Tag: ideas

Making memories

Posted on by

There are some amazing attractions around the country ranging from historic buildings to zoo and gardens.  So if you are planning to visit somewhere this summer with your family and want something that’s sure to leave a lasting impression, then why not check out some of our top ideas for children’s entertainment and family friendly fun… 

1. Old Trafford
No footie fan — Man U supporter or not — could fail to be excited by a visit to Old Trafford, the ‘Theatre of Dreams’. The official stadium tour takes in the players’ changing room, the lounge, dugout and press briefing room, but for most children the highlight is the chance to have their own Wayne Rooney moment, and emerge from the tunnel to the roar of the crowd (even if it is made up of just Mum and Dad). 

Tickets: adults £18, children £12. 
2. Belfast Zoological Gardens
Set on a hillside overlooking Belfast Lough, Belfast Zoo has to be the most picturesque animal park in the UK. It’s big (55 acres), and with over 1,200 animals to see — from giraffes and spider monkeys to Asian elephants and Malayan sun bears — you’ll need to set aside almost a full day to do it justice. Some of the slopes are pretty steep, but there are picnic tables en route, and plenty of those all-important loos. 

Adults £12, children (age 4–16) £6, under-4s free. Open 10am–7pm daily April–Sept; 10am–4pm daily October–March. 

 



3. Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum
Four miles apart on Hadrian’s Wall, the garrison fort of Vindolanda and its associated museum bring our Roman conquerors back to life. The kids can rampage around ruins and replica fortifications, compete with the best Syrian archers, learn some Latin, watch 3D films – and even scrutinise the ongoing excavations at what is one of Britain’s most significant archaeological sites. 

adults £10.50, children (age 5–18) £6, under-5s free. Open daily 10am–6pm until September 2016. 




4. King Arthur’s Labyrinth
Stories of dragons, ancient kings and epic battles come alive at King Arthur’s Labyrinth, as you sail through a spectacular underground cavern in the company of a mysterious hooded guide. Younger children spooked by the dramatic sound and lighting effects might want to visit the playground, maze and café above ground instead, but older children, especially budding creative writers, will be entranced. 

Adults £9.95, children (age 4–15) £6.65. Open daily from 10am–5pm until 31 October 2016.

5. Watergate Bay
A two-mile stretch of glorious golden sand on Cornwall’s north coast, Watergate Bay has it all: a friendly beach café, plenty of parking, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall restaurant, and the Watergate Bay Hotel & Extreme Academy, which offers surfing lessons for children of eight and up. If your kids would rather watch than get wet, check the website for regular events held on the beach throughout the summer, from polo matches to surfing competitions. 

More great family places this summer

Posted on by

Enjoy LEGOLAND Windsor

Stacks of fun awaits at LEGOLAND, with the emphasis very much on letting children enjoy themselves. It’s dedicated to kids aged 3-12 years, and is a very unique experience where imagination knows no bounds. Get drenched on the Pirate Falls, travel through the depths of the LEGOLAND castle and find the force in the Star Wars Miniland Experience. More fun than you can ever imagine having with large, colourful blocks. You can even stay at the hotel.

Explore Jorvik Viking

Stroll through reconstructed Viking-Age streets at the dedicated Viking centre in York. The experience presents life as it was for the Vikings, complete with 1,000-year-old houses revealed beneath your feet and objects taken from excavations brought before your eyes. Adult tickets: £10.25 Children’s tickets (5-15): £7.25 

Go wild at Longleat safari

Pack up the car and prepare to be amazed as the big cats, zebras, rhinos and meddling monkeys cross your path, all in the UK. Longleat is the UK’s most popular safari park, and it’s easy to see why with its incredible crop of animals. Book ahead for one of the park’s newest features, hand-feeding giraffes in the African Village Adult tickets: £28 Children’s tickets (3-14years): £20.35

See a show at the Minack Theatre 

The Minack Theatre is the most famous open-air theatre in Britain. A beautiful theatre carved into the granite cliffs of Porthcurno in Cornwall, you can’t fail to be impressed with its magnificent views and structure, or by the seriously impressive shows it puts on during spring and summer, including storytelling and family specific performances. While you’re in the area, take a trip to Land’s End so your kids can tell their friends that they went to the end of the earth.

Go wild at the National History Museum

Packed to the rafters with dinosaur bones, fascinating fossils and interactive games, London’s Natural History Museum is a must-visit attraction for every child. They will marvel as they stride under the giant T-Rex on arrival and be blown away by the models and characters they will meet along the way. Better still, it’s free!

Take launch at the National Space Centre

The most frequently asked question about space travel is ‘how do you go to the toilet in space?’ Find the answer, and so much more with a visit to the National Space Centre in Leicester. See roaring rockets, shining stars and actual moon rock at this out of this world attraction. Adult tickets: £13 Children’s tickets (5-16): £11 

Be bookworms at Seven Stories

Seven Stories in Newcastle celebrates the wonderful world of children’s books, in a seven storey building no less. See original artwork and manuscripts, settle down to book readings for different ages and see fancy dress and props from different books all under one roof. Adult tickets: £7.70 Children’s tickets (4-16): £6.60

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.

Black and Orange Halloween party ideas

Posted on by

Looking for a festive and fun kids Halloween party theme this year? Throw a black and orange themed children’s party, complete with pumpkins, spiders and witches! Here are a few tips on how to get started:

Invitations: Send perfectly themed Halloween invitations that feature the black and orange colour scheme and will appeal to kids. Don’t forget to remind your guests to wear their costumes! Free online invitations are the easiest, fastest way to invite guests to your party.

Treats: Serve up some delicious black and orange snacks and desserts that kids will love! Make pumpkin shaped Rice Krispies treats with orange frosting, Oreo cookie spiders using thin pretzel sticks for legs, or dark chocolate-dipped apple slices.

Drinks: No Halloween party is complete without a signature punch! This black-coloured punch goes well with the overall black and orange party theme, and can be served over dry ice for an extra spooky effect. Try this quick recipe to impress all your witches and goblins!           

Witch’s Brew Punch

• 1 can grape soda
• 1 can frozen orange juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 litre of ginger ale
• 2 pints of cold water

Mix all ingredients together, and serve over ice in a large punch bowl.

Games: Incorporate black and orange themed games into your Halloween party! Play Pumpkin Ring Toss, Pin the Spider on the Web, or have a Monster Mash costume parade around your neighbourhood or garden!

Decorations: Use creative Halloween decorations that complement your colour theme. Pumpkins are a natural choice to incorporate orange into your party, and they provide both decoration and an activity. Encourage guests to decorate them with markers, paint, glitter glue, and more. No carving needed! You could also draw spooky faces on orange and black balloons with black and white paint markers! Place them around your party space at various heights for an easy way to decorate.  If your party is in the evening, hang orange glow sticks from the trees for a creative backdrop to all the fun!

This classic Halloween theme allows for a lot of creativity as your plan your child’s party.  Use these spirited ideas to help bring your party theme to life, and enjoy the haunts and thrills with your little ones this Halloween season!

Teenager ideas for Halloween

Posted on by

Halloween party games for teenagers are super to add to any teen party or even just a family party where teens will be present. Though teenagers can be easily bored, these Halloween games for teens will keep them entertained all night long! Games that require preparation are also fun to plan and think up! If you need a few ideas for Halloween party games for teens, take a look at the list below:

Bob for apples: That’s right—though this classic game may seem childish, it’s actually fun for people of all ages! Just set up a big barrel full of water and apples to challenge your teenagers to see if they can pick the apples up without using their hands!

Costume dance contest: This is a quick and easy way to get everyone on their feet. You can do contests such as the limbo or just award funny prizes for guests’ costumes. Make sure to have prizes on hand!

Murder mystery: This game requires a lot of thought and planning, but it is well worth it! It’s similar to a live action version of clue. For this game, you’ll have to create a story, character list and solution to a murder mystery. Just be sure not to tell any guests about it! Assign everyone at the party a “part” and hide clues around the house. Have them act out the story as they figure out who’s the murderer together!

Halloween night sweet hunt: Plant sweets around the outside of your home. Once it’s dark out, have guests go on a night-time sweet hunt. Give them bags for the sweets and flashlights and split them up into groups of 3-4. See how daring they’ll be on Halloween night!

Halloween Fear Factor: For this game, play a guessing game! Blindfold guests and have them put their hand into a bowl or jar filled with something horrible to the touch. Then have them guess what they just touched. Some ideas include Jelly, peanut butter and crushed biscuits. Award prizes for the people who have the most accurate guesses

Halloween trivia: Before the party, make up Halloween movie, TV show and history trivia cards. During the party, host a trivia session complete with prizes!

These Halloween games for teenagers parties are just a few ideas to get you started. These ideas are also Halloween party games for tweens too, so feel free to get as many people in the family involved as you can!

Planning Children’s Parties

Posted on by

Children’s party entertainment is something that many parents lose sleep over. Where do you find something that will keep your kids busy and engaged for the whole duration of the party, and something that they haven’t already seen before? It’s a challenge most parents would gladly forgo, so Red Masque is here to help. We have access to an eclectic mix of party games, party entertainers and a fund of children’s birthday party ideas that are new and different.

It’s quite challenging thinking up every year of something ‘special’ and different for the right reasons for your child’s/teenagers birthday this is why Red Masque hold the key to taking the stress out of trying to think of something unique.

Why not look on an entertainment directory, where you can hire only the best children’s party entertainment, for any age group, which can thrill, enthral and astound the audience; from balloon modellers to magicians, street dancers to caricaturists and even green screen photography entertainments, plus a whole series of indoor and outdoor games which include:

Indoor –

Dance Machines, 

Photo Booths, 

Table Football, 

Air Hockey and Skittles.

Bubble and Smoke machines

Karaoke

Balloon Modellers

Face Painters

Outdoor – 

Funfair Stalls, 

Giant outdoor games Connect 4, Kerplunk etc.

Giant Scalextrics.

Bouncy Castles

Fairground rides

Make sure you check out the entertainer’s policies so everything runs as smoothly as possible.  Looking on an entertainment directory, you will be spoilt for choice and it will definitely give you ‘food for thought’ there will be something for everybody’s tastes!!

Home Schooling – Is it better or worse?

Posted on by

One of the biggest growth areas in terms of education in the last six years has been that of the home schooled child.  In fact, the number of kids now receiving their education at home has increased by some 65% over the period and the reasons given for the decision are very varied – from lifestyle and special needs to bullying, religion and a dissatisfaction with either the school or the school authority.  But is this method schooling better or worse for the children?

Providing education

Legally, parents are not obligated to send their children to school but they do have to provide what is termed a ‘suitable education’ for them at home.  The current school age population stands at 9.5 million currently and around 37,000 of these are now schooled at home.  This figure may even be an underestimate as children who never start school are not recorded in the figures, only those that start and are then withdrawn from the system.

Parents don’t have to provide a reason for withdrawing their kids from school but 41 council areas across the country do ask and the information given provides a cross-section of the reasons behind the move.  Top of the list of reasons given is philosophy or lifestyle reasons, around 13% of those who answered.  Some areas of the country see a higher number for this area.

Reasons for the change

Dissatisfaction with the school, council or a conflict come in second while cultural or religious practises is the third most common reason.  Bullying and special needs/medical issues come in fourth and fifth.  Lastly, around 3% of people take their children out of the system because they couldn’t get the school they wanted and were unhappy with the one they could.

Another reason that parents cite for keeping children away from the schools is the emphasis currently placed on testing and school league tables.  Many parents feel that this does little for the children and those inclined to home school find it another reason to go with their own style of education.

The style of education itself is an issue for many kids as a classroom simply cannot accommodate all learning styles at once.  For example, boys are shown to poorly in literacy subjects because they don’t naturally take to the long periods of inactive study.  The formal nature of the learning doesn’t suit many kids whereas home schooling allows parents to focus lessons specifically on the way their children learn.

The positive of home schooling

For parents who have successfully home schooled their kids, the system has huge benefits.  As one mother put it, her bright seven-year-old was complaining about school. But it wasn’t the normal complaints – the intelligent child said he hated learning and that ‘learning is boring’.  This prompted her and her husband to research on home schooling.  She was able to dedicate her time to schooling the children in a way that may not be possible for all parents.

The growth of online facilities to help with kids education has corresponded to the growing number of people who home school their kids. Online tutoring organisations, kids sports and cultural activities, these are all being organised around children who don’t attend normal schools.

The wealth of information available online to aid parents in home schooling means that there is no reason why they can’t receive as well rounded an education as other students – perhaps more so given the lack of time constraints placed on the school day.

The worrying side of home schooling

While quality of education and variation of subjects taught is a concern with regards to home schooling, there are other, more worrying sides to the subject.  Some parents have resorted to home schooling have been forced into it by the school themselves, particularly if their child has problems that reflect ‘poorly’ on the school and its league table position.

However, the single biggest concern is that children are not being monitored when they are home schooled.  A case such as a young boy of 8 who died from scurvy and was being home schooled, is an example of the very worst case scenario.  While the boy’s parents were charged with neglect, the case was dropped.  A leaked report showed that the mother had mental health issues that raises the issue of whether she was fit to home school the child.

Others worry that children are being listed as home schooled but are actually attending illegal, unlicensed schools and these could include extremist teachings such as radical Islam.  As no-one currently checks these kids, no-one knows what is happening to them or if they are even alive and the numbers of those never attending school are a black hole the depth of which is completely unknown.

Handy information in a blog

Posted on by

Sometimes when you are looking for ideas about where to go on holiday or for a weekend break, inspiration can be hard to come by.  Of course, travel agents will give you plenty of information but sometimes you want something unbiased, neutral and personal.  One of the best ways to find this type of inspiration is to look at blogs and here are a few blogs to help you on your way.

What is a blog?

In case you missed it, a blog is a bit like a diary, only written for the world to read.  People write about what they know, what they like and what they don’t and this allows readers to get a wider viewpoint on a location or venue than offers through traditional means.  Blog are often written un a fun, casual way that makes reading them amusing and relaxing and there is none of the pressure to ‘buy’ that can be found on major travel websites.  You may even be inspired to start your own!

The Family Adventure Project

The Family Adventure Project is the blog of husband and wife team Stuart and Kirstie who have three children. Their aim is to spend time together as a family doing interesting and exciting things and getting out and about. As well as locations, their blog also deals with different adventure ideas and also action – in other words sports and activities for children.

A Modern Mother

A Modern Mother is a blog by just that – a former corporate lady who left her job to have three children and is now a full-time mum as well as the founder of BritMums.  Her blog covers a range of destinations and ideas for things to do as well as places to visit and offers advice on places to stay, all from a family perspective.

Mums Do Travel

Mums Do Travel is the blog of a former journalist turned mother who looks at places from a family point of view.  Her blogs include room reports and interviews with other family travellers for their ideas and views.  There is also advice around the type of trip as well as where to go.

Family Travel Times

Family Travel Times is co-written by couple Sarah and Brian with their two kids to offer a viewpoint from the younger mind.  They review the places that they visit as well as guest pieces from other family bloggers on their experiences and include plenty of their own fun photography to inspire others.

The Mum Blog

The Mum Blog features sections on travel and family travel to offer a range of tips and hints.  As well as information about where to go and where to stay, there is also information about matters that make travelling easier.  It is written by journalist and mum Liz Jarvis.

Mum on the Brink

Mum on the Brink is a blog covering travel and outdoor fun as well as other matters such as technology, written by mother of three Monika.  The blog looks at locations to visit and places to stay as well as new ways to travel such as reviewing motorhomes and information about activities to keep the kids occupied

Outdoor party ideas for children

Posted on by

1. Kids Olympics Party

Cabin fever may be setting in after all the April showers and being stuck in school, so get the kids outside and burn off some energy! Tap into their competitive side and set up a Kids Olympics party! “Active” is the name of the game with this theme. Discus throws (using Frisbees), obstacle courses, balance beams, or hula hoop contests are great choices for a children’s Olympics Party. You can also encourage teamwork with relay races or a team sport like whiffle ball or kickball. At the end of the party, give away small prizes or even have a medal ceremony to bring the festivities to a close!

2. Sensory Party

Younger children are always curious about the world around them. Why not embrace it and host a Sensory Party? Tell your guests to wear some “play clothes” or provide souvenir T-shirts. Then, prepare to get messy! Set up stations that help kids explore all five senses. For example, a sand creation table will let kids make art out of brightly-coloured sand. It also helps them use their visual creativity to make something unique! Auditory stations can include simple instruments like drums or recorders. Since it’s outside, the sound won’t drive you as crazy! Or, make some Rainbow Foam for a tactile station. It’s easy to make and allows children to get messy while exploring a fun texture.  Just remember, the messier the better for your outdoor kid’s party ideas!

 3. Just Add Water Party

Looking for a way to cool off in the summer heat? Just add water! Have your guests bring their swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen for a day of fun in the sun. Activities like Slip n’ Slides or sprinklers are easy ways to add a little H2O to your outdoor party. 

4. Animal Party

While we’re all fans of furry creatures, sometimes the thought of having them inside is a little daunting. That’s why animals are the perfect addition to an outdoor party! Does your child dream of riding a pony or holding a hedgehog? An animal party can deliver! Most petting zoos or pony parties only need a small amount of space outside, like your garden. Reptile shows are great for Jurassic Park or jungle-themed parties. The animals are usually enough to hold the kids’ attention, but animal games can be a just as fun! 

Musical Chairs. Each time the music stops and a child is out, designate them as “it” and let them choose their favourite animal. If they say “horse,” the remaining kids can gallop around the circle of chairs until the music stops. Kids love animals, so this party should be a hit!

Top of Form

5. Outdoor Movie Night Party 

Bring the movies to your garden! Your kids and their friends of all ages will love being able to pile onto blankets in the grass and watch a family-friendly film. Rent your own outdoor movie screen or make your own by stringing up a white painter’s canvas. Most rented screens come with a projector, or you can buy a decent one for around £100. Not a bad investment if you plan to use it a few times throughout the summer! Set up a movie snack bar with popcorn and classic sweet choices. Set up tin buckets filled with ice and bottled pop to bring out the nostalgic vibe. Outdoor kids party ideas don’t have to be complicated; sometimes it’s just about spending time together

Play days and Fun days for the kids

Posted on by

Play days and Fun days for the kids…

We love the idea of kids entertainment and as the school holidays are still upon us we thought we’d give you some ideas about Play days!! A whole day dedicated to playing- who could want anything more?

If you missed it, maybe you can plan your for next year?

National Play day started way back in the UK in 1986 when money was tight and adventure playgrounds were under fire to have budget cuts. The idea arose for the great British public to have one day a year, usually the first Wednesday every August, in which they could enjoy the playground activities and highlight how important they are to society.

Well 27 years later the national day is still going strong and it is bigger and better than ever before! It is coordinated by Play England, Play Wales, Play Scotland and Play Board Northern Ireland. 

Why is playing so important?

Playing is essential to a child’s learning and development. It teaches sharing, it encourages confidence and more importantly, it allows them to have an enjoyable childhood.

It is vital for the emotional, intellectual and physical development and it offers children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to play together. 

But that doesn’t mean that adults can’t get involved and be ‘big’ kids for the day.

Whether it is a low-key get together with family and friends or a big party in your street, get involved and play games with our help. 

After all, you deserve to act child-like every once in a while too! With working, house chores and looking after the little ones, you ‘ought to grab this day with both hands and have a fun-packed day to remember. 

Not sure what to do? Here are 6 fantastic entertainment ideas for all the family:

Inflatables

Face painter

Rodeo 

Crazy Golf

Buzzwire

So don’t miss out for next year’s Play day!!