Tips and Tricks for Holiday's with Kids: Packing

Website Admin - Monday, October 31, 2011

Packing can be a nightmare if you don't plan and write lists. I'm a list a holic! I have lists for my lists! Seriously though, a list is all you really need to keep packing for holidays under control. Simply tick off each item as you go. Then there will be no last minute "did I pack the change mat?" panics. There are heaps of great websites out there that have already done the thinking and created the lists for you to make printable checklists!

Check out these ones:

* A general printable packing list

*A printable packing list for baby

But if you really want to be specific on your list you MUST visit this website called "Don't Forget your Toothbrush" It generates a list for you based on how many people, destination and weather. It also can send you email reminders to do things such as cancel the paper delivery, book someone to feed the cat. It really is the best website EVER for those who need a little help or a personal assistant when getting ready to go on holidays!

And lastly dont forget to pack your sun safety gear!

* A Rashoodz Swimsuit with UPF50+ protection and built in hat! from www.rashoodz.com.au

* Sunscreen

* Sunshade Shelter Tent: The cancer council has some great one

* Sunglasses : Check out the cancer council website too

(thanks to The Graphics Fairy for the free luggage image)

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Tips and Tricks for Holidays With Kids : Part One - Choosing a Destination

Website Admin - Monday, October 24, 2011

Christmas is not too far away now and it's time to get planning for holidays. There are some parents out there, myself included, that are petrified of taking very young children anywhere for holidays. However, after a brave trip overseas, and a few more holidays interstate I now have some clever tricks and tips that keep our holidays blissful (as much as it can be with three children under the age of four).

The "Holidays with Kids" blog will come in four parts.

1. Choosing a Destination 2. Packing 3. Traveling 4. Holiday games and fun.

1. Choosing a Destination

There are so many "children friendly" holiday destinations out there it can be hard to choose. However there is a great company called Holiday with Kids that does all the research for you and has the top 10 Family Resorts as well as the top 10 Holiday Parks, for Australia, and other overseas destinations. You can choose the above 4 star or below 4 star option.

There are also travel guide companies that specialize in booking for holidays for families with kids. The one I like the best is byokids.

There are also some great books with literally hundreds of holiday destination ideas for kids. My favourite is the 1000 Great Places to Travel with kids in Australia. Click on the images below if you wish to read more about them.

Part Two: Packing (coming soon)

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Top 5 Apps for Parents of Kids who love to swim!

Website Admin - Thursday, October 06, 2011

SunSmart App

This awesome SunSmart App helps you be super smart in the sun. It has a weather forecast, UV level and sun protection times for your local area.

It also has a Vitamin D tracker, so you can check that you are getting enough.

When the UV level is high enough to require sun protection, the app can be programmed to give you a reminder.

UV Safe Timer

After you have covered the kids in sunscreen, use this handy app to count down the time till you need to re apply! It will calculate the time based on skin type, location and weather.

Surf Life Saving Beach Safe App

This app has 12,000 beaches in its database. The app will find your closest beach for you, tell you the weather, tide times, swell, water temp, the patrol times, and any cautionary information. It also gives details about the swimming, surfing and fishing at your beach of choice.

uSwim

uSwim is a ‘learn to swim’ program. Watch the professionals on the video and then follow the lesson plans to help your kids become better swimmers. It has lessons for babies starting as early as 4 months and covers safety fundamentals and stroke development for kids over 3 years.

This app is created by the Australia’s premier Swim School - Aquatic Achievers. Rashoodz thinks this app is good if used in conjunction with lessons from a qualified swimming instructor.

CPR Rescue

This one is free and good to have on your phone "just incase". There are two modes: "Training" and "Emergency". Training mode can be read at your leisure for a refresher. Emergency mode, it scrolls through each step automatically with a handy voice over. It also beeps to help keep you in time with the compressions.

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Any Excuse For A Pool Party!

Website Admin - Saturday, October 01, 2011

Here at Rashoodz Swimwear we love a party and of course we LOVE swimming. Nothing sounds better to us then our combined loves...... A pool party!

If you have ever thought of giving a Pool Party a go but put it in the too hard basket, never fear! We've collated some great ideas, tips and pretty pictures just for you!

Invitations

http://kellyandersonphotography.com

Invitations set the mood of any party! Any invitation with a little swimmer on it gets everyone in the mood for swimming and a party. We had to include this invitation because it's so cute. We love the vintage image! If you would like to create your own, you can check out JWIllustrations a seller on Etsy that gives you cute digital images for around $5!

http://www.toddlebits.com/

How great is this idea! Blow up the beach ball and write "Come have a ball at ..... Pool Party" and then fill the other stripes with the date, place and time! Then deflate the ball and pop in the post! A clever lady from toddlebits.com came up with this idea! We LOVE IT!

Last but not least is this totally fun invitation. (Obviously not for posting!) "Use your noodle and come over to swim". Pretty easy to make, and pool noodles are about 2 dollars each! Check out Jacolynmurphy.blogspot.com for a better look at these!

Fantasyjnr.com also has free printable invitations, all the hard work is done for you just print and fill!

Games

Without a doubt the best game to play at a pool party is "Water ballons!" There are no rules, but watch the kids play it for hours! You could also have a contest for the best dive, biggest splash, and ping pong ball toss, where you throw 150 balls in the pool and have a few with the birthday number on them. The kids who find the birthday ping pongs win a prize! This idea and others are on The hostessblog.com.

You could also try some olympic type games, with races and challenges. Look at Doheny's blog for some more ideas.

Food

Woman's Weekly Birthday Book - Swimming Pool

Its up to you wether you make the food yourself or get someone else to do it for you. We couldn't go past the vintage pool cake from the woman's weekly book (which they have re released!) Kids love to help making cakes and these are easy and fun. The Teddy swimming cupcakes are simple and easy for the little fingers that are helping.Click here to see the how to!

Decoration and Favours

The options are endless on how to decorate your pool party. It is best to stick to just a few colours. Below there are some example pool party images to get your creative juices flowing. Just click on the image to go the page with more details. We cant neglect to mention, everyone should wear our beautiful Rashoodz Swimwear!!!!!