Laugh and learn with your tots and teens: Here are top 10 picks for parents this month

Is there anything more special than the time we get to share with family? This is especially true for parents whose little ones have yet to fledge the nest. The clock is ticking, so it’s best to make every moment count.

To help savour every moment and make memories that last a lifetime, here are Checklist’s top 10 tips for families this February.

Kick start revision with an Easter course

Exams. They’re the first important moment in every young adult’s life when the pressure is on. It’s important to ensure your little ones are as prepared as possible.

MPW Colleges has been offering Easter revision courses for over 35 years and is a long-established leader in this field. The core aspects of the MPW teaching model – small, Oxbridge-style tutorial groups, a focus on exam preparation, and unparalleled individual support – underpin their Easter Revision programme.

Their Easter Revision courses offer board and specification specific courses at A level, extensive past paper practice, an emphasis on developing understanding rather than learning, as well as small class sizes and highly qualified tutors.

In fact, many of their tutors are trained A level examiners, which ensures your little learners are in the most capable hands. Giving your teens a real learning experience, their courses are available at all three MPW colleges in London, Birmingham and Cambridge.

The info: Click here to find out more.

Get your young ones behind the wheel 

Did you know a 10 year old can learn to drive? Probably not… but that’s the confidence-boosting, road-safety focused initiative offered by Young Driver. Imagine how much fun getting behind the wheel of a real, dual controlled car, with a real driving instructor, on replicas of real roads is for your young ones.

Whilst having fun is an additional bonus, road safety is the ultimate aim of the Young Driver scheme, which teaches 10 to 17-year-olds how to drive at 70 venues across the UK.

One in five new drivers in the UK has an accident in the first six months after passing their test.

How does Young Driver help? They teach them all the practical skills they need to be able to pass their test in a completely safe and relaxed environment, with none of the pressure of real roads.

That way, when they do get to 17, changing gear, steering, braking and even parallel parking skills are already under their (seat) belt. Their focus can then be more on reading the road and other road users.

The info: Click here to claim an exclusive 10% off your first lesson with offer code ‘YDMAIL10’.*

*Terms and conditions apply. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, valid until 31/10/2024.

Create nutritious meals in minutes with these sides

Mealtimes are an important part of every household’s schedule but cooking tasty and balanced meals can take some time and often, life gets in the way. Between the day job and homework, mealtimes can be a bit of a scramble.

Thankfully, Tilda has unveiled a new range of Tasty Sides to help busy parents make delicious and nutritious meals in minutes – expanding beyond rice in the UK for the first time ever!

Each tasty combination of pulses and vegetables come in a rich sauce that combines perfectly with rice to create filling meals for lunch or dinner. Choose from Indian Black Dhal, Mexican Fajita, Thai Green Curry and Chinese Black Bean. Tasty Sides offer a depth of flavour for that ultimate taste experience. Made with carefully selected ingredients, they contain no artificial colours, flavours of preservatives.

Not only are Tilda’s new Tasty Sides delicious and convenient, but they also make up 1 of your 5 a day, are an excellent source of protein, high in fibre and under 250 kcal per pouch. Oh, and all suitable for vegetarians too! Available now in Tesco, Ocado and Amazon Fresh.

Want to try a pack for FREE? Shoppers can now redeem the cost of a pouch in three simple steps: purchase a pack, retain the receipt and scan the QR or go to their site below.

The info: Click here to try Tilda Tasty Sides for free.*

*UK 18+. Internet required. Opens 22.01.24. Redeem by 30.06.24. 1 claim per household. Tesco, Ocado & Amazon. T&CS apply. 

Water adventures for the whole family

How tough are you and your clan? Think you could take on the flowing streams and craggy rocks of the Lake District?

Family-run adventure specialists Rocqua Adventures provide exhilarating rock and water adventures right in the heart of the area of natural wonder. Their ghyll scrambling adventure in Stoneycroft ghyll is a must do when visiting.

Taking place in the beautiful Newlands Valley in Keswick, there is no better way to explore this area than to scramble, slide, jump and dive down a tumbling mountain stream.

The exhilarating day out is a fantastic way of connecting with each other and mother nature! From as little as £40 per person, each small group outing comes with the use of a wetsuit, helmet, buoyancy aid and a friendly instructor to guide you!

The info: Click here to book your adventure.

Refurbished tech, for the whole family 

If you’re raising a family, getting all the tech essentials for you and your brood can be a real drain on your finances. Luckily, you can always discover refurbed tech for your family, friends and loved ones with Loop Mobile.

With discounts of up to 70% vs buying new on refurbished mobile phones, tablets, laptops and homeware equipment from leading brands, Loop Mobile is a great way to update your tech without breaking the bank.

Buying refurbished means you get access to the same great tech you love, just at a fraction of their price when bought new. You can enjoy the latest phones, tablets and computers while saving both money and the planet.

And the best part? You can purchase with confidence thanks to Loop Mobile’s 12-month warranty, free with every device. And if you’re looking to gift a loved one something special this Valentines Day, they have an additional 10% off all accessories with the code ‘VAL10%’ to protect your purchase.

The info: Click here to shop now.

Capture precious moments… from above! 

Want to take your family films to the next level? Kick your capturing up a notch with the DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone to take off whenever inspiration strikes.

Weighing less than 249g, the Mini 4 Pro was designed for convenience on the go, with the weight freeing your filming from restriction. The advanced camera capabilities help you capture more complex details easily with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with Dual Native ISO Fusion and an f/1.7 aperture.

The drone supports up to 4K HDR video at 60fps and offers detailed 48 MP stills with rich colours and a high dynamic range, ensuring striking highlights and shadow details in every frame​.

The Mini 4 Pro also boasts an extended flight time of up to 34 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery. Thanks to DJI’s O4 video transmission system, you get ultra-responsive control and smooth 1080p/60fps Full HD live feeds from distances up to 20 kilometres.

Omnidirectional obstacle sensing means that the Mini 4 Pro is mighty safe. With four wide-angle vision sensors and a pair of downward vision sensors, it detects obstacles from all angles. Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS) ensure additional safety by enabling automatic braking and bypassing during flight.

The info: Click here to shop now.

Bounce about the great indoors 

Set course for a sailing holiday! 

Escape to Nikiana Beach Club, a small and friendly beach club on the Greek island of Lefkas. With a maximum of 80 guests in a small and friendly setting with sailing, windsurfing and other water sports, you and your family are in store for a thrilling experience.

You don’t have to know how to sail beforehand, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn while your there – you can also undertake RYA courses while on holiday. Don’t forget the water-based kids club for those aged 7 to 17.

If you enjoy meeting like-minded people during your travels, this is the place for you! Kids will meet plenty of others of the same age and adults can mingle as well. They get many repeat guests for these reasons. The club is small and self-contained, so kids can be safe in their independence.

If you want a bit more from a summer holiday, including socialising with other families, learning a new sport and enjoying the Greek sun, Nikiana Beach Club is calling your name.

The info: Click here to find out more.

Sightseeing along the Thames 

Offering the best panoramic views of London, a ride along the Thames gives you the chance to lap up all of London’s landmarks. See the likes of the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and do much more without having to leave your seat!

Thames River Sightseeing offer daily sightseeing river cruises from Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier. The family-run business has over 50 years of experience, so you know you’re in good hands during your voyage.

Entertaining and informative live commentary from local guides gives you and your group the ultimate tour of the capital, with comfortable boats for all types of weather and drinks available to purchase on board.

2-Day Family River Passes are available from only £44 where up to three kids go for free. Enjoy the flexibility of hopping on and off the boat at your own pace over two days of family fun. With multiple departure times, this cruise offers a unique and educational way to discover the city.

The info: Click here to claim 15% off any of their river cruises with offer code ‘CHECKLIST15’*

*Terms and conditions apply. 

 A round of ‘applaws’ from your pets!

If your family features a furry friend, you’ll know how important it is to care for them. From long walks to all that loving attention, you know what they need more than anyone. This is especially true of what ends up in their bowls each day.

At Applaws, they believe that making pet food matters because that’s what they do. They trust in the goodness of quality ingredients and natural simplicity. That means nothing artificial is added or hidden; no colours, flavours or preservatives – just the reassurance of ingredients sourced with high ethical standards.

Applaws cat food is high in natural taurine and arginine, the essential amino acids naturally found in the prime cuts of chicken and fish – which they use in each tin, pot and pouch. Their complete dry cat food is also grain free and made with 80 per cent animal protein.

Then their grain-free dog cans are packed with chicken breast and fish fillets like tuna, salmon and mackerel. Add their signature Taste Toppers to complement your pup’s meal, sure to tickle your dog’s taste buds and get their tails wagging.

The info: Click here to give your pet the gift of truly healthy food.

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