Birmingham
IN THIS ISSUE
Back to School Seasonal Fun What’s On Guide
Issue 95 September/October 2026
familiesonline.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk
Independent Schools Birmingham, Solihull & Sutton Coldfield Eversfield Prep School Solihull T: 0121 705 0354 eversfield.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 3 Oct Solihull School Solihull T: 0121 705 0958 solsch.org.uk Open Morning: Sat 26 Sep 09:30 – 12:00
Prep and Junior Schools Edgbaston High School for Girls Pre-Prep & Prep Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 5831 edgbastonhigh.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 19 Sep 09:30 – 12:00 Hallfield School Pre-Prep & Prep Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 1496 hallfieldschool.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 26 Sep 09:15 – 12:00 Highclare School Pre-Prep & Prep Erdington, Birmingham T: 0121 373 7400 highclareschool.co.uk
2 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
Norfolk House School Birmingham T: 0121 454 7021 norfolkhouseschool.co.uk Priory School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 440 4103 prioryschool.net Open Morning: Sat 26 Sep 10:00 – 13:30 St.George’s School Prep Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 625 0398 sgse.co.uk The Blue Coat School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 410 6800 thebluecoatschool.com Open Morning: Sat 19 Sep 09:00 West House School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 440 4097 westhouseprep.com
The Shrubbery School Sutton Coldfield T: 0121 351 1582 shrubberyschool.com
Senior Schools Edgbaston High School for Girls Senior Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 5831 edgbastonhigh.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 19 Sep 09:30 – 12:00 Hallfield School Seniors Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 1496 hallfieldschool.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 26 Sep 09:15 – 12:00
Highclare School Seniors Erdington, Birmingham T: 0121 373 7400 highclareschool.co.uk King Edward’s School Birmingham T: 0121 472 1672 kes.org.uk Open Evening: Thu 10 Sep 17:00 – 19:30 King Edward VI High School for Girls Birmingham T: 0121 472 1834 kehs.org.uk Open Evening: Thu 17 Sep 17:00 – 19:30 Priory School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 440 4103 prioryschool.net Open Morning: Sat 26 Sep 10:00 – 13:30 St.George’s School Senior Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 625 0398 sgse.co.uk Solihull School Solihull T: 0121 705 0958 solsch.org.uk Open Morning: Sat 19 Sep 09:30 – 12:00
Register for open events online
familiesonline.co.uk
CONTENTS Hello Autumn! Are you wishing the summer could have gone on forever OR looking forward to having the kids back at school or nursery and returning to your usual routine? Either way, there’s a lot to love about autumn. The beginning of a new academic year often feels like a fresh start and can be an exciting time for children, even if it takes a few weeks for you all to settle into the groove. There’s lots to help you in this issue. We focus on Emotional Wellbeing with some great book recommendations to help children with their worries. Hear from leading Harley Street phobia expert, Christopher Paul Jones, on using anchoring to calm anxiety and share conversation hacks to use with your preteen or teen. Our Back to School section has some great articles like What to expect from the first few weeks of term; Top tips for a successful Parents’ Evening and Delicious AND nutritious lunch box ideas. Plus, find out how sport and education can work together to improve children’s confidence, resilience and support their progress in the classroom. It shouldn’t be all work and no play though! Use our What’s On Guide to plan some fun activities for the family and keep the kids entertained over the October Half-Term. See our pick of the best pumpkin patches and lovely farm shops to get you in the spirit for Halloween. Encourage the family to become autumn detectives next time you’re out for a walk and see if you can solve our nature mysteries. Follow the clues, get curious and uncover the hidden stories of the season. Remember to collect some conkers for our Halloween craft activity! Finally, enter our giveaway to win an Ultimate Stitch Interactive Plush Toy, worth £80 each! Apply inside and receive our e-newsletter with even more giveaways and an online version of the magazine to share with your friends and family. Enjoy the magazine!
Claire
Claire Jones editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk 07938 657719 familiesbirminghammag familiesbirminghammag
In this issue 4 6 8 12 15
Seasonal Fun Emotional Wellbeing What’s On Guide Back to School Parenting
Page 13
NEXT ISSUE: November/December 2026
BOOKING DEADLINE: Tuesday 6 October 2026 " % %& %# %$ " % " #"$ % & " % %& #%$! ! % $ &$ & % &$ " " % %& % " #& % !&#& !#" & "# " % %& #%$! ! #"$ % & " " %$& %$ ! & # "#& %$ & &$ &$! $& "$ &#"!& $ &# % &$ & & $!&$! " % %& %# %$ " "#& # !& !& #% ! "$ $ $& ! & & %! #%" # ! #" % "!!&# " & #& # & %$ "$ # %! ! #% # $ &$! " % %& %# %$ " &# "#& % !" &$ %$ ! & #& "#"!% $ ! % " " %$& ! ! & #"$ % & $&# "$ " % %& #%$! ! "$$ ! & & #& $ % & # ! & "% " &#!% &# $ # # ! & " #" ! & $!&$! # "$ $ & &$ & ! &#&
Advertise with us!
Editor – Families Birmingham & Families Warwickshire
GIVEAWAY
Contact us
Call Claire on:
Ages 3+
Ultimate Stitch Interactive Plush Toy
Birmingham
07938 657719 Warwickshire
editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk
Discover the outof-this-world personality of Disney’s Ultimate Stitch 100+ sound and motion combinations – from cute and silly to alien temper tantrums Press his features for sneezing, giggling, munching, dancing Worth and singing £80 each 2 available
Use QR code or apply at www.familiesmag.co.uk/go familiesonline.co.uk
T&Cs apply editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 3
SEASONAL FUN
Become an autumn detective: solving nature mysteries Autumn leaves clues everywhere. A chewed acorn beneath a tree. A seed spinning on the wind. A cluster of berries shining among the leaves. Trees are preparing for winter, animals are gathering food and hidden communities are working beneath our feet. This autumn, take a notebook outside and become a nature detective. Your job is to follow clues, ask questions and uncover the hidden stories of the season.
THE TREE THAT LET GO
THE TRAVELLING SEED
Collect three fallen leaves in different colours and compare their veins, edges and textures.
Search for seeds with wings, parachutes or other unusual shapes. Some spin on the wind, others hitchhike on passing animals or are carried inside fruit.
A tree spends all summer growing its leaves, then in autumn they fall. Before it does, it recovers valuable nutrients stored inside them, including sugars and nitrogen. What you could find: leaves from trees like oak, beech, maple What advantages might a bare tree have during winter?
Drop a few different seeds and watch how they fall. Do they tumble, spin or float? What you could find: sycamore seeds with wings, burdock seeds with hooks and burrs
THE BERRY ADVERTISEMENT
THE ANIMAL NOBODY SAW
Bright berries appear on hedges, shrubs and some trees in autumn. Why would a plant make its fruits so easy to see?
Something visited before you arrived but you just missed it. Scavenge the undergrowth for chewed pine cones, empty acorn cups or cracked nutshells. Scientists learn much about animals from the evidence they leave behind.
Notice which berries stand out most clearly against the leaves around them. Birds often swallow berries whole and carry the seeds away inside them, dropping them somewhere new. What you could find: blackberries on bushes and rowan berries on trees What do you think the plant gets out of that arrangement?
THE MUSHROOM THAT APPEARED OVERNIGHT Search for fungi growing on logs, tree stumps or among fallen leaves, and compare their shapes and colours. The mushroom is only part of the fungus, the fruit; most of the fungus may be hidden underground or within wood, sometimes spanning an area larger than a football pitch. What could you find: fly agaric, oyster mushrooms, turkey tail fungi and inky caps…but remember: look, DON’T TOUCH, as some fungi are poisonous.
If you could see beneath the surface of the field, how large do you think the hidden part might be?
What could you find: feathers, pine cones and nuts that have been gnawed on, paw prints in the mud
What do your clues suggest about what happened here?
THE CITY UNDER THE LEAVES Choose a small patch of leaf litter and carefully look underneath. Worms, woodlice, beetles and millipedes may all be working together to break down dead plant material and return nutrients to the soil. Without them, fallen leaves would simply accumulate and the nutrients locked inside them would never be released. What could you find: worms, woodlice, small beetles, millipedes
How many different residents can you find in one patch?
Every clue tells part of a larger story. Leaves fall and release nutrients, seeds disperse, berries draw in birds, fungi thread through the soil and tiny creatures work beneath the leaf litter. The season that looks like an ending is actually a very busy beginning. Written and illustrated by Ria Mishaal, owner of Curiosity Companions (www.curiositycompanions.com) which offers nature education subscriptions for ages 4 to 12.
4 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
familiesonline.co.uk
0DNH JORZ LQ WKH GDUN VSLGHUV ZHEV
Cu t and ou kee t p
Conkers are an autumn favourite - shiny, brown and perfect for crafting. Some people say conkers help keep spiders away, so you can enjoy spooky webs and crafty spiders all Halloween long (without any unexpected real spider guests)! So grab your kids and get them making their own glow-in-the-dark conker webs to hang in your windows.
To make one glow web decoration, on, you will need: Web: 1 conker 5 cocktail sticks (or BBQ skewers, trimmed)) Glow-in-the-dark wool or string Optional extras: String for hanging Tiny toy/paper spider A dab of glue/tape (grown-up help may be needed)
Top tip: Glow wool charge s up best under a bright lamp or sunlight , th really shines whe en it n you turn the lights do wn.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Push the sticks into the conker to make a star shape. Push them in just far enough to hold firmly.
Tie the end of the glow wool around the centre of the conker. Wrap it around a few times to secure.
Loop the wool around the end of the next stick, then move to the next one. Keep going in the same order.
With thanks to Little Crafters Boxes (www.littlecraftersboxes. co.uk) for this craft idea. Hartley’s Winter Lolly Stick Crafts and more seasonal craft activities are available to purchase on Amazon.
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Keep weaving around all 5 sticks, round and round, to build the web outwards.
When you reach the ends of the sticks, tuck the wool under a few loops at the back and trim. Add a tiny dab of glue or tape if needed.
To decorate and hang, tie on a hanging loop and add a little cardboard spider in the centre.
familiesonline.co.uk
editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 5
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
Books that help children with their worries Compiled by Carrie McCarthy
Children experience all kinds of challenges, from big life changes to dealing with everyday worries. At these times, the right book can offer comfort, reassurance and a way to make sense of what they’re feeling. Try these to help children through life’s ups and downs.
Ages 3-6
Ages 3-7
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne LewVriethoff
Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate A gentle picture book about grief which also celebrates LGBTQIA+ families. The story follows a young girl and her grandad, sharing stories about his partner Gramps and their life together. Within the story, the granddaughter learns about loss and the importance of cherishing memories of people we love.
This heartwarming picture book helps when children are struggling with separation anxiety, anxiety, loss or grief. In the book, the mother tells her children that they are connected by an invisible string of love to everyone they care about, no matter how far away.
Ages 4-8
Ages 5+ A Shelter For Sadness by Anne Booth, illustrated by David Litchfield
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
A great book to open up conversations about selfacceptance and learning to see your own worth. With the darkest skin in her family, young Sulwe struggles with feeling different and less beautiful than others. After a magical journey through the sky, she understands that beauty exists in many shades and that her own skin is something she should be proud of.
This is a beautiful book about making space for sadness. In the book, a boy makes a shelter for his sadness. He can visit his sadness at any time, whether to sit quietly, to cry or to talk. The message is that sadness is not something to be pushed away but instead cared for and understood.
Ages 3-6
Ages 4-8
Two Places To Call Home by Phil Earle, illustrated by Jess Rose
Lubna And The Pebble by Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Daniel Egneus
This comforting picture book reassures children experiencing divorce. Florrie has two brothers, two pets and two parents - and now she has two homes: one with her mum and one with her dad. She shares special moments with each parent and when she feels sad or worried, those memories remind her that the other parent is never far away.
Here is a story that gently helps children understand the challenges that refugees might face. Lubna, a young girl, arrives at a refugee camp and forms an attachment to a small pebble, whom she calls her best friend. Through this friendship, she processes her feelings of fear, loss and missing home. When she meets Amir, she gives him the pebbleƻ
Ages 9-11
Ages 8+ Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian
A warm and humorous story about a young boy adjusting to a new home and school. The book gently explores bullying and racism as Omar faces prejudice and unkind behaviour because of his Muslim faith, whilst learning to navigate friendships, family life and misunderstandings. Together with support from his family and friends, Omar responds with humour, kindness and resilience.
The Wrong Shoes by Tom Percival
Tackling the themes of poverty, pride and morality, Will and his dad struggle financially,and his worn-out shoes make him a target for bullies. When Will falls out with his only friend, he has to make the tough choice between doing what’s right and giving in to the pressure for quick money.
Carrie McCarthy is from Pageticker (www.pageticker.com), the UK’s top-rated digital reading diary for children. This FREE app helps record, organise and celebrate every book a child reads, allowing them to create beautiful reading lists, set achievable goals and build daily reading streaks that keep motivation high.
6 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
familiesonline.co.uk
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
Using anchoring to calm anxiety By Christopher Paul Jones Anxiety has become incredibly prevalent. Children can suffer anxiety about going back to school; parents can suffer anxiety about their child’s development and societal expectations can be an issue for everyone. But very few people really understand how anxiety works, what causes it or indeed how to change it. Understand what anxiety actually is One of the biggest misconceptions about anxiety is that it is about character; if sufferers were just braver, stronger or more confident, they wouldn’t feel it. But anxiety is much more often a learned reflex. A conditioned response. Trying to think your way out of it often doesn’t help because emotions don’t follow logic. Anxiety can be handled One of the quickest and most useful tools I’ve come across is something called anchoring, a technique that creates a conditioned association between a specific internal emotional state and an external stimulus (such as a touch). Anchoring gives us something incredibly valuable - the sense that we can start reclaiming control. How to anchor Think of a time when you felt very relaxed. Go fully to that time. See what you saw. Hear what you heard. Feel what you felt. At the peak of that feeling, squeeze your thumb and forefinger together. Hold that for as long as you can stay in that feeling. The second the feeling begins to fade, let go.
Now do it again, thinking of a time when you felt very loving or connected. Repeat other positive emotions: a time you couldn’t stop laughing; a time when you felt very confident or very safe. Now test it. Clear your mind for a moment. Then squeeze your fingers together in exactly the same way, with the same pressure. This should start sending you back to those positive emotions. Whenever you start to feel anxious, squeeze your fingers together in exactly the same way and fire off positive emotions. If the anchor is strong enough, it should take out or at least neutralise much of the negative emotional charge. e. Christopher Paul Jones is a leading Harley Street phobia expert who combines mainstream psychology and cutting-edge techniques which aim to change the mind’s danger response. He is author of Face your Fears – 7 Steps to Conquering Phobias and Anxiety. More at www.christopherpauljones.com
Anxiety vs phobia
One client’s story
Anxiety and phobia are often used interchangeably but the key differences are important.
A client explained that she had anxiety around flying. I asked her a simple question: ‘What specifically are you afraid of?’ She said: ‘Turbulence.’
Phobias tend to be tied to a very specific trigger. The time you were chased by a dog. The turbulent flight that frightened you. The moment you were forced to get up and speak in class and everyone laughed. The brain links one thing to one fear response. Anxiety, however, is often more of a prolonged sense of unease. It can come from growing up with anxious parents, moving around a lot, being bullied at school or going through a prolonged period of stress at work or at school. Rather than one very clear moment, it’s often a longer period of not feeling safe, supported or in control. And what then happens is that instead of flying = fear or dogs = fear, the mind starts to generalise. Anything out of your comfort zone, anything slightly uncertain, anything that feels even vaguely unpredictable can begin to trigger that same emotional response.
familiesonline.co.uk
I got her to think about turbulence and really step into what she was scared of. As she did that, I linked that state to a touch on one arm. Then I asked her to think of a time when she had felt very loved and connected. A moment where she felt safe, warm and emotionally close. As she stepped into that feeling, I linked that state to a touch on the other arm. Then I fired them together. What happens when you do this is that the two emotions rush in together and the stronger state starts to take over. It doesn’t always mean an instant miracle but when you’ve conditioned a powerful enough positive emotion, it is possible to completely change how you feel. A few months later she messaged me to say she was sitting on a plane, unfazed by her previous feelings.
editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 7
WHAT’S ON
Autumn Fun for all the family A guide to What’s On in the West Midlands Events Harvest Festival Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens 27 Sep A lovely autumnal family day out complete with: Vegetable animals, Flowers in the most interesting vessel, Morris dancing, crafts with corn/wheat and of course, scarecrows! Get involved in the competitions. Enter online. castlebromwichhallgardens.org.uk Room on the Broom Corn Maze Twycross Zoo, Atherstone 1 – 31 Oct NEW for 2026 - Step into a spellbinding world of fun, surprises and plenty of whooshing, zooming fun for the whole family. Wander through towering corn, follow the trail of magical clues and discover cheeky creatures along the way. Perfect autumn adventure for little explorers. twycrosszoo.org
Heritage Open Days West Midlands 11 - 20 Sep Each September thousands of volunteers across the country invite you to experience local history, architecture and culture. All for FREE! Visit heritageopendays.org.uk to check the directory for events near you. Moseley Folk and Art Festival Moseley Park, Birmingham 4 – 6 Sep Immersive family-friendly festival celebrating the very best of contemporary folk music, arts and crafts. Activities for all ages. Children under 12 FREE with paying adult. moseleyfolk.co.uk Wake up the Zoo Dudley Zoo & Castle, Dudley 6 Sep (08:45) Ever wondered what it’s like to wake up some of the rarest animals in the world? Book this early morning guided tour experience and follow the keepers as they go about their duties and learn all about vital conservation work. Age 8+. dudleyzoo.org.uk Outdoor Cinema Coombe Abbey, Coventr The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long (PG) 11 Sep (18:00) Frozen Sing-A-Long (PG) 12 Sep (12:00) The Gruffalo and Stick Man (U) 13 Sep (09:30) Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration (PG) 13 Sep (14:00) Star Wars: A New Hope (U) 13 Sep (18:30) Grab your blankets and your popcorn, bring your friends and family and enjoy the movie! Tickets online. adventurecinema.co.uk Sutton Coldfield Food & Drink Festival Sutton Coldfield Town Centre 11 - 13 Sep Fri & Sat (10:00 – 19:00) Sun (10:00 – 17:00) Enjoy a weekend full of family fun with great street food, independent traders, live entertainment and FREE kids activities. visitroyalsuttoncoldfield.co.uk
Book Extravaganza Birmingham & Lichfield Uffculme Centre, Birmingham 12 Sep (10:30 – 16:00) Lichfield Guildhall 17 Oct (10:30 – 16:30) Whether you’re hunting for rare literary treasures, eager to support local talent or ready to immerse yourself in the joy of reading, these events promise something special for every book lover. rosiesretrobazaar.co.uk Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition NEC, Birmingham Until 13 Sep Discover the legend of the Boy King like never before! Travel back to ancient Egypt with 360º video mapping, a seated VR journey, a free roaming Metaverse, authentic artefacts from Cairo, and more. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience one of the most fascinating eras of human history. tutankhamunexperience.com/birmingham
Fireworks Champions Ragley Hall, Alcester 19 Sep Get ready for a night of four jawdropping displays as the UK’s best firework companies compete against each other to light up the sky in a thrilling competition, followed by a breath-taking closing display! fireworkchampions.co.uk Solihull Food Festival Solihull Town Centre 25 - 27 Sep Expect a mouth-watering mix of local favourites and exciting new flavours from a wide array of street food, sweet treats and gourmet traders. Plus, live entertainment and FREE family fun. solihullbid.co.uk
8 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
Cinema Under the Stars /Spooky Cinema Thinktank, Birmingham Step into the Thinktank Planetarium for a cinema-style screening. Unwind and enjoy a specially selected themed film in a setting designed to inspire curiosity and wonder. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (PG) 2 Oct Galaxy Quest (PG) 2 Oct Hocus Pocus (PG) 30 Oct E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (U) 31 Oct birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank Outdoor Cinema: Hocus Pocus (PG) Statfold Country Park, Tamworth 2 Oct (18:10) Wolverhampton Racecourse 16 Oct (18:10) Grab your tickets to the ultimate outdoor cinema experience this autumn. Bring your own chairs, popcorn and spooky snacks and enjoy the film! cinemaoutdoor.co.uk National Brick Events The National Conference Centre, Birmingham 4 Oct (10:00 – 16:00) Calling LEGO lovers of all ages! National Brick Events are the ultimate destination for anyone who loves the joy of building with bricks. Prepare for a day filled with creativity, nostalgia, and pure LEGO magic! Family tickets available. Under 5’s FREE. nationalbrickevents.co.uk Horse of the Year Show 2026 NEC, Birmingham 7 - 11 Oct The biggest week of the year for equestrian entertainment is back! Horse of the Year Show has something for every member of the family to enjoy, from shows to shopping, and of course…the horses! Book online. hoys.co.uk Swan Lake Family Fun with Birmingham Royal Ballet Symphony Hall 24 Oct (14:00) Great participatory event for families with children ages 4 – 11. With dance workshops, an introduction to ballet and a performance by some of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s dancers plus a Swan Lake themed story session. bmusic.co.uk
How to Train Your Dragon 2 in Concert Symphony Hall 24 Oct (19:30) Experience the spectacular film sequel presented in HD (Rating PG), with its thrilling score by John Powell performed live by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. bmusic.co.uk Ice Age Adventure Live! Lichfield Garrick Theatre & Studio 24 Oct Brace yourselves for a mammoth mission in the frozen world! Journey back in time to meet incredible prehistoric animals in the coolest family show this side of the arctic circle! After the show, get up close like never before and meet your prehistoric pal; the POLAR BEAR! lichfieldgarrick.com Museum Live National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull 24 & 25 Oct Museum Live is one of the UK’s premier classic motorcycle events. Whether you’re passionate about historic machines, looking to meet famous faces from the world of motorcycling or looking for a fantastic family day out. FREE admission to the museum and attractions for all ages. nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk Deadly Live! Hosted by Steve Backshall Utilita Arena, Birmingham 26 Oct (14:00) Join award-winning presenter Steve Backshall as he embarks on heartpounding adventures, tackling daring stunts, mind-blowing experiments and cutting-edge science. Brace yourself as he tracks down some of the world’s most formidable predators. The perfect half-term treat! utilitaarenabham.co.uk Meet the Science Magician ThinkTank, Birmingham 30 Oct (11:00, 12:00, 14:00 & 15:00) Dr Matt Pritchard, the Science Magician, combines his passion for STEM with the wonder of magic. Through a unique blend of spectacular illusions, exciting experiments and interactive demonstrations, he reveals the fascinating science behind the seemingly impossible. 4 FREE drop-in sessions. Price included in admission. birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank Fireworks Extravaganza – with a spooky feel! The Lant Sportsground, Balsall Common 31 Oct Prepare for a spooktacular night of family fun! Halloween atmosphere, spectacular fireworks and great attractions for the whole family. balsallcommonlions.org Peppa Pig Space Adventure NEC, Birmingham Until 8 Nov Blast off with Peppa Pig and her friends on an out-of-this-world adventure for families with young children. With hands-on play, storytelling, and gentle surprises throughout. Designed for preschoolers and toddlers, everyone welcome. Tickets online. Under 2’s go FREE. peppapigspaceadventure.co.uk
familiesonline.co.uk
WHAT’S ON
Museums & History Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Birmingham Visit the iconic Round Room, Industrial Gallery, Bridge Gallery, Tearoom and museum shop, Family Gallery, Wild City and Pixel Studio. Open Wed-Sun termtime (10:00 – 17:00) and 7 days a week in school holidays. FREE entry. birminghammuseums.org.uk Black Country Living Museum Dudley Go back in time and explore 26 acres of carefully reconstructed shops, houses and industrial areas that represent the Black Country’s fascinating story. bclm.com British Motor Museum Gaydon Explore over 400 British classic cars, take part in themed trails, experience touch screen exhibits and understand how a car works. Fun for all the family! Mellow Mondays Relaxed Hours 7 Sep & 5 Oct (15:00 – 17:00) britishmotormuseum.co.uk Coventry Transport Museum Coventry Visit the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles on the planet and learn about how Coventry changed the world through transport. Family Play Zone Self-led crafts. Open daily (10:00 – 16:30) transport-museum.com Dudley Museum at the Archives Dudley Filled with fantastic fossils and guaranteed fun, enjoy a whole host of displays including geology, dinosaurs, historic finds from Dudley Castle, local heroes, glass and artwork every Thu, Fri and Sat. FREE entry. dudley.gov.uk Lapworth Museum of Geology University of Birmingham Go and see the finest and most extensive collections of fossils, minerals and rocks in the Midlands. Exciting family activities, educational talks, tours and arts & crafts activities. birmingham.ac.uk/culturalattractions/lapworth-museum-of-geology Midland Air Museum Baginton, Nr Coventry Experience the world of aviation with over 45 aircraft on display, Vulcan guided tour and sit-in Meteor cockpit. Tea Room and FREE parking. Aviation Fair 18 Oct midlandairmuseum.co.uk
Get Active
Royal Air Force Museum Cosford Full family day out, whatever the weather! Explore the skies and uncover the immense history of the RAF. Sit in a Spitfire, interactive VR experiences, simulators and 4D Theatre, plus aviation-themed playground. FREE entry. rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands Sandwell Museums Sandwell, various locations Explore a range of different museums including Haden Hill House Museum and Haden Old Hall, Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery, Oak House Museum – West Bromwich, Bromwich Hall Museum, Galton Valley Pumping Station and Bishop Asbury Cottage. Mostly FREE to visit. Seasonal activities. sandwell.gov.uk/museums Selly Manor Museum Birmingham Step back in time to discover how the Tudors cooked, dressed and lived. Explore the parlour, dining hall, kitchen and bed chamber. Dress up in replica costumes and suit of armour. FREE children’s trail. sellymanormuseum.org.uk Tamworth Castle Tamworth Standing tall for almost 1,000 years, there's something to spark every child's imagination at Tamworth Castle. With hands-on activities that bring history to life, it's the kind of learning that doesn't feel like learning at all! Blue Peter Badge attraction. tamworthcastle.co.uk
Ackers Adventure Birmingham What will your next family adventure be? Choose from Snowsports (Ski, Tube, Snowboard or Toboggan) or Adventurous activities (Archery, Axe throwing, Climb, Zip wire, Fan descender, Canoe, Kayak, Bellboat, Bushcraft or Disk golf). Birthday parties and Holiday schemes available. ackers-adventure.co.uk Adventure Golf Four Ashes Golf Centre Solihull 18 holes of fun packed adventure golf with cascading waterfalls, rocky routes and a possible hole in one - it’s fun for all the family! Book online or turn up and play. fourashesgolfcentre.co.uk
Go Ape Cannock Chase (Staffordshire), Wyre Forest (Kidderminster), Coombe Abbey (Coventry) For thrill-seeking adults and funseeking children experience the best of high rope antics, forest segways, net adventures, zip trek adventure, axe throwing and mini-Land Rovers. Activities vary by location. goape.co.uk
AirHop Adventure & Trampoline Park Birmingham The ultimate play experience for all ages! Open Jump, After School Antics and Unlimited Jumps, Toddler & Family Takeover, SEN & Weekend Sunset Sessions. Plus, the bounciest parties in town! airhop.co.uk
NPF Bassets Pole Adventure Park Sutton Coldfield Perfect for active, adventurous kids and families. Paintball, Laser Tag, Archery, Bushcraft, Quad Trekking, Jungle Escape, Gelball and much more. All designed for children, age restrictions apply. Birthday party packages for children aged 5 and over. npfbassettspole.com
Junior Parkrun Various locations A FREE, fun and friendly weekly 2K event for juniors (4-14 years old). Every Sunday at 9:00. Children must be able to complete the course without an adult. parkrun.com
Rock Up Birmingham Enjoy some healthy, action-packed fun in a safe environment. Climbing walls (age 4+), toddler climb and play (up to 5’s), vertical challenges, high ropes (min height requirements) plus soft play for 0-5’s. Also available for group bookings, schools and parties. rock-up.co.uk The Wave Coventry Grab your goggles and enjoy a family day out at one of the UK’s awardwinning indoor water parks in the heart of Coventry City Centre! thewavecoventry.com
Warwickshire County Cricket Club Museum Edgbaston, Birmingham Matchdays (10:00 – 17:00) The museum chronicles the history of the club and its players and is FREE to visit. No match ticket required. edgbaston.com West Midlands Police Museum Birmingham Wed – Sat (10:00 – 16:00) Learn about two centuries of policing history. Experience an authentic Victorian lock-up, hear about pioneering individuals, interactive displays, dress up in police uniforms and take your own mugshot! museum.west-midlands.police.uk
Outdoor Fun Birmingham Botanical Gardens Edgbaston The Gardens have something for all ages to enjoy, including 7,000 plants, 4 Victorian Glasshouses, many different children’s trails for just £1.50 each and a playground. birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk Martineau Gardens Birmingham 2.5 acres of organically managed landscape to explore including a nature trail, formal garden and children’s ‘shipwreck’ play area. martineau-gardens.org.uk
Walsall Arboretum Town Centre, Walsall Accessible walkways, boating lake and lakeside café, tennis courts and acres of open playing fields to explore. Plus, a children’s play area with skate park. go.wasall.gov.uk
Sutton Park Nature Reserve Sutton Coldfield Visit one of the largest urban parks in Europe. With playgrounds, restaurants, sailing, bike riding and kite flying, there’s something for the whole family! birmingham.gov.uk/suttonpark
Winterbourne House and Garden Birmingham Edwardian historic house and botanical garden with plenty of activities available all year round for children. Children’s garden, family trail, Tea Room, gift shop and second-hand bookshop. Flight of the Bumblebee Trail (until 13 Sep) FREE self-guided children’s trail age 6+. winterbourne.org.uk
familiesonline.co.uk
editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 9
WHAT’S ON
October Half-Term & Halloween October Half-Term Kingsbury Water Park, Sutton Coldfield Spooky Campfire & Games 27 Oct (12:00 – 13:30) Follow a spooky trail from the Visitor's Centre to Den Building Wood where a campfire jacket potato will be waiting for you as well as some other Halloween games. For children age 5+ and their families. Spooky Staffs 29 Oct (10:30 – 12:00) Create a spooky staff out of hazel and willow and then decorate it with bats, monsters and more! For children age 5+. eventbrite.co.uk Lichfield Maize Maze Lichfield Weekends in October & daily from 23 – 31 Oct Explore the amazing maize mazes in a whole new light this October. With brand new spooky maze games, the Pumpkin House for autumn photos and pick your own pumpkins. lichfieldmaizemaze.co.uk Hatton Adventure World Nr Warwick Weekends in October & 26 Oct – 1 Nov Halloween Spooktacular Get ready for a day of fang-tastic fun and all NEW ghoulish delights, including the Fluorescent Frights UV Trail, a brand NEW Spooky Show, the mischievous Witches of Hatton and a frightfully fun Monster Mash Disco! The ultimate Halloween day out for families. hattonworld.com Blazing Halloween Drayton Manor, Tamworth 10, 11, 17, 18 & 24 Oct – 1 Nov A frightfully fun family event packed with spooky surprises, thrilling rides, mischievous Halloween characters and an all-new Trick or Treat Trail where little monsters can collect sweet treats from themed locations across the park. Brave guests can climb aboard the Revenge of the Haunted Express and everyone can enjoy the end-of-day lake show before the night ignites with dazzling fireworks on selected dates. draytonmanor.co.uk Halloween Nights Black Country Living Museum, Dudley 24, 29, 30 & 31 Oct Bring the whole family for a night of mischief around the historic streets and experience a slew of spinetingling entertainment. Trick-or-treating, frighteningly fantastic experiences and ghoulishly good fun historic characters. bclm.com Middleton Halloween Middleton Hall & Gardens, Tamworth 24 – 31 Oct Join the fun with all the ghosts and ghouls at this spooky Hallow'een family event. Hear the scary stories of the spirits of Middleton Hall, build your very own cute monster and join in with all the spine-tingling activities. middletonhalloween.com LEGO Coding & AI workshop ThinkTank, Birmingham 24 Oct – 1 Nov (10:45, 12:00, 13:45 & 15:00 daily) Explore building and coding smart machines and using kid-safe, ageappropriate AI with brand-new next generation Computer Science & AI kits direct from LEGO Education. Fun-filled 50 minute hands-on family session. Discover how real-world coding can feel just like casting a spell! Booking advised. birminghammuseums.org.uk /thinktank
CBSO 2026/27 Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular Symphony Hall 25 Oct (15:00) Celebrate Halloween with an afternoon of ghoulishly delightful classics from iconic movie themes to suitably spooky music for the whole family. Hour of FREE craft activities before the performance. BSL interpreted. Recommended age 6+. Costumes welcome! bmusic.co.uk The Boo-tique Hotel! Selly Manor Museum, Birmingham 26 – 30 Oct This Halloween, step inside if you dare to create creepy crafts, search for the missing pumpkins, creep through the mysterious rooms of the house and discover the spooky chaos left behind by the hotel’s unusual guests. Age 3+. sellymanormuseum.org.uk Art Club The Studio, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery 26 – 30 Oct Children can celebrate the changing of the seasons by making their own clay leaves. Either bring your own leaves or use ones which the learning team have collected around Birmingham’s historic properties. £3.50 per child. Book online. birminghammuseums.org.uk
Minecraft Zombie Survival Touchwood, Solihull 26 – 30 Oct (from 10:00) Step into a custom Minecraft world built around Touchwood and Solihull High Street. Work together with other players in the group to survive the zombies on a private server. Gather resources, explore, build and take part in a big Mob Battle! 50 min sessions. 12 players per game. £5 per child. Age 7+. eventsattouchwood.co.uk October Half-Term National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire 26 – 30 Oct Gather the family this autumn and explore the beautiful colours of the grounds. There’s something for all ages to enjoy from outdoor trails: Arbie’s i-Spy: autumn trail and Stick Man to drop-in arts and crafts and interactive storytelling. Activities are low-cost or FREE but some require e booking. thenma.org.uk
10 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
Woodland Wizards Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens 27, 28 & 29 Oct (11:00) The woods are alive with Magic this autumn! Train as a Wizard's apprentice, make your own nature wand, create strange & mythical creatures, mix muddy potions and play some spooky games. Dress up as your favourite witch or wizard. For children age 3 – 9 and their adults. eventbrite.co.uk Little Ravers Halloween Special Popworld, Solihull 28 Oct (14:00 - 17:00) A spook-tacular Halloween party for little ones and their grown-ups. FREE pumpkin painting. Baby and toddler friendly and fun for the whole family. Costumes welcome! popworldparty.co.uk/solihull Super Spooky Family Craft Activity Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield 29 Oct (11:00 – 13:00) Hands-on Halloween themed family craft activity. £2 per child, accompanying adults FREE. Booking recommended but not essential. FREE entry to the museum with more fun activities including quill pen writing, colouring and costumes to try on. samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk WiFi Wars: Halloween Special Midlands Arts Centre 29 Oct (15:00 & 19:00) Live comedy game show where you all play along! Bring a smartdevice (phone/tablet) for each player and compete in teams and individually in a range of games, puzzles and quizzes with a spooky Halloween twist! Age recommendation: 6+. macbirmingham.co.uk Ghost Trains Seven Valley Railway 29, 30 & 31 Oct Start your adventure at Kidderminster Station with plenty of ghostly photo opportunities and some frightfully good tunes then hop aboard and hold on tight and beware of things that go bump in the night! Goodie bag for each child. Parental discretion advised. svr.co.uk
Theatre Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham Mrs Doubtfire The Musical Thu 13 Aug – Sat 19 Sep Age recommendation: 6+ Birmingham Royal Ballet - Swan Lake Wed 23 Sep – Sat 3 Oct Age recommendation: 5+ Cats Tue 27 Oct – Sat 7 Nov Age recommendation: 5+ birminghamhippodrome.com
Crescent Theatre Birmingham Surinderella Wed 9 Sep – Sat 3 Oct crescent-theatre.co.uk
Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Sutton Coldfield Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat Tue 13 – Sat 17 Oct LDN Wrestling – Tables, Ladders & Chairs Mon 26 Oct Calipso’s Circus Wed 28 Oct suttoncoldfieldtownhall.com
The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Piff & Pop’s Magic Shoppe Wed 16 Sep Age recommendation: 5+ Lord of the Dance: 30th Anniversary Mon 28 Sep – Sun 4 Oct atgtickets.com
The Old Rep Theatre Birmingham Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Sat 12 – Sun 13 Sep oldrep.co.uk
The Rep Birmingham The Snowman Tue 20 Oct – Sun 1 Nov birmingham-rep.co.uk
Never miss an issue!
Sign up at www.familiesmag.co.uk/go
familiesonline.co.uk
WHAT’S ON
Days Out Ash End House Children’s Farm Tamworth Hands-on family-friendly farm. Entry includes animal feed, tractor-trailer ride, pony-sit-on and lots of animal interaction. Outdoor play areas available. Great for children parties! ashendchildrensfarm.co.uk
National Sea Life Centre Birmingham Visit the Aquarium with the UKs only 360-degree ocean tunnel and over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life. Quieter SEND sessions first Sunday of every month. visitsealife.com/birmingham
Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park Edgbaston Open daily (10:00 - 16:00) Home to a unique collection of animals from across the world. There are red pandas, lemurs, reptiles, meerkats, otters, birds, wallabies and a collection of monkeys. birmingham.gov.uk/conservationpark
National Trust Birmingham and West Midlands Enjoy autumn at our local National Trust properties: Birmingham Back to Backs, Roundhouse, Wightwick Manor and Gardens, Clent Hills & Moseley Old Hall. Each property has its own unique family activities so why not visit them all. See individual websites for details of half-term activities and prices. nationaltrust.org.uk
Burntwood Alpaca & Animal Farm Burntwood Fun-filled day out on the farm for all the family! Hands-on animal experiences, play area and bouncing pillow and children’s birthday party packages. Book online. burntwoodalpacas.co.uk Cadbury World Birmingham Enjoy a day choc-full of fun and discover the story of how Cadbury Chocolate is made. Interactive factory tour with demos, exciting rides, meet Cadbury characters, outdoor play area and café. cadburyworld.co.uk Cannon Hill Park Birmingham There’s so much to do for families here from outdoor sports, games and rides to shows and exhibitions, crafts, wildlife and more. Open every day of the year, whatever the weather! cannonhillpark.co.uk Discover Dudley Dudley Visit the heart of the Black Country with so much to see and do from famous visitor attractions, historic buildings, beautiful nature reserves and parks to canals and amazing geological treasures. discoverdudley.org.uk
SnowDome Tamworth Have fun all year round at the Indoor Snow Centre. With real snow for skiing, snowboarding and snow fun activities like tobogganing and snow play. Plus, ice skating, swimming and seasonal events. snowdome.co.uk Statfold Country Park Tamworth Everything you need for a fun family day out! Steam train, Toby’s Barn soft play, world-renowned locomotive museum, shop, café, vintage carousel ride, colouring station, outdoor games and play park. Don’t Miss: Days out with Thomas™: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll 26 & 27 Sep. statfold.com ThinkTank Birmingham Four floors of fun to explore, bursting with more than 200 handson high-tech displays alongside historical collections and natural science specimens. Fun and educational! Autism friendly sessions second Saturday of every month. birminghammuseums.org.uk /thinktank
Pumpkins
Here’s our favourite places across the West Midlands to pick your own pumpkins or lovely farm shops to buy them. Bells Farm Hartlebury bellsfarm.co.uk
Rymans Pumpkins Lichfield rymanspumpkins.co.uk
Essington Farm Wolverhampton essingtonfarm.co.uk
Severn Valley Cottage Bewdley instagram.com/severnvalleycottage_
Lichfield Maise Maze Lichfield lichfieldmaizemaze.co.uk Lower Drayton Farm Penkridge lowerdraytonfarm.co.uk Manor Farm Fruits Tamworth manorfarmfruits.co.uk Pumpkins R Us Dallas Burston Polo Club, Southam halloweenpumpkins.co.uk
Stanleys Farm Shop & PYO Kidderminster stanleysfarmshop.co.uk The Barn at Berryfields Meriden thebarnatberryfields.co.uk The Pumpkin Place Wolston, Coventry facebook.com/thepumpkinplacewolston
See websites for details. Booking may be required.
DON’T MISS!
Drayton Manor Tamworth Thrills and adventure for all the family to enjoy. Tickets include Thomas Land, a 15-acre zoo, a Vikings area and nautically themed Adventure Cove. Don’t Miss: Blazing Halloween. draytonmanor.co.uk Dudley Zoo & Castle Dudley Home to a large collection of endangered species as well as being the site of an 11th century castle - an important geological site. dudleyzoo.org.uk LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham Get creative and have fun with your favourite LEGO characters in Miniland, the 4D cinema, the Kingdom Quest Ride, LEGO City Softplay and so much more. legolanddiscoverycentre.com Monkey Forest Trentham See nature up close with 140 fascinating Barbary macaques to watch and discover. Plus, a play area for children to explore and replicate various primate behaviour. Fun and educational. monkey-forest.com
familiesonline.co.uk
Twycross Zoo Atherstone With over 100 incredible animals, The Gruffalo Discovery Land, Wet 'n' Wild Splash Park, hands-on animal experiences, nature reserves and indoor soft play, there’s something for all ages. Pay for a day and visit FREE for 12 months – perfect for repeat family adventures. Don’t Miss: Room on the Broom Corn Maze. twycrosszoo.org West Midlands Safari Park Bewdley Four-mile drive-through safari with over 100 different species throughout the park. Plus theme park and dinosaur exhibit. Stay overnight in a Luxury Safari Lodge. FREE return visit within 6 months. wmsp.co.uk
Disney On Ice presents Discover The Magic bp pulse LIVE (NEC) 28 Oct – 8 Nov Disney On Ice is returning to Birmingham with a brand-new magical adventure Discover The Magic. Bringing beloved characters to life through cutting edge figure-skating, eye-catching costumes and stunning set designs. Audiences can expect jawdropping stunts, iconic songs, and appearances from Toy Story, Moana, Coco, Frozen, Aladdin and more! Bring the whole family together this winter for a magical journey through your favourite Disney movies - on ice! For more information and to book tickets, visit www.disneyonice.co.uk editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 11
BACK TO SCHOOL
What to expect from the first weeks of term By Erin Miller The first few weeks of the September term are often a bigger adjustment both for children and parents than they expect. Whether it is your child’s very first day at school, they are returning to school or they are beginning a new key stage, it helps to know what to expect during those early weeks. After the long summer holidays, some children are excited to return, while others may feel nervous, emotional or unsettled by the change in routine. While all of these reactions are completely normal, preparedness always helps. Expect a lot of communication If your child’s school is new to you, one of the most useful things you can do early on is familiarise yourself with how the school communicates with parents; whether through ParentMail, school apps, ClassDojo or email newsletters. The first few weeks usually involve lots of practical information about routines, homework, PE days, reading, clubs and trips. It can feel overwhelming at first but families and schools usually quickly settle into a rhythm. If you are unsure about something, don’t worry in silence, reach out to the school and ask; it’s likely other parents will be wondering the same thing! Expect routines and behaviour expectations to be prioritised over academics At the start of the school year, teachers often focus heavily on routines, relationships and behaviour expectations before moving fully into academic work. Children spend time practising everyday routines such as lining up, organising belongings, moving around the classroom and working with others.
You may also hear lots about class rules, rewards or school values during these first weeks, as teachers establish expectations for the year ahead. For younger children especially, schools also prioritise emotional wellbeing and helping children settle socially through activities such as circle time, PSHE and team-building tasks. So don’t worry if your child hasn’t actually mentioned what they are learning in the first week or so. Expect baseline assessments and early observations The first few weeks are also a time when teachers assess where children are academically after the summer break. There is often a dip in academic attainment, which is completely normal. Schools often carry out baseline assessments, reading checks, phonics activities or short maths tasks to identify strengths, gaps in learning and any children who may need additional support. For Reception children, this includes the statutory Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA), completed within the first six weeks of school. These assessments are informal and not something children need to prepare for. Erin Miller is a teacher with a keen interest in how research can be used in the classroom to improve learning.
Prepare for your child to be overwhelmed
Looking at the longer term: assessments
Many parents are surprised by how emotionally tiring the return to school can be for children. Even those who seem settled may come home exhausted, emotional, irritable or unusually quiet during the first few weeks.
You might already be thinking ahead but don’t expect detailed information about these assessments during the first few weeks of term. Apart from the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA), most statutory assessments take place later in the school year and schools will usually provide parents with more information closer to the time.
One reason for this is often referred to as ‘after-school restraint collapse,’ where children spend the school day managing routines, expectations and social interactions before releasing those emotions once they are back in the safety of home. You may also notice inconsistency; one day your child may seem happy and confident, while the next they suddenly dislike school, their teacher or their classmates. This is usually a normal part of adjustment rather than a sign that something is wrong. Most children need time to settle into new routines and expectations, so patience, reassurance and consistent routines at home can make a big difference. Prioritising good sleep routines and calm evenings can help, as tiredness often amplifies emotional reactions. Avoid too many extracurricular activities initially until your child is settled. 12 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
As well as the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA), depending on your child’s year group, they may complete other statutory assessments, including the Phonics Screening Check (Year 1), the Multiplication Tables Check (Year 4) and Key Stage 2 SATs (Year 6). If you would like to learn more about when assessments take place and what they involve, GOV.UK provides guidance on primary assessments and key assessment dates. While it is natural to look ahead, there is no need to worry about these assessments. For now, the focus should be on settling into the new school year.
familiesonline.co.uk
BACK TO SCHOOL
Delicious AND nutritious lunch box ideas By Samantha Gnimavo Research shows fewer than two percent of packed lunches meet School Food Standards* but it doesn’t have to be that way. Can lunch boxes be delicious AND nutritious? Certainly - here’s how! Fresh fillings in sandwiches
Swap your usual spread for something with more flavour
Hitting five-a-day starts at lunchtime. Adding vegetables to a sandwich boosts fibre, vitamins and minerals, keeping energy levels steady all afternoon. Try salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumber, spinach, grated carrot or sliced bell peppers. Colourful and crunchy, let your child choose.
Trying new spreads introduces children to different flavours and sneaks in extra nutrients. Instead of butter or mayo, why not try houmous or pesto? Both add fibre and taste great. Small changes like this gradually broaden a child’s palate.
Don’t forget dairy Babybel® or small cheese chunks are easy, protein-rich additions. If packing yoghurt, check the sugar content: fruit yogurts can contain a surprising amount. A simple fix is stirring a little jam into plain yogurt instead.
Swap crisps for popcorn Crisps are a lunchbox staple but have you considered salted popcorn? Higher in fibre and lower in fat, it’s a simple, satisfying swap. It’s fun and easy to make at home or pick up small ready-made bags at most supermarkets. A small change, a big win!
Eat the rainbow The more colours on a plate, the better. Fruit and vegetables all contain different vitamins, so variety really does matter. Challenge your child to spot every colour in their lunchbox. It turns healthy eating into a game and makes lunchtime more exciting. For a sweet treat, add a piece of seasonal fruit
Swap white bread for wholegrain or sourdough
Fruit is nature’s dessert. Regularly rotating one or two pieces exposes your child to a range of flavours. Seasonal fruit is usually cheaper too, so beyond the banana or apple standbys, try a pear, satsumas, apricots or berries. Variety is the spice of life!
Plain white bread is low in nutrients and digests quickly, leaving children hungry before the afternoon is over. Wholegrain and sourdough breads are far more nutritious and release energy slowly. It’s a simple swap that makes a real difference.
Pack an after-school snack The school day doesn’t end at lunch. An extra snack for home time satisfies afterschool hunger. Good options include a small handful of nuts or seeds (if the school allows), a cereal bar, rice cakes or a piece of fruit. A little goes a long way.
Keep it simple: add a flask of water
Choose hot over cold Insulated flasks and food jars keep food warm for hours so they work for colder weather lunchboxes. A warming bowl of last night’s leftover pasta, soup or stew is comforting, nutritious and reduces food waste.
Samantha Gnimavo is owner of Happy Body (www.happy-body.co.uk), a women’s health and fertility nutritionist and NHSaccredited health coach.
Staying hydrated is essential for concentration and overall health, yet it’s often overlooked in lunchboxes. A flask of water is all you need. Skip the squash, it adds unnecessary sugar. If your child isn’t keen on plain water, try adding a slice of lemon, a sprig of mint or swap to sparkling water.
Who doesn’t love a good dip? You can never have too many vegetables. Chop some carrots, cucumber and bell peppers, add a pot of houmous and you put fun and fiber into any lunchbox or after-school snack. Children who help prepare their food are also more likely to eat it.
*www.bit.ly/foodfoundationkids
familiesonline.co.uk
editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 13
BACK TO SCHOOL
Top tips for a successful Parents’ Evening By Angela Youngman Parents’ Evenings are not just part of school routine, they contribute greatly to your child’s education. A successful meeting will embed relationships between your family and your child’s school and maximise the positive impact on your child. These events are generally busy, with lots of other parents all keen to talk to teachers and get as much information as possible. So you will need to ensure your conversation with your child’s teacher covers everything you need to discuss. Remember it’s not just an opportunity to talk about academic strengths and weaknesses but also about your child’s emotional and social development. Getting to know your child’s teacher and building a positive relationship will make it easier to discuss issues in future. Be prepared Take a look at your child’s schoolwork. What have they been doing? What sort of marks are they receiving? Are there some subjects where they are consistently receiving high or low marks? Sit down with your child and ask what they think of their schoolwork. Do they like it? Is it enjoyable or fun? Which subjects do they like most? Which ones do they hate or struggle with? It is important to go prepared to Parents’ Evening with all the information at your fingertips. Be on time Timetables for Parents’ Evenings are very carefully organised. The teacher needs to talk to every parent within limited available time, so you may be allotted perhaps fifteen minutes maximum. It is important not to exceed this and to keep to the timetable as other parents will be waiting. If you need more time, ask for a follow up meeting to be arranged.
The meeting Be polite and friendly, don’t criticise. Being positive rather than negative in your approach will ensure a much more successful session. Taking notes is useful, for instance about ways in which you can help your child with their schoolwork. Use the meeting to alert the teacher to any problems or issues that might be affecting your child in some way - or may do at some point such as news of a new baby, moving house, illness, financial problems or the loss of a beloved pet. Follow up After Parents’ Evening, talk to your child about what you learned. Be positive, celebrate successes and explain how you and their teacher will work together to provide any extra support needed. Keep in touch with your child’s teacher to make sure that any agreed strategies are working. Angela Youngman is an author and freelance journalist.
Question lists
Zoom sessions
Make a list of all the questions and topics you want to raise with your child’s teacher. For example:
Many schools now hold Parents’ Evenings over Zoom. This can mean you have a very strictly limited time slot to talk to the teacher within their pre-organised schedule.
What do you see as my child’s strengths and weaknesses? Is there any subject that my child is struggling with academically? How can I help my child at home to overcome these difficulties? Do you think my child is enjoying being at school? Does my child understand all the instructions that you give? How is my child behaving with the other children? Highlight anything that is causing you concern such as reluctance in your child to go to school or attend any specific classes like sports or maths. If there is reluctance, it’s worth asking whether they seem frightened of or worried by other children. If this is the case, you may need to probe further with your child.
14 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk
Watch the clock carefully since you may be simply cut off by Zoom in the middle of a conversation when your slot comes to an end. This makes it even more important to be concise and well prepared in advance. Ensure you are not disturbed during your session. Ignore any ringing doorbells or phone calls. Check audio and visuals are working before the call. Make sure that other children in the family do not disturb you until the session ends. Settle them down with drinks, food, TV, books or games before you start. The discussion with your child’s teacher takes priority. After a short greeting, be prepared to let the teacher talk first. Teachers will generally then ask you if you have any questions so have these ready along with any examples of schoolwork that you want to discuss.
familiesonline.co.uk
PARENTING
Conversation hacks to use with your preteen or teen By Margaret Ward- Martin As parents, we will all face the unique challenges of raising preteens and teenagers. With their hormonal brains, adolescents are biologically programmed to be wind-up machines but this is not personal. They need to push you to the limits to see if you will still love them after all. The pressures of parenting at this stage can be overwhelming but understanding your child better can help navigate these turbulent years. We need to talk about... talking. Communication is key to understanding and engaging with your child and there are ways to achieve this. Avoid saying ‘we need to talk.’ Sounds like a set up. Let talking happen organically. Often your child/teenager will invite a discussion: ‘We were talking about vapes at school today.’ Whether you explore it immediately or absolutely promise to do so later, not picking up the cue might result in your child simply not bothering to come to you to talk about the things they consider important. Be active and curious. Walking the dog, doing the school run or cooking together are effective opportunities for teenage conversations. Stuff comes up – it just does. Let it happen. Ask to know more. You’ll be surprised what you learn. Listen. You don’t always need to talk. Let them say what they need, trying not to interrupt. Hold your reaction to alarming revelations with: ‘Thanks for the chat, I need time to think about what you’ve said.’ No judgement, no shock or jumping in with a fix. You want your child to feel safe in that moment. You can panic later. Stand firm. It’s okay to tell your child that whilst you love them, at times you do not like their attitude or behaviour. If you disagree with their choices, say so. Holding a boundary serves as a reminder that they are loved. From a strong base, your teens will learn to make their own way in the world, where they make mistakes but are able to dust themselves down and pick themselves up.
Regulate your own emotions. Keep your own stresses out of the conversation; hearing your child out is more important. If you get anxious, acknowledge it and take a deep breath. Try: ‘Tell me more,’ ‘Do you need me to listen or make suggestions?’ ‘What has made you think that?’ ‘Help me to understand,’ ‘Is there anything else you need to tell me?’ ‘We can agree to disagree’ or ‘I need a break.’ Apologise. The way you apologise teaches them how to do it. When you need to, be specific - ‘I’m really sorry I was late, I can only imagine how worried you were. I’m sorry.’ Apologies have three parts - saying sorry, making amends where possible and not repeating the behaviour. Take responsibility, own your part and set a good example. Hang in there. Look after yourself and remember to laugh. Take the responsibility of parenting seriously but accept that it is messy, unpredictable, exhausting, expensive and frustrating, with pockets of comic relief bringing breaths of fresh air. It’s not an exact science getting children to the independent stage, so settle for feeling out of control at times, learning to respond rather than react and appreciate the small wins. Above all, remember that the tough times pass and that your children will grow and fly and, if you’re lucky, come back for the holidays.
Margaret Ward-Martin is a counsellor for sufferers of narcissistic abuse and founder of The Grace Project (www.thegraceproject.co.uk)
Physical confrontations
Be honest
You can be a sounding board. Never a punch bag.
How else do we raise adults if we are not honest about what is realistic for us?
If your child loses control of their emotions and there is ever any physical threat, it is not okay. Such behaviour is damaging; you have a right to feel safe in your own home and you may have to protect other family members. If this is your experience, seek support and help. You may need to speak to your child’s school who will be able to signpost you or engage support services.
familiesonline.co.uk
If a big expenditure is not affordable, explain it calmly and clearly. Be honest about your concerns about their friends, lifestyle choices or influences that you believe to be harmful. Give your children credit for understanding and cultivate resilience. If they push back, reassert to your child that their safety is the most important thing to you and in this instance, their wellbeing is more important than your popularity.
editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 15
As recommended on Daynurseries.co.uk, please visit to see what our parents say
Quality Care and Education Providing a fully inclusive service for families with children aged 6 weeks to 5 years from 7am to 6.30pm
At Highfield the warm and welcoming environment ensures that your child’s individual needs are prioritised, and their interests nurtured.
T: 0121 454 1170 E: highfield.nursery@childbase.com Highfield Day Nursery, 3-4 Highfield Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3ED
Now taking registrations We’d love to show you around Families Birmingham
Scan me for full nursery details
familiesonline.co.uk