Review - Moochies Phone for Kids and Win!

We are testing out the new Moochies phone for kids. The phone uses a pay-a-you-go sim card and is worn just like a watch and allows parents to keep track of their children using the Moochies app.

Many parents dread when their child asks if they can walk to school or the park on their own for the first time or that moment in a busy theme park when you lose site of your child. Although we will always worry about the obvious risks we have come across a new product which is extremely useful in lots of these situations. You can contact your child wherever they are and they can also contact you.

Moochies are simple for a child to use, the two buttons on the side of the phone are pre-set with phone numbers set by the parent or guardian using the Moochies app. To phone the parent the child just holds down one of the buttons on the phone.  There is also a SOS button at the front of the watch which the child can press if they are in trouble. This sends a 15 second recording of noises straight to the parents phone.
The Moochies app is free to download for iOS and Android

 



Using the app the parent can set up safe zones for example visiting a friend's house, and they will be notified if the child strays from this area. Parents can also add the numbers of other contacts who are able to call the phone, these are the only numbers able to call avoiding unwanted calls from strangers.

 

 

We are really impressed with the phone, it's easy for a child to use and because it looks and works as a watch the children are happy to wear it. As well as the designs above there are two new designs in both black and blue which an older child could easily wear. It gives great peace of mind watching the profile of your child moving around the area which has been pre-set as 'safe zone' and at the same time the child feels at ease knowing they can call if they are worried.

What we really liked about this product is how easy to is for the child to use and that it comes without the added risks that a mobile phone comes with. We think it really stands out as a must have phone for children in their 'tween' years. For 9-12 yr olds starting to ask for a bit more independence, going for their first sleepover to taking public transport to secondary school this phone could be very reassuring to all parties.

Moochies for Kids £79.99

 www.moochiesforkids.com

We have one Moochies to giveaway!

To enter please email dorset@mumsnetlocal.com stating why you would like to win.
We would also love it if you would visit our Facebook page!


 Open to UK residents over 18's only.   Competition closes 14th December. Winner will be picked at random and notified by email within 72 hours, we reserve the right to choose another winner if we receive no response.

Charity Christmas Cards

 

Seven Springs Studios in Dorchester are opening their doors for a charity photoshoot day to raise money for Children In Need.

 

Would you like the chance to have some lovely Christmas photos taken and to give out Christmas cards with a personal touch?

 

The studio will photograph whoever or whatever you would like to be on your Christmas card this year. The studio take relaxed photos of you, your family and even your pet and they can print the cards for you. They are asking for a donation to Children In Need so please join the event and give generously to a great cause.

 

The shoot is on 22nd November from 10-6 in Dorchester.

 

Join the event here 

Review - Trolley Bags

The new carrier bag charge is now in place so we were keen to try out the new Trolley Bags from http://www.trolleybags.com/

Trolley Bags are a set of four bags which fit into any sized supermarket trolley for the easiest and most organised packing at the supermarket. The system rolls up into a neat Velcro-fastened package that can be hooked on the back of the trolley whilst you shop. Once at the till and all your shopping is on the conveyor, Trolley Bags spread out in one simple action, with the ‘arms’ resting on the trolley sides, giving you a series of open and upright bags to fill, leaving both hands free for packing and sorting. For customers who ‘Scan as you shop,’ the bags can be racked open into the trolley when you enter the store, allowing you to pack, sort and organise your shopping exactly how you like it as your make your way around the aisles.
Now available in new colours and two sizes, Trolley Bags are the reusable bag system that every shopper needs. Trolley Bags Original for standard deeper trolleys and Trolley Bags Express for shallower trolleys, they are perfect for anyone.

On reading the instructions we noted that heavier items should be placed in the smaller bags so lifting the bags out of the trolley would be easier to handle. Off we went with the bags and a shopping list..

 

The bags all fit together snugly and are easy to pop in the back of the car and onto the back of the trolley. We are testing the deeper bags which are ideal for a big family shop and for using the deeper trolley.

 

We did our shop as usual and placed our items on the conveyer belt. When it was our turn to pack we placed the bags onto the trolley, they rested on the sides of the trolley perfectly and spread across to the end leaving us with four opened bags.

 

 

 

 Having the bags open and ready to place items in is a big difference from using the normal reusable supermarket bags that collapse in the trolley and made packing the bags much faster.

 

We packed the heavier items in the yellow and blue bags at the end of the trolley and used the larger bags for bulkier lighter items like bread and toilet rolls.

 

 

 

We had a lot of admiring comments from the checkout operator and several other shoppers who were impressed at how quickly the bags opened and stayed in place. We left the shop and headed to the car for what we considered to be the ultimate test. Would we be able to lift the deep bags out of the trolley and into the boot of the car without hurting our backs? The bags have a netting at the bottom of them so we also questioned if they would be able to hold the weight of the heavier items.

 

 

 

As you can see, the bags fitted into the car boot well and the netting was strong enough to hold the heavy milk bottles and tins. They were manageable to lift although I wouldn't feel comfortable over packing the bags they are able to hold a weekly shop for a family of 6.

 

We were so impressed that these stay in the car boot now so we have them with us for future shops !

 

Would you like to win a set of TrolleyBags?

 

We have a set to giveaway Enter Here and Here for a second entry

 

 



 

 

Greenwood Grange

 

Welcome to Greenwood Grange, an idyllic setting of seventeen holiday cottages. With fantastic onsite facilities such as our Double tennis courts, indoor heated pool, sauna and games room there is plenty to do for the whole family.

We are fortunate enough to have picked up a few awards for our eco friendly properties sustaining the original features and charm. We have also won a Gold Award in the Dorset Tourism Awards 2014 which we are very proud of and work hard to keep our award winning standards.

Located on the outskirts of Dorchester beside Thomas Hardy’s cottage, we provide relaxing getaways for the whole family. Our cottages range for families from two to twelve, which each cottage beautifully decorated with vintage country features. You don’t have to worry about packing everything and the kitchen sink as they all equipped ready and waiting for you. Our prices include all bills and uses of our facilities (small fee for the sauna) making it a hassle free break.

We know that packing for the whole family can be a stressful and time consuming aspect so we have taken care of for you. For young children we can provide bed guards, high chairs, cots and toys all you have to do is ask and we can provide.

Due to our location we have great walks right on our doorstep and pubs for that special evening out in close distance too.

We are very much pet friendly and have dedicated cottages for them too, as well as the dog exercise area. Our grounds are extensive and are contained so you don’t have to worry about your little one taking a wander as we are a fully secure site. Baby and pet sitters are also available should you want a night off for yourselves.

Our outdoor play area can provide hours of endless fun neighbouring our creative yurt with a fully stocked soft play area. Should you wish, we can arrange tennis and swimming lessons as well as caterers so you don’t have to worry about cooking!

The indoor swimming pool is an all year round attraction, with the bonus of large roman steps perfect for little ones getting to grips the water.  The games room is very well equipped with a pool table, billiards, table tennis, table football and a Nintendo Wii.

Our ethos is great holidays for the whole family, should you have a request we will do our very best to accommodate where possible ensuring the Greenwood Experience provides life long memories.

 

To call and speak to a holiday advisor please call: 01305 268874 or e-mail us: info@greenwoodgrange.co.uk –

 

We have an exclusive offer for you! Check it out here

 

Free Family Fun Day at Upton Country Park

Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Allan Turner-Ward is the host of a free Family Fun Day being held at Upton Country Park, Poole, this Saturday (12^th) from 10am to 5pm.

The event is being organised by Barclays to raise money for Julia’s House. Families can watch Barclays teams compete in a number of wacky challenges including human table football, sumo wrestling and a Segway relay.

There will also be children’s entertainment including face painting, golf, crafts, pets’ corner and an inflatable obstacle course, plus live entertainment, food and a bar. More information at juliashouse.org.

 

WIN!! Family portrait photo shoot worth over £300

We have a great prize for you to treasure the precious time you spend with your family this summer at the Seven Springs Studios in Dorchester. A photo shoot for one family portrait on canvas worth over £300!

We also have 10 runner up prizes for a photo shoot and a 5x7 print.

Competition closes 31st August at 12pm

Click here to enter

WIN!! Roller Coast Roller Rink - Summer Holidays

 

 

Get your skates on for the rockin’, rollin’ Roller Coast Roller Rink, returning in the Summer Holidays. Fun for all the family whatever the weather, zoom around the rink to all the latest chart topping hits.

The Heart FM Angels will be flying in on Friday 14 and 21 August for all to enjoy. Face painting and prize giveaways will be available across all sessions on these days, so roll on down and get in on the action.

Resident DJ, Disco Dave will be bringing the party to the Over 18 DJ nights on Saturday 8, Saturday 15 and Saturday 22 August. 8 - 11pm, £6 per person. 

Roller Rink Party Packages

Roller Coast is the perfect venue for kid’s birthday parties with a package available including a Roller Coast session followed by main course and never ending soft drink at Hot Rocks. Better still, one adult per six children in the party package skate for free!

 

Further Information

Ticket Prices

£5.00 – £6.00

 

 

During busy sessions it is advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to the session time to allow for queues at the Ticket Office.

Under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult on the rink (1 adult may accompany up to 3 under 12’s). No under 4’s allowed on the rink.

Session times stated include getting skates on and off. Session times may vary.

 

BOOK HERE

We have a family ticket to giveaway - NOW CLOSED