Tots to Teens: Brush up your art skills for RTÉ contest

Under 18s have until midnight on January 31 to submit works with theme of 'This is Nature'

Aria Kelly and Amilie McDonald at the launch of RTÉ’s This is Art! competition, supported by Creative Ireland.  

THE deadline for RTÉ’s This is Art! competition is fast approaching. Under 18s have until midnight on Saturday, January 31, to get creative and submit works of art in any medium they choose.

The theme of this year’s competition is ‘This is Nature’, and artists of all abilities are being encouraged to explore it in drawings, paintings, photography, digital art, or even upcycled creations. Whether they paint frosty fields or sculpt winter wildlife, the choice is theirs.

A €10,000 prize fund, including trophies designed by street artist Maser, creative bursaries, and artistic materials, will be shared among winners across five categories.

The winners will be selected by a judging panel that includes Maser and fellow street artist Joe Caslin, fashion designer Helen Steele, art curator Mary Conlon, and ornithologist and author Seán Ronayne.

For full details on how to enter, visit thisisart.rte.ie/this-is-nature.

Comfort blanket

Preparing to welcome a new baby into the world is exciting but it can also be overwhelming.

Parents are often bombarded with information about products they are told they must have. How are they supposed to tell which products are truly essential?

Cellular blankets from Irish brand Baby Elegance cost €20 for a pack of two.

Cellular blankets from Irish brand Baby Elegance are among the items parents can justifiably add to their shopping list.

Made from soft, high-quality cotton, they are designed to provide optimal comfort and gentle warmth while allowing air to circulate, reducing the risk of the baby overheating.

The blankets trap heat in cooler weather while staying lightweight and breathable in warmer seasons. They can be used in cots, prams, and car seats and are fully machine washable.

They cost €20 for a pack of two and can be purchased from babyelegance.com, where you will find over 600 other practical products suitable for families with young children.

Begin a new chapter

Start the year as you mean to go on by bringing a cúpla focal Gaeilge into daily family life. Irish Words for Nature is a board book by the late Manchán Magan.

It features simple translations for children’s favourite animals, birds, fish, and insects alongside black-line drawings by illustrator Steve Doogan.

Irish Words for Nature is published by Gill Books and costs €10.99.

National treasure

Escape the dull dreariness of January with a trip to the annual performance of the Rathmore Pantomime Group in Co Kerry.

This year’s show is Treasure Island and will be staged on January 24, 25, 28, 29, and 31, as well as on February 1.

Audiences can expect plenty of skullduggery and double-crossing as the dame tries to outwit Long John Silver and steal all the pirate loot for herself.

Tickets are on sale now and can be booked by calling 085-2031730.

Zoom in on baby food

Many parents worry about weaning their babies.

It can seem as if you have only just mastered the art of breast or bottle feeding and suddenly you’re being asked to introduce your baby to solid food.

Baby Food Made Easy is a free, monthly Zoom workshop delivered by HSE community dietitians to make this transition a little easier.

The classes are aimed at parents who are about to start, or are thinking of starting, weaning.

The dietitians provide all of the practical information and tips that parents will need and answer any questions they may have.

Each workshop lasts one-and-a-half hours and everyone can join from the comfort of their own home.

The next one takes place on January 27. You can register to attend it at eventbrite.ie.

Top tips for every mum

If you have yet to follow @everymum_ie on Instagram, make it one of your New Year’s resolutions to do so.

With its Irish-based family content, trusted expert advice, event recommendations, competitions, recipes, gifts, and real-life experiences from other parents, it’s a treasure trove of information.