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World Wellness Week

This week it is World Wellbeing Week, when we think about our own wellbeing, with regards to mental health, work/life balance and being healthy from a food and an exercise perspective.  Just eating the right thing is no longer enough – people now understand that being healthy has to mean managing your physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing.

At Munchachos, we very much support this point of view. Our snacks are fun and tasty and we very much want them to fit into a healthy, varied and well-rounded lifestyle – food for the mind, body & soul!

When it comes to thinking about our children’s wellbeing, the Mental Health Foundation suggests following the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing.’

1. Connect

Connections support and enrich us every day. Start a new hobby, organise a fundraiser, hold a school assembly. Bringing students and groups of friends together is a great way to boost morale and get the creative juices flowing.

2. Get active

We all know that exercise is good for your body, but it can be good for your mind too. There are so many activities to choose from and getting involved can be a great way of dealing with negative thoughts and feelings and boosting your self-esteem.

3. Be Mindful

Take time to check in with your thoughts and feelings.  Give yoga a go, learn some breathing techniques, do some group meditation. You’re never to young to learn the skill of paying attention to the present moment.

4. Keep Learning

Something we’re very eager to push at Munchachos. Nothing beats the sense of achievement you get from learning something new.

5. Give to others

Evidence shows that helping others can is actually beneficial for your own mental health and, in turn, your wellbeing. It can help reduce stress, improve your emotional wellbeing and even benefit your physical health.

Wellness is something that should be considered by all – whether child or adult. No matter how busy a life you lead, or how many people are dependent on you, you need to make time for you.  Perhaps World Wellness Week is something that you could participate in as a family?

Sign up to Munchachos here and download our FREE app to explore, have fun, learn loads and get worldwise.

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Tips for travelling with kids!

The summer holidays are fast approaching and, whilst we are all probably starving for a little bit of Vitamin Sea, many might feel a slight bit of anxiety prior to travelling when accompanied by minors.  Because in many cases, children don’t make travelling that relaxing, do they?

Whilst, in particular, long-haul flights are a daunting prospect with children, the important thing to remember is that you will get there in the end. You will survive and then you will have a week or a fortnight (or longer if you’re really lucky!) of being away from the daily grind. In the meantime, however, here are our top five tips for travelling with kids.

1. Expect delays

And we’re not talking about the trains, planes or bus types. Just expect the pace to be a lot slower when you’re travelling with children. Frequent toilet breaks, breakdowns, snack breaks will pepper your route through the airport. ‘Fast track boarding’ all becomes rather theoretical.

2. Be realistic

Don’t plan to do too much. Even if your children are too old for naptime to be a prominent feature in the day, remember that children are always less enthusiastic about going around ruins and art galleries that you will be. This isn’t to say that planning cultural visits is never a good idea but don’t go too heavy on the educational side of the trip. You may just end up being disappointed.

3. Pack snacks

Muuuum… I’m staaaaarving. Pack an array of savoury and sweet snacks to satisfy the hunger and avoid the hanger. One of our Munchtaster mums recently told us that she took a couple of boxes of Munchachos abroad and tasked her children with a game of ‘Guess the country’ whilst on board a flight. Practical AND entertaining! We approve!

4. Be app-y happy

There are numerous child-friendly apps available which means that there’s no need to bring an array of games and toys in your hand luggage. Have you downloaded our app yet? You can play the Munchachos app while the phone is on Airplane Mode – learn about the world you’re flying over through gaming.

5. Plan ahead

Forget about the days that you arrived in a sleepy French village and found a nearby, quaint B&B. Book everything in advance so as to avoid the possibility of hanging around with fed-up, travel-weary children.  Perhaps don’t overdo the plans though – you want to keep the children entertained but you don’t want to be too regimented. Relax and enjoy yourselves.

We hope you have a wonderful time planning your holidays – we look forward to hearing all about them!

Sign up to Munchachos here and download our FREE app to explore, have fun, learn loads and get worldwise.

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It’s picnic time!

National Picnic Week takes place from 21st to 30th June so, weather permitting, it’s the perfect time to grab a blanket and fill a basket with sandwiches, fruit and Munchachos snacks and hit the park.

We love these tips put together by the National Picnic Week although we would, of course, prepare by choosing our favourite Munchachos flavours!

We particularly enjoyed the children’s recipes on the National Picnic Week website.  And make sure if you’re making any of the recommended Picnic Week lunches, you’re pairing them with a Munchachos snack! The Panda jam sandwiches, for examples, would go perfectly with our delicious Haka Pava Lova!

Sign up to Munchachos here and download our FREE app to explore, have fun, learn loads and get worldwise.

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PHOTO COMPETITION! #NationalBestFriendsDay

It’s National Best Friend’s Day! Win a Munchachos box for your child and one for their best friend!!

June 8th is National Best Friend’s Day.  Why not celebrate by sending us a photo* of your child and their best friend doing the thing that they love doing best?! Send the picture to louisa@munchachos.com by midnight on 10th June and they will be in with a chance of winning a Munchachos box EACH! 

* please let us know if you’re not OK with us using this photograph on our social media platforms. We’d really love to use the pictures of your smiley kids to brighten up our Instagram stories! 

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International Children’s Day 2019

On the 1st June it is International Children’s Day, a day to promote the welfare of children all over the world. 

What are International Children’s Day’s origins?

International Children’s Day was set up by the 1925 World Conference for the Wellbeing of Children during which, a set of guidelines were established to give children the best chances in life. All countries within the League of Nations were obliged to follow them.  Originally five principles were instated which were later amended in 1989 by the United Nations. These principles are still used today.

What does International Children’s Day stand for?

The 1st June is used by over 50 countries as the date to mark this important event.  50 countries from Poland to China see it as a key date in their calendars to promote and raise awareness of issues that affect children, such as child sex tourism, poverty and education. Every country is allowed freedom to organise events, and usually, governments work together with organisations that specialise in fulfilling children’s needs and overcoming problems.

In the UK we celebrate Universal Children’s Day on the 20th November, but the 1st June was actually established by the Women’s International Democratic Federation and this day is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the world. 

How is International Children’s Day celebrated globally?

China designate a day’s holiday for all schools and holds activities such as children’s performances, camping trips or free movies to allow children to have fun.  In Ecuador, children up to 12 years old receive presents.  In Germany Universal Children’s Day lays emphasis not on games and presents, but more on political efforts to strengthen children’s rights.  In Mongolia, children receive gifts and there are street festivals dedicated to children. And in Poland, schools organise special activities for the pupils whilst locally festivities are organised in parks and entertainment centres. 

Whether you’re celebrating Children’s Day on the 1st June or 20th November, it’s important to understand its significance to the children of the world.  It marks the importance of the safety and wellbeing of children irrespective of nationality or background and it highlights the guidelines as set up by the UN for the protection of children against threats both new and old.

Read more about the Convention on the Rights of the Child as adopted by the UN here.

Sign up to Munchachos here and download our FREE app to explore, have fun, learn loads and get worldwise.