In The Know: Cool Things For Parents & Kids
For the Creators
For the Creators is a new maternity rental platform with a clever re-sale and subscription service. Designed to support new mums through every step of their exciting journey into motherhood, shoppers can browse clothing based on their pregnancy trimester or choose one-off pieces, like maternity dresses, jumpsuits, dungarees, jeans, tops, and c-section friendly items. There’s an extensive range of brands like Whistles, With Nothing Underneath, Hush, Isabella Oliver, Beyond Nine and Bump & Milk. You can also buy kit for first-time parents, from beauty products and baby essentials to underwear and clothing.
Visit ForTheCreators.co
Mama Still Got It by Louise Boyce
Mummy influencer Louise Boyce has racked up nearly half a million followers on Instagram thanks to her relatable videos and honest take on parenthood. The content creator recently released her first book, Mama Still Got It, a humorous account of raising kids through the school year. From the September school runs to the summer holidays, Louise charts the euphoric highs and stressful lows of parenting, all while living her own key milestones. Her husband Jesse also adds in his own experiences, while her mother reflects on how parenting has changed over the decades.
Visit Amazon.co.uk
Gap x LoveShackFancy
The SL fashion team are big fans of LoveShackFancy’s whimsical pieces, so we were excited to learn the brand has partnered with high-street store Gap to create a limited-edition collection. Available to purchase in the UK today, the collection combines Gap’s signature styles with LoveShackFancy’s vintage-inspired florals and feminine silhouettes. The campaign is fronted by award-winning artist and entrepreneur Ciara, so there’s an edit of matching pieces for parents, too – think printed jeans, logo hoodies and more. We’ve got our eye on the frilled dresses and boys’ cargo pants.
Visit Gap.co.uk
Gootopia
Gootopia has created a new series of slime workshops: ‘Tropical Blast’ and ‘Ice-Cream Dream’, available at weekends until September. Suitable for three- to 16-year-olds, kids can create colourful and fruity slime creations in the Tropical Blast class, while the ice-cream workshop is about creating pastel shades and ice-cream flavours with fun ‘toppings’. Each takes place at Gootopia’s Lewisham, Brixton and Wandsworth sites and hour-long sessions cost £15.99 per child which includes two tubs of slime to take home.
Various sites; until 3rd September
Visit Gootopia.co.uk
Even App
Even is the new dating app for single parents. The platform gives people the opportunity to match with like-minded individuals, skipping any hesitations, reservations or checklists that users might have. It’s free to download and users can view up to 100 profiles a day. You can customise your profile with important info about your home life, so you can find someone who understands you. All profiles are moderated by the safety team within 24 hours, so you can rest assured you’re talking to a real person with similar goals and interest.
Visit UK.Even-Dating.com
Babycook Solo Express Baby Food Steamer Blender
Cookware brand Babycook has launched a new food steamer and blender for busy parents. In its large bowl you can steam, blend, defrost and reheat baby food to create delicious and nutritious meals in minutes. You can also choose from two cooking modes: ‘express’ to save time and ‘eco mode’ which uses 30% less water and electricity. The kit also includes a lid, spatula, and recipe booklet with healthy and nutritious ideas for little ones.
Visit Beaba.co.uk
LUKE HAYES
Young V&A
After a three-year transformation, Young V&A in Bethnal Green has finally opened its doors. Housed in the building that was formerly the Museum of Childhood, it has been co-designed with children and young people, with fun interactive play areas, exhibitions and design studios. Designed for children up to the age of 14, Young V&A’s mission is to inspire the next generation of artists, designers and practitioners with its sensory playscapes, finger skateboard park, ‘Imagination Playground’, construction zone, sandpit and story-telling stage. There’s currently an interactive Minecraft installation, and an exhibition on Japanese culture which explores everything from Pokémon to manga-inspired fashion.
Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA
Visit VAM.ac.uk
F1 Academy Discover Your Drive
F1 Academy is the brand’s new campaign which aims to diversify the pool of drivers in the sport and increase representation of female drivers. This month, it has launched the ‘Discover Your Drive’ initiative, aimed at increasing the female talent pool in motorsport both on and off track. Its first talent scheme is a national drive karting programme to find and nurture the next generation of young female racers. In the coming months, the programme will be rolled out at six venues across the UK – Leicester, Manchester Trafford, Eastleigh, Newcastle, Mitcham and Reading – before it expands to a further 30. Sign up for updates at the link below.
Visit F1Academy.com
How Not To F*ck Up Your Kids Podcast
This new podcast is hosted by clinical therapist and parenting pro Kitty Hagenbach. Aimed at parents, expecting parents and those who are considering their path to parenthood, Kitty provides insight learned over her 30-year career on building brilliant relationships with your children. There are currently ten episodes which explore how to tackle the different stages of parenthood, from pregnancy and birth to toddlers and teens. Don’t miss the episode on deepening your connection with your kids which examines how to effectively communicate, listen, and provide age-appropriate truths.
Listen here
MARK SENIOR
The SpongeBob Musical at Southbank Centre
Following its success on Broadway, The SpongeBob Musical has transferred to the Southbank Centre until 27th August. The cast includes Ru-Paul’s Drag Race star Divina De Campo as Plankton, and Gareth Gates and Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson in the alternating role of Squidward. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save their undersea world. Best of all, iconic rock and pop artists have written new music for this show, including Aerosmith, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend and Panic! At the Disco. Tickets start from £22.50.
Visit SouthbankCentre.co.uk
Marie-Chantal SS23 Collection
Luxury childrenswear brand Marie-Chantal, known for its sweet angel wing baby grows and slippers, has released its latest spring/summer collection. The edit includes soft cotton pyjamas for boys and girls, cashmere two-pieces and rompers, and floral dresses made with Liberty print fabric. The brand has also launched a selection of scented candles, all of which are hand-poured in England and made from 100% wax. We’ve got our eye on the embroidered baby grows which would make a lovely gift.
Visit MarieChantal.com
The Monkey King
The Monkey King is a new Netflix film from the same team behind Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle. It’s an action-packed family comedy that follows a charismatic Monkey and his magical fighting stick on an epic quest for victory over 100 demons, an eccentric Dragon King, and Monkey’s greatest enemy of all —his own ego! Along the way, a young village girl challenges his self-centred attitude and shows him that even the smallest pebble can have a big effect on the world.
Available on Friday 18th August
Visit Netflix.com
Five Minute Mum: Starting School by Daisy Upton
Full of fun activities and games, this sweet volume from content creator Daisy ‘five-minute mum’ Upton is the perfect guide for little ones starting school. Daisy has two children in primary school, and used to be a teaching assistant, so she knows her stuff. This gentle and funny guide will help kids before and during the first few months, with tips on uniforms, meeting their first teacher, getting to school on the first day, making friends, finding their way around, having fun at playtime, asking for help and packing their bag. It also includes five-minute games and activities designed by Daisy to help your child feel confident and excited about taking the big step.
Visit Amazon.co.uk
The Kid's Table x The Hoxton, Southwark
The Kid's Table has teamed up with neighbourhood restaurant Albie at The Hoxton, Southwark. Every Saturday lunchtime until 16th September, parents can drop little ones off at the free supervised kids' corner run by DBS trained staff. Kids can take part in craft activities, play cards and boardgames and enjoy mini meals, while parents sit back and dine in the restaurant. The Kids’ Table is available on a first come, first served basis and is recommended for three- to ten-year-olds.
Visit TheHoxton.com
Alicia Swim x Tartine Et Chocolat Swimwear
Alicia Zannier’s luxury swimwear brand Alicia Swim has created a range of swimwear with French children’s wear brand, Tartine e Chocolat. There’s a small collection of swimwear and clothing for little ones and mothers, all in a pink and white coral print inspired by Alicia’s home of Mauritius. Choose from matching swimsuits, cotton dresses for girls and kimonos for women. A lovely choice for summer holidays.
Visit Tartine-Et-Chocolat.com
Family Kitchen by Gousto
Regular SL readers will know we rate Gousto’s at-home meal kits, so we were pleased to hear the delivery brand has launched a ‘Family Kitchen’ range with 20 adaptable recipes for the whole family. With plenty of recipes that are packed full of veggies – particularly important when you learn that nearly nine in ten UK parents say they have at least one fussy eater at home – dishes are packed full of flavour, nutrients and fibre to keep kids full on the go. Choose from recipes like tomatoey pork meatball sandwiches with chips; Mexican veggie wraps with crispy onion cobettes; sausage, red pepper and potato hash with herby chilli dressing; and creamy tomato gnocchi bake with tenderstem broccoli.
Visit Gousto.co.uk
The Flavour Academy Cookbook by Zenia Deogan
Zenia Deogan is a nutritionist, food scientist, and founder of The Flavour Academy, a platform that offers guidance on nutrition, cooking and developing healthy habits at mealtimes. Her new cookbook includes over 160 nutritious recipes that explore taste, texture and flavour. Home cooks of any skill level can use The Flavour Academy to reinvent everyday mealtimes, transforming them into fun, exciting experiences for parents and kids. The book also includes information on the five senses and how they interact and influence our perception of food – as well as modifications for little ones who are weaning.
Visit Amazon.co.uk
Peppa Pig's Discovery Playroom at The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum has opened a Peppa Pig pop-up for little ones. The Discovery Playroom has transformed one of the museum’s shops into an immersive play experience where families can choose a book to enjoy story time with Peppa, get creative with themed colouring and activity sheets, draw dinosaurs in the craft zone, and relax and watch their favourite Peppa Pig episodes. Kids can also meet Peppa every Monday afternoon before browsing products in the shop.
Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD; until Sunday 10th September.
Visit NHM.org
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