Families SW London Oct22 digital

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Autumn Treasure Hunt

Get outdoors and go on a treasure hunt with your kids, finding and matching autumn treasures.

Autumn treasure hunt

Ideal for appreciating the autumn season and getting outdoors. No checking online until you get home!

On the next page you’ll find pictures of eight diferent autumn treasures to find in the park or woodlands. Remember, the Woodland Trust has a great guide to woodlands near you.

Once you’ve found them, write in the name of what you’ve found. Get your grown up to help you.

Then take a look at the pictures in a row at the bottom. Each picture has some kind of connection to your treasures. It might be where the treasure comes from or maybe where you find it.

When you’ve worked out the connection, draw a line from each of your autumn treasures to the picture at the bottom that is connected to it.

And hey presto, you’re done! And hopefully you’ve found an autumn treasure you can keep or learned something you didn’t know.

Have fun!

DIY Halloween costumes

Our

Chapter books that encourage kindness

Street Book Club

The Worries: Sohal Finds a Friend

By Jion Sheibani

Boy at the Back of the Class

By Onjali Q. Rauf Ages 8+

Five Ways to Make a Friend

By Gillian Cross Ages 8+

Lost

By Ele Fountain

The Elephant

By Peter Carnavas

6+

A Kind of Spark

By Elle McNicoll Ages 8+

The Elephant in the Room

By Holly Goldberg Sloan

Wonder By R. J. Palacio Age 8+

The Soup Movement

By Ben Davis

New term teething troubles

By Liat Joshi-Hughes

The autumn term has begun and your child has returned to school. What kind of ‘teething troubles’ might you face over the next few months while your child copes with the changes that September brought with it? And how should you deal with them?

My child is having trouble making friends

Perhaps they’re in a di ferent class or their closest friend has left the school and they’re struggling to adjust and find a new bestie or gang. Regardless, there are a couple of things you can do to boost your child’s friendships. Firstly, of course, talk to your child’s teacher and ask if there’s anyone they think your son or daughter might particularly gel with. Next up, invite them over for a playdate or arrange to meet them and their parent in the park. If confidence is an issue, role play approaching potential friends with your little one…take it in turns.

My child can’t manage this year’s curriculum

Primary school learning is much more of a double act these days, a partnership between parents and teachers. Again, go and have a chat with the teacher to try and understand your child’s level and find out what you can do to support your little one’s reading, writing or maths at home. This needn’t be

anything formal, just reading a little more together or encouraging them to do some basic adding up when you’re at the shops or baking. For writing practice, could they write a post card to their grandparents or other relatives?

Make fruity, crunchy ice with

Screen-free rainy day activities

By Isabell Fisher

It’s important that children are tech-savvy but there is very little evidence that screentime contributes to a child’s cognitive ability. Screens are so appealing because of their continually changing content so any activities that we attempt at home with the kids need to be equally appealing to little hands, eyes and brains.

Here are a few activities that are easy to set up if you need to keep the kids entertained this half term or you’re stuck at home during a rainy weekend. You probably have most of what you need at home already.

Boosted books

Reading to your kids is great but don’t limit the experience to sitting on the sofa. If the book is set in a cave, evict the vacuum cleaner from under the stairs and issue everyone with head torches! If you’re reading a desert adventure, create a Bedouin tent using some sheets and your clothes horse.

Playdough

This is a versatile toy but if the smell and texture of big-branded playdough is something you’re not keen on, there are some wonderful options for soft and scented playdough that doesn’t leave a greasy residue. Just check that the playdough has been UKCA tested before buying.

Baking

Baking shortbread and scones is simple enough for inexperienced bakers to try and hopefully they will taste great! Baking bread is also surprisingly simple and you and your children can have lots of fun creating di erent animals out of the dough to then bake in the oven.

Painting

Children love to paint but the mess can fill many parents with dread. Instead of using poster paint, try using watercolour paints which are easier to clean up. To change things up, get the kids painting on co ee filters, a canvas or ice cubes.

Art and craft

This doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Often keeping it simple is far better than creating something elaborate. Try making a paper boat and see how far it travels or create tealight holders out of old jam jars by gluing on pieces of tissue paper. These also make lovely presents for grandparents.

Treasure hunt

Choose something to be the treasure, hide it and then create a map for your kids to follow. Make it more interesting (and last longer) by having the map lead your little pirates to di erent locations where each location’s ‘treasure’ is a clue to the next location. To make the map look more ‘authentic,’ scrunch up the paper and stain it with a damp teabag.

Design a board game

This is a fun way for kids to learn about design and teamwork. All you need is a piece of paper, some pens, some counters (maybe toy figures), some dice and some rules. Involve your children in working out how the game works and create and decorate your board before playing!

Easy science experiments

There are lots of easy science experiments that can be tried at home with household items and they encourage kids to ask questions, make predictions and understand the world around them. Try making a lava lamp with water, food colouring and oil in a jar. Add an e ervescent tablet and watch what happens!

Isabell

Fantastic fireworks

Wimbledon Park

Home Park Road SW19 8AU www.merton.gov.uk

4 November Dazzling musical fireworks with a street food village and funfair. An early evening show is more suitable for families with 'feel good/pop' music.

Morden Park

Lower Morden Lane SM4 www.merton.gov.uk

5 November Dazzling musical fireworks with a street food village and funfair. The early evening show is more suitable for families with 'feel good/pop' music.

Godstone Farm

Battersea Park

London SW11 4NJ www.enablelc.org/fireworks

5+6 November A huge bonfire and spectacular firework shows, set in the 200 acre park. Sunday has the family-oriented show, with an earlier start time, food, drinks and facepainting. Ticket sales help Enable raise funds to deliver its charitable mission of enriched lives through investment in supporting active lifestyles, community events, and the improvement of natural habitats.

Tilburstow Hill Road RH9 8LX www.godstonefarm.co.uk

28 + 29 October A low bang fireworks display, with pre-show entertainment including a tots disco.

Willows Activity Farm

Coursers Road, St Albans AL4 0PF www.willowsactivityfarm.com

4+5 November Enjoy an evening of crackling low-bang fun, plus fairground rides, ride-on JCBs, soft play and Peter Rabbit’s Adventure Playground.

Leeds Castle Maidstone ME17 1PL www.leeds-castle.com

5+6 November An incredibly popular event combining fireworks and music. Arrive from 2pm to enjoy use of the castle's grounds including the maze, play areas, falconry displays, and scenic strolls.

Screen-free rainy day activities

We asked Isabell Fisher, co-founder of Little Hands Learning for some easy-to-set-up activities that will appeal to little hands, eyes and brains.

Art and craft

Treasure hunt

This doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Often keeping it simple is far better than creating something elaborate. Try making a paper boat and see how far it travels or creating tealight holders out of old jam jars by gluing on pieces of tissue paper. These also make lovely homemade presents for grandparents.

Design a board game

Hide some treasure and then create a map for your kids to follow. Make it more interesting (and last longer) by having the map lead your little pirates to di ferent locations where each location’s ‘treasure’ is a clue to the next location. For more authenticity, scrunch up the paper and stain it with a damp teabag.

Easy science experiments

This is a fun way for kids to learn about design and teamwork. All you need is a piece of paper, some pens, some counters (maybe toy figures), some dice and some rules. Involve your children in working out what the game is about, how it works and decorate your board before playing!

There are lots of easy science experiments that can be tried at home with household items and they encourage kids to ask questions, make predictions and understand the world around them. Try making a lava lamp with water, food colouring and oil in a jar. Add an e fervescent tablet and watch what happens!

T TOODDLERS & MINNI I GY

GYM

YM CLASS!

Halloween days out

jammed packed with activities including wand lessons with Griswalda the witch and pumpkin carving.

Hever Castle & Gardens

Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk

22-30 October Don your spookiest t and follow an interactive trail, nding letters to spell a prize-winning word. Ghost stories and facepainting complete your visit.

Kent Life Heritage Farm Park Sandling, Kent ME14 3AU www.kentlife.org.uk

22-30 October A spooky week full of family fun and games: pumpkin carving, creepy corner, trick or treating, fun farm rides and fancy dress competitions.

Covent Garden

In and around Covent Garden Market WC2 www.coventgardenmum.com

Half term Take a spook-tacular Trick or Treat trail in and around Covent Garden, exploring areas you may never have discovered before. Test your observation skills and learn some fun facts; with the chance to bag yourself some awesome treats along the way.

HDIF Halloween Party

The Phoenix W1G 0PP www.phoenixcavendishsquare.co.uk

30 October A family-friendly afternoon halloween disco party. Bop around together to indie pop and Motown hits, without ear-busting speakers or a late night.

KidZania

Westfield London W12 7GA www.kidzania.co.uk

24-30 October Festival of Fright

The cobbles of KidZania’s city streets will be filled with kooky characters and clever clues for children to interact with. Each career zone will have a Halloween-themed twist to engage and entertain children.

Tower of London London EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk

22-31 October Follow in the footsteps of the Tower’s infamous prisoners through the grounds at the spookiest time of the year. Designed to chill your bones rather than churn your stomach, this is a thrilling interactive family-friendly adventure.

Chiswick House and Gardens

Burlington Lane W4 2QN www.chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk

14-31 October Spooky Halloween Trail A dusk walk through illuminated

haunted woods filled with grinning pumpkins, creepy neon cobwebs, ghastly ghouls and larger-than life spiders.

Eltham Palace and Gardens Court Yard SE9 5QE www.english-heritage.org.uk/eltham

22-30 October Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out this half term. Follow the trail to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories.

Legoland

Legoland Windsor SL4 4AY www.legoland.co.uk

1-31 October Brick or Treat Head to the pumpkin-filled wonderland for some frightful family shows, costume competitions and a monster party.

Wakehurst

Haywards Heath RH17 6TN www.kew.org/wakehurst

15-30 October Room on the Broom Julia Donaldson and Axel Schefer’s much-loved book comes to life! Take an autumnal trail through enchanting woodlands, following Witch’s windswept journey through 3D installations with family-friendly activities along the way.

Willows Activity Farm Coursers Road, St Albans AL4 0PF www.willowsactivityfarm.com

15-31 October Pumpkin Festival Pick your pumpkin from Willow’s Pumpkin Patch and enjoy a full programme of pumpkin-tastic fun, including a Pumpkin Hunt with a prize badge for all those taking part.

Godstone Farm Tilburstow Hill Road RH9 8LX www.godstonefarm.co.uk

22-30 October Once Upon a Crime Become a detective for the day in a world of nursery crimes. Half Term is

The Hop Farm Maidstone Road, Tonbridge TN12 6QF www.thehopfarm.co.uk

22-30 October Half Term Fun Dress up in your best Halloween fancy dress and join in with children's rides, the animal farm and tricks and treats including a Halloween trail.

Hampton Court Palace East Molesey KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk

22-30 October Explore Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted palace at the spookiest time of the year. Designed to put you on edge, rather than push you over it, prepare yourself for a thrilling family-friendly adventure.

Leeds Castle Maidstone ME17 1PL www.leeds-castle.com

22-30 October Dress up for (not too) hair-raising, spine-chilling and eerie family activities throughout the castle grounds.

Halloween at Hever Castle

Halloween treats

Bake these delicious Halloween recipes from Neha Gandesha @squashedpickle. Watch her videos or click for recipe and ingredients.

Hot chocolate sticks

Tuna fish pie (with pumpkin tops)

These delicious hot chocolate sticks are perfect when you want a warming treat this Halloween. Kids can get creative topping them with their favourite chocolates, sprinkles or even cookies and then enjoy them by dunking in a hot cup of milk.

RECIPE

Spooky crispy treats

If you’re looking for something that’s Halloween-themed and easy to prepare with just one pot, this healthy pie is a perfect option. It’s a great way to get fish and hidden veg into your child’s diet too!

RECIPE

Spooky snacks

Making rice crispy treats is one of my favourite things to do with my son because he can do most of the job himself! It’s a fab no-bake recipe, you can use any cereal and the results are deliciously crispy and perfect for decoration.

RECIPE

My son is obsessed with anything creepy and scary and these fun and super-easy snacks are some of his favourites. Your kids will love these delicious Creepy Crumpet Pizzas, Ghostly Peppers and Witches Brooms made from Cheese Strings!

RECIPE

Family-friendly walks for autumn

The great British countryside is full of stunning walks. Here are nine that are suitable for the whole family. So why not make a day of it?

Brecon Beacons

National Park

Explore the National Botanic Garden of Wales or Cantref Adventure Farm.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens

Try Ripon and Fountains Abbey walk or the Lost Spa trail.

Tegg’s Nose

Country Park

Follow The Gritstone Trail from Disley to Kidsgrove, through Tegg’s Nose in Cheshire.

Stowe

Breathtaking countryside, lake and forest at Stowe in Bucks. Dogs on leads.

Morden Hall Park

An outdoor oasis in London – escape the concrete jungle!

Old Sarum

Explore the walks around this Iron Age Hillfort in Wiltshire.

Ham House and Garden

Fun walking & activities in the gardens of a seventeenth century manor in Surrey.

Seven Sisters Country Park

Miles of coastline in the South Downs National Park in East Sussex.

Sutherland’s Grove

From waterfalls to forest trails, a Scottish wonderland in West Argyll.

For over one hundred years,

international education

have beenat

Nurturing skills and inspiring ideas.

solidarity

pupils to develop into accomplished

we will

LYCÉE

forefront

citizens.

South Kensington

Kensington Primary School Nursery

Collège-Lycée

Ealing

André Malraux Primary School

Clapham

Primary School

&Baccalaureate

“Pupils thrive academically and socially in a vibrant and purposeful learning environment.”