Families London Surrey Borders July/Aug 2015 by Families Magazine

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July/ August 2015

London-Surrey Borders

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Enrolling now! Call your local school for details

Cover image © M&Co

Cheam Coulsdon Croydon Epsom Merton Park

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Mitcham Shirley Sutton Worcester Park

Age 4-18 Fun, confidence-building, educational classes in acting, singing and dance. www.stagecoach.co.uk

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London Surrey Borders

come and join the fun at our award winning indoor adventure park The largest indoor play centre in London

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Discover our Toddler Village, new climbing zone, Go-Kart track & Thunderball City.

EPSOM, OXSHOTT, BOCKETTS FARM PARK AND LEATHERHEAD AREAS E: leatherhead.dorking@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 01483 841 303

• A fantastic range of parties, including Laser Tag and Teddy Bear Workshop. • Our Pod Pizzeria provides homemade stone-baked pizzas.

SOUTH CROYDON, CATERHAM AND PURLEY AREAS E: southcroydon.caterham@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0203 251 1061

Find us at: The Colonnades, 619 Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 4RQ T: 0208 686 0040 E: croydonenquiries@kidspaceadventures.com www.kidspaceadventures.com Group discounts for NCT members when 3+ people join together at the same time.

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A FANTASTIC FAMILY FUN DAY OUT

ice skating, tenpin bowling or swimming in the leisure pool Call 01483 443322 All children under 9 must be accompanied in the water by an adult and a maximum of 2 children to each adult are allowed in the pool. Your last activity must be started by 5pm. All activities are subject to availability. All 3 activities for only £60.00 for a family of four

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July/ August 2015

The MultiSports Group Change your game

MultiSports Sutton&Cheam Weekend sports for boys and girls aged 4 - 16 of all abilities Now accepting Childcare Vouchers

Tel: 01293 774051 www.themultisportsgroup.co.uk

Cricket, Athletics, Tag Rugby, Netball, Archery, Football and many more! www.families-LSB.co.uk

London-Surrey Borders Magazine

In this issue.... 4

News and Views

What’s New Summer 2015

Clubs & Classes news

Education News

Nature’s Classroom

Party Directory

Tamar x

Summer with the National Trust

What’s On Away From Home

Editor: Tamar Pearson 01923 775680 editor@families-LSB.co.uk Next issue: September/ October 2015 Booking deadline: 7 August 2015 21,000 Copies printed & 40,000 readers per issue Design by Rebecca Carr, Tel: 07789 882467 Printed by The Manson Group, Tel: 01727 848440 www.families-LSB.co.uk

What’s On

Summer Camps

Classifieds

Editor’s note This summer holiday my message to you is to embrace every moment, and make it a smile. A smile so big, and so radiant that everywhere you go, every person you pass smiles too, a smile just as big and beautiful as yours. Best wishes

To include your business in our next issue call us today. Features for the September/ October issue include:

Disclaimer: Families London Surrey Borders Magazine is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Temple House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families London Surrey Borders Magazine are fully protected by copyright and non of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents.

N CE! A D ! SING T NOW!

Autumn Special Offer TWO WEEK TRIAL

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Education Feature Clubs and Classes October Half Term Halloween and Bonfire Night

Building confidence through the performing arts

The U perf K’s larg orm est i netw ng arts ork

£25 (aged 4-6 yrs) 90 minute session of drama, singing & dance or £50 (aged 6-18 yrs) 3 hour sessions of drama, singing & dance

Stagecoach Cheam / Worcester Park Call: 020 8773 4242 or email cheam@stagecoach.co.uk / worcesterpark@stagecoach.co.uk

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London Surrey Borders

News & views

Peanut & Piglets top tips for breastfeeding twins

News & views

Emma Morrissey, mum of twins and creator of The Piglet Twins Feeding Pillow, has these top tips for breastfeeding twins.

Supporting Breastfeeding The time has come again for World Breastfeeding Week, with 2015’s theme concentrating on working mothers and breastfeeding. This 1-7 August, World Breastfeeding Week aims to support all women to combine work with child-rearing, particularly breastfeeding, in a productive manner. Although much has been achieved in 22 years of global action, such as much stronger maternity entitlements and more actions taken to set up breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, many women still struggle with this. 2015’s World Breastfeeding Week hopes to gain support from all sectors to enable women everywhere to work and breastfeed, to encourage all employers to support their staff if they want to continue breastfeeding, and to inform people about the latest in maternity protection entitlements, plus much more! Find out more by visiting the website: www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org

Polesden Lacey competition searches for new Photographer of the Year

1. Guzzle water continuously to keep your supply up. Drink, drink, drink. Your babies need hydration as much as you do. 2. Stock up on nipple cream and apply after every feed. In the early days you will need a lot! Lansinoh can be prescribed by your doctor so don’t be afraid to ask. 3. Get everything you need within reach before you start feeding. Water, phone, tablet, remote control, nipple cream, breast pads. 4. Invest in a decent twins feeding pillow. This will ensure you can tandem feed with a good latch whilst being supported and comfortable. I created The Piglet Pillow for exactly this. 5. Settle into a routine. At night, wake sleeping twin to feed when non sleeping twin needs feeding. This guarantees you some rest before someone is awake again. During the day, try to feed your babies in tandem every 3 to 4 hours. This will avoid snacking, ensure they get your fatty hind milk and give you a much needed break. Are you expecting twins, or do you have a friend WIN who is about to embark on the journey? Families LSB has a Piglet Pillow worth £75, to give away and make your tandem feeding dreams come true! 5 runners up will receive a £10 off voucher for the cushion. Enter online: www.families-lsb.co.uk/competitions. Competition closes 14 August

Amazing opportunity for photography enthusiasts. The beautiful Polesden Lacey is holding a competition in search of their ‘Photographer of the Year’ for 2015.

For more information visit www.peanutandpiglet.co.uk

The Summer Reading Challenge 2015 has teamed up with Guinness World Records - to establish a “Record Breakers” themed challenge

Described as a photographer’s playground, Polesden Lacey provides an inspirational setting to capture the ’Celebration of Colour’, which is the theme of this year’s competition. You can enter the competition by liking Polesden Lacey’s Facebook page and posting up to two photos on their wall including the words ‘Celebration of Colour’ in your post. The submission deadline is midnight on Friday July 31st. To enter, go to www.facebook.com/PolesdenLaceyNT or more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ polesdenlacey

Carshalton Environmental Fair - under 5’s go free Don’t miss this family friendly fair at Carshalton Park on Bank Holiday Monday 31st August from 10.30 am to 8.00pm. This event is huge! Children can take part in a bicycle obstacle course, drumming workshops, a rowing challenge, make a pot, mask and other craft activities – plus lots more fun. There are three solar powered stages with live music, over 150 stalls selling beautiful crafts and promoting local groups, a farmers’ market, healing area, free health checks, lots of tasty hot food and real ales. For information call 020 8404 1522 or visit www.envfair.org.uk

July/ August 2015

It’s simple, the annual Summer Reading challenge is a great and free way to encourage children and their families to read six or more library books of their choice during the summer holidays, with collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate, or medal for every child who completes the challenge. As part of this year’s challenge, people will be asked to make a pledge to help set a new Guinness World Records™ title for the Most Pledges Received for a Reading Campaign! ‘Pledges Received for a Reading Campaign’ will take place at libraries across the UK from 10th-13th July. Here are some ideas to help your child finish the challenge: • • • •

Visit the library as often as you can. Set an example,read yourself! Let children choose their own books. Children don’t just have to read stories or novels. Fact books, audio books, poetry – they all count!

For more information on the Summer Reading Challenge including how to get involved, and resources for schools visit the website: www.readingagency.org.uk/summerreadingchallenge www.families-LSB.co.uk

Enjoy FREE RANGE FAMILY FUN at

BOCKETTS FARM PARK THIS SUMMER!

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What’s new

What’s New Summer 2015 Shrek’s Adventure SE1 9PB Open 10am-6pm daily

Step into the action and star in a hilarious and unforgettable all-new Shrek adventure. Your journey will take you - via a spectacular 4D bus ride - to many famous Far Far Away locations. Along the way you’ll meet some of its most famous residents brought to life through a mix of actors and animation - Princess Fiona, Gingy the Gingerbread Man, Pinocchio and Puss in Boots to name just a few. www.shreksadventure.com

Your new local garden centre is now open at Morden Hall Park The National Trust is very excited to announce the opening of its first garden centre. With a wonderful variety of plants, trees and shrubs as well a great selection of quality gifts and a dedicated team to help you – there’s everything you need for your garden. With the return of Maidenhead Aquatics this July it adds yet another great feature to Morden Hall Park for families to enjoy. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morden-hall-park/eating-andshopping/garden-centre

Brand new exhibition for 2015 - Sensational Butterflies at the Natural History Museum

WIN

The Natural History Museum is offering Families LondonSurrey Borders readers the chance to win a family ticket (two adults, up to three children) to their unique, family friendly exhibition Sensational Butterflies (until 13 September 2015). Wander among hundreds of free-flying butterflies and moths from around the world in the Natural History Museum’s tropical butterfly house in the heart of London. Follow the exhibition trail charting one of nature’s most incredible life cycles, as munching caterpillars transform into jewel-like chrysalises and emerge as beautiful butterflies. To enter, visit www.families-lsb.co.uk/competitions. Terms and Conditions apply. Entries close 16 August 2015. For more info about the exhibition and to book tickets, visit: www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/sensationalbutterflies

July/ August 2015

Great news for little Peppa Pig Fans as Paultons Park launches new bus service This summer, Paultons family theme park in the New Forest is becoming more accessible for families, with the launch of a new bus service from Southampton, via Romsey. This service will also make it easier for those who live outside of Hampshire to visit the park, as the bus will stop at Southampton Central Train Station (which boasts a direct service from London Waterloo) and other transport interchanges. www.paultonspark.co.uk

SEA LIFE London Aquarium SE1 7PB 0871 663 1678

For the first time visitors can walk the length of the Thames in just 100 steps by entering a secret portal into the Thames Walk area, discovering the history of the river from the ‘Great Stink’ of Victorian times to today’s impressive cityscape. The zone also reveals the hidden world of hundreds of creatures and freshwater plants swimming just feet away in the Thames. www.visitsealife.com/london

Madame Tussauds London - Memories of Her Majesty NW1 5LR From August 1 – September 30

Celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s record breaking reign with a special new display this summer. Memories of Her Majesty will feature never before seen archive materials and photography of the many sittings the Queen has given the Madame Tussauds artistic team. Anyone who has a Madame Tussauds memory of Her Majesty are invited to tweet their photography’s to @MadameTussauds www.madametussauds.com/london

KidZania London W12 7SL Open Daily: 10am - 6pm

Do your kids have dreams of becoming a brave firefighter, an aeroplane pilot or the planet’s biggest singing sensation? KidZania is the UK’s first educational entertainment experience where children aged 4 - 14 can learn real-life skills in a child-size city built just for them! With over 60 unique and exciting professions to explore through real-life role play adventures in a fun and safe environment. www.attractiontix.co.uk/tickets/kidzania-london

www.families-LSB.co.uk See more articles, what’s on and our directory online! Follow us @FamiliesLSB

Join and like us facebook/FamiliesLSB

www.families-LSB.co.uk

What’s new

LEGOLAND Windsor SL4 4AY

LEGO® Friends fans are in for a double whammy at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort in 2015 with ten new premium themed rooms at the unique Resort Hotel and a totally new LEGO Friends area bringing to life the vibrancy and fun of Heartlake City themed area, with exciting new attractions and an action packed live show. www.LEGOLAND.co.uk

What’s New Summer 2015 GoFest

GU2 7AD Fri 10 - Sun 12 July

Hobbledown

The UK’s family festival of sport, with 13 different zones promising something for everyone. At GoFest, you can take part in as many free coaching sessions as you like, a multitude of sports, classes, tournaments and activities, watch some fabulous displays and enter some challenging tournaments and competitions. www.gofest.co.uk.

01708 385 096

Guildford-on-Sea at The Electric Theatre

KT19 8PT

Calling all daredevils – fancy scaling Hobbledown’s new 26ft high Climbing Towers? New for 2015, Hobbledown has amazed us again with their new 26ft climbing towers. Not for the faint-hearted, participants must wear enclosed footwear (not open toe sandals) and be able to fit into the safety harness provided, despite the booming hearts - although we bet there are plenty of adventurers willing to give them a try! The climbing towers are designed for 5 year olds and above and will be open at selected peak times. For more information and opening hours visit www.hobbledown.com

Take a meander along the Regent’s Canal and delight in the Canal and River Trust latest campaign to preserve the peace on London’s Towpaths Every family day out exploring all that London has to offer needs a moment of tranquility and peace. What better way to go watch the comings and goings along the Regent’s Canal in London, whilst delighting in the newly installed Duck Lanes. In a campaign that is designed to highlight the narrowness of the space that is shared by a range of people and wildlife, the Canal and River Trust charity has painted temporary duck lanes on towpaths in London, calling on people to bring back old school courtesy by sharing the space and dropping their pace. A fantastic and free activity to wrap up a day’s adventuring, whilst teaching our little ones a little about London’s past and a valuable lesson in basic respect. To find out where your nearest Duck Lane is visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Jump Giants RM20 3XD 08444 141 141

Jump Giants, England’s largest indoor trampoline park opened its doors to the public this May. Promising hours of bouncy delight for all the family, Jump Giants features wall-to-wall trampoline courts, foam pits and angled trampolines around the walls, as well as birthday packages and teen parties. www.jumpgiants.com

14 - 16 August 10am and 4pm

Enjoy all the fun of the seaside this August as Guildford transforms the banks of the River Wey into Guildford-on-Sea, a pleasure beach for all the family slap bang in the centre of town. Guildford-on-Sea promises to make waves throughout the town, with a great selection of summertime entertainment, fun beach inspired characters parading up and down the high street, and hot promotions and offers from the town centre’s shops, cafes, restaurants and businesses www.experienceguildford.com or Facebook.com/ ExperienceGford

The Power of Poison E1 6QR 020 3373 8993

This new, family-friendly special exhibition creates an engaging and immersive environment through the use of interactive components, models, multimedia and live animals Visitors will encounter some of history’s most puzzling poisoning cases, step into the pages of fairy tales, use clues to solve poisoning mysteries, and take part in a live theatre presentation to help unravel a real-world case of poisoning as this fascinating exhibition examines how toxins shape our lives. www.powerofpoison.co.uk

Jazzmatazz

London Wonderground, Southbank 11 - 19 July Also showing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Assemble George Square Gardens. 6 - 30 August, 11 - 12 pm 0844 545 8282 A jazzy beats and early 90’s references will get kids up singing, prancing, twisting and dancing whilst relatives and friends can join in or grab a drink and watch as their young ones tire themselves out on the dance floor. www.londonwonderground.co.uk

London Surrey Borders

Clubs & classes news

Clubs & Classes News New Principal for Stagecoach Shirley Stagecoach Shirley is to get a new Principal taking over from autumn 2015. New Zealander Kim Findlay moved here 10 years ago and brings a wealth of experience to Stagecoach Shirley having been a performer and choreographer both in New Zealand and the UK. She has also taught dance and received a diploma in performing arts. Kim is excited to be taking over as the new Principal, and says she is looking forward to maintaining the high standards at the school whilst bringing fresh ideas and challenges to the students.

Westcroft Leisure Centre host Sutton Swimming Gala Westcroft Leisure Centre, which is part of Everyone Active, held the Sutton Contract Swimming Gala on Saturday 6th June. The day was a great success as Westcroft Leisure Centre and Cheam Leisure Centre battled it out. A big congratulations to the overall winners of the day, Westcroft. There were 90 swimmers taking part overall and £120 was raised for the Anthony Nolan Trust, a blood cancer charity. Best of luck on 3rd July when the individual winners are going through to the regional gala, which is being held at Watford Leisure Centre Woodside.

French Saturday school in Reigate celebrates its first anniversary

For more information, or to enrol your child for the Autumn term call 020 8949 1116 / 07738 479 394 or visit the website: www.stagecoach.co.uk/shirley

Perform arrives on Saturdays in Kingston Perform is a new type of children’s drama school with classes at Alexandra Infants School, Alexandra Road, KT2 6SE. It focuses on child development by combining a unique mixture of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child’s true potential. Focus is entirely on The 4 C’s: Confidence, Communication, Co-ordination and Concentration. Whilst children do not attend auditions or castings, classes focus on helping children develop their social skills whilst having the best fun of the week. All children are invited to a Free Drama Class. Call 0845 400 4000 to book your free trial today.

Book your business in our next big Clubs & Classes feature in the Sept/ Oct issue Book by 7th August

Petite Ecole de Reigate, a French Saturday school set up by two mums last year, celebrated its first anniversary with a special visit from Yves Letournel, minister for cultural services at the French Embassy on Saturday 16 May. “As two bilingual parents, we were really keen to open the school for our children and other families in the area with similar interests. We began with 15 children in 2 classes and a team of 4 and, one year on, we have around 50 children, from age 3 to 10 years, 5 classes and a team of 10. We have built a network of families not just from the Redhill/Reigate areas but much wider including Caterham, Oxted, Epsom, Kingwood, Copthorn, Crawley, Horsham and much more. Seeing the improvement that the children are making, how well the team gets on together, and how pleased the parents are to pass on French culture, is so rewarding. We are even more excited about the future of the school than we were one year ago.” By Pascale and Manal, co-founders of Petite Ecole de Reigate, a French Saturday school for French-speaking families. The school offers formal French lessons for children in primary education, led by experienced teachers and based on the French curriculum. The school is part of the association “Parapluie FLAM”, a network overseeing in excess of 40 French Saturday schools in the UK, scattered in and around London. Visit www.petite-ecole-reigate.co.uk or like their facebook page.

Mashu

Studios

Expert Drum Tuition for Ages 4 and Up. Studio phone: 020 8647 7801 8 July/ August 2015

Mobile: 0759 119 4467 www.families-LSB.co.uk

Education news As recommended by

Recommended by Kids’ uniform going astray?

Education News

...You need

Jazzy’s Big Day Out

Buy of the day BUY OF THE DAY

Keep tabs on their clothes

The easy one-snap On Sunday 7th June, Jancett Childcare way to label clothing!

attended the Sutton and Epsom NCT’s Teddy Bears Picnic at Nonsuch Park, Cheam. The sun was out and families arrived in their hundreds to enjoy the Keep tabs on their activities put on for the afternoon. Jancett sponsored the ‘Draw a Bear’ competition for the NCT and Liberal Democrat Councillor for Cheam Mary Burstow helped to pick a winner among the children’s entries. Jancett brought along a very special guest to the picnic this year Jazzy the Jancett mascot, a jolly Elephant who visits the children in the Jancett nurseries and Playsafe Clubs. Jazzy was a huge hit with the children and their teddies at the picnic!

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Jancett Childcare & JACE Training Limited recently celebrated 45 years in childcare and were also awarded the Matrix Quality Standard in April 2015 for providing valuable advice and guidance to their staff, families that use their day care and the students that train with JACE Training. Visit: www.jancett.co.uk

Compulsory first aid New nursery and pre-school staff will be required to undertake paediatric first aid for the first time, thanks to new government proposals. The new proposals will mean that newly qualified staff with a childcare Level 2 and 3 qualification must have an emergency paediatric first aid or full paediatric first certificate – a lifesaving change which will add approximately 15,000 additional trained early years professionals to our nurseries and pre-schools every year. There will also be a new deal in place to help early years providers to buy life-saving defibrillator machines at a reduced price. The plans have received the support of parents Joanne and Dan Thompson, who have been campaigning for the change following the tragic death of their daughter Millie at nursery in October 2012. Their important campaign culminated in an e-petition signed by over 103,000 people. ‘As a parent myself, I know that every single mum and dad wants the confidence that those tasked with caring for their child have the right training should the absolute worst happen,’ said Childcare and Education Minister (at time of going to press), Sam Gyimah. ‘Today’s proposals will mean that thousands more staff will be able to respond to emergencies more quickly, making sure parents really can access the very best possible childcare choices for their families. Not only will this help ensure children are safe while they learn, grow and develop but it will also raise the quality and skills of the Early Years workforce to help them deal with day to day first aid issues such as allergies and knowing when to call parents.’

For ages 0 - 5 years Open 7.30am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday Jancett Playsafe Clubs - Breakfast, after school & holiday clubs

Comprenant l’étude de la langue écrite et orale. Programme pédagogique français. Membre de l’association Parapluie FLAM Le samedi après-midi à Holmesdale School, Reigate, RH2 0BY Contactez-nous 07913 811345 info @ petite-ecole-reigate.co.uk | www.petite-ecole-reigate.co.uk

For ages 4 -11 years Open 7.30am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday

Tel: 020 8669 1725 www.jancett.co.uk @JancettGroup

London Surrey Borders

Education news

Education News

Camouflaged Learning this Summer By Liz Walker of ReadingChest.co.uk

A bumper sized competition from Snappy Tag Snappy Tags are a quick and easy way to label clothing and other soft items, and hard items such as lunch-boxes, shoes and accessories can be quickly named with their Snappy Stickers. So, if you need to label your children’s uniform and games kit, not to mention packed lunch boxes and Beavers and Brownies uniforms, then look no further. This bumper-sized Back to School Complete Naming Kit comprises a Snappy Tag Kit with 50 tags together with the Snappy Stickers Starter Pack. Our friends at Snappy tags are offering a free Bumper Back to School Naming Kit worth £30.95.

WIN

To enter, visit: www.families-lsb.co.uk/competitions Competition closes 31 July. For more information or to order, go to their website:www.snappytags.co.uk

Research shows that many children make steady progress in their reading throughout the school year and then go backwards during the long summer holidays. The consequences are cumulative and long lasting, often having a powerful influence on reading ability throughout school life and beyond. Whilst summer holidays should be remembered for beaches, camping and chilling out, it is important to keep children reading. Here are a few fun favourites of Reading Chest to keep your children reading this summer: 1.

Fishing for Sounds - Using a permanent marker, write letter sounds onto cut out plastic fish or ducks and let them swim in your paddling pool. Scoop them out with a net and use the sounds to play games e.g. make words beginning with the sound / ending with the sound / invent silly rhymes etc.

Shaving Foam - Get messy outside with shaving foam on a table. Have fun practising writing letter sounds with your finger in the foam. If you want to get really messy – add a little paint!

Get into Top Trumps - Top Trumps is becoming more and more popular in schools as it delivers a range of educational benefits through ‘camouflaged learning’. As well as being great fun, it improves literacy, numeracy and subject knowledge. The card games are perfect for taking away on holiday. www.toptrumps.com

Get children cooking - Everything involved in cooking is fantastic for children’s learning, from reading the recipe and weighing ingredients, to sharing cakes with friends. This can be made into a more social event with friends by recreating programmes such as ‘Come Dine with Me’ or ‘MasterChef’ with friends, where children have to read and write their own menus too.

Listen to audio books. Audio books are a brilliant way to keep children’s interest in stories alive. Long car journeys are a great place for a captive audience! These can either be bought as CDs or downloaded from websites such as www.audible.co.uk.

Join readingchest.co.uk to receive regular deliveries of books at your child’s chosen reading level delivered to your door. Members also get reward charts, certificates and write book reviews online.

Avoid the summer learning slide and save £50 with Explore Learning maths and English tuition this July The school holidays are almost here, and we’re sure learning will be the last thing on a child’s mind. However, research has revealed that two thirds of children fall behind in their studies over the holidays* meaning that when they finally go back to school, many children are lacking in confidence and unable to recall things they learnt in the previous school year. July is the most popular time of the year for families to join Explore Learning, as parents across the country look for an engaging way to keep their children’s brains active over the long summer break. Also, families joining in July will save £50 registration fee at participating centres (terms and conditions apply), so now is a great time to join if you haven’t already! Explore Learning has maths and English tuition centres across the UK - try them for free to find out how your family can benefit! To book your trial, visit www.explorelearning.co.uk or call your local centre.

Reading Chest is offering Families readers £5 off their first month’s membership with the promotional code FAMILIES15. www.readingchest.co.uk

Sutton Grammar School, Surrey announced as finalist in national student app awards Two student teams from Sutton Grammar School, Surrey have been announced finalists in the Apps for Good Awards 2015. Apps for Good is an education technology movement that is transforming the way technology is taught in schools. Currently recruiting schools to join as Education Partners for 2015/2016, Apps for Good partners with educators in schools and learning centres to deliver its app development course to young people 10-18 years of age. The first Sutton Grammar School students’ app, QuickTeam, has been shortlisted in the Connected Communities category powered by TalkTalk, one of six thematic categories for the 2015 awards. The second students’ app, STEM City, has been shortlisted in the Productivity category powered by SAP. It is designed to help kids aged 7-14 do simple science experiments. The finalist teams from across the UK will now pitch their apps at the awards in front of a panel of expert judges. For more information on the 2015 Awards, and to find out how to register for the 2015/16 course, please visit www.appsforgood.org

July/ August 2015

www.families-LSB.co.uk

Maths & English tuition centre For 5 to 14 year olds of all abilities • Courses mapped to the National Curriculum. • Adapts to the individual needs of your child. • Convenient for families - Open 7 days a week. • Award-winning tuition - voted Education Investor Supplementary Education Provider of the Year.

Free trial session - book today! Addiscombe Epsom North Cheam Purley

020 3370 5420 01372 722 994 020 8644 0975 020 8090 2938

“Explore Learning members’ improvement in maths was 30% higher than that of the comparison group after controlling for gender, age, year group and special educational needs.” Independent Efficacy Study by the Institute of Education at Reading University (2013). See www.explorelearning.co.uk/efficacy.

are s c ild her ! h C uc pted Vo acce

or book online at www.explorelearning.co.uk

Open Days

Croydon’s best kept secret

Seniors • 5 September, 10.00-12.00 • 19 September,14.00-16.00 Preparatory • 3 October, 14.00-16.00 • Top performing independent girls’ school • Top university placements • Bursary and Scholarships available • School minibus service • Choral Scholarships available in Year 3 • EYFS inspection report: Outstanding To register please call 020 8688 2027 or visit www.oldpalace.croydon.sch.uk

London Surrey Borders

Outdoor learning

Nature's classroom

By Hannah Hunter

taking supported risks, and the learning is child-centred rather than teacher-led.

CLUBS AND CLASSES

If you’re not lucky enough to live close to a forest school, there are after-school clubs and classes that can support children’s learning outdoors. Many schools have nature or gardening clubs, often run by parent volunteers. Tried-and-tested outdoor organizations, the Scouts and Girl Guides offer a range of activities and camps. The less traditional Woodcraft Folk (http://woodcraft.org.uk) focus on developing children’s connection with activities exploring issues around nature and the natural environment.

As parents we know that children are happy in the outdoors, and once even the most hardened of city-dwellers have got used to the damp and mud, they revel in unstructured time spent in the natural world. This applies not only to small children, but older ones too – contact with nature is known to impact positively on teenage anxiety and depression. Outdoor play can develop children’s understanding of risk, as well as testing their emotional and physical strength. Learning how high they can climb or how brave they can be teaches them about themselves as well as how they relate to the environment. Contact with nature has even been shown to increase creativity and language development. Children’s activity levels automatically go up when they are outdoors. As childhood obesity has a direct link with inactivity, outdoor learning could be a key to tackling this growing problem. So what can you do as a parent to increase your kids’ contact with nature? Here we explore some of the options:

FOREST SCHOOLS

Inspired by Danish ‘open air life’ nurseries, the first UK Forest School was started in Somerset in 1993, at Bridgewater College. Since then the movement has spread across the UK, with many Local Authorities employing trained Forest Schools practitioners to deliver a woodland learning experience each week, usually to primary-aged children and nurseries. Leading charity, The Forest School Association lists the principles governing the sessions. Small groups of children are taken into woodland or other natural environment, “to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world”. Children are encouraged to explore their environments,

FAMILY NATURE DAYS

As well as providing accessible venues for school and group outings, the Wildlife Trusts run activities across the UK just for families and children, organised by local groups, ranging from ‘nature tots’ toddler groups to family pond-dipping days. Visit their website to find local information wildlifetrusts.org Go to the Forestry Commission website at www.forestry.gov.uk to find your nearest woodlands. They have a free app with maps and local information on camping, trails and activities. At many of their forest centres you can buy a pack that will take you on a ‘Superworm’ kids trail, which includes activities and challenges for younger children. To get the whole family moving, you could try geocaching. The National Trust has set up free trails– all you need is a GPS enabled device that uses coordinates (you can use a smartphone). Download co-ordinates to find the caches (small waterproof boxes of ‘treasure’). The Trust also provide less ‘techy’ outdoor activities for families – their 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ is a good starting point. You can pledge some ‘wild time’ with your children by signing up to The Wild Network – an organisation dedicated to reconnecting children with nature, at projectwildthing.com. They have a calendar of different events, and lots of fun activity ideas that will get you and your kids outdoors. The film that inspired the organisation is available to watch online, it’s an interesting take on how to ‘rebrand’ nature to appeal to the younger generation, who they claim are suffering from ‘nature-deficit disorder’.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS rspb.org.uk - local and national information and ideas for families english-heritage.org.uk –historical sites in natural settings

Camp in, camp out, camp all about Summer holidays are a perfect time for kids to get creative and build a shelter or den. Whether it’s a sheet between two clothes-airers, tablecloth over the back of the sofa or a rug over a rope between two trees, it’s a great way to encourage kids to work together and get inventive in creating a fun space to play. In fine weather why not sleep out in your den and experience the sights and sounds of night-time. Interested in a real camping experience? Girlguiding have a number of campsites across the country with on-site facilities including adventurous activities.

12 July/ August 2015

To find our more visit the website: www.girlguiding.org.uk/activitycentres

www.families-LSB.co.uk

Outdoor learning

Nature Explorers – your passport to fun this summer from 25 July – 30 August at WWT London Wetland Centre

Nature Explorer passport.

Have your children ever been pond dipping? Do they know how to identify animal poo? During the summer holidays children of all ages can discover their inner adventurer at WWT London Wetland Centre - by going on an array of ‘wild’ adventures and recording them in their own

Little explorers can begin their voyage of discovery by picking up a Nature Explorer passport – free with paid admission to the Centre from the front desk and collecting stickers for each of the activities they take part in, working their way up to gold. What’s more, if children don’t have enough time to fill in their passport on the day they can visit again for free to complete their mission if they bring their passport back with them. Find out more about WWT London Wetland Centre at: www.wwt.org.uk/london

Protect the paths with The Ramblers Big Pathwatch The summer holidays present a perfect time for families to step outside and spend some quality time together. The Ramblers are asking families to head out and walk their favourite paths in the South East and report back their findings using a smartphone app. “As part of the Big Pathwatch we’re helping families to turn their walk into an adventure. We’ve created fun, free downloadable activity sheets for youngsters to complete while they’re out walking’, says Ramblers’ chief executive Benedict Southworth. The Big Pathwatch app will be available from 13 July on: www.Ramblers.org.uk/bigpathwatch

Go-Carts, Catapults and Midnight Feats 101 Vintage Pastimes for Modern Kids, By Catherine Cox

exploration.

With the summer holidays upon us, and hours, days and weeks to occupy our children, I can only highly recommend Go-Carts, Catapults and Midnight Feats as a fabulous book to encourage free thinking, creativity and wild

I cannot think of a better way to for families to spend their summer, than together explore the past times of our own youth, with added extras that even we would have loved to try when we were younger! From older classics such as building a tee-pee to searching for animal tracks, to things that are a little more scientific such as growing crystals, making a lava lamp or building a balloon rocket, Catherine Cox has put together a fantastic collection of vintage past times. Let’s get the younger generations moving, and what better way to do that than imparting the wisdom and knowledge of our own fun adventures we had ourselves when we were youngsters? www.thehistorypress.co.uk

Behind the scenes with Nick Baker

WIN

Sit back, relax and close your eyes. Imagine, you are at work, targets have not been met, but are just within reach. You can hear the hum and drum of work life around you… whist enjoying a mild windy afternoon in the rocky outcrops of Dartmoor hills, in search of the Ring Ouzel bird. Now, I know we all have different ambitions, but let’s be honest, that does not sound like a bad day at work. In fact it’s pretty perfect. Well, that is exactly how I found Mr Nick Baker when I had the pleasure to interview him about his latest book, ‘’The Complete Naturalist’’. The conversation took me back to my own childhood, running wild in the fields whilst on a bug hunt, climbing trees, finding myself stuck in said tree, and negotiating my own way down, running home chasing the sunset to present my day’s findings to my amazing parents, who I have always considered to be my greatest blessings in life because they allowed me something which I fear our children do not have today – freedom. The freedom to discover your own curiosity, and let it flourish, to use your senses, to ask questions and then test those questions, to explore the wild world around us, and more importantly our minds, and to make mistakes and figure out how to solve them by ourselves. Today we live in a word where children are removed from nature. By allowing our children this freedom, we raise young adults who have an immense respect for the natural world, who have a deep understanding of their own abilities. This is a recipe for growing confident adults who aspire to preserve the natural world, who know their strengths and weaknesses, and who will ultimately build deep relationships and succeed and whatever their chosen life path is. The Complete Naturalist is a bible of information, guiding us on just how to do this. We can find safe places to be, but what many parents lack is the tool box to pass on a deep respect and curiosity about the natural world around us, and to discover and explore it. In the modern world this concept called freedom is harder to achieve than ever before, but what I realised whilst speaking to Nick was how imperative it is for us adults to let go our fears, and take a risk as parents to allow children to discover who they are, rather than to tell them what, or who we think they should be. This summer holiday, why not take a risk and dare to embrace that freedom, and become a child again. Go exploring with your little ones and fuel a love for the world we live in, and a love for discovering our own minds, passions and limitations. I can only recommend The Complete Naturalist as a highly researched, factual and informative vehicle to do just that. In his quest to inspire the youth Nick Baker has been kind enough to offer Families LSB 5 copies of this amazing book. For your chance to add the Complete Naturalist to your collection of books visit www.families-lsb.co.uk/ competitions. Terms apply. Entries close 31 July. Nick Baker has presented a number of wildlife programmes, including The Really Wild Show, Nick Baker’s Under the Skin, Weird Creatures with Nick Baker and more recently Autumn Watch. He’s also written a number of well-received books, including The New Amateur Naturalist and The RSPB Nature Tracker’s Handbook. To purchase a copy visit http://bloomsbury.com/uk/the-completenaturalist-9781472912077

London Surrey Borders

Parties

In the bag! Some unusual and memorable party bag ideas

By Emma Oliver

activity into the party?

Are you out of ideas for party bags? Do you think your kids sometimes come home with a bag full of plastic and sweets? You’re not alone.

In reality, it’s actually not that difficult to find all manner of unique goodies that will be gratefully received by child and parent alike.

With a little time spent searching, and a little creativity thrown in, we discovered alternative children’s party bag ideas that won’t break the bank - and will still be talked about next year! 1.

Take home and make a rocket wand or superhero mask from cottontwist. co.uk – or why not incorporate that as an

From Frozen to Dinosaurs and perfect for all themed parties, Top Trumps go down really well, from £3.99 LEGO Minifigures - blind bags from £2.49 and key rings from £2.99 - who doesn’t enjoy the Danish brick brand? Dog pens £3.25 by Red Berry Apple, a personalised rainbow notebook, £2.00 by Half Pint Home, together with a personalised bright and bold pencil case, £6.00 by Popkid. Notonthehighstreet.com has lots of bespoke ideas.

Bocketts Farm Park 01372 363764 office@bockettsfarm.co.uk

Ready Steady Go Kids 0800 690 6591 info@rsgk.co.uk

Bocketts Farm Park is the ideal place for a fun filled birthday party. With animals galore, exciting play areas, tractor rides and animal handling sessions, plus the menu of your choice in one of the decorated party rooms, you can be sure of a great day out! Enjoy a full day of fun on the farm park, private animal handling session, fully decorated party room, balloon and animal mask for each child. Optional extras include adult catering, tractor ride and birthday cake. £14.50 per child. www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Ready Steady party - the healthy way! Birthday packages include: choice of any two sports from the Ready Steady Go Kids program to be incorporated into a session of sport, fun activities and games, Ready Steady Go Kids birthday invitations provided as well as gifts for the birthday boy/girl and the guests! Perfect for your little one’s 3rd to 7th birthday. www.rsgk.co.uk/parties-andevents

14 July/ August 2015

The stretchy award winning Oogi Junior is ultra cool and offers endless creative options. Toyella.com £4.99.

Kids will go potty for this playdough pack from the dotty dough factory from £2.50. What’s not to love?

LittleLuLubel.com offers gorgeous, pre-filled treat bags for boys and girls, £3.75.

Museum shops offer great party bag ideas. These chocolate dinosaur lollies from the Natural History Museum nhmshop.co.uk make for a unique and delicious rip-roaring treat at £2 each.

Crazy Colour Fairies Face painting 07525535413 Great fun for all occasions £50 - 2 hours £70 - 3 hours £90 - 4 hours The Sports Village 020 8641 6611 birthdayparties@thesportsvillage.org.uk The Sports Village holds parties every weekend. They offer a range of party themes including Tennis, Multigames, Dance, Gymnastics, Football and Soft Play for the Under 5s. Parties are fully catered.Toddlers up. www.thesportsvillage.org.uk

For Summer party gift ideas: juggling balls, buckets & spades, hulahoops, footballs, skipping ropes and kites all make for reusable outdoor fun to take home. All under £2. pastpresenttoys.co.uk

10. Think outside of the box bag, with an educational alternative. The Spark Range science kits from ThamesandKosmos.com £5.99 Emma Oliver is a journalist that’s worked for various magazines and websites, mainly covering travel and parenting. She is also a mum to two young girls. When she’s not off gadding she can be found blogging- WritingLifeAsItIs. blogspot.co.uk

Flossie Children’s Entertainer 07954 564372 www.flossiechildrensentertainer.co.uk Flossie creates magical birthday parties that children love that areare easy and stress free for parents. Party packages offer a fun mix of magic, music, games, puppets, dancing and ballooning with lots of participation from everyone, especially the birthday child. 3-8 years Theo the Magician 07711 724 129 Fun, entertaining magic for children and adults, full CRB checked. www.magictheo.com

www.families-LSB.co.uk

Parties Glazed All Over 02086476463 info@glazedallover.co.uk Pottery painting parties at Glazed All Over are a lot of fun and great value! Parties are suitable for age 5+ and if you have 10 or more people at your party they offer a party package at just £15 per head. Each person chooses a piece of pottery to paint and the birthday person will receive a special plate signed by all their friends. Feel free to bring party food and cake to eat here during the last part of the party. Age 5+. Party package for groups of 10 or more - £15 per head. www.glazedallover.co.uk Hobbledown 01708 385 096 Partyparty@hobbledown.com Our party packages start at £14.90 per child on weekdays, £17.90 at weekends and in school holidays and £18.90 for our High Ropes Parties. Parties include entry into Hobbledown for all party guests and 1 accompanying adult per child. They include: Invitations, aparty feast, a party host to assist during the birthday feast and party bags full of goodies for children to 12 years. www.hobbledown.com

Kidspace Adventures 0208 6860040 Classic Party includes a Pizza buffet, party bags, free play and invitations. Laser Tag Party include the same as the Classic Party but with a Laser practice session. Teddy Bear Workshop includes the same as Classic Party, plus exclusive use of the Teddy Bear Workshop to stuff and fluff your bear. Parties are for children to 12 years www.kidspaceadventures.com/ croydon/

getting everybody involved. 4 – 7 year olds and 7 – 12 year olds. To find your nearest Perform venue visit www.perform.org.uk Dramabuds Parties 020 8669 2355

The Art & Cake Studio 07881886541 nava@theartandcakestudio. com Bespoke cakes & cupcakes that are stunning to look at and yummilicious to eat. Handcrafted theme cakes suitable for birthdays, christenings or any occasion. Made with the finest ingredients to match the customer’s specification. www.theartandcakestudio.com Gymboree Cheam cheam@gymboree-uk.com 07990 761 259 No two children or Gymboree parties are the same. Allow them to make your child’s birthday party unforgettable at their fabulous site in Cheam Village, let us know your child’s favourite games and songs and they’ll create a party within one of our themes; Princess, Trains, Dinosaurs, Ocean Adventure, Superheroes, Jungle Safari, “First Birthday” or Farm Fun. Our parties are for members and non-members and last 1.5 hours. We provide a 45 minute teacher led session and there is also time for food, free play and exploration. We ask you to provide your own catering and we have a parachute picnic on the play floor! 1-5 years www.gymboree-uk.com/f/cheam Perform 0845 400 4000 Perform Parties are high energy, fun and totally infectious. Based around a colourful theme and involving lots of lively games, they use the power of children’s imaginations to transport them to a different world. They take children on an exciting adventure

Transport your child’s party to the land of make believe and captivate imaginations. With over 14 themes to choose from there’s sure to be a dramabuds party your child will love! Each party includes lively songs, drama, dancing, games, parachute fun and bubbles! They will ensure your child’s party is a truly magical experience to that you’ll cherish forever. 2- 8 year olds www.dramabuds.co.uk

Theatrebugs Epsom & Guildford 01483 882244 / 07971 004134 hannahmason@theatrebugs. co.uk A Theatrebugs party is an interactive fun filled journey crammed with tasks, characters and different worlds to explore. Full of storytelling, imaginative play, drama games and fun perfect for 2-8 year olds! BabyBug parties now also available for under 2’s, with fun sensory props, squishy toys, cuddly puppets and engaging stories, songs and rhymes. Prices from £115. 0-7 yrs www.theatrebugs.co.uk/surrey Diddi Dance 07939 520 638 Addiscombe, Mitcham, Croydon, and Purley. 07729 848 419, Ewell, Sutton, Carshalton, Cheam, Coulsdon Banstead, Stoneleigh & Reigate Fun, fantastic and affordable. Sessions are interactive, with children up and dancing, grooving and moving to the funky tunes. Diddi Dance parties are perfect for the little ones, with various length packages making them perfectly suited to each individual child. www.diddidance.co.uk

Crazy Colour Fairies Come out of your shell and learn to swim the Turtle Tots way! Specialist Baby and Toddler Swimming Classes and Aqua-Natal Yoga Classes. T: 07920854714 W: www.turtletots.com

Glitter tattoos £10 per session £50 for 2hrs £70 for 3hrs £90 for 4hrs Great fun for all occasions

Froggle Parties 08450 504 509/ 0208 617 9070 enquiries@froggleparties.com Froggle Parties Tried specialise in Tested LOVED children’s parties by that are high energy, non stop fun and have the kids captivated from start to finish. Choose from a range of fantastic options including amazing all round entertainers and magicians, to exciting themes, hilarious clowns, face painting, discos, science parties, baby and toddler parties, bubble parties and more! Get 10 % off when you quote ‘FAMILIES www.froggleparties.com

Monkey Music Every little monkey loves to party. Monkey Music parties bring together singing, dancing and playing musical party games into a great party, that is individually tailored to your little one. You Monkey Music host will ensure that all your party guest, and the birthday boy/girl will have a special day to remember. To find your nearest Monkey Music party visit the website: www.monkeymusic.co.uk The Good Ship Lollypop O7703 566411 rosie@thegoodshiplollypop. co.uk A funky soft play centre with a truly amazing range of party packages that promise the perfect birthday celebration. All party packages include: exclusive party room feast with unlimited water/juice, soft play time, a party bag and a lollypop! Parties include: Ship Mates, Urban Jungle, Treasure Hunt, “Poptastic”, Recording Party and V.I.P Party. Families LSB and WIN The Good Ship Lollypop have teamed up to make one childs birthday dreams come true. We have a Ship Mates or Urban Jungle party package for 10 children, available Mon- Fri to be redeemed up until 31 December 2015. All entries will receive a 20% discount off entrance fee during July and August. To enjoy your discount, and to enter please visit www.familieslsb.co.uk/competitions. T&C’s apply. Entries close 31 July 2015.

CALL US ON 07525535413 London Surrey Borders

Summer activities

Summer with the National Trust Sun 12, 16 July & 14, 21, 28 August Big Tree Climbing Hourly from 10am - 4:45pm Climb in the canopy of the big tree in Preserve Copse with the supervision of highly skilled and friendly instructors. For more information contact the Big Tree Climbing Company, call 0800 0556760 or email: dave@bigtreeclimbing.co.uk Please say you saw these in

Winkworth Arboretum

bring their exciting adaptation of the famous children’s novel. 7pm.

Mon 10, 17 and 24 August

Sun 19 July

Teddy bears’ picnic and storytelling 1.30pm−2.30pm. Under 7’s .£3 per child, accompanying adults free, plus normal admission applies

Wed 12, 19 and 26 August

Outdoor adventure sessions for kids and mums 1.30pm−2.30pm. Bug hunts, tree and bird spotting looking at the difference in the seasons. Booking essential. Under 5’s. £5 per child, accompanying adults free, plus normal admission applies

Hatchlands Park GU4 7RT 01483 222482

Sun 12 July

Sylvanian Families Summer Picnic 11am-4pm. A fabulous summer picnic, bringing together fans of all ages to celebrate their birthday with character events and fun activities.

Tues 4, Sun 16, Mon 31 August

Have a Go Archery Exciting, safe archery activity. 6 years +. Normal admission applies (+ £2 for 6 arrows).

Tues 4 & Wed 5 August

Robin Hood - Open-air theatre Gates open 5.30pm. Cambridge Touring Theatre perform their fun musical version of this classic tale.

Claremont Landscape Gardens KT10 9JG 01372 467806

Sat 18 July

The Secret Garden – Open Air Theatre Chapterhouse Theatre Company

16 July/ August 2015

Twelfth Night - Open Air Theatre 7pm. A Shakespearian classic performed against the backdrop of the stunning landscape garden.

SM4 5JD 020 8545 6850

Mon 27 July

The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny – Open Air Theatre 3pm - 5pm Join Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny in the rose garden for an afternoon of family entertainment.

Box Hill

KT20 7LB 01306 885502

Until 14 July London-Surrey Borders Magazine

Box Hill bugs 10-10.45, 11am -11:45 am, 1:30 2:15 pm. Fun outdoor learning for toddlers and early learners.

Sun 26 July

Have a Go Archery Day 10.30am – 4.30pm Enjoy one to one tuition in the ancient and noble art of archery. Normal admission applies+ £2 for 6 arrows.

Tues 28 & Thurs 30 July

Shutterbugs Childrens Photography Workshop 10am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 4pm. Learn all about how to take fabulous photographs. There are digital cameras available to borrow for a deposit of £5.

GU8 4AD 01483 208477

Morden Park Hall

Sat 1 – Sun 9 August

Children’s Activity Week Children’s trail available throughout the week Normal admission applies plus 50p charge for activities

Ham House

TW10 7RS 020 8940 1950

Discover fun events at a National Trust property near you this summer

Sun 12 July

Twelfth Night – Open Air Theatre Gates open 6.30pm Bring a picnic and enjoy an evening in our summer garden.

Polesden Lacey RH5 6BD 01372 452048

Every Sunday this summer and August bank Holiday Monday

Lazy Jazz Sundays 2pm - 4pm. Enjoy a lazy afternoon listening to live music this summer.

summer play

Claremont Landscape Garden, Hatchlands Park, Box Hill, Polesden Lacey, Ham House, River Wey Navigations, Winkworth Arboretum, Morden Hall Park

0844 800 1895 nationaltrust.org.uk

www.families-LSB.co.uk

Summer activities

What’s on out of town and corals from the underwater world. Thurs 30 July Make crazy sea creatures of the sea using craft materials.

Bocketts Farm Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead KT22 9BS 01372 363764 office@bockettsfarm.co.uk www.bockettsfarm.co.uk Summer Fun on the Farm 18th July – 1st September 2015 Bocketts farm promises a great day out this summer with a full programme of fun activities! Children will enjoy the Animal Passport Trail as they collect stamps from around the farm. Fergie the Tractor at Bocketts Farm 8th and 9th August 2015. Come along to Bocketts Farm on 8th and 9th August to meet Little Grey Fergie and friends. Fergie, the popular live action tractor brings magic and fun to learning about life on the farm.

Marwell Zoo Colden Common, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1JH 0844 7364215 www.marwell.org.uk Fri 10 July Brew at the Zoo Enjoy a marvellous traditional afternoon tea whilst dining in the historic grade 1 listed Marwell Hall in the centre of Marwell Zoo. There will be an amazing showcase of locally sourced produce from local bakery Oven Door, delicious Hampshire Jam and Chutney and local clotted cream from Clarke’s Dairy. You can even add a glass of fizz. Plus there’s a special afternoon tea box for kids.12:30 & 3pm sittings. Booking is essential - call them on 0844 7364215. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Kingston Museum KT1 2PS 020 8547 5006 www.kingston.gov.uk/museum Thurs 23 July Use colourful ink to print plants

Thurs 6 Aug Make wonderful marine creations out of recycled card. Thurs 13 Aug Create crazy, extravagant and wonderful marine-inspired fashion accessories. Take a photo of your creation and send it to us to have a chance to win our sea-fashion competition!

Mid Hants Watercress SO SO24 9JG 01962 733810 www.watercressline.co.uk Day out with Thomas Summer Holiday 8 - 16 August Thomas & Friends return to the Watercress Line for more family fun! Shake hands with the Fat Controller, meet Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, take part in Thomas themed activities and ride the big steams trains all day! FREE Thomas sticker and certificate for every child! FREE activities, bouncy slide, tea cup ride, children’s entertainer and Thomas tattoos! FREE rides with Thomas, Toad and Diesel! It’s a great value family day out, not to be missed! Make their day a Day Out With Thomas and book your tickets online at www. dayoutwiththomas.co.uk to get your free gift or simply pay on the day.

Please contact venues for opening times and admission charges and age suitability.

11am – 3.30pm Big Wednesdays: African Summer Every Sun in Aug, 3-5pm Sunday Bandstand Concerts Sun 30 Aug 12-6pm. Africarnival! Arundel Castle Jousting & Medieval Tournament Week www.arundelcastle.org Tues 21-26 July A thrilling tournament accompanied by have-a-go archery and a host of craft displays and entertainment; this really is the highlight of Arundel Castle’s events calendar. Penshurst Place and Gardens TN11 8DG 01892 870307 www.penshurstplace.com 18th July - 6th Sep 10.30am - 6pm Summer Maize Maze Families are invited to crack the Magna Carta maze puzzle this summer in the grounds of the 14th century stately home. Sun 26th July- 30th Aug 10.30am - 6pm Summer Sunday fun. Discover more about falconry. Get creative with medieval crafting and Young

knights and fair maidens can also gather around to listen to tales of storytellers. Riverhill Gardens TN15 0RR 01732 459777 www.riverhillgardens.co.uk 22nd - 26th July, 11am - 4pm Wild Crowns Use found and natural materials to create crowns and jewellery. 29th July - 2nd August 11am - 4pm Peg Dollies or Stick Men Old fashioned creativity 5th - 9th August, 11am - 4pm Crazy Abstract Painting. Unleash bright colours and bright ideas! 12th - 16th August, 11am - 4pm Face Painting and Nail Art Choose from a variety of designs including the popular Yeti! 19th - 23rd August, 11am - 3pm Poetic Scavenger Hunt Find objects in the gardens and then use these as inspiration for your poem about Riverhill.

Horniman Museum and Gardens 100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ 020 8699 1872 www.horniman.ac.uk This summer celebrate everything African with the Horniman Museum. An amazing collaboration of music, dance and culture will leave your little ones culturally enriched with the beautiful beat of Africa. Tues 21, 28 July & 25 Aug 2pm - 2:45pm Explore Africa for Families Wed 29 July & 12,19 & 26 Aug

London Surrey Borders

What’s on

What's on

JULY Throughout July Waterloo Food Festival Lots for families to enjoy www.wearewaterloo.co.uk/ foodfestival Throughout July & August Open Season Mayfield Lavender Farm, SM7 3BE 9am to 6pm www.mayfieldlavender.com/ Sat 4 July Alice in Wonderland Day Whitehall Museum, SM3 8QD 020 86431236 Sat 4 July Butterfly Training Day Roundshaw Downs Sutton Ecology Centre SM5 3NY 020 8770 5822 10am - 4pm / £15. Booking is essential. Sat 4 July Carshalton Charter Fair Honeywood Museum, SM5 3NX 020 8770 4297

1pm- 6pm. Free. www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk Every Sat from 4 July Storytime with Jenny Lockyer The Oval Tavern, CR0 6BR 020 8686 6023 1pm- 3pm. Free ww.ovalstorytime.wix.com/ storytime Mon 6 July Whitehall Whippets Whitehall Museum, SM3 8QD 020 86431236 9.30am-11am / £1.50. Booking is essential. Every Tue from 7 July Epsom Library, KT19 8AG 0300 200 1001 2pm - 2.45pm. Every other Sat from 11 July Museum Club Bourne Hall Museum, KT17 1UF 020 8394 1734 1pm to 2.30 pm / £4 www. epsomandewellhistoryexplorer. org.uk

Before setting out please check details with the venue in case they have changed since we have gone to print ...and don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Families London-Surrey Borders!

Sat 11 July Kids Club - Alexander the Great Bourne Hall Museum, KT17 1UF 020 8394 1734 11am-12.30pm / £5 Sat 11 July Kids Club - Viking Raiders Bourne Hall Museum, KT17 1UF 020 8394 1734 2pm - 3.30pm / £5 Sat 11 July Roman Serpent Bracelets at the Activities Space Museum of Croydon, CR9 1ET 020 8253 1022 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm www.museumofcroydon.com Sat 11 July Summer Garden Party Sutton Ecology Centre SM5 3NY 020 8770 5822 11am-4pm / £10 returnable deposit for backpack hire Tues 14 July Museum Mummies - Seaside Fun Honeywood Museum,SM5 3NX 020 8770 4297 2-4 year olds. 9.30 - 11am and 1pm - 2.30pm. £1.50 www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk Sun 19 July Monster Mayhem Honeywood Museum,SM5 3NX 020 8770 4297 Free. 2pm - 5pm www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk

Every Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun from 22 July to 30 August Summer Holiday Activities Sand, Sea and Sausages! Honeywood Museum, SM5 3NX 020 8770 4297 Wed - Fri 11am - 5pm, Sat & Sun 10am - 5pm. Free www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk Thur 23 July Bees and Flowers , The Beanstalk Project Carshalton Community Allotment, SM5 2PW 020 8770 6611 10 – 12pm / Free. Booking is required. www.localfoodnetwork.org.uk/ index.php/category/the-beanstalkproject/ Thur 23 July Paper Bunting Workshop Whitehall Museum,SM3 8QD 020 8643 1236 4+. 2pm - 4pm, £3. Booking is advisable. Sat 25 – Sun 26 July Pick your Own - Lavender Harvest Weekend Carshalton Lavender Fields, Stanley Park Road 07948 174907 10am – 4 pm www.carshaltonlavender.org Sun 26 July Upper Wandle Walk Honeywood Museum, SM5 3NX 020 8770 4297 £3.50 (£3 Friends) www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk/ Events

Centrale gives talented Croydonites the chance to strut their stuff! Centrale Shopping Centre, Croydon has teamed up with the Family Centrale to find Croydon’s next local superstar. Hosted by Centrale Shopping Centre the first round takes place on 4th July. Finalists will the perform head to head in front of the judges and shoppers to prove they’ve got what it takes on the 18th of July. So even if the limelight is not for you, head down to Centrale to see some of the borough’s fresh new talent battle it out for a fun day the whole family can enjoy.

July/ August 2015

www.families-LSB.co.uk

What’s on 28 & 30 July Horrible Ewell Walk Bourne Hall Museum, KT17 1UF 020 8394 1734 28th at 30th at 11am-12.30pm. £5 per person. Booking is essential www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk

Thur 6 August Tudor Masks and Tudor roses Workshop Whitehall Museum, 1, SM3 8QD 020 8643 1236 4+. 2pm - 4pm / £3. Booking Essential

Tues 18 Aug Reptile Open Day Sutton Ecology Centre SM5 3NY 020 8770 5822 11am - 2pm / £3 per child, Booking essential

Thur 30 July Make Your Own Magnetic Fishpond Game Workshop Whitehall Museum, SM3 8QD 020 8643 1236 4+. 2pm - 4pm / £3 booking essential.

Sat 8 Aug – Sun 9 Aug Whitehall Cream Tea Weekend Whitehall Museum, 1, SM3 8QD 020 8643 1236 2pm - 5pm

Wed 19 Aug Roman Helmets at the Activities Space Museum of Croydon, CR9 1ET 020 8253 1022 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm www.museumofcroydon.com

AUGUST 5 & 12 August Chalk Lane to Worlds End Walk Bourne Hall Museum, KT17 1UF 020 8394 1734 5th Aug, 7pm-8.30pm or 12th Aug 2pm-3.30pm / £5. Booking essential. Wed 5 August Leisure and Pleasure in Sutton and Cheam Whitehall Museum, SM3 8QD 020 8643 1236 2pm - 3pm / Tickets £3 Thur 6 August Design a Stained Glass Window Museum of Croydon, CR9 1ET 020 8253 1022 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm www.museumofcroydon.com Thur 6 August Mini Honeywood Explorers - The Light house Keeper’s Lunch Honeywood Museum, SM5 3NX 020 8770 4297 2pm - 4pm / Free – Booking essential. www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk

Mon 10 Aug Become a Stag Beetle Expert Sutton Ecology Centre SM5 3NY 020 8770 5822 10am-12.30pm / £5. Booking essential Tues 11 Aug Wild Story Time - The Gruffalo Sutton Ecology Centre SM5 3NY 020 8770 5822 10.30am-12.00 noon / £3.50. Booking essential Thur 13 Aug Design your own Crest Museum of Croydon, CR9 1ET 020 8253 1022 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm www.museumofcroydon.com Thur 13 Aug What’s In Your Garden Crafternoon Whitehall Museum, SM3 8QD 020 8643 1236 4+. 2pm - 4pm / £3 per. Booking is essential.

Mon 24 Aug The Very Curious Caterpillar Sutton Ecology Centre SM5 3NY. 020 8770 5822 10.30am – 12 per / £3.50 Booking essential.

Thur 20 Aug Make Your Own Sword and Shield Crafternoon Whitehall Museum SM3 8QD 020 8643 1236 4+. 2pm - 4pm / Tickets cost £3 Booking is essential. Thur 20 Aug People Who Have Helped Us at the Activities Space Museum of Croydon, CR9 1ET 020 8253 1022 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm www.museumofcroydon.com Sat 22 Aug Historic Skyline Activity at the Activities Space Museum of Croydon, Croydon Clocktower , CR9 1ET 020 8253 1022 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm

Tues 25 Aug Mini-Beast Adventures Sutton Ecology Centre SM5 3NY 020 8770 5822 10am - 2pm / £3 Wed 26 –Thur 27 Aug World War Two in Croydon at the Activities Space Museum of Croydon, CR9 1ET 020 8253 1022 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm www.museumofcroydon.com Thur 27 Aug Ice Lolly Crafternoon Whitehall Museum, SM3 8QD 020 8643 1236 4+. 2pm - 4pm / £3 booking is essential. Thur 27 Aug Mini Honeywood Explorers Digging up the Past Honeywood Museum,SM5 3NX 020 8770 4297 New led sessions aimed at children aged 6-10 years. 2pm - 4pm / Free, Pre-book. www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk

In partnership with

Home of Thomas & FriendsTM toys

18 & 20 Aug Epsoms’ Oldest Road Walk Bourne Hall Museum, KT17 1UF 020 8394 1734 18th Aug 7pm-8.30pm, 20 Aug 2pm-3.30pm / £5 per. Booking essential

Summer Fun with the Guidford Spectum

01483 443322 I www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk Finding activities that everyone can enjoy over the summer holidays can be a challenge! With its Olympic sized ice rink, 32 lane ten pin bowl, four pools including a leisure pool, a soft play area, gym, sports arena and aerobics studio all under one roof, Guildford Spectrum, managed by Freedom Leisure, is the perfect solution.

Join Thomas & FriendsTM at a heritage Railway near you. Experience a ride on a real steam engine and take part in Thomas-themed activities.

MID HANTS RAILWAY ‘WATERCRESS LINE’

Family Fun Tickets available until 31st December 2015 Swim, Skate & Bowl all in one day for a discounted price; 2 activities £40 & 3 activities £60 (family of 4). Adult & Junior tickets are also available. Free Parking. Its a great value Family day out!

Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9JG

8TH - 16TH 2015

www.dayoutwiththomas.co.uk

Day Out With ThomasTM Thomas the Tank EngineTM. Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W. Awdry. © 2015 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Thomas & Friends and Day Out With Thomas are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. © 2015 HIT Entertainment Limited.

London Surrey Borders

What’s on

What’s on at the theatre

Simon Webbe as Wolf in The 3 Little Pigs

Before setting out please check details with the venue in case they have changed since we have gone to print ...and don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Families London-Surrey Borders!

LOCAL THEATRE Secombe Theatre

42 Cheam Road, Sutton SM1 020 8770 6990 www.suttontheatres.co.uk Mon 20 July - Tues 21 July The Wind in the Willows Join Mole as he abandons his spring-cleaning for the riverbank, and stumbles into an adventure with Mr Toad and friends. £12 adults, £9 children, £38 family ticket

Charles Cryer Studio

39 High Street, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3BB 020 8770 6990 www.suttontheatres.co.uk Tues 4 Aug - Sat 8 Aug The Strangest Sandwich in the World and Other Silly Stuff What’s in your strangest sandwich? Why don’t earwigs have ears or wigs? Why am I in the back of the car? How many more questions? Answer them and more in this spoken word sandwich full of fun fillings, playful poems and wonderful wordplay with Rachel Sambrooks. Age 10 +£12.50

SURROUNDS New Wimbledon Theatre Sat 22 August Milkshake! Live “Party Party” Fans of Channel 5’s hugely popular children’s TV strand Milkshake will be thrilled to know that a brand new stage show, Milkshake! Live ‘Party Party’, is coming to Sutton. £13.50 adults, £11.50 children, £46 family ticket

Epsom Playhouse

Ashley Avenue, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5AL 01372 742 555 www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk Thur 30 July Tree Fu Tom Join CBeebies star, Tree Fu Tom, as he takes to the stage in his first nationwide ‘live’ tour! £10.50 Sat 8 Aug Close up Magic - Children’s Special This is not a typical children’s magic show. Children can be more discerning these days and this performance is guaranteed to genuinely amaze young and old alike. Age 7 +. £12.50

London-Surrey Borders

July/ August 2015

The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1QG 0870 060 6646 www.atgtickets.com/venues/newwimbledon-theatre Mon 3 - Tues 4 Aug English National Ballet School’s Summer Performances 2015 English National Ballet School returns for their annual Summer Performances, with a programme featuring a blend of classical and contemporary works. From £15. Tues 11- Wed 12 Aug Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom Somewhere, hidden amongst the thorny brambles is a little kingdom where everyone is very very small...Holly is a young Fairy Princess who is still learning how to fly and her magic doesn’t always go quite according to plan. From £16.40.

2-5 July STATIk 2 Rebellious radios, secret sweets and accidental adventures. It’s Mikey’s first day at work in the regimented radio factory. When a mysterious voice comes through the airwaves, chaos ensues and it brings about the hilarious destruction of the factory regime. Age 5+, £13.50/£10. Palace Theatre Cambridge Circus London, W1D 5AY Stars from the worlds of pop, musical theatre and Saturday night TV are joining forces for a brand new family musical that’s trotting into the West End this summer. Discover how the three little porkers become world renowned celebrity superstars when forced to leave the warmth of their mother’s overcrowded sty. Will the 3 Little Pigs cope without their adoring mother’s “hogs and kisses”? Will their DIY building skills cut the mustard? And will they be able to stand on their own four trotters and outwit the Big Bad Wolf? Ages 3+. Tickets from £10. Book now Call 0844 482 9676 www.nimaxtheatres.com

Southbank Centre

Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8PX 020 7960 4200 / 0844 847 9944 Wed 29 July – Sun 2 Aug Brat Kids Carnival Brat Kids Carnival uses the variety format to create an alternative circus show especially for kids. See the finest circus artists and mischief makers from Briefs in this family-friendly show. Hula hoops at top speed, acrobatics at alarming heights and seriously cheeky clowning antics. £10

Puppet Theatre Barge

Little Venice, Blomfield Road W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com 12-30 August, 4, 5, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 September Fowl Play A farmyard adventure in which a foal is born causing much excitement among the animals and leading to an unexpected turn of events. Age 3+£10/£8.50. 25 July to 9 August The Three Pigs and The Wolf A lively show that breathes new life into these well-known characters. £10/£8.50.

STARRING

SIMON WEBBE ALISON JIEAR LEANNE JONES TAOFIQUE FOLARIN DANIEL BUCKLEY

Polka Theatre

240 The Broadway, Wimblledon, SW19 1SB 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com To 16 Aug Dot, Squiggle and Rest What will you discover at the bottom of the garden? Join in a playful adventure as a fantastical garden becomes a miniature universe of dots, squiggles and shapes of all different shapes and sizes. £11.50/£9.

WED 5 AUG – SUN 6 SEPT BOOK NOW 0844 482 9676 LEICESTER SQUARE

3littlepigslive.com

KIDS GO FREE IN AUGUST! (Terms apply)

www.families-LSB.co.uk

Summer camps

Summer camps Music Theatre Summer School for Children at the Epsom Playhouse Epsom, Surrey KT18 5AL 020 8673 1864 24 - 28 August 10am to 4pm each day. For children aged 8 to 13, £150 for the week. Sibling discount available www.edustage.co.uk

Pull the Other Summer Holiday Shakespeare Drama Workshop & Stage Epsom Playhouse,KT18 5AL 3 - 7 August Mon-Thu 10:15am – 3pm Fri 10:30am (performance 5:30pm) Join Pull the Other Theatre Education (PtO) for their workshop and staging of “AS YOU LIKE IT” that introduces Shakespeare’s sunny pastoral comedy full of games of love and mistaken identity in a fun fuelled, energised workshop environment. Meet new friends, learn about making a play and create a work-in-progress performance for friends and family. PtO’s facilitators are Drama UK accredited trained and working professional actors or directors who will guide you in experimenting and reimagining the story’s possibilities. Through games and rehearsal techniques, each participant plays with the text from the perspective of an actor and becomes a theatre maker. 10 – 16 years, £145 (10% past participants/sign up with a sibling or friend discount) www.ptotheatre.org.uk

Glazed All Over 102 Stafford Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 9AY 02086476463 28 July - 28 August All workshops are 3-4pm Throughout the summer holidays we will be running one-off sessions that cover a whole range of different skills and techniques. Fun and informative, our crafty workshops will keep your little ones engaged and entertained. Booking is essential. July 28th - Clay Sunshine Plate 29th Origami flowers 30th - Fingerprint Summer Scene Tile 31st - Glass Paint Picture Frame August 4th - Clay flower Dish 5th - Trinket Box Painting 6th - Ceramic Bead Painting 7th - Clay Roses 11th Self Portrait Clay Plate 12th - Clay Owl Pot 13th - Clay Cat Dish 14th - Clay Bunting 18th - Clay Leaf Imprint Plate 19th - Clay Hanging Heart 20th - Rainy Day Clay Mobile 21st - Trinket Box Painting 25th - Origami Flowers 26th - Clay Pocket 27th - Slab Built Clay Vase 28th - Clay Lavender Heart. Age 6+, £6 per workshop with 15% sibling discount www.glazedallover.co.uk Kidspace Adventures Holiday Club 619 Purley Way,Croydon CR0 4RQ 020 8686 0040 Exciting action packed activities, exclusive ‘free play’ session, with all drinks, snacks, lunch and two course evening meal. 20 July - 28 August Children to 12 years. Standard day, 9am-5pm £35. Extended day, 8:30am-6pm £40. Half day (AM) 9am-1pm £25. Half day (PM) 1pm-5pm £25. Discounts for annual pass members, also if you are a returning customer from last year if you book 5 days standard or extended with us you will get the 5th day for £25. www.kidspaceadventures.com

Summer Art Course for Art Scholarship Preparation 11, 18, 25 August 10am – 11:30am - Art Portfolio preparation course 13 & 20 August 9:30am – 11:30am – Art workshop for children age 7+ Nava Ahmed, a professional watercolour artist, is running a three week course over the summer holidays aimed to help students put together their art portfolios in accordance with school requirements. Nava strongly believes that a child’s personality shows through their artwork and she works with her students to guide them to reflect their interests in their portfolios by developing an individual style. For details and bookings call Nava on 07881886541 or email at nava@theartcakestudio.com www.theartandcakestudio.com Performing Arts Summer School in the Theatre and studios at Coulsdon sixth form College Theatre Placehouse Lane, coulsdon, Surrey 07958 725862 With Professional Ballet dancers and West End Performers teaching your children, this is not

Southern Tutors Rosebery School, Epsom, KT187NQ 20 - 24 & 27 - 31 July & 2 - 28 August 9.30am-3,30pm. Intensive 11 Plus courses. Verbal and non-verbal reasoning, Maths and English classes for 9 & 10 yr olds. Also GCSE Maths, English and Science courses. They have an excellent success rate and parents can book by calling 07986564651 or email: info@southerntutors.co.uk Theatrebugs Summer Workshop – The Lion & The Mouse United Reform Church, 38 Stoke Road, Cobham, KT11 3BD 07971 004134 10 – 14 August 1.30pm - 4.30pm Poor Leo the Lion is trapped in a net! His very big and very strong friends Big Strong Elephant and Big Strong Crocodile try their hardest to rescue him but can’t quite do it! Is it possible that incy wincy Squeaker the Mouse can work his magic before Leo the Lion gets turned into Lion Lasagna for Pirate Shouty’s dinner? For boys and girls aged 3½-7 year olds 5 fun filled days of acting, dancing, singing, arts and crafts and dressing up. On day 3 we hit the stage! £120 10% Sibling Discount / Group Booking Discount www.theatrebugs.co.uk/surrey

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to be missed! Emma of English National Ballet delivers quality training for youngsters. The week includes, Ballet and Musical theatre with workshops in Cats and Mary Poppins and much much more. Parent demo on the Friday. 9am to 2pm (juniors) and 3.30pm (seniors), Juniors ages 6 to 9 and mid and senior levels ages 10 up to 19yrs £150 juniors £170 seniors www.purleypointes.co.uk

ORT

FIT FOR SP

Quote code: Families10

Book now for the school holidays www.fitforsport.c.uk

0845 456 3233

London Surrey Borders

Summer camps Ready Steady Go Kids Ready Steady Go Kids Summer Mini Term Nonsuch Hall (Bluegates Scouts Hall), London Rd, 1 Bluegates, Ewell, KT17 2SA Every Wednesday starting 29 July for 5 weeks 1.30pm for 3 - 5 years. 2.30pm for 5 - 7 years, 3.30pm for 2½ - 4 years. 1 hour weekly sport sessions, different sport each week. 2 - 7 years £12 per session. 15% discount available for full summer term booking. St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Northey Avenue, Cheam, SM2 7HF Every Thursday starting 30 July 2015, for 4 weeks 10am for 3 - 5 years, 11am for 2 - 3 years. 1 hour weekly sport sessions, different sport each week. 2 - 5 years. £12 per session. 15% discount available for full summer term booking. Ready Steady Go Kids Sport & Pottery Nonsuch Hall (Bluegates Scouts Hall), London Rd, 1 Bluegates, Ewell, KT17 2SA 18 August 9.30am – 12.30pm 3 hours of active fun. 1 hour of sports, 1 hour of pottery, create and get active and enjoy super fun motor activities. Snack and drink provided. 2 to 6 years £35.00. 10% sibling discount available. To book your space, or for more information please call 0800 690 6591 or visit www.rsgk.co.uk Stagecoach Summer Holiday Camps I recently received a little write up from a pupil named Ben who attends Stagecoach Caulsdon and I thought I would share his words and experiences with you. He is a child aged 8, and I think what he has to say and his ability to express himself will show you just how much a child can learn,

22 July/ August 2015

WIN

grow and develop by joining Stagecoach. “One of the things I’m most looking forward to this Summer is the two weeks I’ll be spending at Stagecoach Coulsdon. I’ve been going to the weekly Stagecoach classes for the last 3 years and I have a great time when I’m there. I’ve made a great bunch of friends at Stagecoach and all of the teachers are really kind and inspiring, and are always encouraging us to do our very best. Stagecoach has also offered me some great opportunities – I’ve written a blog for their magazine and even had the chance to perform on a West End stage – how cool is that? This Summer, I’ve signed up to do both of Stagecoach Coulsdon’s holiday workshops (a Horrible Histories play and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) – I love the holiday workshops as you get the chance to throw yourself totally into a show for a full 4 days and then perform it on the final day to all your friends and family. Last year’s workshop was brilliant fun, so bring on this Summer as I can’t wait to get started!”

11+ Masterclasses by 11 plus Specialists Laleham Lea Prep School, 29 Peaks Hill, Purley CR8 3JJ The Holiday Learning Club provides unique holiday club facilities for the parent whose child has 11+ exams ahead, particularly those sitting them this year. By enrolling their child a parent will ensure that their child will benefit by regular periods of learning as well as fun physical activity during the school holidays. The club offers an affordable way to incorporate childcare with 11+ tuition. Your child will benefit from: a personalised 11+ learning programme, specialist group and one to one 11+ tuition, experienced CRB checked 11+ tutors, regular practice tests with results emailed to parents, focus on strengthening weak areas, daily vocabulary building sessions, fun physical activities to stimulate learning, club runs from 9am to 3.30pm, extended childcare facilities possible, subject to demand. £220 per week for bookings made on or before 8th July, normal price is £250 per week. For more information call 0208 669 2197 www.11plusmasterclass.co.uk

World Cup Rugby Celebration with Ready Steady Go Kids and Families LSB To celebrate the Rugby World Cup hosted by England during September, Ready Steady Go Kids is holding a competition to win: First Prize, a Free Term in the Epsom, Kingston or Richmond area (Free term is Term 1: Sept to Nov 2015, classes suitable for children aged between 2 and 7 years). Second prize – win a Ready Steady Go Kids Rugby Ball. Third Prize – win a Ready Steady Go Kids Hoody (sizes from 2 years up to 6 years). Fourth Prize – win a Ready Steady Go Kids Long Sleeve T-shirt (sizes from 2 years up to 6 years) For a chance to win one of these amazing prizes, visit www.familiesLondonSurrey-Borders/ Competitions.Terms and Conditions apply. Entries close 31 August 2015

To find your nearest Stagecoach Summer Holiday Camp please visit www.stagecoach.co.uk

www.families-LSB.co.uk

Classifieds

Tuition

Blackland Farm Outdoor Activity Centre

Parties

Southern Tutors Saturday and Holiday 11plus courses. GCSE. A level. 01372 721119 07986 564 651 info@southerntutors.co.uk www.southerntutors.co.uk Drum Tuition for all ages! Beginners and children welcome DBS cleared tutor. Tel: 07763518740

Birthday parties and day trips

Overnights Kayaking Canoeing and holidays Bungeetrampolining Rock climbing Archery Crate challenge Zip wire Abseiling Aeroball... ...and many more!

Drum Tuition for all ages! Beginners and children welcome DBS cleared tutor. Tel: 07763518740

www.flossiechildrensentertainer.co.uk

www.magictheo.com

Award Winning Magician For Children & Adults Free Magic Wand & Certificate for Birthday Child

(Magic Circle & Equity) 07711 724129

10 year olds