The Professor at Just So Festival
One of our Scrubbington's Family went to Just So Festival and has written a lovely review that we wanted to share.....
With slight trepidation and my husband unavoidably detained at work, I embarked on my first solo festival experience with my 6 year old son, Bryn. However my fears were groundless as the Just So Festival at Rode Hall, Cheshire, proved to be the perfect introduction to family festivalling.
Aimed at families with children under the age of 10, Just So Festival had the feel of a huge village fete with craft, storytelling by the fire, live music, circus workshops and a baby area and not a Cbeebies star in sight.
A sense of nostalgia is evoked with bunting everywhere and brightly coloured wooden signs directing you to The Spellbound Forest, Footlights, The Forgotten Courtyard and The Village Green. Not too large, with different elements to explore, woods, fields, food stalls and courtyards, each part of the festival had it’s own identity.
One of the major elements of The Just So Festival is dressing up. Before arriving, you decide which tribe you want to join, owls, fish, stags, foxes, frogs, lions or bees and throughout the weekend there is an element of competition leading to the tribal tournament. The costumes were amazing and some families must have spent all year planning them.
Having heard horror stories of festival toilets, one thing I was dreading was the toilets and washing facilities on site. I was pleasantly surprised; there were a good amount of toilets regularly cleaned and topped up with paper. Armed with Professor Scrubbington’s Magically Foaming Hand and Face wash, we were quickly in and out, with hands that didn’t smell like chemical toilets.
The showers were a little grassy by the time we got there, but the water was hot and there was space to hang clothes off the floor and for Bryn and me to shower. Bryn loves Professor Scrubbington’s Magically Foaming Hair and Body Wash, the bottle is easy to handle and just right for smaller hands to master and because it is already foaming, there is less time taken on lathering - a bonus when there is a queue waiting outside!
Scrubbed clean, we were ready to dance the night away. All the bands at the festival were great; child-friendly without being childish. We were sent a CD along with our programme, so we could acquaint ourselves with some of the songs beforehand. Regulars David Gibb with his Teddy to the Disco song and the eccentric Biscuithead and Biscuit Badgers got us dancing. We are still singing Biscuithead’s Seaweed Under The Sofa and David Attenborough song!
As the weekend went on I noticed Bryn’s growing confidence and independence, deciding what we were going to do next and running on ahead. Naturally a cautious boy, he was happy to dance on his own to Perhaps Contraption and volunteering for activities such as the hilarious live action word game, Hangman in the Roll Up field.
Bryn and I found ourselves continually drawn to the Spellbound Forest, enticed by the embrace that a good story well told can give you. Sitting round the campfire, listening to storyteller Ian Douglas was a very special place to be.
Throughout the weekend there was lantern making, a lantern procession of over 500 lanterns (we were number 408), pillow fights, poetry, cartoon drawing, performances including Hikapee’s Look Up and the extraordinary Bullzini Family tightrope show. With so much to see and do, there is no way we could squeeze it all in to three days .
As we packed our tent at the end of the weekend, despite having had very little sleep, having lived off ice cream and pasta for 3 days, Bryn was singing tunes he had heard, telling me rubbish jokes and about favourite moments things he had seen. I realised something a bit special had happened at Just So, we had had time together, just us, exploring and experiencing new things. It was a little bit magical.
My Blyton Summer
My Blyton Summer
Good friends, daring adventures and lashings of ginger beer! Enid Blyton certainly knew how to capture the imagination of children with her Famous Five series and we want to bring that adventurous spirit to your summer holidays.
We have joined forces with the publishers of Enid Blyton’s brilliant books to bring you 31 days of #MyBlytonSummer with a Famous Five inspired activity to try every day this August.
You can download your free poster here.
We’d love to hear all about your Famous Five adventures so share your pictures and stories on Twitter and Instagram with us using #MyBlytonSummer and there could be a nice surprise for you at the end of the month.
You’ll find us at @ProfScrub and @BlytonOfficial on Twitter and@ProfessorScrubbington and @BlytonOfficial on Instagram.
More Green, Less Screen - Unplug your children and game outside
There is no doubt that video games rank highly in most children’s favourite pastimes and although a love of gaming does not automatically spell disaster, as parents, we want our children to enjoy a wide range of activities, including playing outdoors.
Studies have shown that children spend increasingly less time playing outdoors than in previous years and it is hard not to lay some of the blame on the enticing lure of screens. Outdoor activity is important for children. In a study by the University of Derby and The Wildlife Trust, children exposed to the natural world showed increased self-esteem and nature time has been linked to positive mental health in children and adults.
To encourage children to switch off their consoles this summer, why not take the best bits from their favourite video games and take them outside?
If your child loves Fortnite, why not try: Capture The Flag
Fortnite relies on a squad of players working together to defeat opposing teams. Take this outside with a game of Capture The Flag.
To play, first find a suitable large space with good hiding places. Divide into two teams, each with their own flag and agree where each team’s territory is. Each team must then hide their flag somewhere on their own territory. The object of the game is to capture the other’s teams flag without being caught on enemy territory. If caught, a player must stay in a ‘jail’ unless rescued by a fellow team mate.
If your child loves the Sims, why not try: Building A Fairy House
The Sims is a world within a world in which you build and furnish your own Sims house. Take this outside with an outdoor craft activity and get the kids building a fairy house.
Use twigs, leaves and other natural materials and see what their imagination can come up with.
If your child loves Pokemon, why not try: A Wildlife Scavenger Hunt
In Pokemon you’ve got to try and catch them all and build your Pokemon collection. Take this outside by organising a wildlife scavenger hunt.
Create your own scavenger hunt sheets based on the nature and wildlife you can find around your neighbourhood or download one from sites such as the Woodland Trust.
If your child loves Splatoon, why not try: A Water Battle
Splatoon is a first person shooter where you splat the opposition to defeat them. Take this outside by setting up an epic water battle with water pistols and water balloons. If there are a few of you, split into teams for more strategic battle fun.
If your child loves Roblox, why not try: A Blindfold Obstacle Course
Roblox allows children to create worlds and build relationships with other players. Take this outside by building an outdoor obstacle course.
Use everyday objects that you can find in your garden or park to create an obstacle course. Include things that you have to crawl under or jump over and then taking turns to be led around and complete the course whilst blindfolded. This helps build trust and cooperation and is also a lot of fun!
If your child loves Overwatch, why not try: Kick The Can
Overwatch relies on players working as a team to defeat the enemy. Take this outside with a game of Kick The Can.
One person is designated It and places a can (or other object) in the middle of an open space, like a garden, whilst the other players hide. The It player must find the hidden players by touching them, whilst guarding the can. Once touched, players are held in a designated captive area in sight of the can. They can only be freed by another non-captive player kicking the can whilst avoiding being caught themselves.
If your child loves Just Dance, why not try: A Garden Dance-Off
Just Dance allows you to get your groove on to popular hits. Take this outside with a garden dance off.
Get the children to pick their favourite song and get dancing. Points awarded for creativity, using the space inventively and they can also incorporate some parkour moves like walking lunges and standing jumps. You can check out our 15 Minute Happy parkour activity for inspiration.
Buy One, Give One this Summer with Scrubbington's and Boots
Buy one and give one this summer.
Increasing numbers of British families live in hygiene poverty. Food will always be a priority for parents, along with paying bills needed to keep a roof over their families’ heads. But for thousands of families across the UK this leaves very little in their purses for other essential necessities such as washing up liquid, shower gel and personal items. Without access to these items which most of us take for granted, this can have a major impact on children’s self-esteem and self-confidence resulting in social exclusion.
Two thirds of primary school teachers said they see children turning up in dirty clothes. Many have dug into their own pockets to provide children with soap, laundry products, head lice products, toothbrushes and toothpaste because they know parents can’t afford them.
We believe all children should have access to hygiene products and so that’s why we’ve launched our Buy One Give One Campaign with Boots.
Pop into a Boots store this July and August and for every Professor Scrubbington's you buy, we will donate one to a child that needs it.
Eat, Play, Scrub
Here at the Emporium of Clean, we want to make parents lives easier. Our Magically Foaming bath time products have been designed to empower children to become independent in the bathroom, making bath time stress free for kids and grown ups alike.
If we can make bath time less challenging, what about dinner time? We know that parents care as much about what they feed their children as what they put on their skin, so how do you find healthy meals that all the family will enjoy?
Cooking for children can sometimes make you tear your hair out. When you manage to remember that Child 1 likes grated cheese, whilst Child 2 will only eat their cheese melted, up pops a friend on a playdate who won’t eat cheese at all and you are back to scouring the cupboards for a meal that everyone can enjoy.
Preparing a meal that the whole family will love is made easier when you include everyone’s favourite ingredient, pesto. This kitchen essential can transform all manner of dishes into kid-approved meals in minutes. Ingredients that they would normally turn their noses up at, become their new favourite dinner when a spoonful of pesto is added.
We asked the pesto experts at Sacla’ to share their secrets with us for our new campaign: Eat, Play, Scrub.
Professor Scrubbington’s and Sacla’ are proud to bring you the ultimate guide to fun in the kitchen with healthy recipes for your family to enjoy together, inspiring STEM experiments to get your children thinking and learning and some useful tips to encourage your little soap dodgers to scrub themselves clean.
Get ready to Eat, Play, Scrub with Professor Scrubbington’s and Sacla’
The 15 Minute Happy Challenge
With increasingly structured lives, our children spend less and less time in free play and the rise in digital devices means that spare time is spent online. It is also true that mental health problems have increased significantly in young children in recent years.
What if by unplugging for fifteen minutes a day, you could recharge your children’s happiness?
When you look back on your childhood, what is it that you remember? Chances are your childhood memories are a jumbled film reel of playing out with your friends, exploring without limits and endless summer evenings. Where the only structured activities were Brownies or Cubs and the only screens you watched was a half hour of Blue Peter or if you were lucky, an hour on a Saturday morning.
Even with the rose tinted glasses of nostalgia, it is true that children’s lives have become increasingly structured in a way that just was not the case twenty or thirty years ago. Our memories of playing outside without parental supervision are not ones that our children will experience. They will never know the creativity that can arise from boredom when they can press a button for instant entertainment.
The rise of after school activities, increased academic pressures in schools and the entrancing lure of screens are leading to the loss of free play and an increase in stress and anxiety in our children. The promise of better academic achievement might be robbing our children of the critical skills they need for success.
Technology will undoubtedly give our children advantages beyond our imaginings, but a reliance on digital devices for entertainment will deprive them of other experiences that are just as valuable.
We believe that by taking just fifteen minutes a day to unplug children (and their parents) from their busy lives, we can reconnect them with their minds and bodies and recharge their health and happiness.
If you’d like to Unplug To Recharge your family and take the 15 Minute Happy challenge, you can get started right here!
The 15 Minute Happy Challenge
15 Minute Happy challenges your family to spend a quarter of an hour a day in 15 activities designed to get children thinking, moving and doing. From cloud-busting to creative writing and parkour to poetry, all activities will reconnect children with their minds, bodies and the world around them
If you are ready to Unplug to Recharge your family now, you can download our 15 Minute Happy Challenge activity sheet and follow our Instagram accounts where over the next six weeks we will be sharing tips on each challenge with some very special guest contributors and all round Happiness Experts.
To follow us:
Download our 15 Minute Happy Challenge Here
Sources:
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/10/all-work-and-no-play-why-your-kids-are-more-anxious-depressed/246422/
http://www.playengland.org.uk/media/120426/free-play-in-early-childhood.pdf
http://www.workingmother.com/5-skills-from-empathy-to-manners-that-tech-might-be-eroding-and-what-to-do-about-it
Goodness Inside and Out
How do you keep your children healthy on the inside?
Five-a-day? No sugar? Organic this? Organic that?
How do you keep your children healthy on the outside?
No nasty chemicals? No itch inducing synthetic fragrances? No scary sounding ingredients?
With an increasing emphasis on health foods and natural products, it is easy to become baffled by long ingredients lists that you need a degree in Chemistry to understand. Conflicting advice about what your children need (or need to avoid) to be healthy can cause confusion when choosing products.
That is why Professor Scrubbington’s and Sweetpea Pantry wanted to keep things simple for families. They decided to keep their products as natural as could be to make their products perfect for young tummies and young skin. They are dedicated to #goodnessinsideout
How does Professor Scrubbington get the goodness on?
Professor Scrubbington’s adopted an edible skincare mantra when developing their range of products, stating that “if you wouldn’t put it in their mouths, you shouldn’t put it on their skin”. The Scrubbington’s range therefore contains 98% natural ingredients, with no sulphates, parabens or other nasties and is suitable for vegans.
How does Sweetpea Pantry get the goodness in?
Sweetpea Pantry follow a simple principle - keep the ingredients simple, cut down on refined sugars and try and get goodness in wherever possible.
Their products contain whole-grain, all-natural, nutrient-high ingredients with essential vitamins and minerals, good fibre and protein, all of which are necessary for happy bodies and minds. Not only that, but they are easy to make and taste delicious too.
Goodness to the earth too.
Both Sweetpea Pantry and Professor Scrubbington’s believe in getting the goodness into the world too, which is why Sweetpea Pantry are committed to ethically sourcing their ingredients and why Professor Scrubbington’s products are never tested on animals.
Win a #goodnessinsideout bundle!
If you would like to get the #goodnessinsideout for your family, enter our giveaway competition to win four amazing Sweetpea Pantry Ready Mixes and the complete Professor Scrubbington’s range.
To enter, simply follow both our accounts on Twitter and send us a tweet, making sure to tag both @profscrub and @sweetpeapantry and use the hashtag #goodnessinsideout.
Competition closes at 23:59 on the 29th April, 2018. See below for full terms and conditions.
Competition Terms & Conditions
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How to enter
1.1 To enter the competition, entrants will need to tweet #goodnessinsideout to @profscrub and @sweetpeapantry.. Entrants must also follow Professor Scrubbington’s and Sweetpea Pantry on Twitter.
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When and who can enter.
2.1 The competition opens closes Sunday 29th April 2018 at 11.59pm.
2.2 Entrants can tweet as many times as they like but will only be entered into the prize draw once.
2.3 The Competition is only open to UK residents, aged 18 or over and The Prize can only be sent to a UK address.
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Prizes
3.1 The prize for winning the competition will be: one bottle of Professor Scrubbington’s Magically Foaming Hand & Face Wash, one bottle of Professor Scrubbington’s Magically Foaming Hair & Body Wash, one bottle of Professor Scrubbington’s Magically Foaming two in one Shampoo & Conditioner, one bottle of Professor Scrubbington’s Cotton Soft Bubble Bath, one bottle of Professor Scrubbington’s Magically Fragrant Deodorant, one packet of Sweetpea Pantry Super Oat Flapjack Mix, one packet of Sweetpea Pantry Playful Pizza Dough Mix, one packet of Sweetpea Pantry Super Duper Brownie Mix and one packet of Sweetpea Pantry Grainy Brainy Pancake Mix.
3.2 One winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries.
3.3 The Prize is as stated and cannot be sold or exchanged for cash, goods or services. The prize is not transferable.
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Data Protection and Publicity.
4.1 You consent to your name, photograph and basic information being disclosed on Professor Scrubbington’s digital channels or other media if you win any prizes under the competition.
4.2 Any personal data relating to participants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation. By entering the Competition, you agree that Professor Scrubbington’s may contact you in relation to the Competition.
4.3. Competition winners consent to being contacted by Professor Scrubbington’s through social media
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Competition Rules
5.1. The Competition will be run and Prizes will be awarded at Professor Scrubbington’s sole discretion.
5.2. We reserve the right to change the Competition rules and these Terms and Conditions at any time.
5.3 This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Twitter
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Liability and Indemnities
6.1. Except in the case of death or personal injury arising from its negligence, or in respect of fraud, and so far as is permitted by law, Professor Scrubbington’s and its associated companies and agents and distributors exclude responsibility and all liabilities, whether direct or indirect, arising from: 6.1.1. any postponement or cancellation of the Competition; 6.1.2. any changes to, supply of or use of the Prize; and 6.1.3. any act or default of any supplier, which are beyond Professor Scrubbington’s reasonable control.
6.2. Professor Scrubbington’s does not accept responsibility for any liability arising from technical incompatibility, problems relating to the internet, or technical difficulties of any kind
6.3.Professor Scrubbington’s shall not be liable, whether in contract, misrepresentation or otherwise for loss of profits, loss of anticipated savings, loss of goods, loss of use, loss or corruption of data or information, or any special, indirect, consequential or pure economic loss, costs, damages, charges or expenses
6.4. You agree to indemnify Professor Scrubbinton’s against all liabilities, claims and expenses that may arise from any breach of your agreement with Professor Scrubbington’s.
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Jurisdiction
7.1. The Competition and these Terms and Conditions are governed by English Law. England & Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions.
Almost Always Muddy Competition
We have teamed up with the talented folk at Almost Always Muddy to offer you the chance to win family tickets to their new children’s theatre show The Story Yard, at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, 1-8th April 2018.
The Story Yard was devised in response to risk and adventure being slowly designed out of children's lives and explores what happens when risk, decision-making, creativity and adventure are at children’s fingertips. For more information, visit their website at https://www.almostalwaysmuddy.com/
The winner of this giveaway will not only receive tickets for 2 adults and 2 children to The Story Yard, but also a hamper of Professor Scrubbington’s goodies.
Competition Terms & Conditions
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How to enter
1.1 To enter the competition on Facebook, entrants must like the Facebook competition post and follow the Facebook pages of Professor Scrubbington (https://www.facebook.com/ProfessorScrubbington/) and Almost Always Muddy (https://www.facebook.com/almostalwaysmuddy)
To enter the competition on Twitter, entrants must like the competition tweet and follow Professor Scrubbington’s (https://twitter.com/ProfScrub) and Almost Always Muddy (https://twitter.com/pbgirluk). -
When and who can enter.
2.1 The competition opens Tuesday 27th March 2018 at 13:00 and closes Friday 30th March 2018 at 11.59pm.
2.2 Entrants who fulfill the entrant requirements in 1.1 will be entered into the prize draw once.
2.3 The Competition is only open to UK residents, aged 18 or over and The Prize can only be sent to a UK address. -
Prizes
3.1 The prize for winning the competition will be a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children to The Story Yard show at the Wales Millenium Centre between 1-8 April 2018 and the complete range of Professor Scrubbington’s products (one bottle: Hand & Face Wash, Hair & Body Wash, 2in1 Shampoo & Conditioner, Bubble Bath and Deodorant).
3.2 One winner will be selected at random from all entrants on Facebook and Twitter combined.
3.3 The Prize is as stated and cannot be sold or exchanged for cash, goods or services. The prize is not transferable.
3.4 The Prize of family tickets must be redeemed in consultation with Almost Always Muddy, if the Prize cannot be used within the dates and location specified, then the Prize will be forfeit. No other Prize will be offered. -
Data Protection and Publicity.
4.1 You consent to your name, photograph and basic information being disclosed on Professor Scrubbington’s digital channels or other media if you win any prizes under the competition.
4.2 Any personal data relating to participants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation. By entering the Competition, you agree that Professor Scrubbington’s may contact you in relation to the Competition.
4.3. Competition winners consent to being contacted by Professor Scrubbington’s through social media or other channels as are reasonable within the terms of competition. -
Competition Rules
5.1. The Competition will be run and Prizes will be awarded at Professor Scrubbington’s sole discretion.
5.2. We reserve the right to change the Competition rules and these Terms and Conditions at any time.
5.3 This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Twitter
5.4 This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or associated by the Wales Millenium Centre -
Liability and Indemnities
6.1. Except in the case of death or personal injury arising from its negligence, or in respect of fraud, and so far as is permitted by law, Professor Scrubbington’s and its associated companies and agents and distributors exclude responsibility and all liabilities, whether direct or indirect, arising from: 6.1.1. any postponement or cancellation of the Competition; 6.1.2. any changes to, supply of or use of the Prize; and 6.1.3. any act or default of any supplier, which are beyond Professor Scrubbington’s reasonable control.
6.2. Professor Scrubbington’s does not accept responsibility for any liability arising from technical incompatibility, problems relating to the internet, or technical difficulties of any kind
6.3.Professor Scrubbington’s shall not be liable, whether in contract, misrepresentation or otherwise for loss of profits, loss of anticipated savings, loss of goods, loss of use, loss or corruption of data or information, or any special, indirect, consequential or pure economic loss, costs, damages, charges or expenses
6.4. You agree to indemnify Professor Scrubbinton’s against all liabilities, claims and expenses that may arise from any breach of your agreement with Professor Scrubbington’s. -
Jurisdiction
7.1. The Competition and these Terms and Conditions are governed by English Law. England & Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions.
Nature in the City
The benefits of spending time outdoors and its importance for children’s emotional and physical development are well documented. However, it is a sad fact that children are becoming increasingly detached from nature and this is especially true for children that grow up in a city. With less than half of children being able to correctly identify an oak tree and most preferring video games to playing in the countryside[1], how can we reconnect our children with the natural world?
Here are some practical and easy ways to rewild an urban childhood.
Explore your wild spaces
Pockets of nature can be found all over cities. Nearly half of Edinburgh is covered in green spaces and nearly a quarter of Greater London[2]. Not all of these are parks; they may be allotments, city farms or canal towpaths. Get to know your local area and find these little patches of wildlife. Make it a family activity to explore each and every one that you can access.
Learn about your environment
Do you know what flowers grow in the cracks of the pavements in yoru town? Can you identify the bird songs that hear each morning? What urban animals nest in your rooftops or prowl in your alleyways?
Find out more about the wildlife of your local environment and make it a game to correctly identify each plant and animal that you come across on your walk to school.
The Wildlife Trust has some useful resources:
From soil to plate
Help children understand the connection between the earth and the food that they eat by spending time at local allotments or community gardens where they can see food being grown. By visiting a farmer’s market, they can see the different shapes and sizes of fruit and vegetables from the shiny marrow to the knobbly Jerusalem artichoke. You can discuss what foods are available seasonally and by allowing them to select locally grown produce to cook at home they may surprise you with how adventurous they can be!
The National Farmer’s Retail and Marketing Association has a handy map of all the farmer’s markets in the UK, so you can locate the one closest to you.
Create your own garden
Urban gardens can come in all shapes and sizes, from a pocket of grass to a single windowsill that catches the sun. Don’t be fooled by their small size; containers and window boxes can produce a vast array of bounty. Experiment with growing herbs, tomato plants or vegetables like courgettes and peppers which are happily grown in pots. The Royal Horticultural Society has plenty of advice for novice gardeners:
To get children excited about creating their own garden, why not subscribe to Mud and Bloom’s monthly garden and nature craft boxes. Each month will see a new box delivered to your door complete with everything you need for two seasonal activities: one gardening and one nature craft - along with instructions, quizzes and games aimed at teaching children about the seasons, plants, insects, birds, soil and rainfall.
To get your family gardening together, we have a fantastic offer for you. Subscribe to Mud and Bloom using the code PROFSCRUB at the checkout before 28 February 2018 and you will get an amazing 50% off your first box.
With no minimum subscription period, this really is a no-risk trial!
For full details, head to their website Mud and Bloom
[1]http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/attenborough-alarmed-as-children-are-left-flummoxed-by-test-on-the-natural-world-882624.html
[2]https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2017/jan/05/green-space-uk-largest-cities-mapped
The Professor Scrubbington's Christmas Gift Guide 2017
Welcome to the Professor Scrubbington's Christmas Gift Guide 2017
Professor Scrubbington's Handwashing Guide
6 Ways to teach children to wash their hands
To download our handy hand washing guide click here
