21 minute read
Let’s get messy
Kat Vandal is the founder of new kids streetwear brand VANDALKIDS. Kat was inspired to start her brand as she loves encouraging her son to get creative, but doesn’t like the washing and repairing of clothes that come with it. So she designed a range of clothes that is parent and planet friendly with innovation such as wipeable fabrics and reinforced materials and that doesn’t compromise on style. Here she gives us her favourite ideas to encourage messy play.
A lot of parents are put off by messy play. It feels like a lot of work to set up – and of course clear up afterwards. But messy play has a lot of benefits for children; it’s about learning through experience, exploring, pushing the boundaries of creativity, thinking outside the box and amplifying their experience and memory by using all of their senses.
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Getting messy and doing something unconventional can also be a great bonding activity for parents and their children too.
The key to messy play is to make the activity more about the process than the finished product. Involve your children in the whole thing, in the preparation – and the cleaning up too!
Washable window painting
Moving from paper to windows is great for triggering interest, improving fine motor skills by changing body position and holding the brush to paint horizontally. Plus your kids will love that you’re letting them get creative on the windows!
What you need:
• shaving cream • tempera paint (meaning water-based paint that can be washed with water and soap, very inexpensive and available in any art shop or online) • a hose if you do it outside • a cover for the floor if you do it indoor (cardboard, paper, old blanket will do) • a squeegee, a cloth, soap and a bucket of water • brushes.
The activity:
To prep, mix shaving cream with paint; this is a fun part of the activity as kids love to mix and see their ‘potion’ transform, in this case become fluffy.
For painting, use brushes or if you are braver and push the senses, you can encourage your kids to use hands to paint on the window. You could give a challenge to draw something or practice letter formation in a way to combine play with learning but let them mess it up at the end to scribble what they want.
Use a hose or a squeegee to erase and start again or clean up in the end: the cleaning up part is very important and should be part of the fun as it teaches kids the notion of cause and effect and responsibility (when we make a mess, it needs to be cleaned) – it’s a great idea to do this when your window need a clean anyway!
The activity:
To prep, get kids to find the ingredients that could make the colours you want to create.
Give them a bit of guidance on how to make the paint (if powdered spice, add water and soap; if fruits, mash, sieve and add some flour with soap – you can also boil leaves or peel to create a coloured juice.)
A simple idea is to paint rainbows but again, it’s good to let them paint what they
Make your own paint
Use nature to make paint; this is a great way to develop creative thinking and problem solving by encouraging kids to think about what they could mix to create a certain colour. It’s great for younger kids too, as they are taste-safe (although you might want to leave out the mustard!)
What you need:
• blueberries to create blue • strawberries to create red • mustard to create yellow • Starch or flour to thicken when needed (or it can be used as watercolour) • a tiny bit of soap to make the paint glide.
There are no rules on quantities, let the kids experiment and make different consistencies and try it out on paper.
You can start with the three primary colours and mix them to create more colours as a learning exercise or continue the fun by creating other colours. For example: • spinach to create green • cinnamon to create brown • beetroot for pink. want if they feel like it, encourage them to use their fingers and hands for an extra sensory experience. Don’t forget to get them involved in the cleaning up.
Flower painting using what you have in the kitchen
Allowing your children to create shapes that are otherwise too difficult to draw gives them instant satisfaction. It’s a great alternative to traditional art when kids have less time or a shorter attention span.
What you need
• pepper core – for clover • lettuce core – for roses • fork – for tulips • kitchen rolls – for leaves • washable paints • paper plates.
The activity:
You could ask them to find objects to create shapes or suggest them, as above, depending on the time you have and their age.
To prepare the paint put tempera washable paint on plates, mixed with a bit of flour to thicken it.
Show them how to dip in the paint and stamp and let them create their own artwork. You could help by drawing a pot with some leaves to give them a base or leave them free to stamp however they want.
Cherubs readers can use the exclusive discount code CHERUBS20
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vandalkidswear.com
Beat the holidays boredom by building a family time capsule with the kids
If you’re looking for ways to keep your little ones entertained during the holidays, putting together a family time capsule could be just the thing.
To help you through the process, Cherubs has teamed with Write From The Heart to bring you their top tips for creating and burying your time capsule.
The benefi ts of making a time capsule
Putting together a time capsule isn’t just a fun activity to fi ll in the time, because it can be a great opportunity to boost your mood and teach your children all about history.
Boost your wellbeing
It’s important to focus on the little things that keep us going, such as the happy memories you’ve made with your family so far. While building your time capsule, you’ll be encouraging your little ones to collect objects that are important to them right now, which can help you and your family to focus on the moment and remember all the times that made you happy over the last year.
Teach children about history
When putting together your time capsule, you’ll want to encourage your children to collect a whole range of objects that are special to them. By doing this, you can teach your kids about how we use a range of sources, such as photographs, diary entries, letters, and objects, to create a bigger picture of what a certain time period was like.
You could also ask your little ones what sorts of things they would put in their capsule if they lived in another time. For example, you could discuss what you would have added when you were their age or talk about the objects you might add if you lived in the future.
How to make your time capsule
The fi rst step to making your time capsule is choosing your container. You’ll want to pick a box with a strong lid to keep all your memories safe and sound over the years. Try to select a container that’s around the size of a shoe box. This will give you plenty of room to add all your mementos, but the box will be small enough to bury or store somewhere in your home.
The material your box is made from is also important. For a time capsule that will be stored somewhere in your home, any container would be ideal. Shoe boxes are a popular choice, but you could also use plastic, wooden, or metal versions. You can even get some lovely personalised boxes that can be printed with photographs and names of your family.
If you’ll be burying your time capsule in the ground, you’ll want something strong and sturdy that won’t biodegrade over the years, such as an air- and water-tight box made from aluminium or stainless steel. Try to avoid plastic, wood, or cardboard, as these could be destroyed by the weather or any wildlife living in the ground.
Once you’ve chosen your box, you can gather your little ones around to decorate it.
What to put in your time capsule
What you put in your time capsule will be personal to you and your family, so make sure you ask your little ones what’s important to them and what their favourite memories are. Some items you could consider adding to your time capsule include:
• clothing • photographs (especially of things you think are likely to change) • drawings • letters or diary entries • a coin from the current year • mementos from memorable days out • small toys • Hand- and footprints • packaging from your kids’ favourite snacks • a TV guide • wishes and predictions for the future so you can see if they came true.
If you’ll be adding paper items to your box and storing them outside, it might be a good idea to place them inside a plastic bag or wallet to keep them dry in case any water manages to leak into the container.
Where to bury your time capsule
Once you’ve created your time capsule, you’ll then need to decide where you’re going to bury it.
If you’d like to keep it indoors, you could place it at the back of a cupboard or in the attic so you’re not tempted to open it too early.
If you’re thinking of burying it in the garden, you might want to place it in an area that’s unlikely to be dug up before it is time. Far away from fl ower beds is a good option, and your children will love digging around in the mud to fi nd a place for it. You can make burying your time capsule a ceremony for the whole family to look back on and enjoy by playing music and asking your little ones to make a speech. Don’t forget to place a marker to remind yourself where you planted your time capsule!
Who will open your time capsule?
If you’re planning on opening your capsule yourselves at some point in the future, make sure you set a reminder. This might mean leaving a note at the end of your calendar each year so you don’t forget to carry the reminder over into the next year.
If you want to leave your time capsule for future generations to open, you could leave a note somewhere in your home, giving them clues as to where they can fi nd it.
Summ er Garden Vibes Festoon Lights £19 ikea.com
The wait is over! Summer is here and we can throw ourselves fully into outdoor living. Long sunlit afternoons relaxing in the garden and cosy dinners al fresco. The season gives us the opportunity to escape the mundane and enjoy moments of pure escapism and joy. Style your outdoor space thoughtfully and think of it as an extension of your home for maximum enjoyment.
Les Fruits Outdoor Cushions
Fringed Deck Chair
£250
coxandcox.co.uk £18
dunelm.com
Set of 3 BBQ Tools
£40
gardentrading.co.uk
Foscot Fire Pit
£128
gardentrading.co.uk
White Bamboo Lantern
£75
thewhitecompany.com
Chip & Dip Bowl
£39.50
oliverbonas.com
Rattan Coff ee Table
£179
tikamoon.co.uk
Outdoor Blanket Blue
£48
thewhitecompany.com
Elements Dipped Ochre 12 Piece Dinner Set
£55
dunelm.com
Rattan Two-Seater Sofa
£110
jysk.co.uk
Lollylife
with Neha @squashedpickle
Frozen Yoghurt Dipped Kiwi Pops
These yoghurt dipped kiwi pops are really good and healthy. Kiwis off er a host of benefi ts for babies (they can be introduced from eight to 10 months), children and adults. These pops are great for baby led weaning or teething, the frozen fruit can numb that sore teething pain! The rich source of antioxidants will help build immunity. Being high in fi bre, it is also helpful in relieving constipation.
I love that these pops are frozen, they are totally the perfect summer snack and make a great party nibble. You can splash them with chocolate, sprinkles or cereal and freeze. You can also do this with strawberries, bananas and apples.
I have whipped up Greek yoghurt and vanilla with a teaspoon of honey. Dipped my sliced kiwi pops and sprinkled with sprinkles. Freeze for a couple of hours. The letters are made of chocolate and are so delicious.
Ingredients
• 1 Cup of yogurt • Kiwis ( sliced ) • Lolly sticks • Tray • Honey (honey should not be given to babies under one year old) • Vanilla extract Sprinkles / toppings
Hydrating Summer Fruit Pops
The weather today was just so perfect! It’s offi cially ice lolly season so here’s one of Zac’s fave homemade lollies. Super easy to make and a fun and yummy way to stay hydrated in the sun.
Ingredients
• Pomegranate juice (any juice) • Coconut water • Strawberry • Blueberry • Kiwi • Pomegranate
Method
1. Fill half the lolly with the chosen juice and freeze for 2 hours. 2. Chop up fruit and spoon into lolly mould. 3. Fill with coconut water and slide stick in. 4. Freeze for 2+ hours till frozen. 5. Enjoy!
Breakfast Pops
These pops are delicious anytime of day, but their wholesome ingredients make them a totally acceptable breakfast option. They are great in summer but sometimes you need a summer treat in winter.
I like to keep my petit fi lous pots and use these but you can use any lolly mould.
Ingredients
• Greek yogurt sweetened with honey (honey is optional and for after 1 years old) • Milk • Granola • Berries and bananas (sliced) • Lolly moulds and sticks
Method
1. Mix the Greek yoghurt, milk and honey. Kids can get involved and layer the fruit (use any fruit you like) and yoghurt. 2. Tap the pot on the table to remove any air pockets. 3. Top with granola (press down a bit). 4. Add lolly stick and freeze for a few hours. 5. When you’re ready to enjoy this treat, simply run the outside of the moulds under some warm water and gently pull the lolly out.
Fab Ice Lolly’s
These homemade Fab (yoghurt) lolly’s are so yummy and look great. They can make any day feel like summer. A great activity with kids and a delicious healthy treat to enjoy in the sunshine. I never measure these, so have given a rough guide.
Ingredients
• Cup of Greek yoghurt • Honey (for kids over one year old only) • 4 tsp milk • 1 tsp Vanilla extract • 4 tsp pomegranate/strawberry juice • Chocolate (melted) • Sprinkles
Method
1. Whisk the Greek yoghurt with milk and vanilla (add honey if you like it sweetened). Divide into two and add pomegranate/ strawberry juice to one half. (To make the strawberry juice mash and strain a few strawberries and mix with pomegranate juice). 2. Pour the white yoghurt into the ice lolly mould (fi lling about 2/3 of the way). Add sticks and freeze for two hours. 3. When frozen, pour over the pink yoghurt and freeze for two more hours. 4. Place chocolate into a bowl over a pan of water and let it melt (constantly stirring). 5. Dip ice lollies in the chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off and sprinkle with a few sprinkles. Place on baking paper and let set. Put it back in the freezer to store.
The best books to pack in your beach bag this summer. Writer Sara Bragg picks her favourite new reads
If you’re looking for books to escape with this summer, then look no further. Here are 6 great page-turners.
This Time Tomorrow
By Emma Straub
Michael Joseph, £14.99
A moving and endlessly charming story of connection and father-daughter relationships. Deftly deploying time travel tropes, Alice finds her way back to her sixteen-year-old self in 1996. Faced with different versions of her life, and the consequences of her decisions, she can’t lose sight of what she wants most: some time back with her father, who is lying in a hospital bed. A tender, nostalgic reminder that we must cherish what we have while there is still time.
Deep Water
By Emma Bamford Simon & Schuster £7.99
Suspenseful and gripping, this debut is the perfect beach read. Amarante is paradise, an uninhabited, unspoilt island in the Indian Ocean. But paradise comes with a price. Virginie and Jake sail to Amarante for their honeymoon, but they are not alone. They have to adjust to life on the island with five strangers. And not everyone will live to tell the tale. Dark secrets surface and their dream abruptly turns into a nightmare.
What She Left Behind
By Emily Freud
Quercus £7.99
Dark and menacing, this is the perfect domestic thriller. Lauren knows how lucky she is: a dream home, a new start with her partner, Paul, and his two young children. But as Lauren fears she’ll never live up to the ghost of Paul’s perfect wife, or help him forget his grief over her tragic death, village rumours begin to swirl and Lauren feels isolated – despite Paul’s reassurances. She wants to trust Paul – she owes him everything – but how can she, when she can barely trust herself?
Wrong Place, Wrong Time
By Gillian McAllister
Penguin £14.99
An unputdownable tale of a mother trying to prevent the murder her son has committed as she wakes up each morning to find herself further back in the past. Wrong Place Wrong Time is a riveting, tense, genre-bending novel that will stay with the reader long after the closing pages.
The Love of My Life
By Rosie Walsh
Pan Macmillan £11.99
The New York Times top ten bestseller, this is a story about what happens when you discover the person you trust most in the world isn’t who they say they are. When Leo discovers everything Emma’s told him about herself is a lie, he starts to unravel her past and discovers the very darkest moments of her other life.
Book Lovers
By Emily Henry
Penguin, £7.99
A chemistry-filled enemies-to-lovers romcom that you’ll want to binge read. Nora is a cut-throat literary agent at the top of her game. Her whole life is books. Charlie is an editor with a gift for creating bestsellers. And he’s Nora’s work nemesis. One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn’t see coming.
Simple Summer Eco Swaps
By Alex alex@achievinggreenness.com
Just thinking about our long overdue and well-deserved family break in the sun this summer brings a smile to our faces and something to look forward to. And then we start thinking about the inevitable nightmare of logistics and the stress of getting everyone to the airport, on a boat, in a car, on time, remembering to buy and then pack all the ‘essentials’, remembering the passports… the list goes on and on, and the stress levels go up and up. Now if I throw the ‘green bomb’ into the mix and say ‘what about the environmental impact of your holiday?’ I’d probably need to take cover! But bear with me here, you don’t need to calculate the carbon footprint of your holiday down to the last ice cream cone to be greener, instead there are some very simple summer eco swaps we can make when we plan for our holiday that are stress free and easy.
So when starting to list all the things you’ll need to buy for your holiday, try thinking about a few of these swaps.
Water Bottle
By packing a reusable insulated water bottle in your hand luggage you won’t have to keep buying plastic bottles of water while you are away and it will stay cold for hours. Just remember to make sure you empty the bottle when going through airport security and then fi ll it up again when airside (all the coff ee shops and restaurants will do this for you). There are so many diff erent insulated metal water bottles to choose from these days that you are spoilt for choice. Chilly’s off er lots of bottle designs and now off er a return service to recycle your old bottles when they need replacing, which gives them an even bigger green tick.
chillys.com Shampoo & Soap
Remembering to buy multiple travel size toiletries and cramming them into a bulging toiletry bag used to be a stress pinch point for me, but now I’ve swapped to natural bars of soap with metal travel tins which have removed three diff erent plastic bottles of body wash for the family. We’ve also swapped to natural shampoo bars which again has removed three diff erent plastic bottles of shampoo from the toiletry bag. Natural soap and shampoo bars are quickly becoming more widely available and there are some lovely UK producers to try. Take a look at the off erings of The Soap lovely UK producers to try. Take a look at the off erings of The Soap People who produce beautiful smelling soaps and shampoos. People who produce beautiful smelling soaps and shampoos.
thesoappeople.co.uk thesoappeople.co.uk
Beach Bag
If you need a new beach bag this year then consider buying a ‘paper’ bag by Zuperzozial, (yes I did say paper bag), these washable paper bags are stylish, hard wearing, plastic free, can double up as your airport handbag, and are a much greener option.
formahouse.co.uk
Built-In Water Filter Bottle
If you are worried about the quality of If you are worried about the quality of the water when abroad and drinking any the water when abroad and drinking any nasties then you can now buy reusable nasties then you can now buy reusable water bottles with built in water fi lters water bottles with built in water fi lters which remove these nasties from tap water, which remove these nasties from tap water, and can also add some essential minerals and can also add some essential minerals like zinc and magnesium. Take a look at the like zinc and magnesium. Take a look at the ones on off er from Invigorated Water.
invigoratedwater.com Flip Flops
Instead of ordering another new pair of snazzy plastic fl ip fl ops which will probably break and be thrown away at the end of the summer, consider buying a pair of natural rubber fl ip fl ops from Waves which are durable as well as stylish, are completely plastic free, will last you more than one summer so saving you money, and by buying natural rubber you are preventing another pair of plastic fl ips fl ops entering landfi ll.
