Families Cheshire September/October 21

FREE

Cheshire

IN THIS ISSUE

Education Autumn activities Halloween Family life KD Theatre Productions Ltd present

11 DEC 2021 - 2 JAN 2022

September/October 2021

Familiesonline.co.uk

www.thegrangetheatre.com | 01606 539040

Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 1

MEMBERSHIPS

£20 PER MONTH

ONLY

*

JUNIORS JUST

£10 PER MONTH *

Join in September and pay just £20 per month until December or £10 per month for juniors! *Terms and conditions apply.

JOIN TODAY AT BRIOLEISURE.ORG/GETFIT 180x130 Brio SUmmer Promo 2021 RISE v2.indd 1

10/08/2021 15:44

STOCKPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL An independent school for ages 3-18 years

Assistance with fees available at 11+ and 16+ (means tested), academic and music scholarships FOUNDED IN 1487

Book online for Open Events

Senior School Open Mornings Saturday 18th September Saturday 13th November Junior School Open Morning Saturday 18th September Sixth Form Open Evening Tuesday 12th October

School Day Tours and Virtual Visits Extensive school bus routes including Sale, Altrincham and Hale

SGS Inspires Tel: 0161 456 9000 2 September/October

Highest Inspection Rating of “Excellent”

www.stockportgrammar.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

CONTENTS

In this issue

Welcome

4 12

Back to school already! Our Education feature will help ease the transition and provides helpful tips and support.

14 16 19 21 23 24 25 27

Education Scavenger hunt downloadable Activities Autumn activities Halloween Family life Bonfire Night Early years Black History Month Toys

Get in touch Competition winners from our May/June issue.

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.

Autumn is a beautiful season and a great time for getting outside with the family.

Hunt down some autumn trees in our downloadable Scavenger Hunt, enjoy some Autumn crafts and get organised early for Halloween with our great costume and decoration ideas.

Get prepared for Ride to School Week with our family cycling feature and challenge your kids with our Black History Month quiz. How many faces can they match to names?

Whether you’re an existing subscriber to this magazine or haven’t signed up yet, take advantage of our fabulous free gifts for you in this issue!

Make Christmas Magical Take your family on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to meet Santa in Lapland and enjoy an experience you’ll never forget!

Limited availability for 2021 Visit SantasLapland.com

half page ad 1.indd 1 Familiesonline.co.uk

09/08/2021 13:57 3 September/October

EDUCATION

Tips for a positive Parents’ Evening

By Annabel Gray Despite the sore throat and spinning head by the end, as a teacher, I used to love parents’ evenings. Those ten minutes can make all the difference to a child’s experience and outcomes at school. So, to make the most of them:

What do you want to know? Their level? Their test results? How they interact with others? How confident they are? What the homework is about? How to do long division?

This is your chance! Don’t waste it!

Work these top tips into your parents’ evening and you’ll feel positive, productive and informed by the end of it. Want other tips to support your child’s learning?

READ MORE

SIGN UP HERE to receive every issue

FRE

TAKE

E

ME

Cardiff & Vale

IT’S FREE! IN THIS ISSUE

Pr

o

u

Magazine

ili

es Mag

a

30

m

years

d

ne

Holiday act ivities Summer Lea rning Health Family food

Free gifts for existing sub new and scribers

4 September/October

ME HO

zi

Celebrate their work. Pandemicpermitting, let your child show you their work on display and their books. Most parents are surprised at the quality of the work their children do at school.

Be proud. Your kids are amazing!

Tell them that!

t

Come armed with questions. The most productive meetings are when a parent brings all the queries they have to the meeting so they can be ironed out quickly.

Fa

Smile. The teacher you are meeting spends just as much time as you do with your child and will know them very well. Make them feel at ease and create a positive vibe from the outset.

Focus on solutions. If there are tricky issues to tackle, from either side of the desk, focus on solutions rather than blame. Like you, teachers want the best for your child. If an issue can’t be resolved, book a further meeting.

in

Attend. Obvious maybe – but vital if you want to show your child that you value their learning.

r to be P

Readmio App

SEE INSIDE

July/August 2021

email: editor@fam

iliescardiff.co.uk

familiesonline.c o.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Sixth Form Open Evening Wednesday 29 September

Whole School Open Day Saturday 9 October • Stunning new £60m, 80-acre campus in Prestbury • State-of-the-art facilities for girls & boys age 3–18 • Excellent GCSE & A-Level results • Unrivalled extra-curricular programme The King’s School in Macclesfield www.kingsmac.co.uk | 01625 260000

Charity No. 1137204

Charity No. 1137204

11+ & Sixth Form Bursaries & Scholarships available

October Open Events • LOWER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE Friday 1 Oct

• SENIOR SCHOOL OPEN MORNING Saturday 9 Oct

• SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Tuesday 19 Oct

Register online today thequeensschool.co.uk/open-events AN OUTSTANDING INDEPENDENT SCHOOL for girls aged 4-18 in the heart of Chester.

Small enough that we get to know every girl personally, and big enough to provide a wealth of opportunities that go well beyond the classroom, challenging your daughter along the way to ensure a successful and happy future.

180-130.indd 1 Familiesonline.co.uk

Igniting her potential 13/07/2021 14:05 5 September/October

EDUCATION

Join the Grange School at its upcoming Open Days The Grange School is delighted to be able to welcome parents and children into school again for its upcoming Open Days. This independent school, set in the heart of Cheshire, offers a warm and welcoming environment for children ages 4 to 18, priding itself on its academic achievement and enrichment opportunities.

The School’s learning environment fully immerses students in their school experience, allowing them to ‘live’ their education. It’s hard-working, learner-focused teachers, outstanding facilities and broad enrichment opportunities ensure that every child receives an education that prepares them for life as ambitious, respectful and confident adults.

Come and tour the School and see its facilities in action. Senior School Open Day will be held on Saturday 25 September and Junior School on Saturday 13 November. Places are limited, so register your interest today and the School will be in touch to arrange a timeslot.

Registration and further information here.

An Independent school for children aged 4-18 in the heart of Cheshire

6 September/October

Familiesonline.co.uk

Calling parents living in Cheshire!

Would you like to try your hand at magazine publishing?

Do you like writing, editing and researching family activities?

Work part time from home around your family and do something you love.

Are you organised and motivated?

Come join the team at Families Cheshire magazine!

FREE

TAKE ME

To find out more contact Linda at

HOME

Cheshire

info@familiesmagazine.co.uk or call 020 8241 0423 ies

Maga

z

30

ud

nt

ri

years

e

o

il

in

Pr

Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk

Fa m

IN THIS ISSUE

Activities Tips/Advice Days Out

to be

P

k

familiesonline.co.u

Spring 2021

September/October 7

EDUCATION

Stockport Grammar students impress in Industrial Project Lower Sixth students from SGS utilised problem solving and engineering skills as part of this year’s Industrial Cadets Gold Project.

Tackling a challenge set by Network Rail – namely ‘Light and power supply monitoring in low voltage distribution cubicles,’ the team set about finding a remote way of determining when the power in these cubicles, positioned trackside, is interrupted. They investigated and discovered how to supply automatic lighting when the cubicle was opened for maintenance or repair, homing in on a Raspberry Pi controlled monitoring system using a PIR detector to switch a light source on when this happens. The Industry Assessor praised the group’s ‘enthusiasm,’ ‘project management skills’ and ‘well-rehearsed presentation’ alongside their collective effort and strong leadership.

Read more about Stockport Grammar School.

Open Events 25 September 2021 Senior School 9.30am - 12.30pm Infant and Junior School 11am - 2pm

13 October 2021

Get the kids modelling!

Receive 3 FREE Plasticine® gifts when you sign up to our magazine* You receive:

Toolz Kit

Sixth Form 6pm - 9pm

Softeez Noodle Doodle Creator Kit

Multi Pack

01244 332077 abbeygatecollege.co.uk

332077 Booking essential, please01244 visit our website to register as places are limited.

8 September/October

A family modelling favourite, ideal for kids to make and create.

Magazine

Worth more than £12.99

SIGN UP HERE IT’S FREE!

*while stocks last T&Cs

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Dealing with back to school anxiety

By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble For most children, back to school anxiety fades quickly. But how do we support our children when it lingers?

Prevent common worries from becoming deep-rooted by establishing good practice and routines.

For children whose worries persist, this simple five step programme can to our children is that they don’t help. need to worry.

Take care of the basics. Ensure a Not sure how to be an ‘active good sleep routine, healthy snacks listener?’ and regular exercise.

Provide empathy. Find READ MORE uninterrupted opportunities to listen to your child’s worries, expectations and fears. Car journeys, bath time and walks are ideal. Listen actively, withholding judgement and advice.

Validate their feelings.

Ages Problem solve. Discuss coping Art Lab 6+ strategies, ideally led by your child.

Pouring Showing confidence in their own Art problem solving abilities nurtures Studio greater resilience.

Highlight the positives. Encourage 3 your child to recognise the fun available elements of school and not fixate on the negatives. Use questions like: ‘What was your favourite thing for Let budding artists lunch?’ and ‘What was the funniest explore colour & design thing that happened today?’

Be mindful of your own emotions T&Cs apply and reactions. They can create APPLY HERE learnt behaviour. By staying calm Magazine and seeming positive, the message

Giveaway!

Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 9

EDUCATION

Ride to school safely It’s Ride to School Week starting 27 September! To get your family riding to school (and beyond) safely, check out our great videos and articles.

Teaching your child to ride a bike

Cycling as a family

By Catherine Ellis

There’s no better time than the Autumn to start cycling: it’s generally mild but not too warm, it’s a beautiful season and cycling is a great way to see it unfold. But preparation is key to ensuring you get the best out of the experience and take an appropriate route.

READ MORE 10 September/October

Safety-checking your child’s bike

Transporting children by bike

It can be difficult to know how to best transport your growing family by bike. What if you have a baby? What if you also have a toddler? What if you have an older child too? Cycling UK explains how to make the best cycling choices for your family.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Top questions to ask on a school visit

By Emma Lewry Choosing a school for your child is a big decision that can feel charged with pressure and uncertainty. As a teacher, former head teacher and a mum, I’ve been through the process from both sides of the classroom door, so here’s my simple advice to make the most of your visits.

Firstly, read my tips on preparation for your visit here: So what should you ask at the school?

• What’s the best thing about your school?

• What are you working on to improve as a school currently?

• What do the children say about your school? (or ask a child if you can!)

• How are your classes organised?

Are the mixed ages and abilities?

• How do you deal with behaviour incidents and bullying?

• About any logistics that are important to you; Do you offer a breakfast club? Do you teach

Watch Emma’s top school visit tips

particular sports or musical instruments? What time does the school day start?

Looking for more essentials to get the most out of a school visit?

READ MORE

Ages Free gift 5+ for our subscribers!*

Equazen Family Pack (180 capsules) Support your child’s brain health!

Clinically researched combination of Omega 3 & Omega 6

APPLY HERE *while stock last

Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk

T&Cs apply

September/October 11

Autumn tree Scavenger Hunt

Get outdoors and go on a treasure hunt with your kids, matching leaves to their trees and trees to their fruit. Download this activity and instructions.

DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS HERE

12 September/October

Familiesonline.co.uk

TWEEN

The best foods for pre-teens

By Katie O’Connell We have a running joke in our family. If it’s not burger-shaped, my son won’t eat it. Finding out what we should be feeding our tweens is one challenge, working out what they will actually eat is another! Teen and pre-teen experts at wearetwixt offered us this advice from Katie, nutritionist and gut health expert.

FRE

TAK

E ME

E

HOME

u

o

years

ud

to be

es Mag

years

P

o.uk iliesonline.c

d

fam 1

202 July/August

a

nt

30

ili

30

m

to be Pr

May/June 202 1

ne

s Magaz

e

o

ie

Pr

il

zi

Fa

Magazine

Pr

Familiesonline.co.uk

FREE

TAKE ME HOME

in

Chuck a handful of prawns into a stir fry/pasta sauce with some chilli and lime.

Mackerel has a mild flavour that works well mashed into a dip with a squeeze of lemon and garlic.

Add pesto or cherry tomatoes to baked salmon steaks; serve with potato wedges.

Try salty anchovies in pasta sauce or on pizza. They taste great amongst other complicated flavours.

Spread nut butters - peanut, almond or hazelnut- onto toast.

Slice apple wedges for dipping in a small bowl of peanut butter.

For What’s On near you, pick up your local print magazine!

nt

Fishy and nutty food ideas

Katie O’Connell is an experienced nutritionist offering consultations to parents and children. Find out more.

ri

Healthy fats are probably the most important food group for growing tweens and are vital to healthy brain development. The best sources are fish, nuts and seeds. I recommend oily fish twice a week - salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna (fresh not tinned), herrings, prawns and whitebait – and a handful of nuts a day.

Sprinkle mixed seeds over breakfast cereal, salads, in sandwiches and stir fries.

Fa m

Fats are not the enemy

i

IT’s FREE!

familiesonli

Not sure where?

Ask us now

ne.co.uk

Magazine September/October 13

ACTIVITIES

Find your fit with Brio Leisure Brio Leisure has some fantastic offers to help keep you and your little ones happy and active this Autumn!

This September, juniors can join Brio Leisure for just £10 per month for September, October and November!

From casual swim sessions to offpeak racquet sports, there are loads of activities to keep the kids entertained at your local centre.

Adults can also enjoy this offer for just £20 per month. From swimming to fitness classes, there’s something for everyone. Join and benefit from this offer by visiting your local centre or clicking here. T&Cs apply.

There’s entertainment on offer at Brio too. At Northwich Memorial Court on 26 September, you can catch The (Steve) Royale Variety Performance at 7:30pm or a classic for all the family, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show on 13 November at 1pm and 3pm. Tickets here or call 0333 666 3366.

The Grange Theatre puts on the Greatest Pantomime of them all…

Join The Grange Theatre in Northwich this Christmas for the Greatest Pantomime of them all ‘CINDERELLA.’ Cinderella longs for a happier and more exciting life away from her wicked stepsisters. Thankfully, her loveable companion, Buttons, is there to look after her. When dashing Prince Charming decides to hold a ball to find a wife, this may be the chance Cinderella has been waiting for. Can the Fairy Godmother help Cinderella get to the ball? With the help of some mice and a pumpkin – anything is possible!

This jam-packed pantomime will sparkle with an exciting blend of live music, quality, professional performers, stunning sets, lavish costumes and bags of comedy. Running from 11 December to 2 January. Click here for more information and booking or call 01606 539040.

14 September/October

Familiesonline.co.uk

Get the kids modelling!

Receive 3 FREE Plasticine® gifts when you sign up to our magazine* You receive:

Toolz Kit

Softeez Noodle Doodle Creator Kit

Multi Pack

A family modelling favourite, ideal for kids to make and create.

Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk

Worth more than £12.99

SIGN UP HERE IT’S FREE!

*while stocks last T&Cs

September/October 15

AUTUMN

Best Autumn crafts for all ages Celebrate the season and get creative with these colourful and rewarding activities.

Autumn garland

Apple stamping

Hanging leaves

Pine cone peanut butter bird feeder

Leaf people

Paper plate flappy owl

Pine cone people

Nature ‘tic tac toe’ game

Nature wand

16 September/October

Familiesonline.co.uk

AUTUMN

Autumn outside It’s a great season to be outside with the kids and here’s how to keep them happy and busy enjoying nature.

Track local wildlife

Create a journey stick

Spider web safari

Geocaching

Make a leaf stack

Build a den

Discover a wood near you

Make a mini garden

Build a hedgehog home

Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 17

ENVIRONMENT

Growing oak trees from acorns According to the Woodland Trust, trees are our most powerful weapon in the fight against climate change. Join Luke Cook and The Acorn Project to give nature a helping hand in encouraging acorns to grow into trees.

1

2

3

4

Here’s what to do.

1. Start looking for green or brown acorns around mid-September.

Make sure they have no insect damage or holes/cracks from falling.

2. Take the caps off your acorns.

Fill a clear container up with water and drop in the acorns. Fertile acorns will sink. Non-fertile ones can be put outside for birds and squirrels (but out of reach of dogs, as acorns are poisonous for them).

3. Keep your fertile acorns in a cool, dark place until they sprout.

When the roots appear, fill a small

18 September/October

container with compost and some gravel. A yoghurt pot or plastic bottle cut in half, with drainage holes at the bottom works well.

Make a hole and plant the acorn (about an inch below the surface).

Cover with compost and put outside/in a dark spot until shoots appear (usually in the spring).

4. Look around your local area to see where trees could be planted.

Council-owned parks, schools and hospitals are likely to be grateful for your saplings!

Familiesonline.co.uk

HALLOWEEN

DIY Halloween costumes Does your heart sink when your child asks if you can make them a costume for Halloween? If so, check out this great but simple ideas.

No sew spider

Luna Lovegood

No sew ghost

Zombie

Mummy

Pirate

Duct tape skeleton

Velcro vampire

Halloween face painting - step by step

Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 19

HALLOWEEN

Halloween decoration ideas Get into the spirit of the Halloween season with these fabulous decoration ideas.

Milk carton ghosts

Halloween shadow puppet activity

Easy jar lantern

Witches cauldrons

Pumpkin paper plates

Puffy ghosts

Conker spider

Mini broomstick

Flapping bat

20 September/October

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

The benefits of family pets

Kids’ books that promote diversity

By Caroline Wilkinson

By Tamsy Ashman

While raising kids can feel like enough of a job without the added responsibility of pets, bringing animals into your family home can be incredibly beneficial. A pet can provide huge confidence-boosting opportunities for children and can also reduce anxiety levels.

READ MORE

As conversations about race continue to dominate the headlines, it’s the perfect time to explore books featuring people from different racial backgrounds with your child.

Saving tips for families

Giveaway!

By Clare Francis

Over the last tumultuous eighteen months, families have realised the importance of having a financial safety net.

Financially supporting the various stages of your child’s life requires planning and the earlier you start to save, the less you will feel the impact on your day-today budget.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

Here’s some recommendations.

READ MORE

Turn your child’s life adventures into personalised tales with a Tales of Me book 5 of each book available APPLY HERE Magazine

IT’S FREE! *while stock last T&Cs apply

September/October 21

FAMILY LIFE

Is it really over?

Journaling for kids

All relationships have ups and downs but when the balance has tipped very much in favour of downs, you may be wondering whether your marriage can be saved or whether divorce could be the right decision.

Journaling is an excellent activity for kids. It creates an outlet for thoughts and feelings and a safe space for children of all ages to explore their emotions.

By Rhiannon Ford

You may have talked to your spouse about your unhappiness and not received a satisfactory response? Or feel you’ve done everything you can to improve your relationship and it’s just not working?

Find out what to do next.

By Stacie Swift

Journaling can foster greater self-awareness, self-belief and help with decision making. It’s also a great tool for encouraging gratitude, kindness and positivity.

Check out my five starter activities for children.

READ MORE

Dozens of family activities!

Check out the FREE resources at Only Mums & OnlyDads and find out about 101 Questions Answered About Separating With Children, an invaluable resource for parents in the early days of separation.

22 September/October

SIGN UP HERE to receive every issue IT’S FREE!

Hereford & Worce ste

r

Magazine

Familiesonline.co.uk

BONFIRE NIGHT

Staying safe on Bonfire Night Animals and children (particularly younger ones) often find fireworks scary. Help them relax and stay safe using a few simple tips.

Indoor pets Keep your pets in the house whenever you think there will be fireworks; Walk dogs during daylight hours; Shut windows and doors, close blinds and curtains; Put on some music or television to mask the firework sounds; Create a quiet space or hiding places where your pet can feel secure; Make sure your pet can’t escape if startled by a sudden noise.

Outside pets Partly cover outside cages, hutches and pens with blankets.

Provide extra bedding inside cages and hutches so small animals can burrow in.

Consider bringing outside pets indoors – this may need to be done gradually so plan ahead.

More at RSPCA

Enjoy fireworks with kids

Bonfire Night safety tips

Invest in a pair of earmuffs to protect their sensitive hearing;

Don’t build a bonfire too high;

Sparklers offer fizz and glow without the bang but never give them to a child under 5;

Keep a bucket of water nearby; Only buy fireworks with the CE mark;

Decorate the garden with fairy lights;

Never go near a firework that has been lit;

Hide glow sticks in the garden for a treasure hunt in the dark;

Never give sparklers to a child under 5;

Let off some party poppers;

Light fireworks at arms length;

Invest in torches tinted with cellophane;

When a sparkler is finished, put it in a bucket of cold water;

Giant bubbles are easy to make and are great fun at night.

Follow ROSPA’s sparkler safety advice.

Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 23

EARLY YEARS

Bonfire Night for under 5s It’s a fun night for older kids but little ones can sometimes get overwhelmed by the loud bangs and noise. So here are some ideas to help them celebrate more quietly!

Firecracker pull string pinata

Firework star hat

Sparkly fireworks picture

Fork stamped fireworks

Edible sparklers

Shaving foam fireworks

Toilet roll rocket

Pretend bonfire

Firework cookies

24 September/October

Familiesonline.co.uk

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black History Month ‘Who’s Who’ Quiz Look at these photos and clues with your kids and match them to the list of important figures from black history on the next page.

How many do you know?

His art is displayed in galleries all around the world.

Famous for her books for young adults, including Noughts and Crosses.

First black driver to win a Formula One championship.

Born a slave in Maryland, She paid her own way to the Crimean War, setting USA, she led military campaigns to free slaves. up a hotel for soldiers.

He served twenty seven years in prison and was finally freed in 1990.

She was a ‘human computer’ making the calculations required for space flight.

He campaigned for laws to end racial segregation and discrimination in the USA.

He served two terms as president, leaving office with a sixty percent approval rate.

Familiesonline.co.uk

September/October 25

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

What do you know about Black History Month?

October marks Black History Month (BHM) in the United Kingdom. The event was first officially recognised by the US government in 1976 and was first celebrated in the UK in 1987.

Events celebrating African and Caribbean cultures will take place across the UK until October 31.

People from African and Caribbean backgrounds have been a fundamental part of British history for centuries. However, many have highlighted that their value and contribution to society is often overlooked, ignored, or distorted. Many schools still teach a history curriculum which focuses on traditional events and the achievements of white figures.

BHM gives everyone the chance to

share, celebrate and learn about the impact of black heritage and culture – something we should, of course, be doing all year round. BHM also goes further than the traditional concentration on slavery and segregation in the history of African and Caribbean people, giving us the chance to uplift figures previously disregarded in British and world history. www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk

Answers. Left to right Row 1: 1. Chris Ofili 2. Malorie Blackman 3. Lewis Hamilton Row 2: Harriet Tubman, Mary Seacole, Nelson Mandela Row 3: Barack Obama, Katherine Johnson, Martin Luther-King Jr.

Who’s Who Quiz names Barack Obama Chris Ofili Harriet Tubman Katherine Johnson Lewis Hamilton Malorie Blackman Martin Luther King Jr Mary Seacole Nelson Mandela 26 September/October

Get the best out of family life!

SIGN UP HERE to receive every issue IT’S FREE!

Magazine

Magazine

Familiesonline.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT

Time to get tough with Tonka!

Find out about the new additions to their range.

Tonka has been a favourite with kids for more than seventy years!

Built Tonka-tough and designed to look just like the real thing, these terrific toys from Basic Fun remain a staple fixture in every child’s toy box.

Year on year the Tonka selection has grown and a new generation of Tonka fans are created every day.

Top of the picks are the Tonka Steel Classic vehicles that are instantly recognisable and are ready for super tough play whether indoors or out!

other trucks have issues on site, the Tow Truck comes into its own and is built to take on the toughest vehicle rescue jobs.

Already firm favourites, you can choose from a Mighty Dump Truck, Bull Dozer, Front Loader and the epic Toughest Mighty Dump that is built to last and withstand even the toughest Tonka Kids!

If you love Tonka as much as we do and have a kid that’s ready to get tough, you can find the collection at John Lewis.

New for this autumn are the Tonka Crane and Tow Truck. Kids will have hours of pretend play with the beast of a crane which stands almost 2 feet tall with its long stretching moveable arm, working winch and grabber. Or, for when the

We have a bumper Tonka Steel competition prize worth £100 for one lucky reader! Simply go to the Tonka competition page here to enter. Full terms and conditions on the page. Closing date is 1 October 2021.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Enter the Tonka competition! WIN

September/October 27

TOYS

The must-have family game!

Get playing this Autumn With the summer holidays now behind us and children back to school, ToyMonster introduces the BEST family card game ever: Kids Against Maturity!

This is the perfect game for unwinding after a day at school; an ideal way to spend a rainy weekend and a brilliant surprise to have up your sleeve for play time and family time over the October half term… and, dare we say it – the Christmas holidays, too! It’s impossible not to love this award-winning, fill-in-theblank game.

Its age-appropriate toilet humour and witty innuendos for adults, make Kids Against Maturity enjoyable for players of all ages from ages 8 and up. Easy to learn, simple to play, and absolutely hilarious, this game is a staple for every family home.

The player with the highest number of most amusing responses wins the game.

Each game set includes six hundred cards – a mix of question and answer cards – from which players can create over forty thousand combinations of answers.

Kids Against Maturity is available now from Smyths Toys Superstores, RRP £19.99.

Best enjoyed with 4+ players, all you need is to ‘be the worst to be the best.’

Each player gets ten white answer cards and takes turns asking the blue question cards. Everyone answers each question with their funniest white card choice and places it face down. The question reader chooses what they think is the funniest answer and the player who placed down that card wins the hand.

28 September/October

Familiesonline.co.uk

TOYS

Toys for girls AND boys Break down gender stereotypes with these toys all tested by children and endorsed by The Good Toy Guide.

Baking Set from Galt

The Genius Square

Pillowfight Warriors® Medieval Range

Smartibot Building Kit

Get budding little bakers started in the kitchen. £12.99. 3-5 years.

Pretend fight and play. £11.99. 3-8 years.

Pepper Mint Great Treehouse Engineering Adventure £35. 8+ years.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Race opponents to complete in this great game. £16.99.

7-9 years.

Build an A.I. Bot, Teabot or Unicorn from cardboard. £55. 11+ years.

Little Brian’s Face Painting Sticks

A fun, clean and messfree way of face painting! £19.99. 3-8 years.

Magicube Full Color

Enchant children with this magnetic construction system. £18-£35. 18-36 months.

Geosafari® Jr. Kidnoculars® Extreme™

See and hear the birds up close. £22.50.

3-8 years.

Discovery Adventures Digital Walkie Talkies £24.99. 6-8 years.

September/October 29