Families Manchester Issue 75 May/June 2019

Manchester

In this issue: Toddlers behaving badly Why turn to tutors?

Demistifying phonics

Issue 75 May/June 2019

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News It’s Official!

Our readers prefer Families Magazine to the internet!

A common complaint seems to be the “endless trawling” that digital research involves.

A reader from Bolton says “Families magazine has all the information together so it’s really quick and convenient to flick through and see all the exciting events in our area. I particularly like the What’s on guide as it saves searching on the internet.

Last year, we conducted a The parent articles are survey across the UK asking informative too and I have picked readers to tell us what they up some good tips for activities find useful about our magazine that don’t cost the earth!” and how likely they would be Readers also told us that to respond to advertising in it. they really value having a We were delighted to receive physical magazine in their almost 500 responses and by the hands in which all the wonderful feedback you gave us. information relevant to family More than 70% of our readers life has already been collated said they were highly likely to and is presented to them in an respond to advertising in our easy-to-digest format. magazine or had already done A typical response came so. That’s fabulous news for our from a reader in Manchester advertisers and for our readers, who says: “In this time of social because it means we can carry media it is great to have a on making the magazine better magazine you can pick up and and better! physically flick A whopping through rather than of 79% of readers having to fight readers told us through hundreds told us that they use the magazine that they use of e-mails and to research ideas the magazine to pop up adverts for research ideas for local family individual offers.” activities or We were also for local family classes and clubs activities or really happy that for children and classes and clubs large numbers of an equally you reported that for children impressive 74% Families Magazine said they use it to plan family life. makes your lives easier and less Many of you also told us that stressful and saves you time. you find easier to plan family Thank you to everyone that activities and entertainment volunteered their comments. using Families Magazine than If you are interested in taking using the internet! You told us part in one of our Reader that using the internet to Forums, please email research and plan can be time info@familiesmagazine.co.uk consuming and confusing, with your name, phone number involving lots of trawling online and post code. *Readers names have not been quoted for useful information.

Atmospheric Memory at the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester

Experience a breath-taking interactive art installation where you can hear, see and even touch the sounds that travel through the atmosphere.

Created by artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, an array of ‘Atmospheric Machines’ use state-of-the-art technology to transform the words you speak into something new. Watch as your words become trails of vapour, ripples on water, even epic 360-degree projections…

Get moving with the Greater Manchester Walking Festival

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for privacy reasons

Next issue: July/Augist 2019 Circulation: 30,000 copies of Families Manchester are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Greater Manchester. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know.

Editors: Jayne Keep & Caryl Hall Contact details: Families Manchester, 3 Hall Hill, Bollington SK10 5ED Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiesonline.co.uk Editorial: editor@familiesmanchester.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Advertising/artwork: advertising@familiesmanchester.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on: events@familiesmanchester.co.uk Cover Photography: Deposit Photos www.depositphotos.com Design: WITH Creative, Congleton. www.withcreative.co.uk Print: Warwick Printers, Caswell Road Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV31 1QD Tel: 01926 883355 www.warwickprinting.co.uk

Nearly 200 years ago, computing pioneer Charles Babbage said that the air is a ‘vast library’ that contains a record of every word ever spoken. This unmissable installation asks: was he right?

If so, can we hear the voices of the past? Find out this summer and add your voice to the library.

On at the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester from Saturday 6 – Sunday 21 July, this is suitable for ages 8 and over.

Atmospheric Memory is presented by Manchester International Festival, Science and Industry Museum and FutureEverything.

For more details, visit mif.co.uk/memory

No matter whether you’re a stroller, roamer, shuffler, moocher or a marcher, the Greater Manchester Walking Festival has something for you.

Back bigger and better for the fifth year, it runs from Wednesday 1 to Friday 31 May, and offers 400 free guided walks for all abilities and interests, exploring towns, cities, the countryside, canals, riversides and parks across Greater Manchester.

As part of this year’s event, there are three themed walks led by knowledgeable Blue Badge Families Manchester is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Manchester are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Manchester

accredited guides, honouring inspiring women of Rochdale, Manchester and Oldham: 5 May in Rochdale which starts at the Dame Gracie Fields statue, The Esplanade 9 May in Manchester City Centre from the Emmeline Pankhurst statue, St. Peter’s Square 19 May in Oldham from Annie Kenney statue, Parliament Square The Festival is also working with We Stand Together and The Great Get Together campaign inspired by Jo Cox, to organise a Great Walk Together, that aims to connect walkers from across Greater Manchester at a central venue finale on 27th May. Free tickets for the themed walks and the Great Walk Together can be booked via Eventbrite. The full list of walks can be found at www.gmwalking.co.uk.

Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Manchester, its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof. @FamiliesMancMag www.facebook.com/FamiliesManchester

Families Manchester 2

News A summer of entertainment at Z-arts

Make sure you don’t miss the immersive exhibition of the wonderful work of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler on now until February 2020 – where you can discover the worlds within the books!

Creep into a magical world of forests, miniature houses, dragons and other creatures.

Can you spot The Gruffalo?

Watch out, it might be a bit of A Squash and a Squeeze to get around the life-sized cow! Who’s that flying overhead, could it be Zog? Be The Smartest Giant in Town, climb through the cave of The Highway Rat, swing through the Monkey Puzzle jungle, discover the underwater world of Tiddler, set sail with The Snail and the Whale and take your seat for the ride of your life with The Room on the Broom.

And on top of all that excitement, Z-arts brings you a fabulous selection of shows to excite and inspire you – from brilliant beatboxing to biscuit-brained weasels and everything in between. www.z-arts.org

Walk to School Week 2019

Thousands of children across the UK will celebrate the benefits of walking during national Walk to School Week from 20 to 24 May. Families will be encouraged to walk to school for the whole week to see the big differences that come from small steps: from

healthier and happier children, to fewer cars outside the school gates.

Walking to school is an easy way for children to fit more activity into their day whilst also helping them to develop vital road safety skills.

As awareness grows of the dangers of air pollution on our health, walking to school is a positive action people can take to help clean up our air.

Special Walk to School Week classroom packs are available for school pupils containing wallcharts, stickers, diaries and fun walking journey activities.

For more info, visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/wtsw

Are you feeling lucky?!

WIN a family break at The Belfry Hotel & Resort this Summer!

Named as England’s Leading Resort, The Belfry Hotel & Resort caters for all types of family stays, from family holidays and weekend breaks to day trips. Now you have the chance to experience it for yourself.

Enter now and win a family break at The Belfry for 2 adults and 2 children, including an overnight stay in a Signature Family Room, a full English breakfast, a round on the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course, access to a wide range of kids activities, a meal at Roccas Pizza Pasta Restaurant and tickets to Twycross Zoo. You can also make the most of the stunning grounds by exploring the interactive Woodland Walk. Discover the

Family fun with National Children’s Gardening Week

Enjoy an adventure at the Museums at Night festival

Families can explore art, history and heritage after dark with the Museums at Night bi-annual nationwide festival which runs across a wide range of venues from 15 to 18 May.

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Every year in both May and October, museums, heritage sites and historic properties, as well as smaller cultural venues throw open their doors after hours to showcase their treasures in unexpected ways.

Discover new exhibitions, take torch lit tours, enjoy live music in historic surroundings, and engage in a range of free and ticketed night-time activities.

To find your local events, visit www.museumsatnight.org.uk

bug hotel and hedgehog house, spot plenty of wildlife and enjoy the kids playground.

The Belfry is close to a variety of popular family favourites which can easily be reached throughout your stay, such as Drayton Manor, Cadbury World, Ash End House Farm, Kingsbury Water Park, Middleton Lakes as well as the National Sea Life Centre and Birmingham city centre, which is only 20 minutes away.

For further information, visit www.TheBelfry.com The Belfry Hotel & Resort is situated at Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 9PR To Enter: visit http://bit.ly/BelfryM Closing Date: 17 June 2019 For full T&Cs, see entry form online.

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

Happening from 25 May to 2 June, this week-long event sees garden centres around the country providing activities and resources that offer parents a great opportunity to get

children outside enjoying nature, plants and wildlife.

Gardening can play a huge part in a child’s health and wellbeing with over 1.5 million children gardening at school in the UK. As well as simply good outdoor fun, school gardening has been shown to have many benefits to health and wellbeing.

These include 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 a garden centre. Visit www.childrensgardeningweek. co.uk for DIY project ideas and details of local events.

Families Manchester 3

Education Demystifying Phonics

By Andrew Campbell

Parents play a very important role in helping children learn to read. But teaching methods have changed since most parents were at school and if you want to assist your children, it’s important to understand how they are taught.

What is phonics?

Phonics is used in all schools in the UK as the main first method for children to learn to read and write.

It is all about sounds. There are 44 sounds in English, which are put together to form words. These small units of sound are called ‘phonemes.’

Some sounds are represented by one letter, like ‘t’, and some by two or more, like ‘ck’ in truck and ‘air’ in chair. The letter, or the combination of letters are called ‘graphemes.’

Children are taught the sounds first, then how to match them to letter(s), and finally how to use

the letter(s) and sounds to read and spell.

How is phonics taught?

The most widely used approach in UK schools is called ‘synthetic phonics’ in which the phonemes (sounds) associated with particular graphemes (letter or letters) are pronounced in isolation and blended together (synthesised).

The 44 sounds (phonemes), and the way they are written down, are taught individually.

The first sounds to be taught are usually s, a, t, p, i, n. This is because once children know each of those letter sounds, they can then be arranged into a variety of different words (eg: sat, tip, pin, nip, tan, tin, sip).

In a phonics lesson, a teacher will introduce a new sound and its letter or letters, spelling them out. Then, they will use the sound in a word, clearly pronouncing

the sound. Pupils will practise repeating this sound back to the teacher; the children may also do an action to help them remember.

The teacher will also show pupils how to ‘blend’ or sound out words, using the new sound. For example, the word ‘lock’ when spoken has three sounds.

Children are taught to say the sounds separately then blend them together: ‘l-o-ck’, ‘lock.’

Once children are aware of the sounds of English and how spoken words are built from these sounds, they can learn the ways each sound is usually written, as a letter, or group of letters.

They can then apply this knowledge to help break down written words and read them one sound at a time. Then blend these sounds together into the full spoken word.

How can you help?

Sounding out words is at the heart of phonics and helping your child with this at home is simple. Try introducing sounds one at a time.

Phoneme cards are useful (downloadable, printable resources can be found at www.phonicsplay.co.uk. Show a letter card to your child and say the sound. Ask your child to say it as well. This will help build a link between the letter and its sound.

You can go on to help your child blend the sounds by saying each of the sounds in the word

and then pushing them together to say the word.

Using the sounds to write is achieved by helping your child to work out the individual sounds in a word and matching these sounds to the letters. Say a word and ask your child to break it down into its individual sounds.

For example big, b i g.

When reading to your child, practise by encouraging them to point to each letter and say the sound out loud. Then your child can read these words by blending the separate sounds together.

What makes phonics tricky?

The English language is a bit more complicated than most languages. Having been invaded so many times throughout its history, it is a rich mixture of languages. For instance the word ‘fern’ comes from the Anglo-Saxons and the first sound is spelt ‘f’.

Whereas the word ‘phone’ comes from Greek and the same sound is spelt ‘ph.’ Tricky words need to be learnt by sight, rather than sound.

Helpful resources There are a large number of apps available including Jolly Phonics and Teach Your Monster to Read.

The BBC Skillwise Phonics Tool allows you to hear sounds of English in five different accents and discover the correspondence between sounds and letters.

2 steps to 11+ success

The year is flying by and the summer is fast approaching.

Can you believe that in just around 4 months’ time your child will be sitting their 11plus exam?

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If you have already started, or are about to start your child’s preparation, the team of expert tutors at KSOL have devised a list of action points to help you prepare your child for their entrance exam: 1. Make revision a habit. Get your child into a regular routine and keep the sessions short but intense. Anita Dhunna, KSOL’s Director of Education says: “Our online intensive revision courses are perfect for the run up to the real exam. These personalised, daily online tests cover the entire 11+ syllabus

and highlight any areas of weakness, providing immediate focus and a daily study routine.”

2. Make it fun! The intensive 11+ revision course includes exclusive interactive video lessons with downloadable worksheets.

3. Practice. KSOL 11+ mock exams in Trafford are designed to help prepare children for the academic rigour of the exam paper as well as the exam environment. All mock exams are CD administered.

With over 11 years of 11+ experience, KSOL and its

award-winning methods are pioneers in preparing children for both CEM and GL style entrance exams in Trafford.

Call now on 0161 327 2003 or visit www.ksol.co.uk to find out more about KSOL’s “2 Steps to Success”. This exclusive offer includes the 3-month intensive 11plus revision course + one KSOL 11plus mock exam: Only £244 + course set-up fee, saving you £20! The KSOL mock exams will take place on 18 May and 13 July in Trafford.

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Education Why are parents turning to tutoring?

Around a quarter of children in the UK are being tutored.

Claire Winter looks at why one in four families are seeking extra help outside of the classroom.

Parents often get extra tuition for their children to prepare them for important entrance exams or the 11+. They also get them to help boost their child’s skills in a subject in which they aren’t doing well or to help them excel in a subject, so they can impress the schools to which they are applying.

Modern technology means kids can be tutored virtually via Skype or Zoom and it’s big business. It’s estimated that we spend £2 billion a year on private tutoring, which makes us one of the top spenders on tuition in the world.

Many parents believe that tutoring can be an amazing resource that gives children extra confidence, reassurance and skills to stop them feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of schoolwork. Others argue that extra tutoring creates more pressure on children. Many children

are busy already with lots of extra-curricular activities and homework.

Ex-teacher Victoria Kennedy, who is now a confidence and image coach (www. thefairyclothesmother.com) takes the view that tutoring needs careful management to ensure it doesn’t result have a negative impact on a child. She says: “When I worked as a teacher in Hampshire and London, I found that children with extra pressure and expectations from parents struggled with failure, needed more encouragement and guidance to complete tasks and often suffered from a sense of overwhelm.”

The education charity the Sutton Trust acknowledges the importance of tutoring but worries that extra tuition is causing the educational gap to widen between children from affluent economic backgrounds and those from poorer economic backgrounds. For example, around 40% of children are receiving help in London compared to around 25% in the rest of the country.

Sir Peter Lampl, chair of the Sutton Trust, says: “Private tuition is widespread and increasingly so.

Nearly half of teachers have tutored and a quarter of teenagers have been tutored. But with costs of at least £25 per session, many cannot afford to benefit from this extra support, which exacerbates education inequalities.”

“The Trust is recommending that the government introduce a means-tested voucher scheme to enable lower-income families to provide tuition for their children.”

CEO and founder of the charity, Action Tutoring, Susannah

Hardyman, also highlights the importance of tutoring. “We know tutoring works to improve grades and this impact is not limited to young people from high-income backgrounds either.

In the UK today nearly a third of all pupils are classified as disadvantaged and less than half of this group, 48%, will meet national standards in their SATs at Year 6, compared to 67% of their more privileged peers. On joining secondary school, it’s much harder for these pupils to catch up and by the end of Year 11, they are, on average, 12 months behind.

As more and more young people access private tutors, the gap in attainment between disadvantaged young people

and their peers will grow. Our charity uses the power of volunteer tutors to bridge the gap and ensure tutoring support can be accessed by every pupil who needs it, not just those who can afford it.”

The option for all children to have access to tutoring whatever their economic status needs to explored at Government level too.

My children attend a secondary school where gaps in knowledge are quickly identified, and pupils are asked to attend booster sessions before and after school so that they can catch up. Not all schools can offer this and long term, it is a situation that needs to be addressed.

First climate change teachers to be taught in the UK Teachers across the country have the opportunity to become the first climate change teachers accredited by the UN. This one of a kind climate change education programme will use innovative learning technology

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so teachers can learn at home or on the go. The aim is to make sure teachers can help protect the climate by educating their students with the latest data and information on climate change, sustainability, and the green economy.

Education provider YPO sponsors

this FREE, global education programme. All you have to do is sign up to Harwood Education’s UN CC: Learn Teacher Academy.

The course, which takes just 8 hours to complete, explores the science that supports the existence and effects of Climate

Change on children, cities, human health, and gender.

If you work in a school or want to get your child’s school involved go to www.unccteacheracademy.com to find out more.

Families Manchester 5

Education Preparing for the 11 Plus

If you’re hoping for your child to attend a grammar school, then they will have to sit an 11 Plus exam at the start of Year 6.

As the exam day approaches, worry and nerves can take hold and even the most able of children may make errors simply because they’re nervous.

So, the opportunity at Eleven Plus Tutors in Manchester to sit mock exams in real, timed exam conditions will help to improve confidence, prepare for the type of questions that will be asked, aid revision and highlight areas to improve.

Sessions are held on Saturdays from May to September – specific dates are available on their website.

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They also have some creative writing courses on offer In June, July and August. Several independent grammar school entrance exams include a creative writing task, so this can be great preparation. The courses comprise a number of intensive sessions, which offer your child the opportunity to improve his or her writing skills.

The emphasis is on helping children to think imaginatively and to come up with their own original ideas, whilst also writing to a strong standard using effective planning and structure.

Courses are planned for Saturday 15 and 29 June, Saturday 27 July and Saturday 10 August at Birch Community Centre, Brighton Grove, Manchester M14 5JT For more information visit 11plustutorsinmanchester.co.uk or call 07903 656 401.

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Parties Party, party, party!

Planning your child’s birthday can involve deep-breathing and military-style planning.

This annual event has kids jumping for joy but many parents breaking out into a cold sweat. Claire Winter takes a look at some different party ideas to inspire you.

Food parties Kids love food, so why not theme your party around it? A pizza making party is always winner. You can go to your favourite pizza restaurant or hold a DIY party at home.

Cupcake decorating parties also go down well and the guests can take home the tasty treat instead of a party bag.

How about a doughnut themed party? They are even trending on Pinterest! Why not set up a Doughnut Wall covered in a variety of doughnuts? You could even attempt a DIY version.

You could also serve food that has a surprise element to it. A cake that is full of sweets when you cut it. Ice cream cones filled with savoury fillings. You could also mix up healthy food with treats, such as marshmallows and fruit kebabs or tortilla chips with hummus and crudités.

Number cakes decorated with fruit, meringues, and flowers are also all the rage. They make a great centrepiece on a party table.

Active parties According to Pinterest, searches for scavenger parties are up by 302%. These are similar to treasure hunts and start with a list of things to find (or do) and a time limit. But there is no set path as players scavenge around and search for all of the items on the list.

The player or team who finds everything on the list first or finds the most items before the time is up wins. These parties

can be great fun and relatively inexpensive - you could hold one in your garden or a local park or wood.

You can also do a whole variety of different activities at your local leisure centre. They often offer a variety of swimming, inflatable and sports parties. Why not pick a sport your child loves? You could also check out your local trampoline park to see what party packages they offer.

Other easy activity parties include paintballing, bowling, laser quest and go-karting.

Parties at home If you want to host a party at home, think about hiring a company to help. You can even get specialists to come in and set up a sleepover these days.

They will put up tents in your garden or your home, and some even supply breakfast on a tray!

Or host a science party where someone comes in to do experiments and make goo with the children. They’ll even clean up afterwards. There are also gaming party providers who bring all the entertainment to you. If you prefer a more traditional party, why not hire an entertainer like a magician or clown?

Themed parties Magical forest and flowerthemed parties are great fun

to host if you like being creative.

A perennial favourite is also a superhero party. It ticks a lot of boxes and offers great fancy dress options for boys and girls.

There are also loads of great decorations you can make, or buy if you don’t have the time!

Another popular party is a Harry Potter party. You can make up lots of magical games to recreate a mini Hogwarts at home. You could also try something a bit different like a Mexican themed party. Decorate the house with cacti, serve guacamole and dips, hit a Piñata and have plenty of themed games.

Art parties If your child loves making things, an arts and crafts party is the perfect choice for them.

You can go to pottery centres, art studios or get a party provider to come to your house to host a craft party. You can do a huge variety of things like mosaics, pottery, painting and jewellery making. Your potential Picassos will also get to take their masterpiece home instead of a party bag.

Remember not to stress too much! Your child will remember your efforts whether you hire a circus performer and a bouncy castle; host a fun party at home or organise a trip out the cinema or a trampoline park.

Enjoy it and embrace the mayhem; they grow up quickly!

Outdoor fun and education in the forest

Nats Mascots & Balloons Mascots / Balloons / Pop corn Candy floss / Hot dogs / Ice cones Contact Natalie on: 07805 336 183

Natalie Ward

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Nats Mascots

Looking for a party or holiday club experience that is truly outdoors? Kids adVentures have forest schools running in local woodlands and parks in Prestwich and Whitefield.

Their birthday parties are suitable for 3 – 12 year olds and are run from the main forest school base in Prestwich. Here they offer a number of themes from treasure hunts to den making or basic survival skills. You’ll go out into the woods for the activity and come back to the enclosed site for campfire cooking.

There are full facilities on site including a kitchen and cosy indoor area where parents can relax, although parents are welcome to get involved in the outdoor experience too!

Additionally they run a full time pre-school forest school and several outdoor holiday clubs.

To find out more visit www.kidsadventures.co.uk email enquiries@kidsadventures.org.uk or call 07837 446062.

Families Manchester 7

Parents’ place Wondering about robots?

These kids are building them.

In the world-class Imperial College London, Cory, a 13-year-old boy, is on his third Python course at Fire Tech. He says "I used to think coding was bland and boring, but one-day robots will control the stock market and I want to learn how to code them now."

They're at Fire Tech, a tech camp for 9-17-year-olds, led by Jill Hodges and her team. Fire Tech has now delivered over 12,000 tech learning experiences to young people in the UK, Australia, and the Middle East.

But what are they doing to solve the gender gap in STEM careers?

Their founder and CEO, Jill Hodges, said: "As the head of Fire Tech, I see how much girls enjoy tech and coding when they come to our classes. We have one of the highest girl participation rates around. But I

also know that we get a lot of calls from girls or their mums who are concerned about being the sole girl in a class.

We don’t think tech needs to go “pink” to attract girls, but we do think that more girls will feel excited about coming to a course where they know they'll meet women studying STEAM subjects, and build their projects alongside like-minded young women. That's why this year we launched some All-Girls classes that allow young women to work together to problem solve, create, communicate, and build a community of tech-enabled young women."

Camps are held at the university of Manchester in both term time and during the holidays. You can get £20 off the cost by quoting code FAMCR when you book. www.fire-tech.com

Families needs YOU! Manchester

Manchester

Manchester

In this issue: Times tables tips & tricks Family friendly working

In this issue:

Mother’s Day after loss

Independent or State education?

In this issue:

Help your child cope with stress Talking about the loss of a loved one

What to do if your child self-harms Best baby apps for new parents Make 2019 your happiest year EVER

Issue 73 Jan/Feb 2018

Issue 71 Sep/Oct

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2018

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Discover an altogether more individual approach to early learning.

Early Years Open Day 28th March, 9.30am-12pm

Issue 74 Mar/Apr 2019

Tel: 0161 794 1463 bridgewater-school.co.uk

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Looking for a new opportunity and love Families Manchester?

Then why not consider becoming the new editor of this fabulous publication!

A Families franchise offers you a reputable, trusted and ethical brand, as well as access to constant advice,

8 Families Manchester

encouragement and support from both head office and a community of over 40 Editors countrywide. The role is so varied – everything from writing and editing to selling ad space and invoicing – so it gives you a huge skills base to take forward into other roles in the future.

Boring? No. Challenging? Yes. Rewarding? Definitely!

We’re looking for someone to nurture and enjoy the opportunity as much as we have since we took hold of the reins in 2011, so if that’s you, then please get in touch! editor@familiesmanchester.co.uk

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Parents’ place Thinking about going vegan or vegetarian?

Following a vegan or vegetarian diet is becoming increasingly common in the UK. People are making this choice for a variety of ethical, environmental or health reasons. But is it safe for children?

Yes is the answer, according NHS guidelines. As long as they get all the nutrients they need. However, parents do need to be well-informed to ensure to ensure their children do not suffer nutrient deficiencies, inadequate energy or faltering growth. So what are some of the issues to be aware of?

Children need protein to grow and develop. If you’re avoiding meat or fish (vegetarian) or any food from animals (vegan), they will need good protein substitutes. These include eggs, dairy products such as milk and cheese, soya products, pulses and beans, nuts and seeds.

If a child is getting protein from just one type of bean, the particular bean may not provide every amino acid they need, so there has to be a good balance of pulses. In other words, a child who only

eats chicken will get all the amino acids – but a child who only eats one type of bean may not.

Another issue is energy intake.

Children need lots of energy to fuel healthy growth and development. Vegetarian and vegan foods can be higher in fibre and lower in calories than a diet that includes meat, so children get full up before they've eaten enough calories and nutrients.

Include energy and nutrient-dense foods like nut butters, hummus, seeds and vegetable oils in their diets.

It is especially important that they eat a wide variety of different foods from each food group to ensure they get a good balance of nutrients.

Consider supplements.

According to the NHS, vitamin drops are particularly important for vegetarian and vegan children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. In particular, they may need vitamin B12 supplement.

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well

Low take-up of free childcare Government figures show that far fewer families than expected are using the tax-free childcare offer.

According to figures released

by HMRC, just 91,000 parents accessed the offer by December 2018, far below the 415,000 the government had budgeted for.

This number represents just 5%t of the 2 million families the government estimated would be eligible for the scheme when it was first launched.

The tax-free childcare scheme is a replacement for the previous childcare voucher system, which closed to new entrants from October 2018.

Ongoing technical difficulties, the complexity of the system and low awareness have been attributed as causes for the poor response by families.

The government has said it is running a national communications campaign to raise awareness and encourage more parents to apply.

More protection for mums returning to work New parents returning to work could receive greater protection from redundancy under new government proposals.

The government is proposing that mothers returning to work from maternity leave will be protected from redundancy for a minimum of six months.

The announcement followed

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research which found that one in nine women had been fired or made redundant when they returned to work after having a child, or were treated so badly they felt forced out of their job.

It is also considering giving the same protection to parents returning from adoption or shared parental leave.

Families Manchester 9

Parents’ place FOMO and low self esteem

By Soren Kenner and Imran Rashid away from where you are? The answer is mostly “smoke and mirrors” – you are being elegantly manipulated by very savvy marketeers using what is known as “addictive design” to keep your attention riveted – fixating your attention and reselling it to advertisers is how they make their living.

Absorption into our own private screen universe is pulling us all further and further apart. Look at how our gait has changed: ten years ago people walking down the street were upright and orientated outwards.

Today they are slouched forward looking into the smartphone they hold in front of them. At the playground, parents stare into their phones while children’s calls for attention go unheeded.

Studies have shown that the hormone oxytocin which helps facilitate human bonding and closeness (among other things) tend to drop in both parents and children when they ignore each other in favour of the tantalising online universe. Another study that tracked thousands of people over many years, found a sharp drop off in their level of empathy over the last ten years. Coincidence? Maybe not.

What is it inside those screens that is so magic and powerful that it compels your attention

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Online tribalism For many youngsters being part of the group and gaining social acceptance weighs heavily; so heavily, in fact, that young people often organise in what can only be described as “online tribes” – groups that have internal ranks and hierarchies (often governed by how many likes or how much attention you get). This behaviour is not particularly healthy – examples are rampant of young people being scared of missing out on anything (also known as FOMO). The UK Medical Examiner recently reported that as many as one youngster out of five wakes up during the night to check their social media feed.

There is a clear correlation between teens (especially girls) that use social media extensively and issues that range from stress to anxiety, lowered self-esteem and even lowered empathy.

For girls especially social media

groupings can be harsh – many of these groups promote unrealistic ideas of what you should look like – ideals that most people cannot live up to.

However, not everyone gets hit by every possible side-effect or even any at all. And the good news is that making a change from unhealthy online habits to healthier ones is pretty straightforward.

What can you do as a parent?

Be observant Is your child suffering from mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, trouble concentrating, being secretive or spending more time online than offline? Do you have the feeling that your child would rather disappear into the online universe than reside in the real world with friends and family? These are warning signs that should not be ignored.

Lead by example Be here, now, in the present and interact with your children.

Show interest in what they do, ask questions, do things with them. Talk about issues in an open and non-confrontational manner. Getting your kids to talk about what they feel and experience builds trust and will make them more likely to listen to your suggestions and advice.

Make their phones less addictive Get your children to turn off notifications on their phones and in their social media feeds. This way the pull of the phone or tablets reduces and children have an easier time pulling away as needed.

Put screentime on a schedule Make an online schedule with your kids – set the parameters for usage clearly and stick to what you have agreed.

Introduce alternatives Try out some of the many good alternatives to being online. Play board games, solve puzzles, read a book, draw, learn to play the piano. The real gold here is doing these activities together.

Yes, children are at risk but there is plenty you can do about it. It requires being observant and takes discipline on your part but you can save your kids from smartphone burnout – and also get to spend more quality time with them.

Soren Kenner and Imran Rashid (GP) have researched and written extensively on the risk factors associated with excessive use of smartphones and social media. Their book Offline: Free your Mind from Smartphone and Social Media Stress is on Amazon and in bookstores now.

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Parents’ place Alexa? Are you safe for my child?

By Andrew Campbell

The new range of smart speakers such as Google Home and Amazon Echo offer loads of content for children. What parent wouldn’t want one of these to replace screens and make life run more smoothly?

These smart speakers can play games, read audiobooks, tell jokes, provide homework help, stream music and even play mindfulness sessions for when your child needs to chill out. They can offer your kids an interactive, screen-less alternative to mobile games and social media, to help prevent them from becoming too dependent.

With smart speakers, children are able to interact with technology away from the screen, using audio. However, they are not without risks. So what are the possible downsides?

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Do children think Alexa is a real person?

A US university study found that younger children were more likely to speak to these ‘digital assistants’ as if they were real people, asking them their favourite colour and how old they are. Fears have been expressed that children could turn to these devices to find out or understand things that they might otherwise ask a parent about. This may lead to them to receiving incorrect or inappropriate information as well as potentially lessening of the parental bond.

Do smart speakers make children rude?

A child growing up with a home assistant must learn to use the device’s way of interacting. This includes the need to make demands of the device and accepting that the device has limited conversational abilities and social skills. This doesn’t adequately prepare young children for the nuances of human communication.

Research has found that the way individuals interact with people in the real world reflects how they communicate with such device. It’s best to remind your child that even though the device doesn’t mind if you’re rude, parents do!

Are there hidden costs?

A lot of the content and activities offered by these devices are free, but you still have to pay for memberships and subscriptions – for example, Amazon Prime or Spotify.

Are they too easy to use?

Given that all a child needs to do is say “Alexa” to start a game or activity, the temptation could hard for some children to resist, even if they have been told not to use it.

Should I worry about privacy?

There are also serious privacy concerns about giving an always-listening device to your child. According to the NSPCC, putting one of these devices in your child’s bedroom raises

worrying questions about how and what they will record. Some devices have been hacked in the past, allowing the smart speaker to become an always-on wiretap.

Unauthorised purchases Make sure your children know to ask for permission before buying things or adding items to your shopping list. You can prevent unwanted purchases in the device’s security settings.

Raunchy music You will need to set parental controls if you don’t want your child to be exposed to inappropriate songs or content.

Should children have their own smart speaker?

If you accept that voice-based technology is where our gadgets are headed, then there is an argument that children need to be familiar with it as it evolves.

If you decide to take the leap and buy your child an Echo or Google Home, make sure you’re aware of how to keep your children secure whilst using them.

Supervision is vital. Pay attention to what your child is doing and don’t allow them to access the device without your permission.

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Parents’ place Everyday ways to teach your child to be kind

By Angela Cox

We know that our children absorb information like sponges and this includes mimicking the behaviours and actions of others. So how do we prioritise kindness and teach our children ways to tune into their natural empathy and consider the feelings of others?

Be a role model Don’t let your child hear you saying unkind words. You might be in a supermarket and passing comment about a stranger’s outfit for example or criticising a poor driver on the dual carriage way. Your child will hear your comments and believe it is acceptable to copy this. Make a conscious effort to say positive and kind things.

Fingers on lips A lovely rule to teach children is the adage ‘if you don’t have something nice to say, it’s better to say nothing at all.’ I encourage my children to place an index finger onto their lips which provides a physical barrier to

Toddlers behaving badly

By Max Walker

Raising a toddler can be one of the most challenging stages of your life as a parent.

Many toddler behaviours can feel extreme, if not downright wicked. But take heart. Tantrums, hitting, biting, throwing things, screaming and other such behaviours are normal for children between the ages of 1 and 4 years.

Here are a few tips on how to manage some of these difficult behaviours.

Tantrums

Don’t panic Sometimes you may worry that you are raising a tyrant. But at this age it is unlikely that your child is throwing a fit to be manipulative. It is more likely that your child is trying to express themselves and finding it difficult. They feel frustrated, and the frustration is expressed as a tantrum.

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Find out why Your child may be tired or hungry; in which case the solution is simple. They could be feeling frustrated or jealous of another child. They may need time, attention and love, even though they’re not being very loveable.

Find a distraction Children have short attention spans. Giving them something else in place of what they can’t have or starting a new activity can move your child through their frustration.

Don’t give in If you say yes to end the tantrum, that won’t help in the long term. If you’ve said no, stick to your guns otherwise your child may start to think tantrums can get them what they want. In the same way, don’t bribe them with sweets or treats.

stop unkind words. They always giggle at this. Talks to them about the impact unkind words have on others before and discuss how good it feels to say kind things.

Gratitude Practice gratitude as a family.

Ask your child to think of one non-material thing they are grateful for and why. It might be that they were able to play football in the park after school or that the sun was shining.

Include yourself in the activity and give reasons you are thankful too. Gratitude is linked to increased happiness and a happy home is a kinder one.

Saying thank you Motivate your child to send handwritten notes or cards when s/he receives a gift or goes to friend’s house for dinner. Encouraging children to thank people for the nice things that they do develops a kind nature and grateful heart.

Being kind feels good. It helps children focus on the positive and develop strong relationships with others. A smile goes a long way too.

Angela Cox is an inspiring mindset-mentor and creator of The Happy Path Journal (£10.99) a book for 6 to 10 year olds which helps them learn self-care. For more information, visit www.angela-cox.co.uk

Wait for the tantrum to stop Losing your temper or shouting back won’t end the tantrum. Ignore the looks you get from people around you and concentrate on staying calm.

timeout for every year of your child’s age. When your child has calmed down, discuss the reason for the timeout and why the behaviour was unacceptable.

Aggression

Whining

Tugging hair, kicking, biting and hitting are ways your child can express themself and try to exert control over their immediate environment.

Talk to them Children often go through phases of being upset or insecure and express their feelings by being aggressive. Finding out what’s worrying them is the first step in being able to help.

Don’t retaliate physically This could make your child think it’s acceptable to do this. Instead, make it clear that what they’re doing hurts and you won’t allow it.

Show it doesn’t work One of the key ways to suppress your child’s aggression is to demonstrate that it will get them nowhere. For example, if your child pulls a playmates hair to get a toy, hand the toy back to the friend as you explain to your child “We don’t pull hair.”

Interrupt the behaviour When you catch your child with a fistful of hair, gently disentangle him, then grasp his hand and hold it while you say: “We don’t pull hair. Pulling hair hurts.”

Time out in a quiet spot Place your child in a boring place.

Wait for them to calm down.

Consider giving one minute of

An irritating blend of talking and crying – a child’s whining has the ability to make almost any parent get angry or give in. However, whining is often the only way that toddlers can express themselves when they’re tired, cranky, hungry or uncomfortable. That’s why it’s up to you to help them communicate in an acceptable manner.

Define it Point out the whining when you hear it and ask your child to use their regular voice instead. Let them know how it sounds to you (without making fun). Explain that whining sounds unpleasant and makes people stop listening.

Acknowledge your child’s need for attention Toddlers often resort to whining when they’ve tried and failed to get your ear. Try getting down to their level to make eye contact and ask them to tell you what they want without whining.

Avoid triggers Don’t take your hungry toddler somewhere without taking some healthy snacks, or better still feed them before you go. Similarly, avoid taking them on errands if they are due for a nap.

For more advice on difficult toddler behaviour, visit www.familylives.org.uk

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What’s on

These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go To include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiescheshire.co.uk or upload your event listing to our website - www.familiesonline.co.uk

Sat 4 May

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal Make and Take 1 – 3pm / All ages / Free, normal admission applies. Making sessions where you can make one for Quarry Bank and one to take home. Something different every month, from creative crafts to seasonal decorations to fat cakes for garden birds. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events Z-Arts, Hulme The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe 2pm & 6pm / Booking essential Z-arts Young Performers explore this timeless story of magic, mischief and mayhem in a spellbinding new production. www.z-arts.org

Sat 4 May & Sat 1 June Romiley Precinct, Stockport Romiley Village Market 9.30 – 3pm / All ages / Free. Locally made and hand produced food, drinks, gift and accessories, with entertainment throughout the day too. www.stockport.gov.uk/events

Sat 4 & Sun 5 May

Lyme Park, Disley Regency Military Weekend 10.30am – 5pm / All ages / Free, normal admission applies. Come and meet the soldiers, officers, surgeon, musicians and women of the 33rd Regiment as they make up camp for the weekend at Lyme. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

Sat 4 – Mon 6 May

Lyme Park, Disley Kites at The Cage 12 – 4pm / All ages / Free event, normal admission applies. Bring your own kite to show off your skills. Tick off one of

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your ‘50 Things to do Before you’re 11¾ ‘ in this mass kite flying event. Kites also be available to buy. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events East Lancs Railway, Bury A day out with Thomas 9am – 4pm / All ages / Booking essential. The Little Blue Engine will be steaming along his own private section of track and hauling passengers at regular intervals throughout the weekend. www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

Mon 6 & Mon 27 May

Parrs Wood High School, Didsbury M20 5PG Multi-Activity Children’s Fun Days 10am – 5pm / £9.50 per child, Adults & Under 3s free. Go karts, Body Zorbing, Battlefield Live, Disk Golf, Indoor & Outdoor Sporting Activities, Magic Shows, Giant Obstacle course, Arts & Crafts stalls, Inflatables, Food and Drink stalls and more! Stay as long as you want – entrance fee covers all activities. www.manchesterfundays.com

Tues 7 May

Salford Museum & Art Gallery Gallery Babies 10 – 11.30am / Free, but limited spaces Gentle sensory sessions for pre-walking babies and their carers. Explore the activities together in the relaxed atmosphere of our galleries and spend as much or as little time as you like as you discover and play! www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk

Fri 10 May

Hat Works, Stockport Messy Milliners 11 – 11.45am / Babies & early walkers / £4 per baby. An exciting and innovative messy play session with a different hatting theme each month. Lots of sensory development for baby. Dress for mess! www.stockport.gov.uk/events

Sat 11 May

Tatton Park, Knutsford Incredible, Edible Adventures 10 – 11am & 11.20 – 12.20pm / Ages 4 – 7 / £12 (includes park entry, 1 child & 1 adult). Join The Mini Makery for a hands on workshop, where grown ups and children will get to sculpt, craft and create with delicious, nutritious foods. www.tattonpark.org.uk

Sun 12 May

Bramall Hall, Stockport Autism Early Bird 10 – 11.30am / All ages / Free with advance booking. An early opening for families and adults with autism and other sensory processing. www.stockport.gov.uk/events Helly Hansen Watersports Centre, Salford Quays The Salford Dragon Boat Festival 10am www.sdbf.co.uk

Wed 15 May

Oldham Library Mini Number Ninjas 1.30 – 2.30pm / 18 mnths – 4 yrs / booking essential. Toys, games and activities based around number skills. The session will also include a story and counting rhymes. www.oldham-council.co.uk

Sat 18 May

Bolton Central Library and Museum Magic and Sparkle Day 11am – 4pm / Free. Celebrate International Day Against Homophobia. Try your voice in a choir workshop. Get creative making badges and placards and chat with our Art Therapist. There will be Drag King story telling sessions and lots of brilliant craft activities to take part in too. www.boltonlams.co.uk

Sat 18 & Sun 19 May

Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester MRX: Model Railway Exhibition 10am – 4.30pm / Adult £7, Under 16s free Family friendly day out featuring a wide variety of working model railway layouts. www.gmts.co.uk Lord Lane Playing Fields, Failsworth Failsworth Carnival www.failsworthcarnival.btck.co.uk Tatton Park, Knutsford The Tatton Park Country Fair 10am – 5pm / All ages / Tickets available on the gate. A family Country Fair something for everyone. www.tattonpark.org.uk

Sun 19 May

St Mary’s Flower Park Prestwich Clough Day 12 – 5pm / Free www.prestwichcloubh.co.uk

Wed 22 May

Chadderton Library Baby Art Studio 10am & 11am / 0 – 18 mnts / booking essential. The opportunity to create and buy a unique pottery item using your baby’s hand and foot prints for collection in time for Father’s Day. www.oldham-council.co.uk

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What’s on Fri 24 – Mon 27 May

Arley Hall, Northwich Geronimo Festival 2019 The largest children’s festival in the UK with 100s of activities for children up to age 12. www.geronimofest.com

Sat 25 May

The Lowry, Salford Quays Chores A circus-comedy for the whole family, all the way from Australia! www.thelowry.com

Sat 25 & 26 May

The Forum Theatre, Romiley Mickey’s Big Day Out 2 – 4pm / All ages / £8/£9, booking essential. Featuring Mickey and Minnie and a host of Disney heroes and villains including some of the most memorable Disney songs of all time. www.stockport.gov.uk/events

Sat 25 May – Sun 2 June

Across Cheshire Amazed by Science The Cheshire-wide festival focusing on science, technology, engineering and maths. Locations include Chester Zoo, Chester Town Square, Catalyst (Widnes), Golden Square Shopping Centre (Warrington), Lion Salt Works (Northwich), Anderton Boat Lift (Northwich), Crewe Library, Tatton Park and Jodrell Bank. www.amazedbyscience.co.uk

Sun 26 May

Oulten Park, Little Budworth Family Fun Day 9am – 5pm. Supercar rides, huge supercar displays, classic race car demos, Transformer robots and vehicles, a massive funfair, an inflatable assault course, mini monster trucks, live music throughout the day, a huge artisan market and more. oultenpark.msv.com Hat Works Museum, Stockport Super Sunday 11am – 4pm / All ages / £2.50pp. Explore our amazing hat collection at our popular familiar activity day. Make hats, try hats on and find out how they are made. www.stockport.gov.uk/events The Lowry, Salford Quays Wallace and Gromit’s Musical Marvels Join everyone’s favourite dynamic duo as Wallace prepares to perform his musical masterpiece My Concerto in Ee Lad with help from his faithful canine companion Gromit…what could possibly go wrong?! www.thelowry.com

Sun 26 & Mon 27 May

Bolton Steam Museum Spring Steamings 10am – 4pm / Free, donations welcome.

Volunteers from the Northern Mill Engine Society have rescued and restored 30 old stationary steam engines - some of the engines which once powered the cotton mills and woollen mills of the North of England. Most will be running in steam on these 2 days only. www.nmes.org

Mon 27 & Tues 28 May, Thurs 30 & Fri 31 May Sat 1 & Sun 2 June

Bramall Hall, Stockport Knight’s Quest Trail 1 – 4pm / Age 6+ / £1.50 per child. Are you brave enough to train to be a Knight?

Take part in our quest and pass a series of challenges to begin your apprenticeship. www.stockport.gov.uk/events

Mon 27 – Fri 31 May

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal Right To Play Around The World 11am – 4pm / All ages / Free, normal admission applies. Discover the different ways children find to play wherever they live with activities and games. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

Mon 27 May – Fri 7 June Dunham Massey, Altrincham Nature Detectives 11a, - 3pm / All ages / Free, normal admission applies. A family friendly wildlife survey. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

Tues 28 May

John Rylands Library, Manchester Mini protest: banner and badge making 11am – 12 noon / Free, drop in. Tell us what’s important to you! Make and take home your own banner or badge with your very own slogan in this family friendly craft session. www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands Hat Works Museum, Stockport Make a Pirate Hat 1 – 3pm / All ages / £3.50pp. Yo ho ho.

Make yourself a pirate hat and eye patch and get ready to sail the high seas. www.stockport.gov.uk/events

Wed 29 May

Tatton Park, Knutsford The Tatton Teddy Hunt 10.30am and 1pm / Ages 3 – 5 / £12 (includes park entry), booking essential Tatton’s mischevious teddy bears are playing hide and seek in the Gardens!

Meet The Victorians 10.30am – 12.30pm / Age 7 – 11 / £12 (includes park entry), booking essential. www.tattonpark.org.uk Walton Hall & Gardens, Warrington Gangsta Granny 6pm / Age 7+ / Tickets from £10 An exciting outdoor adaptation of David Walliams’ best seller. www.warrington.gov.uk/events

Thurs 30 May

John Rylands Library, Manchester 11am – 12 noon / Free, drop in. A family friendly craft session making old fashioned peg dolls. www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands Tatton Park, Knutsford Meet The Tudors 10.30am – 12.30pm / Age 7 – 11 / £12 (includes park entry), booking essential Learn all about what life was like in Tudor times. www.tattonpark.org.uk East Lancs Railway, Bury Wizard Academy Age 5+, booking essential. An interactive adventure will see you and your family join quirky costumed characters on a steam train ride, during which you will take part in themed activities and complete the story. www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

Fri 31 May

Dunham Massey, Altrincham BioBlitz 11am – 4pm / All ages / Free, normal admission applies. Guided walks, pond dipping and plenty of opportunities to get close to nature and learn some new skills. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events Hat Works Museum, Stockport Mad Hatters Arts and Crafts Club 10am – 12pm / Age 2 – 5 / £6 per child 2 – 3pm / Babies & Early walkers / £4 per child. An action packed session of arts and crafts with the emphasis on fun and age ability appropriate crafts.

Dress to get messy. www.stockport.gov.uk/events

Sat 1 & Sun 2 June

Dunham Massey, Altrincham Teddy Bears Picnic 11am – 4pm / All ages / Free, normal admission applies. Bring your favourite teddy and a scrummy picnic for an unBEARlievably PAWsome afternoon of games, music and teddy bear fun! www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events Tatton Park, Knutsford Classic Car Spectacular 9.30am – 4pm / All ages. Around 2,000 classic and performance cars are on display including nearly eighty of Britain’s top classic and performance car clubs and all the classics of yesteryear. www.tattonpark.org.uk

Sun 2 June

Bubble Rush Dunkinfield Rugby Club, Ashton under Lyne A family friendly 5km course with a difference – in aid of Willow Wood Hospice. www.bubble-rush.co.uk

Sat 8 June

Z-Arts, Hulme Mole and Gecko Tickets £6-£9 / runtime 50mins / Suitable for 5+. An interactive rap musical that you (the audience) help create.

Live songs, rap stories, instant poems and a weasel with a serious biscuit problem. For age 5+. www.z-arts.org

14 Families Manchester

Sun 9 June

Salford Museum & Art Gallery Salford Safari with Peel Park 10am – 2pm / Free, booking required. Join in a safari through Peel Park, keeping your eyes peeled for bugs, birds and all sorts of park life in the park. Then head into the museum to spy any of the wildlife in our A-Z exhibition before making a bug house. www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk

Wed 12 – Sun 16 June

Bolesworth Castle The Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show Top class competition and loads for all the family to enjoy. www.bolesworthinternational.com

Wed 12 - Sun 30 June

Dunham Massey, Altrincham Percy The Park Keeper – Treasure Hunt 10.30am – 4pm / All ages / Free, normal admission applies. Join Percy the Park Keeper and his animal friends on this nature inspired trail around the garden to discover nature’s treasure. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

Sat 15 June

University of Manchester Community Festival 2019 A free Community Festival packed with fun family-friendly interactive activities. www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk

Sat 15 & Sun 16 June

Tatton Park, Knutsford Dog Fest Join hundreds of dog lovers for a fun-filled weekend, alongside special guests Professor Noel Fitzpatrick and Clare Balding! www.dog-fest.co.uk

Sun 16 June

Ordsall Hall, Salford Funny Looking Kids Presents Kids Comedy Club 1.20 – 2.30pm / Age 7+ / £5pp, booking essential. A rag tag bag of tomfoolery and nonsense, chaos and cacophony, silliness and stupidity. www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk Walkden Gardens, Sale Gangsta Granny An outdoor production of David Walliams’ best seller. Suitable for Age 7+. www.watersidearts.org

Tues 18 & Wed 19 June Cheshire Showground, WA6 0JF Royal Cheshire Show Fun and farming in Cheshire. www.royalcheshireshow.org

Sat 29 June

Z-Arts, Hulme Hulme is where the party is!

12pm / All ages / Booking essential Food & drink, children’s activities, entertainment, live music and arts featuring our amazing local artists and creatives. www.z-arts.org Wythenshawe Park, Manchester Bubble Rush 5km of bubbles in aid of St Ann’s Hospice. www.bubble-rush.co.uk

Sat 29 & Sun 30 June

Arley Hall and Gardens, Cheshire The Little Welly A 3km course full of water, foam and muddy fun as well as a festival field. www.thelittlewelly.co.uk

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These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go To include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiescheshire.co.uk or upload your event listing to our website - www.familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

What’s on

Families Manchester 15