FREE
IN THIS ISSUE
What’s On Easter Clubs & Classes Travel
March/April 2022
Familiesonline.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.uk March/April 1
RE
EXPLO
G AMAZINICKS LEGO® BR RES U
SCULPT
Join us for the Animal Paradise LEGO® Bricks Tour at Festival Place Every day from
8th – 19th APRIL Discover and learn about endangered animals from around the world.
I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H TM
Festival Place couldn’t be easier to find! We're just minutes off junction 6 of the M3 and easily accessible by bus or train. For more info visit festivalplace.co.uk 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 of companies. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Juris A/S.
2 March/April
@festivalplace Familiesonline.co.uk
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
Clubs & classes
7
What’s on
10 Education
Get out and about with the family again. Plan a 17 Easter unique UK wildlife encounter and find those lesservisited location spots in our Travel section. 20 Spring outdoors With the cost-of-living increasing, saving money is 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.
22 Travel 25 Health 26 Family life 28 Early years 30 Mother’s Day gifts 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! Worth £77.99 each Perfect for summer fun! APPLY HERE Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk
T&Cs apply
March/April 3
CLUBS & CLASSES
Perform classes will build your child’s confidence Perform puts children’s social development at the heart of its weekly sessions for ages 4 to 7 and 7 to 12. Using performing arts-based games and inspiring activities, classes are designed to boost confidence, build concentration, develop communication skills and hone co-ordination – and are brimming with fun and laughter too. Run by professionally trained actors, dancers and singers, classes are small to ensure individual attention, with regular progress reports provided. Free apps, music downloads and dance videos support each theme, meaning the fun continues at home! But don’t just take Perform’s word for it, see what parents say HERE. ‘The beaming smile you see when Annabelle finishes a class is so wonderful to see. She has grown in confidence and thoroughly enjoys it.’ Katie Pashley
***SPECIAL OFFER*** Perform is offering Families readers a special £40 introductory discount on bookings made by 31 March – just quote HN310322
Never want to miss another issue? SIGN UP NOW IT’S FREE FREE
TAKE ME HOME
s Magaz
in
ri
years
ud
e
o
ie
30
nt
il
Pr
Book a no-obligation FREE trial class in Andover, Basingstoke, Bramley, Fleet or Hartley Whitney HERE, email or call 020 7255 9120.
Magazine
Fa m
Regardless of when children join in the term, they can still take part in the end of term performance. Classes are for all abilities; just prepare your child for the best fun of the week!
to be
P
.co.uk
familiesonline 1
May/June 202
Magazine
4 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
CLUBS & CLASSES
Holiday clubs Jubilee Jets Holiday Club Jubilee Jets is an action-packed holiday club for children based in Padworth, West Berkshire. Every day is filled with a great range of activities such as arts and crafts, baking or construction. Find out more HERE.
Youth Options After School and Holiday Club
The Scott Centre in Andover, offer’s a range of activities such as sports, arts and crafts, social time, computer activities, a homework area, a quiet area and outside play. All settings are registered with OFSTED and all staff work within the Early Years Foundation Stage guidelines. Find out more HERE or email.
Stagecoach Easter Workshop
Children and teenagers can make friends, have fun and develop some great new skills singing, dancing and acting at Stagecoach’s Easter Workshop. Work with professional actors putting on a musical using your favourite shows. For ages 4-18 years. Workshops take place at Sherfield School from 11-14 April or Stockton House School in Fleet from 19-22 April. For more information email Danica. Familiesonline.co.uk
ASK ABOUT OUR TWO WEEK TRIAL
Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds
March/April 5
CLUBS & CLASSES
Easter holiday activity Club at Queen Mary’s College Join Queen Mary’s College from Mon 11 to Thu 14 April and Tues 19 to Fri 22 April for thier children’s holiday activity club for ages 7–11 years. Sporting Stars runs Monday to Friday from 8.30am-4.30pm. Children will take part in a wide range of activities that will vary on a daily basis so no day will be the same. They swim every day at 11am, so make sure to pack swim wear! Activities include football, basketball, badminton, rounder’s, kwik cricket and much more. Creative and Esports Stars runs Monday to Friday from 8.30– 11am. These workshops offer the opportunity to get creative or compete in the gaming arena. Children can stay the whole day and join our main activity group for a swim and range of sporting activities for just £10 extra! More info HERE. ed ! Arm unt S & sco NH es di c for
‘Why fit in when you were born to stand out?’ Jubilee Gems is a small and friendly, term time nursery set in rural West Berkshire with a passion for outdoor learning and play.
• For babies & children aged 3 months to 5 years old • Set in 60 acres of farmland and woodland • Experts in Forest School learning • Freshly prepared food • Funding available “When you have that daily ‘Mum guilt’ about going off to work it’s outweighed knowing how cared for they are at Jubilee. The staff are creative, caring and go above and beyond on a daily basis.” - Parent review on daynurseries.co.uk - 2020 For more information, to arrange a visit or order a prospectus visit:
www.jubileegems.co.uk School Road, Padworth, RG7 4JA|0118
6 March/April
983 4018|info@jubileegems.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.uk
WHAT’S ON
What’s on All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed. Unti Sun 13 Mar Science Chefs at Winchester Science Centre Explore the chemistry of how foods supply your body with different amounts of energy.
Sat 26 & Sun 27 Mar Mother’s Day at Milestones Museum Bring mum to Milestones and enjoy a special Mother’s Day cream tea.
Throughout Mar & Apr Superworm Trail at Alice Holt Join Superworm and friends on their brand-new adventure at Alice Holt Forest. 3+.
Sun 26 Mar Ugg ‘n’ Ogg and The World’s First Dogg at Phoenix Theatre Arts The mindboggling tale of how two Yorkshire hunter-gatherers palled up with the wolves and saved us from doglessness.
Brick by Brick at Willis Museum An exciting display of artwork by international artists who use LEGO® bricks as their inspiration. Sun 13 Mar Dear Zoo at The Haymarket Lots of laughs and audience interaction. 2+.
Sat 2-Sun 24 Apr Garden Birds Egg Hunt at Gilbert White’s House & Garden Enjoy an Easter Egg trail this spring.
Fri 8-Tue 19 Apr Animal Paradise LEGO® at Festival Sat 19 Mar-Sun 8 Place May Discover and Planet Protectors learn about at Winchester endangered Science Centre animals from More on page 8. around the world. Familiesonline.co.uk
Sat 9-Sun 24 Apr Easter Egg Hunt at The Vyne Treat your little ones to a world of adventures at the Easter adventures in nature trails. Sat 9-Sun 24 Apr Play Days: Games at the Museum Enjoy fun and games through the years at Milestones Museum. Tue 12 Apr Kathakali at Phoenix Theatre Arts A blend of theatre, dance, drama, stunning costumes and storytelling. 6+.
Thu 14 Apr Kids Club Craft Easter Workshop at Phoenix Theatre Arts Messy fun for ages 5-9 years. Thu 21 Apr The Wizard of Oz Easter Panto at The Anvil Packed with brilliant dance routines, well known pop songs, lots of audience participation and plenty of laughter! Sat 30 Apr Twirlywoos Live at The Haymarket The Twirlywoos are brought to life with inventive puppetry, promising an hour of colourful fun and laughter. The mind-boggling tale of how two Yorkshire huntergatherers palled up with the wolves and saved us from doglessness. A hilarious new play for the whole family.
Saturday 26 March 2.30pm Box Office 01420 472664 www.phoenixarts.co.uk
The Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre Station Road, Bordon, GU35 0LR
March/April 7
WHAT’S ON
What’s on Science meets fashion new explosive live show
Go wild at Festival Place this Easter Come face-to-face with an African lion, Bengal tiger and a giant panda at Festival Place in Basingstoke this Easter.
Grab your velour tracksuit and put on your tinted sunglasses. Winchester Science Centre continues its celebration of 20 years of science wow by taking visitors back to the ‘stylish’ days of 2002. From Sat 19 to Sun 8 May, visitors will be recruited to the Planet Protectors, a team of noughties eco-fashion warriors. Fun facts and explosive demos will bring to life how fashion can affect the climate. Visitors can also blast off into the Solar System in the Planetarium, get hands-on with the two floors of interactive exhibits and head outside into nature in Bio:Space. And that’s not all.... There are two brand new shows ready to blast visitors off on an adventure in the Planetarium. Head off on an outof-this-world family journey in the live show, Atmospheres. Every planet is unique, including our own. MORE INFO 8 March/April
The retail and leisure destination will host the BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise model trail from 8-19 April, giving visitors the chance to learn about endangered animals from around the world. BRICKLIVE has used hundreds of thousands of brightly coloured bricks to hand build 15 models also including an orangutan, macaw, dolphin and snow leopard. Festival Place is inviting explorers to track these incredible animals through wildlands, across snow and ice, over the ocean and through the jungle. Record their adventures at jeep and ice cap selfie zones. Each model will have an information stand with facts about the animal alongside the number of bricks used to build the statue and how long it took. Trail maps will be available. MORE INFO Familiesonline.co.uk
WHAT’S ON
Get the best out of family life!
FRE
TAK
E ME
Magazine
es Mag
Activities Tips/Advice Days Out
t
in
o
years
d
Easter Fun at Gilbert White's House! Use this voucher for one free child. Valid April 2022 only.
IN THIS ISSUE
a
ne
Pr
u
ili
30
zi
Fa
SIGN UP HERE to receive every issue IT’S FREE! m
Garden Birds Egg Hunt E
HOME
r to be P
May/June 2021
familiesonline.c o.uk
Magazine
To advertise your business in our next issue and reach 1,000’s of local parents, contact us today.
GU34 3JH www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk
Email Rebecca or call 07789 882467 for more information.
Super worm
Trail
m Join Superwor w ne dan br on a ail at interactive tr st re Fo t ol H e Alic
At home activities
Superh
ero headquar ters Make a superhero headquarters the creatures for in your garden
Share
your photos
#SuperwormTrail Forestry England
forestryengland.uk/ superworm
You will need: Natural items such as stones, wood, grass, leaves Coloured paper Pens/colouring pencils
Scissors A stick Tape
!
roes
erhe
st sup
How to make
Super er burrow
and all forerpower ! mask a supeyour Pick it to stick
1. 1
ing
Super
pe
feet
Su
Co m mo n
r strong
ly rs
2. 2
to
3. 3
Trail
m
the headquar
Use your scissors to cut a creature headquartersout sign from your coloured paper, and your pens decorate it using or pencils. Tape your headquarters sign to your stick. Find a sheltered spot in your garden natural itemsand place your pile or house in either a shape.
orm Superw activities ©2012 & TM
el
Supe
ad
Toad
fast
Call
Julia Donaldson/
4. 4
5 5.
ters
Stick your sign in the ground next headquarters,to your inviting the creatures to come inside. Come back see if any later to creatures have moved in! Welcom superhe e roes!
Axel Scheffl er.
Creature fact cards
Key facts
Please ©2012
& TM
recycle Julia
/ Axel
er. Licensed Scheffl
by Magic
Type of creature: Amphibian. both on land They live and in water Diet: Slugs, snails, spiders, worms, ants Lifespan: Ltd 10-12 years Pictures Light Please recycle
Donaldson
Listen out
©2012 &
TM Julia
Donaldson/
Axel Scheffl er.
Toads make a high-pitched “qwark-qwark ” sound. They are particularly noisy in spring when they return to ponds to find a mate.
land.uk
forestryeng
With fun trail pack
Find out more at: forestryengland.uk/superworm © 2012 & TM Julia Donaldson / Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.
Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 9
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
10 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Finding or setting up a Forest School
Help, we didn’t get our school choice!
By Emma Lewry
© Coco Jones
Want a Forest School toddler group? A school offering Forest School? Find here. Nothing in your area? Parents/ childminders can train as leaders. Find a trainer offering ongoing support on the Forest School Association (FSA) website.
Familiesonline.co.uk
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
March/April 11
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+.
12 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
EDUCATION
Does spelling matter? By Jemma Zoe Smith As a dyslexic tutor, my answer does not fit squarely on one side of the fence. Spelling is a recognised core skill which helps with reading, processing and pronunciation. But should anyone be penalised for having important and novel ideas, simply because they struggle to write them down? In UK primary schools, children are given regular spelling tests and spelling is tested at each stage of pupils’ lives. 11+ exams, SATs, GCSEs and even some job interviews require a writing task without spellcheck. So yes, spelling must matter because it is tested at so many points in the UK (although not so much in the USA). Fail to master spelling and it is harder to make it to top universities or careers. READ MORE Nurture
Opportunity
Growth
Maisie Story Writer Musician Swimmer Baker
Come and join our family school Open Mornings
Saturday 19th March Friday 29th April
admissions@yateleymanor.com Familiesonline.co.uk
Yateley Manor www.yateleymanor.com March/April 13
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+
14 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
Calling parents living in Hampshire!
Find out how you could own Families Hampshire North Magazine! FIND OUT MORE HERE EMAIL US NOW
FREE
Hampshire North
IN THIS
ISSUE
Christm as Educatio n Family lif e
Familiesonline.co.uk
Novem nline ber .co.u /De k
Familieso
cember 20
21
March/April 15 FamilieNove son
line.ccemb o.uerk
mber/De
1
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 16 March/April
Magazine
T&Cs apply
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 17
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
18 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
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.
Familiesonline.co.uk
With white chocolate and decorated with milk chocolate.
Caramayo Chocolate Easter Sandwich
Milk chocolate with naturally coloured yellow and white speckles.
March/April 19
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
20 March/April
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 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 22 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
TRAVEL
Lesser-visited UK staycation spots Avoid the crowds! Try one of these lesser-visited staycations spots put together for Families by Gabrielle Nash.
Lundy Island, Devon
Tenby, Wales
The journey to this showstopping island is an adventure! The kids will love taking the ferry over from Ilfracombe. The name Lundy means puffin, the island’s most famous resident. Enjoy a back to nature holiday with just a handful of other inhabitants, staying in one of the historical properties. There’s even a lighthouse you can stay in!
Tenby is the perfect location for a family holiday but so often overlooked in favour of more traditional spots. Stunning sandy beaches are the major draw card but the town has a vibrant atmosphere, colourful cottages and an array of family-friendly eateries. There are also plenty of family attractions nearby.
Dungeness, Kent
Aberdeen, Scotland
Dungeness is a quiet settlement on Britain’s largest shingle beach. The well-known power station makes a great rainy-day activity and opportunity for kids to find out how electricity is generated. Surrounding it lies a beautiful nature reserve. Stay in a seaside property and take the narrow-gauge steam train out to Dymchurch and Hythe.
Perched on the east coast of Scotland, Aberdeen has a beautiful sandy beach to one side and the striking mountains, the Cairngorms to the other. Take the trail of seventeen castles you can even stay the night in one! For activities, check out the busy harbour for boat-loving kids and don’t miss the Science Centre.
Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 23
TRAVEL
Lesser-visited UK staycation spots Avoid the crowds! Try one of these lesser-visited staycations spots put together for Families by Gabrielle Nash.
County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Bamburgh, Northumberland
In Northern Ireland’s lake district in the south-west of Northern Ireland, you’ll find beautiful accommodation options from a lodge on a private island to luxury camping. Kids will love the walk through the Marble Arch caves or enjoy taking a trip on the waterbus. A must-see is the medieval Enniskillen Castle.
Situated on a vast stretch of golden sand on the Northumberland coast, Bamburgh is a family holiday dream. The stunning Bamburgh castle sits imposingly above the beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Try surfing or windsurfing, or head to a local cafe for some freshly caught fish.
The Wye Valley
Cheshire
The Wye Valley is an area of outstanding natural beauty with the River Wye running through it. The area offers a great family holiday with opportunities to try wild swimming, fishing or canoeing. Whether you fancy a log cabin with a hot tub or glamping with the kids, you’ll find plenty of choice.
With some great family-friendly attractions, enjoy Cheshire’s beautiful countryside or opt for a city break in Chester. For space lovers, there’s a new visitor centre at the observatory Jodrell Bank, kids will love Chester Zoo and everyone will enjoy the Ice Cream Farm, a theme park dedicated to ice cream!
24 March/April
Familiesonline.co.uk
HEALTH
One snack too many? Even if your child is a healthy weight, it’s not great if they eat little nutritious food and get most of their energy from unhealthy or sugary snacks. Public Health England advises parents that sticking to two packaged snacks a day and keeping them each at under 100 calories (kcals) or 418 kilojoules (kJs) is really important for children. The food label usually states how many calories are contained in 100 grams or 100 millilitres of the food or drink you are buying, so do compare the calorie content of
different products. The free NHS Food Scanner app helps you scan product barcodes to find healthier alternatives. You’ll be surprised at how high the energy intake is for some common snacks.
Calories in popular packaged kids’ snacks Nature Valley Crunchy Oats & Honey Bar Packet of Walkers Ready Salted Crisps 32.5g KitKat 2 Finger Bar Soreen malt lunchbox loaf Cheestring McVities Ginger Nut Biscuit Mini Milk Ice Cream Lolly Froot Shoot Orange Juice Drink Fruit Shoot hydro water
823kJ 706kJ 436kJ 380kJ 253kJ 196kJ 134kJ 40kJ 8kJ
or 196kcal or 169kcal or 104kcal or 90kcal or 61kcal or 47kcal or 32kcal or 10 kcal or 1.8kcal
Useful online resources Better Health – tips, tools and apps to help you improve your family’s health. The Eatwell Guide – how much should you eat from each food group? Plus healthy snacks ideas. BMI healthy weight calculator - calculates healthy weight. Familiesonline.co.uk
March/April 25
FAMILY LIFE
Top green family products If you’re looking to replace existing family products with something new, then why not consider these green options?
Reusable bamboo straws
Eco-friendly backpack
Beeswax food & sandwich wraps
100% USDA certified organic with all-natural plant-based cleaning brush.
Large enough for A4 books and folders. 100% recycled polyester.
Award-winning reusable wraps. 100% organic cotton and British beeswax.
Biodegradable & recycled swim towels
Reusable snack bag
Disposable econappies
Reusable nappy
Reusable cutlery
Beeswax crayons
Quick dry towels. 100% recyclable materials and biodegradable cotton.
Award-winning, adjustable, all in one, washable and reusable.
26 March/April
Perfect alternative to single-use sandwich bags and cling film.
100% organic bamboo. Suitable for everyday use or picnics.
Sustainable organic bamboo fibre, plant based liners. 100% compostable.
Natural beeswax crayons made with minimum of 25% beeswax.
Familiesonline.co.uk
FAMILY LIFE
Reducing the cost of family living Get a grip of finances
Make savings
Get support
Never want to miss another issue? FREE
TAKE ME HOME
Magazine
s Magaz
30
ri
years
ud
e
o
ie
nt
il
in
Familiesonline.co.uk
SIGN UP NOW IT’S FREE
Pr
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.
Fa m
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.
to be
P
.co.uk
familiesonline
1 May/June 202
Magazine
March/April 27
EARLY YEARS
Transitioning a toddler from cot to bed By Charlotte Woods and Jo Taylor Amidst the 2am online searches on ‘how to help your toddler get some sleep,’ you may have wondered when the right time is for your little one to graduate from a cot to a bed. In truth, there isn’t a one-size-fitsall answer. Do they need to use the toilet at night? Do they try to climb out of the cot? Is the cot needed for a new sibling? Or do you just feel they are emotionally and physically ready? Once you have decided it’s time, take steps to prepare for this exciting stage of development. It’s about building up and instilling confidence in your child. Think about sleep habits Make sure they can self-soothe and keep sleep prompts consistent eg white noise, a comforter or familiar song. Create a safe environment Check your child’s bedroom for anything unsafe. Ensure windows can’t be opened and consider using a stairgate. Establish a bedtime routine Maintain what works, such as a short bath, stories and cuddles – these all help to make the 28 March/April
experience more familiar. Communicate changes positively Talk to your child in age-appropriate language and use books such as: Princess Polly’s My Big Girl Bed and Pirate Pete’s My Big Boy Bed. Prepare the sleep space Get your toddler involved. Choose bed covers together and personalise their bedframes with stickers. Think about photos of loved ones and a night light too. Pre-empt bedtime requests Making their favourite meal before bed or introducing water in a beaker on the bedside table help with settling. If they need a nappy/ pyjama change, have everything to hand for minimum fuss. READ MORE
Familiesonline.co.uk
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 29
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 30 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
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 Familiesonline.co.uk
Magazine
March/April 31