Congratulations once again to everyone who took part in the awards during 2014 and helped to make them the biggest and best yet – more than 6,500 blogs took part, and we saw over 250,000 nominations and votes, making the MADS undeniably the biggest and (we think) most fun awards program for UK parent bloggers.

We had a fantastic time at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, and with our host with the most Dr. Ranj, but more of that later. For now, we are proud to share the winners in the 2014 MAD Blog Awards. They are:

MAD Blog of the Year, sponsored by Parentdish.co.uk: The Future’s Rosie

Best Writer, sponsored by The Watch Hut: The Future’s Rosie

Most Entertaining Blog, sponsored by TalkTalk: Northern Mum

Best Baby Blog, sponsored by Mothercare: Mummy Daddy Me

Best Pregnancy Blog, sponsored by Babes with Babies: It Started with a Squish

Best Family Travel Blog, sponsored by HomeAway.co.uk: Kids Days Out Reviews

Best New Blog, sponsored by Hy-Pro: Don’t be Sorry

Outstanding Contribution, sponsored by Thorntons: Team Honk

Best Craft Blog, sponsored by Craft Merrily: Little Button Diaries

Most Innovative Blog, sponsored by Seagate: My Two Mums

Best Thrifty Blog, sponsored by Top Cashback: Skint Dad

Best Schooldays Blog, sponsored by Halfords: Actually Mummy

Best Photography, sponsored by Olympus: Capture by Lucy

Best Family Fun Blog, sponsored by Pokemon: Family Days Tried and Tested

Best Home & Interiors Blog, sponsored by Brabantia: Tigerlilly Quinn

Best Kids’ Blog, sponsored by Vita Coco Kids: Lego by Z

Best Food Blog, sponsored by Kenwood: Frugal Queen

The post 2014 MAD Blog Awards: The winners! appeared first on Mads.

How did you get started in blogging, then?

I thought it would be something fun to keep me busy when I didn’t go back to work after baby number three. I had no idea then how many opportunities would become available for me or the lovely people I would meet.

What did you do when you found out you were a MADS finalist? 

Jumped up and down and then made a coffee! We did open some champagne at the weekend too. Being a finalist three years in a row is something I’m rather proud of.

Can you describe your MADS outfit in three words? What do you mean you haven’t thought about it yet? (If you haven’t, are you going formal, informal, sleek and slinky or casual?) 

Eeeek, I haven’t thought that far ahead yet, would anyone mind if I wore my dress from last year?

Who are you most looking forward to meeting at the awards ceremony and why? 

Oooooh, too many people to mention! Anna (Imagination Tree), Emma (Sojourn Series), Helen (Actually Mummy), Annie (Mammasaurus), Ruth (Geek Mummy), Katie (Mummy, Daddy, Me) and the MAD Blog Awards team     It’s always a fun night with a room full of bloggers.

As a finalist, you’re undoubtedly very wise. Tell us something you’ve learned about life and the universe, through blogging: 

Hmmmmm, there are some things you should never put on your blog…especially if your Mum reads it.

Best. Post. Ever. What’s yours? 

Argghhh, so hard to pick one. This LEGO one did amazingly well recently, and I LOVE LEGO so I’d have to choose this.

The MAD Blog Awards ceremony is a night away from the family. What’s the first thing you’d do given a fancy hotel room ALL to yourself?  (We starfish on the bed. Every time.) 

Shower in peace, without someone coming in telling a tale…

Anything to say to all the people who nominated you, and (obviously) voted for you? 

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that people like Science Sparks. It’s been a real slog at times since Kerry passed away, but recognition like this makes it all worth while.

Aside from being nominated for awards (obviously) what’s the best thing about being a UK parent blogger? 

The supportive community is definitely a big part of my life now, I’d miss it if I stopped blogging.

Find Emma on twitter: @emvanstone

The post Meet the Finalists: Science Sparks appeared first on Mads.

To enter, simply write an ‘Outfit of the Day’ post and include one of the 1000s of watches found on their website and don’t forget to link to The Watch Hut http://www.thewatchhut.co.uk/. Once your post is live simply pop the blog link into the linky below.

More about The Watch Hut

The Watch Hut launched in November 2005 with the aim of selling branded watches at amazing prices. They have authorized UK stockists for leading brands including brands such as Tissot, Casio, U-Boat, Seiko, TAG Heuer and many more.

They have an online store www.thewatchhut.co.uk as well as an independent store in Covent Garden, London and also a concession in Selfridges London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Terms and conditions:

• The competition will begin on Wednesday 11^th June at 10am and will end on Friday 11^th July at 5pm.
• The competition is only open to UK bloggers.
• The winner will be chosen at random by employees of The Watch Hut.
• If contact with the winner cannot be made within two weeks after the competition, a new winner will be selected.

The post Win £300 with The Watch Hut appeared first on Mads.

How did you get started in blogging, then?

I was working as a journalist when I met the lovely Helen of Fuss Free Flavours at a writing group. Helen encouraged me to start blogging – and I’m so glad she did.

What did you do when you found out you were a MADS finalist? 

Phoned my husband straight away!

Can you describe your MADS outfit in three words? What do you mean you haven’t thought about it yet? (If you haven’t, are you going formal, informal, sleek and slinky or casual?) 

No idea….formal?

Who are you most looking forward to meeting at the awards ceremony and why? 

All of the bloggers that I haven’t met, because it’s lovely to meet people in real life through their blogs.

As a finalist, you’re undoubtedly very wise. Tell us something you’ve learned about life and the universe, through blogging: 

That you can become true friends with people as a result of meeting them online.

Best. Post. Ever. What’s yours? 

I don’t know if it’s the best but it’s one which I feel very passionate about. It’s about orphans.

The MAD Blog Awards ceremony is a night away from the family. What’s the first thing you’d do given a fancy hotel room ALL to yourself?  (We starfish on the bed. Every time.) 

Have a bath with no interruptions, companions or requests for help.

Anything to say to all the people who nominated you, and (obviously) voted for you? 

Thank you very, very much. I’m thrilled to be a finalist!

Aside from being nominated for awards (obviously) what’s the best thing about being a UK parent blogger? 

The best thing for me is the lovely people I’ve met and friends I’ve made through the parent blogging community.

Find Gretta on twitter: @grettaschifano

The post Meet the Finalists: Mums Do Travel appeared first on Mads.

Today we are excited to launch the search for the first-ever MAD Blog Awards Kid Blog of the Year, in collaboration with Vita Coco Kids, naturally fruit-flavored coconut water.

We know it isn’t just Mums and Dads who blog – there are loads of talented kids up and down the country who are writing blog posts about the things they’re passionate about – books, games, days out, and lots more. You might have your own blog – or a regular slot on your Mum or Dad’s site.

Either way, if you are a kid who blogs, or you know one, then don’t miss out on the chance to be named the UK’s first Kid Blog of the Year, with the MAD Blog Awards.

We have some fab prizes up for grabs including cool Vita Coco Kids t-shirts, yummy Vita Coco Kids naturally fruit flavoured coconut water drinks and – wait for it – a fantastic family weekend away in the UK for one lucky winner!

• If you’re aged 13 or under, and live in the UK, you can enter your blog into the 2014 MAD Blog Awards. You can have your own blog, or share a blog with a member of your family.
• To enter, you need to write and share a blog post that begins with the line ‘My FAVOURITE way to spend a sunny day outside is…’ You could write about your favorite people to spend time with, a place to visit, or a game you enjoy.
• You can use video, photos, drawings, and words in your post – but it needs to include at least 250 words!
• Your post should be your own work as far as possible – we don’t mind if Mum and Dad help with the really tricky bits! Make sure that your entry tells us how old you are.
• Publish your post on your blog before May 31, 2014, and then add a link to your blog post using the “linky” at the bottom of this page.
• ALSO (this bit’s important) please ask your Mum or Dad to email mads@FleaEnterprises.com confirming your participation in the awards.  Sorry, we can’t accept entries without the consent of a parent or guardian, so don’t let Mum and Dad forget!
• Our judges will look at all the blogs and will help choose ten shortlisted finalists, who will each receive a special prize from Vita-Coco Kids.
• In September we’ll announce the winner of our MAD Kid Blog Award live at the MAD Blog Awards ceremony in London – you’ll be able to watch the announcement live online!

The finalists and winners will be selected by our panel of expert judges including:

• Pip Brook, Marketing Director, EMEA, Vita Coco (www. vitacocokids.com/uk)
• Cardiff-born Alex Winters is a popular presenter on CBeebies and an enthusiastic follower of social media. When he’s not presenting to kids, he is busy looking after his own two little ones!
• Joanne Mallon is the founder of Kids’ Blog Club (www.kidsblogclub.com) a network dedicated to giving inspiration, information, and support to children who blog, and their parents. A Mum to two blogging children, Joanne was one of the first UK journalists to write about kids’ blogs back in 2010. When she’s not running KBC, Joanne is a life coach, journalist, and author.

• All kids who enter will receive a 4 x 180ml pack of Vita Coco Kids and a Vita Coco Kids t-shirt.
• Ten lucky finalists will also receive a 1 month’s supply of Vita Coco Kids (8 x 4 x 180ml cases of Vita Coco Kids)
• And our 2014 MAD Blog Awards Kid Blogger of the Year will win a family weekend away in the UK and 3 month’s supply of Vita Coco Kids drinks (24 x 4 x 180ml cases of Vita Coco Kids)

The post MAD Blog Awards 2014 Kid Blog of the Year! appeared first on Mads.

There’s no better way to bring out your inner child than whizzing along in the sunshine on a bicycle. So, just imagine how exciting it is for kids themselves. Fun for all ages and abilities, family cycling ticks a lot of boxes: no digital screens, heaps of fresh air, exploration and exercise. Unfortunately, as much as we’d love to spontaneously load our families up on bikes and head into the countryside, it’s never quite that simple. What kit is needed? Will there be food and drink stops en route? What about traffic? Will little legs manage the whole way? Is it really worth it?

Yes it is, and here’s the info and inspiration you need to get the family whizzing off together:

Traffic-free trails

The UK isn’t quite up to speed with France when it comes to dedicated cycling paths but there are still plenty of options for families not wanting to brave open roads. The National Trust has set up cycling trails in gardens and grounds throughout England and their collection of ‘bike rides for little legs’ includes an 8-mile circuit from Wray Castle around Lake Windemere and a route where you might spot six types of British reptiles on Studland Peninsula, Dorset.

Old railway lines are another excellent place for carefree cycling fun. Tissington Trail in Derbyshire passes through enchanted woodland, while the artwork along the Troll Trail on the Isle of Wight will ignite little ones’ imaginations and The Strawberry Line in Somerset is as pleasant as it sounds. For those that like to be by the water, reservoirs often have adjacent cycling friendly paths like Bewl Water in Kent and Elan Valley in Wales.

Events to inspire

Cycling events are no longer just about competitive types in lycra on expensive bikes. There are plenty out there for the whole family to enjoy. London Revolution involves a big camp and mini-festival at the halfway point at Ascot Racecourse, offering a great place to spend an afternoon with kids as they wait to cheer on Mum or Dad. The whole family will love pedaling past iconic landmarks on a Skyride, which takes over closed roads in the heart of several of the UK’s biggest cities. Edinburgh Family Ride offers the same opportunity in Scotland. And for the ultimate cycling inspiration take the family to Yorkshire this July to see the Tour de France’s ‘Grand Depart’.

Holidays made easy

Nothing does switching off from the distractions and mayhem of modern-day life like a family cycling holiday. Even if it’s just around the corner from where you live, a multi-day cycling trip is guaranteed to feel like a big adventure. Thankfully, dedicated holiday companies now make such adventure a little more stress-free. Kit gets carried, you get picked up and dropped off, accommodation gets booked and maps get printed so all you have to do is get pedaling! Saddle Skedaddle has numerous ‘A to B’ trips suitable for families including Hadrian’s Wall, the North Sea Cycle Route, and Lake District. Other operators worth looking at are Headwater Holidays, Inntravel and the YHA.

Resources & kit

Sustrans are an excellent resource including route information and maps as well as kit lists and buying guides. They also have an excellent online guide to cycling with children and toddlers, and Halfords have some great resources on choosing the safest bike for your child. Most of the UK’s National Parks have centers where you can hire bikes and pick up trail maps, making spontaneity that bit easier. Tourist boards are also worth getting in touch with since eco targets have pushed cycling high up their agenda.

Holly Tuppen is a freelance writer and Editor of The Weekendist writing on behalf of Halfords

The post Halfords sends you and your family on yer bikes appeared first on Mads.