Shortcuts Childrens Salon

ShortCuts is  a  children’s only hair salon, designed and catered to children between the ages of 6 months to early teens. Although we do cut adult hair at some of our salon's. Combining high quality haircuts, the latest styles and most importantly, a stress free environment for both children and parents.

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Gifts for your style kings and queens

 It’s less than a week to go before Christmas Eve, and you may be looking for some last-minute stocking fillers! Here are some of the top gift places we’ve found on the high street, packed with little bits and pieces your style kings and queens will love – including a few products from our very own shelves.

 Smiggle have loads of brilliant bath and body ideas for kids, with a huge range of bath bombs, brushes, washbags and travel gear for boys and girls: https://www.smiggle.co.uk/shop/en/smiggleuk/gifts-bath-body

 Claire’s Christmas Shop is awash with fabulous, sparkly hair accessories – tinsel scrunchies, glittery headbands, and even Christmas pudding deely boppers: https://www.claires.com/celebrations/christmas/hair-accessories/?lang=en_GB

 Boots have got some fantastic products – including this princess floral hair set: https://www.boots.com/christmas/gifts-for-her/all-christmas-gifts-for-her/disney-princess-floral-hair-set-10268853 – to keep your little princess fan happy for hours. They’ve also got Peppa Pig, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Gruffalo toiletries to make bath and hairwash time even more fun.

 Or if your little one prefers the Avengers, Boots also has a range of superhero smelly stuff to choose from: https://www.boots.com/sitesearch?searchTerm=avengers

 John Lewis also have some gorgeous hair gift sets and accessories, including a mermaid hair brush, and some beautiful embroidered hair bands: https://www.johnlewis.com/search?search-term=kids%20hair

 Shortcuts styling products

Nothing makes them feel more grown up than being able to style their hair using products just like Mum and Dad, and just like the ones they’ve used in Shortcuts salons. Our range of Mini U products are perfect stocking fillers: from brushes and combs that are perfect for little heads; to styling paste for achieving that perfect, sculpted hairstyle; and conditioners that really make those naturally curly locks bounce and shine. All of the Mini U range products are specially designed to be kind and gentle on young scalps and hair, so they are ideal festive treats for stuffing stockings.

 We wish all of our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – and we look forward to seeing you and styling you in January!

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Christmas Eve Activities

 It’s only two weeks away, and can be one of the busiest days of the year for parents – and one of the most exciting for kids! Here are some ideas for ways to keep them busy, and inject a little more magic into the day as well.

 Christmas Eve boxes

Christmas Eve boxes have become very popular over the last few years, and are a great way to entertain the children on Christmas Eve. Here are a few ideas for what to put in them this year.

 Gifts:

New Christmas or winter pyjamas

New slippers, or cosy socks

Fleecy blanket

Christmas mug

Christmas book

Snow globe

Hair accessories

 Entertainment:

Christmas movie

Letter from Father Christmas with

Christmas activity book

Paper chains to make

Christmas craft set

Christmas colouring book

Make a Christmas bauble kit

 Treats:

Christmas sweet cone

Hot chocolate kit

Popcorn

Christmas cupcake

Chocolate coins

 Father Christmas activities:

Reindeer food to sprinkle outside (with eco-friendly glitter of course)

Father Christmas key

Write a note for Father Christmas

Plate for Father Christmas’s mince pie and drink

A Father Christmas visit application form! These fab forms let your children fill in all the information about your home that Santa will need for his visit – such as where he should leave your presents, and what you’ll be leaving out for him. Netmums have forms for older and younger children: https://www.netmums.com/christmas/santas-visit-application

 To keep them even busier, you could create a treasure hunt for finding the box too…if you’ve got time!SaveSave

 Track Santa

And don’t forget that you can track Santa's progress on the NORAD Santa Tracker.  Watch him make his way around the world, delivering presents as the night goes on. It’s a great way to build up the excitement, and to get older kids involved in the magic as well.

 Christmas lights walk

Once it’s dark, it’s lovely to wrap up warm and head out on a family walk where you live to have a look at the light displays your neighbours have put up. Sing some Christmas songs as you go, and get the hot chocolate on when you get back!

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Christmas Wreath Hairstyle

 Looking for a gorgeous Christmas hairstyle for your long-haired little one? If you’ve mastered the French plait, then you’ll find that this beautiful crown braid is easy to do, and can be decorated in all sorts of festive ways, with any Christmas hair accessories you may have to hand – probably best to steer clear of really holly, though!

 The aim is to create a French plait that goes all the way around the head, taking new hair from the outside of the plait as you go. Here’s our step by step guide:

 1. Take a section of hair from above one ear, and separate into two. Begin plaiting in an upwards direction, and bring in a third section from slightly higher up.

 2. Plait across the top of the head, taking new strands of hair from the area at the front of the head. You should have a plait going across the top of the head from one ear to the other, with all of the hair from the front of the head (apart from any fringe, of course) used up.

 3. Keep plaiting down the hairline towards the back of the neck, using strands of loose hair hanging down from below. As you get to the nape of the neck, make sure the hair is being pulled in nicely so that it’s snug against the head, and the hair in the middle of the crown is smooth.

 4. Keep going round, and you should soon be back where you started plaiting, at the first ear. Keep plaiting the ends into long braid, and fasten the end with a band.

 5. Pin the plait end along the line of the crown across the top of the head.

 6. Time to decorate! You can use artificial flowers, leaves, red berries, bows – anything you might find adorning a Christmas wreath. Alternatively, keep it simple and pin some tinsel through it.

 A simple but beautiful style that you can adapt for Christmas, weddings, summer parties – so many uses!

 There’s a brilliant tutorial for this style here on YouTube, from Hair by Lori: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMqkbl1BIbA&t=0s&list=PLX_MqDZtURm6eAfr0ywLBHyqIYg63yQ0H&index=5

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Book your Christmas appointment now!

 We’re really sorry to bring it up – we know it’s only November, and some of us are only just putting the Halloween decorations away!

 But we thought you’d like to know two things – first, that it’s only four weeks to Christmas! And second, that our pre-Christmas appointments in all of our salons are filling up very quickly indeed – especially those after-school and weekend slots.

 Here’s a run-down reminder of our salons and concessions, so you know what’s where…

 Our Salons - Milton Keynes and Northampton

Our first ever salon is located in our Grange Farm premises. We are so busy here, that last year we opened up Grange Farm on selected Mondays for appointments, just so that we can fit everyone in. Our Northampton salon is located in the Weston Favell shopping centre, on Octagon Way - next to the Mandarin Buffet.

 Very occasionally in our salons we have space to take walk-ins, but it’s very rare…so we always advise you to book ahead.

 Leighton Buzzard – ShortPlay Café

Cafe, play and style – it’s all under one roof in our Leighton Buzzard venue. Our ShortPlay Café opened its doors nearly two years ago. You don’t have to book for a cuppa and play, but we strongly recommend booking ahead for a child’s haircut.

 Mothercare concessions

Our Mothercare concessions are still operating as normal – in Leeds, Dudley, Bristol, and Romford.

 Woolwich – Under One Roof

In Woolwich, we’re located in an all-inclusive centre for kids’ activities and services all in one place  - called Under One Roof. There are classes, sessions, therapies, private parties and holiday activities, you can stop for a coffee, meet with friends, have a family breakfast, lunch or dinner, or just a slice of home-made cake in the play-café – and then there’s us!

 Our online booking system works exactly the same for all of our locations – just select the place you want at the start of the booking process. We’d love to style you in time for Christmas!

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Donating your hair to the Little Princess Trust

 The Little Princess Trust is a wonderful charity that provides free, real hair wigs to children and young people, up to 24 years old, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions. They do this via donations of hair from children who have kindly grown and cut their own locks off – and at Shortcuts, we are delighted to help.

 There’s lots of information on their website about what they do, but here’s a summary of how to donate:

 1.      Grow your hair as long as you can. “Our greatest need is for hair donations that are 16" (41cm) or longer. We encourage all of our growers to keep growing until at least 12" (30cm), but we can accept a minimum length of 7” (17cm).”

 2.      Wash and dry it thoroughly. Do not use any styling products or conditioner.

3.      Come into your local Shortcuts salon. We’ll secure it for you top and bottom, and then cut the ponytail off for you – before giving you a brand new look!

4.      Place cut hair in a zip lock/resealable bag, inside a cardboard or heavyweight paper envelope. Include your completed Donation Slip, which you can print out from the website. Have your envelope weighed to ensure the correct postage.

5.      Post the envelope to The Little Princess Trust, Broadway House, 32-35 Broad Street, Hereford HR4 9AR

 Children and adults can donate, and there are a few restructions on the types of hair that can be used. Hair cannot be:

 ·        Less than 7”/17cm long

·        Dyed an unnatural colour (blue, purple, etc)

·        Hair that has been dyed using semi-permanent dye

·        Henna-dyed hair

·        Dreadlocks cannot be used in our wigs.  Part of the preparation to blend hair donations together involves combining individual strands of hair.  All hair must be able to be combed to separate these individual hairs

·        Hair extensions

·        Very tightly curled hair (more information about this on the website)

 There are some wonderful pictures of the wigs and children who receive them on the website, but unfortunately it’s not possible to see the wig that your hair specifically goes towards. You can also fundraise for the Little Princess Trust – check out their website for more information: https://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/donate-hair/.

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Easy-Maintenance Short Styles

 Some kids love to play with different looks and hairstyles – and for some, just getting them to run a brush through it is a challenge! This week, we’ve found some easy-maintenance short styles for little ones on the go, that will look cool however long you’ve spent on them.

 The Buzz Cut

 Short back, sides and top - there’s no simpler style than this, and it’s ideal for sporty kids who don’t stop. It’s one of the most popular options in our salons, as it’s easy to care for, and always looks neat and tidy. Run a little styling gel through it to give it a spiky edge.

  The Spiky Top

 When the buzz cut starts to grow out, you can have a bit of fun with it. Style some gel through it to spike the hair up on top, and tease it into different directions. You can also smooth down the sides as well, for a sleeker look.

  The Business Look

 The 1950s was the height of suave, and if your little one has some more length on top, there’s no smarter look than the business style. Use a small amount of styling gel all through the hair to remove the frizz and flyaways, and then create a side parting with a comb. With a little more gel, comb the longer section of hair across the head, firstly in the direction of the forehead and then sweeping up behind the ear. On the shorter side, comb straight down.

  The Surfer Look

 If your little one’s locks are longer yet, the surfer is a great favourite too. Using a small amount of gel, run fingers through the lengths of hair in different directions, so that it begins to look layered and sectioned. Effortlessly cool, they’ll look perfectly styled all day.

 For more styling advice, just ask your Shortcuts stylist when you come in for your next cut!

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Easy Gingerbread Biscuits Recipe

 If there’s a great time of year to bake gingerbread biscuits, this has got to be it – darker evenings, firework nights and Christmas on the way are all perfectly accompanied by the lovely crunch and tingly taste that only comes from a gingerbread biscuit.

 With that in mind, we’ve found this easy gingerbread biscuit recipe for you to try with the kids this autumn and winter – fashion them into gingerbread people for decorating, keep them as round biscuits, or just use whatever cutters you have to hand.

 Ingredients

350g/12oz plain flour, plus extra for rolling out

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

125g/4½oz butter (soft / room temperature)

175g/6oz light soft brown sugar

1 free-range egg

4 tbsp golden syrup

 To decorate

writing icing (optional)

cake decorations (optional)

  Method

1.      Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4, and line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.

 2.      Sieve the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon all together, and put them into the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter, and blend until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs (great bit for the kids to help with!). Stir in the sugar.

 3.      Lightly beat the egg and golden syrup together, and then add to the food processor. Pulse it until the mixture clumps together. Take the dough out of the food processor and knead lightly until smooth, then wrap it in cling film and leave to chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

 4.      Lightly flour a surface for rolling out, and roll the dough to a 0.5cm/¼in thickness. Time for the kids to get involved again! Using cutters of your choice, cut out the gingerbread shapes and place on the baking tray, leaving a small gap in between them.

 5.      Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until lightly golden-brown. Leave on the tray for 10 minutes and then move to a wire rack to finish cooling. When they’ve cooled right down, decorate with the writing icing and cake decorations.

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Halloween Fun at the ShortPlay Café

 We love Halloween in the Shortcuts family, and we’re making it extra special this at the Shortplay Café, in Leighton Buzzard.

 It’s our first salon combined with a café and play area, and it opened in March 2018. There’s something for all ages, and you can pop in any time – although if you would like a salon session, it’s advisable to book ahead to make sure we’re not too busy to fit you in.

 We’ve got all sorts of spooky activities coming up to celebrate Halloween over the course of the next week.

 The fun starts this half term week – on Wednesday 23 October, from 10am until 2pm, we’re doing Halloween glitter tattoos! Get sparkly with some seasonal decoration, from spiders and cobwebs to witches and pumpkins.

 On Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October, we’re doing some fantastic Halloween cookie decorating! It’s only £2 per child, and there’s no set time – so just pop in for a cuppa and a play, and decorate your cookie while you’re here. Go for pumpkins, spiders, skulls…whatever your favourite spooky decoration may be.

 We can’t wait to see what you all come as…in fact, we’d love to see your Halloween costumes at all our salons on 31 October, so if you would like to come dressed up, feel free!

 And for after half term, Shortplay Café is also host to a weekly drop-in session, run by Learning Community 2. If you are a parent, or in a parenting role, you are very welcome to come in any time between 9:30am and 11:30am for a chat, to offload, meet new people or for some support and advice – all within a relaxed and friendly environment. And of course children are very welcome – and there’s plenty for them to do!  The sessions are held every Wednesday in term time.

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Shortcuts FAQs

 We get lots of questions from parents before, during and after their cuts, so we thought we’d put a few of them down in a blog post – along with the answers!

 How old should my baby be before his / her first haircut?

There is no minimum age. As soon as your baby needs a haircut, bring them in. Cutting the hair does no physical harm to the hair or to the scalp, and it won’t change the way in which the hair grows. So if it’s getting in their eyes, causing problems or just needs a tidy up, then book them in for their first haircut as soon as you like. The earlier they come to a salon, the sooner they will get used to the haircutting process – hopefully avoiding any issues or objections as they get older!

 How do I calm my anxious toddler about having their hair cut?

Discuss the haircut beforehand, in simple terms – explain what’s going to happen, and even play hairdressing at home so they know what to expect at the salon. Make sure they understand that getting their hair cut does not hurt in any way. Be excited and encouraging, and make it something to look forward to.

 If you think your child will need time to relax in their surroundings, feel free to arrive a little earlier – but remember that they can get bored easily. You’re also very welcome to come in just to look round, and familiarise them with the environment a few days prior to your appointment. And keep it regular. To begin with, children have no idea that a haircut is a fact of life that they will need to get used to – so the more often they have it done, the sooner it will become part of their life’s routine.

 How often should I wash my child’s hair?

Once or twice a week for pre-teen kids is absolutely fine. Some hair, particularly very curly hair, may need less shampooing as it can get very dry. And you should always make sure the hair is rinsed thoroughly after swimming.

 Is it safe to use hair dye on kids’ hair?

We would never recommend using bleach or dye on children’s hair, because it can be so unpredictable, and the effects on their still-maturing hair follicles and scalp could be dangerous. If your little one is desperate for some funky colours, try using a non-permanent spray. The colour coats the hair instead of penetrating it as a dye does – and they wash out very easily.

 If you have a question, give us a shout – we’re always happy to help.

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Detangling Hair

Is this one of the worst parts of the day – trying to sort out all those knots in your child’s hair, while they protest, fidget, wriggle or try to run away? Here are Shortcuts’ tips for making it a pain-free process.

Step 1: Supplies

Get together the bits you’ll need to get the job done. That way you won’t be hunting around for things in the middle. We suggest the following:

A wide-toothed comb or brush

A clip

A leave-in conditioning spray or better yet, a detangler spray

A form of entertainment – toy, TV or maybe a tablet!

Step 2: The Spray It doesn’t matter if the hair is wet or dry – this will work on either. Start by lifting the hair nearer the top of the head, and pin it out of the way with the clip, then spray from root to tip along the portions of hair below. Step 3: The Comb Take a small section of hair on one side, and start detangling near the ends using the wide-toothed comb or brush. Hold the section of hair near the root, so that it doesn’t pull at the scalp, and adjust your holding position as you work your way up. When one section is done, unpin the hair above and move some more down to work on. You should soon have one side of the head tangle-free, and you can move around to the other side. Repeat the process on that side. Preventing tangles Not easy to do, especially with fine hair, but using a good amount of conditioner on the ends of the hair after washing can help. Distribute it through the hair with a comb before rinsing it out. You could also put them to bed with a loose plait, to prevent those overnight knots from developing.

Regular trimming also helps, so don’t forget to book your half-term trim soon!

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Four Top Family Films to See in Autumn

 We love movies at Shortcuts – and so do our customers, when they come in to have their hair cut! – and there are some great ones still to come in 2019.

 Here are four of the biggest to look out for – all in time for some half term holiday fun:

 Abominable (DreamWorks)

Teenager Yi  meets a young Yeti on the roof of her apartment building in a modern Chinese city, she and her friends name him “Everest” and start an epic quest to find the magical creature’s family with at the highest point on Earth. Out on 11th October.

 Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (Walt Disney Studios)

18th October sees the release of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, the follow-up to 2014’s Maleficent, which told the story behind the wicked fairy in the Sleeping Beauty legend. When Prince Phillip proposes to Princess Aurora, Phillip's mother (Queen Ingrith of Ulstead) secretly plans to use the wedding to divide humans and fairies forever.

 Shaun The Sheep 2: Farmageddon

Shaun the Sheep returns to the big screen on 18th October in Farmageddon. Shaun and the flock encounter a cute alien with extraordinary powers, who crash lands near Mossy Bottom Farm. They have to find a way to return her home in order to prevent an alien invasion called Farmageddon. Starring the voice of CBeebies favourite Justin Fletcher.

 The Addams Family

Just in time for Halloween comes The Addams Family, an animated movie version of the popular 1960’s TV series which was made into a hit movie in 1991.   The Addams family meet lots of new challenges when they move to New Jersey, and coming up against the 21st century, and a greedy reality TV host, Margaux Needler - while also preparing for their extended family to arrive for a major celebration.

 We’re hoping for half term sunshine, but if the rain comes, there’s plenty on at the cinema!

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Caring for afro hair like Romain’s – very very curly!

 Romain’s fabulous host of hair comes from his Afro-Caribbean / British heritage. It’s absolutely gorgeous, but it takes a lot of looking after! His mum Natalie has given us her top tips for taking care of it.

 Washing and Dryness

Romain’s hair gets very dry, because it’s so very curly. The natural oils have a much longer journey to make from the scalp to the tips, so each strand can become frizzy and more liable to breakage.

 Because the natural oils need longer to work, I tend to wash his hair once a week. I shampoo and rinse, then condition, using lots and lots of conditioner, and l then brush it through with the conditioner on the brush. I use my fingers where possible to release the knots, but he has areas at the back where it clumps, and it doesn’t work there; so we use a wide toothed comb and a Denham brush to detangle the knots, and I section it to do it. I then rinse and add a leave-in conditioner to help keep moisture in his hair.

 On a daily basis if needed (if its dry) I spray water on his hair just to dampen it and bring back the curls and then I add moisturising gel to freshen the curls just using my hands and finger tips.

 I dry his hair after washing with either a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt to retain the moisture, as normal towels can remove too much, and make it frizzy. When I'm drying it I scrunch and squeeze, as opposed to rubbing like you would with a towel.

 Romain also sleeps on a silk pillow which helps to keep the moisture in his hair, as cotton pillows are quite harsh and remove the moisture and cause frizz.

 Products

Products are trial and error: some work and some don’t, and sometimes they some work for a while and then they don’t, so we have to try new things. We usually choose products with shea butter, coconut oil, CBD oil, sativa oil, olive oil, argan or keratin, and try to avoid anything with sulphates, parabens and silicone.  

  I towel it lightly, so as not to cause any trauma to it, and then let it dry naturally. When all the curls have sprung back into place, I use another conditioning product to add moisture, separate the curls out, and reduce the frizziness that it’s prone to.

 Cutting

With cutting I only get Romain’s fringe trimmed as and when it’s needed; but an all-round trim every 3-4 months is recommended for afro hair, which we are going to start doing – and because it’s so long when it’s wet, it has to be cut when it’s dry, so the stylist can see what the finished style will look like, and to avoid cutting too much off.

 If your little one has hair like Romain’s, and you’re not sure how best to care for it, pop into one of our salons for some expert advice.

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Tips for the School Admission process

 If your child is going to be five years old between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021, the window for school place applications is now open. For some people the process is straightforward – but for others it can be an anxious time.

 We’ve asked some of our Shortcuts parents to give us their top tips for finding and applying for the perfect school place for your little one.

 1 - Find your local schools

 Although you may know your local area well, it’s worth double checking exactly which schools you can apply for. You can put down a number of different choices, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get your first choice – so maximise your chances of a place you’re happy with by investigating all the options.

 Top Tip: “I thought I knew where all of my town’s local schools were, but I never thought about looking at the nearby village schools too. I’m so glad I did, because one of them was perfect for us!”

 2 - Go and Visit

 When you’ve decided which schools you’d like to consider, give them a ring and arrange a visit. Some schools will have organised sessions you can book onto; others will arrange a standalone visit for you. There is no better way to find out whether it is a school you would like your child to go to.

 Top Tip: “The first question I asked myself each time I set foot through the gate was: do I personally feel happy here?”

 3 - Use all of your choices when you apply

 You will be able to apply to several schools – the number differs between local authorities. You rank them in the order you would like them, putting your top choice as number 1, your second choice next, and so on. When applications for admissions close, the local authority will allocate places based on the criteria laid out in their guidance notes, and using your list of choices. If you are in the catchment area of the school you are applying for, it is highly likely that you will get a place in that school.

 However, if you don’t live if the catchment area of your top choice school, all is not lost - you may still be allocated a place if there are some available. If all places have been taken, the council will then look at your second choice to see if there are any places at that school; then at your third and fourth choices. If you still do not have a place, you will be allocated a place at a school within your local authority area which does have places.

 Top Tip: “It’s definitely worth putting down your catchment school, even if it’s not your top choice. It may be filled with children both in and out of catchment who have put it down as their top choice, which would mean there would not be a place for your child, and you could then be given a vacant place at another school some distance from where you live.”

 Good luck with the process, and let us know what you’re looking at when you come in for your little one’s next cut! You should be able to find all of the information you need on your local authority website.

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Getting That Sticky Mess Safely Out of Kids’ Hair

 It’s bound to happen, and it could strike at any time – the art session at school, or the crafting session during the holidays – but at some time or another, your child is bound to end up with something sticky and hard to budge from their hair. So how do you get rid of it without resorting to drastic measures? Here are our tips for removing the nasties safely and without the use of scissors, chemicals or anything else…

 Play Dough

 Comb the length of the hair until you get to the play dough itself. Pour some hot water into a bowl, and add a little handwash or washing up liquid. Soak a flannel in the hot, soapy water and then use it to grasp the affected strands of hair. Roll the play dough within the flannel as if you’re massaging it, and you should begin to see it dissolving. Rinse out the flannel, and repeat until it all seems to be out. Comb through to make sure, and repeat if not. Shampoo the soap out of the hair, and don’t forget the conditioner too, as soap can have a dehydrating effect.

 Gum

 Whether it’s theirs or someone else’s, having a big wad of gum in the hair is awful! Luckily, there is a safe and chemical free way to get rid of it. Cover the gum completely with vegetable oil (olive oil is fine), and work it in using your fingers or an old toothbrush. The oil will make the gum base stiff and reduce its stickiness, and after a few minutes, it will release its hold on the hair, allowing you to pull it gently away. Wash hair as normal to get rid of the excess oil.

 Slime

 Kids love slime, and it does get everywhere. If it gets into hair, you’ll need some white vinegar to remove it quickly and easily. Just pop them in the bath with a flannel for their eyes, and pour it over the affected hair (but do note that it will be rather sore on any cuts or broken skin!). The slime will start to drip away. Repeat until clear, and shampoo as normal.

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Back to School Checklist

 The holidays almost at an end, and it’s time to start getting organised for that first day back at school. Here are a few things to tick off the list, to help you get back into those routines.

 Things to buy:

 – Name labels or wash proof markers

– School uniform; trousers and jumpers for winter and shorts/skirts for summer (easy iron options are ideal to save some time)

– Coat

– Socks and school shoes

– Hat, scarf and gloves

– Waterproofs; shoes and outer layer

– PE kit with plimsolls, socks and a gym bag to keep it in

– Swimming kit if your child’s school gives swimming lessons

– Rucksack

– Lunch box and drinks bottle

– Book bag

– A change of clothing if your child is very young

 Things to check:

 Have a root through the school bag and see what came home in July.. Most schools now also have websites and some even have social media pages that will provide news and information you need to know, so make a point to check these too. Parentmail is another good one to check, if your school uses it.

 – School trips or events in the first few weeks back at school

– Items the school advises you buy (and those that they will provide for your child)

– School policies – particularly any that relate to school uniform or items they’re allowed to bring to school

– What time and day your child should arrive for their first day

– Paperwork that needs to be completed (such as emergency contact forms)

– What your child will learn this year and any changes you should be aware of

– Whether your child needs to enrol or register for the school year (this is usually applicable to children changing schools)

 And don’t forget your back to school haircut! Get booked in, if you haven’t already…

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Holiday Activities on a Budget

According to the family activity app Hoop, the cost of the summer holidays can add up. The biggest outlay is the family holiday at £860, followed by £316 on activities, plus £102 goes on food and snacks, and £66 on toys and games. Here are a few ways to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank.

Free events with your local council In Milton Keynes, the Play Association puts on a whole programme of activities and events across many different areas, every day of the week – and all free of charge. Parish councils sign up to the programme and meet some of the financial costs, and there are similar programmes to this all over the UK. Have a look on your local council’s website to see what’s happening in your area. Museums Lots of museums in the bigger cities are free of charge, and ask for donations – but local museums often run open-access days, or events at a lower cost to attract families’ interest. Have a look at some local museum websites, or combine a few destinations into a one-off trip into town, if you need to travel a distance to get there. Libraries It’s entertainment that’s free to access! Local libraries run all sorts of reading schemes, activities and events for children of all ages over the summer, and it’s usually free or very cheap to take part. Definitely worth a look, especially on a rainy day.

Kids’ Workshops Some of the bigger shops and garden centres – such as Hobbycraft and Pets at Home – offer completely free of charge workshops that are run by a member of staff, and allow you to bring the kids along to try out some crafting, or even meet some cuddly animals. They’re usually pre-bookable, but there’s no cost and no obligation.

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Six tips for summer hair care

 We blogged a few weeks ago about hair care when swimming; and it’s just as important to take extra care of your hair in the summer heat, especially on kids’ delicate scalps. Here are a few tips for keeping hair looking great while the sun shines.

  1.      Detangle regularly – especially after swimming. Never the most popular task for kids with long hair or bouncing curls, but it is the best way to keep hair healthy, and weed out the dead ones.

 2.      Go easy on it. Summer hair that’s been in and out of the swimming pool, and dried out by the sun, can be more likely to snap and break. When tying it back, don’t make the hairband too tight, and avoid elastic bands, or bands with metal clips on them, for the same reason.

3.      Come in and see us for a trim. Even if you’re not going for a full restyle, starting the summer with a trim to your child’s existing style will make a big difference to the health of the hair during the holidays, when they may be spending a lot more time outdoors.

4.      Shampoo less often (if you’re not swimming, of course). If swimming isn’t on the cards, don’t feel you have to use shampoo every time. Let the natural oils settle for a day or two, and give those locks some nourishment. However, if you’ve got a water baby, it’s important to wash out that chlorine and salt water whenever they’ve been for a dip.

 5.      Moisturise! When you do use a shampoo, don’t forget the conditioner. The sun’s heat removes a lot of the moisture from the hair, so always condition when you wash. You don’t need to use lots – just a teaspoonful should do the trick, even on long hair, to moisturise the ends and up towards the scalp.

6.      Sun protection. It is possible to buy UV protection in hairspray form, and they do claim to prevent the damage that the sun can do – but we would recommend the far more cost-effective solution of putting on a hat! Protection for hair and face, and the best way to combat overheating and heat exhaustion. That’s if you can get your baby or toddler to keep it on, of course…

 And don’t forget to book your Back to School appointment with us so they are looking their best for September!