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Final few places being reserved in our Reception Class and Nursery for September
Issue 84 Sep/Oct 2018
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Halloween Half Term
Saturday 27 October – Sunday 4 November Join us at Castle Howard this October half term for a Halloween experience like no other. The House and Grounds have been taken over by a gang of ghostly pirates and ghoulish zombies and they’re on the lookout for new recruits! But which team will you join – #TeamPirate or #TeamZombie? Families of all ages can enjoy a day of indoor and outdoor trails, craft activities and fun workshops to learn the ways of the zombies and the pirates, before a daily battle commences. Why not come dressed for the part? For more information and to book please visit www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA
EXPERIENCE
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Book Today www.digyork.com/birthday DIG: An Archaeological Adventure is owned by York Archaeological Trust, a registered charity in England & Wales (No. 509060) and Scotland (No. SCO42846)
2 Families Vale of York
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Welcome
Well it’s that time of the year when most parents breathe a huge sigh of relief as the kids return to school and the house becomes a much quieter and more organised (well we can all hope) place. I am not too sure where the summer holidays went though, to be honest. For the first time in some years, we decided to stay in the UK and enjoyed a fabulous holiday to Northumberland with our dog Lottie in tow! All members of the family thoroughly enjoyed it and we would highly recommend it for anyone considering a break/holiday to the North East coast in the future. The weather seems to have been glorious for so long…here’s hoping it stays with us for a little bit longer. For this issue, I have been fortunate enough to have Rebecca Marano working with me on a work experience placement. Rebecca has just completed her masters in Journalism at Leeds Trinity University and I am forever grateful as she has helped me with not only article and ‘what’s on’ writing, but also our social media – I have been dragged into the 21st century and introduced to the wonderful world of scheduling posts (‘where has she been?’ I hear you ask!) This issue features our education section, so if like me, you’re little one is starting school for the first time or you’re about to embark on the process of open days for secondary school, we have plenty of information and advice for you. Enjoy other articles on the benefits of Forest School and how to get fit as a family. Let’s not forget that this issue covers Halloween too! Halloween in our house is always competitive with my hubby trying to win our village pumpkin carving competition! So, I’ve included some pics of his entries in years gone by. Get your pumpkins at the ready; take a look at our special Halloween crafts and find out where to go this October ½ term in our popular ‘what’s on’ guide. Happy reading!
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FAMILY
News
Situated in the beautiful North Yorks countryside, Ampleforth College celebrates the addition of a junior house this September...
We are proud of our academic success and more than 70% of our students join top universities each year. Often, our students go beyond their own, and everyone else’s, expectations. Ampleforth is a place of kindness and our Benedictine character lies at the heart of school life for both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Our aim is to give all our students a Compass for Life for their journey through school and beyond. As they learn and grow in mind, body and spirit they can always find their moral bearings. This is a gift to every child who spends their school years here in the valley, one they will never be able to find elsewhere, and one they will have forever.
Mini Reviewers! Two of our younger readers kindly became mini reviewers of the Sweet Pups product for us and here is what they thought. Annabelle Butcher:
Set in over 2,000 acres of North Yorkshire countryside, Ampleforth College is the world’s leading co-educational Catholic day and boarding school. We encourage students to stretch themselves not only in the classroom, but in the myriad of activities that sit alongside and complement the academic curriculum. We are excited to be adding a Junior House to the College campus this September, which will allow us to take children into the school from age 11. David and Clare Moses, our new Junior House parents, will be welcoming interested families to the new House during our Open Morning on Saturday 6th October for a full tour of the excellent new facilities. We offer over 50 extra-curricular activities, from outdoor pursuits including archery and fishing, to clubs and societies including the Land Rover Restoration Group, dance club and Combined Cadet Force, which provides students with the opportunity to develop their sense of responsibility. 4 Families Vale of York
‘Sweet pups are very easy to open, and very fun. Mine is called Rex, he’s very cute and his eyes are glittering blue. He is easy to turn into a pup, but a little bit hard to turn back into a pastry. The pastry is soft and feels like a squishy. The smell is very nice. I give the Sweet Pups a 10/10.’ Niamh Bowdin: ‘Thank you for sending me a sweet pup. I loved the smell and how you can dicover the cute little pup inside. I love how the pastry can be packed away into the pup’s back and how it could become pastry again. I called mine Paste! There are 12 adorable Sweet Pups to collect in series 1. Launched end June 2018. Available from Claire’s Accessories and Amazon for £7.99 RRP.
Former England goalkeeper inspires pupils at Belmont Grosvenor School
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green took time out of his busy schedule to pass on his footballing skills to young pupils at an independent Harrogate prep school. As the nation was gripped by World Cup fever, the ex-Leeds United player spent the morning with children at coeducational Belmont Grosvenor School, which is based at Birstwith, Harrogate. Children from the school’s Reception to Year 2 classes, including Rob’s own two children who are pupils at Belmont Grosvenor, brushed up on their ball skills under the keeper’s watchful gaze – but thankfully didn’t have to face a penalty shoot-out! Said Mr Green: “After the tension and excitement of England’s matches, it was a real treat to be able to come into school and encourage the children starting out on their footballing journey. “Looking at their beaming smiles as they play sport is a reminder to me that it can be enjoyed on many different levels and is first and foremost there to have fun,” he said. “The England players interviewed throughout the World Cup have talked about playing with a smile on their faces, and this is no different to this morning with the children here at BGS,” he added. Boys and girls at Belmont Grosvenor School, based in 20-acres of grounds just three miles from the centre of Harrogate, play a wide variety of sports throughout the year. As well as football, children play rugby, hockey, tennis, netball and cricket. The school has its own swimming pool, and children compete in galas and biathlon competitions. Pam Dight, Deputy Headteacher at Belmont Grosvenor School, said she was delighted Mr Green could drop into school to help run the footballing workshop. “All children at Belmont Grosvenor School have access to a wide range of sports. As well as their timetabled lessons, the school runs a large number of before, during and after school clubs. Football is very popular with our pupils and for Mr Green to come into school to share his skills with everyone familiesonline.co.uk
is a real pleasure and honour,” she said. Belmont Grosvenor School and Magic Tree Nursery cares for children from three months to 11 years, and is based in Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, Harrogate. For more information or to arrange a tour visit www.belmontgrosvenor.co.uk
Tadcaster library launches the Tadcaster Costume Exchange
From this September, Tadcaster Community Library will be offering local people a new way to save money and reduce waste while still having fun: the Tadcaster Costume Exchange. Events like Halloween and World Book Day can often be expensive when children (and adults!) want to dress up as their favourite character, or as a werewolf or a princess. The Tadcaster Costume Exchange will give people access to loads of different outfits and accessories that have usually only been worn once or twice. The initiative will encourage people to donate their used dress-up outfits to the library. They will then be categorised and made available to borrow. Library volunteer Katherine says, “It’s exciting as it ticks lots of boxes; it will save parents and other borrowers’ money, it will reduce new purchases and save waste, and will be fun for the kids to get involved with.” Costumes can be donated at the library any time, and there will be an official launch event on Saturday 29th September where all the outfits will be displayed for people to try on and borrow. The project will be based in the library,
where people can drop off their dress-up costumes and book them out. In addition, all the outfits and accessories will be on a Facebook page so people can browse the catalogue of costumes and decide what they want to borrow.
More info at www.egmont.co.uk
There will be a small hire fee to borrow items which will raise funds for the Community Library, which has been run by volunteers in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council since April 2017.
Fruit juice with breakfast places children at higher risk of obesity
Library user and parent Lou is looking forward to it: “It’s a great thing to do with costumes the kids have grown out of and will save us all some pennies.”
Children who drink fruit juice with breakfast are more likely to become overweight or obese.
For more information contact Katherine tadcastercommunitylibrary@gmail. com or check the Tadcaster Community Library Facebook page for updates.
Only half of preschool children being read to daily
The number of toddlers being read to daily has dropped by 20% since 2013, according to recent research. The annual Understanding the Children’s Book Consumer survey from Nielsen Book Research found that while 69% of pre-school children were read to daily in 2013, that figure had now dropped to just 51%. The study found parents complained of obstacles preventing them from reading to their children. Nearly a fifth said it was hard to find the energy at the end of the day, whilst 16% said their child would rather do other things. One in five parents don’t feel comfortable in bookshops, and nearly half are overwhelmed by the choice of children’s books. The publisher Egmont, which cofunded the research, said the decline correlated with an increase of almost a fifth in the proportion of toddlers watching online video content daily, and warned that the “steep decline” in reading to young
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children “signalled a significant threat to child development, with potential longterm social impact.”
A study, led by the Medical University of Vienna, revealed that children who had orange or apple juice with their breakfast were 50% more likely to be overweight, while those who drank water saw their obesity risk fall by 40%. It also found that skipping breakfast is linked to weight gain as it makes children more likely to snack during the day. The study, published at the European Congress on Obesity in Vienna, questioned 652 children aged 13 on their breakfast habits and, while most types of food had no clear relationship with weight, those who drank fruit juice more than three times a week were 50 per cent more likely to be overweight or obese. More info at https://eco2018.easo.org/
Two thirds of children not safe in cars
Parents are being advised to check their children’s car seats after a new study found that two in three children aren’t safe while travelling. The What Car? study, created in conjunction with specialist organisation Child Seat Safety found that 59% of children are sitting in car seats that have been incorrectly fitted or are inappropriate for them. The survey on 3,000 seats, with and without children in them, held at random seat-checking events throughout the UK, revealed that 36% were incorrectly fitted in the car, while 33% of those that had children in them weren’t suitable. Many of the mistakes were said to be “simple and easy to avoid,” and included tightening seat belts, incorrect head restraints or harnesses being in the wrong position. In the UK, children are legally required to remain in a car seat until they are either 12 years old or at least 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. More info at www.gov.uk/child-car-seatsthe-rules
Families Vale of York 5
Education AMPLEFORTH COLLEGE Thhe worlldd’s leeadiinng Caathholiicc co-eduucaatiioonal boarddiinng and daay schhool foor 11-18
Open Mor ning
Saatturdaayy 6th October 2018 Book online at ww www w..amplefo orth.org.uk/college
6 Families Vale of York
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Should you help with homework?
Education
When your children settle down to do homework, do you keep close tabs on them and routinely offer to help? Or is your approach more hand’s off? Researchers from Finland have found that although most homework assistance aims at helping the child, one approach is much better at instilling persistence. The study looked at children aged from 8 to 11 years and found that when parents offered opportunities for their child to work independently that the child demonstrated an increased ability to work persistently on his or her school assignments when tested 12 months later. However, when parents provided concrete assistance to their child, the less task-persistent the child’s behaviour later became. This in turn, made parents offer more and more help. “One possible explanation is that when a parent gives a child the opportunity to do homework autonomously, this sends out a message that they believe in their child’s skills and capabilities. This, in turn, makes the child believe in him or herself, and in his or her skills and capabilities,” Associate Professor, Jaana Viljaranta from the University of Eastern Finland explained. Similarly, concrete homework assistance especially if not requested by a child - may send out a message that a parent doesn’t believe in their child’s ability to do their homework. When a parent offers the child an opportunity for autonomous working, the child will work persistently, which leads to better development of skills. If, however, a parent’s homework assistance involves plenty of concrete help, the child will work less persistently, leading to poorer development of skills. It is important for parents to take their child’s needs into consideration when offering homework assistance. Of course, parents should offer concrete help when their child clearly needs it. However, concrete help is not something that should be made automatically available in every situation – only when needed,” Viljaranta said More info at www.sciencedaily.com
Say goodbye to head lice with new hair vacuum! Head lice are a common problem, especially in school children aged 4-11. They are spread by direct headto-head contact. So when your child goes back to school in September they will be in contact with more children, thereby dramatically increasing their chances of getting head lice. More traditional treatments are no longer working as lice are developing a resistance to insecticides [1]. However a breakthrough treatment called the Licetec V-Comb Electrical Lice Comb literally vacuums both the lice and eggs straight off the hair!...
It has been estimated that between 10% and 20% of UK children have head lice at any one time, according to a survey by Hedrin [2]. It’s definitely one of the most infuriating childhood infestations to combat, but the innovative allergy and pesticide/ chemical-free electric Licetec V-Comb is proving to be one of the best products to help. It is a revolutionary chemical-free device that incorporates combing and vacuuming to remove head lice and eggs.
treats resistant lice. It isn’t painful or uncomfortable. It’s a gentle treatment that’s also free from chemicals or allergens. There is also a 14-day elimination plan available, with three missions, to make it a fun and easy process, and get everyone involved. You can download the plan, print it out and keep it on your fridge while you complete the missions. The V-Comb also detects and prevents infestations. It has a compact and ergonomic design incorporating stainless steel teeth with gentle rounded edges and two adjustable combing angles. A Webster comments, “This is a brilliant product I could not recommend more! It’s hygienic as well, so no wiping off the comb every time you pull it through the hair. Solved our nit problems, in one session rather than the usual weeks of combing...”
The Licetec V-Comb is gentle on the scalp and is as easy as combing. It acts as both a comb and vacuum to remove the lice and eggs into a capture filter which is illuminated by an LED so you can see the results. So no more guessing if your head lice treatment has worked; it’s all in the filter. The filter is then replaced hygienically, and the comb is ready for the next outbreak. It can be used over and over again on a daily basis and even familiesonline.co.uk
Families Vale of York 7
EDUCATION
Making the best of By Claire Winter
T
his autumn, state and independent schools will be opening their doors to prospective pupils and their parents to give them a flavour of life at their school. Claire Winter has the lowdown on how to get the best out of these Open Days and tours.
What is an Open Day? School open days help you decide what school you want your child to go to. During an open day, prospective parents are shown around the school, often on a school day, to give them a flavour of the working life of the school and the school environment. You will be able to see the children in lessons and talk to the teachers and pupils.
Open Days While exam results aren’t everything, every parent wants their child to do well. Academic performance is a top priority for many families. It’s a good idea to see how the school is performing compared to other local schools, using exam league tables and Ofsted reports. If, after the all your initial visits, you are still undecided, go back and visit schools on your shortlist again during a normal working day. Finally, in making your decision, don’t be afraid to trust your instincts; you know your child and you are best placed to ascertain what is right for them. If your child is older, do take account of their preferences too and include them in the decision making process. The best decision will undoubtedly be the one you all agree.
Sometimes pupils are given the task of showing parents around the school. This is a great opportunity to ask them how they enjoy being at the school. How settled, relaxed and confident these children are can give you an idea of how happy the children are there. Usually, the head teacher or a senior member of staff also gives a talk which includes a general overview of the school and its values and ethos. This is often followed by a presentation by the head of admissions or the relevant head of the section of the school (for example, head of reception, or sixth form).
When Are They Held? State schools generally hold Open Days in September and October aimed at children and families looking for a school place for the following year. It’s a good idea to start looking a year in advance. So if your child is starting school, start looking at schools when they are three. If you are looking for secondary school places, start looking in year 5 (when your child is nine or ten). You can then revisit the schools you are most interested in with your child the following year. Independent schools often hold Open Days throughout the Autumn and Spring terms. They can have waiting lists for Reception-age children or require children to take a school-specific 7+ or 11+ exam to gain a place, so you need to find out the criteria for entry to the school and visit well in advance.
OPEN MORNING Tuesday 18 September 9.30 to 11.45am
Swarcliffe Hall, Harrogate, HG3 2JG 01423 771029 www.belmontgrosvenor.co.uk
How are Open Days Organised? Schools organise Open Evenings as well as days to allow working parents to visit the school too. Some schools (mainly independent) hold Open Days on a Saturday. All schools put a lot of care and organisation into the events and they all want to show their school in the best light. However, there may be a lot of people attending so do be sure to turn up on time and follow the school’s directions during the event.
Tips for Visiting an Open Day Take your child with you. There is no point in falling in love with a school only to find your child does not want to go there. What is your general feeling about the school? Your gut reaction is very important.
Do the pupils look happy and engaged? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you ask the pupils what they think of the school. Don’t make decisions on individual teachers. They often move on and large departments have a variety of teachers that will rotate every year to teach your child a particular subject. If your child has a particular interest in a subject, make sure you visit the department and look at the kind of work they will be doing. What extra-curricular activities do they have? Are there clubs that will engage your child and allow them to pursue a broad range of interests?
The
Mount School York
Curiosity Creativity Confidence OPEN DAY, 10:00AM - 1:00PM SATURDAY 13TH OCTOBER www.mountschoolyork.co.uk
admissions@mountschoolyork.co.uk
Forest schools
Education
By Rebecca Marano
M
any children can navigate an iPad better than their parents – but what would your child do if you asked them to climb a tree? If you don’t think they could do it, then don’t worry you’re not alone. These days more and more children are spending less time exploring the outdoors. According to the Office of National statistics, children only spent an average of 16 minutes a day playing outside in parks, in the countryside, or on the beach. This is no surprise when children are under increasing pressure to perform well at school and time for free-play is sacrificed for homework and exams. Then when they get home, children can relax by picking up a screen that guarantees them 24/7 entertainment quite literally at their fingertips. How can parents tackle this disconnect from nature whilst keeping up with modern demands? Most parents would agree that children benefit from spending time playing outdoors and forest schools may be the perfect solution to get them to enjoy nature. The idea originated in Scandinavia and is based on children having the chance to explore, play and learn in nature, as part of a group and supervised by a forest school leader. Activities are child led and include foraging, tracking, climbing trees, learning about nature, messy play, storytelling and singing, and den building. Research shows that children are stimulated by connecting with nature, and that learning outside can improve things like: Self-awareness Confidence Self-motivation Physical health Empathy Communication Problem-solving skills Sense of belonging Emotional well-being Mental Health Respect for the environment The forest schools are child-led, and there are no targets to meet, meaning children are free to explore the environment and get creative. The outdoors gives them a space to forget the distractions of daily life
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and find a place of fun and calm. They are particularly good at engaging children who may not excel in the classroom as it allows them to be seen and have other skills that are considered valuable.
Forest school programmes are increasingly being introduced into mainstream education, but you can also find specialist monthly, or holiday clubs.
Spending more time outside means children can begin to understand the seasons, identify different animals, insects, trees, and flowers and observe plant and animal life cycles. This develops a relationship with the natural world and helps them to value the importance of protecting the environment for generations to come.
Where to go
If you fancy getting back to nature, then don’t worry because the Vale of York is flush with leafy woodlands and lots of forest schools.
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Building dens, playing games and lighting fires are all challenging and sometimes things go wrong, but forest school is a safe space where children can overcome these challenges and build up their resilience.
Woodland Adventure Company, holiday club, parties & school projects, Primrose Hill, Stamford Bridge
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It also teaches children how to manage risks independently and how to take them safely so that they can grow up feeling confident and safe exploring the unknown.
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Tree Top Forest School, holiday club, Old Park Plantation, Church Fenton Rebel Gnomes, after school club, outdoor play sessions & parties, Ripon Wild Things Family Forest School, weekly forest school, Milthorpe School, York Get Out More, programmes across Yorkshire including a summer festival in York & holiday club in Hookstone Woods, Harrogate Forest Footsteps, weekly sessions, Wetherby Grange Park, Wetherby
Forest school leader and nature mentor, Leona Johnson, from Calderdale, said she was shocked at how many children are scared to explore the countryside. She said: “I used to be a social worker and I saw a lot of disconnection from nature. Children too scared to get dirty, parents that don’t like them getting dirty, children not allowed to take any risks so when they do they get scared. This causes a lot of anxiety. I have had children who literally could not walk on uneven ground. They would just topple over. They’d never been allowed to explore the countryside before.” Bethany Beadling, a year 4 primary school teacher from Gateshead said her class were initially a bit scared but eventually became more confident. She said: “I found it really good for my class. I have quite a high level of autistic children and it was massively out of their comfort zone, but they adapted really well and were willing to try things out of their normal routine - I think that was the case with for the rest of the class too. In this day and age children seem to try and act like young adults, seeing them at forest school was definitely a time for them to lose inhibitions and act like kids again, have a splash in the mud! It’s also lovely from a teacher’s point of view because it’s easy to become overwhelmed by teaching for assessments and teaching targets. Forest school still had direction and curriculum links, but it was lovely to spend a morning having fun.”
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Quality Mark Awarded to Queen Ethelburga’s
Chapter House, the Early years, Infants and Juniors School at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, has been given a prestigious Primary Quality Mark Award for English and Mathematics by the national programme The Quality Mark. The Award is given in celebration of good practice and commitment to continuous improvement in these subjects, as the ‘bedrock of a good education’. The Award has been added to the school’s Silver Primary Science Quality Mark, awarded in Autumn 2017, which celebrates excellence in science teaching and learning, and enables schools to work together to share good practice. Karen Kilkenny, Head of Chapter House said of the achievement: “Our aim is to provide the most supportive, creative and fun learning environment for each pupil, so that their skills and knowledge can develop to reach their individual potential at each stage of their educational journey. “I’m very proud of the staff and pupils of Chapter House in achieving this Quality Mark. It is a reflection of the high standard of teaching and the delivery of inspiring lessons, as we work with our students to build a lifelong love of learning in every one of them.” To find out more about Chapter House and the wider QE community visit www.qe.org. Families Vale of York 9
PARENTING
Help your child manage
big’ feelings C
Feelings
What makes you feel happy What makes you feel sad
hildren often use behaviour to communicate how they are feeling, but wouldn’t it be so much better if they would use their words instead, and just talk about how they feel?
What makes you giggle
Getting your child to talk about how they feel is not always easy, let’s face it, some adults find this difficult.
What do you do when you’re feeling blue.
But there is lots you can do to encourage ‘feelings’ talk, here are a few simple ideas: Get into the habit of acknowledging your child’s emotions in the moment: ‘I can see you are excited about the school trip today, what are you looking forward to most?’ ‘I guess it must feel frustrating when you have to stop doing something fun because it’s bedtime.’ Use as many emotion words as you can, this will help add to your child’s vocabulary as well as teaching them the words for the emotions they are feeling. Talk about your own feelings: ‘I’m feeling really nervous about my job interview tomorrow.’ ‘I love sitting in the garden when the sun is out, it’s when I feel at my most relaxed.’ Use books / poems /stories When I work with children I often use poems as a tool, here’s one I find useful:
What makes you mad. Is it OK to feel this way,
Do you shout and stamp Or run and hide. What can you do when you’re mixed up inside? I read this first and then we answer the questions together, children often open up if you encourage them to do so in this round- about way. Give it a try. The poem in this article is taken from my book ‘I’m Not Afraid of Spiders. Poems About Feelings’ BIO Jane Rogers is founder of The Cambridge Parent Coach. She is experienced in running a number of highly regarded parenting courses and writes and runs her own workshops for parents. Jane’s Parent Workbooks: ‘How to Encourage Good Behaviour and ‘How to Use Positive Discipline to Improve Your Child’s Behaviour’ are available on Amazon along with her book for children ‘I’m Not Afraid of Spiders. Poems about feelings.’ www.thecambridgeparentcoach.com
Want to get fit with your family? Encouraging your family to exercise is important in order to keep them fit and healthy and to protect them against serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and mental conditions like depression. Inactive children are likely to become even less active during adulthood, but you can help prevent this by making family activities and fitness a part of your child’s life at an early age. By making time to exercise together as a family, you can spend fun, quality time with your kids whilst helping them form healthy habits for life. Here are some tips for making that happen:
Create a Schedule One of the biggest mistakes families make when starting an exercise programme is expecting things to just fall into place. Unfortunately, most families need a set exercise schedule. Consider starting with two or three exercise “appointments” each week and marking these on your calendar. Make sure your children know when you’re going to exercise so they don’t make plans during those times.
can be incredibly boring. It doesn’t have to be! Whatever your exercise of choice, there are ways you can spice things up and keep them interesting. For example, you could listen to fun music while you exercise. You could go walking – or running - in a different park or neighbourhood. You could try a dancing video game. You could play a working-out video game like Pokemon Go or ‘Train like a Jedi’ play along video on www.nhs.uk/ change4life. You could even sign up for a dance class together. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your exercise options.
Focus on Togetherness Make sure you focus on building your relationship as you exercise. Your goal shouldn’t be to compete with one another or be better than each other. Instead, use this time to talk, share experiences and grow together as a family. Something as simple as asking your kids what made them laugh that day, or what made them sad or angry, can go a long way towards opening a good discussion. You can also allow your kids to take turns choosing what form of exercise you’ll undertake. This will make them feel included and important.
Book Family Classes
Make it Interesting
Find out about fitness classes that are offered for parents and kids together, such as swimming, aerobics or yoga. These exercises help strengthen the body and mind, and doing them as a family provides another way for you to all spend quality time together.
Many families want to exercise together but find that exercise
More info at www.nhs.uk/changerlife/activities
PARENTING
The benefits of By Gill Sims
I
’m bored!’ How many times do we hear those words as parents? I have lost count of the number of times my precious moppets have whined over the years that they are ‘bored’ as they demanded some form of entertainment be provided (or at the very least that their electronics be returned after being confiscated yet again). But being bored is good for children; it’s part of childhood; it’s the catalyst to spark their imagination; it’s the pathway to creative play and to finding solutions to problems themselves. Between work commitments and school, our time with our children is often limited and, of course, we want that time to be ‘quality time.’ However, by providing a constant carousel of activities, entertainments and days out, we are failing to teach them how to amuse themselves, to develop inner resources and be happy with their own company. It’s natural to want our children to have fun, enjoy their childhood and have happy memories to look back on, but in our quest to do that, sometimes we forget that some of their best memories will come from the things they learned, discovered, explored and sometimes struggled with themselves, not the things that were handed to them on a plate. When my children have friends over, it’s always obvious which ones are used to boredom, and which ones are accustomed to a constant programme of events. My usual response to the plaintive wail of ‘I’m bored’ is ‘Only boring people get bored’ to which my children roll their eyes and huff at me. The children whose parents are like me and allow them to be bored, soon start inventing games, building worlds and coming up with things to do, whereas those children who are used to being given a series of suggestions and things to do, struggle with the concept of being told to just ‘go and play!’ After a little while though, when no entertainment is forthcoming, most of them do get the hang of making up games, and using their imagination, instead of being directed through a series of crafts or activities.
familiesonline.co.uk
boredom’
In some cases, they even declare being handed an old blanket and told to go and make a den, to have been ‘the best fun ever!’ My conviction about the benefits of boredom partly stems from fairly lazy parenting. I’m just not one those parents who enjoy spending hours making playdough creations (in fact, although my children have outgrown playdough, the very thought of the texture still makes me shudder). So I always encouraged my children to play independently, whether that was building Lego, mooching round the garden, or spending hours sitting in a box that was variously a castle, a racing car and an aeroplane. They did have real toys too, but for some reason empty boxes were always extremely popular - perhaps my kids are part cat? But think back to your own childhood. How much of it was spent with your parents organising you into activities, undertaking craft projects with you, or taking you on days out, and how much of it was spent complaining you were bored and being told to go and read a book, or find something to do? Mine certainly involved a great deal of boredom, that in turn led to imaginary worlds and people and that perhaps then led to me become a writer. Without a healthy dose of boredom, there is no incentive to learn to think for ourselves, or to change things to alleviate boredom! Of course, I’m not suggesting that children don’t deserve some fun, special treats and parental input. Just that sometimes, it doesn’t hurt them to be bored. There are enough things we are made to feel guilty about as parents and our children occasionally being bored should definitely not be one of them! If your child complains frequently of boredom, fill a jar with paper slips with tedious tasks written on them, like ‘tidy your room,’ ‘do the dusting,’ ‘weed a flowerbed,’ ‘sort out your sock drawer.” Any time someone complains of boredom, they have to pick a slip out randomly and complete the chore on it. When faced with this, it was astonishing how quickly my children found themselves something more interesting to do! So, embrace boredom! Your cherubs will thank you for it one day. And even if they don’t appreciate what you are so selflessly doing for them now, you might get a tidy house with impeccably ordered sock drawers out of it! Gill Sims is the bestselling author of Why Mummy Drinks, which spent a staggering 30 weeks in the Sunday Times Top 10 and was the bestselling debut hardback novel of 2017. Her second novel Why Mummy Swears was published in Hardback by HarperCollins in July 2018 RRP £12.99. Families Vale of York 11
HALLOWEEN FAMILY FUN By Jo Schofield & Fiona Danks Autumn; a time for playing in crisp, colourful leaves and raiding conker trees. A time when fields are woven with glistening spiders’ webs on misty mornings and wild food is plentiful in the hedgerows and woods. Just because summer’s over, there’s no need to abandon the great outdoors. There’s a wealth of fun activities you and your children can enjoy as the temperatures start to cool. Here are just a few ideas:
Make Leaf Mobiles
You will need: basic cooking equipment eg: a griddle, frying pan and Dutch oven (a cast iron cooking pot with lid), measuring cups, knives, spoons and a mixing bowl.
Pumpkin faces - no carving involved, just stick on wild materials with double sided tape or clay to make funny and scary faces.
Make a safe fire in a fire pan or pit or use a barbeque.
Leafy decorations - cut coloured leaves into bat shapes and scary faces to decorate a witch’s hat or make leaf bunting.
You could bake a delicious layer pancake with different fruit in each layer, including elderberries with sloes, crab apples with rosehips, and blackberries with damsons, all cooked with a little water and sugar. Alternatively, a blackberry cake baked in a clay pot or wild herb bread
Celebrate Autumn’s amazing colours by creating a brightly coloured mobile. You will need: twine, scissors, and a large needle.
stick park.
When foraging, take care to only collect safe edible fruits and seeds Choose fruit bushes and trees away from roads
Tie a cone or an acorn to one end of each length of twine. Thread leaves and seeds along the twine.
Discover wild foods in hedgerows and woods; look out for nettles, blackberries, raspberries, elderberries, rosehips, hazelnuts, walnuts, crab apples and wild herbs. Gather some berries, nuts and leaves. Make sure you know what’s safe to eat though before you give your permission for your children to eat what they’ve collected!
cooked in a Dutch oven among the ashes. Award prizes for taste, wild presentation and the most creative use of foraged foods!
Make Jam with Wild Fruit
Collect some fruit on one of your walks and make some jam. Weigh and wash the wild fruit and put it in a saucepan with a little water. Bring the fruit to the boil and add the same weight of sugar. Simmer for about one hour or until it sets (does it form a jelly on a cold saucer?) Pour carefully into a warmed jar and put the lid on. Decorate a label with pictures of the fruits and invent a wild name for your jam. Cover the lid with a large leaf.
Hold a Wild Bake- Outdoor Halloween For a real Halloween adventure, go to the Off Challenge woods, the park or into the garden after What can you make from wild foods and a few basic ingredients like flour, salt, milk, butter, sugar and eggs?
Prepare a warming Halloween feast; cheesy baked potatoes and pumpkin soup, sausages wrapped in chunks of bread, toffee apples or apple tarts, and sweet pumpkin pie.
Safety Tips
Cut the twine into lengths of about 75cm/30in.
Go Wild Foraging
Pumpkin lanterns - carve pumpkins into decorated lanterns and place them in a trail for your friends to follow.
Set up a Halloween mystery trail with a few scary surprises, perhaps a ghost in the trees and a spider’s web across the path?
Collect colourful fallen leaves cones, wild nuts and seeds and a in the woods or the
Tie the leaf strings along a stick and hang your mobile up in the autumn sunshine.
Leafy lanterns – tie string around jars to make handles. Cut scary faces in colourful leaves and attach them to the jars with elastic bands.
dark for a scary feast, made more festive with wild decorations! Create:
Make fires in a fire pan, a fire pit or a barbeque and always supervise children around fire and when cooking, as well as when using nightlights in lanterns and carving pumpkins More about Going Wild Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks of Going Wild are on a mission to inspire everyone to spend more time outside discovering the wonders of the natural world. Their books are packed with practical ideas to tempt children and families away from screen-based entertainment and escape into the outdoors where the wild world will weave its magic upon them. These autumn activities are taken from their tenth book The Wild Year Book, Things to do Outdoors through the Seasons, published by Frances Lincoln in July 2018. For more info, visit www.goingwild.net
HOW TO MAKE A DOORWAY DARE e… Whoooo’s ther Knock, knock, r-treating - but ours Kids love trick-o s, or the neighb in ra sometimes it ty af cr a s e’ er t. H pretend to be ou from our friends at me trick or treat ga u can make and play yo Wonderbly that with at home. e leads o doorways: on Will . You’ll create tw at e other to a tre or an to a trick and th e at ol oc r get a ch your little visito . fty -fi ty fif y ift sh eyeball? It’s a s to build ght simple step Follow these ei your doorways. tiful creators of beau Wonderbly are s that ok bo s n’ re ild personalised ch curiousity and inspire courage, n all over the world. re ild Find kindness in ch rious little mind. cu y an r A treat fo m co w.wonderbly. out more at ww
2 1
Take two of the shoeboxes and draw a door-shaped rectangle on each. Using the knife and ruler, cut along three sides of the door, leaving it on its hinges.
5
Grab some brushes and paint the boxes. Try boldlycontrasting colours for the door and brickwork. Leave your doorways to dry.
6
Tape the hallway boxes to the doorway boxes, so reaching Now take your other two boxes. through the door will lead to the sensory items. Decorate the insides with fake cobwebs, feathers or other touchyfeely things. One should feel lovely, the other should feel icky! These will form the backs (or hallways) to your doors.
You will need:
● 4 shoeboxes
● a utility knife
(no lids)
● a metal ruler
● paint
● brushes ● a black marke
r pen
● 2 pieces of da
● 2 large butto
rk cloth
ns, or bottletop s ● cobwebs (pre ferably fake) or feathers ● tricks and tre ats
3
Get a thick marker pen and add some details: letterbox, doorbell, house number. For a doorknob, you can sew on a button or glue on a bottle cap.
7
Find something lovely and something not so lovely. (Plastic spider/strawberry lolly, lychee eyeball/pound coin etc.) Hide the treat in one doorwa y and the trick in the other.
4
d. Glue Turn your boxes aroun inside th clo of ce or staple a pie wn the do slit a cut n the ch, ea intrepid centre of the cloth (for ). Put gh ou thr ch rea to s nd ha e. sid e on to these boxes
8 Dim the light s little trick-or-t and invite your reaters to ch oose their fate. Yo u it a breakfas can even make t rit up to Hallow ual in the buildeen. Ratatat at…
Clubs & Classes Beginners through to Advanced, whatever their age and ability Survival skills, stamina and stroke techniques.
“I
Baby Swimmers
Through fun and games,see your little one progress to a confident little swimmer! Free Phone 0808 1 33 44 55 Mobile Friendly 0333 8008 345
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We are dedicated to offering you the best swimming experience possible through our unique swimming lessons. Swimming lessons should be a fun experience for you and your child. We encourage learning through structured games and technique practices. To ensure your child has safe, fun learning some may need their parent’s support within the water.
Now, five months on and halfway through our second term with Baby Swimmers, we’re pros! It has been a great introduction to the water for my son, and also brilliant for us parents, making sure that we are safe and reassuring us if nervous or over-
cautious. Seeing my baby going from being slightly anxious about going into the water (he hated his baths before starting the classes) to laughing and splashing about, grabbing and clutching swim toys, happily going underwater and holding onto the side of the pool has been an amazing experience. Our teacher has been patient and gentle with the little ones, always alternating new experiences, such as submersions, with fun songs and actions (an off-key rendition of ‘The Grand Old Duke of York’ whilst dipping him in and out of the water always seems to set off my son’s giggles). Swimming is an important life skill and I am very happy that my son is being safely introduced to water in a fun way.’
We offer high quality classes using good practices to encourage development in both water confidence and technique. The instructors are fully qualified, experienced, swimming instructor and lifeguard and DBS checked. Classes held in Cawood Park and Willow Lodge Pool, Bubwith. Small class sizes; classes for baby/toddler, pre-school, beginner, weak swimmers, developing technique. Classes available in school holidays, plus private lessons and disability classes. See www.emilyfrances.co.uk for more information.
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Swimmers Academy
t was with some trepidation that I approached my son’s first swimming lesson – he was only three months old after all, and we were still getting to grips with the basics of our day to day routine, let alone immersion in a pool. I remember staring down at him on the change mat in his slightly over-sized neoprene trunks, after grappling with getting these and a swim nappy on him and wondering how we were going to ever do this quickly each week, let alone then teach him how to swim.
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Swimmers Academy & Baby Swimmers
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Football Tots is a fantastic pre-school is a fantastic head-start before starting football class for children aged school. 2-5 years. Each 45-minute class is delivered At Football Tots every child loves using specialist equipment by to learn new skills. Our sessions qualified staff, trained to ensure every are filled with fun games and football child has great fun at every session. activities designed to maximise learning and development. Children Testimonial: ‘You are able to transform attending Football Tots learn football children in a matter of weeks – an skills from passing and dribbling to amazing talent and gift.’ Jo, Lily and step-overs and throw-ins. The Football Ben Tots programme also helps to develop See www.football-tots.net for more a number of keys skills. Football Tots information.
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14 Families Vale of York
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Families... Try Rugby Tots O
n a hot July day, my boys aged 7 and 4 both got to enjoy a Rugbytots’ class in York at Joseph Rowntree School. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by Rob Brining, the owner of the York franchise, and as parents and children started to arrive for their class, it became apparent that Rob’s presence was not just one for our visit. He is clearly hands on and pro-active when it comes to managing the Rugbytots’ classes and he told me how important it is to him that every child receives the same experience from attending a session, no matter what the age or the York venue. Rugbytots offers structured play sessions that take children on a journey of sporting imagination with engaging and energetic coaches supporting them every step of the way. Three different classes are offered to cater for 2 – 3 ½ year olds (sessions last 30 minutes); 3 ½ - 5 year olds
AS SEEN ON
(sessions last 45 minutes) and 5 – 7 year olds (sessions last 45 minutes). My youngest had his session first and he joined the class for 3 ½ - 5 year olds. Any nerves that he displayed were quickly dispelled by the welcome he received from the friendly and experienced class coaches. The session was clearly structured and very well led. The activities were a mix of games for engagement and games to develop core skills; the balance was just right. Parents were often involved in the games to help and support the children, and this was a joy to see because parents and kids worked alongside each other with matching smiles from cheek to cheek! All of the children were visibly enjoying it and their participation throughout the whole class was testament to this. Theo’s (age 4) verdict was that ‘he liked the game of apples and oranges because he loved all of the running about!’ Next up was the class for 5 – 7 year olds, so my oldest enjoyed the chance to learn some new skills. He had not played rugby before – except on the odd occasion that a friend had a rugby ball and they messed around with it – so it was a learning curve for him to develop his drop kick, passing and team work skills! It is fair to say that he absolutely loved it. As this was the class for the oldest children (at 7 years’ old, many children who’ve attended Rugbytots move on to local rugby clubs to further their love of the game), I was able to chat to some parents and children who had been attending classes for a significant number of years.
MAKE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT MORE FUN!
TRY RUGBYTOTS Our dynamic weekly play sessions enable boys and girls aged 2–7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment. For more details, just call or email.
0345 313 6716
york@rugbytots.co.uk
rugbytots.co.uk
The world’s favourite rugby play programme
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Parent Emily Trayhorn described the classes to me as ‘good fun, teaching skills such as respect, patience and team work.’ Emily praised the coaches who she said were ‘absolutely fantastic’. Just as I had seen, she felt that ‘Rob gets stuck in and he knows all of the children.’ In Emily’s opinion, ‘Rugbytots gives kids a good grounding. Rugby, as a sport, is not very well promoted and it should be. It offers football skills and much more. It’s a really good concept. Kids can learn how to play football in the playground, but not rugby because of how many skills are involved.’ In both classes, praise and encouragement were endless from the coaches and the children
were all encouraged to cheer for others in the class, which was clearly a regular occurrence. The kids are rewarded at the end of the class celebrating with cones upturned to allow a sponge rugby ball to sit on top and act as a mini trophy! Emily Trayhorn said that the ‘children are rewarded regardless of how they perform.’ Just before we left, we were able to meet the Adshead family, who Rob told us were the first ever to experience the free trial sessions offered when Rugbytots York first started. Harvey Adshead (age 6) has clearly benefited hugely from attending the classes since he was 2 years old. He commented that his favourite game is the ‘egg game where I collect balls and count up how many. I need to do team work too. My team won today!’ Owner Rob Brining Rugbytots is all about:
describes
what
‘Rugbytots is just simply about having fun! So upbeat, high energy and engaging classes are what we do. I want every one of our Rugbytots to have the best time they can and always leave our sessions with a smile on their face. That way, key motor and social skills will develop naturally, as will a healthy attitude to sport. So, we’re not about drills or trials or finding the next Jonny Wilkinson (although we’re certain some of our Rugbytots could rival his kicking), we’re about using the techniques of the fab game of rugby to learn through play and just have fun!’ If you’re looking for a class that your son/ daughter can attend, then Families Vale of York would not hesitate to recommend Rugbytots. So much so, my youngest starts at our local class soon and both of us can’t wait. www.rugbytots.co.uk Families Vale of York 15
Deer Shed I Festival 2018
have a confession: I am not an ‘outdoors’ person, and I’m definitely not a camping person. Quite why I therefore decided to book us onto Deer Shed Festival is anybody’s guess. I am so glad I did though: this was a joyous, relaxed and interesting festival with so much to do.
By Lydia Bleasdale
We arrived on Friday evening and, even though we were quite a bit later than other people (and therefore in the overflow car park), the walk to the camping areas really wasn’t unreasonable: it took three of us just two trips, and the campsite were really well-organised (walkways kept clear of tents; rubbish collection points; and lots of toilets). After getting our patch of site sorted and following the brilliant Hyde Park Brass around some tents, we headed into the festival area and watched Nadine Shah and Joan as Police Woman. It’s testament to the friendliness of the festival that my daughter Maya, who is seven, was offered a spare camp seat by a woman sitting near the stage for Joan as Police Woman: she was therefore able to watch the whole performance and loved her new friend! Saturday brought with it the first full day of acts – and there were LOTS to choose from. The Festival prides itself in being family friendly, and it truly is: there’s music, as you would expect, but also science, art and under 5s tents, comedy, spoken word, films, a sports field, story sheds, and communal games dotted around the place (such as space hoppers!). There’s also a great, hidden area in the woods called Wilderwild: there were lots of activities in there (such as seed sowing, a fire pit, and crafts), most of which only required a small fee to take part, and performances by the Amazing Manic Chord Theatre Company. We started Saturday watching the brilliant John Hegley, who mixed music and actions with art and tales of his family history: I’ll be honest, I thought he would just be for kids, but he really entertained everyone. After dipping into the Science Tent – from which we emerged with a massive structure full of glue and tape – we headed to see Rod Laver, a juggler. This
16 Families Vale of York
was hilarious for Maya and me: my fiancé was dragged up on stage to help Rod with juggling some knives…We managed to fit in a go on some of the rides near the Big Stage before more music (Public Service Broadcasting; Jane Weaver) and comedy from Rachel Parris. We rounded the day off watching the awesome Goldfrapp: the organisers deserve lots of credit for attracting such big names, while managing to keep the festival from becoming too large and commercial. Sunday started with a 9am rave – who doesn’t like bouncing around to Florence at 9am?! – and then the truly brilliant Hyde Park Brass: bringing brass to contemporary hits. Afterwards we had a go at art provided by Leeds City College before going to a workshop by Nasty Women North East, who talked about their feminist artwork – their name was inspired by Trump’s reference to Clinton as a ‘nasty woman’ – and showed us how to make art with biodegradable materials. We then played some games and listened to Bill Ryder-Jones and Scott Matthews before our final event of the weekend: Car Boot Disco Bingo. This was brilliantly kitch: each number had its own special dance, with prizes of a ‘car boot’ standard for those getting a line, two lines, three lines or a house! So, would we go again? Absolutely. This is such a relaxed, well-organised and fun festival with something for everyone. On our final trip to the car from the campsite, I asked Maya how many marks she would give it out of 10: ‘100 – no, 99, but only because we have to leave.’
Top tips: Ticket prices increase as the event gets closer: early bird tickets are available from 10am on 6th September, and I would recommend you get them then if you can. Bring a trolley of some sort, if only for the journey between the car and the campsite. The food was priced as expected (typically between £5-7 for a dish): I would suggest you either budget for that or make sure you carry food with you, because there’s so much going on you won’t want to leave the festival area much! If you’re really keen to do some of the events you have to sign up for, take the advice of the organisers and make sure you do it ASAP after arrival: they do get booked up quickly.
familiesonline.co.uk
Back to School Reading! By Liz Walker
S
ome children may start school in September without having read much over the summer holidays. Not surprisingly, they might be at a lower reading level than at the end of the previous year. All is not lost – but it is essential to get off to a good reading start. Reading at home is invaluable to academic development. Whilst children read throughout the school day, they are unlikely to read individually with a teacher very often. It is therefore up to parents to ensure that there is lots of reading at home.
1.3million ways to inspire. Number #349,012
leeds.gov.uk/ morethanamillion
Coffin of Nesyamun at Leeds City Museum
1. Reading should always be a positive experience, not a chore or punishment. Be patient and encouraging. Don’t force children to read every single page of a book if they are not enjoying it, or if it is too difficult. Help them out by sharing the reading. Don’t LMG110_FamilyCampaign_Autumn18_FamiliesValeofYork_87x130_AW.indd be afraid to put a book aside completely and let them choose another. Have fun using silly voices, reading to pets, siblings or teddies! 2. Get children into a good reading routine. Once a routine is established, reluctant readers are much less likely to protest. Reading for 10 minutes every day after breakfast can become just as normal as brushing teeth. Bedtime is not always a good time to listen to young readers, when they are likely to be tired. 3. Read aloud to children as much as you can. Don’t stop bedtime stories just because children can read themselves. Bedtime reading is the perfect time to inspire children about books, to develop their love of stories, enhance their imagination and quench their thirst for knowledge. Learning to ‘enjoy’ reading is more important than ‘learning to read’.
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The secret to success is…
sharing your child’s reading journey Regular deliveries of books at your child’s reading level.
4.It is important that children read books at the right level of difficulty so that they enjoy them, gain confidence and develop good comprehension skills. Don’t push children up reading levels too quickly just to keep up with peers. 5.Encourage children to read a wide breadth of books including non-fiction. If children read books that they enjoy from an early age, they are more likely to develop a love of reading. Don’t just rely on school books if the selection isn’t great. The more children read, the better they read! Reading Chest aims to make reading at home fun for children and easy for parents by providing a constant supply of inspiring books, at just the right reading level. For more information go to www.readingchest.co.uk. Reading Chest is offering Families readers £5.00 off their first month’s membership with the code FAM18. familiesonline.co.uk
www.readingchest.co.uk Book Rental for Children Learning to Read
Families Vale of York 17
Autumn 2018
What’s on? FREE Pumpkin for every child
With Halloween family fun a-plenty and a FREE pumpkin for every child, there’s so much to do at Pumpkin Festival this October! Taking place from 10am – 5:30pm every weekend in October and every day from 27th October to 4th November at Piglets Adventure Farm, what will you do first? NEW for 2018, from the Monster Mash to the Witchy Wiggle show off your best moves at Boogie Bones end of day Laser Disco! Dare to enter spooktacular Mischief Manor, get stuck in with Pumpkin Carving, take on the Mysterious Maize Maze Challenge or take a ride to the Pumpkin Patch where you can take your pick from over 10,000 home grown pumpkins!
27 OCT - 3 NOV Creepy Castle!
KNARESBOROUGH CASTLE
Be spooked by the creepy happenings in the castle. Discover ghostly guests, be part of the treacherous trials & explore the underground tunnel. PIGLETS ADVENTURE FARM
We’ve ordered everything according to start date and categorised according to area. The information/dates were correct at the time of going to print, but may have changed, so be sure to check before you set off. More ‘Days Out’ can be found online at www.familiesonline.co.uk and all events are searchable by date, venue & age range making it easier to find all our local events at the click of your mouse! HARROGATE, KNARESBOROUGH & RIPON
9 SEP & 14 OCT
11am-3pm
Brimham Rocks Family Funteering
BRIMHAM ROCKS
FREE ENTRY. Join the rangers for a day in the great outdoors, making flower prints, learning to make a campfire & finding out all about nature.
15 SEP
6.30pm - late
Open Air Cinema – Beauty & the Beast RHS GARDEN HARLOW CARR
Plus, the enchanting Magic Hatter will be appearing as his wizard alter-ego, in two spellbinding 30 minute magic shows every day over half term! Help the Hatter hatch a dragon egg, float a phoenix feather, mix magical potion ingredients and much more in these fun-filled family shows.
FREE. Pack up a picnic & get ready for an outdoor screening of Disney classic & family favourite Beauty & The Beast.
There’s all the usual adventure farm fun too, including Tractor & Trailer rides to the Bale Play Baaarn, Truffles Farmhouse & Barn, giant sandpit, bouncing pillows, crazy golf, barrel rides and go karts. And that’s all before you see the cute animals! You’ll find lots out in the paddocks and in the animal barn. Get up close to little piglets in the Piglet Maternity Ward and if you are lucky see piglets being born- such a memorable experience.
Take a selfie next to the 3D Victoria Falls, try out the virtual reality safari & watch family-friendly nature documentaries, & for the grown-ups – check out the elephant gin bar.
For full information please go to pigletsadventurefarm.com
11am-4pm
29 - 30 SEP
10am - 5.30pm
Wildlife & Safari Show
HARROGATE COVENTION CENTRE
30 SEP
10.30am - 5.30pm
Apple Day NEWBY HALL
Before gates close for winter, head to Newby Hall for lots of apple-based fun, games & activities & the chance to compete & become the apple throwing champion.
27 OCT - 4 NOV 10am-4.30pm Halloween at Mother Shipton’s Cave MOTHER SHIPTON’S PARK
Prepare to be spooked this Halloween. Be sure to put on your best Halloween costume as there will be daily costume competitions. YORK & SURROUNDING AREAS
13 SEP
10-11am
Early Years Explorers – Wash Day YORK CASTLE MUSEUM
Explore history as museum monkeys learn about the Victorians & hear stories, play games & even wash the clothes in soapy water. FREE admission.
20 - 22 SEP The Hunting of the Snark DALBY PARK, ADDERSTONE FIELD
Based on Lewis Carroll’s poem, join in the interactive theatre event & wander around the forest to find the ever-elusive snark.
28 SEP
9am - 6pm
Annual Steam Gala 2018
NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY
Celebrate the Q6 & RAF Centenary & hop on one of the locomotives.
12 OCT - 3 NOV Hallowscream YORK MAZE
Prepare to be spooked as the maze reveals its history as an old Victorian circus with a dark secret. For older children and adults.
27 OCT - 4 NOV Halloween YORK MAZE
The giant maze has been harvested but there is a host of Halloween activities for young sprites & ghouls.
Piglets Adventure Farm is located 15 minutes from the centre of York, on Towthorpe Moor Lane, between Strensall Road and the A64, North of York.
Frightwater Valley
Apple Celebration Week
Piglets Adventure Farm Park, Towthorpe Grange, York, YO32 9ST. 01904 499183
Ghastly ghouls & beasties lurk around every corner this Shocktober....as once again Lightwater Valley becomes Frightwater Valley!
Celebrate the humble apple & get stuck in with apple pressing & juice sampling, cider & chutney tasting.
18 Families Vale of York
27 - 31 OCT 10.30am - 5.30pm LIGHTWATER VALLEY
7 - 14 OCT
10.30am - 5pm
BENINBOROUGH HALL
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28 - 31 OCT o.uk
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TADCASTER, WETHERBY, SELBY & SURROUNDING AREAS
16 SEP
5pm
Grease 40th Anniversary Outdoor Cinema Screening LOTHERTON HALL
Enjoy a fun packed family day out at Lotherton meeting the penguins & then settle down with a picnic to watch the 40th anniversary showing of Grease.
6 - 31 OCT
10.30am-8.30pm
Spooky Fun with the Mystery Gang STOCKELD PARK
The mystery gang are back & need your help! First take a selfie with the mystery machine & then head into the forest to find those meddling kids.
6 - 31 OCT
10.30am-8.30pm
Fright Night
STOCKELD PARK
For older children, be petrified by three attractions. Hear the cries of ghostly children in the supposedly abandoned Victorian House, be held captive in a torture chamber or be on the hunt for escaped killers from the lunatic asylum. EAST YORKSHIRE & THE COAST
8 -16 SEP Walking & Outdoors Festival THE YORKSHIRE WOLDS
Get outside and explore the world around you for the walking & outdoors festival. Events include the Spurn Safari, The Beverly Ghost Walk and the Bush craft & Wilderness Navigation in Bridlington.
6, 13, 20 & 27 OCT
7pm
Half Term Halloween
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR BIRDS OF PREY
Start the night with a mulled wine or spiced apple juice before setting off on a torchlight tour of the owls, watch a flying demonstration & watch the nocturnal birds flying freely.
21 OCT - 5 NOV 11am - 3pm Halloween
FILEY BIRD GARDEN & ANIMAL PARK
Have some fun at the family friendly Spooky Themed Areas, Halloween Treasure Hunt, Pumpkin Carving and Face Painting. You even get a free bag of animal food if you’re wearing Halloween Fancy Dress! familiesonline.co.uk
10.30am - 4pm
Halloscream Express
NORTHBAY RAILWAY, PEASHOLM STATION
As part of a week-long Halloween themed event there will be some finger tingling, spooky trains from Peasholm to Scalby Mills. Anyone wearing fancy dress gets a prize! FURTHER AFIELD
7 SEP
6.15-10.10pm
Open Air Cinema – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone HAREWOOD HOUSE
Round up your family and friends and head to the open-air cinema showing of true classic ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’.
ALL OF SEP & OCT 9am-7pm Welly Walk – Woodland Adventure Trail Get muddy as you navigate balancing beams, wobbly stirrups, tunnels, the mazes & many more obstacles.
11am - 4pm
Spooky Woodland Trail BURTON AGNES HALL
Head on an eerie hunt around the Hall’s woodland & find the clues hidden near scenes of witches, spiders & ghosts. Puzzle winners bag a prize from the gift shop!
31 OCT - 2 NOV
10am - 3pm
Crafty Creatures
Cirque du Soleil
LEEDS FIRST DIRECT ARENA
A fun-filled production for the whole family currently on UK tour! See 50 performing artists from 17 countries in an amazing spectacular show not to be missed. Tickets on sale NOW: www.livenation. co.uk.
22 SEP Wonders, Wonders, Wonders JUNCTION, GOOLE
The story of the first Master of Spin, Colonel Gustavus Katterfelto, who arrived in Hull in the 1700s. Markmark revive his life story with circus, clowning, physical theatre, dance & music. Running time 1 hour. Suitable for ages 4+
Teletubies Live
GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK
Join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po in a show full of love & laughter as they explore the magical world of Teletubbyland.
27 SEP - 13 OCT Snow Queen
YORK THEATRE ROYAL
Writer Mike Kenny sprinkles some tutti frutti magic over Hans Christian Andersen’s winter tale of friendship, loyalty & the dangers of the unknown. Suitable for children aged 3+. Running time 1 hour.
4 - 6 OCT
LEEDS CITY MUSEUM
Get crafty during the school holidays with this free event. Build like a beaver, nest like a bird or construct like a termite. Animal toys are welcome.
table tots
When you wish upon a star JOSEPH ROWNTREE THEATRE
York Musical Theatre Company presents enchanting music from the magical world of Walt Disney.
14 OCT Tabby McCat
Yorkshire’s biggest baby & children’s indoor market www.tabletots.co.uk
STEPHEN JOSEPH THEATRE, SCARBOROUGH
September
9th LEEDS John Smeaton Leisure Cent re 1PM 16th BRIGHOUSE Brighouse High Scho ol 1PM 22nd HULL Wyke Sixth Form College 1PM 23rd PUDSEY Pudsey Leisure Centre 1.30pm 29th BRAMLEY Horizon Community Colle ge 1pm 19th MIRFIELD Free Grammar School 1pm
20th GUISELEY Aireborough Leisure
19 - 23 SEP
26 & 27 SEP
BOLTON ABBEY
27 OCT - 4 NOV
theatre
Centre 1pm
October
14th CATTERICK Catterick Leisure Cent
re 1pm
Tabby McTat is a cat with the loudest of meows & a best friend with a guitar. Together they sing their favourite songs delighting the crowds, until one day Fred disappears.
27 OCT Snow Queen
JUNCTION, GOOLE
Writer Mike Kenny sprinkles some tutti frutti magic over Hans Christian Andersen’s winter tale of friendship, loyalty and the dangers of the unknown. Suitable for children aged 3+. Running time 1 hour. Families Vale of York 19
Explore miles of footpaths, world-class bike trails, Go Ape and Tree Top Junior, Forest Segway, bike 5 miles north-east of Pickering. Parking hire, play areas, charges apply. Discovery Pass available. For picnic sites, cafes, more information call 01751 460295 or visit: fantastic scenery dalbyforestfc @dalby_forest and Dalby forestry.gov.uk/dalbyforest Activity Centre.