15th November to 24th December, centre:mk, Milton Keynes
SCAN HERE TO BOOK NOW Dive into the enchanting tale of Norbert the Reindeer and experience the Magic at Santa’s Grotto where lifelong memories are made!
Letter from Santa
All children love to receive a letter addressed to them in the post. And what could be more special than a letter from Santa? Here are two ways of making this happen.
Royal Mail Letter to Santa
For children to receive a FREE letter from Santa via the Royal Mail, children must post their letter to Santa by 30th November.
Envelopes must have either a first or second class stamp and be addressed to Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. The letter must include your child’s full name and address. More info at: �� royalmail.com/christmas/letters-to-santa
NSPCC Santa Letter
Children can also receive a personalised reply from Santa via his elves at the NSPCC in exchange for a donation to the charity. The letter is ordered online and must be placed by 15th December. More info at: �� letterfromsanta.nspcc.org.uk
Sharing behavior may relate to counting skills
Young children who are good with numbers are more likely to share valued items with friends. Researchers from universities across the US conducted the research and concluded in a study published in the Child Development Journal that counting skills were the single biggest predictor of ‘fair sharing behaviour’ among ages 3 to 5. The fi ndings suggest one of the reasons some youngsters struggle to share is because their counting skills are still developing. Study author Dr Nadia Chernyak said: ‘This is the first research to investigate whether symbolic counting exerts a causal impact on sharing behaviour. We reasoned that children who do not share fairly would benefi t from the modelling of proper counting behaviours, thereby providing them with a behavioural tool that would facilitate fair sharing.’ More info at: neurosciencenews.com
Choose Respect during Anti-Bullying Week
Anti-Bullying Week runs from 11th to 15th November this year, with the theme ‘Choose Respect.’
The Anti-Bullying Alliance chose this theme following consultation with teachers and pupils who wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt caused by bullying.
The week will kick off with Odd Socks Day on Tuesday 12th November, during which adults and children wear odd socks to celebrate our uniqueness. Following the success of the campaign in 2023, when eighty percent of schools marked the week, therefore reaching over 7.5 million children, Anti-Bullying Week reminds everyone that we can bring an end to bullying. More info online at: anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
Children are reading fewer books
Children in the UK and Ireland are reading fewer books than they did last year, according to a new report by the learning and assessment provider Renaissance, as post-Covid absences from school and a lack of dedicated reading time contribute to lower reading abilities.
The 2024 What Kids Are Reading report surveyed more than 1.2 million school pupils across the UK, revealing a 4.4% decrease in the number of books read by pupils. This is the first year since the research began in 2008, apart from the first year of the pandemic, that there has been a decline in the number of books read.
The biggest gains in reading ability occurred when more than thirty minutes of a student’s school day was devoted to ‘engaged reading time.’
More info: renaissance.com
Alarming number of children using AI for homework
A quarter of pupils use ChatGTP and other AI tools to help with their schooling according to recent research from the online safety group, Internet Matters. The research was based on a survey of two thousand parents of children ages 4-17 and one thousand children ages 9-17.
The study showed that of those using AI, more than half of pupils are using the tools to complete teacher assignments or homework. However, the research also found that sixty percent of schools have not spoken to pupils about the appropriate use of AI.
Experts say neither educators, nor the government, has kept up with the exponential increase in the use of AI technology among pupils. They are calling for new guidance so that pupils are operating on a ‘level playing fi eld.’ More info: internetmatters.org
Eco Elves Teddy Trade for good causes
Mrs Claus and her merry band of Eco Elves are back at the Eden Centre in High Wycombe, bringing with them all the festive joy. From Saturday 30th November right up until Christmas, children can trade in a pre-loved teddy for a brand-new one with the help of a magic Christmas machine, while learning about the importance of upcycling and sustainability.
Don’t worry if you don’t have an old teddy you want to part with —the elves have plenty of spares! Each child will get the chance to personalise their new friend’s Christmas jumper and receive a birth certificate for their bear.
In the spirit of giving, all donated teddies will be gifted to Stokenchurch Dog Rescue, spreading Christmas cheer to dogs who need it most. On top of that, 100% of ticket sales will go to the Heart of Bucks community foundation, plus Heart of Bucks will be contributing an additional £1.50 for each ticket sold, that is a £5 charity donation for every participant.
Spaces are limited and tickets cost £3.50 plus booking fees. Pre-book tickets online: edenshopping.co.uk.
AMERSHAM 07887 500788 stagecoach.co.uk/amersham HIGH WYCOMBE 01494533202 stagecoach.co.uk/highwycombe
AYLESBURY 01525 790795
stagecoach.co.uk/aylesbury
HENLEY AND MARLOW 07539 753718 stagecoach.co.uk/henleyandmarlow
Fabulous family festivities to brighten your Christmas
by Claire Lockie-Williams
Search for Santa’s magic
Watch out for sleeping elves in Thrift Farm’s sparkling trees and follow the candy cane trail for festive treats. Be enchanted by Father Christmas as he weaves a festive tale, play Christmas tree hoopla and mix reindeer food. Dobbies Garden Centres has beautiful decorations on show and to buy, plus Santa’s Grotto fun alongside the chance to breakfast with him!
It’s a cracker of a Christmas at Odds Farm Park with a magical winter wonderland stroll to the North Pole plus a peek inside Mrs Claus’ kitchen, the North Pole Post Office and the Elf town square. Then it’s time for children to reveal all their Christmas wishes to Father Christmas himself in his Grotto. They’ll be photo keepsakes to hold precious memories and a trip to the Elves workshop for soft toy building before finishing their stroll with a gift at the Christmas Toyshop. The magic continues as the rest of the farm park opens up to reveal twinklelit trees, acapella penguins and many Christmas craft experiences alongside the fun of the park itself.
Delight at the uniqueness of Christmas at Bekonscot Model Village Transformed with twinkling lights and decorations, it’s a fantastic festive experience with sweet treats a plenty. Join naughty elves on a Christmas dinner hunt, ride on a snowflake train or even try your hand at a sleigh driving experience!
The magic of Christmas is returning to centre:mk from November 15th, and this year’s Grotto experience has a brand-new theme that is more enchanting than ever! Families are welcomed into Santa’s wondrous reindeer stable where they meet Santa’s newest reindeer, Norbert, in a magical immersive adventure. Children sing songs and get involved to help Norbert find his special magic to join the rest of Santa’s reindeer. On their way to meet Santa, children make reindeer food before finally meeting Santa himself, taking home a special gift. The full experience lasts around 30-minutes. Tickets are on sale now at: centremk. com.
Enchanting Illuminations
Be awed as Waddesdon Manor spectacularly celebrates Sleeping Beauty with a kaleidoscope of colour, lights and music! The Coach House boasts some quaint classic tales in the form of amazing artwork carefully created by thousands of local school children. There’s also the opportunity to
peruse Waddesdon’s much-loved Christmas Fair while sampling sweet treats and festive foods with the chance to buy unique gifts. To add that little bit extra cheer into your day, there’s festive afternoon teas to savor and wonderful Huskies visiting on select days.
There are amazing illuminations at Blenheim Palace from the wonder of the Palace itself to the winter trails and fantastic fairground rides. This year has a Neverland theme, embracing the magic of Tinkerbell and Christmas, alongside a brandnew ice rink for skaters to dance on (or try to!)
There’s a celebration of light at Windsor Great Park Illuminated as the Park lights up in iconic displays across woodlands and water. There’s music, lights and all manner of festivities with fairground rides and the chance to sample street food and festive snacks.
It’s time to take a selfie with Matilda as she dons her jumper and hat at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden. There’s a Child Heroes Trail celebrating everyone’s favourite characters, like Matilda and James. Santa is popping up one Saturday to greet visitors, while his handy helpers storytell. There are many more magical storytelling sessions over the Christmas break alongside Christmas crafts, winter walks and mini beasts.
Have your children ever asked, ‘Could Father Christmas catapult a present down a chimney?’ Discover Bucks Museum has the answer this December in their seasonal science workshop for 5-11 year olds. Children can get hands on creating slime, catapult building, growing their own sugar crystals and more! They’re also running clay ornament workshops for craft enthusiasts. There’s special firework and Christmas themed sessions to enthral the little ones, plus opportunities to explore the interactive Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery and a safe space for their imaginations to thrive.
Step into history this Christmas at the Chiltern Open Air Museum as the site begins its festivities. Keep an eye out for tale telling Tudors who will invite visitors to join them in creating traditional kissing boughs and candle making. They’ll be stalls from the travelling historical market alongside artisan crafts and gifts while local Choirs sing merrily away.
Wycombe Museum is hosting a Christmas Fayre and a delightful tree decorating workshop for children to create their own lovely decorations.
Savour the Spirit of Christmas in the Great Outdoors
When the winter mornings are cold but the sun shines brightly, seize the opportunity to embrace the great outdoors. There’s winter wonderland walks at Amersham Field Centre Explore the beauty of nature during winter, discover local wildlife and appreciate the benefits of being outdoors. There’s Christmas crafts and engaging activities in this fun family day.
It’s all about Christmas wishes at Stowe House; see how they are sorted and do puzzles on festive walks. Hughenden Manor is celebrating a Nordic Christmas with crafts and trails, while Claydon House brings a Victorian Christmas to life- recreating past traditions.
It’s Neddy Noel at The Horse Trust, with Santa’s special pony parade, a meet and greet with Santa in his workshop, Christmas shopping, festive treats and a family fundraiser. There’s also a heart-warming Carol Service of Remembrance at The Chiltern Crematorium.
A Different Kind of Christmas Magic
Get on board the Panto Express this Christmas at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre! Enjoy an amazing Christmas event with a family friendly performance of Jack in the Beanstalk and take a steam train ride with Santa himself where all children will be gifted a special golden ticket. Santa will then work his magic to transport them to his very own workshop where they can meet Mrs Claus and the Elves to trade in the ticket for a Christmas gift.
Families can visit Bletchley Park this December to experience a Vintage Christmas at the once top-secret home of Britain’s World War Two Codebreakers. Father Christmas will be in the beautifully decorated Grotto in the Ballroom of The Mansion for children to meet (booking essential). Families can pick up a gingerbread puzzle trail, or collect a Christmas Challenge for trickier puzzles, and do some Christmas codebreaking in the family activities, on selected dates.
It’s chilly at the Chiltern View Garden Centre as its ice rink reopens in November. There’s skating throughout December with special Christmas events including breakfast with Santa, and virtual reality sleigh rides.
Juniors and teens can whip up some festive treats in a fun Christmas Cooking Camp run by Smart Raspberry Cookery School in Beaconsfield on 20 & 23 December.
Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway are running magical steam train rides, all the way to Santa’s grotto in the North Pole! There’s on board entertainment and crafts as well as the chance to meet and chat to Santa himself.
Magical Theatre and Perfect Pantomimes
The Further Adventures of Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook anchors up in Aylesbury Waterside Theatre offering a family adventure full of galleons of fun, not to be missed!
Starring Bradley Riches (Netflix’s Heartstopper, ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother 2024) as Peter Pan, panto favourite Andy Collins as Smee and soapstar Mark Moraghan (Holby
City, Coronation Street) as Hook, you won’t want to miss this brand-new production awash with audience participation, incredible flying effects, giggles galore, and ...of course, crocodiles!
BBC Radio 2 favourite and ‘Best Panto Newcomer’ winner Vernon Kay will return to pantoland at Wycombe Swan this year in Aladdin, joined by the hugely popular La Voix and West End star Kyle Richardson. Vernon said, “’I'm so excited to be returning to the Wycombe Swan, my local theatre, in Aladdin this year. It’s a fantastic story, an absolute classic. Great song and dance, lots of audience interaction and amazing slapstick. I’ll see you there!”
Be dazzled by a blend of dance, music and storytelling in the Queens Park Arts Centre’s newest pantomime, ‘The Storyteller’. Marvel as the Great Storyteller, protector of the world’s most magnificent library, brings stories to life simply by plucking them from their books and gasp in fear as a thief seeks to steal the magic. Enjoy ‘teaser’ pantomime tales in the lead up to ‘The Storyteller’ with one-hour specials.
Get your dessert spoons at the ready to enjoy a rags to riches tale of ‘Cinderella ice cream seller’ at The Story Museum. Watch out for the irrepressible Widow Twankey as she flies away on a magic carpet ride with Aladdin this December at The Elgiva
Christmas Lights and Markets
Christmas Light Switch On’s transform ordinary streets into dazzling displays of light and colour, creating a magical atmosphere that draws people together.
Christmas in Chesham heralds an amazing community vibe; filled with a light switch on, music, merriment, fairground rides and Santa himself at Chapter 2! Chalfont St Giles is boasting its own Christmas event, with children singing on the village green, brass bands, Christmas activities and Santa’s grotto all leading up to the illuminations themselves. It’s Christmas on the Cobbles at Aylesbury with the town’s annual light switch on event, complete with illuminated parade, dances, entertainment and Santa himself.
Beaconsfield’s Festival of Lights brings a welcome glow and festivities to the town, while Old Amersham enthrals children and adults alike with its fairground rides. Wendover has music, celebrations and carols around the tree this December. Princes Risborough, Marlow, New Amersham and Tring are also celebrating their own light switch on’s with festive fun and entertainment to unite their communities.
If you love a market, then there’s plenty to choose from! There’s something truly magical about a Christmas market; crisp air, mulled wine and twinkling lights. Enjoy the magic of Christmas and fun festivities at Missenden Abbey’s Christmas Market on 1st December. You can enjoy free entry, a range of craft and gift stalls, children’s entertainment, food stalls and much more. Great Missenden itself boasts a Christmas festival with artisan markets, family fun and the Roald Dahl Museum open for shopping. Peterley Farm's Christmas market is always a sight to behold, with four days of boutique shopping stalls dedicated to unique gifts, music, festive foods and fire pits!
The Hearing Dogs for Deaf People welcome everyone (including our well behaved pawsome pals) to their weekend Christmas market, complete with festive craft workshops, gifts you won’t find on the high street, mulled wine and a Santa’s Grotto to delight the children.
It’s a magical season brimming with a wonderful variety of activities to enjoy. For all of these festive dates, check out our What’s On Guide from page 26. Wishing you all happy holidays and a Merry Christmas filled with joy.
A Vintage Christmas at Bletchley Park
FRI 6 DEC ’24 – SUN 5 JAN ’25
Win amazing prizes Giveaways
Win two tickets to the MK-7 Red Bull Racing Experience
breathtaking images to treasure for years to come but will also immerse your family in the enchanting atmosphere of Christmas.
effects, giggles galore, and ...of course, crocodiles!
For your chance to win 4 x tickets to The Further Adventures of Peter Pan at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Tue 10th Dec at 7pm, scan this QR code by 1st December to
Enter for your chance to win an exclusive visit to MK-7, the heart of Red Bull Racing. You’ll be greeted by our iconic race cars, from the RB1 to the RB19, and relive our greatest moments, including Max Verstappen’s World Championships and our Constructors’ titles.
Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Red Bull Racing Heritage Workshop, where our expert engineers maintain these machines, and explore authentic Formula One™ artifacts. You may even catch a live pit stop practice and see Max or Sergio’s cars up close in our Race Bays! Refreshments will be provided, and you’ll leave with a special memento to commemorate the day.
Scan this QR code and enter now for your chance to win two tickets to this incredible experience.
Win an exclusive Christmas Photoshoot
Get into the festive spirit and create cherished memories with a chance to win an exclusive Christmas photoshoot to include 5 high-res digital images. You’ll also have the option to choose from a variety of stunning, festive backdrops that perfectly match the style and personality of your family.
Gather your loved ones for a oneof-a-kind family experience that promises to capture the laughter, joy, and togetherness of the season. This magical studio experience in Gerrards Cross will not only leave you with
Don’t miss your chance to win this unforgettable half hour holiday experience – enter now for a chance to make this Christmas one to remember forever. The shoot will be held on Saturday 7th December. Scan QR code by 1st December to enter. Message Rebecca if you want to reserve a Christmas slot: 07790 005345.
Chance to win ahoy!
The most wonderful, swashbuckling time of the year is upon us, PANTO SEASON!
The Further Adventures of Peter Pan –The Return of Captain Hook anchors up in Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from Fri 6 Dec 2024 – Sun 5 Jan 2025 offering a family adventure full of galleons of fun, not to be missed!
Starring Bradley
Riches (Netflix’s Heartstopper, ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother 2024) as Peter Pan, panto favourite Andy Collins as Smee and soapstar Mark Moraghan (Holby City, Coronation Street) as Hook, you won’t want to miss this brand-new production awash with audience participation, incredible flying
enter.
Win a family ticket to Aladdin on opening weekend!
Take a magic carpet ride to Wycombe Swan this Christmas! Aladdin will feature a dazzling brand-new digital set using LED screens with animated scenes and mesmerising effects plus all of the ingredients for a truly memorable pantomime –hilarious comedy, plenty of audience interaction and marvellous musical numbers that you will be singing for days afterwards.
Aladdin stars the one and only VERNON KAY, who returns to Wycombe Swan following his panto debut in Cinderella in 2022. Joining him is the hugely popular LA VOIX and West End star KYLE RICHARDSON as Aladdin. Be prepared for fun and laughs a plenty! It's the Christmas treat you don’t want to miss this year! Will Aladdin be able to thwart the evil sorcerer, gain control of the magic lamp and win the heart of Jasmine? Come along and find out!
For your chance to win a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children to the show’s Opening Weekend on Friday 13th – Sunday 15th December, scan this QR code
Vernon Kay in Wycombe Swan’s Cinderella in 2022
Your Christmas stocking filler gift guide
By Sarah Lindsley
Yes, it’s that time of year again! Along with decking the halls, meal planning and panto ticket booking while the children are beside themselves with excitement, let’s not forget the presents. We are here to help! Our Christmas stocking filler gift guide offers you inspiration in the lead up to the festive season. With each gift coming in under £15 there may even be some of the Christmas budget left over to treat yourself!
From birth
H&M White Bunny Musical Soft Toy £12.99
This gorgeously soft and sweet bunny toy doesn’t just look cute in your baby’s nursery - pull the small cord and it plays Brahms’ Lullaby. With this lovely, relaxing classical musical experience for your baby, you might even find yourself nodding off too! The bunny also has a prettily embroidered face and a very handy hook and loop-fastening hanger at the top so it can be easily attached to your baby’s cot or changing table.
Ages 8+
Hy-Pro Size 2 Skills Trainer Football £11.99
Get World Cup-ready with this brilliant skills trainer football from Hy-Pro. Perfect for any young football enthusiast who is keen to practise their ball control and core skills. The ergonomic handle is easy to hold and the handheld cord linking the PVC football can be adjusted depending on both the age and the skills being practised.
Orchard Toys Games
£9.75/£12/£6
Doggy Doggy Woof Woof! is an energetic, hilarious new matching and memory game where players pair doggy heads and bodies. In Peter Rabbit™ Don’t Wake Mr. McGregor, join Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Flopsy and Mopsy and race to collect the most fruit and vegetables! But don’t wake Mr. McGregor or you’ll have to return to the start! In a festive, travel-sized Elf Lotto, collect all the cheeky elves and be the first to fill your board with matching characters.
Ages 5+
Ages 5+
Kinetic Sand Deluxe Beach Castle Play Set
£11.99
Bring the beach to your kitchen with this brilliant magically moving play sand set. Made with larger grains of natural sand, it moulds easily and never dries out. Kinetic sand is a unique sensory experience that encourages hours of independent play. Unfold the box to discover a sandy play area complete with tools. The sand sticks to itself and comes with a tray for storage so even cleaning up is easy.
Crayola 24 Super Tips
Washable Markers £8
Crayola’s 24 Super Tip markers are the perfect pens to get creative with, whether making big brush strokes in a favourite colouring book or creating detailed, fine lines for drawings and art projects. A win for parents too as the ink easily washes off skin and clothing, so you can let your budding artist have free rein.
Ages 4+
Ages 5+
LEGO® City Police Car 60312
£8.99
This City Police Car set, featuring a cool police patrol car and accompanying police officer figure complete with torch and hat, will keep your child busy for hours as they zoom around the living room chasing the baddies. You can even use the LEGO® Building Instructions app to access the interactive building guide with zoom and rotate viewing tools. Your kids will become master builders in no time.
Usborne A Sticker Dolly Story Christmas Mystery
£5.99
It’s Christmas Eve and the Christmas Dolls get a call from Mission Control: all the presents have been stolen from Santa’s workshop and one of the elves is missing! It’s now up to the Christmas Dolls – Star, Robin and Clara –to save Christmas. A Christmas special in the new Sticker Dolly fiction series, the book comes with a sheet of colourful stickers to dress the dolls and keep the daring detective in our child busy over the holidays.
The case for debating
By Erin Miller
As an English teacher, I am convinced that one of the most worthwhile educational activities that young people can experience is live debating. From primary to secondary, live debating provides a platform like no other where young people can build public speaking and critical thinking skills. And they always end up building their confidence and having fun whilst doing it!
Debating generally follows the following formula. There are two teams of around three people: affirmative and negative/proposition and opposition. Firstly of course, there must be a motion. Each side speaks for around three minutes, during which time the opposing team can offer ‘points of information,’ which can be questions or statements to which the speaker must respond.
The motion is a statement to which the teams agree or disagree. For example: ‘this house believes keeping pets is fair to animals.’ Choosing a motion can be tricky as care must be taken to select a motion which ensures both sides will have substantial opportunities to respond.
The beauty of debating is that it catapults children into worlds of knowledge they may otherwise not encounter. There are the age-old debates: is school uniform necessary, should zoos exist and even, if the children are an appropriate age, should we allow capital punishment?
But debating also gives children the opportunity to research and understand current world affairs. I’ve seen children do wonders with motions which initially seemed a little dull, so topics that may not traditionally appeal to children can
Which skills does debating support?
‘Critical thinking’ is one of those somewhat nebulous phrases in children’s education: tricky to define but you know when you’ve seen it! Some of the best examples I’ve seen of students exercising on-the-spot critical thinking is during a debate. Debating facilitates and encourages students to think quickly and produce logical, rational arguments. These are higher order skills, ones which we greatly want to impart to young people.
Fundamental to critical thinking is the ability to identify multiple perspectives, which is at the very heart of debating. Children must fully consider both sides of an argument and this leads to a maturation in thinking and logical reasoning. Whether your child is debating for the affirmative or negative team, they will have to fully consider the opposing team’s arguments, so that they are prepared to refute them.
In addition, debating fosters social skills required for teamwork: negotiation, compromise, delegation and more.
actually work well. It’s not only the motion that inspires the children, it’s also the energy of the teamwork and competition.
Cultivating an interest in debating for your child could also lead to curiosity about how debating is structured in Oxford Union debates, the Houses of Parliament and the United Nations. Debating is a fundamental part of our democracy in operation; whilst it can get fiery at times, it teaches children how to argue their points in a civilised and pragmatic manner.
Fostering general knowledge, research skills, teamwork and structuring arguments… I could write so much about the educational and social benefits of debating. Perhaps most importantly, debating fosters the skill of evaluation, because to evaluate an idea is to look at it from all perspectives, which is essential to all critical thinking.
Erin Miller is a teacher with a keen interest in how research can be used in the classroom to improve learning.
Cultivating the skills of debating
If your child’s school does not accommodate formal, structured debating within the curriculum or extracurricular offering, you can still get your child debating in everyday situations.
Use everyday scenarios to raise arguments for both sides of an issue. If your child wants you to buy them something, that can be turned into a motion about finances or even the ethics of online mass marketplaces. Even motions which you may not feel will be of interest can capture children’s imagination. Debating provides that purpose because they must produce a speech and they have teammates relying on them to do so.
Modelling debating as a means of arriving at a solution helps teach children about how disputes are settled. Taking an affirmative or negative side and arriving at a shared conclusion rather than a ‘winner’ or ‘loser’ result help children to learn that debates are best settled through reason and evidence.
Keeping tweens reading
By Tanith Carey
Does it feel like you’re fighting a losing battle maintaining your tween’s interest in reading? Does your child always seem more interested in the quick fix of screens than books?
It’s understandable that parents worry. The human brain is wired for novelty and the bright lights and quick rewards of going online can feel immediately gratifying.
But it’s worth persevering. Books are a key way to help your child feel happier and less stressed. A National Literacy Trust survey found that keen readers between the age of 8 and 13 are three times more likely to have higher levels of mental well-being, compared to those who don’t engage with books at all. With books, kids learn to concentrate for longer and improve emotional intelligence as they empathise with the characters.
In a largely digital world, what’s a modern parent to do? As is often the case, part of the answer lies in taking action before your child hits tweenhood.
For ages 2 to 5, try limiting tech learning games to just ONE of your child’s many play options. Consciously cut down the digital babysitters because pre-schoolers need to develop their reading brains first.
After that, help kids become ‘bilingual.’ This means providing text both on screen AND on the printed page. Point out the difference between accessing information quickly online and deep, concentrated book-reading. Show them how to do both side by side.
As a Gestalt psychotherapist-in-training – which focuses
Engaging tweens further with reading
Let them choose. While it’s tempting to encourage your children to read the classics you loved when you were little, let your child follow their own interests and get excited about a new book, whether it’s from the library or a bookshop. At the start of every school holiday, make a special visit to let your kids pick out their own. Looking forward to this trip and giving them a choice will make them more invested.
Go exploring together. Thanks to the internet, our children have never read more words or had access to more experiences. They can now browse through hundreds of websites and search any subject that interests them in seconds. In fact, research has found that the average person now reads as many as 100,000 words a day across their various devices.
Don’t just leave them to it. Do some research to find out more about the subjects in a recent book that has interested them.
on experience in the body – one of my favourite ways to do this is by helping children recognise how screens and books make them feel different.
As an example, help your child notice how immersive video gaming makes them feel tense and jumpy. Then notice how curling up with a good book and being able to take in information at their own pace makes them feel calmer. Role model book reading yourself and talk about how it makes YOU feel.
Make phone-free family time a treat rather than deprivation. For example, hold a phone amnesty where you ALL go to a café for a hot chocolate with your favourite books for half an hour’s reading.
When kids realise how good books can make them feel and how they bond you together, it marks the start of a life-long habit.
‘All my friends have a phone!’ is one of the 75 real world scenarios tackled in What’s my Tween Thinking? Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents, by Tanith Carey with Dr Angharad Rudkin, published by DK books.
Tips for reading with younger children
Don’t rush them. Just because children are able to sound out words, it doesn’t mean they can understand the meaning of the whole sentence. If children don’t really get what’s happening in a book, they can get bored and turn off reading early. Resist the temptation to get caught up in the class reading race over who’s on the most advanced Biff and Chip book.
Read WITH them. Once children are able to read fairly fluently around age 7, it’s easy to assume you can leave it to them. But according to the Kids and Family Reading Report, which surveyed over one thousand parents and their children, only thirty seven percent of parents of children ages 6 to 8 still read them bedtime stories. This is despite the fact that children miss this ‘special’ time of the day with parents and they still reap huge benefits in understanding, vocabulary and engagement. A nightly reading session also sets up reading in their minds as a regular and relaxing habit.
Getting to grips with handwriting
By Zuzu Jordan
In an age where screens and voice automated systems are at our fingertips, it can be hard to convince children of the importance of handwriting. Yet the National Curriculum states that children need to learn to hold a pencil correctly and form letters, starting and finishing in the right place. Children should learn to write with speed and fluency, ensuring their writing is legible.
Everyday playtime activities can help your child develop their fine motor skills, such as threading beads, playdough and 3D modelling, using tweezers to pick up small objects. Ahead of writing, children practise mark making by using any object such as a paint brush, feather or stick. Learning how to draw straight, curved and zig zagged lines is a great stepping stone to writing legible letters.
Being shown how to hold a pencil correctly from the beginning helps prevent bad habits from creeping in. Children must ‘pinch’ the pencil with their thumb and forefinger and tuck the other three fingers underneath. Using a pencil grip can help children who struggle or ask your child to hold a coin with the three ‘tucked in’ fingers. This will demonstrate the required tripod position.
A good sitting position is crucial too. Children should sit in the middle of the chair, feet firmly on the ground and close enough to the table that they don’t need to stretch.
Probably the most valuable piece of information when teaching handwriting is understanding which letters belong to which handwriting families.
Fine and gross motor skills
So what is the difference between fine and gross motor skills? Fine motor skills use smaller muscles, mainly in the hands and wrists. These are for precise movements such as cutting, writing and teeth-brushing. Gross motor skills require the whole body to move using the larger muscles, as in walking, jumping, throwing and swimming.
Usually we are mindful of the significant milestones in our babies and toddlers because medical professionals ask us. As children grow, these goals change but are equally important for their development.
Many parents organically provide opportunities for their children to enhance both their fine and gross motor skills. For example, taking them to the park is an easy and free way of helping them develop those larger muscles and many toys have been designed to help with the development of smaller muscles. Tasks such as buttoning and zipping can be easily included into a daily routine. Ultimately, consistency, positive reinforcement and ageappropriate activities are the key to effective development over time.
Tall letters: b, d, f, h, k, l, t.
Explain that these are referred to as tall letters because they must be significantly taller than all the other letters except capital letters.
Short letters a, c, e, i, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, w, x, z.
All these letters must be the same height and half the size of the capital letters and tall letters.
Tail letters: g, j, p, q, y.
These letters must reach below the line that they are sitting on.
Capital letters
All sit on the line and are all larger than every other letter.
Zuzu is a Mastery for Maths Specialist who has taught primary for 18 years and is director of Arnett International. For free resources and tips, find her on Instagram: edumate_uk
Left-handed children
Being left-handed raises unique challenges. If your child is left handed, you may wish to try a few of these strategies to help them thrive.
Teach your child to tilt the paper slightly to the right so they can fully see what they are writing or drawing.
Encourage a pencil grip which is comfortable with pencil held slightly below the tip and the hand resting below the writing line to prevent smudging.
Consider pens that do not smudge easily and left handed tools such as scissors with reversed blades.
Ask your child’s teacher if they can sit on the left side of the desk to prevent them bumping into a right handed neighbour.
Utilise videos on the internet created to help with any challenges.
Finally, remember not to label left handedness as a problem; instead celebrate it as a unique trait.
Grandparents and childcare
By Claire Burgess
Childcare is a really emotive issue but one which all parents with young children need to consider at some point, whether just to free them up to attend an appointment or on a more regular, ongoing basis while they work.
It’s natural to consider whether it would be appropriate to ask your child’s grandparents to help you. In fact, they might offer to help or you may find you need to ask them. Either way, there are a few things to take into consideration. Here are some practicalities to think about.
Flexibility and commitment
Are the grandparents (also read friend/other family members) going to have the flexibility for the commitment that you need? Grandparents quite rightly have their own lives and possibly jobs. Are they going to be available on the days and at the times you want them to be?
Finances
These need to be discussed in advance. How will things like outings, travel and eating out be funded, for example. Do you need to agree a budget limit, per day perhaps? Are grandparents expecting to be paid something to care for the children and if so, how much? All of these things need to be established from the outset.
Where are they going to care for the children? If the idea is that it will be in their own home, is this going to work for your child? Is their home safe? Do they have stair gates, pets, valuable ornaments? Will the children have some of their toys there? Do they have the right equipment and if not, will you need to buy duplicates eg cot, changing mat, pram to keep there? With all of this in mind, it is often easier to have the childcare at your own house. Just don’t be upset if things are moved round and tidied up!
Heating/electricity/food
Are you ready for the heating to be on and electricity to be used all day when you are out? Often older people (and actually anyone who is in the house all day!) feel the cold more and so might need to have the heating on to keep warm. Grandparents will also need to eat during the day, so will you provide a meal for them? These are all extra costs that need to be factored in.
Parenting
Your parenting styles may differ slightly but let yours have their say and don’t forget they’ve done it before! Have a discussion about your behaviour boundaries, how you like certain things to be done, such as toilet training and weaning, along with which foods you are happy for the children to have. This can often be a very delicate conversation but things will be smoother if you reach agreement from the outset.
Safety/First Aid
Are the grandparents ‘up to speed’ on how to care for children safely? Offer to sign them up for a basic First Aid for Children course before they start to care for them and always make sure they have a full list of emergency contact numbers.
Capability
Consider realistically how much care grandparents are going to be able to provide. We all know how tiring it can be to care for children all day and particularly if you are back to work full time, is this going to work? Also look at whether grandparents have the mobility they will need to run around after your child.
Illness
What will you do when your child is too poorly to go to nursery? Consider if it is going to be okay for grandparents to be exposed to coughs, colds and illnesses.
Relationships
Finally, consider your children’s and your own relationship with your parents. Are you going to be able to keep the childcare arrangement as a separate thing from your and your children’s family relationship with them? If not, it is worth considering if this is going to be the right childcare solution for you.
Don’t forget to always show appreciation for your parents/ parents in law who are helping out - this is a pretty huge undertaking and one which will help you out massively!
Claire Burgess is a director and family consultant at Bespoke Family (bespokefamily.co.uk), which offers tailored support from newborns to teens.
Soft Play R ev i e w s
Clara’s Corner
This is one of the most interactive soft plays that I’ve been too, where parents can get very involved with their children while they explore. With plenty of peep holes, nooks and cranny’s, it’s easy to see why it’s a hit. Beautiful decorated and laid out, it’s also extremely clean.
The preschoolers had an extra day off school and having seen many a post on Instagram about Clara’s Corner, we decided to try it out. The kids were very excited to explore and insisted on a thorough go around before they raced off to play ‘hide and seek’ with us. They were especially fond of the ‘in the dark’ slide and the ‘rope bride’ area, where they could peep out and watch us searching for them. The climbing wall was a hit and just at the last minute they found the sensory area, which had them enthralled and let us enjoy a hot tea and rest.
It's pricier than our local soft play, but you can really see why when you come here; it’s worth it and a lovely unique experience for the adults and kids alike. Both kids were asleep before we were even halfway home, which was a surprise – they really must have been worn out exploring!
Location: West Wycombe, H14 3AP.
Tips: Enter your car registrations for 2 hours free parking inside the Cafe. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Sapphire Gym
I’d seen the gym’s ‘Stay and Play’ sessions advertised on my local Facebook page and given that my youngest son fell into the recommended age bracket, I made plans to try it out with him.
We booked in for a morning session which looked busy on entrance, with many different children around preschool age excited to try out the equipment. The gym itself was large and the children quickly all dispersed in different directions, with parents following them. There were different activities to try with a bouncy climb slide, various balance beams, soft play building blocks and jump pads. My son fell in love with the balance beams and the various pull up and swing bars. There were even a pair of hoops he practised swinging from which captured his attention for quite a time.
It was all unstructured so my son could enjoy all the different equipment whenever he chose to (taking turns of course),
By Claire Lockie Williams
DJ’s Play Zone
I had forgotten that this soft play was so close, within easy driving after preschool, until a friend recommended it. The soft play itself was big enough and quiet on a lunch time, so the kids had full run of the place, and they certainly took advantage.
There was your usual soft play equipment with an array of slides, climbers, nets and a great ball pool. Alongside it was an interactive game to play pressing large buttons; the kids loved playing against each other and jumped in glee when they won. The soft play also hosts some interactive imaginative areas where the children can play emergency service people, with outfits and little stations to play pretend.
The staff were very friendly and spent much of the session cleaning, it was impressive how hard they worked doing so, I don’t think I’ve seen one so clean. The kids really didn’t want to leave, and we have promised a return visit soon.
Location: Berkhamsted, HP4 1EH.
Tips: Booking in advance is advised for busy periods at weekends and for weekday sessions. Check out special offers before booking as stay and play offers, including a hot drink and squash are available.
within our session. There were even soft footballs scattered around so he and my husband started a quick session together. Just before leaving, we discovered an amazing little sensory room hidden off to one side with bright lights and various textures which we would have stayed longer in if time hadn’t been running short.
Location: Pitstone, LU7 9GX.
Tips: Booking in advance is advised for busy periods but drop ins are also available. Staff were very accommodating; our original booking was moved due to illness of my son. Email responses were very prompt, helpful, and it was easy to rearrange the dates.
Days Out J u n i o r R e p o r t e r s
Buckingham Old Gaol
By Katy Grice
I was looking at a gold coin, but it was not just any gold coin, it was a special coin, because you could only see it in public at the Old Gaol Museum in Buckingham. The coin was called a ‘half angel’. It was shimmering under the light in the glass cabinet. On one side of the coin, was an angel killing a serpent. The half angel was made in Richard III’s time and if you had nine half angels, you could buy a horse.
I walked into one of the cells which was upstairs. It was horrible! The air was cold and it smelt musty. The cell doors had mini windows so the prison officers didn’t have to go inside to give the inmates food. Outside the cell, along the hallway, was a model of a Victorian police officer.
William Varny was a regular prisoner. He went to jail because he minted fake money. One time he was there; he hid oil and a knife to help him escape. The oil was to quieten the locks, and the knife was used to cut the nails out of his cell doors. He stuffed the nail holes with bread. Stupidly, one of the prison officers left ladders outside his cell window. He used them to escape.
In the Museum, I also saw cannon balls from the civil war. I read that in the 16th century, Catherine of Aragon introduced lace making to the area.
The Old Gaol was built in 1748. It became a fire engine house, an ammunition store, a public toilet, a café and an antique shop. Now it is a museum where you can enjoy yourself and dress up as an inmate at the end. Family tickets for two adults and two children are £10.
4 stars / 5
Adventure Play
By Maya Bordia
One Sunday afternoon, my family and I went to Adventure Play at Windsor Great Park – a magical, woodland adventure playground. Whether you are 2 or 12, it has something you’ll enjoy! When we arrived, I noticed the playground was split into two sections: one for younger children, including a post office and a café for role-playing, a mini zip wire and a sandpit and a larger, more advanced area for older kids with many exciting slides, rope bridges and treehouses. My sister and I loved being up high in the treehouses, then whizzing down the slides to find ourselves back on the ground.
As you navigate the playground, there are three helpful symbols, indicating the level of difficulty. These are ‘mouse’ (small and nimble), ‘squirrel’ (natural climber) and ‘owl’ (bold and brave.) I noticed many interesting features, including a quiet area for children needing a break from the hustle and bustle of the playground and a fun, interactive light feature which changes with the seasons.
When we were all played out, we made our home, but not before a quick stop off at the café for a Jude’s ice cream and a cake for my Mum. I would definitely recommend visiting Adventure Play and I can’t wait to return myself!
5 stars / 5
Blenheim Palace
By Lily Kirsch
Blenheim Palace is described as ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace’, and I was very excited to visit. It was really beautiful and so grand!
It was very busy when we arrived and my brother, Ollie, saw that there was a miniature train by the entrance and couldn’t wait to have a ride to the adventure playground. The train was £1 each for a one-way trip and took us down to the Walled Garden where we discovered there was also a pizza restaurant – it smelt yummy, I’d love to go back another time. In the Walled Garden, we were able to explore the maze which had some climbing frames in the middle which was fun.
The best bit for Ollie and I was the Adventure Play area which was made to look like a castle and had lots of areas for climbing. Our favourite part was the zip lines – there were three so that there wasn’t a long wait and we could zoom over and over again. We also liked the slide and Ollie liked the giant carrots to play on.
If your child would like to write a review in an upcoming issue, please email: editor@familieschiltern.com
After we played, my Dad and Ollie took our dog Belle for a little walk which meant Mum and I could explore inside the palace. The library was amazing and I thought the rooms with painted ceilings were really cool. There was also an exhibition about Winston Churchill but we didn’t have the time to look around this time.
I really enjoyed Blenheim Palace, there was a lot to see and do and I’d like to go back and see some more, especially the Christmas Trail.
3.5 stars / 5
Local Clubs & Classes and Special Offers
Tiska Karate Multisports The Barr Academy
Weekend classes and Summer Workshops held at Dr Challoner’s High school.
18 sports a year and weekly team building.
Ideal for ages 4 -16.
Book a two week trial today at: �� multisports.co.uk
At TISKA Karate, children and adults alike learn the essentials of etiquette, respect, self discipline, self awareness, confidence, fitness, and self-defence.
Photograph of their youngest Black belt, 8 year old Tyler Yamamoto.
Contact: office@tiska.com for further details of your 1 month free trial.
Booker Gym Club
At Booker Gym Club in High Wycombe, they believe in starting their children’s development early with a baby sensory station in the child-friendly café. Once your child is on the move they can go downstairs to tumbling toddler sessions with their parents in the gym. Exposure at an early age to new stimuli and exciting equipment to explore really helps preparing them to go into preschool classes, entering these feeling confident, happy and ready to see what their bodies can do. For more information, visit: bookergymclub. co.uk or email gym@hwjc.co.uk
Reader Offer
Receive £5 off when you spend over £25 on trees at the Christmas Tree Farm in Chesham, by quoting ‘Families Magazine’ at the till. * offer valid on Christmas trees only.
to
Musical Theatre classes from 3 - 18 years on Sundays in Stokenchurch led by a West End professional. The classes aim to encourage and inspire all to become creative, imaginative and motivated in all aspects of performing arts and life.
Intrigued about what a Monkey Music class is like and what it can offer you and your little one?
Book a complimentary class to see how their amazing musical classes will stimulate, educate and engage your baby, toddler or pre-schooler! Get in touch with Sally on aylesbury@ monkeymusic. co.uk or book via their website: linktr. ee/monkeymusichighwycombe
What’s On
Things to do, places to go and fun to be had for kids of all ages in November & December
By Claire Lockie-Williams
November
Weekly classes
MONKEY MUSIC
Haddenham, High Wycombe, Princes Risborough, Tring, Waddesdon and Wendover
Spend precious time together at award winning music classes for babies and young children. Variety of age classes available. Under 4yrs. First class is free! For class times and to book, visit: monkeymusic.co.uk
Monday 4 November
MINI MONDAYS
Iver Environment Centre, Iver.
Themed crafts, stories and mud play in November and ‘Evergreen’ related activities in December. 10-12pm, 2-5yrs. prebook online. Also on 2nd December
iverenvironmentcentre.org
Thursday 7 November – Sunday 12 January
ICE SKATING AT WILLEN LAKE
Willen Lake, Milton Keynes.
Skate around the Winter Wonderland that is Willen on Ice. Daily winter fun, book online: iceleisure.co.uk
Friday 8 November – Sunday 10 November
MILTON KEYNES MAGICAL LANTERN FESTIVAL
Gulliver’s Land, Milton Keynes.
Festive Winter light trail. Not open every day, see website, landoflights.co.uk
Saturday 9 November
FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA
Great Missenden C of E School, Great Missenden.
Fireworks and bonfire. Gates 5pm, under 4s free. Book tickets online: gmfireworks.co.uk
NEARLY NEW SALE
Tylers Green First School Hall, Penn. 11am-1pm. £1 entry. pennandtylersgreen.org
Wednesday 13 November
STAY AND PLAY CAFÉ
Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Under 5yrs safe play space. 10am12pm. Weekly to 11th Dec. discoverbucksmuseum.org
Thursday 14 November
DISCOVER DUCKS
Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Fireworks themed session for U5's including a story, song, games, play, crafts & trail. 10am-12pm. Also on 28th Nov, 12th and 19th Dec (Xmas themed). To book visit: discoverbucksmuseum.org
FAMILIES GO WILD
Black Park Country Park, Wexham. Embrace the outdoors with forest school activities: crafts, tools & games. Weekly, Thurs morns, with last event on 12th December. Pre-book online. countryparks.buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Thursday 14 – Sunday 17 November
PETERLEY CHRISTMAS MARKET
Peterley Manor Farm, Prestwood. Boutique gifts, live music, firepits and street food. 10am onwards. 3 x VIP evenings. Book online: peterleymanorfarm.co.uk
Friday 15 November
TOTS GO WILD!
Black Park Country Park, Wexham. Forest school fun for Tots, with a mud kitchen, sand pit and water games! Weekly, Thurs morns, last event on 13th Dec. Prebook online: countryparks.buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Friday 15 Sunday 17 November
MEET THE HUSKIES
Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury. Meet wonderful Husky dogs through the Siberian Husky Welfare Association (UK). Also on 30th Nov, 1st, 14th and 15th Dec. waddesdon.org.uk
Friday 15 November – Tuesday 24 December
THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS centre:mk, Milton Keynes. Families are welcomed into Santa’s wondrous reindeer stable, where they meet Santa’s newest reindeer, Norbert, in a magical, immersive adventure. Children sing songs, and get involved to help Norbert find his special magic to join the rest of Santa’s reindeer. On their way to meet Santa, children make reindeer food, before finally meeting Santa himself, taking home a special gift. The full experience lasts around 30 minutes. Tickets are on sale now at centremk.com
Peter Pan at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Friday 15 November – 1 January
CHRISTMAS AT BLENHEIM PALACE
Blenheim Palace, Oxford. Amazing festivities with a magical light trail, ice rink and swashbuckling Peter Pan adventures! Christmas market is on 15th22nd Dec. blenheimpalace.com
Friday 15 November –Saturday 4 January
WINDSOR GREAT PARK ILLUMINATED Savill Garden, Windsor.
Illuminations & amazing projections with a sparkle of magic. windsorilluminated.com
Friday 15 November – Sunday 5 January
CHRISTMAS AT WADDESDON
Waddesdon Manor, nr Aylesbury. Be dazzled by Waddesdon Manor’s Festive transformation and light display. Christmas fair runs until the 22nd of December. Waddesdon Manor isn’t open every day, check website. waddesdon.org.uk
Saturday 16 November
CHRISTMAS FAIR
Heron’s Lodge Guide Centre, Milton Keynes.
Christmas crafts, activities and Santa’s grotto. 12-4pm FREE. destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk
TACTILE EXPLORERS
Tring Natural History Museum, Tring. Special hands-on event for partially sighted or blind children and families. 11am-12pm. nhm.ac.uk/tring
UNDER 5's MORNING
Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Self-led sessions in the interactive Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery. 10-11.30am. Weekly until 20th December. discoverbucksmuseum.org
Sunday 17 November
HAND CRAFTED CHRISTMAS MARKET
St Thomas Church, Beaconsfield. Unique hand-crafted gifts and treats from local artisans. FREE entry and children’s crafting activities. beaconsfieldteam.church
WOLF WITCH GIANT FAIRY
Elgiva Theatre, Chesham.
Screening of the captivating Opera filmed at the Royal Opera House. 3pm. elgiva.com
Monday 18 November
MINI MONDAYS
Iver Environment Centre, Iver. More Winter themed crafts and fun. 12.30-2.30pm. 2-5yrs. Pre-book online. Also on 16th December iverenvironmentcentre.org
STOWE TOTS
Stowe House, Buckingham. Sensory play session for under 4s. Also on 16th Dec. nationaltrust.org.uk
Tuesday 19 –Wednesday 20 November NUTCRACKER IN HAVANA
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street.
Join Clara on her Christmas adventure. Multiple performance times. atgtickets.com
Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 November
ELF THE MUSICAL
Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe.
Based on the popular movie. Join Buddy the orphan as he discovers who he truly is and brings the magic of Christmas to everyone.
Multiple showings and dates. wycombeswan.co.uk
Thursday 21 November
MARLOW CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON Marlow, Buckinghamshire
See website for details. marlow-tc.gov.uk
Thursday 21 – Saturday 23 November
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street
Timeless classic with a twist. Also on 15th18th Dec. Multiple performance times. atgtickets.com
Friday 22 November
CHRISTMAS IN CHESHAM
Chesham High Street, Buckinghamshire. Illuminating light switch on with fairground rides, market stalls, live music and performances from local schools and companies. chesham.gov.uk
Friday 22 November – Monday 23 December
WELLINGTON ILLUMINOVA
Wellington Country Park, Berkshire. An illuminated kingdom with winter woodlands to explore. Pre-book. wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
Friday 22 November – Tuesday 31 December
ICE SKATING AT CHILTERN VIEW ICE RINK
Chiltern View Garden Centre, Aylesbury. The First evening opening of the ice rink. Skating sessions for all the family following from the 23rd November. Special Santa events are bookable. See website for tickets. chilternviewicerink.co.uk
Saturday 23 November
GREAT MISSENDEN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Great Missenden High Street, Lovely Christmas event with local traders market, family entertainment and street food. Plus swashboggling shopping at the Roald Dahl Museum. 3-8pm. coopersmarkets.com
PANTO TALES
Queens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury. One-hour mini Classic panto tales! 7+yrs. Also on 28th November and 7th December. tickets.queensparkarts.com
Saturday 23 November – Monday 23 December
SANTA STEAM SPECIALS
Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Chinnor.
Take a traditional Steam ride with Elves and meet Santa himself! Multiple dates and timeslots. Visit website to pre-book: chinnorrailway.co.uk
Saturday 23 November – Sunday 5 January
CHRISTMAS TRAIL AND JUMPER FUN
Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Fabulous Christmas fun at the Museum Matilda’s Christmas jumper days plus the Child Heroes Christmas Trail. FREE with Museum Admission. roalddahlmuseum.org
Sunday 24 November
CHRISTMAS ON THE COBBLES
Aylesbury Town Centre, Aylesbury’s Christmas light switch on complete with illuminated parade and Santa. 12.30-5.30pm. FREE. aylesburytowncouncil.gov.uk
CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAYRE
Wycombe Museum, High Wycombe. 11am-4pm. See website: wycombemuseum.org.uk
MY YEAR WALK
Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden.
Listen to extracts from Roald Dahl’s ‘My Year’ and enjoy the countryside. 5+yrs. £4pp, plus Museum admission. Also on Sunday 22nd of December. roalddahlmuseum.org
WINTER FAIR
Lace Hill Sports and Community Centre, Buckingham. Lovely community event of Christmas festivities, children’s crafts and goods to buy. 2-4pm. discoverbuckingham.uk
Monday 25 November – Sunday 12 January
A NORDIC CHRISTMAS
Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe. See a Nordic Christmas brought to life, complete with activity trail and crafting. nationaltrust.org.uk
Christmas at Bekonscot
30th Nov — 15th Dec 2024
Bekonscot
DAILY
Thursday 28 November
BUCKINGHAM CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Outside Buckingham Old Gaol, Buckingham.
Festive fun, food, carols and live entertainment. From 4pm. discoverbuckingham.uk
STEP INTO CHRISTMAS Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe. Feel-good Christmas concert, 7.30pm. wycombeswan.co.uk
Thursday 28 November– Saturday 14 December
CHRISTMAS AT CLAYDON
Claydon House, nr Buckingham. Find out the history behind Christmas traditions and celebrate Victorian style. Check website for dates. nationaltrust.org
Ashridge House, Berkhampsted. Hertfordshire’s stunning fully accessible outdoor light trail. Open daily from 4pm. ashridgehouse.org.uk
Friday 29 November – Tuesday 24 December
CRACKER OF A CHRISTMAS
Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common. Winter wonderland at the farm park! Enjoy a magical stroll to Mrs Claus kitchen, the North Pole post Office and Elf square before meeting Father Christmas in his grotto. There’s also a magical tree, singing penguins and the delights of the park itself! Dedicated SEN sessions 29th November, 1st, 6th, 8th of December. See website: oddsfarm.co.uk
Saturday 30 November
CHRISTMAS LIGHTING CEREMONY
The Village Green, Chalfont St Giles Festive foods, Christmas stalls, Santa’s grotto and Christmas carols. 2.30-6.30pm. chalfontstgiles-pc.gov.uk
PRINCES RISBOROUGH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Princes Risborough High Street
Christmas festivities and light switch on. 3-6pm. princesrisboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk
SEND-EXPLORE YOUR WAY DAY
Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Special relaxed day at the museum with SEND explorer and Quiet Space kits available. roalddahlmuseum.org
TRING CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Tring Together, Tring. Christmas festival with music and stalls. 3.30-8.30pm. tringtogether.org.uk
WENDOVER’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Wendover Manor Waste area, Wendover Christmas Lights switch on and family fun. 4pm-7pm, FREE. wendover-pc.gov.uk
Saturday 30 November – Sunday 1 December
CHRISTMAS CRAFT MARKET
Bekonscot, Beaconsfield. 10.30am-4pm, Artisan stalls and decorations.. bekonscot.co.uk
HEARING DOGS CHRISTMAS MARKET
The Grange, Saunderton. 11am-5pm. Under 5's FREE. Pre-booking advised.
hearingdogs.org.uk
PANTO EXPRESS
Bucks Railway Centre, Quainton. Enjoy a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk, visit Mrs Claus and steam away with Santa himself. All aboard the Panto express! Pre-booking essential. Also on 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd December. bucksrailcentre.org
Saturday 30 November – Sunday 15 December
FESTIVE FORTNIGHT
Bekonscot Model Village, Beaconsfield. Enjoy the tiniest festive scenes in Bucks! See the village illuminated, visit Santa, enjoy festive drinks and snacks alongside a Christmas dinner hunt and sleigh driving experience. There’s also a Craft Market on the 30th November and 1st of December and Santa 7-8th December. 10am-6.30pm. Prebooking essential for Santa visits and gift making workshops. bekonscot.co.uk
Saturday 30 November – Tuesday 24 December
SANTA’S EXPERIENCES
Dobbies Garden Centre, Aylesbury. A variety of Santa experiences to choose from including grotto and breakfast. Special quiet session on 6th December. Booking required: events.dobbies.com
Saturday 30 November – 2 January
FESTIVE SEASON
Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. Experience a vintage Christmas this December. FREE gingerbread trail. Gingerbread code breaking plus a Unique vintage Christmas grotto on select days. Relaxed Grotto on 30th November. bletchleypark.org.uk
Saturday 30 November – 6 January
CHRISTMAS AT STOWE
Stowe House, Buckinghamshire. Set off on a festive adventure, complete with puzzles and magical selfie spots. nationaltrust.org.uk
December
Sunday 1 December
ALEXANDER DEVINE’S SANTA DASH
Windsor, Berkshire. Support a great cause by dressing up as Santa and take on the challenge of a 5K walk, jog or dance! alexanderdevine.org
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Missenden Abbey, Great Missenden. FREE entry to this festive family market. 12-4pm. Enjoy craft and gift stalls, children’s entertainment, food stalls and more. missendenabbey.co.uk
CHRISTMAS AT WOODROW
Woodrow High House, Amersham. Second year running of this festive event. 11am-3pm. woodrowhighhouse.org
NEDDY NOEL
The Horse Trust, Princes Risborough. Festive fun at the Horse Trust, with pony parades, Santa meets and plenty of treats! 1-4pm. horsetrust.org.uk
CHRISTMAS MARKET
SANTA RUN
Higgingson Park, Marlow. 20th Anniversary of the fundraising event. santasfunrun.org
Sunday 1 December – 23 December
VINTAGE CHRISTMAS GROTTO
Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. Come visit Father Christmas and his elves in Bletchley Park Mansion’s Ballroom, used by Codebreakers in World War Two. Relaxed sessions available on selected dates. Pre-book online: bletchleypark.org.uk
Tuesday 3 December – 5 January
ELVES XMAS GIFT MAKING WORKSHOP
Bekonscot, Beaconsfield. Bring your little ones to our Elves workshops where they can create their own personalised gift to take away with them. Also on Tuesday 10th-Thurs 12th December Pre-book online: bekonscot.co.uk
RUDOLPH CHRISTMAS TRAIL
Tring Natural History Museum, Tring. Help Father Christmas by searching out Reindeer clues. £1. nhm.ac.uk/tring
Wednesday 4 December
BEACONSFIELD FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. Stalls and live entertainment from 6pm. beaconsfieldfestivaloflights.co.uk
Friday 6 December
OLD AMERSHAM CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Old Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Christmas festival with artisan market, fairground rides and family activities. coopersmarkets.com
WINTER FAYRE
Newtown School, Chesham.
Santa’s grotto, Christmas crafts, decorate a biscuit and more.3pm start. newtown.education
Friday 6 December – 5 January
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN: THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN HOOK
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. Expect galleons of fun in this year’s mustsee production. Multiple performance times. Relaxed performance 17th December. atgtickets.com
Saturday 7 December
CHRISTMAS FAIR
Danesfield House, Buckinghamshire. Traditional Christmas stalls, mulled wine and the chance to see Santa. 11am-3pm. danesfieldhouse.co.uk
LEE COMMON’S CHRISTMAS FAIR
Lee Common School, nr Grea Missenden. Festive fun with children’s activities, a rocking disco, carol singing, food and Santa’s Grotto. 12-3pm. Drop-in event. FREE. Leecommon.org
OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS MARKET
Bugle Horn, Aylesbury. Outdoor Christmas market with crafts and family activities. 2-4pm. vintageinn.co.uk
THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTMAS
Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Is it possible to make a snowman without snow? Find the answer in the seasonal science workshop including catapult making, slime creating, sugar crystal growing and more! 5-11yrs. Multiple timeslots. To book visit: discoverbucksmuseum.org
Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 December
FESTIVE WEEKEND
Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles Traditional Christmas decorations, actors recounting historical Christmases, crafts and an artisan market. 10am-4pm. Under 4yrs and Annual pass holders FREE. coam.org.uk
SANTA'S GROTTO
Bekonscot, Beaconsfield.
Visit Santa in his Winter Wonderland Grotto and receive a fabulous Christmas gift. Next weekend too, Booking required, £9.50/ child & admission. bekonscot.co.uk
WINTER WOODLAND ADVENTURE
Amersham Field Centre, Mop End. Explore the outdoors, learn about winter wildlife and create some Christmas crafts, 10.30am-3pm. £5pp, booking required: field-studies-council.org
Saturday 7 December – 5 January
ALADDIN
Elgiva Theatre, Chesham. Hilarious family Pantomime with Multiple performances. elgiva.com
Sunday 8 December
SANTA DASH
Haddenham Village Hall, Haddenham. Festive fundraiser for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. 11am-2pm. fnhospice.org.uk
An original family Pantomime where books do come to life! Multiple dates and times including discount, signed and relaxed performances. tickets.queensparkarts.com
Friday 13 December – 5 January
ALADDIN
Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe. Take a magic carpet ride, enjoy music, dance and spectacular slapstick comedy. Relaxed shows on selected dates. wycombeswan.co.uk
Saturday 14 December
80's ROCK SHOW
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street.
Dress up in your 80's gear and rock away. 7.45pm atgtickets.com
CHRISTMAS CLAY
Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Make your own hanging clay and paper ornaments to take home. 3-11yrs, drop-in, 10am-2pm, £4pp. discoverbucksmuseum.org
CHRISTMAS PARADE
Buckingham Town Centre.
Fabulous floats parade through the town centre in this amazing annual event. 10.45 onwards. Charity community fundraiser in the Community Hall 11.30-2pm. discoverbuckingham.uk
SANTA AT THE ROALD DAHL MUSEUM
Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Explore wondrous woods and enjoy storytelling from Santa’s helpers alongside Christmas crafting and the Child Heroes trail. Look out for Santa’s appearances throughout the day and enjoy a laid-back experience. FREE with Museum entry. roalddahlmuseum.org
Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 December
MAKE AND MEND FESTIVE FUN
Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. Create Christmas decorations from recycled materials. Also on 21st-23rd December bletchleypark.org.uk
Sunday 15 December
CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Chiltern Crematorium, Crafternoon hour, carol service, seasonal readings and tributes to loved ones. 122pm. FREE to attend, donations to Cruse Bereavement Support gratefully received. buckinghamshirecrematorium.co.uk
Tuesday 17 – Monday 23 Dec
A CHRISTMAS TAIL
The Stables, Milton Keynes. A pawesome event for all the family with this lovely festive tale. Ages 4+yrs. Multiple timeslots. stables.org
Thursday 19 December
CAROLS ON THE COMMON
Tylers Green, Penn. Carols by moonlight. 7.45pm. pennandtylersgreen.org.uk
Thursday 19 – Sunday 22 December
MAGICAL STORYTELLING
Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Magical storytelling over the Christmas holidays. Also on 27th-30th Dec and 2nd-5th Jan. FREE with Museum admission. roalddahlmuseum.org
Friday 20-Monday 23 December
BREAKFAST WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS Thomley, Worminghall.
An accessible festive fun breakfast with Father Christmas. Prebook. thomley.org.uk
Friday 20 December
CHRISTMAS COOKERY WORKSHOP
Smart Raspberry Cookery School Jordans Village Hall & Alfriston School, Beaconsfield.
5-10 yrs and 10-15 yrs. 10am-3pm. Also on Mon 23rd Dec. Book online: smartraspberry.com
Saturday 21 – Tuesday 31 December
CINDERELLA ICE CREAM SELLER
The Story Museum, Oxford. A story of rags to riches and legendary ice cream. Multiple time slots. storymuseum.org.uk
Sunday 22 December
TREE DECORATIONS
Wycombe Museum, High Wycombe. 10.30am-3pm. Multiple time slots. wycombemuseum.org.uk
Monday 23 December
CHRISTMAS COOKERY WORKSHOP
Smart Raspberry Cookery School Jordans Village Hall and Alfriston School, Beaconsfield.
5-10 yrs and 10-15 yrs. 10am-3pm. Book online: smartraspberry.com
Friday 27 December
CHRISTMAS TREK AND TREAT
Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Guided tour of Great Missenden with a hot drink and mince pie to finish. 11.45am and 2.15pm. 5Yrs+. £10pp in addition to Museum entry. roalddahlmuseum.org
Saturday 28 December
HEROIC ANIMALS
Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Get hands on with minibeasts and snakes. 5+yrs. £4pp in addition to Museum entry. Multiple time slots available. roalddahlmuseum.org
Saturday 28 – Monday 30 December
CRACKING CODEBREAKING
Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. Create Christmas decorations from recycled materials. Compete to find out if you could have been a codebreaker. Also on 2nd-3rd January. bletchleypark.org.uk
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more events @ FamiliesChiltern
To be included in our January/February email your event details by 7 Dec to: claire@familieschiltern.co.uk
THORPE HOUSE SCHOOL
Creating the Future
Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. You want a place to nurture their talents, ignite their curiosity, and help them grow into confident, well-rounded individuals. Where excellence meets happiness, Thorpe House Lower School ticks all those boxes – and more.
Reception and Lower School Open Day
Tuesday 12th November 2024, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Scan the QR code to find out more and book your place.
Thorpe House Sixth Form
Create your future at our co-educational Sixth Form in the heart of Gerrards Cross Open Evening Thursday 21st November 2024, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
