kid magazine 2013

Enter now 07 Your own piece of Fabrik We speak with Sarah Hardie, the woman behind divine kids label Fabrik 10 Beauty vs grooming Lindy Klim spills on how to use your man’s grooming s

JUNE 2013 - issue SIX

kidmagazine.com.au 2

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Last week I was lucky enough to have a night out with my

sister-in-law to see ‘Mother, Wife and the Complicated Life”

(you might recall we spoke with Amity Dry, the woman

behind the musical in our May issue) It was a fantastic

night out and I found myself laughing and crying along a lot more

than I expected

I left the Seymour Centre after the show feeling calm and positive

It is a reminder to us all that no matter our life stage we can

only do what we can do and that we need to support the other

women in our lives The characters in the show were such a real

representation of what we feel as women, mothers and wives and

it gives perspective to know that you are not alone The shows

Sydney tour ends on 1 June but you can visit

motherwifemusical.com to stay in the loop with future Australian

tour dates

My top five for June are:

1 Lindy Klim shares the beauty secrets you will find in your man’s

grooming supplies on p 14

2 Kiddie Create show us another super duper easy craft project

you can do with bits and bobs lying around the house on p 26

3 I spoke with Sarah Hardie, the woman behind the divine Fabrik

and she shares her inspiration and plans with us on p 10

4 Babble Box is a new kids subscription service launching this

month Sign up to receive a gorgeous selection of the best kids

products each month Find out more on p 23

5 We spoke with two women who share their expertise in home

safety to help you keep your little ones safe at home on p 46

Until next month, you can find us at www.kidmagazine.com.au for

more fabulous fashion and kids news

EDITOR’S LETTER

Win Win Win

More amazing prizes to giveaway to our

Kid Magazine readers this month Enter

now

07

Your own piece of Fabrik

We speak with Sarah Hardie, the woman

behind divine kids label Fabrik

10

Beauty vs grooming

Lindy Klim spills on how to use your man’s

grooming supplies in your own beauty

Road testing lip gloss

We tried three great lip gloss products and tell you what we really think

21 18

Sonja Walker shares her tips on how you can

get your kids involved in creative writing

Making moves

Kiddie Create have done it again with a

super easy truck you can make at home

26

24

Outdoor play

Lee Holmes shares the benefits and how

to spend more time outdoors

Delicious family recipes

Tasty and easy to make with some surprising ingredients

32 28

Safety in the home

The experts share their tips on making your home safe for the family

46

kidmagazine.com.au 6

visit www.kidmagazine.com.au/win.html for competition details

WHAT’S ON - JUNE

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Peter Pan on Bluray

This mornth, Disney will be

releasing the classic Peter Pan

on Blu-ray for the first time

ever Share the joy of the boy

who never grew up with your

kids with a complete digital

restoration and crystal clear high

defiition picture and sound.

Vivid Sydney

If you are in Sydney before 10 June, Vivid

Sydney is a must-see on yoru agenda

Witness iconic Sydney landmarks lit up

to celebrate light, music and ideas Visit

vividsydney.com

World Environment Day

Think green today for World

Environment Day Start your

own veggie patch or just talk

to the kids about the impact

we have on the environment.

Kid Magazine, July Issue

Love what you see in this issue? Subscribe for free at kidmagazine.com.au/newsletter.html to receive it straight to your inbox next month.

Queen’s Birthday

Enjoy the mid-year public holiday and spend some time with the family Whether it is a long weekend away or a family BBQ make the most of the

extra day!

Red Nose Day

Friday 28 June is the major fundraiser for SIDS and Kids Funds raised as- sist SIDS and Kids in providing vital services and programs to the Australian community SIDS and Kids

is dedicated to saving the lives of bies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood and to supporting bereaved families Visit rednoseday.com.au to find out how you can get involved.

ba-World Blood Donor Day

2013 marks the 10th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day and will focus

on the value of donated blood to the patient, not only in saving lives but also helping people live longer and

more productive lives.

visit www.kidmagazine.com.au/win.html for competition details

kidmagazine.com.au 7

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A Wellaby’s prize pack valued

One of three copies

of Peter Pan on ray valued at $49.95 each

Blu-An Ambi Pur Electrical Plug In and Car Mini prize pack valued at $59

One of six LEGO Hero Factory packs valued at

$16 each

kidmagazine.com.au 8

fashion bites

The kids can now wear their LEGO with a new range of playful glasses available exclusively

from Specsavers The specs are available with SuperTough lenses – perfect for kids as they

are less likely to break, crack or chip during every day play, and come with full UV protection

The kids can choose from eight cool and creative frames featuring LEGO minifigure faces

on the nose pads, iconic building bricks on the arms and LEGO logos on the temple tips

to complete the look Two pairs from the new LEGO range are available for $249 For more

information visit specsavers.com.au

Elm Knitwear is a divine new Australian label featuring an effortless

mix of classic and new statement styles, pop colours and detailed

finishings The brainchild of Angie Armstrong and Sally Marange;

two lovers of easy dressing, all things cosy and knitting Each piece

of made from natural fibres and is designed for the woman who

likes uncomplicated style

A new designer shopping destination for high-end Australian fashion clothing, footwear and accessories at amazing prices has hit the web Launched by fashion industry veteran, Sara Toia, Fashionista Depot specialises in designer end-of-season stock personally sourced

by Sara and her team Stocking brands such as Natasha Gan, Studibaker and Peter Lang at up to 80 per cent off Visit fashionistadepot.com.au for your designer shopping fix

fashion bites

Emu Australia’s Little Creatures Kids collection is sending Celebrity Mums Crazy! Made with the finest Australian suede and Merino wool with applique animal detailing, Little Creatures boots boast superior double stitched seams for added strength, moulded suede leather heel cup for better fit and support and durable EMUsole™

made with hardwearing rubber with quality EVA for comfort and support At RRP $89.95 Emu Australia Little Creatures Sheepskin boots are simply a MUST HAVE for kids this winter!

Available from emuaustralia.com

Love to Dream has released a funky new Love To Swaddle UP™ featuring a vibrant stripe design The green, blue, berry and oatmeal design makes the swaddle perfect for both baby boys and girls The limited edition swaddle features the distinctive arms-up design of Love to Dream’s Original Love

to Swaddle UP™ allowing babies to access their hands so they can self-soothe and therefore sleep longer The new design will be available from June

at lovetodream.com.au ad all good baby stores for

$41.95

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Unleash the handbag designer within to create your own bespoke, one of a kind bag at lambada.com.au You can custom design every detail of the bag yourself including the colour of the stitching and lining all chosen from the season’s latest trends in style and colour The bags are made from the highest selection of full-grain leather available on the market including your choice

of finish Visit lambada.com.au to start designing

your own bag today

A new designer shopping destination for high-end Australian fashion clothing,

footwear and accessories at amazing prices has hit the web Launched by

fashion industry veteran, Sara Toia, Fashionista Depot specialises in designer

end-of-season stock personally sourced

by Sara and her team Stocking brands such as Natasha Gan, Studibaker and

Peter Lang at up to 80 per cent off Visit fashionistadepot.com.au for your designer

shopping fix

kidmagazine.com.au 10

FABRIK

Browsing through the online

aisles of the Fabrik store you are

transported to days gone by Days

when needlework was a skill mastered

by every young woman and fine

fabrics were converted into fabulous

fashion creations to “ooh” and “aah”

over Sarah Hardie, the founder of

Fabrik, was taught these skills by her

grandmother leading her into a future

of creativity, fashion and Fabrik.

After studying fashion and textiles at the

University of Technology, Sydney, Sarah

began her career at artpark bed linen,

followed by nearly eight years at Lee

Matthews Gathering inspiration from both

these roles in the use of colours, fabric

designs, needlework and other business

skills, Sarah was then inspired to create

Fabrik while on maternity leave with her

daughter, Jemima, four years ago

These days Sarah is mum to three – Jemima

(4) her model and muse who tells her what

she likes from the range, Jonas (2) who

has a tendency to mess up the office and

Jasper, only a few weeks old, who sleeps

away the days unaware of the beauty his

mum is creating

The Fabrik range is inspiring and it is

evident that Sarah is passionate about

what she does She explains her inspiration,

“it all starts with a fabric I have and then

the colour and style come from it” All the

fabrics used in the Fabrik range are unique

to the label and based on vintage prints

The Eden print in the Autumn/Winter

2013 range is Sarah’s favourite and was inspired by a dress she bought in London at a cute little vintage shop in Oxford Circus

Sarah describes her own style as relaxed, especially with the demands

of dropping the kids off to pre-school, heading to work and just running around being a mum “I always like easy cotton pieces, layering and things that

I can dress up or dress down”, she said Jemima of course wears Fabrik and Sarah’s preferred labels for her boys are Munster for Jonas and Petit Bateau for Jasper, with I Am Kidz in Avalon her favourite place to pick her clothes for her boys

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Sarah says that balance is the thing she finds most challenging with being a mother, wife, and running a small business, “The children go to pre-school to I try to limit working days to the days they are at pres-school and at night after they go to bed and then do things with them when we have our days together.”

It is no wonder Sarah finds balance a challenge! In addition to her current range, in July Fabrik will be launching womenswear online and exclusive

to the Fabrik website “Everyone kept saying, ‘I wish you had that in my size’,

so I thought I would give it a go” The range will feature similar styles to the girls range with hand dyed and printed organic fabrics If the range

is anywhere near as beautiful as the girls range, it is sure to fly out the door

Visit fabrikstore.com to pick up your own piece of Fabrik for the little princess in your life.

Sarah and her daughter and muse Jemima Image: Jessica Ross Photography

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A recent study by The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) and supported

by USANA Health Sciences found that consuming vitamin D before exercising

decreased skeletal muscular weakness after in an intense bout of exercise In other

words, taking vitamin D before you exercise can help you recover more quickly

afterwards, making it the perfect supplement to pair with your workout

health and beauty bites

Lovers of Paw Paw rejoice with two new products in the Nature’s Care Paw Paw range Nature’s Care Body Balm (30g, RRP $3.99) is perfect for use on elbows, legs and hands – anywhere you need to moisturise and protect skin, keeping it soft and moist Chapped and dry lips will also be soothed with Nature’s Care Lip Balm (10g, RRP $2.99) The built-in applicator slides the balm smoothly onto lips and leaves a subtle natural Paw Paw fragrance Nature’s Care Boy Balm is available at Woolworths and Priceline

Nature’s Care Lip Balm is available at Priceline Visit pawpawaustralia.com.au for more information

Estée Lauder Pure Color Cheek Rush is a soft gel blush that adds fresh hues to the cheeks upon application Pure Color Cheek Rush is a lightweight, transparent gel that gives cheeks a sheer stain of colour for a fresh-faced look Its water-based formula is cool to the touch and leaves cheeks feeling hydrated through

an infusion of natural extracts and moisturising ingredients It is packaged in a shade-matched, high-gloss finish pump bottle It

is oil-free, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested RRP $60,

esteelauder.com.au

Éminence have released a Celebrity Picks Gift Set so you can try the favourite products of the Éminence celebrity following The gift set includes a travel-size Strawberry Rhubard Hyaluronic Serum (15ml) and Blueberry Soy Exfoliating Cleanser (60ml) The serum enhances complexion while the cleanser refines and polishes the skin Available from eminenceorganics.com.au for $36

health and beauty bites

Estée Lauder Pure Color Cheek Rush is a soft gel blush that adds

fresh hues to the cheeks upon application Pure Color Cheek

Rush is a lightweight, transparent gel that gives cheeks a sheer

stain of colour for a fresh-faced look Its water-based formula is

cool to the touch and leaves cheeks feeling hydrated through

an infusion of natural extracts and moisturising ingredients It is

packaged in a shade-matched, high-gloss finish pump bottle It

is oil-free, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested RRP $60,

esteelauder.com.au

If your kids hate the sight of blood, then the HELP Hanky is a must add to your first-aid kit The hanky is red in colour to

“camouflage” the blood and as such help calm your child during a stressful time The company behind the HELP Hanky is First Aid For You, a leading first aid education company They encourage parents to teach kids how to use the hanky perfect for cuts and nose bleeds They also encourage all families to be familiar with First Aid principles to be ready for any type

of accident The HELP Hanky is launching

at the introductory price of $2.99 and can

be purchased by phoning 1300 853 050 or emailing info@firstaidforyou.com.au

kidmagazine.com.au 13

According to a survey conducted by CENOVIS®, reveals that colds and flus are potentially costing Australian families on average over $750 million each Winter, attributed to loss of income from days off work, medical bills, treatments and lost childcare fees The survey also revealed that the average Australian family gets sick up to five times each Winter with 85% of Aussie families spending up to $100 each time someone in the family gets sick

Éminence have released a Celebrity Picks Gift Set so you can try the favourite products of the Éminence celebrity following The gift set includes a travel-size

Strawberry Rhubard Hyaluronic Serum (15ml) and Blueberry Soy Exfoliating Cleanser (60ml) The serum enhances complexion while the cleanser refines and

polishes the skin Available from eminenceorganics.com.au for $36

kidmagazine.com.au 14

kidmagazine.com.au 15

It’s time to raid your man’s shelf in the bathroom ladies!

Toiletry Bags – opt for a darker shade of fabric, often these

can be found in the men’s grooming section and are perfect

for avoiding nasty smudges and stains on your pretty, pristine

beauty case

Facial Wipes – men’s face scrub wipes are often larger

than the female brands which can be super convenient for

removing make-up and keeping your skin cleansed on the go

Milk & Co Scrub + Cleanse Wipes, developed by Michael Klim

are a favourite of his wife Lindy: “The Milk wipes are double

sided, one with exfoliating beads and the other a gentle

cleanser, so they are perfect for my skin too,” Lindy said

Deodorant – men’s antiperspirant is a bit stronger than

women’s so if you can get a fairly neutral or unscented brand,

this is perfect for when you are working out, playing sport, hot

summer days or before that big meeting or exam to keep you

feeling drier for longer

Razor – Gals we aren’t suggesting you start using his razor on

your bikini line right before he uses it on his face (hmm) but a

lot of women do opt for a men’s blade because they are often

a bit sharper and provide a smoother shave than women’s

Sleek silver or black is also a preference for some over baby

pink or purple

Face Scrub – Men have bigger pores than women so often

their face scrubs have larger and more concentrated exfoliating

beads in them Lindy loves using the Milk & Co Face Wash +

Scrub once or twice a week to help her skin feel rejuvenated

“The natural, marine based ingredients leave my skin feeling

polished and fresh and the scent is not too overpowering, like

some heavily perfumed products can be,” she said

There you go ladies, try experimenting! You might find a

fantastic new hair product or shaving gel that you just can’t

live without

These tips come courtesy of Lindy Klim and Milk & Co For more

information or to buy online visit www.milkandco.com.au

END

There is no denying most women enjoy their own girly beauty products and nail polish, mascara and fake tan are here to stay However, we have discovered some products for the chaps that do the trick: some even better than our usual feminine faves! Here are our top men’s grooming products, with a girly twist…

Coming to Cinemas from MAY 4

On Disney Blu-ray™ & DVD June 5 ©Disney

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HYPOXI WEIGHT LOSS FOR TIGHT

TUMMIES: A CELEBRITY SECRET

NO MORE By Vannesa Thorp

In the world of diets, there’s the good,

the bad and the ugly: some work,

others… not so much but most of the

time boredom, lack of motivation or

our lives just get in the way

HYPOXI doesn’t involve any crash

dieting, juice marathons or back

wrenching jogs What it will give you,

with a bit of work and healthy eating

- is results

In a four week period involving a

moderate diet and exercise and an

easy thirty minute HYPOXI workout

a couple of times a week I saw more

results than six weeks of personal

trainer hell and soul destroying carb

denial

I had never heard of HYPOXI before it

came across my desk a few months

ago I had been trying to lose that

excess baggage around my stomach,

hips and thighs for a while and with all

the exercise and dieting in the world,

the weight just wouldn’t budge So,

I decided to give HYPOXI a try and

signed myself up for the suggested

twelve 30-minute sessions over four

weeks

When I arrived for my first session

at the Surry Hills studio in Sydney,

I was greeted by the bright and

friendly Taryn who took me through

all the basic medical questions and

explained exactly how HYPOXI works

HYPOXI machines work by combining

high and low pressure with exercise

to help kick start your circulation and target those “hard to move” fat stores while you work out A typical result involves a loss of 20-30 centimeters from the body in 12 sessions

After being measured and weighed (they take eight measurements around your body so you can see exactly where you lose your centimeters from) I began my first session in the L250 – a machine designed to help pear shaped women, new mums who want to shake that baby weight

or people who don’t enjoy traditional exercise to get into shape

The machine is a cycle, surrounded by

a capsule that seals you off from the waist down, with your legs doing all the work The workout is by no means tough and the 30 minutes go very quickly, especially when reading your favorite magazine (take the iPad and you can catch up on the latest issue

of Kid Magazine)

During my first consultation I was also advised to try the HypoxiDermology Machine (HDC) – which adopts ancient Chinese cupping therapy to help reduce cellulite and target my problem areas even more effectively

To start a 20 minute HDC session, you first don a black Michelin Man style suit that covers you from neck to toe, and are then “plugged–in” to a bed with cords that suck all excess air from the suit so the 400 integrated pressure chambers can work their magic I

would liken the experience to being massaged by an eighty foot octopus – not recommended for ticklish types! You can elect to use the HDC as much

or as little as you like, with some clients using it every time they use the L250,

or like me, just once a week

I was skeptical about how exactly

a machine was going to help me lose those stubborn inches from my body and get me into shape, but over the weeks, I began to notice some changes My clothes started feeling looser, my fitness improved and I found I had more energy I was actually really enjoying going

to my sessions three times a week (and I didn’t feel like I needed to crash directly afterwards) and having booked them all in advanced it was easy to fit everything else in my busy lifestyle around them

After four weeks of using HYPOXI I am very proud to say that I lost a total of

45 centimeters from my body and

If you’re like me and thousands of other women out

there who’ve tried every diet and exercise program

under the sun with short-lived or disappointing results,

it’s time you met: HYPOXI.

kidmagazine.com.au 19

5.1kgs As you can imagine, I am over the moon with my results, I have dropped almost two dress sizes and am feeling pretty good about

it I used my three HYPOXI sessions a week in combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise (two half hour weights sessions and twice weekly long walks), which is why I have seen such amazing results

The machine does work wonders, but to get the best results you can’t sit on the couch eating delicious treats every night

I would recommend HYPOXI to anyone who

is having trouble moving those last couple of inches or wanting to gently get back into a healthy lifestyle There are 70 studios across both Australia and New Zealand so you are sure to find one close and convenient to you Prices start from $69 for a session or $690 for a 12-session program

I am definitely going to sign up for more sessions

to continue with my weight loss journey

Vanessa’s sessions were part of a free media trial to get to know HYPOXI.

kidmagazine.com.au 20

END

Vannesa’s Results

I am so excited about my HYPOXI results, I

want to share them with the world I have

lost the following weight/measurements:

Single Leg Relaxed: 3.5 cm

Single Leg Contracted: 5 cm

Knee: 6.5 cm

I cannot wait to see what my next

sessions will bring Good Luck to you!

Do’s and Don’ts

Maintain a healthy diet If you aren’t giving your

body the nutrients it needs, you aren’t going to see the results you want.

Log some extra exercise hours A weekly

exercise regime will boost your results and help you maintain them when your sessions finish Extra exercise doesn’t need to be intense - a stroll and weekly class like yoga or dance can make a massive difference and leave you feeling good.

Do three sessions a week We all have busy

lifestyles, but making a commitment to three half hour sessions a week for four weeks will give you the best results Book your sessions in advance and the studio will text you a reminder two days before hand So easy!

kidmagazine.com.au 21

r oad t estinG L ip G Loss

We test three lip glosses and tell you what we really think!

e ternaL C osmeCeutiCaLs p Lump & s hine

Infused with a combination of lip enhancing ingredients, Plump & Shine from Eternal Cosmeceuticals hydrates and boosts lip volume Available in three shades we love that it leaves a great natural colour on your lips and doesn’t dry them out like other products can

One thing to be aware of is the tingly feeling you will get when you first apply the gloss The feeling is a bit unusual the first time you apply but you

do become accustomed to it A word of advice, don’t lick your lips until the tingly feeling has subsided (after 30 seconds or so) as otherwise your tongue will also be tingling

Overall this is a great lip gloss with the added benefit that you are also getting plumper more hydrated lips

RRP $49, available from eternalcosmeceuticals.com.au

t he B ody s hop L ip G Loss C oLLeCtion

The super fruity flavour of this gloss from The Body Shop will have you licking your lips all day long The formula is slightly stickier when first applied than we usually like in a gloss but it does last throughout the day (as long as you can keep from licking your lips!)

Our favourite shade was Raspberry but with other great colour and flavour combinations such as Watermelon, Lychee, Coconut and Mint you are sure

to fine one that suits you The tube is the perfect purse size and leaves you with smooth moisturised lips

For lovers of a flavoured gloss with loads of shine this is for you Go light on the application to avoid that excess sticky feeling

RRP $21.95, availabale from thebodyshop.com.au

a ustraLis C oLour i njeCt m ineraL L ip G Loss

Scented with subtle lychee this natural mineral gloss is gentle on your lips Active ingredients of vitamins C and E, Kakadu plum and UV filters work to keep lips, smooth, soothed and protected

The Australis gloss was smooth to apply with an angled applicator to more easily mould to your lips and a light formula that leaves a subtle shine and is not too sticky We did find that we needed to apply this gloss more frequently than the others but that wasn’t too much of a hassle to be able

to smell that beautiful lychee again!

Comes in a great range of clours from subtle through to the bright and bold A great gentle lip gloss that leaves your lips soft and kissable Keep it

in your pocket for quick application throughout the day

RRP $11.95, available from australiscosmetics.com.au

Details page 7WIN

fun bites

kidmagazine.com.au 22

Angel of Fire is a lively, up-beat tale for young readers aged 8-12 who like action, quirky characters and a good dose of humour Author Wendy Milton tells the story of a cheeky boy named Zach, who lies in hospital after being hit

by a truck in a freaky accident Unable to communicate with anyone except some bizarre visitors, including an irritating “winged thing” called Astra and a set

of scary twins, they tell Zach that his being hit by the truck was no accident! Is someone is trying to kill him? To find answers he’ll need the help of Astra and the twins in this race against time to thwart his would-be killer! The book will

be available at good book stores in June 2013, RRP $14.95

The Wiggles are back again with their

newest sing-a-long album Furry Tales

Anthony, Emma, Lachy are Simon are

joined on the new album by their

Wiggly friends Dorothy the Dnosaur,

Captain Feathersword, Wags the

Dog and Henry the Octopus The CD

featuring 25 new tracks such as ‘The

Corroboree Frog”, “Bunny Hop” and

“The Monkey Dance” will have you

croaking and hopping along with

glee The Furry Tales CD is out now

and the DVD will be released on 19

June Visit thewiggles.com.au for more

information

You will love sharing the joy of the boy who never grew up with your kids as Disney releases the classic Peter Pan for the first time ever

on Blu-ray 5 June Peter Pan on Blu-ray is a must own addition to your Disney home entertainment collection Filled with high-flying bonus features see Peter Pan fly to all-new heights with a complete digital restoration and crystal clear high definition picture and sound

Head for the LEGO Hero Factory briefing room immediately, ROCKA The evil brains are rampaging through the galaxy and must be defeated This is one tough mission, so you have been equipped with LEGO Hero Factory Recon Team weapons: a plasma blade sword, a 360-degree spinning razor shield, armored visor and hero core locking clamps With equipment like this, you’re ready for anything those evil brains can throw at you

fun bites

Angel of Fire is a lively, up-beat tale for young readers aged 8-12 who like

action, quirky characters and a good dose of humour Author Wendy Milton

tells the story of a cheeky boy named Zach, who lies in hospital after being hit

by a truck in a freaky accident Unable to communicate with anyone except

some bizarre visitors, including an irritating “winged thing” called Astra and a set

of scary twins, they tell Zach that his being hit by the truck was no accident! Is

someone is trying to kill him? To find answers he’ll need the help of Astra and

the twins in this race against time to thwart his would-be killer! The book will

be available at good book stores in June 2013, RRP $14.95

kidmagazine.com.au 23

Using leading edge technology, Creative Baby Inc designed a new and exciting interactive award winning play mat called the i-Mat™ that stimulates learning as it entertains from the moment parents put their child on it Featuring a full color illustration of animals from around the world, the iMat serves as a visual fun playland with dozens of cute animals that babies will enjoy looking at and exploring Unique to this play mat is the magic i-pen that brings the i-Mat to life By touching the i-pen to the mat, the animals “talk” and songs play Consumers can purchase the i-Mat at Toys

r Us, Bubs Baby Shops and other retailers Please check www.snazzybaby.com.au for details The

i-mat and i-pen retail for $109.95 as a bundle

Sign up for a monthly dose of fun and excitement with Babble Box

Each month your kids will receive a box packed with some of the best products in the market The boxes are tailored to your child’s age and gender from newborn through

to four years old Babble Box will

be launching in June and they are giving a sneak peek of their first box (the only time you will get to see a box before it is sent) Orders need

to be in by the 30th of each month

at babblebox.com.au Month to month plans are $29.95 and the price reduces for longer subscriptions

Head for the LEGO Hero Factory briefing

room immediately, ROCKA The evil brains are

rampaging through the galaxy and must be

defeated This is one tough mission, so you

have been equipped with LEGO Hero Factory

Recon Team weapons: a plasma blade sword, a

360-degree spinning razor shield, armored visor

and hero core locking clamps With equipment

like this, you’re ready for anything those evil brains

can throw at you

kidmagazine.com.au 24

Encouraging Creative Writing in Children – Tips for Parents

Studies have shown that creative

writing is a vital component in

developing children’s cognitive and

communication skills

There are seven good reasons why children

should be encouraged to write creative stories:

1 to entertain;

2 to foster artistic expression;

3 to explore the functions and values of

writing;

4 to stimulate imagination;

5 to clarify thinking;

6 to search for identity

7 to learn to read and write

When parents encourage their children to

write creatively, they not only engage their

kids’ imaginations but also give their children a

chance to dream, problem solve, research and

express ideas

Here are some top tips for parents to encourage

their children to write a creative story:

1 Encourage your child to be as wild and

inventive as possible Original ideas are always

the best, and anything is possible in a child’s

own story!

2 Help your child to overcome ‘writer’s

block’ by discussing story-starters that might

spark imaginative ideas, eg: “The day started

normally but when the door-bell rang ”

3 Talk with your child about their favourite

stories and why they like them Talking about

well-loved stories often gives children the

inspiration they need to build their own plots

4 Talk with your child some of their favourite characters Ask questions like

‘What makes this character interesting?’ This will help your child building their own characters

5 When your child’s story-writing stalls, encourage them to keep trying to move the story-line forward Ask questions like ‘What

do think could happen next?’ or ‘ How does the character feel about that?’ to keep your child’s creative writing confidence high

6 Praise your children for their creative writing Take the time to read their stories story out loud and use different character’s voices to bring the story to life Your kids enjoy your attention and this will encourage them to pick up their pens and write again

Sonja Walker is the founder and director of Kids First Children’s Services She is a qualified teacher with more than 20 years experience and an ambassador for the Pilot Pen Creative Writing Scholarship, a national program which encourages children to step away from the keyboard and write a creative story by hand The Pilot Pen Creative Writing Scholarship opens on 3 June to primary school children in Years 5 and 6 and closes on 31 July 2013 For further information, visit:

www.pilotpen.com.au www.kids-first.com.au

By Sonja Walker, Director, Kids First Children’s Services, Sydney

END

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You will need:

# A box – any size will work!

# Wheels – use recycled products like bottle tops

# Decorations – washi tape is used in this car but

create your own decoration with stamps, stickers,

drawings or glue pictures to the sides of the car

Hit the road with Kiddie Create and their latest

project the kids will love If you have a group of

kids for the afternoon, this is an inexpensive way to

entertain them and the fun isn’t over when the cars

are made They will love racing their cars around

their own custom-made racetrack