raring2go.co.uk WINTER 2024 KIDDERMINSTER & STOURBRIDGE MAGAZINE & WEBSITE THE GO-TO GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD CLUBS AND CLASSES COMPETITIONS! WHAT’S ON JAN - FEB - MAR
Raring2go! GO-TO GUIDE 3 Raring2go! EDITOR’S WELCOME 2 raring2go.co.uk CONTENTS: P05 Children Always First (Fostering) P06 What’s On January P08-09 SEN / The Listening Herd P10-11 What’s On February P12 Path to Paris (Olympics) P14 Education P15 What’s On March P16-17 A-Z of Places2go! P18 Well-being P19-21 Clubs and Classes P22-23 Holiday clubs P25 Family Theatre P26-27 Raring2read P28-29 Puzzle page / Pets P30-31 Competitions Whatever you do, wherever you go, have fun, and mention Raring2go! Published by Raring2go! Kidderminster & Stourbridge. All information in this booklet is published in good faith and cannot be reproduced without written permission. Whilst the publisher makes every effort to ensure that the businesses featured in this magazine are of the highest quality, we do not guarantee the services and products from any businesses featured. We also undertake to ensure that all advertising is in the best interests of families and young children. Printed by Gemini Print, Shoreham, Surrey. @Raring2goKidderminster raring2go.kiddyandstourbridge Happy New Year... Hello 2024! The fun doesn’t have to be over, come rain or shine, look through this magazine for indoor or outdoor ideas for you and your family to enjoy over the next few months. More family friendly events and activites are sure to be planned, keep in the know with Raring2go! • Regularly check the website • Follow my social media • Sign up to the monthly newsletters by signing up to the website. (If you’re already signed up but originally ticked ‘no’ to the newsletters and would like to change this, please drop me a quick email and I’ll get this changed for you). In the winter months, it’s always nice to include a visit to a local cafe as part of your day, either start the day with a delicious breakfast, pop in for lunch, or grab a yummy cake at any time! I recommend trying Cafe on the Green in Wordsley: VISIT IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY AND QUOTE ‘RARING2GO’ TO GET A FREE DRINK* WITH ANY HOT MEAL *Regular size drink Lucy Richardson, Editor kidderminster@raring2go.co.uk | 07404 463 773 Lucy x 1 raring2go.co.uk 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… Here are 10 ideas for family activities to enjoy once Christmas is over:
Raring2go! GO-TO GUIDE 5 Raring2go! PLACES2GO 4 raring2go.co.uk What Sets Us Apart: Enriching Experiences: The Support You Deserve: Ready for Change? Foster care for us, is about creating positive memories that last a lifetime. Our dedicated youth team provide exciting outings, educational activities, and a range of youth support services to ensure every child in our care has the opportunity to thrive, grow, and discover their full potential. Becoming a foster carer is a transformative journey and we walk alongside you at every turn. Our dedicated team offers extensive support, from quality training, personalised guidance and a 24 hour support telephone line. By nurturing a strong support system, we empower our carers to provide the best possible care for their children and young people. Children Always First stands out for its family-centric and therapeutic approach, placing the well-being of children as our number one priority. Rooted in family values, we provide an extensive youth support service and individualised care that ensures each child feels seen, heard and loved. Embark on a fulfilling journey with Children Always First. Becoming a foster carer will make an incredible difference to young people, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Together, let’s create a brighter future for children in need. Children Always First is an invitation to be part of a community that believes in the transformative power of nurture and support. If you have a spare bedroom, a willingness to learn, and the dedication to make a difference then we welcome you to come and learn more. www.childrenalwaysfirst.co.uk Embark on a fulfilling journey with Children Always First Every year in the UK, over 30,000 children come into care and need a foster home. At Children Always First, we are committed to creating a brighter future for children who need it most and are looking for more foster families to join us in our shared mission. Join Our Compassionate Community: Help our rangers find the lost dinos Track down our Mega-dinos in our massive T-Rex Maize maze! Meet the reptiles in our special talk All the usual fun of the farm - indoor & outdoor adventure, friendly animals & more! PLUS Penkridge, Staffs ST19 5RE Book online: www.playatthefarm.co.uk SAVE 10%Use code KDLAMBS *Online PLAY@ tickets only. Does not apply to parties or special events. Fun, educational film about sheep Meet our lambs and ewes Learn lots of Sheep-y facts Learn lots of Sheep-y facts Help Farmer Ray find the lost sheep From February Half Term! Term! 2024
Raring2go! PLACES2GO 7 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON 6 raring2go.co.uk This is just a guide. Some details may change, and some events require pre-booking. Please check with the venue before setting off. 8 January - 31 March Winter Fun, PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm Explore the ‘great indoors’ with 2km of indoor play space you can spend hours sliding, scrambling, climbing, bouncing and generally letting off steam! You’ll also find large and small animal zones undercover, with a packed programme of talks on all creatures, great & small. www.playatthefarm.co.uk Until 20th January Magic Alley, Stratford Magic Alley Detective Agency Presents The Mysterious Disappearance of Mrs Christmas. This event is aimed at older children and adults who maybe no longer need to see Father Christmas. www.magicalleystratford.com Ongoing West Midland Safari Park Currently open Fri/Sat/Sun, fully open from 10 Feb. The playground is getting a refresh and will be back early 2024 with new characters and a brand new theme! www.wmsp.co.uk Ongoing Whitlenge Gardens The Christmas decorations may have gone, but the fairies are always home. Disguise yourself as a gnome, fairy or pixie so not to scare them (dressing up available at entrance) and go in search of our resident fairies. www.whitlenge.co.uk From 10th January Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust The Gongoozler cafe restaurant re-opens 10th January, with boat trips and Tunnel Tots resuming from 17th January. www.dudleycanaltrust.org.uk Weekends in January ThinkTank, Birmingham Science Museum The Planets 360 is a re-imagining of British composer Gustav Holst’s The Planets orchestral suite. It uses the awe-inspiring fulldome format to create a sonically driven and immersive experience. + Selected Thursdays Toddler Thursday: Join our family-friendly relaxed Planetarium experience. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk From 24th January Wyre Forest The Gruffalo Party Trail! Celebrate the Gruffalo’s 25th birthday at Wyre Forest. Find the missing party items, pick a present for the Gruffalo and enjoy lots more fun trail activities! www.forestryengland.uk/wyre-forest 28th January Bodenham Arboretum Winter Wassail, 12pm - 4pm. Celebrating the age-old blessing of the apple trees. Traditional singing and morris dancing... bring along your own musical instruments and dress up with leaves and feathers! www.bodenhamarboretum.co.uk Ongoing Stourbridge Library *Knex Club – Fortnightly, Saturdays from 6 Jan *Craft Club – Weekly, Sundays 11am *Storytime/Craft – Weekly, Mondays 2pm *Games Club – Weekly, Saturdays 1pm-3pm * National Storytelling Week Craft and Story, Saturday 27th January, time TBC Dudley Library *Lego Club – Weekly, Saturdays 11am *Craft Club – Weekly, Saturdays 2pm www.facebook.com/Dudleylibraries Kidderminster Library *Lego Club – Weekly, Saturdays 10am Bewdley Library *Lego Club – Weekly, Mondays 3.30pm Stourport Library *Lego Club – Weekly, Saturdays 10.30am www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/ worcestershire-libraries/library-events-and-activities What’s on in January
Raring2go! WELL-BEING 9 Raring2go! GO-TO GUIDE 8 raring2go.co.uk The Listening Herd CIC provides Equine facilitated Learning and Equine facilitated Therapy for children and adults from the age of 6 upwards. People come to The Listening Herd when something isn’t working in their life or they are seeking support for their children or those in their care who are struggling to stay in education, are finding it difficult to cope with social interactions, are experiencing huge life changes or have mental or physical challenges. Our work is all about helping people to understand their emotions that lead them to behave the way they do in certain situations. We support them to find their true authentic self: not the person they think they need to be in order to “fit in.” During sessions the work with the horses at ground level, no riding is involved. We combine a number of different creative activities with the horses in a peaceful heart centred environment which gives space to grow and learn. Horses make learning easy because they are present in the moment, they are authentic and use their emotions as information. They will not cooperate easily with someone who is not in line with their intentions, they do not judge, they simply respond, giving humans honest and valuable feedback. Spending guided time in the presence of horses creates the optimum environment to allow our nervous systems to regulate. Gently, and without judgment they support us to shift our attention from our busy cluttered minds and become present in the moment. However, the uniqueness of the work that we offer is not all about the horses. What is also vital for real learning and growth to happen is an environment in which someone feels safe to speak their truth and to be vulnerable without being shamed. Working with the horses allows children and adults to: • Develop their self-confidence and selfworth • Develop resilience and trust • Learn to set healthy boundaries • Control their fear and manage their anxiety • Understand and regulate their emotions • Deal with disappointments • Improve their communication If you think you, your child or teenager may benefit from spending time in the fresh air in the presence of our beautiful horses then please do not hesitate to contact us. We can answer any questions you may have and are happy to arrange a visit to Chaddesley Corbett for a free no obligation “taster” session to feel the benefits of working with the horses. For more information please visit: www.thelisteningherd.com Please call Helene on 07718 808118, or Maggie on 07891 586289. Email Helene@thelisteningherd.com, or Maggie@thelisteningherd.com. The Listening Herd CIC Equine facilitated Learning and Therapy for children and adults
Raring2go! WHAT’S ON Raring2go! WHAT’S ON 10 raring2go.co.uk 11 This is just a guide. Some details may change, and some events require pre-booking. Please check with the venue before setting off. 3 February Arenacross Tour 2024, Resorts World Arena A mix of indoor Motocross racing and Freestyle Motocross (FMX), packed to the rafters with allround family fun and frenzied entertainment. It’s guaranteed to keep you on your feet yelling and hollering for more! www.resortsworldarena.co.uk 10 February - 22 March Lambs & Ewe, PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm Learn all about the farm’s cutest new arrivals (and their mums)! Get up close to lambs & ewes in the lambing barn, watch a fun, interactive film all about sheep and test your knowledge in the sheep-y quiz trail. Plus, you get to explore the farm’s massive indoor and outdoor adventure play spaces and meet lots of other friendly animals. www.playatthefarm.co.uk/lamb-and-ewe 10 - 18 February Tree People Trail, Bodenham Arboretum Can you find our special visitors who are hiding in the Arboretum? The ‘Tree People’ are quite shy... some are funny, some grumpy, some cheeky and some very naughty! They’re looking forward to seeing you! www.bodenhamarboretum.co.uk 10 February onwards Little Owl Farm Park Little Owl Farm Park will re-open in time for February Half Term. Celebrating it’s 10th Birthday last year, Little Owl Farm Park is an established family run educational farm park, which offers a fun packed day out for all the family! www.littleowlfarmpark.co.uk 10 - 18 February Half-term activities,Stratford Butterfly Farm Walk amongst some of the world’s most stunning and colourful butterflies in a tropical rainforest setting, with fish-filled pools, splashing waterfalls and beautiful blooms. Meet the Mini-Beast handling sessions, Pupae and Beetle demonstrations will be held daily. To guarantee entry, half-term tickets should be purchased in advance. www.butterflyfarm.co.uk 10 - 18 February A Panto Adventure,Hatton Adventure World Stay warm and dry with our indoor activities including all-day animal handling, guinea pig village, scales & tails exotic animal experiences, a magical family show and our huge indoor soft play and slide mania centre. Outdoors find laser combat battles, falconry displays, mini funfair rides, giant helter-skelter and family games, and meet our animal friends on the farmyard walk! www.adventure.hattonworld.com 10 - 11 February The 2024 Birmingham Iinternational Tattoo Resorts World Arena, Birmingham. www.resortsworldarena.co.uk 10 February Stourbridge Library Chinese New Year Craft, time TBC www.facebook.com/Dudleylibraries 11 February Lunar New Year 2024 - Year of the Dragon Produced by Birmingham Hippodrome FREE event at Birmingham Southside by the theatre! www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/lunar-new-year-2024/ 13 - 18 February The Camping and Caravan Show The show has everything you need for your next adventure! See and buy the latest caravans, motorhomes, campervans and tents of all shapes and sizes. www.ccmshow.co.uk Holiday camps: All 12 - 16 February RB Holiday Camps Multi-sports activity camps available in Stour- bridge, Halesowen, Kidderminster & Wolver- hampton. www.rbholidaycamps.co.uk Earls Gymnastics Fun-filled days of gymnastics, team building, arts and crafts, and much more! Takes place at Oldbury Centre. www.earlsgymnastics.co.uk/holiday-camps Aspire Active Camps Action packed childcare with a choice of activi- ties, based in Hagley. Remember: 15% off with code FEB24HA if you book before 5pm on 2nd February. www.aaeg.co.uk/active-camps 13 - 16 February Hunt for the Lost Time Machine Something strange is happening at Aston Hall and it’s up to our intrepid team of time travellers to discover what… Birmingham Rep and Aston Hall invite you to take part in a brand-new project for those aged 9-12. Expect twists and turns, shocks and surprises as you discover if there really are lost instructions on how to build a time machine! Discover the secrets of Aston Hall guided by the renowned time detective Phileas T. Darkmatter before heading to The Rep to solve the puzzle. Finish the week back at Aston Hall where you’ll take over the place in an exciting and epic conclusion which everyone can get involved in! Read more: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/events/hunt-for-the-lost-timemachine 14 February Valentines day Celebrate as a family, show how much you all love each other, rather than just with your partner! Look out on the Raring2go! website and FB for special afternoon tea’s, events and activities that you can do together. 14 - 16 February The World Outside, Forest school sessions Wed & Fri: Mini Wilderness Explorers (under 5s). 10 - 11am. Wed & Fri: Wilderness Explorers (5 - 12 years). 12 - 2pm. Thu: Wilderness Explorers (5 - 12 years). 10 - 12 noon and 1 - 3pm. www.theworldoutside.co.uk 17 - 18 February Living History Weekend, The Commandery Come face to face with the past at The Commandery’s biggest weekend of the year! Explore living history encampments and watch marvellous military displays at Worcester’s historic Commandery. The site will be alive with performances by musicians and dancers, and you can learn about traditional crafts too. Encounter reenactors throughout the beautiful Grade-1 listed building and gardens, where they’ll be demonstrating and displaying historical weaponry. www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk/events More half-term events will be announced soon! Keep up-to-date with Raring2go! Kidderminster & Stourbridge Scan this QR page to visit out online What’s On Calendar, and follow us on Facebook or Instagam! What’s on in February
Raring2go! PLACES2GO 13 Raring2go! GO-TO GUIDE 12 raring2go.co.uk 1 In just under a year, 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! Funded by: birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank • • 4k Planetarium • Outdoor Science Garden Ha on orl .co Fe Hal Ter Pantomim 10th to 18th Feb Plus Animals Action Adventure
Raring2go! WHAT’S ON 15 Raring2go! EDUCATION 14 raring2go.co.uk This is just a guide. Some details may change, and some events require pre-booking. Please check with the venue before setting off. 7 - 10 March Crufts at NEC If you love dogs, you’ll love crufts. Crufts is the greatest dog show in the world! It has been running since 1891 and it attracts thousands of dogs with their owners and handlers, displaying their dogs’ skills and abilities to adoring crowds. Go and watch the action, book tickets here: www.thenec.co.uk/whats-on/crufts/ 8 - 17 March British Science Week A ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. Find resources and activity packs to download at: www.britishscienceweek.org 10 March Mothers Day Kids and Dads... here’s your reminder. Check Raring2go! social media, I'll share any special events I spot! From 29 March Alice in Easter Wonderland, Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust More info coming soon. www.dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/alice-in-wonderland Stourbridge Library 2 March Dr Seuss Day craft 9 March Mother’s Day craft 23 March Shakespeare craft, Times TBC www.facebook.com/Dudleylibraries What’s on in March NEW Farming Heroes Theme Come dressed as a superhero! @3CountiesShows BOOK NOW! countrytastic.co.uk Advance Tickets Only Three Counties Showground, WR13 6NW Thu 28 March 2024 Easter is early this Year... Look out for the next Raring2go! magazine mid-March. If you’re a forward planner, make sure to check our website / social media for first look of Easter events! teaching through head, heart & hands for more information please contact the admissions team 01384 394633 info@elmfield.com www.elmfield.com
Raring2go! WHAT’S ON 17 Raring2go! GO-TO GUIDE 16 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! PLACES2GO .co.uk Raring2go! PLACES2GO The Raring2go! A-Z of places to go and things to do with your child A1 DISCOVER a new park or playground in your area Watch GLASS blowing or join in a masterclass at Stourbridge Glass Museum or the Red House Glass Cone. Experience a fun-filled day of family adventure at HABBERLEY TRAIL Watch a BUTTERFLY emerge from its chrysalis at Stratford Butterfly Farm and explore the tropical paradise CREATE your own pottery masterclass at Coffee n Clay in Hagley or Saz’s Ceramics & Crafts in Wordsley FEED the Farmyard Favourites at Little Owl Farm or Lower Drayton Farm. Plus enjoy their petting barns and many fun activities available EXPERIENCE the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the shops, houses, and industrial workshops of the Black Country Living Museum Try a new ACTIVITY together at Ackers Adventure. Choose from skiing, toboganning, tubing and so many more Make a list of NEW year resolutions, ideas, and challenges – stick it on the fridge and see if you can achieve them all in 2024 Wrap up warm and visit the grounds of Arley or Bodenham Arboretum, or Hagley Park. Treat yourself to a hot drink and meal in the café after exploring the OUTDOOR space Let your IMAGINATION take over with a role play session at The Little Big Town, Stourport Visit your local LIBRARY. Join in with their family activities or just find a new book to enjoy together Hear the story of the Midlands’ automotive industry from the costumed guides at the British MOTOR Museum JUMP and bounce the winter blues away at Boing Zone in Stourbridge, or Inflatable Zone in Halesowen Introduce your child to the KITCHEN with a parent and child cooking class at Becketts Farm Spend some QUIET time together on the sofa and watch a movie Go for an exciting canal boat or train RIDE with Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust, or Severn Valley Railway SPLASH your way around the pool and slides at The Crystal Leisure Centre Explore a magical world of dragons, fairies, wizards, time travel, pirates and possibly a UNICORN at Magic Alley, Stratford. Or, the fairies at Whitlenge Gardens Take advantage of the option to stay warm and dry indoors while letting off some steam at a soft PLAY centre like Scallywags in Brierley Hill, Kidz Barn in Kidderminster, or Anchors Away Visit one of our local THEATRES. There are lots of family shows planned at places like Stourbridge Town Hall, Birmingham Rep, The Alexandra & MAC Birmingham Go WILD on a safari drive at West Midland Safari Park, or if you prefer walking around, go to Wild Zoological Park or Dudley Zoo Create your own YUMMY delights at a chocolate making workshop with The Chocolate Shed ZOOM into outer space in the 4K Planetarium and discover a world of science at Thinktank, Birmingham Save some money on days out and activities by making use of VOUCHERS and offers. Check out those on the Raring2go! website X marks the spot – plan a treasure hunt around your home and/ or garden and challenge the children to find a hidden treasure at the end B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L 1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10
Raring2go! CLUBS AND CLASSES 19 Raring2go! WELL-BEING 18 raring2go.co.uk January Blues: Simple Steps for Mentally Healthy Families By Matt Loftus Matt is an experienced mental health trainer and wellbeing coach, and good friend of Raring2go! www.loftustraining.com Matt’s book recommendation: Ten Keys to Happier Living, by Vanessa King. 2) Trying new things Being open to new experiences and learning fuels our wellbeing, boosts our confidence and our creativity and can be fulfilling too. Being curious to new hobbies, activities, and experiences, can not only be enjoyable and fun; it can provide us with deeper satisfaction in life and a sense of purpose - both integral to improving wellbeing. Top tip – joining a new club is a great way to learn something new, whilst meeting like-minded people and increasing your (real) social network! New experiences improve our brain health too - helping to generate new brain cells through learning, and neural connections being strengthened. 3) Taking care of your body Taking care of your body is good for your mind. They’re connected! Exercise and being physically active can boost our confidence, help us manage stress, and help us sleep and think better too. So, whether you run, swim, walk, cycle or just play outside more… the possibilities are endless, and it can make a real difference to how you feel. Top tip – incorporate more movement into your everyday life. You don’t have to start running marathons to reap the benefits of regularly moving more. Instead, why not try pairing another stationary activity with movement. For example, going for a walk when you’re on the phone, instead of sitting down. For many families, the post-Christmas period can be uneventful, stressful and long-lasting; until the early signs of Spring begin to appear. But the good news is that there are things we can all do, to make this time of year more enjoyable and purposeful; whilst increasing our own resilience and positive mental health. I’ve chosen 3 areas to focus on, proven to enhance our wellbeing and happiness, whatever your age. 1) Connecting with people Our close relationships generally matter most for our happiness. Whether these are with family or friends, studies show that having people that we trust, can rely on, and feel valued, positively boosts our wellbeing and resilience. Top tip – try giving someone your full attention and really listening. Focussing on them and what they are communicating, without a mobile device anywhere nearby! When they’ve finished, try summarising what they just told you and maybe even ask a curious question or two.
Raring2go! CLUBS AND CLASSES Raring2go! CLUBS AND CLASSES 20 raring2go.co.uk 21 Let’s get your little one swimming! 01694 731407 wibblewobble@waterbabies.co.uk There are few things in life that are more important than teaching little ones how to swim. Not only could it save their life…it’s a great way to develop strength, flexibility and coordination, overcome struggles and fears, make new friends, and develop skills that will last them a lifetime. So what are you waiting for? Join us anytime! Classes available now. When you’re ready, we’re ready. Mondays: St. James’ Church Hall, Wollaston, DY8 3SE Wednesday: Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kingswinford, DY6 9JG Thursday: Blakedown Parish Rooms, Blakedown, DY10 3JG Friday: Penn United Reform Church, Penn, WV4 5QF Fun, Physical Play Programme Starting from Walking to School Age www.tumbletots.com/stourbridge Claire Adams • 07709 351 398 • claire.adams@tumbletots.com Terms and conditions apply. Fees vary. Participating centres only. Please refer to your local study centre. Subject to availability. *For research findings on Kumon study, please visit kumon.co.uk. Pedmore Technology College & Community School, Grange Lane, Pedmore, DY9 7HS Class Times: Monday 4.00pm - 7.15pm Thursday 4.00pm - 7.15pm Saturday 9.45am - 12.45pm kumon.co.uk Stourbridge Study Centre 07918 464358 Brierley Hill Library Newly Refurbished The refurbishments have been completed, the shelves have been restocked and we are ready to welcome you back to your newly refurbished Brierley Hill Library! We have lots of exciting regular groups and activities for you to join in with; Please pop in or call us directly on 01384 812874 for more information.
Raring2go! HOLIDAY CAMPS Raring2go! HOLIDAY CAMPS 22 raring2go.co.uk 23 Choice of venues and activities *Offer ends 5pm Friday 2nd February Ofsted registered Action-packed childcare this February Half Term BOOK ONLINE Monday 12th - Friday 16th February Open from 8am - 4pm For more info and to book your place visit activecamps.co.uk or call 01562 277 810 Hagley Haybridge High School 15% OFF* with code FEB24HA
Raring2go! FAMILY THEATRE 25 Raring2go! GO-TO GUIDE 24 raring2go.co.uk 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 BGBW24_A5 Portrait_English_RSPB URL_AW_v1.indd 1 09/11/2023 18:19 Until 28 January Birmingham Rep The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe 19 January Dudley Town Hall Amy Lou, Live in Concert 27 January Alexandra Theatre, B’ham Matilda Sing-a-long 1 - 4 February Halesowen Town Hall Mother Goose 1 - 4 February Hippodrome, Birmingham Bluey’s Big Play 6 - 14 February Stourbridge Town Hall Mary Stevens Hospice, Cinderella Panto 9 - 10 February Birmingham Rep Can Bears Ski Theatre What’s on 13 February Wolverhampton Grand Matilda Sing-a-long 16 February Stourbridge Town Hall Exciting Science 23 February Stourbridge Town Hall Goose 14 - 17 March Alexandra Theatre, B’ham Madagascar 18 - 23 March Alexandra Theatre, B’ham Peter Pan Goes Wrong 24 March Wolverhampton Grand Jurassic Earth 28 - 31 March Wolverhampton Grand Awful Auntie 9 - 14 April Alexandra Theatre, B’ham Shrek 7 April Stourbridge Town Hall Alice in Wonderland This is just a guide. Some details may change, and all shows require pre-booking.
Raring2go! RARING2READ Raring2go! RARING2READ 26 raring2go.co.uk 27 3 Raring2go! BOOK REVIEWS Book Reviews Bookseller, Deborah from Kenilworth Books gives us a round up of some of the best books new out for children of all ages! Knight Sir Louis and the Sinister Snowball by The Brothers McLeod “Absolutely hilarious nonsense!” Louie Stowell In the fourth hilarious story about the brilliant, calm, ingenious 12-year-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’t about to let Castle Sideways become smothered 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 Me!) by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick Amazing True Stories of Incredible Animals from the Nation’s Favourite Supervet Discover the incredible stories of the brave animals he has worked with, from Peanut, the world’s first cat with two front 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 skateboard wheel! The perfect gift for young animal-lovers, packed with true tales that celebrate kindness, perseverance and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals. Kenilworth Books, Talisman Square, Kenilworth CV8 1JB Mermedusa by Thomas Taylor Perhaps here, finally, they - and the Malamander too - will discover the Deepest Secret of Eerie-on-Sea. Herbie and Violet’s fifth gripping adventure brings the internationally bestselling Eerie-on-Sea series to a heartstopping climax. It is midwinter once again, and the hosts of a paranormal podcast have descended on Eerie-on-Sea eager for a sighting of the legendary Malamander. Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, is feeling uneasy - and not just because of the visitors. Fletcher and the Seasons by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beeke Fletcher’s first ever board book is out now - Fletcher and the Seasons, published by Graffeg and gloriously illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke. ‘Fletcher journeys through the year exploring how the seasons change in this delightful board book featuring the characters from the popular Fletcher’s Four Seasons picture books.’ The Eyebrows of Doom by Steve Smallman “WE ARE THE EYEBROWS OF DOOM!” The Eyebrows of Doom are trying to take over 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 romp will have readers young and old laughing out loud and is perfect for fans of Steve Smallman’s Poo in the Zoo series, Nibbles The Book Monster, You Can’t Take an Elephant on the Bus and Oi Frog! 1 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! 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
Raring2go! PETS 29 Raring2go! PUZZLE PAGE 28 raring2go.co.uk Untitled-4 1 10/11/2023 11:31 SCATTERGORRIES
Raring2go! COMPETITIONS Raring2go! COMPETITIONS 30 raring2go.co.uk 31 CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of our Autumn competitions: Little Owl Farm David Lyall West Midland Safari Park Hannah Beasant Black Country Living Museum Emma Williams Dudley Borough Halls Tatjana Homicevica Lower Drayton Farm Victoria Stevens Tikkers Watches Kelly Thomas Festive Gift Fayre Samantha, Kathryn, Aimee, Christina and many more! 2024
32 raring2go.co.uk The Gruffalo ©1999 & TM Julia Donaldson/ Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd. Celebrate the Gruffalo’s birthday at Wyre Forest Find the missing party items, pick a present for the Gruffalo and enjoy lots more fun trail activities! Find out more: forestryengland.uk/ gruffalo-party-trail Grab a trail pack to get the party started. £4 Only The Gruffalo ©1999 & TM Julia Donaldson/ Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.
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