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Welcome CopyrightTDW Publishing Ltd.2026 Gem iniPrintSolutions. Helo and welcom eto ourwinterediton! Thecolderm onthscanm akegeting outand aboutfeelike a bitm ore efort.There are coats to find,litleonesto wrap up and thefam ilar question ofwhatonearthto do whenit’s cold, wetorgeting darkbeforetea tim e! W ehopethesepagesgiveyoua few ideasto pop in thediary,som einspiration forthe schoolholidaysand perhapsa new favouriteto trycloseto hom e. Thankyouforreading Raring2go!and for leting usbepartofyourfam ilyplans. Howeveryourhousehold celebratesthe season,wehopewinterbringsyou som elovely m om entstogether,with a litle les pres ure and plentyto lookforward to. Happywinter! TheRaring2go!team 3
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King’sCros W interM arket Head toGranarySquarefora free-entry Christm asm arket,with independent m akers,festivefood and seasonal entertainm ent.Them arketrunsfrom 26Novem berto 3January.Checkthe oficialwebsite foropening tim es. TheSnowm an Raym ond Briggsbeloved Christm asstory returnsto thestage atthePeacock Theatre,withpuppetryand Howard Blake’siconicm usic.Perform ancesrun from 21Novem berto3January.Check thetheatre’swebsite fordates,ticketsand perform ancetim es. Christm asatKew Folow a glowing trailthroughKew Gardensasthelandscapeistransform ed byilum inated instalationsand m usic. Running on selected datesfrom 13Novem berto3January,thisisa specialevening outing.Advancebooking ises ential. Poted Panto,Apolo Theatre Seven clas icpantom im e stories,one fast-paced com edyshow!Running from 6 Decem ber2026to 3January2027atthe ApoloTheatreonShaftesburyAvenue. Stick Man Join StickM an on hiseventfuljourney hom ein thislivelystageadaptation, packed with puppetry,songsand live m usic.AttheBloom sburyTheatrefrom 3 Decem berto 3January,itisworth considering foryoungerchildren and fans ofthebook. W interPalace Ham pton CourtPalacetakesa fantastical turn this Christm as,w ith m ythical creatures and festive storyteling filing its historicroom s.The W interPalace runs from 28Novem berto3Januaryon selected dates.Checkthe oficialwebsite forclosuredatesand adm is iondetails. HydeParkW interW onderland Rides,showsand seasonalatractions return to HydeParkfrom 19Novem berto 3January.Plan yourbudgetbefore visitng,asm anyactivitescostextra. Checkticketarangem entsand opening tim esbefore seting of. Cinderela,LyricHam m ersm ith Getreadyfora festive twiston the clas ic fairytaleasCinderela headstothebalin thislivelyfam ilypantom im e,packed with com edy,songsand plentyoftheatrical fun.Running until3January2027atLyric Ham m ersm ith,it’sa W estLondon Christm asfavourite! W hat’son thisChristm asin London Form ore events thisW inter, Click Here!
SHOPPING Strap it. Snap it. Roam anywhere. 10% OFF RoamSmartTracker.com Built in Elastic Strap No Subscriptions Over 1-Year Battery Life IP67 Waterproof Made with recyclable plastic Sustainable design innovation Only When Using QR Code Limited Time Offer: Choice of free gift 6
ACTIVITIES Take one photo foreverybucket-listactivityand create a “OurW interin 20 M em ories”photo album . 7
raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! A tradition in our family is watching Christmas movies, wrapped in a cozy blanket, with a large box of popcorn for us all to share… Here’s our selection for this Christmas, so if it’s a movie night at home or a special season trip to the cinema, we hope you enjoy getting into the Christmas spirit! Little Santa A new animated feature from Apple Original Films, based on Jon Agee’s children’s book and telling the story of how Santa became Santa. The Angry Birds Movie 3 Animated comedy arriving in UK cinemas 23 December, making it a fun choice for the Christmas holidays. HO HO HO! Christmas films FOR THE WINTER Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: The Getaway A new festive family adventure based on the popular Wimpy Kid series. On Disney+ in December. A Dog’s Perfect Christmas A new family Christmas film centred around a dog and the festive season. On Netflix from 4 Nov Fraggle Rock: A Holiday Gift New festive family special premiering 4 December on Apple TV. The Man with the Bag Christmas adventure/ comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Santa. On Prime Video on 2 December. Mog’s Bad Thing a brand-new hand-drawn animated Christmas special based on Judith Kerr’s Mog. On Channel 4 this Christmas. The Cat in the Hat Animated family adventure, in cinemas from 6 November. 8
Raring2go! Which country is home to the Eiffel Tower? A) Italy B) France C) Spain D) Germany A) New York B) London C) Sydney D) Toronto A) Asia B) Africa C) Europe D) South America A) China B) Japan C) Thailand D) India A) France B) Greece C) Norway D) Portugal A) Panda B) Kangaroo C) Tiger D) Penguin A) China B) Brazil C) Kenya D) Mexico A) Iceland B) Switzerland C) Hungary D) Austria A) Atlantic B) Indian C) Pacific D) Arctic A) Rainforest B) Desert C) Mountain range D) Grassland What is the largest ocean on Earth? Which city is famous for the Statue of Liberty? The Sahara is what type of landscape? On which continent would you find Kenya? Which animal is strongly associated with Australia? In which country would you find Mount Fuji? Giant pandas are native to which country? Which country is famous for croissants? Which of these countries is made up of many islands? 1. 3. 5. 7. 9. 2. 4. 6. 8. 10. Answers: 1.B; 2.B; 3.C; 4.B; 5.A; 6.A; 7.B; 8.A; 9.B; 10.A. Around the World Quiz 9
raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Cold days are perfect for big imaginations. A blanket becomes a secret hideaway, an empty box turns into a rocket, and an odd sock finds a starring role in a puppet show. You don’t need to buy more stuff to keep children busy - there’s adventure waiting in your cupboards and recycling box! This winter, gather a few everyday bits and pieces and see where their ideas take you. A little making, pretending and playing together can turn an ordinary afternoon into a brilliant family memory. Invent your own game Open a pretend café Make a scrappaper artwork Let someone else guess If your curious little one loves creative crafts, take a look at our activity boxes - our TOOL KIT FOR ECO HEROES - use GO15 for 15% discount www.itsourplanettoo.co.uk A LITTLE IMAGINATION GOES A LONG WAY Big adventures can start with a cardboard box. Build a blanket hideaway Add cushions, books and a secret password. Turn a box into… anything! A rocket, a castle or a home for tiny creatures? Put on a sockpuppet show Give your characters silly voices and invent a story. Create a cardboard town Make little houses from empty packaging. Try rolled-up socks, cardboard targets and homemade rules. Write a menu and take orders from your toys. Tear, fold and stick scrap paper into something wonderful. Act out an animal, a job or a favourite story. 10
Raring2go! 15% discount with Raring2go! use code GO15 Award-winning eco activity kits filled with creative, hands-on activities that inspire children to explore, imagine and care for the planet. Screen-free fun Uses everyday materials Inspires curiosity Planet-friendly learning Hours of family adventure “Activity boxes for children that are just outstanding!” 11
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ACTIVITIES Winter W ildlifeHunt 13
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ACTIVITIES Children are naturalstorytelers. Theym akeup gam es,inventcharacters, givetoyselaboratebackstoriesand turn a cardboard boxintopracticalyanything. Storywritng isa lovelywayto takethat im aginationonestep further,and itbrings som e usefulbenefitsalong with it. Itbuildsconfidence Puting anidea downonpapercanfeel like a big achievem ent,particularlyfor children who don'talwayssee them selvesasgood atwritng.There doesn'tneed to bea perfectending,neat handwritng oreven a sensibleplot.The im portantbitishaving anidea and seeing itbecom etheirown story. Ithelpswith language W ritng storiesgiveschildren a reason to experim entwith words.Theycan describe a character,explain whathappened and workouthow tom aketheirreader understand whattheym ean.Overtim e, thiscanhelp build vocabularyand m ake writng feelm orepurposeful. Itgetsim agination working A storycangoanywhere.A dog can becom ea detective,thegarden can turn into a jungleand anordinaryTuesday can end with a trip to them oon.Thereare no expensivem aterialsorcom plicated activitesneeded,justperm is ion to invent. Itencouragesproblem -solving Even a verysim plestoryneedssom ething tohappen.W hatdoesthecharacter want?W hatgoeswrong?How wilthey sortitout?Children arequietlyworking through causeand efect,m aking choices and deciding whathappensnext. Keep itfun Don'tworyaboutspeling everyother word orcorecting everysentenceasthey write.Ifyourchild hasa briliantidea but getsstuckwith thewritng,oferto be theirscribe.Theycan telyou the story whileyou writeitdown,then perhaps ilustrate itafterw ards.Try starting w ith a ridiculoussentencesuch as, opened thefridge,therewasa dragon inside’ and seewheretheytakeit. You could also m ake a litlefam ilystory jarwith characters,placesand objects writenonscrapsofpaper.Pickoneof eachand you'vegottheingredientsfora new adventure. The bestbit? Thererealyisn'ta wrong answer.Thedragon can befriendly,the princes can rescueherselfand the ending can becom pletelybonkers. That'sratherthepoint. You don’tneedtobea budding novelistathom e tom akestorywritng fun! Let’sm ake up a story.. 15
RARING2MAKE CheesyBroc oliPotato Boats Ingredients: 4largebaking potatoes 1sm alhead ofbroc oli(cutinto sm alflorets,steam ed untilsoft) 150g m ild Cheddarcheese(grated) 60m lm ilkorsourcream 25g buter Saltand peppertotaste Equipm ent: Baking sheet,fork,potato m asher,m ixing bowl,spoon. Method: Step 1: Prep thePotatoes.Preheatyouroven to 200°C (180°C fan/GasM ark6).W ashthe potatoes,prickthem aloverwith a fork,and bakethem for1houruntiltheskinsarecrisp and theinsidesaresoft.Letthepotatoescoolfor 10-15 m inutesuntiltheyarewarm butperfectly safeforlitlehandstotouch. Step 2: Slicethewarm potatoesin half lengthwise.scoop outtheflufypotato inside into a largem ixing bowl.Leavea thinlayerof potatoaround theedgesothe"boats"stay strong and don'tcolapse! Step 3: M ashand Sm ash!Using a potato m asherora sturdyfork,m ash thewarm potato insidethebowl.Kidslovedoing thispart!Add thebuterand m ilk(orsourcream )intothebowl whiletheym ash to m akeitsm oothand cream y. Step 4: Chop thesteam ed broc olinto very fine,bite-sized piecesand add them to the bowl.Add three-quartersofthegrated cheese into thebowl.Stirthepotatoes,broc oli,and cheesetogetheruntilitiscom pletelym ixed. Step 5: Using a spoon,scoop thecheesygreen potato m ixturebackintothepotato skins.Use thebackofa spoon togentlypres thefiling downsoitfilstheboatsevenly. Step 6: Taketherem aining cheeseand sprinkleitoverthetop ofeach potato boatlike faling snow.Pop thepotato boatsbackonto the baking sheet.Bakein theoven for10-15 m inutes untilthecheeseism elted,bubbly,and golden. Alow them to coolslightlybeforeserving so the filing doesn'tburn eagerlitle m ouths! Form ore tasty recipes,visitraring2go.co.uk 16
ACTIVITIES Match the Landmark answers: 1-C, 2-D, 3-E, 4-B, 5-A Where Am I? answers: 1. Australia 2. Italy 3. Egypt Odd One Out answers: 1. Brazil, it is in South America. 2. Canada, it is in North America. 3. Australia, it is not in Africa. Around the World Puzzles WHERE AM I? Read the clues and work out which country each traveller has visited. 1. I saw kangaroos, visited a sunny beach and heard someone say “G’day!” Where am I? ......................................... 2. I ate pizza, saw the Colosseum and tossed a coin into a famous fountain. Where am I? ......................................... 3. I saw the pyramids, rode a camel and explored the desert. Where am I? ......................................... ODD ONE OUT Three belong together. Which one doesn’t? 1. France | Spain | Brazil | Portugal Odd one out: ...................................... 2. Japan | China | India | Canada Odd one out: ...................................... 3. Kenya | Egypt | Morocco | Australia Odd one out: ...................................... MATCH THE LANDMARK Can you match each famous landmark to its country? 1. Eiffel Tower 2. Great Wall 3. Statue of Liberty 4. Taj Mahal 5. Sydney Opera House A. Australia B. India C. France D. China E. USA 17
raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! PLACES TO GO Learning through play Slides,tunnels,soft-playclim bsand the inevitablerequestforjustonem orego!A trip to theplaycentrem ightfeelikean easywayto fila m orning,butforlitle ones,there’splentygoing on beneath al thatbouncing. Som etim esthebestdaysoutaretheones wherethechildren com ehom ea litle tired and fulofstoriesaboutthetunnel theyconquered orthefriend theym ade along theway. A trip to theplaycentrecan bejustthat. Forparents,it’sa handyoptionwhen the weatherhasotherideas.Forlitleones,it isa chanceto explore,trythingsoutand learn through play,alwithoutrealising theyaredoing anything otherthanhaving a brilianttim e. Oneoftheloveliestthingsabouta playcentrevisitisthatitdoesn'tneed a com plicated plan.There’sno need topackforeverypos ibleweatherchangeorsqueezein a dozen activites.A shortervisitcan beenough,particularlyforyoungerchildren who m ayfind busyspacestiring. Litle Legs,Big Adventures W hya playcentredayistim ewelspent Form ore greatideasofplacesto go,visit raring2go.co.uk Building confidence,oneclim b ata tim e Thatclim bing fram em ightlooklikea m aze ofpadded stepsand wobblychalenges, buteveryatem ptgiveschildren a chance to practisebalance,coordination and judging wheretheirbodiescango. Crawling through a tunnel,stepping over obstaclesorworking outhow to getdown a slide alhelp develop physicalskils. There’sa confidenceboost,too.Som ething thatfelta litledaunting on thefirstgo can becom ea favouritebytheend ofthe ses ion.And ifa child decidesthey’re not quite readyto trythebiggestslide,that’s fine.Having thefreedom to watch,explore and haveanothergo in theirown tim e m atersjustasm uch. W hatwealwayslookforin a playcentre Hom em adefood with healthyoptions. Good Cofee. Additonalactivites. SEN ses ions. Toddlerm orningsetc. Entryofers,loyalty cards. Ac es iblechanging areas Friendlyand helpfulstaf. Good ac es & freeparking. 18
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The RSPB is a registered charity in England and Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654. Robin by Ben Andrew Every Birdwatch matters Join hundreds of thousands of others and take part in Big Garden Birdwatch - the UK’s largest garden wildlife survey. Sign up, connect with nature and make your Birdwatch count. Play your part at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch Make Your Spot Count
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