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Education Autumn activities Halloween Family life
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September/October 2021
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CONTENTS
In this issue
Welcome
4 10 11 14 17
Back to school already! Our Education feature will help ease the transition and provides helpful tips and support.
20 23 25 28 29 30 31 33
Education Clubs & classes Activities What’s on Scavenger hunt downloadable Autumn activities Halloween Family life Tween Bonfire Night Early years Black History Month Toys
Get in touch Competition winners from our May/June issue. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.
Autumn is a beautiful season and a great time for getting outside with the family. Hunt down some autumn trees in our downloadable Scavenger Hunt, enjoy some Autumn crafts and get organised early for Halloween with our great costume and decoration ideas. Get prepared for Ride to School Week with our family cycling feature and challenge your kids with our Black History Month quiz. How many faces can they match to names? Whether you’re an existing subscriber to this magazine or haven’t signed up yet, take advantage of our fabulous free gifts for you in this issue! Join us on instagram
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W.J. French & Son, your local, children’s shoe experts. We stock a large range of children’s shoes in full & half sizes as well as a wide range of width fittings. We are recognised by the Children's Foot Health Register as a centre of excellence for shoe fitting. We are the largest independent shoe shop in Hampshire and have been providing excellent customer service for over 200 years.
W.J. French
& Son Limited Familiesonline.co.uk
40 Bedford Place, Southampton, SO15 2DG 023 8022 6542 www.wjfrenchandson.co.uk September/October 3
EDUCATION
Tips for a positive Parents’ Evening By Annabel Gray Despite the sore throat and spinning head by the end, as a teacher, I used to love parents’ evenings. Those ten minutes can make all the difference to a child’s experience and outcomes at school. So, to make the most of them: Attend. Obvious maybe – but vital if you want to show your child that you value their learning. Smile. The teacher you are meeting spends just as much time as you do with your child and will know them very well. Make them feel at ease and create a positive vibe from the outset.
side of the desk, focus on solutions rather than blame. Like you, teachers want the best for your child. If an issue can’t be resolved, book a further meeting. Be proud. Your kids are amazing! Tell them that!
Come armed with questions. The most productive meetings are when a parent brings all the queries they have to the meeting so they can be ironed out quickly.
Work these top tips into your parents’ evening and you’ll feel positive, productive and informed by the end of it. Want other tips to support your child’s learning?
What do you want to know? Their level? Their test results? How they interact with others? How confident they are? What the homework is about? How to do long division? This is your chance! Don’t waste it!
READ MORE
Celebrate their work. Pandemicpermitting, let your child show you their work on display and their books. Most parents are surprised at the quality of the work their children do at school. Focus on solutions. If there are tricky issues to tackle, from either 4 September/October
Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Dealing with back to school anxiety By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble For most children, back to school anxiety fades quickly. But how do we support our children when it lingers? Prevent common worries from becoming deep-rooted by establishing good practice and routines. For children whose worries persist, this simple five step programme can to our children is that they don’t help. need to worry. Take care of the basics. Ensure a Not sure how to be an ‘active good sleep routine, healthy snacks listener?’ and regular exercise. Provide empathy. Find READ MORE uninterrupted opportunities to listen to your child’s worries, expectations The Gregg Preparatory School and fears. Car journeys, bath time and walks are ideal. Listen actively, withholding judgement and advice. Validate their feelings. Problem solve. Discuss coping strategies, ideally led by your child. Showing confidence in their own problem solving abilities nurtures greater resilience. Highlight the positives. Encourage your child to recognise the fun An independent prep school for boys and girls aged elements of school and not fixate on 3-11 years in the heart of the City of Southampton the negatives. Use questions like: ‘What was your favourite thing for 17-19 Winn Road lunch?’ and ‘What was the funniest Southampton SO17 1EJ 023 8055 7352 thing that happened today?’ office@thegreggprep.org Be mindful of your own emotions www.thegreggprep.org and reactions. They can create learnt behaviour. By staying calm Please call the Registrar to book a tour and meet the Headteacher and seeming positive, the message Familiesonline.co.uk
September/October 5 AdGreggPrepFamilies September 2021.indd 1
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EDUCATION
Can dyslexia be the key to success?
By Jemma Zoe Smith
It can be worrying when your child is diagnosed with dyslexia and, with one in ten people in the UK challenged by dyslexia to some degree, this is a situation that many parents face. I’m dyslexic. I hold three Oxford degrees, am a qualified teacher and run two businesses. I was diagnosed after my first year at university, meaning that I went through school without any support or accommodations. I knew that I had to work for longer than others (I started my GCSE revision the day I started Year 10) and certain subjects, like French, were much trickier. Several teachers mentioned that I may want to look into dyslexia as I displayed some of the traits such as poor organisation and time management. But because I scored well in exams and no-one really knew about it in my family, it wasn’t something I looked into until university. The days of believing that students with dyslexia just need to try harder are over; now, schools and universities employ dyslexia specialists and provide accommodations such as extra time for exams, so that dyslexic students aren’t left at a disadvantage. In fact, concrete evidence shows that a high percentage of entrepreneurs are dyslexic, compared with the general 6 September/October
population. Famous dyslexic entrepreneurs include Sir Richard Branson, Anita Roddick and Jamie Oliver. Can dyslexic students have an advantage over their peers? READ MORE
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EDUCATION
The great outdoors at Stroud School Big changes are coming at Stroud School as they eagerly start the Autumn Term. The School is delighted that from September they will move to a three-form entry in Middle School for years 3, 5 and 5. Further plans also include an adventure playground which, apart from log towers and climbing nets, also includes two very cool hammocks! This new adventure playground is just one small part of Stroud’s vision to get their children outside: Stroud believes in children thriving when they have plenty of access to the great outdoors. In a world where education is increasingly digitised, Stroud wants its children to flourish outside, whether that’s during Forest School sessions in the woods, conducting science experiments down by the ponds or caring for the school farm animals. Its farm is home to chickens, beehives and pygmy goats, which live alongside two ponies. Veg boxes sit just outside the classrooms and the school has held an Eco School Green Flag for 10 years, recognising its commitment to sustainability. To visit the school, call 01794 513231 or click here for more information.
Stroud School, Romsey King Edward VI Preparatory School
Forever Undaunted wild A traditional prep school with a
www.stroud-kes.org.uk
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heart
September/October 7
EDUCATION
Ride to school safely It’s Ride to School Week starting 27 September! To get your family riding to school (and beyond) safely, check out our great videos and articles.
Teaching your child to ride a bike
Cycling as a family By Catherine Ellis
There’s no better time than the Autumn to start cycling: it’s generally mild but not too warm, it’s a beautiful season and cycling is a great way to see it unfold. But preparation is key to ensuring you get the best out of the experience and take an appropriate route. READ MORE 8 September/October
Safety-checking your child’s bike
Transporting children by bike
It can be difficult to know how to best transport your growing family by bike. What if you have a baby? What if you also have a toddler? What if you have an older child too? Cycling UK explains how to make the best cycling choices for your family. READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Top questions to ask on a school visit By Emma Lewry Choosing a school for your child is a big decision that can feel charged with pressure and uncertainty. As a teacher, former head teacher and a mum, I’ve been through the process from both sides of the classroom door, so here’s my simple advice to make the most of your visits. Firstly, read my tips on preparation for your visit here: So what should you ask at the school? • What’s the best thing about your school? • What are you working on to improve as a school currently? • What do the children say about your school? (or ask a child if you can!) • How are your classes organised? Are the mixed ages and abilities? • How do you deal with behaviour incidents and bullying? • About any logistics that are important to you; Do you offer a breakfast club? Do you teach
Watch Emma’s top school visit tips
particular sports or musical instruments? What time does the school day start? Looking for more essentials to get the most out of a school visit? READ MORE
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September/October 9
CLUBS & CLASSES
Local clubs, classes & activities
Golden Gecko Climbing
Climbing wall and experiences for all ages.
Bella Crafts
Arts & crafts activities for children and adults in Winchester & Fair Oak.
Little Kickers
Perform
Parthian Climbing Southampton
Southampton City Art Gallery
Football fun and games Confidence building fun for ages 18 months and for ages 4-7 and 7-12 with seven years. weekly classes in dance, drama and singing.
Climbing sessions for children & adults.
Arts & craft activities for children.
To feature your club, class or activity in our next issue, email us or call Rebecca on 07789 882467. Rugbytots
Rugby play programme for ages 2-7 yrs.
10 September/October
Youth Options Woodland Holiday Clubs
Forest School themed holiday club. Ages 4+.
Book by 6 October to be included in our November/ December issue. Familiesonline.co.uk
ACTIVITIES
Parthian Climbing Southampton: New state of the art climbing facility The centre, located in Nursling, is fully equipped to accommodate those experiencing the sport for the first time, to those that climb regularly. Welcoming children, families and adults, they offer a wide range of activities to suit all abilities. For those new to the sport, they offer introduction to climbing sessions for kids and families, a 90-minute session to experience climbing with an experienced instructor. They are proud to be providers of the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) progressing young climbers (7yrs+) through the 5 levels of the national syllabus. You can claim an introductory discount and get an intro to climbing session for just £16. Just use code FAMILIES20 when you book. For more information and to book click here.
20%
OFF INTRO SESSI ONS
Book Today! bit.ly/forestholidayclubs
Social Distancing Age 4+ Ofsted Registered 8.30am - 4pm Childcare Vouchers & Sibling Discount
Join us and spend time outside building dens, campfire cooking, creating woodland art, playing games, and exploring and enjoying the natural world!
Woodland Holiday Clubs Joins us at our forest school themed holiday club at Itchen Valley Country Park, Eastleigh!
TRY CLIMBING Our Intro to Climbing Sessions, for adults, kids and families are only £16pp with discount code FAMILIES20* You’ll be scaling the walls in no time!
www.youthoptions.co.uk
*EXPIRES 30TH NOVEMBER 2021 Familiesonline.co.uk
UNIT E1 ADANAC PARK, SOUTHAMPTON, SO16 0BT PARTHIANCLIMBING.COM/SOUTHAMPTON September/October 11
ACTIVITIES
12 September/October
Familiesonline.co.uk
Autumn tree Scavenger Hunt
Get outdoors and go on a treasure hunt with your kids, matching leaves to their trees and trees to their fruit. Download this activity and instructions.
DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS HERE
Familiesonline.co.uk
September/October 13
WHAT’S ON
What’s on in September & October Please check with the venue before visiting to ensure events are still going ahead and venues are open. HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
performance telling the story of a very special occupant of Solent Cottage. 11am, 1pm & 3pm.
10 September Exploring midcentury recipes Eastleigh Museum Re-visit recipes of 25-26 September the mid-century. Inspire Weekend 10am-12noon. St Barbe Museum A programme of free workshops, 11-12 September live music, Royal Victoria curators’ tour for Chapel Heritage all ages. Day Royal Victoria Country Park THROUGHOUT Explore the history SEPTEMBER & of the military OCTOBER hospital and the stories of some Marvellous of its patients Days Out at the and staff. 10amNational Motor 4.30pm. Museum One ticket 16 September includes the Motor See the Museum, Palace Brickworks House, Little Museum in action Beaulieu, World The Brickworks of Top Gear and Museum more. Open daily Visit the only 10am-6pm. remaining Victorian steamUntil 19 driven brickworks. September 11am–4pm. Solar System Adventure at 18-19 September Winchester Welcome to my Science Centre garden Blast off into the Lepe Country Solar System. Park With hundreds Family friendly of moons, eight outdoor planets, five dwarf 14 September/October
planets and one Sun to explore. £3.50 with general admission. Until 19 September Underwater Agents at Winchester Science Centre Did you know that almost three quarters of the world’s surface is covered by water? Click title for times. 25 September – 11 November Acoustic Explorers at Winchester Science Centre Put your investigation skills to the test and become an Acoustic Explorer. 14 Oct - 1 Nov Happy Hallowe’en at Paultons Park Spooky fun for all the family. OCTOBER HALF TERM
parties including craft making and spooky tea party food. 11am12.30pm. 25-31 October Halloween Ghost Train at Exbury Gardens A host of ghoulish characters will be haunting the train tracks and entertaining families with their slapstick. 25 October Halloween Monster Mash Up at SeaCity Museum Spend a fun day making monstrous creations. 9am– 5pm. £35. 6–11yrs. 25 October Spooky & Scary Walking Tour at Tudor House & Garden Explore the vaults and discover tales of war, plague, villainy and ghosts! 11am or 2pm. £6.
25 - 31 October Half Term Holiday Club with BellaCrafts Halloween Familiesonline.co.uk
SPOOKY HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES AT OUR VENUES ALL WEEK
& HALLOWEEN FAMILY DAY AT TUDOR HOUSE Saturday 30 October
wegottickets.com/SouthamptonCulture Familiesonline.co.uk
September/October 15
WHAT’S ON
What’s on in September & October Please check with the venue before visiting to ensure events are still going ahead and venues are open. 26 & 27 October Spooky Bunting and Halloween Lanterns at Southampton City Art Gallery Get your home ready Halloween ready with spooky bunting and glowing lanterns. 10.30am or 1pm. £10 per child, adults free. 26 & 27 October The Dong with a Luminous Face at Theatre Royal Winchester Edward is a bit of an oddball. A shy and troubled boy, he is always watching the horizon, waiting for something to happen. Tue 1.30pm, Wed 10.30am & 1.30pm. Ages 7+. 27 October Terrifying Tudors Family Workshop at Tudor House & Garden Travel back to the time of the terrifying Tudors for fun-filled craft and history activities! Ages 6+. 10.30am or 1pm. £7.50 & adults free. 16 September/October
28 October Stick Man at Theatre Royal Winchester Freckle Productions’ delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man 1.30pm & 4pm. Ages 3+.
28 October Witch’s Supermarket at St Barbe Museum Where does a witch buy all the ingredients for her spells? Design and make everything needed to keep a witch’s cauldron bubbling!
28 October Clay Pumpkins Family Workshop at Southampton City Art Gallery Discover the infinitely satisfying art of clay making and create a stunning Halloween decoration. 10am or 12.30pm or 2.30pm. £7.50 per person. Ages 5+.
29 October Spooky Scenes Family Workshop at Southampton City Art Gallery Create a brilliant 3D spooky scene, using mixed media including watercolour and inks. Ages 6+. 10am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm. £7.50 per person.
29 October Creepy Comics at St Barbe Museum Make a sequence of drawings to crete your very own comic book panel. Ages 8+. 30 October Tudor House Halloween Family Day Create a magic wand with Witch Kate and join the resident ghost hunter Andy to explore the house for a tour full of spooky historical happenings. Entrance is included for any activities booked! BOOKING NOW 11-30 December One Snowy Night at The Berry Theatre The charming stage adaptation of Nick Butterworth’s bestselling book comes to The Berry Theatre this December. Book your tickets now. Varaious times. Tickets £15, £13 conc. Ages 3+.
Familiesonline.co.uk
Experience a fab family outing at St Barbe Enjoy new children’s trails and activities
Football fun for children
Visit our website!
aged 18 months - 7 years.
LYMINGTON
registered charity no.1018779
Learning the FUNdamentals of Football
www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk
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ACOUSTIC EXPLORERS Part of our Year of Sound 2021 Weekends and School Holidays 25 September to 21 November
11th to 30th December, various times Tickets: £15 / £13 concessions
BOOK NOW www.theberrytheatre.co.uk Box Office: 023 8065 2333 Suitable for ages 3+ and their grown-ups
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September/October 17
WHAT’S ON
Fun at the farm whatever the weather
Autumn fun at St Barbe Museum
An all-weather destination, Manor Farm in Botley makes for a great day out. The farmyard has plenty of fascinating history. There are lots of animals to meet and play to enjoy. The tractor climbing frames, seesaw and swings are great for warmer days, while the Play Barn promises bags of fun whatever the weather. Find out more here.
St Barbe Museum has a packed programme this Autumn. Let mascot Gulliver Gull help you discover the museum with two new free children’s trails. Also, enjoy Inspire Weekend on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 September 2021, and a programme of free workshops, live music, curators’ tour for all ages. Find out more about free children’s activities here.
Book now for One Snowy Night
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Slot Machine Theatre presents, One Snowy Night from 11 to 30 December. The charming stage adaptation of Nick Butterworth’s bestselling book comes to The Berry Theatre this December. A snuggly, heart-warming story, with songs to sing along to, furry puppet friends to meet and blankets to be tucked up in, One Snowy Night is great fun for younger children! Book here.
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Enjoy a fun day at the farm,
whatever the weather Explore our indoor Play Barn, stop off at the café and meet our friendly animals.
Find us in Botley, Hampshire
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www.hants.gov.uk
September/October 19
AUTUMN
Best Autumn crafts for all ages Celebrate the season and get creative with these colourful and rewarding activities.
Autumn garland
Apple stamping
Hanging leaves
Pine cone peanut butter bird feeder
Leaf people
Paper plate flappy owl
Pine cone people
Nature ‘tic tac toe’ game
Nature wand
20 September/October
Familiesonline.co.uk
AUTUMN
Autumn outside It’s a great season to be outside with the kids and here’s how to keep them happy and busy enjoying nature.
Track local wildlife
Create a journey stick
Spider web safari
Geocaching
Make a leaf stack
Build a den
Discover a wood near you
Make a mini garden
Build a hedgehog home
Familiesonline.co.uk
September/October 21
ENVIRONMENT
Growing oak trees from acorns According to the Woodland Trust, trees are our most powerful weapon in the fight against climate change. Join Luke Cook and The Acorn Project to give nature a helping hand in encouraging acorns to grow into trees. 1
2
3
4
Here’s what to do. 1. Start looking for green or brown acorns around mid-September. Make sure they have no insect damage or holes/cracks from falling. 2. Take the caps off your acorns. Fill a clear container up with water and drop in the acorns. Fertile acorns will sink. Non-fertile ones can be put outside for birds and squirrels (but out of reach of dogs, as acorns are poisonous for them). 3. Keep your fertile acorns in a cool, dark place until they sprout. When the roots appear, fill a small
22 September/October
container with compost and some gravel. A yoghurt pot or plastic bottle cut in half, with drainage holes at the bottom works well. Make a hole and plant the acorn (about an inch below the surface). Cover with compost and put outside/in a dark spot until shoots appear (usually in the spring). 4. Look around your local area to see where trees could be planted. Council-owned parks, schools and hospitals are likely to be grateful for your saplings!
Familiesonline.co.uk
HALLOWEEN
DIY Halloween costumes Does your heart sink when your child asks if you can make them a costume for Halloween? If so, check out this great but simple ideas.
No sew spider
Luna Lovegood
No sew ghost
Zombie
Mummy
Pirate
Duct tape skeleton
Velcro vampire
Halloween face painting - step by step
Familiesonline.co.uk
September/October 23
HALLOWEEN
Halloween decoration ideas Get into the spirit of the Halloween season with these fabulous decoration ideas.
Milk carton ghosts
Halloween shadow puppet activity
Easy jar lantern
Witches cauldrons
Pumpkin paper plates
Puffy ghosts
Conker spider
Mini broomstick
Flapping bat
24 September/October
Familiesonline.co.uk
HALLOWEEN GHOST TRAIN Monday 25th - Sunday 31st October
Exbury’s famous Halloween Ghost Train returns! A host of ghoulish characters will be haunting the train tracks and entertaining families with their slapstick comedy performances... with a few frights along the way of course!
Exbury GARDENS
Visit www.exbury.co.uk for booking and more infomation
& Steam Railway
Familiesonline.co.uk
023 8089 1203 | New Forest, SO45 1AZ September/October 25
FAMILY LIFE
Is it really over?
Journaling for kids
All relationships have ups and downs but when the balance has tipped very much in favour of downs, you may be wondering whether your marriage can be saved or whether divorce could be the right decision.
Journaling is an excellent activity for kids. It creates an outlet for thoughts and feelings and a safe space for children of all ages to explore their emotions.
By Rhiannon Ford
You may have talked to your spouse about your unhappiness and not received a satisfactory response? Or feel you’ve done everything you can to improve your relationship and it’s just not working? Find out what to do next.
By Stacie Swift
Journaling can foster greater self-awareness, self-belief and help with decision making. It’s also a great tool for encouraging gratitude, kindness and positivity. Check out my five starter activities for children. READ MORE
Dozens of family activities! Check out the FREE resources at Only Mums & OnlyDads and find out about 101 Questions Answered About Separating With Children, an invaluable resource for parents in the early days of separation. 26 September/October
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FAMILY LIFE
The benefits of family pets
Kids’ books that promote diversity
By Caroline Wilkinson
By Tamsy Ashman
While raising kids can feel like enough of a job without the added responsibility of pets, bringing animals into your family home can be incredibly beneficial. A pet can provide huge confidence-boosting opportunities for children and can also reduce anxiety levels. READ MORE
As conversations about race continue to dominate the headlines, it’s the perfect time to explore books featuring people from different racial backgrounds with your child.
Saving tips for families
Giveaway!
By Clare Francis
Over the last tumultuous eighteen months, families have realised the importance of having a financial safety net. Financially supporting the various stages of your child’s life requires planning and the earlier you start to save, the less you will feel the impact on your day-today budget. READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk
Here’s some recommendations. READ MORE
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September/October 27
TWEEN
The best foods for pre-teens By Katie O’Connell We have a running joke in our family. If it’s not burger-shaped, my son won’t eat it. Finding out what we should be feeding our tweens is one challenge, working out what they will actually eat is another! Teen and pre-teen experts at wearetwixt offered us this advice from Katie, nutritionist and gut health expert.
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Chuck a handful of prawns into a stir fry/pasta sauce with some chilli and lime. Mackerel has a mild flavour that works well mashed into a dip with a squeeze of lemon and garlic. Add pesto or cherry tomatoes to baked salmon steaks; serve with potato wedges. Try salty anchovies in pasta sauce or on pizza. They taste great amongst other complicated flavours. Spread nut butters - peanut, almond or hazelnut- onto toast. Slice apple wedges for dipping in a small bowl of peanut butter.
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Fishy and nutty food ideas
Katie O’Connell is an experienced nutritionist offering consultations to parents and children. Find out more.
ri
Healthy fats are probably the most important food group for growing tweens and are vital to healthy brain development. The best sources are fish, nuts and seeds. I recommend oily fish twice a week - salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna (fresh not tinned), herrings, prawns and whitebait – and a handful of nuts a day.
Sprinkle mixed seeds over breakfast cereal, salads, in sandwiches and stir fries.
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BONFIRE NIGHT
Staying safe on Bonfire Night Animals and children (particularly younger ones) often find fireworks scary. Help them relax and stay safe using a few simple tips. Indoor pets Keep your pets in the house whenever you think there will be fireworks; Walk dogs during daylight hours; Shut windows and doors, close blinds and curtains; Put on some music or television to mask the firework sounds; Create a quiet space or hiding places where your pet can feel secure; Make sure your pet can’t escape if startled by a sudden noise.
Outside pets Partly cover outside cages, hutches and pens with blankets. Provide extra bedding inside cages and hutches so small animals can burrow in. Consider bringing outside pets indoors – this may need to be done gradually so plan ahead. More at RSPCA
Enjoy fireworks with kids
Bonfire Night safety tips
Invest in a pair of earmuffs to protect their sensitive hearing;
Don’t build a bonfire too high;
Sparklers offer fizz and glow without the bang but never give them to a child under 5;
Keep a bucket of water nearby; Only buy fireworks with the CE mark;
Decorate the garden with fairy lights;
Never go near a firework that has been lit;
Hide glow sticks in the garden for a treasure hunt in the dark;
Never give sparklers to a child under 5;
Let off some party poppers;
Light fireworks at arms length;
Invest in torches tinted with cellophane;
When a sparkler is finished, put it in a bucket of cold water;
Giant bubbles are easy to make and are great fun at night.
Follow ROSPA’s sparkler safety advice.
Familiesonline.co.uk
September/October 29
EARLY YEARS
Bonfire Night for under 5s It’s a fun night for older kids but little ones can sometimes get overwhelmed by the loud bangs and noise. So here are some ideas to help them celebrate more quietly!
Firecracker pull string pinata
Firework star hat
Sparkly fireworks picture
Fork stamped fireworks
Edible sparklers
Shaving foam fireworks
Toilet roll rocket
Pretend bonfire
Firework cookies
30 September/October
Familiesonline.co.uk
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month ‘Who’s Who’ Quiz Look at these photos and clues with your kids and match them to the list of important figures from black history on the next page. How many do you know?
His art is displayed in galleries all around the world.
Famous for her books for young adults, including Noughts and Crosses.
First black driver to win a Formula One championship.
Born a slave in Maryland, She paid her own way to the Crimean War, setting USA, she led military campaigns to free slaves. up a hotel for soldiers.
He served twenty seven years in prison and was finally freed in 1990.
She was a ‘human computer’ making the calculations required for space flight.
He campaigned for laws to end racial segregation and discrimination in the USA.
He served two terms as president, leaving office with a sixty percent approval rate. Familiesonline.co.uk
September/October 31
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
What do you know about Black History Month? October marks Black History Month (BHM) in the United Kingdom. The event was first officially recognised by the US government in 1976 and was first celebrated in the UK in 1987. Events celebrating African and Caribbean cultures will take place across the UK until October 31. People from African and Caribbean backgrounds have been a fundamental part of British history for centuries. However, many have highlighted that their value and contribution to society is often overlooked, ignored, or distorted. Many schools still teach a history curriculum which focuses on traditional events and the achievements of white figures. BHM gives everyone the chance to
share, celebrate and learn about the impact of black heritage and culture – something we should, of course, be doing all year round. BHM also goes further than the traditional concentration on slavery and segregation in the history of African and Caribbean people, giving us the chance to uplift figures previously disregarded in British and world history. www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk
Answers. Left to right Row 1: 1. Chris Ofili 2. Malorie Blackman 3. Lewis Hamilton Row 2: Harriet Tubman, Mary Seacole, Nelson Mandela Row 3: Barack Obama, Katherine Johnson, Martin Luther-King Jr.
Who’s Who Quiz names Barack Obama Chris Ofili Harriet Tubman Katherine Johnson Lewis Hamilton Malorie Blackman Martin Luther King Jr Mary Seacole Nelson Mandela 32 September/October
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Time to get tough with Tonka! Find out about the new additions to their range. Tonka has been a favourite with kids for more than seventy years! Built Tonka-tough and designed to look just like the real thing, these terrific toys from Basic Fun remain a staple fixture in every child’s toy box. Year on year the Tonka selection has grown and a new generation of Tonka fans are created every day. Top of the picks are the Tonka Steel Classic vehicles that are instantly recognisable and are ready for super tough play whether indoors or out!
other trucks have issues on site, the Tow Truck comes into its own and is built to take on the toughest vehicle rescue jobs.
Already firm favourites, you can choose from a Mighty Dump Truck, Bull Dozer, Front Loader and the epic Toughest Mighty Dump that is built to last and withstand even the toughest Tonka Kids!
If you love Tonka as much as we do and have a kid that’s ready to get tough, you can find the collection at John Lewis.
New for this autumn are the Tonka Crane and Tow Truck. Kids will have hours of pretend play with the beast of a crane which stands almost 2 feet tall with its long stretching moveable arm, working winch and grabber. Or, for when the
We have a bumper Tonka Steel competition prize worth £100 for one lucky reader! Simply go to the Tonka competition page here to enter. Full terms and conditions on the page. Closing date is 1 October 2021.
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Enter the Tonka competition! WIN
September/October 33
TOYS
The must-have family game! Get playing this Autumn With the summer holidays now behind us and children back to school, ToyMonster introduces the BEST family card game ever: Kids Against Maturity! This is the perfect game for unwinding after a day at school; an ideal way to spend a rainy weekend and a brilliant surprise to have up your sleeve for play time and family time over the October half term… and, dare we say it – the Christmas holidays, too! It’s impossible not to love this award-winning, fill-in-theblank game. Its age-appropriate toilet humour and witty innuendos for adults, make Kids Against Maturity enjoyable for players of all ages from ages 8 and up. Easy to learn, simple to play, and absolutely hilarious, this game is a staple for every family home.
The player with the highest number of most amusing responses wins the game. Each game set includes six hundred cards – a mix of question and answer cards – from which players can create over forty thousand combinations of answers. Kids Against Maturity is available now from Smyths Toys Superstores, RRP £19.99.
Best enjoyed with 4+ players, all you need is to ‘be the worst to be the best.’ Each player gets ten white answer cards and takes turns asking the blue question cards. Everyone answers each question with their funniest white card choice and places it face down. The question reader chooses what they think is the funniest answer and the player who placed down that card wins the hand. 34 September/October
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TOYS
Toys for girls AND boys Break down gender stereotypes with these toys all tested by children and endorsed by The Good Toy Guide.
Baking Set from Galt
The Genius Square
Pillowfight Warriors® Medieval Range
Smartibot Building Kit
Get budding little bakers started in the kitchen. £12.99. 3-5 years.
Pretend fight and play. £11.99. 3-8 years.
Pepper Mint Great Treehouse Engineering Adventure £35. 8+ years.
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Race opponents to complete in this great game. £16.99. 7-9 years.
Build an A.I. Bot, Teabot or Unicorn from cardboard. £55. 11+ years.
Little Brian’s Face Painting Sticks
A fun, clean and messfree way of face painting! £19.99. 3-8 years.
Magicube Full Color
Enchant children with this magnetic construction system. £18-£35. 18-36 months.
Geosafari® Jr. Kidnoculars® Extreme™
See and hear the birds up close. £22.50. 3-8 years.
Discovery Adventures Digital Walkie Talkies £24.99. 6-8 years.
September/October 35