THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING YOUR CHILD ACTIVE PLUS: New year, New you Books reviews Holiday adventures Out & about
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T H E E S S E N T I A L M AG A Z I N E F O R PA R E N T S O F
Issue 41 January/February C H I L D R E N AG E D 0–T E E N S 2018
For families living in the Bromley & Bexley boroughs, Dartford & the
familiesonline.co.uk
0-2 YEARS
Deep in the Forest Seek & Find Adventure By Josef Anton & Lucie Bruniellere Abrams RRP £10.99 Created by a French duo with backgrounds in televisual animation and decorative art respectively, there are over 50 animals to find in this beautiful bright and feisty big book full of flaps to lift and names to shout out in triumph. Obviously it’s in English but double points if you know what an anteater is in French.
Parrots Don’t Live in the City by Lucy Reynolds & Jenna Herman Scribbles and Doodles RRP £7.99
There’s a nice townie vibe to this breezy distraction that features a special surprise right at the end. But for now, your toddlers will relish peeking through the trees and spotting the green feathered interlopers that are pretty much ubiquitous to our civic parks. Crikey, you can add your own squawks if you like. If not, you can guarantee the real thing will.
NEW YEAR BOOK REVIEWS By Justine Crow
Most of the books featured on this time round are a little on the large size and all are most definitely sublimely illustrated, even the titles for older readers. And why not? It seems to me to be short sighted (excuse the slight pun) to ration the visual representation of storytelling - or indeed science and history - just because a child has learned to read. Imagery on paper has a subjective permanence that we all enjoy and often it is the pictures over text that we recall from our own childhood.
This authorillustrator has a knack for bringing natural history to life especially through his books about birds. Here he aims his deft brush at the pre-historic periods that produced the incredibly diverse gigantic reptiles that roamed our planet a gasquillion years ago, yet still absolutely intrigue today’s digital kids.
2
9-11 YEARS
The Gritterman by Orlando Weeks
A softly penned graphic novel from a musician that speaks of stoicism and patience through many winters and questions the definition of loneliness through the eyes of a dignified man who knows his place in the universe. Thanks to him the traffic travels, pedestrians pass and life goes on.
The Glassmaker’s Daughter by Dianne Hofmeyr Frances Lincoln RRP £12.99
Amazing Dinosaurs By Matt Sewell Anova RRP £12.99
I found their previous title 50 States of the USA absolutely compelling and this is no less addictive for its fascinating detail presented in artful bite-sizes. Along with the more obvious candidates of New York and San Francisco, we learn that as well as the famous Kentucky Derby, Louisville hosts the oldest Shakespeare festival in America; that Memphis as well as being home to Graceland, is where Justin Timberlake was born. And that huckleberries are a real thing and they grow in Boise. So there!
Penguin RRP £17.99
3-5 YEARS
This clever picture book depicts the actual history of glassmaking in Venice through the tale of Daniela, an inconsolable craftsman’s daughter who spends her days staring into the dark depths of the canals in existential torment. Eschewing her father’s gift of a glass palace, her smile is finally revealed when a young man discovers the secret of making mirrors.
50 Cities of the USA by Gabrielle Balkan Wide Eyed Books RRP £20
Norse Myths Tales of Odin, Thor & Loki by Kevin Crossley Holland & Jeffrey Love Walker RRP £18.99
6-8 YEARS
The World of Moominvalley by Tove Jansson Macmillan RRP £35
A super-sized price but what value for money this exquisite gift edition is, thanks to the many drawings and facts about the magical bohemia created by Finland’s most famous writer. Once you develop a love for the Moomintrolls, Snufkin, the Snorkmaiden and Little My, it can’t be shaken off.
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It’s never too soon to point out to the kids that long before Tom Hiddleston stepped into a leather frock and green tights to play Marvel’s movie version of Loki, stories about him and his brother Thor as well as Odin, god of all gods, were captivating listeners as far back as Roman times, and not just from the Viking period. Imagine being a youngster a thousand years ago hearing whirling adventures of sorcery and battles from across the land, passed on by mouth to future generations. How lucky we are now to be able to take images for granted. What a page-turner! Justine Crow is co-founder of the famous South London bookshop ‘Bookseller Crow on the Hill’ based in Crystal Palace. As well as being a blogger and reviewer, parent of three and qualified swimming teacher, she also co-authored The Little Book of Nits published by Bloomsbury.
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In this issue...
ISSUE 41: JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
12 Out & abo
6
ut
4 Family Flexible working opportunities and National storytelling week
10 New Year New You How to achieve healthy hair plus how to feel better in nine days
6 Education Maths top of the popularity charts
11 Travel Holiday adventures for the family
9 Clubs and Classes Why it’s important to keep your children active during the Winter months
12 Out & About The best of What’s On near you this New Year
Front cover: © Bigstock Editor: Mima Walia 07792 006546 editor@familieslondonkent.co.uk
Design: Kevin Smith
Families London-Kent Borders Magazine is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families London-Kent Borders are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families LondonKent Borders. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.
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Family
MUMS WANT MORE FLEXIBLE WORKING OPPORTUNITIES According to a survey by Workingmums.co.uk, almost three quarters of working mums identify flexible work as being crucial to getting more women into senior roles. The survey shows that mums feel flexible working is vital for them to manage work and family life and that 60% of those who work flexibly would like even more flexibility. So what can individuals do to help persuade their employers to agree to them working flexibly? Here are some tips: 1. Think through what the job requires and whether the tasks you have to perform can be done at a different location ie from home, or at times outside of the standard working day. Take account of any additional costs or challenges this might involve and discuss them honestly. 2. Give examples of the ways in which your work can be successfully carried out under any new working pattern you are proposing, and show that it will not harm the business. Point out any business advantages. 3. Research some case studies, ideally in your sector that shows how the work pattern you are suggesting can be mutually beneficial to you and your employer. If managers are dubious, suggest a trial period. Have a compromise solution as a back-up. For more information and flexible work opportunities, visit www.workingmums.co.uk
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The responses showed that the most significant concerns that parents had were about receiving valuable information from the school about a child’s progress (15% felt that they did not). Communication between parent and school continued to be an issue, as 14% of parents did not feel that the school responded well when they raised a concern. Furthermore, 14% of parents felt the homework their children received was not appropriate for their age, and 13% did not feel that their child’s school was well managed. The survey was conducted by Parent View, an online questionnaire that allows parents and carers to give their views about their child’s school at any time. It is also the main mechanism for parents to give their views about their child’s school to inspectors at the time of a school inspection. The questionnaire can be accessed directly from the Parent View site at parentview.ofsted.gov.uk and further analysis of this and other Ofsted reports visit theknowledgeacademy.com
Family
Spin a Tale during National Storytelling Week The first week of February marks National Storytelling Week, a chance to reflect on one of the oldest art forms in the world. We are all immersed in stories — from conversations retelling events in our lives, to watching our favourite television shows. Speech and language therapists believe that storytelling is vital for children’s academic success as it promotes narrative skills and strengthens the ability of children to correctly sequence ideas. To be a good reader and writer a child needs to be a good speaker and listener first. But above all, storytelling is fun. Whether we are listening to someone else’s story or telling our own, inventing and adapting narratives can open doors to exciting new worlds — both real and imaginary. National Storytelling Week takes place in storytelling clubs, theatres, museums, schools, hospitals, spoken word venues, and care homes. The Society for Storytelling has lots of information as “the home of UK oral storytelling” and offers free packs for schools to download. To find a local event or to look through its extensive archive visit www.sfs.org.uk
LACK OF SLEEP DAMAGING FOR CHILDREN More than a third of primary school children are failing to get sufficient sleep, according to new research. The study has linked poor sleep with difficulties in paying attention in class, keeping up with school work, forgetfulness and absenteeism. The research, carried out by the University of Leeds has shown that despite the NHS recommendation of 10 hours, 36 per cent of primary age children get eight hours of sleep or less per night. Even more worryingly, 15 per cent get less than seven hours.
The researchers found links between poor sleep and children having access to mobile phones or computer devices in their bedrooms. They said parents should consider removing technology from their children’s bedrooms. The researchers further claim that where parents are able to encourage children to not have technology in the bedroom at all seep outcomes are much better. Other factors contributing to poor sleep were poor parental sleep patterns and lack of routine. More information on the study can be found at www.leeds.ac.uk
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EXPLORE LEARNING GETS BEHIND “MORE MATHS FOR EVERYONE!” In November 2017, the government released their budget which stated they were committed to investing more money for maths teaching in schools. Whatever your political belief and aside from the debate, we can all get behind the chancellor’s sentiment of “more maths for everyone”. Helping the next generation to master maths concepts, be confident mathematicians and proud problem solvers is our responsibility as educators and parents. Charlotte Gater, Head of Education at Explore Learning added “This way we can help children to develop the skills needed, not only in so many jobs, but also to be financially healthy. Whilst listening to the budget speech, and the chancellor’s comments on how much the country spends on debt, it is clear that we need to teach children the importance of good financial management. Charlotte has put together some top tips to help you help your children have a good understanding of budgets:
money. 2) You will give them the money upfront, but they then have to pay you back with interest. So, if they want £50 they have to give you £55 back over a set period of time. This way they will start to understand about the debt they could create by using loans. 3) Learn about pay. A great activity we do with our older members at Explore Learning is to get them to research how much they would get paid for their ideal job. They then have to see how far their monthly wages would go. Looking at tax, rent, bills etc gets them to see how much disposable income they would have! 1) Get them involved with shopping. Give them a budget to spend for the week and get them to meal plan. Encourage them to shop around different brands or supermarkets to see if they can get more for their money. 2) Teach them about interest rates. Does your child turn to the bank of Mum and Dad to borrow money? Give them some options. 1) They can either save up their pocket money or do jobs to earn the
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WINTER CLUBS AND CLASSES With the nights closing in and the temperature dropping, the idea of sending your child out on to the football pitch, tennis court or athletics track is not an attractive one. But active after school activities offer children great developmental benefits including: Improved Academic Performance Research has found that children from disadvantaged background who participate in after-school clubs get better results at age 11 than their peers. Enhanced Socialisation Skills Making friends with children from outside their school allows children to broaden their social experience, whilst extra-curricular activities at school give children the chance to enjoy a different type of social experience with their school friends and other children in their class. Better Health and Fitness According to the National Association of Sport and Physical Education, kids aged 5-12 should exercise for at least 60 minutes of each day, and this figure shouldn’t be ignored just because it’s cold outside. Stress Relief Exercise helps to relieve stress built up by homework, exams and peer pressures. As parents, we are responsible for setting up opportunities for our children to keep active during winter months. So here are our ideas for keeping your restless young one on the go – and the good news is you don’t have to force them (or you!) outside: Trampoline Clubs and Parks These are popping up all over the country and classes are fun and social. The UK now has over 190 trampoline parks and most offer kids a safe environment to cut loose as well lessons and classes for children from as young as toddlers upwards.
Indoor Rock Climbing This activity is also growing in popularity across the country with a centre likely to be very close to you. Even the NHS recommends it as an activity that provides unique physical and mental benefits whilst at the same time catering for all ages, fitness levels and abilities. To find a centre visit www. thebmc.co.uk. Ice Rinks/Snow Slopes Local snow slopes and ice rinks are great places to get kids active during the winter and offer kids the opportunity to try tobogganing, skiing or snowboarding, or get a pair of skates on. There are indoor and outdoor rinks and centres, depending on how you feel about braving the cold or damp weather. Indoor Sports You can access indoor classes for most outdoors sports such as football, cricket and tennis at leisure centres or school recreation halls. Likewise for toddlers and pre-schoolers, multi-sport and ball skills classes are often run inside during winter. How Many is Too Much? Whilst clubs and classes are important for children, be careful how many activities you sign your child up for. Some require significant time commitment. For example, joining a swimming class can involve two or more weekly training sessions, as well as competitions. Are you and your child up for that? What else will suffer or be sacrificed? If your child’s opportunity to have unstructured time for play will go by the wayside, then this is probably not a good thing. Children these days have much more structured lives than ever before and already often have less unstructured play time that previous generations. Research indicates that unstructured play with minimal adult supervision helps children to learn important social skills, use their imagination, concentrate and be more self-directed.
FRESH AIR If you do opt for indoor class and club options for your child during winter, try to get them some regular fresh air at weekends when time and weather permit. Consider heading to the countryside or a beach (even at the darkest time of year), where you can breathe different air and be closer to nature. You don’t have to organise a full itinerary and it doesn’t have to cost much either. Simple games like running races on a beach or climbing a tree can be exhilarating for children after a week cooped up at school, and being outside is both refreshing and invigorating for everyone and will improve everyone’s mood! The National Trust offers loads of activities at their sites across the UK including treasure hunts, nature trails, and even horse rides. The Woodland Trust has great expanses of woodland which are ripe for families to explore and provide a great natural habitat for nature walks. Some are very ancient and provide a great historical backdrop of legend and myth. It’s also worth checking out The Wild Network brings together thousands of people and groups across the UK to share the simple goal of getting children back in touch with nature. www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.woodlandtrust.org.uk www.thewildnetwork.com
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New year, New You
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! CAN YOU LOOK BETTER AND FEEL BETTER IN JUST NINE DAYS?
Healthy Hair and How to Easily Achieve It By Anabel Kingsley
It can be hard to find the time to look after yourself and your hair, with all the other responsibilities of being a parent, as well as the other challenges that life can throw at you. With this in mind, start the year by adopting some simple and quick methods that will help you get the best out of your hair within the limited time your busy schedule allows. Incorporate Hair Nutrients into your Diet Diet is incredibly important for hair health. This is because hair is non-essential tissue, meaning your strands are the first thing your body neglects when you are not eating well. Sitting down for proper meals isn’t always possible, so when you are packing snacks or prepping a meal for your little one, throw in some hair boosting foods. If your child is old enough to eat them as well, so much the better! The most essential nutrients for hair are protein (what your hair is made of), complex carbohydrates (which provide energy to rapidly growing hair cells) and iron. Great healthy hair foods are turkey, egg, salmon, chicken or ham sandwiches and salads, fish fingers, almonds, Spaghetti Bolognese and hamburgers. Moisturize while Multi-Tasking To help strengthen and add shine to your hair, use a weekly pre-shampoo conditioning treatment, like Philip Kingsley Elasticizer. Apply a treatment to damp hair at least 20 minutes before you shampoo, or work into your hair before bed and leave on overnight. A friend of mine uses Elasticizer before taking her kids to extra-curricular activities, and then washes her hair when she gets home, while another pops it on when she walks the dog. Whatever works best for you – pre-shampoo treatments are great products to multi-task with! Care for your Scalp Scalp health is vital to hair health. We recommend shampooing every day to every other day – after all, you take your hair and scalp to the same places you take your face and so they get just as dirty. If you don’t have time to do this, apply an antimicrobial scalp toner or dry shampoo with scalp benefits on the days you do not shampoo. I recommend Philip Kingsley’s One More Day dry shampoo, which contains scalp soothing ingredients. Anabel Kingsley is Trichologist at Philip Kingsley, the leading authority in hair and scalp health. For more information, visit www.philipkingsley.co.uk
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JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2018 www.familiesonline.co.uk
Kristina Rihanoff
YES! Forever’s F.I.T. programme will provide you with the foundation and inspiration needed to achieve your transformation goal. The C9, a calorie-controlled diet plan and exercise programme, kick-starts Forever F.I.T. and helps you to take control of your body and lifestyle. C9 is designed to help you meet your weight loss, exercise and lifestyle goals by encouraging you to follow a calorie-controlled diet and exercise regime. WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT OVER THE NEXT NINE DAYS? C9 is easy to follow with instructions set out for each of the nine days. www.flp4health.co.uk
New year, New You
NEW YEAR NEW BEGINNINGS The New Year is always a time when we all vow to make changes to our lives and a new addition to the family brings many changes. To celebrate my husband’s 40th birthday, we acquired a new golden retriever puppy to join our family and looking after her is like having a new child. She so reminds me of my daughters when they were toddlers! Mischievous and always trying their luck, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about! We have named her Nala and I find it fascinating to watch how she stretches and moves her body into lots of different stretches and contortions. What amazing agility and flexibility she has. Her spine, shoulders and hips all move with such grace and precision. She doesn’t need gadgets to help her get to this stage; nature provides all we need for correct muscular skeletal development. We humans, however, have become lazy and impatient. We want our babies to sit before their spines and surrounding muscles are strong enough to support them; we try and get them walking (in walkers, in walkers, or otherwise) before their legs and feet are fully ready for such an activity; insist they wear shoes and never let them be barefoot…. Why is society in such a rush? Have you ever wondered how their joints may suffer when they are older? Or how their coordination may be affected if they skip out the valuable developmental and neurological learning of crawling? Crawling is an important stage in human development as it connects the diagonal lines of the body ie left to right, right to left so that we rotate and swing our arms in opposition to our legs and hips when we walk. Have you noticed how many people walk without Ismini Phillips - Familys Magazine advert AW 2710914_AW.pdf expression flowing through their bodies? Exercise starts
C
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CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
1 at 29/09/2014 21:18 the very beginning
of life, in the womb when the foetus begins to move its arms and legs, turning around, giving the mother that butterfly flutter feeling in the early stages of pregnancy. Movement needs to continue throughout our lives, if we are to have a healthy muscular skeletal system that will see us into old age. If you would like to learn more about this please do get in touch, but in the meantime, if you are a new mum why not join our babylates class on Tuesdays at 12.00pm to 1.00pm a the Studio, High Street, Chislehurst (above Prezzo) where you will be taught post natal Pilates and your baby will be given the opportunity to have back/tummy time. We can take babies up until they start crawling. In addition to babylates we have a new pregnancy Pilates class starting in the New Year and a variety of Pilates and bootybarre classes. Monday mornings at 10.45am is our beginners’ class, which is suitable for everyone, including seniors. We focus on learning the Pilates fundamentals but also on bone health, which is such an important thing in this sedentary world where osteoporosis is on the increase. For information on all of our classes please email me at ismini@ isminiphillips.com or call me on 07711 906750 for more information.
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Travel
FAMILY HOLIDAY ADVENTURES! By Claire Winter
P
icking the right family holiday can be tricky. You want to spend quality time with the kids, but also want to enjoy the break too. Here are some ideas to give you inspiration for your 2018 travel plans. Go to Fairy School in Northumberland Wannabe fairies and sprites can now perfect their magic skills while holidaying in the heart of Northumberland’s Kielder Forest Park. Thanks to the new weekly Fairy School at Landal Kielder Waterside. Older children can also learn archery amongst the trees. Stay in comfortable, wooden lodges and explore the 27-mile shoreline of Europe’s largest man-made lake, on foot or by bike. If you just want to chill out, you can unwind in the on-site spa. From £669 for a four-night stay. More at www. landal.co.uk/uk/landal-kielder-waterside-kiel.
Stay in a Yurt You haven’t properly glamped until you have stayed in a Yurt! A Yurt is a portable home, traditionally used by nomads in central Asia and Mongolia. Caalm Camp in Dorset offers traditional Mongolian Yurts to stay in all year round. They can sleep six and are great fun to stay in. Explore during the day and spend your evenings looking up at the stars and toasting marshmallows around the fire pit. From £399 for a seven-night stay. More at www. dorsetyurtcampsite.co.uk.
Explore the New Forest If you like the idea of being in nature but like top-notch facilities, why not stay at the Sandy Balls Holiday Village Park? You can explore the outstanding natural beauty of the New Forest National Park with its beautiful
Icebreaker
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Canoeing at Thorpe Forest
scenery, wild ponies and donkeys. There is a variety of accommodation from luxury caravans, camping pods to wood cabins, and some even have hot tubs! You can find something for everyone at the park, with indoor and outdoor pools and a wealth of activities to suit all ages.
activity, a polar expedition into the icy Bothnian Sea at Swedish Lapland’s frosty wilderness. Aboard the Arctic Explorer, you get the chance to bathe in the icy ocean and even walk on the frozen waters. Survival suits are provided, and the hot drink served will ensure explorers are fully warmed.
From £192 for a seven-night stay. More at www. sandyballs.co.uk.
From £920 per adult and £635 per child. Additional activities and flights extra. Departures from January to March 2018. More at www.activitiesabroad.com.
Revel in Nature Go back to basics with a Forest Holiday, where families get the chance to enjoy quality time together in a peaceful surrounding. Boasting nine beautiful locations around the UK on Forestry Commission estates, you can truly escape from the stresses and strains of a busy life. Children will have the freedom to explore, make dens and play endless outdoor games. There are also great activities like spotting wild animals, tree climbing, kayaking and mountain biking, as well as dedicated petfriendly cabins, so you don’t need to leave your beloved doggie behind. From £890 for 7 nights. More at www.forestholidays.co.uk.
Break the Ice in Swedish Lapland Newly launched, there is now the chance to undertake the Icebreaker
Kielder Hot Tub
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2018 www.familiesonline.co.uk
Go on a Miffy adventure in Holland This the perfect short break for families with young children. Take a trip to Utrecht in Holland to see all things Miffy. The iconic character, by much-loved artist Dick Bruna, is now a popular character in a new TV show on kids’ channel Tiny Pop. You can book a night in the new Miffy room at Stayokay Utrecht-Centrum which is fully decorated in Dick Bruna’s iconic minimalist style, with Miffy furniture and bedding. You can also visit the newly opened Miffy museum (www. miffymuseum.com), which is in the old part of the city. Utrecht has traditional Dutch houses, canals and picturesque cobbled streets and is only a 40-minute train ride from Schipol airport. Horse-riding Heaven in Portugal Set amongst pine forest and gardens and overlooking the Algarve coastline, Epic Sana offers a varied holiday for the whole family. It has direct access to a private beach and fun family activities from horse riding to cycling, with plenty to explore and enjoy together. There is also a baby club and kids club, so you can take some well-deserved time out to unwind at the Sayanna Wellness centre. From £1,145pp for a seven-night stay, including includes breakfast, return flights and transfers. More at www.healthandfitnesstravel.com.
Out & About
Out & About T H E B EST O F W H AT ’S O N N EA R YOU
CIRQUE BERSERK!
E V E R Y S AT & SUN
Bromley Parkrun & Junior Parkrun
DON’T MISS!
Showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills, Cirque Berserk! celebrates the 250th anniversary of the invention of Circus by bringing this treasured form of live entertainment bang up-to-date in a jaw-dropping spectacular created especially for the theatre.
Combining contemporary cirque-style artistry with adrenaline-fuelled stunt action, this astoundingly talented international troupe includes over thirty jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, drummers, daredevil stuntmen and of course the award-winning clown, Tweedy. Featuring the world’s most hair-raising circus act - the legendary motorcycle ‘Globe of Death’. The Orchard Theatre, Dartford Wed 31 January - Sat 3 February Ticket Office 01322 220000 Book online at www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Norman Park, Hayes Lane, Bromley, BR2 9EF. www.parkrun.org.uk/bromley www.parkrun.org.uk/bromley-juniors
Sat: Weekly free 5km timed run. Sun: Weekly free 2k run for juniors only (4-14 year olds). Please register online before your first run. 9am
8 JANUARY Dino Live
Hall Place and Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ. 01322 526574. www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk
Come and meet some of the inhabitants of the earth over 65 million years ago. Take part in the dino drawing activity and have your photograph hatching from an egg
Until 4 February £3-£5
9 JANUARY Once Upon A Time
The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1ED. 01322 220000. www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Over the last few months local dance and theatre companies have been sharing stories and exploring different ways of using movement to tell their chosen tales. Once Upon A Time presents a collection of pieces that celebrate the beauty of dance and the tradition of stories. 8:15pm / £7.00
9 JANUARY The Sound of Music
Churchill Theatre Bromley, High Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1HA. 020 3285 6000. www.churchilltheatre.co.uk
This wonderfully lavish staging
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Out & About
tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom at the start of WWll. LUCY O’BYRNE returns to the iconic role of Maria in which she was hailed by critics as “Quite possibly the best Maria since Julie Andrews herself” (The Scotsman). Lucy was the runner up of BBC One’s The Voice in 2015, impressing the nation and chart-topper Will.I.Am with her stunning vocal range, and was
Nutcracker has an innovative freshness and the orchestra, choreography, interpretation, beauty and outstanding virtuoso performances win repeatedly rave reviews.
27 JANUARY
Moscow City Ballet - The Nutcracker
Until 13 January £22.50-£35.50
The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1ED. 01322 220000. www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
10 JANUARY
Once a month on a Saturday morning - usually the fourth Saturday - there’s a chance for Dads to play with their pre school kids, have a bacon roll, and relax with other guys. Older siblings welcome too, so Mum can have a break! Free.
recently seen in the West End as Fantine in Les Misérables. Until 13 January £28.00 - £38.00
10 JANUARY
Moscow City Ballet is currently at its outstanding artistic best, winning new invitations to perform internationally. Artistic Director SmirnovGolovanov’s version of The
REGISTER FOR WEAR A HAT DAY 2018 AND START PLANNING YOUR EVENT!
Bach to Baby Family Concert Christ Church, Cross Road, Dartford, DA1 3ET. www.bachtobaby.com
Bach to Baby is the acclaimed concert series for the whole family to enjoy together. Featuring outstanding musicians and exhilarating performances in inspiring venues right on your doorstep. Programme for this concert date will be announced shortly. 10.30am
Dads and Tots
Christ Church, 40 Lubbock Road, Chislehurst, BR7 5JJ. 020 8402 5081 www.christchurchchislehurst.org
9:30am - 11am
31 JANUARY Cirque Berserk
The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1ED. 01322 220000. www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills, Cirque Berserk!
Wear A Hat Day is the UK’s premier brain tumour research fundraising event and takes place on Thursday 29 March. March is also UK Brain Tumour Awareness Month and schools and families across the country get involved to help raise funds for research into brain tumours. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer… yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this brutal disease, which leaves families devastated. This is unacceptable! Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK that is dedicated purely to raising funds for continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours. Taking part can be as simple as putting on a hat and donating on the day, but most families like to create entertaining fundraising events. Many schools for example have inventive hat competitions, parades and fashion shows and raise hundreds if not thousands of pounds.
Register now on www.wearahatday.org and start planning your hattastic fundraising event! Your fundraising pack will be sent out in early 2018 and will include leaflets, posters, balloons, wristbands and badges to help promote your event and smash your fundraising target!
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JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2018 www.familiesonline.co.uk
AWFUL AUNTIE When Stella sets off to visit London with her parents, Lord and Lady Saxby, she has no idea her life is in danger! Waking up three months later, only her Aunt Alberta can tell Stella what has happened. But not everything Aunt Alberta tells her turns out to be true and Stella quickly discovers she’s in for the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie! From the award-winning producers of Gangsta Granny comes the world premiere of David Walliams’ amazing tale of frights, fights and friendship, featuring a very large owl, a very small ghost and a very awful Auntie! The Orchard Theatre, Dartford 01322 220000 www.orchardtheatre.co.uk Wed 7 – Sun 11 February 10:30am, 11am, 2:30pm, 7pm
Out & About
celebrates the 250th anniversary of the invention of Circus by bringing this treasured form of live entertainment bang up-todate in a jaw-dropping spectacular created especially for the theatre. Until 3 February |2pm, 5pm, 7:30pm £15.00 - £29.50
5 FEBRUARY Storytime in Knole’s bookshop
Ightham Mote - National Trust, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0NT. 01732 810378. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Join the storytime fun in Knole’s bookshop where your little ones can enjoy short stories and nursery rhymes. This is a free event suitable for children under 5, running every Monday during the school term. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. This is a free event suitable for children under 5, running every Monday during the school term. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
9 FEBRUARY Circus Zyair
The Hop Farm Family Park, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6PY. 01622 872068 www.thehopfarm.co.uk
Circus Zyair is back for 2018. Treat to the kids to a spectacular show! High-energy spectacle abounds as Circus Zyair presents its varied show beneath a big-top tent. A ragtag band of clowns, acrobats and jugglers plies its distinctive talents before fearless daredevils brave the high wire and wheel of death. Circus Zyair will be at The Hop Farm for half term from 9-18 February 2018 and you can buy discount advance tickets at only £6 each (before 31 December) online at www. zyair.co.uk The show is an hour and half with an interval. Until 18th February
10 FEBRUARY Snowdrop Walks at Hever Castle
Hever Castle, Edenbridge, Hever, Kent, TN8 7NG. 01732 865224. www.hevercastle.co.uk
POP DIVAS – LIVE! The best songs from all your favourite female stars in one fabulous fun-packed tribute show – that’s Pop Diva’s Live! Tributes to Little Mix will cast some Black Magic, Katy Perry will Roar and of course, Adele will be saying Hello as five enormously talented girls bring you up-close and personal with their renditions of the greatest pop performers of today. Meghan Trainor, Arianna Grande, Taylor Swift and Rihanna will all be dropping in to the biggest Pop Party ever so make sure you’re there! With dazzling choreography, state of the art videos and superb vocals, Pop Diva’s Live! is suitable for all ages and will leave you wanting more!
DON’T MISS!
The Orchard Theatre, Dartford Sunday 28 January Ticket Office 01322 220000 Book online at www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Follow a trail of thousands of snowdrops starting to emerge from their winter hibernation on our Snowdrop Walk – the first sign that spring is just around the corner. Then stroll through the gardens and enjoy the early blossoms of camellia and quince. Until 11 March Garden entry from £9.75 for children; under 5s free
11 FEBRUARY
Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales
Churchill Theatre Bromley, High Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1HA. 020 3285 6000. www.churchilltheatre.co.uk
From the books by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler Four Terrific Tales – One Superb Show!
Under the sea, out on the farm and into the jungle, these terrific tales are woven together with live music, puppetry and a whole host of colourful characters from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved titles: Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze. Funky moves, toe tapping tunes and giggles are guaranteed! This delightful production is brought to you by the team behind Stick Man Live, adapted from the bestselling books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo. Suitable for all ages! £15
12 FEBRUARY Discover With Darwin
Down House - Home of Charles Darwin, Luxted Road, Downe, Kent, BR6 7JT. 01689 859119. www.english-heritage.org.uk
Join the man himself – Charles Darwin - and explore evolution at its birthplace as you delve daringly into the mysteries of science. Ever wondered why giraffes have long necks? Why a penguin can’t fly? Why a monkey has a tail? Discover all this and more at Down House. Each workshop will take
approximately 40 minutes and will involve storytelling and hands-on activities of a Darwinian theme. Until 16 February 11am, 12noon, 1pm & 2pm / Adult £11.80, Child (5-15 years) £7.10,
15 FEBRUARY Wiggly Wild show
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3DH. 01622 357879. www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk
Learn lots about unusual a variety of exotic animals. An entertaining show by a qualified ranger about unusual live exotic animals such as stick insects, beetles and giant millipedes, with some crazy props for brave volunteers! There will also be a handling session where you get the opportunity to hold or touch lots of the exotic animals. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential.
Want more? There are just too many fun, family ideas to fit in so head online for the full list at:
Familiesonline.co.uk
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