Category: Fun

6 great places to take the kids

Posted on by

Have a magical time at the Harry Potter Studio Tour

A must for Harry, Ron and Hermione fans, the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Hertfordshire lets wannabe wizards whizz around Diagon Alley, get their heads down in class and sit down in the iconic Great Hall of Hogwarts. The tour is full of props from the movies and behind the scene exclusives. A truly magical (sorry) day out with photo ops’ aplenty to treasure afterwards. Adult tickets: £33 Children’s tickets: £25

Meet the Crystal Palace dinosaurs

Looming out of the south London park are several cast iron dinosaurs from 1852, just hanging out and waiting to greet inquisitive guests on Dinosaur Lake. The short circular walk around the beasts shows our prehistoric friends from all angles, while info boards give just the right amount of information for dino-obsessive children. The park has a popular playground and very welcoming café for a pit-stop afterwards. 

Take a steam railway trip

Find a steam railway journey near you and head out together. You won’t be disappointed with a day chugging around the countryside. One of the best we’ve been on is the Llangollen Railway in North Wales. Worth the trek for the stunning surroundings alone, and if you’re lucky, Thomas the Tank Engine will even be around. Look out for the moment the train’s engine runs around the track to pull the carriages back in the other direction. Truly special stuff.

Visit Disneyland Paris

Make memories that will last a lifetime with a family trip to Disneyland. Meet Mickey and Minnie, swoon over the gorgeous Disney Princesses and enjoy thrills on the rides designed for all different ages and theme park thresholds. The lights, the glitter, the characters and the atmosphere will stay with your children forever. Big kids (who don’t want to admit they still really want to hang with Minnie) will love the rollercoaster rides. 

Cycle the Camel Trail

Stretching right from the village of St Breward on the edge of Bodmin Moor, to Padstow the Camel Trail is a recreational trail which follows the line of the old railway, summed up in John Betjeman’s Cornwall as ‘the most beautiful train journey I know’. The 17-mile trail is perfect for families on two wheels, so hire bikes and enjoy the flat trail. If 17 miles is a bit daunting, head for the last leg which takes in the coastline into Padstow from Wadebridge. Lock your bikes up at the end and have fish and chips on the harbour, try your hand at crabbing and then scramble over the rocks for a stroll on the beautiful beach at Hawkers Cove.

Learn at Our Dynamic Earth

Perched on the edge of Edinburgh’s epic Holyrood Park is Our Dynamic Earth, which takes visitors through our amazing planet’s past, present and future. With a focus on a sustainable future, and how we can help the planet deal with climate change and a growing population, make the trip when you have young children, and get tips for carrying on the good work at home and beyond. Adult tickets: £12.50 Children’s tickets (3-15years): £7.95.

Are your children getting enough sleep?

Posted on by

As adults, we know the importance of sleep and how bad we feel when we don’t get enough of it.  But kids don’t quite get this and are constantly engaged in a battle with their parents to be up later and sleep less. While giving in to them and letting them have the odd late night isn’t going to have a serious impact, consistently not getting enough sleep has been connected with a number of other problems as well as declining results at school.  But are your kids getting enough sleep?

Importance of sleep on education

Everyone needs a different amount of sleep and the activities of the day can also have an effect on this. There are also two types of sleep – NREM and REM.  NREM sleep, or non-rapid eye movement is also called quiet sleep and this is where the energy levels are restored, the body works on any repairs that are needed and the hormones controlling growth and development are sent out into the body. The other type, REM or rapid eye movement sleep is known as active sleep – this is the time when we dream and our brains are active but at the same time, our bodies are immobile with both breathing and heart rates being irregular.

A baby spends around half of their sleep times in each of these states and each sleep time is around 50 minutes long.  By the age of six months, REM sleep accounts for around 30% of the sleep time and by preschool age, this sleep time reaches around 90 minutes at a time.

As a general rule, for the first two months of life, a baby needs anywhere from 10 to 18 hours sleep a night.  From two to twelve months, this levels out to 14-15 hours and between one and three years, this falls to 12-14 hours.  Once they reach three to five years, around 12 hours is about right while in junior school years from five to twelve, 10 or 11 hours will normally suffice.

Sleep becomes even more important when kids reach school age. A good night’s sleep ensures they can pay better attention at school, be more creative and even come up with new ideas in class.  They will be better at solving problems and more sociable with other kids and adults.  They can even fight off illness better.  On the turn side, if they don’t sleep enough, they are liable to forget what they learn, be bad tempered and lack the energy to play games or sports. They won’t have any patience with others and their attention span will suffer.

Tips

One of the big tips for a good night sleep for younger kids is to have a good sleep routine.  This means that kids know what to expect, what is going to happen and when they will be going to sleep.  One example from the Sleep for Kids website is along the lines of:

Have supper, a light snack

Take a bath or shower then put in pyjamas or other sleepwear

Brush teeth

Read a story in a room that is quiet and at a comfortable temperature

Put the child into bed, say goodnight and leave the room

Repeat this routine each night and avoid watching TV or videos just before they go into the routine.  This is shown to make going to sleep more difficult so ensure they do something non-stimulating before bed.

Don’t use bed as a negative, telling them they are going to bed if they don’t do or stop doing something – this makes going to bed a bad thing and will make them want to find ways not to do it.  Also, try to show that everyone in the house is getting ready for bed as kids often want to stay up for fear of missing out on something.  If they think everyone else is getting ready for bed, this can lessen the urge to find ways to stay downstairs and awake.

Good homework websites

Posted on by

Before looking at some of the best homework help sites, there are a few tips to remember about homework in general. The first one is to let the kids have something to eat before starting – this might just be a nutritional snack with their main meal scheduled for later, depending on the family schedule.  None of us work at our best when we are hungry.

Make sure there is a quiet place to do the homework away from distractions.  If there are pre-school kids in the house, try to keep them occupied elsewhere.  Ensure all the essentials are on hand such as pens, pencils and that there is a good workspace to use.

Set up a timetable for homework sessions so that kids know when to expect to be doing it. It might be after the evening meal for older kids or you might schedule different ‘slots’ for the different kids if they distract each other. TV is a no-no but some quiet music can help relax them.

Remember to keep in mind the current teaching techniques, rather than those you were taught when you were at school.  By telling them what you know, that can just confuse them and mean they aren’t learning what the school wants them to learn.

Best homework help sites;

BBC Bitesize

The BBC has been making high quality educational programs for generations and their education website, called Bitesize, is equally useful. There are two ways to search for help – by the subject or by the stage the kids are studying at. Once you go into the subject, there is a range of options such as KS1 Maths, 4th level Maths and even Higher Maths. By selecting the stage your child is studying, there is then a range of topics to help them, for example mathematical skills including problem solving and reasoning.

The website also has less formal content such as educational news, school newsletters and news around, a news program for kids. There are interactive games to help them with their studies and plenty of fun stuff to engage them.

BBC Cbeebies

The Cbeebies website works alongside the children’s channel and is filled with educational fun for kids. This includes homework help, interactive challenges and even stories.

Homework Elephant

Homework Elephant has some 5,000 resources available to assist kids in their various homework topics.  These are listed through the subjects they are covered by so are easy to search for a specific category.  They also offer an ‘Agony Elephant’ service where kids can ask questions to an expert on subjects including maths, English, biology and history.  Finally, there is a hints and tips section that covers how to do homework, learning tips and even helping kids cope with worries about their projects.

National Geographic Kids

National Geographic are another massive name in TV shows and their magazine so their Kids section is filled with useful resources of the highest quality.  Subjects covered includes animals, science and nature, history, places as well as games and entertainment resources.  So kids can learn about the countries of the world, the birds and animals that live there and there are fun areas to entertainment them as well as help with the homework.

Channel 4 Learning

Channel 4 Learning is aimed at seven to eleven year olds and covers three main subjects – science, history and geography.  There are plenty of interactive resources to entertain the kids as well as notes for teachers to help out.

Pokémon GO

Posted on by

There’s no getting away from the phenomenon that is Pokémon GO at the moment and it seems to have engulfed adults just as much as kids – if not more so.  Computer game crazes are nothing new, the recent madness for Candy Crush is a perfect example, but this one seems to be generating a few concerns with its location based nature. However, some have raised the point that Pokémon GO and other games may also have benefits for kids that we can miss amid the craze.

The game itself

If you haven’t tried the game yourself yet, here’s the lowdown on what it is all about.  We all remember the Pokémon games, those Japanese anime style cute characters that arrived on the scene in the 1990s?  The new version is quite a bit different and makes use of the very latest augmented reality for players to ‘catch’ the Pokémon in real places around the world.

As one person said not only does it bring out the inner geek in the 20-30 age group, it gets kids out and about.  No more just sitting in front of a TV screen, blasting at aliens or chasing spies, they have to go out around their area and further afield to find these Pokémon characters.

Made by Pokémon Co and nearly one third owned by gaming giant Nintendo, the game has already shot to the top of the list of most used apps and overtaking the likes of WhatsApp, Snapchat and Instagram in terms of user numbers.

Early concerns

As with any craze, there have already been the stories of things going wrong.  One Wyoming teenager found a dead body while questing for an elusive Pokémon while a group of trend-conscious burglars lured people to a location to rob them by tapping in on a Pokestop used by the game.

Some of the stories almost sound funny but there is a worrying undercurrent.  Stories of people having car accidents while playing the game and driving, walking out into moving traffic as they aren’t concentrating and worse.

One of the biggest concerns is that while the game creates a sense of community with other players, this might be exploited by paedophiles and other criminals.  Kids lose their sense of the danger of someone they don’t know when that person is playing the game and this is a big worry to parents, teachers and carers.

Another concern is that kids could be lured to locations as there is a facility on the game to let others know when there is a character to be caught.  Pokémon ‘gyms’ are another phenomenon where children could be drawn in by the game and exposed to dangerous circumstances.

Less serious concerns have been expressed including the use of swearing by older players and the sexual explicit user names that some take.  Even the ability to buy these lures for £1 in the app is worry for parents if parental controls aren’t in place.

The positive potential of Pokémon GO

Despite the initial concerns which tend to surface around any craze or trends, others have been quick to realise the potential plus side of the game. One school in Australia is using the game in the classroom after research showed that the game had a positive effect.

The pupils suffering with autism have been shown to have improved social skills through the use of the game and are more engaged with the rest of their lessons.  The game encourages them to play with other kids in a way they would have been reluctant to do otherwise.

The nature of the augmented reality of the game also works well with the way these children’s brains work.  Those with autism are very visually centred with 90% of their learning coming through what they see.  In a busy classroom, these children can find it difficult to focus and learn but using visual means has a far better result.

Ideas for children’s fun activities that could base around the game include using ‘walking journals’ where children follow a story or a map with the game and can improve a variety of skills including maths as well as boosting their imagination.  Homework could be something like exploring their town with the game and submitted screen shots on a Monday about what they found.

Wider benefits

While computer games as a whole are often seen as the enemy by parents and limitations on time playing is definitely a good idea, there are a surprising number of benefits that any kid can gain from game play.

Basic skills like vision and observation can be boosted by playing games. Children with ‘lazy eyes’ have been shown to improve their vision sitting close to the screen and the general ability to pick up small details and colours is enhanced.

Different games also create interests in subjects, such as history.  Games set in historical period or with historical characters have created an interest in the real topic that can even lead to better exam results.

Abilities learned playing games is increasingly having practical benefits that are recognised by employers and universities.  Playing online games with hundreds of other people encourages team work, communication and an increased ability to think on your feet.  Even surgeons are getting better at their job due to the fine motor skills learning playing games.

Games can help people suffering from a number of conditions.  Post-operative or injury pain is one example where playing a game creates a complete release and allows a relaxation that isn’t possible otherwise.  Patients with MS have been shown to have improved balance after playing certain games, one of the major problems found with the condition.

As well as easing physical conditions, games can help with mental conditions.  Stress relief is top of the list as well as helping suffers with depression to relax and get their mind off their problems for a period of time.  Studies have even show that those with dyslexia can do more after playing games as the constantly changing environment of action games helps them to develop their focus.

So while games should be approached with caution and moderation, there is clearly benefits as well as problems that Pokémon GO and many other game crazes can help.

Trampoline treat!!

Posted on by

There’s nothing new about trampolines, they have been a favourite pass time for kids going back generations.  But in recent times, there has been a boom in trampoline parks, organised centres with large numbers of trampolines and other features to add to the bouncing.  Parents are taking kids for a wide range of sessions and even for children’s parties but is it just fun or are there real benefits to trampolining?

Basic benefits

Some of the basic benefits of trampolining are great for adults as well as kids.  For starters, there’s the improvement to bones that comes from putting them under a little stress.  Exercise is good for us, we all know that, but some exercise can cause harm as well as good through overstressing joints or bones. Because trampolining is essentially a softer impact than running or some gym activities, it puts good stress on the bones to increase their strength – each impact is the equivalent of twice the force of gravity.

Jumping is fun and also a great way to burn off calories, which might sound like a very adult thing but does apply to children as well.  Child obesity is a big thing that many families are trying to deal with and getting rid of those calories is a great way to work on this.  Trampolining is fun and therefore is a subtle exercise – kids are so busy enjoying themselves that they don’t realise they are exercising!

Heart health is another area that seems very adult but it is never too early to start protecting your heart.  Getting the blood pumping makes the whole system more efficient and by starting a routine as a child, this can benefit you as you get older.

Other benefits

Kids have great natural balance but as you get older, this can often weaken and by the time we are adults, we can’t walk in a straight line without wobbling (even without a few glasses of wine!) but by starting to work on areas of balance as kids and maintaining these routines through as adults, then we have better coordination.

Hand eye coordination is something often mentioned in relation to computer games and using tablets or games consoles.  But playing games such as dodgeball or basketball on a trampoline park can also work on these skills.  The greater flexibility gained through bouncing and jumping can also reflect when sports are played on normal courts which in turn benefits overall confidence.

Kids also tend to have a lot of energy but this can run out quickly and then they are listless and tired.  Trampolining has been shown to help improve mental health and sharpness by increasing the flow of blood around the system.  This in turn increases concentration and makes for a better mood – great reasons for adults to join in too.

Social skills can be developed by visiting the trampoline park where there is little choice but to interact with the other kids there.  It has been proven to help children with autism to adapt to being around other kids and to gain a sense of being included, where their natural feeling is one of exclusion.

For all children, boosting their self-esteem by learning trampolining skills is a benefit and their new sense of fitness and balance can help them do better in other activities.  It also teaches them a sense of determination and persistence when they want to do a certain move or trick and must practise it repeatedly in order to master it.

Halloween decorating ideas

Posted on by

Decorating for Halloween can be fun and gets you excited for the Halloween season, but thinking of new Halloween party decoration ideas is difficult. Here are a few helpful Halloween decorating tips and tricks to help get your creativity flowing. Your Halloween home décor can be sophisticated or downright spooky. No matter which way you decide to take your fall home décor, follow these easy tips for Halloween decorating that will make it easier.

Try out these Halloween decorating ideas:

Un-Decorate Before You Decorate: Take your normal picture frames off the walls and decorations off all the surfaces including tables, counters, and shelves. When you add Halloween decorations on top of your normal décor, the result looks cluttered and confused. Put all the focus on your Halloween decorations by making them the centre of attention. Fill empty spots that other picture frames left by hanging Halloween plates or spooky decorations.

Focus On One Colour Scheme: A classic orange and black colour scheme for your decorations always looks great. You could also try a creepy black and green colour scheme or go sophisticated with black and silver. Try not to mix more than three of these bold colours. This will keep your house looking put together and sophisticated.

Decorate With Pumpkins: Pumpkins can be used in many different ways for Halloween décor. For a more decadent look, try painting pumpkins, or using glue with glitter or buttons. Pumpkins can be used outside as a welcome sign outside after being painted, or inside as table or mantelpiece décor. Try painting a pumpkin with chalkboard paint and keeping a countdown to Halloween!

Use Candles: Candles are a great way to set a creepy mood for All Hollow’s Eve or the night of a Halloween party. White candles look spookiest and are easy to find. Mix and match different sizes and heights of candles and tea lights on a mantle or as the centrepiece on a table. Dim the lights and the candle glow will give all the rest of your decorations a scary flickering shadow!

Use these Halloween home decoration tips to spark your creativity and expand on your favourite Halloween decorations. Have a happy Halloween!

Seasides to visit this Summer Holiday

Posted on by

At one time, going to the coast was the normal weekend or holiday venue for families.  Then the foreign holiday craze came along with cheap flights and cheap hotels and the seaside resorts saw a decline. However, in recent years, people have begun to return to the UK coastal towns and are once again appreciating all they have to offer. They are the perfect place for keeping the children entertained, with plenty of kids activities on offer and family things to do. Here we look at ten coastal towns you must visit – although not all in the same holiday!

Blackpool

Blackpool has a lot to offer holidaymakers and has something for all tastes.  The town is a major seaside resort on the Irish Sea between the estuaries of the Ribble and the Wyre and is most famous for its Illuminations and the Pleasure Beach.  But this isn’t all the town offers – there is a zoo for the kids to see, the world-famous Blackpool Tower to climb and the Sandcastle Water Park, to name just a few.  Many of the major attractions now take part in a Blackpool Resort Pass so costs can be combined to make the most out of a trip.

Whitby

Whitby is a seaside town near Scarborough in North Yorkshire at the mouth of the River Esk.  The town combines seaside attractions with beautiful scenery and history including the Whitby Abbey, home of the earliest recognised English poet, Caedmon.  The town was a vital fishing port since the Middle Ages and is the place where Captain Cook learned about sailing.  It later became famous through its connection with Bram Stoker’s Dracula.  As well as grabbing some great fish and chips, the town is also a major water sports area while the annual Regatta takes place in August.

Newquay

Newquay is on the Atlantic coast of Cornwall, 12 miles north of Truro.  It is a natural harbour that has been exploited by man going back to pre-historic times, though the town has now expanded inland as well.  There are nine great beaches in the Newquay area and this is one of the reasons it has become a major tourist location.  Other attractions include the Trenance Leisure Gardens and the Newquay Zoo and the area is a surfing hotspot.  Due to its location, it is also a great place to use as a base to explore the rest of Cornwall.

Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth is a coastal town on the River Yare in Norfolk, 20 miles to the east of Norwich.  It became a coastal resort back in the mid-1700s when people began visiting the Norfolk Broads.  As well as the beach and two piers at the report, the market place is one of the biggest in the country and has been open for business since the 13th century.  There is also the Tollhouse, believed to be the oldest civic building in the country with its spooky dungeons to visit between spells on the beach.

Worthing

Worthing is along the coast of West Sussex, just 10 miles from another famous coastal town, Brighton.  It was a mere fishing port until the late 18th century when it became a popular Georgian tourist spot and was the chosen spot of the rich of the time.  It is now home to a thriving artist community as well as having seen regeneration in recent years to the pier, museum and the Dome cinema.  A state of the art swimming centre has added to the attractions that now sees it as one of the best performing seaside towns in the country.

Whitehaven

Whitehaven is on the Cumbrian coast between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness and wasn’t a traditional coastal resort.  In recent times, however, development has seen the town become a more popular place to visit with millennium developments to the harbour being important.  It now has a bi-annual maritime festival that includes tall ships and a flying display from the Red Arrows.  It is also within travelling distance of the Lake District and its many attractions.

Mablethorpe

Mablethorpe is a small seaside town that has made itself into an appealing location for families to visit.  On the coast of Lincolnshire, the town is noted for its Seal Sanctuary, taking in injured animals since 1974, as well as Spanish City Complex, theme park and an attractive promenade.  The town also has plenty of long sandy beaches for some traditional seaside sandcastle building and sand-based sports competitions.  It is even home to the only beach hut festival in the country, where every September owners decorate and display their huts amid music, poetry and drama.

Barry

Barry is a coastal town on the northern coast of the Bristol Channel, only seven miles from Cardiff.  It is noted for its beaches as well as the Barry Island Pleasure Park.  This is a complex of shops, restaurants and bars as well as attractions

How about camping?

Posted on by

Cornwall is a hugely popular spot for fans of both camping and glamping during the summer holidays and the good news is that there are a large number of sites spread around the county.  The bad news is that by this time of the year, not all of them will have availability left for the school holiday period.  So here we look at 5 Camping and Glamping sites in Cornwall that still have availability for the coming period to help inspire your camping holiday and keep the children entertained.

Cottage Holidays Cornwall

Cottage Holidays Cornwall has a number of different accommodation options within one site.  For those who like a nice firm foundation under foot, they offer Albion Cottage, a grade II listed Tudor house on the edge of the village of Mylor.  The cottage has its own courtyard, barbecue, gardens, swings, trampolines and even a tennis court!

For an environmentally friendly alternative, why not try a spot of glamping in their yurt?  Just outside the village, the Yurt offers a back to nature experience with fully opening walls, a roof light and a wood burning stove just outside.  It is 16 feet in diameter and 10 feet tall, so is no tiny little tepee style tent and there are carpets and rugs on the floor while the bed stands on a low wooden platform and even has an orthopaedic mattress.

Both of these options make for a great base to explore the village of Mylor with its historic harbour as well as travelling slightly further afield to the beautiful resort of St Ives or the amazing attraction that is the Eden Project.

Classic Glamping

Classic Glamping have a number of sites spread across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset offering a range of different glamping options.  Jinka’s Wagon is a unique experience – a gypsy caravan located just five miles from Looe that offers the charm of a bygone era.  As well as the caravan, there is a barbecue and patio furniture to enjoy a meal under the stars and a multi-burner as well.

If you ever fancied sleeping in a safari tent but didn’t want to travel to Africa, then simply head to a spot just two miles from Launceston for a safari tent location.  One tent is called Honeysuckle, another Celandine and the third Campion.  Each are located in a secluded spot near a river great for wildlife spotting and relaxing in peace and quiet as well as being a short distance from a pub.  They are also a small distance apart so no overlooking neighbours.

Other options offered by the company include a shepherd’s hut near Praa Sands, a meadow cabin near Fowey and even airstream trailers straight from the US based just outside St Agnes.

St Tinney Farm

St Tinney Farm is a small, family run business with 34 acres of land and a range of different accommodation options including cabins, caravans and tent.  The site is just a mile from the main A39 Atlantic Highway near the hamlet of Otterham.  The farm has its own heated outdoor swimming pool to enjoy and there is a licensed club bar on the site called the St Tinney Arms, serving drinks and simple pub food, so there is no need to leave the site if you don’t want to.

There are two cottages at St Tinney Farm each accommodating up to four people and a cot if needed.  These are fully equipped with all the modern conveniences including free Wi-Fi.  There are also three 3 bed lodges overlooking the lakes and three 2 bedroom lodges in the Orchard area behind the farmhouse.  Caravans number six, are connected to the mains for electricity, and gas as well as toilets inside each.  Finally, there are grass camping pitches so camping fans can bring along their own tents. 

Cottage Farm Touring Park

Cottage Farm Touring Park is located near the small village of Treworgans, not too far from Newquay.  The site can offer different accommodation options and is also in close proximity to a number of leisure and sports facilities.  There are three self-catering holiday homes on the site as well as static caravan accommodation. There are 45 pitches for camping and caravans, almost all of which have electricity hook-ups, spread over a 2-acre site close to a number of countryside walks.  There is a small shop near the site and the local village shop is just one mile away. There is also a facility block that includes free showers and hot water basins, hairdryer and shaving points and a family-baby room. There are washing up facilities and a laundry room to use as well as a manned reception to help with local information.

The site is great to use as a base for exploring the Newquay area, which is just five miles away.  In fact, if you like a walk, it is only 20 minutes’ walk to the beach. Other close activities including surfing, fishing, diving, horse riding, golf and mountain biking as well as plenty of places to go for a walk.

Silver Sands Holiday Park

Silver Sands Holiday Park has static caravan holiday homes, a lodge as well as both touring and camping pitches available for holidaymakers. It is set amid the dramatic scenery of Lizard Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and one of the most popular spots to visit in Cornwall.  Both Kynance Cover, the most southerly point in Cornwall, and the Helford River are just a short distance away.

The caravan homes come in two grades with standard having two bedrooms and the superior option having either two or three bedrooms. The superior plus caravan can sleep up to six people so ideal for slightly larger families. The camping area is beside the main field and all emplacements are around a triangular perimeter. The field has its own water supply and there is a play area for under fourteens as well as a toilet and shower block in the nearby field.  Watch out at night as possible visitors include bats and badgers, both who live nearby!

Happy Birthday sweet 16

Posted on by

Sweet 16 is a time of coming of age and celebrating it in true style. Many 16th birthday parties are becoming quite similar these days so why not make your 16th birthday party one to remember.

Firstly, choose a venue; this could be your own house. Secondly choose a theme. Trust us, this will make your 16th birthday party that extra bit more unique and give your guests the excitement leading up to your party.

Finally, your party entertainment… make your 16th birthday party stand out from the crowd and have some of the most interesting and lively entertainment. Underneath is a variety of 16 birthday party entertainment ideas to help you!

DJ – Every party needs great music. You will not need to worry about changing songs over on your IPod when a DJ can do it all for you by using the latest technology. You can tell the DJ exactly what music you would like played so your music can be catered specifically for you!

16th Birthday Party Entertainers

Photo booth – Why not keep a little memory of your 16th birthday party night by hiring a photo booth. Your guests will have so much fun trying on colourful props and overall having fun in the photo booth. Instant photos will be available for your guests and you will receive a DVD of all photos taken on the night.

Themed nights– Give your party that Vegas feel by having your very own fun casino. Spin the wheel, place your fun bets and have a laugh with all your guests. The Fun Casino is a great way to get your friends having a laugh and the style of entertainment is top class. Nobody else will have a casino at their 16th!

Magician – A walk around hired magician is perfectly suited to a Sweet 16 party. The magician will stun your guests with various tricks that will definitely catch them out. The magician could also be a comedian on the side, so Dynamo mixed with a bit of Lee Evans will go down a storm at your 16th birthday party.

16th Birthday Party Food

Fish and Chip Van – If you are unsure of the catering you would like for your party, then why not hire out a fish and chip van. The food caters for everybody’s tastes and your guests will enjoy their very own freshly cooked food. You can tailor the food to your requirements as well, burgers, sausages, goujons… whatever you want you can have!

Overall, enjoy your 16th birthday party. This is your big night; it’s not every day you take that step from a childhood to adulthood. Your 16th birthday party will be all about you, show it off, and make sure to get the perfect entertainment for your party. But the best thing you can do is smile and create some amazing memories and plan the best 16th birthday party ideas right here!

The shorter school holiday debate

Posted on by

The six weeks’ holidays are an idea that dates back many generations. The root of it was that the children needed the time off school while their parents were harvesting their crops and they could help out around the land. But today, a tiny percent of kids would be involved in the family business in this way.  So has this holiday lost its appeal and should schools shorten the summer holidays?

The teacher’s view

One teacher, writing anonymously, voiced their opinion in favour of the shortening of school holiday because it would be a benefit to their students. They acknowledge that many of their colleagues would hate the idea and the trade unions may be against the concept but all of this pale against the benefits for the kids.

One of the main reasons that this teacher is against the length of the summer break is that kids in their school don’t actually like it. School brings structure and routine to their lives and for some, it offers a safe and secure place to be with food on offer.  This is of course the extreme of the viewpoint as many kids have a perfectly good structure when they are at home, but is a point to consider.

Kids often get bored during the holidays due to the length of time they are at home with little children’s entertainment.  This is when they start looking for other things to occupy themselves and end up getting into trouble.  If they were back at school earlier, this urge to do something naughty would be alleviated because they would be engaged in their studies once more.

Then there is the benefit for the teachers and their workload.  While it may seem they would have more to do with a shorter holiday, the reality would be that they spend a lot of time and effort dealing with the lost time of the summer holidays.  tudents fall behind during the holidays and a lot of work is needed when they return to get them back up to speed – by reducing the period of time they are holiday for, this effect would be reduced.

The cost of holidays view

One of the biggest complaints most parents have today is about the cost of going on holiday during the summer school break. Combine this with the new regulations that fine parents for taking kids out of school for a holiday and this means many families cannot afford their annual break, either abroad or even in this country.

Parents face an on-the-spot penalty of £60 per child issued by the school, which doubles if it is unpaid for more than three weeks.  Two or more unpaid fines can lead to parents being referred to the education welfare service for their local authority who then have the power to take them to court.  Here fines up to £2,500 can be issued and parents can even be jailed for up to three months.

In 2014, 16,430 people were prosecuted for taking their kids out of class during term, an increase of 25% on the previous years. And according to Ministry of Justice figures, three quarters of these were found guilty. In addition, over 9,000 fines were issued by the courts at an average bill of £172, an increase of nearly a third on the previous year while 18 jail sentences were handed out, compared with seven in 2013.

According to schools, good attendance is crucial to a child’s education and this is why they are taking such a hard line against absences without a valid reason. Yet the lack of flexibility in these rules is being criticised by a number of sources.