Toy Storage Ideas For Small Bedrooms
Toy Box & Book Organisers
The Gulliver Toy Box & Book Organiser can help you tackle two types of clutter at once, making it perfect for smaller bedrooms! This handy front-facing bookshelf is great for displaying the adorable cover art of your child’s favourite tales, while the canvas space is ideal for storing toys.
This amazing multi-tasker even won Best Interiors Product Design (Furniture) at the Junior Design Awards 2020! Check it out here.
Small Toy Boxes
Toy boxes can make tidying up a breeze! Easily reachable for tots, they can simply pop their toys in after playtime. Our small-sized wooden toy box is perfect for narrower bedrooms and nurseries. Made with sturdy MDF, it’s sure to last the years and the built-in safety hinges make it safe for little hands too. Learn more here.
Toy Storage Ideas For Small Living Room
Modular Toy Storage
If you’re working with limited space in your living room, our Alba Modular Storage range can help. This set boasts a variety of solutions for smaller spaces, from narrow bookcases with built-in drawers, to small cabinets. Plus, it offers an aesthetic, clean and modern feel for your space. See it here.
Rope Storage Baskets
Why not pair your modular toy storage with Rope Baskets? Made from a high-quality cotton-blend, they’re soft and not scratchy at all! Perfect for adding some extra room to stow-away soft toys and other small items after playtime.
Toy Storage Ideas For Hallways & Narrow Spaces
Stackable Toy Storage
Narrow hallways can be one of the most difficult spaces to find storage for in your home, but our Rackham and stackable storage range could be the solution!
With multiple layouts for toys, books, teddies and more, you can place these units side by side or on top of one another for a tailored approach. Whichever setup you choose, toys will look great in these aesthetically pleasing shelves and trays. See the full Rackham toy storage range here.
Storage Benches
Another handy two-in-one solution is storage benches. The Abbeville Storage Bench is ideal for narrower hallways or foyers where you might want to take a seat to enjoy a book or put on your shoes.
There you have it! Five great easy toy storage ideas for small bedrooms, living rooms and narrow spaces to optimise your home. View our full range of storage furniture here.
]]>Wondering how to best store small toys? Keep your kids’ small toys in one easy-to-find place with these adorable storage ideas perfect for kids’ bedrooms!
Five Adorable Storage Ideas For Children’s Small Toys
In the sofa, under drawers, behind the bed – small toys can end up in the strangest of places! Keep your kids’ small toys in on easy-to-find place with these adorable toy storage and organisation ideas that are perfect for children’s bedrooms.
Storage Units For Small Toys
When it comes to small toys, sometimes an out of sight out of mind approach is best! Our Alba Modular Storage Range features a range of stackable storage cabinets and drawers in a variety of sizes and are sure to keep small toys organised. Not only that, but they come with an anti-tip safety kit too for added peace of mind. Learn more here.
Small Toy Storage Containers
If you’re looking for basket storage, cotton rope storage baskets and canvas cubes are great for keeping small toys tidy - yet still in reach for little ones when they want to play with them again. Plus, they come in a variety of colours and patterns to match any room or aesthetic, from cute pink bedrooms to white-themed nurseries.
Paired with our Abbeville Cube Storage Units, you can seamlessly fit multiple baskets into one room! Order yours now and have it delivered within seven days.
Small Toy Display Cabinets & Shelves
It’s not everyday that you find toy storage that fits perfectly into a corner, but our Alba Modular Storage Corners do just that! Great for displaying toys and any collectibles, you can stack them for shelving that’s as tall or short as you want. Learn more here.
Storage For Small Toy Parts & Pieces
Dolls accessories and little cars aren’t things you want to step on (we’re sure all parents have experienced this at least once)! Keep them out of feet’s way with our handy Aykasa Trays, stackable and in multiple sizes, these trays are great for any sized space.
This product is selling fast, so order today to guarantee availability!
We hope we helped you find the perfect storage solution to help de-clutter and organise your space! With their new home, you’ll know exactly where your children’s small toys are when they ask for them at playtime. See our full toy storage range here.
]]>Are you looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this summer? We’ve got you covered. In this blog, we’re sharing five fun summer arts and crafts activities for pre-schoolers that are guaranteed to keep them entertained for hours on end!
Read on to learn more.
Handprint Painted Dinosaurs
To craft your handprint painted dinosaurs, you’ll need:
Kids love crafts and games that involve their senses and will have great fun creating their very own handprint-painted dinosaurs! Simply brush their favourite-coloured child-friendly paint onto the palm of their hand and press it down onto the paper to create your dinosaur’s outline.
How they place their hand on the paper will depend on the type of dinosaur they want to create. Then, with some other colours, add finer details like spots, spikes, eyes, and more. This is also a great activity to teach children how different colours can mix to create new ones. Our easily transportable children’s easel is perfect for this activity and keeping all the messy hand-painting fun outdoors. Check it out here!
Beach Themed Crafts For Pre-schoolers
To make your beach themed crafts, you’ll need:
It’s not the summer holidays without a sunny day at the beach. If you do go, you’ll undoubtedly return with a collection of shells, pretty stones, sea glass and sand. So, why not put them to good use with some beach-themed crafts?
Kids will have a great time gluing shells and sand to create their very own golden beach on paper. You could even paint the shells and add some glitter for a bit of extra pizzazz or add googly eyes to make them their very own seashell pet! Whichever beach-themed craft activity you choose, our dandelion toddler table is perfect for storing all your arts and crafts bits and bobs, so you can keep all your supplies nearby.
Tissue Paper Flower Crafts For Pre-schoolers
To craft your tissue flower bouquet, you’ll need:
There’s nothing like a handcrafted bouquet of tissue paper flowers to brighten anyone’s day! To craft yours, select tissue paper in the colour your pre-schooler wants for their flowers and cut out petals. Then, cut out the bottom of an egg carton and push a pipe cleaner through the middle.
To create the flower, your pre-schooler can glue the petals around the outside and inside of the egg carton piece. Once you’ve created several flowers like this, take a regular, coloured piece of paper and fold it into a cone shape around the stems of your flowers. Then, simply add some tape to hold the bouquet together and if you’re feeling extra decorative, tie a ribbon around it for added cuteness.
Kids will need lots of space for putting their bouquets together. Our growing activity table is perfect for children who love to regularly craft, draw, and paint.
Mud Painting
For mud-painting you’ll need:
It’s no secret that pre-schoolers love some of the messiest activities. That’s why a mud kitchen is the perfect source of summer entertainment! Our indoor and outdoor mud kitchen offers 360 degrees of fun and even comes with a built-in easel, perfect for mud painting.
Simply mix some mud and water until it’s the ideal consistency for painting, and let their imagination run wild. You may even want to pick some flowers children can add to their mud painting as it dries. Did you know that our mud kitchen was voted among the ‘Best Mud Kitchens to Encourage Your Child’s Creativity’ by IndyBest? Check it out here.
Paper Plate Animal Masks
To craft your paper plate animal masks, you’ll need:
Does your child love pretending to be their favourite animals? Why not create some easy to make paper plate animal masks together. To begin, cut a paper plate in half and cut out two circles for the eyes.
Use your colouring pens to add the details to your animal mask, such as whiskers, a nose or stripes. Then, use the other half of the plate to create your animal’s ears and glue these on top. Finally, glue a strip of cardboard to the side of your mask to hold it. There you have it, your very own paper plate animal mask ready for playing pretend. Our handy carry caddy will make tidying up a breeze and makes transporting all their arts and crafts supplies easy-peasy. See it here.
What will you create? We’d love to see your designs! Be sure to tag us in all your summer arts and crafts on Instagram at @great_little_trading_co. Plus, to show your little one how proud you are of their art, frame it in our handy magnetic 3D art frame!
]]>It can be a challenge keeping kids’ bedrooms tidy! Especially when space is limited - but by choosing the right furniture for your children’s room, you can easily add a lot more storage to put away all their books and toys! With that said, here are our best space-saving kids’ bed ideas for small rooms to help keep things neat.
Kids’ Bunk Beds with Storage for Small Rooms
Kids' Bunk Beds with Storage & Desk
Kids’ Bunk Beds with Storage & Stairs
We hope we’ve helped inspire you to make the most of your small space with these handy space-saving kids’ beds! Order yours and make your space clutter-free or explore our full range of kid's beds here.
]]>If there’s one thing that comes with the territory of a growing family, it’s the constant need to find room in which to store everything in an organised yet accessible way - from clothing to shoes and of course, the ever increasing collection of toys.
Thankfully, we are ready to come to the rescue with our collection of clever storage solutions to make organising children’s spaces a real breeze. With pieces to suit rooms of all shapes and sizes, our furniture is both functional and long lasting with a timeless appeal.
Top Tips for Buying Storage
A good starting point is to assess the room and get a feel for its overall dimensions. Take some key measurements which will allow you to narrow down your search. Quality over quantity most certainly applies here. By investing in quality pieces built to last, they will pay you back dividends, enjoyed for years to come and passed down through generations.
Read on for our handy guide to achieving a functional yet tidy space, with top storage ideas for a happy home.
Hanging Around
Packed full of storage potential, Paxon offers the ultimate in modular wall storage. This multi-tasking system is a real winner, particularly for those areas where floor space is limited. . Fully flexible, each set can be arranged into a multitude of combinations, all tailored to your individual needs. Simply ‘pick and mix’ from the different options to create a dream set up incorporating hooks, shelving and book ledges that bring order to any set up.
Story Time
Books are essential for growing imaginations, yet always seem to create a dilemma on where and how to store them so that they can be accessed with ease, yet stored neatly when not in use. Cue our collection of clever book storage. With so many options to choose from, creating your very own little library for budding bookworms to enjoy really is as easy as A,B,C. Take a look at our best-selling Greenaway range. From freestanding to wall mounted, these sturdy and stylish heroes make the perfect home for favourite reads as they are forward facing for easy reach. If you’re looking for maximum tidy up potential, look no further than the Wonderland Bookcase. With a choice of space for cube storage as well as front facing shelving and space for book storage on each side, it’s the ideal solution for mess free living.
Get Organised
Just like Paxon, Alba is a real game changer for kitting out awkward spaces. With an array of options to help achieve a bespoke ‘built in’ look , it can handle all of your storage needs with cupboards, shelving and drawers as well as toy box units – the ultimate tidy up essential for any kids room.
Personalise your space by adding a selection of canvas cubes or woven storage baskets in various prints, textures and colours to complement your décor theme.
Storage Staples
Help clear the chaos with Rackham, a handy stacking storage solution which works well not just in the kids room but living spaces and even bathrooms too.
The Abbeville range is another must have for busy family lives. With its classic style and versatile design, choose from bench storage units with comfy, cushioned seating, to pull out trays featuring a multitude of compartments for bringing order to bits and bobs.
Bunk Up
The best-selling Paddington Mid Sleeper Bed is a design triumph and a great example of adaptable, multi-tasking furniture done well. A good choice for smaller spaces, it is compact yet jam packed with hidden, pull-out storage power. The natural curtains attach (and detach) easily to create an instant under bed hideout for little adventurers. As they grow, simply add the toy storage unit that fits snugly into the space or create a space saving study station with the roll out desk that neatly tucks away when not in use.
We hope this Great Little read has filled you with ideas to make your children’s space inviting, organised and clutter free. Take a peek at our full range of inspiring storage solutions that fit seamlessly into modern family life.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest news and offers, plus as a little thank you, we’ll give you £5 off your next order. For more inspiration and to see our wonderful products out and about in real life, pop over and say hello on Instagram too.
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Looking to create a fun kids interior look that ticks all the boxes? From dreamy nursery spaces to bigger kids rooms, the safari interior theme is a failsafe trend that is most definitely here to stay. This gender neutral palette is perfect for mini adventurers and you will be amazed at how easy it is to pull together. Get ready to explore as we take you on a walk on the wild side through this exciting ‘How To’ guide.
On Safari
When it comes to setting the scene, there are two distinct routes to choose from - stay neutral or go bold. A white background will enable you to go to town with soft furnishings and accessories in bright colours and wild prints. On the other hand, a colourful wall can add extra ‘wow’ factor and really appeal to little ones. If you are unsure, a good compromise is to go for a multi-tonal wall or mural. Try keeping the top half of the wall white and the bottom half a rich earthy green or sunshine yellow. Or how about a stunning sunshine mural to transport you straight to the heart of the African Savannah.
Adventures Await
Choose furniture in white or natural wood tones to keep it neutral and allow the accessories to do most of the talking. Opt for versatile pieces with plenty of storage potential to keep clutter hidden away. The Abbeville Range features clever cube storage pieces from benches to shelving units and beyond. And, for those tight on space, Rackham has been designed to fit into more compact areas whilst still packing in plenty of storage power.
These jute storage baskets are crafted from natural materials and make a cute and useful addition. With plenty of room for storing toys, sports equipment, shoes and even clothing too.
Add extra interest with wall shelves and use them to display favourite reads and animal themed toys and trinkets. The ‘This Way That Way’ shelf makes a sweet addition, or how about these safari themed wall hooks, featuring 3 animal head characters that bring added fun factor. Be sure to check out Paxon too, a clever way to maximise your interior space. This genius bespoke wall storage system is a no brainer for the ultimate in organised living.
If your also on the lookout for a new bed, you’ll find plenty of options to choose from in our brilliant bed collection. From bunk beds to mid sleepers and traditional singles with underbed storage or pull out trundles. Each one is built to last, made using solid wood, in an array of classic designs.
Wild and Free
Once that’s all been decided, you’ll be happy to know that we’ve taken the hard work out of choosing the finishing touches, thanks to our one-stop Safari Collection. Brimming with roar-some accessories to furnish your space, this is where the adventure really comes to life.
Take a peek at this eye catching animal rug in handsome lion design. It’s sure to make a striking entrance thanks to the fun, colourful design. Plus, it’s made from pure hand tufted wool for a soft and luxurious feel that’s hard wearing too.
We love this ‘Around the World’ wall hanging, with its stunning detailing. Printed on a thick cotton canvas with a hand embroidered finish, it features a map of the continents, the oceans and the animals who inhabit our planet. A great educational piece, little ones can travel the world and learn about their surroundings whilst also adding a statement look to bare walls.
And how about this adorable book cart, the perfect reading buddy for kids who are as wild about wildlife as they are about books. There's plenty of space for all their favourites, and a strong pull-along cord and rubber trimmed wheels for tackling (imaginary) jungle terrain. The cart is made from strong MDF with a durable painted finish chosen for its resilience to bumps, knocks and scrapes.
Little crafters are sure to love this Lion Carry Caddy - a guaranteed roaring success at tidy up time. Choose from a lovely lion or terrific tiger design, each of which has three storage sections for keeping all their paints, pens, pencils and notepads stowed away neatly in one handy spot.
For the King or Queen of the jungle, you can’t go wrong with these animal-tastic toddler chairs. Always a great hit with little ones, they make the perfect seat for perching, drawing, playing and snacking. Sturdy and durable, the solid birch legs can be adjusted too.
Finally, if you have the space, add a tipi style tent for an added sense of adventure, the ideal hideout for a cool ‘camping under the stars’ vibe – great for roleplay scenarios or as a relaxing reading nook set up. Available in a range of colourways, they are collapsible too, to save on space when not in use.
We hope this Great Little read has filled you with ideas to create a Safari themed room to love, learn and play in. Visit our online store and take a peek at our full range of inspirational interior looks.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest news and offers, plus as a little thank you, we’ll give you £5 off your next order. For more ideas and to see our wonderful products out and about in real life, pop over and say hello on Instagram too.
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It’s important to always consider the age of your child, room temperature, and size of bed when choosing your child’s bedding as they have different needs to adults. Toddlers and children’s bodies can’t regulate temperature as effectively as adults, which means they risk overheating when sleeping with unsuitable bedding.
Duvets with a tog rating between 4.5 and 9 are ideal for children over 3. If their bedroom has a consistent overnight temperature between 18°C-20°C, then a duvet with tog rating of 4.5 is suitable. In winter, when temperatures drop, a 7 tog duvet can be used to keep children cosy.
In the warmer summer months, you can switch to a lower tog rate duvet, like 2.5 and 4 tog. If the room gets hotter than 20°C, make sure your child is wearing lightweight pyjamas. You might also like to use a blanket instead of a duvet.
If your child is under 12 months, it’s best to avoid quilts, duvets, and pillows due to risk of overheating and suffocation. Instead you should use either a blanket or sleep bag. For expert advice on safe sleep for babies, visit the Lullaby Trust website.
If your child is over 12 months but under 3 years old, go for a duvet that is no warmer than 4 togs. If your child is not ready for a duvet yet (i.e. moves around a lot during the night, still has cot bed sides up etc.) it’s fine to continue using blankets or a sleep bag until they are ready. This will vary depending on your child's needs and milestones, so follow their lead on this. Make sure the size of duvet is in proportion with the size of the child’s bed. Using a size larger than intended can also cause overheating. For cot beds, only use a cot bed size duvet; for single sized beds use a single duvet.
Little Home offers synthetic and natural filled duvet and pillow sets. Here are some options to help you choose the best type of duvet filling to support your child’s individual sleep needs.
Synthetic filling:
Natural filling:
All of our Little Home duvets and pillows are easy to care for and can be washed in a standard washing machine. Always follow the instructions on the care label, as it will vary depending on the filling. Our Little Home duvets and pillows dry faster than standard options, meaning they’ll be ready to go back on the bed in no time! Don’t forget to shake to restore loft.
My little ones sleep better (and longer) when their routine is consistent. Before bed they have a bath, pop on their pyjamas, then have quiet time in their bedroom. During quiet time we read stories together and block out any daylight to help them understand that it’s nighttime. Blackout curtains are great to keep out natural light during the summer months. Sensory night lights are also fantastic to create a relaxed environment before they go to sleep.
Armed with the knowledge of how to choose the best duvet for you child, you can now feel confident in your choice of tog. Check out our range of children’s duvets to discover more.
For more tips on mastering better nights and good mornings with little ones, read our better bedtimes guide.
]]>So, if you’re struggling with what to buy that special little someone, call off the search. Our guide to the best toys and treasures for every age is here - bursting with festive joy and guaranteed to make finding that perfect gift a breeze.
0-12 Months
This beautiful Baby Gym makes an ideal gift for a new arrival. Baby’ first Christmas marks an extra special occasion, and what better way to celebrate than with this stunning toy that will get plenty of use throughout the season and well beyond too. Made from beechwood, it makes a lovely addition to any modern home. The solid and sturdy frame is fully safety tested, adorned with the sweetest woodland animal friends, complete with sensory activities to develop inquisitive little natures.
This Wooden Walker in cheerful, woodland fox design is sure to be an instant hit with little movers. One of our award winners, this adorable toy is ready to join your little one on all their mini adventures and makes a sturdy companion to aid walking. There’s also a handy compartment for carrying around small toys, teddies or comforters. And, as you’d expect, the sturdy beechwood frame and robust rubber wheels are built to withstand all their daily escapades.
Little ones are sure to fall for this sweet 3 in 1 Wooden Rainbow Toy. An wonderful gift to help develop fine motor skills, this lovely little stacking toy offers great value for money and is designed to help your child learn through play. Featuring a stacking rainbow, tree and mushroom plus a set of little wooden animals which can also be stacked - it’s triple the fun.
Don’t forget to add a personal touch to the festivities with one of our beautiful personalised stockings and sacks. The perfect keepsake to cherish year after year, each one is made from soft cotton with a cotton lining and stitched detailing. Choose from a range of fun designs, finished off with your little one’s name. What could be more magical than that.
1-3 Years
Roll up, roll up. Our Wooden Play Shop and Café is a firm favourite and it’s easy to see why. Double the fun awaits thanks to its clever, reversible design. With a lovely, eye catching look and a host of fun interactive features to discover, little shop keepers will enjoy day after day roleplay adventures as they tend to customers, stock the shelves and serve up tasty treats. Don’t forget to add our range of tempting play foods to add an extra dimension to realistic play.
Designed to capture young imaginations, this fold-away Play and Store Wooden Castle is just the ticket for mini adventures on the go. This compact kingdom is waiting to be discovered, complete with working portcullis and secret trap door that leads to a hidden jail beneath the floor. When it’s time to tidy up, it all neatly folds away into a handy carry case. Now that’s what we call clever, mess free play. Why not include these bold knights too (sold separately). They make a great stocking filler gift to add to all the fun.
And, how about this delightful Growing Garden, a ‘blooming’ lovely gift for little nature lovers. This table top toy is a winner for encouraging children to use their imaginations as they tend to their fruit and veg, from planting, to watering and picking their produce. It may just tempt them to eat their 5 a day too.
4 to 5 Years
Calling all master chefs. The Marshmallow Play Kitchen is ready to make mini ‘Bake Off’ dreams a reality. This sturdy, sustainable showstopper gift is made from wood and makes a wonderful present that’s jam packed with play potential. With a stunning look and clever compact design, this bijou best seller won’t take over the whole house either. Complete with everything a little homemaker needs including a microwave, storage cupboard, oven, dishwasher, washing machine – it even includes the kitchen sink.
Our best-selling First Class Post Office will make a special delivery that’s guaranteed to delight. Little letter writers will love this charming set that comes with a whole host of lovely accessories and play pieces for realistic role play fun. Weigh out parcels on the working scales, post letters through the letter box and send your own mail to loved ones – don’t forget the stamps.
Budding space enthusiasts are sure to love this toy all the way to the moon and back. This Wooden Space Toy is packed with interactive features to inspire creative play. With a rotating launch pad, interchangeable earth and moon play surfaces, refuelling station and magnetic play figures, it will really bring their imaginations to life.
Whisk young learners away to new adventures with the Wooden Toy Garage and Track, a true classic that never goes out of style. This version has all the mod cons to really get their fill of fun. Fuel up at the petrol station, zip through the car wash, then head over to the service bay for repairs. Little ones love the wind up lift function to transport vehicles between floors. Add one of our vehicle sets and additional track for added play value.
6 Years and above
Create the perfect play paradise with one of our Teepee style tents, a heavenly hideout for reading, relaxing and role play fun. With a secret lookout window and washable base, they can be used indoors and for outdoor play when the weather warms up. Choose from a range of designs to suit their style. Bigger kids are sure to go wild with this set up come Christmas morning. Why not add one of our 100% cotton, squishy washable bean bags to snuggle up in for added wow factor.
And that's a (Christmas) wrap!
]]>Now, over to Laura & Tia…
Rainbows have been the positive symbol of the year and it’s been lovely seeing a little colour when everything at times has felt a little bleak. So, we thought we would add technicolour to our Christmas this year with these colourful tissue paper wreaths. They are easy to make with kids as part of a festive family craft session and they’ll add a big splash of vibrancy to any room in your house! Pop the larger ones onto doors in your house and the mini versions can go on your Christmas tree, or even be hung in your kids’ bedrooms.
You will need:
And that’s it! We recommend popping on the festive tunes whilst you make your rainbow wreath.
Thanks so much to Laura & Tia for sharing this fantastic Christmas craft for kids. Not only do these homemade wreaths make beautiful decorations, you could also gift them to family members. Granny or Granddad are bound to appreciate a handmade gift they can hang on their tree, year after year!
Take a look at our Great Little Gift Guide for Christmas gift inspiration.
]]>Sparks of festive joy can be found in the simplest of moments. Be that writing their letter to Father Christmas and posting it to the North Pole, crafting paper decorations for the tree, or singing jingle bells while icing gingerbread men.
Come 24th December, excitement will be bubbling as they eagerly await the arrival of sleigh bells and a certain red-nosed reindeer. Add to the magic with a new tradition - opening a Christmas Eve box. Originating from the German tradition of opening gifts on Christmas Eve, it’s the perfect way to lift spirits and make staying at home this Christmas special.
Here’s our guide to what to put in a Christmas Eve box for toddlers & children.
Anything can become a Christmas Eve box if you use your imagination! Upcycle a box or tin, or for surprises of all shapes and sizes, we recommend turning one of our book carts into a Christmas Eve wagon.
Expect squeals and smiles when you wheel out an adorable deer or fox filled with delights! Our wooden pull-along carts are a playful alternative to a traditional wooden Christmas Eve box. They’re available in seven shapes - a deer, a fox, a cat, a hedgehog, a dog, or our new designs this year: lion and tiger. Add some festive trimmings and a gift tag, and hey presto your cart is ready to fill with presents.
The best thing about our Christmas Eve carts is that they’re reusable. Wheel yours out every Christmas and even at birthdays or Easter, take it foraging in the garden, or fill it with books for a year-round reading buddy.
When it comes to preparing a Christmas Eve box, we like to stick to a golden rule of five ‘somethings’ to build anticipation, rather than take away from the stars of the show on Christmas Day. Here are our favourite Christmas Eve box ideas:
Something to wear - Snuggle up the night before Christmas with festive pyjamas, slippers, or a fluffy dressing gown.
Something to do - Pop a small toy in their box or cart to distract them from sleigh watch. We’ve got lots of small gift ideas to choose from - wooden farm animals, cars, play food, personalised aprons, and more.
Something to eat or drink - How about some homemade biscuits to nibble or a hot chocolate gift set to warm them while watching a Christmas film? If you’ve got room, you could also include a festive mug and plate to leave out for Father Christmas, once they’ve polished off their own treats.
Something for Christmas Day - Fold up one of our personalised stockings or sacks and place it in their box or cart. The thought of it magically becoming full will ignite even more excitement for the Big Day!
Something to read - Christmas dinner isn’t complete without all the trimmings, likewise, reading a festive story the night before Christmas is a must! Once they’ve hung their stocking or sack and hopped into bed, cosy up and read together. This soothing way to end the day should help send them off to sweet dreams of Father’s Christmas’ sleigh.
With uncertainty in the yuletide air this year, we need more festive cheer than ever. Sharing a Christmas Eve box with your little one is one way to make the holidays extra magical. After all, those moments of joy, love, and wonder created during the festive season will be those they remember long after they stop believing in Father Christmas!
For more gift inspiration take a look at our Great Little Gift Guide.
Thanks to Sophie, @treloweth, for road testing our Christmas Eve carts with her little ones, Henty (5), Otto (3), and Bodhi (1).
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What you will need:
Let's get started!
Firstly, choose which is going to be the front of your post box and draw on a small rectangle to post the letters into and a larger rectangle to make a door.
Then, using your craft knife, cut out the small rectangle and only three sides of the larger rectangle leaving one of the tall sides uncut. Bend the door open along the uncut side.
Time to paint! Little ones will love helping with this step. We used two coats of paint to make it look extra glossy and rich.
If you have another spare piece of cardboard, make a lip for the top of the post box by cutting out a long, thin rectangle and two triangles. Paint the pieces first before sticking them to the box with the hot glue gun.
Next up, either print a ‘Santa’s Post Box’ label or, if you prefer, you could easily write this on with a black pen. We then used some offcuts, cut no bigger than 1 cm wide, and glued them around the post box sign to add some texture.
With the black paint, paint a line around the bottom of the box approximately 1.5 inches wide and, using the glue gun, stick on the cotton wool as snow above the black line and on top of the lip to post the letter.
Whilst you are waiting for the glue to dry, why not download one of our fun, free pintables for an extra special Christmas list, letter template or gorgeous postage label?
Have fun and make sure you tag us in your pictures of your little ones making their very own post box or writing their Christmas lists.
Check out our Wooden Toy Post Office for an extra special gift, or see our Great Little Christmas Gift Guide for more inspiration.
]]>Suitable for spaces of all shapes and sizes, these back garden must-haves are super easy to create and so versatile too. When the sun stops shining, simply bring them indoors and repurpose them in the kiddies space or playroom. For guaranteed long lasting fun, all year round.
Your mini Monet in the making will adore this traditional wooden art easel. Made from natural wood, it includes a chalkboard, paper roll holder and a handy shelf for housing all those paint pots and supplies.
Create a summer sanctuary with these pop up play tents that are as 'pitch perfect' as they are practical. Available in an array of cute colourways and themes, from space odyssey to cool monochrome zigzag and sweet woodland prints. Plus, there's no need to put a stop to play when the sun makes an appearance. This welcome retreat will keep them safely in the shade, protected from harmful rays whilst still enjoying some fresh air fun.
A happy hideout for endless roleplay adventures, add this delightful Daisy Tea Set and serve up tasty treats to little guests. At the end of the day, simply pack away in the clever teepee storage bag (sold separately) or set it up in the playroom as a dreamy den for a spot of reading and relaxing.
Roll up, roll up with this stunning Lolly and Scoop Ice Cream Shop. A real nod to nostalgia, it will whisk little ones straight off to happy holidays at the beach. Complete with no less that 25 wooden accessories for endless play, its compact size means it’s perfectly portable too. Cool off with these tasty looking iced treats to tempt tiny imaginations.
Or, how about bringing a taste of the great British seaside to your own back garden. The award winning traditional fish and chip shop toy is ready to serve up the catch of the day to little customers. Made from solid wood, it’s painted in cheery hues, using child safe paint, and comes compete with wooden fish, chips and peas, plenty of condiments and newspaper cones - for a dose of good old fashioned fun.
Take a peek at this magnificent Wooden Play Shop and Café. A roleplay essential, this best-loved toy is always at the top of every kiddies wish list. Sturdy, stylish and sustainable, it’s crafted from solid wood and built to withstand all their daily adventures. With so much play value on offer, discover the chalk board, display shelves, adjustable clock and hanging display sign.
The perfect set up for sunny days, this multifunctional must-have easily transforms and adapts to suit the needs of young imaginations. From shop to café, farmers market to ice cream parlour. Simply add one of our play food sets and let the fun commence.
Little explorers will go wild for this magical Mud Kitchen. A multi award winner, this marvellous multitasker was made for messy play adventures. With its ingenious design it offers 360˚ play possibilities. Discover the cute kitchen complete with cooker, storage shelves and chalk board, then simply turn it around to reveal an activity station, perfect for little crafters. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s even a beautifully illustrated weather station on one side, just the ticket for finding out the forecast.
Dining Al Fresco is a must have during warmer months. And where better to host a family picnic than by rolling out this enchanting super-sized Woodland Walk Picnic Blanket. A firm favourite, it’s crafted from soft pure cotton, with a water resistant backing, which makes it suitable for use on dewy grass or sand. What’s more, the interactive design means it cleverly doubles up as a play mat. Simply add the wooden cars and vehicles set to create a miniature play paradise.
Or, why not use it as a base to set out an array of toys to keep kids of all ages occupied. Check out the Growing Garden Wooden Toy, perfect for little green fingers. This playset is a winner for hands on fun and a great toy to aid fine motor skills. Budding horticulturist’s will love to water and pick the flowers and fruit, plant seeds and dig up some yummy veggies.
We hope this Great Little read has filled you with ideas to make your outdoor space a place to love, learn and play.
Visit our online store and take a peek at our full range of inspiring wooden toys – built for long-lasting play value.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest news and offers, plus as a little thank you, we’ll give you 15% off your next order.
For more inspiration and to see our wonderful products out and about in real life, pop over and say hello on Instagram too.
]]>Whilst we could all do with six weeks with the Super Nanny, the reality is that juggling work, childcare and everything in between can sometimes feel like a bit of a tall order.
Create a happy balance with these tops toys and ideas for keeping busy little bees occupied either on the go or at home - all season long (and well beyond).
Our range of pop up play tents are what sunny adventures are made of. The perfect hideaway for intrepid explorers, these dreamy dens are ready for day after day role play fun. A childhood classic, crafted from thick 100% cotton canvas with a detachable, washable base and a hide and seek secret window flap. They’re a doddle to put up and take down too, making them highly versatile for use outside on sunny days.
This family sized picnic blanket makes the ideal companion for day trips to the beach, the park or for some good old back garden playtime fun. No ordinary blanket, its utterly charming design features a sweet woodland scene, complete with forest friends to discover. Crafted from soft pure cotton, it has a water resistant backing which makes it suitable for use on dewy grass or sand. Then, when it’s time to pack away, simply roll it up and secure with the clever adjustable straps, which can be carried on your back, or by using the handy carry handle.
The Play & Store Dinosaur Playset was made for on the go fun. Create your very own portable prehistoric paradise with this cute carry case that transforms into a magical world of make believe. Simply fold down the sides to reveal a Jurassic landscape complete with two erupting volcanos and array of wooden play pieces including trees, shrubs, a dinosaur nest and eggs, plus 5 dinosaur figures with moving parts.
For some medieval themed mayhem, budding knights will love the toy castle version of our Play & Store Set. A cute, compact kingdom for fantastic foldaway fun.
Wow little wanderers with this clever toy storage bag and playmat all rolled into one. The ideal companion for all their travels, this cute and colourful cotton mat is super comfy, illustrated with a lovely townscape including roads, roundabouts, houses and trees. When playtime is done, simply pull the drawstring and scoop up all their toys in one swoop - et voila - a readymade storage bag.
A true classic, add these wooden cars and vehicles to their travel bag for instant entertainment wherever you go. Comprising six solid vehicles and four traffic signs, made from smooth, painted wood – they are ideal for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination.
Bring the outdoors in with this nostalgic wooden seaside fish and chip shop toy. This traditional set up is full of good old fashioned fun. Made from solid wood, it’s painted in cheery hues, using child safe paint, compete with wooden fish, chips and peas, plenty of condiments and newspaper cones for serving up the catch of the day. Get ready for a taste of summer holidays from home, during role play adventures that are sure to whisk little ones away to the coast.
Little crafters will love this Growing Activity Table, for all their doodles and drawings. This award winning piece grows with your little one – quite literally. Thanks to the extra set of interchangeable long legs, it adapts as your kiddos get older, and taller. Now, how’s that for clever, well thought out design? What’s more, there’s a nifty paper roll feature on one end – simply spread it out, then ready, get set, craft!
Don’t forget to add one of our ever popular wooden animal chairs. Featuring a host of cute woodland characters in sweet painted designs, these sturdy, wobble free favourites make the perfect pew. Choose from fox, hedgehog or deer. Or, if you’re struggling to decide, why not collect the whole set!
Who doesn't love a toy garage? And this beauty is made from solid wood - built to withstand all their daily adventures. Packed with interactive features, fuel mini imaginations as they discover the working lift, drive through car wash, service bay and petrol station. If that wasn’t enough, this set comes complete with a car, helicopter and eight piece track, for wheely good fun.
For the tiniest family members, this wonderful baby gym offers hours of entertainment. A sensory feast, it will aid development and hone fine motor skills thanks to its engaging, interactive design. Featuring an adorable assortment of loveable friends, meet fox, bird and rabbit, each one is equipped with various sounds and textures - ready to inspire little imaginations. Plus, the neutral solid wooden frame and sweet design will look the part in any modern family home. Team it up with the Portable Quilted Playmat - made from pure 100% cotton, it is suitable for even the most delicate and sensitive of skin.
We hope this Great Little read has filled you with ideas to make the summer holidays a time to remember. Visit our online store and take a peek at our full range of inspiring wooden toys – built for long-lasting play value.
For more inspiration and to see our wonderful products out and about in real life, pop over and say hello on Instagram too.
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“My daughter absolutely loves this coffee shop, she really enjoys jumping into the role of a barista and serving up hot chocolates. The chalkboard and moving parts of the fridge and espresso machine make it great fun.”
“Remy loves his Fix It Workbench and has spent many hours playing with it since it was delivered! He gets to practice lots of vital developmental skills whilst playing with this toy, such as his fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and imaginative play, so the Fix It Workbench gets the seal of approval from me as his mummy.”
Shop the Fix It Workbench
“An adorable wooden toy baking set with lovely detailed accessories. Ayla’s favourite was the sprinkles! It would make for a wonderful Christmas gift and is great for role play activities.”
Shop the Gingerbread Toy Baking Set
“The perfect wooden role play kitchen for any keen little baker. Noah has asked to play with his new kitchen everyday since we built it with him. He particularly loves cutting up all the ingredients to put into his mixing bowl and decorating his cake. We’ve had hours of fun already!”
Shop the Let’s Bake Play Kitchen & Accessories
“Playing pretend post offices was one of my favourite things to play when I was little so being able to see my own children play the same game with this fantastic toy really warms my heart. There are so many interactive features that make it fun and engaging for my boys and it really encourages them to use their imagination. They spend hours attaching the Velcro stamps to the letters and postcards, posting the letters through the letterbox, weighing parcels on the working scales and then using the fun parcel drop feature. They think it’s great that they can use the bank card to pay for postage as well as sign for parcels on the little machine!”
Shop the First Class Toy Post Office
“We’re absolutely delighted with this dressing up rail and the girls have so much fun with it. The rail encourages imaginative play and keeps things neat and tidy. It’s perfect for hanging school uniform, and key outfits for the season to save them rummaging through the wardrobe. We also love the extra area underneath with the magical star detail to store shoes, trunks and accessories. A must-have for a children’s bedroom!”
Shop the Star Bright Dressing Up Rail
Thanks so much to all the mums who've shared their Christmas present ideas with us! Shop our parent approved gift ideas for kids today and wrap up a present that’s sure to please.
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Roll up, roll up! Our new Wooden Play Shop & Cafe is open for business. Farmer's market, ice cream parlour or post office, this versatile toy offers endless possibilities for creative play. We love the chalkboards at the top and on the sides for personalising your shop or cafe. We’ve also added a clock and a reversible open and closed sign so little shopkeepers can keep track of their opening hours.
Not only does this extraordinary emporium encourage imaginative play, but it’s also great for nurturing a child’s communication and memory skills as they recreate scenarios from the real world. Team it up with our Lolly & Scoop Ice Cream Shop or Star Beans Coffee Shop for extra WOW factor on Christmas morning.
Beep, beep… the perfect gift for motor mad little ones has arrived. Designed to encourage hours of imaginative, open-ended play, our Wooden Toy Garage with Track puts your child in the driving seat. There’s something fun to do at every angle making it fantastic for playdates or sibling play. Fill up at the petrol station (the nozzles fit the vehicles), drive through the car wash, head to the service bay for repairs, or take the lift to the first floor and hop on the helicopter.
Add extra fuel to playtime with the addition of a Wooden Road Track with Accessories. This twelve-piece expansion set provides even more racing space and includes two trees, three road signs and two pedestrian crossing lights. Don’t forget to include a Wooden Cars & Vehicles Set to complete their mini race track.
Our Play & Store Wooden Toy Castle comes in a handy carry case for battles on-the-go (no round tables required). Piece together this detailed playset on a cosy rug and in no time at all your little heroes will be set for a siege.
The special features, like the drawbridge and portcullis that pulls up and down plus the secret trap door for capturing baddies in the jail below, will capture imaginations. And let’s not forget the working catapult, knights-in-training won’t be able to resist loading it up and aiming for the enemy! With the addition of a set of Wooden Castle Accessories, featuring two knights, one king and one dragon, there'll be ferocious battles aplenty.
Playtime just got tastier, thanks to the Let’s Bake Play Kitchen & Accessories. This petite wooden toy kitchen comes with all the accessories and ingredients needed to bake a scrummy cake. Budding bakers can mix their ingredients, pop the cake tin in the oven, use the clicking dials to set the temperature and keep an eye on the built-in clock until their cake is ready. There’s also a removable sink for washing up afterwards.
Brimming with thoughtful details, this wooden play kitchen guarantees to serve up hours of imaginative role play fun. Its gender-neutral design is easy on the eye and it’s the perfect size to place in a family kitchen or living room. Keep your mini baker extra busy with the addition of the Gingerbread Toy Baking Set.
The adorable Time for Tea Wooden Tea Set is perfect for little make-believers who love to mimic their parents’ daily rituals. From deciding whether to go for a mint tea or a milky coffee, to slotting lemon slices into place and choosing between the three tasty biscuits, this is pretend play at its sweetest.
As children chit-chat with their friends, siblings or teddies while enjoying a tea party, they’ll get the chance to exercise their imagination and social skills. With plenty to pick up and grip as well as see and do, this wooden tea set also helps little ones develop colour recognition and fine motor skills. We love that the colours of the tea bag labels match the tea discs and that there’s a diddy teaspoon for sweetening your tea with sugar.
Finally, we have the t-riffic Play & Store Dinosaur Playset. Designed to fire up imaginations, this roarsome playset will keep little explorers entertained for hours. They’ll love piecing together the Jurassic landscape; you’ll love that all the pieces store neatly away inside the erupting volcano carry case.
This wooden dinosaur playset includes a rock, trees, shrubs and eggs as well as five dinosaurs with moving parts, including the Pterodactyl's wings. It’s fantastic for challenging your child’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as their little hands connect the pieces of the set and bring the pre-historic world to life. It's built to last thanks to the sturdy wood and durable painted finish.
Take your pick from our top toys for Christmas 2021 and wrap up a gift your favourite little ones will cherish for years (and years).
]]>Sturdy, durable and thoroughly safety tested – our children’s furniture is here to meet your family’s growing needs. From bookcases with room to store everyone’s books to bedroom furniture they’ll want to take to their student house, read on to discover what’s new for autumn 2021.
The Crompton Tall Bookcase is our biggest book storage solution to date. This classic piece of kids’ furniture looks smart in children’s bedrooms and has room for stacks of picture books as well as those thick J. K. Rowling and Philip Pullman novels later down the line. With its neutral design, it’s equally at home in a shared space, ideal if you’re a family of bookworms.
Our bestselling Greenaway Bookcase has been helping early readers find their books since 2012. Its unique gallery style design has become a staple in many children’s bedrooms, playrooms and family rooms across the country, and is now available in multiple sizes and colours. New to the range this season, are bold Charcoal and soft Oatmeal. Hang one at a low height to entice early readers and in time move it higher up the wall for older children to display comics, prints, certificates and treasures.
The Isla Dressing Table & Mirror Set is sure to take centre stage in a child’s bedroom. Designed for little dreamers, it’s wobble-free and features a mirror with acrylic safety glass to keep your child safe while they play make believe games or get themselves ready for a party. The contemporary design of this children’s dressing table means that it can also be used as a desk throughout your child’s school years. The large drawer is spacious enough to store hair accessories, trinkets and jewellery as well as stationery.
Hallway, playroom or kids’ bedroom? Our stacking storage trunks are useful in any room in the home, no matter what age or stage your kids are at. Their deep compartments are great for chucking in shoes, school bags and helmets, leaving your hallway free from trip hazards. Alternatively, they can house teddies, puzzles and sports equipment in children’s bedrooms or playrooms, giving them easy access to their things. These handy trunks come in three sizes and are available with a long-lasting painted finish in Bright White, Cloud Grey, Oatmeal or new for autumn, Charcoal.
Next up is our brand-new and elegant Lulworth bedroom furniture collection. The crème de la crème of future-proof furniture, this beautiful range has a classic tongue and groove design and a durable white painted finish.
The single bed is available to purchase with an underbed truckle, ideal for when the time comes for sleepovers. The coordinating bedside table and chest of drawers offer oodles of storage space, and the large wardrobe has plenty of room to house your child’s outfits as their tastes change over the years. We love that the rail can be fitted at three heights depending on the age of your child.
From a newborn's nursery to a teenager's bedroom, we guarantee the Lulworth children’s bedroom furniture will last until they've flown the nest.
A clever addition to any nursery, this space-saving cot top changer slots easily on to the Little Wren Cot Bed and provides parents with the perfect height changing station. It also has a useful storage section to keep nappies, creams and other baby essentials to hand.
Like all our furniture, we’ve thoroughly safety tested it to give you peace of mind. We provide safety straps that affix to the cot bed rails for extra security and we also include protective felt strips that attach to the bottom of the changer to protect the top of your cot. It's designed to go with the Little Wren Cot Bed but can be safely used with most cot beds providing they are wider than 69cm (the length of the side panels that slot into the cot).
Team it up with our new Day at the Farm Changing Mat – it’s designed to be the perfect fit. Need to tick more nursery essentials off your nesting list? Take a peek at the rest of our new Day at the Farm collection.
Contemporary and oh-so-versatile, our new Open Wardrobe & Storage Unit is a must-have for nurseries and children’s bedrooms. The built-in rail is ideal for hanging baby’s first outfits and the adjustable shelf below means they’ll be plenty of room to hang clothes as your child grows. There’s also ample shelf space for folded clothes, shoes or storage baskets. Alternatively, pop it in a playroom and fill with toys, books and dress up costumes. At 138cm high, it’s the ideal height for children to access their outfits and toys independently.
So now you’ve met our new collection of future-proof furniture, has anything tickled your fancy? Want to see more? Visit our New In collection to discover all things new for autumn 2021, including imaginative wooden toys and cosy room accessories.
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Mission accomplished! Budding astronauts can now travel to new galaxies with their homemade rocket ships. Once the space expeditions are over, we like to display these rockets crafts on a shelf in your child’s bedroom or stick them to the wall to create a rocket-fuelled wall display.
Thanks to Laura & Tia for showing us how to make these fantastic toilet roll rocket crafts for kids. Check out their latest book The Eco Craft Book: Don't Throw It Away, Recreate & Play for more craft ideas.
]]>If you thought that weaning your little one was going to be unknown-acronym-free you were mistaken. Luckily, there aren’t that many and we’re going to get you all clued up on one of the main ones right now: BLW aka Baby Led Weaning.
While this doesn’t actually mean that your baby’s going to take control of the weekly shop – it does involve letting them take charge of the actual eating part of baby weaning.
Baby led weaning is where purees are bypassed and the baby instead feeds themselves with food that’s been cut up into manageable, baby-sized bites.
The main difference between spoon feeding your little one and baby led weaning is that, when doing BLW, babies learn to chew before they learn to swallow, whereas with purees, they learn to swallow first.
Baby weaning begins when your little one is ready for solid foods.
We recommend following the WHO guidelines on when to start offering solid food, which is around 6 months – especially if you plan on doing finger foods straight away.
Key requirements before weaning are: your baby should be able to sit up unassisted, they should have lost their tongue thrust reflex, and they should be able to grasp and hold onto foods (this one is key for BLW anyway!)
We think that getting your little one involved with family meals is always a great approach! It encourages them to do like everyone else – well they’ll also add in a bit of screaming and take out most of the eating (at least at first) – but it makes it a fun activity they now get to join in on!
There are lots of foods you can go for to start weaning – check which ones are appropriate for a 6 month old (or whatever age your little one may be) and go for a nice variety of them. Cut them down into sizes that your baby’s little hands can pick up (and are not too big for them to eat) and let them dig in.
For this, at the start, you’ll want foods that their hands can naturally grasp: carrot and cucumber batons or even some steamed broccoli florets (they’re all like little handles they can get their hands around).
At first there’ll be lots of grabbing and playing and not much eating, but don’t worry – this is all very new and exciting for them so they’ll be a bit distracted (and also won’t quite grasp that the food is for eating). In the early stages of baby weaning, they’ll be getting most of their nutrients and calories from breastmilk or formula, so it doesn’t matter if not much actual eating gets done!
There’s no ‘best food’ to start with when it comes to how to wean your baby, but simply prepped vegetables and fruits make great options (by themselves rather than mixed in together too much so you know which one your baby loves and which one they don’t love quite as much). We’d recommend:
For more blogs, recipes and advice on your baby weaning journey join Piccolo’s Family Club. Members also receive exclusive discounts from fantastic brands, including Great Little Trading Company!
A big thanks to Piccolo for sharing this handy guide! We hope you learnt a thing or two about baby led weaning.
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Sensory play for babies includes any activity that stimulates their sense of touch, smell, taste, sight, or hearing. Through sensory activities, you can encourage your little one to use their senses to play, be curious, and explore.
A baby’s senses start developing while in the womb; before they’re born, they can feel your movements, taste the foods you eat, and tune in to your voice and everyday sounds. Once they’re born and open their eyes for the first time, they’re exposed to even more stimuli. Each new sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound introduces them to the world around them.
Sensory play for babies is an early but important step for baby development and invaluable to support cognitive growth. Through sensory play at home you can teach your baby about so many different things in a fun and gentle way. As they engage in play that stimulates their senses they’ll learn about new textures and sounds, while also developing their memory, listening, problem solving, and motor skills.
Wearable rattles for your baby’s wrist and socks are one of the best sensory toys for babies, as they are a great way to stimulate their hearing and encourage them to experiment through shuffling about to make sounds.
A traditional baby-safe rattle is another sensory toy option and will help your baby explore their sense of touch, too. If they’re not old enough to pick up objects yet, gently place your hand around theirs, and move the rattle to the beat of some music.
Babies love to express themselves through sound; playing with a rattle will introduce them to rhythms and patterns.
Another one of the best sensory toys for babies is a play gym as it incorporates lots of sensory activities in one, so you don’t have to worry about having lots of toys on hand in the early days.
Our Woodland Animals Baby Gym has a simple wooden frame that’s easy on the eye and doesn’t take up much floor space. Not only does it look good in your home, but your baby will also enjoy looking up at the fox, bird, and rabbit hung from the centre pole. The wooden characters feature bells and beads to add sound and texture to your baby’s sensory play. Suitable from two months +, your baby can transition from watching the eye-catching shapes float around to using their hands to reach out and explore the tactile shapes.
As your baby lies back and engages with their interactive play gym, keep them comfy with our Portable Quilted Playmat as the base for their sensory play. It's made from 100% cotton to be soft against your baby’s skin.
There are lots of creative baby sensory ideas you can try at home. Themed sensory play, like under the sea, a teddy bear’s picnic, a safari, or a woodland stroll, are a fun activity you’ll both enjoy.
For a woodland theme you could sit or lie your baby on our Woodland Animals playmat and surround them with baby-safe objects to suit the theme. How about a fox or bunny teddy and appropriately sized materials from nature? You could use a feather to lightly tickle their skin and ignite their senses. If your baby shows signs they’re not a fan of this, move on to exploring a different object together. You could also listen to a relevant nursery rhyme or atmospheric music, like woodland sounds, to excite their ears.
A baby’s eyesight is a little fuzzy until they’re around five months old and they can’t perceive colour in the same way as we would. That’s why the contrast of black and white toys and books are great to capture their attention. With a monochrome soft or board book, baby can learn to focus on simple shapes as well explore the feel of the pages as their finger strength develops. Black and white picture books are brilliant for baby sensory at home or even on the go.
Another popular baby sensory idea, that’s suitable starting from two - six weeks, is to create a Munari mobile. Designed to boost your baby’s visual skills, this easy-to-make Montessori mobile comprises of geometric black and white shapes and a glass ball to capture the light. The elements of the mobile are lightweight and easily sway about which make them super appealing for little ones’ eyes to track. Crafty mamas-to-be can follow one of the many tutorials online.
Don’t forget day-to-day activities like bath time, changing their nappy, tummy time, or cuddles also engage their senses. So, don’t feel you have to have a specific sensory play idea planned for your baby every day; simply cuddling your little one and singing them a song or pulling silly faces is a rich source of stimulation.
Whether you’re reading up before your baby’s arrival, or are new parent looking for fresh ideas for baby sensory at home, we hope our sensory play ideas for babies have inspired you. If you’re looking to meet other parents and discover future playmates for your baby, you may also like to try baby sensory classes in your local area.
]]>After welcoming your baby into the world it’s a common thought for parents to start thinking about how they can save for their future. Whether it’s a helping hand for university, money towards their first house or just a little something to help launch them into adult life.
At Beanstalk we understand those worries, as parents ourselves we felt the same way too and that’s why we launched our app. We’ve pulled together five tips to help you save for your little one, which we hope will help you.
Before we dive into those, we want to introduce ourselves. We’re Beanstalk the revolutionary new app bringing children’s savings into the 21st Century. Launched by the same team behind KidStart, we’ve been helping parents save for over 12 years by enabling them to earn money back from over 2,300 retailers (including GLTC!) to top up their child’s savings account. Through the years of running KidStart, we realised there was a gap in the market for an app like Beanstalk that makes saving and investing simple and affordable for all families.
Here are our top tips:
It may be an obvious place to start but taking the jump to opening an account is a barrier that many parents don’t get around to. It can be confusing, there are many different types of accounts out there from cash to stocks and shares, which can make it overwhelming. This is why we’ve put together a free Junior ISA guide which explains the basics of JISAs and will educate you on the different types available to help you make a decision about the best account for you. Beanstalk does not require an upfront contribution to open an account making it really easy to get started. The money you save into a Beanstalk JISA is locked up until your children turn 18. They can then decide what they would like to do with the savings.
An easy one to start with, our first tip is to use KidStart. It’s free to sign up and an easy way to grow your child’s savings on your online shopping. You can earn money back from retailers such as John Lewis & Partners, Sainsbury’s, eBay, TUI, Octopus Energy, GLTC and thousands more. The money you save tops up any account you’ve set up for your child and regular KidStart users can earn up to £250 a year.
Only save what you can afford and this may change from month-to-month depending on plans, holidays, emergency costs you need to cover. We recommend putting together a family budget. It can seem daunting at the start but will make saving so much easier when you’re on top of your incomings and outgoings. For example, Money Saving Expert’s budget planner is a downloadable spreadsheet to help you get on top of your finances.
Don’t put pressure on yourself with how much you can save, just taking the plunge and getting started with even just a little each month is better than nothing. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it will add up, especially if you’re going to be saving for many years. Beanstalk doesn’t require you to commit to a set amount each month, so you can top up the account with however much you want and whenever suits you.
Talk to them about the money you’re saving and why you’re doing it to make it more fun. Show them their account if it’s easy to access and understand, something parents with a Beanstalk account have said they like to do with their kids. With Beanstalk you can add your children’s photos and the account is simple to view and manage with it being on an app. GLTC also have a great Count The Pennies Money Box which is a fun way to encourage your children to save from an early age.
We hope these tips have helped you to start or continue to save for your little ones.
You can find out more about Beanstalk here and KidStart here.
Please note: Capital at risk. As with any investment, the value can go down as well as up. Beanstalk is a trading name of KidStart Limited, authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (# 473606).
]]>We asked the lovely Katy Huyerman, a Certified Baby and Child Sleep Consultant and the owner of Slumbertots, to share her tips on how to develop a healthy sleep routine with your little one. Katy works with children from newborn up to 5 years old and helps families to get the sleep they need. Katy’s also mum to Kian and Lily, and she became a Sleep Consultant following her struggles with sleep deprivation when Kian was a baby. Since then, she has worked with over 500 families to help them get their babies to sleep well. Read on to discover Katy’s baby sleep guide.
If your baby or toddler is having trouble sleeping through the night, the first thing to say is, you're not alone! Many other families are in the same boat with their babies and toddlers. The good news is, there are some quick and easy things you can do to help your little one on the path to sleeping for longer stretches and get your baby sleeping through the night!
The best time to put your little one to bed is somewhere between 6 - 8pm in the evening. This will help your child to get a solid 10-13 hours of sleep during the night, which is the amount of sleep children should be getting every night up until the age of 10. An early bedtime will mean you won’t be in the position of working out how to get an overtired baby to sleep.
Whether your child has a room of their own or shares with parents or siblings, it's important that you put them to sleep in the same place every night (and for naps during the day as much as possible). This gives them predictability and consistency and lets them know they’re in a place where sleep is expected.
It’s important to make sure that your baby is a comfortable temperature – not too hot or too cold. The Lullaby Trust guidelines recommend a room temperature of 16-20°C, with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep sack.
For babies and toddlers, consistency and predictability are two of the most important tools you can use. When they know what to expect at bedtime, it makes it so much easier for them to make the transition from being awake to falling asleep. That’s why putting a bedtime routine in place is so important!
A good example of a bedtime routine might be something like this:
6.20pm – Bath
6.35pm – Put on pyjamas
6.40pm – Breast or bottle feed
6.55pm – Story or songs
7pm – Put your little one into their cot or bed
Your bedtime routine should be around 30 - 40 minutes long, and it’s really important to make the routine the same every night. Repetition and predictability are how we learn and they let your child know that they’ll soon be expected to fall asleep.
If you've been rocking, feeding, or otherwise soothing your baby to sleep, this will seem like a tough one... but it's actually the most important step! It's only by letting your child fall asleep independently at bedtime that they can learn the skills necessary to stay asleep through the night. All of us, babies and adults alike, actually wake several times a night. For most of us as adults, these wakings are so short that we don't remember them. However, many babies will immediately cry on waking because they haven't learned how to fall asleep on their own. If a baby has been fed or rocked to sleep since birth, it's understandable they wouldn't know how to fall asleep independently, and need some help to get back to sleep. If you start to try and put your baby into their cot awake at bedtime, this is a key step in helping them to sleep for longer stretches in the night.
If you’re looking for further advice and guidance on how to get your baby to sleep longer stretches or through the night, I have a number of guides available for particular baby sleep issues or phases, such as how to get a newborn to sleep, working on better naps, transitioning to a cot and dealing with early wake ups.
Thanks so much to Katy for sharing her baby sleep tips, we hope you find them helpful. Visit the Slumbertots website for more information and to find out about Katy’s 1-to-1 services. You can also follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
]]>Decluttering can seem like a mammoth task, but day 12 of the summer holidays you, will thank the you who organised the kids’ play space before the holidays, and now doesn’t have to spend hours tidying up each evening.
First things first, sift and sort through your kids’ toy collection. For each toy consider, how long it’s been since they last played with it, is it still age appropriate, or do you know another little somebody who might play with it more?
Once you’ve had a rummage and decided upon the toys that won’t be missed, donate them to charity, pass on to friends or family, or sell through an online marketplace or at a car boot sale.
If you’re struggling to be ruthless when decluttering toys, remember quantity doesn’t always mean quality. Rather than having heaps of toys that provide a limited range of opportunities and potential, it’s far better to own a select collection of top-notch toys that offer many possibilities for creative play. By decluttering and creating more space, it will be easier for children to find their favourites and the toys that help them learn the most through play.
One of our top decluttering tips is to invest in nifty storage solutions that work hard to earn a place in your home.
Take a look at your current storage situation… could you utilise a neglected awkward-shaped nook, free up floor space, or create a multipurpose set up? From modular corner units and wall-mounted book storage to stacking storage trunks and two-in-one organisers, we design storage solutions to suit any space, small or large, wide or narrow. If you’re wondering how to declutter toys, the right storage formula can make tidying your home as simple as 1 + 1!
While our traditional toy boxes are a sure-fire way to keep toys neat and tidy, we like to think outside of the box and design toy storage with extra-special features to help you declutter toys.
Take our Slide & Store Toy Box, it has a clever sliding tray to store the tiny toys that always get lost at the bottom of toy boxes. If you’ve ever witnessed (with a heavy sigh), your child getting every single toy out while they hunt for the missing piece of a specific play set, then this is your dream toy box! The sliding tray is the perfect size for a train track or Lego collection and features easy-to-grab handles so kids can lift toys out of the box themselves and hopefully put them back too.
Our Gulliver Toy Organiser is another tidying up whizz, thanks to its multipurpose design. It has two front facing shelves for toys and books, plus a secret space to hide two storage cubes. Hooray, finally somewhere to store all those little toys that would normally end up a trip hazard!
With either of these storage champs on the scene, you can keep your kids’ toys organised and within easy reach throughout the summer holidays and beyond.
Divide and conquer the sea of toys before the summer holiday mayhem hits. Assign wooden food, animals, cars, and all the rest to a different storage basket or canvas cube so everything has its own home. If you want to up your organisation game even more, you could create labels using plain gift tags and some twine. This is a great way to encourage children to practise their reading skills and put toys back where they came from.
Each basket or cube has a handle making them easy for children to access when stored in a low-level unit; they’re the perfect fit for our Alba, Blake, or Abbeville units. You can also team them up with our Rackham Storage Sets, Gulliver Toy Organiser, or Bridie Book & Toy Storage.
When the clock strikes bedtime, it’ll be simple to have a quick blitz of your children’s play space and pop everything back in its designated cube or basket. Offer a reward chart star for any little ones who help at tidy up time!
So, are you ready to get your home shipshape for summer? Follow our decluttering tips and give mess & clutter their marching orders! Remember, with a place for everything and everything in its place, a clutter-free home can be yours (no magic wand required).
]]>Since we launched our new Nursery collection last Autumn, we want to make sure we can provide practical tips for expectant parents as well as room inspiration, so we asked Pip to share her top five tips to help you prepare for your baby’s birth and to choose her favourite pieces from our Nursery range. Over to Pip…
And of course, GET EXCITED!
I am SO passionate about antenatal education, so have set up my own live, online, small group or private classes to make sure you can receive the very best preparation. You can find all of the details over on my website.
One of the best ways to get excited and to feel prepared for your little one’s arrival is by designing and decorating their nursery. Great Little Trading Company has got us covered with their gorgeous nursery collection.
This is super versatile and provides the perfect storage solution for nurseries or playrooms alike. Ideal for neatly tucked away toys, books, arts and crafts – you name it – and it can easily be used as a piece of furniture elsewhere later on too!
I just love the different styles, designs, and colours of these baskets and they tuck beautifully into the Abbeville Storage Shelf Unit to give a contemporary yet super practical touch.
This toy box is just cuteness overload. I love the incorporation of the seat making it a really great way to double up seating and storage in any space in your nursery or home!
The terms washable and baby are a winning combination for starters. But I love the array of gorgeous patterns available to suit any nursery decor. Once your little one hits 3 years and is big enough to use this beanbag it will be sure to be their favourite seat and the cute pictures you will take will be endless!
What a genius design! This playmat rolls up so you can use it as much at home as you can out and about and the quilted design ensures surfaces are soft enough for your little one to enjoy playtime on. The Woodland Animals design also wins cuteness points, for sure!
Happy Birth and Nursery Preparation!
Midwife Pip
]]>With hope on the horizon for the warmer seasons, let’s continue the outdoor appreciation, after all, there are countless benefits of outdoor play for children!
Open air play dates, den building in the garden, fun and frolics on the beach, and woodland adventures, there are endless opportunities to get your children involved in outdoor play. Here you can find ideas for playing outside with our kids’ garden toys, as well as learn about the benefits of outdoor play.
We believe fresh air is the best recipe for bright eyes and rosy cheeks. Hands-on, creative play outdoors has so many benefits, including:
1. Physical and mental well-being – Outdoor play enables children to run free, burn off energy and calories, and soak up some vitamin D (which is essential for healthy bones and boosting their mood). Other benefits of playing outside include reduced stress, improved focus in the classroom, and helping their brain to switch off at bedtime.
2. Independence and self-reliance – When outside, children are likely to have a bigger play area to explore, often more than an arm's reach away from their parents. They’ll learn to play by themselves and come up with their own games, as well as interact with other children, and pick themselves up when they fall.
3. Creativity – Free of the limitations of indoor play, children’s creativity can run wild when playing outside. With just a little imagination, children can turn natural objects into fascinating games. More space to play in will also encourage them to be inquisitive and think outside the box as they explore the great outdoors.
4. Learning – The beauty of nature’s ever changing outlook is that it makes it an extremely stimulating and multi-sensory place to play and learn. Outside there is so much for them to see, touch, and discover. They’ll also get the chance to develop their gross and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, balance, and more as they engage in active play in the garden or park.
5. Environmental awareness – Playing outside is a great way to teach children to care for our wonderful planet and the animals and plants who live alongside us. Children who gain an appreciation of nature from an early age are more likely to become eco-conscious grown-ups.
It’s clear how important the benefits of playing outside are for little ones, so we’ve rounded up some of our best outdoor toys for kids and toddlers to make heading outside all the more captivating.
Offering 360 degrees of fun, the Create & Play Wooden Mud Kitchen gives children the chance to engage in messy, sensory play, as well as tap into their inner artist. With space to 'cook' mud pies or pot plants on one side and draw and paint on the other, there’s lots to keep them entertained while enjoying time out in the fresh air. There's even an illustrated weather station on the side for budding meteorologists.
Our Growing Garden Wooden Toy is here to kick-start your child’s passion for gardening, growing their own food, and caring for the environment. It features lots of lovely wooden accessories, like seed identifiers, a trowel, a watering can, and realistic looking fruit and veg, plus it’s easy to move from the living room to the garden. As you nurture your own garden or veggie patch, children can watch and re-enact through role play with this enchanting play set.
Set up camp in the garden with a Play Teepee. Our easy-to-pitch play tents offer shelter from the sun and are the perfect base for bird watching, story time, imaginative play or cloud gazing. Don’t forget a picnic blanket to create an extra cosy den.
When the sun is beaming, pop our Lolly & Scoop Ice Cream Shop on the garden table or lawn, and hey presto you’ve got an open-air ice cream parlour. To help children develop their fine motor skills and colour recognition, it comes with a clever magnetic scoop and a plethora of ice cream flavours to serve to customers. Team it up with our free printables to encourage even more learning through play.
With kids’ garden toys this fun, they won’t want to come back inside! So grab the sun cream (or rain coats and wellies!) and let them hop, skip, and jump outside! They’ll reap the benefits of outdoor play, whatever the weather.
]]>This spring we’re launching an exciting Around the World collection and couldn’t resist making some cardboard animals from different continents for our latest photoshoot. Using our free printable templates, your little explorers can make these easy, recycled Earth Day crafts, too. We love thinking of ways to recycle the cardboard boxes your GLTC goodies arrive in; read on to discover lots of fun Earth Day activities for kids using recycled materials.
You will need:
Click the images to download more animal templates
And that’s it, in no time at all you’ll have an adorable set of animals from around the world. Display your animals on a shelf in your child’s room so they can play with them whenever they fancy going on safari. We love that this Earth Day craft for kids produces recycled keepsakes they’ll play with time and time again.
TOILET ROLL BINOCULARS
Use recycled toilet rolls to make this fun and easy Earth Day craft for kids. You could follow this how-to-guide and use ribbon and paint, or why not try this tutorial and decorate yours with washi tape?
Once your kids have made their binoculars, it’s time to embark on some Earth Day activities. Who’s up for bird watching or a nature walk? Be sure to pack our scavenger hunt printables for your adventures in the garden or on wild walks!
CURIOSITY BOX
Upcycling some empty cardboard packaging into a sensory curiosity box is a super fun Earth Day activity for kids. Challenge their imagination and senses by popping an array of curious objects inside the box. Go for natural items like a leaf, a carrot, or a ball of wool to spark questions about where these things come from.
TOILET ROLL PUPPETS
Add to your cardboard animal menagerie with these toilet roll animals. Print our woodland animals template, cut out the shapes, and stick them to painted toilet rolls to create your own puppets. You could also make a puppet theatre out of a shoe box.
Pop to our play & home learning printables hub to discover more Earth Day activities for kids.
As a family brand, it’s important to us to do our bit to minimise the environmental impact of our business and help preserve our lovely planet for the next generation. That’s why every product we make is made from high-quality materials (such as sustainably sourced wood) and designed to withstand the test of time. Check out our Sustainability page to find out more.
To encourage children to be curious about the world we live in and care about our planet, we’re launching a captivating Around the World collection. Add some world-themed accessories to their bedroom to continue the Earth Day fun all year round.
Not only is our new Around the World Rug a soft place to sit, it provides a launchpad for children to ask questions and understand more about the world we live in and the animals who live alongside us. It's handcrafted from 100% natural wool for maximum cosiness and extra durability.
Our new Around the World Wall Hanging gives wannabe explorers the chance to travel the world from their room. With the help of this beautifully detailed map they can learn about continents, the oceans, and the animals who inhabit Earth. It’s a wonderful aid to learning as well as a lovely way to brighten up bare walls.
So, what are you waiting for? Reach for the craft supplies, add our Around the World treasures to your wish list, and get set for a global expedition! If you make any of our recycled crafts for kids, tag us in your social media posts, we’d love to see what you make.
]]>Looking to banish clutter for good? Here’s why Blake Cube Storage is an essential for family homes.
Take your pick from a range of sturdy storage units and benches designed to fit rooms of all shapes and sizes.
Each Blake unit has cubbyholes the perfect size for our rope storage baskets and canvas cubes. This handy feature gives you the chance to divide and conquer clutter. We love to designate a basket or cube to one type of toy to keep things organised. Blake’s low-level shelves mean children can easily and independently access their toys – and hopefully put them away too!
Awkward shaped toys, picture books or even shoes, whatever you need to store, Blake has ample shelf space to help you combat mess and clutter in a neat and stylish way. They’ll be no plastic storage tubs in sight with Blake on the scene!
Blake is available in classic Bright White or the latest addition to the GLTC colour palette, Oatmeal – an inviting, creamy shade. It’s hard to pick a favourite, but we guarantee either of these neutral colours will slot seamlessly into a modern family home.
All our Blake units are made from strong and sturdy MDF and finished with durable paint. With its solid foundations and long-lasting paint finish, you can be sure Blake will withstand the rough and tumble of family life. We also rigorously test all our furniture to ensure it’s safe for daily use by children and recommend you use the Anti-Tip Safety Kit supplied with your unit.
Living rooms, kitchens, hallways, bedrooms or playrooms, Blake is useful in any room. With clean lines and a modern look, it will stand the test of time – it’s the kind of furniture you’ll always have a home for even after your little birds have flown the nest.
Take our Blake Storage Bench, it has heaps of space for shoes, as well as room for a basket to store hats, scarves, and gloves. Its versatile shelving means you can choose different configurations depending on your storage needs. Team it up with one of our washable bench cushions to create a comfy place in the hallway where you can sit and pop your shoes on (available in Grey, Natural or Grey Stardust).
If you no longer have the need for Blake in your hallway, use it in a bedroom, playroom or living room to provide extra storage space and seating.
Dress your Blake Cube Storage with our wide range of canvas cubes and rope storage baskets. Both options come with soft handles to offer easy access for all the family and are super roomy – fill yours with toys, teddies, Lego or craft supplies. They’re also handy for blankets, towels, nappies, magazines or even pet toys.
Our canvas storage cubes easily fold up when not in use and come in array of fun patterns; they’re ideal for playrooms, kids’ bedrooms or nurseries. Our rope storage baskets look just at home in family living rooms as they do in hallways or children’s bedrooms; pick our neutral designs for a versatile look or create an eye-catching feature with our two-tone options.
With over 20 designs to choose from, you’re bound to find a colour combination to suit your space.
So, what do you think? Will Blake Cube Storage become a family favourite in your home?
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Add some rainbow cheer to craft time with this handy Carry Caddy. Its fun and colourful arches are easy on the eye, while the smooth wooden handle means it’s a doddle to pick up and carry from room to room, or even outside for arts and crafts in the garden. It has plenty of room for pens, pencils, crayons, and paint brushes, or why not use it as an Easter basket?
Our Tabletop Paper Roll Holder will transform a desk, dining table or coffee table into an instant arts and crafts area. It even provides a space to store crayons and colouring pencils, too. Offering little artists an endless supply of paper, this one will keep them busy doodling throughout the Easter holidays, at weekends, and after school.
Book Cart, Fox and Carry Caddy, Fox – available in other designs
Our Book Carts and Carry Caddies make the best multipurpose Easter gifts for kids! They’ll love to keep their animal companion close by all year round for storing books, toys and stationery. On Easter Sunday fill one with chocolate treats or use one as an Easter basket for an egg hunt. Looking to read some Easter stories with your little ones? Use our Book Carts to display an array of Easter and spring themed books.
Easter is a wonderful time of year for crafting: fluffy bunnies, tissue paper flowers, egg painting – there are so many Easter craft ideas for kids to choose from! Here are a few to get you started and keep boredom at bay.
Not only is bingo a fun game for children to play, it’s great for improving attention and focus. Our spring themed bingo features bunnies, flowers, ladybirds, and more to help familiarise little ones with springtime vocabulary. You could even set up a virtual game of bingo via Zoom or FaceTime with their school friends.
Create some eggs-tra special Easter cards to post to friends and relatives with these fool-proof templates. All you need to do is press print, then prepare a craft table for your children. They can use pens, pencils, paints or even pompoms to decorate their cards.
Create your own Easter Board Game
Hop to it with our printable Easter game, it’ll be fun for all the family! With the added element of collecting carrots as you move across the board, there’s the chance of multiple winners, which is great if competitive siblings are playing. This Easter activity pack also includes instructions on how to make your own game and a sheet for writing your own rules.
Our printable chick and Easter bunny templates are a fun and simple Easter craft for kids. Dig out some empty toilet rolls and paint to get started. You’ll also need glue and scissors – cutting out the templates will give children the chance to practise those all-important fine motor skills. Make multiple chicks and bunnies to decorate your home for Easter, use them as holders for little chocolate eggs or put on an Easter puppet show with our Sixpence Play Shop & Theatre. You could also make your own shoe box puppet theatre.
Ready to get cracking? Shop all our sugar-free Easter gifts for kids here and head to our free play & home learning printables hub for lots more ideas to keep little ones busy as bees this spring!
]]>To mark Mother’s Day this year, a day when we hope all our mum readers are having a well-deserved break, we thought we’d ask mums from our community to share their musings on motherhood and family life. We couldn’t resist throwing in a fun question for their kids too!
What do you love the most about being a mum?
I have found this so incredibly difficult to answer, I think I love most and am proud of and terrified in equal measure watching how like me they are. I think most of all I have found motherhood redemptive, having had an incredibly difficult childhood myself being able to create a family of my own gave me back something I hadn’t realised I had lost. I also find I thrive on the sense of purpose and responsibility involved in raising good humans.
What are you looking forward to doing as a family when lockdown restrictions are eased?
My dad has a caravan at a water sports club and I am so hoping we will be able to visit this year and go kayaking and paddle boarding. The kids can all swim and paddle or just sit and throw pebbles in the water - they never seem to tire of that.
If your mum had a superpower, what would it be?
Lucas said: “If my mum had a superpower It would be to walk through walls or read peoples minds, but she doesn’t really need to read minds she knows us too well.”
What do you love the most about being a mum?
Motherhood really is hard but the rewards are so worth it, even if it does sound cliché or cheesy. Their unconditional love, extra cuddles, watching them grow and seeing their personalities blossom, brings me so much joy. I really don’t take my roll as mum for granted at all.
What are you looking forward to doing as a family when lockdown restrictions are eased?
Oh I so can’t wait to sit around the table with all my loved ones and eat good food. The children have grown so much especially the littlest. So it will be so lovely when they get to spend time with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins... oh and of course a family holiday would also be lovely.
If your mum had a superpower, what would it be?
My eldest son said for: “Mummy to pick me up and fly up high in the sky together!”
What do you love the most about being a mum?
When I see my children help another child or each other, when they smile and laugh, or when we are having a cuddle and they say "love you mummy!"
What are you looking forward to doing as a family when lockdown restrictions are eased?
I cannot wait for picnics with friends and taking William to the zoo for the first time and seeing his reaction to all the animals close up!
If your mum had a superpower, what would it be?
Martha said: "Hmmm, a happiness power!"
What do you love the most about being a mum?
There is so much I love about being a Mum, but I would have to say it’s probably the hustle and bustle that’s brings the house to life. It’s non-stop here but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The running around, countless meal requests and the mess are all worth it when I get to sit down to cuddles in the evening!
What are you looking forward to doing as a family when lockdown restrictions are eased?
We are normally a family that can’t keep our feet on the ground so lockdown has been a huge change for us. Top of our list once things start to ease is a trip to the seaside for stone skimming and hot chips on the beach.
If your mum had a superpower, what would it be?
I asked the kids what my superpower would be and it took them a while to think, but Oscar’s was my favourite - Super Pancake Maker! He decided I was great at making pancakes and could add magic powers to them!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us Louise, Sharlene, Zöe & Emma. Some excellent superpowers you have, and we’re sure you all, like all the mums in the world, have many more! ‘Superwoman’ should be added to the dictionary definition for mother, hands up who agrees? 😊
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First up, Laura Earnshaw, author of the bestselling book My Happy Mind shares her tips on how to approach any worries children may be experiencing:
There’s no doubt about it! Returning and settling back into school is going to come with a whole host of feelings, excitement, curiosity and maybe a little bit of worry – for us and our little ones! So, here are three tips to help ease this transition as much as possible.
Even if your child seems ‘OK’ with the idea of returning to school, it is super important to create some time and space to ease out their feelings about it – whatever these may be! You may have a child who talks about their feelings naturally which is wonderful. If your little one needs a little bit of prompting here, which is totally normal, you can try using role play with their favourite characters such as Lego figures!
Remember that the aim here is to talk about feelings that they have, not to plant worries or fears. So, if they seem absolutely fine about the return don’t feel the need to labour this!
Routines have looked a little different during this unusual time with but when they return to school they’ll be back into a much stricter one. There will also be lots more rules around keeping them safe due to Covid. To help them to adjust to this it’s important that they understand why these rules and routines are in place. This helps to remove the fear of the unknown which is often a source of worry. You could also put more of a routine in at home to ease this transition too.
As well as preparing your child for the ‘new normal’ by helping them to get used to some of their new routines, it’s really important to get them excited! Helping them to feel positive and excited about starting school will really help to dissolve any feelings of worry that they may have. So, focus on all the good things that will happen, seeing friends, learning with a teacher etc. Ensuring you help them to feel excited and positive about returning to school will help your little one to associate starting school with being a positive experience.
Laura is the founder of my Happy mind and specialises in building resilience & self-esteem in children through NHS backed programs. Keep up to date with her daily tips and tricks on Instagram.
Sleep experts, Eve and Gem, from Calm & Bright Sleep Support share their tips on how to help re-establish bedtime routines:
Lockdown life means that so much has gone out the window, and sleep is no exception. We’ve been helping families with solid sleep for twelve years now and even our children have been climbing the walls come sundown! So, try to banish any guilt about your child’s sleep being out of sorts and tell yourself you’re doing brilliantly, however sleep looks!
If better rest is something you want to get a grip on before schools are back, there’s plenty of time. Sending your child back to school or nursery as rested as possible will help them to:
Here are our five tips on how to prepare for term time sleep:
For more free sleep advice follow Eve & Gem on Instagram: @calmandbrightsleeepsupport. They also offer bespoke sleep plans on their website.
Holly King-Mand, an award-winning online English teacher, explains how to help your children settle in at school:
Parents can best support their children by keeping things positive. They can fill those school-run chats with positive questions such as “who are you most excited about playing with?”, “who had the biggest smile in the playground?” or “what was the funniest thing someone said today?” to keep conversations upbeat. “Did you do all your work?” and “what did you find most challenging?” are important questions, but they can wait until your little one has settled back into school life.
Teachers will have a plan in place to tackle the ‘catch up’ issue, so parents can safely put this concern to the back of their mind in the coming weeks and focus on their own specialist subject: managing their child’s emotional wellbeing. The catch up will come! Any extra work you are doing with them needs to feel exciting and inspiring: passionate subject specialists (do pop into one of my online lessons!) can help bring the wonder back to their learning if they’re feeling dejected.
The narrative they hear needs to be that learning is exciting, school is great and friends are the best! And this will put them in the best possible position to flourish in the classroom.
Head to Holly’s website to find out more about her lessons, book one of her online interactive classes, or check out her Instagram or Facebook for lots of free tips.
Little Dish work with nutritionist and mum Charlotte Stirling-Reed to ensure their fresh kids’ meals not only taste delicious but that they’re nutritionally balanced.
After weeks of lunches at home, we asked if they could share some ideas to help you prep quick and easy lunchbox recipes and after school snacks:
Chicken, pesto & mozzarella wraps
Check out Little Dish’s recipe hub for more inspiration.
We also love Taming Twins who shares quick recipe videos to solve your dinner dilemmas, the Happy Pear who create budget and family friendly vegan recipes and My Little Food Critic who makes easy, healthy recipes for all the family.
We hope these tips from some of our favourite experts come in handy as you and your children prepare to kick-start back to school routines. Don’t forget, check out our free back to school printables. The series includes a route to school challenge, morning and after school checklists and an activity pack to help re-familiarise children with everything they love about school.
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