Lifestyle

The summer holidays are here, and that can mean weeks of trying to meet cries of “I’m bored!” with inspired suggestions. But the best ideas don't have to be expensive, and don't take hours of preparation - all you really need is some felt, fabric, card and their imagination. We asked two designers on Folksy.com who specialise in crafts for kids to share their super simple tips for unplugging children from screens and getting them crafting. Ruth Bagnall, A is...

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent Music is the most powerful memory generator among Brits – with two thirds of us believing that it evokes more memories than the smell of mum’s cooking, the taste of school dinners and toys we played with when we were young. New research to mark the launch of the Nick Jr. Sing-Along Summer reveals that nine in 10 UK adults say music they enjoyed during childhood evokes strong positive memories, taking them back to happy...

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent Eating on the tube is generally frowned upon, but when you unpack a full breakfast unit onto your lap tube etiquette sort of goes out of the window. New footage has emerged of a commuter eating cereal on the tube in the most spectacular possible fashion. Entering the carriage with what appeared to be a regular briefcase, the passenger unfolded a breakfast eating device equipped with a fridge to supply cold milk, hidden side compartments to store...

By Sarah Beeson MBE, Health Visitor and Author After four decades working with babies, children and their families as a nurse and health visitor, I can honestly say that this is the best generation of parents there has ever been. One of the biggest reasons is that mums and dads work as a team; putting their Little One’s needs at the centre of family life. Today’s parents often intuitively meet the needs of their baby in a natural way. Even...

By Tracey Taylor, British Red Cross First Aid Spokesman Being a parent means you never quite know what’s around the corner. Children are naturally inquisitive which means lots of exploring and discovering is normal. Of course with that comes the inevitable little bumps, bangs, trips and tumbles. While most of the time that quivering bottom lip can be vanquished with a hug and appearance of their favourite cuddly toy, it’s always important to have a little first aid know-how. That...

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent  The iconic Asda 'pocket tap' ad has appeared on screens after a lengthy absence to celebrate the supermarket's 50th anniversary. The commercial first appeared in 1977 and over the years featured celebrities like Carry On legend Hattie Jacques, actress Julie Walters and former England football star Michael Owen. Indeed, the pocket tap became so associated with Asda that the Royal Association for Deaf People adopted it as sign language for the supermarket. To mark the...

By Jasmine Stephens, family editor Learning to swim is one of those critical childhood rights of passage. Like riding a bike and learning to read it opens up a whole new world of memorable experiences from holiday pools to super-fast flumes to ice-cold lakes. Not only that, swimming is a fantastic way to stay fit at any age and of course it's a skill that could one day save your life. The National Curriculum requires Primary schools to teach children...

By Mike Wragg Take one house, bought 15 years ago by David and Claire when their girls were just off to senior school and Claire’s parents lived nearby to help with childcare. Fast forward to now, with university done and dusted, elder daughter Sophie lives and works in Europe, but 22-year-old Rebecca has just arrived back home with a degree in hand and is struggling to find anywhere to rent, let alone buy. In the meantime, Claire’s parents have become...

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent  New research has found Brits throw away a massive £22,000 worth of items in their lifetime. A poll of 2,000 adults found that an average 59 non-perishable items are flung out or given away every year despite being in good working order. The lifetime figure includes nearly £3,500 worth of clothes and more than £2,000 worth of electrical goods. Non-perishable items commonly flung from the house included CDs and DVDs, clothes that no longer appeal...