So when I think back to school (and I don't mean that re-occurring nightmare where I have a test and I haven't studied) I often remember playground activities; making friends - "will you be my best friend" and of course school work. It is funny to think of all the "crazes" that swept through the schoolyard. There was marbles, which I had quite a few of, and was quite good at. I used to play in the "marble area" at primary school. It was this dirt area where all the players would head to, equiped with their bag full marbles; toms, steelys, cats eyes and my favourite the galaxy (that one that had the holes all over which made them look like stars). I also had a few prized rare ceramic ones that I think I got from my grandad.

Then there was handstands? I know ......what the!! We used to have handstand competitions. Who could stay up the longest and who could walk on their hands and how far. We would tuck our school dress into our undies and up we'd go.

For the boys (and some girls) there was footy cards. This one is a staple and is as popular today as it was back then, with a few changes. Recently we would have to buy a certain brand of potatoe chips so my seven year old could get the "footy card". So a we ended up with quite a few packets of chips emptied into a container (to eat later) because all he really wanted was that card.

Throughout history we have seen many playground games:

- Yo-yos which date back to 500BC and are one of the oldest toys in history. Yoy-yo's peaked in popularity in 1962 when Duncan Toys sold 45 million units world-wide. Who can forget "Walk the dog", "Around the World" and "Rock the Baby"!

- Hopscotch

- Hula Hoops

- Elastics. I remember getting my grandma to raid her sewing box to make me my trustsy elastic.

- Spinning top, which has had a modern facelift and marketed under the name  Beyblades (oh my these babies swept through our house big time. We have the stadium and a whole array of spinning things that "battle").

Things haven't changed really and now there is a whole new array of toys and games sweeping through playgrounds. The revamped spinning top is now the twirlicious collection of FurReal Friends Dizzy Dancers who perform dance tricks as they get set to balance, spin and twirl around the playground. These twirling spinning pets with a funny face and a cute tuft of fur on top of their head will have girls in a spin as they collect and mix n’ match their very own dance troupe. The twirlin’ base and all dancing pets can be quickly interchanged to create a unique Dizzy Dancers Pet.

The first wave of ten characters will see Roz Paws, Lula Blu, Mandi Pandee, Penelopaw, and Penny Waddle spinning their way across playgrounds from February 22nd with an additional 70 different pets to be launched throughout the year. With 70 different pets I am sure my daughter will send me broke (or be doing lots of chores) to get as many of these characters as possible. My saving grace is there is no batteries required.

While girls are discovering the joys of spinning tops in 2012, boys will be re-visiting three all-time favourites in one game - marbles, spinning tops and collectables. Star Wars Fighter Pods brings together these perennial playground games with ever popular Star Wars figures including heroes Luke Skywalker and evil nemesis Darth Vader and a focus on intergalactic battlelines.

The new Star Wars collectible battling experience features micro heroes for mega battles. There are three ways to play and launch, spin or roll your pod into battle and to victory!

The tiny but tough Star Wars Fighter Pods will be in store March 7th, 2012 with over 100 figures from all six Star Wars films and The Clone Wars to collect! Boys can create epic battles with their own miniature intergalactic army of Storm troopers and Jedi Knights with the Star Wars Fighter Pods.

Schoolyard crazes have changed over time but it seems the school kids of today are being lured away from their portable screens for classic toys their parents enjoyed!

Congratulations to Carolyn (entry via blog) and Marnie (entry via email) who have both won a Dizzy dancers prize Pack!!

Thanks to Hasbro we have two Dizzy Dancer Packs valued at $90 each to give away.

Each pack contains:

This competition is now closed. 

Either leave a comment below or email your answer to info@mummahh.com.au

When my daughter started school her backpack was nearly as big as her! It's really important to choose the right backpack for your children, given that most of them are lugging round a small home office these days. Here is an interesting piece supplied by Intel Australia. ......

School goes high tech!

By Intel Australia

Times are a-changing and technology really seems to be making an impact on our children’s school environment these days. Firstly, we used to lug around backpacks filled with heavy text books and more recently students have been carrying heavy text books AND a heavy laptop. You’ve got to be thinking that can’t be good for your child’s back, and you’d be right. The Chiropractor’s Association of Australia says that adult back pain and spinal disorders may stem from childhood activities including carrying a heavily loaded backpack for twelve years or more of schooling[i].

So much work seems to be done on a computer these days and laptops are getting lighter. An Ultrabook, which is a thin and light notebook computer, can weigh as little as 1kg. Now that’s better than a bag filled with text books – or having to fork out for two sets of text books so your child doesn’t have to cart them from home to school every day!

Back in our day (seriously, I thought that was something only our parents said), we didn’t have things like interactive whiteboards or school intranets, let alone back packs with built in laptop compartments and smartphone pockets. The first point of call for assignments was always the family set of encyclopaedias or the library, not the internet. Technology is really making its mark on our children’s schooling.

Kate Burleigh from Intel Australia says Ultrabook computers are a great option for students. “They are thin, light and powerful enough for older students who may be looking for a device that can last them through university. They have at least five hours of battery life, and some have up to eight hours which is plenty to get children through the school day.”

Here are some additional tips on how to prevent back pain associated with carrying heavy back packs from The Chiropractor’s Association of Australia[ii]:

• - Backpacks should  ideally be no heavier than 10% of a student’s weight when packed
• - Make sure the backpack is sturdy and appropriately sized - no wider than the student's chest
• - Put comfort and fit at the top of the priority list, rather than good looks
• - Choose a backpack with broad, padded shoulder straps
• - Use both shoulder straps - never sling the pack over one shoulder
• - Use waist straps attached - they are there for a good reason
• - Don't wear the backpack any lower than the hollow of the lower back
• - Don't overload the backpack - use school lockers and plan homework well in advance
• - Place all heavy items at the base of the pack, close to the spine, for a better distribution of weight

To download a fact sheet with more information about carrying back packs click here.

For more information on choosing the right computer for your child, visit the Intel website.

Nature's Own have just released Omega Delight.

I've put the (scientific) facts below about the health benefits for school age children (and adults!) of Omega-3. But I'm a true believer in putting things to the test. I want honesty. I want pure, unscripted reactions. Basically, I want the truth - so bring in the kids.

Mr 7 and Miss 5 are guaranteed to give you an honest opinion, especially when it comes to taste. How often do you hear YUCK when you're giving your kids medicines or vitamins? Let's face it some don't really taste that good. I remember the taste of liquid penicillin given to me as a kid, it still makes me shudder when I think of it.

First of all, I have to comment on the packaging because I like to consider myself a bit arty. I find the presentation very appealing, and especially enticing for kids. So what did the kids think?

I showed them the bottle and explained what it was and what it did. They were interested in how it would "help their brain".  Now for the all important taste test.....

There was a chorus of YUM and MMMM. My son said "It's creamy and fruity....can I have some more".

I then had to explain that it was "medicine" and you only have the recommended amount everyday. So now, on a regular basis, I get "Can I have some more of that yummy medicine?"

So if your children aren't getting enough Omega-3 naturally and you are looking for a way to supplement their diet I can highly recommend Nature's Own Omega Delight. Oh, and by the way I thought it was pretty yummy too!

Here's what the the experts say:

Despite near blanket awareness of the role of Omega-3 in brain development and concentration, Australian school children are not even close to consuming enough for optimal health.  This Omega-3 dietary challenge is particularly relevant as parents worry about their children’s concentration levels heading back to school.

According to the Omega Delight Survey*, 97% of mothers correctly link Omega-3 to brain development and 94% to concentration.  However, only 20% manage to get their children to eat the recommended two to three servings of fish a week and less than 20% supplement their child’s diet.

Accredited Practicing Dietitian, Milena Katz, said there is clearly a high awareness and understanding of the role Omega-3 plays in brain development and concentration but this study demonstrates that awareness is unfortunately failing to translate into action through either diet or supplements.

Although Omega-3 intake through diet is always preferred, it’s relevant that parents consider other options including Omega-3 supplementation while also working on improving their children’s fish intake.

Acknowledging the significant challenges associated with getting children to eat enough fish or take a traditional Omega-3 supplement, Nature’s Own Senior Brand Manager, Mark Ho, said the new Omega Delight range had recently been introduced in Australia as an alternative.

“Our customers were telling us that they understood the need for Omega-3 but some were turned away from supplements because of the traditional fishy taste or oily texture.

“Omega Delight is a good source of Omega-3 with the delicious taste and texture of a fruit smoothie.  It’s a delicious way to get the benefits of Omega-3 and can be enjoyed on its own, in a drink or as a cereal topping. As an added bonus, it doesn’t contain any sugar. “

Omega Delight is now available in good pharmacies and Coles stores. RRP $21.95.

We have two Nature's Own Omega Delight prize packs to give away.

Each pack consist of three bottles of Nature's Own Omega Delight: 1 x Mango Peach, 1 x Pineapple and 1 x Citrus Burst (specifically for kids). Each Prize Pack RRP is $65.85.

Competition ends 12 Feb, 2012. For full terms and condition click here.

Leave a comment below, answering the following question:

"Tell us in 25 words or less how Omega Delight would benefit your child?"

This competition is now closed.

Congratulations to Lyndall and Candice who are the lucky winners!