A summer of family FUN! Keep things running smoothly over the school holidays with these top 10 tips
Let’s face it, being a parent is a wonderful ride but sometimes it can get a little bumpy. Read on for Checklist‘s top tips for families, which this month are all about making life easier.
Make laundry less stressful
The routine of doing the family laundry can feel never-ending. However, it doesn’t need to be all wash, dry, fold, repeat. What if we told you that you could do an entire week’s worth of laundry in one go?
Revolution Laundrette has machines that allow you to do 20kg of washing in just 45 minutes. The same load would take nearly six hours to wash in a domestic machine.
Revolution Laundrette aims to make the arduous chore of laundry as time efficient as possible. You can safely leave your washing in the machine as it locks when in use, allowing you to pop into nearby shops or enjoy a coffee with a friend.
Better still, they’ll text you five minutes before the load is done so you know when it’s time to collect your laundry. Plus, they offer contactless payment options to ensure a seamless, secure transaction.
The info: Click here to find your nearest machine.
Babygrows for quick and easy changing
Being a parent is hard but dressing your baby doesn’t have to be. ZIPPYUP’s® range of babygrows are designed with head-to-toe zips to make for easier nappy changes.
The fuss-free babygrows are crafted with a concealed zip so they don’t come into contact with your baby’s delicate skin. Another great feature is the neck tab, which makes sure the zip puller doesn’t catch on any little chins.
Gorgeous girls and bouncing baby boys will be totally comfy when wearing a ZIPPYUP® as they’re made from the softest fabrics. Their premium cotton range is especially popular.
What’s more, they come in a variety of adorable colours and patterns, including pastels, stripes and animal prints. And you can cut the cost of your baby’s wardrobe by buying a great value bundle.
The info: Click here to get 15% off your first order with code ‘WELCOME15’.
Nursing chairs, with a stylish edge
A perfectly supportive nursing chair can be a real game changer for feeds.
Over at iL Tutto they create nursing chairs that support your feeding journey and blend seamlessly into your home. Loved by celebrities and interior designers alike, iL Tutto is the brand of choice for the most stylish new parents including Ashley James, Daisy Lowe and Gemma Atkinson.
With back, neck and arm support, the ergonomically designed chairs aid posture for feeding sessions and beyond, helping you adopt a natural position that is both relaxing and easy on the joints.
iL Tutto offer rockers, gliders, swivel bases and electric recliners in premium fabrics that are all Oeko certified. And as it knows babies will be babies, all fabrics are easy-care that can be cleaned.
Best of all, with classic, traditional, modern, and mid-century design considered, you can choose a nursing chair that suits your personal aesthetic.
The info: Click here to shop now and get 15% off with code ‘CHECKLIST15’.
The perfect co-sleeping solution
Have you met the Sweet2Sleep by Graco? It’s the new must-have crib with a dropdown side, giving parents the perfect co-sleeping solution at an exceptional price.
Graco knows that sleep is a big issue for parents. They recently undertook a sleep study with over 700 mums, which revealed 87% of those surveyed have struggled with broken sleep since having a baby and nearly half said that the broken sleep was worse than they had imagined it would be.
That’s why everything about the Sweet2Sleep has been designed to make night times with baby easier. The crib is packed full of features to keep baby safe and in reach for feeds and cuddles all night. The mesh sides keep baby well-ventilated and easily visible, while the side can be lowered quickly with just one hand to bring baby in closer.
To help relieve reflux symptoms, the head of the crib can be adjusted upward with a 4-position tilt, when the dropside is raised. And, with 11 height adjustments, and safety strap to secure the crib to the bed, it’s simple to position baby perfectly next to you.
The info: Click here to find out more.
Try a thrilling escape room
The UK weather doesn’t always get the memo that summer is here. Luckily, this activity is great come rain or shine.
Escape Entertainment offers a range of immersive escape room games for kids (aged 11+) and adults who love puzzles and mystery. The mission is to escape the room through a series of problem-solving scenarios and teamwork.
Located in the heart of London near Bank and Monument stations, they offer two 60-minute escape room experiences. Murder of the West End Starlet challenges you to find out who murdered actress Rose Rogers, while Bank Heist sees you tasked with robbing the Royal jewels from a highly secure bank. Both require plenty of out-of-the-box thinking and you’ll need to work fast as you’re up against the clock.
Afterward, you can celebrate your victory (or near victory) with your teammates and take a group photo to capture the memory.
The info: Click here to book or call 02072 833 883 and get 10% off with code ‘ESCAPEEDU10’.*
*Offer valid on school holiday groups (parents with children ages 11+).
Fire up the grill!
Get sizzling this summer with an outdoor grill that will make family meals a doddle, any night of the week.
The Konnected Joe is a new smart grill from Kamado Joe, the leading ceramic grill innovators. It’s a first-of-its-kind product that uses digital technology to take the guesswork out of ceramic grilling and smoking.
The Konnected Joe is controlled via an app, which means you don’t have to babysit your grill. You can adjust and monitor its temperature, meat probes, and cook times from anywhere.
The grill has a heating element that ignites the charcoal with the push of a button, so you’re ready to get cooking in under 15 minutes. It also has a Kontrol Fan system that maintains your desired temperature from 95°C to 370°C.
Other thoughtful features include a slide-out ash drawer for easy clean-up, and a two-tier divide system that allows you to cook foods at different temperatures at the same time.
Not to mention, it has a neat frame that will look stylish in any garden.
The info: Click here to shop now.
Earn rewards for you and your kid’s school
My School Fund is an innovative scheme that allows you to help boost your kid’s school or nursery budget while earning cashback rewards for yourself too.
All you have to do is register for free and link your credit or debit card, so that every time you make a purchase with participating retailers, including Sainsbury’s and Argos, you and your preferred school or nursery will benefit. It really is a win-win for everyone.
As you spend, you’ll receive 2% cashback in the form of eGift cards that can be redeemed in participating stores, while 1% of the eligible spend goes back to the setting.
Over 11,000 individuals have already signed up and My School Fund has raised over £300,000 in rewards, with over £100,000 being rewarded to schools and nurseries.
The info: Click here to sign up for free.
Enjoy a Titanic experience in Belfast
To keep your kids stimulated and occupied in the holidays, consider a trip to Belfast – the home of the Titanic.
Here, families must visit Titanic Belfast, the world’s most authentic Titanic visitor experience, which stands majestically on the very spot where the famous ship was built.
This iconic six-floor building features The Titanic Experience, a self-guided tour that tells the story of RMS Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end.
Having recently undertaken a £4.5million refresh to the experience, there’s no better time for new or repeat visitors to come along and see the amazing enhancements.
A rare collection of original Titanic artefacts and a stunning illuminated 7.6m long scale model of the RMS Titanic, which is suspended from the ceiling and fully rotates in sync with state-of-the-art projections, are just some of the new additions offering a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.
The info: Click here to book your tickets.
Immerse yourself in Anglo-Saxon Winchester
Ignite a passion for history in your kids by taking them back in time to the Anglo-Saxon era.
878 AD is an exciting visitor attraction in Winchester that recreates a key moment in Anglo-Saxon history. The multi-media immersive experience is brought to life through live performance, captivating stories, fascinating Anglo-Saxon artefacts and the impressive world of best-selling video game, Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla.
Explore an interactive attraction with stunning video projections, personal stories and hands-on games, challenges and live performances, then, step into the city streets to continue your journey of discovery with 878 AD: Winchester Revealed, an augmented reality app. With challenges to complete, riddles to solve and lost buildings to unearth, what will you discover?
It’s guaranteed to be a fun day out for the whole family!
The info: Click here to find out more.
Enjoy a visit to Portsmouth this summer
Portsmouth is a fantastic place for families, offering lots of opportunities to delve into Britain’s seafaring past.
One of the city’s famous attractions is Portsmouth Historic Dockyard where you can explore over 500 years of British naval history. Discover legendary ships and explore fascinating galleries as you get a vivid insight into life on the ocean waves, from Tudor to Victorian times, right through to the 21st century.
You can climb aboard HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar, as well as Queen Victoria’s HMS Warrior and Henry VIII’s flagship the Mary Rose.
New for 2023 is an immersive multi-sensory 4D cinema experience that gives visitors the chance to see what it was like to dive the Mary Rose, one of the world’s most famous shipwrecks. There’s also a rare collection of Spanish Armada maps only on display until 8 August.
Purchase the Ultimate Explorer Ticket and you don’t have to pack it all into one day. The ticket is valid for a whole year, so you can return again and again.
The info: Click here to book now.
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