I am writing this a little bleary-eyed after having spent the night under canvas with the children in the Armadillo – our beloved family tent. 

We took the opportunity to head out for a twighlight ‘spooky’ nature walk, something on Roo’s summer holiday wish list, blackberrying by torchlight (apparently they taste better in then dark), listened in on the bat detector for the chatter of bats and attempted to spot some shooting stars from the annual Perseid meteor shower, which peaked last night. Sadly the large clouds had other ideas on that latter, but the kids didn’t mind. Nothing, it seems, quite beats a night under canvas!

Last night was the latest in a whole host of outdoors activities we’ve been enjoying over the summer holidays. We’ve been exploring by foot, bike and outdoors swimming. Fruit picking, on wild days out and all sorts of outdoor adventures. And the summer is still young! 

One thing that has come with us on our outdoors adventures this summer has been our Jungle Formula insect repellent.

In the past, insect repellent has been one of those things that I take when I know for definite I will be somewhere midgie prone. Yes, Scottish Highlands, I’m talking about you… 

Outside of those trips, I frequently forget to bring it along. Something I have lived to regret on several occasions, with the below picture from a last minute trip to spectate as my hubby competed in a triathlon at Kielder Water just one illustration of this…poor Roo!

The time we forgot insect repellent…Roo taking extreme action to hide from clouds of carnivorous midgies at Kielder Water!

It’s not just midgies that can be a nuisance. After picking up a couple of nasty horsefly bites on a very run-of-the-mill local walk back in June, I’ve been a bit more wary of biting insects. Sand flies, ticks, mosquitoes and other less-friendly native insects are also something you need to look out for and can make your outdoor adventures less fun than they deserve to be.

None of these things would ever stop me getting myself and the children out and enjoying nature time. I don’t believe in scaremongering  – there are enough barriers to getting kids out in the fresh air and countryside as it is and whilst insect bites can be really miserable for children, they are very rarely serious. 

What is important is making those outdoor experiences as a family as positive as possible. That way, the kids will take away great memories, a sense of fun and freedom and be champing at the bit to run wild again very soon!

Jungle Formula is a brand I’ve been using for many years now – both for trips within the UK and for holidays abroad. What I didn’t know until recently is that, in addition to their more powerful overseas and adult products, they now also offer a dedicated kids range of insect repellents, designed specifically for sensitive young skin and to be as free from strong chemicals as possible.

We’ve been trying out the Jungle Formula Kids Lotion this summer along with their Kids Slap-It bands.

Roo wearing a Jungle Formula slap band out cycling.

The lotion comes in a handy, travel-friendly bottle and is quick and easy to apply. It’s suitable from 12 months plus, is free from DEET and alcohol and offers up to six hours of scientifically proven protection from mosquitoes and biting insects such as horse flies, sand flies and ticks.

The Slap-It bands (for ages 3+) are my kids’ personal favourites. They contain 100% natural ingredient Geraniol, which is placed on an insert on the bands away from the skin. To use, you just tap them onto the child’s wrist or ankle where they convert into a bracelet – just like the super popular slap-band watches and bracelets that are so in vogue with primary school kids right now! This makes them hassle free.

Whilst it is recommended that you wear them in conjunction with the Kids Lotion for maximum protection, if you’re off on a general trip out then they provide a good base level of deterrent.

Keeping the midgies away whilst biking and blackberrying!

They have particularly come into their own in our household on blackberry picking trips (little hands reaching into the same hedges that are also popular with flying insects), as a precaution on hiking and cycling trips, for use overnight when camping and for use around the pool ( the bands are waterproof). Best of all, the Slap-It bands last up to two weeks and come with a little resealable foil pack to store them in between uses to retain their potency. 

I can report back that the kids have not had any bites since using the bands and lotion, despite Roo getting two in one day alone the day before they arrived. I’ve even raided their lotion for our twilight walk last night. 

Win one of three family packs of Jungle Formula goodies!

To ensure that your summer is as full of family fun, travel and (bite-free!) outdoors adventures as ours, I have teamed up with Jungle Formula to give away three family packs of Jungle Formula goodies !

Three lucky winners will each receive:

• 1 x Jungle Formula Kids Lotion (suitable from 1 yr)
• 2 x Jungle Formula Kids Slap-It Bands (suitable from 3yrs)
• 1 x Maximum Spray ( suitable from 3 yrs for areas worldwide requiring maximum protections. Endorsed by the Hospital for Tropical Diseases)

Entering is easy – just let us know all about your favourite family outdoor activities this summer! 

You can enter three different ways:

1.  Leave a comment below on this blog post;
2.  Leave a comment on the Baby Routes Facebook page;
3.  Post a picture of your favourite outdoor family activities on Instagram with the hashtag #JungleFormula and tagging @BabyRoutes . 

For an extra entry or two, pop over and visit Baby Routes on Facebook and Twitter – see the widget below for full entry options. 

Don’t forget to leave your email address and how you have entered on the Rafflecopter widget below. Without it, your entry will not be registered. All entries will be verified. 

You have until midnight on Monday 21st August 2017 to enter. 

Three winners will be picked at random shortly afterwards and announced on the blog here and on social media. 

Full T’s & C’s can be found on the Rafflecopter widget below. 

Good luck!

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Readers should be aware that I was sent Jungle Formula products for the purpose of testing them out before arranging this giveaway. As usual, all opinions, writing and giveaway over-excitement remain entirely my own!