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Splat! Goes on Tour

Playful, vibrant and language-free children’s theatre show SPLAT! Is delighted to be hitting the road on a UK tour from May to August 2025. SPLAT! is a high-energy physical comedy about art, creativity and collaboration and it’s heading to 25 destinations across the country in 2025.

Aldi Baby Event

Aldi is returning its popular Baby Event from 21 April, 2025 in its stores nationwide. Canny shoppers can snap up savings of up to 60 per cent off recommended retail prices while stocks last. Anne Coates went along to her nearest store to find out more.

The Detective Dog on Tour

The award-winning children’s book The Detective Dog, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Sara Oglivie, first published by Macmillan Children’s Books in 2016 is now brought to life by Tiny and Tall Productions and is currently on tour in theatres around the UK.

ENB – Swan Lake in-the-round

Do not miss Derek Deane's Swan Lake in-the-round performed by the English National Ballet with Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, writes Anne Coates. In cinemas across the UK from 30 October to 3 November.

Which Supermarkets have the Most Affordable Clothes for your Children?

The team at Wethrift have analysed the average cost of children's clothing items at the UK's biggest supermarkets – Asda, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco – to determine which are the most affordable.

Family Friendly Museum Awards 2024

The recently reopened Young V&A museum, which was co-designed with local children, has been named the best heritage site in the country for families at an awards ceremony in Yorkshire today (8 October 2024).

Toilet Training in time for Starting School

All aboard the Toilet Train: Children's charity ERIC launches a summer campaign to support children about to enter reception class who are not yet toilet trained.

Join in the Big Butterfly Count

Leading wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is today calling on people across the UK to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count (12 July to 4 August) and help scientists understand how climate change is moving butterflies. Find out how to join in the Big Butterfly Count.

Family Friendly Museum Award Shortlist 2024

Today charity Kids in Museums reveals the shortlist for its Family Friendly Museum Award. Each year the charity celebrates museums, galleries, castles, historic homes and heritage sites that are most welcoming, fun and accessible to all ages. It’s up to families to decide the winner!

Choking Prevention

The annual World Food Safety Day, 7 June draws attention to choking hazards for young children. This year’s theme highlights the importance of being prepared to effectively resolve food safety incidents. A new report by CE Safety has analysed ONS data to investigate choking related deaths from 2018 to 2022. According to St John’s Ambulance, 80 percent of parents feel unsure about how to properly act when witnessing their child choking – this is worrying given how many incidents there are.

Extend Child Benefit for your 16 to19 year old

Don’t lose out – extend Child Benefit for your 16 to 19 year old. More than a million parents will receive reminders from this week to extend Child Benefit for their teenagers if they are continuing their education or training after their GCSEs.

Buy a Casio Keyboard and Learn to Play for Free With Rhythm Warriors

Learning to play the keyboard just got a whole lot more fun thanks to a collaboration between Casio Music UK and the online musical education program Rhythm Warriors Piano Zone. Casio Music, one of the world’s most renowned producers of electronic keyboards and digital pianos, has announced that customers can now exclusively access the exciting Rhythm Warriors animated piano and keyboard lessons.

Save on Easter Childcare Costs

Working families can save on Easter Childcare Costs by Signing up for Tax-Free Childcare.

Five Books to inspire During Children's Mental Health Week

It's Children's Mental Health Week and Madeline O’Keefe, Children’s Book Buyer at The Works has collated the best books to read to your child that can inspire and emphasise that their voice matters…

DreamToys Top 20 for 2023

The Toy Retailers Association has today unveiled the DreamToys top 20 toys for Christmas, helping families make informed decisions when buying toys for the festive season.

Walking for Refuge

During August Anne Coates will be walking two (extra) miles a day to raise money for Refuge the charity which supports women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. Read the facts and, if you can, please make a donation. The target for each entrant is £150 but more money means more families helped.

Free Breakfast for Kids at Asda this Half Term

Asda has today announced an exclusive partnership with Quaker Oats to offer children a free warm breakfast across the February half term holidays. The new free offer means that families are now able to access both a free children’s breakfast and a main meal for just £1 in all Asda cafes in a bid to continue to help customers manage the cost-of-living crisis.

Cost-efficient Cooking

With energy prices set to rise at the beginning of October, Hometree check out the cheapest ways to cook.

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Latest Articles, News & Reviews

Splat! Goes on Tour

Three Fun and Exciting Chapter Books

Anne Coates has chosen three fabulous new chapter books for confident readers or children who love to be read to: Small Fry by David Baddiel, The First Kid in Space by Tom Mitchell and The Kid Who Fell Through Time by Greg James & Chris Smith.

Exam Stress – How to Help

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, Childline delivered 1,647 counselling sessions where the young person mentioned exam/revision stress. Here is some advice to pass on to your children and things you can do to help them.

Competition to win a complete set of The Chronicles of Narnia

To celebrate the 75^th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, HarperCollins Children's Books have reissued the paperback editions of C.S. Lewis’ classic adventure series, The Chronicles of Narnia, with cover art from illustrator Owen Richardson. Parenting Without Tears has a complete set to be won in our latest competition.

Aldi Baby Event

Unlimited Nacho Refills at Chiquito

The UK’s favourite Mexican restaurant Chiquito is offering unlimited standard nacho refills for 90 minutes, available every day from now until 30 April when you purchase two or more mains.

Fearless Characters – Two Perfect Picture Books

At Eastertide our thoughts turn to chocolate eggs – but picture books make great presents especially when they deal with eating – or being eaten! – by monsters. I'm Gonna Eat A Monster by Karl Tudor and Scott Wilson and A Good Night's Sleep by Emma Chichester Clark both offer a hilarious take on childhood fears, writes Anne Coates.

Photo _Creator Instant Camera from Canal Toys

Christine Mayle says she always looks forward to reviewing Canal Toys and this Photo_Creator Instant Camera was no exception when asked to try it out with her seven year old grandson.

BABY born Push Along Berta from Zapf Creations

BABY born Push Along Berta from Zapf Creations is perfect for toddlers who love their baby dolls, writes Anne Coates.

Look Out! Hungry Animals (2) by Paul Delaney

Following on from Look out! Hungry Lion and Look out! Hungry Snake comes the next two books in the Look Out! Hungry Animals series by Paul Delaney: Look Out! Hungry Spider and Look out! Hungry Shark. Review by Anne Coates.

Hot Cross Bun Pudding Recipe

Parker's Tavern, in the University Arms has just released its Easter Menu, which includes Easter Afternoon Tea available until 20 April as well as Good Friday and Easter Sunday specials. Chef Lee Clarke's shares his recipe for Hot Cross Bun Pudding.

NETVUE Upgraded Baby Monitor

NETVUE Upgraded Baby Monitor offers peace of mind for parents and carers, writes Anne Coates.

Kids Eat Free at Côte Brasseries this Easter

This Easter holidays from 4 to 21 April, families dining at Côte can treat their children (aged 12 and under) to a delicious, high-quality meal for free when spending a minimum of £20.

Happy Mother's Day from The Crayons

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books, Happy Mother's Day from The Crayons, created by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers is a funny and beautiful celebration of mothers in all their shapes, sizes and and variations. Reviewed by Anne Coates

Li'l Davinci EZ Store & Display Art Cabinet

The Li'l Davinci EZ Store & Display Art Cabinet made by dynamicFRAMES® is a picture frame with attitude – it stores up to 50 A4 Pictures and is a boon for parents, grandparents and all recipients of children's art.

b.box sippy cup

b.box sippy cup is perfect for older babies and toddlers who like to hold their cups – without spills! Anne Coates reviews.

The Detective Dog on Tour

How Long Is That Dog? by John Bond

Award-winning author and illustrator, John Bond has produced a fabulous tale to delight youngsters from three plus: How Long Is That Dog? Review by Anne Coates.

We are like Birds by Laila Ekboir

We are like Birds by Laila Ekboir is a stunning new picture book about family, friendship, identity and resilience reviewed by Anne Coates.

Ring of Truth – YA Novel

Adult thriller writer, Joanne Sefton has turned her creative hand to writing for young adults with Ring of Truth, a compelling novel about truth and lies, reviewed by Anne Coates.

Murray and Bun! Murray the Pirate by Adam Stower

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books, Murray the Pirate is the third book in the Murray and Bun series, written and illustrated by Adam Stower. Reviewed by Anne Coates

Inkbound Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo

Inkbound Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo by Phillippa Leathley is the first in a brand new series that will captivate readers who love magic in their books, writes Anne Coates.

Get Dressed, Belly Button! by Lucie Brunelière

Get Dressed, Belly Button! written and illustrated by Lucie Brunelière and translated by Linda Burgess is a perfectly designed board book for babies and toddler, encouraging naming of clothes and discussion, writes Anne Coates.