Latest news with #ComeDineWithMe
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Wish I'd known this' people cry as woman reveals trick to get cinema snacks for 69p – perfect for the summer holiday
A WOMAN has left people gobsmacked after sharing her clever trick to bag cinema snacks for just 69p and it's a total game changer for families this summer. TikTok user 2 A savvy woman has revealed her hack to getting cinema snacks for 69p Credit: Tiktok/ hmr591 2 Hannah takes her own crisps to the cinema and buys dips Credit: Tiktok/ @hmr591 Instead of shelling out a small fortune on cinema nachos, which can cost anywhere between £6 and £12, she brings her own crisps from home and just buys the dips at Vue, which are sold separately for only 69p. So you get all the fun of Hannah says with this trick "date night doesn't have to cost a fortune". The TikToker posted: "We fancied nachos they would cost around £5 - £8 per person depending on which cinema you are in. Read more on cinemas "So we thought we would be budget savvy and take our own nachos!" Comments quickly flooded in calling her a genius. One user wrote: 'Why didn't I think of this before?' Another said: 'This is such a great hack, I'm definitely going to start doing this.' Most read in Fabulous And with the cost of living still biting and summer holidays in full swing, families are on the hunt for any trick to cut costs without cutting the fun. One mum, Casey Major-Bunce, also shared her own Magaluf tourists stunned as they spot controversial A-list rapper browsing crisps in souvenir shop_1 She previously revealed how she "Honestly, it's going to save you so much money during the summer holidays,' she said. 'You don't need to keep re-mortgaging your house every time you go to the cinema." Her hotdog trick is another must-try. The mum pops cooked sausages into a thermos flask of hot water to keep them warm, brings buns and sachets of ketchup in her bag, then assembles them once everyone's in their seat. It means the kids still get their favourite treats, but you're not left wincing at checkout. Of course, most cinemas allow you to bring in your own popcorn and sweets, but when it comes to hot food, it's not so clear. That's why more and more parents are getting creative. The bottom line is, with a little prep and a smart swap here and there, you can still have the big-screen experience without blowing your budget. So next time you're planning a trip to the pictures, grab the crisps from home and enjoy 60p nachos. 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.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
What age can a child legally babysit another in England over the school summer holidays?
WITH the school holidays here, many parents are wondering: What age can your child legally babysit another in England? The long school summer holiday is here - and with it comes the juggle to find childcare while you're at work or out for the evening. Advertisement 4 In the UK, there isn't a legal minimum age for a child to babysit Credit: PA 4 But NSPCC warns that under-16s shouldn't be left in charge of younger kids Credit: Getty Formal childcare options such as childminders, holiday clubs and play schemes can prove pricey - especially over six long weeks. That's why many parents turn to older siblings or trusted teens to step in - but knowing where the law stands on it can be a grey area. And while leaving a 14-year-old in charge might seem convenient - experts warn it's not always safe or sensible. What are the laws? In the UK, there isn't a legal minimum age for a child to babysit. Advertisement However, the That's because they're unlikely to have the maturity, experience or legal responsibility to cope in an emergency. Every child matures differently, so it would be almost impossible to have a "one size fits all" law. Leaving a child with someone who isn't able to care for them properly could be classed as Advertisement Most read in The Sun So, while teens might be keen to earn pocket money or help with siblings this summer, it's up to parents to judge whether they're truly ready. At what age can a child be left home alone? Infants and young children aged 0-3 years old should never be left alone - even for 15 minutes while you pop down the road. Three new family-friendly summer events that kids will love from Disney hunt to walking tour This applies not just to leaving them home alone - but also in your car while you run into the shops. For primary school children, the NSPCC wouldn't recommend leaving a child under 12 years old for long periods. Advertisement And children aged 6-12 years old are usually too young to walk home from school alone, babysit, or cook for themselves without adult supervision. Once your child reaches 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. Whether they are 12 or 18 years old, there might be reasons that they don't feel safe in the house alone. Some might not be ready to look after themselves or know what to do in an emergency. Advertisement You should never leave a child home alone if they don't feel ready, or if you don't feel they are ready. Sometimes it's better to leave them with someone - particularly if they are nervous or have complex needs. Top Tips for finding the right babysitter "It might be that you leave them with your child for 30 minutes in the house while you're in another room to make sure you feel confident and comfortable, and your child feels confident and comfortable. Advertisement "As a parent, you'll know if something doesn't feel quite right, so trust your gut and don't go along with an arrangement if it doesn't feel right." Helen also advised leaving clear, written instructions so the babysitter knows exactly what's expected. That includes what time the kids should go to bed, what their routine looks like, whether there are any She also stressed the importance of leaving your contact details and at least one other emergency number in case something goes wrong. Advertisement If your child has any allergies, medical issues or complex needs, the babysitter should be fully briefed - including where to find any medication and what to do in an emergency. It's also a good idea to set some ground rules before you head out. Be clear about whether the babysitter can have friends over, or if your children are allowed to invite anyone round while you're gone. Read more on the Irish Sun And if you're leaving your child with a teenage babysitter, Helen suggested letting a neighbour or friend know your plans. Advertisement That way, if there's a problem and you can't get home quickly, someone nearby might be able to step in. Tips for keeping organised during the summer holidays IF you aren't sure how to keep organised during the summer holidays, then you've come to the right place. Senior Fabulous Writer, Sarah Bull, has shared her top tips... FOOD: One thing I find difficult is keeping on top of my kids' constant requests for snacks. Despite the fact they have one break time at school and then lunch, their demands for food during school holidays seem to be 24/7. To make things easier, I've decided to bring in snack baskets for them. They each have a certain amount of food (the same so that there's no arguments) and once it's gone, it's gone. Not only does it make my life easier, it teaches them that they have to spread things out - and to maybe see if the 'hunger signals' are actually ones of hunger or thirst. ACTIVITIES: It can be hard to keep your kids entertained - and six weeks can feel like an awfully long time. One thing to take advantage of is having an outside space. If you have a garden, you can put bikes or scooters in there, or even a trampoline. It keeps them entertained and also makes sure they're doing some kind of physical activity every day. If you don't have the space for a climbing frame or added activities, why not give the kids a bucket of chalk and get them to draw on the paving slabs? Or another one I did was to give the kids a 'magic solution' I needed painted on the wall (it was just water and washing up liquid) to protect it. They spent a good hour doing that! CLOTHES: One thing I've used from when my daughter, now six, started school is to use clothing drawers for her and my son, who's 10. On a Sunday, I put all of their clothes, underwear, socks etc in the corresponding drawer for the week. Usually it's uniform, but I still use the drawers during the holiday too. It just makes things easier, more organised and less stressful - for all of us. 4 Helen also advised leaving clear, written instructions so the babysitter knows exactly what's expected Credit: Getty 4 Once your child reaches secondary school age, you should talk to them about how they would feel if they were left alone at home Credit: Getty
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
What age can a child legally babysit another in England over the school summer holidays?
WITH the school holidays here, many parents are wondering: What age can your child legally babysit another in England? The long school summer holiday is here - and with it comes the juggle to find childcare while you're at work or out for the evening. 4 4 Formal childcare options such as childminders, holiday clubs and play schemes can prove pricey - especially over six long weeks. That's why many parents turn to older siblings or trusted teens to step in - but knowing where the law stands on it can be a grey area. And while leaving a 14-year-old in charge might seem convenient - experts warn it's not always safe or sensible. What are the laws? In the UK, there isn't a legal minimum age for a child to babysit. However, the NSPCC warns that under-16s shouldn't be left in charge of younger kids - especially for long periods or overnight. That's because they're unlikely to have the maturity, experience or legal responsibility to cope in an emergency. Every child matures differently, so it would be almost impossible to have a "one size fits all" law. Leaving a child with someone who isn't able to care for them properly could be classed as neglect - meaning the blame will fall back on the parent. So, while teens might be keen to earn pocket money or help with siblings this summer, it's up to parents to judge whether they're truly ready. At what age can a child be left home alone? Infants and young children aged 0-3 years old should never be left alone - even for 15 minutes while you pop down the road. Three new family-friendly summer events that kids will love from Disney hunt to walking tour This applies not just to leaving them home alone - but also in your car while you run into the shops. For primary school children, the NSPCC wouldn't recommend leaving a child under 12 years old for long periods. And children aged 6-12 years old are usually too young to walk home from school alone, babysit, or cook for themselves without adult supervision. Once your child reaches secondary school age, you should talk to them about how they would feel if they were left alone at home. 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. Whether they are 12 or 18 years old, there might be reasons that they don't feel safe in the house alone. Some might not be ready to look after themselves or know what to do in an emergency. You should never leave a child home alone if they don't feel ready, or if you don't feel they are ready. Sometimes it's better to leave them with someone - particularly if they are nervous or have complex needs. Top Tips for finding the right babysitter Helen Westerman, the NSPCC's strategic campaigns boss, said: 'Introduce your child or children to that person, and maybe have a little trial run. "It might be that you leave them with your child for 30 minutes in the house while you're in another room to make sure you feel confident and comfortable, and your child feels confident and comfortable. "As a parent, you'll know if something doesn't feel quite right, so trust your gut and don't go along with an arrangement if it doesn't feel right." Helen also advised leaving clear, written instructions so the babysitter knows exactly what's expected. That includes what time the kids should go to bed, what their routine looks like, whether there are any screen-time rules, and how to comfort them if they get upset - for example, with a favourite toy or blanket. She also stressed the importance of leaving your contact details and at least one other emergency number in case something goes wrong. If your child has any allergies, medical issues or complex needs, the babysitter should be fully briefed - including where to find any medication and what to do in an emergency. It's also a good idea to set some ground rules before you head out. Be clear about whether the babysitter can have friends over, or if your children are allowed to invite anyone round while you're gone. And if you're leaving your child with a teenage babysitter, Helen suggested letting a neighbour or friend know your plans. That way, if there's a problem and you can't get home quickly, someone nearby might be able to step in. Tips for keeping organised during the summer holidays IF you aren't sure how to keep organised during the summer holidays, then you've come to the right place. Senior Fabulous Writer, Sarah Bull, has shared her top tips... FOOD: One thing I find difficult is keeping on top of my kids' constant requests for snacks. Despite the fact they have one break time at school and then lunch, their demands for food during school holidays seem to be 24/7. To make things easier, I've decided to bring in snack baskets for them. They each have a certain amount of food (the same so that there's no arguments) and once it's gone, it's gone. Not only does it make my life easier, it teaches them that they have to spread things out - and to maybe see if the 'hunger signals' are actually ones of hunger or thirst. ACTIVITIES: It can be hard to keep your kids entertained - and six weeks can feel like an awfully long time. One thing to take advantage of is having an outside space. If you have a garden, you can put bikes or scooters in there, or even a trampoline. It keeps them entertained and also makes sure they're doing some kind of physical activity every day. If you don't have the space for a climbing frame or added activities, why not give the kids a bucket of chalk and get them to draw on the paving slabs? Or another one I did was to give the kids a 'magic solution' I needed painted on the wall (it was just water and washing up liquid) to protect it. They spent a good hour doing that! CLOTHES: One thing I've used from when my daughter, now six, started school is to use clothing drawers for her and my son, who's 10. On a Sunday, I put all of their clothes, underwear, socks etc in the corresponding drawer for the week. Usually it's uniform, but I still use the drawers during the holiday too. It just makes things easier, more organised and less stressful - for all of us. 4 4
Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I watched Come Dine With Me with Americans and they were shocked by one detail'
Come Dine With Me has been a firm favourite with British fans for years, but what do Americans make of the show? In a city renowned for Mardi Gras, gumbo, and extravagant hospitality, I was curious how New Orleans locals would react to a programme that seems completely opposite: Come Dine With Me. The enduring British cult series features strangers taking turns hosting dinner parties, whilst secretly rating each other in competition for £1,000. So, I gathered three locals - all proud Big Easy dwellers - and pressed play. First was Brad Collins, a French Market business owner, who confessed he mainly watched for Channel 4 star Dave Lamb's sharp-tongued commentary. "That voiceover guy is savage!" he chuckled. "He says what everyone's thinking, but way more brutal. It's so British - sounds polite, but they're low-key scheming and roasting each other behind their backs. Like smiling while they plan your downfall." However, not everything went down smoothly for him: "Some of the food? I had no clue what I was looking at. I'm like, is that dessert or dinner? And sometimes I had to put the subtitles on because I didn't know what they were saying. But I kept watching - it's addictive," reports the Express. Next was mum-of-two Izzy Althans, 36, who works as an advertising operations coordinator. After tuning into the show, she rapidly became captivated. Izzy revealed: "Come Dine With Me is such a fun way to see British at-home entertaining. In the US, it's all about a theme - props, photo booths, curated playlists - but the Brits seem more focused on good ingredients and proper courses. "It felt structured but relaxed, without all the over-the-top effort." She was particularly impressed by the presenting approach on the Channel 4 programme, saying: "In America, it's very 'make yourself at home' - we want to have fun as hosts too. "But the show felt more like, 'how can I take care of you?' It's not that this doesn't exist in America, but it's definitely a declining part of our culture." Whilst she adored the programme's British appeal, she also valued its sharp edge. "They can be so catty towards each other - but in this incredibly emotionless way. I loved it! And I'm obsessed with watching them shop at these cute speciality stores. In short, I think it is a brilliant show that I plan to continue watching it," she explained. Finally, there was Jenny Collins, a local teacher, who was captivated by the authentic, unvarnished approach. She enthused: "After watching a few episodes I realised why I was so drawn to the show. It was the realism; from the appearance of the individuals, to the unedited conversations." She also spotted a stark difference in style, saying: "I felt like it was real. In the States, even series that are supposed to be reality TV, are severely edited as not to offend anyone. "Even the participants who we are expected to see as every day people, go in to make up like celebrities to improve their appearance prior to filming. I felt that I was seeing a true slice of the people who were hosting each meal." Despite the cultural differences - Yorkshire puddings, passive-aggressive banter, and sarcastic hosting - the consensus was clear: Come Dine With Me had charmed them. It appears that all it takes is a bit of sarcasm, some peculiar fish pies, and a ruthless narrator - and even one of the most renowned food cities in America will take a seat at the dinner table.
Scottish Sun
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
The Range's 2-in-1 kitchen gadget goes down a treat at children's parties – and it's £300 cheaper than Ninja's version
This gadget will help you to keep cool this summer NO KIDDING The Range's 2-in-1 kitchen gadget goes down a treat at children's parties – and it's £300 cheaper than Ninja's version Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE RANGE'S latest kitchen gadget makes for a perfect addition to summer childrens parties and is over £300 cheaper that Ninja's version. This 2-in-1 machine has also been described as great for entertaining guests or "bringing something different to your BBQ." Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Neo Ice Crusher Slush Machine Credit: The Range Make homemade slushies with new kitchen gadget The slushy maker retails for £39.99 - coming in at a far more affordable price point than the Ninja equivalent which sets shoppers back £349.99. Available in three different colours, the electric ice crusher has a built in stirrer and measuring jug, which makes it perfect for irresistible slushies. The product description reads: "From ice-cold slushies to frozen cocktails, enjoy a huge range of drinks thanks to this easy to use machine, which crushes ice AND stirs your drinks. "It will go down a treat at children's parties." Slushy machine features The machine also allows you to choose either fine or coarse shaved ice by turning the dial on the front of the machine. The description adds: "Once crushed ice falls into the jug, it is constantly agitated by the stirrer which helps prevent it from sticking together, and if you add your fruit juice, alcohol or syrup to the jug, your drinks will be stirred too." The retro designs comes in red, grey, and black and measures 21cm in length and 19cm in width. 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. Warning issued over potential dangers of slushy drinks Earlier this month, parents were warned of the potential dangers of giving their children slushies. This came after one toddler nearly died and several others were rushed to hospital. A grandmother told that her two-year-old granddaughter was left "20 minutes from death" after having a slushy drink at a friend's birthday party. Urgent warning over popular drink after toddler collapses in front of terrified mum Also, in March doctors blamed slushies for a spate of 21 hospitalisations in children who needed medical care within an hour of consuming the drinks. Brightly coloured slushies are a popular summer treat, often sold at cinemas, corner shops and theme parks when it is hot. But the frozen drinks often contain glycerol, also called E422 or glycerine on some label, as a substitute for sugar to prevent them from freezing solid. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) say kids under seven should not be given the sweet icy drinks, which may contain high levels of a syrup that can be harmful to young children.
