Kids

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 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.
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.
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.
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.
To school or not to school

It's the dilemma that's dividing the nation - is it safe to send our children back to school on Monday? Two Muddy editors, one pro and one against, explain why they've made their personal decision.
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).
16 online ideas to keep kids busy

Kids got cabin fever already? We've rounded up some of the best digital classes, from drawing, cooking to yoga, to keep 'em busy.
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?
The best children books of the year!

From toddlers to teens, Muddy's edit should give you ample inspiration for small people’s Christmas presents. Bookmark this pronto!
Just add sparkle!

Lights, camera, Christmas! 10 twinkly trips and illuminated trails around Devon and beyond to add some sparkle to your Yule.
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!