How to make BFG (Roald Dahl) Ears, Horn and Waistcoat

This September 13th will be Roald Dahl's 100th Birthday.  To celebrate schools are having Roald Dahl themed days.

Our school has asked children to dress up as characters from any Roald Dahl book. I'm not a crafty mum so usually opt for the buying option but with two children this can be costly.  I did find a BFG costume for a bargain £6 at Asda but for the last 3 weeks its been out of stock so I bit the bullet and made my own.

We went for BFG as its extremely popular at the moment due to the film and I figured it might be fairly easy.  Strangely though my 9 year old was unfamiliar with the story which reminds me I must buy the book.

I used some old cream wallpaper, brown parcel tape, paint and some plain headbands.  I got mine from poundland for £1.  The tape was £2.60.  Everything else I had in the house.

To make the waistcoat

• I cut out 2 rectangles using the wallpaper (I roughly measured the children)
• We then covered one side of each piece in brown parcel tape.
• I then cut one piece in half, cut a V and stuck the shoulder's together & had a fit.
• I then shaped the shoulders and arm holes a little.
• I cut a small v in the back just so it wasn't as rigid.
• Voila a very handmade BFG inspired waistcoat.

Another way would be to get a plain brown t shirt.  Cut the sleeves off and cut up the front.

To make the ears

• I used the same wallpaper and cut out a rough ear shape.
• We painted them pink on both sides.
• We then did a rough black outline for the inner ear.
• I cut a slim tab and then stuck each ear to the £1 headbands.

BFG DIY ears

BFG make your own ears

To make the horn

• Again same paper cut into a rough square.
• We painted with a bronzy brown.
• Once dry I rolled it up and snipped the ends.
• Very basic but does the job.

Both children will wear a plain white top and any old bottoms.  My daughter has some sand art jars which we will use as dream jars and we may take fishing nets as an extra accessory.

BFG DIY costume for World Book Day

I hope this proves useful especially for you less crafty mums like me. 

Good luck with your costumes.

Happy Roald Dahl day.

Emma xxx

Legoland Windsor Review - Family Travel

We finally visited LEGOLAND Windsor on the 11th August as a surprise for the children and because my son was 6 on the 12th.

We used a promo voucher for 2 free children with 2 full paying adults.  This still cost an unbelievable £115.80. Adult on the gate price £55.40 and £5 parking.

I was slightly outraged that you don't even get free parking but did know from the website. Honestly Lego do you not think that's a bit greedy!!!

The park was very busy as it is the summer holidays but the kids LOVED IT!  We didn't have time to do half of the rides or even see the entire park but they didn't moan. Some of the queues were over an hour long but they seemed happy enough Lego spotting as we waited.  Most rides were good and worth the wait however the Balloon School in the Lego City Zone was a long wait for a boring ride.  If you are short on time give it a miss.

My kids loved the Lego city driving school and Coastguard HQ.  As a family we loved the Viking River Splash.  3 of us loved the Jolly Rocker but my son was a little terrified which was a shame!  I think he's still traumatised from Disneyland Paris but that's another story.

Unfortunately due to the queue times we missed huge chunks of the park but everything we saw looked clean, well maintained and colourful.  The attention to detail is amazing.  My daughter loved the Lego Friends zone. I'd heard about problems with wasps but this was not an issue on our visit.

Miniland is brilliant although some buildings are now looking a little faded.

There is honestly so much to see and do if you can get a 2 day pass I think it would be worth it. We all LOVED it and definitely need a second trip.

For all you Tesco clubcard fans it is enormously worth it for LEGOLAND.  A lady we got chatting to in a queue got in for £13 per person with her points and another lady got in for £26 per person but rated Chessington more. This is an enormous saving on the online or gate prices.

We made a fatal mistake and didn't take food.  Prices inside are obviously expensive. We spent £26 on a baguette meal deals for the 4 of us.  This wasn't too bad as the food was nice but our plan had been to stop at a Tesco express or M & S and stock up but we didn't pass one for miles!  If you visit definitely take food. Loads of families had hampers, rucksacks etc full of snacks and drinks.

We are hoping to go again as we have tickets for 2 free adults between 08/09/16 and 07/10/16.  I think the catch is that we have to pay full price for the kids but will still work out cheaper than a normal family price and we'll be able to do all the things we missed out.  I really was a brilliant day out and I thoroughly recommend. Definitely add it to your day trip list.

Does anyone know if its quieter on a Saturday or Sunday?

We would like to go in the week but kids back at school and I'm not sure I'd get away with taking them out for a day to visit LEGOLAND although the shorter queues are VERY tempting.

Emma xxx

P.s Will be returning August 19th/20th 2018 hoping it not quite as busy!

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Life in the Mum's Lane

For more days out ideas and interactive map click on the link below

Days Out Now

Summer holiday's poem

The sun is shining,
The sky is blue.
Thank god its not raining you think,
But wait.........

"Mum can we go to the park."
You hear for the millionth time this week.
You really want a day at home
Why can't the kids entertain themselves?

They have toys, lego, a hundred dvds,
Just go and play!!!
You mentally count down the days till school,
But then shudder at the thought of the dreaded school run.

The summer holidays are both fun & torture,
The days can be amazing or stress.
I hope all you parents out there are coping,
Let's all smile together & pass the wine!