What to Pack and How to Keep Kids Entertained on Holiday
Top tips and our best buys to see you through the summer holiday season
Pack Right
Packing light isn’t always an option, but packing right can be – make your life easier with these top picks for family holidays
Beezy travel pushchair, Cybex at Newbles, Sunderland
Toddler clownfish backpack with parental rein, £19.99 LittleLife at Fenwick, Newcastle
Foldable scooter suitcase with LED wheels, £109.95 micro-scooters.co.uk
Universal sun shade for carriers, strollers and pushchairs, £22.95 Dooky at W.H.Watts, Stockton
Smocked dress, £18 Adeline’s Attic UK at Jobsons of Alnwick
Reversible sloth bucket hat, £15 Rockahula Kids at Jump, Gosforth
Hooded towelling robe, £27 boden.co.uk
Kids underwater camera, £79 uk.myfirst.tech
Animals and sea life colouring placemat and pens, £15.95 eatsleepdoodle.co.uk
Iris travel cot, £135 Maxi-Cosi at Baby Thingz, Newcastle
Lumi Board lightbox drawing kit, £49.99 Maped, stockists regionwide
HOLIDAY READS
It’s important to start good habits early, and you’re never too young to appreciate the joy of some great crime fiction by the pool. Enter The Swifts, an award-winning murder mystery from Durham author Beth Lincoln, serving up a fantastically imaginative exploration of wordplay and identity alongside a good dose of whodunnit. And, if they’re hooked, you can preorder the sequel ‘A Gallery of Rogues’ for August.
The Swifts by Beth Lincoln, £7.99 Penguin
Comedian and children’s author Rosie Jones’ new book, Moving On Up, is a handy guide to overcoming embarrassment, navigating friendships, dealing with bullies, and all the awkwardness that comes with growing up. It sounds like a great reading choice for the summer holidays, as some lessons are easier to learn away from the thick of classroom politics. Once you’re done, make sure to read (or listen to) her fantastic series, The Amazing Edie Eckhart.
Moving On Up! by Rosie Jones, £9.99 Hachette
Lolling Around
These cherry and coconut yogurt ice-pop lollies are easy to make and delicious to eat. Save the recipe for a rainy-day activity and they’ll be ready and waiting when the sun comes out.
PART OF THE FURBITURE
In October 1998, a game-changing toy first hit shelves. Part owl, part teddy bear, part robot – by the time Living North first emerged form the printers in May 1999, this toy was already well on its way to becoming a staple of childhood for nineties and noughties babies. It scooped Toy of the Year at the UK Toy Retailers Association 1999 and, 25 years since our launch, this toy is still going (with just a bit more unicorn in the mix). This toy is, of course, the Furby.
Furby Plush Interactive Toy, £74.99 stockists regionwide
