More drivers than ever are choosing to finance their next car but if you’ve never had a car on finance before or you’ve chosen the wrong agreement, you may be wondering if it’s right for you. Many people like car finance as it allows them to get a better car than they would with cash and pay for it over a term that suits them. The guide below looks at the top 5 reasons why you should finance a car but also looks at the factors that you should consider before taking out a car loan.
Spread the cost.
The main reason that drivers like to use car finance is because they can spread the cost of owning a car into affordable monthly payments. You can choose a term and monthly payments that suit your budget and also get the car you want! Car finance payments mean that you can choose a finance term between 3-5 years and many deals also benefit from a fixed rate of interest which means your payments won’t change during the period. This can make it much easier to budget for your car loan over the years.
Get a better, newer car.
For many years, cash was king. However, car finance is a more affordable option for many drivers because of the rising cost of new and used cars. It can be hard to buy a car with cash alone as even second-hand cars can cost thousands of pounds to buy. Car finance means that you can get a better car than you would when buying with cash alone. In many cases, you can even get a brand-new car with low monthly payments when you choose an agreement like personal contract purchase (PCP).
Improve your credit score.
It’s a common misconception that getting a car on finance can negatively impact your credit score. However, using your finance agreement correctly can help to increase your current credit score. When you meet all your payments on time and stick to the rules of your finance agreement, you are showing strong evidence of handling credit responsibly. Along with keeping your credit usage low and paying off any other debt you owe, you can improve your credit score!
Multiple finance agreements to choose from.
You may think getting a car on finance is a one size fits all agreement, however, there are 3 main types of finance in the UK. These tend to be a personal loan option, hire purchase car deal and a personal contract purchase deal. You may be better suited to one form of car finance over others, and it can be a good idea to look at each in more detail before you commit to getting a car. Personal loans tend to be the most cost effective, but you may be declined if you have a low credit score. Both hire purchase and PCP car finance deals are secured loans which means the lender owns the car until the final payment has been made. It can be a good idea to explore each in more detail to see which you are better suited to.
Options to own the car at the end of the deal.
The beauty of getting a car on finance is that you can choose whether you own the car or not. If you use a personal loan to get a car, you will be the automatic owner of the car as you buy it outright with the loan from a lender. This means you can sell the car when you want or modify it however you like. Hire purchase and PCP are both secured loans which means the value of the car is secured against the loan if you fail to repay, the lender has the right to use the car as collateral and take it off you. In both HP and PCP, you can choose to own the car at the end or not. If you wish to take ownership of a HP, there is just a small option to purchase fee to pay. It may not be as beneficial to own a PCP car as you will need to pay a large balloon payment at the end of the deal if you wish to take ownership.
What to consider before taking out a car loan
Whilst there are so many benefits of getting a car on finance, it is always subject to status, and it’s never guaranteed and there are a few factors you should consider first.
Credit score
Your credit score can affect the likelihood of getting a car finance approval and also the interest rate you are offered. Having a bad or low credit score usually indicates that you’ve mishandled credit in the past and that you have missed payment or have high levels of debt. This increases the risk to the lender as you are more likely to default on loans again in the future. If you have a low credit score it can be a good idea to work on your credit and improve it before you start applying as it can help to get you better rates, easier acceptances and save you money.
Budget
Your budget for car finance is really important and you should never take out a loan that you can’t afford to pay back. Lenders need to stick to the rules of responsible lending which helps to protect customers from getting a loan that they can’t afford. Lenders will usually ask you to provide bank statements or payslips to prove your income and could decline you on the basis of insufficient affordability.
AD This Alternative Easter Gifts post contains review items and contains affiliate links
Easter is fast approaching and for us parents, so is the prospect of spending another half term break madly trying to find affordable days out and fun ways to entertain the kids. Whilst we all absolutely love ripping open a chocolate egg on Easter weekend (the only time we can allow chocolate for breakfast guilt free) the amount of chocolate the kids receive can be more than a little overwhelming.
Whilst I always allow the girls to have a reasonable haul of chocolate at Easter, I always try and find alternative Easter gifts or non chocolate Eater gifts too, ideally gifts that the whole family can enjoy together.
If you are looking to send some alternative Easter gifts this year, you simply can’t go wrong with a bunny, chick or egg theme! In addition, why not look out for experience based gifts too that you can share together whilst offering entertainment and fun too?
Here’s our round up of some of the best alternative Easter gifts for 2023.
Alternative Easter gifts for babies and toddlers
When it comes to Easter toys for babies and toddlers aged 6 – 36 months, then Tomy have really got you covered this Easter with their Tomy Toomies range, packed full of egg based toys and games for little ones to explore and discover.
The Tomy Toomies Egg Bus is a bright and colourful push along toy, ideal for crawling and cruising babies. It comes with 5 fun character passengers, all hidden in their very own egg. Clip off the lid, and this push along bus becomes a fab shape sorter, where children must match the shape on the bottom of the egg to its correct location, as well as colour matching shells and cases.
For children who like to keep busy and use their brains, the Rubik’s Junior Bunny puzzleis the ideal puzzle for little problem solvers. A super cute twistable character that is easy to grip and turn, children should twist the blocks to create a crazy mixed up animal, before trying to return it to its former glory. Ideal for hand-eye development, fine motor skills and will help your little one along the way to problem solve! With 4 animals to collect!
For gifts that will last far beyond Easter itself, you can’t go wrong with new books! There are LOADS of brand new Easter titles this year, ranging from Easter board books for babies and toddlers, through to early fiction and middle grade Easter books. To make your live’s easier. we’ve rounded up the best Easter books for kids on the link below.
One of the best parts about Easter is the start of Spring – longer and (hopefully) brighter days, providing the opportunity to get outside in the fresh air and enjoy some fun outside together as a family.
This Spring, Start-Rite have launched a fab range of canvas pumps that are perfect for running, jumping and playing outside. With an easy fasten velcro rip tape that is quick and simple to adjust (even for little fingers), they have a lightweight, flexible sole and engineered tread to ensure a safe grip even with running at speed.
We ADORE the hand drawn floral ‘meadow’ design featuring a variety of Spring flowers. Versatile enough to be worn with dresses or leggings, dressed up or dressed down, they’re even machine washable at 30 degrees – great for peace of mind if your little one is inclined to always head for the muddiest parts of the path!
You can check out all the canvas pumps in the range at Start-Rite now.
If you’re heading out with a toddler who loves to be independent but isn’t totally steady on their feet, this LittleLife backpack with rein is a great way to keep them close whilst being able to support them at all times. Aimed at toddlers and preschoolers aged 1-3 years, this super cute Bumble Bee backpack is perfect for kids to stash their essentials (or in our kid’s cases. collect acorns and pinecones) whilst exploring outside during Spring.
Ideal for keeping your toddlers close whilst navigating the half-term crowds, the reins are also fully detachable when you’ve reached your destination and are happy to let them run more freely. Whilst we ADORE the Bee design for Spring, there are loads of fun designs to choose from including bunnies, dinosaurs and unicorns too.
We’re big fans of screen-free fun in this house, and whilst there is of course a place for iPads, tablets and TV, we love the sense of calm and relaxation that can be achieved by listening to fun audio devices instead such as the Tonies Toniebox and Yoto Player.
This Easter, both Tonies and Yoto have some great content that is ideal for Spring, helping entertain your little ones and help them get some well deserved rest over the holidays.
We love the NEW Tonies Sleepy Friends range – a selection of adorable sleepy characters filled with relaxing stories and music that can be a valuable support as part of your child’s bedtime routine.
If you’re more Team Yoto, they too have a great range of Easter and Spring themed Yoto Cards. From the beloved Peter Rabbit and Friends, to Enid Blyton Springtime stories, Yoto also have some brand new cards with much loved characters launching in early April so watch this space!
Looking for an Easter day out the kids will NEVER forget? How about a Pig Enthusiast Experience?
Two people can enjoy a unique pig petting experience at Kew Little Pigs. Located on Old Amersham Farm, Kew Little Pigs is home to a variety of adorable micro pigs, piglets and show pigs. This fun four-hour experience begins with an introduction and tour of the farm and the pig pens. You’ll then get the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with the pigs, playing, petting and even grooming these loveable farmyard animals, getting stuck in mucking out the pens, feeding the pigs and much more!
A great gift for animal lovers. Shop now (and use code DIARY on 31st March 2023 only to save 20% on the RRP)
My girls absolutely LIVE for our annual easter egg hunt. We place small surprises into eggs which we then hide around the garden for them to seek out – each year we make it harder and harder, hiding eggs up high and down low and making a list of where we’ve put them (because trust me you don’t want to forget!)
This year as well as the smaller chocolate eggs to locate in our secret hide outs, we are using the Learning Resources Discovery eggs – these giant natural looking eggs with zig zag openings that are big enough to fit small toys or stickers inside too. Not only do they look really authentic (in pastel pink, green and brown shades) but they can also be reused year after year with different surprises inside. For preschool children, the Discovery Eggs also make a great base for sorting and counting games – such as sorting beads into colours or counting the number of beads within each egg – the opportunities are endless!
The Family Board Game Rally
Board games (or bored games as my daughter likes to call them!) are a great way to entertain the kids during the Easter holidays, so games with a bunny theme make an ideal Easter gift. As a family, we are HUGE fans of Learning Resources, and the Learning Resources Hoppy Floppy’s Happy Hunt Game definitely didn’t disappoint!
The aim of the game is to help hoppy to collect the carrots. Spin the spinner and use the rabbit squeezer to collect the correct coloured carrot from the box. Your aim is to be the first player to collect four carrots – one of each colour. Sounds easy right? But watch out, if another player lands on the steal rabbit, they can take a carrot from your basket and if you drop your basket, you must return all the contents and start again! A fun game the whole family can play together. Super simple instructions, and encourages taking in turns and fine motor skills in little ones. Suitable for 2 – 4 players.
Chances are you will have already heard of the fun-filled high energy game Throw Throw Burrito – but if you haven’t, seriously, where have you been? This game is SO much fun to play with the family, Throw Throw Burrito combines a traditional card game with an action packed game if dodgeball, throwing and dodging the squishy foam burritos whilst attempting to collect the matching cards.
Yes, you’ll need a lot of room to play, but we’ve honestly never laughed so much. If you already own the game, there’s now a fab new expansion pack called Block Block Burrito – which not only offers players more battle formats but also an all-new defence mechanism in the form of inflatable tortilla shields!
Kids love having a snuggly new friend to cuddle up with whilst watching Easter movies or chilling out at home. This super cute character from PeekaPets makes a perfect peek-a-boo gift for little ones.
Available in white and pink this shy little bunny is hiding behind his long fluffy ears. To play peek-a-boo, kids can simply squeeze PeekaPets’ tummy, and the ears will pop up like magic to reveal the bunny’s face! For more easter soft toy recommendations, check out our Easter soft toys post here.
If you’re looking for something sweet but alternative Easter gifts that aren’t chocolate, or something that the whole family can tuck into and share, this Joe & Seph’s Easter Selection Box is just the ticket.
This stylish white and gold Easter themed gift box is filled to the brim with SIX packs of limited edition popcorn in fantastic flavours including Trio of Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate & Hazelnut, and Gingerbread. Air popped and I can confirm absolutely delicious, why not tuck into some whilst settling down for a family movie? The best part? There’s two packs of each flavour, so no squabbling!
However you choose to celebrate this Easter, I hope you have a wonderful time with your family. We hope you enjoyed this post of alternative Easter gifts!
Kudd.ly weighted blanket previously gifted as part of a freelance campaign
It’s fair to say that when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, I need all the help I can get. Since becoming a Mum of two, there always seems to be one reason or another to keep me awake at night. Ever since those early newborn days and the toddler nightmares and night terrors, to juggling woking through covid and now worrying about school or friendships and a cost of living crisis, my overactive brain anxiety definitely seems to have got worse as I’ve got older, I often find myself struggling to drift off at bedtime, or waking early and stressing about pointless things when I should be fast asleep.
In an attempt to improve my sleep habits, I have tried various mindful activities such as Calm, meditation and relaxation methods and even changes to my diet and caffeine habits. Recently, I also discovered the benefits of weighted blankets, which have grown hugely in popularity in recent years – with good reason.
After already having some success with a Mela weighted blanket, we decided to carry out a Kudd.ly weighted blanket review to put this affordable yet luxurious weighted blanket for adults to the test.
What is a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket is a blanket that is filled with small weighted glass beads or ‘nano beads’ which create the feeling of weight and compression.
When laid across you, a weighted blanket can create a feeling of consistent pressure across your entire body, resulting in a feeling of calm and relaxation and even helping you drift off to sleep.
You can buy weighted blankets for children, or weighted blankets for adults. They can be used on a soft or chair to snuggle under instead of a traditional throw or blanket or used on your bed – either on top of, underneath, or instead of a normal duvet.
Weighted blankets are also proven to help certain physical or mental health medical conditions such as ADHD, stress disorder (PTSD), fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome.
How do weighted blankets work?
Weighted Blankets create something known scientifically as ;’Deep Touch Pressure Therapy’.
When laid across the body, the gentle pressure created by the nano beads inside the blanket can help encourage the production of melatonin, sending signals to your brain that its time to relax, become calm or even go to sleep. IT can also help regulate your heartbeat and slow your breathing, counteracting any stress and cortisol hormones that you may be displaying at night.
The result? A weighted blanket may help you get to sleep quicker, stay asleep for longer, and get a deeper, less disturbed night’s sleep
Who are Kudd.ly?
Kuddly – or to use the correct spelling Kudd.ly – are a UK brand selling a wide range of luxurious home comfort essentials including the Kudd.ly Weighted blanket, Kudd.ly Hooded Blanket, bedding and even slippers.
With over 300,000 happy customers, they’ve very quickly become a big competitor to the more widely known Oodie brand, with many claiming that Kudd.ly’s Hooded blankets are as good as, if not better than the Oodie in terms of comfort, coverage and value for money.
Kudd.ly pride themselves on offering excellent value for money with free delivery and a 30 night money back guarantee on all of their products, ensuring you’re completely happy with your purchase before you commit to keep it for good.
What is the Kudd.ly Weighted Blanket?
The Kudd.ly weighted blanket claims to be the best selling Weighted Blanket in the UK – and it’s not hard to see why!
Available in a choice of two colours (grey or blue) and two sizes, the Kudd.ly weighted blanket is made from ultra-soft breathable MicroCool Fleece and weighs 5-7kg, – the ideal weight to use with adults ad children.
Unlike many other weighted blankets, the Kudd.ly weighted blanket comes as one whole piece (without a separate cover) and the whole thing can be thrown inside the washing machine.
Most importantly, the Kudd.ly weighted blanket is one of the most affordable weighted blankets for adults we’ve seen – costing just £99 (but currently on offer for £49). There are also regular Kudd.ly deals that allow you to get discounts for multiple purchases (e.g 2 for £99, 3 for £129 etc).
The Kudd.ly weighted blanket comes in a choice of two sizes – 48″x78” or 60″x80 (effectively a standard or larger sized blanket).
What is inside the blanket?
The Kudd.ly weighed blanket has a temperature regulating outer later made from MicroCool Fleece. Inside are anti-rustle glass micro sand beads, that are encased in double stitched pockets to ensure they stay put and mould to your body without making a sound.
Our Kuddly Weighted Blanket Review
First Impressions
First impressions of the Kudd.ly Weighted Blanket were really very positive. The Kudd.ly weighted blanket comes in vacuum sealed carry bag, making it easy to carry around and open before unfolding.
The Kudd.ly weighted blanket is incredibly soft and cosy to the touch with the fleece outer coating feeling incredibly luxurious. What I liked most on first impressions was that despite being heavy, it was light enough for me to lift and unfold fairy easily and I couldn’t hear any of the beads rustling when I did.
We picked the grey shade for our blanket (I have to be honest I am not keen on the navy) and the shade is perfect. A pale soft grey that is modern enough to suit most bedroom aesthetics.
What weight did we choose?
The Kudd.ly weighted blanket comes in one weight only – stated as 5-7kg, which felt about right for us. When sat underneath it you can certainly feel the weight and pressure, without it feeling heavy or overbearing.
How comfortable is it?
The Kudd.ly weighted blanket is VERY comfortable. We have ours mostly on the sofa for when watching TV, and simply placing it over your legs has an almost instant effect, a little like someone giving you a cuddle but without getting overheated or hot. The soft fleece feels cosy and comforting against your skin, and it appears to almost mould to the shape of your body underneath.
We have also used the Kudd.ly weighted blanket on the bed, on top of our normal duvet, and on cold night’s like we;ve had recently it’s felt really nice to have that extra weight from the waist down.
Can the Kudd.ly Weighted blanket help you sleep?
Yes it can. Popping a weighted blanket over the bed cover can honestly help calm and relax you – it’s fascinating how it works. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I have found that reading my book whilst enveloped in my duvet and weighted blanket is a little like going into hibernation mode. It helps clear my mind, relax my thoughts and slows my breathing, which eventually results in me nodding off (so my partner says) fairly quickly. Rock and roll – I am nearly 40 what can I say!
Super soft micro fleece thats cosy and comfortable
Single weight so you don’t need to worry about choosing the wrong size
Soft grey shade that will match most room aesthetics
Anti rustle beads that contour the body without being noisy
British brand with an affordable price tag and multi buy discounts
Suitable for all year round use.
30 day money back guarantee
Entire blanket can be washed in the machine
Our Kudd.ly Weighted Blanket Review – Cons
I have really struggled to think of any real critiques for this weighted blanket, other than the fact we wish it was available in more shades. We feel that the navy doesn’t look half as luxurious as the grey, so it would be great to see a darker grey or a tan coloured blanket too.
For some, the one weight only may put people off, particuatly if they like their blanket to be on the heavy side, but this worked perfectly for us.
How big is the Kudd.ly Weighted Blanket?
The Kudd.ly Weighted Blanket is available in two sizes – the Standard, which measures 48″x78” and the Large which measures or 60″x80. Which size you pick will depend on your age, height, weight and whether or not you are sharing a bed.
How heavy is it?
The Kudd.ly weighted blanket comes in one weight 5-7kg.
How do you wash the Kudd.ly Weighted Blanket?
The Kudd.ly weighted blanket is easy to care for – you can put the whole thing in a high capacity washing machine on a gentle 30 degree cycle.
Air drying naturally is recommended, but it’s also safe to use in the tumble dryer should you need to.
How does it compare to other weighted blankets?
I will be honest, compared to the Mela Weighted blanket, the two are very similar, with the only real differences being the choice of sizes, the presentation box and the price. Whilst the Kudd.ly weighted is more expensive at its full RRP, there are regular Kudd.ly discounts that mean it can be picked up at a far more reasoable price tag. At a push, the Mela weighted blanket also feels slightly more luxurious in terms of the fabric, but given the large difference in price, the Kudd.ly weighted blanket is far more affordable for the vast majority.
Is the Kudd.ly Weighted Blanket worth the money?
Yes, If you can buy during Kudd.ly discount periods or make use of their multi buy discounts, the Kudd.ly weighted blanket can cost you as little as £49 – a small price to pay if you have anxiety, struggle getting to sleep, wake regularly during the night, or simply struggle to get a good night’s sleep.
We recently returned from a family holiday at Center Parcs and had such an amazing time. It was great to spend some real quality time together as a family, enjoy some of the great outdoors and teach the girls more about nature and wildlife. Having been a few times now with both one child and two, both as babies, toddlers, and now as young children, I thought it would be useful to share my top tips for Center Parcs with babies and toddlers, including hints, tips and tricks for making the most of a Center Parcs break with your little ones – babies and toddlers and children under 5. I hope you find them useful! If you have any other questions about our experience please ask!!
Top Tips for Center Parcs with Babies and Toddlers – Before You Go:
Selecting your accomodation
When making your Center Parcs booking, you can pay a little extra (£60) to pick the exact lodge where you will stay. We found that this was worth doing when young children are involved, particularly when you have been before and know where you are likely to spend the majority of your time. This year we paid to have a lodge closer to the pool and an outside play area, knowing that these were likely to be our frequent visits and a popular choice with the children. Alternatively, you can choose whether you want a lodge in the central, middle or outer areas of the park, obviously with less walking / cycling required the closer you are to the centre. If you have children with little legs who don’t like to walk, and you don’t fancy lugging a pushchair back up a hill, this will be money well spent.
Checking in online
Don’t forget to check in online before you arrive (including details of your guests and your car registration number). This speeds up how quickly you can get through the Center Parcs arrival desks. That said, they email you a few times regarding this so it is pretty hard to forget! 🙂
Don’t forget the essentials
Take some toilet roll with you. Unfortunately the lodge we stayed in only supplied one roll in each bathroom, and as such it doesn’t last very long, particularly when you are also wiping your babies’ or toddlers’ snotty noses!
Upon arrival at Center Parcs:
Make use of the facilities
On your first day at Center Parcs, don’t forget that although you can’t check in till the afternoon, you are still able to arrive early on your first day and use the Center Parcs facilities if you wish. We arrived around 11am, and went for some lunch and a swim before checking in later that afternoon. I would recommend packing a swimming bag separately in the car in case you want to do this, so that it is easy to hand should you decide to go and try it out!
Don’t rush to check in
Avoid the check in rush – as my Mum always used to say, there is no point rushing to get to the back of a queue. All of the Center Parcs locations are traffic free sites, however at check in time you are able to retrieve your car from the car park and temporarily take it up to your lodge so you can unpack. It does get pretty busy at 3pm which is the official check in time, so everyone tends to go at the same time, however if you wait till around 3.30/4 to go and get your car, you will get straight out and avoid sitting in a car park for a while!
Tips for the Facilities at Center Parcs:
The Onsite Supermarket
The on site shops at Center Parcs can be expensive, but not as bad as you may think – slightly dearer than your normal supermarket perhaps – but we still managed to pick up some ‘essential’ items for reasonable prices (e.g. four pack of Sol beer for £4). There are some items that are significantly more than a normal supermarket (e.g. £2.99 for a single pack of Pampers baby wipes) so I would recommend only using it for the things you really need and not doing a full weekly shop, particularly if you are shopping on a budget. We arranged a click and collect from the nearest local supermarket (in our case was around 5 miles away from Woburn Center Parcs), and used the onsite shop for small stock ups only. Whichever Center Parcs location you choose, check out the location of the nearest supermarket before you arrive
The small trollies with a little flag pole in the onsite shop are really very cute, and walking babies and toddlers will really enjoy feeling just like Mum and Dad wheeling this around and popping items in as they walk around the store. Bear in mind though, you may end up getting more than you planned (Erin used to try and put EVERYTHING in!) and there may be some tears / tantrums when you have to leave it behind.
Wildlife at Center Parcs
Take animal food with you
As the shop (at Woburn anyway) didn’t sell any, and it can be bad for animals’ tummies to eat bread or other foods for humans! Depending on where you stay, you are likely to have a variety of wildlife come close to your cabin and babies and toddlers will love leaving them food to eat and squealing with glee as they watch through the patio doors! At Woburn, we saw plenty of squirrels, ducks, pheasants and a large hare. At more established parks like Center Parcs Elvedon, we have also been known to see wild deer – a really beautiful sight to see.
Shopping at Center Parcs
The newer parks have wristbands which are your door locks, but can also be used for cashless purchases. This is really handy if you are spending the morning in the pool and fancy some lunch or a drink. You simply pre load your wristband at guest services with the amount of your choice, and then can simply swipe it to pay. A real positive not having to shiver all the way back to your locker to get your purse!
How child friendly is the accomodation at Center Parcs?
The lodge is very child friendly, with baby stair gates supplied (if you are on two floors), as well as a high chair with tray, cot bed and even a little step in the bathroom to make it easier for them to brush their teeth. There are chalkboards in every lodge at Center Parcs with a small bowl of chalk so that children can create their own designs. Whilst a really small feature, it’s something that has always gone down really well with my girls!
Cots at Center Parcs
The cots at center parcs may vary from one parc to the next, however at our accomodation there was a travel cot style cot with mattress. We found this to be clean and acceptable, however you do need to take your own cot bedding as this isn’t supplied. This didn’t bother us as its something we would have done anyway. If you ring up the individual Center Parcs you are staying at they can provide more detail on the cots supplied, or you can look at trip advisor reviews where some people have uploaded photos. According to Center Parcs twitter account, the cots at Center Parcs are 121cm x 60cm. Mattress sizes are 116cm x 52cm
High Chairs at Center Parcs
The high chair supplied at Woburn during our stay was a plastic white Ikea style high chair with basic strap and tray. We found this perfectly sufficient but if you have a very young baby you may prefer one a ilttle more padded.
The only thing I would say is that the curtains at Center Parcs are very thin, so if your baby or toddler needs a dark room to sleep, you may want to take a black out blind and a small night light otherwise in the summer it may take them a while to drift off!
Washing facilities at Center Parcs
The lodges at Center Parcs don’t include a washing machine, so you will need to pack accordingly. You can however take some hand washing liquid with you, but I wouldn’t recommend hanging it outside to dry when you’re not in the lodge as there is a lot of wildlife that may pay you a visit!
Entertainment and Activities for babies and toddlers at Center Parcs
Take some DVDs – the majority of lodges at Center Parcs (check your booking) have DVD players inside, which is ideal if you want to create a home from home environment before bedtime. Take along a few of your baby or toddlers’ favourite films or TV shows, and this can keep them quiet if another child needs to nap or if you want to cook a meal in the kitchen or recover from your morning’s activities.
Subtropical Paradise Swimming
One of my best tips for Center Parcs with babies and toddlers is that swimming later in the afternoon (around tea time) tends to be the quietest time as many families go out for dinner or return to their lodges for a siesta! At the time of updating this post, the Covid time slot restrictions for swimming have been lifted and you no longer need to book.
The Subtropical Swimming Paradise pools are open till 9pm so if your children can cope with staying up a bit later this might be an option too. Unfortunately for early risers, the pool doesn’t open till 10am, so a very early morning swim isn’t an option. This is one thing I really wish Center Parcs would change, as I love the idea of an early swim to kick start the day.
Buoyancy aids (swim vests) are available to borrow at Center Parcs pools for younger babies and toddlers so you don’t need to take your own, however, you may want to take larger inflatables such as hoops and rings, as these are only available for a fee.
Don’t forget your swim nappies for younger guests, as you’ll pay a premium for these onsite.
If your children are under 3, we can recommend taking part in the Baby Dolphins sessions, where a parent and child can splash, sing, paddle and play in a calmer quieter session with the whole pool to themselves before it opens to the general public. The session is free to attend (but must be booked in advance) and is a great way to build your toddler’s confidence in the water.
Hiring bikes at Center Parcs
We have hired bikes everytime we have been to Center Parcs (we don’t have our own bikes), and although this is an investment, we felt it was worth every penny. Not only are the bikes a great way to get around the park quickly, but some fun exercise – Center Parcs Woburn is quite hilly, so we definitely burned off some of our dinner on the way back to the lodge.
We hired a Center Parcs Bike trailer for the girls to sit in (ideal for babies and toddlers that can’t walk very fast!), and they absolutely loved being transported around like Lady Muck, waving at other people as we passed. The Center Parcs Bike trailers are suitable for babies from 6 months of age.
If you don’t decide to hire a bike. I’d recommend taking a pushchair – Woburn in particular is quite hilly and even confident walkers may struggle after a busy day of play. For younger babies, taking a sling or baby carrier is recommended.
With babies, toddlers and younger children you really don’t have to spend a lot of money at Center Parcs to have fun, and whilst the activities are great, there are also many free activities at Center Parcs for babies and toddlers on site too, including the beach, indoor and outdoor play areas and of course the swimming pool. We actually paid to do very little else, with the exception of hiring a boat on the lake.
The tenpin bowling and crazy golf are also some fun options that the whole family can enjoy (they do bumpers and rolling ramps for toddlers in the bowling alley – and if you are rubbish like me you can even choose to leave the bumpers up for every player lol).
Walks in the woodland (with wellies if its wet) is also a great free Center Parcs activity and we got some great fun family selfies on our adventures!
Take a bucket and spade with you, or you can guarantee you will be cajoled into buying one when every other family is doing wackaday style castles with moats.
If you do decide to hire a boat on the lake (we do this every time) I would recommend paying slightly extra for an electric one, otherwise 5 minutes in to your 30 minute slot your legs will be knackered and you will be looking at a another family zooming around with ease and wishing that you had!
Food and Drink at Center Parcs
In terms of eating out tips for Center Parcs – Hucks (available at all Center Parcs locations) is a little bit like a TGI Fridays style American diner and we are BIG fans (particularly of their fajitas!) They recently launched a new Early Dining Experience which works out much cheaper and includes a sharing platter starter, a main from a set choice and a drink. For children there is a hot buffet that included hot dogs, chicken nuggets, chips, beans, peas and sweetcorn and crudities and dip. Erin LOVED being able to go up and help herself to what she wanted. Would definitely recommend this however it does need to be booked in advance before your stay, so you can’t just turn up and request it on the night. At Center Parcs Woburn Forest Café Rouge and Strada also do great 3 course children’s menus which went down well with Erin.
The takeaways at Center Parcs are a great option if you have picky eaters, or if you prefer Chinese and the kids want Pizza – you can order whatever you like from either Indian, Oriental or Italian either to collect or have it delivered straight to your lodge. My advice is book early for the time you want to eat – don’t wait till you are hungry until your phone up to order or you may be in for a longer wait. No one wants a Hangry Mummy!!
For babies, lots of the onsite restaurants offer free baby food as well as facilities to warm your food. They don’t generally bring hot water to your tables for health and safety reasons.
Many of the restaurants at Center Parcs have a small soft play area inside. You may wish to a) sit close to these so you can eat in peace whilst your kids have fun and are still in eyeline or b) sit as far away as possible and not let them see it till after they’ve eaten. We went for the latter, as there is no way our kids would’ve eaten their tea otherwise!
After you leave Center Parcs:
You can save money on a return visit by booking it within 28 days of your stay (the stay itself can be for later in the year). You also get £25 of Center Parcs vouchers to use on your stay, and free cancellation insurance, as well as a price match guarantee that says if for any reason the break you have booked reduces in price, they would refund the difference.
If you are visiting Center Parcs this Spring or Summer I hope you have an amazing time and find my tips for Center Parcs helpful! Having everything we needed in one place really was ideal when the girls are young. We have visited both Center Parcs Woburn Forest and Center Parcs Elvedon and loved them both. I am now dreaming about our next visit in a somewhat post holiday come down!! 🙂
*This is not a sponsored post – simply me sharing my experience and top tips for Center Parcs in the hope it will help others who are planning a visit!*
Of all the rooms in our home (a relatively small three-bed semi), our living room is the one where we spend the most time together as a family. If I’m honest, it’s also the one that’s been a little neglected of late. Having invested in a kitchen extension during lockdown and a recent decoration of our hall, landing and stairs; the rest of the house had to go on the back burner for a while. That said, in 2023, the living room is finally on our list for a refresh.
The living room is the very heart of any modern home. It’s the setting for snuggling up with the popcorn for family movie nights, the place where we host and entertain friends and family and the place where we relax and share stories at the end of the day.
From super sofas to terrific TVs and copious amounts of natural daylight, here are just a few of the elements I think make the perfect living room (and hopefully a wishlist to be shared with my partner to bring to fruition!)
A dream sofa
Probably the most important element of our living room – the place where we all rest our legs at the end of a busy day of school, work or play. Our sofa has certainly seen better days and is definitely due for an upgrade.
This time around, it will be a toss-up between fabric and leather. Now that the girls are older, a fabric sofa may just about be feasible, although leather has certainly survived its fair share of child-related trauma over the years.
I’d love to have an L-shaped sofa big enough for us to all cosy up together over the weekend, watching the latest Disney+ movies with space to stretch our legs. I also love the idea of a footstool, big enough to stash magazines and books out of sight when guests arrive unexpectedly!
Add cushions, a big cosy throw or weighted blanket – I may never want to leave.
A cinema-style TV
With our trips to the cinema being few and far between, I often feel like we’re missing out on that cinema experience – the awesome sound quality and the amazing large screens that make totally captivating viewing.
I’d love to be able to invest in a qled tv, which are not only super thin and lightweight but also have 8K screens that take 4K Ultra HD to the next level. Qled tvs also come in 65 – 85” screen sizes, meaning we can watch our favourite movies on a big screen at home, with striking contrast and superior colour depth.
Good quality lighting
Confession time. Our living room currently has a bare bulb hanging from the ceiling and it’s been that way since 2013. The result? A poorly lit, dull lounge with shadows galore – it doesn’t exactly scream comforting and homely.
This time around, I’d like to consider a combination of ceiling, wall and floor lighting to create a warm and cosy ambience in my living room. Not only will we be opting for smart bulbs (Alexa turn on the lamp anyone?) but I love the idea of a large industrial-style lighting as a focal point on the ceiling – with fully adjustable brightness so we can tailor it to meet our mood.
Plants
I may be just getting old, but I am officially turning into a plant lady. It’s not just a result of me rapidly approaching 40 however. House plants are actually proven to boost your mental health and wellbeing, reduce stress and can remove pollutants from the air, making your living space a more attractive and relaxing space to be.
I’d love to invest in some larger-sized plants such as a potted kentia palm, yucca or snake plant, to bring some greenery in to the room, as well as some trailing ivy or vine on wooden shelves in our alcoves. Obviously they’ll be surrounded by books I haven’t got round to reading yet. #keepingitreal
A personal touch
Last but not least, I want our living room to feel like home – a little insight into our world and the people in it. To achieve that, I want to display some photos of us – our family and the moments we cherish and will remember the most. I take photos ALL the freakin’ time (current camera roll balance 61,129) but in the modern world it’s rare I actually get them developed and display them.
From high quality frames to a canvas or gallery wall with a few of our favourite prints, the challenge now will be agreeing on which ones make the cut!
This Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill & Air Fryer post contains affiliate links
Like many parents, in the midst of a cost of living crisis, we’ve been looking for ways to cut our energy consumption and spend less on food as a family. As a result, we’ve been ditching the takeaways and attempting to cook more food at home, relying less on ready meals or those repeated trips to the local supermarket. We got our first-ever air fryer – the Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill AG551UK, back in June 2022 and as complete air fryer novices, we weren’t sure whether they could possibly live up to the hype. That said, with air fryers being cheaper to run than the oven (and more energy efficient too), we were prepared to give it a go. The Ninja Foodi MAX AG551UK has gone on to become a staple in our kitchen ever since.
Air fryers aren’t just a money-saving fad however, they’re actually a healthier way to cook your food too. They can cook chips, potatoes and steaks with little or no oil, meaning you don’t get that unwelcome greasy, fatty mess when you remove them. For fuss-free midweek meals, they can also cook frozen chicken nuggets straight from the freezer, without needing to wait for the oven to warm up – a big plus for hungry little tummies!
Whilst there are lots of air fryers on the market, the Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill and air fryer (AG551UK) comes with one big difference. Not only does it have a substantial-sized air fryer basket, but it also includes the Ninja Foodi Max Grill – allowing you to quickly and efficiently serve up steaks, kebabs and salmon.
Thanks to the integrated meat temperature probe and the smart cook system and which calculates the best cooking times and temperatures, you can also relax knowing that it will come out perfect every single time.
How much is the Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill & Air Fryer AG551UK
The NinjaFoodi Max AG551UK has an RRP of £269.99 but we have seen it regularly at Amazon for £249.99. Amazon also offer Klarna for installments if that suits your family budgeting better.
Key Specification of the Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill & Air FryerAG551UK
6 unique cooking functions – The Ninja Foodi MAX AG551UK isn’t just a bog standard air fryer, it has six versatile and simple to use cooking methods including Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate and Reheat. The reheat option is great for reheating sunday roasts or leftovers for a lunch the following day.
Digital Cooking Probe – The Ninja Foodi Health Grill and Air Fryer comes with an integrated leave-in probe. This innovative addition tmonitors the internal temperature of your food as it cooks. I found this really reassuring, especially when cooking was meat. It’s great for reassurance when you’re new to the world of air frying.
Smart Cook System – Select the cooking function and food type from a range of preset options using the simple touch screen and then take your pick from rare to well done. No more checking regularly or worrying about it overcooking – the Foodi will tell you when your food is done exactly how you like it.
Touchscreen light up control panel is easy to use and intuitive – even for an air fryer beginner!
Dimensions – 29 x 40 x 43cm (H x W x D)
Weight – 10kg
Capacity – 3.8 litres
Multidraw – No
What have we cooked in the Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill & Air Fryer?
What haven’t we cooked in the NinjaFoodi MAX more like?
During the week, we use the NinjaFoodi MAX for quick and easy dinners, especially around after-school clubs and extracurricular activities. Chips in the Ninja are excellent – golden and crispy on the outside but still hot and fluffy on the inside – along with chicken nuggets, fish fingers and onion rings – all cooked to perfection and much quicker than in the oven too. I have also been pleased to see that unlike cooking oven chips, I didn’t notice the layer of grease or fat at the bottom when I removed them. A big plus there.
Steaks on the grill has been an absolute joy for my partner who is a big fan of red meat. He wasn’t convinced that it could cook his rare or medium rare steaks (hes too much of a Miller & Carter fan!) but cook it to perfection it did. The auto cook function has been incredible for this, and ideal if you’re cooking steaks differently for different people.
My other personal favourite is mini herby roast potatoes. They are absolutely divine. The NinjaFoodi MAX AG551UK is also fantastic at crisping up a jacket potato that you’ve started in the microwave – SO much quicker than waiting for an eternity in the oven.
We haven’t fully tested the roast and bake functions yet, but the flexibility and versatility this machine offers is great – it’s nice to know the NinjaFoodi MAX offers those functions should we need them.
What I loved about the Ninja FoodiMax (AG551UK)
Neither my partner or I had used an air fryer before, but we found the NinjaFoodi MAX AG551UK really easy to use. It’s quite an intuitive machine, and so whilst it comes with instructions and a recipe book, this is more for inspiration than needing to sit and read through it al before you start. We found it a little overwhelming at the start – mostly knowing what dishes to try but we have both been really impressed. We’ve since gone on to cook a wide range of family friendly dishes including nachos, chicken fried rice and crispy bacon. Yum.
Our favourite elements of the air fryer include:
The healthier cooking – The NinjaFoodi MAX AG551UK claims to use 75% less fat than traditional frying methods which is really reassuring. You can cook on the Foodi without any oil at all (or a small amount if you prefer for flavour). What you cook in your foodi deterines how healthy it is (no ones fooled into thinking chips are healthy!) but they’re much better than fat fried or greasy options we may have been using before.
The Foodi is really easy to clean – With large sized non stick ceramic coated pan, crisper and grill parts, it’s very straightforward toi clean by hand but also safe to use in the dishwasher. The NinjaFoodi MAX AG551UK comes with a cleaning brush to pull away any more stubborn pieces, and shouldn’t be used with a scourer incase you scratch it.
Volume – At 3.8 litres, the capacity of the Foodi is impressive. The grill is big enough to fit up to 6 burgers at once, so a great way of serving up a quick and easy dinner for the whole family (which I would have struggled with previously with pan space!). There are times however when we would’ve liked to cook two different things simultaneously, and that’s where the Ninja Foodi Max Duel Zone airfryer is a great alternative.
Cooking probe – makes it super easy to know when your meats are thoroughly cooked. I am always paranoid about undercooking meat – especially chicken, so this is great for peace of mind.
LCD Display – is very easy to use and the progress bar visually tells you how long you have left to wait
This multi-purpose airfryer comes with a range of cooking options and in terms of storage, all the contents stash away inside when not in use – with the pan and crisper basket stacking into each other and the probe tucking away into the side of the main airfryer unit.
Cons of the NinjaFoodi Max Health Grill & Air Fryer
Size – measuring 29 x 40 x 43cm (H x W x D) and weighing 10kg , it’s. a pretty substantial unit; meaning unless you have significant countertop space or a utility room, it is a little on the large side. It’s also a bit big and heavy to be getting in and out of cupboards every time you need it.
Cost – there’s no getting away from the fact that the NinjaFoodi Max is a significant cost and investment, that said, as a health grill and air fryer in one, you could use this product a lot, which if utilised to its full potential is absolutely worth the cost. I am a firm believer in the phrase ‘if you’re going to do it, do it properly’, so whilst you can of course find cheaper air fryers on the market, this one certainly justifies the higher price tag.
This air fryer is not as energy efficient as some, being a more powerful machine running at 2,460 watts. That said, it’s still cheaper to run than your oven due to the instant heat up and shorter running durations.
Is the Ninja Foodi Max worth it?
If you have a lot of countertop space and plan to use your airfryer regularly then yes, i believe the NinjaFoodi Max is worth the RRP. It can easily be used as an alternative to your oven and with six cooking options you may find you never need your oven again! How I wish we had this at home when our kitchen was being done – it would have made a very pleasant alternative to microwave meals and toast!
Where can I buy the Ninja Foodi Max Health Grill & Air Fryer?
Based on our research, the retailers that have the best availability and best retail price for the NinjaFoodi Max AG551UK are Amazon and Lakeland,
AMAZON and LAKELAND
The large capacity grill that precisely cooks with perfect resultsMore than a grill – 6 cooking functions: Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate and GrillSmart Cook System
Leave-in Digital Cooking Probe lets you know when your food is perfectly cooked, exactly as you like itAir Fry guilt-free fried food
Up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods*Includes 3.8L Cooking Pot, 3.8L Crisper Basket, 740cm2 Grill Plate, Cleaning Brush, Chef-Created Recipe Guide.Dishwasher-safe parts
Hi, I’m Lucy, a thirty something mum of two from Birmingham. A memory maker, tradition keeper, stationery addict and Mr Men fanatic. HR Advisor by day and sleep deprived Mama by night!
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