Families Hertfordshire May/June 2023 Digital

Now the weather is getting better and the evenings longer, you can get the kids outside to play. We’ve provided some tempting activity ideas for outdoor fun. It’s also a great time for eating outside – from family barbeques to street parties. Check out our simple outdoor dining ideas.

And as we head towards the end of term, don’t forget Father’s Day or a thank you gift for your child’s teacher – we have plenty of ideas for you in this issue.

There are some great giveaways for you in this issue too, including your chance to win a holiday from Away Resorts, tonnes of Orchard Toy Little Shopping Lotto games and you can win a pair of tickets to Classic Ibiza and much more! Apply inside and also ensure you receive every issue of our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

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Get in touch

Competition winners from our January/ February issue Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE

Book a FREE summer term class with Perform

Summer term is here and there’s no better time for your child to try Perform. Using a mix of drama, dance and singing, these highenergy classes for all abilities are designed to allow even the most reticent children to shine.

This term, 4-7s will be setting sail on the Jammy Dodger for an adventure with the Mermaids & Pirates. Meanwhile, 7-12s will enjoy a laugh-out-loud adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in The Dream. The curriculum has an emphasis on fun with free apps and videos to watch at home.

Classes are for all abilities and every child is welcome to try a free class in Broxbourne, Harpenden, Hertford, Hitchin, Knebworth, Letchworth, Radlett, Royston, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City.

Just visit WEBSITE.

Perform fun continues into the summer holidays - don’t miss the Perform in the Park summer festival of children’s theatre. Visit WEBSITE to book.

Call: 020 7255 9120

WIN

a pair of tickets to Classic Ibiza at Hatfield House

Classic Ibiza makes its muchanticipated return to Hatfield House on Saturday 19 August, with its heady blend of Balearic-infused dance music. With the show due to sell out, we’re offering two lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets worth £96.

Headlined by the 32-piece Urban Soul Orchestra, who have played with the likes of Groove Armada, Nightmares on Wax and Robert Miles, the family-friendly concert also sees performances from DJ Goldierocks, globally renowned vocalists and former Pacha Iabiza resident, DJ Jose Luis.

That’s over five hours of the very best in stately house music, accompanied by a truly awesome laser and light show! Bring your own picnic and make sure you pack your dancing shoes for an evening of tracks from Faithless, Laurent Garnier, The Chemical Brothers

and many more. Local street food vendors and the San Miguel bar are also available on site.

To book tickets or for more information on this spectacular family-friendly concert, visit:

WEBSITE

HOW TO ENTER

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to Classic Ibiza, just answer the following question correctly:

Q: Name the orchestra that headlines Classic Ibiza.

Email your answer and name to editor@famiiesherts.co.uk. Closing date is 20 June. Terms and conditions at WEBSITE

The benefits of signing

Signing Toddlers classes help improve communication skills, offers quality bonding time, builds your little one’s confidence and reduces frustration!

For more information, including locations, please visit this WEBSITE or this WEBSITE, or email HitchinLetchworth @thesigningcompany.co.uk

Royal Coronation Joust at Chiltern Open Air Museum

A Royal Coronation Joust is taking place at Chiltern Open Air Museum in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, on Sunday 7 May and Bank Holiday Monday 8 May.

Hear the clash of steel and the thunder of hooves as armoured knights enact spectacular medieval jousting displays and hand-to-hand combat to win the favour of the crowds – go along and cheer for your favourite!

Jousting displays will take place at 12pm and 3pm. In-between jousts you can meet the Knights and their

YOGA FOR KIDS

Safe and comfortable setting for children over 5 to practice yoga, mindfulness & meditation. Children have fun learning about themselves, and build confidence as they go.

Based in Hertfordshire

One-to-ones

Workshops and events

Mindfulness in schools

Weekly classes

07734368373

info@beckyslittleyogis.com

horses and find out more about what life would have been like.

This is a fantastic event with a fun atmosphere for the whole family so join the Knights of Royal England at Chiltern Open Air Museum and throw down your gauntlet for this action-packed event.

Pre-booked tickets cost £14 for adults, £13 for concessions, £8 for children, and entry is free for under-4s. More information and tickets at WEBSITE

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB

FUN FAMILY ADVENTURES AT GOSLING

Enjoy activities as a whole family after school and weekends at Gosling Sports Park. You can reach the skies in our trampoline park, discover a world of fun in our soft play and slide into the weekend on one of our fun rings on our dry ski slope.

Find out more and book online today by visiting better.org.uk/gosling

Pop Princesses

Tues 30th May 6pm

Tickets: £18.50, £24.50 VIP MEET & GREET (Meet and Greet one hour before show)

Four Fairy Tale Princesses perform an array of pop music from Little Mix and Ariana Grande to Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor, plus music from your favourite films and musicals!!

Fireman Sam

Saves the Circus

Thurs 17th Aug 12pm & 3.30pm

Tickets: £18, £17 child, family of 4 £66

Join Sam, Penny, Elvis, Station Officer Steele and Norman in an all singing, dancing, action packed show. You can become a fire-fighter cadet and then watch the magic of the circus.

What is the CPA approach in maths?

By Jemma Z Smith

CPA (concrete, pictorial, abstract) is a maths teaching approach that has grown in popularity in recent years. It involves using tangible objects for children to add, subtract, multiply or divide. They then progress to using pictorial representations of the objects and ultimately, abstract symbols.

This way of learning is one of the foundations of Singaporean maths, now being adopted in the UK.

Concrete

The tangible, ‘handling’ stage uses physical objects to solve problems. For example:

There are four buttons in the pot. Stanley has two buttons in his hand. How many buttons are there altogether?

In this problem, the children might first count out actual buttons before moving on to non-related objects such as counters.

Of course, almost anything can be used to help a child master this stage from pencils to plastic pots, to counting beans and coins. You don’t need to spend money on concrete resources to support learning.

Pictorial

The next step is for learners to move on to making their own representations.

Returning to the buttons example, these could be drawn as four circles on one part of the paper and two more on another part, representing the pot and the hand. Kids can then count each small circle, getting the same answer as with the buttons READ

Hape Nature Fun Detective Sets

Teacher gift ideas

It’s approaching the end of term again…here are some great ‘thank you’ gift ideas for your child’s teacher, both hand-crafted and shop-bought.

Make a photo frame

Simple, fun project. Requires three materials and a photo memento.

Make a terrarium

Terrariums of all shapes & sizes look great on a desk!

Make DIY hot chocolate bombs

Encased in chocolate & filled with mini marshmallows.

Make pebble class art

Decorate pebbles marking out members of your class and your teacher.

Teacher’s Tin

A novelty desk tidy for the teacher who likes to be organised. £11.79

School backpack charity gift

A charity gift your child’s teacher will love. £11 ActionAid

Keep Calm & Pretend coffee mug

Fun quality mug for the teacher who enjoys a joke. £9.45

Thank You Teacher

chocolate gift box

For a teacher with a sweet tooth! £10

Personalised Teacher’s Survival

Kit

Fill with essentialstissues, paper clips, tea bags £7.87

Developing independent learning

By Zuzu Jordan

How handwriting affects self-esteem

By Catherine Loble and Lisa Wander

Big family celebrations occur when our children display independence by taking their first steps or riding their bike without stabilisers.

So how do we then help children develop independence in their learning?

READ MORE

Is it time to rethink school attendance?

By Catherine Lynch

During the pandemic, school absence was understandably high with anxiety about sending children to school and many children absent with Covid 19. However, throughout the past year, problems with school attendance remain ongoing.

READ MORE

Kids who struggle with handwriting are often at a disadvantage in the high-paced classroom setting. According to the Dyspraxia Foundation, they are usually aware of their difficulty and their untidy writing can make them feel uncomfortable and frustrated.

READ MORE

Orchard Toys

Top children’s literature festivals

Children’s literature festivals are springing up all over the country and offer great entertainment for families. Here’s our selection.

Barnes Children’s Literature Festival

London’s largest festival. Big-name authors, shows & activities. 24-25 Jun

Appledore Book Festival (North Devon)

A dedicated children’s programme.

15-24 Sep

Wokingham Children’s Book (Berkshire)

Festival with author

‘meets’ & talks. 15 Oct.

Edinburgh International Book Festival

Hundreds of events for families. 12-28 Aug

Cuckfield Children’s BookFest (Sussex)

Spectacular one day event with author ‘meets’ & talks. 7 Oct

Bath Children’s Literature Festival

Europe’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival.

29 Sep-8 Oct

llkley Literature Children’s Festival (Yorkshire)

Top authors, free dropin events, storytelling, workshops. Oct

Hay Festival (Wales)

Extensive programme & section for toddlers & parents. 25 May-4 Jun

Great Malvern Festival of Stories (West Midlands)

Storytellers, authors, theatre. 24-29 Oct.

Creative garden play

Water

Plastic water bottle guns – use old squeezy detergent bottles for squirty fun.

Water balloon pinata - make with balloons, water, string and a stick.

DIY Slip n Slide - spread out a long tarp and apply hose for slippery, slidy fun. Ice play – freeze water overnight in empty cartons for building, sculpting and slipping.

Mix & stir

Leaf tea – infuse a variety of leaves from the garden in an old teapot or saucepan. Cappuccino – help them carefully froth a muddy watery mix with a whisk.

Mud ice creams – use ice cream cones, dirt and flowers for decoration.

Garden perfume – using sealable bottles, add water and best smelling flowers and herbs.

Make a cheap & easy mud kitchen

Sand & mud

Mobile mud patch – convert your wheelbarrow into a mud pit. Natural sand pit – dig a shallow hole. Line using plastic with rock edging. Add sand.

Sand wall – attach old, upsidedown cartons and bottles with ends removed for pouring sand. Muddy car wash – get the toy cars really muddy, then wash them in a soapy water bucket.

Creative garden

Small world garden play –connect with the natural world with these imagination zones. Soil art – use an ancient method to make paint from the garden. Paint a mural – let imaginations flow using a washable chalk paint recipe.

Ice excavation – freeze interesting items inside blocks of ice for your children to release.

Make seed bombs

Transform an old chest of drawers into a kid’s kitchen using household junk.

Two simple ways to spread colour and biodiversity in your garden.

Great gifts for the dad in your life

Don’t forget to show dad how much he’s appreciated on Father’s Day on Sunday, 18 June. Check out our gift suggestions for something he might like – all for £20 or less.

FOCO Moccasin slippers

Comfy suede slippers with your dad’s team logo. £15.

Reversible belt

Wardrobe versatility with this reversible black/tan belt. £20.

Dad’s Toblerone

Personalised Toblerone bar for a special treat. £17.

Stormtrooper decanter

For the Star Wars lover. Stores spirits, decants wine and serves. £19.99.

I Love My Daddy picture book

Spend special time with dad with this joyful, rhyming picture book. £6.64.

Tile Mate

Keeps track of Dad’s keys, wallet and phone. £15.99.

V&A Italian hot chocolate

Rich, mouth-watering hot chocolate from Italy in a keepsake arty tin. £10.

Hotel Chocolat Milk Chocolate Old Fossil

Smooth, mellow and from the prehistoric era (remind you of anyone?).

Personalised face cooking apron

Great for the cook who can’t get too much of himself! £19.99.

Upcycling your child’s party

Be kind to the planet with these ideas from Ice Cream and Jelly

Party bags

Store shopping bags can make perfect gift/party bags. With a little imagination, crafty materials and glue, these branded shop bags can be transformed into unique, personalised bags. Or make your own: there are some easy video instructions on making a paper bag in the tutorials section on Instagram.

Tablecloth and napkins

Party bag fillers

Old bed sheets work well refashioned into tablecloths - paint, tie-dye or appliqué in order to tailor them to the party theme. It’s a great activity to get the kids involved in! If you already have a tablecloth, make placemats or a table runner from scrap fabrics to match the theme of your party.

Make time to make these rather than buying new. Here are some ideas to get you started: scrunchies made from leftover fabric, painted rocks or shells found on the beach, bracelets made from beads from your local scrap store or crayons made from all your kids’ broken crayons.

Wrapping presents

There are many household items that you can use for wrapping gifts: magazine pages, old maps, pieces of sample wallpaper, your kids’ paintings or leftover packing paper. If you can sew, you could make a drawstring bag from leftover fabric scraps. Alternatively, reuse an old pillowcase or wrap with fabric, like the Japanese art of Furoshiki.

Simple outdoor eating

Take your pick of these great recipes and create meals to eat outside which the family will love.

Roast chicken garden salad

Sweet & sticky chicken wings with classic slaw

Super easy Spanish tortilla

Quick grilled pizza

Lamb meatball pitta pockets

Salt & pepper tofu skewers

Vegetable tartlets

Roasted banana & cinnamon ice cream

Lemon sherbet ice

Win a family holiday with Away Resorts!

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

Experience one of Away Resorts’ fabulous UK locations, from countryside to coast, all within areas of natural beauty. Your accommodation will be off-thescale amazing and new experiences await at every turn. Jam-packed with activities, entertainment, fantastic facilities and events, every member of the family will be grinning from ear to ear.

Explore The New Forest, Hampshire, Tattershall Lakes

Appletree or Cleethorpes Pearl in Lincolnshire, Mersea Island in Essex or Golden Sands in North Wales –or perhaps somewhere else will take your fancy.

Full list of locations HERE.

APPLY HERE by 30 June 2023

T&Cs.

6 Available

Sustainable toy for curious little explorers

Eco family days out

Entertaining and inspiring places with a conscience that also offer bags of adventure for a family visit.

Bewilderwood

Environmentally-friendly adventure parks in Norfolk and Cheshire.

The Centre for Alternative Technology

Snowdonia, Wales. Interactive displays, ecodemonstrations & family activities.

Cornwall. Rainforests, Mediterranean zones & outdoor gardens.

The Living Rainforest Berkshire. Tropical rainforest adventure with plants & animals.

Award-winning indoor and outdoor adventure park in North Norfolk.

Award-winning family fun park in Gwynedd, Wales.

Essex. Ancient woodlands, arboretum & The Wild Wood play area.

Kent.

Set in 40 acres of ancient woodland & holds over 200 British animals in natural enclosures.

London.

Land train, nature play area, the Hive & the Children’s Garden.

Wildwood Trust

Greenwood Family Park

Kew Gardens

Pensthorpe

The Eden Project

Markshall Estate

Tackling summer ailments

Summer is fun but it’s good to be prepared for the common ailments your child may suffer that are peculiar to the season. Here are our tips.

Sunburn

* Stay in shade from 11am to 3pm;

* Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses;

* Use at least factor 30 sunscreen;

* Reapply frequently.

Insect bites

Most improve within hours. * Remove the sting; * Wash affected area; * Apply cold compress to any swelling; * Avoid scratching/bursting any blisters.

Dehydration

Thirst/dark yellow, strong smelling wee, weeing less, lightheadedness, dry mouth, lips & tongue – if untreated, can become serious. * Give extra fluids gradually.

Asthma

*Keep taking preventer inhaler;

* Take reliever inhaler everywhere; * Use your action plan; * Go outside earlier - air quality better; * Drink plenty of fluids.

Heat exhaustion

Dizziness/nausea/ headache/fast breathing or heartbeat. * Move to cool place; * Remove clothing; * Give sports drink/water;

* Cool skin; * If still unwell after 30 minutes, call 999.

Tick bite

* Cover skin walking outdoors; * Use insect repellent;

* Check for ticks on clothes and skin;

* Remove quickly;

* If rash appears or child become unwell, see GP.

Eczema

Itchy, red, dry, cracked skin.

* Dress in thin cotton layers; * Use light cotton blankets or sheets; * Apply moisturising cream;

* Keep out of the heat.

Swimmer’s Ear

eczema

Painful ear/itchiness/reduced hearing/noises inside ear/discharge from ear. * Use drops from pharmacist.

* If symptoms after a week, see a GP.

STEM craft activities

Stimulate your child’s interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with these inspiring craft ideas.

Create salt dough fossils

Fun activity which shows kids how fossils are made.

Paper straw rockets

Experiment with propulsion and flight with these easy downloadable templates.

Gravity action art

A super-easy way of seeing science and art working together.

Magnetic slime

Discover how to create magnetism with this fun activity.

Paper building blocks

Simple craft demonstrating engineering with paper.

Fruit Solar System

A fruity way to grasp the planet sizes in our Solar System!

Invisible ink art

Fascinating art project where science plays a big role.

Make a volcano

A safe miniature eruption!

Robot Hands

Discover the mechanics of robotics and how everything works together.

Best travel games for kids

Perfect for stashing in a corner of the suitcase or car when you head away this summer!

Mixups

Compact card game for Snap or creating fantastical beasts.

Ages 4+. £5.94

Othello on the Move

Pint-sized version of this classic strategy game.

Ages 7+. £9.95.

Mini 4 in a Row

Classic game. All-in-one folding compact design. Ages 3+. £5.59

Articulate!

Compact version of this classic fast-talking description game.

Ages 6+. £10.19

Cluedo Grab & Go

All the thrills of the classic detective game in a mini set.

Ages 8+ £5.

Battleship Grab & Go

Compact, mobile version of the Battleship game. Ages 7+ £5.

Dino Dump

Speedy card game featuring kids’ faves: dinosaurs and poo!

Ages 6+. £9.99

100 PICS Riddles

Family Travel Card Game

Pocket sized, full of family-friendly brain teasers. Ages 6+. £6.99.

Rummikub Travel

Fast-paced game of tile manipulation. Ages 8+ £15.99.

Celtic Harmony

Brickendon, Hertford

VISIT WEBSITE

Step away from everyday life and enjoy a magical break with a Family Prehistory Adventure at Celtic Harmony Camp. This summer, you can take an exclusive 3-day 2-night stay between 21 July and 6 August. Wake up in your very own Iron Age roundhouse and spend your days in a variety of workshops and demonstrations led by a team of enthusiastic educators. Try your hand at archery, den building, fire lighting and much more! Visit Celticharmony.org/daysout or call on 01438 718543 for more information.

Signing Toddlers

VISIT WEBSITE

Fun sessions where your child can learn signs to add to their word bank! Exploring new vocabulary through signing, turn-taking, sharing and listening.

Gwen Halam Dance

Harpenden, Redbourn

07792309401

VISIT WEBSITE

Exciting pre-school dance classes for boys and girls from 18 months to 4 years. Choose a class where you can accompany your child and dance together, then watch their confidence grow as they venture into class alone. Call to book a free trial class call.

Perform

Various locations in the region

0207 7255 9120

VISIT WEBSITE

Confidence building weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. Classes are designed to boost confidence, communication,

concentration and coordination. Every child can try a free noobligation class, visit www. perform. org.uk/try. Venues: St Albans, Harpenden, Welwyn Garden City, Bishops Stortford and Broxbourne. enquiries@perform.org.uk

Re:play Holiday Club

St Albans 07913 323608. Replay is a fabulous holiday club for children 4 to 11 years old. Lots of fun activities and crafts, indoor and outdoor space. Run by an enthusiastic and caring team.

Chiltern Open Air Museum

Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB VISIT WEBSITE

May Day Merriment –30 April & 1 May

Experience traditional Elizabethan May Day dancing and merriment. Watch a display of firepower, featuring the black powder weapons of the day and a fine display of swordsmanship. Royal Coronation Joust –7 & 8 May Watch Medieval jousting and visit the living history camp. Traditional Dancing –13 & 14 May Watch and take part in traditional Maypole dancing.

Gladiator Games –28 & 29 May

See a captured British Chieftain take part in the Gladiator Games and fire a mighty ballista. Terrific Tuesday – 30 May Themed family crafts and activities all included in the standard admission price.

Footgolf and Pitch & Putt at Panshanger Golf Complex - daily Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2ED  VISIT WEBSITE

Choose from Footgolf or Pitch and Putt. 9 holes for £3.50. Daily. Ages 6 to 16.

Tweenie Tuesdays at The Marlowes –Tuesdays

Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DX 01442 413818 VISIT WEBSITE

Go along and colour to your heart’s content, with special weekly themes. 10am to 2pm. FREE.

Splodgers Arts and Crafts at Hatfield House

Wednesdays - Hatfield timeforsplodgers@gmail.com

Arts, crafts and messy-play sessions for under 5’s in the Coach House Kitchen. First session - 10am-10.50am. Second session - 11am-11.50am. £5.50 per child. £3.50 sibling (under 1’s free with sibling)

Toddler Tuesday at Hertford Museum – 2 May and 6 June Hertford 01992 582686

VISIT WEBSITE

Crafts, singing, stories and fun for the Under 4s, booking essential. £4 per child, includes a drink and snack (free places available to low-income families, contact the museum for more info). Old Macdonald’s Farm – 2 May. Marvellous Minibeasts – 6 June. 10.30am to 11.45am.

Story Time

- Little Dinosaur is on a big adventure at South Mill Arts –3 May

Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 710200

VISIT WEBSITE

Storytime at the Museum. Enjoy a story, songs and some colouring or craft. Free drop-in, no need to book. 10am.

Email:

editor@famiiesherts.co.uk

We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print. If you would like to feature a listing in a future issue email editor@familiesherts.co.uk

Top UK camp sites for families

Looking for a family-friendly camping experience? Take a look at our top picks.

Catgill Farm

Camping to glamping in Yorkshire Dales. Outside village of Bolton Abbey.

Burnbake

Woodland campsite/ luxury lodges in Dorset, close to coast & Corfe Castle.

Kelling Heath Holiday Park

Surrounded by Norfolk woodlands/trails, indoor/ outdoor pools, steam railway.

Sherwood Pines Campsite

Acres of Nottinghamshire woodland, walk to adventure playgrounds, Go Ape, bike hire.

Gwithian Farm

West Cornwall. Close to beach & pub, goats & guinea pigs to feed.

Glenmore Camping

On the shores of Loch Morlich, Scottish Highlands. Hiking, swimming, kayaking.

Fforest Fields

Set on family run farm in Wales; green hills, woodland trails, lakes.

Red Shoot Camping Park

Ideal base to explore New Forest, attractions nearby, family friendly pub.

Heathland Beach

Walk to Suffolk beaches.

Heated pools, fishing lake, tennis, family restaurant.

A Celtic getaway with a difference!

Step away from everyday life and enjoy a magical break with a Family Prehistory Adventure at Celtic Harmony Camp. This summer, you can take an exclusive 3-day 2-night stay between 21 July and 6 August.

Wake up in your very own Iron Age roundhouse and spend your days in a variety of workshops and demonstrations led by a team of enthusiastic educators. Try your hand at archery, den building, fire lighting and much more!

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, this secret escape has everything you need for a wonderful family short break (up to 2 adults and 3 children).

Everything you need is provided, including king-size and single beds, linens and towels, and delicious food!

To book your family prehistory adventure visit WEBSITE or call on 01438 718543.

your FREE Little Shopping Lotto game NOW* Small in size but big in fun – perfect for both home and travel! APPLY HERE

*while stocks last T&C’s apply