We have everything you’ll need for a perfect family Christmas in this issue, including the best Advent Calendars on offer, yummy easy treats, green ideas and a green gift guide, our What's On guide and lots more. Plus if you fancy a festive UK family city break – which could double as a gift-buying opportunity – then investigate some of the cities that put on the best show in the lead up to the big day.
Meanwhile, life ticks on. If your child starts school in September 2023, it’s time to choose schools to put on your application and we have tips and advice for you.
Finally, in this issue, we have Christmas gifts and tonnes of Weebles to giveaway! Apply for these adorable wiggly, wobbly mini-toys at familiesmag. co.uk/go. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.
Competition winners from our July/August issue
Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE
Free one-hour sound and meditation workshops are on offer to children aged 8 to 15 who live or go to school in the borough of Barnet. The workshops, funded by Barnet Council, aim to increase calmness, confidence and self-esteem, memory and concentration.
8 to 11 years: book here and 12+: book here Questions? See booking form or email glasshouseventsldn@hotmail.com
All children love to receive a letter And what could be more special than a letter from Santa? Here's how to get yours.
The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre
Order a personalised letter for £4.95 to support the Enfield charity. If ordering for two children in the same household, Santa writes different letters. For more than two, contact the charity. Each letter comes with a Good List Certificate.
Order online from the NSPCC for a donation. Last overseas date Dec 4. Last UK date Dec 18.
The RNIB
Jolly elves at the RNIB are pro ducing letters in braille, audio or large print. Closing date Dec 2. No cost. Donations welcome.
Royal Mail Letter to Santa
Children receive a FREE reply when they post a letter to Santa in an envelope with either a first or second class stamp, to Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. Include child’s full name and address. Check deadline here.
Thousands of families are missing out on money earmarked for childcare support. HMRC estimates that less than half of eligible families are opening Tax-Free Childcare Online Accounts. And of accounts that are open, less than half are being used. For every £8 paid in, families receive an additional £2 top-up, up to £500 every three months, or £1,000 if their child is disabled. The account is used to pay the childcare provider. Register or learn more, search TaxFree Childcare on www.gov.uk
LEMON JELLY MILL HILL
Mill Hill School, NW7 1QS from 4pm on Fridays & 9am on Saturdays
Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Film Making Release confidence & Have fun
LEMON JELLY BARNET
East Barnet School, EN4 8PU from 4pm on Wednesdays
E: office@lemonjellyarts com T: 01858 545599
lemonjellyarts
Sport
their
Pitch. Families North London learned more
A state-of-the-art 3G Pitch has offi cially been opened by professional footballers from Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient.
The new £250,000 3G Pitch was developed over six months and is a full-size adult pitch which splits into a variety of smaller pitches to suit the needs of school and clubs, and works for different age groups.
Inspired by the heroics of England Women's National Team over the summer, a group of Broomfield girls
were coached on the new pitch by player Jessica Naz from Spurs.
Jess, who was named Spurs Women’s Young Player of the Year last season, later spoke to the girls about her journey to Spurs Women's First Team, the importance of teamwork and commitment and her hopes that more local girls will aspire to follow in the footsteps of England’s Lionesses.
Children are particularly adept at learning languages before the age of six, and can pick them up quickly with the right support. "This is a precious gift to give your child," said David Gassian, Headteacher of the Collège Français Bilingue de Londres, in Kentish Town. "An additional
READ MORE
Has your child just started school? Are you discovering all sorts of unfamiliar school practices and processes as well as strange new terminology and acronyms to understand and get used to? If so, our guide will help you get to grips with these.
READ MORE
Discover CFBL French-English bilingual school in Kentish Town
for ages 3 to 15
Is your mental image of a bully someone who pushes your child over in the playground or steals their lunch? Or maybe you picture your child being pursued by bullies on their device? But what about more subtle types of bullying? How do you recognise these? And are they actually bullying?
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Register for our Open Days at: www.cfbl.org.uk
For an exciting read this Christmas, we’ve got just the thing.
Perform is a unique children’s drama school for 4-7s and 7-12s with a special emphasis on child development. Their week ly classes use a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s full potential. Run by highly experienced actor-teachers, small classes focus READ MORE Jiminy Cricket! Perform's doing Pinocchio for the Christmas holiday
Your 4-10s can enter a world of colour, mischief and magic with Pinocchio, the little wooden puppet who wants to be a boy – Dec 19-21, in St John's Wood, Highbury and Muswell Hill.
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Selling Points:
1. Fast paced, action packed, and immersivemiddle grade adventure story.
2. Rich in mythology, history, and adventure.Based on real works of art and historicalcharacters and events.
3. Diverse protagonists and settings: the storyweaves from present day London to Xi’an,home of the Terracotta Army.
A collection part of Neem Tree Press www.neemtreepress.com @neemtreepress
The Terracotta Horse, by Scott Lauder and David Ross, weaves from present-day London to Viking England to Xian, China, home of the Terracotta Army. It follows 15-year-old Salma Mansour, who is caught in a time slip and meets Sara and Sanjeev. The destiny of the world is in their hands as try to defeat a wealthy gang leader bent on immortality.
David Ross taught in Asia for over ten yearsand still teaches summer school in the region.He has a doctorate in education and currentlyteaches English in secondary school in upstateNY, where he lives with his wife and two sons.
By Victoria Williamson RRP £8.99 / PB: 9781911107507
Scott Lauder was born in Ayrshire, Scotland.Having taught in Greece, Japan, and England,he now lives with his wife and four cats in theUAE where he teaches English. His wife isIndian, and they both enjoy hiking anddrinking good coffee. His other books includeThe Right Thing, A Single Shot, and TheKing Tutankhamun.
September 23rd, 2022
Young Teen eco thriller. Age: 11+
Featuring
Click
a story
gone wrong...
the book trailer
On a remote Scottish island, fourteen year old Max’s life changes forever when he loses his hearing in a boating accident. Struggling to make sense of his new life and finding it hard to adapt in school, he begins to notice other even stranger changes taking place when a new wind farm appears off the island’s coast.
In eco-thriller War of the Wind,by Victoria William son, 14-year-old Max’s life changes forever when he loses his hearing in a boating accident. Strug gling to make sense of his new life, he and his friends uncover a sinister experiment and must find a way to shut it down be fore it spins out of control.
For further information and
With the help of three school friends with additional support needs, Max discovers that a sinister scientist, Doctor Ashwood, using wind turbines to experiment on the islanders. They must find a way to shut down the government’s secret test before it spins out of control...
6.
Victoria Williamson is an award winning children’s author from Glasgow. She has taught maths and science in Cameroon, trained teachers in Malawi, taught English in China and worked with children with special needs in the UK. Victoria is a qualified primary school teacher. She is passionate about creating inclusive worlds in her novels where all children can see themselves reflected in a heroic role
Both books are published by Neem Tree Press and Families North Lon don has FIVE of each to give away to our readers. To enter CLICK HERE. T+Cs HERE. Closing date Nov 30.
The Three Hares: The Terracotta Horse, 9+ £8.99. PB: 9781911107194
War of the Wind, 11+. £8.99. PB: 9781911107507. 20 per cent of author royalties to the British Deaf Association.
Don’t use artificial trees – they aren’t recyclable and will end up in landfill.
Hire a Christmas tree from a garden centre or plant nursery. Buy a pot grown tree and plant it in the garden in January. Use it next year!
Recycle real trees. Check arrangements with your council.
Use reusable, fabric crackers. Wrap gifts with recycled paper or fabric.
Go for a real, fresh wreath made with seasonal, natural foliage.
Buy a reusable Advent Calendar. Fill with your own gifts. Make your own decorations.
Plan meals in advance, taking account of visitors, so you don’t buy more food than you need. Seal and freeze all the leftovers that you can.
Give unused food away to friends, family or neighbours.
Eat less meat and try vegan versions of Christmas classics.
Consider second hand or refurbished items eg bikes, tech.
Try giving experiences such as theatre tickets or days out instead of gifts.
Buy reusable items like refillable water bottles and beeswax wraps.
Buy consumables like food and toiletries as gifts.
Learn the difference between potted trees and container grown trees, which ones have the best chance of survival and how to care for them.
Four of Jamie’s tasty leftovers recipes including hodgepodge pie, turkey stew with leek & smoky bacon biscuit dumplings, bubble & squeak, & smoky veggie chilli.
Spread a bit of festive joy by being good to your family and the planet. These gifts for kids and adults will make everyone’s day without costing the earth.
Explore British wildlife with eco-packaged worksheets & nature prints. £20 per month.
Bright and colourful stocking filler helps save the endangered animal on them! £7.50
Fun collection of 100% certified organic cotton bedding makes learning fun. £44.95
Sustainable & organic kits support pre-school brain development. From £80
Home-delivered. Delicious ready-made dough, cutter & recipe. £15
Design all-natural lip tints or cheek balms with gorgeous ingredients. Plastic-free. £19.99
Target wool blanket
Made from at least 70% recycled wool plus preloved, recycled fibres. £32
Halo water bottle
Insulated, compact, lightweight, handbag & pocket-friendly. Hydration on the move. From £22
Super-cosy, one-size, made from discarded cashmere jumpers. £24
Rev-up mealtimes with the official Hot Wheels™ Car Plate. Race cars around the Hot Wheels™ track, pull stunts and dodge obstacles past the finish line. Designed by a mum, the colourful blue and orange plate makes a fun gift for kids (ages 3+), fussy eaters, and car fans. £16.50.
Girls Support Girls is a small but mighty book bursting with kick-ass quotes, uplifting statements and awesome affirmations – a celebration of female strength and solidarity. There’s nothing more powerful than a strong woman –except for two strong women supporting each other! £6.99.
Two new activity journals inspired by the numberone best-selling children’s mental health title You’re a Star by Poppy O’Neill. Books contain cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques to help children aged 7+ grow in confidence. £7.99 each.
The Book for Badass Women is a sassy little book filled with empowering tips and quotes. What is a badass woman? Whatever the heck she wants to be!
Dive head first into advice on strengthening your selfconfidence, going after your goals and empowering other women. £9.99
It’s a great time to snuggle up inside with a board game. If you’re thinking of adding to your collection, here are some options that particularly enhance children’s learning.
Feed the Woozle Fosters self-regulation in a fun & silly way. Ages 3-6. £19.99
Life on Earth memory and matching game Great for encouraging focussed attention. Ages 3+. £17.99
Children learn to suppress their first impulse. Ages 4. £14.39
Zingo Bingo Develops language skills & self-regulation. Ages 4+. £17
Melissa and Doug Suspend Junior Encourages planning, decision making & fine motor skills. Ages 4+. £21.99
Involves taking turns, planning & prioritising. Enhances short term memory. Ages 4-7. £30.25
Carcassone Develops planning, working memory, taking turns & prioritising. Ages 7+. £36.99.
Kingdomino Develops spatial awareness, decision making, executive functioning & gameplay. Ages 8+. £22.35
Practises maths, memory skills, risk-taking, taking turns, counting & critical thinking. Age 6+. £12.49
that computer you’re replacing and
of the
2econd Chance in Hendon is using them to train vulnerable
in
including how to refurbish them. Data is wiped and certification given. The devices are then either sold through 2econd Chance’s website at an
or given to people in the
Get your kids involved in saving energy this winter with this
kit from PlanBee. It will save you
and help the
Switch o the following electrical devices at the socket when you have finished using them:
Some appliances should not be turned o . DON’T TURN OFF your fridge, freezer or boiler, for example. If you are unsure, ask an adult.
Put these mini posters above any light switches in your classroom or home
DON’T WASTE ENERGY!
Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.
BE ENERGY AWARE!
Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.
BE ENERGY AWARE!
Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.
DON’T WASTE ENERGY!
Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.
www.planbee.com
www.planbee.com
www.planbee.com
Our friends at Tested by Tots have identified some of the best family friendly cities to explore with your little ones this Christmas.
A beautiful, picturesque city & a great Christmas Festival from 2-4 December.
Winchester Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is inspired by German Christmas markets further afield.
Norwich Home to the most anticipated Christmas attraction in the UK - The Tunnel of Light!
Nottingham Festive markets from retro style to a sparkling Winter Wonderland!
Ice rink, Winter Wonderland, carol concerts, pantomimes. Exeter truly embraces Christmas!
Kidderminster Santa Trains to Arley take families to see their favourite characters in pantomime.
Glasgow Festivals, pantos and children’s classic concerts such as The Night Before Christmas.
Cardiff Fantastic Christmas festival with incredible shows at Cardiff Castle.
Belfast Light shows, displays, markets and a Georgian experience. This city goes big!
Stage Academy, London’s leading independent part-time performing arts school for 4 to 18s is going from strength to strength with venues now including Highgate, Crouch End, Islington and North Finchley. Here is what parents have to say about how their children are
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The pressure to create a perfect Christmas can build into a be hemoth balancing on a plate of mince pies, threatening to crumble at any minute. But when you realise that you can’t control everything, including the actions of your extended family or your delivery man, it can be liberating! Chloe Lowe has a few tips on managing the mental load.
Write a list of the top three things that mean the most to you this Christmas. Focus on those first. Doing a few things well will feel so much better than spread ing yourself too thin and doing lots of things, just "ok".
Ask for and accept help - it’s a sign of strength. Slow down to speed up. Taking some deep breaths or even
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Have some fun in the kitchen with a classic gingerbread recipe your kids will love to make. Decorate your people using dried fruits, nuts and coconut for a healthier treat that tastes fantastic. The kids will particularly enjoy making their little people truly personal.
This sneaky cake is a bit of a trickster! It looks like a Christmas pudding but is, in fact, a delicious chocolate cake covered in Maltesers. Kids will love tricking others with this cake and, of course, they will also love the taste of this chocolate extravaganza!
Gingerbread houses are a Christmas tradition but these little cookie houses are so much easier to assemble and just as fun. Use different biscuits and decorative items to give each cookie house a unique, fun look. The kids can even make a small Christmas town of their own.
Little Supernovas create imaginative parties with an adventure tailored to your child’s wishes and theme and include all their favourite magical characters and stories. Our parties incorporate action storytelling, music, props, drama, movement and plenty of giggles. We run Holiday Clubs too. www.littlesupernovas.com/parties ✉hello@littlesupernovas.com
N-Sun Café (Ballards Lane, Finchley, N3) kids cafe with soft play, spacious venue for parties, classes and activities too. 07399947748. https://n-sun.co.uk
We are a Chinese language school SA in 2015 specialising in innovative Mandarin language courses for children aged 3-12 in London. Classes suitable for children with or without Mandarin background. At Giggling Panda the focus is very much on fun. We guarantee an immersive experience full of stories, art, crafts, games, songs, poems about Chinese history and traditions, and formal language learning through professional in-house content. Classes at weekends, various choices, at North/East Finchley and Watford. Contact us for a trial on 0793 249 4420 ✉admin@gigglingpanda.co.uk www.gigglingpanda.co.uk
Highly recommended and sought after professional tutoring, experienced in developing and preparing children to learn, lead and succeed all around. Reading, English, Maths, verbal and nonverbal reasoning, ages 3 ½ -13. Book a trial and free assessment today 0208 050 5798. www.antlearning.co.uk
The After-School Learning Centre caters for all children aged 4-18 and Is totally dedicated to helping your child achieve the best grades possible in English, Maths, Science, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning and Mandarin through personalised and tailored one-to-one tutoring. Located in North London and Southgate. www.afterschoollearning.com
Speak from the first lesson. No previous knowledge needed. Small group zoom classes. Missed class support. Classes: 5-7, 8-14, 16-adult. New toddler singalong. Private lessons. Free trial class. Quick learning holiday clubs too. "Geeta uses English teaching methods and merges them with songs, poems, drawing, colouring, and various innovative methods so children are engaged in learning Hindi and at the same time learn about their culture." magicofindia.org
We offer support from age 5 to university, understanding your child’s needs and matching them with one of our highly-qualified passionate educators who will create a tailored learning plan. Hillgate Tutors listen, guide, encourage and monitor them to help your child achieve their absolute best. Tutoring at your home or online. 07748 956581 to discuss. www.hillgatetutors.co.uk
Art appreciation lessons designed to ignite in your child, a love for art and its stories. Art will become much more than pictures to them and your child will enter the world of wonder. We offer private lessons, holiday workshops and family sessions. Discover more www.vincentandfrida.com
Building self-confidence, teamwork, ambition and responsibility, we unlock the potential inside every young person, giving them the chance to be the stars of tomorrow - on stage or off. Book a free trial. Discover the Stage Academy difference - and to secure your place for the new term. Act, sing, dance and succeed! https://stageacademy.co.uk
Unlock creativity, solo speaking skills, performance skills, confidence, improvisation and characterisation at our classes for 4-16s, in Crouch End, Muswell Hill, New Harringay Ladder, Tufnell Park, Hampstead Garden Suburb, New Mill Hill, and Pinner. Online too. 100% Lamda success rate. Book a free trial. www.achievearts.co.uk
Performing arts classes, holiday workshops, LAMDA and in-school workshops/PPA cover. We nurture talent in every child and help them to release confidence for whatever their future holds. We aim to give them the courage to pursue any dream! Classes in Mill Hill and East Barnet. Jelly Tots 3-5 years, Academy Classes 5-7s and 8-10s, Fusion Theatre Company 11+.
01858 545599 ✉office@lemonjellyarts.com www.lemonjellyarts.com
We aim to bring out the best in your child and we’re not just talking about their new-found skills in dancing, singing and acting. Our students also develop excellent communication skills, grow in selfesteem and enjoy the benefits of improved confidence! We welcome children of all abilities from the age of four to 16 years and offer two-week trials. To find out more visit www.stagecoach.co.uk/highgate
Confidence building weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. Classes are designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. Holiday clubs. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class.
Venues: N1, N2, N4, N5, N7, N8, N10, N11, N12, N13, N14, N19, N20, N21, N22, EN2, EN5 EC1, NW1, NW3, NW5, NW6, NW7, NW8, NW11
Christmas holiday clubs: Pinocchio 3 fun-packed days of colour, magic & mischief, drama, dance & singing for 4-10s. Dec 19-21. 10am-3pm. Ven ues: N2, N5, N10 & NW8. Visit www.perform.org.uk/pinocchio 020 7255 9120 ✉enquiries@perform.org.uk www.perform.org.uk
Based in the heart of London, CFBL provides exceptional EnglishFrench bilingual education to girls and boys from Nursery to Year 10. Our pupils are nurtured in a welcoming environment where they can discover the joys of learning, supported by attentive teaching staff. CFBL is a multicultural environment with over 35 different nationalities, where pupils grow into creative, openminded individuals. www.cfbl.org.uk
A Christian, independent school, we empower our 2 to 11-year-olds to aim high and dream big. Our children are achieving excellence. Our Early Years is Ofsted-graded Outstanding. Years 1-6 are graded Good. Please contact us for more information or to arrange a visit. Hyland House School is at 97 Holcombe Road, Tottenham, London, N17 9AB. 020 8520 4186. ✉info@hylandhouseschool.org www.hylandhouseschool.org
Mars Montessori in Angel is a small bilingual French-English Montessori nursery. We provide very highquality childcare in a nurturing environment in two languages. In September 2018, we introduced an Introduction to Mandarin programme, and we are proud of the brilliant take up. In April 2018, we were given the highest possible rating of OUTSTANDING by Ofsted in every category. 020 7099 0452 www.bilingualnurseries.com
We know that each child is unique and has their own set of strengths and areas to develop. Our child-centred approach allows us to foster joy and understanding of the learning process. We have instituted childfriendly, rigourous and informal testing. We celebrate commitment, curiousity, courage and compassion to create the foundations for happy, successful and fulfilling lives. We are rated excellent in all areas.
www.kingalfred.org.uk
Independent school for children aged 2 to 18, on six locations for different age groups. We understand that success is not simply defined by outstanding academic achievement, but by every pupil finding a direction in life that truly reflects their unique talents and personality. Call admissions to check for occasional immediate places on 020 7428 1520. www.northbridgehouse.com
Under the leadership of our new head we aim to provide outstanding secondary education for our diverse and dynamic community, with emphasis on high standards, inclusion and supporting social mobility. We offer a broad, balanced curriculum and extensive enrichment activities. ✉office@broomfield.enfield.sch.uk
Independent school and independentlyrated outstanding preschool, in north London, for boys and girls from 3-11 years old. We understand every child is unique and offer a vibrant and creative curriculum in a nurturing and stimulating school environment. To find out more contact admissions at admissions@hendonprep.co.uk 020 8203 7727.
We offer authentic Montessori education for 2-12-year-olds in 5 locations: Abbey Road, Hampstead, Bayswater, Notting Hill and Hornsey Rise. Join a school open day to learn about the Montessori approach and watch demonstrations of Montesso ri materials, meet teachers and ask questions. To register for an event, please go to bit.ly/MMIvisit
– for a brilliant start and long-term success in music!
Develop your child’s musical talent in Kodaly-based music kindergartens and instrumental programmes from six months – 19 years. Call 020 8444 9435 for a trial of 3 discounted lessons or email admin@nlcolourstrings.co.uk www.nlcolourstrings.co.uk
Diddidance We create a funky pre-school dance class suitable for all children. We are here to nurture their love of movement in a relaxed environment and cover 16 dance styles. Classes are suitable for toddlers aged from 18 months upwards however if they’re younger and steady on their feet, come and join us! We run classes in Enfield, Cheshunt and Potters Bar. Constantina—07983972095 ✉constantina.menezes@diddidance.com www.diddidance.com
Tiny Talk Learn to communicate with your baby before they can speak, at an award-winning TinyTalk baby signing class. Interactive music class and sensory activities, plus time for a cuppa. www.TinyTalk.co.uk/zahrak
St Kiernan’s Gaelic Football Club
Inclusive, fun environment for kids and adults to learn this high intensity game. Teams from under-6s to senior men and ladies of all abilities. We welcome newcomers to all age groups and the sport can be picked up easily from our excellent coaches. Summer training at our new facility at King George Playing Fields, Barnet Lane, EN5. Winter training is at Woodhouse College, North Finchley. Call Chris Byrne on 07984 184003 or Declan Ryan on 07818 023639.
Re-energise, and increase well-being, strength and flexibility with experienced instructors teaching all elements of Tai Chi and Qi Gong at our welcoming classes. W Hampstead, Highbury & Islington, Highgate, Enfield, Stoke Newington, E Finchley, Crouch End & Hornsey, Old St, Camden, Muswell Hill, Hackney, Walthamstow and more. Online too. https://taichinews.com
Get your business idea off the ground with a free course from Rebel Business School — a funded initiative to boost business start-ups and to help businesses grow. You don’t need a complex business plan or a loan. Starting a business is achievable for anyone and everyone. Rebel Business School helps businesses start and grow, gives the skills needed and it’s completely free. Find courses at therebelschool.com
