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LOCAL INFORMATION

for parents of 0-12 year olds in

HUDDERSFIELD DEWSBURY HALIFAX BRIGHOUSE TODMORDEN LITTLEBOROUGH OLDHAM ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE SADDLEWORTH

Here comes the sun SCHOOL’S OUT FOR THE SUMMER! WHAT’S ON for July and August RIO 2016 – Olympian Adrian Moorhouse

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NEWS EDUCATION & CHILDCARE CLUBS AND CLASSES SUMMER HOLIDAYS WHAT’S ON

FAMILIES PENNINES

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Editor: Emily Raleigh 07974 401663 editor@familiespennines.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk @FamiliesPenn

/FamiliesPennines

CIRCULATION 20,000 DEADLINE Early August 2016 FRONT COVER Melanie Worton, Just Play Photography DESIGNED BY Theresa McDermott, 07462 961793, www.designedbytree.com PRINTED BY Russell Press, 0115 9784505, www.russellpress.com Copyright Families Pennines July/August 16 Families Pennines is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Temple House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Pennines are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for

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NEWS HELLO SUNSHINE!

NCMME

I don’t know about you, but I rack my brains when it comes to school holidays trying to think of things to do with the children, fun activities or interesting places to go. Unfortunately, with the British weather we’re not always blessed with six weeks of sun, so having to find something indoors too is always useful! Our summer feature has lots of ideas to entertain your children from family days out and fun activities. For those with younger children, you may find our top tips for flying useful if you’re jetting off on your holidays. And don’t forget to check out our What’s On section at the back of the magazine and online for even more inspiration. There’s some tips on how to keep your child’s brain ticking over the holidays in our Education and Childcare section, as well as prepping your child for secondary school, and how to teach your child to ride a bike. We also spoke to Olympic swimmer Adrian Moorhouse ahead of Rio 2016, about life after winning gold and encouraging kids into sport. There’s also some exciting news from Families Head Office as they launch a new look website. It’s going to bigger and better – so go check it out! Enjoy and have a great summer!

Emily Raleigh Editor, Families Pennines

www.familiesonline.co.uk

NEWS New Website for Families!

Your Local Families Team is Recruiting! Digital work opportunity with Families Online in Calderdale, South Kirklees and North Kirklees! Destined to become the number 1 resource for local families, www.familiesonline.co.uk will soon have over 300 local sites across the UK. Like our magazines, the local sites in Calderdale, South Kirklees and North Kirklees are guaranteed to give users the very best ideas for spending time with their family locally. We have a number of highly flexible, home-based work opportunities available for Area Managers to run our local sites. As an Area Manager you will enjoy a fun and flexible role which fits around you and your family life, whilst affording you a great challenge – and the opportunity to make money! There are no set up costs involved, you will be trained by industry experts and you will develop valuable new skills in the digital, print and social media marketing industry.

Look out for the launch of the fantastic new Families website in early July. The areas covered by this magazine will now encompass three websites covering the local areas of Calderdale, South Kirklees and North Kirklees. This new hyper-local approach will allow Families Online to bring you information about a wide range of things to do both close to where you live – and across your region.

The site will be more comprehensive than ever and easier to use, offering inspirational ideas for things to do with the kids locally and helpful parenting tips and advice to support you and your family. It’s in the same place – so look at familiesonline.co.uk and find your local site!

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You can look forward to seeing the best of the current site, including places to go and what’s on events and activities, education, childcare, classes and clubs and parties, as well as some great new features, including eating out and local services.

You should be: • Enthusiastic and knowledgeable about what’s on locally for families • Interested in working flexibly from home at times that suit you • Online savvy and a regular user of Facebook and Twitter • Able to write great articles which capture the imagination of local families • Have good networking and communication skills, and confidence when speaking to customers / the public • A motivated self-starter who takes ownership and pride in your work Responsibilities: • Posting daily online and on social media with great ideas for your readers • Populating and updating your site with useful and timely local content for families • Marketing and selling your site to local businesses and families • Building relationships with your clients and users and helping them get the most from your site

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NEWS IN THE NEWS... Academies U-Turn

Get ready early for back to school this year with name labels for clothing, ties and uniforms. Stick on labels are the before easy way to label clothing – no ironing or sewing necessary! Just stick the adhesive name label onto the care The Ed went along to the press launch of label of what you want to Alexandra House Spa’s new underground thermal personalise and you’re treatment rooms. After a tour of the spa and the finished. new Laconium and Tepidarium, she relaxed with High-quality labels are a complimentary paraffin hand wax treatment. made to order in the UK. If you want to take time out from your busy schedule Developed especially for some relaxation, the Ed highly recommends for clothes and with Alexandra House Spa! strong adhesion to last Alexandra House Spa in Huddersfield was many washes. Many other founded in 2007 by Dr Maxine Stead. alternative name labels also For further details, visit available and personalised www.alexandrahouse.org.uk gifts including major brands like after Disney, Mattel and Nickelodeon.

TREAT TIME

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Labels4Kids is an award winning family business that has been selling name labels online since 2004. Since 2014, Labels4Kids has supplied John Lewis with school name labels. Order early, beat the rush, and get some peace of mind this summer. Labels4Kids – because kids lose stuff. www.labels4kids.com/fam

Back to School with M&M Direct MandM Direct is now the UK’s biggest online, off-price retailers. We offer big brands at low prices with up to 75% off fashion, sport and outdoor wear for men, women and kids. Choose from over 250 of the world’s favourite brands including Converse, adidas, Levi’s, French Connection and many more.

We have new stock every day, and once we lower the price of a product it will never go back up! So whether you’re looking to kit the kids out or treat yourself, we’ve got it covered. Get the whole family kitted out this summer at mandmdirect.com and bag yourself a bargain.

The Government has made a startling U-turn on its plans to force all schools to become Academies. Plans to require all schools to become Academies were announced in the Budget. However, after threats of industrial action and a disastrous appearance by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan at the union meeting, the department announced that the plans would be scrapped. The U-turn was made due to concerns expressed by parents, education experts, head teachers and teachers.

New booster car seat rules Did you know that there’s going to be stricter laws on the use of booster seats to be announced later this year? At the moment, children as young as three weighing 15kg can use backless booster seats, but under the new rules only children taller than 125cm and weighing more than 22kg will be allowed to use them. Many child car seat experts say that backless booster seats aren’t suitable for young children as they aren’t held securely in the seat, the adult seat belt doesn’t cross their body correctly, and they also don’t protect them from a side-impact crash.

Case win for holiday during term time Jon Platt was issued with a fine for taking his daughter to Walt Disney World last April without permission from the school or the Isle of Wight Council. When fined £60 by the Council, Jon refused to pay and the amount was doubled to £120. Taken to court, Jon argued that as his daughter’s attendance was over 90%, it was good and therefore he should have been allowed to take a family holiday with his daughter. The courts agreed and in May Jon Platt won his case. The case raises an interesting point for other parents who wish to avoid the inflated costs holiday companies charge in school holidays.

www.familiesonline.co.uk

NEWS The Big Friendly Read Libraries all over the UK are taking part in the annual Summer Reading Challenge, and this year’s theme is The Big Friendly Read, which celebrates 100 years of the world’s favourite storyteller, Roald Dahl. Over the school summer holidays, children aged 4-11 are being encouraged to read six books, which can be anything from fact books, joke books, picture books, audio books – just as long as they are borrowed from the library. Sign up for free at your local library from 16 July, and every time your child finishes a book they get stickers and rewards. If your child manages to read six books and visits the library three times over the summer holiday, they get a medal and a certificate! The Summer Reading Challenge enhances and supports the mission for all children to read widely and for pleasure, as well as encourages parental engagement and family involvement in reading. It can also kick start a child’s reading journey and also prevents the tendency for children’s reading to dip over the holidays. Local events over the summer include: Summer Reading Challenge Launch Party, Doodle a Dahl, Big Friendly Party, James and the Giant Peach Walk, Big Friendly Picnic and Arts Award Workshops. Check out our what’s on section or visit your local library for more information on events in your area. For more information on The Big Friendly Read, go to www.bigfriendlyread.org.uk or visit www.readingagency.org.uk for a recommended book list.

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Best new releases By Claire Muffett-Reece Because it’s time to put down their iPad and bury their nose in a proper book... 0-2 Years The Dinosaur That Pooped Daddy! By Tom Fletcher. Penguin, £3.99 It’s great to see that this latest Dinosaur that pooped instalment has education in mind, counting from 10 to one with Danny and Dino as they seek out Daddy’s hiding place – and watching out for Dinosaur poo along the way! 3-5 Years The Bumblebear by Nadia Shireen Random House, £5.99 Meet Norman the bear as he hatches a plan to dress up as a bee, in order to attend Bee School for some tasty honey. However, when entering the bees’ world his identity is revealed, with this book helping your child understand about identity, learning and friendship. 6-8 Years The World’s Worst Children, by David Walliams Harper Collins, £12.99 A spectacular collection of tales about 10 delightfully dreadful children. There’s Sofia Sofa; a TV super-fan so stuck to the sofa she’s turning in to one! Or how about Dribbling Drew, a boy whose drool gets him into trouble on a school trip... 9-11 Years Action Hero: The Fincredible Diary of Fin Spencer, by Ciaran Murtagh. Bonnier Zaffre, £5.99 The third instalment of the fincredible diary series sees the return of Fin’s magic diary, which changes events of the past depending on what he writes inside. Banned from the class trip, Fin uses the diary to visit Stevie Knuckles Action Camp – but will his plans backfire? 12+ Years Finding Audrey, by Sophie Kinsella Corgi Childrens, £5.99 Meet Audrey, a girl recovering from social anxiety order to the extent she won’t leave the house. Then along comes her friend’s brother Linus, who shows her that finding her way back to the real world is achievable.

Totties, Downshutts Lane, Holmfirth HD9 1AU (2 mins from A635 at New Mill) Open 7 days www.tottiesgardencentre.co.uk 01484 680227

Claire Muffett-Reece is a freelance journalist who has written for a number of publications including The Evening Standard, Metro, Fabulous, Cosmopolitan, Tesco, Boots, Emma’s Diary and Wedding, among many others.

www.familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

Here are a few tips to keep in mind once your child has started secondary school…

During the months before your little one makes the big move to secondary school, it’s recommended that you begin the following…

RAMP UP RESPONSIBILITIES Senior school children have to be considerably more responsible for their own belongings and themselves. Whereas primary school teachers send letters to parents, at ‘big’ school, communication on day-to-day issues might well be to your child only.

BEGIN BUILDING INDEPENDENCE OUT AND ABOUT Most secondary school pupils travel to school minus mum and dad, so get yours used to being out without you. It’ll be less daunting for them if this starts on the journey to primary school, rather than being thrown into travelling alone on a lesser-known route.

LISTEN OUT FOR CONCERNS Some children take this huge change in their stride and are ready to move on, while others will feel anxious. Common concerns include getting lost around a much larger school, dealing with the journey, making new friends and managing the homework load.

ATTEND SETTLING-IN DAYS Most secondaries hold a session for new joiners, usually during the summer term of year six. This is an important opportunity to get to know the buildings, potential classmates and teachers and it should make the first day less intimidating.

Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

By Liat Hughes Joshi

Get super-organised with homework At primary, pupils might only have had a small amount of homework; expect the game to be raised now. Not only will there be more but keeping on top of when it all needs handing in can be complicated. Get used to knowing much less about what goes on In primary, you might well have been at the school gates most days and familiar with your child’s friends, parents and teachers. This will change: with independent travel comes a more handsoff approach.

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HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD TRANSFER TO SECONDARY SCHOOL

Expect them to be tired and emotional Many year sevens get very tired thanks to the ‘newness’, on top of a longer day and a more complicated journey. Stick to early nights and restful weekends to fend off exhaustion – and the moodiness that goes with this.

Be there for them It’s tempting to think this independence means you’re being made redundant come September but they’ll still need you – albeit in different ways. Be there as a sounding board – someone to listen and advise.

Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including ‘New Old-fashioned Parenting’ and ‘‎How to Unplug Your Child’ (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: Families pennine Heath 2016_Layout 1 24/03/2016 09:41 Page 1 The Primary YearsRish (Pearson).

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EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE Doubling/Halving: 24 x 5 becomes 12 x 10 = both equal 120 14 x 6 becomes 7 x 12 = both equal 84 Trebling/Thirding: 36 x 3 becomes 12 x 9 = both equal 108 3 x 24 becomes 9 x 8 = both equal 72 Whichever way you do it – times tables are still critical, but if a child can learn to change difficult numbers into a manageable form to arrive at their answer – what a great skill to carry throughout life.

Have you considered the proportional adjustment strategies of doubling/halving and/or trebling/thirding?

For more hints and learning tips contact NumberWorks’nWords Huddersfield on 01484 487911.

SATS test leaked online A “rogue marker” has published one of this year’s SATS papers online, it was revealed by the Department of Education.

s Keep your kid ve over mentally acti holidays the Summer What can you do to keep your child mentally alert over the long summer holidays and ensure that those hardwon academic skills don’t wither too much in the sun? Anthony Wilkins, head teacher at Heathfield Junior School, Rishworth, provides some top tips for developing creative writing through word-play:

Mr. Gibb said that Pearson was investigating the matter and that the company had apologised and would aim to find the individual who had leaked the answers.

• Play the ‘comparative’ game: think of words that mean ‘big’, but which conjure images of greater size: huge, enormous, colossal? Can the words be put in order, smallest to largest meaning?

pre-school and out-of-school-club for 2-11 year olds Bolster Moor Chapel, Golcar Well-establised Highly experienced Outstanding care Drop offs and pick up from local schools.

Contact Alison on 07838 389702

WINNING approach to learning

At Explore Learning, our passion is to help students achieve their potential and be the best they can be. We get to know each child as an individual and help them to fall in love with learning. Our goal – to build confident, fearless learners who are hungry for knowledge. We’ve delivered award-winning maths and English tuition to over 175,000 children across the UK.

Markers employed by Pearson, a company who has been contracted to issue and mark the papers, are usually allowed to log into and look at papers on the company’s website. However, one of its staff had shared the test with the media, meaning that the paper almost had to be withdrawn. As only limited numbers of people saw it and the journalist contacted with the information decided not to publish, the schools minister Nick Gibbs said it would go ahead. The test was in spelling, grammar and punctuation and was for children aged 10 and 11.

Hoppers

hutters Jaroslaw Pawlak/S

However, there are ways to manipulate the numbers and arrive at the same answer. Here are a couple of nifty strategies to consider.

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Many children are capable of remembering their times tables, but when they venture beyond the 12s they often have difficulty working the sum out.

AWARD-

• Increase vocabulary: think of descriptive words and encourage your child to develop alternatives. Take a ‘boring’ sentence and takes turns in adding to it – expand the description or make a story.

• Use similes and metaphors, and proverbs and sayings, and explore what they mean; ask your child to make up new ones – don’t be afraid of being ’funny’ or ‘silly’! • Play word tennis between two people. Exchange one word on a theme, or with a rhyme, or beginning with the same sound, until one person can’t think of anything!

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Our approach has a proven record of supporting children both academically and attitudinally. Celebrating children’s achievements is an extremely important thing. This summer we’re encouraging children and parents to learn new skills together, and to get excited about showing off what they have learned in our centres and back at school in September. Look out for their stories on Explore Learning’s social media channels and website!

Explore Learning / Dominic James

Multiplication strategies

EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE Teach your kids to ride a bike in 7 easy steps Teaching your child to ride a bike has never been easier with these seven simple steps:

Begin with a balance bike Balance bikes are great because they have no pedals or stabilisers and are much lighter.

Start on flat ground Always begin to teach your child on flat ground â€“ so at a local park or an area with no traffic.

Teach them to use the brake At the age of two and a half to three, children are able to operate a hand brake, as long as itâ€™s gentle enough for their fingers.

Always wear a helmet Wearing a helmet is a must. The sooner your little one gets used to it, the better.

Look for safety add-ons A steering limiter is highly recommended as this will enable your child to keep in the right direction and prevent falls. ISchmidt/Shutterstock.com

Get an adjustable seat Try to choose a bike that has an adjustable seat as this means the bike can be adjusted to suit their height.

Upgrade to a bigger bike When your child has developed enough skill and confidence you can transfer them to a pedal bike without stabilisers.

OOL AND NEW GOLCAR PRE-SCH B OUT-OF-SCHOOL-CLU A new pre-school and out-of-school-club will be launched in the Golcar area on 5 September. Hoppers pre-school and out-of-school-club provides outstanding early years care and support for 2-5 year olds. It recently moved to bigger premises in Bolster Moor to build on its already well-established out-of-school facility, which has grown over the last few years, as well as establish its new pre-school provision. Its staff have a wealth of knowledge of the birth to five curriculum leading right through to primary education. As part of its out-of-school offering for 2-11 year olds, Hoppers provides school drop offs and pick-ups from the following schools: Wellhouse, Clough Head, Wilberlee and Scape. For more information or to book, call Alison on 07838 389702.

www.familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES OLYMPIAN ADRIAN MOORHOUSE TALKS TO FAMILIES With the Rio Olympics only a matter of weeks away, Claire Winter talks to Olympian Adrian Moorhouse MBE about life after winning gold. Adrian Moorhouse MBE was a world champion at 22, and Olympic gold medallist in the 100m breaststroke at Seoul two years later. He now uses the skills he learned as a swimmer in his performance coaching business, Lane4. Having learned to swim at the age of six, he went on to swim for his teacher’s club, then for Bradford Grammar School. It all changed when he started swimming for the City of Leeds Swimming Club. “By 15 I was swimming 20 hours a week. I was tired and my schoolwork suffered, although I did ok at what we now call GCSEs. But on the positive side, I had massive progress in swimming at the age of 15. I won the national age groups for my age but I also came second in the senior championships. At the age of 15 I was on the junior and senior British team. “From the age of 16 I became the British number one for men. By 17 I was third in Europe and by 18 I had won the Commonwealth Games. “I left school and went to university in America for a while and learnt great technique around nutrition, psychology and strength training and came back to the UK to Leeds. “I had reached the pinnacle of success in 1986 at the age of 22 when I was world number one, at 23 I broke the world record and at 24 I got gold at Seoul and I had even better years after that. I competed in two other Olympics, 1992 was my last Olympics and I retired at 28.” After retiring Adrian worked on the British Swimming Team in Talent Development for three years, and then set up his own company Lane4. “When we set up Lane4, we took sports psychology and put it into business. I applied all the things I learnt as a swimmer. You have to have focus and you have to have goals. When you are a swimmer you can be selfish because you compete as an individual. Knowing where to gather support and expertise for my performance business is very different. I‘ve got to be my best but I’ve got to know how to get the best out of my team too.”

“I am really happy to be commentating at Rio. A fantastic British swimmer, Adam Peaty, has recently won the European Championships. He’s also a breaststroker and won the World Championships last year. So he goes into Rio in the same position I was in, when I won the gold at Seoul. I am really excited about hopefully seeing him win gold for Britain. It will be the first time we have a had someone win it since I won back in 1988.” We turned to discussing being a parent and how to encourage our kids in sport. “Our job is to support and create an environment where they feel cared for because it should be the coach who challenges them and pushes them and gives them feedback on their stroke, running or throwing. “You have parents who see that their child is talented but if their child doesn’t want do it – they won’t succeed. They’ve got to want it themselves, you have to create opportunity, find out what someone is passionate about and also recognise that it might not be your passion or interest. “Equally you need to teach your children about staying power. You’ve got to help kids look at focus and commitment. Try and find out why they don’t want to do something and give them a reason to continue with it. “At 12 and 13 kids often get dispirited because they are coming fifth or sixth but if they keep practicing they will improve. Tell them to compare yourself, against yourself, rather than another individual and most importantly, be the best that you can be.” It’s great advice from a very inspirational man, whose spirit and determination has defined all that he has done in sport and business.

Adrian has commentated on Olympic swimming since 1998 and will be at Rio this year. He has high hopes for the British swimming team.

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Brighouse Great fun for children and parents/carers Positive, uplifting, fun and educational

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Helping to develop memory, language and co-ordination skills. To book these exciting classes for your 0-5 year olds;

T: 07969 568939 E: chelsea@moo-music.co.uk F: moomusicbrighouse

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RazvanIonut/Shutterstock.com

FOR BABIES AND PRE-SCHOOL

CLUBS & CLASSES SUMMER CAMPS Summer Camps are a handy option during the school holidays. There are loads taking place over the six weeks that will keep your children entertained, active, and out of trouble! Kids can enjoy a day of fun activities at the Super Camp at Huddersfield Grammar School or Kings Camp at Hipperholme Grammar School and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield. Project Sport is also hosting its holiday project at locations in and around Huddersfield.

or kicking skills, why not learn from the professionals? There are also lots of places where your kids can get one with nature, from den building, fire-lighting, woodland crafts, nature games, bushcraft skills, climbing trees and damming streams. Organisations such as LiveWild’s Bushcraft Holiday Club in Hebden Bridge and Eden’s Forest and Babes in the Wood in Huddersfield, offer fantastic activities in the great outdoors. Holiday camps and alfresco activities are great to keep kids entertained and meet new friends – and you can be rest-assured they’re in safe hands.

Your local leisure organisations, such as Oldham Active and Kirklees Active Leisure, host summer holiday camps and activities for kids, so check them out as well as your local leisure centre or swimming pool.

Bee creative with sand art Kids Bee Happy sand art is the new craze, recently launched in the area by independent consultant Louise Hawley, providing sand art classes and workshops suitable for all ages and abilities. Children (and adults) can enjoy this no mess, hands-on, bright, colourful arts and crafts activity using laser cut, pre-glued sand art picture cards. All you need to do is pick the sand colours and shake them onto the sticky sections on the cards. From trains and animals to motorbikes, horses and butterflies, as well as templates for all your favourite Disney characters – they also make the perfect gift. So if you’re looking for an activity for a party, wedding, school event or workshop, go to sales.kidsbeehappy. com/Louisehawley or e-mail kidsbeehappy242@gmail.com.

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Huddersfield Giants’ players, Luke Robinson and Danny Brough have teamed up again and will be hosting their Skills Schools during the Summer break. So if your budding rugby players want to brush up on their tackling

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Need a present for a child? Want something different for a party? Organising an event or funday? All of your favourite D isney characters too!

Independent Consultants Louise: 07590978956 Elsie: 07894203728 Kidsbeehappy242@gmail.com http://sales.kidsbeehappy.com/louisehawley

A MOO-SICAL class for 0 to 5 year-olds has come to Brighouse. The all-singing, all-dancing Moo Music sessions are run by class leader Chelsea who moved into Brighouse last year and has an 8-month old son called Jackson. Each 45-minute session features a selection of Moo Music songs with a wide range of themes. Children get the chance to sing, dance, play games, learn actions and experiment with percussion instruments. Classes are held every Wednesday at Bailiff Bridge Community Centre, Thursday at St Matthews Parish Centre and Fridays at Rowley Poleys. For more information about Moo Music’s weekly classes or birthday parties, visit the www.moo-music. co.uk/areas/brighouse or like them on Facebook.

www.familiesonline.co.uk

SUMMER HOLIDAYS

It seems a shame to miss the sun when it’s out, so why not head outdoors to your local country park for water sports, scenic walks or outdoor play? Ogden Water Local Nature Reserve in Halifax has some great walks around its lake, or find out if there really is Room on the Broom at Anglers Country Park in Wakefield, an interactive trail that makes a leisurely walk more fun for kids. For something more active, try the water sports at Hollingworth Lake Water & Outdoor Activity Centre in Littleborough, or head to Pugneys Country Park in Wakefield that has just launched its new Pirates Cove Play Area. You can also get one with nature at the RSPB Old Moor nature reserve in Barnsley, which hosts a variety of activities during the week from self-led crafts and pond dipping to bird watching (rspb.org.uk/oldmoor). Leeds Museums and galleries

The National Trust boasts some of the most beautiful places to visit in the region. Go on an adventure in the enchanted woodland and rocky paths and visit a former cotton mill at Hardcastle Crags in Hebden Bridge. Step back in time and explore the beautiful gardens at East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley, or check out the fun holiday activities set in the beautiful surroundings of Nostell Priory near Wakefield.

Diggerland

Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends Percy, Toby and Mavis will be visiting the Kirklees Light Railway again in July and August, so don’t miss them and the Fat Controller, as well as a host of fun activities (kirkleeslightrailway. com); the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway also has daily timetables for scenic steam train journeys.

Yummy Yorkshire will be celebrating all things tractors at its annual Tractor Fest in July, and Stockeld Park near Wetherby is having a summer of adventure – try roller skating, go-karting or visit the maze and Enchanted Forest. To get your adrenaline pumping, head to Diggerland at Castleford. Experience the thrills of spinning around fast in a Giant Digger bucket on the Spindizzy ride, operate a Giant JCB 806 Digger, drive a REAL car, race around in a go-kart, get lifted 50ft in the air by the Skyshuttle, or whirl around on the Dig-a-round and so much more! (diggerland.com) For a bit of culture, the National Coal Mining Museum for England has just launched a Heroes and Heroines exhibition to celebrate miners past and present. The Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth has Brontë themed drop-in art and craft sessions, museum trails and ‘hands-on history’ sessions. The interactive children’s museum, Eureka! in Halifax, is hosting 42 days of Summer, with exciting indoor and outdoor activities, with themes such as space, animals, science, pirates, carnival, survival challenges and story making (eureka.org.uk). Museums and galleries across Leeds are bursting with events, exhibitions and great cultural days out to capture the imaginations of the whole family (leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays), and don’t forget to check out the programme of events at the museums and galleries across Kirklees from bushcraft events, summer quiz trails to family art days. Gallery Oldham is also hosting holiday fun art and craft events, as well as Super Saturdays for craft activities and its Bee Club; or why not head to the Portland Basin Museum in AshtonUnder-Lyne and enjoy local heritage craft activities and trails. Feeling creative? Head to Totties Garden Centre near Holmfirth and turn recycled bits into something new at its fairandfunky Scraptastic workshops for kids (tottiesgardencentre. co.uk), or get creative and messy at The Star Tree Studio in Littleborough, which hosts fun and educational craft sessions for young ones (thestartreestudio.com). Whatever the weather, you can see there’s plenty to keep you and the kids entertained this summer – and this is just a selection! So why not try somewhere new this year?

For more information on events and activities during the summer holidays, head to our What’s On section at the back of the magazine, check out our new website www.familiesonline.co.uk for even more event ideas, or head to the venues’ websites for more details.

www.familiesonline.co.uk

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Whether you’re looking to explore the beautiful countryside, want a thrill-seeking adventure, or in the mood for a bit of culture, our region is packed full of amazing days out and activities for families.

Or why not go on an underground boat trip at Standedge Tunnel in Marsden, followed by an ice-cream and a play in the adventure playground? Travel 500 metres underground into Britain’s longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel, opened in 1811, to learn about the outstanding history behind this magnificent feat of engineering. The guides bring to life the turbulent history of the hard working navvies that constructed the tunnel 200 years ago (canalrivertrust.org.uk/standedge). Leeds Museums and galleries

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Summer holidays are great for the kids. Six weeks off school, a chance to wind down, spend time with friends and family, and get all refreshed for the start of the new term. For parents it’s a bit more stressful. Trying to find things to entertain children for six weeks is no easy feat.

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SUMMER HOLIDAYS

ve ur child will lo o y s k c ti s y it Fru Help them get their five a day with this fun snack, ideal for the lunch box! By Sally J Hall You will need: • 3 thin plastic straws • Mixture of fruit such as grapes, strawberries, kiwi fruit, pineapple, banana, apple • Lemon or lime juice How to make: 1 Cut the larger fruit into squares and squeeze some lime or lemon juice over them to prevent them from going brown. 2 Push the straws through the pieces of fruit one at a time – make sure you mix up the colours to make it look extra special. Note: Children who are under four should not be offered whole grapes because of the danger of choking. Sally J. Hall is a writer and editor who has written for all the main parenting titles as well as The Independent and The Mail. She is author of Eco Baby and contributing author to Watch My Baby Grow (Dorling Kindersley).

www.familiesonline.co.uk

SUMMER HOLIDAYS Tips for flying with young children

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Inform the airline when you book your flight that you have young children and take advantage of all the extra help they offer parents.

Check if your airport has a dedicated crèche. Some are equipped with toys, books and rest rooms.

Ask if you can take your buggy to the flight’s gate so your little one will have somewhere familiar to nap if your flight is delayed.

Pack plenty of wet wipes in your handbag.

Get your children used to drinking room temperature drinks as it can be difficult to keep bottles cool or warm them up at the airport.

Pre-book children’s meals on flights. They get served first and you’ll avoid the endless wait for food.

Breastfeed your baby, or have a drink ready for an older child when the flight is taking off and landing as the sucking motion will help equalise the pressure in the ears (often an uncomfortable cause of babies crying on flights).

Under-twos usually travel free as long as they sit on a parent’s lap for the entire flight. If your budget will stretch to it maybe pay the extra fare so you have an extra seat.

A seat near the bulkhead (where there is a division or toilet in front) may have a bit of extra room, so your toddler could play on the floor.

Take plenty of baby food and mini snacks with you.

Try to time your child’s day so they will have a nap on the flight. Some airlines provide pillows and blankets.

Dress children in layers as they can get too warm on a flight – or too cold if the air conditioning is on full blast.

Take non-battery toys and games with you like good old fashioned colouring books.

Let your child have their own carry-on bag of small games and treats.

Keep an eye on your child’s feet to make sure the seat in front doesn’t get kicked.

But most of all; try to keep calm and enjoy yourself… it is your well-earned holiday too! Emma’s Diary is the UK’s most trusted and influential pregnancy and baby channel. Working in partnership with The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) for more than 23 years, they provide parents-to-be and new parents with the very best medical and practical information. Visit www.emmasdiary.co.uk

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FOR OPENING TIMES, PARK LOCATIONS AND MUCH MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL US TODAY.

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www .familiesonline.co.uk

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Will you be travelling abroad with your young children this year? Here are 15 tips for a stress-free journey...

WHAT’S ON JULY – AUGUST 2016 THEATRE & SHOWS Sat 16 Jul SMALL CINEMA: MAYA THE BEE (U) Gallery Oldham, Greaves Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL1 1AL, 0161 770 4742 www.galleryoldham.org.uk/smallcinema The little bee with a big heart in her big screen debut. £3.50 including a goodie bag with drink and popcorn for kids! Booking required. 2pm (12pm-2pm – art and craft activities)

Thurs 4 Aug PETER PAN Red House Museum, Red House, Oxford Road, Gomersal, Nr Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, BD19 4JP, 01274 335100 www. communitydirectory.kirklees.gov.uk Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents this classic children’s story by J.M.Barrie in the award-winning garden. Refreshments available. Bring your own seating, no tables. 7.30pm

Sat 6 Aug & Sun 7 Aug THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD The Victoria Theatre Halifax, Fountain Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1BP, 01422351156 www.calderdale.gov.uk Tall Stories Theatre Company returns bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning sequel to life in this musical adaptation. 3+ (Sat 2pm & 4.30pm, Sun 11am & 2pm)

Tues 16 Aug THE RAILWAY CHILDREN

SUMMER 9, 30 Jul & 13, 27 Aug DUMPER TRUCK RACING Diggerland Yorkshire, Willowbridge Lane, Whitwood, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 5NW, 0871 22 77 007 www.diggerland.com/dumper-racing Race specially adapted JCB Skid Steer Loaders around the Diggerland course, swerving through slaloms trying to avoid time penalties. For over 17s only. 5pm, £39.99pp.

Sun 10 Jul OLDHAM CARNIVAL ROOTZ FESTIVAL Alexandra Park, Kings Road, Oldham, OL8 2BH, 0161 770 4056 www.oldhamcarnival.org.uk Family day out with live music, dry ice skating rink, fairground, theatre and dance, food stalls, community stalls, a dog show, plus much more! 10am-6pm. Free plus payable activities and food stalls

Sat 16 – 17 Jul A DAY OUT WITH THOMAS Kirklees Light Railway, Park Mill Way, Clayton West, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD8 9XJ, 01484 865 727 www.kirkleeslightrailway.com Kirklees Light Railway is expecting a visit from a very special Tank Engine and his friends. A great day out plus fun activities. Booking advised. 10am

Sun 17 Jul – 28 Aug OVER AND UNDER Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre, Tunnel End, Waters Road, Marsden, West Yorkshire, HD7 6NQ,

01484 844 298 www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Take a boat trip all the way through Britain’s longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel. Hear about the tales and tribulations of the navvies who built it. 10am-3:30pm. Booking essential.

SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES 28 May – 31 Dec

Sat 30 – Sun 31 Jul STANDEDGE TUNNEL COUNTRY FAIR Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre, Tunnel End, Waters Road, Marsden, West Yorkshire, HD7 6NQ, 01484 844 298 www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Enjoy locally produced food and crafts, a petting farm, vintage tractor display and kids entertainment. Plus boat trips, outdoor and indoor play. Free. 11am-4pm

Sun 7 Aug BRASS IN THE GARDEN WITH TOOTS BRASS Tolson Museum, Ravensknowle Park, Wakefield Rd, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD5 8DJ, 01484 223830 www.kirklees.gov.uk An enjoyable afternoon of brass band music in the Memorial Garden. Bring your own seats. Organised by the FoTR. Free with a collection by Toots Brass. 2pm

Fri 19 – 22 Aug A DAY OUT WITH THOMAS Kirklees Light Railway, Park Mill Way, Clayton West, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD8 9XJ, 01484 865 727 www.kirkleeslightrailway.com Kirklees Light Railway is expecting a visit from a very special Tank Engine and his friends. A great day out plus fun activities. Booking advised. 10am

HEROES & HEROINES EXHIBITION AT THE NCMME National Coal Mining Museum for England, Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton, Wakefield, Yorkshire, WF4 4RH, www.ncm.org.uk/heroes Explore the real lives of people who went beyond the call of duty in mining and add your own heroes and heroines to the Museum’s archives. 10am-5pm

Mon 18 Jul – 29 Aug DRAWING, DIPPING AND DISCOVERY DAY RSPB Dearne Valley, Old Moor, Old Moor Lane, Dearne Valley Nature Reserve, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 0YF, 01226 751593 www.rspb.org.uk/oldmoor Enjoy self-led crafts, then explore the reserve to see what bugs, birds and pond life you can see. Pond dipping kits and backpacks are available to hire. 10am-3pm. Every Mon.

Tues 19 Jul – 30 Aug TUESDAY TALES RSPB Dearne Valley, Old Moor, Old Moor Lane, Dearne Valley Nature Reserve, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 0YF, 01226 751593 www.rspb.org.uk/oldmoor Join experts Chris and Bob for tales of wildlife and explore the heart of the nature reserve. 11 am / 1 pm / 2.30 pm. Every Tues.

Wed 20 Jul – 31 Aug WILD WEDNESDAYS RSPB Dearne Valley, Old Moor, Old Moor Lane, Dearne Valley Nature Reserve, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 0YF, 01226 751593 www.rspb.org.uk/oldmoor RSPB Old Moor’s most popular holiday time activity, with nature themed craft activities or go pond dipping or bug hunting on the reserve with a wildlife expert. 9.30am-5 pm. Every Weds.

Oakwell Hall and Country Park, Nutter Lane, Birstall, Batley, West Yorkshire, WF17 9LG, 01924 326240 www.friendsofoakwellhall.org.uk Chapterhouse Theatre Company returns for a performance of this classic story in the beautiful walled gardens. Bring your own seating, no tables. 7:30pm.

Sat 20 Aug DOTTY THE DRAGON

Sat 16 Jul

RSPB Dearne Valley, Old Moor, Old Moor Lane, Dearne Valley Nature Reserve, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 0YF, 01226 751593 www.blunderbus.co.uk This fantastic outdoor performance is full of charm, laughs and a lifesized fire breathing dragon! 3+, 3pm, £8. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket.

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE LAUNCH PARTY Huddersfield Library, Princess Alexandra Walk, Kirklees, West Yorkshire, HD1 2SU, 01484 221961 www.kirklees.gov.uk/ leisure/libraries/childrenslibrary Write rhymes, make your own marvellous medicines, meet the BFG, and find your own Golden Ticket. Free fun for all the family. 1-3pm

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WHAT’S ON JULY – AUGUST 2016 Thurs 21 Jul – 25 Aug THINKBOMB! THURSDAYS RSPB Dearne Valley, Old Moor, Old Moor Lane, Dearne Valley Nature Reserve, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 0YF, 01226 751593 www.rspb.org.uk/oldmoor Discover the beautiful and noisy birds that live and breed on the reserve. Help is on hand to identify each bird and how to use binoculars and telescopes. 9:30am-5pm. Every Thurs.

Fri 22 Jul – 26 Aug DRAWING, DIPPING AND DISCOVERY FREE FRIDAY

Kirklees Adventurous Activity Team. Children must be 8 and over. £10 per child, booking essential. Every Monday 10am-12noon or 1pm-3pm.

25 Jul – 2 Sept HOLIDAY FUN AT GALLERY OLDHAM Gallery Oldham, Greaves Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL1 1AL, 0161 770 4742 www. galleryoldham.org.uk/small-cinema Free family activities taking place during the school holidays. Face painting and craft activities. Suitable for ages 4-10 years. 1-4pm

26 Jul – 25 Aug BIG FRIENDLY PARTY

RSPB Dearne Valley, Old Moor, Old Moor Lane, Dearne Valley Nature Reserve, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S73 0YF, 01226 751593 www.rspb.org.uk/oldmoor Nature themed self-led crafts plus explore the reserve to see what bugs, birds and pond life you can see. Reserve entry is free to all children. 9:30am-5pm. Every Fri.

Huddersfield Library, Princess Alexandra Walk, Kirklees, West Yorkshire, HD1 2SU, 01484 221961 www.kirklees.gov.uk/ leisure/libraries/childrenslibrary Help celebrate 100 years of Roald Dahl by coming to a gloriumptious party for games and quizzes. Fancy dress encouraged. Hosted at libraries across Kirklees. 10:30am or 2:30pm

23 Jul – 4 Sept

26 Jul – 4 Sep

SUMMER FUN AT EUREKA!

SUMMER HOLIDAY ADVENTURES

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Discovery Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2NE, 01422 330069 www.eureka.org.uk 42 days of summer with over 30 performers on selected dates. Themes include Space, Animals, Science, Pirates, Carnival, Survival Challenges and Story Making.

25 Jul 2016 – 2 Sep 2016 EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH KIRKLEES MUSEUMS Red House Museum, Red House, Oxford Road, Gomersal, Nr Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, BD19 4JP, 01274 335100 www. communitydirectory.kirklees.gov.uk Summer quiz trails with a prize draw and self-led craft activities in the house to celebrate the Olympics. Entry charges apply to the house. 12noon-4pm

25 Jul – 22 Aug BUSHCRAFT MONDAYS AT OAKWELL HALL Oakwell Hall Country Park, Oakwell Hall and Country Park, Nutter Lane, Birstall, Batley, West Yorkshire, WF17 9LG, 01924 326240 www. communitydirectory.kirklees.gov.uk Learn bushcraft skills with the Families Pennines listings can also be found on our fully searchable online What’s On, and we update regularly, so make sure you bookmark www.familiesonline.co.uk Please be aware that things change so check details and suitability for your family with the provider before setting out as Families Pennines cannot be held responsible for the events we list.

Lotherton Hall, Off Collier Lane, Aberford, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS25 3EB, 0113 378 2959 www.leeds.gov.uk/ museumsandgalleries Visit Lotherton Hall again and again over the summer holidays. Six weeks of themed activities from the great outdoors to all things vintage. Every day, 10am-4pm

27 Jul – 31 Aug

ET FORG UT T ’ N DO HECK O TO C EBSITE

West Yorkshire, LS5 3EH, 0113 230 5492 www.leeds.gov.uk/ museumsandgalleries Head to the abbey every Thursday in the summer holidays for a picnic with the friendly dragon Barry. Bring a picnic, but make sure Barry doesn’t eat your sandwiches! 12pm-1pm

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ACT EA! AND UR AR IN YO

28 Jul – 1 Sep

10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 Aug

SCHOOL’S OUT AT TEMPLE NEWSAM

FAIRANDFUNKY SCRAPTASTIC WORKSHOPS

Temple Newsam Estate, Temple Newsam Park, Leeds, LS15 0AE, 0113 395 7400 www.leeds.gov.uk/ museumsandgalleries Find a host of activities in this fantastic historic house to keep the kids busy. Regular Crafty Tuesdays, Story Wednesdays and Drawing Thursdays. Tues-Thurs 10.30am-4pm

Totties Garden Centre and The Olive Tree Bistro Cafe, Downshutts Lane, Totties, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, HD9 1AU, 01484 680227 www.tottiesgardencentre.co.uk Children aged 3-12 years get to create a masterpiece by turning recycled bits & pieces into something new. No need to book. 11.00am, £3.50 per child

Thurs 4 & 11 Aug 2016

Fri 12 Aug

PIRATE DAYS! Shibden Hall, Lister’s Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6XG, 01422 352246 www.museums.calderdale.gov.uk Search for pirates and take part in pirate crafts and activities. Free eye patch and discount for those in fancy dress for the land train and boats in the park. 11am, 1pm, 2pm

BIG FRIENDLY PICNIC Huddersfield Library, Princess Alexandra Walk, Kirklees, West Yorkshire, HD1 2SU, 01484 221961 www.kirklees.gov.uk The best, most pifflefizzing picnic ever! Meet the Big Friendly Giant and explore Roald Dahl’s world. Prizes for the best fancy dress. Bring your own picnic. 1-3pm

Capture imaginations this summer at Leeds Museums and Galleries — we’ve got this holiday sorted!

SPARKS! SUMMER HOLIDAY FUN Bankfield Museum, Boothtown Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6HG, 01422 352334 www.museums.calderdale.gov.uk Make a prehistoric creature, clay plaque, an aboriginal craft, pop up card, mini aquarium, dream catcher, summer mobile, paper puppet or moving picture. Activities change per week. 11am,1pm, 2pm. Every Weds.

leeds.gov.uk/ schoolholidays

27 Jul – 31 Aug WARRIOR WEDNESDAYS Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT, 0113 220 1999 www.royalarmouries.org Meet warriors from history. Watch live combat demonstrations, get your hands on history at special object handling sessions, plus warriorthemed crafts. Every Wednesday, 11am-3pm.

28 Jul – 1 Sep PICNIC WITH A DRAGON AT KIRKSTALL ABBEY Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Walk, Kirkstall Road, Leeds,

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