Families Dorset Jul/Aug 2023 Print

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.

Contact us

Editor Linda Stone editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

020 8241 0423

Sales Claire Clarricoates claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk

01494 689098/ 07812 218331

Printed by Buxton Press

Design Rebecca Carr

March/April competition winners

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

In this issue

Clubs & classes

camps

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

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 at www.playday.org.uk

Turn to our What’s On section where there are more than eighty family events, activities and places to visit in Dorset. In addition, check out fun Forest School activities to do outdoors and 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 is definitely NOT fun. So, before you go, take a look at our advice on dealing with this situation.

Are childcare costs getting you down? Check out how the new paid childcare provisions might help you in this area in our Early years section.

Look out for another Orchard Toys game giveaway too – 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.

Linda

Editor, Families Dorset

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.

Devise a production this summer

International British Theatre School Junior Holiday Camps bring professionals from the British performance industry to children ages 5 to 13 in their local areas in order to improve their social skills, confidence and live public speaking and performance abilities.

In small, age-appropriate groups, students are supervised by a trusted, qualified team of facilitators to devise a twenty minute production. This is performed to an audience with lights, sound, scenery and costumes. With their consent, shows are filmed and provided to parents to treasure as a family memory or material to send on to industry professionals.

Camps in Sherborne run 14 to 18 and 21 to 25 August and feature water games, creative drama games, supervised theatre and public speaking, art and craft and prop design, daily sport at the end of the day – and more!

Register at www.britishtheatreschool.com

NEW Orchard Toys games to giveaway!

New Perform classes in Bournemouth

Children’s drama school, Perform, has opened classes in Bournemouth and are offering every child a FREE trial class.

Packed with self-esteem boosting activities, Perform’s weekly classes focus on developing confidence, communication, coordination and concentration. Using a mix of drama, dance and singing, these high-energy classes for all abilities are designed to allow even the most reticent children to shine.

Perform Area Partner, Sam Love, told Families: ‘With over three hundred Perform classes running each week in London and across the south east and south west of England, we are thrilled to bring Perform to Bournemouth. Our classes are held in a lovely church hall just a short distance from the town centre. Parking is easy and free.’

From September, children ages 4 to 7 will join an adventure based on the story of Phileas Fogg, in Around the World. Meanwhile, those ages 7 to 12 will take part in a modern rock version of Cinderella, in Cinderella Rocks.

Classes are held in St Augustin’s Church Hall, 32 Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, BH2 6NU. Class times are every Tuesday from 4pm to 5pm for ages 4 to 7 and from 5.05pm to 6.05pm for ages 7 to 12.

Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to find out more and book a free class.

Take part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2023

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

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.

More info at www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

The benefits of summer camps

By Andrew Campbell

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

Learning new skills

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

Promoting physical activity

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

Developing independence and self-confidence

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

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

Fostering creativity

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

Leaving technology behind

As fantastic as the online world can be, it is always great to expose children to the joys of a good old-fashioned kick about

and team games in the fresh air. Who knows, they may even enjoy it MORE than gazing at a screen!

Building social skills

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

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

Enjoying the outdoors

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

Nurturing leadership and teamwork

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

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.

Sat 8 Jul

free art and craft. www.summerlive.co.uk

Sat 15 Jul to Sun 3 Sep

Summer of Play at Kingston Lacy

Until 31 Aug

Summer at Monkey World Monkey World– Ape Rescue Centre is challenging your little monkeys to learn about primate rescue and rehabilitation when they visit the park this summer. For just £2.50, each challenger will receive a beautiful card to fill with stickers and a Monkey World pencil. There is a huge list of fun challenges and activities to complete at the park and those who complete five will receive a certificate and be entered into a prize draw.

www.monkeyworld.org

Summer at RockReef

A huge range of amazing activities to suit all ages from 4+ awaits at RockReef on Bournemouth Pier, it’s the perfect fun day out to keep the whole family entertained! The indoor adventure centre includes twenty eight climbing walls, an aerial obstacle course, Pier Cave and Vertical Slide. Great for rainy days or when you just need a break from the sun. Outside is the awesome PierZip, the only pier to shore zip wire in the world. Book online to save money. www.rockreef.co.uk

Autism Friendly Day at Monkey World Monkey World opens an hour early at 9am, exclusively for visitors with autism and their families. Sensory trails, a calm room and a dropin support room, all ensure that Monkey World is a great day out.

www.monkeyworld.org

Sat 8 & Sun 9 Jul

Victorian Weekend at Nothe Fort Variety of re-enactments, craft demonstrations, activities, displays, military demonstrations, traditional crafts, games and more. www.nothefort.org.uk

Fri 14 Jul to Sun 16 Jul

Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival 2023 in Dorchester Annual festival includes procession and kid’s area with free entertainment and activities. www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk

Jurassic Fields Festival in Bridport Community family friendly music festival celebrating local musical talent.

www.jurassicfields.com

Fri 14 Jul to Mon 28 Aug

Summer Live in Bournemouth Free event for all ages in Bournemouth town centre, includes free children’s entertainment plus

Become a challenger at Monkey World

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre near Wareham is challenging your little monkeys to learn about primate rescue and rehabilitation at the park this summer! For just £2.50, each challenger will receive a beautiful card to fill with stickers and a Monkey World pencil. Children completing five challenges from the huge list of fun activities will receive a certificate and be entered into a prize draw.

Home to over two hundred and fifty primates, including more than fifty chimpanzees and Europe’s official crèche for orphaned orangutan infants, many of Monkey World’s residents have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions or experienced unbelievable cruelty. Now these animals all enjoy the company of their own kind in a safe and natural environment.

Combining fun with conservation, self-guided audio tours and free keeper Q&A’s explain all about man’s closest living relative. See the stars of TV’s Monkey Life, then ‘monkey around’ in the south’s largest adventure playground.

Book online and save up to 10% at www.monkeyworld.org/ book-tickets

Explore the craft zone, practice your building and balancing skills around the Woodland Wall, or dress-up and stage your own performance in the field theatre. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/ dorset/kingston-lacy

Sat 15 Jul & Sat 29 Jul

Swim, Bike, Run Experience Days at Wimborne Minster Taster sessions to provide foundation skills across all three disciplines. www.tracycooksportstherapy. co.uk

Sun 16 Jul

Meet the Vikings at Dorset Museum

Witness hand-to-hand combat, visit craftspeople, discover Norse cooking, mint a coin and enjoy Viking sagas. www.dorsetmuseum.org

Model Building Day at Wimborne Model Town & Village Model building fun for the family. www.wimborne-modeltown.com

Tue 18 Jul

Nature Tots at RSPB Arne

Discover butterflies and minibeasts in the cafe garden and woods, then making a butterfly to take home.

www.bit.ly/RSPBArne

Tue 18 Jul to Thu 10 Aug

Time Travellers Activity Trail at Durlston Country Park Take a trip through time and learn about Durlston from pre-historic to

School Summer Holidays

Activities at Purbeck Sports Centre in Wareham

Laser Tag, Nerf Gun Fun, archery, tennis, Wipeout World, trampolining and gymnastics, intensive and private swimming lessons, football fun, archery tag, dodgeball, jump up and dance workshops. The pool is open seven days a week for the general public for lane swimming and family fun sessions, along with the popular Wet and Wild sessions featuring the pool inflatable.

www.bit.ly/purbeckactivities

present day, 10am-4pm, £3.50 per trail pack. www.durlston.co.uk

Wed 19 Jul, Fri 21 Jul, Wed 16 Aug & Fri 18 Aug

Nature Tots at Kingcombe Visitor Centre

A group for parents/guardians to bring children ages 4 and under to experience the wildlife of Kingcombe.

www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Fri 21 July to Sun 23 Jul

Wareham Carnival

Come along for a weekend of fun and frolics.

www.warehamcarnival.co.uk

Fun for all ages at RockReef Bournemouth

A huge range of amazing activities to suit all ages from 4+ awaits at RockReef on Bournemouth Pier.

The indoor adventure centre includes twenty-eight climbing walls, an aerial obstacle course, Pier Cave and Vertical Slide. Great for rainy days or when you just need a break from the sun, it’s the perfect day out to keep the whole family entertained. And, outside is the awesome PierZip, the only pier to shore zip wire in the world!

For groups of four or more there’s a great value Friends & Family Ticket available which will save you money off the individual ticket prices.

Get the best price by booking online. Your advance booking confirmation will also give you free pier entry, saving you even more on the day. Sessions do sell out in advance during the holidays so book early to guarantee your fun day out.

More information and booking at www.rockreef.co.uk

Visit Wimborne Model Town this summer

Explore the world of historic Wimborne in the 1950s – in miniature!

Peek through the windows of the hotel to see what the guests are watching on TV, identify the goods for sale in the shop window and listen out for the telephone and flushing toilets. In the Minster church, a wedding is taking place. There’s even a tiny model of the Model Town – and an even tinier model of the model of the Model at 1/1000th scale!

The Sensory Garden has plants to touch, smell and enjoy and musical instruments to create your own garden music. Check out the mischievous Wareham Bears; drive a train in the interactive Model Railway; discover the world of model building in Life Before Lego and wonder at the Beryl Dade Dolls’ House Collection. Even enjoy a nine-hole game of crazy golf.

Tea room serves light lunches, tea, coffee and delicious homemade cakes. And you can come back for FREE! Entry tickets give you unlimited visits for a year.

More info at www.wimborne-modeltown.com

Summer family fun at Highcliffe Castle

There are lots of fun family activities at Highcliffe Castle this summer, so if you haven’t visited before, now is the perfect time!

Explore the grounds by taking part in the Outdoor Trail, running Sunday to Thursday (£3 per child). Pay in the gift shop and collect a craft activity to take home and complete.

Or venture inside the Castle on Tuesdays and Thursdays for its popular crafts sessions, with different seaside themes every week. Craft sessions are included in normal Castle admission. Enjoy a lovely selection of dressing up clothes, as well as colouring activities and interactive displays along the visitor route.

And what could be nicer on a summer’s evening than sitting on a blanket or deck chair on the lawns for an outdoor theatre performance? Performances include Wind in the Willows (Sunday, 23 July), Bad Dad (Sunday, 20 August) and Robin Hood (Sunday 27 August). Booking required.

More info at www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Fri 21 July to Sun 30 Jul

Circus Extreme at Poole

Jam-packed circus production features show-stopping performances. www.circusextreme.co.uk

Fri 21 Jul to Sun 1 Oct

Hidden History Family Quest at Corfe Castle

Discover the hidden history of Corfe Castle on this new family quest. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfecastle

Natural Seaton Festival

A community event with lots of activities throughout the town. www.naturalseatonfestival.co.uk

Sat 22 Jul

Traditional Summer Fete in Wimborne Minster

A fun-packed day for the whole family at the Museum of East Dorset. www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk

Sat 22 Jul to Sun 23 Jul

Family Big Wild Seep Out at RSPB Arne

Spend the night at the reserve overlooking Poole harbour and enjoy a hearty dinner and a breakfast next to Poole harbour. www.bit.ly/RSPBArne

Sat 22 Jul to Sat 29 Jul

Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week

Whole week of fun, games, entertainment music and displays for all the family to enjoy. www.bit.ly/LifeboatWeek

Sat 22 Jul to 30 Jul

Pre-History… it’s before your time at Corfe Castle

Watch live demonstrations of ancient crafts, including tin-casting, pottery making and weaving. Join in pottery and mosaic making, cave painting and ‘The Dig.’ www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfecastle

Sun 22 Jul to Sun 3 Sep

Summer Holidays at The Tank Museum

Live displays, activities, vehicle rides and more at Dorset’s largest indoor attraction. www.tankmuseum.org

Summer Family Fun at Highcliffe

Castle

Seaside crafts (10am-3pm) every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the holidays. Included in Castle Admission. Outdoor trail £3.00 per child. Sunday-Thursday (10am3pm). www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Sat 22 Jul to Fri 4 Aug

Summer of Fun at Upton Country Park

Three challenges set over the six weeks of the summer holidays, each with a different theme. www.uptoncountrypark.com

Sat 22 Jul to Sun 10 Sep

Summer Games at Corfe Castle

From lively activities like archery and skittles to more sedate games such as Jenga, there’s something for everyone. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfecastle

Sun 23 Jul

The Tree Festival of Live Cinema at Durlston Country Park Interactive workshops for families, bringing animation to life. www.durlston.co.uk

Mon 24 Jul

Try Orienteering at Durlston Country Park

Try orienteering – an event for all ages. £3.50. Booking required. www.durlston.co.uk

Chesil Strandline Detectives at The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre

A guided walk along the strandline at Chesil to search for wildlife treasure washed up on the beach. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Tue 25 Jul, Tue 8 Aug & Wed 30 Aug

River Dipping at Kingcombe

Explore Kingcombe Meadows and the mini-beasts living in the River Hooke.

www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Kimmeridge Plankton Day at The Fin Foundation Wild Seas Centre Discover the amazing microscopic world of plankton.

www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Tue 25 Jul & Tue 22 Aug

Kids Drawing Workshop at Durlston Country Park

Join artist Mark Page for a workshop learning to draw everything from animals to plants. Materials included. Ages 7+. £15. Booking required. www.durlston.co.uk

Wed 26 Jul

Community Wildlife Adventure Day at Upton Country Park

Help record as many of the plants and animals you can find in the Country Park as possible. www.uptoncountrypark.com

Wed 26 Jul & Wed 30 Aug

Pond Dipping at Lorton Meadows

Join a pond dipping session at Lorton Meadows.

www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Wed 26 Jul & Wed 23 Aug

Kingcombe’s Marvellous Minibeasts at Kingcombe Visitor Centre Explore Kingcombe Meadows and the mini-beasts living on the nature reserve.

www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Wed 26 Jul & every Wed in Aug

Wild Wednesdays at Durlston Country Park Drop-in craft activities for kids and families, FREE.

www.durlston.co.uk

Thu 27 Jul

Nature’s Arts and Crafts at Durlston Country Park

See what natural resources we can find to make art and craft. £3.50. Booking required. www.durlston.co.uk

Thu 27 Jul to Fri 30 Jul

Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle

A host of thrilling activities and family fun from soft play and circus skills to bushcraft and the world’s biggest bouncy castle! www.campbestival.net

Thu 27 Jul to Thu 31 Aug

Children’s Yoga at Kingston Lacy Little ones will love these outdoor yoga sessions for ages 5-9 and 10-14. www.bit.ly/NTKingstonLacy

Every Thu from 27 Jul to 31 Aug Poole Quay Summer Fireworks FREE live music, entertainment and family fun which finishes with a summer firework finale. www.fb.com/lovepooleuk

Fri 28 Jul

Amazing Archaeology at Dorset Museum

Become an archaeologist for the day and handle a range of archaeological material. Ages 5+. www.dorsetmuseum.org

Sat 29 Jul

Kimmeridge National Whale and Dolphin Watch Survey

Learn how to spot dolphins and help watch for them from the cliff top lookout at Kimmeridge. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Sat 29 Jul & Sat 26 Aug

Fox & Cubs Club at Upton Country Park Sessions designed for dads and kids to spend quality time together in the great outdoors. www.uptoncountrypark.com

Sun 30 Jul

Hengefest at Maumbury Rings

A FREE family fun even with activities that celebrate the sacred history of the space and its history. www.dorsetmuseum.org

Mon 31 Jul

Kingcombe’s Tremendous Trees at Kingcombe Visitor Centre

Explore Kingcombe Meadows and the trees growing on the nature reserve. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Mon 31 Jul to Thurs 24 Aug

Purbeck Sports Centre Summer Camp in Wareham Runs Mon to Thurs every week from 31 Jul to 24 Aug. £35 a session or free with a HAF (Holiday activities and food) code. Ages 8 to 12. 8.30am to 4.30pm. Typical day includes sports, activities, swimming and hot lunch. Call 01929 500 000 to book.

www.bit.ly/purbeckclub

Tue 1 Aug

Little Explorers Ready, Set, Go at Museum of East Dorset

A sports and games-themed craft and activities morning. www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk

National Whale and Dolphin Watch at Portland Bill

Help look out for dolphins and other marine animals at Portland Bill.

www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Tue 1 Aug

Family Leaf Bunting at Kingcombe Visitor Centre

Use leaves, flowers and the Japanese art of Tataki Zome to print leaf bunting for the centre.

www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Young Marine Rangers at Kimmeridge

Come and spend a day with the team behind the scenes at the Wild Seas Centre. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Wed 2 Aug

Big Blue Play’s Pop-Up Playground at Upton County Park

Come and celebrate with a fun day of child-led play in the park, FREE, no booking required. www.uptoncountrypark.com

Big Butterfly Count at Lorton

Join a butterfly survey at Lorton Meadows. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Kisses 4 Fishes Litter & Craft at Kimmeridge Remove discarded fishing nets (kisses) from the beach and craft them into something. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Wild Durlston at Durlston Country Park

Join a Ranger to learn about Durlston through games and activities. £3.50. Booking required. www.durlston.co.uk

Pandora’s Box at Bridport Arts Centre

Gallop through Greek mythology –and discover goofy gods, hilarious heroines and daft deities. Ages 6+. www.bridport-arts.com

Creative Camps: Post Cards at Forest Arts Centre Decorate your own fabulous postcards using a range of materials to learn and experiment with different printing methods. Ages 5-10. £12. Booking required. www.forest-arts.co.uk

Thu 3 Aug & Thu 17 Aug

Butterfly Bonanza at Kingcombe Visitor Centre Explore Kingcombe Meadows and the butterflies on the reserve. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Rockpool Ramble at Kimmeridge

Join a guided rockpool ramble in Kimmeridge Bay to discover wildlife on the seashore.

www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Every Fri from 4 Aug to 25 Aug

Bournemouth Friday Fireworks Bournemouth seafront will light the skies up. Pull up a chair and watch, FREE. www.bournemouth.co.uk/whatson

CIRQUE: The Greatest Show at Bournemouth Pavilion

Sat 5 Aug to Sun 6 Aug

Family Big Wild Seep Out at RSPB Arne

Spend the night at the reserve overlooking Poole harbour and enjoy a hearty dinner and a breakfast next to Poole harbour. www.bit.ly/RSPBArne

Wed 9 Aug & Wed 23 Aug

Mini Beast Hunting at Lorton

Join a mini beast hunt at Lorton Meadows. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Thu 10 Aug

Moths at Beacon Hill

Help record the fabulous moths that live on the edge of Upton Heath. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Kingcombe Moths at Kingcombe Visitor Centre

Discover the moths living at Kingcombe. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Fri 11 Aug

Wild Diaries at Kingcombe Visitor Centre

Explore Kingcombe Meadows and create a wild diary. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Fri 11 Aug to Sun 3 Sep

Pirates of Purbeck at Durlston Country Park X marks the spot! Follow the map around the park and find the treasure. £3.50 per trail pack. www.durlston.co.uk

Mon 14 Aug

Make a Bird Box at Kingcombe Visitor Centre

Support the wildlife in your garden and make a bird box. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Tue 15 Aug

Nature Tots at RSPB Arne

Go on a reptile hunt then make your very own spiralling snake. www.bit.ly/RSPBArne

Little Explorers Make It Snappy at Museum of East Dorset

Creative morning of camerathemed crafts, stories and a fun garden trail. www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk

Wed 16 Aug

Nature Walk at Lorton Meadows

Join a nature walk at Lorton Meadows. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Wed 16 & Thu 17 Aug

Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show

Traditional show with great range of attractions for all the family. www.gillinghamandshaftesbury show.co.uk

Sat 19 Aug

International Orangutan Day at Monkey World

Celebrate our orange cousins at Monkey World and learn about their tragic plight in the wild, with talks, stalls and trails. No additional fee. www.monkeyworld.org

Mon 21 Aug

Nature Art at Kingcombe Visitor Centre

Enjoy the beautiful Kingcombe Meadows and get creative. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Thu 24 Aug

Painting with Nature at Durlston Country Park

Can we make paint with what we find at the park? Well let’s find out!

£3.50. Booking required. www.durlston.co.uk

Fri 25 Aug

Orienteering at Durlston Country Park

Try orienteering – an event for all ages. £3.50. Booking required. www.durlston.co.uk

Fri 25 Aug to Tue 29 Aug

Great Dorset Steam Fair at Blandford World’s largest heritage event, a fun and action-packed family day out. www.gdsf.co.uk

Sat 26 Aug

Go NUTS at Monkey World

Every child who brings an unopened bag of nuts for the primates receives a free Monkey World badge. www.monkeyworld.org

Thu 31 Aug

Mammals Safari at Durlston Country Park

Join a Ranger to hunt for signs of wildlife and maybe meet a mammal. £3.50. Booking required. www.durlston.co.uk

Thu 31 Aug to Sun 3 Sep

Bournemouth Air Festival UK’s biggest air festival, four days of action and entertainment in the air, on land and at sea. www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Sat 22 Jul to Sun 23 Jul

Peter Pan at Maumbury Rings

Brilliant buffoonery will have picnickers of all ages cackling into their coleslaw. Booking required. www.dorchesterarts.org.uk

Sun 23 Jul

The Wind in the Willows at Highcliffe Castle Join Mole, Ratty and Badger in this outdoor adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s family favourite. Booking required. www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Wed 2 Aug

Bad Dad at Maumbury Rings

Open-air adaptation of David Walliams, Bad Dad. It is perfect summer entertainment. Booking required.

www.dorchesterarts.org.uk

Thu 3 Aug

Robin Hood at Kingston Lacy

Calamitous take on the legendary folktale in outdoor production. Ages 5+. Booking required. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/ dorset/kingston-lacy

Bad Dad at Corfe Castle

Open air adaptation of David Walliams, Bad Dad is perfect summer entertainment. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfecastle

Wed 9 Aug & Thu 10 Aug

Open Air Cinema at Lulworth

Castle

Catch Harry Potter & the Philosophers Stone (PG) on 9 Aug and Matilda the Musical (PG) on 10 Aug. Booking required. www.lulworth.com

Thu 17 Aug

Robin Hood at Corfe Castle

Open air adaptation of David Walliams’ Bad Dad. Booking required.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfecastle

Sun 20 Aug

Bad Dad at Highcliffe Castle

Open air adaptation of David Walliams’ Bad Dad is perfect summer entertainment. Booking required. www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Wed 23 Aug

The Jabberwock and Other Nonsense at Maumbury Rings Hilarious open-air adaption of Lewis Carrol’s famous poem The Jabberwocky. Booking required. www.dorchesterarts.org.uk

Thu 24 Aug

The Tale of Peter Rabbit at Corfe Castle

An enchanting new open-air adaptation of two of Beatrix Potter’s best-loved tales. Booking required www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfecastle

Sun 27 Aug

Robin Hood at Highcliffe Castle

Calamitous take on the legendary folktale in outdoor production. Ages 5+. Booking required. www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Fri 18 to Sun 20 Aug

Fireman Sam at Weymouth Pavilion

Join Sam, Penny, Elvis, Station Officer Steele and Norman in an all-singing, dancing, action-packed show. www.weymouthpavilion.com

Don’t forget to say you saw these listings in Families Dorset!

Fri 18 to Sun 20 Aug

Dragons and Mythical Beasts at Bournemouth Pavilion

Enter a magical world of myths and legends in this fantastical new show for all the family. From the creators of the West End smash hit, Dinosaur World Live, who bring spectacular puppets to life, don’t miss this brand-new spell-binding adventure, live on stage. Booking required.

Sat 26 to Sun 27 Aug

CIRQUE: The Greatest Show at Bournemouth Pavilion

Escape at Bournemouth Pavilion for a night like no other, where you will be taken into a world where the very best of musical theatre showstoppers meets a jaw-dropping circus spectacular. This is an awardwinning, smash-hit sensation that is fun for all the family. Booking required.

www.bournemouthpavilion. co.uk

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

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!

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

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.

The best start for girls at Talbot Heath School

Talbot Heath Junior School in Bournemouth is a vibrant flourishing part of Talbot Heath School dedicated to the care and education of its 3 to 11 year old pupils. In its Junior and Pre-Prep School, every individual pupil is nurtured, guided, supported and cared for as they take their formative steps on an exciting educational journey.

Pupils are articulate, engaging, caring and respectful and dedicated specialist teachers and staff ensure they enjoy a broad, balanced, aspirational curriculum, full of opportunity. All pupils are encouraged to revel in their learning, have a go, enjoy life’s rich variety and approach everything with a ‘can do’ attitude.

As a ‘through school,’ the younger pupils benefit greatly from the support and role modelling of the older girls. Talbot Heath Junior pupils are also guaranteed a highly sought after place in its Senior School which parents find very reassuring. Read about the School’s admissions policy at www.bit.ly/talbotadmissions

Visit Talbot’s Open Morning on 29 September and book your place at www.talbotheath.org/openday

Visual processing: what parents need to know

By Usha Patel

‘My son’s Educational Psychologist Report revealed he has visual processing problems. I am so confused because I take him to the optician regularly and they never mentioned any problems.’

Parents are often baffled when they learn things are not as they seem where their child’s eyes are concerned. Opticians will check your child’s eye health and how well their eyes work in terms of taking in visual data – and maybe prescribe glasses –but this is only half the story. The other half of how vision works is how our brains interpret what we see.

What is visual processing and how does it affect learning?

Visual processing is an umbrella term for several activities that our eyes and brain must perform together. The success of these activities is fundamental to learning as they affect reading, copying and understanding what is being read.

The brain, the eyes and their muscles all need to work together. An optician does not test for this, so it may be that visual processing problems come to light in other ways. As parents, there are many indicators you can look for.

If your child cannot move their eyes smoothly across a horizontal line of a script when reading or vertically when calculating column sums, it could be that they have a tracking difficulty.

If your child cannot successfully move and focus from one word onto the next, this could be a fixation issue. They may re-read, go back or skip forward when reading a sentence.

If both eyes do not work well as a team to form one picture, then your child may have binocular visual difficulties; often these children see double.

If your child has difficulties throwing and catching a ball, these are also related to reading tasks. The eyes need to converge on one focal point when the ball comes nearer and then diverge as it moves away. Convergence is also needed for close reading and for the ability to hold that position when reading over a longer period. Divergence is needed when reading from the whiteboard; both are needed if they are copying from the board.

Those children with a poor field of vision can only focus on one item at a time and may find it a challenge to see a line of text. In play situations, they also may not notice who is around them.

If your child continues to confuse letters such as ‘b’ and ‘d’ or misreads words such as ‘spot’ and ‘stop’ beyond the developmental phase (after age 6), then this would be considered visual-perceptual difficulties.

Undetected visual processing difficulties can hinder learning by slowing down how quickly visual information is absorbed and understood. Parents with children with special education needs (SEN) can learn a lot by watching their child read.

What help is available?

Infinity-Walk and Primitive Reflex Integration Therapy can help children with one or a number of those problems mentioned above.

It takes around six weeks to stop children from reversing their letters; once they are sure of the letter direction they can read with less difficulty.

Using one-to-one therapy combined with tried and tested phonics programmes, such as Alpha to Omega helps make changes to how children process visual information in as a little as twelve weeks.

Usha Patel is a neurocognitive therapist at Raviv Practice London. For more information, including about Infinity-Walk and Primitive Reflex Integration Therapy, visit www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk

Duck or Rabbit?

There are several famous and fascinating examples of visual processing which you may have seen already. The duck which can also be seen as a rabbit is one example of this (see above). Another example is the young woman who is also an old woman. It might take you a minute to see both images. Our brain can interpret the lines of an image differently, depending on how you focus your attention, and this is your brain using visual processing to make sense of what you see.

Visual processing problems

Look out for:

Tracking problems, resulting in slow reading speed. Difficulties throwing and catching a ball.

Feeling tired or exhausted when reading and even falling asleep because the eye muscles cannot hold that position for long periods.

Reading one or two words at a time and not easily linking the words to form a flowing sentence.

Being unsure of what sound letters need to produce because your child sees them in reverse or out of sequence.

Handling dog phobia and aggression

By Caroline Wilkinson

It is appropriate for children to be cautious around unfamiliar dogs but when caution becomes intense and interferes with daily activities, it can be classified as cynophobia or the fear of dogs.

This fear can be triggered by any negative experience with a dog, such as being bitten or chased or develop without any obvious cause; sometimes even from fictional situations if your child has a vivid imagination.

Parents can also pass on their own fears; for example, pulling back their child from approaching a new dog. While it’s a good idea to educate your child to be cautious around dogs, especially if they’re over-enthusiastic and wanting to greet every dog you meet, forcefully restricting your child’s movements could potentially increase their fear responses in the future.

The best way to help those kids who are keen to say ‘hello’ is teaching them to always ask the person walking the dog if it’s okay to approach; and then how to calmly greet a dog.

When a child has severe fears, for example, to the extent of not even being able to view images of dogs, it is worth considering professional help from a psychologist.

If the fear is at a lower level, borne of inexperience, seeking out a pet professional who works with kids and dogs is really helpful. A pet professional can guide your child towards a better understanding of dogs around them.

Canine body language is often misinterpreted. For instance, wagging tails don’t ALWAYS mean the dog is happy. Helping

Dealing with boisterous or aggressive dogs

Encountering a seemingly-aggressive dog while out for a walk can be scary both for children and their parents. It may be that the dog in question is simply untrained and overexcited and means no harm at all - but this doesn’t reduce the stress your child may experience.

When out and about, keep a distance from dogs who appear not to be under control. Stay calm if a dog does approach you, breathing slowly and avoiding direct eye contact. Most dogs will just want to come and sniff you but be alert for stiff body language, warning growls or showing of their teeth.

Teach your child to stay still and quiet when a dog approaches as if they’re a tree, folding their branches (arms) around themselves. If your child happens to be on the floor, ask them to pretend to be a rock, curling their body in tightly and staying still.

Call out to the dog’s carer and politely ask them to recall their dog immediately.

children understand what a dog is trying to communicate can help them appreciate dogs as a species, instilling confidence when they see them.

Teaching children how to interact with dogs will help reduce the chance of a defensive response. For example, touching dogs on their chest or side of their body rather than their heads. It can also be helpful to give your child treats to throw towards a dog from a distance so both have time to consider if they want to say ‘hello’.

Cynophobia can be challenging to manage but with proper understanding and support, it can be overcome.

Caroline Wilkinson is a Certified Animal Behaviourist and KAD (Kids Around Dogs) Trainer. As the Founder of digital pet coaching service Barket Place (www.barketplace.co.uk), Caroline has a passion for improving connections between human and hound, with a focus on relationships and reducing stress for canines living in a human world.

Managing your dog around unfamiliar children

Your dog may love your own young family, but not all dog:child interactions go smoothly. Kids can be unpredictable, leading to unexpected aggression from frightened dogs. Boisterous dogs can also cause stress for children who fear them.

Proper supervision is vital whenever kids and dogs spend time together, even more so when they don’t know each other. It only takes a split second for things to go wrong, which can end in injury or stress all round. With appropriate precautions, you can help to ensure that your dog and any unfamiliar children can coexist happily and safely.

It’s important to manage every situation where your dog spends time around unfamiliar children. In busy parks, keep your dog on a lead if they have poor recall, ensuring plenty of space between yourselves and other children. At home, help your dog to feel relaxed behind a child gate, where you can easily separate them from any visiting children. Explain to young visitors how they can safely interact with your dog.

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.

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.

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.