Shopping for tween clothing can be tough! To make it easier for you, we asked our instagram audience where they love to shop for their tween girls and have put together this list of tween friendly shops that mums love too.
]]>To make it easier for you, we asked our instagram audience where they love to shop for their tween girls and have put together this list of tween friendly shops that mums love too.
Surf and streetwear brand Ghanda was far and away the most popular store mentioned for tweens when we polled our audience, and it's no surprise - they stock a great range of kids, tween and teen fashions in designs that are on-trend and aesthetically pleasing, yet friendly and the wallet and not too grown up (to keep mums happy!).
Where we'd wear it: hanging out with friends and weekends at the beach
Decjuba is another crowd favourite, offering a great range of elevated casual pieces that tween girls love. The designs are on trend but not so fashion forward that younger siblings won't enjoy wearing them when they're handed down in years to come. And if your daughter is looking for jeans then Decjuba is a great place to start!
Where we'd wear it: lunch with the family or shopping with friends
Marlo Kids has a dedication to designs that look stunning and graceful, yet are easy to wear - they will be sure to make girls who love everything pretty very happy! We especially love their range of jumpsuits & maxi dresses, perfect for special occasions.
Where we'd wear it: weddings, school graduation or a high tea
While not strictly a tween store, Sportsgirl offers a huge range of designs starting from a womens size 4 (approximately an 8-10 years in childrens clothing). Tween girls will love the fashion forward prints and designs and while some styles are better suited to older girls, there are plenty of age appropriate styles for your tween.
Where we'd wear it: a birthday party or day in the city
Real Pretty Kind offers a fun, positive range of clothing and accessories tween girls will love featuring body positive and anti-bullying slogans. We love that this brand empowers tweens while looking cute enough to wear whether at play or party.
Where we'd wear it: your BFFs birthday, the skate park and everywhere in between
Bella & Lace charms, delights and often surprises. There are some eclectic flavours combined with nostalgic influences from clothes designer Kate Pearson wore as a child and still owns, and all blended with fashion-forward trends and vision. Think denim & tulle or tracksuits embellished with trim and chunky embroidered knits - perfect for girls with a unique sense of style.
Where we'd wear it: a concert, art gallery or day at the markets
Gelati Jeans specialise in denim...but they don’t stop there! They have a great range of cute tops, shorts, dresses, jackets accessories and more. Gelati Jeans brings the hottest trends of the season - just down sized for tweens. All their clothes are proudly designed in Australia, with a colourful and unique Australian vibe.
Where we'd were it: hanging out with friends or a movie date
We had to put this one in! With activewear becoming a staple for everyday wear (not just sport), tweens are wanting to wear activewear more than ever before.
My girls wear theirs every day - bike shorts under school uniforms (no more undies showing in the schoolyard when they're doing cartwheels!) and my older daughter wears her crop tops every day for extra support and confidence.
Pair bike shorts or leggings with their favourite tee and they're pretty much set for whatever the day throws at them!
Where we'd wear it: all day, every day!
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Looking for more ideas? Check out our GIFT GUIDE FOR TWEEN GIRLS
]]>Instead of cuddles and playtime together, our daughters start to need things like boundaries, discipline, and an open and non-judgmental ear.
Ramita, founder of Elevate.RA, shared some of her most useful tips for parents of girls heading into their teen years with us here:
As a mother myself and an educator that works primarily with tween and teen girls, this is an area where I have particular interest and experience. I founded Elevate.RA, a mentorship programme specifically focused on tween and teen girls experiencing challenge or difference which hinders them from being their best selves.
Before I developed the Elevate.RA programme, I worked for over 15 years in classrooms around the world as a teacher in diverse schools. This gave me valuable tools and techniques that I have incorporated into my mentorship curriculum.
Today, I’m here to share some of my best strategies and tips for how parents of tween girls can stay connected to their daughters as they hit these turbulent teenage years.
Why are the Teenage Years So Challenging?
First, let’s briefly touch on some of the reasons why these years are so challenging.
For girls, their brain reaches its biggest size when they’re around 11 years of age. While this is the largest the brain gets, there are still many opportunities for development and maturity. That’s why the teenage brain is referred to as ‘plastic’. This simply means that it’s more prepared to change and adapt than the average adult brain.
All these changes typically make tweens and teens more vulnerable to stress and less likely to rely on the decision-making parts of their brain. After all, that part of the brain is still developing, making them more likely to rely on their emotions, impulses, and intuitive feelings.
Developing a better understanding of what’s going on in our child’s brain can offer parents insights into why their daughter may be acting more impulsive and irrational and why seemingly minor stressors can have such an outsized impact.
Tips for Connecting with a Daughter Headed into Her Teen Years
Now that you’ve got a better understanding of the physiological reasons behind some of your daughter’s more challenging behaviours, it’s easier to empathize with her and create more opportunities for connection.
Here are some of my best tips for ways that parents can connect with their daughters as they reach their teen years.
1. Schedule it
Between school, socializing, and hobbies, teens can get very busy. A great way to maintain your connection is to regularly schedule one-on-one time. Once a month or so, pick a fun activity to do together. This can be anything that brings you both joy.
2. Share their interests
During the teen years, our daughters are hard at work trying to figure out who they are, what they like, and what brings them joy. If they express interest in a new hobby, interest, or skill, try to join in and let them share their interests with you.
3. Share stories from when they were younger
As she navigates the turbulent teen years, sharing warm memories of your daughter as a young child will help establish a connection to her family and will also help her develop her sense of self.
4. Be available
Being available and open-minded when your daughter wants to talk is one of the most important ways parents can foster an even deeper connection. Demonstrate and model active listening with your tween, which means being very present, focused and refraining from any judgement or advice on whatever they choose to share.
5. Be honest
In addition to being available, being honest is also incredibly important. If you continually lie or exaggerate situations to your daughter, you will quickly lose her trust. Your honesty will also help her feel more comfortable confiding in you as she grows up.
Want to learn more about navigating life with a teenager?
I offer tons of resources on this topic and so much more on my blog and in my recently published book Girl Elevated, available on Amazon.
]]>And while it's definitely fun discovering so many new accounts and finding out how clever so many of you are when it comes to photography, reels and nurturing an engaged audience, it's also one of the most difficult things to do - I just want to pick everybody!
As a small business however, it's not possible to give everyone free product, as much as we'd like to - and so the process begins of whittling down hundreds of applications down to a select few.
If your kids are interested in becoming a brand reps for their favourite brands, here are our top tips.
1. Follow!
If you're hoping to rep for a brand, it makes sense to be following the brand you're applying to. Not following shows you're not all that interested in the brand and probably wouldn't make the best rep.
2. Follow the criteria
If a brand is looking for accounts with a certain number of followers to help with their brand awareness, they probably won't be interested in your account if it only has 139 followers.
Likewise, if a brand is on the hunt for amazing photographers so that they can use your images on their socials, website and other marketing materials, they won't be looking for accounts with only average image quality.
Don't take these requirements personally - when a brand does a rep search they're looking to gain brand awareness or amazing content, and if your account can't do one of those things right now, that doesn't mean it won't be able to in the future...just that you need to do a little more work to get your account to where it needs to be.
3. Check your engagement
High engagement rates (2-3%+) on your account show that your audience loves your content and is receptive to what you put out.
An account with 5,000 followers and an engagement rate of 5% is more likely to get brand rep positions than an account with 15,000 followers and an engagement rate under 1%.
4. Check their aesthetic
Take a look at the brand's overall aesthetic and ask yourself honestly if yours fits in well - if they're aesthetic is dark and moody, your brightly lit, colourful style might not be a good fit...and vice versa.
5. Know what you can bring to the table
When a brand is looking for a rep, they're usually offering hundreds of dollars of product as well as an opportunity to help you grow your instagram account by featuring you on their feed. Think about what you can offer in return - if you have a low follower count, your images aren't at a semi-professional level or you have low engagement, the brand most likely won't get a return on their investment in you.
On the other hand, if you have a highly engaged audience and your images are fantastic, brands will love working with you which will lead to more free product for you and perhaps even payment for future work together.
So if you aren't landing as many brand ambassador gigs as you'd like, try working into your niche and refining your photography style which in turn will help get you followers, raise your engagement rate...and lead to ambassador roles in the future.
Good luck x
]]>And as a mum of tween girls, I know how hard it can be to get them off their devices and into the real world!
Here are a few ideas for things that tween girls will love to do over the holidays.
]]>And as a mum of tween girls, I know how hard it can be to get them off their devices and into the real world!
Here are a few ideas for things that tween girls will love to do over the holidays.
Theme park / adventure park
Not the most novel idea out there (and certainly not the cheapest) but a visit to a park such as Wet n Wild, Luna Park or whatever theme park you have in your area will be something they'll talk about for months (or years) to come.
Adventure parks (zip lining and tree courses) are also a popular idea and usually a lot cheaper than a theme park (but just as fun!).
Pack a picnic so you don't end up spending hundreds on food and drinks and make a day of it.
Ninja warrior course
Ninja warrior courses, both indoor and outdoor, are popular with this age group. Check before you go that its age appropriate - no point going to an adult sized course which might be too tricky for younger tweens.
Many councils are installing free outdoor obstacle courses so check in with your local Facebook group to find one near you.
Alternatively, indoor rock climbing or a trampoline centre are great ways to burn some energy and try something new.
Bushwalks
Many of us in Australia are lucky enough to live close (or at most, within an hour) of some beautiful national parks and bushwalks.
Don't feel like you need to stay too close to home - find somewhere you've never been before and it will make a refreshing change for everyone.
Ask on your local Facebook group for recommendations, or check out a site like Aussie Bushwalking for ideas. You never know what you might find in your own backyard!
Shopping
While I'm not generally one to advocate shopping as a hobby, my girls do get pretty excited to have some money of their own to spend and hit the shops.
Whether they received gift vouchers for Christmas or have earned some pocket money by doing some chores at home, hit the shops while everything's on sale and let them pick a couple of things they've had their eye on.
If they've outgrown a lot of their clothes you could have them go through them before your shopping day, work out what should be donated to charity, passed on to friends or thrown away, and then let them pick out a few things to replace what no longer fits.
Spa Day
A spa day can be a relaxing way to spend some down time with your girls, and can be done very cost effectively at home.
Start off with a shower or bath, pop on some robes and choose a few little treats for the spa - hair treatment masks, face masks, foot massages. Some girls might even like to spend time beforehand creating a "spa menu".
Add in some little snacks and some music of their choice and it should keep them busy for an hour or so.
Lemonade stand / second hand stall / art & craft stall
We usually spend a few weeks at our holiday house and fortunately there is a lemon tree there which has been neglected and is abundant with lemons - perfect for making homemade lemonade and running a lemonade stand.
If you don't have access to a lemon tree (and don't want to spend a small fortune on shop lemons), your girls might like to sell off some of their unwanted toys, books or clothes in a mini garage sale, or if they're creative they could set up a stall selling jewellery, drawings, paintings or other crafty creations to passers by.
Cooking
Cooking something together is a great way to bond, and gives your kids something to eat instead of hassling you for snacks all day.
Younger girls might be able to manage simple recipes (or at least packet mix cakes) on their own if you're only able to offer minimal supervision.
You could also look into kids baking kits (try Hey Baker) which come with everything pre-measured and ready to go.
Other easy options are DIY sundaes, or they could decorate cookies or cupcakes that you've pre-made for them.
Movies
A trip to the movies is hardly a new idea, but it's a good one when it's raining and the park or beach is out of the question.
A different idea could be doing a movie day at home by turning a room into a home cinema - block out the light, grab a bunch of mattresses, pillows and blankets, and get a lot of yummy snacks ready to watch their favourite movie (or three).
Park
Again, not the most original idea - but something my girls love to do is go to a new park they've never been to before.
Sure, it might entail a bit of a drive, but visiting a new park often provides much more entertainment than visiting your usual haunts.
Make it fun for you too by picking one that's near a cafe or restaurant you've always wanted to try for some after-play refuelling.
Camping
Even if you're not a camping family, there's still plenty of fun to be had camping in your own backyard.
My girls could quite happily spend an hour two doing all the planning for what they'll need for their big night camping, carting it all outside and enjoying marshmallows over the fire pit before settling in for the night (who am I kidding - they're usually back in their beds not long after marshmallows but it keeps them busy for a while!)
Discover your own city
You don't need to limit yourself to tourist attractions - visit a suburb or town you haven't been to in a while (or ever) and play tourist for the day.
If you live in the inner city, your kids might enjoy a day trip the the outskirts of the city; if you live in the suburbs a day wondering around the CBD might be just what they need.
It's all about mixing it up and discovering new places to explore and get to know a bit better.
High tea
For a special treat, your tweens might enjoy a trip out for high tea and all the finger sandwiches and cupcakes they can handle! For a lower cost alternative, they can try setting one up at home for themselves, or invite friends or family around.
Keep them busy creating menus and decorating the table before the special event.
Free cultural events
Find out if your local council, art gallery or museum is running any activities over the holidays - many will have free or low cost options that will buy you a few hours to yourself.
Finding a new activity to master
As girls enter their teens, they have longer attention spans and have a stronger idea about what it is they like to do. Have them pick one skill they want to master by the end of the holidays - skateboarding, roller skating, painting a portrait, learning to code, learning how to cook a cake from scratch, learning another language - and see what you can do to help them achieve it.
Whatever it is they want to learn, there's bound to be a million YouTube tutorials on it - have them set a goal to spend a set amount of time each day or week learning how to master a new skill.
Arts & Craft
Choose a fun arts & craft activity - tie dye, shibori and marbling are popular with my girls - and spend the day creating something that they can use, wear or giveaway.
There are so many kits available, many of which will be available with your Creative Kids vouchers if you haven't used them yet this year.
Gardening
Use some inexpensive pots or a square patch of your garden and let your kids loose!
You can pick up some seeds or seedlings at your local nursery and have your kids do some research on the kind of care the plants they have selected will require.
Bonus points if they can create a functional herb garden for you to use over and over again!
]]>This compilation of gifts that will be sure to impress the tween-age girl in your life, no matter what she's into.
SELF CARE & BEAUTY
Many tween-age girls start to become interested in self-care and beauty products, - and although they're most likely not ready for a full face of make up (at least not in my house!) it's fun for them to experiment here.
It's also a good age to start introducing the basics of looking after your skin, and the importance of taking time out for yourself to de-stress and reduce anxiety.
Skin care products - "adult" skincare is on-trend for tween girls right now (thanks, TikTok) but it's important they don't end up using products with too many active ingredients for their young skin - they could actually do more harm than good. IKO Collective, Petite Skin Co and All Kinds have great skin care for kids and teens.
If your tween has their heart set on a trending brand, try and steer them away from Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant (too many actives!) towards on-trend brands with some products available with gentler ingredients, such as Glow Recipe, Sol de Janeiro, Cerave, Mario Badescu and Mecca Max.
Makeup - eyeshadow palettes, glitter and lip gloss are fun ways to experiment with makeup in an age appropriate way. Check out Twinxie Girl for a natural, no nasties option.
Mani/Pedi vouchers - these are popular with girls and if you go with them it's a lovely opportunity to have some quiet one-on-one time with them
Yoga mat - a kid-sized yoga mat is the perfect way for your mini to practise some mindfulness when the stress of school, activities and friend troubles gets too much.
We love Sun Child Yogi mats (how beautiful is this one featuring designs from Indigenous Australian artist Natalie Jade?!).
Scented candles or diffusers - these can help them unwind after a busy week (and maybe freshen up the smell of their room if they aren't the tidiest!)
Hair styling tools - straighteners, curlers, wavers etc - my girls have their eye on the Mermade waver and also the heatless curling set. If she's obsessed with a neat, slick pony or bun, try a hair styling wand to keep everything in it's place!
A robe and/or slippers and slides - a fancy robe can make them feel extra special when they want to indulge in some self care, an eye mask or some cute slippers or slides complete the package - I love the fluffy ones from Kip & Co.
Silk pillowcase - a silk pillowcase will help keep her hair knot and tangle free! We love the ones from This Little Curl.
Toothpaste - never thought I'd see toothpaste on my girls Christmas list but they've both requested this fun toothpaste from Hismile. In flavours such as watermelon, peach and mango sorbet, who can blame them?
BEDROOM DECOR
This is the age where (unfortunately or not!) many girls want to have more say in how their bedroom looks.
Giving them some new pieces can help them express their identity, inspire creativity and help make their room somewhere they enjoy spending time in.
Bed Linen - Society of Wanderers, Kip & Co and Castle & Things all have fun, good quality choices that can be mixed and matched together.
Bed & Floor Cushions - again, Society of Wanderers, Sage & Clare, Kip & Co and Castle & Things all have fun choices; Sea Tribe has a huge range if your tween has a less colourful, more boho aesthetic. You can also find fun, affordable cushions tweens will love at Typo.
Cork Board / Pin Board - this is a great way for them to display postcards, notes from friends, photos etc without them ruining your paintwork. The display can also be easily changed as frequently as their mood(!)
Fairy Lights / LED Lights - most tween girls are a big fan of these! No need to spend up big - you can find a good selection at KMart or eBay.
Plants - try faux hanging vines to decorate their walls, or a real pot plant they can look after.
Wall Art - a few prints are an easy way for kids to express their personality in their bedroom; Fy! has a great selection, locally Typo also has some tween-friendly options.
You can also pick up a selection of smaller prints so they can create their own wall collage - Etsy has some great options here, as well as Sisterhood Store.
Calendar - help them manage their own activities, appointments and birthdays with a cute calendar
OUTDOORS
Whether your tween loves the outdoors or needs a little more encouragement to get outside, it's a nice idea to gift a few items that will help them enjoy a healthy, outdoor lifestyle.
Activewear - can't leave this one off the list! I don't have the exact figures but am pretty sure you're at least 130% more likely to be active when you're wearing activewear.
Beachy stuff - help bring extra fun and enjoyment (and less whinging!) to a day at the beach with some new beach gear:
Bike - if your tween has recently shot up overnight, an upsized bike might be just the thing to get her interested in biking again. Especially as girls grow their independence, a cool bike is perfect for cruising around to nearby friends houses.
Outdoor Games - outdoor games are a fun way to encourage more family time, especially at a time when some kids think they're far too old for games.
Something like giant jenga or bocce is a lovely way to spend more time together in a relaxed way.
Balls - basketball, netball, soccer, footy; whatever their favourite sport is a new ball is usually a winner.
Fishing Gear / Camping Gear - are you a family that loves to fish or camp? Some new gear of her own will make her feel more independent.
Roller Skates / Skateboard - a lot of girls at this age decide they're "too old" for scooters, so step it up with some roller skates (try Aussie owned Crazy Skates or Impala Skate) or a skateboard.
They can be harder to master so will give them a great sense of accomplishment when they figure out new skills.
Hoverboard - if she's over scooters, a hoverboard might be more her style. Lot's of fun, a great way to improve balance and a quick way to get to the corner shop!
GAMES AND PUZZLES
Whether your tween likes raucous board game nights or a bit of quiet time puzzling on her own, here are some of our favourites:
ART & CRAFT
Perfect for occupying little(ish) fingers during the long summer holidays, art & craft kits are always a winner.
The benefit of gifting these to tween girls is they need a lot less help with them than they did a few years ago!
Some kits to try:
CLOTHING / FASHION
As tween girls start to establish their style, new clothes are often near the top of their list for Christmas. If you're not sure what will impress a teen, try these on for size.
Clothing - it can be hard to find clothing that both you and your tween agree on!
You can check out our post on clothing brands tween girls love here; otherwise Ghanda, Decjuba, Sportsgirl and White Fox are popular with older tweens/early teens.
Pyjamas - a couple of sets of cute pyjamas make a lovely gift that's of course functional, but also a good idea as girls start attending more sleepovers. Peter Alexander is a fave with tweens, while Love Haidee have gorgeous, classic basics.
Oodies - can a tween girl ever have too many Oodies? Apparently not.
Activewear - tween girls love wearing activewear out and about, not just for sports. Look for brands that offer slightly longer crop tops and high-waisted bike shorts so they can feel a little bit grown up but in an age-appropriate way.
Accessories - hats, jewellery and bags are a fun way for tweens to put together an outfit that speaks their style; Seed Teen, De Cjuba and Country Road have a range of tween friendly styles, while Lovisa is popular for its huge range of affordable jewellery options.
We are loving the personalised options over at Fresh Honey!
Socks - tween girls love cute socks - they're such a cute way for them to express their personality and sense of style without breaking the bank. Try Joode for socks that feature colours and prints loved by tweens and teens alike.
OTHER IDEAS
Food maker - think waffles, donuts, ice cream, smoothies. They'll love getting creative in the kitchen and it will help build their independence
Lunch boxes, lunch bags and drink bottles - not the most exciting gift but we always include this at Christmas so the girls can start the new school year fresh. My girls are currently obsessed with the Frank Green bottles.
Fitness Tracker - a tracker helps makes fitness fun (and might even put an end to whinging when you need to walk places!). We like the Fit Bit 3 for its fun challenges and long-lasting battery.
Polaroid Camera - a fun way for tweens to explore their creative side and create memories; polaroids make a fun gift for their friends or they can use them to decorate a pin board in their room.
Spriggy card - a Spriggy card helps kids manage their pocket money online (through an app which you control); you can allocate money for particular chores and control how much is for saving and how much is for spending. A great way for tweens to learn how to manage their money in a cashless society (plus they'll LOVE having their own card)
Apple pen - drawing, note taking, art creation...if she loves being creative as much as she loves her tablet, this ones a sure winner!
Overnight / Travel Bag - perfect for sleepovers, school camps and kids who need to cart a lot of dance or sport gear around; a high quality weekender or duffle bag is a lovely way to show your tween that you understand their developing independence. Country Road & Daily Edited both have canvas versions you can have personalised for a special touch.
Portable Speaker - as your tween starts to develop her own musical taste, a portable speaker will let her play her own tunes wherever she is.
Pick a waterproof version like the JBL Flip so she can listen to it at the pool or beach without stressing out, and set her up with her own Spotify account (you can connect it to a family account) so she doesn't corrupt your playlists with her *excellent* taste in music.
Period pack - she might not want to open this one in front of the rest of the family, but for girls who are going through puberty and have questions about their period, a period starter box like those available from Little Miss Period is a thoughtful gift idea that will make her feel more comfortable about the changes that are happening with her body.
VOUCHERS
These are a great way to help them value experiences over "things" and are a fun way to get some more family time.
BOOKS
We ALWAYS gift a few books in our house - I don't need to highlight the benefits of reading to you here, but I do have some ideas for books for tweens in case you get stuck!
Fiction
Non-fiction
STOCKING FILLERS
Here are some fun ideas you can use as stocking fillers for older girls.
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The best time to introduce a healthy skin care routine is in the mid tweens. If your child’s cheeks are still baby clear just focus on the T-zone - the area of the face that spans the forehead and down the bridge of the nose, ending at the chin. However, once an adolescent’s cheeks start to get hormonal that’s the sign, they are ready to step things up.
We all know about the struggles that come with adolescent skin. Their pesky hormones go into overdrive which causes the oil glands in the skin to over-produce a type of oil called sebum. Sebum clogs their pores and leads to pimples and breakouts which can have an extremely negative effect on their self-esteem.
The biggest mistake tweens and teens can make is trying to combat this excess oil by stripping their skin to remove it. The key to healthy adolescent skin is balance. Balance is the absolute foundation that underpins a healthy skincare routine for adolescents.
Let’s look at the big picture. Treat skin from the inside out. We can’t stress enough the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The skin’s health is directly dependent on their body’s overall health. Exercise, a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, getting 8-10 hours of quality sleep every night, laughter, meditation/mindfulness, and healthy relationships are all key.
Now for the outside. Yes, a good adolescent skin care routine will keep the skin clear, reduce oil without drying out the skin, and will nourish and protect their skin. It will also protect their skin from further damage in the later years.
There’s no denying that healthy, clear, radiant skin is the ultimate confidence boost for tweens and teens.
Cleansing is key and is non-negotiable.
It’s so important for teens to wash their face every morning and every evening before bedtime. Tweens need only cleanse their face in the evenings, again keep an eye on their cheeks for the tell-tale signs of hormonal changes.
Cleansing is necessary for removing excess oils from the surface, along with dirt, sunscreen, any makeup, and other pore-clogging irritants that can cause breakouts. Always use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin. If their skin feels tight or dry after they wash it’s too strong. Keeping their skin balanced is key.
The golden rules for cleansing:
The might of a good face oil.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking face oil is bad for oily skin. A good face oil helps regulate sebum production and can transform even the most blemish-prone complexions. They should also contain high concentrations of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids which are loaded with potent anti-inflammatory properties which help treat and prevent breakouts or acne. It won’t clog pores either, but it will work to break down pore-clogging debris.
A good face oil should be sufficient for tweens skin. They need only incorporate a moisturiser into their routine from about 12-13 years of age. The trick is to choose a lighter oil with a base oil like argan, camellia, or jojoba because these oils have a similar molecular structure to our skin’s naturally produced sebum. Integrating a good face oil into their skin care routine is a wonderful way to boost their skin’s condition.
Moisturising will reduce skin problems and helps oily skin to self-regulate. Once a teenager please moisturise. Always! Apply a light, natural moisturiser after cleansing to help balance the skin. This will keep skin hydrated and soft, it helps maintain elasticity and the skin’s bounce. Again, look for a natural moisturiser, lightweight is best, and there should be no added parabens.
If teenagers want the added nourishment of a face oil, they should first apply their moisturiser and then pat on their face oil. The face oil will absorb into their skin and reinforce the moisture barrier and further work to protect and nourish their skin.
Healthy, clear, radiant skin will do wonders for tweens and teens confidence and will add so much more joie de vivre to their journey of self-discovery during these years. The goal is to combine a healthy lifestyle with a simple skincare routine, and this will make all the difference.
We think it’s important for adolescents to be informed, and to be aware of what products are out there and what works best for them. Knowledge is empowering. We suggest talking about any skincare concerns or questions they have with their friends, family, and trusted professionals. The more they know what’s right for them, the more comfortable they’ll be in their own skin.
If you'd like to know more about IKO, visit their website HERE.
*If you have severe acne, or acne cysts or nodules (deep blemishes that leave scars) please consult a dermatologist. Dermatologists offer a range of treatments that will help to clear your skin and prevent acne scars.
]]>Children deal with many distractions, temptations, overstimulation and peer pressure. Schools are challenged to do more with less and be creative in how they reach even the most isolated child.
Yoga is a low-cost, helpful tool that can have a positive impact on children.
]]>It's hard to be a kid today.
Children deal with many distractions, temptations, overstimulation and peer pressure. Schools are challenged to do more with less and be creative in how they reach even the most isolated child.
Yoga is a low-cost, helpful tool that can have a positive impact on children.
Here are some of the many benefits of teaching yoga to kids:
Yoga helps kids to:
1. Awareness of the breath
Breathing exercises can energize kids or encourage relaxation, depending on what you teach. Different games and techniques help kids connect to how their bodies feel as a result of deep breathing. Focus increases, as does their breathing and lung capacity. Stress is naturally reduced and healthy hormones are released.
2. Strengthening and energizing
Kids think that yoga is great for stretching, but doesn't build strength. It's important for a teacher to include conversations, as well as exercises around how helpful yoga is for building strength. Talking about the different muscles used in poses and incorporating games and sequences will help build strength as well as body awareness and coordination. Bodies that are strong digest food better, maintain a healthy weight and can support the stress of carrying heavy loads, like a backpack. Bodies will also breathe better, work more efficiently and protect the more fragile joints.
3. Balancing
Balancing poses teach children that with increased focus, you can increase attention naturally, even in kids who struggle with different attention challenges. Poses and games focused on balancing skills, develop an intrinsic strength, evoke a meditative feeling, and promote stillness and quieting of the mind. This can help kids deal with the stress of living in a chaotic world where constant stimulation is a regular part of life.
4. Stretching and lengthening
It's great for kids to be strong, but a body that's only based on strength has no way to yield under pressure. Strong muscles without accompanying flexibility can't move quickly, pulling on bones and joints. Yoga poses stretch muscles and through integrating breathing and movement, muscles become warm and become more flexible. They can yield when they need to, and support tender joints in a more functional way.
5. Awareness and focus
Yoga helps create awareness in the body through deep breathing and movement. It gives kids a way to express themselves, build a strong connection between what they hear and what they do. Children that have healthy body awareness are more confident and strong, have better posture, breathe better and have a sense of quiet strength.
6. Flowing, connecting and integrating
When we string poses together, we give kids a taste of what it means to move with ease. It also helps them build the awareness that all our movements are a series of coordinated efforts between muscles, bones, joints and nerves. Older kids are more able to isolate different muscle groups and get more sophisticated about movements; things like keeping the arms lifted in Warrior 1, while at the same time, dropping the shoulders to relax them. All these things together increase a child's sense feeling integrated.
7. Meditation and relaxation
Yoga is meditative by nature. So whether a child is holding a balancing posture, sitting in meditation or moving through a series of poses, there's going to be a calming, soothing quality. Giving younger kids something to do as they rest on their mats will help with their attention, such as suggesting they think of a favourite colour or toy. Older kids will find it easier to rest longer with less structure.
There are lots of tools you can use to teach yoga to children. The young ones like games, doing poses from yoga books for children and singing songs with big, expressive movements. Older children love to create their own poses, be challenged by balancing and learn about the muscles and other aspects of anatomy.
If you're looking to introduce your kids to yoga, we love Sun Child Yogi mats - premium quality mats that let kids own their yoga practice (and stop them from trying to share your mat!).
Taken from an article by Karen Fabian on www.mindbodygreen.com
Images by Sarah Jane Hough.
]]>We hope these tips will help you enjoy your Sunny Active wear for many years to come!
]]>But if you want to give your kids something that will help fuel them for longer (and keep them from snacking non-stop until dinner time!) you need to offer them something that fills them up and gives them energy to burn for those gymnastics, dance and cheer classes - or whatever you've got on their roster.
One of our go to afternoon tea treats is the bliss ball. These can pack in quite a bit of sugar but of the non-processed variety; and with an activity filled afternoon it will be just what they need to keep energy levels high.
There are so many recipes available online, so you can pick whichever flavour will work for your kids. But if they like peanut butter, they'll LOVE this one from fitness queen Kayla Itsines.
Another easy option is some kind of veggie sticks (carrot, cucumber, capsicum) with a healthy dip like hommous, tzatziki or guacamole. This will help give just enough energy before that dance or gym class, without feeling too heavy.
Cut up the veggie sticks at the start of the week and store them in the fridge, ready to grab with some store-bought dip.
For a super-food snack on the go, a smoothie is a fast, healthy option. Use greek yoghurt for protein and either frozen berries or frozen banana for thick, creamy taste. If your kids will tolerate it, a handful of baby spinach or kale is a great way to get some extra veggies in.
Top up with water, milk or nut milk, blend and go - the perfect treat for active kids!
Main image courtesy of Kristine's Kitchen
]]>There are many reasons why young girls, tweens and teens might feel more comfortable in our high waisted bike shorts or full length leggings while swimming.
These range from preferring a more modest option due to religious or cultural beliefs; for better sun protection; coverage of scars or birthmarks if they prefer not to show these; or simply a great option for playing sport in, then hopping into the surf or pool to cool down afterwards.
Our quality fabric is anti-see through so you can rest assured your girls won't be in for any "surprises" if they choose to wear our short or long tights into the water.
Like all gym and swim wear, we recommend rinsing with cold water immediately after use, and to dry out of direct sunlight to best maintain the fabric and colours of each garment.
If you'd like to try our activewear, please be sure to visit WeThrift for a discount coupon for first time orders.
]]>This amazing, more sustainable, fabric not only helps reduce waste which would otherwise sit in landfill for hundreds of years or be burned (adding to air pollution); it also helps reduce carbon emissions when compared to creating new fabrics from raw materials.
Wondering how it's made? First of all the plastic bottles are collected, compressed, packed into bales and shipped to the processing factory. Then, the plastic bottles are chipped and melted into white round balls.
These balls are again crushed and spun through shower like nozzle that results in a yarn. These yarns are used to weave fabrics and finally end up into a crop top, bike shorts or sports tights.
The process consumes 30% less energy than garments which are made from conventionally manufactured polyester.
How does it feel? It feels amazing. You won't be able to tell the difference between traditional activewear fabrics, except that the fabric we use feels extremely high quality, luxe and buttery soft.
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Meadow has a sunny, optimistic yellow background with a very sweet ditsy floral design - it's very sweet, with a nod to traditional Liberty prints.
Forest is a classic gingham, in a perennially cool hunter green. It's such a great print that can look very prim, or quite modern, depending on how you style it.
As usual, when designing for Sunny Active, I like to strike a balance between trending colours and prints and the classics; I also like to create something that will be loved by both children and parents alike.
Most importantly, I like to create something that is rarely seen in kids activewear - a slightly more sophisticated (yet still age appropriate) aesthetic.
I hope you love the new prints and styles - our next collection is in the final approval process and we look forward to bringing you a much broader collection of prints and styles later in the year.
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