Families Suffolk: Nov/Dec 2023 - Digital Edition

DIGITAL EDITION

IN THIS ISSUE

What's On Christmas Education The Great Christmas Toy Giveaway SEE INSIDE

Issue 74: Nov/Dec 2023

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

1

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS TOY GIVEAWAY Biggies 10 available worth £19.99 each

Ages 6+

Miraculous Magic Heroez Dolls 4 bundles available worth £45 each

Paint Pot Spin & Create Set 10 available worth £10.50 each Ages 3+

Ages 3+

Ages 3+

Ages 3+

Katamino Classic 1 available worth £35

Fireman Sam Ultimate Hero 2 available worth £29.99 each

Tonka Hat & Belt Set 5 available worth £19.99 each

Ages 4+ K3YRIDERS 2 in 1 3D Perrycornio Plush Helmet & 3 Wheeled Scooter 2 available worth £50 each Ages 3+

My Emotions & Me Book 100 available worth £12.50 each

Ages 7+

Dragon Ball Dragon Stars 4 bundles of 3 action figures worth £60 each Ages 4+

EDURINO 3 starter sets available worth £44.99 each

Ages 4-8

T&Cs Apply

APPLY HERE

2 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

familiesonline.co.uk

WELCOME & CONTENTS

Welcome Welcome to our new winter edition. It doesn't seem possible that this is our last issue of 2023!

In this issue

Within this issue, you will find a fantastic guide to local Christmas events, including our pick of local family days out and a directory of all the local pantomimes this year. The Association of Suffolk Museums have also put together a brilliant guide to all the events they are hosting this Christmas with their Twelve Museums of Christmas guide.

10 The Twelve Museums of Christmas

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and our very best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.

Best Wishes

Stacey Phillips

8

What's On

13 Homemade Christmas gift ideas for teachers 15 DIY Christmas cards 16 Christmas toy guide 17 Top family Christmas movies 18 Public Health Team update 21 Education

GET IN TOUCH KING STREET CINEMA CORN EXCHANGE, IPSWICH

KINGSTREETCINEMA.CO.UK

This Christmas at King Street...

Meet the man himself in Santa Claus The Movie, see Kevin get left Home Alone, get snowed in with The Muppet Christmas Carol and for the dads... get trapped in the Nakatomi Tower with John McClane in Die Hard!

Tickets on sale this November.

TBC. Please check website for dates and times.

for the dads

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

3

WHAT'S ON

GIF CART D

IPSWICH

#Jum pIntoHa ppy

Scan to Book!

Suffolk has a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world, which continues to shape the culture of the county today.

Celebrating stories of arrival, community and contribution, ‘Arrivals’ explores historical and contemporary experiences of migration to Suffolk.

Friday 24 November 2023 – Sunday 14 April 2024 The Hold, Ipswich l Suitable for all l Free entry

Come along to learn more about the often untold stories of generations of migrants who have made their home in Suffolk.

The ‘Arrivals’ exhibition is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

@suffolkarchives www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/whatson

4 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT'S ON

in Presents

Theatre Royal Christmas Cab

Fri 17 Nov - Sun 24 Dec theatreroyal.org 01284 769505

IN THE ARC SHOPPING CENTRE

An interactive, festive performance for 2 - 7 year olds.

© National Trust 2023. Registered Charity No. 205846. Photography © National Trust. Imagery © Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

Staged Splendour at Ickworth Estate

Saturday 2 December - Tuesday 2 January | Open daily* Join us as we transport Ickworth back to the Georgian period for a lavish experience at the theatre. Step into the Rotunda and revel in the glorious indulgence of the Christmas festivities that await you; from an extravagant dining set to immersive theatrical staging throughout. Be inspired by Georgian traditions and their love for a festive get together! Explore the great outdoors with our family trail nestled into our woodland.

nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth-estate

familiesonline.co.uk

*closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

5

WHAT'S ON

Christmas What's On Guide

OUR TOP PICK OF LOCAL FAMILY DAYS OUT THIS WINTER

ICKWORTH'S LIGHT NIGHTS

ILLUMINATED GARDEN TRAIL

WHERE'S SANTA'S HAT

Ickworth House & Gardens The Rotunda, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5QE Fri 10th Nov - Sun 26th Nov www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ickworth-estate

Helmingham Hall Gardens Helmingham Hall, Helmingham, Stowmarket, IP14 6EF Thu 16th Nov- Sun 17th Dec www.helmingham.com

The Arc Shopping Centre Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3DG Fri 17th Nov - Sun 24th Dec www.theatreroyal.org/shows/ wheres-santas-hat/

CHRISTMAS FESTIVE FUN

STAGED SPLENDOUR

Easton Farm Park Pound Corner, Easton, Woodbridge, IP13 0EQ Various dates in December www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk

Ickworth House & Gardens The Rotunda, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5QE Sat 2nd Dec - Tue 2nd Jan www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ickworth-estate

FATHER CHRISTMAS AT THE HOLD

FAMILY AFTERNOON TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS

CO-OP JUNIORS CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Ivy & Bond Tearoom Hall Street, Long Melford, CO10 9JL Sun 3rd, 10th & 17th Dec www.facebook.com/ivyandbond27/

Snape Maltings Concert Hall Snape Maltings, Snape, IP17 1SP Fri 8th Dec - Sun 17th Dec www.coopjuniors.co.uk

FATHER CHRISTMAS AT NOWTON PARK

DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS

Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5LU Sat 9th - Sun 10th Dec www.visit-burystedmunds.co.uk

Kentwell Hall Long Melford, Nr Sudbury CO10 9BA 9th - 10th & 16th - 17th Dec www.kentwell.co.uk

6 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

The Hold, Ipswich, IP4 1LN Sat 2nd Dec www.suffolkarchives.co.uk

IPSWICH WINTER WEEKENDER Ipswich Town Centre Thu 7th - Sun 10th Dec www.ipswichentertains.co.uk

Don't miss the brilliant Twelve Museums of Christmas feature from The Association of Suffolk Museums on pages 8-9 familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT'S ON Visit us in our ceramics café or pick up a EDUCATION paint at home kit and get creative

GET £2£2 OFFOFF CERAMIC PAINTING WITH THIS ADVERT CERAMIC PAINTING Please cut out and take with you when visiting.

We are open from Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm Closed on Wednesdays term time only Sunday 11.00am – 4.00pm Booking advisable

Pennikkity Pots Ceramics Café, Ipswich, IP1 3DJ T. 01473 216865 E: Info@pennikkitypots.co.uk

PennikkityPots pennikkitypots.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

7

WHAT'S ON

G Pantomime Guide G Dick Whittington and his Cat

Wet Weather Fun! Jump IPSWICH In Adventure Park, Ipswich GIF CART D #JumpIn toHappy

The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich Thu 23rd Nov - Sat 20th Jan www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

Snow White Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds Fri 24h Nov - Sun 14th Jan www.theatreroyal.org

Sleeping Beauty The Mercury Theatre, Colchester Sat 25th Nov - Sun 14th Jan www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

The Wizard of Oz The Regal Theatre, Stowmarket Sat 2nd Dec - Sun 10th Dec www.regalstowmarket.co.uk

The Tale of Mr Todd The Red Rose Chain, Ipswich Fri 8th Dec - Sun 31st Dec www.redrosechain.com

Aladdin The Marina Theatre, Lowestoft Tue 12th Dec - Mon 1st Jan www.marinatheatre.co.uk

Sleeping Beauty Ipswich Regent Fri 15th Dec - Sun 31st Dec www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk

The perfect indoor leisure experience for the whole family, whatever the weather!

Scan to Book!

The park features wall-to-wall trampolines, airbag, battle beam, Wipeout, and more! As well as a huge Soft Play Park with designated areas and activities for the little ones and Super Speed slides for the older ones (up to age 12).

Choose one of Jump In’s 100%-Fun-Zero-Stress party packages for an unforgettable and hassle-free birthday celebration. Each package includes a party host and party room or area, decorations and clean up are also included.

Save 15% on term time parties, Monday -Thursday, using the discount code WEEKDAY15.

Get UNLIMITED Open Jumps for the price of one hour with the Unlimited After School Jump Offer. Available Mondays – Thursdays after 3pm during term time.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the disco lights are turned on and the music up during two-hour After Dark sessions!

If jumping isn’t your thing there is space to sit back and relax from the Jump In Café as you watch the world defy gravity around you!

www.gojumpin.com/adventure-park-ipswich/

Play centres CurveMotion (Soft Play) Lark Valley Business Park, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 6LJ

Cinderella

www.curvemotion.uk

The Quay Theatre, Sudbury Fri 15th - Sun 24th Dec www.quaysudbury.com

Felixstowe Leisure Centre

Partyman World

Seafront, Felixstowe, IP11 2AE

9 Cavendish Street, Ipswich, IP3 8AX

Dick Whittington

Jump In Soft Play

Haverhill Arts Centre Fri 15th - Sun 24th Dec www.haverhillartscentre.co.uk

Aladdin The Spa Pavillion, Felixstowe Fri 22nd Dec - Mon 1st Jan www.spapavilion.uk

Snow White Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge Fri 22nd Dec - Sat 30th Dec www.seckfordtheatre.org

www.placesleisure.org Anglia Retail Park, Bury Road, Ipswich IP1 5QP

www.gojumpin.com Jumppin Jacks Funhouse 86 Gregory Road, Mildenhall, IP28 7DF

www.jumppinjacks.co.uk Mid-Suffolk Leisure Centre Play World Gainsborough Road, Stowmarket, IP14 1LH www.everyoneactive.com/centre/ mid-suffolk-leisure-centre/

8 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

www.partymanworld.co.uk Play2Day 11A Gloster Road, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, IP5 3RJ

www.play2day.biz Rainbow Fun 1 Addison Road, Sudbury, CO10 2YW www.facebook.com/ rainbowfunsudbury/

Yaya's House Birch Farm, Nr Hadleigh Ipswich, IP8 3NJ www.yayashouse.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION WHAT'S ON

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

9

10 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

11

­

12 Families Suffolk: Issue 74 HAF is funded by The Department of Education

familiesonline.co.uk

CHRISTMAS

Homemade Christmas gift ideas for teachers

Pebble teacher paper weight

Crayon vase

Apple pie cookie kit

Hedgehog bread rolls

Indoor prickly cactus garden

Colourful macarons

DIY pencil holder

Homemade doughnuts and coffee

Succulent mini pot

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

13

14 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

familiesonline.co.uk

CHRISTMAS

DIY Christmas cards to create with the kids

String art Christmas card

Christmas tree card

Paper strip Christmas trees

Free printable penguin Christmas cards (8)

Tinsel tree card

Pom-pom Christmas wreath card

Snow surprise Christmas card

Reindeer card

Christmas cracker card

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

15

CHRISTMAS

Families Christmas toy guide We asked The Good Play Guide for their top picks. These accredited products have been independently tested by play experts and children.

ELC Soft Sensory Balls

Feely Farm Puzzle

Penguin Math Balance

Dragomino

Baby Delightful sensory toy that will be a favourite as your baby grows. £15.

Pre-school Stimulate your preschoolers’ senses with these first wooden puzzles. £15.99.

Sounds of the Forest

Pre-school A book and hooting owl whistle make story-time interactive & fun. £12.99.

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

Pre-school Fun way to learn about weight, size, addition and subtraction. £19.99.

Ages 5+ Practise strategic thinking to find the precious Dragon Eggs. £20.99.

Ages 3+ A fantastic sensory, stress-relieving product for all ages. £12.99.

Plus-Plus

Discover

Squirrels Go Nuts

Ages 5+ Use small interconnecting puzzle pieces to create 2D and 3D forms. £16.85

Ages 5+ All the tools you need to make anything from cardboard. £44.99.

16 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

Ages 6+ Multi-level sliding puzzle game – slide the squirrles and hide the nuts. £14.99. familiesonline.co.uk

CHRISTMAS

Top family films for Christmas

The Polar Express (2004)

The Grinch (2018)

Home Alone 2 (1992)

Kevin is left stranded in New York City.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Kate and Teddy go on a journey to catch Santa on camera.

Arthur Christmas (2011)

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

A Boy Called Christmas (2021)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

A grumpy Grinch plots A young boy learns about to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville. friendship, bravery and the spirit of Christmas.

An imaginary world comes to life for a toymaker and his granddaughter.

Origin story of Father Christmas, an ordinary boy sets out to find his father.

familiesonline.co.uk

Little Women (2019)

The beloved story of the March sisters.

Santa’s clumsy son attempts to deliver a misplaced present.

Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, attempts to bring Christmas to his home.

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

17

A WINTER UPDATE FROM

THE PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM HEALTHY LIVING SERVICE

SUPPORT WITH ASTHMA

Introducing the Healthy Living Service:

Living with asthma can be challenging,

a weight management service to

particularly when you are young.

create a supportive and holistic

This is why we encourage young

approach that is bespoke to your

people over 12 and their families to

child and your whole family, to help you

download the ‘Digital Health Passport’

make long term healthy lifestyle changes.

app, for useful asthma resources,

The Healthy Living Service will encourage the whole

including: access to asthma action

family to take part in healthy behaviours, regardless

plans, inhaler technique tips, peak flow

of their weight. This will include frequent review of the

tracker and air pollution/pollen alerts.

tailored care plan and agreeing goals and actions together, monitoring progress and providing feedback.

Contact details: HealthyLivingService@suffolk.gov.uk Telephone number: 01473 263700

BE WELL, FEEL WELL The power of noticing Webinar Suitable for 11-18 year olds & parents

Tuesday 19th December 1pm-2pm

Available for free on Google Play and Apple Store: https://digitalhealthpassport.co/

How does being present boost our wellbeing and relationships?

Join us in this webinar to explore the links between the power of noticing and the impact on our wellbeing and mood, including being in control of where we direct our focus.

Book a place at https://bit.ly/FreeYMCAWebinar or scan the QR code: Booking is essential but if you are unable to join the session live, you will be sent the recording to watch back

18 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

familiesonline.co.uk

BATES WELLS & BRAITHWAITE S O L I C I T O R S

For you and your family Providing legal advice when you need it most

Our services include: FAMILY LAW:

RESOLVING DISPUTES:

PRIVATE CLIENT SERVICES:

• Divorce & separation

• Personal injury

• Wills, trusts & probate

• Financial & property issues

• Clinical negligence

• Powers of attorney

• Pension agreements & entitlements

• Houses, property & neighbours

• Residential property

• Family mediation

• Contentious wills & probate

• Children & social care • Pre-nuptial/living together agreements • Civil partnerships

• Contract disputes • Consumer affairs/ faulty goods & service

• Same sex relationships FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Denise Head Partner/Solicitor & Mediator T 01473 219282 E denise.head@bates-wells.co.uk

29 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1AQ

Christopher Mason Head of Dispute Resolution T 01473 295524 E christopher.mason@bates-wells.co.uk

www.bates-wells.co.uk 19

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

CLUBS & CLASSES

Learn to read, write &

e lov10%

music with

off 1st term fees!

Weekly classes Thursdays/Saturdays

2 FREE LESSONS!

Fun-packed, educational, unique group music lessons using electronic keyboards.

Perfect for the 4-13 year old beginner musician!

Burlington Baptist Church, London Road IP1 2EZ

Football fun for children aged 18 months - 8 7 years.

“Learning the FUNdamentals of Football”

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

www.funkymonkey.info 01732 457 100

07762 341982

MY EMOTIONS AND ME BOOK GIVEAWAY Help your child manage their emotions

Grab a FREE copy of My Emotions and Me AGES 7+

APPLY HERE T&C’s apply

20 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION EDUCATION

Apps for improving maths skills

Pet Bingo

Squeebies

Marble Math

Ages 2-7yrs Entertaining app that takes kids on a maths adventure.

Ages 5-11yrs Ideal for kids who love competition.

Ages 9-12yrs Fun, engaging app that practises and reinforces key math objectives.

Monster Math

Ages 5-10 yrs Stories help children practise and learn 40+ maths skills.

Doodle Tables

Ages 4-14 yrs Boosts times tables’ confidence with a personalised program.

Native Numbers

Math Dots Puzzles – Dinosaurs

Maths Shed

Twinkl MTC Practice

Ages 4+ Play connect the dots while learning maths.

Ages 4+ Fun and easy-to-use for practising maths skills.

Ages 4-7 yrs Develops maths skills built on a solid foundation.

Ages 4+ Expands times tables’ knowledge. Prepares for multiplication tables check.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

21

EDUCATION EDUCATION

Games which improve concentration DIY memory games

DIY attention games

Board games

Apps & online games

Chess & draughts: helps planning, concentration and anticipation.

Scrabble: focusses on spelling, strategising with available letters and maintaining attention.

Boggle: involves practising attention skills as well as vocabulary and spelling.

Sequence for Kids: enhances memory and strategic thinking.

Readlax: Brain Games Ages 5+.

IOS & Android. FREE. MentalUP Ages 6+. Website.

FREE. CogniFit Ages 7+. IOS & Android. FREE. Memory Match Ages 4+. IOS. FREE. Kiko’s Thinking Time Ages 4+.

Ipad.

GON Memory Game All ages.

Amazon. FREE.

Visual Memory Test

Simon Says

Fun ten level game where kids have to remember where a picture is. Ages 4+.

Simon Says is a great game for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

The coin game: arrange an assortment of coins in a sequence. Allow your child to look at them closely for 15 seconds, then cover. Ask them to duplicate the sequence. Repeat, timing them!

Storytelling: each player must remember and repeat an entire story, then add a new sentence.

Backwards counting: give your child a random number and ask them to count backwards in 3s.

Spot-the-difference: helps develop focus and concentration.

Jigsaw & crossword puzzles: focusses attention on detail and patterns.

LEGO and building structures with blocks: encourages sustained concentration and creativity.

22 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION

Growing sunflowers and learning maths?

Reading and the Key Stage 2 curriculum

By Usha Patel

By Jemma Z Smith

Parents often ask how to get their child interested in maths because ‘they just don’t get it.’ Luckily, it’s possible to give children lots of help at home by using maths language and supporting them to develop sequential thought processes and logical thinking.

READ MORE

Reading is vital for enabling students to access the rest of the curriculum and deepening their understanding of the world. While phonics lays the initial groundwork in Key Stage 1, the emphasis in Key Stage 2 (Year 3 and beyond) expands to exploring characters.

READ MORE

Understanding multiple intelligences

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS TOY GIVEAWAY

By Zuzu Jordan

According to the thesaurus, intelligence means ‘smart,’ ‘clever’ and ‘bright.’

Traditionally pupils with regular high scores in academic or IQ tests are recognised as intelligent. Yet as a society we marvel at great artists, musicians and Olympians for their outstanding talent. How intelligence is measured is a debatable topic.

READ MORE

Katamino Classic 1 available Ages 6+

Ages 3+

Ages 3+

Biggies 10 available

Paint Pot Spin & Create Set 10

available

T&Cs Apply

APPLY HERE

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Suffolk: Issue 74

23

At St Joseph’s we support the intellectual, spiritual, physical and emotional growth of every student.

Children who thrive are the happiest of all.

Whole School Open Morning Saturday 2 March Prep School Open Morning Thursday 1 February Join us for our Prep and Senior School Open Day. Family tours also available, to find out more please visit stjos.co.uk or email admissions@stjos.co.uk 24 Families Suffolk: Issue 74

familiesonline.co.uk