Families Birmingham March-April 2022

FR EE

Birmingham

IN THIS ISSUE

Education Easter Family life Travel

March/April 2022

Familiesonline.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk March/April 1

Fostering changes lives

Foster Parents come from all walks of life, backgrounds and cultures helping children feel safe & valued - we welcome applications from everyone.

“

By the Bridge are exceptional... ...the best decision we ever made.

”

Katie & Tom By the Bridge Foster Parents

We need Foster families for more than 600 children in your local area this month alone.

All we ask is that you MUST have a spare bedroom and the time to give to a child.

If you have a spare bedroom and want to make a difference, contact us today.

Call: 0800 644 6230

2 March/April

Visit: www.bythebridge.co.uk/families

Familiesonline.co.uk

CONTENTS

Welcome

In this issue

4 9 10 Get out and about with the family again. Take a look at our What’s On guide, and also find lesser-visited 11 location spots in our Travel section.

12 14 With cost-of-living increasing, saving money is on everyone’s mind. Read our top tips in Family life 16 section.

17 Do you have a child starting school in September? 20 Then you’ll want to download our free School 23 Starters Planner taster edition.

25 We’re really looking forward to spring here at Families and in preparation, here’s our Easter magazine.

Finally, we have lots of DoodleJamz toys to give away! So make sure you apply for this squishy, squashy, sensory but mess-free drawing pad for your child. And sign up at familiesmag.co.uk/go to receive every issue of this magazine free to your inbox.

Suzanne, Editor

Education Mindfulness colouring Mother’s Day gifts Family fun with flowers Clubs & classes Early years Easter Family life Travel Spring outdoors What’s on

Get in touch Competition winners from our November/December issue Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list here.

Receive a FREE DoodleJamz toy for your child* Age Endless creations at their fingertips!

Draw, squish, sculpt, shape, erase and repeat with this mess-free drawing pad!

APPLY HERE Familiesonline.co.uk

3+

*while stocks last T&Cs apply

Magazine March/April 3

EDUCATION

Is your child starting school in September?

Plan a successful start with the School Starters Planner 2022/23

What’s in the planner?

Daily planning calendar What’s coming up – month by month School contact details and login pages

The full 12 month planner covers the entire 2022/23 academic year.

Vital information you will need for school from the experts at Every Day’s a School Day

Buy it HERE

Get a 4 month taster planner for FREE

DOWNLOAD HERE

4 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

So you didn’t get the school place you wanted.

What next?

Watch advice from Emma Lewry at Every Day’s a School Day

We know that choosing a school for your child can seem like a daunting decision, but we believe you’ll know when you’ve found the right one...

OPEN DAY Saturday 5th March, 10am - 12pm No appointment necessary.

St James Road, Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2NX westhouseprep.com

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 5

EDUCATION

Educational accessories

Great ideas to help your child learn at any age.

Apple Twist

Stimulates spatial insight, problem solving and logic. Ages 5+.

Smart Snacks Counting Cookies Engaging, imaginative & develops early maths skills at home. Ages 18mth-6yrs.

Play Plus Kids Headphones

Wireless, foldable, comfy fit and volume controls.

Ages 3-8.

Peppa Pig Wooden Clock Puzzle

Count, sort, place shapes in the correct order. Ages 3+.

National Smartmax My First Geographic Fossil Sounds and Senses Mix and match, eightDig Kit Excavate real fossils using the included paleontological tools Ages 8+.

6 March/April

piece magnetic toy for early learning. Ages 1-3.

Cargo Ship

Quality resource for literacy, numeracy and general play. Ages 3+.

GILOBABY Smart Robot Toy

Fun, interactive, introduces robotics and advanced technology.

Ages 3-9.

Baby Einstein Magic Touch Piano

Toddlers can make music or play along with classics. Age 6mths-3yrs.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Does spelling matter?

By Jemma Zoe Smith As a dyslexic tutor, my answer does not fit squarely on one side of the fence. Spelling is a recognised core skill which helps with reading, processing and pronunciation. But should anyone be penalised for having important and novel ideas, simply because they struggle to write them down?

In UK primary schools, children are given regular spelling tests and spelling is tested at each stage of pupils’ lives. 11+ exams, SATs, GCSEs and even some job interviews require a writing task without spellcheck. So yes, spelling must matter because it is tested at so many points in the UK (although not so much in the USA). Fail to master spelling and it is harder to make it to top universities or careers.

READ MORE

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Call our team on 0121 733 6558 For more details about our online 11+ courses & GL mock exams:

Visit www.ksol.co.uk March/April 7

EDUCATION

Games to improve visual perception

Can your child make sense of what they see? Visual perception is essential for your child’s reading, writing and movement. Here are some games that help with this important skill.

Peppa Pig Guess Who?

Paddington Spot the Difference

Wooden Pick Up Sticks

Pixy Cubes

Match It Head to Tail

Dive into Shapes!

Helping children discriminate carefully between features.

Ages 6mths-3yrs.

Encourages visual attention and sequencing and spatial relationships.

Ages 6+.

Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set Copying mazes develops visual perception skills, Ages 4+

8 March/April

A fun family game involving spotting the differences between pictures. Ages 5+.

Aids visual discrimination, visual attention and visual memory. Ages 3+.

iTrax Critical Thinking Game

Copying and building designs boosts visual perception skills.

Ages 6-10.

Encourages a focus on details, ignoring extraneous visual information. Ages 3+.

Develops visual perception skills involved in handwriting and reading. Ages 6-10.

Lets Go Code Activity Set

Hop, turn, step and move through a gross motor maze. Ages 5+.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Mindfulness colouring for kids

Download these mindfulness colouring sheets for kids who need some quiet, focused time to be calm or help with anxious or worried feelings.

Lion

Simple mandala

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

Springtime fun down on the farm!

Head to PLAY @ Lower Drayton Farm near Penkridge this spring for bags of family adventure.

Throughout spring new life on this working farm will be celebrated - starting with the Lamb & Ewe event all about sheep. Get 10% off your visit!

Use FAM10 at the checkout.

www.playatthefarm.co.uk

READ MORE

*Online PLAY@ tickets only. Does not apply to parties or special events.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Sat 9th Sun 24th April

Easter-themed fun, plus lots of baby animals to meet!

Book online:

SAVE 10%*

Use code FAM10

Lower Drayton Farm, Lower Drayton Lane, Penkridge, Staffordshire ST19 5RE

March/April 9

MOTHER’S DAY

Mother’s Day gifts for under £20 Dads! This one’s for you and the kids!

Mother’s Day is Sunday 27 March this year.

Patchwork Game

Pink-Champagne Truffles

Plant Mum Vase

The Naked Bee Hand & Cuticle Salve

Beenax Spiky Massage Ball Set

Calm Club Yoga Cards

Turmeric-infused Honey

Cotton Kimono Robe Wrap

A soothing two-player Made with dolomite, she game about constructing has her own removable Beautiful gift box and a patchwork quilt. £15.29 luxurious white chocolate mini-pot! £16.99 truffles. £16

Spiky massagers for A healing salve for mums arms, legs, shoulders anywhere there’s tension. who garden. £9.49 £8.99

Health conscious, handwhipped, British raw honey infused with natural turmeric. £9.95 10 March/April

A soft, elegant robe mum can feel truly spoilt in. £16.50

A card for every week of the year, teaching the basics. £10.95

Sea Salt Scented Tin Candle Hand-poured, sea salt–scented candle to transport mum to the seaside. £13.05

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY

I’ll bring you flowers!

By @girlaboutbirmingham

Here’s where your family can enjoy the colours, scents and sights of local spring flowers.

A host of golden daffodils The yellow sea of daffodils is a glorious sight to behold in the spring. There are lovely daffodils across the fields behind Packwood House and at Coughton Court.

Have fun playing hide and seek in the gardens! Also try Temple Balsall and Spetchley Park Gardens.

Tiptoe through the tulips To pick your own tulips try Whitlocks End Farm Flowers. Here you can choose your own ‘fancy’ tulips that are homegrown on the farm. Check out the Tulip Festival, 30 April to 2 May, Morton Hall Gardens.

Blooming blossom

the stunning pink bursts of colour from the blossom trees elevate the Ikon Gallery. A ‘must visit’ Instagrammable location!

Be sure to visit Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens which has a plentitude of blossom trees and even holds a special Japanese blossom picnic event at the end of April.

Enchanting bluebells My three boys and I are fans of bluebells. We find them magical as they conjure up images of pixies and fairies. Beautiful bluebells bloom in the main garden at Winterbourne House. Other local recommendations for bluebells are Moseley Bog, Beaconwood, Rough Hill Wood and Hill Hook.

Arley Arboretum has wide open spaces for kids to run around, a play trail, a maze, and more. The blossom really stands out in the spring! Go to Oozells Square, where READ FULL ARTICLE Ofsted OUTSTANDING in 2007 2010, 2013 and 2018

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www.one2oneyoumatter.com March/April 11

CLUBS & CLASSES

Clubs and Classes

Dubarrie School of Dance

Masquerade Musical Theatre

S4 Swim

School holiday courses designed to boost your child’s swimming development.

Ballet, Tap and Jazz age 2½+. Yardley & Solihull Tel: 0121 448 0055

Youth Theatre Group, Age 5+. Sheldon Tel: 0121 722 3761

Rugbytots

BilinguaSing

Groovy Little Movers

Solihull Young Dancers

Pyjama Drama

Staffordshire & Sutton Coldfield. Learn catching, passing and kicking skills. Age 2-7.

Tel: 07842 831450

Kidslingo French

Fun French classes for children with music, games, drama and stories! Email.

Tel: 07931 786 041 12 March/April

Spanish/French songfilled sensory classes Engaging, educational for babies, toddlers and dance and music young children. classes for boys and Tel: 07539 863024 girls. Tel: 07932 333284

Ballet and Tap Lessons.

Classes from age 2½.

Tel: Kate 07722 732678

Imaginative play classes for children filled with songs and drama. Email.

Tel: 07776 837908 Familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

S4 Swim School

S4 Swim Intensive School holiday swim courses

The largest Bollywood Academy in the West Midlands

Fun Bollywood Dance Classes

• Boost your child’s swimming development.

• Max of 5 swimmers per group.

• On-going assessment.

• Taught the S4 way, producing swimmers with skill & technical ability.

all ages and abilities learn how to dance like your favourite Bollywood film stars!

Join today!

Enrol now courses in your area

Classes in the following areas: Solihull, Kings Heath, Hall Green, Great Barr, Moseley, Sutton Coldfield & Wolverhampton.

For full details and timetable visit

www.bollywooddreamsdance.com t: 07971 277 920 e: info@bollywooddreamsdance.com

FIND OUT MORE HERE

Top 5 tips on buying a musical instrument

by The Strings Club Igniting your child’s love in music is a magical experience, so finding the right instrument is an important step. But where do parents start when considering what to buy? READ MORE

The Chocolate Shed Themed chocolate making parties and workshops for chocoholics of all ages. Your chocolate masterpieces will be made using real, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients where possible and every workshop involves a lot of stickyfingered fun and tasting!

MORE INFO HERE OR EMAIL. Familiesonline.co.uk

LOOKING FOR CHILDCARE? Multi award-winning Holiday Camps for children aged 4-11 Offering only the best in childcare and music

www.thestringsclub.org | 0121 369 1950

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March/April 13

EARLY YEARS

Transitioning a toddler from cot to bed

By Charlotte Woods and Jo Taylor Amidst the 2am online searches on ‘how to help your toddler get some sleep,’ you may have wondered when the right time is for your little one to graduate from a cot to a bed.

In truth, there isn’t a one-size-fitsall answer. Do they need to use the toilet at night? Do they try to climb out of the cot? Is the cot needed for a new sibling? Or do you just feel they are emotionally and physically ready?

Once you have decided it’s time, take steps to prepare for this exciting stage of development. It’s about building up and instilling confidence in your child.

Think about sleep habits Make sure they can self-soothe and keep sleep prompts consistent eg white noise, a comforter or familiar song.

Create a safe environment Check your child’s bedroom for anything unsafe. Ensure windows can’t be opened and consider using a stairgate.

Establish a bedtime routine Maintain what works, such as a short bath, stories and cuddles – these all help to make the 14 March/April

experience more familiar.

Communicate changes positively Talk to your child in age-appropriate language and use books such as: Princess Polly’s My Big Girl Bed and Pirate Pete’s My Big Boy Bed. Prepare the sleep space Get your toddler involved. Choose bed covers together and personalise their bedframes with stickers. Think about photos of loved ones and a night light too.

Pre-empt bedtime requests Making their favourite meal before bed or introducing water in a beaker on the bedside table help with settling. If they need a nappy/ pyjama change, have everything to hand for minimum fuss.

READ MORE

Familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

Top apps every parent needs Overwhelmed by the number of apps available in the App Store? Ari Last, founder of the Bubble app shares his recommendations. Get these on speed dial to make parenting and family life a little easier.

Mush

Find friends with kids the same age nearby.

OLIO

Allrecipes Dinner Spinner

The Wonder Weeks

Kidday

Family Locator

A week-by-week guide to Solving the endless ‘what your baby’s development – pregnancy to after can I make for dinner?’ birth. question.

Give away unwanted kids’ items to other local parents.

Store your photographs in one place. Share albums with friends/ family.

Track the location of older children/teens when out and about.

CBeebies

Bubble

Sound Sleeper

Educational games and classic cartoons for when you just need a break!

Familiesonline.co.uk

Find, book and pay local sitters/nannies recommended by friends/other local parents.

Help your baby fall asleep with this collection of calming sounds.

March/April 15

EASTER

Best Easter eggs for 2022 Find it hard to choose? Here are some of the best options this Easter.

Cadbury Twirl Orange Flavoured Extra thick egg filled with Chocolate Egg You Crack Me Up Easter Egg

Lindt Milk Chocolate Egg

Comes with Lindor Milk Chocolate Mini Eggs.

fun chocolate treats.

Large chocolate orange shell and two full-sized chocolate bars.

Ferrero Rocher Milk Chocolate & Hazelnut Egg

Montezuma’s Milk Chocolate Chick with Buttons Cute clucky chick and giant buttons.

White half-eggs sandwiched with caramel-milk chocolate.

KitKat Salted Caramel Giant Egg

Thorntons White Chocolate Bunny Egg

Marigold the Duck

Chocolate egg studded with chunks of hazelnut and Ferrero chocolates.

Caramel flavour egg, with bars of KitKat Chunky Salted Caramel Fudge.

16 March/April

With white chocolate and decorated with milk chocolate.

Caramayo Chocolate Easter Sandwich

Milk chocolate with naturally coloured yellow and white speckles.

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

Having incredible conversations with your child

By Jane Gilmour and Bettina Hohnen You: How was your day?

Your Child: Fine.

Want something a bit more?

Timing. Try not to pounce on your child with questions straight after school or nursery. Kids often need time to decompress. Wait and read the room. Start conversations when they are rested and well fed.

Setting. Many kids find face-to-face talking a bit intense. Weave your conversations into another activity eg when they are drawing.

and so on - the top of the mountain is the best, the bottom is the worst.

Expectations. Learning to communicate meaningfully together is a skill that takes time to build. Not all conversations will go smoothly Get real. Pre-teen children find but, in time, if your bids are gentle abstract concepts difficult and often and genuine, your relationship will don’t have the vocabulary to reflect thrive. their experiences. If you want to find out how your child is, draw a READ MORE mountain. Ask your child to use the mountain to show how they are feeling today, how they feel usually Truly communicating with your child is a great privilege for a parent. More than that, building a strong relationship with them improves their quality of life by protecting their mental and physical health.

How to Have Incredible Conversations With Your Child by clinical psychologists Jane Gilmour and Bettina Hohnen can help you further with this.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Interiors Antiques, Furnishings, Giftware, Wood Burner Stoves Shabby Chic, Furniture & Accesories Haberdashery & Material Interests Tack, Animal Feed, Needlework & Bunting, Florist, Wood-turning, Beadz Galore Craft Supplies, Knitting Wool Food and Drink Licensed Restaurant, Chocolate Shop, Tea Rooms, Butcher & Farm Shop General Pyrography, Salt Lamps & Crystals, Antiques, Art Gallery & Commissions, "SU 1PUUFSZ 8PSLTIPQT Ladies Clothing, Leather Goods, Mirrored Pictures Fun The Children’s Farm, Pets Corner

Craft Fairs l Sun 17 Apri y a M 5 1 Sun

Open all year (inc Bank Holidays) Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm Tel: 024 7639 4433 www.hoar-park.co.uk B4114 Nr Ansley, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 0QU March/April 17

FAMILY LIFE

Top green family products If you’re looking to replace existing family products with something new, then why not consider these green options?

Reusable bamboo straws

Eco-friendly backpack

Beeswax food & sandwich wraps

100% USDA certified organic with all-natural plant-based cleaning brush.

Large enough for A4 books and folders. 100% recycled polyester.

Award-winning reusable wraps. 100% organic cotton and British beeswax.

Biodegradable & recycled swim towels

Reusable snack bag

Disposable econappies

Reusable nappy

Reusable cutlery

Beeswax crayons

Quick dry towels. 100% recyclable materials and biodegradable cotton.

Award-winning, adjustable, all in one, washable and reusable.

18 March/April

Perfect alternative to single-use sandwich bags and cling film.

100% organic bamboo.

Suitable for everyday use or picnics.

Sustainable organic bamboo fibre, plant based liners. 100% compostable.

Natural beeswax crayons made with minimum of 25% beeswax.

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

Reducing the cost of family living Get a grip of finances

Take back control of family spending with free apps like Money Dashboard or Emma.

Monitor and set limits on your kids spending with apps like gohenry or the free Revolut Junior.

Don’t spend more than you earn.

MoneySavingExpert’s free The Budget Planner will help.

Don’t get caught short. Try Piggybanking. Divide money into separate pots for essential bills.

Struggling with missed bills and payments? Try prioritising and consolidating. See debt help tips.

Get organised with family meal planning. Save money, time and waste.

Make savings

Slash £1,000+ off your yearly grocery bill by taking the Downshift Challenge.

Save on big brand disposable nappies by using comparison site BumDeal.

Get free second-hand stuff from giveaway websites Freecycle and Freegle.

Buy second-hand and get great quality for less. Try eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Market Place.

Save £££ each year (and reduce your carbon footprint) by simple energy saving tips.

Try the Energy Efficiency Calculator for personalised advice on use and solutions.

Get support If you’re pregnant and for a year after your baby is born, you can get free NHS dental care and prescriptions.

A monthly Child benefit of £21.15 per child under 16 and £14 for each additional child may be claimable, depending on your income.

If you’re pregnant or have a child under 4, Healthy Start vouchers can be spent on essential food items.

If you regularly spend money on prescriptions, an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate can save money.

Check your entitlement to Tax-Free Childcare or Free Childcare/Early Education.

Familiesonline.co.uk

O P E N W E E KS

28th Feb to 4th March 4th April to 8th April 9th May to 13th May

0121 592 0980

B23 6UY

March/April 19

TRAVEL

A Staycation with Away Resorts Away Resorts is a collection of naturally beautiful holiday parks, each in outstanding locations, with their own style and personality.

Whether you desire coastal or country locations, full-on fun or a relaxing time with loved ones, each resort is alive with character and atmosphere, and specially crafted to suit your needs.

So, are you ready to fall in love with a new type of holiday? A holiday that puts you first, where your accommodation is off-the-scale amazing and where new experiences await at every turn. A holiday to create “remember when we did that?” moments to last a lifetime.

Find out more HERE.

Staycay with Away in 2022!

• Outstanding locations • Unique accommodation • Exceptional entertainment and events • Activities for the big kids and the littl’uns • Dog friendly

Holidays from £266* Book now at awayresorts.co.uk or call 03333 634189 *Price based on a 2-night stay at Golden Sands in Value accommodation in April, correct at time of print.

20 March/April

@AwayResortsHolidays @AwayResortsUK @AwayResortsHolidays

Familiesonline.co.uk

TRAVEL

Lesser-visited UK staycation spots Avoid the crowds! Try one of these lesser-visited staycations spots put together for Families by Gabrielle Nash.

Lundy Island, Devon

Tenby, Wales

The journey to this showstopping island is an adventure!

The kids will love taking the ferry over from Ilfracombe. The name Lundy means puffin, the island’s most famous resident. Enjoy a back to nature holiday with just a handful of other inhabitants, staying in one of the historical properties. There’s even a lighthouse you can stay in!

Tenby is the perfect location for a family holiday but so often overlooked in favour of more traditional spots. Stunning sandy beaches are the major draw card but the town has a vibrant atmosphere, colourful cottages and an array of family-friendly eateries. There are also plenty of family attractions nearby.

Dungeness, Kent

Aberdeen, Scotland

Dungeness is a quiet settlement on Britain’s largest shingle beach. The well-known power station makes a great rainy-day activity and opportunity for kids to find out how electricity is generated. Surrounding it lies a beautiful nature reserve. Stay in a seaside property and take the narrow-gauge steam train out to Dymchurch and Hythe.

Perched on the east coast of Scotland, Aberdeen has a beautiful sandy beach to one side and the striking mountains, the Cairngorms to the other. Take the trail of seventeen castles you can even stay the night in one! For activities, check out the busy harbour for boat-loving kids and don’t miss the Science Centre.

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 21

TRAVEL

Lesser-visited UK staycation spots Avoid the crowds! Try one of these lesser-visited staycations spots put together for Families by Gabrielle Nash.

County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Bamburgh, Northumberland

In Northern Ireland’s lake district in the south-west of Northern Ireland, you’ll find beautiful accommodation options from a lodge on a private island to luxury camping. Kids will love the walk through the Marble Arch caves or enjoy taking a trip on the waterbus. A must-see is the medieval Enniskillen Castle.

Situated on a vast stretch of golden sand on the Northumberland coast, Bamburgh is a family holiday dream. The stunning Bamburgh castle sits imposingly above the beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Try surfing or windsurfing, or head to a local cafe for some freshly caught fish.

The Wye Valley

Cheshire

The Wye Valley is an area of outstanding natural beauty with the River Wye running through it. The area offers a great family holiday with opportunities to try wild swimming, fishing or canoeing. Whether you fancy a log cabin with a hot tub or glamping with the kids, you’ll find plenty of choice.

With some great family-friendly attractions, enjoy Cheshire’s beautiful countryside or opt for a city break in Chester. For space lovers, there’s a new visitor centre at the observatory Jodrell Bank, kids will love Chester Zoo and everyone will enjoy the Ice Cream Farm, a theme park dedicated to ice cream!

22 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

SPRING OUTDOORS

Spring make n’dos Enjoy nature and garden-themed activities with the kids - perfect to while away some hours at the weekend or during the school holidays!

Weave a nature loom

Make a spring sensory bin

Make a garden gnome

Spot early signs of spring

Grow potatoes in a tub

Make a butterfly feeder

Make easy pine cone hedgehog

Grow microgreens

Make simple garden wind chimes

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 23

SPRING OUTDOORS

Outdoor adventures Enjoy the great outdoors this spring and get the kids to try some of these great activities.

Try the string walk

Plant a tree

Join a fossil hunt

Take a family walk

Try orienteering

Make a stone cairn

Go pond dipping

Play Poohsticks

Go canoeing

24 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

What’s On Events are subject to change. Check online before visits.

Pre-booking sometimes necessary.

Ackers Adventure, Birmingham Open daily Archery, climbing, orienteering, zip wire and more.

Baddesley Clinton, Solihull Open daily Enjoy the great outdoors whatever the weather.

Easter egg hunts 15-22 April Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham Open Tues - Sun Barber Family Trails. Explore Barber’s collection through different fun themes.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Open daily Family activities Discover the plants, birds and mini-beasts with Family Backpacks.

Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Open Weds - Sun See history Familiesonline.co.uk

brought to life across 26 acres.

Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Thurs 14 April Crafty Thursday: Easter Egg Decoration Weds 20 April Easter Egg Hunt Trail.

Packwood House, Solihull Open daily Explore the beautiful grounds, and create wonderful memories.

Easter egg hunts 15-22 April

Tamworth Castle Open Tues - Sun History brought to life. Lots of activities for the family.

ThinkTank Thurs 17 March Toddler Thursday: Space Rush Trampoline Early years Park, Birmingham planetarium show.

The Core, Solihull Open daily Thurs 31 March Sat 26 March With 30,000 sq Toddler Thursday: Solihull Bookfest ft of activities, Transport Interactive there’s something A fun STEM storytelling fun for for all ages. session for 0-12s. A variety of toddlers. events.

Hoar Park Shopping & Craft Village Sun 17 April Sun 15 May Craft Fair Shopping, food and more. Fun for the little ones too!

Lower Drayton Farm, nr Stafford 9–24 April Easter Eggventure Easter-themed fun, plus lots of baby animals to meet! Use code FAM10 to save 10%!

WorkshopsBook Swap$87+256Illustrators Draw-along Bookshop Model-makingStorytelling

SAT 26 MARCH at The Core How to Grow a Unicorn 10.30am Age 6-9 years £6 Draw along fun with illustrator Steven Lenton

Shakespeare’s Stories 2pm Age 6-12 years £7.50 Fast art & music - author-illustrator James Mayhew

Science Magic! 4pm Age 6+ years £6 Tricks, puzzles and stunts with Dr Matt Pritchard Make A Shaun or Gromit 10am,12 & 2pm Age 6+ £12.50 Aardman Animation clay workshop incl. all materials

Big Dog Draw-Along 1pm Age 9-12 years £6

Illustration Masterclass with Chloe Inkpen

Fantastically Great Women Artists 12pm Age 6+ £6 Drawing, dressing up and art with Kate Pankhurst

Kipper and Friends 10am Age 3-6 years £5 Fun for pre-schoolers with Chloe Inkpen

Ella Bella Ballerina 11.30am Age 4-7 years £6 Dolls & music with author illustrator James Mayhew Pizazz! Comic Superheroes 2.45pm Age 6-12 years £5

With award-winning illustrator Sophy Henn

book online at solihullbookfest.com Draw-along BookshopModel-makingStorytelling WorkshopsBook Swap$87+256Illustrators March/April 25

Two Smoby KS Slides to give away!

Perfect for summer fun!

Magazine

Worth £77.99 each APPLY HERE

T&Cs apply

Receive a FREE DoodleJamz toy for your child* Age Endless creations at their fingertips!

Draw, squish, sculpt, shape, erase and repeat with this mess-free drawing pad!

APPLY HERE 26 March/April

3+

*while stocks last T&Cs apply

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