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Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts

Tuesday, 31 December 2019

Zone Bowling Liverpool: REVIEW

I’d hosted 11 birthday parties for my twins, and in the past few years the brief from my daughter (my son is far more easily pleased) was simple: “Mum, it has to be action packed and fun, and I want to have my friends feel like they've had a blast when the party is over."

We’d attended a few bowling parties for her friends as guests, and now my daughter Estella was insistent: “It has to be a Zone Bowling party, and it has to include laser tag, and I want all my 12 friends to have had a ball when the party ends. Oh, I’ve gotta do that ticket machine thing at the end, Mum!”

Okay, let’s do this!
























The EXCEPTIONAL team at Zone Bowling Liverpool were thrilled to host the whole shindig for us, and you guys... it’s the EASIEST party planning I’ve ever done. Or not done! That is: after a few chats on the phone (I’d seen the venue for other kiddie parties we'd been invited to, so I could visualise it all in my head) and the party for Estella and Rafael was good to go!

I don’t think we’ve ever had such a fun time at our kids’ party!

As any party planner knows, the objective when organising a party for the host is to make the life of those you are assisting a whole lot easier, and having them feel completely at ease that all will go well on party day.

Zone Bowling Liverpool manager Lisa is next level awesome. And truly knows her stuff. And can get inside the brains of kids, and knows what they expect from their parties.

Lisa gave me two options for the twins’ do. And that in itself was fantastic, as she gave me insight into what 12 year old’s expectations are.

You can start from the basic 'One Star Party Package', which is one game of either bowling or tag, kids’ style party food (classic hot dogs), chicken nuggets, beef slider, served with shoestring fries, plus drink, as well as 15 minutes arcade game play (take it from me, big AND little kids love this bit! You can add credit after your 15 minutes are done, but you don’t have to). Plus a dedicated party host who is with you the whole way!

More on packages below, but a word - and massive shout out - to OUR party hosts on the day. Becc and Joseph were EXCEPTIONAL! You’d think they were young graduates from a primary school teaching degree... they were that good! Attending to every need, nothing was a problem. And they always let us know what was happening next (it's shoe fitting time now, it's laser tag kit up time now, it's time to bowl, and let's move it all to the party room).

While the day had structure, which is what the kids need, the kids felt like they had full control of their day, and they felt like they were hosting a special do for their buddies at Zone Bowling, instead of the other way around.

Again, a massive shout out to Becc and Joseph. I’d highly recommend them to anyone wanting an excellent and memorable event, and all the Zone Bowling staff are highly trained. Attitude is everything, and the demeanour of all staff there is so friendly and patient, they are truly gifted little miracle workers to be able to handle many sets of rowdy and excitable kids at once. I love that they even get involved in laser tag and get in the full laser tag gear and join in (you get to see an instructional video as a group before you hit the indoors laser tag course).

While my kids are at that age where other parents can drop them off then pick them up later, some parents like to stay and we always love that. I like to fee them, and have a catch up!

Okay, now menus at bowling centres don’t have the best reputation for offering healthy or plentiful options. But, Zone Bowling venues have just rolled out all new menus, for both adults wanting platters of good food, and for children's options.

The adult guests had beef sliders which were fantastic, a plentiful trio tray of hot chips (sweet, potato, and shoestring), and freshly wraps and sandwiches, and calamari rings.








Adults, I’ll let you in on a little secret: during that time the kids are bowling and doing the laser tag thing, you get to hang with your mum and dad friends guilt free. The likes of Becc and Joseph have it the kids handled for you. Take them up on the inadvertent offer to run your kids ragged so that by the time they get to the party room they’re hungry and happy to simply hang out with their buddies and compare bowling scores and laser tag wins.

In the party room, usually the part the birthday kid’s parents are racing around serving everyone, is the time you’ll again see your party hosts and their kid wrangling skills come to the fore.

Becc and Joseph were champions at fulfilling all kiddie drinks requests, and handing out all hot dog and nuggets and burgers and fries orders (your host takes their kids’ preferences at the very start of the party), and generally handing out napkins and giving the kids what they need. I love that their meal ended with a healthy fruit platter filled with easy to handle mini fruit 'kebabs'.

The hosts ask when you’d like your cake sent out, they light the candles for you, cut the cake up for guests, AND THEY CLEAN UP CAKE AND MESS, YES!

They then take the birthday child (and in my case, twins) to the ticket blaster experience (remember ‘The Price Is Right’ - well this is the same, child’s version of the ‘grab for (pretend) cash’ concept, where kids have to stuff as much fake money notes as possible in their hands or shirts or pockets to then redeem at the arcade game area).

The per person cost starts at $27.90 per child (for the 'One Star Party Package') or go the next level up for one game of laser tag and one round of bowling (the 'Two Star Party Package', at $33.90 per child). If you’ve got about 15 kids as we did that’ll easily take you to around two hours of fun, and I think this is the best option.

Or go to the $39.90 per child for some extras including a lolly caddy for the party guests.

What I also love is that Zone Bowling also offer a special needs friendly version of their bowling games, so that kids with autism for example have dimmed lights and no music and a more comfy, non sensory overload experience. As mamma to my son with mild autism, this is great to know (although he did very well with his own birthday party).

Want something a bit less kiddie style? Ask your party planner for a teen style party that is less structured and has them feel more independent! So clever! See more info here: https://www.zonebowling.com/birthday-parties/teens

Party options are all here:
https://www.zonebowling.com/birthday-parties/kids

And it’s very likely your questions will be answered here:

https://www.zonebowling.com/birthday-parties/faqs

More reasons I love Zone Bowling Parties?

You can customise it to suit your needs, the whole booking and planning process is super easy, and possibly the best part of all? The kids go nuts and you don’t clean up AT ALL! Yay!

I can’t recommend this whole experience enough!

If you’re lucky enough to book the whole thing at the Liverpool Zone Bowling venue rest assured you’ll be completely looked after. That feeling of no stress at all is quite addictive!

Got more questions? You can go the live chat option!

Oh, and finally... imagine all this but an adult version for you and your buddies, which includes a fully stocked bar? Believe it! More info here: https://www.zonebowling.com/birthday-parties/adults

Ready to book?


Call 1300 368 067 and you will be directed to the ZONE BOWLING Customer Contact Centre.

Sunday, 6 January 2019

Flip Out Prestons: Kid's Party REVIEW

Gone are the days when birthday parties were just fairy bread and sausage rolls. Actually, in my home they never were quite like that, and my kids didn't try fairy bread until they were five and discovered it served at a friend's birthday party.

These days, the stakes are high, and most of the criteria surrounding parties centre on impressing other kids. Or mums impressing other mums. EEK!

Full disclosure, none of the above has ever been me. The focal point of my parties for my kids - I have 11 year old twins, boy and girl, Rafael and Estella, so yesss I ONLY have to throw ONE party a year - is for my kids and their friends to expend AS MUCH ENERGY as possible during that 4-5 hour period.

For the past few years we have had some pretty fun pool parties at our home, plus some Maccas and playland style parties too, but when Miss-About-To-Turn 11 says she wants to try something different and it involves a party outside of our home, with someone else cleaning up the party madness, AND kids expend oodles of energy and are probably going to be a sweaty mess by the time the cutting of the cake happens... I am IN!

Estella specifically pinpoints FlipOut as her party place of choice, and she wants me to take the reins. When we discover there is a disco party option, dancing queen over here is super keen.

The staff at Flip Out Prestons (in NSW, in Sydney's South-West, and the closest one to where we live) are super nice, brimming with enthusiasm, and know their stuff. See the link HERE with all their details.

Oh, and by the way, Flip Out is Australia’s largest network of indoor trampoline parks! See more about Flip Out HERE.

They talk us through all the options possible (cake inclusion, socks for all participants, music on a Friday and Saturday night, the latter of which is an actual live DJ, the former is music streaming though the centre, which is based in an industrial style precinct).

The best part (or an additional job, depending on how you look at it) is that you are able to bring your own food along, with the only restrictions being the number of platters (four) which means the freedom to shape the party how you like, with the lovely staff at FlipOut setting up your tables for you. It's so great to turn up and the party table is ready for you!

Seasoned mums: you'll know this for sure... the kids won't care much for the food. They just WANNA PARTY immediately on those trampolines. And that, they do. There is so much fun to be had they simply don't want to waste time.

The party host takes the group of kids to the trampoline area, which takes up most of the whole FlipOut set up, and we're talking mega big trampoline space here, where the host takes the kids through their paces with activities and non competitive action, and basically expertly reigns in all that energy, while allowing them to have lots of fun and just be kids.

So, it's supervised and freestyle fun, utilising their time jumping as much as possible, then expertly coaxing them back to the table for food, then back again for cake, and off they go again for more party shenanigans.

The pricing structure is flexible and very reasonable: the best parts of it are knowing the hosts take care of all the elements for you, plus the kids will leave tired and happy! Everyone wins!

Here are some photos from our birthday party adventures!










You have a range of kids activities, birthday celebration packages, 'After Dark' events and fun fitness programs for all ages.

You have party options including the 'cool weekend party', the 'awesome weekend party', and the 'self-catered swagger' which is the one we chose.


At $25 per person, plus $75 table hire, it also includes 1.5 hours of jumping time, plus grip socks for all kids, plus a free 'little ninjas' voucher for every guest.

You could also upsize to the 'Insane Moves Party Night'.

This includes two hours of jumping time, grip socks, party food, patty lollies, birthday cake, unlimited water and cordial,  plus temporary tattoo, and a dedicated party station and party host (*T&C's apply. Min 10 people).

All in all, FlipOut is highly recommended and totally pre-teen approved, a BIG THUMBS  UP!

All details for FlipOut Prestons are here, call the friendly staff and they will answer all your possible questions (and I had plenty!).

Phone: (02) 9826 6314
Email: prestons@flipout.net.au
Address: Unit 2 – 238 Hoxton Park Road, Prestons


Hours at Flip Out Prestons are below, too:

Tuesday to Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Friday: 10am – 9pm
Saturday: 10am – 10pm
Sunday & Monday: 10am – 6pm 

Saturday, 28 July 2018

Aussie Kids' Viewing Habits: Turner Australia REPORT

What does your child watch? On TV? On their device(s) - the extra 's' is essential because it's highly likely they have an iPad, your old iPhone, their new iPhone, their MacBook Air...

There are so many portals on which to view content, and while in our parents' day they boasted having 'eyes in the back of their head', today's parents absolutely must have eyes on every device, parental controls on Netflix, install the kids' version of YouTube, home internet security parental controls... and the list of Alcatraz-style, seemingly impenetrable ways to MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS ARE SAFE goes on.

Oh, and to make sure you at least try not to feel like you are doing a crappy job of parenting.

How often have you heard breakfast TV stories start with: "Reports say..." or, "There are calls for..."

It is almost followed with something that is not really a report at all, and if it's skewed towards parents, it's designed to make you feel guilty. For real.

And so Josie's Juice was super keen to learn about Turner Australia's just released 'New Generations' report, which revealed the viewing habits of Aussie kids. 

The ‘New Generations’ report reveals favourite influencer channels, the most popular platforms and device usage, as well as social media trends and ad effectiveness.

Turner Australia has unveiled the findings of its latest New Generations report at events in Melbourne and Sydney this week, lifting the lid on what makes our youngsters tick. The report looks at a variety of aspects facing children aged 4-14 including screen time, content preferences and how they find out about the latest products.

“Understanding the minds of the next generation of content consumers is never an easy task. The kids we spoke to are true digital natives who play by very different rules to us and this report has really thrown up some interesting data,” said David Webb, Turner’s Senior Director of Data & Insights for Asia Pacific.

SO! 

What are our kids watching?

Despite the rise of short-form video platforms, TV remains the largest medium in terms of monthly usage for kids, according to Turner’s New Generations report. Who knew! This was a surprise to me. For the record, my kids are iPad and Surface Pro and iPhone (my old one with no SIM card, they are ten... give it time) pros.

TV - meh, sometimes. A cute kiddie show in the am, a TV movie snuggled together with the husband for family down time. But there you have it, the stats tell the story.

The report adds that on average, kids are consuming more than two and a half hours of television and movies across all devices and platforms on a typical day... yep, per day - no surprise there. And no judgement. It makes total sense, time at home when they're having brekkie and staring zombie like at the TV, on a device in the car when you give them a device to stop the whining... at a restaurant to stop boredom, which for my son would be effective in halting an autism tantrum. He's far more manageable now and can sit quietly, but too long to wait, and it might be on, and in public. Here, here's a device for ya. As I said, not a modicum of judgement here.

Kids then spend a further 75 minutes on short-form video platforms. Cartoons remain the favourite type of TV content watched by kids, followed by movies and live-action kids shows.

“Never before have children had so many content and platform choices – but TV is still the major player for youngsters, and it’s also clear that they still love animation,” added Mr Webb. This is kinda comforting - we hope old school cartoons are in that mix?

Here is an infographic on what that monthly usage looks like:




Penetration of newer technology has increased amongst households with kids, with streaming devices (+124%), smartwatches (+69%) and VR devices (+60%) having all seen large uplifts in ownership since the last survey in 2016. And while almost all households surveyed now have a smartphone, child access to computing devices remains higher for tablets and computers.

What are our kids doing online?

Short-form video viewing was the most common online activity for kids on websites and apps (73%).

Despite high platform consumption, usage of individual on-line video channels remains highly fragmentated, and of the myriad of YouTube channels available, Dan TDM, Ryan’sToys Reviews, Minecraft, Jake Paul and Hobby Kids TV were listed as the top five.

Online games overtook school/homework in this year’s survey in terms of key onlineactivities. Minecraft remained the top favourite game for both boys and girls, although recent sensation, Fortnite, was the second-highest favourite title for boys.

(My daughter is not into Fortnite, and I am told I should be happy about that? But she IS into Roblox in a big way, and she plays that with friends or with her twin brother. Again, parental supervision is a concern. My daughter reported some bullying which kinda horrified me as it was on a WHOLE other level on Roblox, and now it's supervision plus, and lots of question asking from us).

Social media usage remains much lower for kids, especially those aged 12 and under, with only a quarter (27%) using any platform in the last month. Instagram has overtaken Facebook for the first time in the New Generations history, with nearly half of the kids using Instagram of which 87% have their own account.

And a final story on this from me. My cheeky daughter "really wanted Instagram, mum!" and I of course resisted. So she just went ahead and created one. It was on when the account was discovered, so now we have passwords and consistent access to accounts (she has a private one, and a really private, private one - SO cheeky).

While not professing to be an expert, then best unsolicited advice we can give here is: be actively asking your kids what they're doing, what they're watching, ask how they feel when they watch what they watch, get inside their heads a bit and not only will you discover how their brain ticks, you'll also likely see more of who they are and what tickles their funny bone, their likes and dislikes, how strong characters online make them feel, and how they respond to comments on social media posts, for example. For me I also discovered how very hilarious my daughter is.

This can open up even more discussions about how they view the world, and how you can help navigate it alongside them.

Turner AdLab

As part of the research Turner also developed AdLab, in order to determine the effectiveness of advertising to kids. The study researched key effectiveness metrics such as ad likeability, brand recall and purchase intent within TV, short-form video platforms and website environments.

The research revealed that TV ads outperformed YouTube ads for key ad metrics when comparing the same creative, with results showing 43% higher spontaneous awareness, 21% higher brand recall, 7% higher ad likeability and a 13% change in purchase intent.

Here is an infographic to illustrate:


“What we saw was that purchase intent increased when an ad was shown on TV only, compared to YouTube only, but further increased when seen on both TV and You Tube. This information could provide brands with better information to plan their campaigns.”said Mr Webb.

In the website test, premium digital formats such as OTPs, pre-roll videos and game takeover ad units were more impactful, achieving double the recall of standard digital ads.
Content environments also played a key role in driving effectiveness with ads performing better on all key metrics when kids liked the surrounding content. The research also showed that ads appearing within content for the same brand achieved higher recall (+35%) and purchase intent (+25%).

Currently in our home the Coles 'Mini Shop' range is receiving lots of attention from my son. As is 'Me Bank', Suncorp Bank with the dancing Harper Beckham lookalike, and anything else with a strong and memorable brand message (welcome to autism world).

Is this such a bad thing? In our learning disability world, it demonstrates a solid example of memory recollection and brand association, which we actually kinda love. We think our son will be a bit of a branding expert in some capacity!

More about Turner Australia: it's the company behind brands such as Cartoon Network and Boomerang, and YouTube platform Mega Awesome Wow.

Turner’s Cartoon Network, the number one kids’ channel in Asia Pacific, offering original animated content including the multi-award-winning global hits Ben 10The Powerpuff GirlsOKK.O.! Let’s Be HeroesAdventure Time and We Bare Bears.

About Turner’s New Generations Report 2018

New Generations is Turner’s pioneering kids’ survey to better understand Australian kids’ lifestyle – their values, aspirations, media habits, consumption, pocket money, opinions, preferences and parental influence. Celebrating its 13th edition in Australia, the long established and respected research has interviewed over 20,000 child-and-parent pairs since its inception.

Wednesday, 19 July 2017

Netflix 'Me Time': 'Stream Team' Blogger Trip

What is Netflix 'Me Time'?

You know the time when the kiddies go to bed and you sink into the couch and have that remote with that golden 'Netfix' button ALL TO YOURSELF?

Yeah, that.

But Netflix 'Me Time' and the ensuing nirvana that comes with it need not only apply to mammas and papas.

Nope.

That peaceful state we all strive for in our personal lives is when we are completely and utterly alone and in a zen like state often comes when, well to be totally frank and all non filter style, left the hell alone.

I kinda feel like this state is one step up from 'Netflix and Chill', and a notch down from wrangling the remote from screaming mini me people.

So when I was invited to the epic Netflix 'Me Time' event in Melbourne recently I could not resist. A flight away and hotel away from the fam bam (*I love them eternally, but hanging with like minded lady and man friends who write was irresistible) and talking all things Netflix AND getting a preview on what's happening in the world of Netflix programming... well I was so there.



What came next was an elevate state of Netflix 'Me Time'.

Those clever PR folks KNOW what to do.

A flash hotel in Melbourne (the QT, if you don't mind, and they soon after won a best hotel award), converting a warehouse-y space a short cab ride away from Melbourne's CBD into a dining and viewing experience.




That night (ironically, hot on the heels of an 'Orange Is The New Black' next season leak) we saw a preview of said 'OITNB' new season, the truly fabulous new series 'Glow' (such a clever and funny and original story line, and it took me a little while to realise it was my girl crush Alison Brie in the main role), and I fell in love with the new and original series 'Gypsy' (Naomi Watts is sensational and engaging in it).









AND: these lights, just like 'Stranger Things'... so cool:

Such a fantastic night with the @netflixanz and @netflix teams! The fab - and I do mean REALLY fab and enthusiastic and switched on - #netflix #USA people looked after us #bloggers so much, as did the fantastic crew from their Aussie #PR team. It culminated with a sensational event at @two_ton_max where we enjoyed all new #netflixanz programming which we can't talk about just yet, but... you guys, you gotta get @netflixanz - @jordssyd pictured here with me, well we go way, way back in #journo #publicist world, and what top company he was. We were also the two red wine 🍷 aficionados and shared a few glasses 😍👌🍷🙊🎉#josiesjuice #blog proud to be a #streamteam #blogger #netflixmetime oh and my dress 👗 was an impulse purchase from @hm #bourkestreetmall. I had, oh, four different options for the event but saw this and had to have it. I think it looks very #Missoni but #shhh it's under $60. #bikerjacket from @forevernew_official bought last year 👌#strangerthings #letters 🙃😮
A post shared by Josie Gagliano (@josiegags) on

So what does Netflix 'Me Time' mean to you?

In a world which has evolved from 'cocooning' at home (I remember when I was deputy editor for a magazine when this word was coined and we were fascinated by it) to having it be totally acceptable to say you are an extrovert with introvert tendencies, or laugh and share and agree with memes that say you can lie about being busy and cancel plans at the last minute and you are not a mean person (I don't agree with this... manners, please), Netflix 'Me Time' is such a validating, totally okay concept and persona to adopt.

Why is Netflix 'Me Time' SO important?

Well, I am not a clinical psychologist or a psych of any sort but I do know that recharge time, whether it's solo, or with the kids where you can explain shows and age appropriate docos and kiddie-centric movies together, is super HUGE and essential to one's mind for mental health.

Should it be a cheeky, sneaky activity done in private only?

I am all for some behaviours being private.

But proudly showing off or certainly not concealing that you're a dedicated Netflix aficionado is never a bad thing, I promise you.

Don't have Netflix yet?

Well you can do something about it immediately. Click RIGHT HERE.

Oh, and enjoy this very excellent infographic. I LOVE this:



And this:


New Netflix data has revealed that for mothers, sneaking is the new bingeing and they’ll go to great lengths to stream their favourite shows while no one is looking. According to the research after becoming a mum, women quickly embrace putting their kids first and time for themselves goes out the window. Three quarters of mums admit to sneaking in TV “me-time” while multitasking or actually hiding from their kids at least 1-3 times a day. Nowhere is off limits - from spending extra time on the “potty” to hiding in the pantry or wardrobe , or sitting in the car in the parking lot. 

Key Netflix findings include:

  • 46% of Mums admit that they try to sneak in TV “me time” at least 1 to 3 times a day in order to watch their favourite or must-watch Netflix shows.
    • Some of the most common ways that mums sneak in some TV “me time” are while:
      • Cleaning around the house (57%),  
      • Lying in bed (55%)
      • Cooking (48%)
      • Doing their hair or makeup (28%)
  • When Mums think about the benefits that they get from having some TV “me time” for themselves, the benefits that are most important to them include:
§  To get a break from daily routine (66%)
§  To feel less stressed (55%)

§  To feel more refreshed (37%)

All this means to me is... treat yoself to Netflix, stat.

Affordable, pleases the whole family, and SOOO much on trend content.

More stats, specially on the shows mum watch and why they watch their special 'Mum Sneak' shows.

4 in 5 mums (80%) agree that watching more of their must-watch TV shows makes them feel more “in touch” with pop culture and gives them more to talk about with friends and co-workers (other than just talking about their kids), and nearly a quarter even feel that they can be a better parent by de-stressing. When you become a mamma, life is NOT over, people. It's just beginning. And, you want to stay in the loop on all that's happening in pop culture world. Hey, why do you think Josie's Juice was started...

If you have to lock the bathroom doors in the morning and make your husband watch the kids while you “finish getting ready” aka continue your G.L.O.W. binge -- more power to you, because other mums want to do the same, and you shouldn’t feel guilty for it!

TOP 12 Mum Sneak Shows –

1.      Orange is the New Black
2.      13 Reasons Why
3.      Fuller House
4.      How to Get Away with Murder
5.      Gilmore Girls
6.      Stranger Things
7.      Pretty Little Liars
8.      House of Cards
9.      Jane the Virgin
10.   Shameless
11.   Grace and Frankie
12.   The Crown 


What are you waiting for?