The Best Of Kent Food, Beer & Wine Festival
Showcasing the county's finest food and drink, the festival will take place on Saturday 4th June from 12-8pm on Walmer Green. Free entry.
Jubilee Concert
A special Jubilee Band has been formed to play a selection of Her Majesty's favourite music at the bandstand on Walmer Green on Saturday 4th June. The concert is free with unreserved standing. Bring a camp chair if you'd prefer to sit! Starts at 7pm.
Jubilee Street Party @ The King's Head
With live music, flags and a special menu for the day, the King's Head in Deal will be celebrating the Jubilee from 12-6pm on Sunday 5th June. See their Facebook page for more details - The King's Head
South Foreland Lighthouse Beacon Lighting
The UK has a long tradition of lighting beacons to celebrate significant Royal events and on Thursday 2nd June, the South Forelands lighthouse will be one of thousands to be lit in honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The lighthouse light is being switched on at 9.45pm and there will also be family entertainment from 6.45pm.
Kids Rule @ Dover Castle
A celebration of the Jubilee for the whole family to enjoy with historic performers, activities and fresh-air family fun. Every day from 28th May - 5th June between 10am and 5pm.
Click the link for more details and bookings. Kids Rule @ Dover Castle
The Captain's Garden Open Day
Take a look at the "secret garden" just across the road from Deal Castle on Sunday 5th June. There'll be stalls with local products and you can meet the bee keepers. Open from 10am -2pm. Entry is Free.
St. Margaret's Jubilee Fete
Live music, food, drinks, talent show, stalls and traditional fete games from Midday - 10pm on Saturday 4th June at the King George Vth Playing Field (The Cricket Ground) in St. Margaret's.
Jubilee Photography Exhibition
Photography exhibition showing how the people of Sandwich and surrounding villages have celebrated the Queen's Jubilee over the years. Takes place on Saturday 4th June from 10am-4pm at Sandwich Guildhall Museum.
Platinum Jubilee BBQ and Music Evening
Featuring live entertainment and serving the best in traditional BBQ food and drinks. The event will be held outside in the gardens and barn from 6pm at The Cider Works, Dover. Booking is essential at the following link: The Cider Works.
]]>
You will need:
Step 1
Start by collecting coordinating fabric. I used a combination of old clothing and bought remnants. One of the nicest things about making it yourself is when you do use old clothes - especially the kids' - you are creating a keepsake. Some of the little whippersnappers' cast-offs are forever immortalised in my bunting! Plus it's better than it ending up as landfill because chances are the bunting will be used over and over again, outliving any of those old pieces of clothing.
Tip: cotton and cotton mix fabrics makes the best flags as they are easier to sew and make nice flat flags once they are pressed. Old jersey t-shirts can also be good but the thicker the fabric, the easier it is to work with.
Step 2
Next you need to make a cardboard template. Mine's made from an old cardboard box and measures 28cm x 28 cm x 24cm.
Step 3
Use dressmakers chalk to trace around the template onto the fabric and cut out 20 triangles.
Tip: When using old clothes, cut off sleeves, frills etc. to make as flat a piece of fabric as possible before you trace around your template.
Step 4
Placing wrong sides together, stitch around the two longest sides of the triangle. Repeat until you have 10 individual flags.
Step 5
Turn each flag right side out and press.
Tip: Use a pencil to push out the end of your flags to get nice sharp points.
Step 6
Press your bias binding along the middle as this will make it easier to insert the individual flags neatly.
Step 7
Starting at approximately 30cm from the end of your binding, insert the shortest side of a flag between the two layers of binding and pin into place. Leave a gap of about 3cm and repeat until all ten flags are pinned into place.
Step 8
Stitch carefully along the bias binding making sure you catch both sides of the flags between two layers of binding, removing pins as you go.
Tip: The more professional approach would probably be to tack this before sewing and thus ensure no layers escape from the binding. Depends how confident you are feeling!
Step 9
Make a small hanging loop at each end of the binding and stitch into place.
Step 10
Ta da! Step back and admire your work!
]]>
1. Working with ethical and sustainable clothing brands like Little Green Radicals, Frugi, The Bonnie Mob and DUNS Sweden who produce all garments responsibly and in organic and Fairtrade fabrics. The fashion industry is responsible for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions. Sourcing and buying more responsibly will reduce this.
2. Using recycled and sustainable packaging when mailing your orders.
3. Giving our customers reusable cotton bags for purchases made in our shop.
4. Powering our shop on green energy.
5. Sourcing products that inspire the next generation to be environmentally conscious. From the Little People Big Dreams book about Greta Thunberg to the Plant A Tree Kit by The Den Kit Co, there's something for all of tomorrow's budding eco warriors.
6. Wood is good! That's why we stock wooden toys. Sustainable, stylish, durable and fun. Everything a toy should be.
7. Introducing a pre-loved clothing return service in conjunction with Little Green Radicals and SuperLooper. Circular fashion is the future! More news on this coming VERY soon!
A few small changes can make the world of difference. For inspiration of how you can get involved check out 52 Ways To Invest In Our Planet on the Earth Day website here https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-tips/ or play a quick game of Sustainability Bingo courtesy of our friends at NoIssue Packaging...
]]>
The gardens alone are worth the visit and are brilliant for little ones. There's plenty to explore as you walk through the grounds from a natural play trail to looking for tadpoles in the Queen Mother's Garden. Great for all ages!
Walmer Castle, Kingsdown Road, Deal, Ct14 7LJ
Walmer Castle & Gardens Website
Sitting right on the beach, Hut 55 is the perfect place to hang out on a sunny day. There's plenty of space for kids to let off steam on the beach whilst you sit and enjoy a relaxing coffee in one of their deckchairs. Bicycle hire is available and the perfect way to explore Deal and Walmer's coastline. They also sell yummy picnics and snacks to take with you.
Hut 55, Walmer Beach, Marine Road. CT14 7DN
Or continue to Sandwich Bay if you're feeling energetic! Only a few remains of the castle are left but a beautiful community garden sits amongst them. It's a really nice walk along the seafront and there's a well placed coffee and hot chocolate stall to provide refreshment at the end of your walk.
Sandown Castle Community Gardens, Sandown Road, Deal. CT14 6NY
Hiring a bike is probably the best way to explore Betteshanger Country Park, with trails through the woods and plenty of tree climbing opportunities! You will probably find the odd den or two hidden away in the forest as well. The playpark is also very good with lots of variety to help them work off some energy. Over the Easter holidays there's an Easter Bunny hunt too but you need to book this in advance. Full details are on their website at the following link.
Betteshanger Park, Sandwich Road, Deal. CT14 0BF
This brand new museum opens at 1pm on Saturday 2nd April. Situated within the grounds of Betteshanger Park, entry is FREE and there's a full programme of events over the Easter break. From drama workshops and banner making to craft sessions where you can make your own miners' safety lamp, there is something for all interests. Plus the Lamp Room restaurant looks amazing. Can't wait to check this one out!
Betteshanger Park, Sandwich Road, Deal. CT14 0BF
Image courtesy of The Den Kit Company
Kearnsey Abbey is worth a visit anytime with its beautiful grounds, playpark and lovely new cafe. But if you're looking for a holiday club for little ones who love the outdoors, this could be just the thing. It's open for children aged 5+ from 4th - 14th April. Book their place at the following link.
Kearnsey Manor, Alkham Road, Temple Ewell, Dover CT16 3EQ
Kearnsey Abbey Forest School Website
There are rockpools a plenty in St Margaret's Bay so grab a net and bucket and spend an afternoon seeing what you can find. The backdrop of the famous White Cliffs makes this a truly dramatic setting plus there's The Coastguard Pub and an ice cream kiosk for refreshments.
The Bay, St Margaret's Bay, Dover. CT15 6DY
The best thing about Wingham is that unlike some wildlife parks, you can get really close to the animals. There's so much to do here, it really is a full day out. Aside from the amazing variety of animals to see (my family's favourites include the Moon Bears, Red Pandas, Penguins, Tigers and Lemurs) there's a fabulous outdoor adventure playground, a dinosaur park and an indoor soft play area. Arrive early, take a picnic if the weather's nice and spend the whole day.
Wingham Wildlife Park, Rusham Road, Wingham, CT3 1JL
Fancy some old-fashioned Easter fun? Well this is for you! Egg rolling, egg and spoon races and an Easter Egg hunt in the grounds of historic Dover Castle. Explore the castle to hunt for clues and challenges, and discover traditional Easter games as you go. Track down the Easter eggs and you will be rewarded with a chocolate treat and an adventurer's certificate.
Saturday 2nd - Sunday 24th April
Dover Castle, Castle Hill, Dover, CT16 1HU
Easter Adventure Quest At Dover Castle
This holiday club is great for active kids. Sports on offer include swimming, badminton, rounders, football, squash and click n' climb. The activities vary so if your little one wants to do a particular sport, check what they are doing each day when you book. They also offer arts and crafts each day. Suitable for children aged 5-11 and open every week day (apart from the Bank Holidays) during the Easter break.
Dover Leisure Centre, Fitness Fields, Whitecliffs Business Park, Whitfield, Dover, CT16 3FZ.
Dover Leisure Centre Holiday Camp
]]>
Blue Puffin
There are so many Puffins in the collections this season! The Frugi range is full of them too. And don't we just love this classic Duns print? The turquoise is such a great colour and the T-Shirt pairs beautifully with the Toweling Baggies from the Spring drop.
Short Sleeved Top £20
Available in Sizes 68 (4-6 Months) through to 122 (6-7 Years)
Sleeveless Gathered Skirt Dress £29
Available in Sizes 98 (2-3 Years) through to 122 (6-7 Years)
Sun Hat £20
Available in Sizes Small (6-12 Months), Medium (1-5 Years) and Large (5-12 Years)
Tropical
The print that shouts summer holiday! It's so vibrant and even nicer than I expected. I don't think this one will hang around for long.
Sleeveless Gathered Skirt Dress £29
Available in Sizes 98 (2-3 Years) through to 128 (7-8 Years)
Sun Hat £20
Available in Sizes Baby (0-3 months), Small (6-12 Months), Medium (1-5 Years) and Large (5-12 Years)
Short Sleeved Top £20
Available in Sizes 98 (2-3 Years) through to 122 (6-7 Years)
Summer Shortie Suit £22
Available in Sizes 56 (1-2 Months) through to 80 (9-12 Months)
The Summer Drop launches at Midday (UK time) on Friday 1st April.
Save the date!
]]>Transeasonal Dressing
Dungarees, Pinafores and Sleeveless Dresses are great sale buys as they can be layered with Cardigans, Long Sleeved Tops and Wooly Tights. Perfect for wearing now and then right through the summer without the layers.
Look out for pieces which work well across the seasons so you can get more wear out of them. Fabrics like denim, cotton and chambray are good for this.
Classic Basics
Classic Basic Long Sleeved Tops and Body Suits are always a good buy as they are so useful for layering (see above). Buy in neutral or multi colours to get maximum usage and coordinate with multiple outfits.
Sweatshirts & Hoodies
Buy now, wear all year round! Plus these are items which you can buy a bit bigger to get extra mileage from them. Sweatshirts and hoodies still look good even when they are a little bit big.
Pieces That "Grow"
There are many brands out there who excel at this with their clever designs. Frugi and The Bonnie Mob being two of them. Look out for multiple button holes on Dungarees and Pinafores to adjust as they get taller, cuffs that turn down and trousers that can be rolled up or down.
The Great British Weather
Don't forget that it doesn't generally warm up until May so long sleeves and jumpers will still be worn for a good few months if you buy them now. Remember the old saying, "Ne'er cast a clout till May is out!"
Look Ahead
It's always worth looking out for bargains that will fit them next Autumn / Winter. Children grow fast so you'll be amazed how quickly they'll grow into that fabulous item even if it's way too big right now.
Not all items in the current sales are from the Autumn / Winter season either. There are still pieces from last Spring / Summer out there and the beauty of children's clothing is that it isn't as trend-led as teen / adult fashion. Which is why the pre-loved market is booming in this category (see below). If you're planning a getaway this summer then now is a really good time to buy their Swimwear and other beach essentials.
Pre-Loved Is Good
You might have younger children yourself or friends with younger children who you can pass items down to. Good quality children's clothes can last through several owners if they're taken care of. I've passed items on to friends from my older two girls and am now receiving them back for my youngest! Adding extra life to your purchases like this is a much more environmentally conscious way to live as well as being good for your pocket.
Make Some Extra Cash
Did you realise there's a large market for re-sale of your favourite organic brands? Well there is! The beauty of buying organic cotton clothing is that it does last longer and if cared for you will be surprised how well items can hold their value. We have our own pre-loved return and earn scheme. Click the link for full details.
Aside from our own there are lots of other re-sell groups out there. Here's a list of some of my favourites on Facebook:
Frugi UK and Organic / Scandi Preloved Kids Clothing
This is always worth considering when you're weighing up whether to splash out on that sale item you've had your eye on. You might find some further bargains too!
]]>Well technically it is here, in the shop that is, I just can't sell it until the official launch date next week. But I'm bursting to share it as this Spring and Summer's collections have to be my favourites since we started stocking Duns last year. So here's a little sneaky peek for you, ahead of next Friday's launch, along with the sizes we will be stocking.
First up there's the Honey Bee print envelope neck baby suit. Lovely as a romper or sleepsuit and made from the Duns crazy super soft organic cotton. It will be available in sizes 1-2 Months (56), 2-4 Months (62), 4-6 Months (68), 6-9 Months (74) and 9-12 Months (80).
Next there's the Dandelion print baby suit. It has all of the features of the Honey Bee and this print just shouts springtime to me! This one will be available in 1-2 Months (56), 2-4 Months (62), 4-6 Months (68), 6-9 Months (74) and 9-12 Months (80), 12-18 Months (86) and 18-24 Months (92). I wish we'd done this one in a Zip Suit but only since doing this order many many months ago, have I come to understand the popularity and fabulousness of these. There will be more Zippies coming in future seasons!
Now on to the beautiful blue and green Frog print. I just love this and we've got sizes 12-18 Months (86),18-24 Months (92), 2-3 Years (98), 3-4 Years (104), 4-5 Years (110), 5-6 Years (116), 6-7 Years (122) and 7-8 Years (128).
The Frog print coordinates perfectly with these Terry Toweling Joggers from More Than A Fling. I've been asked a few times about More Than A Fling so for those who don't know, this is the sister brand of Duns Sweden. Everything is made from great quality organic cotton and comes in block colours which coordinate with the Duns Sweden prints. These photos don't do these trousers justice really as the blue is much more vibrant than this image suggests. It really is a beautiful colour.
The Terry Toweling Trousers are available in sizes 12-18 Months (86),18-24 Months (92), 2-3 Years (98), 3-4 Years (104) and 4-5 Years (110).
The Duns Sweden Spring Collection launches next week.
]]>
1. FOR THE LITTLE ANGEL
Angel Wings Jumper £20
This Angel Wings Christmas Sweatshirt by Sparks & Daughters is perfect for your little one to wear over the festive season. In a gorgeous navy blue, it features gold foil wings on the back so they will look like an adorable angel. They will look so cute in Christmas photos and the jumper has a lovely soft fleecy lining, making it very warm and snuggly. Available in sizes 2-10 years.
2. FOR THE ECO WARRIOR
Plant A Tree Kit £24.50
Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow - and this little kit can help them grow their very own. Collect a tree seed (a nut, winged-seed, berry or even a conker), and follow the instructions within - perhaps one day their tree will provide oxygen, habitat and food for creatures and birds, or even the shade for a picnic. It's a wonderful thing to do now, for the future - and they can use the beautiful, wooden-handled trowel for other gardening jobs whilst they wait!
3. FOR THE FUTURE MEDIC
Le Toy Van Doctor's Medical Kit £35
Follow in the footsteps of our beloved NHS heroes with this sweet medical set. Perfect for budding young doctors and nurses and designed to be treasured throughout the years. Ideal for encouraging social interaction through creative play, this gender neutral set is great for developing those fine motor skills and dexterity too. Comprising a vintage style fabric bag and 9 wooden play accessories.
4. FOR THE ONE WITH A SWEET TOOTH
Jellycat Amuseable Candy Cane £16
Peeping out of a festive stocking, it's Amuseable Candy Cane! Stripey-silly in scarlet and cream, with cordy brown boots and a friendly grin, this soft little scamp can't wait for Santa! The perfect present for your sweet-toothed sweetheart.
5. FOR THE ONE INTERESTED IN THE WORLD
OMY Giant Colouring Poster £10
Hours of colouring fun! This world map features hundreds of beautiful little details. Use the finished poster as a tablecloth, wallpaper or frame it as a piece of art. Measures 100 cm x 70 cm.
6. FOR THE CRAFTY ONE
Create Your Own Panda Head £10.50
Make a beautiful panda head to hang on the wall and learn all about everyone's favourite bamboo loving friend. Everything they need is included inside this kit - no glue or scissors needed.
7. FOR THE BUDDING ARTIST
Kitpas Crayon Set £18
Kitpas crayons are water-soluble, eco-friendly creative art sticks which can be used on multiple surfaces including windows and mirrors. The water soluble formula transforms to water colour paint with the addition of a wet paintbrush - creativity is endless! This set contains 16 gorgeous colours and is presented in a lovely box to keep them pristine.
8. FOR THE ONE WHO LOVES SUPERHEROES
Design Your Own Superhero Comic Book £9.50
Create your own male and female superheroes and then design your own comic book with this fantastic kit from Clockwork Soldier. Everything they need is included inside including ideas for creating a story and developing characters through to hints on how to design a front cover and lay out the comic strip. All they need to bring is their imagination!
9. FOR THE ONE WHO LIKES DRESSING UP
Crazy Cat Tail £23
Dressing up has never been so much fun with this crazy cat tail from Tell Tails. One size fits ages 3-10 and it can be shaped it to suit their mood. Trust us, they will never want to take it off!
10. FOR THE OUTDOORSY ONE
The Original Den Kit £45
Created by our friends at The Den Kit Company especially for the inventive, imaginative, original adventurers in your life! This wonderful kit includes everything they need to make an outdoor hideaway and there's even an enamel mug for them to enjoy their hot chocolate in. The perfect gift for children who love the outdoors.
11. FOR THE ONE WHO LIKES GAMES
Clever Cat Memory Game by Tenderleaf £17
This beautifully made memory game includes 20 sustainable rubberwood discs and a lovely drawstring fabric bag to keep them in. Remember where you last saw the animal faces and match a pair to win. Gorgeous family fun for those aged 18 months and upwards.
12. FOR THE LITTLE PRINCESS
Tutu Dress £34 - Crown £18 - Wand - £12
The perfect gift for all of those little princesses. This "every day's a party" dress by Bob & Blossom is super soft and super fun whilst the crown and wand by Avery Row add a touch of magic and sparkle to any playtime.
13. FOR THE BOOKWORM
Little People Big Dreams - Charles Dickens £9.99
One of the newest additions to critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy best-selling Little People Big Dreams series. This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, exploring the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them have achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream. A gift to inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world!
14. FOR THE LITTLE PROBLEM SOLVER
Stacking Fir Tree £16
Designed and made by Tender Leaf Toys, this beautiful luscious green fir tree made from sustainable rubberwood is great for those little problem solvers. Stack up the pieces and then top off with an owl!
15. FOR THE ANIMAL LOVER
Felt Finlay Fox Slippers £25
These beautiful slippers by Sew Heart Felt are handmade by clever ladies in the land of Kathmandu. Hand shaped in organic wool by hand with soap and a sprinkle of genius! The delicately sewn features bring the characterful slippers to life while cross stitched, soft, anti-slip soles are added to finish them off and make them totally toe-tastic!
16. FOR THE CREATIVE ONE
The Positive Doodle Diary £20
This beautiful hard-backed journal is all about encouraging creativity, self-expression and mindfulness through daily doodling and simple journaling. It's packed full of different activities that will lead the little people in your life to explore themes of confidence, resilience, kindness and even self-care.
17. FOR THE ONE WHO LIKES MAGICAL CREATURES
Jellycat Snow Dragon £24
Rainbow Robins PJs £28
These comfy & cosy organic cotton PJs from Little Green Radicals come in a colourful robin print that little ones will love. The unisex design and long-lasting organic cotton fabric mean this style can be passed down again and again.
19. FOR THE ONE OBSESSED WITH UNICORNS
Blade & Rose Unicorn Hoodie £25
20. FOR THE ONE WHO LOVES DINOSAURS
Jellycat Fossily Triceratops £30
You always know when Fossily Triceratops is coming - the ground starts to wibble and wobble! This snuggly pal has soft teal fur, three squidgy snoot spikes and a very fine frill, not to mention a lovely long tail!
21. FOR THE BABY OF THE FAMILY
]]>
The company was founded in 2007 by Christin and Andreas with main three goals; to be organic, to be unisex and to be unique. They only use 100% GOTS certified Organic Cotton and ensure all of the employees at their factories in India are treated and paid fairly (20% above the Living Wage in fact).
New collections are kept tightly under wraps until a few days before launch and on launch days themselves, all outlets share an agreement to launch at exactly the same time. As far as Autumn / Winter 2021 is concerned, Friday 24th September at Midday (GMT) is the time to mark in your diary! The colour palette is autumnal greens, oranges and browns along with some new colours of the iconic radish print (of course). But don't hang about, popular items often sell out on launch day so if there's something you like, get it when you see it! There's also a Christmas drop which is totally amazing but I can say no more... Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more information when I'm able to share.
]]>Like many of our brands, The Bonnie Mob came to be when knitwear designer Tracey Samuel had her first baby. Her moto is simple, "Buy once, buy well, pass it on" and she set about creating a range of modern, colourful and sustainable baby clothes. Things really took off when Gwyneth Paltrow bought the "Apple of Daddy's Eye" sweater for her daughter Apple and the press went crazy. Tracey soon adopted the apple motif as a lucky charm and logo for the brand and the range grew to encompass clothing for older children as well as babies.
Whippersnappers regulars will know about our love for organic cotton, which is why The Bonnie Mob is a perfect addition to the range. But as well as using GOTS certified organic cotton, The Bonnie Mob uses recycled materials too. The super soft inside lining of the Cool Cats Balaclava is incredible and made entirely from recycled polyester. Having seen the damage that traditional denim production is doing to our planet, The Bonnie Mob team developed a ground-breaking eco-printing technique which doesn't use nasty chemicals and uses 90% less water than standard printing techniques. Not only that, the small amount of waste water that is produced is used to irrigate a vegetable garden in the factory grounds! Have a look at the Denim Rainbow Shooting Star Dungarees to see the results. I think you'll agree they're pretty gorgeous.
]]>We love bees, which is why they always feature in our range, and this season there are some real bee-auties in stock. Take a look, and may-bee you'll be drawn to something like a bee to the honey (sorry, I'll stop now).
Frugi Cameron Romper £22
Opt for something that can be kept and re-used year after year. These tins from Rachel Ellen Designs are beautifully decorated and will hold plenty of treats.
Rachel Ellen Christmas Eve Tin £13
A new pair of Christmas PJs makes the perfect addition to a Christmas Eve Box and will ensure they look fully festive for those Christmas morning shots of them opening their presents. These traditional Christmas PJs from Little Green Radicals are fabulous for children aged 2+ and the Norsebot Sleepsuits are a gorgeous retro choice for babies.
No Christmas Eve box would be complete without something to keep them occupied as they await Santa's arrival. Clockwork Soldier make wonderful kits that are perfect for this job. Make fluttering butterflies or paper aeroplanes, or design your own robots as show in the picture. Rachel Ellen's Christmas themed colouring books are also a good choice.
Fun & distracting. These Magical Unicorn Nail Stickers have been a best seller ever since we opened and will entertain all of those unicorn fans!
Magical Unicorn Nail Stickers £3
Puzzles & games make a good addition too. This little tin by Floss & Rock contains 4 in a dinosaur theme.
A Christmas jumper or top is another good idea. These jolly jumpers from Frugi are sure to bring a smile to their face.
Jolly Christmas Jumper by Frugi £30
How about a festive book? A little hard-backed book like this one from Jellycat is just the right size to pop into a Christmas Eve Box or Tin.
If I Were An Elf £8.50
No self respecting Christmas Eve Box would be complete without an edible treat or two. And if the idea of more sugar to fuel that excitement terrifies you, what could possibly be better than a Jellycat Mince Pie!
Jellycat Amuseable Mince Pie £16
]]>Rebecca Meldrum (aka Mrs Meldrum) is a family and lifestyle vlogger who has written these wonderful journals for children to complete with Mummy or Daddy. Activities range from drawing each other to deciding which sort of super-hero you would both be. They will provide a huge amount of fun but also a memento of this moment in time.
Spending time outside is really important for everyone's health and mental well-being. The Den Kit company specialises in kits that encourage creative, fun and unprescribed outdoor play. Not only will this kit give the kids a much needed fun activity in the open air after a morning of home school, but it will develop problem solving and creative thinking too. You don't need loads of space or a woodland at the end of your garden to build one either. If you have trees, fantastic! But if you don't; fences, a washing line or a shed roof could all provide the supports you need to create your den.
If you think the den is a winner, then you'll love this too. This book is crammed with ideas and again encourages that all important time outdoors. Activities range from 10 minute projects to full day adventures. We particularly like the idea of the children doing the laundry outdoors - this ticks so many boxes!
Over 800,000 households tuned into the first of Joe Wicks' PE lessons and this is sure to grow. If you haven't heard, the fitness coach will be running his PE lesson for kids on his You Tube channel at 9 am every weekday until all of the UK schools re-open. And he makes them work! My very sporty girls were getting out of breath. A brilliant activity for children and parents alike.
At the moment we are still able to go outside to exercise within our own family groups. Why not collect some pebbles and create some rock art when you get back home? Posca Paint Markers are the ultimate tool for this as they have great coverage, are non toxic and come in a beautiful array of colours. Pinterest is a brilliant source of inspiration for pebble painting if you're stuck for ideas.
And if you are able to collect pebbles from a beach, why not do a spot of beach cleaning whilst you're there? Another good way to keep the kids entertained whilst doing some good for the environment.
Jigsaws are great entertainment and provide many benefits including the development of problem solving, hand & eye coordination, cognitive skills and fine motor development. We have first puzzles for beginners through to larger 80 piece puzzles like the rainbow shaped one pictured above.
Magic Water Colouring Cards are perfect for children aged 3+ as they are completely mess free! Just fill the pen with water and apply to the cards to see the colours come through. Once they have dried the colour will disappear and they can be used over and over again. These sets from Floss & Rock contain ten cards so there are plenty of designs to keep them occupied.
This Terrifying T-Rex Head is made from a kit. It includes everything you need to make a giant dinosaur head from recycled card, including the wall mount so it looks like it's crashing through your wall! And if dinosaurs aren't their thing there's also a Magical Unicorn.
Combining craft and learning, this fabulous kit has everything you need to build a 3D solar system wall chart. There's a board game on the reverse too so there's a whole lot of entertainment in this pack!
"I don't know what to draw!" Well Tinc's Idea Machine is the answer! So easy to recreate and it will keep arty children amused for ages. We have a range of pens and pencils in store to make sure those designs are super colourful.
]]>
Is organic cotton just a fad? Should we be paying more for our clothes? Is non-organic that bad?
]]>
Unfortunately, cotton farming is a dirty business. It's called the world's dirtiest crop. At the source, according to the UN's figures, it poisons about 77 million workers a year of which a million are hospitalised. The chemicals used are quite a potent cocktail. Aldicarb, for example, is so toxic a drop on your skin can kill you. Up until it was banned in 2010, the US was spraying over a million kilos over crops per year. It was so effective in killing insects that crop yields have fallen since it was stopped being used. In response, it has been reformulated and rebranded as AgLogic but still as toxic as ever.
The intensive use of soil is also a problem. It needs higher levels of fertiliser and water than the managed organic soil. Organic farming is far less intense. The ground needs to be left alone to recover; this aids the soil's ability to store water and also hold more carbon. Non-organic cotton uses a lot of water too. The cotton for one non-organic t-shirt needs about 2,700 litres to grow. An organic cotton t-shirt uses 91% less, or the same amount of water as one person drinks in 3.5 years (Soil Assoc).
Manufacturers using organic cotton trace their products through the whole lifecycle. Factories will be regularly inspected and certified. Workers conditions are monitored, and pay is fairer. Also, checks will be carried out to ensure that there are no instances of child or forced labour. Non-organic cotton isn't tracked, and factories do not have to follow any codes of conduct beyond that of their countries governments.
Finally, when the product reaches the consumer, a non-organic product is a lot more likely to irritate sensitive skin. The World Health Organisation has found that a lot of the chemicals and heavy metals used can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, skin problems and worse.
Organic cotton, on the other hand, has not been broken down by harsh chemicals so is naturally softer, gentler on the skin and even washes better. It is more resilient and longer-lasting too. The downside is it costs more to make than mass-produced clothing.
So in summary, when you are buying clothes, be mindful of where the real costs lie. Choose carefully, maybe buy less but better quality. At Whippersnappers, we concentrate on supplying ethical brands. Brands like Little Green Radicals and Frugi are leaders in the field of making quality, organic, ethical children's clothing. They are great for passing down to siblings as they will still look great in years to come.
If you are interested in learning more about the organic and ethical clothing revolution, here are a few organisations that are leading the way:
Global Organic Textile Standard - A global initiative which includes the UK's soil association and is responsible for certifying global organic brands.
Soil Association - Fashion and Textiles - A UK based organisation responsible for certifying organic credentials.
Fair Wear - An organisation looking at improving working conditions for those involved in the clothing industry.