activities with The Tiger Who Came To Tea. For older children, there is the chance to perform choreography from the hit musicals Beautiful – The Carole King Musical and American Idiot, go backstage with 1984

The shows taking part in Kids Week 2016 are: Under 5’s The Gruffalo The Tiger Who Came To Tea All ages 5+ Beautiful - The Carole King Musical Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Disney’s The Lion King* Horrible Histories - The Best Of Barmy Britain James And The Giant Peach Mamma Mia! Matilda The Musical* The Secret Garden Stomp The Railway Children That’s Entertainment All ages 7+ The Bodyguard Bugsy Malone Guys And Dolls Impossible

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Les Misérables The Mousetrap The Phantom Of The Opera The Play That Goes Wrong Show Boat Thriller Live Vamos Cuba!

Wicked Parental Guidance 1984 American Idiot The Comedy About A Bank Robbery* The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The NightTime The Go-Between Hobson’s Choice In The Heights Jersey Boys Kinky Boots Little Shop Of Horrors The Woman In Black

and meet the current cast or learn the art of illusion with the star magicians of Impossible.

Additionally, Kids Week ticket holders will be able to take advantage of a number of Kids Go Free deals on dining, tours and workshops. More information can be found on the Kids Week website.

Tickets for Kids Week are on sale at www. kidsweek.co.uk or via the dedicated ticket hotline 0844 995 9662 (calls cost 7p/min plus your telephone company’s network access charge).

THE DETAILS *Limited Availability ••••• Please note: Shows are listed by age suitability but this is only a guideline.

Information about the shows is available on the Kids Week website. Shows on offer may change throughout the promotion and all offers are subject to availability for specific performances (especially at weekends).

••••• The full Kids Week activity listings can be found at www.kidsweek.co.uk ••••• For Kids Week news and announcements follow:@KidsWeek ••••• All Kids Week offers are subject to availability for specific performances (especially at weekends). Shows on offer may change throughout the promotion.

••••• The offer does not apply to tickets already booked and cannot be used with any other offer. Maximum eight tickets per booking.

YUMMY MUMMY

Let the

Drama begin….

How to get your kids into stage school

S

hows like the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent make fame seem fast track, but behind the scenes is often a long, arduous journey.

The idea of your child forging a career on stage may seem a risky Sylvia Young Theatre School one, but with renowned stage A specialist performing arts school offering excellent vocational and academic schools offering academic studies education. The school was established in 1981 in Drury Lane. In July 2010, they alongside the vocational, children moved to premises in Nutford Place, just off Seymour Place in W1. The site can perfect their talents while houses two vocational floors with studios, rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, gaining a secure education. two academic floors and a large canteen with two courtyard gardens.

Read on for our guide to getting Ages: “The Sylvia Young Theatre School is non-denominational and coyour child into stage school... educational. Students range from 10 to 16 years of age.”

Parents who are interested in 1 Nutford Place, London W1H 5YZ letting their children follow the www.syts.co.uk creative path should start looking into some of the best acting schools for kids in UK. Children at a young age will benefit from learning drama at stage schools in many different ways, not least of which is gaining confidence.

Acting schools for kids help with raising child’s self-esteem and levels of confidence, and positive reinforcement is one of the key factors to successful training and fun creative outlet. Even if your kids aren’t interested in pursuing careers in the entertainment business or the artistic world, all the tools that good teachers in some of these best acting schools for kids in UK will provide them with will benefit students in many different aspects.

Kids learn best when they are surrounded by fun, supportive and understanding teachers. They love to play and learn when the environment is comfortable and relaxed instead of being confined to stress of work. Some of these best acting schools for kids is exactly what your child might need, and the classes will usually be kept to smaller sizes in order to provide a The Barbara Speake Stage School safer, more focus environment.

The school was opened on February 10th 1945 as a dancing In addition to having kids learn school only, by the present principal Miss Barbara Speake MBE. acting from a variety of other sources, In 1963 it became a full time school providing academic and including reading books that expand artistic training. The strength of the school is in its friendly imagination, stage schools can also be a atmosphere, traditional qualities and caring and committed staff. great idea. Best acting schools for kids If you wish for a small happy school for your child, where every in UK will focus not only on educating teacher can care for his or her indivudual needs, then it is here. It children in the artistic field but building has been proved that pupils here succeed though enjoyment of their confidence levels, exploring and their school which gives them confidence to follow whatever path praising their creativity. they choose whether in the field of entertainment, or in a more But above all else, the most academic career. important part of having your child Ages: “Barbara Speake Stage School, London is an independent attend one of these acting schools for school for boys and girls aged from 4 to 16.” kids is that they will have an insane East Acton Lane, East Acton, London, W3 7EG amount of fun playing, and definitely www.barbaraspeake.com enjoy the process!

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West End Summer School

The Ultimate Theatre Summer School for 8–21 year olds. An amazing week-long course at the renowned Guildhall School of Music & Drama, past students of which include Daniel Craig and Orlando Bloom! Led by top industry professionals and West End stars that gives your child the chance to perform on a West End Stage!

West End Stage, Top Floor, 17 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden WC2E 7NL

Italia Conti Arts Centre

One of the most famous stage schools in the UK. Founded in 1911, the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts is Britain’s oldest Performing Arts training school. It is renowned throughout the world as a training centre of excellence. Italia Conti Arts Centre in Guildford, Surrey, is the addition to their growing campus and offers a range of unique courses which incorporate quality Performing Arts Training with the opportunity to undertake Teacher Training qualifications. They provide full and part time courses for students of all ages, from little ones finding their feet, through to professional training for those embarking on a career in Performing Arts and Musical Theatre.

Ages: “Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, London is an independent school for boys and girls aged from 10 to 19.”

23 Goswell Road, London, EC1M 7AJ www.italia-conti.com

Stagecoach Theatre Arts School

Stagecoach Theatre Arts is a highly regarded network of performing arts schools with a proven record of delivering quality dance, drama and singing lessons to youngsters worldwide. Over the years Stagecoach has provided a springboard for some of the UK’s leading young talent and has had the privilege of watching thousands of kids grow in confidence and ability. Their formula of teaching small classes of children an hour of dance, an hour of singing and an hour of drama on a weekly basis was an instant success.

Ages: “Dance, Drama & Singing Classes for 4-18 year olds” Multiple locations across the world. www.stagecoach.co.uk

BRIT School

The BRIT School is a Performing Arts and Technology School for teens aged 14-19, located in Croydon. Students have the chance to study vocational subjects in dance, theatre, music and media alongside the national curriculum.

The BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology, 60 The Crescent, www.brit.croydon.sch.uk

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YUMMY MUMMY

Magical Memories W Traditional Rounders Set £29.95

Wooden Golf Set £29.99

hy is it that when we think back to our own childhood, we remember long, sunny days of hazy carefree abandon and adventure? Is life really so different for little ones now? Or is it just that those outdoor adventures are the strongest and most joyful memories that endure the test of time all these years later?

It’s probably a bit of both. But what we do know for sure is that children are far more likely to make lasting memories when they are exploring, having adventures, running free and playing together.

Outdoor toy specialists Wonderlings believe that’s what childhood is all about, and it’s why they have created a wonderful collection of outdoor toys, games and gifts to inspire families to play outside more often. A lot of their games are made from wood or other natural materials, such as the Classic Ring Toss, Golf Set and Giant Tower – all family favorites on a warm day.

And they also have nature kits and sets to encourage little ones to learn more about the natural world around them. We love the Nature Bingo – it’s such a clever idea to turn a walk with children into an adventure.

There’s also a clever range of beach toys, including the Scoppi Spade (you’ll never need to buy another spade), retro kites, and of course a Traditional Rounders Set. Oh, and if your little ones like hunting for treasure, there’s a Treasure Hunt Set that’s party-perfect.

We’re off to make some memories… www.wonderlings.uk

Giant Tower £69.99

Scoppi Spade £17.00

Nature Bingo £18.99

Classic Ring Toss £19.99

Treasure Hunt Set £39.00

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YUMMY MUMMY

The power of

pocket money Do you give your child regular pocket money or hand them some cash as and when needed?

And do they need to do anything to earn it?

D

ragons’ Den star Sarah Willingham is a firm believer that pocket money should be “earned not expected”.

The consumer champion and businesswoman, who has four children, has worked with credit checking company Experian to develop a free app called Jangle, to help children aged between 7 and 11 to develop money skills.

Experian’s research has found that 85% of parents who hand out pocket money say their children do not always have to do anything in return for it. One in 10 hand out pocket money when their child asks for it - handing over £54.31 typically per time.

Previous research suggests that children tend to form their money habits from a very young age. And as we know from watching Dragons’ Den, entrepreneurial hopefuls who don’t have a grip on their finances

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by Vicky Shaw swiftly run into trouble during pitches.

Willingham feels strongly about setting youngsters up with vital money know-how to help them throughout their lives. She says she will “never forget” the value of the money she earned on a paper round as a youngster. She says: “If you’re given a pound and then you go and spend that pound, it’s very different to if you’ve spent half an hour sweeping leaves.” She adds: “I do think that pocket money is actually a perfect place to start because pocket money is often the first time that children have any relationship with money really themselves, they have something in their pocket. By encouraging kids at a young age to earn

that money, not just handing it out, and to save for things is a great place to start because often that conversation is child-led.”

So how else can parents start money conversations with their children?

Willingham will often chat to her children about prices and weighing up the best deals when going round the supermarket. She also says her children played at setting up a “restaurant” in their home and they discussed all the costs that went into serving food.

Willingham says: “It was a great learning process, because if you sell a cappuccino for £1, who’s making it, who’s putting the electricity on, who’s renting that property, etc etc and ultimately you’re actually making 16% or something off that cappuccino, but it’s important to understand everything that goes into it. So I do think the more we can think outside the box like that as parents it’s game playing. And it’s great to do it from a really young age.

“It’s that kind of understanding. It’s so much fun as you see their brains think about stuff like that, it’s really cool.”