Tots times may july 2016

Your guide to the first five years May-July 2016 Issue 12

Free !

Take

a co py

What’s on for under 5s Throw perfect parties for under 5s

Win Win Win Tickets to The Gruffalo’s Child

Everything parents in Leicestershire need to know Tots Times

Tel: 07866 551151

1

Contents How to throw perfect parties ... 4 Find a class ... 6 Win tickets to Wistow Maize Maze ... 8 What’s On .... 8 Find a mum and baby group .... 12 Cover story: pictured by www.beaphotography.co.uk

O

rganising a party for a little one can seem like a mammoth task. There are so many options and often so much pressure to make the event ‘perfect’. Mums can often be found tearing their hair out trying to book the right entertainer, searching for the perfect party bag toy or worrying that their princess themed buffet isn’t like the one on Pinterest. Parties should be fun for the birthday child and not reduce a mother to a burned out shell by the end of it all. We’ve pulled together great advice from experts on how to throw the perfect party and found some great companies who help put on fantastic fiestas which will help make it easier the next time you have to put on your party planner hat!

Also in this edition we’ve got great ideas for Half Term and the summer in our What’s On guide. The Spark Arts Festival for Children rolls into town with activities for little ones and you can win a family ticket to see The Gruffalo’s Child at Curve as part of the festival. We’re also taking a look at the theme for this year’s Wistow Maize Maze.

Finally, well done to Hannah Dalby from Frisbyon-the-Wreake who won a Toddler Break to Hendra Holiday Park in the last magazine. The answer to the question was Newquay.

Helen Knapton-Knott Editor

All rights reserved. Reasonable care is taken to ensure that the information provided in print and on the website is as up-to-date and accurate as possible at the time of publication. No responsibility can be taken

by Tots Times for any errors or omissions contained herein. Responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this guide/website is not the responsibility of Tots Times.

Readers are advised to check listings information with event providers to avoid disappointment.

Copyright of all text, pictures and advertisements designed or authored by Tots Times and its officers remains with the publisher.

If you are supplying artwork under copyright we assume you have the right to do so.

All advertising copy must be accurate, truthful and ASA compliant.

You need our permission to reproduce any part of this magazine or associated website content.

Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily the views of Tots Times and services and goods advertised are not necessarily endorsed by Tots Times.

Our office is 394 Hinckley Road, Leicester, LE3 0WA. Copy deadline for next issue: July 8 2015.

To contact Tots Times call 07866 551151 or e-mail info@totstimes.co.uk

I

New Car Seat Rules

-Size child car seats are still a mystery to many mums and dads. The law changed over a year ago to include the new European i-Size standard but when Which asked parents of under fives what they knew about i-Size, 59% of those with a baby under one said they had never heard of it.

Currently there are two options for choosing a child seat based on either weight or height. The two standards you will see are the newer i-Size standard based on height, and the older ECE R 44/04 standard based on weight which is likely to be phased out in the future.

Each height based i-Size seat comes with a different height limit and it’s up to parents to buy the right one for their child. Children under 15 months must be in a rear-facing position. The i-Size seats are more expensive but offer extra side impact protection. Rear-facing seats are five times safer than the forward-facing position for infants because of their fragile head and neck.

Lisa Galliers, Which? child car seat expert said: ‘It’s great to see that awareness of i-Size has increased since the last time we asked parents about car seats, particularly as it is quite confusing having car seats on sale with two different rules at the same time.’

Existing backless booster seats and baby seats manufactured to the R44/40 standard can still be used legally for now but choosing a child’s car seat based on weight will be phased out in a few years and rear-facing seats for children under 15 months will become mandatory.

2 Tots Times www.totstimes.co.uk

T

Win tickets to The Gruffalo’s Child thanks to The Spark Festival and Curve

ots Times, in conjunction with The Spark Festival and Curve, are offering you the chance to win a family ticket to The Gruffalo’s Child at Curve.

The Spark Festival The Spark Festival is the largest children’s arts festival in England and Wales and promises two weeks of unforgettable arts experiences for children in Leicester aged 0 - 13 years. The Festival starts on Monday 23 May and runs to Saturday 4 June and features the very best theatre, dance, music, visual arts, workshops, and creative digital technologies from local, national and international artists and performers.

Pre-school children have a fantastic choice of activities, many created especially for under 5s. Highlights include Poggle, a funny, sensory dance theatre piece with live music and bubble popping; The Doodle Dance Show will get everyone moving, doodling and imagining together and Musical Rumpus, the award winning interactive,

multi-sensory opera series for babies and toddlers.

Many shows in the festival offer relaxed performances, specifically designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment.

See the Spark brochure or website for details.

At Curve the fabulous Tall Stories production of The Gruffalo’s Child brings Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award winning sequel to life in a magical, musical adaptation.

To win a family ticket (up to 4 people) to see The Gruffalo’s Child at Curve on Thursday 2 or Fri 3 June answer the following question: What date does this year’s Spark Festival begin?

E-mail your answer with your address and telephone number to info@totstimes.co.uk by May 27th putting Gruffalo in the subject line.

For details of the Festival visit www.sparkfestival. co.uk, call 0116 261 6893 for a brochure or collect one at Visit Leicester, 51 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester.

Tel: 07866 551151

Tots Times 3

Perfect Parties

C

hildren’s birthday parties are big business. You can hire Hamleys toy store in London for a Saturday night at just £4,500 which will get you a bespoke themed sleepover for ten children, including photoshoot, entertainer, treasure hunt, midnight movie and breakfast. One London party planner put on a five year-old’s party with an ice-rink and Disney-onIce style characters.

It is a long way from the birthday parties most of us remember where we went round to someone’s house, played a few games and had tea in the kitchen and it can be a daunting prospect when you realise you have to organise one yourself. The internet can make it seem that unless you hold it in an interior designers house with a professional photographer and hired caterers you are doing something wrong. You aren’t.

On average, parents spend £135 on their child’s party, with one-in-six parents admitting to splashing out over £300, according to one parenting website.

We spoke to local party expert Lucy from Minimees about what really works. ‘Obviously for the first birthday people want to go all out but a one year old is not that bothered. It is more about the parents. I think the best parties start from about 2 years-old because

Mini character parties bring little dreams to life 4 TotsMees Times www.totstimes.co.uk

for busy parents they can engage and enjoy it.’

Timing is everything and Lucy thinks up to three years-old even a one hour party can be too long for some so two hours is the limit. “The first 15 minutes is people arriving, then you have entertainment for an hour with nursery rhymes, the parachute, entertainers, whatever you are having.

We still find they love dancing and doing the Cha Cha Slide, the hokey cokey, the conga and it’s always good to do Gummy Bear Song and they love the Superman song, kids go crazy for that.”

“We tend to do a lot of musical games, even for the little ones. We do dancing competitions and we also play games and no one is ever out, it’s about having fun. When they are older they become helpers so they don’t know they are out.”

Keeping things simple is also one of Lucy’s top tips.

Her advice is if you have booked an entertainer, don’t book a bouncy castle as well as the children cannot concentrate on the entertainer.

Once the games or entertainment is over then she recommends having the food, which takes about half an hour and then bring out the cake. This leaves about 15-10 minutes for children to play with their friends in an unstructured way.

On location she says: “A village hall or venue is always best. In a home sometimes you can lose the kids because they are in the bedroom and off looking at presents. When they are in a village hall or community centre there is lots of space to play games with actions. You can’t necessarily do that at home. Also parents tend to congregate in one area and that can be quite loud.”

While Minimees Parties provide a more traditional birthday party experience, there are now many new ways to celebrate.

Every child in London wants a Sharky & George party. They recently put on a camp-out for a nine-year-old that turned into a full-blown “SAS night mission” to free a hostage using laser guns. Perhaps not perfect for under fives, there

A Woodlarks woodland party is perfect for little adventurers

are gentler options available locally.

Woodlarks host woodland parties where little ones can explore, build dens, make swords from branches, toast marshmallows and play outdoors.

It is unconventional fun like this that is often more memorable than a village hall. If your little one loves animals you can hire companies like Tickled Skink to bring their friendly, fun critters to wherever you are having your party. Jabberjacks offer perfect age appropriate parties with games, bubbles, teddies and fun for little ones while crazy dancing and games keep the older ones busy. Photography parties can make your child anything from a fairy to a princess. Hiring a professional photographer is becoming popular now. Bea Photography will work with your party theme to create beautiful pictures and they also offer the increasingly popular cake smash party pictures for babies.

Whatever your dream party for your little one, there is a local business to make it happen, it doesn’t have to cost the earth and everyone can enjoy the day.

Tel: 07866 551151

Tots Times 5

Proud little fox celebrates LCFC win Leicester City have won the Premiership and when we saw this fab design from Linda Briggs of Briggs Design we knew we had to get it in somewhere. For little Foxes fans.

Top 5 Party Tips Choose a Unifying Theme Let the birthday child choose the theme and run it through all the aspects of the party. A princess party could include princess invitations, nametags and themed party bags.

Keep It Short and Structured Two hours is is a good length. Have 15 minutes to welcome guests, an hour of entertainment, 30 minutes for food and 15 minutes of free play to end.

Plan Age-Appropriate Activities Toddlers are too young for complicated activities. Stick to games, such as Pin the Tail on the Donkey and music based fun. Children from 4 years old need more stimulation so you can introduce entertainers and venues.

Keep Food Simple and Fun Try boxing up food for each child. If you are offering buffet style food, keep the sweet treats to hand round last. If you put them on the table, they will get eaten first.

Classes For Mummies

Bosom Buddies Antenatal Workshops. 7-9pm Second Monday of every month. Huncote Children’s Centre, Sportsfield Lane, Huncote, LE9 3BN For pregnant women in the Blaby, Oadby & Wigston District Carry My Baby sling library drop-in. Every Friday 9am - 12pm at 552 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 6EP. A free drop-in session. Over 50 slings and carriers available to hire for 2 or 4 weeks, £6-8 hire fee for 2 weeks, deposit payable (£35-£100).

For Little Learners Swim Works Classes 7 days a week and 10 minutes away from Lutterworth. Contact info@swimworks.co.uk or call 01788 568503 Little Ducks Swimming School Est. 1999 Professional and safe swim school based at Kirby Muxloe Primary School.

Classes are Monday and Thursday evenings also Saturday mornings for children aged 3 plus. For further information please contact Juliet on 0775 263 2311 or on facebook through Littleduckswimschool.

Birthday Cake strategies Serve younger children first, cupcakes work well for little ones. If you have a themed cake, also order a square plain iced cake to cut in advance for party bags and for parents to have a slice too. Remember to bring a big knife for cake cutting purposes.

YogaBelliesKidz Kids yoga classes for children aged 18 months to 12 years.

Saturdays in Oadby Contact Sarah 07555 133826 sarahh@yogabellies.co.uk www.facebook.com/yogabellieskidzleicester Little Splashers Westfield school in Hinckley. Classes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 weeks to 4 years of age. Contact Jo@littlesplashers. co.uk or call 07968015292 YogaBelliesKidz Kids yoga classes for children aged 18 months to 12 years.

Sundays at Groby Village Hall Contact Sarah 07555 133826 sarahh@yogabellies.co.uk www.facebook.com/yogabellieskidzleicester Aqua Vie Infant Aquatics Kirby Muxloe Primary School Pool,Barwell Road, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester LE9 2AA. Saturday 10.30am. Baby, pre-swim and swim classes. Also various classes at Great Glen, Countesthorpe, Oakham To have a class included in these listings please contact info@totstimes.co.uk or call 07866 551151.

6 Tots Times www.totstimes.co.uk

in the Leicestershire & Rutland area

Playmates Parties for 2, 3 & 4 year olds

Be amazed as the children discover the puppets, bubbles, teddies, games and activities, all hidden in the magic box

Juniors Parties for 5, 6 & 7 year olds • Crazy dancing to the latest hits • Funky prizes and party bags • Wacky games We also do pre-school activity classes!

www.jabberjacks.co.uk

01509 413873

jackieandverity@jabberjacks.co.uk

“Hi Vanessa. Just wanted to say thankyou so much for an absolutely fantastic party. Oliver loved it as did all his little friends. A huge success!”

Jolly Journeys for Young Explorers

We also run weekly pre-school sessions at The Reading Shop in Oadby, Leicester every friday during term time from 11am to 12 Tel: 07866 551151

Tots Times 7

WIN WIN WIN

What’s On Guide To have an event included in these listings please contact info@totstimes.co.uk or call 07866 551151.

T

he Big Friendly Giant is coming to Wistow Maize Maze this summer to mark the centenary of Roald Dahl’s birth.

“Roald Dahl had such an impact on children’s imagination with his extraordinary stories and characters, so to celebrate we are highlighting both his work and that of other famous children’s authors” explains Diana Brooks, owner of Wistow Maze.

The BFG was published in 1982 and has since become a favourite of children all round the world.

The maze, winner of Leicestershire’s ‘Best Visitor Attraction’, features 3 miles of intricate pathways carved through 8 acres of living corn, with high level bridges and towers giving fabulous panoramic views. It attracts 18,000 visitors each year.

This year the maze opens for business on Saturday 16th July and is open daily until Sunday 4th September and then weekends only until Sunday 18th September.

There is also an Activity Funyard with mini mazes and games for all ages, including hoopla, a space hopper track and football shooting game.

Tickets cost £6.50 for adults, £5.50 for children or a family ticket for four £22.

For more information visit www.wistow.com or call 07884 403889.

You can win a family ticket to the maze by answering this question: In what year was the BFG published?

Send your answer in an e-mail marked BFG to info@totstimes.co.uk before Friday 8th July. Include your name, address and telephone number. Winners will be chosen at random, no cash alternative or substitution is available, terms and conditions may apply at Wistow.

Saturday 7 May Feed the Bugs! New Walk Museum, Leicester, 11am-12pm. Get up close to live Wild Space exhibits, feed them, learn some facts and even handle the insects. Free event. Contact 0116 2254900.

Emergency Vehicles Railway Day, Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester, 11am-4.30pm. Vintage police cars, fire engines and more. Free admission, small charge for train rides. Contact 0116 2995111.

Sunday 8 May Light Steps Adesola Akinleye Dancing Strong, Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester in association with The Spark Arts for Children from 11am to 3pm. A dance piece following the amazing day of a puppet called Alex. For 3+ years. Tickets cost £7.

Contact 0116 2524255.

Satuday 14 May Newbold Verdon PTA Table Top Sale, Methodist Church, Newbold Verdon, 10am - 12pm. Toys, books, clothes and much more for sale. Contact nv.pta@outlook.com Tuesday 17 May Tiny Tuesdays: The Big Playdate, Charnwood Museum, Queen’s Park, Loughborough, free activities for under fives, usual opening times.

Saturday 21 May Feed the Bugs! New Walk Museum, Leicester, 11am-12pm. Get up close to live Wild Space exhibits, feed them, learn some facts and even handle the insects. Free event. Contact 0116 2254900.

Sunday 22 May Hungarian Children’s Day Picnic and Fair, Leicester Grammar School playground, 2pm - 6pm. Bouncy castles, face painting, Gokarts, children’s concert and Hungarian folk dancing plus lots of tasty Hungarian food and drink. Tickets cost £9.50 for adults - order from beucy@yahoo.com.

The Very Magic Flute, Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester. 3pm, pay what you think. An exciting new musical based on Mozart’s opera. Duration 50

8 Tots Times www.totstimes.co.uk

minutes, for 3-7 years. Contact 0116 2524255.

Monday 23 May Spark Festival: Art Awake!, New Walk Museum, Leicester, 10.30am - 12pm, 1pm - 3pm. Discover paintings and sculptures through making, creating and role play. Suitable for 1-7 years. Free event.

Contact 0116 2554900. Continues all week until Friday.

Tuesday 24 May Doodle Dance, Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester, 10.30am and 1.30pm. Interactive story show to get the whole family drawing and moving. For 3+ years. Tickets cost £7. Contact 0116 2524255. Also on Wednesday 25 May. Tiny Tuesdays: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Charnwood Museum, Queen’s Park, Loughborough, free activities for under fives, usual opening times.

Friday 27th May Poggle, Macrobert and Barrowland Ballet, Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester, 10.45am and 1.30pm. Vince wants to explore the forest but he’s too scared until he meets Poggle! For 6 months to 5 years. Tickets cost £7. Contact 0116 2524255.

Performances also on Saturday 28 May. Fluff: A story of lost toys, Curve, Orton Square, Leicester. The Gingham family are concerned about the lost and discarded toys in the world so they try to fetch them all home. Tickets cost £7. Contact 0116 2423595.

Saturday 28th May Curve Family Day, Curve Theatre, Orton Square, Leicester, 10am. Free event with crafts and fun for all age kids.

Spark Arts: A boy and a bear in a boat, Hamilton Library, 10.30am. Five years plus.

Bedtime Stories, The Y Theatre, Leicester, 3pm.

Bring your bear and your pjs for a story and some fun.

Half Term Activity Packs, Jewry Wall Museum, Leicester 11.30am - 3.30pm. Free admission, pack costs £1.50. Contact 0116 2254971. Continues all week.

The Gruffalo’s Child, Loughborough Town Hall, 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Tickets cost £12. Contact (01509) 231914. Performances also on Sunday 29th May. Sunday 29th May Melton Show and Festival, Egerton Park, Melton Mowbray 10am - dusk. Live entertainment and attractions for families. Also runs Monday Baby Disco: Space, Attenborough Arts Centre,

23 May to 4 June 2016

Two weeks of unforgettable arts experiences for children in Leicester aged 0 - 13 years.

www.sparkfestival.co.uk

Tel: 07866 551151

#Spark2016

Tots Times 9

Leicester, 1pm and 2.30pm.

Multisensory dancing and fancy dress if you like it for 0-6 years with DJ James Kelly and Alison Bacon. Tickets cost £5 per child, £1 accompanying adult.

Monday 30th May Spark Festival: Art Awake! New Walk Museum, Leicester 11am - 2pm. Dress up fun for children and families of all ages. Create costumes and props and bring the artwork to life. Drop in free event. Contact 0116 2254900.

Continues all week until Friday.

Up my Street, Newarke Houses Museum, Leicester, 11am3.30pm. Visit the museum’s cobbled street and enjoy shopping games and activities.

Tuesday 31st May Spark Festival: Whizzpopping and musical Scrumdiddlyumptiousness, New Walk Museum, Leicester 11.30am- 12.15pm.

Celebrate the centenary of Roald Dahl through music. Tickets £5 or £15 for family of four. Contact 0116 2254920.

Out of This World, Charnwood Museum, Queen’s Park, Loughborough, 10.15am - 11.15am, 11.45am - 12.45pm. Visit Planet Charnwood and create astronomical art. Cost £2.50, Book on 01509 233754.

Rockets and Space children’s Day, Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester, 11am-3pm. Craft activities and train rides. Contact 0116 2995111.

Spark Arts: Digital Playground, The Phoenix, Leicester, 11am.

Free creative fun for little ones using digital media. Runs until Friday.

Spark Arts: Printmaking Playtime, Leicester Print Workshop, 11am. Make prints and take your artwork home at this free event.

Runs until Friday.

Spark Arts: Art Detective, Fosse

Library, 2pm. Storytelling and workshop in Latvian and English. What secrets do paintings hold? Make your own monkey and frames for your masterpiece.

Free event.

Woodland Clay Monsters at Brocks Hill, Brocks Hill Park, Oadby, 10.30am to 1.45pm. Create your own woodland monsters and hairy trolls. One for you and one for you to hide in the park for others to find! Cost £4 Book on 0116 2572888.

Grandad and Me, Attenborough Arts Center, Leicester, 1pm and 3pm. A young girl is missing her

Tiddler and other Tales at Loughborough Town Hall June 10th.

Grandad and traces his footsteps on a magical adventure through time and space. For 5 years and over. Tickets cost £7. Contact 0116 2524255. Performances also on Wednesday 1 June.

Wednesday 1 June Spark Arts: Cabinet of Curiosities, Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester, 10am. Make a sculpture with artist Jo Dacombe. Free event for ages 4+.

Thursday 2 June Monsters and Aliens, Charnwood Museum, Queen’s Park, Loughborough, 10.15am 11.15am, 11.45am - 12.45pm.

Create a monster or alien of your

own design. Cost £2.50, Book on 01509 233754.

Medieval Mayhem.. trials and treason! The Guildhall, Leicester, 11am - 3pm. Family day out with medieval activities, trails and crafts.

A Mano (By Hand) Curve, Orton Square, Leicester. The story of a very small but very special hero with a great desire to escape from his pottery shop window. Tickets £7, contact 0116 2423595.

The Gruffalo’s Child, Curve, Orton Square, Leicester, 1.30pm and 4.30pm, Tickets cost £12, Contact 0116 2423595. Shows every day until Sunday 5 June.

Friday 3 June Sponge - by The Spark Arts, Big Imaginations and Turned on its Head, Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester, 10.30am and 1pm. Family dance show about all things spongy. Performance for 0-4 and their parents. Duration 45 minutes, Tickets cost £5.

Contact 0116 2524255.

Saturday 4 June Leicester Riverside Festival, Leicester Mile Straight, Bede Park , Western Boulevard and Castle Gardens, 12 until late.

Dragon boat racing, boat trips, music, children’s funfair, markets and more. Continues Sunday.

Music Rumpus: Run, Rindle, Rill Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Multi-sensory interactive opera for babies and toddlers. Ages 0-3 years. Tickets cost £7. Contact 0116 2524255.

Leicestershire Sausage and Cider Music Festival, Cattows Farm, Normanton Lane, Heather, LE67 2TD. Day tickets cost £26.99 for a family (2A+2C). Camping available.

Teddy Bear’s picnic Railway Day, Abbey Pumping Station,

10 Tots Times www.totstimes.co.uk

Leicester, 11am - 4.30pm. Free ride on the railway if you bring your Teddy!

Friday 10 June Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales, Loughborough Town Hall, 4pm. Live music, puppetry and characters from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved titles create a magical experience. Tickets cost £11. Contact (01509) 231914.

Saturday 11 June Music in the Park at Wistow Hall in aid of LOROS and Leicester Charity Link. Local covers band Double Yellers and Hathern Brass Band perform and there will be a fireworks finale. Tickets £15 Adults, £5 children aged 10-16, under 10s free. Free parking. Gates open 5.30pm, concert starts 7.30pm, fireworks 10pm.

Tickets available from Ken Baileys at Wistow Rural Centre and all 24 LOROS shops in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Sunday 12 June Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebrations, City Centre, Leicester.

Monday 13 June The 15th Annual Mallory Mile, Mallory Park Track, Kirkby Mallory, kickstarting National Bike Week promoting cycling for everyone as part of everyday life.

It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy an evening of cycling fun and entertainment from 6pm - 8pm.

Saturday 18 June Foxton Locks Festival, Foxton Locks, Leicestershire, from 10am. Arena displays, funfair, boats, music animals and more.

Entry costs £5 per adult per day and accompanied children are free. Camping also available.

Festival also on Sunday 19 June from 10am to 5pm.

Monday 20th June National Insect Week with BIAZA, Twycross Zoo is a member

of the British and Irish Association for Zoos & Aquariums (BIAZA) and during National Insect Week, the zoo will be teaching visitors all about its creepy crawlies and insects. Be sure to check out the zoo’s beautiful Butterfly Forest where you can walk amongst the brightly coloured moths and butterflies, search for caterpillars and meet some of the other resident creepy crawlies like Guinevere the tarantula!

Runs until Sunday 26th June Saturday 25 June Community Fun Weekend at Tesco South Wigston, 10am 4pm. Billy Bates fun fair, Mini fire engine rides, police and fire service vehicles, youth groups, band, cake and plant stalls, face painting owls and more. Runs Saturday and Sunday.

Market Bosworth Children’s Festival, The Parish Field, Park Street, Market Bosworth, 11am - 4pm. Blunderbus Theatre Company will deliver two drama workshops, jugglers, crafts, face painting, bookstall and gardening. Free event.

Husbands Bosworth Festival and Party in the Park, Bosworth Hall Park, Husbands Bosworth 10.30am. Displays and live music from 5pm. Entry £3 and under 16s get in free.

Leicester Vintage Festival, Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester, 1pm - 5pm. Celebrate the past with steam, vintage vehicles, 1970s theme and live music.

Sunday 19th June Queen’s Road Summer Fair, Queen’s Road Leicester, Stalls, live music, children’s activities and food.

Sunday 3rd July Melton Country Fair. Melton Town Parks 10am to 5pm. Traditional country fair, animal zone, shows, steam vehicles and the

Melton Big Bake. Admission A£6 C free. Contact 07956 631683.

Hinckley Soap Box Derby, Castle Street, Hinckley, 11am onwards. Watch teams ride down Castle Street in their home made contraptions. Free to watch. For details visit www.hinckleybid. co.uk or contact 01455 698494.

Sunday 10 July The 102nd Ashby Show, Cattows Farm, Normanton Lane, Heather, LE67 2TD. Featuring the best of farming and great entertainment along with lots of shopping! Big Pete and his Monster Trucks will be in the ring along with Meirion Owen’s Quack Pack of border collies and Indian Runner Ducks. Tickets cosst £12.50 for adults, Children 4-16 £5 and under 4s get in free.

Sunday 17 July Baby Disco: Underwater Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester, 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm.

Multi-sensory dance and music with Alison Bacon and DJ James Kelly. For 0-6 years. Tickets cost £5 per child, £1 accompanying adult. Contact 0116 2524255.

Saturday 23 July The Hairy Maclary and Friends Show, Loughborough Town Hall, 2pm and 4pm. Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy, Hercules Morse, Bottomley Potts and Scarface Claw will all be on hand to retell some of your favourite Hairy Maclary stories. Tickets cost £11. Contact (01509) 231914 Simon Says festival 2016 at De Montfort Hall, Leicester, 12pm until late. Music from The Wonder Stuff and many others, food and children’s activities make for a great family festival. Tickets cost £30 for adults, Under 16s £10, Under 10s £7.50, Under 5s free. Contact 0116 2333111

Tel: 07866 551151

Tots Times 11

Mother, baby and toddler groups Hinckley & Bosworth Monday Crazy Babes Parent and Tots Group, St Francis Community Centre, Tudor Road, Hinckley, LE19 0EW. Session runs from 9.30am to 11.30am. Contact 01455 617185.

Tuesday Toys and Story time for under 5s.

The Hub Cafe, Newbold Rd, Barlestone. Session 9.15am-1pm. Make and take craft table during school holidays for ages 4-10.

Precious pearls, St Johns Church, Coventry Road, Hinckley; 10.00 – 11.30 and 13.00-14.30; £1.50 includes refreshments. For more details call 01455 611497.

Wednesay Lots for Totz 10am to 11.30am and 1pm to 2.30pm at Hope Community Church and Family Centre, Deveron Way, Hinckley, LE10 0SS. Term time only. Cost £1.50 per family. Contact 01455 233798.

Thursday Sunshine Club, Barlestone Village Hall, Barton Road from 1.30- 3pm.

Toys and chat for mums.

Mums and Tots, Salvation Army Hall, Lancaster Rd, Hinckley, 9.3011.30am.

Trinity Tots -9.45-11.45; Holy Trinity Church, Hinckley ; £1.00 includes drink and biscuit. Baby Sensory is in the Cedar Room in Holy Trinity hall.

0-6 months 9.45-10.45, then 7-13 months at 11.15-12.15 Friday Busybodies, St Francis Community Centre, Tudor Road, Hinckley, LE19 0EW. Session runs from 10am to 11.30pm. Contact 01455 617185.

Harborough District Monday Geli Tots 9.30am-11.30am Evangelical Church Hall, Market

Harborough. £1 per family. Contact 01858 434906.

Monday Tots Parent and under 5’s 1.30 - 3pm Methodist Church, Northampton Rd, Market Harborough £1.50 per family includes refreshments. Contact: Susie 07789 816835

Tuesday Snuggs, 9.30- 10.30am, St Nicholas Church, Market Harborough. Cost £1 per child. Contact 01858 462926.

Fleckney Toddler Group 1.15pm3pm (term time only) Fleckney Village Hall, The Parade, Fleckney, LE8 8AY. Contact Pia Odell 0116 2402795.

Leire Parent, Baby and Toddler Group, 1pm-2.30pm (term time only), Village Hall, Main Street, Leire, LE17 5HE. Birth to school age. Costs £1. Contact Caroline O’Connell 07719 600179.

Thursday Angels and Monsters Toddler Group, Sutton Elms Baptist Church, 80 Leicester Road, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire LE9 6QF. From 9.30 – 11.15am (term time only). Cost £1.50 and 50p for each additional child. Contact Sue Hill 01455 554221 email: suehill_popav@yahoo.co.uk.

Broughton Astley Tots, Broughton Astley Village Hall, Station Road, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, LE9 6PW. Session runs from 9.30am – 11.30am (term time only). Costs £2 for child over 6 months and carer, £1 for baby under 6 months and carer.

Contact Becky Clarke 01455 283369.

Claybrooke Parents and Tots group, 10am-12pm all year round, Claybrooke Magna Village Hall, Main Road, Claybrooke Magna, Leicestershire, LE17 5AJ. £1 per family.

Contact Jill Fisher 01455 208153.

Friday Friday Toddlers Parents/carers and under 5’s 9.30 - 11.30am Jubilee Hall, Congregational Church, Bowden Lane, Market Harborough, £1.50 per

family. Toys, craft, singing, storytime.

Contact Susie 07789 816835 Lubenham Mums and Tots Group, 10am to 12pm, Lubenham Village Hall, Laughton Road, Lubenham, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Cost £2 per family, first visit free. Contact Debbie Fairlie 07772 486503.

The Friday Coffee Club, 9.45am – 11.45am, The Pavilion, The recreation ground, Coventry Road, Lutterworth. Cost £1.50 for one child, £2 for two or more children. Contact Sue Atkins 01455 556805.

Oadby & Wigston Monday Kibworth Methodist Pre-School Parent and Toddler Group, Kibworth Methodist School Rooms, School Walk, Kibworth, LE8 0JB. From 1pm to 3pm.

Music and Movement, Salvation Army Hall, Ladysmith Road, Wigston. Starts at 10am. Contact 0116 2774114.

Bosom Buddies Breastfeeding Group, Wigston Magna Sure Start Children’s Centre, 30 Long St, Wigston, LE18 2AH. 1.30pm - 3pm.

Contact 0116 305 5282.

Tuesday Tots Kids and Carers, 9.30am10.45am (18 months to 4 years) 11am-12pm (babies) The Kings Centre, 56 Bull Head Street, Wigston, LE18 1PA. Contact 0116 2886090.

Little Angels at St Paul’s Church, Oadby. Toys, stories and crafts with refreshments. Cost 50p. Contact Anita 0116 2714465.

Toddler Town soft play session for all children aged 5 and under- 1011:00am at the Freer Centre LE18 1HQ £2 per child, £1 additional sibling and 50p for babies. To book please contact Health and Leisure Service 0116 272 7703 or leisure@ blaby.gov.uk

12 Tots Times www.totstimes.co.uk

Wednesday Mums and Tots 9.20am – 11am St Thomas’s Church Hall, Blaby Road, South Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 4SB, Cost £1 per child, (50p for each child thereafter). Contact Kim Bowers@hotmail.com Great Glen Baby and Toddler Group, Community Centre, The Chase, Great Glen, Leicestershire, LE8 9EQ. Open 2pm -3.15pm (term time only) £2 per family per session, first session is free. Contact Aimie Spencer 07590 929114.

Thursday Little Conkers, 10am – 11.30am (term time only) Salvation Army Hall Leicester South, Ladysmith Road, off Saffron Road, South Wigston, LE18 4UZ. Free admission, donations accepted. Contact Gail Potts, 0116 2774114.

Little Angels Parent and Toddler Group, 10.30am – 11.30am, Blaby Road Methodist Church Lounge, Blaby Road, South Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 4PB. Contact Margaret Edwards/Pat Cadney 0116 278 6616.

Poppets Play-Time, Kibworth Grammar School Hall (The Lounge), School Road, Kibworth, Leicestershire, LE8 0EW. Open 11am-Noon (term time only) for children aged 0-4 accompanied by an adult. Costs £3 (brother or sisters £1 each) per session. Contact Claire Cole 07806 094453.

Inclusive Bean Club- A session for children with additional needs- Runs 1st Thursday of month 1:30-3:00pm at Wigston Magna Children Centre contact Ellis Stretton 0116 272 7523 or ellis.stretton@blaby.gov.uk Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Kibworth Grammar School Hall, School Road, Kibworth, Leicestershire, LE8 0EW. 12.30pm -2pm (term time only) for ages 0-5 years. £2 for first child, additional siblings 50p.

Friday Sparklers at St Wilfrids Church, Kibworth. Starts 2pm . Contact Eunice Hayes on 0116 2796154.

Blaby Monday Twins at Totstime, Sapcote Scout Hut, Church Road, Sapcote, LE9 4FG. Runs from 9.45am – 11.15am,

aimed at families of twins or multiples Cost £2 per family. Contact Jacqui Dixon 07841 047485.

Bosom Babies Breastfeeding Group, 1pm-2.30pm, Huncote Sure Start Children’s Centre, Sportsfield Lane, Huncote, LE9 3BN. Contact 0116 275 0246.

Huncote Mums and Tots Group, 1.45pm – 3.15pm, Huncote Community Centre, Denman Lane, Huncote, Leicestershire, LE9 3BS. . Costs £1.50 per session.

St. Peter’s Tiddlywinks, St. Peter’s Parish Centre, High Street, Whetstone, 1-3pm. Suitable for 0-5 years.

Admission £1 per family is suggested.Contact Katherine Yates 07593700046.

Tuesday Cosby Parent and child group, Cosby Village Hall, Park Road, Cosby LE9 1RL. Sessions run from 9am – 11.30am for children aged 0-5. Contact 0116 2863034.

Blaby Tiddlers, Blaby Methodist Church, Winchester Road, Blaby, Leicester, LE8 4HL, Session 1.30pm3pm (term time only) for under fives, costs £1 per family. Contact Gill 0116 2771803.

Wednesday Creative Children’s Group, Village Community Hall, (opp The Star pub) New Road, Stoney Stanton, LE9 4LQ. Session runs from 9.30am -11.30am.

Term time only. Contact Kerry 01455 271778 Sparklers Baby and Toddler Group.

The Bunning Hall, Main Street, Cosby. £1.

Bosom Babies Countesthorpe Sure Start Centre, Winchester Rd, Countesthorpe, LE8 5PR. 10am - 11.30am.

Contact 0116 3055170.

Thursday Totstime, Sapcote Scout Hut, Church Road, Sapcote, LE9 4FG. Runs from 9.45am – 11.15am. Cost £2 per family. Contact Jacqui Dixon 07841 047485.

Inclusive Bean Club A session for children with additional needs- Runs 3rd Thursday of month 1:30-3:00pm at Huncote Children Centre. Contact Ellis Stretton on 0116 272 7523 or ellis.stretton@blaby.gov.uk

Friday Toddler Town soft play session for all children aged 5 and under- 1011:30am at The Pavilion Huncote LE9 3BN £3 per child, £1 additional sibling and 50p for babies. To book please contact Health and Leisure Service 0116 272 7703 or leisure@ blaby.gov.uk Mumstop, Living Rock Church, Station Road, Stoney Stanton, LE9 4LU, 10am-11.30am. Costs £2 per family.

Contact 01455 270840.

Narborough Toddler Group, 9.30am-11.30am (term time only) Narborough Parish Centre, Desford Road, Narborough, LE19 2EL. For children aged 0-5. Costs £1.50 per child plus 50p per additional sibling.

Contact Tamyka Stewart 07805 680022.

The Ark, United Reformed Church, Chapel Street, Enderby. 9.30am 11.30. Contact 0116 2862625.

Melton Mowbray Monday Little Fishes, 40-44 Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1NW. For children aged up to 4 years six months. Session runs from 9.30am to 11.30pm. Costs £1.50 per family.

Contact 01664 564022.

Pram Club at the Samworth Centre, 8 Burton Street, Melton Mowbray.

10am to 11.30am for parents and careers of children from birth to four years. Contact Carol Parker on 01664 857526.

Tuesday Come and Grow Club, Thorpe Arnold Village Hall. 10am to 11.30am.

Contact Carol Parker on 01664 857526.

Wednesday Little Gems, St Mary Magdalene Church, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, LE14 4AJ. 10am to 11.30am. Costs £1 per session. Contact Christine Alexander tel 01664 464802 or email wee3alexander@ btinternet.com Thursday Tiny Tots 10am-11am Thursdays in term time, St Mary’s Church, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray. Contact Catriona on 01664 503533.

Tel: 07866 551151

Tots Times 13

Coalville

Monday Little Dragons Den Soft Play, The Marlene Reid Centre, 85 Belvoir Road, Coalville, LE67 3PH. 9.30am to 3pm. Cost: under 12 months £1, 1-5 years £3. Also Thursday and Friday.

Tuesday Noah’s Ark Parent and toddler group, The Full Gospel Mission (Pentecostal Church), James St, Coalville, LE67 3BX. 10am to 11.45am term time only. Cost £2 per family. Contact Sharon Ellison 01530 817061.

Wednesday Sprogs Baby and Toddler Group, Ibstock Methodist Church, Melbourne Rd, Ibstock, LE67 6JS. 1.15pm - 2.45pm for children up to 4. Contact rosslynharding@hotmail. co.uk Thursday Sunshine Toddlers, Christchurch Hall, London Road, Coalville, LE67 3JA. 1.15pm to 2.45pm. Contact Sally Dawson 01530 456102 Friday Little Teapots, Worthington Pre-school, Worthington Primary School, Main Street, Worthington.

Parents and tots group with indoor and outdoor play equipment. Cost £2 for first child, 50p for siblings. 10am - 11.30am. Contact 07972271824.

Loughborough Monday Emmanuel Church Little People, Emmanuel Church Centre, Forest Road, Loughborough, LE11 3NW. 10am to 11.30pm term time only.

Costs £1. Contact Cathy Threlfall on 01509 261773.

Park Road Tiny Tots, Beacon Christian Centre, Park Road, Loughborough, LE11 2HL. 10 to 11.30am term time only. 50p per family.

Contact Paul and Dawn Garner 07885243682.

Knightthorpe Parent and Toddler Group Knightthorpe Methodist Church, 106 Knightthorpe Road,

Loughborough, LE11 5JU. Starts 1.30pm, term time only.

Contact Anne tel: 01509 502994.

Tuesday NCT Early Days Drop-in, Gorse Covert Community Centre, Maxwell Drive, Loughborough, LE11 4RZ. 10.30 - 12pm term. £2.50 suggested donation. Contact 0844 2436193.

Playtime, The Schofield Centre, Greenclose Lane, Loughborough, LE11 5AS. 10am to 11.30am. Suitable for 0-4. Costs £1-£2 per family.

Smiles Mother and Toddler Group, Elim Church, Burleigh Road, Loughborough, LE11 3BA. 10am to 11.30pm. Parents and carers of 0-5s welcome. Costs 50p per family.

Contact 01509 234306.

Baby Song followed by Tiny Tots Loughborough Salvation Army opposite St Mary’s Catholic Church, Ashby Road. Start 1.30pm. Contact Joyce Boswell on 0116 220 9779 Thursday Playtime, The Schofield Centre, Greenclose Lane, Loughborough, LE11 5AS. 10am to 11.30am. Suitable for children from 0-5. Costs £1-£2 per family.

Trinity Toddler Group, Trinity Methodist Church (Upstairs), Royland Road, Loughborough, LE11 2EH. 10am to 11.30am term time.

Costs £1 per family. Contact church office 01509 807411 Friday Emmanuel Church Little People, Emmanuel Church Centre, Forest Road, Loughborough, LE11 3NW. 10am to 11.30pm term time only.

Costs £1. Contact Cathy Threlfall on 01509 261773.

Good Shepherd Parent and Toddler Club, Church of the Good Shepherd, Park Road, Loughborough, LE11 2HJ. 10am to 11.30am for children from 0-4. Costs 50p per family. Contact Katie Schad on 01509 212642.

Leicester Monday Playbreak. Robert Hall Church Hall, Narborough Rd, Leicester, LE3 0PD. 10 until 11.30. £2 per family per session. Mondays in termtime. Contact Caroline on 07933 768679.

Little Treasures Parents and Tots Group, 9.30am – 11.30am (term time only). All Nations Centre, 10 Frog Island, Leicester, LE3 5AG. Cost 50p per family. Contact Rachel Barford/Liz Carvell All Nations Church Leicester 0116 2623222.

Purple Parenting Support Mum and baby group. The Red Cow, Hinckley Road, LFE, 9.30-11.30am.

Arts and Crafts at 360 Play, Meridian Leisure Park, Leicester. 9.30am11.30am.

Tuesday National Childbirth Trust Bumps and Babies group, 10am – 12pm, Leicester Unitarian Chapel Hall, East Bond Street, City Centre, Leicester, LE1 4SX. Suggested donation £2.50.

Contact Miriam Stevenson 0116 2895648.

Knighton Nippers, Knighton Free Church, Brinsmead Road, Leicester, LE2 3WB, 10am-11.30am (term time only). 0-4 years. Contact 0116 2704101.

Baby and Toddler Group Christchurch, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester LE2 3AH. Children up to 3.5 years. 9.30-11.30am (term time only) £1.50 per family.

TLC Tots at Trinity Life Church, 9.45am - 11.30am. Toddler gym time, toys, singing. Contact Tom 0116 2558672.

Tots and Dots at St Andrew’s Church, Leicester Forest East, 1.30pm - 3pm. No charge.

Wednesday Parent and Toddler Group. Braunstone Civic Centre, 209 Kingsway, Braunstone. £2 joining fee then £1.50+20p for additional children or adults. 9.15 to 11.15 term time.

Contact Karen 0116 2892357 or Joe 07885 200537.

Glenfield Methodist Church Toddler Group, 1.15pm - 2.30pm, Contact Liz 0116 2879183.

Kids and Carers, £2. The Big Shed, Covenant Life Church, 93 Commercial Square, Freemens Common, Leicester LE2 7SR. Parking permits can be collected from reception.

Contact Deborah 07816 252995 Kids & Co Friends Meeting House 16 Queens Road (near Victoria Park) Leicester LE2 1WP. For under fives, meets 9.30-11.30 £2.20 per family Cafe Mama 10am-12pm The Chapel

14 Tots Times www.totstimes.co.uk

Cafe, Bishop Street Methodist Chapel, Town Hall Square, Leicester.

Peer supporters, La Leche League consultants Happy Families, 10am-11.30am (term time only) Robert Hall Memorial Church, 147 Narborough Road, Leicester, LE3 0PD. Costs 80p per session and first session is free. Contact 0116 2855379.

Thorpe Astley Baby And Toddler Group, Thorpe Astley Community Centre, Off, Lakin Drive, Leicester, LE3 3RU. Term Time From 12 pm till 2.30pm, For All children aged up to 5 £1 Per Session, First Session is Free.

Contact Laura on 07572535632 or thorpeastleybandt@gmail.com.

Mini Monsters, St Andrews Parish Hall, Old Church St, Aylestone, 9.30am-11am, term time for under 5s. £1.50 per adult including drink.

Contact Anna, Laura or Steph on 07863 680715.

Thursday Twinkling Stars, Holy Trinity Church, Regent Road, Leicester 9.30 -11.30am (term time only) 50p per family. Contact Frances Watts wattsfrances@tiscali.co.uk Shake Rattle and Roll, Church of the Martyrs, Westcotes Drive, Leicester 10am to 11.30am. No charge. Activities, songs, refreshments and play.

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre Parent and Toddler group 1-3pm, 50p. Contact Pravin Ruparelia 0116 2221004.

Friday Babies Bumps and Toddlers at the Exchange Bar, 50 Rutland St, Cultural Quarter, Leicester, 10am-12pm.

Free, just pay for drinks.

Tots ‘n’ Toys Manor House Neighbourhood Centre, Haddenham Road, Leicester 10-11.30am term time. Baby and toddler group for the under 5s run by Mosaic Church.

Emma Else 0843 289 2562.

Little Darlings Playgroup St Crispin’s Church Hall, 10am - 11.30am.

Contact Bree 0116 2894678

Get your Mum and Baby group included here, e-mail the details to info@totstimes.co.uk

Leicester and Leicestershire Libraries toddler times and under 5s sessions alternate Saturdays after.

Leicester

Aylestone: 10am - 12pm, Tuesday Beaumont Leys: 9.30 11.30am, Thursday Belgrave: 10am - 12.00pm, Tuesday Braunstone: 9.30 - 11.30am, Wednesday Leicester Central: 10am 12.00pm, Friday Evington: 10am – 12pm, Tuesday Fosse: 1pm – 3pm, Monday Hamilton: 10am - 12pm, Wednesday Highfields: 10am - 12pm, Tuesday Knighton: 10am - 12pm, Wednesday New Parks: 9.30am - 11.30am, Thursday Rushey Mead: 10am - 12pm, Friday Southfields: 10am - 12pm, St Barnabas: 10am - 12pm, Thursday St Matthews: 1.30 - 3.30pm, Saturday The Brite Centre, Braunstone: 9.30am - 11.30am.

Westcotes: 10am - 11.30am, Wednesday

Leicestershire Blaby: 10.30am - 11am First Saturday of the month and

Glenfield: 2.15 - 2.45pm Monday, 1st and 3rd Monday of the month Braunstone Town: 2.15 - 2.45pm Wednesday every week.

Birstall: 10am - 10.30am Monday, every other Monday Loughborough: 10.30-11am Monday, every week Shepshed: 10am - 10.30am Thursday, every other Thursday Syston: 10am - 10.30am Thursday, every other Thursday Broughton Astley: 10am 10.30am Monday, every first and third Monday Lutterworth: 10am - 10.30am every 2nd and 4th Tuesday Market Harborough: 10am 10.30am Thursday, every week Earl Shilton: 10.30am -11am Monday, 1st and 3rd Monday of the month Hinckley: 9.45am - 10.15am Tuesday. Tickets from helpdesk from 9.30am on Tuesday.

Melton: 2pm - 2.30pm Wednesday, every week Ashby: 10.30am - 11.30am Friday, every other Friday Coalville: 9.45am - 10.15am Thursday, every week Oadby: 2pm - 2.30pm Wednesday, every week Wigston: 10am - 10.30am Tuesday, every week

Tel: 07866 551151

Tots Times 15

Parent & Baby sessions and swimming lessons for children 3 plus years Start2swim offers parent and baby sessions giving a gentle introduction to the water right from the start. As they get older and more confident they are encouraged to be independent of their parent and learn to be safe in the pool.

We also run courses for children aged 3 plus years with small class sizes, and at least two qualified teachers in the water. For the younger children we use pool platforms to reduce the water depth (only required at QEII).

De Montfort QEII Leisure Centre

Captain's Close School, Asfordby

Parent & Baby:

Parent & Baby:

4 months to 3 year olds 10 week x 30 minute sessions for £52.00

Children 3 years and over:

10 week x 30 minute sessions for £52.00

6 weeks to 3 year olds 10 week x 30 minute sessions for £50

Children 3 years and over:

10 week x 30 minute sessions for £50.00

The best way to find a suitable course is to visit

www.start2swim.co.uk

and complete either the QEII Leisure Centre or Captain's Close easy-to-use online form and we will call or email you back.

Or leave a voice mail 07436 791057 Or email: enquiries@start2swim.co.uk

STA Star Swim School 16 Tots Times www.totstimes.co.uk