Save on your Family’s Day Out

There are so many places available now where you can find money off vouchers; you can get them through the post, you may also find them in newspapers and magazines, but the most fruitful and convenient way of obtaining your money off vouchers is via the internet. The best places to find money off vouchers on the internet is via sites like moneysupermarket.com, where you will find a vast selection of printable vouchers, voucher codes and exclusive deals.

If you’re more of a fan of shopping online than on the high street then there are numerous voucher codes that you can type in at the online checkouts, however, if you still prefer the thrill of popping down to your local high street and stocking up on the items you want then you can still have the benefit of the voucher savings with the use of the manyprintable vouchers available on the site.

Many people are now getting into the habit of checking the vouchers available to them before they go out to the shops, knowing that that every year shoppers are saving more and more money each year by using vouchers. This trend is showing no signs of slowing down at all, and why should it? Shops are benefiting from the increased amount of sales they are seeing as a result of offering money-off vouchers and shoppers are spending like never before due to the amount of money they can now save.

At this time of year, many families are gearing up to the Easter holidays and are starting to plan their fun days out with the kids. These days out can end up being very expensive so it really is in your interest to check what vouchers are available on moneysupermarket’s vouchers page before venturing out with the whole family. On the site you can “search thousands of UK offers for the latest voucher codes and discount vouchers to make sure you get the best deal”.

There are several major UK attractions that are featured on moneysupermarket at the moment, including the 20% off deal you’ll get of you visit the Wookey Hole Caves with up to six members of your family. Here you’ll enjoy viewing Britain’s most spectacular caves and the legendary home of the infamous Witch of Wookey. Whilst at the caves you will be able to visit the prehistoric valley of the Dinosaurs, view the King Kong feature and relax in the magical fairy garden. If this isn’t enough to keep your family entertained then make sure you don’t forget about the 19th Century Paper Mill, as this houses a variety of fascinating attractions including the Victorian Penny Arcade, Magical Mirror Maze, Pirate Zap Zone, World of Miniature and the very interesting new cave museum.

This is just one of the many fantastic vouchers that you can get to make your fun family days out this Easter as cheap as possible but without losing any of the enjoyment along the way.

Fairytale Kids Competition with Colorblind Cards

To celebrate the release of the new animated Disney movie ‘The Princess and the Frog’, Colorblind Cards are looking for a new model to grace the front of one of their greeting cards as a Fairytale Prince or Princess.

Multiculturalism is the focus behind the design of Colorblind greeting cards, stocked across the UK, America and available online at www.Colorblindcards.com

The competition is being backed by pop singer and X Factor coach, Sinitta.  Sinitta said “I love the diversity that Colorblind are putting into the high street, I give these cards to everyone and the mummys love them as much as their children! I can’t wait to see who the next cute model is!”

You can win the chance for your child to be the face of the new greeting card by e-mailing one eye-catching photo of your child with your answers to the question below (max. 100 words) to: info@colorblindcards.com.

Which location in the world would you choose to set your favourite fairy tale and why?’

Check the gallery section of the website for clues…

The winner, along with the two runners up, will each receive a handsome Disney ‘Prince Naveen Frog’ soft toy and a ‘The Princess and the Frog’ read-aloud storybook.  Closing date for Entries is April 15th 2010.

Creme Egg Britain’s Got Talent Parody

Check out the performing Creme Eggs in this take-off of Britain’s Got Talent.  It’s called Goo Got Talent (Episode 1).

Family Cruises – Some Points to Consider

The family cruise market is buzzing with agents reporting an increase in interest from families for their offerings. The stereotype of cruises being only for OAPs no longer holds any ground. Modern cruises provide excellent entertainment for all members of the family. From waterparks to cinemas and casinos, there is lots to entertain those young and old. The Disney cruise is one that is particularly popular with kids (and big kids) and you can get great Disney cruise deals throughout the year.

However there are some points to consider when booking a family cruise.

• Health conditions of the particular cruise you book should be checked thoroughly. For example, some cruises won’t allow pregnant women on boards.
• Like any trip always check the additional fees. Always book travel insurance. Kids are lovely most of the time but they have a nasty habit of picking up illnesses at exactly the wrong time. Most travel insurers will refund the holiday if a member of the travelling party picks up an illness that makes them unable to travel.
• Another tip is to check the onboard prices. Drinks are notoriously expensive on cruises so be sure to check out the prices of food and drink when working out your costs.
• It is also worth having a look on the tipping policy on board the ship.

Great family cruise deals are available at a huge variety of locations so find one and enjoy.

School children leading the way on the environment

Following a year long quest, today 22 children are representing Britain’s 4 million schoolchildren to present their manifesto for a greener Britain to MPs. A group of bright young children from across the UK will set out their plan at meetings with Ed Miliband, Secretary Of State For Energy and Climate Change and Greg Barker, Shadow Minister for Climate Change

The Generation Green think tank has been set up by British Gas as part of its Generation Green schools programme.

The manifesto is calling for the following:

• All UK schools to set clear goals to cut their carbon and to be able to see how much energy they are using, so they can work with their teachers to find ways to cut down;
• Green issues to become a part of every lesson on the school timetable and for teachers to be given more training and support to help them do this;
• All schools to be given Government funding for green energy, in the same way as schools are given funding for books and other essentials;
• A ban on the standby button – stopping manufacturers from making electrical items with standby buttons;
• Government to make it easier for people to recycle by putting more recycling bins in public places like parks, city centres and restaurants;
• Government to make it easier for local businesses to recycle their waste.

UK Family Holidays with Haven Holiday Parks

If you’re looking for a family holiday, where both the adults and children in your party are carefully catered for, then why not take a look at one of Havens 35 award winning holiday parks. With over 40 years of hospitality behind them, you can trust that they know exactly what they are doing. Whether you want to just relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings or have some family fun, there’s so much to do at Haven.

Forget the cries of “I’m bored”, with daily entertainment and kids’ clubs suitable for tots to teenagers, there’s always something going on to keep the children (and adults) entertained. So whether you want to boo and hiss at a family pantomine or cheer on your favourite wrestler, there’s activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. To make it even better, it’s completely free and optional, so you chose exactly what you want to do, after all it’s your holiday.

With every park offering an indoor and outdoor pool complex, free for guests use, you needn’t worry about the British weather getting in the way of the excitement. Whats more, with Haven’s poolwatch scheme ensuring that each area has a qualified lifeguard on patrol at all times, you can rest at ease that you and your little ones are in safe hands.

There’s an astonishing assortment of activities and sports for the whole family to try at Haven. Whether you want to stick to family favourites like football, tennis or golf, or try something new such as fencing or archery, theres facilities and opportunity to try them all. With this in mind, Haven has also launched mini sports. This presents children aged 3 - 8 with the chance to try different sports for free, with supplied equiptment and all under the watchful eye of qualified instructors.

.At night time, Haven comes to life with its 8-til-late evening entertainment.There’s soft drinks for the children and something a little stronger for the adults, there’s a fun atmosphere around in the admission free family showbar. With a vast array of acts showing from dance acts to character shows, exciting circus skills to caberet, there’s something to keep the whole family thrilled in.

There’s no need to worry about the fussy eaters in the family either, with an excellent range of on site eateries onsite, you won’t have to go far to find exactly what you’re looking for. You’ll find each of the food joints exceptionally suited for all members of the family, including babies and toddlers, with Haven‘s family focussed services. At no extra cost you’ll find bottle warming facilities, high chairs, bibs and wipes for little mouths and colouring sheets with crayons to keep children entertained. If you prefer to eat at home then you’ll find a fully stocked convenience store at hand, along with other helfuls such as ATM machines and a laundrette.

Whatever you’re hoping to find from your holiday, with fantastic locations and first class facilities, you’ll find at it an affordable price at Haven.

STOP PRESS:

Haven have some special offers available to those booking by 14 February 2010.

Half Price Early Summer Breaks – now from only £149 for the whole family
Save up to £200 off Easter School Holiday Breaks – now from only £169 for the whole family
1/3 off May Half Term Breaks – now from only £249 for the whole family

Click here for the Haven website or click on the banner below.

Antony Worrall Thompson challenges kids to make him the perfect breakfast

As part of Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2010, Antony Worrall Thompson challenges three teams of children to make him the perfect, healthy breakfast. This was in resposse to a survey that found:

• One third of children don’t know that oats make porridge
• 20% of kids think bacon comes from sheep
• 17% thought eggs were the main constituent of bread
• One quarter believe oats grow on trees

So, how can kids eat healthily if they don’t know the basics?

In the following video, Worall Thomspson demonstrates the importance of children knowing where their food comes from and highlights the reasons why breakfast is known as the most important meal of the day.

Sanex Dermo Kids Bodywash and Foam Bath - Hypoallergenic and pH Balanced

Following babyhood, your child’s skin becomes plumper, giving it that beautiful, smooth appearance and purity that most of us adults envy. By now, their skin is fully active and well hydrated, and should be at its healthiest. However, according to well-known GP, Dr Sarah Jarvis : “At least one in six children gets eczema, and up to one in 12 GP visits relate to some form of skin condition. That’s over 250 GP hours or 48 days worth of surgery a year”

Children’s lifestyles have also changed with today’s kids spending over 90% of their time indoors, so the environments of their schools and homes have a dramatic impact on their health, including their skin. Seasonal changes, central heating, air conditioning and hot water can all cause discomfort, making your child’s skin more delicate and prone to itchiness. Other factors that can affect the condition of their skin include not drying properly after washing and the use of bar soap.

Here are some useful tips from Dr Sarah Jarvis’s tips to help keep your child’s skin healthy:

1. Heat, cold, too much exposure to water or a dry atmosphere (central heating dries out the air) can all make dry skin worse. So can wind – be especially careful with hands and faces, which are exposed to the elements
2. Avoid normal soaps and detergents for all children, but especially if they have dry skin. Both of these can strip the oils from your child’s skin, making it more prone to dryness and itching
3. Use a hypoallergenic soap substitute approved for children to wash their skin
4. Get into the habit of applying unscented or hypoallergenic moisturisers regularly. If you start early, your child may rather like having moisturiser massaged in
5. Your child’s skin is very vulnerable to the sun, and getting burnt hugely increases his risk of skin cancer in later life. It also dries the skin out. Always use a high factor (at least factor 30) sunscreen, and reapply it often, especially after swimming

The bods at Sanex have now created a new product based on their understanding of your child’s skin and how it works. It’s called Dermo Kids Bodywash and Foam Bath - a pediatrician approved, hypoallergenic and pH balanced formulation that actively works with your child’s developing skin to gently cleanse and help keep it healthy and nurtured.

Sanex Dermo Kids Bodywash and Foam Bath joins a comprehensive family of skin friendly bath and shower products for adults – all designed to actively work with your skin to help keep it healthy and naturally protected.

Funding Your Child’s Further Education

Having children is certainly an expensive business. Young families usually have to cope with owning one of their first properties along with maintaining the child’s welfare, and as they grow older this can get a whole lot trickier. Not only have you got to think of how to spend money to keep your child happy, there’s also their higher education to consider. If you want your child to get through university, then it can present a financial conundrum - university costs £9,000 in tuition fees alone, and when accommodation and living costs are factored in this can double. So where are you going to find the £18,000 to finance your child’s education?

Student Loan

Unless you have a large amount of cash spare, then making sure your child has a student loan is essential if they are going to feel financially comfortable through university. A student loan has a rate of interest that matches the rate of inflation; therefore it is quite simply the cheapest loan your child will ever get. Even if it’s not needed, it’s worth getting and then putting into a savings account, as you will make a profit on the interest accrued - take a look at Alliance and Leicester for a comprehensive range of savings accounts. One thing to note about the student loan is that it’s purely for upkeep and accommodation. Fees are only repaid after university through whatever salary the graduate will have. So long as it’s over £15,000 a year, they will be repaying their student loan and fees as if it was another tax.

Child Trust Funds

If you’ve got your child’s further education in mind from their early age, then you’ll be on the right track for funding them through university - the earlier the better. One of the best ways to save is through a child trust fund. This is a stock market based investment, which the government will contribute to, and expires when the child reaches a certain age. Over the long term, the stock market is normally the best way to accrue the best return on your money, and investing regularly will see the value rise neatly. Just think, if you put in just £50 a month for 18 years, then that’s £10,800 even before the return on investment is considered! Basically, it will pay a lot to think of this early.

Banking and Insurance

Funding your child’s way through university is only part of the financial planning you’ll need to consider. Sure enough, if you take out a student loan and have an effective saving plan in place, then you’ll have much of the finance you’ll need to see them through the three or four years. Apart from this, you should also consider a student bank account. These are standard savings accounts with large interest free overdrafts - normally between £1,000 to £2,000. They can also offer perks for opening one, such as a free young person’s rail card for five years, or a £50 cash incentive. Further to this, student insurance is also vital. Considering the often lax security of student accommodation and the value of student property, it’s an important thing to consider - it might even be the most important thing to consider if something of high value was damaged or stolen!

New Pocket Money Petz website from The Children’s Mutual

According to new research from The Children’s Mutual, the old saying that good manners cost nothing is not strictly true, as 44% of children are now financially rewarded for good behaviour.

Award winning Child Trust Fund Provider, The Children’s Mutual, has revealed that as well as good behaviour, parents are also offering an ‘honest wage’ for a hard day’s work. 37% of children ‘earn’ their pocket money by helping out with chores around the home and 19% fill their piggy banks by helping out with the family pet.

As the Government announces plans to make financial education compulsory for children as young as five from 2012, leading Child Trust Fund provider The Children’s Mutual has launched a new Pocket Money Petz microsite which has been created to help parents teach their children about pocket money and saving.

Children can choose a ‘virtual’ pet, from a dog to a dinosaur, to help them learn to boost, manage and save their pocket money earnings, and while children have fun deciding which character to accompany them through PocketMoneyPetz, their parents can put a value against each chore to help them learn the value of money.

Tony Anderson, Marketing Director at The Children’s Mutual, said: “As children are receiving more and more pocket money in return for undertaking household chores, helping with the family pet and their good behaviour, we created Pocket Money Petz to help spark their imaginations about earning and saving money.”

According to The Children’s Mutual research, the going rate for pocket money has increased by a whopping 83% in a single generation from when their parents received pocket money until today. Parents are already giving an average of £2.85 a week to their child, with many (27%) parents expecting to increase this amount by £1 each year.

However, despite the rise in pocket money, The Children’s Mutual research showed that parents are often unsure of how much to ‘pay’ their children and can feel pressurised to compete with how much other parents give. Nearly one in five (18%) said there was pressure to conform to a ‘market rate’ and 16% said they feel they pay too much but ‘have to go with what everyone gets’. In response to these concerns, The Children’s Mutual has also created a Parents’ Pocket Money Guide which offers advice on teaching children about money, how to give pocket money, when to start and how much to give and how often.

Children also have their own user-friendly Pocket Money Guide which helps them to understand where money comes from, how to budget, keeping money safe, and ways of saving for the items they want. The colourful guide also comes with ready reckoners and games to help children become more familiar and used to dealing with money.

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