Families Manchester July Aug 23 print

Kids in the kitchen

Cooking empowers kids in the kitchen and gives them lifelong skills for when someday (not so long away), they’ll be preparing meals for themselves or their own families.

Give your child the opportunity to get creative in the kitchen with these two fun, easy and nutritious summer lunch recipes that they can make by themselves – or with a little help.

Chicken Caesar Salad Kebabs

Makes 6 skewers

Everything is more fun on a stick! This isn’t your typical salad lunch since all of the components are separate and you can choose to include what you like. Serve the kebabs with the easy, creamy home-made dressing for dipping and you have a seriously tasty lunch.

Get ready!

Grab a liquid measuring cup, a small bowl, a whisk or fork, a knife and cutting board, six small wooden skewers or paper lollipop sticks and measuring spoons.

Get set!

¼ cup (60ml) mayonnaise or plain greek yogurt;

2 tbsp (30ml) extra virgin olive oil;

1 tbsp (15ml) red wine vinegar or lemon juice;

½ tsp garlic powder;

½ tsp Dijon mustard;

½ tsp Worcestershire sauce;

2 tbsp (13g) grated Parmesan cheese;

Pinch of ground black pepper;

4 Romaine lettuce leaves;

2 slices focaccia bread or any bread;

170–226g cooked chicken breast (such as leftover cooked chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken);

8 cherry or grape tomatoes.

Go!

First, make the dressing! In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan cheese and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use or pack in small containers.

Cut the lettuce, bread and chicken into bite-sized pieces or cubes. Cut the tomatoes in half. Place all of these ingredients onto six small skewers in any order you like.

Eat right away or pack the skewers into containers with some dressing on the side for dipping and store in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

Mix it up!

Create different sandwich kebab combinations. Try hard-boiled egg, cheese cubes, rolled ham or turkey, bacon, cucumber chunks and different kinds of bread.

One Pot Mac and Cheese with Trees

Makes 4 servings

Are you obsessed with creamy, cheesy pasta? Me too! Ditch the box because you won’t believe how easy this mac is to make from scratch. You cook both the pasta and the sauce at the same time and in the same pot - it’s like a magic trick! If you don’t love broccoli, feel free to leave it out or stir in some frozen peas when you add the cheese at the end of the recipe. American cheese makes the sauce extra creamy but if you don’t have any, you can replace it with 1 more cup (113g) of shredded Cheddar.

Get ready!

Grab a large liquid measuring cup, a large pot, a wooden spoon and dry measuring cups and spoons.

Get set!

2 cups (480ml) whole or semi-skimmed milk;

1 cup (240ml) water;

½ tsp kosher salt;

2 cups (128g) elbow macaroni or small shell pasta;

2 cups (182g) frozen broccoli florets;

1 cup (113g) shredded Cheddar cheese;

3 slices American cheese, ripped into pieces.

Go!

In a large pot, add the milk, water and salt and place the pot over medium heat. Once the pot starts to bubble, stir in the pasta and turn the heat down to medium-low. Cook the pasta for five minutes, stirring often and making sure the pot doesn’t boil over. If the liquid starts to bubble up close to the top of the pot, turn the heat down more and keep stirring.

After five minutes, stir in the broccoli and cook for five minutes or until the pasta is tender.

Turn off the heat and add the Cheddar cheese and American cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Serve!

Chef’s tip. If using fresh broccoli for this recipe, use a small paring knife to cut small florets off the larger head of broccoli. You want all the florets to be roughly the same size so they cook in the same amount of time. Always supervise kids when using knives in the kitchen.

These delightful recipes are just two of many featured in the new book Kid Kitchen by Heather Staller, a trained culinary professional and parent of two. Reprinted with the permission of Page Street Publishing Co. 2023. Photos: Michelle Boule.

Editor Karen Sykes

editor@familiesmanchester.co.uk

01706 671664

Families Manchester and Cheshire is available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout the region. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please get in touch.

In this issue

Food Education

Early Years

Performing arts

Forest school activities

Make strawberry ice-cream milkshakes

Travel Summer activities

What’s On Festivals

March/April competition winners

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at https://bit.ly/MA23giveaways

This product is made of material from well-managed, FSC®-certified forests and other controlled sources.

Welcome

Summer is finally here! And if you haven’t started planning fun things to do during the long summer school holidays, now is your chance.

We have loads of fabulous ‘boredom busting’ ideas for projects to keep the kids busy - many are low cost, free, educational –or even explore ways in which your kids can use technology constructively! Check out fun Forest School activities to do outdoors, let the kids in the kitchen to make some simple family meals or plan a day at the seaside with our fantastic UK beach guide.

Going away on holiday is a pleasure but the endless ‘Are we there yet?’ questions from your kids as you travel are definitely NOT. So, before you go, take a look at our advice on dealing with this situation. And if you’re taking the family to a festival this summer, read our top tips for getting the most out of it.

Meanwhile, there’s loads of inspiration for family fun on your doorstep this summer in our What’s On guide. It’s time to get out and about!

Look out for another Orchard Toys game giveaway – we have NEW games bundles to giveaway! Apply inside and you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

Karen Editor, Families Manchester

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.

rhs.org.uk/bridgewater

The Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt

Sat 22 Jul – Sun 3 Sep

There’s a brand new luxury bug hotel opening at RHS Garden Bridgewater. Can you help Lloyd and friends to find it? Follow a garden trail featuring an amazing new augmented reality app and enjoy fun, family-friendly activities all summer long!

Your visit supports our work as a charity.

Preventing summer brain drain

By Jemma Z Smith

Summer holidays are fabulous but all too often the return to school in September can come as a bit of a shock to the system. How do you spell that word again? What’s that fractions rule? The feeling of forgetting everything is really common (for adults too!).

Here are some fun activities you can do over the long summer break to keep everyone’s minds in tip top condition and just as sharp as in term time.

Times table bingo

This can be a really good way of practising your times tables. There are lots of free and downloadable resources out there but essentially all you need is paper, pencils and perhaps a times table square that you can refer to.

While you’re in the maths zone, try making up dice games. For example, start with three or more dice and set challenges: can you roll a number higher than… an even number, a prime number or a number in a certain times table. The possibilities are endless. Assign points to the winner and make it as competitive as you wish!

Kim’s game

This is a popular memory game that you can play anywhere. Find ten objects and place them on a tray or picnic blanket. Everyone has a good look, then all but one person closes their eyes and an item is silently removed. Can the kids remember what has been taken? For variation, cover the tray and everyone has to try to remember the whole list of ten objects.

Story stones

This is a lovely, artistic way of keeping the kids’ imaginations and creativity firing. Firstly, you need to go on a walk and find some smooth pebbles suitable for painting on. The idea is then that each stone is used to paint a different section of a story. Acrylic paint or permanent markers are the best to decorate stones. The kids can even act out the story later.

Lights, camera, action!

Feeling dramatic? Encourage the kids to become a news broadcaster for the day! They can take on the role of a character and choose something that they want to talk about. Will it be scary or funny? Who will be the interviewee, the director, camera person and lighting technician? Then, of course, they will need to prepare a timed script and practise speaking clearly in front of an attentive audience.

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

Combining activities

Turn a long walk into a treasure hunt. There are lots of downloadable online activities or you could make your own. Ideas include finding items which begin with a certain letter, a particular shape or colour.

Rainy days call for some baking – and some maths too! Can your child work out the correct ingredient amounts for a delicious recipe? How much more is needed to halve or double the number of buns?

Going on holiday? There are always lots of anagrams, sudoku puzzles and crosswords which will make long car journeys go much more quickly. These can be especially helpful for 11+ practice as they help to build up a rich vocabulary, help with verbal reasoning type activities and keep maths skills strong. Don’t forget board games. Counting steps on a board, rolling doubles, working with money in Monopoly and keeping score all keep children’s maths brains sharp. Filling a Scrabble board exercises word skills. Just make sure you have some good snacks at the ready to keep everyone happy when the competition gets fierce!

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children ages 4 to 11 to read six library books during the long summer holiday and collect rewards, such as stickers, on their way to receiving their Challenge certificate and medal.

The theme for this year is Ready, Set, Read! and the Challenge is being delivered in partnership with national children’s charity

The Youth Sport Trust and public libraries.

This year, the Challenge aims to keep children’s minds and bodies active over the summer break, empowering young people to forge new connections with others and unleash the power of play, sport and physical activity through reading.

The Challenge launched in libraries in England on 24 June and will continue through September.

More information at www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

Help your child with school transition

By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble

While moving to a new class or new school can be challenging for kids, most adapt to changes within the first few weeks as routines are established and new friendships formed. Preparation is a key component which can make a huge difference to the readiness of your child. At the same time, emotional resilience greatly helps children adapt to different environments, routines and social dynamics. So, how can parents support children through their journey of change and uncertainty?

Encourage open communication

Open communication is essential in helping children express their worries and concerns. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings and validate their emotions. Set aside dedicated time and spaces for these conversations. This can be as simple as the walk or drive home from school or over a snack at the end of the day.

Develop problem solving skills

Encourage your child to identify potential challenges and discuss possible solutions together. This will help them feel more prepared while developing their own problem-solving skills. Encourage your child to be open to new experiences, emphasising the importance of adaptability in overcoming challenges.

Model resilience

By modelling resilience you provide a powerful example for your child to follow, helping them develop the emotional strength needed to adapt to new experiences. Give examples of your own coping strategies, taking care to maintain a positive spin. Show

your child that change is a natural part of life and discuss the exciting opportunities that the new academic year will bring.

Emphasise the importance of self-care

Establish healthy routines including regular sleep, exercise and healthy eating. Encourage participation in a range of out of school activities that they enjoy. This will help them better manage their own stress and maintain a positive outlook during times of change.

Celebrate success

Acknowledge and celebrate your child’s achievements and milestones during transition. Praising their ability to overcome challenges boosts confidence. Keep the open communication going so it becomes a habit. Children need to know you will always be behind them through and beyond their teens. Remain patient and understanding as each child’s experience is unique and developing emotional resilience takes time and practice.

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

Starting primary school Transition to secondary

Starting primary school can be an exciting yet daunting new chapter for you and your child. The most useful thing you can do is prepare them ahead of their first day:

Practise getting dressed, using the toilet, opening a lunchbox, using cutlery.

Play games which involve turn taking and social skills.

Help your child recognise their name so they can keep track of clothes and find their peg.

Acknowledge your own feelings and anxieties. This is the start of your child’s journey away from you and that can be challenging. Recognise this is normal but try to keep those emotions away from your child.

Talk about your child’s day, emphasising the positive but be ready to help them with any worries they might express. Make time to talk and listen.

Expect teething troubles and always speak to the teacher if you have particular concerns.

Moving up to secondary school is an exciting milestone involving significant changes. It’s a lot to go from being the oldest to the youngest, with much larger buildings, new teachers, subjects and classmates. To manage this rite of passage:

Talk to your child about how they are feeling and the differences that they will experience.

Focus on exciting opportunities eg new friends and activities. Encourage age-appropriate independence to prepare them for more responsibility.

Familiarity is a comfort. Look at the school website together, practise the journey, reach out to make new friends.

Encourage preparation. If your child has all their equipment/ uniform/books ready every day this will help the school day run more smoothly.

Keep your own worries under wraps.

Discuss phone use and online safety. Set digital boundaries and stick to them regardless of peer pressure.

What the new childcare proposals mean for you

By Anna Letouze

There was good news for parents in this year’s Spring Budget when it was announced that the government will be extending funded childcare. This funding extension will mean that by September 2025 working parents of children over nine months and up to five years will be entitled to thirty hours free childcare per week.

As any working parent knows, paying for childcare before the existing funding for three-year-olds kicks in can be financially crippling. That the government acknowledges this struggle is a big step forward for families.

This policy has the power to help more parents back to work and improve the quality of family life with increased income. However, it’s important to acknowledge that when you look more closely at the policy, there is a risk that it could potentially exacerbate existing issues in the childcare system.

Unfortunately, the childcare system has not received full government funding to support the ‘free’ childcare places for children ages 2 to 4 that it introduced some years ago. In response, nurseries have had no option but to increase fees to meet the shortfall, resulting in the cost of childcare increasing for many parents.

Simultaneously, the running costs for childcare providers have skyrocketed and they have been closing en masse; over five thousand in the past year alone.

Again, funding for the government’s ambitious new plans for children ages 1 and 2 is estimated by the CBI to be half of what it will cost to implement, which will likely result in more closures, more competition and higher fees. Currently, the maths just doesn’t add up.

From April 2024, all 2-year-olds will be eligible for fifteen hours of free childcare. From 2025, children aged nine months and above will be eligible for thirty free hours.

The reason for the delay is that the dwindling number of providers couldn’t cope with a sudden increase in demand. Even with the longer lead time, many providers still won’t be

able to afford to offer the required places. This may leave some parents in the same situation of not being able to access their entitlement.

If your child is going to be eligible for free hours under the proposed changes, get ahead now and check with your local providers to ask whether they are going to be offering free hours for 2-year-olds. If they are, you may need to put your child on a waiting list because, as things stand, there may be a lot of competition for places.

In the meantime, there are other things you can do to lighten the load. First, make sure you’re claiming all the benefits you’re eligible for. If you are a working parent and not currently claiming financial support, start with the government’s online benefits calculator at www.gov.uk.

It’s also worth researching any other sources of support you may be able to access. The Cost of Living Support on the Working Families website (www.workingfamilies.org.uk) is a good start point.

You could also consider requesting flexible working. Everyone has the right to make a request once in a role for twenty-six weeks.

Currently employers are not obliged to consider it, so prepare the groundwork to put forward a strong case. Head to the Working Families website for advice and free resources on the best way to make a request.

Anna Letouze writes on behalf of Working Families (www.workingfamilies.org.uk), the UK’s national charity for working parents and carers.

Flexible Working Bill

Flex is becoming an everyday part of our working lives and the upcoming Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill will facilitate flex for many more parents and carers who need it.

If it is passed later this year, the bill will make requesting flexible working a right from day one, permit two requests a year, reduce the processing time, remove the requirement to explain how a proposed arrangement will work and require a consultation between employee and employer should the request be rejected.

Find your flex

Flex comes in all shapes and sizes. Hybrid or remote working, reduced or compressed hours, changing start and finish times, flexitime, job share; the list goes on.

If we start thinking of roles as comprising different tasks there is often an element of flexibility in when and how we can complete those tasks.

There’s no one way to work flexibly; instead, it is best achieved with a solution that is tailored both to your needs and the needs of your employer.

The performing arts can open a world of possibilities

The performing arts is a wide and vibrant industry including theatre, music, dance, film making and more. With its many facets, the performing arts can open a world of possibility for young people to develop and grow in an environment that is safe and supportive.

By providing a platform for creativity, fostering confidence and promoting a sense of connectedness and community, the performing arts play a vital role in shaping the lives of young people.

Be Confident

Confidence is fundamental for a young person’s development; it enables them to have a go, try new things or succeed and fail in a safe environment. The performing arts naturally helps young people build confidence as they practice routines, perform in front of fellow students, family and friends, and receive and act on feedback. All this work culminating in the thrill of performing for an audience, with the knowledge that they have built the skills to create great work.

Be Creative

Of course, the performing arts are an outlet for creativity! Whether learning a dance routine, acting in a play, or pitching a film idea, the performing arts gives young people an opportunity to use their imagination and express themselves. Flexing their creative muscles allows young people to think outside the box and find creative solutions to problems they encounter in their work but also in their everyday lives.

Be Connected

There are very few industries that rely on teamwork as much as the performing arts. Whether they are rehearsing, performing or filming, the performing arts allows young people to connect with others who share their passion. Connecting with their peers, young people form bonds, deepen their empathy and develop compassion for the world around them.

The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts believe the performing arts can have a huge, positive impact on the lives of young people. Every week, students learn new skills and make new friends though their three core modules: Comedy and Drama, Film and Television and Musical Theatre.

Through an ethos of ‘Be Yourself, Be Amazing’ students have the confidence to put themselves out there, have the creativity to think differently and the community to feel supported whilst doing so.

Find out more at www.pqacademy.com

Seven great Forest School activities for kids

By Naomi Walmsley

We all know kids are ‘better’ when they are outside. They can burn energy, get back to basics, connect with nature. They thrive in our natural environment. Interacting with nature offers space for creative play and learning and often offers lessons that can last a lifetime (I still remember the day that the grown-ups insisted my wellies were not tall enough for the depth of that puddleturns out they were right!).

Nature is a playground, a classroom for the curious and an opportunity to connect with our natural world. But sometimes given such a big empty canvas of a space, kids need a little inspiration to get them going. Here are seven ideas from my new book.

Make a simple Stone Age tool

Find a thin sheet of slate. Place the slate on a hard surface and break off bits you don’t want with a round, heavy stone. Make a triangular arrow shape and rub back and forwards to smooth it using sandstone, any rough rock or rough outdoor surface (even a brick wall will do). Hey presto! Your very own simple stone tool.

Become a mud detective!

Mark out a sticky, muddy area (or area of loose dirt) with sticks about three by two feet. One person turns away whilst the other hops, skips and jumps through the pit. Now guess how they moved through by looking closely at their tracks.

Camouflage your hand

It’s all about blending in. Place your hand on a tree or at the base of it. Take away the shine using charcoal, add mud to change the colour. Sprinkle on some woodland mulch or stick on some tiny sticks and moss or bits of bark to add texture.

Nature is a rainbow

You’ll be amazed how many different colours you can see when you start to look. Pick up a free colour chart from a hardware or DIY shop. Head out to the park or forest or even into a town to see which natural things match the colours on your chart.

Conkers are a great resource

At the end of summer, the seeds (conkers), leaves and bark of the horse chestnut tree all contain ‘saponin.’ Saponins have been used for centuries because of their similarities with soap. Grate the conkers, pour over warm water and leave to steep. Use after about half an hour to wash grubby hands. You can even use the mixture to clean your clothes!

Scared of nettles?

Make a goblin or toy village

Imagine a family of tiny goblins or take your favourite toy out with you. Find places that have interesting characteristics, a hole in a tree, creeping roots etc. Add leaves on sticks for miniature trees, pebbles for bridges, moss for rooves and make mini shelters big enough for your imaginary guests or small teddies.

No need! Pick them in spring time using a gardening glove. A large handful will be enough. Add them to a blender with a banana, some pineapple, a glug of coconut milk, a slab of cucumber, half an avocado and blend until completely smooth: this will take the sting out. The only thing you need to be scared of is getting a bright green smoothie moustache!

Forest School Handbook by Naomi Walmsley & Dan Westall is an essential item for the backpack, whatever your age or adventure! GMC Publications, RRP £14.99, available online and from all good bookshops.

Make ice cream strawberry milkshake

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

Here’s what to do to make this simple ice cream strawberry milkshake recipe.

Makes 4 glasses

Ingredients

500g (18oz) fresh strawberries hulled (plus 4 to garnish)

300 g (½ pint) vanilla ice cream

Equipment

Weighing scales

Jug blender

Kitchen knife

Chopping board

4 tall glasses

4 straws

Instructions

Step 1

Put the ice cream in a jug blender.

Step 2

Add the strawberries. Step 3 Whizz until it has an even pink colour and the strawberry seeds have been totally broken down.

Emily says: ‘This ice cream milkshake is simple, refreshing and delicious – and has only two ingredients! The strawberries and ice cream come together to achieve the perfect flavour, thickness, creaminess and sweetness. If you wanted, you could add extra sugar or syrup but I don’t think it needs it at all. A touch of whipped cream on top could be really fun though!’

Step 4

Pour the milkshake into four glasses. Cut a slit into the bottom of each of the 4 strawberries you’ve reserved for decoration. Attach one to the side of each glass.

Add a straw to each glass and serve immediately.

All you’ll need is two ingredients: fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream!

Explore top family beaches in UK

By Andrew Campbell

Pack the buckets, spades and picnic gear and head to one of these gorgeous beaches for an old-fashioned family day out. Each of the beaches in our list received a 2022 Blue Flag Award, international recognition of excellent water quality and safety and have seasonal lifeguard services alongside parking, toilets and food outlets.

Woolacombe, North Devon

The three mile sandy beach is popular with families looking for a traditional seaside experience. There’s a surf school, kayaking, kitesurfing and walking trails. Rockpools, burrows, a fun theme park, ice-cream kiosks, eateries and public toilets are nearby. Three large car parks offer space for three thousand cars.

A Victorian seaside resort with an iconic pier and a mix of sand and shingle, the town maintains much of its original charm. Popular activities include building sandcastles, swimming, water sports and rock pooling at low tide. Beach facilities include toilets, shops, food stands and a cliff top car park with beach access.

Cromer, Norfolk Scarborough North Bay, Yorkshire

Despite its popularity, this quintessential British seaside resort has retained much of its charm. The North Bay beach is quieter than neighbouring South Bay. The long, sandy beach is backed by sea defences, an esplanade, hills and cliffs. Brightly coloured beach huts are available to hire with crazy golf, surfing and toilets on offer. Parking is a short walk from the beach.

Burntisland Beach, Fife

Southwold, Suffolk

With its colourful beach huts, pier, lighthouse, model boating pond, shingle beach and beach groynes, Southwold offers plenty of old-fashioned seaside charm. The recently refurbished pier has loads of attractions and amenities including toilets. The beach is a quick walk to the town centre and a short promenade to the harbour area. A large car park is nearby.

Llangrannog Beach, Wales

A family-friendly ‘village beach,’ this sheltered sandy bay offers a great selection of traditional pub food, cafes or homemade ice cream at the beach cafe. As well as being ideal for all the usual seaside activities, the beach is popular for water sports, including surfing and for viewing dolphins out at sea. Parking and ‘park and ride’ available and toilets in the village.

St Ives, Cornwall

St Ives boasts six sandy beaches close to its bustling centre but Porthmeor is arguably the premier for older children who can enjoy the waves, alongside a beachside cafe and toilets. For younger children, Porthgwidden offers a sheltered sun trap with calmer waters, cafe and toilets but has no lifeguard service. Limited parking is available for both. Consider parking in St Erth and taking the short and spectacular train ride to St Ives.

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire

A traditional seaside holiday resort with long, firm, flat golden sand beaches and donkey rides, funfair, paddle boating, crazy golf, bicycle hire and more. Events are held regularly on the beach, including sandcastle contests, fireworks, bike racing and illuminations switch-on. The promenade has cafés, toilets and beach supplies. Car park runs parallel to the beach.

The stretch of sand and rock beach overlooking the Firth of Forth has loads to appeal to families. When you tire of sandcastle building, there are rockpools to explore; and a short stroll away, the Seaside Park has crazy golf, bouncy castle and an annual summer fairground. Amenities include toilets and picnic tables, with parking for five hundred cars.

Are we there yet?

By Tanith Carey

Four of the most dreaded words for parents in the English language are: ‘Are we there yet?’

Recent research has found that children will ask this question just over half an hour into a car journey and repeat it four times during the average two hour car trip.

However, when you look at long car journeys from a child’s point of view, should we really be surprised?

For one thing, for young children, hours and minutes have little concrete meaning until they reach about age 7. After that it will still take many more years for kids to develop their impulse control and ability to wait.

You can help your kids understand the length of the journey with more solid physical markers, such as: ‘We’ll be there after we have our next snack,’ or ‘When the fields turn into a town again.’

Before you set off, look out for places to stop - parks, service stations or playgrounds along the way. Build in short exercise breaks at these places to mark your progress in stages.

Journeys will also pass more quickly if we reframe how we view them. Rather than an ordeal to be endured, see them as a chance to spend uninterrupted time with the children where the journey is part of the fun.

Liven things up by downloading a ready-made picture car bingo game, so kids can cross off a square every time they see something like a police car, a bridge or a tractor.

Asking your child what they would like to bring with them to help the time pass will help them feel more in control; suggest they put together their ‘journey kit’ in a bag to hang on the back of your seat.

It helps to also have a few novelties that you can produce at different stages of the journey too.

For younger kids try window wax crayons and stickers they can use to decorate the windows. For older ones, be ready with a pair of binoculars or a compass so they can track your progress and appreciate what they are seeing. By appreciating where child is at developmentally, you can make journeys more pleasant for the whole family.

Tanith Carey is co-author, with Dr Angharad Rudkin, of What’s My Child Thinking: Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents. The book includes many topics including the best ways to communicate with children. Published by DK books and available from www.bookshop.org

Top tips for travelling with kids

Take off shoes. If you expect your kids will want to expend some energy kicking the back of your seat, take off their shoes! You won’t feel it as much and it won’t be as satisfying for them.

Head off tantrums over lost toys. Pack a pair of kitchen tongs to retrieve the fiddly toys that kids tend to drop down the sides of seats. And try not to take too many fiddly things, like Lego people and Polly Pockets.

Pack a towel for each child. It can be used as a blanket, a mop for any spills or on toddlers’ laps to help toys stay put.

You can also tuck one end into the window and hang it as a curtain to keep out the sun. If children get hot and sweaty, moisten the towel with water to help keep them cool.

Pack a potty. If you are still toilet training, bring a potty. Line it with a nappy for easy disposal of the mess.

Twenty things for cool kids to do this summer

By Claire Winter

The long school holidays are here, the weather has perked up (hopefully) and there’s plenty of fun to be had! Dip into Families’ twenty ideas to keep your kids busy all summer –and the good news is a lot of them are absolutely free!

Cool kids can…..

Explore a local forest or woodland with family or friends. Pack a delicious picnic to enjoy amidst the scenic beauty and organise a scavenger hunt to make the experience even more exciting.

Visit a different playground or splash park to keep cool on hotter days. It’s fun to venture further afield to add excitement and adventure to your child’s summer experience.

Put on a show or concert. Think Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice combined; it’s a fantastic way to showcase singing or dancing and create lasting memories, particularly if you video their acts.

Become an extra pocket money generator. Get the kids to put their skills to use by offering to do chores for neighbours, friends and family.

Host a mini-Olympics. Come up with some quirky games and competitions that will get everyone’s blood pumping and having a blast while doing it.

Create a newspaper or magazine. Encourage your child’s writing skills – get them to come up with exciting articles, interesting stories and plenty of pictures. Your child can also practise their digital skills by using a computer or tablet.

Get fit. Be a #fitfam and promote a healthy lifestyle to your kids by going on a run or

British Museum launches free Young Friends scheme

Young Friends Membership from the British Museum is now available for all families across the UK to join for free.

The scheme invites young people with curious minds to become enthralled and inspired by history and archaeology. It provides the opportunity for the family to learn and get involved, both at the Museum and remotely.

Offering fun ways for the family to get involved with the Museum, both onsite and from the comfort of your own home, elements include:

Bi-weekly emails packed full of activities such as trails, quizzes and craft activities; Details of family events across the Museum; Pre-booking for the Museum’s famous sleepovers; Digital copies of Remus magazine three times a year and access to the full archive.

To sign up to the Young Friends scheme visit www.britishmuseum.org/membership/young-friends

a jog together. You’ll be staying active and you’ll be setting a great example for your children.

Sign up to a summer camp or workshop. Encourage your child to explore their passions and develop new skills. Not only will they have fun and make new friends, they’ll also gain valuable experience and knowledge that will benefit them in the future.

Learn to type. No more pecking like a T-Rex; get the kids to level up their keyboard game. With online typing lessons or software, they can improve their typing skills and impress everyone with their lightningfast fingers.

Explore the great outdoors and complete the National Trust’s 50 things to do before you’re 11¾. From building a den to climbing a tree, this list is packed with exciting activities that will challenge and inspire the whole family. Time to start ticking!

Be in charge for the day. Invite the children to plan an epic day out for your family. Get them to put on their planning hats and see what they come up withthe wackier the better.

Get creative in the kitchen and get the kids to make a delicious meal or snack. Be inspired by cuisines from other countries or take inspiration from a favourite TikTok chef or food influencer.

Be kind. Teach your kids the value of kindness by getting them to volunteer to hang out with some of the older generation or people in need in your community. They can chat, play games or even help with some household chores.

Be screen-free. Are you tired of the constant screen time battles with your kids? Challenge the whole family to disconnect and enjoy a device-free day! Spend time outdoors and try new activities. It’s a great way to recharge and create lasting memories together.

Have a water fight. Nothing beats an old-fashioned water fight with friends or family. Whether you use water balloons, water pistols or old washing up bottles, it’s a great way to beat the heat and have lots of fun at the same time.

Visit a pick-your-own fruit farm. Yes kids, fruit grows on bushes and trees! Picking your own can be a relaxing and rewarding experience. Many berries freeze well so you can stock up for puddings and breakfast toppers if your children’s enthusiasm means you have too much for today’s teatime.

Try wild swimming. Make a splash in a river, lake or the sea. Prioritise safety by choosing a safe and appropriate location, checking water conditions and always swim with a buddy or under adult supervision.

Visit a working farm. Farm life can be a fabulous adventure for younger children. Meet cute animals, learn how to milk a cow and help with chores like collecting eggs or feeding the pigs.

Get arty. Be inspired by Banksy and do some graffiti art with your kids or try other art projects like collages or mosaics. It is a great way to bond and unleash your inner artist!

More cool stuff for kids to do this summer

Have fun on a budget

Summer is the perfect season to enjoy the great outdoors. However, it can be a challenge to find fun and affordable activities. Luckily, there are some options that won’t break the bank.

Check out local summer events, starting with our What’s On pages.

There are often free or low cost events held by local councils that can be both informative and entertaining, plus free-toenter festivals and museums.

Embrace the digital world

Have a garden campout

Pitch a tent in your garden and plan to spend the night under the stars with lots of pillows, story books, torches and snacks. Kids will love the sense of freedom, you’ll save money and it’s not far to ‘go home’ if they change their minds!

Have a day at the beach

Kids can enjoy building sandcastles, paddling in the sea and exploring rock pools. Getting there can be cheaper with a railcard or a coach. You can make it all part of the adventure.

Are you looking for some fun and interactive ways to keep your kids entertained while also embracing the digital world? There are lots of options to choose from; just remember to set a timer and stick to it.

For starters, look for coding games or apps that can teach the basics of programming. Or try language learning. Duolingo (www.duolingo.com) has launched two new apps for children; Duolingo ABC for learning to read and Duolingo Kids which teaches Spanish, French and English. Both are free.

Another engaging activity for kids is creating their own videos. With the rise of YouTube and social media, they can use their creativity to make their own videos and share them with friends. By supervising where they post their videos, this activity can also be a lesson in online safety.

Finally, for those who love gaming, there are plenty of cool options. From Minecraft to Roblox, these games encourage kids to use their imaginations in creating their own worlds and adventures. Plus they boost their problem-solving skills.

Get smarter

One great educational activity for the summer is to start a mini garden. Kids can learn about the science of plants and how to care for them while getting their hands dirty in the process. They can plant vegetables, herbs or flowers and watch them grow throughout the summer.

Plan a day out to a local museum or science park. Many of these venues offer summer activities specifically for kids, where they can learn about history, science and art. These programmes often include hands-on activities and experiments that make learning fun and engaging.

Another cost-free activity is to visit your local library. Many branches have free activity sessions for young children, including this year’s rewards-packed Summer Reading Challenge (www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk).

Plan a fun rainy-day quiz to test their powers of observation. For example: how many windows do we have in our home, what is next door’s dog called, which duvet is on your bed this week, what day do the binmen come? Ask them to set a quiz for you as well!

Play on a shoestring

Playday is the national day for play in the UK and will take place this year on Wednesday, 2 August.

Playday is an annual celebration of children’s play with thousands of children and families playing outside at events across the UK. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of play in children’s lives and the need for quality play opportunities every day of the year.

This year’s theme focuses on the everyday low-cost or no-cost play adventures that children can enjoy at home, in settings and in our communities.

Play opportunities don’t need to involve expensive activities, costly toys or trips to far-off destinations. It is often the simplest ideas, the free and found opportunities, which offer the most fun and are the most developmentally beneficial for children and young people.

Find a nearby Playday event by visiting www.playday.org.uk

What's On

All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

To 3 September

The Tiger Who Came To Tea Trail at Tatton Park

Little and not so little, explorers can engage with nature, the great outdoors and the story of the ‘big, furry, stripy tiger’. Pick up a trail pack with your tiger mask and get hands on playing in Sophie’s Kitchen, collect some teatime favourites along the way and snap a photo with the tiger! www.tattonpark.org.uk/events_ at_tatton_park/event-listings/ events-calendar.aspx

15-16 July

Tough Mudder at Heaton Park

Join team Earth, Wind, Maguire and help Mind make sure no one faces a mental health problem alone. www.toughmudder.co.uk/events/ manchester

19-23 July

RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park is set to be a day out to remember with beautiful gardens and gorgeous blooms. Book online. www.rhs. org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flowershow-tatton-park

20-23 July

Blue Dot Festival at Jodrell Bank

A weekend in outer space, with an award-winning line-u of music,

science and cosmic culture, plus live podcasts, immersive experiences and groundbreaking arts guaranteed to blow the minds of adults and inquisitive children alike. Book online. www.discoverthebluedot.com

20 July-6 August

Dinosaurs In The Park at Heaton Park

Step into a world where prehistoric giants roam and ferocious predators lurk, and make the school holidays memorable for the whole family. Find out more and book online. www.dinosaursinthepark.co.uk/ manchester

From 21 July

Manchester, Operation Ouch! at Science & Industry Museum

Dive headfirst into the digestive system for an unforgettable journey of super-sized science with the Science and Industry Museum’s world premiere blockbuster exhibition, Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You, which will see the hit BBC Children’s TV series brought to life. Find out more and book tickets online.

www.scienceandindustrymuseum. org.uk/whats-on/operation-ouch

22 July

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 at Oldham Library

See the film in the Small Cinema. www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/oldhamlibraries-3419033869

22 July–3 September

Aardman presents: Lloyd Of The Flies at RHS Garden Bridgewater

The Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt. This summer, join Lloyd and friends at RHS Garden Bridgewater. Download Lloyd’s augmented reality Bug Hunt app and have fun on the Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt trail. There’s so much to do in the garden this summer. You can meet all sorts of bugs on an animal encounter with Zoolab, enjoy Aardman model making and animation workshops, familyfriendly theatre shows and more! Advance booking required, normal garden admission applies. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/articles/ summer-holiday-fun

4 August-3 September

ZOG at Lowry Theatre, Salford

Large in size and keen in nature, Zog is eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. Zog tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years one, two and three. Luckily, the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up ready to face his biggest challenge yet…a duel with knight, Sir Gadabout the Great! www.thelowry.com/whats-on/zog

26-27 August

Freight Island, Manchester Family Zone at Escape to Freight

Island. There will be a day full of arts, crafts, performers, games and more. Plus you can check out their lovely food vendors. Booking is required to reserve your place. www.escapetofreightisland.com/ entertainment/2023-05-06/ family-zone

26-28 August

Food & Drink Festival in Bolton

Town Centre

Soak up the fantastic festival atmosphere with four days packed to the brim with food and drink, cookery demos, markets and brilliant live music and entertainment.

www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival. com

Fun Fair at Trafford Centre

There will be fun fair rides for all ages, entertainment, a big screen showing films and some great food on offer.Pre-book tickets. www.familyonthego.co.uk/old/ whats-on-in-manchester/fun-fairtrafford-centre

27-28 August

Steam Days at Bolton Steam Museum

Discover 30 old stationary steam engines, some of which once powered the cotton mills and woollen mills of the North of England and lots of which are unique being only one of its kind in the world! Watch as some of these amazing machines run on their steam. There will also be an activity sheet for the children, and hot & cold drinks and snacks on sale in the Engine View Cafe. Admission is FREE.

www.nmes.org/events.php

Early summer fun at RHS Garden Bridgewater

From 22 July to 28 August at RHS Garden Bridgewater, Aardman presents family fun with Lloyd of the Flies.

Just download Lloyd’s augmented reality Bug Hunt app and join him on the Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt trail. Meet all sorts of bugs on an animal encounter with Zoolab, enjoy Aardman model making and animation workshops, make goodies in a Lloyd of the Flies themed cookery class and more! No booking required and normal garden admission applies.

Explore 154 acres of glorious gardens set in Salford’s historic landscape at RHS Garden Bridgewater. Step inside the Paradise Garden and admire the awe-inspiring blend of Mediterranean and Asiatic planting. Marvel at the Weston Walled Garden, one of the largest Victorian walled gardens in the UK. Discover abundant crops growing in the Kitchen Garden, relax and indulge your senses in the Community Wellbeing Garden or follow the winding paths of the Chinese Streamside Garden. And for the youngsters, explore the Woodland Play area.

More info at www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater

Getting the most out of family festivals

By Andrew Campbell

With the UK embracing child-friendly festivals, there’s no reason you, as parents, can’t re-experience elements of those carefree weekends of great music and tasty food of your youth.

With kids in tow, a festival visit will obviously be different to your child-free visits and to make the most of the experience and avoid the potential pitfalls, preparation is key.

Here are Families’ top tips:

Firstly, choose a family-friendly festival. Look for those that offer family-friendly activities and facilities, such as designated family camping areas, children’s entertainment and areas where families can relax and unwind. Many are now booked up for this summer so plan early for next year.

Plan ahead. Before you go, research the festival’s schedule and plan which performances you want to see. Make sure to take into account your child’s interests and energy levels.

Prepare for the weather. Bring appropriate clothing and gear for every type of weather and for the entire family. There is nothing more miserable than spending a weekend sweating in a coat or shivering in a t-shirt. Pack raincoats, waterproof boots and warm clothing, as well as t-shirts, shorts, sunscreen and hats in case of sunny weather.

Take provisions. Most festivals allow you to bring your own food and drinks, so pack a cooler with plenty of snacks and drinks for the entire family. This will save you money and give you more control over what your children are eating. Burgers for breakfast, lunch and dinner may get boring even for your kids!

Bring ear protection. Festivals can be loud, so make sure to bring ear protection for your children. You can buy earplugs or earmuffs that are specifically designed for little ones.

Prepare for bumps and cuts. Any festival should have a first aid tent but you need to be able to deal with minor cuts, grazes and blisters. Pack plasters, anti-bacterial gel, paracetamol, sting cream and any regular medication to last you and the kids for the whole festival.

Keep them hydrated. Dehydration is the top reason for needing medical treatment during festivals. So try to encourage your children to drink plenty of water. Watch for signs of dehydration like thirst or tiredness, headaches, dark or strong wee or weeing infrequently, dizziness or light headedness.

Get mobile. Festivals are typically very spread out which can challenge little legs. A little pull-along, foldable cart is great for moving both kids and your stuff around easily.