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IN THIS ISSUE
Summer activities Holidays Back to school
ElevenPlusExams
Lots of giveaways for our readers in this issue! Magazine
Issue 105 July/August 2022
SEE INSIDE
Familiesonline.co.uk
SCHOOL’S OUT! They’ve worked hard, now it’s time for them to play hard! Discover a world of fun at Gosling Sports Park’s Trampoline Park and Soft Play – perfect for kids of all ages. Visit better.org.uk/gosling to make the holidays count.
Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no. XR43398.
LOOK FORWARD TO SAVOURING THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND SCENTS OF SPRING, RIGHT ON YOUR DOORSTEP. BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW. WE CAN’T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU. THE PARK AND GARDENS ARE OPEN TO VISITORS NOW.
SPACE TO LIVE, WORK, MEET & RELAX
Explore the park & gardens
WWW.HATFIELDPARK.CO.UK
T:01707 287010
Indulge at the Stable Yard Shops & restaurant
E:VISITORS@HATFIELD-HOUSE.CO.UK
CONTENTS
Contact Us Tel: 07958284983 Editor: Dale Harry Email: editor@familiesherts.co.uk Web: www.familiesonline.co.uk /FamiliesHerts
In This Issue 4 10 16 19 22 24 25 26 29 30
News Education Summer Activities Holidays Crafts Screen Free Food Back to School Toys What’s On
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.
Welcome The long summer holiday is nearly here, bringing with it both the prospect of holidays and fun with the family – and the challenge of keeping the kids entertained for six weeks! Well, Families has you covered. We have plenty of low-cost summer entertainment ideas and screen-free projects for the kids in this issue. We hate to mention the words “school” at this time of year so all we will say is – September is (unfortunately) closer than you think so keep the necessary preparations in mind. Check out our recommendations for school bags and pencil cases for the new school year. Finally, in this issue, we have loads of giveaways including cool kids’ backpacks and copies of the book Helping your Child Cope with Change. By applying, you’ll also ensure you continue to receive this wonderful magazine!
Dale FANTASTIC EVENTS COMING UP
PREBOOKED TICKETS DISCOUNTED FOR SUMMER 2022
SUMMER AT KNEBWORTH HOUSE, PARK & GARDENS Familiesonline.co.uk
May/June 3
NEWS
Performing and developing key life • Childminders skills with PQA • Day Nurseries • •
Out of School Care Pre-School Playgroups and much more …
Whether it be diving into their dressing up box or stepping onto the stage, performing is important to children and young people, although its benefits can often go unnoticed. Performing arts can teach children and young people key skills that can be used in everyday life. Creativity Naturally imaginative, pretend play and make believe come easily to kids and can assist their social and emotional development, helping them
form new ideas and develop resourcefulness. Problem solving Solving problems creatively within the safety of a performing arts environment can help kids deal with issues in everyday life. If children feel comfortable exploring and dealing with problems in a non-linear way, this makes them more confident overall. READ MORE
Find childcare in Hertfordshire To find an Ofsted registered childcare provider near you and to enquire about spaces visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/childcaredirectory
ALL STAFF DBS CHECKED
HOLIDAY CLUB in St Albans!
OPEN ALL SUMMER 25th July – 2nd Sept COME JOIN US FOR ALL DAY FUN AND EXCITING ACTIVITIES!!
For All 4-11 year olds to Enjoy!!
Qualified & Experienced Staff Great Indoor & Outdoor spaces
Tel: 07913 323608 replay5905@ntlworld.com 4 May/June
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NEWS
Is your child sitting the 11+ exam in September? A mock exam is a timed paper in formal exam conditions that replicates the experience of the 11+ before the actual exam date. They’re really beneficial to 11+ preparation for a number of reasons.
a test that is as close as possible to their real exam for their target school. Additionally, the best mock exam providers will offer a way to assess a student’s ability as compared to their cohort.
Firstly, mock exams can reduce a student’s anxiety. Children aged 10-11 generally have very little experience in formal exam conditions; practice can help ease nerves. Mock exams can also introduce students to exam procedures, including exam timings, answer sheets, and even what equipment they can and can’t use. This can again boost a child’s confidence as they begin to anticipate what to expect in their real exam. Finally, mock exams can help identify a student’s weak areas, so that they can improve significantly before their real exam.
ElevenPlusExams, for example, has developed its own exclusive in-house software, the 11+ Peer Compare™ online system, to provide informative and actionable feedback reports. Feedback reports provide raw scores per subject and subject percentile rankings amongst the cohort that sat the test, and they identify specific areas of weaknesses.
ElevenPlusExams has streamlined the mock exam process for both students and parents. They offer both in-person and online mock exams for GL, CEM and ISEB exams, with accurate difficulty levels, timings and Most children will benefit from at least feedback reports, to help guide your six mock exams. By beginning the child on where to improve for their mock exam process earlier, around next attempt. May or June, a student’s abilities can be gauged months ahead of their exam. The best mock exam providers will include full length papers tailored to individual exam boards, sat in exam conditions. The main purpose of a mock exam is to allow your child to sit To try ElevenPlusExams mocks for yourself, visit mocks.elevenplusexams.co.uk and use the discount code DISCOUNT10 for £10 off your next exam. Familiesonline.co.uk
May/June 5
NEWS
Summer in the Alps The Alps may be an obvious destination for the ski season, but how about a summer visit? Summer offers enough green (the mountains) and blue (the sky) to set you up for the whole year and plenty of fresh air to fill your families’ lungs.
For more about Chilly Powder chalets for summer and winter visit the Chilly Powder WEBSITE For summer breaks in the breathtaking Morzine visit WEBSITE
With reasonably priced flights from London airports to Geneva then a short drive to Morzine, there is a warm welcome waiting from Paul and Francesca Eyre at Chilly Powder. With the main chalet - Au Coin du Feu - plus two chalets next door, you can organise your own meals, or join the party at ‘Au Coin du Feu’ for dinners that you usually only dream of. Family friendly early evening meals for the children and a daytime crèche for little ones not quite as active as you, with drinks in the bar for the grown ups – or in the Jacuzzi on the terrace – Paul and Francesca will make you wish that this was home! 6 May/June
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NEWS
Terrific Tuesday fun at Chiltern Open Air Museum Every Tuesday in August is a Terrific Tuesday at Chiltern Open Air Museum. These are themed craft and activity days organised by the Museum’s Learning Team. This summer’s themes will focus on nature and time travel and all activities are included with the
Museum’s standard admission price or free to annual pass holders! Every day throughout the summer holidays there will be a trail and there are lots of special events at weekends including Viking Raids and Medieval Jousting. For full details visit WEBSITE UN
FANTASTIC EVENTS COMING UP
F ILY
PREBOOKED TICKETS DISCOUNTED FOR SUMMER 2022
M FA
CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM
Pre-book online and save £1 per ticket.
MEDIEVAL JOUSTING 20 & 21 AUGUST SUMMER AT KNEBWORTH HOUSE, PARK & GARDENS
Explore Chiltern Open Air Museum this summer and discover over 30 historic buildings including a 1940s prefab, Victorian tollhouse and working historic farm. Special events including: Viking Raid, Garden’s Day, Classic Vehicle Show, plus family crafts and activities.
www.coam.org.uk Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB. Familiesonline.co.uk
May/June 7
NEWS
Local school bidding for big eco prize Children at Roundwood Primary School, Harpenden, have set their sights on a £3,000 prize fund, which will go towards an ecoinitiative of their choice. It’s all part of the Modern Milkman’s ‘Community Compost’ competition – an initiative which aims to educate children across the UK on why it’s time to toss our banana skins on the heap, rather than in the bin.
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The School Eco Council at Roundwood Primary have made a fantastic start and their compost bin, lovingly dubbed ‘Colin’ by the kids, is already filled with plenty of scraps – from eggshells to grass cuttings and cardboard boxes. A total of 20 schools have been given a place on the initiative, and at the end of the competition, the school that produces the most waste will be crowned ‘Waste Warriors of 2022’ and rewarded with a whole host of Modern Milkman goodies, as well as £3,000 in green funding to put towards a sustainable initiative that will have an eco-impact on their school. For more information on sustainable brand Modern Milkman: visit WEBSITE Familiesonline.co.uk
NEWS
Excitement builds for Standon Calling festival Hertfordshire’s biggest family festival returns this summer and has a packed programme of live music, performances, shows and more to see than ever before. Set in beautiful Hertfordshire countryside this family-friendly music and arts extravaganza takes place 21-24 July with an enviable line up of artists. The stage will be lit up by AnneMarie, Loyle Carner, Primal Scream, Madness, Craig David TS5, Razorlight and Sigrid, to name a few. Children can witness the bestselling book and TV series come to life as Horrible Histories explore the crazy characters from Britain’s barmy past as part of their Terrible Tudors show, alongside the nation’s biggest kids TV comedy double act Dick and Dom battling it out behind the decks.
Safer sleeping outside for little ones!
Kids can also get up close to Jurassic age animals as How to Train Your Dinosaur live brings the prehistoric giants to life, then go off and dance their hearts away at the Fromage Juniors Kids Disco! And this year, Standon Calling even has its own dog show, so why not bring along your festival-loving fourlegged friend to join in with the fun. For full line up and tickets go to: WEBSITE Familiesonline.co.uk
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EDUCATION
How to navigate the 11+
Ilesh Kotecha explains why the 11+ exam can be important for your child and what to look for in a good tutor ElevenPlusExams was launched in 2004 by former investment banker Ilesh Kotecha. Their tuition services and online courses have helped thousands of children succeed in their 11+ exams and their website is now the online 11+ resource in the UK. Ilesh shares his advice on how to navigate the 11+.
When and why did you launch ElevenPlusExams? Back in 2004, I was a single father, trying to help my own son pass his entrance exam for Queen Elizabeth’s School for Boys. I set up an online forum for us to discuss tricky questions. It had unintended consequences; my son got into the school of his dreams through his hard work, but other parents had also started using the site after we were finished with it. I decided to keep it up until the interest waned, but thousands of parents had begun supporting each other through it. A decade later it’s still attracting millions of visitors a year looking for advice and guidance as they navigate the 11+. The rest of ElevenPlusExams’s services, such as our face-to-face tutoring, practice books, online courses and revision 10 May/June
platforms, grew from the desire to help the parents on this forum. Why is the 11+ exam important? The 11+ is a means of getting a place at a selective secondary school. Indirectly, the exam will likely define the calibre of the university your child will attend and ultimately influence their career choices and prospects. How soon before the exam should I start preparing my child? The exams are challenging in many ways, usually on par with GCSEs. There are five main subjects that are tested: English, maths, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and creative writing. Year 3 and 4 are the ideal times to build core skills, whereas year 5 is the ideal time to begin refining exam techniques. Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
How do I know if my child needs a tutor and what should I look for in a tutor? There are plenty of pupils who will pass their 11+ every year without ever having received formal tuition or having seen practice papers. Every child will be different and what will suit one well and help them feel confident approaching their exam will not suit another. Tutors are valuable when it comes to tricky subjects and insider knowledge of exam techniques.
students find they need to spend more time on a certain topic they have the option to do so with online courses.
What are the benefits of an online course? Pre-recorded lessons are accessible and convenient; they make lessons available on demand and can fit around a child’s schedule to make tuition less stressful and taxing. If
ElevenPlusExams offer in-person and online tuition, practice books for 11+ exam preparation, a comprehensive Virtual Learning Environment for revision, in-person and online mock exams sat by thousands and a lively online forum. For more information, CLICK HERE
How do I know which practice books to buy? Narrow down the school that you are aiming for. This allows you to identify what exam board will be administering your child’s exam and what subjects they will need to prepare for. Then you can begin to narrow down the practice books that will be the most appropriate. Try How can I prepare my child for the to avoid attempting practice exams 11+ exam at home? very early on in the 11+ preparation Lots of children will use preparation process, as there will be a lot of books to practise working through material that your child won’t be able questions on paper. Others, to complete. Creating some kind of especially those sitting ISEB syllabus plan for the topics to cover (Independent School Examining is a good idea. ElevenPlusExams’s Board) exams that are sat online, First Past the Post book series may prefer a digital preparation includes titles that target particular platform like our Virtual Learning topics (like inference for English Environment. For a more structured comprehension or worded problems and guided approach, an online 11+ for mathematics) that help children tuition course is the ideal way to to efficiently target areas for study from home. improvement.
When evaluating tuition, consider these kinds of questions: is your child happy working with the tutor? Do they feel able to ask questions when they do not understand something? Is the tutor giving you regular feedback on your Familiesonline.co.uk
child’s progress? Regular feedback is crucial throughout the 11+ process. It enables you to obtain a realistic view of your child’s chances of success, and to plan your schooling options accordingly.
May/June 11
OPEN EVENTS CHOOSING RMS IS EASY! Nursery Prep Senior Sixth Form Whole School Open Day Sunday 18th September
Book your tour online www.rmsforgirls.com/openevents We look forward to meeting you RMS for Girls, Rickmansworth Park, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 4HF | admissions@rmsforgirls.com | 01923 725354
Cool backpacks for cool kids!
Get your FREE Grass & Air backpack NOW* Perfect for little treasures
Opening minds fulfilling hearts For Open Days... www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk For individual visits year round... admissions@st-francis.herts.sch.uk
St. Francis’ College L E T C H WO RT H G A R D E N C I T Y PREPARATORY - SENIOR - SIXTH FORM - BOARDING
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May/June 13
Overnight Stays Relax with Dinner, Evening Activities & Breakfast
It was great - very comfortable and a great way to get a feel for Celtic life. Jack 2021
Escape to Prehistory at
celticharmony.org
23 July to 7 August
Book your magical day out at:
Yoga for children, teens, families and in schools by Divine Yoga
What is it?
Yoga is a movement connecting the mind, body and breathwork. In Divine Yoga classes yoga is brought to life using creative games and mindful movement, ending in a relaxing mindful activity. Children are empowered to learn techniques and the session are happy, fun, and positive environments.
Why choose yoga? The power of yoga helps children gain a mental and physical balance, an open heart and mind, creates better social 14 May/June
interactions and most importantly recognise self-love.
Who is it for? Children (aged 4 and above), teenagers, families, students in schools, nursery children.
Where are the classes?
Borehamwood and Kenton
Why not trial a FREE class? To book: visit www.divineyoga.com/booknow or email/ cal Divya Hindocha divineyoga143@gmail. com / 07791570222 Familiesonline.co.uk
HAPpy Camps are back! this Summer, all over Hertfordshire!
This summer, school aged children eligible for benefits related free school meals, can enjoy free food, free sports and free craft activities! Get your HAPpy Booking Code from your child's school now, to access all this and more! Bookings open on
Monday 20 th June
Book your child's place at: sportinherts.org.uk/booking
All camps are free!
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Fun and adventure at Camp Beaumont Dedicated to delivering confidencebuilding adventures throughout the school holidays, Camp Beaumont run award-winning day camps offering over 50 activities including archery, football and arts and crafts across 45 locations in London and the surrounding areas. Camp Beaumont aim to help support families and help children to get back on track this summer following the pandemic. With a focus on reducing stress and learning new skills through carefully selected activities they get children moving, socialising and back
in the great outdoors! Book multiactivity programmes and ensure your child learns new skills, makes new friends and enjoys their most exciting school holiday yet! Camp Beaumont has over 40 years’ experience caring for children and our fully DBS-checked Group Leaders ensure safety and fun for every 3-16 year old. From Just £43 per day.
Visit www.campbeaumont.co.uk to find out more.
Help your child navigate 75 difficult times!
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SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Low-cost summer fun Something different
Out and about
Enjoy a wild swim When it warms up, take a dip at your local wild swimming spot. Let’s fish! The Canal and River Trust is running free fishing expert guided taster sessions. Borrow a doggy Join Borrow My Doggy to bond with a dog in need of love while their owners are at work. Free tennis coaching and court usage The LTA is running free tennis sessions or coaching at venues across Britain.
Cinema deals Odeon and Cineworld will be running kids’ screenings with tickets priced from £3.25. Hop on board the train. Have a rail adventure. Visit somewhere new on the cheap using a Family and Friends Railcard. Visit a pet store Kids will enjoy checking out the pets for sale. Some stores run animal handling sessions and other activities. Pick your own berries Gather a heap of juicy strawberries, raspberries or other summer fruit.
Fresh air
Safer sleeping outside for little ones!
Join in National Play Day Join in one of hundreds of community events that celebrate the importance of play. Go fly a kite! Cheap and easy to buy or you can even make your own. Read up on tips about how to fly them. Find the Gruffalo There are themed walks based on the books up and down the country. Woodland adventure Explore your nearest woodland, enjoy adventure play, off-road cycling and create a den.
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May/June 17
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Best holiday activity books for kids Want something to occupy the kids on the plane, train, in a café or restaurant or if they just need a quiet ten minutes? You can’t go past these brilliant activity and sticker books.
What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday Sticker Book
Dinosaurium Activity Book
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Nature Sticker and Colouring Book
Find Tom in Time
Never Get Bored Activity Book
Little Sticker Dolly Dressing Unicorns
Ages 7-9. £9.29
Ages 2-3. £5.57
Age 6+. £7.43
18 May/June
Ages 6-10. £9.28
100 Things for Little Children to Do on a Journey Age 3+. £6.50
Age 3-5. £6.73
Age 6+. £9.29
Sticker by Letter: In the Wild Activity Book
Age 4+. £5.57
Holiday Puzzles and Games Age 7+. £6.50
Familiesonline.co.uk
HOLIDAYS
Perfect eco-friendly swimwear for summer Mix tops and bottoms to suit the occasion. Protect your child’s precious skin in a shortie suit or watch them cartwheel in a cossie! If we had to pick one ‘can’t live without’ item, it would be the Power Poncho with its fast-drying fabric and hidden game on the inside. Whatever your summer vibe, Grass&Air has got your family covered. Just add water. More info HERE. This summer, Grass&Air is coming with you and your kids on every single adventure. Its new Sun+Swim collection for kids ages 1 to 10 is bursting with clever ideas. Made using recycled plastic bottles and fabric offcuts, each piece has been designed for maximum enjoyment, whether kids are splashing in the paddling pool or doing karate kicks at big waves in the sea.
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May/June 19
HOLIDAYS
How to holiday responsibly We all need to do our bit for the planet so we asked our friends at Tested by Tots for their ideas for some eco-friendly holiday products that can easily be substituted for traditional alternatives.
Beeswax wraps
Washable & reusable for up to six years. 15% discount - TOTS15
Reef-friendly sunscreen
Switch to biodegradable spray from Nivea, freefrom ingredients that damage ocean life.
Beachwear
Frugi clothing uses GOTS certified organic cotton or recycled materials. 20 May/June
Reusable BBQs
Shampoo bars
Sustainable toys
Bamboo nappies and wipes
Saves space and is as The Landmann Piccolino effective as the runny BBQ comes in two stuff. Trial sizes available. colours for under £70.
These use recycled materials and are vigorously safety tested. 10% discount -10GREENTOYS22
Sustainable teethers
Decompose much more quickly than regular products. 50% off newborn starter kit - NBTOT50
Eco sunglasses
Made from sustainable wheat straw. Made from natural, plantBiodegradeable. Four based rubber. colours for kids ages 5-9. Familiesonline.co.uk
HOLIDAYS
Days out – put the kids in charge!
There are so many advantages to this including increased confidence for your kids and less brain work for you!
Benefits
Tips
Builds confidence that can then be applied in other areas eg school morning routines.
Set a budget and be clear what it covers eg entry fees, travel costs and food.
Provides valuable source of additional thinking and planning for you!
Spell everything out. Make sure they understand exactly what they are being asked to do.
Research and planning
On the day
Ensure they gather all relevant information eg opening times, entry fees, travelling times etc.
Let them navigate, whether that’s using a phone, map, tube map or street directory.
Suggest they plan the day including time for departure, arrival, journey and food breaks.
Be tolerant; making mistakes is all part of the learning.
Allows kids to exercise independence and test their abilities.
Offer incentives such as bonus spending money for any savings they achieve.
Keep it up Build on the confidence your child has gained by introducing new family responsibilities. Get them to plan the weekly dinner menu or help draw up the shopping list. Start a fun day out ideas jar that everyone contributes to. Pull one out every weekend or holidays.
Put ONE child in charge. Others will get their turn IF they cooperate with their sibling.
Try to back off and not interfere too much but be there in case guidance or intervention is needed.
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May/June 21
CRAFTS
Have a crafty summer! Help the kids with these bright and beautiful ocean and summerthemed craft projects this holiday season.
Paper plate aquarium
Ocean dioramas
Butterfly finger puppet
Recycled plastic jelly fish mobile
Fish soap carving
Cupcake liner crabs
Egg carton bumble bee
Sea turtle
Wooden spoon mermaid
22 May/June
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SCREEN FREE
No-screen kids’ summer projects
Desperate for ideas to get your kids away from screens and exploring something in the real world? Check out our top recommendations.
Garage sales
Toy purge
A great way to declutter, reuse unwanted household items and make some money. Help the kids choose a date, decide what to sell, organise the items for easy browsing and label and price everything. You can then get them drawing posters to advertise the event. You can help by posting on social media. TIPS
Disposing of old toys can be challenging but is worthwhile for children and parents alike. If your child is resistant to parting with old favourites, challenge them to play with them for an appropriate amount of time or donate them to charity. Involve your child in taking their toys to the local charity shop. TIPS
Put on a show
Retro games day
Challenge your kids to put on a mini-play or concert or re-enact a favourite book or movie scene. You may have a budding standup comic, magician or storyteller in the family! An old sheet can be a backdrop or curtain; reading lamps can be spotlights. Get them making tickets and setting up seating. TIPS
Make a list of your favourite games from your own childhood such as hopscotch, marbles, elastics, Grandmother’s Footsteps, long rope skipping, Oranges and Lemons and spend a fun filled day reminiscing with your kids. For extra nostalgia, provide some of your favourite childhood snacks and sweets. TIPS
Familiesonline.co.uk
May/June 23
SCREEN FREE
No-screen kids’ summer projects
Desperate for ideas to get your kids away from screens and exploring something in the real world? Check out our top recommendations.
Water wars
Make a movie
When temperatures rise and tempers start to fray, encourage the kids to have an old-fashioned water fight. Use buckets, sponges, watering cans or fill up some balloons (purchase refillable water balloons). You could invest in fancy water pistols or a novelty sprinkler, water play mat or water slide. TIPS
If you are prepared to lend your phone for filming, this is a great creative holiday project for older children. A short film is ideally three to five minutes long and it can be factual or story based.
Neighbourhood Scavenger Hunt
Family Mini-Olympic Games
Create a list of landmarks for the kids to find in your street or the local park eg a distinctive house or a large tree. Write clues that help them find these landmarks.
This gets the kids active and requires little equipment. They can make a torch and have an opening ceremony. Races can include a sack race with pillowcases, a tug of war with a dressing gown belt, discus with a frisbee, shot put using bean bags or tennis balls. TIPS
Go along with them or clearly outline the area of the hunt so they don’t wander too far. TIPS 24 May/June
Advise your child to keep it simple and start with a plan or better still a script. TIPS
Familiesonline.co.uk
FOOD
Summer lunch and picnic ideas
Whip up these delicious dishes with the kids, courtesy of Neha @squashedpickle Click on the images to watch her helpful videos!
Egg & Pea Cheesy Waffles
Sweet Pea Pasta Muffins
This three-ingredient recipe couldn’t be any easier, making it perfect for little hands! You can switch up the vegetables or even use a frozen veg mix if you prefer. The waffles are a great alternative to the usual picnic food or lunch at home. READ RECIPE
Zac loves pasta. I used to make these a lot when he was young. They are light on mess, freezable and make a perfect on-thego snack. Kids can learn basic kitchen techniques while they experiment with different sauces and build their own muffins. READ RECIPE
Pesto Cheese Twists
Pizza Croissants
These twists are super-easy to prepare and so delicious. If you are looking for a kitchen-based activity to do with the kids during the summer, this recipe is great for teaching basic cutting and pastry twists. And you’ll end up with a fabulous snack or lunch option at the end! READ RECIPE
This is a fun way to use ready prepared croissant dough which is absolutely delicious. You can stuff the croissants with all your favourite pizza toppings. If you have a child who is fussy with vegetables, try including them in the stuffing. We’ve used mushrooms in this example. READ RECIPE
Familiesonline.co.uk
May/June 25
BACK TO SCHOOL
School bags for the new school year Children really love to choose a new school bag at the start of the school year. Here are some of our top suggestions.
Frugi Adventurers Backpack Good quality bag uses recycled and organic materials. £28
M&S Minecraft™ Water Repellent School Backpack
Large, light and great for Minecraft fans. Machine washable. £24
Novelty Rocket Backpack
Eye-catching but practical. Mesh pockets, adjustable straps. £30 26 May/June
LittleLife Big HiVis Dinosaur Kids ActionPak
Eastpak Padded Backpack
Liewood Allan Backpack
Nobodinoz Sunshine Kids Backpack
Babymel Zip and Zoe Colour and Wash Backpack
Adidas Class Backpack
Suits Reception-aged kids. High vis material. £19.99
Sturdy backpack for A4-sized books. Front pockets for smaller items. £47
Stylish, durable but comfortable with padded Made from organic shoulder and chest cotton with water straps. £47 repellent coating. £39.95
Colour your own with washable felt pens. £14
Great for sporty, older kids. Plenty of room for laptop/books. £21.99 Familiesonline.co.uk
BACK TO SCHOOL
Starting school VERY soon? Want to get organised and prepare your child socially and emotionally? Watch advice from Emma Lewry at Every Day’s a School Day
Safer sleeping outside for little ones!
Cool backpacks for cool kids!
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May/June 27
BACK TO SCHOOL
Top pencil case picks for September Next on the list for kids, after a new school bag, is a new pencil case. Here are our favourites for the new season.
ZIPIT Talking Monstar Large
Fun pencil case which fits up to sixty pens or pencils. £8.50
Helix Pro Athletic
Large main compartment with wide opening zip, durable material. £4.52
Rachel Ellen Girls Rule the World Stylish and colourful, made from durable neoprene. £7.99
28 May/June
Maomaoyu Large Capacity
Dinosaur Colour & Learn
Smiggle Calculator Hard Top
Narwhal Plush
Durable and super-sized Fun and practical, comes pencil case with 3 zipped with wash-out fabric compartments. £8.69 pens. £12.95
Side panels with elastic pen and pencil holders. £15.50
Easthill Big Capacity Pencil Case
Makes a perfect ‘first pencil case’ for younger children. £3
Brown Paper Personalised
Roomy enough for pens, pencils, sharpeners Great for organisation. and rubbers. Can be Holds fifty pens/pencils personalised. £9.99 with a carry handle. £7.99 Familiesonline.co.uk
TOYS
Diversify your toy box Would you like your child to have toys which reflect the world in which we live? If so, take a look at the recommendations from our friends at Sheni and Teni which offers diverse books, toys and games for kids.
Sheni & Teni card games
Very Puzzled map puzzles
Cica Toys Yorupad
Our Kids Trove
Celebrate the wonders of Feature landmarks/ Africa through four loved attractions highlighting card games. notable people of colour.
Philly n Friends doll
Five African Iconic Leaders & Queens handpainted 9cm peg dolls.
Muffin Sisters
Helping children discover language through play.
An eclectic collection of culturally diverse toys and educational resources.
African-inspired elephant plush toys that encourage tactile play.
Colour Celebrations height chart
Imagine Me Stories subscription box
Learning with Ez emotions flashcards
Track your little ones height as they grow. Familiesonline.co.uk
Monthly subscription offering of diverse books and black history activities. Ages 0-12.
Ten double sided full colour emotion and feelings cards. May/June 29
take SROODTOn UO SERUTNWe EV Dgreat A care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or What’s prices have changed since we went to print. If you would like to feature a listing in a future issue email editor@familiesherts.co.uk
STANDON CALLING Visit Website Standon, SG11 1EE 21-24 Jul The biggest music festival in the Herts calendar! Entertainment for all ages including Dick & Dom, Mr Bloom & His Band, How To Train Your Dinosaur Live, outdoor swimming pool and dog show. Mortimer Nannies are on hand to ensure the ultimate family festival experience. Comedy, and incredible music from AnneMarie, Loyle Carner, Primal Scream, Madness, Craig David TS5, Razorlight, Sigrid, and much more. See website for tickets and further details. *Standon Calling is partnering with Hertfordshire’s Isobel Hospice again. There will be various fundraising initiatives taking place and further funds will be raised at the Isabel Hospice shop, selling a range of fun merchandise. CLASSIC IBIZA Visit Website Hatfield House, AL9 5NB 20 Aug An open-air celebration of White Isle-inspired house music, reinvented by the Urban Soul Orchestra, live vocalists and headline DJs. Starts with a chillout set where you can enjoy your picnics, or dance along as the sun fades. One classic dance track will follow another in a magical, alfresco celebration, with accompanying lasers. Cost: £45.00. Child £20. TICK TOCK MUSIC St Albans Summer Sessions Tick Tock, one of the country’s longest established pre-school music groups performs several lively educational entertainment shows a week for children aged six months to five years. The
Tick Tock programme facilitates the development of musicality, imagination, vocabulary, confidence, number, letter and theme recognition and an appreciation of the pleasures and disciplines of performance, while providing you and your child with a warm and lively social environment. Summer party style sessions are each based on different fun themes and delivered brilliantly by Tick Tock’s Abi. Dates: 28 July, 4 August, 25 August. Venue: St Michaels Church Hall, St Michaels Street, St Albans, AL3 4SL. Cost: from £3.50. To book a class for summer or September call 07933 153054 or email abiticktock@yahoo.co.uk ELEVENPLUSEXAMS Visit Website ElevenPlusExams is the UK’s largest free advisory website for the 11+ and has been tutoring students for almost two decades. Since its inception, its goal has been to revolutionise preparation for selective school entrance exams by demystifying the processes of admission and by shedding light on how best to revise, practise and learn for these types of tests. Services include in-person and online 11+ tuition, practice books for exam preparation, a comprehensive Virtual Learning Environment for revision, in-person and online mock exams sat by thousands, and a lively online forum. For more information call 020 8204 5060, email 11plus@elevenplusexams. co.uk, and socials @ ElevenPlusExams. CAMP BEAUMONT Visit Website Holiday camp fun for 3-16 year olds Camp Beaumont has been bringing joy to lots of children and young people since 1980.
Children have the time of their lives at the camps, which have a choice of over 30 activities per age group, from tennis to rocket building! The camps take place in St Albans and other school sites in Herts, London, and surrounding counties. For more information, visit campbeaumont.co.uk IMAGINATION DANCE Hitchin, Hertford Sensory and creative dance classes specifically for those with suspected or diagnosed additional needs. Imagine and Move: suitable for children who need to improve their social skills and awareness of self and others (age guidance 3-6, £4). Magic Movers: Perfect for those who love to dance and express themselves! (age guidance 7+, £6.50). Call 07394 934911 for more information, or email info. imaginationarts@yahoo.com. KMDT SELF DEFENCE CLASSES St Albans, Hatfield KMDT is an all-inclusive, friendly club, encouraging families, juniors and adults to train together. Learn and train in the skills to keep you safe, including techniques to deter bullies. Call 07824883853 or email info@ kmdt.co.uk for more information or to book a free trial. PAULINE QUIRKE ACADEMY Visit Website Act, dance, sing and make films! The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts provides outstanding performing arts tuition every weekend for children and young people aged 4-18 years old. Book a free taster session by visiting pqacademy.com.
Many more listings in our print magazine – email editor@familiesherts.co.uk for a copy 30 May/June
Familiesonline.co.uk
ADVENTURESWhat’s OUTDOORS On
We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print. If you would like to feature a listing in a future issue email editor@familiesherts.co.uk
REPLAY HOLIDAY CLUB St Albans Replay is a fabulous Easter and summer club for children 4 to 11 years old. Lots of fun activities and crafts, indoor and outdoor space. For more info call 07913323608. THE HUB ON VERULAM St Albans www.thehubonverulam.com www.thedelionverulam.com This new venue is a ‘next generation’ social space that combines dining, cinema, live sport screenings, comedy and community events. There are baby club screenings too! Disney and Pixar classics such as Lion King and Up. The Hub on Verulam is becoming a real buzz around St Albans. GWEN HALAM DANCE Visit Website Harpenden and Redbourn Exciting pre-school danceclasses for boys and
girls from 18 months to 4 years taking place in Harpenden and Redbourn. Choose a class where you can accompany your child and dance together, then watch their confidence grow as they venture into class alone. To book a free trial class call 07792309401 CELTIC HARMONY Visit Website Brickenden Lane, Brickenden, SG13 8NY Celtic Games 23 Jul – 7 Aug Enjoy this family activity challenge to build a water proof den in the beautiful setting of our native woodland. The ancient people used dens as temporary cover from the elements whilst out hunting, so learning to set up your den efficiently was an important skill for a hunter gatherer. *Celtic Harmony also offers roundhouse prehistory overnight stays. Enjoy a magical two-night, three-day
stay packed full of activities and amazing experiences! An adventure in a beautiful setting you’ll never forget! FIZZBUG HOLIDAY CLUB Visit Website Grove and Crabtree School, Harpenden 25 Jul – 2 Sep A fun and varied holiday club including multi-sport, team sports and games, outdoor explorers, dance, cookery, music, arts & crafts. For more info call 07894264274. DIVINE YOGA Visit Website Borehamwood, Kenton Yoga for children, teenagers, families and schools. Divya Hindocha provides uplifting sessions that empower children to create a happy and positive mindset, through mindful movement and creative games. Free trial class. For more info call 07791570222
Overnight stay in a roundhouse! For an extra special adventure this summer, enjoy a one-night overnight stay in the comfort of your own roundhouse at Celtic Harmony Camp (from 24 July to 7 August), the prehistory settlement located in a beautiful woodland setting.
In the morning, wake up to freshly baked croissants for your continental breakfast. You can also organise a special family and friends gathering and enjoy the camp to yourselves by booking all six roundhouses.
Each roundhouse is equipped with a king size bed and single beds (up to 2 adults and 3 children) with all linen and towels provided! Enjoy a tasty BBQ dinner with vegan and vegetarian options and explore the woods at night on a bat walk, before roasting marshmallows and storytelling around the fire. Familiesonline.co.uk
May/June 31
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Magazine 32 May/June
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