Kids

Gotta have it: Pipity Activity Books

Get the kids off their screens and out of your hair with these brilliant colouring and crafting books from Pipity. Plus 15% off for Muddy readers!
Stop fussing! And other lockdown lessons

Parenting can be a little fraught when you're essentially under siege in your own house. So we decided to talk to our young people to find out what they think we could be doing better.
How to build a fulfilled child

Because that's what matters most, right? (Although if they could just get good grades and tidy their room occasionally that would be nice too.) Three experts tell us how.
Choosing a new school? Here’s what to ask about online learning

As if selecting the right school for your child wasn't hard enough, with the possibility of local lockdowns and a second wave, we tapped top local school, West Buckland, for advice.
11 useful gift ideas for kids

Want to avoid the pointless plastic-fest and buy local for the kids this year? Check out these tot-to-teen ideas, all from wonderful West Country indie businesses.
10 local light trails for Christmas 2020

In the mood for some Christmas sparkle? Here's where to find the best illuminations in Devon and nearby counties.
6 reasons to consider InterHigh

If you're one of the many parents considering an alternative to mainstream education right now, virtual school InterHigh could be the answer to your prayers.
10 of the best subscription boxes for kids

Running on empty when it comes to entertaining the kids? Royal Mail comes up trumps with these brilliant subscription boxes – time to sit with a gin and wait for the postman.
Hoo-ha-halloween and half term guide!

Spooky tours, starry skies and pick your own pumpkins. Over 30 ideas to guarantee a happening half term in Devon and beyond.
Where to pick your own pumpkins

Big 'uns, little 'uns, warty ones and pale ghostly ones. Here's Muddy's pick of the pumpkin patches for your witches and wizards to get carving.
How to manage back-to-school anxiety

With the nation’s schoolchildren poised to go back to school, it’s a tense time for everyone. So, how, as parents, should we control our fears? Muddy finds out.
Cool kid-friendly cafe, ahoy!

A cafe that's become a destination for its doughnuts alone must be worth a visit, no? Muddy's definitely going back to The Curious Kitchen.
10 books for younger kids

Kids have had a lot on their plates: no school, no play dates, and slim chance of a summer of fun in the sun. Here's 10 great book for ages 5-8 to create a fictional escape route from the madness.
Kids summer clothing edit

Anyone else's kids shot up a few inches during lockdown? We've got you covered with our pick of the coolest, colourful childrenswear to style out the summer.
Is it time to try an online school?

With many children struggling to study at home and doubts over September start dates, specialist ‘virtual’ schools are gaining huge traction - but what do they offer that’s different?
Parent ‘Lockdown learning’ survey – the results

Earlier this month we commissioned our own comprehensive survey amongst Muddy readers into Lockdown Learning – and we’ve been blown away by the response! Thank you to the 1200 of you who expressed how you felt about virtual-schooling, the difficulties you and your children were facing, as well as revealing surprise success stories and offering […]
Kids driving you nuts? The best parenting books

And we all thought parenting was hard BEFORE lockdown. Jeez! We've got five brilliant new books that promise to help.
Living in lockdown with teens – eek!

Here are 20 things to do that might encourage your teenagers to get out of bed by midday – or at the very least by least by nightfall (fingers crossed).
5 things I’ve learned about motherhood

Acclaimed author (and Muddy favourite) Clover Stroud is in the midst of raising her 5 children. Miraculously she's found time to write a book about it all. Here's a taster.
J’adore/ J’abhor

Parlez-vous teen slang? The language barrier has always been a problem when it comes to parent/child communications. Do you find the way your little darlings speak totally basic or, like, lit?
Your ultimate Autumn Walks guide

Grab your kids, your besties, your dog and anyone else who is free to join you on our first Autumn Walks initiative with Joules - and win coats and wellies for the whole family!
Sweetest summer fashion

There's no shortage of gorgeous children's companies, but high street brand Joules is our pick for the best-dressed kids on the beach.
Cute babywear

Is there a new little prince or princess in your family too? Click this way for the cutest newborn clothes around. Awwww!