Kids Direct Liverpool
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Feature
Winter 2013
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Editors Note
Winter 2013
Anna x Win a reindeer visit for your school (page 5)
See our pick of favourite places to see Santa (page 18)
Learn to draw Cartoons with Marvel comics artist Tim Quinn (pages 14-15)
Yummy Christmas gifts to bake and give (pages 24-25).
Kids Direct is owned by Megan Kneale. Registered trademark no. 1468409. Kids Direct Liverpool is a franchise owned, operated & published under licence by Anna Taylor. We believe all information to be correct but do not endorse any products or services. The views expressed in Kids Direct are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot be held responsible for any breach of copyright arising from artwork supplied by its contributors and clients. Reproduction, in whole or in part, of any of the text, illustrations or photography without the express permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. Competitions: Prize winners will be drawn at random, no cash alternatives will be offered. Personal information will not be shared with organisations external to Kids Direct unless a third party is issuing the prize.
To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Festive Favourites
Winter 2013
goodies, and the butcher’s counter (staffed Do you know any good boys and girls who Fridays and Saturdays) can provide expert deserve a festive treat? Then take them on advice and preparation. the Santa Experience– a tractor ride to meet Throughout December there’s a large Santa and all his friends in a magical selection of Christmas trees - many cut just Christmas tree forest! Our top tip is to book hours before. The farm has over 15,000 one of the rides in early evening as it’s growing Christmas trees of all popular especially magical at night with Christmas varieties. Friendly staff can help you choose lights to lead the way. Rides are on Saturdays your tree, fit a base, net it up and even carry 14�� & 21�� and Sundays 15�� & 22ⁿ� . Tickets it to your car. must be pre-booked in the shop or online as You can even warm yourself up by the log this event is very popular and usually sells fire in Munch, the coffee shop, whilst out. enjoying a panini or luxury hot drink! Church Farm also boasts an award-winning farm shop selling the best in local produce. The shop is open every day from 11�� Put your order in now for vegetable boxes, December until midday on 24�� December. meat and turkeys and collect before Church Farm, Church Lane, Thurstaston, Christmas. The shop also has a lovely selection of Wirral. Call (0151) 648 7838 or visit Christmas gifts, decorations and tasty www.churchfarm.org.uk
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Festive Favourites
Winter 2013
Make your Christmas event a magical and memorable one with a visit from real Reindeer. The reindeer are handled daily at the Reindeer Lodge so are used to lots of human contact and can quickly win the hearts of children and adults alike. When out on visits the reindeer love to make lots of new friends, be stroked and hand fed their treats and of course have their photo's taken in their festive head collars and harnesses. Reindeer are available to hire throughout the Northwest, North Wales and West Midlands from the end of October through to February. The Reindeer Lodge provide all relevant display and movement licenses, risk assessments and public liability insurance for the reindeer visiting your event. For more info contact : 01244 646 045 or info@cheshirereindeer.co.uk
Competition : Win a Reindeer visit to your school from the Cheshire Reindeer Lodge! Kids Direct have got together with the Cheshire Reindeer Lodge to offer one school in Liverpool a visit from the reindeer. What could be more Christmassy than a visit to your school from real live reindeer? To enter please email reindeer@kidsdirectliverpool.com with your name, the name of your school and the answer to this question by 11�� December: What date did the Reindeer Lodge open this Winter? To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Kids Direct Liverpool
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Festive Favourites
Winter 2013
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Festive Favourites
Winter 2013
Once upon a time, in a town with no cats, Arrived a swarm of ravenous rats. They ate up the chocolate, they ate up the pie, They ate up so much the mayor started to cry! Can nobody save us? Will nobody try? When all of a sudden a Piper came by... I’ll rid you of rats, both thin and both long I’ll do it with music, I’ll do it with song! But sadly the town was unwilling to pay, So one of the children must save the day! A family show with song, dance and fun, A musical adventure perfect for everyone. Join Unity Theatre and the acclaimed Action Transport Theatre this Christmas for a family festive treat that’s perfect for ages 5+. With children’s tickets just £10 - £8 and adults £12 - £10 (with family tickets available) don’t miss one of the best-valuequality shows in Merseyside. Check out www.thepiedpiperliverpool.co.uk or visit www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk for more information! To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Kids Direct Liverpool
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Great Days Out
Winter 2013
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Great Days Out
Bubbles' World of Play is the ultimate Children's Entertainment Centre offering a whole new concept of Play that is both fun, educating and fitness enhancing. Housing one of the largest play frames in the UK (if not the largest), Children are encouraged to learn and explore over 30 different countries and zones, from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to their City role play area comprising of a Police Station, Vets and shop to name a few. With interactive projectors, their very own talking penguin maze, ball cannon zone and numerous time challenge games; Bubbles' World of Play is the most innovative play centre around. Parents can relax in the comfortable seating areas enjoying quality food and drink and free WIFI whilst knowing that
Winter 2013
their children are safe and secure thanks to their extensive CCTV system, alarms on all exit doors and secure check in/check out processes. Parents can also explore the play frames with their children. Babies and toddlers are also well catered for with a large baby sensory area, separate secure baby feeding room with bottle making facilities and passcode access, baby change facilities on both floors and plenty of high chairs. Toddlers have the benefit of their own Toddler frame and a 'New York' themed play area. Located in Marine Point, New Brighton, it has its very own 90 space car park and a further 600 parking spaces within the Marine Point complex and just a 5 minute walk from New Brighton train station. www.bubblesworldofplay.co.uk
To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Kids Direct Liverpool
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Great Days Out
Winter 2013
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Kids Direct Liverpool
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To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
Winter 2013
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Kids Direct Liverpool
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Great Days Out
Winter 2013
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Parties
To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
Winter 2013
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Feature
Winter 2013
Ever wanted to draw your own comics?
Kids Direct asked Marvel Comic artist Tim Quinn how to do it! Tim recently moved from New York back to his roots in Southport and now, among other things, gives workshops in schools to children about comic books and animation. Kids Direct asked him to put some of his advice on paper for our readers. “I’ve been lucky enough in my 40 year career to tell all types of story in comic book form. Some of the amazing characters I’ve told stories about include Spider-Man, Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man, Dennis the Menace, Jack of the Beanstalk, Captain America, Cinderella, and the time travelling Justin Tyme! “ Everybody has lots of brand new stories they can tell. Here are a few storytelling tips I’ve picked up during my career. Maybe you can use some of them to help you tell exciting new stories of your own… As an illustrator, it is important to learn where the human body can bend, so print out a picture of a skeleton and draw a line pointing to all the joints (connecting bones) on the human body. All cartoonists start a comic book page by laying out the main characters as stick figures. You will notice that I’ve made sure that my stick figures bend in the right places (the joints of the elbows and knees). Once you are happy that the stick figure looks realistic, you can ‘flesh it out’ with hair, features, clothes or costume! Add little extras to your character to make it stand out – patterns, colours, hats, earrings, capes, masks, etc. Make yourself the central character in your story. Stan Lee, the creator of Spider-Man based the character of Peter Parker on himself when he was a 15 year-old boy. Back then Stan was bullied at school, laughed at by girls and
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he was a bookworm who loved science. He gave Peter Parker all these personality traits. If you’re the central character of your stories, you’ll be able to work out just how you would react if you were going through the adventures in your story. For example, what would you do if you suddenly found yourself face to face with Captain Blackbeard, most feared of all pirates? You can also add people you know to your stories. Every story should have a cast of interesting characters just like a film or TV series. Maybe a teacher, brother, sister or pet dog can travel with you on your adventures. Plot out a beginning, middle and end to your story before you start writing. Your story can start with a normal everyday incident (getting up & heading to school) but then something exciting develops that throws you into the main adventure. By the middle of the story you should have reached the place where you have dropped yourself into such deadly danger that there is no way you can possibly escape. Then … as the storywriter, you have to come up with a way for your character to get away! By the time you get to the end of your story, drop in a scene that shows you will soon be involved in another adventure. Most of all have FUN! If you enjoy writing and drawing your adventures then other people will enjoy reading your work. Tim can be contacted via his website http://www.mightyquinnmanagement.com. He visits primary and secondary schools to do workshops and also sets up school magazines inspiring the next generation of journalists and illustrators.
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Feature
Winter 2013
Justin Tyme All you need to tell a story is a great character. The story on this page is all about Justin Tyme, the boy with the amazing skateboard that can travel anywhere in history. Can you add words to each picture to tell the story of Justin’s adventure in 1666 when he landed in the middle of the Great Fire of London? You can also create your own stories about Justin as he visits other periods in history.
To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Winter Calendar Regular/Ongoing events The Time Travellers are at Spaceport (see page 12) Time travelling with creatures from other galaxies until 2nd March 2014. www.spaceport.org.uk Daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Magic Worlds, a new family exhibition at World Museum, explores ethereal realms of fairies, folklore, wizards and witches. Free. For details of times visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml. The Museum of Liverpool are holding various fun free activities for children including Victorian Christmas, winter storytelling and Christmas Crafternoons. Visit their site for details and times www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol Christmas crafts and Collage Calendars are being offered free at the Walker Art Gallery over the festive season. See their website for details dates and times: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker. Ice Festival at Liverpool One running until 7�� January. Visit www.liverpoolone.com/icefestival for booking information.
November/December 2013 21�� Nov - 22 Dec, 10 am - 8 pm. Christmas Market on Lord Street and Church Street with lots of treats and surprises.
with Aladdin at the Playhouse. To book visit www.everymanplayhouse.com Sat 30�� Nov, Sun 1�� Dec, Sat 7�� Dec & Sun 8�� Dec. 12.30 pm to 4 pm. Victorian Weekend activities at Speke Hall. Free Event (normal admission prices apply). www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall Sun 1��, Sat 7�� & Sun 8�� Dec. 6.30 -7.30 pm or 8-9 pm. Festive Music Evenings. Enjoy a rare chance to see Speke hall at night, decorated for a traditional Victorian Christmas. Look around the ground floor and then take your seats in the stunning Great Hall for an atmospheric carol concert. Adults £10, children £7. 0151 427 7231. Tues 3�� Dec to Sat 11 Jan 2014. The Pied Piper at Unity Theatre. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic and delight of this spectacular Christmas show (see page 7) Box office 0844 873 2888 or book online at www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk 3�� Dec to 21�� Dec. Feisty fairytale heroine Little Red Riding Hood is to take up residence in the Liverpool Actors Studio theatre this festive season – a great family alternative to pantomime. For details and to book visit www.theliverpoolactorsstudio.com
22ⁿ� Nov - 22 Dec. Ten life size Nutcrackers have been hidden in Liverpool City Centre. Take a photo with as many Nutcrackers as possible and you could win a prize. See www.citycentralbid.com/events
Sat 7�� & Sun 8�� Dec. Winter Arts Market at St. George’s Place. A wide variety of handmade work will be available, perfect for unique Christmas presents. 10 am – 5 pm Entry £2 Under 16’s free. www.winterartsmarket.com or telephone: 0151 478 4026.
29�� Nov - 18�� Jan 2014. The biggest, brightest rock and roll panto returns
Thurs 12�� Dec. 5 pm-8 pm. Dobbies Festive Foodies. Perfect for food lovers –
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Winter Calendar Experts will show you how to ensure your Christmas entertaining goes with a bang. Enjoy a glass of fizz on arrival, sample fine delicacies and watch their exciting demonstrations including inspiring ideas for your Christmas dinner and choosing the perfect Christmas cheese board. Tickets cost £1 and all proceeds will be donated to Make-AWish Foundation UK. For more details visit www.dobbies.com. Fri 13�� December. Waterloo Farmers Market. An all indoor market with stalls selling a variety of produce from farms and other traders in the North West. 10.30 am to 3 pm. Free entry. Contact John on 0151 924 5738. Old Christ Church, Waterloo Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, Merseyside L22 1RF. Sat 14�� Dec, 12 pm Waterstones, Liverpool One. Magical re-telling of the Snow Queen by the author Sarah Lowes. There will also be mask making and craft activities - and glitter! 0151 709 9820 20�� Dec to 22ⁿ� Dec. Rudolph on Hope Street, Liverpool Philharmonic. A great introduction to classical music for children aged 4-10 and their families. Tickets £10, £14, £6 children. Box Office: 0151 709 3789 or book online at www.liverpoolphil.com Tues 17�� Dec. Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Carols by Candlelight Concert. Get into the spirit of Christmas with family and friends and enjoy seasonal entertainment youth choirs and musicians from across Merseyside. Money raised from the event will support the NSPCC’s Now I Know Appeal. 7.30 pm. £8 adults, £5
concessions, available from the NSPCC: 0844 892 0253 or northwestappeal@nspcc.org.uk
January 2014 18�� Jan 2014, 10 am, 1 pm & 4 pm Peppa Pig’s Big Splash at the Liverpool Empire. Hugely entertaining for all the family (see page 9 for details and our great competition). 25 Jan 2014 Celebrate Chinese New Year and make your own Chinese Lanterns to take home. World Museum. Drop in from 1-4 pm. Free. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml
February 2014 1�� & 2ⁿ� February, UK Baby & Toddler Show in association with Milkshake! Liverpool Echo Arena. Don’t forget Kids Direct readers get 20% discount, see page 30 for your discount code. Mon 17�� and Tues 18�� Feb. Workshops for children. Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Great workshops to help children to develop musical skills with singing, movement and musical instruments. See www.liverpoolphil.com for details and to book. Keep up to date: For lots more family friendly events, services, competitions and of course oodles of fun, come along and join us on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/kidsdirectlpl. Please note: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, details may change. Please phone the venue concerned or visit their website to check dates, times, prices and if booking is required before setting out.
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Education & Childcare
Winter 2013
Church Farm - meet Santa and all his friends in the beautifully lit-up Christmas tree forest. An enchanted adventure for all the family with dancing snowmen, cheeky reindeer & lots more. Booking essential, see page 4 for lots more details. www.churchfarm.org.uk Cheshire Reindeer Lodge and Christmas tree farm - visit Santa and feed his reindeer, the perfect place for a true Christmas experience (see pg 5 for lots more details and a great competition). Windmill Animal Farm - meet Father Christmas on the magical miniature railway. Enjoy a train ride, the fun of the farm and receive a present from Santa. Adults also receive a complimentary hot drink and mince pie. To book call 01704 892282 (see page 6 for further details). Dobbies Garden World - The elves have been busy preparing all the toys in the workshop ready for your little ones to visit Santa in his traditional grotto! Buy your ticket online at www.dobbies.com. Rapid Discount Outlet, Houghton Street - Santa will be there everyday. Mondays to Fridays 10 am- 5 pm, Saturday 9.30 am - 5 pm and Sundays from 11 am - 4 pm. 0151 708 2000.
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Jean Robb and Hilary Letts are experts in helping children. Parents worldwide have found their ‘Creating Kids Who Can’ books invaluable. Teachers and lecturers have found their style, ideas and holistic approach stimulating and inspirational and children have found their methods supportive and successful. With vast experience of teaching Jean and Hilary provide a service to parents and children that is unique and powerful. At Successful Learning Jean and Hilary’s knowledge and analytical approach enables them to assess constantly where a child’s strengths and weaknesses are and provide parents with up to the minute feedback about their child’s progress. Children recover quickly from setbacks, develop new skills and discover the delight of their previously unrecognised strengths and potential. Contact 0151 625 2619. www.kidsdirectliverpool.com
Kids Direct Liverpool
Education & Childcare
YOU WON’T ALWAYS SEE WHERE THEY GO . . . BUT YOU CAN HELP THEM GET THERE. On any given day, Liverpool City Council has nearly 1000 children in their care. Their Foster Carers are ordinary people living ordinary lives but they have a commitment to help show looked after children that they have a brighter future ahead. Their Carers listen and support the children, along with taking care of them on a day to day basis. They want to see them grow and develop and they are willing to adapt their lives to give foster children the time that they need. As a Foster Carer you will see the differences in children as they become settled and grow in confidence. You will develop and gain new skills and knowledge through training and you will know that you are making a real difference. You will receive a generous
Winter 2013
allowance for the looked after children in your care and a payment for your time and skills. City Councillor Jane Corbett said: ‘Every child has a right to a loving, happy and safe family environment and that’s why providing a home for a young person who cannot live with their own parents is one of the best things you can do. You’ll find it won’t just be their life you change for the better, but your own as well.’ Change a Life Today Call: 0151 515 0000 or visit : www.fosteringforliverpool.co.uk. All kinds of people foster and you do not need to fit into any stereotype to do so. They just need people who care, whether you are single, married, living together or are in a same sex relationship. As long as you have a spare room and are over the age of 21 they would love to hear from you.
To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Education & Childcare
Winter 2013
“The school holidays used to be a major problem for me, I now have the flexibility and rewards of a part-time job – I work hard during term time and play hard during the holidays.”
Flexibility and Reward… It is normal to want to spend as much time as you can get with your children, but it can be difficult balancing family life with work. Getting a job with flexible hours can be a real challenge and we often don’t know where to begin to get the most out of our work/life balance. The perfect job for mums with children of school age is a part-time work-fromhome job that allows for school holidays, but for every part-time school administrator job advertised there are about 500,000 applications – OK, so we made-up the figures but you get the point! Starting your own business can give you the flexibility to fit a job and business around your family. The home is the work place. A day’s work includes a trip to a supplier and a parent-teacher meeting. Smart casual dress can suit the school drop-off and the new client coffee. Blackberry is both a pie filling and an extension to your office! For some mums, buying a small franchise is a good option and Kids Direct has both existing franchises for sale and also exciting new opportunities in the North West. Kids Direct is a thrice yearly publication aimed at families with children under the age of 12. The magazine is published just before the three main school holidays; Easter, Summer and Christmas and provides valuable information to the local community, whilst working from home.
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The work load is such, that most of it happens during school term time, so this means you have most of the holidays free to spend with your family. ‘Since starting my Kids Direct franchise I haven’t looked back…’ ‘I always struggled with childcare, school pick up and the holidays were a major problem for me. Becoming my own boss was the best thing I could have done. I have the flexibility and rewards of a parttime job and play hard during the school holidays with my family.’ ‘If one of my children was off sick, I used to have to take a day off work too. Now I just work round it and don’t ever feel guilty.’ Why not give us a call? You will be surprised at how reasonable the cost is to buy your own business. Contact Anna for more information on 07980 304998 or email anna@kidsdirect.org for a no obligation conversation to get you on your way to a more flexible way of life! www.kidsdirectliverpool.com
Kids Direct Liverpool
Education & Childcare
Winter 2013
Top Private Education is available to all What if a tutor could come directly to your child’s home to deliver tutoring services? What if there was flexibility in the tutor’s schedule so that tutoring time slots could be scheduled around your family’s busy schedule? What if your child could get one to one attention instead of the “one-to-many” teaching models used by learning centres? What if a tutor could develop a personalised programme matching the specific needs of your child? What if average families could get access to top tutoring resources sometimes reserved only for wealthier families? These questions and more have been answered over the last 10 years with the Tutor Doctor programme. Call 0151 559 6413
Win 1 of 2 Zibobs! www.zibob.com
Zibob® is the world's first plastic mini sledge with carving qualities. Toddlers love to be pulled along whilst holding on to the handle and kids and adults take delight in developing and mastering their steering and speed control. It’s fun and safe for the whole family, so bring on the snow!
Traditionally, what vegetable is used as a nose for a snowman? A. A Parsnip B. A Green Bean C. A Carrot Email your answer, name and address to zibob@kidsdirectliverpool.com by 31st December 2013. To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Feature
Winter 2013
Has your child added a mobile phone to their Christmas Wish List this year? How do you feel about it? Do you think they’re still too young? There’s no set age for when a child should be given their first mobile phone although the current average age is around 11- 12 years. Despite this, younger children are being given them as their parents see it as an issue of safety or convenience. Research shows that 24% of eightyear-olds and 6% of six-year-olds have a mobile phone but ultimately, the decision is up to you whether you think your child needs one…
To be able to contact their child to find out where they are. As a safety net for when their child may feel unsafe; walking home, on the school bus or if they’ve missed the bus and need a lift. To give their child more confidence, for example when walking home from school alone. Peer Pressure - some parents don’t want their child to feel left out if all their friends have a phone. Separated parents - to keep in touch with their child and reassure them that they can still easily get in touch. For the resident parent to feel reassured that their child can contact them during their time away from the home.
Consider, what your child will use their phone for and pick a phone that they can manage. Is your child ready for the responsibility of looking after a mobile phone and able to understand and follow the rules that you set? Will it be a distraction for them? Do you think they'll use a mobile phone responsibly i.e. not texting during class or disturbing others with their phone conversations?
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Will they use the text, photo, and video functions responsibly and not to embarrass others? Can they adhere to limits you set for minutes talked and apps downloaded? Would having easy access to friends benefit them for social reasons?
Remember knowledge is power, the more you know about the phone the more you will know what to discuss with your child. So it might be worth considering the following when buying your child a mobile phone: What capabilities does the mobile phone have? Find out if it can access the Internet, send email, take pictures or videos and download music, movies or apps. Are there parental controls and restrictions available for this device? Will the seller help you setup any parental controls and teach you how to ensure the controls remain
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Feature
up-to-date and effective in the future? Can any of the mobile phone's capabilities be selectively disabled or turned off? Can you disable the camera, Internet access, YouTube or other features? What’s included in the mobile phone plan? Find out if text messaging, email, Internet access and app store access are included. Does the phone have a GPS (also called location services)? If so, are those location services enabled by default? Do they tag photos with the time and place where they were taken? Can you use the location services securely to find the location of the phone in an emergency? Discuss the amount of time spent talking on the phone, explain to your child how long their inclusive minutes are if they have any, so as not to run up a huge bill! Discuss and monitor costs – phones can be expensive. As well as bills, costs can be run up through downloading apps, music or leaving data-roaming on whilst abroad. Your child should be made aware of the financial responsibility that comes with owning a phone. There are different ways to manage costs, such as having a contract or pay-as-you-go deals, make sure you discuss this in the shop. Consider banning their mobile phones when they are doing homework, during meal times and perhaps removing from their bedrooms when they are sleeping. Most schools ban mobile phones from the classroom, make sure you and your child know the schools rules and the consequences.
Winter 2013
crossing the road whilst using their phones. The road safety lobbying group RoadSafe and AXA car insurance recently found that 11 years of age is the highest accident risk age for child pedestrians. Discuss what they can share – teach your child to think before they share online and the consequence of doing this over the mobile phone, such as sharing their location. Protect your child's phone with a password against thieves or kids who may ‘borrow’ your child’s phone to play practical jokes. Keep their mobile number private – children need to understand that their phone number should only be given to people they know and trust. Make sure that if they are concerned, they ask you first. Many mobile phones offer Internet access, giving your child the opportunity to visit a variety of websites and use social media that you may not normally allow your child to access. This gives them the opportunity to communicate with anybody, including sexual predators. Be aware that your child may be more prone to bullying as bullies are now using text messages and social media as a method of victimisation. Finally, if you have any doubts about your child using their mobile phone, let them know that you will be checking randomly to ensure that the rules are being obeyed and that they are safe.
If they are young, program in the numbers they will need and make sure they know not to answer calls from numbers they don’t recognise. Make them aware of the dangers of To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Feature
Winter 2013
Christmas presents sorted with these
is a time that we all get together and food plays a big part of that. The preparations that go into what we will be eating over the festive period certainly inspires me to get baking and it's all something we can join in with. Whether it's making a wish whilst stirring the Christmas pudding or making gingerbread decorations for the tree. It's such a great opportunity to add to our Christmas memories and traditions. These are simple recipes that any age can get involved in. They are fantastic as gifts be it a baked gift, or the gift of baking, these have it covered.
1 x 800g Jar with Lid 65g Desiccated Coconut 100g Rolled Oats
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100g Sultanas or Dried Cranberries 80g Soft Brown Sugar 130g Plain Flour 1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda You can either buy a nice jar with a clamp down lid for this or use the large size jars you get mayonnaise in. Fill your jar with the ingredients in the order listed. Include a label of cooking instructions with wet ingredients. Instructions: Melt 125g of butter and 2 tbsp of golden syrup in a pan then add the dry ingredients from the jar. Place spoons of mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment. Allow room for them to spread. Flatten slightly with a fork and bake at 160C for 10 minutes. Makes 20.
180g Sugar 20g Butter 3 Eggs 300g Self Raising Flour www.kidsdirectliverpool.com
Kids Direct Liverpool
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Winter 2013
fabulous gifts the children can bake‌ 1/2 tsp Baking Powder 2 x 411g Jars Mincemeat 60g Glace Cherries, halved Flaked Almonds to Decorate Cream together the sugar and butter then add the eggs, flour and baking powder. Make sure everything is combined then add the mincemeat and cherries. Fold everything through then pile into a lined 2 lb loaf tin, sprinkle on the flaked almonds and bake at 160C for 1½ to 2 hours. You may want to cover it with foil after the first hour to make sure it doesn't burn. Test the centre with a skewer and once cooked remove from the oven and cool in the tin. Wrap in greaseproof paper before packaging up.
125g Dark Chocolate, melted 350g Christmas Pudding, cooked & Cooled 2 tbsp Golden Syrup 60ml Sherry/Cointreau/Tia Maria (Optional) 100g White Chocolate, melted Glace Cherries Angelica Crumble the Christmas pudding and add the syrup and alcohol if using. Combine well then mix in the dark chocolate. Now form into truffle size balls, it should make roughly 30. Allow to cool and set. Top each truffle with the white chocolate to evoke cream and add small pieces of cherry and angelica to represent holly. Many thanks to Yasmin Limbert, Great British Bake off contestant and WI Cook of the year, for these recipes.
To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Parties
Winter 2013
Take the stress and hassle out of your Birthday Party arrangements and enjoy a party to be proud of at Bubbles’ World of Play. Choose from their Underwater, Jungle or African Savannah themed party booths, each of which creates a fantastic party atmosphere where the children eat together and sing Happy Birthday. Their parties last 2 hours and include 80 minutes of play and 40 minutes in their dedicated party area for a choice of hot and cold buffet or toddler lunch boxes. Also, choose from a range of party extras available including party bags or a visit from Bubbles the Panda. All parties include invites and a party host to ensure you too have a great time on your child’s magical day. 0151 691 6030
Would you like a FUN packed memorable party? The Creepy Crawly Show is enjoyable for all ages and great for home parties, children's birthdays, christenings, holy communions and other family celebrations. Everyone can join in from toddlers to teens and the adults are entertained too. From party games, music to ‘Get Me Out of Here’ style challenges and don’t forget the animals, with snakes, tarantula, scorpion, lizards, giant African snails, hissing cockroaches, turtles and many more. Their parties offer great photo opportunities and are presented by their comical ‘Explorer’ style entertainer who’ll ensure your occasion is a fun and memorable one. Available throughout Merseyside, Wirral & Cheshire. Book your adventure now: 01244 646045 www.thecreepycrawlyshow.co.uk
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Kids Direct Liverpool
Music, Drama & Dance
Winter 2013
Little Actors Theatre Company offers performing arts activities for children aged 2½-11. LATC is applying for Charitable Status to develop their access for all policy. A grant from the John Thaw Foundation enables discounts for low income families. LATC offers DramaTots for pre-school children (singing, dance and drama). Plus Theatre Club for ages 5-11 has two hours of drama and musical theatre. All facilitators are professionally trained & experienced actors. Participating in the performing arts improves health and wellbeing and also builds children's communication skills, confidence and self-esteem. For Winter 2013 the children are preparing a Christmas themed presentation. For 2014 the children will work on a WW1 themed community theatre project. Contact Samantha Giblin on 0151 336 4302, or email: mail@littleactorstheatre.com
Verabella Boutique is a gorgeous family run boutique in the heart of Liverpool bringing beautiful designerwear to children at affordable prices. They stock a great range of designer clothes and accessories for boys and girls aged from 0-12 and now include brands as SarahLouise, Me too, Boboli, Foque, Mimpi, Usb2, Butterscotch & Bonnie Jean. They pride themselves on giving outstanding customer service and have a global customer following. Their customers are their number one priority and they go out of their way to help you find the perfect outfit for your child. So, for great designerwear and outstanding service visit: Verabella Boutique, Norton Street, Liverpool, L3 8QA. Tel: 07861 706250. To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Kids Direct Liverpool
For Parents
Winter 2013
Newborn and baby photography Family and Children portraits Maternity sessions Cake smash sessions
Call Claire on 07852 924451
Email: insightimages@ymail.com
www.facebook.com/InSightImgs InSight Images offers a high quality and professional service throughout Liverpool, Wirral and the Merseyside area. Claire is the photographer behind InSight Images and undertakes all areas of portraiture including Newborn and Children's portrait sessions. She provides mobile studio and location sessions throughout Merseyside all year round. Her aim is to capture beautiful, timeless images that capture your child's personality and create lasting memories of such a precious time. There are a number of
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packages available that have been designed to suit all budgets, starting from just ÂŁ99 you can have a collection of stunning high quality images for years to come. A very popular package they offer includes 3 sessions : Bump, Newborn and Baby's 1st Birthday, which beautifully documents the special milestones during your baby's first year. They are also happy to price up any bespoke requests that you may have. Contact them for more details on this and all their other packages. Telephone 07852 924451 or email insightimages@ymail.com. www.kidsdirectliverpool.com
Kids Direct Liverpool
For Parents
Winter 2013
Every little girl dreams of being a princess and at Ruffles n Bows they have the perfect twirly, bouncy pettiskirts in a range of beautiful colours to delight your little princess. They also stock a lovely range of pretty girls fashion, head bands, socks and much more. Situated on Bold Street, in the centre of Liverpool, Ruffles n bows and cater for girls from newborn to 14 years old. They offer a delivery service around the Liverpool area and also take payments via PayPal, bank transfer or you can call and pay over the phone with your card. Gift certificates are available too, perfect for Christmas or birthdays. Email:sarahsruffles@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.rufflesnbows.co.uk
To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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Kids Direct Liverpool
For Parents
Winter 2013
Liverpool Echo Arena 1st & 2nd February 2014
Exclusive 20% discount for Kids Direct readers, just visit www.ukbabyandtoddlershow.co.uk and enter code ‘KidsDirect2’ The UK Baby & Toddler Show in professionals on topics such as “potty association with Milkshake! Channel 5. training” and “baby sleep” to name but a is back for the second year running at Liverpool’s Echo Arena and is set to be bigger and better than ever before with spectacular added features. There will be plenty of fun for the whole family with the Milkshake! Crew performing their famous Bop Box live show and visitors can also enjoy the large children’s family fun interactive zone.
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With up to 200 local, regional and national exhibitors on board providing mega shopping opportunities, you will be spoilt for choice. The show, featuring over two days, will include demonstrations, competitions and opportunities for parents, expectant mothers and families to get involved and try products whilst gaining valuable advice and support from
After enjoying all the shopping opportunities and valuable seminars as well as the fun and games with the Milkshake! Crew, why not enter your little one into the Be the Face of UK Baby & Toddler Show! Use code KidsDirect2 when bookng your tickets online for a 20% discount at www.ukbabyandtoddlershow.co.uk See you there!
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The first few years of a child’s life are fundamentally significant. Evidence confirms that these early years do indeed position and set up our children’s future development, as well as influence how well children do at school, their on-going health and well-being and their achievements later in life.
www.kidsdirectliverpool.com
Kids Direct Liverpool
Sporting Fun
Keith Arnold Swim Schools Ltd, has successfully taught children to swim to a high standard over the past twelve years, engendering a love of swimming and confidence in the water. Planned, personalised learning ensures all children’s needs are met. A sensitive approach and knowledge of individuals ensures even the most nervous children achieve outstanding results. 30 minute lessons are available for beginners through to 60 minute lessons at pre-competitive standard. They take children from 3 years subject to individual suitability. They have recently expanded their provision for pre-school children, offering an additional eight classes to cope with the demand. The focus is on “Learning to Learn� and key skills that contribute to positive swimming outcomes. Teachers experience and individual professional development play a large part of
Winter 2013
the schools success. Their additional provision for children with special needs contributes immensely to the overall quality and attention to detail evident in their teaching at all levels. All teaching staff are employees and have all the benefits associated with that status. They have a background in high level competitive swimming and have taught or coached at local swimming clubs. Some also have experience teaching children with special needs and have disability teaching qualifications in addition to the ASA Level 2. The swimming school is a professional company, with a family atmosphere. They carry full third party and employee liability insurance. They offer customer service second to none and elements of flexibility to help manage sometimes difficult family logistics. Please contact Keith Arnold on 0151 342 5648 or 07807 838 160 alternatively e-mail keitharnoldswimschools@btinternet.com.
To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: anna@kidsdirect.org
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