Children’s reviews

Story stones

This is a lovely, artistic way of keeping the kids’ imaginations and creativity firing. Firstly, you need to go on a walk and find some smooth pebbles suitable for painting on. The idea is then that each stone is used to paint a different section of a story. Acrylic paint or permanent markers are the best to decorate stones. The kids can even act out the story later.

Lights, camera, action!

Feeling dramatic? Encourage the kids to become a news broadcaster for the day! They can take on the role of a character and choose something that they want to talk about. Will it be scary or funny? Who will be the interviewee, the director, camera person and lighting technician? Then, of course, they will need to prepare a timed script and practise speaking clearly in front of an attentive audience.

Jemma Z Smith is Director of The Education Hotel, www.educationhotel.co.uk

Chocolates for Chocoholics

I visited the Chocoholics Chocolate Workshop at Easter with my brother and some friends. When you arrive for the workshop in Hurst, Berkshire you walk through the most amazing chocolate shop which has a huge range of chocolates on display in all shapes and sizes!

4 Kingdoms Adventure Park and Family Farm

By AgeElias,10

I enjoyed 4 Kingdoms as there were so many amazing things to do. You could go on giant slides or look at adorable animals.

When I went the theme was dinosaurs and at one attraction you got to drive mini jeeps around a track and there were dinosaurs along the way!

I had a blast at 4 Kingdoms!

Newbury Road, Headley, RG19 8JY, 4-kingdoms.co.uk

Vicky is friendly and shared lots of chocolately facts with us and even a few taster pieces before we began. Yum! Before we were let loose on our creations, I made two easter egg halves and two lollipops, we watched Vicky demonstrate how to get the best results for our eggs and lollies.

By AgeWillian 11

The chocolate making room is nice and big and set up with very clean tables and chairs, racks of chocolate making tools and a big chocolate machine stirring a gallon of melted chocolate. No Oompa Loompas though. The chocolate is then dripped into a giant mixing bowl in a big chocolate waterfall. We were NOT allowed to dip our heads in this – Safety Rule #1. We were eventually let loose with buckets of warm, gooey, melted chocolate, edible transfer sheets and egg moulds - I was very excited.

Lea Farm Lodge Road, Hurst, RG10 0SS, chocolate-parties.com

If your child would like to write a review of 100-200 words of a great local place, e-mail it to us at editor@familiestvw.co.uk

Local crazy golf courses

Crazy golf is a lot of fun for all ages and you don’t have to be good at it to enjoy it, as the funny models and creative ways to get the ball to the hole are as much a part of the experience as actual golfing skill. Here’s a roundup of local crazy golf courses, and we’d love to hear about any others that we have missed!

Dinton Adventure Golf

Dinton Pastures Country Park, RG10 0TH

Enjoy the moose hole, the train hole and more!

Fairways Family Golf

Reading, RG4 9AB

A family golf course rather than crazy golf, but definitely worth a visit and set in peaceful countryside.

GolfPlex

Bracknell, RG42 4EX

There are three different zones to try here.

Henley Adventure Golf

Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1BE

You’ll navigate the ball around Henley’s landmarks!

Re:treat

Jocks Lane Park

Bracknell, RG12 2BH

Featuring in our last issue, this is part of a lovely park.

Newbury Adventure Golf

Victoria Park, Newbury, RG14 1DJ

This golf course has a wildlife theme.

Prospect Park Reading, RG30 2ND

The course features models representing Reading’s buildings and history.

Wokingham Family Golf

Wokingham RG40 3HG

Enjoy this dinosaur-themed course!

National Trust picnic spots

Basildon Park (near Reading)

The lawn in front of the mansion has been THE picnic spot for residents of Basildon Park for generations. You can imagine the Bridgerton-style garden parties here on the wide flat lawns, with far-reaching views over the parkland. In fact, Basildon Park regularly features on screen as a location set for Bridgerton and other period dramas, so don’t forget your parasol, and be sure to take a turn around the pleasure grounds when you’ve finished your picnic. (Dog friendly)

Greys Court (near Henley-on-Thames)

The upper lawn is a favourite picnic spot at Greys Court as there are lovely views over the Chiltern Hills from there. The house is to your right and it’s a great place to people-watch the comings and goings between the house and walled garden in the foreground. In the distance you can watch the cows grazing peacefully and the red kites swooping over the hills. For families, the flat plateau of the lawn is great for garden games and cartwheeling. (Dog friendly, but dogs are not allowed in the walled garden.)

Nuffield Place (near Henley-on-Thames, open Wednesdays to Sundays)

In the Arts and Crafts-style garden at Nuffield Place, the old tennis court beside the house is a favourite place for a picnic. It feels weirdly naughty, billowing your rug across the invisible lines of the court, but don’t worry, there’s no umpire to tell you off. The flat grassy area is a perfect play area contained by perimeter planting for little ones to crawl or toddle around safely. There are long views over the wildflower meadow and the option to picnic there with older children who need more space for running around chasing butterflies along the mown paths. (Dog friendly).

Hurst Playground

By AgeOlivia, 12

In April, me and my mum went on the two night stay at the Re:treat Berkshire, it was a lot of fun. When we arrived we each had a goody bag with lots of treats, including a skipping rope! During our stay there were loads of brilliant activities such as cooking, painting, mala making and exercise classes.

My favourite was the cooking workshop, when we made naan bread for our dinner as well as a delicious mango meringue pudding. I loved trying new recipes and learning new skills! I also enjoyed getting active in the early morning exercise class in the sunshine and the massage later on was so relaxing!

Spending two nights at the Re:treat was amazing because I made so many new friends and got to spend time with my mum. I can’t wait to go back one day!

For more information about Re:treat luxury weekend solo and family wellness retreats in Berkshire, go to retreat. me.uk, e-mail rachel@retreat.me.uk or call 07968711937.

School Road, Hurst

This is a small park opposite a duckpond, which had some spectacular woollen Coronation-themed covers on its bollards when we were there. I visited with my two children and was lucky enough to get an exclusive interview with Little Red Riding Hood about her experience of the playground. She told Families:

“I liked the roundabout, because it spins so fast. It was so fast, really super duper fast. The slide hurt my knee. It was super duper fast, and I didn’t like it. I quite liked the seesaw. I goed on the little slide, the baby slide. OK, I think that’s it now.”

It is a peaceful park with a field as well as the playground and worth a visit if you are in the area.