Families Hampshire West March/April Digital Issue

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Hampshire West

IN THIS ISSUE

Education Easter Outdoor Activities Travel

March/April 2021

Familiesonline.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk March/April 1

CLUBS & CLASSES

It’s Time for Your Child to Shine at a FREE Perform Class Perform classes are back in person this summer term and there’s no better time for your child to try a class.

Packed with self-esteem boosting activities, these weekly classes will help children get back to doing the things they love most. With a focus on developing confidence, Local Venues: communication, coordination and concentration, Perform uses a mix of Chandler’s Ford drama, dance and singing to bring Lymington out every child’s potential.

Romsey Southampton The termly curriculum ensures Winchester plenty of fun, friendship and laughter, with drama games, catchy songs and funky dances. Class Enjoy Perform’s Easter material is specially designed by Holiday Course Perform, with apps, downloads and Beauty & the Beast videos for the children to enjoy at home. Small classes, run by warm, This Easter, Perform children are friendly and enthusiastic teachers, ensure plenty of individual attention venturing into the spooky wood to explore the enchanting tale of and each child receives a progress Beauty & the Beast. With songs, report every ten weeks. dancing, costumes and music, this magical performance will delight Classes are available for ages 4-7 and 7-12 with a new creative theme family and friends. A perfect holiday treat for children ages 4 to 10 years! each term.

Dates: 7-9 April. Three-day courses, 10am to 3pm daily in Winchester.

BOOK A NO-OBLIGATION FREE TRIAL CLASS. BOOK AN EASTER HOLIDAY COURSE. 2 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

CONTENTS

In This Issue

Welcome

4

Education

10

Early Years

13

Local News

Spring is nearly here! And a very welcome one after what feels like the longest winter ever.

14

Travel

16

Easter Activities

20 Science Activities 21

Outdoor Activities

22 Books 24 Family Life 28 Family Health 29 April Fool’s Day

With promise of the world opening up again soon, we hope you find inspiration, hope, ideas and fun within these pages.

We have lots of great family activities for Easter and some ideas for making outside time a little bit more exciting, now that the cold weather is easing.

32 Outdoor Fun

And there are some great suggestions for memorable staycation holidays in England, Scotland and Wales.

Connect with us

Keep smiling everybody!

30 Environment

Get in touch Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Competition Winners from our Nov/Dec issue Weronika Puchala, Luna Smith, Kelly McGleish, Simone Ayres, Taya Freeman, Katie Scott, Melanie Oley, Jenni Weston, Annelien Bass, Virginie Renaut, Lauren Powell, Margaret Challen, Maria Jornet Escuet, Philomena Price, Sophie Venables, Vicki Wright, Stephanie Chan, Chalice Palmores.

March/April 3

EDUCATION

Special Offer For New Pupils Starting at Charlton House School, Southampton Charlton House Independent School is a non-selective, coeducational day school for boys and girls aged 4 to 11 and benefits from being located close to the heart of Southampton, uniquely situated within acres of spectacular open fields and woodlands.

The school is modern, and vibrant with all classrooms having a wealth of space, natural light and ventilation. The main building is home to an extensive music and performing arts studio; a large modern multi-purpose gymnasium; a languages suite and a recently refurbished boundless library where pupils can immerse themselves in a wide range of literature offered in different media. Solid foundations in core subjects are secured at an early stage in each child’s education.

Small classes are taught by experienced teachers to ensure

individualised learning across a broad and rich curriculum.

Charlton House School are offering an impressive 20% discount off the first three terms for all new pupils.

Fees can be paid yearly, termly or monthly. Plus, they also offer a 10% discount for a second sibling and further discounts for more siblings.

Please quote ‘Families Magazine’ when you enquire for more details.

Virtual and socially distanced personal tours (guidance permitting) are available, please call 02380 671739.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHARLTON HOUSE SCHOOL HERE.

Take a virtual tour of Charlton House 4 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Autism and Education One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Is Online Tutoring Effective?

By Jane Constantine

By Lucy Spencer

Today I cried with happiness at an email. It contained a glowing report of my 11 year old autistic daughter’s progress at school in recent days. We’re in lockdown and it’s her first year at a specialist secondary school.

I’m so proud of how far she has come.

READ MORE

If you’ve had time to breathe between home schooling, work and parenting, you may have wondered about the effectiveness of online tutoring.

Like any online experience, the answer depends on many factors, particularly the facilitator, the goal and the environment.

READ MORE

Charlton House Independent School Southampton

Igniting their passion for learning...

A non-selective, co-educational, independent school for 4 - 11 year olds.

Discover a nurturing setting where their confidence will flourish and their future potential is unlocked.

Enrolment Now Open: 023 8067 1739 www.charltonhouseindependentschool.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 5

EDUCATION

Free Maths Downloadables Use these high quality maths resources from PlanBee to help support your child’s learning.

Converting Measures Chart

What is the Question?

Fractions of Numbers Posters

This handy chart helps to convert a variety of different measures.

Work backwards from the answer to find the question.

Watermelon-themed posters that explain the concept of fractions.

Position Puzzles

Interpret positional language to put the shapes in the correct place.

Multiple Mazes

Identify the multiples of the 2/5/10 times table.

3 levels of difficulty.

Place Value Game

24-Hour Time Display

Times Table Booklet

Compare the Money Cards

Help your child tell the time on 12 and 24-hour clocks.

6 March/April

All the times tables in one handy booklet!

What numbers go in the place value columns to win the point?

Recognise coins. Use for playing Snap or Matching Pairs.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Supporting your Child’s Return to School

Helping your Child be an Effective Learner

By Catherine Lynch

By Gail Hugman

For the second time in a year children have experienced major turbulence in their school lives.

The restrictions of the latest lockdown have been piled on top of months of change, anxiety and uncertainty. So how can parents support their child’s transition back to school?

READ MORE

Many things can get in the way of a child learning effectively: dislike of practising difficult things; being discouraged by failure; comparing themselves with others; or simply not making much effort. If you feel your child is underperforming, what can you do?

READ MORE

The Gregg Schools Independent day schools for boys and girls aged 3-16 years old

School and College (6-25 years)

AD SEN01

www.thegreggschool.org

The Sheiling Ringwood Individualised and flexible approach to placements.

The Gregg Preparatory School 17-19 Winn Road Southampton SO17 1EJ Tel 02380 557352 office@thegreggprep.org

www.thegreggprep.org

Daily tours available

Set in a stunning, Day sustainable and eco-friendly 40-acre and residential. site close to the New Forest and Dorset coastline, the Proud to have launched our and newcollege website, natural surroundings of our school provide virtual tours and a YouTube channel a rich, enabling and therapeutic learning environment You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin for students who have special educational needs.

www.thesheilingringwood.co.uk Call on 01425 477488 We offer an individualised and flexible approach to placements. Day and residential. We also offer respite services for our students during the holidays.

Call 01425 477488 www.thesheilingringwood.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk Families Mag Oct2020.indd 1

Set in a stunning, sustainable and eco-friendly 45-acre site close to the New Forest and Dorset coastline, the natural surroundings of our school and college provide a rich, enabling and therapeutic learning environment for students who have special educational needs.

School and College (6-25 years)

Registering now for 2021 The Gregg School Townhill Park House Cutbush Lane Southampton SO18 3RR Tel 02380 472133 office@thegreggschool.org

The Sheiling Ringwood Discover more

March/April 7 27/08/2020 11:03

EDUCATION

Support your Child’s Love and Learning of Music

Meet the Orchestra with the Royal Albert Hall Fun introduction to the world of percussion for young children.

Gentle Guitar

Online guitar school with lessons for children ages 5-12.

BBC Play the Noise

Explore the elements of a song. Play/clap along.

Listen back to your own version.

8 March/April

Cbeebies Radio Prom Podcast

Enjoy an imaginary musical journey to the moon with this podcast.

On Stage at Home Nordoff Robbins & the Clangers

Young children have fun making music using household objects.

Virtual Musical Instruments

Chrome Music Lab

Naxos Music Box

Sing Up at Home

Fun, hands-on music Learn & create music. experiments. Make and Play instruments online learn your own songs. using PC keyboard/ mouse.

Interactive musical resource for ages 4-12.

Activities, puzzles, quizzes.

Keep kids learning & singing. Free online resources and A-Z playlist.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Device Free Learning

By Dr Amanda Gummer

Explore Your Future with Fire Tech

For many parents, home learning has been very challenging, with spotty Wi-Fi wreaking havoc and children battling to use the same device. The good news is that remote learning lessons on a device are not the only way that parents can support their child’s learning at home.

READ MORE

Critical thinking, problemsolving, design and effective use of technology are key for the future jobs market. Fire Tech courses for 8-17 year olds build these skills, empowering kids to explore the tech universe. kids can learn coding, games design, digital music production and work with AI. FIND OUT MORE.

Why is My Child Teaching Another Child?

COURSES EASTER ONLINE

By Annabel Gray

Just before the pandemic struck, I was in a café when I accidentally overheard a conversation between two mums. One was expressing her outrage that, at school, her child had been teaching another child to read. Let me share with you a secret about this.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

EXPLORE YOUR FUTURE

— Junior Inventor (NEW) COURSES — Creative Digital Design For Kids Aged 8-17 — Teen Coding with Python BeginGame 29th Design March — Video & MORE! — Python Coding — Game Design — Music Production — AI & MORE!

LIVE TEACHING SMALL CLASS SIZES REAL WORLD SKILLS

£25 OFF* Promo Code FAMILIES25

Join an adventure in a universe of tech

fire-tech.com *T&Cs apply

March/April 9

EARLY YEARS

Easy Games and Activities for Toddlers

Running out of ideas for keeping the little ones busy? Here’s some you may not have tried.

Hair Cutting Station

Shaving Cream Paper

Spring Play Dough Garden

Pompom Drop

Posting box

Rainbow Rice

Tugging Box

Book Drop

Car Wash Tunnel

10 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

Exciting Times for Early Years at Stroud School

During Lockdown, the Stroud School Early Years team continued to have fun and engaged pupils with lesson videos, live Zoom sessions and plenty of opportunities to be together, virtually of course! Keeping everyone in touch and maintaining the wonderful sense of Stroud community is so important and the school is very excited at all pupils coming back together to learn in bubbles.

At Stroud, the youngest children begin their school life in the purposebuilt Elizabeth Sanger-Davies Centre, designed with the needs of the child at its heart. The Centre has four classrooms, a large communal learning area, outdoor classroom and garden. These areas, along with the extensive school surroundings, provide countless opportunities for children to learn purposefully and creatively, both indoors and out.

The highly successful Forest School programme forms an integral part of the Early Years Foundation Stage, enhancing learning in a natural environment.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT STROUD SCHOOL HERE.

Stroud School, Romsey King Edward VI Preparatory School

Forever Undaunted creative A traditional prep school with a

www.stroud-kes.org.uk

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heart

March/April 11

Advertisement

12 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

LOCAL NEWS

Join the Sound Detectives this Spring at Winchester Science Centre Winchester Science Centre’s Year of Sound kicks off in May with a mystery that only an exceptional bunch of Sound Detectives will be able to solve. Do you have what it takes to join them on a fun and daring mission to uncover the truth about sound? From Saturday 22 May to Sunday 11 July, including May half term, super sleuths in training and their families can dig into the facts about how sound is created in nature in a brand new free live science show called Sound Detectives. There will also be the chance to experience the magic of the UK’s largest standalone Planetarium, get involved in nature activities in the indoor/outdoor experimentation zone, Bio:Space and adventure through the brand new interactive sound and hearing exhibition.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK TICKETS CLICK HERE.

Ticket Giveaway For Winchester Science Centre T&Cs apply

Enjoy a family day out at Winchester Science Centre this summer. Sign up to receive our digital magazine and we’ll enter you into draw.

SIGN UP HERE IT’S FREE Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 13

TRAVEL

UK Holiday Inspiration Families top ideas for places to enjoy a brilliant staycation in the UK this year! Please adhere to Covid-19 government guidelines when travelling.

Bodmin Jail Hotel in Cornwall

Rocks at Plas Curi in North Wales

Bovey Castle & Spa Hotel in Devon

4-star boutique hotel within the walls of the 18th century prison.

5* hostel near Snowdon + Zipworld.

Family friendly luxury.

5*, child-friendly, relaxed, dogs welcome.

Plenty of activities.

Crewe Hall in Cheshire

Eco Glamping in Wales

Eilean Shona in Scotland

Luxury stay, famed afternoon tea, family attractions nearby.

185 acres for walking, hiking and wild swimming.

Cottages on magical private island off Scotland’s west coast.

Winchcombe Farm in Warwickshire

Scilly Isles

The Little Retreat in Pembrokeshire

Five unique tree houses at this gorgeous glamping retreat.

14 March/April

Sand-fringed islands, warm waters, empty beaches. 28m from Cornish coast.

Luxury glamping in castle grounds in coastal National Park.

Familiesonline.co.uk

TRAVEL

Book your Next Holiday Getaway with Away Resorts Away Resorts offer a choice of seven fabulous UK locations, from countryside to coast, giving you the opportunity to fall in love with a new type of holiday. A holiday that puts you first, where your accommodation is off-the-scale amazing and where new experiences await at every turn.

Their parks are jam-packed with fantastic facilities, from on-site restaurants and bars to indoor and outdoor swimming pools. As for entertainment and events– well, there’s something to keep every member of the family grinning from ear to ear. You can be sure of a holiday that will create “remember when we did that?” moments, lasting a lifetime.

FIND OUT MORE

Join the staycation nation...

Manchester Lincoln

Barmouth Bay

UK getaways from £151*

Boston West Birmingham

Mersea Island

• Stunning locations

Cardiff Bristol

• Unique accommodation • Fantastic facilities including swimming pools and on-site restaurants and bars • Outstanding entertainment

Tattershall Lakes

London

Sandy Balls Mill Rythe Plymouth

Whitecliff Bay

• Jam-packed activity programmes • Dog-friendly

Book your next getaway in confidence at awayresorts.co.uk or call us on 03432 496 310 @AwayResortsHolidays

@AwayResortsUK

@AwayResortsHolidays

*Price based on a 2-night stay at Tattershall Lakes in a Value caravan in June. Price correct at time of print. Any day arrivals are applicable to a 2-night minimum. For more information on our Coronavirus Booking Guarantee, please visit our website.

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 15

EASTER

Best Easter Craft Projects for Families

Paper Easter Wreath

Salt Dough Easter Eggs

Tin Foil Easter Egg Art

Easter Bonnet

Bunny Bunting

Sock Bunny

Bunny Corner Bookmark

Dye Easter Eggs

Bean Bag Easter Chick

16 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EASTER

Set Up an Easter Egg Hunt

Use our clues to set up an Easter Egg Hunt in your house.

Laundry and Kitchen

With this clue, you’ll have to follow your nose, where does mummy put all your stinky clothes? (Laundry basket) In this place it’s very cold, “Close the door properly!!” you’re always being told. (Freezer)

Bedroom

In here, daddy puts his toes, take a big breathe though and cover your nose! (Shoes/slippers) Where do you go when it’s time for sleep? Take a look here, there’s some treats to keep. (Bed)

Find me in the kitchen, I’m a big cold white appliance. (Fridge)

You put this on when you’re cold, ‘Fasten it up properly” you’re always being told. (Coat)

I have a sound that goes beep, and my main function is to heat.

(Microwave)

In this place you’ll find hundreds of pages, reading them all would take you ages! (Book shelves)

I take your clothes for quite a spin, but first, they get wet. That’s how I begin. (Washing machine)

Find me when you need to know how to spell a word. (Dictionary – Book shelves)

Other Rooms

In this place, it’s very wet, it’s where you and the duckies very first met. (Bath) I rain on you when you need a scrub, I’m very much like my friend the tub. (Shower)

Stay K’nexted!

Sign up to our digital magazine and receive your free gift from K’nex!

In this place we’re supposed to wipe our feet, open the door to see who to greet. (Front door) This is where you eat your dinner, find the hidden clue and you’re the winner! (Dining table) I have hands but no arms, just a face and my hands move at a steady pace. (Clock) I have four legs, but I don’t have feet, I come in handy when it’s time to eat. (Chair) Familiesonline.co.uk

SIGN UP HERE IT’S FREE! Magazine

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March/April 17

EASTER

The Great Families Easter Bake Off

Easter Egg Cookies

Easter Bunny Pancakes

Chocolate Krispie Chick

Hot Cross Scones

Easter Egg Bark

Easy Easter Nests

Hot Cross Bun Doughnuts

Baa-lamb Muffins

Easter Egg Biscuits

18 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EASTER

Make an

Chick

With Easter just around the corner, it’s time for some crafty creating with your children to celebrate. This simple craft from Kidzplay Playbox takes just minutes to set up and creates a colourful Easter chick.

You will need: * Eyes, beak, legs and feet pictured here * Scissors * Glue * Yellow Tissue Squares * Feathers * Paper Plate

Step-by-step guide: Step 1 Cover the paper plate in glue.

Step 5 Fold the beak in half and stick to the plate and then add the eyes.

Step 2 Stick the tissue squares onto the plate.

Step 3 Fold the legs along the dotted lines to make them bendy.

Step 6 Finally stick the feathers onto the plate to make the wings.

Step 4 Attach the feet to the legs and then stick the feet on the plate.

Step 7 Leave to dry before displaying.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 19

SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

Fun Science Projects at Home Your kids will love these cool experiments and activities. Adult supervision may be required!

Make a Balloon Powered Car

Create Crystal Snowflakes

Build an Electromagnet

Make a Sensory Bottle

Create Giant Bubbles

Plant an Ice Garden

Make Magic Milk

Create a Cloud

Make Butter

20 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Spring “Make and Do” Outdoor Projects

Make a Bird Feeder

Search for Tadpoles

Make a Nature Journal

Make a Rain Gauge

Grow Butterflies

Make a Butterfly Feeder

Build a Den

Plant Tomatoes

Go Stargazing

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 21

BOOKS

Hot New Kids’ Books for 2021 All books can be purchased via Bookshop.org, an online bookshop which financially supports local, independent bookshops and of which Families Magazine is an affiliate.

Pip and Posy: The Friendly Snail

The Whale Who Wanted More

The Cat’s Cook Book

By Axel Scheffler.

Ages 0-2.

By Rachel Bright & Jim Field. Ages 1-5.

By Julia Donaldson.

Ages 2+.

Hom

The Woolly Bear Caterpillar

Nature Trail

By Jeanne Willis & Paddy Donnelly.

Ages 3+.

Draw with Rob: Build a Story

By Rob Biddulph.

Ages 3+.

22 March/April

By Julia Donaldson & Yuval Zommer.

Ages 3-5.

The Invisible

By Tom Percival.

Ages 3+.

By Benjamin Zephaniah & Nila Aye. Ages 3-5.

What Did the Tree See?

By Charlotte Guillain & Sam Usher. Ages 4-6.

Familiesonline.co.uk

BOOKS

Hot New Kids’ Books for 2021 All books can be purchased via Bookshop.org, an online bookshop which financially supports local, independent bookshops and of which Families Magazine is an affiliate.

RuPaul

By Maria Isabel Sanches Vegara.

Ages 4-7.

Wolfboy

By Andy Harkness.

Ages 4-8.

Move Like a Lion

Rainbow Grey

A Tangle of Spells

Space Detectives

Best Bites Cookbook

Dragon World

By Laura Ellen Anderson.

Ages 7-10.

By Omari McQueen.

Ages 8-11.

Familiesonline.co.uk

By Michelle Harrison.

Ages 8+.

By Radzi Chinyanganya.

Ages 5-7.

By Mark Powers and Dapo Adeola.

Ages 7+.

How to Grow Up

By Tamara Macfarlane. and Feel Amazing!

Ages 8-12.

By Dr Ranj Singh.

Ages 10-13.

March/April 23

FAMILY LIFE

Like Mary Poppins – Turn Jobs into Games….

Games and play ideas from The Good Play Guide that help children learn life skills in a fun and engaging way.

Tidy Up Game

Laundry Game

Bedroom Tidy

Ages 2+. Children tidy away their things by the end of a song.

Ages 2-3. Get children folding, sorting and matching the laundry.

Ages 3+. Makes another fun game out of tidying up.

Drying Up Game

Odd Socks Game

Changing Rooms

Ages 3+. Children dry up, playing ‘pick up sticks’ game with cutlery.

Ages 3+. Fun way to develop colour, shape & pattern recognition.

Ages 4+. Children learn to dress/undress and how buttons and zips work.

Running a Café

I Packed My Suitcase

Cooking

Ages 4+. Develops role play, social play, food/nutrition, money/ counting.

24 March/April

Ages 4+. Develops memory and concentration.

Ages 5+. Cooking and baking teaches children invaluable life skills.

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

NEXT ISSUE Massive Outdoor Toy Giveaway!

SIGN UP HERE to receive the next issue to your inbox Magazine

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Vintage inspired and bespoke knitwear for the modern day baby and toddler

Click here to shop Familiesonline.co.uk

Follow us March/April 25

FAMILY LIFE

Parenting Books that Don’t Shame!

Dr Sarah Mundy from Parenting through Stories selects accessible, evidence-based books that she’s appreciated as both a mum and a psychologist.

What To Expect Series

No Drama Discipline

A helpful resource covering pre-pregnancy to the toddler years.

Interprets neuroscience theory into practical parenting, with clear examples.

How to develop a secure attachment relationship with your child.

What Every Parent Needs to Know

The Danish Way of Parenting

Parenting Handbook

Calm Parents, Happy Kids

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read

Pulls together up-to-date Advice on raising kids research into practical from the world’s happiest and accessible advice. people!

Why parents need to manage their feelings, and children need connection and empathy.

26 March/April

Relate how you were parented, to how you parent.

The Power of Showing Up

Make sense of every day challenges together with your child.

The Gentle Parenting Book

Helping parents become confident and calm.

Putting gentle parenting into practice.

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

What is Family Mediation?

Talk, Read, Play: Crucial Skills for Parents

By Louisa Dickson

By Cristina Odone

“I’m getting divorced and need a solicitor.” Only Mums & Dads, a not-for-profit social enterprise that supports people through divorce, hears this statement daily. Their advice is always to try mediation first (where there is no domestic abuse) and if it breaks down, to try again. But why?

READ MORE

Lockdown has kept us at home with our children 24/7. Under these circumstances, we’d be forgiven for switching to autopilot, managing through the day without paying any special attention to our children: we’re always with them, so no special effort is needed, right? WRONG! READ MORE

Get Your Kids Recycling!

Families are Different! #ItsAllNormal

By Andrew Campbell

Everyone is responsible for creating waste, whether it’s leftovers on the dinner plate or the finished loo roll. And so everyone is responsible for sustainable waste disposal.

Here’s some great ideas for teaching children about recycling and encouraging them to get more involved.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

Tay and Chan Kabs, parents of the social media superstars The Kabs Family, spoke to Families about their new campaign with Haliborange - #ItsAllNormal. The campaign celebrates that we are all parenting in our own way, and it’s all normal. See #ItsAllNormal family stories on Instagram.

READ INTERVIEW March/April 27

HEALTH

FREE ‘End Emotional Explosions’ Online Course

Lucy Russell, mother and clinical psychologist at Everlief, a large child psychology clinic, has seen mental health issues in children accelerating in the last 12 months.

EXCLUSIV In response to demand, Everlief has launched a parent E support site, They Are The Future offering free and paid online courses, masterclasses and blog. These include Calm OFFER & Connected, aimed at parents with pre-teens affected by stress, anger or anxiety. Everlief is offering Families readers a FREE 5 day mini-course in which Lucy teaches the Cup Approach, a powerful tool for preventing emotional explosions. You will learn the science behind emotional explosions, two distinct ways to prevent them and what is meant by filling your child’s “cup.”

Access the mini course HERE.

Boost Your Child’s Mood

Growing Pains or HSD?

By Caroline Roope

By Ellie Malt

With everything the last year has flung at us, it’s understandable that we’re feeling somewhat deflated. Children in particular can be prone to mood swings because they have not yet developed the emotional language to express their feelings. Try these activities to help banish your child’s blues.

READ MORE

Remember your “double-jointed” classmate who kept doing the splits and bending their fingers into impossible positions? Now, this is known as hypermobility and up to four in ten young girls and about one in ten young boys have hyper-flexible joints. But when can hypermobility start to cause issues?

READ MORE

28 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

April Fool’s Day Prank Ideas In the Bathroom….

Bath Blues. Paint a bar of soap with a thin layer of nail varnish so it won’t lather.

Shampoo Shock. Put some cling film between the bottle and lid of a shampoo/shower gel bottle.

How long will it take your family to realise nothing is coming out?

Wrap Attack. Place some bubble wrap under a rug or bathmat.

Wait for the shriek!

Toilet Bowl Alert. Remove the lid of the toilet cistern and pour in 10-20 drops of food colouring!

Tooth Trouble. Pop a raisin inside the neck of a tube toothpaste and cover with toothpaste to conceal.

In the Kitchen….

Brick of Breakfast. The night before, fill a bowl with cereal and milk, half-submerge a spoon and then put it in the freezer. Add a touch of fresh milk before serving it.

Cereal Confusion. Swap the contents of boxes of cereal, and watch the look of confusion as its poured out!

Pudding Prank. Make an ‘ice cream sundae’ out of mashed potato... yum!

Juice Joke. Put jelly in your child’s glass instead of juice.

Browned Off. Announce you have just baked some “brownies” and present a plate of letter Es cut from brown paper.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Around the House….

Spiders on the Loose. Cut out spider shapes using black paper and place inside a lampshade.

Television Terror! Place a very small piece of black tape over the sensor/light on the end of the TV remote.

Shoe Trouble. Stuff the end of a pair of shoes with toilet roll so your family member can’t fit their feet in.

Loopy Laces. Tie a family member’s shoe laces together so they’ll get nowhere fast….

Balloon Door Explosion. Tape balloons to the back of the front door before the family comes in.

Win a Smoby Playhouse!

T&Cs apply

ENTER HERE Magazine

Choose TeePee or Nature Playhouse March/April 29

ENVIRONMENT

Let’s Go Plastic Free!

Start reducing your plastic consumption now. How many of these products do you use? How many can you try soon? Swap products or introduce new habits—one at a time.

A Simple Bar of Soap!

Compostable Coffee Pods

Buy Loose Fruit and Veg

Bin the plastic plunger container. Buy bars bar!

We love these.

Swap to these Nespresso compatible compostable pods.

Bring your own cotton or cloth bag to weigh and carry it home.

Shampoo/ Conditioner Bar

Reusable Sanitary Pads

Re-Fill your Detergent Bottles

Plastic Free Toilet Paper

Shaving Soap

Widely available. Try Planet Organic or The Body Shop.

Loose Washing/ Dishwashing Powder

Sainsbury’s sells its own brand of powder.

30 March/April

Re-fill or make your Wash at home, save money or use reusable own with white vinegar & essential oils. mooncup.

100% plastic free. Free shipping (most orders).

100% natural.

Hand made by disadvantaged women in Kerala.

Familiesonline.co.uk

ENVIRONMENT

Let’s Go Plastic Free!

Start small. Choose one new behaviour you’d like to take on board and only move to the next once it is established as a habit.

Plastic Free Tooth Brushing

Plastic Free Bathroom

Buy Loose and in Bulk

Think bamboo toothbrushes and toothpaste in tablets or a glass jar.

Cotton buds, dental floss, make up remover pads and more!

Buy larger quantities.

Store in glass jars. Refill from zero waste shop.

Start your Own Food Group

Buy Oil in Larger Quantities

Plastic Free Meat or Fish

Buy products in bulk, save money, reduce your carbon footprint.

Think 5 litres. Pour in glass bottles at home.

Get your local butchers/fishmongers to wrap goods in paper.

Deodorant

Pasta in a Cardboard Box

Use Real Nappies

Widely available. Try Boots, Holland & Barrett.

Familiesonline.co.uk

An easy switch that will further reduce your plastic footprint.

Wash and re-use nappies or use a laundry service.

March/April 31

OUTDOOR FUN

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Making Family Walks More Fun

By Claire Winter Three ideas to liven up family walking in your local area.

Scavenger Hunt Make a list of specific things you might see locally eg red bicycle, car park, couple holding hands. Split into teams and walk around in your group, photographing the items when you find them. Whoever finds all the items first, wins.

Introduce Incentives!

Give each child a matchbox to fill with tiny treasures; Volunteer Let them map read; Create a nature journal for them Show the kids the importance of to fill with bark rubbings, photos, kindness. Volunteer to clean up litter drawings and notes; in your community or walk dogs at a Bring hot chocolate; local animal shelter.

Try geocaching.

Book Today bit.ly/forestholidayclubs • • • • •

Age 4+ 8.30am - 4pm Ofsted Registered Social Distancing Childcare Vouchers & Sibling Discount

Woodland Holiday Clubs Join us for our forest school themed holiday club at Itchen Valley Country Park 32 March/April

Spend time outside building dens, campfire cooking, playing games, & exploring the natural world!

www.youthoptions.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk