Families Cambridgeshire July August 2023

The most eagerly awaited time of year for children is almost here - the long summer holidays, we can all remember the excitement of the last day of term. Whilst this might be the children’s favourite time of year, it can often fill parents with dread as they try to juggle work, childcare and entertaining the children. We have lots in this issue to help you plan childcare and days out in our ‘What’s On’ pages.

Have a lovely summer whatever your plans.

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Amanda Dawson,

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” Margaret Mead

Music in the Parks

Celebrate summer in Cambridge in musical style as Music in the Parks makes a welcome return from July. The programme of free Sunday afternoon concerts is open to all and will take place on beautiful green open spaces throughout the whole of the city. Music in the Parks promises to be extra special this summer, with eight music events taking place on various Sundays from July 9th through to September 17th. From the infectious and irresistible ska dance rhythms of Cambridge’s massively popular Big 10, sophisticated funk and pop, mesmerising multi-voiced choral creations, and the warm strains of brass on a summery breeze…these will be essential weekly dates in the diary, easy-going outdoor Sunday afternoons of music and all for free!

PACK-UP AND GO: THE PERFECT ON-THE-GO LUNCHBOX

The Mnched collapsible lunchbox is perfect for anyone looking for a space-saving, reusable, and ecofriendly way to take their lunch to work or school. It’s lightweight, easy to transport and store (it reduces to just 3cm, making it easy to stack in your cupboard and keep your kitchen organised), and helps keep food fresh longer. It also eliminates the need for individual plastic wrap or foil wraps for each item in your lunchbox. This makes it easy to reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying your favourite meals on the go. £20 from Mnched.com

Take nature’s pulse - join the Big Butterfly Count

The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey aimed which helps to assess the health of our environment by counting the amount and type of butterflies we see.

This year, the world’s biggest survey of butterflies will take place from Friday 14th July until Sunday 6th August.

Everyone can take part. All you have to do is spend fifteen minutes in an outdoor space (including anywhere urban, not just green places and gardens) on a sunny day. Count the types and the number of butterflies, as well as some day-flying moths that you can see.

The results will help to identify where conservation action is needed most. The data is used to identify important trends in species that assists in planning how to protect butterflies from extinction and understand the effect of climate change on wildlife. More info: www.bigbutterflycount.org

Summer Reading Challenge 2023 Ready, Set, Read!

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children ages 4 to 11 to read six library books during the long summer holiday and collect rewards, such as stickers, on their way to receiving their challenge certificate and medal.

The theme for this year is Ready, Set, Read! and is being delivered in partnership with national children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust and public libraries.

This year, the Challenge aims to keep children’s minds and bodies active over the summer break, empowering young people to forge new connections with others and unleash the power of play, sport and physical activity through reading.

The Challenge will launch in libraries in England on 24th June and continue through September. More info: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

Exciting stories at the Festival of Archaeology

The UK’s biggest archaeological event, the Festival of Archaeology, will be running from 15th to 30th July and this year’s theme is Archaeology and Creativity.

Archaeology is about storytelling and archaeologists use creative practices such as art, music, creative writing, poetry and theatre to bring to life the material we uncover and the stories of the places and people around us.

Through nationwide digital and on-site events, archaeological experts will help families discover how their local landscape has changed and shaped to become what it is now, as well as discover exciting stories about their local community.

Join educational guided walks, listen to talks, get involved with exciting archaeological excavations, or join digitally online through social media and discover more about your local area. More info:www.archaeologyuk.org/festival.html

Summer holiday and term time fun with Perform

Perform are ensuring a fun-packed July and August with their Wizard of Oz drama, dance and singing holiday courses plus their first ever festival of children’s theatre, Perform in the Park. See page 8 for more details.

Children can sing and dance down the yellow brick road with the Wizard of Oz. With colourful costumes, uplifting songs and dazzling dancing, children ages 4 to 10 will have the best fun of the summer as they bring this story to life. These five-day courses run across July and August from 10am to 3pm each day. Book online at perform.org.uk/ wizard - Newnham Croft Primary School (24th – 28th July)

Plus Perform’s term time classes are back in September and there’s no better time for your child to try Perform. Classes are for all abilities and every child is welcome to try a free class in Hills Road Sports Centre, Cambridge; Newnham Croft Primary School, Newnham; St. Andrews Church Hall, Chesterton; or St. John’s Church Hall, Cambridge. Book a FREE class at www.perform.org.uk/try

Ultimate Activity Camps

Ultimate Activity Camps

provide outstanding Ofsted regulated summer activity day camps with the primary function of delivering a very high level of care and welfare for 4–14-year-olds during the school holidays. Camps are excellent for parents looking to provide their children with a fun, active and exciting experience during school holidays and offer a wide range of activities, from sports and outdoor adventures to arts, survival skills and tech camps. Staffed by experienced professionals who provide a safe and supportive environment for children to learn and grow; it’s a great place for children to gain confidence and self-esteem. www.ultimateactivity.co.uk

Let kids play outside to balance screen time

If you have young children, you may be worried about how much time they spend staring at a screen and wonder whether there’s anything you can do to balance out any negative effects.

New research from Japan has found that although more screen time at 2 years of age is associated with poorer communication and daily living skills at age 4, time spent playing outdoors can reduce these effects on daily living skills by almost 20%.

The researchers also found that socialisation was better in 4-year-olds who had spent more time playing outside when they were age 2.

According to the authors of the research, the results indicate that even if screen time is relatively high, encouraging more outdoor play time might help to keep kids healthy and developing appropriately. More info: https://bit.ly/ScreenTimeOutdoorPlay

Loves FAMILIES

Keep the family hydrated this summer

As the weather gets warmer and the days longer, summer feels as though it has arrived. Whether planning a trip abroad, a staycation or simply enjoying the nature around our local area, we need to ensure that our little ones and teens stay hydrated. Air up® is a world first in food technology and utilises retro nasal smell to provide a zero-calorie, zero sugar, zero additive way to drink 100% pure water which tastes flavoured. Air up® has become a ‘must have’ amongst teens, and if that gets them drinking water, who are we to complain!

Priced at £29.99 to £34.99 depending on the colour of the bottle. Each additional pack of three pods (flavouring a minimum of 15 litres of water) then costs between £5.99 to £8.99, depending on the flavour. Find out more here: uk.air-up.com

So Chill-ed with the Coolest Teen Gadget

The So Chill Mini Fridge is the ultimate gadget for every teen looking to kit out their bedroom in style, and to chill their favourite drinks, beauty products and more.

The super fun, compact and handy accessory is the perfect gift for every gamer, influencer, beauty queen, student, teen and tween to keep their rooms stocked (especially while revising this summer) !

Thanks to USB compatibility, the So Chill Mini Fridge is also a portable chiller for at home or on the go as it will charge via a typical phone charger plug, or from a PC/laptop, or from a car battery! Keeping the essentials chilled while on-the-go, it’s perfect for students, road tripping, picnics in the park, festival fun, beach days or poolside parties. RRP: £44.99 | Stockist: Amazon, Very.co.uk

Loves FAMILIES

Fairy Lantern Night Light

We have fallen in love with this whimsical little night light from Little-Belle which was created when Laura found herself struggling to find effective sleep solutions for her daughter Eliza.

Laura always loved the magical realm of fairy folk as a child and started to see a difference in Eliza’s sleep when she talked of the sleep fairy – a paediatric sleep specialist endorsed method to help children sleep.

To help keep the magic alive Laura wanted a magic fairy house in her room that would also light up and help her to sleep or reassure her if she woke in the night. With the struggle getting harder with every lost night of sleep, Laura decided to create her own design of night light.

The Little Belle night light was invaluable and Laura wanted to share this success with other parents to help many other little ones, like Eliza, to sleep better.

We adore this little Fairy Carry Lantern which we think would be great for nurseries, camping trips and holidays too. www.little-belle.com £79.95

Link between lack of vitamin D and miscarriage risk

Women with low vitamin D levels are at significantly increased risk of miscarriage, a new study reveals.

Scientists say that assessing vitamin D levels and treating deficiency before conception may offer greater benefit compared to only taking vitamin D during the first trimester. They have called for more research to confirm this approach.

Led by experts at the University of Birmingham, the research team at Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research evaluated every study into the impact of vitamin D during pregnancy, finding a significant association between vitamin D levels and the risk of miscarriage or recurrent miscarriage.

Vitamin D has only really been known for its role in late pregnancy complication but the research supports another important role for it too, which could help motivate women to take supplements early, said the authors of the study.

POTTY TRAINING MADE EASIER

Make potty training easier this summer while around the house or out and about and away from home with this great little bundle. Thanks to a convenient and compact fold away design, Potette can either be used as a traditional potty, or as a training seat as it cleverly transitions (with the legs fully flipped out) when little one is ready for the next step.

Pottetes expert Susan shares her 3 top tips for taking on potty training, Susan says:

Firstly, children are very intuitive to parent’s stress levels, Susan states, so it is great to stay positive about the entire experience (and try not to be too frustrated when it goes wrong!).

Secondly, Susan says that in order to learn a new skill, a period of stability is needed, so dedicating a good amount of time to make the process work is vital - it won’t happen overnight, and patience is going to be key!

Lastly, Susan suggests it’s not uncommon for children to master potty training in one environment and not in another, so although little ones might be getting it right at home, parents must not be disheartened when hiccups in road happen outside of the house – the rest will then follow!

The bundle comes with flashcards, the Potette, a reusable liner and a little bag to store it in,

The Potette Plus Premium Bundle| RRP £38.99 | www.cheekyrascals.co.uk

What’s On

Cambridgeshire

Summer at the Museums

WHEN: 20th July – 31st August

WHERE: At venues across Cambridgeshire with everything from storytelling and play-based activities for younger children, to hands-on happenings for all ages.

Many events FREE.

www.museums.cam.ac.uk/ summer

Wildlife Watch

WHEN: 8th July: 10.30 – 12.30

WHERE: Woodwalton Fen

Nature Reserve

Wildlife Watch is here for kids that can’t get enough of exploring the great outdoors or those desperate to find out a bit more about the weird and wonderful creatures we share our world with. Prices from £5 per child www.wildlifebcn.org/events

01487 815524

Seska: Cooking up fun

WHEN: 9th July 11.30am, 2pm

WHERE: Cambridge Junction

Entertaining crowds from Mumbai to Trinidad. A firm favourite at Camp Bestival.

Super-hilarious family comedy magic. From £7.50 www.Junction.co.uk

Around the World Family Trail

WHEN: 20th July- 3rd September 10.00 - 6pm

WHERE: Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Forget the long airport queues and flights, you can travel all around the world in just one day at the Botanic Garden! FREE event for children

www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

The Snail and Whale

WHEN: 31st Aug – 3rd Sept

WHERE: Cambridge Arts Theatre

Join an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father as they re-imagine the story of a tiny snail’s incredible trip around the world. Longing to see the world, a tiny sea snail hitches a lift on the tail of a great big, grey-blue humpback whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, brought vividly to life through live music, storytelling and lots of laughs - but when the whale gets beached, how will the snail save him? £16, www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Wild in the Woods

WHEN: 26th July 10.00-12.00

WHERE: Cambourne

Join Wildlife Adventurer Becca

Perform in the Park

WHEN: 22nd July - 28th August

WHERE: Coram’s Fields, Bloomsbury

A magical festival of children’s theatre in the heart of London. Four fantastic musicals for children aged 2-14 plus evening events for teens. Set in a pop-up tent in Coram’s Fields WC1N 1DN, families can also enjoy the park with widelawns and wonderful play areas. Bring a picnic or enjoy the charming all-day café. Tickets start at £14.50. Visit performinthepark.uk for more information and to book tickets.

Giant Maize Maze

Badger for a family adventure at Cambourne Nature Reserve. This session is perfect for ages 7 - 11 but older children and younger siblings will also enjoy the activity. £5 per child. To book email rebecca.neal@wildlifebcn.org

www.wildlifebcn.org

Music in the Parks

WHEN: 9th, 16th July, 7th and 6th, WHERE: Parks in and around

Cambridge

While away a couple of hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon by packing up a picnic, grabbing a blanket and heading down to enjoy free music events, promising to be extra special this summer, with eight music events taking place on various Sundays from July 9th to September 17th. FREE www.cambridgelive.org.uk/cityevents/Music-in-the-Parks

WHEN: 20th July – 3rd September 10am -5pm

WHERE: Skylark, March

Ever wanted to explore a giant maize maze? Visit Skylark Maize Maze & Funyard this summer for an epic fun day out the whole family will enjoy! Use code ‘SUMMERFAM23’ for an EXTRA £1 OFF £12 Adult, £14 Child

www.SkylarkGardenCentre.co.uk

Heritage Craft weekend

WHEN: 27th August

WHERE: Denny Abbey, Waterbeach

Visit a wide range of heritage crafts people who will be showcasing their trade. From woodturning to beekeeping, each stallholder will also have a variety of handmade items on sale. Normal admission plus donation www.dennyfarmlandmuseum. org.uk

When visiting, please mention Families Cambridgeshire Magazine.

Things to do, places to go and fun to be had for kids of all ages in

THE WIZARD OF OZ

WHEN: 2nd August 3pm

WHERE: Milton Country Park

You are invited to click your heels and ease on down the yellow brick road as Immersion Theatre proudly presents a brand new adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, a magical family show guaranteed to have you in stitches from beginning to end! Prices from £12 www.immersiontheatre.co.uk

Cambridge Aquapark, Hannam’s Wake Hub

WHEN: July & August weekends, school holidays: 10:00–18:00

Newly-expanded, inflatable obstacle course for summer fun with your family and friends. Price includes lifejacket and wetsuit. Ringo rides and cable kneeboarding/wakeboarding also available. Pre-book. £22pp/hour www.cambridgeaquapark.com 01353 886955

Wildlife Trust Bat

Safari Punting

WHEN: July & August: Fridays & Saturdays

WHERE: Scudamores, Cambridge Spot bats as they emerge from hibernation with Wildlife Trust Bat Experts. www.scudamores.com 01223 359750

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

WHEN: 20th - 23rd July

WHERE: The Dean’s Garden, Ely Cathedral

An exciting adventure along the riverbank with a brand new open-air staging of Kenneth Grahame’s family classic ‘The Wind In The Willows.’ Meet all your favourite characters, including loyal Mole, faithful Ratty and wise old Badger, as they do their best to keep the mischievous Mr Toad out of trouble. From £14.50 www.kdtheatre.co.uk

PYO Fruits

WHEN: July - August

WHERE: Farms in Cambridgeshire

Pidley Park Farm, Hunts and Lidgate Farm in Isleham are just two of the farms open in the region during the PYO season. Check each venue for opening times and types of fruit available.

www.pyo.co.uk

Church Farm

Rare Breeds Centre,

WHEN: July and August, 10.00 – 17.00

WHERE: Stow Bardolph Make friends with a wide variety of tame animals and experience all their young at close quarters throughout the season as well as enjoying their adventure playground.

www.churchfarmstowbardolph. co.uk

01366 382162

RUMBLE LIVE ACTION GAMING (LASER TAG)

WHEN: July and August

WHERE: Grafham Water, Huntingdon

The perfect family day out designed by a family for families using the latest laser tag equipment, providing the best experience. This isn’t just laser tag, it’s about bringing together the best of the real and virtual worlds. From £15 per person per hour. www.rumblelive.co.uk 01480 592135

Hamerton Zoo Park

WHEN: July and August

With over twenty acres of rolling parkland and home to hundreds of incredible animals, Hamerton Zoo is local and a great day out for Families. Stop by the Coffee Shop or relax whilst the kids let off steam in the Play Area. Under 3’s go free and £11.99 a child ticket

www.hamertonzoopark.com

Lido

WHEN: July and August 7am – 7pm

WHERE: Jesus Green

The Lido is unheated, wetsuits are not compulsory but are strongly recommended at water temperatures below 14 degrees. There is a newly built Sauna, sunbathing space and a small hut for refreshments and ice creams nearby Prices from £3.50 www.better.org.uk

When visiting, please mention Families Cambridgeshire Magazine.

Giving children the opportunity to learn patience from raising chickens

Pets-Hens-Care is a Cambridge based business, covering the whole East Anglia area, and was set up by Veterinarian, Gergana, and Vet Technician, Ed, after spending over 20 years working in the Poultry Care Industry. They are both committed to advising and caring for your chickens and providing experience from hatching to the laying eggs cycle, with their main aim being to give families an opportunity to follow the full life cycle of a chicken from the egg to a chick to fully grown. They believe that this process holds many benefits for children including well-being, physical, emotional and cognitive development, all whilst learning about the life cycle and caring for their chickens.

One of the exciting projects on offer is the Chick Hatching Educational Project where Nurseries, Schools and Care Homes can experience first hand the chick hatching from the egg. All necessary training, eggs, equipment (incubator and brooder) and feed will be provided along with a set-up visit to ensure that the chicks will be born and grow to be happy and healthy chickens.

For more information visit: www.pet-hens-care.co.uk

Helping your child with school transition

While moving to a new class or new school can be challenging for kids, most adapt to changes within the first few weeks as routines are established and new friendships formed. Preparation is a key component which can make a huge difference to the readiness of your child. At the same time, emotional resilience greatly helps children adapt to different environments, routines and social dynamics. So, how can parents support children through their journey of change and uncertainty?

Encourage open communication

Open communication is essential in helping children express their worries and concerns. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings and validate their emotions. Set aside dedicated time and spaces for these conversations. This can be as simple as the walk or drive home from school or over a snack at the end of the day.

Develop problem solving skills

Encourage your child to identify potential challenges and discuss possible solutions together. This will help them feel more prepared while developing their own problem-solving skills. Encourage your child to be open to new experiences, emphasising the importance of adaptability in overcoming challenges.

Model resilience

By modelling resilience you provide a powerful example for your child to follow, helping them develop the emotional strength needed to adapt to new experiences. Give examples of your own coping strategies, taking care to maintain a positive spin. Show your child that change is a natural part of life and discuss the exciting opportunities that the new academic year will bring.

STARTING PRIMARY SCHOOL

Starting primary school can be an exciting yet daunting new chapter for you and your child. The most useful thing you can do is prepare them ahead of their first day:

• Practise getting dressed, using the toilet, opening a lunchbox, using cutlery.

• Play games which involve turn taking and social skills.

• Help your child recognise their name to help them keep track of clothes and find their peg.

• Acknowledge your own feelings and anxieties. This is the start of your child’s journey away from you and that can be challenging. Recognise this is normal but try to keep those emotions away from your child.

• Talk about your child’s day, emphasising the positive but be ready to help them with any worries they might express. Make time to talk and listen.

• Expect teething troubles and always speak to the teacher if you have particular concerns.

By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble

Emphasise the importance of self-care

Establish healthy routines including regular sleep, exercise and healthy eating. Encourage participation in a range of out of school activities that they enjoy. This will help them better manage their own stress and maintain a positive outlook during times of change.

Celebrate success

Acknowledge and celebrate your child’s achievements and milestones during transition. Praising their ability to overcome challenges boosts confidence. Keep the open communication going so it becomes a habit. Children need to know you will always be behind them through and beyond their teens. Remain patient and understanding as each child’s experience is unique and developing emotional resilience takes time and practice.

Lisa and Catherine are co-founders of Emparenting, supporting children, parents and families with the insights, skills and tools needed to nurture the development and well-being of the next generation. www.emparenting.co.uk.

Families Feature

Enjoy family fun at Rumble Live Action Gaming at Rutland Water and Grafham Water this summer

Rumble Live Action Gaming brings popular battle royale video games such as Fortnite and Call of Duty to real life with team-based fun! Located outdoors in beautiful woodlands, scavenge your environment to find utility boxes containing extra ammo, respawns and special weapon upgrades to take down the other team.

Experience state of the art technology with the best laser rifles and grenades - Rumble uses guns which can transform into over 100 different types of weapon with different

levels of range damage and rates of fire - including rifles with a range of over 200m and holographic red dot sights - that track your performance throughout the game.

Unlock kill streaks and discover how you and your team performed at the end on a big screen leaderboard at the ranger’s cabin. Whether you choose to hide in a watch tower and sniper your targets from up to 250m or want to be in the heart of the action running around, Rumble is lots of fun for everyone!

The family-run attraction first opened in July

2019 at Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire and has since won multiple awards including the recent Laser Tag Experience of the Year 2022/23 award (Prestige Award) and Best Adrenaline Activity in Cambridgeshire (Eastlife 2022).

Although walk-ins are possible, it’s advised to book online in advance to avoid disappointment as peak periods often sell out in advance. www.rumblelive.co.uk

Price: £18 per person

Suitable for adults and children aged 8+

Locations:

Grafham Water, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

Rutland Water, Oakham, Rutland

Opening hours:

Grafham Water: 11am-6pm weekends

year-round

Rutland Water: 10am-5pm weekends

March-November

Additional weekdays added in school holidays at both sites to meet demand, check the website for the latest available slots)

TURNING YOUR CHILD INTO A BOOKWORM

Is your youngster a reluctant reader? Despite tempting them with every type of book, do they still only read when they ‘have’ to and not for pleasure?

The long summer holidays are an ideal time to work with your child. Hopefully, they’ll soon be ditching their screens and curling up with an engrossing story book instead.

We all understand the importance of reading in a child’s development and teachers are always looking for ways to engage children in reading. If you can duplicate their efforts at home, that just might make all the difference. So let’s get started:

CREATE A READING DEN

Every home should have a reading corner or den; a place that is inviting and excites children. Choose a quiet spot and add some pillows, bean bags or cushions to curl up on. Perhaps you could put up some posters to get them in the mood for imaginative thinking. What about: Under the Sea, Rainbows, Castles, Transport, In the Jungle?

USE TELEVISION SUBTITLES

Put your child’s favourite programmes on with subtitles and no sound. Can they read along and understand what is happening?

TRY KARAOKE WITH LYRICS

Host karaoke sessions so that children are challenged to read and sing lyrics on the screen.

LEARN A POEM TOGETHER

Why not learn a topical poem alongside your child: find one about holidays, the weather or beaches to fit the season!

HOST A BOOK ‘CAFE’ PLAY DAY

Put a range of books and reading materials on a table and encourage children to sample them and then discuss with one another.

FILM YOURSELF READING A STORY

Think of it as CBBC bedtime stories. Use your phone to film yourself reading a story and send in the video to your child’s teacher. If other parents do the same, the whole class can enjoy a story read by someone other than their teacher!

USE TECHNOLOGY

Children can also listen to stories with different forms of technology depending on what you have available: a tablet, iPad and CD player are all options. If you have the budget and are feeling fancy, there are some fabulous story telling devices such as a Toniebox or Yoto player too. These are really child friendly and great for a range of ages.

GET THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED

Children take pleasure in reading with younger or older children and this can have a great impact on children’s progress. If you have more than one child, encourage siblings to get involved by recommending and sharing the books they love.

Provide a broad range of reading materials

Try to provide the broadest possible range of reading materials. This includes everything from recipe books to graphic novels, blogs and instructions, as well as traditional books. It matters far less what your child reads than whether they read: if a cereal box is what they enjoy, that’s fine. Once they’re reading for pleasure, they’ll move on to more traditional reading material.

Children enjoy reading about characters that they can relate to. Make sure to include picture books, and those that depict children from different family structures, cultures, religions and also physical abilities.

Friends and family may have books their children have enjoyed that they will be glad to pass on to you. Charity shops are also a fantastic source of very affordable reading material.

Make a habit of regular library visits. Most have comfortable seating corners where families sit and read before choosing more books to take home. And of course it means there’s a constant selection of new stories and fact books to discover - for free.

By Emma Shingleton

And why not enjoy a book yourself? Leading by example and being seen reading for pleasure every day will encourage your child to do the same. Tell them what your book is about and why you are enjoying it.

Reading doesn’t have to be the traditional reading of a book in silence. Discuss what you read as a family.

When you read to your child, encourage them to think about characters and how they might be feeling, or how they themselves would react in a certain situation. Bring characters to life by asking questions throughout the day about how the children think a character would react. For example, when resolving a sibling dispute, you could ask how they think the wicked witch would solve the problem.

Would you like to host and teach English to a foreign student in your home ?

We are currently recruiting hosts who can offer a spare bedroom, 3 meals per day and the required lessons and activities

You choose when to host and who to host !

Payment from £500 to £800 per week

Emma Shingleton is a former primary school teacher who now writes for PlanBee (www.planbee.com) about issues affecting teachers, schools and pupils. Become

Get in touch to find out more: Influentme.com

What’s On Things to do - drama, music & sport something for everyone in Cambridgeshire

Code Ninja CampsModding with Minecraft® (age 7 – 15)

WHERE: Chesterton Community College, Cambridge

WHEN: 24th–28th July, 9.00 – 12.00

Developed for experienced Minecraft® players, this camp teaches Ninjas how to make unique ‘mods’ creating custom tools, weapons, armour, enemies, and more! By the end of the camp, Ninjas will be able to export their mods to explore at home. www.codeninjas.co.uk/ cambridge-cam-uk

07918 296644 / 07551 755602

Code

Ninja CampsRobotics with LEGO® (age 7 – 15)

WHERE: Chesterton Community College, Cambridge

WHEN: 24th – 28th July, 12.30 – 15.30

Ninjas will make silly dancing robots, a working safe with password detection, a racing rhino, and more! Using the LEGO® SPIKE™ Prime robotics kit, Ninjas will learn the fundamentals of how to design, build, and code robots. www.codeninjas.co.uk/ cambridge-cam-uk

07918 296644 / 07551 755602

Cambridge Gymnastics

Summer Holiday Camp

(age 5 – 15)

WHERE: North Cambridge Academy, Arbury Rd, Cambridge

WHEN: 24th July – 18th August, 9.00 – 12.00 and / or 13.00 – 16.00

A wonderful opportunity for children to give gymnastics a try, supervised and instructed by qualified coaches within a safe, fun environment. Sessions include warm up, rotation around floor, inflatable tumble track, beam, bars, trampoline and vault, and finished with cool down games. cambridgegymnastics.co.uk/ camp/

Perform Wizard of Oz Holiday Course (age 4 – 10 years)

WHERE: Newnham Croft Primary School

WHEN: 24th – 28th July, 10.00 – 15.00

Perform are off to see the wizard, as they sing and dance their way down the yellow brick road in their Wizard of Oz holiday courses. With colourful costumes, uplifting songs and dazzling dancing, your child will have the best fun of the summer as they bring this story to life.

020 7255 9120 / enquiries@perform.org.uk. perform.org.uk/wizard

Ultimate Activity Summer Camp (age 4 – 14)

WHERE: Sancton Wood Prep School

WHEN: 24th July – 25th August, 8.30 – 5.15 (Extended hours 8.00 – 18.00)

Kids can enjoy a range of over 40 sports, games and craft activities each week, led by inspiring experienced staff in superb facilities. Take the stress out of childcare and join this outstanding Ofsted regulated school holiday club! www.ultimateactivity.co.uk

Code Ninja CampsLEGO® Python Engineers (Age 10 – 15)

WHERE: Chesterton Community College, Cambridge

WHEN: 31st July – 4th August, 12.30 – 15.30

This camp will use the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime set to introduce ninjas to motors, sensors, and other robotics hardware to build and design autonomous robots that can think like a human, move like a selfdriving car, and act like a coach! www.codeninjas.co.uk/ cambridge-cam-uk

07918 296644 / 07551 755602

Summer Sailing Course

WHERE: Paxton Lakes, Little Paxton

WHEN: 8th – 11th (mornings only) and 21st–24th August, 9.30 – 12.30 or 13.30 – 16.30

Official RYA training centre that welcomes people 8 years +, with large selection of boats and equipment available. Tuition in 4 lessons, either mornings or afternoons on 4 consecutive days.

Adult £130.00 Child (minimum age 8) £110.00

www.paxtonlakes.org.uk

07736 670570 (evenings only)

Razzamataz Cambridge

WHERE: Impington Village College

Performing arts training for Razz Tots (2-3yrs), Minis (4-5yrs), Juniors (6-8), Inters (9-11yrs) to Razz Seniors (12-18yrs) along with Street Dance (7-18yrs) and Acro Arts (7-18yrs), with access to talented performers through specialist workshops and classes. Small classes to nurture a child’s confidence and self-esteem, plus a lot of fun.

From £72 for 12 weeks. Free taster session available.

www.cambridge.razzamataz.co.uk 01223 755113 or 07895 347239

Families Clubs & Classes

CGA Gymnastics Satellites

WHERE: Bottisham, Cambourne, Chesterton, Ely, Impington

Recreational classes follow the British Gymnastics proficiency award scheme with children grouped by age, gender & ability level. Each 1-hour session includes a 10-minute warm up, 15 minutes on floor skills and 3 x 10 minutes apparatus. From £6/hour www.cgagymnasticssatellites. co.uk

Gymnastics Academy

WHERE: North Cambridge Academy, Arbury Rd, Cambridge

A series of fun classes for young children:

Creepy Crawlies and Wiggly Worms (6wks to crawling); Toddling Tigers (crawling to 2yrs); Jumpy Joeys (2-3yrs), and Marvellous Monkeys (3-4yrs). Pre-book for term.

From £7.30/session

www.cambridgegymnastics. co.uk

07971 864653

Stagecoach Holiday Drama

Clubs and Workshops (age 7 – 15)

WHERE: Coleridge Campus, Cambridge (24th July – 4th August and 14th – 18th August); and Cambourne Village College, Cambourne (7th – 11th August)

WHEN: 24th July – 18th August, 10.00 – 16.00

Students will study drama, dance and singing all lead by specialist and DBS checked teachers. They will work towards a musical theatre piece to perform for family and friends on the final afternoon. No previous experience is necessary, only energy and enthusiasm!

www.stagecoach.co.uk 01223 359974

HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS 2023

24th - 28th July

Summer week 1 - 7 - 15 years old

31st July - 4th August

Summer week 2 - 7 - 15 years old

14th August - 18th August

Summer week 3 - 7 - 15 years old

7th - 11th August

Summer week 3

7 - 15 years old