Families Leeds & West Yorkshire July/August 2024

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Leeds & West Yorkshire

Welcome

It’s coming home, it’s coming home… I’m talking about Monopoly of course! Leeds, where the muchloved game was made, will this summer become a life-sized Monopoly board in a fun, FREE, immersive experience.

We are huge Monopoly fans in our house, so we’re really looking forward to it, especially after a sneak preview at our cover shoot…

Monopoly Leeds Takeover is just one of many fabulous family-friendly events going on this summer, from stage productions, activity trails, live shows and workshops, art and craft sessions and more. Our museums, theatres and attractions have lots to offer during the school holidays, many of them are FREE or low cost.

Find out about what’s on this summer here. We’ve also got recipes, activities, recommendations for audiobooks, advice on water safety and much more.

We hope you find this issue useful and that you have a fabulous summer!

Audio books for summer

‘Must visit’ UK castles

Local summer fun

What’s On

Clubs & classes

Parental control options

Water safety

Education articles

Summer learning

Education news

Family breakfasts and brunches

Make KitKat ice cream downloadable

Family walks featuring water

Best UK beaches for toddlers Giveaways

Printable activities for preschoolers

Printable activities for primary age

Get in touch

Competition winners from our March/April issue

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE

Online Tuition

Tailored, interactive tuition

30 years of teaching experience

All aspect of Maths and English

Test Preparation e.g. KS2, 11+

One-to-one and small group sessions

Unlock your child’s potential Ages 5-12

Enhanced DBS

Book now to boost your child’s confidence and accelerate their learning!

07772 669 840 getsetforsats@gmail.com getsetforsats.com getsetforsats

Audiobooks for summer

There are lots of hours to fill during the long summer break and audiobooks are the perfect educational way of providing an alternative to books – as well as being fun for the whole family!

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold

Heart-warming, magical story of a boy and a polar bear. Ages 8+.

Jack and the Giant Tantrum Helps manage tricky toddler behaviours. Ages 2-3.

I love my… Collection by Giles Andreae

12 warm and touching tales narrated by Dawn French. Ages 1-3.

The Cosmic Diary of Our Incredible Universe by Tim Peake

Learn about space and the universe. Ages 9+.

Rise Up by Amanda Li

Shares the stories of normal kids & their achievements. Ages 9+.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The classic story of Mole, Ratty and Badger. Ages 6+.

Blue Planet II by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe

Based on TV series. Examines the world’s oceans. Ages 7+.

Magic Tree House Collection Books by Mary Pope Osborne

Best-selling series now an audiobook. Ages 6+.

The Time Travelling Caveman by Terry Pratchett

Brand-new collection of short stories from Terry Pratchett. Ages 6+.

‘Must visit’ UK castles to explore

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

A sprawling complex dating to 1096. Broomstick training, medieval crafts & more.

Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire

Lavishly decorated, costumed storytellers, jousting tournaments & castle-themed play area.

The Tower of London

See the Crown Jewels guarded by Beefeaters and overseen by ravens.

Conwy Castle/ Castell Conwy, North Wales

A 13th-century marvel. Archery, medieval craft and Welsh folklore tales.

Framlingham Castle, Suffolk

Climb its walls, discover rich history & enjoy soft play sword battles.

Dover Castle, Kent

Explore secret wartime tunnels, medieval interiors and the Great Tower.

Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire

Dramatic 16th century spectacle with soaring turrets. Kids can enjoy Go Ape.

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

A 14th century gem with moat, drawbridge, murder holes, medieval bread oven.

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

Explore dungeons, climb towers and witness jousting displays.

Monopoly

Monopoly Leeds Takeover (July 27 to Sep 1) is a first-of-its-kind city-wide version of the iconic board game. This FREE event brings the best-selling property trading game to life using key locations and landmarks as the gameboard with life-size tokens, clues and puzzles around every corner.

FIND OUT MORE HERE.

Eureka!

There will be live shows and workshops going on throughout the summer holidays at the National Children’s Museum. Featuring talented, Calderdalebased freelancers, as part of Calderdale’s Year of Culture 2024 (otherwise known as Culturedale). July 20 to Sep 1.

FIND OUT MORE HERE.

Carriageworks Theatre

Charlie loves reading, especially books about pirates. But his sister hates it – it’s boring! Can Charlie convince her that reading is fun? Perhaps if she read a book about a pirate, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading a book about a knight. Ages 3-8. August 13 to 18.

FIND OUT MORE HERE.

York Maze

Home to the largest Maize Maze in Europe, York Maze also boasts 20 rides, shows and attractions. This year, it is celebrating The Gruffalo’s 25th Anniversary. Follow The Gruffalo Quiz Trail through the deep dark maze and you could win a prize. From July 13 to Sep 2. Book HERE.

FIND OUT MORE HERE.

Leeds Museums and Galleries

Enjoy an Urban Nature Trail at Kirkstall Abbey, with lots of birds, bees, bats and butterflies hidden all over the abbey. There’ll be art and craft sessions on this theme running on various dates through the summer too.

Over at Abbey House Museum, it’s a Summer of Stories. Seek out fairytales, nursery rhymes, and modern classics as you explore authentic streets from Victorian Leeds.

Lotherton offers a jolly holiday feel with a sand pit, entertainers and family activities including foot golf and a children’s fairground.

At Temple Newsam, discover the secrets of the servants with crafts, activities and trails, plus brand-new farm inter-activities.

More nature trails and crafts are on offer at Leeds Industrial Museum, plus Mystery Matinee Family Films (2pm daily) in the tiny 1920s cinema.

Find out more HERE.

20 July – 1 September Book online before you visit eureka.org.uk

Royal Armouries Museum

Put down your controllers and go and experience action and adventure in real life at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

The summer holidays will be action-packed with combat displays, gun firing demonstrations, dramatic performances and the chance to get your hands on history.

Don’t miss the skills and thrills of the Horse Shows from July 25 to 29 and the spectacular August bank holiday Jousting Tournament (August 24 to 26).

Admission is FREE but pre-book your visit online.

July 20 to September 1.

Find out more HERE.

National Coal Mining Museum

Discover how communities pulled together to support each other in the Miners’ Strike with a fantastic summer special offer at the National Coal Mining Museum.

From July 20 to September 1, a £5 charge per car will include access to the beach and unlimited rides on the muchloved Paddy Train.

There will also be Seaside Striking Stories at various times throughout the day. Play games and find out how the community entertained children during difficult times.

In the Makers’ Shed, 11.30am to 3.30pm, drop in and get creative, with crafts inspired by how the community supported miners in the strike.

Find out more HERE.

Pizza Express Leeds Dock – perfect for family a day out in the city

Family favourite PizzaExpress Leeds Dock is open and ready to serve pizza with pizzazz.

The pizzeria has long been a favourite, and now a recent remodel means it’s an even better spot for a meal during a day spent exploring the city.

Situated on the canal and just a short stroll from the Royal Armouries Museum, customers can watch Pizzaiolos create their favourite pizza in the restaurant’s open kitchen and enjoy all the famous flavours of the PizzaExpress menu.

Along with iconic favourites and veggie, vegan and gluten free options, the pizzeria is also serving up something for the whole family this summer, offering Kids Eat Free until August 11. Every child gets a FREE Piccolo meal - a three-course feast made up of all their favourites, from Dough Balls to pizza or pasta, plus desserts and a bambinoccinowith every adult main purchased.

For grown-ups, fan-favourite fiery Dynamite Dough Balls are also back on the menu, along with three flavoursome new Buddha Bowls: Goat’s Cheese and Beetroot, Crispy Chicken and Vegan. There are also hearty Al Forno options, including the creamy Carbonara PizzaExpress and the delicious Prawn Peperonata and two new desserts - Biscoff Billionaire Sundae and Summer Berry and White Chocolate Sundae.

You can unlock more offers and savings by joining the PizzaExpress Club.

Kids’ Carnival returns to White Rose for summer fun

White Rose Shopping Centre has brought back its Kids’ Carnival due to popular demand this summer. Running until September 1, you’ll find Dodgems, a Runaway Train ride, spinning Twister, magical Balloon Race, Hook-a-Duck, FREE face painting and more.

The Kids’ Carnival is open daily from 11am to 9pm and is free to enter. Ride tokens are £1.20 each or 10 for £10, plus a special discount for NHS staff and Blue Light card holders. There’s a wooden sweet shack selling traditional fairground treats, deckchairs and lots of photo ops.

“Offering rides for all ages plus pocket-friendly tokens, and with our all-weather play area right next door, a day at the fair is an easy win for parents this summer,” said Steven Foster, Centre Director at White Rose.

He added: “With 5,000 FREE parking spaces plus hundreds of shops and restaurants with something for all

the family, we’re looking forward to seeing lots of happy guests this summer.”

White Rose Centre is home to a cinema complex and has excellent public transport links.

To coincide with White Rose’s weekly quiet morning, the carnival will be operating with no music from 11am to 12pm every Tuesday.

We have four FREE rides and one £50 White Rose gift card to giveaway one lucky winner!

ENTER HERE. WIN!

Leeds City Museum

Clubs & Classes Directory

Find inspiration and sign up! Don’t forget to say you saw them in Families Leeds & West Yorkshire magazine.

Number Train

A fun and interactive introduction to maths for preschool children.

Hidden Village

Allow your child’s imagination to flourish in this immersive roleplay village.

Baby Ballet

Fun and informal dance classes in North Leeds for ages 18 months to 6 years.

Debutots

Interactive storytelling and dramatic play sessions for ages 6 months to 7 years.

Rock Stars Climbing Club

Climbing sessions for 4-7 and 8-12 year olds, after school.

Little Seedlings

Pregnancy, baby and toddler classes that focus on development in a fun, easy way.

Music Bugs

Sensory, playbased music and singing classes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Toddler Sense

Explore adventure play on bouncy castles, soft play, ride-ons and more. Ages 13mths-5 years.

Tumble Tots

Classes available in North Leeds for babies from 6 months to children aged 7.

Little Seedlings opens full-time play hub in Chapel Allerton

Little Seedlings, which runs pregnancy, baby and toddler classes, has launched a permanent play space in Chapel Allerton.

Its new home at Chapel Allerton Methodist Church is open Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 12.30pm. For families with children from birth to five years old, a play pass gives you access to the space for the whole day on a drop in, drop out basis.

Hot and cold drinks, and optional structured playtimes every day at 10.30am and 12pm are included. Weekly and monthly play passes will become available for September.

Lucy Haven, founder said: “We know that every child and every family is unique, and having our own venue will allow us to provide more of the support our families need.”

The church space will be transformed each day into a relaxed, welcoming and non-judgemental space for families, with after-school play sessions for those up to seven years old coming soon.

From the end of July, all termly sessions for Chapel Allerton will be replaced by flexible, Pay As You Go play at Little Seedlings’ new venue. Little Seedlings’ weekend popup sessions for pregnancy and

Founder Lucy Haven and her business partner

Ally Best

dads will still be available, as will structured classes on weekdays in venues across Leeds.

Sign up to the mailing list HERE and be the first to hear about Little Seedlings’ play space and pop-up sessions.

Why I can’t get off the Number Train!

Families reader and mum-of-three Lotty Spurrell reviews her favourite pre-school class

It’s not often I am as eager as my children to go to one of their groups, but I know I’m not the only adult at Number Train who looks forward to this part of my week. I have three little boys, (aged eight, five and three) and Number Train has been a favourite in our family for the past six years.

Number Train is a preschool class, with a numeracy focus across a range of activities. And this really is one of the big selling points for us - there’s everything all in one class. Whether your children like singing, dancing, construction, games, art and crafts or just being energetic, there’s something for you.

Each session follows the same structure, but with a different theme each week, so you might be playing a parachute game, learning a dance routine, going on a treasure hunt,

building sandcastles or counting out coins to play on fairground games.

It’s a great class for the older preschoolers, yet still accessible and enjoyable for younger siblings, and it helps prepare children for school. The Number Train team are all former teachers, and the format is very much a teacher and class dynamic.

Children develop skills like following instructions, working with other children, putting their hand up to answer questions, and demonstrating to the rest of the class.

The clear structure and opportunity for connection makes Number Train perfect for grandparents and carers.

I honestly can’t recommend Number Train enough. With my youngest starting school next September, I’m approaching my final ride, but it’s great knowing there are so many families ready to take my place and start their own journey. You won’t regret it.

More about Number Train HERE.

All singing, all dancing at PQA

Top parental controls for monitoring screen time

Screen time is a fact of summer holidays – and of modern life! As your child heads for their screen this summer, make sure you have the right parental control products in place.

Norton Family

Monitor all child activity from web or mobile app. £14.99 yearly.

Bark Premium

AI scans emails/social media profiles/texts/ media for harmful content. From £14 monthly.

Family Locator Locategy

Free basic version – geofencing, app blocking, activity reports & easy setup.

Qustodio

Comprehensive range of features across multiple devices. From £39.95 yearly.

Family Time Premium

Great for mobile users, full suite of monitoring features. From $2.41 monthly.

Net Nanny

Robust screen time management tools, location tracking, social media monitoring. $54.99 yearly.

Mobicip

Scheduling, monitoring location, social media, screen time. From $2.99 monthly.

Boomerang

Monitors android device web browsing, device usage & location. From $15.99 yearly.

Kapersky Safe Kids

Great value & monitors unlimited devices, regardless of platform. £23.99 per year.

individual learning pl ans t wo addit ional l anguages professional forest sessions

Ice-pack or cool pack – what’s the difference?

Helen Underwood from Underwood Training explains what the right approach is when it comes to cooling a child’s injury.

Bleeding at an injury site causes swelling, which causes pain. Cooling leads to constriction of blood vessels, decreased bleeding and reduction in swelling. It also numbs nerve endings so provides pain relief.

Children v Adults

Younger children have a faster metabolic rate (increased heart and breathing rate) than adults, they are smaller in size and their temperature regulation mechanisms have not matured. They have a higher risk of an ice-burn (damage to body tissues) as their body will cool down much faster; younger children may also be compliant and sit with an ice-pack if told to.

The difference between ice-packs and cool packs

Cool packs are fridge temperature or above; anything from a freezer

is below zero as are some first aid ‘instant ice packs’. Fridge bump soothers or a simple cold compress, e.g. paper towels wetted from cold tap, are safe to use on children.

Should you ever use ice on a head?

Ice on heads in young children is a definite no - as for younger ones the fontanelle (soft spot) may not yet have closed at the top of the skull – the brain risks being supercooled and it won’t be happy!

For older children if the skull has a been broken in a more serious accident the brain can be rapidly cooled – this can lead to seizurelike episodes. It’s best to avoid ice packs on heads, however a cool pack can be beneficial.

Underwood Training provides first aid training for workplaces and those who work with children. Find out more HERE.

Cold compress

Stay safe around water this summer

Water safety on holiday

Take time to review and understand safety notices and flags. Never use inflatables in the sea. Keep children under constant supervision. Look out for potential hazards and deep and shallow water. Stay back from cliff edges, never jump from cliffs or bridges. Make sure the whole family knows basic water safety.

Water safety in public swimming pools

Take time to learn the depth, water flow and layout of the pool. Always follow the rules set out by the venue e.g. no running. Listen and adhere to instructions given by the lifeguards on duty. Always keep children under constant supervision. Weak swimmers - stay where they can touch the bottom.

Get to know your Water Safety Code

Fun RLSS cartoon to help kids understand the fundamentals of being safe near water.

Water safety at home

In the last 5 years, 50% of kids under 7 who drowned did so at home.

Securely cover or empty water hazards after use eg. baths, paddling pools, ponds etc. Stop water hazards from refilling by turning them over, turn off hosepipes.

Install safety fencing around ponds and pools.

Learn the water safety code

Look for dangers and research local signs and advice. Always stay together as a family or group, swim near lifeguards. Float – teach your child how to float properly if they fall in unexpectedly.

Call 999 - ask for Fire & Rescue when inland and the Coastguard if at beach.

Teach your child how to float

If your child finds themselves in water accidentally, this essential skill could save their life.

Cultural capital: what it is and why it matters

Broadly speaking, the term ‘cultural capital’ refers to the knowledge, skills and experiences that are valued by a society. The concept was first introduced in Pierre Bourdieu’s book Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste in 1979. So why is cultural capital important?

READ MORE

My child is left-handed, should I be worried?

Recently at a new student screening appointment, a mother disclosed that her child writes with her left hand and uses the computer mouse and scissors with her right. These were the only anomalies for her lefthanded daughter. Perplexed about navigating this world of mixed dominance?

READ MORE

Preparing to start or change school

Starting or changing school can be both an exciting and nervewracking business, not only for parents but also for children who pick up on the vibe at home. With planning, you can feel more confident in the way you support and celebrate your child’s milestones and transitions as they occur.

READ MORE

Children’s GP Services Tower Clinic Leeds

Private GP consultations for newborn babies to teenagers

Full range of childhood immunisations, including those not widely available on the NHS

Baby and childhood developmental checks – including the six week newborn check and the eight month check.

Prescriptions and referrals.

Same day appointments including evenings and weekends available.

To book an appointment contact us: Call 0113 267 2067 www.towerclinic.co.uk

Fun learning activities for the summer break

School summer holidays offer families a chance to enjoy some much-deserved respite together. However, no one wants learning to seep away or become stagnant.

Try some of these techniques to help with learning continuity and your child will hit the ground running in September.

Expanding children’s vocabulary is incredibly important to their writing and reading comprehension. When on holiday or just going on day trips, think about the new words you are exposing them to. Equally, playing games at home such as Scrabble and Heads Up can be educational.

Make sure books are a part of every day. Whenever you read to your child or let them listen to an audio book they form the sense of a beginning, middle and end of a story. Sign up for the free Summer Reading Challenge at your local library which rewards children for their efforts. Make time to chat about what your children are reading; it will raise their engagement and comprehension levels.

Utilise educational apps to help children practise skills and enhance their learning.

Practise literacy skills by writing a post card on holiday, emails or even letters to friends and family,

journalling, blogging and entering writing competitions.

READ MORE

Over 20 rides, attractions and shows including:

Open daily 13th July to 2nd September 2024

UK’s biggest Corn Maze

The Froebelian School Expands

From September, The Froebelian School in Horsforth will welcome all children from the age of two, marking a new chapter in a Froebelian education.

The decision comes after more than 100 years following a successful model from the age of three.

Headteacher Anna Coulson said: “I am thrilled to announce that after careful consideration and consultation with parents and staff, we will be offering funded places for two-year-olds at our beautiful school. This decision is about making our best even better and opening up the opportunities of Froebelian’s ‘Flying

Pixel Hugs Giveaway

HOT new interactive puppies, who react to their owner’s voice

Pet and feed them, tickle their bellies and lay them down to sleep….

Start’ to even more children”.

She continued: “I have always been passionate about early years and provision within the school setting. Over my years in education and as an Early Years inspector, I have been privileged to witness young children with access to amazingly qualified staff and beautiful spaces flourish and be challenged appropriately. This puts Froebelian at the forefront of Prep schools in Leeds and the UK.”

For the families already at Froebelian, the new facility provides an additional resource and recognises the value of exceptional early years education.

There are 20 funded places available for September 2024.

To find out more, arrange a tour or to reserve one of the last remaining places contact Ms Borkala on 0113 2583047, EMAIL or see the website HERE.

Join the Rock Stars Climbing Club in Ilkley

Clip ‘n’ Climb Ilkley is launching a fun, after-school, instructorled climbing club for all abilities.

The half-termly courses start in September, running on Mondays and Wednesdays with sessions for 4 to 7-year-olds and another for 8 to 12-year-olds.

They will include a warm-up, followed by exciting climbing challenges, games and activities, plus some free time to climb and beat your time to the top.

It is an opportunity to make some new friends who love climbing and improve ability and confidence.

An adult will be required to be on site for children under 12 years old and the café will be open during the sessions.

For more information, to book the taster session or request a registration form, EMAIL or call 01943 603829.

Learning in Nature at Chapter House

The early years team from Queen Ethelburga’s Prep School describe how outdoor learning is a large party of school life for all ages.

‘We plan outdoor activities around our students to include their interests and the seasons and are fortunate to be within a campus of 220 acres surrounded by countryside, which we explore on our wellbeing walks. In our dedicated woodland area, our Level 3 Forest School Specialist runs engaging sessions that foster a love of nature through a variety of activities including creating nature art from found materials, campfire cooking, den building, role play and flora and fauna recognition and research.

We have two all-weather zones, a round bench seating area and a library surrounded by open space where we can take our learning outdoors.All children can also join Gardening Club.’

Find out more HERE.

Sustainable stationery supplies

Does your child get through endless amounts of stationery products? If so, you might be interested in our selection of more sustainable options.

Paper Ballpoint Pens

24 pens made from strong paper. 58% extra ink! £14.99.

Wirebound Notebook

3 ruled notebooks of 110 pages. Made with FSC recycled paper. £7.49.

Pure Glue Sticks

5 glue sticks made from 93% natural ingredients, washable, child-friendly. £4.92.

Recycled Newspaper

Colouring Pencils

12 colouring pencils made from recycled newspaper, printed with soy inks. £6.50.

RPET Panda Pencil Case

Stylish pencil case made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles. £3.99.

Dust & PVC Free Eraser

Unique dust free formula does not contain any harmful chemicals. £0.95.

Recycled Newspaper Pencils

Set of 5 x 2mm HB pencils handmade from recycled newspaper. £5.95.

Green BOSS

Highlighter

4 colours made from 83% recycled plastic. Can be refilled. £4.21.

Bamboo Ruler

Made from sustainable bamboo, this ruler is strong but lightweight. £1.50.

Contemporary Dance Summer School

Get a taste of one of Europe’s leading centres for dance training this summer.

From July 29 to August 2, Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds is hosting its annual Summer School for young dancers aged 12-17 (open level) and adults.

This energetic, fun, and challenging experience includes daily technique class and creative sessions, working alongside a professional artist to devise a piece which will be performed at the end of the week for friends and family at the Riley Theatre.

For those interested in applying for the school’s range of full-time and part-time courses, there is the option to attend a Progression Routes Session at the end of the week.

More information and book a place HERE.

Family breakfasts and brunches

Take advantage of the more relaxed summer holiday routine and try some of these special family breakfast and brunch options!

Upside down apple pancakes

Cut into wedges. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream & cinnamon.

Easy sweetcorn fritters

A quick breakfast treat, top with poached egg or smashed avocado.

Easy griddled waffles

These are super simple to make. Top with bananas/maple syrup.

Peanut butterstuffed french toast

Inspired by deep-fried french toast, pan-fried for ease.

Eggy bread

A simple versatile breakfast recipe. Serve with strawberries, yoghurt, stewed fruit.

Courgette and Cheddar cheese muffin

Warm from the oven - a great breakfast treat.

Pancake

breakfast tacos

Taco-inspired pancakes with bacon, cheese and scrambled eggs.

Norwegian custard buns

A great breakfast pastry, filled with custard.

Bacon and egg cups

Served in ramekins lined with bacon, these cups are a breakfast treat.

Make crispy KitKat Ice Cream Cake

Crispy, creamy, chocolatey and decadent - words can’t describe this perfectly dreamy KitKat Ice Cream Cake recipe contributed by multi-award-winning food, parenting and lifestyle writer, Emily Leary at A Mummy Too.

Best walks featuring water

Looking for a walk with water involved? These are some of our favourite walks from The Outdoor Guide

Seaton Wetlands

On the south Devon coast you’ll find the RSPB Seaton Wetlands. With a path that’s suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, this walk offers the opportunity to observe the many feathered friends who call this place home.

River Ness & Ness Islands

From the heart of Inverness, this walk takes you along the banks of the River Ness and onto the magical Ness Islands.

These are natural islands in the middle of the river, connected by suspension foot bridges. Keep an eye out for the seals that can sometimes be found here.

Coombe AbbeyHeron’s Way

There are plenty of walks for all to enjoy at Coombe Abbey Country Park near Coventry. This one takes you around the lake that, at 1.5 miles long, is one of the largest ever designed be Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.

Swanbourne Lake & Arundel Park

Just a short distance from the town of Arundel in Sussex is Swanbourne Lake, part of the Arundel Castle estate.

It’s a popular spot for families, offering gentle walks and boat hire so you can enjoy the views from the water. Don’t forget to grab an ice cream from the kiosk!

© Holly Brega
© Holly Barber
© The Outdoor Guide
© The Outdoor Guide

Best walks featuring water

Looking for a walk with water involved? These are some of our favourite walks from The Outdoor Guide

Blickling Hall - The Den Making One

This 2 mile walk takes you around Blickling Hall Estate lake and offers plenty of wildlife watching and den making. Don’t forget to visit the cafe for a wellearned treat at the end!

Setthorns, New Forest National Park

Walk in the shade of the trees as you explore the Setthorns

Enclosure in the New Forest National Park.

The walk takes you down to a stream where children and dogs can paddle and play - keep an eye out for the free roaming livestock who also paddle here too!

South Shore Rutland Water

Rutland Water is a reservoir that is teeming with wildlife. This is a great walk along the southern shore and takes in part of the nature reserve. After, why not take a boat trip to see it from another angle?

A walk along the shore of Ullswater

No trip to the Lake District is complete without a walk along the shore of a lake. This is just a short walk, around a mile, to the shores of Ullswater in the eastern lakes.

The nearby village of Pooley Bridge has some great cafés for after!

© Frank Locke © Andy North
© The Outdoor Guide © The Outdoor Guide

Best UK beaches for toddlers

Looking for a beach to visit that perfectly suits your very young children? Here is our selection.

Alum Chine, Dorset

Adventure playground, paddling pool & changing facilities.

Frinton on Sea, Essex

Clean, firm, plentiful sand, safe gently shelving beach, promenade with facilities.

Porthminster (St Ives), West

Cornwall

Sandy sheltered beach, shallow water, for paddling, nearby facilities.

Old Hunstanton, Norfolk

Spacious golden sandy beach, shallow water, rock pools & toilets.

West Wittering, Sussex

Wide sloping beach, shallow tidal pools & clean, calm water.

Seacliff, East Lothian

Beautiful, sheltered beach of golden sands. Toilets.

Caswell Bay, South Wales

Golden sands, rock pools, café, beach shop, toilets & showers.

Sandsend, East Yorkshire

Hidden gem just north of Whitby. Lagoon, rockpools & nearby facilities.

St Annes Beach Lytham, Lancashire

Loads of sand, good for paddling, donkey rides and amenities.

Exciting soda can game for all ages

Shake the can –but don’t get drenched!

Create amazing swirls and patterns on paper and fabric in 12 vibrant colours

Newborn Coney and My First Bath Bundle giveaway

Cuddle Coney - she’ll respond like a real baby if you wear your special interactive bracelet

Coney makes more than 20 sounds, falls asleep, feeds and cries

PLUS: Bath Sarah and discover the magic reveal in the bathtub Worth £70

FREE

activity printables for pre-schoolers

Perfect for whipping out to deal with those ‘I need something to occupy the little one’ moments!

Learn About Numbers activity book

Unicorn rainbow colouring

Counting to 5 activity sheet

Big Bird Number 6 colouring page

Dino Diggers activity pack

Bing’s Big Surprise activities

Alphablocks A to Z colouring chart

Round & round snail maze

Dino Dot-to-Dot activity sheet

FREE printables for primary-school aged kids

For the ‘I’ve got nothing to do!’ moments that are sure to arise this summer – worth printing and stashing somewhere close by!

Battleships

Great game to develop strategy, logical thinking and concentration.

Country word search

Find twenty countries hidden amongst the letters.

Harry Potter word scramble

Figure out what Harry is saying.

The Mystery of the Missing Pirate Treasure

Practise maths and problem solving.

Car travel games

Keep them entertained with car bingo, alphabet game, car search & more.

How to draw a cat

Simple chart from which your child can learn to draw a cat.

Sudoku

Set of 9 puzzles, easy to hard. Develop logic & problem solving.

Food crossword puzzles

5 food themed puzzles. improve spelling, reading and writing.

Magic square worksheets

Easy, intermediate and advanced sheets that practise addition.

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