Full Throttle Family Fun In Cardiff On 3rd September At Monster Jam®

Monster Jam® is back for its only UK date on the 3rd September at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and tickets are already on sale.

You can expect full throttle family fun from the creative team at Feld Entertainment Inc. who have put together arena spectaculars such as "Disney on Ice" and, coming soon, "Marvel Universe LIVE!"

Monster Jam is the most action-packed live event on four wheels to hit the UK and will see World class drivers compete in both Monster Jam truck racing and freestyle competitions.

Combining high octane entertainment with the ultimate off-road motorsport competition, you'll be left on the edge of your seat by the jaw dropping displays.

This year's Monster Jam® promises the best truck line-up every assembled and will feature 12 of the World's most famous Monster Jam trucks (including Monster Jam World Finals® champions Grave(Digger® and Max DTM).

The spectacular takes place on specially designed tracks that optimise mobility so that the most recognisable trucks in the World can go head to head in wheelies, donuts, obstacle course racing and freestyle competitions that will push the Monster Jam trucks to their limits.

Monster Jam Truck Facts

The Monster Jam trucks stand at 4 metres tall and 4 metres wide and weigh up to 4,500kg. Their engines burn up to 9.5 litres of methanol per run and deliver about 1,500 horsepower. They can reach speeds of up to 110 kms per hour and can jump as far as 130 feet in length.

Some of the custom-designed trucks have needed more than 40 hours of paint time - a real labour of love.

The truck tyres are 1.7m high by 1.1 wide. Carving just one Monster Jam truck tyre requires over 50 hours of exacting labour and the average Monster Jam truck team will go through 8 tyres in one year.

It takes 1500 man hours to build and remove a track. 300 truckloads of dirt are used to build the track and 113 litres of paint are used to paint the track and obstacles.

A Great Day Out

Monster Jam is also known for its pre-show "Party in the Pits" which gives the crowd unprecedented access to the stars of the show.  We are looking forward to meeting some of the drivers and getting up close to the Monster Jam trucks.

Tickets

You can purchase tickets through www.monsterjam.co.uk or via Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2255. Find out more on the Monster Jam Facebook page.

Read more

Family Friendly Fun In Amsterdam

There's no denying that Amsterdam is a beautiful city.  It is one of the largest historical city centres in Europe and has over 50 museums.  You may know Amsterdam best for its vibrant nightlife but there is plenty to do on your family holiday.

Here are just a few of the things on our family bucket list.

Museums

Popular with kids is the Tropenmuseum (the Tropical Museum) where the displays (art, photographs, music and film) depict the lives of cultures outside of the West, focusing on the tropics and subtropics.

The Nemo Science Museum

Or there is Amsterdam's science museum, Nemo which is best suited for children over 6 and features interactive science exhibits, experiments & shows in a huge, waterfront, boat-like museum.

Amsterdam is a great destination to introduce your children to culture, both artistic and literary.  You could visit the Van Gogh museum which displays over 200 of his works, including landscapes, still lifes and drawings and letters. These are displayed alongside works from Van Gogh's contemporaries so that visitors get real insights into his life and work.

Vincent Van Gogh - A Self Portrait

And of course perhaps the most famous museum is the Anne Frank House. Perhaps more suited to older children, nevertheless, the story told by Jewish wartime diarist Anne in her diary is one of the most terrible and moving in the 20th century and to see the home in which she was imprisoned brings to life the ordeal she and her family endured.

Anne Frank House

Canals & Boats

Experiencing Amsterdam by boat will give you a different perspective on the city. There are loads of different types of boat tours - there's an Amsterdam Pizza Tour or an Amsterdam Burger Tour or you could take an evening canal cruise.  There's even a children's party cruise on the 'Pancake Boat' where the kids make and decorate their own pancakes.

Bicycles

There are more bikes in Amsterdam than there are people - over 800,000 bicycles! Cycling is a way of life in Amsterdam and the city has a great network of bike paths and cycle routes. Cycling is also a great way to explore the city.

Image credit:  Anna & Michal

You can hire bikes called 'bakfiets’ (cargo bike) which have a wooden compartment in which your kids can sit.

What a cute way of sightseeing!

Foodie Treats

There is a vast choice of restaurants featuring international cuisine and street markets a plenty where you can sample local fare such as Stroopwafels or Poffertjes.

Stroopwafels are chewy syrup waffles first made in the town of Gouda in the Netherlands during the 18th century. They are made from two thin layers of batter with a sticky syrup filling in the middle. In Amsterdam you can find freshly made stroopwafels at Amsterdam street markets like Albert Cuypmarkt and Noordermarkt. Stroopwafels are a great accompaniment to a cup of coffee or tea and come in various sizes. The most popular size fits perfectly as a lid on your coffee which softens the cookie and melts the syrup. Yum!

Poffertjes are small, fluffy pancakes made with yeast and buckwheat flour found at outdoor markets and on many street corners in winter. They are typically served topped with powdered sugar and butter. Usually served on a little paper plate with a tiny fork for smearing the butter, they can be really messy to eat if it's windy as the powder sugar will cover your face and clothing!

Image Credit:  Flickr: Nenyaki

Flowers

We all know about tulips from Amsterdam but it's great to see the street markets awash with a riot of colour. Why not visit the floating flower market or Bloemenmarkt. All the stalls are located on floating barges along the canal, which is how the flowers used to travel from the fields to the city.

Fresh flowers are still brought in daily, but these days come by lorry! You are sure to find your favourite flower here, from the traditional Dutch tulip to the more exotic varieties.  In December you'll also find Christmas trees.

It is also very easy to reach Amsterdam with more than 300 direct flights to Schipol Airport which is 20 minutes from the city centre by train.

As you might expect for a major tourist destination, there is a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets but be sure to do your research to check what is included in the cost of your stay. For example, with some of the family friendly hotels, bike hire is included in the price.

Have you taken your family to Amsterdam?  What sights would you recommend?  What is your favourite family friendly hotel?

Read more

Family Holidays In The Italian Riviera

The Italian Riviera on the coast of Liguria is one of the most spectacular places to take a family vacation.

From the breathtaking scenery, the warm blue water, and pristine beaches, this area has everything to make the kids and parents equally happy.

A perfect way to explore the Italian region is to rent a luxury car with kid and family-friendly features through popular European luxury car hire companies like Primerent for example and discover the ocean villas and glamorous towns with space and comfort.

There are many options for your family on a trip around the Ligurian coast.

A great place to start is in Genoa. This city has stunning architecture and museums dotting the port city. The palaces along Via Garibaldi will be sure to even astonish the kids because of their beauty. The covered market place is a great place for everyone to try different foods and enjoy a bit of the lifestyle.

Portofino, a fishing village turned escape for the rich and famous, is an incredible place to visit. The pink buildings perched on the cliffs are a site to see and it is a perfect walking city where kids can explore old castles and parents can enjoy cocktails with one of the best views in the world.

For a more beach atmosphere and sun soaked vacation, be sure to stay in Alassio. This is a beach town with incredible beaches and a water park that will keep kids entertained for hours.

Finale Ligure is another beach resort and medieval town all in one. There is an amazing 12th century abbey and charming seaside neighborhoods. This is a recurring theme for Liguria, mixing the historical beauty with natural views.

There are so many places which make it perfect for a family holiday and a memorable time. Your children will love exploring a beautiful beach lined landscape and the parents will enjoy some of the best food and views in the whole world.

There are no words that do justice to the beauty of this Italian region, you will have to see it for yourself!

Read more

How To Master Holidays With Kids In 4 Simple Ways

Just because you have a family, it shouldn't limit your travel options. In fact, there are loads of families that constantly travel the world, and it seems to work just fine for them. Here is what I've learnt from them and my own travelling experiences with kids.

Habit

The first step is to get them in the habit of travel. The more that the little ones get used to travelling, the easier it will be for them. If you can't afford to travel abroad all the time, go on day trips. Stay with friends or family so they get used to not sleeping in their own bed.

Picture source

Cook dishes from the country you will be visiting so they get into the habit of eating the local style food. If you expose them to all these new experiences when they are young, they will grow up with wanderlust and find travelling a breeze.

Get them involved

The next step to getting your kids ready for their holidays is to get them involved from the beginning. Children learn about all sorts of places at school, so they may even have an idea of where they would like to go. Even if you pick the location, show them the types of activities on offer there and ask them what they would like to do. You could even make it into an arts and crafts activity. Get some travel brochures of the place that you are going to and getting the kids to cut and paste the things they like the look of.

Prepare for the expected and the unexpected

An essential step when taking the kids on holiday is to prepare for both the expected and unexpected. For example, if you know that your little ones get car sick, make sure that you have their bands and medication. Schedule in frequent stops too, so they are as comfortable as possible.

Image credit

Preparing for the unexpected is not so easy, but there are a few things you can do. Firstly make sure that you have your euro health card with you. Whilst the UK is still a member of the EU this will entitle you, as UK citizens, to free or discounted emergency medical care in the EU.

Of course, when the UK leaves the EU following Brexit, the validity of these may be in doubt but travel expert Simon Calder advises that before joining the EEC, the UK had reciprocal health agreements with many European nations and it is likely that a similar range of deals will be put in place.  You need to check before you go.

Its also useful to take an emergency first aid kit for less serious incidents. This should contain plasters, antiseptic and ibuprofen, as well as after sun and diarrhoea powders. It's always better to have this stuff and not need it, rather than need it and not have it. You don't want to spend your time away trying to find a chemist in an unfamiliar place.

Stay in their routine

Image credit

The next step to successful travel with kids is to help them to stay in their routine as much as possible. Children can become cranky easier if they don't eat and sleep at their normal times. Try and keep to their regular schedule as much as you can. Or if you know you will want to stay out later in the evenings, get them into the routine of having a longer, later nap for a few weeks before you go.

What tips would you add for a stress free holiday with the kids?

Read more

Tips To Make Your Family Holiday As Stress Free As Possible

Taking your children abroad on holiday is a great way to help with their development. There are many diverse benefits to travelling, especially when young, and it helps to instill these in your kids as early as possible.

Travel broadens the mind, as they say, and the earlier you begin that broadening process, the better it is for your kids in the long run. However, this is not to say that it is all a walk in the park.

As any parent knows, taking your family on holiday can unfortunately be filled with stress. The good news is that most of that stress is avoidable if you approach it in the right way.

Here are a few tips you may find useful.

Pic Credit

Book Ahead

This first tip is one which no family can really ignore. When you are planning for a family holiday, it is a great idea to book ahead and the truth is, the further ahead you book, the better.

Obviously you will book flights and accommodation and you should ensure that you book as early as possible. This has a couple of major benefits. Firstly, it saves you money - money which you can spend when you are actually on holiday and secondly, it gives you plenty of time to prepare for the trip. And that really does make all the difference. If you are looking for a stress-free holiday, then book your holidays early for 2017 now.

Prepare Thoroughly

Part of the preparation is booking everything of course. Once the booking has been taken care of, you need to ensure that you make everything as easy on the family as possible and, rightly or wrongly, this often falls to Mum to sort out! Part of this is ensuring that bags are packed correctly, for example checking luggage weight restrictions on your airline and making sure you are not packing banned items. It can be stressful organising this properly for an entire family, but it is worth it just for the peace of mind. I keep a packing checklist on my PC and print it off as a reminder every time we go away. At the end of the day, the more prepared you are, the better.

Pic Credit

Choose A Holiday Which Suits You

Many families end up randomly choosing a point on the globe and going there, or going to the same place year after year without trying anywhere new. However, this approach is unlikely to suit everyone and without considering everyone's needs, you might find yourself in a situation where nobody enjoys the holiday. This is bound to be a recipe for disaster. The truth is you actually need to pick a holiday which suits your family. Avoid miserable travel companions by thinking carefully about where you actually want to go and perhaps holding a family meeting to discuss everyone's needs and manage their expectations.

Research

Ultimately, the key to avoiding stress in any kind of family situation is to prepare as well as possible. In order to do that, you need to know everything there is to know about where you are going. That’s why you must get into the habit of carrying out diligent research. That way, you know what you are getting into. And when you know what you are getting into, you can make the experience a much more enjoyable one for everyone - and make sure you are going to be happy too!

Read more

Fab Free Ebook - Best of British - 101 Ideas For Having Fun With The Kids This Summer As Recommended By Bloggers

What’s better, the warm British summer breeze running through your hair on the beach, or the thrill of adrenaline coursing through your veins after a big roller coaster ride?

Obviously it's the Husband's duty to go on all the scary rides as somebody has to hold on to all the coats and bags since the British summer weather is more unpredictable than Kanye West on a talk show.

Fortunately, whether you’re a beach or thrill fan, summer is only a few weeks away and there is no time like the present to get planning.

If, like me, you’re struggling for ideas of where to take the kids this summer, check out this handy ebook created by over 101 of the Best British Bloggers.

With hundreds of activities, destinations, and just general FUN each of the ideas has been tested by a blogger just like myself and is a personal recommendation straight from the heart.

Source:  Anil Nayar

My suggestion for the book was DYFFRYN GARDENS, SOUTH WALES I wrote…

"Our favourite local National Trust property is Dyffryn Gardens where we spend many happy hours playing hide and seek and admiring the really unique collection of plants they have.

It’s like entering the Secret Garden, peaceful, quiet and plenty of space for the kids to run.

Caitlin & Ieuan Exploring Dyffryn Gardens

We will be heading back to Dyffryn Gardens this summer for more exploring and lots of after-school picnics. We love supporting the National Trust and family membership means free entry to some amazing properties and gardens all over the UK.

Let me know if you have a destination favourite from the ebook!

And let's hope that the long promised "barbecue summer" actually arrives this year.

Update:  The ebook is no longer available but you can find more ideas in these posts:-

http://www.motherdistracted.co.uk/2015/10/what-to-do-with-kids-around-cardiff.html
http://www.motherdistracted.co.uk/2015/09/hide-and-seek-at-cadw-raglan-castle.html
http://www.motherdistracted.co.uk/2015/08/we-packed-our-imagination-and-went-to.html

Read more

Tips For Travelling By Car Safely This Summer

Now that the half term holiday is approaching and many of us are about to hit the UK roads and motorways, it's worth thinking about how we can keep ourselves, and our children, safe whilst we drive.

We all know that our cars must have a current MOT and be adequately insured.  Even though we no longer need to display a tax disc, the Police are able to track untaxed vehicles on the road.

Fuel, oil and water levels need to be topped up before we set off and our tyres checked and inflated to the correct pressure.

It's best to top your fuel up before you hit the motorway to avoid any price hikes on fuel which frequently seem to hit the unorganised driver.

And it is a good idea to carry a well stocked first aid kit in the boot, as well as some bottled water and some (non-meltable) snacks.

Is your breakdown cover up to date and do you have the relevant contact numbers already entered in your phone in case you get stranded on the M25?

Travelling with little ones means we need to make sure we are up to speed with the rules and regulations about child car seats and ensure everyone is wearing their seat-belt.

If your kids suffer from car sickness, it's also worth taking a bowl, cloths and some soapy water, plus a change (or two!) of clothes for them.  You can bet that the day you don't have these things is the day you'll need them.

Before you go, check your SatNav is in good working order and is charged.  We recently found that ours wouldn't charge in-car and the dulcet tones of Stephen Fry cut out at a critical moment going round a roundabout.  Taking a good old-fashioned OS Map is a good back-up.

Make sure that you drive within the National Speed Limit for the road you are on - not only with this keep your licence point free but it will help you keep your petrol consumption down.

And, if you have had a lot to drink the night before, remember that you may still be over the limit the next morning.  Some prescription medications may also leave you drowsy and nowhere near as alert as you need to be.

Tiredness kills so make sure that you have regular, scheduled breaks, particularly when travelling with little ones, for toilet breaks, food and, in my case, coffee!  You might want to pack sandwiches though because the cost of feeding a family at the UK motorway service stations is often high.

It's also useful to carry a picnic rug or blanket to sit on, or for the kids to snooze under.

You'll want to take a selection of CDs for the kids.  Some kids are able to play on iPads and read in the back of the car but we've found this increases the risk of travel sickness.  Luckily we've finally outgrown the CBeebies classics so we don't sail down to Devon to the dulcet tones of Mr Tumble any more.

If you find driving a bit of a nerve-wracking experience, insurer LV recently published an excellent guide entitled "12 Road Safety Tips To Help You Feel more confident On The Road" which will help you to avoid looking like Matt LeBlanc driving round the Cenotaph.

For example, Chris Gilbert, a former Metropolitan Police driving inspector who taught Princes William and Harry to drive advises us to "drive more consciously" so that we anticipate situations rather than react.

I don't know about you but it can be tricky to drive consciously when you have two kids arguing in the back, the SatNav cuts out and the Husband is trying to give you conflicting directions.

But we should be as alert as we can to what is going on around us, rather than faffing about changing radio stations or trying to unearth the last Werther's Original from the glove compartment because Ieuan hates mints.

Another excellent piece of advice is to make sure there is an adequate gap between you and the car in front.

The advice is that you should keep at least a two-second gap between yourself and the car in front. You can count it from a road sign as the car ahead passes it.

Tailgating is probably one of the biggest annoyances experienced by drivers and I have found that women driving their kids seem to attract more than their fair share of tailgaters for some reason.

Other regularly mentioned annoyances from other motorists include:-

- leaving rear fog lights on when there's no fog and it's just raining

- those who drive everywhere with their lights on full beam and dazzle approaching drivers at night

- or drivers who don't put them on when it's dark and tipping down with rain

- drivers who abruptly change lanes at the last possible moment at motorway exits - sometimes leaving it too late and crossing the hatched area

- drivers who drive while using a hand-held mobile phone - incredibly this is still a frequent sight, as is drivers trying to text with one hand on the wheel.

What tips would you add to my list?  And what really irks you when you're on the road?

Read more

Fun In Wales This May Bank Holiday

If you're lost for something to do this on Monday, why not check out one of the great guides below.

You're sure to find an activity you'd like to try.

Just click on the links.

21 Things To Do This May Day Bank Holiday Weekend

As usual, Walesonline.co.uk have a great guide. From Dylan Thomas' poetry in Laugharne to falcolnry in the Black Mountains, there's something for everyone.

Dylan Thomas' Boathouse At Laugharne

#FindYourEpic with VisitWales.com

Wales is such an amazing country.  Just click on the link about to find a wealth of events near you, from seeing archaeological treasures such as mummies and even Indiana Jones' hat and whip at Cardiff Museum, to learning about artillery warfare in Newport or what about a deep sea fishing trip in Ceredigion?  No excuse for spending another day buying bedding plants at your local DIY superstore....

The Beautiful Cwmcarn Forest

Events in The Valleys

There's never a dull day in the Valleys.  What about going on the International Dawn Chorus Walk in Cwmcarn Forest on 1st May or the Annual Nantgarw China Works Antique Fair on the 2nd?

Cadw

Cadw's bank holiday fun includes the Company of the Raven at Kidwelly Castle where you can try your hand at archery, or you can Dare To Meet The Dragon at Caerphilly Castle and be captured by this mythical monster.

The Majestic Caerphilly Castle

The National Trust

Why not learn to play croquet at Dyffryn Gardens,  walk through wildflower meadows at Lanlay or explore the 17th century beauty of Tredegar House with its wild and flamboyant history?

Or there's the Mother Distracted weekend guide for any time of year.

Caitlin & Ieuan at Dyffryn Gardens

Let me know if there are any events I should add!

Have fun!

Read more

My Sunday Photo - 24/04/2016

Exploring at Bryn Garw Country Park

Read more

Review: Vango Starwalker Junior Dragon Sleeping Bag - Camping Fun For Kids

Readers of this blog will know that, being ever-so-slightly 'outdoors averse', I am making a real effort to love all things camping, and, er, outdoorsy.

The Husband and kids, on the other hand, adore being outside and my days of demanding high thread count sheets and a mini bar are looking increasingly numbered.

I cannot claim to be quite ready to audition for the next series of Bear Gryll's "Mission Survive" but for the sake of Caitlin and Ieuan, I am willing to at least contemplate a lifestyle that doesn't necessarily include a hotel inspector.

In preparation for this year's sojourn into the great outdoors, we were given the opportunity to try the winner of "Best Family Product" in the Outdoor Industry Awards 2016 - the Vango Starwalker Junior Sleeping Bag.  This is a big year for Vango as they are also celebrating their 50th anniversary.

The Vango Starwalker Junior is a versatile sleeping bag, which gives children freedom of movement with the option to zip off sections at the legs and shoulders.

It comes in two designs, the dragon or the panda and, because the bottom zips off, the kids can easily run around the campsite in it to keep warm or, in Ieuan's case just because he enjoys being a dragon.

The Starwalker Junior is made from 210T microfibre polyester with single hole siliconised hollow fibre insulation to increase durability.

The Vango Starwalker Junior Sleeping Bag in the Dragon Design

It has a hood for additional warmth and a large front zipper so the kids can get easily in and out.  It has a 9 Tog rating and is suitable for children up to 150cm tall.

The sleeping bag can be carried as a rucksack so that you can get the kids to help carry their own stuff.

The Vango Starwalker Junior Sleeping Bag in the Panda Design

We got Ieuan to test it out for us on terrain which would make Bear Grylls proud (the beach at The Knap, Barry) and once into it, we had difficulty persuading him to take it off.  You can see from the photos that he was still wearing it at tea time and he is currently campaigning to take it bed with him.

It has some lovely little design touches, such as a dragon's tail and a dragon's face on the rucksack. We found the sleeping bag to be well made with sturdy zips and stitching.

The removable bottom section will be a great help on those occasions when there are frequent toilet trips and your child could certainly wear it on chilly evenings - perhaps for a bit of star-gazing.

We will certainly be taking it with us on our next camping trip.

The Vango Starwalker Junior Sleeping Bag retails at £47.50 and is available from www.vango.co.uk.

You can also find Vango on Facebook or Twitter.
 

Read more

Day Trip Ideas That The Whole Family Will Love

When you’ve got little ones, you’re always on the lookout for fun and different things to do with them. No matter how much to see and do there is in your local area, after a while it all gets a bit too samey. There’s only so many times you can visit the zoo or go bowling without losing your mind with boredom. That’s why sometimes it’s a good idea to mix things up and explore a little further afield.

Day trips can be a great way to get the whole family out and about, having fun and exploring. It’s just a case of selecting the best places to go for a family-friendly day out - we’re spoilt for choice as the UK has so many amazing places to explore. To help you choose the best locations for family day trips, I thought I would put together this handy guide. Hopefully, this will allow you to find the day trips that are most well suited to you and your family.

London

For a city day out, it has to be London. Bristol is pretty great too, but compared to London, it’s nowhere near as exciting. Home to the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, The National History Museum, and so much more, there is an array of things to see and do here. Whether your kids are science lovers or are mad about history, London has something for everyone. The London Dungeons, The London Duck Tour, and The Science Museum are all perfect places for a family day out.

Cornwall or Devon 

Photo source 

Are your kids beach mad? If your little ones love building sand castles and splashing about in the sea, then a day trip to Devon or Cornwall could be ideal. There are so many beautiful places to explore in these two regions. From white sandy beaches to idyllic areas of countryside. For a fantastic family day out in Cornwall, St Ives, Perranporth, Newquay, or Padstow are all great. In Devon, Dartmouth, Salcombe, and Goodrington are all perfect places to explore.

Kent 

If your kids love places with lots of history, then Kent is the perfect place for a day trip. There are so many beautiful castles and ancient ruins here that make it the perfect place to spend some time exploring. Whether you choose to visit Tudor castles or Canterbury Cathedral, you’re sure to have a fantastic time. Of course, Kent isn’t just known for its history but also for its beer. So after a little exploring, a pub lunch could be the perfect way to recharge your batteries.

The Jurassic Coast 

Image credit

One of the best places to take kids with an aptitude for adventure has to be the Jurassic coast. This 96-mile radius of coastline, spanning from East Devon to Dorset, is famed for its fossils. On the beaches along this coastline, there are hundreds of thousands of fossils ready to be found. While you’re not allowed to chip fossils off the rocks, what you can do is collect ones that have already been dislodged. For kids who love adventure or are dinosaur mad, this is the ideal day trip.

Hopefully, these ideas will give you plenty of places to visit and explore with your little ones. When life gets too samey, mixing it up is important.

*collaborative post

Read more

My Sunday Photo - 08/04/2016

Mat& Ieuan exploring Cosmeston

Read more

How To Have A Great Family Holiday On A Budget

Going on vacation can be quite an expensive affair. However, it does not have to be if you follow our handy tips. By stretching your budget as far as you can, you are able to have the holiday of your dreams without going broke.

Getty Images

1. Examine Your Children's School Schedule 

Going on vacation in the "off season" costs less money. However, the off season does usually align with the dates that children have off from school. It is important not to pull them from class too often or their education could suffer. What, then, do you do? Communicate with your children's teachers. Find out if there is a down time during the year where your children would not be missing much of their essential academic work. For example, the last few days of a term are often pretty quite at the school.

If the school seems amenable, consider taking them out for a few days for a vacation. Look for a time when they already have a Friday or a Monday off, so you can take advantage of the long weekend. However, make sure to stay away from bank holidays, as you are likely to pay a premium if you go during these times.

Also, remember that you don't have to go away for five or six days. Even just a few days can help to rejuvenate your family and bring you all closer together.

2. Look For Value 

Certain locations are cheaper to travel to, while others are more expensive. There are a number of reasons, however, that prices for a vacation destination may vary. If you are looking for a good deal, consider heading to Spain. Prices are down about twenty percent, and there are several nice theme parks in the area that your family is sure to enjoy. In addition, Portugal and Morocco are great choices as well. Finally, Bulgaria is another country to consider.

Also, if you really want to save money, think about staying in the UK. It is a lot cheaper to head to a destination closer to home rather than going out of the country. And, there are lots of great things to see and do in the area!

3. Get a Good Deal On A Flight 

Pay attention to the days of the week when booking your flight. If you leave on a Tuesday rather than a Friday, for example, you may save more than 30 percent on the cost of your airfare! Also, try to avoid heading home on Sunday. You could pay almost 50 percent more for your flight if you do! And if you are going on a trip within the UK, check UK free stuff websites, as most have good deals with attraction parks like Alton towers.

Plan your trip well. If you are able to purchase your plane tickets several months in advance, you will get a better deal on them. In general, you want to be at least two months out from the date of your vacation. In addition, remember that there is nothing wrong with using different airlines to fly out and then back in to your home airport. You can save money if you do so.

4. Make Sure Everything Is Included

An all-inclusive vacation often saves you money in the long run, as you won't have any extra expenses to contend with. If you use Expedia or On the Beach to book your trip, you may find that you have more options in this area.

Some package deals are truly a great value. They offer something for everyone, including your children. You will find that your flight, hotel room, meals and even entertainment options are taken care of with most all-inclusive packages. This means that even though the figure may seem expensive at first, it is not that bad when you break it down according to everything you are getting for the money.

5. Do A Home Swap! 

If you really want to visit another country but you don't have the funds, consider swapping homes with another family. There are companies that handle these arrangements; you simply let them know where you live and how big your home is. Figure out where you want to go and your family then stays in another family's home. That family will stay at your place. You don't have to pay anything for your accommodations! In addition, the family whose home you are staying in can guide you to great restaurants and activities in the area.

Getty Images

6. Look Online For Foreign Currency 

Because it is convenient, many people try and change their money at the airport. However, rates are usually terrible there. Instead, purchase currency online and get the best rate possible.

7. Consider A Youth Hostel 

At one time, youth hostels were only for students. That is no longer the case, however. If you choose to stay at a hostel, you can expect to have a nice room in a great location. There are websites that can help you find competitively priced hostels.

8. Look Out For Deals For Children

Some places will let children travel for free, depending on their age. Always ask about any such discounts. In addition, if your children are just outside of the "free" range, talk to the operator and see if you can negotiate a deal. They may be willing to work with you to get your business.

9. Set Up Airport Parking Ahead Of Time 

If you do not set up your airport parking in advance, you could pay a pretty penny for it. Instead, go online and schedule something ahead of time. You could save about 10 percent by doing this.

10. Be Careful When Using Your Cell Phone 

If you go out of the country, turn off data roaming on your phone. Otherwise, you could have large fees waiting for you.

For more ways to save money, check out www.wowfreestuff.co.uk.

Read more

The Easter Bunny Springs Into Action At National Trust & Win A Family Weekend Pass

The Easter Bunny has kicked off his 2016 schedule in style, with the National Trust unveiling a show-stopping giant topiary bunny at Stourhead, in Wiltshire.

The Easter Bunny makes first stop at Stourhead to kick off the National Trust’s nationwide Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts 

The topiary bunny has been created to celebrate the ninth year of the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts.

The hunts will be taking place at 271 National Trust locations over the Easter weekend (25-28 March).

He is set to deliver 362,592 chocolate bunnies to 271 National Trust places around the country. 

Families are invited to unleash their inner explorer at these adventurous hunts taking place across the country.

Stourhead, known to many as the location of the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice, played host to the Cadbury Easter Bunny’s first destination this year, as he begins his nationwide tour to generate excitement ahead of the upcoming Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

The iconic gardens and Palladian mansion, given to the conservation charity in 1946, is just one of the locations providing a beautiful backdrop for an Easter day out.

At a towering height of 8ft, the frame of the impressive topiary bunny, celebrating the Cadbury Easter Bunny’s visit, took a whopping three days to create. If laid flat, the length of the steel wire used for this creation would be that of two football pitches!

His accompanying 4ft friends used the combined talents of a team of four over a five day period, using enough wire to cover the length of a further five football pitches in the process.

Hoping to delight children and families alike this Bank Holiday Weekend, the smaller topiary bunnies will be on display at Wimpole, Stowe, Killerton, Castle Ward, Fountains Abbey, Hardwick Hall and Tredegar House.

The Easter bunny has been very busy indeed, delivering an impressive 362,592 Cadbury Dairy Milk Bunnies around the UK. Visitors to National Trust places across the Easter holiday weekend will be able to take part in special Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts, with every child receiving a Cadbury chocolate treat for getting involved.

With over 270,000 people getting involved in a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt last year, and over 3 million people welcomed to participating National Trust places over the Easter weekend, the charity is hoping for another great turnout.

You can find your nearest hunt here: Cadbury.co.uk/Easter or check the list of participating properties below.

Scroll down and you can also find out how to win one of two Family Weekend Passes.

Participating Properties

Castle Ward, County Down
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt at the Easter Fair, 27 – 28 March, 12pm – 6pm

There’s a mystery to be solved at Castle Ward and we need your help! The Easter Bunny has hidden clues all over the front lawn, can you solve the puzzle? You’ll be rewarded with a tasty Cadbury chocolate treat at the end. Stick around afterwards for a whole day of fun at the Easter Fair. Visit Phil's Farm, take part in the chicken run race and tuck into some delicious local food. Price: £8 per adult, £3.80 per child (normal admission charges apply) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward 

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, North Yorkshire 
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 March – 10 April, 10am – 4pm

I spy with my little eye… an Easter bunny! This spring at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal little bunnies have been hoppety-hopping around the estate. Head over bridges of the river Skell, explore around every corner of the Abbey ruins, and follow the waterways of the Georgian gardens to find them and get a yummy Cadbury chocolate treat. There’ll be lots of family fun along the way too, including crafts in Swanley Grange and a brand new adventure playground. Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01765608888 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey

Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire 
Cadbury Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt at Hardwick, 25 – 28 March, 11am – 4pm

Get outdoors at Hardwick Hall this Easter and grab a trail sheet for the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt. See if you can follow the clues that will lead you around the house, garden and Lady Spencer's Wood, and then collect a delicious chocolate treat at the end. After you’ve had your fill of chocolate why not seek out more adventures with the ‘Famous Five’-inspired trail or try your hand at some special Easter crafts. Price: £3 per hunt (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01246 850430 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick-hall

Killerton, Devon 
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 19 March – 17 April, 11am – 4pm 

Visit Killerton this Easter to explore the estate in search of mysterious clues left by the Easter Bunny. The egg hunt will lead you along winding paths through wild woodlands and blooming orchards to find the Bear's hut, ice house and chapel. There’s a yummy chocolate treat to tuck into at the end, so what are you waiting for? Price: £2.50 per child (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01392 881345 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

Stourhead, Wiltshire Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 - 28 March, 11am – 4pm 

Take a trip to Stourhead this Easter where egg hunters can explore through towering trees, by mystical grottoes and past a glittering lake. Make a day of it and bring a picnic, best enjoyed on the rolling lawns with views that stretch across the Wiltshire countryside. Afterwards, keep the family fun going and play giant games in the garden. Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01747 841152 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead

Stowe, Buckinghamshire 
Stowe’s Sleeping Beauty Quest - Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 - 28 March 10am-4.30pm

This Easter embark on a quest to awaken Sleeping Beauty from her slumber, and in return claim your delicious chocolate treat. Fairy-tales, myths and legends have been weaved through the garden, where chivalrous knights and courageous princesses will hunt for clues. The quest will take you past mystical lakes and deep into the Sleeping Wood to claim your egg and finish on a happily ever after. Price: £2.50 per hunt (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01280 817156 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe

Tredegar House, Monmouthshire 
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 – 28 March, 11am – 4pm

The Easter Bunny has been up to his old tricks again at Tredegar House. He's left a trail of clues around the garden for you to follow. Solve the puzzle to claim your chocolate treat, then why not explore the rest of the estate? There’ll be loads of other Easter crafts and activities to try your hand at. Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01633 815880 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tredegar-house

Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire 
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, 25 March – 8 April, 10.30am - 4.15pm

Take a trip to this beautiful country home complete with a working farm and resident bunnies. Rhyming clues will lead you on an egg hunt around the gardens, but to claim your chocolate treat you’ll have to find the hidden magic word. Price: £2 per hunt (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01223 206000 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate

The National Trust is a conservation charity founded in 1895 by three people who saw the importance of our nation’s heritage and open spaces, and wanted to preserve them for everyone to enjoy. More than 120 years later, these values are still at the heart of everything the charity does.

Entirely independent of Government, the National Trust looks after more than over 600,00 acres of countryside, 775 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Over 20 million people visit every year, and together with 4.5 million members and over 62,000 volunteers, they help to support the charity in its’ work to care for special places forever, for everyone.

For more information and ideas for great seasonal days out go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

I have two free Family Weekend Passes (2 winners) up for grabs for you and your family to enjoy at your convenience (though please note this would not be redeemable on a Bank Holiday weekend).

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget.  UK entrants only and terms & conditions apply.  One entry per household.  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 8th April.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and happy egg hunting!

More free competitions at www.theprizefinder.com

Read more

Best Guides To What's On In And Around Cardiff This Easter

If you're lost for something to do this Easter, why not check out one of the great guides below.

Image credit:  Barnley Moss

You're sure to find an activity you'd like to try.

Just click on the links.

Easter Activities In And Around Cardiff - mumsintheknow.co.uk

A great list of Easter Holiday activities, from lambing to egg decorating.

18 Awesome Easter Activities happening in South Wales over the bank holiday weekend - walesonline.co.uk

A list of activities (some free) happening between April 3 and 6, as well as during the wider school holidays for the whole family.

Caitlin enjoying a picnic

Family Easter Holiday Roundup - visitwales.com

A great list of local places to visit.

Events in The Valleys

What's happening in our Valleys communities over the bank holiday break.

Easter events at Cadw

A list of those Cadw sites hosting Easter events, including Easter Egg hunts.

Ieuan at Raglan Castle

Easter Fun In Wales with the National Trust

Or there's the Mother Distracted weekend guide for any time of year.

Caitlin & Ieuan at Dyffryn Gardens

Have fun!

Read more

Planning Tips For Your Next Family Camping Trip

A family camping trip can be the best way for your family to bond and strengthen relationships. But for that to happen, you first have to make sure that the whole thing goes as smoothly as possible. Here are some top family camping trips to help you out.

Make Sure the Tent is Fit for Purpose 

The tent is where you will be spending your time at night, and it’s where you’ll get shelter when the rain starts to fall. For that reason, you need to make sure that it is up to the task before you go on your trip. There’s nothing worse than getting to where you want to camp and finding that your old tent has a hole in the top. You should always put up the tent in the garden to test it before you leave.

Photo Source

Have a Plan to Keep Everyone Entertained 

Keeping the entire family entertained when you go away on a family camping trip is no small task. It’s not something that can be done unless you have a real plan in place. You can only manage to make the trip go smoothly if everyone is entertained; there’s nothing worse than bored children! Think about what you are going to fill your days with. And you can also prepare some small games and activities to keep them busy and distracted. It could save the trip from disaster.

Take Backup Clothes 

You never know what the weather or the environment is going to throw your way when you go on a camping trip. And your trip might be ruined if you run out of clean clothes after the first day! You should always take more clothes than you think you will need. It’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s also important to make sure that you have the right clothes for the climate and the environment. If it’s going to be muddy, make sure you take the right footwear. Having the wrong footwear can be disastrous.

Take An Ice Chest 

You’re going to want to keep your food and drinks cold when you get there. The only way to do this is to take an ice chest with you when you leave. You can find ice packs for coolers on the internet. This allows you to eat good food, and that’s not always easy when you are camping. You could even take some things that you and the kids can roast over the campfire. I’d recommend buying some marshmallows and toasting them over the fire. This is a great idea for anyone who wants to keep their kids entertained in the evening.

Clean Up As You Go 

When you’re spending time in a natural landscape, it’s important to treat the landscape with care and respect. That means cleaning up as you go along. To do this, make sure that you take bin bags that you can take with you when you leave. And cleaning up as you go along is the best way to do the job. That way, the campsite and your tent won’t become too messy and hard to keep under control. It will also mean that you don’t have to do too much cleaning up at the end.

*collaborative post

Read more

Our Family UK Staycation Bucket List 2016

Now, as you know, the Hobbis family sojourns into the wilderness have basically got as far as Devon since it has taken me the last four years to muster up the energy to get my passport updated.

Selfridges, Birmingham

But it strikes me that, although the parenting rite of passage that is the Disneyland visit is on the agenda, if ever there were a year for supporting our home nations, it's going to be 2016.

Leaving aside the, to me, incontravertible proof that climate change IS beginning to affect us and the likelihood that the levels of rainfall we are seeing are here to stay, the UK has so many glorious beauty spots, places of interest and cultural quirks that exploring as many as we can should be on all our travel bucket lists.

The other side of this rather waterlogged observation is that, this year, the UK tourist industry needs our financial support more than ever.

I grew up in the 60's and 70's at a time when the Costa del Sol package holiday was in its infancy. Those who braved air travel to fly to Spain were considered very 'posh' indeed.

My Dad took a different approach.  He took his family to all of the areas of outstanding beauty in the UK. We travelled up to Inveraray and back down to Edinburgh.  We visited Keswick and Ambleside in the Lake District and marvelled at the beauty of the Lakes.  We stayed just outside York and visited its cathedral and explored the Shambles.  The Cotswolds were (and are) a favourite haunt with many visits to Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-On-The-Wold.  We saw Donald Sinden as Othello in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon and travelled by boat to Hampton Court out of a dusty and overheated London.

We explored North and Mid Wales and stayed in a cottage in the shadow of the mountain, Cader Idris just outside Dolgellau.   My sister and I splashed about in the river close to the Swallow Falls at Betws-y-Coed.

My parents are from Plymouth and most summers were spent visiting our grandparents.  There were many trips on the "Dockyard & Warships" boat trip, drives to Modbury Beach and Burgh Island and drives over Dartmoor to see Widdecombe and climb up Sheepstor, hopefully (but not always) avoiding the rain.  On Lands End, the winds were so strong, we had to hold on to my mother, lest all 4 foot 11 inches of her blew away to sea.

These are all places I hope to visit with the family over the next year or two.

What my Dad gave us, I now realise, was an education about the wonders of geography and history that was far more interesting than the O level geography syllabus topics of glaciation and orange growing in California.

There are, though, many gaps in my UK travel education and places still to explore.  My grandmother, Jessie, had relatives in the West Midlands and, aside from a trip in the 80's to see Chris de Burgh in concert (even pre-"Lady In Red"!), Birmingham is a city I have yet to explore.

Victoria Square, Birmingham

It's so much easier today now that hotels have comfortable, spacious family rooms.  I remember on our trip to London in the 70's that my Dad rushed out to buy a camp bed to put up next to our hotel room's sole, rather rickety double bed.

These days, too, there is a far greater range of family friendly activities.  Around Birmingham we could visit the National Sea Life Centre or Cadbury World. Then there's the award-winning Black Country Living Museum near Dudley.  I might persuade the Husband to take the kids to the National Motorcycle Museum whilst I explore the shops in The Bullring which has over 160 shops.

Another city I have never visited is Newcastle Upon Tyne which has Europe's largest shopping centre, The Metrocentre.  It has 300 shops, an 11 screen cinema and a fun fair!

Tyne Bridge

There's the science and local history museum, The Discovery Museum, The Great North Museum which has a planetarium or the contemporary art gallery, The Biscuit Factory for starters.

Yes, 2016 is going to be a great year for exploring and I sometimes think that if you waited for perfect weather in the UK, you'd never go anywhere.

No wonder my Dad made sure we always had our waterproofs with us!

Like what you've read?  Why not join me on the Mother Distracted Facebook page, tweet me on @lindahobbis or follow me on Instagram.

*collaborative post

Read more