Yoga Babies

The little ones and mama are fresh from a limbering session of afternoon yoga at a local Children's Centre. Well, in truth mum sat with Little Big Cheeks on my lap at the corner and egged on his older brother.

It was a treat to see my 3-year-old (who's already built more like a rugby player than a tiny dancer) ease himself into various poses. It was even better to see how quickly he transformed from wallflower into proud, standing tree with waving branches - amongst other yogic moves.

What's clever about Yoga Bugs is a series of standard poses are woven into storytelling so the kids feel like they're going on a magical adventure with plenty of stretching and rolling about.

It's a canny mix of song, dance and fitness that appeals to toddlers (1 to 2) and pre-schoolers (3 to 4) already hooked on yoga-inspired CBeebies show Waybuloo. Check out the Yoga Bugs web site to get a sense of it and find your nearest class.

The Show must go on

The Baby Show, the UK's biggest exhibition for new and expectant parents, came back with a bang (shake and rattle) at London's Earl's Court arena last weekend. This three-day event features all the top baby and toddler brands like Mothercare, Maclaren, Graco and Avent, along with indie retailers and mumpreneurs eager to share their wares.


With live fashion shows, parenting experts on hand to guide you and row upon row of stands, the Baby Show is a great place to try out loads of gear and finally whittle down what you'll really need for those 0-3 years. The sheer range of goodies on offer can be exhausting and after what seemed like miles of trekking I was ready to nap in the giant bouncy chair set up at the Fisher Price stand. Mr. Cheeks was having a fab time scoping out toys and other toddlers - apart from being totally freaked out by a super-sized Bob the Builder. Luckily the kid was soon worn out leaving mama free to wander/shop in peace for another hour.

Sadly we weren't able to bring you live reports from the show, but over the coming weeks Hype Baby and our sister blog Brand New Mama will be featuring some of our favourite products and exhibitors. If you missed the weekend gig, you can catch the Baby Show in Manchester on November 14-16 or plan ahead for 2009 outings at London's ExCeL on March 1, Birmingham on May 15-17 and Earl's Court on October 16-18. For more info check out the Baby Show web site.

Boogie down Babes

A hot new scene, hip young things strutting their stuff and a sulky date who refused to dance. My clubbing experience last Saturday was just like the B.C. era (before child) except the event was Baby Loves Disco, the groovy set were mostly wearing nappies and the date in question was an extremely moody and somewhat overwhelmed Mr. Cheeks. Luckily the soft play chill-out zone behind the DJ booth provided a refuge where my two-year-old could tinker with toys, browse books and slowly get into the swing of things. By the end of the session, he was breakdancing (in his own stylee) to Chaka Khan and even ventured out with mummy onto the main floor.



Launched in the US, Baby Loves Disco is quickly becoming a UK sensation thanks to hostess with the mostess Naomi Timperley who describes herself as ‘just a mum from Manchester’ and is still pinching herself at its success. The media are abuzz with the story and monthly events in London are sold out through April (Manchester tickets are also going fast).

Naomi couldn’t have found a slicker spot than the Clapham Grand with its light-up floor that makes even the most left-footed feel like Travolta. The popular south London nightclub is transformed into a family-friendly venue with changing stations, stroller parking and healthy snacks for kids – although the bar stays open for grown-ups. Old timers and mini movers twirl around with hula hoops, balloons and bubbles fill the air and a DJ from Heart 106.2 FM spins funky, feel-good tunes. It's the joyful vibe and the sight of everyone from toothless tots to decked-out dads letting loose that turns what could have been a cheesy pre-school disco into a boogie wonderland. Get on down to Baby Loves Disco UK.

The Big Toddle

Got a toddler on the rampage? If you’re UK-bound or based this June you can put your babe’s boundless energy to good use. Join the Big Toddle, a half-mile sponsored ‘walk’ for kids under 5 to raise money for children’s charity Barnado’s. Last year more than 250,000 children toddled up over £1.1 million. You can enter one of Barnado’s pre-organised events or set up an independent Toddle to go at your own time and pace. And don’t forget to pick up a Big Toddle outfit to wear on the day. Check the web site to register or for more info.

Technorati tags baby charity events

Raves with babes

Diapers and dancefloors. Who would ever have imagined they would go together like, well, baby and carriage. If you haven't heard about Baby Loves Disco, the 'lite'-clubbing family disco phenomenon that's sweeping the States, then you're out of step. Mix together a club DJ, a hip spot, kids aged 0-7 and their party-happy parents and you've got a new craze that's got both mothers and the media raving.

We were more than a little envious when we discovered Baby Loves Disco as it's yet to hit the UK. But Londoners won't be left behind for long and we were thrilled to learn of Babygroove, a similar family-friendly jam that's open to babes with babes under 7. The venues are West and South London-based (so far Notting Hill, Battersea and Chiswick), the vibe is chilled and the music is funky house. Babygroove events take place on the third and last Saturday of the month. Hype Baby will be hotfooting it down to the next groove we can make and we will report back.

Technorati tags baby clubbing

Hope @ Hamleys

Hype mamas and papas can empty their wallets for a worthy cause at London’s toy mecca this weekend. From 10am to 12 noon on Sunday Nov 16 it’s Hope @ Hamley’s, a charity shopping extravaganza to raise money for children with special needs. Look forward to guest appearances from animated stars Angelina Ballerina and Bob the Builder alongside real live actress Emma Thompson and a range of prizes to be won including a free ride on the London Eye. Only customers wearing the Hope wristband (£5 donation) will get in and there are goody bags for the first 300 kids so plan ahead to beat the crush.

London Baby Show

If you happen to be in London this weekend, don’t miss the UK’s biggest ever baby and parenting event which makes its Earls Court debut today until Sunday October 22. You can find great discounts on unlimited baby products, expert tips, chill-out spots for frazzled parents and mums-to-be, and play areas for pre-schoolers. There’s a chance to meet favourite characters e.g. Angelina Ballerina, Spike the Hedgehog and Bob the Builder. Watch mini models strut their stuff on the catwalks or even enter your own little star into the Face of the Baby Shows contest. Visit The Baby Shows web site (pic courtesy of the official site).