Families Upon Thames March/April 23 Digital

Upon Thames

Welcome

Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to re-embrace the big outdoors! Why not check out our downloadable walking challenge and get the whole family stepping out? And take a look at some great outdoor toy options that will definitely motivate the kids!

Of course, Mother’s Day is just around the corner and Easter not too far away. Find inspiration for a great gift for mum for under £20. We have researched the best egg options and have some tips on organising a successful Easter egg hunt, plus loads of Easter craft and cooking ideas too.

Don’t miss our giveaways either! This issue’s goodies include Smoby Nature Playhouses, tonnes of books and a device to help those who find reading difficult. Apply inside and also ensure you receive every issue of our digital

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find HERE

Family Walking Challenges

Family life is busy and it can be difficult to stay active whilst still finding time for everything else – particularly spending quality time together. By making time to walk as a family, you can meet your exercise goals together. Try one of these three family walking challenges from PlanBee.

You are challenged to walk 30,000 steps 5 hours Or set your own challenge

DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS HERE!

Free KS1 and KS2 SATs revision tools

With KS1 and KS2 SATs approaching, your kids can have fun AND learn with these free resources.

CHECKLIST

Maths English ✓ ✓

Karate Cats

English

Fun BBC Bitesize game which prepares for Year 2 English SATs.

Year 2 KS1 SATs topic checklist

Use this to identify skills and gaps that need more practice.

Karate Cats maths And prepare for Year 2 maths SATs with Karate Cats too!

Year 6 KS2 2022 English SATs papers

Practise English using past papers.

CHECKLIST

Maths English ✓ ✓

Year 6 KS2 topic checklist

Use this to identify skills and gaps that need more practice.

Year 6 KS2 2022 Maths SATs papers

Review and practise maths using past papers (with answers).

Guardians

Defenders of Mathematica

Fun BBC Bitesize game which develops KS2 SATs maths skills.

KS2 Crystal Explorers

Join the adventure and improve grammar, punctuation and spelling.

KS2 SATs Online

10-Minute Tests

10-Minute Tests (and answers) - ideal for practice on-the-go.

Meet the Head

Families chats with Jane Bond, Head of Kew College Prep School in Richmond.

What’s the best thing about being Head of Kew College Prep?

Seeing the children progress and being happy day to day.

In three words, how would the students describe you?

Friendly (I hope!), funny and caring.

What aspect of the school’s Early Year’s offering are you most proud of?

We are really proud of the resilience and independence that our Early Years setting offers our children. We provide them with a truly bespoke curriculum so they can reach their full potential. Every child’s learning journey here is as important as their end achievement.

In what ways do you strive to make Kew College Prep a happy place for children to be?

We inject a lot of high-quality pastoral care alongside a bespoke teaching and extra-curricular approach so that each child is known, valued and fulfilled.

We get to know each and every child so that we can ensure that their wellbeing is paramount and that they thrive in every possible way.

What is your favourite time of the school day?

It varies. Sometimes, the start of a day when we have a rousing assembly. Other times, it is lovely to see the children enjoying their lessons and having fun in the process.

How do you think a Head can make a real difference to an individual pupil?

Ensuring that the staff working closely with a child know them well and are focused on getting the best from them and that the positive and inclusive ethos and values of the school permeate throughout.

READ MORE

Helping boys manage the gender gap

By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble

Six reasons children switch off from learning

By Gail Hugman

A 2022 global report shows that boys are increasingly becoming left behind in education. Furthermore, recent school entry baseline assessments show over one million boys are already under-achieving by the time they enter Reception. So what are the reasons behind this?

READ MORE

Given eleven years of full-time schooling, it’s not surprising many children face difficulties that affect their learning and some switch off altogether. What are the reasons for this and how can children be helped to reengage?

READ MORE

What the parents say….

As a parent, it’s hard to find the most appropriate adjectives with which to sum up your child’s school. But when Families talked to some of the parents at Staines Prep School (SPS), it was noticeable that exactly the same words cropped up many times –nurturing and friendly.

Kavita, whose daughters, Alaana and Myaa joined the school in Nursery, was struck from the beginning by ‘how much the teachers at the school care for the children, going above and beyond.’ Jen, whose daughters, Beatrice and Elisabeth, also joined the school in Nursery, agrees. ‘The small class sizes and friendly and caring teachers made the progression from Nursery very natural’ she says.

The parents say the friendliness of the school is palpable – they feel welcome, the school is easy to contact and the dialogue with teaching staff is very positive.

‘Teachers at all year group levels have been open and engaged when discussing any challenges

or problems our children have had’ reports Dan. Payal, whose son, Nivaan is in Year 3 and daughter, Bella, is in Reception likes the school’s ‘family feel’ whilst Jen says its ‘small size’ is one of the things she particularly appreciates.

We asked the parents why they’d chosen to send their children to SPS.

Kavita had heard ‘lots of positives about the school’ whilst Payal says: ‘The school values and focus on growing children into well rounded individuals was important to us. I was particularly impressed by the emphasis the school places on tailoring its support to the needs of children as individuals.’

The school’s approach to the wellbeing of its students was one of the main reasons Ginny and her family chose SPS for their child, Tiger. READ

Engaging your child with history

Presented well, history can be enthralling for kids. If you want to encourage an interest, these books will really stimulate engagement.

The Story of World War One

Ages 6-8. Beautifully illustrated with facts explained in simple English.

Rupert’s Parchment: Story of Magna Carta

Ages 4-8. The exciting Magna Carta story seen through Rupert’s eyes.

The Lion and the Unicorn

Ages 5-7. Powerful story about a child’s WWII experience.

Coming to England

Ages 3-6. An inspiring true story celebrating the Windrush Generation.

The Spanish Armada

Ages 6-11. Explores the English navy’s defeat of the Spanish Fleet.

Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot

Ages 5+. Accessible re-telling of the plot to blow up parliament.

Plague: A Cross on the Door

Ages 7-9. Exciting read bringing the plague and its impact to life.

Vlad and the Great Fire of London

Ages 3-9. How did the fire start and how did Londoners escape?

1066 The Norman Conquest

Ages 7-9. Exciting account of the military invasion of England.

Springtime action at Brooklands Museum

Be a Duck Detective at London Wetland Centre

This spring get up-close, go onboard and discover the amazing history of Brooklands Museum in Weybridge.

Enjoy Get Ready to Race! This action-packed day for families runs 1 to 16 April. Build a downhill race car, complete an activity trail and go on a Concorde Supersonic Walkthrough. Spot costumed characters portraying pioneers from Brooklands’ heyday and enjoy a heritage bus ride around the local area.

On 26 March, Mini Day, celebrates the iconic Mini and kicks off a host of motoring events which will keep Brooklands buzzing with activity. It’s followed by the Easter Classic Gathering on 8 April and Italian Car Day, in association with Auto Italia magazine, on 29 April. Popular with families, these events have it all - amazing cars and motorbikes, live entertainment, food outlets and interesting trade stalls.

Easily accessible by car/train, free parking, café and picnic space.

Book today HERE

Can you quack the clues this Easter?

Visit London Wetland Centre from 1 to 16 April for a day of exploration and discovery that will put all your senses to the test. To succeed as a Duck Detective and complete the Easter trail, you’ll need to get closer than ever to nature.

It’s time to investigate underwater mysteries. Follow tracks to work out who’s creeping around at night, using everything from feather bird calls to animal poo (honestly!) to reveal the wildlife secrets only a true Duck Detective knows. Are you ready for the challenge? The Duck Detectives Trail is £1, suitable for all the family and can be purchased at the Admissions office.

Other activities on offer include the Colour Hunt Trail Card for under 5s (free), Pond Dipping sessions (11am and 2pm) and Plant Detectives sessions (1pm), both drop-in and suitable for all ages.

Book today HERE

Enjoy Easter fun at Hever Castle

Easter trails galore with the National Trust

From 1 to 16 April, make some special family memories at Hever Castle.

Help the Easter bunny find sweet treats as part of a quest around the grounds, get creative with in the FREE egg decorating workshop and enjoy the very best of spring, including a dazzling display of spring blooms as you explore the stunning garden.

Children ages 7 to 14 can explore the Tudor Towers adventure playground, whilst under 7s can discover the natural play area, Acorn Dell. With its two-metrehigh living willow structure, giant sandpit, a mound with tunnels and a climbing frame, there’s plenty of fun for all. Or why not challenge yourself not to get wet in the Water Maze (fun for all ages)?

Enjoy lovely food at the restaurant or picnic in the grounds and round your day off with a visit to the shop and a spring-themed face paint (additional charge/ selected dates).

More information HERE

There’s plenty to enjoy during Easter at National Trust properties in Surrey.

Spot and count eggs on the Easter nature trails at Hatchlands Park (GU4 7RT), Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl (GU26 6AB), Polesden Lacey (RH5 6BD) and Dapdune Wharf (GU1 4RR).

Limber up on the activity trail at Claremont Landscape Garden and join in with games. Or take a voyage of discovery on the activity-filled nature trail at Winkworth Arboretum. Children can make their own masterpiece with items found on the woodland floor, search for wildflowers or predict the weather.

Over at Box Hill (KT20 7LB), don’t miss the unforgettable Egg Rolling Event (7 to 10 April 11am and 3pm). Bring your own fabulously decorated egg or come early and visit the egg decorating station! Prize for best decorated egg. Also enjoy hedgehog-themed games, crafts and book readings during the Easter holidays.

More information HERE

Ask the expert

I’m separating from my partner/spouse – what do I do next?

NE Family Law in Richmond offers this issue’s specialist parenting advice.

Be kind to yourself

The decision to separate is never an easy one and will come with a roller coaster of emotions. You may have made the decision yourself or be coming to terms with your partner making the decision; often that means one of you is ahead of the other emotionally.

Think about setting some boundaries to allow each other the space you need to process what is happening and decide next steps.

You may also need to think about how you will communicate effectively to help keep conflict to a minimum. Don’t make rushed decisions.

Children first

The importance of putting your children first and centre of your decision-making can’t be understated.

Telling them about the separation will be one of the hardest things you have to do. Try to agree what they will be told, keep information ageappropriate and without blame.

Be prepared to answer their questions, give them lots of reassurance and don’t worry about needing to have all the answers immediately.

Children need to know that however different life is going to be, their parents are doing their best to work together. There is a wealth of resources available to help you reach agreement and navigate parenting apart.

Early legal advice

You will have lots of questions. Early legal advice from a specialist family solicitor will equip you with the information and knowledge you need to make decisions that will best work for you and your family.

Helping children who find reading difficult

Word Window is a specially designed hand-held tool that helps children break down words to make them easier to read. It was invented by a mum with an extensive background in education who created it to help children that found reading difficult.

Words are built on letters, sounds and other words and Word Window gives children, parents and teachers the ability to highlight sections of the word so that fluency and comprehension can build over time.

Word Window is successful at helping children to bridge the gap between learning phonics and building these skills into reading as it engages the kinesthetic sense when reading, a sense which is often neglected.

Check out the website HERE or find on Facebook.

Special offer for Families readers using discount code FM10 at checkout.

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Top Easter eggs for 2023

Choose your Easter eggs from the couch this year with our wonderful selection of treats.

Space Eggsplorer

Chocolate Egg

Decorated, hollow milk chocolate space shuttle with milk chocolate balls.

Egg On My Face

Chocolate Slab

Cheery milk chocolate slab with two white chocolate half-eggs.

Percy Pig™ Easter Egg Hunt Bucket

Hollow milk chocolate eggs and a small bag of mini Percy™ Piglets.

Easter Eggtastic Easter bundle

A chocolate egg for every occasion in this eggtastic Easter bundle.

Chocolate Dorset

Dinosaurs

Handmade shapes with milk, dark & white chocolate.

The Raspberry White Chocolate Egg

Belgian white chocolate, raspberry pieces and marshmallow chunks.

Giant Dinosaur Egg

Gargantuan 700g egg, 11+ inches tall, made of smooth, rich Belgian chocolate.

Extra

Thick White Chocolate Easter Egg

A generous egg, piled with fun chocolate treats.

Capsule of Milk

Chocolate Robots

Fabulous tin capsule filled with ten mini milk chocolate robots.

Hosting an Easter egg hunt

Choosing the location

Your garden is great or a local park if your group is large. Allow for weather. Have an indoor Plan B or take wet weather gear. Avoid an area so large that it’s impossible to find the eggs! For younger kids, keep it simple. Scatter eggs about in obvious locations.

Incorporating nature

An outdoor hunt is an ideal way to incorporate outdoor learning. Use vegetation in your own garden or park as hiding spots. Instead of solving clues, complete a spring spotting sheet or scavenger trail along the way.

Collect items along the way instead to make a nature craft to win the prize.

Hiding the eggs

Before you start, count the eggs. You’ll thank yourself later! Make it fair with different colour eggs for different kids. Try treasure hunt style with clues and rewards along the way. Finish with a grand prize. Find age-appropriate hiding spots - too easy and it’s over in a flash; too hard, kids get upset.

Selecting prizes

Go healthy with less sugary offerings.

Personalise your own decorated eggs (name, date, place) to create keepsakes. Customise treats for your child - favourite pens, books, gift voucher.

Try tokens to collect and redeem for prizes or even cash.

Small and caring pre-school in Hampton

Ages 2 to 5

Teaches

Spring confidence-building fun with Perform

Get those feel-good endorphins pumping! Perform’s new summer term themes will get bodies moving and hearts singing. What’s more, your child can try a class for FREE!

Perform offers a different type of children’s drama class. It doesn’t focus on creating perfect dancers or the next child star. Instead, children’s social development is at the heart of its classes, using a specially formulated mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s true potential.

Exciting termly themes keep young imaginations buzzing AND small class sizes ensure lots of individual attention from experienced, professionally trained actors, dancers and singers.

Classes are for children of all abilities and they can join at any point in the term; just be ready to have the best fun of the week!

Discover where you can book a FREE Perform class locally.

READ MORE

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.

DIARY DATES

Every Tue Storytelling for Preschoolers at Landmark Arts Centre

Art, yoga and musical storytelling for ages 2-4.

Storytime at The Alligator’s Mouth, Richmond

Enjoy stories, meet other families and chat about books.

Every Sat ParkPlay at Osterley Park

A FREE two-hour long play session for everyone, starting 9.30am, registration required.

Every Sat & Sun

Meet the Tudors & Tudor Cookery at Hampton Court Palace

Try your hand at hand at roasting or watch the Tudors carrying out their daily tasks.

Steam Train Rides at Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway

Train rides every half hour and picnic area open (not every Sat). Pre-book.

Every Sun Junior Parkrun

Free 2k event for ages 4-14 at Bushy Park, Laleham, Hanworth,

Osterley, Surbiton & Twickenham.

Sun 5 Mar & 16 Apr

Let’s Get Creative at Orleans House Gallery Creative artist led workshop aimed at families with children ages 4-11.

Sat 11 Mar

Music Building at Landmark Arts Centre

Fun music-making workshop for children ages 7+.

Museum Monkeys at Chertsey Museum

Join Charlie the Chimp for singing, stories and crafts for under 5s.

Sat 18 Mar

Young Archaeology Club A group for ages 8-16s to learn and get hands on with the past.

Sat 18–Sun 19 Mar

Mother’s Day Weekend at Hever Castle

Themed activities includes family photo booth and face painting.

Sun 19 Mar

Mother’s Day at Hatchlands Park

Treat your mum to a day at Hatchlands Park. Free entry for mums.

Sat 24 Mar

Sensory Storytelling at the National Archives Kew

Dani the Storyteller will use music, play and toys in this fantastic adventure for under 3s.

Sat 25 Mar

NCT Nearly New Sale in Staines

Wide range of quality second hand baby and maternity items.

Sat & Sun 25/26 Mar & 22/23 Apr

Steaming Weekend at Kempton Steam Museum

Watch these unique and enormous ancient steam engines in action.

Sat & Sun 19/20 Apr & Mon 1 May

Thames Ditton Miniature Steam Railway Open Day

Take a ride on one of the miniature railways.

Sat 22 Apr

Earth Day Exploration

Trail at Strawberry Hill House

A creative trail and a creative workshop making your own bugs from recycled material.

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.

Sun 23 Apr & Tue 25 Apr

Little Explorers at Claremont Landscape Garden

Fun-filled session investigating spring through outdoor exploration and hands-on activities. Pre-book.

Sat 29 Apr

Italian Car Day at Brooklands Museum

Brooklands will be bursting with hundreds of colourful cars with demonstrations on the Mercedes-Benz World track and Test Hill.

Sat 29 Apr to Mon 1 May

Maypole Dancing at Hever Castle

Dance around the maypole with brightly coloured ribbons and watch a traditional May Day play.

EASTER HOLIDAYS

Sat 25 Mar to Mon 10

Apr

Easter Trail at Claremont Landscape Garden

Join in games and an Easter trail with chocolate prize. NAA + £3.

Sat 25 Mar to Wed 19

Apr

Run Wild Through Time Easter Trail at Polesden Lacey

Journey back to the time of wolves and lynx and dress up! Chocolate prize. NAA + £3.

Sun 26 Mar

Mini Day at Brooklands Museum

The site will be bursting with hundreds of mini car models celebrating the sixtieth anniversary.

Mum2mum Nearly New Sale in Twickenham

Buy quality second hand and nearly new baby & children’s stuff at pop-up market.

Sat 1 Apr

15 Minutes of Fun at Chertsey Museum

Free drop-in craft session for all the family.

Sat 1, 8 & 15 Apr

Autism and Sensory Friendly Pond Dipping at London Wetland Centre

This popular activity for families can now be enjoyed by everyone.

Sat 1 to Sun 16 Apr

Easter at Winkworth Arboretum

Wind your way through

the arboretum on a activity-filled nature trail with chocolate egg prize, NAA + £3

The Lindt Gold Bunny

Hunt at Hampton Court Palace

Seek out the Lindt Gold Bunny and discover the stories of fascinating people.

Sat 1 to Sun 16 Apr

Ready to Race at Brooklands Museum Family workshops, costumed characters, pedal cars, heritage bus rides, planes and boarding a Concorde.

Bubbles at London Museum of Water & Steam

Crafts, hands-on activities and Wet and Bubbly Science Show.

Easter Family Fun at Hever Castle

Easter quest, face painting, adventure playground and egg-cellent free egg decorating workshops.

Superworm at Kew Gardens

Follow the trail and discover familiar scenes from the story and explore the world of Superworm.

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 1 to Sun 16 Apr

Easter Trail at Hatchlands Park

See how many eggs you can spot on the Easter nature trail. NAA + £3 includes chocolate egg.

Terrible Thames River Cruise from Tower Bridge Quay

Climb aboard and prepare to hear the horrible history of the most famous river in the world!

Easter trail at Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl

Activities and fun. NAA + £3, includes a chocolate egg.

Hedgehog fun at Box Hill

Enjoy free hedgehog games and crafts plus on 6 and 16 April (10.30am & 2.30pm), meet Lucy Reynolds, author of ‘Hedgehogs don’t live in the city’ and enjoy readings and a craft workshop. Pre-book.

Sat 1 to Mon 17 Apr

Easter Fun at RHS

Wisley

Search for giant eggs hidden in the garden and join family seed planting and craft workshops.

Sat 2 Apr

Kew Family Mile at Kew Gardens

Enjoy a scenic family run past the beautiful Palm and Temperate House.

Painshill’s Eggstraordinary Dragon Trail Find all the dragon statues and eggs as you follow the route around the stunning gardens.

Explore with Elizabeth Trail at Ham House A trail of activity and discovery, £3 includes chocolate egg.

Bunny’s Rhyming Trail at Osterley Park & House Easter trail with fun games and activities along the way, £3, includes chocolate egg.

Duck Detectives at London Wetland Centre Duck Detectives trail for whole family to discover wildlife secrets. Free Colour Hunt trail card for under 5s, daily dropin Pond Dipping (11am and 2pm) and Plant Detectives sessions (1pm), both drop in.

Tue 4 to Thu 6 Apr

Easter Eggs Family Workshop at Museum of Richmond

Create your own Easter

decorations and learn the history of Easter.

Fri 7 to Sun 10 Apr

Egg Rolling at Box Hill

Take part in the tradition of egg rolling down the big hill (11am & 3pm). Bring your own fabulously decorated egg or come early to visit egg decorating station. Best decorated egg wins a prize.

Fri 7 to Sun 19 Apr

Easter Trail at Dapdune Wharf

Activities including den building, crafts, bunny hopping. £3 with Easter egg prize.

Sat 8 Apr

Easter Classic Gathering at Brooklands Museum

There will be hundreds of classic cars, plus live music, BBQ and food outlets.

Sun 16 Apr

London Bus Spring Gathering at Brooklands Museum

Extensive bus displays, heritage bus trips, workshop tours plus two free circular service bus routes to ride. Children’s activities and preservation workshop demonstrations.

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.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

DORKING HALLS

Fireman Sam LIVE 11 Apr

Join Sam, Penny, Elvis and Norman in an all singing, dancing, action-packed show. Ages 3+.

THE

ELECTRIC

THEATRE, GUILDFORD

Let’s All Dance –Cinderella 2 Apr

Combines stunning dancing, storytelling, music and beautiful costumes to enchant the family.

The Bubble Show 16 Apr

Join Mr Bubbles with his extraordinary soap bubbles in all shapes and sizes. Ages 3-12.

THE EXCHANGE, TWICKENHAM

Teach Rex 2 Apr

Using life-like dinosaurs teaching children about the anatomy and life of one these creatures.

G LIVE, GUILDFORD

Ministry of Science Live

11 Apr

UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever.

LYRIC THEATRE, HAMMERSHITH

The Tap Dancing Mermaid 11 Mar

Featuring stunning puppets, original live music and tap dancing. Ages 3+.

The King of Nothing

18 Mar

This wild new puppet musical sets out to prove… you’ll believe anything. Ages 5+.

Funnybones 25 Mar Heart-warming show with puppetry, object manipulation, projection and movement. Ages 4-7.

Lily and Bear 1 Apr

Musical for children with animation and puppets tells a magical tale about friendship. Under 6s.

Bossy 8 Apr Brand new show celebrating Black culture featuring kick-ass Caribbean soundtrack. Ages 5-9.

The ‘Not So’ Grim Twins

11-15 Apr

Original live music and puppetry, this production is suitable for the whole family. Ages 4+.

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

The Extraordinary TimeTravelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen

5 Mar

Exciting new concept show features awardwinning comedians and improvisers. Ages 7+.

The Princess and the Frog 12 Mar

Let’s All Dance presents an enchanting performance for all the family.

OSO ARTS CENTRE, BARNES

The Mules 1 Apr

A show all the family can enjoy, packed with silly games, madcap fantasy and distorted guitars.

POLKA THEATRE, WIMBLEDON

The Singing Mermaid 31 Mar to 8 Apr

A fun warm-hearted adventure that will leave you humming its songs. Ages 3-8.

Let’s Build 1 Apr to 21 May

Interactive performance exploring the places where we live and how they are made. Ages 2-5.

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.

POLKA THEATRE, WIMBLEDON

The Lost Spells 13 Apr to 7 May

A fun, wild and boisterous adventure full of pawtapping music and dancing. Ages 6-12.

THE ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON

The Smeds and the Smoos 4 to 16 Apr Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures. Ages 3+.

EASTER WORKSHOPS

Mon 3 Apr to Wed 5 Apr AND Wed 12 Apr to Fri 14 Apr

Perform’s The Jungle Book Workshop in Richmond and Twickenham

Running 10am to 3pm at the Vineyard Church in Richmond and from 12 to 14 April at The Crossway Centre in Twickenham, children ages 4 to 10 will enjoy three days of drama, dance and singing at Perform’s Easter holiday course based on The Jungle Book. Children will join Mowgli and friends as they journey deep into the jungle, meeting Baloo the bear, black panther Bagheera

and hunting down ferocious Bengal tiger Shere Khan. Topped off with a fabulously colourful final show, it’s going to be the wildest holiday ever! More info and booking: EMAIL or call 020 7255 9120.

Mon 3 Apr to Thu 6 Apr

Stagecoach Hinchley Wood and Esher ‘Just Dance’ Workshop in Molesey

Children can enjoy four days full of fun, dance and making new friends at this workshop running from 10am to 4.30pm daily at Imber Court. More info: EMAIL or call 01372 238238.

Stagecoach Staines

Easter Workshop

Running 9.45am to 12.45pm at Thomas Knyvett College, Ashford, this workshop week will be suitable for children ages 4 to 16, split into

age-appropriate groups. Educational, invigorating and packed with fun musical theatre activities, children can come for a day or every day – no two days will be the same. More info: EMAIL or call 07802 800633.

Step on Stage ‘Strictly Musicals’ Workshop in Hampton

An ‘all-singing,’ ‘alldancing’ four days of performing arts fun at this workshop running from 10am to 4pm daily at St James Church Hall. Suitable for children ages 6 to 16, attendees will work in age-appropriate groups – ages 6 to 10 and 11 to 16. The workshop will finish with a spectacular show at 4pm on the final day. More info: EMAIL or call 07973 900196.

Perform’s The Jungle Book Workshop

Easter treats to make with the kids

From Neha Gandesha @squashedpickle

Froyo Easter egg lollies

Easter hot chocolate

These frozen yoghurt treats are considered the best Easter cooking activity in our family. With a few simple ingredients, such as Greek yoghurt and food colouring, you can create a delicious Easter snack which the kids will run to the freezer to devour!

RECIPE VIDEO

Cinnamon Swirl bunnies

Kids can top these with their favourite chocolate eggs, sprinkles or even cookies and enjoy in a hot cup of milk. They make great Easter gifts when wrapped up too. Remember, marshmallows should only be given to kids over 5-years-old as they are a choking hazard.

RECIPE VIDEO

Milky Bar Oreo chicks

These bunnies are so fun for Easter and very easy to make, thanks to the ready-to-bake cinnamon swirl rolls made by Jus-Rol. The fun is in shaping the rolls so they turn into bunny ears! Kids can decorate the finished product with sprinkles and candy eyes and they make a really cute little Easter snack.

RECIPE VIDEO

These are another really fun Easter-themed treat to make with the kids and they use favourite chocolatey treats including Oreos, Milky Bar and yellow and orange Smarties. Other than that, all you really need are some lolly sticks and some candy eyes to really bring the chicks to life!

RECIPE

Easter crafts for the kids to enjoy

Get the kids crafting during the school holidays with this great selection of arty Easter and spring-themed ideas.

Burlap bunny bunting

Bunny scrunchies

Spring tin can animals

Easter biscuits

DIY Easter egg pinata

Easter bonnet

Easy button Easter egg

Mini Easter baskets

Easter egg weaving

Let’s play outdoors!

Get your little ones active and outdoors now spring is on its way. Here are some favourites from child psychologist and play expert Dr. Amanda Gummer, founder of The Good Toy Guide.

Xootz Bubble-GoScooter

An easy-to-master 3-wheeled scooter which blows bubbles as you ride! RRP: £49.99

Geosafari®

JR.Kidnoculars®

Extreme™

Magnify nature! 3x nofocus binoculars & builtin mic. RRP £26.50

Kids First Weather Science Kit

Investigate different types of weather with this interactive lab kit.

RRP: £16.95

Naylor Activity

Tunnels

Lightweight, bright play tunnels for indoor or outdoor adventures!

RRP: £33

Diditrike

Quirky, lightweight and easy-to-manoeuvre early year’s ride-on.

RRP: £44.99

Smoby AquaPlay

LockBox

Kids can explore waterway adventures with this canal-inspired playset. RRP: 39.99

Zoomarang

The original backyard boomerang! Circles out 30 feet with ease.

RRP: £4.99

Smoby KS Slide

Encourage active play with a slide that doubles as a water-slide!

RRP:£69.99

Waterwall

Hands on problemsolving fun with this interactive water flow.

RRP: £99.99

Top value family holiday destinations

Travelling abroad as a family is a wonderful experience but can be costly. Families asked Ashley Lutz at Travel Counsellors to recommend some destinations that offer excellent value for money.

Turkey

Warm, family-friendly and relatively cheap once you are there.

Portugal

A Eurozone destination where your cash can work harder.

Montenegro

Cheaper and quieter than neighbouring Croatia.

Mauritius

Something for all ages with prices almost half of the neighbouring Seychelles.

Jamaica

Named best value destination in the Caribbean (The Post Office).

South Africa

Wildlife, exploration and relaxation – and easy-ish on the wallet once there.

Albania

Kids’ attractions, sandy beaches and a family 3 course meal for £20!

Sri Lanka

Relatively affordable food, transport and accommodation.

Thailand

One of the cheapest long-haul destinations to fly to. Cheap once there.

Healthy after-school snack ideas

We asked our friends at Kitchen Titbits for healthy ideas to satisfy our kids’ after-school hunger and to avoid spending a fortune on packaged snacks.

Energy-balls

Banana and blueberry muffins

(vegan)

Banana ice cream

Butternut squash and feta scones

Oat pancakes

Yoghurt and fruit bark

Fruit smoothie

Courgette spinach cheese muffins

Snack mix

Mother’s Day gifts for under £20

Attention dads! This is one for sharing with the kids before 19 March!

Gourmet chocolate pizza

For the mum who loves pizza and chocolate! £11.75

Personalised wooden memory box

Kick start mum’s collection with a few of your own items. £19.99

Photo cushion

Capture family memories on this multi-photo upload cushion. £19.99

Olive & Pip’s Drawing Make Up Bag

Create something special with those drawings on the fridge. £20.99

SHO reusable drink bottles

For mums who are both eco and style conscious. From £12.49

Mother’s Day Sketchy Muma biscuits

Gift box of ten biscuits. Hand drawn illustrations of heart-warming messages. £20

Reusable coffee cup

Designed to last 10 years. 100% recyclable. £14.95

Rarebirds Lucky Dip Book Club

Choose a genre; they will choose a book for mum. £8.99

Gift wrapped botanical posy

Mini posy made up of seasonal flowers, foliage and herbs. £15.95