FREE
IN THIS ISSUE
Education Easter Family life Travel
Free DoodleJamz drawing toys for kids APPLY INSIDE
March/April 2022
Familiesonline.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.uk March/April 1
Receive a FREE DoodleJamz toy for your child*
Age 3+
Endless creations at their fingertips! Draw, squish, sculpt, shape, erase and repeat with this mess-free drawing pad!
APPLY HERE *while stocks last T&Cs apply 2 March/April
Magazine
Familiesonline.co.uk
EASTER
Top Easter craft ideas Easter brings with it some fantastic opportunities to get out the paints and craft materials and create lovely eggs, chicks, cards and bunnies!
Easter trees
Potato Easter egg stamps
Egg carton chicks
Easter bunny headband
Easter scene jar
Stitched Easter bunny card
Pompom bunny bonnet
Easter egg pinata
No sew sock bunny
Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 11
EDUCATION
Is your child starting school in September? Plan a successful start with the School Starters Planner 2022/23
What’s in the planner? Daily planning calendar What’s coming up – month by month School contact details and login pages
The full 12 month planner covers the entire 2022/23 academic year.
Vital information you will need for school from the experts at Every Day’s a School Day
Buy it HERE
Get a 4 month taster planner for FREE
DOWNLOAD HERE
4 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
LOOKING FOR CHILDCARE? Multi award-winning Holiday Camps for children aged 4-11
Now booking ahead
Offering only the best in childcare and music
www.thestringsclub.org | 0121 369 1950
To advertise in
s Box of Flit Edie and the
THE LOST PROPERTY OFFICE
Call: 0208 696 9680
Lost and Found London Transport Museum
N22
Easter Holidays 2-18 April Discover the curious world of London Transport’s
Meet children’s authors Emily Rand and Kate Wilkinson on selected dates. Book at ltmuseum.co.uk
44 Families South West • March/April 2022
LTM
KIDS GO FREE
familiesonline.co.uk
MOTHER’S DAY
Mother’s Day gifts for under £20 Dads! This one’s for you and the kids! Mother’s Day is Sunday 27 March this year.
Patchwork Game
Pink-Champagne Truffles
Plant Mum Vase
The Naked Bee Hand & Cuticle Salve
Beenax Spiky Massage Ball Set
Calm Club Yoga Cards
Turmeric-infused Honey
Cotton Kimono Robe Wrap
A soothing two-player Made with dolomite, she game about constructing has her own removable Beautiful gift box and a patchwork quilt. £15.29 luxurious white chocolate mini-pot! £16.99 truffles. £16
Spiky massagers for A healing salve for mums arms, legs, shoulders anywhere there’s tension. who garden. £9.49 £8.99
Health conscious, handwhipped, British raw honey infused with natural turmeric. £9.95 10 March/April
A soft, elegant robe mum can feel truly spoilt in. £16.50
A card for every week of the year, teaching the basics. £10.95
Sea Salt Scented Tin Candle Hand-poured, sea salt–scented candle to transport mum to the seaside. £13.05
Familiesonline.co.uk
PARKGATE HOUSE SCHOOL An independent co-educational nursery and preparatory school for children aged 2½ - 11
We are accepting applications for 2023 Reception places Limited places are available for Reception 2022 To arrange a private tour please contact Admissions on 020 7350 2461 or email admissions@parkgate-school.co.uk 80 Clapham Common Northside, London SW4 9SD parkgate-school.co.uk
EDUCATION
So you didn’t get the school place you wanted. What next? Watch advice from Emma Lewry at Every Day’s a School Day
Help, we didn’t get our school choice!
By Emma Lewry
In England, secondary school places are announced on 1 March. Then, during April, primary school applicants find out their designated school. Very high percentages of families receive one of their listed preferences or even their firstchoice school. But what can be done if you are unlucky? READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 5
CONTENTS
Welcome
In this issue
We’re really looking forward to spring here at Families and in preparation, here’s our Easter magazine. Find Easter crafts, cooking, outdoor fun and our yummiest Easter egg selection!
4 9 10
Get out and about with the family again. Plan a unique UK wildlife encounter and find those lesser- 11 visited location spots in our Travel section. With cost-of-living increasing, saving money on everyone’s mind. Read our top tips in Family life section. Do you have a child starting school in September? Then you’ll want to download our free School Starters Planner taster edition. Finally, we have lots of DoodleJamz toys to give away! So make sure you apply for this squishy, squashy, sensory but mess-free drawing pad for your child. And sign up at familiesmag.co.uk/go to receive every issue of this magazine free to your inbox.
13 14 16 17 20 23
Education Mindfulness colouring Mother’s Day gifts Easter part 1 Health Early years Easter part 2 Family life Travel Spring outdoors
Get in touch Competition winners from our November/December issue Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list here.
Two Smoby KS Slides to give away! Perfect for summer fun! Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk
Worth £77.99 each APPLY HERE
T&Cs apply March/April 3
EDUCATION
Games to improve visual perception
Can your child make sense of what they see? Visual perception is essential for your child’s reading, writing and movement. Here are some games that help with this important skill.
Peppa Pig Guess Who?
Paddington Spot the Difference
Wooden Pick Up Sticks
Pixy Cubes
Match It Head to Tail
Dive into Shapes!
Helping children discriminate carefully between features. Ages 6mths-3yrs.
Encourages visual attention and sequencing and spatial relationships. Ages 6+.
Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set Copying mazes develops visual perception skills, Ages 4+
8 March/April
A fun family game involving spotting the differences between pictures. Ages 5+.
Aids visual discrimination, visual attention and visual memory. Ages 3+.
iTrax Critical Thinking Game
Copying and building designs boosts visual perception skills. Ages 6-10.
Encourages a focus on details, ignoring extraneous visual information. Ages 3+.
Develops visual perception skills involved in handwriting and reading. Ages 6-10.
Lets Go Code Activity Set
Hop, turn, step and move through a gross motor maze. Ages 5+. Familiesonline.co.uk
OPEN DAY
Saturday 7th May 9.30 - 11.30am Contact admissions@whitehouseschool to register
EDUCATION
Mindfulness colouring for kids
Download these mindfulness colouring sheets for kids who need some quiet, focused time to be calm or help with anxious or worried feelings.
Lion
Simple mandala
DOWNLOAD HERE
DOWNLOAD HERE
Hot air balloons
Two Smoby KS Slides to give away! Worth £77.99 each Perfect for summer fun! APPLY HERE
DOWNLOAD HERE Familiesonline.co.uk
Magazine
T&Cs apply
March/April 9
EASTER
Easter cooking Fill the kitchen with delicious smells and make some yummy Easter treats with the kids.
Chocolate cornflake cakes
Hot cross bun trifle
Easter bunny KitKat house
Easy hot cross bun ice-cream
Easter marshmallow bubble slice
Greek Easter cookies
Chick biscuits
Choc chip hot cross buns
Lemony Easter chicks
12 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
25 years
full of
opportunities
For 25 years, Fulham students have enjoyed an education that prepares them for success in any path they choose to pursue. Discover the academic excellence that our co-educational school for 3-18 year olds could offer your child. New Nursery School opening in April 2022
To find out more visit fulham.school or contact admissions@fulham.school
EARLY YEARS
Top apps every parent needs Overwhelmed by the number of apps available in the App Store? Ari Last, founder of the Bubble app shares his recommendations. Get these on speed dial to make parenting and family life a little easier.
Mush
Find friends with kids the same age nearby.
OLIO
Allrecipes Dinner Spinner
The Wonder Weeks
Kidday
Family Locator
A week-by-week guide to Solving the endless ‘what your baby’s development – pregnancy to after can I make for dinner?’ birth. question.
Give away unwanted kids’ items to other local parents.
Store your photographs in one place. Share albums with friends/ family.
Track the location of older children/teens when out and about.
CBeebies
Bubble
Sound Sleeper
Educational games and classic cartoons for when you just need a break! Familiesonline.co.uk
Find, book and pay local sitters/nannies recommended by friends/other local parents.
Help your baby fall asleep with this collection of calming sounds. March/April 15
EASTER
Best Easter eggs for 2022 Find it hard to choose? Here are some of the best options this Easter.
Cadbury Twirl Orange Flavoured Extra thick egg filled with Chocolate Egg You Crack Me Up Easter Egg
Lindt Milk Chocolate Egg
Comes with Lindor Milk Chocolate Mini Eggs.
fun chocolate treats.
Large chocolate orange shell and two full-sized chocolate bars.
Ferrero Rocher Milk Chocolate & Hazelnut Egg
Montezuma’s Milk Chocolate Chick with Buttons Cute clucky chick and giant buttons.
White half-eggs sandwiched with caramel-milk chocolate.
KitKat Salted Caramel Giant Egg
Thorntons White Chocolate Bunny Egg
Marigold the Duck
Chocolate egg studded with chunks of hazelnut and Ferrero chocolates.
Caramel flavour egg, with bars of KitKat Chunky Salted Caramel Fudge.
16 March/April
With white chocolate and decorated with milk chocolate.
Caramayo Chocolate Easter Sandwich
Milk chocolate with naturally coloured yellow and white speckles.
Familiesonline.co.uk
EASTER HOLIDAYS
Easter Holidays
London Wetland Centre
The Easter holidays are upon us! A well deserved time to relax, a time to be en famille but also a lot of time to spend with our children! How to occupy them? What to do? Start by taking them outdoors, go for long walks, go biking, hiking, cycling. Why not have a go at growing your own food and plants. Do lots of cooking. Let them be bored for a change—without a phone. When you can take it no more, follow our handy activities guide, there is something for everyone and every taste. Children will love going to classes, camps and workshops, learn news kills and make new friends. Please make sure you say where you found them! All details are as provided when going to press, however in case of changes, do double-check before setting out
FAMILY DAYS OUT WWT London Wetland Centre Queen Elizabeth's Walk SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/london 2-18 April Easter Duck Trail ‘Quack the case’ this Easter and find the bright yellow ducks hiding around the wetlands. Pick up a trail card at admissions and crack the clues to find the bright yellow, cheeky ducks that are hiding around the wetlands. You’ll need all your special detective skills to track them. Look up as well as down; ducks like to perch above you sometimes. They also love splashing around, so they won’t be far from the water.
Easter Fuzzy Farm Parsons Green Sports & Social Club SW6 3DP https://bit.ly/32LKLoX 10 April A family fun day with a fuzzy farm petting zoo, craft activities, soft play, and an Easter Bunny meet and greet.
Dino Kingdom Gunnersbury Park W3 8LQ www.dinokingdom.com 1-18 April This epic outdoor, prehistoric exploration offers an incredible 100 AR and holographic beasts from as big as the Tyrannosaurus Rex to hatching babies. An educational experience as much as an adventure, perfect for those budding palaeontologists out there, with an excavation sandpit, dinosaur eggs, fossils, volcanoes, a giant dinosaur skeleton head and a walkthrough fossil tunnel!
RHS Garden Wisley Woking GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/wisley 1-19 April The Giant Egg Hunt The Easter bunny has hidden several giant eggs all around the garden for children of all ages to discover. Daily Easter activities include planting and craft workshops in the CLORE Learning Centre.
familiesonline.co.uk
See also What’s on for more Easter activities
Easter family fun at Royal Museums Greenwich Opened daily 10–5pm rmg.co.uk/families * Climb aboard Cutty Sark for an action-packed adventure on the fastest ship of its time. Meet characters from the ship’s past such as Captain Woodget, find your sea legs at the ship’s wheel and discover how the crew lived. * At the Royal Observatory journey through space in an awesome planetarium show and over at the National Maritime Museum, explore the interactive galleries or play on the Great Map. Enjoy a snack in the café. * Don’t forget the awe-inspiring Queen’s House which houses worldfamous artworks and a fascinating royal history; uncover all of its hidden gems with a free family trail and craft sessions.
Kensington Palace Kensington Gardens W8 4PX www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace 13-17 April Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt Use a trail map to explore the palace gardens and find the Lindt Gold Bunny statues that are hiding there. Match up the names of important palace characters on your way to collect a chocolate reward at the end. Ages 4-12.
RHS Garden Wisley Royal Museums
Continued on page 41
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Kew Botanic Gardens
OPEN ALL
YE A DECEM PART FROM AR BER 2 5TH & 26TH
Kew Royal Botanic Gardens Kew TW9 3AE www.kew.org 2-18 April The Very Hungry Caterpillar Follow an enchanting Easter trail on your way to becoming a beautiful butterfly, based on Eric Carle’s muchloved book, winding through sculptures of juicy fruits and a cosy chrysalis along the way. Digest facts about the wonder of nature and the close connections between plant and insect life on Earth. Included with admission charge.
Wakehurst Haywards Heath RH17 6TN www.kew.org/visit/wakehurst 2-24 April The Very Hungry Caterpillar Extra dates for Kew’s interactive Easter adventure to feed curious minds - see listing above.
Hever Castle & Gardens Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk 2-18 April Easter Fun Take part in a colourful carrot trail, looking out for the Hever Bunny along the way. Discover hidden eggs around the gardens, solving clues to win a chocolate surprise at the end. Get creative with a free scratch art craft workshop.
FamiliesSWLondon
BE AMAZED BY WILDLIFE Meet our amazing animals at this family friendly zoo in the heart of Battersea Park. After listening to our many keeper talks and watching the feeding sessions, why not have fun on our adventure play areas. life sized helicopter, and tractor along with a sandpit, swings, wooden fort, climbing ropes and much more. Battersea Park Children’s Zoo Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ
Follow us!
T: 020 7924 5826
www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk March/April 2022 • Families South West 39
0208 088 0117
Little Voices Putney: St Mary’s Church, Putney High Street, SW15 1SA Little Voices Fulham: St Etheldreda Church, Fulham Palace Road, SW6 6JF
Centre at London Wetland SAT 2 - MON 18
APRIL Can you ‘quack the case’this Easter and find the bright yellow ducks hiding around our wetlands!
For more information search WWT London
40 Families South West • March/April 2022
familiesonline.co.uk
EASTER HOLIDAYS Hampton Court Palace
Upbeat Easter Camps
East Molesey KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace 2-18 April Easter Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt Use a trail map to explore the palace gardens and find the Lindt Gold Bunny statues that are hiding there. Match up the names of important palace characters on your way to collect a chocolate reward at the end. Ages 4-12.
Parsons Green SW3 www.upbeatmusiccourses.co.uk 4-8 and 11-14 April Sing, dance, play guitars, drums, percussion and keyboards, record and write songs with professional musicians and qualified teachers. There’s outdoor play too, and an end-of week performance. Ages 4-12.
Spa Valley Railway Tunbridge Wells TN4 8HJ www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk 15-18 April Little Red Riding Hood’s Easter Train Ride A theatrical performance filled with slapstick comedy, magic, mayhem and eggs from the Easter Bunny - and a real steam train journey!
National Trust Easter Trails Various venues www.nationaltrust.org.uk Easter holidays There'll be lots of fun for you and your family on your trail as you take part in nature-inspired activities. Complete the trail and collect your Rainforest Alliance chocolate egg.
Windsor Castle Learning Centre Windsor Castle SL4 1NJ 9-11, 14-18 & 21-24 April Jubilee Jamboree Bring along a ‘Platinum Picnic’ to have within Pug Yard and enjoy some Jubilee themed crafts. Free upon admission to the Castle
CAMPS & WORKSHOPS The holidays are the perfect time to make a song and dance, play sports or learn new skills
MUSIC Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes Venues across SW and SE London www.funkymonkey.info 4, 5, 6 and 7 April Make music the fun way in a one day beginner workshop. Children learn how to write and play notes C-G and try some famous tunes using electronic keyboards. With games, quizzes and art activities all based around music, all equipment and take home workbook provided. Ages 4-8.
The Strings Club Various venues including Tooting SW17 www.thestringsclub.org School holidays Multi award-winning holiday camps offering professionally led instrumental play, interactive workshops and a Grand Concert at the end. Free instrument hire included. Ages 4-11.
familiesonline.co.uk
THEATRE & THE ARTS Perform Various SW London venues www.perform.org.uk 4-6 and 11-13 April The Secret Garden workshops. Take part in the excitement of reviving a long abandoned garden! Packed with drama, dance and singing activities, Perform’s three full day course will explore the themes of friendship, determination and the joy of the natural world, leading to a lively costumed performance for family and friends on the last day. Ages 4-10.
Little Voices Fulham SW6 6AS www.littlevoices.org.uk 4-7 and 11-13 April A singing and dancing workshop based on Disney’s Encanto & Luca. Complete with props and costumes, the final, theatrical performance will be professionally filmed to watch back again and again at home with family and friends. Ages 5-11.
Stagecoach Performing Arts Wimbledon SW19 www.stagecoach.co.uk/wimbledon 4-8 April Five days to have fun and be creative, working on a different Musical or theme each day, led by top industry professionals. Book individual days or for the whole week. Ages 4-16. Putney SW15 www.stagecoach.co.uk/putney 4-8 April Discover the joys of drama, dance and singing with friends old and new, working towards a performance at the end of the week for parents, friends and family. No experience necessary - just bags of enthusiasm! Ages 4-6+. Battersea SW11 www.stagecoach.co.uk/battersea 11-14 April Four brilliant days of dance, drama and singing for children and teenagers. Enjoy a different musical theme each day with talented theatre practitioners. Ages 4-16.
SPORTS AND MULTIACTIVITIES South West Swimming School Various SW London pools www.swswimschool.co.uk 4-8 and 11-14 April
FamiliesSWLon
Safe, inclusive and effective swimming lessons run to the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme.
Youngstars Holiday Camps Various SW London venues www.young-stars.co.uk 4-14 April An introduction to a wide range of sports, centred around enjoyment rather than winning or losing! Full and half days available. Ages 4-10.
SwimWay Various SW London venues www.swimway.co.uk 4-8 and 11-14 April Combining fun with the obvious health benefits, SwimWay crash courses are an excellent boost to children’s development. Ages 2+.
Funky Monkey Music
Barracudas Day Camps Streatham & Clapham www.barracudas.co.uk 11-14 April Multi-activity daycamps where children get active, try new things and make new friends while developing key life skills and building confidence. Sports, games and crafts all included. Ages 4 -14.
Ultimate Activity Camps
Little Voices
Fulham www.ultimateactivity.co.uk 4-14 April Ofsted-registered holiday daycamps offering a fantastic range of sports, games and art activities every week. Ages 4-14.
Activ Camps
Stagecoach
Venues across SW London www.activcamps.com School holidays Innovative and inclusive variations of traditional games and sports, plus experiences children might not normally encounter, including Body Zorbing, Archery Tag, rock climbing and giant inflatables. Ages 4-14.
LANGUAGES South West Swimming School
Alpine French School https://alpinefrenchschool.com Family Summer Camps with interactive fun French workshops in the mornings and adventure activities in the afternoon. Parents can join in the fun or enjoy everything the Alps has to offer while the children make new friends and improve their French and try a range of sports.
Et Patati Patata Hammersmith W6 www.etpatatipatata.com 4-8 April A wide range of fun and creative activities, all in French, exploring the sounds, flavours, customs and cultures. With stories, songs, visits and workshops, children are encouraged to talk, write and progress in French with fun! Ages 4-15. Continued on page 43
El Patati Patata
March/April 2022 • Families South West 41
EASTER HOLIDAYS Club Petit Pierrot
Learn how to make a main dish and dessert from scratch with high quality ingredients, run by certified chefs in a professional kitchen. Bookable by day or week. Ages 6+.
Fun and engaging holiday workshops where children develop skills in creative writing, English exam prep, intensive handwriting, reasoning and arts and crafts. Ages 6-11 in small groups.
Little House of Science
Creative Hare
DEVELOPING SKILLS
Kensington W8 www.littlehouseofscience.com 4-8, 11-14 and 19-22 April Fun science-based camps with a different theme each week. Book by day or full week. Ages 4-12.
www.creativehare.co.uk Termtimes and holidays Fun and supportive story writing classes, imagination-stretching English tuition and 11+ preparation.
Kids En Cuisine
Yellowbird Education
Chelsea SW3 www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk 4-8 April An immersive week of creative and educational activities including worksheets, arts and crafts, sporty games, stories, yoga (indoor and outdoor weather permitting), singing and dancing - all in French! Beginners to advanced. Ages 4-6.
Ecclestone Square SW1V1 www.kidsencuisine.com 4-15 April
Club Petit Pierrot
Spark4Kids www.spark4kids.com Computer coding & touch-typing courses where children creatively explore coding and touch-typing,
Fulham and Wandsworth www.yellowbirdeducation.com 4-8 and 11-14 April
Spark4Kids
helping them naturally develop their computational skills. For kids that love computers, Spark4Kids might just be their ultimate holiday activity. From absolute beginners to experienced children, for online and in-person courses.
Mother Nature Science Various SW London venues www.mnature.co.uk 28-31 March, 4-7 and 11-14 April Every day at this 4-day camp is a science expedition into the unknown and over the week your child will do 30+ science activities, exciting demonstrations, hands-on experiments, team games and fun quizzes. Ages 5-12.
Playmakers
Swimway
ART
Paint Pots Montessori Easter Fun St Mary The Boltons, Chelsea, SW10 9TB Lucy@paint-pots.co.uk. www.paintpots.co.uk Mon 28th Mar – Fri 1st Apr. * Mornings 9.30-11.30am. Art, music & sensorial activities, accompanied classes. Mon-Thurs for children 18 months – 2.5 years. Fri for children 12-18 months. £50 per session. * Afternoons 3-4.30pm. Themed music & craft parties with games. Mon-Thurs For children 18 months – 2.5 years. Mon - Dinosaur, Tues - Animal, Weds Bear & Thurs Easter Bunny. £45 each.
Playmakers London
Do you have a creative child who enjoys exploring the world? Seven Seals holiday camp might be just perfect. Seven Seals pride themselves on providing the best quality of care and experiences for children aged 3-7 years. Based in Clapham Common their enriching themed holidays consists of building confidence, learning new skills and exploring the world around us allowing children to express their creativity and nurturing. The camps consist of themed based arts and crafts, forest school trips, Spanish and French learn through song sessions. Children also explore phonics and maths through play themed activities. Join them this Easter holiday from 28th March to the 15th April 9-3pm, for a range of activities from chick hatching, Easter bonnet parades, basket making, Easter egg hunts and more. For more information email: Manager7seals@gmail.com or telephone Demi on 07380 670 429. familiesonline.co.uk
FamiliesSWLondon
Clapham. www.playmakerslondon.com Drama, crafts & lots of fun! Workshops to unlock their imagination, find their voice and boost their confidence. Playing creative games, improvising and performing. It's for children who love to be artistic and to learn exciting arts & crafts techniques! 9am-3pm -Ages 5-11 £45 a day, £200 for a week, 5% sibling discount available.
Drama, crafts and lots of fun!
GET READY FOR OUR EPIC EASTER WORKSHOPS! Honeywell Infant & Junior School, Honeywell Road, Clapham, SW11 6EF
Monday 4th - Friday 8th April 2022 9am-3pm Daily 5-11 years Cost £45 per day or £200 for the week 5% sibling discount available
Book now: www.playmakerslondon.com
March/April 2022 • Families South West 43
I love Families, it's always easy to find a copy and it's great for family activity inspirations. Dani Tulip, Tooting
All of the local activities are in one place, unlike social media / emails etc where it is drip fed. Sam Davison, Clapham
South West
R O YA L A L B E R T H A L L P R E S E N T S
Fri 23 – Sun 25 Sep 2022 With the London Symphony Orchestra performing John Williams’ epic score live to picture.
royalalberthall.com 48 Families South West • March/April 2022
PRESENTATION LICENSED BY
©1983 & TM LUCASFILM LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © DISNEY
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EDUCATION
Educational accessories
Great ideas to help your child learn at any age.
Apple Twist
Stimulates spatial insight, problem solving and logic. Ages 5+.
Smart Snacks Counting Cookies Engaging, imaginative & develops early maths skills at home. Ages 18mth-6yrs.
Play Plus Kids Headphones
Wireless, foldable, comfy fit and volume controls. Ages 3-8.
Peppa Pig Wooden Clock Puzzle
Count, sort, place shapes in the correct order. Ages 3+.
National Smartmax My First Geographic Fossil Sounds and Senses Mix and match, eightDig Kit Excavate real fossils using the included paleontological tools Ages 8+.
6 March/April
piece magnetic toy for early learning. Ages 1-3.
Cargo Ship
Quality resource for literacy, numeracy and general play. Ages 3+.
GILOBABY Smart Robot Toy
Fun, interactive, introduces robotics and advanced technology. Ages 3-9.
Baby Einstein Magic Touch Piano
Toddlers can make music or play along with classics. Age 6mths-3yrs. Familiesonline.co.uk
DONHEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR BOYS AGED FROM 4 TO 11 YEARS
A Jesuit School where boys are honoured, cared for and believed in. CURIOSITY • CREATIVITY • COMPASSION For a personal tour with the Headmaster, please contact Sian Buckley headmasterpa@donhead.org.uk
www.donhead.org.uk Some 2022 and 2023 entry spaces available
34 Families South West • March/April 2022
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FAMILY LIFE
Reducing the cost of family living Get a grip of finances
Make savings
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If you’re pregnant and for a year after your baby is born, you can get free NHS dental care and prescriptions. A monthly Child benefit of £21.15 per child under 16 and £14 for each additional child may be claimable, depending on your income. If you’re pregnant or have a child under 4, Healthy Start vouchers can be spent on essential food items. If you regularly spend money on prescriptions, an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate can save money. Check your entitlement to Tax-Free Childcare or Free Childcare/Early Education.
Slash £1,000+ off your yearly grocery bill by taking the Downshift Challenge. Save on big brand disposable nappies by using comparison site BumDeal. Get free second-hand stuff from giveaway websites Freecycle and Freegle. Buy second-hand and get great quality for less. Try eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Market Place. Save £££ each year (and reduce your carbon footprint) by following simple energy saving tips. Try the Energy Efficiency Calculator for personalised advice on use and solutions.
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Take back control of family spending with free apps like Money Dashboard or Emma. Monitor and set limits on your kids spending with apps like gohenry or the free Revolut Junior. Don’t spend more than you earn. MoneySavingExpert’s free The Budget Planner will help. Don’t get caught short. Try Piggybanking. Divide money into separate pots for essential bills. Struggling with missed bills and payments? Try prioritising and consolidating. More info at debt help tips. Get organised with family meal planning. Save money, time and waste.
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March/April 19
To find out more: Call (020) 8871 6666 wandsworth.gov.uk/fostering fosteringrecruitment@wandsworth.gov.uk Produced by Wandsworth Design & Print. wdp@wandsworth.gov.uk CS.1933 DC 1 (4.21)
TRAVEL
Unique UK animal encounters Create lasting memories with a UK animal encounter. Compiled by Yonder, a new travel brand offering nature-rich stays and experiences.
Spot badgers in Dorset
Go whale watching See wild boar in the in Scotland Forest of Dean
Stay: Shepherd’s Hut, Blandford Forum
Stay: Tirlaggan Studio, Oban
Watch beavers in Cornwall
Walk alpacas in East Sussex
Stay: 2 Pencoose Barns, Truro
Herd sheep in the Lake District Stay: Winster Fields, Windermere 20 March/April
Stay: Gun Hill Cottage, Heathfield
Spy red squirrels in the Yorkshire Dales Stay: Mary’s Cottage, Hawes
Stay: Danby Lodge, Coleford
Kayak with seals in Pembrokeshire Stay: Maerdy Lodge, Haverfordwest
Spot African animals in Kent Stay: Shore, Hythe
Familiesonline.co.uk
SPRING OUTDOORS
Outdoor adventures Enjoy the great outdoors this spring and get the kids to try some of these great activities.
Try the string walk
Plant a tree
Join a fossil hunt
Take a family walk
Try orienteering
Make a stone cairn
Go pond dipping
Play Poohsticks
Go canoeing
24 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
Founded in 1977
International French-English Bilingual Pre-Primary school for 3-6 year olds
“Outstanding in all categories” OFSTED 2020 Report
School visits every Thursday TEL. 020 7371 8350 • admin@lecoledespetits.co.uk 2 HAZLEBURY ROAD, FULHAM, LONDON SW6 2NB
Founded in 2005
International French-English Bilingual Pre-Primary and Primary school for 3-11 year olds
School visits every Friday TEL. 020 7371 8350 • admin@lecoledespetits.co.uk TROTT STREET, BATTERSEA, LONDON SW11 3DS
24 Families South West • March/April 2022
familiesonline.co.uk
SPRING OUTDOORS
Spring make n’dos Enjoy nature and garden-themed activities with the kids - perfect to while away some hours at the weekend or during the school holidays!
Weave a nature loom
Make a spring sensory bin
Make a garden gnome
Spot early signs of spring
Grow potatoes in a tub
Make a butterfly feeder
Make easy pine cone hedgehog
Grow microgreens
Make simple garden wind chimes
Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 23
EDUCATION
Independent Education with a Catholic Ethos for Girls 11-18
School bus routes including Chelsea, Battersea, Clapham and Balham areas Our Lady’s Close, London SE19 3FA
familiesonline.co.uk
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FamiliesSWLon
020 8674 7229
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thelaurelsschool.org.uk
March/April 2022 • Families South West 29
Helping children believe they can do anything Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds
BATTERSEA 07956 288928 battersea@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/battersea
PUTNEY 020 8099 9861 putney@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/putney
FULHAM 07498 213142 fulham@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/fulham
WIMBLEDON 020 8946 3400 wimbledon@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/wimbledon
Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.
38 Families South West • March/April 2022
familiesonline.co.uk
ug A 8 2 – l u J 12
KIDS GOICE* HALF PR * Mon-Thurs, excl Band AA. Subject to availability. Offers may be withdrawn at any time.
50 Families South West • March/April 2022
openairtheatre.com familiesonline.co.uk
LYCÉE FRANÇAIS CHARLES DE GAULLE DE LONDRES Excellence in International Education since 1915
Ages 3-18
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French, Bilingual & British Curricula
100% BREVET 77% “Très Bien” Honours
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Brevet & Baccalaureate
99,6% BACCALAURÉAT +64% “Très Bien” Honours
“Pupils thrive academically and socially in a vibrant and purposeful learning environment.”
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GCSE, IGCSE & A-level
100% GCSE/IGCSE 82% A/A*/7-9
100% A-LEVEL 79% A/A*
South Kensington South Kensington Primary School Nursery to Year 6
Collège-Lycée (Year 7-13) and British Section (Year 10-13) Ealing
OFSTED
André Malraux Primary School
For over one hundred years, we have been at the forefront of international education. Nurturing skills and inspiring ideas. Fostering confidence, solidarity and ambition. Helping pupils to develop into accomplished world citizens. Together, we will explore your child’s talents and widen their horizons. Registrations are still open for 2022 school start
www.lyceefrancais.org.uk
Nursery to Year 6
Fulham Marie d’Orliac Primary School Nursery to Year 6
Clapham Ecole primaire de Wix Reception to Year 6