The summer is, theoretically, on its way and we have warm days and sunny skies to look forward to. So what do we all do? We leap into our cars and beetle off to camping grounds across the UK (and the world) to enjoy nature and each other.

The thing is, you don’t get a full camping kit with your children, like some kind of package deal. You have to spend a lot of money buying all the right equipment and getting stocked up and, for some, this can be more than a little daunting. Today I thought it would be a great idea to look into how you choose the perfect family tent along with links to some tasty, tenty deals.

ARK Age Aware Skincare are offering a full range of free samples for you to try out and enjoy. You can choose which product range you want to try out and they will send you your special free samples by mail.

• Click here to get free skincare with ARK

The different product ranges you can get free samples of include: Age Prepare, early teens to early 30s, Age Maintain, mid 30s to 50s, and Age Repair, 50s onwards. The form is self explanatory, a simple one that asks your name and address.

However, you can’t opt out of spam so you may end up getting promotional emails and other such stuff as a result of getting this face loving freebie.

At ARK they believe that it is important to be age appropriate with the skincare products you use and should complement your age and the needs of your skin. They have spent years perfecting the formulas and they are designed to support and nurture your skin as you age. It’s a pretty cool freebie.

Thanks to Moromir at HUKD!

How nice, clean teeth for free! What a lovely way to start the new week than with a tasty freebie that will help you keep those chompers shiny and fresh. The sample is for Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste and the form easy enough to complete.

• Click here to get clean teeth with Colgate

The Colgate sample is part of their Challenge apparently. You fill in the sample request form below and they will send you your Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste sample straight away. You’ll get your sample within a week.

Try it for five days and then take on the food or drink that would normally trigger your tooth sensitivity and see if you can feel a difference. By completing the challenge you’ll get money off your next purchase and be entered into their competition to win five prizes of £1,000.

So there you go, fill in the form, brush your teeth, report back to Colgate and enjoy a bunch of cool free stuff and chances to win.

Thanks to notts6501 at HUKD!

Fancy nabbing some free samples to help you keep your workplace clean and healthy? Well, AF International are offering you free sample packs that have a bunch of different AF International products inside so you can do just that.

• Click here to get clean and healthy with AF International

The form you need to complete for your free samples is very short and sweet and doesn’t ask you to do very much at all. You don’t get the option to avoid spam though, so I imagine you’ll get that regardless.

There is no information as to what’s included in your free sample pack but apparently it is a bunch of stuff that will help you to keep your workplace clean and healthy. It is rather cool that they have an entire section dedicated to freebies though, so stay tuned for others in the future.

These are a great way of wiping down keyboards and monitors and other such things, especially after the kids have drooled and spilled on them.

Thanks to Spyder027 at HUKD!

Dry Like Me is offering a free potty training wall chart and sticker pack to anyone who registers to join their club. You will need to fill in a form with your details in order to get the freebie posted out to you, but you also get access to their free newsletter which has potty training tips and advice in it.

• Click here to get your free stuff from Dry Like Me

The free potty training wall chart and sticker pack is ideal for helping your little one master the art of potty training. I have to admit that I really like their website, it is so bright and cheerful. The fake weather report is also pretty awesome.

To get your freebies you need to select the Click Here button on the bottom left of the screen and a separate pop-up will appear with all the bits and pieces you need to fill in. If that doesn’t open in your browser, you may need to enable pop-ups first.

Thanks to kitkat at HUKD!

I recently got a pair of Reebok Womens Easytone Reeinspire 2 trainers from M&M Direct as I’ve been desperate to try these shoes for ages. Loads of people have raved about how well they have worked, and just as many people have said they are a marketing scam. So which is it?

Honestly, after wearing the Reebok Easytone trainers for the past three weeks I don’t care. They are so comfortable. They are like memory foam pillows for feet. They are both soft and firm, sturdy and supportive and utterly and completely, well, comfortable.

On my first wearing, the shoes did leave my big toes feeling a little odd, almost as if they had pins and needles. It was an odd sensation but didn’t last beyond the first few days of wearing the shoes in. These shoes are built to help you get a better butt and legs and for every day walking and use.

The Reebok Easytone trainers are also very subtle in their colouring. Instead of the pink looking as vivid and startling as it does in this picture, it actually is rather easy on the eye. These shoes match pretty much every walking outfit I have and the various features built in – like the anti bacterial and fungal growth material – make them very lush to own. Every had a pair of cheap and nasty trainers start smelling? Yeah, these won’t.

One other thing worth noting about the Reebok Easytone Trainers is that the laces are good quality and don’t undo after every step. Add to this the comfort and the lovely low price at M&M Direct (they have it on offer for £39.99 instead of £74.99 so you save about £35) and you have a pair of very nice trainers in your cupboard.

Do they make your bum and legs thin and sexy? I honestly couldn’t see anything dramatic but they are worth the price for the comfort and style alone.

Fancy nabbing yourself some free Aquafresh toothpaste? Well, you’re in luck because Aquafresh are giving away samples of their latest toothpaste sensation on their website. You’ll need to do some registering and joining in but if you like freebies, then it should be worth the time.

• Click here to get free toothpaste from Aquafresh

The new Aquafresh Ultimate toothpaste helps strengthen 30% of the teeth you can see and protects 70% of the teeth you can’t. This new (and free) toothpaste helps to keep the gum seal tight and healthy thanks to all sorts of fun stuff inside.

You will keep your family’s teeth strong and healthy with this lovely new formula and you get to try it out by registering and getting a free travel sized sample. The samples are only going for as long as stocks last so don’t dally, and you do have to adhere to the various terms and conditions too.

This is not bad for a freebie really, especially since the registration process is relatively simple.

Thanks to PBRISCOE at HUKD!

Oooh, this is a pretty cool freebie as it lands you an ace free pack of Garnier Skin Perfector cream which is apparently, the best thing for your skin ever. You only need to follow a few simple steps to get your fabulous freebie so go on, spoil yourself with some lush skincare treats.

• Click here to get your freebie from Garnier

There are about 230,000 samples available as a part of this freebie so make sure you get yourself on the list sooner rather than later. The Miracle Skin Perfector delivers a hybrid formula that combines long lasting 24hr hydrating care with a light touch of make-up for instantly flawless skin.

I rather like these new moisturiser and make-up blends, they really are perfect for mums who are hectically busy but don’t feel like wandering about without make-up on. It has helped me, I am way too busy to spend 30 mins on my face! Anyway, you will get your pack in anything from four to 12 days, you can only get one per household, and I wish you luck!

Thanks to parsonsanna at HUKD!

For parents who have children with asthma this is a great freebie that should help you get some great advice, and the kids get a free fun pack with lots of lovely goodies inside. The campaign that offers the free asthma check and free kids pack is run in conjunction with Asthma UK.

• Click here to find your free check at Lloyds Pharmacy

Llloyds Pharmacy is running an asthma campaign that is supported by Asthma UK, the charity dedicated to improving the health and well being of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by this condition.

They are asking people to come in to Lloyds Pharmacy for a free asthma check-up which uses a device to see if you are taking your inhaler properly, and the expert pharmacy team will talk to you about your symptoms and advise you on how to get the most from your medicines.

Kids get a free Asthma UK My Asthma pack that has a cool wall chart, stickers and a helpful asthma plan.

Thanks to chesterdraws at HUKD!

Bimuno Prebiotic Powder is on Facebook giving away 1,000 packs to the first people to click Like on their page. Yes, it is another Facebook one but I rather think it could be worth it here – an entire pack of a very good health supplement just for you!

• Click here to get your freebie from Bimuno

Bimuno is currently marketed by Clasado (what’s with their weird names?) as a range of health food supplements optimised for specific health benefits. There is apparently strong scientific evidence that says this prebiotic powder works a charm, and that it has proven benefits.

They also claim that Bimuno is so good that it is under development at the moment to be used as a functional food ingredient in major food brands. Whatever you may think, this is definitely a great freebie for tired, stressed and run down parents. The prebiotic formula will boost your system and give you those extra antibodies you need.

Thanks to k8ie1980 at HUKD!

British bee numbers have dropped dramatically over the past few years and so Friends of the Eart have started giving away free seeds for your garden to attract more bees. These buzzing buddies are essential to all sorts of elements in the food chain so grab your freebies and starting saving those stripy dudes.

• Click here to get your free seeds from Friends of the Earth

Bees are vital to our food supply as they pollinate most of our fruit and veg, without bees the costs for famers would rise and push up food prices, and they are essential for gardens, parks and the countryside. The site has over 8,000 packs of free seeds to give away to help this cause.

One of the biggest reasons bees are dying out is because they have no habitats so if you grab one of the free seed packs, you are restocking Britain and giving the bees much needed spaces to thrive. These bee friendly seeds will grown in flower pots, window boxes, gardens – anywhere! Go on, order your bee-friendly seeds for free today.

Thanks to Gem_182 at HUKD!

These girls inline skates are a really good buy at only £7.99 for the skates and £1.99 for delivery, taking the total price to under £10 for the whole package. Considering how well they look in the pic, I think these look like excellent value for money.

• Click here to get skating with Argos eBay Outlet

The girls inline skates are bright pink with a grey trim. Or is that a silver trim? Silver grey? Aargh. Anyway, the colouring is a bit foul but I bet most kids won’t really care that much. Most of the girls I know are just happy that pink is involved somehow. Still, these were clearly designed by someone with absolutely no sense of colour.

They are adjustable with an easy buckle closure and front buckle tightening mechanism. They have single heal brakes instead of the front node dude and take only take up to 60kgs maximum. They are very much plastic. They are also only available in sizes 13 to 3.

Thanks to barky at HUKD!

M&S has reduced this ace 24cm non-stick aluminium griddle pan to only £4. You will see that the price is £5 on the site but, thanks to their Home Event, 20% will be taken off the price at the checkout which takes it down to £4. Nice.

• Click here to get cooking with M&S

The 24cm non stick griddle pan has a double layer of non stick coating which is ideal for healthier cooking and easy cleaning. It also means better looking food – there are few things as frustrating as having to scrape food off the bottom of the pan because the non stick has worn off.

The cookware is designed to be hard wearing and long lasting (their promise, not mine) and it can withstand extreme temperatures. The handles are riveted for extra durability and strength and it is also dishwasher safe. The price of this cookware is extraordinary and you may want to beetle about the shop, nabbing other bargains at the same time, so you can really make use of that 20% discount.

Thanks to Husain_kola at HUKD!

I am a firm fan of Pilates. It really makes you work hard but the results are fantastic. It is one of the few exercise regimes that also is quite gentle on my bad arm which means I can get a solid workout for longer. Reader’s Digest has reduced the Pilates Bible down from £19.99 to only £7.99 so a perfect reason to try this exercise out.

Click here to get bendy with Reader’s Digest

Pilates is a gentle but effective exercise and this book is (apparently) the most comprehensive and accessible ever. You can advance safely through the book at your own pace using the simple moves that can be performed with little or no equipment.

There are new and old Pilates exercises included in the book and they are all based on the latest medical research, so you can rest assured of their effectiveness and gentleness. There are special sections for new mothers and children too! Oh, and for people who have back pain or knee injuries as well.

Five Minute Health Boosters is down from £26.99 to £14.99 at Reader’s Digest. If you are feeling peaky or in need of some kind of health inspiration, then this could be the lovely book for you.

• Click here to get healthy with Reader’s Digest

The Five Minute Health Boosters book is organised according to the way you live. It has smart tips and easy to adopt routines for the morning, noon and night. With the advice in this book you only need to make a change or two at each part of your day to live a much healthier life.

If you have five minutes then you have enough time to slash the stress, lower your blood pressure, improve your brain capacity, slow down your life, and get your system into great shape. You can supercharge your energy, lose weight and plenty more. Apparently there is a spice you can sniff that can give you back your va-va-voom instead of coffee!

Have you ever looked at your face in the mirror and wondered where all the wrinkles have come from? Or stood up and groaned at the aches and pains that flare up as you rise? Well, we all hate growing old and we dislike the frailties that come with ageing even more. Enter the Full Life Repair Kit, a book dedicated to helping you undo the damage you have done to your body over the years.

When I got this book I was delighted. It was something I wanted to try out as I am tired of feeling flat and tired. The book starts off brilliantly with an intro that makes a lot of sense and flings out a ton of great facts and figures. It is an inspiring start.

The book doesn’t pull any punches though. Don’t expect to be told that 20 years of smoking and not exercising is going to vanish in a puff of healthy, erm, smoke. Do expect to be given solid advice that is grounded in plenty of research and that makes a lot of intellectual sense.

Some of the facts and figures are scary. Like the fact that in your 40s you are more likely to die of cancer than from an accident. And that a lack of exercise means a shorter life. However, the book is filled with positive reinforcement, clever ideas, great tools and clever input to keep you going.

I have found this to be an invaluable resource on my road to great health and I am definitely going to recommend this to anyone who wants to reinvigorate their lives and their bodies. It would make a lovely Mother’s Day present or a treat for yourself.

The book is on sale at Reader’s Digest for £5.99 instead of the usual £26.99 which is a fab deal!

I remember living and breathing Clearasil as a teenager. It was seen as the best brand for killing off those hideous spots and getting back to a flawless complexion. So, if you fancy a free sample of Clearasil Perfectawash, then here you go…

• Click here to get a freebie from Clearasil

The Free Perfectawash samples from Clearasil are part of their launch of this shiny new range of face wash products. Apparently 8 out of 10 Glamour readers think that this new product is awesome and now you can try it out for free by going to the Facebook page link above and clicking on Like.

Once you have selected the Like button, you will fill in your details and your sample will wing its way across to you. You will also get to join the Big Skincare Mystery, find out more about other exciting competitions, and enjoy your free sample at home. Brilliant.

Thanks to Jas10 at HUKD!

Green and Fruiti is a dietary supplement that helps to keep your body filled with the recommended five a day. With two tablets you are packing a vitamin punch that provides you with your RDA of fruit and veg. So, does it work?

I know I am very guilty of not eating my five a day because when I get busy I tend to neglect myself somewhat. I forget to eat two portions of fruit during the day and fill up on rubbish instead of healthy food. So, these were pretty much what I needed but I wasn’t convinced they would work.

The day they arrived I was really run down. I had the tail end of yet another cold, I was shattered from lots of late nights, and our fruit and veg delivery had failed to turn up, again. So I popped two of the pills and put them in a place where I would remember to take them every day.

Now that a month has gone by I can happily say that I have noticed a difference in my body’s general health. I have more energy and I feel healthier. I also sleep a lot harder than I did before! The cost of getting a bottle of Green and Fruiti is around £20 (depending on where you shop) and will last you a month.

It is probably a lot cheaper than investing in the recommended daily allowance of fruit and veg, and will get you the necessary nutrients to maintain your physical well being. Would I buy these? I think if I was stressed, busy and run down I would pop out and nab these in a heartbeat but I wouldn’t use them to replace the real thing if time and money permitted.

It has been a month of my wearing the Slendertone Abs belt on an almost daily basis in an attempt to get some measure of definition back to that squidgy area. At first I felt very little in the way of change and, if I am honest, by the end of last week I was close to giving up hope.

I have tied the use of the Slendertone Abs belt in with a low GI diet and plenty of other exercise. My belly has remained a rather soft place and I have not got a washboard stomach that would look lovely on the beach. So, if you plan on investing in this please note that changes will likely take longer than a mere four weeks.

However, in spite of my feeling a tad disheartened by the lack of visible change, I have lost a total of two inches around my waist. This may not be obvious to my critical eye when surveyed in the mirror, but the tape measure does not lie.

I also had to go to the docs because I had pulled one of my lat muscles during a particularly strenuous exercise routine and the pain was stubbornly refusing to go away. While the doc examined me she said, “Gosh, your stomach is really well muscled, what exercise do you do?”

Now what girl doesn’t like to hear THAT I ask you? Well, exactly. The muscles may be well padded and, as my daughter tells me, my stomach a lovely, soft “pillow”, but they are there and they are certainly doing their job.

I think that this, for me, was the tipping point when it came to this review. While I cannot see any signs of a six pack, I am firming up, my doc says I have strong musculature, and I have lost two inches. With those kind of results, who am I to judge?

Final verdict? The Slendertone Abs system may be almost prohibitively expensive but it works. Using this on a regular basis will see results and will strengthen and tone your muscles. A worthy investment for the time pressed parent I believe.

Have you ever thought about making and selling cupcakes for extra money? This fascinates me, especially since I am incapable of baking a cupcake. No matter what recipe I follow, my cupcakes fail. So, when the Blue Door Bakery  got in touch I asked them to give me an idiot-proof recipe as well as some top tips for selling cupcakes for extra money. You never know when a new skill could come in handy...

The lovely cupcake recipe comes from Sarah Barnes, the founder of the Blue Door Bakery. This type of qualification makes me feel a lot more confident about being able to bake a batch of stunning cupcakes.