Issuu

KE TA

FR EE

E M

E M O H

IN THIS ISSUE

Clubs & Classes Don't miss our main feature on Suffolk's brilliant Clubs & Classes.

What's On It's finally back... Let us help you plan your family days out again. Plus you could win a Summer Pass at

Family Law familiesonline.co.uk Issue 59: May/June 2021

WIN an 8ft Jumpking Tyro Trampoline

Worth £169.00

Families Suffolk: Issue 59 1 familiesonline.co.uk

WOOLVERSTONE HALL NURSERY A RURAL ADVENTURE AWAITS at Ipswich High School

A Rural Adventure Awaits Opening September 2021

Woolverstone Hall Nursery will be welcoming children from the ages of 3 to 4 years old from September 2021. Based at Ipswich High School, our welcoming school setting is friendly, nurturing and makes children feel happy, safe, and keen to learn. Our nursery and play gardens provide opportunities for every child to grow and develop, while our incredible 87-acre location allows us to incorporate both Forest and Beach School into our curriculum. Our beautiful outdoor spaces are a fundamental part of our nursery offer. Pupils develop physical, imaginative, and social skills in the natural setting and learn from the world around them.

For more information on Woolverstone Hall Nursery and to reserve a place for your son or daughter, please contact our Registrar. 01473 201058 | admissions@ipswichhighschool.co.uk 2

www.ipswichhighschool.co.uk/nursery

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

Hello... Welcome to our May/June issue. What an issue we have for you, I am so pleased to be including a What's On feature again. It's great to have so many of our local family attractions opening up again. To celebrate their re-opening this May, Jump In Trampoline Park in Ipswich are offering readers the chance to WIN a Summer Pass. For more information please see p4. Glass and Craft are also offering our readers up to £10 off their studio fees. Please see p5 for more information. This main feature in this issue is Clubs & Classes. As a mum of two myself I know how important taking part in extra curricular activities are for my children, from learning new skills to making new friends, there are so many benefits. In this feature we have included a fantastic selection of local clubs and classes available for all ages and covering a range of activities, including babyballet, Little Kickers and Mini First Aid to name just a few. There are also exclusive FREE TRIALS available for Family Suffolk readers from Co-op Juniors Theatre Academy and Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes. Please see p20 for more information. We also hear from Colin Winter, Deputy County Commissioner for Suffolk Scouts and Jo Dixon, County Outreach worker for Girlguiding in Suffolk. Two organisations that offer fantastic opportunities for Suffolk children. We also have a brilliant competition in association with Jumpking for the chance to WIN an 8ft Tyro Trampoline Worth £169.00. Please see p23 for more information.

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS 4-9

What's On

Suffolk Museums

Suffolk Libraries

12-13

Family Health & Wellbeing

Book Review

Family Law

16-22

Clubs & Classes Feature

Our Family Law article in this issue addresses couples who are living together but are not married, which offers some very valuable advice. Please remember that Families Suffolk Magazine is also available to read online and our digital magazine has even more great content and useful links. To ensure you never miss an issue you can subscribe to our FREE online edition, simply visit: www.bit.ly/2XolhJe. growing closer

Best Wishes

Stacey Phillips Editor

We’re Suffolk

through and through We’re interested in what our

members and the local community are doing and we’re happy to roll

up our sleeves to help them grow and prosper.

Advertising: editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk | 07951 946736 Events & What’s On: editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk Our Next Issue: July / August 2021 Print: Printed in the UK by Buxton Press.

w w w.ibs.co.uk

0330 123 0723

PRINT DISCLAIMER: Families Suffolk Ltd is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Suffolk Ltd are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Suffolk Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Suffolk Ltd; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

WIN TO ENTER VISIT:

an 8ft Jumpking Tyro Trampoline

www.familiesmag.co.uk/go

WORTH

£169.00

The new 8ft JumpKing Tyro Trampoline and safety enclosure is great for bigger kids and adults, and will give any striving gymnast an amazing jumping experience. Its grey surround pad covers the galvanized trampoline springs which sit on the outside of the net for safety reasons. Designed and built by Jumpking with added base strength and many other qualities ensured by features including: • A patented G3 Safety Enclosure System which makes for quick and easy assembly. 4

• Unique Tri-Layer Connector Sockets. This latest technology T-Connector provides a more secure safety enclosure and speedier assembly. • Galvanized steel frame. • 5.5” Galvanized springs. Jumpking are the world’s leading trampoline company, providing the quality and strength you would expect. For more information about the full range of products available visit: www.jumpking.eu

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT'S ON

SUMMER STEAM DAYS East Anglian Railway Museum

THE SNOW QUEEN New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

22nd - 23rd May | 10am - 5pm

27th May - 13th June | Various Times

Join us this Summer as we celebrate

Back for a few dates only, both livestreamed

re-opening with a relaxed, family session

and socially distanced in the auditorium.

www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events

www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

KNIGHTS OF ROYAL ENGLAND JOUST

KIDS RULE!

Hedingham Castle

Framlingham Castle

29th - 31st May The historic park and gardens of Hedingham Castle will be full of medieval magic. www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events

29th May - 6th June | 10am - 5pm www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whatson/framlingham-castle-kids-rule-at-halfterm-sat-29-may---sun-6-jun-2021

KENTWELL THROUGH THE AGES

HISTORY ALIVE EVENT

Kentwell Hall 29th May - 31st May | 11am - 5pm The ultimate day of History Time Travel. www.kentwell.co.uk/events/ historyfestival

Stonham Barns Park 26th - 27th June | 10am - 4pm Come and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of times gone past. www.stonhambarns.co.uk/whats-on

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

family fun together The farm is the perfect place to reconnect with friends and family. Meet all our animals, enjoy the fun daily rides, get hands-on with farm activities, let off steam in our outdoor play areas and grab yourself a treat from the Cafe.

Come and Stay on the Farm We have a spacious 70 pitch campsite, glamping in our Cow Sheds and Luna bell tents and four star holiday cottages.

eastonfarmpark.co.uk Easton Farm Park, Suffolk IP13 0EQ

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

WIN HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN TWO SUMMER PASSES TO JUMP IN IPSWICH WORTH £140 TRAMPOLINING fun bounced back into Ipswich on May 19th thanks to its new owners Jump In - and it’s already got visitors giddy with excitement thanks to the introduction of a brand new Wipeout obstacle to add to the physical fun. Jump In Trampoline and Play Park Ipswich, caters for kids, teens and adults with a host of activities on offer, including trampolines, battle beams, air bag, interactive walls, dodgeball and slam dunk basketball - and everything is strictly in line with all COVID-19 government guidelines. There’s also extra fun in store with the return of the huge former Billy Beez soft play centre on the Anglia Retail Park site, including 18 slides, sports courts, tunnels and towers. Summer passes can be purchased for five one-hour jumps (£50) or 10 one-hour jumps (£70) from May 31st for use between June 7th and 31st August 2021. They include a pair of grip socks on each visit. QUESTION: HOW MANY SLIDES ARE IN THE SOFT PLAY CENTRE? For your chance to WIN, simply email your answer to: Editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk by Wednesday 30th June ‘21 For further information visit: www.gojumpin.com/ locations/ipswich-adventure-park For full terms and conditions visit: www.gojumpin.com/pages/ trampoline-parks-terms-and-conditions 8

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

PRIDE IN SUFFOLK’S PAST

A new free exhibition at The Hold l 17 May - 4 July 2021

Pride in Suffolk’s Past explores the hidden histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender non-conforming people in Suffolk’s past. Due to legal and social repression these stories have all too often gone untold. Through original documents these experiences can be shared for future generations to understand how things have changed and what work is still to be done. Book your free tickets at: www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/ exhibitions The Hold, 131 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1LN

EXHIBITION AND CURATOR TOURS

17 May - 4 July 2021 at The Hold. £5 per person. Go beyond the displays with a special tour from our exhibition team. Alternate Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout exhibition run.

VIRTUAL ART WORKSHOPS

Join Rock Paper Scissors for free online creative workshops during the May half term. For more details visit: www.rockpaperscissors.org.uk/shop

ESCAPE ROOMS

5 - 6 June 10am - 3.30pm. £10 per person. Discover the fascinating lives of Louisa Garrett Anderson and Nina Layard at Suffolk Archives’ debut Escape Room series. Groups from two to six people. Timed session, booking required.

ART WORKSHOP

12 June, 10am and 2pm. Free. Booking required. Join local LGBTQ artist Georgia Goddard for a casual art workshop. Discover your place in the history of Suffolk’s LGBTQ community and explore how you are never alone through the creation of personal and collaborative artwork.

For more details and to book your free tickets, visit: www.suffolkarchives.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

g Re-openin 19th May

BIRTHDAY DOUBLE UP DEAL... If your children missed celebrating their big day, we have a jumptastic offer to ensure double the fun. Book two birthday party celebrations, split guests into two groups of six (or more after 21st June) or treat both children and receive a £20 Jump In gift card from us and FREE regular slush drinks for all guests. Party packages available from just £59.99. For more information visit: www.gojumpin.com/activities/childrens-birthday-parties To book your party call: 01926 356290 or email: hello@gojumpin.com and quote: Families Suffolk Magazine Party Double Up Deal.

Reader Offer...

Terms & Conditions... The party must be booked by 30th June 2021 and held by end December 2021. A £20 voucher will be emailed to the party co-ordinator which can be used to book any of our jump or play sessions online. It even works at the café! The voucher will be valid for 12 months.Regular sugar-free slush will be served with the party food. Mix of flavours provided.

FREE SLUSH on presentation of this advert

T&C’s: One per advert. No photocopies permitted. Valid until end of June.

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY FUN WEEKEND WITH CAMPING 31st JULY - 1st AUGUST - TRINITY PARK IPSWICH

s l e s t e e F ival of Wh Presents

AS ED TUR FEA ITV ON S NEW

LOW RIDER DISPLAY

WALL OF DEATH

EXTREME BIKE BATTLES

JUNIOR & ADULT STUNT TEAMS

4X4 PASSENGER EXPERIENCE

BIG RIG DRIVING

WEEKENDS ENTERTAINMENT

100’S OF CAR CLUBS

LIVE WRESTLING

LIVE ACTION

BIG TOP CIRCUS

MONSTER TRUCK RIDES

E SAV £££ K BOO E LIN ON

+ TASTY FOOD FAIR, LIVE MUSIC & BARS

MOTOR SHOW EVENTS. COM MOTOR SHOW EVENTS. COM

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

Fabulous Family Fun at Felixstowe Museum

elixstowe Museum is pleased to announce that it is reopening on Sunday 30th May as a COVID secure venue. The museum’s new curator, Andy Calver, has been appointed to help progress the museum’s ambitious forward plan. The museum intends to reopen with a new display that focuses on Felixstowe’s railway stations – did you know there was a pier station? This summer, there will be model trains running and many exciting new exhibits out on display for the first time. Andy is also leading a drive to encourage more people of all ages to engage first-hand with the museum and its collection through volunteering. If you fancy forging fresh friendships, finding fulfilment or are fond of facts, why not start volunteering at Felixstowe Museum? As a volunteer you can learn from each other, get work experience to add to your CV, or just get out and have fun. Volunteering doesn’t guarantee fame or fortune, but it can offer you a fresh focus, a first-hand front of house experience and fantastic, fabulous fun! From flying boats to funfairs, ferries to freighters, flora, fauna, fossils, and fabulous facts – Felixstowe Museum is a fantastic community facility with fourteen fascinating rooms of fun for all the family to enjoy.

WHAT’S ON @ Suffolk Museums May - June 2021 Steam Up! And Vintage Craft Fair The Long Shop Museum | 23 May 2021 www.longshopmuseum.co.uk

Middy in the War Years Mid Suffolk Light Railway | 30 & 31 May 2021 www.mslr.org.uk

Steam Railway Day The Long Shop Museum | 6 June 2021 www.longshopmuseum.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

Searching for Suffolk’s hidden treasures By Naomi Gornall

I’m always looking for new adventures to do with the children. I need it as much as they do as it brings a sense of achievement and confidence. My daughters love a treasure hunt so I thought what better activity to try than geocaching. For those not in the know, geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt using a GPSenabled device. A geocache, or cache as it’s known, is a waterproof box hidden outdoors by geocachers for people to find using co-ordinates downloaded from the website or accessed via an app on your phone. Once you find the cache, you are encouraged to log it and add your own ‘treasure’ to the box for the next geocachers. I became aware of geocaching in my teens when my brother was into it but I wasn’t massively interested to get involved (this was pre-mobile phones). Now, as a parent myself, it seems like the perfect activity to keep children entertained on a countryside walk (and if you’re anything like us, there have been a LOT of those in the past year!). I downloaded the free app but found it a little tricky to figure out the best places to go, so I sought help from a Facebook group for geocachers in Suffolk. They gave me lot of good tips for locations with little ones, bearing in mind that my youngest isn’t able to walk very far. In the end we opted to try Newbourne. We parked at the village hall car park and began the hunt by following the directions on my phone. It gives you the precise location of the cache (in metres) plus handy clues to help you find it, like whether it is hidden waist-high or on the ground etc. We found the first one very quickly, which was a great boost.

The 5 rules of geocaching (according to Geocaching.com/play)

1. Leave no trace

When geocaching, be sure to stick to designated trails and don’t cut across switchbacks when navigating to the cache. Doing so might disturb and destroy flora and fauna along the way. The girls were super excited to have discovered the treasure and enjoyed surveying all the ‘goodies’ others had left. We hadn’t exactly come prepared for this element of it but my daughter was keen to donate her scrunchie, so in it went. After a quick play in the nearby playground, it was off into the woodland beyond the park to find the next one. This was a short enough walk for little legs yet long enough to warrant it being a bit of a treasure hunt. There was the added fun of the wooden board walk and muddy fields, and as we got nearer to the cache, it was well camouflaged so we enjoyed following the hints to locate it. There are a few more situated around Newbourne Springs, which are Goldilocks-themed apparently but the cold weather curtailed our trip and we decided to call it a day. We have vowed to do more geocaching on future trips out as it definitely added an element of fun and adventure to an otherwise mundane walk. The great thing about caching is you can get as little or as much involved as you like. If, like us, you just want to hunt for caches every now and then when you’re out and about, that is fine. Alternatively, if you get really into it, there is a whole community of cachers out there to share this most fascinating hobby. Overall an ideal family adventure, which appeals to all ages.

familiesonline.co.uk

2. Use stealth

Searching through bushes, reaching under benches, looking through tree branches—to the untrained eye, a geocacher can look a little suspicious. Muggles (aka nongeocachers) who get curious have been known to unknowingly take or damage geocaches, which is why it’s important to maintain a level of stealth while geocaching.

3. Record your starting point

A waypoint is a reference point for a physical location on Earth. You can use waypoints to mark important locations such as stages of a Mystery or Multi Cache, but some like to use them to document our starting point at a parking lot or trailhead.

4. Photograph thoughtfully

Sometimes there is a fine line between a helpful log and a spoiler. The same can be said for photos included with a geocache log. It can be tempting to share a creative hiding spot or a fun cache container but discovering that is part of geocaching!

5. Dress appropriately Pack layers and be prepared for all weather conditions if you’re heading into the wilderness.

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

It’s been a long time since families have been able to enjoy the many activities and events run by Suffolk Libraries across the county. Before the pandemic attendance at these activities was growing year on year and independent research had shown how crucial they are for your children’s development and for helping parents to feel less isolated. Everyone at Suffolk Libraries is very keen to welcome families back in to enjoy these sessions and hopefully it won’t be too much longer. In early April our libraries opened up again for browsing so you and your children can again enjoy looking for your next reading book. In line with the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, the aim is to reintroduce the fantastic range of activities from 21 June. If you’re planning a visit or are keen to come along to one of these activities when they return, please check the Suffolk Libraries website for full details before you visit or give your local library a call. In the meantime, libraries are still running lots of online storytimes and there are loads of useful resources for parents on the website including news of the exciting new digital story sharing service from Featherbed Tales.

We know it’s been tough for parents and children and there’s plenty of advice and support for parents on Suffolk Libraries’ Parenting Resources webpages at: www.suffolklibraries. co.uk/advice/parenting-advice

Suffolk Libraries launch new digital story sharing service Suffolk Libraries has teamed up with Featherbed Tales to provide a new way for people to share stories with children or loved ones. Suffolk Libraries is the first library service to work with Featherbed Tales who make it possible to read, record and share one of their special children’s stories using your own voice. The service is ideal for those who are not able to meet up with other family members and can help to boost children’s reading and listening skills. Anyone with a Suffolk Libraries account can log into the Featherbed Tales website, read and record one of the six short stories and then share a link by email. It also works both ways and your child can also read the story to provide a great present for a grandparent who hasn’t seen them during lockdown. The six stories include the adventures of Eenor the mouse and Little Ellie the elephant, with other stories featuring hungry crocodiles, little bunnies and Manny the moth. There are also three short rhymes which are only three pages long to provide an easy way to get started. All the stories and rhymes have been written by the creator of Featherbed Tales, Caroline England, who set up the service in 2020 to help children connect with absent loved ones and to share the joy of storytelling.

For more information visit: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/featherbed

We can’t wait to see you in the library! Please visit www.suffolklibraries.co.uk for updates about services and activities.

storytime from wherever you are Introducing Featherbed Tales - our new digital story sharing service! Record yourself reading one of Featherbed Tales’ beautifully illustrated digital stories or rhymes and share it with your loved ones. A perfect gift for children, grandchildren, parents or grandparents or for anyone you can’t be with. All you need is a computer, tablet or mobile phone and your Suffolk Libraries account number.

To get started visit www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/featherbed BROUGHT TO YOU BY

0191 Featherbed Tales Press Ad v2.indd 1 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

23/04/2021 15:54 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

Nappies are not recycling! The Suffolk Waste Partnership has joined forces with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and other local authorities across the country to launch a new campaign aimed at stopping the thousands of disposable nappies that are spoiling Suffolk’s recycling.

Disposal nappies should always be placed in your rubbish bin, NEVER in your recycling bin! The campaign comes after a new Keep Britain Tidy's survey revealed that more than one million people in the UK, wrongly put disposable nappies in with their recycling. Around 150 tonnes of used nappies end up in Suffolk recycling bins each year. This equates to approximately 3000 nappies needing to be removed from the recycling every day. Removing nappies from other recyclables is a truly unpleasant job which needs to be done by hand. So, by keeping nappies out of your recycling bins, you are not only helping to get our recycling right but protecting others too. The Suffolk Waste Partnership has joined forces with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and other local authorities across the country to launch a new campaign aimed at stopping the thousands of disposable nappies that are spoiling Suffolk’s recycling.

The campaign is fronted by ‘Ted’ and will be appearing on billboards around the country and on social media to drive the message home. We are also asking people across Suffolk to help out and spread the message! Keep Britain Tidy's survey revealed that seven per cent of nappy users – parents, grandparents and carers – wrongly put disposable nappies in with their recycling, which equates to more than one million people across the UK. Further research conducted by Keep Britain Tidy in partnership with nine authorities across England identified that, whilst there is undoubtedly a group of people who are placing nappies into their recycling because they have run out of space in their general waste bin, there is also genuine confusion amongst disposable nappy users about whether or not nappies are recyclable.

To find out more about what can and can’t go in your recycling bin, visit www.SuffolkRecycling.org.uk.

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

How can I support my child’s mental health? by Freya McLaughlin

May’s Mental Health Awareness Week (10th–16th May) promotes positive mental health and provides help for those in need. For children as well as for adults, an excellent tool in supporting our own mental health is through books. Reading about characters who feel what we feel and share similar experiences helps us know we are not alone, and enables us to see ways in which we could overcome troubles. Whether readers have low selfesteem, anxiety or are coping with mental illness in the family, here are some wonderful books to offer hope to us all.

Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph (for age 3+) What’s life like if you’re the odd one out? What should you do if you’re the one who’s different to the rest? A lone sausage dog sets out on her journey of discovery, yearning for somewhere that she fits in- where she looks and behaves like those around her. But does she really need to be like everyone else? Odd Dog Out is a joyous celebration of embracing our differences and accepting ourselves. The stunning illustrations and light-hearted humour make this the perfect book to share and talk about. Impossible not to love.

The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr (for age 8+) When Jimmy and his young brother Ronnie are evacuated to Wales, everything that is familiar has been left behind. Gone is the noise and concrete of his hectic London existence, replaced by fields, sheep and nosy villagers. While Ronnie embraces their new home and temporary parents, Jimmy is left feeling lost and resentful. But the discovery of a skull gives him a purpose as he sets out to find the truth and uncover the secrets of the past. Although The Valley of the Lost Secrets is a wartime novel, its themes of displacement and the grief of separation are timeless experiences that will resonate with many readers. A realistic and multi-layered adventure story.

The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson (for age 9+) From Matthew’s window, he sees the neighbourhood go by: everyday people enjoying their everyday routines. But for Matthew, life is very different. His OCD and anxiety mean that he hasn’t been able to go to school for weeks, and spends his time obsessively cleaning and looking out of his window. But when neighbouring toddler Teddy goes missing, Matthew is determined to solve the puzzle of his disappearance. The Goldfish Boy is both a gripping mystery story, and a deeply moving, understanding portrait of life with OCD and its impact on Matthew’s family. Matthew’s burgeoning friendship with neighbour Melody and his gradual re-emergence into the outside world is beautifully depicted. Heartwarming, hopeful and full of twists and intrigue.

Boy in the Tower Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival (for age 4+) Ruby is a vibrant, adventurous girl, until one day she notices a little worry following her around. As time passes and she tries to ignore it, the worry grows until it is a huge presence in Ruby’s life. She begins to lose her sparkle- shown perfectly by the gradual seeping away of colour from the illustrations. Ruby’s Worry is part of the Big, Bright Feelings series, which focus on promoting emotional literacy and helping improve children’s mental health. The touching, empowering story is perfectly pitched to begin a conversation about children’s own worries. In seeing Ruby’s experiences, it gives readers both the solidarity of knowing that other people have worries too, and the strategies to alleviate some of their negative feelings.

by Polly Ho-Yen (for age 10+) What can you do when running isn’t an option? Ade lives with his mother on the seventeenth floor when the fall of a neighbouring tower block signals that something has arrived. An unseen danger is drawing closer, and before long, the destruction begins. Stranded in his flat, Ade has more to contend with than the threat from outside. Living with his mother, who has severe depression and is unable to leave their home, Ade has long assumed the role of a child carer. The story presents the reality of mental illness without judgment, and Ade’s selfless consideration for her needs is a touching tribute to children who shoulder responsibilities beyond their years. A powerful, apocalyptic story of an incredible boy, keeping hope and friendship alive in London’s darkest hour.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

ARE YOU LIVING TOGETHER BUT NOT MARRIED? Did you know that you and your family may not be protected in the event of a break-up? Denise Head, Managing Partner and Family Law specialist at Bates Wells & Braithwaite Ipswich, explains

ven in this day and age, unmarried couples living together do not have the same legal rights as either married couples or as those who have entered into a civil partnership. Pressure for change continues but, in the UK (unlike some foreign jurisdictions), the law does not currently acknowledge the rights of cohabiting couples who are the fastest growing type of family structure in the UK. It is crucial therefore that, if you are in this group, you are aware, and seek advice about, what your rights are, not only after a break-up but if you already live together or are thinking of doing so.

THE BASIC FACTS: • There is no such thing as “common law husband and wife”. • Cohabitees often have little or no legal protection at the end of a relationship regardless of its longevity. • Although joint property can be shared, if the house is in one party’s sole name (on the title deeds or at the Land Registry), the prospects of seeking a share of this asset are significantly reduced if you are not married. There is no automatic right to a share in the property and this will have to be dealt with under the complicated laws of property and of trusts. • There is no right to claim maintenance if you are the financially weaker party. The only statutory obligation is for the payment of child maintenance.

HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF Seek advice as soon as possible – This might not seem the most romantic option if you are about to start your life together but it will save considerable distress, upset and confusion later on if the relationship was to flounder. Similarly, it is best to seek advice when a relationship breaks up so that you can be clear as early as possible, what your options might be and resolve things with the least disruption and distress as possible, as soon as possible.

A Cohabitation or Living Together Agreement – The best and easiest way to avoid any dispute in the future and to minimise difficulty at the end of a relationship is to set everything out in writing. This can include interests in property, who pays for what and what is to happen if the relationship does not last.

Make a Will – This can cover what you would like to happen in the event of your death and can also include provisions for the non property owning partner to be able to stay in their home should the other pass away. It could also include other capital and ongoing financial provision for the surviving partner and children. It might be helpful when considering the terms of a Will, to obtain financial advice to help with tax planning so as to minimise the amount of Inheritance Tax that may be payable. Declaration of Trust – Perhaps you have bought a property jointly but contributed different amounts or have purchased in one name only but the other has paid some money towards it. Those interests can be set out in writing – speak to your solicitor about this. This can help in situations where either or both parties have contributed to the purchase costs or even renovation works. Written agreement upon separation – This will ensure that the terms of any relationship breakdown is clear and unambiguous and sets out each party’s entitlements and obligations.

• There is no ability to share pensions. • If one party dies during the relationship, the surviving partner may not have an automatic right to remain in their home and might have to take lengthy and expensive court proceedings just to be able to stay in their home. They may also lose out on tax advantages that exist for married couples in the event of the death of one of them.

We at Bates Wells and Braithwaite have a wealth of experience in advising cohabiting couples, both before and after their relationship has broken down and can help with all of those issues and options set out in this article. Please contact us at: www.bates-wells.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

Choose the right club or class for your child By Claire Winter

icking the right extra-curricular activities for your child can sometimes be overwhelming.

There are a huge variety of sports and classes available now from coding to Mandarin, from street dance to circus skills, as well as more traditional sports. Here’s our guide on how to choose the most appropriate club or class for your child.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

A good place to start is to ask your child what they are interested in. It’s likely that they will enjoy the activity if they have picked it themselves. My 11 year old twin girls have tried a wide variety of classes, which they enjoyed but didn’t want to continue. When I last asked them what they wanted to do, they said they wanted to join a running club. They now train two to three times a week and compete at least once a month. It’s a big commitment for the whole family but they absolutely love it.

Will your child enjoy the class/club?

Learn to read, write &

new

for Ipswich 2021!

love

music with

Try Before You Buy Trial classes are a great way for them to experience something before you sign up for a term or group of classes. Many clubs and classes offer a free trial before you sign up, such as Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes and Co-op Juniors Theatre Academy.

Try a Variety Variety is the spice of life. If your schedule allows it, get your children to try a few different things on a trial basis. If they are not keen on trying something new, get them to go with a friend.

Can you Commit?

Venue-based Keyboard Tuition

4 5-8 9-12 years Small groups Free trial!

Home Keyboard Tuition 5-8

If they enjoy something, whether it’s art, football, animation or French they are likely to look forward to training with their team or attending a class every week.

9-12 years

Step by step videos at your own pace!

www.funkymonkey.info 01732 457 100

Some activities involve early morning practice or games at the weekend. Can your family life and schedule accommodate the commitment needed? If your child plays sport competitively, it can often mean training daily or at least three times a week.

Think about Cost Some activities are more expensive than others. 1:1 tuition or private lessons are more costly, whereas classes and team sports tend to cost less. Guiding or Scouts is an inexpensive club to join, and it’s great for team building and trying a variety of different activities. Investigate this option ahead of time though, as there can be waiting lists.

How Many? How many activities are too many? This is really up to you but if you are tired of driving your children to all of their activities, it’s likely your child will be too; perhaps you are doing too much. Equally, if your children are bored at home and asking to be entertained, maybe it’s time to sign them up for something new. Again take the lead from your child. Some children thrive from lots of extra-curricular activities while others get overwhelmed and over-stimulated. Listen to them and adjust their schedule accordingly.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

CLUBS & CLASSES

20 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

Baby & Child First aid Classes Our Award Winning 2 Hour Class Covers Baby and Child CPR, Choking, Recovery Position, Burns, Bleeds, Breaks, Head injuries, Febrile Convulsions & Meningitis Awareness Just 20pp Classes held at various locations across Suffolk or why not host a private class in the comfort of your own home with friends and family Now taking bookings for June onwards

www.suffolk.minifirstaid.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

@lupineyoga

Pregnancy Yoga Classes Thursdays, 6:15pm. 75 minute class. Block of six classes:

£50

Suitable from 14 weeks to full term

www.lupineliving.com

Classes start June 2021 The Small Hall Christ Church Moreton Hall

Baby & Postnatal Yoga Classes

IP32 7EW

Wednesdays, 10:15am. 60 minute class. Block of six classes:

£45

Suitable for babies from newborn to crawling

Contact Liz liz@lupineliving.com 07876347739

Free Neal's Yard Remedies Organic gift with your first booking

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

www.messarounduk.com/westsuffolk

Mess Around West Suffolk Come and join one of our COVID secure Tuff Tray Clubs for an awesome Messy experience! suitable for 0-5 years Mess Around West Suffolk familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

TRE • APPROVE DC CEN OV ID

RE CU SE

TRE • APPROVED CEN CO RE VI CU D E S

RE CU SE

TRE • APPROVE DC CEN OV ID

eteorky w 3 uc

aint

! l a i tr

rod

Fun and exciting classes in...

RE CU SE

Boo

TRE • APPROVED CEN CO VI D

COVID-19 SECURE

For childredn age 6mthss to 6yr

Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds & Ipswich West Book now to reserve your place

07580 693 747 sudbury@babyballet.co.uk

babyballet Sudbury

@babyballet_Sudbury

www.babyballet.co.uk 24

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

Zenmuma Pregnancy & Baby Yoga Pregnancy yoga is amazing for mums-to-be as it can help alleviate a range of common pregnancy complaints, and provides them with a safe space to gently exercise and adapt to their changing body. It gives mumsto-be the opportunity to relax and connect with their baby away from the day-to-day stresses of work and family life, and provides women with tools and techniques to guide them through their birthing journey. Baby yoga is fantastic for supporting baby's natural development through yoga poses, massage, dance, song and play, and provides mum and baby with uninterrupted time to bond, communicate and learn about each other. Postnatal yoga gently helps women re-connect with their bodies, helping common post birth complaints and regaining strength in key areas. It also teaches relaxation and breathing techniques to help mums cope with the stresses of parenting and provides an opportunity to connect with other local mums. FOR MORE INFORMATION www.lupineliving.com/pregnancy-babypostnatal-yoga

Mess Around West Suffolk

babyballet is back! “I am so excited that we are re-opening our classes again after lockdown” said Miss Abigail, the owner of babyballet® Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds & Ipswich “The safety and wellbeing of our teachers, grown-ups and babyballet® stars is always my number one priority, so I have made sure that all of the essential safety measures and requirements are in place at all of our class.” With social dis-DANCING and many more guidelines in place, rest assured that you can feel confident and relaxed when bringing your child to a babyballet class. We will be implementing a few changes to the normal format of our classes to make sure that everyone is safe, like allowing extra time between classes for additional cleaning, no shared equipment and more space between mats, but we will still have lots of fun. FOR MORE INFORMATION www.babyballet.co.uk/babyballet-school/sudbury | 07580 693747

Mini First Aid Suffolk Choking is one of the most common worries for any parent or carer. Knowing what to do can make the difference between life and death. Mini First Aid Suffolk are so pleased to be back delivering their award winning Baby and Child First Aid classes across Suffolk. The 2 hour class costs less than a takeaway and is perfect for parents, expectant parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles and babysitters. The informative class gives you the chance to have hands on experience of performing first aid techniques effectively in a friendly and comfortable environment.

Give yourself peace of mind and book a class today at: www.suffolk.minifirstaid.co.uk Private classes with friends and family are also available at a time and date to suit you, so organise your first aid get together over a cuppa today. Babies are always welcome.

Sing & Sign Ipswich We provide messy play sessions for your little mess makers from 6 months to 5 years of age. Our sessions are covid secure so you can rest at ease whilst enjoying the messy face-to-face groups safe in the knowledge that you just turn up, make a mess and leave the cleaning up to us! Make lots of special memories with your little ones with our varied, themed, monthly classes, where you can experience a wide range of messy materials. You can find us at lots of locations around the West Suffolk area. We also provide Messy birthday parties and private events for nurseries, preschools and schools, and we haven’t even begun to tell you about Slime Lab for your older mess makers! FOR MORE INFORMATION Find all the messy details at: www.facebook.com/messaroundwestsuffolk

Join us for our next term of Sing and Sign where we’ll explore early communication together AND... in the company of others! About the classes: • Age -appropriate classes from birth • Ten weeks of face-to-face learning • Music, singing, signing and movement • Small classes, weekly themes • Includes supporting material • Covid secure measures in place. With so many babies and tots having missed out on vital social learning, you can boost their transition back into the world by helping them understand and be understood! Classes in Signing with pre-verbal children is known to: Ipswich, Hadleigh, • Boost cognitive growth Hintlesham & online • Enhance emotional well-being BOOK NOW • Accelerate speech development www.singandsign.co.uk • Reduce frustration for parent & child • Deepen your mutual bond.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

Help your child get the best possible start in life! Here at OneLife Suffolk, we know that every parent cares about their child’s health. That’s why our OneLife Kids Club is dedicated to helping children develop positive relationships with food, exercise and wellbeing, all through engaging and interactive sessions.

Fun, Friendly & Free! Topics that we cover include: • Understanding what “healthy eating” is • Physical activity • The importance of sleep • Looking after your wellbeing • And more!

Groups are available via zoom, your child’s school and in the local community!

All through games, workbooks and interactive sessions, keeping your child entertained and learning at the same time.

Who can sign up?

The 10 week club is available for children who have a BMI of the 91st centile or above, therefore learning about maintaining a healthy weight and setting a healthy weight goal will be discussed. For more information on how to calculate your child’s BMI and what it means please visit: www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/bmi-calculator/

If you live in Suffolk and would like to find out more information, including more details about the eligibility criteria and how to sign up, please visit our website: onelifesuffolk.co.uk/services/families-young-people 26 Families Suffolk: Issue 59 or call usfamiliesonline.co.uk on: 01473 718193

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

www.LittleKickers.co.uk facebook.com/LittleKickersUKIpswich ipswich@littlekickers.co.uk

28 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

07762 341982 familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

FREE TRIAL

Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes Swing into Ipswich!

Co-op Juniors Theatre Academy launch new dance classes!

Ali Edwards and her team at Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes are delighted to be bringing fun-packed group electronic keyboard classes to Ipswich. We offer both home tutorials and face-to-face lessons for the beginner musician between 4 and 12 years.

Co-op Juniors Theatre Academy is a place for embracing creativity, learning new skills and nurturing talent. From their flagship Theatre Academy sessions, to newly launched Introduction to Acro and Commercial Dance Classes, as well as graded Ballet Classes from Pre-Primary to Grade 6, there’s a class for everyone aged 4 – 17, regardless of ability or previous experience.

How does it work? In our face-to-face classes, small groups (maximum 8) are taught how to play the electronic keyboard, read & write music & develop every skill from the very beginning right through to first grade. A well-balanced lesson of group, individual, theory & practical work, tied in with games & quizzes aplenty, means our classes delight & inspire children year after year! Children love coming to learn with likeminded peers and there is never a dull moment in our sessions! As a second, more cost-effective option, our home tutorials enable a pupil to guide themselves with our charming videos and workbooks from the comfort of their own home – meaning parents can learn along with them too! For more information visit: www.funkymonkey.info

To arrange a FREE TRIAL and get a 10% discount off your booking call: 01732 457 100 and quote: "Families Suffolk Magazine"

OneLife Kids Club At OneLife Suffolk we know that every parent’s top priority is their child’s health. Our OneLife Kids Clubs are designed to help children develop positive relationships with food, exercise and wellbeing all through fun and engaging sessions. We believe in a well-rounded approach to health, and so we cover topics such as; the importance of sleep, physical activity and wellbeing, all in a fun and enjoyable way. With clubs running for 10 weeks and 12 months worth of support, our free kids clubs are a great way to help your child develop longlasting healthy habits as well as having fun along the way. Groups are available via zoom, your child’s school and in the local community! FOR MORE INFORMATION To find out more visit: www.onelifesuffolk.co.uk/services/ families-young-people or call us on: 01473 718193 to learn more and to check eligibility criteria.

Their team of expert tutors lead a full timetable of weekly classes in dance and performance, where students will learn and develop new techniques, take part in showcase performances and build their confidence. Spring term classes are currently held in Ipswich, but future classes will also be in Kesgrave, Earl Soham and Felixstowe. FOR MORE INFORMATION To find out more and register for a FREE TRIAL class visit: www.coopjuniors.co.uk/academy

Register your child today and quote “Families Suffolk Magazine” when completing the online sign-up form to receive a FREE TRIAL CLASS.

Little Kickers At Little Kickers we have four different football classes each tailored to a different age group. However, we have two core beliefs that we take into every session. Firstly, we believe in something we call “Play not Push”. It means teaching football in a fun, pressurefree environment. We want to give children a positive introduction to sport as a whole, not just football, so they’re more likely to stay healthy and active throughout their lives. Secondly, we believe football can be educational. Coached in the right way it can stimulate imagination and aid early development skills such as learning colours and numbers, following instructions and playing as a team. Like all our Kickers, we never stop learning. We’re continually improving and updating our classes, based on feedback and input from child health specialists as well as our network of over 2,250 football coaches worldwide. FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.littlekickers.co.uk | 07762 341982 Email: ipswich@littlekickers.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

30 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

Scouts: Learning the skills for life! By Colin Winter, Deputy County Commissioner in Suffolk

What Scouting gives to young people

5 facts about Suffolk Scouts...

he Scouts are the largest youth organisation in the country and the largest in Suffolk. Scouts are

inclusive and open to all young people and reflect the diversity of the communities that we are in. We aim to include young people in planning for activities and events so that we are truly “Youth Shaped”. Our young members can join in age groups from age 6 to 25. We like to think that there is something for everyone in the Scouts. With over 200 badges to work towards you can always find something of interest. From Artist to Athletics and Chef to Climber we encourage young people to explore their interests and expand knowledge. Suffolk is fortunate to have a number of camp sites in the County, where all sections from the Beavers (6-8), Cubs (8-10 ½), Scouts (10 ½ -14), to Explorers (14-18) can experience adventures and camping under canvas. We have great access to water activities including sailing, canoeing and paddle boarding. For the more adventurous, climbing, abseiling, hill walking and mountaineering trips are just the ticket. We help young people build the skills they need for life. Our young people have fun, play games and discover new challenges that will help to prepare them for adult life. Our top awards in each section are designed to encourage members to expand their horizons and push boundaries. The top award in scouting is the Queen's Scout Award and is only awarded after a wide range of physical, intellectual and community service challenges have been achieved. Many of our older scouts also work towards the Duke of Edinburgh awards during their time.

We are the largest youth organisation in Suffolk with over 4,500 members (despite the pandemic!)

2 3 4 5

Scouts is open to boys and girls from the age of 6 to 25. We currently have over 1,000 female members We have 132 Groups / Units covering all parts of the County Over 170 top awards (Duke of Edinburgh, Chief Scouts Award and Queens Scout Award) were achieved in 2019-20

Adult volunteer training is recognised by the Institute of Leadership and Management – great for your CV!

More adult volunteers needed The continued success of Scouts is reliant on our army of leaders and volunteers. Leaders usually have as much fun as our younger members and have a wide range of different skills. We always welcome helpers from different backgrounds and skill sets. From washing up and cooking to mountain leaders, to fund raisers and project planners, we welcome all adults and young leaders to the adventure. If you are interested in volunteering please contact us at: www.suffolkscouts.org.uk/contact

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

Girlguiding opportunities in Suffolk By Jo Dixon, County Outreach worker for Girlguiding in Suffolk

irlguiding Suffolk is looking forward to restarting face-to-

face meetings again countywide. For the past year our young members & their volunteer Leaders, have been learning to produce programme instruction videos, share activities on Facebook & hold digital meetings on Zoom, as Guiding has gone online. This term, in many areas, our weekly offer of outdoor & indoor Covid-compliant adventures begins again.

RAINBOWS, girls aged 5-7, are our youngest section & take part in simple crafts, games & outdoor activities, during termly meetings, on a regular basis, for about an hour. In the past they have also held exciting trips out in Suffolk, including visiting Africa Alive.

action projects. Guides are able to go on camps & residentials, & for the 14+ age group international opportunities are also available. Across all our 4 sections, including the Rangers aged 14-18, we aim to offer a safe, fun & friendly learning environment for all our young members. As our founder Lord Baden-Powell said “Guiding….is a game with a purpose”. Hopefully for our younger members, keeping Guiding going during the pandemic, has provided a familiar space every week, a bit of normality in these strange times. From Bushcraft to Blogging, Gardening to Geocaching, Girlguiding Suffolk is still connecting with its members, whether face to face, or by letter, email, Facebook or Zoom.

Volunteer with Girlguiding Currently we have many units across Suffolk who are looking for extra regular helpers. If you are aged 18+, Spring has sprung! Start a new chapter and volunteer with Girlguiding, in person or online, you can help make a difference to the lives of girls. For more information about joining as a member or becoming a volunteer, please contact: www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved

Become a member Viist our website for more information: www.girlguidingsuffolk.org.uk Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/girlguidingsuffolk

BROWNIES, girls aged 7-10, are able to do more complicated crafts, cooking & games during meetings for about one and a half hours. At weekends or during holidays girls can take part in more adventurous activities, such as kayaking, short residentials & camps. GUIDES, young women aged 10-14, generally meet from one and a half to 2 hours, during term time. Over the summer, they can often be seen out in the local community litter picking or hiking, taking part in scavenger hunts, as well as the more traditional activities like semaphore, fire lighting & community 32

1st Melton Brownies

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

WIN TO ENTER VISIT:

an 8ft Jumpking Tyro Trampoline

www.familiesmag.co.uk/go

WORTH

£169.00

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

LIMITED RECEPTION CLASS PLACES AVAILABLE FOR SEPTEMBER 2021 Ipswich High School is a prominent day and boarding school, for boys and girls from Reception through to Sixth Form, situated in an idyllic 87-acre campus at Woolverstone Hall, on the banks of the River Orwell. We believe our Prep School provides a fantastic learning environment, where your child will enjoy an exceptional education, including specialist teaching from Reception onwards, along with an unrivalled enrichment programme within our welcoming school community. Our mission is to provide each pupil with the widest possible range of experiences, both in and outside of the classroom, to broaden their minds and create new opportunities for every pupil to thrive.

Our Admissions Team are here to make the process of applying to our Prep School as simple and stress-free as possible. Get in touch today. 01473 201058 | admissions@ipswichhighschool.co.uk

WWW.IPSWICHHIGHSCHOOL.CO.UK 34 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

Magazine

Digital Supplement Win a family holiday at an Away Resort! Magazine

SEE INSIDE

May/June 2021 familiesonline.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk Families Suffolk: Issue 59

Calling our subscribers! Exclusive subscriber-only game giveaway! Pop Up Olaf

Active Snap

Screwball Scramble 2 Harry Potter Quiz

Sketchy

Fill your Pants

Rapidough

APPLY HERE

T&Cs

Not subscribed yet? SIGN UP and enjoy the benefits FREE

TAKE ME

HOME

ies

Maga

years

IT’S FREE

Fa m

Magazine

36 Families Suffolk: Issue 59 ud

to be

May/June 2021

o.uk familiesonline.c

Magazine familiesonline.co.uk

CONTENTS

In This Issue

Welcome

Education

Summer camps

Summer fun

As the world opens up again, we have so many ideas for early summer fun in this issue.

Work

Health

Holidays

Father’s Day

22 Home improvement 24 Family life 25 Early years 26 Food

27 Birthday parties

Get in Touch 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.

We know most families can’t wait to get away so we have a five page UK holiday special to inspire you. Many children will be eagerly awaiting a belated birthday party too, so take a look at our downloadable birthday party planner which might make things easier. In this issue, you’ll also find the opportunity to win outdoor toys for summer as well as exclusive giveaways for our subscribers. If you’re not a subscriber, why not sign up now so you don’t miss out on our future subscriberonly offerings? Competition Winners from our Jan/Feb issue Congratulations to Joanne Long and Jennifer Vlodyka who received subscription boxes of their choice.

Outdoor toy giveaway! Enjoy a summer of play... AquaPlay Lockbox

CAT Power Haulers Gazillion Bubbles Rollin’ Wave

APPLY HERE Stomp Rocket

Magazine

T&Cs apply

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

EDUCATION

Life skills beyond the classroom How many of these skills does your child have? Help them learn with these great instructional videos.

Touch typing

Repairing a bicycle puncture

Dialling 999

Basic sewing

Making a bed

Pitching a tent

Tying a shoe lace

Performing a shout and signal rescue

Managing money

38 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

I don’t want to be THAT parent…..

Making science fun for kids

By Annabel Gray

By Oli Ryan

In my Facebook group Ask a Teacher, we always have a number of members stating that they don’t want to be ‘that’ parent with regard to expressing their concerns to teachers. I’m here, as a teacher, to tell you why teachers actually WANT you to be ‘that’ parent! READ MORE

Scientific processes happen all around us daily – just waiting to be discovered by curious, young scientists. Explore science with your kids outdoors, in the kitchen and even at bath time. Experiment with butter churning, toilet paper chromatography and making a rain gauge. READ MORE

Why we should prioritise stories this summer By Sarah Campbell

With summer on the horizon, we need inspiration for activities that help our children recover lost learning, support their mental health and bring some much-deserved fun to family life. What’s the one thing that embraces all these goals? READ MORE

Giveaway!

Disney princess wooden toys

APPLY HERE Magazine

familiesonline.co.uk

T&Cs apply

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

EDUCATION

Addressing Post-Covid Learning Loss By Emma Martin As our worlds slowly open back up and children are in school once again, for many parents a key question will be how they can support their child’s learning postCovid. There has been much in the news about children being ‘behind’ and needing to ‘catch up.’ However, just as important is their emotional wellbeing, in particular connection, play, making sense of the world and resilience. By focusing on mental health, we can help our children to be in the best possible place to learn. Re-build and strengthen connections Children do need to catch up this summer – but to catch up with friends and family. Social connections have been hugely impacted by the pandemic, so it is important that we give children the time and space they need to enjoy being social again (and not just via a screen!). By giving time to rebuilding social connections, parents will be helping their child to feel good about themselves and to practice all the skills they need to help them get on with others in a positive way. Making sense of experiences One of the most important things parents can do this summer is to help children make sense of the pandemic so they don’t store

concerns. We can do this by helping them to share the challenges and successes of their own ‘Covid story’ through conversations, role play or painting and drawing. Read Emma’s suggestions for helping your child process the pandemic.

Bella Learning Games

Fun educational games to download, print and play.

Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 Packs

40 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

Available Now!

For examples, tips and advice, find Bella Learning Games on Facebook and Instagram.

www.bellalearning.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Addressing Post-Covid Learning Loss Cont... Let’s play! With opportunities limited during lockdown, by giving children the opportunity to play we can help them to develop their social, emotional and cognitive skills. Most importantly, play helps children to have positive thoughts about themselves which is exactly what we need to encourage right now. Nurture resilience Many people have commented on how resilient children have been during this tumultuous time. Whether your child has ridden the rollercoaster with ease or found it more challenging, placing a focus on problem solving and resilience is a sure-fire way to help your child make progress at school. One way to support your child’s ability to bounce back when things get tricky is to spend quality time doing an activity of their choice with them, whether it’s playdoh, kicking a ball about or playing a board game. By doing so, you are giving them a sense of safety and letting them know you are there for them. Let’s prioritise their wellbeing Think back to your own childhood and the things you enjoyed – being free to play, being yourself and being with friends. Let’s not give our children the message they are ‘behind,’ but instead celebrate their wonderful achievements during this tricky time.

Emma Martin is an educational psychologist employed full-time by E-ACT multi-academy trust. She supports the trust’s primary academies in Bristol and is coauthor of its national Relationships and Recovery Curriculum.

Outdoor toy giveaway! Gazillion Rollin’ Wave

Stomp Rocket Ultra

APPLY HERE Magazine

familiesonline.co.uk

T&Cs apply

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

EDUCATION

Books that challenge gender stereotypes Books can be purchased via Bookshop.org an online bookshop which financially supports local, independent bookshops and of which Families Magazine is an affiliate.

My First Book of Feminism Julie Merberg Ages 0-3.

Michelle Robinson & Deborah Allwright Ages 3+.

The Paper Bag Princess

Tough Guys Have Feelings Too

Robert Munsch & Michael Martchenko Ages 4-7.

Rebel Girls Lead: 25 Tales of Powerful Women Ages 6-9.

She Rex

Keith Negley Ages 5-6.

Love Your Body Jessica Sanders & Carol Rossetti Ages 7+.

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

My Daddy is a Nurse

Kerrine Bryan & Jason Bryan. Ages 2-5.

Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different 2

Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter. Ages 9-12.

Molly on the March Anna Carey Ages 10-12.

familiesonline.co.uk

SUMMER FUN

TryOut a week at residential summer camp for just £295! This summer any child ages 9 to 15, who has never attended a residential summer camp can stay at a TryOut camp, run by experienced providers, for just £295 for a week (including accompanied travel). The initiative is organised by The Summer Camps Trust to help share with children the joys of summer camp. Camps take place at Nettlecombe Court, a magnificent Field Studies Centre in beautiful grounds near Taunton, Somerset from 8-15 August and at Camp Redwood, a fabulous tented camp in the heart of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire from 15-21 August.

Recent UK attendees comment: ‘It was the best week of my life so far’, ‘My leader made me feel happy and safe just like my mum would do’. Parents said: ‘She came home with so many friends and memories and having had so much fun’ and ‘It was the happiest I have ever seen him’.

Get ready for games of all kinds. Explore areas of wood, hills and countryside. Enjoy tracking activities, unravel mysteries and stimulate the imagination. Participate in entertainment, songs and stories around the camp fire. Sleep under the stars, climb or enjoy water activities. Or relax and chat in the sun. Leave screens and peer pressures behind, reconnect with the natural world and with being a child again. Exactly what our children need right now.

So don’t delay, find out why summer camp is the best week of the year for millions of children worldwide. More information and booking. Or, for a brochure, email chris@summercampstrust.org

Attend a TryOut camp totally FREE! 6 places available

APPLY HERE

T&Cs

Being part of a small group, looked after by a well-trained 18 or 19 year-old leader who is like an older brother or sister, can be a unique experience and help children grow in confidence, social skills and positivity. familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

SUMMER FUN

Summer camp booking: what to ask General

What is the daily routine? What should my child wear? What happens if it rains (outside camps)? What does my child need to bring? Will my child be able to re-fill their water bottle? What is the sunscreen policy? What if my child needs extra help? Can I get some feedback on my child’s day? Can a friend or extended family member collect my child? Can I find out how my child’s day is going? Will I be able to contact my child if necessary?

Booking and Payment

What discounts are available eg early booking/siblings/groups? Can I make changes to my booking? What is the last date for making changes? Are all activities included or do I have to pay extras? Can I pay by instalments? What will happen if I am delayed in collecting my child? Will I have to pay extra? Do I get a refund if my child can’t attend due to illness? Do I need insurance? Are you signed up to the tax-free childcare/childcare vouchers scheme? Is an extension to the normal day available and what does it cost?

Your child’s safety

Is the camp Ofsted registered and where can I view the report? What are the camp’s policies on safeguarding, bullying, health and safety? Will any applicable Covid-19 guidelines be followed? What happens if a child or staff member tests positive for Covid-19? How many children are there on a camp? How many in each group? What age group will my child be in? What is the staff/child ratio? Will my child have a key worker?

Outdoor toy giveaway!

AquaPlay Lockbox

CAT Power Haulers

APPLY HERE Magazine

44 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

T&Cs apply

familiesonline.co.uk

SUMMER FUN

Making the most of the summer By Claire Winter Summer is almost here - time to start planning fun family activities! Book it! Most venues will have a booking system to avoid overcrowding and to ensure Covid-compliance. Book and arrive early. Less is more. Don’t over schedule. You will have become accustomed to less stimulation. Brainstorm quieter places to visit, or plan events on alternate days/weekends. Don’t forget the food…. Don’t get stuck in long food queues. Hungry kids and ‘hangry’ parents don’t mix. Take a packed lunch and snacks. Enjoy the spontaneous. After months of restrictions, embrace spontaneity again. Why not take a day trip to the seaside or visit somewhere new?

FRE

TAK

E ME

HOME

Magazine

IN THIS ISSUE

Activities Tips/Advice Days Out

years

ili

IT’S FREE! Pr

Go to a movie. Get lost in another world as cinemas reopen. There are lots of new films due for release this month. Visit museums and galleries Why not research a weird and wonderful museum like the Dog Collar Museum in Leeds Castle to visit? It’s perfect for all dog lovers! Take a day trip Head off the beaten track. You could visit stunning lavender fields in the Surrey Downs or the Yorkshire Sculpture Park? Go to a local event What’s on in your local area? It’s good to support your local community. Invite your friends and family to join you.

Enjoy subscriber-only giveaways & offers!

Half term highlights

r to be P

May/June 2021

familiesonline.co.u

Already subscribed? Apply for our game giveaway HERE

Magazine

familiesonline.co.uk

T&Cs apply

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

SUMMER FUN

Outdoor toys for summer We asked our friends at The Good Toy Guide to put together their recommendations. You can read reviews of each toy on their site.

Walkie Talkies

Kidnoculars

Diditrike

5 in 1 Outdoor Measure Mate

Paint-a-Puzzle

First Weather Science Kit

Hop Skip Jump

Discovery Adventures Metal Detector

The JUNKO Kits

46 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

WORK

I don’t want to return to my workplace… By Mandy Garner As lockdown eases, you may find yourself under increasing pressure from your employer to return to the workplace. For some, this will be a welcome relief; for others, a source of stress. If it’s the latter, what are your options? Firstly, if your reluctance to return to your workplace is due to concerns about safety, it’s important to know that, while government guidance on working from home is likely to change, businesses will still have to show they are Covid-secure. You can report a business to the Health & Safety Executive if you are worried.

any legitimate concerns of your employer.

Firstly, you need to consider what works best for you and your family. If you have school-aged children and little wraparound care available, hybrid working means you can get the benefits of both face to face contact and remote working and One of the outcomes of the pandemic is that previously resistant still be around at least part of the week to do the school run. But employers have seen that remote there are also other considerations, working is effective, although including your own motivation. Can remote working through Covid-19 has been far from normal. For many, you easily stay motivated when working alone? it’s been much more isolating and difficult. Once you have established how you want to work, think through how So your employer may be open this might affect your colleagues, to discussing with you different your ability to do your job and your ways of working. Many businesses career prospects. Whilst many jobs are anticipating greater hybrid can be done remotely, different jobs working, with people working lend themselves to different forms of some days from home and some in the workplace. Others may need flexible working. more persuasion. It’s important to Read more about remote working be clear about what you want, to options and getting the most out of think through the possible impact hybrid working. on your colleagues and to address familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

HEALTH

My Ways to Feel Better Poster

Help your children to handle difficult feelings. Download and pin up this poster from Partnership for Children with ideas to help them feel better.

My Ways to Feel Better Poster When I feel angry, sad or worried, I can choose to do one of the activities on this poster to help me feel better. Which will I choose?

Dance to your favourite song

Have a drink of water

Think of the three best Think of a happy memory of your moments of the day friends/family

Talk to a friend

Think of three solutions for your problem

Do some colouring

Smell your favourite smell

Hug a toy

Do five star jumps

Ask for help

Take some deep breaths

Write down how Think of a happy Watch television time you are feeling

Have a nap

www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk

Say you’re sorry

Make a list of things you are good at

Imagine your favourite place

Do a full body stretch

DOWNLOAD POSTER HERE 48 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

HEALTH

Overcoming emotional eating

Staying sun safe this summer

By Pranita Salunke

By Dr Sweta Rai

Struggling with the kind of pressure the last year has delivered can create stress in the body. One of the results can be falling victim to emotional eating - eating beyond hunger, to comfort or reward ourselves. So how can you overcome this problem? READ MORE

Summer often means spending more family time outdoors. So it’s important to be aware of the risks of over-exposure to the sun and how best to protect your skin and that of your loved ones. This applies even when outside in the UK.

Supporting brain health

Enjoy subscriber-only giveaways & offers!

Studies show that Omega-3 fish oils improve brain function, concentration and behaviour. In fact, a clinician-led year-long trial of Omega-3 and 6 brain health supplement Equazen was shown to lift reading scores in mainstream children ages 9 to 10 years. Equazen is a clinically proven range of Omega-3 with 6 supplements for children, which supports brain health, by offering the recommended amount of 250g of Omega-3 DHA, blended with Omega-6 GLA. Watch out for our Equazen giveaway coming soon!

Magazine

familiesonline.co.uk

T&Cs apply

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

HOLIDAYS

Family-friendly UK city breaks We’ve picked nine top UK cities with heaps on offer for families. So start planning your trip now!

London

Cardiff

Bristol

Manchester

Edinburgh

Southampton

Oxford

York

Norwich

50 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

HOLIDAYS

Win a family holiday with Away WIN Resorts! Win a three or four night stay for four people in luxury accommodation at an Away Resorts park of your choice. Fall in love with a new type of holiday at one of its fabulous UK locations - where your accommodation is off-the-scale amazing and new experiences abound. Explore the New Forest at Sandy Balls, go wakeboarding at Tattershall Lakes or hit the golf course at Boston West, both in Lincolnshire. Sample the local cuisine at Mersea Island, soak up the sun beachside or mountainside at Barmouth Bay in Wales, discover the new-look Hayling Island gem, Mill Rythe, or enjoy a bucket-and-spade holiday at Whitecliff Bay on the glorious Isle of Wight. ENTER HERE. T&Cs.

Five things to take on a staycation

Beach Towels. An essential for having a dip! Wind-breaker jackets. You’ll be lucky to avoid a breeze when holidaying in the UK! Pack waterproof and windproof jackets. A portable BBQ. Not essential but happy faces are guaranteed when you whip up some delicious burgers and hot dogs. A picnic hamper. Taking a hamper will ensure everyone stays hydrated, nourished and happy. Games. Whether it’s cricket on the beach or card games by moonlight, pack something fun that all the family will enjoy.

Five staycation “must-considers”

Make decisions now! UK staycations are booking fast. Avoid popular hot spots. Particularly during summer school holidays, when they may already be booked. How will you occupy the kids? Weather may be poor, so make sure there are bad-weather entertainment options. Consider a city break. There may well be more accommodation and more entertainment options. Think about journey time. The roads are likely to be super-busy. If you are travelling a long way, are you are prepared to endure longer than usual time in the car?

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

HOLIDAYS

Top UK camping locations Availability for 2021 at time of publication but booking fast.

Whittlebury Park

Pop-up site at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix 13-19 July.

Home Farm Glamping

North London’s nearest glamping escape.

Andrewshayes Holiday Park

Award-winning and something for all budgets in East Devon. 52

Trevornick Holiday Park 5* holiday park in stunning Holywell Bay in Cornwall.

Camp Elwood

Pop up site from 26 July-9 August in Norfolk.

Little Retreats

Glamp in castle grounds on the Pembrokeshire coast.

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

Sacrewell Farm

Beautiful Cambridgeshire location. Adjacent to rare breed animal farm.

Walnut Grove Camping

Quiet, well-maintained site in Hampshire. 20 mins from Stonehenge.

Green Hill Farm Holiday Village

Dog-friendly, luxury holiday homes in the New Forest. familiesonline.co.uk

HOLIDAYS

Top tips for a great camping holiday Before you go….

When you are there…

Making it cheaper…

Never want to miss another issue? SIGN UP NOW IT’S FREE FREE

TAKE ME HOME

Magazine

s Magaz

years

Borrow equipment, buy second hand, rent a tent from Tentshare A great idea if this is your first trip… and it may be your last! Take your own duvets, pillows and blankets They may be more comfortable than sleeping bags. Book outside of peak season With the right clothes, autumn is a great time to camp. Collect wood If cooking on a campfire, do this when you arrive. It’s likely to be cheaper than buying firewood at the campsite. Buy a portable grill Cheaper than numerous disposable BBQ’s and better for the environment.

Don’t break the rules Camping involves sharing the peace and quiet of the countryside with others. Keep the noise down and be respectful, especially at night. Don’t leave food unattended It will attract unwanted animals. Tidy up outside your tent before spending the day exploring or going to sleep. Don’t leave a trace Leave the campsite as you found it. Take your rubbish with you or use on-site bins and dedicated recycling stations; Put out your campfire.

Fa m

Have a packing list Turning up with tired, hungry kids and no tent pegs isn’t funny! Pack eye masks, earplugs, hats, socks and blankets. Invest in a thick self-inflating mat (SIM). Don’t rely on Sat Nav/Google Maps Phone signal can be unreliable and can take you to the wrong place. Pack a paper map and compass (that you know how to use!) Plan your meals Take ingredients with you. This avoids last minute panics and unnecessary spending in on-site shops. Take plenty of snacks!

to be

.co.uk

familiesonline 1

May/June 202

Magazine

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

HOLIDAYS

The perfect weekend away We’ve found some top UK days out in areas of the country that have lots to offer families. Perfect options for an overnight or weekend stay.

Llechwedd Slate Cavern

The Needles Chairlift

Peppa Pig World

Overnight on the Isle of Wight.

Overnight in the New Forest or Southampton.

Legoland

Overnight in Windsor or Maidenhead.

Bewilderwood

Overnight in North Norfolk.

The Eden Project

Jorvik Viking Centre

Bram Stoker’s Dracula Experience

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum

Overnight in York.

Overnight in Whitby.

54 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

Overnight in Snowdonia.

Overnight in South Cornwall.

Overnight on the Jurassic Coast.

familiesonline.co.uk

FATHER’S DAY

DIY Father’s Day gift ideas Help your child make something special for Dad this Father’s Day.

Lego photo pen holder

Scribble mug

Dad Rocks paperweight

Zig-zag Father’s Day card

Keepsake box

Printable Father’s Day book

Remote caddy

Dad’s special supper

Father’s Day card

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Top tips for sprucing up your garden By Svetlana Blakeley-Sargeant The simple joy of being able to entertain in the garden is something we’ll definitely never take for granted again! But what if your garden isn’t quite up to the job? Our tips will help you: Set the scene for new plant life; Rekindle your love affair with your lawn; Vertically ‘green up’ a small, urban garden; Use container gardening for quick transformation; Transform an uninspiring garden; Embrace sustainability; Enjoy family-orientated garden activities and ideas. Set the scene for new plant life Start with a good garden clean up. Remove dead plants and Outdoor accessories for summer

winter weeds like chickweed and bittercress, prepare your flower beds and improve the soil. Give your trees and shrubs a trim and tidy up your hedges. Rekindle your love affair with your lawn Lawns act as a contrast to colourful blooms and focal evergreens and offer an inviting play area for your kids. De-thatch, aerate, and address weeds and bald patches. Overseed your lawn if needed and feed it with a slow-release fertiliser. Mow regularly. READ MORE Outdoor accessories for summer

Ornamental fire pit

Patio heater

Garden gazebo

Outdoor pizza oven

Garden bar

Garden table

Outdoor kitchen

Picnic table

56 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Renovating your child’s room By Claire Winter With countless interior trends online, paired with your child’s ideas for their room, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to home improvement. How do you combine practical with exciting?

Get the best out of family life!

FRE

TAK

E ME

HOME

Magazine

years

r to be P

May/June 2021

Magazine

familiesonline.co.uk

ili

Claim £10 off your first booking with Fantastic Services! Use code FANTASTICFAMILY10 when you register and create an account HERE Be it help with the house, garden, or any other domestic service, Fantastic Services is the place to find help. With an easy online booking process and live quotation, home maintenance becomes easy. Same and next day visits. 7 days a week. Fixed price.

Design themes Practicality Homework/play space Storage Colour and design trends Unique bedroom ideas – including

Design themes This year has seen a strong desire for escapism, using exoticallydesigned items and location wallpapers to transport us to other countries or worlds. Children will definitely enjoy a star-gazing galaxy above their heads when they go to bed, or an ocean-themed wall so they can imagine the whooshing of the sea lapping up to shore. These kinds of themes keep their imagination and dreams fuelled.

Here’s how to create smiles all round, considering:

space savers, wall art, plants and DIY items

During the pandemic, there has undoubtedly been a shift in the way many of us approach home living. Not only do we need functional and zoom-friendly spaces for us as adults, but we need safe and welcoming spaces for our children.

IN THIS ISSUE

Activities Tips/Advice Days Out familiesonline.c o.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

FAMILY LIFE

Helping your child make friends

Your Child’s Relationship Legacy

By Poppy O’Neill

By Neil Wilkie

Rejection, big life changes, sensitivity and shyness can impact children’s ability to make or keep friends. Without guidance, they can feel baffled by friendship up and downs. What techniques can parents use to help their children build fulfilling social lives? READ MORE

Who teaches us how to have a loving and fulfilling relationship with another person? How parents relate to their children in the first three years, will shape their attachment style and influence their relationships for what is likely to be the rest of their lives. READ MORE

Two homes – the practicalities

Foster care: are you eligible?

Over the years at Only Mums & Only Dads, we’ve heard many separating parents express their concerns about their children having two homes. How will everyone cope? What can be done to make it easier for everyone? We have some answers to these questions and others. READ MORE

Foster Care Fortnight® organised by The Fostering Network, runs from 11 to 24 May. It raises awareness of fostering and celebrates the fostering community. There are some common myths and misconceptions about who can or can’t foster. Let’s attempt to clear some of these up. READ MORE

58 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

Helping pre-schoolers re-engage with each other By Sarah Mundy Yesterday I was on the beach playing with my 3 year old son when a little girl ran up. She was interested in his toys, got straight in there, and then tried to give him a hug! Her awareness of personal space, even by pre-Covid standards, was non-existent and her excitement at seeing another child was simultaneously heart-breaking and warming. Her father explained that she had barely socialised with any children over the last year. Definitive evidence around the impact of lockdown on young children is yet to emerge. However, many parents are concerned about the lack of social experiences their children have had. They have missed out on things like toddler classes which help them learn the skill of being with others. In the early years, a child’s key relationship with their primary caregiver frames their view of themselves and the world around them. When secure, it acts as a buffer to adversity, meaning that children who have been doing okay at home will feel more able to confidently explore the world again, despite being potentially behind socially. Despite this, it wouldn’t be surprising if children are behind

socially. By age 3, children actively seek to play with peers, but they need help in navigating social situations. Friendships can be complex and children need to learn about managing disagreements, understanding feelings (theirs and others), taking-turns, listening and co-operating. So, how do we support our children to feel ready to go back to preschool and help them (re)learn social skills? READ MORE

Get the best out of family life! SIGN UP HERE to receive every issue IT’S FREE!

Magazine

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

FOOD

Family-friendly al fresco dining recipes Get the family into the kitchen to help prepare some perfect food for eating outside.

Sticky chicken drumsticks

Easy traditional lemonade

Nutella fairy bread

Rainbow Jam tarts

Cheesy spinach muffins

Super sausage rolls

Layered rainbow salad pots

Child-friendly hummus with crudites

Simple tuna salad with pasta

60 Families Suffolk: Issue 59

familiesonline.co.uk

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Party ideas for different ages By Simone Ryder If, despite a year without socialising, you are a parent who feels that party planning is yet another of the daunting challenges to be faced on the hazardous path to parenting success, then read on…. Love or hate party planning, we hope this thumbnail guide will help you on the road to a successful event

co-operating. Keep the party to about ninety minutes to avoid overstimulation. By age four, children Age 1-2 are full of energy and imagination, Your child’s first party is your which makes them wonderful celebration – the anniversary of partygoers. Plan short games and becoming a parent. Your 1 year old will have no idea what’s going on, so keep things moving as they may you can make this a celebration for still find it hard to wait their turn. Treasure and scavenger hunts work adults only, if you prefer. well but many parents opt for soft Two year old can catapult from play venues or similar to allow little excitement to temper tantrum ones to burn off energy. Entertainers in minutes — so you need to at your home or hired venue are be prepared. Most age twos also popular. Plan for a party of one are still very possessive of their to two hours. toys so do put away your child’s favourite things beforehand. And Age 5-6 avoid opening gifts at the party Five year olds know parties are very since most of the guests won’t important and may have all sorts of understand they can’t just take the wonderful (and wild) suggestions birthday child’s new things home! about the event. Theme parties Organised games aren’t really work well at this age. Children are necessary since children still play usually ready for games that involve independently at this age. instruction like Hokey Cokey and Simon Says. They are acquiring Age 3-4 fine motor skills necessary to use Now your child is likely to be scissors and string beads so they’re familiar with celebrations. Singing and circle activities work better than ready for simple crafts too. Plan for a party of about two hours. group games as they will usually enjoy playing with other children More ages and stages. briefly but may still have trouble familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

Birthday Party Countdown Planner

Plan your party the easy way using our cut-out planner and checklist! 3 months before

6 weeks before

4 weeks before

★ Set a budget and a date

★ Send out a ‘save the date’ by email

★ Prepare invitations

★ Make a guest list

★ Pick your theme

★ Book a venue/ entertainer

★ Plan the party food you wish to order

★ Buy/make party decorations ★ Order cake

✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸✸ TIP

TIP

Don’t forget cost of venue, party entertainment, food and decorations.

Popular options may need to be booked even earlier!

Ask for an RSVP.

Choose a theme your child loves.

1-2 weeks before

1-3 days before

★ Sort out the party bags

★ Buy party food

★ Plan party games ★ Send out reminder by email

★ Pick up cake ★ Write list/timings for party day

✸ ✸ ✸ TIP

TIP

Allow research time and get the birthday boy or girl to help.

Don’t just leave this to chance. Roughly plan enough games to last for at least half the party.

Reconfirm party food if ordered from a supplier.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Families Suffolk: Issue 59

TIP

Get your child to hand out invites at school/ nursery.

TIP

Decorations can make or break the party vibe!

Party Day

✸

Enjoy the day and take lots of pictures!

TIP

Leave plenty of time to get to the venue…

familiesonline.co.uk