Tag: planning

Movie night with Pete’s Dragon

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It’s always good to have a kids movie night, and why not get some popcorn and settle down to watch this great film.

Pete’s Dragon, a reimagining of Disney’s cherished family fun film centered on an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot — who just so happens to be a dragon – is available on Digital Download and on Blu-rayTM and DVD too.  Enjoy this heartwarming adventure just in time to entertain the entire family.

Keep children entertained and adults captivated by this magical movie followed by never-before-seen bonus features, including a revealing look at director David Lowery’s personal diary kept during the filming of Pete’s Dragon, including the design process behind the lovable dragon Elliot, deleted scenes, a tour of the film’s breathtaking production location of New Zealand, audio commentary by filmmakers/actors and hilarious bloopers.

Pete’s Dragon stars Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World) as Grace, a forest ranger in the Pacific Northwest who comes across 10-year-old Pete, played by Oakes Fegley (This is Where I Leave You). Oona Laurence (Southpaw) is Natalie, the 11-year-old daughter of Jack, a lumber-mill owner played by Wes Bentley (The Hunger Games). Karl Urban (Star Trek) is Jack’s bumbling brother Gavin and Oscar-winner Robert Redford (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) portrays Mr. Meacham, an old wood carver who delights the local children with tales of a fierce dragon.

The creation of an irresistible 24- foot tall, green, furry dragon that can breathe fire and turn invisible—is brilliantly tackled by the team at the Academy Award-winning visual effects company Weta Digital (The Hobbit films and The Lord of the Rings trilogy). But it’s the small moments between characters that so beautifully convey the film’s powerful message: the importance of friendship, family and finding one’s place in the world.

When travelling with kids

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Travelling with your children can have its own rewards and the fun can start at the planning and preparation stage. You don’t have to think of every possibility and eventuality, but it does help to think ahead. Consider the ages of your children, the transport (air, train or car) you will be using to get to your destination and how you will prepare your children for the journey.

Passports

Don’t forget your passports if you are travelling to a destination outside the UK. Have you checked they are all in date?  Many people forget to check the time left on their passport and often have a last minute rush trying to get a replacement.

Children are required by law to have their own passports. In the UK, since October 1998, separate passports are now required for all children under 16.

Visa

Check with your travel agent or the appropriate embassy whether any special documents are required for your destination. If so, ensure this is done in advance.

Children with their own passports require visas, just like adults. Usually there are no reduced rates, but it is worth checking first.

Itinerary

Try to keep your itinerary as simple as possible and pick a destination that your whole family can enjoy. Remember that it might not be possible to stick to your children’s routine whilst travelling, but you may find you can get a bit more settled once you have reached your destination.

Days out with the kids by train

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To help out ideas-strapped parents, Family & Friends Railcard, which saves a third off most adult rail fares and 60% off kids’ fares, has compiled five quick and easy ideas to make the most of the autumn break with a fun day out for all the family.

Forests

Want to relax and enjoy the crackling of red and gold leaves rustling beneath your feet? The UK has a wealth of forests and woodlands. Just an hour and a half from London the New Forest is a fantastic family friendly option that won’t break the bank.

Theatre

From the best of Disney to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, the West End offers something for everyone. It’s a step up from your local theatre, offering faultless timing in dance moves and incredible voices – a perfect way to spend a chilly autumn evening. You can even get up to 60% off theatre tickets with your Railcard.

Hit the slopes

Start the ski season early by heading to one of the UK’s indoor slopes. From family ski sessions to sledging and snowboarding there’s loads on offer for families of all ages. Based in Hemel Hempstead, The Snow Centre is Britain’s newest indoor ski centre and caters for kids as young as four.

Museums

When the weather offers blustery winds and rainy skies, why not spend the day exploring a museum. Liverpool’s World Museum is one that will excite both the kids and adults with rocket rides through space and journey’s to the bottom of the sea.

Blackpool Illuminations

Stuck with what to do with your weekend? Plan a day trip to Blackpool and watch the flamboyant Blackpool Illuminations dazzle and light up the entire promenade. Switch on from early September until November for spectacular views, which the whole family can enjoy.

Family & Friends Railcard

For just £30 a year, the Family & Friends Railcard provides a third off most adult rail fares and 60% off kids fares. On average, Railcard users save £130 annually, making it worth over four times as much as it costs. Plus, in addition to saving on travel costs, the Family & Friends Railcard offers discounts on theatre tickets and days out.

Be safe at Halloween

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Treats

Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for evidence of tampering

Flame Resistant Costumes

When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame Resistant. Although this label does not mean these items won’t catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts

Costume Designs

Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.

For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim children’s halloween party costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights. Bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores.

 

  • To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights.

  • Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.

  • Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes . Mother’ s high heels are not a good idea for safe walking.

  • Hats and scarfs should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children’s eyes.

 

Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.

Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.

Pedestrian Safety

Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the pavement if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.

Choosing Safe Houses

Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.

Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.

People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where children’s fancy dress costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.

Halloween Party Games

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Apple bobbing

A large bowl of water is placed on the floor (a baby bath is ideal for this if you have one). Without using their hands, they have to try and lift an apple out of the water using their teeth. Children can wear aprons if you have them and spread plenty of newspaper over the floor as this can get quite messy!

Dangling Doughnuts

Tie some doughnuts with holes in the centre using a length of elastic or string and hang them from a pole in a row. Without using their hands AND without licking their lips, the children must munch through their doughnut. The first to eat the whole doughnut is the winner.

Watch out – this party game can get quite messy!

Witches’ Cauldron

Fill a bowl or ‘cauldron’ with items that represent different body parts. Put things like peeled grapes in the box and pretend they are feeling eyeballs, linked sausages for intestines, cauliflower for brains, a balloon filled with water for a heart, liquorice laces for veins or jelly for liver.

Get the children to sit blindfolded in a circle and take it in turns to pull out each item and guess what it is.

Pumpkin Lanterns

To create a true Halloween party atmosphere you really need a pumpkin lantern, put it near a window or outside your front door or have it as centerpiece on your table. They are easy to make and pumpkins are cheap and plentiful at this time of year.

Using a sharp knife, cut a thick slice off the top of a fairly large pumpkin. Reserve the top for the lid.

Scoop out the seeds using a spoon and discard them along with any fibrous threads. Carefully cut and spoon out the pumpkin flesh leaving about 2cm flesh all the way round. You can keep the flesh you remove to make recipes like pumpkin soup or pumpkin pie.

Using a pencil or felt pen, mark out the facial features on the front of the pumpkin. Then cut around the lines using a small pointed knife, cutting away small sections at a time.

Place a night light inside the pumpkin. Light the candle and place the lid on top.

Mummy Wrap

Take your party and divide them into partners. You will need a lot of toilet paper. One person will be the mummy, and the other will be the wrapper. The object of the game is for the wrapper to cover toilet paper around his or her mummy, including their arms which are held out. The winner is the first person to be wrapped like a mummy in toilet paper.

Pumpkin Bowling

You will need: oranges, plastic bottles of water.

Draw pumpkin faces onto the oranges and substitute your living room for the local bowling alley. Use the bottles of water in them as pins and replace the ball with the oranges and try to get a strike!

Graveyard Game

Choose one person to be the grave keeper. The grave keeper closes his/her eyes and counts to ten while everyone else gets into a good frozen position and stands very still. The grave keeper then walks around looking for anyone who moves. If the grave keeper catches you moving (breathing doesn’t count), you are out. You can move positions when the gravekeeper’s back is turned but don’t get caught moving. The last person left is the winner and can be the new grave keeper if you choose to play another round.

Party Themes

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The tradition of holding a party to celebrate the anniversary of birth began centuries ago in Europe when it was feared that evil spirits sought out people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would gather around to bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off evil spirits, and candles were placed on cakes to transport the birthday wishes directly to God.

Initially, only royalty was deemed important enough to have a birthday celebration, but the tradition soon spread with the introduction of the children’s party in Germany, the Kinderfeste.

For the trivia buffs amongst you; the lyrically astounding ‘Happy Birthday to You’ song was written in 1839 by sisters Mildred and Patty Smith Hill!!

Children’s Birthday Party Ideas

Try the following themes as a starting point when organising kids birthday parties.

 

Alice in Wonderland

Kite Flying Party

Arabian Princess Party

Ladybug Party

Arts and Crafts Party

Lion King Party

Ballet Party

Mermaid Party

Barbie Party

Mickey Mouse & Minnie Party

Beach Party

Movie Theater Party

Beauty and the Beast

Nursery Rhyme Party

Buzz Lightyear

Peter Pan Party

Butterfly Party

Pirates of the Caribbean Party

Camping Party

Robin Hood Party

Cartoon Characters

Rock Star Party

Cheerleading Party

Roller Skating Party

Cinderella Party

Safari Party

Circus Party

Sleep Over Party

Clown Party

Snow White Party

Dinosaur Party

SpongeBob SquarePants Party

Fairy Party

Star Wars Party

Football Party

Superheros Party

Hannah Montana Party

Tea Party

Harry Potter Party

Teddy Bear Party

Hollywood Star Party

Under the Sea Party

Ice Skating Party

Wizard of Oz Party

Jungle Party

Winnie the Pooh Party

London’s Pantomime

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CINDERELLA AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM

14 December 2016 – 15 January 2017

Cinderella is a family classic, the tale of rags-to-riches as Cinderella escapes her Wicked Stepmother and is helped by her loving Fairy Godmother. It’s an enchanting tale that children will love and it’s the first pantomime to grace the London Palladium in nearly 30 years. With a fully flamboyant and fantastic cast to boot, Paul O’Grady as the Wicked Stepmother, Amanda Holden as the Fairy Godmother, Natasha J Barnes as Cinderella, Count Arthur Strong (Baron Hardup), Paul Zerdin (Buttons), Lee Mead (Prince Charming) and Nigel Havers (Lord Chamberlain), this is a pantomime with a cast sure to bring sparkle to everyone this Christmas.

London Palladium, Argyll Street, London, W1F 7TF

CAT IN THE HAT AT PLEASANCE THEATRE LONDON

6 December 2016 – 2 January 2017

A great festive treat for kids and great entertainment for children aged 3+ based on the much loved book by Dr Seuss, The Cat in the Hat is perfect for engaging children in their first theatre experience. Sally and her brother know from the moment The Cat in the Hat appears at their door with his tall, red and white striped hat that he is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With tricks and crazy ideas, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. What will mum find when she gets home? Based on the much loved book by Dr Seuss, The Cat in the Hat is a lively and engaging first theatre experience for young children aged 3+. Expect towering hats, mischief and an imagination recharge!

Pleasance Theatre London

Carpenters Mews, North Road, Islington, London, N7 9EF

PETER PAN AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE LONDON

16 November – 29 December 2016

We all know the story of the boy who would not grow up and this year director Sally Cookson gives an inventive take on the story. Featuring well-loved characters such as Wendy, Captain Hook and Tinkerbell we follow the story as Wendy arrives in Neverland – where Tinkerbell, Tiger Lily and Captain Hook await. This family show (suitable for 7 years+) is a bit sharper than the plenty of pantomime version around this Christmas. A revival of the popular Cookson’s 2012 Bristol Old Vic production, kids will enjoy the subversive, dressing-up box aesthetic.

Take the kids to the movies

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 3D (12A)

JK Rowling returns to the world of Harry Potter with this bleak and dark prequel that takes its title from one of the textbooks studied at Hogwarts.

It was written by Newt (short for Newton) Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and the film, written by Rowling and directed by David Yates, travels back to pre-war New York City, some 70 or 80 years before The Philosopher’s Stone, to where, having been expelled from Hogwarts, despite support from Dumbledore, the scatterbrained British taxonomist travels, causing chaos when the creatures in his suitcase escape.

On top of which, following an attack on the city by a dark magic beast known as an obscurial, the division between those of magical blood and the Muggles, here called “no-maj”, is threatening to explode, with anti-witch activist Mary Lou (Samantha Morton) and her adopted son Credence (Ezra Miller) forging an unlikely alliance with power-seeking wizard-politician Percival Graves (Colin Farrell).

Also featuring Dan Fogler as a no-maj ex-soldier with whom Newt strikes up a friendship and Katherine Waterston and Alison Sudol as a pair of wizarding sisters, it’s the first of at least three films. On the evidence of the trailers, that’s not going to be anywhere near enough. 2hr 13 mins. Also in 2D and IMAX 3D.

Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children 3D (12A)

A sort of X-Men meets Groundhog Day, this adaptation of the Ransom Riggs is directed by Tim Burton, so you know to expect plenty of visual magic.

When his grandpa is murdered by a monster, 16-year-old Jake (Asa Butterfield) travels from Florida to a Welsh village in order to discover the truth behind the stories granddad told him about a home for unusual children.

Meeting Emma Bloom, a girl who needs to wear special boots to keep her from floating away, Jake is introduced to the time-shifting world of Miss Peregrine (Eva Green) and the ‘gifted’ (invisibility, raising the dead, pyrokinesis, etc) children in her care.

Their safety is, however, threatened by forces known as the creepy Hollows, monsters from his grandfather’s past, and the dangerous Wights, led by the terrifying shape-shifting Mr. Barron (a scenery-chewing Samuel L. Jackson). Although often visually amazing, it never really comes alive until the final battle on Blackpool pier. 127 mins. Also in 2D.

More movie ideas for kids…

Trolls 3D (U)

Pitched firmly at the younger spectrum of the kiddie market, this latest, wildly colourful DreamWorks musical animation, based on the toys (called Gonks in the UK),  comes from the creators of Shrek and Kung Fu Panda.

Princess Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) is the leader of the relentlessly optimistic and cheery Trolls who live in the middle of the woods and are always ready to burst into song. Unfortunately, they also live in fear of the Bergens,  miserable giant ogres who, led by King Gristle (John Cleese),  believed the only way to become happy was to eat Trolls.

For 20 years, the Trolls have managed to remain hidden, but, then, the light from a wild disco party gives them away and, as  the Bergens prepare to revive their annual Trollstice feast day, Poppy joins forces with the Branch (Justin Timberlake), the world’s only unhappy Troll,  to rescue her friends from the cooking pot.

Featuring the voices of Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Prince Gristle, the young ruler of the Bergens, Zooey Deschanel as the maid  who’s secretly in love with him, Gwen Stefani as the Trolls’ DJ and Russell Brand, Icona Pop and James Corden as fellow Trolls  as well as a whole bunch of new and old songs sung by its stars, this may not be for anyone older than their shoe size, but it’s still an irrepressibly fun ride and great kids entertainment. 92 mins. Also in 2D.

Storks 3D (U)

Back in the day, storks delivered babies, but, following an incident in which one of the birds (Danny Trejo) tried to keep the tot for himself, breaking her, quite literal, homing beacon in the process, they got out of the baby business and now deliver parcels from their Corner Store HQ on Storm Mountain.

Top of the delivery tables is Junior (Andy Samberg) who is thrilled to be told by Hunter (Kelsey Grammar), the big boss who uses little birds as golf balls, that he’s going to be promoted to take over from him at the upcoming StorkCon shareholders meeting. But first, he has to fire Tulip (Katie Crown), who, the baby that never got delivered, still lives with them. Now that she’s 18th (and also because she tends to cause all kinds of chaos), Hunter says it’s time she became part of the human world. However, faced with telling her, Junior just can’t get the words out and, instead, tells her she’s been given a  job in the letter sorting office. Which she should never leave. Given that nobody writes asking for babies any more, she’s bored out of her head and spends the time talking to herself, acting out (with the help of a pliable hairdo) different personas, each of them excruciating annoying.

Meanwhile, out in people land, his real estate parents (Ty Burell and Jennifer Aniston) always too busy to spend any time with him, young Nate decides he’d like a baby brother, one with ninja skills. Mum and dad dismiss the idea, but, finding an old leaflet about the stork service, he writes a letter which duly winds up in Tulip’s hands and, before Junior can stop her, goes into and reactivates the baby making machine. Now they find themselves with an unexpected tot to deliver, before the meeting and before Hunter finds out. Junior, however, has injured his wing, but, fortunately, Tulip’s cobbled together a makeshift plane.

Without prolonging the agony of explaining things, suffice to say that Tulip’s maternal instincts mean the mission doesn’t go as planned, leaving the trio being pursued by wolves and, thanks to the aptly named Pigeon Toady, quite possibly the most annoying animated character ever, their secret is revealed to Hunter. And to top it all, Jasper, the stork who tried to abduct Tulip in the first place, also turns up, determined to rectify his screw up. All of which somehow manages to end up with Nate’s intended sibling in the custody of Hunter’s penguins and the baby machine churning them out like rabbits.

Mercifully, there are some good moments (almost all of them involving Alpha and Beta, the two wolves who fall for the cute pink-haired infant, and the way the pack is forever forming itself into things like a plane or submarine), but they’re mostly overwhelmed by the unrelenting screech elsewhere. Undemanding four-year-olds may be entertained, but, unfunny, relentless and charmless, the best thing to be said is that it’s not as bad as the profoundly tedious The Master: a Lego Ninjago Short that precedes it. A bundle of joy it is not. 87 mins. Also in 2D.

Home made party traditions

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Your baby may not remember being a part of these traditions, but the photographic evidence is something you coo over for decades to come. Nothing is more adorable than a baby’s first time doing just about anything, and what better occasion to start new traditions than a children’s first birthday party? Unfortunately, with all of the charm and attention being poured into decorations, food, party favours and phone calls, we often forget to relax and enjoy a few firsts with our little ones.  Here are a few traditions new and old to help you make this day special for years to come.

Birthday Outfit

Parents dressing their little ones in the same (or similar) outfits every year for a single photograph has been going on longer than we may realize. Of course we take photos of our children nearly every day with our phones and personal cameras, but having an annual photo of your child wearing the same ensemble or pretty cotton dress is something special. It’s something they can look forward to each year (until their teens) and you can look forward to seeing how much they’ve grown and developed their personality. This may be the time to have a Photographer take over; they have a knack for capturing those adorable poses.

Sharing Stories

The first year of your child’s life has undoubtedly been filled with very sweet and not so sweet stories. One tradition you may consider starting would be to share a few of your favourite stories from the past year. In the beginning, this may just mean you reminiscing with fellow parents, but as your little boy or girl gets older you can share these stories with their friends.

Memory Boxes

A memory box is a great way to collect the most sentimental pieces from your child’s birthdays and safely store them until you’re ready to share the memories. You could collect photos, cards, their first outfit, their special book and anything that brings back memories.

Remember, the most beautiful moments in your child’s life are the ones they spend with friends and family, and the experiences you share together. So take the time to relive old traditions or create new ones, they make for the best memories.

Jewellery activity party

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Does your child love jewellery? Are you looking for an children’s party activity for the girls to do at the party? How about some cool jewellery making, girls of all ages love designing and making their own bracelets, necklaces and key rings.

Just pick the bead mixes that you fancy and mix and match together. You will be amazed at the results from the children.

You could put out a fun choice of beads in different bowls on your party table for the kids to see, e.g. large wooden multi-coloured beads, alphabet beads, stripy beads, heart beads and lovely heart, star and flower silver charms. The kids will mix and fix to their hearts content. Add some simple knots here and there for an extra funky look. Little tip, give the kids a wooden peg each to put on one end of the cord whilst they are threading on beads so that they don’t drop and lose any.

Elastic cords work well with kids, they are easy to tie knots in, not like some cords which can be stiff. Fitting bracelets on children’s wrists is also easier with elastic cord. Make sure they double knot at the end.

We recommend the following quantities needed for children’s jewellery making:

  • Bracelet – 0.5m per child

  • Necklace – 1m per child

  • Key Rings – 0.5m per child

Beads are an idea for lots of children’s craft activities, not just for jewellery making:

  • String up some alphabet beads on cord or ribbon and tie as a tassel on a book spine or as a bookmark

  • Decorate a photo frame with mixed colourful beads using PVA glue

  • Dangle some beads on a split ring for a Key Ring idea

  • Personalise your PE Kit Bag or Pencil Case by stitching on some alphabet beads

Most of all it will keep the children happy for hours and of course they will always have a keepsake to remind them of the party.

Have a great party!