Category: The Toddler Years

1. Fun Activities for Grandparents To Do With Their Grandchildren

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 18th Apr 2017

   Quality time with grandparents is important for families. Both children and grandparents benefit in numerous ways from spending time together. I read an article last week about how grandparents spending time with their grandchildren are apparently less likely to develop Dementia And Alzheimer’s. (!!)

   As a grandparent, life is less hectic so here are some ideas to enhance your quality time with fun activities that help you stay connected. 

   

   Bake Something Sweet

   If you enjoy baking, you can share your love of this pastime with your grandkids and also teach them some important cooking and baking skills. Even toddlers can help in the baking process by pouring dry ingredients in a bowl and helping to mix batter. Think about the types of desserts your grandchildren enjoy and be sure to keep the ingredients on hand for the next time they come for a visit.

   Colouring

   Colouring is a quiet and relaxing activity that appeals to kids as well as adults. With the mandala coloring app, you can color a veritable masterpiece with your grandkids. To learn more about this easy-to-use app, just click the link. Coloring is a perfect pastime for grandparents and kids because it doesn't require 100% mental focus; families can still enjoy interesting conversations while creating their work of art.

   Read

   A great way to enjoy quality time is to read together. Take your grandchildren to the local library or your favorite bookstore to stock up on picture books or paperbacks. You can read a novel together or you can read to the kids if they prefer. Reading builds skills that kids need to perform well in school so it's definitely a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.

   Memory Lane

   Pull out all of your old pictures to acquaint your grandkids with your past and relatives they may not have met. Photographs can lead to fun storytelling and help kids get to know you better. As a special project, consider helping your grandchildren make a family tree that they can display in their bedroom.

   Visit an Orchard

   From strawberry picking to apple harvesting, local farmstands and orchards often feature opportunities for people to pick their own produce. You and your grandchildren can enjoy some fun in the sunshine while picking out yummies to bring home. With so many youngsters spending time with their video games, it's important to give them balance by ensuring that they stay connected to Mother Nature too.

   Play Games

   From cards to dominoes, non-electronic games might be a refreshing change for kids and certainly provide plenty of fun for grandparents too. Board games that grandparents played as kids are still exciting for kids today. Break out the Monopoly or Risk board and spend an afternoon gaming with a bowl of popcorn or chips to share.

   Keep these activities in mind for when your grandkids come for a visit. They certainly don't require much money but they can provide your family with priceless quality time. With all the fun you'll have, don't be surprised when the kids beg to come again soon!

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2. Win a Cuddledry Snuggle Bunny Towel - RRP £32.99

   Posted on 9:03pm Tuesday 28th Feb 2017

   We are giving up chocolate for lent so finding alternative Easter gifts has become a little bit of a quest. We are therefore more than a little bit excited to be able to share the chance for you to win your own Cuddledry Snuggle Bunny Towel worth £32.99.  This super soft and fluffy hooded towel from Cuddledry is the perfect alternative to chocolate this Easter time.

    

   For parents it is a practical yet adorable gift but for toddlers and young children, the floppy bunny ears are irresistible, and they will love to snuggle in the warm, soft fabric.  Cuddledry tell us that it’s made with clever microfibre technology so it’s as soft as a feather and so absorbent it will dry them in moments.  The only problem will be catching them to take it off and get them dressed, as your little rabbit hops away happily, cosy and warm.

    

   So if you want something different to chocolate this Easter, all you need to do is enter below to be in with a chance of winning .... What are you waiting for?

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    

   Terms & Conditions

   The Prize: Cuddledry Snuggle Bunny - RRP £32.99
   The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
   Cuddledry will make every effort to provide a choice of colour but this cannot be guaranteed
   By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
   There is no monetary equivalent.
   Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
   If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
   UK Entrants Only
   End Date 04/01/2017 at 12am

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3. Win a mifold Grab-and-Go booster seat - Proposed changes to the European regulations for child car safety seats,

   Posted on 9:57pm Monday 9th Jan 2017

   Everytime I look on social media, there is a parent talking about the new car seat rules that are coming into effect in December but WAIT, are they really coming into effect in December or is this an assumption or more media speculation? The proposals are to restrict the development of new backless booster seats and limit their use to taller children, above the height of 125cm.  

   This changes only apply to new products and does not affect products that have already been regulated. Therefore, all existing backless booster seats, continue to be legal and safe per their usage instructions even after any changes in the regulations.(whenever the date might actually be).

   We have been chatting with mifold, who manufacture the grab and go booster seat and are delighted to be able to share a bit more information about the regulatory requirements (oh and a fabulous chance to win one!) 

   

   Overview

   • Proposed changes to the European car seat laws do not appy to existing booster seats currently on sale in the market, including the mifold Grab-and-Go booster seat, or any existing child restraint system that is available for sale in the UK
   • mifold meets or exceeds all relevant regulatory requirements and will continue to do so after any proposed changes for all children aged 4+, weighing between 15kg and 36kg irrespective of height.
   • The schedule to implement new laws has been delayed again; the Department for Transport say that it will probably be later next year.
   • If new laws are implemented, the mifold Grab-and-Go booster seat will continue to be sold and used for the safety of all children aged 4+, weighing between 15kg and 36kg irrespective of height throughout Europe with no new, additional restrictions.
   • The European regulators are entrusted with monitoring the safety of children in cars. Their commitment to continue to license all existing booster seats for sale and continued use, without limitation, is their recognition that booster seats are a safe, well-established, practical, proven and cost effective method of restraining children in cars. 
   • mifold is a safe belt positioning booster seat that is available all the time. Unlike traditional bulky booster seats, a child can always be safe with the innovative mifold belt positioning device - no matter whose car they are in.

   

   Car safety is important to all parents and the mifold is mighty small and mighty strong. We are told that mifold is the most advanced, compact and portable booster seat in the world, although the thing that appeals to me the most is its compact nature, which is super handy for when we have playdates and family outings. Less bulky car seats means more room for school bags or picnic hampers!

    

   

   So hopefully now with your mind put to rest, you will be even more excited to have the chance to win one. All you need to do is enter below!

   a Rafflecopter giveaway  

   Terms & Conditions

   The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
   Mifold will make every effort to provide a choice of colour but this cannot be guaranteed
   By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
   There is no monetary equivalent.
   Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
   If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
   End Date 30/01/2017 at 12am

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4. Win an Elf for Christmas

   Posted on 8:30am Tuesday 22nd Nov 2016

   Have you seen it yet?

   Can you feel it?

   You know what I mean don't you? ..... The magic of Christmas of course!!

   Magic isn't just reserved for Christmas Eve, not when there is an Elf for Christmas involved in the build up to the 25th December. Sent from the North Pole, Elf reports on good behaviour to let Santa know if children are on the Naughty or Nice List. 

   This is the perfect way to create a modern family tradition, ‘Elf for Christmas’ is an enchanting toy and reward kit perfect for girls and boys aged two and over. You can choose from a girl or boy Elf and this charming toy brings fun and magic to your home throughout December – while promoting good behaviour and family engagement.

   

   Where the magic really happens is in the Christmas Reward Kit - a unique package to help you bring the excitement of the Elf to life. The kit is designed for families with up to two siblings, includes an arrival letter from Santa explaining Elf's role in your home, a reward chart and stickers, mini report cards and certificates, which can all be used to promote kindness and good behaviour.  

    

   Keep the festive spirit alive with Beware of the Elf signs for your door and a Thank You postcard to round off the magic in January. Also included is a Letter to Santa Claus template, ready to post your letters off to the big man himself, and a goodbye letter for when it's time for Elf to go back to the North Pole. Refill Kits can be purchased for larger families, or for annual use.
   
   Throughout December, you will receive unique personalised emails from Santa Claus, directly to your children or class, with information your Elf has learnt about you. It really is magic. All you need to do is believe it!

   In 2015, 34-year-old mum-of-two Sarah Greenwell put pen to paper and turned her magical Christmas Elf ideas into a product for her young children. From a kitchen table and an online store, Elf for Christmas was born. A sell-out in its first year, Elf was noticed by leading toy retailers, including Selfridges, who will stock Elf for Christmas this winter, so we are delighted to be able to give you the chance to win the "must have" Elf for Christmas just in time to let the mischief, mayhem and madness start!

   December will never be the same again......

   All you need to do is enter below!

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

   Terms & Conditions

   The Prize: Elf for Christmas 
   The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 2 working days by email
   Elf for Christmas will make every effort to provide a choice of elf but this cannot be guaranteed
   By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
   There is no monetary equivalent.
   Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
   If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
   End Date 28/11/2016 at 12am

    

    

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