Families Dorset March-April 2014

March/April 2014

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Inside: Easter Family Fun Education: Prep Schools Choosing your childcare Win! A family ticket to Marwell Zoo Win! A family break in Cornwall

www.familiesdorset.co.uk The really useful magazine for parents with children 0 to 12 years in Dorset

In this issue

Parents can relax!

News & Views 02 Prep Schools: How to 05 choose the right one

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Choosing your childcare 06 What to buy for your baby 08

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The Science of Play 10 How to make a Bee Garden 12 Easter Activities 13 What’s On

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Front cover image - M&Co

Do you feel like you need a break? At Sands Resort Hotel in Cornwall parents can relax whilst the children are having fun. Overlooking one of the finest stretches of golden beaches in Europe, the award winning family hotel has fantastic child friendly facilities such as large family suites, kids clubs, lots of activities, indoor- and outdoor pool, spa and free baby listening service. During school holidays Sands also offers a great entertainment programme including clowns, magicians and visits from the local zoo and aquarium. From £108 per night for a family of four.

Visit www.sandsresort.co.uk.

World Book Day This year’s World Book Day hits the shelves on 6 March, and they need your help! Which books have changed your life? Which books thrill you, scare you, make you laugh? Which books do your children devour again and again?

Nominate your favourites now at www.worldbookday.com. World Book Day is the biggest celebration of books anywhere, with millions and millions of book tokens given out, great free books for kids plus events taking place in schools, libraries and bookshops. Don’t miss out – register online to keep up to date with the exciting Big Booky Events and to get your free books.

Families Dorset Magazine Editor: Sarah Carr Tel : 07876 761623 Email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

MAGAZINE FOR SALE!

www.familiesdorset.co.uk Next issue: May/June 2014 Booking deadline: 1 April 2014 Copy deadline: 8 April 2014 24,000 readers per issue

Could you be the next Editor of Families Dorset Magazine?

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If you are looking for a fun, creative and worthwhile business opportunity and want to work at home and do hours that fit around your family then a Families franchise could be for you.

@familiesdorset www.facebook.com/FamiliesDorset Copyright: Families Dorset, March/April 2014 Data Protection: if you send us your name and address in order to win a prize in a competition, we

No particular qualifications are needed but it does help if you are confident, express yourself well, know your way around a computer, can drive and live in or near to Dorset.

may supply your details to the company offering the prize. If you would prefer us not to do this please state this on your entry.

Disclaimer: Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at the owners risk and whilst every care is taken, neither Families Dorset not its agents accept liability for loss or damage. We take care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for consequence.

Families Dorset is part of a group established in 1990 headed by Families South West London. All magazines are independently owned and operated under licence.

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The Families group of magazines has been expanding since its very first issue in South West London in 1990.

Everyone is friendly, helpful and advice and support are always available.

If you would like to discuss this unique opportunity please call Sarah on 07876 761623 or email editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

News & Views Real Nappy Week 2014 Save the date for Real Nappy Week!

Taking place 28 April - 4 May this year, Real Nappy Week is all about celebrating reusables – for those who are already converted to cloth and those not yet tempted. Get involved in nationwide events, competitions and a whole lot more - there are loads of events where you can meet people who use real nappies, get great advice as well as get your hands on nappies to see how they work. Choosing the right nappy can be an important decision for new parents, and real nappies are now more popular than ever. They can save you upwards of £500 per child (more if you use your nappies on a second child), are better for the environment, save on waste to landfill, are comfortable for your baby and, best of all, are super stylish. Available in a choice of fabrics including cotton, bamboo, microfibre and fleece, and in a choice of styles for different occasions, they also come in a range of patterns, designs and colours. You can even buy bespoke! www.goreal.org.uk/real-nappy-week

Labels4Kids has expanded the range on their new website with the introduction of another multi pack of labels Want snap on tags and vinyl labels as well? Then why not combine them with the new snappy school pack? This gives you the advantage of vinyl waterproof labels for all your non-clothing items, two bag tags as well as re-applying snap on snappy tags etched with a name (and also a phone number if you wish). Other new lines include TSA luggage straps personalised with name, or cut and bagged sew-on labels which have the edges pre-sealed to stop fraying - no need to fold over the edges before sewing! Remember to sign up an account and for newsletters for the latest updates and offers. They also run competitions regularly on the Labels4Kids facebook page. www.labels4kids.com

Major new research into early detection of autism and ADHD is seeking babies The world-leading ‘Babylab’ at Birkbeck, University of London, is launching a new Europe-wide study of the early emergence of autism and ADHD. With over £2.5 million in funding, Professor Mark Johnson and his team are now embarking upon the Studying Autism and ADHD Risk in Siblings (STAARS) project, which will map brain development from birth in order to identify the earliest signs of these lifelong social communication and attention disorders.

The research will focus on infants who have older siblings with autism or ADHD as these infants are at particularly high risk for these disorders. Although parents may notice symptoms of these conditions from infancy, children are often not diagnosed until they are in nursery or school. Earlier diagnosis of these children would help make it possible to design earlier and more effective interventions that may prevent symptoms from developing, and improve the quality of life for individuals with autism/ADHD. Can you and your baby help? Expenses will be paid. To read more about the STAARS project and to take part go to www.staars.org

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Mothering Sunday Mother’s Day takes place on 30 March this year, so it’s time to treat your mother - or for your little ones to treat you! Perhaps you’d like a lie in and breakfast in bed, a day at the spa, afternoon tea or a trip to the theatre? Or perhaps what you’d really love is a day to spend time with your loved ones. Across the country many museums, National Trust properties and stately homes are running Mother’s Day events, so why not plan a special day with your family this March?

Gearing up for a wheelie great free family festival 2014 sees Bournemouth welcome the inaugural Wheels Festival to town from Saturday 24 May to Monday 26 May. Billed as the UK’s biggest free family Wheels themed festival, it’s set to combine motion, power and elegance into three days of high energy action across Britain’s premier seaside town and seafront.

From beautiful historic classic cars and world-class BMX stunts to Monster Truck shows and supercars there will be something for everyone with a full programme of family fun. The packed line-up so far is planned to include show stopping arenas on the beach, a cliff top demonstration course featuring racing cars and bikes, pier jumps, displays, live entertainment, fireworks and much more. For more information visit www.bournemouthwheels.co.uk

More family fun promised at Exbury as new childrens play area set to open Exbury has always been a firm favourite with families visiting the New Forest, but this year there is even more reason to discover the award-winning woodland gardens. Alongside the exclusive spring season ‘Gilbury Lane’ garden, will be a new Children’s Play Area which will include an Explorer Tower, Sky Walk Trail, Bird’s Nest Swing, Play Hut and ‘Pick-Up Sticks’ all perfect for children aged 5-11 years. Younger children are not forgotten either with a Horse Sit-In Springer.

Exbury Operations Manager Sally Needham can’t wait for the new season to start on 15th March: “We’re really looking forward to opening. The Play Area is sure to go down well with our audience, and complements the other activities families enjoy at Exbury, including the train rides and Family Trail. It is located close to the visitor entrance and our main facilities, including Mr Eddy’s Tea Rooms, and is readily accessible – perfect to spend some time in either at the start or end of a visit.”

The Gardens, a charitable trust, also stage a number of family friendly events during the open season, including an Easter Tree Trail and much more. Entrance to the Children’s Play Area and new ‘Gilbury Lane’ garden is included with admission to the Gardens.

A Gift Aid Gardens family ticket, for two adults and three children is £24.75. Exbury Gardens re-opens on Saturday 15th March when the childrens play area will open for the first time.

Open daily from 10am – 5pm. www.exbury.co.uk

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

Education News Does splitting school PE lessons damage girls?

Teachers’ pay could skyrocket

Teachers should stop separating boys and girls in school sports because it is fuelling gender prejudice in later life, an academic has warned. Dr Sian Lawson of Northumbria University believes that PE should be gender-neutral, with girls playing rugby and boys tackling netball. ‘There is no physical reason to view girls as more fragile when given the same level of exercise,’ says Dr Lawson.

‘If we aspire to believe in individual variation over stereotyping, and equality of opportunity, then why not let our children start with that?’ She adds that the controlled environment of the school playing field is the ‘best opportunity these potential adults have to learn to respect each other’. However Chris McGovern, a former independent school headmaster and chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, says, ‘There are clear physiological differences between boys and girls. It’s possible to mix them in the early primary years but it’s commonsense to split them when they get older and you’re having full-blown tackles in rugby and football because boys are stronger. It’s an absurd idea and will horrify parents.’

A new performance-related system of pay for teachers could see their salaries rise to £70,000 within 5 years of qualifying, according to a report by thinktank Policy Exchange. Under a new time-based system the best performing teachers could earn higher wages in a shorter period of time, although Policy Exchange does recommend that evaluations should be based on several measures, not just test or exam scores. ‘We want to treat teachers like professionals,’ says Jonathan Simons, head of education at Policy Exchange. ‘Teaching is one of the most important jobs in this country. Yet for too long we have been running systems that seem to suggest exactly the opposite - treating teachers the same in how we recruit, train, develop, appraise and pay them, regardless of their performance.’

However Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union which fiercely opposes the scheme, is concerned that however hard a teacher works and however well they perform, there is no guarantee of any pay progression. The good news is that this new Government scheme could attract more graduates to the profession, driving up the quality of teaching in schools across the country.

Free maths and English activities - 15th April!

Explore Learning centres provide maths, English and 11+ tuition to 5-14 year olds of all abilities. Explore fits easily around family life; the centres are open 7 days a week, with children able to attend up to twice a week on a drop-in basis.

On the 15th April Explore will be hosting a Community Open Day! There will be free interactive maths and literacy workshops for 5 – 14 year olds across all the Explore Learning centres. Spaces are limited so call your local centre to reserve your place.

Call your local centre to book a free trial, or visit www.explorelearning.co.uk.

Maths & English tuition centre For 5 to 14 year olds of all abilities t Courses mapped to the National Curriculum. t Adapts to the individual needs of your child. t Convenient for families - Open 7 days a week. t Award-winning tuition - voted Education Investor Supplementary Education Provider of the Year.

“Explore Learning members’ improvement in maths was 30% higher than that of the comparison group after controlling for gender, age, year group and special educational needs.”

Independent Efficacy Study by the Institute of Education at Reading University (2013). See www.explorelearning.co.uk/efficacy.

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To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

Education News

Prep schools:

what are they and how to choose the right one?

By Ellen Arnison Traditionally a preparatory school was where children went to ‘prepare’ to go to one of the major British public schools, such as Eton and Harrow, working up to them sitting the Common Entrance exam at 13. However, while that picture still exists in some cases, the situation now varies widely.

Broadly, there are two kinds of prep school – one where the children leave at 11, perhaps after an 11 + exam, and one where the children sit the Common Entrance exam then leave at 13.

In some cases youngsters attend a prep school until they reach their 11 + exam and then transfer to a local (state) grammar school. The smaller classes and more focussed attention in a prep school can improve their chances. This is particularly appealing to parents who think their child won’t get what they require from the nearby state primaries.

Traditionally boys attended prep schools up to age 13, either to sit the Common Entrance exam (part of the admissions process for academically selective secondary schools) and then to move on elsewhere or to graduate to the attached senior school almost automatically. However, girls as well as boys now attend prep school on this basis as across the board the trend is to move from single-sex education to co-ed.

But it isn’t just about the exams, in both cases the prep schools can provide far more, including a wide range of sports and more specialised subjects, such as Latin, the pupils will need as they move through their education.

Julie Robinson, a former prep school head and Education and Training Director at the Independent Association of Prep Schools said:

Picture credit: www.dunnesstores.com

“They say the independent sector seems to bring a set of high expectations: a huge amount of time invested in pastoral support and personal development for the children, excellent facilities and a focus on learning.”

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“Parents believe their investment in fees is an investment in their children’s future.”

However, the range of places to invest and ways to ensure the best for your children is enormous. At first glance the decision about whether or not to use a prep school and, indeed, which one is best can seem bewildering.

There are more than 1,000 prep schools in the UK taking children to 11 and 13, traditionally they are boarding schools but nowadays many parents chose to send their children daily. Equally some prep schools will be part of ‘all-through’ schools catering for from the age of three up to 18 and some will be attached to a senior school.

Some prep schools adhere to the National Curriculum but they are not bound to, which can give them freedom to offer a broader and more varied curriculum that isn’t burdened by tests.

There isn’t always an entrance exam for preps schools, in many cases the school will just want to interview you and your child, perhaps inviting him or her to spend a ‘taster’ session in class. This also allows teaching staff to observe how your child fits in.

The decision is easier when you look to the end destination – the senior school –work backwards. Your decision will be narrowed by considering if there is a school attached to your preferred secondary and what kinds of criteria they use to select pupils.

Ask yourself the following questions: •

Does the school fit the basic requirements of you and your child in terms of gender, day and/or boarding, religious denomination, curriculum and location?

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Does it meet your educational objectives in terms of offering the exams your child will need to sit?

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Will your child be happy there? Do you get good feedback from other parents and children?

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Does the school get a good report? How are the exam results, the general atmosphere and the teaching quality?

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Do you like the ethos of school? It’s usually very clear and follows strong leadership from the Head.

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What is the teaching and staff turnover like?

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What is the curriculum?

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How big are the classes?

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What is the school’s approach to discipline and rules?

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What did the most recent inspection report say?

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What are the pastoral care facilities like?

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Does the school offer the facilities you would like to see, such as for sport, music or drama?

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Is there a wide-enough range of extra curricular activities?

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Does the school give value for money for what you want? Be careful to take extras into account.

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

Childcare

Choosing your childcare Childcare costs are increasing – but it’s quality that matters the most for any parent. Joanna Moorhead looks at what option might suit you best, plus what’s new in 2014 According to a recent survey from findababysitter.com, childcare costs are soaring – up by 19% over the last year.

Every parent knows that what matters most about any sort of childcare is its quality – it’s vital that your child is safe, happy and in a stimulating environment while you’re at work – but the money matters too. So what are the factors you need to take into account when you’re choosing childcare in readiness for returning to work?

A nanny might suit you if... *You’re a reasonably high earner – nannies can be expensive, though they’re a lot more affordable if you share them with another family. As well as basic pay, there are a lot of extras to be aware of when you employ a nanny – particularly her tax, which you are required to pay, but also car insurance if she’s driving your car, and the costs of all the outings and visits your child is taken on. *You work irregular hours. That’s because you can pay a nanny to work the hours you work, whereas a nursery or childminder will be less flexible about time *You have two or more children, or have one baby and hope to have another very soon, because you’ll pay your nanny for her time, not for the number of children she’s looking after *You have quite rigorous ideas about, for example, the food you want your child to eat, and the schedule you want for his or her day.

You can be a lot more prescriptive as a parent with a nanny than you can with a nursery or childminder, where your child will have to fit into a pre-existing schedule established by the institution or minder.

A childminder might suit you if... *You work part-time or are not a high earner (childminders are usually the cheapest or, as many would prefer to put it, the best-value option)

*You have two or more children and would like them to see a lot of each other through the day *You like the idea of another mother caring for your child – most childminders are mothers themselves

A nursery might suit you if... *You have an only child or this is your youngest child and you are unlikely to have more in the near future – because a nursery will give him or her plenty of opportunities to play with other children *Your child is not a small baby, and so many benefit particularly from the organised activities a nursery can offer *You like the idea of a setting where events are regulated in a way that involves a lot of carers, rather than just one

What’s happening in 2014?

Childcare is always a political hot potato – and with a General Election looming in just over a year’s time, politicians are saying more and doing more about it. Here’s what’s new on the childcare horizon: *From September this year, more two-yearolds will be offered 15 hours of free childcare each week, because the eligibility criteria are being expanded. See your local authority website for more information – they’ll be publishing full details of who’s eligible and how to find a place *Free universal childcare for all pre-school children is being promised by Labour in

their election manifesto. If they’re elected to power next time round, the Labour leadership is likely to make a dramatic announcement about the way childcare will be organised in Britain in the coming years *The new tax-free childcare scheme comes into effect from 2015. Under that, parents will be able to claim 20% of the cost of registered childcare up to £1,200 per child per year. Both parents must be working to qualify, or a single parent must be in employment. *Last year’s report from the Department of Education that proposed making changes to the child to staff ratios in nurseries and for childminders was shelved after the Liberal Democrats objected, but the government has consulted on relaxing ratios and quality criteria for out-of-school childcare with the aim of making it easier for schools to offer provision. At the moment the issue is with the Department for Education, and an announcement is expected soon. *Under the Children and Families Bill, currently going through Parliament, Ofsted will be made ‘the sole arbiter of quality’.

This means that local authorities will not be able to impose their own quality conditions on providers who offer childcare under the existing scheme offering free places for three and four year olds (provided these providers are not rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted). Some parents will see this as a good thing, as it could lead to a wider choice of providers; or they might see it as a bad thing, as local authorities will be able to do less to force childcarers to improve their services.

Organisations offering advice and information on childcare include: Childcare.co.uk is an online social networking platform for parents, childcare providers and private tutors. www.childcare.co.uk

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The Family and Childcare Trust is a campaigning organisation with a helpful bank of information for parents. www.familyandchildcare trust.org

The Pre-school Learning Alliance is England's largest early years membership organisation. www.pre-school.org.uk

Working Families aims to help parents and carers achieve a work-life balance. More at www.workingfamilies.org.uk

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

Competitions Win! a Family Break in Cornwall Voted one of the ‘Best Family Hotels in the UK” in 2014 Sands Resort Hotel has everything you need for a great family holiday in Cornwall. The hotel is only a short walk from the beach and has excellent facilities such as large family rooms, complimentary activities including Tennis, Golf and a soft play area, kids clubs, baby listening service, two swimming pools and a Spa. The child friendly restaurant has various dining options. Choose between an early Children’s Tea, Family Dinner or the later Couples Only dinner whilst taking advantage of the evening entertainment programme for kids or the free baby listening service.

For your chance to win a Family Break for 2 adults and up to 2 children (under 14) at Sands Resort Hotel in Porth, Cornwall answer the following question: How many swimming pools does the Sands Resort Hotel have? a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 Terms & Conditions: The prize is a 2 night stay in a family suite including breakfast for up to 2 adults and 2 children, 14 years or under. Excludes Easter, Whitsun and Summer Holidays. Prize must be redeemed by 2nd November 2014. Subject to availability. No prize or part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or other services than accommodation at Sands Resort Hotel.

Participants must be 18 or over.

Win!

a family ticket to Marwell Zoo

Easter holidays are a great time to visit Marwell Zoo, near Winchester not only for spectacular bird of prey shows (5,6,12 & 13 April), but also for their Dinosaur Egg Hunt running 18-21 April. PLUS from 23 May – 2 September, lifesize animatronic dinosaurs will inhabit this quiet, leafy corner of Colden Common as part of Rise of the Dinosaurs – a world class event transforming the zoo into a Jurassic jungle.

Adventurers will be enthralled by awesome prehistoric creatures as they come to life, roaring or even spitting at anyone who dares to get near them. Intrepid visitors may even meet a living Velociraptor in our daily dinosaur show! Visit marwell.org.uk to book tickets!

WIN a family ticket for 2 adults & 2 children – just answer this simple question: What kind of ‘living’ dinosaur can you meet at Marwell this summer?

A: T-Rex B: Velociraptor C: Stegosaurus

To be in with a chance of winning the family break in Cornwall at Sands Resort Hotel or a family ticket to Marwell Zoo go to www.familiesdorset.co.uk/competitions to enter. Entries must be received by Wednesday 30 April 2014. For full terms and conditions please visit our website: www.familiesdorset.co.uk/competitions.

Hi kids, parents, grandparents, teachers – and book lovers everywhere! I’m Ed and here is my Spring book selection for you to enjoy. The books are all available online at www.edontheweb.com and from good bookstores. Ed’s Reading Room is an exciting free online book and story club for primary children in homes and schools.

FOR AGES 5-7 YEARS Arthur and the Witch

by Johanne Mercier (Phoenix Yard Books £4.99)

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My Funny Family Gets Bigger

FOR AGES 7 YEARS PLUS The Great Brain Robbery

by Chris Higgins (Hodder £4.99)

by Anna Kemp (Simon and Schuster £5.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Arthur discovers a secret hiding-place full of blueberries and picks lots of them as a surprise for his grandmother. She is delighted and makes a pie for Arthur and his grandfather but when she realises where Arthur found the fruit she becomes rather worried. So Grandma calls Cousin Eugene who she knows will have good advice in these difficult – but amusing – circumstances.

ED SAYS: ‘Mattie is excited about going back to school but realises not all children are as happy as she is, particularly one of her sisters whose rather odd behaviour causes a lot of concern. The family are expecting a very special delivery at Christmas time – could this be part of the explanation? In this delightfully humorous tale, the strength of family life shines through.

ED SAYS: ‘All the children in Frankie’s class are desperate to get their hands on the latest toy, a mechanimal. Frankie is delighted to receive a Gadget the Rabbit for his birthday – but it soon becomes obvious that all is not right. There is a dreadful scheme afoot to infiltrate children’s minds using these robot toys. Will Frankie and his friends be able to stop this evil scheme before it is too late?

‘This is a super story for boys and girls alike, reading on their own or reading together – and it is complemented by fantastic illustrations throughout.’

‘This lovely book with its super illustrations will be enjoyed by newly-confident readers. It is also ideal for reading together.’

‘This madcap action-packed adventure is a real page-turner.

There are fantastic characters in this laugh out loud tale that is enhanced by amusing illustrations.’

Families Dorset

The Woebegone Twins

by Christopher William Hill (Orchard Books £9.99) ED SAYS: ‘Here is the latest tale from Schwartzgarten, the town children love to read about but would probably sooner not live in! The twins Greta and Feliks live with their adored Aunt Gisela who used to be an actress.

Through her they come across some amazing people such as Mr Morbide who has a remarkable resemblance to a vampire. The twins soon learn that people and events are not always as they first seem!

‘This is a brilliant story with wonderful characters. It will delight readers who prefer the extraordinary to the ordinary and who enjoy books in which imaginative ideas burst from the pages.’

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

Baby feature

What to buy for your baby

By Joanna Parry Having a baby is a costly business. Websites, baby manuals, even personal baby shoppers list hundreds of products that you just have to have for your baby, from wrap-around semistructured slings to damp air humidifiers for the nursery.

It’s not unusual for new parents to spend thousands and thousands of pounds on baby gear before their baby even arrives, most of which will be gathering dust in a cupboard or winging its way onto eBay within a matter of months.

But there is no need to panic - many products you can borrow from friends or buy cheaply second hand. Some can wait until your baby is a few months old and you can try them out first.

Others you just don’t need.

Every mum has their favourite gadget that they couldn’t do without – here are some of the very best products that Families mums swear by.

Pushing Top of the list of things you’ll definitely need for your baby is a pram. However, selecting one can be like negotiating a minefield.

Do you need to fit it in the car (leaving room for your shopping and without having to remove a wheel)? Does it have to go on the bus?

Do you walk a lot? Do you have a toddler, or two? Do you do a lot of shopping? Do you want to jog with your pram? If you live in a top floor flat it’s an idea to go with a lightweight fold-up buggy, if you’re tramping across fields every day a three-wheeler with good suspension might be better. Phew!

Prams can cost a month’s mortgage or more, so choose carefully.

Bugaboo and iCandy are still huge favourites, as well as the Stokke Complete Pram System, but depending on what add-ons you choose you could be saying goodbye to well over £1000. We love the limited edition Liberty Quest from Maclaren, as well as their Cath Kidston buggy, both of which come in at considerably less £££ and are suitable from birth.

The new pram on the block is the Babystyle Oyster, which looks great and is less expensive than its rival travel systems - a good no-frills option which has won a variety of awards. Another big fave, which lies somewhere between the Oyster and the Bugaboo price-wise is the Uppababy, recently judged as a ‘Best Buy’ by Which? Magazine and with features like reversible seats, carrycots and compatible car seats.

and pouch slings to backpacks and soft-structured carriers. I’m still going to vote for the tried-and-tested, easy-to-use Baby Bjorn but, like a pram, choose your sling to suit your lifestyle. Take advantage of www.slingmeet.co.uk which organises meet-ups across the UK for mums to test a variety of different slings so you can try before you buy.

The Lifft sling consistently comes out on top as it spreads the baby’s weight evenly, so reducing back strain. TheBaby K’Tan is different from many newborn carriers as it’s a sling-wrap hybrid. It’s still too complicated and too wrap-like for me but there are plenty of mums who love it and swear it’s easy to use! For a ring sling the Joovy Baba is a favourite as it is fully adjustable but features safety buckles and adjustable straps instead of rings.

Top of the slings and our must-buy is theErgobaby. It is comfortable, easy to use and can be worn as a backpack as well as in front. Beware, though – much as we love them, baby slings are often voted ‘most useless’ product by new parents!

Sleeping

Carrying

Most mums tell us you don’t need to splash out on a moses basket, cot and cot-bed. The carrycot from your pram is perfect for daytime naps, and at night even a tiny newborn is fine in a cot-bed – you can block off one end by rolling up blankets. When your baby is older a cot-bed converts into a toddler bed, and then a day bed. We love the Ryeland Cot Bed from The Little Green Sheep. If money is no object try the stunning Stokke Sleepi Convertible Nursery Bed - the familiar egg-shaped bed starts as a crib, becomes a cot, then a junior bed and finally either two chairs or a sofa. Another favourite is the simple but beautiful Alex cotbed from John Lewis, at a tenth of the price!

If you want to share your bed with your baby but are concerned about the risk of smothering, go for the Arms Reach Universal Co-Sleeper Bedside Cot which always gets 5* reviews.

When my firstborn came along the choice of slings was limited to Baby Bjorns and wrap-around hugabubs that nobody could work out how to use. Now there are hundreds on the market, from ring slings

Invest in some good blackout blinds – our favourite is the Gro Anywhere Blackout Blind from the Gro Company.

However, what has really got us excited is the 4moms Origami Pushchair. It’s not a cheap option, but it will fold itself away at the touch of a button! Designed for busy mums with no free hands, it can fold (or rise) like a Transformer, on demand. It also has pathway lights that turn on automatically in low light conditions – powered by a generator that will charge your phone when on the go! The LCD dashboard also includes a thermometer, speedometer and trip and lifetime odometers, so you can keep check of the distances travelled.

Yikes! It may be the future of travel systems, but you might like to ask yourselves if you really need that much electronics? What if it fails you in the middle of a day trip? Maclaren buggies work and keep on working, child after child, if looked after.

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Origami pushchair

Families Dorset

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

Gro Anywhere blind

March/April 2014

Bloom Fresco white baby chair

Feeding Believe it or not, you can spend over £400 on a high chair! Fortunately it is not something you need immediately but a couple of months down the line when you are pureeing carrots, it will come in useful. Everyone’s favourite highchair is, as always, the Stokke Tripp Trapp as it ‘grows’ with your child (even teenagers can use it) and is one of the best looking chairs around. However, it comes with a price tag of over £150. John Lewis’ East Coast highchairs are another top choice, and come in at less than half the price. Or why not hit IKEA? Their easy-clean Antilop Highchair is a snip at only £12. For a futuristic pod try Mamas and Papas’ Loop. It fits neatly under your table but looks like an office chair and costs nearly as much. If you want to buy top end, the bloom fresco chrome boasts designer looks in a myriad of colours, pneumatic height adjustment and the ability to spin 360 degrees.

Another option, and my personal favourite, is to do away with the chair altogether and invest in a Lobster seat from Phil and Teds that screws on to your table. Saves space and cost – it’s brilliant!

Mountain Buggy do a similar chair called Pod Portable.

Another top tip in the feeding category is a microwave sterilizer (we like the Avent one.) It is easy to use and more transportable than the electric variety.

Those little things we just can’t do without…

Top tips from Families mums that will make your life with a newborn a whole lot easier!

• a dimmer switch in the nursery is the single most effective thing I ever invested in! A nightlight will also do the trick • avoid tripping over stairgates and buy a retractable one, such as the Lascal Kiddyguard • a warm mist humidifier is a popular choice, although it could also go in the Most Useless category (see below). Instead, do as I did and pour hot water into Tupperware • instead of buying a separate baby bath, get a plastic seat to go in the tub. They free up your hands, save your back and are cheap as chips • a cot mobile • a dummy, with a dummy clip so it doesn’t go astray • a nursing pillow. Better than ordinary cushions, they provide better back support and encourage the correct position for feeding. My Brest Friend is a favourite • we love Pink Lining changing bags which are not only practical but stylish too. If you want to follow the celebs go for the Sofia

by Storksak • Neals Yard Baby Barrier (a pricier version of Sudocrem) lasts forever and is excellent.

• organic food and toiletries, best for baby, best for the health of the planet too.

• almost everyone we know swears by Lansinoh cream if you are breastfeeding • a baby nasal aspirator so you don’t have to do the sucking out yourself! Try the Chicco Physio Clean Nasonet Nasal Aspiration Kit • Calpol, of course! Use a syringe to administer it instead of a spoon. Calgel for sore gums and Infacol to prevent wind.

Homoepathy is great for babies, as it is so gentle, use a qualified practitioner and build a relationship early. Aromatherapy is great for baby massage and burning essential oils aids sleep/ relaxation.

• Vanish stain remover, and lots of it!

• travel changing mats

…and those products mums thought were a complete waste of money!

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• • • • • • • •

the worst culprit of all has got to be the pop-up travel cot. Travel cots themselves are bulky, heavy and impossible to assemble (and most holiday destinations will offer one free of charge) but pop-ups are the worst. Like a mini tent, they are so lightweight that they become useless the minute your baby can roll over – it will roll over with them! the second most useless product is also some mums’ favourite – a baby monitor. I ditched mine because I could hear when my baby cried but I didn’t want to hear every cough and splutter. If you do use a monitor chose one that doesn’t emit ElectroMagnetic Radiation, after all most of them nowadays work on WIFI. See recommended ones here: http://bit. ly/1dSZI1P You don’t need one that doubles as a thermometer, has infra-red night vision and movement sensors and monitors breathing patterns. According to the NHS there is no evidence that breathing or movement monitors help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome bottle warmers. They take an age and don’t work very well. I always use a jug of hot water and I avoid at all cost microwaving my baby’s milk. Even better, try to get your baby to take their milk at room temperature nappy stackers. Nope, I’d never heard of them either but plenty of mums told us they’d invested in one! And nappy disposal bins bouncy chair, baby swing, playmat, door bouncer. As lovely as they are, you will only use them for a limited period of time so beg, borrow or steal one rather than splashing out your cash.

Same goes for Bumbo seats baby-weighing scales cot bumpers pram sunshades hooded baby towels top-and-tail bowls bath thermometer newborn-sized feeding bottles. Use normal bottles with a newborn teat child-size nursery furniture

Top Tip Compare products and read reviews before you buy. Websites such as www.babyworld.co.uk and www.babycentre.co.uk are great for this, as well as www.askbaby.com and www.which.co.uk.

If you want to buy second hand, start with www.ebay.co.uk, www.gumtree.co.uk and www.craigslist.co.uk or check out your local NCT second-hand sales. For the best selection of new products go to www.ikea.com, www.mothercare.com , www.kiddicare.com, www.babiesrus.co.uk, www.johnlewis.com and www.mamasandpapas.com

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To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

Science & Engineering Week

The Science of Play

By Dr David Whitebread, Senior Lecturer in the Psychology of Education, Cambridge University As the Easter break comes upon us, many parents will be thinking about how to entertain their children. Dr David Whitebread at Cambridge University shares his views on what constitutes effective play and tackles some of the myths and misconceptions around the types of play children engage in today. Dr Whitebread is supporting National Science and Engineering Week, which aims to raise awareness of the important role science has in many aspects of our lives. A whole host of scientific topics will be explored during the Week, which takes place from 14th to 23rd March. Adults and children alike can attend free events across the UK in a range of fun environments. To find out about these events and how you can take part, visit www.britishscienceassociation.org/NSEWevents

Different types of play Physical play Most parents would recognise that physical play (such as running, climbing and gymnastics) helps a child develop their whole body and hand-eye co-ordination and is important in building strength and endurance. But it also provides a crucial means for children to develop their emotional intelligence.

Encouraging children to get physical isn’t just about letting them loose outside, it’s also about creating opportunities at home. So encouraging play through things like craft activities, helps children with their fine motor skills, essential when it comes to learning to write and even playing musical instruments. Due to their absorbing nature, it has even been shown to help children develop their concentration and perseverance skills.

Create an obstacle course in the garden. Create time targets and challenges (ie do the course on just one leg!). Give craft activities a purpose, for example, create posters for an Easter egg hunt or party.

Play with objects Touching, sorting, building and making objects encourages children to organise their thinking and helps them learn how to solve problems. Children have to pick the right strategy to complete the task, and then stay on track to complete it. Creativity comes in here, as does the use of language, as children often talk to themselves when they broach these tasks as a way of organising their thoughts.

Get your children to build their own skyscraper. Arm them with different materials to build at home or in the garden.

Symbolic play Artistic activities such as drawing, dance, and even developing silly rhymes, gives children the opportunity to develop their language and interpretation skills as they start to decode what is going on around them. It can even make them nicer! A study in 2010 of almost 100 four year-olds found that children who take part in music making were more likely to show cooperative and helpful behaviour.

Get your children to create their own music compilation for their best friend or family member. Encourage them to add their own tracks for that special touch.

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© Ria McMahon www.facebook.com/paperumbrellasphotography

Pretend play Pretend play can have a serious side too. Dressing up, playing with dolls and miniature figures gives children the chance to rehearse some of the scenarios they already see or might face in their future life, whether it’s expressing how to care for someone (such as their favourite doll) or tackling aggressive situations.

Make a challenge to act like a member of their family, or their favourite TV character for a day. It might be their mum, Homer Simpson, or Daddy Pig!

© Ria McMahon

Playing with rules We live by rules and playing by the rules in sports, board games, card games and computer games helps children adjust to the reality that they cannot always do, say, or act how they wish to.

The use of electronic and computer games by today’s children is another particular area of anxiety for parents and teachers. Too much screen time obviously prevents your child from doing the range of other activities that is beneficial to them, so keep these tech tools in your armoury, but keep time restricted on use. There is some evidence that well-designed videogames can enrich play resources for children and their families.

Many parents are concerned about videogame overuse but the key is to make it interactive. So get involved! Challenge them to their favourite game in return for them participating in an activity of your choice.

References

‘Developmental Psychology & Early Childhood Education’ (Sage, 2013). David Whitebread. Available on Amazon and at all good book shops.

‘The Importance of Play’ (Report written for the Toys Industry of Europe, March 2012).

David Whitebread with Marisol Basilio, Martina Kuvalja and Mohini Verma. www.importanceofplay.eu

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

Health

No more BPA

By Susan Tomlinson Banned in plastic baby’s bottles across the EU, Canada and the US, yet the UK government is convinced the chemical Bisphenol A, or BPA is entirely safe. Is it?

From tins, and plastic bottles, to boxes, dental fillings and even shopping receipts, the chemical is present in a huge range of objects.

It’s main job is to make plastic shatterproof, so, in the world of packaging and manufacturing, it’s crucial. The trouble is, since the 1930’s, it’s been associated with all sorts of health problems.

In the meantime, if you’ve got you’re doubts, here’s how to avoid it: •

More and more BPA-free products are coming onto market. In fact, many food companies are beating government policy by using alternatives. If a product isn’t labeled BPA free, you can avoid the chemical by looking at the plastic recycling code on the side of the container. Anything marked with the recycle code 7 (as above) or 3, may contain BPA.

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Cut back on using cans, as most of them are lined with a BPA resin.

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Avoid heating plastic containers in the microwave or the dishwasher, as they may break down over time and allow the BPA to seep into food or drink.

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Use glass, porcelain or stainless steel wherever possible.

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Join the Breast Cancer UK, in their “No More BPA” campaign. www.nomorebpa.org.uk

It’s what’s known as a suspected endocrine disruptor, meaning it mimics the body’s hormone system, and has been linked with diabetes, obesity, cancer and even behavioural problems in children.

But the jury’s not out yet. Other research shows that the small amounts of the chemical that leach into our food and drink are of an acceptable level and at present that’s where the UK’s Food Standards Agency sits. But the EFSA is presently reassessing all the data and is due to report back in 2014.

Genetically Modified Food

By Susan Tomlinson GM. It’s a bit of an experiment really – and that’s the problem. The research simply isn’t conclusive.

But GM seeds already dominate the US corn, cotton and soya market; the Indian cotton market and the South American soya bean crop.

As our population increases, there is much debate about how we’re going to feed ourselves. And scientists, researchers and environmentalists are split between believing GM is the best option for increasing our food supply, while others believe the answer lies in altering the politics around food wastage and logistics and are deeply concerned about the effects that GM may have upon our ecology and health.

But one of the most contentious and little known issues around GM is that of intellectual property. The companies manufacturing these seeds own the patent and won’t allow farmers to save seeds for the next year, as they have done for thousands of years.

The farmer is forced to buy them again every year, or bear the brunt

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of the legal-eagles who watch out for anyone in breach of their seed contract.

Like all seeds, GM seeds spread too, meaning that some farmers have discovered unwanted GM seeds contaminating their land and as the World Health Organisation explains, the seeds can persist after harvesting. This means some farmers claim they’ve been forced to use GM seeds or face being sued for a potential patency theft.

It is for these reasons that some environmentalists accuse biotech companies of wanting to own the world’s seed supply. And yet the biotech companies claim they just want to provide a clean, green option for feeding the world.

It’s tricky stuff with both sides claiming they have the answer; so to find out more, visit: •

The environmental campaigner, Vandana Shiva at: www.commondreams.org/vandana-shiva

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Monsanto website’s, one of the largest manufacturers of GM www.monsanto.com/newsviews/Pages/food-safety.aspx

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World Health Organisation: www.who.int/foodsafety/ publications/biotech/20questions/en

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Take action with GM Freeze: www.gmfreeze.org

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

Easter Activities

How to make a Bee Garden

by Robin Dean, The Red Beehive Company Of all the insects that visit our gardens, none are more iconic and important to us than bees, and they come in a surprising range of sizes, colours and shapes. Honey and bumble bees are instantly recognizable to most of us as they buzz around, but how many of us could identify some of the other species of bee?

Whether we can identify them or not, one thing is common to all species, and that is they all need our help. Most bees would just like a little nectar and pollen, and a lovely Easter holiday project would be to plant up a “Bee Garden”. There are a number of plants to choose from that are robust and require minimum care, beyond a drink of water now and again, and will do splendidly in a small window box, planter or large pot. Snowdrops, Crocus, Primrose and Bluebells (remember Bluebells are protected, so don’t go digging them up from a local woodland area!) all make for a spectacular spring display.

Rosemary, Sage and Lavender are also highly attractive to bees, and chives have flowers to tempt them - as well as making a tasty contribution to the kitchen! A Catnip plant or two will keep your cat happy, as well as the having the local bees dropping in for a nectar and pollen snack.

Now you have given them some food, why not make a bee hotel as well. For those of you concerned about encouraging bees to live in the garden, don’t be. Bees that live in bee hotels are solitary bees, and unlike the social bees (honey and bumble bees) don’t make honey so therefore don’t have anything to defend. This makes them really docile and perfectly safe to have around children and pets.

Baking by design I am glued to the screen for the final of 2013’s Great British Bake Off (GBBO) Frances Quinn beats off tough competition to triumph. How has she kept it all together?

“It was stressful –the judges’ comments can hit you hard.” Famously Frances was told to be aware of ‘style over substance’ during the show.

This is a lady with a lot of style AND substance. A designer for top clothing brand, Joules, she is taking time out to pursue baking-oriented challenges, but the 31 year old from Market Harborough has developed her love of baking combined with design over many years.

The youngest of 5, the kitchen played a big part in family life and from a young age she would go and make a batch of flapjack – there was always a lunch box to be filled!

Many parents are concerned over sugar and additives in our children’s food – and Frances uses ingredients which are lower sugar, with natural colourings and few additives.

“I use ginger or chocolate for colouring, perhaps with a bit of gold leaf, like my owlshaped shortbread with almonds, rather than making brightly coloured, sweetie covered cakes.”

© Frances Quinn

© Rachel Bentley

By Families Pennines Editor, Rachel Bentley

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To construct your bee hotel: •

You will need some bamboo (around 1.5cm in diameter), string or garden wire, and a small saw (to cut the bamboo).

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Cut the bamboo into 15cm lengths, cutting each piece just before a node to give you a hollow tube with a natural sealed end.

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Bind the bamboo pieces together with the string or garden wire, with the open ends all facing in the same direction.

•

Take the bundle out into the garden and find a secure place to fasten your bee hotel to. The open ends should face anywhere between east and south to get the early morning sun, with a clear flight path into the hotel.

At Joules the colours she developed all had reference to food! She’d take bakes to work to test out themed cake designs on colleagues and Joules asked her to include her bakes on its blog. She is often asked will she pursue baking OR clothing design.

“I don’t want to choose, I think they mesh together. I don’t want to be boxed in and hope to keep on creating in both spheres. And there is a book deal in the ‘piping bag’ line!! It has all been incredible.”

As we finish, I head straight for the family kitchen, hide the candycoated-chocolate-bean cake decorations to the back of the cupboard - and begin to rethink baking with the kids!

Playing with food Bagel Noughts and Hot Crosses As Easter time approaches here is a fun idea for using a seasonal bread bun!

All you need is a slate tile with noughts and crosses grid chalked on it and prepare home-made (or a couple of packs each of) bagels and hot cross buns – bagels for noughts and hot cross buns for crosses! Play using CLEAN hands and finish the game by eating the playing pieces! Fun and Yum!

© Frances Quinn

See Frances’s website for bake ideas www.francesquinn.co.uk

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

We aim to be as accurate as possible but the listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please contact venues in advance to check details and prices.

5 – 21 April

Easter Egg Springtime Trail Avon Heath Country Park www.dorsetforyou.com This family favourite will see you exploring the heath in pursuit of springtime clues and your chocolate egg prizes at the end.

Anytime between 11am and 3pm. £2.80 per trail sheet.

5 - 21 April

Easter at Marwell Marwell Zoo www.marwell.org.uk Thompsons Lane, Colden Common, Winchester, SO21 1JH Get creative with our free fun Easter crafts.

Normal admission price applies

5 – 21 April

Easter Egg-stravaganza Beaulieu www.beaulieushop.co.uk During the Easter holidays, young visitors to Beaulieu can follow an egg-citing Trail around the attraction and collect a sweet treat at the end. At Palace House, youngsters can have an Easterthemed face painting, and all the family can play with fun Victorian toys and games. If you visit over the Easter weekend, you may even get to meet the Easter Bunny! All these activities can be enjoyedas part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction, which includes the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House.

5 April

16 April

5 – 19 April

18 April

Easter Egg Trail Durlston Country Park www.durlston.co.uk Hunt for clues around the Park to lean more about wildlife and win a prize.

10am - 4pm, £3

Buster Bunny’s Big Easter Activities Priest’s House Museum www.priest-house.co.uk Self directed craft activities.

10am – 4.30pm

14 April

Children’s Chocolate Workshop Moors Valley Country Park www.moors-valley.co.uk Get messy with chocolate and make some yummy treats to take home. Join Fiona from Fiona Ann Chocolates on this unique and fun workshop. Make a chocolate lolly and pizza before decorating with smarties, sweets and sprinkles. Then take your creations home, just in time for Easter. This is a messy workshop so please dress appropriately!

Please meet at the Information Point in the Visitor Centre, 5 mins before the start time of the event. Booking essential.

The event time includes time for your chocolate to set. 10:00am to 12:00pm, £10.00 per child, 5 to 12 years, children 7 and under must be accompanied

Easter Fun Day and Trail Upton Country Park www.uptoncountrypark.com Join us for an egg-citing trail to discover the Country Park and enjoy a chocolate reward!.

10am – 4pm, £2.50 per child

Easter Fun Farmer Palmers Farm Park www.farmerpalmers.co.uk Celebrate Spring on the farm.

Baby animals, Easter Bunny and lots of eggs with our 4 days of Eggcellent Easter egg hunts (approx 2.30pm)

18 – 21 April

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails Corfe Castle www.nationaltrust.org.uk It will be fun for the whole family as you take part in an Easter Egg Trail around Corfe Castle. Supported by Cadbury.

10am – 4pm. All tickets £2.50 (per person).

18 – 21 April

Easter Fun Brownsea Island www.nationaltrust.org Join in with our Easter activities and have a go at our special Easter trail (£2.50) with chocolatey prizes. There will be face painting, games, arts, crafts and a Cadbury Easter egg trail on Church Field. Normal admission charges apply

Easter Activities 18 – 21 April

Easter at Exbury Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway www.exbury.co.uk Admission Adult: £11, Child: £2.75 Under 3’s Free. Train ride £4.00 per person Easter is a wonderful time at Exbury. There are surprises in store on the Railway – who will spot the Easter Bunnies hiding in the woods? There is a fun Trail for children looking at trees in the Garden, colouring, and the Five Arrows Gallery will be open with a wonderful exhibition of original paintings by the Four Seasons Artists. An Easter treat and fun for all the family!

18 – 21 April

Easter Eggstravaganza Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre www.monkeyworld.org The first 100 children to enter the park each day receive a free chocolate Easter egg!

20 – 21 April

Easter Craft Show, Upton House Upton Country Park www.uptoncountrypark.com Browse in the relaxed atmosphere and beautiful surroundings of Upton House; lots of handmade crafts and gifts by numerous local crafters.

All proceeds go towards projects within the House and Park. £1 entry, free entry for accompanied children.

10am – 4.30pm

50 things in a year in West Dorset Families can enjoy a whole year of © National Trust outdoor adventures while exploring special places in West Dorset with the National Trust in 2014. Each week the National Trust’s West Dorset team will be promoting a different activity from the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ challenge.

For those who haven’t already discovered it, ‘50 things’ is the National Trust’s ultimate list of outdoor experiences every child should have. It aims to encourage children to get mucky, discover their wild side and create memories Organised events will include an Easter trail with ‘50 things’ activities, and fossil hunting at the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival on the first May Bank Holiday. Newcomers to the ‘50 things’ challenge can pick up a scrapbook from their nearest National Trust place, or register online at www.50things.org.uk

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To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

What’s On

Out & About 15 March

Baby & Children’s Market

www.babyandchildrensmarket. co.uk

The Hub, Brock Way, Verwood, BH31 7QE Lots of stalls selling excellent quality nearly new baby & childrens items from birth to 8 yrs plus a small selection of unique businesses in the baby & children’s industry showcasing and selling their products & services all under one roof!

10am to 12pm £1 entry, kids free

19 March

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Eric Carle Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts www.lighthousepoole.co.uk Are you a creative adult who wants to encourage your child’s imagination? We will have time to play, explore story settings, sing and dance to music and develop your child’s language and confidence.Age guidance 18 months - 4 years

30 March

Mother’s Day Corfe Castle www.nationaltrust.org.uk Treat your mum to a day out at Corfe Castle, where you will also discover the story of Lady Bankes, the last resident of the castle and mother of 14 children.

There will be lovely gifts in our shop and a special Mother’s Day Tea.

30 March

Mother’s Day Farmer Palmers Farm Park www.farmerpalmers.co.uk Half price entry for Mums (see website for details of voucher)

30 March

Say thank you on Mother’s Day Brownsea Island www.nationaltrust.org Spoil your mum on Mother’s Day at Brownsea Island! Decorate a free biscuit for your Mum in the Villano café where you can treat her to a cream tea

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30 March

Forest Discovery Day Moors Valley Country Park www.moors-valley.co.uk Come and celebrate your woodland with a tree charged day of fun for all the family. Join Forestry Commission Rangers for a celebration of forestry, including demonstrations of horse logging and chainsaw carving and a bushcraft workshop alongside information about the Forestry Commission’s sustainable forestry programme.

No need to book, just turn up and join in the fun. Suitable for all the family. Dogs are welcome if kept on a lead.

30 March

Railway Open Day Moors Valley Country Park www.moors-valley.co.uk A rare opportunity to find out what goes on behind the scenes at Moors Valley Railway. Head on down to Kingsmere Station for a guided tour of the Moors Valley Railway workshop and engine shed. You can take a look in the carriage sheds for coaches and wagons you may not usually see and unusual bits of memorabilia, including the original gas lamp from Ashley Heath station! Have a chat with some of the people who work on the engines, find out how an engine works and see what they are currently working on. Trains will be running from 10.45am to 5.00pm – we hope you will also have a ride!

31 March

Mini Explorers Avon Heath Country Park www.dorsetforyou.com Encourage your toddlers to discover the wonders of nature through outdoor play with Avon Heath’s rangers. Considered important for their health and well being and a lot of fun too.

Suitable for 2-5 year olds (with an adult). Booking essential call 01425 478470.

10am – 11.30am, £4 To include your event in our What's On guide, send your event details to: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

We aim to be as accurate as possible but the listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please contact venues in advance to check details and prices.

1 April

Fitness Buggy Workouts Free Taster 10am – 11am

Moors Valley Country Park www.moors-valley.co.uk A special one-off free taster session to try out our fitness buggy workout class. This popular and sociable activity is a great way for new mums and dads to bring your little ones out with you whilst you get healthier. TPlease meet at the Information Point in the Visitor Centre 15 minutes before the start time of the activity. Please note: all participants will be required to complete a short health questionnaire before they take part in their first activity.

All participants must have had their 6 week check-up at the doctors before taking part in this activity

2 - 3 April

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts www.lighthousepoole.co.uk Come and join Peppa and her friends for another all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and muddy puddles!Peppa Pig returns live on stage with super cute puppets and brilliant sing-along songs in this brand new show that will brighten your day. So grab your wellies and brollies and get splashing.

Wed 1pm & 4pm, Thurs 10am & 1pm

From 4 April

Sand Sculpture Festival Sandworld www.sandworld.co.uk Sandworld in Weymouth – returns for an exciting fourth season in 2014 with a new theme “BOOKS & AUTHORS” .

It really will be “Literally Sand” expect to see amazingly detailed sculptures from The Mr Men to Shakespeare, there will be something for everyone of all ages and interest groups to appreciate. All will be created by some of the most imaginative and creatively talented sculptors in the world who will be visiting Sandworld.

5 – 21 April

Medieval Archery: The Grand Muster Corfe Castle www.nationaltrust.org.uk The Wolfshead Bowmen and Companie of the Silver Arrow come to Corfe Castle and bring the past to life. A medieval encampment, demonstrations of combat, skilled archery displays, talks on the longbow and havea-go sessions. 10am – 5pm, all tickets £2 (Have-A-Go Archery)

5 April

Tiger Day The Tank Museum www.tankmuseum.org Join us for Tiger Day to enjoy a range of family activities, talks, tours and live tank action.

The highlight of the day will be at 1.30pm, when Tiger 131 makes its return into the arena*.

The 30 minute display will examine and compare this World War Two beast to its Axis and Allied contemporaries; including Matilda II, Panzer III, T-34 and Sherman. The display will also examine the impact Tiger had on future tank design, with Centurion and Leopard.

Normal admission prices will apply for this event & Annual Pass holders will be admitted free.

5 April

Craft and Local Produce Market Moors Valley Country Park www.moors-valley.co.uk A range of stalls selling locally produced crafts, preserves and gifts. Treat yourself to some beautiful handmade crafts and stock up on a range of locally produced food items. Items for sale vary throughout the year due to changing stallholders, but can include homemade preserves, cupcakes, jewellery, toys, baskets, greetings cards, glass coasters and gifts, artwork and more. All items are produced locally in Dorset or Hampshire.

Pleaes remember to bring along cash and your cheque book as not all stallholders can accept credit cards. 11am – 4pm

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

What’s On

Out & About 12 April

© National Trust/Martin Franks

Little Pickles Market

www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk

Brownsea Island © National Trust/John Millar

5 – 21 April

Woodland Explorers Durlston Country Park www.durlston.co.uk Come & try out these rucksacks full of activities & games.

10am – 4pm, £4

6 April

Baby & Children’s Market

www.babyandchildrensmarket. co.uk

Merley Community Centre, Harrier Drive, Merley, Wimborne BH21 1XE Lots of stalls selling excellent quality nearly new baby & childrens items from birth to 8 yrs plus a small selection of unique businesses in the baby & children’s industry showcasing and selling their products & services all under one roof!

3pm – 5pm £1 entry, Kids free

7 April

Meet an Owl Avon Heath Country Park www.dorsetforyou.com Behold the majesty of a real owl and discover more about their fascinating lifestyles with Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre. All children should bring an adult.

11.15am – 11.45am, free event

9 April

Den Build Avon Heath Country Park www.dorsetforyou.com From log cabins to leafy shelters - let your imagination run wild and get stuck in. Children must be 6+years. All children should bring an adult. Booking essential.

11.30am – 12.30pm, £4.75

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9 April

Family Golf Taster Moors Valley Country Park www.moors-valley.co.uk A great way to have a go at golf with your family. An hour opportunity to try your hand at golf under the guide of the course pro, allowing you to give it a go before booking the 6 week course. All equipment is provided so all you need is a bit of swing! Please meet at the Moors Valley Golf Centre.

Booking essential.

Free parking is provided in the Golf Centre car park, please present your ticket to be validated at the Golf Centre when you sign in for the taster session. 1.30pm – 2.30pm, £1 per person. Adults and accompanied children 8 years and over

10 April

Dolphins and the Deep Blue Sea Durlston Country Park www.durlston.co.uk Family Event: Games and activities to discover the amazing lives of the Durlston Dolphins. Meet at Learning Centre. Booking essential.

2.30pm, £3

10 April

Forest Fun Moors Valley Country Park www.moors-valley.co.uk Head out into the forest and join the Rangers for some outdoor fun. Join in with a range of activities – you can build a den, make a headdress, create a forest friend, and weave a willow wand to take home. dressed to be outside.

10.30am– 2.30pm

St Marks Church, Main Hall, Talbot Village, Bournemouth BH10 4HY A family market with nearly new tables for hire to sell baby/children’s items. Prams, maternity items, clothes, shoes, toys, books, highchairs and so much more.. Come and see what bargains you can find! £1 entry per adult, children free and free Entry Bag for the first 50 buyers!

10am – 11.30am

12 April

The Big Den Build Brownsea Island www.nationaltrust.org Come and join our outdoor team as they show you the best way to build a shelter for outdoors, using only nature’s materials.

All tickets £2, normal admission charges apply.

15 April

Mysterious Animals Avon Heath Country Park www.dorsetforyou.com Join the ranger in opening live capture traps to hopefully discover some of the small mammal that live at Avon Heath.

Then put on your detective hat as we look for clues that will help us to learn what mammals are out there even when we cannot see them. Take home your own mini mammal footprint tunnel.

8.45am – 10am, £3.50

17 April

Delinquent Dinosaurs and Fantastic Fossils Durlston Country Park www.durlston.co.uk Discover Durlston’s prehistoric past with games and activities.

2.30pm, £3

18 April

Ladybird Box Building Avon Heath Country Park www.dorsetforyou.com Encourage these enchanting beetles and other valuable insects into your garden by making a hibernation/nesting box. All children should bring an adult. Booking advisable.

11am – 2pm, £5.50 per box

26 – 27 April

Medieval Archery Academy Corfe Castle www.nationaltrust.org.uk Discover medieval archery with demonstrations and talks then an opportunity to take part in have-a-go sessions with oneto-one tuition on the skill of combat with bows and arrows.

10am – 5pm. All tickets £2.50 (Have-A-Go-Archery)

27 April

Festival of Nature Upton Country Park www.uptoncountrypark.com Lots of ways to learn about British wildlife with the chance to meet some different critters from the Park and the RSPB nature reserves. There will be fun family activities for all, including craft stalls and different themed guided walks around the park.

Entry is free, but there may be small charges for activities or walks. Meet in the Walled Garden. 11am – 3pm

27 April

Little Pickles Market www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk

Littledown Centre, Bournemouth 2.30pm – 4pm, £1 per adult, free entry for children Pre-owned items on sale can include pushchairs, nursery furniture, toys, books, clothes and much more.

30 April

Jack and the Giant Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts www.lighthousepoole.co.uk Are you a creative adult who wants to encourage your child’s imagination? We will have time to play, explore story settings, sing and dance to music and develop your child’s language and confidence. Age guidance 18 months - 4 years

To advertise call 07876 761623 or email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

March/April 2014

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