With my three children growing up and more independence coming their way, we're entering into another stressful and scary step of parenthood. Wondering where your children are at all times and whether they are safe is, as I'm sure you will agree, something that we as parents will always worry about. But thanks to such fantastic developments in technology, there are ways to make these worries just that little bit easier.

The PAJ EASY Finder 4G GPS tracker has been created to help protect what you love the most, and to hopefully give you safe knowledge that they are safe and watched over at all times. 

What is the PAJ EASY Finder 4G?

The PAJ EASY Finder 4G is small and discrete device, that has been created to help give you peace of mind. It's small enough to fit in to your child's bag (or it can be used with the included carry-case), and once turned on, allows you to track everything live - either via your PC or using the mobile app on your phone. 

You can set up the device so that you receive alerts from various alarm settings, plus the EASY Finder also features a large SOS button incase of emergencies. This sends an emergency signal to the added contacts so they immediately know the location of the wearer. A fab feature for children who may not have a mobile device and need to get in contact with you!

Features

• Suitable for valuables or persons
• Small and discreet
• Live tracking and notification updates
• Robust and waterproof
• Global coverage allows uninterrupted tracking in more than 100 countries
• Computer and APP accessible
• SOS live location sharer
• 7 day battery life
• Stores routes for 365 days

My Thoughts

The EASY Finder was incredibly simple to set up and get ready to use thanks to the SIM card already being inside the device. You then have to charge the device fully before connecting it to your account which doesn't take too long, but do note that the cable included isn't doesn't have a UK plug socket which is a bit of a shame. Once connected to the PAJ Portal app on my phone (also super easy to find and download from the APP store), I liked how you could see a large map with the location of the tracker. It updates quickly when the device moves so you can be assured that you are getting a live update too, giving you that peace of mind and reassurance.

One negative I found was that it could be quite easy for the wearer to turn off the device, however PAJ have tried to combat this by having an alert feature enabled for if this does happen. But maybe they could update the device in the future to disable turning the device off in a certain way. The price is also something to consider, as although the initial cost isn't too expensive, you do have to pay a subscription price in order to use the features. This can be made slightly cheaper by purchasing an annual subscription over paying monthly though.

Overall I do think that the PAJ EASY Finder 4G Tracker is a fab little device. It has been well designed to give you the peace of mind and reassurance you need when your loved ones are away from you, as well as being easy to use and set up. Definitely the sort of product every parent needs!

This is a collaborative post, however all opinions are honest and my own.

The 5 Best Unicorn Gifts for a Unicorn Loving Child!

Looking for the best gift for a unicorn loving child in your life? Then this post is definitely perfect for you! With the help of Wicked Uncle I have put together a fantastic selection of 5 of the best unicorn gifts, perfect for a unicorn loving child - whether they're in to arts and crafts, fun and games or even a little bit of luxury, there's something for everyone. 

Wicked Uncle is a one-stop-shop for anyone searching for the perfect gift for a child of a particular age (from babies up to age 15 and beyond). Only the best products make it on to their site, which means you can be sure you're only going to be choosing from items of quality and age-appropriateness. The website is super easy to navigate too, as you can narrow gift ideas down depending on the age, gender, and gift type you're looking for, or you can even let Wicked Uncle help by choosing from their 'popular' product category.

I searched for unicorn gifts, and these are just 5 of the best that Wicked Uncle has to offer...

Unicorn Colour Changing Umbrella

We all know how unpredictable the British weather is, so it's always a good idea to be armed with a trusty umbrella just in case! This pretty umbrella is decorated in unicorns and rainbows and even features a super special glitter handle too. What makes this umbrella extra special though, is that once it gets wet, lots of mini unicorns appear as the colour changing magic happens. How fun!

Unicorn Stack - Balancing Game

If your child loves games, then you can't go wrong with this fun twist on the classic balancing game. The aim of the game is to stack the 15 pastel unicorns into a wobbly tower - without them toppling over of course! A great game that can be played with friends, siblings, or even solo. Play again and again for endless fun.

Party Unicorn - Crystal Art By Numbers

If your recipient is in to their arts and crafts, then why not choose this crystal art by numbers kit. It comes with everything you need to create a beautiful sparkling unicorn canvas, as well as a picture frame to display the completed artwork! I love that this is a gift that can't be completed within minutes and thrown to the side, as it will need time and care to get the shiny gemstones correctly in place. A fab gift for older unicorn lovers.

Bath Time Unicorns - Squirts & Lights up

A gift now for younger unicorn lovers, these fun toys would make a great addition to bath-time. The set contains 2 water squirters and a third that flashes and lights up when in contact with the water. Great for imaginative and sensory play - just be careful you don't get too wet whilst supervising!

Unicorn Sparkle - Luxury Bath Set

This final gift is something even I would love to receive - a beautifully gift-wrapped set of 5 handmade unicorn-themed bath time treats, that are also 100% vegan friendly. The set contains 2 scented bath fizzes, a raspberry bath creamer, a rainbow jasmine bath mallow and a solid soap scented with cinnamon and orange. Dreamy!

Have you shopped at Wicked Uncle before? What Unicorn gift would you love to receive?

This is a collaborative post.

Christmas Gift Guide 2022 | Christmas Gifts for Older Children

The products featured in this post were sent for inclusion in this gift guide, however all opinions are honest and my own. This post also contains affiliate links.

With the countdown truly on until the big day, I thought it was the perfect time to start sharing all things Christmas on my blog! This year I have put together two Christmas gift guides featuring products for children. In this second Christmas Gift Guide I'm going to be sharing some products that I think would make great gifts for slightly older children. Hopefully this gives you some inspiration this festive season!

Twilight Daycare Collectible Dolls

Blind bags and collectibles are still hugely popular amongst children these days, so these Twilight Daycare Collectible Babies from WowWee would make a fab gift this Christmas. The cute dolls are inspired by the babies from the game Twilight Daycare - they even won the bronze award in the MadeForMums Toy Awards 2022 for best collectible toy! You can open 1 of 18 mystery small baby dolls (as well as a costume and a toy), and then even unlock more fun online by redeeming a code in the Twilight Daycare game to play with the doll virtually. Who would you like to get?

The Sock Game

Created by brothers Jono and Nick, The Sock Game is a fun family game (suitable for children aged 8+), to be played with as little as two people, or in teams. The aim of the game is to race to the find correct item in your sock - 'the ultimate race in a sock'. There are 30 unusual objects hidden inside the giant sock, and - using only your sense of touch - you have to race your competitor to find the right one. The winning team/player is the first to find 11 correct items! You can even personalise the game to your family by adding your own unusual items. A great game to play with all the family this Christmas.

Ticket To Ride Europe

A fun strategy game that all the family can play, the aim of Ticket to Ride is to build your tracks across Europe, connecting cities to earn more points that your fellow players. You do this by collecting train cards that enable you to claim routes connecting different cities - the longer the routes, the more points you earn! You can also earn additional points for completing a 'journey' and for being the player with the longest continuous route. The game is easy to learn and has the advantage of being played again and again, as every game is different. And you can now play along with a compatible Echo device too - simply say “Alexa, launch Ticket to Ride” and play against Alexa!

Scentos Sugar Rush Scented Colouring Collection

If you have a keen doodler, then you can't go wrong with this gorgeous colouring scent from Scentos. This Sugar Rush set contains a mix of pencils, markers, pens, and even stickers, in both sweet candy and fruity scents. The bright colours and jolly designs just add to the fun and makes this set a perfect gift choice this Christmas.

SpyX Micro Spy Gear Set

A super fun set for children aged 6+, this Micro Spy Gear set contains everything they need for the perfect mobile spy surveillance set up. The set contains a utility belt with room for 4 micro-tools. A spy light (with handy hands-free ear clip), an invisible ink pen for secret messages, a motion alarm to detect movement, and a micro earpiece. A great set for little ones who enjoy imaginative play and have a future as the next James Bond.

Dobble

The card game of speed, observation and quick reflexes, Asmodee's Dobble really is a fantastically fun game to add to your collection! Suitable for ages 6+, the aim of game is to race to find one matching between one card and another. The images are different sizes and in different positions on each card, but each card only has one picture in common with every other card in the deck - so you really do need to be paying attention at all times when playing! There are 5 different mini games to enjoy, and you can also purchase Dobble in a whole range of other themes, such as Harry Potter, Disney and even a Junior version for younger players.

Molly Brown London Jewellery

If you're looking for a gift that is extra special and can be treasured for years to come, then Molly Brown London is definitely where you need to look. The British brand creates classic keepsake girls (or boys!) jewellery that is simple and sophisticated, and designed to be loved and worn forever. Only telling silver and 18ct gold vermeil are used, and you can add extra special touches with diamonds, freshwater pearls, and even coloured gemstones.

Their newest collection is their Birthstone Necklace Collection, which is filled with beautiful pieces for all ages. From personalised baby bangles, bracelets and necklaces for teens, to birthstone lockets for those that want to keep their loved ones close (these have space for two photos to be added). As with all of Molly Brown London jewellery, all items can be engraved for free, and the 16" sterling silver belcher chains have been fitted with an adjuster at 14", so the necklaces fit most ages and sizes. The quality really is beautiful, and you can tell care and attention is given to the highest level at every step. Even the way the items come packaged just screams luxury - a very special gift this Christmas for sure!

Bananagrams

Bananagrams is a fun but educational game suitable for all the family to enjoy! After receiving your tiles from the fun banana shaped carry-case, the aim of the game is to use up all of your letters to build a word grid. Points aren't the aim here - it really is speed that is most important, as it's the first person to use all of their tiles that is crowned 'top banana'! A great game to enjoy at home or on the go, as it's the perfect size to to pop in a bag for on-the-go entertainment.

Christmas Gift Guide 2022 | Christmas Gifts for Younger Children

The products featured in this post were sent for inclusion in this gift guide, however all opinions are honest and my own. This post also contains affiliate links.

With the countdown truly on until the big day, I thought it was the perfect time to start sharing all things Christmas on my blog! This year I have put together two Christmas gift guides featuring products for children. In this first Christmas Gift Guide I'm going to be sharing some products that I think would make great gifts for younger children. Hopefully this gives you some inspiration this festive season!

Disney Encanto 4-in-1 Puzzle

Ryman have a fantastic selection of Christmas gifts for children this year, including this fab 4-in-1 puzzle. Disney's Encanto has been a favourite in this house (and I can guarantee many others too!) ever since it came out last year, so I know this theme will go down well. I love that the set contains four different difficulty levels, so it could appeal to a range of ages, and also grow with your child as they get more confident too.

Uh Oh Milo! The Excited Elf Storybook

Written by author Kate Wogan, the Uh Oh Milo! series of children's books help to teach children about manners and behaviour in a fun and engaging way. This Christmas you can add The Excited Elf to the collection, where you can join Milo, Mary and their magical granny as they meet the Excited Elf (and enjoy some mischief along the way). Made to be enjoyed throughout the Christmas period, the book talks about the excitement of Christmas, and is full of bright, colourful and fun illustrations. A great addition to a Christmas Eve basket for sure!

Yoto Player

Probably one of the most exciting gifts you could buy your little one this Christmas, the Yoto Player really is the gift that will keep on giving! The award-winning audio players put your child in control of their listening, learning and play - whether that's through audio stories, daily podcast content or even their child-friendly radio station.

There are currently two types of Yoto available - the original Yoto Player retails at £89.99, and then then Yoto Mini which we received retails at £59.99. Both players feature no microphones, no cameras, and no ads, making them perfect for children to use by themselves. The Yoto Mini also features:

- Easily portable for on-the-go listening.

- Up to 20 hours of play per charge. 

- Plays sleep sounds, white noise and features a clock suitable for sleep training.

- Can be used with headphones and as a Bluetooth speaker.

There are over 800 titles currently available to purchase, ranging from the likes of Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol and Julia Donaldson classics, to Disney and Pixar, Roald Dahl classics and even amazing learning bundles like the ones featured above. It's incredibly easy to find the cards you're looking for as you can categorise by age (from age 0 and the way up to 12+), or even by specific author.

We reviewed a Tonie Box a few years ago, and although both are fantastic, I think I prefer the range of titles and accessories with the Yoto Player! You can also purchase travel cases, headphones and more that are compatible with the Yoto Player.

Nuby Plush Learning Bundle

Nuby has been a brand favourite in our household since Indiana was a baby, so I knew the items in this Plush Learning Bundle would be a lovely addition to this guide. The bundle of three items (including a 'My Busy Book', a set of 4 'Little Learner Cubes' and a set of plush 'Alphabet Flashcards'), are incredibly soft and feature multiple educational features so they can grow with your child.

The alphabet flashcards featured bold colours, patterns and animals, making them fantastic for sensory development in the early stages - but also great for introducing letters as your child grows. The cubes feature multi-sensory colours, patterns and textures, as well as noises to encourage play. And my favourite has to be the busy book, which contains a range of items designed to help with fine-motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination. So much fun!

Made Happy Gifts Collection



If your little one already has everything, why not think of a gift that's more out of the box. These gorgeous creations from Made Happy Gifts are the perfect addition to a LEGO mad household - and a great way to introduce LEGO to smaller children who haven't quite made the jump from Duplo just yet. 

Created by mum of three Izzy, Made Happy Gifts design and print all of their products in a family-run studio in Kent. They use environmentally sustainable PLA plastic, which is derived from corn starch and sugar cane, to create their LEGO compatible products. They offer a whole range of products, but of course the Christmas collection would made the perfect gift this season. You can choose from personalised decorations (complete with a jingly bell), tree decorations in different shapes, sizes and colours, and of course the Christmas trees featured above. So fun - and of course all compatible with everyone's favourite brick!

Squishmallows

If you're a parent, then I'm sure you've heard about the newest craze - Squishmallows! Squishmallows are super soft and super huggable plush toys, that come in a whole range of sizes and designs. There are more than 1000 characters to collect, and each one has its own unique name and storyline - very much like the Beanie Babies of this generation. 

My Little Pony Role-Play Toys

If your little one is as unicorn obsessed as my youngest is, then these My Little Pony Styling Heads would be a perfect choice. Chose from either the larger Sunny Starscout doll (that comes with 30+ accessories) or the smaller Pip Petals styling head (that comes with 15+ accessories). Both pony dolls have long flowing hair that your little ones can brush, style and create with - a great way to practice those perfect hairstyles! Both sets also come with stickers too, so your child can enjoy getting creative with those once they've finished their hairstyles. Hours of fun!

Family Fun at Bewl Water - Paddleboarding, Adventure Play + More!

We love spending time with family over the Bank Holidays, so last Monday we all decided to head to Bewl Water for some family fun. Bewl Water is located near Lamberhurst on the outskirts of Kent, and is the perfect place to visit for all kinds of indoor and outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. If you're in to walking you can enjoy the 12.5 miles around the reservoir - or you can just enjoy a leisurely wander and turn back whenever if this suits you more. You can bring bikes (or you can hire them there too), book on to the laser challenge or aqua park, and for younger ones there's a decent sized soft play. There are two fab adventure play areas located close to the car park too - one of which features a fab pirate ship and a giant slide. 

The main reason for our visit this time though, was for Jack and my two brother-in-laws to enjoy some water sports. There are plenty of options to enjoy including sailing, windsurfing, canoes, rowing and sailing. But they decided to give stand up paddleboarding a try! They booked a 1 hour session for £20, which included the paddleboard and paddle, leash, a wetsuit and a buoyancy aid. Although they didn't really get much instruction with what to do (you can book actual lessons but these are more expensive), they still managed to have a great time. I can imagine it was really relaxing just being out on the water within Bewl's beautiful surroundings.

Myself and my sister's stayed firmly on dry land during our visit though, keeping all of the cousins entertained with a walk along the reservoir bank, water sport spotting, and of course playing in the play areas. We managed to spot the boys on their boards too, although I think the children were more interested in trying to throw pebbles as close to them as possible... children huh? It was so lovely to see all of them playing and laughing together though, and it was especially lovely watching them helping each other on the big slide. Just a note if you are going to visit, the slide isn't the slipperiest so it's worth getting them to sit on a coat or something shiny so they slide better!

Despite it being the May Bank Holiday, it still was a little grey and chilly during our day. The Littles were super excited though as it meant they got to wear their new raincoats! We worked with Lighthouse Clothing a few years ago (and I bought my pink coat of dreams from them last year), so of course when they got in touch again I couldn't say no. Now Indiana is that little bit older I decided to pick a more 'grown up' design for her, so she has the Olivia Jacket in Parma Stripe. We love Parker in bright colours so he has the Anchor Jacket in Orange Navy, and with Lilah being 4 and obsessed with bright colours and designs, I had to get her the Olivia Jacket in the Sweet Pea Farm print. All three jackets and fully waterproof, windproof, have soft jersey linings, and most importantly they can be machine washed! All three have commented on how cosy and comfortable they are, and I've had numerous compliments on their designs too. So thank you Lighthouse Clothing for working with us again.

We had a lovely morning at Bewl Water, and if you bring a picnic (or there's food available at the cafe) you could stay for the whole day. There's so much to do to keep everyone in the family entertained whether you want a big adventure or not. Parking is £6 for the whole day, so it can be a relatively cheap day out if you just take advantage of the parks and walks too!

We received items from Lighthouse Clothing in exchange for a mention in a post. All opinions are honest and my own, and I wasn't compensated for this post.

5 Tips for Visiting London with Children

Whether you're visiting London with children for a fun day out or for a practical reason, you're in for a treat. The city is brimming with fun things to do and explore for little ones (and grown ups) of all ages, including culture, history and those beloved tourist attractions too. So I thought I'd put together this post to share some of my top tips for visiting London with children, so that you can hopefully have the best trip possible.

Pack as Light as Possible

The easiest way to have a successful trip with young children is to bring as little as possible. There's nothing worse than carrying heavy bags around the city - especially if you have children like ours that enjoy a carry themselves now and then. One trick to travelling light is to get each child to select one item that they want to bring as entertainment. This could be a specific toy, a book, or even a puzzle - it's best to avoid bringing their extra special toy just in case it gets lost in the city. A pad of paper and a pencil case full of pens can keep everyone entertained and are relatively easy to carry too.

If your children are slightly older why not get them to bring and carry their own backpack for the trip. This way they can be responsible for their own items and things such as snacks and a drink, and you're not left carrying everything! A pram is always good for carrying items, but I would advice to only bring one if you 100% need one. A baby carrier and backpack is much easier for navigating around London, especially if you're wanting to use the Tube.

Plan your Travel in Advance

Before you leave for a trip, it's always a good idea to map out the best route between everywhere you're visiting in London. This will not only help you plan your travel and better understand how long it will take to get from one place to another. But by planning travel in advance, you can usually save money on any tickets that you need too. Make sure to always allow extra time to account for delays, or children becoming tired and not being able to move as quickly as you think. London is a big place and takes a lot of walking.

Go at your Children's Pace

It's tempting to schedule all the museums and attractions, but that can result in super tired (and therefore grumpy) children. Instead, let them pick their pace and stick to it. They'll love exploring the city at their own pace, and you'll better understand what they like. Plus, you might find that the more free time you have, the more adventures you can create instead of sticking to a strict schedule! 

A great idea it to get each child to pick one thing they definitely want to see or do during the visit, and then plan your day around these plans. It is best to still do this ahead of time though just incase you need to prebook tickets, as I know certain attractions such as the Science Museum, Aquarium, and The London Eye definitely require you to prebook before you visit.

Book a Child-Friendly Hotel

London has a plethora of hotels for every kind of traveller, but make sure you check out the hotel and it's facilities carefully to be confident you are staying in a child-friendly hotel. Ideally you want to find a hotel that is close to your location, for example there is plenty of family-friendly accommodation near Shepherds Bush, which would be perfect for a day shopping at the Westfield Centre. Family friendly hotels usually have more rooms that fit larger family groups, and other bonuses such as child-friendly menus and even evening entertainment sometimes.

Enjoy the City for Free

It can be easy to think of a visit to London and assume you need to book the top tourist attractions. But when you're on a day out with children we all know how expensive things can get (and very quickly too!). You really don't have to spend much on a visit to the city though, as there are so many things to see and do that are completely free!

There are so many museums that you can enjoy for free - just make sure to check ahead about pre-booking like I mentioned above. London has numerous parks and green areas where children would love to run around and explore such as Kensington Gardens which has the Diana Memorial playground. Don't forget there's the fab shops such as Hamley's (the biggest toy store), The Lego Store and The Disney Store that little ones would enjoy looking around too, and Covent Garden always has plenty of free fun to enjoy throughout the year too.

What top tips would you add to my list?

This is a collaborative post.

The New Merlin Annual Pass Merchandise Range | Review

We are incredibly excited to be working with Merlin Annual Pass again this year as Merlin Annual Pass collaborators. The exciting role means we get to enjoy the fab theme parks and attractions that Merlin have to offer, as well as sneak peaks of new and exciting things and then share them with our followers. And speaking of new and exciting, I am delighted to introduce you to Merlin Annual Passes NEW merchandise range that has just released online and in-store (available at Chessington World of Adventures, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle).

Passholders have been asking for a while now to have Merlin Annual Pass specific merchandise, so this range is looking to be really popular. The range includes clothing - for both adults and children (sizes start from age 3-4 years), a magnet, pin, lanyard, reusable drinks bottle, tote bag, keyring, mug and even a fab MAP umbrella! The quality of the clothing is really lovely, and the bright colours make them really stand out from the crowd. Plus with prices ranging from £4 - £40 I believe there is something for everyone. It will be exciting to see how they will expand on the range over time too, as there is definitely room for it to grow. I'd personally love to see some more female fitting t-shirt styles and different colour ways for the hoodies.

I have filmed a full video showing each item in more detail, including prices and where you can get your hands on them. Make sure to watch if you're interested in learning more about this fab new Merlin Annual Pass merch range. Let me know what item you're most excited about purchasing!

We are working with Merlin as part of an on-going partnership. We received these items as part of this collaboration.

5 Fantastic Gifts for Boys and Girls from Wicked Uncle

This post was written in collaboration with Wicked Uncle.

Over the course of the pandemic school birthday parties were understandably put on hold. But with restrictions now lifted and normality resuming, we're back to spending weekends celebrating special occasions again. And with birthday parties back on, what do we now need to buy lots more of? Birthday gifts! Thankfully I know a great website where you can find fantastic gifts for boys and girls - Wicked Uncle.

Who Are Wicked Uncle?

I've shared a few posts about Wicked Uncle before, but they are an website home to a whole selection of gifts, suitable for children of all ages and genders - and not just your usual gifts either, all the gifts on the website are fun, unusual and you may just find something you wouldn't find somewhere else. They like to do things differently too, not just categorising gifts into genders, but you can search for a specific age, type of gift or see what's currently most popular. Because we all know that toys don't have genders right!

So I thought I would share 5 gifts I found on the Wicked Uncle website that would be perfect for both boys and girls. All of these gifts are going to be under £15 too, making them great for all of those birthday parties!

Giant Bubble Set

All children love bubbles, so I know that this Giant Bubble Set would be a great hit. The set comes with two bubble wands - one to make the gigantic bubbles, and there other to make a flurry or smaller bubbles, as well as 230ml of bubbles fluid for hours or outdoor bubble fun! This would make a perfect birthday party gift too as it's only £10.

Wild Watches

My older children are currently learning how to tell the time, so I think these Wild Watches would make a great gift. This tiger design is bright, colourful and eye-catching, and what child doesn't love the novelty of a snap bracelet? The watches also come in a range of other designs including a butterfly and dinosaur. A fun way of getting your child interested in telling the time.

Jumbo Octopus Kite

With the weather slightly improving these Jumbo Octopus Kites are a fun way to get some fresh air. Measuring at a huge 4 metres long from end to end, the kite also features an extra-long line and sturdy handle so it's easier for small hands to use. It also comes in it's own handy storage bag so it's easy to take out and about. The Octopus Kites comes in 3 different colours at random to add to the fun!

P for Pizza Game

A fun and fast paced game for slightly older children, P for Pizza is a word game, where the aim is to shout out a word that links the letter on one card to the category on another. So for example you'll have to name something green that starts with the letter B - broccoli! The winner is the one who builds their own giant pizza slice the fastest. This would be great game to play as a family.

Chocolate Lollipop Maker Set

Sweet treats are always a winner with my children, so this Chocolate Lollipop Maker Set would be a fantastic gift as it combines chocolate with getting creative. The set comes with easy to follow instructions to make 5 fun animal lollipops - simply melt the chocolate, pour into the moulds and add the lolly stick... easy! A great bonus of this set is that the moulds are reusable so you could just buy your own melting chocolate and sticks and keep making more.

Hopefully this post has given you some ideas and inspiration for your own gift buying this year. Let me know what gifts you end up buying!

A Visit to SEA LIFE Brighton - January 2022

We recently celebrated our youngest daughter Lilah's 4th birthday. We spent her special day painting pottery and eating all the cake, before a big family birthday gathering (with of course even more cake) the next day. And for her final birthday treat, we decided to head down to Brighton for some seaside fun! A big draw for picking Brighton as our seaside destination of choice, was so we could take the children to SEA LIFE Brighton using our Merlin Annual Passes.

History

The Brighton Aquarium was thought up and designed by Eugenius Birch and opened in 1872 - making it the oldest aquarium in the whole world! It was bought by SEA LIFE in 1991 where it has been redeveloped and restored to the beautiful aquarium we know and love today. The most recent development was in 2012, when SEA LIFE Brighton was closed so that the Victorian Arcade could be beautifully restored to it's original glory. I really think that this area of the aquarium is the highlight and make's it one of the most beautiful SEA LIFEs I have visited.

The aquarium is really easy to find once you make it to Brighton as it's located right on the seafront, opposite the main Brighton Palace Pier. We visited on a Sunday in January and only just managed to park along the seafront, so do keep in mind that it can get really busy and parking is pricey. 

What to Expect from your Visit

Once you enter SEA LIFE Brighton there are 5 zones inside that you can currently wander through along a one-way route. You start off in the Victorian Arcade which includes the rock-pool area where you can have 'hands on' experiences, and the ray pool. Like with most SEA LIFE aquariums there's the rainforest adventure area (we love watching the leaf cutter ants here), Reef area, Conservation area, and of course the ocean tunnel too - made extra special here by the two beautiful giant sea turtles Lulu and Gulliver who are around 82 years old! Something unique about Brighton aquarium is that the seawater tanks are fed from a large tank under the building, which actually gets its water from the nearby sea twice a day. Cool right?

Make sure to collect the free children's guides/maps as you enter, as the littles loved finding the answers to the questions as we went through the aquarium, and if you show them to a member of staff in the gift shop you receive POP badges as a reward. There's also a small cafe in the Victorian Arcade area if you need refreshments during your visit. The aquarium is quite small though so you are probably best heading out to grab food as there are many yummy treats to find around Brighton.

How to Book Tickets

You currently have to prebook tickets to enter SEA LIFE Brighton, however ours were not checked when we arrived and they let us in before our timed tickets. Standard tickets costs £21.50 per adult and £17.50 per child (under 3s are free), but you can save money by booking online. You can also pay extra to go on the glass-bottom boat and VR experience. We visited with our Merlin Annual Passes which was really easy to do, as I just simply booked a slot online and then they scanned our passes to go through.

Have you visited SEA LIFE Brighton or any other SEA LIFE centres?

Hever Castle at Christmas 2021 | Review

We absolutely love visiting Hever Castle as a family. Whether it's to cool down in the water maze during the summer, or to search for the first signs of spring, there really is so much to see and do throughout the year there. I think one of my favourite times of year to visit though has to be during the festive period. We were lucky enough to experience Christmas at Hever castle in 2020, however this was during a period where there were lots of restrictions because of the pandemic. So visiting again in 2021 just after Christmas was the most magical experience that I just had to write about.

We decided to arrive later in the day this time (around 3pm) to make sure we got to see everything fully. Hever Castle offer Twilight tickets which are a fantastic idea if you are wanting to visit just to experience the festive additions. These tickets let you enter from 4pm and stay until 8.30pm. We decided to arrive just a little earlier than this as we wanted the littles to be able to enjoy the playgrounds whilst it was still light - they really are a must do if you're visiting with young children!

Once we were done in the playgrounds we headed straight to the main hub (the area next to the Moat Restaurant and Shop) to purchase tokens for the fairground attractions. Tokens cost £2 each and each attraction was 1 token per person. You could buy bundles which helped lower the cost - we paid £18 for 10 tokens, which was enough for our family of 5 to go on both the carousel and the ferris wheel. Also keep in mind that there are height restrictions for the ferris wheel, so worth checking before promising rides to smaller children.

The ferris wheel was great fun and a definite highlight of our visit! The ride was a great length and the views from the top were spectacular - you could see all over the grounds of Hever which looked especially lovely with all of the festive lights. The carousel was in a fantastic location right in-front of the castle and the lights and traditional music made it feel extra magical! This area also had a hook-a-duck stall, as well as doughnut and coffee trucks. We purchased from both and thoroughly enjoyed our treats despite them being on the slightly expensive side (5 doughnuts for £5 for a rough price estimate).

Next stop was the children's trail - this year based on the classic tale of Pinocchio. We loved the Peter Pan trail last year but this one was definitely better! There were lots of models and decorations that told the story, as well as the addition of story boards which really helped the children to understand what was going on (they haven't seen the film!). We even spotted characters from the story whilst walking around the grounds too which was such a lovely touch.

The last stop of our evening visit to Hever Castle was the festive light trail. Even longer than previous years, the trail takes you all around the gardens and grounds where you can see beautiful light displays, fountains in the lake and even a glittering disco ball or two. It really is beautiful to walk around once the sun has gone down - but do remember to bring a torch (or phone with one built in) just in case, as some of the lights had gone out due to technical difficulties during our visit, so some areas were pitch black!

Of course you can also visit the beautiful Hever Castle itself during your visit (you need to purchase a castle and gardens ticket for this). The Castle is traditionally decorated for Christmas and I can only imagine how beautiful it looked! And if you are lucky enough to get tickets, you can also see Father Christmas in his Grotto if you visit before Christmas too - something we are really hoping to do in the future!

Visiting Hever Castle during the week between Christmas and New Year really was the perfect way to 'blow away the cobwebs' but still sneak in that last bit of festive cheer. And I know it would be even more magical in the lead-up to Christmas too. Either way, if you're looking for a fun and festive day out during December I would 100% recommend a visit to Hever. I can imagine it will be even better in 2022!

We received our entry tickets in exchange for our review and coverage. All opinions are honest and my own.