Our Blog

Finding outdoor activities for kids can be tricky, especially in winter. Feeding the birds is a relaxing and rewarding activity for them to do, whatever the weather. It’s a great way to get your kids outside for some fresh air despite the cold, where they can have fun and learn a little about nature. In this blog, we’ll be sharing how to make your very own bird seed cakes to bring lots of feathered friends to your garden.  The Big Garden Birdwatch  This week, get the k …

Remember all those culinary masterpieces you brought home from school and made your family eat? Here’s how to give your own kids a little taste of your history by recreating five of the best ‘old school’ recipes…by Diane TrembathIn the olden days, before there was Food Technology GCSE, we had Home Economics – fondly known as ‘home ec’. And before that, ‘domestic science’, and plain old ‘cookery classes’. Everyone who attended Home Ec classes can remember their favourite recipes (rock cakes …

The nights are drawing in and the temperature is dropping. Here are 10 ideas for cosy, weather-proof family activities to keep your kids happy and snug this half-term…By Misti Traya For weeks my daughter has been competing with the squirrels as to who can collect the most conkers. Our living room has become a shrine to the autumnal treasures she has gathered. Each day, whilst walking home from school, she stuffs her pockets full of horse chestnuts, tiny acorns, changing leaves, and roses th …

Kids love make-believe – and what better way to introduce them to drama than a family trip to a specialist children’s theatre? From Brighton to Glasgow, here are seven of our favourite kids’ playhouses around Britain…By Misti TrayaSo often when I play with my daughter, the first thing she says is “Let’s pretend. . . “ Playing pretend is one of her favourite games. This is true for lots of children and it is why taking them to the theatre can be such a gratifying experience. Theatre is all about …

There are loads of great reasons to encourage your kids to write and send old-fashioned letters and postcards. Here’s how to get them to enjoy the art of letter-writing…Remember when you were little and the post would arrive? How exciting it was to hear letters being pushed through the door? The only thing more exciting than playing Postman Pat and delivering it to your family was seeing an envelope with your name on it. Children rarely get mail, but when they do it’s not like grown-up mail …

You’ve bought the cute lunchbox, they’ve tried on the uniform… and they look so smart, but also so small. Here are some top tips from an experienced mother for coping (practically and emotionally) with your child’s first day at school…by Marian TrudgillIn the midst of the summer months it all seemed so far away, but before you know it the weeks have rolled by and suddenly it’s September and you’re standing, dazed, in front of the school gates. But don’t panic! Here’s an exper …

Love a bit of hands-on learning, with lots of button-pressing and crazy experiments thrown in? Here are 7 brilliant science museums around the UK, perfect for a fun (and educational) family day out… by Misti Traya I don’t know about the children in your life, but those in mine are forever asking “why?” Why are the clouds white? Why does the moon shine at night? Why do I get goosebumps? Why do rainbows appear? Why did the dinosaurs die? Why must I eat green vegetables? Which leav …

Summer hols feeling a bit long? Switch off the tablets and TVs and try one of these proven boredom-busters. Misti Traya offers a handy list of 25 fun childhood activities that have really stood the test of time… “I’m boooor-ed’…. How many times have you heard that from your child, especially during a long holiday? At the beginning of summer, my daughter is always excited as the potential for fun feels limitless…there’s the end of year class picnic, then ice crea …

It’s strawberry season, so here are 5 simple recipes for making marvellous things with them. Get in the kitchen with your kids and these strawberry delights will forever be remembered as the taste of summer… by Misti TrayaIf summer had a flavour, it would definitely be strawberry. Strawberries are so full of sweetness and sunshine. Just walking past a patch on a warm summer’s day and breathing in that heavenly scent can lift your mood. The TCFC team loves picking them too ̵ …

How about a spontaneous family adventure at a festival this summer hols? Here’s a guide to the best festivals for kids in the UK… A weekend at a festival can make for a fantastic family adventure – camping, dancing, sharing interesting food, and plenty of entertainment for parents and little ones alike. It’s a chance to let your hair down and loosen the usual rules.. .But of course when you have kids in tow you don’t want anything too wild.  Here are some of the best …