Families Hampshire North July/Aug PRINT issue

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Summer Fun What’s On Education Issue 51 July/August 2022 July/August 2022

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CONTENTS

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STREET DANCE FOR CHILDREN (3 - 8)

3 WEEK TRIAL ONLY £15.00 07799 627654 / 01730 300439 hookandbasingstoke@lilbeatz.co.uk

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Families Hampshire North

July/August 2022

CONTENTS

Welcome

Issue 51 I July/Aug 2022

Editor Rebecca Carr editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk 07789 882 467 Advertising Claire Clarricoates claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk 07812 218 331 Printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd Next issue September/October Booking deadline 1 August Published 6 times per year. If you would like free copies contact us.

Cover image Depositphotos.com Advertise your business in our next issue, book by 1 August.

The long summer holiday is nearly here, bringing with it both the prospect of holidays and fun with the family, but also, for many parents, the challenges of summer childcare arrangements and keeping the kids entertained for at least six weeks….

Well, you can rely on us to have you covered. We have loads of low-cost summer entertainment ideas in this issue and tips on piecing together the summer childcare jigsaw. Of course, you’ll also find plenty of information about local events and activities to make the summer memorable and try our dairy-free ice cream recipe on page 11.

We hate to mention the word 'school at this time of year so all we will say is – September is (unfortunately) closer than you think so keep the necessary preparations in mind. In our Education section, check out our uniform tips and the skills you can help your school starter build over the summer before the big day.

Finally, in this issue, we have loads of cool kids’ backpacks from Grass&Air to giveaway! Apply for these handy accessories for your child at familiesmag. co.uk/go. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

Rebeccca Editor, Families Hampshire North

Education Parenting Early years Halloween What's On and much more... © Families Hampshire North Magazine 2022.

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.

In this issue 4. Summer Childcare

9.

Summer Fun

5. Clubs & Classes

10.

Low cost Summer Fun

6. Education

11.

Ice-Cream Recipe

8. Parenting

12.

What’s On

Step out of the day-to-day and into a family adventure.

Offer valid until 17/07/22. T’s & C’s apply. Visit pgl.co.uk/familymag for details.

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Families Hampshire 06/06/2022North 16:53 3

CHILDCARE

The summer holiday childcare jigsaw

By Andrew Campbell For many parents, the long summer holidays can cause a massive childcare headache requiring an enormous amount of juggling and ‘piecing it together’ and involving substantial cost. If you’re facing the school holiday childcare puzzle right now, then here are some of the pieces you might be able to fit together in your jigsaw.

Family care. Family members, typically grandparents, are often more than happy to share the childcare burden and with this comes with the advantage of knowing your children are with someone you all trust. Your kids will benefit by learning they don’t need you all the time and will build long-lasting bonds.

Other parents. Teaming up with other parents by taking turns to care for each other’s children is a great way to spread the load.

But this will require forward planning and organisation - so get in now. Try setting up a summer childcare WhatsApp group with the parents of your child’s friends.

Private nursery. Many nurseries continue as normal throughout the summer but those adjoined to schools and pre-schools usually follow school term dates. Some private nurseries will take on some younger children just for the summer holidays. Contact them to enquire.

Childminders care for small groups of children of different ages in the childminder’s home. The children usually come from different families and sometimes include the childminder’s own children. If you currently use a childminder, ask about availability for summer childcare as they take holidays too.

Nanny share. A nanny share or ‘home childcarer’ is when

you and another family share the costs and responsibilities of employing a nanny to look after your children in your home.

Nannies can often work for two or more families, by caring for the children all at the same time or by splitting the week between them.

Holiday camps and workshopw. Run by private providers, these can be multi-activity day camps focussing on a variety of sport and/or creative activities or single activity camps focussed on a specific sport/creative activity. Holiday workshops tend to take place for shorter more intense periods and, often organised by providers that also offer weekly term time classes, they offer a valuable opportunity to receive elite coaching and tuition.

Holiday play schemes. Playschemes are usually for children of primary school age. Run by schools, councils, youth clubs and community groups, they provide a range of activities and typically cost around £30 a day although this can vary widely, with subsidised prices offered for low-income households.

Where to find childcare? Finding someone you trust to look after your children can be a formidable undertaking.

Using an agency. Whilst there will be additional agency fees payable, using an agency means you don’t have to check references/backgrounds and do Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) checks. Look out for agencies registered with ANA (Association of Nanny Agencies) or the British Au Pair Agencies Association (Bapaa).

Searching and advertising. Parents who wish to employ someone directly can search or advertise on websites such as www.searchchildcare.org.uk, www.childcare.co.uk or www. nannyjob.co.uk. Check https://bit.ly/FamChildmind for local registered childminders and look up a childminder’s latest Ofsted report at www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports

ASK ABOUT OUR TWO WEEK TRIAL

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Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds

July/August 2022

CLUBS & CLASSES

Clubs & classes

A love of performing can develop key skills for life

Summer holiday activity club at Queen Mary's College

Whether it be diving into their dressing up box or stepping onto the stage, performing is important to children and young people, and the benefits of this can often go unnoticed. Performing arts can teach children and young people key skills that can be used in everyday life. These include:

The children’s holiday activity club for 7–11 year olds at Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke provides great value and quality sessions from Friday 22 July to Wednesday 31 August.

Creativity Children are naturally imaginative, and pretend play and make believe comes easily to them. Imaginative play can enable a child’s social and emotional development, helping them to form new ideas and develop resourcefulness.

Problem solving The ability to solve problems creatively within the safety of a performing arts environment can be transferred to everyday life when dealing with a variety of issues. If children feel comfortable exploring and dealing with problems in a non-linear way, this makes them more confident overall.

Empathy Performance is a classic form of storytelling, not only for entertainment but for sharing tales and ideas. Performing in character can help children appreciate another person’s point of view. To accurately portray a character, we need to be able to step into their shoes, understand their situation and what has brought them to that situation. If a child understands a character in this way, they can apply this to everyday life, helping them to react to friends and adults and develop their social skills.

Listening The ability to listen is an important skill, especially when a child is in a new setting with new routines and expectations.

During performing arts classes children take direction from their teachers and peers. This encourages them to be receptive to others’ ideas and work collaboratively.

Confidence Building Some children are never happier than putting on a show for their family and friends, but for some standing up in front an audience can be daunting. Performing arts is hugely beneficial to a childs confidence level. Learning new skills, rehearsing, and performing in a safe space, with the support of expert teachers and encouragement of their peers, can prepare children to deal with situations in which they feel anxious.

Pauline Quirke Academy believe that their three core modules, Musical Theatre, Comedy and Drama and Film and Television, offer students the very best mix of both performance based and technical training as well as providing them with skills for life to help them grow into well-rounded individuals.

To find out more and a local class visit www.pqacademy.com July/August 2022

Sporting Stars runs Monday to Friday from 8.30am-4.30pm.

Children will take part in a wide range of activities that will vary on a daily basis so no day will be the same. They swim every day at 11am, so make sure to pack swim wear! Activities include football, basketball, badminton, rounder’s, kwik cricket and more.

Creative and Esports Stars runs Monday to Friday from 8.30– 11am. These workshops offer the opportunity to get creative or compete in the gaming arena. Children can stay the whole day and join our main activity group for a swim and range of sporting activities for just £10 extra!

Call 01256 418301, email sports.centre@qmc.ac.uk or visit www.qmc.ac.uk/sportscentre for more information.

Lil Beatz classes now available in North Hampshire Are you looking for a dance class with a difference?

Why not come along and join in Lil Beatz crew?

Beatz is Hip Hop for Tots, a fun, funky and exciting class to help build your child's confidence, learn to dance and have fun through the funky beatz!

Lil Beatz like to make toddler dance classes cool and hip by adding an urban twist to all their classes. You and your lil ones could be busting moves to the freshest new sounds of Lil Beatz… from Hip Hop to Reggae, Dancehall To R'n'B or Bhangra to Afrobeats. Lil Beatz is a true fusion of dance styles from all around the world.

The staff love street dance and their aim is to pass on their knowledge and have fun teaching your Lil ones to become healthy, active and confident…with that extra swagg!

There are spaces available in their Wednesday classes, call 07799 627654, 01730 300439 or email hookandbasingstoke@lilbeats.co.uk for more details.

Families Hampshire North

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EDUCATION

How to have an educational holiday

By Jemma Zoe Smith Holidays are all about swimming, having fun and playing games, all past bedtime, aren’t they? Living in the UK, our ‘big annual holiday’ often takes place in the summer and whether you are jetting off abroad or staying in a tent at home, this break is generally considered to be a time that is free from the demands of school and everything that comes along with it.

What does it mean then to have an educational holiday? Do you have to stay inside and read books all day? Well, no. Holidays can be fun AND educational. You can use these tips to make sure that your child comes back from their summer break knowing a little bit more than they did before.

Get kids involved with planning Whether you are choosing to go to Spain or Salcombe, get your child to look up the location on a map or on Google Earth. They can find out how many kilometres you will travel to get there, how long it will take to drive, walk or fly. This will help them contextualise the place they are visiting, hopefully avoiding the ‘are we nearly there yet?’ questions as well.

Learn a bit of the local language Regardless of where you are travelling to, the locals will have a specific vernacular. Learning hello, goodbye and thank you is not just a way to introduce a new language to your child, it is also a great way to get along with the locals. Discuss any similarities between English and the local language, for example, in French the word for ‘dance’ is ‘danse.’

If you are travelling to Italy, how about learning how to make pizza or pasta? If you’re on holiday in France, learn how to play boules; in Spain, try a bit of flamenco! It is a great way to celebrate a local culture and learn a new skill; after all, not all learning happens in the classroom.

If you’re holidaying by the beach and your child likes being in the water, consider scuba diving, fishing or surfing tuition.

Waiting games Instead of handing your child your phone when you’re in a queue for an attraction, try some simple word games. See how many words you can think of that are … a type of hat? Trilby, sombrero, cap, bowler! You could even bring along a pocket quiz game to keep you all occupied.

Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).

Enjoy a PGL family adventure holiday!

Educational travel activities

Step out of the day-to-day and into a family adventure on an all-inclusive holiday with PGL.

Here are some ideas to keep your kids’ ticking over whilst on holiday.

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Let loose and get lost together on an exciting, action-packed adventure that turns the family back into a team.

Whether you’re conquering the kayaks, hanging out on the high ropes or zooming down zipwires, there are plenty of goosepimpling adventures to dive into whilst your family enjoys a PGL holiday. You’ll be amazed by what you can all achieve when you tackle the fun challenges on offer.

Don’t miss out on PGL’s final summer sale and the chance to give your family the break they will always remember.

What’s more, you can save up to 50% off when you book a family adventure holiday or kids adventure camp this summer!

Visit https://pgl.co.uk/familymag to find out more and to book.

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Take an immersive class

Families Hampshire North

Using currency and converting between pounds and local currency; Using a map and scales; Writing letters/postcards home; Writing a scrapbook/keeping a journal.

There are also some longer projects that older kids can embark on and many of these relate to the school curriculum. I use these when I accompany students on their trips as a full-time tutor.

Creating a vlog or website for friends and family; Getting involved with local conservation efforts; Learning about volcanoes or Egyptians by visiting key places and then creating a poster or presentation; Putting together a talk or a short video which will teach the class about the place you’re visiting; Writing a story for kids about the area that you are visiting.

July/August 2022

EDUCATION

Preparing for school

By Emma Lewry No sooner has summer arrived than we are starting to talk about ‘starting school’ or ‘back to school’ preparation.

Uniforms line the shop rails tempting us to think about being organised and ready for school. If you’re already thinking ahead, here are some top tips for preparation.

If your child is starting school this year it can feel like a huge event with lots of pressure.

You may be aware of parents swapping notes about how ready their children are to start school. Try not to compare your child with others; each child is unique and individual in their strengths and in the areas with which they need support. Teachers are ready for this and they know how to support lots of different children in a class. In fact, the uniqueness of each child is often what they love best about the job!

When you start to think about preparing your child to begin school there are some key skills which are beneficial to practise and develop. I’m not talking about academic things; your child doesn’t need to be able to read the alphabet or do the two times table.

The three skills I recommend are building CONFIDENCE, COMMUNICATION and INDEPENDENCE. These skills can be developed through play and fun at home, giving lots of opportunities for your little ones to try new things and offering plenty of praise and encouragement. Talking to your child and reading books about school opens up lots of valuable communication too.

If your child is heading back to school and moving up a year group, many of the starting school ideas apply. At all ages, schools want children to be working on developing those confidence, communication and independence.

It can be helpful to offer additional emotional support in the lead up to going back to school, especially if your child is moving to a new school. Talk about what will be different but also what will be the same.

Uniform top tips Be careful to check the school uniform list and stick to the items and colours listed. Schools are generally strict about their uniform and as it’s expensive, it’s not worth having to rebuy items if they are wrong.

Make a shoe fitting appointment now for the week before school starts. If it’s possible to book in with a shop local to you, this is a great idea and will ensure you don’t get left in a shoe panic two days before the start of term! You might feel happy to buy trainers in advance but buying school shoes is best left as late as possible to avoid an expensive trip at half term if your child’s feet suddenly grow.

Check out the school website and social media pages if they have them. This is a great way for you and your child to get tips on sourcing uniform, to check specific uniform requirements and to find out about ways of obtaining uniform more cheaply.

Many schools or their PTA (parent and teacher associations) will run second hand uniform sales which can be a great way to pick up some bargain items. It’s also good for the planet to reuse and re-love as much clothing as possible.

Nurture

Opportunity

Growth

These constants support many children’s need for things to feel safe and familiar. What if your child isn’t keen on talking?

Looking at pictures, reading stories and role-playing school are all great ways to initiate conversation over the summer.

Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, headteacher and mother of two. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk) which guides families through starting school with courses, groups and a school starters planner.

Maisie Story Writer Musician Swimmer Baker

A World of Opportunity awaits your child Yateley Manor admissions@yateleymanor.com July/August 2022

www.yateleymanor.com Families Hampshire North

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PARENTING

Meaningful holiday communication

By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble Communication is essential to children’s development.

Teaching them to listen and talk effectively, verbally and non-verbally are invaluable life skills we can impart by being effective role models.

Relationships between children and parents are noticeably improved by meaningful communication. This is how children begin developing their ideas and beliefs. The more positive the communication, the more secure and confident they become.

It’s what’s often called ‘quality time.’ From the child’s perspective, quality time is having direct and full attention from their parents, not just being present in the same space.

Long school holidays give us more opportunities to interact.

Depending on the age of your child there are many ways to create space to encourage communication.

With younger children, it’s about playing at their level; chatting while drawing, building Lego or being part of their make believe games. Together is key.

As parents, we may still need to carry on with work and other responsibilities during school holidays. This is where enriching holiday camps and allowing some use of screens can be a godsend. But one of the greatest challenges for parents is balancing screen time with other activities.

The important distinction is that this balance is achieved via moderation and self-regulation, not restriction. Despite other responsibilities, finding time to spend together is possible and whatever you can manage will benefit your children in the long run.

With older children it might be making time for each other for a chat. If at all possible, make time for each child on a one to one basis, sharing something you both enjoy. For family communication, mealtimes set the scene for open discussion.

Effective, open communication takes hard work and practice.

Remember, it will not always be perfect. What’s important is making the effort to communicate with our children. The result will be a much closer, honest, open and positive family relationship.

Communication is only half the job; it’s how we listen and acknowledge what our children are saying that is key. Validating and acknowledging make a difference, even a simple nod or a touch will let your child know that you are listening and that what they are saying is important.

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

Listening: the key to effective communication

Kindness Matters at Yateley Manor School

Make and maintain eye contact. Watch your child’s facial expressions and body language. Listening isn’t just about hearing words but also about trying to understand what might be behind those words.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” (Maya Angelou)

Eliminate distractions. When listening to your child, undivided attention is essential. Put aside whatever you are doing. If you are unable to do so at that moment, then make sure your child knows when you will be free to give them that time.

Listen without interrupting. Offer encouragement with a smile or touch. Interuption can break a train of thought so try to let your child finish before adding your own words of advice or wisdom.

Ask open ended questions and not too many. Build on what your child is telling you and show your interest by saying things like ‘Tell me more about ...’, ‘Really!’ and ‘Go on ....’

Validate. Repeat and rephrase what your child has said from time to time. This lets your child know you’re listening and helps you check what your child is saying.

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Families Hampshire North

How we interact with others daily is far more important than what we do. Kindness is a valuable interpersonal skill, but most importantly, kindness involves choice. Rather than be angry, we can choose to be kind. Does your child notice when people need help? A sense of community is created when people are kind to those who need support.

At Yateley Manor, community is one of their core values where kindness plays a huge part. Every child deserves to learn in a kind environment where they feel part of a family.

Give Tanja Weddell a call on 01252 405500, email tanja@ yateleymanor.com or visit www.yateleymanor.com for more details and to book an appointment. You will feel the kindness for yourself.

July/August 2022

SUMMER FUN

Enjoying the great outdoors

By Ed Bassett The school shoes have been kicked under the bed until September, the weather’s looking promising and there’s the great outdoors to explore as a family. A recent study found that taking part in nature-based activities leads to improved mood, less anxiety and positive emotions, so let’s get out there!

Kayaking

Camping

Kayaking is an exhilarating activity for families with children who are confident in water. It’s also a very versatile activity, given that you can kayak on almost any body of water, including lakes, rivers, streams or even the sea. Tuition and guided trips are widely available throughout the country for first timers.

Camping makes the most of longer days and even a weekend spent immersed in nature is a breath of fresh air and healthy, wholesome fun for all ages.

Look up at night and marvel at the free light show on offer from various constellations, stars and planets.

Gardening Gardens are great spaces to explore sensory development.

By encouraging children to feel and understand the texture of soil, actively listen out for birds (and next door’s dog) and smell the flowers, you will improve their sensory awareness and recognition.

Better still, if you engage children in growing their own food, they naturally have a keener interest in eating it, encouraging healthy eating habits from a young age. Even city kids can watch and wonder at plants growing on a windowsill. Cress, salad leaves and tomato plants are very simple to grow and don’t require any outdoor space at all.

Forest bathing Forest bathing is about being calm and quiet among trees, observing the natural environment while breathing deeply, in order to de-stress and boost wellbeing. This meditative practice can be beneficial both for adults and children. Find a quiet spot and start breathing deeply. Try hugging a tree. Deep breathwork balances blood pressure, boosts energy levels, improves sleep, strengthens respiratory function, supports healthy functioning of the immune system and relieves stress.

The perfect place to enjoy the Basingstoke Canal

You’ll enjoy the slower pace, a greater connection both with nature and your family and be ready to return home feeling calmer, less anxious and less irritable.

Scavenger hunts A scavenger hunt adds an extra layer of interaction and incentive to any walk.

Set out with a list of specific animals, bugs, flowers and trees to find and challenge the kids to find the natural treasures along the way.

For younger children, ask them to spot different colours - such as looking out for red leaves, ladybirds or birds’ feathers.

Foraging Nettles, elderflowers, blackberries, cherries, chestnuts and apples can all be found in woods and forests at various points throughout the summer and early autumn and can be safely foraged for all types of cooking, baking and jam-making.

The Woodland Trust has a handy guide for what’s in season in the UK for those wanting to try their hand at foraging. (https://bit.ly/WoodlandTrustForage) Remember, while foraging in public spaces and footpaths is perfectly legal, if you’re on private land you will need the permission of the landowner.

Ed Bassett is Head of Wanderlust at Camptoo. To book a campervan for your next road trip, visit www.camptoo.co.uk

PICK YOUR OWN SUNFLOWERS August 2022

Hartley Court Farm, Hook, RG27 0BB off the A33 between Basingstoke and Reading

Espresso&Bar, Cold drinks, Narrowboat Holidays Refreshments Picnic Area Paninis and Ice Creams Narrowboat Day Hire Opening Times 10am to 6pm fromto10.30am to 5pm Kayaks, Canoes & 7 Days,Open March October Row Boat Hire 6 days a week I Closed on Wednesdays Galleon Marine, ColtRG29 Hill, Odiham, Hants, RG29 1AL Colt Hill, Odiham, 1AL Opposite the Waterwitch Pub July/August 2022

Family friendly meadow walk Refreshments and ice creams available Under 16’s free, Adults £7.50 Pre-book tickets online Follow us on social media

www.flowerplot.co.uk Families Hampshire North

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SUMMER FUN

Low-cost summer fun

Educational

Out and about

Visit a museum. There are world-renowned museums in cities across the UK that offer free access to exhibitions year-round. To find a museum near you, visit www.visitbritain.com

Cinema deals. Odeon cinema and Cineworld will be running kids screenings all summer, with tickets priced from £3.25. www.odeon. co.uk and www.cineworld.co.uk

Festival of Archaeology. The Council for British Archaeology has teamed up with hundreds of museums to organise more than one thousand archaeology-related events and activities all over the country. www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk

Hop on board the train. Taking the train to visit somewhere new is an adventure in itself. And it doesn’t need to cost the earth if you buy a Family and Friends Railcard. www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk

Take the summer reading challenge. The challenge, aimed at children aged 4 to 11 years, is to read six or more library books over the summer. There are stickers and other rewards available from the library. Sometimes free and always inexpensive, a local library membership will really encourage your children to dive into books, audiobooks and more. www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk 50 things to do before you’re 11¾. Get your kids closer to nature with The National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. There’s plenty of outdoor activities to undertake during the summer, from watching the sunset to creating some wild art. Many can be done at home and in your garden. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50-things-to-do

Visit a pet store. Kids will enjoy seeing all the furry pets for sale including hamsters, rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs and fish.

Pet stores often run animal handling sessions and other free activities during the holidays. Find My Pet Pals workshops at www. petsathome.com Pick your own berries. Take your young ones to a pick-your-own farm to gather a heap of juicy strawberries or raspberries. Of course, they will do plenty of eating too but, hey, it’s fruit!

Drive-in cinema. The perfect retroactivity for a balmy summer night or afternoon, why not head to an outdoor cinema? With outdoor or drive-in cinema popping up in various places throughout the UK, you might catch a family favourite or retro classic.

Outdoors

Something different

Go fly a kite! They’re cheap and easy to buy or you can even make your own. Read up on tips about how to fly them. www.thekitesociety.org.uk

Let’s fish! The Canal and River Trust is running free fishing taster sessions over the holidays, with professional angling coaches on hand to teach the basics. www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Join in National Play Day. National Play Day takes place across the country on 1 August. Children and families have the chance to play at hundreds of community events, from mass adventures in woodlands to street parties with games. Find your nearest ones at www.playday.org.uk

Go for a bike ride. Cycling is a great way to reconnect with nature and get off the beaten track. Take a ride on a local cycle path or if you’re a bit more ambitious, why not take a family bikepacking trip somewhere a bit further afield?

Find the Gruffalo. If your kids love Julia Donaldson, there are themed walks based on her books up and down the country to take the family to visit. Find out more details on these trails at www.forestryengland.uk/gruffalo Woodland adventure. Explore your nearest woodland and enjoy adventure play areas, natural play, off-road cycling and lots of space to create dens. Find your local wood or forest at www. forestryengland.uk 10 Families Hampshire North

Enjoy a wild swim. When it’s warm, it doesn’t get much better than taking a dip in the sea, lake or river. If you live in a big city, don’t be put off! You’ll be surprised how many wild swimming spots are nearby. www.wildswimming.co.uk

Go geocaching. This is a real outdoor treasure hunting game that uses an app. You navigate to a set of GPS coordinates and try to find the treasure at that location. www.geocaching.com Borrow a doggy. Join Borrow My Doggy to let your kids bond with a dog that need some love while their owners are out at work. It’s a great way to get the kids walking in the school holidays. www.borrowmydoggy.com Free tennis coaching and court usage. You can net free tennis sessions or coaching as part of Big Tennis Weekends, organised by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), at venues across Britain. www.lta.org.uk

July/August 2022

SUMMER FUN CU

Make dairy-free Neapolitan ice cream!

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AN T OU DK T EE P

We asked Emily Leary, multi-award-winning food, lifestyle and parenting writer, presenter, photographer and author of A Mummy Too (www.amummytoo.co.uk) to share her delicious, creamy dairy-free Neapolitan ice cream recipe with us.

So the secret ingredient in this wonderfully tasty ice cream is …. banana!

When you freeze sliced bananas and then blitz them in your blender or powerful food processor, the banana eventually turns into a silky, creamy ice cream which can be flavoured with vanilla, cocoa and frozen strawberries to create gorgeous Neapolitan ice cream. Freeze in a container to create that classic Neapolitan look.

Instructions Ingredients

Step 1 Grab a non-stick tray that will sit flat in your freezer.

In a single layer, add the banana slices to the tray with the strawberries to one side. It’s okay if the layers overlap a bit, you may just have to break them up once frozen. You may need more than one tray. Then freeze your fruit.

Step 2 Blitz the frozen bananas in a blender. Set the frozen strawberries to one side.

The bananas will look chunky/sandy at first; continue until you have a pale, creamy mixture. If you don’t have a strong blender, blitz in batches. If your bananas won’t blend, let them defrost for five minutes, until softer.

Step 3 Divide the banana mixture between three freezer-safe bowls.

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6 large bananas (750g peeled weight) sliced into 2cm (3/4 inch) pieces

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150g (5.3oz) strawberries, hulled and halved

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1 tsp vanilla extract

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2 tsp cocoa powder (dutch processed)

Equipment • • • • • • •

Weighing scales Measuring spoons Chopping board Kitchen knife Food processor 3 bowls 1 litre freezer-safe tub with lid

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Makes approx. 1 litre of ice cream.

Step 4 Add the vanilla to the first bowl, the cocoa to the second and the strawberries to the third.

Stir well. Pop the third bowl with the strawberries and banana back into the blender and blitz until smooth. You now have your three flavours.

July/August 2022

Step 5 Your ice cream may have become quite loose, which can make sectioning it in the container tricky. If necessary, cover all three bowls and firm back up by freezing for an hour.

Step 6 Once the three flavours are firm enough to hold their shape, transfer into a 1 litre tupperware container in the traditional Neapolitan pattern. Pop on the lid and freeze for another hour, or until firm enough to scoop.

Enjoy!

Families Hampshire North 11

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

What's On

listings for all the family

To promote your local event, coffee morning, nearly new sale, parenting courses or community group in the next What’s On listing. Email editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk.

Listings in this section are FREE for most non-commercial ventures. Please check details of the events before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.

Don’t forget to sign up for our digital magazine for more interactive content at familiesmagazine.co.uk/go All listings correct at the time of going to print. Please check with the venue before visiting to ensure events are still going ahead and venues are open. archaeologist and learn how they find, clean and record their finds. Free, donations welcome.

Age 5+. 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.

Throughout July & August Superworm Trail Alice Holt Forest, Farnham, GU10 4LS Discover the small but mighty creatures in the much-loved story and learn about the everyday heroic feats of minibeasts in the forest.

The self-led trail features brightly illustrated panels and a trail pack full of fun activities, including your very own mask.

Ages 3-9. £3.50.

Throughout July & August Gruffalo Sculptures Alice Holt Forest, Farnham, GU10 4LS If you venture into the deep dark wood you may bump into the Gruffalo and other characters from Julia Donaldson’s fantastic story! Each sculpture has been carved in a different position unique to Alice Holt Forest, and they bring this much-loved story to life in the forest.

Until Fri 17 July Danebury - Past and present footsteps Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP An exhibition co-curated by local artists and crafts people inspired by Danebury Hillfort and the collection of Iron Age artefacts. 10am-4pm Fri 8 July Summer Daze Gilbert White’s House Selborne, GU34 3JH Come and picnic to a relaxing ensemble of melodies, including: Summertime, Valerie and Here Comes the Sun! Brought to you by outstanding West End performers, John Donovan (musical director of Mamma Mia The Party and former pianist to Dame Shirley Bassey) and Alison Carter-Nesbitt (a singer who has performed in the West End, on international tours and even in front of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II). 7pm.

Sat 9 July & Fri 29 July African Sunset Safari Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover, SP11 8DY Let The Hawk Conservancy Trust, take you on safari and show you their team of African birds at their best as they fly 12 Families Hampshire North

Sun 17 July Gilbert White’s Birthday Gilbert White’s House Selborne, GU34 3JH Celebrate Gilbert White’s 302nd birthday with free admission and extra tours! 10.30am-5pm Thur 21 July to Sat 4 Sep Summer fun Winchester Science Centre, SO21 1HZ See page 13 for details. across the skyline at sunset.

Starts at 7.30pm.

Sat 9 July to Sun 11 Sep Sparks Winchester Science Centre, SO21 1HZ Plug in and power up! It’s time to blast into 2002 for an electrifying new science show.

Sat 9 and Sun 10 July Tudor Weekend Basing House, Basingstoke, RG24 8AE Dress up and join in with re-enactors who will be demonstrating Tudor embroidery, archery, falconry and beekeeping Tudor style

with traditional skeps. On 9 July, there will be live music in the Tudor Barn with Courtlye Musick and on 10 July, visitors can enjoy traditional lute playing in the knot garden. 11am-4pm.

Sat 16 July Music in the Gallery Garden Allen Gallery, Alton, GU34 2BW Enjoy music performed by local performers in the beautiful surroundings of the Allen Gallery Garden. 1-3.30pm.

Sat 16 July Mini Archaeologist Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP Have a go at being an

Gingerbread Man & The Three Bears Visit Gilbert White's House this summer and join the Gingerbread Man on Friday 19 August on his wacky adventure to avoid becoming a tasty snack, in this mash-up musical for all ages!

From the team that brought you ‘Little Red Riding Hood & The Three Funky Pigs’ comes a fabulous modern twist on two classic fairy tales packed with songs and fun for all the family.

In the tale of the ‘Gingerbread Man and the Three Bears’, you will be left on tenterhooks! Can the Gingerbread Man outrun Eric the Pig, a Chicken with ideas above his stations and a thespian Fox? But watch out for those very naughty bears who’d rather start a bit of bovver than have a nice bowl of porridge!

Visit www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk to find out more and book tickets.

Fri 22 July to Sept Nature Trail The Vyne, Basingstoke, RG24 9HL From playing in the woods to listening out for distinctive birdcalls, families can connect with nature in this combined trail for all ages. Grown-ups can take a moment to be mindful in nature with encouraging prompts in the grounds.

Immersing yourselves in the natural world, a trail sheet provides fun activities for the family to try, while prompts in the grounds invite the grownups to be present and mindful.

Trail sheets are available from Visitor Reception. NAA. Sat 23 & Sun 24 July Spectacular Sports Weekend Wellington Country Park, Berkshire, RG7 1SP Back for its second year, come and get stuck in with a host of different sports to try. From skateboarding to football, there is just so much to see and do!

Sat 23 July to Fri 12 Aug By the Sea: Crafts and Activities Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP Come and explore all things ‘By the Sea’ with crafts and activities. Free, donations welcome. Age 3+. 10am-4pm Sat 23 July to Sat 27 Aug Summer of Fun Festival Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7BA The Summer of FUN is coming to Festival Place every Saturday from 23 July to 27 August.

July/August 2022

WHAT’S ON

A fun filled Summer in Selborne

Scan the code to see all our Summer Events!

Use this ad for one free child admission in July or August 2022!

Selborne Hampshire GU34 3JH

Summer Reading

Illustrations by Julian Beresford and © The Reading Agency 2022

Challenge 2O22

16 July - 17 September

Everyone who reads six books gets an eco friendly sustainable medal & certificate Finish the challenge for a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tablet!

Join free at your local library!

Sign up for free in a library or online Find out more by scanning the QR code

July/August 2022

Families Hampshire North 13

WHAT’S ON Sat 23 July to Sun 4 Sep History Saves the World Milestones Museum, Basingstoke, RG22 6PG Can we be greener by learning from our past? Victorians were great at repairing, reusing and recycling. Find out what the Victorians did to make things last longer and have a go yourself with some activities.

Thu 11 Aug Quantum Theatre presents The Tale of Peter Rabbit™ Hinton Ampner, Alresford SO24 0LA Join Peter and Benjamin on their hair-raising adventures in this enchanting adaptation of the much-loved Beatrix Potter classic – a treat for all the family.

7pm.

Sun 24 July Summer Starts with a Bang!

Aldershot Military Museum GU11 2LG The 2nd Queen’s Regiment of Foot visit Aldershot for their summer Napoleonic-era drill, complete with musket firing!

11am-3pm.

Sun 14 Aug 21st Century ABBA Gilbert White’s House Selborne, GU34 3JH Following on from last year’s sell out shows, this is an evening of hit after hit with songs you know and love from Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Take a Chance on Me, Super Trouper to many, many more? 21st Century Abba faithfully recreates all the greatest hits of one of the world’s most famous group combining stunning vocals, live musicians, and glittering costumes. 7.30pm

Tue 26 Jul to Thu 28 Jul New Forest Show The Showground, Brockenhurst, SO42 7QH Throughout the Show there will be interactive activities for visitors to enjoy alongside the wonderful variety of Show sections and attractions. including; a fun kitchen, a dog show, floral art, crafting, Forest school activities and more.

Tue 26 Jul - Thu 28 Jul Dinosaur World Live Theatre Royal Winchester, SO23 8SB Grab your compass and join the intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesheating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus!

Ages 3+.

Sat 30 July Ministry of Science Live: Science saved the world Corn Exchange Newbury, RG14 5BD Join the presenters as they

dive deep into the world of science. They’ll take an anarchic approach to science communication. Whilst looking at the scientists, engineers and inventors who have shaped the world that we live in whilst proving that each and every one of you have the ability to change our world for the better!

Sat 30 & Sun 31 July Summer Crafts and bouncy Castles Wellington Country Park, Berkshire, RG7 1SP Contact the venue for information.

Sat 30 July to Sun 25 Sep The World of Peter Rabbit™ Storytime Trail Corn Exchange Newbury, RG14 5BD Celebrate a very special rabbit’s 120th birthday as families immerse themselves in The Tale of Peter Rabbit in this magical walk-through experience. Little bunnies will be able to crawl under the garden gate, hide in a watering can and see their reflection in a mirror pool, just like Peter Rabbit, as well as getting involved with plenty of photo opportunities and craft activities along the way!

10am-5pm.

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14 Families Hampshire North

Throughout Aug Pick Your Own Sunflowers Hook, RG27 0BB For a few weeks in August the sunflowers will be open for picking, with family friendly meadow walk and ice creams.

Children under 16 are free.

Adults £7.50 and includes 5 sunflowers to take home. Prebook tickets. The Sunflowers will be located 1 mile off the A33 between Basingstoke and Reading.

Every Wed in Aug Wednesday Workshops Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery,Basingstoke, RG21 7QD Children of all ages can enjoy a summer of myth and legend with crafts inspired by our Mythomania exhibition as well as thinking about climate change and what we can do to help the enviroment, inspired by the Climate Unity Quilts. Free.

11am, 1pm and 2.30pm.

Fri 5 to Sun 7 Aug Welly’s Big Dinosaur Weekend Wellington Country Park, Berkshire, RG7 1SP Have you ever wanted to say hello to a spinosaurus or boogie with a brontersaurus? Join in for the Big Dinosaur Weekend as five different dinos roam the Park for you to meet.

Sat 6 Aug Saxon Storytelling Allen Gallery, Alton, GU34 2BW Come along to this interactive storytelling session inspired by Saxon tales. £5. Ages 3+.

Fri 19 Aug Gingerbread Man & The Three Bears Gilbert White’s House Selborne, GU34 3JH Join the Gingerbread Man on his wacky adventure to avoid becoming a tasty snack, in this mash-up musical for all ages!

Sun 21 Aug Thornycroft Celebration Day Milestones Museum, Basingstoke, RG22 6PG Head to Milestones Museum of Living History for the Thornycroft Celebration Day, where visitors will be able to see a fleet of vintage Thornycroft vehicles and learn more about this local vehicle manufacturer a day for enthusiasts young and old. 10am-4.45pm Sun 28 and Mon 29 Aug Basing House Summer Market Basing House, Basingstoke RG24 8AE Browse gift and craft stalls as you soak up the atmosphere of this historic site. Special day admission charges apply.

11am-4pm.

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July/August 2022

WHAT'S ON

Get set for an action-packed summer of family fun

Join the Summer Reading Challenge with Hampshire Libraries

Are you ready for an action-packed family adventure this summer? From 9 July to 11 September, including the summer school holidays from 21 July to 4 September, get set for electrifying science, out-of-this-world space journeys and outdoor nature explorations at Winchester Science Centre.

Every year, thousands of Hampshire children take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. It’s fun and totally free! This year’s science-themed challenge called ‘Gadgeteers’ will inspire children to discover the amazing science and innovation behind the world around you.

Plug in and power up for a brand new exciting free live science show, Sparks, all about electricity. Be wowed by two spectacular Planetarium shows. Head off into the great outdoors for some nature discoveries. And don’t miss out on the immersive hands-on science fun and huge ‘don’t try this at home’ demos.

Sign up for the Challenge at your local library. Your child will be given a collector’s card to keep track of their reading and gain stickers along the way. Everyone who reads six books gets an eco-friendly sustainable medal and certificate when they finish.

Are you ready to become a Space Ranger? In Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear movie, audiences will follow the epic missionbased adventures of legendary Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, the hero behind the toy. Families are invited to discover the science that inspired the movie with this fun fact-filled trail through the out-of-this-world Explorer:Space zone.

Visit www.winchesterScienceCentre.org to find out more.

Children's reading can decline during the holidays if they don't have regular access to books or encouragement to read. The Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to keep up their reading skills and confidence during the long holidays.

At the heart of the Challenge is children choosing and sharing books such as novels, fact books, joke books, e-books and audio books. Hampshire library staff and volunteers can help your child to choose books they will really enjoy so sign up today. www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/kids-zone

✹

AMAZING ANAGRAM Unscramble the letters to find things to do this summer!

1. V I T S I

2. I E R D

H T E

O R U Y

3. T E A

✹

E C A B H

4. O G

K B I E

E C I

R A M C E

Get your FREE Grass & Air backpack NOW* Perfect for little treasures

G W S M I M I N

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5. L P A Y T H W I U R O Y E I D S F R N

When you’ve finished, unscramble the circled letters to spell a special message!

Answers: 1. Visit the beach 2. Ride your bike 3. Eat ice cream 4. Go swimming 5. Play with your friends.

The answer to the special message is: Remember to wear suncream.

July/August 2022

Cool backpacks for cool kids!

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Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go *while stocks last T&Cs apply

Magazine Families Hampshire North 15

IT’s time to go greEn! This summer, our family event days at Festival Place are all about having fun and learning more about the world around us.

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23RD JULY TO 2 6TH AUGUST 2022

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Festival Place couldn’t be easier to find! We're just minutes off junction 6 of the M3 and easily accessible by bus or train. For more information, visit festivalplace.co.uk

festivalplace.co.uk/summer

16 Families Hampshire North

#fpsummer

July/August 2022