The one magical day of the year, when you’re supposed to be showered with love, appreciation, and ideally, a little peace and quiet, is approaching. But if you have younger kids, you already know that ‘pampering’ often comes with a side of mess, chaos, and suspiciously sticky home-made cards. Here are some thoughts on how to get some VIP treatment (or at least a nap) on your special day.
• Start dropping hints a week in advance to both your kids and your significant other: ‘Mother’s Day is coming! It’s a day when mums don’t lift a finger.’ ‘I love breakfast in bed! But you know what’s even better? A clean kitchen afterward.’
Editor Zoe Drobnis Art Editor David Aldred
Issue 87 Spring 2025
Cover: Sai de Silva/Unsplash
Published by M&D Publishing Ltd
All rights reserved. Reproduction without the express permission of the Editor is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed within M&D Magazine are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers. The publishers accept no liability of any nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of this magazine.
• Manage expectations (yours, not theirs). Your toddler is not whipping up a flawless Eggs Benedict for brunch. The trick is to act amazed as at 6.30am they proudly present their culinary masterpiece. ‘Wow! I love my half-eaten banana!’
• Create a ‘mummy only’ zone for an hour (or longer if you can manage that). Stock up on special ‘only-for-Mother’s-Day’ treats - juice boxes, new colouring books, a fresh episode of Bluey and use them as strategic bribery.
• Leverage dad (or any willing adult) with the role of ‘Chaos Coordinator’. Their job: ensure the kids stay on task, remind them that the goal is pampering and not turning the living room into a fort of destruction.
• Accept the ‘pampering’ for what it is. Mother’s Day with little ones isn’t about luxuryit’s about love. So yes, you will find crumbs in your bed. You will receive a drawing where you have three arms. You will have to pretend that an ‘I Wuv U’ card with sticky fingerprints is the best thing you’ve ever received. And honestly? It kind of is. Zoe x
The M&D Out and About listings are always carefully selected to offer our readers useful information. Although every effort is made to ensure that information is correct M&D cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions. We strongly advise you to check details with the event organisers.
M & D guide to mother’s day pampering
Cool coding for curious kids by Alena Chalmovska
Learning coding is essential for developing problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and creativity in children. It introduces young minds to computational thinking, helping them break down complex problems into manageable steps. Early exposure to coding also enhances maths and analytical abilities, making learning more interactive and engaging.
Of course, it can also be fun, especially when educational toys are used to turn abstract concepts into real-life trial-and-error activities that foster resilience and perseverance.
We invested in a couple of different coding robots from the award-winning range by Learning Resources. The first of these was an Artie robot, that can be programmed to draw pictures and write with a pen, while the second was a PYXEL dog.
Learning Resources pitch all their coding products as fun and educational toys designed to introduce children to coding and robotics.
PYXEL certainly looks charming enough and my daughter Ella was delighted when she first unboxed it. As soon as we turned him on his pixelated LED eyes and mouth started to display a range of expressions and he began to pant, woof and wag his tail.
PYXEL is also equipped with sensors that enable him to react to touch and sounds. We discovered the first of these when Ella went to stroke PYXEL and he moved backward.
PYXEL comes with a simple remote control that has six buttons, each containing a pre-programmed
command for it. We went through these one by one, watching PYXEL wagging his tail, dancing etc.
All this was very entertaining but PYXEL is designed to be programmed not just played with, so we connected him to our laptop via the inbuilt Wi-Fi connection and typed in the link that directs users to his user interface.
PYXEL can be coded through block-based coding and Python. We played around with the block-based version first and were immediately able to send simple commands directly to PYXEL, such as making him move backward by a defined distance, chase his tail, dance or pee. We could also make his eyes and mouth express different moods or change colour or bark a certain number of times. After that, we used the drag-and-drop code to execute all these in different orders, which my daughter very quickly grasped. Then we followed some of the step-by-step tutorials and moved on to more complex logic code that made use of PYXEL’s inbuilt sensors. This took a while longer for the 10-year-old to understand, but soon we were able to enter codes that instructed PYXEL bark if she were to put her hand near PYXELS’s face, or dance if she clapped her hands three times in a row.
There are several other commands, and these can all be toyed around with and looped, to carry out actions, expressions or sequences a certain number of times.
After becoming comfortable with Blockly’s dragand-drop language, we sent six of our favourite code sequences to the remote control, to store her favourite codes and ran them at the touch of a button.
Setting Artie up was very similar to PYXEL, using an inbuilt Wi-Fi to connect to our laptop. We had the added step of inserting one of the five coloured marker pens into Artie, which was straightforward enough.
The interface with Artie is different from the Blockly interface that you’re first met with on PYXEL, but is straightforward enough to understand. There’s a direction command that allows you to select backwards or forwards, and define how far Artie will travel. There’s also a rotate command, that gives the option of left or right and by how many degrees. Finally, there is the pen up and pen down command to decide whether Artie will leave a line as he moves. It’s a remarkably simple interface but drawing letters, like a capital E can take a lot of trial and error to get right. We had to plot direction, distance, angles whether the pen needed to be up or down for each movement. It was a much steeper learning curve than I expected, but Ella found it so rewarding when we finally got the letter E on paper. The next two letters of her name were simple in comparison, but writing a capital A required more learning from her mistakes. We eventually realised that there was a simulation screen that we could test our code on before using Artie on paper.
To me, using Artie with this coding method was more complex and rewarding than Blockly on PYXEL and I’m sure Ella felt the same way. There are also lots of pre-programmed shapes that can easily be sent to Artie to draw for younger children though. It’s also possible to use Blockly, Python and other coding languages on Artie. This flexibility will make Artie a long-lasting educational tool for both our children and it’s helped Ella’s older brother understand bearings, which he’s been studying in high school.
I’m looking forward to moving onto the Python coding language on PYXEL and Artie, so that Ella and her brother can build on their coding knowledge in a fun and engaging way •
The Grange School
A taster to be savoured!
Join us at The Grange Junior School on Wednesday 12th March where children will have fun in a range of lessons including Science, DT, Art, PE and Music, making new friends, meeting current students, and sampling our delicious lunch (of course!).
The children don't get to have all the fun though - after dropping off your child and grabbing coffee and a croissant, Ben Tagg, Head of the Junior School, invites you to a short talk. Parents can then join a tour of the Junior School: a chance to meet staff, chat with other parents, and discover the bespoke facilities in our stunning 27 acre site.
Reasons to join us at Year 3:
• Outstanding pastoral care: children settle in quickly and thrive here
• Seamless progression to the Senior School: Children are expected to progress without the need for an entrance assessment
• Specialist teaching in purpose-built facilities: for science, art, music, drama, design technology and sport
• Smaller class sizes: more individual attention and tailored teaching
• More than 40 enrichment activities: encouraging children to try new skills and discover their passions
Bridgewater School
How far could your child go?
“At Bridgewater School, we believe in providing a holistic education that nurtures every aspect of a child’s development. From their earliest steps into learning, children benefit from exceptional staff-to-pupil ratios, ensuring personalised attention and tailored support. Combined with specialist teaching and facilities, this provides an inspiring and inclusive learning environment in which every child can flourish.
Here, our foundations are built on so much more than a classroom education. An immersive programme of trips and workshops brings subjects to life, enhancing children’s understanding while igniting their natural curiosity. Alongside this, extensive extra-curricular and enrichment activities provide endless opportunities for pupils to discover their passions and develop essential life skills. Whether exploring creativity through music and drama, building resilience through sports, or embracing exploration through our Bridgewater Forest School initiative, every child is encouraged to grow in confidence and character. Our ethos is simple: to deliver a well-rounded education that fosters academic achievement while supporting social, emotional, and physical development. At Bridgewater School, we help every child shine.”
Visit Bridgewater School on Saturday 29th March, 10am-1pm, for the EYFS & Prep Open Morning. Reserve your place on the school’s website www.bridgewater-school.co.uk/register-open-morning
Friend or foe: A balanced take on technology
In the previous edition of M&D Magazine, we published ‘Mental health and early smartphone exposure’ written by Sam Gibson, the Head of the Preparatory Department at Manchester High School for Girls. This article, with its nuanced take on technology and thorough analysis of the impact which smartphones have on children, triggered a lot of interest and raised questions from our readers.
One of our regular contributors, Jennifer McCloskey, a mother, teacher, and representative of the Smartphone Free Childhood movement says: “Writing in M&D Magazine last summer, I explored the evidence from Jonathan Haidt’s now much-discussed book, The Anxious Generation, of the specific harm which smartphones can do to children’s mental health. As a former student of MHSG, I was thrilled to see Sam Gibson, also exploring the negative impact smartphones can have on children. I was equally glad to see her balanced take on technology, recognising that it is not inherently harmful, but also offers numerous educational benefits. Assessing both the harmful and beneficial aspects of smartphones and other devices should be a regular point of discussion among parents and educators alike.”
In this edition of the magazine Jennifer McCloskey asks Sam Gibson how we, as parents, can manage our children’s use of technology.
JM
Screen-time is a much-discussed topic in the parenting world and covers numerous devices: the television, the family computer, iPads, and smartphones. Do you think the smartphone is more harmful than other screen-based devices?
SG
All screens have the same potential impact, although some researchers in this area believe that the proximity of a phone screen to the face makes it more harmful and this is increased further if multiple screens are being used at the same time, such as a smartphone and the television, or a tablet and a smartphone. Research by Professor Victoria Dunckley, detailed in her book, ‘Reset your child’s Brain’, suggests that the toxicity of mobile devices is increased since they are held close to the eyes and face.
JM
As a follow-up question, you mention that smartphones offer ‘numerous educational benefits, providing access to information, fostering creativity, and facilitating communication.’ How much screentime would you advocate is healthy per day for a preparatory school-aged child and would you recommend that this is done on a device other than a smartphone?
SG
Whilst smartphones can provide educational advantages it is essential to balance this with other activities. I would advocate using larger devices for educational purposes which may help mitigate some of the negative effects of excessive screentime, while still allowing children to benefit from the resources and opportunities that technology offers. It is really about striking a balance, focussing on quality not quantity and ensuring that their child has plenty of opportunity for outdoor play, exploration and faceto-face contact with others. Rather than suggesting a healthy amount of screentime, I would suggest that each time a parent gives their child a smart device, they ask themselves, why? If it is to keep their child quiet or entertained, consider how you might achieve that objective in other ways.
JM
Some parents argue that early use of technology, including smartphones, gives their child an advantage and helps prepare them for their future world. How would you respond to this and exactly how do you think technology should be used, both in the classroom and at home, to prepare children for the future?
SG
I believe that parents and educators have the same responsibility in this regard. Digital literacy skills are essential in today’s modern world. Knowing how to navigate software, use on-line resources and engage in digital communication is critical for future success. However, it is crucial to approach its use thoughtfully. Teachers should make sure that educational software is closely aligned to learning objectives and curriculum goals. Moreover, they should also provide guidance on digital citizenship, on-line safety and the judicious use of resources. It is essential that schools provide a balance between digital and hands-on learning experiences. Parents too, can apply the same principles by establishing clear rules about screen-time ensuring that children have a balance of technology use and other activities such as outdoor play, reading and social interactions. Parents can serve as role models by demonstrating technology habits, limiting their own screentime and engaging in discussions about online behaviour and safety as well as designating times or areas of the house as tech-free to promote healthy face-to-face interactions.
JM
You mention “growing research into the developmental and psychological effects of screen time”; what do you advise parents to read and/or listen to if they want to find out more for themselves about the harmful impact of early exposure to smartphones?
SG
I would suggest reading: Reset your Child’s Brain by Professor Victoria Dunckley; The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
Access the PAPAYA Parents (Parents Against Phone Addiction in Young Adolescents) website started by Dr Susie Davies.
Access the Smartphone Free Childhood website. This organisation advocate delaying the use of smart devices until children reach their mid-teens.
And also, Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv; a thought provoking read which discusses the critical role that nature plays in children’s physical, emotional and cognitive development •
Jennifer McCloskey
Sam Gibson
The benefits of outdoor learning
Do we really need academic research to tell us that spending time in nature makes us feel happier, calmer and more responsive to new experiences? Probably not. Nevertheless, a huge body of robust scientific research has demonstrated that frequent regular periods spent in natural settings greatly improve mental and physical health. A similarly vast body of research demonstrates that happy, engaged children learn better in all areas of the curriculum. Surely the logical conclusion is to take our children’s learning outside!
With a good practitioner to guide the session, the benefits of a natural outdoor setting can be harnessed to teach a wide range of academic learning while developing confidence, self-belief, social
by Nesta Waters, Head of Humanities, Bowdon Preparatory School
interaction and communication skills, critical thinking and resilience. Take an early-years group, for example. The chance to explore a wood and find your favourite stick can, with a little careful prompting, support observation and language development (Can you describe your stick? What makes it special? Is your stick rough, smooth, furry?), mathematical skills (How many sticks have we got? Whose stick is longest/shortest? Can you find another stick the same length as yours?), teamwork, communication and problem solving (Can you work together to make a triangle, tower, letter, nest?), biology (How do birds use sticks? Where in our field do you think a bird would like to build a nest? Can you find a nest?), social and emotional skills (Can you make a happy, sad face?), art and design (Can you make a picture using sticks?)... and so on!
To maintain engagement, it is important that children retain a sense of agency. An experienced practitioner can anticipate and plan for likely directions in which a session will develop, but sometimes the best experiences and most truly memorable learning happen when a child’s delight in discovery takes flight in a wholly unexpected direction. For
example, when a chance observation by a 6-yearold of curious patterns on her favourite stick leads to the exploration and study of lichen in a school field.
The use of self-selected natural resources makes the experience unique, relevant and engaging and gives children a sense of ownership and control over their learning. This can (and should) happen in classrooms too, but I would argue that it happens more readily in a natural setting.
Outdoor environments give space for unrestricted movement and allow children to sit less formally and therefore more comfortably. Ambient birdsong and the rustle of leaves induce calm and we find that voices tend to be pitched naturally to match this. For these reasons, studies have also shown that outdoor learning can be a powerful way to make education more inclusive. Children who find lengthy periods in a classroom stressful or disengaging tend to blossom in a natural setting. Quiet children find their voices and the boisterous are more inclined to listen and reflect.
Outdoor learning is increasingly recognised as an essential element in achieving excellence in our schools – and rightly so! •
Guide to events: Easter and beyond
March
1 – 2 March
Pancake Weekend at the Farm
Come down to the Farm for some flipping fun and celebrate the humble pancake!
Discover more about where your pancake ingredients come from.
Learn about the chickens that will have laid the eggs, move into the Mill to learn about the flour you need, and then see the fresh milk straight from the shippon.
You will be able to see how we make pancakes and we have taster sessions at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm, each taster session will finish with a have a go pancake flipping competition.
Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN Tel: 01625 374400 www.tattonpark.org.uk
1 – 9 March 10:00 - 16:00
Speechly's Sensory Trail: a winter walk through the garden
Follow Pineapple Pal as he ventures out of the House and into the formal gardens. Join Speechly as he looks out for seasonal changes using the five senses to explore and discover. Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 4SJ Tel: 01619411025 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey
10, 28 March 14:30 - 16:00
28 April 14:30 - 16:00 / 9, 19 May 14:30 - 16:00
Experitots
Experitots is a regular event specially designed for children aged 0–4.
During these playful sessions, toddlers and their adults are encouraged to explore and experiment together and discover the wonder and delight of science at work. Will you make light move? Can you find the heat in your body? How tall a tower can you build. A team of friendly Explainers will be on hand to support young explorers throughout the morning. Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Road Manchester M3 4FP Tel: 033 0058 0058 www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk
10, 31 March 11-11:45 12, 19 May 11-11:45
Guided Toddler Walk
This is an opportunity for little ones to try walking on different surfaces for a sensory experience. These walks are led by the little adventurers, together with a guide they might spend time looking for leaves, playing pooh sticks or watching wildlife. These walks will go ahead in most weather conditions, as even the pouring rain can reveal wonders for the sights and senses. The walk will last for between 30-45 minutes, and toddlers will be able to walk and explore at their own pace. Where possible pushchairs are left in the pushchair storage which is in the Pre-loved Bookshop.
New for 2025 are optional nature themed activities: 10th March - Nature Scavenger
Hunt. 31st March - Nature Crown. 12th MaySound Walk. 19th May - Leaf Kebab
Quarry Bank, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA Tel: 01625 527468
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank
20 March 10:00–12:00 11 May 10:00–12:00
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and YouSensory-friendly sessions
New adventure of super-sized science and brilliant biology.
Journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot and plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses. Get shrunk down to microscopic size and set out on a medical mission into Dr Chris's brain headquarters. Venture through the five familiar senses of touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste, as well as lesser-known secret senses that help you stay balanced, tell you when you need a wee and when it's time to sleep. These sessions are specially designed for those who prefer an adjusted environment.
At these times, Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You will have a smaller capacity, with adjusted sound levels throughout the exhibition. There will also be additional sensory activities to enjoy.
Science and Industry Museum, Liverpool Road
Manchester M3 4FP Tel: 033 0058 0058 www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk
22 March 10:00 - 12:00
Manchester Art Gallery - Open Doors
A series of creative sessions especially for autistic children and their families.
Each month different artworks and ideas are explored with artists and volunteers. You can get hands on with a variety of making activities, explore the art gallery or just spend time together in the family space, The Lion’s Den. A quiet room is also available.
Admission is £5.00 per person and includes full access to the gardens and the plant fair (gardens normally £12.00 per person).
Child (4-16) FREE (normally £6.00).
Parking FREE (normally £3.00 per car).
Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6NA www.arleyhallandgardens.com/whats-on
28 March 10:30 - 12:30
Creative Tiny Humans
Enjoy crafts, stories, chats and games in the Creativity Corner - drop in sessions for babies and toddlers.
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN Tel: 0161 200 1500 https://homemcr.org
29 March
Celebrate Mum with a day of ABBA hits and brunch at Slug And Lettuce Deansgate Have a Mamma Mia-inspired brunch! Sing along to "Dancing Queen," enjoy bottomless drinks, and a delicious food in honour of Mum. Make it extra special with upgrade option for all-day premium sipping Slug And Lettuce Deansgate, 64-66 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2EN Tel: 0161 839 0985 www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/manchesterdeansgate/mothers-day
30 March 15:30 - 18:00
Sip and Paint Monet's Water Lilies! This event is inspired by Claude Monet’s iconic Water Lilies painting. Beautify your canvas with impressionistic brushstrokes, capturing movement, light and colour!
Unleash your creativity - wine glass or prosecco in one hand, paint brush in the other. No experience? No problem! Whether you are looking for a fun time out or are a budding artist, you'll enjoy creating your own masterpiece.
The Maldron Hotel, 60 Charles Street, M1 7DF Manchester https://popuppainting.com/
April
Opening in April
Adventures in Wonderland
Z-arts’ brand new experience
Step into Alice’s shoes, fall down the rabbit hole and have your very own magical adventure! Curiouser and curiouser!
An enchanting play experience which invites children and families to explore Wonderland, using imagination to create their own fantastical adventure. Follow the White Rabbit into scenes from the beloved book – splash into the pool of tears, make friends with the Cheshire Cat, have tea as the Mad Hatter, play croquet with flamingos, get lost in a card maze, and wake up back on the riverbank, just in time for tea. Don’t be late for a very important date! The adventures begin at Z-arts in April 2025, so book your tickets now!
Private Hire Easter Craft Cruises (Ideal for the little ones)
Book your very own private Easter themed boat trip for up to 12 people. Have a go at steering the boat and enjoy tea and coffee onboard. Craft activities, Easter eggs and drinks provided for each child.
Cruises depart from: Boothstown Marina, 14 Quayside Close Boothstown, Manchester M28 1YB www.bridgewatercruises.co.uk
3 – 27 April
10:00 - 16:00
Easter Adventures at Dunham Massey Designed with children of all ages in mind, Dunham Massey's Easter Adventures trail features
ten activity stations which explore the fascinating world of pollinators. From bees to butterflies, and from wasps to beetles, join the fun discovering the busy lives of these mini beasts. Every trail pack (£3.50 each) includes a chocolate egg (vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate eggs available), bunny ears and a trail booklet.
Hunt colourful wooden eggs, big and small in Lyme’s garden trail this Easter. Hop and play along the way with egg-strodinary games, challenges, and activities for all the family to enjoy.
Once you’re done collect a chocolate egg of your own to take home.
Normal admission plus £3.50 per trail, which includes a chocolate egg, or a vegan 'Free-From' chocolate egg, both made using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
Join the Farm staff throughout Lambing Week, when they share their expertise with visitors, giving informative talks at the lambing shed. Learn how they spot the signs of lambing and how they look after sheep and care for lambs during this extra special time.
Every day throughout lambing week daily talks will be at 12pm & 2pm
Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN Tel: 01625 374400 www.tattonpark.org.uk
5 – 21 April 10:30 - 17:00
Easter Adventure Trail
Each trail point offers three activities to choose from: test your brain with riddles and jokes, delight your senses with the birds and flowers, or get active with skipping, hopping, and jumping! When you reach the finish, you'll be able to collect a chocolate egg (a vegan alternative is available) and an activity card to take home.
Join Easter Bunny Trail inside the Mill and follow the rhyming clues as your guide to find five mischievous rabbits who are trying to hide. The bunnies you seek are in the Mill, but watch out for the naughtiest one - Mr Magill.
The cost is £3.50 per child.
Quarry Bank, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA Tel: 01625 527468
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank
Guide to events: Easter and beyond
5 – 21 April
Easter holiday at Jodrell
This Easter holiday get ready for Curious Kids - a new science show that will make you question your very own eyes! Recommended for ages 6+
Jodrell Bank, Bomish Lane, Lower Withington Cheshire SK11 9DL www.jodrellbank.net
6 – 21 April
10:30 - 17:00
Easter adventures at Little Moreton Hall
Get outdoors and get closer to nature with different activities and games, discover more about what wildlife gets up to in spring. Hop like a hare or leap like a lamb over to our Welcome Building to pick up a trail pack for £3.50 and get your day out started. Complete all the activities to claim your chocolate prize. Choose from either a dairy or a vegan and Free From chocolate egg - both are made from Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa.
Mothers Who Make (MWM) is a peer support group and creative exchange session for mothers who are artists - writers, painters, actors, dancers, filmmakers, photographers... The sessions give creative mothers the chance to explore their practice in a room with their child. Professional connections have been formed and led to the start of joint projects between participants - so it’s a great way to meet and collaborate with other mothers from different creative backgrounds.
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN Tel: 0161 200 1500 www.homemcr.org
8 April 10:30 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 14:30
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Explore the Gardens on a delightful storytelling tour, based on 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit.'
Hear about Peter's mischief and enjoy fun, hands on activities inspired by this much-loved story. This event is most appropriate for families with children aged 3-6 years old.
Participation will be recognised with a certificate issued at the end of the session.
Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN Tel: 01625 374400 www.tattonpark.org.uk
10 April 10:30 – 12:00 13:00 – 14:30
29 May 10:30 – 12:00 13:00 – 14:30
Through the Window Workshop
A unique family workshop which uncovers hidden vistas and magical views in Tatton Park’s award-winning Gardens.
A unique experience recommended for 3-6 year olds, based within Tatton’s Gardens, which explores art and design, observational skills, and simple mapping. Peep through special natural windows, drawing what you see and creating a beautiful map to take home with you. Participation will be recognised with a certificate issued at the end of the session.
Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN
Tel: 01625 374400 www.tattonpark.org.uk
12 – 27 April 10:00 - 17:00
Easter Trail
Follow the trail around the garden and take part in a variety of fun activities suitable for all ages. Once you have completed the trail don't forget to collect your chocolate reward at Visitor Reception.
Normal admission prices apply. Admission tickets can be purchased at visitor reception before you buy your trail. Biddulph Grange Gardedn, Grange Road, Biddulph, Staffordshire ST8 7SD www.nationaltrust.org.uk/biddulph-grange-garden
13 April 10:30 - 14:30
Bog in a box at Broadoak Wood The National Trust, in partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust, has recently carried out restoration work on Broadoak Wood, to breathe new life back into the peat soils beneath the woodland. Standing water, saturated ground and diverse plant communities will provide habitats for a variety of species and transform a wildlife poor woodland back into a thriving mix of habitats, a genuine oasis for people and nature. Join a celebration of the completion of this work: create your own “bog in a box” where you can plant up peat friendly plants to take home and grow before returning later in the year to plant your plants back into Broadoak Wood, creating a “community bog”. Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Gtr. Manchester WA14 4SJ Tel: 01619411025 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey
26 April
Discover Tree Climbing
For ages 6 years and upwards, adults and children can experience a unique activity within the canopy of some fantastic trees. Tree climbing allows children to develop physical and mental skills, gain in confidence, develop their team building skills, all at the same time as having fun. Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6NA www.arleyhallandgardens.com
3 May
International Dance & Street Arts Festival
Cheshire's free international dance and street arts festival is back, animating the streets of Northwich town centre and Barons Quay day and night. Expect the unexpected as a world of performers including Gorilla Circus, Company Chameleon, Tea Club and Sole Rebel take to the streets, stopping you in your tracks with visually powerful spectacles for all the family.
https://nownorthwich.co.uk
10 – 11 May
The Great British Food Festival
The nation's favourite food festival is back in 2025 with great food and drink at some of the country's most treasured locations. GBFF offers a chance for foodies, friends and family to come together for a special day out. The organisers will make sure children are blissfully amused and the dog has fun too! Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich, Chesh., CW9 6NA www.arleyhallandgardens.com
24 – 31 May 10:30 - 17:00
Wild Senses
Take a wander on the wild side with this self-led spotter activity through the gardens and outdoor spaces of the hall. Discover how wildlife living in the gardens, use their senses to thrive and survive. Will you move in stealth mode like a hunting owl or like a bee will you be able to recognise different flowers just by touch? Look out for the handy hint boards with different sensory activities to find and help you get in touch with your wilder side! Little Moreton Hall, Newcastle Road, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4SD Tel: 01260272018
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/little-moreton-hall
Vegas with kids by
Paul Wojnicki
We watch, in awe, as the first two participants launch themselves toward the landing pad 879 ft below us. Then the man who spoke to us gives the thumbs up at the other side of the glass room to Ella as he heads onto the platform to jump, and a minute or so later he’s zooming at 40mph into the abyss. As nice as it would be to have the kids admire their dad pulling off such a daring feat, it’s just not going to happen. But after a drink in the bar at the observation deck, I work up enough courage to take on Big Shot, a drop tower ride that catapults me up the tower’s mast to a height of 1,081 ft, and then down again. I’m the only rider on Big Shot, despite it being in the price of our tower admission.
“Look, it’s the Grand Canyon,” 10-year-old Ella squeals from beside me, as we soar over the famous landmark far below our dangling legs.
“We were there the other day!”
I glance across and see that her face, and that of her 12-year-old brother, Harrison, are lit up in pure delight.
A few moments later we’re soaring over the Las Vegas strip. “The Stratosphere!” they both yell, pointing toward the tallest building on the strip, far below us.
The ride tilts left, and we soar further across America, reaching San Francisco a few moments later. Harrison and Ella point out the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, two other highlights from our two-week road trip through California, Arizona and Nevada. It feels like a dream, flying above all these iconic places, with the wind, and even spray from the ocean in our faces. But it’s not a dream, it’s the innovative Flyover experience on the Las Vegas strip, where riders get to feel as though they’re soaring over a variety of landscapes and cities, including Iceland, the Canadian Rockies, Chicago and the American West. Ten minutes later we’re back outside into the sunshine of the strip. The kids can’t stop talking about our “flight”, and how fantastic it was.
“Was it as good as actually being in those places?” I ask.
“Kind of, but kind of not,” Harrison tells me. Ella agrees.
After a spot of lunch in the Hard Rock Café, we cross the road to New York-New York, and watch riders zooming on the roller-coaster past mock-ups of the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty. Then we ride the free monorail to the Bellagio and watch the famous fountains dancing to an Elvis song, with the replica Eiffel Tower of Paris just across the road from us.
Half an hour later we’re watching the Gondoliers singing to passengers and spectators on Venice’s Grand Canal. In a way, being at fake versions of all these places - which also happen to be places we’ve been to - feels more surreal than being on the Flyover ride.
So, it almost feels grounding to get back to The STRAT hotel - short for stratosphere - at the northern end of the strip, although the words grounding and stratosphere aren’t exactly synonyms of one another. But at least The STRAT isn’t pretending to be something else, it’s claim to Las Vegas fame is that it’s the tallest building on a strip packed with tall buildings. It also happens to have some terrifying rides at the top of its 1,149 ft tower.
We ride the ear-popping elevator to the summit in just a few seconds and exit into the observation to find the most remarkable view of the strip and surrounding landscape imaginable.
“Woah,” Harrison exclaims. “It’s like the mountains are popping out of the desert.”
“Look,” Ella adds. “A helicopter.”
I instinctively look up out the window, only to realise that the helicopter is directly across from us, flying along the strip at what looks like the same height we are at.
We walk around the observation deck, finding a bar and a closed-off glass room. We’re not sure what the glass room is at first, but then three people all arrive in jumpsuits, and I realise that it’s the launch area for Sky Jump, a freefall experience that holds the Guinness World Record for being the highest commercial decelerator descent.
“Are they actually going to jump?” Ella asks. One of the participants hears her and smiles at us. “Are you?” I ask.
He tells us that he hopes so, but since he’s going last, he’ll have more time to work up his nerves.
Watching all the adrenaline activities has made Harrison and Ella eager to try a few rides themselves, but they’re not ready to take on anything as scary as Big Shot or Sky Jump just yet. Instead, we head next door to Circus Circus, where we’ve been enjoying the free circus acts for the last two days. We’ve paid for wristbands to Adventuredome - a huge five-acre indoor amusement park that houses a massive retro video arcade, indoor rock climbing, bungee trampolines, VR rooms, 4D cinema and laser maze challenges. But it’s the rides that Harrison and Ella are looking forward to, with carousels, gocarts, a Ferris wheel, dodgems and many more. Our wristbands allow unlimited riding and - since there are literally no queues - they’ll been riding to their heart’s content.
And me, after building courage on Big Shot, I might even take on the world’s only indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster in Adventuredome. Or maybe not •
