Jen Walshaw | Mum In The Madhouse

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Author name: Jen Walshaw

Mum-in-charge Jen Walshaw runs the UK’s top parenting blog Mum in the Madhouse, and she describes herself as a “fat, feisty and over 50” Northerner. Based in North Yorkshire, she’s mum to young adults and a big believer that family life is messy, creative and fun. In 2009 a double mastectomy gave her the nudge to start blogging; with two boys under three she needed an outlet and a digital scrapbook to capture their chaos.Jen’s posts are a mix of crafts, kid‑friendly recipes and honest parenting, peppered with northern humour. She’s happiest when up to her elbows in tea, fabric and pizza dough – sewing and making homemade gifts – before sneaking off to write about it. As a proud Northerner she warns PRs that a “quick pop down to London” isn’t quick at all. Her blog has earned her a stack of accolades, including the Cision #1 Mummy Blogger title in 2024  and consistently topping Vuelio and Tots100 parenting‑blog charts. Whether she’s advocating for diversity and body neutrality or sharing tales of parenting teens, Jen keeps things chatty, real and refreshingly down‑to‑earth.

Exploring the Pumpkin Life Cycle – A Free Printable for Curious Kids

As the weather turns cooler and pumpkin patches burst into color, children naturally wonder how a single seed transforms into a bright orange jack‑o’‑lantern. Learning about the pumpkin life cycle combines science, vocabulary and creative thinking in a way that even very young learners can enjoy. To make this exploration easy, we have a **free […]

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The Ultimate Pumpkin Craft and Activity Hub for Families

Autumn is the season of crisp leaves, cosy jumpers, and of course — pumpkins! Whether you’re carving them, crafting with them, or baking pumpkin-shaped treats, there’s no shortage of family fun to be had with this iconic autumn symbol. This pumpkin hub brings together all of our favourite pumpkin crafts, printables, and activities for kids

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Build a Brain Hat – Free Printable to Learn the Parts of the Brain

Looking for a fun, hands-on way to teach your kids about the parts of the brain? This Build a Brain Hat free printable is the perfect blend of crafting and learning! Whether you’re homeschooling, supporting classroom topics, or just exploring human anatomy with your curious child, this printable brain hat makes the science of the

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25 Healthy Back-to-School Lunch Ideas (That Kids Actually Eat)

Back-to-school season often brings the daily lunch-packing challenge. The trick? Keep it balanced, colourful, and fun. Here’s a curated list of 25 delicious, nutritious, and kid-friendly lunch ideas from across the web, perfect for fuelling your child’s school day 1–10: Quick, Colourful, and Portable 11–20: Tasty Twists on Classics 21–25: Protein-Packed Power Lunches Why This

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Poppy Colouring Pages for Teens and Adults – A Mindful Tribute for Remembrance

Poppies have long been a powerful symbol of remembrance, honouring the brave individuals who have served and sacrificed in times of conflict. Whether you’re marking Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, or Memorial Day, these free printable poppy colouring pages offer a beautiful and calming way to reflect, remember, and pay tribute. Today I’m sharing a specially

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Fun and Engaging Polygons Activity Pack for Kids

Looking for a fun and educational way to teach your kids about shapes and geometry? Our free Polygons Activity Pack is the perfect hands-on resource for learning all about polygons through play and creativity! Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or homeschooler, this printable pack is filled with engaging polygon activities designed to make math meaningful

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The Best Card Games for Families with Teens

There’s nothing like a family game night to bring everyone together—especially when you have teenagers. While it can sometimes feel like phones and screens are the only things that capture their attention, you might be surprised at how much fun they’ll have sitting around the table with a simple deck of cards (or a few

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FREE Earth Day LEGO Mats – Printable Pack for Kids

Looking for a fun, hands-on way to celebrate Earth Day with your kids, preschoolers, or kindergarteners? These free Earth Day LEGO Mats are the perfect combination of learning, fine motor play, and creative building. Plus, they double as coloring pages for extra versatility! Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, homeschooling, or looking for a screen-free

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DIY Beaded Bag Charms for Backpacks – A Fun Kids’ Craft

Back-to-school season is here, and what better way to add a little personality to your child’s school bag than with a colourful DIY beaded bag charm? This quick and budget-friendly project is great for a weekend activity, a rainy-day craft, or even a school holiday project. Plus, kids can personalise their DIY Bag charms with

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