Families Suffolk: Sept-Oct 2023 Digital Edition

Education Halloween Autumn activities

Loads of giveaways for our readers inside

Welcome

So it’s back to school already! Maybe you’ll have some time this month to take a look at our fabulous Education feature and explore how to support your child’s learning this year. Whatever stage your child is at you’ll find something of interest.

And it won’t be long before your child starts to get excited about half term and, in particular, Halloween. So take a look at our fab Halloween cooking and craft ideas and download our free Halloween activity pack! We’ve also got great suggestions for board games for the family as the nights draw in and familyfriendly museums to visit as the weather turns.

Look out for our fabulous giveaways too! Apply inside and you’ll also ensure you always receive this magazine and can take advantage of more content and goodies on offer.

GIVEAWAYS

Battle Heads

Mothership Playsets

Pilot the ship and enter the battlefield with this two-in-one vehicle collectable

In this

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What’s on Clubs & Classes

Halloween activity pack

Education

Travel

Autumn Giveaways

Parenting

Halloween

Get in touch

Competition winners from our May/June issue

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE

Hama Beads in Small Storage Box

6000 Hama beads and 3 uniquely shaped pegboards for endless 3D designs

2 sets available

*T&C’s apply

5 available

*T&C’s apply

True’s Mushroom House Playset Giveaway

Worth £40 each

5 available

Come and play with True and Bartleby

Multi-level house complete with furniture for endless play possibilities

Compatible with all True and the Rainbow Kingdom figures, so True’s friends can join the fun Ages 3+

APPLY HERE

play ride eat

BOOK ONLINE

PHOENIXCYCLEWORKS.CO.UK

WOLSEY’S IPSWICH

14 July - 29 October 2023 10am - 12.30pm or 1pm - 4pm Free entry

As part of the Wolsey 550 project our summer exhibition explores the life and legacy of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey during the 550th anniversary of his birth.

Ipswich born and raised,Wolsey rose from humble beginnings to become England’s most powerful man, working alongside King Henry VIII. We unearth a story of ambition, aspiration, and the ability for anyone to succeed. Featuring treasures from our own collection as well as spectacular loaned exhibits including Wolsey’s original Cardinal hat on loan from Christ Church College, Oxford.

Suitable for all ages, come and explore the complex and inspiring story of Ipswich’s most famous son.

www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/whatson @suffolkarchives

TUDOR

Saturday

30 September, 2pm - 4pm.

TUDOR

Friday

WRITING WORKSHOP

8 September and Friday

6 October, 10am - 1pm.

Autumn at Ickworth Estate

Autumn is a great time to visit Ickworth Estate with family and friends and is arguably when it’s at its most beautiful. The change from summer to autumn brings a spectacular kaleidoscope of colour as the leaves on the trees change from green to reds, oranges, yellows, and browns which seem to glow in the autumn light.

Make the most of the last warm days with a woodland walk or take a bike ride around the parkland and explore the furthest reaches of the estate on our multi-use trail. You can bring your own bike or you can hire one from us. We have balance bikes for little legs, all the way up to adult bikes and including new electric ‘e-bikes’ as well as trailers for young children. Cycle hire is open Thursdays to Sundays and daily during school holidays, prices start from £4. For more information see: www.nationaltrust. org.uk/ickworth-estate.

Grab a hot drink and a tasty snack from Porter’s Lodge and make your way over to the adventure play area where the little

ones can run off steam as you sit and watch. Our buggy friendly and accessible Albana, Geraldine’s and Erskines Walks are all perfect for little legs and great to explore without having to walk too far.

Head indoors and be inspired by our collection of art and silver and get creative with paper and pencils before heading downstairs to play games in the basement as you learn what life was like at Ickworth.

OCTOBER HALF TERM

Join us this October Half Term for even more creativity with autumnal crafts in the West Wing Gallery, great for days where the weather isn’t so great for outdoor adventures.

For more information and to plan your visit see:

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ Ickworth-estate

Apple Week at The Food Museum

Saturday 21st - Sunday 29th October 2023

This October Half-Term, The Food Museum will be celebrating apples with a week of apple pressing, juice making, baking workshops and apple themed activities for all the family. Visitors will have the chance to increase their apple knowledge and taste a wide variety of apples and juices from local orchards. On National Apple Day, Saturday 21st October, there will be a special day of activities with the Suffolk Traditional Orchard Group, Tree Wardens Network and food historian Monica Askay and during the week there will be special apple themed editions of the museum’s regular Toddler Time and Forest School sessions!

Don’t miss - Apple Juice Pressing Workshops

10.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm | Booking essential

Make your own juice from locally grown apples using a hand cranked apple press. During this fun, interactive workshop you will be guided through the process of cleaning, crushing, pressing, bottling, pasteurising and labelling and will be able to take a bottle of the tasty juice home.

Prices

Two-hour juicing sessions for the public include a bottle of juice to take home and admission to the whole museum for the day:

£20 per adult (£5 for members), £18 per concession (£5 for members), £15 per child (£5 for members).

£60 for a family ticket of 2 adults and up to three children (£15 for members) includes 3 bottles of juice.

£40 for a family ticket of 1 adult and up to three children (£10 for members) includes 2 bottles of juice.

Suitable for ages 5+ and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information visit: www.foodmuseum.org.uk

What's On at Suffolk Museums

Sept/Oct 2023

AXE & KNIFE THROWING

West Stow Anglo Saxon Village & Country Park

10th September

bit.ly/443idAV

SUFFOLK PUNCH HORSES ON DISPLAY

National Horseracing Museum

1st October | 11am-12.30pm & 2.30pm - 4pm

www.nhrm.co.uk/whats-on-events-and-exhibitions/

CLASSIC VEHICLES DAY

Ipswich Transport Museum

7th October | 11am - 4pm

www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk

GHOSTLY TALES BY CANDLELIGHT

Christchurch Mansion

14th October

www.ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/events/

WHERE’S WOLSEY’S CATS TRAIL

Christchurch Mansion

21st - 29th October

www.ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/events/catstrail

HALF TERM EVENTS

APPLE WEEK – COMMUNITY ORCHARD PRESSINGS

Food Museum

21st - 29th October | 10am - 5pm

www.foodmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/

TRICK OR TREAT EVENING

Landguard Fort

25th October | 4pm - 7pm bit.ly/47wR0Jz

WORKSHOP AND TRAIL: SPOOKY SOUNDS

The Red House

25th - 26th October

www.brittenpearsarts.org/events/

LITTLE FORT OF HORRORSCARNIVAL OF SCREAMS

Landguard Fort

27th & 28th October | 7pm - 10.30pm bit.ly/47wR0Jz

SPOOKY SLEEPOVER

Christchuch Mansion

28th - 29th October | 7am-10pm

www.ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/events/

FINAL FLING

The Long Shop Museum

29th October | 10am -5pm

www.longshopmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/

Ten top tips for attending school Open Days

If you are looking ahead to your child’s first or next school, you have big decisions ahead. Do your homework now and the choices will become clearer, particularly when it comes to visiting your shortlist.

TOP TIP: It can take a couple of visits to really nail your school choices. So attend Open Days for key schools two years in advance of your child’s start date so you have time to come back to an Open Day the following year. Bear in mind that independent schools are generally non-selective at Reception, so get your name on waiting lists early. It can be good to visit the school and see it in action on a school day too, if you can.

Here are my tips for preparation and getting the most out of your visit.

1. Do your research

Study the school’s website noting where the gaps are in your knowledge and which questions you want to ask at the Open Day. Are there particular entry requirements? How long is the school day? How many students per class? Are there taster sessions for children before the start of term? Make a list of questions covering the things that are a priority for your family.

If your child is moving on to senior school, you may want to ask about things like mobile phone policy. If

it’s a state school you are visiting, check your understanding of the catchment area, as they can change from year to year.

Best new adventure books for kids

We asked our friends at Parrot Street Book Club for their suggestions.

Yomi and the Fury of Ninki Nanka

A fun fantasy adventure inspired by African mythology. Ages 5+.

Leif the Unlucky Viking

Highly illustrated, laugh-out-loud Viking adventure. Ages 5+.

The Lucky Bottle

A beautifully illustrated, mysterious maritime adventure. Ages 8+.

Friends and Traitors

A thrilling wartime mystery with a classic feel for readers. Ages 8+.

The Housetrap

meets Escape Room in this entertaining adventure. Ages 8+.

Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight

Epic new fantasy series. Ages 8+.

Tiny the Secret Adventurer

A heartwarming, inclusive adventure story. Ages 5+.

All the Way Down

A life-affirming story packed with friendship, resilience and empathy. Ages 8+.

The Stolen Songbird

A gripping mystery set in 1950s London. Ages 8+.

How can AI support dyslexia?

Recently, the parent of a dyslexic student told me that, despite being offered speech-to-text assistive technology, he found writing and rewriting by hand helped organise his thoughts and process his ideas. So how could AI help assist with this?

READ MORE

Making the most of Parents’ Evening

As the new school year gets going, many parents will be anticipating talking to their child’s teacher(s) at a Parents’ Evening. This may be a new experience or you may have attended these events already. So how do you get the most out of them?

READ MORE

Do you have a child in year 5 or 6?

Our FREE online maths test will help you identify the gaps in your child’s knowledge and the areas requiring further improvement. Go to aepublications.co.uk to take our test.

• Do you know your child’s current mathematical ability?

• Is your child’s maths strong enough for their transition to secondary school?

Take our free test to find out.

After your child has taken the test, you will be sent a link to view a video of a fully UK-qualified teacher working through the answers and the correct methodology.

* There is no requirement to provide an email address to access the free test.

** An email address is required should you wish to receive further information, including the explanation video.

Phonics resources to assist with reading

Is your child learning to read? Help them learn with these fun phonics activities.

Phonics Play

Phonics information, games and activities. £12 per year.

Mr

YouTube Channel

Over 500 literacy resources recorded by a Year 1 teacher. FREE.

Jolly

Book and Audio CD

Reading Eggs

Online phonics activities and games for learning. £6.99 per month.

Storybooks

Over 150 eBooks to help your child put learning to practice. FREE.

Sort That Sound! Activity Set

Identify and sort sounds and images, building phonemic awareness.

£25

Children sing a song for each phonics sound. CD & explanatory book. £8.75.

Teach Your Monster to Read

Mini-games help children recognise letters and practice blending sounds. FREE.

Created by reading experts. £5.03.

iPhone/iPad app

Fun, engaging combination of letter and sound pronunciation and writing practice. £6.99.

Fun board games that encourage development

It’s the perfect time of year to invest in a new board game and these are not just brilliant fun, they also encourage aspects of children’s development.

Feed the Woozle

Fosters self-regulation in young ones in a fun and silly way.

Ages 3-6. £21.15.

Life on Earth Matching and Memory Game

Great for encouraging focussed attention, Ages 3+. £6.

Spot it Junior!

Children have to learn to suppress their first impulse.

Ages 4+. £14.39.

Zingo Bingo

Develops language skills and self-regulation.

Ages 4+. £18.50.

Shopping List

Fast paced game which tests memory and matching skills.

Ages 3+. £8.30.

Hey, that’s my Fish

Award-winning game of strategic fish hunting. Ages 8+. £17.23.

Sequence for Kids

Practises turn-taking, planning, prioritising and boosts short term memory.

Ages 4-7. £29.35.

Melissa and Doug Suspend Junior

Promotes planning, decision making and fine motor skills.

Ages 4+. £16.49.

Kingdomino

Improves spatial awareness, decision making and executive functioning.

Ages 8+. £22.35.

Fun role play ideas for kids

Fantasy role play

Super hero: let your child choose and act out imaginative adventures.

Circus: make tickets and provide hula hoops, face paint, animals etc.

Astronaut: create cardboard spaceships and helmets.

TV character: Paw Patrol, Postman Pat, Peppa Pig. Storybook character: a favourite or a classic eg Cinderella.

Work role play

School teacher: teach the ABCs to stuffed toys or younger siblings.

Police: let kids enjoy the idea of being responsible. Factory: use old containers, tools, masking tape and set a task.

Taxi: two chairs, plate for steering wheel and a destination. Hospital: provide white coat and medical tools.

Café Role Play

Daily life role play

Grocery store: promote early maths skills, use pretend money and home produce.

Restaurant: set up pretend restaurant with menus, play food and tables.

Post Office: use envelopes, stamps and boxes; children can send and receive.

Dentist: settle patient nerves, provide chair, coat and pretend tools.

Small-world role play

Cardboard city: create a pretend urban area using cardboard boxes.

Bug small world: use plastic bugs in a sensory tray.

Dinosaur land: use a tray with sand, pebbles, plastic trees and dinosaur toys

Animals at lake: make miniature beach with sand and animal figurines.

Travel Agent Role Play

2024 family friendly holiday destinations

We asked Ashley Lutz of Travel Counsellors for her top recommendations. Remember booking ahead can mean low deposits, discounts and even free child places.

Crete

The largest of the Greek islands’ really does have something for everyone. For younger kids, there are quiet beaches and secluded coves. For older ones, plenty of theme parks, aquariums and water sports.

Krk Island, Croatia

Switzerland

Connected to the mainland by bridge and accessible directly by air, this island is lesser known and there’s no need for ferries. Krk’s natural beauty and numerous activities like scuba diving, go karting or simply just relaxing on one of the many lovely beaches and coves make it perfect for families.

A magical, ‘great outdoors’ destination for family holidays. Whether bathing in one of the many lakes or rivers, hiking up a mountain or cycling through unique landscapes, Switzerland is a paradise for summer adventures.

Portugal

Explore beyond the Algarve on a fun road trip. Motorways tend to be quiet, making it easy to explore a variety of regions, each with its own unique character. Lots of fun routes to explore which take in long golden beaches, hilltop medieval villages, famous vineyards, the island’s natural beauty and delicious food.

2024 family friendly holiday destinations

We asked Ashley Lutz of Travel Counsellors for her top recommendations. Remember booking ahead can mean low deposits, discounts and even free child places.

Abu Dhabi

Consider booking Abu Dhabi over Dubai for winter sun. It’s more relaxed, very well suited to families of all ages and has a less chaotic feel. Family-friendly activities include Ferrari World, waterparks, snorkelling, diving, kayaking and Warner Bros World.

Sweden

Enjoy the pure bliss of jumping into lakes, kayaking and swimming in the sea. Rest your head in a tent for some wild camping or book into a comfy boutique hotel. From the unspoilt nature of Swedish Lapland to exploring Stockholm and its vast archipelago, Sweden is a dream for nature lovers and adventurous travellers.

Mauritius

For stunning scenery and beautiful beaches, gorgeous year-round sunshine and enough breeze to keep young children cool, Mauritius is perfect both for summer and Christmas holidays. Expect family-friendly hotels, restaurants and activities.

Thailand

For a long haul adventure, this is a great option. My best advice: don’t just fly and flop. Travelling with children is easy here, with welcoming locals and great domestic travel options making exploring easy. From the hustle and bustle of Bangkok to the chilled out vibes of island life, there’s truly something for everyone.

Dealing with fussy eating

Authors of The Fussy Eater’s Guide to Exploring Food: A book for children explain how parents can support fussy eaters to expand their range of foods, using a sensory ‘food science’ based approach.

What is a Food Scientist?

Fussy eating is common in children, often peaking around age 3.

The consequences include poor dietary variety, especially with fruit and vegetables, leading to concerns about nutrient intake and possible negative health outcomes. Evidence suggests that repeated exposure to new foods, using a sensory based approach, can help children expand their diet.

Consequences of fussy eating Look

By becoming Food Scientists, children can explore new foods using a step by step, practical approach at a speed with which they are comfortable.

They are encouraged to explore foods, such as fruits and vegetables, in a fun way using all their senses by looking, touching, smelling, licking and listening to their sounds.

Touch

Evidence suggests that the more you expose children to new fruits and vegetables, the more likely they are in time to accept them. Initially suggest your child LOOK at the food they are exploring and describe its colour and shape. Using a magnifying glass enables them to look closely and compare the inside and outside.

Your child can then TOUCH and feel the food with their fingers to see if it smooth, bumpy, wet, dry, soft or hard.

Encourage them to explore further by looking inside, using cutters, peelers or juicers. They can use tongs or a napkin if they dislike getting their hands wet.

Dealing with fussy eating

Authors of The Fussy Eater’s Guide to Exploring Food: A book for children explain how parents can support fussy eaters to expand their range of foods, using a sensory ‘food science’ based approach.

Smell

Encourage your child to progress to eating, from tolerating the food in their space to bringing it closer to their nose and mouth, to find out if it is a big SMELL that fills the room or smaller one, that stays close to the food.

Sound

Finally, children are encouraged to explore a small piece of food in their mouth, by taking a bite and to listen to the SOUND. Is it a squelchy or a louder crunchy sound?

Give children permission to spit the food out (into a tissue) if they dislike it.

Taste

Many children are reluctant to TASTE new foods. Suggest they take a small ‘snake taste’ by putting their tongue quickly on the food. How do the inside and outside compare? Salty, sugary, sour or bitter? They can take a bigger, longer lick, if they want.

About the book

The Fussy Eater’s Guide to Exploring Food is for children and parents.

Its large childfriendly print and photographs show children how to become food scientists, exploring the sensory elements of different foods.

In small steps, the book supports children to become comfortable with new foods and eventually be able to eat them.

Spooky Halloween food ideas

Make these delicious and super-scary Halloween recipes with the kids.

Meringue ghost ice-cream sundaes

Monster cookies

Chocolate mousse mud pots

Spooky sausage rolls

Pumpkin fondue with crispy bats & crunchy veg

Apple pie mummies

Haunted pizza

Banana ghosts

Monster burgers

Spooky Halloween crafts

Get crafting with this range of craft activities that will get the family in the Halloween mood.

Free printable bunting

Flying ghost stick puppet

Chalkboard paint pumpkin

Handprint spider

Rock skulls

Witches’ cauldrons

Halloween bowling

Haunted house

Puffy ghosts