Families West London July/Aug 22 digital magazine

FR EE

West London

IN THIS ISSUE

Summer activities Holidays Back to school

Lots of giveaways for our readers in this issue!

Magazine

July/August 2022

Familiesonline.co.uk

SEE INSIDE

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CONTENTS

Welcome

In this issue

Summer activities Holidays Summer days out Craft Well, Families has you covered. We have plenty of low-cost summer entertainment ideas and Screen-free kids’ screen-free projects for the kids in this issue. fun We hate to mention the words “school” at this 13 Summer food time of year so all we will say is – September is (unfortunately) closer than you think so keep the 14 Back to school necessary preparations in mind. Check out our 16 Toys recommendations for school bags and pencil The long summer holiday is nearly here, bringing with it both the prospect of holidays and fun with the family – and the challenge of keeping the kids entertained for six weeks!

4 7 9 10 11

cases for the new school year.

Finally, in this issue, we have loads of giveaways including cool kids’ backpacks and copies of the book Helping your Child Cope with Change.

By applying, you’ll also ensure you continue to receive this wonderful magazine!

Get in touch Competition winners from our March/April issue Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list here.

Help your child navigate 75 difficult times!

available

Apply for your FREE book Written by Liat Joshi Hughes Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk

T&Cs apply

July/August 3

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Step out of the day-to-day and into a family adventure on an all-inclusive holiday with PGL. Let loose and get lost together on an action-packed adventure that turns the family back into a team.

Whether you’re conquering the kayaks, hanging out on the high ropes or zooming down zipwires, there are plenty of goose-pimpling adventures to dive into whilst you’re here. You’ll be amazed by what you and your family will achieve.

Visit pgl.co.uk/familymag for more details.

Read more

Don’t miss out on our final summer sale and the chance to give your family the break to remember. Save up to 50% off when you book a family adventure holiday or kids adventure camp this Summer.

4 July/August

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SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Low-cost summer fun Something different

Enjoy a wild swim When it warms up, take a dip at your local wild swimming spot.

Let’s fish!

The Canal and River Trust is running free fishing expert guided taster sessions.

Borrow a doggy Join Borrow My Doggy to bond with a dog in need of love while their owners are at work.

Free tennis coaching and court usage The LTA is running free tennis sessions or coaching at venues across Britain.

Fresh air

Join in National Play Day Join in one of hundreds of community events that celebrate the importance of play.

Go fly a kite!

Cheap and easy to buy or you can even make your own. Read up on tips about how to fly them.

Find the Gruffalo There are themed walks based on the books up and down the country.

Woodland adventure Explore your nearest woodland, enjoy adventure play, off-road cycling and create a den.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Out and about

Cinema deals Odeon and Cineworld will be running kids’ screenings with tickets priced from £3.25.

Hop on board the train. Have a rail adventure. Visit somewhere new on the cheap using a Family and Friends Railcard.

Visit a pet store Kids will enjoy checking out the pets for sale. Some stores run animal handling sessions and other activities.

Pick your own berries Gather a heap of juicy strawberries, raspberries or other summer fruit.

Would you like to host and teach English to a foreign student in your home?

We are currently recruiting hosts who can offer a spare bedroom, three meals per day and the required lessons and activities.

You choose who to host and when to host!

Earn up to £1,000 per week.

Get in touch to find out more: influentme.com be@influentme.com

July/August 5

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Best holiday activity books for kids Want something to occupy the kids on the plane, train, in a café or restaurant or if they just need a quiet ten minutes? You can’t go past these brilliant activity and sticker books.

What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday Sticker Book

Dinosaurium Activity Book

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Nature Sticker and Colouring Book

Find Tom in Time

Never Get Bored Activity Book

Little Sticker Dolly Dressing Unicorns

Ages 7-9. £9.29

Ages 2-3. £5.57

Age 6+. £7.43

6 July/August

Ages 6-10. £9.28

100 Things for Little Children to Do on a Journey Age 3+. £6.50

Age 3-5. £6.73

Age 6+. £9.29

Sticker by Letter: In the Wild Activity Book

Age 4+. £5.57

Holiday Puzzles and Games Age 7+. £6.50

Familiesonline.co.uk

HOLIDAYS

Perfect eco-friendly swimwear for summer Mix tops and bottoms to suit the occasion. Protect your child’s precious skin in a shortie suit or watch them cartwheel in a cossie!

If we had to pick one ‘can’t live without’ item, it would be the Power Poncho with its fast-drying fabric and hidden game on the inside.

Whatever your summer vibe, Grass&Air has got your family covered. Just add water.

More info HERE. This summer, Grass&Air is coming with you and your kids on every single adventure.

Its new Sun+Swim collection for kids ages 1 to 10 is bursting with clever ideas. Made using recycled plastic bottles and fabric offcuts, each piece has been designed for maximum enjoyment, whether kids are splashing in the paddling pool or doing karate kicks at big waves in the sea.

Get the best out of family life!

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July/August 7

HOLIDAYS

How to holiday responsibly We all need to do our bit for the planet so we asked our friends at Tested by Tots for their ideas for some eco-friendly holiday products that can easily be substituted for traditional alternatives.

Beeswax wraps

Washable & reusable for up to six years.

15% discount - TOTS15

Reef-friendly sunscreen

Switch to biodegradable spray from Nivea, freefrom ingredients that damage ocean life.

Beachwear

Frugi clothing uses GOTS certified organic cotton or recycled materials.

8 July/August

Reusable BBQs

Shampoo bars

Sustainable toys

Bamboo nappies and wipes

Saves space and is as The Landmann Piccolino effective as the runny BBQ comes in two stuff. Trial sizes available. colours for under £70.

These use recycled materials and are vigorously safety tested.

10% discount -10GREENTOYS22

Sustainable teethers

Decompose much more quickly than regular products.

50% off newborn starter kit - NBTOT50

Eco sunglasses

Made from sustainable wheat straw.

Made from natural, plantBiodegradeable. Four based rubber. colours for kids ages 5-9.

Familiesonline.co.uk

HOLIDAYS

Days out – put the kids in charge!

There are so many advantages to this including increased confidence for your kids and less brain work for you!

Benefits

Tips

Builds confidence that can then be applied in other areas eg school morning routines.

Set a budget and be clear what it covers eg entry fees, travel costs and food.

Provides valuable source of additional thinking and planning for you!

Spell everything out. Make sure they understand exactly what they are being asked to do.

Research and planning

On the day

Ensure they gather all relevant information eg opening times, entry fees, travelling times etc.

Let them navigate, whether that’s using a phone, map, tube map or street directory.

Suggest they plan the day including time for departure, arrival, journey and food breaks.

Be tolerant; making mistakes is all part of the learning.

Allows kids to exercise independence and test their abilities.

Offer incentives such as bonus spending money for any savings they achieve.

Keep it up Build on the confidence your child has gained by introducing new family responsibilities.

Get them to plan the weekly dinner menu or help draw up the shopping list.

Start a fun day out ideas jar that everyone contributes to. Pull one out every weekend or holidays.

Put ONE child in charge. Others will get their turn IF they cooperate with their sibling.

Try to back off and not interfere too much but be there in case guidance or intervention is needed.

Dozens of family activities!

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July/August 9

Step out of the day-to-day and into a family adventure.

Offer valid until 17/07/22. T’s & C’s apply. Visit pgl.co.uk/familymag for details.

10 July/August

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SCREEN FREE

No-screen kids’ summer projects

Desperate for ideas to get your kids away from screens and exploring something in the real world? Check out our top recommendations.

Toy purge

Garage sales

A great way to declutter, reuse unwanted household items and make some money. Help the kids choose a date, decide what to sell, organise the items for easy browsing and label and price everything. You can then get them drawing posters to advertise the event. You can help by posting on social media.

TIPS

�e hilarious new book in the bestselling series – with a truly EXPLOSIVE ending.

Retro games day

Illustrations © Beach, 2022

out now

Familiesonline.co.uk

Disposing of old toys can be challenging but is worthwhile for children and parents alike. If your child is resistant to parting with old favourites, challenge them to play with them for an appropriate amount of time or donate them to charity. Involve your child in taking their toys to the local charity shop.

TIPS

Make a list of your favourite games from your own childhood such as hopscotch, marbles, elastics, Grandmother’s Footsteps, long rope skipping, Oranges and Lemons and spend a fun filled day reminiscing with your kids. For extra nostalgia, provide some of your favourite childhood snacks and sweets.

TIPS July/August 11

SCREEN FREE

No-screen kids’ summer projects

Desperate for ideas to get your kids away from screens and exploring something in the real world? Check out our top recommendations.

Water wars

Make a movie

When temperatures rise and tempers start to fray, encourage the kids to have an old-fashioned water fight. Use buckets, sponges, watering cans or fill up some balloons (purchase refillable water balloons). You could invest in fancy water pistols or a novelty sprinkler, water play mat or water slide.

TIPS

If you are prepared to lend your phone for filming, this is a great creative holiday project for older children. A short film is ideally three to five minutes long and it can be factual or story based.

Advise your child to keep it simple and start with a plan or better still a script.

TIPS

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This gets the kids active and requires little equipment. They can make a torch and have an opening ceremony. Races can include a sack race with pillowcases, a tug of war with a dressing gown belt, discus with a frisbee, shot put using bean bags or tennis balls.

TIPS Familiesonline.co.uk

FOOD

Summer lunch and picnic ideas

Whip up these delicious dishes with the kids, courtesy of Neha @squashedpickle Click on the images to watch her helpful videos!

Egg & Pea Cheesy Waffles

This three-ingredient recipe couldn’t be any easier, making it perfect for little hands! You can switch up the vegetables or even use a frozen veg mix if you prefer. The waffles are a great alternative to the usual picnic food or lunch at home.

READ RECIPE

Sweet Pea Pasta Muffins

Zac loves pasta. I used to make these a lot when he was young.

They are light on mess, freezable and make a perfect on-thego snack. Kids can learn basic kitchen techniques while they experiment with different sauces and build their own muffins.

READ RECIPE

Superheroes, Orphans & Origins:

Pesto Cheese Twists

125 years in comics

These twists are super-easy to prepare and so delicious. If you are looking for a kitchen-based activity to do with the kids during the summer, this recipe is great for teaching basic cutting and pastry twists. And you’ll end up with a fabulous snack or lunch option at the end!

READ RECIPE Familiesonline.co.uk

Discover our free family workshops Free for under 21s Book online with code ENTRYFAM to receive 10% off admission foundlingmuseum.org.uk

New York World’s Fair Comics, Vol. 1 #2, Jack Burnley & ™ DC. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Zenobia, 2016 Morten Dürr and Lars Horneman

Until 28 August 2022

July/August 13

BACK TO SCHOOL

School bags for the new school year Children really love to choose a new school bag at the start of the school year. Here are some of our top suggestions.

Frugi Adventurers Backpack Good quality bag uses recycled and organic materials. £28

M&S Minecraft™ Water Repellent School Backpack

Large, light and great for Minecraft fans. Machine washable. £24

Novelty Rocket Backpack

Eye-catching but practical. Mesh pockets, adjustable straps. £30 14 July/August

LittleLife Big HiVis Dinosaur Kids ActionPak

Eastpak Padded Backpack

Liewood Allan Backpack

Nobodinoz Sunshine Kids Backpack

Babymel Zip and Zoe Colour and Wash Backpack

Adidas Class Backpack

Suits Reception-aged kids. High vis material. £19.99

Sturdy backpack for A4-sized books. Front pockets for smaller items. £47

Stylish, durable but comfortable with padded Made from organic shoulder and chest cotton with water straps. £47 repellent coating. £39.95

Colour your own with washable felt pens. £14

Great for sporty, older kids. Plenty of room for laptop/books. £21.99 Familiesonline.co.uk

BACK TO SCHOOL

Starting school VERY soon?

Want to get organised and prepare your child socially and emotionally?

Watch advice from Emma Lewry at Every Day’s a School Day

Safer sleeping outside for little ones!

Cool backpacks for cool kids!

APPLY HERE for your FREE Snoozeshade

Fully lined, pockets, adjustable straps & handle.

Worth £29.99 each

5

available

Get your FREE Grass & Air backpack NOW* Perfect for little treasures

T&Cs apply

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*while stocks last T&Cs apply

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APPLY HERE

*while stocks last T&Cs apply

July/August 15

BACK TO SCHOOL

Top pencil case picks for September Next on the list for kids, after a new school bag, is a new pencil case.

Here are our favourites for the new season.

ZIPIT Talking Monstar Large

Fun pencil case which fits up to sixty pens or pencils. £8.50

Helix Pro Athletic

Large main compartment with wide opening zip, durable material. £4.52

Rachel Ellen Girls Rule the World Stylish and colourful, made from durable neoprene. £7.99

16 July/August

Maomaoyu Large Capacity

Dinosaur Colour & Learn

Smiggle Calculator Hard Top

Narwhal Plush

Durable and super-sized Fun and practical, comes pencil case with 3 zipped with wash-out fabric compartments. £8.69 pens. £12.95

Side panels with elastic pen and pencil holders. £15.50

Easthill Big Capacity Pencil Case

Makes a perfect ‘first pencil case’ for younger children. £3

Brown Paper Personalised

Roomy enough for pens, pencils, sharpeners Great for organisation. and rubbers. Can be Holds fifty pens/pencils personalised. £9.99 with a carry handle. £7.99 Familiesonline.co.uk

TOYS

Performing and developing life skills with PQA Whether it be diving into their dressing up box or stepping onto the stage, performing is important to children and young people, although its benefits can often go unnoticed. Performing arts can teach children and young people key skills that can be used in everyday life.

Creativity Naturally imaginative, pretend play and make believe come easily to kids and can assist their social and emotional development, helping them form new ideas and develop resourcefulness.

Problem solving Solving problems creatively within the safety of a performing arts environment can help kids deal with issues in everyday life. If children feel comfortable exploring and dealing with problems in a nonlinear way, this makes them more confident overall.

READ MORE

Cool backpacks for cool kids!

Get your FREE Grass & Air backpack NOW* Perfect for little treasures Fully lined, pockets, adjustable straps & handle.

Magazine Familiesonline.co.uk

Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go *while stocks last T&Cs apply July/August 17

TOYS

Diversify your toy box Would you like your child to have toys which reflect the world in which we live? If so, take a look at the recommendations from our friends at Sheni and Teni which offers diverse books, toys and games for kids.

Sheni & Teni card games

Very Puzzled map puzzles

Cica Toys Yorupad

Our Kids Trove

Celebrate the wonders of Feature landmarks/ Africa through four loved attractions highlighting card games. notable people of colour.

Philly n Friends doll

Five African Iconic Leaders & Queens handpainted 9cm peg dolls.

Muffin Sisters

Helping children discover language through play.

An eclectic collection of culturally diverse toys and educational resources.

African-inspired elephant plush toys that encourage tactile play.

Colour Celebrations height chart

Imagine Me Stories subscription box

Learning with Ez emotions flashcards

Track your little ones height as they grow.

Monthly subscription offering of diverse books and black history activities. Ages 0-12.

Ten double sided full colour emotion and feelings cards.

BRAND NEW SOFT PLAY AND BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGES

COMING SOON TO KENSINGTON

AT KENSINGTON LEISURE CENTRE Brand new soft play opening this summer for children aged 10 and under, plus exclusive birthday party packages will be available too.

Find out more at better.org.uk/kensington Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no. XR43398.

Engineering Open House Day 2022 Now in its seventh year, Engineering Open House Day is all about showing children and their parents just how exciting a career in engineering can be!

On Friday, 29 July, companies across the country will be opening their doors to give exclusive behind the scenes access to the wonderful world of engineering and technology!

Plus, we’ll be holding our very own event in London with lots of interactive exhibits and two very exciting live shows hosted by Greg Foot, with special guests including Dangerous Dan! You don’t want to miss it.

Visit our website to find out what’s happening near you or register for our London event

theiet.org/OpenHouse TheInstitutionofEngineeringandTechnology #IETOpenHouse @TheIET The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No. 211014) and Scotland (No. SC038698).

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