Families Warwickshire May/June 2022 DIGITAL

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Warwickshire

IN THIS ISSUE

Education Summer fun Kids’ parties Travel

May/June 2022

Familiesonline.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 1

Once a Squirrel, Always a Squirrel…

• Warm and welcoming nursery • Dedicated and experienced Early Years staff • Stimulating nursery garden

• Forest school weekly sessions, all year round • State-of-the-art facilities • 55 acres to explore

Register now for The Squirrels Nursery 2022 and beyond! warwickprep.com/squirrels admissions@warwickprep.com 01926 491545 An Independent Day School and Nursery for boys aged 3-7 and girls aged 3-11 2 May/June

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CONTENTS

Welcome

In this issue

So much to look forward to in May and June, including two bank holidays, one of them extralong! Yippee!

4

Education

11

Parenting

Warm sunny days are on the horizon so start planning some family adventures in your local area and exploring the great outdoors again.

If you are looking at planning a break but want something that will truly be family-friendly, check out our ‘tried and tested’ suggestions.

13 Summer camps 14 Kids’ parties 15 Adventures at home 17 Win a holiday 18 Summer food 19 Travel

If you have a little one who starts school in 20 Garden toys September, now is also the time to start thinking about preparation. Find advice and resources in our 21 Adventures outdoors Education section.

Finally, in this issue, we have lots of giveaways, including a family holiday and cuddly Care Bear companions for your child to fall in love. Don’t forget to apply!

Claire Jones, Editor

Familiesonline.co.uk

22 Father’s Day gifts

Get in touch Competition winners from our January/February issue Congratulations to all our winners.

You can find a list here.

May/June 3

EDUCATION

School readiness checklist

Download our checklist and help your child get ready to go to school.

Talk the skills through with your child and explain why they are important at school. Show them that once they can master a skill, they can colour in the smiley face!

Then help them practise.

Colour in the

I am ready fo

happy face wh

I can....

Colour in th when you ca e face n do this

( (

Recognise m y name

r school!

en you can do ready to go! these things and you’ll be

( (

(

Get dressed

( (

(

Do up my co at/ cardigan

(

Put on my sh

( (

oes

( (

(

Go to the to ilet by myself

( (

(

Take my clo thes off

(

Open my sn

( ( (

Share with ot her children

( (

(

Wash my ha I’ve been to nds after and before I the toilet eat

(

( (

Eat with a kn ife and fork

(

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ack box

4 May/June

DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR CHILD HERE

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Starting school in September?

Wondering how your child will manage school lunches?

Watch advice from Emma Lewry at Every Day’s a School Day

Prospecti tivve Year 7 Open Evening (for current Year 5 students)

Alcester Grammar School Thursday 30th June 2022 - 5pm to 8pm Please visit our website to register your att tteendance (www.alcestergs.co.uk) AGS students are happy, secure and highly successful in realising their potential. That’s why each year students come from over 70 feeder schools to take advantage of the outstanding education on offer.

Parents and prospective students, who are currently in Year 5, are welcome to join us for tours, displays, and to meet students and staff.

Due to anticipated high interest, all guests must register their attendance and pre-book a time slot for scheduled talks.

Contemporary, coeducational 11-18 Grammar School Intake of 150 into Year 7 • 18 subjects in Year 7, taught by subject specialists • Enviable track record of academic success • Excepti tio onally high quality pastoral care • Superb variety of extra-curricular acti tivviti tiees ‘Possibly the best school I have ever visited.’ HMI Inspector • •

Familiesonline.co.uk

May/June 5

EDUCATION

Starting school resources

If you have a little one starting school in September, now is a good time to start gently preparing them for the big day.

Get Ready for School Activity Pack

Fun, wipe clean books in smart carry case. £9.70

Going to School

A great Usborne picture book introducing the school experience. £4.99

Teach Your Monster to Read

Fun, engaging game that practises essential reading skills. FREE 6 May/June

Phonics Play

Website with phonics information, games and activities. FREE

My First Day at School Game

BBC Bitesize interactive game explaining what school may be like. FREE

Bud’s Number Game

Educational game to get your child started with numbers. FREE

Preparing Your Child for Starting School

Top tips booklet to help children with transition.

FREE

Teachers

Pupils explain what a teacher does and how to behave in class. FREE

Starting Primary School

Everything you need to get prepared, from home to classroom. FREE Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

BABLAKE & KING HENRY VIII SCHOOL 3-18 Independent Co-Educational Day School

BOOK NOW

SUMMER WORKSHOP STAGECOACH KENILWORTH & WARWICK

STAGECOACH LEAMINGTON SPA

8TH - 12TH AUG 2022

1ST - 5TH AUG 2022

ROOM ON THE BROOM Age: 4 - 6 year olds Time: 9.00am - 4.00pm

PIRATES VS MERMAIDS Age: 4 - 6 year olds Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm

JOSEPH AND THE TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Age: 6 - 18 year olds Time: 9.00am - 4.00pm

WE WILL ROCK YOU Age: 6 - 18 year olds Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm

stagecoach.co.uk/warwick warwick@stagecoach.co.uk 07432638990

stagecoach.co.uk/leamingtonspa leamingtonspa@stagecoach.co.uk 07483914041

Wrap around care available (Stagecoach Kenilworth & Warwick) Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

OPEN EVENTS Friday 24th June 5.00pm — 7.00pm

BKHS PRE PREP

Brownshill Green Road Friday 24th June 5.00pm — 8.00pm Find out what Princethorpe can do for your child, come along to our

Open Evening on Wednesday 8 June 2022

To book your place visit princethorpe.co.uk

Year 6 Taster Days available in September.

An independent school for 11-18 year olds

Registered Charity Number 1087124.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Coundon Road

Saturday 25th June 9.30am — 12.30pm

BKHS KING HENRY VIII Warwick Road

Registration deadline for September 2023 entry is Friday 30 September 2022.

Princethorpe College

BKHS BABLAKE

For information call 01926 634201 or visit princethorpe.co.uk #princethorpeandme

For booking information contact

admissions@bkhs.org.uk May/June 7

EDUCATION

Times tables learning resources It really is true that multiplication tables are the bedrock of maths learning. Get your child up to speed with the following resources.

Math Songs by NUMBEROCK

Numberjacks Times Table App

Times Tables Flashcards

Learn times tables by singing about them!

FREE

Times table activities based on the CBeebies show. FREE

Rapid recall practice in the 1-12 times tables.

Ages 8-11. £6.99

Colour-coded Multiplication Square

The Times Table Adventure

Times Tables Heroes Board Game

Visual aid which helps spot patterns and learn tables. FREE

Times Tables Wall Chart Download and stick up where they’ll be seen often. FREE

8 May/June

Ideal for children who like video games like Minecraft. FREE

10 Minutes A Day Times Tables

Book featuring 10 minute games and tests.

Maximum fun, maximum effect. £14.99

Fun multiplication board game to prepare for Year 4 tables check. £11.75

Number Rumbler Card Game A family card game which practises times tables. £7.99

Familiesonline.co.uk

& Nature Inspired Gift Shop The UK’s Largest Tropical Butterfly Paradise!

Multi -Award Winning!

Book your trial class today!

Spanish, French, German & Italian classes in Coventry & Warwickshire sessions available for ages 1 month - 7 years hello@bilinguasing.com We make languages fun agai

bilinguasing.com

n!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS ONLINE TODAY! Open throughout the year from 10AM daily

Swan’s Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7LS

Tel. 01789 299288

enquiries@butterflyfarm.co.uk

www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

STUDIO ANIMATIONth day Parties

Workshops & Bir

k nimate.coe..u .uk www.letsa co at im an llo@lets

0797 3354567

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he

May/June 9

WHAT’S ON

W o od s , Ob s ta c l e s , L a k e s & Fi el d s

War Memorial Park, Coventry

2 0 2 2

5

Plus lots more acts over the weekend, family attractions and licensed bars.

Book now and save £££

Jun

E V E N T S

|

4

Sep

L e a m i n g t o n S pa , S ta n f o r d H a l l ,

W a r k s L e i c s

WILD RUNNING ‘OUTDOOR FUN AT IT S ’ BEST!’

www.godivafestival.com/buytickets

Brought to you by:

In partnership with:

thewolfrun.com

10 May/June

Familiesonline.co.uk

PARENTING

Change your career to Fostering “Our journey began in February 2012 we had spoken about a career-change, as shift work was placing a strain on our family. I had a 15 year career in Leisure and my husband was a Police Officer.

We attended an information evening and we looked at each other and both said “we could do that”.

We started an assessment process with an Independent Social Worker and did some ‘therapeutic’ training courses.

That’s where it began. We’ve been fostering for nearly 10 years and it’s the best decision we ever made.

The young man we currently foster, arrived at 11pm as an emergency and 8 years later he is still with us, attending college and really enjoying his course.”

You could Foster too! Find out more HERE.

Fostering changes lives Change your career. Change their future.

“

We wanted to Foster to help more black children from our local community.

”

Emmanuel & Happiness, By the Bridge Foster Parents

We need Foster families for over 600 children across the Midlands this month alone.

If you have a spare bedroom and want to make a difference, contact us today.

Call: 0800 644 6230 Familiesonline.co.uk

Visit: www.bythebridge.co.uk/families May/June 11

Care and share with Care Bears Bean Plush!

Apply for a FREE Bean Plush 22cm Care Bear* Perfect company for your child’s adventures APPLY HERE

*while stocks last T&Cs apply

Magazine

12 May/June

*while stocks last T&Cs apply Familiesonline.co.uk

SUMMER CAMPS

Summer camps checklist

To help you book a summer camp or workshop and get your child ready.

What to wear

For cool weather, warm comfortable clothes including a jacket/coat and jumper/hoodie.

For sunny weather, suitable clothes and sun hat. Apply sun cream once before your child leaves the house.

Comfortable footwear.

General questions

How many children are there on a camp?

What age group will my child be in?

Can my child be in the same group as their friend/sibling?

Do I need to provide lunch and snacks?

Do you provide sun cream?

What to take

Swimming costume and towel.

An apron or shirt for creative activities.

Refillable water bottle Packed lunch and snacks, if needed.

Rucksack (to carry everything).

Sun cream, if required.

Childcare questions

Are you registered with Ofsted?

Will my child have a key worker?

Do you accept childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare?

Is wraparound care available?

Questions about booking and costs

Can I make changes to my booking? What is the last date for changes?

Can I pay in instalments?

If there’s wraparound care, how much is it?

Will I pay extra if I’m delayed in collecting my child?

Are all activities included in the cost?

Familiesonline.co.uk

May/June 13

KIDS’ PARTIES

Party bag fillers

Want to avoid plastic tat but stuck for alternatives? Try these out for size.

Decopatch Mini Animal Kits

Make a cute animal mache shape with these gorgeous kits. £7.30

Colour-in Splat T-shirts

Doubles as a party activity! Wash and colour-in again. From £9.95

Sweetie Jewellery Activity Kit

Smiggle Party Colour Art Jar

Hello Bee Craft Kits

Pre-filled Thank You Party Cone

Make yummy jewellery & a craft jewellery box. £12.99

Art kit with rainbow markers, colouring sheets & graphite pencil. £9.20

Designed for children 3+, perfect for keeping little hands busy.

From £8

Colourful paper cones full of treats and including thank you note. £3.75

The Curious Caterpillar PreFilled Bags

Mini Sunflowers Growing Kit

Craft & Crumb Bake Kit Party Bags

Large variety of pre-filled bags for girls and boys.

From £1.90 14 May/June

Easy to grow mini sunflowers. Includes seeds, compost and activity sleeve. £6

Make, bake and decorate cookies and biscuits with these kits. From £4.50 Familiesonline.co.uk

ADVENTURES AT HOME

Adventures at home

I’m a big fan of planning fun-filled family adventures at home. Here’s some of our favourites from my book Adventures at Home, available here.

Garden music festival

Go without electricity

Dig out your tent, drag out your blankets and cushions, power up the radio and set up camp. Spend the day listening to music in the comfort of your own garden. Homemade ribbon wristbands and VIP lanyards allow unlimited access to the snack cupboard, fruity mocktails and ultimately, the lavatory without needing to queue!

Challenging the family to go without electricity is great fun. It encourages you to get creative with your time and introduces the broader topic of eco-living: which small changes can be made at home? Activities for the day might include painting, poetry, games, bird watching, cooking over an open flame and sleeping outside.

Stargazing

Garden fete

Our favourite way to stargaze is in an old inflatable pool, patched with duct tape and filled with duvets! It keeps the chill out whilst we snuggle down and watch for the first star to appear amidst the myths and legends.

Village fetes are often a washout but you can schedule yours in when there’s glorious sunshine!

String up your bunting, bake some scones, set up a raffle and a lucky dip (from old goody bag items), provide an (unplugged) microphone for announcements, hold a pet show, even set up a Pimms’ tent (no judgement here).

Look out for the Big Bear, the Pegasus and Draco the dragon.

Familiesonline.co.uk

May/June 15

ADVENTURES AT HOME

Adventures at home

I’m a big fan of planning fun-filled family adventures at home. Here’s some of our favourites from my book Adventures at Home, available here.

Mini Olympics

Wildlife hunting

Our garden Olympics is an annual favourite. Open the games with a (tissue paper) Olympic flame and homemade hanging flags, followed by competitive rounds of egg and spoon, sack races, hula hooping, bean bag throwing and swing ball. Keep score on a chalkboard and finish with salt dough medals award ceremony.

Find out who you share your garden with, using a nature guide to help with identification.

Encourage some new residents with a log pile house for insects, feeders for birds, a compost heap for worms, upturned pots for frogs and a colourful flowerbed for bees and butterflies. Keep an illustrated journal of what you see.

Family heritage

Reading nook

Ask relatives about their own adventures, jotting them down as you go. If the weather is rubbish, this is the perfect excuse to scour old family albums full of photos of when they were young.

A reading nook is a wonderful place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Set up a den or a tepee, make it cosy inside and fill a basket with books.

And if the weather is kind, ask them to take you around their old haunts.

16 May/June

Make the most of little ones curled up in your lap for story time. Or even write your own story together.

Familiesonline.co.uk

GIVEAWAYS

Win a family holiday with Away Resorts!

Win a three or four night stay for a family of up to six people at an Away Resort of your choice.

Welcome to the world of Away Resorts! Experience one of its fabulous UK locations, from countryside to coast. Fall in love with a new type of holiday - where your accommodation is off-the-scale amazing and new experiences await at every turn. A holiday to create ‘remember when we did that?’ moments that will last a lifetime.

Explore the New Forest, Hampshire, Tattershall Lakes or Boston West in Lincolnshire, Mersea Island in Essex, Barmouth Bay in Wales, Mill Rythe on Hayling Island or Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight.

APPLY HERE by 18 June 2022. T&Cs apply.

Smoby Flextreme Discovery Sets to giveaway!

Turn your child’s imagination around!

Worth £34.99 each

For an amazing, adventure-filled summer...

Apply for a Map of Wonders!

10 available

5 available

APPLY HERE Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk

T&Cs apply

Magazine

APPLY HERE

T&Cs apply

May/June 17

FOOD

Cooling summer treats Get the kids involved in making these perfect treats for hot summer days.

Club tropicana ice cream cake

Watermelon & strawberry slushies

Vegan orange lollies

Easy strawberry ice cream

Quick banana ice cream

Fruity ice-lolly pens

Nutty caramel & choc sundaes

Frozen banana lollies

Raspberry lemonade slushies

18 May/June

Familiesonline.co.uk

TRAVEL

Vacation staycations It’s not always easy to know whether the holiday destination you’ve found online is truly family-friendly. Families asked the experts at Tested

by Tots for their tested and rated recommendations for your next break.

Sandy Balls Holiday Village, New Forest

Excellent facilities, and service. Activities for all.

Catgill Farm, Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire

Charming and family-run On-site facilities.

Cherry Tree Farm Camping, North Devon

Sandylands Holiday Park, Ayrshire

Drayton Cottage, Isle of Wight Home from home, walk to beach, relaxing, secure garden, BBQ.

Forest Holidays, North Yorkshire

Beautiful cabins, peaceful, beach nearby.

Forest activities.

Ham Bottom, Somerset

Holiday Inn Kenilworth, Warwick

Park Plaza London Riverbank

Beautiful yet cosy.

Excellent facilities.

Self-catering lodges, with trampoline, slide, and climbing frame.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Great value & location to explore local attractions.

300m from beach, surf gear hire, food truck & more.

Features the capital’s first hotel room designed by families for families.

May/June 19

TOYS

It’s time to play outside!

If you’re looking for some entertaining garden activities for the summer, here are our recommendations.

Target Ball Game

Soft Archery Set

Wheelbarrow Set

Family garden game with giant inflatable Velcro target. All ages. £19.99

Soft, safe and durable, this set is great way for kids to discover a new hobby. Ages 8+. £39.99

Let budding gardeners develop their own green world. Ages 3+. £12

My First Giant Bubble Kit

Family Paddling Pool

Garden Tumble Tower

Youngsters will love these eco-friendly giant wooden wands.

Ages 3+. £21

Big enough for families to chill out together.

Ages 6+. £75

Great backyard game builds a tower over 3ft.

Ages 5+. £35.99

Ladybird Wheely Bug Ride-On

Wavy Kids Slide

Sandpit Picnic Table with Lid

Suitable for decking and driveways. Easy to ride!

Ages 1-3. £67.50 20 May/June

Outdoor classic offers a fast slide and 5.8ft of fun.

Ages 3+. £54.99

Keeps up to four children entertained for hours.

Ages 3+. £79.99 Familiesonline.co.uk

ADVENTURES OUTDOORS

Family adventures outdoors We asked our friends the Meek family for some top picks from their book 100 Family Adventures. Here’s what they have come up with.

Sleep on a beach

Eat nettle soup

Build a bridge

Be lulled to sleep by the sound of crashing waves.

Surprisingly fresh and light!

Kids love the excitement of building a natural structure.

Go on a scooter safari

Venture behind a waterfall Connect to the power and awe of a waterfall.

Make a rope swing

Put some ‘natural’ back into the outdoor play experience.

Go on a forest night walk

Go coasteering

Don’t go with the flow

Borrow some extra scooters explore the local area.

Children will love the excitement of the forest at night.

Familiesonline.co.uk

A nature trail along a rocky coast. Scrambling, swimming and rock hopping.

Head ‘off piste’ - follow a stream in reverse!

May/June 21

FATHER’S DAY

Father’s Day gift suggestions

Is it sometimes difficult to know what to buy for dad? Here are our top picks.

Dad’s Shed Slate Sign

Handcrafted natural slate sign to mark out dad’s territory. £12.99

Docking Station Help dad keep all his things together – stylishly! £27.90

Supercar Driving Day

Get day in a race car!

Circuits UK-wide. From £39

Peppa Pig: My Burgon & Ball Billionaire Gardening Gloves Shortbread Truffles Daddy Board Book

These quality gloves are For dads with a sweet great for dads with green tooth - a little decadence. fingers. £17.99 £16

Bread Baking Club Gift Subscription

Your dad could be star baker with this 3-month gift subscription. £36 22 May/June

100 Things to Do with Dad Scratch Off Bucket List Poster 100 activities! £10.99

Something for dad to read with your little one. £4.49

Personalised Socks with your Child’s Drawing

Celebrate Father’s Day and your child’s artwork. £20 Familiesonline.co.uk