Banana Boat SPF 50+ Sunscreen

19/09/2015 By All Mum Said 1 Comment

The warmer months are now upon us and with that means more time in the sun and higher UV alerts. We try to utilise the safer hours in the sun by going out and playing when the UV alert is lower, however this is not always possible. Kids will be kids and will take advantage of every minute they can.

I have always been fanatic about putting sunscreen on the kids, even as babies. However I always forget about protecting myself. It is just as important for parents to protect their skin as it is for their children. Last week I had a suspicious mole removed which is now serving as a very good reminder why it is so important to not only use protection from the sun but also to have regular mole checks.

Banana Boat SPF 50+ Sunscreen

Brands make it easy for parents these days to know which sunscreens are suitable for what children and which age groups. Oh and of course their parents. Banana Boat recently offered me some samples of their SPF 50+ sunscreen lotions, sprays and roll on options. There is something about the smell of them that has always made me want to get outside and enjoy the sunlight. Or maybe it is just the old Banana Boat ad that instantly starts playing in my head!

Sunscreen Options

Just like clothing is made differently and hats come in different sizes; sunscreen also have their protection features. Each to suit a different kind of person.

Sport

This 400ml pump bottle is 4 hour water resistant and designed to be non-greasy. Made with the Australian sun in mind; your family can enjoy hours of protection in the sun with the Sport SPF 50+. Perfect for the whole family!

Kids spray

With the most advanced protection, this SPF 50+ spray bottle offers kids very high protection from the sun in a convenient sunscreen spray. It is 4 hour water resistant and as it is designed for kids; the non-greasy formula won’t run into their little eyes. The spray makes it so easy to apply to your child and is gentle on their delicate skin while remaining tough against the sun.

Kids roll on

This option is exactly the same as the Kids spray above however in a convenient roll on bottle. This makes it easy to carry and even easier for the kids to apply themselves. All the same benefits but in a handy 75ml roll on bottle!

Baby spray

I love that this sunscreen spray is SPF 50+ whilst remaining mild and gentle with no added fragrance. This allows it to be suitable for the delicate skin of a baby. Featuring the same benefits as the kids spray option; 4 hour water resistant, won’t run into eyes and a very easy to use spray, this sunscreen has babies and their parents in mind.

It is no surprise that the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends the SPF 50+ Banana Boat products. They are reliable, trustworthy and convenient. For more information on the Banana Boat Kids and Baby range see here or if you would like to read more about the importance of protecting yourself from the sun.

Disclosure: I received the above products for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Vtech Toys Review – Educational and Fun

15/09/2015 By All Mum Said Leave a Comment

Technology in kids toys changes way too fast these days. It is a constant battle between allowing kids to use their imaginations and keeping them informed with the ever-changing way of the world.

Thankfully there are brands out there that understand this desire and design toys with a combination of elements involved. Vtech have been purchased from the shopping shelves for years because of their knowledge and willingness to adapt to the times whilst maintaining an element of old school. This is why we love Vtech!

For the past few weeks, my kids have been giving some Vtech toys a road test. I must say they arrived at the absolute perfect time because I have been so sick I can barely move from the couch, and these have kept them entertained and happy. *Thanks kids for sharing those delightful germs, next time leave them where you found them!

Vtech Toys Review

Turn & Learn Cube – RRP $29.00 – 6 to 36 months

Little hands love this cube! With something exciting, flashing or colourful on each of its 5 sides; they will never stop learning. This Turn & Learn Cube encourages discovery and exploration from a young age. The light up buttons introduce your little ones to new animals, shapes, colours and sounds.

The development of fine motor skills are crucial for toddlers. This is why Vtech have included manipulative features in addition to fun songs that are activated when the cube is moved. Your child will learn language development, tune those motor skills and progress into imaginative play with this conveniently sized play cube.

Play & Learn Aeroplane – RRP $20.00 – 6 to 36 months

Watch your child grow with the Play and Learn Aeroplane. It has features to help them progress in many levels of development; language, sensory and fine motor skills. Your baby or toddler will not only have fun pulling along the aeroplane but also learning music, spinning the propeller and watching the lights flash.

For the parents; the durable design also features an automatic shut off to preserve the battery life.

Kidizoom Twist Plus Camera – RRP $89.95 – 3 to 9 years

This camera is built with kids and little hands in mind! The child friendly design allows for a degree of impact when being dropped without any broken parts or functions. The Kidizoom camera makes it easy for children to change the effects and filters on the camera, which according to my kids is the funniest thing ever possible!

The features of this camera are endless which is more than likely why my all three of my kids love it so much.

Features include:

Twisting lens – makes selfies easy!

Over 50 Colour filters and effects – carnival mirror, funny faces, cartoon themes and so much more.

2.0 Megapixel camera

Video and voice recording

Photo editing

5x Built-in games

4x Digital zoom

Built-in auto flash

The batteries in this camera don’t drain like you would expect them to; the kids have been snapping like the paparazzi for a week now and the batteries are still going strong!

Kidizoom Smart Watch – RRP $89.95 – 5 to 12 years

Learning to tell the time can be tough but with the help of the Kidizoom Smart Watch, your child will have the desire to learn as fast as they can!

This smart watch is so much more than a just a watch; it has 8 amazing features in one compact band. My boys are still fighting over who gets to use this more!

Features include:

Clock – analogue and digital display options. 50+ face designs.

Voice recorder & distortion – 5 fun effects to alter their voices.

Stopwatch & timer – What child doesn’t want to time everything they possibly can?!

Games – 3 built-in

Alarm – child can select to use their own voice or one of ten different alarm tones included in the watch.

Camera – YES! It is basically like a spy watch. They can take pictures and videos and add effects to alter the image.

Everything kids love all in one touch screen, watch sized piece of technology. As you can understand, it would be crazy difficult for the kids to not love these Vtech toys. They are a mix of learning, imagination and a lot of fun!

Check out Vtech on Facebook and Instagram for more amazing products.

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WIN WIN WIN – Oh also if you want to win yourself some Vtech goodies –

Rebel Without A Pause has some to giveaway; check out the competition here!

Motherpedia – Enter here.

Disclosure: I received the above toys for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own or those of my kids.

The Wiggles: Emma! & Giggle and Hoot DVD Giveaway

04/09/2015 By All Mum Said 22 Comments

ABC Kids have something to suit every child and their interest. For my daughter, it is The Wiggles, Emma. My boys never had an interest in The Wiggles at all so it has taken me time to get my head around hearing their songs played regularly around the house.

Emma, the yellow Wiggle is by far her favourite. Poppet loves how she dances, sings, has gorgeous outfits and there are bows a plenty. Emma has become extremely popular among little girls; which is great that she now has her own DVD being released September 2^nd 2015, The Wiggles: Emma! Other recent releases can be found here: ABC Kids Dvds.

B2 loved Giggle and Hoot more than anything else (well Chuggington was a close second) and besides a few extra characters joining the Giggle and Hoot team, it is exactly the same. Full of great energy and love.

The Wiggles: Emma! DVD

Roadshow Synopsis:

Have a ‘bowtiful’ time dancing, singing and watching the loveable yellow Wiggle Emma in her brand new show! Including 20 episodes from the smash-hit TV series, plus additional footage and songs not seen on TV, Emma is sure to put a smile on your little one’s face as she dresses up, sings in French and Italian and even teaches kids how to brush their pet’s hair!

Episodes include:

Emma’s Irish Dancing!
Brush Your Pet’s Hair
Ballerina, Ballerina
Galloping Ballet
Emma Sings in Italian!
I’ve Got My Glasses On!
French Fun!
Frère Jacques
Open, Shut Them
I’ll Tell Me Ma When I Go Home
The Giraffe
Rock-a-Bye Your Bear Ballet
Michaud
Twinkling Star
I Love It When It Rains
ABC
Stille Nacht
I Like Goats
Emma’s Country Garden
Emma (with the Bow in Her Hair)

* RRP: $19.95 * Running Time: 91 mins

Giggle and Hoot DVD – Giggle Fangs and Hootabulous Favourites

I am a big fan of Jimmy Giggle myself. He is full of excitement, fun and always has the audience entertained!

Roadshow Synopsis:

Giggle and Hoot’s newest friend Giggle Fangs is here and is just in time for Halloween! Head to his batty lair to learn out all about him and his best buddy Giggle Bug! Plus sing and dance along to some of your favourite tunes from the show.

Episodes Include:

Giggle Fangs
Cloud Bouncing
The Funky Owl
Hootball!
The Gigglemobile
The Gigglearium
Rhyme Song
My Batty Lair
On The Night Watch
Hoot’s Lullaby
Giggle and Hoot Christmas Special
Gigglearium Special

* RRP: $14.95 * Running Time: 51 mins

Prize Includes: 1x The Wiggles: Emma DVD (RRP $19.95) and 1x Giggle and Hoot DVD – Giggle Fangs and Hootabulous Favourites (RRP $14.95). Total Prize Pool: $34.95.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions:
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final.
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received the above DVD for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and those of my children.

Benefits Of Pretend Play For Preschoolers

28/08/2015 By All Mum Said Leave a Comment

Benefits Of Pretend Play For Preschoolers

Don’t dismiss pretend play for preschoolers or toddlers because it doesn’t interest you. This is a crucial part of learning for kids. Read this to understand how!

Your child constantly sees you completing mundane everyday tasks, but to them it is not boring jobs. To them you are doing amazing and complicated activities. They want to learn how to be as amazing as you and this is where the benefits of imaginative play begin.

How imaginative play improves child skills

Pretend play helps children of all ages improve skills they need later in life but because they can advance these talents through fun activities, they will enjoy it and continue to grow. Here are just some of the ways creative play can benefit your child:

• Encourages imagination – the ability to be creative and make up scenarios that can be acted out, allows children to not only be original but also permits them to express themselves in a way they feel comfortable whilst allowing their imagination to progress.

• Social skills – when playing in a group environment, pretend play encourages team work and cooperative behaviour. This is important for their basic social skills to develop and encourage flexibility with ideas.

• Thinking – this is relevant to social skills because when playing with others, not everything is going to happen the way your child expects or wants it to. This allows your child to problem solve and consider other possibilities to achieve a solution. This is often how they develop the skill to improvise!

• Inspires them – playing gives kids the ability to be whatever they want to be. They can be a fireman, astronaut, mum/dad, shop keeper and absolutely anything else that makes them happy! This joy and imagination stimulates their senses and encourages them to further explore possibilities that they previously hadn’t considered.

• Language skills – pretend play offers children the ability to improve their language skills by talking, listening and sharing their emotions. This is so important to the development of a child because it is something they will continue to use for the rest of their life!

Pretend play activities for toddlers and pre-schoolers

Children learn a great deal by simply watching how people around them interact. By mimicking common scenes they witness at home, they are enhancing their cognitive skills and developing behaviour that is appropriate later in life. While imaginative play is something children will learn to do on their own; you can certainly do things to further their interests. Many of which require minimal effort on your behalf!

• Designate room – not everyone has space to assign an entire room to pretend play but most can reserve at least a corner. This is a great idea if possible because it gives your child the space they need to pretend. By filling ‘their area’ with old containers, a bench or table with a sheet over it, boxes, old phones and even dress ups; it is ready for creativity.

The items in this area do not have to be new or costly! Your child will decide whether it is a kitchen, space station, shop, etc. and will ultimately make it whatever they want.

• If you have a new baby in the family, let your child help or copy you complete the parenting jobs. For example: if you are changing a nappy, let them also change their babies (aka doll) nappy or feed it when it is hungry. They want to be involved and are learning each and every time they pretend to be like you!

• If you are doing the washing, vacuuming, making lunches, gardening, etc. – LET THEM HELP!

• Play with them – if they want to play doctors, be the patient. If having tea parties, drink the tea. Place your order and let them bring you your food. Let them be the mail lady. Whatever the situation is – ENCOURAGE IT and BE EXCITED with them!

Childhood is full of learning and development. There are so many options that allow kids to learn while having fun; for more ideas on how you can get involved with imaginative play (click the link).

It is critical to a child’s progress that they are encouraged every day; so make pretend play for preschoolers important to you too.

How do you encourage pretend play for preschoolers and toddlers in your home?

This is an S1 POST in collaboration with Child.com.au.

Book Week Costume Ideas For Kids

20/08/2015 By All Mum Said 1 Comment

Book Week Costume Ideas For Kids

Book week is a tradition that is growing in popularity in schools and the general community. A week completely dedicated to celebrating books, their Australian authors and illustrators.

By using fun as the main attraction; kids all over the country are learning about the importance of reading. Book Week ideas for kids are hugely popular in classrooms as they allow children to understand how much fun they can have with books and their characters.

How you can celebrate Book Week

There are so many crazy and wonderful ideas to encourage reading and embracing stories. This doesn’t just have to be novels; it can include picture books, comics, and any other type of book you can think of for children.

Dressing up is one of the most popular ways for schools to get kids and their teachers excited and understand their favourite characters. There are so many characters for children to choose from and if you are like me, you may not be the best with a sewing machine. Truth be told, my husband is the seamstress in our home. This is why I am thankful for costume shops that offer affordable options and a vast range for children of varying ages.

Popular costumes include: Cat In The Hat, Thing 1 & Thing 2, Harry Potter, Little Red Riding Hood, Super Heroes and princesses.

So with all of these great ideas in mind; it came time for my boys to choose their costume and being the individuals they are, they decided on Star Wars characters. B1 is Darth Vader and naturally B2 has followed his big brothers lead and taken on the role of a Star Wars Clone Trooper.

The costumes the boys received are full of detail from head to toe. Both included the outfit and mask which forms a complete outfit; if however you want to extend the costume even further you can maximise your look by adding accessories.

The only thing I can really fault about these costumes are that the masks are quite hard to see out of so they wouldn’t be great for long periods of use.

Costume Box offers not only the most current and up to date costumes at affordable prices, they also supply those more unusual options like: gladiators, Horrible Histories, Indiana Jones, Buccaneers, Egyptians and the list goes on.

Bring literary characters to life in time for Book Week 2015 by ordering your child’s costume from Costume Box. They offer FREE express shipping for Australian orders over $75 and a flat rate of $5.99 for orders under $75. Most orders delivered within 1 business day!!

Freebies

Everyone loves free stuff which is why with each purchase you have the option of also scoring yourself something for free. Find all the Costume Box discount / freebie codes here.

Check out the full range of costumes from Costume Box!

When is Book Week? 22 August – Friday 28 August 2015.

What are your Book Week costume ideas?

Are your kids dressing up?

Disclosure: I received the Star Wars costumes (as seen on B1 & B2) for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.