Families Solent East Magazine by Families Magazine

ISSUE 69 | March/April 2017

FREE take me home

a s E t t n e ol

Preparing your child for SATs Easter fun for all the family What's on in your local area?

Buy stick on labels for clothing! Quick & Easy

01786 473 508

THE ESSENTIAL LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR PARENTS AND CARERS IN PORTSMOUTH, FAREHAM, GOSPORT, WATERLOOVILLE, HAVANT, CHICHESTER, PETERSFIELD AND MIDHURST March/April 2017

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FIVEWAYS ‘COME AND PLAY’ MORNING SATURDAY 13 MAY 10.30AM TO 12.30PM AN OUTSTANDING START TO EDUCATION FOR GIRLS AND BOYS AGED 2½ TO 7 FOR MORE INFORMATION Call +44 (0)1983 617970 or visit www.rydeschool.org.uk

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Solent East www.familiesonline.co.uk Tel: 02392 046432 Editor Sharon Armstrong editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk 02392 046432 / 07726 424300 Online Editor Caroline Roope caroline@familiessolenteast.co.uk 02392 042 874 / 07967 597779 Design Rebecca Carr 07789882467 Next issue May/June 2017 Booking deadline 10 April 2017 Families Solent East delivered directly to parents and carers since 2005 Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport, Waterlooville, Havant, Chichester, Petersfield and Midhurst Cover image Deposit Photos

Clubs & classes

News and views

Easter crafts for the kids

Supporting your child’s mathematical learning

Preparing kids for SAT's

Easter fun for all the family

Six super tips to get your child outdoors this spring

What’s on guide to local events

Find the bunny and win a Playmobil Gift Egg!

We’ve lost our Easter Bunny somewhere in the magazine! Can you help find her? Tell us what page she’s on to be entered into a free prize draw to win a Playmobil Gift Egg! Email your answer to editor@ familiessolenteast.co.uk - state whether you need a prize for a girl or boy. Families Solent East Magazine is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Solent East is fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. © All content copyright Families Solent East 2017.

March/April 2017

Playmobil Gift Eggs are the perfect alternative to chocolate, and each colourful egg contains a brand new character and fun accessories. The Gift Eggs can be used all year round to store Playmobil characters, keepsakes and secret treasures – they even have a slot underneath for pocket money! Find out more at www.playmobil.co.uk.

Queen Moonbeam with Baby Pegasus Gift Egg, £6.99 and Kite Surfer Gift Egg, £6.99, available from March at www.playmobil. co.uk

Clubs & classes to try this spring We’re really lucky to have some fantastic children’s clubs and classes in our area. Here’s some of our Families favourites!

Fareham Swim School….. bringing swimming lessons to the High Street Fareham Swim School have a beautiful brand new private venue on West Street in Fareham. The pool is a beautifully warm 34’ and we run very small classes with a maximum of 4 babies/children in the pool at a time. Our teachers are all very experienced and are always in the pool to teach. We have specially designed lessons for your babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school children. Badges and Certificates are worked towards and awarded. Our wonderful private pool is on West Street in Fareham. For more information please call or email one of the team who will be happy to help on Info@farehamswimschool.com, or call 01329 802208. You can also visit the website at www. farehamswimschool.com.

Get crafty at Mini Makers, Aspex Gallery Mini Makers’ is an opportunity for early years to take part in accessible and friendly arts and crafts activities, alongside their parent or guardian! This workshop is perfect quality time for parents and children to get creative together. The sessions are informal and are flexible for you to stay as long as you would like; take a break at any time and rejoin the fun! These toddler specific workshops are led by trained professionals and cost just £3 per child. There’s no need to book, just turn up and enjoy the creativity! The sessions start from 10.30 - 11.30am, every Wednesday.

Nurture your bond with baby with beautifully relaxed baby yoga classes Learn ways to ease digestion, calm your baby and help them to discover their body, whilst being kind to yours too. Contact Nicola to book your mat space and bring your warm socks for the relax at the end! This class is for babies from 8 weeks old until they are crawling away! Find outmore www.facebook.com/bbpyoga/ or email bibblebubbleportsmouth@outlook. com.

Football fun with Little Kickers Little Kickers is THE home of pre-school football. Children are given a positive introduction to sport by teaching high quality football skills in a friendly, fun and pressurefree environment. There are four different classes tailored specifically to the needs of children between 18 months and seven years of age. It’s the perfect way to ignite an enthusiasm for sport that will stay with them for life. Classes are available in Havant, Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham. Please contact Gary Darling for details on 07896 009 651 or email gdarling@littlekickers.co.uk.

Give your child Creative Courage for Life with Stagecoach Performing Arts Every child has all kinds of abilities and capabilities, but unless they explore them, experiment and learn to express themselves, they may never realise the talents within themselves. Stagecoach set out to inspire children, unleash their potential, teaching the performing arts and so much more. It’s about taking on a challenge and being unafraid to express yourself, having the courage to be yourself and let others know it, being creative and expressive and building life-long friendships. Stagecoach calls it ‘Creative Courage for Life’.

Rusalka Swim School Teaching local babies to swim since 2005

Classes are small which means every child is given attention and allowed to realise their potential at their own pace. Principal, Julie Richards, has a fantastic team of experienced teachers there to lead and support youngsters as they conquer fears and rise to new challenges. To find out more about a two week trial please call Juli on 0845 584854 or visit www.stagecoach.co.uk/havant.

Babies are born to love music! At the heart of Monkey Music is a high quality, progressive and educational music curriculum that supports every aspect of a young child’s development. Our small, age specific classes (taught by specially trained teachers), will introduce music to your little one in a way that they can easily understand and enjoy – nurturing a life time of music! As Monkey Music founder, Angie Coates, explains; “By captivating babies, toddlers and pre-school children with a winning combination of original and traditional songs, gentle dances, fascinating sounds, amazing instruments and colourful props, the children are so busy having fun that they don’t notice how much they’re learning!” For classes held in Petersfield, Havant, Farlington, Fishbourne and Chichester, email Emma at chichester.petersfield@ monkeymusic.co.uk For classes held in Fareham, Titchfield and Chandler’s Ford, email Paula at winchester. fareham@monkeymusic.co.uk

A great start to swimming for your baby and toddler

Rusalka offers a great start in swimming tuition for your baby and toddler. They first opened their swim school in 2005 and it now operates, six days a week, with free adjacent on site parking. Both pools are equipped with state of the art automatic heating systems which maintain the water temperature at 31C and the air temperature at 32C at all the times. In the past eleven years they have taught thousands of babies and children to swim, picking up several national awards along the way, including Best UK Swimming Teacher and ASA Centre of Excellence status. Rusalka takes babies from 3 months old and there are never more than 5 children in a class at any one time. Children can achieve various ASA level Duckling badges and certificates as they progress. Find out more, call Rusalka on 02392 594449 or visit www.rusalkaswim.com.

www.rusalkaswim.com - 02392 594449 4

To feature your club or class in our next issue please email: editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk

Your baby was born to love music...

Try our award winning classes for babies from 3 months CHICHESTER & PETERSFIELD

E: chichester.petersﬁeld@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 02394 000226 Chichester on Wednesday mornings Farlington on Wednesday mornings

Havant on Thursday mornings

WINCHESTER, CHANDLER’S FORD AND FAREHAM

E: winchester.fareham@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 01489 565443 Chandler’s Ford on Tuesday mornings Titchﬁeld on Thursday mornings

Fareham on Friday mornings

Group discounts for NCT members when 3+ people join together at the same time

Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Workshops Perform is a unique type of children’s drama school. Focusing on child development, Perform uses a specially formulated mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s true potential. Small class sizes ensure lots of individual attention by the experienced actor-teachers who focus on developing the 4 Cs: Confidence, Communication, Coordination and Concentration and having the best fun of the week. The Perform curriculum uses a mix of energetic games, catchy songs and funky dances. All class materials are written by Perform with a different theme each term to keep young imaginations buzzing. The summer term starts in April with two brilliant and inspiring themes: Perform 4–7 year olds will be saddling up and going on a Wild West adventure to find the Horse with the Golden Mane. Children will be rodeo-riding through a spooky ghost town, dancing to the Hip Hop Hoedown and meeting Chief Sitting Bull of the Sioux Tribe. Meanwhile, the 7–12s will be zooming off on a fun-filled outer space adventure with Robinson Crusoe. After crash-landing on Mars, our intergalactic hero has to save the Martian children from being eaten by the evil Commander Cannibal. With infectious tunes and high-energy dance, this space-age version of the castaway survival classic has been transformed into an explosive new show.

To book or find your nearest venue, contact: 020 7255 9120, enquiries@perform.org.uk, or visit www.perform.org.uk/try.

March/April 2017

Unlock your child’s potential with Stagecoach Performing Arts Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year olds, where students learn to embrace life with creativity and courage Find out more today:

stagecoach.co.uk/havant havant@stagecoach.co.uk 0845 584 854

PERFO RM OFFER S A NO-OB LIGATIO N FREE T RIAL SESSIO N

Classes in Chichester (St Michael’s Church Hall, Summersdale Rd) Drama 4-7’s - Mondays at 4pm and 5pm. Classes in Fareham (Titchfield Community Centre, Mill St) Drama 4-7’s - Tuesdays at 4pm and 5pm, and Drama 7-12’s - Tuesdays at 6pm. Classes in Petersfield (Salvation Army Hall, Swan St) Drama 4-7’s – Mondays at 4pm and 5pm.

BE GOOD AT BEING YOURSELF

™

Creative Courage For Life

Fareham Swim School

Bringing swimming lessons to the High Street

Stagecoach Performing Arts Schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach is a registered trademark of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Ltd.

Petersﬁeld on Monday mornings Fishbourne on Tuesday mornings

20% off your first lesson in April quote Families20

To book your lessons or to find out more, please get in touch

Small class sizes max 4:1 | Beautifully warm pools Teacher in the water | After school swim club Parent & baby/toddler sessions | Confidence building sessions | Specialist Pre school Independent classes New private pool at 153 West Street, Fareham

farehamswimschool.com

Tel: 01329 802208 5

News & Views

OPEN DAY SAT 6 MA Y 10AM-1PM

Ditcham Park School – Where every child is known and valued

Ditcham Park School is nestled amidst the uplifting and inspirational surroundings of the South Downs National Park, near Petersfield. The grounds are extensive and they include 16 acres of playing fields as well as woodland, play areas and lawns. The school is unique in the area having an age range of 4-16 years on the same site, promoting a very friendly, supportive and inclusive family atmosphere. Ditcham Park School has a reputation for providing for the needs of individual children. Through close support and encouragement, as well as being given high expectations, Ditcham pupils consistently achieve impressive academic results.

Highfield and Brookham continues to enjoy outstanding academic success Highfield & Brookham Schools are charming country Prep and Pre-Prep schools set in sumptuous 175 acre grounds on the Hampshire/Surrey/Sussex borders offering an exceptional, all round educational experience for children aged 3 to 13. The facilities are enviable, including extensive sports pitches, an indoor swimming pool, new science labs, a music school and an art school. Highfield enjoys outstanding academic success and has been preparing pupils for the top education establishments in England for more than a century. They have a flawless track record for securing every child’s place at their first choice senior school, and an excellent Scholarship success rate.

If you’re considering educational options for your child, you can visit Ditcham at an Open Day on Saturday 6th May 2017, 10am-1pm to discover the unique atmosphere and learning opportunities available at the school.

Make Ryde School the first choice for your child this year Ryde School is an Independent day and boarding school on the Isle of Wight providing excellent education for boys and girls from the age of 2½ to 18. In the Junior School, children are immersed in an enriching learning environment where nature and nurture are combined to ensure the very best progression into the Senior School. The use of local beaches, woodlands and the School’s own Forest School allow pupils the opportunity to build confidence and learn about nature. Junior School pupils benefit from a robust curriculum with a full timetable of academic subjects and opportunities for debating, philosophy, athletics, music, art and learning a language. Competitive sports start in the Junior School, with a range of sporting teams. Sailing begins with much excitement every year after the Easter Holidays, in the School’s own fleet of 20 dinghies. Breakfast and supper clubs, bus services from across the Island and a Hover Nanny service from Southsea plus the option of Flexi-boarding can help parents fit the school run around busy family life. Call Mrs Craik on 01983 617970 or visit www.rydeschool.org.uk to arrange a visit.

www.highfieldandbrookham.co.uk

Easter Craft ideas Easter Egg Bunny Make this Easter even more fun for the kids with these simple to make Easter crafts; perfect for adults and children alike! What you will need

Flip Out Now Open! West Sussex’s biggest trampoline park has now officially opened! The new 22,500 sq ft bouncy arena is open for business, with a climbing wall, dodge ball, ninja warrior course and soft-play for younger visitors. Flip Out Chichester is open from 9am – 9pm, seven days a week. Prices for use of the main arena are £11 for one hour and £16 for two hours when booking in advance online. For the little ones, the Mini Flippers offer allows one child aged 5 and under, plus one adult a bouncing session for one hour between 9am and 2pm, Monday to Friday during term time, and 9am until 10am during school holidays. The soft play area is open to children aged 8 and under, Monday to Friday (9am-3pm) for up to 2 hours. www.flipout.co.uk/chichester

•

1 hard-boiled egg

•

PVA glue

•

Yellow and white felt

•

Felt tip pens

Use this simple step by step guide to make a super cute Easter egg bunny with your little munchkins…

Step 1 - Begin your craft by taking a freshly cooked and cooled hard-boiled egg. Step 2 - Cut shapes for the bunny’s feet and hands out of the yellow felt; then cut larger ear shapes out of yellow felt and smaller ones from the white. Step 3 - Stick the felt feet onto the base of the egg, making sure the egg can stand upright on them. Step 4 - Stick the white ears onto the yellow. Once they have dried a little, stick them on to the rear of where the face will be. Step 5 - Finally, draw a rabbit’s face on the front of the egg with the pens and decorate with patterns as your child likes. You could even stick a cute little bow on the top of the eggs by their ears, if you’re feeling really creative! For more arts and craft ideas visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk

www.familiesonline.co.uk

LARGE MAIN TRAMPOLINE AREA KIDS & ADULT FREERUNNING DODGEBALL(Chi) DOUBLE ENDED FOAM PIT BUILDING JUMP (Chi) ROCK CLIMBING TUMBLE TRACK SLAM DUNK NINJA WARRIER (Chi) NOW OPEN! dia 3 PARTY ROOMS Follow us on social me PIZZA OVEN CAFE for news and offers! Chichester

Southampton

Glenmore Business Park Chichester | PO19 7BJ chichester@flipout.co.uk

Chandlers Ford Industrial Estate Eastleigh | SO53 4DG 0845 450 2245

www.flipout.co.uk Just 10 mins from Petersfield Just 20 mins from Havant

Prep School - Day, Weekly & Full Boarding 8-13 Years | Nursery & Pre-Prep 3-7 Years

“A First-Rate Education” ISI 2014

Open Morning Saturday 6th May 10am – 1pm Excellence in Education from 4 to 16 years Scholarships and Bursaries available DITCHAM PARK SCHOOL Ditcham Advert 2017 V2.indd 1

March/April 2017

Call us on: 01730 825 659 Petersfield Hants GU31 5RN

Highfield Open Morning Saturday 6th May 9.30am - 12 noon

Brookham Pre-Prep & Nursery Bespoke visits – please call to arrange

For more information please visit our website or call 01428 728000 www.highfieldschool.org.uk

www.ditchampark.com

26/01/2017 09:08

Liphook, Hampshire GU30 7LQ

Supporting your child’s mathematical learning Change ‘I can’t do that’ to ‘I can’t do that …… YET’ When I introduce myself as a maths teacher I always receive one of two reactions, either people glaze over and change the subject or they spend the next half hour asking me for advice on how best to support their child with their classroom mathematics. I have always loved maths and have taught children from primary all the way through to tertiary (A levels) as well as now working in teacher training and writing maths textbooks. There is a common theme that arises repeatedly and that is that pupils struggle with self confidence in mathematics. The reason for this is that there are few other areas of life in which you can be right or wrong. So, with this in mind here are 7 key pieces of advice to follow as you navigate your way through your child’s mathematical education: Be positive – try to avoid showing disinterest or suggesting it is ‘ok’ to not be good at maths. Saying the words ‘well I’m not very good a maths’ indirectly gives your child permission to do the same. Don’t panic if it looks unfamiliar – although the systems used have changed the principles are still the same, encourage your child to show you how they work out the answer and if you don’t understand their method, look online. (There is a wealth of reliable sources of information about the new methods used, just choose a website you trust). Show your child your method, it may be they prefer it, or not. There is never only one way to solve a problem and by discussing the different methods available your child will develop their numerical manipulation skills. Have a go! – lead the way with your child by ‘having a go’. Only by making mistakes do we learn and if we never try anything new life will be awfully dull!. Encourage your child to try and try again, reward the mistakes as often as you reward the successes. The end doesn’t justify the means – your child is on a lifelong learning journey. Although they must sit GCSEs at 16, until then any tests should not be viewed as a final outcome – instead they are a snapshot of how your child is performing at that moment in

time. Try not to become fixated on SATs results! Don’t compare your child with others, remember every child grows both physically and mentally at different rates, compare your child instead with their performance last week/month/year. The aim should be for each child to develop at their own speed. To be the best they can be. Make links! – mathematics is not a linear subject but instead a web of ideas and systems that link together. Encourage your child to make links between what they are learning now and what they have learnt in the past and to apply their skills to real life situations. Have fun and play – it is easy and can be fun (honestly!) to embed some mathematical learning into your daily routine. With just a little creativity, board and card games can have a mathematical slant and you’ll be practising your maths skills before you know it! You can easily challenge your child to solve problems involving time and money every time you shop or travel anywhere. Finally remember the ‘growth mind-set’ principal of ‘I can’t do that YET’! Catherine Murphy is a mother of 2 and grew up in Petersfield. She has been teaching for 19 years, mostly in Hampshire and Surrey. Catherine teacher-trains locally and internationally and has co-authored on several series of textbooks for various publishers. She continues to write, is Co-Director of Petersfield Tutors and teaches at Churchers College Junior School.

 CONFIDENCE  LEARNING  SUCCESS ONE TO ONE TUTORING ALL AGES. ALL SUBJECTS. ALL LEVELS. We provide professional and experienced teachers. We endeavour to find the best tutor to suit the individual needs of every student

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Preparing kids for SATs they have to work out the maths that needs to be done before actually attempting it. The more exposed they are to these kind of questions, the more comfortable they will be with what is being asked. “It’s also about getting them used to a test situation,” Jacqui explains. “They need the confidence to skip a tough question and return to it if it’s going to use up too much time”

Mind the teacher’s toes! Last May, a primary school teacher became unexpectedly famous on social media after the unusual homework she set her Year 6 class – a couple of days before SATs – spread on a spectacular scale. The note to her pupils stated “it is vital that you use your time this weekend wisely”, continuing with a to-do list of activities that included “eat Haribo or ice cream” and “laugh until your tummy hurts”. Former Year 6 teacher and mum of two, Jacqui Bevan works as a tutor and runs SATS isfaction, producing support packs for parents and children preparing for SATs. Jacqui says: “There is a huge amount of pressure but hours and hours of revision at home in the run-up will only add to that. An hour and a half should be the maximum each week and it is all about giving children the opportunity to see what they’re going to be asked to do, to practice, and to gain confidence.” So how can you help make your child’s experience of exams a positive one?

Start early

“Practice makes perfect and if a child doesn’t start getting secure with a particular aspect of the curriculum until nearly May, they’re not going to have seen it many times or become familiar with the different ways it can be presented,” Jacqui points out. Starting ‘revision’ from September also avoids an unsettling sense of urgency, but if its already May, don’t panic – there is still plenty you can do.

Get to grips with current methods

Most parents have been there, trying to assist with homework only to be told: “We don’t do it like that at school!” The methods for the likes of long division are completely different now, but there are companies like SATS isfaction and online resources specifically aiming to bridge that gap. Some schools also offer information sessions for parents.

There are currently only two previous papers to attempt as relevant practice papers. The chances are that schools will want to use those as blind tests, which are very valuable to teachers. To avoid skewing those results, look for practice questions distributed as samples or independently created by schools or educational organisations.

When SATs week arrives

Ensure your child has a decent breakfast and a good night’s sleep ahead of the tests. The latter can be easier said than done, particularly if they are nervous about what is to come. Try plenty of fresh air and exercise, but not right before bed, a bath and book (not revision notes!) and no screens on in the bedroom

And don’t forget

Keep it all in perspective. In the words of Mrs Irvine of Rotherham, another teacher whose encouraging advice to SATs pupils went viral last year: “When you were born, no one said ‘What I want most is for my child to reach Age Related Expectation in Maths when they hit Year 6’!”

Professional Tuition Centre, I Love to Learn, give us their tips for learning times tables…. •

• •

The key is to make it fun and appreciate that you may need to try different approaches for different children. Start with 2s (doubling), then 5s then 10s. Work on them and get fluent before moving on. Learn them as a sequence e.g. 2,4,6 etc. using the fingers of both hands (plus two more) to help you. Time your children and encourage them to get faster. Children like to make patterns, so a times table grid with numbers along the top and side will be fun to complete.

If your child struggles with learning times tables, or any aspect of Maths or English call us to arrange a free assessment on 02393 968626.

Practise the easier bits too

It’s tempting to concentrate on the areas your child struggles most with but Jacqui advises to alternate with their stronger points to give them a boost. “With numeracy, start with place value,” she recommends. “It’s the cornerstone so they have to know it to be able to build on it, but also the chances are they are already confident with it, and will feel far happier going forward if they’ve mastered their first sample questions.”

n Maths n English n Reading n Comprehension n spelling n Exam Preparation

Don’t sacrifice the fun stuff or your weekends!

Keep going to extra-curricular activities your child enjoys. “The only reason your child should have to give something up is if they’re doing too much and are exhausted,” Jacqui states. And as for weekends, 40 minutes revision on a Saturday and 40 minutes on Sunday is enough!

Use real SATs material

You might be amazed at some of the terminology used in SATs, and some numeracy questions are presented as written problems - so

March/April 2017

Maths and English tutoRing FoR studEnts agEd 6-16 Call now for a FREE assessment on 023 93 968626 www.ilovetolearn.co.uk

Easter fun for all the family There’s so much on locally this Easter, there won’t be time to get bored! Find out what’s happening near you with our handy Easter fun guide.

Easter Fun at West Dean Gardens

Pop along with family and friends to West Dean Gardens near Chichester during the Easter holidays, 13-17 April. Children can enjoy following the Easter trail to receive a chocolate prize and there’s lots of arts and craft activities and games to join in with too. Explore the award-winning Gardens and see the spring flowers, enjoy a walk to the 50-acre Arboretum with stunning South Downs views. Stay for lunch, or come for breakfast. Perfect for boosting energy levels before or after the Easter Trail the Gardens Restaurant, with its new spring menu, offers delicious freshly prepared breakfast (from 9am), lunches and afternoon tea. Children’s meals also available. Book online at www.westdeangardens.org.uk.

‘I love you right up to the moon – and back’

Join Little & Big Nutbrown Hare, from the best-selling Guess How Much IMuch Love IYou and I love Allyou Year collection, as theyasleap the Love You and you I love AllRound Year Round collection, theyoffleap page onto the stage this magical journeyjourney throughthrough the seasons off theand page and onto theinstage in this magical the at The Kings Portsmouth. seasons atTheatre, The Kings Theatre, Portsmouth. Explore this playful story of love and nature as it unfolds on stage through puppets, live music and interactive play for children 3+. Call the Box Office on 02392 828282 or visit www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk the Box Office on 02392 828282 or visit www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk

Journey into space this Easter

An exciting range of star shows is on offer this Easter holiday at the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester. Centrepiece of the 100-seat auditorium is the magnificent star projector which displays over 4,500 pinpoint stars on the dome above your head. Using the star projector, our shows ‘Stars on Frosty Winter Nights', 'Wintertime Stars, Moon and Planets', 'Springtime Stars, Moon and Planets', and ‘The Easter Night Sky’ will showcase the wonders of the night sky, and are suitable for would-be stargazers aged 7 and upwards. Shows coming up include ‘All Aboard – A Tour of the Planets’ and 'Giant Jupiter, King of the Planets', which visit the fascinating members of the Sun’s family. We also see the return, by popular demand, of old favourites including ‘The Easter Full Moon’, a fascinating look at Earth's nearest neighbour, ‘The Northern Lights’, the story behind Nature’s greatest light show, and ‘One Small Step for Major Tim...’, a spectacular full-dome show for aspiring astronauts of all ages. For details of all upcoming shows, visit www.southdowns.org.uk, or call 01243 774400 or 07818 297292 to reserve tickets.

Day out with Thomas at The Watercress Line

For 10 days over the Easter holidays (14th - 23rd April), meet Thomas the Tank Engine and friends at the Watercress Line. Ride on a real steam engine, shake hands with The Fat Controller and take part in free Thomas-themed activities in the Imagination Stations. A travel ticket includes an entire day’s travel on the big steam trains that run along the whole line so you can hop on and off at any of our four stations. Have unlimited rides behind Thomas in his carriages or in Toad the Brake Van and unlimited rides with Iron ‘Arry and a friend of Diesel’s – you can even get in the cab with the driver! The free activities include a Thomas themed children’s entertainer, rides on the miniature railway, daily story time, a Bouncy Slide (age 3+), Tea Cup ride, colouring, Thomas transfers, DVD shows and more!

Discover Paultons Park

Paultons Park is the theme park for families which has more than 70 wonderful rides and attractions included in the admission price. Lost Kingdom is a Dinosaur Theme Park World that features two world class family rollercoasters, life-like animatronic dinosaurs, Jurassic themed family rides, a Prehistoric adventure play park and an amazing opportunity to come face to face with ‘living’, walking Dinosaurs! Paultons is of course home to the world’s first and UK exclusive Peppa Pig World! This amazing land let’s youngsters discover Peppa’s World of fully themed fun! There is an amazing variety of things to see and do at Paultons including; big rides, small rides, play areas, entertainments and an astonishing collection of exotic birds and animals, all set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland. Further information is available on paultonspark.co.uk

Easter Surprises! at Fishbourne Roman Palace

Celebrate the coming of spring at Fishbourne Roman Palace this Easter. Explore the Roman gardens with an Easter-themed treasure hunt, try your hand at springtime crafts and lots of practical Roman activities including making a Roman sundial and use it to tell the time, spinning wool into yarn, Roman writing, make a Roman wreath to celebrate spring and play Roman games. Activities run from 17 – 21 April, 11am – 3pm.

Family friendly fun at Chichester Festival Theatre

At Chichester Festival Theatre, families can come together to explore and engage with events beyond the shows on stage. During Festival 2017, they offer an array of fun, energetic productions and family friendly workshops designed specifically for families from regular storytelling and activity sessions to holiday activities and outdoor music events. The theatre prides itself on being a family friendly venue (a member of the Family Arts Standards) with baby changing facilities (in both female and male toilets), special refreshments and high chairs for little ones in the café – and lots of space for buggies and lively toddlers inside and outside in nearby Oaklands Park. Find out more at cft.org.uk/forfamilies.

Easter fun at Uppark

The National Trust has teamed up with Cadbury for their ever-popular Easter Egg Hunts, and this year at Uppark we are running the trail for the full school holiday. The Cadbury Bunny has hidden precious chocolate eggs and it's up to you and your family to find them by joining the Cadbury Egg Hunt around Uppark’s landscape gardens. Trail runs from 8 – 23 April, 10am – 4.30pm and costs £3 per trail.

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Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt at Uppark Sat 8-Sun 23 Apr 10am-5pm Pick up our Easter holiday trail to solve the clues and find the eggs hidden in the garden. Chocolate prize for all entrants. Normal admission applies. £3 per trail.

Join Thomas & FriendsTM at a heritage Railway near you. Experience a ride on a real steam engine and take part in Thomas-themed activities.

MID HANTS RAILWAY ‘WATERCRESS LINE’ Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9JG

Call 01730 825415 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/Uppark #nationaltrust

www.dayoutwiththomas.co.uk

When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your support helps us to look after special places for ever, for everyone.

Day Out With ThomasTM © Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas & FriendsTM. Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W. Awdry. Thomas The Tank Engine, Thomas & Friends and Day Out With Thomas are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. FISHER PRICE and associated trademarks are owned by Mattel, Inc. and used under license from Mattel Europe, B.V. © 2017 Mattel, Inc. All rights reserved.

EASTER TRAIL 13-17 April 2017 9am - 5pm (Last entry 4pm)

Explore the glorious Gardens and see the spring flowers this Easter Easter trail (chocolate prize) Arts & craft activities • Games Book online www.westdeangardens.org.uk Adults £8.75 (normal gardens entry), child tickets £4

s e l l a d o o r. c o m

THU 13 – SAT 15 APRIL Box Office 023 9282 8282

West Dean Gardens, Chichester, PO18 0RX

kingsportsmouth.co.uk

March/April 2017 Easter Ad 87x130mm v2.indd 1

Based on the book by

Sam McBratney

09/02/2017 09:21:38

Six super tips to get your child to go outdoors this spring Spring is a beautiful time of year and is perfect for getting the children outdoors and exploring all that mother nature has to offer. There is so much to see and do in the spring, and it’s important for children to experience it, for both their physical health and their psychological wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of fresh air and good, old-fashioned outdoor fun. Here are six super tips to get your little ones scrambling for the nearest door and their next adventure…

1. Take them camping Studies have shown that the average child spends far too much time indoors using electronics and less and less time outside. This can constrain their natural creativity and gives them an inability to cope without constant stimulation. One great way to turn this on its head is to grab a tent and take them camping. If you’re brave, you could even encourage your kids to leave their tablets and smartphones behind!

2. Do some wildlife watching According to research by the Kaiser Family Foundation, children spend more than seven hours a day on electronic media. Why not try a different kind of mental and visual stimulation in the form of wildlife watching? Helping children to better appreciate the birds and beasts around them is a great way to engage their senses and educate them on the environment.

3. Turn detective for the day Woodland walks are one way to get your children moving, but to make sure that they don’t get bored and try to avoid going out again in the future, turn the day into a game. Compile a list of things to find in the forest, from certain types of flowers to feathers, leaves, and even animal droppings. Its guaranteed to not only be fun, but also to get all of their senses switched on and their attention focused on the task at hand.

4. Collect and craft Another idea for woodland walks is to get your children to collect items that they can later use to make crafts. Encourage them to search around for the most beautiful bits and bobs that they can find, whether these are flowers, feathers, or even pretty rocks. Once you’re at home, get out the glue and the glitter and get to work. Their imaginations should soon be working overtime.

5. Take them pony trekking Horse riding can be an expensive hobby, but as a one-off treat, it’s a really pleasant experience for children. Helping to hone their hand-eye co-ordination, it's almost like enjoying a Great British safari. Most centres will take you out into the wilderness, opening their eyes to all the beautiful sights to be enjoyed and experienced.

6. Encourage them to cloud gaze As free as the air you breathe, cloud gazing has always been associated with daydreamers and there are worse things that your child could be. Encouraging them to pick out shapes in the sky will get their imaginations working overtime and is a truly fantastic catalyst for creativity. Afterwards, have them make stories from the images they imagined, or else paint their own cloudy pictures. As long as it gets them thinking, the day will have been a superb success. How will you get your little ones out of the house and into the wilder world this spring? For more fun things to see and do in the great outdoors, visit www.familiesonline.co.uk

The Peter Ashley Activity Centre on Portsdown Hill has a fantastic range of outdoor activities to try this spring! Since the Peter Ashley Activity Centres (Registered Charity), situated on Portsdown Hill, began in 1981 at Fort Purbrook, which later expanded to Fort Widley in 1990, a great deal has been achieved in terms of both restoration work and facilities offered at the centres. The centres provide a fantastic mix of physical and academic activities including an equestrian centre (walk outs, riding lessons, stable management and more), climbing, shooting, mountain biking, archery, bush craft, parties, holiday activities and lots more! The centres are open all year round to welcome schools, colleges, clubs, youth groups and individuals of all ages. Contact Fort Purbrook 02392321223 or Fort Widley (Equestrian Centre) 02392324553. www.peterashleyactivitycentres.co.uk

Fort Widley

Fort Purbrook

Portsdown Hill Road Cosham Portsmouth PO6 3LS

Peter Ashley Lane Portsdown Hill Road Portsmouth PO6 1BJ

Tel: 023 9232 4553

Tel: 023 9232 1223

JOIN IN THE FUN THIS SCHOOL HOLIDAYS! The Peter Ashley Activities Centres offer a fantastic range of activities , both indoors and out, guaranteed to keep the kids happy this school holidays!

Fort Purbrook Tel: 023 9232 1223 Easter Holiday Activities Programmes: Take part in five activities throughout the day Activities to choose from include: Archery, Climbing, Assault Courses, Air Rifle Shooting, Laser Tag and many more!

Fort Widley Tel: 023 9232 4553 During the School Holidays, we run Own a Pony Days: This includes two rides (one hour riding lesson and a half hour walk out in the afternoon)

Children also learn how to feed, groom and tidy up after their horses, plus much more

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT

www.peterashleyactivitycentres.co.uk 12

www.familiesonline.co.uk

Your essential guide to family event this March and April. We take great care in compiling our events guide, but please check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print. For more inspirational ideas and fun days out near you visit our website www.familiesonline.co.uk Spot the Until 11 March the two most dot for free Space Saturday important British events The Novium Museum Tower Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1QH Experience the new Tim Peake Exhibition and take part in interactive activities. Led by museum staff, you can learn all about the challenges of space and what Astronauts encounter when living and working in space. 11am to 2.30pm. 3 March The Northern Lights Show South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre Sir Patrick Moore Building Kingsham Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8RP. 01243 774 400 www.southdowns.org.uk Watch this impressive display of colour dance across the sky. Find out what causes this spectacular show across our sky’s and find out where and when they might be visible in the south of England! Ages 6+ 7.30pm £7 adults, £5 children under 16. Every Wednesday from 3 March Mini Makers Aspex The Vulcan Building, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3BF. 02392 778 080. Take part in accessible and friendly arts and crafts activities, alongside their parent or guardian! The sessions start from 10.30 - 11.30am, every Wednesday including school holidays and cost £3 per child. Every Saturday from 4 March Free Family Saturdays Aspex The Vulcan Building, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3BF. Each of these unique workshops take place in our Learning Space, led by local illustrator Jordan Baines. Past activities include monster-making, bookbinding and printmaking! Takes place from 11am – 1pm. 4 March – 23 March Life in Miniature Uppark House and Garden South Harting, Petersfield, West Sussex, GU31 5QR. 01732 825 415 Dating from between 1735 and 1740 the dolls’ house at Uppark has been described as one of

March/April 2017

dolls’ houses that have survived from that era. Join us as we highlight items on our dolls house and explore the role dolls’ houses have had in women’s lives through the ages.This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue. Every day, 11am - 4:30pm

4 March Take a Fair Break Gosport Discovery Centre High Street, Gosport, PO12 1BT 0845 603 5631 Family friendly fun, games and learning about Fairtrade Fortnight. Come along and enjoy some yummy snacks! To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, Gosport Discovery Centre are inviting families along to a fun event with lots of Fairtrade snacks and activities. 10.30am to 3.30pm. 6 & 20 March & 3, 10, 17 April Mountain Biking Club with Pedal 2 Pedal Queen Elizabeth Country Park Horndean, PO8 0QE. Hannah Attenburrow runs Mountain Biking Sessions aimed at children who have not been off-road riding very often and would like to build their bike skills Suitable for ages 6+, starts at 5pm. Call 07984 367888. 11 March Wildlife in Spring Portsmouth City Museum Museum Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2LJ. 023 9282 7261 Fun wildlife-themed activities and games for children 5 - 14. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The session may include a visit to the gardens behind the museum so please wrap up warmly and wear sturdy shoes or wellies. Suggested donation £4 per child. 10am - 12noon. 11 March - 12 March World War 2 Weekend Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3LJ. 023 9283 9766 To commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Bomb damage to Boathouse No.6, Action Stations will be hosting a World War II theme weekend. Get into

the spirit with our choir, 1940’s music and wartime characters or take a step back in time with our special interest tours. 10am. 12 March Wintertime Stars Moon and Planets South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre Sir Patrick Moore Building Kingsham Farm, Kingsham Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8RP. 01243 774 400 Explore the winter constellations and the wonders of the cosmos during the winter months. Come and find out all about them and other wonders of our winter cosmos. Ages 6+ Show starts at 3.30pm. £6 adults, or £4 children 12 March – 17 March Science Week Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5

3PB. 023 92875222 Take part in a range of experiments and activities during the week and work out the answers to questions such as: Why is the sea salty? Every day from 10am. normal admission. 14 March – 18 March Annie Ferneham Hall Osborn Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7DB 01329 231 942 The award-winning Fareham Musical Society present's Annie, the world’s favourite family musical! Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Find out what happens when she spends Christmas with Daddy Warbucks! www.fernehamhall. co.uk 15 March

Easter Surprises! Mon 17th Fri 21st April 11am - 3pm Join in with some springtime crafts and have a go at our Easter treasure hunt around the Palace grounds.

PO19 3QR 01243 785859 w w w. s u s s e x p a s t . c o. u k 13

balloon in search of cheese! Ages 3-10 and must be accompanied by an adult. Drop in session so no need to book and the event is free. 11am - 12noon

Furry Friends Storytime Session at Fort Nelson Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO17 6AN 01329 233734 Free Storytime session in the galleries featuring popular children’s tales. With a different theme each month, children are invited to gather around for a fun and interactive storytelling experience where they can look, listen, play and have fun with props. Sessions start at 11am. 17 March Tuppenny Tots Easter Decorations Pallant House Gallery 9 North Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TJ. 01243 377 780 Have fun with nature-themed arts, crafts and play activities. Get ready for Easter! Diana Tibble will also be attending to offer to free homeopathic advice relating to young children. Book in advance online, so that we can cater for materials and refreshments, and please bring wellies and coats. 10am. £5 per child (includes a drink and cake). 18 March Togis Team Toys and Games Fishbourne Roman Palace Roman WayFishbourne, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 3QR. 01243 785 859 Togi’s Team is an archaeology club for children aged 6-12 years. Discover children’s games and toys from the past and find out how they were used over 2,000 years ago! Then make your own to take away. Sessions must be booked in advance www.sussexpast.co.uk. 10am to 12.30pm. £15 per session. 18 March Gosport Wildgrounds Wildlife Watch Grange Farm Little Woodham, Off Howe Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO13 8AB 02392 527391 Fun spring wildlife-themed and outdoor activities for children aged 5-15 years. under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Suggested donation £4 per child. 18 March – 19 March Kitchen Gardening Weekend The Petersfield Sustainability Centre The Sustainability Centre,

Mercury Park, East Meon, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 1HR. 01730 823166 This course teaches handson practical skills as well as the theory you need to make your kitchen garden grow and keep your larder full. From crop planning to soil care, pest control to storing produce. 9.30am 5.30pm, £135. 18 March Be a Scientist SEARCH - Hampshire Museums’ Hands-On Centre, 50 Clarence Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1BU. 023 9250 1957 Hands-on science fun for British Science Week. Biologist, Zoologist, Geologist, and Palaeontologist… get into role and get hands-on with our museum specimens. 11am, £2 per participating child, adults free. 21 March Jurassic Adventures The Regis Centre 1 Belmont Street, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 1BL. 01243 861010 Suitable for ages 3 plus. Contains mild peril and HUGE DINOSAURS! Jurassic Adventures, is a brand new production, set on a magical island, where anything might happen, with a brave cast of amazing actors, a great fun script, superb scenery, and of course DINOSAURS. 5pm. 25 March & 22 April Saturday Cycling Club with Pedal 2 Pedal The Petersfield School Cranford Road, Petersfield, GU32 3LU. Local cyclist and Level Two British Cycling Coach Hannah Attenburrow runs a Saturday Cycling Club for children at The Petersfield School which is suitable for 5-10 year olds. Email Hannah at pedal2pedal@gmail. com or call 07984 367888, or you can visit www.pedal2pedal.co.uk. 25 March ‘The Great Balloon Hullaballoo’ Storytime Special Gosport Discovery Centre High Street, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 1BT, 0300 555 1387 Join in with this story time special and be inspired by Simon the Squirrel as he goes off in a hot air

25 March Comedy Club 4 Kids The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre 56 East Street, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1BS 023 9247 2700 For the first time, The Spring will have an afternoon of comedy, all for children. It will feature some of the best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international comedy circuit, doing what they do best…just minus the rude bits! Recommended for ages 6 – 400 (but no vampires) 2.30pm, tickets: £8, £7 groups of four or more. 26 March Mothers Day Stansted Park Rowlands Castle, PO9 6DX. 023 9241 2265 Celebrate Mothers Day at Stansted Park with free entry to the house for all mothers and a ride on the Stansted Park Light Railway. 1-5pm 29 March – 8 April Easter Holiday Activities Peter Ashley Activity Centre, Portsdown Hill Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 1BJ. 02392 321 223 With 25 years of experience, the centres provide a fantastic mix of physical and academic activities including; team building, archery, laser tag, mountain biking and much more. 30 March Technical Taster Workshops Chichester Festival Theatre Oaklands Park, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6AP. 01243 781 312 Find out how to work the sound board and manage a professional production. For children 12-15 years. Members of the Chichester Festival Theatre team will lead a session where you will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out how to manage sound effects. 4.30pm - 6pm, £5. 30 March Easter Party Fun City Unit 32-34, Standard Way, Fareham Industrial Park, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 8XG. 01329 511055 Join in with fun, games, competitions, prizes and a hot meal for each child, all this for just £5.00 per child. Places must be booked in advance 6pm-8pm. 1 April Moving Sculptures Childrens Workshop Pallant House Gallery 9 North Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TJ. 01243 774 557 Come and take part in a fun art experience making hanging sculptures or wind chimes. Get creative with your child and

have fun making wind chimes and hanging sculptures. Use materials including mirrored tiles, clock parts, buttons and tin cans! Suitable for ages 5 to 8 years and must be accompanied by an adult. 10.15am - 12.15pm, £10. 1 April Family Spring Flower Show Tuppenny Barn Main Road, Southbourne, West Sussex, PO10 8EZ. 01243 377 780 Bring the family along to the Tuppenny Barn Family Spring Show. Includes children’s activities from the Chichester Community Wildlife Officer, a gardening tombola, homemade refreshments and cakes! Showcase flowers from your garden! Starts at 2pm. 50p entry donations and free parking. 1 April Easter Egg Hunt Holly Hill Woodland Park Barnes Lane, Sarisbury Green, Hampshire, SO31 7BH. 01329 231942 Enter the magical woods on a fantasy journey of discovery to meet some wonderful characters at the Mad Hatters Tea Party. 11.30am-3pm. £6 per child participating. Call 01329 231942 to book in advance. Spaces are limited so please book early. 7 April Night Dance Early Years Pallant House Gallery 9 North Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TJ. 01243 774 557 Free arts and crafts session for young children aged 0-4 years of age. Children will be encouraged to explore and play with lots of different art materials. Explore Victor Willing’s painting ‘Night’ (1978) and using a variety of props and materials, children will be falling overboard, singing, creating and dancing! Booking is required. 10.15am to 12.15pm. 8 April Represent Your Family Art Workshop Pallant House Gallery 9 North Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TJ. 01243 774 557 This is an opportunity for the whole family to have fun together and create a big piece of art work using big bold colours. Families are encouraged to develop a creative piece of work that represents their family or family life! Free to take part, children must be accompanied by adults. 10.15am to 12.15pm. 8 and 15 April Easter Bunny Boat Trips The Chichester Ship Canal Canal Basin, Canal Wharf, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8DT. 01243 771 363 Experience some Easter family fun on board the Chichester Canal Boat. All children will receive a chocolate Easter bunny and there will be refreshments on board!

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Three trips a day departing from Chichester Canal Basin at 11am, 1.15pm & 3.30pm, £10 per adult and child. 8 April – 23 April Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Petworth House and Park Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AE. 01798 342207 Become an egg detective this Easter and help Sir Wyndham Bunny find all the clues hidden around Petworth. Solve the puzzles and win a chocolate prize. Suitable for children 4-12 years, 10am – 4.30pm, £3. 8 April – 23 April Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Uppark House and Garden South Harting,, Petersfield,, West Sussex, GU31 5QR. 01730 825 415 The Easter Bunny has hidden eggs around the grounds at Uppark, solve the clues to find them. 10am – 4.30pm, £3 8 April – 9 April Woodland Crafts Market Palmerston Road Precinct Palmerston Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3QE There will be a great selection of craft products for you to browse and buy each month, offering plenty of variety and something for all tastes and all pockets. Not only that, you can expect some scrumptious food to keep you going through a full day out in Southsea. 9 April Don’t Dribble on the Dragon New Theatre Royal 20-24 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2DD. 02392 649 000 Based on the fabulous new book by Steven Lee and with magic designed by the legendary late Paul Daniels, this spectacular musical adventure about growing up and the importance of family is the perfect feel-good show for big hearted adults and loving little ones alike. Standard £12, Conc £10, Family £40. 2.30pm 10 – 23 April Roman Swords & Celtic Hordes Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson Portsdown Hill Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO17 6AN. 01329 233734 Discover the world of the Celts and Romans this Easter and decide which you would rather have been. Lots of hand-on activities for all the family. £3.50. suitable for ages 5 -12 participants must be supervised. 10 April The Easter Full Moon South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre Sir Patrick Moore Building, Kingsham Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8RP. 01243 774 400 Find out all about our Moon and how it’s phases are linked to the date of Easter! Visit this rugged little world with valleys,

March/April 2017

mountains and craters. Learn about it’s phases and how it affects out tides and climate. Ages 6+. 3.30pm. £6 adults, or £4 for children under 16. 10 – 12 April Ahoy Shipmates The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre 56 East Street, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1BS. 02392 472700 Ahoy, me Hearties! Enjoy a pirate adventure with these fun holiday workshops at The Spring. The Easter workshops are all about pirates. Join in with stories, games and to search for the treasure! Suitable for ages 5 – 10. Please note children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Sessions at 10.30am 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 3.30pm. £6.50 per child 12 – 22 April Wind in the Willows Groundlings Theatre 42 Kent Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3BS 023 9273 7370 Ratty, Badger and Mole join the exuberant Toad and embark on a series of adventures and misadventures caused by his insatiable need for speed! Imprisoned for theft and with his existence under threat from the inhabitants of the Wild Wood, Toad must attempt a daring escape to defend Toad Hall. 13 – 15 April Guess How Much I Love You The Kings Theatre Albert Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 2QJ. 02392 852 232. Explore this playful story of love and nature as it unfolds on stage through puppets, live music and interactive play for children ages 3+ 14 April The Night Sky This Easter South Downs Planetarium and Science Centre Sir Patrick Moore Building, Kingsham Farm Kingsham Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8RP. 01243 774 400 The nights are often clear and crisp over the Easter holiday period which is an ideal opportunity to have a good look at the night sky. This show is suitable for children age 6+. 7.30pm, £6 for adults, £4 children under 16. 14 – 16 April Easter Egg Shell Hunt The Diving Museum The Diving MuseumNo 2 BatteryStokes Bay Road, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2QU 02392 602260 Enjoy an Easter Egg hunt at the Diving Museum! Spring into the 2017 season with a hunt for shells with little egg sur-prizes. Family Friendly fun for all. Starts at 11am. 15 April

Mondays Child The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre 56 East Street, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1BS. 023 9247 2700 Join The Spring on Easter Saturday for Monday’s Child, an imaginative and funny story exploring how we make and store memories as we grow up and discover the world; how these shape who we are, and how they help us to meet the challenges of growing old. Suitable for ages 4+. Performances at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Tickets: £8, £7 groups of four or more 15 April Union J at New Theatre Royal New Theatre Royal 20-24 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2DD 023 9264 9000 X Factor semi-finalists Union J come to Portsmouth for one night only! Since becoming semifinalists on X Factor, Union J have achieved success with a Top Ten album, and they’ll be performing hits including Carry You, Loving You Is Easy, and Beautiful Life. Portsmouth just so happens to be band member Josh Cuthbert’s hometown! 7.30pm. 17 – 21 April Easter Surprises Fishbourne Roman Palace Salthill Road, Chichester, Fishbourne, West Sussex, PO19 3QR. 01243 785 859 There’s loads going on this Easter at the Roman Palace. Explore the Roman gardens and take part in an Easter themed treasure hunt. Make a Roman sundial and use it to tell the time! Play Roman games and much more. Activities run from 11am to 3pm. 23 April Line Swirl and Spray Paint Childrens Workshop Pallant House Gallery, 9 North Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TJ. 01243 774 557 Kids can have fun using spray paints, rollers, toothbrushes, string and combs to create funky pieces of art. Inspired by Victor Pasmore. Ages 9+ Booking is required. 1.15pm to 3.15pm. £10

Mr Blooms Nursery Live Kings Theatre Albert Road, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 2QJ. 02392828282 The much-loved TV show Mr Bloom’s Nursery will be transformed into a live stage show retaining all of the core fun, inspiring and educational values but with a brand new storyline. Predominantly aimed at children aged 2 – 7 year olds. 1pm & 4pm. From £11 29 April Represent Your Family Art Workshop Pallant House Gallery 9 North Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TJ. 01243 774 557 This is an opportunity for the whole family to have fun together and create a big piece of art work using big bold colours. Children must be accompanied by adults. 10.15am to 12.15pm. 29 April – 1 May Emsworth Arts Trail St Peters Square Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 7AG. 01243 372610 Emsworth Arts Trail offers the chance to see and meet designers, painters and makers in their own homes and studios. Designed as a walking trail, nearly all our participating artists are located within a mile of the centre of Emsworth. Artists will open their doors to visitors during the last two weekends in April in an event that will turn the town into a hive of creativity. Multiple locations around Emsworth. 29 April – 1 May Hollywood Star-Fish Blue Reef Aquarium Portsmouth Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5 3PB. 023 92875222 Come and meet the famous stars of the big screen! Visitors can follow a star-studded trail through the aquarium and come face to face with characters in popular children’s films. 10am / Normal admission applies

26 April