Crystalina Fairy Dolls - Review

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Ava, like most children her age, is drawn to anything cute and magical - so as you can imagine the new Crystalina dolls were a big hit with her as soon as she set eyes on them. We were sat on the sofa when I surprised her with them. She kept squealing in delight and insisted we take them outside because fairies love the outdoors. Ava can't resist a photo opportunity. She asked what their names were and the green fairy, Adventurine seemed to be her favourite - whereas Amythst was mine.

Crystalina dolls are small, fairy sprites, that are named after different gemstones. They are around 10cm tall - the perfect size for children from four years of age. They are bottom-heavy with the LED lights being in their skirts weighs which is clever because they don't topple over. They have pretty faces and bright coloured hair. Simply shake to wake and they light up and glow to show their powerful energy.

There are four Crystalina dolls to collect; Turquoise – The Sprite of Healing, Rose Quartz – The Sprite of Love, Amethyst – The Sprite of Wisdom, and Aventurine – The Sprite of Luck. Each doll comes with a moon stand, hair accessory, light-up wearable pendant, and a fact sheet.

Each doll has a unique aura but they all feature the same light colours and colour patterns. You simply press the special amulet button switch through 10 different coloured lights and patterns which all mean something different. They can also communicate through lights when placed next to one another.
Not only does Ava adore these Crystalina dolls but so do I - they are 100% mum approved. I'm all about empowering our children and the message behind these dolls is just lovely, and something I haven't come across before. Ava likes to match the lights to how she is feeling which I think is wonderful.

  I can see them being a bit hit this Christmas and at just £12.99 you can't go wrong. You can purchase them online at Amazon, or in store at Tesco.

Helping Your Child Find their Passion

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Whether your child’s looking to find a new series of interests or they’re struggling to find something that fully interests them, then it’s time to give your child options to look at different ways of finding what can be their passion. A passion is something that your child can feel invested in and dedicated to which is a really fun time for children to learn and develop their skills in. In this guide from an independent school in Kensington, we take a look at how you can help your child find and develop their passion.

Trial and error is always helpful

It might feel like it’s time-consuming at times, but you can find your child will only develop key interests if they’re given the space to try multiple things. Have your child pick out some activities they’d like to try and go down together to see what they’re all about. Your child will never know what they’re like if they don’t go down to try them, so encourage them to have fun and explore activities that may turn into hobbies.

Encourage open conversations with your child

If your child feels more comfortable finding out what they enjoy, then they’re more likely to try out new things. It’s all about making your child feel confident to try whatever they want to try out, so foster a safe and loving environment for them to do so. This includes open and honest conversations with your child where they feel like they can talk to you about their concerns, wants, and needs.

Motivate your child by boosting their confidence

Fun activities, days out with friends, and trips to the theme park are really inviting for children to try out on a regular basis. It’s also a great way of boosting your child’s confidence by exploring things your child doesn’t necessarily do on a regular basis. It’s a way to experiment with different things with your child while also finding out what they enjoy and what they don’t like.

Puppy-Proofing Tips for Your Home

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Bringing home a new puppy is a very exciting time for all the family. The unconditional love and pure entertainment they bring is priceless, not to mention the motivation to get us out and about for those much-needed walks.

Puppies are a full-time but very rewarding job. They’re naturally inquisitive and can get up to all sorts of mischief exploring their new surroundings. They’re also part of the family and require just as much protection as we do. With that in mind, An Post Insurance have put together six handy tips to help you puppy-proof your home for your new arrival.

Beware of Toxic House Plants
Something we may not even consider is that lots of our household and outdoor plants can be highly toxic to our canine companions and should be kept well out of reach. If you have household plants make sure to do some research to ensure they’re not dangerous to your new pet. PetMD outlines a list of some of the most toxic plants.

Take Care of Everyday Household Items
Just like children, puppies need to be kept away from everyday household substances which could prove toxic to them. Chemicals, cleaning products, and medicines should be stored out of reach – if that’s not possible, add child locks to lower press doors to keep your pup from harm.

Harmful Human Food
Some human foods may seem harmless but could prove fatal to your furry friend. It’s vital to know what foods are toxic to dogs so you don’t unknowingly make them ill, or even worse, cause a fatality. Your best bet would be to avoid feeding them human food at all, but if the temptation proves too much, make sure you’re 100% sure it’s safe for your dog. CanineJournal.com has put together a list of foods to be avoided and ones that are safe for your best friend to enjoy.

Cover Electrical Wires
Lots of puppies like to chew all and sundry while they are exploring their new world. Electrical wires can prove to be very tempting, but also very dangerous – they should be hidden behind furniture where possible or use cable ties or covers to keep them away from your pet. Sockets should also be covered when not in use.

Keep Windows and Doors Closed
While on their adventures puppies can get into or out of very small spaces so it’s important to make sure windows and external doors are closed at all times so they can’t fall out or make their great escape. Blind chords should also be secured to avoid getting wrapped around your puppy’s neck.

Don’t Leave Small Objects Within Reach
All small objects should be placed out of reach of your puppy. Anything they can reach is fair game in their little world. That includes your favourite pair of shoes, so if you want to keep them intact, make sure they are hidden away from exploring mouths.

Before your puppy arrives, go room to room and check for all the hazards mentioned above to make sure your home is a safe haven for your newest family member. That way, you and your family will have the peace of mind to enjoy the fun and adventures your new puppy will bring. An Post Insurance offer great value insurance to help protect every member of your family. Find out more and get a quote today!

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How To Pack For Your Family Stress Free

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Having just come back from a holiday I thought I would post an article about one aspect all parents dread prior to travelling; packing! Packing is one of the most stressful aspects of travelling with children. How many clothes do we have? Can they stay entertained with all the activities? Having everything in place so you have everything covered is the temptation - but this isn't always the best option! Holiday packing needn't be overwhelming. In case anything does go wrong, we've crafted some great tips for keeping stress levels low. Check out these family travel packing tips: Take Only What You Need, Don't Pack Too Much You probably won't because you are very unlikely to change your mind. Prepare everything you plan on packing, then take out half of what you planned on packing. Do not overpack - you are unlikely to wear everything you bring. Furthermore, if you are going somewhere with laundry facilities, why take along baggage you will not need? If there is anything you forget to bring, such as an extra T-shirt, just remember you can just purchase it on-site if you need it.

Get Your Children Involved 

As we understand, packing (or anything!) might take a little longer for young children, yet providing them with their own rucksacks in which they can accommodate their favourite toys and colouring books can make them feel more involved and useful. I know my children love their personalised T-shirts and I order theirs from Rarecustom. Be Aware Of Your Luggage Weight Allowances Before You Travel

Each airline clearly states its luggage size and weight limits. You may end up having to pay extra fees if you arrive with luggage that exceeds the carriers' limits even slightly. You can avoid surprises at the airport by double-checking your luggage before you leave. Of course, if you are travelling within your own country, you don’t need to worry as much about the weight of your bags. Make Sure There Is Some Extra Space

Your case is filled with a few spaces even though you packed light. Don't rush into filling them in! You may want to bring some souvenirs back home as gifts to friends and family, or even for yourself. Let them back in some space. Have A Spare Pair Of Childs Clothing In Your Carry-on 

The suitcase is not the place to store all of your child's clothes. It is not uncommon for accidents to happen and the only thing you are likely to need if they do is a spare set of clothing. A limited emergency kit including spare clothes, baby wipes, and some nappies if your baby uses them should always be kept in your hand luggage.

Pack Accessories

A single outfit can be transformed into several different looks by adding different accessories. Packing small accessories such as beads, hats, and scarves is easier than packing many outfits. As well as taking up less space! Pack Each Day Separate 

Whenever possible, pack an outfit a day for each child in individual ziplock bags. It is true that it may seem like more work, but it really saves you a lot of time and hassle when trying to put together outfits for all your family members, especially if your family is larger than average. Also, ziplock bags are also a great way to pack away dirty laundry without having to worry if it gets mixed up with any clothes you're going to bring back from your trip. Pack A Basic First Aid Kit

Being prepared for travel with children is always beneficial, so remember to pack a first aid kit that includes plasters, antiseptic cream, bug repellent, infant paracetamol suspension and child ibuprofen. Remember, it is always better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it. Pack Something The Kids Haven’t Seen Before

When your children start getting bored or restless, pull out a few new toys and games from your hand luggage. A few great ideas are card games, magic writing boards (they feature an easy-to-clean screen and a pen attached that won't roll away from the screen like regular pencils), reading books, and travel games. You won't have to worry about them taking up much space either. Make Sure Pack Appropriately

Unless you plan on hiking, you can leave the hiking boots at home if you do not plan on hiking. Additionally, look at the weather forecast before coming to your destination, and make sure that you are adequately equipped to cope with what you will encounter. Have a look at travel blogs before you go to help you pack more sustainable items on your family holiday if you would like more information on that. Always Plan Ahead 

Make a list of the things you need to do. It is always a good idea to keep a mobile device handy so that you can make a note. Make a list of things you need to do and email it to yourself. It doesn't matter what you do, do whatever you find works for you, and start as soon as possible. Even if you are very careful, you are almost guaranteed to forget or overlook something when packing at the last minute, especially if you are running behind a camera with excited kids hovering in the background. Don't wait until the last minute to start planning. Make sure you give it a try, you will be pleased with the results. 

This short guide should help you to pack for your family holiday easily and stress-free. Do you have any other tips that could help? Please share them in the comments below.

How To Raise An Environmentally Conscious Child

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Climate change is no longer something we can ignore. More and more people are adapting their lives to take control of their carbon footprint and to help protect the planet. Educating children about the significance of climate change is essential, and is a responsibility that falls on every parent. Introducing kids to environmentalism from an early age will teach them how to live their lives in harmony with the natural world. For some tips on where to start, take a look at the advice from an independent school in Surrey.

Be A Role Model

Simply talking to your child about climate change isn't enough. You need to advocate for environmentalism in your day-to-day life to set an example for them to follow. Expressing your own interest and enthusiasm will inspire them and will help to raise them in an environment where climate change is very much a part of the conversation. Try to live your life in an eco-friendly way and your child will adopt your good habits.

Get Into Nature

Talking about melting ice caps and temperature change can easily be lost on a small child. It's important to frame environmentalism in a way that caters to their level of understanding. Immerse your child in nature at every opportunity you have, and help them develop an affinity with the natural world. Explore local parks, collect leaves, feed ducks, put a bird feeder in your garden. Explain how important it is that we do what we can to look after the plants and wildlife you come across.

Make It Fun

Children are much more likely to show interest in things they find enjoyable. Make recycling into a game, perhaps using a scoreboard to add points whenever they put an item into the recycling bin. Get your hands dirty in the garden by planting a vegetable patch. Kids will love to get involved with the planting of seeds and will feel a sense of pride when they get to harvest something they have grown themselves.

Back To School Birthday Present Ideas From Wicked Uncle

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It's September, the kids are back to school, and life is becoming somewhat normal again. The past year or two has been difficult for everyone. It's a relief to have some normality, and structure back into our lives - especially for our children.

Seasoned parents know that with the start of the new school year comes the school party season - so many invites! Let me tell you, these kids have better social lives than I do. Noah has only been back at school for a week and has already been invited to two parties which he is so excited about. I find that as the children get older it's harder to find gifts that they'll like or something that they don't already have - this is where Wicked Uncle comes in.

Wicked Uncle is an online store that provides so much more than just toys. They have searched far and wide to find to put together a website jam-packed full of fun, unusual, quirky, educational, and different gift ideas for children. They thoroughly test every item before they list it on the website, they can gift wrap presents, send out handwritten cards, even email birthday reminders to you - making the life of every parent that much easier. With party season in full swing, I've decided to pick my top three gifts from the Cool Gifts for 9-Year-Old section.

Jellyfish Tank - Colour Chaning Mood Light - £18.95
This lamp is 24cm tall and is rounded to hold two amazingly lifelike jellyfish that swim around the tank. The LED's light up the tank changes colour and creates a relaxing feel to any room. This has Noah's name all over it as he aspires to be a marine biologist when he's older. I'm adding this to Noah's birthday list for sure.

Stinky Pig Game - £10.95
This is a pass the parcel game with a stinky twist - this pig hums and then trumps! You simply press his tummy, and he'll respond with a song. Roll the dice and then you are off. Pass him left, right or roll again, but do it quickly before he farts1 If you are holding the pig when he trumps you get a token, the player with the fewest tokens at the end wins! I can see this game going down a storm with most children Noah's age and for that price too - you can't go wrong!

6 in 1 Solar Recycler - £16.95

Last, but certainly not least - get children's brains engaged with this fun, eco-friendly, activity set. The six models are easy to build using old recycled items, various kit parts, including a solar panel, motor, and instructions. Kids will be amazed by recycling an old can of pop into a robot that actually walks! There is so much more to do but I don't want to give it all away. It's a fantastic way to introduce kids to solar power technology, recycling, green power all while encouraging them to use their minds, all while nurturing their imagination. It's another gift that I have got to purchase for Noah and his friends!

Please do take a look at the website because you will be blown away, just like I am. It's incredible having so many inspirational toys, and activities all in one place - items you wouldn't have known about. I feel well and truly inspired now when it comes to present giving this birthday season and I know you will be too.

Which toy do you like the sound of the most?