Families Birmingham Digital May/June 2022

FR EE

Birmingham

IN THIS ISSUE

Education Summer fun Kids’ parties Travel

May/June 2022

Familiesonline.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 1

It’s never too early to develop the individual.

As one of Birmingham’s leading private nurseries, we’re dedicated to providing a well-rounded, nurturing environment that allows our little ones to grow in confidence as they begin to find their place in the world.

To book your one-to-one tour, call us on 0121 440 4097 or email secretary@westhouseprep.com

St James Road, Edgbaston B15 2NX westhouseprep.com

2 May/June

Familiesonline.co.uk

CONTENTS

Welcome

In this issue

So much to look forward to in May and June, including two bank holidays, one of them extralong! Yippee!

4 8

Warm sunny days are on the horizon so start planning some family adventures in your local area and exploring the great outdoors again.

9 10 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

If you are looking at planning a break but want something that will truly be family-friendly, check out our ‘tried and tested’ suggestions.

If you have a little one who starts school in September, now is also the time to start thinking about preparation. Find advice and resources in our Education section.

Finally, in this issue, we have lots of giveaways, including a family holiday and cuddly Care Bear companions for your child to fall in love. Don’t forget to apply!

Competition winners from our January/February issue Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list here.

For an amazing, adventure-filled summer...

Apply for a Map of Wonders!

Education Clubs, classes & activities Raising awareness Foster Care Fortnight Father’s Day gifts Summer camps Kids’ parties Adventures at home Win a holiday Summer food Travel Garden toys Adventures outdoors Jubilee celebrations!

What’s On

Get in touch

Try something new this Summer.

10 available

Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk

APPLY HERE

T&Cs apply

ackers-adventure.co.uk May/June 3

EDUCATION

School readiness checklist

Download our checklist and help your child get ready to go to school.

Talk the skills through with your child and explain why they are important at school. Show them that once they can master a skill, they can colour in the smiley face!

Then help them practise.

Colour in the

I am ready fo

happy face wh

I can....

Colour in th when you ca e face n do this

( (

Recognise m y name

r school!

en you can do ready to go! these things and you’ll be

( (

(

Get dressed

( (

(

Do up my co at/ cardigan

(

Put on my sh

( (

oes

( (

(

Go to the to ilet by myself

( (

(

Take my clo thes off

(

Open my sn

( ( (

Share with ot her children

( (

(

Wash my ha I’ve been to nds after and before I the toilet eat

(

( (

Eat with a kn ife and fork

(

( (

ack box

4 May/June

DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR CHILD HERE

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Starting school in September?

Wondering how your child will manage school lunches?

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

The Big Bang Fair is back! 22-24 June

Award-Winning 11+ Specialists

11+ Tuition For children in Years 3, 4 & 5

2 Steps to 11+ Success Exclusive Offer

1

12 Week Intensive Online Revision Course Support from qualified teachers

The UK’s biggest STEM celebration for young people is returning to Birmingham NEC. Discover the wonders of STEM at the new Big Bang Fair Unlocked, on Thursday 23 June.

Book your free tickets early to avoid disappointment HERE. READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

Personalised daily tests (Mon - Fri)

2

& GL 11+ Mock Exam in Shirley (Solihull) Benchmark your child’s progress Gain real exam experience

Book both & SAVE

£20

Find out why over 98% of parents recommend us

CALL US TODAY - 0121 733 6558

www.ksol.co.uk May/June 5

EDUCATION

Starting school resources

If you have a little one starting school in September, now is a good time to start gently preparing them for the big day.

Get Ready for School Activity Pack

Fun, wipe clean books in smart carry case. £9.70

Going to School

A great Usborne picture book introducing the school experience. £4.99

Teach Your Monster to Read

Fun, engaging game that practises essential reading skills. FREE 6 May/June

Phonics Play

Website with phonics information, games and activities. FREE

My First Day at School Game

BBC Bitesize interactive game explaining what school may be like. FREE

Bud’s Number Game

Educational game to get your child started with numbers. FREE

Preparing Your Child for Starting School

Top tips booklet to help children with transition.

FREE

Teachers

Pupils explain what a teacher does and how to behave in class. FREE

Starting Primary School

Everything you need to get prepared, from home to classroom. FREE Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Times tables learning resources It really is true that multiplication tables are the bedrock of maths learning. Get your child up to speed with the following resources.

Math Songs by NUMBEROCK

Numberjacks Times Table App

Times Tables Flashcards

Learn times tables by singing about them!

FREE

Times table activities based on the CBeebies show. FREE

Rapid recall practice in the 1-12 times tables.

Ages 8-11. £6.99

Colour-coded Multiplication Square

The Times Table Adventure

Times Tables Heroes Board Game

Visual aid which helps spot patterns and learn tables. FREE

Times Tables Wall Chart Download and stick up where they’ll be seen often. FREE

Familiesonline.co.uk

Ideal for children who like video games like Minecraft. FREE

10 Minutes A Day Times Tables

Book featuring 10 minute games and tests.

Maximum fun, maximum effect. £14.99

Fun multiplication board game to prepare for Year 4 tables check. £11.75

Number Rumbler Card Game A family card game which practises times tables. £7.99

May/June 7

CLUBS & CLASSES

Clubs, Classes & Activities

Rugbytots

S4 Swim

Pyjama Drama

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

Tel: 07842 831450

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

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

Tel: 07776 837908

Solihull Young Dancers

The Chocolate Shed

Fairytale Choir

BilinguaSing

Ackers Adventure

The Strings Club

Click HERE and enjoy listening to “Cinderella” Ballet and Tap Lessons.

Chocolate making Classes from age 2½. parties and workshops by children’s Fairytale Tel: Kate 07722 732678 for chocoholics of all Choir, Birmingham. ages. Email

Spanish/French songfilled sensory classes for babies, toddlers and young children.

Tel: 07539 863024 8 May/June

Fantastic fun for all the family. Everything from Abseiling to Zipwire!

Tel: 0121 772 5111

Inspire your child through music. Holiday clubs, online lessons and more.

Tel: 0121 369 1950 Familiesonline.co.uk

RAISING AWARENESS

Could you help a child like Esha?

How much would you give for a child to have the chance to grow up?

Esha loves dressing up as a princess and dreams of being a queen one day.

For a while, that dream was taken away.

At just 4 years old, Esha was diagnosed with leukaemia – Esha’s one of over 600 children in the UK diagnosed with blood cancer every year.

Esha went from enjoying her childhood – drawing, dancing, playing and pretending to be a princess – to spending much of her time on hospital wards.

She needed a blood stem cell transplant from a stranger to survive.

Finding her match wasn’t easy. Working with DKMS, in the course of searching for her own lifesaver, Esha’s family registered thousands more blood stem cell donors.

Now Esha’s back to doing what she loves best – playing at princesses – and can’t wait to grow up to be a queen.

It cost £40 to register Esha’s lifesaver. Help more people with blood cancer to dream of a future by donating HERE.

Donate now Help more princesses like Esha grow up to be queens More than 600 children are diagnosed with blood cancer every year in the UK. For many, their best chance of survival is a blood stem cell transplant from a stranger. Will you help more children to find their lifesaver by donating to DKMS? Donate now at dkms.org.uk/princess or scan the code.

DKMS is the trading name of DKMS Foundation, a registered charity in England and Wales (1150056) and Scotland (SC046917). DKMS is a limited company registered in England and Wales (08151279).

Familiesonline.co.uk

May/June 9

FOSTER CARE FORTNIGHT

Five common myths about who can and can’t foster Foster Care Fortnight™ (#FCF22) organised by The Fostering Network, runs from 9 to 22 May this year and both raises awareness of fostering and celebrates the fostering community.

There are many misconceptions about who can or can’t foster. Let’s try to debunk some of the common myths.

Sons and daughters Some people worry that not having their own children will bar them from fostering. That is not the case.

Any relevant experience of working with or caring for children is helpful. However, a lack of relevant experience does not stop you from fostering.

Age As long as you are over 18 and can provide a safe and stable home for the children you look after, your age is secondary. Connie (30), a foster carer from Manchester, started her fostering career five years ago.

Employment Foster carers come from all kinds of backgrounds. While some fancied a career change and are full time foster carers, others have kept their jobs alongside fostering. While you must be able to demonstrate 10 May/June

financial stability, you don’t have to have a certain salary to become a foster carer. You can also apply if you are receiving benefits.

Disability Having a disability or a named illness does not necessarily stop you from fostering either. Jon has muscular dystrophy – a muscle wasting condition that is life limiting – and became a foster carer eight years ago. He transforms his fostered children’s lives every day.

Fostering services treat applicants fairly and without prejudice.

Religion It doesn’t matter what your religion is, as long as you can meet the needs of the child placed with you.

Find out more HERE

Familiesonline.co.uk

FOSTER CARE FORTNIGHT

Change your career to Fostering “Our journey began in February 2012 we had spoken about a career-change, as shift work was placing a strain on our family. I had a 15 year career in Leisure and my husband was a Police Officer.

We attended an information evening and we looked at each other and both said “we could do that”.

We started an assessment process with an Independent Social Worker and did some ‘therapeutic’ training courses.

That’s where it began. We’ve been fostering for nearly 10 years and it’s the best decision we ever made.

The young man we currently foster, arrived at 11pm as an emergency and 8 years later he is still with us, attending college and really enjoying his course.”

You could Foster too! Find out more HERE.

Fostering changes lives Change your career. Change their future.

“

We wanted to Foster to help more black children from our local community.

”

Emmanuel & Happiness, By the Bridge Foster Parents

We need Foster families for over 600 children across the Midlands this month alone.

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

Call: 0800 644 6230 Familiesonline.co.uk

Visit: www.bythebridge.co.uk/families May/June 11

FATHER’S DAY

Father’s Day gift suggestions

Is it sometimes difficult to know what to buy for dad? Here are our top picks.

Dad’s Shed Slate Sign

Handcrafted natural slate sign to mark out dad’s territory. £12.99

Docking Station Help dad keep all his things together – stylishly! £27.90

Supercar Driving Day

Get day in a race car!

Circuits UK-wide. From £39

Peppa Pig: My Burgon & Ball Billionaire Gardening Gloves Shortbread Truffles Daddy Board Book

These quality gloves are For dads with a sweet great for dads with green tooth - a little decadence. fingers. £17.99 £16

Bread Baking Club Gift Subscription

Your dad could be star baker with this 3-month gift subscription. £36 12 May/June

100 Things to Do with Dad Scratch Off Bucket List Poster 100 activities! £10.99

Something for dad to read with your little one. £4.49

Personalised Socks with your Child’s Drawing

Celebrate Father’s Day and your child’s artwork. £20 Familiesonline.co.uk

SUMMER CAMPS

Summer camps checklist

To help you book a summer camp or workshop and get your child ready.

What to wear

For cool weather, warm comfortable clothes including a jacket/coat and jumper/hoodie.

For sunny weather, suitable clothes and sun hat. Apply sun cream once before your child leaves the house.

Comfortable footwear.

General questions

How many children are there on a camp?

What age group will my child be in?

Can my child be in the same group as their friend/sibling?

Do I need to provide lunch and snacks?

Do you provide sun cream?

S4 Swim Intensive School holiday courses • 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.

FIND OUT MORE HERE Familiesonline.co.uk

What to take

Swimming costume and towel.

An apron or shirt for creative activities.

Refillable water bottle Packed lunch and snacks, if needed.

Rucksack (to carry everything).

Sun cream, if required.

Booking and costs

Can I make changes to my booking? What is the last date for changes?

Can I pay in instalments?

If there’s wraparound care, how much is it?

Will I pay extra if I’m delayed in collecting my child?

Are all activities included?

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 May/June 13

KIDS’ PARTIES

Party bag fillers

Want to avoid plastic tat but stuck for alternatives? Try these out for size.

Decopatch Mini Animal Kits

Make a cute animal mache shape with these gorgeous kits. £7.30

Colour-in Splat T-shirts

Doubles as a party activity! Wash and colour-in again. From £9.95

Sweetie Jewellery Activity Kit

Smiggle Party Colour Art Jar

Hello Bee Craft Kits

Pre-filled Thank You Party Cone

Make yummy jewellery & a craft jewellery box. £12.99

Art kit with rainbow markers, colouring sheets & graphite pencil. £9.20

Designed for children 3+, perfect for keeping little hands busy.

From £8

Colourful paper cones full of treats and including thank you note. £3.75

The Curious Caterpillar PreFilled Bags

Mini Sunflowers Growing Kit

Craft & Crumb Bake Kit Party Bags

Large variety of pre-filled bags for girls and boys.

From £1.90 14 May/June

Easy to grow mini sunflowers. Includes seeds, compost and activity sleeve. £6

Make, bake and decorate cookies and biscuits with these kits. From £4.50 Familiesonline.co.uk

ADVENTURES AT HOME

Adventures at home

I’m a big fan of planning fun-filled family adventures at home. Here’s some of our favourites from my book Adventures at Home, available here.

Garden music festival

Go without electricity

Dig out your tent, drag out your blankets and cushions, power up the radio and set up camp. Spend the day listening to music in the comfort of your own garden. Homemade ribbon wristbands and VIP lanyards allow unlimited access to the snack cupboard, fruity mocktails and ultimately, the lavatory without needing to queue!

Challenging the family to go without electricity is great fun. It encourages you to get creative with your time and introduces the broader topic of eco-living: which small changes can be made at home? Activities for the day might include painting, poetry, games, bird watching, cooking over an open flame and sleeping outside.

Stargazing

Garden fete

Our favourite way to stargaze is in an old inflatable pool, patched with duct tape and filled with duvets! It keeps the chill out whilst we snuggle down and watch for the first star to appear amidst the myths and legends.

Village fetes are often a washout but you can schedule yours in when there’s glorious sunshine!

String up your bunting, bake some scones, set up a raffle and a lucky dip (from old goody bag items), provide an (unplugged) microphone for announcements, hold a pet show, even set up a Pimms’ tent (no judgement here).

Look out for the Big Bear, the Pegasus and Draco the dragon.

Familiesonline.co.uk

May/June 15

ADVENTURES AT HOME

Adventures at home

I’m a big fan of planning fun-filled family adventures at home. Here’s some of our favourites from my book Adventures at Home, available here.

Mini Olympics

Wildlife hunting

Our garden Olympics is an annual favourite. Open the games with a (tissue paper) Olympic flame and homemade hanging flags, followed by competitive rounds of egg and spoon, sack races, hula hooping, bean bag throwing and swing ball. Keep score on a chalkboard and finish with salt dough medals award ceremony.

Find out who you share your garden with, using a nature guide to help with identification.

Encourage some new residents with a log pile house for insects, feeders for birds, a compost heap for worms, upturned pots for frogs and a colourful flowerbed for bees and butterflies. Keep an illustrated journal of what you see.

Family heritage

Reading nook

Ask relatives about their own adventures, jotting them down as you go. If the weather is rubbish, this is the perfect excuse to scour old family albums full of photos of when they were young.

A reading nook is a wonderful place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Set up a den or a tepee, make it cosy inside and fill a basket with books.

And if the weather is kind, ask them to take you around their old haunts.

16 May/June

Make the most of little ones curled up in your lap for story time. Or even write your own story together.

Familiesonline.co.uk

GIVEAWAYS

Win a family holiday with Away Resorts!

Win a three or four night stay for a family of up to six people at an Away Resort of your choice.

Welcome to the world of Away Resorts! Experience one of its fabulous UK locations, from countryside to coast. Fall in love with a new type of holiday - where your accommodation is off-the-scale amazing and new experiences await at every turn. A holiday to create ‘remember when we did that?’ moments that will last a lifetime.

Explore the New Forest, Hampshire, Tattershall Lakes or Boston West in Lincolnshire, Mersea Island in Essex, Barmouth Bay in Wales, Mill Rythe on Hayling Island or Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight.

APPLY HERE by 18 June 2022. T&Cs apply.

Smoby Flextreme Discovery Sets to giveaway!

Turn your child’s imagination around!

Apply for a FREE Bean Plush 22cm Care Bear* Care and share with Care Bears Bean Plush!

Worth £34.99 each 5 available

APPLY HERE Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk

APPLY HERE T&Cs apply

Magazine

*while stocks last T&Cs apply

May/June 17

FOOD

Cooling summer treats Get the kids involved in making these perfect treats for hot summer days.

Club tropicana ice cream cake

Watermelon & strawberry slushies

Vegan orange lollies

Easy strawberry ice cream

Quick banana ice cream

Fruity ice-lolly pens

Nutty caramel & choc sundaes

Frozen banana lollies

Raspberry lemonade slushies

18 May/June

Familiesonline.co.uk

TRAVEL

Vacation staycations It’s not always easy to know whether the holiday destination you’ve found online is truly family-friendly. Families asked the experts at Tested

by Tots for their tested and rated recommendations for your next break.

Sandy Balls Holiday Village, New Forest

Excellent facilities, and service. Activities for all.

Catgill Farm, Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire

Charming and family-run On-site facilities.

Cherry Tree Farm Camping, North Devon

Sandylands Holiday Park, Ayrshire

Drayton Cottage, Isle of Wight Home from home, walk to beach, relaxing, secure garden, BBQ.

Forest Holidays, North Yorkshire

Beautiful cabins, peaceful, beach nearby.

Forest activities.

Ham Bottom, Somerset

Holiday Inn Kenilworth, Warwick

Park Plaza London Riverbank

Beautiful yet cosy.

Excellent facilities.

Self-catering lodges, with trampoline, slide, and climbing frame.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Great value & location to explore local attractions.

300m from beach, surf gear hire, food truck & more.

Features the capital’s first hotel room designed by families for families.

May/June 19

TOYS

It’s time to play outside!

If you’re looking for some entertaining garden activities for the summer, here are our recommendations.

Target Ball Game

Soft Archery Set

Wheelbarrow Set

Family garden game with giant inflatable Velcro target. All ages. £19.99

Soft, safe and durable, this set is great way for kids to discover a new hobby. Ages 8+. £39.99

Let budding gardeners develop their own green world. Ages 3+. £12

My First Giant Bubble Kit

Family Paddling Pool

Garden Tumble Tower

Youngsters will love these eco-friendly giant wooden wands.

Ages 3+. £21

Big enough for families to chill out together.

Ages 6+. £75

Great backyard game builds a tower over 3ft.

Ages 5+. £35.99

Ladybird Wheely Bug Ride-On

Wavy Kids Slide

Sandpit Picnic Table with Lid

Suitable for decking and driveways. Easy to ride!

Ages 1-3. £67.50 20 May/June

Outdoor classic offers a fast slide and 5.8ft of fun.

Ages 3+. £54.99

Keeps up to four children entertained for hours.

Ages 3+. £79.99 Familiesonline.co.uk

ADVENTURES OUTDOORS

Family adventures outdoors We asked our friends the Meek family for some top picks from their book 100 Family Adventures. Here’s what they have come up with.

Sleep on a beach

Eat nettle soup

Build a bridge

Be lulled to sleep by the sound of crashing waves.

Surprisingly fresh and light!

Kids love the excitement of building a natural structure.

Go on a scooter safari

Venture behind a waterfall Connect to the power and awe of a waterfall.

Make a rope swing

Put some ‘natural’ back into the outdoor play experience.

Go on a forest night walk

Go coasteering

Don’t go with the flow

Borrow some extra scooters explore the local area.

Children will love the excitement of the forest at night.

Familiesonline.co.uk

A nature trail along a rocky coast. Scrambling, swimming and rock hopping.

Head ‘off piste’ - follow a stream in reverse!

May/June 21

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Have a Jolly Jubilee!

By @girlaboutbirmingham How does one get ready for the extended bank holiday Platinum Jubilee weekend (2–5 June)? Read on, subjects! Birmingham Families has you covered.

National Celebrations Big Jubilee Lunch, 2–5 June Order a free Big Lunch pack, which tells you everything you need to know about organising a Big Jubilee Lunch for your community. I really fancy getting my kids involved in making the bunting!

The Midlands Air show at Ragley Hall, 2–4 June The Midlands Air Festival returns for a fourth year of excellent family fun as we commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee! There will be children’s rides and more entertainment than ever before!

Beacon lighting The city of Birmingham is set to take Resorts World Birmingham Jubilee part in the Jubilee Beacon lighting celebrations, 1–4 June celebrations. Details due to come Children’s workshop sessions in the out soon.

Atrium (hula hooping, pop art and Tree planting - The Queen’s Green more), plus giant games, such as Canopy Connect 4 and Jenga.

The idea is to ‘plant a tree for the Cosford Air Show Shifnal, 12 June jubilee’ in a sustainable way to enhance the environment. Amazing An action-packed six-hour flying display, including powerful news! Birmingham was named demonstrations of modern military as the Queen’s Green Canopy aircraft. champion city!

Walk this way Did you know that a walking trail Local Celebrations has been created in Birmingham specially to mark the Queen’s Square dance! 2-5 June There will be four days of free local Platinum jubilee? How awesome is live music, entertainment, food and this!? celebration for the family in Victoria Square, Birmingham.

Read my full article HERE Make it a jubilee to remember!

22 May/June

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.

Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham Open Tues-Sun Explore Barber’s collection through different themes.

Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park Open daily Visit reptiles, birds, monkeys, meerkats, and more.

Blakesley Hall, Birmingham 1-5 June Jubilee Crown Craft Make a crown to celebrate the Jubilee.

Sat 4 June Circus Skills Activity Learn juggling, diabolo, hula hoops and more.

Hoar Park Shopping & Craft Village, Nuneaton 15 May; 19 June Craft Fair Shopping, food and more. Fun activities for the little ones.

Martineau Gardens, Birmingham Open Mon–Sat Nature trail, children’s Burntwood play area, and Alpaca & Animal wildflower Experience, Staffs meadows.

Open Thurs-Sun term-time NEC Birmingham A fun-filled day out 22-24 June on the farm for the The Big Bang Fair family.

Annual celebration of STEM subjects.

Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens Packwood House, Weds-Sun Solihull Orchards, maze, Open daily walks and wild Explore the area to explore. beautiful grounds, and

Burntwood Alpaca & Animal Experience Burntwood, Staffordshire • Birthday parties, alpaca walks, VIP animal experiences, children’s farm school days and ‘Own a Pony’ days.

• Seasonal events all year.

• Schools and nurseries welcome.

Familiesonline.co.uk

create wonderful memories.

Sandwell Museums A range of different museums, plus activities. Mostly free.

ThinkTank, Birmingham Sat 11 June Morning Explorers Early opening for families with children on the autistic spectrum.

Umberslade Adventure, Hockley Heath Opening hours tbc on website Woodland Activities Nature trails, zip line and den building.

Families Suggests

• Animals ranging from marmoset monkeys to alpacas.

• Open daily 10am-4pm during school holidays.

More info HERE May/June 23

Care and share with Care Bears Bean Plush!

Apply for a FREE Bean Plush 22cm Care Bear* Perfect company for your child’s adventures APPLY HERE

*while stocks last T&Cs apply

Magazine

24 May/June

*while stocks last T&Cs apply Familiesonline.co.uk