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Summer 2020 familiesonline.co.uk
familiesonline.co.uk Summer 2020
ART WITH TEDDIES ONLINE
Download and print this great colouring sheet and enter our Teddies Online Music Club colouring competition!
Win a unique personalised print created by Teddies Online Music Club!
WIN!
Choose between a farmyard animal and a train scene.
Fiddle-i-fee...
Just colour or paint the great colouring sheet on this page. Then email a scan or photo of your sheet to us, together with your name, post code, child’s age and choice of print. Closing date: 31 August 2020
www.teddiesmusicclub.co.uk 2 Summer 2020
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CONTENTS
Welcome
Contents
2 We’re slowly coming out of lockdown – and here is our summer issue to steer you safely through 4-7 the holidays.
Drawing and Colouring with Teddies Online Learning
8-10 Early Years
Many children have not been to school for some time. So this issue is packed full of fun activities to keep their brains engaged, as well as games, classes, summer camps, places to go and competitions.
12-15 Parenting 16
Holidays
19
Work
20
Places to Go
21
Screen-Free Activities Weekend
We’re also proud to present our first 22 video feature, Mums in Lockdown, 23 which we hope you enjoy. 24 Get in touch 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.
Summer Camps & Courses Give your Child a Social Summer Online Classes
25
Activities
26
Best Printable Primary Age Games
27
Best Lego Kits
ENTER HERE T&Cs apply
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Summer 2020 3
LEARNING
Secret Summer Learning Activities Our best ideas to keep your child’s brain ticking over all summer long.
Make a Video
Charades
Learn Chess
Develops creativity, promotes physical activity and communication skills.
Develops imagination and non-verbal communication skills.
Encourages critical thinking, planning ahead and reasoning.
Make a Miniature Book
Bake a Cake
Word Games for Families
Encourages creativity and an interest in literature.
Make a Soap Carving
Develops fine motor skills and creativity. 4 Summer 2020
Develops maths and coordination.
Game of 50
Develops addition/ subtraction, logical thinking, strategy, perseverance.
Improves listening, vocabulary, memory and attention.
Fruit & Vegetable Guessing Game
Develops memory and logical thinking. familiesonline.co.uk
LEARNING
School Work During the Holidays?
Supporting Secret Learning
By Murray Morrison
By Dr Amanda Gummer
When the whole of the summer term has felt like a halfway house between school and holidays, many families are beginning to wonder whether they should continue some element of school work through the summer break. So, what should the plan be?
We’ve all mashed up veggies and hidden them in pasta sauce. Well, the same can be done with learning! Hiding learning within play is a much less stressful way of helping children to keep learning whilst they are not at school, especially for reluctant students. READ MORE
READ MORE
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Summer 2020 5
LEARNING
Sourcing Children’s Books over Summer Our guide to finding the right books for your child at the right price.
Book Trust Great Books Guide
100 best new books for children.
The Libby App
Free ebooks and audiobooks with your library membership.
Library E-Lending Love Reading4Kids
National Shelf Service
Daily book recommendations from professional librarians.
BorrowBox App
All libraries have e-lending services. Join remotely and enjoy.
UK’s number 1 book recommendation site for children’s books.
Borrow ebooks and audiobooks free from your library.
Hive.co.uk
Oxfam Online Book Shop
World of Books
Free delivery. UK’s largest seller of Commission paid to 1000s of new/pre-loved pre-loved books online. your local independent books and audiobooks bookshop. available online. 6 Summer 2020
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LEARNING
Preparing your Child to Start School
Return to School: How to Support your Child
Starting school for the first time is exciting - despite the pandemic. Remember that children starting school for the first time will not know that school routines are different to the past! So how can you best prepare your little one to start school?
Throughout the long, strange months of lockdown parents have provided continuity and a sense of reality for their children. Soon it will be time to get them back to school and parents can help their children through this transition in numerous ways.
READ MORE
READ MORE
By Gabrielle Lawrence
Summer Reading Challenge 2020: Let’s Get Silly
By Kairen Cullen
CREATE/ +YOUR SUMMER>
DATES
July & August 2020
COURSE OPTIONS
Week Long, Part-Time and Self Guided
COURSES
— Artificial Intelligence — Python & Java Coding — Video Game Design — Digital Photography & MORE!
O N LI N E TE C H C O U RS E S FO R K I DS AG E D 9-17 LI V E TE AC H I N G BY E X PE RT T UTO RS
Over summer, there is often a dip in children’s reading levels. The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4-11 to read for pleasure and maintain their literacy levels. This year’s ‘Silly Squad’ theme places an emphasis on funny books. READ MORE
I N S M A LL C L AS S S IZ E S
20% OFF* Promo Code: FAMILIES20
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Book now Fire-Tech.com * T&C’s apply
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Summer 2020 7
PRE-SCHOOL
Best Printable Early Years Activity Sheets Free printables to help your little one’s pre-school learning.
Learn About Numbers
Big Bird Number 6 Alphablocks A to Z Colouring Colouring
Family Card Game
Counting Sheet
Paint by Numbers
Bing Big Surprise Activities
Tracing Ace Learn to Draw
Maisy Dinner Doodle Mat
8 Summer 2020
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ING AL L L A L C F A M ILIE PER U S S
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PRE SCHOOL
Nursery at Home Activities for under 5s that are easy to do at home and mirror the range of play experiences offered at nursery.
Make a Mermaid Tail
Make Sparkly Playdough
Make a Magic Garden
Make Crab Handprints
Car Name Game
Make Tractor Tyre Printing Pictures
Enjoy Songs and Action Rhymes
Make an Under the Sea Water Tray
Enjoy Dressing Up Role Play
10 Summer 2020
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PARENTING
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Summer 2020 11
PARENTING
How to Motivate Your Child to do Anything There is a long summer ahead…. and for many families, this is just an extension of a long spring at home with no school attendance and precious little by way of entertainment. Many children are fractious, bored, lonely, discontented and anxious. It’s no wonder many are struggling to concentrate, focus and motivate themselves to do very much at all. In order to get your child up and moving this summer and avoid a case of terminal boredom, your child needs a few projects and goals that will give them a sense of achievement and productivity. These could be anything from practising times tables, having a day of screen free time every week, reading a book, doing some daily exercise or tidying their room. You may even challenge them to complete some of the projects in this magazine! For little ones, some
more specific goals for positive behaviour might be appropriate. Decide what you think might work for your child and, if they are older, discuss and agree this with them. Consider an appropriate motivator for your child. This doesn’t have to be (and, in fact, shouldn’t always be) money and it’s best to avoid sugary treats as rewards too. But it may be that you offer to pay for something your child really needs if they achieve their goal. It’s fun to give an older child a few different projects and goals with points they can earn for each, with the aim of reaching a total number of points and a bigger reward. Remember to give praise generously for the effort your child goes to, even if they don’t quite achieve all their goals. You can find lots of reward ideas from simple/low cost to more involved on the next page.
12 Summer 2020
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PARENTING
Rewards to Motivate Your Child Simple/Low Cost • Pick a movie – anything goes if it’s age appropriate! • Cook their favourite dinner. • A later bed time. • Read an extra bed time story. • 30 minutes of extra screen time (not appropriate if you are trying to get them off a screen!) • One to one time with mum or dad doing exactly what they want. • Stickers.
More Involved • A picnic in the park. • Choosing a family activity. • An outdoor playdate with friends (activity ideas page 23) • Time with your phone to take some photos. Then get them printed. • Camp in the garden. • A family sports activity • Visit the beach. • Go for a bike family bike ride.
Costs Money • Give your child your loose change – every day for a week! T&Cs apply
• Earn art materials for creative fun. • Earn a small item which promotes physical activity. Football, hula hoop or frisbee… • Increase their pocket money. • Paint a feature wall in their room in their favourite colour. • Let your child choose the next family outing. • Buy them their favourite magazine, or an app they want. familiesonline.co.uk
ENTER HERE
Summer 2020 13
PARENTING
Mums in Lockdown Four mums and Families magazine Editors tell us how lockdown has been for them. How have they juggled work, parenting, home schooling and life – and survived intact?
Caroline Roope is Editor of Families Solent East magazine. She lives in Hampshire with her husband and two sons. Watch Caroline’s lockdown video.
Laura Macaulay is Editor of Families North Yorkshire and Families Newcastle magazine. She is mum of two boys and lives in Yorkshire. Watch Laura’s lockdown video.
Katy Stollery is Editor of Families Fife and Tayside in Scotland. She just started running her business at the start of lockdown! She is the mum of two girls and lives in Fife. Watch Katy’s lockdown video.
Claire Bottomley is Editor of Families Leeds & West Yorkshire magazine. She is mum of three children ages 2 to 11 – two boys and a girl - and lives in Leeds. Watch Claire’s lockdown video.
14 Summer 2020
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PARENTING
Talking to our Children about Racism
Helping your Child Cope with Nightmares
Last month saw an unprecedented outpouring of movements throughout the world advocating an end to racial inequality. Children certainly have questions about the stories they hear, see and read, so how do we talk to them positively and openly about race? Download A Parent’s Guide to Black Lives Matter.
Many children have more underlying worries than usual right now. These are often kept at bay by the routines, occupations and pleasures of the day, only to surface at night in the form of scary nightmares. Our friends at Fegans share their top tips for coping with your child’s nightmares.
Developing your Baby’s Sense of Humour
Worried about your Child’s Weight?
Watching your baby’s sense of humour develop is incredibly rewarding. Babies are born ready to laugh, but did you know that having a sense of humour is a learned quality that can actually be developed in babies and children?
Lockdown has significantly impacted children’s health, with a trend of weight gain resulting from confinement at home. Here are some useful tips from Need2KnowBooks for parents wanting to control weight gain in their children There’s a book offer at the end of the article too! READ MORE
By Andrew Campbell
READ MORE familiesonline.co.uk
By Shelley Goffe-Caldeira
Summer 2020 15
HOLIDAYS
Beat the crowd staycation ideas Please check the latest Government guidance before you book.
Canal Boat Holiday
Eco-Friendly Tree House
Rustic Woodland Shack
Hobbit Inspired Pod
Explore the UK’s rivers/ Luxury woodland break canals. From £725 a in Devon. From £1,390 a week (family of 4). week.
Retro Airstream Caravan
Go retro in Suffolk. From £66 a night (min 2-nights).
Idyllic Shepherd’s Hut
Get off the grid in Yorkshire. From £125 a night.
Pod living in Suffolk. From £710 a week (family of 4).
Northumberland’s beaches. From £180 for 2 nights (family of 4).
Gorgeous Highland Cottage
New Forest Cottage
Stunning St Ives Hideaway
Wild Scotland! From £1,990 a week (inc daily catering).
16 Summer 2020
Forest and beach. From Secret tunnel to beach! £949 a week (July). From £164 a night Sleeps 4. (min 3-nights). familiesonline.co.uk
HOLIDAYS
Staycation Survival Guide Check for the latest government travel advice. The rules are different in Scotland, Wales and Ireland, so make sure you check the details for the country you are visiting. Consider insurance. New policies no longer cover coronavirus-caused cancellations. If you have pre-booked insurance or an annual policy, the FCO has currently advised against all non-essential travel, which invalidates your insurance. It seems likely that the FCO position will change with regard to those countries with which the UK establishes air bridges but check your insurance T&Cs before you book/travel. Check the cancellation policy for any holiday you book. Will your deposit be refunded if another lockdown happens or if travel restrictions are not lifted? Lower your expectations. There will be fewer places open and some form of social distancing is likely to still be in place. Embrace nature and spending time with your family and think of all the money you are saving towards next year’s holiday!
Budget Staycation Ideas Lodge in the grounds of the Thomas Lord Inn, Hampshire. Private facilities/meals to your room. Farmstay UK 700 farms offering camping, B&B and SC. Birdholme Glamping in Notts. Stilted safari lodges in acres of space! Forest Holidays Log cabins/ tree houses in 10 forest locations across UK. Camp Too - retro VW campers + modern motorhomes. Various UK pick-up points. Tent Share. Rent a tent so you don’t have to buy camping gear! Canopy & Stars - reconnect with nature! Glamping to shepherd huts. familiesonline.co.uk
Summer 2020 17
HOLIDAYS
Family Tour of the UK No holiday? Take your family on a virtual tour of the UK’s most famous places.
Stonehenge
Roman Baths
Edinburgh Castle
Interactive 360º tour + live view from inside the monument.
Virtual ‘walkthrough’ of Bath’s Roman baths.
Stunning aerial view of the building and city.
Tower of London
Giant’s Causeway 360º tour of this spectacular landmark.
Hadrian’s Wall
A 360º view of the world’s largest Roman artefact.
Buckingham Palace
The Shard
Dover Castle
Interactive 360º tour of the building and grounds.
Tour THE most famous Royal Palace. 18 Summer 2020
View London from the tallest building in Europe.
360º tour of the castle on top of the white cliffs. familiesonline.co.uk
WORK
Avoiding Home Working Hell…. By Mandy Garner Working from home is the nirvana parents have been waiting for, right? Well, maybe, but NOT when combined with looking after children full time. Here are some tips on successfully working from home as the school holidays and exhaustion kick in. Manage expectations - not just those of your employer, but your own and those of your family. Creating a routine that allows you to work can help everybody. For instance, some quiet time after lunch when your children know that you will be making phone calls. Ask your manager if you can work around your childcare responsibilities, perhaps in the evenings or at weekends, tag teaming with your partner, if you have one. Or consider reducing your hours if this is affordable, and explore this with your employer. As with flexible working negotiations, if you spell out the issues, explain how you are trying to tackle them and suggest potential workable solutions, managers are more likely to listen. The right set up - it’s not just about the hours you can work. You need the right long term setup, given fears of commuting and familiesonline.co.uk
a second wave of infection. Can your employer help with technical support and ergonomics? It’s sensible to have a back-up if your laptop goes down or to have someone you can call with technical issues. This is far less stressful and time-consuming than trying to work things out for yourself from YouTube tutorials. You also need the right workspace and furniture. There are reports of increased back pain as a result of people working from sofas or beds during lockdown. Ask your employer for support - it’s a health and safety issue - and for help with work-related phone/internet bills if they don’t provide phones and laptops. READ MORE Summer 2020 19
PLACES TO GO
Places to Go this Summer These places are opening many outside spaces and gardens (and possibly some inside ones too). Find out what is open near you.
National Trust
English Heritage
Legoland UK
Woodland Trust
WWT Wetland Centres
Forestry England
Zoos and Wildlife Parks
National Parks UK
Go Ape Adventures
20 Summer 2020
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ACTIVITIES
Screen-Free Activities Weekend
No more Netflix binging - mix and match ideas for a 48 hour family digital detox.
Morning – 1 hour Make brunch for all the family. Rediscover paper. Make amazing origami. Puzzle it out. Try crosswords/ Sudoku together. Morning – 2 hours Mess about on the water. Try SUP paddling or canoeing. Reconnect with nature. Do the RSPB Wild Challenge. All morning Construct a fort in the garden or house. Create a family scrapbook with memorabilia of all kinds! Evening – 1 hour Make books. Just gather art and craft supplies. Try a night walk. Pack torches, snacks, raincoats and go on an adventure. Evening – 2 hours Go stargazing. Spot planets and constellations! Play charades. Young and old love this classic game. All evening Have a movie-athon. Check out ideas here. Camp out. Set up the tent, cook sausages and yummy S’mores. familiesonline.co.uk
Afternoon – 1 hour Board no more. Play a board game or bingo. Print off cards here. Afternoon – 2 hours Create a herb garden. In pots, the garden or on a windowsill! Be treasure hunters. Set up a trail with treasure at the end. All afternoon Get arty. Pack a picnic, art supplies and enjoy nature. Strike a pose. Family photo shoot with an SLR/Polaroid camera.
All Day Build a go-kart. Then test it out! Develop circus skills. Learn juggling, tightrope walking and magic! Visit the seaside. Head to one of Britain’s best seaside towns. French Day. Begin with croissants, learn the lingo and cook some French cuisine. Build a garden labyrinth. Gather materials to make a cool labyrinth that you can walk round. Be Kind. Post some fun letters/ cards to friends/relatives. Create care packages for vulnerable people. Summer 2020 21
ACTIVITIES
Live and Virtual Kids’ Summer Camps and Courses
Chelsea Young Writers
Online streamed creative writing courses. Ages 6-12.
Sparks Filmmaking Courses Action-packed online course. Ages 9-18.
Camp Beaumont Summer Camps Live multi-activity camps. Ages 3-16.
22 Summer 2020
Perform
Kings Camps
Live 3/5 day performing arts courses. Ages 4-10.
Live multi-activity camps for ages 5-17.
Sophia
Little House of Science
Online classes from Harry Potter to coding. Ages 4-18.
Firetech Courses
Online tech for ages 9-17. 20% off with code Families20.
Online video science camps. Ages 3-11.
The Strings Club Camps
Live & online music/ craft camps. Ages 3-11. familiesonline.co.uk
ACTIVITIES
Give your Child a Social Summer Outdoor activity ideas for groups of children. Make sure you check the latest government guidance and BYO equipment!
Mini Olympics Discus – use frisbees or paper plates. Shot Put – use bean bags or tennis balls. Hurdles – use cardboard boxes. Simple Gymnastic Displays – handstands/cartwheels. Running Races – of all lengths! Long Jump – use tape measure and award points. Ball Archery – throwing a ball at a target or containers. Shooting - with nerf guns on a target.
Sports Gala Football Penalty Shoot Outs – 10 attempts, 10 points per goal. Mini Golf – use cups for holes. Darts – use magnetic/Nerf darts. Swingball Tournament. Quoits – with hula hoops and garden stakes. Skittles – half fill drink bottles for pins. Bowls – get closest to the small ball. Balloon Tennis using rope for a net. familiesonline.co.uk
Picnic Party What’s the time Mr Wolf? Simon says.... Bingo – download cards or make your own. Charades. Dance festival – mix up the music to test the best movers. Treasure hunt. Limbo – using a rope who can get the lowest. Fun Races – sack/egg & spoon/ ball between knees/bean bag on head.
Park & Pavement Play Hopscotch. Chalk Art Contest. Noughts & Crosses. Pavement Obstacle Course. Jumping Game – mark out lines. Tree Rubbings – who can make the most rubbings? Painting with Water – old paint rollers/brushes with soapy water. Skipping.
Summer 2020 23
ACTIVITIES
Best Online Classes for All Ages Are your children missing their regular classes and activities? Try these instead!
Family Dance Workshops
Teddies Music Club Online
Online Science Club
Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes at Home
Sadler Well’s fun family Lively music and art for dance workshops for 2 pre-schoolers. to 6 years.
Live classes with Mother Nature Science.
The Strings Club Ukele/guitar/violin classes for ages 3+. FREE session!
24 Summer 2020
Self-guided, fun tutorials (5-8yrs).
The Little Gym at Home
Little Kickers Football for Kids
Easy, fun football classes with a warm up, games, and goals.
Virtual Kids Martial Arts
Online classes to burn off excess energy.
Little STEAMers
Play-based science/ engineering classes for Fitness sessions for ages 2-4. primary and pre-school children. familiesonline.co.uk
ACTIVITIES
Win an Online Song Writing Course! Songwriting4Kids teaches children ages 8-13 how to write songs. The selfguided instruction WIN! videos cover reading and writing music as well as basic rhythms and lyrics. Perfect for kids who are new to music as well as those who already play an instrument! First prize: Level 1 & 2 worth £135.99. Second prize: Level 1 worth £79.99. Enter here with name & postcode by 15 August 2020.
Struggling to Get Your Child to Do Music Practice? By Ruth Seodi
Having to constantly push your child to practise their music becomes tiresome and often leads to fall outs. Here are four ways in which you can turn practising from a chore to a pleasure for your child. READ MORE. WATCH VIDEO.
Ten Cooking Skills for Every Child to Master T&Cs apply
ENTER HERE There’s no doubt parents will need a bank of fresh, childfriendly activities to get through the summer holidays. Why not add cooking to the list? It’s fun, educational and most children enjoy it. Here are ten cooking skills for children to master this summer. READ MORE. familiesonline.co.uk
Summer 2020 25
ACTIVITIES
Best Printable Primary Age Games Free printables to help your child keep busy and learning.
Battleships
Develops strategy, logical thinking and concentration.
Country Word Search
Find 20 countries amongst the letters.
Alphabet Scattegories
Find a word for each letter! 26 Summer 2020
The Mystery of the Missing Pirate Treasure
Car Bingo
Great for alphabet recognition.
Practises maths and problem solving.
Colouring Picnic
Read the sentences to colour the picture.
Premier League Football Facts
Solve the sums to complete the football facts.
ABC Trace & Colour
Trace the letter and colour in the drawing.
Harry Potter Word Scramble Figure out what Harry is saying.
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ACTIVITIES
Best Lego Kits for Rainy Days The ideal creative indoor activity for any age.
Duplo My First Bricks Box of Fun
Classic Creative Brick Box
Boost Creative Toolbox Robotics
Great starter kit. Ages 18mths+.
Endless building opportunities. Ages 4+.
Build/code interactive motorised robots. Ages 7-12.
World Animals
Creator Mighty Dinosaurs
Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall
Great introductory set inc. toy animals and people. Ages 2+.
Trolls Poppy’s Pod Playhouse including mini figures/ accessories. Ages 4+.
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3 dinosaurs in 1 set. Ages 7-12.
Friends Stephanie’s Gymnastics
Build gymnastic equipment. Ages 6+.
Includes 10 mini figures. Ages 9+.
Captain Marvel Toy Jet
Perfect for Marvel fans. Ages 7+. Summer 2020 27