Little Vikings - Issue 46 - Autumn 2022

Hello!

The conkers have fallen from the trees, the ground is a duvet of crunchy leaves and the kids have finally worn in their school shoes. Yes, it’s October half term and time for a break from making the packed lunches and posting yet another message on the class WhatsApp group asking when the PE days are (or is that just us?!).

There’s no need to leave the county if you’re looking for something fun to do together because, once again, there’s a whole host of events and activities. Whether you have a baby or toddler who prefers the gentler side of autumn or a bigger kid who loves the spooky stuff, there’s something for everyone, from pumpkin trails to ghost hunts.

And we hate to say it, but don’t forget to keep one eye on your Christmas plans. Tickets for the festive family events around York are on sale now and many will sell out early, so book now and secure your place on Santa’s nice list.

Before we go, please do take a few minutes to nominate your favourite family-friendly people and places around York for a Little Vikings Award. It will mean the world to them.

Have a wonderful autumn and see you at Christmas! Little Vikings HQ

Since last issue, we've….

• Tried the new Vietnamese street food restaurant, Pho, on High Petergate in York. It’s lovely and has a great kids’ menu

• Run the Pretty Muddy Kids Race for Life on York Knavesmire for Cancer Research UK. It’s great fun for a brilliant cause - why not try it next year?

• Had a couple of trips out to the beaches of the Yorkshire Coast - it’s stunning, and not just for the summer months

• Had our first trip to the North Yorkshire Water Park near Scarborough to try out the aquaparks - it’s brilliant!

Little Vikings was founded and is run by a York family. Contact us at hello@little-vikings.co.uk. Content © Little Vikings 2022. Little Vikings is a registered trade mark. Every effort has been made to ensure that this guide is up-to-date and accurate, but some things are liable to change. Always check details before you travel.

Now Booking

York’s very own film festival

Aesthetica Short Film Festival is back! This incredible, inspiring, world-renowned event returns to York from 1st to 6th November 2022 at venues across the city. There are over 400 films to choose from: comedy, drama, animation, documentary and screenings that are ideal for children. What’s more, York residents can save 50% on selected #YorkDays! Look out for children’s workshops, too. www.asff.co.uk/yorkdays

Guy Fawkes at York Theatre Royal

One for older kids and adults, this new show explores the story of York’s wickedest former resident. David Reed brings a hilarious new take on one of the most notorious tales of all time. Expect a devilishly dangerous mix of Blackadder and Horrible Histories that’s sure to be a barrel of laughs.

28th October to 12th November 2022 - yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Into the Woods at Castle Howard

Castle Howard will transform into a wonderland of happilyever afters, fair maidens and magic for Christmas 2022.Expect to be enchanted by theatrical installations andprojections that bring to life your favourite fairytales as thesounds of glass slippers on ballroom floors and horse-drawnpumpkins echo through the great halls via state-of-the-artsoundscapes.

12th November to 2nd January 2022 - castlehoward.co.uk

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland returns

York’s annual ice rink is back at the Designer Outlet thisChristmas for your annual opportunity to show off likeTorvil and Dean or channel your inner Bambi. There’s analpine cafe, Santa’s grotto and vintage funfair

18th November to 8th January 2023 -yorkshireswinterwonderland.com

Swimming, dance and other classes enrolling now

If you’d like to try a new class with your baby, toddler or older child, now is the time! Head over to the Little Vikings website for a selection of the very best classes in and around York for kids.

little-vikings.co.uk/classes

Special Little Vikings discounts and offers

Have you picked up a Little Vikings Family Card yet? Or looked at the discounts and offers on the Little Vikings website? Saving you money on kids’ classes, days out, eating out and much more, it’s well worth having a look. Your kids can even get a FREE chocolate frog!

little-vikings.co.uk/littlevikings-family-card

New Rise Gymnastics class

Rise Gymnastics is a fun-packed programme that provides a progressive journey through recreational gymnastics. Children of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to shine with Rise Gymnastics. Visit the Better Leisure website for all the details

www.british-gymnastics.org/articles/ rise-gymnastics/rise-gymnastics-ishere

Barley Hall and The JORVIK Group are owned by York Archaeological Trust, a registered Charity in England & Wales (No.509060) and Scotland (No. SCO42846)

NYMR Light Spectacular 2022

Marvel at the heritage carriages, decorated with 17 thousand synchronised LEDs, before departing from Pickering Station for an awe-inspiring journey alongside a DJ mix of music, compered by Voiceover Man.

22nd to 30th October 2022, 6pm & 7.45pm - nymr.co.uk

**SAVE 10% with the online discount code VIKINGS10**

The Search for the Missing Witch at The Hole in Wand

Isabella Billington, York’s most infamous witch, has disappeared and The Hole in Wand needs to find her so she can help create the most magical spell this Halloween. Little Vikings Family Card offer - Upgrade to a premium experience for free (see our website for details) . theholeinwand.com

Ghosts in the Gardens (FREE)

Back by popular demand, Ghosts in the Gardens sees ghosts popping up in York Museum Gardens and at other green spaces across York. Look out for the jilted bride, crusading knight and a few ghastly animals.

Until 7th November 2022

Evening fairy walks at Northwood Trail

Northwood Trail is celebrating Halloween with the fairies with a charming family event featuring magical evening lantern walks and storytelling from Professor Howland’s extensive collection of true fairy histories and mythologies.

22nd to 30th October 2022 - northwoodtrail.co.uk

Spooky

Magical

Deadliest plants and bugs at RHS Harlow Carr

Head over to Harrogate to explore the deadliest plants and bugs and discover how deadly flora and fauna may be misunderstood. Meet creepy crawlies, hear about carnivorous plants and join the garden detectives. There’s even story yoga, a family-friendly yoga and storytelling session rhs.org.uk

The Tiger Who Came to Tea at York Castle Museum

The Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibition runs until 6th November. As well as being able to see copies of original artwork, notes and sketches, children will enjoy stepping into Sophie’s kitchen to have tea with a life-size tiger! If the tiger has left anything in the teapot, that is… yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

Hocus Pocus at Mother Shipton’s

Are you ready for a bunch of hocus pocus and wizarding wonder at Mother Shipton’s this Halloween? Broomsticks and wands at the ready - you’re in for a treat! Muggles of all ages are invited on a spellbinding adventure - behold witches flying through the trees and beware of giant spiders, ghosts and creepy skeletons lurking around every corner.

22nd to 31st October - mothershipton.com

Bolton Abbey Pumpkin Trail

Navigate your way through Strid Wood using the map and the giant pumpkins. Keep your eyes peeled for clues hidden in the mystery boxes along the way and help to solve the puzzle. The trail is included in the car park fee (pre-booking of car park spaces recommended).

22nd to 30th October - boltonabbey.com

Outdoors

Magical

Outdoors

Theatre

DAKOTA EXPERIENCE

Free things to do this autumn!

Do the Superworm Trail at Dalby Forest (pay to park)

Visit the National Railway Museum

Do the Pumpkin Trail at Bolton Abbey (pay to park)

See the Ghosts in the Gardens

Do the White Horse walk at Sutton Bank

See the seasons change at Askham Bog

Do the Little Ghost Hunt around York

Find details of all the events on the Little Vikings website

The Little Vikings Awards

2023 - Nominate now!

It’s that time of year again - a chance to send some love to the family-friendly places and people in around York. Now in its 8th year, the Little Vikings Awards is the only awards scheme that rewards the very best of York (and beyond) for kids, and we’d love you to take a few minutes to nominate your favourites. Many thanks to Bootham School, for once again supporting the awards as our headline sponsor. Thanks, too, to our category sponsors, En Pointe Dance School, Middletons Hotel, York Leisure Centre, Eden Camp, , North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Yorkshire Air Museum, Queen Ethelburga’s and The Mount School.

The businesses with the most nominations will be shortlisted, so it’s up to you who makes it!

Nominations are open until 31st October 2022, and we will announce the shortlists in November. Winners will be chosen by public vote and announced in the New Year. Nominate in as many, or as few, categories as you like.

THE DETAILS

How do I nominate? Visit little-vikings.co.uk

When do nominations close? 1 November 2022

How are finalists chosen? Shortlists will be based on the number of nominations received by our readers/followers - we leave it up to you to tell us what you love this year

When can we vote for the winners? Once the shortlists are announced, you will have until midnight on New Year’s Eve to vote for your winners. Winners will be announced in the New Year.

by

Special recognition award Sponsored by En Pointe Dance School

by Middletons Hotel

by York Leisure Centre

Out

by North Yorkshire Moors Railway

to stay

by

Food & drink

Sponsored by The Mount School

Category

Save with the Little Vikings Family Card!

Offers & Discounts

We’re delighted to announce that you can now collect your FREE Little Vikings Family Card from the Visit York Information Centre at 1 Museum Street, York, while stocks last (and many online offers are available without the card too). Here’s a selection of our current offers - visit little-vikings.co.uk/little-vikings-family-card for all the details.

• Free upgrade at The Hole in Wand

• 10% off your purchase at Wunderplay Toys & Games

• Free chocolate frog at The Potions Cauldron

• 10% off The Light Spectacular at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

• 10% off at Rainbows Ceramics

Hop to the Little Vikings website for more information little-vikings.co.uk/little-vikings-family-card

Platinum and Light at York Minster

One of the most stunning events in York is back, and it’s raising funds for York’s most iconic landmark. This October, York Minster’s cavernous nave will be illuminated with a new sound and light projection, Platinum and Light.

The new show, which will run for eight nights from Thursday 20 to Thursday 27 October 2022, is inspired by Her Majesty The Queen’s

Platinum Jubilee and uses precious metals through the ages, including gold, silver and platinum, to journey through key moments in York’s and the Minster’s history and their royal connections. Although it’s an evening event, there’s an earlier 6.30pm showing on Sunday 23rd October which will also have a reduced capacity.

Event essentials

Dates - Thursday 20th October to Thursday 27th October 2022

Prices - Tickets £7.50, family ticket for four £25

More info - yorkminster.org

Aesthetica Short Film Festival - Best bits for kids

Calling film fans of all ages: York’s very own film festival, Aesthetica Short Film Festival is back! This incredible, inspiring, world-renowned event returns from 1st to 6th November 2022 at venues across the city. There are over 400 films to choose from: comedy, drama, animation, documentary and screenings that are ideal for children. What’s more, York residents can save 50% on selected #YorkDays! Ticket holders will be able to access a host of events, workshops to masterclasses, creative labs and more. You can see laugh-out-loud comedies, award-winning dramas, thrillers, animation, family-friendly stories and documentaries.

Kids love film, so why not take them along to one of the family screenings (our kids STILL talk about some of the short films they saw at the festival four years ago) or take them along to a workshop? Kids’ workshops include Do You Want to Be a Director? for children aged 7 to 10 and How to Make a Film for ages 11 to 14. Visit asff.co.uk/yorkdays for more info.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SPECIAL

It’s that time of year again when many schools open their doors to welcome prospective parents to have a look around. York’s lucky to have some fantastic state primary and secondary schools, and you’ll find details of their open evenings and the admissions process on the City of York Council website. We also have an incredible selection of independent schools, and now’s the time to head to an open day and find out more about what they have to offer. Here’s a bit more about some of the best.

St Peter’s School

An award-winning school and nursery. Find out how St Peter’s School, York, can help your child to learn, grow and thrive. St Peter’s School is one of the best independent schools in the UK. It was named TES Pre-Prep School of the Year and Independent School of the Year, 2021, with a 47-acre green campus, minutes from York Minster. Their inspirational teaching staff, outstanding facilities and extensive riverside campus at the heart of York combine to create an exceptional learning environment where children can fulfil their potential. They welcome applications from Nursery through to Sixth Form and their mission is to create amazing adults, who go on to lead happy, successful and fulfilled lives.

St Peter’s would be delighted to welcome you to their forthcoming Open Days. Please register in advance, as pre-booking is required: www. stpetersyork.org.uk/open-events

The Mount School

Girls from The Mount Junior School celebrated International Dot Day on Thursday 15th September.

The annual festivity celebrates Terry Shay’s book ‘The Dot’, a tale of trusting your personal abilities and having the courage to ‘make your mark’. The tale mirrors The Mount School’s Quaker ethos that encourages girls to respect and value every individual, which begins with each girl being able to find and value her own voice. Throughout the day girls embarked on a journey of selfdiscovery and expressionism, as they decorated paper dots. The dots could be created in any way personal to each girl and using materials of her choosing, inviting a magnitude of colour and creativity. Through this and discussions they learnt to embrace what makes them unique and to celebrate creativity and art. The Mount School York is passionate about girls and their education right from the Early Years. They teach girls in a way that they naturally learn.

Promoted content

The autumn open day at The Mount School York takes place on Saturday 8th October 2022. Find out more at mountschoolyork.co.uk

Girls explore their imaginations, ask questions, experiment, take risks & draw their own conclusions.

Queen Ethelburga’s School

Chapter House Preparatory School – QE’s Early Years, infant and junior provision – Chapter House is the home of QE’s youngest students, welcoming day students from 3 months old and boarders from Year 3.

Chapter House offers your child the very best start in education, with a vibrant and engaging environment with a warm family atmosphere. Children stay in Chapter House until Year 5, when they move to QE’s Middle School

King’s Magna. Chapter House has achieved Primary Quality Marks for the excellent provision provided in English, Maths and Science, alongside a varied and exciting curriculum which introduces all our children to new experiences, subjects and skills which will prepare them for the next stage of their educational journey.

Through age-appropriate careers talks and activities each term, we raise our pupils’ aspirations for the future. Pupils are encouraged to contribute positively to the lives of others within school, the local community and to wider society, whether through small acts of kindness or organised charitable work.

Extra-curricular activities are a vital ingredient in developing confidence, leadership and teamwork skills in children and add to the enjoyment of school. This promotes active participation, encourages children to try new activities and often sparks a lifelong interest for our pupils. Children leave Chapter House as independent and happy learners, with a strong grounding in key subjects and in tune with their own learning and aspirations.

Open Day – To find out more, come to our Open Day on Saturday 26 November 2022. Pre-book your places at www.qe.org/open-days.

Bootham School

Bootham Junior School is situated on the outskirts of the beautiful and historic city of York. With purpose built classrooms, outdoor play areas and plenty of green space, the school provides pupils from ages 3- 11 the space and environment to thrive. Classes are small to ensure each child benefits from individual attention and support and standards are high, both academically and pastorally.

As a Quaker school, Bootham emphasises responsibility for self and for others – with a premium on integrity, honesty and trustworthiness from an early age.

Through a lively curriculum and a varied range of activities, dedicated staff strive to embed the necessary skills for the educational challenges that pupils will face in the years ahead.

Bootham has an excellent reputation for its pastoral care and maintaining the health and well-being of pupils is extremely important. Staff work with parents and guardians and welcome active support and involvement. Good work habits, co-operation and tolerance create the happy, family atmosphere for which the School is known.

To arrange a visit or for more information please contact the Junior School on junior.admissions@boothamschool.com or simply call on 01904 272592.

Review - Chocolate bar making workshop at York Cocoa Works

Here are six words guaranteed to bring joy to any child’s heart: ‘Feel free to lick the spoon!’ Especially when that spoon happens to be covered in warm, sweet, freshly melted chocolate made at York Cocoa Works. With Easter fast approaching, we were invited along to the only place in York that makes its own chocolate, from bean to bar, to try one of their chocolate bar making workshops.

Although we’ve popped into York Cocoa Works from time to time for a hot chocolate, to pick up a gift or even make a chocolate lolly in the cafe, it was the first time we’d tried one of the many classes on offer. Aimed at chocolate lovers of almost all ages, the session is recommended for anyone aged 5+. We took along our 7 and 9 year-olds to see how it works as a family experience, and we weren’t disappointed.

Led by friendly chocolatier, Josh, in the purpose-built demo kitchen/workshop area, we found out where cocoa comes from and how chocolate is made, before moving onto sampling and creating. We were each given a mixing bowl filled with chunks of our chosen chocolate, and our mission was then to transform it into our own unique bar.

Forget the idea of just microwaving the chocolate for a few minutes and hoping for the best like we do at home; instead we learnt the art of tempering our chocolate like the professionals do. With some guidance, a lot of patience and a hairdryer (yes, really), we all ended up with bowls of beautifully smooth melted chocolate ready to be poured into the moulds, decorated and left to set.

The girls both enjoyed creating something far jollier than they’d find on the shop shelves, from blowing their hairdryers into each other’s faces to sprinkling the toppings and licking the bowl/spoon/their own chocolate-covered faces. They definitely enjoyed eating it, too. York Cocoa Works, 10 Castlegate, York YO1 9RG - Visit yorkcocoahouse.co.uk

Little Vikings eat... at The Balloon Tree

From scouring the menu for something they’ll eat to checking there’s a highchair and then expecting them to sit in it for more than a minute, eating out with children isn’t always the most relaxing of experiences.

YORK DAYS

AT AESTHETICA FILM FESTIVAL

YORK RESIDENTS: SAVE 50%

York Residents Save 50% at on Select Festival dates at York Days. Be part of the most exciting cultural event in the city this year. Access all the screenings and workshops.

INSPIRE YOUR CHILDREN

See Family Friendly animations, engaging dramas and comedies for young people at this year’s Film Festival. Free filmmaking workshops for children.

FAMILY FILMS

Join us this November and bring your family to York’s only film festival, held across the city in 15 venues.

Thankfully there are plenty of family-friendly places to eat in York where things are more likely to be stacked in your favour, and The Balloon Tree, just outside Stamford Bridge, is one of the best. We’ve been many times over the years, for exactly that reason, and we found ourselves there again this summer after a stint of strawberry picking in the PYO fields. It was lunchtime, so it made sense to take a table and see whether it still ticks the family-friendly boxes.

Our kids asked if we could have an outdoor table, which translates as “Can we run around in the play area the entire time, popping back occasionally for a bite of toastie?”. The answer, of course, was yes because that’s the deal here: we get something nice to eat while they enjoy themselves. It was a hot day so we were lucky to get a nice table under a shady tree, and there were other families who looked happy with their covered seating too. There are plenty of tables outside, and lots inside too: the cafe itself is a bright, light and airy place to spend some time whatever the season.

Despite the temptation of the play area - free to use for all cafe customers - we did get the kids to eat something. The children’s menu is small but perfectly formed; in fact, we even had a hand in creating it with the team at The Balloon Tree and you’ll see them proudly displaying the Little Vikings logo. There are small portions of soup, chicken goujons with homemade chips, mini all-day breakfasts and the ever-reliable plain ham or plain cheese sandwiches.

Hungry from fruit picking, our girls went rogue and chose a plain cheese toastie from the adult menu, served with crisps (which they devoured) and a side salad (which they donated to the grown-ups). (N)ever the adventurous eaters, they’ve had a lot of cheese toasties over the years but they declared this one, one of the best.

There was a lot of temptation on the adult menu, from quiche of the day to seasonal salads, but the heat had taken the edge off our appetite, so we just had a scone and some toasted cinnamon fruit loaf and they were lovely. For a genuinely relaxing place to eat and drink with children near York, The Balloon Tree really does hit the spot. No wonder they keep winning Little Vikings Awards - as voted for by our followers - year after year.

The Balloon Tree, Stamford Bridge Rd, Gate Helmsley, York YO41 1NB

www.theballoontree.co.uk/

Deadliest Plants and

Catkin & Co. is a York-based small business that creates nature-based kits and resources for children

Food: Little Vikings bake…

Oreo bats

Here’s another fun Halloween activity with the added bonus of something to eat at the end of it: Halloween bats made from Oreos. All you need is some milk chocolate, a packet of Oreos and some edible googly eyes (available in bigger supermarkets like Tesco and Morrisons). Adjust the measurements according to how many you want to end up with - we used about half a packet of Oreos and half a block of milk chocolate to make five. We tried a couple of ways of coating them with chocolate, and they were both equally messy so just find a way that works for you!

Method

1. Melt the milk chocolate in a bowl according to your microwave’s instructions.

2. For each bat, remove the back from an Oreo and scrape off the cream. Keep one circle as the front of the bat and break the other in half to create two wings.

3. Dip the circle that will become the front of your bat into the chocolate to coat it.

4. Carefully use a little bit of melted chocolate to stick the wings to the back of the bat. Place on a flat surface (we used a chopping board) and add the googly eyes. Allow to set, and then enjoy!

Ingredients

• - 50g milk chocolate, broken into pieces

• - A packet of Oreos (you’ll have some left over at the end)

• - Edible googly eyes

Who

to

Until 6 November 2022

Included in general admission.