Families upon Thames September/October 21

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IN THIS ISSUE

Education Autumn activities Halloween Family life

September/October 2021

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2 September/October

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CONTENTS

In this issue

Welcome

4 12 13 14 16 18 21 25 27 29 31 33

Back to school already! Our Education feature will help ease the transition and provides helpful tips and support.

Education Scavenger hunt downloadable Tween Clubs & classes Activities & days out What’s on Autumn activities Halloween Family life Bonfire Night Black History Month Toys

Get in touch Competition winners from our May/June issue.

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.

Autumn is a beautiful season and a great time for getting outside with the family.

Hunt down some autumn trees in our downloadable Scavenger Hunt, enjoy some Autumn crafts and get organised early for Halloween with our great costume and decoration ideas.

Get prepared for Ride to School Week with our family cycling feature and challenge your kids with our Black History Month quiz. How many faces can they match to names?

Whether you’re an existing subscriber to this magazine or haven’t signed up yet, take advantage of our fabulous free gifts for you in this issue!

Free gift for our subscribers!*

Clinically researched combination

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Ages 5+

Support your child’s brain health with essential Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids

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September/October 3

EDUCATION

Tips for a positive Parents’ Evening

By Annabel Gray Despite the sore throat and spinning head by the end, as a teacher, I used to love parents’ evenings. Those ten minutes can make all the difference to a child’s experience and outcomes at school. So, to make the most of them:

What do you want to know? Their level? Their test results? How they interact with others? How confident they are? What the homework is about? How to do long division?

This is your chance! Don’t waste it!

Work these top tips into your parents’ evening and you’ll feel positive, productive and informed by the end of it. Want other tips to support your child’s learning?

READ MORE

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Holiday act ivities Summer Lea rning Health Family food

Free gifts for existing sub new and scribers

4 September/October

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Celebrate their work. Pandemicpermitting, let your child show you their work on display and their books. Most parents are surprised at the quality of the work their children do at school.

Be proud. Your kids are amazing!

Tell them that!

t

Come armed with questions. The most productive meetings are when a parent brings all the queries they have to the meeting so they can be ironed out quickly.

Fa

Smile. The teacher you are meeting spends just as much time as you do with your child and will know them very well. Make them feel at ease and create a positive vibe from the outset.

Focus on solutions. If there are tricky issues to tackle, from either side of the desk, focus on solutions rather than blame. Like you, teachers want the best for your child. If an issue can’t be resolved, book a further meeting.

in

Attend. Obvious maybe – but vital if you want to show your child that you value their learning.

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Readmio App

SEE INSIDE

July/August 2021

email: editor@fam

iliescardiff.co.uk

familiesonline.c o.uk

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EDUCATION

Dealing with back to school anxiety

By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble For most children, back to school anxiety fades quickly. But how do we support our children when it lingers?

Prevent common worries from becoming deep-rooted by establishing good practice and routines.

For children whose worries persist, this simple five step programme can to our children is that they don’t help. need to worry.

Take care of the basics. Ensure a Not sure how to be an ‘active good sleep routine, healthy snacks listener?’ and regular exercise.

Provide empathy. Find READ MORE uninterrupted opportunities to listen to your child’s worries, expectations and fears. Car journeys, bath time and walks are ideal. Listen actively, withholding judgement and advice.

Validate their feelings.

Problem solve. Discuss coping strategies, ideally led by your child.

Showing confidence in their own problem solving abilities nurtures greater resilience.

Highlight the positives. Encourage your child to recognise the fun elements of school and not fixate on the negatives. Use questions like: ‘What was your favourite thing for lunch?’ and ‘What was the funniest thing that happened today?’

Be mindful of your own emotions and reactions. They can create learnt behaviour. By staying calm and seeming positive, the message Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 5

EDUCATION

Teacher talk

Getting your school acronyms muddled? Confused by terminology your child’s teacher is using? Check out our handy guide.

Blended Learning: A mixture of face-to-face and online teaching.

Blending: The merging together of the separate sounds in a word.

CAMHS: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services CATS: Cognitive Abilities Tests.

These assess strengths and weaknesses in reasoning and are used in some primary and secondary schools.

Circle time: This is time that children spend sitting on the mat or on chairs in a circle to discuss a particular topic.

Core subjects: These are the subjects making up the core part of the overall curriculum, such as English and maths.

Differentiation: Teachers can vary activities in class depending on the ability of different children and make sure that each student is appropriately challenged.

DfE: Department for Education.

EAL: English as an additional language.

Early Help Assessment (EHA): An assessment which identifies children and families who need support.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): The Early Years Foundation Stage includes Nursery and Reception classes. The focus here is learning through high quality play. When your child moves from 6 September/October

Reception into Year 1, more formal teaching is introduced.

Fine motor skills: The ability to make movements using the small muscles in our hands and wrists.

These are important when learning to write or threading a needle, for instance.

Foundation subjects: Non-core subjects eg History, Geography, IT, DT, Modern Foreign Languages, RE, Music, PE and Art. Want the rest of the alphabet?

READ MORE

Small and caring pre-school in Hampton Ages 2 to 5 Teaches Early Years Foundation Stage.

Curriculum and Montessori Method.

For a prospectus or to visit, call Julia on 020 8335 0666 / 07939 838 991 or email juliasmontessori@aol.com Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Top questions to ask on a school visit

By Emma Lewry Choosing a school for your child is a big decision that can feel charged with pressure and uncertainty. As a teacher, former head teacher and a mum, I’ve been through the process from both sides of the classroom door, so here’s my simple advice to make the most of your visits.

Firstly, read my tips on preparation for your visit here: So what should you ask at the school?

• What’s the best thing about your school?

• What are you working on to improve as a school currently?

• What do the children say about your school? (or ask a child if you can!)

• How are your classes organised?

Are the mixed ages and abilities?

• How do you deal with behaviour incidents and bullying?

• About any logistics that are important to you; Do you offer a breakfast club? Do you teach

particular sports or musical instruments? What time does the school day start?

Looking for more essentials to get the most out of a school visit?

READ MORE NEWLAND HOUSE SCHOOL Independent Nurseery & Preparatory Day School for Girls and Boys from 3 to 13 Years

Watch Emma’s top school visit tips INNOVATE, NURTURE, INSPIRE, FLY...

WELCOME MORNINGS 8 October

19 November

Newland House School

Waldegrave Park, Twickenham, TW1 4TQ T. 020 8865 1305 E. admissions@newlandhouse.net www.newlandhouse.net

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September/October 7

EDUCATION

Newland House School: A natural choice for families A recent article in The Sunday Times cited Teddington as the best place to live in London and we can understand their sentiments.

Newland House is based on the border between Teddington and Twickenham and for many years has been an ideal school choice for families living in these friendly neighbourhoods, where it reflects their warm sense of community, whilst still embracing its pupils’ individuality and providing them with a balanced and nurturing educational environment.

Parents of children at the School enjoy the cohesiveness of a supportive parental network, creating new and often life-long, family friendships. The School also benefits from a proactive Parents’ Association which organises many events and local initiatives, mirroring the School’s approach to supporting others and contributing to the positive and welcoming atmosphere within the School community.

Not only is Newland House ideally located but, as one of the few prep schools in the area that fosters the benefits of co-education, it also supports family values. The school firmly believes that a mixed-gender environment offers the most natural foundation, not only for learning, but also in helping children understand how their relationships affect the world they live in. Prioritising 8 September/October

children’s personal development and resilience, alongside a broad and engaging curriculum, creates an environment in which children thrive and are challenged to achieve their full potential.

Visit the School this term to find out more. Email, call 020 8865 1305, or visit the website.

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EDUCATION

Open Morning Saturday 25th September 9.30am-11.30am Shrewsbury House School is an outstanding Independent Prep School for boys aged 7–13 located in Surbiton, Surrey. With a superb academic record, committed staff, small class sizes and dedicated pastoral care, every boy has the opportunity to fulfil his potential. Shrewsbury House School has a national reputation for success in Scholarships and Awards to top day and boarding Senior Schools at 13+.

registrar@shstrust.net

020 8399 3066

@shrewsburyhouse

shrewsburyhouse.net

Shrewsbury House Pre-Preparatory School Now registering for Nursery & Reception places 2022 At Shrewsbury House Pre-Prep we offer an excellent academic provision combined with outstanding pastoral care.

Join us for our Open Morning on Friday 8th October 2021 from 9:30am-11:30am. Please visit our website to register your interest.

If you would like a personal tour of the School in the meantime, please contact our Registrar, Mrs Jules Akhurst: shppadmissions@shstrust.net | 01372 462781

Shrewsbury House Pre-Prep offers an excellent educational experience to both boys and girls aged between 3 and 7 www.shrewsburyhousepreprep.net 22 Milbourne Lane, Esher, Surrey KT10 9EA

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September/October 9

EDUCATION

Shrewsbury House PrePrep: find out more

Looking for a prep school for boys in Surrey?

Shrewsbury House Pre-Prep in Esher offers an excellent academic provision combined with outstanding pastoral care to both boys and girls aged between 3 and 7.

Shrewsbury House School is an outstanding independent prep School for boys ages 7 to 13, located in Surbiton.

The School is now registering for Nursery and Reception places for 2022.

Join Shrewsbury House for its Open Morning on Friday 8 October from 9:30am to 11:30am. Register your interest here.

In the meantime, if you would like a personal tour of the School, please contact Registrar by email or call 01372 462781 Click here to find out more about the School.

With a superb academic record, committed staff, small class sizes and dedicated pastoral care, every boy has the opportunity to fulfil his potential at Shrewsbury House.

The School has a national reputation for success in Scholarships and Awards to top day and boarding senior schools at 13+.

Shrewsbury House is holding its Annual Open Morning on Saturday 25 September from 9.30am to 11.30am. If you are interested in attending, register your interest here or email.

Find out more here.

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10 September/October

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Enquire here for more details.

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EDUCATION

Ride to school safely It’s Ride to School Week starting 27 September! To get your family riding to school (and beyond) safely, check out our great videos and articles.

Teaching your child to ride a bike

Cycling as a family

By Catherine Ellis

There’s no better time than the Autumn to start cycling: it’s generally mild but not too warm, it’s a beautiful season and cycling is a great way to see it unfold. But preparation is key to ensuring you get the best out of the experience and take an appropriate route.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

Safety-checking your child’s bike

Transporting children by bike

It can be difficult to know how to best transport your growing family by bike. What if you have a baby? What if you also have a toddler? What if you have an older child too? Cycling UK explains how to make the best cycling choices for your family.

READ MORE September/October 11

Autumn tree Scavenger Hunt

AUTUMN

Get outdoors and go on a treasure hunt with your kids, matching leaves to their trees and trees to their fruit. Download this activity and instructions.

DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS HERE

12 September/October

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TWEEN

The best foods for pre-teens

By Katie O’Connell We have a running joke in our family. If it’s not burger-shaped, my son won’t eat it. Finding out what we should be feeding our tweens is one challenge, working out what they will actually eat is another! Teen and pre-teen experts at wearetwixt offered us this advice from Katie, nutritionist and gut health expert.

Fats are not the enemy Healthy fats are probably the most important food group for growing tweens and are vital to healthy brain development. The best sources are fish, nuts and seeds. I recommend oily fish twice a week - salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna (fresh not tinned), herrings, prawns and whitebait – and a handful of nuts a day.

Fishy and nutty food ideas Chuck a handful of prawns into a stir fry/pasta sauce with some chilli and lime.

Mackerel has a mild flavour that works well mashed into a dip with a squeeze of lemon and garlic.

Add pesto or cherry tomatoes to baked salmon steaks; serve with potato wedges.

Try salty anchovies in pasta sauce or on pizza. They taste great amongst other complicated flavours.

Spread nut butters - peanut, almond or hazelnut- onto toast.

Slice apple wedges for dipping in a small bowl of peanut butter.

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Sprinkle mixed seeds over breakfast cereal, salads, in sandwiches and stir fries.

Katie O’Connell is an experienced nutritionist offering consultations to parents and children. Find out more.

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September/October 13

CLUBS & CLASSES

Join Perform for Confidence Building Fun this Autumn term Perform weekly classes (ages 4 to 7 and 7 to 12) are packed with drama, dance and singing but have a special focus on developing confidence, communication, coordination and concentration.

Teachers don’t worry about whether children get their lines or moves right; instead, they use a mix of drama games and fun activities to boost self-esteem and allow every child to shine. Perform’s magical end of term shows for friends and family are a wonderful celebration of the children’s achievements.

The Perform curriculum focuses on fun, friendship and laughter alongside catchy songs and funky dances. Class material is specially designed, with apps, downloads and videos for the children to enjoy at home and there is a new creative theme each term. This autumn, children ages 4 to 7 will journey to Outer Space while ages 7 to 12 will be appearing in Bluebeard’s Bride.

Venues Brentford: St Paul Church of England Primary School Cobham: St Andrew’s Church Hall Esher: Church of the Holy Name Isleworth: St John’s and St Mary’s Church Hall Kew: Kew Community Centre Kingston: Alexandra Infants School & The Parish of St John the Baptist 14 September/October

Richmond: The Russell Primary School & Holy Trinity Church Centre Teddington: Teddington Methodist Church Twickenham: Twickenham United Reform Church Walton: St Andrews Urc Weybridge: St James’ Parish Centre To book a no-obligation FREE trial class in Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington, Kew, Brentford, Isleworth, Esher, Cobham, Walton, Weybridge and Kingston, visit the website, email or call 020 7255 9120.

Special Offer for Families readers!

Perform is offering Families readers a special £40 introductory discount on bookings made by 15 October – just quote LUT151021 Familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

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Venue: Christs School, Queens Road, TW10 6HW (Every Tuesday)

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MUSICAL THEATRE DRAMA • PIANO SINGING • PLAYWRITING YOUTH THEATRE LAMDA, TRINITY AND ABRSM EXAMINATIONS

Classes in Hampton Hill & Twickenham Please call 07973 900196 or e: info@steponstageacademy.co.uk

www.steponstageacademy.co.uk

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Danceforce School of Dancing, Kingston Free trial class

RAD BALLET ISTD TAP, MODERN & JAZZ CONTEMPORARY PRE SCHOOL, MINIS, JUNIORS, SENIORS & ADULTS

www.danceforceschoolofdancing.com office@danceforceschoolofdancing.com

September/October 15

ACTIVITIES & DAYS OUT

Enjoy ILLUMINATURE Light Trail at London Wetland Centre!

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Let London Wetland Centre illuminate your Autumn with a light trail like no other! Families can experience a unique and magical trail at ILLUMINATURE at the London Wetland Centre in Barnes from 22 October to 9 January 2022 (4pm to 9pm).

ILLUMINATURE offers a unique opportunity to see a different side of the wetlands, while enjoying an immersive art experience after-dark.

Follow the trail past reed beds, lagoons and the grazing marsh, seeing larger-than-life illuminations of iconic wetland wildlife like otters and swans, in a trail that has been specially designed to work alongside the natural wetlands and their wildlife. Enjoy immersive light tunnels, hop along responsive lily-pads and take in a multitude of other interactive and unforgettable light experiences.

Tickets: £17.50 per adult; £12.50 per child. Under 4’s go free.

Find out more and book here.

16 September/October

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Autumn Carnival Half Term Activities at RHS Wisley

Find out how the Autumn season is celebrated around the world, with hands on activities for all ages, including a garden trail.

Don’t miss the Autumn Circus weekend to launch this fantastic week on 23 and 24 October, with a big top marquee and enthralling performances.

Normal garden admission applies. Find out more here.

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ACTIVITIES & DAYS OUT

Autumn carnival half term fun

Book Now

Your visit supports our work as a charity

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262.

Sat 23 Oct – Sun 31 Oct

RHS members go free

NEW AND IMPROVED SWIMMING POOLS NOW OPEN AT SUNBURY LEISURE CENTRE

BOOK YOUR SWIMMING LESSONS NOW

SPACES AVAILABLE NOW!

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AWARD-WINNING SWIM LESSONS FROM THE UK’S LEADING PROVIDER

Sunbury Leisure Centre Nursery Road, Sunbury-on-Thames

01932 772287 Everyone Active manages this facility in partnership with Spelthorne Borough Council.

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27/07/2021 14:31 17 September/October

WHAT’S ON

What’s on

All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER

Every Sat & Sun Steam Train Rides at Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway Train rides every half hour and picnic area open Children’s Book (not every Sat).

Festival Booking required. In person talks by authors, Every Thursday performances Storytime with and interactive Mark at London classes.

Museum of Water & Steam Sun 12 Sep Songs, rhymes Richmond Live and stories for Dance at Marble 0-5s.

Hill Park Free event to Every Fri from 10 watch local Sep to 15 Oct dance companies Parent & Child perform.

Forest School at Painshill Park Thames Tidefest Weekly sessions at Kew Bridge to introduce Stalls and free your child to events including the outdoors.

Circus Skills, Booking required. River Dipping.

SELECTED DAYS Sat 11 to Sun 12 Sep Chiswick 18 September/October

Mon 20 Sep Guided Bat Walk at Painshill Park Take a walk, watch and listen for bats using bat detectors.

Ignite Trail at Polesden Lacey

Sat 18 Sep Wey River Festival at River Wey Navigations Food and craft stalls, children’s

activities and illuminated after dark boat pageant.

Sat 18 to Sun 19 Sep Steaming Weekend at Kempton Steam Museum Watch these unique and enormous ancient steam engines in action.

Sun 19 Sep Richmond Live Theatre at Marble Hill Park Free to watch local theatre companies in action.

Sat 25 Sep Foreshore Finds at Museum of Richmond Try your hand at archaeology and discover foreshore finds from the Thames.

Sun 26 Sep Emergency Services Day at Brooklands Museum Featuring fire trucks, ambulances and apparatus used in emergency services.

Fri 1 Oct Museum Monkeys at Chertsey Museum Join Charlie the Chimp for singing, stories and crafts for under 5s.

Familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

What’s on

All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

Sat 9 & Sun 10 Oct Autumn Steam Up at London Museum of Water & Steam Discover the fascinating world of water and steam.

Sat 16 to Sun 17 Oct Steaming Weekend at Kempton Steam Museum Watch these unique and

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enormous After dark trail ancient steam with fairy dancing engines in action. lanterns, fiery fish and sculpted Sat 16 to Sun 31 woodland Oct wildlife.

The Gruffalo’s Child Trail at Fri 22 Oct to mid Kew Gardens Nov Interactive trail Mystery Trail where children at Morden Hall will encounter Park the much-loved Join an autumnal characters. trail interacting with magical Fri 22 Oct to Sun talking trees.

7 Nov Ignite Trail at Polesden Lacey

Sat 23 to Sun 31 Oct Autumn Carnival Half Term activities at RHS Wisley See page 16 for details.

Autumn Tree Trail at Hatchlands Park Follow a trail on chalkboards to identify unusual and interesting trees.

September/October 19

What’s on

All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

Sat 23 to Sun 31 Oct Half Term Fun at Hever Castle Treat your little ones to a spinetingling visit to Hever Castle and between 25 and 31 October, enjoy Halloween Scream!

Monster Bacteria at London Museum of Water & Steam Discover the monster bacteria that lurked in London’s water supply in the past.

Sun 24 Oct Transportfest at Brooklands Museum Extensive vintage bus display plus horse bus rides, live music and children’s attractions.

Mon 25 Oct Dance in a Day: Ghostbusters at GLive Bust out your spookiest moves and make a show by end of the day.

20 September/October

Ages 7-12.

Wed 27 Oct Creepy Comic Workshop at GLive Fun, interactive Halloweenthemed workshop for ages 7-12.

Wed 27 Oct to Fri 29 Oct Ghosts of Richmond Palace at Museum of Richmond Discover the ghostly goings on in the remains of Richmond Palace and make your own spooky stained-glass window.

Thu 28 Oct October Half Term Crafts at Chertsey Museum Create a beautiful autumn lantern in this craft workshop for ages 6-12.

Fri 29 Oct Lego Robotics at GLive Learn how to build and programme Lego and Edison robots Ages 7-12.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE Fri 15 to Sun 17 Oct Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens Stage adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s lesser-known prequel to Peter Pan. POLKA THEATRE, WIMBLEDON Until Sun 31 Oct RED Don your wellies and journey across forests and swampland on an adventure.

RICHMOND THEATRE Thu 14 to Sat 16 Oct Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain Using actors and 3D special effects, this amazing show is guaranteed to thrill you and your children.

THE ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON Wed 27 to Sun 31 Oct The Smeds and The Smoos Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures. Ages 3+.

WATERMANS THEATRE, BRENTFORD Sun 17 Oct Club Origamis Dance, fashion and live music meet origami in an immersive, interactive dance show. Ages 0 to 5.

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AUTUMN

Autumn outside It’s a great season to be outside with the kids and here’s how to keep them happy and busy enjoying nature.

Track local wildlife

Create a journey stick

Spider web safari

Geocaching

Make a leaf stack

Build a den

Discover a wood near you

Make a mini garden

Build a hedgehog home

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September/October 21

AUTUMN

Best Autumn crafts for all ages Celebrate the season and get creative with these colourful and rewarding activities.

Autumn garland

Apple stamping

Hanging leaves

Pine cone peanut butter bird feeder

Leaf people

Paper plate flappy owl

Pine cone people

Nature ‘tic tac toe’ game

Nature wand

22 September/October

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Toolz Kit

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Multi Pack

A family modelling favourite, ideal for kids to make and create.

Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk

Worth more than £12.99

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*while stocks last T&Cs

September/October 23

ENVIRONMENT

Growing oak trees from acorns According to the Woodland Trust, trees are our most powerful weapon in the fight against climate change. Join Luke Cook and The Acorn Project to give nature a helping hand in encouraging acorns to grow into trees.

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Here’s what to do.

1. Start looking for green or brown acorns around mid-September.

Make sure they have no insect damage or holes/cracks from falling.

2. Take the caps off your acorns.

Fill a clear container up with water and drop in the acorns. Fertile acorns will sink. Non-fertile ones can be put outside for birds and squirrels (but out of reach of dogs, as acorns are poisonous for them).

3. Keep your fertile acorns in a cool, dark place until they sprout.

When the roots appear, fill a small

24 September/October

container with compost and some gravel. A yoghurt pot or plastic bottle cut in half, with drainage holes at the bottom works well.

Make a hole and plant the acorn (about an inch below the surface).

Cover with compost and put outside/in a dark spot until shoots appear (usually in the spring).

4. Look around your local area to see where trees could be planted.

Council-owned parks, schools and hospitals are likely to be grateful for your saplings!

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HALLOWEEN

DIY Halloween costumes Does your heart sink when your child asks if you can make them a costume for Halloween? If so, check out this great but simple ideas.

No sew spider

Luna Lovegood

No sew ghost

Zombie

Mummy

Pirate

Duct tape skeleton

Velcro vampire

Halloween face painting - step by step

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September/October 25

HALLOWEEN

Halloween decoration ideas Get into the spirit of the Halloween season with these fabulous decoration ideas.

Milk carton ghosts

Halloween shadow puppet activity

Easy jar lantern

Witches cauldrons

Pumpkin paper plates

Puffy ghosts

Conker spider

Mini broomstick

Flapping bat

26 September/October

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FAMILY LIFE

The benefits of family pets

Kids’ books that promote diversity

By Caroline Wilkinson

By Tamsy Ashman

While raising kids can feel like enough of a job without the added responsibility of pets, bringing animals into your family home can be incredibly beneficial. A pet can provide huge confidence-boosting opportunities for children and can also reduce anxiety levels.

READ MORE

As conversations about race continue to dominate the headlines, it’s the perfect time to explore books featuring people from different racial backgrounds with your child.

Saving tips for families

Giveaway!

By Clare Francis

Over the last tumultuous eighteen months, families have realised the importance of having a financial safety net.

Financially supporting the various stages of your child’s life requires planning and the earlier you start to save, the less you will feel the impact on your day-today budget.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

Here’s some recommendations.

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September/October 27

FAMILY LIFE

Is it really over?

Journaling for kids

All relationships have ups and downs but when the balance has tipped very much in favour of downs, you may be wondering whether your marriage can be saved or whether divorce could be the right decision.

Journaling is an excellent activity for kids. It creates an outlet for thoughts and feelings and a safe space for children of all ages to explore their emotions.

By Rhiannon Ford

You may have talked to your spouse about your unhappiness and not received a satisfactory response? Or feel you’ve done everything you can to improve your relationship and it’s just not working?

Find out what to do next.

By Stacie Swift

Journaling can foster greater self-awareness, self-belief and help with decision making. It’s also a great tool for encouraging gratitude, kindness and positivity.

Check out my five starter activities for children.

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Dozens of family activities!

Check out the FREE resources at Only Mums & OnlyDads and find out about 101 Questions Answered About Separating With Children, an invaluable resource for parents in the early days of separation.

28 September/October

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BONFIRE NIGHT

Staying safe on Bonfire Night Animals and children (particularly younger ones) often find fireworks scary. Help them relax and stay safe using a few simple tips.

Indoor pets Keep your pets in the house whenever you think there will be fireworks; Walk dogs during daylight hours; Shut windows and doors, close blinds and curtains; Put on some music or television to mask the firework sounds; Create a quiet space or hiding places where your pet can feel secure; Make sure your pet can’t escape if startled by a sudden noise.

Outside pets Partly cover outside cages, hutches and pens with blankets.

Provide extra bedding inside cages and hutches so small animals can burrow in.

Consider bringing outside pets indoors – this may need to be done gradually so plan ahead.

More at RSPCA

Enjoy fireworks with kids

Bonfire Night safety tips

Invest in a pair of earmuffs to protect their sensitive hearing;

Don’t build a bonfire too high;

Sparklers offer fizz and glow without the bang but never give them to a child under 5;

Keep a bucket of water nearby; Only buy fireworks with the CE mark;

Decorate the garden with fairy lights;

Never go near a firework that has been lit;

Hide glow sticks in the garden for a treasure hunt in the dark;

Never give sparklers to a child under 5;

Let off some party poppers;

Light fireworks at arms length;

Invest in torches tinted with cellophane;

When a sparkler is finished, put it in a bucket of cold water;

Giant bubbles are easy to make and are great fun at night.

Follow ROSPA’s sparkler safety advice.

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September/October 29

EARLY YEARS

Bonfire Night for under 5s It’s a fun night for older kids but little ones can sometimes get overwhelmed by the loud bangs and noise. So here are some ideas to help them celebrate more quietly!

Firecracker pull string pinata

Firework star hat

Sparkly fireworks picture

Fork stamped fireworks

Edible sparklers

Shaving foam fireworks

Toilet roll rocket

Pretend bonfire

Firework cookies

30 September/October

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black History Month ‘Who’s Who’ Quiz Look at these photos and clues with your kids and match them to the list of important figures from black history on the next page.

How many do you know?

His art is displayed in galleries all around the world.

Famous for her books for young adults, including Noughts and Crosses.

First black driver to win a Formula One championship.

Born a slave in Maryland, She paid her own way to the Crimean War, setting USA, she led military campaigns to free slaves. up a hotel for soldiers.

He served twenty seven years in prison and was finally freed in 1990.

She was a ‘human computer’ making the calculations required for space flight.

He campaigned for laws to end racial segregation and discrimination in the USA.

He served two terms as president, leaving office with a sixty percent approval rate.

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September/October 31

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

What do you know about Black History Month?

October marks Black History Month (BHM) in the United Kingdom. The event was first officially recognised by the US government in 1976 and was first celebrated in the UK in 1987.

Events celebrating African and Caribbean cultures will take place across the UK until October 31.

People from African and Caribbean backgrounds have been a fundamental part of British history for centuries. However, many have highlighted that their value and contribution to society is often overlooked, ignored, or distorted. Many schools still teach a history curriculum which focuses on traditional events and the achievements of white figures.

BHM gives everyone the chance to

share, celebrate and learn about the impact of black heritage and culture – something we should, of course, be doing all year round. BHM also goes further than the traditional concentration on slavery and segregation in the history of African and Caribbean people, giving us the chance to uplift figures previously disregarded in British and world history. www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk

Answers. Left to right Row 1: 1. Chris Ofili 2. Malorie Blackman 3. Lewis Hamilton Row 2: Harriet Tubman, Mary Seacole, Nelson Mandela Row 3: Barack Obama, Katherine Johnson, Martin Luther-King Jr.

Who’s Who Quiz names Barack Obama Chris Ofili Harriet Tubman Katherine Johnson Lewis Hamilton Malorie Blackman Martin Luther King Jr Mary Seacole Nelson Mandela 32 September/October

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Time to get tough with Tonka!

Find out about the new additions to their range.

Tonka has been a favourite with kids for more than seventy years!

Built Tonka-tough and designed to look just like the real thing, these terrific toys from Basic Fun remain a staple fixture in every child’s toy box.

Year on year the Tonka selection has grown and a new generation of Tonka fans are created every day.

Top of the picks are the Tonka Steel Classic vehicles that are instantly recognisable and are ready for super tough play whether indoors or out!

other trucks have issues on site, the Tow Truck comes into its own and is built to take on the toughest vehicle rescue jobs.

Already firm favourites, you can choose from a Mighty Dump Truck, Bull Dozer, Front Loader and the epic Toughest Mighty Dump that is built to last and withstand even the toughest Tonka Kids!

If you love Tonka as much as we do and have a kid that’s ready to get tough, you can find the collection at John Lewis.

New for this autumn are the Tonka Crane and Tow Truck. Kids will have hours of pretend play with the beast of a crane which stands almost 2 feet tall with its long stretching moveable arm, working winch and grabber. Or, for when the

We have a bumper Tonka Steel competition prize worth £100 for one lucky reader! Simply go to the Tonka competition page here to enter. Full terms and conditions on the page. Closing date is 1 October 2021.

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Enter the Tonka competition! WIN

September/October 33

TOYS

The must-have family game!

Get playing this Autumn With the summer holidays now behind us and children back to school, ToyMonster introduces the BEST family card game ever: Kids Against Maturity!

This is the perfect game for unwinding after a day at school; an ideal way to spend a rainy weekend and a brilliant surprise to have up your sleeve for play time and family time over the October half term… and, dare we say it – the Christmas holidays, too! It’s impossible not to love this award-winning, fill-in-theblank game.

Its age-appropriate toilet humour and witty innuendos for adults, make Kids Against Maturity enjoyable for players of all ages from ages 8 and up. Easy to learn, simple to play, and absolutely hilarious, this game is a staple for every family home.

The player with the highest number of most amusing responses wins the game.

Each game set includes six hundred cards – a mix of question and answer cards – from which players can create over forty thousand combinations of answers.

Kids Against Maturity is available now from Smyths Toys Superstores, RRP £19.99.

Best enjoyed with 4+ players, all you need is to ‘be the worst to be the best.’

Each player gets ten white answer cards and takes turns asking the blue question cards. Everyone answers each question with their funniest white card choice and places it face down. The question reader chooses what they think is the funniest answer and the player who placed down that card wins the hand.

34 September/October

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TOYS

Toys for girls AND boys Break down gender stereotypes with these toys all tested by children and endorsed by The Good Toy Guide.

Baking Set from Galt

The Genius Square

Pillowfight Warriors® Medieval Range

Smartibot Building Kit

Get budding little bakers started in the kitchen. £12.99. 3-5 years.

Pretend fight and play. £11.99. 3-8 years.

Pepper Mint Great Treehouse Engineering Adventure £35. 8+ years.

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Race opponents to complete in this great game. £16.99.

7-9 years.

Build an A.I. Bot, Teabot or Unicorn from cardboard. £55. 11+ years.

Little Brian’s Face Painting Sticks

A fun, clean and messfree way of face painting! £19.99. 3-8 years.

Magicube Full Color

Enchant children with this magnetic construction system. £18-£35. 18-36 months.

Geosafari® Jr. Kidnoculars® Extreme™

See and hear the birds up close. £22.50.

3-8 years.

Discovery Adventures Digital Walkie Talkies £24.99. 6-8 years.

September/October 35