nov/dec’16
The useful magazine for families with young children in York, Harrogate, Tadcaster, Wetherby and Selby
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73
issue
welcome
A quick straw poll amongst friends tells me I am not alone when it comes to the mysterious difficulties children have with the laundry basket. My son seems to really struggle to get his underwear actually inside it. He can manage to get it right up to the side of the basket but the last inch proves just a stretch too far. I can imagine him struggling to reach the last hurdle but giving up with just seconds to go – the whole task beating him, and the lure of a ‘buzz’ from his phone sending him scuttling back to his room with the task incomplete. This happens almost every day – if I’m lucky. Other days the underwear is left behind the toilet in the shower room, like a gift. I have a friend who reliably informs me her daughter also found the trip to the laundry basket too tricky. She used to pop her dirty underwear under her pillow. Out of sight – out of mind I guess. I can see the logic in that. I have three coping mechanisms for such misdemeanours. The first is that I try to tell myself that one day I shall miss such quirky behaviour and smile fondly about the days I used to pick up discarded boxer shorts. The second is to nag, yell, mutter or if I’m having a good day, gently remind him that the place for his discarded clothing is the basket. And the third way of coping? How lucky his mum is editor of a very popular parenting magazine… Merry Christmas!
Editor of Families VOY
2 Families Vale of York
families magazine
issue in this
Tel: 01405 860831 editor@familiesvoy.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk Circulation: 18,000 Deadline:
The deadline for the Jan/Feb 2017 edition is early Dec 2016 Designed by: MOOIdesign Tel: 01405 869045 Printed by: Warners Midlands PLC www.warners.co.uk Front Cover: www.istockphoto.com
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P14 books
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what’s on this
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Families Vale of York is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Vale of York are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.
Christmas Camps This year we will be running our popular 3hrs Christmas Camps from 19th-30th December. We run camps for 3-8 year olds and 5-12 year olds throughout the festive season. Come and perfect your gymnastics skills whilst having heaps of festive fun!! Call or email to reserve your space £25 for members and £35 for non-members. Buy 2 get 3rd half price!
Book early as spaces are limited! THE LITTLE GYM LEEDS 0113 3359915 leeds@thelittlegym.eu www.leeds.thelittlegym.eu
THE LITTLE GYM HARROGATE 01423 701560 harrogate@thelittlegym. www.harrogate.thelittlegym.eu
Families Vale of York 3
news
Make a difference this Christmas
A fun and educational tennis play and skills programme for children from 2-8 years old
E FRE IAL
TRSSON LE
Giving or sending cards is the perfect way to show you are thinking of someone during the festive season and what better way to make a difference at the same time than by sending charity Christmas cards? This year Brain Tumour Research have a new range of Christmas cards priced a £4 a pack with over 50% of the proceeds funding brain tumour research. Visit www.braintumourresearch.org/christmascards to see the range of cards available and find out how you can sell cards on behalf of the charity.
Classes across Harrogate ogate Call Becky on 078 3390 6135 becky.appleyard@tennistykes.co.uk
www.tennistykes.co.uk
Kate and Wills go Helmets proven to school safer than you think back Royal couple campaign for childhood mental Encourage your family to stick with bike helmets
A study of bike helmet use has found that the wearing of a bicycle crash helmet reduces your risk of a serious head injury by 70% - and your risk of a fatal head injury by 65%. The same study also said that neck injuries are not caused by, or made worse by, wearing helmets. Statisticians Prudence Creighton and Jake Olivier from Australia’s University of New South Wales took data from 40 studies to come up with their findings and presented their results at Safety 2016 in Finland.
Double edged sword of free child care
Extra hours could force nursery schools to close Experts are warning that if the government presses ahead with the offer to parents of 30 hours’ free childcare each week, then some nursery schools may be forced to close. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) says that pre-schools won’t cope when free care for three and four year olds rises from 15 to 30 hours per week during term times. Additional funding that was available for nursery schools to pay for this will end in two years. Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT said: “The 30 hours offer will be doomed before it even gets started, additional places won’t materialise and current places will be lost as nursery schools across England close their doors for good. “The government has the data - it must rethink before thousands of families, many in the poorest areas of the country, are left high and dry.”
health The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are getting behind a campaign to help young people face up to changes in their lives. The Royal couple recently visited Stewards Academy, a school supported by the charity Place2Be, which the Duchess supports. It is one of a group of charities that have joined to form the Heads Together campaign, led by the Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry. It aims to support children with mental health problems and to offer support at times when their lives change dramatically, such as when moving or during times of family upsets. The couple observed a lesson led by the students and also an assembly for Years 7 and 11 on how to cope with life’s big changes. The Duke of Cambridge said: “Catherine and I are really impressed by what we have seen of Stewards Academy, as we’re both strong believers in schools where the emotional wellbeing of young people is nurtured and protected just as much as your learning and academic skills. “The Heads Together campaign is all about getting people talking about the difficult times that many of us will face and have faced in our lives. “Talking can make us realise that we’re not alone. The opposite of talking is isolation and fear. Sometimes getting something off your chest is an important step in coping with a situation – so you know that you’re not alone, you’re not failing, and that it is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed or sad at times. Everybody does. “We know that parents sometimes don’t know how to help their children open up and talk about difficult times. Heads Together has today published, on its website, some top tips for parents – to help them talk to their children about big changes you may be going through.” For more information on Heads Together Back to School visit www.headstogether.org.uk/ backtoschool
*This voucher must be provided at the start of the session. Terms and Conditions apply. See website for details. Expires 3rd Jan 2017
4 Families Vale of York
news
Recycling worry
Families in the UK are confused about which products they can and cannot recycle, say experts at waste company Viridor. Many people have no idea whether they can recycle coffee cups, plastic food wrapping, mobile phones and other items. 63% of adults are confused because different Councils collect recyclables in different coloured bins and 45% of people do know which day their bins will be collected. UK consumers are currently recycling only around 44% of what they could, with most confusion around items like light bulbs and crisp packets. Better communication between councils and consumers could increase the levels of recycling.
Button batteries a serious health risk to children
Number of hospital visits dramatically rises Great Ormond Street Hospital has warned parents about the dangers of button batteries as the number of children admitted to hospital after swallowing them has dramatically risen. The hospital says that on average, they treat one child every month for swallowing one of the tiny batteries, often used in electronic toys, hearing aids, watches and calculators. They can cause terrible health problems, including burning through tissue if they become stuck in the oesophagus, which can happen within as little as 15 minutes. Children have had to endure operations to remove the batteries and there is also a danger of death if the acid erodes a blood vessel. Parents should watch for danger signs such as vomiting, difficulties in swallowing, choking and chest infections. If you think your child may have swallowed a battery, you should take your child to the hospital immediately.
Tooth checkups at lowest level Brackenfield School raises £1,500 for Open Country’s new minibus “Star of Hope”
Open Country took their new minibus to Brackenfield School last month to thank them for their generous fundraising, which raised just over £1,500 towards the new vehicle named Star of Hope. Based in Harrogate, Open Country is a local charity that seeks to enable anyone with any disability to access the countryside. They achieve this through a variety of countryside activities and the provision of information, training and advice. Open Country provides accessible transport and teams of trained volunteers offer assistance as necessary. David Shaftoe from Open Country thanked the pupils and staff in a special assembly to show the school the new bus. Later the children were shown how the new bus accommodates wheelchair users and were fascinated to see the mechanical lift in operation. Year 1 and Nursery pupils enjoyed riding on the special lift and pressing the buttons to make it work. One of the Year 6 pupils observed that ‘This is cool engineering.’ Anthony Comerford, Principal, was pleased that Brackenfield has been able to make such a significant contribution to the new minibus: “Open Country is such a worthwhile charity to support and to raise £1,500 is a fabulous achievement for the children and of course wonderful for the charity. We are so pleased that the new minibus this will make such a difference to so many people in the Harrogate area.”
Dental problems being lined up for the future The British Dental Association (BDA) says that the number of children having annual dental checkups has fallen to an all time low. They also said that 40% of children did not have a checkup last year. Checkups are a vital way to prevent tooth decay. Poor dental health can lead to children needing fillings and extractions and tooth decay is one of the main reasons children need to visit the hospital. The BDA suggests that children should see a dentist at least once a year. Between 2014 and 2015, there was a 10% increase in children needing hospital admission. The BDA’s chair Henrik OvergaardNielsen said: ““It’s clear we have a problem when one in three children are missing out on free dental treatment. “NHS dentistry has been left to fend for itself, without investment, a strategy, or any attempt at public education. “These numbers are a national embarrassment, and will not budge until ministers change tack.” He also commented: “We need a concerted effort to get parents, health professionals and government on the same page.”
SANTA IN THE SHAMBLES Meet Santa in his cosy grotto in York Shambles Market
3rd – 24th December Weekdays (3rd-16th December) 12pm – 5pm Weekdays 17th – 24th December & all Weekends 10am-5pm £9.95 per child Siblings an additional £7.95 Price of entry includes: Chocolate bar design activity • Meeting with Santa Commemorative photo • Present from Santa
Hosted by
For full details visit www.yorkschocolatestory.com
Families Vale of York 5
Learning
education
a musical instrument
Learning an instrument can have benefits for your child that you may not have considered By Sally J Hall
Sally J. Hall is a writer and editor who has written for all the main parenting titles as well as The Independent and The Mail. She is author of Eco Baby and contributing author to Watch My Baby Grow (Dorling Kindersley).
The mental and physical processes happening inside your child’s brain when they learn to play an instrument seem help them with problem solving. It’s also believed these children tend to do better in other subjects including: maths, science and learning a foreign language in particular. A 19971 study found that children who took part piano lessons performed better in spatial-temporal tests when compared to peers taking computer lessons. Music also helps with memory; singing a list is often more successful than writing it down.
An improvement in social skills Playing music is a great way to make friends. Not only are children who play instruments encouraged to join groups and orchestras at school but you’ll often find them getting together outside of school hours too.
Music draws children together from different backgrounds and creates a common bond.
They have improved motor skills Creating notes from an instrument, whether it’s brass, woodwind, percussion or strings, helps a child fine-tune motor skills. Minute movements of the hands and fingers are believed to help create neurological pathways in the brain. In fact, studies have suggested that playing an instrument may enhance motor skills for the player’s whole life².
A confidence boost There’s no doubt that a child who feels they can manage a task – such as performing a simple tune – is filled with confidence. As their skill improves and practice pays off, your child will see a huge confidence boost, which will help them to become a more self-assured as they grow.
Persistence is taught Learning an instrument is a slow, sometimes arduous task and the
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traits that children must acquire are patience and the ability to practice. These skills are transferable to many other tasks they will come up against later in life.
They become creative and have a sense of achievement Once a child has mastered making sounds from their instrument, they often begin to experiment. Although they may never be an improvisational genius, this leads to creativity, which in turn creates a sense of achievement. Find out more about music classes and the benefits from Families Online: www.familiesonline.co.uk/music References: 1. Music training causes long-term enhancement of preschool children’s spatial-temporal reasoning. Authors Rauscher FH, Shaw GL, Leving LJ, Wright EL, Dennis WR, Newcomb RL. 2. Music making as a tool for promoting brain plasticity across the life span. Authors Wan CY, Schlaug G.
Tutoring:
education By Liat Hughes Joshi
- what you need to know
Whether it’s to prepare for exams or improve a struggling child’s confidence, a tutor can provide a significant boost to learning. Yet finding a decent one can be a test in itself. Here’s how to find the best one for your child… Plan ahead where possible
The best tutors may well have waiting lists, so if you know your child will need support for exams or perhaps before moving to secondary school, begin your search well in advance. In very competitive 11+ areas for example, you may have to register interest with the most in-demand tutors 18 months ahead.
Ask around Word-of-mouth is often the most effective way to find a good tutor. Ask parents you know and trust for recommendations. For the 11+ or public exams, speak to those with kids a year or two older, who’ve been there and done that recently.
Consider agencies
Group tutoring reduces costs but probably won’t be as tailored
There are increasing numbers of tuition centres offering group classes, both independent companies and chains. These can work out cheaper per hour but your child won’t get the same one-on-one attention, and it’s vital to check that those in the group need to work on the same things at roughly the same level.
Anyone can become a tutor so do your homework Anybody can set up as and call themselves a tutor, even if they’ve never taught anyone anything - there’s no regulation, which means checking credentials and qualifications is vital. One-on-one tutors should be Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked (formerly known as CRB checking) – if they aren’t, then be wary.
Find out the local going rate Expect to pay anything between £20 and £65 an hour, depending on where you live and how in demand a particular tutor is. However, more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better.
Arrange a trial lesson Many tutors will offer your child a trial lesson - this lets you get a feel for whether the tutor and your child gel and whether their teaching style is going to work for you both. Good luck! Get more information about tutoring from Families Online: www.familiesonline.co.uk/tutoring
Don’t be shy about checking how they work Ask questions even if you’ve had a recommendation from other parents - what suits their child may not suit yours. Are they a teacher/ former teacher and if so where did they work? How long have they been tutoring for and what is their track record like?
If your requests for recommendations draw a blank, a well-established tutoring agency could be the answer. Reputable agencies will vet tutors’ credentials and should match you and your child to someone with a similar style. Another upside of an agency is that if your usual tutor is ill or away for a long period, they should be able to send someone else. Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including ‘New Old-fashioned Parenting’ and ‘ How to Unplug Your Child’ (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: The Primary Years (Pearson).
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Families Vale of York 7
How to create a family
Christmas party By Sally J Hall
The thought of planning a Christmas party for family and friends can send us into a spin – especially if you’re fitting it in around your busy work and family life. But there’s no need to get hot under the collar if you follow our tips and advice for the best party ever!
and 26th November 11am - 4pm
Start early
FREE E
Meet Santa on Saturday 19th November...
to remember
VENT!
It’s never too early to start planning. Keep lists of ideas, inspirations and recipes in a note book. As the date gets nearer, hone the list down so that you know exactly what you want and need. Practice cooking any new dishes and order any hard to get items well in advance. Don’t forget to book your grocery delivery too!
Set the date – and tell people
...and again on Saturday 26th! 11am - 4pm
Christmas Catalogue out now packed with great offers
It pays to set the date early and let others know, so send ‘save the date’ notices on Facebook and follow up with a more formal invitation – make sure you include the start and end times and details the guests need to know such as “it’s fancy dress”. Find out if there are dates your party might clash with - such as a work party, or even a birthday. You could even consider that quieter period between Christmas and New Year!
Set a budget
Costs can get out of hand, so think about ways you can cut back. Doing a shop at a budget supermarket, making food and Open Sundays in December freezing it is much more cost-effective than leaving it to the last minute and grabbing 11am – 4pm whatever you can from the ready-made YorkMontessoriNursery_iss67.pdf 1 19/10/2015 12:42 Free Christmas Gift Wrapping Service aisles. Make a few simple dishes ahead and get decorations and napkins from a 99p store. If you like fresh flowers, avoid red - the cost of red flowers soars at Christmas! Choose or gather evergreens from the Write your letter with help of Treasures Elves andanother tell Santacolour how good you have been. Free event. garden. Drinks can also be very expensive, so ask everyone to bring a bottle while you provide a welcome cocktail or glass of fizz – plus soft drinks for the kids of course.
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Think about who to invite
Write down the names of people you’d like to invite as you think of them – you can always narrow it down later if you have too many. And think about who gets on with whom – you may decide that two parties are necessary if you have factions of your family or friends who don’t get on with each other!
Creating the mood
Think about how your home will appear to guests. Make it smell nice with flowers, coffee and scented candles (out of the
K
Fulford 01904 642666 Strensall 01904 490339
www.yorkshiremontessorinursery.co.uk 8 Families Vale of York
reach of kids of course). Don’t forget the bathrooms – there should be toilet paper, a bin, hand soap and clean towels. Make it warm enough for comfort (but not stifling) and have a play list on your MP3 player. Just remember that everyone may be sick of Slade’s Merry Christmas Everyone by now, so perhaps go for something a little different. Frank Sinatra anyone?
Making guests feel welcome
As your guests arrive, make them feel welcome. Designate one of the kids to take coats to a bedroom, have some welcoming drinks on a tray ready to be handed out as people arrive and make sure there are enough seats. Have some canapés prepared and some simple snacks for the children too, so that you don’t have to be in the kitchen rather than mingling with your guests. Plus it avoids any ‘hungry’ moments from the kids.
Get your house – and yourself – ready
About a week before, give your home a good clean, so that on the day you can just run the hoover around quickly. Put away breakables and have a count up – do you have enough plates, cutlery and so on? Buy more or arrange to borrow some. Think about what you’re going to wear and try it on, so you’re not still in your underwear as guests are knocking at the door. On the day itself, enlist the help of your family to get everything done and don’t forget to save yourself enough time for a relaxing bath and time to get ready so you can enjoy the party too!
And finally…
If your guests will be drinking, think about how they will get home (they can of course choose designated drivers) and organise local taxis for those who would rather leave their car at home. If you have the space, you may want to offer a bed to a few people overnight. Also, think about giving them a party bag with a small bottle of mineral water and a piece of Christmas cake or a biscotti in it. They will thank you in the morning! Get more fantastic party ideas from Families Online: www.familiesonline.co.uk/party
Sally J. Hall is a writer and editor who has written for all the main parenting titles as well as The Independent and The Mail. She is author of Eco Baby and contributing author to Watch My Baby Grow (Dorling Kindersley).
The twelve toys of Christmas
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 For baby and toddler Personalised music box
£17 Not On The High Street This is a gift that your little one can use and enjoy for years to come. Inside the wooden box is a musical mechanism that plays You Are My Sunshine and can be operated by turning the handle. Personalise it with your little one’s name and a message on the top.
Wheelybug ride-on toy
VTech light up night light soft toy
Frugi soft toy
Cosmo teepee
Orange monster hand puppet
BeatBo
£69.95 Hippychick Your toddler will love zooming around on a Wheelybug. Sturdy and comfortable, with a big handle to grasp, these can zip around in any direction and there are so many loveable characters to choose from, it’s hard to pick a favourite. Ours is the pig. Or maybe the bee. Or the ladybird… But if you buy the mouse this Christmas, the company will donate money to help the endangered dormouse.
£10.99 John Lewis This sweet little character is suitable for a boy or a girl from birth and as well as being a little friend to play with, it’s a night light too. It has soft glowing lights that help your baby drift off to sleep, plus there is a white noise setting and nature sounds too.
£25 Frugi Organic kids’ clothing brand Frugi has extended its range to include soft, cuddly toys. Choose from Doodle the Crocodile, Dash the Leopard or Giggles the Giraffe. They have been loving made from velour and corduroy and this gives them lots of textures for little hands to feel.
For 5-8 years SmartMax
From £8.99 Amazon SmartMax is an amazing range of magnetic construction toys that kids will love. Featuring magnets that can hold 60 times their own weight, your little one can have endless fun constructing different toys from this set. It allows your child to explore their creativity whilst learning about magnetism and as the sets are made from safe and high quality materials, they will last for years too.
£149 MyWeeTeePee A bit pricey but this will be the ideal location for games, dreams and dramas for years to come. Use it in the house or in the garden, take it to the park for some shade and put it in the bedroom for a quiet story corner, this teepee is made from strong wooden poles and thick, quality canvas.
£19.99 Puppets By Post A favourite of our childhoods; hand puppets are making a massive comeback and this bright orange monster will be a great friend for your child to play with. He can be a friendly monster or a naughty monster, depending on what your child decides and it can help your child learn the art of drama and role play.
£29.99 Tesco This large and friendly toy will get your little one moving and grooving. Children can press his tummy or the buttons on his feet to activate tunes aand nd songs. He will help kkids ids get to learn their ccolours, olours, numbers and lletter etter and they can even sing along.
9-12 years Chip the robot dog
Minions Pie Face
£199.99 Amazon He’s not cheap but Chip is the toy they’re all talking about this Christmas. He’s smart and does his own thing, or your child can train him using voice commands and a remote control, giving him a unique personality - and he’s just like a real dog. Roll his ball and he’ll bring it back to you, pick up his front legs and he dances. You can also use an app on your smart phone or tablet.
£19.99 Toys Are Us The toy that everyone wanted last year is back – and it makes you into a Minion! Pop some whipped cream or a wet sponge on the arm (cold mashed potato’s good too), then a player puts their chin on the chin rest. Spin the dial to see how many clicks you must turn the handles by – then watch out! Unlucky players get a face full of goo!
Mickey Mouse Boot Toppers
Who Tooted
£19.99 Toys R Us This is a hilarious board game for all the family to play together. With integral sounds and whoopee cushions that – um – toot for you, everyone has to guess who tooted!
£7.95 Disney Store Even too kool for skool teenagers still love their soft toys, and these boot toppers are a fun way for them to embrace their love for all things Disney when out and about in autumn leaves and winter snow. Pop these knitted toppers on a pair of boots and the friendly face with pom pom ears will make everyone smile.
Personalise Your Gift
Give a personalised gift this year with Labels4Kids. They have a wide range of gifts with everything from personalised boot bags to personalised LEGO® keyrings. These gifts are guaranteed to be a success and are just as fun to give away as they are to receive! You can also buy personalised adventure books from Paw Patrol, Disney Frozen and Spiderman. A name of your choice will be printed throughout the book and becomes part of an exciting adventure story. To order, visit www.labels4kids.com/fam or call 01786 473 508. All gifts are made to order so be sure to allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
Families Vale of York 9
’s e r u s a e r T
by Zhara Armstrong
S T F I G P TO 16 0 2 S A M T S CHRI
It already feels like Christmas has arrived at Treasures with a new toy delivery arriving every day - so there has been lots of excitement opening boxes, making displays and frantically reading instructions. It is always a tricky task picking just a few favourites, so this year I’ve been watching children’s reactions to our new displays and games demonstrations very closely. The stand-out favourites are the arrival of the Pokemon Pikachu collections boxes and the addition of Star Wars Lightsabres to our play table.
Our Pick of the Rest…
The Favourites…
Our games section has more than doubled in size and we have added a game demonstration area. It’s great to see so much interest from families in playing games together. Our customers’ most loved additions this year are Timeline, Dobble, Jungle Speed and Tenzi. You can try all of these out at Treasures.
Tenzi - £11.99 Number of players: 1 - 4 Players • Age Range: 6+ In a nutshell - everyone has 10 dice, someone says go and everyone rolls together to try and get all their dice on the number they have chosen – the first to do this shouts ‘Tenzi’ and wins. There are lots of way to play and each pack comes with 10 ways to play all packed neatly in a tube so it will be a perfect stocking filler and great to take on a train journey or to a restaurant. Why we love it: It’s super quick to learn • We’re told that teachers are using TENZI to take the ‘fear’ out of timed tests • Brilliant for developing hand/eye co-ordination, decision making and matching.
StikBot Zanimation Studio
Dobble - £12.99
- £19.99 Age Range: 4+ (I’d recommend for more tech-savvy children aged 7+) We have had lots of fun with these endearing little mischievous characters and if your children like using technology this is a fun way to learn about making their own short movies with movement and sound using green screen and 3-D effects. The Zanimation Studio includes tripod (holds your phone nice and still while filming), a stage, two prop boxes (use for 3-D effect) and two exclusive StikBots. Download the free StikBot app complete with build in music and sound effects. Your child can make their own movies using images of what their StikBots get up. We have seen great dinosaur battles, knights charging as well as tv interviews with Barbie and StikBot dance classes. Just let your child’s imagination free.
Number of players: 2 - 8 Players • Age Range: 6+ Test your speed, observation skills and reflexes in Dobble, the intense card game for 2-8 players. Race to find the matching image between one card and another. The images may be different sizes and placed on any part of the card, making them difficult to spot although we find the children are excellent at this and beat us regularly. Every Dobble card is unique and has only one picture in common with every other card in the deck making each game a battle of wits and quick thinking. There are 5 different mini-games in Dobble all packed neatly in a small round tin so it’s another great game to travel with and would be a super stocking filler. Dobble is a brilliant card game for the whole family.
- £19.99 Age Range: 6+ Pokémon may have been around for 20 years but it’s not slowing down. Hugely popular with children collecting the Pokémon cards and this special edition 20th anniversary Pikachu set is proving a real hit. If you have Pokémon fans in your home this set will go down well.
Pokémon
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES for children aged 5 to 12
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Fun and active clubs EVERY SCHOOL HOLIDAY !!!!! Venues Across York & Harrogate
for prices and more info please visit :
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10 Families Vale of York
Swimmers Academy & Baby Swimmers
Swimmers Academy Beginners through to Advanced, whatever their age and ability Survival skills, stamina and stroke techniques.
Baby Swimmers
Through fun and games,see your little one progress to a confident little swimmer! Free Phone 0808 1 33 44 55 Mobile Friendly 0333 8008 345
www.babyswimmers.co.uk
Star Wars The Force Awakens Electronic Lightsaber
£24.99 (Offer price at Treasures -was £29.99). Age Range: 4+ Lightsabers are always popular and even more so in a movie release year. This Lightsaber features a light up blade and battle dashing sound. Choose between Darth Vader, Rey, Luke Skywalker or Obi Wan Kenobi.
STOCKELD
PARK
Where magic is made & adventures
begin
Paw Patrol Air Patroller - £39.99 Age Range: 3+ If you have under-6 year-olds in our house you most likely know all about Paw Patrol. The Air Patroller is used by the rescue pups on the missions in the much loved Paw Patrol tv cartoon. The Air Patroller comes with Robopup to pilot missions, it has lights and sounds and can transform from helicopter to plane for rescue missions. You can fit all six pups in the Air Patroller.
Magformers- Wow Set - £29.99
Age Range: 3-10 years This is an educational toy that will get children thinking and playing with 2D and 3D shapes and I have been really impressed with the new range. Treasures has ranges suitable from 18 months and 3 years plus. The Wow set is the most popular as more than 20 fun vehicles can be made and it includes well-illustrated cards for children (& parents) to follow to learn how to make cars, a rocket, a house and many more. You can try this award winning toy out on our play table at Treasures.
Magical Christmas Adventures 2 November - 3 January
Lego Lego will be on many Christmas wish lists this year including my son’s who, even at 12 years old, still loves to spend time building. His creations are more complicated now with lots of moving parts and he has moved from City to Marvel and DC Comics Super Heroes. I have always been a fan of City, Friends and Ninjago Lego ranges and the Lego development team have continued to add some great new themes. For my Christmas top choice, I have picked the new City Volcano Crawler (£24.99 from Age 6+) and City Volcano Supply Helicopter (£39.99 from age 7+). Don’t miss out on our Treasures Lego offers. Our 3 favourites are: City Fire Utility Truck Age 5-2 years - £5 off now £24.99 Creative Building Box Age 4-99 years - £5 off now £14.99 Duplo Number Train Age 1½-5 years - £3 off now £9.99
Located between Harrogate & Leeds LS22 4AN
www.stockeldpark.co.uk
Fluffimals - Starter Set £19.99, Expansion pack £9.99 Age Range: 3 + This is a very cute set and I have already had great customer feedback. Your child will get to create and design their own fluffy friend with Fluffimals. There is no glue or sewing so it’s perfect for young children to make with little adult help and there are some very sweet touches such as the glowing heart and hairbrush to keep your bear looking smart. You can add to your collection with the refill expansion packs so your bear could be joined by a kitten, puppy or a rabbit. Overall a great gift for a 5 - 8 year-old.
Giveaway Pie Face Showdown (£22.99)
Expected to be a big hit this holiday and is perfect for all ages at Christmas family get-togethers. Hamleys have just put this game as number one on the Christmas Toy Wish List 2016.
Treasures has one edition of this popular board game to give away to a lucky Families reader this Christmas. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning, please email competitions@ familiesvoy.co.uk and include your name, address, telephone number and use ‘Treasures giveaway’ as your subject header. You will be sent T’s & C’s by return email. The winner will need to collect the prize from Treasures in Wetherby. Closing date 16th December.
Families Vale of York 11
Edible Christmas Gifts
Christmas gifts don’t have to be expensive and you can have lots of fun making foodie gifts for your friends and family. Here are a few quick, easy and delicious ideas for you to make with your children.
Christmas Cookies in a jar
This is a lovely gift as the jar can be used again and it’s full of yummy, Christmassy biscuits too.
You will need: 250g soft butter or margarine
Large Kilner jar
140g caster sugar 1 egg
Ribbon and decorations such as mini bells
2 tsp vanilla extract
To decorate;
300g plain flour
Icing sugar
Quarter tsp ground cinnamon
Water
Tiny pinch of ground star anise
Lemon juice
Quarter tsp nutmeg
Method: Cream together the butter and sugar, then add the yolk from the egg and the vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour and keep mixing until it forms a ball of dough. Kids can do this with their hands. Next, roll the dough out of a floured surface and use a variety of Christmas cookie cutters to make the shapes – stars, diamonds and hearts are all good. Bake for 12-15 minutes (gas 4, 190°C 375°F). Once cool, mix the icing sugar with a teaspoon of lemon juice and a little water, until it is easy to pour but still thick. Use a piping bag to make decorations on each and leave to dry in a cool place. Finally, place a selection of the cookies into a Kilner jar and decorate with a Christmas ribbon, bells and a label.
Snowballs
Everyone loves chocolate and these little snowball shaped truffles are great as a Christmas themed treat.
You will need: 2 tbsp double cream 200g good white chocolate, chopped
Half tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp desiccated coconut Mini cake case
Method:
Put the chocolate pieces in a pudding basin and set it over a pan of hot water, with the double cream. Bring to a simmer and then turn the heat down low. You’ll need to supervise your child at this stage, as steam can burn. Stir with a wooden spoon until the chocolate has melted into the cream. Add the vanilla, take off the heat and chill for one hour. It should then be firm but still loose enough to work with. With a teaspoon, each take a small amount of the chocolate paste and roll it in a ball between your palms. Then roll it in the coconut and you have little snowball shaped truffles. Place each completed one inside a mini cake case. Pop some inside a jam jar to give as a gift and add little playful touches such as tiny robins and Christmas trees that you use as cake decorations.
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Cheese Palmiers
These quick and easy cheesy biscuits taste delicious and are great as a gift if you pop them in a little box.
You will need: Packet of readymade puff pastry 100g cheese of your choice – gruyere or cheddar or great, or experiment with the different colours of white Cheshire, Red Leicester and yellow Cheddar.
Method: Place the pastry flat on a floured baking tray. Grate the cheese on the large side of the grate so it’s not too fine, then help your child scatter it evenly across the pastry. Next, get your child to roll the pastry up from each end, so that the rolls meet in the middle. Press it all down lightly. With a knife that’s not too sharp, your child can cut slices through the pastry, about 0.5 cm wide. You’ll get quite a few out of the pastry. Place each on its side on a baking tray, leaving plenty of room as they will expand as they cook. Place in a hot over (200°C, 400°F Gas 6) for 10-12 minutes until golden. Leave to cool. To turn these into a lovely gift, take a box from an old packet of biscuits or crackers, cut off the top and cover the box with Christmas paper. Place the Palmiers inside laid one on top of each other at an angle. Finally, cover the top with clear plastic or cling film, then add a pretty ribbon or bow on top.
Mini Pretzels
Embrace the inner European in you with these German snacks
You will need: 3 tsp honey
6 tbsp olive oil
1 and a half packets dried yeast
6 tbsp baking powder
800g plain flour
2 egg whites
1 and a half tsp salt
Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Method: Mix together one of the tablespoons full of honey with 500 ml warm water in a measuring jug and add the yeast. Stir it until the yeast has completely dissolved and becomes a little foamy. Then in a bowl, mix together the flour and the salt. Add the oil, the yeast and water mixture and the rest of the honey and work with a wooden spoon and then hands to make a dough. Now comes the fun part. Put the ball of dough onto a floured board or work surface and let the kids get kneading. It needs about ten minutes, adding a bit more flour as you go if it gets too sticky. Return the dough to the bowl and cover with a tea towel and set in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour. Take the dough out and knead all over again for five minutes this time. Then break the dough up into little balls – you should make 24. Roll each one out into a long rope, then bring the ends together and twist it twice near the top of the loop to make a pretzel shape. A little practice makes it perfect. Let them rest for 15 minutes. Next, you have to poach the pretzels – this is what gives them their fluffy inside. Put the baking soda in a large pan of water, brig to the boil, then poach each pretzel on each side for just around 15 seconds. Work in batches. Finally, lay them on a flat baking tray lined with baking parchment, brush with egg white and sprinkle with coarse salt and then bake at 450°F 220°C Gas 6 for 15 minutes.
Families Vale of York 13
They don’t require batteries, they don’t need to be assembled, and they don’t mean you have to build a loft extension to accommodate them. They don’t even cause you excruciating pain when you step on them in the middle of the night. Books: what’s not to like?
once upon a
christmas…
Why books make perfect presents for children By Claire Bottomley editor of Families Leeds
It’s not just us grown-ups who appreciate the advantages of literary gifts for the wee ones. They may not deliver the biggest instant wow factor when ripped from gaudy wrapping, but books are what children will return to, and lose themselves in, time after time. Watch how a person’s face lights up when they tell you about their favourite children’s book, and then decide if books are the most magical present in the world! And older children don’t have to be keen independent readers to appreciate the right book as a gift. If it’s well-chosen with them in mind, about something that enthuses them or captures their imagination, you’re on to a winner. So, if you’re thinking about buying books as gifts for your own children or others this Christmas, we’ve gathered some great recommendations. First though, a few do’s and don’ts: • Don’t worry about duplicating. Chances are, they may already have a popular, well-known book, but it is actually quite useful to have more than one copy. One for upstairs by their bed and another for downstairs in the daytime, or one to keep at a grandparent’s home. • Do write in them. It’s a lovely, personal touch to write in the inside sleeve or cover of a book. “Happy Christmas 2016, with love from Aunty Emma,” is something they will look back on with fondness in years to come. • Do buy them books about something they’re interested in, especially as they get older. Books about sports, dance, Minecraft or pets are great for junior enthusiasts. Remember they don’t have to be fiction books and factual books often go down really well. • Don’t worry if they don’t seem to like it. It might be that they will come back to it and discover it on another day….or maybe it’s just not for them. The thought was there and we are all individuals with our own tastes and preferences – children are no different. Getting the opportunity to try a wide range of reading material is the main thing, and books can easily be passed on to another friend or relative who might like it more.
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Toddlers & preschool You’re never going to go wrong with a Julia Donaldson book, but check out The Snail and The Whale as an alternative to The Gruffalo and you’ll have a world of thoughts and discussions to air. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is a must for bedtime and daytime, enjoy reciting it as you trek outdoors en famille! Reach for Eat Your Peas when you need to get. Sneaky message in about eating up food that might be a bit tricky for your little one! And as you progress to their first school years, you’ll have fantastic- and (be warned) sometimes lengthy debates - with You Choose by Pippa Goodhart. Awesome book.
Older children For older children try The General by Robert Muchamore. This is part of the Cherub series, and is a thrilling book which is hard to put down. It tells the story of a military versus kids battle with lots of action and edge of seat encounters! Readers over 10 will love it. For those just a little older, you’ll be mesmerised by the trilogy of The Lion Boy books by Zizou Corder. Part fantasy set in a future of ecological upset, but all about a young boy who can speak ‘cat’, rescuing his parents with the help of a group of lions, the Belgium King and a floating circus. Wow.
Book recommendations
Some of us at Families HQ have been thinking of our favourite children’s books, and we’ve had some help from our friends as well….
Pumpkin Soup
by Helen Cooper. Ages 3-5 “Our favourite book by far. It’s fun, griping and has a moral to the story.” - Vicki Gilbert owner of Tiny Signers
Christmasbooks There are some great new Christmas books out this year, we’ve profiled them here…
Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul. Ages 0-5
Firm favourites Winnie the Witch and Wilbur are back, and they’re super excited about Christmas. A fantastic festive story which includes a spectacular pop-up surprise.
The Mouse that Cancelled Christmas
by Madeleine Cook. Ages 0-5 In the same way that good invariably triumphs over evil, so the festive spirit triumphs over petty rules and box-ticking in this funny and feel-good Christmas story. Like Scrooge and the Grinch, Mouse is an anti-hero made good by the power of Christmas.
The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig. Ages 6-8
The second book in the festive series sees nine-year-old Amelia writing to Father Christmas to ask for her mother to get better. Unfortunately, Father Christmas can’t get his trusty reindeer off the ground and Christmas is cancelled! Uh oh! A year on, determined to bring back Christmas and make up for last year, Santa sets off for London, with the aim to make this the happiest Christmas ever for the very first child he visited.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
“This was one of my favourites as a child and both my children love it too. It captures imaginations with its perfect balance of the mundane and the magical.” - Claire Bottomley, Families Leeds Editor
The World’s Worst Children by David Walliams. Ages 7-12
“My daughter Isla really loved this. She liked this book because it had lots of short stories in it and the tales were pretty gruesome and funny which she loved! She could not wait to read it each day which made her reading homework easy!” Lisa Mathie, Children’s Co-ordinator at Cookridge Hall Health & Fitness
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell. Ages 1-5
“Izzy, aged two, loves this. The great thing about it is she could join in with me as I read, due to the repetition (I sent him back!). I loved reading it to her!” - Lisa Ross, Families Online Editor
The Water Horse
by Dick King Smith. Ages 7-9 “For those slightly older children, you must invest in The Water Horse by Dick King Smith. Did you know the origins of the Loch Ness Monster was from this little Beastie? A fabulous tale we read over and over.” - Helen Gration, owner of York Montessori Nursery
When A Monster Is Born by Sean Taylor. Ages 6-11
“We always loved this.” - Justin Leeming, Designer.
Supertato
by Sue Hendry. Ages 5-9
“A super story line that captivates both girls and boys inspiring them to think and write like a Superhero! (Who doesn’t want to pretend they are superhero for the day?)” - Cecilia Warren, Year 1 teacher at Gateways School
Nadiya’s Bake me a Story by Nadiya Hussain. Age 5+ 12
“Beautifully illustrated story book with recipes for children to (help) bake, which I just bought for my daughter’s ninth birthday.” - Belinda Maunsell, Editor, Families Vale of York
Families Vale of York 15
health
How to keep
energy levels up for learning during the winter
By Liat Hughes Joshi
It’s that time of year when we all begin feeling a little sluggish and even lively children may lose their get up and go – literally - when hauling them out of bed for school. So how can you maximise winter energy levels, so they make the most of school, learning and life in general?
16 Families Vale of York
Maximise sleep Getting sufficient rest boosts the chances of your child waking refreshed the next day. The NHS recommends a five year old should receive 11 hours sleep per night, steadily reducing to 9.5 hours by the age of 11. Work back from when they need to get up to determine optimal bedtimes. If changes are afoot, simply phase them in gently – say moving ten minutes earlier a day for a few days.
Consider a ‘wake up gently’ alarm clock Ditch the shock of sudden, loud alarms and bright lights switching on, in favour of an alarm clock that mimics sunrise by gradually increasing lighting levels. These can make waking up and getting out of bed less of a thing to dread on dark mornings, hopefully reducing grouchiness. Some also have a sunset stimulation mode; ideal for encouraging little ones to doze off at bedtime.
Start mornings with hearty but healthy breakfasts Swap sugar-loaded cereals for something more nutritious, warming and energy-boosting. Warm porridge with fruit or scrambled eggs on toast are still quick and easy but make better ‘tummy-fillers’ to see kids through to lunchtime.
Put some lively music on at breakfast! If it’s gloomy outside and everyone’s half asleep…liven things up with some mood-enhancing favourite tunes. The right music is a brilliant pick-me-up at any time of the day, so why not all get up off the sofa and have a dance for a few songs after school too.
Walk to (and from) school It isn’t possible for everyone but if time and distance allows, leaving the car at home and walking is far more invigorating and will help ensure children are fully awake for the first lessons of the day. Walking is also lovely winding down/ catching up time on the way home.
Watch out for ‘end-of-term-itis’ exhaustion Many children get a build up of tiredness through the autumn term, which is usually the longest of the academic year. This can lead to a condition lightheartedly called ‘endof-term-itis’, involving tears and tantrums aplenty by December. If your child has recently moved to a new stage of schooling, such as into junior or secondary school, with more
homework or higher expectations, they may be especially prone to this. Fend it off by keeping the time after school and at weekends relatively quiet and sticking with those sensible bedtimes.
Get outside at the weekends, whatever the weather It’s oh so tempting to be lazy on an Autumnal weekend, cosied up in the house. Whilst you may all benefit from downtime after a busy week, even an hour of fresh air and activity will do everyone good. Remember there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. Make sure everyone has decent waterproofs and wellies so you can get out there no matter what. Get more information about the importance of sleep from Families Online: www.familiesonline.co.uk/sleep
Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including ‘New Oldfashioned Parenting’ and ‘How to Unplug Your Child’ (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: The Primary Years (Pearson).
S.A.D. health
feeling By Radhika Holmstrom Most of us find the winter months hard to handle so, here are our tips about how to help your little ones.
It’s not surprising that as the year comes to an end, most children start flagging. Not only is this a monstrously long term for those of school age, but there are lots of good reasons why as the days get darker, our energies dip even if we don’t end up with full-scale Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s cold, dark and depressing. Add in the winter coughs and colds that lay everyone low at some point, and you’ve got a recipe for exhaustion. So what can you do?
How to cope with winter tiredness and seasonal affective disorder One simple thing you can do is make sure you are getting enough natural light. We need daylight to regulate our body clocks; without a shot of it in the morning, in particular, we end up feeling constantly jetlagged. And yes, it does have to be outdoor light – glass filters out quite a lot of brightness. On the other hand, even on a gloomy day, 10 minutes or so of outdoor light should be enough to get you back on track.
Indoors, it may be worth getting a light-up alarm clock too, in order to ease the kids into the day rather than jerking them out of sleep and leaving them tired (and cranky) from the start. And if you feel that the kids – or you! – are constantly exhausted and weepy, think about upgrading to one of the ‘dawn simulators’ that get to the brightness of natural daylight.
Feed up It’s really tempting, at this time of year, to hit the comfort food. And certainly, kids need calories! However, don’t forget that stodge alone won’t do it. You don’t have to go the full trendy high-protein route but do try in particular to get some iron-rich foods into them because iron helps make red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body – and therefore give us energy.
Get up (and down) Don’t give in completely to the temptation to let them veg on the sofa. Exercise, especially outdoors, will lift their (and your!) mood and will also wear them out sufficiently to get a better night’s sleep. On that same note, don’t forget that even when you’re all worn out, a decent wind-down routine – and in particular a screen-free couple of hours before bed helps too. Find brilliant brain-food breakfast ideas at Families Online: www.familiesonline.co.uk/breakfast
Quick tips to combat S.A.D.
• Make sure you’re getting at least 10 minutes of natural daylight every day – even on a gloomy day, it’s still bright enough to ‘reset’ your body clock and stop the wintry feeling of constant jetlag. • A light-up alarm clock is a gentler way to ease everyone into the day. • If you or your kids just can’t get moving, and are feeling weepy, think about upgrading to a fullscale ‘dawn simulator’ which radiates intense light because that is the best way of tackling Seasonal Affective Depression. • Make sure they’re eating properly, and in particular getting enough iron because that helps give them more energy. • Outdoor exercise will also help lift their mood and make them feel less sluggish.
• Exercise (indoor or outdoor) will also help tire them out physically. Even if they already seem tired, their bodies need the workout! • A good bedtime routine isn’t just for toddlers – we all need to wind down before bed. Radhika Holmstrom has a strong background in health journalism. She has also written for many consumer and specialist magazines. Whilst she focuses on health, parenting and learning issues, she has also written widely on environmental and ethical issues.
Families Vale of York 17
Families visits
Families editor Belinda Maunsell and her mini-testers visit Goose, a brand new children’s play centre in Harrogate. When I first asked Rachel Howard what sort play centre Goose was going to be, she told me it was going to be “a bit like soft play – but without the soft play!” When I visited one evening in early October, I immediately knew what she meant. Goose is a place where children and parents can relax, play and eat. Goose has all the fun of a children’s activity centre but is calm, relaxing and an altogether beautiful place to be.
“Goose is as much for parents as it is for children.” “Just because this is a children’s play area doesn’t mean we can’t cater for adults too,” says Rachael. “Goose is as much for parents as it is for children.” This can certainly be seen throughout the newly created play centre at Hornbeam Park with its spacious clubhouse
area at the heart of the building. This is where families can eat, talk and play – and work if they wish! My two charges were immediately attracted to the creative area. This is situated in one end of the space and is full of arts and craft goodies that kept the kids busy. The craft area has dedicated specialist staff too who helped the girls make robots with moving parts, which they then painted and decorated. Each week there’s a theme – and this week it was ‘recycling’. After a few games of table football the girls went off to play Connect 4 in the quiet area. “We have a huge range of board games available behind the counter for all ages,” says Rachael, “and children love the quiet area. During the day we have lots of pre-school visitors and we use the area to tip out toys and books for floor play.” Later on in the day, Rachael tells me visitors tend to be children who’ve finished school who want to read, play or even do homework. Parents can catch up with emails or work over a coffee, knowing their children are happy and relaxed. Wi-Fi is free – as is fruit - and there are plenty of high chairs for your little ones. During the day Goose hosts both language and science classes for pre-schoolers. Language Bugs and Scientots run regular classes and Rachael hopes to bring in more classes in the near future. “Goose is proving to be a great place for parents to bring a younger sibling after school drop-off,” says Rachael. “And it’s also a great venue for postnatal /NCT groups who often meet up later in the morning.”
“We don’t own a deep fat fryer… our aim is to provide healthy, colourful food and the kind of cakes you wish you had time to make.”
Goose is at: The Lenz, Ground Floor, Hornbeam Business Park, Harrogate, HG2 8RE
www.gooseplay.com
Prices: £3 entry for children who are walking (free for non-walkers). An additional £3 is charged if your child wants to take part in craft activities.
18 Families Vale of York
Soon it was ready for tea and the girls were spoilt for choice. “We don’t own a deep fat fryer,” adds Rachael, “and all our food is sourced locally and made here on the premises. Our aim is to provide healthy, colourful food and the kind of cakes you wish you had time to make.” My daughter and her friend pass up the delicious-looking dippy eggs for spag bol and sausages & beans respectively, all washed down with a hot chocolate and chocolate & sea salt ice cream made the Leeds-based Northern Bloc ice cream company. I enjoyed a cappuccino and eyed up the vast array of homemade cakes made by Goose’s in-house pastry chef – delicious! There are some lovely touches at Goose – a quick visit to the loo proved that Goose is as much about adults as it is children. Not only were they immaculately clean but a reed diffuser air fresher and indulgent NEOM toiletries made me feel rather pampered too. I loved Rachael’s choice of decor too – pretty pastels and comfy seating with lots of space. I really could have spent all night there! The whole feel of Goose is one of coming home to somewhere calm, fresh, happy and fun. Go and see what it’s all about – you won’t be disappointed.
Castle Howard adds spice to Christmas 19 Nov – 23 Dec 2016 A huge architectural gingerbread model of Castle Howard is set to take pride of place at the heart of the stately home’s festive celebrations this year, when London-based biscuiteers, Bombas & Parr, recreate Vanbrugh’s original design for the grand estate from gingerbread and icing. Whilst the biscuiteers are working on the model, the rest of the Castle Howard team will be working like Santa’s busiest elves to decorate the public areas of the house in a superbly opulent style. Visitors can expect elaborate swags, wreaths and garlands made from the evergreen shrubs and trees, that provide the grounds with year-round colour, decorated with fruit and berries. Following tradition, perhaps the most ornately decorated tree in the county will be displayed in the Great Hall – a 22ft spruce covered with thousands of lights and baubles – where roaring fires will be lit every day during the run up to Christmas to fill the room with the scent of pine and open fires. Throughout the season, visitors to Castle Howard will enjoy daily live music from choirs, classical musicians and other musical guests, and younger visitors can enjoy a festive trail woven throughout the decorated house. For more information on all of Castle Howard’s Christmas events, or to prebook, visit www.castlehoward.co.uk
what’s on nov/dec 2016
UNTIL 18 DEC
5 – 6 NOV
19 – 20 NOV
Demolition & Restoration
Dracula
Camel Parade & Rides
TREASURER’S HOUSE Discover the fate of some of the lost houses of Yorkshire and find out more about the saving of Treasurer’s House in a brand new display throughout the mansion.
We’ve ordered everything according to start date – be sure to look out for all the UNTIL 3 JAN events which run for several Adventure Season at Park weeks / weekends too. And Stockeld STOCKELD PARK be sure to check before you The Adventure season begins! Real ice skating, the Enchanted Forest, Yew Tree set off. These were correct Maze; Nordic Skiing plus much. much more this season at Stockeld Park. as we went to print but may www.stockeldpark.co.uk have changed. Check if you 2 NOV need to book ahead too. Museum Minis Movies Kung Fu Panda CITY MUSEUM More ‘Days Out’ can be LEEDS The screenings are for parents & guardians found online at & their babies, no need to worry about disturbing other guests while the film is on. www.familiesonline.co.uk. www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries All events are now 5 NOV Fireworks Spectacular searchable by date, venue & YORK MAZE an amazing bonfire night to remember, age range making it much For in York - the home of Guy Fawkes, Fire easier to find all our local shows, the explosive lighting of York’s biggest bonfire, food stalls, live music, events at the click of your sideshows & the most amazing fireworks show choreographed to music. mouse. www.yorkmaze.com
WHITBY ABBEY Think you know the story of Dracula? Think again. To truly understand Bram Stoker’s gothic icon, you need to watch his tale performed live in the setting of the writer’s inspiration, Whitby Abbey. www.english-heritage.org.uk 14 - 23 NOV
Christmas Opening
BURTON AGNES HALL The Christmas opening of Burton Agnes Hall offers a chance for visitors to view the house in all its festive glory. 01262 490324 www.burtonagnes.com
STOCKELD PARK We Three Kings of Orient are visiting Stocked Park! And they’ll be offering camel rides to all visitors. Take part in this unique experience then wish them luck as they embark on a magical parade around the Enchanted Forest. This is certainly a special treat not to be missed. www.stockeldpark.co.uk 19 -20 NOV
Medieval Christmas Fayre RIEVAULX ABBEY Watch stunning falconry displays. Meet historical traders & shop for medieval wares, crafts & treats. www.english-heritage.org.uk
17 – 20 NOV
23 – 30 NOV
Harrogate Christmas Market
Thorp Perrow by Night
THE STRAY The four-day festive market will be filled with high quality Yorkshire and Harrogate products. www.harrogate.gov.uk18 – 19 NOV
THORP PERROW ARBORETUM Shapes & silhouettes offer a different view of the Arboretum on these dusk walks You may even see some nocturnal residents in action. 01609 770255 www.thorpperrow.com 26 NOV – 3 JAN
1920s Christmas Experience The Reindeers’ Explorer map NUNNINGTON HALL Discover the Hall as it would have been on Christmas Eve in the 1920s. The Hall is dressed for Christmas, sherry is being served by the butler & you can hear about the day through the eyes of the Hall’s occupants. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL The Fountains Abbey deer have prepared a special explorer map for Father Christmas’s reindeer, pointing out all the amazing places across the estate. 01765 608 888 www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Families Vale of York 19
Holiday Climbing Sessions at Harrogate Climbing Centre
Jinglebellbop 2016 18th Dec Calling all those who love Christmas! Get your family along, to Tadcaster’s Riley Smith Hall and join the festive fun with your favourite friends. Be ready to dance with fairies, sing with elves and be entertained by this year’s Santa Panto! Now in its sixth year, the Jinglebellbop is an interactive pantomime, so don’t worry if you can’t sit still – you’ll want to get up and join in anyway! Seating is set out for the grownups who might need a rest but essentially this is about getting up to the front with the children and having lots of fun. “It’s a party and a pantomime,” says organiser Victoria Charles, “there are refreshments, elves and fairies to talk to, and every child gets a gift from Santa himself. Prizes are also up for grabs for the most festive families - so get those Christmas jumpers at the ready!” Victoria also told Families that Elfie will be celebrating his birthday at the bop and has hinted at a special guest appearance – so who knows who may turn up this year? The stunning venue will play host to an afternoon of family fun on Sunday December 18th and Victoria already has a great team assembled to bring visitors an amazing afternoon of entertainment. “We have a great team working on the Jinglebellbop from the website and staging to professional sound and lighting. I am so proud of the people we work with and the loyalty some of the families show by attending each year. It amazing and we are so grateful and honoured that they choose to start their Christmas celebrations with us. “When we started out six years ago we wanted to create something that would capture the magic of Christmas and something that would become a tradition to attend. Having sold out for the last four years and receiving some wonderful feedback from guests, we couldn’t be more excited as we look to build on the event each year. My love for the stage and good quality entertainment, teamed with the drive to produce engaging creative material for young minds has all played a part in The show runs what you see as the on December 18th from 1.30 end result of The – 3.30pm JingleBellBop.” Family show tic kets are £29.50 Jinglebellbop Individual ticke ts £8.50 tickets are now on Tickets are on sa sale, with sell out www.jinglebe le now at llbop.co.uk events the last few facebook/jingl years, be sure to Twitter: Jing ebellbop lebellb grab your tickets Got a questioopHQ and in time for n? hello@jingleb the show. ellbop.co.uk
20 Families Vale of York
Kids Christmas Party (7-12yrs) 10 Dec, 9:30am - 3pm Have the kids entertained the kids whilst you get your Christmas shopping done! The party is a funpacked day including climbing, bouldering & abseiling, as well as a host of games, with lunch included at the Indulge Deli Bar. Each space costs £45 & places are limited, so book now before they’re all gone! Kids Day Camps (7-11yrs) 19 & 28 Dec, 9:30am - 3pm A day of fun climbing, bouldering and abseiling related activities. £40 per climber Little Monkeys (5 & 6yrs) Every day from 19-31 Dec, 10:30am-11:30am & 12noon-1pm A fun session to introduce young people to climbing. £9 per climber Rock Its (7-11yrs) Every day from 19-31 Dec 10am-11:30am A fun session of climbing and climbing related activities. £12 per climber Hang Time (11-17yrs) Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 6:30pm - 8pm A sociable climbing session for older kids and teenagers. £12 per climber 26 NOV – 3 JAN
Fountains Christmas Post Office
FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL Be sure to write to Father Christmas to tell him how good you’ve been. Paper, pens, envelopes & stamps are provided - all that’s left is for you to write your wish list, become the postmaster & send it off to the North Pole. 01765 608 888 www.nationaltrust.org.uk
3 DEC
Dickensian Christmas at the Courthouse
RIPON MUSEUMS Enjoy a Dickensian Christmas at the Courthouse complete with festive trial. Take part in determining if the defendant is innocent and will get their figgy pudding or is guilty and will face their just desserts!. Expert & enthusiastic volunteers will be on hand to give guided tours. 01765 690799 www.riponmuseums.co.uk
26 NOV – 3 JAN
10 – 11 DEC
Woolly Winter Workshop
Christmas Market
FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL Pop into Swanley Grange to make a woolly winter decoration at Swanley Grange to take home. 01765 608 888 www.nationaltrust.org.uk 26,27 NOV & 3,4,10,17,18,27,29,30,31 DEC
Music & Lights
FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL Get into the festive spirit with music, twinkly lights and a mulled wine. 01765 608 888 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey
BRODSWORTH HALL AND GARDENS Beat the Christmas rush and enjoy a leisurely Christmas shopping experience in the beautiful grounds. Explore the restored Victorian gardens during your visit, before warming up in the tearooms with a hot drink & a tasty treat. 01302 722598 10 DEC
Christmas at the Workhouse
WORKHOUSE MUSEUM Chance to meet the many characters who inhabited the workhouse. There will be craft activities, games, treats and trails, fun for all the family. 01765 690799
26 NOV – 24 DEC
10 – 11 DEC
Kirkgate Victorian Christmas
500 Years of Christmas
YORK CASTLE MUSEUM Stroll along the beautifully decorated cobbled street, Kirkgate. Meet Victorian residents and discover the stories behind the traditions of Christmas. 26 NOV
Chocolates For Christmas
TEMPLE NEWSAM HOUSE Learn to make Belgian truffles from a professional chocolatier & leave with beautifully packaged chocolates as a gift. www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries 1 – 4 DEC
Christmas Fair
RIPLEY CASTLE Seasonal festive gifts for home & garden. Everything you could want to thrill family and friends at Christmas from sensational festive decorations; wow factor wreaths; unusual food; gorgeous gifts and stunning stocking fillers to decorative accessories for your home & garden. 01423 770152
TEMPLE NEWSAM ESTATE Enjoy magnificent decorations in the house, a Tudor banquet display, storytellers, music from Jane Austen’s time, Victorian craft making and more. 0113 395 7400 www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries 11 DEC
Carols by Candlelight
FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL Grab a mulled wine or a hot chocolate and have a singa-long to all your favourite traditional carols. It’s really popular and does get very busy, so arrive early if you’d like a seat. 01765 608 888 www.nationaltrust.org.uk 11 DEC
Carol Concert
RIEVAULX ABBEY Wrap up warm and join in with a singsong in the ruins of the majestic Abbey. 01439 798228
2,3,4,9,10,11 & 16– 24 DEC
14 DEC
The Magic of Christmas
The Snowman Tour at Hull City Hall
RHS GARDEN HARLOW CARR Festive creativity including cookie decorating & making a Christmas Eve kit. 0845 265 8070
HULL CITY HALL Hear some of the UK’s top musicians perform Howard Blake’s beautiful soundtrack. 01482300300 www.carrotproductions.com
3 – 18 DEC
15 – 16 DEC
A Christmas Mystery
York Minster Christmas Carol Services
YORK CASTLE MUSEUM Children will follow a special Christmas mystery trail around the museum to discover the traditions & magic of a Victorian Christmas, meeting costumed characters and solving festive puzzles before finally finding where Father Christmas is waiting for them!
YORK MINSTER It’s that time of year again! Always a full house - don’t miss out! Tickets will be available at York Minster or in person/phone at York Theatre Royal. 01904 623568 www.boxoffice.yorkminster.org
16 – 23 DEC
19 NOV – 2 JAN
3 – 17 DEC
Enchanted Christmas Garden
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland
An Audience with Father Christmas
19 – 24 DEC
Audience with Father Christmas
BRODSWORTH HALL AND GARDENS A magical experience awaits at Brodsworth Hall this Christmas when the gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland. 01302 722598
A Christmas Mystery
YORK CASTLE MUSEUM Children will follow a special Christmas mystery trail around the museum to discover the traditions & magic of a Victorian Christmas, meeting costumed characters & solving festive puzzles before finally finding where Father Christmas is waiting for them! www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk
Where’s Santa 12 NOV – 24 DEC
Santa’s Grotto
STOCKELD PARK Santa is a very popular chap so unfortunately tickets are not sold in advance or online but on a first come, first served basis at the ticket office on the day. Closed Tues & Weds for most on Nov – check online. www.stockeldpark.co.uk 12 – 13 NOV
Santa’s Arrival and Parade
STOCKELD PARK Join Santa and his wonderful reindeer as he arrives at Stockeld Park to mark the opening of the magical Santa’s Grotto. www.stockeldpark.co.uk 19 – 26 NOV
Santa Visits Treasures
TREASURES, WETHERBY There will be a gift for every child and Treasures Elves to help with letter writing. Both events are free. Santa will be visiting Treasures twice this year. There will be a gift for every child and Treasures Elves to help with letter writing. Both events are free. 01937 589187 www.treasurestoys.co.uk
YORK DESIGNER OUTLET Winter Wonderland with Santa, ice rink & vintage funfair. www.yorkshireswinterwonderland.com 26 NOV – 18 DEC CASTLE HOWARD Make Christmas memories that will last a lifetime with a visit to see Father Christmas at these popular Fireside Audiences. 01653 648 444 www.castlehoward.co.uk 26 NOV – 18 JAN
Father Christmas’s Grotto
FOUNTAIN’S ABBEY Pay Santa a visit in his cosy grotto and he may have a special something for you. 01765 608 888 www.nationaltrust.org.uk
BURTON AGNES HALL Father Christmas, Mrs. Claus and Jingles the Magic Elf will be thrilling children, and adults alike, this Christmas with magical performances of magic, song and storytelling. 01262 490324 www.burtonagnes.com 3 – 18 DEC
Santa Specials
YORKSHIRE MUSEUM OF FARMING Go along with the family and enjoy meeting Santa during a train ride, then take a guided tour of Santa’s village to see how the Elves are getting on. 01904 489966
26 NOV – 18 DEC
Visit to Father Christmas
NUNNINGTON HALL Meet Father Christmas in his grotto and tell him your Christmas wish. You’ll receive a personalised invitation for your visit and a special gift to take home and put under the tree. 01439 748283 2 – 18 DEC
Christmas Stories with Santa
RHS GARDEN HARLOW CARR Snuggle up for a classic Christmas tale, have a sing-along and a story with the man himself and if you have been very good receive a small gift. 0845 265 8070 3, 4, 10,11,17, 18 & 19- 23 DEC
Father Christmas
BOLTON ABBEY Santa & his elves will be staying in an old Romany caravan, which will be tucked away in the beautiful enchanted woodland. With open log fires, Christmas carols, a wishing tree & your chance to make reindeer dust this really is a magical event. Each child will receive a personalised gift with their name on. Children must be pre-booked for this event & to avoid disappointment book early. 01756 710238 www.boltonabbey.com
Magical Sleigh Rides at Piglets! 26 Nov - 24 Dec For a truly unforgettable Christmas experience, visit Piglets Adventure Farm this festive season jump aboard Santa’s magical sleigh for a ride through the twinkling woodland village. Check-in at Elf Airlines with the elf-hostesses, and look out for your name on the live departure board. Write a letter to Santa before you take off and then it’s all aboard Santa’s sleigh for a unique ride to his woodland village where you will be greeted by Mrs. Claus and taken to see Santa in his grotto. Children can share their wishes with Santa and they’ll be given a special golden key to unlock his amazing toy shop and choose a present. You’ll see festive animals in the nativity scene and can enjoy a free warm mince pie in Santa’s tepee. There’s even something for grown-ups too in the Elf Airlines Sleigh Port. Whilst little ones enjoy the Victorian carousel and vintage car ride adults can enjoy a delicious bratwurst, mulled wine or refreshing beer in the warm surroundings before or after your sleigh time. Visit mid-week and take advantage of special discounted prices, plus groups, nurseries and schools also get a discounted rate. Pre-booked tickets only and limited availability. Book online and secure your tickets at www.pigletsadventurefarm.com
The Christmas Experience Lotherton Hall 25 Nov – 25 Dec This Christmas Lotherton Hall has announced the launch of its magical new attraction, The Christmas Experience. Designed with families in mind, the much-anticipated attraction is expected to capture the imaginations of youngsters across the county. Featuring enchanted experiences inspired from traditional storytelling, this authentic Christmas event is expected to leave visitors spellbound. Spread throughout the estate and Edwardian house, visitors can explore a magical Twelve Days of Christmas Walk, an Elf Village and a secret fairy hideaway. Visitors can enjoy a wealth of experiences including: Enchanted Fairy Dell Uncover a secret fairy hideaway, tip-toe through the dell to catch a glimpse of fairies in their new village and listen to their giggles and whispers. Twelve Days of Christmas Woodland Walk Stroll around the magical woodland walk, follow twinkling lit paths and you’ll discover the enchanting installations of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Edwardian Selfie Studio Take a completely different type of selfie! Take the family along to dress up as Edwardians and use a traditional backdrop to take a family portrait. Edwardian Christmas Weekend 10 & 11 Dec The annual Edwardian Christmas will be in the house, with carols, magic shows, arts and crafts, dressing up and wreath making. Elf Village Journey into the Elf Village, a tree-lined home where Santa and his elves have taken up residency. Visit www.thechristmasexperience.co.uk for more details and tickets.
Families Vale of York 21
3,4,10,11,17,18,22,23 DEC
4 – 18 DEC 2016
16 DEC
Santa Specials
Father Christmas by the Fireside
Christmas by the Fireside
NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY Join Santa and his special helpers on a magical adventure aboard the Santa Express, which will take you on a festive journey you won’t forget! 01751 472508 3,4,8,9,10,11,15-24 DEC
Santa’s Grotto
THORP PERROW ARBORETUM Santa and his helpers welcome you to his cosy Grotto in the woods. Christmassy fun for old and young alike! 01609 770255 www.thorpperrow.com 3 – 18 DEC
Visit Santa’s Grotto
ABBEY HOUSE MUSEUM Visit Father Christmas in his magical Abbey House Grotto for the first three weekends in December and make sure to remember your camera. Grotto price not included in admission: £4.50 (includes a present). 0113 230 5492 www.leeds.gov.uk
BURTON AGNES HALL Children are invited to visit Father Christmas by the fireside each Sunday in December. Make Christmas extra special and join Father Christmas by the fireside at Burton Agnes Hall. Children are invited to visit Father Christmas by the fireside each Sunday in December when the Hall is open, between 12-4pm, at which each child will receive a special Christmas gift. £5.00 per child, no booking is required. 01262 490324 www.burtonagnes.com 10,11,17-24 DEC
Santa’s Grotto
RIPLEY CASTLE Families will enjoy this beautiful fairytale location and should wrap up warm to explore the stunning Gardens and Deer Park....look out for Rudolph! 01423 770152
HELMSLEY ARTS CENTRE Festive tradition offering a delectable collection of stories, poems, songs and scenes to celebrate Christmas. 01439 771700 www.helmsleyarts.co.uk 17 – 18 DEC
Father Christmas’s Winter Wonderland
BRIMHAM ROCKS Follow the Christmas Cracker trail through the rocks and visit Santa in his snowy winter wonderland. 19 – 23 DEC
Audience with Father Christmas
CASTLE HOWARD Make Christmas memories that will last a life time with a visit to see Father Christmas at these popular Fireside Audiences. 01653 648 444 www.castlehoward.co.uk/whats-on 19 – 20 DEC
Father Christmas’s Grotto
FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL Pay Santa a visit in his cosy grotto and he may have a special something for you. 01765 608 888 www.nationaltrust.org.uk 19 – 24 DEC
Christmas Stories with Santa
RHS GARDEN HARLOW CARR Snuggle up for a classic Christmas tale, have a sing-along and a story with the man himself and if you have been very good receive a small gift. 0845 265 8070 www.rhs.org.uk 20 – 21 DEC
The Christmas Adventure Stockeld Park 2 Nov - 3 Jan Once again Stockeld Park will be opening its doors for the Christmas Adventure and a good time is promised for all. Famous for its exciting adventure zones visitors can glide across the real ice rink, play in the interactive playgrounds in the Enchanted Forest or take the trail at dusk to wonder at the beautifully illuminated ancient woodland. The energetic can try the Nordic Ski trail through the woods instead of taking the path or choose to get lost inside the Giant Snow Flake shaped Yew Maze – where the race to the centre is as fun as finding the exit. This year’s highlights include The Grand Fountain Launch on Nov 5th where Stockeld’s spectacular new attraction will be unveiled. Santa’s Arrival and Sleigh Parade will take place on 12 & 13 November. Weekend Breakfast with Santa and The Magnificent Three Kings and Camel Parade will also be taking place during the festive season. If you have younger children head for the award-winning Grotto to see the elves and share your wish list with Santa. Other indoor activities include the wet weather play areas and craft zones where the kids can get arty with Christmas themed things to make and do. If you want to stock up on presents or update your decorations there is a large Christmas Gift Emporium where there is something to satisfy every budget and after all the excitement, relax in the licensed Woodland Café, serving home-made, locally sourced food and warming drinks. Parking and entry is free to enjoy the shop and the cafe, simply pay by experience. Open daily from 10.30 – 20.30. Closed Tues & Weds in November. Please check website for exceptions and for offers. Stockeld Park, Via A661, Wetherby, LS22 4AN www.stockeldpark.co.uk
Santa Specials
NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY Join Santa and his special helpers on a magical adventure aboard the Santa Express, which will take you on a festive journey you won’t forget! 01751 472508 www.nymr.co.uk
Cinderella 8 Dec – 28 Jan York Theatre Royal Following an astounding panto at the Signal Box Theatre last year, Berwick and the gang are back where they belong: on the brand-new stage in the newly refurbished York Theatre Royal. This year there will be even more incredible sets, stunning costumes, outstanding song-and-dance routines, jaw-dropping effects, and slapstick lunacy to amaze and delight all ages! Berwick’s 38th outing as dame will be a Cinderella like no other! The whole team will be pulling out all the stops to make sure this will be the hottest ticket in town. Tickets are available from York Theatre Royal Box Office on 01904 623568 , in person or online at www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk 29 NOV
The HandleBards present... Romeo & Juliet
22 – 26 NOV
MERCHANT ADVENTURERS HALL An all-female gloriously eccentric take on Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy. 01904 654818 www. theyorkcompany.co.uk
York Scout & Guide Gang Show
Dick Whittington
Theatre
30 NOV – 8 JAN
JOSEPH ROWNTREE THEATRE The show follows in the great tradition of Gang Show and features an entertaining mix of singing, dancing & sketches. 01904 632750 www.yorkgangshow.org.uk 26 NOV
HARROGATE THEATRES Join Dick and his magical feline friend on their enchanting adventure to the nation’s capital where the streets are said to be paved with gold. 01423502710 www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk
Molly’s Marvellous Moustache JUNCTION Based on the original storybook, written by Andrea Heaton & illustrated by Talya Baldwin. Followed by a free moustache making workshop. Suitable for children ages 3–7 & their families. 01405 763652 www.junctiongoole. co.uk
s t o t twwawb.tale k bletots.co.u 6 Nov 12 Nov 13 Nov 19 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov ALSO 20 Nov 4 Dec
m Centre, Guiseley 1p Aireborough Leisure pm .30 2-3 Selby Barlby High School, e 1-2.30pm ntr Ce e sur Lei y rle Mo pm e, Castleford 1-2.30 ntr Ce s Lock Lane Sport pm .30 1-2 ol, Leeds Cockburn High Scho e 1.30pm ntr Ce s prt So ell Rothw t Fair Guiseley Craft & Gif Centre 12-3.30pm Aireborough Leisrue Craft & Gift Fair Rothwell Christmas e 1 2-4pm ntr Ce s Rothwell Sport
3 – 4 DEC
3 – 10 DEC
A Christmas Carol
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
BRODSWORTH HALL AND GARDENS Gather round for a performance of this classic Christmas tale. Scrooge meets the unusual Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, & Yet to Come, but will he change his ways in time for Christmas? This performance brings to life Dickens’ classic novel, making it accessible for young and old alike. Wrap up warm for this unique live experience! 01302 722598 www.english-heritage.org.uk 3 – 11 DEC
Snow White
HELMSLEY ARTS CENTRE Join the in-house theatre company for the ever popular traditional 1812 pantomime, this year bringing a new take on a classic tale. 01439 771700 www.helmsleyarts.co.uk
JOSEPH ROWNTREE THEATRE A brand new rollicking romp of a panto! 01904658197 www.jrtheatre.co.uk 3 DEC – 8 JAN
Snow White
THE GEORGIAN THEATRE ROYAL This traditional story will be played out against a 1920s Hollywood backdrop. A feast for the eyes and exuberant entertainment for the whole family. 01748823710 www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk 3 – 24 DEC
The Mischief Before Christmas YORK THEATRE ROYAL Meet two rather mischievous Christmas spirits looking for a place to tell their stories with a sprinkling of Christmas magic and a huge dollop of fun. 01904658162 www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk 9 – 31 DEC 2016
Aladdin
York’s Chocolate Story 2 Dec – 24 Dec Santa is coming back to York for the St Nicholas Fair! Santa will be sending his builder elves to construct him his very own log cabin to house his workshop and festive study just off the worldfamous Shambles! Santa’s helpers will be on hand to entertain little visitors in the queue with iconic brands and fun facts about our chocolate city in Christmases past. Families will then be invited into Father Christmas’s old fashioned sweet shop, where they can take part in some fun chocolate-themed activities. One family at a time will be called through to Santa in his cosy study where they can make their Christmas requests to the big man himself and pose for a special commemorative photo, which will be instantly printed to take home. A special present will then come rolling down the workshop conveyer belt for each child to keep as a reminder of their special visit with Santa. 3rd – 24th December Weekdays (3rd-16th December) 12pm – 5pm Weekdays 17th – 24th December & all Weekends 10am-5pm £9.95 per child Siblings an additional £7.95 (one photo per family) Extra photo prints £2.00 Price of entry includes: Chocolate Bar design activity, Meeting with Santa, Commemorative Photo, Present from Santa www.yorkschocolatestory.com 01904 527765
YORK GRAND OPERA HOUSE Three Bears Productions will be flying in this Christmas with Aladdin starring Suzanne Shaw, Paul Sinha, Debbie McGee, Carl Tracey & Frazer Hines 0844 871 3024 www.atgtickets.com/venues/ grand-opera-house-york 10,11,17,18 & 19 -24 DEC
Bah Humbug
YORK CASTLE MUSEUM Unique one man family show of A Christmas Carol under the garlands of Kirkgate. Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas! 17 DEC
Talegate Workshop
JUNCTION Join Talegate for a special workshop and learn how to put on your very own pantomime. Design a dress for the panto, take a backstage tour and learn the art of panto! Suitable for ages 5-11 Running time 1 hour 01405 763652 www.junctiongoole.co.uk 21 – 29 DEC
Mother Goose
HULL CITY HALL Traditional panto from acclaimed local theatre company One Off Productions. 01482300300 www.hullcc.gov.uk/hullcityhall 21 DEC
Father Christmas Needs a Wee
Elves set to cause mayhem this Christmas at Badapple York-based Badapple Theatre Company is heading into the festive season with a magical mix of theatre, songs, clowning, puppetry, music and animation thanks to its new Christmas production. ‘The Elves and the Carpenter’ follows the adventures of Mrs Claus who finds mischievous missing Elves hiding among the up-cycling at Mrs.Carpenter’s shop. Their attempt to help complete her special Christmas order has not quite gone to plan, and Mrs. Claus must restore order and get them back to the Pole on time. Kate Bramley, writer, says of the new show, “It’s always a special treat for us to put our new Christmas stories out on the road. Over the last decade we’ve really worked hard to create performances that are just as appealing for grandparents as they are for kids and we’re certainly looking forward to this one! Those pesky Elves will be causing all sorts of comic confusions!” Badapple Theatre Company is one of the most prolific and original rural touring companies in the UK, working under the artistic direction of established comedy writer Kate Bramley. Kate’s mission is to take her productions to the smallest of rural venues, and in doing so find the best of new theatre in the most unexpected of places. Join them for a multitude of puppets, magical design, inspiring songs, music and highly physical performances - suitable for everyone in the family aged 5-95!
Tour Schedule: December 2016
1 Dec Askham Bryan Village Hall 2 Dec Kirkby Fleetham Village Hall 3 Dec Harpham Village Hall 4 Dec Little Weighton Village Hall 6 Dec Stillingfleet Village Hall 7 Dec Heydour Parish Hall 8 Dec Swineshead Village Hall 9 Dec Toynton Village Hall 10 Dec Colston Bassett Village Hall 11 Dec Upper Broughton Village Hall 14 Dec Hunsingore Village Hall 15 Dec Sawley Village Hall 16 Dec Knayton Village Hall 17 Dec Brantingham Village Hall 18 Dec Newton le Willows Village Hall 20 Dec Wallsend Customer First Centre 21 Dec Campsall Village Hall 22 Dec Selston Parish Hall 23 Dec Green Hammerton Village Hall 27 Dec Hutton Rudby Village Hall 28 Dec Dales Countryside Museum 29 Dec Gilling West Village Hall 30 Dec Yarm Fellowship Hall Tickets available from 01423 339 168 or www.badappletheatre.com
POCKLINGTON ARTS CENTRE Father Christmas is back on his rounds… and he still needs a WEE! At every house Father Christmas eats and drinks the tasty treats that have been left for him. But when he reaches number ten he realises l performances of The that he’s ily tickets to any of the regiona Badapple are offering 4 x fam ing FROM 14th forgotten to do form per ’s) u16 be 2+2 (adults/ something rather Elves & the Carpenter. This will important and DEC ONWARDS. he really, really, and telephone number to To enter, email your name, address Giveaway. You will be sent really needs a uk with the subject title Badapple competitions@familiesvoy.co. WEE! 10th Dec. Ts&Cs by return email. Closing date 01759 301547
GIVEAWAY
Make this Christmas an unforgettable one at Leeds Museums and Galleries Take a spellbinding visit to Santa in his enchanted grotto, pick up some hand-crafted local treasures in our Christmas market, or capture the spirit of the festive season with cheerful crafts, fun and games.
www.leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays leedsmuseumsandgalleries
@leedsmuseums #magicalleeds
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