Families London Surrey Borders March/April issue

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IN THIS ISSUE

Education Easter Activities Early Years Clubs & Classes

March/April 2021

Familiesonline.co.uk

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CONTENTS

In This Issue

Welcome

4

Local News

7

Education

9

Tuition Directory

11

Early Years

Spring is nearly here! And a very welcome one after what feels like the longest winter ever.

With promise of the world opening up again soon, we hope you find inspiration, hope, ideas and fun within these pages.

15

Early Years Directory

17

Family Health

18

April Fool’s Day

19

Easter Activities

23

Easter Camps

24

Clubs & Classes

And there are some great suggestions for memorable staycation holidays in England, Scotland and Wales.

28

Family Life

31

Keep smiling everybody!

Science Activities

32

Environment

34

Travel

Get in touch Editor Tamar Pearson editor@families-lsb.co.uk 0794 7535 986 Book now for our May/ June issue. Call 0794 7535 986. Book by 19 April

We have lots of great family activities for Easter and some ideas for making outside time a little bit more exciting, now that the cold weather is easing.

Tamar Competition Winners from our Nov/Dec issue Weronika Puchala, Luna Smith, Kelly McGleish, Simone Ayres, Taya Freeman, Katie Scott, Melanie Oley, Jenni Weston, Annelien Bass, Virginie Renaut, Lauren Powell, Margaret Challen, Maria Jornet Escuet, Philomena Price, Sophie Venables, Vicki Wright, Stephanie Chan, Chalice Palmores.

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.

Helping children believe they can do anything Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds CHEAM & WORCESTER PARK stagecoach.co.uk/ cheamandworcesterpark CROYDON stagecoach.co.uk/croydon

SUTTON stagecoach.co.uk/sutton SHIRLEY stagecoach.co.uk/shirley

EPSOM stagecoach.co.uk/epsom

Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

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March/April 3

LOCAL NEWS

The World of Dinosaur Roar! Discover Trail – Coming soon!

Something BIG is coming to Godstone Farm this Spring. If you’re a fan of The World of Dinosaur Roar! Or just love dinosaurs we have great news for you. We are delighted to be launching The World of Dinosaur Roar! Discovery Trail right here at Godstone Farm. The exciting trail will feature life-size dinosaur models in a natural woodland setting, a paleontology tent with interactives, costume characters, activities and events all aimed at young children.

From this Spring you can join Dinosaur Roar and his dinosaur friends, completing fun activities and spotting characters from the stories as you go.

Godstone Farm plans to re-open from 12 April in line with current government guidance.

MORE INFO

4 March/April

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LOCAL NEWS

Dynamic Theatre Arts Academy Celebrates its 20th Anniversary Dynamic Theatre Arts Academy (DTAA) is a friendly dance school in Sanderstead, South Croydon, and this year the school celebrates its 20th Anniversary. They have a wonderful sense of community and the students are delighted to be able to return to face to face classes from 20 April.

DTAA offers a wide range of classes for 2-18 years including ballet, modern, tap, acro, musical theatre and street dance. Students have the opportunity to take part in performances and be entered for ISTD examinations. New to the timetable for the summer term is the Pre-School Acro Class - a great introduction to acro for to 2-5 years.

This class helps both children’s physical and creative development, is fun and a great way for little ones to burn off some energy, whilst learning new skills.

MORE INFO

It’s Time for Your Child to Shine at a FREE Perform Class

To feature your business in our next issue call Tamar on 0794 7535 986

Perform classes are back in person this summer term and there’s no better time for your child to try a class. Packed with self-esteem boosting activities, these weekly classes will help children get back to doing the things they love most.

Book a no-obligation FREE trial at Purley.

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 5

LOCAL NEWS

Bring Out the Best in Your Child Through Singing, Dancing & Acting Stagecoach teach students so much more than how to sing, dance and act. They help them blossom into well-rounded individuals, ready to embrace life and all its opportunities. With 30 years experience in teaching the performing arts, they understand how to get the best out of young performers.

Stagecoach encourage them to take ‘safe risks’ through rehearsals and performance, which brings out a willingness to take on new challenges. None of us know what the future holds, which is why it’s so important for today’s children to be resilient, brave and self-assured.

Stagecoach nurtures the shy and apprehensive, until they find their feet and voice, whilst at the same time developing and channeling those with bundles of talent, confidence and energy.

MORE INFO

6 March/April

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EDUCATION

Free Maths Downloadables Use these high quality maths resources from PlanBee to help support your child’s learning.

Converting Measures Chart

What is the Question?

Fractions of Numbers Posters

This handy chart helps to convert a variety of different measures.

Work backwards from the answer to find the question.

Watermelon-themed posters that explain the concept of fractions.

Position Puzzles

Interpret positional language to put the shapes in the correct place.

Multiple Mazes

Identify the multiples of the 2/5/10 times table.

3 levels of difficulty.

Place Value Game

24-Hour Time Display

Times Table Booklet

Compare the Money Cards

Help your child tell the time on 12 and 24-hour clocks.

Familiesonline.co.uk

All the times tables in one handy booklet!

What numbers go in the place value columns to win the point?

Recognise coins. Use for playing Snap or Matching Pairs.

March/April 7

EDUCATION

Why is My Child Teaching Another Child?

Is Online Tutoring Effective?

By Annabel Gray

By Lucy Spencer

Just before the pandemic struck, I was in a café when I accidentally overheard a conversation between two mums. One was expressing her outrage that, at school, her child had been teaching another child to read. Let me share with you a secret about this.

READ MORE

If you’ve had time to breathe between home schooling, work and parenting, you may have wondered about the effectiveness of online tutoring.

Like any online experience, the answer depends on many factors, particularly the facilitator, the goal and the environment.

READ MORE

Device Free Learning

Calling all young Scientists!

Help us discover how babies & kids learn!

We’re recruiting infants from birth to school age to take part in fun studies at Birkbeck’s Babylab & ToddlerLab in central London. Our prime locations are easy to reach and we refund travel expenses.

We also have online studies you can do from the comfort of home www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk/online-studies 020 7631 6258 babylab@bbk.ac.uk www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk 8 March/April

By Dr Amanda Gummer

For many parents, home learning has been very challenging, with spotty Wi-Fi wreaking havoc and children battling to use the same device. The good news is that remote learning lessons on a device are not the only way that parents can support their child’s learning at home.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Academic Tuition Directory

Explore Learning Various locations Maths and English.

Sats and 11 plus preparation.

Excel Tuition

Croydon Tuition in key academic subjects.

First Class Learning

Maths Masters

Epsom, Tadworth & Redhill Professional, affordable maths tuition clubs for children at Key Stages 1-2.

Kumon

Various locations Reach Your Child’s True Potential with Extra Help with their Maths & English.

Mock Test Masters

Parch Hill Tuition

Southern Tutors

Starlight Learning

Croydon Maths and English for 5-18 yrs, specialising in 11+ and GCSE preparation.

Familiesonline.co.uk

11+, key stage 2 and 11 plus tuition.

Various locations Expert English and maths tuition for all ages and abilities.

Sutton, Croydon, Wallington Specialist providers of 11+ mock tests in the UK.

Kenley, Caterham, Purley, Coulsdon A small tuition group designed for children in yrs 3-6.

March/April 9

EDUCATION

Where Children Thrive

Helping your Child be an Effective Learner

By Gail Hugman

Independent Co-educational Day School For Pupils Aged 3-18

APPLY NOW FOR 2021 ENTRY Virtual Tours On School Website

www.ewellcastle.co.uk 10 March/April

Many things can get in the way of a child learning effectively: dislike of practising difficult things; being discouraged by failure; comparing themselves with others; or simply not making much effort. If you feel your child is underperforming, what can you do?

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

Twice the Adventure, Play B C has a Second Site

After the challenge of completing a renovation during lockdown.

Play B C Preschool is thrilled to have opened the second site in Carshalton. Old School House, once empty and derelict for many years, is now a fantastic, light and airy learning space for children 2-4 years.

READ MORE

Godstone Farm Day Nursery & Pre-School Opening this Spring!

We all appreciate the undisputable benefits of getting outside and closer to nature, which is why the Godstone Farm Day Nursery will offer just that; lots of stimulating play in a natural environment. Tours will start late March, with official opening early May. READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 11

EARLY YEARS

Like Mary Poppins – Turn Jobs into Games….

Games and play ideas from The Good Play Guide that help children learn life skills in a fun and engaging way.

Tidy Up Game

Laundry Game

Bedroom Tidy

Ages 2+. Children tidy away their things by the end of a song.

Ages 2-3. Get children folding, sorting and matching the laundry.

Ages 3+. Makes another fun game out of tidying up.

Drying Up Game

Odd Socks Game

Changing Rooms

Ages 3+. Children dry up, playing ‘pick up sticks’ game with cutlery.

Ages 3+. Fun way to develop colour, shape & pattern recognition.

Ages 4+. Children learn to dress/undress and how buttons and zips work.

Running a Café

I Packed My Suitcase

Cooking

Ages 4+. Develops role play, social play, food/nutrition, money/ counting.

12 March/April

Ages 4+. Develops memory and concentration.

Ages 5+. Cooking and baking teaches children invaluable life skills.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Independent school and nursery for girls and boys aged 2-11, where there’s more to a good education.

Click to take a virtual tour of our school.

SUTTON LANE | BANSTEAD | ADMISSIONS@BANSTEADPREP.COM | 01737March/April 36360013 Familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

When Do Babies Start Walking?

By Andrew Campbell A baby’s first steps are an exciting development that every parent eagerly anticipates, marking the transition to toddlerhood.

Babies begin walking at their own pace and each is different.

Walking can occur from as young as 9 months but most babies take their first steps between 12 and 18 months.

A range of factors can affect when a baby begins to walk. A ‘risk taker’ So what does each of these stages will want to get up and going involve? quickly, whilst a more cautious child may not want to walk until they can READ MORE do it well.

Larger babies may walk later because they have to be stronger before they can carry their own weight. Ear infections can disrupt balance and delay the walking process too. A younger child may copy an older sibling and learn walking faster.

NEXT ISSUE Massive Outdoor Toy Giveaway!

There are key milestones you should expect to see on your baby’s journey to walking, as follows: Kicking, Wriggling and Rolling Grasping and Grabbing Supporting Head on Hands/Arms Sitting, Crawling and Bottom Shuffling Standing and Cruising 14 March/April

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EARLY YEARS

Early Years Directory

Bambini Nursery

Ewell Full and half day sessions for children from 3 months- 5 yrs.

Godstone Farm Nursery

Brightsparks Day Nurseries

Elmwood Nursery

Purley, Old Coulsdon, South Croydon & Selsdon

Part of Carshalton College and cares for children aged 3 mos-5 yrs.

Play BC

King Fisher Nursery

New Day Nursery and Pre-School opening in the grounds of Godstone Farm.

Wallington & Carshalton Play B C is a teacherled preschool for ages 2-5 yrs.

Thornton Heath, Croydon & Coulsdon Baby Unit, Day Nursery and Pre-school.

Shapes Day Nursery

Tadworth Tots Nursery

The Railway Children Kindergarten

Family business with fantastic resourced setting for 0-5 yrs.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Children’s Trust School in Tadworth. Ages 2-5 yrs.

Epsom Downs Cosy pre-school for ages 2-4 yrs.

March/April 15

EARLY YEARS

Advertisement

16 March/April

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HEALTH

FREE ‘End Emotional Explosions’ Online Course

Lucy Russell, mother and clinical psychologist at Everlief, a large child psychology clinic, has seen mental health issues in children accelerating in the last 12 months.

EXCLUSIV In response to demand, Everlief has launched a parent E support site, They Are The Future offering free and paid online courses, masterclasses and blog. These include Calm OFFER & Connected, aimed at parents with pre-teens affected by stress, anger or anxiety. Everlief is offering Families readers a FREE 5 day mini-course in which Lucy teaches the Cup Approach, a powerful tool for preventing emotional explosions. You will learn the science behind emotional explosions, two distinct ways to prevent them and what is meant by filling your child’s “cup.”

Access the mini course HERE.

Boost Your Child’s Mood

Families are Different! #ItsAllNormal

With everything the last year has flung at us, it’s understandable that we’re feeling somewhat deflated. Children in particular can be prone to mood swings because they have not yet developed the emotional language to express their feelings. Try these activities to help banish your child’s blues.

READ MORE

Tay and Chan Kabs, parents of the social media superstars The Kabs Family, spoke to Families about their new campaign with Haliborange - #ItsAllNormal. The campaign celebrates that we are all parenting in our own way, and it’s all normal. See #ItsAllNormal family stories on Instagram.

By Caroline Roope

Familiesonline.co.uk

READ INTERVIEW March/April 17

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

April Fool’s Day Prank Ideas In the Bathroom….

Bath Blues. Paint a bar of soap with a thin layer of nail varnish so it won’t lather.

Shampoo Shock. Put some cling film between the bottle and lid of a shampoo/shower gel bottle.

How long will it take your family to realise nothing is coming out?

Wrap Attack. Place some bubble wrap under a rug or bathmat.

Wait for the shriek!

Toilet Bowl Alert. Remove the lid of the toilet cistern and pour in 10-20 drops of food colouring!

Tooth Trouble. Pop a raisin inside the neck of a tube toothpaste and cover with toothpaste to conceal.

In the Kitchen….

Brick of Breakfast. The night before, fill a bowl with cereal and milk, half-submerge a spoon and then put it in the freezer. Add a touch of fresh milk before serving it.

Cereal Confusion. Swap the contents of boxes of cereal, and watch the look of confusion as its poured out!

Pudding Prank. Make an ‘ice cream sundae’ out of mashed potato... yum!

Juice Joke. Put jelly in your child’s glass instead of juice.

Browned Off. Announce you have just baked some “brownies” and present a plate of letter Es cut from brown paper.

18 March/April

Around the House….

Spiders on the Loose. Cut out spider shapes using black paper and place inside a lampshade.

Television Terror! Place a very small piece of black tape over the sensor/light on the end of the TV remote.

Shoe Trouble. Stuff the end of a pair of shoes with toilet roll so your family member can’t fit their feet in.

Loopy Laces. Tie a family member’s shoe laces together so they’ll get nowhere fast….

Balloon Door Explosion. Tape balloons to the back of the front door before the family comes in.

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EASTER

Best Easter Craft Projects for Families

Paper Easter Wreath

Salt Dough Easter Eggs

Tin Foil Easter Egg Art

Easter Bonnet

Bunny Bunting

Sock Bunny

Bunny Corner Bookmark

Dye Easter Eggs

Bean Bag Easter Chick

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March/April 19

EASTER

Set Up an Easter Egg Hunt

Use our clues to set up an Easter Egg Hunt in your house.

Laundry and Kitchen

With this clue, you’ll have to follow your nose, where does mummy put all your stinky clothes? (Laundry basket) In this place it’s very cold, “Close the door properly!!” you’re always being told. (Freezer)

Bedroom

In here, daddy puts his toes, take a big breathe though and cover your nose! (Shoes/slippers) Where do you go when it’s time for sleep? Take a look here, there’s some treats to keep. (Bed)

Find me in the kitchen, I’m a big cold white appliance. (Fridge)

You put this on when you’re cold, ‘Fasten it up properly” you’re always being told. (Coat)

I have a sound that goes beep, and my main function is to heat.

(Microwave)

In this place you’ll find hundreds of pages, reading them all would take you ages! (Book shelves)

I take your clothes for quite a spin, but first, they get wet. That’s how I begin. (Washing machine)

Find me when you need to know how to spell a word. (Dictionary – Book shelves)

Other Rooms

In this place, it’s very wet, it’s where you and the duckies very first met. (Bath) I rain on you when you need a scrub, I’m very much like my friend the tub. (Shower)

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In this place we’re supposed to wipe our feet, open the door to see who to greet. (Front door) This is where you eat your dinner, find the hidden clue and you’re the winner! (Dining table) I have hands but no arms, just a face and my hands move at a steady pace. (Clock) I have four legs, but I don’t have feet, I come in handy when it’s time to eat. (Chair) 20 March/April

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EASTER

The Great Families Easter Bake Off

Easter Egg Cookies

Easter Bunny Pancakes

Chocolate Krispie Chick

Hot Cross Scones

Easter Egg Bark

Easy Easter Nests

Hot Cross Bun Doughnuts

Baa-lamb Muffins

Easter Egg Biscuits

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 21

EASTER

Make an

Chick

With Easter just around the corner, it’s time for some crafty creating with your children to celebrate. This simple craft from Kidzplay Playbox takes just minutes to set up and creates a colourful Easter chick.

You will need: * Eyes, beak, legs and feet pictured here * Scissors * Glue * Yellow Tissue Squares * Feathers * Paper Plate

Step-by-step guide: Step 1 Cover the paper plate in glue.

Step 5 Fold the beak in half and stick to the plate and then add the eyes.

Step 2 Stick the tissue squares onto the plate.

Step 3 Fold the legs along the dotted lines to make them bendy.

Step 6 Finally stick the feathers onto the plate to make the wings.

Step 4 Attach the feet to the legs and then stick the feet on the plate.

Step 7 Leave to dry before displaying.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

22 March/April

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EASTER

Easter Camps

Camp Beaumont

Camp 4 Champs

Croydon, Epsom, Tadworth, Redhill Multi-activity day camps for 3-16 yrs.

Warlingham and Caterham Multi-skills activity camps for kids 4-14 yrs.

Ball Master Football Courses

Hidden Gems Theatre School

Easter Fire Tech Courses

Leatherhead Starts 29 Mar Explore coding, video game design, music production and more.

Stagecoach Performing Arts

Sutton 6-9 Apr & 12-16 Apr Football holiday camps. 4-14 yrs.

Banstead, Coulsdon Hairspray musical. 15 & 16 Apr and Disney favourites 14 Apr.

Various locations Have fun and make friends with Stagecoach holiday workshops.

Kids Clubs @ Craft my Day

Kids Wild Adventure Club (KWAC!)

SCL Holiday Camps

Worcester Park From 12 Apr. Different crafts each day.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Various locations 1-16 Apr. A fun-packed, themed Easter Holiday Croydon Club. 4-12 yrs.

Daily sessions 5-16 Apr

March/April 23

CLUBS & CLASSES

Local Clubs and Classes Directory Preschool and Toddlers

Aquatots

Busylizzy

Little Kickers

Various locations Swim programme for children from 10 wks-8 yrs.

Pregnancy & postnatal fitness sessions, baby & toddler classes, talks & family events.

Various locations Football skills for children. 18 mos-7 yrs.

Stagecoach Mini & Early Stage

DTAA - Dynamic Theatre Arts Academy

Playball Kids

Singing, dancing and drama classes for children 2–6 yrs.

Rugbytots

Fun and dynamic Pre-School play programme for boys and girls 2-7 yrs.

24 March/April

Sanderstead, South Croydon. Preschool Dance Classes. 2-5 yrs.

Sing Along

Banstead, Wallington, Coulsdon & Caterham Lively and fun singing group for the under 5’s.

Various locations Ball skills sports programme for children 1-6 yrs.

Sing & Sign

Various locations Baby signing with Sing and Sign is easy and fun!

Familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

Local Clubs and Classes Directory Performing Arts

Ambition Dance

Epsom Dance classes for children aged 18 mths to adult from beginner level.

DTAA - Dynamic Theatre Arts Academy

Sanderstead, South Croydon.

Various styles of dance classes for 2 to 18 yrs.

Ewell Dance

Ewell, Epsom, Stoneleigh Various dance styles from 2 yrs.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Ashtead Ballet School

Ashtead, Epsom Ballet, Tap, Modern and Theatre dance school.

From 3 yrs.

Perform

Dance Studio 84

Sanderstead Royal Academy of Dance ballet school.

From 3yrs.

Stagecoach Performing Arts

Purley Weekly drama, dance and singing classes to boost confidence, communication, and coordination.

Boost Confidence and Creativity Through Dance, Singing, And Acting. Open to Ages 4-18 yrs.

Firebird Academy of Ballet

Presto Performing Arts

Coulsdon Ballet training from 3 yrs.

Sutton, Wallington Award winning Performing Arts 4-16 yrs.

March/April 25

CLUBS & CLASSES

Local Clubs and Classes Directory Active Sports

Active 1st

2play Football

Axten 1-2-1 Private Football Coaching

Various locations Active 1st run gymnastics, football, dance, multi-sports

Croydon Football coaching for children 5-8yrs.

Epsom Fencing Club

Great Waves Swimming Academy

MultiSports Sutton and Cheam

Star Tastic Gymnastics

Taylors Martial Arts

Epsom Coaching in all three weapons. All abilities.

Skills UK

Nonsuch High School for Girls. Coaching in 18 Lessons for all ages and abilities. 1-2-1 and different sports across the year. 4-16 yrs 2-2-1 lessons available.

Croydon, Sutton Highly awesome and Epsom, Stoneleigh, and exciting weekly football Reigate. Classes for all sessions.2-11 yrs. ages and abilities.

26 March/April

Across London & Surrey

Carshalton and surrounds. Freestyle kickboxing club. Age specific classes.

Familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

Local Clubs and Classes Directory Art, Language and Music

A to G Music School

Art K

Sutton 1 to 1 lessons in a variety of instruments and vocal coaching.

Art learning in the studio and at home, to suit every pupil who loves art!

Kidslingo

Kingswood Surrey Music

Coulsdon, Tadworth, Banstead Fun French classes for children of all ages from birth-11 yrs.

Petite Ecole Reigate

Reigate French classes every Saturday, for children from 4-16.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Kids Craft Club with Craft My Day Worcester Park Variety of crafts activities.

Krafty Kids Club

Tadworth Teaching subject of music education.

Various locations Krafty Kids Club is an Arts & Crafts club for children of all ages.

Rock Project Croydon

Surrey Sound of Music School

Caterham, Purley Teaches 7-11 and 12-18 yr olds Drums, Guitar, Bass Guitar and Vocals.

Mobile tutors in piano, singing, flute, violin, saxophone, clarinet, drums & guitar!

March/April 27

FAMILY LIFE

Parenting Books that Don’t Shame!

Dr Sarah Mundy from Parenting through Stories selects accessible, evidence-based books that she’s appreciated as both a mum and a psychologist.

What To Expect Series

No Drama Discipline

A helpful resource covering pre-pregnancy to the toddler years.

Interprets neuroscience theory into practical parenting, with clear examples.

How to develop a secure attachment relationship with your child.

What Every Parent Needs to Know

The Danish Way of Parenting

Parenting Handbook

Calm Parents, Happy Kids

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read

Pulls together up-to-date Advice on raising kids research into practical from the world’s happiest and accessible advice. people!

Why parents need to manage their feelings, and children need connection and empathy.

28 March/April

Relate how you were parented, to how you parent.

The Power of Showing Up

Make sense of every day challenges together with your child.

The Gentle Parenting Book

Helping parents become confident and calm.

Putting gentle parenting into practice.

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

What is Family Mediation?

Talk, Read, Play: Crucial Skills for Parents

By Louisa Dickson

By Cristina Odone

“I’m getting divorced and need a solicitor.” Only Mums & Dads, a not-for-profit social enterprise that supports people through divorce, hears this statement daily. Their advice is always to try mediation first (where there is no domestic abuse) and if it breaks down, to try again. But why?

READ MORE

Lockdown has kept us at home with our children 24/7. Under these circumstances, we’d be forgiven for switching to autopilot, managing through the day without paying any special attention to our children: we’re always with them, so no special effort is needed, right? WRONG! READ MORE

Get Your Kids Recycling!

Win a Smoby Playhouse!

By Andrew Campbell

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Everyone is responsible for creating waste, whether it’s leftovers on the dinner plate or the finished loo roll. And so everyone is responsible for sustainable waste disposal.

Here’s some great ideas for teaching children about recycling and encouraging them to get more involved.

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Choose TeePee or Nature Playhouse March/April 29

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Spring “Make and Do” Outdoor Projects

Make a Bird Feeder

Search for Tadpoles

Make a Nature Journal

Make a Rain Gauge

Grow Butterflies

Make a Butterfly Feeder

Build a Den

Plant Tomatoes

Go Stargazing

30 March/April

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SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

Fun Science Projects at Home Your kids will love these cool experiments and activities. Adult supervision may be required!

Make a Balloon Powered Car

Create Crystal Snowflakes

Build an Electromagnet

Make a Sensory Bottle

Create Giant Bubbles

Plant an Ice Garden

Make Magic Milk

Create a Cloud

Make Butter

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 31

ENVIRONMENT

Let’s Go Plastic Free!

Start reducing your plastic consumption now. How many of these products do you use? How many can you try soon? Swap products or introduce new habits—one at a time.

A Simple Bar of Soap!

Compostable Coffee Pods

Buy Loose Fruit and Veg

Bin the plastic plunger container. Buy bars bar!

We love these.

Swap to these Nespresso compatible compostable pods.

Bring your own cotton or cloth bag to weigh and carry it home.

Shampoo/ Conditioner Bar

Reusable Sanitary Pads

Re-Fill your Detergent Bottles

Plastic Free Toilet Paper

Shaving Soap

Widely available. Try Planet Organic or The Body Shop.

Loose Washing/ Dishwashing Powder

Sainsbury’s sells its own brand of powder.

32 March/April

Re-fill or make your Wash at home, save money or use reusable own with white vinegar & essential oils. mooncup.

100% plastic free. Free shipping (most orders).

100% natural.

Hand made by disadvantaged women in Kerala.

Familiesonline.co.uk

ENVIRONMENT

Let’s Go Plastic Free!

Start small. Choose one new behaviour you’d like to take on board and only move to the next once it is established as a habit.

Plastic Free Tooth Brushing

Plastic Free Bathroom

Buy Loose and in Bulk

Think bamboo toothbrushes and toothpaste in tablets or a glass jar.

Cotton buds, dental floss, make up remover pads and more!

Buy larger quantities.

Store in glass jars. Refill from zero waste shop.

Start your Own Food Group

Buy Oil in Larger Quantities

Plastic Free Meat or Fish

Buy products in bulk, save money, reduce your carbon footprint.

Think 5 litres. Pour in glass bottles at home.

Get your local butchers/fishmongers to wrap goods in paper.

Deodorant

Pasta in a Cardboard Box

Use Real Nappies

Widely available. Try Boots, Holland & Barrett.

Familiesonline.co.uk

An easy switch that will further reduce your plastic footprint.

Wash and re-use nappies or use a laundry service.

March/April 33

TRAVEL

UK Holiday Inspiration Families top ideas for places to enjoy a brilliant staycation in the UK this year! Please adhere to Covid-19 government guidelines when travelling.

Bodmin Jail Hotel in Cornwall

Rocks at Plas Curi in North Wales

Bovey Castle & Spa Hotel in Devon

4-star boutique hotel within the walls of the 18th century prison.

5* hostel near Snowdon + Zipworld.

Family friendly luxury.

5*, child-friendly, relaxed, dogs welcome.

Plenty of activities.

Crewe Hall in Cheshire

Eco Glamping in Wales

Eilean Shona in Scotland

Luxury stay, famed afternoon tea, family attractions nearby.

185 acres for walking, hiking and wild swimming.

Cottages on magical private island off Scotland’s west coast.

Winchcombe Farm in Warwickshire

Scilly Isles

The Little Retreat in Pembrokeshire

Five unique tree houses at this gorgeous glamping retreat.

34 March/April

Sand-fringed islands, warm waters, empty beaches. 28m from Cornish coast.

Luxury glamping in castle grounds in coastal National Park.

Familiesonline.co.uk

TRAVEL

Feel Good Getaways with Away Resorts

Away Resorts offer a choice of seven fabulous UK locations, from countryside to coast, giving you the opportunity to fall in love with a new type of holiday. A holiday that puts you first, where your accommodation is off-thescale amazing and where new experiences await at every turn.

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Join the staycation nation...

Manchester Lincoln

Barmouth Bay

UK getaways from £151*

Boston West Birmingham

Mersea Island

• Stunning locations

Cardiff Bristol

• Unique accommodation • Fantastic facilities including swimming pools and on-site restaurants and bars • Outstanding entertainment

Tattershall Lakes

London

Sandy Balls Mill Rythe Plymouth

Whitecliff Bay

• Jam-packed activity programmes • Dog-friendly

Book your next getaway in confidence at awayresorts.co.uk or call us on 03432 496 310 @AwayResortsHolidays

@AwayResortsUK

@AwayResortsHolidays

*Price based on a 2-night stay at Tattershall Lakes in a Value caravan in June. Price correct at time of print. Any day arrivals are applicable to a 2-night minimum. For more information on our Coronavirus Booking Guarantee, please visit our website.

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 35

BOOKS

Hot New Kids’ Books for 2021 All books can be purchased via Bookshop.org, an online bookshop which financially supports local, independent bookshops and of which Families Magazine is an affiliate.

Pip and Posy: The Friendly Snail

The Whale Who Wanted More

The Cat’s Cook Book

By Axel Scheffler.

Ages 0-2.

By Rachel Bright & Jim Field. Ages 1-5.

By Julia Donaldson.

Ages 2+.

Hom

The Woolly Bear Caterpillar

Nature Trail

By Jeanne Willis & Paddy Donnelly.

Ages 3+.

Draw with Rob: Build a Story

By Rob Biddulph.

Ages 3+.

36 March/April

By Julia Donaldson & Yuval Zommer.

Ages 3-5.

The Invisible

By Tom Percival.

Ages 3+.

By Benjamin Zephaniah & Nila Aye. Ages 3-5.

What Did the Tree See?

By Charlotte Guillain & Sam Usher. Ages 4-6.

Familiesonline.co.uk

BOOKS

Hot New Kids’ Books for 2021 All books can be purchased via Bookshop.org, an online bookshop which financially supports local, independent bookshops and of which Families Magazine is an affiliate.

RuPaul

By Maria Isabel Sanches Vegara.

Ages 4-7.

Wolfboy

By Andy Harkness.

Ages 4-8.

Move Like a Lion

Rainbow Grey

A Tangle of Spells

Space Detectives

Best Bites Cookbook

Dragon World

By Laura Ellen Anderson.

Ages 7-10.

By Omari McQueen.

Ages 8-11.

Familiesonline.co.uk

By Michelle Harrison.

Ages 8+.

By Radzi Chinyanganya.

Ages 5-7.

By Mark Powers and Dapo Adeola.

Ages 7+.

How to Grow Up

By Tamara Macfarlane. and Feel Amazing!

Ages 8-12.

By Dr Ranj Singh.

Ages 10-13.

March/April 37

MUSIC

Support your Child’s Love and Learning of Music

Meet the Orchestra with the Royal Albert Hall Fun introduction to the world of percussion for young children.

Gentle Guitar

Online guitar school with lessons for children ages 5-12.

BBC Play the Noise

Explore the elements of a song. Play/clap along.

Listen back to your own version.

38 March/April

Cbeebies Radio Prom Podcast

Enjoy an imaginary musical journey to the moon with this podcast.

On Stage at Home Nordoff Robbins & the Clangers

Young children have fun making music using household objects.

Virtual Musical Instruments

Chrome Music Lab

Naxos Music Box

Sing Up at Home

Fun, hands-on music Learn & create music. experiments. Make and Play instruments online learn your own songs. using PC keyboard/ mouse.

Interactive musical resource for ages 4-12.

Activities, puzzles, quizzes.

Keep kids learning & singing. Free online resources and A-Z playlist.

Familiesonline.co.uk