Families Herts January-February 2018 Issue 78

IN THIS ISSUE

New Year, New You Making Maths Fun Keeping Kids Safe Online Parties

Childcare

Half-term What's On

Issue 78 Jan/Feb 2018

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In this issue:

From your Editor…

It is a little sad when the Christmas and New Year celebrations come to an end, the festive lights are switched off and the high streets of Hertfordshire return to business as usual. Let’s not to get too maudlin though, because there are lots of great things to look forward to, not least of which is another six issues of Families Herts magazine.

There is a lot on offer in our first magazine of the year.

After the seasonal excesses, we think about health and exercise and Claire Winter suggests some clever ways that busy parents can fit in some keep fit.

As the digital world continues to encroach into our lives, Carolyn Bunting, CEO of Internet Matters, explains the measures that the government are taking that will help us to keep our children safe in the digital world.

Education is never far from a parent’s mind for long. Author of the series, ‘Murderous Maths’, Kjartan Poskitt, shares his ingenious tricks to make maths fun for kids (and parents too!).

At some point in the year you will be either arranging your own child’s birthday party or your child will be a party guest. Andrew Campbell, has a nifty guide to birthday party etiquette so you won’t make any birthday blunders.

Here’s to a happy 2018.

Shelley

News & Views: 4 Education: 6 Parenting: 8 Parties: 9 Childcare: 10 New Year, New You: 11 New Year Book Reviews: 12 What’s On: 13 Next Issue: No 79 – Mar/Apr Copy Deadline: 2nd February Image credit: © serrnovik

Find us in: Baldock, Borehamwood, Chorleywood, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Kings Langley, Knebworth, Letchworth, Radlett, St Albans, Stevenage, Ware, Welwyn GC. Pick it up from cafes, playgroups, nurseries, schools, activity groups, selected shops, surgeries, leisure centres and libraries. Email or call to request copies for your venue.

020 8428 6384 editor@familiesherts.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk

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News & Views Do you want to be your own boss?

Families Herts is looking for an enthusiastic new owner. After thirteen happy years running the magazine, it is time to move on to new projects.

As a Families Magazine Editor, you will have a respected brand behind you along with a supportive franchisor. You will be working independently but not alone because you will be part of a group of other friendly and supportive Editors. Running your own Families magazine is hard work, challenging and very rewarding. You will need to be self-motivated and able to manage your time effectively to fit in business and family commitments.

Experience of sales especially selling print advertising would be helpful. There is plenty of the opportunity to learn new skills and training will be provided.

Give Shelley a call to find out more on 020 8428 6384.

National Storytelling Week

Centre 4 Excellence Mental Health Dance Challenge Visits Herts Schools TV presenter Chrissy Boodram, recently took her #MHDChallenge (Mental Health Dance Challenge) to two Hertfordshire primary schools with an interest in mental wellbeing.

Pupils from St Andrews CofE VC Primary in Stanstead Abbotts and Brookmans Park Primary, Hatfield had fun taking part posted their performances social media.

Kat Shaw, who teaches mindfulness and art at Brookmans Park said: “With the hectic pace of life at school and home, I am seeing an increasing number of pupils suffer with anxiety, worry and stress, and it is not getting any better. This is why we’re focusing on the mental wellbeing of all of our children.”

Shirley Arnold, headteacher at St Andrew’s, said: “It was also an opportunity to reach out to the parents and to further include them in experiencing school life. " The #MHDChallenge was launched on the Chrissy B Show on mytv Sky 203, the UK’s only TV chat show dedicated to promoting good mental health.

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Centre 4 Excellence provide specialist sound training programmes that can be helpful for all children, but which are especially useful for children with specific learning difficulties.

What are Sound Training Programmes?

We learn to read, write and spell from the sounds that we hear. Learning becomes difficult when the brain has problems translating what it hears. Sound Training Programmes help to retrain the brain to improve auditory and sensory processing.

Who created the programmes?

The programmes are based on years of research in neuroscience and the way the brain learns. They have been devised by a team of neurologists; experts in the field of brain plasticity, communication, speech and language, audiology and physiotherapy.

Who can benefit from the programmes?

They are suitable for all children aged from five to 16 years. They will benefit children who have reading, spelling and writing difficulties, attention and focusing issues, working memory issues as well as children diagnosed with autism, ADHD, auditory processing difficulties, developmental delay or dyslexia.

How can it help my child? By training the brain to hear and interpret sounds correctly it can help to improve: speech and language; hearing with background noises; following multiple instructions; hearing the tonality of sounds; phonological awareness; making eye contact; listening skills; behaviour and receptive language.

To find out more call Florence on 07919 067343

The first week of February marks National Storytelling Week, a chance to reflect on one of the oldest art forms in the world.

Speech and language therapists believe that storytelling is vital for children’s academic success as it promotes narrative skills and strengthens the ability of children to correctly sequence ideas. To be a good reader and writer a child needs to be a good speaker and listener first. But above all, storytelling is fun.

National Storytelling Week takes place in storytelling clubs, theatres, museums, schools, hospitals, spoken word venues, and care homes.

To find a local event or to look through its extensive archive visit www.sfs.org.uk

Half Term at The Sandpit Theatre with the Little Diggers!

If you are looking for some half term fun, look no further! We have plenty of activities as part of our ‘Little Diggers ‘ scheme, aimed at 3-7yr olds. On Friday 16th February, we have a visit from Red Riding Hood with Booster Cushion Theatre, where tradition is left far behind in favour of a fast, funny show that uses lots of slapstick and child participation.

On Saturday we then have a film screening of the classic ‘Toy Story’, with tickets at only £2 including a free juice carton, it’s the perfect saturday morning treat.

To finish off our fantastic half term fun, Rhubarb Theatre company bring their incredible production of ‘Sidney’s Shed’ to theatre. Join Sidney and the bravest little girl in Windy-on-the-hill as they take a timetravelling journey to dig up the past and weed out the bullies! Bursting with historical hilarity, songs, music and prize-winning cabbages, Sidney’s Shed is Rhubarb Theatre’s new show for gardeners and adventurers of all ages. Make sure you get your tickets, and we look forward to seeing you in half term!

Little Diggers is the The SandPit Theatre’s children’s programme, providing quality, affordable entertainment for the local area.

Tickets for all performances can be booked on www.sandpittheatre.vo.uk or via our Box Office on 01727 799565. familiesonline.co.uk

Wear A Hat Day is Less Than Three Months Away!

We need you to get involved in Wear A Hat Day – the UK’s premier brain tumour research fundraising event.

In 2018, it takes place on Thursday 29th March. Don't worry if you can't make it that day, just choose another! Join in the fun as schools and families across the UK get involved to help raise funds for research into brain tumours.

“Wear A Hat Day is a perfect opportunity to bring the whole school together and support this game-changing charity.” – Mr Dan Gross, Deputy Head Curriculum, Beachborough School.

So, register today and we will send you a fundraising pack as soon as we can in January.

Our new website makes registering much faster and you can explore our all-new Wear A Hat Day pages for ideas to make your Wear A Hat Day event a fantastic success!

In 2017, families and schools came together alongside other organisations and communities across the UK and helped raise over £300,000 to fund our vital research.

With your help we can double this in 2018.

We’re aiming for £600,000, enough to keep a group of researchers funded for a year.

So please register for Wear A Hat Day 2018 today. Thank you. Together we will find a cure. www.wearahatday.org

Mums Want More Flexible Working Opportunities According to a survey by Workingmums.co.uk, almost three quarters of working mums identify flexible work as being crucial to getting more women into senior roles.

The survey shows that mums feel flexible working is vital for them to manage work and family life and that 60% of those who work flexibly would like even more flexibility.

So, what can individuals do to help persuade their employers to agree to them working flexibly?

Here are some tips: Think through what the job requires and whether the tasks you have to perform can be done at a different location ie from home, or at times outside of the standard working day. Take account of any additional costs or challenges this might involve and discuss them honestly.

Give examples of the ways in which your work can be successfully carried out under any new working pattern you are proposing, and show that it will not harm the business. Point out any business advantages.

Research some case studies, ideally in your sector that shows how the work pattern you are suggesting can be mutually beneficial to you and your employer.

If managers are dubious, suggest a trial period. Have a compromise solution as a back-up.

For more information and flexible work opportunities, visit www.workingmums.co.uk

Boosting Children’s Self-esteem and Life Skills with Perform All children find some things difficult. Some hate speaking out in class, some struggle making friends, and others have so much energy they find it hard to concentrate.

Perform is a unique drama school that uses drama, dance and singing to bring out every child's true potential.

“Perform is NOT a stage school” stresses Perform Producer, Karen. “It teaches life skills through fun drama games and end of term shows. The real aim of the classes is to help children develop the 4Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Coordination and Communication.

“Classes are small and have both a Producer and a Teacher. Children are offered a free trial and the Producer spends time beforehand with each parent to establish their goals. For instance, speaking more clearly or making eye contact when introduced to someone unfamiliar.”

Producers report back to parents after each class on the focus of the week and answer questions about the progress of familiesonline.co.uk

individual children.

“Shy children often come to classes clinging to their parents. I can pretty much guarantee that within 5 or 6 classes, they will run in without waving goodbye” reports Karen.

Frances Parsons says: 'We have nothing but excellent things to say about Perform. We would go as far as saying it has changed our life. Both our boys have had big confidence and self-esteem issues and Perform has really helped these but while crucially giving them so much fun and laughter which is lovely.'

To book a FREE TRIAL in Bishops Stortford, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Potters Bar, Radlett, Sawbridgworth or St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, visit www.perform.org.uk/try 5

Education

Making Maths Fun

By Kjartan Poskitt

to the 4th card, turn it face up and then put it to the bottom of the pack. Keep doing this, turning every 4th card face up. The last card to be turned over will be the joker! Try this trick again picking a different magic number – eg 5. It will always work! What’s more you can have any prime number of cards, so try the trick with 5, 11, 13 or even 17 cards! The magic number can be any number smaller than the number of cards.

The Table Attack Game

I always say that maths is like broccoli. You either like it or you hate it but you have to have some because it’s good for you.

Now I’ll tell you a secret. I do not like broccoli, but I do find it helps to have a bit of brown sauce on it! Similarly, maths becomes more exciting when it’s spiced up a little.

It’s important that your children are comfortable enough with simple sums that they don’t have to rely on a calculator - that’s like using arm bands for swimming! If they can develop an instinct for numbers, simple sums become much easier. The secret is to spend some time playing around with numbers and getting to know them.

Here are a few little facts, games and tricks to share with your children to help them see that numbers have quirky behaviours and make fun patterns.

Trick 1 If you write out the digits 1 2 3 4, you can turn them into 12 = 3 x 4. You can also do this with 5 6 7 8 because 56 = 7 x 8.

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Trick 2 Pick any three consecutive numbers (e.g. 4, 5, 6). Multiply the smallest by the biggest, and then add one. (So here we get 4 x 6 =24, then 24 + 1 = 25). The answer is always the same as the middle number squared … i.e. times by itself. (Here we get 5 x 5 = 25 YAY!) This works with any three consecutive numbers, so let’s try 7, 8, 9. 7 x 9 = 63, then 63 + 1= 64 and that’s the same as 8 x 8!

Trick 3 The numbers in the 3 times table have a special trick, because if you add the digits together, the answer will always divide by 3. For instance 8 x 3 =24, and 2 + 4 = 6 which divides by 3. You can use this to test if any number divides by 3. Let’s test 71865.

7+1+8+6+5 = 27 which divides by 3, so 71865 also divides by 3.

Trick 4 Prime numbers are number which will only divide by themselves and 1. For example, 7 is a prime number because nothing else divides into it; 8 is not a prime number because 4 x 2 = 8.

Place seven playing cards in a pile face down with the bottom card as a joker. Choose a magic number less than 7. (Let’s say you choose 4). One by one slide a card off the top and put it back on the bottom. When you get

Try to play this game with your children regularly in short bursts of about 10 minutes.

You need two or more people and a pack of playing cards.

Remove the jacks, queens and kings from the pack and put them back in the box. Now take the aces, twos, fives and tens from the pack, and just one joker. The aces count as one and the joker counts as zero. Put the other cards aside for a moment. We’ll call these the power cards.

Shuffle the 17 normal cards then put the pack face down. Two players each take a card from the top without looking and then together they turn their cards face-up. Players must multiply the numbers on the cards together, and the first person to shout the right answer wins a point. Make sure you are multiplying and not adding! (So if you see 5 and 1, the answer is five not six.)

Now make it more exciting!

Without looking, pick a couple of the power cards and slip them in with the others, then play again. Once you’ve got used to the extra cards, keep adding a few more power cards until you have all the cards in play.

This is a fabulous, quick fire way to get your children to firm up on their times tables.

The Dice Challenge Throw three dice, but don’t let anyone else see how they land. Tell everybody what the three numbers add to, and also what they multiply to make. Who can work out the numbers on the dice?

So, for example, if the three dice add to 9 and multiply to make 12, what are the three numbers?

Answer: 1, 2, 6.

There – I hope some of these things help. And just to make you feel better, while you’re practising your numbers, I’m going to go off and eat some broccoli! familiesonline.co.uk

Kjartan Poskitt is author of the series of books Murderous Maths, published by Scholastic. He is also the Ambassador for the National Young Mathematicians’ Awards, the only team maths competition for primary schools in the country, run

by Explore Learning in collaboration with the NRICH project at the University of Cambridge.

Maths Tops Popularity Poll for Children New research has shown that when it comes to children’s favourite subject it’s a numbers game as maths comes out on top.

A survey carried by the extra tuition provider, Explore Learning has found that maths was the most enjoyed subject of four to 14 year olds (26%) followed by PE (20%) and art (16%). This was despite the fact that maths is also the subject that children admit to finding the most challenging, followed by English and geography.

More highlights of the survey include: • The next generation may signal the end of the gender divide as seven in ten (69%) of children think boys and girls are equally good at maths • Nearly two thirds (61%) think a job in maths would be exciting!

• 90% think being good at maths will help you get a better paid job in the future To inspire your aspiring mathematician there are great on how to make maths fun and engage young maths minds at www.murderousmaths.co.uk

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Parenting

Making the Digital World Safer for Our Children

By Carolyn Bunting

Carolyn Bunting, CEO of Internet Matters tells us about new measures in the UK that will attempt to achieve this.

Late last year was marked by a landmark moment. Internet safety reached the top of the news agenda when the Government outlined its plans to make Britain the “safest place to be online.”

Following the rapid development of the “open and free” digital world, the Culture Secretary, Karen Bradley revealed that although she felt the internet was a huge force for good, “it has also caused undeniable suffering and can be an especially harmful place for children and vulnerable people.

Behaviour that is unacceptable in real life must also be unacceptable on a computer screen.”

Among the Government’s forthcoming measures will be: A voluntary levy on internet companies, such as Google and Facebook, to be used to target issues such as cyberbullying, online abuse and children being exposed to pornography on the internet.

A social media code of practice intended to boost efforts to remove or address bullying, intimidating or humiliating online content.

An annual internet safety transparency report undertaken by social media organisations which would show progress on addressing abusive and harmful content and conduct.

Supporting tech and digital startups to build internet safety into their products from the beginning.

New compulsory school subjects to provide online safety education.

Encouraging social media companies to offer safety advice and tools to parents and build safety messages into online platforms.

Streamlining and targeting education and advice on online safety for parents in the same way that other risks, like road safety, are tackled starting from when children are born.

Urging organisations that are collecting data from children and young people to publish how they intend to use it, so that children can understand where exactly the where exactly their information is going and how it is intended to be used.

A new requirement that privacy notices setting out how an organisation plans to use personal data it collects are written in a clear, plain way that is understandable, even to a child.

The Government’s intends to target new parents at NCT courses, Sure Start Centres,

nurseries, pharmacies and via Facebook itself.

This should mean that there is less reason for parents to fear technology and they should feel more comfortable in allowing their children to use it to explore, communicate and learn.

It also intends that digital literacy should form part of the lessons in which children

"The aim here is to encourage children to recognise internet safety as a social issue; it’s part of life and it’s part of growing up." have traditionally learned about sex and relationships, and not part of IT classes. The aim here is to encourage children to recognise internet safety as a social issue; it’s part of life and it’s part of growing up.

Although, all of the measures are voluntary the Government has not ruled out legislating if companies refuse to take part.

For further information about topical issues affecting parents and children in the digital world and how to keep your children safe online, visit www.internetmatters.org

Five Steps From Internet Matters to Ensure your Child is Staying Safe Online: Ask your child what they are doing online. It’s important you understand what websites, apps, and social media platforms they are using.

Check their privacy settings. Make sure they know how to make their profiles ‘private’ so they are not sharing personal information to strangers. Facebook has a Privacy Healthcheck feature.

Make sure they know when and how to report and block any malicious or inappropriate messages or posts.

Check your parental controls on your home broadband and safety filters that block inappropriate content across any devices.

Talk to your children about the risks they may be exposed to and how to deal with them, such as cyberbullying and grooming, and ensure they feel able to raise with you anything they see which is upsetting.

For more information and step-by-step guidance, visit internetmatters.org

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Parties

Good Party Etiquette?

Is there such a thing?

By Andrew Campbell

Whether you are throwing a party for your child or sending them off to their friend’s birthday celebration, finding your way around the do’s and don’ts of children’s birthday parties has become akin to navigating a war zone. Here we tackle a few of the thorny issues that seem to crop up every year.

Pocket survival guide to a stress-free party Keep calm and think ‘party’.

1. Save the date: Don’t arrange the party on your child’s actual birthday date; that is a day to focus on your child.

2. Small is beautiful: Keep your plans in check and don’t go too large.

3. Theme it: Choosing a theme can help you focus your planning.

4. Home-made birthday cake: Forget Bake-off it doesn’t need to please Mary or Pru, and your little one will be delighted. Make life even easier and buy a plain cake and decorate it yourself.

5. Shaped Sandwiches: Just use a pastry cutter. Circles and hearts work well. Easy peasy.

6. Picture perfect: Ask someone else to take snaps for you.

7. Play the game: You won’t go wrong with traditional party games – pass-the-parcel, musical statues, musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey, sleeping lions etc.

8. Face time: Buy some face paints and get creative. A simple design on a child’s cheek is all you need.

9. Be prepared: Keep matches or a lighter close to hand (but well away from curious kids) ready for cake time.

10. Present perfect: Open the gifts when all the guests have gone home. Remember to note who gave what if ‘thank you’ notes will be sent out.

Party Bags – really?

Who gets Invited?

Your child has already been to three parties this year where the entire class was invited. But the thought of 30 small people bouncing off walls makes you break out in sweat. Remember “entire class” parties are your choice – you don’t have to give them just to keep other parents happy.

The reality is that children WILL be happy with a small gathering so long as it feels special to them. Give invites to just their best friends and family and you’ll find the whole experience a whole lot easier.

Be Subtle about Invitations Who is and isn’t invited to a party is guaranteed to cause playground ructions, so be tactful. Unless you’re inviting the whole class, don’t start handing invitations out as the kids are lining up to go into school; you may end up being called in by the teacher who spent the first class consoling those not on the list.

All kids love to leave events with mementoes but if you really don’t fancy party bags, then why not have a piñata instead? Buy some cute but cheap paper bags, and then the children can stuff them with whatever they grabbed from the piñata themselves.

Thank-you Notes?

This is obviously a personal choice but it’s a nice thing to do with your child once the chaos of their birthday has faded. Taking some quiet time to remember what gifts your child received and who came to the party can be a really fun activity and assures your child doesn’t take the whole experience for granted.

Give a Contact Number Before you hotfoot it out of the door, make sure the party host has your contact number. If your child starts throwing up over their playmates and you’re incommunicado then you can bet they won’t be invited next year. And if you're the host, make sure you get phone details from all parents or you may be stuck with overwrought Olivia for a LOT longer than you bargained for.

Be Sure to RSVP Planning a children’s party is stressful enough without having to chase people who haven’t replied. Replying promptly will earn you lots of gold stars with the party child’s parents, so just do it. And whatever you do, do NOT turn up on the day without RSVPing.

Check Before you Take Siblings Don’t assume no one will mind if a younger or older sibling tags along. When the entertainer has a strict limit on numbers and the party parents have worked out exactly how many fairy cakes they need, added extras can cause a real headache. So make sure you check beforehand.

Presents DEFINITELY Required As adults we may think that when it comes to parties, presence is better than presents. But as far as kids are concerned, it’s all about the gifts. Yes, we know the birthday girl doesn’t NEED another cheap and nasty Disney figurine that’ll last about 10 minutes, but turn up emptyhanded at your peril. familiesonline.co.uk

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Childcare

Ensuring Your Child is Happy at Nursery

By Kristen Harding

The process of introducing a child to a new caring environment can throw up a number of challenges.

However, some can be prevented if your child’s nursery gets to know upfront what both you and your child need and want from the childcare arrangement.

Before a child arrives at a new nursery, nursery staff should take time to fully understand your child’s home routine. In this way, potential issues can also be nipped in the bud early.

Separation Anxiety Regardless of the time taken beforehand, separation anxiety is a natural and sometimes unavoidable part of leaving a child at a nursery. Generally, separation anxiety lessens over time but you can help by ensuring that nursery staff understand as much as possible about your child’s individual needs, how they behave when they are sad, anxious or upset and what helps calm them. This will ensure that your child’s nursery cares for your child in the very best way during this difficult period.

Often the anxiety of a child lessens when his nursery assigns a key worker to him.

By identifying one particular carer who is going to form a strong bond and connection with your child, he will have the stability of knowing there is an individual there that he can rely on.

Potty Training This is another key milestone in your child’s development and reaching it may throw up stumbling blocks! Again, it is important to remember that each child is different and so will begin to learn at a different point and progress at a different speed to other children.

A good nursery will ensure there’s no feeling of peer pressure between parents or children!

Don’t start potty training as your child is starting nursery. When you do decide to begin, ensure it’s not at a time of change or a stressful period at home. Share training methods with your child’s nursery to ensure consistency of approach. For instance, do you want nursery staff to ask your child if he would like to go to go or do you want them to sit him on the potty at specific times of day?

Sleep Settling In

Eating

This is a key part of the adjustment process.

A change in environment can upset a child and parents are generally stressed and worried when their child is unsettled. For this reason, it’s vital that your chosen nursery takes time to help your child gently settle in. Communication between your child’s nursery and yourself is very important at this stage. You need to develop a trusting relationship with the staff and settle into the new arrangement just as much as your child does. In fact, it’s often parents that have most difficulty leaving a child behind in a new setting! However, communicating regularly and in as much detail as you need with the nursery setting can help ease your nervousness and worry. In turn, any insecurity your child is feeling will also lessen.

Meal times at nursery are important and can have a real impact on the confidence and comfort of a young child. What your child is used to at home may differ greatly from what occurs in the nursery setting, whether it’s the food eaten or the way in which meals are consumed.

When you visit your child’s nursery, try to do so at meal time occasionally. In a good setting, you will see nursery staff leading by example, engaging children with different food choices, helping them to learn about what they are eating and introducing new foods gradually.

Meal times at nursery, as at home, should be unpressurised and enjoyable.

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It is important that home and nursery work together over nap times, as the needs of individual children differ. When a child starts at a nursery, the nursery should follow the child’s home routine before adapting it slowly to suit the nursery pattern. It’s then helpful if you try to prevent your child taking extra naps, as his routine is likely to be disrupted. If your child struggles to sleep at the nursery, a toy or blanket from home can provide comfort and help them drift off.

Whilst challenges are bound to arise during your child’s time at nursery, most particularly at the beginning, these can generally be dealt with as long as there is good communication between you and your child’s setting.

Kristen Harding is a childcare expert at Tinies Childcare UK. For more information, visit www.tinies.com familiesonline.co.uk

New Year, New You

Fitness Ideas to Inspire Busy Parents

By Claire Winter

If you are sitting around in an adult unicorn onesie, eating crumpets, and musing about the extra pounds you can’t seem to shed, now is the time to take some action. The New Year is a good time to start a health regime or exercise routine.

It may be as simply as just giving up cake and walking to work, or it could be taking up boxing or giving weightlifting a go.

If you have 30 Minutes

If you have a Spare Ten Minutes

If you have 40 Minutes

Why not scoot to school with the kids?

Having an adult scooter is a great way of keeping up with the kids, plus you’ll get home quicker. Jumping on your scooter not only saves time, scooting can also increase feelings of mental alertness and create better reaction times. Adult scooting is also a great way to build up fitness; it’s low impact and works major muscle groups. You can also burn around 300 kcals per hour. You could even use it on your commute to work! Further info at www.micro-scooters.co.uk

Try strength training. Hashtags like #fitisthenewthin are flooding social media platforms like Instagram. Many fitness fans are swapping high intensity workouts and cardio for weightlifting and are enjoying the benefits of strong, lean muscles. Your local gym or a personal trainer should be able to give you a routine, or you could check our your local CrossFit class.

Why not channel your inner Rocky and try a high energy boxing routine, the Boxx Method, in the comfort of your home? It’s an online platform, so you can do a workout that fits in with family life. The signature workout is BoxxHIIT, which is a full body fat burning, muscle toning workout which combines intense shadow boxing with high intensity interval training. All you need is a 1kg pair of dumbbells. Further info at www.theboxxmethod.com

30 40 10 60 20

If you have 20 Minutes

Try a HIIT workout. The bestselling Body Coach Joe Wicks espouses the benefits of short 15 to 20-minute high intensity workouts and low carb eating. High Intensity Interval Training for the uninitiated is a timed set of exercises, which work the whole body. The idea is that you push the body hard doing the exercise for a short amount of time, followed by a short period of rest or transition. You don’t need to sign up to an expensive course to join in; there are plenty of free apps and online tutorials available too. Further info at www.bodycoach.com

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If you have 60 Minutes

If you love to dance but your clubbing days are well and truly over, why not give Clubbercise a go? You can work out in the dark with disco lights, glowsticks and your favourite club classics. To find your nearest teacher go to www.clubbercise.com. You could also try a swimming HIIT workout. Swimming is a great full body workout and gyms like Virgin Active are offering low-impact, high-intensity water-based classes. These incorporate long distance and sprint swims as well as resistance activities, a great change from just swimming lengths.

Last but not Least If traditional classes and workouts leave you cold, you could try something simple or fun instead.

Go walking. It’s good for the soul and so is being in nature. If you want to switch it up, try Nordic walking with poles; you burn more calories, and it is very sociable (Further info at www.nordicwalking.co.uk).

You could also look on www.meetup.com for local groups that meet for walks.

Relive your childhood and give hula-hooping a go, it’s great for thinning your waist and can be done in the comfort of your own home. You can also attend classes across the UK. More info at www.hulafit.com Do a trampolining class. Trampoline parks have sprung up all across the country.

When you book the kids a session, don’t sit on the sidelines watching, make sure you join in too (you can always have coffee and cake afterwards!) Many trampoline parks also offer adult exercise classes too.

Jumping is brilliant fun, good for your circulation and burns more calories than most standard fitness classes.

Join a game of British Bulldog and many other fun team games at www. rabble.com.

The site aims to make fitness fun and not faddy. You can search by location and join a team near you.

Get skipping! Boxers skip for a reason.

It’s a great full body workout and a great form of exercise for endurance training and conditioning. It’s low impact, and you burn more calories than running. It’s also a budget option; you can pick up a decent rope for less than £20!

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New Year Book Reviews

New Year Book Reviews

Ages 9-12

By Justine Crow

By Orlando Weeks Penguin RRP £17.99

A softly penned graphic novel from a musician that speaks of stoicism and patience through many winters and questions the definition of loneliness through the eyes of a dignified man who knows his place in the universe. Thanks to him the traffic travels, pedestrians pass and life goes on.

Most of the books featured on this time round are a little on the large size and all are most definitely sublimely illustrated, even the titles for older readers. And why not? It seems to me to be short sighted (excuse the slight pun) to ration the visual representation of storytelling - or indeed science and history - just because a child has learned to read.

Imagery on paper has a subjective permanence that we all enjoy and often it is the pictures over text that we recall from our own childhood.

0-2 Years Deep in the Forest Seek & Find Adventure

By Josef Anton & Lucie Bruniellere Abrams RRP £10.99 Created by a French duo with backgrounds in televisual animation and decorative art respectively, there are over 50 animals to find in this beautiful bright and feisty big book full of flaps to lift and names to shout out in triumph. Obviously it's in English but double points if you know what an anteater is in French.

3-5 Years The Glassmaker’s Daughter

By Dianne Hofmeyr, illustrated by Jane Ray Frances Lincoln RRP £12.99

This clever picture book depicts the actual history of glassmaking in Venice through the tale of Daniela, an inconsolable craftsman’s daughter who spends her days staring into the dark depths of the canals in existential torment.

Eschewing her father’s gift of a glass palace, her smile is finally revealed when a young man discovers the secret of making mirrors.

Suddenly, splendidly, the pages explode with splintering glass and the city is rocked with laughter.

12 Families Herts

Amazing Dinosaurs

By Matt Sewell Anova RRP £12.99

This author-illustrator has a knack for bringing natural history to life especially through his books about birds. Here he aims his deft brush at the pre-historic periods that produced the incredibly diverse gigantic reptiles that roamed our planet a gasquillion years ago, yet still absolutely intrigue today’s digital kids.

6-8 Years 50 Cities of the USA

By Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Sol Linero Wide Eyed Books RRP £20.00

I found their previous title 50 States of the USA absolutely compelling and this is no less addictive for its fascinating detail presented in artful bitesizes. Along with the more obvious candidates of New York and San Francisco, we learn that as well as the famous Kentucky Derby, Louisville hosts the oldest Shakespeare festival in America; that Memphis as well as being home to Graceland, is where Justin Timberlake was born. And that huckleberries are a real thing and they grow in Boise. So there!

The World of Moominvalley

The Gritterman

Norse Myths Tales of Odin, Thor & Loki

By Kevin Crossley Holland & Jeffrey Love Walker RRP £18.99

It’s never too soon to point out to the kids that long before Tom Hiddleston stepped into a leather frock and green tights to play Marvel’s movie version of Loki, stories about him and his brother Thor as well as Odin, god of all gods, were captivating listeners as far back as Roman times, and not just from the Viking period.

Imagine being a youngster a thousand years ago hearing whirling adventures of sorcery and battles from across the land, passed on by mouth to future generations. How lucky we are now to be able to take images for granted.

What a page-turner!

Justine Crow is co-founder of the famous South London bookshop ‘Bookseller Crow on the Hill’ based in Crystal Palace. As well as being a blogger and reviewer, parent of three and qualified swimming teacher, she also co-authored The Little Book of Nits published by Bloomsbury.

By Tove Jansson Macmillan RRP £35.00

A super-sized price but what value for money this exquisite gift edition is, thanks to the many drawings and facts about the magical bohemia created by Finland’s most famous writer. Once you develop a love for the Moomintrolls, Snufkin, the Snorkmaiden and Little My, it can’t be shaken off. familiesonline.co.uk

What’s On Shows 96 Shenley Road Borehamwood, WD6 1EB 01442 454000 www.96shenleyroad.co.uk

Dogs Don't Do Ballet 12 Feb – 11.30am & 2.30pm The funny tale of a little dog with a very big dream!

Cost: £10

THE ALBAN ARENA Civic Centre, St Albans, AL1 3LD 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk

St Albans Gang Show 2018 7-10 Feb – 7.30pm Sat matinee – 2.30pm Songs, dance & comedy sketches performed by over 110 local Scouts, Guides & Young Leaders.

Tickets via tickets@ stalbansgangshow.com or 07885 661780.

Cost: £6-£13. Concs available for some performances

All Star Superslam Wrestling 17 Feb – 7.30pm A night of top action for all the family.

Cost: £15. Child £10. Family £45

BROADWAY THEATRE Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3DD 01462 681088 www.broadway-letchworth.com

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde 3 Feb – 7.30pm Ages 11+. A thrilling adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s dark psychological fantasy set in 19th century London’s fog-bound streets.

Cost: £16. Concs £14

Horrible Histories – MORE Best of Barmy Britain 13 Feb – 1.30 & 4.30pm Ages 7+. History with the nasty bits left in!

Cost: £14. Child £12. Family £49

THE SPIRELLA BALLROOM Bridge Road, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4ET 01462 681088 www.broadway-letchworth.com

Hansel & Gretel: Pop-Up-Opera 10 Feb – 7.30pm Ages 7+.

The most popular operatic fairy tale of them all. Pop-up Opera aims to broaden the appeal of opera and challenge the way opera is performed, by taking it into unusual spaces and making it intimate and engaging.

Cost: £20. Concs £16

Monstersaurus!

9-11 Feb Join Little & Big Nutbrown Hare, from the bestselling books, as they leap off the page and onto the stage in this magical journey through the seasons.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £12. Family £44

3 Feb – 11.30am & 2pm Follow the young inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of whacky inventions & incredible monsters. Now he’s made them all how is he going to get rid of them?! Ages 3+.

Cost: £12. Family £38

Morgan & West: More Magic For Kids

The Wind In The Willows

17 Feb – 2pm The time-travelling magicians return to the stage with a brand new marvellous magic show full of crazy capers for the young, old, and everyone in-between!

Ages 5+.

Cost: £14. Conc £12. Family £48

24 Feb – 11am New adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic, featuring handmade puppets & a charming original score. Ages 5+.

Cost: £9.50. Family £34

RHODES BISHOPS STORTFORD 1-3 South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 710200 www.rhodesbishopsstortford. org.uk

A Midsummer Night's Dream

GORDON CRAIG THEATRE

25 Feb Ballet Theatre UK’s production of Shakespeare’s classic tale is set to charm the whole family.

Cost: £17.50. Concs £15.50.

Child £11.50

Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk

The Little Mix Experience 18 Feb – 1 & 6pm Tribute band. (Under 16s must be accompanied in the theatre by an adult.)

Cost: £14

HARPENDEN PUBLIC HALLS Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PD 01582 767525 www.harpendenpublichalls.co.uk

EPW Wrestling 14 Jan – 2.30pm Jaw-dropping wrestling spectacular with a cast of colourful characters from around the world.

Cost: £15. Concs £12. Family £45. VIP Ringside £20

HERTFORD THEATRE The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS 01992 531500 www.hertfordtheatre.com

Cirque Enchantment 27 Jan – 7.45pm Concert style cirque production featuring stunning choreography, live vocals & mesmerising circus performers. With an eclectic soundtrack including current pop, rock & classical.

Most suitable for ages 7+.

Cost: £23. Concs £19 familiesonline.co.uk

Guess How Much I Love You

Three Billy Goats Gruff

THE SANDPIT THEATRE

17 & 18 Feb – 11am & 2pm Are you really sure what happened to the wolf and those three little pigs? All will be revealed in this beautiful Theatre of Widdershins show using puppets, props, laughter & music.

Cost: £9

The Ridgeway, St Albans, AL4 9NX 01727 799565 www.sandpittheatre.co.uk

Bring Your Own Baby Comedy 20 Feb – 12noon For grown-ups with babies under 12 mths.

Cost: £11

THE RADLETT CENTRE 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk

Little Red Riding Hood & Friends 16 Feb – 2pm Booster Cushion Theatre present this fast, funny show with lots of slapstick & child participation. A fine introduction to theatre for ages 3-7.

Cost: £6. Child £4

Sidney’s Shed 18 Feb – 11.30am & 2.30pm Rhubarb Theatre’s new show for gardeners & adventurers aged 3-7. Historical hilarity, songs & prize-winning cabbages!

Cost: £8. Child £6

Red Riding Hood and the Wolf 19 & 20 Jan – 11.30am & 2pm What if the Big Bad Wolf wasn’t big or bad at all? Enjoy a new spin on this classic story – about two misfits who just want to fit in.

Ages 7+.

Cost: £9

13

What’s On WYLLYOTTS THEATRE Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2HN 01707 645005 www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

Rapunzel the Pantomime 18-20 Jan – 7.30pm 20 Jan – 2.30pm 21 Jan – 1pm Traditional family pantomime

by The Warren, an experienced amateur group who've been performing pantomimes since 1949!

Cost: £13. Child £8.50 (all profits to local charities)

Holiday Camps & Courses

12-16 Feb Caving; climbing; sailing; kayaking; canoeing; bell boating; bushcraft; orienteering; fencing & archery.

Cost: £8 per person per session.

Full week £100

SPORTSPACE HEMEL HEMPSTEAD Park Rd, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JS 01442 507100 www.sportspace.co.uk

Swimming Crash Courses 12-16 Feb Ages 4+.

Week-long course for beginners or children working on their Swim England Stages.

Cost: From £30. From £22 for Members

Diving Crash Courses 13-16 Feb Ages 5+.

Must be ASA Stage 4 or above and confident in deep water.

Cost: £30. Members £22

BERKHAMSTED BASECAMP All camps take place in Berkhamsted www.berkhamstedbasecamp. co.uk 12-16 Feb Multi activity camps for ages 3-11. Plus specialist courses such as Bread & Sticky Buns Making (ages 7-14).

Cost: See website

LANGLEY TENNIS & RACQUETS CAMP Langley Tennis Club, High Woodhall Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8RW 01442 230234 www.berkhamstedbasecamp. co.uk 12-16 Feb – 9am-4pm Have fun and improve your standard of tennis and eye hand co-ordination. Plus, table tennis, badminton & touch tennis.

Additional hours available.

Ages 4-14.

Cost: Day £40. Week £160

HERTS YOUNG MARINERS BASE Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, EN8 9AJ 01992 628403 www.hymb.com

14 Families Herts

SPORTSPACE BERKHAMSTED Lagley Meadow, Douglass Gardens, Berkhamsted, HP4 3QQ 01442 507100 www.sportspace.co.uk

Swimming Crash Courses 12-16 Feb Ages 4+. Week-long course for beginners or children working on their Swim England Stages.

Cost: From £30. From £22 for Members

GORDON CRAIG THEATRE Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Themed Drama Camp

12-16 Feb Week-long camp for ages 6-12 exploring drama, music, singing, dance & visual art. Devise a script to perform for family & friends.

Cost: £115. Siblings & Drama Academy Students £100

RHODES BISHOPS STORTFORD 1-3 South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 450270 www.rhodesbishopsstortford. org.uk

Play In A Day 13 Feb – 10am. Show 7pm Primary school aged children can join in the challenge of creating a fun new piece of theatre in just one day!

Cost: see website

Clubs & Classes Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes www.perform.org.uk/try 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk Confidence building fun for 4-12s. A unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child's true potential. Classes are kept small to ensure lots of individual attention. Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions.

Dates: 3 Jan – 29 Mar Venues: Bishops Stortford Summercroft Primary School Plaw Hatch Lane CM23 5BJ

ARTSHED! HALF-TERM HOLIDAY CAMPS

Drama 4-7s - Mon 4pm

www.shedloadsoffun.com 12-16 Feb St Peter’s Primary School, Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, AL1 1HL 12-14 Feb Roundwood Primary School, Roundwood Park, Harpenden, AL5 3AD 10am-3pm. Wrap around care available 8.30am-5.30pm Ages 6-13 (5 yr olds at organisers’ discretion only).

Learn to draw & paint creatures inspired by the Blue Planet TV series.

Cost: £32 per child per day. Wrap around care £7/hr

Harpenden Harpenden United Reformed Church, Vaughan Road AL5 4ED

Drama 7-12s - Mon 5pm

Dance 6-12s - Sat 2pm Drama 4-7s - Sat 9.30am, 11.15am, Tue 4pm Drama 7-12s - Tue 5pm Hemel Hempstead Apsley Community Centre London Road HP39SB

Drama 4-7s - Tues 4pm, 5pm Hertford, Mill Mead School Port Vale, SG14 3AA

PANSHANGER PARK

Drama 4-7s - Sat 9.30am, 11.15am

Nr Welwyn, SG14 2WN 01727 858901 www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Hitchin, Church House Hall Church Yard SG5 1HP

Wild Kids Adventure Day: Firelighting & Outdoor Cooking

Drama 4-7s - Wed 4pm

16 Feb – 10am - 3pm Learn how to build & light a fire without a match and cook some yummy snacks! Games, crafts, free play-time in the woods and, weather permitting, a campfire too. Ages 8-13 don’t need to be accompanied, but adults are welcome to stay. Ages 6-7 welcome too if with an adult.

Cost: £15 per child

Drama 7-12s - Wed 5pm Potters Bar St John's Methodist Church Baker Street EN6 2DZ

Drama 4-7s - Fri 4pm, 5pm Radlett Christ Church Vision Hall Watling Street, WD7 7JJ

Drama 4-7s - Wed 4pm, 5pm Sawbridgworth Sawbridgeworth Memorial Hall The Fourbury CM21 9BD

familiesonline.co.uk

Drama 4-7s - Thu 4pm Drama 7-12s - Thu 5pm St Albans Fleetville Junior School 228 Hatfield Road, AL1 4LW

Drama 4-7s - Sat 9.30am, 11.15am Drama 7-12s - Sat 2pm United Reformed Church Homewood Road AL1 4BH

Drama 4-7s - Wed 4pm Drama 4-7s - Thu 4.15pm-5.15pm Drama 7-12s - Wed 5pm Trinity United Reform Church 1 Beaconsfield Road AL1 3RD

Drama 4-7s - Fri 4pm

ARTSHED ARTS Westmill Farm, Westmill Road, Ware, SG12 0ES 01920 466446 www.artshedarts.co.uk

Pottery Throwing Taster Sessions 13 Jan & 17 Feb – 30 min slots 10am-2pm 8yrs +.

Two people can throw at the same time. Booking essential.

Cost: £18 including clay, glazing & firing

Children’s Pottery Course

SPORTSPACE HEMEL HEMPSTEAD Park Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JS 01442 507100 www.sportspace.co.uk

Badminton Beginners 11 Jan for 10 wks except 15 Feb Learn this fun & social sport.

For ages 8+.

Cost: £75. Member £55

SPORTSPACE BERKHAMSTED Lagley Meadow, Douglass Gardens, Berkhamsted, HP4 3QQ 01442 507100 www.sportspace.co.uk

Fencing Course

New Museum Trails

11 Jan for 10 wks except 15 Feb Ages 6-14.

Learn this exciting sport using age specific equipment.

Cost: £75. Member £55

RYE MEADS NATURE RESERVE Rye Road, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8JS 01992 708384 www.rspb.org.uk

KIDS FITNESS

Places To Go

Fitness-based class structure to get the kids active & moving using the gym & fitness/sport activities.

Teen Girls (ages 11-15) Structured gym session to build knowledge & understanding of fitness & exercise. With Ab exercises, light weight training, circuits & cardiovascular.

Cost: Single pass £4.

Month pass £15

familiesonline.co.uk

BISHOPS STORTFORD MUSEUM

8 Jan for 10 wks except 12 Feb Learn this fun & social sport.

For ages 8+.

Cost: £75. Member £55

Messy Welly Club

Kids Fitness (ages 7-11)

Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PD 01582 767525 www.brambleton.org.uk 20 Jan – 10.30am-5.30pm Catering for both families & model railway enthusiasts with the usual mix of layouts, preservation stands & traders.

Refreshments area.

Cost: £4. Child/Senior £3.

Rhodes Arts Complex, 1-3 South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 710200 www.rhodesbishopsstortford. org.uk

Badminton Beginners

Thurs 18 Jan-29 Mar (not 15 Feb) – 4.30-6pm New 10-week course for beginners aged 7+.

Develop ideas & knowledge in hand building & glazing.

Booking essential.

Cost: £150. Materials included

Healthy U Gym, 1-4 Kimps Way, Bennetts End, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8EN 01442 769071 www.healthyugym.com All year round

BRAMBLETON MODEL RAILWAY CLUB EXHIBITION

17 Jan & 21 Feb – 10.30-11.45am Messy outdoor play for under 5s with parent/guardian.

Booking essential.

Cost: £3.50. Non-members £4.50. £3 parking for nonmembers

CMRA MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION Gordon Craig Theatre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk 13 & 14 Jan At least 30 layouts in many scales, gauges & prototypes.

Cost: £9 (includes adult & up to two children aged 5-16).

Under 5s free. Additional child £4. Unaccompanied child (aged 10-16) £4

Stay and Play Saturdays 6 Jan & 3 Feb. Drop in 10.30am-4.30pm.

Toys & crafts.

Explore the galleries.

FREE

Keep Young & Beautiful!

3 Feb-14 Apr Discover a range of concepts of beauty, how & why people have enhanced or changed their appearance, lifestyle activities and how we have kept in shape!

Illustrated by a wide range of amazing collections.

FREE

Mummification Madness!

13-15 Feb. Drop in 10.30am-3.30pm (last entry 3pm) Craft activities inspired by the Museum’s Ancient Egyptian collection. Design a sarcophagus; make a snazzy necklace & more.

Cost: £1.50 per child

10 Feb onwards – 10am-4pm Can you follow the clues around the Museum & find all the answers? A fun way to learn more about the Museum’s treasures.

Ages 3+ (younger children may need assistance).

FREE

VERULAMIUM MUSEUM

St. Valentine’s Day Card Making

10 Jan – 10.30am, 11.45am, 1.30pm Story, craft activity and museum hunt.

Ages 2-4, accompanied by an adult. Book in advance.

Cost: £3

12-14 Feb – 11am-3pm Make a Valentine’s Day card for someone special this half term.

Drop-in workshop for ages 5+.

Cost: £2

THE SPOTLIGHT High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BE 01992 441946 www.broxbourne.gov.uk/ thespotlight

Big Fish, Little Fish Family Rave 4 Feb – 2-4pm Re-live your clubbing glory years with a toddler on your shoulders & a pint in your hand. Rave, Acid House, Hip Hop and Drum n Bass played by DMC Legend Chad Jackson. Come in fancy dress.

Theme: Space, Out of this world.

Cost: £10. Child £7. Pre-walking infants free but require a ticket

HERTFORD MUSEUM 18 Bull Plain, Hertford, SG14 1DT 01992 582686 www.hertfordmuseum.org

St Michael's Street, St Albans, AL3 4SW 01727 751810 www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Museum entry charge applies to non-residents

Tots Tales

Archaeological Apprentices 27 Jan – 2.15 & 3.15pm Simulated archaeology dig. Peel back layers of time to see what people in the past have left behind & discover what we can learn from the finds.

Ages 5-11 (with an adult).

FREE

Crack the Code Museum Trail 12 Feb Explore the Museum for clues to the Roman words & phrases hidden around the galleries.

FREE

Crafts in the Colonnade 13 & 14 Feb – 2-4pm (last entry 3.40pm) Simple crafts inspired by the museum’s collections. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost: £1.50

15

What’s On Meet the Conservator 15 Feb – 2-4pm Chat to the Museum’s Conservator who will be in action in the galleries, cleaning & caring for the collections.

FREE

Museum Explorers 15 Feb Borrow items from an explorer kit to help you investigate the museum.

FREE

Family Fridays: Time for Tea 16 Feb – 11am-1pm (last entry 12.40pm) Drop-in craft & learning session.

Handle artefacts & make a souvenir to take home. Children must be with an adult.

Cost: £2.50

Meet a Roman Soldier 17 Feb – 2.30 & 3.30pm Discover what life was like as a Roman Soldier at Verulamium during the Boudican revolt.

FREE

ASHRIDGE ESTATE Visitor Centre, Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LT 01442 851227 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ashridge-estate

Feb Half Term Trail 12-16 Feb – 10am-3pm Follow the trail to learn more about the history of Ashridge & the people who lived there through the ages.

Cost: Child £3

BROADWAY STUDIO & GALLERY 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3EW 01462 681088 www.broadway-letchworth.com

Family Arts Studio 14 Jan & 11 Feb – 10am-1pm Hands-on craft activities led by professional artists, inspired by artworks in the Broadway Gallery. No booking required.

Open to all, but aimed at accompanied children aged 3-10.

FREE

LOWEWOOD MUSEUM High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BH 01992 445596 www.broxbourne.gov.uk

Family Fun: Jewellery for Warrior Queen Boudicca

15 Feb Drop in arts & crafts (most suitable for ages 5-11). Allow 20 mins for the activity. Children must be with an adult.

Cost: £1.50 per child

Toddler Thursdays 25 Jan & 22 Feb – 10-11am or 11am-12noon Learn a nursery rhyme, share a story & make a craft. Ages 2-4 (with adult). Book in advance.

Cost: £1.50 per child per session

BENINGTON LORDSHIP GARDENS Stevenage, SG2 7BS 08701 261709 www.beningtonlordship.co.uk 7 Feb-4 Mar – 12-4pm Spectacular display of snowdrops around the remains of the Norman Castle. Refreshments.

Cost: £5. (Concs £4, not on Sundays.) 12-16s £2. Under 12s free

MYDDELTON HOUSE GARDENS Bulls Cross, Enfield, EN2 9HG 03000 030 610 visitleevalley.org.uk/myddelton

The Ultimate Snowdrop Sale 27 Jan Peruse & purchase snowdrops and explore the extensive gardens.

FREE. Suggested donation £3.50

Wild Families: Brilliant Birds & Bird Box Building 15 Feb – 10am-12noon or 1-3pm Celebrate National Nest Box Week with a trip to the woods.

Look for birds & make bird feeders, nesting material balls & a bird box. Plus campfire & snacks, weather permitting.

Ages 4-11 (with an adult).

Cost: £7 per child including a bird box to take home

MILL GREEN MUSEUM & MILL Mill Green, Hatfield, AL9 5PD 01707 357850 www.welhat.gov.uk/museum

Toddler Mornings 18 Jan & 22 Feb – 10-11.30am Art & craft, songs & story, visit the Mill & Museum. Drink & biscuit provided.

Cost: £3 per toddler (includes entrance for one adult)

Half Term Holiday Activities: Monsters!

13-15 Feb – 10am, 11.15am, 1.15pm & 2.30pm (lasts one hour)

Make a Monster Mask (13th).

Design a Monster Collage Picture (14th).

Create a Clay Model (15th).

Family Conservation Day

Activity Day

12 Feb - 10am-1pm Carry out a range of practical conservation tasks to help with habitat management. Under 18s must be with an adult. Hot drinks & biscuits provided! Booking essential.

FREE

12 Feb – 2-4pm Be inspired by the spring bulbs starting to flower in the woodland and get creative with natural dyes made from plants.

Be prepared to get messy!

Ages 4+, first come, first served.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost: £3.50 per child

Nr Welwyn, SG14 2WN 01727 858901 www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Little Explorers: Little Love Bugs & Love Birds 14 Feb – 10am-12noon or 1-3pm Look for bugs & birds, make a bug house & create a little wooden ‘love bug’ or ‘love bird’ to take home. Plus campfire & snacks, weather permitting.

Ages 2-7 (with an adult).

Cost: £6 per child

Crafty Wednesday: Royston Rocks 14 Feb – 10.30am-12noon Dropin craft activities for ages 4-10.

Cost: £3 per child

Family Felt-Making 15 Feb – 10.30am-12noon Family-friendly beginner’s workshop for ages 4 to adult (children must be with an adult).

Learn about the ancient craft of creating felt from wool fibres in a fun atmosphere.

Cost: £5 per person

WILLOWS ACTIVITY FARM Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, AL2 1BB 0870 129 9718 www.willowsactivityfarm.com

February Frolics 10-18 Feb Live lambing, newborn lamb bottle feeding demonstrations and a full day’s programme of fleecy fun.

Cost: See website

ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL WELWYN ROMAN BATHS

Harpenden, AL5 1DT www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

PANSHANGER PARK

10.30am-12noon 20 Jan (Prehistory) 17 Feb (Coins & Medals) Ages 4-10. Drop-in craft activities & trail around the Museum.

Cost: £3 per child

Cost: £3.50 per child per session

Under the A1M at its junction with the A1000, 01707 357850 www.welhat.gov.uk/museum Open every day 10-18 Feb – 2-5pm

HARPENDEN COMMON

Historical Crafterday

AL1 1BY 01727 860780 www.stalbanscathedral.org

Romans & Saxons Family Discovery Morning 15 Feb What was it like to be a Roman or Saxon? Which would you prefer to have been? Find out more on this exciting trail around the Cathedral with arts & crafts.

Ages 3-11 (must be accompanied by an adult).

FREE

ROYSTON MUSEUM 5 Lower King Street, Royston, SG8 5AL 01763 242587 www.roystonmuseum.org.uk

Toddler Music & Dance 19 & 29 Jan, 9 & 19 Feb - 10.3011.30am Toddler music & dance workshop themed around the Museum’s collections. Booking essential.

FREE

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