Little Vikings Magazine (Issue 15)

York for kids Issue 15

FREE Autumn 2016

The Best of York for Kids this Season

© National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel. Registered Charity Number 205846.

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• Nunnington Hall • Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens Are you brave enough for the ghostly goings on this half-term?

spooky days out

Members and under 5s go free.

01439 748283 (Nunnington) 01904 472027 (Beningbrough) nationaltrust.org.uk/nunnington or /beningbrough

5 £

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alloween at © National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel. Registered Charity Number 205846.

Sun 30th & Mon 31st October 2016 5pm to 7:30pm £5 per person

(includes goodie bag for each child!)

There’s something strange going on at Barley Hall this Halloween and we need intrepid visitors to help us solve some ghostly mysteries!

A perfect Halloween event for the little ones, expect thrills and chills but no nightmares!

Suitable for 5 to 12 year olds.

Are you up to the challenge?

Book today at

barleyhall.co.uk/halloween #HauntedHall

gh) Barley Hall is owned by York Archaeological Trust, a registered Charity in England & Wales (No. 509060) and Scotland (No. SCO42846)

Kids Go

FREE

in 2016 *

SPOOKTACULAR FUN! this Half Term at York Museums Trust

22 – 30 OCTOBER 2016

Yorkshire Museum BLOODY BATTLES

Join us as we look at the Bloody Battles of 1066 that led to the Battle of Hastings.

York Castle Museum TERRIFYING TALES

Are you sitting comfortably? Then we will begin… Listen to spooky stories and find out what is lurking in the museum galleries.

York Art Gallery

MYSTERIOUS SHADOWS

What’s hiding in the shadows? Use transparent materials to make shadow puppets and window pictures.

For more information about our forthcoming events, please visit

www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk 21538 YMT October Half Term 2016 Little Vikings Ad.indd 1

*Kids go FREE – Children 16 and under go free with a paying adult; maximum 4 children per adult.

Information correct at time of print.

09/09/2016 09:24

Autumn adventures

The kids are back at school so it’s time for a breather, right?

Wrong! October half term will be upon us before we know it, with lots of lovely autumn days to fill.

We’ve got loads of ideas for the best ways to celebrate Halloween and the best places to see fireworks, as well as some great autumn activities going on in and around York.

Dig out your woollies and wellies and enjoy! And don’t forget to check out our NEW website for lots of inspiration.

Contents • Autumn Adventures

• Little Vikings Eat

• Halloween Fun

• Little Vikings Cook

• Fireworks

• Date Night Dinner

• Chocolate Week

• Grand Day Out

October half term fun

Spooky stuff this October The best displays in and around York Where to celebrate

• News

Have you heard the latest?

• Little Vikings Awards 2017 Nominate now!

• Class Acts

Double Dutch Pancake House Milk roll hedgehogs Skosh

Cannon Hall Farm

• Little Vikings Loves Holgate Windmill

• Viking Voice

Goddards House & Gardens

Great classes for kids @LittleVikingsUK

little-vikings.co.uk

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Since our last issue....

• Little Vikings has been shortlisted in the prestigious O2 Media Awards for the second year running.The ceremony’s in October so we’ll keep you posted. Wish us luck!

• We’ve launched the BRAND NEW LITTLE VIKINGS WEBSITE! We’re quite excited about it – do check it out for ideas and inspiration (little-vikings.co.uk) • We’ve also launched the Little Vikings Awards 2017, the only awards scheme that rewards the best of York for kids.

• We’ve been preparing some fun activities for our kids’ activity area at the York Food and Drink Festival. Come and see us!

We’re there the mornings of Sept 24th/25th and Oct 1/2.

This magazine is published by Little Vikings, c/o 31 St Saviourgate, York YO1 8NQ. Little Vikings was founded and is run by a York family. It’s published 6 times a year and is read by over 30,000 readers. It’s also available to read online for free.

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@LittleVikingsUK

Autumn adventures

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pooky fun at Beningbrough Hall

A week of Hallowe’en fun at Beningbrough Hall involves spooky trails, storytelling and fancy dress.

Autumn’s a great time to visit – take a bracing walk, enjoy one of the many trails or hunt for shiny conkers.

It’s what autumns are made for and a great chance to tick off some of the ’50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ play list.

Beningbrough Hall, YO30 1DD – 22nd to 30th October (closed Monday) – 10.30am to 5pm

little-vikings.co.uk

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nimals of the Night at Harlow Carr Gardens

Nocturnal creatures are the order of the day at Harlow Carr Gardens near Harrogate this half term, from bats and badgers to hedgehogs and owls.

See pygmy hedgehogs up close, enjoy a wildlife trail or book a place on the holiday club and make your own pumpkin seed hedgehog. Enjoy a hot drink from the Bettys kiosk too.

Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate HG3 1QB - 22nd to 30th October – 9.30am to 6pm - rhs.org. uk/gardens/harlow-carr

Autumn Adventures - Issue: 15

Pumpkins, witches, wizards, nocturnal creatures and more...It’s all happening in and around York this autumn, and this is our pick of the best.

FREE Kids Go

in 2016 *

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21538 YMT October Half

umpkins galore at York Maze

loody Battles of 1066 at The Yorkshire Museum

Term 2016 Little Vikings

Ad.indd 1

09/09/2016 09:24

As the museum focuses on the battles and events in York that led up to the Battle of Hastings, create your own ‘tapestry’ on paper. Use a variety of art materials from charcoal to collage techniques to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Fulford and the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

Museum Gardens, York, YO1 7FR - Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th October 2016 - 11am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm - yorkshiremuseum.org.uk

There’s a lovely atmosphere at York Maze’s daytime Halloween experience. Embark on a haunted maze treasure hunt, just one of over 20 attractions, rides and shows.

Children even get a free pumpkin!

Elvington Lane, York YO19 5LT - 22nd October to 30th October – 10am to 5pm - yorkmazehalloween. co.uk

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ree pumpkins at Piglets Pumpkin Festival

Take your pick from 10,000 pumpkins in the epic pumpkin patch, enter the Creepy Cottage, listen to spooky stories and enjoy magic shows on selected dates (every day over half term). That’s as well as the usual Piglets active, outdoor fun.

Piglets Adventure Farm Park, YO32 9ST - Every weekend in October and every day from 22nd to 30th October, 10am to 5.30pm pigletsadventurefarm.co.uk

WIN A FAMILY PASS TO THE YORK DUNGEON!

The spotlight’s on the wicked women of history at The York Dungeon this Halloween. Discover their dastardly stories as you travel through 1000 years of York’s murky past. It’s a horribly entertaining place to visit, and we’ve teamed up with The York Dungeon to give you the chance to see it for yourselves (just don’t blame us for the bad dreams…)

We’ve got a family pass to York Dungeon to give away! To win an unforgettable trip to the nastiest, grimmest and funniest attraction in York, visit the competitions page of the new Little Vikings website (little-vikings.co.uk/competitions). You can also tweet us with the words ‘York Dungeon competition’ (we’re @littlevikingsuk). Good luck! PS. York Dungeon is suitable for kids aged 10+, so take brave bigger vikings only please!

little-vikings.co.uk

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W E F 3 to a w

WIN CHRISTMAS TICKETS Enter the Frightful Fancy Dress at 3pm every day to be in with a chance of FREE winning!

PUMPKIN FOR EVERY CHILD 10am–5.30pm 1st & 2nd, 8th & 9th, 15th & 16th October & every day from 22nd – 30th October

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

CREEPY COTTAGE / WIZARDRY MAGIC / PUMPKIN CARVING / TRICK-OR-TREAT TALES / MYSTERIOUS MAIZE MAZE / 10,000 PUMPKINS TO CHOOSE FROM / SPOOKY TRAILER RIDE TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH / PUMPKIN SLINGSHOT / CORN CANNON & MORE Piglets Adventure Farm, Nr York YO32 9ST Tel 01904 499183 pigletsadventurefarm.com

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Howlingly good Halloween Fun Don your witch or wizard hat and enjoy some Halloween fun at one of these great places Haunted happenings at Nunnington Hall

Head to Nunnington Hall and embark on a ghoulish ghost tour through the house where the gruesome guides are dying to meet you. On Sunday 30th October, dress in your spookiest outfit to scare the judges at the Hex Factor parade.

Nunnington, near York, North Yorkshire, YO62 5UY - Tuesday 25th to Sunday 30th October - 11am to 5pm - nationaltrust.org. uk/nunnington

Superstitious tales and spooky stories at York Castle Museum

Enjoy Halloween themed stories and activities throughout the day, from poems and stories suitable for the very young to chilling tales for older children. You can also discover the superstitions behind some of the objects in the museum’s collection and make a witch ball to take home!

Activities free; just drop in. Museum admission applies.

York Castle Museum - Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th October 2016 - 11am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

little-vikings.co.uk

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Halloween Fun - Issue: 15

Halloween Adventure at Stockeld Park

Take a trip by Nordic ski through the Enchanted Forest, get lost in the magical maze, skate on the ice rink and warm up with a hot chocolate afterwards. There’ll be special events too, like Wizard Mal’s Magic Show (extra charge; book in advance) and Reptile Rangers with their creepy creatures (no extra charge).

Stockeld Park, Wetherby, LS22 4AN - 19th to 31st October 2016 – 10.30 am to 8.30pm stockeldpark.co.uk

Halloween at Barley Hall

There’s something strange going on at Barley Hall this Halloween. Residents who lived and worked at the Hall over 500 years ago have been seen skulking round the rooms and passageways, causing all sorts of mischief and mayhem, and you can help solve some ghostly mysteries. A perfect Halloween event for little ones (it’s recommended for 5 to 12 year olds), there’ll be thrills and chills but no nightmares!

Admission is £5 per person and includes hot chocolate for all and a gift bag for each child. Tours start every 30 minutes. Book online at www.barleyhall. co.uk/halloween or call 01904 615505. This is a fundraising event for York Archaeological Trust.

Barley Hall, York - Sunday 30th October to Monday 31st October 2016 - 5pm to 7.30pm - £5 per person – barleyhall.co.uk

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@LittleVikingsUK

Halloween at Little Diggers

Join a spooky Halloween session for 2 to 5 year olds at DIG! There’ll be creepy crafts, eerie activities and prizes for the scariest costumes.

DIG, St Saviour’s Church, St Saviourgate, York, YO1 8NN Saturday 29th October – 10am to 11am - £3.50 per child – book at digyork.com/ littlediggers or call 01904 615505

Spooky Shadows and Layers of Light at York Art Gallery

Use transparent materials to make shadow puppets and window pictures to take away.

Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th October 2016 - 11am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm – yorkartgallery.org.uk

WIN A FAMILY DAY PASS TO NUNNINGTON HALL!

The ghosts have been stirring and the something strange is afoot at Nunnington Hall this Hallowe’en. Peculiar noises and creaking floorboards have been heard throughout the house, but are you brave enough to follow the terrifying trail to discover what’s been going on? We bet you are, and we’ll help you on your way with the chance to win a family day pass to Nunnington Hall! To enter, just visit the competitions page of the new Little Vikings website (little-vikings. co.uk/competitions). Good luck! little-vikings.co.uk

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@LittleVikingsUK

Fizz! Bang! Whizz!

Where to see fireworks in and around York this year The less said about York’s connection to that dubious gunpowder plotter, Guy Fawkes, the better. Let’s just be grateful he gave us all a good reason to get together with friends and family on a crisp November evening, warm up by a bonfire and watch a spectacular firework display. Here’s our pick of the best places to see fireworks this autumn. little-vikings.co.uk

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Fireworks - Issue: 15

Kaboom! At Castle Howard

This award-winning annual firework display is great for families, and if it’s a spectacular setting you’re after, Castle Howard’s hard to beat. There’s a Sparkler Park for young ones, sci-fi themed fireworks, movie screenings including Monsters Inc, fairground rides, fire jugglers, live music, hot food and lots more.

Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA - Saturday 29th October 2016 – kaboomyork.com

York Maze Fireworks Spectacular

As well as York’s biggest bonfire, there’ll be fire shows, live music from York band Huge, food stalls and an amazing firework show to a fantastic soundtrack. The children’s play areas and coin-operated electric quad track will be open and lit from 4.30pm until after the fireworks. Book early as no tickets are available on the night and bonfire night is a Saturday night this year so it’ll be popular.

York Maze – Saturday 5th November 2016 – 4.30pm to 10.30pm – yorkmaze.com

Dunnington Bonfire, Fireworks and Live Music

This popular local event takes place on Saturday 5th November and there’ll be a bonfire, fireworks and two sets of live music. There’s also a 5 minute quiet firework display for anyone not keen on big bangs.

Saturday 5th November 2016 - dunningtonfayre.org.uk

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@LittleVikingsUK

Celebrate Chocolate Week in the Chocolate City

Where better to celebrate National Chocolate Week than York, the UK’s home of chocolate? Here are our must-do chocolatey things to do in our lovely city.

Learn, taste and get hands on at York’s Chocolate Story

York’s premier chocolate attraction is well worth a visit. We visited with our 6 year old recently and had a brilliant time learning about chocolate’s origins and York’s chocolate history, as well as getting hands-on by making our own chocolate lolly. Visits are by guided tour, so book online to guarantee your perfect time slot. They’ve just started Chocolate City Walking Tours too, which run twice a day. Enter our competition to win a birthday party at York’s Chocolate Story through our website.

3-4 Kings Square, York YO1 7LD – 10am to 5pm yorkschocolatestory.com little-vikings.co.uk

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Fireworks - Issue: 15

Celebrate all things chocolate at Goddards House & Garden

Blindfold taste tests, chocolate trails, chocolate recipes and chocolate box displays galore! Indulge yourself in the Terry’s chocolate history at this hidden gem on Tadcaster Road. Normal admission charges apply.

Goddards, Tadcaster Rd York, York YO24 1GG - Wednesday 12th to Sunday 16th October - 10.30am to 5pm - nationaltrust.org.uk/ goddards-house-and-garden

Pick up some Choc Affair chocolate

Support a lovely local business and do good by buying one of Choc Affair’s fabulous range of chocolate products. Lime and lavender, rhubarb, raspberry and rose, orange and geranium…just a few of the delicious bars you can pick up from lots of local retailers like York’s Chocolate Story and City Screen Picturehouse. All delicious, and ethical too. Choc-affair.com

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Enjoy a hot chocolate at York Cocoa House

York’s top chocolate emporium has a droolworthy hot chocolate menu, with something indulgent for all tastes. Make ours a chocolate orange hot chocolate – thanks for asking!

3 Blake Street, York YO1 8QJ – yorkcocoahouse.co.uk

WIN A BIRTHDAY PARTY WORTH £150 AT YORK’S CHOCOLATE STORY

You can’t get more York, or more delicious, than a birthday party at York’s Chocolate Story. This fantastic chocolate attraction, in our lovely chocolate city, offers great kids’ parties. Partygoers will enjoy an after-hours ageappropriate private tour, a demo from the chocolatier and the chance to get hands-on and make their own chocolate creations. They can try their hand at making chocolate bars, rolling truffles or making lollies and have a party tea in the fab cafe too. Add a chocolate fondue and party bags for the full experience.

We’ve teamed up with our friends at York’s Chocolate Story to offer one very lucky winner the chance to hold their child’s birthday party at York’s favourite chocolate attraction, York’s Chocolate Story!

How to enter...........

For details on how to enter and the terms and conditions, just visit the competitions page of our new website (little-vikings.co.uk/competitions).

The competition closes on 31st October 2016 and one winner will be chosen at random.

3-4 Kings Square, York YO1 7LD - yorkschocolatestory.com little-vikings.co.uk

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CH ILD RE N’S PA RT IES “The children have talked of nothing else

r p tou grou tory e t a eS priv colat g oy a w Enj ork’s Cho tertainin of Y a fun en y led b ha d i gu e n wit lateo s d o op choc t han w Ge onalised g worksh s n i r sive pe mak exclu y o j n wE f the afé use o on and c i t c ns attra optio bag t y o t l r w Pa a whole and available more

since, they enjoyed every minute of it”

www.yorkschocolatestory.com call 01904 527723 or events@yorkschocolatestory.com for more details

“My daughter described it as the best party ever”

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@LittleVikingsUK

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@LittleVikingsUK

Little Vikings Awards 2017: Nominate now!

We’re delighted to announce that nominations for the Little Vikings Awards 2017 are now open! We launched the Little Vikings Awards last year and they really captured people’s attention (you might have seen the winners’ and finalists’ stickers being proudly displayed around the city and beyond). It’s the only awards programme to reward and recognise the best of York for kids, and we’d love you to let us know the places and businesses that you think deserve special recognition.

We’re asking for nominations in the categories on the following page, and you can nominate via our website (little-vikings.co.uk).

You’ve got until midnight on Friday 14th October to shout loud and proud about the things you love doing in and around York with your kids. We’ll announce the shortlists in our Christmas issue, you can vote for the winners and we’ll make the big announcement in our New Year issue. So, here are the allimportant categories. What are you waiting for? Nominate now! little-vikings.co.uk

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Awards - Issue: 15

New for 2017 • Special recognition Award New for 2017! Nominate any place or person that you think deserves special recognition for how great they are for families in York.

Attractions • Best attraction • Best chocolate experience • Best gory experience Days out • Best day out with….an adventure playground • Best day out with….rides • Best day out with….animals • Best festival for kids Classes for kids • Best baby/toddler swimming class • Best swimming class (aged 4+) • Best active class (not swimming) • Best drama class • Best dance class • Best pregnancy class • Best music class Entertainment • Best cinema • Best theatre

Out & about • Best toy shop • Best shoe shop for kids • Best rainy day destination Birthday parties • Best birthday party provider • Best birthday party entertainer Accommodation • Best family-friendly selfcatering accommodation • Best family-friendly B&B • Best family-friendly hotel Food & drink • Best breakfast • Best lunch • Best dinner • Best Sunday roast – New for

2017!

• Best place for ice cream • Best place for hot chocolate • Best date night destination – New

for 2017!

Childcare • Best nursery • Best pre-school/ after-school club

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little-vikings.co.uk @LittleVikingsUK

Class acts: Try something new this autumn

Autumn’s a time for new adventures and trying new things. The start of the new school year is the ideal time for kids to give a new class a go, and there are lots of great ones in York to choose from. Here’s a handful that are well worth checking out, and there are lots more in the Classes area of our website.

For fans of the Olympics

• Ainsty Gymnastics and Trampolining Club is a new club for children aged 5 to 12, run from Millthorpe School. We’ve signed our eldest up to gymnastics and he’s really enjoying it. ainstygtc.co.uk • Rugbytots classes are energetic fun for 2 to 7 year old boys and girls run by really enthusiastic coaches. Rugbytots.co.uk • Toddler trampolining at Energi Toddlers over two can enjoy bouncing about the indoor trampoline park without worrying about bigger kids at these great toddler sessions. energileisureparks.com/ york • Junior Park Run is a fun, free, timed 2km run for kids. It’s held on Sunday mornings at the Knavesmire and is a brilliant way to get kids into running. parkrun.org.uk/knavesmire-juniors

little-vikings.co.uk

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For

For fans of Strictly Come Dancing

• Kangaroo Ballet with En Pointe You’re never too little to dance. En Pointe has just launched Kangaroo Ballet for sling and baby-wearing parents of babies (3 months+) and young toddlers. Enpointeyork.co.uk • Street Dance with Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance Our eldest has been doing street dance with Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance for a couple of year and loves it. They’re now running classes for kids aged 4+ so our middle girl is joining too. It’s loads of fun and they learn some pretty cool moves. Yrad.co.uk

For fans of the Great British Bake-Off

• Crafty Cooks Children will pick up some great cooking skills in these fun, friendly sessions with the lovely Ness. craftycooks.co.uk/classes/york/ • Little Bites Cookery School These small classes, run from a home kitchen in Heworth, are a great way for kids to get cooking. littlebitescookery.com

Children’s swimming 4 per group Instructors teach in pool 30 minute lessons 1:1 sessions available Certificates & badges included

FREE TRIAL LESSON AVAILABLE! 07956 397554 brightwaterswim.co.uk info@brightwaterswim.co.uk /brightwaterswim

The Mount, York St Peters, Clifton Pocklington School, Pocklington Cundall Manor, Cundall

For more info give us a call or visit our website. 23

@LittleVikingsUK

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Food: Little Vikings Eat Out Pancakes at the Double Dutch Pancake House There are certain foods that have ‘happy family’ written all over them, and pancakes are one. It’s not always easy to find a dish that everyone likes – in our house, there’s just a handful that don’t lead to a meltdown from at least one child – but we’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love pancakes. So we were delighted to head to York’s new independent, family-run pancake eatery, the Double Dutch Pancake House, to see how it stacks up.

The Pancake House is a little oasis of Dutch calm in the middle of one of the busiest thoroughfares in York. The décor is simple and stylish and the staff are really welcoming, not batting an eyelid at our rowdy rabble of kids, high as kites from an adventure earlier that day. We sat at a lovely table in the window where we could watch the shoppers go by and check out the menu.

If you think ‘lemon and sugar’ when you think of pancakes, this is a menu that’s going to open your eyes and make your mouth water. You’ll find breakfast ones (with fromage frais, honey and berry compote or bacon, mushrooms, chorizo and Edam), and lots of savoury ones (including the Smokey Dutch with smoked chicken breast, onions, sweetcorn and Edam and the Farm House with market mushrooms, onions, sliced tomato and Edam). Hungry? Feast on the Full Dutch – bacon, ham, chicken, salami, mushrooms, sweetcorn, sweet little-vikings.co.uk

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Food - Issue: 15

peppers, onions, tomatoes and Edam – or the lighter veggie version. If you’re one of those rare people who isn’t keen on pancakes, don’t panic. There are also open sandwiches and a few other batter-free options. If you need something gluten-free or vegan, you won’t miss out either.

Children can choose a savoury or sweet pancake with any two toppings and a drink for £4.95. Kids being kids – and despite it being lunch time – our children went for the sweet option, and came up with the dentist-worrying combination of Nutella and maple syrup with a side of mini marshmallows. The adults opted for the slightly more sensible, but no less delicious, veggie Dutch.

All of the dishes arrived within minutes, having been cooked in the open kitchen next to the table; perfect for impatient, hungry children. The kids’ pancakes were served on traditional blue and white Dutch crockery with the sweet toppings on the side so they could add them themselves - a great idea until they start spooning Nutella straight into their mouths instead of putting it onto the pancake…The pancakes themselves were delicious – thin, tasty and really fresh. We enjoyed everything we ate and left clean plates all round. The batter’s a secret recipe and it’s one we’d like for our own kitchen. But for as long as it stays a secret, we’ve got a great excuse to return to the Double Dutch Pancake House. And we will.

Double Dutch Pancake House, 7 Church Street, York YO1 8BG

Independent family-run performing arts school Dance, Singing and Drama For Ages 3-16

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Find out more about our fun, friendly classes on 01904 693661 or at alison@treadtheboards.org @LittleVikingsUK www.treadtheboards.org

Food: Little Vikings Cook

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Milk roll hedgehogs

These cute little critters look fab and taste better. They’re easy to knock together and you can make whatever shapes you like. Great with a bowl of soup. Makes about 15 little rolls.

Method

1. Put the flour in a large bowl, and rub in the butter until it’s like breadcrumbs. Add the salt and yeast. Add the milk and egg to the dry mixture and mix into a dough with a wooden spoon.

2. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic – you can do this by hand or in an electric mixer.

Put it in a large bowl, lightly oiled, and cover for 60 to 90 minutes or doubled in size.

3. Pre-heat oven to 220 degrees (200 fan)/gas 7 and lightly oil a couple of baking trays.

4. Knock the dough back for a couple of minutes on a floured surface.

5. Divide it into even-sized pieces and shape as you like – add points for spikes and a nose if you like, or practise your plaiting skills!

6. Place on the trays with space for growth and leave in a warm place to rise for 15 minutes.

7. Brush the rolls with a little bit of milk (optional) and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden.

8. Enjoy!

little-vikings.co.uk

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Ingredients • 750g strong white flour (extra for rolling) • 60g butter • 1 x 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast • 450ml lukewarm milk • 1 egg (beaten) • 1tsp salt (less for little ones if you like) • oil for greasing

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It’s time to visit Autumn is the perfect time to visit Castle Howard.

Spend happy days exploring magical woodland and lakeside paths, discovering our animal trail along the way.

Take a trip on the boat, ride the land train, whirl around the playground and sleep all the way home…

HALF TERM FUN 22-30 October Visit website for details

www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA

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Food: Date night dinner Skosh One of the most exciting newcomers to the York food scene, Skosh is a stylish independent restaurant housed in a Grade II listed building on Micklegate.

Along with its lovely neighbour The Rattle Owl, it’s one of a handful of places that’s helping Micklegate shake off its slightly dubious image.

Everything about Skosh exudes understated style, from the design of the relaxed dining room to the ceramic crockery and cleverly presented cutlery.

It’s the way a lot of us would love our homes to look, if only we had better taste and no kids with all their pesky plastic (at least that’s our excuse).

It’s no surprise that the menu is equally thoughtful, with a selection of snacks and small plates to choose from and graze through. It’s all been put together by the super talented chef/owner Neil Bentinck who certainly knows a thing or two about food. Choosing what to eat isn’t easy – with dishes like bbq octopus, peach & blackbean, hens egg with sweetcorn & summer truffle and goosnargh duck liver mousse, almond buns, passionfruit & miso on the menu, there’s a lot to explore.

But that’s the beauty of it – these are little dishes of perfectly cooked, beautifully presented, interesting food that excite the palate and leave you wanting to try more. After all, there’s no rush – in fact we were positively encouraged to take it easy and order as we went along. And we did. Two hours - and rather a lot of little dishes – later, we found ourselves back on Micklegate after a brilliant meal on a street that’s starting to be brilliant again.

Skosh, 98 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX – skoshyork.co.uk little-vikings.co.uk

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Grand Day Out at Cannon Hall Farm

For this issue we donned our wellies (not strictly necessary but we like to pretend to be country folk occasionally) and headed to sunny South Yorkshire to visit Cannon Hall Farm.

Things to do and see Cannon Hall has an abundance of great adventure playgrounds, with pyramid towers, zip wires and tons of equipment to clamber over, climb up, ride on, crawl through and much more. There’s something for kids of all ages – our toddler loved it as much as our 4 and 6 year olds. They were enjoying themselves so much that we had trouble getting them out of play areas, but the lure of the animals was too strong.

We stroked giant rabbits and guinea pigs, then visited the pigs with their gorgeous piglets, cows, horses, goats and sheep. We saw cows being milked and bought some animal feed to give out too. All of the kids loved seeing the creatures at such close quarters, and so did we. We even got to see them getting competitive in the sheep and ferret racing, which was good fun.

Not just for sunny days Unlike some other farm attractions, the huge advantage of Cannon Hall is the Hungry Llama indoor play area. It’s one of the biggest in the north of England, with different activity zones, scary slides and loads more. Younger kids are well catered for and kept apart from the bigger ones. Take/wear socks or you’ll need to buy some (£1; available from the servery). There’s also a craft activity room where we made a pair of bear ears (included in the admission price – a handy addition to the fancy dress box. While little-vikings.co.uk

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Grand Day Out - Issue: 15

we were there, there happened to be a Goldilocks show so we watched that as well (no additional charge) and our girls even had a photo with Goldilocks at the end. So even if it rains, you’ve got options.

Food and drink The Hungry Llama indoor soft play area also serves good quality homemade food and drink at reasonable prices. Grab a table and order at the servery – the only tricky bit is getting the kids to sit down for more than two minutes to eat. If you feel like splashing out on something more special, The White Bull – just at the entrance to the farm – serves a more sophisticated selection of food in a stylishly simple setting. There’s loads of space near the car park for a picnic if you want to take your own.

Our verdict We had high expectations of Cannon Hall Farm, but it was even better than we’d anticipated. It’s an impressive operation: spacious, clean, welcoming and with a great range of activities to please kids of all ages. With the shows, races, demonstrations and play areas, there’s easily enough to do to fill a day. We loved it.

Trip essentials Distance from York – 40 miles (approx.)

Price – Family ticket (four people) £34/under 2s free Parking - £3, redeemable against a £10 retail spend Opening hours – 10.30am to 5pm; open every day except Christmas Day Cannon Hall Farm, Cawthorne, Barnsley S75 4AT – cannonhallfarm.co.uk

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Why Little Vikings loves...

Holgate Windmill It produces amazing stoneground flour (buy some for baking)

Brilliant volunteers bring the windmill to life and explain how it works Great workout for the legs - lots of vertical ladders to go up and down!

The turning sails look amazing when it's windy It’s a hidden gem in the middle of the houses of Holgate

Amazing value - £3 for adults, £1 for 5 to 18 year olds, under 5s free (and free parking)

It’s York's only working windmill

Windmill Rise, York YO26 4TX - www.holgatewindmill.org 32

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Fun

W

Terrible jokes and sticky ideas

What kind of tree can fit into your hand?

What did the tree wear to the pool party?

A palm tree!

Swimming trunks!

What do you get when you cross a parrot with a centipede?

A walkie talkie!

Why is it hard to play cards in the jungle?

There are too many cheetahs!

What stays in the corner but travels all over the world?

What is a crocodile’s favourite game?

A stamp!

Snap!

little-vikings.co.uk

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ant esvery child to love w ter lly. a wimm w e W ing, respect the autifu e and swim b

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Classes available at ROKO Health Club, New Earswick, Applefields School (hydrotherapy pool) and Archbishop Holgate’s School.

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Registered Charity Number: 1141329

@LittleVikingsUK

Little Vikings Fun things to do with sticks Other kids got to the conkers before you? Don’t worry - there are always loads of lovely sticks around at this time of year, and here are some ideas for things you can do with them (apart from the obvious one that kids love and parents aren’t too keen on - having a sword fight).

• Collect lots of twigs, make them into a circle and create a cosy nest for our feathered friends.

• Play pooh sticks. Take one stick each Litt and drop them into a stream or river at the same time. The stick that makes it to the other side of the bridge first, wins.

• Make a Jenga-style tower. Put two sticks close together, 9705_Hallowe side by side, then add another two on top at right angles.

Keep on layering and see how high you can get it!

• Use a pair of sticks as drum sticks on a tree or rock to make your own, er, rock music.

• Play pick-up-sticks. Drop a pile of sticks, roughly the same size, onto the ground and see if you can pick them out one at a time without disturbing them.

• Get some big sticks and make a den • Pretend that they’re magic wands and make some spells.

• Turn them into pouring spoons to mix up mud soup • Add some string to make a fishing rod little-vikings.co.uk 36

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

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Offers Enjoy some of these lovely things for less with a special Little Vikings discount. Check the Offers page of our website too.

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Viking Voice Goddards House & Garden Ida Hitchman-Small, 6, from York, tells us why she loves visiting Goddards House & Garden

“I love playing in the gardens at Goddards with my little sister Margot. You can play tennis or croquet and other games or just run around. I spotted butterflies and fish in the rockpool and had a slice of cake.�

Want to be the next Viking Voice? Tell us what you enjoy doing in York.

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Sun 30th & Mon 31st October 2016 5pm to 7:30pm £5 per person

(includes goodie bag for each child!)

There’s something strange going on at Barley Hall this Halloween and we need intrepid visitors to help us solve some ghostly mysteries!

A perfect Halloween event for the little ones, expect thrills and chills but no nightmares!

Suitable for 5 to 12 year olds.

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gh) Barley Hall is owned by York Archaeological Trust, a registered Charity in England & Wales (No. 509060) and Scotland (No. SCO42846)

Kids Go

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SPOOKTACULAR FUN! this Half Term at York Museums Trust

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Yorkshire Museum BLOODY BATTLES

Join us as we look at the Bloody Battles of 1066 that led to the Battle of Hastings.

York Castle Museum TERRIFYING TALES

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Information correct at time of print.

09/09/2016 09:24