BANBURY, BICESTER & BURFORD PATH TO PARIS P10 MAGAZINE & WEBSITE THE GO-TO GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD RSPB GARDEN BIRD WATCH P8 raring2go.co.uk WINTER 2024 AFTER THE FESTIVITIES P26
2 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! 1 1. Voxblock boosts literacy skillsListening to stories helps develop a child's vocabulary, comprehension, and language skills. 2. Voxblock is ready-to-play straight from the boxFree from Wifi and with no set-up - just press play! 3. Voxblock has hundreds of audiobooks Introduce children to a world of stories through a huge audiobook library. 4. Voxblock develops independence The player is easy-to-use and with no need for grown-ups, children can take control. 5. Voxblock is a gift that keeps giving Children enjoy Voxblock for years, not hours. Begin with a Voxblock Starter pack, it includes a Voxblock player and three audiobooks for £59.99. Buy at voxblock.co.uk reasons Voxblock makes the perfect audio player for kids. Meet Voxblock: the easy-to-use screen-free audiobook player for children 3-12. Designed by parents, it empowers children to listen to audio stories independently. starter pack 99 £5 p £59. b aud the 00% connectivity free ong battery life build your child’s literacy as it's unwrapped ready-to-play as soon diobook player e screen-free voxblock.co.uk 1 lo a r
3 Raring2go! THIS? READING ARE Y every quarter… Dads and Mums local thousands e tens of Well, so ar of ARE YOU aring2go! R with business e tur a e to fe be sur aring2go! your It’s 2024 and time to create new memories, conquer new challenges and have a bright, joyful journey into the coming months ahead. In this issue we bring you lots of suggestions of what to do and where to go with the family. The RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch, on page 8, is on 26-28 January, so we’ve got a suggestion on making your own Bird feeders to tempt your feathered friends into your back garden. On page 14 & 15 there’s some great book reviews and suggestions to keep the kids entertained during the darker evenings… We hope you enjoy our Winter edition, we’ll be back in the Spring with lots more great ideas of things to do with the family! Best wishes The Raring2go! Team ÀÎÀr
4 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WHAT’S ON Winter is here bringing lots of fun family times, events, awareness days and laughs. Here’s our top pick of things to do and get involved in this Winter. JANUARY Veganuary - The popular annual campaign and movement that encourages people to try a vegan lifestyle for the month of January… 17th Museum Selfie DayA great reason for a family day out, why not visit your local museum and whilst you are there, take a Museum Selfie! 20th National Cheese Lovers Day - A cheesy day for all you y cheese lovers out there! 25th Burns Night - t A celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, the author of many Scots poems. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet’s birthday, 25 January. 27th National Chocolate Cake Day– We all love y Chocolate Cake am I right? Need a chocolate cake recipe visit here, raring2go.co.uk or want to learn what other National Chocolate Days there are, visit here… www.chocolatier.co.uk FEBRUARY 4th British Yorkshire Pudding Day - who’s recipe is best? y Mums, Grandmas or Chef James Martin… The answer is they all are, enjoy the celebration of the great old Yorkshire Pud! 13th Pancake Day- y One of the nation’s favourite traditions making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. If you need a recipe visit https://raring2go.co.uk/ activities/basic-pancakespancake-day/. 17th Radom Acts of Kindness day– Well this is just a day, y we should all be kind every day of the year. Visit an elderly neighbour, donate to charity, post positive messages, whatever it is be kind… 17th Real Bread Weekyou can’t beat home made bread and to celebrate Real Bread Week, why not try your own. For a great bread recipe, visit raring2go.co.uk. 20th National Love Your Pet Day- This year it falls y on a Saturday, so you can spend the whole day spoiling and loving your pets unconditionally, what a perrrrfect Saturday!
5 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON MARCH 1st St David’s DayParton Saint of Wales. St. David, also known as Dewi Sant in Welsh, was a 6th-century Christian monk and bishop in Wales. 4th-10th British Pie WeekOh we do love a pie here in the UK, ours is a traditional Steak & Mushroom, here’s our recipe for you to try… https://raring2go.co.uk/ activities/steak-mushroompie/ 7th – 10th Crufts 2024 UK– The World’s largest Dog Show is a mixture of competitions for a multitude of breeds, all hosted at the NEC, here in the Midlands. https://crufts. org.uk/ 8th-17th British Science Week 2024 - This year’s theme is ‘TIME’. It’s the 30th anniversary of BSW, so to celebrate this huge milestone there’s ideas and activities for all the family to get involved in. https:// www.britishscienceweek.org/ 10th Mothers Day–y Time to say thank you to all of those marvellous people who take care of us day in and day out! 29-31 Easter Time. The Christian religious holiday, that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, symbolising hope, renewal, and the victory of life over death.
Together, let’s make it count The RSPB is a registered charity in Eng and and Wales 207076, in Scot and SC037654. Robin by Mark Sisson (rspb-images.com) Every birdwatch ma ers Join hundreds of thousands of others and take part in Big Garden Birdwatch - the UK’s argest citizen science wildlife survey. Sign up, connect with nature and make your birdwatch count. P ay your part at www.rspb.org.uk Big Garden Birdwatch 26-28 January 2024
10 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! FEATURE 1 Raring2go! The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place in Paris. To mark this occasion, Get Set (the official youth engagement programme from Team GB and ParalympicsGB), is on a mission to get children aged 5-11 and their families more active with their new virtual challenge – Path to Paris. Schools, community groups or families can set up teams for children to take part – and everyone can join in with the fun alongside them, completely for free! We all know how important it is to get children more active. Research has shown clear links between how active children are and the state of their mental wellbeing, even down to how much they are able to concentrate and their levels of selfesteem. Path to Paris provides a fantastic opportunity to bring positive change into all aspects of children’s lives, all while bringing families, school communities, and wider communities together. The challenge begins in Athens, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. From there, children will embark on a virtual journey around the world in a team bus, completing fun activities as they explore different places on their way to the Paris Games. Every physical activity logged will earn kilometres to power their virtual team bus to its final destination.Whether it’s jumping on the trampoline in the garden, playing wheelchair basketball, attending a weekly judo club, or dancing around the living room as a family, it all counts, so everyone can get involved and get their hearts racing doing something they enjoy. As well as getting active, children will learn about athletes and their sports, the history of the Games, and can also win incredible prizes as they complete the Path to Paris.The prizes range from sports equipment to support them to get and stay active, posters and stickers to help them track their progress, and even exclusive school visits from Olympic and Paralympic athletes! Team members might also get shout outs on social media from athletes, or win awards for their outstanding achievements, whether individually or as a family. Path to Paris uses a gamified approach designed to inspire and excite children to take part and keep moving.There are lots of motivational activities and videos to encourage them to stay active and build healthy habits, and in doing so, power their virtual team bus to Paris before the start of the Games. For more details and to get involved, visit our website, raring2go.co.uk… Join ‘Path to Paris’ from Team GB and Paralympics GB and inspire children to live more active lifestyles!
12 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! ACTIVITY The government’s recently announced update to its childcare support system aims to allow more parents greater access to detailed and personalised information about what they and their children are entitled to. An Eligibility checker childcarechoices.gov.uk now provides details on the support available to families, based on factors such as the child's age and family income. The government's largest-ever investment in childcare aims to save working parents up to £6,500 per year for those using 30 hours of childcare. Additionally, £100 million has been earmarked to areas around the UK to increase childcare settings' physical space and create thousands of new childcare places across the country. The Education Secretary strongly emphasised the government's commitment to providing accessible and flexible childcare, addressing the many challenges faced by working parents. The initiative includes offering quality childcare outside of school hours and increasing early years places where needed. Parents and care providers are encouraged to visit the Childcare Choices website to determine their eligibility for the various support options. As part of the childcare plan, £289 million has been allocated to local authorities from the wraparound childcare fund, ensuring primary school children can access childcare between 8 am and 6 pm. The goal is to achieve universal access to wraparound childcare for primary age school children in all areas by 2026. This announcement aligns with the Department for Work and Pensions' recent increase in monthly childcare support for parents on Universal Credit, reaching up to £951 for one child or £1,630 for two or more children. To add further support to childcare options, the childminder start-up grant scheme will open for applications by November 30, 2023. This grant, which ranges from £600 to £1,200, has at its core the aim of encouraging more individuals to register as childminders and offer wider, more flexible childcare solutions. Simultaneously, the Department for Education has responded to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) consultation by implementing a range of changes to reduce regulatory burdens and to enhance the early years workforce. These adjustments, such as allowing managers to decide if students and apprentices can count in ratios, demonstrate the ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable childcare that aligns with parents' working lives. The comprehensive approach to childcare will be discussed at the early years British Irish council, emphasizing the collaborative efforts across member administrations. This synopsis has been prepared as a quick reference guide and is not definitive. For further information plus details on what you and your children are entitled to please visit: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk Revolutionising Childcare in the UK: A guide to recent changes and investment
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14 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! PLACES TO GO Book Re Bookseller, Deborah from gives us a round up of so books new out for childr Knight Sir Louis and t Sinister Snowball eviews m Kenilworth Books ome of the best en of all ages! he Merme by Thom *iÀ >«Ã the Malamander too - will discover the Deepest Secr Eerie-on-Sea. iÀLi > gripping adventur Raring2go! BOOK REVIEWS rmedusa omas Taylor iÀi]w>Þ]Ì iÞ>` discover the Deepest Secret of ` 6i̽à wvÌ gripping adventure brings BOOK REVIEWS by The Brothers McLeod “Absolutely hilarious nonsense!” Louie Stowell In the fourth hilarious story about the brilliant, calm, ingenious 12-year-old Knight -old Knight Sir Louis, Splint the Sinister Snowball has his icy eyes set on world domination with the help of his frosty siblings, Flint, Hint, Mint, Clint and Sharon. But champion dragon-slayer Louis isn’ about to let Castle Sideways become smother osty siblings, Flint, Hint, Mint, Clint and on. But champion dragon-slayer Louis isn’t about to let Castle Sideways become smothered the internationally bestselling Eerie-on-Sea series to a heartstopping climax. It is midwinter once again, and the hosts of a paranor Eerie-on-Sea eager for a sighting of the legendary Malamander the Grand Nautilus Hotel, is feeling uneasy - and not just because of the visitors. Fletche Seasons by Julia R Tiphanie nationally bestselling hosts of a paranormal podcast have descended on Malamander. Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at er and the ons a Rawlinson and ie Beeke mal podcast have descended on . Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at in snow! Louis rides off to the legendary Brrrrrland with his friends, Reader Catalogue and Clunkalot, but waiting for them are goofy goblins, a talking carrot and the biggest meanest snowball in the whole wide world… Bursting with illustrations. The Superpets (and M by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick Amazing True Stories of Incredible Animals from the Nation’s Favourite Supervet s Favourite Supervet Discover the incredible stories ) f to the legendary Brrrrrland e goofy goblins, a talking ot and the biggest meanest snowball in the d Me! edible stories iÌV iÀ½Ã book is out now - Fletcher and the Seasons, published by Graffeg and gloriously feg and gloriously illustrated by T ‘Fletcher jour the seasons change in this delightful boar featuring the characters fr Four Seasons pictur The Ey by Steve “WE ARE THE EYEBROWS iphanie Beeke. à wÀÃÌ iÛiÀ L>À` ‘Fletcher journeys through the year exploring how the seasons change in this delightful board book featuring the characters from the popular Fletcher’ Four Seasons picture books.’ ebrows of Doom e Smallman ough the year exploring how d book om the popular Fletcher’s eakable of the brave animals he has worked with, from Peanut, the ÜÀ`½ÃwÀÃÌV>ÌÜÌ ÌÜvÀ bionic limbs, to Betsy, the six-month-old cockapoo, who was given a new lease of life when her crushed paw was replaced with a skateboar wheel! The perfect gift for young animal-lovers, packed with true tales that celebrate kindness, perseverance and the unbr bond between humans and animals. om Peanut, the Ì , the six-month-old eplaced with a skateboard OF DOOM!” The Eyebr Doom ar the world! Join Dave and his friends as they try to stop them leaping from one unsuspecting animal to the next. And just when it looks as though the eyebrows’ antics have been thwarted. This hilarious rhyming r and old laughing out loud and is perfect for fans of Steve Smallman’ The Book Monster OF DOOM!” The Eyebrows of Doom are trying to take over om one unsuspecting animal ows’ antics have been thwarted. This hilarious rhyming romp will have readers young of Steve Smallman’s Poo in the Zoo series, Nibbles s Poo in the Zoo series, Nibbles , Y The Book Monster, You Can’ ou Can’t Take an Elephant on eaders young ake an Elephant on Kenilw Talisma Kenilw the Bus and Oi Fr worth Books, an Square, worth CV8 1JB the Bus and Oi Frog! 3
15 Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 15 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! British Science Week 5th - 14th March Read, Scream, Repeat A collection of stories curated by Jennifer Killick, published by Farshore. 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 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 Poppy, aged 11 from London is one of their book reviewers. Thirteen is unlucky for some but this spinechilling bunch of short stories written by thirteen different authors is such a great book. Read, Scream, Repeat features various writing styles that all have one thing in common: they make you shiver. My favourites are the stories by Jennifer Killick, Aisha Bushby and Elle McNicol. They are about creepy things like zombies hunting you down, a monster in the depths of a lake and a pond that forever sucks you down down down. I would totally recommend this to people who like scary stories.
16 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! VEGANUARY What is Veganuary? 1 .co.uk Raring2go! Veganuary is a popular annual campaign and movement that encourages people to try a vegan lifestyle for the month of January. The name "Veganuary" is a combination of "vegan" and "January." The goal of Veganuary is to raise awareness about the ethical, environmental, and health benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. During Veganuary, participants pledge to abstain from consuming any animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and honey, for the entire month of January. The campaign provides resources, recipes, and support to help people make the transition to a vegan diet and to discover the variety and deliciousness of plant-based foods. Veganuary has gained widespread popularity and has inspired many individuals to adopt a more plant-based diet, or even become vegan permanently after trying it for a month. It has also contributed to increased awareness of the impact of food choices on animal welfare and the environment.
17 raring2go.co.uk 1 Raring2go! Set Clear Goals: Define your fitness objectives, whether it's losing weight, building muscle, improving endurance, or just staying active. Having specific goals will keep you motivated. Create a Workout Routine: Develop a structured exercise plan that includes a mix of cardiovascular, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Consistency is key, so aim for at least 3-5 days of exercise per week. Find an Accountability Partner: Team up with a friend or family member who shares your fitness goals. Having someone to exercise with and hold you accountable can make a big difference. Try New Activities: Make fitness fun by exploring different activities like hiking, dancing, swimming, or martial arts. Experimenting with new workouts can keep things exciting. Join a Gym or Fitness Class: If you prefer a structured environment, consider signing up for a gym membership or fitness classes like yoga, spinning, or HIIT. Use Technology: Download fitness apps or invest in wearable fitness trackers to monitor your progress, set reminders, and stay motivated. Prioritise Nutrition: A healthy diet is crucial for achieving your fitness goals. Focus on balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Get Adequate Rest: Rest and recovery are essential for muscle growth and overall wellbeing. Ensure you're getting enough quality sleep each night. Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for maintaining energy levels and supporting your workouts. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Track Your Progress: Keep a fitness diary or use a fitness app to track your workouts, nutrition, and how you're feeling. Celebrate your achievements along the way to stay motivated. Remember that getting fit is a journey, and it's important to be patient with yourself. Start small, gradually increase the intensity of your workouts, and stay consistent. Consistency is key to long-term success in achieving and maintaining your fitness goals. Get Fit for 2024 Getting fit for the New Year is a great goal, and there are many ways to achieve it. Here are 10 ideas to help you get started on your fitness journey: Raring2go! FITNESS
1 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Materials need for finger knitting a beanie: Super Chunky Wool (works best to make the beanie nice and chunky) Pair of scissors Your fingers Step 1 : How to Finger Knit Hold the wool comfortably with your thumb. Wrap the wool behind your index finger and in front of your middle finger, then behind your wedding finger and around your pinky.Then bring the wool in front of your wedding finger, behind your middle finger and around your index finger. You need to do it again.Wrap the wool in front of your middle finger, behind your index finger, and around your pinky. Continue bringing the wool in front of your wedding finger, behind your middle finger and then around your index finger, so that you will have two loops on each finger. Now you need to pull the bottom loop up and over the top loop. Do this with each finger in turn, so that you are left with one loop on each finger.Then start again, starting in front of your middle finger, making the loops, and pulling the wool over. Keep repeating these steps until you have a long enough piece that will fit around your head. Step 2 : How to connect strands of your beanie hat Now we are going to connect the two ends together. Run your thumb through the ridge on the back.The ridge is the back and the reverse side is the front. Face the ridged side in towards the centre, making sure you don’t twist it. Connect the two together by hooking your little finger first into the bottom loop, and then into the top loop of the end of the knitted piece.You will have three loops on your little finger. Then start knitting again as normal, wrapping the wool around your fingers.When you start to pull loops off your finger, just one thing... On Make a beanie hat with Red Ted Art Finger knitting is a great way to get kids interested in knitting and yarn crafts and is something they can easily progress from as they learn… Raring2go! MAKE 18
19 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! MAKE 2 Raring2go! PLACES TO GO your pinky finger, pull each loop up and over individually, starting from the bottom, leaving one loop on each finger again. Leaving one loop. Give it a tighten by pulling on the wool. Step 3 : How to add a row to your finger knitted beanie hat DIY This time we only need to hook into one loop on the knitted piece. Find your next loop and hook your little finger into it.Then knit another row. Once again, on the little finger pull each loop off individually. Pull to tighten. Find your next loop and hook into it. Knit another row across. Keep knitting until the hat covers your head. Remember to keep trying on the hat for measurements. Step 4 : How to decrease Next stage is to make the top of your hat.We need to start decreasing.This time you need to pick up two loops from the knitted piece, so you have three loops on your little finger. Then start to knit another row. Keep repeating these steps until the top of your hat is almost closed. Leaving a small gap. Step 5: How to decrease and finish your beanie Start casting off your fingers. Pull the first loop off and onto your next finger. And pull the bottom loop up and over the top. Do this on all your fingers, until you have one left.Then pull the wool through the last loop. Get scissors and cut the loop.To close off the top I laced through each loop across the top keeping it nice and tight, closing the top off completely. Make sure you keep pulling tight.You then just need to tie a knot in the wool to finish. If you’d like to see a video , here’s the full tutorial here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4IoOa_S MUE Many thanks to RedTedArt for sharing this fabulous Beanie creative. If you’d like to see so much more on crafting, visit redtedart.com
Raring2go! MAKE 20 raring2go.co.uk
22 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! ACTIVITY 1 Raring2go! Family Cook-Off Night: Host a weekly or monthly family cook-off night where each member takes turns selecting a theme or cuisine. Everyone can work together to plan, shop for ingredients, and then prepare their chosen dishes.This not only promotes teamwork but also allows everyone to explore different culinary traditions. Outdoor Adventure Challenges: Plan a series of outdoor adventures or challenges like hiking to a scenic spot, geocaching, or orienteering. Create a "Family Adventure Passport" to track completed challenges and encourage friendly competition.This activity promotes physical activity and bonding in nature. Family Book Club: Start a family book club where you pick a book to read together and then have regular discussions about it. Choose a diverse range of genres and themes to cater to different interests within the family.You can even create a mini-library at home to keep all your family book club selections. DIY Home Improvement Projects: Undertake DIY home improvement or decoration projects as a family. Decide on a room or area to renovate or redecorate and involve each family member in the planning and execution. It's a productive way to improve your living space while learning new skills together. Language Learning Night: Dedicate one evening a week to learning a new language as a family.You can use language-learning apps, online resources or enrol in a course together. This not only enhances communication skills but also opens doors to exploring different cultures and travel opportunities in the future. Remember that the key to introducing something new for the family is to ensure that it's engaging, inclusive, and adaptable to everyone's interests and abilities. These activities can help strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories. Something New for You and the family… At the beginning of a new year, it’s a good time to try something different, so we have put together a few creative ideas to introduce you to something new for you and your family to do together.
CLUBS & CLASSES Clubs and classes are a valuable resource in building your children’s confi dence, growing their social skills and so much more. To get them thinking which kind of club they would be interested in joining, here’s a bit of fun with suggestions included… Here are 10 quiz questions for your kids to answer… 1. What type of kids’ class focuses on teaching children how to paint using various artistic techniques? a) football b) Dance c) Painting d) Maths 2. Which of the following is a popular coding language often taught in kids’ coding clubs? a) French b) Python c) Spanish d) Guitar 3. In a drama club for kids, what do participants typically do to improve their acting skills? a) Solve math problems b) Sing songs c) Perform scenes and plays d) Play video games d plays d) Play video games 4. Which of the following is a science-based club that allows kids to explore and conduct experiments? a) Cooking Club b) Science Club c) Gardening Club d) Music Club 5. What is the primary goal of a kids’ sports club? a) Learning to cook b) Developing athletic skills and teamwork c) Building robots d) Writing poetry 6. Which type of kids’ club often involves learning and practicing martial arts techniques? a) Chess Club b) Science Club c) Karate Club d) Cooking Club 7. In a kids’ astronomy club, what do children study and observe? a) The behaviour of ants b) The stars, planets, and celestial objects in the night sky c) How to make paper airplanes d) Geography 8. hat type of kids’ club might involve learning to play musical instruments the piano or guitar? a) Gardening Club b) Coding Club c) Music Club d) ketball Club 9. Which club encourages kids to explore and appreciate nature through tdoor activities? a) Video Game Club b) Outdoor Adventure Club Chess Club d) History Club 10. What is the main focus of a kids’ language club? a) Learning to juggle b) earning a new programming language c) Learning and practicing a foreign anguage d) Playing board games QUICK QUIZ Answers at the bottom of the page. No cheating! C Clubs and classes hildren’s con de h ANSWERS: c) Painting, b) Python, c) Perform scenes and plays b) Science Club, b) Developing athletic skills and teamwork, c) Karate Club b) The stars, planets, and celestial objects in the night sky c) Music Club, b) Outdoor Adventure Club c) Learning and practicing a foreign language a c) Wh like t Bask W out c) C 10 Le la
24 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 1 Raring2go! Winter Nature Hike: Take a leisurely hike in a nearby nature reserve or park. Look for signs of winter wildlife and enjoy the crisp, fresh air. Board Game Night: Gather around the table for a night of board games or card games. It's a great way to bond and have some friendly competition. Movie Marathon: Choose a series of familyfriendly movies or a theme (classic Disney films, Harry Potter movies etc) and have a ‘movie marathon’ with popcorn and snacks. Baking Extravaganza: Spend a day baking cookies, cakes, or other treats together.You can even have a mini-baking competition with different teams or family members. Volunteer Together: Give back to your community by volunteering at a local shelter, food bank, or charity. It's a wonderful way to teach your kids the value of helping others. DIY Craft Day: Get creative with a DIY craft day. You can make homemade decorations, scrapbooks, or other crafts that you can cherish as keepsakes. Indoor Mini-Olympics: Create a series of miniOlympic games in your living room or back garden (weather permitting of course!).You can have events like a sock sliding race, minibasketball, and even a family dance-off. Visit a museum or Aquarium: Explore a local museum, science centre, or aquarium. It's both fun and educational for the whole family. Cook a Family Dinner: Have each family member choose a dish and cook it together for a special family dinner. It's a great way to share family recipes and traditions. Scavenger Hunt: Organise a scavenger hunt in your garden or at a nearby park. Create a list of items to find or clues to solve and see who can complete the hunt first. Remember to tailor these activities to your family's interests and the weather in your area. Whether you choose indoor or outdoor activities, the key is to spend quality time together and create lasting memories. After the Festivities are over… Christmas and New Year are such a busy time and once over, things can feel a tad flat, so we have come up with a few suggestions to keep the family busy for January and beyond… Top 10 ideas to keep the family busy this Winter:
From ideas for fun family time together to some great awareness days. CLICK HERE to find a selection of ideas that are happening all in your area and across the country this winter. www.raring2go.co.uk/whats-on
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27 Raring2go! SNOW FACTS
28 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! FEATURE Ingredients: 900 grams of stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 litre of Beef stock ¼ litre red wine (optional) 4 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 2 celery stalks, chopped 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried rosemary Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening) Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional) Instructions: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over mediumhigh heat. Add the cubed beef and brown it on all sides.You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, add the chopped onions and garlic. Sauté them until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. If you're using red wine, pour it into the pot and deglaze it, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly. Return the browned beef to the pot and add the beef stock. Stir to combine. Add the carrots, potatoes, celery, bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.You can also cook it in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. If you want a thicker stew, mix 2 tablespoons of allpurpose flour with a little water to make a paste and stir it into the stew. Cook for an additional 1015 minutes to thicken. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve your delicious beef stew hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired. It's perfect with some crusty bread or over cooked rice or mashed potatoes. Enjoy your homemade beef stew! Raring2make! FUN IDEAS FOR MAKING THINGS TOGETHER ‘Cakes are healthy too, you just eat a small slice’ Mary Berry www.raring2go.co.uk Here's a classic recipe for beef stew: For more great recipe ideas please visit our website: www.raring2go.co.uk
29 Raring2go! We work with many household names and we’ve got some amazing prizes up for grabs for you. All our competitions are 100% FREE to enter! Entering our competitions is quick and easy! Head over to raring2go.co.uk and click the Save & Win tab! Image is for illustration purposes only and may differ from actual prizes currently available. Raring2go! Competitions
30 Raring2go! FEATURE Family Motoring Keeping Safe on the Roads this Winter WINTER is a fact of life in the 8., which means Winter driving is too. Keeping your car well maintained all year round is important but especially so in Winter. During the festive period many of us will be travelling to visit friends & family - here are a few tips to keep you safe & Raring2go! on the roads …. Think about your tyres, not just your car. Check the tread level, pressure & condition regularly and consider cold weather tyres. See & Be Seen! Keep an eye on your lights. Winter brings poorer visibility and increased hours of darkness so check your lights and keep them clean. Top up your screen wash with the right concentration for the conditions and make sure your wiper blades are in good order. Allow enough time to clear your windows of ice, snow or condensation on cold mornings. Don’t leave the engine running with the keys in whilst you nip into the house to keep warm – we’ve all seen it happen …. Under the Bonnet Keep up to date with servicing and monitor your battery and antifreeze, oil & coolant levels too. Be Prepared … Plan your journey, allow plenty of time & make sure you have plenty of fuel, your mobile phone is fully charged & have an in car charger. If you are in a recovery service, make sure to carry the card with you. Keep your mobile phone handy, don’t put it in the boot. Try to travel during the day when possible & keep an eye on the weather forecast. Keep an emergency kit in your car including warning triangle, ice scraper & de icer, warm waterproof boots, clothing and a blanket, snow shovel, torch & spare batteries, small bags of sand or salt, a road atlas, first aid kit and food and drink. Bottled water and extra screen wash is useful if your screen wash freezes. Sun glasses are useful to avoid glare in bright snowy conditions.
chasing either a new Have you ever dreamed of taking control of your working OLIH WŘ W DURXQG \RXU IDPLO\" We’re looking for a special person to join our network by pur w, or existing, magazine franchise &RXOG \RX EH WKH QH 5DULQJ JR (GLWRU" ed, with hing [W g g area. You really can have a rewarding career and bring up your family! Raring2go! The role of Editor is vari everything from research Ƃ attend sports days, and take time of I decide my working hours, so Raring2go! has allowed me the yiÝLÌÞÌ`Ì iÃV ÀÕ] ff in the school holidays. Þv>ÞE >ÛiLii«ÀÛi}i` to try so many new activities and days out. We’ve reviewed after hours events at Marwell and attended opening events at Paultons. Most of all, I love working with Ãi v>Ì>ÃÌV V> LÕÃiÃÃià E organisations. Sometimes, as I’m sat chatting with them over a hot V V>Ìi] V>½ÌLiiÛi ÜÕVÞ >Ì >ÌÌ Ãë>ÀÌvÞLt everything from researching what’s on, social media, design, `ÃÌÀLÕÌ >` Ã>ið -Õ««ÀÌ ÃƂ 7Ƃ9->Û>>LivÀÌ i Raring2go! Franchise. No previous iÝ«iÀiViÃiViÃÃ>ÀÞ>Ì Õ} an interest in the local area is helpful. *i>ÃiÌiÌ >ÌÌ iÀiÃ>w>V> investment required to get started. v ÞÕ½Ài «>ÃÃ>Ìi >LÕÌ V> families having fun and you’re i>}iÀ Ì Li ÞÕÀ Ü LÃÃ] Üi½` love to talk to you. Don’t miss out on this rewarding career and family-friendly lifestyle – apply for details now! Don’t miss out on this rewarding career and family friendly lifestyle. Ask for more details by calling 01273 447101 or by email to info@raring2go.co.uk Have you ever dreamed of taking control of your working life to fit around your family? We’re looking for a special person to join our network by purchasing either a new, or existing, magazine franchise area. Could you be the next Raring2go Editor? Local Franchises Available! Here’s what one of our franchisees says about Raring2go! You really can have a rewarding career and bring up your family! I decide my working hours. Raring2go! has allowed me the flexibility to do the school run, attend sports days, and take time off in the school holidays. My family & I have been privileged to try so many new activities and days out. We’ve reviewed after hours events at Marwell Zoo and attended opening events at Paultons Park. Most of all, I love working with some fantastic local businesses and amazing organisations. Sometimes, as I’m sat chatting with them over a hot chocolate, I can’t believe how lucky I am that this is part of my job! Being a Raring2go! Editor The role of Editor is very varied, with everything from researching local what’s on info, social media, design, distribution and sales. Support is ALWAYS available from the Raring2go! Franchise. No previous experience is necessary although an interest in the local area is helpful. Please note that a financial investment is required to get started. But, if you’re passionate about local families having fun and you’re eager to be your own boss, we’d love to talk to you. Don’t miss out on this rewarding career and family friendly lifestyle. Ask for more details by calling 01273 447101 or by email to info@raring2go.co.uk
32 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! PLACES TO GO Heading Subheading Intro Text Advertise with Raring2go! and make a splash! email: info@raring2go.co.uk Telephone: 01273 447101 Raring2go!
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