Families Hampshire West Magazine March/April issue

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IN THIS ISSUE

WIN a family holiday with Away Resorts Motivating good behaviour Spring time fun in Hampshire

Issue 75 March/April 2020 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk Families Hampshire West

In this issue 4. News Issue 75 I Mar/Apr 2020

6. Education news

Editor Rebecca Carr editor@familieshampshirewest.co.uk 07789 882 467

7. The great outdoors

Advertising Claire Clarricoates claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk 07812 218331 What’s on Chloe Atkinson assistant@familieshampshirewest.co.uk

8. Motivating good behaviour 9. Good behaviour chart 10. Springtime fun in Hampshire

Social Media Chloe Atkinson

12. What’s on in March & April

Printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. Next issue May/June Booking deadline 3 April 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 © Jo Temple Photography www.jotemplephotography.co.uk

Stay in touch

5. Clubs & Classes news

© 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.

Distributors Wanted Eastleigh & Winchester Are you looking for some extra income? Do you have a few hours spare for 1 - 2 days every two months within school hours?

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Advertise your business in our May/Jun issue. Book by 3 April Holiday clubs I Education Clubs & Classes I Parties & more

Families Hampshire West Magazine is looking for distributors to deliver our magazine to local schools, nurseries and family attractions. If you live in the area, are reliable, have a car and would like to earn extra money, email for more information. editor@familieshampshirewest.co.uk Starting early May

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 2 Families Hampshire West

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

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Photography © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole

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News & views

WIN a Family Holiday at an Away Resort of your Choice*!

WIN

Just take part in Wear a Hat on 27 March to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

Away Resorts offers family holidays at award-winning holiday parks, each superbly located and unique.

Mill Rythe on Hayling Island offers a holiday jam-packed with activities from zorbing to an outdoor high ropes course, plus daytime and evening entertainment.

Sandy Balls in the New Forest gets you back to nature; delve into the forest with its resident alpacas, enjoy a serene spa, fantastic on-site restaurants, and an array of activities including cycling and swimming.

Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire is a water world away. From fishing and pedalos to jet-skiing and a water aqua park, there’s fabulous on-site restaurants, rooftop bars, indoor/outdoor splashpads and activity programmes for all.

Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight offers the perfect balance, with rolling countryside on one side and a beautiful sandy beach on the other.

The park bustles with great on-site activities to keep your family busy.

New eBooks encourage children to eat vegetables Parents of fussy eaters can now access new FREE resources courtesy of the ‘See & Eat’ project, an initiative supported by the British Nutrition Foundation, to support parents in persuading their children to eat more vegetables.

Resources include 24 new eBooks which can be downloaded from the ‘See & Eat’ website. These have been developed based on past research which has shown that showing hard-copy picture books about vegetables to children helps to familiarise them with new food and ultimately, helps them to eat a wider variety. The ‘See & Eat’ eBooks each tell the farm to fork journey of a different vegetable and can be personalised with pictures, videos and text.

To access eBooks, visit www.foodunfolded.com/seeandeat

My VIP Card is the UK’s fastest growing discount scheme and Families readers can get 40% discount My VIP Card is the UK’s fastest growing discount scheme offering over 4500 discounts helping parents to save money when they are out and about. Up to 45% off cinema tickets every day of the week, up to 50% off theme park tickets, 4% off supermarket gift vouchers, plus discount for some of the South Coasts best family attractions!

10% off at Finkley Down Farm, 10% off at Playshack and 10% off at Go Ape. With the handy app saving money for your family has never been easier. Card holders save between £40-£100 a month can can get Cashback on some amazing national retailers! Visit the website to buy your card or find out about advertising opportunities for your business myvipcard.co.uk

Join the fight against plastic with the Great British Spring Clean

To Enter: 1. Register for Wear a Hat Day 2020 at www.wearahatday.org and take part on 27 March.

Wherever you live, you and your family can make a difference to your local environment by sparing just a few hours to take part in the Great British Spring Clean from 20 March to 13 April.

2. Email your competition entry to info@familiesmagazine.co.uk with your full name and post code or enter online at https://bit.ly/2OytS6D by 30 April 2020.

Run by charity Keep Britain Tidy, this initiative is the country’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign and aims to get 600,000 #LitterHeroes out and about, cleaning up the environment on their doorstep.

Use the same email address, name and post code for both steps 1 and 2.

T&Cs: *Excludes Mersea Island Holiday Park and Barmouth Bay Holiday Park. Prize is for a seven-night stay for two adults and two children. Accommodation provided will be of Superior or Luxury grade at Sandy Balls, Tattershall Lakes and Whitecliff Bay, and Ambassador at Mill Rythe, subject to availability. Prize value will be dependent on location and time of year chosen. More T&Cs online.

NANNY & HOUSEKEEPER RECRUITMENT SERVICES Matchmaking you with Nannies and Housekeepers across Southampton, Winchester and the New Forest Daily Nannies and Housekeepers I Live in Nannies and Housekeepers I Fully vetted & enhanced DBS checked Free home visits arranged I Over 25 years experience Trusted and reliable service with friendly professional staff

Call Victoria on 07805 897124 victoria@hummingbirdhomestaff.co.uk www.hummingbirdhomestaff.co.uk

4 Families Hampshire West

It’s easy for families to get involved. Simply pledge to take part and either organise a litter-pick in your community or join an organised event. To find out more, join a local event, register to take part and access resources including a how-to guide, visit www. keepbritaintidy.org/GBSpringClean

Matchmaking you with nannies or housekeepers Hummingbird Home Staff understand how hectic family life can be. Whether you are a professional family seeking full support in the form of a nanny housekeeper or a family with elderly relatives needing support in the daily upkeep of their home, Hummingbird are able to listen and advise you of the correct way forward and will search for the person who can help you best within each individual setting.

From full time daily nannies, live in nannies and after school nannies to maternity nurses and night nannies, Hummingbird can help you find the right childcare for your family or help you recruit a housekeeper or domestic help.

To find out more contact Victoria on 07805 897124 or visit the website www.hummingbirdhomestaff.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Easter Holiday Club at Itchen Valley Country Park Youth Options are excited to be delivering an Ofsted registered holiday club based all day in the woodlands of Itchen Valley Country Park, Southampton throughout the whole Easter holidays. Children from reception year – up to 11 years old are invited to come spend their holidays exploring a variety of woodland activities which could include: shelter building, campfire cooking, woodland art and sculptures, team building games, camouflage games, woodworking, nature walks, habitat exploration and much, much more. Drop off starts from 830am and the day runs through to 4pm with the options of extending your day to 530pm.

Booking is flexible and easy; you can book for individual days throughout the summer and all payments are made online. We accept childcare vouchers.

There are a number of parent and child groups throughout the Easter holidays, check out our website for more information www. youthoptions.co.uk

Are you wondering if your child should receive private tuition?

Clubs & classes

Invisible goodness wrapped up in fun Perform founder, Lucy Quick tells us more.

Perform classes are a bit like a pasta sauce that’s filled with hidden vegetables: kids think it’s really tasty and don’t realise that it’s full of healthy nutrition. I see our classes like this invisible goodness wrapped up in an hour of games, role-play, dance routines and songs.

The children think they’re enjoying an hour of fun but they’re also being equipped with essential confidence-building social skills.

£40 Intro Discount Quote HW30042 0

We all want our children to be happy, feel confident enough to try new things and interact well with others.

Taking part in regular drama activities encourages confident and fluent speaking, boosts reading and writing abilities and enhances coordination and spatial awareness. Rescuing a mermaid from a pirate ship might seem like just imaginative improvisation for 6 year olds, but it’s teaching problem-solving and team-work too.

Early drama, dance and singing lessons changed my life and helped shape my vision for Perform - to deliver classes with a specific focus on developing a child’s confidence and social skills - not to create just another drama school.

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 HW300420 to receive a £40 introductory discount when you book.

Is your child is struggling with a particular subject? One-to-one tuition will give the targeted support they need to address any difficulties and gain motivation.

USE CODE : FAMILIES for 40% off

If your child is not necessarily struggling but needs discipline and regularity, revision support will help to develop self-discipline and reduce the exam pressure.

Save up to 45%

Is your child is already achieving a high grade? Exam preparation will ensure they meet their potential.

If your child has not been, or is not, able to attend school? Private tuition will help them to keep up with course work and limit the impact of a prolonged absence.

Every child is unique but bespoke tuition could give them increased confidence, well-being and prospects. St George’s Tutors is a local provider of educational services, TTA member and HCC registered.

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Save up to 15%

Visit www.stgeorgestutors.com for more information.

Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news and events happening in Southampton, The New Forest and Winchester

Save up to 50%

Facebook/familieshampshirewestmagazine

Easter Holiday Club @ Itchen Valley Country Park

Bespoke Individual Tutoring Academic Support I Exam Preparation

Mentoring & Coaching

Belbin GetSet Program for 14-19 years Individual behavioural assessment report

BOOKING NOW OPEN Forest School themed holiday club, children will spend all day outside exploring and enjoying the natural world.

Call 01794 525510 www.youthoptions.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

St George’s Tutors provide a caring and inspiring tutoring experience through tailored tuition plans.

Qualified and experienced tutors available in Winchester, Romsey, Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh, Southampton and surrounding areas. DBS checked

Contact us today office@stgeorgestutors.com www.stgeorgestutors.com Families Hampshire West 5

Eduation

Discover Moyles Court School in the heart of the New Forest Moyles Court School offer not only an excellent academic grounding, but also much more.

All of the children who attend their Pre-school and Reception class achieve the early learning goals, with many children performing well above national expectations at the end of Reception which is maintained throughout their education to age sixteen at Moyles Court.

They offer a selection of curriculum enhancements throughout the week for Reception class including; French, P.E. Music, Dance, Cookery and Forest Schools.

Come along to the Open Morning on Saturday 21 March from 10am – 12.30pm to find out what wonderful work happens every day at Moyles Court School. www.moylescourt.co.uk

Peppa Pig’s Muddy Puddle Walk for charity This Spring will see the return of the UK’s muddiest fundraising event for little ones.

Between the 11 and 17 May, nurseries, early years groups, families and children are being encouraged to take part in a Muddy Puddle Walk to raise money for Save the Children.

Organising a Muddy Puddle Walk is a great way for your little ones to explore the world around them for a worthy cause. Whether you splash in puddles along a trail at the park or get creative and make your own puddles indoors from paper and foil– it will be a fun day to spend together that littles ones won’t forget. If you and your team make a real splash and raise £150 or more, you could receive one of hundreds of fantastic Peppa Prizes.

Sign up now at MuddyPuddleWalk.org for your free Fundraising Pack full of Peppa Pig inspired activities to help you get started – with tips for great walks, fundraising ideas, fun activities and a free Peppa Pig sticker reward for every child. The pack will also explain what life is like for children in different countries, helping them see how they are making a difference through supporting Save the Children.

Participate in British Science Week British Science Week is a 10 day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which takes place from 6 to 15 March.

The annual festival features fascinating, entertaining and engaging events and activities across the UK, designed to appeal to families with children of all ages.

Your child can also enter the annual poster competition and/or download a series of FREE activity packs at www. britishscienceweek.org, filled with resources and ideas to try out at home or school. The good news is these activities don’t require parents to have a science background or buy any expensive equipment. To find your local event or activity, visit www.sciencelive.net

Discover National Parks this Spring Saturday 4 April marks the start of Discover National Parks Fortnight, a celebration aimed at inspiring people of all ages to explore outside and learn more about these special places.

There are fifteeen National Parks in the UK, spanning the length and breadth of the country. Ten in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. National Parks protect almost 10% of England, 20% of Wales and 8% of Scotland.

The UK-wide celebration includes a wide range of events and activities running throughout the Easter holidays, including guided walks, geocaching and wildlife experiences at every park.

To find about more visit: www.nationalparks.uk/discover

Book NOW to include your business, Clubs, School or Nursery in our May/June issue and reach over 50,000 local parents and carers editor@familieshampshirewest.co.uk

OPEN DA YS

WHERE DISCOVERY WONDER AND LEARNING IS AT OUR HEART 2 / -16 Co-eduCational, day and Boarding

21st Ma 10aM - 1 rCh 2.30p 12th Ma M y 9aM - 11 aM

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Education

The great outdoors offers opportunities for exploring, playing and learning Increasingly popular in the UK, the Forest School ethos encapsulates outdoor learning and seeks to encourage, motivate, engage and inspire children through positive outdoor experiences.

The great outdoors offers opportunities for exploring, playing and learning in different ways. Children can create natural artwork, learn to use tools, build shelters, cook over a campfire, appreciate flora and fauna, all whilst working individually or as a team to develop an appreciation of the environment.

Outdoor learning encourages young children to develop fine and gross motor skills, co-ordination and physical strength. It also improves social and communication skills: listening, speaking, following instructions, turn taking and asking questions. The children learn to make their own decisions, develop leadership skills, explore their own creative ideas, follow their imaginations and inspire each other. This approach gives a controlled exposure to risk; where children learn simple safety rules when using fire and tools and quickly learn and understand that when they are safe, they can do more.

Being outdoors and learning in a different environment enables children to discover strengths and talents not only in themselves but also in their friends in a non-competitive and non-academic setting. Above all, playing and learning outside together is full of ai1581412035544_Advert 180x130 Hi-Res.pdf 1 11/02/2020 fresh air and fun!

Twyford School’s outdoor learning programme from Nursery to Year 8 forms an integral part of school life, promoting a healthy mind and body and allowing for skill development, reflection and enjoyment. The Pre-School Nursery is set in the grounds of the Pre-Prep Department with its own garden and play areas, whilst benefitting from a large playground and forest school area. A pair of wellies is the most important part of the kit requirements!

Come and explore the Nursery and Pre-Prep for their Springtime adventure morning on Saturday 21 March 9.30 09:07 11.30am; toddlers and wellies welcome!

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Parenting

Motivating good behaviour

What’s the secret?

By Gabrielle Nash If you’re lucky enough to find bedtime a breeze, or have a co-operative child who eats all their vegetables, then you are indeed one of the fortunate and few. If you regularly find yourself battling bath times and lack of fruit intake and gentle (and not so gentle) admonishment of your child just doesn’t work, then it might be worth introducing a system to motivate good behaviour.

Reward-based systems like sticker charts are popular and effective tools because they’re positive. “It’s a straightforward concept” explains Dr Sarah Rose, a child psychologist at Staffordshire University “Children learn through association, so if a behaviour is associated with something nice happening they will be more likely to repeat that behaviour in future.”

However, every child is wired differently, so it’s important you think carefully about exactly what motivates your child. Reward charts can work well, as can marbles in a jar (or pasta in a pot).

The idea here is that your child earns marbles for completing a task or behaviour. Once the jar/pot is full they earn an activity or treat.

Your child’s age is also a factor. For toddlers a reward chart during potty training is great. A simple concept like “do a wee in the potty and you can have a sticker” is easy to understand. But anything more complicated and a toddler will struggle because they don’t fully understand the idea of consequence yet.

Once you’re using a reward chart, it’s important to be reliable and consistent. Ideally, you’d like your child to simply wish to behave well without needing the chart as motivation; the best way to encourage this is to combine the reward with plenty of praise.

Consider what it is reasonable to ask of them. This will be dependent on age, personality and energy levels. A tired child is considerably less cooperative.

Praise is essential. A child who feels good when praised, is encouraged to develop a desire to be “intrinsically” well behaved and need rewards less.

Focus on effort, when giving praise. Be immediate and be generous, combining your words with eye contact and a cuddle.

Whenever discussing your child’s good behaviour, never confuse them by also introducing a criticism or caveat.

So what about the bad behaviour? A child learns to repeat an action that gets the desired effect: attention from a parent. It could be that your child is behaving badly because they feel they need more of your time, so giving them plenty of attention when they are behaving well may alleviate negative behavior.

The once popular options of using either a “naughty step” or a “time-out” are no longer well thought of because they are based on punishment. When used judiciously, however, what those methods can still offer, is an opportunity for both parent and child to calm down before tantrums or tempers explode.

Finally, while motivating your child to behave well is important, children do need to be able to make mistakes without negative consequence. So if your child slips up now and then, gently point this out and encourage them to try again. Remember all children learn by observation too. So model good behaviour towards them and others whenever you can.

If you’re keen to use a reward chart, try using the Families colour-in animal chart on the opposite page!

Follow Gaby @thelondonishmum

Top Tips for making reward systems work Keep it specific. Pick a few areas that need work and make sure to explain to your child why they’re important.

For example, if your child struggles to go to bed without a fuss, try a reward chart for good behaviour at bedtime. Explain what that means for you (eg stay in bed) and why it’s important (eg if you don’t get plenty of rest, you won’t have the energy for more fun tomorrow).

Vintage inspired knitwear for the modern day baby and toddler

Be clear about your expectations. For example, if your child consistently behaves badly in public, on your next outing make it clear what the boundaries are for their behaviour: “I would like you to walk nicely on the pavement with me” or “I would like you to sit and read with me while we wait at the doctors.”

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The Grrreat Colour-In Reward Chart STEP 1

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WIN Family Tickets for a day at a UK Zoo or Wildlife Park of your choice!

Tickets are valid for two adults and two children.

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✹ ✹ ✹ ✹ ✹ ✹ ✹ Reward

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Competition Entry: Email an image of your child’s chart with a minimum of 3 rows of animals coloured in to info@familiesmagazine.co.uk with your child’s name, age, your postcode and up to 50 words from you or your child explaining how the chart has helped them achieve their targets.

You have until 30 June 2020 to enter.

Day 4

Email info@familiesmagazine.co.uk for extra copies of the chart!

When I have coloured in all my animals, we can enter the competition to go to the zoo!

Families Hampshire West 191

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Competition T&Cs at www.bit.ly/37LNg7w

Easter fun

Take a trip to Basingstoke to see Space Explorers at Milestones Museum

There is so much to see and do in Hampshire this March and April. Here are some of the highlights for the whole family to enjoy in Southampton, Winchester, the New Forest and surrounding areas.

Enjoy DIY Science and Disgusting Bodies at Winchester Science Centre

Southampton

Enjoy DIY Science at Winchester Science Centre every weekend from 7 – 29 March. Explore awesome hands-on science that you can do at home. Experience a fantastic live show packed full of cool experiments and tips and tricks for DIY scientific exploration. Get hands on with fun activities and challenges in the Invention Studio and look out for the centre’s team of Inspirers who will be roaming the exhibition floor with some exciting interactive demonstrations.

Discover just how disgusting (or should we say amazing) our bodies really are, through an exciting live show and Invention Studio activities. Explore the science behind the oozes, squelches and gurgles with plenty of fascinating facts and thoughtprovoking demos from 3-26 April.

Admission is £13.20 per person (with GiftAid), including live science show and Invention Studio activities. Planetarium tickets sold separately. www.winchestersciencecentre.org

SOUTHAMPTON

LYMINGTON

Head to Weymouth and enjoy a day at Monkey World this Easter and be one of the first 100 visitors and receive an Easter egg

1010 Families Hampshire West Families Hampshire West

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Easter fun

SUPERSIZED at Marwell Zoo April 2020 will see an exciting new addition at Marwell Zoo… the world exclusive toy brick event, SUPERSIZED!

Head over to Alice Holt and take part in the Gruffalo Spotters Trail

WINCHESTER

The brand-new immersive adventure has been created with more than two million toy bricks and will include some of the deadliest and most deceptive creatures in the world, all blown up to enormous proportions.

The larger than life brick adventure features up to 40 astonishing models of real-life creatures with an explosion of colour and size. From sneaky predators such as the fearless honey badger and venomous blue-ringed octopus, to the aptly named assassin bug, all creatures have been chosen for their colourful appearance in nature, unusual natural abilities and because they can be magnified to an eye-popping size.

SUPERSIZED! will be included with general admission. The event runs throughout the summer to 2 September. Brick Live Group Limited is an independent producer of BRICKLIVE and is not associated with The LEGO Group. Visit www.marwell.org.uk for full details and ticket prices.

Titanic Family Day at SeaCity Museum

Get 50% off entry Sat 15 Apri l

Get 50% off entry to SeaCity Museum on Saturday 15 April for this year’s Titanic Family Day by downloading your voucher from: seacitymuseum.co.uk/ titanicfamilyday Arguably the most famous ship in the world, the RMS Titanic, pulled away from White Star Dock in Southampton at the start of her maiden voyage on 10 April, 1912. More than 500 households in Southampton lost at least one family member when she struck an iceberg and sank on 15 April.

Visit the museum to commemorate the sinking of the RMS Titanic 108 years ago and discover Southampton’s Titanic Story through a host of family friendly activities including Titanic themed crafts, object-handling and a Titanic dress-up photo booth. (Charges apply for activities. Last entry 4pm). www.seacitymuseum.co.uk

Beaulieu gets playful with family fun Get playful this Easter as Beaulieu throws open its doors to magical adventure play area Little Beaulieu and the start of new exhibition Motoring in Miniature – the Toys of Your Childhood for families to share memories together.

From Good Friday to Easter Monday (10-13 April) make decorations for the Easter tree, try on Easter bonnets and help Lord Montagu’s cook cut out Easter biscuits. Amazing vehicles will be driven in daily motoring parades and you may be lucky enough to spot the larger-than-life Easter bunny hopping around the springtime grounds.

For the whole of the holidays, enjoy letting off steam in enchanting Little Beaulieu. If you’re a small or big kid, let your imagination run wild as you storm up the bridge of the enchanting wooden palace. Play continues inside the National Motor Museum with Motoring in Miniature: From tin plate and wooden toys to die-cast and slot cars, see pull-alongs and pedal cars, radio controlled cars, scale models and games.

All activities are included in a ticket to Beaulieu. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

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What’s on

Take part in the Gruffalo Spotters Trail at Alice Holt Forest this Spring Opening at the end of March, Alice Holt Forest has a brand new Gruffalo Spotters trail! Spot the signs and see what creatures you can find! This new augmented reality experience takes you on a journey through the forest where you’ll bring all your favourite characters from The Gruffalo story to life. Download the Gruffalo Spotter 2 app before you arrive and pick up your trail pack for just £3.50 from the Visitor Centre. Also at Alice Holt Forest you can explore walking and cycling trails, enjoy play areas and find magnificent wooden animal play structures as well as the ever popular Gruffalo sculptures. Visit www.forestryengland.uk/alice-holt-forest for full details.

Go EAST at Monkey World this Easter Monkey World will be fundraising for their charity EAST, the Endangered Asian Species Trust, who are preparing to release gibbons back into the wild in Vietnam. The gibbons have been rescued from the black market trade, and to make sure they are safe in the forest, the team need to buy new radio collars so they can track their journey back to the wild. Learn all about the work in Vietnam and join in on the stalls, trails, games & activities during the Easter holidays to help put gibbons back into the trees!

As well as helping the gibbons in Vietnam, visitors to Monkey World can see over 250 rescued monkeys and apes. Many of the primates at the park have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions, or experienced unbelievable cruelty. At Monkey World, they are rehabilitated back into family groups, where they can all enjoy the company of their own kind in a safe and natural environment. Over the Easter bank holiday weekend, Monkey World will also be giving away free Easter Eggs to the first 100 children into the park every day. Visit www. monkeyworld.org for details.

Fun, animals and the great outdoors at the New Forest Wildlife Park Are you after fun, adventure, animals and the great outdoors all in one place then the New Forest Wildlife Park is the place for you? Listen to chatter between the playful Otters and watch Asian Shortclaw cubs Dash and Daisy play together. New to the park are Inga and Tora two young Northern Lynx, can you spot them? Leszek our impressive European bison now has two companions Pola and Iwona, learn all about them at a Keeper Talk.

Visitors to the park can see harvest mice, polecats, pine martens, wolves, wallabies, bison, Scottish wildcats, wild boar, partridge, otters, owls and so much more. There are two fantastic adventure playgrounds, keeper talks, gift shop and the Forest Kitchen Café.

During school holidays there are seasonal quizzes that take you on a journey around the park with fun facts along the way. Visit www.newforestwildlifepark.co.uk

Space Explorers at Milestones Museum Set a course for Mission Control at Basingstoke’s Milestones Museum, where Space Explorers, an out of this world brick adventure will be taking budding astronauts on a journey through the Solar System. Hosted in association with BRICKLIVE, creators of interactive family events and experiences for brick fans worldwide, visitors to Hampshire’s museum of living history until Sunday 19 April can explore more than 20 space-related models meticulously created using toy bricks. Adventurers will also have the chance to complete two interactive mission trails, ride a flying saucer and get creative with a brick pit and space mosaics.

In addition to the two interactive trails and space themed brick models, there will be lots of activities taking place over the two months. Visitors can enjoy unlimited trips to the museum for 12 months with the Milestones Pay once visit all year admission. For more information and for tickets visit www.MilestonesMuseum.org.uk

M&S Hedge End: Top tips for food shopping with your little ones With the Easter holidays fast approaching, keeping the little ones entertained will be on the minds of many local parents.

Julia Palmer-Bennet, M&S Hedge End Store Manager shares her top tips for food shopping with your little ones.

I’m a mum of four, so know well the challenges of making sure kids are busy from sunrise to sunset! This is particularly true when you’re trying to do the usual weekly tasks, like the family food shop. However, with M&S Hedge End’s transformation and our ‘egg’stra special seasonal activities, I can

safely say the food shop will be fun for the whole family!

Here’s what to look out for in store…

Little Garden Calling all budding young gardeners! Until 14 April, we’re launching a new and exciting initiative, encouraging families to get growing.

For every £20 spent on M&S Food, shoppers will be given a free flower, herb or vegetable seedling kit, one of a possible 12 to collect.

There will also be lots of fun and useful information on our website, so little ones can learn all about how to help their plants thrive.

Oink, cluck and moo trail!

Our new look food department is all about being interactive and having fun with your food – and this doesn’t just go for the adults.

For little ones shopping with us, make sure you challenge them to find the oinking Percy Pig, the clucking chicken and mooing cow – you’ll be round our Foodhall in no time with the kids looking out for these.

Big shop, little shop We want to help children get involved in the food shop, so we’ve created special mini

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trolleys complete with a colourful flag, perfect for filling alongside large trolleys. Our store also offers Scan & Shop, for speedier check out – kids visiting us love helping parents with the scanning, so definitely take a look at this feature next time you’re with us.

M&S Hedge End is located at Tollbar Way, Hedge End, SO30 2UH and is open for extended hours.

Monday – Saturday, 8am–10pm and

Sunday, 10am-4pm.

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15 February – 19 April 2020 Milestones Museum, Basingstoke Explore over 20 space-related brick models, complete two interactive mission trails, ride a flying saucer† and much more!

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Brick Live copyright © Brick Live Group Limited. All rights reserved. Brick Live Group Limited is an independent producer of BRICKLIVE and is not associated with The LEGO Group. LEGO® is a trademark of LEGO Juris A/S. *Terms and Conditions apply. See website for more details. †Additional charge applies.

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What’s on

What’s on in March & April

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.

5 March World Book Day Itchen Valley Country Park Allington Lane, SO30 3HQ To celebrate world book day there will be storytelling followed by crafts in the woods. This will continue indoors if wet.

Call 02380 683790 to book. Ages 2–4 years. 10.30-11.30am. £4 per child.

16 March Make and Take: Mother’s Day Craft (Tissue Paper Flowers) Itchen Valley Country Park Allington Lane, SO30 3HQ Create a bunch of tissue paper flowers to give to your Mum on Mother’s Day. Please phone 02380 683 790 to book you place. Ages 2–4 years. 10.30am – 11.30am. £4 per child

7 March Autism Friendly Day Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre Wareham BH20 6HH Monkey World opens an hour early at 9am, exclusively for visitors with autism and their families. Sensory trails, a calm room, and drop-In room for support all ensure that Monkey World is a great day out for all.

7 – 29 March DIY Science Winchester Science Centre Winchester, SO21 1HZ Experience a fantastic live show packed full of cool experiments and tips and tricks for DIY scientific exploration.

Normal admission charges apply.

8 March Saxon Action Workshop SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Delve into Saxon Southampton in this fun history and craft workshop!

Create a Saxon clay roundhouse, try your hand at weaving and discover the story of Saxons buried under St Mary’s Stadium! Ages 7 – 12 years. 10.30am.

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19 March & 29 April Home Educator Day Winchester Science Centre Winchester, SO21 1HZ Home Educator Days are available once per month. The Science Centre is still open to the public but from 2pm the schools will have left and almost everyone in the venue is expected to be a Home Educator. Pre-booking recommended. Normal admission charges apply 21 March Moyles Court School Open Day Moyles Court, Ringwood, BH24 3NF Children get the best start in life at Moyles Court - see for yourself at their Open Morning.10am - 12.30pm.

22 March Mother’s Day Longdown Activity Farm Ashurst, Southampton SO40 7EH To help you and your mum celebrate this special day, every mum has discounted entry for just £5.75.

From 4 April Supersized!

Marwell Wildlife Winchester, SO21 1JH Enjoy a world exclusive, larger than life brick adventure, featuring up to 40 models of curious real-life creatures, from sneaky predators such as the venomous blue-ringed octopus

6 April World War 2 Ciphers and Sirens Tudor House & Garden Southampton, SO14 2AD Practise code-breaking skills with a cipher wheel, make your own gas mask and visit the air-raid shelters that lie beneath the town. Bring a torch.

Suitable for ages 5–11 years. 10am12.30pm. £8. Pre-book – 02380 834 536.

7 & 14 April Art School - Nature in Art Southampton City Art Gallery, Southampton, SO14 7LP Taking inspiration from the beauty and wonder in the natural world we will be creating stunning sculptures for your garden. Ages 7 years+. 10.30am3.30pm. £20 (£16 if also booking for 14 April). Pre-book 02380 834 536.

Alice Holt

Forest

• • • • •

Activity Centre Gruffalo Sculptures Two new play areas Go Ape Cafe Aliceholtforest

forestryengland.uk

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14 March Mother’s Day Craft (Cotton Bag) Itchen Valley Country Park Allington Lane, SO30 3HQ Drop in to create your own design on a cotton bag as a gift for Mum on Mother’s day. Suitable for children aged from 4 years.10am – 12noon. £3.50

3 - 26 April Disgusting Bodies Winchester Science Centre Telegraph Way, Winchester, SO21 1HZ Discover just how disgusting (or should we say amazing!) our bodies really are, through an exciting live show and Invention Studio activities. Explore the science behind the oozes, squelches and gurgles with plenty of fascinating facts and thought-provoking demos!

Normal admission charges apply

6 April Family Bushcraft Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA Using foraged plants to season your food, make and enjoy a sausage and a selection of savoury snacks around the fire. Suitable for accompanied children aged 4-12 years. Booking is essential.

1.30–4pm. £15 (for 1 child and 1 adult).

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4, 10, 17, 24 & 31 March Little Foresters Itchen Valley Country Park Allington Lane, SO30 3HQ A fun, group for parents and preschool children aged 2+ in the woods.

Includes campfire, games, crafts and snacks. 10am, £5.

29 March Spring Craft Fair and Car Rally Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum, Swanwick, SO31 7GW A special craft market to kick start the season. Entry prices include both the museum and the craft fair. 11am – 4pm.

Adults £4, children free.

4 April World War 2 Ciphers and Sirens Tudor House & Garden Southampton, SO14 2AD Practise code-breaking skills with a cipher wheel, make your own gas mask and visit the air-raid shelters that lie beneath the town. Bring a torch. Ages 5–11. 8am–5pm. £8 Pre-book on 02380 834 536.

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4 & 5 March Little Owls: Signs of Spring The Treehouse Study Centre Beaulieu, SO42 7YL Enjoy a morning exploring the signs of spring in the woods and at the farm.

Booking required. Ages 2–4 years.

10am – 12noon

14 March & 11 April Artefact Kids Club Tudor House & Garden Bugle Street, Southampton, SO14 2AD Join Linn O’Carroll to discover the hidden history of the city, explore artefacts from the museum collection and create original artworks of your own. Ages 7–13 years. 10.30am– 12.30pm. £9. Pre-book on 02380 834 536.

22 March Mother’s Day Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre Wareham. BH20 6HH Mum’s get 50% off entry at Monkey World on Mother’s day! Simply download the voucher from the website and present it at the entrance gate.

to the aptly named assassin bug.

These fearsome creatures have been magnified to an eye-popping size.

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3 March Tudor Women Tudor House & Garden Southampton, SO14 2AD Join Becky Sharp on International Women’s Day to discover and discuss what life was like for women in Tudor England, especially for those who wanted to change the rules. 3.30– 4.30pm. £3.50 (Includes free entry to the museum) Pre-book on 023 8083 4536.

9 March Make and take: Nest Building Itchen Valley Country Park Allington Lane, SO30 3HQ Make a nest and a model bird out of natural materials, clay and feathers in the woods. If wet, it will continue indoors. Call 02380 683 790 to book your place. Ages 2-4. 10.30-11.30am. £4 per child.

22 March Mum’s The Word – Mother’s Day Quiz Trail New Forest Wildlife Park Nr Ashurst, Southampton, SO40 4UH Follow the quiz to find the answers whilst learning about our animal mum’s.

The quiz sheet is £1.25 with a prize on completion of the trail. Normal admission charges apply.

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Throughout March & April Gruffalo Spotters Trail Alice Holt Forest Farnham, GU10 4LS Discover how special the woods are at Swanwick and how we can look after them. Come along to the regular session of stories and outdoor activities for pre-school children and their parents and carers.Booking is essential.

10.30am -12pm. £5

8 March The Woman Who Would Be Mayor SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Meet Mrs Lucia Foster Welch, Southampton’s first female mayor, as she guides you through Southampton’s Stories in this compelling performance devised and performed

by Southampton based actor and historian, Jane Glennie. Stay to explore the rest of the museum. 11am – 12noon.

©19 99 &

DIARY DATES

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What’s on 7 April Bug Hotels Tudor House & Garden Southampton, SO14 2AD Go on a bug hunt in our garden and build your own snazzy bug hotel to take home. Ages 5 years+ 10.30am-12noon and 1-2.30pm. Pre-book 02380 834 536

8 April Creating with nature St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery New Street, Lymington, SO41 9BH Looking at shapes in nature, come and create a piece of art by using clay, natural materials and natural colours.

1-2.30pm. Drop-in. Free

7 April Kids Craft: Paint a Sunflower Pot Itchen Valley Country Park Allington Lane, SO30 3HQ Drop in between 10am and 12 noon to paint a pot and plant a seed. Take it home and watch it grow! £3 per child.

8 April Saxon Action SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Delve into Saxon Southampton in this fun history and craft workshop!

Create a Saxon clay roundhouse, try your hand at weaving and discover the story of Saxons buried under St Mary’s Stadium! Ages 7–12 years.

10.30am-3pm. £18. Pre-book 02380 834 536.

7, 9, 14 & 16 April Pond Dipping Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA Enjoy pond dipping and see what is in the Education Garden ponds. All equipment is provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book. 1-4pm. Normal admission charges apply, £2.50 per child.

8, 9, 15 & 16 April Woodland Stories Itchen Valley Country Park Allington Lane, SO30 3HQ A woodland group for parents and 2+ year olds with activities, crafts and games themed to a book. 10-11am. £6.

8, 9, 15 & 16 April Junior Forest School Itchen Valley Country Park Allington Lane, SO30 3HQ A woodland group for 5-10 years.

Activities based on a theme and will include a campfire. 1.30-2.30pm. £8.

8 & 15 April Spring Storytelling Session St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery Lymington, SO41 9BH Come and hear the Master Storyteller as he weaves wonderful stories about spring. 10.15-11.45am. Drop-in. Free.

8, 11 & 15 April Family Craft Activities Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS Come along and enjoy some paper basket and paper windmill making, within beautiful surroundings. 10am – 3pm. Free.

9 April Toddler Time - Springtime stories SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Enjoy springtime stories, painting and planting spring flowers! Ages 16months – 5 years. 10.30-11.30am. £4.50. Prebook 02380 834 536.

10 – 19 April Day Out With Thomas Mid Hants Railway Alresford, SO24 9JG Meet Thomas the Tank Engine himself, and his friends. Experience a ride on a real steam engine and shake hands with The Fat Controller. Adults: £20, child (2-16yrs): £14, child (under 2yrs): Free.

14 April Natural Treasures Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve Swanwick, SO31 7AY Drop in to Swanwick Lakes Study Centre any time between 10.30am and 1.30pm to explore Swanwick Lakes as you go on a scavenger hunt. 10.30am -1.30pm. £5 per family.

15 April Little Owls: Seed Sowing and Farm Fun The Treehouse Study Centre Beaulieu, SO42 7YL Enjoy a morning sowing seeds and exploring the farm. Don’t forget to bring your wellies. Booking required. Suitable for ages 2 – 4 years. 10am – 12noon

14 April Family Bat Talk & Walk Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve Swanwick, SO31 7AY Enjoy a short family friendly talk and evening walk around Swanwick Lakes to search for bats! 7.30pm – 9.30pm. £5.

16 April Armour & Archery Tudor House & Garden Bugle Street, Southampton, SO14 2AD Discover more about medieval weapons and armour in this interactive session culminating in a mini soft archery tournament! Ages 5–12.

10:30am – 12noon, or 1-2:30pm. £7. Prebook on 02380 834 536.

14 April Fairy Glens and Goblin Gardens Tudor House & Garden Southampton, SO14 2AD Find the fairies and goblins hiding in our garden then create your own magical creature and a mini garden for them to live in. Suitable for ages 5+.11am-12.30pm and 1.30- 3pm. £6.

Pre-book – 02380 834 536

16 April Archaeology Activity – Romans Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA Visit the purpose-built trench in the woods and get muddy and find hidden treasures from ages past. Ages 4-12.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential. 1.30–4pm. £12.75 (for 1 child and 1 adult).

15 April Sun Catchers and Pebbles Rock Art St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery Lymington, SO41 9BH Make a nature sun catcher and venture in the hidden world of painted rock art.

12.30pm. Drop-in. Free

19 April Walice’s Woodland Fun Run Fairthorne Manor Southampton, SO30 2GH Walice’s Woodland Fun Run will take you around Fairthorne Manor. 10am – 4pm. Sign up is free and there’s no minimum sponsorship. All ages welcome

15 April Titanic Family Day SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Visit the museum to commemorate the sinking of the RMS Titanic 108 years ago. Take part in a number of special activities including the Titanic themed crafts, object-handling from the era and dress-up photo booth. Charges apply for activities. From 10am. Get 50% off entry on this special day.

19 April Spring Steam Up Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum Swanwick, Southampton, SO31 7GW The whole outside display area will be bulging with steam exhibits including resident and visiting full size

Fuel and Lewis Gibson present

The Day I Fell Into A Book Friday 20th March • 1.30pm & Saturday 21st March • 11am Tickets: £9 / £7* children Discover a world of classic tales as a scientist brings lost stories to life.

Ages

8-12 Morgan & West presents

Unbelievable Science

Ages

6+

Wednesday 15th April • 2pm Tickets: £9 / £7* children Morgan & West present captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics and bonkers biology in this fun for all the family science extravaganza!

Ages

3+

MEI Theatrical presents

Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday

Saturday 18th April • 2pm & 4pm & Sunday 19th April • 11am Tickets: £14 /£13* children The enchanting world of Sarah and Duck is brought to life in a brand-new stage show.

Coming Soon Twirlywoos Live! at The Berry Theatre, Hedge End

The Point, Eastleigh

023 8065 2333 / www.thepointeastleigh.co.uk *All ticket prices are inclusive of a £1 restoration levy

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Families Hampshire West 15

Easter Fun at Little Beaulieu

10 – 13 April Easter Eggs-travaganza!

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre Wareham BH20 6HH Free chocolate Easter Egg for the first 100 children into the park every day from Good Friday to Easter Monday 16 April Toddler Time – Grow me a...?

SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Enjoy spring time stories, painting and planting spring flowers! Ages 16 months – 5 years. 10.30am – 11.30am.

traction engines, scaled miniature engines, stationary power plant and fairground organs. 11am – 4pm. Adults £7, concessions £6, children £4 and families £18 21 April Messy Play Fairthorne Manor Southampton, SO30 2GH Enjoy a messy play session at YMCA Fairthorne Manor. Advanced booking is required. 10am – 11.30am. £3 per child.

26 April Blue Light Day National Motor Museum Beaulieu, New Forest, SO42 7ZN Get up-close to the latest emergency services vehicles within the grounds of the National Motor Museum. See fully kitted-out fire engines and ambulances, the purposeful motors of the police, Coastguard, RNLI and other vital services. Normal admission apply.

EASTER ACTIVITIES Until 19 April Space Explorers Milestones Museum Basingstoke, RG22 6PG Set a course for mission control at Milestones Museum, where Space Explorers, an out of this world brick adventure will be taking budding astronauts on a journey through the solar system.

28 March – 20 April Easter Family Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA The Easter Bunny has left a trail of clues and fun around the Gardens.

Follow the self guided trail and receive a prize. Suitable for all the family.

10am – 3pm. Normal admission charges apply, plus £2.50 per child 4 – 13 April The Longdown Farm Easter Barn Longdown Activity Farm Ashurst, Southampton SO40 7EH For a real Easter treat don’t miss the Easter Barn: a charming Spring-themed place where children can decorate and plant their own Easter Flower Pots and enjoy an Easter trail. Normal admission charges apply 4 – 19 April Hoppy Easter Paultons Park Ower, SO51 6AL Guests will be able to meet cute characters at the main entrance plaza.

Come and say hello Bobtail Bunny and his forest friends, Betty Bunny, Hennie the Hedgehog and Red the Deer. Watch out for mischievous Fenton Fox though, as he will surely be eyeing up any tasty Easter treats you may have!

4 – 19 April Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Hinton Ampner, Alresford, SO24 0LA Pick-up a family trail to explore Hinton’s garden and parkland, with a chocolate prize at the end. Daily 10am-4pm.

Recommended for children up to 13 years old. General admission prices apply plus £3 per trail.

16 Families Hampshire West

4 – 19 April Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Mottisfont near Romsey, SO51 0LP Become a countryside explorer and discover the hidden world of nature that’s all around you at Mottisfont, with a delicious Cadbury Easter egg as your reward. 10am – 5pm. Normal admission charges apply, £2.50 per trail.

4 – 19 April Plant Hunters Easter trail Winchester City Mill Winchester, SO23 9BH The Mill’s gardener has lost all the lovely spring plants he needs to put in the Island garden before nightfall. On this new Easter trail, kids can turn ‘plant hunters’ as they help seek out plants hidden around the Mill. 10am – 4pm.

Normal admission charge, £1 per trail.

6 April Drop-in Baskets and Bunny Ears!

Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Get ready for Easter egg hunting at this colourful craft session! 10.30am12.30pm. £4.50. Pre-book on 02380 834 536.

8 April Woven Eco Eggs Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Easter eggs with a twist! Inspired by the art of John Hitchens and using a range of recycled materials, you’ll want to keep these on show all year. Suitable for ages 5 – 13 years. 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm. £7. Pre-book on 02380 834 536 9 April Toddler Time – Pickled Chickens SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Enjoy some Easter fun listening to stories about chicks and creating your very own flock of little chickens to take home. 10.30-11.30am.

10 – 13 April Get Playful at Beaulieu Beaulieu National Motor Museum New Forest, SO42 7ZN Get playful this Easter as Beaulieu throws open its doors to magical adventure play area Little Beaulieu and the start of new exhibition ‘Motoring in Miniature – the Toys of your Childhood’ for families to share memories together.

Enjoy a plethora of craft activities and family fun over the Easter Weekend, plus you may also be lucky enough to spot the larger-than-life Easter bunny hopping around the grounds!

10 – 13 April Cadbury Easter Egg Challenge Winchester City Mill Winchester, SO23 9BH Over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, there’s a special bonus challenge to solve in return for a delicious Cadbury chocolate egg. Normal admission charges apply, £2 per trail.

5 – 7 March Footlights Showstoppers Footlights Youth Theatre invites you to share a performance of song and dance as they present Showstoppers!

7.30pm (& 2.30pm Saturday). From £11.

16 April The Wizard of Oz: Easter Panto The Anvil, Basingstoke, RG21 7QR Follow the Yellow Brick Road to The Anvil for the fantastic all-new Easter pantomime version of The Wizard of Oz! Two performances, 2pm and 6pm.

Tickets £22.50, over 65s, under 16s and f/t students £20.50.

17 April Happy’s Circus Netley Abbey Infant School Netley, SO31 5EL The Friends of Netley Abbey Infant School are hosting Happy’s Circus, a fun packed comedy show for all the family, supported by amazing international artists. Gates open 4.30pm for hot food, refreshments and stalls. Big Top opens at 5.30pm and the show starts at 6pm. Tickets £8.50. Book in advance https://bit.ly/37x8lTu. THEATRE SHOWS The Mayflower Theatre Southampton, SO15 1GE Box Office 02380 711 811 5 & 6 March A Musical Odyssey Set sail for an epic evening of entertainment as over 600 young musicians from across Southampton commemorate the 400th anniversary

Dick and Dom ---------------------------------------------Brainiac Live ---------------------------------------------Mr Tumble ---------------------------------------------Mister Maker & Rebecca Keatley ---------------------------------------------Sam & Mark ---------------------------------------------BRIT SCHOOL & STAGECOACH ---------------------------------------------ART, SCIENCE, DANCE, & CIRCUS WORKSHOPS

Eastleigh, SO50 9DE Box Office: 02380 652 333

14 March & 7 April Storytime Join the musical storytellers on Saturday mornings for their adventure packed Storytime sessions. Suitable for ages 3 – 7 years. 10.30am. £4.

18 – 21 March The Addams Family – A New Musical Comedy Everyone’s favourite kooky family comes to Eastleigh in this hilarious musical comedy about the Addams Family. 7.30pm (& 2.30pm Saturday).

From £14.

15 April Morgan & West Presents Unbelievable Science Expect explosive thrills, chemical spills and a risk assessment that gives their stage manager chills, all backed up by the daring duo’s trademark wit, charm and detailed knowledge of the scientific method. Leave your lab coats at the door, it’s time for Unbelievable Science!

Suitable for ages 6+. 2pm. £7& £9.

18 & 19 April Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday Join Sarah and Duck and a host of your favourite friends for a fantastic blend of puppetry, storytelling and music, Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday will take you and your children on a magical adventure. Various times. From £13.

Fatboy Slim GROOVE ARMADA --------------------------------------------------------------------LIAM PAYNE --------------------------------------------------------------------Friendly Fires ---------------------------------------------------------------------

(Special Guests) ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Sophie Ellis-Bextor Ft. Sink The Pink ---------------------------------------------------------------------

BECKY HILL

---------------------------------------------------------------------

SON ET LUMIÈRE FIREWORKS FINALE ---------------------------------------------Cirque Bijou’s High Wire Spectacular ---------------------------------------------DAZZLE & FIZZ STUDIOS ---------------------------------------------FULL MOON CINEMA ---------------------------------------------DJ YODA PRES. FILMSTOCK ---------------------------------------------SOLAR POWERED CINEMA

LEVEL 42 MAX & HARVEY ---------------------------------------------------------------------

The Selecter SARA COX ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems

--------------------------------------------------------------------THE Sugarhill Gang - Furious 5 ft Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scorpio --------------------------------------------------------------------Heather Small The Sherlocks THE BIG BUILD, --------------------------------------------------------------------Adam Kay WATER SLIDES & ZIPLINES DAVID RODIGAN Reef SPACE ---------------------------------------------WITH WOODLAND TRIBE --------------------------------------------------------------------Irvine Welsh ---------------------------------------------Biig Piig SelF Esteem Georgia ---------------------------------------------SPINNEY HOLLOW --------------------------------------------------------------------Steve Davis Norman Jay MBE S CLUB PARTY CRAFT VILLAGE & Kavus Torabi --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Cuban Brothers Hortisculpture Scummy Mummies --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jaguar Skills Dub Pistols MOSSY CROW Man Vs. Baby TheDadLab -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Wurzels Tim Burgess (DJ) BUSHCRAFT, BIVOUAC -----------------------------------------------------------& FIRE BUILDING LTJ Bukem Gengahr ---------------------------------------------INTERACTIVE & MANY THEATRE MORE! ------------------------------------Yoga, Breathwork, CALM SPACES THE FEAST COLLECTIVE Meditation, WITH LIVE FIRE DEMOS Sound Healing, ---------------------------------------------Richie Bostock, NEIL RANKIN Ayurvedic workshops, ---------------------------------------------Sleep Retreat, ALL HAIL KALE Will Williams ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DJ BBQ FIZZ BAR FIT CAMP: WILD RUNS, ---------------------------------------------HIIT & FAMILY BOXING MOTHER EARTH’S ---------------------------------------------OPEN KITCHEN HOLISTIC TRIATHLON

FULL LINE-UP & TICKETS

CAMPBESTIVAL.NET familiesonline.co.uk

What’s on of the Mayflower Ship: A pioneering journey which created connections that changed the world. 7.30pm. Adults £10, children £5.

Southampton Venues Box Office 02380 671 771 14 & 15 March Little Monster You are invited on an exciting puppetry adventure to find the mysterious monster that’s made everyone else run away! Ages 3-6 years. 11am & 2pm. £7.

NST Campus.

17 March – 4 April Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent, all-female adaptation of Jane Austen’s literary classic. Ages 12+. From £10. NST City.

21 & 22 March Eggs on Legs Meet a family of zany Eggs on Legs, living in a lost pocket of the globe. 11am & 2pm. £7. NST Campus.

24 – 29 March Cirque Berserk!

This astoundingly talented international troupe includes over thirty jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, drummers and daredevil stuntmen showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills. From £10. NST Campus.

5 – 11 April The Slightly Annoying Elephant What’s big, blue, bossy, and turns up uninvited? A slightly annoying elephant, of course! One day Sam gets a very big surprise as a tired, hungry, antique-loving, cycling enthusiast elephant turns up on his doorstep.

Adopting an elephant at the zoo turned out to be a lot more than he bargained for as he didn’t realise the elephant would actually come to live with him.

Suitable for ages 3+. £13.

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14 – 18 April Riverdance The 25th Anniversary show catapults Riverdance into the 21st century and will completely immerse you in the extraordinary and elemental power of its music and dance. Various times.

Tickets from £31 Theatre Royal Winchester 21-23 Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8SB Box Office 01962 840 440 7 & 8 March Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever Expect castles, caves, dragons, dinosaurs, ice-creams and muddy puddles...of course! 10am, 1pm & 4pm.

Tickets from £18.

21 March & 9 April Family Backstage Tour Take a look behind-the-scenes at Theatre Royal Winchester. Visit dressing rooms, try on some costumes, pick up a prop or two and try your hand at being an usher before stepping on to the stage! 10.30am. £8, Under 12s £5 6 April Jack and The Beanstalk This classic fairytale now gets the Lyngo treatment so expect lots of surprises and beautiful images. 1.30pm & 3.30pm. £8 - £10.

7 April Puss in Boots With a host of puppets, a working windmill and an avalanche of fruit and nuts. 10.30am & 1.30pm. £8 - £10.

10 April Comedy Club 4 Kids It’s a comedy club, but for kids. Also for any adults who would enjoy a swear-

Book now for Camp Bestival Join Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada, Liam Payne, Friendly Fires, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Becky Hill, Dick and Dom, Max & Harvey, Brainiac Live, The Sugarhill Gang, Sam & Mark, The Sherlocks & so many more at Camp Bestival. Taking place at the start of the school holidays (July 30th-Aug 2nd) at Lulworth Castle, Dorset, this family adventure offers hundreds of things to see and do from music and shows to tree-climbing, woodland workshops, spoken word, arts, science and circus for all.

Parents are particularly spoilt at Camp Bestival; well, they do buy the tickets! Amazing live acts and DJs, raves, discos, parties, comedy, literary talks, cocktails, award-winning street food, likeminded people all in a big old field by a castle and the sea. Kickstart your summer holidays with a 4-day family festi-holiday - voted Best Family Festival in the UK Festival Awards. For line-up, info and tickets head to campbestival.net. free hour with the circuit’s best standups and sketch acts. Non-patronising.

Pure awesome. 2.30pm. £9 - £12 13 April Sooty’s Magic Show Join Sooty for his brand new laugh out loud magic show! 11am & 2.30pm.

From £15.50.

17 – 19 April The Tiger Who Came to Tea Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! Various times. From £10.

The Berry Theatre Wildern Lane, Hedge End, SO30 4EJ Box Office 02380 652 333

21 March & 18 April Saturday Storytime 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.

25 – 28 March Hairspray It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire, to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to star. 7.30pm (& 2.30pm Saturday). £10 - £15

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Healthy eating

Healthier Easter Cookies These are easy to make, with plenty of opportunities for the kids to get involved with mashing, measuring and mixing.

They’re made healthier with the use of bananas and oats, but still offer the satisfying chocolate hit we all love!

Makes 12 I Prep Time: 10 minutes I Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients 2 bananas 3 tbsp honey 2 tbsp cocoa 150g rolled oats 80g chocolate mini eggs

Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F), 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6.

Line a couple of baking trays with baking paper.

2. Mash the bananas in a large bowl, then add the maple syrup and mix well.

3. Stir in the cocoa and oats until evenly combined.

4. Divide the mixture into 12 (about 2 level tablespoons each) and roll into balls. Place them on the baking trays.

5. Press a teaspoon into the centre of each cookie to create a nest shape.

6. Bake for 12 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

7. Add a couple of chocolate mini eggs to the centre of each cookie.

You’ll find more great recipe ideas in Get Your Kids to Eat Anything

by Emily Leary (www.amummytoo. co.uk), published by Mitchell Beazley, RRP £16.99 and available online and in all good bookshops.

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