Families South East London January/February 2024 Print

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IN THIS ISSUE

Education Clubs & classes What’s On

Issue 223 January/February 2024

Familiesonline.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South East London

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Explore Cutty Sark Enjoy family activities this half term on board this world-famous ship.

Don’t miss

Search ‘Cutty Sark’ Members go free

Character actors Fri – Mon across half term

Royal Museums Greenwich Cutty Sark | National Maritime Museum | Royal Observatory | The Queen’s House

Greenwich Pier

Cutty Sark

Greenwich (only 8 mins from London Bridge)

20 JAN – 18 FEB THE GRASS IS ALWAY GREENER!

THIS SPIRITED MUSICAL FAIRY TALE IS NOT BAA-AAA-AD

CAPTIVATES RIGHT TO THE FINAL BLEAT The Guardian

The Times

Music by George Stiles Book and Lyrics by Anthony Drewe

Tickets from £11 For ages 3 - 7 2 Families South East London

Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International

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CONTENTS

Contact us

Welcome

Editor Linda Stone editor@familiesselondon.co.uk 020 8241 0423

Happy New Year from all of us here at Families South East! We wish you health and happiness in 2024.

Sales Patricia Holloway patricia.holloway@familiespublishing.co.uk 07980 556813

January and February can be dull and gloomy months to get through with the excitement of Christmas over and spring still many weeks away. So cheer the family up by planning a visit to a family festival later in the year. Check out our top choices in this issue.

Design Rebecca Carr rebecca@familiesmagazine.co.uk 07789 882467 Next issue: March/April Booking deadline: 2 February September/October giveaway recipients Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at https://bit.ly/SO23recipients Would you like to feature your business in our March/April issue? Call Patricia today on 07980 556813 for more information.

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Education Parenting Clubs & classes Early years Interview Health What’s On Family festivals

We all know that our kids still need to get outside – even in bad weather. But what happens if they don’t have rainy day gear? In this issue, we talk to CBeebies presenter, Gemma Hunt, about her role as the ambassador of The Waterproof and Wellies project which plans to give every primary school in the UK ten sets of waterproofs and wellies so all children can have fun outdoors.

Finally, in this issue, we have National Geographic Science Kit bundles to giveaway! By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and Calling all Young Scientists! goodies on offer.

Help us discover how babies & kids learn!

Linda

Editor, Families South East This product is made of material from well-managed, FSC®-certified forests and other controlled sources.

We’re recruiting infants, toddlers and children to take part in fun studies at Birkbeck’s BabyLab & ToddlerLab in central London.

All babies and children who visit receive a thank you gift and we refund your travel expenses. Register today!

020 3926 1207 babylab@bbk.ac.uk www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.

I can be whateve r I want to be

B L ACKH E ATH H IGH

The Mighty Girls Challenge shows me what I can do.

Our girls are encouraged to be brave, ambitious and curious through our Mighty Girls Challenge programme.

‘Excellent in all areas’ - ISI

Where girls boldly go

blackheathhighschool.gdst.net

Apply now for Year 3 - Submit your application by 8 Jan to secure your 7+ Assessment Day place Familiesonline.co.uk

Families South East London 3

EDUCATION

Beyond the school system

By Ana Fábrega It’s a fact that the traditional school system doesn’t suit everyone, yet many parents aren’t in a position to take their children out of school. The good news is that there are some fabulous learning opportunities available outside of the school system, which can be used to complement school learning. Consider these: Self-directed learning communities. Programmes like Kubrio (www.kubrio.com) bring kids together to share interests and design their own curriculums. Over one hundred classes cover coding, game design, art, writing and entrepreneurship.

Academy (www.khanacademy.org) offer amazing courses.

Forest Schools. Forest School programmes (www.forestschoolassociation.org) put kids at the centre of learning, connect them with each other and nature and challenge them to take responsibility and make meaning for themselves.

Foster a love of reading. Let kids read freely and widely. Let them skim through books and dive deep into what interests them: poems, comic books, non-fiction, magazines, cookbooks or even the same book over and over. Choice is the secret recipe for fostering a love of reading. Once they develop this, they will be able to teach themselves anything.

Team problem-solving. Synthesis School (www.synthesis. com) empowers kids to solve the world’s hardest problems.

They compete in teams, debating ideas, testing tactics, communicating decisions, taking ownership and drawing out the best in each other.

Alternative schools. If you are thinking of a different school, consider alternatives such as Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia. For specific alternative schools, research Sora Schools (www.soraschools.com), Higher Ground (www.higherground. com) and Acton Academy (www.actonacademy.org).

Project-based learning. Programmes like Arduino (www.arduino.cc) cover chemistry, physics, electronics, coding and more. They ship all the components to your door, with online training and support to allow kids to learn by doing.

Microschools. Microschools are also wonderful options, like those available through Prenda (www.prenda.com) and other networks. To find a good one, look for mixed age groups, a childcentred curriculum and project-based learning.

Online STEAM classes. Many schools struggle to provide enough opportunity to explore science, tech, engineering, art and maths (STEAM subjects). Platforms like Brilliant (www.brilliant.org), Skillshare (www.skillshare.com) and Khan

Ana Lorena Fábrega is a teacher, turned edupreneur and author of The Learning Game: Teaching Kids to Think for Themselves, Embrace Challenge, and Love Learning, available from www.bookshop.org

The Lindy Effect

Lindy ideas in education

Lindy ideas refer to concepts or principles that have demonstrated resilience and longevity over time. The term ‘Lindy’ comes from the Lindy Effect, a concept introduced

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his book Antifragile. In essence, it says that ideas age differently from people. The longer ideas have been around, the longer they’re likely to last.

Play. Free play is our natural method of learning about the world. Since ancient times, we’ve used it to explore, experiment and build new knowledge by venturing into the unknown.

Each of the learning options explored above share common traits. Although each is unique, they all take Lindy ideas from the past and apply them to today in various ways. Lindy ideas stick around for a reason: they often work quite well and have proven themselves across generations. We should leverage wisdom from the past and adapt it for today.

The teacher as facilitator. Throughout history, the best educators acted as wise guides. Rather than conveying knowledge, they facilitated questions and dialogue until students arrived at their own understanding. It was a collaborative model of truth-seeking.

Although most traditional schools today do not follow Lindy ideas, there are an increasing number of alternative schools and educational programmes that do things differently. These can help parents of children for whom traditional education is not working to replace or supplement it with learning experiences that are grounded in Lindy ideas and updated for today.

4 Families South East London

Learning by doing. Hunter-gatherers of the past let kids learn survival skills through practice. They played with bows, spears and cooking tools and participated in the work of the tribe.

The Socratic method. For hundreds of years, teachers used the method of the Greek philosopher Socrates. Instead of lecturing, they asked penetrating questions to help students use reasoning to develop their own beliefs.

One-room schoolhouses. Historically, kids attended one-room schoolhouses (or ‘microschools’ today) where they learned in small, mixed aged groups. Older kids taught younger kids, younger kids learned from older ones.

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EDUCATION

Speech, language and communication at school

By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble

A new report from the charity Listening to unheard children found that an estimated twenty percent of school age children are behind in talking and listening. There is an increase in children who can’t articulate their needs or how they feel or who struggle with sentence construction, sounds and vocabulary.

Speech develops gradually in children and this can look different for everyone but difficulties may be deemed to be present when their skills are behind for their age group. Good speech, language and communication skills have a positive impact on confidence and self-esteem.

Communication difficulties affect children in many ways.

For some, their understanding of language is stronger than their speaking skills or vice versa. Not understanding the definition of words or concepts impacts their ability to follow instructions and make sense of what is happening around them. Children who struggle with understanding spoken language rely heavily on visual aids or clues from people around them to keep up with tasks.

Those who find producing spoken language challenging may find it hard to make specific sounds or they may speak in a way that is cluttered and doesn’t appear to have much order. This can make it difficult for these children to express themselves in conversation, during lessons and when playing with peers, making some feel self-conscious and affecting their confidence.

Receptive language can also be problematic for some children with speech and language difficulties. For instance, understanding and processing what has been said to them. They may need instructions broken down into small chunks and visual cues to support what has been said verbally. It may be necessary for them to practise paying attention for gradually longer periods of time.

Given the impact speech and language difficulties can have on children’s confidence, self-esteem and social skills, early intervention is important, as well as adaptations to their learning environment. If your child’s speech is behind for their age, it is important to seek advice from a speech and language therapist who can devise an appropriate support plan.

Through interacting and playing using speech and language, a child or young person develops social skills and friendships that will last into adulthood and beyond.

Lisa and Catherine are co-founders of Emparenting (www.emparenting.co.uk), supporting children, parents and families with the insights, skills and tools needed to nurture the development and well-being of the next generation.

260+

50+

Senior School Destinations

Dulwich Prep London is an exceptional boys’ preparatory school. From September 2025, we will extend our provision to GCSE (age 16), starting with Year 9.

We offer a wide range of opportunities to nurture independent thinkers who go on to be thoughtful citizens of the world, equipped with a strong moral compass and the ability to adapt to our rapidly changing environment.

Musical Ensembles

Co-curricular Clubs, Activities and Trips

15+

Stage Productions

10+

25+

Sports Played at Every Level

Acres of Open Space and a Swimming Pool

Our eight core values of Love, Courage, Gratitude, Humility, Justice, Service, Self-Discipline, and Honesty sow the seeds of possibility in the mind, heart and spirit of each boy and create the right culture and conditions to allow these possibilities to flourish.

7.00am - 7.30pm

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20+

150+

We are known for supporting families to find the right senior school for each child at the right time and will now off families both a Prep and Senior option.

Contact our Admissions team to book a tour on 020 8766 5525 or email admissions@dulwichpreplondon.org

Scholarships Awarded in 2020-2023

Wrap Around Care

12+

School Community Events

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EDUCATION

What to expect from ICT at primary school

By Zuzu Jordan When managed well, technology can transform learning into an engaging and interactive experience. Yet technology now develops and changes so fast that parents may find it difficult to keep up with what their children are learning.

Schools are constantly reviewing their ICT (Information Communication Technology) practice and policies in light of the forever evolving technological world. Additionally, the Covid home schooling experience made schools, parents and carers evaluate both the available tools and what children need in order to access learning, whatever the situation.

At primary school, parents can expect their children to be taught ‘computer science’ in ICT lessons including coding, algorithms and writing programmes to improve the world around us. They will be encouraged to use technology and logical reasoning purposefully. The range of devices and software used to achieve this will vary from school to school. For instance, there are a number of free online games which help children learn to code such as www.studio.code.org and www.scratch.mit.edu.

With ICT integrated across the whole curriculum, children will be using some form of technology in most subjects. This may include using tablets, laptops, cameras and the internet.

Teachers use SMART boards allowing children to directly interact with devices in lots of different ways.

Students will use technology for research and presenting information. Schools buy software to help teach some of the curriculum; for instance, Duolingo to support modern foreign language lessons. Some standard tests are even administered online such as the multiplication check in Year 4.

Schools and parents have a dual role in teaching children to be responsible users of communication and information platforms.

Children learn about the benefits and uses of these platforms but the inherent risks involved in online activity is what receives most attention during ICT lessons.

The online world is hard to control and monitor and can be very daunting for parents. All schools should hold an Online Safety Agreement Policy which outlines their plans to safeguard children online. This may tie in with their anti-bullying and child protection policies. Part of these policies involves families agreeing to clear expectations and boundaries. In schools,

pupils are explicitly taught to use technology safely and report any unacceptable behaviour. They are taught about privacy, protecting their online identity and knowing where and how to report anything disrespectful. In addition, teachers discuss the importance of critical thinking when children obtain information from the internet.

Meanwhile, at home, we are now surrounded by multiple devices to monitor including phones, tablets, smart TVs, smartphones and speakers. Games consoles are increasingly connecting people to the online world too, with children as young as age 2 able to work these devices independently.

It’s a great idea to devise your own family online safety agreement such as this one from Childnet (www.childnet.com) at www.bit.ly/OnlineFamilyAgreement It’s also important to set clear time limits on devices, check parental controls on websites and consider the location of the devices in your home.

One thing that children fear the most is having devices taken away so encourage transparent communication between you and an atmosphere where they feel comfortable to tell you about anything that worries them.

Other useful links for parents include NSPCC at www.bit.ly/ NSPCCOS and Think U Know (www.thinkuknow.co.uk).

Zuzu Jordan is a Mastery for Maths specialist who has taught primary aged children for sixteen years and is interested in early years and home learning. For free homework and home learning resources, find the Facebook page Edumateuk.

Homework tech tool kit

FREE websites or apps

Online English dictionary and thesaurus; YouTube (vetted by parents) for education videos to help clear up misconceptions and consolidate learning; Timers help kids improve their awareness of time constraints; Cameras can evidence homework or present information differently; Word processing software; Calculator.

Tip: Schools increasingly set homework using apps and websites with unique logins and passwords for pupils.

Download and bookmark the app/website and save the password.

As a teacher and parent I highly recommend the following: White Rose Education 1 minute maths (www.bit.ly/1minute maths) is great for practising the four mathematical operations.

BBC Touch Typing dance mat teaches touch typing in steps essential for navigating a keyboard.

Topmarks (www.topmarks.co.uk) has many interactive games for lots of subjects. Handy if you want visual representation in maths.

BBC Bitesize - you can’t go wrong! It covers so many aspects of learning and is up to date.

6 Families South East London

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PARENTING

Bedwetting beyond age five

By Usha Patel Troubled by your child’s bedwetting? Help is at hand!

‘My nine-year-old is a very bright boy. He is popular at school and is ace at sports, especially skateboarding. However I still find his bed wet some mornings. His father is not happy - he thinks it is a sign of immaturity.’

This problem is more common in older children than you think.

If you’re concerned about your child still wetting their bed, let me reassure you: you are not alone. But this is absolutely no one’s fault; not yours and certainly not your child’s. It really is something outside of their control. Parents usually breathe a sigh of relief at this point and ask me if there is any cure.

Usually, the problem lies with the child’s physiological makeup, so I am always happy to tell parents that there is a solution.

Reversing this problem is relatively straightforward and sometimes can take as little as three weeks.

Why do children wet their bed at night?

The problem of bedwetting is related to a child’s development before they are born, the birthing process and their early years. It is related to a primitive, unintegrated Spinal Galant reflex.

As the name suggests, Spinal Galant is a spinal reflex. During the birthing process, it helps the unborn baby turn their head and body in a corkscrew motion down the birthing canal.

Around nine months after birth, the reflex has served its purpose, matures and becomes part and parcel of the whole body’s movement.

We call this its integrated state. It has not disappeared but, in fact, has become a building block for the next stage of the child’s development.

However, if a child is delivered by C-section, for example, they do not engage this reflex and so the development stage is interrupted. This spinal reflex not integrating can be one of the biggest causes of bedwetting.

Fortunately, this can be helped later in life by using techniques such as Masgatova Neuro-Motor-Sensory Reflex Integration.

While it takes time to work fully, most children stop bedwetting after two to three weeks of therapeutic work. Your child can finally leave some of that low self-esteem behind and start to be their bright and sparkly selves again.

Usha Patel is a neurocognitive therapist at Raviv Practice London. If you need advice on the techniques and therapies described in this article, you can contact Usha at www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk

Unintegrated Spinal Galant reflex When I assess a child, there are a few things I observe that are characteristic of unintegrated Spinal Galant reflex including: Avoiding tight-fitting clothes around the waist (preferring elasticated waist trousers or jogging bottoms); Hyperactivity and symptoms of ADHD (the Spinal Galant reflex is often confused with ADHD); Frequent visits to the bathroom; Poor walking gait, sometimes with feet-dragging.

Parents report bedwetting, a curvature of the spine and their child’s inability to sit still for periods of time. Children with unintegrated Spinal Galant reflex will not have complete control of their bowel or bladder, nor proper core control: this affects how their legs move and movement in general. The reflexes are all interconnected and work together, so problems with the maturation of one can very much affect all the others.

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Families South East London 7

CLUBS & CLASSES

Boost your child’s confidence in 2024 with a FREE Perform class The new year is a great time to start something new and Perform is offering every child a free trial class to help them shine this spring. With two brilliant new themes incorporating confidence-building fun, classes for children ages 4 to 7 will join a high-energy adventure to the Wild West while kids ages 7 to 12 will enjoy a dancefloor-filling adaptation of Snow White, in Killa Queen.

Classes are packed with confidence-boosting games which focus on developing the 4 Cs - confidence, communication, coordination and concentration - using drama, dance and singing. At the end of each term, the children will take part in a show-stopping final performance for family and friends so you can see the progress they’ve made!

Classes are for all abilities with no previous experience required and children are welcome to join at any point in the term.

Book a no-obligation FREE trial at www.perform.org.uk/try Classes are held in Beckenham, Bexley, Bermondsey, Blackheath, Brockley, Bromley, Camberwell, Chislehurst, East Dulwich & Dulwich, Eltham, Forest Hill, Greenwich, Herne Hill, Hither Green, Kidbrooke, Lee, Orpington, Peckham Rye, Petts Wood, Sidcup (NEW), Surrey Quays, Waterloo, Woolwich.

More about Perform’s weekly classes Confidence building weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s, designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination.

3 fun ways to read, write & Themed Holiday Workshops, Beginners 4+ yrs

love

To book a FREE class in one of the following venues, visit www.perform.org.uk/try, email enquiries@perform.org.uk or call 020 7255 9120.

Beckenham: St George’s Church Hall, Beckenham Methodist Church Bexley: St John Fisher Catholic Church Hall Bermondsey: Bermondsey Village Hall Blackheath: St Michael and All Angels Church Hall Brockley: St Andrew’s Centre Bromley: St John The Evangelist Church Camberwell: Longfield Hall Chislehurst: Chislehurst Methodist Church East Dulwich & Dulwich: St Stephen’s Millennium Hall, St Barnabas’ Church Hall, Francis Peek Community Room, Goose Green Centre, St Barnabas’ Parish Hall Eltham: Christ Church Community Centre Forest Hill: St William of York Catholic Church Hall Greenwich: The Forum Herne Hill: The Prince Regent, Carnegie Community Hub Hither Green: Lochaber Hall, Church of the Good Shepherd Kidbrooke: St James Rectory Lee: Church of the Good Shepherd Orpington: Orpington Methodist Church Peckham Rye: Amott Road Baptist Church Petts Wood: Lakes Wood Hall Sidcup: St Lawrence of Canterbury Church Hall NEW Surrey Quays: Time and Talents in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre Waterloo: Waterloo Action Centre Woolwich: Artfix Woolwich

music with

Venue-based Keyboard Tuition

FREE TRIAL!

Small groups, 4-8 years

Home Keyboard Tuition

SE/SW

Step by step videos at your own pace!

5-14 years

www.funkymonkey.info 01732 457 100 8 Families South East London

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CLUBS & CLASSES

Get fit, have fun and meet people in 2024

Theme-based Mini Athletics classes for kids

With the A Card, you have the freedom to access spin classes, exercise classes and racket sports without the upfront cost or long-term commitment and can embrace the convenience of tailor-made fitness experiences that align with your schedule and preferences.

With imaginative weekly themes, children can become anything from a dinosaur to a pirate, a unicorn to an astronaut. Children have fun with Mini Athletics play-based approach but they also build their physical confidence and gross motor skills - without even realising!

Whether you’re into racket sports, spin or exercise classes, the A Card opens the door to a world of possibilities.

Ball games, colour matching activities and running races are all a part of the forty five minute weekly classes. There’s also a podium finish for each child in every class to applaud achievement.

Discover a new level of flexibility with the Activity Access Card (A Card) at Dulwich College Sports Club. If you are unable to commit to a full membership, you can enjoy the top-class activities of the Club on a pay-as-you-go basis!

Elevate your fitness journey without constraints at Dulwich College Sports Club, where your well-being is a priority and your choices are unlimited. Celebrate the freedom to move, the power to choose and a healthier, happier you!

A Card registration is free of charge at Reception with the associated advert below.

For enrolment details and T&Cs, visit www.dcsportsclub.co.uk

Beat the miserable weather this winter and keep your child active and burning energy at Mini Athletics classes. These classes offer theme-based athletics classes for children ages 1 to 7.

There are four progressive, age-appropriate Mini Athletics classes, all linked to the EYFS and National Curriculum physical development framework, which is why Mini Athletics also works in schools and nurseries.

With classes across SE London, Beckenham and West Wickham, find your nearest class at www.miniathletics.com or call Lara on 07920 424896 (Bromley post codes) or Sam on 07811 787153 (SE London post codes).

do

s p hi s se rs de as be clu Cl em In ng M w cli o N r Cy o

In

THE SPORTS CLUB

get fit, have fun, meet people TRY OUR ACTIVITY ACCESS CARD

Would you like access to top-class activities without the commitment and up front cost of membership?

With the Activity Access Card, you can pay-as-you-go for Spin Classes, Exercise Classes and Racket Sports at Dulwich College Sports Club

Registration free of charge with this advert See our website for enrolment details and T&C’s. /DulwichCollegeSportsClub

@dcsportsclub.dulwich

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Families South East London 9

EARLY YEARS

Best new baby products 2024

By Mallory Reynolds-Trout

Knowing what to buy when you’re a new parent can be confusing when everyone has different lifestyles and there’s so much out there to choose from. So here are my top picks of some of the best baby products recently launched in the market.

The Sleep Nanny App

The BabyUp The brainchild of renowned paediatrician Dr Albani and based on vigorous testing, the BabyUp cradles babies in a natural, upright position which is as comfortable as a parent’s arms. It gently rocks your baby while playing a soothing heartbeat or lullaby through integrated Bluetooth speakers.

Keeping your baby in the optimal position aids digestion and prevents stomach contents from coming back up, easing babies who suffer from reflux. The foldable design makes it convenient to take wherever you and your baby go. www.dralbani.org

Devised by sleep expert Lucy Shrimpton, The Sleep App by The Sleep Nanny® is a new solution to help babies and children sleep happily and healthily. The app uses science-based strategies that can be tailored to parents’ unique needs, with bespoke plans, tips on navigating every stage, tracking tools and a community chat. Download from App Store or Google Play. www.sleepnanny.co.uk The SleepaSloth This portable and fully customisable baby sleep sound machine allows you to play the sound you want, at the volume you want and for exactly how long you want. You can record your voice to replay to your baby as if you were right next to them and there’s an adjustable nightlight for night time changes and feeds. www.sleepasloth.com

Milestone prints from My Baby Days These are beautiful and unique to the UK. Designed in France, these stunning prints look great as part of the nursery décor and would make a lovely gift. They enable parents to timestamp precious milestones, capturing everything from their baby’s earliest giggle, to their first taste of lemon, to their first ride on a swing. www.mybabydays.com

The Flavour Academy Cookbook by Zenia Deogan The Flavour Academy is a platform with online courses and individual guidance to provide healthy, positive family mealtimes. Zenia’s first family cookbook is filled with recipe ideas and healthy eating tips to give little ones the best start in life. She highlights how mealtimes play a huge role in children’s development, affecting sleep, behaviour and mood. www.bit.ly/FlavourAcademyCookbook

Maternity leggings from Natal Active Natal Active creates activewear for every stage of motherhood and their new selection of leggings for postnatal mums is stylish, supportive and fun. Available in a selection of colours, they are perfect for both new mums dashing from A to B and those re-starting their fitness journeys. www.natalactive.com

Kaia Leather changing bag from Storksak Changing bags never looked so good and Storksak’s brand new styles offer unrivalled functionality to modern parents.

The elegant Kaia Leather bag combines their signature grained leather with a new buttery soft nappa leather and includes hidden backpack straps. www.storksak.com

The Modern Midwife’s Guide to the First Year Marie Louise is The Modern Midwife and a regular speaker at The Baby Show.

Charting the highs and lows of parenthood from birth up until your baby’s first birthday, this book is an informative and supportive read during those crucial first twelve months. www.bit.ly/Modern MidwifeFirst

Mallory Reynolds-Trout is Show Manager at The Baby Show with Lidl GB. The UK’s largest and best loved pregnancy, baby and parenting event will take place from 1-3 March 2024 in London, 10-12 May in Birmingham and 7-9 June in Manchester.

More info at www.thebabyshow.co.uk 10 Families South East London

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EARLY YEARS

What makes a good pre-school or nursery?

By Justina Gapper When choosing a nursery or pre-school, most parents base their decision on a combination of personal recommendation, the vibe of the setting, how much they like the staff and the setting’s Ofsted report and rating.

But what are the other features that contribute to the success of a nursery or pre-school setting? What really makes the difference between your child having a great experience, rather than just an acceptable one? Here are some things to take note of when you are visiting potential nurseries for your child.

Staff team Recruiting the right staff and ensuring they work closely as a team is crucial to the success of a nursery setting. Look out for the way staff interact with each other. Are they supporting each other, anticipating issues and problems and each other’s needs, as well as those of the children? Look out for nursery managers who are present in the main part of the nursery, as opposed to spending all their time sitting in an office. When they are working alongside their staff, they can steer the ship and also offer support at particularly busy times of the day.

Communication Communication between nursery key workers and parents is a number one priority. Can you see evidence of nursery staff working closely with parents to help new children settle?

Settling a child into nursery or pre-school can be a stressful and anxious experience for both parent and child. Not all children are

the same, so settings should, where possible, be flexible enough to adjust their procedures to suit each child.

Good nurseries provide daily feedback to parents, send weekly emails and use social media to show the nursery in action.

Parents should expect to receive regular updates from their child’s key worker and be kept informed of their child’s progress and what is happening more generally at the nursery.

Look out for nurseries and pre-schools that help parents understand and support at home what their children have been learning at the setting. For instance, use of Home-Link Books which suggest small, achievable, fun activities that parents can do with their children at home.

Structure, routine and safety To feel safe, children need routine, so it is important that staff are able to maintain this. Parents also need complete peace of mind that their child is safe at the setting and may want to check whether the nursery has installed CCTV and telecoms on its entrances to ensure secure access.

Waterproof and Wellies

Thinking ahead to school

The Outdoor Guide Foundation was set up with the simple aim of making the outdoors accessible to all - and that starts with children.

Nobody wants to rush children or parents towards school and nursery should be viewed as an experience that is important in its own right and not simply about preparing little ones for school transition. Having said this, it is useful understand what kind of process and support system a nursery has in place for transitioning children to school.

Nearly one third of primary school children in the UK come from families that are living below the poverty line. This means there is little money for household essentials, let alone for buying suitable clothing for outdoor play. That’s where The Waterproof and Wellies Project comes in. Over the next five years, it aims to donate at least ten waterproof suits and wellies to every state primary school in the country - all twenty thousand of them.

Why? Because time outside is vital and there’s a startling statistic that suggests prisoners get more time outside in an average week than a child of primary school age. Waterproof and Wellies has already donated kits to more than three hundred schools. With the support of local families and businesses, the project can do much more.

To find out more and support the project, visit www.theoutdoorguidefoundation.org

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For instance, does the setting provide provide transition reports for schools? These are generally, based on several areas of learning and give teachers a detailed account of the child that will be joining them.

Is a child’s Reception teacher invited to visit them at the setting before they start school? It’s clearly very valuable for little ones to meet their school teacher for the first time in a relaxed and familiar environment.

Primary teachers say it is social, emotional and self-care skills and a desire to learn that are important when children start school. Ask the nurseries you are visiting to explain how they go about nurturing these skills.

Families South East London 11

INTERVIEW

Helping children embrace the great outdoors Gemma Hunt, children’s storyteller and long-time presenter of CBeebies show Swashbuckle, tells Families about her role as ambassador for The Waterproof and Wellies Project for The Outdoor Guide Foundation (www.theoutdoorguidefoundation.org) and why she’s passionate about getting kids and families outside.

Tell us about The Waterproof and Wellies Project?

purpose. Like going out to collect leaves or feathers for an art project or going on a litter pick.

We’re looking to raise £6m to provide ten sets of waterproof jackets, trousers and wellies to the twenty thousand state primary schools in the UK. Unfortunately around thirty percent of children do not own their own wellies. So having these sets in schools enables them to play outside in all weathers without ruining their shoes!

If we take her bike or scooter that usually stops the moans about her legs aching if we’ve walked too far!

What advice would you give to families whose access to green spaces is limited?

Make the most of the outdoor spaces you do have access to. Take outdoor games if there is no play area. If it’s rainy, put your waterproofs on and take a flask of hot chocolate and a big umbrella!

Why do you feel particularly passionate about this project?

I long for children to enjoy the physical, mental and spiritual value of getting outdoors more. It’s so good for their appreciation of our great British countryside, wildlife and nature.

I love to see my daughter play outside, climbing trees, investigating flowers and spotting insects, coming back with flushed cheeks and grubby knees!

On occasion, we’ve ruined clothing or footwear as we haven’t had the right gear with us BUT we’ve been able to replace them. This isn’t possible for all families so to have the right outerwear to enjoy time outside together is essential.

How do you think children’s experience of outdoor time today compares to yours as a child?

I don’t think we get outside as much as we used to – there are so many inside distractions. It used to be a treat to run around outside, play games and let off steam. Now children seem to view it more as a punishment as they’d often prefer to stay indoors connected to electronics and Wi-Fi.

What has The Waterproof and Wellies Project achieved so far?

Of course, we had more freedom to roam safely and I understand why we may not be so willing for our children to go out alone now but that is all the more reason to try and do so as a family.

How much time do you spend outside with your family?

Honestly, not as much as we should.

We do walk to school or play in the garden every day and we like to take our daughter out on her bike.

Luckily we live near the coast and great country parks like Betteshanger Park near Deal in Kent where we can walk, cycle and scoot. There’s also a great play area there and the most delicious café (I recommend the sweetcorn fritter burgers!).

To motivate our daughter, we turn outside time into an adventure or give ourselves a

Since Covid, we have donated more than three thousand sets of waterproofs and wellies to UK schools. We need more support from businesses and individuals as we’re still a way off our target and there are more than three hundred schools on the waiting list who are desperate for the gear.

You can see how you can support us at The Outdoor Guide Foundation website at www.theoutdoorguidefoundation.org You’re also a writer. Tell us about your new book.

My newest book is about helping children to express and deal with big feelings like anger, jealousy and frustration.

I understand the power of imitative behaviour and wanted to write something that children could read (or have read to them) that would inspire them to better manage their behaviour.

My favourite role model has been Jesus so I wanted to take some stories told by or about him and re-tell them from the perspective of a mixed race family like mine. My husband and daughter and my parents and I all appear in the stories.

What motivated you to write it?

I wanted to write a series of children’s books that represented our own mixed race family. I struggled to find good books for my daughter that depicted our family dynamic - so I wrote them! The first book is about encouraging children to be a good friend and is called See! Let’s Be A Good Friend; the newest one has five helpful short stories which explore emotions. It’s called See! Let’s Be ME and is available from www.bookshop.org

12 Families South East London

Familiesonline.co.uk

HEALTH

Ultra-processed foods: the dangers and alternatives

By Charlotte Stirling-Reed There has been a lot in the press recently about UPFs (ultra processed foods), especially related to what we feed our children.

In an ideal world, most babies, toddlers and young children would eat meals cooked from scratch at home as the standard.

This allows them to get used to fresh food and ingredients and a variety of tastes and flavours that are typical of your family meals. It also means that you know exactly what’s going into your young children’s bodies and how the dishes are made.

In this way, it’s easier for you to have more control over the everyday diets of your children.

Sometimes have been made using high heat treatments to create longer shelf lives. This may reduce the vitamin and mineral content.

What are the alternatives to UPFs?

However, on the other side of the coin, parenting is HARD and sometimes preparing freshly cooked meals for young children, up to three times a day, just isn’t achievable. That’s okay. It’s very much to be expected in our busy society and with more of us both working and raising children.

Firstly, think about UPFs as ‘every now and then’ foods for young children, where possible.

There really is nothing wrong with having the odd packaged snack, fruit pouch or pack of baby biscuits, so try not to get sucked into the ‘giving young children UPFs is terrible’ idea.

However, what you should know is that offering them as regular options can be problematic because they:

Use fridge-raid meals. These are meals where you look in the fridge and make mini picnics out of all the foods that need using up. This both reduces prep time and food waste at the same time. I do this at least twice a week.

Don’t represent the balanced options necessary for snacks and meals; Are often high in sugar and/or calories but with little extra nutrients such as iron, protein, iodine or zinc, for example; Are often not very satiating so don’t sufficiently fill little ones at mealtimes, either leaving them hungry or eating more than what should be a ‘portion’; Are often overly sweet to encourage little ones to accept them readily and want more. However, this doesn’t help babies and toddlers to explore and accept a wider variety of tastes; Sometimes have added, unnecessary ingredients such as sugar, salt, fillers and oils that aren’t needed and that you wouldn’t add when home cooking;

Evaluating foods

Make big batches of meals and snacks at home to portion freeze for weeks ahead.

Don’t be afraid of using pre-prepared options when you need the convenience, even if they are sweeter or have a little added salt.

Team them up with extras which add more nutrients to the eating occasion. For example, if you’re offering crisps, add a tangerine and some hummus to dip them in.

If you’re offering a baby pouch, try decanting the pouch, mashing in some lentils and spreading it on a piece of toast to create more of a meal.

Charlotte is working in association with Stokke and their iconic Tripp Trapp chair (www.stokke.com), the chair that grows with the child. Her new book, How to Feed Your Family is out now. You can also find helpful downloadable resources for family feeding on her website at www.srnutrition.co.uk/ factsheets

WIN a family ticket to WIN Camp Bestival!

One lucky family has the chance to score a family ticket to Camp Bestival.

Check the ingredients. Many items that are syrups, juice concentrates or end in ‘ose’ contain free sugars, which we want kids to be getting less of in their diets.

Taste it yourself. See if you recognise the flavours, find it super chewy or notice anything strange about the food.

Check the portion sizes.

Products with serving suggestions eg ‘great for older toddler served with some veggies’ can be helpful and show that a brand is trying to help consumers get the balance right.

Familiesonline.co.uk

This four-day safe, fun, magical and adventurous festival for kids of all ages, takes place during the summer holidays in both Dorset and Shropshire.

Multi award-winning and designed specifically for families, enjoy hundreds of activities from bushcraft, circus schools, sports and immersive theatre to incredible live acts and DJs, family raves, circus spectaculars, wellness, award-winning street food and cabaret. www.campbestival.net Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go T&Cs: www.bit.ly/cmpbest

Families South East London 13

WHAT’S ON

What’s on Compiled by Robina Cowan

All details are as provided when going to press. However, in case of changed plans, do double-check before setting out.

HALF TERM CAMPS

Perform: The Ice Queen Venues in Blackheath and Dulwich www.perform.org.uk/icequeen 12-14 February Join Perform and The Ice Queen this February half-term! Three days of Frozen-themed fun awaits your child in a glittering drama, dance and singing adventure with Elsa, Ana and friends. Ending with a dazzling performance, this is the coolest half-term treat. Ages 4-10.

how to find signs of animals in the garden. Activities include trail making, animal sounds, stories and games. Book first.

The Kids’ Table: Peckham Levels Rye Lane SE15 4ST www.peckhamlevels.org Sundays and 14 & 16 February The Kids’ Table is a pop-up children’s corner service that provides supervised crafts, games and creative table-top fun while parents enjoy some ‘me’ time. Ages 3-10. FREE. Borough Market London Bridge SE1 9AL www.boroughmarket.org.uk 13-17 February London’s iconic Borough Market is hosting a selection of free half term events for children to get involved in, including treasure hunts, try and take home recipes, ‘you are what you eat’ themed face painting and more.

Funky Monkey Keyboard Workshops Various locations www.funkymonkey.info 12-16 February Funky Fingers workshops are imaginative, fun-packed workshops from Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes which introduce basic keyboard techniques including reading and writing music, performance skills, plus extra fun and games. Ages 4-8.

Mum2mum Market Various venues www.mum2mummarket.co.uk 3 February in Bromley Nearly new baby and children’s clothes, toys, books and baby equipment.

Global Camps Kelvin Grove School SE26 6BB www.globalcamps.co.uk 12-16 February A unique mix of language learning, sports coaching, art & craft and outdoor adventure to keep young ones active and engaged during all school holidays. Ages 4-12.

10 February Shelf: The Kids’ Show Join best friends Rachel and Ruby for a kids’ comedy show that’s full of sketches, songs, pranks and silliness. Fun for all the family!

Ages 3+.

SPECIAL EVENTS Air Giants: The Glowbot Garden Strand Aldwych WC2R 1ES www.airgiants.co.uk 17-20 January A spectacular outdoor promenade experience featuring a series of wonderful interactive creatures.

Interact with huge pneumatically controlled creatures among a dreamscape of giant vines, arches and ferns. FREE. Imagine Children’s Festival Southbank SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk 7-17 February Inspiring creativity for ages 0-11, this fabulous festival returns with over 100 events, author meets and book fun this half term. Book your tickets for brilliant theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, dance and flat-out family fun – including FREE events every day!

Family Nature Detectives Centre for Wildlife Gardening SE15 4EE www.wildlondon.org.uk 12 & 13 February Tune into your senses and learn 14 Families South East London

THEATRE & SHOWS Blackheath Halls Lee Road SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com

24 February The Magic Word Let’s All Dance Ballet Company is back with another family-friendly ballet, where the beautiful Forest Queen meets the Forest Elf in a magical forest. All ages.

The Broadway Theatre Catford Road SE6 4RU www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk 15 February Milkshake! Live on Holiday Join your favourite Milkshake! friends in a brand-new, all singing, all dancing family show.

Stanley Arts Centre South Norwood Hill SE25 6AB www.stanleyarts.org 3-18 February Journey of a Refugee This powerful and moving production explores the journey and arrival of a refugee and the universal theme of people searching for a place they can call home. Ages 8+.

18 February The Great Big Dinosaur Show Join poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko for a family show full of

poems, raps and songs about all your favourite pre-historic protagonists (and some you haven’t heard of yet!). Ages 4-11.

Bromley Churchill Theatre High Street Bromley BR1 1HA www.churchilltheatre.co.uk 14 & 15 February Claytime A play with clay where the earth’s natural material spurs imaginations.

Join in and create fabulous forms, amazing animals and morphing monsters. Ages 3-6.

Shakespeare’s Globe New Globe Walk SE1 9DT www.shakespearesglobe.com 10-17 February Workshops This half term’s live storytelling and interactive workshops include Macbeth, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Ages 5-12 plus grown ups.

Unicorn Theatre Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com 20 January – 18 February The Three Billy Goats Gruff Following a hugely successful run last Easter, Stiles and Drewe’s joyful hit musical The Three Billy Goats Gruff returns to the Unicorn for a strictly limited run. Don’t miss out!

Baby, Middle and Big are three very hungry goats and there is absolutely no grass left to eat on their side of the valley. Come on their adventure as together with Little Bo-Frilly they hatch a plan to cross the bridge to the lush green grass on the other side. They just need to outwit that horrible tricksy troll first. Ages 3-7.

17 January – 18 February Ready Steady Lift Off! A Line Art returns to the Unicorn with their unique brand of interactive arts and musical theatre for the whole family. Ready Steady Lift Off! is an immersive theatre show combining live performance, music, storytelling and painting into one interactive theatre show. This fun, craft-based theatre experience will get the family colouring and creating together and once you’ve decorated your rocket, you will orbit around space! Ages 3–8.

Southbank Centre Southbank SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk 7-17 February Mish Mash Family Trail Gather your family and friends and prepare for an interactive and colourful art journey across the site.

Ages 3+.

7-9 February The Sticky Dance Three dancers shimmy through the audience in this tactile dance performance for young children.

Ages 3-5.

9 February Rug Rhymes What rhymes with rug? National Poetry Library puppets Federico and Firebird can’t wait to tell you at a session of nursery rhymes, poems and rhyming stories. Ages 0-5.

10-16 February Wellbeing Wind Down FREE mindfulness sessions designed to help the family relax.

Bring Your Own Baby Comedy Various venues www.byobcomedy.com A funny, friendly afternoon of top comedy, where baby can come too. Shows feature a new line up of comedians each month. Ages: adults + under 12 months.

25 January in Greenwich 30 January + 27 February in Crystal Palace 5 February in Bromley 1 February in East Dulwich Kings Place York Way N1 9AG www.kingsplace.co.uk 4 February Megson Family Folk Show The award-winning Megson duo blend an infectious mix of heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and folk songs old and new, into concerts for younger children. Ages 0-8.

Little Angel Theatre Dagmar Passage N1 2DN www.littleangeltheatre.com Until 27 January WOW! It’s Night-time Discover the wonders of night-time in this stunning adaptation of Tim Hopgood’s nocturnal sequel to Wow! Said the Owl. Ages 2-5.

Until 4 February Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book A musical adaptation of the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, featuring the bookloving Charlie, a pirate, puppets and enchanting songs. Ages 3-8.

Puppet Theatre Barge Blomfield Road W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com 3-25 February and 2-24 March The Insect Circus Forget reality and become immersed in the strange and beautiful world of the Insect Circus, performed by puppet beetles and grasshoppers, wasps and dragonflies. Ages 4+.

Familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT’S ON MUSEUMS & MONUMENTS Brunel Museum Railway Avenue SE16 4LF www.thebrunelmuseum.com Housed in the Grade II listed Thames Tunnel Engine House, the museum celebrates the extraordinary tunnel, viaduct and bridge building engineering of Sir Marc Isambard Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Until 31 January Tunnelling Today Tideway is building a 25km Super Sewer under the Thames to stop those nasty sewage spills and clean up our river for the good of the city, its wildlife and you. Visit the museum to learn about the history of the ‘great stink’ and why the Super Sewer is needed.

National Maritime Museum Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/nationalmaritime-museum 3 February Lunar New Year Take part in family-friendly workshops, discover museum objects connected with south east Asia and don’t miss the spectacular lion dances held on the Great Map, right in the heart of the National Maritime Museum.

Sundays Discover Sundays Each week a different guide takes families on a journey into the museum’s collection, featuring stories and creative activities.

FREE. Royal Observatory Greenwich Blackheath Avenue SE10 8XJ www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory Daily shows The Sky Tonight A live show taking visitors on a tour of what can be seen in the night sky, complete with a fly-out to the edge of the visible universe. Ages 7+.

Weekends and holiday weekdays Ted’s Space Adventure Explore the solar system with a bear named Ted, learning about the things we find there and how they affect us. Ages 3-7.

Cutty Sark King William Walk SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark First weekend of every month Family Fun Weekends Climb aboard for family-friendly

workshops and activities for all ages.

by Liotard’s The Lavergne Family Breakfast. Families of all ages.

Weekends and holiday weekdays Meet the Characters Meet the Captain, chat with the cook and take a tour with Nannie the Figurehead!

London Transport Museum Covent Garden Piazza WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk The museum is a great place for families to have fun together and discover the history of London’s famous transport network. There are interactive displays throughout many of the galleries, term-time singing and story sessions, plus school holiday specials.

HMS Belfast The Queen’s Walk SE1 2JH www.iwm.org.uk/hms-belfast 16 February We Were There A family day where visitors can meet IWM’s veterans and hear an array of personal stories, recollections and powerful memories of life at sea on board HMS Belfast. Ages 7+.

Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Road SE21 7AD www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Art Sundays Be inspired to make art together as a family in these FREE creative workshops at the Gallery.

Family Fridays FREE, expressive art-inspired activities for families.

V&A Museum Cromwell Road SW7 2RL www.vam.ac.uk/families Until 28 February Caribbean Collection Family Activity Go on an adventure to discover the museum’s Caribbean Collection of Art and Design, with FREE selfguided activities.

Young V&A Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.vam.ac.uk/young

The Design Museum Kensington High Street W8 6AG www.designmuseum.org Ongoing Skateboard The first major UK exhibition to map the design evolution of the skateboard from the 1950s to today – a story of design, daring and disobedience.

The Postal Museum Phoenix Place WC1X 0DA www.postalmuseum.org Ride through hidden tunnels and discover stories of Britain’s postal heritage. The museum is packed with incredible objects, exciting stories and fun-filled interactive displays. The Postal Play Space has sackloads of indoor play fun for under 8s.

Natural History Museum Cromwell Road SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Until 14 January Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur Your last chance to learn how Patagotitan mayorum stayed safe, found food and kept cool. Follow its

journey from tiny egg to towering head and shoulders above other Cretaceous critters.

Once a month Dino Snores for Kids Spend a night amongst the museum’s incredible collections, with an evening of awesome learning activities before bedtime, and breakfast in the morning.

Ages 7-11.

Science Museum Exhibition Road SW7 2DD www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Power Up Enjoy playtime in the museum’s hugely popular hands-on video gaming zone, featuring over 160 consoles and hundreds of video games dating back through five decades of gaming.

Ongoing Turn It Up: The Power of Music Discover your inner music-maker while learning about the science behind music, how technology is changing the way it is made and enjoyed and how music can impact the way we live our lives.

Museum of London Docklands West India Quay E14 4AL www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ docklands Until 14 April Fashion City Discover the stories behind London’s leading Jewish fashion makers who founded retail chains still on the high street today and dressed the rich and famous, including David Bowie, Princess Diana and Mick Jagger.

Until 8 September Japan: Myths to Manga Take an exciting and atmospheric trip through Japanese history, exploring how landscape and folklore have influenced Japan’s culture, technology, art and design.

The National Gallery Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN www.nationalgallery.org.uk 13-15 February Decoding Pictures Have fun choosing paintings and discover how to decode them with friendly Gallery Educators. Ages 5-13 plus their grown ups.

13-15 February Imagine Stories Pretend play with quirky props and pictures, themed to a story inspired

www.globalcamps.co.uk

Climb aboard for a Cutty Sark adventure Bring the family to Cutty Sark in Greenwich this February half term and enjoy an action-packed day out on this worldfamous historic ship.

Meet the cast of colourful characters from the ship’s past, including the fearless Captain Woodget. Explore the main deck and take in the breathtaking views of London. Find your sea legs and peep through the port hole, see the cabins where the ship’s crew lived and play interactive games to chart Cutty Sark’s journey at sea.

Touch the ship’s hull and see part of the world’s largest collection of ship figureheads.

There’s also a FREE family trail to follow. Families of all ages will love discovering what life was like on board as a 19th century sailor and joining in musical storytelling sessions inspired by Cutty Sark’s crew.

Ofsted registered Holiday Camp for ages 4-12 Familiesonline.co.uk

Book your tickets for Cutty Sark today at www.rmg.co.uk/ cuttysark Families South East London 15

FESTIVALS

Top family-friendly festivals for 2024 Time to plan ahead! The UK has loads of family-friendly festivals happening this year and, from music and comedy to food and drink, there’s really something for all ages. Some festivals offer plenty of activities for little ones to enjoy, as well as great music line-ups, whilst others are dedicated solely to family entertainment and activities. Here is our selection of some of the stand-out festivals with dates to help you plan.

Gone Wild Festival Powderham Castle, Exeter 22-24 August and Holkham Hall, Norfolk 8-11 August

Celebrating the great outdoors with fabulous music alongside family-friendly, outdoor activities for all ages. Where else can you push your mum down a 50m mud slide, learn new survival skills then dance the night away? Activities include kayaking, nerf battles, circus workshops, high ropes, tree-climbing, adventure art and more. www.gonewildfestival.com

Just So Rode Hall, Cheshire 16-18 August This weekend-long camping festival aims to help families make memories together in the great outdoors whilst enjoying the very best music, theatre, circus, storytelling and much more. Child-friendly loos, baby change facilities, breastfeeding tent and even a bath time tent, offer families practical assistance, while attractions include an exhaustive range of activities and workshops for kids. www.justsofestival.org.uk

Victorious Festival Southsea, Portsmouth 23-25 August

Set on the stunning Southsea seafront, this festival not only features some of the biggest names of the UK music scene during its three day run, but it also has a great comedy line-up with some big names. A newly expanded Kids’ Arena offers face painting, zip wires, skate sessions and family activities, all of which are free. www.victoriousfestival.co.uk

Gloworm Festival Holme Pierpoint Country Park, Nottinghamshire 16-18 August

Festival of Sport Venue and dates to be confirmed Festival of Sport is the ultimate family sports festival, with entertainment, camping, competitions and coaching from world-class sporting legends for kids ages 5 to 17.

Sports on offer range from hockey, rugby, netball, cricket and football to kayaking, golf, trampolining, lacrosse, boxing, skateboarding and climbing. www.festivalofsportuk.com

Standon Calling Standon Lordship, Hertfordshire 25-28 July

An independent boutique music and arts festival with big acts and emerging talent which features a whole area dedicated to entertaining babies, kids and teenagers during the daytime. It also offers on-site baby sitting for evenings, a swimming pool and dedicated family campsites only ten minutes from the car park. www.standon-calling.com

Aimed at children ages 0 to 13, expect music, activities and arts all geared towards different age-groups. From well-known children’s artists and headline acts, through to a funfair, farmyard, facilities for families, meet-and-greets with their heroes and places to play, every corner of this festival is an incredible adventure for all ages. www.glowormfestival.co.uk

Deer Shed Festival Baldersby Park, North Yorkshire 26-29 July

Deer Shed is a three-day wonderland of music, arts, science and sport, set in beautiful North Yorkshire parkland. Choose from forest bathing, a circus masterclass, soft play, robotics, forensics, cinema and baby massage - there’s plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained. www.deershedfestival.com

16 Families South East London

Camp Bestival Lulworth Castle Dorset 25-28 July and Weston Park Shropshire 15-18 August

This award-winning festival is known for its diverse line up of musical acts and its wide range of family-friendly activities and entertainment. In addition to music, the festival offers a variety of other attractions, such as comedy performances, theatre, circus acts, workshops and interactive art installations. Some areas are specifically geared towards children’s activities. www.campbestival.net Familiesonline.co.uk