Tanya Sweeney: Is six years old too young for The Talk? I had a feeling we were galloping way ahead of other parents
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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Kids will have hours of fun in the garden with The Range's bargain buy – it also lights up, plays music & is on sale
KIDS will be buzzing for hours this summer thanks to a bargain garden buy from The Range - and it's got parents raving. Turn your garden into a party paradise with this freestanding Light-Up Music Bubble Machine from The Range. 3 Kids will be kept busy for hours this summer with a brilliant garden bargain from The Range Credit: The Range 3 The all-singing, all-dancing toy lights up, blasts music, and best of all, it's now on sale, making it the perfect pick for sunny day fun without the hefty price tag Credit: The Range Shaped like a charming lantern, this fun-filled gadget blasts bubbles, lights up, and plays music, adding instant magic to birthdays, It's easy to use, perfect for little ones, and guaranteed to keep the kids entertained for hours of outdoor fun - all while stealing the spotlight with its glowing LED effects. Available in pink or blue, this whimsical bubble machine stands at 118cm tall. Suitable for ages 3 and up, it's a hit with toddlers and young children alike, and makes a fab addition to any garden setup. more on the range Just pop in batteries, switch it on, and watch as it fills the air with music, light and streams of bubbles – bringing pure joy to your outdoor playtime. Even better, it's now just £5.99 - down from £9.99 - meaning you'll save £4 (that's 40% off!). A total steal for a toy that promises endless summer smiles. Grab it in-store or Click and Collect in just one hour. Most read in Fabulous Other Summer Buys Shoppers are also flocking to get their hands on the perfect paddling pool to keep kids cool this summer. The three ring pool is decorated with your kids' favourite Home Bargains is selling a 'fantastic aquarium' and rainbow sprinkler for cheap - it's great for the warmer weather At just £8.99, it folds away effortlessly, making storage easy for the colder months. If the Paw Patrol pool is out of your budget, The Range has you covered with its kiddy pool for just £1.99. The retailer has also slashed the price of a fire pit - perfect for the summer nights. The pit doubles up as a BBQ and is now scanning for 47% less. has been reduced from £79.79 to £42.39 on the Range 's website - a whopping £37 discount . The Range has knocked £30 off its Arosa Steel Gazebo with the product now scanning for just under £90. Customers have raved about the stylish feature and praised it for how easy it was to set up. Free summer holiday activites You don't need to spend a penny to keep your kids entertained this summer... Museums - Some museums offer free entry to some exhibits, and also host events for kids. Parks - Head to your local park to enjoy the playgrounds, games areas, courts and splash pads. Some even have trails for kids to enjoy. Beach - It doesn't have to be sunny to enjoy the beach, you can go rock pooling, crabbing, make sandcastles, or enjoy a walk along the headland. Library - If the weather is awful, head indoors and borrow books, audiobooks, dvds. Cooking - Have your own mini bake-off, or Come Dine With Me challenge. Playdates - Invite friends over for an afternoon of socialising. Boardgames - Enjoy a little sibling rivalry with rounds of Monopoly or stretch your brain with Scrabble. Dangerous ways to cool your kids With But amidst the sweltering heat, there's a Experts have issued a stark warning about the scorching temperatures water inside a hosepipe can reach when left in direct sunlight. known for her child safety videos online on TikTok , commented that: 'A type of burn that we see in the pediatric ER all the time is burns from the water in the hose outside. " She explained in her video that water in a hose that's sitting outside in direct sunlight can heat up - and needs to be ran to release the hot water first. This is hot enough to cause severe burns, particularly to children and animals. It's crucial to always run the water for a few minutes until it's cool before letting children play with it or get sprayed. But Alex Price, product manager at Outdoor Toys, 'Cold water can lead to discomfort, chills, or even Meanwhile, the UK's rivers, lakes, and other waterways might look incredibly inviting this time of year, but these have unpredictable dangers. Plus, many parents aren't aware how many The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) warned: 'It doesn't take a lot of water. Little ones can drown in just a few cm of water. 'Drowning is silent. A drowning child won't splash about or cry for help. They'll slip quietly under the water, often unnoticed.' So, what can you do? CAPT says to: Keep little children in arms reach when they're in or around the paddling pool. If you have to go inside, take your child with you. When there's lots of people around be sure to assign a dedicated water watcher. 3 Always have someone watching the kids in the paddling pool - drowning is 'silent', CAPT says Credit: Alamy How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place... BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there's nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: 'Don't feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun. 'Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time. 'Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, 'What do you think you could do?' and maybe have a list of 'I'm bored' activity ideas on the fridge.' SCREEN OVERLOAD: It's tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don't let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen. Liat says: 'It's unfair to expect older kids to power down but it's important to set some ground rules. 'Set family tech rules together. If you're often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game. 'Are there times when you'd like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit. 'Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.' TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime. Liat says: 'If you're juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it's normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace. 'If you can't afford or don't want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids' workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours. 'Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn't make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.' SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children. Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of says: 'Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken. 'Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea. 'We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood. 'Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.' EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier. Dr Bugembe says: 'Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather. 'Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they're wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun. 'Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They'll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.'
Irish Independent
27-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Tanya Sweeney: Is six years old too young for The Talk? I had a feeling we were galloping way ahead of other parents
The big questions tend to come out of left-field, when you least expect it. Death, the afterlife, why your tummy jiggles so much when you laugh, why there's only one girl-dog in Paw Patrol. And now, as we were pootling up the N7, came the biggest of them all.
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
I took my family to the new Nickelodeon Land in Turkey with rides and character meets – here's how to get free entry
WHO lives in a pineapple under the sea? Not SpongeBob SquarePants any more. The yellow cartoon character has a new home on Turkey's southern coast at the impressive Land Of Legends theme park. 5 The fab new Nickelodeon Land in Turkey 5 Have endless fun at Antalya's Nickelodeon Hotel Credit: Supplied 5 Unwind in style at the Rixos Premium Belek Credit: Supplied He's brought along all his pals to its new Nickelodeon Land — and I was one of the first there to check them out. The themed area neighbours Adventure Land and the exotic Aqua Land in the vast entertainment complex in Nickelodeon Land consists of three areas — the underwater Bikini Bottom from SpongeBob SquarePants; intergalactic Star Trek: Wild Galaxy, based on Star Trek: Prodigy; and the open-air Adventure Bay from PAW Patrol. And just steps away is a plush new Nickelodeon hotel, featuring 238 themed bedrooms and its own waterpark-like outdoor pool where you can get 'slimed' for real, Nickelodeon style. Read More on Travel Sounds totally retro, right? There's a definite nod to the nostalgia of 90s Nickelodeon. Think Rugrats and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as little ones' modern favourites, such as Chase from Paw Patrol, Dora The Explorer and Nickelodeon's cartoon reboot of Star Trek. I got stuck into the action at Bikini Bottom, my favourite area, which transports visitors to a neon, SpongeBob-themed underwater landscape. The standout attraction is the Fiery Fist O'Fun, a reference to a classic Most read in Family The ride is like a ferris wheel on steroids, fast-paced enough to make your stomach drop — in the best way. But if that is not your style, take a spin on the Jellyfish Jam swings. New Nickelodeon land to open in Brit-loved holiday hotspot next year - with Paw Patrol rides and Spongebob attractions Or you can pootle around the land in overhead blimps, dubbed Sandy's Rockets. Plankton's Plunge is another must for thrill-seekers. As the name suggests, it drops you from a squeamishly scary height. Then there's the Crazy Carnival Ride, where you can battle against your family in a virtual shoot-out. Aside from the rides, my highlight had to be meeting the chipper yellow sponge himself. At various points in the day, each of the characters pop up for meet-and-greet sessions, so you can snap a picture with Squidward or pose with Patrick. Giant pineapple Meanwhile, Chase and the gang from Paw Patrol can be found hanging out at Adventure Bay, where rides are aimed at the littlest of adventurers. It's not just about the kids, though. There's plenty of spaces that even Mum and Dad will enjoy. The Snick Lounge, a games room and sports bar, hosts live music where you can bop away while enjoying a tasty cocktail. For a proper place to unwind, head to the luscious Anjana Spa which is worlds away from the neon orange and splat motifs that adorn the rest of the hotel floors above. Although, you may spot There are even more character nods across the main Nickelodeon Hotel, where the rooms are as comfortable as they are vibrant. 5 Wild Galaxy is out of this world 5 Emily Downes meets SpongeBob at the new theme park Each floor is themed around a character — think jungle motifs for Dora The Explorer and industrial pipes for the adventures of the If all the Nickelodeon colours get too much, though, hotel guests can enjoy free transfers to Rixos Premium Belek, a sister hotel down the road that has its own private beach as well as pools, restaurants and bars. Likewise, any guests staying at a Rixos property in I was staying in a SpongeBob suite where a giant pineapple housed all the drinks and snacks I could dream of. After a tiring day on the roller-coasters, I would sink into the plush bedding and unwind with the TV (which, of course, has access to all your favourite Nick shows). Even GO: NICKELODEON LAND, TURKEY GETTING THERE: easyJet flies from Gatwick to Antalya from £24.99 each way. See STAYING THERE: A Themed Deluxe Room at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts costs from £296 per night, based on a family of four sharing and on a full-board basis. See
