Author: Robyn

How To Paint Interior Walls

Posted on by Robyn

Sponsored content provided by Resene

Learn how to prepare surfaces and apply paint to get the best from your paint finish with these handy tips from Resene.

Painting a wall with Resene SpaceCote is straightforward and easy to do. The results will be impressive and will significantly improve the look of your home. The same application techniques apply equally to other Resene interior paint finishes, such as Resene Zylone Sheen.

You will need

  • 35-50mm PAL Legend brush and/or a cutting-in brush
  • 220 grit zinc sterate (blue/grey) sandpaper
  • PAL No. 1 Roller
  • Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner (concentrate)
  • Roller handle and paint tray
  • Selleys No More Gaps
  • Selleys RapidFilla
  • Drop sheet,carpet guards, meths (for clean up on light switches etc)
  • Extension pole for roller (aluminium if doing a lot of decorating)
  • Masking tape
  • Pole sander
  • Rubber gloves (for use with the caustic Sugar soap)
  • Sugar soap 

Video tips

Before starting

  • If the wall is new, ensure it is clean and dust free and has been sealed with either Resene Broadwall Waterborne Wallboard Sealer (see Data Sheet D403) or Resene Sureseal (see Data Sheet D42).
  • If the wall has been previously painted, use a clean cloth and wipe the wall down using a solution of Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner and fresh water.
  • Fill any gaps with Selleys No More Gaps and any holes or voids with Selleys RapidFilla or PermaFill.
  • You will need a PAL No. 1 Roller (8mm fine Dacron) and brush for cutting-in.
  • Lightly dampen the roller sleeve before use. Ensure the excess water is removed – it should be slightly damp rather than wet to touch.
  • Mask skirting boards and light switches etc to prevent any paint splatter from the roller. Ensure flooring is protected with drop sheets and paint shields.
  • Pour approx 3/4 litre to 1 litre of paint into the roller tray and work the roller well into the paint. With new roller sleeves this usually takes a couple of minutes.
  • Then decant about half a litre of paint into a paint pot – wipe the edge and rim to remove the excess paint. Once done replace the lid back onto the container.

Please take the time to carefully read through the instructions on the label. More information including Data Sheets and Safety Data Sheet/s (SDS) can be found on the Resene website.

Application

  • Paint the edges using a brush you are comfortable with – we recommend the 50mm Legend cutting-in brush. Paint 40mm to 50mm out from the edges.
  • As a rule the more confident and experienced you are the bigger the brush you could select. Bigger brushes hold more paint and are quicker.
  • Now load the brush with paint. Hold the brush well down the handle as this gives better control.
  • Wipe the leading edge of the brush for more accuracy.
  • Cut-in one wall at a time – painting all edges, corners and around light switches etc.
  • Start with the corner and bring the line of the paint out from it to make rolling easier.
  • You can work either left to right or vice versa – depending on what is more comfortable.
  • Begin each brushstroke about 100mm along from the end of the previous section, slightly away from the edge itself and work the paint back towards the paint’s wet edge and then back along the edge.
  • Once you have finished cutting-in, roll the excess paint off the roller and attach the extension handle. The extension handle can make the job much easier.
  • With the roller loaded with paint lay it carefully against the wall.
  • Roll in an upwards direction first, moving across the wall area in a rough ‘W’ pattern.
  • Aim to complete 1m2 with each roller load, spreading the paint as evenly as possible.
  • If you use a 230mm roller sleeve more area will be covered with each roller load than if the smaller 180mm roller is used.
  • Invert the roller and run it as close to the leading edge of the skirting board and corners as practical.
  • Once you have covered approximately 4m2 you will need to lay-off the painted area to achieve an even consistent finish.
  • To lay-off first ensure the roller sleeve is not fully loaded with paint. Using only light pressure, lay the roller approx 300 millimetres above the skirting board, now slowly roll up towards the scotia – getting as close as practical to it.
  • Lightly roll back towards the skirting board but pull the roller away from the wall about 200mm above the skirting board.
  • Repeat the process overlapping the area just completed by approx quarter to a half of the roller length.
  • Reload your roller and move onto the next section of the wall repeating the earlier steps.
  • Adjust the roller angle to get as close as practical to the edges of corners and around door and window frames.
  • Allow a minimum of two hours to dry and apply a second coat.
  • Ensure the room has good ventilation and warmth to ensure the paint cures well.
  • Painting a wall with Resene SpaceCote is straightforward and easy to do. The results will be impressive and will significantly improve the look of your home.

Flys, bathrooms and other tips

Resene Fly Deterrent additive is available for dosing into Resene waterborne paints, including Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen (see Data Sheet D311) and Resene SpaceCote Flat (see Data Sheet D314), to deter flies from landing on the painted surface reducing the appearance of fly spots.

In mould-prone areas, such as bathrooms, consider purchasing Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom (see Data Sheet D311K) or Resene MoulDefender, which can be dosed into a wide range of Resene waterborne paints, to inhibit mould growth.

For easy reference, you can download this project sheet as a PDF.

For more projects and colour inspiration visit Resene.co.nz.

Article provided by Resene 

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Does Your Home Environment Suit Your Child’s Nature?

Posted on by Robyn

When your child is unsettled and uncooperative, they might be in an environment that clashes with their true nature. Jessie Buttons (aka New Zealand’s Super Nanny) takes a look at the four main ‘natures’ and how you can create an environment where each child can feel safe, supported, and heard.

Research shows children fall into four main natures: Social, Strong, Sensitive or Structured. Just like adults, when children are in an environment that’s well suited to their nature, they thrive. But, when they’re in an environment that clashes with their nature, they struggle.

One of the most effective ways to create harmony in the home is to understand your child’s true nature. That way, you can create an environment where they feel safe, supported, and heard (even if their nature is different from yours or their siblings).

In order to identify your child’s main or dominant nature, look at their movement and expressions. Do they normally express high and loud movement or low and quiet movement? Social and Strong natures typically have High Movement characteristics while Sensitive and Structured are Low Movement. Take a look at the descriptions below and see where your child/ren best fit.

High Movement

Social:
Upwardly buoyant in movement.
Fun-loving, random, playful, cheeky, and creative.
Always on the lookout for fun.
Expressions move upwards.
Disagreeing, demanding, and angry when upset.
May appear flighty, aloof, distracted, and restless when unsettled.

Strong:
Forward and quick in movement.
Reactive, determined, and competitive.
They are always on the lookout for action or to get a reaction.
Expressions move forwards.
Attacking, growly, pushing, and reactive when upset.
May appear aggressive, insensitive, and egocentric when unsettled.

Low Movement

Sensitive:
Downward flowing in movement.
Caring, quiet, intuitive, and peaceful.
They are always on the lookout to keep others comfortable.
Expressions move downwards.
Whining, nagging, and fretful when upset.
May appear hypersensitive, anxious, overwhelmed, and timid when unsettled.

Structured:
Still or structured in movement.
Observing first. Very literal, perfecting, intellectual, and serious.
They are always seeking information, asking questions and analysing situations.
Expressions are still and serious.
Critical, disapproving, and judgemental when upset.
May appear pessimistic, anxious, stubborn, and indecisive when unsettled.

Now, let’s look at the environment that best suits each nature.

Supporting the Social nature

A Social child acts out when isolated from people and positive interactions, if required to sit for too long, or if there is conflict.

Common triggers for social children:

  • Too much screen time
  • Not enough movement, fun or social time
  • Criticism delivered in a heavy way
  • Classroom structure too competitive or isolating
  • Tension between parents
  • A highly structured routine

Super Nanny suggests: Have some fun! Take time to laugh together, and you will see their behaviour change. When requiring their cooperation, joyfully remind them of the task at hand and the standard of behaviour you expect. Remind them there is plenty of time for fun and games later.

Does Your Home Environment Clash With Your Child’s Nature?

Supporting the Strong nature

A Strong child acts out if an environment is too restricting or they haven’t had enough physical activity. If they do not feel challenged in their day-to-day activities, they will challenge their siblings or parents.

Common triggers for Strong children:

  • Too much screen time and not enough physical movement
  • Feeling unchallenged at school
  • Controlling parents
  • Not having opportunities to be in charge or lead others
  • Feeling stopped, stifled or boxed in

Super Nanny suggests: Give a Strong child control over as many things in their world as possible. Ensure they are always challenged. Make daily chores and transitions a competition to get them engaged. For example, race them to the dinner table or challenge them on who can pick up the most toys the fastest.

Supporting the Sensitive child

A Sensitive child appears whiny or tearful when they are uncomfortable or their environment is too overwhelming. They also feel deep concern for others. Their big feelings can take over and show up as anxiety.

Common triggers for Sensitive children:

  • Too much screen time and not enough personal connection with loved ones
  • Feeling unheard and invisible
  • Tension between parents
  • Not having information about their routine
  • Feeling rushed or pushed into things

Super Nanny suggests: Provide a safe space where the Sensitive child can regroup and process their emotions. Touch is very important, as is information about what’s happening – next week and next month. A weekly visual planner will instantly put them at ease.

Supporting a Structured child

A Structured child either becomes withdrawn or bold and snappy when they do not feel respected as their own authority. They like to be trusted to take care of things that relate to them. Socialising will burn them out if they do not balance it with alone time. They have high internal standards and feelings of incompetence can lead to anxious and depressive thought patterns.

Common triggers for Structured children:

  • Too much screen time, not enough time alone with thoughts
  • Feeling disrespected and misunderstood
  • Controlling parents or authoritative figures
  • Not having anything to perfect or improve
  • Feeling embarrassed or put on the spot

Super Nanny suggests: Respect the Structured nature for the wise old soul they innately are. Take them seriously and support their intellectual mind by answering their questions and ensuring information about the world is available to them.

Article written by Jessie Buttons for Kidspot

About Jessie Buttons (The New Zealand Super Nanny)

Jessie Button author photo

Jessie Buttons is a SUPER NANNY who provides high quality coaching for parents who struggle with their children’s behaviour.

Jessie has developed strategies and techniques for all of the common unwanted behaviours and also many of the ”out of the box” ones too.

From her experience as a Teacher and Global Nanny – Jessie also offers a Nanny Training Program, as she is witnessing a lack of Behaviour Management Training for Nannies resulting in frustration, and a high Nanny turnover for many families.

If you are seeking Harmony in your Home or you are just wanting some additional support make sure you check out her website, blogs and FREE resources.

For more information visit her website www.thenzsupernanny.co.nz or check her out on your favourite social channel:

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Review | Auckland Adventure Park

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Auckland Adventure Park

Tucked away in Silverdale you will find Auckland Adventure Park, a family-friendly theme park with plenty to do for all ages and adventure levels. Read Katie’s review as her family have an adventurous day out at the Park.

Into the zone

Our family of four is made up of two parents and two children aged nearly 7 years old and 9 years old. We were so excited about our day out at Auckland Adventure Park that we got there right on opening time of 10am. Friendly staff were on hand to welcome us, and guide us in the direction of the Kid Playzone, as the other parts of the park were not open until 11am.

Auckland Adventure Park rocket ship

Our girls excitedly ran down to the covered Kid Playzone area, they had a quick look at all the rides then decided their first ride would be on the Rocket Ship. They loved that they could use the buttons to move their Rocket Ships up and down as they went round, and it didn’t take them long to go as high as they could.

Next was the Mini Pirate Ship which reminded me of my favourite ride as a kid. It was also a big hit with our girls as it’s just like a big swing. The girls loved putting their hands in the air as they were coming back down from the top.

The last ride in the Kids Playzone area is the Horse Carousel. The kids enjoyed going on all these rides and once they had been with us, they were happy to go on all the rides by themselves, which meant Mum & Dad could sit down and enjoy a coffee from the Café. Also, in the Kids Playzone is one of the largest netted playgrounds that I have seen and according to the girls one of the best they have been on too.

Auckland Adventure Park

Down we go!

Auckland Adventure Park dual zipline

Next up it was time for Dad to have some fun and for Mum to chicken out!

We caught the Parks bus up the hill so we could try out the dual zipline. We were front of the queue but let people go in front of us so the girls could see what it was, and if they wanted to give it ago. They decided they didn’t want to do it and I chickened out too!

My husband was the only brave one and he absolutely loved it and he would have happily gone back and done it again.

My husband waited at the bottom of the hill while the girls and I came down the Luge. This was the first time any of us had done a Luge and we were all a bit nervous! Ella (9) went down the hill by herself, and I went down with Ruby (7).

Auckland Adventure Park - luge

We took it quite slowly, especially around the corners but when we got to the bottom we all had huge smiles on our faces! The girls wanted to do it again and this time Ruby was determined that she wanted to do it all by herself so we caught the bus back up the hill and away we went again. Ella and I went together and we had a lot more confidence so went speeding off down the hill. Poor Ruby got a little stuck at the top and got a bit upset but we were already too far down to help her. The staff however were amazing – they got her, comforted her,  and put her back on the bus down the hill to us.  

Relax and refuel

Auckland Adventure Club - cafe

We decided now was the perfect time to have a break and get something to drink and eat at the Area51 café. My husband and I got a yummy chicken burger and fries and the girls choose one of the kids’ lunch packs from the cabinet. Our burgers came out quickly and the girls really enjoyed their choice of lunch pack. ,

They were then eager to go try out the 4d Motion Cinema which they really enjoyed but then they were quick to go back to the Kids Playzone for the rest of the day.

Katie says

I would happily go back to Auckland Adventure Park again. The lines for the rides are not long, unlike other theme parks. If you just have young ones, you can buy Kid Playzone tickets only. It caters for ages 0-12, under 4’s will need an adult to accompany them on the rides. This area is under cover so on days when there is light rain this space is still usable.

If your kids have outgrown the Kids Playzone area you can get a “Top Zone Pass” for the luge, zipline and bungie, or you can get the Ultimate Pass which includes all areas. Alternatively, you can just purchase tickets for the rides you want to do in the Top Zone. They really do cater for everyone!

The Details

Auckland Adventure Park is located at 2104 East Coast Road, Silverdale and are open Wednesday to Sunday. Check out their Birthday Party Packages and School Holiday Programme.

book your tickets now!

Katie and her family were provided with passes to Auckland Adventure Park for the purposes of the review. Views are those of the reviewer.

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Willa and Woof 3: Grandparents for Hire | Book Review

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Penguin Books

Willa and Woof are back, this time trying to find the perfect solution for kids who don’t have someone to bring to Grandparents’ Day at school.

Willa and Woof 3: Grandparents For Hire is packed with adventure, imagination and loads of fun!

Willa decides to hire an oldie from the retirement village next to her house for her school’s Grandparents’ Day. But things aren’t exactly going to plan. Frank, her best old-age friend, won’t let her borrow him and something strange is going on with her best four-legged friend and trusty sidekick, Woof. She’ll need her most imaginative ideas yet (and the help of Tae, her best same-age friend) to sort everything out in time!

Can Willa make Grandparents’ Day a big success?

Author Jacqueline Harvey is also known for the popular Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, and Kensy & Max book series.

Available now online, in-store and as an e-book. The audiobook is coming on 4 April 2023.

Reader review

This book is about a very likeable eight year old girl named Willa, and her dog, Woof. Willa has a hairbrained scheme to hire out grandparents for children who don’t have a Grandparent to take to Grandparents Day. However, she has to convince the ‘grandparents’ and the children that it will really be fun.

Willa and Woof is a very entertaining read. We think it is suitable for a seven or eight year old, as my daughter; aged nine, read and thought it was a teensy bit easy. It provides an easy, but fun read.

Willa is a lovely character, it is a pleasure to read about her and her plots. She is a thoughtful, caring child, thinking about others. The book has been read by multiple children throughout the holidays and enjoyed by all!

The pictures suit the style of the book, and add to the overall enjoyment. Jacqueline Harvey is an excellent author, she writes lots of books that are very well liked by my older children.

Willa and Woof is an fun read for both boys and girls with enough fun to be funny and enough depth to challenge and create discussion about grandparents, grandchildren and the place they have in each other’s lives.

We give a 4 star rating. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

– Mum Jess and her 9 year old reader

Grab your copy of “Willa and Woof 3: Grandparents for Hire

Don’t forget to visit Puffin Books for more great kids’ titles.

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Puffin Book Of The Month Activities

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Penguin Books

Let little imaginations grow with our Puffin Book Club activities! We have a huge range of fun, printable activities from all your favourite new Puffin books for children.

Go hunting for bugs, colour in some rascally Hairy Maclary friends, learn to count in te reo with Pūkeko, join the Lighthouse Princess on a spot the difference adventure, or choose any of the other great activities.

Free and printable – which ones will you choose?

Choose your fun

Hairy Maclary

Hairy Maclary

8 fun downloadable activities featuring all the rascally friends.

download here

Pūkeko Counts To Ten

Colour in the ten / tekau birds that help Pūkeko learn to count!

Colour in the ten / tekau birds that help Pūkeko learn to count!

download here

Get Outside – Boredom Busters for Kiwi Kids

Get Outside – Boredom Busters for Kiwi Kids

Become a nature detective and discover plant, insect and animal life you never knew existed!

download here

Have You Seen Tomorrow?

Have You Seen Tomorrow?

Get out your little ones coloured pencils, crayons and felt tips, or cut pieces of colour from an old magazine to paste and colour these sweet colour pages from this beautiful story.

download here

Goose the Artist

Goose the artist

Your little one can be a passionate artist just like Goose and hold their own exhibition using this fun activity.

download here

Roar, Squeak, Purr

Roar, Squeak, Purr

The cheeky, whimsical animals in Roar, Squeak, Purr have put together an amazing poem inspiration sheet. Download yours now and use the 12 poem starters to get your little poets writing their own poems!

download here

The Lighthouse Princess

The Lighthouse Princess

Join the Lighthouse Princess after reading her story of friendship and being yourself! Colour in the gorgeous book cover yourselves, plus you spot six differences on a separate activity sheet!

download here

Crane Guy

Crane Guy

Join Crane Guy for a game of I Spy up high in a crane. How many things can you name as you colour them?

download here

The Maori Picture Dictionary – Te Papakupu Whakaahua

The Maori Picture Dictionary – Te Papakupu Whakaahua

Use this page from The Maori Picture Dictionary – Te Papakupu Whakaahua to learn words kupu from at home / te kāinga.

download here

Amazing Aotearoa Activity Book

Amazing Aotearoa

Have awesome learning fun with these pages from the Amazing Aotearoa Activity Book

download here

Kiwi Baby

Kiwi Baby - bunting

If you’re awaiting the arrival of your very own Kiwi Baby with the almost Big Sibling eagerly or hesitantly awaiting too, the family could start preparing to welcome baby home with this cute Kiwi Baby activity – Kiwi Baby Bunting! You’ll need to print the bunting, some scissors (for mum or dad), sticky tape or wooden pegs, and string or ribbon. Have fun!

download here

Slinky Malinki

Slinky malinki

Have awesome learning fun with these pages from the Amazing Aotearoa Activity Book

download here

Little Hector

Little Hector

A tonne of fun awaits your little one with this activity pack full of colouring pages, drawing activities and ‘spot the…’ games.

download here

I Am the Universe

I Am The Universe

With big wide eyes that have been inspired by the wonder of the universe, the earth, and their place in it, your kids can get creative and have fun colouring in our solar system with this I am the Universe colouring sheet!

download here

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Tips On Where To Spend Your Renovation Dollars

Posted on by Robyn

Sponsored content provided by Resene

Where to spend your renovation budget can be a tricky question. It’s a balancing act between ensuring you get the maximum bang for your buck to add value to your property but also enhance the way you live in your home.

There’s no one perfect answer because everybody’s home is as different as their desired outcomes but there are some general rules you can apply, and questions you can ask yourself (and the experts) that will help you decide where you want to focus your renovation attention and budget.

Know your goals

Resene - tonal colours

Tonal layers pull this sitting area together into a cohesive corner. The background wall and floor colour are Resene Ravine with a lighter corner block in Resene Pewter, Resene Haven and Resene Harp and the plant pot is Resene Yucca. The vases bowls and smaller accessories are Resene Napa, Resene Yucca, Resene Blue Smoke, Resene Pewter, Resene Ravine, Resene Haven, Resene Pumice, Resene Armadillo, Resene Eagle and Resene Harp. The frames are Resene Napa and Resene Duck Egg Blue. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick.

Are you looking to sell quickly in the immediate future? Or are you looking for ways that will improve the way you live in your house over the long term?

Not all renovations should just be about adding value when you sell your home at some stage. It’s OK if there are renovations that are important to you simply to turn the house you have into the home you love.

If you’re planning to stay in your home for another 20 years, how much value your planned renovation adds to your home right now becomes less important, especially if that extra level or large new kitchen is likely to bring years of joy.

If you’re planning to sell in a year or so you will want to pay closer attention to the margin, between how much your renovation will cost, compared to how much value it will add. There’s also no such thing as a ‘perfect margin’, it comes down to what you’re comfortable with, although real estate agencies often talk about returns that double what you spend on the renovation as being a good investment.

There aren’t too many renovations that will lower the value of your property but get good advice before undertaking projects that will reduce the number of bedrooms or bathrooms you have. So, for example, if it suits you to turn a bedroom into an office or studio, keep in mind that you might want to turn it back again, should you come to sell or get your house appraised.

Pools can be a trap for the unwary too. Pools can put some buyers off who are not interested in the maintenance or running costs. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in a pool if your family gets the use out of it – just don’t count on it adding value.

And remember, if you’re considering selling, it’s not just about doing a cost-effective renovation, it should also add something to your property, whether that is space, amenity or value.

Street appeal

Resene - colourful front door

If you’re thinking about selling, renovations that add street appeal are worth considering. The simple addition of a bold front door makes the exterior look modern, well maintained and inviting. This front door is painted in Resene Turbo.

Weatherboards in Resene Triple Concrete, trim in Resene Black White, bench in Resene Tuna, plant pots (from left to right) in Resene Silver Chalice and Resene Nocturnal and house numbers in Resene Nocturnal. Light from Lighting Direct. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

Kitchens and bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms are the functional showpiece areas that often add value for buyers, but they can also quickly spiral over budget.

Know your budget and get things carefully costed out before you start. It’s also a good idea to keep an amount of your reno budget aside to cover cost overruns or unexpected developments.

If your goal is about adding value for the sale of your home, just keep that balance between what your renovation costs and the value it adds, in the front of your mind. One way to do that is to opt for mid-range fixtures and fittings, rather than top-line.

Of course, you may not need or want to commit to a full bathroom or kitchen renovation. Paint and wallpaper can be your best friend here and managing your budget in these spaces may allow you to makeover other areas of the house as well.

Most kitchen cabinets, even those finished with a laminate can be painted over. It all comes down to the prep. After washing laminate surfaces seal them with Resene Waterborne Sealer before you apply Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel in your colour of choice. You won’t replicate that super-shine laminate finish, but the sealer will ensure the paint adheres to the cupboard surface. Add some new handles and you have a new-look kitchen for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

Kitchens and bathrooms

The wall is Resene Cut Glass, the floorboards are Resene Raven, Resene Half Raven, Resene Gull Grey, Resene Regent Grey and Resene Kensington Grey with a vanity in Resene Bermuda Grey. The slatted screen is Resene Half Black White, the duckboard is Resene Black White and the ladder is Resene Silver Chalice. The side tables are Resene Avalanche. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Bryce Carleton.

If you’re painting kitchen cupboards and walls, it is also worth doing the ceiling – kitchen ceilings can discolour quite quickly thanks to cooking, high levels of humidity and fly dirt. Use Resene SpaceCote Flat Kitchen & Bathroom for a finish that’s easy to wipe clean.

Hot tip: Paint your ceiling in a flat finish. Glossier finishes show up every flaw, particularly if your light fittings reflect any light upward.

In the bathroom, a good place to start a cost-effective face-lift is a good clean of painted surfaces with Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner and Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Much like a kitchen, repainting surfaces such as cabinets and even tiles, as well as ceilings and trim, can give the whole room a cost-effective facelift. Discoloured grout can be very tricky, if not impossible, to get clean. Use a fine artist’s paintbrush and Resene paint in a colour close to the original grout colour to refresh the grout. Keep a soft cloth handy to wipe any paint off that gets on the tile as you paint.

In both kitchens and bathrooms, a key area to focus your budget on is storage. Make sure there is plenty for towels, soaps and medicines, or all your kitchen appliances, plates, glasses and tools. Adding storage to high-use functional rooms in your house will almost never be money wasted.

Outdoor living and storage

Resene - outdoor living and storage

A fresh all-weather outdoor area is a good place to spend your renovation budget and can often be achieved quite cost-effectively. The wall is in Resene Triple Merino, while the floor is Resene Tiri wood stain. The ombre screen is, top to bottom, Resene Ebb, Resene Soothe, Resene Paper Doll, Resene Coral Tree and Resene Merino. The plant pots are, large to small, Resene Ebb, Resene Alabaster, Resene Coral Tree, Resene Paper Doll and Resene Merlot. The lightshade is Resene Alabaster and the tray is Resene Ebb. Sofa and table from Outside Space. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.

We do love our indoor-outdoor flow, so when it comes to renovations, creating sheltered, functional and attractive spaces is almost always a good investment.

If you don’t have a large renovation budget and are considering selling, focus your funds on making sure what you do have is tidy and well maintained, with freshly stained or painted fences, furniture, decks and planter boxes. You’ll be amazed at how much a fresh coat of Resene paint or wood stain can give your outdoors a new lease of life.

If you’re selling, keep colours neutral and add pops of colour in plants and cushions. If you’re making it over for your own enjoyment, don’t be afraid to experiment with colour outside to help create a mood and environment that you love.

For mid-sized budgets, focus your funds on creating that indoor-outdoor flow, with French doors and large windows, if you can. In spaces that are your main connections with the outdoors, maybe living rooms, kitchens, or even bedrooms, consider choosing your interior colour scheme to mirror the colours outside. It helps provide a seamless flow, even if it’s just a mood, or mental impression that the spaces are connected. If you’re by the sea, think about blues, sandy neutrals and parched wood tones. Or if your home looks over a plush garden with bright flowers, mirror those shades inside instead. Keep the same effect in mind when you’re choosing shades for fences and outdoor furniture.

For bigger budgets, think about how you can create an outdoor room. A beautiful deck, with a place to sit and a BBQ is great. An outdoor area you can use in all weathers and seasons is even better.

Look for ways to provide shelter that meet your budget. If you can’t opt for a full, covered pergola with blinds for wind shelter, can you add a canvas shade cloth or a retractable awning? Can you add moveable planter boxes with hedging or other plants that could be moved around to provide wind breaks? Consider a privacy screen to create a private outdoor space. These are easy to create with a range of materials and can be finished in Resene Woodsman stain or your favourite Resene paint colours to add a little personality to your outdoor space.

Adding areas of off-street parking and storage (inside and outside in sheds and garages) can also be sensible renovations to undertake, that add amenity and value to your house. In these pandemic-influenced times, when we’ve all spent a lot more time in our homes, having an outdoor shed that can be used for storage, but may double as an extra bedroom, office or studio is something to consider, if you have the space.

Rejuvenate tired decks with Resene Woodsman wood oil stain. If you are choosing a dark colour, use a Resene CoolColour to help reflect more heat and keep the surface and substrate cooler. Refresh outdoor furniture with Resene Furniture and Decking Oil and add colour to planters with Resene testpots.

Should you build that extra bedroom?

The short answer to the question of: ‘Is it worth it to add an extra bedroom?’, is probably, yes. In most cases adding an extra bedroom adds an excellent amenity for you when you’re living in your house and will add value when you sell.

The long answer is that it really depends on a range of different factors. Turning a two-bedroom into a three-bedroom, or a three into a four-bedder is possibly where you’ll add the most value. The larger number of bedrooms your home already has, the less proportional value another bedroom is likely to add.

Another factor to consider is what you are sacrificing to create the extra room. Are you cutting into your existing storage space or living space to find the square meterage you need? That could reduce the amount of value your extra room adds to the home. Are you considering renting the space out or using it to run a home-based business? They’re all considerations that impact that value/cost equation.

Do your homework

Whether you’re wanting to renovate before selling your home or not, it’s a good idea to check in with local real estate agents and/or property valuation specialists.

They will be able to tell you not only what homes like yours are selling for in your location, but will also be able to advise on what buyers are looking for and what adds the most value.

To some extent where you spend your money might also be dictated by your timeframe. If you’re looking to sell quickly, it might be a case of what can be achieved in the time available, for your budget.

For example, a full kitchen and bathroom makeover might not be doable if you need to sell in six weeks, but a new coat of Resene paint and some basic maintenance might make enough difference to help you get a good resale price.

Should you build that extra bedroom?

Luxury comes in all guises. Natural tones and textures bring comfort with a sense of peace and calm and make a perfect canvas for personalisation if you’re trying to attract buyers. The wall here is in Resene Eighth Stonehenge, the floor is Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash and the headboard slats are in Resene Double Stonehenge. The shelf is Resene Ebony Clay and the small mirror and tealight holder on the shelf are Resene Corvette. The vases next to the bed are Resene Double Stonehenge, Resene Half Barely There and Resene Rakaia (medium) and Resene Cinnamon. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.

If your selling deadline is longer, or not even on the horizon, the real estate agent will still be able to help guide you on where to spend your money and what buyers of homes like yours want.

Another way to do your research is to start looking at properties like yours that are already on the market. What are they offering that you might not have thought of that is being marketed as a key selling feature? It’s also worth checking out an open home or two in your local area to see how your place compares.

For more projects and colour inspiration visit Resene.co.nz.

Article provided by Resene decorating blog

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Product Review | ALL Shapes Activewear

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for ALL Shapes

ALL Shapes is a range of stylish, flattering activewear that was designed for everyday New Zealanders (not just fitness models!) in response to the unrealistic beauty standards that we are bombarded with and a genuine yearning to inspire the community to nourish their souls and move their bodies.

The resulting range incorporates special features such as wide waistbands that don’t roll down, double layering on the tummy, squat-proof fabric and design, contoured lines, butt-lifting framing, compression you can hardly feel but can see, and breathable fabrics.

We invited some Kidspot mums to put some ALL Shapes Leggings to the test – check out what they thought below ⬇️

Jess’s Review of ALL Shapes Athletic Leggings

ALL Shapes - Jess

These tights are a great length and don’t lose their shape. They have done me well for daily walks and high intensity exercises.

Being a first time mum, they hold you in in all the right spots!

Geraldine’s review of ALL Shapes Black Full Length Leggings

I like the cut and the high firm waistband. The deep side pocket is very useful and perfectly placed to carry/fit my phone.

The fabric is just the right amount of firm to offer some support without being too restrictive. I will enjoy wearing these leggings.

Jill’s review of ALL Shapes High Waisted Black Full Length Leggings

ALL Shapes Jill

I love these leggings! They felt like an amazing quality and they sucked me in, in all the right places. It was high waisted which I liked and didn’t feel too restraining or tight anywhere, which made for a comfortable fit when doing exercise too.

I could actually lounge about in these, they were that comfortable!

Jody’s review of ALL Shapes Maternity Leggings

ALL Shapes Jody

As a personal trainer and busy working mum with another bub on the way I’m always on the lookout for good quality active wear with all the perks and with this pair of maternity tights I have found they tick lots of the boxes!

Comfortable, not digging into my tummy, stay up nice and snug, squat proof and really nice material 👌 The only thing I could say is that the length is quite long so had to roll up the bottoms otherwise  they are awesome! At 35 weeks pregnant they are definitely a go to 👍!

Just for you – save 10%

ALL Shapes styles include a range of mid or high-waisted leggings with or without the cunning butt-lift feature, sports bras comfy enough for active or everyday wear, tops, underwear, and maternity shorts and leggings for those rounder tummies.

Kidspot is proud to be partnering with ALL Shapes. Use the code ‘KIDSPOT’ at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

choose all shapes

Reviewers were provided with ALL Shapes leggings for the purposes of the review. Views are those of the reviewers.

Main image: Kerry Howard

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2022’s Most Popular Baby Names In NZ

Posted on by Robyn

Some parents-to-be know the name they will call their child even way before they’re conceived. Others (me included) are trying out options in the delivery suite! To help you find the right name for your baby, or to learn how popular your child’s name is, here are the most popular names Kiwi parents chose for babies born during 2022.

According to statistics released by the Department of Internal Affairs’ Smart Start website in 2022, there were 59,711 births registered in New Zealand with 18,041 different first names. This is an increase in both numbers since 2021 when there were 56,013 births registered with 16,790 different first names.

It’s a ten!

Oliver remains at the top for most popular boy name for the 10th year in a row while Isla, who has been in the top three girls’ names since 2016, has knocked Charlotte from the top spot in 2022 after being second place in 2021.

The most popular gender-neutral name for 2022 was Riley.

The most popular Māori names for 2022 will be released to coincide with the run-up to Matariki celebrations in 2023.

Most popular names in 2022

Rounding out the top five for the girls are Charlotte, Amelia, Olivia, and Mila (a new entrant since 2021). For the boys – Noah, Jack, Leo and George complete the top five.  New to the top 10, Harper sits at 9th place and Sophie at 10th. They replace Isabella and Ella, which were 8th and 10th place in 2021, respectively. Hudson is also new to the top ten boy names in Aotearoa, coming in at 9th place replacing Lucas from last year’s list.

Want to know what the most popular names were in the year your baby was born (or even yourself)? Pop over to the SmartStart website to go right back to 1954.

Let’s go right back!

Want to know what the most popular names are in New Zealand from the whole of the last 170+ years? Statistics are available for the most popular names for birth registrations from 1848 to the end of 2020. While not all names are included, there are the top 350 female and male first names, plus the top 350 surnames (see more here).

The top 10 names in NZ since 1848 are:

Girls

  1. Mary
  2. Margaret
  3. Elizabeth
  4. Sarah
  5. Patricia
  6. Catherine
  7. Susan
  8. Helen
  9. Emma
  10. Alice

Boys

  1. John
  2. William
  3. James
  4. David
  5. Robert
  6. Michael
  7. Peter
  8. Thomas
  9. George
  10. Richard

New Zealand’s 100 most popular baby names in 2022

RANK GIRLS NUMBER BOYS NUMBER
1 Isla 246 Oliver 274
2 Amelia 210 Noah 262
3 Charlotte 208 Leo 243
4 Mila 182 Jack 234
5 Lily 180 Luca 222
6 Ava 179 Theodore 219
7 Willow 177 George 211
8 Olivia 175 Charlie 195
9 Harper 167 Hudson 169
10 Sophie 166 William 169
11 Hazel 164 Oscar 166
12 Mia 161 Arthur 160
13 Ella 157 Elijah 158
14 Isabella 156 Arlo 156
15 Ruby 149 Thomas 151
16 Chloe 144 James 150
17 Millie 137 Archie 146
18 Zoe 130 Henry 144
19 Grace 128 Lucas 140
20 Lucy 117 Hunter 138
21 Olive 117 Liam 136
22 Emily 116 Mason 130
23 Aria 115 Theo 124
24 Freya 114 Ezra 123
25 Ivy 111 Max 123
26 Evelyn 110 Levi 121
27 Georgia 105 Cooper 120
28 Sienna 105 Carter 114
29 Layla 102 Hugo 112
30 Poppy 102 Lachlan 110
31 Matilda 101 Asher 109
32 Sophia 101 Beau 108
33 Frankie 100 Finn 104
34 Luna 96 Archer 103
35 Mackenzie 95 Felix 103
36 Ellie 94 Benjamin 100
37 Sadie 92 Luka 100
38 Maia 91 Jasper 94
39 Florence 87 Luke 92
40 Riley 86 Harry 91
41 Isabelle 85 Ethan 88
42 Margot 85 Alexander 87
43 Maeve 84 Roman 87
44 Evie 83 Grayson 85
45 Violet 83 Harrison 85
46 Aurora 80 Jackson 83
47 Billie 80 Lincoln 83
48 Daisy 78 Samuel 83
49 Sofia 75 Jacob 82
50 Eleanor 73 Louie 82
51 Ayla 72 Riley 79
52 Harriet 72 Daniel 77
53 Elsie 70 Isaac 77
54 Emilia 70 Eli 76
55 Emma 70 Zion 76
56 Eva 70 Austin 75
57 Ada 67 Edward 75
58 Amaia 67 Harvey 75
59 Penelope 67 River 75
60 Scarlett 67 Ezekiel 74
61 Stella 67 Joseph 74
62 Thea 67 Nikau 74
63 Bella 66 Louis 73
64 Abigail 65 Caleb 72
65 Alice 63 Jayden 71
66 Indie 63 Jordan 71
67 Madison 62 Tommy 71
68 Maisie 62 Joshua 70
69 Zara 62 Ryan 70
70 Kiara 60 Blake 69
71 Piper 60 Xavier 68
72 Maddison 59 Nico 67
73 Eden 57 Bodhi 66
74 Kaia 57 Logan 66
75 Summer 57 Sebastian 65
76 Phoebe 55 Ryder 64
77 Nina 54 Quinn 62
78 Aaliyah 53 Spencer 62
79 Addison 53 Aiden 60
80 Quinn 52 Angus 60
81 Imogen 51 Finley 58
82 Rosie 51 Nathan 58
83 Eliana 50 Leon 56
84 Bonnie 48 Adam 55
85 Lola 48 Matthew 55
86 Harlow 47 Oakley 54
87 Charlie 45 Tobias 54
88 Elizabeth 45 Ari 53
89 Hannah 45 Flynn 53
90 Maya 45 Otis 53
91 Molly 45 Toby 52
92 Pippa 45 Connor 51
93 Zoey 45 Frederick 50
94 Eloise 44 Micah 50
95 Delilah 43 Michael 50
96 Leah 43 Ollie 50
97 Lilly 43 Jaxon 49
98 Amara 42 Miles 49
99 Heidi 41 Niko 49
100 Kora 41 Parker 49

Source: Department of Internal Affairs 

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her world julieWritten by Julie Scanlon

Julie is Editor for Kidspot NZ and our MVP. Her hobbies include laughing uncontrollably at her own jokes, annoying her family by asking questions about movie plots, and never taking anything too seriously. She speaks a little Spanish and a lot of Yorkshire. 

Favourite motto to live by: “It ain’t nothing but a thing”

Tips For Supporting Your Partner When They’re Giving Birth

Posted on by Robyn

Supporting a labouring and birthing partner is not only a privilege, but it can also have an impact on the overall experience your partner and baby have.

For some, this can be a little overwhelming so to take away some of the mystery, we have put together a guide of the key things you can do to help.

Your role is important

While you might feel as if you will be a spare wheel during labour and birth, a supportive birth partner can ensure the birthing person is less likely to experience a traumatic birth or to feel alone or vulnerable, which in turn enhances their whole birth experience. Physiologically, if the birthing person is feeling vulnerable, their body can go into flight-or-flight mode which can actually slow down labour – which in turn may result in more interventions. 1

So, how can you become a supportive birth partner?

Armed with knowledge

Being able to reason and problem-solve effectively requires knowledge so now is a great time to do some research on the birth stages and how your partner might react to them, common terminology used, types of pain relief and when they are most effective. Discuss the ideal birth plan with your partner and understand what is important to them. Go to the antenatal classes and appointments and ensure you know the best route to the birthing location and important phone numbers.

Pain and distress during labour are normal but can be confronting for you as a support person. It’s important that you (and your partner) stay calm so research some relaxation and calming techniques that you both personally find useful. If you know your partner hates foot massages, for example, don’t attempt one! Depending on the stage of labour these could include going for a walk, using the toilet, rubbing or massaging, rocking, heat or cold packs, music, distraction, and reassurance and praise.

Continuous support

Labour and birth can be super fast or really drawn out – and everything in-between. Things can stay the same for hours and then can change in an instant so it’s important that you are available at all times. Arrange with your work for you to be totally absent for the duration of the labour and birth. Ensure you have enough food and drink available, and if you are going to a birth centre, ensure you have chargers available for all devices. And don’t forget earphones.

There may be moments during the labour, especially during ‘transition’ that your partner gets agitated or even angry with you despite your best efforts. This will require you to be flexible and not take offence – the birth process can do strange things to people!

Advocate and facilitate

One of the key tasks is for you to advocate for your partner. Now that you are armed with a lot of knowledge, this will be so much easier. Listen carefully to your partner and clarify their needs, then work to get them met, even if it seems unnecessary to you. If necessary, clarify medical /clinical decisions then take the time to explain and reassure your partner. Encourage and admire your partner regularly and be actively present.

Extra support

All relationships are different as are our individual strengths and weaknesses. It may be that you are intimidated by medical environments, or struggle with your own emotions in difficult times. It’s okay and good planning to seek extra support for you and your partner. Discuss this as far in advance of the due date as you can, and engage a doula, family member or friend to help you both with the process.

Sources:

1 How to Support Your Partner During Labor (verywellfamily.com)

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author robynWritten by Robyn

Robyn creates content on Kidspot NZ. Her hobbies include buying cleaning products and wondering why things don’t then clean themselves, eating cheese scones with her friends, and taking her kids to appointments. 

Favourite motto to live by: “This too will pass.”

Checklist For First Time Dads: Preparing For Fatherhood

Posted on by Robyn

If you’re planning on becoming a dad, or already have a baby on the way, we’ve got some tips and advice from those who have gone before you.

Your partner is likely inundated with do’s and don’ts on everything from eating to sleeping, but there are a few things you can also do to get ready for becoming a dad.

Research fatherhood

Research dadhood

You’re going to be the first man your child loves and this is a fantastic opportunity for you to decide what sort of dad you want to be. There’s heaps of information available, so choose the stuff that adds value to you – not that makes you feel guilty or inadequate. You will never get everything right – that’s the number one rule of parenthood! Talk with other dads you admire about how they are dealing with parenthood.

If you are concerned about how you will cope or manage some emotions or ingrained behaviours, do seek help. You deserve to enter this phase confident and supported.

Build your relationship with your partner

As you head into the unknown of parenthood, communication and a strong relationship with your partner have never been so important. Get involved in what your partner is going through, and support them as best you can. If your relationship has some stress points, consider getting some counselling to help you determine the best way to manage this. Consider booking a babymoon so you can both enjoy some relaxing time together without the pressures of work and other commitments.

Look after your health

Now is a great time to make those changes you’ve been meaning to make. Eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet, develop a habit of regular exercise and try and break any smoking, recreational drugs and excessive alcohol habits. Again, if you need to seek help with this, do it! There’s no shame in asking for a helping hand.

Book a general health check with your doctor.

Review your financial health

Having a baby is an expensive exercise so prepare a budget to ensure you and your partner know what money is available. If you don’t already have life insurance, definitely look into this and also consider income protection insurance for the main income earner in your partnership. Check your parental leave, Best Start, and Working For Families entitlements.

Already expecting?

If your partner is already pregnant, it’s time to swing into action and get some key stuff done around the house.

Get practical

If your vehicle(s) are due for servicing or warranting soon after the due date, consider getting this done early. Take the pets for their annual check-up and immunisations. Make a list and check off all those wee jobs you have been meaning to get done, eg tidying the garage and fixing that dripping tap or cupboard door that doesn’t close properly. Get the garden tamed, the windows cleaned, and the gutters flowing, and the squeaky door oiled.

If you can, stock up on essentials – nappies, toilet paper, dish and clothes wash detergent, cleaning products, pantry basics, and pet food.

Baby prep

Making a kitset cot

If your baby is going to be welcomed home to a newly painted nursery complete with bassinette, cot, drawers, shelves etc, it’s likely there are a number of jobs associated with this on your to-do list such as making up kit set furniture, painting, and moving heavy items.

Plan your time so that you can get these jobs done before your partner goes into labour – and give yourself a bit of leeway in case baby decides to come early!

Check in with your partner regularly about what else can be on your list of jobs – as you both learn more about what lies ahead, your earlier plans might change.

Checklist summary

  • Research parenthood

  • Put in place healthy living changes

  • Review your finances

  • Get vehicles warranted and serviced

  • Get pets annual checkup

  • Make and complete a list of all the jobs that need doing around the house

  • Stock up on non-perishable essentials

  • Make and complete checklist of nursery jobs

Written by Kidspot NZ.


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author robynWritten by Robyn

Robyn creates content on Kidspot NZ. Her hobbies include buying cleaning products and wondering why things don’t then clean themselves, eating cheese scones with her friends, and taking her kids to appointments. 

Favourite motto to live by: “This too will pass.”

Tips For Growing Healthy Sperm

Posted on by Robyn

Unless you’re trying to make a baby, you probably haven’t given a lot of thought to how healthy your sperm are. You probably just assume they are ready on stand-by, waiting to leap into action. But getting pregnant really does take two!

We take a look at the importance of sperm health and what you can do to help ensure your swimmers are ready to go.

The role of sperm

Essentially, conception takes place when, after ejaculation, a sperm makes its way through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes and then manages to penetrate the outer layer of an egg and fertilise it.

There are three key factors that make up sperm health and consequent fertility: quantity of sperm ejaculated, motility, and structure.

Generally, there are up to 15 million sperm in just one millilitre of ejaculation but too few can mean fertility is reduced. It is also considered that at least 40% of the 15 million need to be able to move (motility).1

Finally, the sperm needs to have a nice structure (also known as morphology) that includes an oval head and a long tail to propel it forward.

There are several things that can cause problems with the number, motility or morphology of sperm including hormone or pituitary gland problems, immune and genetic issues, ages, as well as the impact of illnesses, environmental and lifestyle factors.

Some of these things are out of your hands, and you may wish to speak to your healthcare professional if you are concerned about any of the above factors, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances of producing healthy sperm.

Diet, weight, exercise and stress

Moderate exercise can boost sperm count and quality in just weeks while also increasing sex drive.2 Exercise also has a knock-on effect of helping to maintain a healthy weight and reducing stress, both of which can affect fertility.

Studies show that semen quality is optimised by eating a diet that favours seafood, poultry, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and avoids foods that are high in saturated or trans fats. Oysters, green vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fruit are a sperm’s friend, while processed food is not.3

Sexual health

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause major problems with sperm so if there is a chance of an undiagnosed STI, have a chat with a doctor or a sexual health provider and get checked.

Get quitting

It’s a fact that smokers and vapers are more likely to have low sperm counts while heavy drinking can lead to lower production of testosterone and decreased sperm production. Anabolic steroids, and other illicit drugs plus excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption can also impact sperm health.4

Go on – get quitting!

Medications and pollutants

Some medications can contribute to fertility issues so checking current medications with a doctor is a good idea.

Keeping yourself safe from the potential impact of toxic substances is always important so make sure you wear Personal Protective Equipment whenever you might be exposed.

Chill out

There is a reason that testicles are external – excessive heat can cause sperm damage, and testicles should be one or two degrees cooler than the rest of the body. Help them out with loose underwear and generally keep the area from overheating.

References:
1 Healthy sperm: Improving your fertility – Mayo Clinic: Healthy lifestyle, Getting pregnant, May 2022
2 The 7-Step Checklist to Healthy, Fertile Sperm – Healthline.com: Men’s Health, August 2018
3 What can dad do? | Elevit New Zealand
4  Does Vaping Affect Sperm & Male Fertility? I Conceive Health

Written by Kidspot NZ.

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Tips To Help You Support Your Partner During Pregnancy

Posted on by Robyn

Once the emotion of the positive pregnancy test has passed and you’re in the long haul of pregnancy, there are several ways you can help your pregnant partner as they do the hard work of growing your special new whānau member.

Discover some of the key challenges and events that typically occur on the pregnancy journey and how you can support your partner.

Shoulder the load

Especially if your partner is working or caring for other children full-time, they will likely be tired and need a helping hand with their usual tasks.

It’s a great idea to agree upfront on what you will take over so that your partner can confidently leave those jobs for you. This saves them from having to ask you to do jobs and removes some of that mental burden.

Jobs that your partner will likely be most happy for you to take over include grocery shopping and meal preparation, housework, and ferrying older children around. If you’re not a confident cook, consider getting a food meal kit subscription. Doing some meal planning and online shopping can also make things easier. If it’s an option, a cleaner, gardener or someone to regularly mow the lawns can help take the pressure off both of you.

As the pregnancy progresses be prepared to change up your role – if nausea has passed your partner might be happy doing food preparation but vacuuming, changing sheets, and doing the washing might become more difficult for them.

Support their physical health

Foot massage

If your partner drinks or smokes, encourage them to stop for the health of your growing baby. If you smoke or drink, now is a great time for you to stop your consumption too! As mentioned above, helping to plan and prepare balanced meals is a fantastic way to reduce your partner’s workload, but it will also help to keep them healthy.

Try to anticipate what your partner needs – a foot massage or a cold bucket of water for swollen feet would be so appreciated as would their favourite ice block or drink if they’re feeling nauseous. Encourage your partner to rest, and to get some regular, gentle exercise.

Talk and listen

Pregnancy and parenthood will change your relationship with your partner – the arrival of a wee baby fully dependent on you both for their survival cannot help but change things, especially if this is your first baby together. Hope, fear, anticipation, excitement, and worry are all emotions you both might feel along the way so sharing these will help build your relationship and create great communication habits for the parenthood phase.

It is most likely that there will be changes in your sex life. Your partner may be feeling differently about sex while pregnant and after the birth (notwithstanding the 6-week recommended healing period) so good communication is key as you work through this together.

Now is also a great time to discuss a birth plan.

Learn, and be involved

There are a lot of learning opportunities and appointments during pregnancy and the more you know, the more supportive and confident you will be. Take some time to find out about pregnancy (just like you are doing now!), some of the common terminology, and what to expect.

If you can, attend appointments together with your Lead Maternity Caregiver (LMC) and other health providers, as well as ante-natal classes.

Find out what food is safe for your partner to eat during pregnancy so you can confidently prepare meals and snacks.

Help with the birth and post-birth plan

If your partner is having a birth plan, make sure you know what’s on there so you can be the best advocate for them. Make sure you know the best route and parking options from home to where the birth is going to take place, and if it’s likely you will be transferring from the birthing location to another facility immediately after the birth, make sure you know the best route and parking options for there too.

Part of your planning should also include working out how to put a baby correctly in the car seat, as well as getting the car seat in and out of the car. Most manufacturers have online videos while many retailers have car seat technicians who can also take you through the process.

Make sure your parental leave is all booked too.

Don’t stop

Once baby arrives and your partner is the main feeder and carer, hang in there with the jobs you have been doing. A new baby can be super time consuming and exhausting for you both, but especially if you have just given birth. Over time, roles and responsibilities will evolve but for now, your partner will appreciate knowing what jobs will be taken care of.

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author robynWritten by Robyn

Robyn creates content on Kidspot NZ. Her hobbies include buying cleaning products and wondering why things don’t then clean themselves, eating cheese scones with her friends, and taking her kids to appointments. 

Favourite motto to live by: “This too will pass.”

Get In The Know: Conception, Pregnancy, Labour & Birth Terms Defined

Posted on by Robyn

Welcome to a whole new world of words and acronyms! The journey through conception, pregnancy, labour and birth can be like learning a new and strange language.

The best way to take the mystery out of the process is to know what everything means so we have put together a handy glossary for you.

Conception

Cervix – the lower part of the uterus

Conception – occurs when sperm penetrates the outer layer of an egg and fertilises it

Egg (or ovum) – produced by ovaries

Embryo – the first 2-8 weeks of a baby’s growth after conception

Fallopian tube(s) – tubes that transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus

Fertilise – when an egg and sperm join and the embryo begins to grow. When an egg is fertilised, conception occurs.

Folic acid – also known as folate, is a water-soluble B-group vitamin. Like all water-soluble vitamins, folic acid is not stored in the body and must be replenished each day. Folic acid is vital for the formation of red blood cells, DNA synthesis and for protein metabolism, and for the prevention of neural tube defects in the developing foetus during early pregnancy.

Foetus – the baby from the end of the embryo stage to birth

IUI – Intra Uterine Insemination. Where sperm is placed directly into the uterus.

IVF – In Vitro Fertilization. When eggs from ovaries and sperm are fertilised in a laboratory or similar and then the embryos are then transferred into the uterus.

Motility – how well sperm moves once ejaculated

Morphology – the shape and structure of a sperm. A healthy sperm’s morphology includes an oval head and a long tail to propel it forward.

Ovary(ies) – organs that store eggs and release one each menstrual cycle.

Semen – when ejaculation occurs, a mix of sperm and semen is ejected. Semen helps the sperm on its journey to the egg.

Sperm – the male reproductive cell. When it penetrates an egg and fertilises it, the embryo begins to grow

Uterus – also known as the womb. Where the baby grows and develops.

Vagina – the internal canal that connects the vulva to the uterus and cervix

Vulva – the external female sex organs. Includes the clitoris and labia

Pregnancy

Amniotic fluid – the fluid that surrounds the foetus inside the amniotic sac it is growing in, in the uterus

Amniotic sac – the membrane that the foetus is growing in, inside the uterus

Ectopic pregnancy – when the foetus begins to grow in the fallopian tube rather than the uterus. This pregnancy must be surgically removed.

Edema – swelling of ankles, legs, feet and hands

Estimated Due Date (EDD) – date the baby is due

Gravida – the number of pregnancies prior to the current one

Incompetent cervix – where the cervix opens too soon. Can cause miscarriage or early birth. Can be treated.

Term (or full term) – a baby born between 37 and 42 weeks or is over 2500 grams

Trimester – the pregnancy is divided into trimesters. The first is up to 12 weeks, the seconds between 13 and 28 weeks and the third is the time span beyond 28 weeks.

Fundal height – the measurement of the pregnant belly from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the womb. It is used to help establish how well the baby is growing

Fundus – the top of the uterus

Geriatric Pregnancy – if the pregnant person is over 35 years old, their pregnancy is known as ‘geriatric’

Gestation – essentially the time the baby is in the womb. Synonymous with pregnancy

Gestational age – the age of the fetus from the date of the last menstrual period

Gravida – the medical term for a pregnant person

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hGC) – hormone produced during pregnancy. This is what is detected to give a positive urine-based pregnancy test

Lead Maternity Carer (LMC)- midwife or specialist doctor who looks after you throughout the pregnancy and through to around 6 weeks

Linea nigra – a dark line that may appear on the skin down the centre of the abdomen during pregnancy caused by hormonal changes.

Midwife – a person who has completed training to care for women during their childbearing years and attend to low-risk pregnancies and births.

Pelvic floor muscles – the muscles that support the uterus, bladder, vagina and rectum

Pelvis – the abdomen between the hip bones

Placenta – grows in the uterus and attaches to the uterine wall. The baby is connected to the placenta with the umbilical cord and get all its nutrients and oxygen from it. This will be delivered separately after the baby is born.

Primigravida – first pregnancy

Quickening – when the first movements of the fetus can be felt

Scan – ultrasound

Stretch marks (striae) – the marks left behind when the skin stretches

Pregnancy and birth

Afterpains – contractions or cramps that signal your uterus return to its pre-pregnant size and shape

Birth centre – a homier alternative to a hospital, equipped to care for women experiencing a low-risk pregnancy.

Birth defect – any defect that is present at birth – caused by genetic defect or non-genetic prenatal events

Bloody show / mucous plug – as labour approaches and the cervix begins to dilate, the thick plug of mucus that is sitting in the cervix can come out.

Breech – in about 3-4% of pregnancies, the baby approaches full-term by presenting in breech position meaning it is bottom or feet down, rather than head down.

Caesarean (c-section) – the delivery of a baby via a surgical incision to the abdomen.

Contractions – tightening of the uterus. When in labour, the force of the contractions help the baby progress down the birth canal.

Cord prolapse – premature expulsion of the umbilical cord in labour before the fetus is delivered. Needs urgent medical attention

Crowning – when the baby’s head appears at the vaginal opening shortly before delivery.

Dilation – the process during the first stage of labour where the cervix widens to 10 centimetres

Dysfunctional labour – failure to progress in a clinically normal pattern of labour

Effacement – during the first stage of labour, the cervix shortens. This process is called effacement

Episiotomy – a surgical incision made to the perineum during the birthing process to enlarge the vaginal opening.

False labour – when labour does not progress and then eventually stops

Foetal distress – warning signs indicating fetal hypoxia (deficiency in amount of oxygen reaching foetal tissues)

Forceps – large tongs which are occasionally used to help assist the delivery of a baby

Induced labour – the use of drugs and/or procedures are used in an attempt to start labour.

Labour – the onset of regular, progressive contractions until the birth of a baby.

Moulding – where the baby’s skull sutures overlap and the head shape temporarily changes to negotiate the journey through the mother’s pelvis.

Natural birth – generally refers to childbirth without pain relief (anesthesia or analgesia) but may alternatively be used to describe a vaginal delivery rather than a cesarean birth.

Precipitous labour –  very quick labour and delivery, which lasts less than three hours from beginning to end.

Presentation – the part of the foetus that enters the birth canal first. Some presentations include variations of cephalic (head), breech (bottom, legs or feet) or shoulder.

Prolonged labour – labour lasting more than 20 hours. There are many reasons why labour may not progress more quickly, and this does not always signify a problem.

Transition – the phase of labour just before the pushing stage. During transition, contractions become very strong, and often their duration and frequency are less predictable.

Umbilical cord – baby’s lifeline connecting the foetus at its abdomen (the eventual tummy button) and the placenta, and giving passage to the umbilical blood vessels. The placenta transports oxygen and nutrients from the placenta to the baby. Needs to be cut after birth.

Written by Kidspot NZ 

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Cots & Car Seats: What To Look For When Buying

Posted on by Robyn

There are so many different products available for babies, it’s pretty easy to get overwhelmed. So the best place to start is with the essentials. Car seats and cots are two items that your baby is likely to spend a lot of time in so it’s important that you get ones that are not only comfy, but also safe.

We take a look at what legal safety standards apply and other things that you might consider when making these important purchases. These safety standards also apply to second-hand items including hand-me-downs from family and friends.

Making a kitset cot

The cot lowdown

Your baby might be sleeping in their cot from birth right through to age two or older, so you want the cot you choose to be safe and sturdy. In New Zealand, all cots and mattresses sold must comply with the safety requirements of the National Standard AS/NZS 2172:2003 (with amendments), so when you’re buying new, look out for words on the label to the effect of ‘Complies with AS/NZS 2172:2013 Safety Standard’.

If you’re buying second-hand, the retailer needs to ensure the cot complies with the safety standard. Technically if you are being gifted the cot, the giver is responsible for ensuring it’s safe but it’s really important that you ensure the cot is compliant – after all, the safety requirements help to reduce the risk of injury to babies and young children.

Ensure the cot mattress fits the cot snugly and that the distance between the edges of the mattress and any end or side of the cot does not exceed 20mm. It is recommended that you buy a new cot mattress for your baby even if the cot is second-hand.

Product safety standards – Household cots

Image credit: Product safety standards – Household cots, Commerce Commission New Zealand 

Choose a cot that is going to best fit your space, but as a general rule the bigger the better.

Drop-side cots are slowly being phased out, so look for a cot that has adjustable base heights so when your baby is a newborn they’re easy to reach, and when they are getting ready to pull up to stand and try to climb you can have the base on the lowest setting!

Know your car seats

It is a legal requirement that all children under 7 years old must use a suitable child restraint (car seat) when travelling in a car.1

Safety standard

The first car seat your baby will need is a capsule style but all car seats must meet an approved standard. Child restraints certified for use in New Zealand will show an ‘S’ mark (New Zealand Standard NZS 1754), or a tick (Australian Standard AS 1754), or an ‘E’ mark (European Standard ECE 44). Restraints that comply with the United States Standard (FMVSS 213) must, in addition to any other markings, display the New Zealand Standard ‘S’ mark, to show they have been certified for use in New Zealand.1

Car seats should not be used if it is more than 10 years old and if it has been in an accident. If you are buying or renting, check for cracks, wear and damage or any other sign of deterioration.

Baby capsules

Rear-facing is the safest for your new baby and that is why baby capsules are designed to go into your car this way. Most capsules simply click into a base that stays secured in the car and can also quickly be installed onto a stroller base. So convenient!

The key to choosing a capsule is getting one that, aside from meeting the safety requirements, fits well into the back seat of your car. Many car seat retailers have technicians who will help you establish the best one for you. Plunket also has an Injury Prevention Team while NZTA also has a list of certified child restraint technicians you can contact.

Hiring capsules is popular as it means one less item of baby paraphernalia lying around your house once you have finished using it, plus the initial cost is lower.

There are ‘convertible’ seats available that will take your baby from birth right through to around 18kg. These are bulkier than a capsule and are not easily carried or clicked in and out of the car, however, they are more cost-effective.

Moving on

Once your baby has exceeded the weight recommendations, or their head or feet are protruding from the top of the capsule it’s time to move to the next stage of car seats – rear-facing also.

It is recommended that children stay rear-facing for as long as possible. When using a rear-facing car seat ensure the harness is firm and flat against the baby and that their head is not slumping forward.

If your child outgrows the maximum weight or height of your rear-facing seat but they are still quite young (especially under two1) consider getting a larger rear-facing seat as it really is safer for them in an accident.

If you are uncertain about how to use or secure the car seat or not sure which one is the best one for your car, contact Plunket or a child restraint technician.

Sources:

1 Waka Kotahi | NZ Transport Agency: Safety | Education initiatives: Using child restraints in New Zealand

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author robynWritten by Robyn

Robyn creates content on Kidspot NZ. Her hobbies include buying cleaning products and wondering why things don’t then clean themselves, eating cheese scones with her friends, and taking her kids to appointments. 

Favourite motto to live by: “This too will pass.”

A Week In The Life Of Alex and Rascal + Friends CoComelon Nappy Pants | Review

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Rascal + Friends

Rascal + Friends Premium Nappy Pants are designed for little humans who won’t lay still during change-time, or who are starting to potty train. They’re made with seriously good features to keep your jumping junior comfy and make change-time easier.

Join Maria and her active 16-month-old, Alex, for a week in their life as they put Rascal + Friends Premium Nappy Pants to the ultimate test.

Join the fun with limited edition Rascal + Friends CoComelon nappy pants print featuring JJ + friends!

Rascal + Friends have teamed up with CoComelon to bring you nappy pants that are seriously good and seriously fun. Designed for little humans on the move, Rascal + Friends Premium Nappy Pants are loaded with features including:

  • Resealable tab for easy disposal
  • Easy-tear sides
  • Absorbent 3D core for up to 12 hours leak protection
  • Double leak guards
  • Unique deep pocket designed to catch the biggest blowouts
  • Soft leg cuffs for the comfiest fit
  • Breathable backsheet to keep skin cool and dry
  • 3 layers of protection
  • Extra stretchy waistband
  • No harsh chemicals, latex, lotions or fragrances
  • NEW limited edition CoComelon print

Maria’s review

We are a family of four – me, my husband, our 6-year-old daughter, Sophia, and our 16-month-old son, Alex.

Alex is a very active and busy toddler, and changing his nappy is always a great challenge – and most of the time the changing table is not involved. So when choosing the right nappy brand, we not only consider leak-proof and softness but also the ease of taking these out of the package, unfolding and putting them on.

Before …

Before we tried Rascal + Friends Premium Nappy Pants, we usually used cloth nappies around the house and any other nappies from the supermarket to be worn when going outside or to daycare. For the night sleep we always use a disposable nappy as our son mostly sleeps through the night (lucky!) and I want to make sure he is dry and not irritated after 10-12 hours in a nappy.

The week in review

We used Rascal + Friends Premium Nappy Pants for the whole week both during the day and at night, and they worked great for Alex!

The packaging was great – easy to get the pants out and they are not folded (as some brands do). The pants themselves are very soft and flexible to put on to a wriggling toddler. I personally was very impressed with the quality – so soft and so well made, they look comfortable around the thighs and there were no marks left on the skin even after he was sitting in the car for an hour.
We had a very busy week with lots of going out and Alex was clearly happy running around wearing Rascal + Friends Premium Nappy Pants. No signs of being uncomfortable – no scratching his back or trying to pull these off plus there was no leaking or rashes after three-hour long afternoon naps.

Rascal Nappy Pants review

Easy up and easy off

The nappy pants are incredibly nice and easy to put on. These are so soft, so you do not worry about making your toddler feel uncomfortable or scratched when pulling up. The waist is very stretchy and the sides tear with not much effort [when removing] and, in contrast with most other brands, the sides do not leave string pieces coming off when torn (which sometimes can pinch the baby a little bit).

The resealable tab makes it nice and quick to dispose without making a mess. Overall I have no negative things to say about the changing process with Rascal + Friends Premium Nappy Pants – very impressed with the quality, and can talk about how soft these are for a long time!

The first four nights of wearing the Rascal + Friends Premium Nappy Pants there was no leaking although his skin was a bit wet in the morning. As the skin was not irritated, we were still happy. On the fifth night, he woke at midnight because of a small leak so I had to change Alex to a new nappy.

The final say

Overall, we are very pleased with the quality and definitely consider buying Rascal + Friends Premium Nappy Pants for regular use. My husband definitely said these are the best nappies in many ways out of all that we’ve tried in the last 16 months. Still couldn’t quite beat the other disposable brand at night, but definitely perfect for long active days, as are soft, breathable and are easy to use. Plus, Alex really liked the cartoon characters on the back and front of the pants. He loved pointing at these and saying “baby” – a great distraction for while I am putting these on him.

Rascal + Friends are available online and in-store at New World, PAK’nSAVE, and Four Square nationwide.

Find out more at Rascal + Friends

Maria was provided with a complimentary supply of Rascal + Friends premium nappy pants for the purposes of the review. Views are those of the reviewer.

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Family Fun In Auckland This Summer

Posted on by Robyn

Auckland is bursting with fun family activities and experiences, so no matter if you’re visiting or having a staycation, Auckland is the place to be this summer!

With a huge coastline, stunning beaches, volcanic cones and lush hinterland, as well as an urban vibe, the variety of experiences on offer in Auckland is stunning! Join us as we take a look at some of the best things to do, places to go, and experiences to have in Tāmaki Makaurau this summer.

Please note: Venue information was correct at the time of publication. Please check with individual venues for the latest opening dates, times, prices, etc, before making plans

Auckland Adventure Park
Silverdale

Auckland Adventure Park

From Wednesday to Sunday all summer long, you can feel the thrill of an adventure with the whole family!

The Kids Playzone is perfect for the littlies and features amusement rides and a Playzone.  The Shooting Star Vertical Bungy will shoot you up, not down but the Luge sure gets you down! Zoom head first on the 260 metre zipline then pop into the 4D cinema with its built in simulator for some immersive fun.

Refuel at the onsite Area 51 cafe and then head out to make the most of all the adventures on offer.

Find out more

Dinosaurs at Auckland Museum
Parnell

Peter the T. Rex

Get up close to one of the rarest, most complete T. rex skeletons ever found. At 11m in length and nearly 3m high, the T. rex skeleton, named ‘Peter’, is an awesome sight, posed in what would have been its hunting position. This free, world premiere is a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed!

While you’re there keep an eye out for the Augmented Reality (AR) Dinos. Scan the codes with your phone to see six prehistoric giants come to life right before your eyes, then have your photo taken with them.

Find out more

Ngā Mirumiru Bubbles
MOTAT, Western Springs

Ngā Mirumiru Bubble

Waitangi weekend will be bubbling over with fun as bubbles return to MOTAT from 10am to 4pm, 4 to 6 February 2023.

Ngā Mirumiru Bubbles is a great way to engage young kids with science through hands-on play. Come down to MOTAT to catch a bubble, paint with bubbles, get inside a giant bubble, or watch a bubble show.

Find out more

Aotearoa Surf Junior Surfers Club After School Programme
Mangawhai or Orewa

Aotearoa Surf

6 or 8 week After School progressive surf program is designed with clear achievements (bronze, silver, gold & platinum) that allows children to progress through our broad variety of beach and surfing skills from start to finish running in both Mangawhai Beach and Orewa Beach.

Runs from 4pm – 5.15pm (ages: 7 – 11) and 5.15pm – 6.30pm (ages 11+) on various weekdays until end March 2023.

BOOK NOW!

Auckland Live Circus in the Square
17-18 February 2023,  Aotea Square

Auckland Live - Circus in the square

Get ready to be on the edge of your seat and challenge your perception of all the things circus can be!

Featuring an exciting fusion of performance, join us for bucketloads of fun at this sensational smorgasbord of acrobatics, circus theatre, live music, contemporary dance and comedy clowning that goes outside the box of a traditional red nose. Take in wow-factor performances full of all sorts of flips and tricks, join in workshops and classes with the whole whānau, or pull up a beanbag and enjoy outdoor films with crowd favourite, The Greatest Showman and 1928 Charlie Chaplin classic, The Circus.

Featuring some of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s finest and favourite talent (The Dust Palace, Manubrium Circus, Flip n Fly, Circability), this wonderfully wacky weekend is not to be missed. So, pack a bag, round up your friends both young and old, and come run away with the circus!

Find out more

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Get Outdoors – Brilliant Boredom Busters For Kiwi Kids | Book Review

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Penguin Books

Perfect for a fabulous outdoor summer in Aotearoa, Get Outdoors – Brilliant Boredom Busters For Kiwi Kids, has so many ideas to get your body moving and your brain inventing, the kids will be out the door and off on adventures before you know it!

From the author of the award-winning Beginner’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing in New Zealand, Get Outdoors is chock-full of fun ideas to help discover new skills, improve fitness and coordination, encourage creativity and confidence, waken the energy and stimulate the enterprise of kids aged 8-12.

Get Outdoors includes a range of activities to allow for ages and stages, some of which can be done independently and some which require adult involvement and supervision. With all the fabulous ideas, projects and activities in this book, you’ll never get bored outdoors!

Select an activity from between the covers and you can …

🚀 launch a rocket
🧭 explore the great outdoors
🚴‍♀️ jump on a bike
🪁 fly a kite
🔨 build an epic fort
🥦grow something green
〰️ fossick in a creek
🐚 explore the rocky shore
🍃 make nature art
🤿 swim and snorkel
🐛 hunt for bugs
📷 take pictures
🤻 create a backyard obstacle course
⛺ pitch a tent
🌟 sleep under the stars
… and so much more!

Available online and in your local bookshop now!

Become a nature detective

Become a nature detective

Enjoy these free activities from the book and become a nature detective! No matter where you live if you look really closely at plants and in the soil in your backyard, your investigations will reveal plant, insect and animal life you never knew existed! There’s also instructions on how to make your own bird feeder.

download the pages now

Reader review: Amy (Mum) and Wolfie

Getting your kids excited about anything bar Xbox/ PlayStation/ Nintendo is a hard task in 2022! The days of playing in the yard or begging to go to the park seem to be in the past … All of the things I’ve been trying to get my kids excited about are now on their summer TO DO LIST! I grew up on a farm, making huts, camping in the bush and spending days exploring Great Barrier Island so it breaks my heart when I have to hassle the kids to get outside.

This past weekend I gave them the Get Outdoors – Brilliant Boredom Busters For Kiwi Kids book. WOW, it was a hit! We now have a list as long as my arm, of activities and projects they want to do over the summer; from building huts, water activities, growing veggies, cooking and even outdoor art projects. I’m excited that they are excited. Now we just have to decide which one to start with!

I love the focus on the Great Outdoors, most of the DIY activities are able to be done in your own backyard, in the local park or at your favourite holiday spot!

The activities and projects are well written, easy to follow instructions, with beautiful images to inspire kids from five to twelve years (and the teen siblings will be roped in for helping hands)! As a mum, I love the safety tips on each page!

Wolfie’s first choice is to build the rocket! Here are some pics of him in the rocket and also holding the book – he made sure to blow-wave and straighten his hair for that picture … Get this kid into nature – he has been in the city for too long!

Amy and Alfie

Get Outdoors

Alfie in his rocket

Get Outdoors

Alfie and his new book

Grab your copy of “Get Outdoors”

Don’t forget to visit Puffin Books for more great kids’ titles.

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Christmas Gifts | Review Of LEGO® Ninjago® Kai’s Golden Dragon Raider

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for LEGO New Zealand

This Christmas, 90 wonderful years since the LEGO® Group began developing a world of play, there’s a LEGO gift that will delight and inspire creativity and play no matter where your child’s interests and passions lie.

We asked Amy and her ninja and LEGO-loving kids to review a new LEGO set. Read their review below.

LEGO® Ninjago® Kai’s Golden Dragon Raider

LEGO® Ninjago® Kai’s Golden Dragon Raider (71773)

Ninja fans aged 8+ can recreate thrilling action from the NINJAGO®: Crystalized TV series with this super cool LEGO® Ninjago® Kai’s Golden Dragon Raider playset featuring Kai’s multi-terrain vehicle complete with a cockpit, two cannons with four shooters, and golden dragon blades. Fold the Raider’s back wheels to convert it from road mode to walker mode. The set includes minifigures of Golden Kai, Golden Dragon Zane, Skylor, General Mister F, Vengestone Brute and two Vengestone Warriors.

The reviewers

Amy is mum to three boys aged 14, 10, and 5, so LEGO sets and ninjas are already a regular part of her life. Two of her boys, Asher (14) and Boaz (10) were the lucky ones chosen to make the set.

Amy’s top LEGO tips

Playing with a LEGO set is kind of a big deal in our family. With three boys (14, 10 and 5), our LEGO collection has its very own cupboard at our house. I love that it can keep the kids entertained for hours and hours, that it can be used by all ages and stages of childhood, and that it can be passed down the family.

Here’s what I have learned from over a decade of boy parenting with LEGO sets.

  1. Set aside a specific place that the project can be worked on until completion! I love these sets as you can open a bag at a time and work through the manual until that component is complete.
  2. Have a LEGO storage area. We have a large cupboard under our bench. The newest builds go on the top shelf and the large bins of LEGO bricks go on the bottom shelf.
  3. When friends and family ask ‘what do your kids want for birthday/Christmas’, specify LEGO sets. This saves your house from being filled up with junky toys and allows the gift buyer to spend what they can afford. Prices start from a few dollars.
  4. Constructing with LEGO bricks helps children build many skills including problem solving, patience and resilience through fun, tactile play. The frustration is evident when the kids are building, however they don’t ‘give up’ like they often do when they are doing homework as they have chosen to do the build and they are really excited to play with the finished product.
  5. The best thing about LEGO sets is that it never gets old and NEVER goes out of fashion. The LEGO Group is so great at staying up to date with the latest trends. 

The review

LEGO Ninjago Kai’s Golden Dragon Raider

My big boys tackled this project together. Asher (14) started with bag one and Boaz (10) worked on bags five onwards (building the legs). It was great that they could work independently but have each other for support.

They worked for two hours solid and managed to get the entire set built! Between them, they have years and years of experience building LEGO sets – these LEGO building machines got stuck in and made it a competition to see who could get their bag finished first. I imagine it would take a single child quite a few happy hours.

The result was quite breathtaking! The machine has many moving components and lots of figurines and weapons (including missiles that fire from the wings of the vehicle) that the younger kids will spend hours playing with! This is definitely the MOST EPIC set they have built! 

Overall, we reckon that if that turned up under the tree this Christmas, there would definitely be a very happy recipient!

Amy, Asher and Boaz

The reviewers was provided with a LEGO set for the purposes of the review. All views are those of the reviewer.

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Christmas Gifts | Kids Review LEGO® and LEGO® DUPLO® Sets

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for LEGO New Zealand

The LEGO® Group has been inspiring creativity since 1932. This Christmas, 90 wonderful years of play later, LEGO playsets are still the perfect gifts that enable you to hand over the key to an exciting Christmas to your child.

No matter where your child’s interests and passions lie, there’s a LEGO set that will delight and inspire creativity and play.

We asked some parents and their very excited children to review some of the top LEGO and LEGO® DUPLO® sets this Christmas.

Arland (1) and his mum Letitcia review LEGO® DUPLO® Wild Animals of South America

LEGO® DUPLO® Wild Animals of South America

The ideal set to introduce your animal-loving preschooler to the wildlife and natural environment, this LEGO DUPLO Wild Animals of South America set is a versatile, hands-on playset packed with play-and-learn possibilities. Meet the crocodile, monkeys, sloth, baby jaguar, toucan and alpaca; explore the trees, rocks and waterfall; then reconfigure the set for new adventures on the foldable, 3-dimensional jungle playmat.

Arland loves building and loves animals so this LEGO DUPLO Wild Animals of South America set was very exciting! His eyes lit up when we showed him the box and he couldn’t wait to open it. Once all the contents were dumped on the floor, we all got to work creating the wonderful jungle scene with the South American animals together.

Arland happily sat there by himself creating and imagining little stories between the animals and building flower towers whilst practising his counting. It was a bonus that he wanted to play with us and by himself all with the same toy.

It is an awesome set that has different animals to the normal farm animals this age group is so familiar with. This helped expand his vocabulary as we taught him that it wasn’t a sheep, but was in fact an alpaca and that the bird in the pack is called a toucan. He was most excited for the sloth as his comforter at night is also a sloth.

Arland and LEGO DUPLO Wild Animals of South America

The set comes with a playmat that he found engaging as it is bright and colourful and it directs him to a specific place to play with the DUPLO bricks. His fine motor skills were also put to the test with this but at 26 months old he was more than capable to push and pull the bricks apart and build towers as high as he could.

Each morning, it is the first toy he wants to play with and I am sure he will continue to play with it for many years to come. The LEGO DUPLO range has many different sets and he can mix all of the sets together for endless fun. Although Arland loved it, I think Dad loved it just as much … as will many more generations to come!

His cousins also had a great time playing with it! They are between the ages of two and five. It encouraged them to play together and talk about a common topic. Arland’s favourite thing to do is pack up his toys and the big box was fun to open and close and so easy for him to initiate cleaning up.

Arland and I reckon this would be a great gift for Christmas or a birthday and I would certainly purchase this for friends!

Leticia and Arland

Ella (9) and her mum Katie review LEGO® Friends Emma’s Art School

Emmas art school LEGO

The LEGO Friends Emma’s Art School set is a 3-storey, beautiful art school where Emma and her friends learn the arts of ceramics, fashion and 3D printing. This pretend-play school set comes with an assortment of cute details: the pottery wheel spins by turning the handle, the camera comes with two lenses and the posable mannequin spins on its stand. The beautiful French-style building can be made even more attractive by customizing it with the included LEGO DOTS tiles.

Ella (9) is a huge fan of LEGO sets especially all of the LEGO Friends range, as she feels like she can relate to the Friends characters that she shares common interests with, so Ella was over the moon when she was given the LEGO Friends Emma’s Art School to build and review.

Ella quickly opened the box up, tipped out the packets and got the instruction booklet out, then quickly got in to building mode starting with the characters which included a couple of new ones that she did not already have.

Ella likes to keep track of how far along in the build she is with the LEGO progress guide at the bottom of each page, she will always shout with excitement when she is halfway there. The closer to the end of the build, the louder her excitement is. 

Emma’s Art School has lot of neat little details on it from the pencil and paintbrush sign to the art deco exterior walls and multiple little art rooms on the inside. Ella’s favourite was the Pottery room and the 3D Printer.

LEGO® Friends Emma’s Art School

Ella has very much enjoyed building and playing with the set along with her cousin and little sister and the amount of detail means there is plenty for everyone to do and lots of imaginative scenes to act out.  

LEGO sets are an all-time classic and are toys that I don’t mind spending money on as I know it is good quality and will last a lifetime – my husband (38) still brings out his big box of LEGO bricks from when he was a kid.

I love how all the sets can integrate with each other and that the kids can build anything they can imagine – the possibilities are endless. One of our favourite rainy day activities is bringing out all the LEGO sets and building a LEGO city where the kids will play for hours and hours using their imagination to tell their stories.  

All in all, Ella totally recommends the LEGO Friends Emma’s Art School set. I think this is one of her favourites and she now wants to collect the rest in this series.

Ella and Katie

Simeon (7) and his mum Jess review LEGO® City Lunar Research Base

Lunar Research Base

The amazing NASA-inspired LEGO City Lunar Research Base contains everything needed to build a domed Lunar Research Base and vehicles (including a lunar lander, skycrane drone, VIPER rover and moon buggy). In addition, there are six astronaut minifigures plus fun accessories for imaginative play, including a planet-surface scanner, plants, drinking mugs and helmets.

I love this LEGO set because I love space and this set is so cool. The best part to build was the biggest bit. It took so long to build and was fun because it has all the hardest pieces in it. I really like learning about how people might go and live in space, maybe I’ll have a holiday in space one day but maybe not, it might be [scary]!
– Simeon

My 7-year-old son said it was his “best day ever” when he opened the package containing the LEGO City Lunar Research Base.
The joy continued as he worked his way through the 3 instruction books and built up the space camp. His concentration and attention to detail blew me away. I love how LEGO sets encourage kids to work systematically and follow instructions. This is such an important life skill, that is the best when learnt through play.
Our boy is a busy and energetic 7-year-old (need I say more?) but he sat quietly (he really did!) all day determined to finish the set and get started on his favourite part; the playing.

LEGO Lunar City Research Base

He is really interested in space and enjoys reading fact books about space and watching rocket launch videos so having this LEGO set that sits so well with his interests has been fascinating for him and so good for growing his imagination and ideas about space.

I’d definitely recommend this set as a great gift for the space lover in your life. As a 7-year-old, he needed a tiny bit of help so it was really nice to be able to have quality time hanging out and helping him with something he loves!
It’s a very fun set and I can see it being played with in many different ways for many years to come! Thanks LEGO New Zealand and Kidspot for the opportunity to review!
Jess (Simeon’s mum)

No matter your child’s interests, there is a set that will fuel their passion and provide hours of playful, creative fun.

Reviewers were provided with a LEGO set for the purposes of the review. All views are those of the reviewers.

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Homemade Gifts: Pots Of Happiness

Posted on by Robyn

Sponsored content provided by Resene

Painting a pot is such a great gift idea as it shows that you’ve put much love, thought, and effort into the gift, making it extra special. Plus there’s no need to wrap it. It really is a pot of happiness!

Choose your design and colours to suit the season or the recipient – the perfect customised gift.

You will need:

Pots of happiness step 1

Step 1

Seal the inside and outside of the terracotta pot with one coat of Resene Terracotta Sealer and leave to dry for six hours.

Pots of happiness - Step two

Step 2

Paint the outside of the pot with two coats of Resene Hi Jinx, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

Step 4

Step 3

Paint the top and inside rim of the pot with two coats of Resene Curious Blue, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

Pots of happiness Step 5

Step 4

Paint wording around the rim and daisy petals on the front of the pot with Resene Turbo. Allow to dry and then apply a second coat. Paint the centre of the daisy with Resene Volcano. How cool is that?

Christmas colours

Christmas colours

Create a special Christmas gift – this festive pot was painted with testpots of Resene Gorse, Resene Kermit, Resene Lickety Split, Resene Pulse and Resene Volcano.

Resene kids art with Mark Rayner – Project 67

For more projects and colour inspiration visit Resene.co.nz.

Article provided by Resene. 

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Create Your Own Rustic Christmas ‘Joy’ Sign

Posted on by Robyn

Sponsored content provided by Resene

Bring some joy into your home with this rustic Christmas sign. Upcycle an old bit of wood – this one uses an old pallet – for that extra special feel.

Beach-inspired Christmas decorations

The base colour on this rustic ‘Joy’ sign is Resene Lonestar but you could use one of the Resene tonal blues from this beautiful Christmas theme.

Coastal Christmas Theme

You will need…

  • Resene FX Crackle effect – this causes the topcoat to shrink and crack, giving an aged look
  • Resene testpots in your choice of colours; Fleur used Resene Double Blanc and Resene Lonestar
  • Board – this is salvaged pine from an old pallet (45cm tall x 14cm at widest point).
  • Sandpaper, medium grit, paint brush, small piece of sponge
  • Printout of the word Joy
  • Sellotape

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1

Step 1

Prepare your board by sanding off any rough areas with medium grit sandpaper. Paint a light colour of your choice over your board (Fleur used Resene Double Blanc. For a more rustic look don’t go right to the edges, allowing some of the weathered timber to show.

Step two

Step 2

Once the paint has dried, paint on Resene FX Crackle effect over the painted area. Leave to dry for two hours.

Step three

Step 3

Cut out your Joy letters and use loops of sellotape to stick them to your board. Make sure the letters are evenly spaced and straight. Using a small piece of foam sponge, dab your chosen top colour over the letters, making sure to cover all the pale paint under it.

Step 4 - Rustic Christmas ‘Joy’ Sign

Step 4

Carefully remove the letters while the paint is still wet. If you want to give your finished piece a more aged and distressed look, lightly sand it all over with a medium grit sandpaper.

Step 5 - Rustic Christmas ‘Joy’ Sign

Step 5

For a multicolour effect to suit your seasonal theme, use 2-3 Resene testpot colours sponged over your base colour. Make sure your letters contrast well with the colours you are sponging on.

For more projects and colour inspiration visit Resene.co.nz. Styling and images by Fleur Thorpe, 2018.

Article provided by Resene. 

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Merry And Bright With A Coastal Christmas Theme

Posted on by Robyn

Sponsored content provided by Resene

With the hustle and bustle of Christmas being stressful for many of us, decorating your home in calming, tranquil blues will lend a serene feel – the ideal antidote for a busy time! It will also tie in with those sun-soaked beach days, sandy feet and long hours of sunshine.

Find your inner artist and create your own decorations this year. Crafting them is a festive fun project of its own, transforming your house into a summer wonderland with a shell Noel garland, shell gift tags, shell tree decorations, and shell name place settings.

Choose your tones

With blue tones often associated with the ocean and clear skies, it makes sense to embrace these beach-inspired hues at Christmas time in New Zealand. With festivities falling into our summer season, most of our time is spent at the beach so it’s natural to bring these blues of nature indoors when we’re celebrating.

Explore Resene’s tonal blues and create the perfect summery Christmas at your place.

Resene blue tones

Collecting shells

Wandering along the beach collecting shells is a lovely relaxing activity to enjoy as a break from the end-of-year frenzy. However, don’t forget that they are part of the coastal ecosystem – birds use them in nests and hermit crabs and other organisms use them as a home. With this in mind, collect only what you need and ensure that nothing is living inside.

Before you start crafting with your shells, soak them in water and give them a good scrub. If you can, leave them to soak for a few days, changing the water regularly, then leave them to dry in the sun.

How to make a shell Noel garland

How to make a shell Noel garland

You will need:

  • 4 large shells and 4 small shells
  • 2 Resene testpots in your colours plus white for lettering
  • Resene testpot brush
  • String or twine
  • Hot-glue gun and glue
  • Fine art paint brush

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Paint the four large shells in the same colour. Ours were painted in Resene Teal Blue.
  2. Paint the four small shells in the same colour. Ours were painted in Resene Kumutoto.
  3. Paint the letters ‘Noel’ onto the large shells in white paint using a very fine art paint brush.
  4. Cut a piece of string which is approximately 140 cm in length.
  5. Lay out shells onto string, first and last shell should be 20cm in from the end of the string. Shells should be approximately 15cm apart.
  6. Once you have worked out spacing, glue the shells to the string using a hot-glue gun.
  7. Leave shells to set for an hour before hanging garland up.

How to paint a shell name place setting

How to paint a shell name place setting

You will need:

  • Large smooth shells
  • Resene testpot in your chosen colour and white for lettering
  • Testpot brush

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Paint your smooth shells in your desired colour and leave to dry.
  2. Using a fine paintbrush, paint the person’s name onto the shell in white paint and leave to dry.
  3. Place named shell on table setting.

How to make shell Christmas decorations

How to make shell Christmas decorations

You will need:

  • A mix of sizes in shells
  • Resene testpots in desired colours
  • Testpot brushes
  • Hot-glue gun and glue
  • String (to make tree hangers)

How to make shell gift tags

You will need:

  • White cardboard
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch
  • String or twine
  • Ruler and pencil
  • Hot-glue gun and glue
  • Testpot brushes
  • Resene testpots in favourite colours

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Take a ruler and pencil and create a tag shape which is approximately 12cm in length and 6.5cm wide (use our image as a guide).
  2. Cut tag shape out with scissors and use as template to draw more tags onto your cardboard.
  3. Cut out tags and hole punch the end.
  4. Paint small shells in desired colours.
  5. Cut some twine which is 20cm in length, fold in half and loop through punched hole.
  6. Using a hot-glue gun glue the small shells onto the ends of the tags and leave to dry.
  7. Write message on back and tie to present.

Main image: Paint: Tongue-and-groove wall and floor in Resene Cut Glass, dining table in Resene Black White, bench seat in Resene Teal Blue, chair in Resene Wishlist, cabinets in Resene Kumutoto, large tray coffee table in Resene Teal Blue,, small tray table in Resene Foam, reindeer in Resene Ziggurat and Resene Scandal, star on tree in Resene Scandal, tealight holder in Resene Dauntless, mid-size round vase in Resene Scandal, coasters in Resene Norwester, small bowl in Resene Wishlist (on book stack), smallest round vase in Resene Hippie Blue, tall mid-size vase in Resene Wishlist, jumbo tall shaped vase, place mats and large bowl in Resene Teal Blue, wooden Christmas trees, large in Resene Teal Blue, small in Resene Ziggurat, rounded tall ceramic Christmas tree in Resene Scandal, faux books in Resene Teal Blue, and Resene Scandal and low flat large bowl in Resene Dauntless.

For more projects and colour inspiration visit Resene.co.nz.

Article provided by Resene. 

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Have You Seen Tomorrow? | Book Review

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Penguin Books

Have You Seen Tomorrow? is a beautiful, contemporary fable from the acclaimed Kyle Mewburn about gratitude, mindfulness and living in the present.

If only Rabbit could see all the wonderful things right under his nose today, instead of always looking forward to tomorrow!

“What are you looking for?” asked Wolf.
“I’m looking for tomorrow,” Rabbit sighed.
“But I’ve looked everywhere,
and it’s nowhere to be found.”

Will Rabbit’s friends help him to see what is wonderful about today before it’s too late?

By the award-winning author of Old Hu-Hu and with gorgeous, dreamy illustrations by the talented Laura Bee, Have You Seen Tomorrow? provides young readers with a deft exploration of the concept of yesterday, today and tomorrow, a satisfying ending and much food for thought. A beautiful story for children aged 3-7 to be read and reread.

Available online and in your local bookshop now!

Grab your copy of ‘Have You Seen Tomorrow?’

Have you seen tomorrow

Reader review: By Courtney (mum) and Luna (4 years)

We were so excited to be selected to review Have You Seen Tomorrow? by Kyle Mewburn. Upon opening the package, my first thought was of how stunning the cover art for this paperback book was. The book has been illustrated throughout by Laura Bee, who has done a fantastic job in aiding the story with beautiful colours and captivating art work.

The story is about a very cute Rabbit, who is feeling a bit blue and is eager to awaken on a new day that is full of excitement and happiness. When Rabbit wakes up to discover that ‘tomorrow’ is really just like any other day, he sets off on a journey to find where the happy ‘tomorrow’ that he desperately seeks has gone.

Have You Seen Tomorrow by Kyle Mewburn

Rabbits’ journey takes him on an interesting adventure where he comes across a few companions (and a wolf who possibly fancies Rabbit as a meal rather than helping his quest!) who are happy to help him find his ‘tomorrow’.

Rabbit soon realises that maybe what he was searching for wasn’t a new place or a new day, but actually a nice group of friends to share in laughter and happiness together. This is such a lovely and important message for children to take from this well thought out book. To teach our children that it’s ok to have sad days, and that being surrounded by loved ones can bring us happiness and friendship, is a special theme to create a book around.

My daughter really enjoyed this book. She loved looking at the pictures and different animals on each page. In her own words: “I like this book. I felt scared for Rabbit when the Wolf came but I’m happy Rabbit went back to his friends and felt happy. I want to read it again!”

This will definitely be a favourite book for our family.

Have You Seen Tomorrow by Kyle Mewburn

Have You Seen Tomorrow by Kyle Mewburn

Have You Seen Tomorrow by Kyle Mewburn book review

Colourful fun

Have You Seen Tomorrow

Colour in Rabbit and friends and help Rabbit discover that today is wonderful.

Download now

Don’t forget to visit Puffin Books for more great kids’ titles.

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12 Poem Starters Inspired By Roar Squeak Purr – A New Zealand Treasury Of Animal Poems

Posted on by Robyn

Roar Squeak Purr is an exuberant treasury of over 200 animal poems by New Zealand’s best writers, many of them children. Now you can create your own poems with these 12 amazing poem starters, designed to inspire a new generation of poets.

Available online and in your local book shop now!

Star New Zealand poet Paula Green has teamed up with illustrator Jenny Cooper and collated a marvellous menagerie of animal poems to show just how fun poetry can be. In between the covers of this book, you will meet creatures large and small. They might pad, skitter, swoosh or soar. They could be fuzzy, feathery, suckery, scaly or spiky. These animals might ROAR or squeak or Purrrrrrrrrr. Just like the animals they’re about, these poems come in all shapes and sizes! They tell stories, pose questions, make us feel things – and they all make glorious music.

Find out more about the book

Now the cheeky, whimsical animals have put together an amazing poem inspiration sheet. Download it below  ⬇️

Roar Squeak Purr

Roar Squeak Purr A New Zealand Treasury of Animal Poems

pre-order YOUR COPY Of ROAR SQUEAK PURR

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Roar Squeak Purr – A New Zealand Treasury of Animal Poems | Book Review

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Penguin Books

A marvellous menagerie of more than 200 animal poems by Aotearoa’s best writers, Roar Squeak Purr shows just how fun poetry can be and is sure to inspire a new generation of poets.

In between the covers of this book, you will meet creatures large and small. They might pad, skitter, swoosh or soar. They could be fuzzy, feathery, suckery, scaly or spiky. These animals might ROAR or squeak or Purrrrrrrrrr. Just like the animals they’re about, these poems come in all shapes and sizes! They tell stories, pose questions, make us feel things – and they all make glorious music.

If your kids think poetry isn’t for them, Roar Squeak Purr will cure that thought forever! This exuberant treasury brings together over 200 animal poems by New Zealand’s best writers, many of them written by children.

The poems were selected and edited by champion poet Paula Green, winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for Poetry and creator of the popular Poetry Box blog, and have been teamed with Jenny Cooper’s cheeky, whimsical and adorable illustrations.

Roar Squeak Purr is destined to be a family treasure – and to inspire a new generation of poets.

Available online and in your local book shop now!

Grab your copy of Roar Squeak Purr

Reader review: Hannah

Our family was lucky enough to get the opportunity to review the book Roar Squeak Purr – A New Zealand Treasury of Animal Poems for Kidspot NZ.

Our children’s ages are 8, 7, and 2 (almost 3). Books have always been a huge part of our daily routine since our kids were babies as well as being a way for us to self regulate and unwind especially our 8 year old son who’s autistic.

Roar Squeak Purr catered to all members of our family. The book was beautifully illustrated which kept our 2 year old’s attention, when sometimes she just wants to look at the picture, whilst many of the poems are at an age range / ability for our 8 and 7 year old to read.

Roar Squeak Purr

Roar Squeak Purr

I personally loved the range of different authors for the poems from familiar authors of books we have at home to poems written by children. The special addition of children’s ages near their poems really grabbed our older children’s attention and made them relate more to the book. As well as our 8 and 7 year old being excited to read the selection of cat poems, having a family cat of our own.

We loved that you could read as many or as little as you wanted at a time and the poems had a selection of sizes and so it kept the kids interested.

Sometimes they’d request me to read the longer poems if we’d read a few, but being a range of sizes with many beautiful illustrations I found it kept them wanting to come back and attempt reading some themselves – especially our autistic son who’s always loved books to self regulate but sometimes large words / paragraphs would put him off so the variety was perfect.

Roar Squeak Purr

Roar Squeak Purr

Animal poetry

We also loved that the book was grouped into 3 selections of Animal Poems being Water, Land and Air, which added a conversational topic outside of the book where the kids were guessing what animals could be in each. Also many of the poems having facts about animals had us talking as a family about other facts we knew or ones we loved learning. We loved the variety of poems about so many animals as each child was very excited to see there favourites being included in the book.

All in all if you have young readers, poem lovers or children interested in animals I would definitely recommend Roar, Squeak, Purr to add to your book collection. It brought our family together reading but also having wonderful topics to talk about that carried on outside of reading the book. The illustrations are stunning to look at and the book provides a great range for many age groups. Thank you for the opportunity to review this beautiful New Zealand Poem book, Roar Squeak Purr.

Roar Squeak Purr

Roar Squeak Purr

12 poem starters

12 Poem starters inspired by Roar Squeak Purr

Getting inspiration for a poem is easy with these great starter ideas. Choose an animal or invent one, use a poem title from Roar Squeak Purr, or a line from one of the poems … plus heaps of other inspo!

Now you can create your own poems with these 12 amazing poem starters.

Be inspired

Don’t forget to visit Puffin Books for more great kids’ titles.

See more books:

Product Review | Tone Down Tech’s AGM M6

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Tone Down Tech

At some stage, you’re likely to be grappling with when to get your child a mobile phone and what phone to get. Mum Katie and Ella (9) took the AGM M6 – Tone Down Tech’s ‘dumb’ phone – for a test run to see if it was the ideal first phone for Ella.

Find out here what they thought.

Devices and screens

Some recent studies on raising healthy kids show that the best mental health and cognitive outcomes are in teens who do one hour of physical activity each day, sleep eight to 10 hours a day, and use screens recreationally for less than two hours a day.1 Other studies show a correlation between increased screen time use and behavioural issues.2

The portability of a smartphone means that this is one of the most commonly used screens. So that’s why Tone Down Tech is delighted to offer the AGM M6 phone to the market.

AGM M6 phone

This little beauty has all the features that you want in a phone for your child, without the anxiety-inducing stuff!

First up, it’s tough! Waterproof, dustproof, and smashproof, making it the ideal phone for kids who are often on the go or leaving their belongings lying around (insert parent eye roll!).

It has an extra-long battery life and, in most cases, only needs to be charged once a week making it ideal to pop in the school bag on a Sunday night and charge it the next weekend.

Katie and Ella review the AGM M6

Ella and the AGM M6

I’m sure most parents have been asked the, “When can I have my own phone?” question. I have most certainly been asked a number of times by my nine-year-old. However for a number of reasons to date we had not let her have a phone.

The first was her age. Secondly, because we didn’t want her to be able to access social media unsupervised. In addition, we don’t want her exposed to inappropriate content and finally, she still needs to learn the value of expensive fragile items. I’m not prepared to spend the money on a smartphone for her when she can’t even remember where she has put her drink bottle! But we want her to always be able to contact me in case of an emergency or just to say, “I love you Mum”. 

This meant when Tone Down Tech offered one of their AGM M6 phones to try we jumped at the chance.

Old school

This phone takes me back to my teenage years! It looks like the classic, indestructible Nokia phone – when took it out the box to see it, both my husband and I had a great big laugh.

Why is the AGM Kids phone good for kids? Well, it does what a mobile phone was originally designed to do – you can call and text on it and this one has a few wee bonus features such as a torch, FM radio player, and camera. Like its predecessor, it’s also drop-proof and waterproof and so perfect for children. The battery life is incredible too – it’s been two weeks since we got the AGM M6 and we still have not had to charge it. This means it can hang out in her bag, ready for action whenever the need arises and not left sitting on the bench charging.

Keeping in touch

My daughter is starting rehearsals for a play she will be in next year so this phone is the perfect way for her to stay in touch with me if she finishes early or needs me to bring her something or even if she is feeling ill on show nights and I need to fetch her (backstage can be frantic so the parent helpers on that day may not be able to call us).

In addition, it has turned out to be useful in other situations for us. The other day we were stuck in traffic, and I needed to call my husband to ask him to start cooking dinner. Normally I would just pass my phone back to her, which probably isn’t the safest thing to do but this time she was able to just grab her phone and call her Dad. She felt pretty proud too!

We have saved our phone numbers and her grandparents’ numbers in the phone and she knows not to answer the phone unless one of our names shows up. She now has the freedom to call without having to use someone else’s phone.

I also think it would be great if her friends had one of these phones. I remember spending hours on the phone to my friends after school which most kids can’t do these days as very few people have landlines.

Ella’s thoughts

What does Ella think of the phone? Well the look on her face when she opened it was priceless! It was not at all what she was expecting, she looked very confused and asked, “How am I supposed to text with numbers?”

It took a while but I’m happy to say she has learnt how to text the old-fashioned way (plus it’s great for her spelling!). She wasn’t at all disappointed that it wasn’t a smartphone, and she didn’t have access to all the apps (that is what her iPad is for). In fact, the phone has made her feel quite grown up and responsible.

There’s one other thing she really loves – playing the installed music as the back lights up like a disco ball!

Kaite and Ella

The price

At just $155, and with free delivery, the AGM M6 really is the best, rugged, old-school phone on the market. Plus, use discount code KSM6-10 at checkout and you will receive 10% off the AGM M6!

GRAB YOUR AGM M6 NOW

1 apa.org/monitor/2020/04/cover-kids-screens
2 psychcentral.com/

Katie was provided with an AGM M6 phone for the purposes of the review. Views are those of the reviewer.

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Kids Room Storage Doesn’t Have To Be Boring: Fun Ideas Parents & Kids Will Love

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Mocka

If your kids are anything like ours, there are toys everywhere, clothes hanging out of drawers, and little pockets of chaos, usually extending out of their bedrooms and all over the house!  

We wouldn’t have it any other way, but for the times when you would like a little more organisation, creative storage is going to be your new best friend. 

Mocka is here to give us their top tips on making storage fun with these ideas and solutions everyone will love.

Opt for innovative solutions

Mocka Willow Pear Shaped Hanging Storage Basket - Large

Storage options that are a little less ordinary and creative can help make tidying up a fun activity for your kids.

Whether that means using colourful, storage boxes with interesting prints or stylish hanging baskets – try to think a bit differently about what storage could look like. This can also be helpful if you have limited space to work with.

Keep your child’s perspective in mind

When adding storage, make sure it’s accessible and easy to use for your child.

Keep shelving at their height, make sure they can easily open and close doors and drawers, and for items they frequently use (such as stationery, building blocks and figurines), focus on storing them in smaller, easy-to-carry options so they can move them around conveniently.

Add creative shelving

Mocka Small Book Rack

When adding shelving, consider the requirements throughout the room – it doesn’t just have to be for books or decorative items.

Try creating a book nook with shelving set at different heights for an interesting feature. It will make all book titles easily visible so little hands can find exactly what they’re looking for. A small book rack beside a bed or desk can also provide extra storage space for nighttime needs or bedtime stories.

You could also think about shelving for shoes at a lower height on a wall for children to access (or on the inside of wardrobe doors).

Make it personal

This can be especially helpful when young children are sharing a room. Opt for plain storage boxes or baskets, and then let children add their own personal touch to them.

You could use non-toxic paints, fabric pens, stickers or wrapping paper to help your child add their own personal touch to their storage. This is also a great way to minimize sibling disagreements.

Go for dual-purpose storage

Juno bookshelf and toy organiser

Furniture that provides a dual purpose is great in smaller spaces but can also help encourage children to keep their rooms clutter-free.

The Isak table and chairs set is a great example, featuring a small table, two chairs and drawers for books or crafts items. The Juno bookshelf and toy organiser is another fantastic option that offers excellent functionality to store multiple items and still be accessible for your child.

Make sure everything has a place

One of the key things when it comes to successful storage in a kid’s room is to make sure everything has a place and purpose. From pens and pencils to clothing and shoes – there’s a chance to teach your child that everything having a place is not only fun but helps them know where to find the things they want when they need them.

Styling your kid’s room has never been easier with Mocka! For more storage options and ideas to suit every aesthetic and budget, head to the Mocka website today.

Vist Mocka.co.nz

Written with information supplied by Mocka

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Product Review | Cricut Maker® 3, Cricut BrightPad™ Go & Cricut Card Mat™ 2 x 2

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Harvey Norman and Cricut

For those who love crafting at home, Cricut is synonymous with the ability to make do-it-yourself projects beautiful, fun, and easy.

Cricut and Harvey Norman have recently announced a new retail partnership that will bring Cricut products, including the existing range as well as new innovations, to a growing community of New Zealand creators and aspiring makers alike.

Harvey Norman stores across New Zealand will provide access to a great range of Cricut smart cutting machines that work with an easy-to-use app to help you design and personalise almost anything – custom cards, unique apparel, everyday items, and so much more.

Katie, our resident Kidspot creator was given a Cricut Maker® 3, Cricut BrightPad™ Go and Cricut Card Mat™ 2×2 to test out her creative skills on. She shares with us her thoughts.

Introducing Cricut

All about the Cricut products Katie used

Cricut maker 3

Cricut Maker® 3 – Quickly and accurately cuts 300+ materials from delicate paper and fabric to tougher stuff like matboard, leather, and balsa wood and has a wide range of tools for cutting, scoring, writing and adding decorative effects.

Cricut BrightPad Go

Cricut BrightPad™ Go – Illuminates hard-to-see cut lines for faster, more accurate weeding of vinyl and heat-transfer projects.

Cricut mat 2x2

Cricut Card Mat™ 2×2 – Reusable mat that allows you to cut up to 4 unique cards at once

New Cricut products in NZ!

I have been using a Cricut machine now for a while and I have become totally addicted to it! There is so much you can do and if you need inspiration there are several Facebook groups you can join. These groups have been great for me since I started my Cricut journey. The only downside was seeing all the amazing Cricut products that are available overseas that we cannot get here in New Zealand – until now!

I was super excited when I heard that Harvey Norman will now be stocking Cricut machines and materials, especially the Cricut BrightPad Go and the new 2×2 Card Mat, both of which are exclusive to Harvey Norman, along with an enormous range of Cricut tools, accessories, and materials.

In conjunction with Harvey Norman, I was extremally lucky to try the Cricut flagship machine the Maker 3, a BrightPad Go and the 2×2 Card Mat.

The Maker 3 is compatible with 13 tools. You can write, draw, and cut 300+ materials with your Maker 3. So far, I have only used cardboard and vinyl, but I look forward to trying some different materials. The BrightPad Go is a cordless light pad that has five different brightness settings up to 4000 lumens. This is a game changer when it comes to weeding all your vinyl projects. The new 2×2 Card Mat allows you to make four cards at once using pre-folded cards.

”https://kidspotnz.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/kidspotnz/Monique/Robyn/20220828_110413.mp4″

Party time

Ella and cricut

My nearly 9-year-old (Ella) and I have been enjoying the evenings together using the Maker 3 and all the amazing Cricut products to create amazing decorations and props for her upcoming birthday party.

First Ella designed four invitations for her friends using the Cricut Design Space software. as well as Cricut’s pre-folded insert cards, Cricut pens, the new Cricut 2×2 Card Mat and the Maker 3. When you slot your pre-folded card into the Card Mat it provides a protective layer which means you can cut designs on the front of your card while the back remains untouched. If you do not have Cricut’s pre-folded cards you can easily create your own in Design Space to use with the 2×2 Card Mat. The Card Mat also works perfectly with the cut-away cards, as inside the card there’s an adhesive patch that you can stick your insert to. You then weed the excess material which leaves you with a professional-looking card.

Cricut creations

Party bags

One thing I have always tried to avoid when it comes to party bags is the cheap plastic toys that I know will be lost or thrown away within a couple of weeks. This year we have decided to swap the traditional party bags with personalised tote bags, coasters and drinking cups.

Ella designed the coasters in Design Space using the monogram feature. She made a unique design for each party guest.

For the coasters, we used Cricut’s infusible ink (this was a first for me) so rather than the ink sitting on top of the material, it’s infused (soaked) meaning your beautiful creations will look great for a long time. Harvey Norman stocks a huge range of beautiful infusible inks. I just know Ella’s friends are going to love the thought and effort she has put into each coaster.

I made the drinking cups using Cricut’s smart vinyl. With this product, you don’t need to use a mat which makes the project so much faster and helps save material (and therefore expense). Harvey Norman has a massive range of smart vinyl so you’re bound to find the colour you need for your next project.

Cricut creations

I also so made a cute little string bag for each guest. I decided to use a patterned vinyl on this and could not see where the image had been cut once the Cricut had worked its magic but the Cricut BrightPad Go came to my rescue! After placing my vinyl on the pad and turning it on I could easily see where the image was cut and where I needed to weed my design. This is truly a game changer and a must-have item for your craft room.

Katie and Ella

I loved using these amazing Cricut products. Being creative is incredibly rewarding and we loved how high quality our projects were. Pop into your local Harvey Norman store to get your Cricut machine today.

Katie was provided with Cricut products from Harvey Norman for the purpose of this review. All views are those of the reviewer.

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Movie Review | Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Posted on by Robyn

Promotion for Sony Pictures

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, a delightful live-action / CGI musical comedy based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber, will be in New Zealand cinemas from 6th October 2022.

Amy, a serious movie buff, was invited to a preview of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. She took along five kids from 5 years old to teenagers and shares with us what they all thought.

Introducing Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

When the Primm family moves to New York City, their young son Josh struggles to adapt to his new school and new friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle – a singing crocodile (Shawn Mendes) who loves baths, caviar and great music – living in the attic of his new home.

The two become fast friends, but when Lyle’s existence is threatened by evil neighbour Mr Grumps, the Primm’s must band together with Lyle’s charismatic owner, Hector P. Valenti, to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places – and there’s nothing wrong with a big singing crocodile with an even bigger personality. 

Amy’s review

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day and I had to literally drag my five along to watch what they thought was a ‘little kids’ movie (my three boys, aged 14, 9, and 5, plus a few extra teens). After some bribery and a few choice words, I got them to the preview of the Lyle Lyle Crocodile movie (based on the cult book by Bernard Waber, first published in 1965). And by jeez were we surprised!

The first comment from Mr 9 was ‘oh is this a real movie’ … from the poster they thought that it was a cartoon … and then my excitement was to see that it was set in my favourite city – NEW YORK!!!

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

The surprise and delight didn’t stop there. The movie was packed with so much hilarity, laughing at Hector P. Valenti, the mad performer that would sell his grandma to make a buck (or in this case poor little crocodile Lyle). All of the kids actually cried when Lyle was taken away … yes, even the 14-year-olds who then were laughing about the fact they were crying about a make-believe crocodile.

Make a family connection

Lyle is so believable and charming as a character (you won’t believe it till you see it), you even get caught up in the enchantment. So much so, that when he sings, you really believe in him (the voice by Shawn Mendes is dreamy). The friendship and bond between Lyle and Josh (Winslow Fegley) helps Josh build confidence navigating New York City and his new school.

When his stepmom (Constance Wu) connects with the two of them, her identity as a step-mum, wife and professional is all questioned and re-evaluated. This is where I really connected to the movie and Lyle as a ‘joy bringer’. Tell ya, I really got the feels and was so glad I had spent the day with my boys at the movies together!

This is a real ‘family connection’ movie. DO NOT miss out by dropping the kids off while you go shopping. Go with the whole family, grab a couch and connect. Laugh and cry together. This is not just ‘another movie’ – it is filled with surprise and delight, emotions and so many important messages of love, honour, what makes up a family; and even some great messages in there for dads (stop being a serious grumpy old guy and have fun) – let go of control and just ENJOY THE MOMENT!

Thank me later,

Amy (serious movie buff)

Click here to find out more about Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

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Parents Tell: Extra Essentials For Your Hospital Bag

Posted on by Robyn

At around 34 weeks pregnant it’s time to start thinking about packing your bag for the hospital. We asked Kidspot parents what their absolute extra must-haves were for their time in hospital.

Even if you’re planning a home birth, having a bag packed and ready to go is a great idea, just in case.

Named chargers or power banks

You’re going to want to have your phone and other devices fully charged and ready to go so ensuring you definitely have these packed is essential. If you have spare cables and plugs pop them in the bag right now! If you don’t have spares consider charging up a grunty power bank. At the very least, leave a big note on top of the bag reminding you to put them in before you leave!

Wipes

Welcome to the world of wipes. If you haven’t already discovered the joys of these, you’re in for a treat! Pop some in your bag for the hospital and we promise you will find many uses for them there – perfect for a face and body refresh during labour, that sticky meconium when your precious baby arrives, tears, spills, and so much more.

While you’re at it, stock up on packs for your baby bag, in the car, in the nursery, the living room ….

Your own pillow

If you have a pillow at home that is your absolute fave it’s a great idea to take it with you to the hospital. It might feel like a bit of a hassle but the hospital pillows have plastic covers and can get hot and crinkly. You will be full of adrenalin and will find it difficult to drift off to sleep so having your own faithful pillow can help comfort and relax you.

Ear plugs

The saying ‘sleep when baby sleeps’ is never more true than in those first few hours.  Some ear plugs to help block the usual hospital noises are essential, especially during the day.

Comfy undies

Even though you’ve had your baby, you’ll be left with a jelly belly for a while. That, and the post-birth discharge, means it’s time for some comfy undies that can easily host large pads. Another option is the maternity version of the washable period undies.

Written by Kidspot NZ

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Kidspot New Zealand is all about simplifying the search for kid related fun, activities, sports and related trappings. It makes it fast and easy for kids and their parents to identify things and places of interest leaving more time for all to enjoy!

Please contact us with new ideas and suggestions on how to make this a reality for you and your family.

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