Category: Kids

Festive Movies for the family

Posted on by

Here are some classic festive Movies for the whole family to enjoy..

1. Elf

This classic from 2003 is a staple in our household. Buddy (Will Ferrell) is different from all of Santa’s other elves: he’s “a cotton-headed ninny muggins” when it comes to making toys, he’s 6’3″, and he’s human! So one special December, he sets off on an adventure to New York City in search of his real dad. A funny, sweet-as-a-candy-cane Christmas film for all the family.

2. Home Alone

Another classic family Christmas film featuring Macaulay Culkin. When Kevin’s family leave for vacation, they forget one minor detail: Kevin! Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister takes on two bumbling burglars who are trying to break in. Written and produced by John Hughes, this slapstick adventure is an entertaining watch for all the family.

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Delve into this animated musical fantasy set in a parallel world where different lands represent different holiday periods. Jack Skellington, a man from Halloween, becomes converted to Christmas and sets out to spread joy in the world! However, Jack’s new mission leads him to kidnap Santa and it becomes clear that he’s not really in tune with the Yuletide spirit. This was the first full-length feature to use stop-motion animation throughout.

4. The Grinch

Benedict Cumberbatch is the voice of The Grinch in this 2018 remake. The Grinch lives alone in a cave, and he likes peace and quiet. When his neighbours’ Christmas celebrations threaten to disrupt his tranquillity, there’s only one option: to steal Christmas. They’re going to make this Christmas three times bigger than usual, so the Grinch’s only choice is to be even nastier to teach them a lesson. And so he disguises himself as Father Christmas to carry out his scheme… Head to your local cinema to catch this Christmas classic!

5. The Muppet Christmas Carol

Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of the classic Charles Dickens tale. Michael Caine plays Ebenezer Scrooge in a performance that’s anything but “bah, humbug!” One fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. The Spirits open Scrooge’s eyes and heart to the true meaning of Christmas. A heartwarming tale everyone will enjoy.

6. Toy Story

Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is Andy’s favourite toy. He tries to calm the other toys during Andy’s birthday party, who are worried that newer toys may replace them! Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear is the new toy that takes over the throne. Kids of all ages will love this film if they haven’t already seen it. To see you right the way through the Christmas period.

7. Shrek The Halls

The Christmas edition Shrek adventure hit screens in 2008 and is a short hilarious film that will get everyone in the festive spirit. Follow Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and all the gang as they prepare for Christmas Day.

8. The Polar Express

Tom Hanks lends his voice to another magical family classic in The Polar Express. Late on Christmas Eve night, a boy lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa’s sleigh. To his surprise, he hears a steam engine’s roar and whistle outside his window instead! The conductor (Hanks) invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other pyjama-clad children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.

Festive games

Posted on by

Keep Christmas fun for kids this year with this range of festive games.

1. Guess the Number
Simple but effective. Have everyone guess how many decorations there are on the Christmas tree. There can be a sweet prize like a slice of Christmas cake or some chocolate coins!

2. Charades
This is a classic game for all the family! Simply have everyone write the name of a book, film, show, or even a famous person on a piece of paper. Fold them up and put them in a container. One person picks a piece of paper and must act out what is written on the paper until someone guesses what it is. It is then their turn to act something out.

3. Guess Who
Another game that’s fun for all ages, you’ll need post-it notes for this one! Everyone must write the name of a famous person on a post-it note without anyone else seeing. The famous person can be a celebrity, historical figure, TV character, or anyone else recognisable – let your imaginations run wild! Stick your post-it note on someone else’s forehead and they must ask a series of questions until they can guess who they are. The questions must only be answered with ‘yes’ or ‘no’!

4. Santa’s Limbo
Grab a pillow and a belt and get your guests to take it in turns to dress up with a ‘Santa belly.’ Then take a string of Christmas lights or a strand of festive garland or ribbon, play some Christmas music and start the limbo!
Grab a pillow and a belt and get your guests to take it in turns to dress up with a ‘Santa belly.’ Then take a string of Christmas lights or a strand of festive garland or ribbon, play some Christmas music and start the limbo!

5. Music Quiz
Find a playlist online or a Christmas CD and play a few seconds of each song. Everyone must write down, or shout out the name of the song and artist. The person or team who gives the most correct answers wins!

Help the bumblebees

Posted on by

Don’t get your kids to hate bees, bees are an important part of nature and are rapidly dying off. With your help your kids could help to welcome the bees back by planting bee friendly garden, and have some fun too!!

1. Plant bee-friendly shrubs, trees and flowers

You don’t need lots of space to take part in this. Pots on a patio, hanging baskets, herbs in planters, or flower beds all help bees. Fill them with their favourites! For summer, plant some fragrant lavender, look out for a hawthorn, and make your flower beds look really impressive with some Monarda (also known as ‘Bee Balm’!) Look online to find the best bee-friendly plants for each season.

2. Grow fruit and veg

Just like us, bees need a variety of food. While flowers are the obvious option, bees also love fruit and vegetables. While you get to enjoy growing your own produce, the bees will help pollinate your crop! From apples, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries, to runner beans, peppers, and onions.

3. Visit The Hive

This 17 meter tall multi-sensory experience highlights the extraordinary life of bees. The lights and the sounds inside The Hive are triggered by bee activity in a real beehive at Kew! Step inside to see the ever-changing lights and sounds.

4. Provide shelter

Hate mowing the lawn? Good news! Put the mower away and let your grass grow a little longer. Cutting less closely and less often allows bees to feed and shelter in the grass. If you like a perfectly preened lawn, another habitat option is leaving a small woodpile in the corner. It will decay over time to give a more natural look and bugs will soon move in.

5. Choose honey carefully

If possible, buy local honey from a beekeeper. Cheaper honey may seem like the more attractive option for your purse, but it’s often not pure honey. Surely it’s worth paying a little extra for the purest honey? You can also rest assured that the bees that produced it were well looked after, making it taste even sweeter!

6. If all else fails, follow David Attenborough!

When it comes to all things nature, who else will you listen to? Attenborough has warned that if bees become extinct humans will only have 4 years to live. And 1 third have already died out! To help tired bees in the summer heat, David recommends leaving a teaspoon of sugar and water out. You’ve probably seen bees looking like they’re dying before but don’t worry, they’re normally just exhausted! This simple solution will revive them in no time.

Fun fairy spotting guide

Posted on by

If you’d love to add even more sparkle to your day, we’ve listed some really magical locations below which are perfect for spotting a fairy or two…
Trentham Gardens, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire

Keep your eyes peeled as you walk around the beautiful mile-long lake, through the woodland, maze and gardens where the Fairies at Trentham live. Each fairy is different, some are bold and will want to shake your hand, others are shy and are harder to spot high up in the trees. Can you find them all?

Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Cumbria

Best known for its collection of herbs and traditional fruit orchards, if you explore a little further you might find something straight out of a fairytale! Hidden doors, a hollow tree and a wild play area, so kids can have a real adventure. Look out for pixie houses in the roots of the trees!
Furzey Gardens, Lyndhurst, Hampshire

These magical gardens are hiding over 30 fairy doors for you to hunt out as you make your way around. You will also find a variety of tree houses, lookout towers and an adventure playground.
The Forbidden Corner, Leyburn, North Yorkshire

Winner of the White Rose Awards 2015, Forbidden Corner four acres of labyrinths, grottos, walled gardens, statues and passages are great to explore. You’re not provided with a map so you have to find your own way around, which is all part of the fun.
The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Throughout the year the gardens are full of life and colour, there’s also a magical giant treehouse that the kids will love exploring which is one of the largest in the world! Cross the wobbly rope bridges (suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs) to find a treetops restaurant.
The Gnome Reserve & Wildflower Garden; Bradworthy, Devon

Walk around the beautiful woodlands that over 1,000 gnomes call home. Gnome hats are loaned free of charge together with fishing rods, so you don’t embarrass the gnomes when you visit.
Jupiter Artland; Wilkieston, Edinburgh

This is a piece of breathing art; the landscape is dotted with commissioned artwork and full of things to be discovered. The children will love exploring all of the installations and the views of the surrounding landscape are simply stunning.
Trebah Garden; Falmouth, Cornwall

Trebah Garden is a beautiful fun day out for visitors of all ages. This sub-tropical paradise provides a magical Cornish village garden with exotic blooms, vibrant tunnels and there is even a secluded beach on the Helford River. There are also adventure play areas and children’s trails for the little ones to enjoy

School holiday ideas

Posted on by

Knowing how to keep children amused through the school holidays can sometimes be daunting for parents, especially when things cost so much. Here are some top tips to help take some of the stress out of it, and keep everyone happy without needing to spend a fortune.

Going out and about
During the school holidays, there may be lots going on in your local area that your family can enjoy, often for free. Check the websites of your local council and tourist information centres for local days out, or scan the local papers and community centres to see what’s going on in your area. Visit your local library and look for adverts of events. Many libraries hold events such as story time, and arts and crafts days. Libraries are also a great source of activity in themselves, with plenty of books and computers to keep children busy, plus they often have storytime for toddlers and parents.

Check to see if your local council swimming pool offers free or reduced-fee entrance in the school holidays. Museums and galleries often have new exhibitions and events running in the summer. Many art galleries put on special events for children and families – this could be just the thing to stimulate your child’s artistic streak. Check out your local leisure centre – there are plenty of children’s sports and activities they can participate in.

Staying at home
Of course, on some days, you will find yourselves stuck at home, but that doesn’t mean anyone has to be bored. You could take the opportunity to spend some time sharing a favourite game or story with your children or, if you want some more inspiration, try some of these activities. Arrange a movie day – choose a couple of favourite films, get some popcorn and put your feet up with the kids.

Get cooking – pick a recipe with the kids, go shopping for ingredients and cook something together that you can enjoy eating afterwards. Depending on your child’s age and interest, this could be anything from a simple sponge cake to a mushroom stroganoff! Dig out the puzzles, games and books and give them a go. Some good old-fashioned children’s entertainment can be really fun.

Have a look in your cupboards and play dress up with your old clothes. Sort through your clothes together and recycle the ones that you never wear and the stuff your little one’s grown out of.

Encourage the kids to put on a play or a magic show. They could even use the dress up clothes and props from around the house. If you have a camera, you can even film it, for great memories. Build a den with the kids – if the weather is ok, you could even risk doing this outside! All you need is some boxes or sofa cushions, a few blankets, and a bit of imagination.

Create a scrapbook together using photos from your family album, or torn from magazines.
The great outdoors (and the garden!)

Sunny days are great for simple activities like picnics and ball games. This can be done as close to home as in the back garden!

Don’t try and fill every minute of every day. Encourage your children’s imagination and independence – let them play in their rooms or the garden.

Games for long journeys

Posted on by

The following children’s fun and games are great fun and you can always adapt them to suit your family. Most of them require very few props and rely mainly on imagination. Some may not be appropriate for car journeys as they could be too distracting for the driver but there are plenty to choose from.

Talk to the animal
Nominate a player to be an animal character for the first round. The other players have to ask questions until they guess what the animal is. The first one to correctly guess the animal gets to go next.

I went to the shop and bought…
Each player has to choose something they had bought at the shops. The first player starts by only reciting what she or he has bought. The next player then has to recite what the previous player bought, as well as add something new to the list.

The player who forgets an item is out of the game, whilst the rest battles on, till there is eventually only one shopper left!

Two facts and a fib
Each player gets a chance to make three statements – two which are true and one that is false. The other players have to try and guess which statement is the lie – number one, two three, by indicating the number with their fingers.

Word association
One player says a word and the other player responds with the first word that comes into their head. The quicker you play, the funnier it gets.

Buzz words
Children need to be quiet to listen for words in this game. Choose a word and listen out for it on the radio or announcements. As soon as a player hears the word they shout ‘buzz’! Children can also look out for buzz words on road signs or advertising boards.

Road cricket
Each child chooses a colour – all oncoming cars in their colour passing you on the road counts as a run. All children nominate one colour to be bowled out by, for example, if a white car comes along you are bowled out and the next player gets a turn at the road wicket.

Broken telephone
One player starts by whispering a message, only once, to the next player. This player then whispers to the next player and so it goes on until the last player who has to say it out loud to the group!

Maps
Children can use maps to trace out their journeys or one player can have look at the map and then choose a town on the map. The other players can then have a look at the map and take turns to guess the secret destination.

October half term ideas

Posted on by

Looking for children’s entertainment on a budget during October half term? If you’re strapped for ideas for half-term family activities, never fear.

Take a free event.
Have a look at Free-events, search the web for more events going on in your area over the course of the week.

Watch a film;
For a lazy start to the day, Vue cinemas host Mini Mornings every morning during the holidays. Both adult and child tickets are £2.49 for selected movies, so you could release your inner child for very little expense.

Odeon offers something very similar with Odeon Kids. Kids and adults can go every morning during the school holidays at a slightly higher ticket price of £2.50.
Cineworld also does Movie for Juniors where you and the kids can get in for a tiny £2 each (3D £3.50).

Go bowling;
Head over to your local Tenpin from Monday to Friday and get a cracking School’s Out deal. If you go before 5pm, kids can get one game of bowling and a burger meal for £8.49 and adults can get the same for £10.99. Deals vary between bowling alleys so check the Tenpin website before you go.

Learn a new skill;
There’s everything from free scales and fins pet workshops at Pets at Home stores to spooky shadows workshops at the National Gallery.

Hobbycraft;
Runs a free workshops for kids in some of its 81 UK stores over the weekends and during half term. Check if your local store is running one.

Alternatively stay in and pass on your own skills (think instruments, drawing, cooking) to the kids.
Get sporty If the weather holds up, get them outside for a bit of a kickabout. Find out where to get free holiday football coaching at various skill centres throughout England.

Where kids can eat for FREE

Posted on by

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
There are several Gordon Ramsay’s Restaurants which offer Kids Eat Free for every adult main course ordered, including Maze Grill Mayfair, Bread Street Kitchen and The Narrow in London. Giraffe World Kitchen

Countrywide
From Monday to Sunday, all day long, kids eat free with every main meal purchased! All you need to do is simply download and print your voucher from their website.

Damon’s Restaurant
Kids under 12 years old can enjoy a free main course from the kids menu which available from Monday to Saturday 12-6pm at Damon’s restaurant.

Coal Grill and Bar
Kids aged 10 and under can enjoy a free meal from Coal Kids Menu per adult spending £10 or more, available from Monday to Friday 12-5pm.

Morrisons
Morrisons offers one free kids meal (for under 16 years old) with any adult hot meal (over £4.50) from 3pm every day.

ASDA
Kids can eat free on weekdays after 3.30pm for every adult meal purchased worth £4.

The Real Greek
The Real Greek offers free kids meal on Sundays for every £10 spend by an adult.

Let’s have a BBQ

Posted on by

The best bbq spots to keep you in the know!

London Field, Hackney, London

In the heart of the big smoke, London fields has a designated BBQ area, as well as a cricket pitch, heated 50m lido and lido cafe, grass areas, a BMX track, tennis courts, a table tennis table and two children’s play areas!

Tatton Park – Knutsford, Cheshire

This 1,000-acre parkland provides ample opportunity to walk, run, cycle, fly a kite, horse ride and of course, have a BBQ! There are beautiful trails and a sound garden to explore. With over thirty rides, Tatton Park adventure playground is one of the young ones main reasons for visiting. BBQ’s should only be used in the designated areas.

New Forest, Hampshire

Originally a royal hunting preserve, the thriving working forest that you see today has survived for nearly 1,000 years. BBQ’s are welcome in the picnic areas at Bolderwood, Blackwater and Wilverley. If you are catering for bigger parties, then there are also two sites for hire in the New Forest at Anderwood and Wilverley. Both these sites have BBQ’s that will cater for up to 100 people and are a great for large family get-togethers.

The Meadows, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links in Edinburgh are the place to be on a sunny afternoon for visitors and townsfolk alike! There area has over twenty BBQ spots across its expanse to ensure that you can enjoy a BBQ in this glorious spot, whilst only being a stone’s throw from the sights and sounds of this beautiful city.

Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumbria

Home to the biggest man-made lake in Northern Europe and, at over 250 square miles, Kielder Water and Forest Park is the perfect BBQ spot for nature loving families! There are three great visitor centre’s, at Tower Knowe, Leaplish or Kielder Castle. Leaplish Waterside Park has a designated BBQ site with panoramic views of the reservoir. This is the ideal base to recharge and refresh with your friends, family and favourite flamed foods!

Constantine Bay, Cornwall

With its breathtaking beaches and dunes, Constantine Bay is an amazing spot to have a family BBQ! Take in the beauty of the wild Atlantic whilst enjoying the grilled delights of fresh fish from the nearby fishing village of Padstow.

Pembrey Country Park, South Wales

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Gower Peninsula, this glorious 500 acre parkland overlooks the coastal scenery of Carmarthen Bay! There are a number of designated BBQ sites throughout the park.

Picnic BBQ Tips
Make sure there are no restrictions where you intend to cook.
Take care in the hot dry part of the year that you don’t cause fires.
Don’t leave the BBQ unattended.
Keep a close eye on the kids.
If using a disposable BBQ, let it cool down before removing.
Take all litter home and leave the area as you found it.

Have fun!!

Enjoy the great outdoors

Posted on by

1. Keep clothing simple and sensible
Whilst it’s easy to throw on some jeans and a heavy hoodie to keep warm, they take much longer to dry than lightweight layers or waterproof options such as jackets and trousers if you’ve been caught out by the rain. Denim is fine if you’re keeping close the campsite, but keep waterproof options within close reach if you’re heading further afield for a hike! Taking along two pairs of shoes for walks/hikes and ones to slip on at the campsite is always a good idea too.

2. Stay close to home for your first camp
Whilst escaping to a remote location in the middle of nowhere with minimal facilities sounds idyllic, in reality being near a bathroom when nature calls and supermarket for any emergency must-haves beats all other options! Try opting for a campsite close to home for your first time camping, just in case you do happen to need to run back home if need be!

3. Plan children’s entertainment
So, what do you do once you’ve set up your tent, everything is organised and your little campers are eager to get stuck into their surroundings? Plan walking, cycling or hiking routes in advance, as well as taking a look at what attractions and events are taking place nearby, to make sure you’re getting the most out of your trip… and earning your campfire dinner on your return! Bringing along some fun and easy-to-pack things to do is a good idea to keep everyone occupied too. For example, a ball, frisbee, colouring books, or notebooks for those looking to take note of what they discover nearby!

4. Prepare for all weather
If you’re in England, you’ll probably do this anyway thanks to our ever-changing weather. Pack jumpers for when they get cold in the evening and remember the suncream. Just in case! It can be a pain to take lots of clothing but you’ll be grateful you covered all eventualities. There’s nothing worse than a cold or sunburnt child!

5. Bring lots and lots of bug spray, repellent, and essential oils
No matter how “bug-free” you are told the area is, nothing attracts those little creatures like young blood! If your little one is unfortunate enough to be bitten by something, you can rest assured knowing you have everything you need to soothe the pain and itching.

6. Easy Snacks
While tent camping most of our cooking was done over the fire or propane stove. So think about that and if you want to start it up every time one of your little angels says “I’m hungry!” Bringing pre-prepared snacks will be a great time saver and you’ll thank yourself when your kids are suddenly “starving”!

7. Take extra-long marshmallow sticks
One of the best things about camping is roasting marshmallows. No matter their age, size, or heat of the fire, your little people will want to help roast their own! Keep the risk as low as possible by taking extra long sticks with you.

8. Take a potty
This is for those of you with smaller children, but not necessarily just those who are potty training. Late night toilet runs with little ones are never fun, so save yourself the journey across the dark campsite by taking a potty with you.

9. Remember their favourite blanket/teddy/music maker
Sleeping in a new environment can be both exciting and terrifying for children, so take a bit of home comfort with you. Not only will it help settle them at night and hopefully get them to sleep easier, it may also come in handy to cheer them up if there are any little accidents while you’re away.

10. Take your patience, patience and more patience!
Kids will be kids and you can only do so much. They will be loud, they will cause chaos, and they will get themselves and their stuff dirty! Especially right after a shower and you clean something. They will be themselves times 100! Even more outspoken, excitable, and uncontrollable!