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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:

Professor Scrubbington

Small and Wild

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

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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. 

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

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. 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.

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

^[2]https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2017/jan/05/green-space-uk-largest-cities-mapped

Welcome to the Professor Scrubbington's Christmas Gift Guide 2017

6 Ways to teach children to wash their hands

 To download our handy hand washing guide click here 

Download our Scrub Yourself Guide here 

Here at Professor Scrubbington's we're always looking at new ways to encourage mums and dads to nurture their kids through nature, and when our research revealed that over half of parents outsource messy play to schools and clubs to deal with, we teamed up with The Bushcraft Company to look at the different ways that families can enjoy being adventurous in the great outdoors together. Happy adventures everyone!

• Shelter / Den Building: Living willow branches, bamboo sticks or even fallen branches make great dens by simply propping them up against a wall, fence or tree. These 'lean to' dens are best made with branches around 2m long, with a 50cm circumference and for additional support try weaving smaller twigs horizontally through the frame. Or quite simply throw a big sheet over some tables or chairs in the garden and get the whole family to dine al fresco together!
• Camouflage and concealment: Use an old rug, sheet, sacking or garden netting to get all wrapped up for the ultimate discovery expedition with your little ones.  Be sure to get your hands dirty and slap some mud on  your face for additional disguise, then head to a local woods or forest in search of something unusual...it might only be a stone, a spiders web, a nest or a little creepy crawly, but it is guaranteed to spark excitement about the natural world
• Backyard safari: Dig deep for worms. Identify 5 – 10 different plants, wildlife and treasure you find in the garden and set out on a trail. Children love the mystery and suspense! Create your own bug viewers with an empty jar and pierced/fabric covered lid. To make your own 'Worm Hotel' cut the top third off a large pop bottle, create layers with different earth and sand – watch the worms make tunnels in their new home
• Bring the beach home: Use little plant pots to make mud castles. Make flags from flowers and decorate all around with little stones. Let them collect mud, water, grass, leaves and other delicacies they can find in the wilderness
• Cereal bird feeders: This is great for little hands. Cut lengths of string or wire and feed on cereal hoops until you have enough to make a loop, garland or if you’re using wire a more adventurous shape. Hang in the garden and watch birds visit the garden

We asked our good friend and outdoor explorer enthusiast Chris Packham what are two fun adventures families can have in their back garden.  This is what he said:

“Go on safari! Imagine you are the size of a beetle and then meet all the little things as if they were big. Ferocious predators like centipedes, winged assassins like wasps and things that might eat you - like frogs and toads. 

Or camp out overnight and listen to the sounds of night - owls, foxes and mice"

A sense of adventure starts in childhood. You can probably still vividly remember the books that made your younger self yearn for the open road and the call of the wild.

We asked the dirty little creatures here at the Emporium of Clean for the children's books that made them want to explore:

My Side Of The Mountain : Jean George

This tale of a boy who runs away to live alone in a tree on the Catskills mountain is a naturalist’s delight. With an un-romanticised view of the hardships of living in the wild, this book is chock full of survival tips. We guarantee that after reading this book, all young people will be straight outside to build a treehouse.

On The Banks Of Plum Creek : Laura Ingalls Wilder

Whilst it’s predecessor Little House On The Prairie might be the most widely known of the series, this book is delightful in it’s detailing of riverside life and foraging. Could any bricks and mortar house beat the adventure of living in a house dug out of the grass banks of the river?

Charley : Joan G. Robinson

This charming book is more a tale of feeling unloved and unwanted than a classic adventure story. When Charley mistakenly believes her aunt does not want her to stay, she runs away. It perfectly captures the loneliness of surviving on your own and might also persuade your little runaways to plan ahead before they make their great escape.

Thursday’s Child : Noel Streatfeild

A classic tale of orphans and runaways. This book sees our foundling heroine run away from the cruel orphanage in which she is being raised to live on a canal boat. Full of interesting insights into life on a barge at the turn of the century, this will make any child want to experience a ‘leggers’ life.

We Didn’t Mean To Go To Sea : Arthur Ransome

This follow-up to the perennial favourite Swallows and Amazons sees the Walker children accidentally set sail for the Dutch coast after they lose their anchor. A proper seafaring tale of pluck and resourcefulness, this will ensure your young people are clamouring to learn knot tying this summer

Five On A Treasure Island : Enid Blyton

No list would be complete without Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog. This is the first in the Famous Five series and has everything you could possibly want in an adventure story: a secret island, buried treasure, shipwrecks and lashings of ginger beer!

What were the books that inspired your childhood adventures and what are the best modern books for today’s little explorers - share them with us on our Facebook page!

Whatever your camping experience, having children brings certain challenges to holidaying under canvas. ‘Packing light’ takes on a whole new meaning when there are young persons to consider. So whether you are a fly by the seat of your pants parent or a meticulous list-checker, here are the essentials to ensure your camping dreams are not washed out.

Footwear
The one question you need to ask when considering what footwear to pack is - is it waterproof? Wellies for camping mud, Crocs or flip flops for venturing to the shower block. You need shoes that can withstand the morning dew and a surprise rainfall. No designer trainers needed here.

Onesie
Let’s hear it for the Onesie, a marvellous invention that transcends indoor/outdoor wear. Whether keeping warm in the chill of the night or relaxing by the campfire, the Onesie will keep the little ones snug when the sun goes down and covers up flesh when the midges start to bite.

Towelling throw-on
Avoid towels trailing in puddles at the toilet block or slipping from shoulders on the dash back to the tent with a towelling throw-on, freeing up both hands for carrying toothbrushes..
We love these from Ganzos

Waterproofs

Whilst you can wish for sun, in the UK it is likely to come with a side order of light drizzle. Forget cumbersome coats, a light waterproof poncho or pac-a-mac like this nautical stripe from Muddy Puddles should cover most seasonal rain showers.

Sun Protection
Shade is at a premium whilst camping, unless you want to swelter under hot canvas. Make sure that children are always wearing a sunhat and that you have adequate sun protection for their delicate skins.

Toiletries
Strip your toiletries bag down to the bare essentials by packing products that have more than one function. Wet wipes cover most cleaning needs when the nearest running water is a field away and and all in one products are useful for the shower block. Our magically foaming Hair and Body Wash or our all-in-one Shampoo and Conditioner are the perfect products to scrub the whole family from head to toe. To keep fresh during the day, our magically fragrant deodorant is gentle enough for everyone to use.

Head torch

Bring out the explorer in your children with a head torch, perfect for secret late night reading in the tent or avoiding guy ropes in the dark, a hands-free torch is the ideal travel solution for all the family - just make sure each member has their own!
This multi function head torch from Wild Child Outdoor fits the bill

Festival Extras:

If you are taking your tent to a family festival this year, then there are a couple of extras that you will want to find space for.

Ear defenders
Reduce festival music to a comfortable level for little ears and protect them from damage by investing in ear defenders. This can also help at night when festival noises can make falling asleep impossible.
To complete your child’s festival outfit, choose these smiley face ear defenders from EDZ Kids.

Bunting
Never get lost again by decorating your tent with colourful bunting or flags to make it easier to locate in a sea of canvas.

Face paints
Every festival flower child needs decoration. Let the children go crazy with face paints to get into the festival spirit, the wilder the design the better.

We all know that outdoor activity is important for children. There are physical benefits, such as increased immune strength and vitamin D intake, but the cognitive and emotional benefits are equally as compelling.

The summer holidays are an ideal time to get outside and exploring; here are some free ideas for activities you can try whatever your child’s age.

Pre-schoolers

Play is very much a sensory exploration of the world at this age and you can take advantage of whatever outdoor space you have, however limited, from parks to back gardens. Give preschoolers a task that encourages them to touch, feel and explore their natural environment, like collecting leaves, sticks or interesting stones. Games that allow pre-schoolers to use their bodies by running, jumping, spinning and balancing can increase their confidence and develop their gross motor skills.

Primary children

Outdoor play has been shown to increase children’s attention spans, promote their social skills and increase their coordination; all things that your child will need now they are at school. This is the age where children become mini-scientists, full of wonder for the natural world. Encourage this fascination by going on a bug hunt with a magnifying glass and small pots to safely capture insects, challenge your child to draw the mini-beasts that they find in a journal. Simple outdoor games that you can play as a family, such as Tag and Hide and Seek, help children develop their coordination and motor skills, as well as releasing pent-up energy!

Tweens

This is age that children need risk in their lives. Whilst the idea may make your hair turn grey, adventurous outdoor play is all part of children learning to assess risk and building a bank of knowledge that they can use in potentially risky situations in the future. Preventing children from experiencing risk can mean they are not equipped with the life skills that they will need as they grow. Allow your children to invent games and play outdoors without your direct supervision where it is safe to do so. Climbing trees and visiting adventure playgrounds can all add a sense of danger and adrenaline to your child’s play.

Teenagers

Unfortunately, teenagers are a law unto themselves and planning a family activity will be a sure fire way to ignite the rebel in them. However, if you have instilled a love of nature and outdoor play in your child, then they will continue to be an advocate for the natural world as they grow. Teenage blips notwithstanding.