Summer Holiday Issue

FREE DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Summer Holidays 2022

ACTIVE KIDS

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CONTENTS 4 Local Charity events

32 Diary Dates

6

Hello Readers,

Another school year done! For me, my eldest has just finished senior school and is now ready for her next chapter and my youngest has completed reception. Also good luck to those of you that have children finishing primary this year to start senior - cherish these times as it goes very quick.

Back on to the magazine, this summer issue has lots to see you through the holidays. If like me, planning days to keep the kids busy hasn’t happened yet, take a look on page 12 for the Schools out feature with holiday camps and workshops having your childcare sorted! If you are lucky (or unlucky :)) to be spending the whole time with the kids, take a look at page 24 for our Great Days Out section - whether it’s a visit to the museum or a picnic at a castle you should find lots to do along with our diary dates on page 32.

Don’t forget to enter our competitions which you can find on the back page.

Our next issue will be our ‘back to school’ issue which will be published on 9th September - I wish you a lovely fun summer and see you soon!

Sun safety for dogs

36 Shop Savvy

12

37 Sleep Help

School's Out

24 Summer Fun Days Out

38 Competitions

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KidAround Magazine is a digital monthly publication by Trew Publishing Ltd. Tel: 07557 053044 | info@kidaround.biz.

Disclaimer: The copyright and contents of this magazine, including artwork, adverts, logos and articles, when generated by the KidAround team remain with Trew Publishing.Views expressed in editorial and articles are those of the contributor or advertiser and not necessarily of the publisher. The listings, content and advertising in the magazine are for information and advice only.

Inclusion does not imply a recommendation from Trew Publishing or its staff. All advertisements and editorial content are accepted in good faith and on the basis that the advertised goods and services are as stated by the advertisers.

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Comic Hero Run makes an epic return!

St Helena Hospice’s Comic Hero Run is back for 2022 and is set to be better than ever – and registration is now open!

You are invited to join the event on Sunday 16th October in Colchester’s historic Castle Park to take part in either a 1km, 5km or 10km fun run to raise money for your local hospice to help people in north east Essex face incurable illness and bereavement.

This family fun event is suitable for all ages and fitness levels and dressing up is highly encouraged – although optional.

Lisa Chenery, fundraiser at St Helena Hospice, said: "We are so excited to be bringing back Comic Hero Run to Colchester after a three-year break and we hope to see lots of you getting into the spirit and donning your best superhero costumes!"

“With three different routes to choose from, there is something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a fun and active day out with the family, or fancy challenging yourself or want to get competitive with friends or family, by taking on the longer 10k run."

"All the money raised from this event will go towards helping patients and families receive the care and support they need, when they need it, where they need it. We encourage everyone to raise £35 in sponsorship as the event registration fee only covers the cost of putting on this amazing event. By raising £50 in sponsorship, you could help provide the care and support a family in crisis needs in the depth of night with a visit from a SinglePoint nurse in their home."

What are you waiting for? Grab your light sabers and cape and sign up today at www.sthelena.org.uk/comichero Groups of four can also save 10% on registration fees when signing up 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children, simply enter the discount code FAMILY10 when prompted at the checkout when signing up.

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Is it too hot outside for your pooch? 5 signs it’s not time for walkies Whilst most of us adore hot summer weather and naturally assume that beaming sunshine is an ideal backdrop for long strolls with man’s best friend, this isn’t always the case… Hot temperatures can be dangerous for dogs; their paws are at risk of burning on hot pavements, heat stroke is a very real risk, dehydration can cause sickness, and more. As an owner, you must therefore evaluate the weather, consider your dog’s unique needs (as per their breed and wellbeing), and decide whether or not it’s really a good time for walkies.

We turn to an expert to help guide us on the risks you should know about, and helpful tips that promise to keep our dogs happy and healthy all summer long, you’ll certainly want to pay close attention…

Do the trusted ‘hand on pavement’ test.

As a dog owner, you’ll probably be familiar with this helpful test. On hot summer days, dogs’ paws are at risk of burning on hot pavements. To make sure your pooch’s paws are safe, place the back of your hand on the pavement; if you can hold it there for five seconds without burning, it’s not too hot to walk your dog.

Consider your dog’s unique needs.

When asking yourself whether or not it’s too hot for walkies, it’s important to remember that every dog is different.

You must therefore consider your dog’s unique needs; are they older? Do they struggle with breathing difficulties? Are they a flat-faced breed? All of these factors make dogs more susceptible to heatstroke, meaning you should be especially careful in the sun.

Contrastingly, if you own a puppy who’s a bundle of energy, you will need to limit and monitor their time outside to ensure they don’t tire themselves out in the heat.’

Ensure they have constant access to shade and water.

Throughout the summer it’s important that your dog has access to consistent shade and water. Dogs can dehydrate incredibly quickly and whilst they might like to sunbathe in the sun, it’s not a safe or recommended thing to do for long periods of time. Instead, let them be a little

6 Summer Issue 22 • www.kidaround.biz

boujee as they relax under a parasol – much like the dogs on our new Instagram dating show -Hot Dog Summer would!’

Walk your pooch at specific times.

As previously mentioned, dogs dehydrate very quickly in the sun and exercise in the heat should be avoided. With this in mind, on hot days strategically walk your dog in the morning and evening/at night; by letting them exercise in cooler temperatures, they won’t become unwell and will be much more relaxed.’

Look out for signs of heatstroke.

Heatstroke is a very real risk for every dog. It’s important that you understand the key signs you ought to be looking out for; is your dog lethargic? Are they drooling and panting a lot? Are they uncoordinated? If you’re worried, call your

local vet immediately.

In more mild cases, after speaking with a vet, you may find that simple at-home solutions can help your dog if they’re struggling with heat.

For example, take them inside where it’s cooler, let them lay on a wet towel or in a paddling pool, slowly pour room-temperature water onto their back (not cold, this can cause shock!), make frozen bone broth treats - full of electrolytes to keep dogs hydrated and encourage them to drink regularly.

Generally speaking, hot weather is not the time for walkies.

Instead, take your dog out when temperatures drop, make sure they’re drinking sufficiently, protect their paws, and consider their unique needs in the sun.

For more insight into how you can keep your dog healthy and happy all summer long, tune into Hot Dog Summer over on our Instagram.’

Article written by Anna Bain, an expert from leading raw dog food brand ProDog Raw.

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Holiday best buys tried and tested: Once my daughter finished her GCSE's we decided to take a holiday, making the most of the last year before my son turns 5 and my daughter starts college. We booked a late deal and had to stick to a budget as it was an unplanned getaway. Being that it was a budget holiday, we had to stick to Ryanair's cabin bags and bus transfers. I was also lucky to be sent these items to review and can honestly say they are truly worth investing in. Firstly the Bubblebum inflatable car seat, this isn't meant as a permanent car seat, however it was perfect for our travels, knowing my son would have a car seat for taxi rides, buses and even the plane.

With many designs to choose from and cost £32.99. The other product was the Manhattan Stowaway XL - Backpack/Shoulder Bag by CabinMax which is designed to fit as much as possible in to avoid paying for a suitcase, they have made this the exact size requirements to be classed as a free under seat bag with Ryanair. I honestly can't tell you how much I got in this bag, it's designed so well. It has a back padded pocket for a laptop or tablet and a handy strap at the back to hook on to a suitcase should you need both, meaning you don't have to carry it around. I would be confident using this solely for a long weekend and possibly even a week away with some clever packing.

Where to purchase: Bubblebum's are available at Amazon - also see the back page for your chance to win one Manhatten Stowaway available from Cabin Max quote 10ACC to receive a 10% discount.

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Whether it's they're starting at reception or maybe you have changed schools, here's some tips and ideas to talk to your child about before the big day.

For kids, smile and ask another child their name, and what their favourite thing is.

If you’re feeling nervous, don’t be afraid to say it! Saying ‘I’m nervous’ or ‘I’m shy’ can be a great way to start a new friendship – because it helps the person to understand how you are feeling. Maybe they are feeling nervous, too!

Always have lots of games to play. If you have ideas for a game to play, for which it is easy to explain the rules, you will find it much easier to get children to play with you.

But don’t be worried if they want to play their own game instead – just go along with it.

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Don’t get upset if people ignore you to start with. There are so many reasons why a child might ignore you if you go up to them and ask to play with them. Maybe they were just feeling shy, or they didn’t understand what you said to them, or they just needed to play on their own for a while. It doesn’t mean that they don’t like you! Don’t be afraid to go up and ask them again later.

For parents, helping children to cope with starting school: For many children, going back to school will evoke feelings of stress and anxiety. As adults we have learnt to recognise these emotions in ourselves - which helps us to manage them. But children can experience emotion without being aware of what it is that they’re feeling.

Simply labelling an emotion – saying ‘I know that it’s scary, going back to school’ or ‘I can see that you’re feeling worried about this’ – can help because it helps a child understand this strange new emotion that they’re feeling.

Telling a child to inhibit emotions is almost always a bad idea. We can’t just inhibit emotions in this way. And constant talk along the lines of ‘look on the bright side’ can make a child feel more scared, not less.

If your child is worried the most effective route may be, quite simply, to let your child know that you are there for them. You love them, you understand what they are feeling, and can empathise with it – but you, yourself, are calm.

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School's Out Don't panic if like me you haven't yet sorted childcare or activities for the kids to do this summer! Take a look at out guide for some ideas. We have football courses, performing art workshops, sports and multi-sport camps on hand to keep them active, happy and making new friends!

Football Courses The ever popular Summer Holiday Football Courses will be running again at Wivenhoe Town Football Club and invite boys and girls to take part in fun and enjoyable football sessions and small sided games for children of all abilities.

Players will take part in competitions each day for a chance to win some great prizes, the competitions include Skills Challenge, Penalty Shoot Out, Beat The Goalie and Cross Bar Challenge.

All participants will receive an attendance award and one lucky player in each age group will be crowned 'player of the week' Safe & Friendly Environment UEFA & FA Qualified & DBS checked staff Fun & Enjoyable Sessions with small sided games.

Great Facilities at Wivenhoe Town Football Club Make New Friends Boys & Girls of all abilities welcome.

Check out our summer special offers and book early to avoid disappointment at www.football2000.org 12 Summer Issue 22 • www.kidaround.biz

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Theatretrain Maldon Summer School 2022 For over almost 15 years Theatretrain Maldon has been providing young people with exceptional quality weekly classes in drama, singing and dance with a focus on learning invaluable life skills. But what happens when the Summer Term ends? Never fear because Theatretrain Maldon has two fun, fast-paced and exciting workshops running in August for 5 – 16-year-olds.

The first is a Disney bonanza and includes learning songs and routines from Moana, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and of course Encanto.

The second week is Musical Madness, and the children will be put through their paces learning routines from Annie, Bugsy Malone, Frozen, Matilda and smash hit film High School Musical.

Mark Everard, Centre Director said “we are so excited to bring two weeklong performing arts workshops to the young people of Maldon and surrounding areas this summer. The children always have so much fun and what is extra special is seeing the children learning new skills and making new friends”.

Theatretrain Maldon forms part of a much larger network of theatre schools operating throughout the UK since 1992. With Patrons such as Sir Derek Jacobi KBE, Hollywood heavyweight

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Alfred Molina and Catherine Tate, they have just celebrated their national 30th Birthday with a performance at The Scoop, More London in a series of concerts called Summer by the River.

Main School runs every Saturday in term time for 6 – 18-yearolds and, each pupil receives an hour of tuition in each subject of acting, singing and dancing with their skills teacher in their appropriate age group. There are also regular opportunities to partake in FREE workshops such as Stage Combat and West End Workshops. The school has performed in some of the world’s most iconic venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, The London Palladium, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the 02 Arena, and not forgetting two Parades at Disneyland Paris.

Do not panic if your child hasn’t yet turned six years old.

The team at Theatretrain Maldon have got it covered with a shorter version of Main School – TT Minis operates for 90min for 4 -5-year-olds and each child receives 30mins in each subject.

If you would like to receive further information on Theatretrain Maldon or booking, you can contact Mark at maldon@ theatretrain.co.uk or visit the website www.theatretrain.co.uk/ maldon.

www.kidaround.biz • Summer Issue 22• 13

Harlow Leisurezone

There is so much to do for kids at Harlow Leisurezone Not only do they have the amazingly exciting Urban Limitz Trampoline Adventure Park which features Tag Attack Tower, Ninja Assault Course, The Gauntlet and Bounce Pads. They are also home to the newly space themed Kidzz Kingdom with lots of brand-new interactive equipment that is out of this world.

In the New Year there were also new challenges added to VertiGo Climbing Walls including Tricky Tree, Sports Walls, Sawtooth, Dangler and Pinball to really test your nerve and skills, as well as the old favourites Leap of Faith and Step Tower. Suitable from age 6, but with lots of adventure to be had for grown ups too.

Leisurezone is also running full Summer School Holiday Activity Weeks including Multi Activity Days, Karate.

Trampolining, Inflatable Fun Swim and more as well as running a swimming crash course suitable for new swimmers aged 3 years and over. Summer holiday activities begin on Monday 25th July 2022.

If splashing around is your thing, Leisurezone run a fun swim every Saturday (and Wednesdays during school holidays) which features either fun floats or giant inflatable in the main pool.

(Fun floats in the learner pool for under eights) Toddlers also have their own session in the learner pool with fun floats and a slide Monday – Thursdays 10.00 – 11.00 during term time.

Also for Toddlers are the Tot’s Activity sessions. There’s lots to do including Tot’s Trampolining, Bouncy Castle, creative role play equipment, tricycles and a tot’s craft table for them to create their own masterpieces without making your home a mess!!

Sessions run 10.00 - 11.30 once per month and will resume after the summer holidays. Spaces are limited so book in advance to avoid disappointment. Please visit www.harlowleisurezone.co.uk for more details.

Harlow Leisurezone have a range of sports activities for all ages.

Kangaroo Club has been designed for parents to bring their toddlers for a trampolining experience.

Classes involve being taught basic skills, safety and fitness.

Once confidence is established the child is able to opt into the British Gymnastic badge scheme and become part of the mainstream sessions at the centre.

Leisurezone’s karate sessions aim to develop fitness, character and sportsmanship. The most important goal with the students is to help reinforce core values such as respect and discipline. Run by Sensei Nariman Jeddi Chief Instructor & Founder 6th Dan There really is so much to do for your young ones, you will never hear those dreaded words “I’m bored” For further information visit www.harlowleisurezone.co.uk/kids and to book call 01279 621500 14 Summer Issue 22 • www.kidaround.biz

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KIDAROUND

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Mega Camps –Summer holiday fun for kids!

Are you in need of childcare this Summer holiday?

Well look no further as Mega Camps have locations in Billericay, Southend, Hornchurch, Upminster plus six other locations across the South East. Dedicated to providing the best childcare activity camps for children aged 4-14 during the half term and school holidays they have seen their attendance grow year on year.

At Mega Camps they understand that all children are different and therefore they offer an amazing range of sports, arts & crafts and Mega activities each day, these include, Wet N Wild, Animal Zoo Workshops, Swimming, Wall Climbing, Dance Workshops, Nerf Wars, Inflatable Fun, and much more.

All their staff are enhanced DBS checked and fully qualified within their role to ensure that every child has the best experience possible.

Whether you want to send your child for multiple weeks or single days they’ve got an offer suited for you. Hurry as spaces are limited.

About Mega Camp They are dedicated to providing activity days out for kids aged 4 -14 during the half term & school holidays in Essex, Kent and Surrey. At Mega Camps they understand that all kids are different and therefore offer an amazing range of Sports & Activities days out for both boys and girls. With numerous large playgrounds, tennis courts and basketball courts as well as gymnastics equipment, Crash mats & Trampolines. They also have access to a swimming pool and splash time obstacle courses.

They provide a safe, fun and friendly day out where kids can have the time of their lives whilst the parents have complete peace of mind knowing that their child is having a fun.

Not only that, they help kids gain self-confidence and life skills as they make new friends each day with the support of their fun and friendly staff!

They continually work with parents to provide the best options of childcare possible and are excited to announce they are now Ofsted registered. This enable's them to accept childcare vouchers and other schemes at all twelve of the Mega Camps locations across the South East.

To view your local Mega Camps venue and to book some Summer holiday fun simply visit their website: www.megacamps.net DON’T FORGET TO MENTION US WHEN CALLING

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Head to Leisure World Colchester and Colchester Sports Park for a whole lot of Summer Fun! Looking for something fun to do this Summer? Look no further than Leisure World Colchester and Colchester Sports Park…

At Leisure World Colchester’s leisure pool, you can ride the iconic flumes, make a splash in the fast-flowing Rapids and enjoy the Crazy River, fun slides, waves and Shipwreck Water Cannons. You can also take a trip to Palm Tree Springs to experience the Castaway Spa Pool bubbles and jets. Find out more at www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk.

Then, at Colchester Sports Park, it’s time to tear up the track! Whether you want to hire bikes as a family to ride the 1-mile Cycle Track (the largest in the East of England!), take on the BMX Pump Track, or practice on our free Learn to Ride area, Colchester Sports Park is the ultimate cycling destination. With bikes suitable for all ages, there’s something for everyone….

The Pump Track is the perfect place for riders of all abilities from little ones up to experienced BMX riders looking to improve their cornering, jumping and ability to maintain momentum. You can hit the Pump Track on your own equipment or hire our pump and BMX bikes to use on the track (please note that parental supervision is required for juniors.) Pump track cycling is perfect for riders looking to improve their upper body strength, as the bikes are pumped to generate momentum around the swooping and bending course.

The Learn to Ride area is free to use to the public, but Colchester Sport Park are delighted to be part of British Cycling’s GO-Ride programme meaning you can sign up to cycling programmes for adults and children too! With the designated Learn to Ride area, children can learn to ride using a balance bike. These bikes have no pedals to help teach the art of balance. Once a child is ready to transition from a balance to pedal bike, one of our qualified instructors will teach them how to pedal and break safely.

Afterwards, you can grab a bite to eat and refuel at Paddy & Scott’s Coffee shop at Colchester Sports Park and explore the dog friendly open green spaces too.

Check out the timetable and the range of fantastic facilities available at www.colchestersportspark.co.uk

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Get creative with technology at Signals this Summer Looking for something a bit different for the kids this summer? Why not try one of Signals creative workshops where children can get hands on with exciting technology and make their own movies, games or robots!

Located in the centre of Colchester, Signals specialise in digital creativity and education, and runs school holidays workshops from an accessible studio throughout the year.

This summer Signals has an exciting schedule of fun and creative workshops including filmmaking, video game making, stop motion animation and even robot building.

At a Signals workshop participants can use professional equipment, learn new skills and experiment to create digital artworks.

Absolutely zero experience is required for a workshop, and all equipment and materials are provided. Where possible Signals uses free software, meaning you can access it at home to carry on having fun and learning outside the workshop.

Signals staff are experts in their field, with experience as professional filmmakers, video game designers, musicians and more

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– and they’ll be on hand to make sure everyone has the best time possible in workshops. All Signals staff have many years of experience working with children and young people and are trained to work with young people on the Autism spectrum, and all staff and tutors hold recent enhanced police checks (DBS).

Signals Summer workshops are aimed at children and young people aged 7 – 18, and thanks to support from Colchester Borough Council there are free places available for those who would find it difficult to pay, please call the Signals office on 01206 560255 for more info on free places, these are allocated on a first come first served basis.

To book, visit the website www.signals.org.uk where you will also find out about the other work Signals do and check out the free activity guides. Places are limited so book now!

Signals is a multi-award-winning arts and education charity that provides courses, workshops and projects across East Anglia. Signals became established as a community media and video workshop in 1988. Based in Colchester Essex, Signals developed into a regional resource and facility for filmmaking and digital arts, and works with thousands of children and young people each year.

www.kidaround.biz • Summer Issue 22• 19

Fun Summer Activities at CHUMS

The popular multi-sport CHUMS holiday camp is back for summer. Every year over 300 young people sign up for our holiday camps, which include 25 activities and sports for your child(ren) to enjoy.

Their aim is to make the school holidays as fun, safe, and exciting as possible, taking enormous pride in the memorable experience for your children; supporting them as they learn new skills, try new sports, and make new friends.

They offer both individual days and week-long bookings for children ages 5-7yrs (red), 8-10yrs (orange) and 11-14yrs (green). Visit our website to sign up, or speak with a member of our team for more info by calling, or emailing us today.

For more information and to book your child a place visit them onine at www.essex.ac.uk/childrens-activities/chums-holiday-camp

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Holiday Courses at Riverside Find the perfect holiday camp, course or activity to get your kids back to fun this school holiday, no matter their age!

Discover the huge variety of great value holiday camps, courses and fun activities this Summer; perfect for kids of all ages. Running throughout the school holidays, there's no end to the fun!

With locations across four leisure centres in Chelmsford and South Woodham Ferrers, their holiday activities for kids include swimming, ice skating, athletics, bouncy castle, parkour, Lego building, scuba diving, canoeing, dance, arts and crafts and many more.

They also offer a 15% sibling and keyworker discount on many of their courses.

They also run family fun swim sessions each holiday at Riverside and SWFLC. For more information go online at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/getin

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Playday: Wednesday 3rd August. I love that there is a day to celebrate all the goodness that comes with play. See below some inforamtion about the day and how to get involved. For downloads and more info, head online at playday.org.uk Playday is the national day for play, traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August.

It is the biggest play sector event in the UK, and possibly Europe! As well as a celebration of children’s right to play, Playday is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives. If you want to get involved and plan an event for this day, here's some tips: Planning your event Organising a Playday event is lots of fun. With plenty of help and support, you will be able to achieve a day to remember, and one that will make a big difference to local children and young people.

Quick Guide Your Playday event doesn’t have to be a huge public occasion, you may prefer to organise a small residents-only street party or celebrate with a group of friends and family. Whatever your plans, follow our quick guide below to get your plans underway.

1. Start in plenty of time Securing funding is one of the first things you need to think about. Check out our guidance on funding your event. Set a budget once you know how much you have to spend.

You may need to apply for licences and permits. You should also think about safety, food and insurance for example. Refer to the Getting the details right section of the Get organised! guide for further advice.

If you’re planning a street party some local authorities may want three months’ notice of road closure. Find contact details for your local authority at www.direct. gov.uk.

2. Get a planning group together Think about who to involve. Don’t forget to invite children and young people onto your planning group!

You might also want to invite local play associations, charities and voluntary groups with shared aims, local service providers, and shops and businesses. Define your roles and make an action plan of key tasks, who will do them and agree target dates.

3. Set goals Do you want to make your event bigger and better than last year? What do you want the people who attend to get out of it? Is publicity important to you?

As well as having fun, Playday provides an opportunity to address issues affecting play in your local area.

If you are coordinating a wider campaign as part of 22 Summer Issue 22 • www.kidaround.biz

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your celebration, think about how you can use your event to highlight the issues.

4. Decide on a date Each year, Playday takes place on the first Wednesday in August. If it’s difficult to hold your event on a weekday, think about the weekend.

If you’re already planning an event for children and young people this summer, why not make it a Playday event and celebrate children’s right to play in your community!

5. Decide on a venue Playday events can be held anywhere, from your back garden to a main city centre! You could use open spaces in your community like a park, village green, grassed area of your neighbourhood, or even close off the car park of a local venue.

Lots of local authorities hold events in pedestrianised town and city centre locations.

Think about whether you want to hold one large event or a number of smaller events to reach different parts of your community.

6. Spread the word If it’s a public event, tell everyone you know! Official Playday promotional materials are available.

Invite people who can help you achieve publicity, or who could be influential in helping you achieve your campaign objectives. These could be local celebrities, the mayor or councillors.

Read our guidance on getting publicity for more ideas about spreading the word about your Playday plans.

7. Make use of available resources Check out the resources page to see what is available to event organisers. Online event registration for Playday will open in the Spring.

8. Plan play provision for the day Read our organisers’ top tips for inspiration for creating a playful event.

9. Plan publicity Refer to our advice and guidance here.

Take lots of pictures to document your day, use in future publicity and share with the Playday team! Read our guidance on photography at your event.

Get advice from the experts by checking out organisers’ tips for getting publicity.

10. Celebrate children’s right to play!

On the day, make sure you have lots of fun celebrating children’s right to play and the benefits it brings! Once everything has been cleared up, take a break, thank everyone and congratulate yourselves on a successful event.

When you’ve had a chance to catch your breath, tell us how it went. Send us your photos (making sure you have required permissions) for the Playday facebook page. If you’ve held an evaluation of your event, you may want to share it with us or give us any feedback on how we can support your future Playday events.

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ACTIVE KIDS

Great Days Out This Summer Whether you’re looking for an

event, visit a castle or go to the seaside.

Take a look at our great days out section for some ideas and make some fantastic family memories.

Make memories this summer at Hedingham Castle

Wondering how on earth to keep the kids entertained all summer?

Enjoy a fantastic variety of entertainment over the coming weeks on the historic Hedingham estate. With imaginative open-air theatre for the whole family, including timeless classics Pride & Prejudice, War of the Worlds and Much Ado About Nothing, as well as the hilarious The Three Musketeers with an incredible mix of astonishing adventure, magical music and comical characters - your buckle will never have been so swashed!

Bring a picnic and spend sizzling summer days in the gardens and exploring the Castle, or balmy summer nights watching iconic outdoor cinema screenings under the stars, including Mamma Mia! and West Side Story.

Have you tried our Escape Room yet? This mysterious room is located inside the Castle and is a unique immersive experience. Work as a team to solve puzzles and crack clues in the latest theme, The King’s Lost Jewels, to find the hidden treasure of Old King John. Recommended for ages 10+ but fun and challenging for adults too. Younger children welcome if attending in a family group. Available for teams of up to 8. Tickets include access to the Castle and grounds so you can make a day of it.

Spend a lazy Sunday mooching round the Classic & Vintage Car Show in August, including live jazz, street food and craft stalls, and to round off the season The Knights of Arkley battle it out for a fabulous Bank Holiday weekend of jousting, falconry and family fun!

For the full line up, dates and to book tickets visit www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk.

The perfect day out for all the family!

Wild Wednesdays and Saturdays, Summer Visitors Trail, Outdoor Theatre and discovering Sculptures are just a few things that families can get involved with this summer at Markshall Estate. Markshall Estate is a hidden gem located in Coggeshall, Essex. It boasts more than 200 acres of gardens, trees from across the world and miles of leafy woodland walks. Visitors can explore natural play areas, spot wildlife inhibiting the unique landscape and walk through the different geographic zones which make the Arboretum. The Estate has a busy event programme this summer, which includes the return of the popular Sculpture Exhibition. From 23 July to 4 September, 150 sculptures will be on display within the stunning surrounds of the Walled Garden. Immersion Theatre will also be returning to Markshall Estate with an exciting twist to Rapunzel.

Outdoor Theatre will be held on Monday 22 August and offers a brand-new musical adaptation to the classic fairytale. The Team at Markshall Estate will also be holding Wild Wednesday and Saturday sessions. These give families the opportunity to get involved with a range of activities from bug hunting, den building and crafting. Dates can be found on the Markshall Estate website. Lawn Games at the Garden Hub will also make a comeback this summer.

After exploring the Estate, visitors can return to the Orchard Kitchen for a tasty treat or delicious homemade lunch.

For more information go online at www.markshall.org.uk

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Explore Colchester Castle This Summer This summer explore Colchester Castle, Europe’s largest Norman Keep, built on the historic foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius.

Inside you’ll find over 2,500 years of history, with many nationally important objects on display, including Roman finds from the time that Colchester was Britain’s First Roman Capital.

As well as plenty of history there is plenty of fun to be had too! Step back in time and race a Roman chariot, dress up like a Roman soldier, construct a Roman mosaic or simply watch history come to life before your eyes with our tablet hire. If you want to discover more, explore behind the scenes with a guided tour and walk the roof and pretend you are a soldier on guard duty!

New exhibition, Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic opens on the 16 July. Curated in collaboration with the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, its displays, talks and tours are not to be missed.

It will tell the stories of those imprisoned in Colchester’s historic Castle accused of witchcraft. By giving a voice to those who were persecuted, imprisoned, and even executed on suspicion of being a witch it will challenge visitors to question who the “wicked spirits” really were. The displays will contain content suitable for a family audience, but due to its sensitive nature, parental guidance is advised.

Entry to the exhibition includes full access to all the Castle’s displays and treasures so all you need to worry about is having a wonderful day.

www.kidaround.biz • Summer Issue 22• 25

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26 Summer Issue 22 • www.kidaround.biz

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Great Days Out

Join us for the UK's biggest and best BBQ festival this summer The award-winning Smoke and Fire Festival, voted one of the best family days out, descends on Colchester (yet again) this Summer!

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex CO1 1UD on 20th-21st Aug Smoke and Fire Festivals are famous for their off-thechart family BBQ fun. Savour the most succulent food you’ve ever tasted, cooked over leaping flames and smouldering embers, using every bit of the fire, wood, and smoke to impart unbelievable flavour.

See SAM and SHUNA ( SAT KITCHEN + SAM and SHUNA BIG COOK OUT) as well as DJ BBQ and plethora of the UK’s and US top BBQ and LIVE Fire pitmaster chefs in action, sample award-winning world Street Food and dance your cares away with some of the best Blues, Country, Rock-a-Billy, Americana and Soul on our fantastic live music stage.

Let the kids go wild in our kid’s zone. Suitable for all ages with its free Circus skills workshop and roaming Circus entertainment, including face painters, inflatables and rides.

Get mum or dad to enter our legendary Extreme Chilli and Red-Hot Buffalo Wing Eating Contests, or ride our Rodeo Bull challenge.

Check out our BBQ alley, with its BBQs, Smokers, outdoor cooking equipment brands and our Artisan Retail Pavilion for all your shopping, sauces, rubs, pickles and crafts. Then relax with a drink at our Real Ale and Cider festival or enjoy our Pimms and Champagne bar.

There really is something for the whole family to do + Free parking In aid of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance https:// www.ehaat.org/ • Just £31.00 for a family ticket includes two adults and two children in advance • Adults £14.50 • Kids £6.00 • Kids 5yrs and under FREE Bring the whole family along! Book your tickets now at www.smokeandfirefestival.com. To get an extra 10% off your tickets, use the code KR10 at the checkout WEBSITE: www.smokeandfirefestival.com FB: www.facebook.com/smokeandfirefestival IG: https://www.instagram.com/smokeandfirefestival Twitter: @SmokeFireFest@SmokeFireFest85 907440 Email: info@smokeandfirefestival.com DON’T FORGET TO MENTION US WHEN CALLING

www.kidaround.biz • Summer Issue 22• 27

Discover the Essex Sunshine Coast, the Tendring Coast and Countryside…

Brightlingsea, Clacton-on-Sea, Dovercourt, Frinton-on-Sea, Harwich, Jaywick Sands, Manningtree, Mistley, St Osyth , Walton-on-the-Naze and surrounding areas.

If you’re considering a day trip, short break or holiday with family, friends and loved ones, and want to relax, unwind or explore whilst making memories, then the Essex Sunshine Coast is the ideal destination to escape to. There is something to discover at every resort, whether you Love Clacton, offering the fun and thrills of the seaside with a modern twist or want to explore the story of The Mayflower in Historic Harwich.

With over 36 miles of stunning coastline, a diverse blend of picturesque villages and beautifully unspoiled country landscapes, there will be lots of activities and events to keep you occupied during your visit.

Clacton Airshow, the region’s biggest seaside aerial display, takes place over two days, along Clacton’s seafront on Thursday 25th & Friday 26th August. Now in its 29th year, the annual event returns in full, with dynamic aerobatic displays and a variety of entertainment and exhibitions on the ground. The event is free to attend, and features twilight flights on the Thursday evening.

History and heritage is in abundance throughout the Essex Sunshine Coast.

Its coastal location provides unique and varied heritage, from prehistoric artefacts and medieval buildings to Victorian villas, with many sites recognised as being of national significance.

A vibrant arts and culture scene, alive with theatres, performance arts events, live music and exhibitions - located in unique settings such as Jaywick Martello Tower or the Naze Tower, Walton. A House of Essex, Wrabness, is artwork in itself. This unique and incomparable house, overlooking the river Stour, was designed by the county’s own Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry.

The areas, nature reserves and bird sanctuaries provide excellent opportunities for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Hamford Water National Nature Reserve, an area of international importance, is itself, a sanctuary for migrating and nesting birds. It also forms the setting to Arthur Ransome’s eighth book in his Swallows and Amazons series, the Secret Water.

You can venture locally by boat, and experience seal watching and wildlife boat trips. The Brightlingsea Foot Ferry for example, offers lunch cruises, harbour tours and nature walks. This custom built ferry boat has a ramp which can be lowered to allow access for wheelchair users, cyclists and foot passengers using the service.

Away from the coast and countryside, the main towns offer a unique selection of independent shops and popular high street names or if you are looking to whet your appetite, an array of country pubs, bars, restaurants, fish and chip shops, cafés and coffee shops are in abundance throughout the area. The Mistley Kitchen is a well renowned cookery school located in a fine Georgian Town house in the ancient port village of Mistley and offers one-day recreational hands-on cookery workshops.

Accommodation ranges from holiday parks, glamping and camping, bed and breakfasts to boutique and luxury hotels spas. Relax and unwind at Lifehouse Hotel and Spa, Thorpe-le-Soken, nestled within 12 acres of peaceful English heritage listed gardens and provides a wide range of luxury treatments and healing body therapies.

With easy links by road, train, coach, ferry and plane and the centre of London only an hour or so away makes it an easily accessible destination.

Discover more about the local area, visit www.essex-sunshine-coast.org.uk or download the LoveTendring app available for Android and Apple – where you can find information on nearby car parks, toilets and other facilities. It also tells you how busy beaches are, updated hourly by the Beach Patrol Team.

Facebook: TheSunshineCoastOfficial. Instagram: essexsunshinecoast Clacton Airshow: www.clactonairshow.com Twitter: @ClactonAirshow 28 Summer Issue 22 • www.kidaround.biz

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www.kidaround.biz • Summer Issue 22• 29

Summer season continues to sparkle at Chelmsford City Racecourse Horseracing may be the name of the game at Chelmsford City Racecourse, but the expansive surroundings also allow for plenty of extra-curricular events at the track and this summer features a bumper collection of attractions to appeal to a wide range of guests.

A fantastic Sunday afternoon of racing on Sunday, 24 July will be followed by the Sunset Sessions Terrace Party featuring Capital FM DJ Rio Fredrika, who will be spinning top sounds to provide the perfect weekend wind-down.

The ever-popular supergroup Steps will be joining us on Saturday, 6 August for one of the feelgood concerts of the summer, featuring all their chart-topping hits. With more than 21 million records sold, 250 million streams and seven sold-out arena tours, Steps will undoubtedly be one of Chelmsford’s biggest draws of the season.

The music of a band whose popularity has never waned over the decades will feature in ‘The Show – a Tribute to ABBA’ on Saturday, 13 August. The spectacular two-hour concert has been on a world tour with sell-out shows and was notably described in the Daily Mail as “So convincing they even get the blessing of the real ABBA.” The most authentic ABBA tribute show to date will be packing in the hits throughout the evening, including Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Waterloo, SOS, Money Money Money, Knowing Me Knowing You, and so many more.

For a great night out, this is not to be missed.

The following day on Sunday, 14 August it is the return of Essex's biggest and best family day out, staged this year in aid of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, which performs such a vital role for our local community.

Run in tandem with another top day of racing action with £125,000 in prize-money, younger visitors will be able to enjoy the incredible Jurassic experience that has taken the country by storm. Those with a fascination for the pre-historic can learn how to become a Dinosaur Ranger with life-size dinosaurs, from the triceratops to a giant T-Rex. A selection of bars and exciting street food stands will be open throughout the day – and the kids go free!

On Saturday, 20 August there will be more top musical entertainment following our twilight race meeting as Chelmsford City Racecourse partners for the third year in a row with the legendary Ministry of Sound Disco. A 15-piece band will perform some of the greatest hits of house and disco music, featuring the work of such iconic artists as Chic, Daft Punk, Michael Jackson and Chaka Khan.

There are plenty of ladies’ days at racecourses around the country and Chelmsford City Racecourse is proud to host a gentlemen's day on Saturday, 10 September to wrap up a busy summer schedule of stylish events. What could be better than an afternoon of fast-paced racing, great food and beer followed by a fantastic live set from Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson? It’s a day not to be missed as the summer season signs off with a flourish – and of course ladies are very welcome too.

For more inforamtion and to book head to www.chelmsfordcityracecourse.com 30 Summer Issue 22 • www.kidaround.biz

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DAYS OUT

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www.kidaround.biz • Summer Issue 22• 31

Fill your diary with things to do July

Now – 6 (Jan)

Fri 15-Sun 17

Tennessee Fields Festival Boutique country music festival showcasing the best US and international performers alongside the top UK artists and grassroots entertainers. With all American entertainment, food & drink, this is a weekend for all the family! 16:00-12:00.

FIND OUT MORE

32 Summer Issue 22 • www.kidaround.biz

Billericay Food & Drink Festival Showcasing over 50 food, drink and outside entertaining stands including cheese, wine, gin, prosecco, oysters, gourmet burgers, exotic fruits, private catering, luxury hampers and so much more! Family-friendly under 10s Free. No dogs other than assistance dogs. FIND OUT MORE

Sun 17

Essex Family Fest Loads of things to see and do including:100s of classic and interesting cars & bikes on display, children’s funfair and other activities, bar, disco tent, live Music all day and more. All money raised goes towards local mental health charity Havering Mind to help support their services to local people who are experiencing problems with their wellbeing. Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch, RM11 1JU. Adults: £10/£8, Kids 3-17: £4/£5, Under 3s: free. FIND OUT MORE

Thurs 21 – Mon 22 (Aug)

are also invited to decorate their store fronts and create themed displays in line with the festival to brighten the town with wonderful floral and gardening displays. FIND OUT MORE

Thurs 21 – Sun 24

Summer 'Eating Street' Food Market Tasty Local Food Vendors, The Mob Pizza & Bar, Mama Cook Truck Hey Spud, Didi’s Trinidadian Cuisine, Stacked, Hey Spud, Obscene Waffles, Ravenous Fudge, Licensed Bar, Great location next to the Boating Lake. Various times. Free entry.

Colchester Castle Park.

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Fri 22 - Sun 24

Festival of Flowers Visit the 'Festival of Flowers' at the beautiful 16th Century Ingatestone Hall which will house a host of flower delights and stunning floral installations, showcasing the floral design skills of London and Overseas designers and floral friends.

10.30am - 5pm Ingatestone Hall, CM4 9NR. FIND OUT MORE

Colchester Garden Festival There will be a mixture of free and paid events, including workshops, public installations, podcast recordings and shows.

Businesses in the town centre TO ADVERTISE, CALL 07557 053044 OR EMAIL SALES@KIDAROUND.BIZ

KIDAROUND

Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic Colchester Castle was a key landmark in the Essex witch trials. In the 1500s and 1600s, hundreds of people were imprisoned inside its walls suspected of being a witch.

Essex became well known for its persecution of suspected witches, the first person in England to be executed under a Witchcraft Act was Elizabeth Lowys who lived in Great Waltham. Colchester Castle FIND OUT MORE

Sun 17

KIDAROUND

DIARY DATES Sat 23 – Sun 4 (Sept)

Sculpture in the Walled Garden 150 sculptures will be making their way to the beautiful landscape of the Walled Garden this summer. 33 sculptors have produced a stunning variety of pieces to suit everyone's style, garden and budget. Markshall Estate. FIND OUT MORE

Mon 25 - Fri 2 (Sept)

Animal Bingo Trail Find and match animals around the museum, and discover more about superstitions associated with them. Do you know why some people think black cats are a sign of bad luck or why some people think toads can be turned into witches! Join us and follow this fun bingo trail. Children will also be able to claim a prize on completion of the trail. £5 per trail, includes prize. Natural History Museum

25 Jul – Wed 31 (Aug)

Prepared to be wowed and wonder at how these tricks are achieved! Call 01206 282939 to book. 10.30,11.30,12.30 and 2.30pm. £5 Colchester Castle FIND OUT MORE

August

Every Mon

Victorian Crafts at Hollytrees Museum Get your craft on with us this summer! They will be getting the paint, glue and craft materials out to create some wonderful Victorian inspired crafts. Make yourself a fan for the heatwave we all know is coming or perhaps a Victorian lantern to guide you home! £5 Call to book 01206 282941

Every Tues

Storytelling Storytelling appeals to all ages, Firstsite Holiday Fun Keep your family entertained this but especially children and there is nothing more magical than Summer with free fun activities settling down for a good story! and hot lunches at Firstsite and Harwich Arts & Heritage Centre! Join us and be transported back in time with tales from the past.

Weekdays only. 01206 713700 info@firstsite.uk Join us and be transported back FIND OUT MORE in time with tales from the past.

Colchester Castle Thurs 29 July FIND OUT MORE Late Night Openings Opening the doors until 9pm.

Every Weds Last entry 8pm. Ideal for an early Magical Crafts at Colchester evening stroll and a picnic with Castle family and friends. RHS Garden Join the team to learn more Hyde Hall, Chelmsford, CM3 8ET about magic and superstition FIND OUT MORE by getting messy and creative!

From dream catchers to clay Tues 26 - Fri 29 amulets let your imagination The Great Castle Magic go wild! Call 01206 282939 to Show book. £5 after Castle admission The great Castle magician FIND OUT MORE will be performing tricks and illusions throughout the day but will also put on a spectacular family show four times a day.

Weds 3

Chapterhouse Threat Company presents Pride & Prejudice Take a step back in time as we meet Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters. Whilst their interfering mother engineer’s various courtships, Elizabeth and Jane must pursue their own quest for true love. Set in the magical grounds of Hedingham Castle.

6pm. £12.10. CO9 3DJ. FIND OUT MORE

Sun 6

Maldon Carnival Procession A fun Carnival Procession with floats, bands and street walkers to raise money for our charities.

A free fun event for all the family. Starting point will be at the Cross Rd/Fambridge Rd junction and will proceed from Fambridge Rd - High St - Mill Lane. FIND OUT MORE

Weds 10, Tues 16 & Weds 17, Tues 23 & Weds 24 & Sat 27

The Summer Show The Summer Show, Variety Spectacular. This year starring Comedy Magician Christian Lee, with Multi-Instrumentalist Andy Eastwood and Stunning Vocalist Helen Farrell. Clacton-On-Sea. FIND OUT MORE

Weds 10

Box Tree Productions present The Three Musketeers!

Young D’Artagnan comes to the big city with one aim: to follow in his father’s footsteps and become one of the King’s Musketeers. All for one and one for all! 6pm start. £12.

Hedingham Castle, CO9 3DJ. FIND OUT MORE

www.kidaround.biz • Summer Issue 22• 33

Weds 17

Fri 12 & Sat 13

The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny Family favourites, Quantum Theatre, are visiting Green Island Gardens with their delightful new adaptation, The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. Join Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin on their hair-raising adventures in the gardens. 1:30pm FIND OUT MORE

13th & 14 Aug

Sat 13

West Mersea Town Regatta Day On the day itself there will be the usuals sailing events & watersports, in the jetty car park shoreside you will find stalls, entertainment & lots more! Stocks fair are attending this year and there will be the fantastic firework display to end the Regatta. We are looking forward to a great summer and seeing you all having fun!

10am -10pm. FIND OUT MORE 34 Summer Issue 22 • www.kidaround.biz

Sun 14

Family Fun Day The return of Essex's biggest and best family day out, this year in aid of the brilliant Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. Be transported to the land lost before time with this incredible Jurassic experience that has taken the country by storm. Take a trip in the gyrosphere, walk with a triceratops, roar with a giant t-rex, scream with a spinosaurus and run with a raptor.

Chelmsford City Racecourse FIND OUT MORE

Mon 15

Rapunzel Join them on the Back Lawn of Hylands House. Let your hair down and get tangled in a brand-new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale! This fast-paced, larger-than-life production contains a laugh-outloud script, heaps of audience interaction, a host of catchy songs, unforgettable characters, and maybe even the odd water gun or two! FIND OUT MORE

Tues 16

The Pantaloons present Much Ado About Nothing, There’s plenty to shout about in The Pantaloons’ take on Shakespeare’s timeless summer comedy of masks, music and mistaken identities!

6pm. Hedingham Castle, CO9 3DJ FIND OUT MORE

Sun 21

Classic & Vintage Car Show A must for all car lovers featuring a huge range of vintage, pre 1940s classic, classic and modern classic vehicles, this show is the perfect way to spend a Sunday. Live jazz, street food & craft stalls throughout the day.

Hedingham Castle, CO9 3DJ FIND OUT MORE

Mon 22

Rapunzel Immersion Theatre presents Rapunzel. Let your hair down and get tangled in a brand-new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale! Markshall Estate.

FIND OUT MORE

Mon 22

Adventure Cinema presents Mamma Mia! Celebrate 50 years of ABBA with a special outdoor cinema screening of Mamma Mia! (rated PG) at Hedingham Castle. Hot food & bar available on the night. Picnics welcome, bring your own blankets/camping chairs. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Hedingham Castle, CO9 3DJ FIND OUT MORE

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KIDAROUND

Food & Drink Festival After 2 successful years, we will be making our Food & Drink Festival, bigger and better than ever for 2022 with lots of old favourites but also with some new and exciting stalls and products to tempt you.

Battlebridge, Wickford.

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Tower Tours Layer Marney Tower is nearly 500 years old and the Marney Family were here for nearly 500 years before the house was built. Come and hear some interesting facts and have some of the special features pointed out to enhance you visit. There have been 11 families since the Marney’s left Layer Marney Tower.

FIND OUT MORE

DIARY DATES Tues 23

Adventure Cinema presents West Side Story A special open-air screening of Spielberg's spectacular West Side Story (rated 12A). A fresh take on one of the biggest and best movie musicals of all time.

Hot food & bar available on the night. Picnics welcome, bring your own blankets/camping chairs. Hedingham Castle, CO9 3DJ FIND OUT MORE

Sun 28 & Mon 29

Fri 2

Murder Mystery Evening: Killer at the Casino An evening packed with clues, plot-twists and suspicious suspects! Set in the elegant Ballroom Marquee, play detective over dinner and crack the case before it too late. Tickets include a drinks reception, 3-course dinner and casino games. Over 18s only.

Hedingham Castle, CO9 3DJ FIND OUT MORE

Eco Festival Over 70 stalls, Childrens Activities and Baby Zone, Try out areas in the Sustainable Transport Zone, Health and Wellbeing Tent, Music, dance and theatre, Workshops, Food and drink stalls. Family friendly fun community event . Free cycle parking & Dr bike check.

Claim your free tickets now.

10am - 5:30pm Lower Castle Park Colchester FIND OUT MORE

These listing were correct at time of making this issue.

However, please check with the event provider before leaving. Many events may be fully booked at this popular time of year.

KIDAROUND

Knights of Arkley Joust An incredible Bank Holiday Weekend of jousting! See the Knights battle it out in front of the ancient Castle and marvel at their skill and prowess on horseback. Two Joust displays to enjoy each day, alongside a variety of pursuits including Falconry, musicians, archery and much more.Hedingham Castle FIND OUT MORE

September

Sat 3

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www.kidaround.biz • Summer Issue 22• 35

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Summer heat sleep: Top tips and tricks for toddlers sleep There’s nothing Brits love more than a summer heatwave, but hot weather at night can be more of a nightmare than a dream when you have little ones struggling to sleep in the heat.

For Aisha’s Child Development Expert, Emily Salter, details her top tips and tricks for ensuring a great night's sleep for your child when the temperatures start to rise this week.

Splish Splash: Take a cool bath Typically parents are told that a warm bath is a good idea before bedtime to help your child sleep.

While this is true, a cooler bath is much better in warm weather as it will help to reduce your child’s body temperature before bed. Aim to bath your child right before putting them to sleep to ensure they are as cool and comfortable as possible.

Cover up or strip off?

Naturally, when we’re warm we like to wear less clothes to feel less hot. However, when it comes to sleep it’s actually better to wear very lightweight cotton pyjamas as a little bit of sweat helps to cool the body down naturally, without overheating from warm clothing. The optimum temperature for a child’s sleeping environment is between 16-20c, so bear this in mind when dressing your baby or child for sleep.

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Hydration station When you start weaning your baby (typically from around six to seven months of age), it is then time to introduce water – but only a few sips here and there. If you are concerned about their hydration or the weather is warm, offer water-rich foods; such as melon, carrots, apples, berries, cucumber, grapes and oranges as well as yoghurt.

Frozen fans Fans are our go to cooling agent, but an electric fan tends to just blow warm air around the room the longer you leave it on. Instead, place some frozen water in bowls around the room to keep cool air moving all night long.

Feeding times We all know the feeling of needing a nap after a big meal or hitting the buffet! Try to feed your child a little later than normal and encourage them to snack on something before bedtime. The best foods for a great night's sleep include anything that contains tryptophan, an amino acid that supports the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.

So opt for Chicken, Turkey or Salmon based dishes with sweet potato and wholegrain snacks.

www.kidaround.biz • Summer Issue 22• 37

Competitions KidAround have been offered a family ticket to send you and your family on a magical journey of exploration and discovery deep in the enchanted woods at Audley End Miniature Railway. This spectacular summer-long adventure is jampacked with activities and entertainment, mythical creatures and magical surprises, ensuring a memorable day out in the great outdoors for the whole family.

The resident explorer will set young adventurers on their way from the platform, boarding a miniature train to take a captivating woodland journey where they will spot enchanted creatures along the route.

The train passes through the ancient mine where rumour has it, the fire breathing dragons live, guarding the precious ancient crystals.

Then adventurers will journey back to our fairy and elf friends who are ready and waiting to welcome visitors to their tiny woodland homes. Wander through the magical pathways in our Fairy and Elf Walk and spot our tiny friends hiding amongst the trees - be sure to tick them off in your activity booklet.

Young adventurers can let off steam and explore the play area, before becoming nature detectives in our special Nature Corner, hunting out the bugs and creepy crawlies that live all around us. Adventurers can hone their skills in our games area with bean bag throws, hoopla and noughts and crosses.

Then sit back and relax and watch young imaginations be fired up by the interactive adventure story-telling show on our Woodland Stage.

Click below to enter.

ENTER HERE To celebrate the release of Ant & Dec's book Propa Happy: The new illustrated children’s activity book to power your positivity in aid of NSPCC, we have a copy up for grabs, just click below to enter and good Luck!

ENTER HERE

We have teamed up with the makers of Bubblebum which we featured in our holiday best buys on page 6 to offer you the chance to own one and try it yourself.

To win one of these easy to use, portable car seats, click the button below.

ENTER HERE