Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts

Saturday 9 December 2023

Christmas cheer brought to vulnerable children by Frankie & Benny's

Iconic and popular Italian American diner restaurant Frankie & Benny’s has pledged to be Secret Santa to vulnerable children, which could help them feel the magic of Christmas.

They've joined forces with charity Action for Children and have pledged to support their Secret Santa Christmas campaign backed by actor Larry Lamb.

This year, the team at Frankie & Benny’s felt a strong desire to support children and families who need it the most. Whilst many families will be celebrating the festive season, others will be struggling to even feed their children and to keep them warm.  

Action for Children support vulnerable children every day. They see children without a bed sleeping on the floor with just blankets, families with no money to feed their children or who are left shivering in the cold because they can’t afford to top up the gas or electric meter, let alone buy presents and put Christmas foods on the table.

Action for Children is a vital lifeline for desperate families with nowhere to turn and that’s why this Christmas Frankie & Benny’s ‘The Big Give’ will help children and their families up and down the country. And Frankie & Benny’s want their customers to get involved too!

Gavin & Stacey star, Larry Lamb, said: “The magic of Christmas begins in childhood. Hanging stockings, sharing festive food, presents under the tree. It’s a time for children to make precious memories and for them to feel happiness and love, the kind of magic that lasts a lifetime. For vulnerable children across the UK, Christmas is anything but magical. No stockings. No presents. No festive food, maybe no food at all. I’m really pleased Frankie & Benny’s has partnered with Action for Children to help make a change. Your gift could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas. Children across the UK need a Secret Santa like you!”

Frankie & Benny’s The Big Give is simple. Customers dine in, Frankie & Benny’s donate cash - and become Secret Santa for vulnerable children! 

When guests dine at Frankie & Benny’s between now and Chirstmas Eve,  December 24, they'll receive an email triggered by their booking inviting them to be part of The Big Give.

Guests select a virtual gift which Frankie and Benny’s will donate in kind. In total the company will donate £10,000 to Action for Children. Customers even get a FREE Starter to use in January as a thank you.

Alexandra Gaunt, Frankie & Benny’s Marketing Chief Head of Marketing, said: “Frankie & Benny’s is a restaurant brand with families at its core, so it’s really important for us that we support other families and children in need at this time of year. The cost of living crisis will be hard for so many and we must remember to try to help others now and in the future as best we can which is why we are proud to support Action For Children.”

In the UK 4.2 million children now live in poverty, that’s 600,000 more than in 2012. Last year Action for Children helped to support over 765,905 children, young people and families in the UK.

To donate to Action for Children and be a Secret Santa: www.actionforchildren.org.uk/give

Be part of The Big Give this Christmas and help us spread some magic.

https://www.frankieandbennys.com/terms

Check out the menus and more here www.frankieandbennys.co.uk  

Monday 6 November 2023

UK Money Bloggers have a unique idea for Christmas gifting this year which will help children

Not everybody is easy to buy for, and every year, a large number of unwanted gifts are wasted and can even end up discarded and end up in landfills. 

Also, the cost of living crisis continues to grip the nation’s wallets, so many will be looking for ways to avoid wasting money.

UK Money Bloggers (a network of over 400 personal finance influencers and part of the Smart Money People Group), working with children's charity KidsOut, is encouraging friends, family and colleagues to ‘give’ instead of ‘gift’ this Christmas, as the more socially conscious and environmentally friendly option. KidsOut provides Christmas presents for disadvantaged children in women’s refuges, who otherwise wouldn't receive any gifts for Christmas.

UK Money Bloggers conducted research among UK workers and found that through workplace Secret Santa festivities alone, £60m worth of gifts are wasted every year. Other findings include:

A third (33%) of UK workers will participate in workplace Secret Santa this year, but 30% would prefer not to take part, and 36% will give away the gift they receive.

Almost three-quarters (72%) of UK workers participating in Secret Santa would like to see changes this year due to the rising cost of living, including setting a smaller limit for donations (31%) and preferring to give to charity (22%). Based on last year’s Secret Santa budgets, this could mean an extra £37m in the pockets of UK charities.

Ideal as a Secret Santa alternative, a stocking filler, or as a main present for someone who is difficult to buy for, deciding to ‘give’ instead of ‘gift’ could make this Christmas special for others more in need. 

Founder of UK Money Bloggers, Andy Webb said: “Buying and receiving Secret Santa presents that end up being unwanted can be an awkward and wasteful experience. Giving to charity instead of gifting presents is the ideal way to make a positive impact with your money instead this Christmas.”

https://smartmoneypeople.com

https://www.kidsout.org.uk


Saturday 4 November 2023

Educational and Fun Christmas Gifts for Children: The Perfect Balance

Christmastime is a time of joy and wonder, especially for children. Christmas is a magical time when children eagerly anticipate unwrapping their presents. 

While the excitement of toys and gadgets is undeniable, it's also an excellent opportunity to choose gifts that can entertain and educate simultaneously. In this blog post, we'll explore a selection of educational and fun Christmas gifts for children that strike the perfect balance between learning and play.

Educational Board Games

Board games are a fantastic way to engage children in learning while having fun. Games like Scrabble, Monopoly, and Settlers of Catan teach valuable skills such as vocabulary, math, and strategy. There are also many educational board games designed specifically for young learners, covering topics like geography, history, and science. These games encourage critical thinking and social interaction, making them a perfect choice for family game nights during the holidays.

Building and Construction Sets

Building and construction sets, such as LEGO, K'Nex, and Magna-Tiles, offer a unique blend of creativity and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. These sets allow children to explore their imagination while developing spatial awareness and problem-solving skills. From constructing buildings to designing vehicles, these kits inspire young minds to think critically and innovatively.

Science Kits

Science kits provide a hands-on learning experience that can spark a child's curiosity about the world around them. Kits that focus on topics like chemistry, astronomy, or geology are not only entertaining but also educational. Children can conduct experiments and discover scientific principles, encouraging an interest in the STEM fields from an early age.

Educational Apps and Software

In today's digital age, educational apps and software can be excellent tools for learning and having fun. There are countless apps and programs designed to teach children a wide range of subjects, from language arts to coding. Look for apps that incorporate gamification to make learning enjoyable and interactive. Many of these apps feature colourful graphics, engaging challenges, and rewards to keep children motivated.

Art Supplies

Creativity is a crucial aspect of a child's development. Art supplies like crayons, coloured pencils, markers, and craft kits allow children to express themselves while enhancing their fine motor skills and creativity. Encourage your child's artistic endeavours by gifting them high-quality art materials and inspiring them to create masterpieces during the Christmas break.

Books

Books are timeless gifts that provide a gateway to knowledge and imagination. Whether it's picture books for young readers or engaging chapter books for older children, a well-chosen book can ignite a passion for reading and learning. Consider gifting a series of educational books related to a child's interests, such as science, history, or adventure.

Educational Puzzles

Puzzles come in various forms, from jigsaw puzzles to brain-teasers. They enhance problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and cognitive development. Educational puzzles may focus on geography, mathematics, or even famous works of art. These not only entertain but also challenge a child's intellect in an enjoyable way.

This Christmas, while you enjoy the festivities and exchange gifts, consider selecting presents that offer both fun and educational value for the children in your life. By striking a balance between learning and play, you can help foster a love for knowledge and creativity, setting them on a path of continuous growth and exploration. These gifts will not only bring joy during the holiday season but will also contribute to a child's overall development in the long run.

Tuesday 19 September 2023

Want to give someone the Gift of Baby Weaning Joy this Christmas? Then Chomp them!

What is Chomp, exactly? Chomp is a joyful, fun and eminently practical (and award-winning!) children’s tableware brand that will bring a smile to the faces of everyone, including little one’s, parents and grandparents alike as the mealtime gift that will keep on giving.

Say farewell to kid's plastic items this Christmas and say a big hello to a meaningful, sustainable gift that supports their babyhood.

Weaning can be a challenging phase for parents and babies alike, but it's also an exciting journey full of joy and discovery. 

Parents often strive to make smart choices that not only benefit their babies, but also consider the environment and their pockets, too.

Well, this is where Chomp comes in. It's an award-winning, British kitchenware brand. Interestingly Chomp is designed by a mother who really, fully gets the struggles of family mealtimes from her first hand experience. 

Their feeding essentials strive to empower your baby’s sense of independence and adventure with joy and practicality at their heart. 

Chomp is very passionate about celebrating baby's big milestones and supporting parents on their little one’s adventures with simple feeding solutions that make babyhood that much easier.

What's Chomp like? Chomp combines modern aesthetics, functionality and ergonomics to make feeding exploration easy and fun for your child, whilst offering easy care to parents. 

Their fantastic dinnerware is available in a range of on-trend hues and specially designed to engage your little ones, Chomp is the new family essential created to bring more fun to your feeding adventures.

They have a range of utterly fantastic gifts for all children aged 0 to 3 years including their carefully curated, award-winning weaning sets and their unique and stylish EveryKid Coverall Bib.

Chomp is a mum-founded, British baby brand based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, the Garden of England. 

www.chompbaby.com

Tuesday 5 September 2023

Hippychick for perfect Christmas gifting for mums and dads

Any babies or toddlers in your life now? Any expected in the very near future? If so, you really do need to check out the Hippychick website.

Because at https://www.hippychick.com you will find an absolutely wonderful range of all good things for the babies and toddlers in your life, or the lives of other people you know.

There are ride on toys, baby shower gift items and gift sets, bedding, sleep aids, waterproof clothing (well, this is Britain, right?!) weaning aids, toys and loads and loads of top branded items.

Everything you could think of and even some items that you might not have thought of but seriously you do need.

Potties, disposable travel potties, toilet trainers, bikes, trikes, buggy covers, indoor and outdoor toys, bibs, dummies, toys including a classic golf set for the budding Gary Player or Arnold Palmer in your life (it's OK. Just ask your granddad who they are!) play balls, soft toys, back seat organisers, car seat protection mats (now that's a great invention!) a super safe stroller fan to keep your little one cool on a hot walk, stroller parasols, travel cots, breast milk pumps and accessories, tableware, baby carriers and much, much more besides.

Brands stocked include Bumbo, Bumkins, Blinky Crocodile Creek, Classic World, Dooky, Fraupow, HappyHopperz, Hippychick, Moby, Moover, My Buggy Buddy, myHummy, Nattou, Tron, TryBike, Tum Tum, Vilac, Wallaboo and Wheelybug.

Those looking to live a greener lifestyle will be pleased to learn that some pre-loved items are also available.

Saturday 17 December 2011

Free Festive Kids Game and Free Gift At Westfield Stratford City

Westfield Stratford City has today launched The Christmas Alphabet Hunt to help parents keep children entertained whilst doing their Christmas shopping at the centre.

The game is downloadable from http://uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/christmas/2011/christm... challenges kids to see how many festive-themed items they can spot at the centre, from Christmas trees to mince pies. Children are then invited to exchange their completed game sheet atone of the concierge desksfor a surprise gift! To help families navigate around the centre (and for extra game clues), there is also a Christmas-inspired map, allowing families to detour straight to the real-ice rink for some outdoor ice skating, or 5D Santa’s Grotto.

The outdoor ice rink sits against a stunningback drop of the East London skyline and the Olympic Stadium and is open every day up until 8th January*. With over 100,000 skaters expected to take to the ice shoppers are urged to purchase tickets now to avoid missing out!

Visitors to Santa's Grotto will be immersed in an amazing visual experience because Westfield's FREE** Santa's Grotto is the UK's first to have a fully interactive 5D film! Children have the opportunity to personally feature in the Pixar-quality film which includes wind, lights and elf dust to help Elbow the Elf on his journey to save Santa's presents.

During the festive shopping period record numbers are expected to visit Westfield Stratford City – many with children in tow. With over four million people living within a 45-minute drive time of the centre, which spans 1.9 million square feet, it’s the ideal one-stop-Christmas-shop. For children however, being taken on a lengthy trek around the shops isn’t exactly a fun filled day out. So with their interests in mind, the centre has ensured there is plenty on offer for the little ones – which will help make the Christmas shopping less stressful too!

TheChristmas Alphabet Hunt is available for parents, children, carers and guardians to download,print off and use on their shopping trip from today. To download the game and map please visit: http://uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/christmas/2011/christm...

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Toys place at the top of Christmas lists threatened by tech: What kids want for Christmas

Toy News Cover Image
What children really want for Christmas

Toy’s place at the top of children’s Christmas lists is being threatened by iPads and video games.

Those are the findings of research featured in the latest issue of toy industry publication Toy News. The research was carried out for the magazine by youth research specialists, Dubit to provide insight into what children across the UK will be asking Santa for this year.

Presents

Dubit asked the children to pick five types of presents to make up their imaginary Christmas list. The kids chose electronic devices the most (chosen by 59 per cent), followed by video games (53 per cent), money (44 per cent), and toys (39 per cent).

As the children get older, the most popular gifts change considerably. Those aged seven to eight favour toys (63 per cent), while nine to ten year-olds prefer electronic items (60 per cent). Gadgets are also top of 11-12 year-old’s lists but at that age girls favour clothes over any other present.

The least popular Christmas presents with children are novelty items, jewellery, and grooming. Unsurprisingly, 11-12 year-old girls buck this trend as they begin to take an interest in beauty products.

Toys

The children were also asked which types of toys they wanted to find beneath the tree – a toy was regarded as popular if it ranked in the top three.

For this, the toys were divided into nine categories, such as board games, action figures, and blocks.

Board games are the most popular toy - placing in the top three 124 times, followed by vehicles (105), pet animals (96), blocks (88) and puzzles (83).

Despite the prominence of video games in older children’s’ playtime, board games are popular with kids aged 9-10 and 11-12, as are puzzles such as jigsaws and Rubix Cubes.

Action figures and dolls only made the top three of 78 children’s lists, with just 14 boys putting them near the top compared to 64 girls.

Brands

Finally, the children were asked to pick three items for their Christmas list – three from the toys list and three for the sectors list (gadgets, money, toys, etc.)

The most popular words used were associated with technology brands, like Nintendo DS, Xbox, and iPhone.

Lego was the most popular toy brand to be mentioned by the children. This was helped by Lego’s move into video games and partnering with brands like Harry Potter and Star Wars. Other toy brands chosen by the children included Hello Kitty, Barbie and Harry Potter.

Samantha Loveday, editor of ToyNews magazine commented: “Although consumer electronics seem to be grabbing the attention of older kids, the more traditional toys are still firm favourites with younger children.

“It’s interesting to see that the toy suppliers that have made a move into video games – and video game suppliers which have launched into the toy space – seem to be higher on the agenda when talking to kids about brands. It appears that a mix of digital and traditional is a key combination for keeping kid’s interested as they grow up. However, it is nice to see that the good old board game is still top of the Christmas list where toys are concerned.”

Saturday 29 October 2011

Do something great this Christmas. Amaze your kids!

Who says knowledge is boring? Or that frivolity and fun should be eschewed for learning? Only those unfortunate people who have never found the joys of Maps Toys!

This year Maps Toys are inviting you to make Christmas one big, fun and exciting experiment for your children and their friends! (If they want to share the fun, that is!)

For this year Map Toys have some fun and funky toys and games that are sure to puzzle and excite both children and adults this Christmas!

There's something for the mucky pup in us all, called Yuck (should cost about £17.99) a gigantic tub that contains a whole host of top secret formulas to create some tremendously icky stuff. Create snot that looks disgustingly real, and something that looks like... vomit? As well as making disgusting treats, your children can learn how to grow their own bacteria farms using a real petri dish! Yuck! This is suitable for children from age 8 and upwards and for adults who do not have ticklish stomachs!

But, to coin a phrase, there's more!
Why not create some awesomely fun towering geysers, with the  Great Geysers present. (You can expect to pay something in the order of £14.99 for this.

The kit gives you all you require to make a gigantic fountain with fizzy pop and some Mentos sweeties! (So if you get your video camera out, you and your kids can put their efforts up on You Tube, just like the professionals!) But there's a serious point behind all this frivolity and fun, children will be able to perform 12 serious and informative scientific experiments with the kit.

There's also some rather more sedate yet equally fun experiments to be undertaken with the Lab in a Bag, which contains enough experiments to last through the entire year. There are four in the range which include Newton's Antics, Come to Your Senses, Test Tube Wonders and Test Tube Adventures. They should cost £14.99 each. They come complete with a handy plastic carry case.

Children can learn some fun tricks like how to balance six nails on the head of one nail with Newton's Antics to discovering why they might hate vegetables with Come to Your Senses!

Many parts of the UK were fortunate enough to have a real White Christmas last year, the first in many years. But it's unlikely we will be lucky enough to have a White Christmas two years on the trot, so if you want to give your children a taste of a White Christmas, why not buy them some Amazing Snow Grow? It's so simply to use! All you do is get your special Insta-Snow powder, sprinkle it on a dish, add just a splash of water and before you can say White Christmas, you will have an eruption of snow! Insta-Snow looks so realistic it can fool people into thinking it is real. Especially as it even feels cold to the touch!

To find out more just visit www.mapstoys.co.uk

Monday 19 September 2011

Kids want Gadgets for Christmas!

A new Shopzilla poll reveals what 6-12 year-olds want this Christmas. Santa is not taking austerity measures this Christmas judging by the poll which reveals that electronic pets, laptops, tablets, digital cameras and games consoles are likely to be piled up under the tree this year. On average children in the UK are expecting £167 to be spent on them by their parents, which may not be enough for some of the more costly toys in the list.

£167 is the average amount that 6-12 year olds expect their parents to spend on them in total with more than half anticipating their gifts will cost under £150 in total. The ‘gender pay gap’ may start at a very young age if this Shopzilla survey is any indicator – boys aged 6-12 expect an average of £183 spent on them by their parents this Christmas while the girls are expecting a total of £155 on average – 18% less than the boys. However, Cars 2 toys are just as popular with girls as boys, reaching number five on both male and female Christmas lists.

Kids want to be just like their parents with ‘grown-up’ items such as digital cameras, laptops, iPads and smart phones making the top ten. 14% of the children surveyed no longer play with or use last year’s top gift any more and 12% can’t remember the best gift they received last year.

Neil McCarthy, Sales and Marketing Director at Shopzilla said: “The sheer newness of a must-have item is what attracts many of these young shoppers. It’s not just about getting the right item, it often has to be a certain colour and a particular model. Retailers who anticipate these trends and are able to meet demand will be able to tap into the tech-savvy young market.”

Top 10 most-wanted GIRLS’ toys and gifts:

1. Laptop/tablet
2. Digital camera
3. Nintendo 3DS
4. Electronic Pet
5. Cars 2 Toy
6. A real pet (not a toy)
7. Mobile phone/smartphone
8. Games for a computer console
9. Lego
10. Games Console

Top 10 most-wanted BOYS’ toys and gifts:

1. Laptop/tablet
2. Electronic Pet
3. Nintendo 3DS
4. Digital camera
5. Cars 2 Toy
6. Games for a computer console
7. Lego
8. Mobile phone/smartphone
9. Games Console
10. Moshi Monsters

www.shopzillasolutions.co.uk

(EDITOR: Parents! Just bookmark That's Chirstmas and visit us regularly to check for stories about discounted gifts. I think parents will need all the help they can get, this Christmas!)

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Your child stars in a Personalised Book and meets Father Christmas!


Get your kids involved in reading this Christmas – Star in a Personalised Book and meet Santa!

Personalised books are great for getting kids involved in reading and with this Christmas we’re helping you encourage your kids to read with this Christmassy adventure where your child meets Santa and saves Christmas!

Penwizard’s best selling personalised Christmas book is truly unique and ideal for any child this Christmas! Helping Santa save Christmas is any child’s dream and here at Penwizard we make all dreams come true!

Our best selling Christmas book includes your child on every page in the words and pictures. Simply personalise the character to look like your child and add their name – you can even add a personal message which is printed on the first page!

Make someone very happy this Christmas and visit www.penwizard.co.uk. All books delivered within 5 working days.

Personalisation:
- First name & Surname
- Hairstyle, colour & skin tone
- Town name
- Two best friends or relations
- Two adults

Book Specification
- Full colour gloss cover
- 24 Full colour pages
- Perfect bound paperback
- Size: 21 x 28 cm

Free P&P on all orders using code 251210 on the Penwizard site, terms ans conditions apply.