Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 1September/October 2022 familiesonline.co.uk FREE IN THIS ISSUE AutumnEducationFunHalloween IGNITE at Polesden Lacey 20 Oct to 6 Nov
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Can you believe the kids are back at school already? It seems like just a moment since they were breaking up!
Finally, in this issue, we have tonnes of Action Heroes sets, some fun Sneezy Panda games, Mr Frosty toys and cool Marlo & Cole t-shirts to giveaway! By applying, you’ll also ensure you continue to receive our wonderful magazine!
RoadClubsEducation&classessafetyfor kids Screen-free indoor HalloweenwalksFamilyoutsideAutumnactivitiesactivitiesfriendlyautumn In this issue 181716141312874 CONTENTS
Christmas all in! ...with Away Resorts *Price based on 2-nights in Comfort accommodation at Sandy Balls Holiday Village in December. Correct at time of print. Forest of Light, Sandy Balls 04 Nov - 31 Dec 04TattershallWinterfest,LakesNov-31Dec Family getaways from £66* Book today at awayresorts.co.uk or call 03333 634189
Starting or going back to school can be challenging for children (and parents) so check out our advice on new term teething problems and inspire your kids with our great book recommendations.
Congratulations to all our winners.
Autumn is a beautiful time of year so take a look at our suggestions for activities to do with the kids outside. Enjoy our Autumn treasure hunt or try one of our family-friendly walk suggestions when half term rolls around. And, if you want to keep your kids off screens as the nights draw in, check out our half term screen-free kids’ activities too!
Get in touch
Competition winners from our May/June issue
What’s AutumnOntreasure hunt
Welcome
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 3
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Running from 22 to 30 October, Deadliest Plants and Bugs will include lots of fun handson activities for all the family to Childrenenjoy.
can find out how plants and insects from cacti to centipedes use fangs, stings, spines and slime to defend themselves and their habitats. Educational and fun! Normal garden admission applies. Free to RHS members and children under 5.
WHAT’S ON
Enjoy Halloween at Hever Castle
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October4
know that, in olden times, garlic was thought to ward off evil spirits? Keen young visitors can take part in Hever’s garlic bulb planting workshop to try and scare away vampires and other spirits!
Spot ghostly decorations around the grounds, take part in a Castle trail (included with Castle entry) and listen to traditional ghost stories. Finish off your fabulous day out with a ghostly face paint (extra charge).
Discover deadly nature at RHS Wisley
Head to RHS Garden Wisley with the family this October half term and discover the clever creepy-crawlies and super-smart plants that fight back!
Whilst at Wisley, see the garden’s exotic collection of rare, endangered species at The Glasshouse and enjoy a walk in the jungle-like Battleston Hill woodland gardens.
In return for a small prize, enter different zones including witches, skeletons and bats to find letters that spell out a mystery word - don’t forget to look out for the giant spider! Dress up in your spookiest costumes to really get in the Didmood!you
Get into the Halloween spirit this Autumn half term at Hever Castle & Gardens. Hever is offering ghostly excitement galore with a family-friendly spooky trail running from 22 to 30 October.
With over 200 acres of gardens to explore, Wisley is a perfect place for kids to roam free.
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 5 JOINTHE R HS TODAY JOIN THE R HS TODAY membersRHSgofree Deadliest andPlantsBugs Sat 22 – Sun 30 Oct Clever creepy-crawlies and super-smart plants. Discover what happens when nature fights back! Your visit supports our work as a charity rhs.org.uk/wisley 1996.BBC©&logo™BBCStudios.BBCbyLicensed2014,LtdAKAStudio©&logos™characterandDUGGEE™HEYTHE THEATRELIVESHOW LONDON SOUTHBANK c ENTRE ‘ S ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL 14 DE c - 8 JAN TI c KET S ON SALE NOW | HEYDU gg E E LIVE .c O m 2762-Halloween-Half-Term-Ad-87x130mm-AW.indd 1 12/08/2022 17:56
MORE HERE
WHAT’S
fire is bigger than last year with over 1,000 flickering lights and the fire-breathing dragons are back.
Returning with a new, after-dark magical trail of light, fantasy and fire for all the family, IGNITE is back at Polesden Lacey from Thu 20 Oct to Sun 6 Nov, from 5-9pm.
Sneezy Panda games to giveaway!Theflowersandleavesmakepandasneeze...whatcanyoudo? T&Cs applyAPPLY HERE Magazine available10 Suitable for ages 4+
Enjoy IGNITE at Polesden Lacey this autumn ON
There are plenty of new installations as you pick up your hand-held lanterns to guide you through the woodland walk, featuring fairy-tale scenes from childhood favourites Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and TheGoldilocks.fieldof
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October6
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 7
Autumn treasure hunt
And hey presto, you’re done! And hopefully you’ve found an autumn treasure you can keep or learned something you didn’t know. Have fun!
Get outdoors and go on a treasure hunt with your kids, finding and matching autumn treasures.
On the next page you’ll find pictures of eight different autumn treasures to find in the park or woodlands. Remember, the Woodland Trust has a great guide to woodlands near you. Once you’ve found them, write in the name of what you’ve found. Get your grown up to help
When you’ve worked out the connection, draw a line from each of your autumn treasures to the picture at the bottom that is connected to it.
Ideal for appreciating the autumn season and getting outdoors. No checking online until you get home!
take a look at the pictures in a row at the bottom. Each picture has some kind of connection to your treasures. It might be where the treasure comes from or maybe where you find it.
DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS HERE What am I? I am a: I am a: I am a: I am a: I am an: I am an: I am a: I am a:
Thenyou.
AutumnHuntTreasure
Chapter books that encourage kindness
Wonder By R. J. AgePalacio8+
Five Ways to Make a Friend
By Gillian Cross Ages 8+
Lost By Ele AgesFountain11+
Age 8+
The Elephant in the
By JionAgeSheibani6+
Room
The Worries: Sohal Finds a Friend
Boy at the Back of the Class
The MovementSoup
By Ben Davis
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October8 EDUCATION
By Holly Goldberg Sloan
Age 10+
By
By Onjali Q. Rauf Ages 8+
Our friends at Parrot Street Book Club contribute their suggestions.
The Elephant PeterAgesCarnavas6+
A Kind of Spark By ElleAgesMcNicoll8+
What can parents and carers do to ensure their children, of all ages, develop great learning habits which will help them achieve their maximum potential in school and in life? It all starts with talking - and lots of it – from the very early years onward.
Does your child struggle to open a packet of crisps? Like all motor function problems, this is indicative of something more significant, in this case a general problem with ‘hand grasp.’
Most children with special educational needs (SEN) go to a mainstream school, where there are both pupils with and without SEN. So, if your child has special educational needs, what type of support can you expect from their school and how do go about getting that support?
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 9 EDUCATION
By John and Kyle Hattie
READ MORE
Hand grasp challenges in young children
READ MORE Getting school support for a child with SEN Contributed by Contact Unique T-shirts from Marlo & Cole! Magazine T&Cs apply FREE for your child APPLY HERE available10 2-3,Sizes3-4&4-5
READ MORE
Children who struggle with this usually struggle with other tasks like handwriting too.
Why education begins at home
By Usha Patel
By Polly Faber, illustrated by VulliamyClara
By David MacPhail, illustrated by MorganRichard
Noodle the Doodle
The GrannyMarvellousJinksandMe
By Chrissie Sains. illustrated by Jenny Taylor Velda andAwesomesttheVikingtheVoyageofDeadlyDoom
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October10 EDUCATION
By Sally illustratedGardner,byLydiaCorrey
Alien in the FactoryJam
By Caroline Green, illustrated by Rikin Parekh
Brilliant first chapter books for early readers
Written and illustrated by Sarah Horne
Dragon Storm
There’s a Dog in My Brain
The Tindims of Rubbish Island
When your child is ready to move on from picture books, here are some wonderful first chapter books recommended by Parrot Street Book Club.
Morgan the Book Cat
By Serena Patel, illustrated by Selom Sunu
Panda at the Door
By Alastair DeschampsillustratedChisholm,byEricandBenMantle
By Jonathan Meres, illustrated by Katy Halford
Perhaps they’re in a different class or their closest friend has left the school and they’re struggling to adjust and find a new bestie or gang. Regardless, there are a couple of things you can do to boost your child’s friendships. Firstly, of course, talk to your child’s teacher and ask if there’s anyone they think your son or daughter might particularly gel with. Next up, invite them over for a playdate or arrange to meet them and their parent in the park. If confidence is an issue, role play approaching potential friends with your little one…take it in turns.
My child can’t manage this year’s curriculum
Primary school learning is much more of a double act these days, a partnership between parents and teachers. Again, go and have a chat with the teacher to try and understand your child’s level and find out what you can do to support your little one’s reading, writing or maths at home. This needn’t be
New term teething troubles
anything formal, just reading a little more together or encouraging them to do some basic adding up when you’re at the shops or baking. For writing practice, could they write a post card to their grandparents or other relatives? MORE
By Liat Joshi-Hughes
The autumn term has begun and your child has returned to school. What kind of ‘teething troubles’ might you face over the next few months while your child copes with the changes that September brought with it? And how should you deal with them?
My child is having trouble making friends
READ
Make fruity, crunchy ice with Mr Frosty! APPLY HERE for your FREET&Cstoyapply Magazine available5 Suitableforages3+
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 11 EDUCATION
This term, Perform 4-7s will venture into The Magician’s Chamber with Merlin the Wizard whilst 7-12s will work on a funky, festive performance of Ebenezer, based Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol.
Whether you’re looking for a confidence boost for your child or just a weekly dose of drama, dance and singing fun, Perform is back this autumn with two exciting productions for 4-7s and 7-12s.
At Ewell Dance we offer classes in ISTD Ballet, ISTD Modern, ISTD Tap, Contemporary Dance, Street Dance, Acro and Musical WeTheatre.offer a FREE TRIAL LESSON and NO REGISTRATION FEES LESSONFREETRIALClasses in Ewell, Epsom and Stoneleigh www.ewelldance.com WWW.DUNOTTARSCHOOL.COM High Trees Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7EL Tel: 01737 761945 Email: info@dunottarschool.com www dunottarschool com/saturda mus academy Dunottar Saturday Music Academ Calling all young aspiring musicians aged 5 18 All abilities welcome from beginners to more experienced musicians. The Academy operates from 8.30am to 3.00pm on Saturdays. Lesson times are arranged between the teacher and pupil. TuitionMusic Piano, Voice and Music Theory Strings: Violin, Viola and Cello Woodwind: Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone
Confidence-building fun with Perform
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October12 PERFORMING ARTS
With a focus specifically on social skill development and boosting confidence, classes run in Shirley, Caterham, Purley, Reigate and Oxted.
Book a free class HERE.
Confidence building weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s, designed to boost confidence, concentrationcommunication,andcoordination.
More about Perform’s classes
Visit website, email or call 020 7255 9120 to book a FREE trial class.
This term runs from September to December in Shirley, Caterham, Purley, Reigate and Oxted.
Children should not go out alone until they know and can use the Green Cross Code . Let your child make decisions with you, so they learn through practical action. Help your child plan safe walking routes. Encourage your child to talk about what they see on the roads and whether it’s safe.
Introduce Stop, Look, Listen and Think.
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 13 PARENTING
Point out safer crossing places and show how to use them.
The Green Cross Code
Ages 5-7
First Journeys
The number one rule is hand holding. If your child is likely to pull away use safety reins. Make sure your child walks on the INSIDE of the pavement away from traffic.
Road safety for kids of all ages
LISTEN for traffic approaching from all directions.
In this film for ages 7 to 12, children discuss first solo journeys they’re looking forward to and older children share what their first journeys were like.
Never let your child go near a road alone and always hold Showhands.children how pedestrians walk safely on the pavement and vehicles use the road.
In this film for children ages 3 to 6, pupils dress up and learn how to cross the road safely using the Stop, Look, Listen, Think sequence.
THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road. Walk straight across the road. Keep LOOKING and LISTENING for traffic while crossing.
Point out hidden entrances or driveways that cross the pavement.
Ages 7-11
Stop, Look, Listen, Think
Find a safe place to cross. STOP just before you get to the kerb. LOOK in all directions for approaching traffic.
Toddlers
Reinforce Stop, Look, Listen and Think.
We asked Isabell Fisher, co-founder of Little Hands Learning for some easy-to-set-up activities that will appeal to little hands, eyes and brains.
Baking
Children love to paint and getting messy is part of the fun! BUT the idea of the mess can fill many parents with dread. Instead of using poster paint, try using watercolour paints which are easier to clean up. To change things up, get the kids painting on coffee filters, a canvas or ice cubes.
Boosted books
Painting
There’s no doubt that playdough is a versatile toy. But if the smell and texture of big-branded playdough is something you’re not keen on, there are some wonderful options for soft and scented playdough that doesn’t leave a greasy residue. Check that its been UKCA tested before buying.
Reading to your kids is great but don’t limit the experience to sitting on the sofa. If the book is set in a cave, evict the vacuum cleaner from under the stairs and issue everyone with head torches! If you’re reading a desert adventure, create a Bedouin tent using some sheets and your clothes horse.
Playdough
Baking shortbread and scones is simple enough for inexperienced bakers to try. Hopefully the end results will taste great and they will enjoy eating them too. Baking bread is also surprisingly simple and you and your children can have lots of fun creating different animals out of the dough to then bake in the oven.
Screen-free rainy day activities
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October14 ACTIVITIES
Art and craft
Easy science experiments
Design a board game
Screen-free rainy day activities
We asked Isabell Fisher, co-founder of Little Hands Learning for some easy-to-set-up activities that will appeal to little hands, eyes and brains.
Hide some treasure and then create a map for your kids to follow. Make it more interesting (and last longer) by having the map lead your little pirates to different locations where each location’s ‘treasure’ is a clue to the next location. For more authenticity, scrunch up the paper and stain it with a damp teabag.
This is a fun way for kids to learn about design and teamwork. All you need is a piece of paper, some pens, some counters (maybe toy figures), some dice and some rules. Involve your children in working out what the game is about, how it works and decorate your board before playing!
Treasure hunt
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 15 ACTIVITIES
There are lots of easy science experiments that can be tried at home with household items and they encourage kids to ask questions, make predictions and understand the world around them. Try making a lava lamp with water, food colouring and oil in a jar. Add an effervescent tablet and watch what happens!
This doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Often keeping it simple is far better than creating something elaborate. Try making a paper boat and see how far it travels or creating tealight holders out of old jam jars by gluing on pieces of tissue paper. These also make lovely homemade presents for grandparents.
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October16 AUTUMN Enjoying autumn outside Get your kids outside and engaging with nature this autumn with these great activity options. Play Pooh sticksPick your NoughtsPlaypumpkinownnaturalandCrosses Forage for edibleswild Make friends with a bug Go orienteeringfamily Play conkers Have fun stickswithMake a potionmagic
From waterfalls to forest trails, a Scottish wonderland in West Argyll.
Old Sarum
The great British countryside is full of stunning walks. Here are nine that are suitable for the whole family. So why not make a day of it?
Family-friendly walks for autumn
Explore the National Botanic Garden of Wales or CantrefFarm.Adventure
Ham House and Garden
Sutherland’sGrove
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 17 AUTUMN
BreconNationalBeaconsPark
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens
An outdoor oasis in London – escape the concrete jungle!
Follow The Gritstone Trail from Disley to Kidsgrove, through Tegg’s Nose in Cheshire.
Explore the walks around this Iron Age Hillfort in Wiltshire.
Seven CountrySistersPark
Stowe countryside,Breathtakinglake and forest at Stowe in Bucks. Dogs on leads.
Morden Hall Park
Try Ripon and Fountains Abbey walk or the Lost Spa trail.
Fun walking & activities in the gardens of a seventeenth century manor in Surrey.
Tegg’s CountryNosePark
Miles of coastline in the South Downs National Park in East Sussex.
RECIPE
My son is obsessed with anything creepy and scary and these fun and super-easy snacks are some of his favourites. Your kids will love these delicious Creepy Crumpet Pizzas, Ghostly Peppers and Witches Brooms made from Cheese Strings!
Spooky crispy treats Spooky snacks
Tuna fish pie (with pumpkin tops)
These delicious hot chocolate sticks are perfect when you want a warming treat this Halloween. Kids can get creative topping them with their favourite chocolates, sprinkles or even cookies and then enjoy them by dunking in a hot cup of milk.
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October18 HALLOWEEN
RECIPE
Halloween treats
Hot chocolate sticks
Making rice crispy treats is one of my favourite things to do with my son because he can do most of the job himself! It’s a fab no-bake recipe, you can use any cereal and the results are deliciously crispy and perfect for decoration.
RECIPE
RECIPE
If you’re looking for something that’s Halloween-themed and easy to prepare with just one pot, this healthy pie is a perfect option. It’s a great way to get fish and hidden veg into your child’s diet too!
Bake these delicious Halloween recipes from Neha Gandesha @squashedpickle. Watch her videos or click for recipe and ingredients.
In the autumn we’ll share parent stories about how things have changed, the different challenges and how we’re all making things work.
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 19 Magazine
Whatever age your children, we’d love you to tell us what’s happening in your world and about your childcare.
Tell aboutus childcareyour Take our 5 minute survey Rising costs of living. New ways of working. Not ...theChangingChangingworking.jobs.location...listgoeson! £100£100£100£100 £100 x5 VouchersAmazon£100tobewon!
Lot of things are changing in our lives and that includes our childcare needs and choices.
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October20 HALLOWEEN Halloween crafts the kids will love Time to get really spooooky…..get crafting in good time for Halloween! Paperspidersplate Pumpkin pinata Halloween bat Halloween box scene Easy paper ghostscraftGiant webs Halloween wreath Trick or bagsTreatRock Skulls
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 21 HALLOWEEN
If much are some great with
a shopchina Pumpkinpaintface PirateThe Worst pillowcaseSkeletonWitch
DIY Halloween costumes
you have time, a home-made Halloween costume can be
more individual than anything shop bought. Here
instructions. The BFG
Spider’s web Bull in
options, complete
BatgirlJackfaceSkellingtonmakeup
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October22 GIVEAWAYS Unique T-shirts from Marlo & Cole! Magazine T&Cs apply FREE for your child APPLY HERE available10 2-3,Sizes3-4&4-5 Make fruity, crunchy ice with Mr Frosty! APPLY HERE for your FREET&Cstoyapply Magazine available5 Suitableforages3+ Magazine Enter the Action Heroes*whilestockslastStylesmayvaryT&CsapplyNOW*setfiguremini-FREEyourGetCollect and build themed universe!APPLYworldsHERE T&Cs apply Sneezy youwhatsneeze...pandamakeleavesandflowersThegiveaway!gamesPandatocando?T&Csapply Magazine available10 Suitable for agesAPPLY4+ HERE
