Monthly archives "July"

Summer Essentials for Kids – win travel games!

With the holidays almost here (and a mum of four kids myself) I thought it might be helpful to list those key “must have” items kids will need over the summer. Whether your toddler or tween is attending holiday clubs or going on holiday it’s always handy to have a backpack with all those essential items in …named of course!

To get you off to a great start this summer, we’ve teamed up with Orchard Toys who will give away six of their new mini games to one lucky My Nametags newsletter reader. All you have to do is follow My Nametags and Orchard Toys on Facebook and tell us your child’s favourite board or cards game. Good luck!

Backpack

Whether it’s just for a day trip or a week’s holiday get your kids to have a go at packing from a young age. You may have to check it over (and possibly remove the 15 cuddly toys they’ve stuck in there!) but at least they will have had a go. I’ve found buying my children a backpack each that they like is half the battle.

Mi Pac Backpack – Blue Galaxy £22.98

Toddler Backpacks & Lunchbox – Princess £27.98

Games

Give the electronic devices a break and pack some board games or cards to while away the hours while waiting for trains or planes. Orchard Toys have just launched a collection of travel size games for £4.99 each which are sure to keep younger kids amused.

Orchard Toys mini games £4.99 each

Water bottle

I’ve often made the mistake of forgetting a water bottle or bringing one between four which doesn’t go down well! My top tip would be to get each child a really nice water bottle and hopefully they’ll remember to fill it and keep hydrated while they’re out and about.

Dino Family £12.99

Bee & Friends £12.99

Sunglasses & hats

Sunglasses and hats are a must wherever you go in the summer. Invest in a hat they really like and hopefully it will get worn. I love the ones with the flap are great for younger children and are perfect for swimming in too.

Baby & Children’s Sunglasses £6

Quick Drying Flap Hats £12

Colouring Books

Colouring books are the perfect entertainment for long journeys and have had somewhat of a revival in recent years. You can find colouring books to suit all ages and tastes (even adults!)

Anti -Boredom Colouring Book £5

Usborne Travel Games Pad £5.99

Headphones

A good pair of headphones is essential for keeping the peace while kids play music or videos. My youngest loves her little pink headphones and they’re the first thing she packs when we travel.

Little Rockerz headphones £14.95

Peppa Pig headphones £14.95

Charger

Needing to charge everyone’s devices all at once is part of modern family life. Or forgetting to bring one at all when you go away is also very annoying. We love this charger which is not only high powered and quick, it will allow you to charge up to 6 tablets and smartphones simultaneously.

Avantree Charging Station £19.99

We Surveyed, You Responded!

At My Nametags we are constantly striving to better understand our customers. That’s why in April this year we decided to survey 2,000 adults in the UK investigating how many items people lost per year. Along with our research and thanks to your impressive feedback we found some pretty startling results, heard many humorous stories and even received the occasional commendation of when My Nametags had proven to be the saving grace for lost items being returned to their rightful owners!

Our data revealed that every month, the average person is expected to lose four items. “Keys,” “phones” and “pens” topped the list for the most commonly lost items by adults and “school books,” “jumpers” and “stationery” for children. Four lost items a month might not sound like much at first, but when you consider that over a lifetime you can expect to lose on average 3000 items then it becomes a much more worrying statistic.

Children will lose around 1000 items throughout their school years alone and the most expensive item parent’s claim their child has lost was valued at “over £100 pounds!” On a lighter note somebody actually managed to lose “a highchair.” One wonders how that might happen… Other strange items included a “snorkel”, “fairy wings” and an actual “car in a car park!”

Another participant explained how their son’s beloved birthday present, a “Nintendo DS,” was lost while they were staying in a hotel on holiday. What’s more, his favourite game Mario Kart 7 happened to be inside the console! Having phoned the hotel persistently in the weeks that followed their departure, they were beginning to lose hope until one day 7 weeks later they received a call from a linen company revealing that the Nintendo had been discovered in a pile of sheets. She explained how it was a complete surprise and that without the aid of My Nametags labels and the honesty of the person involved the Nintendo would never have been recovered.

We are proud to hear these stories when people’s most treasured possessions go on journeys of their own into the abyss only later to be miraculously returned to their rightful owners thanks to the good nature of human beings. We encourage people to keep this momentum up by remembering to do one simple thing – nametag your most important possessions, whether that be anything from your “glasses,” “phone charger” or “camera” to your “child’s helmet,” “snorkel” or “angel halo.” Probably not your “grandmother’s teeth” though, we think they are just fine without a nametag…

Summer 2016 family camping ideas

Outside is the biggest adventure playground a child could wish for – which is why camping is so exciting for kids of all ages. As a family we’ve had so much fun camping and being together in the great outdoors. Often simplicity is best. Here are our top picks of what to look for in campsite. Whether it’s for just for a couple of nights or a whole week visit www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk to find your perfect spot.

In the Forest 

There’s simply nothing more enchanting than camping within the peace and quiet of a woodland setting. Kids will love exploring the forest. And parents will love escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Hollands Wood, New Forest, Hampshire

With a play area

Having a play area on site is a great idea if you’re camping with younger children. Some sites have adventure playgrounds, trampolines or even outdoor chess and swimming pools. Perfect for keeping children entertained and also meeting other little campers.

Ashbourne, Derbyshire

Beside the sea

Combine beach and camping by picking a campsite near the coast. Days can be spent on the beach and evenings looking out to sea.

Sennen Cove, Cornwall

Next to water

For pure relaxation and exhilaration for those into water sports what better than a campsite that is right next to water; be it a lake, loch or river. Great fun for older children (and adults who love mucking around on boats) for Swallows and Amazon style adventures.

Cashel Campsite, Loch Lomond

Go Glamping!

If you haven’t got a tent or even if you have but want the luxury of not having to load up the car and put a tent up, then try glamping. Real beds, a relaxing sofa and proper cooking facilities are what you’ll get. Plus the great outdoors just on your doorstep…

Ready Camp, all over the UK

Cool ways to coverup at the beach

A good beach coverup is worth its weight in gold when it comes to baring your body on the beach. Invest in a couple of pieces to throw on over your bikini or swimsuit and they will see you from the beach to lunch and then on to the bar for a sundowner. We’ve scoured the shops for our top picks of this summer’s beach coverups from simple sarongs and kaftans to more elaborate dresses and jumpsuits. Happy shopping!

The Sarong

A sarong is such a versatile piece to have in your holiday wardrobe. Wear around your waist to coverup at the beach bar, turn into a simple dress by tying around your neck or even use as a coverup from the sun.

Watercult Pareo Dress – Soft Peach £59

The Kaftan

A kaftan is the perfect thing for layering over your bikini on the beach. Choose a kaftan that has a generous fit to keep you cool and comfortable when you’re in need of some coverage.

Sha Cha Pom Pom £85

The Harem Pants

Harem pants are my new best friend! So flattering and easy to wear over your bikini or one-piece or even away travelling. Beautiful print and soft light fabric with flattering tapered legs.

Heidi Klein Namibia Harem Pants £190

The Dress

Every woman needs a lightweight summer dress. This is the perfect white dress to show off your tan – a summer must have.

Rion Dress by PilyQ £159

The Maxi Dress

Maxi dresses have become a summer wardrobe essential keeping you cool in the heat of the day and will look equally good in the evening.

Katarina Dress in River £356

The Jump suit

A jumpsuit will add a modern touch to your holiday wardrobe and is the perfect way to take your daytime look to evening.

Seafolly Zone Beach Jumpsuit £83