Families South East London July/August 2024 Digital
Welcome
What are you planning for the long school holidays? Let Families help you out.
We have loads of activity ideas to keep the kids busy, including FREE printables for all age groups, family walk ideas, top castles and beaches for toddlers throughout the UK. You can also browse our selection of new audiobooks for kids – perfect for travel or some quiet time!
Get ahead of the back to school rush and check out our sustainable stationery ideas – much kinder to the planet if you have kids that burn through their stationery like wildfire!
Finally, in this issue, we have FOUR great giveaways for our readers. Apply inside. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine straight to your inbox.
Make KitKat ice cream downloadable Education
Kids’ classes and camps
What’s On Water safety
Parental control options
Printable activities for preschoolers
Printable activities for primaryage
‘Must visit’ UK castles
Best UK beaches for toddlers
Family walks featuring water
Family breakfasts and brunches
Competition winners from our March/April issue
Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE
Make crispy KitKat Ice Cream Cake
Crispy, creamy, chocolatey and decadent - words can’t describe this perfectly dreamy KitKat Ice Cream Cake recipe contributed by multi-award-winning food, parenting and lifestyle writer, Emily Leary at A Mummy Too.
perfect setting for your child’s early schooling:
} Embedding key values and developing ‘the whole child’ through a unique, continuous five-year curriculum
} Focusing exclusively on cutting edge Early Childhood Education (age 2+ to 7+), the most crucial period in a child’s life
} Transitioning seamlessly from play-based to more structured learning, preparing the children to move on at 7+ with that special Herne Hill School spark
There are lots of hours to fill during the long summer break and audiobooks are the perfect educational way of providing an alternative to books – as well as being fun for the whole family!
The Last Bear by Hannah Gold
Heart-warming, magical story of a boy and a polar bear. Ages 8+.
Jack and the Giant Tantrum Helps manage tricky toddler behaviours. Ages 2-3.
I love my… Collection by Giles Andreae
12 warm and touching tales narrated by Dawn French. Ages 1-3.
The Cosmic Diary of Our Incredible Universe by Tim Peake
Learn about space and the universe. Ages 9+.
Rise Up by Amanda Li
Shares the stories of normal kids & their achievements. Ages 9+.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The classic story of Mole, Ratty and Badger. Ages 6+.
Blue Planet II by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe
Based on TV series. Examines the world’s oceans. Ages 7+.
Magic Tree House Collection Books by Mary Pope Osborne
Best-selling series now an audiobook. Ages 6+.
The Time Travelling Caveman by Terry Pratchett
Brand-new collection of short stories from Terry Pratchett. Ages 6+.
Cultural capital: what it is and why it matters
Broadly speaking, the term ‘cultural capital’ refers to the knowledge, skills and experiences that are valued by a society. The concept was first introduced in Pierre Bourdieu’s book Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste in 1979. So why is cultural capital important?
READ MORE
Preparing to start or change school
Starting or changing school can be both an exciting and nervewracking business, not only for parents but also for children who pick up on the vibe at home. With planning, you can feel more confident in the way you support and celebrate your child’s milestones and transitions as they occur.
READ MORE
From hunting for mini beasts to digging for dinosaur bones, nothing builds the confidence to take risks quite like our Forest School.
Sustainable stationery supplies
Does your child get through endless amounts of stationery products? If so, you might be interested in our selection of more sustainable options.
Paper Ballpoint Pens
24 pens made from strong paper. 58% extra ink! £14.99.
Wirebound Notebook
3 ruled notebooks of 110 pages. Made with FSC recycled paper. £7.49.
Pure Glue Sticks
5 glue sticks made from 93% natural ingredients, washable, child-friendly. £4.92.
Recycled Newspaper
Colouring Pencils
12 colouring pencils made from recycled newspaper, printed with soy inks. £6.50.
RPET Panda Pencil Case
Stylish pencil case made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles. £3.99.
Dust & PVC Free Eraser
Unique dust free formula does not contain any harmful chemicals. £0.95.
Recycled Newspaper Pencils
Set of 5 x 2mm HB pencils handmade from recycled newspaper. £5.95.
Green BOSS
Highlighter
4 colours made from 83% recycled plastic. Can be refilled. £4.21.
Bamboo Ruler
Made from sustainable bamboo, this ruler is strong but lightweight. £1.50.
SOUTH LONDON DANCE SCHOOL
“South London Dance School is without doubt, theleadingdanceschoolinthelocalarea.Their standardsareunparalleledintermsofdance education and care for each individual student"
Currently enrolling for ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, musical theatre & commercial dance lessons from September. southlondondanceschool.co.uk infosouthlondondanceschool@gmail.com 020 7978 8624 |
Get drumming with The School of Rhythm
Brace yourselves, rhythm warriors! The School of Rhythm, nestled in the heart of SE20, has been igniting drumming passions since the dawn of the millennium. From pint-sized prodigies to seasoned groove veterans (ages 5 to adult), this rhythmic haven knows no bounds… drumming is King in the Realm of Rhythm!
At the School of Rhythm in Penge, you’ll find expert guidance from seasoned professional drummers, state-of-the-art sound proofed studios and online drum lessons, for far away students or during holidays. It receives 100% exam success on grades 1-8 Trinity College and Rock School - a bonus for GCSEs & A levels and is an official Trinity College Exam Centre.
School of Rhythm students perform in bands at school and local venues… some, like Yussef Dayes, become international stars! Some just play for the fun of it.
Click HERE to fill out the online application NOW.
Try a My Aerial Home Summer Circus Camp
Does your child love to climb and hang upside down? Are you looking for local summer camps? Join My Aerial Home’s Summer Circus Camps in Sydenham.
Camps are for children ages 6-13 years and no experience is needed! With friendly, experienced coaches, your child will be taught a range of circus skills including flying trapeze, hoop, spanish web, sling, juggling, rope, Chinese poles, silks, tightwire, static trapeze, straps and more!
A parent recently said about My Aerial Home: ‘I am so thankful to My Aerial Home who have helped my son’s confidence grow with such an amazing activity. We are so lucky to have a circus school like this on our doorstep.’
My Aerial Home’s Summer Circus Camps run from Monday to Thursday (10am-4pm) from 5-8 August, 12-15 August and 19-22 August and you can book single days or a week.
Hurry, these spaces fill quickly! Book your child’s place HERE.
Help your child shine with a FREE Perform class
Perform weekly classes for 4-7s and 7-12s use a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out a child’s natural ability. Run by professional actors, its classes focus on developing confidence, communication, co-ordination and concentration. We put child development at the heart of their classes which means we don’t worry about whether children get their lines or moves exactly right. All abilities are welcome!
The curriculum is packed with fun, using a mix of drama games, catchy songs and funky dances. From September, children ages 4-7 will be joining an adventure to Outer Space while ages 7-12 will take part in an Ancient Greek dance extravaganza, The Hercules Beat!
Join Perform’s Superheroes Summer Holiday Courses
This August, join Perform and zoom off with the superheroes for an action-packed drama, dance and singing adventure.
With singing, dancing, twirling and swooping, your child will discover and hone their own special powers of confidence, co-ordination, communication and concentration as they swoop towards a supercharged show for family and friends.
Every child is welcome to try a noobligation FREE trial. Book yours HERE.
Classes are held in Beckenham, Bexley, Bermondsey, Blackheath, Brockley, Bromley, Camberwell, Chislehurst, East Dulwich & Dulwich, Eltham, Forest Hill, Greenwich, Herne Hill, Hither Green, Kidbrooke, Lee, Orpington, Peckham Rye, Petts Wood, Sidcup, Surrey Quays, Waterloo, Woolwich.
Venues
Blackheath (5-9 August)
Greenwich (12-16 August)
Dulwich (19-23 August)
Herne Hill (27-30 August)
More info and booking HERE.
Pixel Hugs
HOT new interactive puppies, who react to their owner’s voice
Pet and feed them, tickle their bellies to make them happy and lay them down to sleep… Four
Stay safe around water this summer
Water safety on holiday
Take time to review and understand safety notices and flags. Never use inflatables in the sea. Keep children under constant supervision. Look out for potential hazards and deep and shallow water. Stay back from cliff edges, never jump from cliffs or bridges. Make sure the whole family knows basic water safety.
Water safety in public swimming pools
Take time to learn the depth, water flow and layout of the pool. Always follow the rules set out by the venue e.g. no running. Listen and adhere to instructions given by the lifeguards on duty. Always keep children under constant supervision. Weak swimmers - stay where they can touch the bottom.
Get to know your Water Safety Code
Fun RLSS cartoon to help kids understand the fundamentals of being safe near water.
Water safety at home
In the last 5 years, 50% of kids under 7 who drowned did so at home.
Securely cover or empty water hazards after use eg. baths, paddling pools, ponds etc. Stop water hazards from refilling by turning them over, turn off hosepipes.
Install safety fencing around ponds and pools.
Learn the water safety code
Look for dangers and research local signs and advice. Always stay together as a family or group, swim near lifeguards. Float – teach your child how to float properly if they fall in unexpectedly.
Call 999 - ask for Fire & Rescue when inland and the Coastguard if at beach.
Teach your child how to float
If your child finds themselves in water accidentally, this essential skill could save their life.
Top parental controls for monitoring screen time
Screen time is a fact of summer holidays – and of modern life! As your child heads for their screen this summer, make sure you have the right parental control products in place.
Norton Family
Monitor all child activity from web or mobile app. £14.99 yearly.
Bark Premium
AI scans emails/social media profiles/texts/ media for harmful content. From £14 monthly.
Comprehensive range of features across multiple devices. From £39.95 yearly.
Family Time Premium
Great for mobile users, full suite of monitoring features. From $2.41 monthly.
Net Nanny
Robust screen time management tools, location tracking, social media monitoring. $54.99 yearly.
Mobicip
Scheduling, monitoring location, social media, screen time. From $2.99 monthly.
Boomerang
Monitors android device web browsing, device usage & location. From $15.99 yearly.
Kapersky Safe Kids
Great value & monitors unlimited devices, regardless of platform. £23.99 per year.
FREE activity printables for pre-schoolers
Perfect for whipping out to deal with those ‘I need something to occupy the little one’ moments!
Learn About Numbers activity book
Unicorn rainbow colouring
Counting to 5 activity sheet
Big Bird Number 6 colouring page
Dino Diggers activity pack
Bing’s Big Surprise activities
Alphablocks A to Z colouring chart
Round & round snail maze
Dino Dot-to-Dot activity sheet
FREE printables for primary-school aged kids
For the ‘I’ve got nothing to do!’ moments that are sure to arise this summer – worth printing and stashing somewhere close by!
Battleships
Great game to develop strategy, logical thinking and concentration.
Country word search
Find twenty countries hidden amongst the letters.
Harry Potter word scramble
Figure out what Harry is saying.
The Mystery of the Missing Pirate Treasure
Practise maths and problem solving.
Car travel games
Keep them entertained with car bingo, alphabet game, car search & more.
How to draw a cat
Simple chart from which your child can learn to draw a cat.
Sudoku
Set of 9 puzzles, easy to hard. Develop logic & problem solving.
Food crossword puzzles
5 food themed puzzles. improve spelling, reading and writing.
Magic square worksheets
Easy, intermediate and advanced sheets that practise addition.
Cuddle Coney -
‘Must visit’ UK castles to explore
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
A sprawling complex dating to 1096. Broomstick training, medieval crafts & more.
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Lavishly decorated, costumed storytellers, jousting tournaments & castle-themed play area.
The Tower of London
See the Crown Jewels guarded by Beefeaters and overseen by ravens.
Conwy Castle/ Castell Conwy, North Wales
A 13th-century marvel. Archery, medieval craft and Welsh folklore tales.
Framlingham Castle, Suffolk
Climb its walls, discover rich history & enjoy soft play sword battles.
Dover Castle, Kent
Explore secret wartime tunnels, medieval interiors and the Great Tower.
Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire
Dramatic 16th century spectacle with soaring turrets. Kids can enjoy Go Ape.
Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
A 14th century gem with moat, drawbridge, murder holes, medieval bread oven.
Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
Explore dungeons, climb towers and witness jousting displays.
Best UK beaches for toddlers
Looking for a beach to visit that perfectly suits your very young children? Here is our selection.
Alum Chine, Dorset
Adventure playground, paddling pool & changing facilities.
Frinton on Sea, Essex
Clean, firm, plentiful sand, safe gently shelving beach, promenade with facilities.
Porthminster (St Ives), West Cornwall
Sandy sheltered beach, shallow water, for paddling, nearby facilities.
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk
Spacious golden sandy beach, shallow water, rock pools & toilets.
West Wittering, Sussex
Wide sloping beach, shallow tidal pools & clean, calm water.
Seacliff, East Lothian
Beautiful, sheltered beach of golden sands. Toilets.
Caswell Bay, South Wales
Golden sands, rock pools, café, beach shop, toilets & showers.
Sandsend, East Yorkshire
Hidden gem just north of Whitby. Lagoon, rockpools & nearby facilities.
St Annes Beach Lytham, Lancashire
Loads of sand, good for paddling, donkey rides and amenities.
Best walks featuring water
Looking for a walk with water involved? These are some of our favourite walks from The Outdoor Guide
Seaton Wetlands
On the south Devon coast you’ll find the RSPB Seaton Wetlands. With a path that’s suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, this walk offers the opportunity to observe the many feathered friends who call this place home.
River Ness & Ness Islands
From the heart of Inverness, this walk takes you along the banks of the River Ness and onto the magical Ness Islands.
These are natural islands in the middle of the river, connected by suspension foot bridges. Keep an eye out for the seals that can sometimes be found here.
Coombe AbbeyHeron’s Way
There are plenty of walks for all to enjoy at Coombe Abbey Country Park near Coventry. This one takes you around the lake that, at 1.5 miles long, is one of the largest ever designed be Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
Swanbourne Lake & Arundel Park
Just a short distance from the town of Arundel in Sussex is Swanbourne Lake, part of the Arundel Castle estate.
It’s a popular spot for families, offering gentle walks and boat hire so you can enjoy the views from the water. Don’t forget to grab an ice cream from the kiosk!
Looking for a walk with water involved? These are some of our favourite walks from The Outdoor Guide
Blickling Hall - The Den Making One
This 2 mile walk takes you around Blickling Hall Estate lake and offers plenty of wildlife watching and den making. Don’t forget to visit the cafe for a wellearned treat at the end!
Setthorns, New Forest National Park
Walk in the shade of the trees as you explore the Setthorns Enclosure in the New Forest National Park.
The walk takes you down to a stream where children and dogs can paddle and play - keep an eye out for the free roaming livestock who also paddle here too!
South Shore Rutland Water
Rutland Water is a reservoir that is teeming with wildlife. This is a great walk along the southern shore and takes in part of the nature reserve. After, why not take a boat trip to see it from another angle?
A walk along the shore of Ullswater
No trip to the Lake District is complete without a walk along the shore of a lake. This is just a short walk, around a mile, to the shores of Ullswater in the eastern lakes.
The nearby village of Pooley Bridge has some great cafés for after!
