No 85 - Mar/Apr19

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In this issue:

Hello!

Welcome to the March/April issue of Families Hertfordshire Magazine. With the longer days and Spring sunshine to enjoy I always feel energised at this time of year, and this energy is coupled with excitement as I begin my tenure as the new editor of Families Hertfordshire Magazine. My name’s Dale, I’m a father of two who enjoys spending quality family time with my wife and children. I also get immense satisfaction from helping other families with young children discover amazing days out and new activities, which for me are perfect opportunities to capture beautiful and long-lasting memories. As editor of Families Herts I want to continue Shelley’s great work in supporting schools, charities, community groups and businesses and cement this magazine as the go-to place for the many families and businesses based in the county. If you have an interesting community story you want us to share with our readers then please email editor@familiesherts.co.uk; or if you’re a business interested in discussing how Families Herts can market your product or service, then please get in touch too, we’d love to hear from you. We’ve got a host of fun things for you to explore in our regular What’s On section this issue, including some amazing theatre productions and Easter activities. If you’ve ever wished you had a better work–family life arrangement then take a look at our feature on page 6, Finding more family friendly work. And in preparation for families holidaying by car this Easter we’ve provided you with a survival guide to make the journey as hassle free as possible in Are we nearly there yet? (page 10). Finally, I’d like to congratulate Shelley on steering the ship so well for 84 issues – what a fantastic achievement. I wish you all the best in your new endeavours!

Dale

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News & Views: 4-5 Education: 8 Childcare: 11 Clubs & Classes: 12-13 Easter Craft: 14 What’s On: 16-19 Tel: 07958284983 Email: editor@familiesherts.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk Editor: Dale Harry Design: Christina Billingham Listings editor: Karen Porter Facebook: FamiliesHerts

Twitter: @FamiliesHerts

Market your business with Families Herts • We reach over 45,000 engaged readers each issue • Distribute from schools, tuition centres, leisure attractions and more • We have a high repeat booking rate, so advertising with us works trusted, influential, visible 07958284983

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News & Views Fun-packed Easter entertainment at Knebworth House Families visiting Knebworth House this Easter have a fantastic line-up of events to enjoy, including an Easter trail and medieval jousting. On 19 and 20 April children can follow the Easter trail around Gardens and return the completed quiz sheet at the gift shop to claim a reward (quiz sheet costs £1 from the gift shop and sold separately to admission ticket).

Build a brighter future for children and young people by fostering Hertfordshire County Council is encouraging people to consider fostering. Hertfordshire Adoption and Fostering Service is keen to hear from people who have the skills, experience and desire to help look after sibling groups of all ages and teenagers. The service is also very eager to hear from enquirers who may not be able to offer full-time care, but those who have the potential to offer ‘sleepover’ placements during weekends and holidays. These placements are valuable and allow children and young people to experience stability and consistency in their lives. Anyone who fosters with Hertfordshire County Council can expect unrivalled support. They offer guidance throughout the process and are on hand every step of the way. Anne Beard, a former florist and Peter Miller, a research scientist in Stevenage, began fostering last year. They cared for

two sisters aged 11 and 12 years, initially on a respite basis for two weeks. ‘We are in a three bedroom house where the landlord agreed to let us foster. Every foster carer we have met says it’s the most rewarding job ever,’ said Peter.

For more information on fostering go to www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/fostering. And feel like you’ve taken a step back in time when cheering and jeering the Knights of Arkley as they perform 40-minute jousting battles in front of the House (21 and 22 April – 12:30pm and 14:30pm, weather dependent). The Green Dragon Bowmen will be offering have a go archery too. And the many wonders of Knebworth House, park, gardens, adventure playground and dinosaur trail are open on selected days between 23 March and 29 September 2019, with under 3s admitted free! Opening times and dates: Weekends and Bank Holidays; 23-31 March, 27 April – 19 May, 8-23 June, 7-29 September. Daily: 6-22 April, 25 May-2 June, 29 June – 29 August. For more information and tickets visit www.knebworthhouse.com or call 01438 812661.

All Stars Cricket is a big hit! All Stars Cricket is a programme for children aged 5-8 years old which aims to give youngsters a great first experience in cricket. Sessions are accredited by the England and Wales Cricket Board and delivered nationwide at over 2,000 centres. All Stars Cricket will help your child develop key skills in a fun and safe environment where parents can join in too and help create #BigMoments you’ll both treasure! Following successful registration, All Stars Cricketers will receive a brand-new kit bag full of goodies to help them get their summer of cricket started and fully look the part when they attend their eight weekly sessions. This year there is a brand-new Cricket World Cup themed activity book that is full of top tips, games and, it’s a great place to keep those weekly stickers to celebrate your All Stars achievements. Plus, it’s all delivered straight to your door.

To find out more about how to get involved this summer, simply visit www.allstarscricket.co.uk and book your place. Sessions begin May 2019.

Easter Wizard of Oz at Mead Open Farm From 8 – 22 April enjoy a fabulous fun day out at Mead Open Farm’s new attraction – Easter Wizard of Oz! Join Dorothy and her friends Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow and follow the Yellow Brick Road through the magical land of Oz. Get set for an enchanting and immersive Easter adventure as together you defeat the Wicked Witch of the West by completing egg-citing Easter challenges. Meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz himself and earn a chocolate treat. Also at this time of year children can see the new born Easter chicks, bunnies and 4

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piglets. They can try their hand at bottle feeding older lambs, grooming the ponies and stroking the rabbits in Bunny Hop. Most exciting of all, visit the lamb nursery, and you might even see a lamb being born! Tickets also include access to the Indoor Play and Grain Store Kitchen Café, outdoor go-karting, tractor and trailer rides, Shaggy’s Cove and Digger Village, the High Ropes course, and the Rock Climbing Wall. Mead Open Farm is just south of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. For further information visit www.meadopenfarm.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk


Are you looking for the perfect children’s party venue?

Perform’s four ways to boost your child’s self-esteem

The Kid’s Cabin at Hatfield Park Farm is the perfect location for your children’s party this spring and summer and there are a host of exciting new packages to choose from. It’s an outdoor shelter available to hire for do-it-yourself parties at Hatfield Park Farm. Bring your own food and decorations and enjoy yourselves in your very own private enclosed area in the centre of the farm. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor space for party games. As well as your own area, you will be able to enjoy the farm and all its furry friends, Bloody Hollow Play Area, Goat Pass Play Challenge and a tractor and trailer ride at a time of your choosing. Early booking is recommended as the Kid’s Cabin is always a popular venue for birthday parties.

A child’s self-esteem is influenced by feeling loved, valued and believing good things about themselves. Perform have teamed up with positive parenting expert, Anita Cleare, to bring Families top tips for boosting self-esteem.

To book or for further details please contact Charlotte on 01707 287010 or email info@hatfieldparkfarm.co.uk

Encourage independence When children do things for themselves and are praised for this, they feel proud. Teach your child to dress themselves and wash their own hair. Listen to their ideas Expressing ideas and being listened to help children feel valued. Involve them in practical family problem-solving by asking for their input. This helps them feel they are making a positive contribution. Encourage laughter and show you care Play, chat, share jokes and funny stories. Laughter helps children relax and feel good about themselves. Be affectionate. Snuggle and cuddle! Show your child they are utterly lovable exactly as they are. More tips from Anita can be found at www.anitacleare.co.uk

To book a FREE Perform drama class in Berkhamsted, Bishop’s Stortford or Borehamwood, visit www.perform.org.uk/try

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Work & Career

Finding more family friendly work By Mandy Garner Flexible working is one of the top three benefits that today’s jobseekers look for – particularly if they are parents. Meanwhile, employers are being encouraged to publish their parental leave policies and increasing numbers of employers are offering family friendly parental leave policies, from carer’s leave to the ability to buy extra holiday. It’s not just women who want family friendly working. Workingmums.co.uk’s recent survey of dads shows 73% say they are considering

Internal Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] Manager at Carpetright. The post means she can use her skills and experience in a senior role AND still has enough time for her family and voluntary job running her village’s residents association. Such cases are not confined to the big corporates. SMEs like IT firm, Hireserve, has grown by employing experienced professionals on flexible hours. Their hours have increased as their families and the firm has grown.

they get by allowing you flexi hours? What do you bring to the organisation that they need? Remember not to downplay or apologise for skills gained outside the workplace. When Visa in Europe was advertising the post of Director of Talent, mum-of-four Pippa Edwards, who was a Talent Manager, expressed her interest but told her manager that she didn’t want to work full time. He said: ‘Have you considered a job share?’ ‘In that one sentence everything changed for me,’

‘I started to believe I could have my cake and eat it’ seeking flexible working. The truth is that modern family life requires flexibility and employers who don’t offer it will lose out. Employers also need to do more than offer flexible working policies; they need to back this up with a culture that normalises different ways of working. Otherwise employees often feel side-lined or end up working overtime because expectations are not reduced in line with hours. When this flexible working policies and the right culture work together, great opportunities arise.

A new horizon Samantha Hamilton-Davies is a Senior Associate [Due Diligence] in the homeworking legal team of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, based in Manchester. Samantha works four days a week from home and has been promoted since joining the homeworking team. In her previous role Samantha had faced a long commute. She says that without her homeworking role she might have eventually left the legal profession. Claire Brown left a ‘million miles an hour’ job in the City and is now working part time as

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Finding family-friendly employers So how do you land this kind of job? The answer is research and being clear about what you want and why it is good for your employer. Research the best family-friendly employers. Don’t just look at their policies – everyone can look good on paper, but read what others say about them; talk, if possible, to people who work there; find out what the companies offer beyond the statutory requirements; and look at whether they are shouting out about it on their careers page or LinkedIn. Does it matter to them? Do they really get it? It’s not just the provision of a flexible role that matters. It is about the employers’ overall attitude to flexible workers. Line managers’ attitudes, in particular, are crucial to ensuring flexible working doesn’t mean career stagnation. With regard to clarity, it is best to be upfront about what you need and to put a business case for why it is in both your interests and that of your potential employer. What do

says Pippa. ‘I started to believe I could have my cake and eat it.’ Pippa now job shares with mum-of-three Vicki Mawson, former Talent Acquisition Director at L’Oréal. Both women think the company has benefited from the job share, getting a depth of expertise that one person alone would not provide. ‘Before I thought that I would have to make a choice between working part time and having a career’ states Pippa. ‘I had come to accept that that was the reality, but my boss showed me that I could have both and that was so powerful. So many women should have that opportunity and not have to make that choice.’

Mandy Garner is Editor of www.workingmums.co.uk, which links top family-friendly employers with female professionals and highlights examples of best practice to encourage greater innovation across sectors. They have just launched a partner website for dads at www.workingdads.co.uk

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Education

How extra-curricular activities boost learning Taking part in extra-curricular activities after school can have a positive impact on children academically and socially. Claire Winter explores how.

Learning something outside of the classroom can give children a sense of wonder about the world, and more time to explore their wider interests. Extra-curricular activities are also useful for broadening their academic and social lives. Fiona Todd, Executive Head teacher from The Rural Church Schools Academy Trust (www.rcsat.cheshire.sch.uk) explains that with a much narrower curriculum than in years gone by, children need to do extracurricular activities to experience a wide range of disciplines and to develop socially. ‘Pupils who focus entirely on their studies do so often at the expense of their development as social beings. Rather than distracting pupils from their learning, extra-curricular activities

complement study and help to develop key skills that will support them in their future.’ Lots of studies have shown that extracurricular activities can boost academic performance in children. They also have better organisational and time management skills because they have to balance their hobbies and school work. Being part of a team or an after-school activity can also be a great boost to their self-esteem. Stepping away from the curriculum also means your child will enjoy their academic work more because they have had a break and can look at it with fresh eyes. Joel Sadler, engineer and founder of Piper (www.playpiper.com), the award-winning STEM DIY Computer Kit, is passionate about giving kids time to explore and make things. ‘Think back to your early childhood and visualise the learning moments you cherished most. Do you see a dusty chalkboard with math equations? Or do you see that thing you did or built that made you feel proud?’ Joel says what he learned outside of school shaped what he did as an adult. ‘I don’t remember the equations – but I do remember being creative with my hands with LEGO blocks, making mischief with DIY potato canons, and trying to hack bootleg floppy disk video games to run on my family DOS computer.’ Extra-curricular activities also equip children with skills they need later in life. Doing something like leading a scout group or learning first aid to help others encourages responsibility and shows children how to look after others. External clubs and classes also provide important social opportunities. Making friends outside of school means exposure to new and different people and the opportunity to learn about different individuals, cultures and lives.

Here are some extracurricular activities that boost learning

Music Learning an instrument helps improve language skills and memory. Fiona Todd says, ‘Learning a musical instrument develops a child’s ability to think creatively and improves memory skills, along with perseverance, self-reflection, and self-discipline.’

Dance Whether it’s ballet or Bhangra, dance helps to improve confidence in children and adults alike. It also helps build co-ordination and kinaesthetic intelligence.

Sport Being involved in a sport helps children understand responsibility and commitment, and develop resilience. They get stronger mentally and physically. If they are part of a team they learn to think about the bigger picture and have empathy for their teammates. Exercise and practice also focuses the mind and helps concentration at school too.

Martial Arts Karate and other martial arts encourage self-discipline as well as boosting selfconfidence and respect.

Gymnastics The physical and mental demands of gym help to improve focus, flexibility and coordination.

Languages Learning a foreign language will broaden your child’s job prospects and introduce them to a different culture. It also helps develop communication and social skills.

Coding There are some great clubs that will engage a child who loves gaming. Why not create a game or build a robot instead of playing FIFA, Fortnite or Minecraft?

Art Creating a masterpiece, sewing or throwing a pot can help improve a child’s coordination and focus, and encourage creativity.

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Parenting

Car seat safety tips Car seat safety is vital to ensure your child does not get unnecessarily injured or hurt if you have a car accident or collision. Car seat manufacturer Joie UK shares some tips with Families magazine.

When do I need to use a car seat? All children must use a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. There are exceptions to this in extreme circumstances, for example, in the case of children over 3 years, in an emergency or for an unexpected journey and only over a short distance. In these circumstances, a child still has to sit in the back of the car, with an adult seatbelt. It’s always best to be on the safe side and use a car seat to avoid serious injury and fines.

What type of car seat? With so many car seats on the market, it can be difficult to decide on the best one for your child. Ultimately, as long as you’re choosing one that is safe for the height and weight of your child and with good safety credentials, you shouldn’t go wrong – after that it comes down to preference.

Should I choose a car seat based on weight or height? This can be confusing as there are currently two sets of regulations running parallel. The newer regulation, known as R129, or iSize, states that car seats should be fitted by height. Any new ISOFIX car seats introduced to the market after 2018 will be fitted this way. The older regulation, R44, fits car seats by weight. Belted seats are still only available in R44 form. Existing car seats that met the first regulation are still safe and legal to use so both are feasible. For ease if you’re a new parent go with height, as this will become standard.

Are we nearly there yet? A survival guide to holiday car travel By Claire Winter

Spring is here and it’s possible you may be heading away during the Easter holidays or, if not, in the months to come. Many families opt to travel to their holiday destinations in the UK or Europe by car which can be economical and also means you can generally take more luggage. The trick is how to survive these trips without things turning nasty in the backseat Be realistic

Games are good

You may think it’s going to take seven hours to get to Cornwall but take into account for unscheduled loo stops, unexpected car sickness and getting lost despite having an excellent Sat Nav and Google Maps.

Top Trumps, travel games and story dice are all winners when it comes to travelling in the car. Kids also love a drawing pad and felt tips. Make sure they don’t draw or look down for too long though as this can often cause car sickness.

Take gadgets Digital devices such as iPads, Kindles or similar are great for long journeys but do not peak too soon! Car journeys are also a great opportunity to talk to your kids and have some really fun and more in-depth conversations than usual. Equally, listening to music on the radio or on CDs can be a great shared activity. Save the gadgets for when things start getting tricky!

Bring plenty of snacks Pack a cool bag or lunchbox full of snacks for each child and adult. If you don’t want the kids going loopy from eating too much sugar, try sugar-free lollies. But remember most sugarfree sweets eaten in large quantities can have a laxative effect! Travel early or late. Get on the road early to beat traffic jams or leave after rush hour or even later. Just pop the kids in PJs and eventually they will fall asleep and hopefully sleep through the journey.

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It’s all about audiobooks Many families have given up on reading and watching films in the car because of car sickness, but audio books are always a winner! The whole family can listen to all the Harry Potter books, some Roald Dahl classics and many other favourites.

Don’t forget the essentials Baby wipes, tissues, water, travel sickness medicine, snacks (never forget the snacks!), different layers of clothing, a bag for rubbish (this can double up as a sick bag too but hopefully you won’t need it)!

Remember to have FUN Last but not least, don’t forget your sense of humour. Things often go wrong when small people are involved. Family time isn’t all hearts and flowers and learning to cope with friction and setbacks are all part of life’s big adventure. The journey to a destination can be just as fun if you decide it’s going to be! familiesonline.co.uk


Childcare

Cutting the cost of childcare By Stephanie Rough

Childcare can cost parents up to 45% of their disposable income; after housing, it is the second largest household cost. At the most expensive end, a full-time nursery place or child minder can set you back over £1,300 per month. When you factor in other costs such as commuting, it’s no surprise that many parents decide it is not financially viable for both parents to continue working. However, with some foresight and planning, there are some ways to cut your childcare costs.

Family members Many parents turn to family members for at least some element of their childcare. From full-time care, to part-time regular days to ad hoc school holiday care, childcare from family members is free! In fact, paying them anything at all has tax implications, but, you can pay their expenses without being seen to employ them.

Help from friends Building a network of local working parents offers the opportunity for sharing childcare responsibilities. Looking after each other’s children on days when you are not working can reduce costs especially during school holidays. Providing no cash exchanges hands, you don’t need to register as a childminder, but if the arrangement is regular and more formal, you may want to consider public liability insurance in case a child has an accident in your home.

Nanny sharing Nannies are expensive which is why it’s common place now to share, particularly when/if you only have one child. Whilst it’s not as easy as a 50/50 split in relation to costs, as each family must be registered separately as an employer, there are definite savings on both employer National Insurance and the nanny’s salary. familiesonline.co.uk

Au Pairs Live-in au-pairs are now very popular providing families with childcare and help with general household duties. At £100 to £140 per week for 25 to 30 hours of work, au pairs are considerably cheaper than nannies and many other forms of childcare.

Company benefits Are there benefits available from your employer? Whilst company childcare vouchers are now closed to new entrants, those already in the scheme can continue to save up to £243 per month tax free to pay towards OFSTED registered childcare. In addition, companies may also offer discounts at certain childcare providers to help save you money or offer a back-up care provision.

Free hours and tax-free childcare Tax credits and a new style of childcare voucher (replacing the employer scheme) can create savings of up to £2,000 per child for parents meeting the eligibility criteria. In addition, children ages 3 and 4 in England are entitled to 15 hours free childcare for 38 weeks per year. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to 30 hours free. Whilst most nurseries do offer these free hours, you do need to check (especially for the 30 free hours) and calculate if any additional costs must be factored in. To check if you are eligible, go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Stephanie Rough is Corporate Childcare Manager at Parental Choice, the essential one-stop shop for guidance on making the right decisions on your childcare needs. For further information, visit www.parentalchoice.co.uk’

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Classes & Clubs

Get sporty and enjoy the outdoors Children love to be outdoors, so why not get them signed up to a sports club As children get older, they get less active. As they move through primary school, the number of children meeting the recommended amount of physical activity for healthy development and maintenance of healthy weight drops by 40%. Getting children involved in a sport from a young age can help them keep fit and encourage the development of a lifetime habit of regular exercise. As spring approaches, here are some outdoor sports options to consider.

Athletics Athletics offers opportunities for use of the widest range of skill sets of any sport as its various disciplines provide the opportunity to throw, run or jump. It is suitable for all children as different body shapes, skills and preferences suit different activities. Most junior athletics clubs run taster days or tester sessions so that new participants can see whether they like the club before signing up. To find a local club, visit www.englandathletics.org

Cycling Cycling is an essential part of growing up – it’s great fun, helps children feel independent and keeps them fit and healthy. Local kids’ cycling clubs are fantastic places for children to get out on a bike, with expert coaching, a gang of riding buddies and access to some amazing cycling facilities. Sessions are often weekly and many clubs offer cycling holiday camps at which children can spend the entire day on two wheels. To find a local club, visit www.britishcycling.org.uk

Rugby The first years of rugby are not about scrums, mauls and tackling and you don’t need to worry about the complicated rules of the game either. Boys and girls alike are encouraged to play a simple, non-contact game together involving tags, in which tackles are replaced by touching a player or removing a tag from their clothing. The focus here is developing passing and running skills. To find a local club visit www.englandrugby.com

Football Many local football clubs run teams for boys and girls starting from age 7 as well as regular community coaching programmes for children from age 3, with the emphasis on skill development and fun and not on winning. As with rugby there are many providers offering classes and school holiday camps introducing the sport to children as young as 2 years. To find a local club, visit www.thefa.com

Orienteering Orienteering is an outdoor sport which the whole family can enjoy together. It offers a unique mix of mental and physical challenge and you can progress at your own pace. The aim is to navigate, in sequence, to different control points that are located on a special course, using a specially-drawn map. Clubs hold events in local parks, green spaces and forested areas. To find a family friendly event near you, visit www.xplorer.org.uk

Tennis The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) runs the Mini Tennis programme which uses smaller courts and equipment, combined with lower bouncing balls to introduce children aged between 3 and 10 to the sport. Also run by the LTA, Tennis for Kids offers children ages 4 to 11 an introductory course of six sessions delivered by specially trained coaches at various locations across the UK. For more info, visit www.lta.org.uk

Multi-Sports If you are not sure which sport to choose for your child, look out for multi-sports sessions run by independent providers or local authorities at which kids can try out a variety of sports such as athletics, rugby, football, netball, tennis and cricket. These are often available both in term time and in school holidays and are a great way for kids to experience a number of sports and find out what they like for themselves. 12 Families Herts

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Choosing the right swimming lessons for your child By Andrew Campbell Whilst swimming should be fun for children, your little ones are learning vital lifesaving skills so it’s important to make sure they are getting the right provision. Here are some key things to look for when choosing a swim school:

Progression Children need to have the opportunity to progress with their swimming as they improve. A good school will provide the facility for your child to swim right through from infant to competitive standard. Check whether the school is using the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme, a national syllabus which is designed to help teachers deliver swimming lessons for all ages to a high and consistent standard.

Check teachers are qualified In England there are two major bodies which award swimming teaching qualifications, the ASA and the STA.

Group size It’s generally accepted that smaller is better. Swim England recommends no more than 12 learners to one teacher during a lesson. Often good swimming lessons are run with two teachers, one in the pool and one out of the pool.

Knowledgeable teachers A swimming qualification is the bare minimum required of a teacher. A truly excellent teacher is trained and knowledgeable in a number of areas, ranging from swimming and diving to water games.

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Organised and professional A good teacher keeps regular records of his/ her classes and has a plan for what needs to be achieved over a session, as well as during a term or season. They know how to set goals for individual classes based on different abilities and ages, and they know what exercises and drills they need to implement to achieve their goals.

Understanding Every child is different and the pace of learning swimming is highly dependent on a child’s age, personality and how much water exposure they have had before starting formal lessons. A good teacher will understand this.

Motivational and creative Teaching swimming has to be more than just verbally giving out instructions to learners and managing a crowd. It’s about motivating children and caring about the feedback that children provide during lessons. For example, if an exercise is not working (it is too hard or too easy), a good teacher should be able to use his/her imagination and creativity to implement changes.

Fun and games A good swimming lesson will take a gamesbased approach. If it is not enjoyable your child is less likely to learn.

Water skills and awareness Teachers should ensure that your child is developing water skills such as buoyancy, and that they are feeling confident moving in the water. They should also stress the need to understand swimming as a fitness activity.

More information about good swimming lessons Swimming strokes should be introduced gradually once your child has acquired basic skills such as learning appropriate leg actions and breathing techniques. Under no circumstances should teachers force children into activities. They need to understand why they are doing something in order to be motivated to do it. Most lessons last around 30 minutes and children should be as active as possible throughout this time.

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Classes & Clubs

Dance – movement with purpose By Andrew Campbell If your child is always prancing around the house practising their moves and can’t be dragged away from Strictly even if chocolate or ice cream are on offer, signing up for dance classes is a great way to tap into their enthusiasm for music and movement. As well as being lots of fun, dance classes offer a host of other advantages:

Socialisation

Physical health

Children strengthen their cognitive abilities and memory skills through learning and remembering choreography.

Dance improves flexibility, coordination, balance, range of motion, stamina, muscle tone, strength and posture.

Self-awareness Through dance, children develop spatial awareness, become less clumsy and pay more attention to others sharing their space. They can feel more at home in their own skin.

Self-expression Children struggling with language can express their feelings and creativity with immediacy in a positive way through dance and movement.

Easter

Dance is a highly social activity. In a dance class, children learn how to work as part of a team, develop a greater sense of trust and co-operation, and make new friends.

Cognitive Development

Behaviour Dancing requires intense focus, discipline and co-ordination. This can have a calming effect and help children release pent-up energy.

Self-confidence Dance helps build self-confidence with each new routine they practice and master. There are a wide range of dance classes available – for both boys and girls – from pre-school ballet classes to primary ballet, tap, street dance, contemporary dance, pop dance and many more.

1. Begin your craft by taking a freshly cooked and cooled hard-boiled egg.

Easter crafts for the kids Make this Easter even more fun for the kids with these simple to make Easter crafts; perfect for adults and children alike!

2. Cut shapes for the bunny’s feet and hands out of the yellow felt; then cut larger ear shapes out of yellow felt and smaller ones from the white.

Easter egg bunny Use this simple step by step guide to make a super cute Easter egg bunny with your little munchkins… What you will need: 1 hard-boiled egg, yellow and white felt, PVA glue, felt tip pens

3. Stick the felt feet onto the base of the egg, making sure the egg can stand upright on them.

4. Stick the white ears onto the yellow. Once they have dried a little, stick them on to the rear of where the face will be.

5. Finally, draw a rabbit’s face on the front of the egg with the pens and decorate with patterns as your child likes. You could even stick a cute little bow on the top of the eggs by their ears, if you’re feeling really creative!

Easter bunny ears Make sure your kids get into the Easter spirit with this simple to make homemade bunny ears. What you will need: White cardboard, scissors, grey and pink paint, PVA glue, an Alice band

1. Get the kids to paint two sheets of white cardboard grey and then another two sheets pink.

2. Using child-safe scissors help them to cut out larger ear shapes from the grey cardboard and then slightly smaller ear shapes from the pink cardboard.

3. Using glue stick the smaller pink shapes onto the larger grey ears. 4. Finally, attach the shapes to the Alice band with the glue and leave to dry.

For more arts and craft ideas visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk 14 Families Herts

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What’s On Shows THE ALBAN ARENA Civic Centre, St Albans, AL1 3LD 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk ZOG 16 Apr – 4.30pm 17 Apr – 11am & 4.30pm 18 Apr – 10.30am & 1.30pm Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved book comes to life in this magical adaptation featuring live musicians. Cost: £14.50/£12.50

Twirlywoos Live 17 Mar – 1.30 & 4pm All your favourite characters from the hit TV show. Ages 3+. Cost: £14. Conc £12. Family £50 Horrible Histories: Brand New Barmy Britain 13 Apr – 1.30 & 7pm 14 Apr – 11am & 3pm Horrible Histories live on stage in this West End show. Cost: £14 GORDON CRAIG THEATRE Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk

Dear Zoo 23 Apr – 1.30 & 3.30pm 24 Apr – 11am & 2pm From the timeless children's book. Puppets, music & audience interaction. Cost: £14. Family £50

Dear Zoo 13 Mar – 1.30 & 3.30pm 14 Mar – 11am & 2pm From the timeless children's book. Puppets, music and audience interaction. Cost: £14.50. Family £48

Coppélia 27 Apr – 2.30pm Vienna Festival Ballet. Cost: £24. Concs £21, £16

The Emperor's New Clothes 17 Apr – 4.30pm 18-21 Apr – 1.30 & 4.30pm 22 Apr – 1.30pm Hans Christian Anderson's beloved tale brought to life with toe-tapping numbers and fabulous dances. Cost: £15-18

BROADWAY THEATRE Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3DD 01462 681088 www.broadway-letchworth.com Pop Divas Live 3 Mar – 3pm Tribute act featuring songs from female pop performers including Little Mix and Taylor Swift. Ages 5+. Cost: £14.50

HERTFORD THEATRE The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS 01992 531500 www.hertfordtheatre.com Bring Your Own Baby Comedy 19 Mar – 12pm Stars from TV and the comedy circuit for you; soft flooring, toys & more for baby. For adults with babies (ideally non-crawling/ non-walking) under 12 mths. Cost: £12

ANiMALCOLM the Musical 6 Apr – 2 & 7pm 7 Apr – 11am & 3pm David Baddiel’s magical and wonderfully comic story is brought to the stage. Ages 5+. Cost: £15. Family £56 Twirlywoos Live 10 Apr – 2pm Inventive puppetry, your favourite characters from the hit TV show and child-friendly special effects such as bubbles. Ages 1+. Cost: £12. Family £44. Babes in arms/under 18 mths free The Amazing Bubble Man 14 Apr – 11.30am & 2pm Combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. Cost: £12. Family £46 The Selfish Giant 18 Apr – 2pm Storytelling, captivating puppetry and enchanting music for ages 3+. Cost: £12. Family £44

Alice in Wonderland 17 Apr – 3 & 6.30pm New staging of Lewis Carroll’s family favourite. Cost: £16. Under 16s £14 ANiMALCOLM the Musical 28 Apr – 1.30 & 5pm David Baddiel’s magical and wonderfully comic story is brought to the stage. Cost: £18. Under 16s £16. Family £64 THESTAGE STORTFORD Rhodes Arts Complex, 1-3 South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 710200 www.rhodesbishopsstortford. org.uk

Coppélia 20 Apr – 5pm Vienna Festival Ballet. Cost: £22. Conc £20. Family £79

BSMTC Youth presents Hairspray 13-16 Mar – 7.30pm plus Sat matinee at 2.30pm Family friendly musical with laughter and romance. Cost: £16. Under 16s £14

THE OLD TOWN HALL THEATRE High Street, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AE 01442 228091 www.oldtownhall.co.uk

Nest 18 Mar – 11am, 12, 1 & 2pm Multi-sensory experience for prewalking babies and their carers in a custom-built performance tent. Cost: £12 (1 adult & baby)

Wow, It’s Night-Time 2 Mar – 11am & 2.30pm The curious little owl is back and ready to discover the wonders of night-time. Little Angel Theatre present this adaptation of Tim Hopgood’s book. Ages 2-5. Cost: £7. Dacorum Card £5.50 Snow White, Rose Red, Bear Brown 23 Mar – 2:30pm Theatre of Widdershins show featuring puppets, storytelling, original music and a fairy tale forest. Ages 4+. Cost: £7. Dacorum Card £5.50 THE RADLETT CENTRE 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom 19 Mar – 4.30pm 20 Mar – 10am, 1 & 4.30pm Characters from the hit TV show live on stage, with games, songs and laughter. Ages 2-6. Cost: £16.50. Under 16s £14.50. Family £58

16 Families Herts

The Amazing Adventures of Pinocchio 6 Apr – 11am & 2.30pm New musical adaptation of the much-loved classic. Ages 4+ Cost: £13. Family £44

Horrible Histories: Brand New Barmy Britain 22 Mar – 1.30 & 7pm 23 Mar – 1.30 (relaxed performance) & 5pm Horrible Histories live on stage in this West End show. Cost: £15.50. Conc £13.50. Family £54 The Tiger Who Came to Tea 10 Apr – 1.30 & 4pm 11 Apr – 11am (relaxed performance) & 2pm Hit show based on the classic book by Judith Kerr. Cost: £14. Family £51 Phoenix Easter Panto 13 Apr – 3pm Boo the baddie, cheer the hero and join in the fun in this whirlwind trip through your favourite pantomime stories! Cost: £10. Conc £8. Family £32 Pongo’s Party 16 Apr – 1.30pm It’s Pongo the Pig’s birthday, but it appears that Molly-Moo the Cow, Sheena the Sheep, and Sally the Scarecrow have forgotten! Cost: £12. Conc £11. Family £44 familiesonline.co.uk


Dr Doolittle 18 Apr – 2pm The story of Dr John Dolittle whose parrot, Polynesia, teaches him how to speak to animals! Cost: £13.50. Conc £11.50. Family £46 THE SANDPIT THEATRE The Ridgeway, St Albans, AL4 9NX 01727 799565 www.sandpittheatre.co.uk Chemistry Show 12 Mar – 6pm Explosive science showcase – loud noises, flashing lights & lots of mess! Cost: £2 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 30 Mar – 2.30 & 6.30pm A magical musical, retelling the Biblical story of Joseph and the coat of many colours. THE SPOTLIGHT High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BE 01992 441946 www.broxbourne.gov.uk/ thespotlight Twirleywoos Live 8 Mar – 1 & 4pm Mischief, music & surprises for ages 0-5. Inventive puppetry and your favourite characters from the hit TV show. Cost: £14. Family £48. Babes in arms (under 1) £5 The Wizard of Oz 12 Apr – 2.30 & 6pm Join Dorothy and her dog, Toto, as they enter the wonderful land of Oz. Fun family show with a chance to meet the cast afterwards. Cost: £19.50. Conc £17.50. Family £68 We’re Going on a Bear Hunt 16 Apr – 1.30pm 17 Apr – 10.30am & 1.30pm From the classic book. Ages 2-7. Cost: £13 WYLLYOTTS THEATRE Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2HN 01707 645005 www.inspireall.com Milkshake! Live - Milkshake Monkey's Musical! 14 Apr – 12 & 3.30pm Learn songs and dances with your favourite Milkshake friends, and watch as the music, lights, costumes & stage come together. Cost: £17/£15.50

familiesonline.co.uk

THE MARKET THEATRE EASTER 6a Sun Street, Hitchin, SG5 1AE 01462 433553 www.markettheatre.co.uk Great Easter Egg Hunt 18-20 Apr – 11.30am, 1.30 & 3.30pm Interactive show for ages 4-9. Cost: £9

Holiday Camps & Courses BARRACUDAS ACTIVITY DAY CAMPS Hemel Hempstead School & Sherrardswood School, Welwyn 01480 467567 www.barracudas.co.uk/camps 8-18 Apr – 8.30am-5.30pm (Extended days 8am-6pm available) Easter holiday entertainment with a brilliant programme of over 80 amazing activities. Cost: £40/day FAB SCIENCE

GORDON CRAIG THEATRE

COOKERYEATERY

Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk

www.cookeryeatery.co.uk Easter camp. Make breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks. Learn about ingredients, how to store and prepare them and be inspired to get into the kitchen at home afterwards.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-Themed Drama Camp 8-12 Apr Week-long camp for ages 6-12 exploring drama, music, singing, dance and visual art. Devise a script to perform for family and friends. Cost: £120. Siblings & Drama Academy Students £105 ASHWELL STAGE SCHOOL Ashwell Village Hall, 20 West End, Ashwell, SG7 5PJ 07903 058 568 www.facebook.com/ AshwellStageSchool 8-11 Apr Sing, act and dance in this 4-day Easter Circus workshop. Crafts too. Create a show for family and friends to enjoy on the Thurs afternoon. Cost: £155 TINY T'S STORYTELLING AND DRAMA

www.fabscience.co.uk Hillmead Primary, Woburn Avenue, Bishops Stortford, CM23 4PW 9 Apr 10am-3pm St Joseph's in the Park, St Mary's Lane, Hertingfordbury, SG14 2LX 11 Apr Garden Fields School, Townsend Drive, St Albans, AL3 5RL 12 Apr Five hours of investigating, experimenting and science fun for ages 5-12. Cost: £32

Applecroft School, Applecroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JZ www.tinytsparties.com

PERFORM

DAISY BAKE EASTER

Berkhamsted, Bishop’s Stortford, Borehamwood 020 7255 9120 www.perform.org.uk/holidays 8-10 & 15-17 Apr – 10am-3pm

Station Approach, Knebworth, SG3 6AT www.daisybake.com 8, 9, 16 & 17 Apr Fun and interactive Easter cookery, cupcake decorating and chocolate making classes for ages 3-14. Cost: From £15

Alice in Wonderland Three-day holiday course for ages 4-10. Have fun tumbling down the rabbit-hole into the topsy-turvy world of Wonderland. A dynamic team of actors, singers and dancers will inspire and encourage your child as they create a thrilling performance for family and friends. To book a FREE confidencebuilding Perform drama class visit www.perform.org.uk/try Cost: £206. 25% sibling discount.

Easter Camp 12 Apr: Mary Poppins theme 17 Apr: Peter Rabbit theme 10am-3pm Ages 3-8. Storytelling; drama games and activities; face paints; crafts and dancing. Performance for parents at the end of the day! Cost: £25. £5 sibling discount

Advertise with Families Hertfordshire. Call 07958284983

Central Hitchin 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 & 17 Apr Ages 4-11. Cost: £40 per day Letchworth 11, 12 & 18 Apr Ages 8-16. Cost: £50 per day KOOL KIDZ CAMPS Sandridge Primary School, Woodcock Hill, Sandridge, St Albans, AL4 9EB 0845 603 2858 www.koolkidzgroup.co.uk Weekdays 8-18 Apr Ages 4-12. Half or full days. Cost: See website NORTH HERTS LEISURE CENTRE Baldock Road, Letchworth, SG6 2ER 01462 679311 www.sll.co.uk/kids Wild Camp Easter half term Sports and games for ages 5-10. Cost: See website KNIGHTS TEMPLAR SPORTS CENTRE Weston Way, Baldock, SG7 6EY 01462 631300 www.sll.co.uk/kids Kidventure Playscheme Easter half term Fun-filled days for ages 5-10 including games, bouncy castles and more. Cost: see website BEST THEATRE ARTS Sandringham School, The Ridgeway, St Albans, AL4 9NX 01727 759634 www.besttheatrearts.com Best Holiday Academy: Return to Narnia 8-12 Apr – 10am-4pm Theatre fun for ages 6-16. Cost: Week £170 First Class Holiday: Mary Poppins 8-12 Apr – 9.45am-12.30pm Drama, singing, dancing & craft for ages 4-6. Cost: Week £135 17


What’s On BERKHAMSTED BASECAMP

MEAD OPEN FARM

WILLOWS ACTIVITY FARM

All camps take place in Berkhamsted www.berkhamstedbasecamp.co.uk Various, weekdays 8-18 Apr Multi activity camps for ages 3-11. Plus specialist courses such as cricket, Italian cookery and more. Cost: See website

Stanbridge Road, Billington, Beds, LU7 9JH, 01525 852954, www.meadopenfarm.co.uk

Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, AL2 1BB, 0870 129 9718 www.willowsactivityfarm.com

LANGLEY TENNIS AND RACQUETS CAMP Langley Tennis Club, High Woodhall Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8RW 01442 230234 www.berkhamstedbasecamp.co.uk 8-12 & 15-18 Apr – 9am-4pm Have fun and improve your standard of tennis and eye hand co-ordination. Plus, table tennis, badminton and touch tennis. Ages 4-14. Cost: Day £40. 5-day week £160. 4-day week £140.

Animals and the Outdoors OAKLANDS COLLEGE St Albans Campus, Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL4 0JA www.oaklands.ac.uk/news-events Lambing Weekend 16 & 17 Mar – 10am-3pm Ewes and lambs plus reptiles, rabbits and horses. Donkey rides. Farmers market. Family games area and farm trail. Refreshments. FREE. By ticket only HATFIELD PARK FARM Hatfield, AL9 5HX 01707 287010, www.hatfieldparkfarm.co.uk Cost: £6. Child £3.50. Under 3s free Farm Opens for the Season 26 Mar Meet the animals, take a tractor ride around the farm and enjoy the play area. Easter Fun 20 & 21 Apr 30-min storytelling.sessions. Engaging, fun & interactive!

Easter Wizard of Oz 8-22 Apr Journey through the magical land of Oz in this new immersive walk through experience. New Easter shows, adorable baby animals and outdoor fun. New extended indoor play & café too. Cost: see website TEWINBURY Along the driveway to Tewin Bury Farm Hotel, Hertford, AL6 0JB www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk Family River Dipping 23 Mar – 10am-12pm Get hands-on discovering an underwater world and the tiny creatures that make it their home. FREE. Suggested donation £5 (Members £3)

Easter Eggstravaganza Choc-o-bloc family fun including chicks and lambs. Cost & dates: See website HORNBEAM WOOD HEDGEHOG SANCTUARY Common Lane, Harpenden www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk Discover Hedgehogs 10 & 17 Apr – 2-3pm Learn about the fascinating lives of hedgehogs and get up close to a rescue hog. Family event, ages 6+. Cost: £8. Child £6

Places To Go

TRIANGLE COMMUNITY GARDEN Meet at Ransom's Pavilion, end of Alexandra Road, Hitchin, SG5 1RB www.trianglegarden.org March's Activity Sunday 24 Mar – 10am-12noon Have fun creating, maintaining and developing areas within the Triangle Garden: work with nature, learn new skills and make friends. FREE POLARIS BUSHCRAFT Private woodland near Bayford www.polarisbushcraft.co.uk Family Bushcraft Essentials Day Workshop 30 Mar Discover & practice essential survival skills. Cost: From £150 (1 adult & child) Family Bushcraft & Survival Weekend 12-14 Apr Course for family groups or children accompanied by a parent/guardian (2 days & 2 nights). Cost: From £245 per family group

HERTFORD MUSEUM 18 Bull Plain, Hertford, SG14 1DT 01992 582686, www.hertfordmuseum.org Holiday Activities: The Show Must Go On! 9-11 Apr – 10.30am-3.30pm (drop in, last entry 3pm) Dive into the world of show business and explore the Museum’s current exhibition. Cost: £2 per child Holiday Activities: Super Heroes! 16-18 Apr – 10.30am-3.30pm (drop in, last entry 3pm) Design a super hero mask. Cost: £2 per child HATFIELD HOUSE Hatfield Park, AL9 5NB 01707 287010, www.hatfield-house.co.uk 2019 Opening Weekend 6 Apr Delve into 400 years of history! Cost: £19. Child £9. Under 5s free. Family £49 BROADWAY STUDIO & GALLERY 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3EW 01462 681088 www.broadway-letchworth.com Family Arts Studio 10-10.45am. 10.45-11.30am. 11.30am-12.15pm. 12.15-1pm 10 Mar: Abstract Canvas 14 Apr: Squidgy Sculpture Hands-on craft activities led by professional artists. No booking required. Open to all, but aimed at accompanied children aged 3+ and families. FREE THEMUSEUM STORTFORD Rhodes Arts Complex, 1-3 South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 710200 www.rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk

18 Families Herts

familiesonline.co.uk


Story Time at the Museum 13 Mar & 10 Apr – 1.30pm Story telling for toddlers and pre-schoolers, followed by a sing song, small craft session or trail around the Museum. Cost: £1 Horrible Histories Catapult Craft 23 Mar – 11.30am-3pm (drop in) Before seeing the show, why not make some horrible history of your own with this catapult or crown craft workshop. FREE Easter Trail 8-22 Apr. From 10am Find the clues around the Museum to win your prize. FREE Easter Crafts 9-11 Apr – 11am-3pm (drop in) EASTER Make your own Easter chick. FREE Curator for a Day 13 Apr – 11am -3pm To celebrate Museums Week, head to the Museum with your own object you’d like to display. Learn how to archive your object and have it on display. Booking essential. FREE Dr Doolittle Craft 16-18 Apr – 11am-3pm (drop in) Get ready for the Dr Doolittle show coming to Rhodes by making your own animal mask. FREE St George’s Day Craft 20 Apr – 11.30am-3pm (drop in) Make your own dragon! FREE ARTSHED ARTS Westmill Farm, Westmill Road, Ware, SG12 0ES, 01920 466446 www.artshedarts.co.uk Pottery Throwing Taster Session 20 Apr – 30 min slots 10am-2pm 7yrs +. Two people can throw at the same time. Booking essential. Cost: £20 including clay, glazing & firing ROYSTON MUSEUM 5 Lower King Street, Royston, SG8 5AL, 01763 242587 www.roystonmuseum.org.uk Toddler Music & Dance Fridays in Mar – 10-11am Toddler music and dance workshop themed around the Museum’s collections. Booking essential. FREE LOWEWOOD MUSEUM High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BH, 01992 445596 www.broxbourne.gov.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Family Fun 12-3pm 11 Apr: Easter Chicks 18 Apr: Easter Bonnet Drop in crafts. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: £1.50 per child

Eggcellent Easter Event 17 Apr – 11.30-12.30pm Create Easter chick slime. Decorate a biscuit bunny. Egg hunt. Cost: £12 per child

Toddler Thursdays 14 Mar – 10-11am or 11am-12noon Learn a nursery rhyme, share a story & make a craft. Ages 2-4 (with adult). Book in advance. Cost: £1.50 per child per session

HIGHFIELD PARK

PLAY IN THE PARKS 15 parks within the St Albans district www.activestalbans.com 8-12 & 15-18 Apr Play Leaders deliver fun games & sport activities for ages 4-14. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Two-hour sessions. Just turn up and join in! FREE ASHRIDGE ESTATE Visitor Centre, Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LT 01442 851227 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ashridge-estate Easter Crafts 8-12 Apr – 10am-4pm Make a bird-themed Easter craft. Cost: Child £2

West Lodge, Hill End Lane, St Albans, AL4 0RA 01727 847242 www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk Easter Bunny Hunt 10 Apr – 10.30am-2pm Follow the trail and answer questions as you go along. Cost: £3 per child, pay on the day ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL Sumpter Yard, AL1 1BY 01727 860780 www.stalbanscathedral.org Family Discovery Morning: Animal Fun! 11 Apr – 10am-12.30pm Springtime and Easter are linked to a variety of animals - there are hundreds to find around the Cathedral! Make animal models of your own and enjoy a taste of the chocolate fountain too. Ages 3-12 (must be accompanied by an adult). FREE

KNEBWORTH HOUSE Knebworth, SG3 6PY 01438 812661 www.knebworthhouse.com Cost (Park, Gardens, Dinosaur Trail & Adventure Playground. House extra): £10. Family £36. Under 3s free Easter Trail 19 & 20 Mar – 11am-5pm Cost: Trail sheet additional £1 Medieval Jousting 21 & 22 Apr – 12.30 & 2.30pm Costumed knights on majestic warhorses. Fantastic display of horsemanship & hand to hand combat. Try archery too for a small charge. NCT HERTS NORTH Easter Trail Eggstravaganza Letchworth Bowls Club, Norton Common, SG6 4UE 30 Mar – 3-4.30pm Follow the trail to find the eggs & win a chocolate prize. Crafts & activities. Meet the Easter Bunny! Cost: £2 per child. Siblings under 1 free WHAT'S ON EDITOR

families.herts.listings@gmail.com

HARPENDEN FOOTBALL CLUB & ROTHAMSTED PARK Amenbury Lane, Harpenden, AL5 2EF Harpenden Easter Egg Hunt 19 Apr – 1-4pm Egg hunt (under 7s) and Easter challenge for ages 6+. Book online. Cost: £5 per child WARE PRIORY High Street, Ware, SG12 9AL, 01920 460316 www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk Easter Fun Day 20 Apr Egg decorating competition for under 12s in Fletcher’s Lea (from 1.30pm, judging at 3.15pm). Easter egg hunt in the garden for under 8s. FREE HORNSMILL COMMUNITY CENTRE 115E Cecil Road, Hertford, SG13 8HS www.enchante-events.wixsite. com/mysite

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Families Herts is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, 20 familiesonline.co.uk Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Herts are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Herts. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.


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