FRE E
TAKE ME
HOM E
IN THIS ISSUE
Summer at the Museums
25th July - 3rd September
Issue 55 July/August 2019 familiesonline.co.uk
familiesonline.co.uk Families Cambridgeshire 1
Contents & Competition
Dear Reader,
The most eagerly awaited time of year for children is almost here - the long summer holidays. We can all remember the excitement of the last day of term. Whilst this might be the children’s favourite time of year, it can often fill parents with dread as they try to juggle work, childcare and entertaining the children. We have lots in this issue to help you plan childcare and days out in our ‘What’s On’ pages. If you do find yourself out and about more, no doubt you will be eating out too, and so we have included some useful advice on how to keep little ones at the table and avoid a meltdown during dinner (page 15). Have a lovely summer whatever your plans. @familiesCambMag
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A FAMILY TICKET TO BANHAM ZOO! Banham Zoo is one of the most exciting wildlife attractions in the country, with over 2,000 animals from around the world set in 50 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens. Part of the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), the zoo works to educate and delight families with a love of animals. For your chance to win a family ticket for two adults and two children, look out for the post on the Families Cambridgeshire Magazine Facebook page: @FamCambsMag For
more information visit www.banhamzoo.co.uk
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4. News & Views 6. Baby News 8. What's On 11. Big Days Out 13. Summer In The Museums 15. Eating Out As A Family 17. Starting School 19. Summer Clubs & Classes EDITOR: Lisa Exell 01945 861336, editor@familiesCambridgeshire.co.uk PUBLISHING ASSISTANT: Becky Lawrence, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk SOCIAL MEDIA: Rebecca, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk SALES: Jean Stevens, jean@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk DESIGN: Caroline Thompson-Heap, info@cheekymonkeydesigns.net 22,000 copies of Families Cambridgeshire available through schools, nurseries, hospitals, clubs and classes, selected shops and restaurants. If you would like copies for your establishment please let us know.
Families Cambridgeshire 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, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Cambridgeshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Cambridgeshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Cambridgeshire its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.
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News & views
BELFRY'S GREAT DEALS ‘SPA-N' THE WHOLE SUMMER
Guests at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cambridge Belfry hotel can take the stress out of every-day life with a new ‘Summer Soother' deal that offers spa packages from just £51pp. The four-star hotel, managed by Almarose Hotels, has launched spa day and residential deals. The spa day deal runs until 31 August and includes full body exfoliation and back massage, full use of the health club facilities, a light lunch, 20% off any additional pre-booked spa treatments, and 20% off all food and beverages. Guests also receive an invigorating body reviver for free - worth £27! The overnight deal, from £105pp, for either a one or two-night stay, comes with spa treatments, buffet-style breakfast and evening meal worth up to £28 per guest. The one-night break includes a 50-minute spa ritual or two 25-minute mini express treatments. The two-night stay offers the 50-minute spa ritual and a 25-minute mini express treatment, or guests can enjoy three 25-minute mini treatments instead. Book these fantastic deals by calling 0330 107 1599 and quoting ‘Summer Soother' for the spa day deal or ‘Summer Spa' for the overnight break. A list of all Almarose Hotels spas can be found at www.qhotels.co.uk/our-spas.
SURESTART PROGRAMME GOOD FOR HEALTH
A recent Institute for Fiscal Studies research report has found that Sure Start children’s centres delivered major health benefits for youngsters living in the most deprived areas. The report shows that the number of young people taken to hospital was reduced in those areas, in young children that effect was marked for infection-related cases and for older children, minor injuries. The programme, first introduced in 1999 targeted highly disadvantaged neighbourhoods. At its peak in 2009–10, Sure Start accounted for £1.8 billion of public spending (in 2018–19 prices), but in the decade since, funding for it has fallen by two-thirds to £600 million, 2017–18. According to the report, the reduction in hospitalisations saves the NHS approximately £5 million, about 0.4% of average annual spending on Sure Start. But the types of hospitalisations often also have lifetime costs both for the individual and the public purse; including these savings, the financial benefits of Sure Start’s effects on hospitalisations amount to 6% of its budget. The report raises the question: given the substantial benefits for children’s health found, is the current level of cuts to Sure Start’s budget appropriate? www.ifs.org.uk
HELP AVAILABLE WHEN CHOOSING A FAMILY DOG
If you are considering adding a dog to your family, this is an important decision which is best not made on a whim. Generally, children and dogs form great bonds and friendships and dogs can offer the opportunity for children to learn great life skills such as responsibility and compassion. But all dogs are individuals. The breed of the dog is perhaps the single most important factor you can take into account when deciding what dog is right for your family. To help families with this decision a Dog Breeder Decider tool has been created by pet food manufacturer Webbox. The tool matches a dog breed with a family by analysing a family’s lifestyle and preferences against the personality traits, behaviours and requirements of all dog breeds. More info: www.webbox.co.uk/dog-breed-decider
Space Chase - 2019 Summer Reading Challenge The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to read six library books during the long summer holiday. Children's reading can decline during the summer holidays if they don't have regular access to books or encouragement to read for pleasure. 4 Families Cambridgeshire
This year the challenge will focus on the theme ‘Space Chase’ - an out-of-this-world adventure inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. Children are challenged to read at least six library books over the school holidays and collect rewards, such as stickers, on their way
Get Hands On At The Festival Of Archaeology
The Festival of Archaeology is a fortnight long festival which runs from 13 to 28 July 2019 and will provide opportunities for families to discover archaeology in their local area. Events will be held across the UK at sites of archaeological and historical interest. You will be able to watch experts at work or get ‘hands-on’ by experiencing the excitement of an archaeology dig, including having a go at geophysical and topographic surveys, or taking part in actual excavations. The festival is co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology and aims to showcase the very best of archaeology for everyone. To find events in your area visit www. festival.archaeologyuk.org
Going to Nursery Improves Behaviour
Children who go to nursery are better behaved and have fewer emotional problems than those cared for by family or a childminder, a new study has found. Those who attended nursery, crèche or day care centre staffed by professionals for a year or more found it easier to make friends and had better social skills than youngsters who stayed at home. Researchers believe more stimulating play, more time spent reading, following rules from a young age and getting praise mean children thrive in a nursery setting. The study by the Sorbonne University in France looked at the factors involved in childhood health and development using a survey of 1,428 children. It tracked their emotional development from birth up to age 8. Previous research has suggested early childcare can boost a child’s language and thinking skills, and may improve their academic performance. More info: www.jech.bmj.com
to receiving their challenge certificate and medal. The Challenge will launch in libraries on Saturday 13 July 2019. For competitions, book recommendations and special online badges and rewards, visit www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk
News & views
Don't know where the next meal is coming from? You are not alone. Many people are finding it hard to put a meal on the table, especially with the roll-out of Universal Credit and associated waiting times. Our advice would be to first seek out your local Citizens Advice Bureau. They will either be able to directly let you have some food bank vouchers, or point you to somewhere that can. You can also look at www.foodcycle.org.uk to see if there are any free community meals nearby. They operate in Peterborough, Cambridge and Norwich. Check out whether there is a community fridge near you - www.hubbub.org.uk/the-community-fridge. These fridges are for everyone to use and usually contain fresh produce and often dry store goods such as bread for you to go and pick up. Many different areas of the County have different things going on e.g. Norwich and Cambridge have Food Poverty Alliances where organisations are collaborating to make it easier for you to access food. Do check out the national Food Power website for info on what is happening in other areas - www.sustainweb.org/foodpower/map
National Literacy Trust launches Small Talk project to help parents boost their child’s language skills at home
The National Literacy Trust has launched Small Talk, a new project to help parents develop the skills and confidence they need to boost their child’s language skills at home, before they start school. The project comes as latest figures from the Government show that 200,000 five-year-olds started primary school last year without the language, communication and literacy skills they need to learn and flourish. This gap can negatively impact their chances of success at school and in life. In an effort to close this gap, Small Talk will support the language skills of 30,000 children under the age of five by helping parents turn the activities they are already doing with their child into new opportunities to fill their child’s world with words every day. To help parents embed chat, play and read activities into their daily routines, Small Talk features simple and engaging videos, advice and information. For more information, please visit: small-talk.org.uk
2019 RSPCA Young Photographer Awards now open for entries
The prestigious annual photography competition offers young people up to the age of 18 the chance to win amazing prizes - in return for getting snap happy with pets, wildlife and other animals. The judging panel - led by wildlife expert and RSPCA Vice President Chris Packham expects a record-breaking number of entries this year, with categories designed to attract a wide range of young people. Whether the photo is taken on a mobile device or camera, there’s a category for every age, skill and type of equipment. Three different age-groups (under 12s, 12-15 and 16-18) also mean that all youngsters are in with a chance. New for 2019 is a special Instagram category; that online competition will be judged by the public, and will run for just two weeks in July. The closing date for other categories is 12 noon, Friday 16 August 2019. Entrants can submit their images online at: rspca.org.uk/ypa
CAMBOURNE TOWN COUNCIL VICE-CHAIRMAN OPENS NEW ALL-WEATHER PITCH Cambourne Town Council were delighted to officially open a new floodlit third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch (AGP) behind a local sports centre on Back Lane in May. The new full-size pitch was made possible thanks to investment from the Premier League, The FA and Government, through their charity, the Football Foundation. The project forms part of the Council’s aims to provide enhanced facilities for partner clubs Cambourne FC, Cambourne Rovers and Cambourne Eagles, who play in local Cambridgeshire leagues. LED floodlights have also been installed with a wind turbine to reduce the carbon footprint of familiesonline.co.uk
the floodlights and running costs. More than 2,500 people are expected to start playing football on the pitch over the next five years. The creation of nearly 25 affiliated football teams will also support a huge growth in the number of participants playing competitive football.
Cub Scouts celebrate arrival of new eco badge with giant artwork
Over 50 Cub Scouts came together recently for a special event to launch the new edition of their Environmental Conservation Activity badge. Now sponsored by The Salvation Army’s Recycle with Michael initiative - which works with children to divert thousands of tonnes of unwanted clothing and shoes away from landfill - the badge actively encourages Cub Scouts to get involved in environmental conservation in their daily lives. At the badge’s launch event, the Cubs worked alongside professional artists, Lloyd Warbey (Disney’s Art Attack) and Suzanne Lynas, to create a gigantic replica of their newly designed badge utilising only recycled materials. The giant piece of art spanned nearly 2,500 sq ft, took over 5 hours to complete, and was made using clothes, shoes, and bedding which was generously donated by the attending Cubs and representatives from Scout Head Quarters. The clothes were then shipped off to the Salvation Army’s sorting office where they will either be recycled or distributed to the charity’s numerous shops across the UK ready for ‘second chance’ purchase. All primary school age children can get involved with the Recycle with Michael initiative. To find out more visit www.recyclewithmichael. co.uk
Families Cambridgeshire 5
CAMBRIDGE GYMNASTICS ACADEMY
BABY & PRESCHOOL CLASSES Gymnastics Satellites
We provide a variety of stimulating and fun sessions, for children from 6 weeks to 4.5 years old. The classes we offer are: • Creepy Crawlies & Wiggly Worms Babies from 6 weeks to walking
Delivering
(Fun 4 Baby)
Quality Gymnastics
• Toddling Tigers Walking to 2 years
to the wider community
The Chesterton Academy
• Jumping Joeys 2-3 years
The Cambourne Academy
• Marvellous Monkeys 3-4 years
Monday - Chesterton Sport Centre 4.5 - 10yrs Gilbert Road, Cambridge, CB4 3NY Tuesday - Cambourne Village College 4.5-15yrs Sheepfold Lane, Cambourne, CB23 6FR
(based on the year before the child starts school)
The Ely Academy
Wednesday - Ely College 4.5-15yrs Downham Road, Ely, CB6 2SH
The Impington Academy
Thursday - Impington Sports Centre 4.5-15yrs New Road, Impington, Cambridge, CB24 9LX
The Bottisham Academy
Friday - Bottisham Sport Centre 4.5-15yrs 1 Lode Road, Bottisham, Cambridge, CB25 9DJ
07545075427 enquiries@cgagymnasticssatellites.co.uk www.cgagymnasticssatellites.co.uk
Enquiries@cambridgegymnastics.co.uk www.cambridgegymnastics.co.uk North Cambridge Academy, Arbury Road, Cambridge
07971 864653
Read to succeed this summer! Regular deliveries of books at your child’s reading level.
Cambridge Baby Sensory classes continue to run throughout the summer and we offer a special 4-week ‘Summer Sizzler’ booking during May-August! Contact Alli on cambridge@babysensory.co.uk to find out more!
readingchest.co.uk Book Rental for Children Learning to Read !
Baby News
Heat + Sleep As the weather heats up, Paediatric Sleep Consultant, Lucy Wolfe tells us how to help your child keep cool this Summer We all have trouble sleeping well with the heat and although we shouldn’t complain, it can certainly have an impact on your baby’s sleep. Below is a list of suggestions and considerations to ensure that you keep your child cool in the heat. Children will sleep much better with a room temperature between 16 - 20 degrees Celsius. When it is very hot outside, you will need to take extra measures to regulate the bedroom temperature. 1. Dress your child appropriately to avoid over-heating, strip down to nappy and vest if necessary and consider using no vest but a super light weight sleeping bag, such as a light sleeping bag or a cotton pillow case, safely folded down for younger children. 2. Remove any unnecessary bedding from the cot, to allow air to circulate freely; remove padding, bumpers and also waterproof sheets if you are using them. A cotton sheet along
with the mattress is adequate bedding. 3. Aim to keep the room cool during the day by ensuring that you open windows throughout your living accommodation to allow for a through-breeze. 4. Ensure that you pull down room darkening shades and/or curtains early in the day to prevent the sun heating up the room. 5. Consider using a fan in the bedroom before bedtime, but make sure that it is out of reach when your baby is going to sleep. It may be helpful to place a bottle of frozen water in front of the fan to prevent re-circulating warm air around the room, 6. If the room is super hot, hanging wet/ damp sheets or towels at the window or over chairs will help to cool the space down as the water evaporates. 7. Have a cool bath close to bedtime to help
regulate the body temperature ahead of sleep time. 8. Be careful about sleeping your child on the go. Prams and buggies can become hot and airless rapidly. Try to avoid allowing baby to sleep in the car also. The temperatures inside a parked car can rise very quickly, even with the windows open, so transfer your sleeping baby from the car whenever possible. 9. Make sure that your child is well hydrated during the day. 10. Check your baby regularly to see if he or she is too hot. Look for sweating or feel the baby’s tummy –hands and feet will usually be cooler, which is normal. If your baby is hot, remove clothes as you feel appropriate. 11. Enjoy the beautiful weather! Lucy Wolfe, CGSC, MAPSC, is a paediatric sleep consultant, creator of “Sleep Through by Lucy Wolfe” a natural body and bed sleep spray and relaxing rub, and mum of four young children. She runs a private sleep consulting practice where she provides knowledge, expertise and valuable support to families across the country. See www.sleepmatters.ie
Creepy Crawlies & Wiggly Worms Fun 4 Baby Cambridge Gymnastics established in 2012 offer classes for all ages and start at just 6 weeks! They offer a 45 minute class, for babies 6/8 weeks to walking. These classes are designed to enhance the relationship between adult and baby and allow you to have 45 mins of uninterrupted play together. The sessions start with a warm up to music, encouraging fine and gross motor actions, by which the adult is taught how to safely support the ‘skill of the week’. The skill is incorporated in the free flowing rotations around apparatus, encouraging baby to balance, crawl, walk and roll. The session is finished with a cool down to music with positive touch. This is your special time with your baby, so the atmosphere is relaxed. Parents can stay for an extra 15 minutes and enjoy a free hot drink, biscuit and gossip! To book a class email finance@cambridgegymnastics.co.uk Cost Per Session: £6.60
familiesonline.co.uk
ZEAN MAKES OPENING A PIECE OF CAKE!
A new service for couples expecting a baby has been set up at the Rosie Maternity Hospital in Cambridge. The Rosie Rainbow Clinic has been set up for those who have experienced a previous stillbirth and is aimed at offering practical help and emotional support at what can be an anxious time. Pictured are (from left) are Specialist Midwife Selina HalsallCrowgey, Sue Brookes from Petals, Zean and Will Maskell Dr Charlotte Patient and Specialist Midwife Janet Latimer Care will be provided by a small team of doctors, midwives and sonographers and is supported by Petals, a charity that works with clinicians to deliver specialist counselling dedicated to psychological care and wellbeing during pregnancy. The recent opening was marked by the cutting of rainbow coloured cake which was made by the clinic’s first visitors, Zean and Will Maskell from Rickinghall, Suffolk, who lost a baby at 40 weeks last May. Now Zean is expecting again. Consultant obstetrician Charlotte Patient said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to open this service and were thrilled to welcome Zean and Will who surprised us all by coming in with a beautiful rainbow patterned cake. It really made it an occasion!” www.cuh.nhs.uk/rosie-hospital
Families Cambridgeshire 7
W hat’s Onto
MILTON MAIZE MAZE
WHEN: 19 July – 3 September: 10.00 – 18.00
A Giant Maze that celebrates Man’s first moon landing! Field of Fun, Go karts, Zip Wire, Tractor & Trailer rides, entertainment in The Crazy Cornitorium and Water Wars. Adult £10.95; Child £9.95; under 3's FREE www.themiltonmaizemaze.co.uk
places Things to do, be had go and fun to ages in for kids of all
e Cambridgeshir Fre
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Family Fun Day
WHERE: Elm C of E school
WHEN: 20 July, 11-4pm
Wildlife Trust Bat Safari Punting
WHERE: Scudamores, Cambridge WHEN: July &August:
Fridays & Saturdays Spot bats as they emerge from hibernation with Wildlife Trust Bat Experts with use of specialist electronic bat detectors. Adult £20; Child £15 www.scudamores.com 01223 359750
Clip’n Climb
WHERE: Clifton Road Industrial
Estate, Cambridge WHEN: July & August Climbingcentre meets theme-park: experience 20 challenges that twist, turn, light and excite. With Extreme challenges! From 4yrs. Pre-booking essential. Adult £18; Child £13 www.clipnclimbcambridge.co.uk
Live music from Lenny Stone band & Buskers United, Hot food and ice cream stalls, fairground rides, assault course, inflatables, Bamboogie family magic show, fun dog show and a pop up bar provided by the Sportsman. FREE Register your interest on Facebook @ Elm-Fest Family Fun Day e! Fre
Messy Church
WHERE: Queen Mary Centre, Wisbech WHEN: 20 July: 15.30-17.30 Monthly all-age service with games and craft linked to biblical theme, followed by song,Bible story and prayer, then delicious meal! FREE www.messywisbech.org.uk
PYO Fruits
WHERE: Farms in
Cambridgeshire WHEN: July - August Pidley Park Farm, Hunts and Lidgate Farm in Isleham are just two of the farms open in the region during the PYO season. Check each venue for opening times and types of fruit available. www.pyo.co.uk
Cambridge Aquapark, Hannam’s Wake Hub
WHEN: July & August weekends, school holidays: 10:00–18:00
Newly-expanded, inflatable obstacle course for summer fun with your family and friends. Price includes lifejacket and wetsuit. Ringo rides and cable kneeboarding/wakeboarding also available. Pre-book. £20pp/hour www.cambridgeaquapark.com 01353 886955
Fre
e!
The Big Weekend WHERE: Parker’s Piece,
Cambridge WHEN: 5-7 July With the legendary Kid Creole and the Coconuts as well as community performances and a wide variety of activities: food stalls, sports activities, face painting, story-telling and more! FREE www.cambridgelive.org.uk
WHERE: Denny Abbey WHEN: 25 July
Be an archaeologist for the day with family activities as part of this national event. From 13.00-17.00. Normal admission plus donation www.dennyfarmlandmuseum. org.uk
Cambourne to be Wild Music Festival WHERE: Cambourne Business
Park
WHEN: 6 & 7 July
Two-day festival of live music, art, wild activities and good food and drink; all in support of local wildlife. From £10 Adult; £5 Child www.wildlifebcn.org/camwild
Peter Pan
WHERE: The Dean’s Garden,
Ely Cathedral WHEN: 17-19 July KD Theatre Productions brand new exciting version of this classic story. Peter Pan is desperate to find the Lost Boys a mother and he finds just the girl in Wendy. Adult £15.50; Child £13.50 www.kdtheatre.co.uk 01353 725026
A Midsummer Night’s Dream WHERE: Milton Country Park WHEN: 21 July: 14.30
This hilarious and highly accessible adaptation sees Shakespeare’s fantastical characters transported to a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity. Outdoor. Adult £11; Child £8.80 www. immersiontheatre.co.uk
8 Families Cambridgeshire
Festival of Archaeology Children’s Event
Summer at the Museums WHERE: At venues across
Cambridgeshire WHEN: 25 July – 3 Sept with everything from storytelling and play-based activities for younger children, to hands-on happenings for all ages. Many events free. www.museums.cam.ac.uk/ whats-on/summer-at-themuseums
Egyptian - themed Craft Activities WHERE: Wisbech and
Fenland Museum WHEN: 25 July – 29 August Tuesdays and Thursdays. Decorate and design your own burial jar, clay scarab or mummy mask. There’s also a Decipher the Hieroglyphics challenge. £1 www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk
Kids Tree Climbing WHERE: Ferry Meadows
Country Park WHEN: 26 July Children can come and have a go at tree climbing in a rope and harness. Full instructions are given by our Rangers and all safety equipment is provided. £2 www.nenepark.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk
Families What’s on Summer Fun Day at the Great Fen
FAMILY FUN DAY
WHERE: Newmarket Racecourses
WHERE: Ramsey Heights
WHEN: 23 August
WHEN: 7 August: 10.30 – 15.30
School’s Out for Summer Raceday
WHERE: Newmarket Racecourses WHEN: 27 July Please enhance
With Chase & Marshal from Paw Patrol along with Pup-Pup Boogie! Families can have a go at learning some circus skills and try the Horseplay Jumps throughout the afternoon. From £13; under 18s FREE newmarket.thejockeyclub. co.uk/family-fun-days
The Nightshade Family WHERE: Cambridge University
Botanic Garden WHEN: 3 August 10.00-13.00 Find out about the Nightshades, one of the most amazing families in the plant kingdom. Usual admission www.botanic.cam.ac.uk
Family fun, including pond dipping, den building, crafts and nature-based activities celebrating all things Great Fen. Booking recommended. £5 per child www.wildlifebcn.org/events 01487 815524
Thomas Summer Holiday Weekend
WHERE: Nene Valley Railway WHEN: 10 & 11 August
Travel to the NVR’s Riviera for Thomas’ Summer Holiday! Ride behind Thomas, who will be pulling a special Holiday train through his own channel tunnel. Plus, fun activities at the stations. Adult £16.00; Child £8.00 www.nvr.org.uk
Fairies and Elves
WHERE: Ferry Meadows
Country Park WHEN: 5 August Go along to spot the signs that magic is in the park, make some magical woodland potions and build some amazing homes. 3+ £2 www.nenepark.org.uk
Penultimate race-day of the summer full of family fun with an appearance from Paddington! On track racing and the Horseplay Roadshow. From £13; under 18s FREE newmarket.thejockeyclub.co.uk/ family-fun-days
Alice in Wonderland
WHERE: Milton Country Park WHEN: 22 August: 14.30
Follow Alice and the White Rabbit as they set off on a colourful, topsy-turvy adventure like no other and meet a host of outlandish characters. Outdoor. Adult £11; Child £8.80 www.immersiontheatre.co.uk
Movies on the Meadows 2019
WHERE: Grantchester Meadows WHEN: 23 – 26 August
Films in a picturesque setting – including Spider-Man, Mary Poppins Returns and How to Train Your Dragon. Take a picnic. Adult £16, Child £6 www.cambridgefilmfestival. org.uk
SKYLARK MAIZE MAZE AND FUNYARD WHEN: 20 July – 3 September:
With Maize Maze, Pesky Pigeon Tractor Ride, Trotter Trophy Pig Racing, King Coop's Slide Complex, Go-Karts and much more! Lots of good food too. Children £12; Adult £10; Family £42 skylark-events.co.uk
Teddy Express
WHERE: Nene Valley Railway
WHEN: 21 & 22 August: 9.30-
16.30 Please enhance Every bear that ever was, loves Steam Trains on the Nene Valley Railway. Join them for some fun! Kids with teds travel half price. Adult £16; Child £8 www.nvr.org.uk
When replying to adverts or listings, please mention Families
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Families Cambridgeshire 9
BIG Days Out Around Cambridgeshire The long, lazy days of summer demand BIG family fun and can accommodate longer journeying times to reach prized destinations. This summer we encourage you to get out and about and enjoy the elements! Check out our 5 picks of fabulous all-day adventures around Cambridgeshire.
GO APE! Thetford Brandon, Suffolk
Children from as young as three years old can take to the treetops on the Tree Top Adventure (must be at least 1m tall), where they can climb like monkeys, conquer wobbly crossings and fly down the zip wire. Thrill-seeking adults and children over 10 yrs (must be at least 1.4m tall) can try the Tree Top Challenge with its speed zips, free-fall swings and daring canopy-height crossings. With play area, cycle trails, sedgeway hire and acres of fresh-air-filled forest, there is something for all ages to enjoy. From £19 goape.co.uk/days-out/south-east/thetford
BANHAM ZOO Norfolk
CANOE TRAIL Bedfordshire
Husband and wife team Richard and Ashley are keen to guide families on the water with canoe, kayak and Stand Up Paddle board rental on the River Great Ouse. The team offer half-day and full-day excursions as well as accommodation at their riverside, woodland campsite. Families with young children (from age four) might be best to experience adventure on the water on a half-day trip. The Bedford to Cardington Lock (and back to Bedford) route seems particularly suited to those with young children since it is leisurely and the route is teeming with wildlife. From £29 www.canoetrail.co.uk
What to do first! The South American themed subtropical house ‘Eureka!’, with latest arrivals, dwarf caiman,as well as sloths, titi monkeys and tortoises, or the‘Casa Do Howler’ with howler monkeys climbing as they would in the wild? And there’s ‘La Hacienda’ Farm Barn with goats and adorable Mongolian sheep, Penguin Cove and exciting birds of prey displays. The fantastic book-on-the-dayexperiences allow you to get closer to the tigers, cheetahs, owls, giraffe, armadillo, iguana, meerkats or gelada baboons. With Safari Road Train, indoor and outdoor play areas as well as Education Centre there is far too much to do in one day! www.banhamzoo.co.uk
familiesonline.co.uk Families Cambridgeshire 11
IWM Duxford Cambridgeshire
THE DEEP HISTORY COAST North-East Norfolk
Bedded amongst the Deep History Coast in north-east Norfolk is some of the earliest evidence of human British civilisation, with footsteps left by early explorers nearly one million years ago. Make your own mark and discover something wonderful, whether rock-pooling, crabbing, sandcastle-building or fossil-finding along the shores. You can also take part in one or some of the family fun activities taking place at Cromer Museum this summer, such as Easy Excavations on 1 August or Fossil Finders on 27 August. Coast - FREE; Family ticket to museum £14.45 www.visitnorthnorfolk.comwww. museums.norfolk.gov.uk/cromermuseum
Take to the skies and discover more about the aircraft that flew on D Day, then explore the sights and sounds of the D-Day landings in the immersive Normandy Experience. You can walk through the same hangars and buildings as those who served at RAF Duxford. With family activities taking place over the summer, such as Paper Plane Challenge, there is much to delight all ages. Book ahead for historic plane air-shows: Flying Legends (13/14 July) or Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show (21/22 Sept). From adult £18; child £9; under FREE www.iwm.org.uk
25 July – 3 Sept 2019
Fun family days out
start planning your summer: museums.cam.ac.uk/summer
Family Events & Activities
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Families Fun
SUMMER AT THE MUSEUMS Our top picks for fun on your doorstep 25 July – 3 September Whether you’re looking to learn something new, try some hands-on creativity, or make the most of a rainy day, this year’s Summer at the Museums has plenty to inspire. From pre-historic-themed crafts and ancient archaeology, to pirate adventures on the high seas and naturebased fun, choose from over 140 low-cost or FREE family events. Fre
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Lights! Camera! Action!
WHEN: 21 August: 14.00-16.00 WHERE: Museum of Classical
Seventeenth Century Science and Medicine Fre
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WHEN: 27 July: 11.00-16.00 WHERE: Cromwell Museum
Discover some of the fearsome cures and scientific theories from this period. Part of Huntingdonshire History Festival. Drop-in. Ages 7-14 Free
Fre
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Fossil Casting WHEN: 30 July: 10.00-12.30
WHERE: Sedgwick Museum Be a palaeontologist for the morning and cast your own plaster copy of these mysterious creatures. Takes place by the Museum steps. Drop-in. Ages 5+ Free
Science Detectives
Tea-light Aquariums
WHEN: 6 August: 10.30-12.30
WHERE: Stained Glass Museum
Be inspired by the Museum’s underwater scene glass panel and create your own aquariumthemed jam-jar lantern. Drop-in. Ages 5+ £3.50 per child
Family Engineering Morning: Rockets and Boats
WHEN: 7 & 14 August: 10.00-
12.30
WHERE: Cambridge Museum of
Technology Work together to design, build and test rockets and boats. Pre-book. Ages 8-12 Children £3.50; first accompanying adult £1, then £3.50 info@museumoftechnology.com
WHEN: 1 August: 9.30-15.00
WHERE: Experience a day of
science and problem solving with the University of Cambridge Museums. Drop-off Museum of Zoology; pick up at Botanic Gardens. Pre-book. Ages 8-11 £15 www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk/ events
Castles and Creatures: Kite Making Workshop WHEN: 2 August: 12.30-14.30 WHERE: Norris Museum
Design and create your own kite with local artist, Ricki Outis. Ages 5+ £5 per child Pre-book 01480 497314 or info@norrismuseum.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk
Fre
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Corals and Kiribati
WHEN: 15 August: 12.30-16.00 WHERE: Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology Explore the Pacific islands of Kiribati: hold sharks tooth swords, design a warrior outfit and learn why corals are important. Drop-in. Ages 5 + Free
Archaeology Join the animation team from Panoply to find out the secrets of storyboarding. View animations of Greek vases; plan your own animation. Drop-in. Ages 4-12 Free
MUSEUM INFORMATION Find out if venues near you are taking part: • Burwell Museum & Windmill • Cambridge Centre for Computing History • Cambridge Science Centre
Swirly Clay Pots
• Cambridge University Botanic Garden
WHERE: St Neots Museum
• Cambridge University Library, Milstein Exhibition Centre
WHEN: 22 August: 11.00-15.00
Gain inspiration from the Museum’s Marble Mania exhibition and use circles to create a swirly clay pot. Drop-in. Ages 4+ £4 per child
Conducting Carrots WHEN: 23 August: 14.00-15.00 WHERE: Centre for Computing
History Discover Makey Makeya devices that allow everyday items (like carrots!) to be connected to a computer. Pre-book. Ages 7+ £10 (adult required to accompany under 14s); 01223 214446 or www. computinghistory.org.uk Fre
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Drop-in Drawing
WHEN: 24 – 26 August: 11.00-17.00 WHERE: Kettle’s Yard Join in a range of drawing activities throughout the gallery spaces during the Bank Holiday weekend. Drop-in for all ages. Free
Parking facilities are limited at many venues. We recommend considering public transport. If coming into Cambridge, Park and Ride runs until 8.30pm and up to 3 children travel free with each full price adult. Park and Ride: www.cambridgeparkandride.info.
See all events at www.museums.cam.ac.uk
• Chatteris Museum • Churches Conservation Trust • All Saints Church & St Peter’s Church • Cromwell Museum • Ely Museum • Farmland Museum • Fitzwilliam Museum • Great St Mary's Church • Kettle’s Yard House & Gallery • Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology • Museum of Cambridge • Museum of Classical Archaeology • Museum of Zoology • Norris Museum • The Polar Museum • Saffron Walden Museum • Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences • St Neots Museum • Stained Glass Museum • Wisbech& Fenland Museum • Whipple Museum of the History of Science Families Cambridgeshire 13
HOW TO BUILD THE MODEL DAY OUT
INSTRUCTIONS Follow instructions to assemble a huge day out. 01 Kids on summer hols 02 Amazing, cool mum 03 Mega humongous hangar Place 1 here 04 Phone Stick selfies online 05 Yummy lunch Tuck into 1 06 Real flying Spitfires Position 7 here 07 Speechless kids 08 Awesome spy aircraft Affi x 1 here 09 Inspiring stories Place carefully in heads of 1 10 Original Second World War bomber Insert 1 here 11 Worn out kids MDO#1 complete
INSPIRING HISTORY. ICONIC AIRCRAFT. Family tickets from £35 Visit this summer holiday IWM Duxford, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, CB22 4QR
EATING OUT WITH CHILDREN
by Tanith Carey with Dr Angharad Rudkin
For many parents, eating out with small children is a welcome break from the grind of cooking and cleaning up after meals. If it all goes well, that is. Here are our tips for eating with kids at each developmental level up to age 7.
Age 0 to 2 Years
Keep it Short If your little one is wriggly and only stays in his high chair for 20 minutes, don’t expect him to sit through a full meal at a restaurant. Start by just having one course. It takes time for a younger child to sit for more than hour as his meal-times at home are probably much shorter, Clear the Table Young children are curious about new objects. Ask waiting staff to take away any unnecessary sugar packets, glasses, or condiments that could be grabbed, spilled, or dropped. Look out for tablecloths, which can also get tugged and start spills. You child reacts to your stress levels so the more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your child will be. Look for Family-Friendly Places Start with family-style eateries or cafés where there is already plenty of noise to drown out any din made by your own child. Places with kids’ menus will also be more relaxed and more likely to have welcoming waiting staff. Once there, look for a quiet table in the corner – or a booth – so you won’t feel conspicuous if your child is excitable.
Age 2 to 3 Years
Don’t Resort to your Phone While it might keep your child quiet, handing over your phone will be sending the message that this is the default he can demand to keep him quiet. Your child will also start to associate eating out with screen time. Play games and chat rather than ignore him when he is quiet or wait for him to get bored. Games such as I-spy can help your child understand what’s going on around him. Play Let’s Pretend First At this age, games like Let’s Pretend are critical in helping your child to learn about social behaviour. Help children learn how restaurants work and how everyone is expected to behave by playing games of “café” before you go. Do some Prep Try eating out after nap times and off-peak when there are fewer other customers and the staff will have more time. Before you go, explain to your child that, just like at home, they will be expected to sit on familiesonline.co.uk
their chairs, copy grown-up manners and use their “inside”, not their "outside” voices.
Age 4 to 5 Years
Experiment with Flavours Stay safe by sticking to favourite foods, but invite your child to try the new tastes on your plate and make it part of the fun. Be patient. Your child now has around 30,000 taste buds, three times more than an adult, so their taste is acutely sensitive. Consequently adult foods can taste too intense or bitter. Cutlery Practice At this age, most children are developing the muscle coordination to hold a knife in an adult pincer grip. Give your child the chance to eat in a grown-up way. At least if there are spills, you will get a break from cleaning them up! Notice Good Behaviour Praise your child for what he does right, whether it’s eating with his mouth closed or using his knife and fork well, so he gets the message to keep doing it.
Age 6 to 7 Years
Let Them Ask for their Food Children of this age are now likely to be gaining the confidence to talk to adults they don’t know, so let your child order his food. It’s a good way to practise social skills.
Model Politeness Take the opportunity to explain to your child how important it is to say “please” and “thank you” to waiting staff. Research has found that good manners helps children make friends. Model Table Manners The best way for children to learn good table manners is to demonstrate them yourself. You are always your child’s most influential teacher. A new book, What’s My Child Thinking: Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents by Tanith Carey with Dr Angharad Rudkin looks at how young children think and uses those insights to work out the best ways to help keep them calm and happy in more than 100 everyday situations including having meals in cafés and restaurants. The book is published by DK, price £16.99.
Families Cambridgeshire 15
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Families Education
PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR THEIR FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL As we near the summer holidays, parents and children are preparing for their ‘first day at big school’, which looms large on the calendar in early September. This can be a nerve-wracking time, as your child makes the transition from their pre-school years to embark on a new chapter full of exciting opportunities and new experiences. From wearing a uniform for the first time, to gaining independence at mealtimes and in the classroom, it can feel very overwhelming. Your child may arrive at school with some knowledge of letters, words and numbers but this is not an expectation, and all schools will work with your child to challenge, support and explore their development in the way that is best for them. We do, however, have some recommendations for practical activities you could try at home to prepare your child for Reception. These should not be ‘lessons’, rather they are opportunities for discussion and encouragement during play and daily routines.
DAILY ROUTINES AND HYGIENE • Encourage your child to start organising their own belongings – for example taking responsibility for personal items such as hairbrushes • Start more turn-taking and try to get them to listen to instructions • Start getting them to dress themselves – particularly shoes, socks and coats! • Try to encourage independent toilet visits • Encourage climbing, exploring and playing catch
LETTERS AND NUMBERS
• See if they can start recognising letters of the alphabet and encourage them to recognise and write their own name • Build up their knowledge of colours and basic 2D shapes • See if they can get to know their numbers to 10 and ask them to count to 20 if they can • Try and get them to focus on an activity for 10-15 minutes. If they find it difficult, try to build the time up slowly Reception children learn phonic sounds, and you can help through plenty of clear speaking, listening and gentle correction. Encourage your child to be confident in speech; gently correct any mispronunciation. Fostering a love of books will also give your child a head start. Visits to your local library will help your child to value books and find joy in making choices. Discuss the content of books with your child. Being able to decode words is important, but real comprehension comes from being able to make sense of the familiesonline.co.uk
vocabulary, content and inferred meaning. Discuss the pictures and use them to find clues and information; encourage empathy by asking for your child’s opinion about the story. Asking questions is another excellent way of helping your child engage with their environment – encourage them to explore the natural world around them on walks, or even during simple tasks at home. ‘I wonder why…’ is an excellent starting point!
Starting school is a major step, however children adapt to the new routine surprisingly quickly.
FINE MOTOR SKILLS:
In preparation for learning to make those exciting first steps in independent writing, your child needs to build up muscle tone in the fingers and arms. This is easily done through having fun together using play dough, baking cookies or junk modelling. Scissor use is a key area and having a good pair of safety scissors, with rubber handles, will help with both fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Encouraging fun with pencils and crayons allows children to be creative, whilst getting used to a good pencil grip. One way of teaching pencil grip is, ‘pinchy, pinchy, round the back!’ – meaning grip with forefinger and thumb and place the index, ring and pinky fingers behind the pencil. Another
guide is, ‘frog’s legs, sitting on a log’! It takes time, and some children are still honing their skills well past Reception age. Encourage a love of learning. Excitement about starting school, delight in books, language and numbers, and being a sociable, polite and caring child who embraces responsibility, will help ensure a positive start to school life. If your child has these basic abilities, academic development will blossom. Your child’s nursery setting may have already covered many of these areas but over a long summer holiday, it is a good idea to continue to provide regular reinforcement. Starting school is a major step, however children adapt to the new routine surprisingly quickly. It is natural for your child to want to stay with you, but we find that once they become absorbed in an activity they settle and enjoy their time in the classroom. Even if you are anxious about your child’s first day at school try not to show it. Children are very good at feeding off our emotions. Make sure you talk positively about their new school and do not share any concerns. It may feel like a big step, but it is just the first of many as they embark on their school journey where they will learn, laugh and make many happy memories. Agata Wygnanska, Reception Teacher St Mary’s Junior School, Cambridge sponsored by
Families Cambridgeshire 17
Summer Clubs & Classes
n W hatt’osdoO this
Cambridge Gymnastics Academy Summer Camp WHEN: 22 July – 23 August
Open to all aged 5 to 15 years; with extended warm up, icebreakers and games; rotation around 6 pieces of apparatus, floor, inflatable tumble track, beam, bars, trampoline and vault. Extended hours at extra cost. Ask about summer disability classes: email: finance@cambridgegymnastics.co.uk Half day £14.00 / Full day £28 www.cambridgegymnastics.co.uk
Things usic Drama, m r e m m Su for mething & sport so in everyone
Cambridg
eshire
All Stars Cricket
WHERE: Venues across
Cambridgeshire Children 5-8 years old can get a first experience in cricket with sessions accredited by the England& Wales Cricket Board. Help your child develop key skills in a fun and safe environment where parents can join in too! Kids receive kit bag full of goodies and attend 8 sessions. Book ahead. www.allstarscricket.co.uk
PERFORM weekly drama, dance and singing classes WHERE: Hills Road Sports Centre
& Newnham Croft Primary School WHEN: Wednesdays: 16.00 – 17.00; 17.00 – 18.00 & Saturdays: 9.30 – 11.00; 11.15 – 12.45 Confidence building fun for 4-12s. A unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child's true potential. Classes are kept small to ensure lots of individual attention. No-obligation, FREE trial sessions. Call today! 020 7255 9120 www.perform.org.uk/ tryenquiries@perform.org.uk
Cambridge United Trust Disability Classes WHERE: Impington Village
College Sports Centre WHEN: Saturdays & Sundays ASD & Learning Difficulties football. Ambulant Cerebral Palsy football; Down's syndrome football; Frame football, Manual Wheelchair football and Powerchair football. Running through summer but not August Bank Holiday weekend. £3 - first two weeks FREE www.cuctrust.co.uk/disabilitysport 07948 407950
WHEN: July & August workshops WHERE: Coleridge and
Cambourne Five-day summer courses at Coleridge: Into the Spotlight (6-15 years); Amazing Adventures (4-7 years); It’s About Time (6-15 years); Animal Antics (4-7 years); Summer of Rock (6-15 years); and at Cambourne in August From Westend to Broadway (6-15 years). 4-7 years £130; 6-15 years £165 www.stagecoach. co.uk 0800 915 0199
Learn the essential skills for creating beautiful flowers and sugar-modelling with ongoing 5-week courses (max 8 people) that are great fun in a relaxed atmosphere. For adults and children. £60 www.the-sugar-artist.co.uk 07415 121654
Youth Windsurfing Stage 1 & 2
WHEN: 5 – 23 August
WHEN: 19-20 August
Kids 8 – 16 years can try a mix of adventurous outdoor activities, water and land-based. Lunch provided. From 8.30/9.00 – 17.00/17.30. Book online. £37 day / £170 week neneparktrust.cloudvenue.co.uk/ madmultiactivityday
Paxton Lakes Sailing Club WHERE: Little Paxton
WHEN: Courses in August and October half term
Official RYA training centre that welcomes people 8 years +, with large selection of boats and equipment available. Courses have maximum 12 places with qualified instructors to ensure personal attention. Adult £125; Child £85 www.paxtonlakes.org.uk
familiesonline.co.uk
WHERE: Wisbech
MAD – Multi Activity Days WHERE: Nene Park
Stagecoach
Sugarcraft & Modelling Courses
WHERE: Nene Park
Razzamataz Summer Academy WHERE: St Andrew’s Hall,
Chesterton WHEN: 29 July – 2 August Kids get to be part of a Mini Musical and can explore Street dance and Pop singing! Also jam-packed with crafts, props, set design and much more. The week culmiates with a short presentation. Fully DBS checked teachers. www.cambridge.razzamataz. co.uk 01223 755113 07895 347239
Two-day intensive course that teaches the basics of windsurfing, including key techniques and skills for success. After the course participants should be able to sail to a chosen point and return in light winds. £155 neneparktrust.cloudvenue.co.uk
Baby Sensory
WHERE: Ely, Cambridge,
Cambourne, Trumpington WHEN: Weekly sessions Classes run all summer long and for July and August you can book the special 4-week ‘Summer Sizzler’! This summer they will be making a splash, getting messy with Jelly, heading to the farm and diving deep under the ocean. £42.50/5 sessions £80/10 sessions£8.50/one-off trial www.babysensory.com/en/ClassDetails/cambridgecambridge@ babysensory.co.uk 07850 163930 Families Cambridgeshire 19
Find your fearless Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds
stagecoach.co.uk/cambridge 01223 359974
cambridge@stagecoach.co.uk
Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.