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Cheshire
IN THIS ISSUE
Education Easter Family life Travel
Free DoodleJamz drawing toys for kids APPLY INSIDE
March/April 2022
Familiesonline.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.uk March/April 1
STOCKPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL An independent school for children ages 3-18 years
Assistance with fees available at 11+ and 16+ (means tested), academic and music scholarships FOUNDED IN 1487
Nursery and Reception Open Morning Saturday 7th May Book online Come and spend a day in the Senior School - Year 5 Taster Days 26th May, 27th May and 14th June Book online Senior and Junior School day tours available Extensive school bus routes including Sale, Altrincham and Hale
SGS Inspires
Highest Inspection Rating of “Excellent”
Tel: 0161 456 9000
www.stockportgrammar.co.uk
Hazledine Lodge, Infant and Junior School
Abbey Gate College Independent School for ages 4-18
PERSONAL TOURS AVAILABLE
Saighton Grange, Senior School
Please contact the Admissions Office to book “Learning with courage and compassion”
01244 564170 admissions@abbeygatecollege.co.uk Saighton Grange, Chester CH3 6EN
abbeygatecollege.co.uk 2 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
CONTENTS
Welcome
In this issue
We’re really looking forward to spring here at Families and in preparation, here’s our Easter magazine. Find Easter crafts, cooking, outdoor fun and our yummiest Easter egg selection!
4
What’s on
9
Education
11
Mindfulness colouring
Get out and about with the family again. Embrace local entertainment options for the Easter holidays from our What’s On guide and find inspiration for travelling further afield in the UK.
13 Mother’s Day gifts
With cost-of-living increasing, saving money on everyone’s mind. Read our top tips in Family life section.
15 Easter part 1 17 Health 18 Early years 20 Easter part 2 21 Family life
Do you have a child starting school in September? Then you’ll want to download our free School Starters Planner taster edition.
24 Travel
Finally, we have lots of DoodleJamz toys to give away! So make sure you apply for this squishy, squashy, sensory but mess-free drawing pad for your child. And sign up at familiesmag.co.uk/go to receive every issue of this magazine free to your inbox.
Get in touch
Familiesonline.co.uk
27 Spring outdoors Competition winners from our November/December issue Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list here.
March/April 3
WHAT’S ON
What’s on All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed. Sat 5 Mar Flippin’ Good Pancakes at the Farm, Tatton Park Head to the Mill and Shippon to learn more about your eggs, flour and milk before heading to the Clydesdale Kitchen for fun demos and tasting with the farm team. Sat 5/Sun 6 Mar and Sat 12/Sun 13 Mar Lambing Weekends and Zoo at Reaseheath College, Nantwich Unique and memorable springtime experience for all the family. Tickets include both entrance to the lambing event and the zoo. Prebook only. Sun 6 Mar Kids Car Boot at Kingsway School (Lower site), Cheadle Established in 4 March/April
2009, this popular monthly car boot event also raises funds for Barnardos. Sat 9 & Sat 26 Mar ComedySportz 4 Tots, Sale Waterside Promising BIG laughs for little kids, ComedySportz 4 Tots will delight and entertain with madcap, improvised games with plenty of physicality, silly noises and chances for kids and adults alike to get involved in the action. Thurs 10 to Sun 20 Mar GANDEYS CIRCUS ‘ROAR!’ at Aintree Racecourse Europe’s largest touring show is back with spectacular fun for all the family.
Thurs 10 to Sat 12 Mar It’s Hot It’s Not at The Lowry (The Studio) A surreal, funny and carefully crafted physical performance which explores the weather and the world, wherever you are. Tues 15 to Sun 20 Mar Magic Goes Wrong at the Storyhouse, Chester Created with magic legends Penn & Teller, in this new ‘Goes Wrong’ comedy, the original Mischief company play a hapless gang of magicians presenting a charity event. Sat 19 Mar Twisted Tales at Sale Waterside A brand-new original comedy. Three actors perform over one hundred roles in as many minutes of fact-based,
fast-paced fun! Sun 20 Mar Party by the Half Moon Theatre at Sale Waterside Afonso’s best friend is having a birthday party, but where is his invitation? Ages 2-5. Sun 20 Mar Big Fish Little Fish Liverpool Family Rave with Paul Bleasdale at Hangar 34 World-famous, award-winning, family rave sensation BFLF are at Hangar 34, Liverpool for a family rave up! Wed 23 Mar to Sat 2 Apr Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Manchester Opera House One of the worlds most beloved family musicals, starring Alexandra Burke, Jason Donovan and Jac Yarrow. Familiesonline.co.uk
WHAT’S OIN
What’s on All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed. Fri 25 Mar to Sat 26 Mar The Wizard of Oz at Northwich Memorial Court Anton Benson Productions return with another allsinging, alldancing Easter panto starring Northwich favourite Ryan Greaves! Sat 26 Mar The TIN MAN at The Lowry (Quays Theatre) Joss Arnott Dance presents a magical, new retelling of a classic story, seen through the rusty eyes of the TIN MAN and his journey to finding his heart and happiness.
and match the mother to her baby! Thurs 31 Mar to Sat 4 Jun Beauty and the Beast, Palace Theatre Disney classic spectacularly reimagined using the latest theatrical innovations, this beloved ‘tale as old as time’ will be brought to life on stage. Fri 1 Apr to Sun 24 Apr GANDEYS CIRCUS ‘ROAR!’ at the Trafford Centre Europe’s largest touring show is back with spectacular fun for all the family.
Sat 2 Apr to Mon 18 Apr Easter Farm Fun at Reddish Vale Farm, Stockport Activities include the famous easter egg hunt, baby animal meet and greet, tractor rides and more. Sun 3 Apr Kids Car Boot – Kingsway School (Lower site), Cheadle Established in 2009, this popular monthly car boot event raises funds for Barnardos.
Tues 5 Apr to Sat 9 Apr Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World at The Lowry (The Quays Theatre) Sun 27 Mar Sat 2 Apr Brand new kickMother’s Day Fireman Sam at asspirational pop Quiz, Tatton the Storyhouse musical bursts to Park Farm Theatre, Chester life on stage as Join the farm Join Sam, Penny, the Fantastically team and take Elvis, Station Great Women part in a Mother’s Officer Steele and including Day quiz in Norman in an all Frida Kahlo, which you will be singing, dancing, Rosa Parks introduced to the action-packed and Emmeline farmyard animals show. Pankhurst take to Familiesonline.co.uk
the stage to tell their stories. Thurs 7 Apr to Sun 24 Apr George’s Marvellous Medicine at the Garrick Theatre, Altrincham Imaginative and entertaining stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s much-loved children’s classic. Sat 9 Apr Twirlywoos Live at Northwich Memorial Centre From the producers of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, Twirlywoos Live is an enchanting introduction to theatre for all ages. The funny, loveable Twirlywoos are brought to life on stage with beautifully inventive puppetry promising an hour of colourful fun and laughter.
March/April 5
EDUCATION
What’s on All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed. Sat 9 Apr to Mon 18 Apr Easter Garden Trail at Arley Hall Easter themed trail in the gardens to delight children. Collect the hidden clues as you discover them in the gardens then take them back to the shop for your Easter prize. Open from 10am to 5pm, normal entry fees apply. Sun 10 Apr Little Grimm Tales at Sale Waterside Beasts and breadcrumbs, wolves and witches, frogs and fairies all join the fun in a stunning new adaptation of Grimm’s most magical tales. Sun 10 Apr The Masked Singer Live at AO Arena, Manchester For the first time ever, 6 March/April
your favourite characters will be brought to life live on stage, as different mystery celebrities are unmasked at the end of every performance Mon 11 Apr Andy & The Odd Socks at RNCM, Manchester CBeebies superstar, Andy Day fronts what is fast becoming one of the most popular live acts for Kids, The Odd Socks. Not to be missed! Tues 12 Apr to Sat 16 Apr April The Smeds and The Smoos at The Lowry (The Quays Theatre) Soar into space with this exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Wed 13 Apr Kids Craft Workshops at the Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton Fabulous Flowers Easter Cards Popular craft workshops from local visual artist Lara Pomeroy. Thurs 14 Apr Velociraptor Show at the Camp and Furnace, Liverpool The award winning Teach Rex team return with this fun, interactive show which uses lifelike dinosaurs to teach children about the anatomy and life of one the most mesmerising creatures to have ever roamed our planet.
Please say you saw these in
Cheshire
Thurs 14 Apr to Sun 17 Apr Gangsta Granny at Storyhouse Theatre, Chester From the acclaimed producers of Billionaire Boy comes the award-winning West End production of this amazing story by bestselling author David Walliams. Fri 15 Apr to Sat 16 Apr Jurassic Live at Wythenshaw Forum This brand-new, thrilling, unique and immersive dinosaur experience comes to Wythenshawe Forum. Fri 15 Apr to Mon 18 Apr Mother Goose at The Plaza, Stockport Get into the Easter spirit with this firm family pantomime favourite MOTHER GOOSE. Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
What’s on All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed. Fri 15 Apr to Mon 18 Apr Magical Easter Adventures, Tatton Park You’ll be spoilt for choice with treasure huntstyle trails in the gardens, mansion, farm and parkland.
and Bingo the puppy’s birthday party. There’ll be a terrific treasure hunt, sensational sing-along songs and lots of fantastic games to play.
Sat 16 Apr Knutsford Bunny Hop, Knutsford Sat 16 Apr Town Centre Mark Enjoy some Thompson’s Easter fun as you Spectacular find the bunnies Science Show at dotted around Sale Waterside the town centre; Designed all bunnies show for children a letter which and adults together spell the alike, Mark’s hidden phrase! Spectacular Find them all and Science Show submit your entry explores the into the postbox science in a way at Mr Simms to you have never enter a hoptastic seen before! prize draw! Sat 16 Apr I Spy with My Little Eye at Pyramid Arts Centre, Warrington You’re a special guest at Molly
Sun 17 Apr Alice in Wonderland Easter Experience at Capesthorne Hall Dress up and
join Alice and friends as the enchanted world of Wonderland mysteriously springs into the gardens of Capesthorne Hall. Wed 20 Apr to Sun 24 Apr David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy at Buxton Opera House Amazing production from the awardwinning West End producers of Gangsta Granny.
Sat 23 to Sun 24 Apr Jayne Guest Productions presents Melody Mouse Live at Northwich Memorial Court Jayne and Melody - along with a live orchestra are bringing all the excitement of their weekly music classes to the big stage! Designed especially for preschool children.
Sat 30 Apr to Mon 2 May Sat 23 Apr Bennetts British Rapunzel at Sale Superbike Waterside Championship A tangled musical at Oulton Park adventure! Let The Bennetts your hair down British Superbike in a brand-new Championship adaptation of the makes its first popular fairy tale visit of 2022 Rapunzel. to Oulton Park on Early May Bank Holiday for three days of high-octane, two-wheeled competition.
To advertise your business or event in our next issue call Carla on 07734 690020 or carla@familiescheshire.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 7
EDUCATION
Is your child starting school in September? Plan a successful start with the School Starters Planner 2022/23
What’s in the planner? Daily planning calendar What’s coming up – month by month School contact details and login pages
The full 12 month planner covers the entire 2022/23 academic year.
Vital information you will need for school from the experts at Every Day’s a School Day
Buy it HERE
Get a 4 month taster planner for FREE
DOWNLOAD HERE
8 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Magical drama at Stockport Grammar School Stockport Grammar School pupils stepped out of the classroom and through the wardrobe to delight audiences with a magical drama production.
More than one hundred pupils were involved in the re-telling of C.S. Lewis’s classic novel The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Head of Drama, Mr Matt King-Sayce said: ‘It was a real pleasure to engage so many pupils, both onstage and backstage in our first live production in almost two years. ‘The camaraderie and support the pupils offered each other led them to stage a performance they should be incredibly proud of.’ Stockport Grammar School productions regularly showcase and develop pupils’ talents. Chicago and A Christmas Carol were both performed in 2020. Find out more HERE.
Party time with Brio Leisure! Brio Leisure is here to help you plan an exciting party for your child. With great value packages and a variety of options to keep everyone entertained, you can celebrate and enjoy a stressfree party. Why not try something different and celebrate your little one’s birthday with a splash? With a variety of swimming pool party options on offer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! You can also mix ‘n’ match and create your perfect party. Combine swimming with football or a bouncy castle and roller disco and fuel up in one of the four Brio cafes. Check out what’s available at your local centre HERE. Prices upon request. Activities subject to availability at each Brio Leisure centre. Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 9
EDUCATION
Educational accessories
Great ideas to help your child learn at any age.
Apple Twist
Stimulates spatial insight, problem solving and logic. Ages 5+.
Smart Snacks Counting Cookies Engaging, imaginative & develops early maths skills at home. Ages 18mth-6yrs.
Play Plus Kids Headphones
Wireless, foldable, comfy fit and volume controls. Ages 3-8.
Peppa Pig Wooden Clock Puzzle
Count, sort, place shapes in the correct order. Ages 3+.
National Smartmax My First Geographic Fossil Sounds and Senses Mix and match, eightDig Kit Excavate real fossils using the included paleontological tools Ages 8+.
10 March/April
piece magnetic toy for early learning. Ages 1-3.
Cargo Ship
Quality resource for literacy, numeracy and general play. Ages 3+.
GILOBABY Smart Robot Toy
Fun, interactive, introduces robotics and advanced technology. Ages 3-9.
Baby Einstein Magic Touch Piano
Toddlers can make music or play along with classics. Age 6mths-3yrs. Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Mindfulness colouring for kids
Download these mindfulness colouring sheets for kids who need some quiet, focused time to be calm or help with anxious or worried feelings.
Lion
Simple mandala
DOWNLOAD HERE
DOWNLOAD HERE
Hot air balloons
Two Smoby KS Slides to give away! Worth £77.99 each Perfect for summer fun! APPLY HERE
DOWNLOAD HERE Familiesonline.co.uk
Magazine
T&Cs apply
March/April 11
EDUCATION
Games to improve visual perception
Can your child make sense of what they see? Visual perception is essential for your child’s reading, writing and movement. Here are some games that help with this important skill.
Peppa Pig Guess Who?
Paddington Spot the Difference
Wooden Pick Up Sticks
Pixy Cubes
Match It Head to Tail
Dive into Shapes!
Helping children discriminate carefully between features. Ages 6mths-3yrs.
Encourages visual attention and sequencing and spatial relationships. Ages 6+.
Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set Copying mazes develops visual perception skills, Ages 4+
12 March/April
A fun family game involving spotting the differences between pictures. Ages 5+.
Aids visual discrimination, visual attention and visual memory. Ages 3+.
iTrax Critical Thinking Game
Copying and building designs boosts visual perception skills. Ages 6-10.
Encourages a focus on details, ignoring extraneous visual information. Ages 3+.
Develops visual perception skills involved in handwriting and reading. Ages 6-10.
Lets Go Code Activity Set
Hop, turn, step and move through a gross motor maze. Ages 5+. Familiesonline.co.uk
MOTHER’S DAY
Mother’s Day gifts for under £20 Dads! This one’s for you and the kids! Mother’s Day is Sunday 27 March this year.
Patchwork Game
Pink-Champagne Truffles
Plant Mum Vase
The Naked Bee Hand & Cuticle Salve
Beenax Spiky Massage Ball Set
Calm Club Yoga Cards
Turmeric-infused Honey
Cotton Kimono Robe Wrap
A soothing two-player Made with dolomite, she game about constructing has her own removable Beautiful gift box and a patchwork quilt. £15.29 luxurious white chocolate mini-pot! £16.99 truffles. £16
Spiky massagers for A healing salve for mums arms, legs, shoulders anywhere there’s tension. who garden. £9.49 £8.99
Health conscious, handwhipped, British raw honey infused with natural turmeric. £9.95 Familiesonline.co.uk
A soft, elegant robe mum can feel truly spoilt in. £16.50
A card for every week of the year, teaching the basics. £10.95
Sea Salt Scented Tin Candle Hand-poured, sea salt–scented candle to transport mum to the seaside. £13.05
March/April 13
Receive a FREE DoodleJamz toy for your child*
Age 3+
Endless creations at their fingertips! Draw, squish, sculpt, shape, erase and repeat with this mess-free drawing pad!
APPLY HERE *while stocks last T&Cs apply 14 March/April
Magazine
Familiesonline.co.uk
EASTER
Top Easter craft ideas Easter brings with it some fantastic opportunities to get out the paints and craft materials and create lovely eggs, chicks, cards and bunnies!
Easter trees
Potato Easter egg stamps
Egg carton chicks
Easter bunny headband
Easter scene jar
Stitched Easter bunny card
Pompom bunny bonnet
Easter egg pinata
No sew sock bunny
Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 15
EASTER
Easter cooking Fill the kitchen with delicious smells and make some yummy Easter treats with the kids.
Chocolate cornflake cakes
Hot cross bun trifle
Easter bunny KitKat house
Easy hot cross bun ice-cream
Easter marshmallow bubble slice
Greek Easter cookies
Chick biscuits
Choc chip hot cross buns
Lemony Easter chicks
16 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
HEALTH
One snack too many? Even if your child is a healthy weight, it’s not great if they eat little nutritious food and get most of their energy from unhealthy or sugary snacks. Public Health England advises parents that sticking to two packaged snacks a day and keeping them each at under 100 calories (kcals) or 418 kilojoules (kJs) is really important for children. The food label usually states how many calories are contained in 100 grams or 100 millilitres of the food or drink you are buying, so do compare the calorie content of
different products. The free NHS Food Scanner app helps you scan product barcodes to find healthier alternatives. You’ll be surprised at how high the energy intake is for some common snacks.
Calories in popular packaged kids’ snacks Nature Valley Crunchy Oats & Honey Bar Packet of Walkers Ready Salted Crisps 32.5g KitKat 2 Finger Bar Soreen malt lunchbox loaf Cheestring McVities Ginger Nut Biscuit Mini Milk Ice Cream Lolly Froot Shoot Orange Juice Drink Fruit Shoot hydro water
823kJ 706kJ 436kJ 380kJ 253kJ 196kJ 134kJ 40kJ 8kJ
or 196kcal or 169kcal or 104kcal or 90kcal or 61kcal or 47kcal or 32kcal or 10 kcal or 1.8kcal
Useful online resources Better Health – tips, tools and apps to help you improve your family’s health. The Eatwell Guide – how much should you eat from each food group? Plus healthy snacks ideas. BMI healthy weight calculator - calculates healthy weight. Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 17
EARLY YEARS
Transitioning a toddler from cot to bed By Charlotte Woods and Jo Taylor Amidst the 2am online searches on ‘how to help your toddler get some sleep,’ you may have wondered when the right time is for your little one to graduate from a cot to a bed. In truth, there isn’t a one-size-fitsall answer. Do they need to use the toilet at night? Do they try to climb out of the cot? Is the cot needed for a new sibling? Or do you just feel they are emotionally and physically ready? Once you have decided it’s time, take steps to prepare for this exciting stage of development. It’s about building up and instilling confidence in your child. Think about sleep habits Make sure they can self-soothe and keep sleep prompts consistent eg white noise, a comforter or familiar song. Create a safe environment Check your child’s bedroom for anything unsafe. Ensure windows can’t be opened and consider using a stairgate. Establish a bedtime routine Maintain what works, such as a short bath, stories and cuddles – these all help to make the 18 March/April
experience more familiar. Communicate changes positively Talk to your child in age-appropriate language and use books such as: Princess Polly’s My Big Girl Bed and Pirate Pete’s My Big Boy Bed. Prepare the sleep space Get your toddler involved. Choose bed covers together and personalise their bedframes with stickers. Think about photos of loved ones and a night light too. Pre-empt bedtime requests Making their favourite meal before bed or introducing water in a beaker on the bedside table help with settling. If they need a nappy/ pyjama change, have everything to hand for minimum fuss. READ MORE
Familiesonline.co.uk
EARLY YEARS
Top apps every parent needs Overwhelmed by the number of apps available in the App Store? Ari Last, founder of the Bubble app shares his recommendations. Get these on speed dial to make parenting and family life a little easier.
Mush
Find friends with kids the same age nearby.
OLIO
Allrecipes Dinner Spinner
The Wonder Weeks
Kidday
Family Locator
A week-by-week guide to Solving the endless ‘what your baby’s development – pregnancy to after can I make for dinner?’ birth. question.
Give away unwanted kids’ items to other local parents.
Store your photographs in one place. Share albums with friends/ family.
Track the location of older children/teens when out and about.
CBeebies
Bubble
Sound Sleeper
Educational games and classic cartoons for when you just need a break! Familiesonline.co.uk
Find, book and pay local sitters/nannies recommended by friends/other local parents.
Help your baby fall asleep with this collection of calming sounds. March/April 19
EASTER
Best Easter eggs for 2022 Find it hard to choose? Here are some of the best options this Easter.
Cadbury Twirl Orange Flavoured Extra thick egg filled with Chocolate Egg You Crack Me Up Easter Egg
Lindt Milk Chocolate Egg
Comes with Lindor Milk Chocolate Mini Eggs.
fun chocolate treats.
Large chocolate orange shell and two full-sized chocolate bars.
Ferrero Rocher Milk Chocolate & Hazelnut Egg
Montezuma’s Milk Chocolate Chick with Buttons Cute clucky chick and giant buttons.
White half-eggs sandwiched with caramel-milk chocolate.
KitKat Salted Caramel Giant Egg
Thorntons White Chocolate Bunny Egg
Marigold the Duck
Chocolate egg studded with chunks of hazelnut and Ferrero chocolates.
Caramel flavour egg, with bars of KitKat Chunky Salted Caramel Fudge.
20 March/April
With white chocolate and decorated with milk chocolate.
Caramayo Chocolate Easter Sandwich
Milk chocolate with naturally coloured yellow and white speckles.
Familiesonline.co.uk
FAMILY LIFE
Having incredible conversations with your child By Jane Gilmour and Bettina Hohnen You: How was your day? Your Child: Fine. Want something a bit more? Timing. Try not to pounce on your child with questions straight after school or nursery. Kids often need time to decompress. Wait and read the room. Start conversations when they are rested and well fed. Setting. Many kids find face-to-face talking a bit intense. Weave your conversations into another activity eg when they are drawing.
and so on - the top of the mountain is the best, the bottom is the worst.
Expectations. Learning to communicate meaningfully together is a skill that takes time to build. Not all conversations will go smoothly Get real. Pre-teen children find but, in time, if your bids are gentle abstract concepts difficult and often and genuine, your relationship will don’t have the vocabulary to reflect thrive. their experiences. If you want to find out how your child is, draw a READ MORE mountain. Ask your child to use the mountain to show how they are feeling today, how they feel usually Truly communicating with your child is a great privilege for a parent. More than that, building a strong relationship with them improves their quality of life by protecting their mental and physical health. How to Have Incredible Conversations With Your Child by clinical psychologists Jane Gilmour and Bettina Hohnen can help you further with this. Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 21
FAMILY LIFE
Top green family products If you’re looking to replace existing family products with something new, then why not consider these green options?
Reusable bamboo straws
Eco-friendly backpack
Beeswax food & sandwich wraps
100% USDA certified organic with all-natural plant-based cleaning brush.
Large enough for A4 books and folders. 100% recycled polyester.
Award-winning reusable wraps. 100% organic cotton and British beeswax.
Biodegradable & recycled swim towels
Reusable snack bag
Disposable econappies
Reusable nappy
Reusable cutlery
Beeswax crayons
Quick dry towels. 100% recyclable materials and biodegradable cotton.
Award-winning, adjustable, all in one, washable and reusable.
22 March/April
Perfect alternative to single-use sandwich bags and cling film.
100% organic bamboo. Suitable for everyday use or picnics.
Sustainable organic bamboo fibre, plant based liners. 100% compostable.
Natural beeswax crayons made with minimum of 25% beeswax.
Familiesonline.co.uk
FAMILY LIFE
Reducing the cost of family living Get a grip of finances
Make savings
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If you’re pregnant and for a year after your baby is born, you can get free NHS dental care and prescriptions. A monthly Child benefit of £21.15 per child under 16 and £14 for each additional child may be claimable, depending on your income. If you’re pregnant or have a child under 4, Healthy Start vouchers can be spent on essential food items. If you regularly spend money on prescriptions, an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate can save money. Check your entitlement to Tax-Free Childcare or Free Childcare/Early Education.
Slash £1,000+ off your yearly grocery bill by taking the Downshift Challenge. Save on big brand disposable nappies by using comparison site BumDeal. Get free second-hand stuff from giveaway websites Freecycle and Freegle. Buy second-hand and get great quality for less. Try eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Market Place. Save £££ each year (and reduce your carbon footprint) by following simple energy saving tips. Try the Energy Efficiency Calculator for personalised advice on use and solutions.
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Take back control of family spending with free apps like Money Dashboard or Emma. Monitor and set limits on your kids spending with apps like gohenry or the free Revolut Junior. Don’t spend more than you earn. MoneySavingExpert’s free The Budget Planner will help. Don’t get caught short. Try Piggybanking. Divide money into separate pots for essential bills. Struggling with missed bills and payments? Try prioritising and consolidating. More info at debt help tips. Get organised with family meal planning. Save money, time and waste.
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March/April 23
TRAVEL
Unique UK animal encounters Create lasting memories with a UK animal encounter. Compiled by Yonder, a new travel brand offering nature-rich stays and experiences.
Spot badgers in Dorset
Go whale watching See wild boar in the in Scotland Forest of Dean
Stay: Shepherd’s Hut, Blandford Forum
Stay: Tirlaggan Studio, Oban
Watch beavers in Cornwall
Walk alpacas in East Sussex
Stay: 2 Pencoose Barns, Truro
Herd sheep in the Lake District Stay: Winster Fields, Windermere 24 March/April
Stay: Gun Hill Cottage, Heathfield
Spy red squirrels in the Yorkshire Dales Stay: Mary’s Cottage, Hawes
Stay: Danby Lodge, Coleford
Kayak with seals in Pembrokeshire Stay: Maerdy Lodge, Haverfordwest
Spot African animals in Kent Stay: Shore, Hythe Familiesonline.co.uk
TRAVEL
Lesser-visited UK staycation spots Avoid the crowds! Try one of these lesser-visited staycations spots put together for Families by Gabrielle Nash.
Lundy Island, Devon
Tenby, Wales
The journey to this showstopping island is an adventure! The kids will love taking the ferry over from Ilfracombe. The name Lundy means puffin, the island’s most famous resident. Enjoy a back to nature holiday with just a handful of other inhabitants, staying in one of the historical properties. There’s even a lighthouse you can stay in!
Tenby is the perfect location for a family holiday but so often overlooked in favour of more traditional spots. Stunning sandy beaches are the major draw card but the town has a vibrant atmosphere, colourful cottages and an array of family-friendly eateries. There are also plenty of family attractions nearby.
Dungeness, Kent
Aberdeen, Scotland
Dungeness is a quiet settlement on Britain’s largest shingle beach. The well-known power station makes a great rainy-day activity and opportunity for kids to find out how electricity is generated. Surrounding it lies a beautiful nature reserve. Stay in a seaside property and take the narrow-gauge steam train out to Dymchurch and Hythe.
Perched on the east coast of Scotland, Aberdeen has a beautiful sandy beach to one side and the striking mountains, the Cairngorms to the other. Take the trail of seventeen castles you can even stay the night in one! For activities, check out the busy harbour for boat-loving kids and don’t miss the Science Centre.
Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 25
TRAVEL
Lesser-visited UK staycation spots Avoid the crowds! Try one of these lesser-visited staycations spots put together for Families by Gabrielle Nash.
County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Bamburgh, Northumberland
In Northern Ireland’s lake district in the south-west of Northern Ireland, you’ll find beautiful accommodation options from a lodge on a private island to luxury camping. Kids will love the walk through the Marble Arch caves or enjoy taking a trip on the waterbus. A must-see is the medieval Enniskillen Castle.
Situated on a vast stretch of golden sand on the Northumberland coast, Bamburgh is a family holiday dream. The stunning Bamburgh castle sits imposingly above the beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Try surfing or windsurfing, or head to a local cafe for some freshly caught fish.
The Wye Valley
Cheshire
The Wye Valley is an area of outstanding natural beauty with the River Wye running through it. The area offers a great family holiday with opportunities to try wild swimming, fishing or canoeing. Whether you fancy a log cabin with a hot tub or glamping with the kids, you’ll find plenty of choice.
With some great family-friendly attractions, enjoy Cheshire’s beautiful countryside or opt for a city break in Chester. For space lovers, there’s a new visitor centre at the observatory Jodrell Bank, kids will love Chester Zoo and everyone will enjoy the Ice Cream Farm, a theme park dedicated to ice cream!
26 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
SPRING OUTDOORS
Spring make n’dos Enjoy nature and garden-themed activities with the kids - perfect to while away some hours at the weekend or during the school holidays!
Weave a nature loom
Make a spring sensory bin
Make a garden gnome
Spot early signs of spring
Grow potatoes in a tub
Make a butterfly feeder
Make easy pine cone hedgehog
Grow microgreens
Make simple garden wind chimes
Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 27
SPRING OUTDOORS
Outdoor adventures Enjoy the great outdoors this spring and get the kids to try some of these great activities.
Try the string walk
Plant a tree
Join a fossil hunt
Take a family walk
Try orienteering
Make a stone cairn
Go pond dipping
Play Poohsticks
Go canoeing
28 March/April
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