Families Hampshire North May/June 23 PRINT issue

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Rebecca Carr

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In this issue

Welcome

There are a lot of opportunities for early summer fun over the next couple of months with the Coronation of King Charles III and the half term break at the end of May.

Now the weather is getting better and the evenings are longer, the garden and outdoor spaces beckon and you can get the kids outside to play. We’ve provided a selection of outdoor toy ideas that will help keep them busy on page 15.

If you are planning travel with extended family, check out our tips for holidaying with grandparents and whilst looking forward to the months to come, it’s the perfect time to think about booking your child into a summer day camp or workshop – the long summer holidays will be here before you know it!

Look out for our Orchard Toy game giveaway – we have loads of Little Shopping Lotto games on offer! Perfect for your kids to take away on a holiday, weekend away or just while on the move. Apply inside and you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

Editor, Families Hampshire North Rebecca

Early Years

Next

Family fun with National Children’s Gardening Week

This summer, why not get involved in National Children’s Gardening week?

Happening from 27 May to 4 June, in the 'warm' half term at the end of May means that pretty much throughout the UK children can plant all their favourite plants with less fear of weather damage or the need for complicated protective growing.

As well as simply good outdoor fun, gardening has been shown to have many benefits to health and wellbeing including being more physically active and feeling happier and more connected with the natural world.

There are many ways to get involved with National Children’s Gardening Week from DIY activities at home, to attending an event at local garden centres.

More info at www.childrensgardeningweek.co.uk

Government to expand free childcare

Free childcare for working parents in England will be expanded to cover all children under five by September 2025, the government has announced as part of a wider program to get people back in work.

The new help for parents will be introduced in stages.

• Eligible working parents of two-year-olds will get 15 hours of free childcare per week from April 2024.

• Children between nine months and two years old will get 15 hours of free childcare from September 2024.

• All eligible under 5s will get 30 hours of free childcare from September 2025.

• The rising cost of childcare has been widely seen as a deterrent for some parents to go back to work or work full time.

Childcare in the UK is among the most expensive in the world and the government has been under pressure to provide more help for parents.

More info at https://bit.ly/GovChildcare

Reduce your meat intake to help the planet

Join in Walk to School Week

A generation ago, seventy percent of us walked to school –now it’s less than half. So Walk to School Week was started to encourage more kids to get out of the car and walk to school.

Walk to School Week is held from 15 to 19 May and is organised by the UK charity Living Streets to celebrate the health and wellbeing benefits of walking.

Families will be encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ to see the big differences that can come from small steps - from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates.

Free interactive wall charts and stickers are available to download. Schools can also obtain classroom packs to help teach children about the benefits of being active, with daily reward stickers and special rewards for those who travelled actively every day.

More info at www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school

National Vegetarian Week takes place from 15 to 21 May and will highlight how switching to vegetarian meals can reduce your carbon footprint and benefit the planet.

The National Food Strategy says the UK should eat thirty percent less meat by 2030. For people who eat meat every day, this can be achieved by going meat-free on just two days a week.

Evidence shows that plant-based food is better for the planet, has far less carbon emissions than meat and for households on tight budgets it can also be a cheaper, healthier choice.

During the week, you will be able to download a FREE digital book ‘Make Meals Better by Miles’ featuring recipes from famous chefs including Deliciously Ella, Miguel Barclay, Kwoklyn Wan, Jackie Kearney and Max La Manna.

More info at www.nationalvegetarianweek.org

Book a FREE summer term class with Perform

Summer term is here and there’s no better time for your child to try Perform. Packed with self-esteem boosting activities, Perform weekly classes round off the academic year with a fun and relaxed focus on developing confidence, communication, coordination and concentration. Using a mix of drama, dance and singing, these high-energy classes for all abilities are designed to allow even the most reticent children to shine.

This term, 4-7s will be setting sail on the Jammy Dodger for an adventure with the Mermaids & Pirates. Meanwhile, 7-12s will enjoy a laugh-out-loud adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in The Dream. The curriculum has an emphasis on fun with free apps and videos to watch at home.

Classes are for all abilities and every child is welcome to try a FREE class in the following venues. To book, just visit www.perform.org.uk/try

Andover: Andover Leisure Centre, SP10 1QP

Basingstoke: Beggarwood Community Centre, RG22 4AQ

Bramley: Clift Meadow Pavillion, RG26 5BH

Fleet: Zebon Community Centre, GU52 0ZE

Hartley Whitney: Victoria Halls, RG27 8RQ

Perform fun continues into the summer holidays - don’t miss the Perform in the Park summer festival of children's theatre, see more on page 13. Visit www.performinthepark.uk to book.

Clean Air Day 2023

Targeting air pollution, this year Clean Air Day will be on Thursday 15 June and brings together communities, businesses, education and the health sector aiming to:

• Improve public understanding of air pollution, both indoors and outdoors;

• Build awareness of how air pollution affects our health;

• Explain some of the easy things we can all do to tackle air pollution to help protect the environment and our health.

There are dozens of online events all day on the Clean Air Day website aimed at individuals, schools and businesses, as well as hundreds of events around the country for everyone to join. It's the opportunity to try something different - from travelling without a car to closing your school's street and having a street party.

More info: www.bit.ly/CleanAirDayUK

Book now for September 2023 at The Scott Centre Pre-School

Located close to Andover town centre, The Scott Centre PreSchool effectively implements the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidance combined with their charity ideology of providing children with a better future through outdoor learning and explorations.

The curriculum incorporates daily opportunities to learn across varied and diverse, child led and adult led, hands-on experiences. Children are offered opportunities to walk to nearby parks and lakes, to spend time in their secure, secluded garden and to embrace learning in fun and engaging ways.

Reserve a space for September 2023. Book a visit or contact mariangelabryant@youthoptions.org.uk for information.

The Scott Centre is at the heart of the Andover community and children may continue accessing childcare services once they have started school through their Out of School Clubs

Find out more at www.youthoptions.org.uk/what-we-do/ childcare

How handwriting affects self-esteem

By Catherine Loble and Lisa Wander

It is known that children who have good handwriting do better in school and enjoy it more. And the opposite is also true: those who struggle with handwriting are often at a disadvantage in the high-paced classroom setting. According to the Dyspraxia Foundation, children with poor handwriting are usually aware of their difficulty and their untidy handwriting can make them feel uncomfortable and isolated. Commonly, children feel depressed and frustrated as a direct result of poor writing skills.

Handwriting activates a specific part of the brain which helps establish and build the neural patterns needed for learning and memory. Studies show that children who spend time working on handwriting produce clearer and more coherent communication, along with better thought and organisation skills.

As the majority of our examinations are still handwritten, handwriting forms an integral part of our education system. Students who are unable to write legibly and articulately find themselves at a severe disadvantage. Once these skills are taught there is an enormous difference in confidence and selfesteem.

With at least ten to fifteen percent of children in the classroom suffering from poor self-confidence, teachers need to watch out for early problems with their pupils’ handwriting. Simply having their writing labelled as messy or lazy by adults can contribute to a child’s low self-esteem and anxiety. This may lead children to believe that they are unintelligent and incapable of writing correctly and discourage them, continuing the downward spiral.

Inspiring young minds since 1645

Cheam is a leading independent, day and boarding prep school, nestled in 100 acres of countryside on the Berkshire | Hampshire border

Unfortunately, the problem of anxiety-related handwriting problems cannot simply be overcome by using a computer. As a child grows older, there will always be everyday circumstances in which handwriting is needed. Furthermore, handwriting helps the flow of ideas and thoughts in a way which keyboarding doesn’t, so it is fundamental that children are taught to write legibly.

Although handwriting is an integral requirement of the National Curriculum, many schools are unable to dedicate to it the time required due to the huge demand of core subjects. In addition, there are many different styles and programmes being used with too many confusing elements.

With the correct time and teaching, children can master handwriting, thereby raising their confidence and self-esteem and embedding it into adulthood.

Catherine and Lisa 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.

Motor skills to support

Essential for handwriting, motor development is divided into gross and fine motor skills. Gross skills involve large muscle movements such as crawling, walking, running and swimming. Fine motor skills require smaller muscles: grasping, object

Well-developed gross and fine motor skills are essential to a child’s readiness to write. Early years activities prepare them for the dexterity and co-ordination they will need in the classroom

Practising gross motor skills is the first step towards two-handed tasks such as holding down paper with one hand while writing with the other. Fun activities teach small bodies! Examples include monkey bars, hopscotch, throwing and catching balls,

Fine motor skills are necessary for handwriting so a child can control the pencil in forming letters and use the correct pressure on the pen and the paper. This is where hand and finger activities come in. Consider these: threading beads, cutting paper, construction play, baking, finger painting and playdough.

Developing independent learning

By Zuzu Jordan

It’s time for celebration when our children display independence, right from when they take their first steps on their own or ride a bike without stabilisers. These are big family moments; the child delights in their achievements and parents are proud to be part of these milestone developments.

So what is independence?

Being independent means not needing support and becoming self-sufficient. A certain amount of independence comes naturally with age and experience; however, as adults there is plenty we can do to facilitate this growth along the way.

Returning to the example of babies taking their first steps, we tend to support them by holding their hand first and then a finger, before they try a few steps on their own. Clearing any potential dangerous items out of their way first, of course! We celebrate when they manage to walk alone and give them bundles of praise.

Helping your child to be independent with learning isn’t dissimilar to helping them walk unaided. We need to offer support, gently reduce that support and praise them for going it alone. This doesn’t mean stopping helping your child; instead it’s about nurturing an independent attitude and growth mindset. Our input will be age dependent and will need to be adapted accordingly.

Try some of these tips to help your child approach their learning with an independent attitude:

Establish a routine for starting homework. For example, for the first five minutes, your child works on their own or, in reverse, you work with them just for the first five minutes to get them started. Depending on the homework and age of the child, you could also consider helping out with every other question or section, then slowly building up the time between support periods.

Give them three tokens. They can use each token to ask for help. Once they have used up their tokens, they then have to continue working alone, trying to work things out themselves.

For written assignments, put a tiny mark on the page and ask your child to write up to that target before you read through it. Use the BBBB approach - ask your Brain, Book, Buddy before you ask the Boss (you!)

For online homework, make sure that any websites or apps are saved with your child’s passwords so they can go straight to what they need without your input.

When the homework involves questions, suggest your child start with whichever one they can tackle independently, then come back to the questions they need help with.

Encourage independent thinking so children feel comfortable expressing their own thoughts and opinions about their homework assignments. Talk with them about what they think worked well and what didn’t. Keep the dialogue about independence transparent. Maybe ask your child what they would like to be independent in and what support they will need to achieve this.

A growth mindset is probably the most important ingredient in achieving independence. A fixed mindset (eg ‘I can’t spell well’) can prevent growth while a growth mindset (‘I can’t spell well yet’) embraces the learning journey; at the same time encouraging other traits including resilience and persistence.

Zuzu Jordan is a Mastery for Maths specialist who has taught primary aged children for sixteen years and is interested in early years and home learning. For free homework and home learning resources, find the Facebook page Edumateuk.

Independent thinking

Independent thinking means not taking things at face value. Ian Gilbert from Independent Thinking (www. independentthinking.co.uk) explains it as literally coming up with your own ideas and making new connections.

Philosophy for Children (www.p4c.com) offers helpful springboards to unlocking independent thinking, giving children permission to push back on existing ideologies and concepts. Questions to ignite creative thinking are sometimes called Thunk questions. For example, if I read a newspaper in a shop without buying it, is that actually stealing?

Growth mindset

Historically, intelligence was seen as something we were gifted from birth and our levels were finite. Nowadays, research shows that mindset significantly influences how we learn and achieve. A fixed mindset person may use phrases like ‘I was never good at maths’ whereas a growth mindset person says ‘I can’t do this problem YET’ and bans the word ‘can’t’ from their vocabulary altogether.

Helping your child change their inner dialogue around facing challenges can make their learning more positive and successful.

What is the CPA approach in maths?

By Jemma Z Smith

CPA (concrete, pictorial, abstract) is a maths teaching approach that has grown in popularity in recent years. It involves using tangible objects for children to add, subtract, multiply or divide. They then progress to using pictorial representations of the objects and ultimately, abstract symbols. This way of learning is one of the foundations of Singaporean maths, now being adopted in the UK.

Concrete

The tangible, ‘handling’ stage uses physical objects to solve problems. For example:

There are four buttons in the pot. Stanley has two buttons in his hand. How many buttons are there altogether?

In this problem, the children might first count out actual buttons before moving on to non-related objects such as counters to represent the buttons. Of course, almost anything can be used to help a child master this stage from pencils to plastic pots, to counting beans and coins. You don’t need to spend money on concrete resources to support learning at home.

Pictorial

Next, learners move on to making their own representations. Returning to the example in the paragraph above, the buttons could be drawn as four circles on one part of the paper and two more on another part, representing the pot and the hand. Children can then count each small circle and get the same answer as they would have done with the buttons.

Building or drawing a model makes it easier for children to grasp

more difficult concepts, particularly when working with fractions. It enables learners to see how much of a ‘whole one’ has been shaded in and visualise the problem more clearly.

Abstract

This is where children use abstract symbols to solve maths problems.

Brooke has ten sweets and Millie has twelve sweets. How many sweets do they have altogether?

Children at the abstract stage would be able to solve the problem by writing it out as 10 + 12 = 22.

Before moving onto this stage, children need a secure understanding of mathematical vocabulary; eg ‘altogether’, ‘add’ and ‘plus’ all mean that the numbers are increasing.

Although CPA has three distinct stages, it is always useful to revisit the previous stages to ensure that learners have a full grasp of each concept.

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

Why is CPA maths helpful for children?

Education methods have changed a lot since we were at school. For many adults today, classroom teaching involved having methods drummed into us that we didn’t necessarily understand and which were promptly forgotten. Could you explain why we ‘put a zero’ in the ones column when multiplying by a tens number? Why we ‘knock on the next number’s door and borrow a 1’ when exchanging in column subtraction? How long division really works?

Using physical ‘concrete’ counters show us the mechanics behind these methods and gives children an understanding of what maths is, rather than rote learning for an exam and forgetting the learning when moving on to the next concept. The learning will stick for longer and be more beneficial to them as they progress to the next stage of their education.

With CPA, maths is seen by teachers as a house or a pyramid. Without a strong understanding of the foundations, more complex topics such as algebra or percentages will be a struggle.

What if my Year 6 child still uses props for maths?

Should you be concerned? The answer is that the use of concrete and pictorial resources is not only for very young children or children who find new concepts tricky.

While running a SATs booster class, I used the bar model, a way of visualising addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using blocks, with a group of Year 6 children. They had to work out how much of one type of liquid was used in a ratio word problem. The lightbulb moments started to happen: what a privilege to witness!

Once learners understand the mechanics of problems, they can apply their knowledge from the concrete and pictorial stages into the abstract final answer and, if they are really secure, even teach it to someone else as well, demonstrating true mastery of the concept.

So no, parents shouldn’t be concerned if their children are still using props. They are using them to their advantage and building a solid base of understanding that will see them through into later years.

The benefits of summer camps

By Andrew Campbell

Summer day camps provide fun, safe and nurturing spaces for children. Not just useful childcare for working parents, there are many benefits for children too. Consider these:

Learning new skills

Summer camps offer a variety of activities that allow children to explore new interests and develop talents they didn’t know they had or take an existing talent to a new level.

Promoting physical activity

Many day camps provide a wide range of physical activities including sports, outdoor activities and games. This helps to promote a healthy lifestyle and develop a lifelong love of physical activity.

Developing independence and self-confidence

Being in a setting that isn’t home or school and where there are no parents can give children a sense of independence. They learn how to take care of themselves, make their own decisions and solve problems on their own.

Taking on new challenges and trying new things gives them confidence in their abilities.

Fostering creativity

Creative juices flow when children experience theatre arts, dance, music, writing, arts and crafts. These all help to stimulate their imagination and expressive thinking.

Leaving technology behind

As fantastic as the online world can be, it is always great to expose children to the joys of a good old-fashioned kick about and team games in the fresh air. Who knows, they may even enjoy it MORE than gazing at a screen!

Building social skills

In a whole new supervised peer group, children learn to work together, communicate effectively and develop a sense of community.

There’s much to be gained too if they are learning and playing alongside children from different backgrounds, cultures or abilities from their usual circles, as this is an opportunity to appreciate difference. Kids will also build friendships outside their established school network.

How safe will your child be?

Ofsted registration

While most childcare services have to be registered with Ofsted, holiday clubs are often exempt so you need to check.

If there isn’t an Ofsted report, you may want to ask what policies are in place to ensure children’s safety, such as safeguarding procedures, health and safety procedures, food handling, staff to child ratios and public liability insurance.

Staff qualifications

All staff and frequent volunteers at a holiday club must have enhanced DBS checks. Ofsted registered holiday camps will be required to have staff with training in first aid, safeguarding and if applicable, food handling. It is no longer a requirement for out-of-school club staff to hold a formal qualification. However, many providers will be required to have qualified staff to get childcare insurance.

Check the website or make enquiries.

Enjoying the outdoors

Climbing trees, changing a bike wheel or building an outdoor camp can give your child a whole new set of skills while enjoying adventures they might not otherwise experience.

Nurturing leadership and teamwork

By encouraging teamwork, co-operation, empathy and selfconfidence, summer day camps will help your child develop emotional intelligence.

Holiday camps and the law

What can you do if a holiday camp is cancelled? You should get a refund but the terms of the booking may exclude refunds for cancellations for reasons beyond the camp’s control.

Can you get a refund if your child refuses to go to the camp? If the holiday camp doesn’t live up to expectations, getting a refund maybe difficult. Try talking to the manager.

Can you get a refund or partial refund if your child is absent due to sickness? This will depend on the terms of the booking.

What should you do if your child is injured at a holiday camp? If the camp is Ofsted registered, you could report the incident and you may be able to get a refund. In a more serious case, you may want to seek legal advice.

Are holiday camps obliged to accept children with special needs? Holiday camps must ensure that there is full inclusion and make the necessary reasonable adjustments to accommodate each child’s needs.

How playgrounds benefit your child

As a parent or carer of young children, you’ve no doubt spent many hours sitting or standing in a playground watching your child play or pushing them on a swing. As well as being great for getting kids playing outside, playgrounds also have a range of developmental benefits - not just physical and social but cognitive and emotional too.

Unexpected physical benefits

Playgrounds provide children with the opportunity to develop their complete physical selves:

Swings and climbing frames develop advanced balancing skills and improve their equilibrium for surer footedness.

Climbing and running benefit muscle development and weight management.

Exposing children to daylight helps stabilise their circadian rhythms which can improve sleep patterns.

Playing outside exposes youngsters to more organic bacteria and microbes, which can help build a more robust immune system and an advanced microbiome.

The emotional and cognitive benefits

Anxiety, self-esteem and introversion are all common issues faced by children. A playground gives them a safe space in which to confront those feelings without judgement or expectation.

They can choose to play with the other kids in the castle or observe and learn how they can socialise before taking the first brave steps. Similarly, they can play by themselves on the swings

or slides to reduce their anxiety as they don’t need any help from others to accomplish that (though the kit is designed to encourage engagement and communication). Finally, they can give their self-esteem a boost by being brave enough to try a new piece of equipment or by making a new friend.

The playground gives them options. They don’t have to do anything they don’t want to but if they choose to act, it’s almost certain they will experience a benefit.

Playground play is also great for developing problem-solving skills, increasing creativity and encouraging critical thinking. Do too many children want to play in the castle? They can work together to create a game and solve the problem. Does everyone want to go on the slide? Well, they can queue and wait their turn, right?

Family Corner (www.familycorner.co.uk) is the family arm of the Early Years Alliance (www.eyalliance.org.uk). The charity provides expert-written articles on all aspects of child development including health, behaviour, communication and fun activities.

Social and educational benefits of playgrounds

When your child is new to a setting or you’re on holiday and want your kids to make new friends quickly, you encourage them to visit the playground, right? This is because playgrounds are designed to encourage engagement and collaboration and to facilitate independent play.

For example, the castle and climbing frames result in children making up imaginative role-play games together where the setting becomes a fantasy world. Competition often breaks out on the swings to see who can go the highest and kids also take turns on the slide and wait patiently for the next go. They need a buddy to sit on the other end of the seesaw. Before they know it, they have a new friend.

As for the educational benefits of playgrounds, it’s all about learning to be brave and patient and experiencing things like excitement, fear and nervousness for the first time. Many play parks also have pieces of kit specifically designed for educational purposes like big magnifiers, storybook corners and sensory play kits.

Helping children find their autistic identity

By Rebecca Duffus

When a young person gets a diagnosis of autism, it does not always come with the opportunity to explore their personal autistic identity. Research shows that having a positive understanding of this is an indicator of higher self-esteem and wellbeing as an adult. Thankfully, with the right knowledge and tools, parents can initiate important conversations and support their child’s journey.

So often, autistic young people are told to stop their repetitive physical movements, taught neurotypical social skills and even disciplined purely because of their autistic behaviours. Yet we need to be actively promoting autistic pride and creating communities in which autistic youngsters can understand their strengths and have their needs catered for.

It is important that young autistic people gain a sense of their own unique story and understand feelings of difference and what difference means to them. It helps if they can also learn from the role modelling of other autistic individuals.

Giving children space and time to explore and embrace their autistic identity, in a way that is positive and empowering, is essential for their sense of self and belonging. Here are a few ideas:

Highlight differences in a positive way in everyday life. For example, apples and oranges, pens and pencils, different roles within a sports team. Each share similarities and differences and are equally good and valid. Use these examples to explain the concept of neurodiversity: how some people’s brains simply work differently.

Use visuals to explore autism characteristics and what your child’s unique autistic identity looks like. For example, show pictures related to sensory differences to prompt discussions around over-reactivity and under-reactivity to different senses. The Autism, Identity and Me Workbook (AIM) includes a range of visual prompts and space to personalise each section, so the book becomes truly theirs.

Help them develop a diary or workbook in which they can reflect on their identity. Consider buying personalised notebooks or help them to set up their own system for processing information on an ongoing basis. This could be recording voice notes, videos or typing into a document.

Explore accounts from other autistic individuals, particularly those your child has something in common with, so that they feel represented.

Develop an ‘Autism Identity Statement’ together which your child can use to explain to others what autism means to them.

Continue the conversation and not always verbally: use links, articles and videos. If appropriate for your child’s age, encourage them to watch or follow autism advocates such as The Aspie World, Purple Ella and Chloe Hayden.

For parents, Chris Packham’s recent Inside Our Autistic Minds, available on iPlayer, is an illuminating and informative insight into the minds of young autistic adults.

Follow their lead. You want to develop your child’s autistic pride but it is very important to respect their communication preferences. Do they want to share their Autism Identity Statement with other family members and friends or just with specific people?

Rebecca Duffus is an Advisory Teacher working with students and educators in mainstream and specialist schools, plus local council and education services.

She has created Autism, Identity and Me (AIM) personalised workbooks for young people, with an accompanying guidebook for parents. Together they help autistic young people establish and reflect upon their own unique story. Order from https://bit.ly/AIMbook

The neurodiversity pencil case

Featured in the AIM workbooks, this analogy can help with understanding difference. Sometimes people feel different from everyone else. Imagine a neurodivergent person is a pen within a classroom where the neurotypical pupils are pencils. They might feel like the only pen.

Both the pens and pencils are good at what they do. The neurodivergent people may be different from the neurotypical people but they all share similarities. They are not the only pen…. about one in seven people are neurodivergent!

Create an Autism Identity Statement

Your child can choose who they talk to about autism and what they say but it can help if they have a set phrase to explain what autism means to them. This statement is liable to change over time as they develop their understanding of their autistic identity. Try:

I’m really good at...

I sometimes find it harder to...

When I feel stressed it helps me to...

My superpowers are...

What's On

To promote your local event in the next issue, email: editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk. Don’t forget to sign up for our digital magazine for more interactive content at familiesmagazine.co.uk/go

All listings are correct at the time of going to print.

Every Tue Construction Club

Chineham Library, Basingstoke, RG24 8BQ

If you enjoy making things with LEGO® or Duplo® bricks, come along and enjoy the Construction Club. Parents and carers must remain with their children during the session. No need to book, just come along. FREE.

Every Tue Board Games Morning

Basingstoke Discovery Centre

Festival Place, RG21 7LS

Free drop-in every Tuesday, 10am12noon. Games supplied but feel free to bring your own!

Every Fri Storytime

Basingstoke Discovery Centre Festival Place, RG21 7LS Storytime for children aged 0-5 years. 10.30am. FREE.

Throughout May & Jun Treasure Trails in North Hampshire Alton, Basingstoke, Odiham, Petersfield, Selborne, Whitchurch www.treasuretrails.co.uk

A self-guided spy mission walking trail or treasure hunt inspired walk. The trails are 2 to 2.5 miles and takes approximately two hours to complete at your own pace. Learn more about where you live or explore somewhere new. Print a trail map at home or buy online. Suitable for ages 6+.

Throughout May & Jun ZOG™ Trail

Alice Holt Forest, GU10 4LS

Everyone’s favourite dragon is at Alice Holt Forest this year with a family activity trail and app! Get

ready to join Zog™ on his latest forest adventure to collect golden stars as your little dragons learn how they help care for the forest and how the forests can care for them.

Sat 6 to Mon 8 May

Coronation Weekend

Milestones Museum, Basingstoke, RG22 6PG www.milestonesmuseum.org.uk/ event/coronation-weekend

Come and enjoy a royally good time at Milestones during Coronation weekend! Enjoy 1950s themed activities and more. 10am-5pm.

Sat 6 May to Sun 4 Jun

Coronation Garden Trail

The Vyne, Basingstoke RG24 9HL www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ hampshire

Hunt for a whopping 74 crowns hidden in the gardens. All ages can celebrate the Coronation with this family trail. 10am-4pm.

Mon 8 May

Coronation Punch & Judy Show

Winchester City Museum

The Square, SO23 9ES www.hampshireculture.org.uk

Looking for a fun way to end your coronation celebrations? Join David Wilde as he presents a traditional Punch and Judy show at Winchester City Museum. A traditional fun packed show for the whole family. 11am, 12.30pm & 2pm.

Thu 11 to Sun 21 May

Jay Miller's Circus

Finkley Down Farm, SP11 6NF www.jaymillerscircus.co.uk

A fantastic family fun circus show suitable for all ages.

Sat 13 May

Creative Saturday: A World in Colour

Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, GU32 3HX www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk

Creative Saturdays are fun, handson activity days. Explore stories, collections and exhibitions together as a family. 11am-1pm.

Sat 13 May to 5 Jun

Mysteries & Mayhem

Winchester Science Centre, SO21 1HZ

www.winchestersciencecentre.org

There’s been a crime committed at Winchester Science Centre! They need volunteers to join the Chemistry Crime Squad live science show and help use science to solve the mystery of the missing lunch. Watch as awesome experiments, intriguing demos and chemical reactions reveal the clues to help solve the mystery. Enjoy this event as well as all the usual Science Centre fun.

Sun 14 May

Nature Day

Gilbert White’s House, GU34 3JH www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk

An annual celebration of the natural world. Throughout the day there will be a range of activities led by environmental experts, from pond dipping to bug hunting to bird spotting walks! 10.30am-5pm. Adults £9, under 16 free.

Tue 16 May

Fred The Cat's Magical Monthly Story Club: Elmer

The Lights, Andover, SP10 1AH www.thelights.org.uk/WhatsOn

Fred the Cat's Magical Monthly Story Club is an exciting new club for ages 2 to 5. £6 (child & 1 adult).

Fri 19 May 7 Fri 16 Jun

Roller Disco

The Harlington, Fleet, GU51 4BY www.theharlington.co.uk Family-friendly, fun, exciting skating session. 6-9pm. All ages. £7 (includes skate hire).

Use

Basingstoke Festival returns this summer

Get ready for three weekends of free family fun as Basingstoke comes to life with street performances and outdoor arts for the whole family.

Basingstoke Festival takes place from Friday 23 June to Sunday 9 July, where you can discover circus, dance, street theatre and storytelling performed outdoors in streets and parks.

Experience magical moments throughout the festival with your family as you find energetic, joyful, and sometimes hilarious performances. The opening weekend includes a vibrant town centre parade led by local company Fluid Motion. Head on a Sea-TACULAR adventure with home-grown talent Junk Jodie and enjoy a fusion of hip-hop, circus and acrobatics in Roll Model. Meet outrageous mermaids in The Wagon of Dreams and see the spectacle of a 15-foot-tall giant wheel driven by five street artists in Parade: The Giant Wheel.

Explore the programme at www.BasingstokeFestival.co.uk

Thu 25 to Sun 28 May

ZOG™

The Haymarket, RG21 7NW www.anvilarts.org.uk

The smash-hit stage adaptation from Freckle Productions is back and promises to be bigger, brighter, and more roar-some than ever before! With lively songs from Joe Stilgoe and directed by Emma Kilbey, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved Zog™ is a magical production for all the family. Ages 3+.

Sat 27 May to Sat 3 Jun

School Holiday Trail: Mini Museum

Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, GU32 3HX www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk

Explore the Museum and Art Gallery in a new light with our fun, self-guided trails for the whole family. Follow the clues, find the hidden objects and take part in a series of exciting challenges in exchange for a mystery prize! 10am-5pm.

27 May to 4 Jun

Pop Up Play Village

Wellington Country Park, Riseley, RG7 1SP

www.wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk

Head to an activity tent and get stuck in with the farm supermarket and cafe and sensory play trays, perfect for younger visitors. 9:30am–5:30pm.

Sat 27 May to Sun 4 Jun

Day out with Thomas

The Watercress Line, SO24 0BL watercressline.co.uk/day-outwith-thomas

Join Thomas the Tank Engine for

a day of colourful adventure at the Watercress Line. Lots of fun activities and a round trip from Ropley to Alton. 9.30am-4.30pm.

Sat 27 May to Sun 4 Jun

1940’s Week

Milestones Museum, Basingstoke, RG22 6PG

www.milestonesmuseum.org.uk/ event/1940s-week

Enjoy fun activities for all ages and join in for a celebration of all things 1940s! Enjoy living history with re-enactments and demonstrations, historic objects, live performances, talks, a trail and more on the streets of Milestones. 10am-5pm.

Sun 28 May

Starlight Cinema: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - Family Screening

Winchester Science Centre, SO21 1HZ

www.winchestersciencecentre.org

When the Science Centre doors close, the cinema screen will be rolling! Grab a seat, sit back and relax with one of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, plays out under the stars of the Planetarium. 5pm. Child £4, Adult £8.

Sun 28 May

Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers

Corn Exchange Newbury, RG14 5BD

www.cornexchangenew.com

A fun-filled family show inspired by the works of Roald Dahl. The show develops both creative and literacy skills through performance, games, and creative play, while exploring Roald Dahl’s extraordinary stories,

All the usual Science Centre fun plus: Dormouse Orienteering Live chemistry science show Secrets of the Stars planetarium show Weekends and May half term 13th May to 5th June

including The BFG and The Twits along the way. Ages 5+.

29 May–2 Jun

Animal Farm Week

Wellington Country Park, Riseley, RG7 1SP

www.wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk

Join in for Animal Farm week and celebrate resident animals. 9:30am–5:30pm.

Thu 1 & Fri 2 Jun

The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

The Haymarket, Basingstoke, RG21 7NW

www.anvilarts.org.uk

A beautiful new production that views Carroll’s renowned story from a different angle. Immerse yourself in the world of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland. Ages 3+.

Sat 4 Jun

Ministry of Science Live

The Anvil, RG21 7QR

www.anvilarts.org.uk/whats-on/ event/ministry-of-science-live

Join the presenters as they take an anarchic approach to scientific communication, whilst looking at the scientists, engineers and inventors who have shaped the modern world.

Sat 4 Jun

Nick Cope Family Music Corn Exchange Newbury, RG14 5BD

www.cornexchangenew.com

If you haven’t heard his songs or seen his shows before, come and find out what you’re missing. 11am.

Sat 10 Jun

Creative Saturday: Musical Melodies

Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, GU32 3HX www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk

A fun, hands-on activity day. Explore stories, collections and exhibitions together as a family. Take part in a musical workshop between 11am and 1pm.

Sat 10 Jun

Dinosaur Adventure Live Corn Exchange Newbury, RG14 5BD www.cornexchangenew.com

Join the intrepid rangers on a quest to recover the data crystal, restore power to the island and save the dinosaurs! Stomp, roar and swish your tail as we introduce you to some of the most incredible species ever to have lived on planet Earth.

Sat 10 Jun

BioBlitz Hawk Conservancy Trust Andover, SP11 8DY www.hawk-conservancy.org

A BioBlitz is a great opportunity to get your family out in nature and to join in and survey the grounds to discover the many different species of plants and animals that call the Trust home. Pre-book.

Sat 10 Jun to Sun 16 Jul

of hands-on activities, dressing up, colouring in, quizzes and games. 10am-4pm. FREE.

Thu 15 Jun

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Chawton House, Alton, GU34 1SJ www.chawtonhouse.org

Join the HandleBards at Chawton House for a hilarious, high-octane production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This is an outdoor production, bring your own chair or blanket, a picnic and dress for the weather! 6pm.

Sat 17 Jun

The Bubble Show

The Lights, Andover, SP10 1AH www.thelights.org.uk/WhatsOn

The Bubble Show is a unique blend of magic, storytelling, science and bubble art! Ages 3-12. £10. 2pm.

Sat 17 Jun

Father’s Day

Milestones Museum, Basingstoke, RG22 6PG www.milestonesmuseum.org.uk

Wander the cobbled streets and immerse yourself in our living history. Fathers visiting during the weekend will be gifted a ration card which can be exchanged for half a pint of beer in the pub or 2oz of sweets in the sweet shop. 10am-5pm.

Sat 17 & Sun 18 Jun

Unusual Plant Fair!

Gilbert White’s House, GU34 3JH

www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk

Join in for the celebration of the Unusual Plant Fair! 10.30am-5pm.

Tue 20 Jun

Fred The Cat's Magical Monthly Story Club: The Gruffalo

The Lights, Andover, SP10 1AH

www.thelights.org.uk/WhatsOn

This month's story is Julia Donaldon's The Gruffalo! 2pm. Ages 2-5.

Fri 23 Jun to Sun 9 Jul

Basingstoke Festival

Various Venues

www.BasingstokeFestival.co.uk

Get ready for three weekends of free family fun as Basingstoke comes to life with street performances and outdoor arts for the whole family. Explore the programme online.

Sun 25 Jun

Mog The Forgetful Cat Corn Exchange Newbury, RG14 5BD

www.cornexchangenew.com

Join Mog and the Thomas family on a journey through one year in the life of a really remarkable cat. Everyone’s favourite cat might be forgetful, but she certainly has a lot of adventures and loves her family very much.

COMING THIS SUMMER

22 Jul to 28 Aug

Perform in the Park Coram’s Fields WC1N 1DN

www.performinthepark.uk

Book now winchestersciencecentre.org

Monsters, Myth and Magic Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age, SP10 1DP www.hampshireculture.org.uk This exhibition offers an opportunity to see many of the incredible objects from Hampshire Cultural Trust's Anglo-Saxon collection that are not normally on public display. This is a familyfriendly exhibition that offers plenty

A magical festival of children’s theatre in the heart of London. Four fantastic musicals for children aged 2-14 plus evening events for teens. Set in a pop-up tent in Coram’s Fields WC1N 1DN, families can also enjoy the park with wide lawns and wonderful play areas. Bring a picnic or enjoy the charming all-day café. Tickets start at £14.50. Pre-book online.

Happy holidays with grandparents

By Ellie Malt

There is nothing quite like a holiday spent with grandparents to create surprising and special memories that will last a lifetime. Who knows what we will all discover along the way? Will granny get the hang of TikTok? Maybe the kids will find out what a ‘real’ camera looks like or perhaps we’ll all just learn more about each other. The most important thing though is to have fun and enjoy spending time together. Here are some ways to make it happen:

Choose flexible accommodation

Are you thinking about a villa, apartment or hotel? Small or big resort? Grandparents may not want to spend all their time with the grandchildren and vice-versa so some degree of separate space might be a wise idea. You should also consider access; somewhere with lots of steps neither suits buggies nor anyone who is a bit wobbly on their feet.

Plan together

Involve everyone in the planning by asking for their input and ideas. They’ll appreciate the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge. Sure, there’ll be compromises along the way but sharing the planning helps set expectations and ensures everyone feels more involved in the holiday.

Eating together

If you are self-catering, who will shop, cook and wash up? Are other options available? It’s worth thinking ahead about fussy eaters, as well as people who need to eat dinner earlier or get up late for breakfast. Planning now can save a lot of awkward negotiation when you’re there.

Make activities age-appropriate

Choose some ideas that will suit everyone’s interests and abilities. A water park might be the best day ever for the kids, while exploring the nearby town or drinking rum cocktails at the beach might be more appealing to parents and grandparents. If you have something special in mind that works for everyone, it might be worth choosing your holiday destination around it.

Sharing the kids

With more adults around, child-free date nights or even days out may be possible but don’t assume this will just happen. Discuss expectations around this. And if the grandparents are left in charge for a few hours, accept that their style may not match your own exactly - it’s their holiday too. Rather than setting rigid ground rules, let them do it their own way; after all, you didn’t turn out so badly!

‘Yes, we did it!’

Plan an adventure day; take a scenic hike or cycle ride or perhaps a kayak. Trying something new is all part of a holiday. If you choose carefully, even with different physical abilities and interests, it can work for everyone. Building in an element of challenge and heading out of your comfort zone together can create a sense of shared purpose and provide a real highlight.

Quiet time

It’s important that everyone is able to have some alone time during the holiday so think about the possibility of me-time for each person. Not everyone feels social all the time so consider the needs of the introverts in the group. Expectations and excitement may run high ahead of the holiday so talking to your kids about quiet-time or afternoon siestas before you go can help things run more smoothly.

Take photos

Document your holiday; everyone can get involved in this. Remember photos weren’t always just for posting on social media! Maybe you can create a photobook or even go old school and frame some group shots. It will give everyone something to look back on in the years to come and help keep those memories alive.

Best outdoor toys for summer 2023

Ah summertime! The days are longer, the weather is warmer and we have more opportunities to head outside into the fresh air. We asked our friends at The Good Play Guide (www.goodplayguide.com) to recommend a range of top toys and activities that will provide hours of entertainment. Different toys develop different skills through play and these are broken into four key categories to inspire you: Active, Nature & Discovery, Arty and Educational.

Educational

Waterwall

For a splashtastic time, look no further than the Waterwall for hours of fun. Perfect for long summer days in the garden, your child will love designing a pathway for the water to successfully run through the tubes. They may not succeed straight away but the fun is in the trying! RRP £99.99.

Paint Pop Face Paint Sticks

Face painting is made easier with Paint Pop Face Paints. The silky-smooth paint is inside the stick; simply twist and you’re ready to paint! You can enjoy super-clean, messfree and convenient creative fun when at home or out and about on your travels. Each set includes twelve bright, vibrant colours for greater creativity. RRP £9.99.

Gazillion Bubbles Giant Power Wand

Sometimes it’s the simplest things in life that are the most fun. Kids and grown-ups will love the giant bubbles that whoosh out at the touch of a button. Great for an active summer afternoon in the garden or for entertaining children at a birthday party, this is sure to be a big hit. RRP £12.

Xootz Bubble-GoScooter

The Xootz Bubble-Go Scooter is a three-wheeled scooter that blows bubbles as you ride, cleverly combining two popular children’s pastimes in one. With its wide footplate and sturdy three-wheeled style, younger riders will find it a breeze to use and will be the envy of their friends as they ride a scooter while blowing bubbles out behind them. RRP £49.99.

Nature & Discovery

GALT Travel Activity Case

This set contains four books of educational travel activities that will keep children occupied on journeys, as well as during downtime or on a rainy day. The fun, mess-free activities include puzzles, word searches, dotto-dots, stickers and colouring, getting the brain whirring as children indulge their language skills, dexterity and creativity. RRP £12.99.

River Rock Paint Kit

Rock painting is a fun activity for kids that can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors. With fifteen smooth river rocks to paint, plus a full complement of art supplies, kids can create decorative stones to tell stories with or showcase in your home or garden, proudly displaying their artistic imagination. RRP £19.99.

Geosafari® JR. Kidnoculars® Extreme™

Magnify nature with these 3x no-focus binoculars and built-in microphone - they are the perfect tool to encourage children to engage with and learn about nature. Looking and listening to their surroundings teaches kids observation skills and promotes the learning of new vocabulary centred around nature. RRP £26.50.

Flower Growing Garden Kit

This flower garden kit makes it easy for children to plant, decorate and watch their very own garden grow beautiful cosmos, nasturtium and zinnia flowers. This is a great way to introduce children to the excitement and reward of watching their very own flowers grow. RRP £24.99.

Arty Active

Friday 23 June to Sunday 9 July 2023

Three weekends of free street performances for the whole family.

www.BasingstokeFestival.co.uk

In partnership with