![[AD - Press visit]
We enjoyed the glorious sunshine this weekend with a trip to Brighton. We went on the @brightoni360official which is right by the sea front.
The i360 pod take a slow journey up, allowing you to take in views across Brighton and the South Downs 450ft above ground. There’s a bar inside with drinks and snacks available to purchase and the experience lasts 25 minutes.
Afterwards, we headed to the open air roller rink for a roller skating session!
The roller rink is:
⭐ Suitable for over 5s
⭐ £6.50 if you have your own skates or £9.50 if you need to hire them
⭐ 45 minutes per session
Full details to visit the i360 + skating
📍 Brighton i360, Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN
🚗 Parking nearby (we parked in the Regency Square Car park)
🎟️ Prices start from £25.40 for an adult and £16.90 for a child
🕐 Opening hours are currently Sun-Fri 10.30am-18.30pm and until 19.30pm on Saturdays
☕️ Bar inside the i360, cafe and gift shop
Book tickets here:
https://tickets.brightoni360.co.uk/tickets/?_ga=2.195305772.1869001490.1689671753-1757164059.1689671753/#events?eventid=157](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/417980235_313576471048632_3682382982231216432_n.jpg)
![[AD] ***Summer of fun at Barracudas Activity Camps!****
There is plenty for kids to do at @barracudas_activity_day_camps
From Tennis, Archery, Swimming, Motor Sports and more you can be sure that there will be something for kids aged 4.5-14. ⚽🏈🥅🎾🏓🏎️🏹🏊♂️🏉
You can book on a day by day basis - so it can fit in with any other days out/activities you have planned and there are early drop off and late pickup options available. Barracudas are also Ofsted registered so you can use your Childcare Vouchers too.
⭐⭐⭐Get £20 off a week or £4 off a day using my discount code: MARIA20⭐⭐⭐
#BarracudasActivityDayCamp #BarracudasActivityCamp #BarracudaAmbassadors #SummerHolidays #SchoolHolidays #Summer2023 #SummerCamp #DayCare #Camp #KidsCamp #surreymummy #surreymums #SummerOfFun #ActivityCamps #HolidayCamps #Childcare #SchoolHolidays #schoolholidaycamps](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/353583570_625625966167953_545896259645102575_n.jpg)
![[AD] We have some super exciting news...we have been chosen to be Laser Quest Ambassadors, and the boys are over the moon!
We are really lucky that our local Laser Quest (@laserquestkingston) is just around the corner from us. It means we can pop in of a weekend or anytime during the school holidays, and with summer just around the corner, I know Laser Quest will be one of our go-to places for some family fun.
As well as games of Laser Quest, there are also VR experiences and arcade amusements too. To find out a bit more about how Laser Quest works, you can read my blog post: https://www.suburban-mum.com/laser-quest-kingston/ (clickable link in bio)
Don't forget to keep an eye out for our Laser Quest posts - I'm going to be giving away two family passes to use at Laserquest Kingston!
If you can't wait and want to head down to Laser Quest to try it out, use the code SUMMER30 for 30% off your booking. The code is valid from now until the end of August 2023 and can be used on Laser Quest games and birthday party bookings.
#LaserquestAmbassador #Laserquest #LaserquestKingston #ActivitiesForKids #FamilyFun #DaysOutWithKids #Lasertag #LaserquestVR #Kingston #ThingsToDoInKingston #SurreyFamilyDaysOut #ThingsToDoWithKids #RainyDayFun #SurreyMummy #SurreyLife #LifeWithKids #LifeWithBoys #familyfunday](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/353230107_797358078406942_2405522556733455165_n.jpg)
![[AD] The sun has finally made an appearance and the boys have been making the most of it by spending it
in the garden.
They’re go-to is always football and they’ve been trying to improve their aim and accuracy with the new Messi Foldable Footlball goal from the #MessiTrainingSystem range.
I love the fact the goal is foldable, making it easy to store away when not in use. It is also lightweight so you can effortlessly pack it up and take it to the park or to a friend’s house.
The Messi Foldable Football Goal retails at £36 and can be purchased from @argos
You can read my full review here: https://www.suburban-mum.com/messi-foldable-football-goal/
#TrainLikeMessi #FoldableFootballGoal #FootballSkills #OutdoorFun #LionelMessi #LeoMessi #FootballAtHome #OutdoorKids #JustGetOutside #OutdoorsAndFree #ScreenFreeKids #WhateverTheWeatherKids @flair_gp](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/341194882_615024710178056_41977149395989448_n.jpg)
![[AD] We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we are Barracuda Ambassadors again this year.
With Easter just around the corner, the boys were sent the @barracudas_activity_day_camps new camp kit in preparation for the school holidays.
There’s a wide range of activities for kids aged 4.5 - 14 including Tennis, Archery, Basketball, Arts & Crafts and more.
If you like the sound of Barracudas, find out more over on their website. You can also save £20 a week or £4 a day, using my discount code: MARIA20](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/336812306_765234558514317_685553691647241974_n.jpg)
![[AD - Gifted]
Last weekend we were invited to try out @tsarettaspice’s new Bottomless Brunch menu and I can tell you it was thumbs up all round!
There’s a good choice tapas on offer from Punjabi fish fingers, Indo Chinese Chicken to Spiced Lamb Scotch Eggs and Manchurian Cauliflower (which was amazing!)
If you’re local to Twickenham and fancy giving them a try here’s are the details.
Tsaretta Spice Bottomless Brunch
⭐️£37.50 per head for bottomless Prosecco or cocktail of the day
⭐️£55 per head for bottomless Champagne
⭐️ Food included: 4 tapas selections and dessert or 2 tapas selections, a pav or naanwich and dessert
⭐️ Non-alcohol brunch is also available
Tsaretta Spice
55 Church Street
Twickenham
TW1 3NR
You can also read our full review over on the blog (link in bio)](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/334565436_5960402314015030_663031098700829518_n.jpg)
![[AD] What does family look like for you?
I am fortunate to be surrounded by strong, powerful women in the form of my mum, sister and mother-in-law (along with many others). With Mother’s Day just around the corner, @BootsUK want to celebrate all the different mums and mother figures we are lucky enough to have in our lives. They have a huge range of Mother’s Day gifts to choose from so we can show them how much they mean to us. (swipe to take a look at some of my choices)
If you want to express love and appreciation for the mother figure(s) in your life, head to Boots.com to find the ideal gift. They have a whole host of gifts, so you can be sure to find something to suit all tastes. Celebrate the #LoveForAllMums this Mother’s Day with Boots.
](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/334276459_136658625736352_6403224988403337253_n.jpg)
![📚 Are you ready for World Book Day? 📚
[AD - Gifted] I don't know about you, but I have never made the boys a costume for #WorldBookDay. I just don't have it in me to be creative that way. Their costumes have always been bought or cobbled together with what we already have, and luckily, the school allow you to wear pyjamas to school, which makes things a lot easier!
M has been living in his @TheRealTomGates pyjamas recently, and I think he might wear these when his World Book Day dress-up day comes around (the school celebrate with Book Week rather than just Book Day)
The boys have been fans of Tom Gates for a while now. M has always loved reading books that make him laugh and contain humour - they tend to keep him engaged in reading.
Did you know that there are now 20 Tom Gates storybooks to get stuck into? Ideal for kids aged 6-12, the series consists of feel-good, hilarious books full of photos and stories about Tom's life at home and school. Best of all, you can read them in any order.
The latest book is Tom Gates: Happy to Help (Eventually), and along with the pyjamas, you can pick them up from @GeorgeAtAsda just in time for World Book Day!
There's also a range of Tom Gates items, including games, puzzles and greeting cards at major retailers.
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Review: Islabikes – Rothan Balance Bike
Learning to ride a bike is a big part of your childhood. For me, I would say it’s up there with learning to walk and talk.
I still clearly remember my very first bike. It was blue and white and was called “Bluebell” This bike was passed down to my brother and then to my sister, although by then the stabilisers were rather iffy! Still, we all learnt to ride on that trusty little blue bike!
Fast forward to the present day, and balance bikes are now readily available. A “pre bike” as it were, to help you learn how to balance your weight without the need for stabilisers.
We didn’t get on the band waggon early on enough with E, so he is currently learning to ride a bike with suspension stabilisers that have a bit of “give” in them to help with balance.
For M, we were fortunate to be sent a Rothan Balance bike by Islabikes which we have been testing out over the last month or so.
If you’ve not heard of Islabikes before, the company was founded by Isla Rowntree, an ex-national cyclocross champion who has a clear vision to build lightweight bikes that are gender-neutral. It’s a British owned company that makes good quality bikes with children in mind.
Islabikes have a wide range of bikes that are suitable for children aged 2 plus. They stock balance, starter and multi-purpose bikes as well as mountain, road and cyclo-cross bikes and adult bikes.
First impressions
The bike arrived in a huge cardboard box, and I had visions of us having to put together the bits and pieces for the bike the night before M’s birthday, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it came fully assembled. We literally just had to lift it out of the box.
There were a few minor adjustments to the height of the saddle, but it was ready for action in less than a few minutes.
One of the first things I noticed about the balance bike was how just how light it is. Made from lightweight aluminium the total weight of the bike is just 3.5kg – that’s just 7.7 pounds!
The second was how cool it looked. The bright green frame against the black wheels, saddle and handlebars makes it really stand out.
Road testing
M was very eager to get on his shiny new bike and at first, found it difficult to turn, but after giving it a few goes, he quickly got the hang of it.
With the weather being so up and down, we kept the bike indoors so he could have a play on it whenever he fancied. E also got in on the action too, and they both zoomed around indoors.
As we were heading to Devon last week, it was the perfect chance to test the bike outdoors properly. M absolutely loved being able to go around the big courtyard area we had outside our cottage. Having been confined to a small area indoors before, it made a real difference to have some freedom to pick up some speed!
He’s not really grasped the concept of using the brake just yet, but I think it is only a matter of time.
Verdict
Overall, the Rothan balance bike is beautifully made and has been well-designed and thought out. We’ve had some lovely comments about the bike whilst on holiday and M absolutely loves it. He enjoys being able to join in with his big brother and feel like a “big boy” riding his bike.
The Rothan balance bike retails at £149.99 and can be bought online direct from the Islabikes website. Delivery is free within the UK, and all Islabikes come with a 55-year guarantee on frame and forks and a 2-year guarantee on parts.
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15 thoughts on “Review: Islabikes – Rothan Balance Bike”
This looks great I love the colour. I have been thinking of getting my little girl something like this for he third birthday soon. It looks like he is having lots of fun on it , I bet you were pleased you did not have to spend ages building the bike x
Balance bikes didn’t exist when my two were small sadly, they look amazing though. Confession though I can’t ride a bike myself – do they do adult balance bikes?!
Stevie xx #PicknMix
Balance bikes are such a great first step to cycling looks like M he has mastered it already. Such a great way to enjoy some outdoor fun. #TriedTested
This looks fantastic. It’s a great introduction to cycling. I wish balance bikes had been around when my girls were little x
Wow – I have not seen one like this before! I love how it looks and the video of M shows how much he is enjoying it 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up with #KCACOLS. Hope you return next week 🙂
Oh wow M is so confident on his Islabike and its a great looking balance bike too. I can see why he loves it. Xx #KCACOLS
What a wonderful bike. It looks fab and really well made. I remember my first bike, it had streamers coming from the handles and a bell. I loved it. I would like a bike that now actually! #KCACOLS
These are such a cool idea – I love the colour of this one too! x #KCACOLS
I love balance bikes, I think they’re a brilliant idea. And this one in particular looks so cool! x #KCACOLS
my friends boy has one of these and he loves it. they are quite pricey but supposed to be really good #KCACOLS
Thanks for this review, I have not heard of this company. However, I love the idea! Gender neutral bikes would be awesome! As a family, we love biking,and are currently into mountain biking. It is so good for the children and adults really to lower stress, let off steam and work on their balance! #KCACOLS
I hadnt heard of the company either so its good to see a mums review on how it works in practice. Once they get the hang of it its such a good feeling isnt it x
mainy – myrealfairy
#KCACOLS
Funny really, in that our little girl (6) has barely shown any interest in bikes! I do like the idea of balance bikes though and this one sounds pretty good. #kcacols
This looks fab, we brought Leo a wooden balance bike when he was 2 1/2 and he took no interest. I think because he didn’t have that time to develop balance he now still had stabilisers on his big boy bike..I think he would of liked this more as it looks much more like a proper bike! #KCACOLS
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