IN THIS ISSUE Easter Days Out Clubs & Classes Family Health Education What’s On Guide RECRUITING NOW Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside and without compromising family commitments or current career.
If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle
please call Vicki King 07501 433 922
Issue 5 March/April 2019
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Smart Cookies Eat School Lunch
HC3S offer a varied, balanced diet which our daughter loves.
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hants.gov.uk/hc3s and find us on facebook @hc3seducation BID 1985_V3_HC3S ADVERT.indd 1
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Editor’s Welcome Spring has finally sprung which means it’s time to start looking forward to the warmer weather and make family plans for the weeks ahead and Easter holidays. Find Families Dorset Magazine on: @FamiliesDorsetMag @FamDorsetMag Managing Editor - Keren Moseley editor@familiesdorset.co.uk | 07518 514012 Advertising - Claire Clarricoates Claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk | 07812 218331 Design - Matthew Craig mattcraigdesign.co.uk
Distribution - We distribute throughout Dorset including Bournemouth, Blandford Forum, Broadstone, Bridport, Christchurch, Dorchester, Ferndown, New Milton, Poole, Ringwood, Swanage, Verwood, Wareham, Wimborne and more. © Families Dorset Magazine March/April 2019. Families Dorset is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Dorset are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Dorset. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Dorset, its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.
With that in mind, we have a great What’s On guide and highlight some of the best family days out for all the family to enjoy. Also, take a look at our clubs and classes feature which include fantastic trial offers from Baby Ballet, Blackwell Dance Academy, Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, Super Swimmers and Tumble Tots. If you have any news or events that you’d like to share with our readers, or if you’re a local business - parties, clubs & classes, holiday clubs, education providers, nurseries, play centres, attractions - and you’d like to reach parents and families in our next issue, please do get in touch with me. Plus, don’t forget to like us on Facebook for up-to-date information, competitions and much more. Best wishes,
Editor
Would you like to advertise your business to over 40,000 parents in our May/June issue?
BOOK TODAY
Next Issue: May/June 2019 May Half Term, Parties, Summer Camps, Education, Early Years and much more!
Booking Deadline: 1 April Copy Deadline: 4 April
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Saturday and School Holiday Cycling Courses Three Bikeability levels: Level 1 & Level 2 (10 to 15 year olds) Level 3 (11+ up to further & higher education)
For children who live or go to school in Bournemouth. Sessions take place at King’s Park Cycle Centre with our fully qualified instructors. T: 01202 454636 E: road.safety@bournemouth.gov.uk Dates and booking details: bournemouth.gov.uk/bikeability
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Give Your Kids the Best Start With HC3S With locally-sourced eggs, cheese and meat, the majority of HC3S school meals are cooked from scratch ensuring children eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
Give your Child the Skills to Cycle Safely Bikeability is about giving people the skills to cycle on today’s roads. Level 1 and 2 Course Level 1 teaches trainees to control and master a bike in a playground area, developing basic cycle control skills. Level 2 equips trainees with the skills to cycle on local roads, developing safe cycling skills and understanding of the road and traffic environment. Level 3 Course Level 3 is for children who have successfully completed Level 2 and are an experienced, confident cyclist. It provides the skills to tackle a wide variety of traffic conditions, many different road layouts and challenging traffic scenarios. Find out more about our Saturday sessions and Easter holiday courses, visit bournemouth.gov.uk/bikeability or call 01202 454636 to book.
Join The Ultimate Pop Princess Party Once Upon A Princess, the ultimate pop Princess party, is coming to Wimborne’s Tivoli Theatre on Sunday 12 May. This glittering production features your favourite fairytale Princesses and a soundtrack of top pop hits and movie musical classics, with performances at 12pm and 4pm. Once Upon A Princess promises to entertain, inspire and captivate you with its toe tapping, dance in the aisles set list. Enjoy songs from Olly Murs, Meghan Trainor, Dolly Parton, Little Mix, Jess Glynne and more! Plus, West End and Broadway smash hits including songs from Shrek, Hairspray, Footloose, Annie and Wicked. Get your golden ticket now! Only £12 from the Box Office at www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk or call 01202 885566.
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Whether your child is a veggie or meat-eater, both are on offer daily and come with homemade bread baked in the kitchen each morning as well as additional salad for children to top up their meal if they wish. From sweet potato and lentil curry and roasts to fish and chips, and award-winning bubble salmon, there are choices that children will love. Popular desserts often have hidden veg such as beetroot or butternut squash. Organic yoghurt, cheese and crackers and New Forest ice cream are also firm favourites. Look out for our theme day lunches too such as World Book Day and Easter, a fun way to eat with their friends. A hot school lunch is full of goodness and as they are free for all children up to KS2, can offer children the best start in life. HC3S publish the following day’s menu at 3pm on Facebook @hc3seducation. Find out more at www.hants.gov.uk/hc3s
Family Safety Week Accidents are the biggest killer of children and young people with at least one child under 5 killed each week. Every year, over 2 million children under the age of 15 have an accident in and around the home which takes them to A&E and half of the under 5s visiting do so as a result of a preventable accident. Family Safety Week, which commences on 1 April, is run by the RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) to help raise awareness of the “simple things you can do to stop your child becoming an accident statistic.” RoSPA provides free resources and advice to help families keep children safe in their homes. Its free Keeping Kids Safe packs also enable schools, nurseries, playgroups and children’s centres to hold child safety session for parents. More info: www.rospa.com
Enjoy British Science Week Families can enjoy a wonder-full time together during British Science Week 2019 which will take place from 8 to 17 March. Science Week is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths with thousands of fascinating, entertaining and engaging activities for all ages taking place across the UK. Events in Dorset include the European premiere screening of ‘Rubber Jellyfish’ at the Community Learning Centre in Wimborne on 14 March, which warns of the dangers of balloon-releases on ocean wildlife, in particular sea turtles who mistake them for jellyfish. Find out more about this and other events near you at www.sciencelive.net. You can also download a series of FREE activity packs at www.britishscienceweek. org filled with resources and ideas to try out at home or school, without the need for a science background or expensive equipment.
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Children with Better Co-Ordination Are More Likely To Achieve Young children with better eye-to-hand coordination are more likely to achieve higher scores for reading, writing and maths according to new research by the University of Leeds. More than 300 children ages 4 to 11 took part in various computer tasks designed to measure eyeto-hand coordination, such as steering, taking aim and tracking objects on a computer screen. The results revealed that the children who did better in the eye-to-hand co-ordination tasks tended to have higher academic attainment in reading, writing and maths. In particular, those with the best performance in the ‘steering task’ were on average 9 months ahead of classmates who struggled. The findings raise the question of whether schools should be doing more to give support to children who are clumsy.
Individualised Learning & Care at Moyles Court School Moyles Court (from age 3 to 16yrs) is set within the most beautiful New Forest Park with extensive grounds, offering your child the most wonderful opportunities to thrive in the outdoors as well and the classroom. Not only will the children benefit from smaller class sizes, excellent pastoral care and a curriculum tailored to their individual needs, they Open Day Sat 2 March will also enjoy weekly sessions & Sat 11 May in French, PE, Dance, Cookery, 10am -12.30pm Music Bugs & Forest Schools. Richard Milner Smith, Headmaster says: “Our core values are at the heart of our fabulous school and we provide the best possible start in life. We offer individualised learning, a flexible approach to travel and wrap around care – making us accessible to so many families who want their children to be happy, learning and achieving in our glorious New Forest setting.”
More info at www.leeds.ac.uk
3-16 Co-EduCational, day and Boarding
NEVER AFRAID TO MAKE A SPLASH ExplorE and BE Bold
A Moyles Court pupil is given the spACe to explore who they Are And whAt they CAn AChieve, in A CAring, supportive And hAppy AtMosphere. GO TO OuR wEbSITE TO SEE OuR FANTASTIc GcSE RESuLTS AND FuRTHER INFORMATION
OPEN DAyS
2nd marCh 2019 11th may 2019 10am-12.30pm www.MOyLEScOuRT.cO.uK
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Extra-Curricular Activities Boost Learning Taking part in extra-curricular activities after school can have a positive impact on children academically and socially. Extra-curricular activities can give children a sense of wonder about the world, and more time to explore their wider interests. They can also broaden their academic and social lives. Rather than distracting pupils from their learning, extra-curricular activities complement study and help to develop key skills that will support them in their future.
Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Musical Theatre, Acro, Commercial Specialised BOOGIE BABIES and DANCING ST RS from 2 years
Classes in Bournemouth, Boscombe & Southbourne
FREE TRIAL
T: Clare 07886 406888 E: blackwelldanceacademy@gmail.com W: blackwelldanceacademy.co.uk
Book a Free Trial with Blackwell Dance Academy Blackwell Dance Academy prides itself on being a very friendly school with a high standard of teaching.
Studies have shown that extra-curricular activities can boost academic performance in children. They have better organisational and time management skills because they have to balance their hobbies and school work. An afterschool activity can also be a great boost to their self-esteem and provide important social opportunities, exposing them to new and different people, cultures and lives.
It is priced very competitively and boasts a 100% examination pass rate. The Academy offers specialised ‘Boogie Baby’ and ‘Dancing Stars’ classes for children aged from 2 years at various venues.
Do some research on your local clubs and classes and go and try them out. Many will offer a free trial session. Being passionate and committed to something outside of school will really help your child in later life when it comes to choosing further education and a career.
Call Clare today on 07886 406888 to book a free trial or visit www.blackwelldanceacademy.co.uk
Art
Martial Arts
Creating a masterpiece, sewing or throwing a pot can help improve a child’s coordination and focus, and encourage creativity.
Karate and other martial arts encourage self-discipline as well as boosting self-confidence and respect.
Coding
Music
There are some great clubs that will engage a child who loves gaming. Why not create a game or build a robot instead of playing FIFA, Fortnite or Minecraft?
Learning an instrument helps improve language skills and memory. Learning a musical instrument develops a child’s ability to think creatively and improves memory skills, along with perseverance, self-reflection, and self-discipline.
Dance Dance helps to improve confidence in children and adults alike. It also helps build co-ordination and kinaesthetic intelligence.
Gymnastics The physical and mental demands of gym help to improve focus, flexibility and coordination.
Languages Learning a foreign language will broaden your child’s job prospects and introduce them to a different culture. It also helps develop communication and social skills.
Sport Sport helps children understand responsibility and commitment, and develop resilience. They get stronger mentally and physically, and it can help concentration at school too. If they are part of team they learn to think about the bigger picture and have empathy for their teammates.
In the main studio there are classes in ballet, tap, modern jazz, musical theatre, acro and performance classes for older pupils.
BUSINESS OWNERS!
Would you like to advertise to over 40,000 parents? BOOK NOW. email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk
Come & join our crew! Book a free trial today helen o’grady drama academy
Fun packed drama classes specialising in developing confidence and communication skills.
For children aged 2-18 years Dorset office: 023 8027 5849 - 07341 947883 dorset@helenogrady.co.uk www.helenogrady.co.uk
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Parent & Baby Classes Toddler Lessons Pre-school Classes After School Classes Junior Lifeguards Holiday Courses
Small Classes & 1-2-1 Swimming Lessons for all ages from 3 months to adults
First Lesson Free!
www.superswimmer.co.uk
Salisbury Advert 87mmW x 85mmH 06.02.19.pdf 1 07/02/2019 14:18:10 M: 07717 722 720 E: superswimmers@hotmail.com
The springboard to confidence for your child The UK’s Leading Active Physical Play Programme for Children from 6 Months C
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Lessons For All Ages & Abilities at Individuality At Individuality Swimming, parents and children can start their journey with Aqua-Natal classes. Parent and Baby classes involve lots of play and use submersion techniques to help children feel confident in the water and, from six months, children can also enjoy Aqua Sensory lessons with a focus on early developmental skills. Children’s swim classes follow with no more than five in a class to give your child the attention needed to develop their swimming skills, while one-to-one and two-to-one lessons are also available. Classes available across various venues in Bournemouth, Poole, Ringwood & Wimborne.
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Our progressive programme is made up of structured classes, which are tailored to suit the age and stage of a child's development. Using colorful wooden and foam equipment and supported by fully trained and friendly staff, children develop their physical skills of agility, balance, climbing, and co-ordination through hand held items enhancing their brain development as well as building their self-confidence.
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The UK's Leading Physical Play Programme or Children from 6 Months to School Age
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Classes in Wimborne, Old Sarum & Verwood Katy & Janine Tumble Tots Salisbury • 07912 218 910 salisbury@tumbletots.com • www.tumbletots.com/salisbury
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Join All Stars Cricket Today! All Stars Cricket is a programme aimed at children aged 5-8 years old to give them a great first experience in cricket. Sessions are accredited by the England & Wales Cricket Board and delivered nationwide at over 2,000 centres. All Stars Cricket will help your child develop key skills in a fun and safe environment where parents can join in too and help create #BigMoments you’ll both treasure! Following successful registration, All Stars Cricketers will receive a brand-new kit bag full of goodies to help them get their summer of
cricket started and fully look the part when they attend their 8 weekly sessions. This year we have a brand-new Cricket World Cup themed activity book that is full of top tips, games and it’s a great place to keep those weekly stickers to celebrate your All Star's achievements. Plus, it’s all delivered straight to your door. To find out more about how to get involved this summer, simply visit www.allstarscricket. co.uk and get your place booked as session begin May 2019.
Welcome to the Magical World of Baby Ballet At babyballet, we make learning to dance an unforgettable and magical experience – for you and your little star. From six months to six years, our babyballet classes will give your child the chance to dance, gain confidence and shine, in a fun, caring and supportive environment. By learning through play, our qualified and welcoming teachers give babies, tots, toddlers, pre-schoolers and young children the chance to dance in their own unique way, having fun and making friends along the way. For your added reassurance, all our ballet lessons are linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFSF), making them the perfect activity choice for you and your child. Our programme and syllabus has been carefully designed by leading preschool dance and ballet experts. Our classes provide the opportunity for babies and young children to learn to dance and develop key life skills in a healthy, sociable, caring and safe environment. babyballet is so much more than just a dance class and we can't wait to welcome you to our magical world. To book onto a 3-week trial for £15 please contact Miss Claire on 07915 665120 or visit www.babyballet.co.uk to view the full timetable.
3 Week Trial Only £15
Self-Development Drama Classes The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy offers a self-development drama programme for children. This is designed to encourage enthusiasm, energy and a positive approach to life, ongoing confidence and self-esteem, verbal communication skills and effective social interaction.
Free Trial
Classes are available at Winton (Monday), Ringwood (Kindy) and Verwood (Tuesday), Westbourne (Kindy), Swanage, Ferndown and Christchurch (Wednesday), Colehill and Southbourne (Thursday), Branksome and Ringwood (Friday) as well as Broadstone and New Milton (Saturday). To find out more or to join a waiting list in other locations, contact Mike on 023 8027 5849 or 07341 947883, email us on dorset@helenogrady.co.uk or visit www.helenogrady.co.uk.
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Tumble Tots Makes Activity Child’s Play Looking for a fun physical activity-based class for your little one? Classes NOW available in Wimborne, Verwood & Salisbury. Celebrating its 40th year, Tumble Tots is the leading physical play programme for pre-school children. It is designed to develop your child’s skills of agility, balance, co-ordination and sense of self-confidence as well as significantly enhancing brain development using specifically designed colourful equipment. Parents with children under three actively participate in sessions and will enjoy meeting other parents with children of the same age. The programme is carefully structured into four groups according to your children’s age and stage of development from 6 months to school age. Specially trained staff lead the sessions to enhance your child’s experience using See website body identification rhymes and for latest active action songs in a fun and offers caring environment. To see our latest offers and book a trial, visit www.tumbletots.com/salisbury or call 07912 218 910 today.
Super Swimmers Tailored Swim Tuition At Super Swimmers, we passionately believe that everyone should have the right to good quality swimming tuition; that is fun, builds confidence and lays strong foundations for lifelong enjoyment of the water. Super Swimmers is an inclusive swim school providing small class sizes (max 6) and one-to-one tailored tuition under the expert guidance of our STA qualified instructors.
Free
From our pools at Montacute School, Trial Hamworthy Park School and Victoria School in Poole, and St Michael’s School in Colehill, we offer these classes: Parent & Baby, Toddler, Pre-School, After School, Junior Lifeguards, Adult and intensive Summer School. Book your free trial lesson today. Visit superswimmer.co.uk or call 07717 722720.
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Should we Reward our Children with Sugary Food?
It's not unusual for parents to offer their children "special" - and often unhealthy - foods as a reward for good behaviour or achievement. Equally, if children are bored on a long car journey, or fed up with being in the buggy, it’s tempting to use snack foods to distract them for a little longer. We’ve all noticed that if children are upset because they have hurt themselves or want something they cannot have, the offer of something sweet helps 'make them feel better.' Withholding special food treats may also be a punishment. A parent might refuse to serve pudding, for example, if her children have talked back or neglected to tidy their rooms.
a regular basis? What happens when sweets and biscuits become the major reward in a child’s life? There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that regularly using food as an emotional distraction or as a reward or punishment for children may be associated with a greater risk of emotional eating.
A recent study carried out by Aston, Loughborough and Birmingham universities found that parents who use controlling feeding practices with their Using food as children could be unintentionally a reward can teaching their children to rely on undermine food to deal with their emotions later healthy eating in life. habits
But what is the result of using food as a tool to deal with emotions like boredom or sadness or as a punishment? Does it turn children into adults who cannot cope with being bored or upset without a sweet snack? There certainly isn't any evidence to suggest that occasionally resorting to the biscuit tin will affect children in this way. But what if we do it on
More than a third of primary school children are failing to get sufficient sleep, according to research by the University of Leeds. The study has linked poor sleep with difficulties in paying attention in class, keeping up with school work, forgetfulness and absenteeism. The NHS recommendation is that children of that age should get 10 hours sleep per night but the study discovered that out of 1,100 children ages 6 to 11, 36% were getting only eight hours sleep or less on a weekday night. Just under a third of children reported that worrying about school work was keeping them awake, whilst around one in six children reported that they found it difficult to sleep because of concerns about bullying or friendship. The researchers identified that children who had access to technology in their bedroom were more likely to experience a shorter night’s sleep and recommended that parents consider removing technology from their children’s bedrooms.
familiesonline.co.uk
More information at www.nhs.uk/ change4life By Andrew Campbell
Using food as a reward can also undermine healthy eating habits. Giving sweets, crisps, or squash as a reward can lead to children overeating foods that are high in sugar, fat, and empty calories. Worse, it can interfere with the child’s natural ability to regulate their eating, encouraging them to eat when they're not hungry to reward themselves.
Lack of Sleep Damaging For Children
More info: www.leeds.ac.uk
Offering unhealthy food as a reward or treat is also confusing. Children hear that they're supposed to enjoy healthy foods and avoid foods with little nutritional value. Being told that they can indulge in foods that are bad for them as a reward or having these withheld as a punishment sends a very mixed message.
How to make a...
Sweet Potato & Lentil Curry (This tasty recipe by HC3S serves a family of 4-5)
You’ll need:
• Onions (diced) 135g • Sweet Potato 315g • Cooking Oil 9ml • Mild Madras Curry Powder 4-5g • Tomato Puree 23g • Chopped Tomatoes 225g • Red Lentils 45g • Stock 338ml How to make it:
1. Fry the onion and sweet potato mix in oil for 5-10 minutes 2. Add the curry powder and cook gently for 3 minutes stirring continuously 3. Add tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, lentils and stock 4. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes 5. Transfer to casserole tin, cover with the lid or foil and put in the oven for a further ¾ hour or until sweet potato is soft, checking periodically so it does not dry out.
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Your Guide to
Eggcellent Easter Fun
Here’s our pick of some of the best days out, activities and events for you and your family this Easter.
Visit Monkey World, Where Families Matter! This spring, visit Monkey World, the largest primate rescue centre of its kind! Many of the apes and monkeys at the park have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions, or experienced unbelievable cruelty. At Monkey World, they are rehabilitated back into family groups, where they can enjoy the company of their own kind in a safe and natural environment, and some are even part of international breeding programmes for endangered species. Combining fun with conservation, half-hourly keeper talks explain all about man’s closest living relative. Visitors can see the stars of TV’s ‘Monkey Life’, then ‘monkey around’ in the south’s largest Great Ape playground.
Horrible Histories Goes Barmy We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So, it’s time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage at Christchurch’s Regent Centre, with a brand-new West End show featuring all new scenes!
Photo Credit: Mark Douet
Would you be shaken or stirred by Richard III? Mount a mutiny against King Henry VIII! See Mary Tudor knock the spots off Mary Queen of Scots! Will Queen Elizabeth I endure her terrible teeth? Would you be hanged by King James I for being a witch? It's the history of Britain with the nasty bits left in! Performances at 1.30pm and 4.30pm on 18 April with tickets starting from £12, so book yours today on 01202 499199 or visit regentcentre.co.uk.
On Mother’s Day all mums get 50% off entry price with a voucher from monkeyworld.org and from 19-22 April, there’s a free chocolate Easter Egg for the first 100 children into the park.
Easter at Brewery Square There’s plenty of family fun at Brewery Square in Dorchester over this Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Our hugely popular Easter Egg Hunt is back from 19 – 22 April, as you’re invited to hunt for the Easter Egg images around the Square in return for a free Easter prize! Simply collect a form from the Concierge Office (opposite the Dorchester South Station), and return your completed form to claim your prize! And that’s not all! On Saturday 20 April, popular children’s TV entertainer (and Strictly star) Dr Ranj is coming to perform his much-loved show, ‘Dr Ranj’s Teddy Bear Hospital.’ This fun and informative family performance is guaranteed to entertain, as Dr Ranj and his friends sing and dance in this spectacular show. These free 30-minute performances will take place at 11am and 1pm. Don’t forget, there’s still time to visit Tomorrow’s Museum For Dorset, 14 Pope Street, at Brewery Square this Easter before they continue their tour ofYDorset!
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Kingston Maurward’s Easter Weekend from 19-22 April is set to be full of egg-citement again this year with fun for all the family. Take part in this fun journey around the Kingston Maurward estate while youngsters take part in the Easter hunt! Once the hunt is over, stay and have fun feeding the sheep and goats, get up close to alpacas, and meet all the farmyard friends - rabbits, pigs, chicks, ducks and more. To find out more or purchase an advance ticket for this egg-tra special (groan!) event, call 01305 215003 or go online at visitkm.co.uk.
Seaton Tramway Eggstravaganza Join us at Seaton Tramway for Gilbert the Station Master’s Easter Egg Hunt eggstravaganza! Gilberts grumpy goose has lost his eggs all over Seaton Tramway. Travel from Seaton to Colyton and locate all the eggs for a surprise, so come along and get involved.
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There will be fantastic activities all weekend, so book your tickets now at tram.co.uk.
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Go wild this Easter! Easter Weekend 19th - 22nd April
High Street, Christchurch
Thurs 18th April 2019 1.30 & 4.30pm Adult: £14 Children: £12 Family: £48 (2 Adults & 2 Children)
Box Office: 01202 499199 Website: regentcentre.co.uk
visitkm.co.uk It’s ‘Jawsome’ at Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park Explore an amazing underwater world and take a fascinating journey to the ocean depths at Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park. Get up close to over 1,000 creatures in 15 different zones, including our playful family of Otters and magnificent rescued Sea Turtles. Exclusively meet the world’s smallest penguins in their new interactive Fairy Penguin Island walk-through adventure. Native to Australia, they are the only colony that you can see in all of Europe! Take a dive into the deep and become a new recruit of the Jawsome Rangers and help Professor Finn find the missing shark teeth. Get hands-on with some shark-related items and Professor Finn will share some of his expert knowledge of the fascinating creatures. Once the trainee Jawsome Rangers have qualified, they’ll get a special Play-Doh gift and then move into the activity zone featuring a create-your-own shark model made out of Play-Doh. Until 6th May.
GREAT EVENTS FOR FAMILY AND KIDS! EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA 19TH -22ND APRIL
Adopt a prima te and get a n annual entry pass!
DINOSAUR TRAM THE FAIRY SPECIAL APRIL 12 , 19 ADVENTURE MAY 6 , 26 , 30 TH
APRIL 14 , 22 MAY 5TH, 27TH, 31ST JULY 27TH AUGUST 5TH, 11TH, 18TH, 26TH TH
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JULY 26 AUGUST 4TH, 9TH, 16TH, 25TH, 30TH TH
THE PIRATE TRAM PIRATE WEEK APRIL 10TH, 20TH MAY 29TH AUGUST 7TH, 14TH, 21ST, 28TH
JULY 29TH - AUGUST 2ND
FIND MORE EVENTS
TRAM.CO.UK
WWW.TRAM.CO.UK 01297 20375 HARBOUR ROAD, SEATON EX12 2WD
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Easter Holiday Events & Activities
5 – 23 April Wildlife Superheroes Easter Trail Durlston Country Park, Swanage BH19 2JL An egg-citing Easter trail for kids. Head out for a superhero adventure through the park & return to the Castle for your prize. 11am–3pm. £3.
6 – 21 April Easter Trail Kingfisher Barn Centre, Bournemouth BH9 2NZ Follow the trail, solve the clues and win a prize (not suitable for <3s). Pick up your trail leaflet and head out along the river. Can you find Easter Bunny's hiding place? 11am–3pm. From £8pp.
6 – 22 April
Easter Egg Hunt Quiz Wimborne Model Town, Wimborne BH21 1DY Search around the model town buildings and surrounds for clues in the Easter Egg Hunt Quiz. Can you find where Molly the Model Town cat has been hiding the eggs? Win a small prize if you can. Plus, there’s Easter Family Fun Shows with magic & puppets on 9, 11, 16, 18 April.
Easter Eggs-travaganza
Easter Fun at the Farm
Easter Chase
Abbotsbury Children's Farm, Weymouth DT3 4JJ Come down to the farm for Easter activities & entertainment including giant bouncy castle, trampolines, clown entertainer. As well as the flying displays, come and meet the owls and maybe have a photo with one. 10am–5pm.
Go East for Easter
Bouncing Bunny Easter Trail
Monkey World, Wareham BH20 6HH
Poole Museum, Poole BH15 1BW
Help us put gibbons back into the wild in Vietnam! Take part in our fundraising games, activities & trails all to raise funds for EAST (Endangered Asian Species Trust). 10am–5pm.
Hop along to Poole Museum to find the hidden bunnies in the cases. Complete the trail to collect your chocolate prize. 10am–4pm. Free.
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5EZ Discovery Centre, Knoll Beach, Studland BH19 3AQ Explore Knoll beach or the Corfe Castle’s medieval ruins to solve the clues and win a chocolatey prize.
Easter at Kingston Maurward Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Gardens, Dorchester DT2 8PX Get cracking with an Easter lakeside trail, talks and feeding times with animals and an Easter gift for each child. Get up close to alpacas, fluffy rabbits and meet all our farmyard friends – cows, pigs, chickens, ducks and more.
Easter at the Tank Museum The Tank Museum, Bovington BH20 6JG Explore and take part activities for all the family. See tanks roll into action at 1pm weekdays from 8 April. Outdoor play zone and indoor soft play area & family trails. Under 5s free.
10, 17 April
7 – 23 April Easter Egg Hunt Bennetts Water Gardens, Weymouth DT3 4AF The Easter Bunny Egg Hunt trail leads you around the gardens; find the clues to complete the trail and claim your chocolate egg prize. Try our Easter Colouring Competition too. 10am–4pm.
8, 16 April Make an Easter Bunny Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, Bournemouth BH6 4EN Make an Easter Bunny using socks and rice. Booking essential. 1.30–3.30pm. £7.
10 April Easter Bonnets Kingfisher Barn Centre, Bournemouth BH9 2NZ Come and make your own Easter-themed hats & bonnets to take home. 1–3pm. £2.
Upton Library, Poole BH16 5JF Come and make crafts, listen to a story and have a game of bingo in the run up to Easter. For age 4+. 4–5pm. Free.
12 April
Easter at Lulworth Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth BH20 5QS Inspired by the story of Alice in Wonderland, fun activities include themed trails, Easter hunts, crafts, bouncy castle, under 4’s soft play, crazy golf, white rabbits and Easter Eggs! Plus, indoor ‘Alice’ themed activities too. 10.30am– 5pm. Family £30, adult £8, child £6, under 4’s free.
Durlston Country Park, Swanage BH19 2JL
Easter Eggs-travaganza
Your chance to catch the infamous Easter Bunny on this fun running event for ages 7–11. Refreshments provided. 10am registration. Chase begins at 10.30am. £2.
A free chocolate Easter Egg for the first 100 children into the park. 10am–5pm.
Monkey World, Wareham BH20 6HH
Easter Egg Hunt
Easter Crafting
Farmer Palmer's Farm Park, Poole BH16 6EU
Lytchett Matravers Library, Poole BH16 6BN
Spring into Easter with egg hunts at 3pm each day. Pony rides and face painting also available.
Have a go at a range of Easter themed crafts at our session. Suitable for ages 5–12. 3–5pm.
18 – 22 April Easter Trail Highcliffe Castle, Christchurch BH23 4LE Trail through the beautiful Castle grounds, make your way through the ornate lawns and surrounding woodland for your chance to win a sweet surprise. 10.30am–3pm. £2.50 trail. £2.50 crafts.
19 April Egg Case Hunt Fine Foundation Centre, Wareham BH20 5PF An egg hunt with a twist! Find out what a mermaid keeps in her purse! Help search for shark and ray egg cases, and maybe find some of the chocolate variety. Hunt for empty egg capsules in Kimmeridge Bay to win a chocolate egg reward! 11am–12.30pm. Child £2.
19 – 22 April Brewery Square Easter Egg Hunt Brewery Square, Dorchester DT1 1QR
Gilbert's Easter Egg Hunt Seaton Tramway, Seaton EX12 2NQ Join us at Seaton Tramway for Gilbert the Station Master’s Easter Egg Hunt eggstravaganza! Help recover the eggs of Gilbert’s grumpy goose with fantastic fun activities all weekend. Book now!
20 April Easter Baskets & Bunnies Lytchett Matravers Library, Poole BH16 6BN Hop along to make an Easter basket and bunny and then enjoy an ‘egg-citing’ egg hunt around the library. Booking essential. 10.30–11.30am.
20 – 21 April Easter Trail Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, Bournemouth BH6 4EN Follow the trail around the reserve, collecting letters to reveal the missing word. Prizes suitable for age 3+. 10am–3.30pm. £3.
Hunt for the Easter Egg images around the square in return for a free prize! Collect a form on the day from the Concierge Office. Suitable for up to 15 years. 10am–4pm. Free.
Win a £50 Voucher at Create at the Cove Come down to Lulworth’s Create at the Cove this Easter and you’ll be in for an egg-cellent treat.
activities, including Paint Your Own Pottery, Sand Art, Make Your Own Bear, Model Making and much more.
That’s because we’re giving you the chance to win a £50 Family Gift Voucher to redeem against any craft
To enter the competition, drop in to the multi-award-winning craft activity centre. Inside is a glass tower full of Mini
Eggs. All you need to do is guess how many chocolate eggs it holds. Entries cost £1 and every child who enters receives a small bag of Mini Eggs.
Good Luck !
The competition is open now until 5pm, Monday 22 April.
12 Families Dorset familiesonline.co.uk
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16 March
10 – 13 April
The Boy & The Mermaid
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Poole Lighthouse, Poole BH15 1UG
Weymouth Pavilion, Weymouth DT4 8ED
Join three abundantly be-bearded storytellers as they weave a fishy tale of musical merfolk, menacing monsters and spectacularly bad town planning. With live music, puppetry, a rapping octopus and a shifting set full of surprises. 11am & 2pm. From £8pp.
A musical adventure with an outof-this-world car! A family-friendly blockbuster that audiences will find ‘Truly Scrumptious’. Family £56.
23 March, 6, 10 April The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (PG) Bridport Electric Palace, Bridport DT6 3NY Verwood Hub, Verwood BH31 7QE The much-anticipated sequel that reunites the heroes of Bricksburg in an all new action-packed adventure to save their beloved city. Bridport at 11am on 23 March. Verwood at 11am on 6 April, and 2pm on 10 April.
24 March The Sooty Show Weymouth Pavilion, Weymouth DT4 8ED Izzy Wizzy let’s get busy! Join Sooty for his new Laugh Out Loud Magic Show. Be astounded at Sooty’s flying car, Soo’s singing unicorn and Sweep’s levitating sausage! Plus, a chance to meet Richard and Sooty after the show. 11am & 2.30pm. Adult £14, child £12, family £46.
Nick Pope
Shows &Cinema
13, 17 April How to Train Your Dragon The Hidden World (PG)
20 April Dr Ranj’s Teddy Bear Hospital at Brewery Square
Peter Pan – Easter Pantomime
Brewery Square, Dorchester DT1 1QR
Let your dreams take flight with the boy who never grows up. With an all-star cast, impressive music, energetic dance routines, lots of laughter and thrilling flying. 2pm & 6pm. Family £83.
Dr Ranj’s fun and informative family performance is guaranteed to entertain as Dr Ranj and his friends sing and dance in this spectacular show. See venue’s Facebook page for your chance to meet Dr Ranj and friends after the first performance. 11am & 1pm. Free.
Verwood Hub, Verwood BH31 7QE
The Amazing Bubble Man
When Hiccup discovers Toothless isn't the only Night Fury, he must seek ‘The Hidden World’, a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named Grimmel finds it first. 11am on 13 April, 2pm on 17 April.
Poole Lighthouse, Poole BH15 1UG
16 – 18 April The Tiger Who Came To Tea
Experience the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and spellbinding bubble tricks. 2pm. Adult £13.75, child £10.
4 – 5 May
Poole Lighthouse, Poole BH15 1UG
In The Night Garden
A musical play based on the book by Judith Kerr. A delightful family show packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! Suitable age 3+. £14.
Poole Lighthouse, Poole BH15 1UG
17 April
Join Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and friends In the Night Garden Live with fullsize costumes, magical puppets, and enchanting music. Sat 1pm & 4pm. Sun 10am & 1pm.
The Bird Show Bridport Arts Centre, Bridport DT6 3NR A flap-tastic fact-filled family comedy. It’s a story of friendship, courage and adventure with frolics and foraging, flitting, flying and two unusual feathery friends. Suitable age 4+. 11am. £6.
5 May
WANT TO PROMOTE YOUR LOCAL EVENT IN THE NEXT ISSUE?
Weymouth Pavilion, Weymouth DT4 8ED
11 May Sooty’s Magic Show The Regent Centre, Christchurch BH23 1AS Izzy Wizzy let’s get busy! Join Sooty for his brand-new Laugh Out Loud Magic Show! With special guests circus star Michael Jordan and the ultraviolet specialties of Fantasie de la Nuit. A spectacular family treat with a chance to meet Richard and Sooty after the show! 11am & 2.30pm. Adult £12.50, child £10.50, family £40.
12 May Once Upon A Princess Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne Minster BH21 1LT The ultimate pop Princess party, live on stage! This glittering production features your favourite fairytale Princesses and a soundtrack of top pop hits and movie musical classics. 12pm & 4pm. £12.
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Corn Exchange, Dorchester DT1 1HF Legendary family performances with songs about head lice, dogs eating soap and dragons called Keith! Suitable age 0–8 years. 2.30pm. From £7.
30 March Incredibles 2 (PG) The Regent Centre, Christchurch BH23 1AS Everyone’s favourite family of superheroes is back but this time Helen is in the spotlight, leaving Bob at home with Violet and Dash to navigate the day-to-day heroics of ‘normal’ life. 10.30am. £2.
10 April There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly Poole Lighthouse, Poole BH15 1UG One of the world’s best loved nursery rhymes is brought to life in this magical show for grown-ups to enjoy with their children, complete with sing along songs and colourful animal characters. 2.30pm. Adult £12.75, child £9.50.
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18 April Horrible Histories: A Brand New Barmy Britain The Regent Centre, Christchurch BH23 1AS We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! Would you be shaken or stirred by Richard III? Mount a mutiny against King Henry VIII! See Mary Tudor knock the spots off Mary Queen of Scots! It's the history of Britain with the nasty bits left in! 1.30pm & 4.30pm. Adult £14, child £12, family £48.
Plink and Boo by Can't Sit Still Pavilion Dance South West, Bournemouth BH1 2BU Using acrobatics, live music and mountains of toys, enjoy an interactive circus theatre adventure with a 20-minute stay and play session! Age 2–5 years. 11am–12pm, 2–3pm. Adult £14, child £8.
Families Dorset 13
Throughout March & April Pottery, Crafts, Cuddly Toy Making & More
8, 15, 22, 29 March, 5 April Discovery Trail
16 March
Stour Valley Local Nature Reserve, Bournemouth BH9 3NZ
What is the Future of Learning?
Get creative at this charming and unique all-weather venue. Choose from a variety of craft kits, fossil digging, model making, decopatch, paint your own pottery, colouring & painting, make your own cuddly toy and more. Enter our Easter competition until 22 April. Open daily from 10am–5pm.
Pick up your trail guide at the Kingfisher Visitor Centre and see what new wonders of the Stour you’ll discover. 11.30am. £1.
Come and meet Cloud School, an after-school club that boosts learning for children aged 7-11 (Key Stage 2). Inspiring curiosity and wonder in learning gives pupils a great head-start in education. Cloud School improves attitudes to learning, knowledge and understanding, giving them the skills required for the rest of their learning lives.
Zog Activity Trail
Get outside, get fit and discover the wonderful wildlife living on your doorstep with a guided walk around Blashford Lakes with your little ones. Meet at the Education Centre. 10.30am–12pm.
Create at the Cove, Wareham BH20 5SG
Moors Valley Country Park, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET Join Zog, the loveable dragon from Julia Donaldson’s magical picture book, on his magical forest adventure by completing challenges. Win your own gold stars as you find out more about how animals fly, what sounds they make and how they catch their prey. £3.
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Mar, 6 Apr Bikeability Level 1 & 2 Courses King’s Park Cycle Centre, Bournemouth BH7 7AF Give your child the skills to cycle on today’s roads. Level 1 & 2 cycle training for children aged 10 and over to help build the skills and confidence to ride a bike safely on the road. Saturdays 9am–12.30pm & 1–4.30pm. Visit bournemouth.gov.uk/bikeability or call 01202 454636 to book.
5, 19, 27 March Foody Fun Lemur Landings, Poole BH12 4NY Have fun making and eating some tasty treats. Design your own pancake (5 Mar), design your own cupcake (19 Mar) or try biscuit decorating (27 Mar). 10.30– 11.15am. £5.20 inc admission.
5, 19 March, 2, 16 April Short Breaks Play Session
8, 22 March, 5 April Blashford Buggy Walk Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve, Ringwood BH24 3PJ
Sewing For Kids Bridport Museum, Bridport DT6 3NR Come along to an informal sewing session for under 12s, working with felt and string, and show youngsters how to create something wonderful with toy stuffing. 11am. Adult £5.
12 March, 2 April Crafty Fun Lemur Landings, Poole BH12 4NY Bring your little lemurs along for some crafty fun & make your own snow globe (12 Mar) or make a bunny face (2 Apr). 10.30–11.15am. £5.20.
16 – 17, 30 – 31 March Medieval Knight Academy Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5EZ Travel back in time to the 12th century and learn how to become a noble knight. Witness devastating weapons demonstrations and begin your training with sword, spear and shield. Free event. Normal admission charges apply.
20 March The Future of Fashion
Lemur Landings, Poole BH12 4N
Little Fins Kids Club, Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole BH15 1SZ
Disabled children and their siblings can enjoy exclusive soft play sessions from 6.15–8.15pm. Pre-registration required. £7.50 family.
Little ones can paint and stick their own design of a top hat. There’s also group with songs, dances and games and storytelling. 9.30–11.30am.
6 March
23 - 24 March
Bouncy Castle Fun
Learn to Play Day
Allendale Centre, Wimborne BH21 1AS
Absolute Music Bournemouth BH11 8NE Play it Again UK, Poole BH15 3EE
All weather indoor fun with high quality bouncy castles and inflatables. There’s lots of baby friendly bouncy castles, slides, soft play, music, ride-ons and more! For age 0–4. 10am & 11.30 am. Adult free, child £4.
6, 14, 20, 26 March, 3 April
A free national Learn to Play event to encourage everyone to start making music with free music trial lessons.
Working in small groups teams search the Internet for answers to really BIG questions (there must be no easy-answer). The event ends with a screening of the documentary feature-film The School in the Cloud exploring Professors Sugata Mitra’s ‘selfdirected’ approach to education. 12 - 5pm & 7 - 9pm.
Visit www.sciencelive.net/event/693/ for more details.
30 March – 15 April
8 April
Owl Flying Displays
Beachcombing Crafts
Abbotsbury Children's Farm, Weymouth DT3 4JJ
Durlston Country Park, Swanage BH19 2JL
A chance to enjoy flying displays, meet the owls and maybe have a photo with one.
31 March
Get creative with everything from shells, driftwood & beachcombed rubbish! Booking essential. 2.30–4pm. £3.
8 – 18 April
Mother’s Day
Easter Camp
Farmer Palmer's Farm Park, Poole BH16 6EU Monkey World, Wareham BH20 6HH
Sport BU, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth BH12 5BB
Mums get free entry to Farmer Palmer’s and 50% off entry at Monkey World with valid vouchers from the venues’ websites.
Enjoy a huge range of sports and games ranging from multi-sport activities, badminton, volleyball, football, capture the flag, basketball and many more to keep your child entertained all day long. Age 5–14. Morning sessions for age 5–7 on Tues, Wed or Thurs. £22 full day, £11 half day.
Roller Disco Weymouth Pavilion, Weymouth DT4 8ED Get your skates on for the Roller Planet roller disco. All ages welcome. 1–3pm & 4–6pm. £6.
8 – 19 April Activity Fun Days
6 April
Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre, Bransgore BH23 8EE
Rockpool Ramble Fine Foundation Centre, Wareham BH20 5PF Discover the fascinating seashore wildlife in Kimmeridge Bay. Learn about their bizarre lives, from sex-changing sea snails to crafty crabs. 2–4pm.
6 – 22 April Easter Activities The Etches Collection Museum, Wareham BH20 5PE A host of activities awaits including fossil mould painting, fossil excavation pit, quizzes, workshops and competitions. Bring your own fossils to the museum on Fossil Fridays and have them identified.
Get your kids outdoors where they can experience exciting outdoor challenges and environmental discovery. Enjoy a combination of activities from archery, pioneering and animal tracks to bushcraft, shelter building and more. Sessions available for 5–8 and 8–12 years.
8 – 22 April Get Dorset Buzzing Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour BH13 7EE Join in with our spring time activities and trails, visit the Villa Wildlife Centre to learn more about pollinators, and take part in arts and crafts, moth traps or bee feeder making. 11am–3pm.
MULTI AWARD-WINNING ATTRACTION
26 March Get Dorset Buzzing
Character Visits
Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole BH15 1SZ
Lemur Landings, Poole BH12 4NY
Have fun finding out how to help pollinators at the Eco-Hub in Poole's Dolphin Shopping Centre. 10am–4pm.
Bring your little lemurs along to monkey around with Lola (6 Mar, 3 Apr) & Lewey (14, 20, 26 Mar). Cut, stick and colour crafts and masks with the gang before your meet and greet. 10.30am. £5.20.
Church House, High St. Wimborne Minster BH21 1HT
30 March Dorset Bump to Baby Show Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth, BH1 2BU Special event showcasing some of the best birth, pregnancy and baby related products and services around. 11am–3pm.
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES GALORE!! Paint your own Pottery, plus lots more... Fabulous Indoor Space, Gift Shop, Coffee Lounge, Car Park
No need to book - no time limits
Tel: 01929 400270 www.createatthecove.com
14 Families Dorset familiesonline.co.uk
9 April
10 April
8-12 April & 28 July – 23 August
Activity Day
Kids Coastal Rangers
Pilgrims Veterinary Practice & Gorse Farm, Fordinbridge SP6 2JH
Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, Bournemouth BH6 4EN
Go! Sherborne Holiday Club
A great activity day for young animal lovers organised by the WVS Young Vets Club. Experience life as a vet in a real veterinary practice and learn pet first aid. Also meet the animals on this working farm, with animal-themed craft-making and wide games. Age 7–12. 9.30am–4.30pm. Advance booking. £30 members/£40 non-members.
Become a coastal ranger and learn about marine wildlife. Suitable age 7+. Booking essential. 12.30–3.30pm. £5.
Looking for fun and engaging child care for the school holidays? Try our funpacked holiday clubs for children ages 4-6, 7-9 and 10-13 led by our experienced educationalists. Come and join in the fun with plenty of activities and themes days to choose from. All families welcome! From just £29 per day plus discount for siblings and full-week bookings.
Slimey Seaweeds – Gardens Under the Sea Chesil Beach Centre, Portland DT4 9XE Get slimy with seaweeds, learn fascinating facts, how to identify seaweeds and have fun pressing them and making a picture of an underwater garden. 2.30–4pm. Child £2.
9 – 10 April School's Out - Let's Rock! Corpus Christi School, Bournemouth BH5 2BX Sing, dance and rock out to the hits from musicals like Rock of Ages and We Will Rock You. Put on your coolest outfit for this awesome, energetic workshop from the Big Little Theatre School. Booking essential. Suitable age 5–12. 9am–4pm. £55.
Wild Days Out
Under 10s Disco Allendale Centre, Wimborne BH21 1AS Put on your party outfits and join us for a fun Easter disco with music, dancing and games for all ages. 10am–12pm. Child £5 (inc. drink & biscuit).
10, 12, 17 April Fossil Hunt Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre, Lulworth BH20 5RQ If you know where and what to look for on our beaches, you’ve a good chance of finding a fossil with our guided hunt. Booking essential. Adult £5, child £2.50.
10, 17 April Easter Phaser Night Lemur Landings, Poole BH12 4NY Join the crew for a fantastic evening of phaser tag! Climb aboard our giant space station themed playframe for 6 exciting phaser missions & Digiwall fun! Minimum age 6+. 6.30pm. £10.
Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve, Ringwood BH24 3PJ
Spring Ranger Days
Crafts, pond dipping and a woodland walk in search of frogs, toads, newts, grass snakes and adders! 10am–3pm.
Bring your budding young rangers to the island to discover how to conserve nature and learn some bush craft skills. Suitable age 8+. Adult £7, child £20.
9-10, 11-12, 15-16, 17-18 Apr Bikeability Level 1 & 2 Easter Courses
Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour BH13 7EE
10, 20 April
King’s Park Cycle Centre, Bournemouth BH7 7AF
Pirate Tram - "The Seaton Pearl"
Give your child the skills to cycle on today’s roads. Level 1 & 2 cycle training for children aged 10 and over to help build the skills and confidence to ride a bike safely on the road. 2-day courses from 9am–12.30pm & 1–4.30pm. Visit bournemouth.gov.uk/bikeability or call 01202 454636 to book.
Ahoy, me Hearties, ye old "Seaton Pearl" sets sail on her voyage to Shipwreck Cove. All aboard with Captain Nick’s swashbuckling crew, for an interactive adventure. 11am & 2pm. Adult £14.95, child £12.95, under 2s free.
Seaton Tramway, Seaton EX12 2NQ
12, 19 April, 6 May The Fairy Special
9 – 11 April
Seaton Tramway, Seaton EX12 2NQ
Creative Kids Art Camp Leweston School, Sherborne DT9 6EN Get messy, get creative and have fun with this 3-day arts camp at Leweston School. Age 6–12. Booking essential. Child £60.
9, 11, 16, 18 April Clay Days The Pottery Parlour, Blandford Forum DT11 7AW A fun way to entertain your children this Easter. Turn a ball of clay into your own amazingly shaped creation and then splash paint all over it! Then collect your glazed and fired masterpiece in a few weeks’ time. Min age 3. Adult 25, child £20.
Embark on a spellbinding trip on the enchanted Fairy Tram Ride as the Fairy Godmother takes you on a magical journey to the "Fairy Kingdom.” With music, activities, stories, scrumptious tea party and a fairy goody bag! 11am & 2pm. Adult £14.95, child £12.95, under 2s free.
14, 22 April, 5 May The Dinosaur Tram Adventure Seaton Tramway, Seaton EX12 2NQ An adventure filled tram ride with music, stories, fossil dig and dinosaur activity area at Colyton Station! Help Professor Percival the Palaeontologist uncover the secrets of a land that time forgot. 11am & 2pm. Adult £14.95, child £12.95, under 2s free.
Sherborne Preparatory School, Sherborne DT9 3NY
Book online at www.gosherborne.com or call Margaret on 01935 810916.
15 April
Until 22 April
Arty Ocean Activities
Art Detectives Exhibition Trail
Fine Foundation Centre, Wareham BH20 5PF
Poole Museum, Poole BH15 1BW
Ocean-themed have-a-go arts and crafts for children. They can choose from a selection of items to make and decorate, letting their creative skills go wild! 11am–4pm.
Discover and explore our Calm Before the Storm exhibition with this fun art detective trail. 10am–4pm. Free.
16 April
2 May Baby Day
Children's Poetry Along the Stour
Farmer Palmer's Farm Park, Poole BH16 6EU
Kingfisher Barn Centre, Bournemouth BH9 2NZ
Free entry for 1 adult with a baby under 12 months with voucher downloaded from the venue’s website.
Let your little ones connect with nature and the river through poetry in this free workshop. Listen to poems and try and create your own. Booking essential. 11.30am–12.30pm. Free.
Dinosaurs at Durlston Durlston Country Park, Swanage BH19 2JL Discover more about the dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth in this children's activity! Booking essential. 2–3.30pm. £3.
17 April Flower Power Little Fins Kids Club, Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole BH15 1SZ Children can create and decorate their very own groovy honeycomb flowers using pens and stickers etc. There’s also group with songs, dances and games and storytelling. 9.30–11.30am.
Multi-Activity Day Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre, Bournemouth BH6 4EN A great chance to meet new friends or have fun with siblings and try out activities such as sailing, kayaking, canoeing, katakanu, windsurfing, climbing, raftbuilding or archery. Suitable age 8+. 9am–4pm. £40.
18 April Fun Science: Easter Science Allendale Centre, Wimborne BH21 1AS Your little scientists will love getting involved in these hands-on science workshops. Dress for mess! Suitable age 4–11. 1.30pm. 2.30pm & 3.30pm. £5 (inc. drink & biscuit).
Tiny Tadpoles
4 – 6 May Saxons & Vikings: The Siege of Wareham Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5EZ Witness the sound and fury of Saxon and Viking warriors in pitched battle as they recreate the siege of Wareham. Free event. Normal admission charges apply.
4 – 6 May Go Nuts! Monkey World, Wareham BH20 6HH Every child who brings an unopened bag of nuts for the primates receives a free Monkey World badge over the Bank Holiday weekend. 10am–5pm.
Until 5 May Jawsome Sharks Sea Life Adventure Park, Weymouth DT4 7SX Take a dive into the deep as a Jawsome Ranger and fulfil the mission of finding the missing shark teeth. Help Professor Finn locate the large Play-Doh model shark teeth in the tanks. Once qualified, Jawsome Rangers get a special Play-Doh gift.
5 May Knob Fest Kingston Maurwood College, Dorchester DT2 8PX Visit the world-famous Dorset Knob Throwing Festival. Fun attractions include fun Knob Eating, Knob Painting, a Knob & Spoon Race, Knob Darts and a Knob Pyramid. A fun family day out with a difference! 10am–4pm. Adult £5, child <12 free.
Lorton Meadows Centre, Weymouth DT3 5QH Explore our wildlife pond, discover amphibian lifecycles of frogs, newts & toads, with games & art. Booking essential. 1.30–3.30pm. Adult free, child £3.
DON’T FORGET to check with the venue before setting off just in case anything’s changed since we went to print. And remember to tell them you heard it first in Families Dorset magazine!
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Families Dorset 15
16 th 6 th FebMa y presents
Help Professor Finn find the missing sharksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; teeth to become a Jawsome Shark Ranger! by
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