So what is it exactly that makes this show stand out, and attract such a wave of support from parents and children?  Here are 8 (hehehe…) reasons why Octonauts are awesome:

1. Graphics.  This program is a visual feast.  The talented duo from Meomi create a stunning CGI underwater world which combines true aspects of aquatic life with imaginary elements.
2. Soundtrack.  Composer Darren Hendley (who also wrote the music for Olivia) brings to the program a high quality score reminiscent of any sci-fi-action-adventure film.  The music isn’t limited to opening and closing credits either. It features throughout each ten minute episode, adding to the excitement.
3. Non-fiction content.  Each episode features an underwater animal in its natural habitat.  Along with the Octonauts, kids learn about interesting behaviours or unusual characteristics of each animal.
4. Tried and true formula. Anyone who has watched their share of sci-fi adventures will recognise the similarities between the Octonauts and the crew from the Enterprise, or SG1, or….  (Yes, I am married to a geek).  Strong leader + shy medic + scientist-with-a-Scottish-accent + fearless adventurer = awesome team!
5. Intelligent entertainment. Children’s programs which are “dumbed down” make me groan.  I believe television shows for kids should be language-rich, introduce interesting vocabulary, and model excellent use of conversation.  Octonauts more than meets my criteria in this department.
6. Target age. There often seems to be a lack of good quality entertainment appropriate for kids in the 4-7 age range.  Between toddlers and tweenagers is a whole stage (which seems to be disappearing) called childhood!!  This program is ideal for lower primary aged kids. Yay!
7. Environmental awareness.  I’m always happy for my kids to watch a television program which encourages them to get back outside after it’s finished, exploring the natural world and the creatures in it.  The “Explore! Rescue! Protect!” tagline of the Octonauts is relevant in any habitat.
8. Understanding.  This program isn’t about good-guys and bad-guys.  It’s about good-guys and misunderstood-guys.  This is particularly important in the context of real animals.  There are no evil animals.  Sometimes creatures can harm us, but it is not because they are “bad” in any way.  Usually when animals hurt us it is because they are afraid and are defending themselves or their young.

Are your kids fans of Captain Barnacles, Kwazii and Peso?  The first DVD is now available exclusively to ABC shops and ABC Online, and will be available at all good retailers from the 6th October.  Thanks to my friends at Roadshow and ABC4Kids I have FIVE copies of the Meet The Octonauts DVD to give away.  Simply leave a comment sharing what you or your children like about this program. Usual rules apply: one entry per person, Aussie residents only, comp closes Wed 28/9/11 8pm Qld time.

*Disclaimer: I received a review copy of the Octonauts DVD for this post and the usual admin fee applied.

A Good Wrap products are made up of a 100% cotton exterior, and food safe zip lock nylon which can be easily wiped out.  They can also be washed in the sink with the daily dishes, or thrown into the washing machine.  Sandwiches and rolls stay fresh in the wraps, while the small snack bags and medium snack bags are perfect for all the other bits that go into your child’s lunchbox.  The wraps and bags are secured with velcro.

Tiki Walsh, the Aussie mum-of-three behind A Good Wrap says, “We believe that locally produced food should be also wrapped in locally produced bags and wraps. It’s better for our children and better for the environment.” What a great philosophy.  Love it.  Oh, and check out the fundraising ideas as well.  I’m sure some schools and kindergartens would LOVE to have lunch wraps in their school colours or fabric!

Thanks to Tiki, I have two prize packs valued at $36 each to give away.  Each pack contains a small snack bag, medium snack bag and sandwich wrap in a mix of fabrics. To enter, leave a comment below sharing a healthy lunchbox idea your child happily eats!  And if you could jump over and “like” A Good Wrap’s facebook page that would be great too.

Usual rules: one entry per person, Aussie residents only, comp closes Sat 10/9/11 8pm Qld time.

Disclaimer: I received two wraps, medium snack bags and small bags for my own kids free of charge for review purposes, and the usual administration fee applied.

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This comp has now closed.

Congratulations Alyra and Petrina!

]]> http://squigglemum.com/win/a-good-wrap-giveaway/feed/ 43 http://squigglemum.com/win/top-songs-by-justine-clarke/ http://squigglemum.com/win/top-songs-by-justine-clarke/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:56:40 +0000 SquiggleMum http://squigglemum.com/?p=5420

My kids are huge fans of Justine Clarke, and I am a big supporter of her work as an Australian children’s entertainer.  I’ve met her backstage, interviewed her, reviewed and given away her albums and dvds… and now I am delighted to be able to give away tickets to her Little Day Out Tour! I have TWO double-passes for a couple of lucky SquiggleMum readers.

In order to win a pair of tickets, simply share your favourite Justine song!  Do you your kids have a favourite?  I couldn’t pick between my top 3 songs:

• Mrs Knife and Mr Fork – One of my early faves.  For a children’s song, the lyrics are just sublime.  Justine rocks a fifties vibe in the film clip, and there’s lots of cool percussion played on cutlery.
• Song to Make You Smile – This song really does make me smile, and I sing it to the kids to make them smile too.  It has such a sweet melodic introduction, with a catchy chorus and positive message.
• My Shadow and Me – I loved this jazz number the first time I heard it, and I never tire of it.  Justine and her team really do set the standard when it comes to creating musically sophisticated, yet age appropriate for our kids.

So over to you. Do you agree with my choices, or have a different favourite? Leave a comment sharing your favourite Justine Clarke song and you could win a double pass to the nearest venue (Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane)!

One entry per person please, and you must be able to get to either the Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane show.  Two winners will be chosen at random.  Competition closes 8pm Qld time, Sunday 7/8/11.

Justine would love you to visit her facebook page, or stop by her website for updates and info.

This competition is closed. Congratulations to the two winners: Super Sarah and Penny Whitehouse!

Winners have been notified by email.

Best of all – I have an awesome box for a SquiggleMum reader too

Here’s our baking mission in pictures:

Choose a recipe.

Clean the table ready for baking.

Cream the butter and sugar.

Crack the egg!

Sift flour and add. Get ready to knead the dough.

Roll the dough.

Cut out shapes.

Bake in the oven.

Next day: time to decorate.

Look what we made!

*   *   *

If you would like to win the same baking box we received, just leave a comment below sharing what you and your kids like to cook together. Easy.  (Aussie residents only, one entry per person, comp closes 8pm Friday 15/7/11)

You might also like to check out Dettol’s Mission for Health website and the tops tips from celebrity ambassador Toni Pearen.  I think perhaps Dettol suspected we might encounter a little finger-licking-goodness while baking with kids…

Disclaimer: I received the Baking Box courtesy of Dettol’s Mission For Health campaign, but did not receive payment for this campaign.

.

This comp has now closed, AND THE WINNER IS:

#8 – Kathryn Cavalieri

Congratulations Kathryn. Hope you and your kids enjoy.

]]> http://squigglemum.com/win/baking-with-kids-mission-possible/feed/ 114 http://squigglemum.com/activities/activities-outdoor/embrace-winter-dirt-girl-win/ http://squigglemum.com/activities/activities-outdoor/embrace-winter-dirt-girl-win/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:14:58 +0000 SquiggleMum http://squigglemum.com/?p=5230

Lately I’ve been hearing a message I really dislike:  Keep your kids out of the winter weather.  I’m not sure where the message is coming from, or why.  Of course we have to make allowances for weather, but there is no need to keep kids indoors.  Outdoor play is an important part of a child’s day – every day.

Almost a year ago to the day, I wrote here on the blog about Playing Whatever the Weather:

I don’t think we can expect children to tolerate extremes of temperature they are not accustomed to, but I do think they should be able to enjoy outside time in their home climate.  For my kids, temperatures range from about 10 degrees celsius in winter, through to around 35 degrees in summer.  Winter play means wearing lots of layers.  The days start chilly, but do warm up and beanies need to be replaced with sunhats.  Winter play doesn’t mean staying inside with the heater on.  Summer play means sunscreen, hats and sun-safe clothing.  It also means drinking plenty of water, and playing out of the sun during the hottest times.  Summer play doesn’t mean staying inside with the airconditioning on!  Ok, yes there are days when I use the heater in winter, and the air con in summer – but we don’t stay trapped inside and I always find the kids have more fun outdoors.

A year on, I am nodding along to my own words. My opinion hasn’t changed.  I still think it’s important for kids to get outside, whatever the weather.  Next week the school holidays start, and I know it will be a great opportunity for my two munchkins to play together outside.  Here’s what a typical home day in the winter holidays looks like for us (with the morning routine relaxed because we’re not in a rush to get to school):

• 6:30 – 7:30 Breakfast
• 7:30 – 8:30 Get dressed, brush teeth, make beds, do morning jobs
• 8:30 – 9:30 Play inside (or help Mum with housework)
• 9:30 – 10:30 Morning tea and outside free play
• 10:30 – 12:00 Creative activity together, preferably outside (anything from painting to playing pirates!)
• 12:00 – 12:30 Lunch
• 12:30 – 1:30 Quiet Time in bedrooms (read or rest)
• 1:30 – 3:30 Outside free play or continuing activity and afternoon tea
• 3:30 – 4:00 Pack up sandpit, outside toys, creative mess
• 4:00 – 5:30 Play inside, TV on (while Mum gets dinner ready)
• 5:30 – 6:15 Dinner and bathtime
• 6:15 – 7:00 Stories and BED

It’s a pretty fluid schedule – times are just there to give you an idea. You can see though that the kids can easily have three or four hours outside during the warmest parts of the day.  I know that some days they will have extra time outdoors, because they’ll be keen to get outside straight after breakfast despite the chill, or because they’re still hunting for dinosaur eggs at 4:30 and haven’t noticed the temperature dropping!

I don’t mind the tv going on in the late afternoons at all.  I know that the kids have had lots of outside time, and they’ve usually had enough of each other by then.  We’re all getting tired, crankiness creeps in, and I need to get dinner ready.  And what do I put on? Dirtgirlworld of course!

Dirtgirl knows that winter is wonderful outside.  She loves winter’s nourishing soups, rugging up in lovely warm clothing and gumboots, and making the most of the sun when it’s out – even if it’s just for a little bit.  Me and Dirtgirl? We’re so on the same page.  Even when my kids are watching tv, they are getting the message that outside is where the fun is at.  Dirtgirl and Scrapboy give my kids ideas for tomorrow’s play, and encourage them to get their boots on and head outside all over again.

Thanks to my friend Dirtgirl (and the gang at Madman) I have five amazing prize packs to give away. Each one has the Winter DVD, as well as Dirtgirlworld’s Spring, Summer and Autumn DVD collections!  To win all four seasons DVDs, just leave a comment below sharing what your kids like to do outside in WINTER.

Usual rules apply: Aussie residents only, one entry per person, winners drawn randomly, comp closes Sunday 26th June 6pm Qld time.

If you’re a fan, you might like to follow Dirtgirlworld on facebook and twitter, and check out all the cool stuff starting to happen on their blog too.

Giggle and Hoot continue to go from strength to strength as the lovable co-hosts of ABC4Kids.  I’ve had the opportunity both to interview Jimmy Giggle (James Rees) and meet him backstage.  He really does deserve the attention he receives from kids across the country.  Late last year I watched him give the same genuine grin and hug to the 367th child waiting in line as he did for the first child in line.  He obviously loves what he does.

The latest offering from Giggle and Hoot is a DVD compilation of giggle-icious music.  Sing-along to new Giggle and Hoot songs and enjoy well known tunes like Hoot’s Lullaby.  On the DVD, Giggle and Hoot also present episodes or songs from some of my ABC favourites.  There’s a fantastic Playschool episode on Making Music, a Wiggle and Learn episode called ‘Beach, Beach, Sandy Beach,’ songs from Justine Clarke, The Wiggles and more!  It’s a great compilation DVD for weekends, school holidays or rainy afternoons with toddlers!

You can pick up a copy in ABC Stores or online for $19.99 or enter below to win one of FOUR copies!  To enter, simply leave a comment sharing something that makes your child giggle! (Aussie residents only, one entry per person, comp closes 6pm Sunday 8th May, 4 winners chosen at random.)

* I received a copy of Giggle-icious Music courtesy of Roadshow.

Other posts you may like:

• SquiggleMum’s Photo Gallery
• Dear Jimmy Giggle
• Justine Clarke in Concert
• Justine Clarke Interview

If that sounds like your kind of fundraiser too, you have to check out Seeds for the Future.  It’s a simple fundraising concept: buy a seed packet for $1 and sell it for $2.  That means a whopping 50% profit for your school, kindy, playgroup, MOPS group, whatever.  (Be aware though that you will have to outlay for the seed packets first.)  Seeds come in 25pkt boxes, and contain either a warm or cool selection of herbs and vegetables depending on the season and your climate zone.  There are even tips for successful growing on the site too!  What a fanstastic way to encourage families to get gardening together, while fundraising for your community group.  Contact Seeds for the Future if you’d like a free fundraising kit and seed sample pack.

Fancy a little seed raising with the kids?  Thanks to my generous friends at Seeds for the Future I have TEN mixed selection packs to give away to TEN SquiggleMum readers. Yay!! To enter, leave a comment sharing your gardening-with-kids experience below.  Are you an avid grower of veggies in the backyard?  Are you a sometimes-gardener with a small patch of herbs?  Or have you never-ever-ever tried gardening with your children?

Usual rules apply: comp closes Friday 1/4/11 6pm Qld time, ten winners selected at random, one entry per person, Aussie residents only please.

*   *   *

This comp has now closed. Congratulations:

Natalie, Johanna, Nicole, Brooke, Janet, Amy Keep, Samantha Savva, Ros, Jenny and Kathryn C!

Happy gardening

There are so many people I am looking forward to meeting. So many fellow parenting, mothering and educational bloggers I have emailed, tweeted, facebooked and e-chatted with!  I’m just worried that I’ll miss someone.  I won’t be hard to find.  Firstly, because I won’t be hiding in a corner. I’ll be smiling and chatting and probably hugging.  Secondly because I have green glasses – dead giveaway.  Thirdly because you’ll find this gorgeous necklace from my sponsor Madam Charli around my neck all weekend.

Even though I love the outdoors, and I have slightly geeky tendencies, I am still a girly-girl and like a little sparkle!  So often I have been frustrated by all the black that comes with being a blogger. Black laptop, black mouse, black bags, black-black-black. It’s not that I dislike black. I just usually go for something with a bit more personality! So I was delighted to discover Madam Charli.  Here are some of my favourite products:

1.  Bling@Work Pink Mouse – $35

2.  “Lee” 4G USB Heart Necklace – $65

3.  Bling@Work Clear Crystal Business Card set – $40

4.  “Allie” Laptop Tote by Rainebrooke – $59 (great value!)

5.  “Zara” Laptop Bag by Zafino – $195 (Also comes in Red and Chocolate)

Fabulous, right? I know. I’m really impressed with the quality of my necklace. The 4G USB flash drive seems nice and sturdy, and the clasp on the heart is so secure.  The Zara Laptop Bag (centre) is my absolute favourite product. I’m saving up for this little beauty in Caramel, but the Chocolate is yummy too.  If you’ve got your eye on something make sure you sign up for Madam Charli’s mailing list to get your new customer discount (10% off).

Of course, Carolyn from Madam Charli knows how much you guys like a giveaway, so she is sending me to AusBlogCon with all of these fabulous prizes! Squee!!

Geeky-girly-loveliness! Pink sparkly business card holder, business card stand, USB flash drive, stapler and mouse all up for grabs… AND this gorgeous “Zoey” iPad / e-book reader case by Rainebrooke. This is a special giveaway in conjunction with the Conference, so ONLY AUSBLOGCON ATTENDEES ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER THIS COMP.  To enter:

• Follow Madam Charli on twitter
• And/Or like the Madam Charli page on facebook
• Leave a sparkly comment below!

You’ve got about 48hrs to get your name into the draw. Competition closes 8pm Thursday 17/3 and I fly to Sydney bright and early Friday morning!  SIX winners will be drawn at random, and prizes will be handed out on the weekend at the Conference. Be sure to check this post again on Friday to see if you’re a winner, then come and find me to collect your prize

See you there!

*  *  *

This competition is now closed.

Congratulations to the winners:

Dorothy

Tina

Susan

Nellbe

Tiff

Toushka

Come and find me at Conference to get your sparkle!!

]]> http://squigglemum.com/mums/ausblogcon-sparkle-with-madam-charli/feed/ 30 http://squigglemum.com/win/ukulele-baby-wiggle-squiggle-giveaway/ http://squigglemum.com/win/ukulele-baby-wiggle-squiggle-giveaway/#comments Tue, 01 Mar 2011 05:53:42 +0000 SquiggleMum http://squigglemum.com/?p=4857

The ukulele is such a fun instrument.  Its small size makes it ideal for young kids to handle, they are inexpensive (usually around $25) and come in a range of colours.  Of course, the ukulele is more than just a “toy guitar” as it is also a serious instrument in its own right.

Ukulele Baby! is the latest offering from Aussie children’s superstars The Wiggles, and explores the sound of the ukulele and the feel of music from the caribbean.  The Wiggles have set sail on a new adventure with the sweet sound of strumming and palm trees in the distance. Set on an island near Wiggle Bay, The Wiggles have launched twenty three new songs including soon-to-be-classics like You Can Play the Ukulele and Hula, Hula Baby. The album also features a couple of special guests. The highlight for me is the hilarious revival of a 70′s kids song, The Good Ship Fabulous Flea! with Rolf Harris.

Thanks to my wiggly friends at Roadshow I have FOUR copies of Ukulele Baby! to give away to SquiggleMum readers. To enter, leave a comment sharing who your favourite Wiggle (or Wiggles character) is. Aussie residents only please. One entry per person. Comp closes Sunday 6/3/11 6pm Qld time. Winners chosen at random.

You can also pick up a copy of Ukulele Baby! at ABC Stores or online Price: $14.95

*I received a copy of Ukulele Baby! courtesy of Roadshow.

_____________________

This competition is now closed. Congratulations to the random winners: Jackie, Lara, Ness and Erin. Winners have been notified by email. Enjoy!

What an absolute delight it was to be at Karen Collum‘s book launch today to celebrate her debut picture book, Samuel’s Kisses (New Frontier Publishing).  A truly heart warming tale, Samuel’s Kisses is an early childhood story beautifully illustrated by Serena Geddes.  Samuel blows kisses to unhappy shoppers with surprising, and entertaining results.  The uncomplicated plot makes for a feel-good story that is sure to be a hit with preschoolers, and Mums!  There are obvious opportunities for interaction between parent and child when reading, and the book also lends itself well to simple innovations on the text.  I predict Samuel’s Kisses will become a bedtime favourite.

At the launch today, we…

Caught up with Karen (author) and Serena (illustrator).

Made sure our book was autographed.

Listened to Karen read Samuel’s Kisses.

Enjoyed activities and explored the grounds of the gorgeous Marks & Gardner cafe gallery

(with the real Samuel!)

Gave kisses to Karen too!!

Oh, and one more thing I did was to ask Karen and Serena to sign a copy of Samuel’s Kisses for YOU.  Yes, one very lucky SquiggleMum reader will receive a signed, hard cover copy of this delightful picture book.  To enter, leave a comment below sharing how you let your kids know you love them. Do you blow kisses? Have a special saying? Write them notes? Sing to them? One entry per person please. Aussie residents only. Comp closes 6pm Saturday 19th Feb, Qld time.

If you’d like to hear more from Karen, you can find her on facebook or twitter.

*I received a copy of Samuel’s Kisses courtesy of my friends at New Frontier Publishing.

*   *   *

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.

Congratulations to the random winner: Trish.

Everyone else… go and buy a copy!! Karen & Serena’s book is gorgeous.