Children parenting and family life

FROM #ad posts to children launching their own fashion lines, the world of influencing is no longer reserved for reality stars and celebs – but their mini-mes too.

Amy Childs became the latest star to cash in on her daughter Polly when she revealed last month that the nine-year-old was launching her own fashion range – with a crop top-clad Polly telling the camera all about her new venture.

The announcement didn’t go down quite as positively as Amy had hoped, with many fans slamming her for ‘exploiting’ the youngster for the money-spinning venture – leaving her ‘devastated’.

It comes as a whole host of celebs have welcomed their offspring into the world of business.

Ferne McCann’s daughters Sunday and Finty often feature in her social media brand deals, Molly-Mae’s three-year-old Bambi joined her in fronting a campaign for laundry detergent brand Comfort and Persil, and Rochelle Humes’ three children often appear in front of the camera for her brand, My Little Coco.

But why are so many celebs turning to using their children for new cash-grabbing ventures?

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PR expert Luana Riviera says celeb parents are a ‘goldmine’ when it comes to money-making, as she says: “Being seen with their children makes even the most famous faces seem more down-to-earth and relatable.”

However, fans have been left concerned over the rise in celeb children on their screens.

Amy Childs’ was flooded with comments about ‘exploitation’ after revealing daughter Polly’s clothing brand.

Something feels off about this. Sorry but it’s a money making thing and doesn’t seem right.

“She isn’t old enough to do this sort of thing and have the maturity to understand,” said one.

Another echoed: “God let her be a child a little longer.”

Molly-Mae faced similar backlash after showing daughter Bambi in the bath on her Amazon Prime series and taking part in campaigns together.

“From a PR point of view, the use of families is appealing and will certainly get people talking about the brand and the marketing campaign,” explains Launa, who is the founder of Dauntless PR.

She continued: “But it is important to remember that these decisions are forever and when children get older they may wish they had been given more privacy and normality in their younger years.”

“Whether or not celebrities SHOULD put their children in the public eye in this way is an area which people will have lots of opinions on.

“Some will argue it is a safety risk and that the children themselves aren’t old enough to fully consent or understand the implications of establishing a level of fame in their own right.”

With the move such a controversial one, will the young stars see any of their hard-earned profits?  

PR expert Carla Speight believes they will reap the rewards, just not anytime soon.

“These industry savvy parents will be making sure their kids won’t work for free, especially in the case of Molly Mae’s Bambi in the Comfort ads.

“Bambi will have been paid for that and the money will sit in a trust earning interest until she’s at least 16, which gives her a good financial head start.

“Just like most of the celeb children, they’ll either have shares in the brands or they’ll get a wage for each time they showcase the brands and in the case of their parent’s brands, it’s likely they’ll get both.”

WET weather may be on the way, but that doesn’t mean family fun has to stop.

Across the country are plenty of new indoor soft play attractions that will keep the kids entertained – even when it’s raining outside.

Geo-Play, Prestatyn

Over in the Welsh town of Prestatyn, a new soft play centre for babies, toddlers and children has just opened.

Called Geo-Play, it has colourful obstacles, slides, tunnels and places to climb.

Inside its Dragon’s Magical Sensory Cave children will be able to play amongst lots of lighting with cosy cushions, mirrors and projections on the walls.

Parts of the soft play look like a lighthouse – inspired by Prestatyn’s seaside location.

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Letherhead Leisure Centre, Surrey

Opening in just a few days’ time will be a new soft play centre in Leatherhead.

On September 6, children up to 10 years old will be able to explore a brand-new adventure play area with three slides, ball pools, climbing area, and interactive elements.

There’s a separate area for those under two; it will have a mini play frame, toddler slide, ball pool and activities for younger kids.

Parents can watch on at one of the tables surrounding the soft play and get drinks and snacks from the on-site café.

Epicland UK, Trafford

Epicland opened in July on the upper floor of Partington Shopping Centre in Trafford.

It has two soft play sections – one for twos and under and another for children aged three to nine years.

Inside is a light up racing slide and a light up warp slide along with role play areas and a ball pit.

It also has sand play, craft areas, role play and little trampolines – there’s also a mini climbing wall and a racing track with little cars.

Derby Way, Bury

This soft play may not open for a while as plans have only just been submitted to transform a former car showroom in Bury.

It will transform from its vacant unit into a new children’s indoor activity park for children aged 0 to 11.

Planning documents reveal the indoor play centre would feature soft play areas, seating, party rooms, and a café.

Customers would be able to book two hour play slots, which would start in 30 minute intervals.

Fun Parx, Banbury

This centre coming to Banbury has a bit more than soft play with Ninja obstacle courses and super slides.

Fun Parx has enormous Inflatable Monster Course where kids can race each other to the end.

Of course, for smaller kid, s here is a soft play called Critter Castle with its own ball pit, slides and turret to climb.

For gamers, there will be a retro arcade with throwback games, and the on-site cafe will serve up pizza, fries, hot dogs and soft drinks.

It was set an opening time of ‘summer 2026′, so is likely to open soon.

Sprouts Play Barn, Abingdon

Known as being a large, farm-themed indoor and outdoor soft play centre – Sprouts Play Barn has plenty to shout about.

It has a four- lane cow slide, tunnel slide, farmer’ s market role-play, a floor piano, sports court and a designated area for unde5s’s

In July work began on a new play area for even younger children.

Called ‘Crawlers & Cruisers’ it will be a soft play zone designed specifically for babies and toddlers who are not yet walking.

It’s set to open in December or January 2027.

IT’S half nine at night on the summer solstice.

The light is doing the golden hour thing it only does in June, and my four-year-old is scattering dragonflies as she launches herself into the cold water.

“Can we go in the ‘cold pool’ again?” she asks the next morning. Again. She has asked roughly 200 times this week.

The pool in question is the natural swim pond at Tanylan Farm, on the coast road between Ferryside and Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire.

We stayed in Ty Llo (Calf House), one of a handful of holiday barns on site — and the pool was the single best thing that has ever happened to my daughter.

Rain or shine, morning or night, she was in it.

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There was a sauna next to it for the grown-ups, a private hot tub outside our holiday cottage, and the beach was 400 yards down the lane.

My wife and I, our daughter and baby son had travelled by train to Swansea then picked up a hire car and made our way to Carmarthenshire — that bit of Wales everyone drives past on the way to Pembrokeshire. Their loss.

On day one, the sun was out so we visited Pembrey Country Park — 500 acres of woodland backing on to Cefn Sidan, an eight-mile stretch of sand that was the first beach in Wales to win a Blue Flag.

The sand is absurdly fine and the water so shallow that by mid- afternoon it had warmed up like a paddling pool.

For small children, it is close to perfect.

The park itself is the showstopper, though.

There’s a dry ski slope, a toboggan run, crazy golf, a pirate adventure playground and miles of flat, traffic-free cycling on rental bikes.

We arrived planning to stay two hours and left after seven.

Next day, the National Botanic Garden of Wales, just over half an hour’s drive from the farm, was one of the most relaxing family days out we’ve ever done.

Monty Python fame

Think Eden Project but at a size you can easily get round with a buggy and a pre-schooler.

The Great Glasshouse, packed with plants of six Mediterranean climates, sits in the landscape like a dropped raindrop.

We ate our picnic sandwiches in the “Canary Islands”, with the smell of cedar and lavender.

Outside is 568 acres of restored Regency parkland, lakes, waterfalls — and a Gruffalo trail themed on the kids’ book character.

Kidwelly Castle, of Monty Python movie fame, is a 20-minute drive away.

“Let’s climb to the top, Daddy,” my daughter begged. So we did — and the views over the Gwendraeth estuary are worth the effort.

From on high, I told my princess-obsessed daughter about a real one, Gwenllian, who rode out from this castle to lead an army into battle against the Normans.

I left out how it ended (head lopped off) and she was suitably impressed.

Our final stop was the British Bird of Prey Centre which recently moved to a purpose-built site at Idole, near Carmarthen, after years at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

It flies golden eagles, red kites, owls and peregrines, with three shows a day and an indoor arena for when the Welsh rain sets in.

We did get four days of rain but it barely affected our week’s getaway.

There was always a glasshouse, a castle, an indoor flying arena — or that cold pool.

We’ll be going back for more — she’s already asked.

DURING the school holidays I am a fan of making life as easy as possible.

So teaching my children to cook seems a major win, especially when it doubles as a fun day out.

I took my sons Henry and Nicholas, to a brilliant kids’ pasta making class at the Jamie Oliver Cookery School.

There are two London locations offering lessons for all ages and abilities, including joint parent-kid sessions – perfect for the summer break or weekends.

Our class was inside John Lewis’ flagship department store on Oxford Street, in a big, bright teaching kitchen.

Our instructor was Holly, who studied at culinary school, has written cookbooks and worked as a private chef.

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Holly explained what was on the menu and took us through the first part of the process – making our pasta dough.

It’s a great one for kids as the mixing and kneading allows them to get stuck in.

Standing in the flash kitchen with our ingredients laid out before us made us feel like we were on a cookery show.

The task does involve some skill, but no real prior expertise or fiddly equipment or techniques.

Holly and her assistant chef Robin circled the room and helped when needed, but gave the young cooks plenty of space to learn and explore for themselves.

Then, as our glistening, golden balls of dough ‘rested’ on our work benches, Holly brought everyone back together to explain how to whip up a quick tomato, basil and garlic sauce.

It was a new one on me, too, as I didn’t know you could make a delicious pasta dressing with just raw tomatoes and a grater – no cooking or chopping needed.

Then, while our sauce marinated, it was on to the rolling.

The kids loved it, and got the hang of the technique instantly, using the machine to gradually fashion a thinner and thinner dough.

Holly then showed the class how to use cutting tools to fashion tagliatelle, angel hair and farfalle (or ‘bow-tie pasta’, as we call them in our house).

The kids worked with care and precision to get their shapes spot-on and were delighted to see their tagliatelle appear like magic from the machine.

It was almost like grown-up Play-Doh!

The final step was to boil the pasta before stirring it into the pre-prepared sauce.

Clutching their steaming bowls of lovingly made pasta, the class wandered to the trestle tables in the cookery school’s dining room to enjoy lunch with lashings of grated parmesan.

Verdict from all the children: Delicious.

And for parents, what better way to spend a school holiday morning?

The only drawback for me has been that I am now being nagged to buy a pasta machine!

If you’re not a big fan of pasta, there are also classes in meatball-making,

Mexican street food, sushi, ravioli, Thai green curry and bread.

At this rate, I won’t have to worry about cooking in the holidays ever again.

That seems like money well spent to me.

THERE aren’t many places where you can watch the Grand Prix then have a round of golf before relaxing in a spa.

But at the Whittlebury Park Hotel — just a stone’s throw from Silverstone — you can do all that and much more.

The privately owned 4* hotel in Nottinghamshire boasts one of the UK’s largest spas, while its championship golf course has played host to some of the world’s top golfers.

And better still, it is just a ten-minute drive from the mecca of motorsport and its brilliant museum.

In fact, it’s so close to Silverstone you can hear the cars bombing round the track while you enjoy a clotted cream tea overlooking the 300-acre estate.

The central courtyard is a great spot in the summer, thanks to the buckets of games for kids — including a pickleball court I struggled to tear my seven-year-old away from.

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It also has two fantastic games rooms stuffed with table tennis, air hockey, darts, a giant KerPlunk set, PlayStation 5, and loads more.

And next-door, a movie room is set up with dozens of films, bean bags and complimentary popcorn.

You could easily spend a day just chilling there.

But my kids don’t chill and they are up at daybreak — which is when the early opening time (6.30am) at the swimming pool came in handy.

We left the kids splashing about to indulge in some much-needed quiet time in the sauna and steam room.

Budding golfers, on the other hand, will want to get themselves out on the championship course to practise their swing.

And if that’s not enough, the hotel is also home to a driving range, simulators, PGA professional coaches and an award-winning clubhouse.

If you’re a mega fan, make sure to book a room overlooking the course.

Our lovely family room had great views of the green so I could watch people putt while the kids tucked in to the welcome hamper full of sweeties and biscuits.

Aside from the golf and kid-friendly fun, one of the best things about Whittlebury is its location.

Silverstone Museum is just five minutes away in the car, with tonnes of interactive stuff.

This includes a state-of-the-art immersive VR experience called Black Cats and Chequered Flags where visitors can try out life in the pit lane before taking to the track alongside F1 legend Alberto Ascari.

There is also an incredible collection of classic racing cars and bikes.

And most days there is real-life action taking place on the circuit.

Guests can wander down to stand next to the Wellington straight and Luffield corner as the cars scream by.

When the kids tire of the car gimmicks, Warwick Castle is around an hour’s drive away.

The place tends to be heaving on Fridays in the school summer holidays (we learned the hard way) but the scale of the old fortress is certainly breathtaking — literally, that is, if you want to climb to the top of the tower and along the ramparts.

Its main hall is bursting with a staggering collection of weapons and chivalric suits of armour.

But the star attraction is the medieval jousting contest, set in a brilliant historical recreation of the War of the Roses.

There’s also a falconry show, archery and a terrifying dungeon experience (for kids aged ten and over).

Little ones don’t need to miss out, either, with Zog’s play area and a Horrible History maze.

At the end of our two-night stay, our very active children had barely had a moment’s downtime — racing round the attractions like the cars at the Silverstone race track.

So start your engines. You’re in for a great ride at Whittlebury.

WHEN it comes to knowing all the flight tricks of the trade, the best people to ask are the flight crew.

And when it comes to travelling as a family with as little stress as possible, knowing where to start can be tricky.

Katy Lo, Senior Purser at Cathay Pacific, has worked for the airline for nearly 15 years.

Often travelling between London and Hong Kong, she knows all the tricks to dealing with little passengers on long flights.

She told Sun Travel: “Having personally navigated the airport dash with a buggy and a biscuit-bribed toddler, changed nappies mid-turbulence, and even fished raisins from seat pockets at 3am, I can attest that travelling with children can feel overwhelming.

Yet, those early flights, despite the stress and mess, also created some of my favourite family memories.

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“With a little planning and the right strategies, our goal is to empower parents to feel confident and prepared, allowing them to relax and truly enjoy the experience.” 

With Google searches for ‘flying with kids’ skyrocketing +927%, Katy has compiled a crucial list for jet setting parents that are looking to conquer common parental travel challenges. 

2+2 seat booking trick

She explained: “Sometimes children don’t get along and it can be at the worst possible time.  

“For sibling harmony on long flights, book two seats per row, front and back, allowing for separation or togetherness – avoiding any pending squabbles.” 

Stick to the routine

When it comes to sleeping, she said that there are a few tiny ways to make it as pain free as possible.

She explained: “Routine gives comfort in unfamiliar spaces.

“If you’re flying overnight, change them into their pyjamas on board. Bring their bedtime story or sleep toy.

“It sends the signal that it’s time to settle, even at 35,000 feet.” 

Don’t feel bad if you have to resort to some TV time too.

She said: “Flight time is not real life. Let them watch their favourite shows or play tablet games to their heart’s content. 

“It keeps them entertained, calm, and happy, ensuring your calm and happiness too.” 

Pack wisely

There are lots of things you don’t need – and lots you do.

She conitnued: “Forget the fancy outfit changes and matching accessories, they’ll end up under the seat.

“Focus on the essentials: wipes, snacks, distractions. A carryon is your best friend.

“I always packed a small ‘emergency kit’ with surprises, a new toy or colouring book worked wonders when things got wobbly.” 

If your child wants to pack their own little rucksack, let them.

“Even if it only has a sticker sheet, a sock and half a banana, it gives them independence and excitement.

“My three loved having something that felt like ‘theirs’.” 

RAIN is on the way and whether you’re excited for the end of the heatwave or not, indoor play is back on the cards.

Here are some of the top indoor attractions to keep the kids occupied when bad weather strikes from indoor gaming to trampolining and soft play.

The Playhive, North Yorkshire

The Playhive at Stockeld Park in North Yorkshire is one of the biggest indoor playgrounds in the UK.

Inside is everything from massive spaceships – with rocket walkways, ladders and nets – to planes and submarines.

Jungle-themed climbing walls and under-the-sea play areas are also part of the attraction – there are even toddler-friendly areas too.

Tickets to Stockeld Park start from £13.55pp.

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Activate, London

Activate is a popular immersive experience with nine different rooms filled with games.

You can have a go at dodging lasers, digital dodgeball, basketball and challenges to test reflexes.

There are four venues across London: The O2, Oxford Street, Vauxhall, Westfield White City and Islington and children have to be over six-years-old.

Tickets to Activate start from £22.95pp.

Woodlands Family Theme Park, Devon

Woodlands Family Theme Park is home to Devon‘s largest soft play.

Inside there are drop slides, ball pools, climbing tubes, obstacles even an Ice Palace.

In the Circus Drome Zone there’s even more soft play as well as a bouncy castle, rope swings and slides for kids.

Tickets to Woodlands Family Theme Park start from £12.25pp.

Play Factore, Manchester

Play Factore in Manchester has the tallest standing indoor slide in the UK as well as a laser tag arena.

Kids can enjoy a bounce on the interactive ValoJump trampolines, the zip wire and play frame which has network of tunnels, slides and obstacles.

In the Toddler Area, there are two floors of play designed for kids under the age of five.

Tickets to Play Factore in Manchester range from £3.95 to £21.95pp.

Riverside Hub, Northampton

The Riverside Hub will keep children entertained for hours with lots of different zones to explore and an enormous climbing frame with a huge beanstalk climbing wall.

There’s a Role Play Village too where kids can use their imagination to explore a make-believe world, with a cafe, shop, witch’s house and tooth fairy dentist.

Inside is also a football pitch and a dedicated zone for toddlers with ball pits and activity walls.

Tickets to the Riverside Hub start from £7.45 for adults and £12.50 for children.

Flip Out

Flip Out are family-friendly trampoline and adventure parks filled with more activities than you can imagine.

The facilities vary depending on location, but most have a whole floor of trampolines for bouncing about, as well as inflatable obstacle courses and even a Ninja playground.

Some venues also have soft play centres and ones dedicated to toddlers.

There are over 30 Flip Out venues across the UK too so one is bound to be near you – tickets start from £8.

Gravity Max

These massive entertainment venues are great for a rainy day with lots of activities to try out.

There’s electric go-karts, digital darts, street golf, karaoke, an arcade with lots of classic games and even AR bowling.

At the sports bar there are food stalls and live sporting events are shown on the TV.

There are Gravity Max venues in Liverpool, Cardiff, Yorkshire and London and tickets vary in cost depending on activities but start from £10.99.

Junkyard Golf Club

Anyone who is a fan of crazy golf should head to one of the putting venues of Junkyard Golf Club – of which there are six in the UK.

The venues are known for their uniquely designed courses which are all made from reclaimed items.

The very creative golf course themes go from Circus Fear-Ground to Polluted Paradise, 90s Garage Scrapyard and Basement Horror.

Tickets to Junkyard Golf Club start from £16.50pp.

TeamSport, Warrington

There are 38 TeamSport tracks around the UK – but the one in Warrington has the UK’s biggest indoor track at 1000 metres.

There are 22 corners and a Monaco-style tunnel split over three levels, so it will prove to be a challenge whether or not you’re a pro-driver.

Their e-karts hit speeds of 40mph and the average lap time is just over a minute – if you’re really fast you might appear on the leaderboard.

Tickets to TeamSport Warrington start from £47.66pp.

Arcade Club

Arcade Club is the perfect spot for gamers where you can return to the golden age of gaming with these classics.

From pinball machines to Astro Blaster and Pac-Man, it’s the best place for a bit of pixel nostalgia – the arcades can be found in Blackpool, Leeds and Bury.

They also have food and drink on site, offering pizzas, burgers, hot dogs and nachos at their restaurants.

Adult tickets to Arcade Club are £18 with children under 16s being able to get their game on for £10.