Finally, in this issue, we have Tamatgotchi digital pets to giveaway! Apply inside. Contact us
Next issue: November/December Book by: 5 October
May/June issue competition winners
Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at www.bit.ly/ MJ24recipients
4. 12. 13. 14. 16. 17. 19. Education Autumn Early
Kids’ classes – Performing Arts Kids’ classes and camps
Well, it’s back to school already and soon the nights will start drawing in too! So make haste while there are still pleasant days and plenty of daylight left and enjoy some family adventures. Make sure you check What’s On for inspiration!
In this issue, we have a bumper ‘back to school’ education feature. If you are thinking about secondary schools for your child, take a look at our article about how to identify the features of a good one. Also discover how to support your child when failure and disappointment come along, as well as taking a look at our tips for turning your child into a spelling whizz!
It’s time to think about kids’ classes for the school year ahead and October half term camps too, so don’t forget to browse those we are profiling in this issue.
Editor, Families Upon Thames
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Overcoming disappointment and failure
By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble
Whilst studies show that children learn better when they experience failure, no parent likes seeing their child upset or disappointed. It feels right to want to keep them happy and content by taking steps to avoid anything seemingly harmful they encounter, whether that be through distraction, bargaining or even with a quick credit-card swipe.
However, whilst these quick wins feel better or even just simpler, safeguarding children from disappointment ultimately hinders them from developing resilience and confidence to progress from childhood to adolescence and in their adult life. When children are given the opportunity to struggle and sometimes fail, you are helping them develop essential social and emotional skills.
What is disappointment and failure? Disappointment is a natural response to failure. It involves the feelings of thwarted desire, loss and discouragement when children fail to fulfil their hopes and expectations or those of others. Children are going to feel disappointment when they don’t achieve their goals or believe that they have let you down.
The stigma surrounding failure is a significant issue that impacts a child’s development, confidence and willingness to take risks. Both close family and society place high expectations on children to succeed academically and socially, which can often lead to an intense fear of failure. The emphasis on continual testing in our education system reinforces a narrow definition of success and failure too. If a child does not reach certain
benchmarks, they are often labelled a failure. This can lead to a downward spiral effect with children reducing their efforts, giving up easily and not taking risks. Children who fall into this spiral may subsequently have little confidence, self-esteem and motivation to achieve future goals.
So how do we not feel completely defeated as parents when we have to watch our child suffer?
Placating your children doesn’t allow them to understand the root causes and figure out how to not feel disappointed in the future. Rather we should let them flex their muscles and with support, encourage them to find solutions themselves. In giving our children the necessary skills to manage disappointment, it is important to validate their feelings, show empathy and be mindful of how you react towards your own disappointments.
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.
How to view your child’s disappointments
According to the author Allison Armstrong, ‘many parents today try too hard to smooth away life’s rough edges in the hopes of keeping disappointment at bay. Children with no experience solving life’s little setbacks have a much harder time when they’re faced with the big ones.’ She suggests that parents should view their children’s disappointments as positive experiences that prepare them for adulthood.
‘Childhood disappointment is actually a practice lap on the course to adulthood. If you run interference whenever disappointment threatens, you’re setting kids up to run a marathon without ever letting them train for it’ Allison adds. Instead, reframe disappointment as a healthy and positive emotion that plays an essential role in children’s emotional, intellectual and social development, equipping them with resilience to meet and overcome failures in adult life. Albert Einstein said: ‘Failure is success in progress.’ It is not what we do for our children but rather how we guide them on their journey, which will make them successful, strong and confident individuals.
Exciting times at Newland House School
Newland House School in Twickenham has been shortlisted for the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2024 in the Co-educational Independent School category. This recognition reflects its commitment to creating an inclusive environment where every pupil is encouraged to ‘be their own brilliant,’ to discover their unique passions and interests and to achieve their full academic, sporting and creative potential.
Twenty two scholarships were awarded in 2024 across Academic, Sport, Drama, Art, Music and STEM, reflecting the school’s ethos of providing a broad and well-rounded education. The school’s wide range of extra-curricular clubs also allowed one of its students to discover his passion for sustainability and business in the Entrepreneur Club. He recently won the Most Inspiring Individual Award in the Young Enterprise’s Five Challenge (www. young-enterprise.org.uk/stories/don-h) for creating care packages for Ukrainian refugee children.
Newland House, a co-educational Nursery, Pre-prep and Prep school also welcomes pupils back to school this September with an entirely refurbished Music block. More information at www.newlandhouse.net
Discover Ibstock Place School
Ibstock Place is a co-educational day school for children ages 4-18, adjacent to Richmond Park and has been championing coeducation since 1894.
Ibstock prides itself on its joyful, nurturing culture, diverse environment and outstanding teaching, inspiring children to achieve. In Pre-Prep, small class sizes with exceptional staff to pupil ratios and dedicated Pre-Prep facilities provide a smallschool ambience with the benefit of being part of a bigger family.
First-class facilities include pool, Forest School, theatre and sports pitches. Specialist teaching in PE, music, art and languages and a huge range of co-curricular opportunities and trips allow each child to realise their interests and talents. Excellent wrap-around care is available from 7.30am to 6pm.
For more info, visit www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk/admissions
Upcoming Open Events
Whole School Open House Sat 21 September
Pre-Prep and Prep School Open Morning Tue 8 October
Senior School Open Morning Wed 16 October Book at www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk/visit-us
At Sir William Perkins’s School, the ethos of championing the individual is not just a motto but a way of life. Going beyond the traditional confines of education we nurture curiosity, ambition, and generosity in every student.
A leading independent day school for girls aged 11-18 in Chertsey, welcoming boys from 2026.
Find out more and begin your journey at swps.org.uk
Meet the Head
What do you most enjoy about being Head of Junior School at LEH?
I’m privileged to work with the most amazing children and colleagues who love their school and are excited about learning and the opportunities available. I love the busyness of each day and being part of this brilliantly creative community.
In three words, how would you describe your relationship with the students?
Know them well!
What is your favourite time of the school day?
Teaching is still my first love so I’d have to say my time in the classroom, teaching Year 3 Science. I also enjoy my morning ‘gate duty’ – rain or shine! Saying hello to pupils (and parents) and seeing the girls bounce in, happy, smiley, keen to see their friends and get stuck in - it’s the best start to the day.
What about your pupils makes you most proud?
Their willingness to try everything and seize every opportunity, even when it’s something new or a bit scary. Their courage and appetite to step out of their comfort zone astounds and inspires me.
What benefits do you think ‘all-through’ schools offer?
The best of both worlds! As an all-through school, we share the same values and ambitions but, as a small Junior School within the vast LEH campus, we know our younger pupils well and can tailor the curriculum and physical environment to meet their needs. They also benefit from the excellent sports, music and drama facilities at LEH Senior School and, as they transition there, they find many familiar aspects alongside exciting new experiences and opportunities. It’s also lovely when pupils come back to visit and take part in activities with Junior School pupils.
How do you measure the happiness of your students?
This comes back to relationshipsknowing the girls well, giving them time, being present, having conversations and listening. Happiness is the key to academic success and growing up is not always easy or straight forward. It’s vital for children to know that there’s always someone there to celebrate their success, cheer them on or to turn to for help. We also spend a lot of time encouraging our pupils to share their thoughts and ideas on how to make LEH Juniors the best it can possibly be.
What is your approach to learning at LEH?
It must be fun – for pupils and teachers! Fun and exciting learning experiences foster a positive attitude towards education, encouraging curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. We want our pupils to feel engaged and inspired, embedding their learning so that it forms part of their long-term memory and a foundation for their future studies. We have high expectations and we are with them to support, to challenge, to inspire –and to have plenty of fun. There’s a lot of
laughter in the Junior School!
As Head, what decision are you proudest of?
Early in my teaching career, I learned to prioritise the child's wellbeing in every circumstance. Advocating for what's best for the child at the heart of each choice has shaped decisions I’m truly proud of.
How do you deliver the broadest range of opportunities to LEH students and why is this important?
Through our exciting enrichment programmes, including trips, workshops, competitions, charity events and diverse co-curricular activities like sports, music, drama and clubs, we ensure an education that stretches well beyond the classroom.
However, it's not just about the opportunities; we want our girls to be eager to participate, understand the value of 'having a go' and broaden their horizons.
With support from teachers and staff, they embrace new experiences, explore new places, try different things and make friends, building confidence and fostering resilience.
What values do you champion as a Head?
Kindness (to yourself and others), courage and engagement.
How does the physical environment of LEH benefits its students?
Our pupils learn, explore and play in our extensive 24-acre grounds. This outdoor experience supports their physical development and significantly benefits wellbeing and social and emotional growth. Our 'outdoor classroom' is an integral part of school life; pupils love our nature areas, outdoor teepee, swimming pool, netball and tennis courts.
What is your most useless skill?
I’d argue that there is potential value in every skill – it’s a case of finding the right moment to shine!
What is your real-life superpower?
Metaphorical plate juggling – I wouldn’t win any prizes for actual plate spinning!
Glass half full or glass half empty?
Always half full!
Lady Eleanor Holles is an independent girls’ school in Hampton for children ages 7 to 18.
For more information, visit www.lehs.org.uk
Families chats with Paula Mortimer, Head of Junior School at Lady Eleanor Holles (LEH).
What does a good state secondary school look like?
By Melanie Sanderson
Choosing a secondary school is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make for your child. Very likely, your two priorities are whether your child will reach their academic potential and whether they will be happy there. Here are my tips on what to look for.
Hot-house or greenhouse?
Is the school educationally aspirational and how does this manifest? Look for relaxed and respectful teacher-pupil relations. They are key to successful learning. Is the library well-stocked and busy? Teacher recruitment and retention is challenging all schools. Ask pupils how often they have cover teachers.
Are pupils regularly assessed? Performance measures such as Progress 8 (see www.gov.uk) are good indicators of how a school adds value as they measure academic attainment rates over time. Are there programmes to stretch the more academic children? What about those with special educational needs and disabilities?
Breadth of curriculum
The best state schools offer and value a broad liberal arts education beyond the standard curriculum. For instance, Bohunt School in Hampshire ‘blew the socks off’ the Good Schools Guide with immersion classes in Mandarin. Some of the best state schools invest in top notch sports facilities and coaching, others have outstanding creative or performing arts spaces. Pick a school that suits your child’s strengths. Check out school notice boards and the school’s social media for co-curricular activities and trips the children are doing outside the classroom too.
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Good schools have clear systems. Every child is known; nobody slips through the net. Ask if reports and open evenings include pastoral updates. Does the school’s praise/discipline system flex to meet individual needs and align with your family values? Ask pupils what they do at break and lunch. Good schools include spaces for children to seek quiet reflection when needed.
Communication
Good schools also communicate well with parents. The tone of school newsletters and social media feeds can tell you a lot, while an active PTA is a sign of an engaged parent community. If you can, pass by the school at home time and observe pupil behaviour as they leave the site. Another top tip is to talk with pupils higher up the school. Would you be happy for your children to turn out like them?
Melanie Sanderson is Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide (www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk), which contains frank, impartial reviews of schools. Its writers visit thousands of schools annually, speaking to Heads, teachers, pupils and parents.
When choosing a secondary school, DON’T…
Judge a school entirely by its Ofsted report: a report can quickly fall out of date and one word judgements cannot paint a full picture. Look for more nuanced information. Other local parents with children already at the school are a great place to start.
Take too much notice of social media community group grumbles about a school. These are usually led by a singular disgruntled parent.
Be swayed by dinner party bragging rights. The superduper academic grammar school that everyone’s talking about may or may not be the best place for your child to flourish. Equally, don’t choose a school based on what YOU would have liked as a child.
Lie, cheat or change your religion to get your child into a particular school!
Be put off by a school that isn’t pristine. Look instead for cleanliness and orderliness. Ask to visit the toilets the pupils use – they’ll tell you a lot about the school’s values!
How to be great at spelling
By Zuzu Jordan
For children, learning how to spell isn’t just about passing school tests but being able to write words correctly in their extended writing. As adults, spelling is essential for effective writing, both in the professional world and on social media.
There are many tools that can help, such as auto correct, predictive text and even AI (Artificial Intelligence). However, children do not have ready access to these at school where they are expected to spell independently. Learning is key.
Here are some techniques:
Ensure that they know all the 40+ phonemes
Some children need repetition of the phonics taught in early years. Children will be taught the 26 letters of the alphabet, 44 different sounds called phonemes and the corresponding graphemes (the written symbols that represent a sound). Making sure they are secure in their phonics understanding can make a difference in their ability to spell words that follow patterns and rules.
Learn the exceptions to the rules
The many words that do not follow patterns can be confusing. Knowing what these words are and discussing how they are the ‘tricky’ words brings them to your child’s attention so they are mindful of them when writing. Also choose English over American spellings.
Rhyming games can really help
Children find similarities between words and this expands the number of words they can spell. For example, if they can spell ‘rain’ then they can spell ‘gain.’
Looking for words within words
This is a great way of breaking up larger words eg the word ‘independent’ has the words ‘in,’ ‘pen,’ ‘dependent,’ ‘dent.’ Equally, most words can be broken into syllables and each syllable usually has a vowel (or sometimes the letter ‘y’).
Seeing the shape of the word helps visual learners
For example, the word ‘tall’ has one tall letter and a short letter followed by two tall letters.
Memory games
Rhyming is a powerful tool to raise phonics awareness and help kids remember tricky facts. For example, ‘wakey wakey rise and shine, 7 x 7 is 49’.
Mnemonics is another memory strategy that can be used in all subjects. It turns information into songs, acronyms, rhymes and other forms.
The spelling of ‘necessary’ can be remembered with this mnemonic: Never Eat Cake, Eat Salmon Sandwiches And Remain Young. A quick internet search shows many useful mnemonics to help your child in lots of subjects.
Mnemonics is like making up a story to help spell a word
For the word ‘because’ use the mnemonic ‘big elephants can always upset small elephants.’
The traditional method of ‘look, say, cover, write and check’ works for some children but comes with a warning
Not all children respond to this method and the words don’t always enter their long-term memory. Practising writing the word out helps your child become familiar with the shape of the word. Rainbow spelling is another visual way of learning spellings: maybe use one colour for a specific sound and different colours for the other letters.
Using technology and apps
The app Squeebles Spelling Test starts with a list from the national curriculum and you can upload your own words. Children can then practise their spellings independently.
Use different materials to practise writing the words
Like with paint or foam or in sand. Scrabble-like tiles can be bought from most hobby shops and are great for kinaesthetic learners as they can physically move the letters into the correct order. Equally, playing games like Scrabble and Hangman is also helpful.
Ultimately a multi-faceted approach will bring the best results when supporting your child’s spelling journey.
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 her on Instagram at edumate_uk
Rhyming and mnemonics
Boosting your child’s cognitive development through memory games will improve concentration and foster their problem-solving skills.
Kim’s Game involves showing children a range of objects, hiding them and seeing how many they can remember. Number sequence memory game helps with numerical memory by getting your child to repeat a sequence of numbers and then extending it each time. Story recall is excellent for reading comprehension. Incorporating these games into daily routines will help children to learn how to retain important information at school.
September
The school year began with the news that following their visit in June 2023, ISI rated King’s House ‘excellent’ in all areas for educational quality, with all aspects of the compliance inspection being met. The report highlights many outstanding areas of school life, recognising both academic achievement and pupils’ personal development.
ISI found that King’s House pupils demonstrate excellent communication skills and are articulate speakers with a highly positive attitude to learning. It also highlights pupils’ empathy towards others and their well-established sense of social responsibility. The report is testament to the hard work of the school’s staff, who provide such an excellent broad and balanced education for pupils.
November
In November followed more good news as King’s House was awarded the Inclusive School Award after being assessed by the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM). The award is a nationally recognised framework that recognises a school’s efforts to be inclusive and its ongoing commitment to provide the very best education for all children.
The report highlights many examples of inclusivity that take place within King’s House every day, including the support from the Learning Development team for SEN and EAL needs, the quality of teaching, the strong pupil voice and the children’s love for school. IQM said: ‘Pupils thrive at the school due to the individualised and differentiated support that they are given. They are encouraged to develop their strengths and talents as much as possible. There is so much on offer that all pupils flourish.’
February
It was time to celebrate the fifteen-year anniversary of King’s House Nursery, which first opened its doors in January 2009 with a small class of pre-school children. It has since grown to a busy Nursery of nearly sixty children and every day is filled with laughter, learning and fun. Children enjoyed a tea party to celebrate and they were joined by Year 8 pupils who started their King’s House journey nearly ten years ago in the Nursery! A former parent made a beautiful celebration cake, which the children loved.
The Nursery has been co-ed since it first opened and now, in autumn 2024, King’s House is delighted that the first girls will be able to stay on at the school as it moves to co-ed and welcomes girls into Reception and Year 1 for the first time.
May
In May, King’s House held its inaugural International Day, celebrating the diversity of the King’s House community. Pupils visited the nearly thirty stalls put on by staff, parents and pupils,
and were able to learn about different countries' food, traditions and cultures. There were also a whole host of workshops taking place, with Junior Department pupils hearing a traditional Irish children’s story, and Year 4s enjoying a Czech language workshop. A Jamaican steel band gave a brilliant performance, a highlight being their rendition of Wheels on the Bus! It was a fantastic day and wouldn’t have been possible without parents generously giving up their time.
The school also held an official opening for the launch of the new outdoor learning area, The Nest, located at King’s House School Sports Ground. A previously disused area of the grounds has been redeveloped and landscaped to include log seating areas, a rope swing, mud kitchen and lots of space for wildlife to thrive - over four hundred saplings have also been planted thanks to The Woodland Trust.
Butterfly Class in the Nursery, as well as Reception, have been enjoying weekly Forest School sessions, developing children’s confidence, independence and problem-solving skills whilst enjoying the outdoor world. On Outdoor Classroom Day, parents were able to see their children enjoying the space during a Forest School session, PE lesson and planting activity.
June
It was time for more celebration – this time for the success of King’s House’s Year 8s, who gained a brilliant set of Common Entrance results and are going onto a wide range of coed, single-sex, day and boarding senior schools. All seven Year 8s who sat for academic scholarships won awards, an unprecedented achievement for the school. Pupils also sat for scholarships in music, drama, art, and sport earlier in the year. Overall, this year’s Year 8 scholarships include:
Hampton School – one Academic Scholarship and two Performing Arts Scholarships; St Paul’s School - two John Colet Academic Scholarships, two Academic Foundation Scholarships and one Music Exhibition; Brighton College - two Academic Scholarships and one Millennium Scholarship (Music, Drama and Art); Harrow School - one Sport Scholarship (Football).
It has been another truly brilliant year at King’s House School with so much to celebrate and so many activities for the pupils to enjoy and enrich their learning. After the long summer break, autumn has now arrived and pupils and staff start the new academic year by excitedly welcoming girls joining the school for the first time.
Introducing the classics to your child
By Erin Miller
At this year’s Hay Festival (the UK’s most prestigious literary event), children’s literature was a hot topic for discussion. Among those commenting were respected and prolific children’s authors, including Antony Horowitz CBE, author of the Alex Rider series, who observed the diminishing quality of children’s literature over the years, stating that ‘proper stories’ are being superseded by ‘silly books.’
There is no doubt that the classics are proper stories, characterised by their originality, complexity and the fact that they have stood the test of time. However, also appearing at the Hay Festival, the current Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho, claimed that today’s children would need a dictionary to read classics such as The Wind in the Willows and Treasure Island.
So, if classics are challenging, with sometimes outdated ideas (for example, around gender roles) is it desirable or necessary to get children reading them? My answer is a firm ‘yes.’
As an English teacher with over a decade of experience, I’ve seen hundreds of children connecting deeply with classic texts. I’ve also witnessed children making excellent progress in their reading skills when faced with books that might seem ‘too hard.’
Furthermore, having taught in the Far East, the Middle East and the UK, I know that many of the classics are enjoyed by children across the globe. Universal themes such as friendship touch everyone and are dealt with in the most insightful, exciting and even tragic ways in classic children’s literature.
It is recognised that reading for twenty minutes a day builds vocabulary and academic progress in all subjects. However,
this does actually depend on what your child is reading. With both complexity of plot and language, the classics certainly will ensure vocabulary expansion and provide new or challenging ideas.
In addition, a broad knowledge of classic texts will equip your child with ‘background knowledge,’ which is an essential reading skill that has been proven to compensate for a weaker reading ability.
With AI generative platforms such a ChatGPT, there is a risk that today’s children could struggle with originality and creativity.
By encouraging your child to experience the classics, they will be armed with the stories that built today’s world. They will be exposed to a wide range of ideas to interpret and fuel their ideas in their own writing.
Autumn outdoor challenges for families
As the autumn approaches and the nights draw in once more, it can be a challenge to get outside. But fear not! The Outdoor Guide (www.theoutdoorguide.co.uk) is here with some great suggestions for outdoor activities for families to enjoy.
USE YOUR SENSES
It’s great to explore the outdoors using all of your senses. Imagine you have ears as large as an elephant - how many sounds can you hear? Imagine you have long tentacle arms like an octopus - how many different textures can you touch? Imagine you have the nose of a dog - how many different smells are in the air? Imagine you have the eyes of a hawkwhat can you see?
TREASURE HUNTING
A treasure is in the eye of the beholder and the natural world has many treasures just waiting to be found. Wander out and see how many you can find. Perhaps look for treasures that spell out the word NATURE - maybe you’ll find a nut, an acorn, a twig…
NATURE’S LARDER
In the autumn months, the hedgerows and woodlands are abundant with treats. Perhaps you’ll find some blackberries, sweet chestnuts or sloes to take home and make some tasty treats with. Remember not to take all of them from the tree or bush as the local wildlife will want to enjoy some too!
SLOW
IT DOWN
All too often we’re moving too quickly, focusing on our destination rather than where we are. It’s only when we really slow down that we start to notice everything that is happening around us. What’s the slowest animal you can think of? A sloth perhaps or a tortoise? Imagine you’re one of them - moving slowly and just noticing what is happening around you.
SMALL THINGS
Sometimes we’re all too busy looking at the big picture to notice the small details within it. Grab yourself a magnifying glass and go explore the little things that are all around you in the natural world. What’s the smallest thing that you can find?
MAP YOUR PATCH
Maps offer a birds’ eye view of an area, showing all the detail of what’s there. Can you create your own map of the area where you live? What are the things you can see as you walk along the path? Perhaps you could include trees, hedges, ponds, houses and road turnings.
MAKING ART WITH THE PIECES
As the trees shed their leaves for another year, collect those you can find that have already fallen. Clearing a space on the ground as your canvas, use leaves and other objects you might have found to make your own works of art for others to enjoy.
BIRD FEEDERS
As we approach the cooler months, your local garden birds will be grateful for extra food that you can leave out for them. You can make your own bird feeders using things you find in the natural world. Open pine cones are perfect for this. Mix some seeds, oats, dried fruit or perhaps some grated cheese into some suet, lard or vegetable shortening and then smear it over the pine cone and hang somewhere the birds can easily reach it.
Why snacks are important for toddlers
By Simone Ward
Once your baby turns one, it’s time to think about introducing snacks. Like all transitions, some toddlers are ready to jump in whilst others may need more time to adjust. They may only need one snack for a while or maybe two very light snacks.
Why snacks are important
Many kids would happily eat snacks all day and skip their main meals altogether. But while snacks can be massively appealing to kids (not always for the best of reasons), they are actually crucial.
Snacks keep kids going between meals
Toddlers have high energy needs and small tummies so they quickly burn through the foods they eat. They need an opportunity to fuel up and maintain their energy levels every two to three hours.
Snacks are essential for filling nutritional gaps
This is particularly important for kids who may not eat much at mealtimes. Kids have demanding nutritional needs but also everchanging appetites; they may eat very little at one meal or snack and lots at another or small amounts on each occasion. If they don’t eat much in one sitting, a snack a few hours later means they will not have to rely on limited eating windows to meet their nutritional needs.
How many snacks per day?
Depending on your child’s age and eating habits, two to three snacks a day is the general rule.
Healthy snacks
For many kids, the most appealing snacks are what I call ‘crinkly bag’ snacks, usually simple carbs like crackers, dried cereal, crisps/chips etc. These foods are very convenient and absolutely can be a part of a nutritious snack but they are often low in the fat and protein needed to sustain little ones until the next meal. Also, if we reserve these foods for snack time, it creates the idea that they are special or a treat.
What often happens is that kids will happily eat less of a meal in anticipation of a specific snack food later. They may become preoccupied with these and ask for them constantly throughout the day.
It’s useful to think of all types of foods as snack food options and in turn, incorporate the ‘crinkly bag’ snacks into your kids’ main meals too. This sends kids a message that there is no food hierarchy, they can enjoy all foods together and there is no need to hold out for snack time or for a specific type of food.
Younger toddlers may take time to build up to this number and all kids have differing appetites. Some children pack in a lot of food at mealtimes and will only need one snack or possibly none. This is okay too; children should never be encouraged to eat more than their bodies are telling them they need.
Be mindful that children’s fuelling needs can change over time or quite quickly, so continue to offer them the option of a snack (or snacks) in case they decide they need more food after all.
What about bedtime snacks?
These can be super helpful in ensuring that kids have had enough to eat but not all kids need or want them. Consider offering a bedtime snack if your child hasn’t eaten much of their evening meal, if bedtime is another couple of hours away or if you just feel your child would benefit from some extra nutrients or calories.
This is an edited extract from the
Toddlers by Simone Ward, published by Page Street Publishing.
book Feeding
Boost your child’s confidence with a FREE Perform class
As the buzz of the new school year begins, why not enrich your child’s after-school routine with something truly special?
Perform’s dynamic classes are expertly crafted to enhance your child’s confidence, concentration, communication and co-ordination – skills that complement their academic journey beautifully. Sessions are packed with drama-based games and activities which allow reserved children to come out of their shell and give energetic children the perfect outlet to express themselves.
Parents talk about the transformative experiences their children have had with Perform:
‘My son is extremely shy, socially anxious and self-conscious but he LOVES Perform. I’m so grateful to the teacher for making my little boy feel so happy and valued!’
‘The teaching team are truly amazing. They have had such a positive impact on my children’s confidence levels.’
This term, kids ages 4 to 7 are off to Outer Space on an intergalactic adventure with the Sparkly Spaceman and the Man on the Moon! Meanwhile, kids ages 7 to 12 will enjoy a groovy Greek extravaganza in The Hercules Beat, where Hercules gets everyone dancing to stay fit.
Classes are held in Brentford, Kew, Kingston, Richmond, St Margarets, Surbiton, Twickenham, Walton on Thames and Weybridge and every child is welcome to try a FREE class. To book, visit www.perform.org.uk/try
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 co-ordination.
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.
Brentford: St Paul Church of England Primary School
Kew: Kew Community Centre
Kingston: Alexandra Infants School & NEW Kingston Quaker Centre
Richmond: Vineyard Life Church, The Russell Primary School & Holy Trinity Church Centre
St Margarets: St Margaret’s Catholic Church Hall NEW classes for 7-12s in addition to 4-7s
Surbiton: Surbiton Hill Methodist Church Hall
Twickenham: The Crossway Centre & Twickenham United Reform Church
Walton on Thames: St Andrews Urc
Weybridge: St James’ Parish Centre
Swim CLEAN (1).pdf 1 27/03/2023 14:34
Warm water
Free Assessment Book your child now! Based in Cobham
Suzanna Raymond School of Dance (SRSD) has been established for over forty five years. It continues to offer a high standard of classical ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern and tap classes for children ages 3 to 18+ in Teddington and Hampton.
The school’s aim is to encourage a love of dance, whilst developing sound technique and a balance of enjoyment and discipline. Its students build confidence, skills and friendships that last a lifetime.
Following RAD Ballet and ISTD Tap and Modern syllabuses, classes are offered weekdays and Saturdays. All teachers are fully qualified and CRB checked.
Parent testimonial: ‘My daughter joined SRSD to dance when she was 4 and she hasn’t stopped! Now 11, she loves SRSD’s summer camps, her weekly ballet lessons and scholars’ class. SRSD focusses on technique and getting the best out of their pupils but never loses sight of making dance fun. We love the feeling of family that is across everything they do.’
More info at www.suzannaraymondschoolofdance.com
Magical first dance steps at Happy Toes
Happy Toes is Danceforce School of Dancing’s pre-school dance programme for boys and girls 18 months to 4 years.
Its classes in Kingston and Twickenham make learning to dance an unforgettable and magical experience for little ones and the perfect way to begin their dance journey. Parents and carers are encouraged to join in whilst their little ones are dancing, a lovely way to have fun and interact as your children take their first steps into dance.
When children reach 3 years of age, they progress to an independent nursery class in ballet or in the street and tap class for children who love to bop and groove to the latest tunes! Nursery classes also have the chance to perform in Danceforce’s annual Little Movers Show.
All classes are designed to improve gross motor skills, social skills, co-ordination and rhythm, using themes and prop and children practise following instructions and dancing together as a class – an essential skill needed for starting school.
More information at www.danceforceschoolofdancing.com
Do you imagine a BIG FUTURE for your child?
Little Voices is an award-winning children’s activity provider and recognised LAMDA partner, offering fun and inspiring, technique-filled drama and singing lessons for children ages 4 to 11 in Richmond.
Small class sizes, taught by highly qualified tutors, allow students to work towards a mid-year theatrical performance with themes like Matilda, Frozen and Barbie as well as towards an end-of-year LAMDA exam. Little Voices provides extracurricular LAMDA lessons and holds an exemplary 14-year 100% pass rate with 98% of their students achieving Merits and Distinctions.
Little Voices also runs extremely popular holiday camps inspired by children’s most loved movies and musicals. Run in small groups, children work towards a professionally filmed performance day which is sent out to everyone afterwards. Lessons and holiday camps run at Christ’s School, Queens Road, TW10 6HW and are enrolling throughout September. FREE trial lessons are available and Little Voices is Ofsted registered so parents can pay with childcare vouchers too. More at www.littlevoices.org.uk/location/south-west-london
Should I stay or should I go?
By Andrew Campbell
When you think it’s time for a change in an after-school club or class for your child, whether moving from dancing to swimming or to another class offering the same activity, take into consideration both the advantages and disadvantages.
One important benefit of changing extracurricular activities is the exposure to new challenges and opportunities. Trying something new can stimulate your child’s mind and body differently, fostering more well-rounded development. For instance, if your child has been involved in dancing, switching to swimming will introduce a new set of physical demands and skills. Learning to adapt to new environments and expectations builds resilience and versatility; valuable traits that will serve children well throughout their lives.
Similarly, if your child no longer feels excited or challenged by the class they are taking but still wants to stick to the same activity, it could worth finding a new provider better suited to where they are now at.
Changing activities can also provide your child with the opportunity to make new friends. Each extracurricular environment has its unique social circle. Transitioning to a new activity introduces your child to peers they might not have met otherwise.
However, there are disadvantages. One key drawback is the potential loss of continuity with an instructor or teacher familiar with your child’s unique skills, capabilities and personality. A leader who understands your child’s strengths and weaknesses can tailor their guidance to maximise your child’s progress. Switching to a new class or activity means starting from scratch.
Moreover, changing activities can result in the loss of the progress achieved in the current activity. Many extracurricular pursuits, such as martial arts, dance or music, have structured grading systems that mark progress. Moving to a different activity might mean giving up hard-earned advancements and starting a new grading structure from the beginning.
Maintaining established friendships within the current activity should not be underestimated either. Consistent social interactions help children build strong bonds and a sense of belonging. Switching to a new activity involves entering an unfamiliar social environment where fitting in might be challenging. The risk of not integrating well into the new group could lead to feelings of isolation or disappointment.
Ultimately, deciding to change extracurricular activities should be guided by thoroughly understanding your child’s preferences, strengths and needs. Engage in open conversations with your child about their interests and feelings regarding both the current and prospective activities.
Too much of a good thing?
Scheduling after school activities for your child involves juggling various factors to ensure a balanced and enriching experience, including cost, your child’s interests and passions and the logistics of transportation and time management. Co-ordinating multiple activities may become challenging and impact family time and routines.
When scheduling after school activities for your child, aim to to create a well-rounded schedule that promotes your child’s development while allowing for rest and spontaneous play. Overscheduling activities can deprive kids of essential down time during which unstructured free play helps them develop creativity, problem-solving and social skills.
Five mindful questions to ask your child about their day
By Lorena Bernal
Communicating with our kids is something many of us struggle with. We often think it is just about words but it’s much more than that. Our children are constantly connecting with us on a deeper level, picking up our body language, facial expressions, tone of voice and even how we interact with others in their presence. If our words don’t match our genuine state of being, our kids will see through it, potentially leading to mistrust.
The key here is to be more mindful in your communication style by listening actively, being present in conversations and asking questions that delve beyond the surface level. Here are five examples of mindful questions to help you develop a stronger connection with your kids.
What were the highlights of your day?
Ask with the same enthusiasm a child has for watching their favourite film or sports team’s highlights. Try: ‘Come on, what were the highlights of your day at school?’ and truly listen to their response without judgement. Engage with the emotions they express, whether joy, excitement or even frustration. By avoiding labels like ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ you allow them to share their experiences freely.
Do you know what happened to me today?
Share something interesting about your own day. This encourages them to reciprocate with their own stories. Make your story engaging and show genuine emotion. You might say: ‘You won’t believe what happened to me today!’ and then follow up by asking for their advice, regardless of their age. They’ll appreciate that you value their input.
How is your friend?
Asking about their friends shows that you also care about the people who are important to them. This question is less direct and feels less like an interrogation. It helps build a bond between you because their social circle is a significant part of their world. By showing interest in their friends, you validate their relationships and experiences.
Work
on yourself
Children are incredibly perceptive. If they feel responsible for their parents’ happiness, they may become reluctant to communicate honestly. They need to feel free and safe to be themselves, without fearing they might upset their parents’ emotional world.
A key step in fostering effective communication with our children is to work on ourselves — our happiness, peace, self-confidence and self-love. When we create a safe and balanced environment, children feel secure enough to express themselves honestly without feeling burdened by the weight of our emotions.
Ask about something specific they were going to face that day
Show them that you remember details about what they have told you. It could be about an activity they had planned or a conversation they needed to have. By recalling specifics, you demonstrate that you pay attention to what’s important to them, fostering a sense of being seen and valued.
Sometimes, don’t ask anything
Simply be present. Kiss them, smile, ask a casual question like: ‘How was your day?’ and then just be with them. Comment on the weather, tell them how much you missed them or how lovely they look. Embrace the potential silence; sometimes, children need a quiet, loving presence more than words. Share experiences, laughter and affection.
Whatever approach you choose, refrain from judging or teaching a lesson immediately. The goal is to create a safe space where your child feels heard, valued and free to express their true selves. Make sure you truly hear them, value them and accept them for who they are.
By asking mindful questions and being present, you build a deeper, more genuine connection with your child, laying the foundation for open and honest communication.
Lorena Bernal is a certified life coach and spiritual life coach and Founder of the events and coaching platform Live Love Better (www.livelovebetter.co.uk).
Is it ever okay to… brag about your child’s success?
By Ellie Malt
From the time we become parents, we can’t seem to help ourselves sharing our child’s milestones. But how does that make other parents feel? And does it ever stop? For instance, is it okay to tell others that your child has just got the lead in the school play or won a place at Cambridge? We asked two mums and found two very different points of view on this.
‘Being proud out loud can be a really positive thing to do in front of your child’
Being a parent can feel like a long line of failures and it’s very easy to get upset about the things that we find a struggle. For me, it’s a regular battle to get my child to leave their favourite computer game and do their homework instead. It feels like groundhog day when I constantly have to remind them to tidy their stuff.
So, when things do go well for a change, taking a moment to celebrate with others seems fair enough. I realise talking about your own kid’s achievements sometimes just comes across as boasting. But what might seem like bragging could be a parent trying to make up for a lack of achievement in another area. For example, if my child is bottom of the class in maths, I might feel it’s okay to talk up their sporting achievements to other parents. I realise that can be annoying for the parent whose child has no sporting ability but isn’t that all right if their child is doing really well in another area? They might be really advanced in maths, for example. I think it all balances out in the end.
Being proud out loud can be a really positive thing to do in front of your child as it can help boost their confidence and help them to feel good about themselves.
Clare, mother of three boys in Cheshire
It’s okay to be proud of your kid when…
Most parents agree it’s okay to talk about your child’s successes when you are with their grandparents or a close friend who also understands your challenges.
Balancing out triumphs with a few ‘fails’ can make it sound less like boasting. When sharing a win with another parent, try complimenting their child as part of the same conversation.
If a friend frequently tells you how great their kid is, why not share your child’s achievements too?
‘I don’t want them growing up trying to please others all the time’
When my eldest girl was born, I remember hearing from other new mums about how their babies were sleeping through the night and it generated a lot of anxiety for me. Then, later on, when the other mums were getting really excited about first steps, it was a similar feeling. Even though I told myself that every child will develop at their own pace, it’s still hard to hear when you feel your child is falling behind. I think it can be hurtful as well. I have seen parents brag about their child’s academic achievements to parents whose children have health problems and learning disabilities.
When other parents tell me how proud they are, it definitely leads on from comparison to a sense of judgement. Is that parent claiming responsibility for their children’s achievements? The achievement is probably nothing to do with parenting and just down to a unique genetic accident. I don’t love it when people send letters at Christmas to all their friends about all the successes in their family over the year. Now it’s even worse when every little milestone gets posted onto social media every day.
Although my girls like hearing me talk about their achievements, the main thing is they should be happy with themselves. I don’t want them to grow up trying to please others all the time or to only feel happy if they are doing something better than others.
Georgie, mother of two girls in Berkshire
Be careful not to boast when…
Hold off mentioning successes if your friend’s child is having difficulties. Even innocent conversations can seem insensitive eg talking about your child’s friendships is unlikely to go down well with the parent of a shy child.
Sharing how proud you are is risky with someone you haven’t seen for a while. Their child might be struggling, putting similar achievements out of reach. Sharing successes on social media means you will almost certainly be posting to someone currently feeling worried.
What’s on
ONGOING
Daily Until 25 Oct
The Last Tree & The Art of Nature at Polesden Lacey
Discover the beauty of nature through art as you view some of the most loved original illustrations and pages from the book of renowned artist Luke Adam. Continue outside to find a new way to connect with nature as you observe and draw the trees on the drawing wall. Normal admission applies. www.bit.ly/NTPolesden
Every Mon
Storytime at RHS Wisley
Join in twenty minutes of garden and nature-themed stories for preschoolers. www.bit.ly/WisleyRHS
Every Mon to Sat
Get Crafty at Museum of Richmond FREE drop-in. Simple crafts including materials & instructions from 1pm Mon-Fri and all day Sat. www.museumofrichmond.com
Every Tue during term time
Under-5’s Art, Yoga & Storytelling at Landmark Arts Centre
Creative play and storytelling classes for pre-schoolers, parents and carers. www.landmarkartscentre.org
Every 2nd Tue
Curious Tots at Orleans House
For babies and pre-walking toddlers, sensory musical session with creative activities. www.orleanshousegallery.org
Every Tue & Fri
Parent & Child Forest School at Painshill Park
Perfect way to have family fun in the great outdoors. Ages 2+. Prebook. www.painshill.co.uk
Every Wed Baby Brunch Club at The Walton Village
Relaxed parents and nippers club with FREE hot drink, kids movie on cinema screen, bean bags, colouring activities. www.thewaltonvillage.com
Every Thu
Storytime at The Alligator’s Mouth, Richmond
Drop-in session with new picture books and traditional rhymes performed by staff. Ages 0-4. www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk
Every Fri until 27 Sep Friday Froglets at London Wetland Centre Forest school inspired sessions. www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/london
Every Sat
ParkPlay at Osterley Park
A FREE two-hour long play session for everyone, starting 9.30am. Registration required. www.park-play.com
ParkTennis at Gunnersbury Park
FREE tennis event with special family courts for parents to play with children aged 9 and under,
using special balls. www.parktennis.org
Every Sat & Sun from 16 Sep
Steam Train Rides at Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway Train rides every half hour and picnic area open (not every Sat). Pre-book. www.hamptonkempton railway.org.uk
Every Sun
Great Cockrow Railway in Chertsey
Take a ride on miniature steam trains. 1-4.30pm. www.cockrow.co.uk
Junior Parkrun
FREE 2km event for ages 4-14 at Bushy Park, Laleham, Hanworth, Osterley, Surbiton & Twickenham. www.parkrun.org.uk
SEPTEMBER
Sat 7 Sep
Sensory Stories at London Wetland Centre
Sensory storytelling adventure crafted for families with special educational needs. www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/london
Fri-Sat 6-7 Sep
Heritage Open Days at Winkworth Arboretum
Enjoy FREE admission as part of Heritage Open Days. www.bit.ly/NTWinkworth
Sat 7 Sep & Sat 5 Oct
Museum Makes at Chertsey Museum
FREE drop-in family craft activity. 1.30-3.30pm. www.chertseymuseum.org
Sat-Sun 7-8 Sep
Dinosaur Weekend at Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway
Ride the dinosaur train and see scary raptors on route. Pre-book. www.hamptonkemptonrailway. org.uk
Heritage Open Days at Polesden Lacey
Enjoy FREE entry as part of Heritage Open Day, with lots activities including Meet the Ranger and pop-up theatre. www.bit.ly/NTPolesden
Sun 8 Sep
Heritage Open Day at Hatchlands Park
Explore the Georgian country house and enjoy the natural adventure area in the woodland with its treehouse and bug burrow. FREE. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ hatchlands-park
Mon 9 Sep & Mon 7 Oct
Little Explorers at Kew Gardens
Fun filled hands-on 90 minute learning sessions. Ages 2-5. www.kew.org
Mon 9 Sep & Mon 14 Oct
Bring Your Baby Pub Quiz at The Turk’s Head, Twickenham Fun, brain-stimulating daytime socials for parents of babies and young children. www.bringyourbaby.org
All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.
Wed 11 Sep to Wed 18 Sep
Chiswick Children’s Book Festival
In-person talks by children’s authors, performances and interactive classes. www.chiswickbookfestival.net
Sat 14 Sep
The River Wey Festival at Dapdune Wharf
Enjoy a family festival at Dapdune Wharf. Browse the craft stalls, enjoy street food and take part in FREE family activities and relax by the river with live music. At dusk the illuminated pageant will take centre stage with boats lighting up the river on their way from the town centre to Dapdune. FREE entry. www.bit.ly/NTDapdune
Walton Heritage Festival 2024 Street fair (Bridge Street), fun fair, live music, dog show and more. www.wotta.co.uk/heritage-day
Mum2mum Nearly New Sale in Surbiton
Buy quality, second hand baby and children’s stuff at Hollyfield School. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk
Sat 14 Sep, 28 Sep & Sat 9 Oct
Saturday Art Club at Riverhouse Barn, Walton FREE art workshops for children. Ages 6-9. Please book. www.riverhousebarn.co.uk
Heritage Open Day at Claremont Landscape Garden
Enjoy FREE admission and explore the gardens and activities. www.bit.ly/NTClaremont
Sun 15 Sep
Mum2mum Nearly New Sale in Ashord
Buy quality, second hand baby and children’s stuff at Ashford Community Association. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk
Emergency Services Day at Brooklands Museum
Meet the PAW Patrol crew and get up close to a range of traditional and modern-day fire engines, police cars and ambulances. www.brooklandsmuseum.com
WWF Kids’ & Family Mile at Old Deer Park Fun run for the whole family, buggies and ages 3+ welcome. Timed events in age groups. www.run-fest.com
Wed 18 Sep
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Twickenham Exchange
An afternoon of hilarious comedy, where you can relax and have laugh without needing childcare. www.byobcomedy.com
Wed 18 Sep & Wed 16 Oct
Music & Movement at Kew Gardens
Fun and interactive session of music-making. Ages 3 months to 2 years. www.kew.org
Fri 20 Sep, 4 Oct & 18 Oct
Museum Monkeys at Chertsey Museum
Join Charlie the Chimp for singing stories and crafts. Under 5s. www.chertseymuseum.org
Sat 21 Sep
Ibstock Place Whole School Open Day in Roehampton
Explore the beautiful campus of this independent co-educational day school for children aged 4 to 18 through a self-guided tour, listen to a talk by the Headmaster and speak to staff and pupils. www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk
Model Steam Trains at London Museum of Water and Steam
Enjoy a day of model trains in full steam on a purpose built track and learn all about them. www.waterandsteam.org.uk
Bat Box Building at Marble Hill
Build and paint your very own Bat Box at Marble Hill. www.bit.ly/MarbleH
Sat 21 Sep & Sat 19 Oct
Young Archaeologist’s Club at Chertsey Museum
Learn and get hands on with the past. Ages 8-16. www.chertseymuseum.org
Sat-Sun 21-22 Sep & Sat-Sun 19-20 Oct
Steaming Weekend at Kempton Steam Museum
Watch these unique and enormous ancient steam engines in action. www.kemptonsteam.org
Sun 22 Sep Mum2mum Nearly New Sale at Twickenham
Buy quality, second hand baby and children’s stuff at Whitton Community Centre from 12-2pm. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk
First Day of Autumn Leaf Art at Marble Hill
Celebrate the first day of Autumn by making use of the natural materials at Marble Hill. www.bit.ly/MarbleH
Sun 22 Sep
Let’s Get Creative at Orleans House
FREE creative art activities for families. Ages 4-11. www.orleanshousegallery.org
Sun 22 Sep & Sun 27 Oct
Passenger Day at Staines Society of Model Engineers
Take a ride on the miniature railway. www.stainessocietyofmodel engineers.co.uk
Wed 25 Sep & Wed 23 Oct
Bring Your Baby Pub Quiz at The Anglers, Teddington Fun, brain-stimulating daytime socials for parents of babies and young children. www.bringyourbaby.org
Fri 27 Sep, Fri 11 & Fri 25 Oct
Play:Make:Art at Orleans House Artist led creative activities for families with children aged 2-5. www.orleanshousegallery.org
Sat 28 Sep
Bach to Baby Concert in Kew
Join in specially designed classical music programme for the whole family to enjoy. www.bachtobaby.com
WHAT'S ON
Sat-Sun 28-29 Sep & Sat-Sun 29-30 Oct
Let’s Get Creative at Orleans House Gallery
FREE creative art activities for families. Ages 4-11. www.orleanshousegallery.org
Sun 6 Oct
Harvest Home at Dapdune Wharf
Enjoy apple pressing, apple paint printing and decorate wooden drink coasters to take home with you. Plus enjoy dancing from The Fleur de Lys Morris Dancers. FREE. Donations welcome. www.bit.ly/NTDapdune
Sun 6 Oct
Thames Ditton Miniature Steam Railway Open Day
Take a ride on one of the miniature railways. www.malden-dsme.org
Tue 8 Oct
Ibstock Place Pre-Prep and Prep School Open Morning in Roehampton
Explore the beautiful campus of this independent co-educational day school for children aged 4 to 18 through a self-guided tour, listen to a talk by the Headmaster and speak to staff and pupils.
www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk
Wed 16 Oct
Ibstock Place Senior School Open Morning in Roehampton
Explore the beautiful campus of this independent co-educational day school for children aged 4 to 18 through a self-guided tour, listen to a talk by the Headmaster and speak to staff and pupils.
www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk
Fri 18 Oct to Sun 3 Nov
Halloween at Kew Gardens
After-dark Halloween trail filled with hidden surprises and illuminated woods. www.kew.org
Sat-Sun 19-20 Oct
Steam Up at London Museum of Water and Steam Marvel at amazing working pumping engines in action. www.waterandsteam.org.uk
Wed 23 Oct
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Landmark Arts Centre
An afternoon of hilarious comedy, where you can relax and have laugh without needing childcare. www.byobcomedy.com
Sat 26 Oct
Spooktacular Fun Run at Dapdune Wharf
As darkness falls, test your fitness and your fears in the 2km night run around the haunted Wharf and island. Look out for a string of spooky surprises on the way! Dressing up encouraged. Café open. £5 per runner. Pre-book. www.bit.ly/NTDapdune
Sat 26 Oct
Diwali at Marble Hill
Celebrate the festival of light and create your own light piece at the lantern making craft. www.bit.ly/MarbleH
Sat-Sun 26-28 Oct
Halloween Scream Up at Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway
Take a spooky ride on the special ghost train. Pre-book. www.hamptonkemptonrailway. org.uk
Sat 26 Oct to Sun 3 Nov
Halloween Trail at Box Hill
Enjoy a FREE family woodland Halloween trail through the woodlands at the top of Box Hill. www.bit.ly/NTBoxHill
Halloween Half Term at Hatchlands Park
Join in some family fun this October half-term with a pumpkin hunt in the garden for the little ones, Halloween activities on a parkland trail and spooky fun in the house (House activities from 27-31 Oct). FREE with normal admission. www.bit.ly/NTHatchlands
Halloween Trail at Hindhead Commons & Devil’s Punch Bowl
Mon 28 Oct
Stars and Space at Dapdune
Wharf
Explore the wonders of stars and space with free arts and crafts activities. Make a mini rocket, create your own constellation to shine on your moon at night and experiment with moon dough. FREE. Donations welcome. www.bit.ly/NTDapdune
Mon 28 to Fri 1 Nov
Spooky Half Term Activities at Squire’s Garden Centres
THE EXCHANGE, TWICKENHAM www.exchangetwickenham.co.uk
Top Secret – The Magic of Science Sat 14 Sep
Non-stop action packed interactive magical science experiments that will capture the imagination. All ages.
The Bubble Show Sat 5 Oct Fun and interactive, the show unique blend of magic, storytelling and bubble art. Ages 3+.
Sat 19 Oct to Sun 3 Nov Halloween at Claremont Landscape Garden
Grab your broomstick and join Claremont’s Wandering Witch and her merry magickal creatures for an adventure packed family trail around the garden.
www.bit.ly/NTClaremont
Halloween at Winkworth Arboretum
Spiders aren’t so scary! Climb through a giant spider’s web and help Sarah the spider find her lost boots on a trail through the arboretum.
www.bit.ly/NTWinkworth Room on the Broom at Kew Gardens
Fun trail around the garden based on the book with installations and family-friendly activities. www.kew.org
Sun 20 Oct
NCT Nearly New Sale in Ashford
Second hand children’s clothes and goods for sale at St James Senior School. www.nct.org.uk
Steeped in myths and legend, Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl is the perfect setting for Halloween fun. Pick up a sheet and explore the commons on our spooky half-term trail. FREE. Usual car parking charges apply. www.bit.ly/NTHindhead
Autumn Half Term Trail at Ham House
Explore the gardens with a potion themed trail and seasonal spotter autumn leaves colouring in sheets. www.bit.ly/NTHam
Half Term ‘Wicked Plants’ at RHS Garden Wisley
Follow a fun outdoor trail to discover unusual plants and enjoy seed planting and craft activities. Normal garden admission applies. www.bit.ly/WisleyRHS
Halloween at Hampton Court Palace
Lose yourself in atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects as the palace is transformed by magical spells. www.bit.ly/HamptonPalace
Mon 28 Oct
Half Term Arts & Crafts at Marble Hill
Fun arts and crafts activities. www.bit.ly/MarbleH
Entertaining, creative craft activities. 6.50 a session. Take home creations + complimentary LED tealight. FREE eerie Witches Trail around the centre. Check website for participating centres. www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk
Tue 29 Oct
Bach to Baby Half Term Concert in Surbiton
Join in specially designed classical music programme for the whole family to enjoy. www.bachtobaby.com
Tue 29 Oct to Thu 31 Oct
Holiday Craft Activities at Chertsey Museum
Craft activities for children aged 5-12. www.chertseymuseum.org
Tue 29 Oct to Fri 1 Nov
Spooky Stained Glass at Museum of Richmond
Join a ghost walk around the Palace’s remains, then back to the Museum to create spooky stained glass. www.artsrichmond.org.uk
Wed 30 Oct
Bach to Baby Half Term Concert in Kew
Join in specially designed classical music programme for the whole family to enjoy. www.bachtobaby.com
Sun 3 Nov
Fireworks display at Cleves School
Popular annual fireworks extravaganza at Cleves in Weybridge. www.cleves.co.uk
CHILDREN'S THEATRE OCTOBER
DORKING HALLS
www.dorkinghalls.co.uk
Oskar’s Amazing Adventure Sat 7 Sep
Rich mix of storytelling, physical theatre, clowning, puppetry and music and song for ages 2-8.
The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen Fri 1 Nov
Features comedians and improvisers who invent outrageously exaggerated swashbuckling stories.
THE ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD www.electric.theatre
The Ugly Duckling Sun 20 Oct Lovely ballet for the whole family, especially children aged 2-12.
ESHER THEATRE www.eshertheatre.com
Charlie Cooks Favourite Book Tue 1 to Thu 3 Oct
Delve into a range of books with Charlie Cook, brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs.
Comedy Club 4 Kids Sun 27 Oct
The comedy club that is suitable for all humans. Ages 6+
The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen Tue 29 Oct
Features comedians and improvisers who invent outrageously exaggerated swashbuckling stories. Ages 6+.
G LIVE, GUILDFORD www.trafalgartickets.com
WiFi Wars Sat 12 Oct
Live comedy game show where you all play along. Ages 6+.
Ministry of Science Live Sat 26 Oct
Dive deep into the world of science with a few loud bangs along the way. Ages 6+.
HAMPTON HILL THEATRE www.hamptonhilltheatre.org.uk
Beauty and the Beast Musical Wed 16-Sat 19 Oct
A musical perfect for the whole family based on Disney’s take on the classic fairy tale.
NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/newwimbledon-theatre
The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen Sun 6 Oct
Features comedians and improvisers who invent outrageously exaggerated swashbuckling stories. Ages 6+.
OSO ARTS CENTRE, BARNES www.osoarts.org.uk
Comedy Club 4 Kids Sat 21 Sep
The comedy club that is suitable for all humans. Ages 6+.
The Great Baldini's Family Magic Show Sat 28 Sep
Family magic show packed with hilarious magic, puppetry and escapology. Ages 2+.
The Jolly Postman Fri 11 Oct-Sun 13 Oct
Enchanting family show based on the beloved Jolly Postman books. Under 6s.
POLKA THEATRE, WIMBLEDON www.polkatheatre.com
Kaleidoscope Sat 28 Sep-Sun 29 Sep
Playful sensory show for babies and their grown-ups. Ages 6-18mths
Wonder Gigs Sat 28 Sep
Family friendly live events for music-loving grown-ups and little ones. Ages 0-4.
The Sticky Dance Sat 28 Sep Interactive, engaging and colourful performance installation for children. Ages 3-5.
LaQua Sun 29 Sep
Explores small babies use of their senses to explore the world. Ages 0-3.
Boxville Sun 29 Sep
Work with Boxville engineers to craft a cardboard story. Ages 4-8.
Macbeth Thu 3 Oct-Sun 6 Oct
Ensemble of actor/musicians tell this big, famous (and gruesome!) story in a funny and accessible way. Ages 8+.
Super Chefs
Thu 10 Oct-Sun 13 Oct
Musical that invites you to sing, dance and cook with a Latin American family. Ages 4-8.
Luna Loves Library Day
Fri 10 Oct-Sun 20 Oct
Discover magic and mystery, laughter and sadness and through the power of stories. Ages 5-8.
Soft or Spiky
Sat 19 Oct-Sun 24 Nov
Playful and interactive new show is full of shapes, sounds, textures and words. Ages 6-18mths.
The Storm Whale Fri 25 Oct-Sun 3 Nov
Benji Davies’ tender and heartwarming stories brought to life as one magical piece of theatre. Ages 4-8.
Everything Has Changed Wed 30 Oct-Sun 3 Nov
Fast-moving and physical adventure about the chaos of the last few years. Ages 6-12.
THE PUPPET BARGE, RICHMOND
My Shadow and Me
Sat-Sun 7-8 Sep
One person (and his shadow) meet and go on an incredible, imaginative journey. Ages 4+.
The Selfish Giant Sat-Sun 14-15 Sep & Sat-Sun 21-22 Sep
Oscar Wilde’s tale brought to life with skill and humour using marionettes (string puppets). Ages 4+.
THE ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON www.rosetheatre.org
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show Thu 5 Sep-Sun 8 Sep Enchanting and vibrant adaptation of the much-loved picture book. Ages 3+.
The Baddies Tue 29 Oct-Sun 3 Nov Wickedly hilarious adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit story. Ages 3+.
BOOK AHEAD
LONDON COLISEUM
Nutcracker Thu 12 Dec-Sun 12 Jan English National Ballet return to the London Coliseum with magical Christmas tradition for all the family – in a brand-new production for 2024. More than one hundred dancers and musicians bring the festive classic to life with exquisite dancing, beautiful sets and Tchaikovsky’s popular score played live. Book now at www.ballet.org. uk/nutcracker
From broomsticks to spiders and spooky trails to pumpkin hunts, there’s something for everyone at the National Trust in Surrey this Halloween.
From Saturday 19 October to Sunday 3 November, head for Claremont Landscape Garden (www.bit.ly/ NTClaremont) where you can grab your broomstick and join Claremont’s Wandering Witch and her merry magickal creatures for an adventure packed family trail around the garden.
Meanwhile at Winkworth Arboretum during the same period, you can discover that maybe spiders aren’t so scary after all! Climb through a giant spider’s web and help Sarah the spider find her lost boots on a trail through the arboretum.
There are two Halloween events at Dapdune Wharf (www.nationaltrust.org. uk/riverwey) to celebrate Halloween. The Spooktacular Fun Run takes place on Saturday 26 October. As darkness falls, families can test their fitness and challenge their fears in the 2km night run around the haunted Wharf and island. Be
at the National Trust
sure to dress up and make sure you look out for a string of spooky surprises on the way! The café will be open too. This event requires booking and costs £5 per runner.
Then, on Monday 28 October, head for Stars and Space at Dapdune Wharf (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/riverwey) and explore the wonder of the skies with FREE arts and craft activities. Make a mini rocket, create your own constellation to shine on your moon at night and experiment with moon dough. Donations welcome.
For more FREE Halloween fun, head to Box Hill (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ box-hill) between 26 October and 3 November and discover the Halloween trail through the woodlands at the top of the hill.
Another FREE Halloween trail awaits at Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl (www.bit.ly/NTHindhead), also running 26 October to 3 November. Just pick up a sheet and explore the commons! Steeped in myths and legend, Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl is the perfect setting for Halloween fun. Usual car parking charges apply.
Pumpkins are on the menu at Hatchlands Park (www.bit.ly/NTHatchlands) from 26 October and 3 November, with a pumpkin hunt in the garden for the little ones, Halloween activities on a parkland trail and spooky fun in the house (House activities run from 27-31 October only).
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey
October Half Term Fun
Sat 26 – Sun 3 Nov
Follow a fun outdoor trail to discover unusual plants and enjoy seed planting and craft activities.
Your visit supports our work as a charity. rhs.org.uk/wisley
Enjoy Painshill in autumn
Painshill in Cobham offers a fabulous day out for families this autumn – a day full of adventure, heritage, outdoor fun and beauty.
Discover the Serpentine Lake, the Ruined Abbey, the Gothic Temple and the Turkish Tent and marvel at the amazing Grotto, covered in sparkling crystals, which is guaranteed to captivate adults and children alike.
Created in the 18th century by Charles Hamilton as a living painting, Painshill invites you to walk around a work of art and discover dramatic follies, calming waters and stunning views. A romantic landscape full of surprises awaits.
Children ages 8 to 11 can have a wild time during half term at Painshill’s Wild Halloween Camp. Build a haunted hut, experience campfire cooking and hot chocolate, make spooky woodland craft and enjoy wonderfully wild, weird and wicked games in Painshill’s wild woods. It’s the perfect time for kids to get fresh air in their lungs and mud on their boots with these fun-filled monstrously exciting days of play, laughter, exploration and discovery.
More information at www.painshill.co.uk
There’s so much for all the family to see and do at RHS Garden Wisley this autumn.
Let the kids run free in the Back to Nature Garden, complete with aerial walkway, swings, slides and trampolines, as well as a hollow log for climbing on and crawling through, a stream with water pumps, dens for hiding, a living willow pod, hidden burrow and giant sand pit.
From 26 October to Sunday 3 November, families can also enjoy following a fun outdoor trail and experience seed planting, craft workshops and more during October half term. Book your visit today at www.rhs.org.uk/wisley
Call Amanda on 07835 848066
ASK ABOUT OUR TWO WEEK TRIAL
Discover
fun and
adventures
Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds
28 Oct-1 Nov, 11am-4pm Explore the wonders of stars and space with free arts and crafts: make a mini rocket, create your own constellation, and play with moon dough.
And don’t forget the Spooktacular Fun Run on 26 Oct
19 Oct-3 Nov Grab your broomstick and join Claremont’s Wandering Witch and her merry magickal creatures for an adventure packed family trail around the garden.
19 Oct-3 Nov Spiders aren’t so scary! Climb through a giant spider’s web and help Sarah the spider find her lost boots on a trail through the arboretum.
Discover the spooky stories, myths and legends of the Devil’s Punch Bowl on a free family trail around the commons.
Enjoy a family-friendly woodland Halloween trail
Hunt for pumpkins in the garden, get in the Halloween spirit with activities on the parkland trail and enjoy a visit to the spooky house. (house open until 31 Oct).
Come along to see The Last Tree & The Art of Nature exhibition until 25 Oct Then step outside and explore the glorious autumn colour at Polesden. Dates
