Families Hampshire West Magazine Jan/Feb issue 2020

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IN THIS ISSUE

Top eco resolutions for 2020 Supporting an anxious child The importance of imagination UK short break ideas

Issue 74 January/February 2020 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk Families Hampshire West

Injoy is a new multi-activity experience for all the family

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2 Families Hampshire West

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In this issue 4. News Issue 74 I Jan/Feb 2020 Editor Rebecca Carr editor@familieshampshirewest.co.uk 07789 882 467 Advertising Claire Clarricoates claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk 07812 218331 What’s on Chloe Atkinson assistant@familieshampshirewest.co.uk Social Media Chloe Atkinson Printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. Next issue March/April Booking deadline 5 February We distribute 21,000 copies in Winchester, Southampton, The New Forest, Totton, Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford, Hedge End, Bursledon, Netley, Park Gate and all the areas in between.

Published 6 times per year. If you would like copies for your establishment contact us.

Cover image Depositphotos

5. Clubs & Classes news 6. Education news 8. Supporting an anxious child 9. The importance of imagination 10. UK short break ideas 11. Top eco resolutions for 2020 12. What’s on in January & February © Families Hampshire West Magazine 2020. Families Hampshire West is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Hampshire West are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Hampshire West. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Hampshire West; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

Help YOUR child discover their CONFIDENCE and enjoyment in MATHS

Stay in touch

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Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer

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Families Hampshire West 3

News

Calling all families - Wear A Hat Day needs you!

The annual fundraising extravaganza Wear A Hat Day is coming back in 2020 – Families Magazine and Brain Tumour Research are calling on you to get involved!

Wear A Hat Day 2020 takes place on Friday 27 March, at the end of Brain Tumour Awareness Month.

Over the last decade, this hattastic event has raised more than £1 million in support of the charity Brain Tumour Research. It has become a must-do event for many children and parents and their communities.

Taking part is really easy and the charity has some great ideas on their website to help you plan and host wonderful hat-themed fundraising events. Register today to ensure you get your FREE fundraising pack in time: www.wearahatday.org Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. No family should be devasted by a brain tumour.

Wear A Hat Day is a really important campaign be involved with – not only is it great fun but with your participation, it becomes a powerful symbol of hope for all affected by this disease.

Funds raised will continue to help the charity build a network of experts in sustainable research at dedicated Centres of Excellence whilst influencing the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more nationally.

Home from home with Chilly Powder Do you prefer winter or summer in the Alps… or both? Francesca, Paul and their three children live in Morzine in France all year round and have a good knowledge of Alpine traditions and the Morzine people. Having adapted their chalet holiday style over the years to suit the tastes of their regular guests, they offer the perfect ski and summer holidays for either families, couples or mixed groups in relaxing luxury, with fantastic food and outstanding facilities, with unrivalled in-house childcare facilities. For many returning guests Chilly Powder is considered a real home from home.

Visit www.chillypowder.com for more about Chilly Powder chalets for summer and winter.

Does your child need help with Maths?

Billy told his Mum he was scared and worried about Maths; he struggled and dreaded Maths tests as he was sure he would fail.

Since starting Maths Club by Post Billy’s confidence has flourished and he says he feels smarter as he gets most of his Maths correct. At parents evening the teacher commented that his engagement during lessons has improved significantly and he has a much more positive attitude towards Maths. His Mum, Kelly says, “He likes to receive Maths Club by Post packs and he can’t wait to get started!!”

If, like Kelly, you can see that your child worries about Maths, get a free pack from Maths Club by Post and help your child flourish too.

Visit www.MathsClubByPost.co.uk for more information.

InJoy Southampton, a new multi-activity experience for all the family InJoy Southampton is the largest children’s activity centre in the area, featuring a trampoline park, soft play, laser tag, climbing walls, interactive zone, arts and cooking classes and parties!

Spread over several levels in the popular Ocean Village, InJoy Southampton is the only place to offer so many active attractions under one roof. Visit www.injoycentres.co.uk to find out more information.

Call for nature hour in schools Wildlife Trusts are calling on the government for every child in the UK to spend one hour outside in nature, every day, as part of the school curriculum.

New research by The Wildlife Trusts shows outdoor play has major benefits for the development of young children including boosting confidence, better relationships with teachers and classmates and an increase in wellbeing and health. The study examined 451 children aged 8 or 9 years old across 12 areas of England to look into the effects of regular outdoor activities on children’s wellbeing.

It found that children’s wellbeing dramatically increased after they had spent time outdoors. Not only did they gain additional social benefits, but they showed high levels of enjoyment, too.

For the full report visit www.wildlifetrusts.org

W.J. French & Son, your local, children’s shoe experts.

We stock a large range of children’s shoes in full & half sizes as well as a wide range of width fittings.

We are recognised by the Children's Foot Health Register as a centre of excellence for shoe fitting.

We are are the the largest largestindependent independantshoe shoeshop shopinin Hampshire Hampshire and and have havebeen beenproviding providingexcellent excellent customer customer service service for forover over200 200years. years.

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& Son Limited 4 Families Hampshire West

40 Bedford Place, Southampton, SO15 2DG 023 8022 6542 www.wjfrenchandson.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Bounce, tumble & splash at River Park

Clubs & classes

If tumbling, rolling and jumping is their thing, then try gymnastics or trampolining. Sessions are based on the ‘FUNdamentals’ of movement (strength, balance, co-ordination and mobility) and will help your child to enjoy and master a wide range of sporting activities. River Park offer sessions at various levels, run by highly qualified staff to ensure it’s safe and fun so your child can enjoy bouncing and learning new skills.

Perform is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year!

£40 Intro Discount Quote HW140220

Families recently chatted to founder, Lucy Quick.

How did Perform start?

I was a musical theatre actress in Oliver! at the London Palladium and I loved working with children. I had a vision for a drama school that wasn’t about talent or auditions; where performing arts would be used to develop what we now call the 4 Cs: confidence, communication, coordination and concentration.

Where is Perform at now?

Starting with two classes in 2000, we now run 472 schools across the South East and West, employ over 250 teachers and have almost 8000 children attending weekly.

What’s the secret of Perform’s success?

We put child development at the heart of everything we do.

What does the future hold?

Opening more Perform schools across the country - we’re just launching in Nottingham and continuing our confidence crusade to help children fulfil their potential through drama, dance and singing.

Swimming is an essential life skill. You can swim you can enjoy an exciting range of activities in the water. They offer lessons from babies to adults. Lessons are taught by qualified teachers and follow the Swim England Learn to Swim pathway. Sessions are developed in partnership with British Gymnastics and Swim England. For more information please visit www.riverpark.placesleisure.org or call 01962 848700.

The Water Babies difference Water Babies classes aren’t the same as any other baby swimming lessons.

Instructors are the highest qualified in the business and they love being part of each families’ swim journey.

Classes are age appropriate and all skills structured to align with each little swimmers development milestones, focusing on safety and water confidence with masses of fun activities along the way.

New Term start s February Book now

What’s more they only teach in lovely warm pools, with classes suitable from birth, so what better way to spend some precious time together each week? From birth to 5 years, classes help you gain skills that will stay with you and your little one for life.

The next Water Babies term starts in February. Call 01794 324353 or email humptydumpty@waterbabies.co.uk to find out more.

What are you most proud of?

My teachers. They are the most inspirational bunch of talented and enthusiastic people you’ll ever meet.

Try a FREE no-obligation dance or drama class in South

West Hampshire. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try and don’t forget to use code HW140220 to receive a £40 introductory discount when you book.

Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes Confidence building fun for 4 -12s.

A unique mix of drama games, dance and singing specially developed to bring out every child’s true potential. Classes are kept small to ensure lots of individual attention.

Classes are available across South West Hampshire including classes in Hedge End, Lymington, Romsey, Southampton and Winchester. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try for a full list of venues, days and times.

Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news and events happening in Southampton, The New Forest and Winchester Facebook/familieshampshirewestmagazine familiesonline.co.uk

Confidence starts in the water

To book your first class call

01794 324353 waterbabies.co.uk

Families Hampshire West 5

Eduation news

Education from six months at Sherborne House School Sherborne House School’s much anticipated extended Nursery provision launched in January which provides an award winning learning environment in an idyllic setting for all children from six months.

Preparation for the important transition into Reception starts from a young age through tailored educational experiences, ensuring the essential skills of reading, writing and early number are embedded.

This enables children in Pre-Reception to have a seamless transition into Reception at Sherborne House School. Pupils are able to progress through the school until Year 6 when they transition on to a variety of secondary schools. Preparation for 11+ at Sherborne House is gradual and supportive, placing knowledge of the individual child at the heart of the process.

Come along to the next open morning on 31 January. Visit www.sherbornehouse.co.uk to find out more.

Discovery and learning at Moyles Court School It is always difficult to decide which school to select for your child’s first steps on the educational ladder. Moyles Court offer an academic grounding but also much more.

They believe being confident, happy and stimulated leads to a successful academic experience. This experience starts from the moment your child sets foot through the door to begin their educational journey and the dedicated Pre-School is the perfect environment to nurture and develop a love of learning. Learning in a smaller, safe environment whilst having access to the facilities and resources that the whole school offers, enables your child to benefit from a rich and broad curriculum and to engage in the wider school environment.

Their school is set within the most beautiful New Forest National Park with extensive grounds, affording your child the most wonderful opportunities to thrive in the outdoors as well as in the classroom. Come and see for yourself at their next Open Morning on Saturday 21 March from 10am to 12.30pm.

An exciting and inspiring environment at The Gregg Preparatory School If you are looking for the best possible start to your child’s education, The Gregg Preparatory School should be top on your list to visit. They offer an exciting and inspiring environment in which children thrive socially, emotionally and academically.

The Early Years Department is your child’s first step on their learning adventure, a journey that stretches from age 3 to 16 years old. The Gregg School believes that children deserve the very best possible start to their education and their parents agree; ‘my child is so much more confident at this preschool. He is excited about going into school every day’ says a current parent. A past parent said; ‘our daughter came out of Early Years more than ready for school. She is happy and so excited about learning.’

If you think your child would flourish with their highly qualified team of Early Years experts, and you would like to see more the lovely school, please call 023 8055 7352 to book your place on one of their taster sessions.

Visit www.thegreggschool.org for more information.

The Gregg Schools Stroud School, Romsey

King Edward VI Preparatory School Independent day school for ages 3 - 13

Independent day schools for boys and girls aged 3-16 years old

www.thegreggschool.org YEAR 7 ENTRANCE DAY Saturday 1st February 2020 The Gregg School Townhill Park House Cutbush Lane Southampton SO18 3RR Tel 02380 472133 office@thegreggschool.org

Come and see Stroud School in action

Saturday 14 March 2020 10am - 1pm

www.stroud-kes.org.uk

Open Morning Friday 28th February 2020

6 Families Hampshire West

The Gregg Preparatory School 17-19 Winn Road Southampton SO17 1EJ Tel 02380 557352 office@thegreggprep.org

www.thegreggprep.org

familiesonline.co.uk Families Mag Jan-feb2020.indd 1

22/11/2019 16:48:49

Considering private tuition for your child?

In a world of increasing competitiveness and opportunities, the number of children receiving private tuition keeps rising. The reasons are many and varied but bearing in mind that your child’s education is a one off that will very likely have a decisive impact on his life, then it makes great sense to invest time and effort.

Reversing a downwards spiral The most common situation when a child is falling behind is struggling in one or more specific subjects; losing marks but also interest and confidence. In this case, individual tuition will help to overcome these difficulties at their pace as the tuition will be designed around them. Private tuition in this case is mainly about academic support but will also increase confidence with long term benefits and not just in the classroom.

Fail to prepare and prepare to fail Exam preparation is a frequent reason for seeking private educational support. Here again, not only private tuition will address any specific area of difficulty, but it will help with exam techniques, organisation, planning and time management to get the grade needed to go into a chosen school or university. Imagine what a difference it can make to a student to go into the exam room without having to worry about ‘how’ to do it but just being able to focus on ‘what’ to do!

Mentoring and coaching matters There is more to academic achievement than exam results. Belbin® GetSet comprises of an online questionnaire, resulting in a report and workbook helping young people to learn about themselves and their behaviours to give them the confidence to project themselves in a positive way. A one-to-one mentoring session with a Belbin® accredited tutor follows to debrief the report. It gives students the opportunity to understand their strengths and their weaknesses, with a language to express them.

St George’s Tutors is a provider of private tuition, mentoring and coaching in Hampshire. They provide one-to-one coaching sessions to help students understand and manage their own behaviours, as well as others, and develop their soft skills. All tutors are all experienced, qualified and DBS checked.

To find out more or for an informal discussion email office@ stgeorgetutors.com or visit www.stgeorgestutors.com

Pupils welly dance at Stroud School

Education news

Stroud School in Romsey recently held its biennial Language and Culture Day. The aim was to promote language and culture throughout the school and encourage children to immerse themselves in everything from speaking Japanese to sharing Chinese storytelling. The day included French, Spanish, German and Japanese languages, alongside activities from Portugal, South Africa, Turkey and China.

Embracing the cross-curricular nature of the day, children enjoyed baking croissants, South African welly dancing and even learning the nuances and inconsistencies of a language they thought they knew well: English!

Stroud is dedicated to exposing its pupils to as many different languages as possible. A greater language-learning experience leads to the development of the skills and confidence needed for children to see themselves as ‘Global Citizens’.

With a strong academic record and fantastic sports facilities, Stroud’s curriculum achieves the highest standard without compromising the key skills its children need to be successful.

The next open day is Saturday 14 March, 10am-2pm. To arrange a visit, call 01794 513231 or email registrar@stroud-kes.org.uk.

Skills for life at Sheiling School & College The Sheiling Ringwood School and College offer a broad, balanced, developmental curriculum, covering all the subjects in the national curriculum, including the ASDAN Personal Progress qualification and the OCR Life & Living Skills qualifications.

At the Sheiling, students are encouraged and supported to become resourceful and caring individuals, to explore the world of feelings, behaviour and values. We focus on building confidence and skills in different environments and social groups, whilst also developing functional independence, in preparation for adult life. We build positive relationships with students that acknowledge their value, believing that every young person can be empowered to find meaning and purpose in life.

Visit www.thesheilingringwood.co.uk to find out more.

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Families Hampshire West 7

Parenting

Practical strategies for supporting an anxious child

By Alicia Eaton

Once they’ve finished, fold the piece of paper and put it into the Worry Box. Put the lid firmly on the box and put it away.

Once a week, sit down with your child and take out all the pieces of paper in the box and read through the worries one by one. Encourage your child to be pleasantly surprised at just how many worries took care of themselves. Remember: most of the things we worry about never happen!

Encourage an attitude of positivity Negative thinking can easily become a habit that’s hard to break.

Switching your child’s thought patterns around will help to prevent this from happening.

Encourage your child to keep a journal. This can be a physical notebook to record events or doodle in, or they can use any devices they may have for the same purpose.

We often hear that today’s children are more anxious than previous generations. Growing up in an environment with worrying news items about climate change or terrorism, an endless stream of exams and the digital nightmare of social media competitiveness all contribute to this heightened sense of anxiety. No wonder then that many of today’s parents are finding it a struggle to deal with their children’s anxieties.

But there are simple things parents can do to help. Here are some simple strategies which you can incorporate into daily life to soothe anxiety and help your children feel calmer and more at ease.

Practise breathing techniques Anxiety can lead to a shortness of breath which in turn creates a pale complexion, sweaty hands and face, tightness in the chest and even giddiness or fainting. “Take a nice deep breath” is a traditional phrase that we’re all familiar with, but taking a deep inward breath is precisely what an anxious person doesn’t need to do. Anxious feelings can be caused by having too much air trapped in the lungs, which gives the sensation of not being able to breathe properly.

Each day, ask your child to write down three positive things that happened. These can be quite simple to begin with: we had pizza for lunch or the maths teacher forgot to set homework.

If it’s easier, you can introduce this technique conversationally, either in the car or at the dinner table. Start the ball rolling by mentioning something good that happened to you that day.

Too many of us fall into the trap of only talking about the problems and difficulties that we encountered during our day.

Alicia Eaton is a children’s emotional wellbeing specialist based in London’s Harley Street and author of First Aid for your Child’s Mind available from Amazon (£12.99). For more information, visit www.aliciaeaton.co.uk

Toys and games can help children practice controlling their breathing and here are some useful ways to introduce this concept.

•

a hand-held windmill toy with sails;

•

blowing bubbles through a wand

•

blowing up balloons;

•

blowing bubbles in a drink through a straw;

•

playing blow football;

•

blowing a feather from one side of a table to the other;

•

blowing up an imaginary paper bag through a scrunched-up hand.

AD SEN01

Not only will your child feel calmer after playing these games, but they’ll get a feel for how to control their breathing more effectively when they are feeling anxious.

Create a worry box If you have a child that’s stuck in a cycle of worrying about future events and repeatedly asking “yes, but what if…..,” it will be more helpful to restrict the amount of time given over to discussion about these worries.

Find a box. It can be an old shoebox, or a small, attractively decorated one so long as it has a lid and can be closed easily. Explain to your child that this is going to be their personal Worry Box. Put a supply of paper and felt-tips inside the box. Each time your child gets stuck in a cycle of worries, ask them to take a sheet of paper from the Worry Box and choose a coloured pen. Having a good selection of coloured pens is useful because you can ask your child what colour they think this particular worry is.

Ask them to write down or draw a picture of the worry.

8 Families Hampshire West

The Sheiling Ringwood School and College (6-25 years)

Set in a stunning, sustainable and eco-friendly 40-acre site close to the New Forest and Dorset coastline, the natural surroundings of our school and college provide a rich, enabling and therapeutic learning environment for students who have special educational needs.

We offer an individualised and flexible approach to placements. Day and residential. We also offer respite services for our students during the holidays.

Call 01425 477488 www.thesheilingringwood.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Education

The importance of imagination

By Dr Neel Burton

not already in the bookcase. By playing out scenarios and extending themselves beyond their limited experience, children seek to make sense of the world and find their place within it. This meaningmaking is full of emotion - joy, excitement, awe - and finds an echo in every subsequent act of creation.

Think back to your favourite teacher at school: for me, a French teacher who wept silently as he read to the class from a novel by Marguerite Duras. The teachers whom we hold dear to our hearts, who changed the course of our lives, are not those who assiduously taught us the most facts, or fastidiously covered every bulleted point on the syllabus, but those who moved and inspired us, those who fired up our imagination and opened us up to ourselves and to the world.

Einstein held that imagination is more important than knowledge: “I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination.

Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” It’s hard to disagree. Imagination is the highest form of thought, and almost divine in its reach. With enough imagination, we could identify and solve all of our problems. With enough imagination, we would never have to work again—or, at least, not for money. With enough imagination, we could win over, or defeat, anyone we wanted to. But our imagination is so poor that we haven’t even imagined what it would be like to have that kind of imagination.

Most children begin to develop pretend play at around 15 months of age. What are children doing when they pretend play? And why are they so absorbed in works of imagination? When I was 7 years old, I would devour book after book and plead with my parents for those

Despite its importance to the individual and society, our system of education leaves very little place for imagination. Our schools and universities and wider society are often forced to prioritise knowing over thinking, and equate thinking with reasoning, and reasoning with logic. This has done, and continues to do, untold harm. Instead of digging ourselves in deeper, we need to make more time and space for thinking, and we need to rehabilitate alternative forms of cognition such as im-agination, inspiration, and emotion that can support, supplement, or supplant reason and return us to wholeness.

In recent years, I’ve been trying to recover the bright and vivid imagination that I left behind in primary school. For that, I’ve been doing just three things, all of them very simple to explain: Being aware of the importance of imagination.

Making time for sleep and idleness.

Taking inspiration from the natural world.

How might that translate to you and your children? Don’t skimp on sleep. Don’t fill every hour of the day with scheduled activities. Make time for idleness, for daydreaming, and long walks in nature. Above all, don’t worry about ‘wasting time.’ While we are idling, in bed, in the bath, on the bus, our unconscious mind is busy assimilating and processing disparate pieces of information, and making all sorts of novel connections and projections. Time is a very strange thing, and not at all linear: sometimes, the best way of using it is to ‘waste’ it.

Here are 12 tips for nurturing imagination in your children:

Open Mornings Friday 31st January Friday 13th March 9am to 12 noon

1.

Allow for unscheduled down-time, even for ‘boredom.’

2.

Discourage passive TVs, tablets, and other electronics.

3.

Encourage reading, make sure there are plenty of ageappropriate books around.

4.

Encourage story-telling and writing.

5.

Encourage pretend play, even if it gets messy!

6.

Spend time in botanical gardens, zoos, art museums, science museums, natural history museums…

7.

Spend a lot of time outdoors.

8.

Travel to different places: forest, beach, mountains, abroad.

9.

Encourage contact with different people and cultures.

10. Encourage thought-provoking questions, and ask some yourself.

6 months - 11 years

Please contact the School to book your place

023 8025 2440 www.sherbornehouse.co.uk 39 Lakewood Road, Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire SO53 1EU

familiesonline.co.uk

11. Try not to impose pre-conceived notions, especially preconceived notions of what it means to be successful.

12. Allow your children to follow their enthusiasms, however eccentric, impractical, or disruptive they may seem. You never know where they may lead!

Dr Neel Burton is a leading psychiatrist and author of Hypersanity: Thinking Beyond Thinking, out now, priced £12.99.

To find out more, visit www.neelburton.com Families Hampshire West 9

Holidays 2020

UK short break ideas for 2020 Short breaks are becoming increasingly popular with families in the UK. Budget airlines, busier lives, and the desire to see lots of different places in a shorter amount of time are just some of the reasons why families are opting for them. Apparently short breaks are also good for your mental health. Psychologists claim that people who take them are much happier than people who take long holidays. This is because people’s enjoyment and enthusiasm for their destination may start to wane after more than a week away.

Adventure Awaits Taking a break to try a new sport or have an outdoor adventure will be popular in 2020. Whether it’s spending the weekend in a cosy cottage in North Wales to go on the world’s fastest zip wire (www.zipworld.co.uk) or exploring the stunning scenery of the Pyrenees. The Adventure Creators (www.adventurecreators.co.uk) are a small, friendly tour operator that specialises in multi-activity holidays in this mountainous area. Activities include canyoning, rock climbing, mountain biking, river rafting, and high rope adventures. An in-situ holiday manager is on hand throughout your stay to answer any questions and ensure everything runs smoothly, as well as to give you recommendations for the best family-friendly restaurants in the area. Holidays are available May-September.

Unusual European City Breaks Reykjavik is a perfect place to visit with a family because it is small in size and easy to explore, with plenty of colourful buildings, interesting food and cosy cafes in which to enjoy coffee and cake. You can take day trips to explore the stunning waterfalls and hot springs of the Icelandic landscape.

Or why not visit Bari in Italy? With its host of historic buildings and winding streets, it’s fun, noisy and perfect for families that like to wander and soak up the sunshine. There are lovely beaches nearby and you can also enjoy the regular opera and ballet performances at the recently restored Teatro Petruzzelli.

Eco-Friendly Stays With awareness growing of the effect of travel on the environment, think about travelling by train, which is much greener. Amsterdam, Bruges, Bordeaux, Lyon, Strasbourg and Cologne can all be reached by rail in under 6 hours from London. Then there are eco-friendly destinations such as Slovenia (www.slovenia.info/en) where 54% of the land is under protection. It also has beautiful coastal towns to explore and activities like white water rafting and hiking to try. Half of the country is covered in forest, so it is really one of the greenest countries in the world.

10 Families Hampshire West

By Claire Winter

Waterside Breaks Beautiful Scotland is a fantastic destination all year round. The country is celebrating a year of Coasts & Waters in 2020 so there’s never been a better time to explore its beautiful rivers, lochs and coastline. You can also enjoy fantastic events as part of the celebrations, such as the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival and Scotland’s Shores at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, which will feature classic film screenings and a special outdoor coastal experience.

More information at www.visitscotland.com/about/themedyears/coasts-waters. Also check out www.watersidebreaks. com which has a wealth of waterside accommodation options from riverside cottages in the Norfolk Broads, to luxury lakeside lodges in the Cotswolds to lovely seaside holiday homes.

Theme Park Fun Copenhagen has loads of fun things to do for families and is just a two-hour flight away.

It’s also home to not one, but two amusement parks.

Bakken, with its 82 year old wooden rollercoaster, is just ten minutes’ drive north of the city and is the world’s oldest amusement park, dating back to 1583. Tivoli Gardens consists of 15 acres packed with pagodas, roller coasters, and fairground rides, including the world’s tallest carousel. You could also check out Efteling: World of Wonders in Holland (www.efteling.com/en). It’s about 1.5 hours from Amsterdam and has a fun, fantasy, storybook setting and a variety of novel accommodation options. You can immerse yourself in the enchanted forest, where there are carousels and fun rides for the younger children, while thrill seekers can battle dragons on the rollercoasters.

The BIG Garden Birdwatch this January The Big Garden Birdwatch The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place from 25 to 27 January and is the largest wildlife survey in the world. The information collected helps monitor bird species in the UK, and is great fun for children.

To take part, you need to watch the birds in your garden or local park for just one hour at some point over the three days and report your results to the RSPB. You can request a FREE Big Garden Birdwatch pack from the RSPB which includes a bird identification chart and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden.

To make it fun, challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. Take a bike ride to a local park to look for birds, or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place. More info at www.rspb.org.uk.

familiesonline.co.uk

Top 8

By Claire Winter

Eco Resolutions for 2020

Family Life

Resolutions are on everyone’s mind at this time of year. Whether you love or loathe them, there’s no avoiding the fact that they can be a great way to kickstart the new year.

2019 was a turbulent year, which saw a significant rise in eco-activism. Greta Thunberg has inspired school strikes and protests around the world. Concentrating on consuming less and being more environmentally aware has never felt more urgent.

So why not make your sure your list of resolutions is focused on sustainability for this year?

Take a No-Waste Pack Encourage the whole family to be prepared and to take a refillable water bottle, coffee cup, and canvas bag with them when they go out. Cutting down on disposable coffee cups, plastic water bottles and bags will dramatically reduce the amount you add to landfill each week.

Skip Meat One Day a Week Research shows the drastic effects of raising cattle and other livestock on the environment. Raising meat consumes both water and land. Why not start dropping meat from your family’s diet one day each week? Start with a meat-free Monday and remember every meatless meal you consume helps the environment.

Avoid Plastic Plastic is terrible for our environment as it needs a huge amount of petroleum to produce it. It also never breaks down and adds to the water problem the world is currently facing. Set a goal to avoid plastic as much as possible. Buy your food in glass jars and investigate local shops that offer refill services for your shopping basics. You can also try to buy from companies that use environmentallyfriendly packaging. Ask for change, call out shops and restaurants that use too much plastic on social media by tagging Greenpeace and use the hashtag #pointlessplastic.

Install Rain Barrels Rain barrels are an easy way to save water. Head to a local home improvement store or surf online stores for a rain diverter. Install to gather the rainwater from your gutter system. You can use this water during the summer for your lawns, gardens or animals; it will also help reduce your water bill.

Start a Compost Bin Composting is a great way to reduce the amount you throw away. Composters work better in the sun as they yield the best results at high temperatures. Ensure that the compost receives heat and water and make sure to rotate the contents in familiesonline.co.uk

the compost bin occasionally. You can fill your compost bin with lawn clippings, brown paper bags, and organic food scraps. This will help you to reduce food waste and create nutrient-rich soil that you can use in your garden.

Avoid Wet Wipes Wipes that are flushed away are responsible for clogging up our sewers.

Even if you don’t flush them, they are another singular-use disposable that is filling up our landfills every day. If you use them to take makeup off, could you make reusable wipes from soft cotton squares that you simply wash and reuse?

Avoid Fast Fashion Fast fashion is killing the planet. The resources needed to produce and dispose of all the clothing produced globally earns the fashion industry the title of the world’s number one pollutant. Start thinking about what you purchase. Can you buy second hand clothes or reduce the amount you are buying? Think about investing in a smaller capsule wardrobe, which contains interchangeable pieces instead of buying throwaway high fashion clothes.

Buy Seasonal and Local Foods Consider your purchasing decisions around the food you buy for the family.

Make it your new year’s resolution to only buy seasonal and local foods. If you can afford it, buy organic because fewer pollutants and pesticides are used in the production of organic food. Visit your local farmer’s market to buy soap, honey, and jewellery from the stallholders. Investigate the journey each food makes and buy goods with the shortest travel time. Do you really need asparagus or green beans from another continent?

If one girl protesting outside the Swedish parliament can start a global protest movement against climate change, we can all do our bit. Small actions undertaken by large numbers of people really can make a big difference.

Families Hampshire West 11

What’s on

What’s on in

January & February Your essential guide to family events compiled by Chloe Atkinson.

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.

Throughout January & February Baby Animals & Explorers Trail Marwell Wildlife Winchester, SO21 1JH Escape the frosty weather and head into a warm paradise at Marwell Zoo’s Tropical House. Experience face-toface encounters with a diversity of wildlife, including Rica the Linne’s two-toed sloth, mouse deer, pygmy marmosets, a host of colourful birds, butterflies and more.

4 January & 1 February Clock Tower Tours SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Climb the 200 steps of Southampton’s iconic Clock Tower; discover its fascinating history and enjoy the fantastic views. Participants must be 12yrs+, fit and wear sensible shoes.

Pre-booking advised call 023 8083 4536. 10.30am. £6.50.

7 January (Every Tuesday) Natural Babies Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve Totton, SO40 3YD Buggy walks, natural crafts, sensory exploration and songs for parents and children aged 0-2 years. 10:30am – 12noon £5 per child.

7 January Wildlife Tots – One Snowy Night Swanwick Lakes Swanwick, SO31 7AY Regular sessions of indoor stories, crafts and outdoor activities for preschool children and their parents and carers. Suggested donation: £5 per child. 10.30am – 12noon.

7 January & 4 February Wildlife Tots Barton Meadows Winchester, SO23 7JS Fun discovery activities and games in the outdoors for pre-school children and their parents or carers. 10-11.30am. £5 per child.

7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 & 31 January Southampton Opportunity Group Swaythling Sure Start Centre Southampton, SO16 3BZ A stay and play session for children with lots of toys both indoors and outdoors, and access to a health professional. Tuesdays 9.15–11.45am & Fridays 1.15–3.45pm. £5 per child.

9 – 12 January Rapunzel The Point, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE Packed with, wonderful costumes, lavish sets and laugh-out-loud comedy.

Rapunzel is a traditional fun for all the family pantomime. From £8.

10 - 12 January The Railway Children Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB The classic story about family and community, international intrigue and red petticoats staged by Blue Apple, an inspirational theatre company that supports performers with learning disabilities. Fri & Sat 7.30pm, Sun 3pm.

Tickets £19, Con £14.

11 January Film: The Addams Family The Berry Theatre Hedge End, SO30 4EJ The spooky Addams family are expecting a visit from their even creepier relatives in this animated comedy.

11 January, 8 & 21 February Saturday Storytime The Berry Theatre Hedge End, SO30 4EJ The musical storytellers Kate the Hedgehog and Craig the Fox along with a host of woodland friends, delight families with their fantastical tales, sing-along-songs and joyful games.

10.30am. From £3.

Alice Holt

11 & 12 January Star in the Jar 11 Jan NST City, SO14 7DU 12 Jan NST Campus, SO17 1TR A warm-hearted story, with music, that perfectly captures the friendship between two siblings; the lovely set design taking the action from park to school and back home. 11am & 2pm. £7.

11 January & 9 February Who Let the Dad’s Out St James’ Road Methodist Church Shirley, Southampton, SO15 5HE Who Let The Dads Out is our group for dads, granddads and other male carers with their pre-school children.

9.30–11.30am.

11 January – 2 February Microscopic Marvels Winchester Science Centre Winchester, SO21 1HZ Explore the weird and wonderful microscopic world through a fun and engaging live show and handson activities. Get hands-on with microscopes in the Invention Studio and take a tour of the unseen, from mesmerising minibeasts to everyday objects as you’ve never witnessed them before! 10am-4pm. Admission: £13.20 per person, including live science show and Invention Studio activities; Under 3’s free. Planetarium tickets sold separately.

14 & 31 January and 11 & 28 February Wildlife Tots Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve Totton, SO40 3YD Enjoy themed discovery activities in the outdoors and stories and crafts indoors for children aged 2-5 and their parents or carers. 10.30am – 12noon. £5 per child.

14 January & 4 February Board Game Cafe The Point, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE The monthly Board Game Café is a fantastic evening of eating, drinking and of course, gaming, suitable for all ages.6–10pm. Free.

16 – 19 January Alice in Wonderland The Point, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE Join Alice on a magical journey into Wonderland. On her search for the White Rabbit she meets the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. From £8.50.

17 & 18 January Robin Hood – The Panto The Berry Theatre Wildern Lane, Hedge End, SO30 4EJ A fun family frolic through Sherwood Forest with Robin and his odd-ball friends (and his rather peculiar mum).

With silliness, songs and more. From £7.

17 – 26 January Winter Lights Whitchurch Silk Mill Whitchurch, RG28 7AL The Mill and its gardens will glisten and sparkle with an all new magical,

Forest

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12 Families Hampshire West

18 January Toy Stories: City of Southampton Orchestra Central Hall, Southampton, SO14 1NF Enjoy fantastic family entertainment in a concert inspired by all your favourite toys. You’ll hear musical teddy bears, tin soldiers, fairies, swings, dolls and more. 11am & 2pm. Adult £8, child £5.

18 January Fundraising Book Fair New Forest Heritage Centre Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY Buy a book to support the museum.

If you have any books to donate, give them to the museum the week before.

10am – 3pm. Free.

18 & 19 January Goldilocks NST City, Southampton, SO14 7DU The feisty Rag-doll Goldilocks enters the Raggedy Woods and makes her curious journey to the three bears’ house. Expect hurdy-gurdy music, naughty goblins, helpful spiders, porridge, and sing-a-long fun! Ages 4–8 years. 11am & 2pm. £7 19 January All Aboard NST Campus, Southampton, SO17 1TR The Dancers of Jo Hyne Dance School are inviting you to enjoy an all singing and dancing fun filled cruise as they visit all the corners of the globe. 1pm & 5pm. £7.50 & £10.50.

20 January & 17 February Wildlife Tots St. Cross Meadow Nature Reserve Winchester, SO23 9SD Fun discovery activities and games in the outdoors for pre-school children and their parents or carers. 10–11:30am. £5 per child.

22 – 25 January The Railway Children NST Campus, Southampton, SO17 1TR Marking the 50th anniversary of the much-loved film version, SUP returns with this acclaimed production of E. Nesbit’s classic story of an Edwardian family forced to relocate to rural Yorkshire. £10.

23 – 25 January Aladdin Bitterne Park Sixth Form Theatre Southampton The classic tale of Aladdin and the lamp with a modern twist! Full of musical parties and magical fun this is a perfect show for all the family, performed by Gantry Youth Theatre.

7pm & 2pm Matinee (Saturday) Tickets £8, children £5.

LYMINGTON

Half Term Activities Felting Workshops Master Storytelling 3D Model Making Children’s Trails Come & join in the fun!

Activity Centre Gruffalo Sculptures New play areas Go Ape Cafe

forestryengland.uk

after dark illuminated trail. The Mill will be transformed by spectacular installations, dazzling light artworks, leaving the dark winter evenings aglow.

3pm-8pm. Free with general admission.

registered charity no.1018779

see our website for full details

www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk

25 January Film: Abominable The Berry Theatre Hedge End, SO30 4EJ Three friends must help a Yeti return to his family while avoiding a wealthy man and a zoologist who want him for their own needs.

25 January & 29 February Family Backstage Tour Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Take a look behind-the-scenes at Theatre Royal Winchester. 10.30am.

Tickets £8, Under 12s £5.

25 January & 29 February Dads and Tots Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve Totton, SO40 3YD Enjoy themed discovery activities in the outdoors and stories and crafts indoors for children aged 2-5 and their parents or carers. 10.30am – 12noon. £5 per child.

25 January Chinese New Year Celebrations Southampton Guildhall Square Southampton, SO14 7DU The celebrations programme sees both well-known and new attractions, performances, and activities that will unite the City of Southampton and celebrate this beloved cultural festival.

From 10.30am. Free.

25 & 26 January The RSPB: Big Garden Birdwatch Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Jermyns Lane, SO51 0QA Bring your binoculars to try and spot the many different wild birds in the gardens. Help to compile a Birdwatch survey using the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch sheets. Free activity but normal admission charges apply.

29 January – 1 February Swan Lake Mayflower Theatre Southampton, SO15 1GE By a moonlit lake, a grieving prince witnesses the transformation of a swan into a beautiful princess. Compelled by an evil spell to spend her days in the form of a bird, she can only be saved by the power of love. Ages 5+. From £12.

Get hands on at

15th - 23rd February 2020

29 January – 1 February The Wind in The Willows NST Campus, Southampton, SO17 1TR Come and join Ratty, Badger, Mole and Toad as they embark on a series of riotous adventures driven by Toad’s unquenchable need for speed. Various times. Tickets from £10.

31 January First Steps: Swan Lake Mayflower Theatre Southampton, SO15 1GE This hour-long interactive show, specially adapted for children aged 3+, features ballet excerpts from Swan Lake. A feast of dance, music, costumes and lots of fun. 1pm. £12.50.

1 February Be a Chorister for a Day Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS This event is open to all boys in Years 3 and 4 who love to sing – not just boys who want to join the choir. Keen singers may use it as an opportunity to find out more about life as a Chorister, or Quirister, but the main aim of the event is to have fun singing together.

10am – 5.30pm. Free.

An all together great day out

1 February Toddler Tour Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB An interactive tour for toddlers to explore our beautiful theatre through fun activities, songs, music and stories!

10.30am. £4 per child. Adults free.

18months - 4 years

Winter Lights 17 TO 26 JANUARY 2020

Whitchurch Silk Mill and its gardens in the heart of rural Hampshire will glisten and sparkle this January with a spectacular installation featuring dazzling lights and an illuminated trail.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit WWW.WHITCHURCHSILKMILL.ORG.UK

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Families Hampshire West 13

What’s on 1 & 2 February Raymond Briggs’ The Bear Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB The story of a little girl who befriends a mischievous polar bear, this playful, funny and heart-warming tale is one of imagination and growing up. Sat 1.30pm & 4pm, Sun 10.30am & 1.30pm.

Tickets £14, Families/Groups 4+ £12.

1 & 2 February The Bird Show NST Campus, Southampton, SO17 1TR With frolics and foraging, flitting, flying and two unusual feathery friends, this is a madcap and touching show about birds facing changes to their habitat. The Bird Show uses live music, puppetry and lots of silly bird jokes in this heart-fluttering physical comedy about conservation, migration and imagination. £7.

7 February New Forest at Night New Forest Heritage Centre Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY Come and explore the New Forest Heritage Centre at night. They’ll be having a visit from some live owls and crafts and quizzes for the family!

5–7pm. £5 8 February Film: Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon The Berry Theatre Hedge End, SO30 4EJ When an alien possessing strange powers crash-lands near Mossy Bottom Farm, Shaun the Sheep quickly makes a new friend.

8 February – 1 March Destination Space Winchester Science Centre Winchester, SO21 1HZ Embark on a mission through the galaxy with an exciting space-themed live science show and Invention Studio activities. Learn about the current search for life on Mars, the latest space telescope technology and discover the specially designed sites across the Earth that can launch rockets far into the cosmos. 10am-4pm. Admission: £13.20 per person, including live science show and Invention Studio activities; Under 3’s free. Planetarium tickets sold separately.

8 & 9 February Sarah & Duck’s Big Top Birthday Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Join Sarah & Duck and your favourite friends for an enchanting blend of puppetry, storytelling and music. Sat 1.30pm, Sun 10.30am & 1.30pm. Tickets £14.50, Families/Groups 4+ £12.50.

8 & 9 February Charmane NST Campus, Southampton, SO17 1TR Charmane is a story about acceptance, courage and learning how to find your inner ROAR! Suitable for ages 5+. £7.

11 – 15 February Holes NST Campus, Southampton, SO17 1TR Stanley Yelnats can’t catch a break.

Born into a family cursed with bad luck, it comes as no surprise when he finds himself accused of a crime he didn’t commit. This hit production is a thrilling and off-beat comedy adventure and is perfect for adults and children aged 8+.Tickets from £10.

14 February Wildlife Tots – Gruffalo Swanwick Lakes Swanwick, SO31 7AY Regular sessions of indoor stories, crafts and outdoor activities for preschool children and their parents and carers. Suggested donation: £5 per child. 10.30am – 12noon.

14 Families Hampshire West

15 February The Adventures of Pinocchio Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB A wonderfully adventurous story with heart-warming lessons to learn along the way as our hand-made boy Pinocchio journeys through the world discovering just what it takes to be a real human. 7pm. Tickets £17, Conc £13, Families/Groups 4+ £14.

15 & 16 February The Boy Who Cried Wolf NST Campus, Southampton, SO17 1TR Jacob is a young boy who loves to play tricks. When he is given the responsibility of being the village shepherd he cannot resist the temptation. Suitable for ages 3+. £7.

15 February – 19 April Space Explorers – An Out Of This World Brick Adventure Milestones Museum Basingstoke, RG22 6PG Explore over 20 space-related brick models, complete two interactive mission trails, ride a flying saucer and much more! 10am-4.45pm. Normal admission price.

15 – 22 February Half Term Trail at Eastleigh Museum Eastleigh Museum Eastleigh, SO50 5LF Take a tour through Eastleigh’s past at Eastleigh Museum and discover what town life was like in the 1930s. Explore interactive exhibitions and take on the special half term trail around the museum to win a prize. 10am. Free but donations welcome.

15 – 23 February Hands-on Half-term Beaulieu Motor Museum Brockenhurst, SO42 7ZN Try out as a valet or lady’s maid, a scullion or scullery maid as you present yourself to the costumed butler and housekeeper to discover life below stairs at Victorian Palace House.

Normal admission charges apply.

15 – 23 February The Festival of Light Westquay Shopping Centre, Southampton Join Westquay for their fourth ‘Festival Of Light’. Head down to The Esplanade to enjoy and interact with spectacular light installations and why not stay for a meal at one of the delicious restaurants on offer. It’s the perfect evening out for all the family.

15 – 23 February Horrid History of Manor Farm Manor Farm, Southampton, SO31 1BH Enjoy a visit to the farm and a lighthearted look at its horrible history. Let your little ones discover the world of chamber pots and privies, gruesome tasks and horrible habits. 10am to 4pm.

Normal admission charges apply.

17 February Family Bushcraft: Cooking around the Fire Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Jermyns Lane, SO51 0QA Make and enjoy a selection of sweet treats around the fire. Suitable for accompanied children aged 4 - 12 years. 1.30–4pm. £15 (1 child and adult).

17 February Treasure Plastercast!

SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Explore the treasures of the museum and plastercast your own historic hoard. Suitable for ages 5 -13 years.

Pre-booking essential. 10.30am12.30pm & 1.30-3.30pm. £7.

Whitchurch Silk Mill winter lights The Whitchurch Silk Mill and its gardens in the heart of rural Hampshire will glisten and sparkle this January with an all new magical, after dark illuminated trail from 17-26 January.

The Mill will be transformed by spectacular installations, leaving the dark winter evenings aglow. This is a first for the Mill as it features dazzling light artworks, installations and an illuminated trail. As part of the illumination, there will be a series of events including a business networking event, artists’ development event, a health and wellbeing day and a skills project involving local young people. There will be markets and family activities over the weekends.

It will be an amazing time of year to visit the Mill as the unique facades of this weaving icon will be brought to life with colour, shape and movement. For more information visit www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk

St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Lymington are having lots of fun this half term. Learn how to make your own unique wet felted artworks using lots of interesting fibres including colourful merino wool, listen to our fabulous Master Storyteller as he weaves his magical winter stories or get inspired by local coastal landscapes and make a 3D model. Our popular Children’s Trail, for all abilities, explores our museum and art gallery. Our gallery currently has the fabulous Jeremy Gardiner with his artwork exploring the British Coastal Landscapes, inspirational paintings with distinct layers of colour, collage and texture. Open daily 10-4.For up to date information, including details of family activities, visit www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk

Join in the fun at Alice Holt Forest Explore walking and cycling trails, play areas and find magnificent wooden animal play structures as well as the ever popular Gruffalo sculptures this winter at Alice Holt Forest.

Children will love the Timberline play trail and the new Dormouse Crossing and Centenary Trees play structures provide hours of play for all the family. Join in the fun with the new Shaun the Sheep Glow Trail – available until March 2020. Experience the forest from up high on the thrilling Go Ape Tree Top Challenge course, hire a bike or if you simply want to relax, picnic in the fresh air or enjoy lunch at the café. Why not finish your visit with a quiet stroll or bike ride in one of the more remote parts of the forest. www.forestryengland.uk

Enjoy Micro Marvels and Destination Space at Winchester Science Centre Discover Micro Marvels every weekend from 11 Jan – 2 Feb. Explore the weird and wonderful microscopic world through a fun and engaging live show and interactive activities. Plus, embark on a mission through the galaxy with an exciting space-themed live science show and Invention Studio activities with Destination Space, daily from 14 – 24 Feb and every weekend from 8 Feb – 1 March. Admission: £13.20 per person (with GiftAid), including live science show and Invention Studio activities. www.winchestersciencecentre.org.

Get Hands-on at Beaulieu this February Half-term Get hands-on at Beaulieu from 15-23 February as you train as a below stairs Victorian house servant or a country garage apprentice mechanic. Make sure you’re on your best behaviour as you present yourself to the costumed butler and housekeeper of Palace House. The year is 1889 and you are applying for a job in this grand Victorian country house.Try out as a footman or scullery maid and tackle some of the household chores that were part of daily life. You’ll learn how to set the table for dinner, look after guests and even sweep the floor. Maybe you can lend a hand in the Victorian Kitchen.

In the National Motor Museum, try horns and handle the motoring artefacts of a bygone era. Become an apprentice in Jack Tucker’s 1930s country garage.

Put on overalls and complete a vehicle maintenance checklist to learn about the life of a mechanic. For more dress-up, rummage through the collection of driving costumes before clambering behind the wheel of the veteran PopeTribune for the perfect selfie opportunity. All activities are included in a ticket to Beaulieu, see www.beaulieu.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

What’s on

17 – 21 February Wild Woodland Holiday Club Itchen Valley Country Park West End, SO30 3HQ Your children can enjoy an Ofsted registered holiday camp based in the woodlands. The camp is suitable for ages 5–11 and there are different payment options available.

17 – 21 February Outdoor Adventure Holiday Club Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Jermyns Lane, SO51 0QA The Ofsted registered Outdoor Learning Company will be returning to the Gardens, for another outdoor adventure club. Children will enjoy a day of experiencing a range of challenging and fun activities in the woods and around the Gardens. Ages 5–11 years. Booking essential.

18 February Make a Bird Feeder Swanwick Lakes Swanwick, SO31 7AY Drop in to Swanwick Lakes Study Centre and find out how to provide food and nesting materials for your garden birds and make a bird feeder or nesting ring to take home! 10am-12pm or 1-2.30pm. Suggested donation: £5 per child.

18 February Archaeology Activity: Stone Age Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Jermyns Lane, SO51 0QA Be an archaeologist and join us at our purpose-built trench in the woods to get muddy and find hidden treasures from ages past. Study some Stone Age artefacts to work out what they were used for. Suitable for ages 4-12 years.

Booking essential. 1.30–4pm. £12.75 (for 1 child and 1 adult).

18 February Art School – Contemporary Sculpture Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Sculpt with a range of different materials, including found objects.

Inspired by sculpture in the gallery.

Suitable for ages 7+. 10.30am-3.30pm. £20. Pre-booking essential.

18 February Wizard School Tudor House & Gardens Southampton, SO14 2AD Back by popular demand. Make a wand, brew a potion and enjoy a wizarding trail of the garden. Suitable for ages 5-13 years. 10.30am-12noon or 1-2.30pm. £7. Pre-booking essential.

18 February Spring into Science Plaza Theatre, Romsey, SO51 8JA Enjoy an engaging science show with a twist at the Plaza Theatre! This inspiring show is presented by Ian B Dunne who’s well known Shows include Science Magic...Magic Science and Science...The Best Bits which appear at schools and festivals. 11.30am & 2pm. Tickets £8

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WINTER FUN Find these winter words in the grid.

Then read the remaining unused letters on the bottom three lines from left to right to find a secret message!

E T A L O C O H C T O H

19 February Half-term Family Fun Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS Pick up a themed trail from the Entrance Desk and explore the Cathedral, followed by craft activities.

Free on entry to the Cathedral for under 16s. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

19 February Clay Animals Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Learn basic clay techniques and then use them to design and make your favourite animal! Suitable for ages 5 - 13 years. 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.303.30pm. £7. Pre-booking essential call 023 8083 4536.

19 February Off With Their Heads Tudor House & Gardens Southampton, SO14 2AD Discover the truly terrible Tudors at a workshop jam packed with creative activities. Suitable for ages 7 years +. 10.30am-3pm. £18. Pre-booking essential call 023 8083 4536.

19 February Army Flying Museum on the Road SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Discover stories of bravery, dress up, handle objects, and make your very own D-Day parachutist with the Army Flying Museum. Suitable for all ages.10am-4pm. Normal admission charges apply. Free, drop-in.

20 February Half-Term Cookery Lainston House Winchester, S021 2LT Join chef Sylvain Gachot for a hands-on cookery workshop at Season Cookery School, Lainston House hotel near Sparsholt this half-term. Spend your morning creating both savoury and sweet dishes that you will enjoy for lunch in the converted well house, with a glass of wine for grown-ups. £95 for one adult and one child.

20 February Toddler Time - Unicorn Horns and Dragon Claws SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Can you roar like a dragon? And what sound does a unicorn make? Storytime, singing and crafts at the museum.

Suitable for ages 16 months - 5years.

10.30am-11.30am. £4.50. Pre-booking essential call 023 8083 4536.

20 February Make Your Own Bird Feeder Eastleigh Museum Eastleigh, SO50 5LF As winter begins to draw to a close and the wildlife emerges once again why not head to Eastleigh Museum to make your very own orange bird feeder. 10am - 12pm, free 21 February Titanic Science!

SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Hands on practical science activities and experiments exploring the Titanic story in greater depth. Suitable for ages 7–12 years. 10.30am-3pm. £18. Prebooking essential call 023 8083 4536.

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17 – 21 February Action Adventure Days Calshot Activities Centre Fawley, SO45 1BR Enjoy a full or half day activity package, offering a taste of Calshot’s great activities. £26 half day. £46 full day.

18 – 23 February The Tiger Who Came To Tea NST Campus Southampton, SO17 1TR The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea.

Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! Join the teaguzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos!

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17 February Drop-in Pokémon Moneyboxes!

Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Transform scrap materials into your own Pokémon to store your pennies.

Suitable for all ages.10.30am-12.30pm. £4.50. Pre-booking essential.

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