How to Make Winter Magical for Children

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The winter holidays can be much more than just a break. It can provide the perfect opportunity to create truly magical moments for your little ones. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you need to stay indoors. In fact, UK families are increasingly seeking unique winter experiences at home and further afield,
including snowy and festive adventures. 

However, planning these kinds of trips or activities can be a little stressful, as it can be difficult to know what exactly to do. This post will show you how to make winter a magical experience for your kids.

Christmas Gift Guide for Kids 2025!

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There’s nothing quite like the magic of Christmas, right? There is just something in the air around Christmas time that makes everything feel more magical, and nothing more so than on Christmas morning. The rustle of wrapping paper, the sparkle in children’s eyes, and the joy of giving a gift that feels just right. If you’re hunting for the perfect present this year, you’re in the right place. This Christmas gift guide for kids is packed with fun, creative, and genuinely exciting ideas to help you take the guesswork out of shopping. 

Whether you’re after something crafty, cuddly, high-energy, or totally unique, consider this your go-to list for gifts that will be remembered long after the decorations come down. Let’s make this Christmas feel as magical as the ones you remember from childhood.

UNO Extreme Card Game

Get ready for card-game chaos with this turbo-charged version of UNO. The launcher pops cards high with lights and sounds, building up suspense as players slash through their hands. Ideal for kids 7+ (and grown-ups too), it’s fast, frantic fun for family game nights. Great if you want a lively stocking filler that’s equal parts laughter and surprise.

Hasbro Guess Who? Board Game

A brilliant modern twist on a timeless classic. Kids (and parents) take turns asking yes/no questions to guess each other’s mystery character, a fun way to test observation and deduction skills. Compact, easy to set up and suitable for around 6 years up, it’s a lovely gift for siblings, cousins or holiday downtime that brings generations together.

Simbrix Disney Stitch Feature Pack

For the creative child, this Simbrix set transforms playtime into a pixel-art adventure. With 2,250+ interlocking brix and supplies to build a 3D display featuring Stitch (and pals), it encourages fine motor skills, creativity and imagination. No glue, iron or water required, just click, build, and rebuild endlessly. Lovely for kids who love to craft, build or display their own art.

Hasbro Classic Operation Electronic Board Game

Inject a dose of giggles and gentle suspense into Christmas morning with this iconic electronic game. Kids aged 6+ get to play “doctor”, carefully removing wacky ailments from “patients” without triggering the buzzer, perfect for improving hand-eye coordination and focus. A great choice for families wanting a silly, hands-on game night with plenty of laughs.

John Adams Doctor Squish Squishy Maker

For imaginative, crafty kids, or anyone who loves slime and sensory toys, this kit lets them make their own squishies from scratch. It comes with everything needed to create up to 8 squishies: perfect for experimenting, gifting to friends, or just relaxing with squishy, satisfying play. A fun, hands-on gift for slightly older kids (8+), especially those who love DIY or creative sensory play.

Kids Instant Print Digital Camera

This kids’ digital camera, capable of snapping photos and printing them instantly, is an excellent choice for creative, curious kids who love documenting their world. It’s perfect for family holidays, days out, or just capturing everyday moments. A gift like this gives them a sense of independence and creativity, and the instant-print feature makes the results tangible: photos they can hold, display or share.

Little Live Pets My Really Real Puppy Patches The Beagle

This interactive “puppy” is as close to the real thing, without the vet bills! With incredibly soft fur, blinking eyes, and over 60 real-like reactions (from sniffing and licking to feeding and napping), Patches turns cuddly play into something magical. He even comes with a carrier that doubles as a bed. Perfect for kids who dream of a pet but aren’t ready for real responsibilities, and a heart-warming surprise under the tree.

Baker Ross Wooden Bug Hotel Kits

A brilliant choice for kids who love nature and mini adventures, this wooden bug-hotel kit gives them the chance to build a cosy little home for garden critters or insects. It’s a hands-on project that mixes creativity with a bit of wildlife education, ideal for curious kids who like to explore outdoors. As a gift, it’s thoughtful and unusual, perfect for those who already have plenty of toys but could benefit from something that connects them to nature.

Baker Ross Heart Charm Bracelet Kits

Fun, colourful and full of creative promise, this bracelet kit lets kids design their own charm bracelets, a lovely little keepsake or gift they can proudly wear or share. Great for anywhere from sibling gifts to stocking fillers, it encourages fine motor skills and personal expression while keeping things simple and mess-free. It’s a top pick if you’re after an affordable, cheerful gift for craft-loving kids.

Baker Ross Pastel Candle Making Kit

A dreamy, hands-on activity for older children (and families), this set lets children mould soft wax into pastel-coloured candles of their own design, shaping and crafting as they go. It’s perfect for rainy afternoons, crafty mornings, or creative group activities, and the result is something that feels grown-up and unique. If you want a gift that combines creativity, calm concentration, and a bit of homey warmth, this candle-making kit delivers.

(These are just a few of the kits available at Baker Ross. They have a whole wide range of craft kits and crafting supplies you want to add extras, from wooden 3D builds to bracelet kits and decorative sets, so you can easily mix & match fun crafts for a whole creative hamper.)

So Slime Go Gooey Snails Slime Race Set

This set brings slime and a bit of friendly competition to the Christmas list. Kids load slime into the slides, pop the colourful snail racers on top, and watch them slide or squeeze them to leave a gooey slime trail. It’s silly, sensorial fun that’s ideal for slime-lovers aged around 5+. Great for laughter and messy play, especially for children who love tactile toys and unpredictable results.

So Slime Sensations Sugary Crush Street Food

This slime kit turns playtime into a mini “street-food” adventure: kids can craft pretend pizzas, tacos or burgers out of mouldable slime compounds,  decorate them, snap a photo of their creations, then crush them into stretchy, squishy slime for an extra sensory payoff. It’s perfect for creative kids aged 6+, and a fun gift if you want something a bit different from dolls or action figures. It hits the sweet spot between craft activity and slime-sensory fun. 

Style 4 Ever Mini Beauty Surprise Bag

A cute little goody bag of beauty treats,  perfect as a small stocking filler or add-on gift. Ideal for kids who enjoy playing dress-up, experimenting with colours, or pretending to do a spa day, it delivers a little surprise and excitement without costing too much. A handy “just-because” or stocking filler gift that adds a bit of sparkle under the tree. There are 6 different sets to collect. 

Studio Creator Video Maker Kit White Edition

Bursting with creative potential, this all-in-one video-maker kit is ideal for kids (and tweens) who love to film, act, vlog, or just have fun with video. It includes a sturdy tripod, a phone holder, a bright LED ring light with 12 colour modes, plus a large green-screen backdrop to let your imagination run riot with backgrounds and special effects. Whether they’re crafting silly clips for TikTok, filming a school project, or simply experimenting with lighting and scenes, this kit gives them a full mini “studio at home.” Perfect as a gift if you want to encourage creativity, screenwriting, storytelling, or just some social media-style fun under the tree

Christmas has a way of bringing out the child in all of us, the cosy lights, the familiar songs, and the excitement of finding gifts that make little faces light up. I hope this guide has sparked some inspiration and helped you discover something special for the children in your life. I’d love to know what your own kids are wishing for this Christmas, pop a comment below and share what’s at the top of their list this year!

xXx

Planning a Family-Friendly Campervan Trip

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It is hard to beat a family campervan trip if you love adventure, the outdoors and visiting somewhere new. These trips can provide a real sense of adventure, freedom, and privacy that can be hard to find with other types of trips, not to mention they can be much cheaper than an overseas holiday. 

Planning is key to a fun, safe, and memorable trip, so this post will guide you through a few of the main areas to focus on when preparing for your family campervan adventure.

Special Ways to Honour a Loved One Who Has Passed

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The loss of a loved one often leaves an aching silence in our lives, a space filled with memories, questions, and emotions that can feel overwhelming. During these tender moments of grief, finding meaningful ways to honour their memory can provide comfort, grounding, and a sense of continued connection and can help with the grieving process for those involved.

Although everyone’s experience of loss is deeply personal, there are gentle and heartfelt ways to remember someone you’ve loved, ways that can bring both solace and strength as you navigate life without them.

Why Costa Blanca is Perfect for Multigenerational Travel

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Trying to decide on a holiday destination can be a difficult task in itself, but getting three generations to agree on a holiday destination is never simple. You need reliable sunshine for the grandparents and plenty of activities to keep children happy (while keeping logistics relatively stress-free for the parents). Balancing different needs and trying to ensure everyone gets the holiday they want, often leads to compromises that satisfy no one, but what if I told you it doesn't have to?

The Costa Blanca offers an ideal combination of sunshine and variety, removing the usual stress of group travel. With flexible accommodation, accessible beaches, simple activities, and effortless transport connections, the region delivers a memorable break for every age.

How to Upgrade Your Home For Smarter Living

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‘Smart’ has been the operative word in tech industries for over a decade now, but it is fast creeping into our everyday lives, homes, and the way we live, too. We all live our day-to-day lives with a smartphone in our pockets, and now smart tech is a de facto standard for the modern home. Indeed, our lives are becoming increasingly dependent on smart technologies to make them easier and more convenient. , Whether that's for streaming entertainment, enabling work-from-home arrangements, or simply receiving online shopping straight to our doors.

This natural progression of tech-infused living is something that we, as households, can lean into and use to our advantage to make life easier, quicker, and more convenient for us. Even small upgrades to existing home technology can make a huge difference to the running of your home, but how? And what changes should you consider for a smarter way of living?

5 Home Upgrades You May Not Have Considered Yet

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Home upgrades are a great way to bolster the kerb appeal, and therefore the value, of your property. Not only that but they’ll also improve your quality of life while you’re living in it, which is more than can be said for a monthly deposit into an ISA. Lets face it when you buy a home you want to feel comfy in your home and adding those touches to make it personal to you are the perfect way to do just that. Turning bricks and mortar into a home. 

You might be wondering exactly which upgrades are worth looking at. Or perhaps you might be thinking of a new bathroom or a kitchen first, as these seem to be the areas that add most value. But beyond these obvious choices, there are other highly effective upgrades. 

How to Create a Feeling of Home After Family Changes

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Major family transitions often leave you feeling displaced, even in familiar surroundings. Rooms that once brought comfort may suddenly feel like reminders of what's changed, creating a strange sense of living somewhere that no longer quite fits. Reclaiming that feeling of belonging and security in your space requires intentional effort, but achievable steps can help you rebuild a genuine sense of home. 

Whilst that will inevitably take time, here are some steps to help you start that journey.