Family TIME SPEND-FREE SUMMER Enjoy your summer on a budget with the best free things to do in Sussex
BIRTHDAY PARTIES Ideas for all ages to have the best birthday ever without breaking the bank
CHOOSING CHILDCARE How to pick the right nursery for your youngster this year
Win a long weekend family break to Camber Sands inside NEW LYDD ROAD, CAMBER, NEAR RYE, EAST SUSSEX, TN31 7RT
NS608EWTG
CANOEING
KAYAKING OLIDAYS H & S P I R T RIVER
ILING DINGHY SA BOARDING E L D D A P P STAND U
ING RAFT BUILD FIRST AID
ING ORIENTEER DING TEAM BUIL
CH MORE! U M O S D N A
SOU TH W ATER W ATERSPORTS • SOU TH W ATER COU N TRY PARK • CRIPPLEG ATE LAN E • SOU TH W ATER • H ORSH AM • W EST SU SSEX • RH 13 9U N
Tel:01403 734424
Em a il:in fo@ sou thw a tersports.co.u k
w w w .sou thw a tersports.co.u k
NS608FN6P
Caravan Holiday Home Ownership at Camber Sands Holiday Park CARAVANS FOR SALE FROM
ÂŁ12,995
*
For more information pop into the Caravan Sales Enquiry Centre on Park today or call us on: 01797 330 430 NEW LYDD ROAD, CAMBER, NEAR RYE, EAST SUSSEX, TN31 7RT * Prices vary between models and Park Resorts parks. Subject to availability. Images are for illustration purposes. All prices include VAT.
W IN A Fam ily Long W eekend A w ay In June Com e to Ca m berSa n ds,rela x,pla y,en joy in style in on e ofou rGold ca ra va n s. (FRIDAY -M ONDAY )
To en terplea se fillou tthe form a n d sen d itto u shere a t: F a m ily Tim e Co m p etitio n , F rid a y-Ad L td ,L o n d o n R o a d , Sa yersCo m m o n , W estSu ssex BN 6 9H S. Orem a ilyou rdeta ilsto: co m p etitio n s@ frid a y-a d .co .u k W in n ersw illbe a n n ou n ced in you rloca lFrida y-A d, so k eep a n eye ou t! NS607QGBF
m petition o C e m i T y l i Fam
.. ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................ N a m e:............... ... ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................... A ddress:........... ... ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................... ............................ .... ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................... ............................ .... ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................... ............................ .... ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................... Tel:..................... ..... ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..................... Em a il:................ RTH ER N EW S CTED W ITH FU SE TICK H IRE TA N CO BE TO T W ISH TIO N S PLEA IF Y O U D O N O A N D CO M PETI
Hello Birthday Parties No matter what their age, birthday parties can take a lot of planning. Have a look at these ideas on planning a party they’ll remember.
Welcome to the first edition of Family Time, formerly Toddlers to Teens. In this issue we want to showcase Sussex in a way that anyone can enjoy without fear of budget, or weather restrictions. Take a look at our Spend-Free Summer feature to see the best family activities you can do in Sussex over the next few months without having to break the bank. With a wide selection of places on offer, you’re guaranteed to have a lovely day come rain or shine. We’re also on hand to give a bit of advice if you’re thinking of sending your little one off to nursery. Whether you don’t know what questions to ask or how to start looking for the best ones we provide some pointers to get you started. If their birthday is coming up soon you might be feeling pressure to plan the perfect day. If you need any tips on the best activities and games, no matter what age they’re going to be, we have a few ideas to inspire you.
Spend-Free Summer It is possible to have a great summer in Sussex on a budget with our top 5 free things to do during the warmer months.
On top of all that, while you’re reading the features and checking out our fantastic advertisers, you can keep your youngster busy with our Puzzle Page right at the back. You also have the chance to win a family long weekend away to Park Resorts’ Camber Sands and a family pass to Legoland.
Enjoy!
Choosing Childcare
Puzzle Page
If you’re unsure whether nursery is the right choice for your child have a look at this advice on how to choose the right one.
Tear out the back page to give your little one to get their creative juices flowing and their brain ticking over.
Birthday Parties Whether it’s their first birthday or tenth, planning a party can get very stressful if you’re not sure what to do. Have a look at these tips and tricks to take them through from toddlers to teens.
1ST BIRTHDAY KEEP IT SIMPLE AND LAID BACK Keep the guestlist to a minimum to avoid a chaotic atmosphere. Keep the event short and sweet and outside of nap time. A BABY BRUNCH MAY BE BEST Have mini sandwiches and cupcakes to save too much prep work in the kitchen. FOR THE THEME Choices could include anything fun and colourful, such as animals in the zoo.
AGES 2-4 HOME CAN BE CHAOTIC Try hiring a local church hall where there’ll be lots of room for running around with space to hold tables of food as well. FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT Group games are easy to organise and can include parents and children. Introduce pass the parcel and musical statues if you’re on a budget and blow up lots of balloons to decorate and play with. MAKE LIFE EASIER Pick up the cake and party food from the supermarket, along with paper plates and the party napkins.
AGES 5-7 YOUR CHILD WILL BE EXCITED So make sure to include them in the planning process. They might have ideas of the types of things they want based on what other children have had. THE SAFEST BET Hold it on the weekend and soft play venues are generally a great idea as the hard work is done for you. Ask the venue if they have birthday packages as this should include a private room to hold parties in, entry and lunch for all the children. GUESTLIST If you’re going to a venue this will help you get an idea of the amount of guests you can invite as well.
AGES 8-12 IN THE SUMMER You have much more freedom to organise barbecues and outdoor games. BOYS AND GIRLS Typically differ in their preferences but if you invite others from their class try to provide a variety of activities all the children will enjoy. SPORTS DAY Split the children into teams and put on games like three-legged and egg and spoon races. HAVE THEIR FIRST SLEEPOVER Host a group in the evening with a takeaway and video games or a film marathon. Try to keep it to a maximum of six youngsters if you want to get any sleep that night!
AGES 13-17 MOST WILL WANT A PARTY You could have it at home if you have a decent sound system but it’s cleaner and easier to hire a venue. WHERE TO GO Many bars will let you hire their space if it’s over by 10 or 11 and then you just need to book a DJ. Try to get your teen’s input on the entertainment so you don’t get the blame if the choice isn’t considered ‘cool’. THE GUESTS Let them plan the guestlist but try to be strict about the numbers and avoid putting it on social media if you don’t want it getting out of hand. Feel free to provide food and snack but be prepared that they may not get eaten.
NS607T8JZ
NS6079MRZ
Let’s get creative and crafty at poponin It’s great fun for all the family There’s so much to do, you will be spoilt for choice & you won’t be bored We welcome you and your family for MessyCreate, AfterschoolCreate, HolidayCreate, ClubCreate & birthdays
RAIN OR SHINE, POP ON IN AND LET’S CREATE! 94 High Street, Hurstpierpoint. 01273 833393 www.poponin.co.uk BOOKING RECOMMENDED FOR CLUBS AND PARTIES
HOW MUCH TIME CAN YOU SPARE? HOW MUCH CAN YOU CARE? We are now recruiting foster carers in your area, as well as additional staff for our community support work and NACCC accredited contact centre
GIVE US A CALL
01903 259900
“Excellent support is provided to young people which helps them to develop positive relationships with carers in a culture that promotes positive behaviour” OFSTED
NS608NE8H
NS607PASA
2
Seven Sisters National Park, Eastbourne
This stunning coastline is home to 280 hectares of chalk cliffs situated in between Seaford and Eastbourne. The views are undeniably breathtaking and there is plenty to explore in the area. There are trails you can follow as well as the meandering Cuckmere River which has a rich history that you can learn about at the nearby Visitor Centre. PHOTO BY MALCOM BROWNE
THE BEST FREE THINGS TO DO IN SUSSEX IN SUMMER Summer months can get very expensive when trying to keep little ones entertained so give these free ideas a try.
1
Old Police Cells Museum, Brighton
The museum, which is now coming into its 11th year, showcases Brighton and Hove’s history within the police force. It’s located in the basement of Brighton Town Hall and gives an overview of the police station between the years of 1830-1967. See the cells that prisoners used to be kept in as well as a large collection of memorabilia and artefacts from the last century.
PHOTO BY PAUL ROBERTSON
3
The Kipling Gardens, Rottingdean
A beautiful, award winning park with plenty of gorgeous floral scenery to sunbathe in or read and relax. The old flint walls can protect you from the traffic noise of the outside world and the open clean lawns give children plenty of space to explore and play. Dogs, ball games and cycling are not permitted in The Kipling Gardens.
PHOTO BY LES CHATFIELD
4
Brighton Fishing Museum
Take a look into Brighton’s historical journey from small fishing village into the modern seaside resort we have today. This museum has everything you need to know about the transformation story with photos, memorabilia and much more.
5
Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne PHOTO BY ROWAN COLLINS
A contemporary art gallery and museum that has won a number of awards since it opened in 2009. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm and has multiple exhibitions on at any one time from local, UK and international artists. They provide activities for families and children of all ages including seasonal workshops to help them grow through art education.
NS6076AFD
GROUP LESSONS 3-4 PEOPLE
£15
PER PERSON PER HOUR
EA S TER 30TH PONY D 1ST, 6TH, MARCH AYS 8TH APR IL
Join ou rpu b rid esorBew lW a terrid es O R FO R M O RE INFO RM A TIO N
NS607HEZ8
e r
a c ld
i h
c g
n i s
As your little one grows up through life, you will face many difficult decisions. When they get to age five, they must go to school or be homeschooled but until that age, how they spend their time is your decision. If you would like to send your child to nursery, selecting the right one can be very difficult. It’s only natural to worry about leaving your child in someone else’s care but provided you do your homework, you should feel confident about your decision.
o o
h c
You’ll want to make sure your child is safe and happy, so ensure you dedicate plenty of time to researching your local area for the best nurseries to suit your needs. There are a few different ways to research them and they best ones will get snapped up very quickly so begin looking as early as possible. It’s up to you when you’d like them to start but bear in mind some places having a waiting list of up to a year. Firstly, check either westsussex.gov.uk or eastsussex.gov.uk to see what childcare providers and nurseries are available in your area. Their information services will help you to see which nurseries are close to you with additional details such as Ofsted reports, prices, opening hours etc. It would also be worthwhile to ask friends, family members or colleagues who have children about how they found their childcare, and for any advice to help you make the right decision. If those around you haven’t been in your position, there are also plenty of websites and forums online where you can chat to other parents and ask questions to those going through it too. When deciding what type of childcare you need, think about timings. You can choose whether you’d prefer just morning or just afternoon care and how many days a week you’d need. Take the time to visit your prefered nurseries and bring your little one with you to see what they think. Carefully observe how they react on arrival, during the tour and when you leave. Try and think about what your child need; make sure there are plenty of opportunities for both indoor and outdoor play, if there are other children there, do they look comfortable and happy? Try and get testimonials from other parents at the nursery, even if it’s just a case of visiting during pick up/drop off time. You should also ask to see at least three references, as what works perfectly for one family may not work for you. This will help you gage an overall opinion and also see how popular it is, as somewhere with very few attendees may be due to issues with the nursery itself. No matter which one you choose, you child’s happiness is the main priority so ensure that the nursery has plenty of time to give your child the nurture that they need in this crucial time.
NS60739D8
Like us Follow us
and check out our website for details of our exciting events programme!
HASTINGS
NS607XFL8
www.priorymeadow.com
Su ssex Tim berProd u ctsLtd UNIT 1 PENTAGON HOUSE,W EALDEN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE,FARM INGTON ROAD, CROW BOROUGH EAST SUSSEX TN6 2JR
Need som e extra stora ge spa ce? Doesyou rhom e look lik e a gia n ttoybox? M A D E TO O RD ER O U TBU ILD IN GS,FRO M SH ED S TO PLA Y D EN S FO R YO U R FA M ILY...
O R FA N CY A LITTLE RETREA T A LL O F YO U R O W N ! Ca llu stod a y fora n o ha ssle q u ote EVERY ASPECT TAK EN CARE O F BY LO CAL PRO FESSIO NALS
sales@sussextimber.co.uk tel - 01892 654480 fax - 01892 665332
Call: 01892 654480 for FREE CATALOGUE or email: sales@sussextimber.co.uk
www.timberbuildings.co.uk NS60836G7
At its Wonderful Spring Best! Wood Anemones, banks of Primroses, clusters of Kingcups
And don’t forget our spectacular Bluebells due mid-April Please call for more details 01825 - 790 - 226 FREE ENTRY into farm
A lovely, peaceful 11⁄2 miles of walk through our woods & parkland. Distance views & many scenes. Three ponds with fish to feed, wallabies with their joeys, deer & many other pleasant surprises. Adults £5 - Children £2.50 - OAPs £4.00 - Families £12
Dogs welcome on leads
Stable Tea Room 10am - 5pm 01825 - 790 - 888 The Granary for gifts, cards & flowers. The Farm Shop for local produce and The Cart Lodge Shop.
www.heavenfarm.co.uk
Weddings Made In Heaven at Heaven Farm Our unique venue for your wedding makes you feel miles from anywhere, when your gazing out over our tranquil setting in 100 acres of rolling hills and the only beautiful Bluebell Woodland in the area, beautiful all year round, offering unique photographic opportunities set in the heart of Sussex. A perfect venue for a relaxed celebration, providing what you want and when you want. We offer a bespoke package tailored to your personal requirements. One to one guidance and advice will be provided to make your wedding a day to remember. NS6071KDC
www.weddingsmadeinheaven.com 01825 -791-115 A275 between Danehill and the Bluebell Railway
Want to be in one
of our supplements? Chat to our dedicated sales team on 01646 418941 to feature in our next supplement
F a TIM mily E
SPEND
-
FREE Enjoy you SUMM r summe ER r on a bu best free dget with things to the do in Suss ex
28,000 READERS ACROSS SUSSEX
BIRTH
D
AY PA Ideas for RTIES all ages to have the ever with best birth out breaki day ng the ba nk
FULL COLOUR LARGE ADVERTS
CHOO
S
ING CH How to p ILDCA ick the rig RE ht nursery youngste for your r this yea r
REACH YOUR LOCAL NICHE AUDIENCE FEATURE ALONGSIDE CREATIVE CONTENT
Win a long w e break to Cam ekend famil y DD RO ber Sa AD, CA MBER, nds in NEAR RYE, EA side ST SUSS EX
NEW LY
, TN31
7RT
NS607GKSB
Puzzle Page Can you find these six words?
BEACH FAMILY PLAY
POOL SAND SUN
G H U B S C P O O L
Y H B E C S Q A D H
S P L A Y Y H E W Q
Can you spot five differences?
G U K C M C Z D Y V
D V H H T E S A N D
X A Z S C B U T I L
V D W Q Z B N C W Q
K O P L K M D S A V
F A M I L Y G E W B
A C J U W Q G S A X
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE ANSWER: GIRL’S SKIRT, BOY’S TSHIRT, DOG’S NOSE, DAD’S WATCH AND MUM’S NECKLACE. IMAGE BY FREEKPIK.COM
Colour me in
PA608B8B7
WIN A TICKET TO THE LEGOLAND® WINDSOR RESORT WITH FAMILY TIME! To celebrate 20 awesome of the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, we are offering our readers a chance to win a family ticket to LEGOLAND®, all you have to do is answer the following question: What is traditionally given up for Lent? Please email your answer and contact information to competitions@friday-ad.co.uk Closing date: 2nd May 2016 2016 marks twenty years since LEGOLAND® first opened its doors! Back then it was a little bit smaller with only 25 million LEGO® bricks; today it boasts more than 80 million LEGO® bricks and hundreds of models across the Resort! With over 55 rides, live shows and attractions thereʼs plenty across the Resort to keep the whole family entertained. NEW for 2016 - Emmet, Wyldstyle, Benny, MetalBeard and Unikitty are back in “The LEGO® Movie™ 4D A New Adventure” an all-new, 12 minute 4D movie, showing only at LEGOLAND®! Plus head to the LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Model Display to see the gigantic NEW LEGO® Death Star made up of a staggering 500,000 LEGO bricks! Whether you are earning your first driving license behind the wheel of a LEGO® car at the LEGO® City Driving School, riding a fearsome Dragon through a medieval castle or discovering the lost metropolis of Atlantis in a Submarine, awesome awaits at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort. www.LEGOLAND.co.uk. Prize Terms and Conditions: Win a family day out at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, including 2 adult and 2 child tickets. • Only one entry per person • Entrants must be aged 18 or over • Entrants submitting the correct answer will be entered into a prize draw which will take place on 3rd May 2016 • The winner will be selected at random • The prize consists of 2 adult and 2 child day tickets to the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort • Any additional adults and/or children will be charged at the standard rate • If the winner elects to partake in any or all portions of his/her prize with fewer than four (4) guests, the prize will be awarded to the winner and any participating guest and any remainder of the prize will be forfeited and shall not be subject to further or alternative compensation • The prize is for one day tickets only, and not 2 Day or Annual Passes • Prizes must be used within the 2016 season from 11 March 2016 – 5 November 2016 • Prizes will be sent to winners by the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort by post • Any additional tickets you may wish to purchase can be booked in advance online at www.legoland.co.uk • If you are using these tickets to attend on an event day please ensure that you arrive early to guarantee entry • When planning your visit, please remember to take a look at our calendar for opening dates and times. We are closed on some Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the season • Height restrictions apply on some rides • The prize is subject to the attractions normal Terms and Conditions of Entry, which can be found at www.legoland.co.uk/Book/Terms-and-Conditions-new/ • The use of the prize is subject to availability and capacity restrictions • Not all attractions, shows and rides may be operational on the day of the visit • Height, age and weight restrictions apply on some rides • Prize consists only of one day entrance only; no other elements or expenses such as travel, car parking, meals and beverages, spending money or Q-Bot access to rides and attractions are included. All such expenses are the sole responsibility of the winner plus guests • The promoterʼs decision is final and binding. No correspondence will be entered into. Unless otherwise stated the promoter is the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort • This prize cannot be taken in conjunction with any other promotion, offer, reward/loyalty program, 2 Day or Annual Pass, group booking, rail inclusive offer • Competition entry is open to all UK residents except employees and the immediate family of the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort • There is no cash or alternative to the prizes stated, and the prizes are non-transferable. Promotor: Friday Media Group, Sayers Common, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 9HS
LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations, the Minifigure, DUPLO and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2016 The LEGO Group.