Bag some bargains – The Baby Show at Olympia

I’ve been to the Baby Show, and this time for me it was all about the bump!

Well, I did take a look at some great bargains for the Wee Man and Bubby D as well – but I was interested to see what was on offer for Pippin and I too.

The venue has changed from Earls Court to Olympia, and I really liked it. The train journey there was uneventful, and even though there were lots of bumps, babies and pushchairs (and bags and bags of bargains) it wasn’t a problem getting on a train getting there or getting home.

Going along with only myself and my bump, I had no need of the free changing area, the free creche or the feeding area – but I did have a little peep and I definitely won’t have any qualms about bringing along Pippin with me to the next one. Unlike the last couple of shows I’ve been to, the creche looked much improved with lots of lovely toys, a nicely set out room and attentive staff.

One things I definitely DID make use of was the Emma’s Diary shop and drop service – because without little person with me I was also without a pushchair…and after a couple of hours wandering around picking up freebies, information and lots of bargains my arms were getting a bit tired!

Here are some of the things I found:

• Prima Baby magazine have a free goody bag packed full of useful bits and pieces when you buy two issues for £2. Well worth getting! (and if you take out a 1 year subscription for £20, you can get a Tommee Tippee steam steriliser, baby food blender, Closer to Nature starter set or digital thermometer free as well)

• Mamas and Papas are giving out free bags and a limited edition armadillo toy when you sign up to their baby club.
• Fisher Price have free ‘mum-to-be’ massages on offer, along with a little goody bag with a lovely lion rattle in it. (DO take advantage of the massage…it was great!). If you’ve managed to drag your Other Half along then they can have a go in the ‘dad-to-be’ giant bouncer too – I had a go in it last time I was at the show and it’s a real eye opener into the world of a baby…
• Joie (aside from having a much needed Pit Stop cafe where I rested my weary feet for a while) have a special Show offer of 25% off all their products.
• Stylfile are offering two products for £5, plus the chance to meet Tom Pellereau and ask him in person all about the Nipper Clipper.
• the Little Green Sheep have 10% off their new SnuzPod crib which looks lovely – I’m currently lusting after one!

• Stackajack are showcasing their new invention, the ‘Clevercrib’ and offering the chance to win one free if you are the fastest in their crib assembly time challenge. It’s can convert from a standard sized, height adjustable crib to a toddler table and chairs in minutes with no screws or screwdrivers required. Genius!

• MAM are offering a free self-sterilising anti colic bottle when you take along a printout of their voucher (you can get a copy here).
•  Cheeky Wipes are offering £10 off a splendid reusable wipes kit – follow your nose and you’ll find them and their lovely essential oils on stand D4.
• Chicco have a ‘Wheel of Happiness’, and you can give it a spin to win awesome prizes (like a holiday to Disneyland!) when you spend £20 or more on toys.
• The Bookpeople have some fantastic books at ridiculously low prices. For example, the complete Thomas the Tank Engine box set for only £30 (we already have it or I would have bought it!), a Nick Sharrat 3 book set of ‘Pants, Socks, and More Pants’ which I bought for the Wee Man for a bargainous £4 and has already been read several times this evening; and a ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar’ felt tip pens tin for a fiver that’s now hanging around in the back of our wardrobe awaiting stocking time…
• Joovy have some low low prices on all their innovative pushchairs, which range from single strollers to the BIG Caboose – a sit n’ stand pushchair that can carry three kids!
• Mothercare have 10% off, and a competition to win an Xpedior travel system.
• Baby London are offering a free goody bag AND £20 of JojoMamanBebe vouchers when you take out a 1 year subscription for just £10.
• Philips AVENT are giving away free soothers when you sign up to their baby club.

…and there are many, many more offers, competitions and great products available – just make sure you grab a free Stokke bag from the Stokke stand to stick all your goodies in!

It’s worth noting that the food selection is fairly expensive and not that great, although there is a reasonable amount of seating strewn around – it’s a good idea to bring a drink and some snacks with you as you may be waiting a while in a queue otherwise. It also gets pretty hot with all the people milling around, so you won’t need a coat (although there is a cloakroom available for £1 an item if you do decide to bring one). There are plenty of toilets, plenty of entertainment if you do bring little ones with you, and as usual a useful line up of events on the main stage too such as Red Cross First Aid, the Blooming Marvellous Maternity Fashion show, and lots lots more.

All in all it’s a great day out 🙂

Happy shopping!