What’s new or free in 2023

To help you and your family get the best out of the year ahead, Claire Winter gives you the lowdown on exciting free events and new products for 2023.

The Young V&A (formerly the Museum of Childhood) will re-open in Bethnal Green, London this summer as a new national museum and creative powerhouse for children and young teens.

< vam.ac.uk/young

Days

New Zog Activity Trail is open at Wendover Woods and other Forestry England sites across the UK. There’s a free AR app you can download before you go, or you can collect a Trail Pack from the Information Centre for £4. < forestryengland.uk/zog

Go on a night-time adventure to look at constellations and galaxies at one of England’s growing range of dark sky experiences and festivals. 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Northumberland International Dark Sky Park the UK’s largest and first International Dark Sky Park, which spans nearly 1,500 square km of Northumberland National Park, Kielder Water and Forest Park. < bit.ly/northdarksky

Explore the North Downs Art Trail on foot or bicycle to enjoy stunning views between Dover in Kent and Farnham in Surrey, where a series of sculptures work as benches or shelters. Choose from a range of downloadable, self-guided walking or cycling routes. < bit.ly/ndownsarttrail

Check out the all-British and all-electric Firefly Sports car for kids. It’s hoped the car will help educate youngsters about road safety and how future motor vehicles can be an environmental force for good. Try driving the Firefly Sport at Young Driver’s UK venues for £20. Book a lesson at: < youngdriver.com

All eyes will be on London with the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6 May. Plus, we get a new bank holiday on Monday 8 May to continue the celebrations. Expect lots of free royal-themed events, exhibitions and celebrations across the UK. < royal.uk

LEGO Friends® releases five new sets this year with diverse characters that better represent children. The new sets will be inclusive of various ethnicities, disabilities and neurodivergence and will feature characters with limb difference, Downs syndrome, anxiety, vitiligo and even pets with disabilities, including a blind dog and a dog with a wheelchair. < bit.ly/friendsdiverse

The new car sunshade from Shady® is the only car sunshade that allows you to wind down your car window. The sunshade blocks nearly all harmful UV rays and sticks firmly to the glass of the window. It’s perfect for any age and if you have a newborn, it has been specifically developed to nurture and stimulate vision and the optic nerves by incorporating high contrast, black-and-white, fun images whilst providing protection from sunlight.

Baboodle is a new baby equipment subscription platform, renting baby essentials to parents for as much time as they need. There are huge discounts on baby equipment and the scheme reduces the waste associated with baby equipment. Sign up and start saving at: < baboodle.co.uk

NEW