ABERDEEN & ABERDEENSHIRE WHAT’S ON? P7-11 GET ACTIVE! P14 CATCH THE EASTER BUNNY P4 Issue 64 MAGAZINE & WEBSITE THE GO-TO GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD raring2go.co.uk SPRING 2023
Raring2go! PLACES TO GO Raring2go! 2 raring2go.co.uk 3 Spring is springing all over the region! Snowdrops are out and early lambs too… Here’s hoping for sunny days and blue skies as we head into March! There’s nothing better than getting out to a beach, a park or a hill to blow away the winter cobwebs and we have lots to choose from! We’ve come up with some fun activities you can do with the whole family to get out (P12 and 13) and if there’s an odd snowy day still in store for us, we have some fun Easter craft ideas and baking too – P23 to 25 plus many more on our website). These will definitely get you in the mood for the Easter Bunny who will be bouncing all over Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire over the Easter weekend (Friday 7 April – Monday 10 April). We’ve got Easter events on P8 and will be seeking out more over the next month, so keep an eye on our website and FB page as we will share more events as we hear about them! Speaking of events, we’ve heard snippets of information about events being planned for the Coronation of King Charles III on Sunday 7 May. As we go to print, these events are still being planned so we will share details when we have them! Here’s to a lovely springtime and lots of chocolate filled fun i Hello! EDITOR Victoria Withy EDITORIAL Victoria Withy Aileen MacVicar DESIGN ADVERTISING SALES Aileen MacVicar ADMINISTRATION Alison Smith GET IN TOUCH T: 01467 629491 M: 07795 118228 E: aberdeen@raring2go.co.uk THE TEAM Victoria Withy Editor & Owner Minco Design & Print
4 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Easter Events Please check details before setting off! We are hearing about new events constantly – keep an eye on our social pages and our What’s On? Diary at www.raring2go.co.uk/aberdeen-city-and-shire. Olivia! by Haddo Children’s Theatre at Haddo House Hall for further information and tickets see Haddo Children’s Theatre | Ellon | Facebook Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Haddo House for more information and to book see Haddo House | Ellon | Facebook Mother’s Day National Trust for Scotland Haddo House Easter Trail. For more information see Haddo House | Ellon | Facebook Easter Egg Trail at Drum Castle. Follow the trail around the grounds of historic Drum Castle, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and win your chocolatey reward. For more information and tickets see Easter Egg Trail at Drum Castle Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite Easter Egg Trail at Castle Fraser. Follow the trail, collect the clues, and solve the puzzle to collect your chocolatey reward. For more information and tickets see Easter Egg Trail at Castle Fraser Tickets, Fri 7 Apr 2023 at 10:30 | Eventbrite Easter Egg Trail at Crathes Castle. Follow the clues around Crathes Estate, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and collect your chocolatey reward. For more information and tickets see Easter Egg Trail at Crathes Castle Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite Dragon Egg Hunt at Fyvie Castle. Search the Castle Gardens for the hidden eggs to unlock the chest, answer the dragon’s riddle to claim your prize. For more information and to book see Easter Dragon Egg Hunt Tickets, Fri 7 Apr 2023 at 10:30 | Eventbrite Easter Egg Trail at Leith Hall. Follow the trail around the beautiful Leith Hall and Gardens and Estate. Collect the clues, solve the puzzle and collect your chocolatey reward. For more information and tickets see Easter Egg Trail at Leith Hall Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite Rotary Charity Easter Egg Hunt in Haddo Country Park. Lots of fun for the whole family. Access to the park on the 9th is by ticket only. To purchase tickets and for more information visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/ rotary-clubs-of-ellon-oldmeldrum or follow Haddo House & Country Park | Ellon | Facebook MAR 19 APR 7,8&10 APR 7-9 MAR 19 APR 7-10 APR 7-10 APR 7-10 APR 7-9 APR 9 APR 13 APRIL 9 If you are organising a public event, please add it to our What’s On? Diary (quick, easy and free to do!) so we can help you promote it. Raring2go! 5 ~ CAFE ~ shop ~ Icehouse Tour ~ dolphin watching Photo © WDC/Charlie Phillips 01343 820339 Website dolphincentre.whales.org Spey Bay, Moray, IV32 7PJ Free Entry Check our website for the latest information Advert Proof LOCHTER 01651872000 www.lochter.co.uk info@lochter.co.uk FUNFORALLTHEFAMILY! MAR 16-19 Easter Sunday National Trust for Scotland Easter arts and crafts afternoon at Haddo House. Fun for all the family, for more information see Haddo House | Ellon | Facebook
1 Buy plenty of eggs so each child can have their fair share, mini eggs are best. It sounds obvious but use wrapped chocolate! 2 Agree the rules to avoid tears! Are you going to colour code eggs so everyone can only collect their own ones or will you share out evenly at the end? 3 Make the hunt age appropriate; toddlers won’t tolerate it taking too long. 4 Use markers pointing to where eggs may be found for little ones and maybe make a treasure hunt with clues for older children. 5 Do the egg hunt after breakfast, or lunch, so eating chocolate won’t spoil their meal! Agree the rules for eating the eggs in advance. 10 Top Tips for a stress free egg hunt this Easter 6 Use alternatives to chocolate if you want to avoid sugar overload such as tiny toys (save up Kinder surprise cases to put them in or buy plastic egg cases) or use decorated eggs. 7 Don’t make it too hard or you can be out all day. Make sure everyone knows the ground rules like everything is hidden in the back garden and there is no need to climb to find the eggs. 8 Count the eggs before you put them out so you know how many need retrieving! 9 Remember baskets, or bowls, for everyone to collect the eggs in. It can be a craft project in the days before to decorate them. 10 If the weather looks bad have a Plan B for indoors- it can be just as much fun! Raring2go! Raring2go! 6 raring2go.co.uk 7 What's On DISCOVER THE FULL LINE UP OF EVENTS AND FIND HOSPITALITY UPGRADE DETAILS TO TAKE YOUR NEXT SHOW TO A NEW LEVEL OF INCREDIBLE. BOOK TICKETS AT PANDJLIVE.COM Friday 5th May 2023 3 Monday 10th & Tuesday 11th April 2023 3
March 11th-20th British Science Week Juinor Einsteins are made in this week! 16th Brake Zebra Beep Beep day Children aged 2-7 take part in the road safety campaign. 17th-April 2nd The Great British Spring Clean- to keep Britain tidy. 18th Red Nose Day / Comic Relief A host of fun and funny activities planned to entertain us & make our sides split! 19th Mother’s Day This is quite possibly the most important date in the entire year. One definitely not to forget! 20th Spring Equinox- the first day of Spring and not a moment too soon either! Bye Winter.... 21st World Poetry Day Roses are red, Violets are blue. We just love a bit of poetry and we bet you do too! 21st The Big Walk and Wheel Inspiring everyone to get more active and walk, cycle or scooter 22nd- April 20th Ramadan the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting prayer, reflection and community. 23rd National Day of reflection Pretty much as simple as that. Take a moment today to reflect. 25th National Skipping Day We suggest you intersperse the skipping with a hop and a jump! April 1st- May 2nd National Pet Month As if we needed an excuse in which to celebrate our beautiful fur-babies. 2nd International Children’s Book day - Just happens to coincide with the birthday of the one and only Hans Christian Andersen. 3rd – 9th Community Garden Week Time to celebrates the amazing community and school gardens across the UK 7th Good Friday The start of Easter Celebrations 9th Easter Sunday One of the principal feasts of Christianity. Commonly marked these days by family time and colourfully decorated eggs. 23rd St Georges Day You’ll be hard pushed not to reenact the famous St. George versus The Dragon scene today! May 1st- 8th Time for a Cuppa Is there anything quite as British as a really nice cup of tea! Show your appreciation for tea today! 1st-31st National Walking Month Previously known as jumping on ‘Shanks’s Pony’, it seems we need a whiole month now to celebrate the art of walking. 1st – 31st Big Asthma Bake Sale Join is and ‘raise some dough’ (geddit) for vital Asthma research for Asthmas UK. 2nd- 8th National Gardening Week - There’s never been a better week to introduce the little ones to gardening! 2nd- 8th Sun Awareness Week Something we should be aware of at all times! 6th Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort, Camilia. The UK celebrates the long awaited Coronation of King Charles III today as the world watches. 7th The Coronation Big Lunch See our feature on P. 15 7th Hedgehog awareness week Keep those eyes peeled for these prickly little beasts. 8th The Big Help out See our feature on P. 18 8th – 14th Food Allergy Awareness Week Get involved and be more aware of food allergies. 9th 22nd Foster care Fortnight This aims to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives. 12th National Limerick Day Marks the birthday of Edward Lear, the English writer known for his works of nonsensical prose and poetry. Make sure you head over to our website as there are hundreds of other events listed for Spring. Make sure you localise to your area and you’ll be whsiked to pages filled with content that is happening locally to you and your family. There’s a lot to see and do this Spring. From ideas for fun family time together to some great awareness days. Here are a selection of ideas that are happening all across the country in March, April and May. t Raring2go! WHAT’S ON Raring2go! 9 March 11th-20th British Science Week Juinor Einsteins are made in this week! 16th Brake Zebra Beep Beep day Chil ren aged 2-7 take part in the road safety campaign. 17th-April 2 d The Great British Spring Clean- to keep Britain tidy. 18th Red Nose Day / Comic Relief A host of fun and funny activiti s planned to entertain us & make our sides split! 19th Moth r’s Day This is quite possibly the most important date in he entire year. One definitely not to forget! 20th Spring Equinox- the first day of Spring and not a moment too soon either! Bye Winter.... 21 t Wo ld Poetry Day Roses are r d, Violets are blue. W just l ve a bit of poetry and we bet you do too! 21 t The Big Walk and Wheel Inspiring everyone to get more active and walk, cycle or scooter 22nd- April 20t Ramadan the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting prayer, reflection and community. 23rd Nation l Day of reflection Pretty much as simple as that. Take a moment today to reflect. 25th National Skipping Day We sug est you intersperse the skipping with a hop and a jump! April 1st- May 2nd National Pet Month As f we needed an excuse in which to celebrate our beautiful fur-babies. 2nd International Children’s Book day - Just happens o c i cide with the birt day of the one and only Hans Christian Andersen. 3rd – 9th Community Gard n Week Time to celebrates the amazi g community and school gardens across the UK 7th Good Friday The start of Easter Celebrations 9th Easter Sunday One of the principal feasts of Christianity. Commonly marked these da s by family time and colourfully decorated eggs. 23rd St Geo ges Day You’ll be hard pu hed not to reenact the f mous St. George versus The Dragon scene today! May 1 t- 8th Time for a Cuppa Is the e anything quite as British as a really nice cup of tea! Show your appreciation for tea today! 1st-31st National Walking Month Previously known as jumping on ‘Shanks’s Pony’, it seems we need a whiole month ow to celebrate the art of walking. 1st – 31st Big A thma Bake Sale Join is and ‘raise ome dough’ (geddit) for vital Asthma research for Asthmas UK. 2nd- 8th National Gardening Week - There’s never be n a better week to introduce the little ones to gardening! 2nd- 8th Sun Awareness Week Something we should be aware of at all times! 6th Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort, Camilia. The UK celebrates the long awaited Coron tion of King Charles III today as the world watches. 7th The Coronatio Big Lunch See our feature on P. 15 7th Hedgehog awareness we k Keep those eyes peeled for these prickly little beasts. 8th The Big Help out See our feature on P. 18 8th – 14th Food Allergy Awareness Week Get involved and be more aware of food allergies. 9th 22nd F ster care Fortnight This aims to raise the profile of fost ring and show how foster care transforms lives. 12th National Limerick Day M ks the birthday of Edward Lear, the English writer known for his works of nonsensical prose and poetry. Make sure you head over to our website as there are hundreds of other events isted for Spring. Make sure you localise to your area and you’ll be whsiked to p ges filled with content that is happening locally to you and your family. There’s a lot to see and do this Spring. From ideas for fun family time together to some great awareness days. Here are a selection of ideas that are happening all across the country in March, April and May. March 11th-20th British Science Week Juinor Einsteins are made in this ek! 16th Brake Zebra Beep Beep day Children aged 2-7 take part in the road safety campaign. 17th-April 2nd The Great British Spring Cle n- to keep Britain tidy. 18th Red Nose Day / Comic Relief A host of fun and funny activities planned to entertain us & make our sides split! 19th Mother’s Day This is quite possibly the most important date in the entire year. One definitely not to forget! 20th Spring Equinox- the first day of Spring and not a moment too soon either! Bye Winter.... 21st World Poetry Day Rose are red, Violets are blue. We just love a bit of poetry and we bet you do too! 21st The Big Walk and Wheel Inspiring everyone to get more active and walk, cycle or scooter 22nd- April 20th Ramadan the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting April 1st- May 2nd National Pet Month As if we needed an excuse in which to celebrate our beautiful fur-babies. 2nd International Children’s Book day - Just happens to coincide with the birthday of the one and only Hans Christian Andersen. 3rd – 9th Community Garden Week Time to celebrates the amazing community and school gardens across the UK 7th Good Friday The start of Easter Celebrations 9th Easter Sunday One of the principal feasts of Christianity. Commonly marked these days by family time and colourfully decorated eggs. 23rd St Georges Day You’ll be hard pushed not to reenact the famous St. George versus The Dragon scene today! May 1st- 8th Time for a Cuppa Is there anything quite as British as a really nice cup of tea! Show your appreciation for tea today! 1st-31st National Walking Month Previously known as jumping on Week - There’s never been a better week to introduce the little ones to gardening! 2nd- 8th Sun Awareness Week Something we should be aware of at all times! 6th Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort, Camilia. The UK celebrates the long awaited Coronation of King Charles III today as the world watches. 7th The Coronation Big Lunch See our feature on P. 15 7th Hedgehog awareness week Keep those eyes peeled for these prickly little beasts. 8th The Big Help out See our feature on P. 18 8th – 14th Food Allergy Awareness Week Get involved and be more aware of food allergies. 9th 22nd Foster care Fortnight This aims to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives. 12th National Limerick Day Marks the birthday of Edward Lear, the English writer known for his works of nonsensical prose and poetry. Make sure you head over to our There’s a lot to see and do this Spring. From ideas for fun family time together to some great awareness days. Here are a selection of ideas that are happening all across the country in March, April and May. March 11th-20th British Science Week Juinor Einsteins are made in t is w ek! 6 Brake Zebra Beep Beep day Children aged 2-7 take part n the road safety campaign. 17th-April 2nd The Great British Spring Clean- to keep Britain tidy. 18th Red Nose Day / Comic Relief A host of fun and funny activities planned to ente tain us & make our sides split! 19th Mother’s Day This is quite p ssibly the most important date in the entire year. One d finitely not to forget! 20th Spring Equinox- the first day of Spring a not a moment too soon either! Bye Wi ter.... 21st Worl Poetry Day Roses are red, Violets are blue. We just love a bit of poetry and w bet you do too! 21st The Big W lk a d Wheel April 1st- May 2nd Nati nal Pet Month As if we needed excuse in which to celebrate our beautiful fur-babies. 2nd International Children’s Bo k d y - Just happens to coincide with the birthday of the one and only Hans Christian Andersen. 3rd – 9th Community Garden Week Time to celebrates the amazing community and school ga dens across the UK 7th Good Friday The start of Easter Celebrations 9th Easter Sunday O e of the principal feasts of Christianity. Commonly marked these days by family time and colourfully decorated eggs. 23rd St Georges Day You’ll be hard pushed not to reen ct the famous St. G orge versus The Dragon scene today! May Week - There’s never been a better week to ntroduce the litt e o es to garde ing! 2nd- 8th Sun Awareness Week S mething we should be aware of at all times! 6th Co on ion f King Charles III and Queen Consort, Camilia. The UK celebrates the long await d Coronation of King Charles III today as the world watches. 7t Coronation Big Lunch 5 7t Hedgehog awa eness w ek K ep those eyes peel d for th se prickly little beasts. 8 The Big H lp out See our feature on P. 18 8th – 14th Food All rgy Awareness Week Get involved and be more ware of food allergies. 9th 22nd Foster ca e Fortnight This aim to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives. There’s a lot to see and do this Spring. From ideas for fun family time together to some great awareness days. Here are a selection of ideas that are happening all across the country in March, April and May. March 11th-20th Br tish Science W ek Juinor Einsteins are made in this week! 16th Brak Zebra B ep B ep day Children aged 2-7 take part n the road safety campaign. 17t -April 2nd The Great Br tish Spring Cl an- to k ep Britain tidy. 18th Red Nos Day / Comic Relief A host o fun and funny activ ties pla ned t entertain us & make our side split! 19th Mother’s Day This is qui e po sibly the most important date in the entire year. One definitely n to fo get! 20th Spring Equinox- the first day of Spri g and not a momen t o s on ither! Bye Winter .. 21st World Poetry Day Roses are red, Violets are blue. We just love a bit of poetry and we bet you do t o! 21st The Big Walk and Wh el April 1st- May 2nd National Pet Month As if we n eded an excu e in which to celebrate our beautiful fur-babies. 2nd I ternational Children’s B ok day - Just ha pens to coincide with the birthday of the one and only Hans Christian Andersen. 3rd – 9th Co munity Garden Week Time to celebrates the amazing community nd sch ol gardens acr s the UK 7th G od Friday The start of Easter Celebrations 9th Easter Sunday One of the principal fea ts of Christianity. Commonly m rked these days by family time and colourfully decorated e gs. 23rd St Georges Day You’ll be hard pushed no to reenac the famous St. George vers s The Dragon scen today! May W ek - There’s never b en a beter w ek to intr duce the little ones to gardening! 2nd- 8th Sun Awarene s W ek Something e should be aware of at all times! 6th Coronation of King Charles II and Qu en Consort, Cam lia. The UK c lebrates the long await d Coronation of King Charles III today as the world watches. 7th The Coronation Big Lunch S e our feature on P. 15 7th Hedgeh g awarene s week K ep those yes p eled for these prickly little bea ts. 8th The Big Help out S e our feature on P. 18 8th – 14th F od Allergy Awarene s W ek Get involved and be more aware o f od allergies. 9th 2nd Foster car Fortnight This aims to rai e the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives. There’s a lo to s e and do this Spring. Fro ideas for fun fa ily time together to so e great a arene s days. Here are a selection of ideas that are happening all across the country in March, April and May. worldwide as a month of fasting prayer, reflection and community. 23rd National Day of reflection Pretty much as simple as that. Take a moment today to reflect. 25th National Skipping Day We suggest you intersperse the skipping with a hop and a jump! Previously known as jumping on ‘Shanks’s Pony’, it seems we need a whiole month now to celebrate the art of walking. 1st – 31st Big Asthma Bake Sale Join is and ‘raise some dough’ (geddit) for vital Asthma research for Asthmas UK. 2nd- 8th National Gardening Make sure you head over to our website as there are hundreds of other events listed for Spring. Make sure you localise to your area and you’ll be whsiked to pages filled with content that is happening locally to you and your family. 8 raring2go.co.uk March 11th-20th British Science Week Juinor Einsteins are m de in this week! 16th Brake Zebr Beep B ep day Children aged 2-7 take part in the road safety campaign. 17th-April 2nd The Gre t British Spring Clean- to keep Britain tidy. 18th Red Nose Day / Comic Relief A hos of fun and fun y activities planned to ntertain us & make our sides split! 19th Mot er’s Day This is quite possibly the most important date in the entir year. One defin tely not to forget! 20th Spring Equinox- the first day of Spring and not a m ment too soon either! Bye Winter.... 21st World Poetry Day Roses are ed, Viol ts are bl e. We just love a bit of poetry and w bet you do too! 21st The Big Walk and Wheel Inspiring everyone to get more active and walk, cycle or scooter 22nd- April 20th Ramadan the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting prayer, r flection and community. 23 d National D y of flection Pretty much as simple s that. Take a moment t day to r flect. 25th National Skipping Day We suggest you intersperse the skipping with a hop and a jump! April 1st- M y 2nd National Pet Month As if w needed an excuse in which to celebrate our beautiful fur-babies. 2nd International Children’s Book day - Just happens to coincide with the birthday of the one and only Hans Christian Andersen. 3rd – 9 h Commu ity Garde Week Time to celebrates the amazing community nd school gardens across the UK 7th Good Friday Th start of Easter Celebrations 9th Easter Sunday O e of the principal feasts of Chri tianity. Commonly ma ked these days by family time nd colourfully decora ed ggs. 23 d St Georges Day You’ll be hard pushed no to r - nact the famous St. G orge versu The Dragon scene tod y! May 1st- 8th Time for a Cuppa Is there anything quite as British as a really nice cup of tea! Show your ppreciation for tea today! 1st-31st National Walk Month Previously known as jumping on ‘Shanks’s Pony’, it seems we need a w iole month now to celebrate he art of walking. 1st – 31st Big Ast ma Bake Sale Join is and ‘raise some dough’ (geddit) f r vital Asthma researc for Asthmas UK. 2nd- 8th National Gard ning Week - There’s never b en a better week to introduce the little ones to gardening! 2n - 8t Sun Awaren ss Week Something we sh ld be aware of at all times! 6th Coronation of King Charles III and Qu en Consort, Camilia. The UK celebrates the long awaited Coronation of King Charles III today as the world watches. 7th The Coronation Big Lunch See our feature on P. 15 7th Hedgehog awareness week Keep those eyes peeled for these prickly little beasts. 8th The Big Help out See our feature on P. 18 8th – 14th Food Allergy Awaree s W Get involved and be mo e awar of food allergies. 9t 22n Foster care Fortnight This aims to r ise the profile of fostering and show how foster care tra sforms lives. 12th National Limerick Day M rks the birthday of Edward L ar, th English writer known for hi works of nonsensic l prose and po ry. ake sure you head over to our website a there are hundreds of other vents listed for Spring. Make sure you l c lise to your ar a a d you’ll be whsik d to p ges f led with content that is happeni g locally to you and your family. country in March, April and May. March 11th-20th British Science Week Juinor Einsteins are made in this week! 16th Brake Zebra Beep Beep day Children aged 2-7 take part in the road safety campaign. 17th-April 2 d The Great British Spring Clean- to keep Britain tidy. 18th Red Nose Day / Comic Relief A host of fun and funny activiti s planned t entertain us & make our sides split! 19th Mother’s Day This is quite possibly the most important date in the e tire year. One definitely not to forget! 20th Spring Equinox- he first day of Spring and n t a moment to soon either! Bye Winter.... 21st World P etry Day Roses are r , V olets are blue. We just love a bit of poetry and we bet you do too! 21st The Big Walk and Wheel Inspiring every ne to get more active and walk, cycle o scoote 22nd- April 20 h Ramadan the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month f f sting prayer, reflect on and community. 23rd National Day of reflection Pretty much as simple as that. Take a moment today to reflect. 25th National Skipping Day We suggest you int rsperse the skipping with a hop nd a jump! April 1st- May 2nd Nati al Pet Mon h As if we needed an excuse in which to celebr te our beauti l fur-ba ies. 2nd International Children’s Book day - Just happens to coincide with the birthd y of th one and only Hans Christ an An ersen. 3rd – 9th Community Garden We k Time to c lebrate the amazing commu ity and school gardens cross the UK 7th Good Friday The start of Eas er Celebrations 9th Easter Sunday One of the principal feas s of Christianity. Commonly marked these days by family ime and colourfully deco ated eggs. 23rd St Georges Day You’ll be hard pushed ot to r - enact the fam us St. George versus The Dragon scene toda ! May 1st- 8th Time for a Cup a Is there anything quite as British as a really nice cup of tea! Show your appreciation for tea today! 1st-31st National W lki Month Previously known as jumping on ‘Shanks’s Pony’, it seems we n ed a whiole month now to celebrate the art of walking. 1st – 31st Big Asthma B ke Sale Joi is and ‘raise some dough’ (geddit) for ital A thma re earch for Asthmas UK. 2nd- 8th National Gardening Week - The e’s never been beter week t introduce the little ones to gardening! 2nd- 8th Sun Awa eness Week Something we should be aware of all times! 6th Coronation of King Charl s III and Quee Consort, Camilia. The UK celebrates t e lo g awaited Cor natio of Ki g Charles III today as the world watc es. 7th The Coronation Big Lunch See our feature on P. 15 7th Hedgehog awareness week Keep those eyes pe led for these p ickly lit le be ts. 8 h The Big Help out See our f ature on P. 18 8th – 14th Food All rg A r - n ss Week Ge involv d and b mo e awar of food allergies. 9th 22 d Fost r care Fortnight This aims to raise the pr file of fostering and show h w foster care tra sforms lives. 12th National Limerick Day Marks the birthd y of Edwar L ar, the English writer kn wn for his works of non ensical pro e and poetry. Make sure you head over to our website as there are hundreds f other events listed for Spring. Make sure you localise to you area and you’ll be whsiked to pages fille with content that is happening locally to you and y ur family. great awareness days. Here are a selection of ideas that are happening all across the country in March, April and May. March 11th 20th Bri ish cie ce Week Juinor Einsteins are made in this week! 16 h Brake Zebra Beep B ep day Children aged 2-7 take part in th road safety campaign. 17th-April 2nd The Great British Sp ing Clea - to keep Britain tidy. 18th Red N se Day / Comic Relief A host of fun and funny activities planned t ent rtai us & make ur sides split! 19th M ther’s D This is quite possibly th mo t important date in the entire year. One de initely not to forge ! 20th Spring Equinox- the first day of Spring and not a moment too soo either! Bye Winter... 21st World Poetry Day R ses are red, Violets are blu . We just love a bit o poetry and we b t you do too! 21 The Big Walk and Wheel In piring everyone to get more act ve nd w lk, cycle or scooter 22nd- April 20th Ramadan the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims April 1st- May 2nd Nationa Pet M n As if we need d n excuse in which to cel brate ur beautiful fur-babies. 2nd International Children’s Book day - Just happens to coincide with the birthday of the one and only Hans Christian And rsen. 3rd – 9th Community Garden Week Time o c lebrates th mazing comm nit and school g rde s across the UK 7th Good Friday The start of Easter Celebrations 9th Easter Sunday One of the p incipal feasts of Christianity. Commonl marked t ese days by family time nd colourfully decorated eggs. 23rd St Georges Day You’l b hard pushed not to reen c the f mous St. George versus The Dragon scene today! May 1st- 8th Time for a Cuppa Is there nything quite as British as a really nice cup of tea! Show your appreciation for tea today! 1st-31st National Walking Month Week - There’s neve b en a bett r we k to introduce t e little ones to gardening! 2nd- 8th Sun Aware es Week Something we should e aware f at all times! 6th Corona i n of Ki Charl s III and Queen Consor , Camilia. Th UK celebrates the lo g awaited Coronati n of King Charles III today as the wo ld watches. 7 h The Co o ation Big Lunch S e our feature n P. 15 7th Hedgehog awa en ss w ek K p those eyes p eled for these prick y little beasts. 8th Th Big Help out See our f ature o P. 18 8th – 14th Food Allergy Awarene s Week Get involved and be more awar o food allergies. 9th 22nd Foster care Fo tnight This aims t rai e the pr file of fostering and show how foster care tr nsf rms lives. 12th National Limerick Day Marks the birthday of Edward Lear, the English writ r known f r his works of onsensical pros and poetry. There’s a lot to see and do this Spring. From ideas for fun family time together to some great awareness days. Here are a selection of ideas that are happening all across t e country in March, April and May. March 11th-20th British Science W ek Juinor Einsteins are made in this we k! 16th Brake Zebra Beep B ep day Childr n aged 2-7 take part in the road s fety campaign. 17th-April 2nd The Gr at British Spri g Clean- to keep B itain tidy. 18th Red N se Day / Comic Relief A host of fun and fu ny activities pla ned t tert in us & make our sides split! 19th Mother’s D y This is quit po sibly the most important dat in the entir y ar. One definitely not to forget! 20th Spri g Equin x- the first day of S ri and not a moment to soon either! Bye Winter.... 21st World Poetry Day Roses are r d, Violets a e blue. April 1st- May 2nd National Pet Month As if we need d an xcuse in which to celebrate ur beautiful fur-babies. 2nd International Children’s Book day - Just happens to coincide with th birthday of the one and only Hans Christian A rs n. 3rd – 9 h Community Garden Week Time to celebrates the amazing comm nity and scho l ga dens acr ss th UK 7th Good Friday The start of Easter Celebrations 9th Easter Sunday On of the p incipal feasts of Christianity. Commonly mark d these day by family tim a d colourfully decor ted eggs. 23rd St Georges Day You’ll be hard pushed not to reenact the famous St. George verWeek - There’s nev r been better w ek t introduce th little ones to ga dening! 2nd- 8t Sun Awarenes Week S m thi g we sh ld be aware of at all times! 6th C ronation of King Charl s III and Queen Consort, Camilia. The UK celebrat s the long awaited Coronation of Ki g Charles III today as th world watche . 7th The Coronation Big Lunch See our feature on P. 15 7th H dg hog awar ness w ek K ep those eyes p eled f r these prickly little beasts. 8th Th Big Help out See our feature on P. 18 8t – 14th Food Allergy Awa - ness Week Get involved and be more aw re of food all rgies. 9t 22nd Foster care Fortnight There’s a lot to see and do this Spring. From ideas for fun family time together to some great awareness days. Here are a selection of ideas that are happening all across the country in March, April and May.
Raring2go! Raring2go! 10 raring2go.co.uk 11 Neighbours and communities across the United Kingdom are invited to share food and fun together at Coronation Big Lunches on Sunday 7th May in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. From a cup of tea with a neighbour to a street party, a Coronation Big Lunch brings the celebrations to your local area and is a great way to get to know your community a little better. Thousands of events will take place in every corner of the UK this May as people take to their streets, gardens, parks and community spaces to join the Coronation celebrations and mark this historic occasion. There are Free downloadable resources available online by the Big Lunch team to help people and local communities start their Coronation Big Lunch planning. To give you a helping hand, here’s a few tips: Pick a time: You don’t have to have your Big Lunch at Lunchtme! If for various reasons, it’s proving trickey to get everyone together for a daytime lunch, how about a Lunar Lunch? If anyone is fasting during Ramadan, or working irregular shift patterns, the Lunar Lunch will bring people together after dark and you can feast your way into the night! Invite the neighbours: Got a local WhatsApp or Facebook group? Invite the neighbours and spread the word. Publicise your event locally and if you're not a member of Nextdoor yet, take a minute to sign up so you can connect with locals that way too. And of course, try to invite people personally, as you'll no doubt find people who want to help with the organising too! Hang the bunting: Make bunting using scraps of old material, plastic bags or the contents of your recycling box. You could ask others to make bits and link them all together. On the day, give the kids some chalk to decorate the pavement. Take a look at a few of our simple ideas for decorations. You could have a prize for the 'best dressed' home! Tickle the Tastebud: You could ask everyone to bring something to share, odd numbers bring savory, evens sweet, or keep it simple and safe and just ask people to bring their own lunch. If you have the time, take a look at some simple recipes shared online by Big Lunchers. Enjoy the day! Try to make sure that your entertainment, games and activities are suitable and safe for all. Set a time for lunch so that everyone comes out at the right moment. Organise some music or ask everyone to tune into the same radio station or open their windows, or see what local talent there is to organise a little live performance or sing along! attling the elements on Big Lunch day. Take plenty photos and selfies and most importantly, have fun! Fundraise at your Big Lunch Lots of people use their Big Lunch to raise awareness or funds for a cause close to their heart, be it for their own community group or a local asset such as a children's play area, or for a national charity. In 2022 a whopping £22 million pounds was raised at Big Lunch and Big Jubilee Lunch events across the UK, and the majority of that was for local charities and causes. After the party Once the bunting is down, don’t forget to share your story, using hastags like: #TheBigLunch and #TheCoronationBigLunch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Oh, and this is the grown up bit... make sure you tidy up and take your rubbish home with you! The Coronation Big Lunch Join the nation in celebration and be part of history on Sunday May 7th! This is a special day, when we try and show our appreciation for everything our Mums do. You can probably think of lots of ways you could help your Mum, but in case you can’t, you could copy out this letter and fill in the gaps. Calling all kids! Mother’s Day is coming up on 19th March. It’s full of little ideas that will make a BIG difference to Mum. Don’t forget to decorate it with lots of bright colours and pictures. Hope you all have a super time on Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day Mum! I love you so much because . . . . . . . I’m going to be very helpful today and make my bed, then make you your favourite drink which is . . . Then I might even wash up before I draw you a picture of . . . . . . . . . ….because that’s my favourite thing to do with you. When we go out later I will give you a big cuddle even if my friends can see! I’ll never be too cool to give my mum a hug. When we get home I’ll run you a bath with loads of bubbles and promise not to keep knocking on the door so you can enjoy it! Lots of love from……….. This is a special day, when we try and show our a preciation for everything our Mums do. You can probably think of lots of ways you could help your Mum, but in case you can’t, you could copy ou this letter and fill in the gaps. li l i ! t r’s i i 1 t r . It’s full of little ideas that will make a BIG difference to Mum. Don’t forge to decorate it with lots of bright c lours and pictures. Hope you all have a super time on Mother’s Day. H py ther’s y ! I love you so much because . . . . . . . I’m going to be very helpful today and make my bed, then make you your favourite drink which is . . . Then I might even wash up before I draw you a picture of . . . . . . . . . ….because that’s my favourite thing to do with you. When we go out later I wi l give you a big cu dle even if my friends can s e! I’ l never be t o c ol to give my mum a hug. When we get home I’ l run you a bath with loads of bu bles and promise not to k ep knocking on the door so you can enjoy it! Lots of love from …..
Raring2go! Raring2go! 12 raring2go.co.uk 13 Lets go fly a kite up to the highest height! Now we don’t want to go too deep, but Kite Flying is great for kids to learn about physics, aerodynamics, weather and ecology (with the broadest of smiles on their faces. It’s also proven that flying a kite is brilliant at helping to develop better hand-eye coordination. Plus it’s the biggest thrill ever when the wind catches it and take it soaring away! Hold a family picnic in the park Picnics are a fun and way to help escape the daily routine of mealtime. An outdoor picnic in the park is a brilliantly simple way to make an everyday event that little bit different. Eating outdoors in a group can also foster better mental health and it’s been shown to improve the habits of fussy eaters! Feeding the ducks This is a great way in which to help your children get a better understanding of nature. Kids love watching a ducks heads bobbing up and down and are amazed at their speed in racing across water to capture that tiny square of bread that has been thrown in. Make a Mothers Day Card! There are plenty of resources available to help children make that extra special mothers day card this year. The look on Mums face when she opens the ‘hand made with love card’ is will be priceless. This is a great activity to do together to really make mum feel special. Puddle Jumping There’s no upper age limit here. For some reason, even adults derive enormous pleasure from putting on their wellies for a good old puddle splashing competition! Plant a spring garden (or just a plant) Capability Brown started somewhere, probably with his parents messing around planting a few things and look where he ended up! Gardening provides family fun time plus teaches valuable lessons about mother nature at work and how things grow. Get outside! Visit a farm and spot the spring babies! There is nothing as enchanting as a childs face as they watch a lamb take its first few faltering steps. Make sure you tell your children what is happening as it is happening and then prepare yourself for a relentless barrage of questions as they witness new life beginning in a very lovely setting... Get on your BIKE! Don’t panic, most kids won’t want to cycle for miles and miles. But they’ll love that feeling of speed, power and the wind rushing by them. Make sure they’re cycle proficient before taking them on public roads. Cycling is brilliant for physical and mental wellbeing! Play Tarzan - Climb a tree Add an element of competitiveness to a tree climb by inviting them to do their best impression of Tarzan! We mean his unique wailing noise and not his agility in jumping from vine to vine or from tree to tree! Physical fun and a sense of achievement. Walk on an empty beach! If you’re lucky enough to live within a relative short drive of a beach, this is one for you.Your kids will marvel at the fact that apart from a dog walker in the distance and possibly a boat off shore, you guys have the entire beach to yourselves. Enjoy it! 1 3 2 7 6 8 9 10 4 5 10 fun Spring family activities to try! g 4
Raring2go! Raring2go! 14 raring2go.co.uk 15 For many parents with young children, having their kids participate in sporting activities may not be at the top of their priorities. However, the impact that physical activity has on a child can be hugely beneficial, not only to their health, but also academically. When you think of the traditional benefits of keeping active, you generally think of keeping slim, better cardiovascular health etc. However, I bet most of you wouldn’t think of better test results at school? Yes, that’s right, it has been said that Children who play sports have – in general – an improved attention span, more efficient sleep, higher attendance and are more productive in school. These all factor into the increase seen in results. However, the benefits don’t stop there, sports can also have a massive impact of your child’s mental health. Being involved in regular physical activity can boost your child’s self-esteem considerably. Team sports are a great way to meet new people and create friendship groups outside of school. Often the bond between teammates can create strong friendships, as the children will experience the same highs and lows as each other, as well as offering support and celebrating together. Another mental health benefit is a much lower risk of suffering from anxiety and depression later in life. This is through sports promoting higher self-confidence, as well as exercise helping to release endorphins that naturally lift our mood. It is not only depression that being active can help avoid. Children with ADHD have seen large improvements in their attention span when they regularly participate in sports. Along with the obvious benefits of being active, the almost immediate benefits such a weight-loss, can stay with a person throughout their life. An active child is far less likely to suffer from obesity at a later stage, the same can be said for heart disease and diabetes. You may be sitting there reading this and be thinking ‘this is all well and good but getting a child to be active is harder than it sounds.’ Well, it is two times more likely for a child to be active if one of the parents is as well. Role models are a big part of sports and are a brilliant source of inspiration. If physical activity can benefit school grades, social life, mental health and physical health making it part of a child’s life and be encouraged wherever possible. children who spend at least five hours a week being active can see their grades improve by up to 40%! “ ” Here is a quite staggering fact about the long-term benefits of being an active child. In a survey of executive presidents at 75 of the USA’s top companies, 95% of them played sports in high school. Obviously, it is almost impossible to make a direct link from their success to playing sports at a young age, however, the skills of leadership, teamwork, competitiveness and determination that sport instils in children can all help see them excel in other walks of life. Get active! The benefits of being active reach far beyond the physical! Advert Proof
Raring2go! Raring2go! 16 raring2go.co.uk 17 Advert Proof Music instrument tuition Under 5’s music group In-school tuition Knockburn Sports Loch, Strachan, Banchory AB31 6LL • 01330 822234 Please visit our website for more details www.knockburn.co.uk Group Activities: • Spring & Summer kids activity camps • School activity days • Stag & Hen SUP • Kids SUP parties Membership & Day Passes: Ideal if you have your own equipment and are looking for a safe place to take the family • Annual membership • Family day passes • SUP passes • Swim passes • Gift vouchers BOOKING IN ADVANCE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AVAILABLE ONLINE For Hire: • Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) • Sit-On-Top Kayaking • Jumbo SUP • Volleyball court • Cycle track • Indoor sports hall • Conference centre
1. Recycle! Thanks to Bob the Builder we know the 3Rs stand for ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!’ It’s so easy to recycle – the council’s bin teams collect it for us! If you are regularly recycling your cans, bottles, newspapers and magazines etc. into your recycling bin you are already part of a vital green network. Get kids involved: Little ones can have fun stamping down plastic milk cartons to make more room in your recycling bin. 2. Reduce! Think about what you buy – does your child really need another plastic toy? Toddlers’ toys seem to need endless supplies of batteries and avid young gamers can get through hundreds of batteries a year. Batteries need specialist recycling as they can leech nasties into the ground. Get kids involved: Invest in rechargeable batteries and a charger and you’ll save loads of cash over the year. Give older children the responsibility of making sure batteries stay charged or they don’t get to play! Get little ones into the habit of turning toys off to preserve battery life. 3. Reuse! Be proud to use hand-me-downs, pick-up bargains from charity shops and join your local library to reuse books. Look out for Mum2mum Markets or NCT Nearly New Sales where you can sell your outgrown baby equipment, toys and clothes. Get kids involved: Help them sort through their old toys or clothes, price them up and sell them at a local car boot sale, with the incentive they can keep a percentage of the profits. litter picks usually supply them or they can be found cheaply in local pound shops or online. Visit www.keepbritaintidy.org 7. Get planting! Kids love mud! Get them involved in the garden, you can easily grow your own food such as tomatoes or why not give a fruit tree as a children’s birthday, naming or Christening present and watch it grow as they do? Get kids involved: Invest in a composter - children love adding ingredients that will feed the garden like leaves, food peelings and compostable coffee cups! 8. Make ‘green’ slime! Some of the ingredients in slime can be harmful to the environment when it is thrown away. If you are using glue, it’s like making a big lump of plastic. Instead change your recipe to include food-based products like flour, marshmallows or icing sugar. Make ‘green’ slime: 1. Pour some cornflour into a bowl. 2. Gradually add warm water, stirring all the time, until it gets squidgy. 3. Add natural green food colouring, essential oils or food flavourings such as peppermint. 4. Get squishing! 4. Step away from the plastic! Go for plastic free options - straws and cotton buds can now be made with paper stems. It can take up to 200 years for a straw to decompose so the first plastic straw ever made probably hasn’t even decomposed yet! Get kids involved: Skip single-use plastic packaging at the supermarket by buying loose fruit and veg. Get your child to help you weigh-out a bunch of bananas, print out the price and stick it on, they come in their own natural wrapping! 5. Green packed lunch! Pop veg sticks or fruit in washable containers. Ditch cling film, which can’t be recycled, in favour of wrapping sandwiches in foil, clean it off and use it the next day. It’s also easier for small fingers to unwrap. Instead of premade drinks and cartons buy a reusable drink bottle. Get kids involved: Collect crisp packets. Around 400 can be swapped for £2 in donations to a good cause. There’s collection points across the country or set up your own to benefit your school or PTA. Find out more at www.walkers.co.uk/recycle 6. Pick up litter! The Great British Spring Clean run by Tidy Britain takes place between 17 March and 2 April with the aim of inspiring people to join forces to collect and safely dispose of single-use plastic litter from our streets and open spaces. Get kids involved: A litter grabber makes the experience more exciting for children. Organised 9. Celebrate Earth Day! Earth Day takes place worldwide this year on 22 April with the aim of raising awareness of animals facing extinction due to human activity. Our big cats, including tigers, leopards, and cheetahs are in critical decline, and many will become extinct in the next decade. Get kids involved: See endangered species at your local zoo or safari park and find out more about how these organisations use funds to conserve endangered species in the wild. We’ve all heard how plastic is killing our o ceans, but you don’t have to become The Hulk to go green! Here’s s ome SMALL changes you can make as a family to make a BIG differ ence to the environment. GO GREEN THIS SPRING! Raring2go! Raring2go! 18 raring2go.co.uk 19
20 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Raring2go! 21 British Science Week 5th - 14th March Moonflight By Gill Lewis Reviewed by Thomas, aged 9 from London Raring2Read! BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FAMILIES Does your family enjoy reading? Then join our Facebook group, to share ideas, tips and recommendations. www.facebook.com/groups/raring2read This book is the gripping tale of dastardly young rats going on adventures to free a city from a deadly curse. Will they fail drastically or save the day? I literally couldn’t put this book down. I read it in one weekend. My favourite parts were how the plot kept twisting, and then twisting again – so you could never quite guess what would happen at the end. The mood capturing illustrations really bring the story to life. The story shows that rats can be real heroes. Most people hate rats, you may well love them by the end of this tale. I was surprised by how many rats were killed on their heroic adventures, and how they manage to befriend Marmalade, a big cutie of a cat. If you think you like the sound of epic ratty twisting adventures this book is for you. Read it now! Raring2go! would like to thank LoveReading4Kids, for this wonderful review. LoveReading4Kids, the UK’s leading children’s book recommendation website, is now a bookstore with social purpose, where 25% of the cover price can be donated to a school to buy books. Because books change lives. Buy a Book. Support a School. Make a Difference. Click anywhere on this page to buy this book or visit: www.lovereading4kids.co.uk Thomas is one of their children's book reviewers. Top tips for choosing a holiday camp or class In a third of all households in the UK both parents work so, unless one of you is a teacher, managing the school holidays could be difficult. Even if one, or both of you, are at home you still need to find ways to keep the children occupied during the holidays. HERE ARE SOME OPTIONS: • Local council run playschemes • Managing a rota with friends to share childcare on each other’s days off • Days out with/or holidays to visit grandparents • All day private playschemes – often covering the whole holidays, • Private nurseries open year-round for pre-schoolers • Holiday courses, clubs or camps The main trick is to be organised and think ahead. Book courses and playschemes in advance to avoid last minute stress. Make lists covering what each child is going to do and keep it simple, so you are not running all over the place. This is where general holiday clubs can hold their own as they often have a wide choice of activity so all the children can find something they like to do. School holidays also give the opportunity to brush up on skills, like swimming, or develop passions and hobbies where there isn’t enough time during normal term time, like a week’s dance or drama workshop with a show at the end. A mixture of organised indoor and outdoor activities, along with time with friends or family members and some time with you plus the all-important down time to just do nothing is ideal – planning ahead is the key! Here’re our top club or camp: a holiday course, tips for choosing 1. What type of activities do they enjoy the most? 2. What will keep their interest? Is their enough variety? 3. Indoors or outdoors? Or a mixture of both? 4. What are their friends doing? 5. Have you had any recommendations? 6. Do they need to brush up on any skills? 7. Is there an activity or club they want to try out in term time that offers a holiday scheme so you can try it out first? 8. How flexible are the classes? Can you do a few days or just the whole week? 9. Is there early morning drop off and a later collection time? 10. Are the classes cost effective? Work out the hourly rate and check if they offer a sibling discount.
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