Families Solent East Mar/Apr 23 PRINT issue

Contact us

Editor Rebecca Carr editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk 07789 882467

Sales Claire Clarricoates claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk 07812 218331

Cover image: Depositphotos.com

November/December competition winners

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at https://bit.ly/NOrecipients

© Families Solent East 2023.

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.

The seasons are turning and spring is just around the corner. So it’s time to stop hibernating and re-embrace the big outdoors!

To celebrate, we have all the instructions for you and your kids to make a spring bird café to welcome in the new season – and bring some birds to your garden, of course.

In our Health section, we have some top tips from a mum about apps and hacks that can make family life healthier and some great, imaginative and healthy after school snack ideas for the kids.

Of course, Easter is just around the corner and it’s not too soon to start making plans for those all-important egg hunts. See our What’s On guide on pages 12-14 for some great days out.

Finally, in this issue, we have Smoby Nature Playhouses to giveaway and you can apply inside. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

Enjoy the issue!

News and competitions, plus local clubs, classes and activities to try.

How you can help with homework and how to stretch your child’s imagination.

Rebecca What’s

Editor,

Families Solent East

Easter activity

For your school, nursery, café, shop, club or class - just ask! Email us for more details editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk

Distribution: Throughout East Hampshire and West Sussex including: Whiteley, Fareham, Gosport, Portsmouth, Waterlooville, Southsea, Emsworth, Chichester and more.

Next issue: May/June Booking deadline: 3 April

Copy deadline: 7 April

of what’s

We’ve got a

in March and April and local Easter events.

Make a spring bird café and bring some birds to your garden.

£100

Get connected during British Science Week

British Science Week is a ten day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which takes place from 10 to 19 March.

This year’s theme is ‘Connection.’ Nearly all innovations in science are built on connections between people and connections occur across all areas of science, including animals, the internet and even between human action and climate change.

During British Science week, people from all over the UK take part in events and activities to develop their skills in these areas at a wide range of venues, such as community groups, cultural centres and museums.

A range of FREE activity packs and other resources suitable for all age groups can also be downloaded for fun family activities in the home.

To find a local event, visit www.britishscienceweek.org

Enjoy Earth Day this April

Earth Day takes place on 22 April every year and is a time when environmental issues take centre stage.

Marked by millions around the world, Earth Day is an annual event designed to shine a light on the serious environmental problems we’re facing, from the climate crisis to air pollution and deforestation.

The first Earth Day took place in 1970 in the US to highlight the importance of clean air and water following a large oil spill in California. The event saw an astonishing twenty million people across the US taking to the streets – around ten percent of the country’s population at the time. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength is now the world’s largest civic event.

There are thousands of events taking place around the world. To find an event near you visit: www.bit.ly/ EarthDayEventsMap

Find out more at www.earthday.org

It’s back! Re-introducing your local Brewers Fayre, The Clarence Pier, which has reopened on the Southsea seafront with a brand-new look.

Expect all-day dining with a selection of great-value menus, from an unlimited breakfast for £9.99 with two kids dining for free with every adult, to drool-worthy pub classics, a cracking Sunday carvery and plenty to choose from at the bar.

Plus, little ones can tuck into a three-course meal for only £4.99, which includes at least 2 of their 5 a day when paired with two sides and free access to the play zone.

Located on Clarence Pier in Portsmouth, just a 2-minute walk away from a range of attractions including the Amusement Park, Treasure Island Adventure Golf and the beautiful beach at Clarence Esplanade, Brewers Fayre is the perfect spot for a family dinner after days out in Hampshire.

Book today at www.brewersfayre.co.uk/en-gb/locations/ hampshire/the-clarence-pier and sign up to the Brewers Fayre newsletter for exclusive offers.

WIN a £100 voucher for your family

to dine at Brewers Fayre, Clarence Pier

We’ve got a £100 voucher to giveaway to one lucky reader to enjoy a family meal at Brewers Fayre, Clarence Pier. The prize inclues a voucher to the value of £100 to choose a meal from the all-day dining menu, including drinks and is available to use at this venue only. T&C’s apply.

To enter and for full terms and conditions, visit: https://bit.ly/3YL1a4u

CLUBS AND CLASSES

Spring confidence-building fun with Perform

Spring is the perfect time of year to get those feel-good endorphins pumping and Perform’s new summer term themes will get bodies moving and hearts singing. What’s more, your child can try a class for FREE!

Perform offers a different type of children’s drama class. It doesn’t focus on creating perfect dancers or the next child star. Instead, children’s social development is at the heart of its classes, using a specially formulated mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s true potential.

Exciting termly themes keep young imaginations buzzing while small class sizes ensure lots of individual attention from experienced, professionally trained actors, dancers and singers. Classes are for children of all abilities and they can join at any point in the term; just be ready to have the best fun of the week!

This term, ages 4-7 will be setting sail on the Jammy Dodger in Mermaids & Pirates, whilst ages 7–12 will take part in The Dream, an hilarious adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Children are welcome to try a FREE class. Local venues in Chichester, Fareham, Petersfield, Southsea and Waterlooville.

Book a FREE class at www.perform.org.uk/try

More about Perform’s weekly classes

Confidence building weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. Classes are designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try, email enquiries@perform. org.uk or call 020 7255 9120 to book a FREE trial class in one of the following venues.

Chichester: St Michael’s Church Hall, PO19 6PN 4-7s, Monday’s 4pm.

Fareham: Catisfield Memorial Hall, PO15 5NN 4-7s, Tuesday’s 4pm, 7-12s, Tuesday’s 5pm.

Petersfield: Salvation Army Hall, GU32 3AD 4-7s, Monday’s 4pm, 7-12s, Monday’s 5pm.

Southsea: St Simon’s Church Hall, PO5 2PW 4-7s, Monday’s 4pm, 7-12s, Monday’s 5pm.

Waterlooville: Merchistoun Hall, Horndean, PO8 9LJ 4-7s, Tuesday’s 4pm, 7-12s, Tuesday’s 5pm.

for all

including

Join in the fun this Easter at their Extreme Adventure multiactivity Club, suitable for ages 5+, or join them for a week of sailing or windsurfing and work through the RYA youth scheme!

The centre is open year-round and offers opportunities to get on the water for all levels and abilities. Come along to an open day on Saturday 1 July and try something new, with taster sessions for only £5. Put the date in your diary now!

To book on to any of their clubs and courses, email: portsmouth@andrewsimpsoncentres.org or call 02392 663873. For more information, visit www.andrewsimpsoncentres.org

Little Kickers Portsmouth and Gosport offers a positive introduction to sport by teaching high quality football skills in a friendly, pressure-free environment.

‘It’s the perfect way to ignite an enthusiasm for sport that will stay with them for life’, said a local parent.

There are four different classes tailored specifically to the needs of children between 18 months and eight years.

‘Fantastic coaches, everyone is involved from parents to grandparents, classes for different ages, my grandson can’t wait to go every Saturday he loves it. I would recommend Little Kickers to anyone.’

Classes run at a variety of venues across the Portsmouth area. Email ajane@littlekickers.co.uk or find your nearest class at www.litlekickers.co.uk

Sailing and watersports for all at the Andrew Simpson Centre

High quality classes with Little Kickers, Portsmouth

Stretching your child’s imagination

By Jemma Z Smith

Imagination is the ability to create mental images, thoughts or ideas. It helps us to generate new ideas, to think creatively and to consider possibilities that may not be rooted in current reality. Imagination can be a powerful tool for problem-solving and innovation.

Imagination is often associated with childhood and is an important aspect of child development. Children use their imaginations to create stories, games and other forms of play in which they explore their environment and learn about the world.

However, imagination isn’t only important in childhood. There are many jobs that rely on imagination and creative thinking. For example, imagination is used by the following professionals in the following ways:

Painters, sculptors, photographers - to create works of art;

Novelists, screenwriters and other writers - to create stories and characters;

Actors - to portray characters and bring stories to life;

Architects - to design buildings and other structures; Graphic designers - to create visual designs for websites, advertisements and other media;

Musicians - to compose music and create new sounds; Game designers - to create interactive games and virtual worlds;

Marketers - to come up with creative marketing campaigns and advertisements;

Teachers - to create engaging lesson plans and activities for their students;

Engineers - to design and build new products and systems.

Imagination takes many forms, including visual imagination to create mental images or pictures, verbal imagination in stories or ideas using words and musical imagination creating melodies and harmonies. It can also involve the use of all five senses, such as when someone imagines the taste, smell, or texture of a food they have never experienced.

By providing opportunities for children to use their imagination and encouraging them to be creative, parents can develop their creative thinking skills.

All imaginative play starts with an understanding of the world around us, so to help a child to use their imagination we must first introduce them to different experiences, from sensory experiences such as discovering new foods or smells, to listening to different accents and instruments. This exposure to the world allows your child to have a large mental ‘dressing up box’ to use when creating characters and scenarios for their imaginative play.

Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).

Activities to develop imagination

Encourage open-ended play. Playing with certain toys allows for open-ended exploration and creativity. Blocks, dolls and dressing-up clothes can all be used in a variety of ways, led by a child’s imagination.

Encourage storytelling. Parents can encourage children to create their own stories and characters, either through verbal storytelling, drawing or writing.

Encourage experimentation. Children use their imagination and creativity when trying new things and experimenting with different materials. For example, parents can provide children with art supplies, such as paint, clay or markers and encourage them to create their own projects.

Read together. Reading with children stretches their imagination and exposes them to new ideas and concepts. Encourage them to ask questions and make predictions while reading, to help stimulate their imagination.

Encourage role play. Role play is a fun way to use imagination, for instance, pretending to be a doctor with dolls and soft toys or pretending to be a chef while cooking dinner.

Homework: how you can help

By Zuzu Jordan

Homework is an important part of the learning process but many parents find it difficult to help their children with this for a number of reasons. Sometimes it’s difficult to juggle work and find the optimum time when your child is most productive. Frequently parents feel that ‘the way they teach now’ isn’t how they were taught when they were school age.

Nevertheless, we all want to feel that we have done all we can to steer our children’s education in the right direction.

So what is homework?

Homework covers activities set by the class teacher, which vary from preparing for an upcoming topic, consolidating a lesson already taught or revising for a test. Your role at home is to help your child learn how to work independently, rather than endeavouring to ensure they get full marks.

Consider some of these techniques as a starting point towards a happier homework environment:

Ensure the space helps your child concentrate. A quiet room in the house with a table or desk is preferable. If this isn’t possible, libraries offer quiet spaces and most schools run a homework club. If you don’t have access to a computer or tablet, these are valuable free services.

Establish a routine. If your child works better in the morning when they are more alert, then consider doing some homework before school. This may require a complete change to your morning routine.

Devising a timetable with your child that shows the times for homework across the week can help them see what is expected each day.

All the kit at their fingertips. This is key to ensuring a smooth transition into getting the homework started. Searching for a pencil for half an hour will not help your child stay on track.

Technology can be a great tool. It helps with research and can also be used to revise a concept with which your child may be struggling. More and more schools are setting homework online and expecting children to use a unique login.

Teachers appreciate your input so do ask them for advice if homework is proving a sticking point.

Zuzu Jordan is a Mastery for Maths specialist who has taught primary aged children for sixteen years and is interested in early years and home learning. For free homework and home learning resources, find the Facebook page Edumateuk.

Maths toolbox

Visual and concrete resources boost learning, embed mathematical understanding and are widely used in schools. Providing familiar props at home will help children who are not yet ready to work out homework problems in their heads.

Check you have the following: a number line, hundred square, dice, times tables chart, counters (eg milk bottle lids), protractor, weighing scales, tape measure, clocks (digital and analogue) and a place value chart. A lot of these resources already exist around the home, can be drawn or downloaded.

If you are willing to invest, Numicon, dienes and place value discs are good physical tools which give clear and concrete mathematical examples. Often used in primary school, there are many online resources showing how to use them.

Top Marks (www.topmarks.co.uk) has free online learning games which support classroom teaching across different age groups. Numberblocks (BBC iPlayer) is an engaging, song-filled, animated series designed to help children remember key number facts.

BBC Teach (www.bbc.co.uk/teach) has helpful videos for specific topics, including maths.

English toolbox

Grammar homework can be tricky for parents who may not recall the correct terminology for the parts that make up a sentence. Having the grammar glossary to hand helps you refresh if your child asks for help. Find glossary at https://bit. ly/gramglossary

Children should be comfortable using a dictionary and thesaurus for reading and spelling. There are child-friendly versions and even rhyming and phonetic dictionaries.

Giving children access to a range of genres for their reading homework is vital. We naturally steer towards fiction books which are easier to find but children also benefit by reading newspapers, recipes, non-fiction books, instructions and even diary entries. Sometimes it is hard to find child-friendly examples of these. The Guardian Foundation has useful links to appropriate subject material at https://bit.ly/nonfictionmats

If adults can get writer’s block then so can children. Sometimes giving them a bank of sentence starters or a word bank specific to the topic they are writing about, can warm them up and help with the writing process.

What’s new or free in 2023

By Claire Winter

To help you and your family get the best out of the year ahead, Families brings you the lowdown on exciting free events and new products for 2023.

The Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) will re-open in Bethnal Green, London this summer as a new national museum and creative powerhouse for children and young teens.

www.vam.ac.uk/young

Manchester Museum has undergone an incredible £15m transformation project. The Golden Mummies of Egypt promises to be an exciting exhibition featuring more than a hundred objects including eight mummies. www. museum.manchester.ac.uk

Go on a night-time adventure to look at constellations and galaxies at one of England’s growing range of dark sky experiences and festivals. 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, the UK’s largest and first International Dark Sky Park, which spans nearly 1,500 square km of Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water and Forest Park. https://bit.ly/northdarkskies

Explore the North Downs Art Trail on foot or bicycle to enjoy stunning views between Dover in Kent and Farnham in Surrey, where a series of sculptures work as benches or shelters. Choose from a range of downloadable, self-guided walking or cycling routes. https://bit.ly/ndownsarttrail

Check out the all-British and all-electric Firefly Sports car for kids. It’s hoped the car will help educate youngsters about road safety and how future motor vehicles can be an environmental force for good. Try driving the Firefly Sport at Young Driver’s UK venues for £20. Book a lesson at www.youngdriver.com

All eyes will be on London with the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6 May. Plus, we get a new bank holiday on Monday 8 May to continue the celebrations. Expect lots of free royal-themed events, exhibitions and celebrations across the UK. www.royal.uk

LEGO Friends® releases five new sets this year with diverse characters that better represent children. The new sets will be inclusive of various ethnicities, disabilities and neurodivergence and will feature characters with limb difference, Downs syndrome, anxiety, vitiligo and even pets with disabilities, including a blind dog and a dog with a wheelchair. https://bit.ly/friendsdiverse

The new car sunshade from Shady® is the only car sunshade that allows you to wind down your car window. The sunshade blocks nearly all harmful UV rays and sticks firmly to the glass of the window. It’s perfect for any age and if you have a newborn, it has been specifically developed to nurture and stimulate vision and the optic nerves by incorporating high contrast, black-and-white, fun images whilst providing protection from direct sunlight. www.sunshady.co.uk

Baboodle is the first baby equipment subscription platform, renting baby essentials to parents for as much time as they need. There are huge discounts on baby equipment and the scheme reduces the waste associated with baby equipment. Sign up and start saving at www.baboodle.co.uk

NEW

Funky T-Shirts from BonBonBon will brighten up any day. Designed by mother and daughter duo Nat and Bonnie, they give ten percent of every sale to Place2Be, a charity dedicated to improving children’s mental health. https://bit.ly/bonbonfunky

interoception

By Usha Patel

‘My child is in the 99th percentile for reading but he is not able to tell me when he is hungry or thirsty.’

Traditionally, our mainstream education system tells us that a child is successful when they achieve at curriculum subjects such as reading and writing. We rarely associate academically bright children with learning difficulties or other cognitive issues, so these can often go overlooked in an academically achieving child.

These days, we are more aware of dyslexia and ADHD and how they can affect us but other more subtle difficulties can be difficult to understand. For example, I recently spoke to a parent of an 8-year-old boy who is a very fast learner and enjoys reading, of which his mother is, of course, very proud. However, he struggles a great deal with other things. Every week, there is a near accident in the toilet department; he doesn’t seem to know when he is hungry, cold or thirsty and his teachers report that he is socially aloof. So what could be going on here?

This is a problem with something called interoception and it can be worked on and improved by an experienced and qualified therapist.

What is interoception?

Interoception is better known as our body’s ability to understand messages from our internal organs. This includes the sense that we feel hungry or thirsty. Ignoring or not understanding these feelings can cause all sorts of problems. For example, not understanding when your bladder is full can lead to accidents.

As children grow, they learn to interpret the signals their bodies give them. However, sometimes interoception can be a difficult skill to acquire. Many children and even adults need help to develop this internal intelligence, which is distinct and separate from academic skills such as reading and writing. It is not uncommon for internal intelligence and academic skills to be out of synch.

Developing mindfulness can be very beneficial to us all in understanding how our interoception works. It can be a topdown way to deliver awareness and improve our understanding of our bodies. Giving ourselves the ability to better understand our body’s signals naturally leads to better interoception.

What happens when we can’t tap into our feelings?

Interoception is part of something larger called neuroception, which is our response to all sensory triggers, both internal and external. As it includes our body’s signals and those around us, such as different sensations and noises, it plays a huge part in how we understand if we are safe or not. For example, neuroception is responsible for how we interpret the tones of others’ voices: whether they seem gentle and friendly, or angry and threatening.

Of course, these skills don’t just affect us physically, they also affect how we interpret our emotional state and how we decide to act on our emotions. If we can’t understand our own emotions, we can’t understand those of others either. This leads to awkward social interaction, which is where that sense of aloofness from a person with poor neuroception often comes from, as well as their apparent lack of empathy.

Not feeling safe because we don’t understand how to read the environment and those around us can lead to a poor sense of self and be linked to mental health problems. It’s fortunate that there are ways to help children with this issue.

Usha Patel is a neurocognitive therapist who runs Raviv Practice London (www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk).

Follow

Building on awareness

This idea of feeling safe is so important and there is a fantastic therapy called the Safe and Sound Protocol which can help a great deal.

By using algorithmically filtered music, this therapy allows the individual’s nervous system to understand and communicate with processes within the body. The ability to tune in to your bodily needs and to appear more connected to others, happens over a period of time and has produced some remarkable results. Read more at www.move2connect.com

Improving mindfulness

Here is a simple exercise your child can try at home. Sit in a favourite chair with both feet flat on the floor. Have one hand on the navel and the other on the chest. Be still in this position for ten to twenty seconds.

Experience the rise and fall of the tummy and the beating of the heart. Ignore the outside world and enjoy this moment. This is easy to say but not always easy to do. Practice makes perfect!

Healthy after-school snack ideas

By Sarah Alder

It’s a familiar scene across the country at school pick up time. Children come running out of the classroom to greet you and instead of ‘hello’, it’s: ‘can I have a snack?’. So how do we satisfy their ravenous after-school hunger with healthy foods?

It’s good to have some quick and easy ideas to hand to avoid spending a fortune on packaged snacks.

Savoury

Fun bites

Fruity

Celery sticks filled with peanut butter and raisins or cream cheese and tomato are really yummy and can even be presented as a stack to make a Gruffalo log pile house!

Vegetable sticks (carrot, cucumber, pepper etc) are easy to prepare and work well with houmous. Or, for something a bit different, try bread sticks with a yoghurt-based dip or guacamole.

I’m a great fan of savoury muffins. These can be batch cooked and frozen. For a great courgette, spinach and cheese muffin recipe, head to https://bit.ly/ ktsavourymuffin

To ramp up the novelty factor, you can make a simple but tasty savoury mix and keep it in an airtight container for the kids to snack on throughout the week. There’s one at https://bit.ly/kttrailmix you can try. Or you can mix together some dried fruit and seeds if you don’t have much prep time.

Don’t forget healthy cereals which make a great snack especially if paired with some fruit and milk or yoghurt - think popped rice, Shreddies, Shredded Wheat or Cheerios. And then there’s the fun favourite – popcorn! Try popping your own and experimenting with flavours (think cinnamon, smoked paprika, Marmite butter…)

Top Tip

Think of snacks as mini meals which should ideally include a small amount of foods from different food groups to ensure your kids stay fuller for longer. This will reduce the demand for more snacks!

Not always a firm favourite with kids but fruit can be offered in different ways to keep it interesting. Think fruit salad, fruit kebabs, chopped apple, banana and grapes, berries and natural yoghurt (you can use frozen berries to save some money and to offer them all year round).

Fruit smoothies are really tasty and go down well with kids, whilst home-made fruit muffins don’t even feel like fruit! See https://bit.ly/ktsmoothie for recipe.

Carb Filled

Think oatcake with peanut butter or cheese, toasted fruit bread or even a fruity, low sugar flapjack - there’s a great recipe at https://bit.ly/ktflapjacks

You can also serve cheese with crackers or plain scones with cheese. Great for days when the kids really need to get their teeth into something….

Images, top row from left to right: celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins, savoury mix, fruit kebabs and natural yoghurt. Bottom row from left to right: courgette, spinach and cheese muffins, popcorn, fruity, low sugar flapjack.

Sarah Alder of Kitchen Titbits (www.kitchentitbits.co.uk) is a meal planning and family mealtimes mentor who works with parents to support fussy eaters. Visit her site for lots of tips and advice and to find out about her courses and workshops.

Apps and hacks to keep the family healthy

By Ellie Malt

We can’t be the only family to have been swerving the doctor’s surgery for a while. But ignoring health problems won’t help anyone so I’ve finally booked some overdue appointments. Prevention is always better than cure of course, so I’ve been inspired to look into self-help more closely. Like a kind of digital chicken soup, this basic but hearty recipe is my prescription for the whole family. Take one a day if you like!

Go social

Online communities based around health make it easier to suss out what is working for others. Sometimes you need more than just a prescription and deeper research can either put your mind at rest or offer more information. Facebook is a great place to start and many reputable medical charities, like Young Minds now have groups, often moderated by experts or clinicians and offering helplines.

Register with your GP’s online service

Clearly, I should have done this years ago. If you haven’t yet, go for it because it’s so worth the initial hassle. Once registered, you can book appointments with a few clicks instead of waiting in line on the phone. Also, you can see all available times immediately and re-order repeat prescriptions in mere seconds.

Club living room

Going to an actual sports club seems like a luxury. But joining a class from my own living room is a solid option and certainly beats doing nothing. Things have moved on since Joe Wicks kicked off the pandemic; there are alternatives for every possible taste on The TruFit app (www. trufit.com) and it’s waaaay cheaper than gym membership.

Women’s health apps

Subscribe not prescribe

Getting the best healthcare, even from the NHS, can depend on knowing your options. Keeping up to date with the latest treatments can be as simple as signing up and letting the experts drop into your inbox. For every health problem there will be podcasts, webinars and newsletters.

We mothers are notorious for putting ourselves last and for tolerating the health issues once assumed to be a woman’s fate. A new wave of women’s health apps is banishing or improving monthly aches and pains and menopausal symptoms. Flow (https://flo.health) now has more than 200 million women using it to track their ovulation or periods. Can you imagine the man in your life suffering in silence? Neither should you.

Back to basics

While there are lots of online courses about individual conditions, there is perhaps no better way to be ready for emergencies than doing a general first aid course. I can remember some of the basics but wouldn’t be confident in every situation. First Aid for Free (www. firstaidforfree.com) has a paediatric course online.

Menu update

Wearables

There’s a lot of hype but choose carefully and there will probably be a ‘wearable’ for you. From Fitbits to sleep trackers, physically attaching to something means there is no bunking off from your new healthy ritual. My kids respond well to a low-tech reminders like stickers and postits but it’s fun to experiment.

New health food products pop up all the time - quite literally on my social media feed. I’ve been browsing for gut-friendly alternatives and am experimenting by trying one new product every other week. I’m using gluten-free self-rising flour from Doves (www.dovesfarm.co.uk) in our weekend pancakes. None of us have noticed the difference yet. I’m hoping the kids will get used to trying new things; even better if they get involved and help me choose.

What's On

To promote your local event in the next issue, email: editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk. Don’t forget to sign up for our digital magazine for more interactive content at familiesmagazine.co.uk/go

All listings correct at the time of going to print.

DIARY DATES

Every Mon Card Making Club

Bridgemary Library, Gosport, PO13 0LA www.hants.gov.uk/ librariesandarchives/library/ events

Enjoy the pleasure of making your own personalised cards, share ideas, learn something new and create beautiful handmade cards.

Every Mon Makaton Friendly Storytime Bridgemary Library, Gosport, PO13 0LA www.hants.gov.uk/ librariesandarchives/library/ events

Come along and join for stories, rhymes and colouring every Monday. Free, no need to book, just come along!

Every Wed & Fri Baby Stay and Play Gosport Discovery Centre, PO12 1BT www.hants.gov.uk/ librariesandarchives/library/ events

Come along to a fun play session for babies up to pre-crawlers. Session includes activities to help your child’s early communication and support attachment. £1 per child. 10.30-11.30am.

Every Wed Needlecraft Club

Waterlooville Library, PO7 7DT www.hants.gov.uk/ librariesandarchives/library/ events

Join for needlecraft, every Wednesday 10.30am-12.30pm.

Every Thu Baby Rhymetime

Portchester Library, PO16 9TX www.hants.gov.uk

Handclapping, toe-tapping fun for babies. A great way for you and your baby to discover rhymes and make new friends. Suitable for children and families. 10-10.30am

Every Fri Toddler Rhymetime

Fareham Library, PO16 7EN www.hants.gov.uk/ librariesandarchives/library/ events

Sing the old favourites, learn some new rhymes for toddlers under 5. Free to join, parent/carers must remain with their children during the session.

Every Sat Family Saturdays

Aspex Gallery, Portsmouth, PO1 3BF www.aspex.org.uk

A different creative activity and fun workshop each week, from painting to model making. FREE.

Every Sat Construction Club Bridgemary Library, Gosport, PO13 0LA www.hants.gov.uk/ librariesandarchives/library/ events

Come along to this free construction club and unleash your creativity. No need to book, just come along. 10am-1pm.

Every Sat Board Games

Bridgemary Library, Gosport, PO13 0LA www.hants.gov.uk/ librariesandarchives/library/ events

Come and have fun playing board games with family or friends. All ages.

Last Sat of the Month Book Bugs Club Waterlooville Library, PO7 7DT www.hants.gov.uk/ librariesandarchives/library/ events

Come along and join for stories, fourth Saturday of every month, 10-10.30am.

Every Sun SEN Session Flip Out Portsmouth, PO6 4BQ www.flipout.co.uk

A quiet session wtih no music playing and the team are sensitive to the participants differing needs. 9-10am. £8.50.

Every Sun Children, Families & Caregivers Service

Chichester Cathedral, PO19 1PX www.chichestercathedral.org.uk

A fun service designed for children 0-12 years, parents and caregivers.

MARCH

make your mum that extra special Mother’s Day gift this year.

Sat 4 Mar

Brewers Fayre, Clarence Pier Launch Party Southsea, PO5 3XX

www.brewersfayre.co.uk

Brewers Fayre has reopened the doors of its beachfront pub, The Clarence Pier in Southsea, following a major refurbishment and to celebrate, the pub will be hosting a launch party from 12pm to 4pm and everyone’s welcome to join in the fun! There will be live music, kids entertainment and a host of treats throughout the day.

Sun 5 Mar

Amazing Moons of the Solar System

Southdown’s Planetarium, Chichester, PO19 8EB www.southdowns.org.uk

Visit the Planetarium for a spectacular journey around the many amazing Moons of the Solar System. Adults £8, Children ages 6-16 £5.

Thu 9 to Sat 11 Mar

Grease

New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, PO1 2DD

www.newtheatreroyal.com

Experience the friendships, romances and adventures of a group of high school kids in the 1950s.

Sat 11 Mar

Creative Saturday: Rubbish Rockets Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, Petersfield, GU32 3HX

Wed 15 Mar

Musical Tots

Aldingbourne Trust, Chichester, PO18 0JP

www.aldingbournetrust.org

Fun, friendly classes for children aged 18 mths–4 years with lots of singing and dancing to great kids songs using bean bags, ribbons, scarves, shakers, drums, teddies and more. 10.30-11.30am.

Thu 16 Mar

Science Explained: The Science of Star Wars

Winchester Science Centre, SO21 1HZ

www.winchestersciencecentre.org

Movie fans have been wowed by spaceships, super-weapons and visions of the future for decades. But how much of the famous movie world is rooted in a science reality? Jon Chase will explore the physics of the classic movie series.

Sat 18 Mar & Sat 1, Sun 2, Sat

18 Apr

Love Southsea Market

Palmerston Road, Portsmouth, PO5 3QQ

www.lovesouthsea.co.uk

Everything from delicious street food to gorgeous gifts, homewares, handcrafted jewellery, vintage traders, art, and so much more. Free. 10am-4pm.

Sat 18 Mar to Mon 17 Apr

Boom & Bloom

Winchester Science Centre, SO21 1HZ

www.winchestersciencecentre.org

Fri 3 Mar

Grimm Fairy Tales

Butser Ancient Farm, Waterlooville, PO8 0BG www.butserancientfarm.co.uk

Hear old stories and gaze at the crackling fire, while visiting a truly unique setting. 4-6pm.

Fri 3 Mar

Wintertime Stars, Moon, and Planets

Southdown’s Planetarium, Chichester, PO19 8EB

www.southdowns.org.uk

Visit the Planetarium for a guided tour of some of the celestial wonders which are on view during the Winter months. Adults £8, Children ages 6-16 £5.

Sat 4 Mar

Sewing Workshop

Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham, PO16 7DX

www.ashcroft.org.uk

Every mum deserves to be pampered. Book yourself on to this enjoyable sewing workshop and

www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk

From plastic bottles, egg boxes, crisp packets and wastepaper, get creative and build a powerful rocket that will proper you to outer space. 10am–4pm.

Sat 11 Mar

Community Spring Fair

Emsworth Community Centre, PO10 7DD

www.emsworthcommunitycentre. org.uk

A fun family day out with lots of stalls to browse. 10am-4pm.

Sun 12 Mar

Mini Ravers

Portsmouth Guildhall, PO1 2AB

www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk

Expect meet and greets from all of your little ones favourite characters, giant inflatable balloons and lots more. 12pm.

Spring into a new season of exciting science fun at Boom & Bloom. Outside, things are beginning to bloom and inside, experiments are set to go boom. As well as the usual Science Centre fun, there will be even more on offer to excite all ages. On weekends and school holidays.

Sun 19 Mar

Mothering Sunday

Weald & Download Living Museum, Chichester, PO18 0EU

www.wealddown.co.uk

Explore the 40-acre site this spring as the spring buds are bursting to into life. With free entry for that special mother figure in your life with each receiving a small posy of flowers. 10.30am-4pm.

Sun 19 Mar

Mother’s Day Lunch

Chawton House, Alton GU34 1SJ

www.chawtonhouse.org

Relax in the historic surrounding of Chawton House’s Old Kitchen this Mother’s Day and treat your Mum to a delicious two-course lunch. 12pm-1.15pm or 1.30pm-2.45pm.

Adults £25, child £12.

Sun 19 Mar

Mother’s Day Special Isle of Wight Steam Railway, PO33 4DS

www.visitisleofwight.co.uk

Treat your mum for Mother’s Day this year, with a heritage steam railway ride, in the luxury of one of our beautifully restored Edwardian carriages.

Sun 19 Mar

The Science Balloon Show Portsmouth Guildhall, PO1 2AB www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk

Becky the Balloonatic wants you to see just how much you can learn from them. Full of spills, thrills and explosions! 11am. Ages 4+.

Sat 25 Mar

Wonder Gig for Families

The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, Portsmouth, PO9 1BS www.thespring.co.uk

Enjoy an uplifting 60 minutes with your little one as you listen to talented live musicians playing beautiful acoustic versions of wellknown pop songs.

Sat 25 Mar

Paper Marbling Workshop

Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, Petersfield, GU32 3HX www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk

Ebru Kocak is a leading artist, her workshops offer an introduction to paper marbling and the exciting opportunity to create beautiful, unique patterns. 10.30am-3pm.

Sat 25 Mar

Exploring Pottery for Children

Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham, PO16 7DX www.ashcroft.org.uk

This practical, hands-on creative

class is for children to have fun, clay is naturally tactile to enable children of any age and ability to learn skills and develop at their own pace.

Mon 27 Mar

Relaxed Open Morning

Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth, PO1 SPY

www.maryrose.org

Relaxed open morning from 10am-12pm, where the lights in the museum will be at a higher level, and sound effects will be turned down. Suitable for SEN children.

APRIL

Throughout April

Tulip Festival

Arundel Castle, West Sussex, BN18 9PA www.arundelcastle.org/whats-on

Held between April and early May, the festival is regarded as one of the top tulip displays in Europe, and is set against the breathtaking backdrop of the castle’s gardens.

Sat 1 & Sun 2 Apr

Roman Re-enactment Weekend

Butser Ancient Farm, PO8 0BG www.butserancientfarm.co.uk

Find out what life would have been like in Roman Britain as you explore the open-air site. 10am-4pm.

Sat 1 to Sat 15 Apr

School Holiday Trail: Spring Forward Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, Petersfield, GU32 3HX www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk Follow the clues, find the hidden objects and take part in a series of exciting challenges in exchange for a mystery prize. 10am-5pm.

Sat 1 to Sun 16 Apr

Hoppy Easter Paultons Park, Ower, SO51 6AL www.paultonspark.co.uk

Meet Bobtail Bunny and Betty Bunny at Paultons this Easter. Guests will be able to meet the cute characters at the main entrance plaza. Guaranteed to put a spring in your step the Park entrance will also be festooned for Easter with colourful giant Easter eggs and bunnies at every turn.

Sat 1 to Sun 16 Apr

Easter at Fort Nelson

Royal Armouries Fort Nelson, Portchester PO17 6AN www.royalarmouries.org/venue/ fort-nelson

With over 19 acres of outdoor space to explore, underground tunnels to go down and a whole collection of big guns in the galleries to discover, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Plus young visitors can join in a special Easter Bunny Hunt - there’s a prize if you can find them all. Free but pre-book.

Mon 3 Apr

Toddler Takeover VII: Easter Eggstravaganza Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, GU32 3HX www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk Show off your dance moves at the Bunny Hop Disco, hunt for chocolate eggs hidden among our collections, decorate your own easter crown and enjoy a relaxing story time with the Easter Bunny. 11am-4pm.

Sat 1 to Sun 16 Apr

Easter Egg-splorers Trail

Uppark House & Gardens, Petersfield GU31 5QR www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ hampshire

Uppark’s Easter trail is jam-packed with activities for fun family challenges. Can you jump as far as a deer on the lawn, or hula hoop for thirty seconds in the scented garden? Who’s best at racing just like a rabbit, or playing Bug Bingo in the woods? £3 per trail sheet plus prize. 10am-3.30pm.

Mon 3 Apr

Mrs Blossom Makes Children’s Eggcellent Workshop Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham, PO16 7DX www.ashcroft.org.uk

Hop along to Mrs Blossom’s workshop this Easter and you will have a cracking good time making egg-staordinary crafts. 11am-4pm.

Tue 4 to Thu 13 Apr

The Great Railway Easter Hunt Isle of Wight Steam Railway, PO33 4DS

www.visitisleofwight.co.uk

Make some amazing, amusing family memories together as you search for the giant eggs hidden around our entire attraction and solve the clues to claim your chocolate.

Tue 4 Apr

Afternoon Jump Racing

Fontwell Racecourse, BN18 0SY

www.fontwellpark.co.uk

Enjoy the start of spring and the beginning of warmer weather with 7 quality jump races on the card and quintessentially British entertainment. Kids go free.

Fri 9 to Sun 9 Apr

Medieval Festival

Arundel Castle, West Sussex, BN18 9PA

www.arundelcastle.org/whats-on

Set within a large tented encampment on the lower lawns of the castle, the three-day event will have demonstrations of 12th century combat, archery and falconry, musicians, and have-a-go activities such as archery and a craft tent.

Sat 8 Apr

Four Seasons by Little Bulb

The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, Havant, PO9 1BS www.thespring.co.uk

Four Seasons in a theatrical love letter to nature for children and their families. Expect enchanting and innovative theatre featuring puppetry, dance and clowning fun. 2.30pm. £3. Ages 3-7.

Sat 15 Apr

Easter Family Fun Day

Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, GU32 3HX www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk

Enjoy and eggcellent day of easter activities! From the easter hop disco and seasonal crafts to the Easter hunt trail, there is fun for all the family. 11am-4pm.

Sun 16 Apr

Curious Investigators

Portsmouth Guildhall, PO1 2AB www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk

Curious Investigators is a cracking adventure created in collaboration with engineering experts; a delightfully surprising, highly visual show for ages 3–7 and their grownups.

Sun 16 Apr

Hampshire Farmers Market

Palmerston Road, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 3PS

Bringing fresh local produce to Portsmouth and Southsea every month. Delicious food and drink from producers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including honey, meat, craft beer and artisanal spirits, chocolate and more. 10am-4pm.

Mon 17 to Mon 24 Apr

Mischief Makers

Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, GU32 3HX www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk

Join with your little ones for a unique opportunity to explore the Museum and Art Gallery in a new, interactive, sensory and sometimes messy way. 10-11am.

Wed 19 Apr

Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow

Live Portsmouth Guildhall, PO1 2AB www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk

This is Dick & Dom like you’ve never seen them before – with familiar favourites including TwoWord Tango, Musical Splatues, Fairly Hairy Fizzogs, Pants Dance, and of course BOGIES!

Sat 22, Sun 23, Sat 29, Sun 29 Apr & Mon 1 May

Emsworth Arts Trail Venues around Emsworth www.emsworthartstrail.org.uk

Walk, cycle or scoot around the harbour village of Emsworth and visit artists in their studios and community venues. From painting to pottery, textiles to jewellery there is so much to see and inspire the budding young artist!

Chichester Festival Theatre

Oaklands Park, PO19 6AP www.cft.org.uk

Fri 3 & Sat 4 March

Ovation Rock Show

Two evenings of live music featuring children and young people from local schools. £15. 7pm. Ages 8-18.

Kings Theatre Portsmouth, PO5 2QJ www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk

Tue 11 to Sun 16 Apr

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

This show has something for everybody, with dazzling effects, a live orchestra, spectacular dancing, a magical flying car and the usual high production standards synonymous with The Kings Theatre. Adult £26, Senior £24, Child under 16 £24. 2.30pm & 7.30pm. All ages.

Fri 28 & Sat 29 Apr

Swan Lake: English Youth Ballet

International principal dancers will lead an impressive cast of 80 local, young dancers selected for their skill and potential. It promises to be a traditional production. 2.30pm & 7.30pm.

Fri 5 & Sat 6 May

In The Night Garden Live

Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds until he finds them all! You’ll see all your favourite characters beautifully brought to life with full-size costumes, magical puppets, and

enchanting music. This show lasts just under an hour and your little ones will be amazed when they see a very special visit from the amazing flying Pinky Ponk.

New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, PO1 2DD

www.newtheatreroyal.com

Tue 11 & Wed 12 Apr

Tales from Acorn Wood

Packed full of toe-tapping songs, puppetry, and all the friends from Acorn Wood, this beautiful show promises to be the perfect treat. The show runs for 55 minutes and has no interval. Ages 1+.

4 May

Twirlywoos Live

Join Great BigHoo, Toodloo, Chickedy, Chick and their friends as they discover the wonderful world around us! Expect mischief, music and plenty of surprises as they set sail in their big red boat. 1.30pm & 4pm. Ages 1+.

The Great Barn Titchfield Fareham, PO15 5RB Box Office: www.titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com

Tues 4 & Wed 5 Apr

Rumble in the Jungle

This show will engage a young audience in the immersive world of puppets and storytelling. Join Laura the explorer as she travels through the Jungle to find her favourite animal friends from the elephant to the tiger. Adult £6, Child aged 2+ £4 and under 2’s free (on laps). 11am & 1pm. Ages 2-6.

Spring into exciting science fun at Winchester Science Centre

Outside things are beginning to bloom and inside the experiments are set to go boom at Boom & Bloom, the second in a series of six brand-new school holiday seasons in 2023.

Between Sat 18 Mar and Sun 17 Apr, including every day in the Easter school holidays, there’ll be all the usual Science Centre fun, plus even more to excite all ages, all included with admission.

Join in with an eggs-travaganza Easter egg hunt where you’ll be looking for pictures of eggs laid by animals that hatch before getting a delicious Easter treat. Head off on a pollination exploration in Flower Power a free live science show. Help plant the Boom & Bloom garden in Bio:Space and get hands-on with bubble-fun in Science Live. Plus there’s two floors of interactive exhibits and the awesome Planetarium.

Find out more and book at www.winchestersciencecentre.org

Easter family fun and falconry at Fort Nelson

The birds are back at Fort Nelson! Following on from the phenomenal success of the free falconry flying displays last April, the birds of prey will once again take to the skies over Fort Nelson this Easter.

The free Falconry Shows will take place on two weekends over the Easter holidays (Sat 1 & Sun 2 Apr and Sat 15 & Sun 16 Apr) – promising a great family day out. Throughout the holidays there will be a free Easter bunny hunt (Sat 1 to Sun 16 Apr) for young visitors.

Fort Nelson is the perfect family day out, with something for all ages to enjoy – it’s free, there’s a huge Victorian fort to explore and a lovely café to take a break in and discover the national collection of artillery in our museum galleries.

Find out more at www.royalarmouries.org/venue/fort-nelson

andCutout Keep

Let’s make a spring bird café!

Celebrate the arrival of spring by making this funky spring bird café from our friends at Wonderbly. It’s great for small fans of nature and you get to feed the local bird population at the same time.

You will need:

• Milk carton

• Paper plate

• Pencil

• Ruler

• Scissors or Stanley knife (for adults only)

• Paint (use acrylic paint if you want your bird café to go outside but make sure you wear an overall or apron as it doesn’t wash out!)

• Decorative tape (optional)

• Bobbins and mini umbrellas

• Dowel or BBQ sticks

• Yummy seeds

• Flappy customers!

Step 1:

Grab your (empty) milk carton. Take your ruler and get your child assistant to measure and trace two flaps for awnings and a hole for the birds. Then cut the holes.

Step 5:

Instructions: &

While you’re doing the fiddly bits, let your child make their café’s sign with some cardboard and paint. Leave to dry and then help the café owner write their name with a marker before you cut and glue it.

Step 2:

Paint the milk carton and paper plate to make your building and outdoor area. For sharper colour, give your milk carton two coats.

Step 6:

Almost time for the grand opening. Get the kids to stock the café with seeds. Birds especially love sunflower seeds and peanuts.

Step 3:

Tile your roof by painting tiles on with the brush and adorn your awnings. We used decorative tape but you can paint or colour in with pens and pencils.

Step 4:

Make some bunting using thread and decorative tape. You can even make a window plant box by folding up some paper and gluing it underneath one of the awnings.

Wonderbly creates beautiful, personalised children’s books that inspire courage, curiosity, and kindness in children all over the world. A treat for any curious little mind.

www.wonderbly.com

Step 7:

Nearly ready! Grown-ups, make a little ‘X’ with the Stanley knife below the seed hole and push a piece of dowel or a cocktail stick through. Finally, pop some tables and parasols outside for your first customers. Bobbins and mini umbrellas are perfect for this, or you could use corks and leaves if you want more plants.