Little Vikings Magazine (Issue 1)

York for kids Issue 01

FREE Spring 2014

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Hello... ...and a warm welcome to the first issue of Little Vikings, the new magazine for families living in and visiting York.

We’re on a mission to share the best of familyfriendly York, through the Little Vikings website and now with our magazine.

We’re always out and about with our own little Vikings, testing out things to do, places to eat, classes to try and much more. We hope you’ll be inspired by our pick of the very best things to do with your kids in York and just beyond the city.

little-vikings.co.uk info@little-vikings.co.uk facebook.com/LittleVikingsUK @LittleVikingsUK

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Half Term

Our pick of the best

There’s plenty going on in and around York this May half term for kids, and this is our pick of the best.

Discover the legend of the Nunnington Dragon! Have your face painted like a warrior and practice your sword fighting.

Lots of other fun activities too.

25th and 26th May - Nunnington Hall – 11am to 5pm - admission: adult from £7.50, child from £3.75; National Trust members free; small charge for some activities Hands on Train Fun Get hands on with play areas, workshops and rides. Familyfriendly model railway layouts, bigbrand toys to play with and rides behind a working steam engine too.

23rd May to 1st June – National Railway Museum - 10am to 6pm – Free Set off on a Spring Adventure There’s a green-fingered theme to Stockeld’s spring activities: plant your own pumpkin seed to take away and one for the Park’s pumpkin patch (buy the finished

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veg at Halloween!). CBeebies’ Mr Bloom will make an appearance on May 26th.

24th May to 1st June – Stockeld Park – 10am to 6pm - Prices vary (check the website) Grin and bear it Lots of teddy-themed fun at the Yorkshire Museum, including making your own ceramic teddy bear, bear storytime and teddy bears’ picnics.

24th May to 1st June but check website for times of specific activites - 10am to 5pm - Yorkshire Museum - £7.50 (adult); under 16s and YorkCard holders free

Go off to see the Wizard It’s Wizard of Oz Week for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

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Half Term - Issue: 01

Oh help! Oh no! It’s a Gruffalo Head to Waterstones for Gruffalo weekend, with Gruffalo storytimes and a visit from the hairy one himself.

24th May (storytimes 11am, 1pm, 3pm) and 25th May (12pm, 2pm, 4pm) - Waterstones, York

Coming soon Mini and Junior Fun-Runs at the Race For All Yorkies quickly took the annual Jane Tomlinson Run For All 10k to their hearts and we’re excited that little Vikings can get involved too. The Mini and Junior Series will see thousands of children put on their trainers and get running.

The Mini runners (3-8 year olds) will run 1.5km and must be accompanied by an adult; the Juniors (9-14 year olds) will run 2.5km. The runs use the same finish lines as the main events, so the kids will really feel like they’re part of things. There are medals for everyone, and children of all physical abilities can take part. See you at the finish line.

York Mini Fun Run and York Junior Fun Run – 3rd August 2014 – Knavesmire, York – Mini and Junior Races will start after the main 10km race finishes (it starts at 9.30am) – Free to enter but you need to donate £1 minimum - www.runforall.com

Lovely Lego Play with Lego and watch Lego jelly bricks being made.

Saturday 24th May to Sunday 1st June - York Castle Museum -9.30am to 5pm adults £8.50; under 16s free Go off to see the Wizard It’s Wizard of Oz Week for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Complete the ‘Yellow Brick Trail’ for a chance to win a family voucher. On 30th May, join Dorothy and the others for an adventure train journey from Pickering to Goathland and back.

Saturday 24th May to Monday 2nd June – North Yorkshire Moors Railway – Tickets for the Story Book Train on Friday 30th May from £20.50 (adult), £10.50 (child)

York Maze Re-opens One of our top days out for families, York Maze is an award-winning destination that defies description. Let’s just say that on a warm, dry day there’s no better way to keep your kids happy than a trip to the Maze. There are enough play areas, shows, activities, animals and other things to see and do to keep children of all ages entertained. That does mean it gets busy, though, so don’t go at peak times unless you’re prepared to put up with a few crowds.

York Maze re-opens on 12th July 2014 - York Maze, Elvington Lane, York YO19 5LT - www.yorkmaze.com

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Little Feet Festival York Theatre Royal Little Feet is York’s annual festival of children’s theatre. Running from 10th to 14th June, there are productions and activities for children aged from 6 months to eleven years old. Here’s our pick of what’s on.

Monday’s Child - a simple poetic story of the unique bond between a grandmother and a child. With live music and dance.

Tube - an interactive multi-sensory show for six-month olds to two year-olds. A tactile wonderland will be conjured up from a fabulous variety of tubes.

Yumm! - a dance theatre show that celebrates all that’s messy at meal times, for babies to four-year-olds.

The Energy Show - Methane bubbles are set alight to make fireballs; hydrogen balloons explode, and rockets are fired into the audience. Ideal for budding scientists.

The Little Feet Festival runs from Tuesday 10th to Saturday 14th June and is based at York Theatre Royal venues. Ticket prices and dates vary; check the York Theatre Royal website for full details and to book. www.little-vikings.co.uk LV Issue 01.indd 6

I Believe in Unicorns - a magical, interactive show set in a library filled with books. Bring your own children’s book to become part of the set and swap it for another at the end.

Peter and the Wolf – A timeless tale and a wonderful introduction to music and theatre.

The Elves and the Shoemaker – A classic fairytale loved by all.

Other activities....

Design your own gingerbread star – All day workshop in the Theatre foyer – Every day during the festival - Design your own gingerbread star to take away and eat - £1.50 Den Making – Make a den! – Billiard Room, De Grey House - Saturday 14th June – 10.30am - £3

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On your bike...

6th July sees the Grand Depart of the Tour de France hit York’s streets. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see world-class cyclists on our doorstep.

Get in the mood for this special event with our cycling features. You’ll find ideas for how to get your kids on two wheels and tips for enjoying the day itself.

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Le Grand Départ The lowdown

Stage 2 of the Grand Départ will leave from York on Sunday 6th July, departing from the Knavesmire at 11am; the Caravan will leave earlier at around 9am. The Caravan is a terrific spectacle and a great family attraction.

A procession of elaborate floats and vehicles precedes the racing action - 180 in all distributing 15 million items to fans at the roadside across the 3 weeks of the Tour.

It’s a great way to catch yourself a souvenir of the Tour.

Where to Watch The Tour will start on the Knavesmire, go through the city centre and then leave via Boroughbridge Road. Pick a spot on one of the streets along the route and hope that you’re not as tall as the people in front of you (or take stilts, or get there really early).

If you’re more interested in soaking up the atmosphere than seeing the riders, you could head to one of the official spectator hubs. These are: Monk Stray, York Designer Outlet and the Millenium Bridge/Rowntree Park.

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The hubs – which also double as official campsites – will have lots of things going on, as well as big screens to show the race.

There will also be lots of official and unofficial street parties in York on the day. On 6th July we’re heading to the Bishopthorpe Road annual street party where there will be lots of fantastic things to see, do, eat and drink for all the family. Rowntree Park is a great destination too.

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Cycling - Issue: 01

Bear in Mind It’s a once-in-a–lifetime chance to see world-class cyclists whizzing through the city, but you won’t see anything if you’re stuck in traffic. Bear in mind that…

- An extra 80,000 to 180,000 visitors are expected in York that weekend.

That’s a lot of people needing to find a loo or wanting a sandwich.

- Expect to queue and plan ahead (take snacks and drinks to calm tetchy children).

- Many roads will be closed from 3am on the Sunday until about midday.

- Some car parks will also be closed.

Four other places for an ice cream while you watch

Trinacria Café Bar Delicious Sicilian ice creams in a huge variety of flavours to eat in or take away. Expect to queue if the sun shines, but it’s worth the wait.

27 Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1NA

La Cremeria For some of the best artisan ice creams in York. Grab a cone or cup here and eat it in Dean’s Park (next to the Minster) 20 High Petergate, York YO1 7EH The Ice Cream Boat York’s Ice Cream Boat has become a legend in its own right.

Ice cream! From a boat! It’s been here for a while now and the novelty has not worn off. Really tasty, novel flavours.

Usually moored by the Millenium Bridge

Get involved

Kids can get involved in the run-up to the event by making banners, creating their own flags to wave or even learning a few French words to shout: ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ!

Luxury Ice Cream Company (LICC) With a range of 150 flavours, you’re bound to find something you like. Ice creams, sorbets and lots of other sweet things to tempt.

20 Back Swinegate, York YO1 8AD

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A chat with Lizzie Armitstead With Le Grand Départ coming to York we thought we would catch up with Yorkshire’s very own Olympian, Lizzie Armitstead for a chat about her love of cycling and getting kids on bikes.

Was it love at first cycle, or did it take a while for you to get into it?

I was an active child and loved all sports growing up but not cycling in particular - it wasn’t until I was spotted at the age of 16 when British cycling came to my school as part of a talent ID programme that I started taking cycling seriously.

Who are the cyclists you most look up to and why?

Probably Chris Hoy for being such a nice, down to earth person as well as a phenomenal cyclist of course!

What do you love about cycling round the roads of Yorkshire?

I think it’s the best place in the world to cycle - great routes, scenery and some good hills to train on! Plus of course excellent cafés for those coffee and cake stops!

When did you first learn to ride a bike?

When I was kid - my parents taught me when I was young! My first bike was pink with ribbons!

Did you have a favourite bike as a child and, if so, why did you like it so much?

Yes it was my brother’s old mountain bike and I loved it because it was his! www.little-vikings.co.uk LV Issue 01.indd 10

Do you have any favourite places in Yorkshire to cycle that little Vikings might enjoy?

I love the Wharfe Valley to Kettlewell and back.

What would you be if you weren’t a professional cyclist?

If it was another sport I’d like to be downhill skier, and if not sport then I really don’t know!

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Cycling - Issue: 01

York is opening up a velodrome soon which may be a good way of getting young cyclists out on their bike and to help them gain confidence in a traffic-free environment. Do you prefer track or road, and why?

I like both but prefer road cycling because of the freedom it gives me - being outside every day and I can take a different road for each training ride if I want!

Do you have any words of advice to little Vikings who are aspiring to be the future Lizzie or Bradley?

Just to enjoy your sport and your cycling that’s what it is all about - also to join a local cycling club.

Congratulations on your Commonwealth and Olympic Silvers, are you going for gold in Glasgow and Rio? Thank you, and yes I really hope to go one better and bring home those golds from Glasgow and Rio.

We think it’s amazing that Le Tour is coming to York. What do you see as the legacy from the Grand Depart that will inspire the next generation of little Vikings to take up cycling?

I hope that the legacy from the Grand Départ is that it will encourage as many people as possible to take up cycling. I hope people will understand the sport of cycling a little better and enjoy all of the excitement around such a big event - and then be encouraged to try it themselves! Maybe even to go on and take part in a Tour de France or Olympics one day...

Finally, top safety tip for kids cycling?

Always wear a helmet - it might save your life one day!

Keep your eye out for Lizzie in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

We wish her the very best of Yorkshire luck!

More about Le Tour For the most up-to-date information on all the familyfriendly events going on in York for the Grand Départ, visit the Little Vikings website.

While you’re there, check out our favourite daytrips, places to eat and drink, insider info and more. www.little-vikings.co.uk 9 LV Issue 01.indd 11

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Get Your Kids into Cycling in York

What better way to inspire little Vikings to get into the saddle than the sight of world-class cyclists whizzing through York’s streets this summer? If you’ve got a little one who’s desperate to graduate from scooter to bike, here are some tips to help make the switch to two wheels.

Get the gear: Before you start, invest in a good quality helmet and make sure it fits properly (buy from a cycling shop for good advice). The sooner they get used to wearing it, the better. Gloves are a good idea, too, to protect their hands when/if they fall.

Heaven, Giant and CycleStreet. Or children between the ages of five and twelve can borrow a bike for free for three months from the York Bike Bank at York Sport Village (call 01904 325751 for more details).

Ditch the stabilisers: Controversial, but if your child has been using a balance bike for a while, they aren’t likely to need stabilisers. In fact they’ll probably pick up the basics in an afternoon. Bike newbies on the other hand might like the comfort of stabilisers.

Keep it secure: Bike theft is a sad fact of life, so to avoid heartbreak, invest in a decent lock or two to keep it locked up.

Operation Spoke, an initiative of Safer York aims to property-mark a large proportion of bikes in York to reduce crime. The bike will get a small marking that will link to your details, making it easier to reunite you. See www.saferyork.org. uk/operation-spoke for more info.

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Buy – or borrow – a bike: If you decide to buy, York’s blessed with a lot of excellent bike shops including Cycle www.little-vikings.co.uk LV Issue 01.indd 12

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Food York is full of great places to eat and drink with the family, from little independent cafes to fine dining and all the chain eateries you’d expect.

Every issue we’ll bring you a review of our experience eating out with our kids somewhere in York, and we’re kicking off new kid on the block Your Bike Shed. We’ll also bring you a recipe that you can make with your little Vikings - the perfect rainy day activity - and first off the block is jammy flapjacks.

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Food - Issue: 01

Little Vikings Eat Out Breakfast at Your Bike Shed With the Tour de France coming our way, we decided to kick off our monthly restaurant reviews with a trip to York’s first cycling café for breakfast.

We headed out with our children (aged just under two and four) in tandem to see if Your Bike Shed would pass the Little Vikings’ family-friendly test.

The concept Is Your Bike Shed a café with a bicycle repair workshop attached to it, or a bicycle repair shop that just happens to serve delicious food and drink?

We’re not sure. It’s certainly a multi-tasker: you can get your bike fixed or serviced while enjoying lunch or a coffee. But you don’t have to be on two wheels to feel at home; there’s no cliquey atmosphere here, and certainly no sense that two wheels are better than – in the case of our buggy - four.

The lowdown Your Bike Shed is open pretty much all day, every day, serving breakfast, lunch, light and substantial snacks and an array of cakes. There’s no dedicated kids’ menu but there’s plenty that would appeal to even the fussiest toddler (at least, jacket potatoes are rarely rejected by our two). There’s a good selection of hot and cold drinks, including kid-friendly smoothies. It’s worth having a sneaky peak at the fantastic basement area that you can hire out, too.

Why it’s family-friendly A bike café might not seem the most obvious place for families to congregate, but Your Bike Shed makes it easy for those of us with children and/or bikes in tow. There’s highchairs, background music (great for drowning out complaints from the kids or cries for another chocolate brownie), baby changing, lots of space for buggies and really friendly staff who seem to like having children around.

The verdict We were really impressed by Your Bike Shed and found it a very easy place to eat out with the kids. There was plenty of choice of lovely things to eat and drink (we enjoyed tasty pastries and delicious hot drinks), a relaxed atmosphere and loads of interesting bike-related stuff for the children to look at (and ask a million questions about). Now we’ve done breakfast, we’re planning to go back for lunch.

Your Bike Shed, 148 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX. Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm Sunday. www.little-vikings.co.uk LV Issue 01.indd 14

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Four other places for breakfast with kids in York The Star Inn the City Lendal Engine House, Museum Street, York YO1 7DR Kids have a whole breakfast menu of their own to choose from at York’s newest destination restaurant. Yorkshire fry-ups, waffles and pancakes all feature, as do some quite spectacular milkshakes. For a smart place, it’s surprisingly relaxing with kids in tow.

Promise them a run around the Museum Gardens afterwards if they behave.

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With outstanding Performing Arts tuition, your very own movie screened at the cinema, free Trinity exams and our West End show - what are you waiting for?

PQA York is enrolling now. Find us at Huntington School, Huntington Road, Huntington, York YO32 9WT Academies run on Saturdays from 9.45am until 1pm To enrol your child and for further information please visit www.pqacademy.com or call us now on 084567 32022 or email james@pqacademy.com

The Pig & Pastry 35 Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1NA Bishy Road’s Pig & Pastry is a good destination for breakfast if you manage to bag yourself a table (and find a space for your buggy). The boiled eggs and soldiers are heavenly, and the pastries are worth getting up early for too. A basket of books and toys will keep little ones amused.

Brew & Brownie 5 Museum Street, York YO1 7DT Another relative newbie to the York café scene, the Brew & Brownie offers a warm welcome to families and serves a delicious breakfast. Choose from tasty pastries, porridge with various toppings, American pancakes, doorstop bacon sandwiches and more.

Me & Mrs Fisher 18 Lord Mayors Walk, York YO31 7HA It’s worth squeezing your brood into this lovely café so you can enjoy scrambled eggs, creamy porridge, homemade waffles or even just tea and toast in a lovely atmosphere. They also do workshops and can host children’s parties.

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Little Vikings Cook Jammy Flapjacks

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Whether you’re refuelling after a bike ride or just want something tasty to keep the family going until teatime, these jammy flapjacks hit the spot.

Our little Vikings like to ‘help’ by stirring – and eating - the mixture before it goes in the tin.

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Ingredients

Method

175g/6oz soft butter

• Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350/4. Grease a 22cm x 22cm tin with butter.

175g/6oz soft brown sugar 3 drops vanilla extract 200g/7oz self-raising flour Pinch baking powder 175g/6oz oats ½ jar of jam of your choosing

• Tip the butter and sugar into a bowl. Beat them together vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mix is white and creamy. Or save your arms and use a food mixer if you have one.

• Sift in the flour and baking powder. Add the vanilla extract and oats. Mix well.

• Tip half the mix into the tin, spreading evenly. Press it firmly down, using your hand so it covers the base completely and fills the corners. Spread a layer of jam over the base.

• Sprinkle the remaining oat mix evenly over the jam so it’s absolutely covered.

• Bake for 20 minutes until just golden. Start to check after 10 to15 minutes, and take them out early if you need to. Remove the tin and sit it on a cooling rack.

• After 10 minutes cooling, take a sharp knife and mark the flapjack into squares. Leave to cool completely before removing from the tin (we use a knife and spatula).

Recipe © Sam Stern. Sam Stern is a York cook and author of six bestselling cookbooks.

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Rainbows Ceramics Painting Studio, 15/17 Bootham, York YO30 7BW. (You can find us on the corner of Bootham & Gillygate).

Tel: 01904 675533 E-mail: paint@rainbowsceramics.co.uk www.rainbowsceramics.co.uk OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon - Sat 10am - 5.30pm. Sun 11am to 5pm.

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Fun Rib-tickling jokes, puzzles and something to make. Grab some pens or pencils and get stuck in...

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Fun - Issue: 01

Games and Puzzles Fun stuff for little Vikings Word Search See if you can find VIKINGS YORK CYCLING BIKE WHEELS BELL PARK JERSEY

What do you call an elephant in a small car?

Stuck!

How do you make a sausage roll?

Push it down a hill!

Why did the banana go to the doctors?

He wasn’t peeling well!

What did one wall say to the other wall?

Meet you at the corner

Where do cows go on their holidays?

Moo York!

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Spot the difference Spot the eight differences between these two pictures of York, and then colour them in. You can find the solutions at www.little-vikings.co.uk.

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Fun - Issue: 01

How to Make Shadow Puppets Shadow puppets are magical for kids. Older children love to make and play with them. They are also hugely appealing to babies who are captivated by the strong colours and bold contrast.

STEP 1.

SHAPE

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Take a piece of card and start tearing it into a shape. Black card works best but you can also use the side of a cereal packet.

Rather than think of an animal or an object to make, we like to start by tearing the card into a random shape. The more interesting the shape, with irregular curves, bumps and holes, the better. Hold the card up and think what the shape reminds you of.

Once you’ve decided what your shape is going to be - a dragon, an animal, a ship, whatever you can imagine - then tear off more little bits to bring it closer to how you want it.

STEP 2. ADD SOME COLOURS The next stage is to put some colour onto it.

You can buy see-through coloured plastic but we like to use the coloured wrappers from chocolates!

Now the fun begins - cut or tear holes, stripes, eyes, spots into your shape. Then sellotape your coloured plastic over the holes. Get creative with the colours - it doesn’t have to be accurate - the brighter the better!

Don’t worry about how it looks - remember that only the silhouette and the colours will be visible on the screen.

STEP 3. ADD YOUR STICK Once you’ve coloured your puppet it’s time to add your stick. Simply sellotape a lolly stick or drinking straw to the back of the puppet.

STEP 4. MAKE A THEATRE You could build a permanent shadow puppet theatre by cutting a window out of the side of a cardboard box and taping baking paper over hole. But a faster and simpler way is to hang a white sheet over two chairs. Then simply shine a lamp through it and voila! A shadow puppet theatre in your own home!

Have fun creating your own stories, adventures and plays with your puppets. Let your imagination run wild!

© Gemma - Hoglets. Gemma is the founder of Hoglets: Theatre Fun For Little Folks. Hoglets runs weekly drama and storytelling classes in York for babies and toddlers from 0-4 years.

See www.hoglets.org.uk for more info.

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Guide Wondering what to do with the kids today?

Whether you’re in the mood for a film, museum, swim, adventure playground or kickabout in the park, this is our indispensable guide to the best of family-friendly York. And if you fancy heading out on the train or in the car, we’ve featured some of our favourite days out too.

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Star Attractions - Issue: 01

The Guide: Places to go, things to do Star attractions Jorvik

Ride through a reconstructed Viking village and meet ‘real’ Vikings.

JORVIK Viking Centre, Coppergate, York, YO1 9WT

DIG

Fantastic hands-on archaeological fun for budding Indiana Joneses.

DIG, St Saviour’s Church, St Saviourgate, York, YO1 8NN

York Minster

The city’s most famous landmark. Kids can borrow an Explorer Backpack to make their visit even more fun.

York Minster, Deangate, York YO1 7HH

The National Railway Museum

Lots of train-related fun for families, all for free.

NRM, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ

The Yorkshire Museum

Dinosaurs, fossils, intriguing Roman artefacts and much more. Plenty of hands-on activities for children.

Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens, YO1 7FR

City Walls

Almost 3.5km of medieval walls with fantastic views, all for free. Not a great option for buggies or wobbly toddlers.

Cliffords Tower An iconic landmark with picture-perfect views of the city. Tons of steps, so not one for buggies.

Cliffords Tower, Tower St York, North Yorkshire YO1 9SA

And if it rains...

We’ve got lots of ideas for things to do with kids in and around York if the weather turns ‘northern’. From swimming to the cinema, bowling to museums, there’s plenty of inspiration in the Rainy Day area of the Little Vikings website. www.little-vikings.co.uk

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Chocolate

York Castle Museum

York’s Chocolate Story Join a tour to learn about the history of chocolate then make your own chocolate treat to take home.

York’s Chocolate Story, King’s Square, York YO1 7LD

Visit York Castle Museum and you’ll find yourself immersed in Victorian and Edwardian everyday life and much more besides, including plenty from the darker side. From mediaeval castles to 18th century jails to more recent history in the Sixties area, it’s all here.

But the jewel in the Museum’s crown is Kirkgate, the recreated Victorian street.

It’s just expanded, too, so it’s bigger and better than ever. The brand new Toy Stories exhibition, featuring toys old and new, is brilliant for visitors of all ages.

York Cocoa House Enchanting café, shop and chocolate school.

Regular workshops for children and adults.

York Cocoa House, 3 Blake Street, York YO1 8QJ

We say – This is a fab museum with plenty to interest the whole family.

It’s not a gory destination in itself, but lovers of Horrible Histories will enjoy the jail area. The Victorian Street is world-famous for a reason: it’s magical. Younger visitors will enjoy the Toy Stories exhibition.

Goddards Former house of York chocolate-making family, the Terrys, now owned by the National Trust.

Lovely gardens.

Goddards, 27 Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1GG

Gory York

Good to know – Buggies aren’t permitted in the museum because of access restrictions, but you can leave your buggy in reception and borrow a baby carrier free of charge. To cheer up a grumpy child, treat them to a sugar mouse from the Victorian sweet shop (just don’t blame us for the sugar rush!). It’s a museum of two halves so don’t forget to pass through the gift shop to pick up the second half of the experience. YorkCard holders and under 16s go free. Free weekly classes for babies and pre-schoolers.

York Castle Museum, Eye of York YO1 9RY

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York Dungeon A tour of gory York, brought to life with sounds, smells and actors, for brave little Vikings (10+).

The York Dungeon, 12 Clifford Street, York YO1 9RD Barley Hall Restored medieval house that hosts the Horrible Histories exhibition. Other hands-on stuff for kids too.

Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, York YO1 8AR Micklegate Bar Museum Tiny but perfectly formed museum that brings the gory history of the building to life.

Micklegate Bar Museum, Micklegate, York YO1 6JX

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Star Attractions - Issue: 01 Joseph Rowntree Theatre This community theatre opened early last century and is still going strong. The ever-changing programme has a strong family-friendly slant.

Joseph Rowntree Theatre, Haxby Road, York YO31 8TA

Cinemas and Theatres City Screen Picturehouse Kids’ Club, Toddler Time and the Big Scream screenings are weekly favourites for children at this fab riverside arthouse cinema. Good cafe.

City Screen, 13-17 Coney Street, York YO1 9QL

York Barbican Former leisure centre-turned-arts-venue that plays host to touring artists and family shows.

York Barbican Centre, Paragon Street, York YO10 4NT

Vue A 12-screen out-of-town cinema complex with lots of free parking.

Vue York, Clifton Moor Centre, Stirling Road, York YO30 4XY

Parks and Open Spaces Museum Gardens This ten-acre botanical garden plays host to the Yorkshire Museum. Its riverside location and stunning medieval ruins make it a special place.

Museum Gardens, York YO1 7FR Rowntree Park A beautiful place with lots going on. Two wellequipped play areas, a small lake with ducks and geese, tennis courts, a skate park, a basketball court and gardens. And a great café.

Rowntree Park, Terry Avenue, York YO23 1JQ

Reel Fairly small, no-frills cinema often showing a good selection of family films.

Reel Cinema York, Odeon Buildings, Blossom Street, York YO24 1AJ

Homestead Park Beautiful gardens, grassy areas for ball games, well stocked play areas and a pond. Lots of benches for picnics.

The Homestead Park, 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP

York Theatre Royal The city’s oldest theatre. Lots of family shows and a world-famous panto. Classes for kids and a very popular youth theatre.

York Theatre Royal, St Leonard’s Place, York YO1 7HD Grand Opera House A theatre specialising in touring shows, including family favourites like Peppa Pig and the Gruffalo.

Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW

Askham Bog Woodlands, meadows and flocks of birds just outside the city. A good option for a short, buggyfriendly walk thanks to the boarded path.

Just off the A1036, York YO23 2UB The Knavesmire Home to the racecourse, but also an ideal open space for running off steam, kite-flying or kicking a ball about.

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learner pool, football pitches and gym. There’s a café too, and plenty of swimming lessons.

York Sport Village, Lakeside Way, York YO10 5FG

Adventure Playgrounds and Soft Play

Yearsley Step back in time at this 50 yard Edwardian swimming pool, with poolside changing cubicles.

No-frills: don’t expect wave machines or slides!

Yearsley Pool, Haley’s Terrace, York YO31 8SB

Creepy Crawlies/The Web Adventure Park Almost 2 acres of indoor and outdoor activity for children of all ages.

The Web Adventure Park, Wiggington Road, York YO32 2RH Piglets Adventure Farm Park Lots of farm-based outdoor fun, open seasonally.

Slides and ropes, crazy golf, go-carts, barrel rides, farm animals and much more.

Piglets Adventure Farm Park, The Farmer’s Cart, Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York YO32 9ST York Maze Exceptional seasonal attraction. Tractor rides, crazy golf, slides, bouncy pillows, sandpits, wellstocked play areas for little and large children, animals to meet and more.

York Maze, Elvington Lane, York YO19 5LT Wacky Warehouse A fairly small but self-contained soft play centre based just outside York, next to the Flying Legends pub.

Flying Legends, Clifton Moor Retail Park, York YO30 4XY

Sport and Leisure Energise As well as a 25m pool, there’s a gym, crèche, climbing wall, dance studio and outdoor pitches.

Swimming lessons, birthday parties and classes and courses for kids.

Energise, Cornlands Road, York YO24 3DX York Sport This new £9m facility has a 25m pool, 18m

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Waterworld Three water slides, a wave pool and toddler fun pool as well as a small lane swimming pool. Not open every day so check before you travel.

Waterworld, Kathryn Avenue, Monks Cross, Huntington, York YO32 9JS Tenpin Out-of-town bowling alley with plenty of lanes and a fun atmosphere. Pool tables, arcade games and a small café.

Tenpin, Stirling Road, Clifton Moor Centre, York YO30 4WZ

Beyond the Walls Beningbrough Hall Fab National Trust destination for families with great gardens and adventure playground.

Beningbrough Hall, Beningbrough, York YO30 1DD

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Star Attractions - Issue: 01 Nunnington Hall An attractive National Trust manor house 45 minutes from York. Gorgeous gardens but no playground. Giant garden chess and peacocks, and regular events for families.

Nunnington Hall, Nunnington, Near York, YO62 5UY

Stockeld Park A fantastic seasonal attraction with lots to do.

Activities vary but can include nordic skiing and ice skating. The Enchanted Forest is truly enchanting.

Stockeld Park, Wetherby, LS22 4AW

Harewood House Stunning stately home near Leeds with a fantastic adventure playground and bird garden with flamingos, penguins and much more.

Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG Newby Hall A favourite day out for York families because of the impressive adventure playground, miniature railway and magical gardens.

Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 5AE

Tropical World It’s home to the largest collection of tropical plants outside Kew, but kids love the snakes, butterflies, birds, meerkats and other beasts at this Leeds Council-run attraction.

Tropical World, Princes Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 1DF Helmsley Castle The ruins of this ancient monument are a great excuse to visit the pretty market town of Helmsley.

Helmsley Castle, Castlegate, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5AB The Deep Fishy family fun in Hull, with no fewer than 6,500 fish to ogle. And that’s before we mention the penguins.

The Deep Aquarium, Tower St, Hull HU1 4DP Royal Armouries Museum Huge collection of all things armour-related, with loads of hands-on stuff for kids.

Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LT

Castle Howard A beautiful grand house and gardens in the Howardian Hills. Walks in the woods, great adventure playground and regular kids’ holiday activities.

Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA

York Maze This exceptional seasonal attraction is more than a maze. Tractor rides, crazy golf, slides, bouncy pillows, sandpits, well-stocked play areas for little and large children, animals to meet and more.

York Maze, Elvington Lane, York YO19 5LT

Lightwater Valley Theme park that caters for little and large thrillseekers (13 rides for children under 1m, 26 rides for taller vikings).

Lightwater Valley, North Stainley, Ripon HG4 3HT

Yorkshire Sculpture Park A stunning open air gallery; world-class sculpture set in gardens and woodland. Perfect outdoor day out when the sun shines.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield WF4 4LG

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Small ads

York businesses for kids and parents ACUPUNCTURE & ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

My Still Point Reiki Treatments, Reiki Courses & Guided Visualisations Deeply Relaxing & Nurturing Treatments for mums & babies www.mystillpoint.co.uk

Advertise here If you’d like the parents and kids who live in and visit York to know about your business, advertise in Little Vikings. Get in touch:

info@little-vikings.co.uk

ACTIVE

Tennis Tots York The UK’s leading tennis play and coaching programme for 2-6 year olds www.tennis-tots/York Tumble Tots York & Riccall An Active Physical Play Programme From 6 months to 7 years www.tumbletots.com/york Toddler Sense York Adventure play classes for toddlers 13 months to 3 years Launching 23 June www.babysensory.com/en/ ToddlerClassDetails/york

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ARTS, CRAFTS & CERAMICS ARTventurers York Colourful classes, parties and events for toddlers and children of all ages in York and surrounding areas Enjoy creating wonderful masterpieces while we take care of the mess! www.artventurers.co.uk The Creation Station Award Winning Arts & Crafts Weekly Sessions & Arty Parties for 0-11 Year Olds! www.thecreationstation.co.uk

RUGBYTOTS! The UK’s 1st rugby specific play programme.

Classes throughout York. www.rugbytots.co.uk

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York Traditional Acupuncture For pain relief, stress management, IBS, Women’s health and pregnancy care Tel: 07788 633 292 www.yorktraditionalacupuncture.co.uk

Paint a Plate Mobile paint your own ceramics.

Hand and feet prints, kids’ parties and commissioned ceramics. www.paintaplateyork.co.uk

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Small ads- Issue: 01

LANGUAGE & SIGNING

Rainbows Ceramics Painting Studio Creative, pottery painting fun for all ages.

Open 7 days a week in the centre of York. www.rainbowsceramics.co.uk

York Petits Amis & York Little Amigos French and Spanish classes for children aged 2-11 years You’ll be amazed how quickly children can learn! www.yorkamis-amigos.co.uk/

BIRTHDAY PARTIES The Magic Hatter - Children’s Entertainer Over 120 5* reviews in York & Selby! www.facebook.com/magichatter www.magichatter.co.uk

Sing and Sign York Multi-award winning baby sign language classes For children from 2 months up www.singandsign.com

DANCE & DRAMA

The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts The new generation of Performing Arts Training for 4-18 years Saturdays at Huntington School, York www.pqacademy.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Nik Pickard Photography Stunning, Innovative Family Portraits In your home or location of your choice www.nikphoto.com 07762 240375

Hoglets: Drama and Storytelling classes For babies and toddlers 0-4 years.

Venues across York www.hoglets.org.uk

Little Shoots Photography Natural photographs capturing the spirit of childhood. www.little-shoots.co.uk www.facebook.com/ littleshoots

Pirouette Dance Academy Dance classes for all ages and levels Classes running in York, Dunnington and Tockwith www.pirouette-dance-academy.com

PREGNANCY & BABY YOGA

En Pointe Classical Dance School The most professional balletonly school in York Classes for all ages and abilities www.enpointeyork.co.uk

Flutterbabies Baby Yoga Fun classes for you and your baby York Yoga Studio, Acomb – must book www.flutterbabies.co.uk

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Viking Voice YorkSport Swimming Lessons Here’s your opportunity to write a review of what you’ve been up to. This issue we hear from Joe North, age 7, from Melbourne, York, about swimming lessons at YorkSport “I do swimming lessons at York Sport Village. I like my swimming lessons because the teachers make up fun games using ducks and fish. At the end of the lesson we jump in from the side of the pool. I am much better at swimming than when I started.”

Want to be the next Viking Voice? Tell us what you enjoy doing in York. Email us at info@little-vikings.co.uk

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Bye... ...and thanks for reading. We hope you’ve enjoyed our first issue and that you’re inspired to try out some of the things you’ve read about here.

We’ll be back with our all-singing all-dancing second issue just before the start of the summer holidays with lots of ideas to help you fill the sunny - we hope - weeks ahead.

little-vikings.co.uk

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