If you’re anything like me, by January you’ll have had enough of being content with looking forward to sunnier days and will be longing to get outside and plant something. I dearly love the whole process of coaxing plants into life and it feels like an age since I last pushed a seed into some earth and willed it to grow. I think I have the gardening equivalent of itchy feet!To satisfy my cravings I’ve been looking at what will actually ...
Homemade bird feeders
Winter is a tough season for wild birds. Natural food sources such as insects and berries are scarce, and they need lots of energy-rich food to maintain their fat reserves, which are called-upon most when temperatures drop. Providing a winter food source for birds is not only a great way to help your local wildlife; encouraging birds to visit your garden will supply you with plenty of interest during the winter months.You can buy a wide ...
Tips on choosing a smartphone for kids
Does your child own their own smartphone? The age at which we introduce our kids to this particular gadget is, of course, a personal decision, but there's no denying that smartphones are one of the most coveted possessions amongst older children and teenagers. From a parent's perspective, a smartphone for kids offers the reassurance of being able to get in touch with your child when you're not with them, and as such can help support them as ...
Tips for stress-free homemade Christmas cards
When it comes to festive craft, homemade Christmas cards are a great option to make with the kids. Mine make them every year for grandparents and daddy; we always have fun getting crafty with the glitter, paint and pens, and their homemade creations are really treasured by the recipients. With the big day so close, I think it’s a good idea to keep crafts as laid-back as possible, so I thought I’d share some of the tips I’ve picked up over the ...
Festive reading: A Christmas Tale from Joules
One of my favourite things about the lead-up to Christmas is sharing festive books with my children. We've built up a little collection over the years, and it's always lovely to rediscover our old favourites each year. The build-up to Christmas is inevitably hectic and exciting for kids, and I always find that sharing a lovely Christmassy story is a brilliant way to help them (and me!) unwind and spend some cosy quiet time together.This ...
Homemade Christmas decorations: Pom Pom Pine Cones
Well it's official: the Christmas prep has started in our house :)We've been having fun with some Christmas-themed nature craft, making these natural Christmas decorations from pine cones and pom poms. Is there any limit to the crafting potential of pine cones?!I do love homemade Christmas decorations; they're so full of personal meaning, and a great way to spend some fun time crafting with the kids. Every year our Christmas tree ...
Homemade Christmas ornaments using baking soda dough
I do love christmas crafting. At this hectic time of year, it's so lovely to spend some calm time with the kids, creating crafty masterpieces to add to our growing collection of homemade christmas ornaments.We've already made some cute pom pom pine cones and mini christmas trees, and our latest fun project is these fab tree decorations made from baking soda dough.These homemade christmas ornaments were simple and fun to ...
Natural Christmas decorations: pine cone trees
My kitchen is covered in glitter, but that's all part of crafting at this time of year isn't it?!We've already started our Christmas crafting with cute Pom Pom Pine Cones, and these gorgeous sparkly pine cone trees are our latest natural Christmas decorations project.This is absolutely ideal for children of all ages; there are no fiddly bits and it's a pretty simple craft.We started off by choosing a nice selection of pine cones, to ...
Review & Giveaway: Isbjörn of Sweden children’s outdoor clothing
Are you getting outdoors and making the most of autumn? The right clothing can make all the difference to a family outdoor adventure, and I’ve got a great giveaway that will help you get it right. There’s a bundle of premium outdoor children’s clothing from Isbjörn of Sweden worth £180 up for grabs, read on for details on how to enter! We love getting outside and exploring nature at this time of year, but the colder temperatures do mean we ...
Buying kids’ outdoor clothing: what to look for
Are you looking to buy some new outdoor clothing for the kids this season? I thought my two were all kitted out, but a recent check on their outdoor gear made me realise just how much they’ve grown this year! So we’ve got a shopping list to tackle before the weather really turns cold, and this got me thinking about the features that I expect when I’m buying outdoor clothing. It’s no secret that the right kit can make or break your enjoyment ...