Search this site

May half term is here, and the weather is looking amazing !!West Berkshire is a brilliant place to be with children during the school holidays. There are plenty of wide open spaces, historic attractions, hands-on activities, and events designed with families in mind. We are also lucky to have some amazing beaches near by, which im sure many will be heading to! Hope you all have a brilliant half term! Theatre, Arts and Crafts Chitty Chitty Bang Bang When: 26th May - 13th Sept Where: Watermill Theatre Cost: From £15 Soar far above the clouds and across the seas with a fantasmagorical new Watermill Theatre production of the iconic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Take Flight When: 27 May Where: Corn Exchange Cost: Adult and Baby £20 / Additional Adult £10 / Additional Baby £7.25 (including booking fees) Take Flight is a stunning aerial theatre show for 0 - 2 year olds and their grown ups Jungle Adventure When: 28th May Where: Arlington Arts Cost: From £12 Perfect for the whole family, Jungle Adventure is an exciting mix of magic, fun, and fascinating wildlife that will have everyone on the edge of their seats! Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure When: 29th May Where: Corn Exchange Cost: Full Price £17.25 / Child £14.25 (including booking fees) Step into the world of Sir Charlie Stinky Socks, where nothing is quite what it seems and a really big adventure is about to begin Dino Tales: Jurassic Rescue When: 31 May Where: Corn Exchange Cost: Full price £14.25 / Under 14s £23.25 / Family ticket (2 children, 2 adults) £65 (including booking fees) Dino Tales is an unforgettable family adventure starring Europe’s largest walking dinosaurs to ever roam the stage Blue Beetle Ceramics Various Crafts throughout half term Where: Blue beetle Ceramics, Unit 2A Thatcham Garden Center, RG18 3AN Outdoors Family Trail: May Butterfly Hunt When: 25 May 10:00-14:00 Where: Nature Discovery Centre Cost: £6.00 per child & booking fee. Supervisory adults free Discover a whole host of fascinating facts about butterflys. Suitable for families with children aged 3 to 11 years (younger siblings may also attend and do not need a ticket) Family Fun Rocket Propelled Games When: Various events throughout May Where: Rocket Propelled Games - 150-151 Bartholomew Street, Newbury Big Bale Play When: 23rd - 31st Where: High lodge Farm, Abingdon Cost: From £4.95 UK’s biggest straw bale playground, with more than 250 giant bales to explore. Museum Explorers When: 26th May Where: West Berkshire Museum Cost: Free A relaxed morning for children with additional needs and their families to enjoy West Berkshire Museum Family Activity Day - May Madness When: 27th May | 10am – 2pm Where: Shaw House Cost: £2.50 Choose from a selection of ceramic decorations (subject to availability on the day). Decorate your chosen one with porcelain pens and other craft materials. Childrens Heritage Day When: 28th May 10am – 2pm Where: Thatcham Town Council Offices on Brownsfield Road From Lego building to exciting tales of history, arts and crafts to garden games, it’s a day where learning and adventure combine Childrens Heritage Day Lego Challenge When: 28th May 10:00-14:00 Where: Thatcham Library Bring history to life at the Children's Heritage Day! They are challenging young builders to recreate their favorite historical Thatcham landmarks using nothing but Lego. Messy Museum Morning When: 29th May 10am-1pm Where: West Berkshire Museum Cost: £2.50 per child. No need to book, just drop-in Make a rainstick, a ceremonial musical instrument for summoning rain, from a cardboard tube, foil, wax discs and rice.

A blog post written by a West Berkshire Family, Dan and Kerry Whiteway, that are helping to raise awareness about paternity leave. The UK government is currently consulting on what UK parents are entitled to as paternity leave. And about time too – it is more than 20 years that this was last reviewed. And you can tell. The two weeks paid paternity leave dads are entitled to is less than half the minimum wage (it is £187.18 per week, for those keeping score). It is the worst in Europe. And this isn’t just an issue for dads. Non-birthing partners get the same package. And if you’re self-employed you get NOTHING. Speaking on a personal level, I was lucky enough to be able to take an extra two weeks of annual leave after the birth of our daughter in 2021. A) not all new dads are able to do that (it is hard enough to make it work financially just for two weeks of statutory pay) and B) even four weeks was nowhere near enough time to adjust to your entire life changing. I distinctly remember two clear things from those first two weeks being back at work: The feelings of guilt whenever I walked out the front door or was sat on a call when I was WFH and hearing my partner struggling in the living room. The overwhelming sense that I was doing neither parenting properly or my job properly. Nothing I could do in either role was enough. I was letting my wife, our child and my work down all at once. My partner had a traumatic post-birth experience – she would go on to be diagnosed with PTSD and it took her about 18 months of hard work to feel herself again – and it took me about 12-18 months to figure out that a real shift in my mental wellbeing was probably a direct result of witnessing her traumatic experience. With that bit of added paternity leave, maybe we both would have had the opportunity to confront the mental health issues we were experiencing and get the help we both needed. All of the above are basically a checklist of what the knock-on effects of terrible paternity leave are: Mental health problems for both mums and dads/ non-birthing partners? CHECK. Financial concerns? CHECK. Parental worry about building a strong relationship with your child? CHECK Feeling unable to speak up as a father as your partner bares the brunt of the load and the struggle? CHECK. When you add all of this up, is it surprising that 45% of dads experience multiple symptoms of depression in the first year of parenthood, and recent devastating research has shown two to three babies lose their dads to suicide every week in the UK? That’s unacceptable. Especially as 82% of new dads say improving paternity leave is the single biggest thing the government could do to help. The time for change is now. It is not the 1950s anymore – dads are rightly expected to be fully present, equal parents. But our paternity leave system is stuck and does not empower dads to do this. The mum’s side of the story In 2021 my husband and I welcomed our beautiful baby girl into the world. Shortly after giving birth and experiencing that rush of love and happiness of being new parents, complications occurred and I was whisked off to theatre, taken away from my husband and daughter who was not even an hour old. The traumatic experience I went through, led me to being diagnosed with PTSD. I also struggled with post-natal depression. When returning home from the hospital, I realised within a couple of weeks that I wasn’t feeling the way I thought I should. I was able to reach out to my doctor and receive medication and signposting for PND support, however the thing I wanted and needed the most, was my husband. He knew me, he witnessed what I went through, and I needed him at home with me and our daughter to help me though a really difficult time. The fact was, he couldn’t be at home, he had to be at work so we had enough money coming in to pay the bills and keep the roof over our heads. I could see he was struggling, but I was struggling, and it felt like a crack was growing between us and a lack of communication and understanding forming. If he had been able to be at home with me for longer, we would have had more time for each other, more time for ourselves to self-reflect and work through our struggles, and we would have been able to build a better and stronger family foundation. Luckily, I had a great support network from family, friends, NCT friends, West Berkshire Family Hub (Family Hubs - West Berkshire Council), and the Parent Village. I undertook sessions with NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies, for anxiety and depression which was fantastic help in working through PTSD and PND. My husband has been my complete rock, and whilst it has taken some time, we have worked through so much together. Giving birth and being a parent is both physically and mentally challenging. Our story is one of dealing with traumatic birthing experience, but I have friends who have had emergency/unplanned C-Sections, and planned C-Sections. C-Sections take a minimum recovery period of six weeks, where mums are unable to do anything more than hold and feed their baby. They are completely reliant on others around them for help, usually the baby’s father/non-birthing parent. Two weeks of paternity leave and at least six weeks of recovery time after giving birth does not add up! As a collective voice, it is time we teamed up with these movements and demand more from our government. My plea to new parents, you are not alone in how you are feeling, there is support there for you. You are enough and you doing a good job, be kind to yourself. Links to our recent interview with ITV: Fathers protest calling for more paid paternity leave - Latest From ITV News UK has Europe's worst paternity leave and it's putting parents off having more kids | ITV News What can you do about it? Currently, the Dad Shift (along with other groups like Pregnant then Screwed) are campaigning for better paternity leave. A package that is substantial (so dads get enough time to support their partner and bond with their kids), affordable (so at a rate that means everyone can afford to take it), and equal (so both parents get equal leave meaning family roles are not shaped by gender). There’s tonnes of research that shows that better paternity leave is: Good for mums (reduction of the gender pay gap and rates of postpartum depression) Good for dads (building better relationships with their children) Good for kids (improves kids’ wellbeing and performance at school) Good for the economy (The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that extending Statutory Paternity Leave to six weeks at 90% of a dads average weekly earnings could deliver £2.68bn to the wider economy) Good for society (happier, healthier families) And these campaign groups are just ordinary parents like me and you. So get involved – search “The Dad Shift” to see what you can do.

West Berkshire Family Life Blog Post We were absolutely delighted to visit our partners at Arlington Arts to attend an evening with the wonderful Cara Dillon - and what a treat it was! Cara Dillon is a Northern Irish folk singer of extraordinary talent, and performing alongside her was her husband and fellow musician Sam Lakeman. Together, they are simply magical. There is a warmth and ease to their stage presence that goes beyond performance. It feels less like a concert and more like an intimate conversation with two people who genuinely love what they do. They draw the audience in, weave stories between songs, and create a sense of togetherness, ending the evening on a firm folk favourite, The Parting Glass. Every note and word is sung with real passion, and we felt every bit of it on the night. The folk music was gorgeous, the stories were captivating, and the whole evening had that rare quality of feeling both special and completely relaxed. Arlington Arts continues to do what it does best: bringing exceptional talent from across the country to our corner of West Berkshire. It’s a wonderful venue, and evenings like this are a reminder of just how much incredible live music is on our doorstep. A huge thank you to Arlington Arts for having us. We can’t wait to come back! And don’t forget, if you are signed up to a West Berkshire Family Life subscription you get 20% off soft & hot drinks and snacks when you visit Arlington Arts. Another great reason to make a night of it! 🎶

A blog post written by West Berkshire Family Life With our eldest starting school this September, we are trying to squeeze in as many day trips and holidays as we possibly can before we are locked into term times and eye-watering peak season prices. Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park has been on our list for awhile, and the boys are the perfect ages and in their Peppa Pig phases of life, so figured now was as good as time as any to give it a go. We drove down from Newbury, which made for an easy and straightforward journey of just over an hour. Paultons Park sits just off the M27 near Romsey in Hampshire, right on the edge of the New Forest, so the drive itself is a lovely one as you get closer. We arrived right at opening time at 10am, something I'd really recommend if you can manage it, as shorter queues are generally found in the mornings and late afternoons. We stayed until 4pm, which gave us a brilliant full day without feeling rushed. We couldn't have picked a better day. The sun was out, amazing blue sky, and it was genuinely hot, which meant we got to make full use of the splash parks too. Top tip from us: pack swimming costumes and a change of clothes! Our two boys, aged 2 and 4, had the absolute best time. One thing worth knowing if you are heading with a toddler, is that there are height restrictions on the some rides, but the good news is that children under a metre get into Paultons for free! Every penny helps when you are looking at the overall cost of the day, which came to around £140 for our family. It's not a cheap day out, but honestly its totally worth it. There is so much to do. (Booking online in advance is a must, as on-the-day tickets are significantly more expensive). Peppa Pig world was perfect for our younger son that is absolutely obsessed with Peppa, and he even got to have a picture taken with Peppa and George. Much to our surprise, our 4 year old discovered he loved rollercoasters. He was nervous at first, but once he got a feel for it, he was absolutely hooked and wanted to go again and again. The park itself is beautifully maintained. It is definitely one of the cleanest and most well-run attractions we have visited. What also really impressed us was the mix of excitement and calm on offer. If you ever need to step away from the buzz and let everyone decompress a little, there are quieter areas dotted around where you can sit, breathe, and recharge. This is great for families with little ones (and the adults too!) who can get a bit overstimulated and need some time out. Something else worth knowing which we didn't fully appreciate before we went, is that Peppa Pig World is actually just one part of the wider Paultons Park. The park is split into several themed worlds, including Tornado Springs, the Lost Kingdom, and Critter Creek, which means there's plenty to explore beyond Peppa's corner of the park and covers all ages. We also loved that it wasn't just rides. There are animals to visit too. Penguins, flamingos, lemurs, and meerkats, which the boys absolutely loved. The playgrounds and splash parks were great fun too. And one of the highlights of the whole day(for the 2 year old) was riding the train that winds its way around the park, through a lovely woodland area and around the back past a lake. As we went during the week, and out of school holidays, the park was quite quiet. We didnt need to queue for any of the rides in the morning, but it did get a bit busier in the afternoon with school groups, but the longest we had to wait was 15 mins. On the food front, the park has plenty of options, though as with most theme parks the prices are on the higher side. We packed a picnic, but needed to stop for numerous ice creams and iced coffees. There are water fountains dotted around which was also handy to fill up our water bottles. Also worth knowing: the park is completely cashless, so make sure you bring a debit or credit card. By the time we got back to the car, both boys were worn out in the best possible way and before we'd even hit the motorway, they were asleep. (which didn't make for the easiest of bedtimes!) Our Top Tips Before You Go 🎟️ Book online in advance. Its significantly cheaper than paying on the day 🩱 Pack swimming costumes and a spare change of clothes. The splash parks are great fun. 📱 Download the Paultons Park app. It shows live queue times for all the rides and has an interactive map so you won't get lost. ⏰ Arrive at opening time. Queues are at their shortest first thing in the morning 🥪 Bring a picnic. There are plenty of spots to eat your own food and it'll save you a small fortune 💳 Card only. The park is cashless, so leave the cash at home 🌦️ Pack for all weathers. Sun cream, sun hats, and a waterproof layer. 🚗 Parking is free and very close to the entrance, which is a bonus with tired little legs 👶 Under 1 metre? Free entry! Children under the height restriction get in for nothing, so check before you book We will definitely visit again, and the boys are already asking when we can go again!

May has arrived in West Berkshire, and this month has so much to offer. We are spoilt with two bank holidays to enjoy this month too! Here are some of our top picks for this month. We will continue to add events throughout the month, so do keep checking back. Theatre Arts and Crafts Rollercoaster Juggling When: 3rd May Where: Corn Exchange Cost: Full Price £16.25 / Concessions £14.25 (including booking fees) Ultra-modern pop-punk juggling. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang When: 26th May - 13th Sept Where: Watermill Theatre Cost: From £15 Soar far above the clouds and across the seas with a fantasmagorical new Watermill Theatre production of the iconic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jungle Adventure When: 28th May Where: Arlington Arts Cost: From £12 Perfect for the whole family, Jungle Adventure is an exciting mix of magic, fun, and fascinating wildlife that will have everyone on the edge of their seats! Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure When: 29th May Where: Corn Exchange Cost: Full Price £17.25 / Child £14.25 (including booking fees) Outdoors Nature Tots, Minibest Bop - Nature Discovery Centre, When: 1st and 2nd May 10:00-14:00 Where: Nature Discovery Centre Cost: £8 per child & booking fee. Accompanying adults free Explore the nature reserve and enjoy wildlife themed activities suitable for children aged 18 months to 4 years Family Trail: May Butterfly Hunt When: 25 May 10:00-14:00 Where: Nature Discovery Centre Cost: £6.00 per child & booking fee. Supervisory adults free Discover a whole host of fascinating facts about butterflys. Suitable for families with children aged 3 to 11 years (younger siblings may also attend and do not need a ticket) Family Fun Duck Race and Spring Fete When: 3rd May Where: Watermill Theatre Traditional fête activities, crafts, duck race, face painting, storytelling sessions in the theatre and drama games taster sessions Rocket Propelled Games When: Various events throughout May Where: Rocket Propelled Games - 150-151 Bartholomew Street, Newbury Big Bale Play When: 23rd - 31st Where: High lodge Farm, Abgindon Cost: From £4.95 UK’s biggest straw bale playground, with more than 250 giant bales to explore. Farmer Carters Bank Holiday Fun When: 2nd and 4th May Where: MIllets Farm Centre Cost: From £5.50 (under 12 months free) Complete the quiz trails, play the games and enjoy the activities on offer all within the 3 woodlands and multiple courtyard areas. Plus there’s go karts, ride on vehicles, sand pits, garden games and much more to explore.

A blog post by West Berkshire Family Life We had a such great evening at Arlington Arts, soaking up the sounds of local favourite Joe Hicks and enjoying an all-round brilliant night of live music. Kicking things off was support act Lydia Clowes, who set the tone with her warm, soothing vocals. Her set carried a relaxed feel which was perfect for easing into the night. Then came Joe Hicks, a locally raised artist, now celebrating his new album Before It Gets Dark. Lifting the energy, he showed himself to be an accomplished guitarist and incredible vocalist. It may have been our first time seeing him live and hearing this latest material, but it certainly didn’t feel like it! It was a polished performance with the lighting seamlessly synced to the music. The new material is great and definitely one to check out. We always enjoy going to see performances at The Arlington Arts, and especially enjoyed seeing Joe Hicks. It was such a great atmosphere with expertly crafted songs from start to finish! Have a look at The Arlington Arts Website to see whats on: Arlington Arts Centre West Berkshire Family Life members receive 20% discount on hot drinks and soft drinks, as well as snacks at the bar.

#Ad This morning we enjoyed a visit to Hallcourt Farm for the opening day of their Easter event, Blossoms and Bygones. Today was the first day of their four day event, and we were keen to explore everything on offer. Hallcourt farm is set within the most beautiful landscape and the farm provides incredible views, fresh countryside air, and so much space to walk and run around, making it an ideal setting for a lovely family outing. The trail is set in one of the most beautiful bluebell woods I have ever seen. The display is genuinely breathtaking, creating an almost magical atmosphere. This alone makes the visit worthwhile! The woodland walk has plenty of things to spot with some quirky decorations along the way. Children will enjoy spotting the small fairy doors hidden among the trees! In addition to the woodland trails, there are a range of activities available, including arts and crafts, face painting, giant bale play and a selection of food and drinks. There is also some delicious looking ice cream on offer, which looked rather tempting! If you are looking for a fun family outing, head over to Hall Court Farm this weekend. Book here Friday, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 -16:00 1 ticket is required per person (for adults and children). £6.50 each. Children under 2 are free. Saturday 11th April will be a dog friendly day, with well-behaved dogs on leads welcome to join the fun. Buggies and prams are not recommended. Hallcourt Farm Midgham, Reading, RG7 5TX What3words ///ideals.yours.processes For any questions, Call Beth on 07810 798 468 or email hello@hallcourt.farm

Spring is in the air, the clocks have changed, and the days are getting longer and brighter which is perfect for family days out! This April, there’s so much to see and do, from hands-on lambing experiences and Easter trails to theatre shows and plenty more to keep little ones entertained. Theatre Arts and Crafts: Arts and Crafts at Bucklebury Farm When: 30th March and 3rd April Where: Bucklebury Farm Cost: £3 (ticket to farm needed) Children’s Easter Safe Print When: Monday 30th March – 2 to 3:30pm Where: City Arts Cost: £12.50 Easter Printmaking for Kids – fun for all ages, as long as you can hold a pencil! Join City Arts for a colourful printmaking session where you’ll design your own Easter and spring-inspired artworks Easter Woodblock printing with Arty Pumpkin When:1st April , 10am to 12noon Where: City Arts Cost: £15 This workshop is for children of all ages, teenagers and adults. A playful chance to experiment with words using beautiful woodblock type Clay Play - Jelly Cat Inspired - Blue Beetle Ceramics When: 1st April Where: Blue Beetle Ceramics, Thatcham Cost: £15 Clay Play Jelly Cat Inspired workshop. During this workshop you'll work with earthenware clay to create your own set of clay Jelly Cat Inspired characters Glass Fusing -Hanging Heart or Flower When: 2nd April Where: Blue Beetle Ceramics, Thatcham Cost: £17.50 This is a brand new glass fusing session suitable for 8+ Easter Messy Museum Morning When: 2nd April Where: West Berkshire Museum Cost: £2.50 Decorate a ceramic hanging decoration with porcelain pens and other craft materials. Subject to availability, choose between a bunny, chick, lamb, egg or butterfly. Clay Play - Chuckling Chicken When:Blue Beetle Ceramics Where: 3rd April Cost: £15 Easter Holiday Clay Creation workshop, where you will make your very own Chicken Dish. The Wind in the Willows - Corn Exchange When: 10th April – Sunday 12th April Where: Corn Exchange Cost: Full Price £18.25 / Concs £15.75 (including booking fees) The Infant and Junior Youth Theatre tell the wondrous tale of the Wild Wood and its inhabitants Tots Craft & Create - Corn Exchange When: Thursday 23rd April – Thursday 2nd July 2026 Where: Corn Exchange Cost: £7 (per session, admits 1 adult and 1 child) Additional child £2.50 Stay and play sessions filled with arts, crafts, music and imaginative play. Pet Portrait for Teens When: 4th April Where: The Base Cost: £30 Work with Base resident artist Ellie Kerr-Smiley to create a life-like portrait of your favourite furry friend by learning techniques to replicate fur, eyes and how to capture their unique likeness. Rabbit Jar in Clay When: 9th April , 1:30 to 3:30pm Where: City Arts Cost: £18 plus £2/participant firing charge This workshop is for children 8 years old and over.Make yourself a clay jar with a rabbit themed lid. The Art Lab When: 23rd Apr-21st May Where: The Base Cost: £8 per session Join The Base for this fun and creative after school club for ages 6-12 years Outdoors: Nature Tots - Nature Discovery Centre, Thursday 2 April When: 2nd,3rd & 4th April Where: Nature Discovery Centre Cost: £8 per child & booking fee. Accompanying adults free Explore the nature reserve and enjoy wildlife themed activities suitable for children aged 18 months to 4 years Family Easter Trail: Find The Fox Cubs - Nature Discovery Centr e When: 7th and 8th April Where: Nature Discovery Centre Cost: £5 per child plus booking fee. Accompanying adults free A fun family trail for Easter with a small chocolate prize at the end. Easter Fox Crafts for Children - Nature Discovery Centre When: 7th, 8th and 9th April Where: Nature Discovery Centre Cost: £5 per child plus booking fee. Accompanying adults free Suitable for children aged 3 to 13

Spring has officially arrived (well the sun has made an appearance a few times), and Easter is the perfect time to get out and explore everything West Berkshire has to offer. There are loads of fun Easter egg hunts and outdoor adventures to enjoy, as well as craft workshops. We hope this guide helps you to plan a fun Easter. Easter Adventures City Arts Easter Egg Trail When: Saturday 28th March , 10am to Friday   10 April 4pm Where: City Arts Newbury Buy your map at City Arts Newbury (10 Hampton Road, RG14 6DB) from Saturday 28 March and receive a small Easter treat (while stocks last) – Trail maps are available to buy during the Community Art Café normal opening hours – Thursday to Sunday 10am to 4pm Eggstravaganza trail Ikea Reading When: Friday 27th March - Friday 10 April Where: Ikea Reading Cost: Free Grap a map and discover the secret location of the 8 colourful Easter eggs hidden amongst the store Easter Bunny Disco - Bucklebury Farm When: Monday 30th March and 10th April Where: Bucklebury Farm Cost: £12 Disco in the play barn. Includes a party tea for children ( Pizza and pasta), lots of fun, as well as admission to the farm per ticket after 3pm. Peter Rabbit Springtime Adventure - Milestones Museum When: Sunday 28th March - Sunday 12th April Where: Milestones, Basingstoke Cost: From £19.50 (under 5's go free, and free for current ticket holders) Giant marble run, crafts, story time, Beatrix Potter paper trail, games, seed planting, and lots more Easter Eggstravaganza - 4 Kingdoms When: Saturday 28th March - Sunday 12th April Where: 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park Cost: General Admission (Adults from £17.95) Meet classic bunny characters, Easter bunnies, and more. A magical Rabbit Hole walk through experience. Easter Egg Hunts and Easter Trails Eggventure Sessions - Little Play Lounge When: 30th March - 2nd April Where: Little Play Lounge Cost: From £3.50 Little one ticket includes:An outdoor Easter egg hunt with a sweet treat on completion Play lounge session, Easter dress up and Easter colouring and crafts Egg -Cellent Family Activity Day - Shaw House When: Wednesday 1st April 10am – 2pm Where: Shaw House, Newbury Cost: £2.50 Aimed at 7-11 year olds, but younger and older children are welcome. Decorate a polystyrene egg with paint pens, sequins and other craft materials so it’s ready for an Easter egg hunt! The Easter Show - Little Play Lounge When: Friday 3rd April Where: Little Play Lounge Cost: From £5 Children are invited to take part in a magical, interactive storytelling adventure designed especially for little imaginations. Sheepish Family Activity Day - Shaw House When: Wednesday 8th April 10am – 2pm Where: Shaw House Cost: £2.50 Sheepish! Make a rocking sheep or lamb from a paper plate, cotton wool, pom poms, wiggle eyes, markers, glue and other craft materials.Includes the Sheep at Shaw House Trail. Aimed at 7-11 year olds Blossoms & Bygones Hallcourt Farm When: 9th - 12th April Where: Hallcourt Farm, Midgham Cost: From £6.80 Enchanted Woodland Trail, BIG Bale Play, Arts & Crafts, Outdoor Games and more! Perfect for families with children aged between 2 - 10 years. Easter Adventure Trail - High Lodge Farm When: 28th March - 6th April Where: High Lodge Farm, Abingdon Cost: From £6.50 Tickets include woodland trail and activity sheet, Play Patch access with garden games, sandpit, straw bales, farm tractor, ride-on toys, mud kitchen and lots more! Barrel train rides around the farm are extra (£3pp). Highclere Castle’s Easter Egg Trail When: Saturday 11th April Where: Highclere Castle Cost: £15 per person which gives access to the Easter Egg Trail, Gardens and Grounds, Tea Rooms and Gift Shop. Please note, this ticket does NOT include access to either the Castle or the Egyptian Exhibition. Suggested donation of £5 per child. Explore the gardens and woodland and discover the Highclere Castle Easter Egg Trail. At the end of the Trail, each child will win a chocolate Easter Egg or an alternative dairy-free treat! Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch with the Easter Bunny - Ikea When: 2nd April , 9:30-11:00 or 11:30-13:00 or 13:30-14:30 Where: Ikea Reading Cost: Free With lots of free fun for all the Family to enjoy. From crafts, colouring, egg decorating and an appearance from the Easter Bunny. Easter Crafts: Arts and Crafts at Bucklebury Farm When: 30th March and 3rd April Where: Bucklebury Farm Cost: £3 (ticket to farm needed) Easter Taste Safe Messy Session - Tiny Town When: Wednesday 1st April  13:30-15:00 (walkers to 5 years and T uesday 7th (6 months and non walkers) Where: Tiny Town Cafe, Newbury Hello Spring! Messy Museum Morning When: Thursday 2nd April Where: West Berkshire Museum Cost: £2.50 Greet Spring by choosing a themed ceramic hanging decoration to decorate with porcelain pens and other craft materials. Subject to availability, choose between a bunny, chick, lamb, egg or butterfly. Characterful Clay Chicks - The Base When: Saturday 4th April 10am - 12pm Where: The Base Cost: £35 Celebrate spring and have fun sculpting a characterful spring clay chick with Susie from Pots of Hope. Kids' Easter Egg Character Workshop - Hobby Craft   When: Friday 10th and Saturday 11th April Where: Hobby craft, Retail Park, Newbury Cost: £8 Suitable for ages 3+. With this Easter egg decorating project, kids can create their very own egg character using all the craft supplies provided. This workshop is designed to help kids of all ages get making. Each maker will be left with a colourful egg – ready for display this Easter! Children’s Easter Safe Print When: Monday 30th March – 2 to 3:30pm Where: City Arts Cost: £12.50 Easter Printmaking for Kids – fun for all ages, as long as you can hold a pencil! Join City Arts for a colourful printmaking session where you’ll design your own Easter and spring-inspired artworks Easter Woodblock printing with Arty Pumpkin When: Wednesday 1st April , 10am to 12noon Where: City Arts Cost: £15 This workshop is for children of all ages, teenagers and adults. A playful chance to experiment with words using beautiful woodblock type. Rabbit Jar in Clay When: Thursday 9th April , 1:30 to 3:30pm Where: City Arts Cost: £18 plus £2/participant firing charge This workshop is for children 8 years old and over.Make yourself a clay jar with a rabbit themed lid.

A blog post written by West Berkshire Family Life #pr visit We had the best  time on our recent visit to Windsor Great Park Adventure Play. Honestly, we couldn’t fault a thing! First of all, we couldn’t have chosen a better day. It was the first proper sunshine of the year, that glorious blue-sky was just amazing to see, even my 2 year old kept saying "sun, no rain!". After months of grey, it felt extra special, and spending it outdoors with the boys was just perfect.(except for the ones we left behind that were struck down with the horrid illnesses going around) The playground itself is beautifully designed. It’s only around four years old and still feels absolutely pristine. Every detail has been so thoughtfully considered. There are wooden walkways weaving through the trees, rope bridges to balance across, a brilliant zip wire swing that had the boys squealing with excitement, and a great sandpit that kept them busy digging and building for ages. It’s adventurous without feeling overwhelming. Just the perfect way to spend a morning with busy boys who need to climb, swing and explore. Even the bathrooms were immaculate. Clean, spacious, and so well thought out. There are little seats to safely pop babies into so mums can be hands-free in the loo (why doesn’t everywhere have these?), children’s toilets, and basins set at exactly the right height. It’s these small touches that really make a difference. The café and shop is just beautiful. You almost need to walk past quickly so you’re not tempted by all the gorgeous gifts and children’s toys on display. We did stop though (of course we did!) and enjoyed a lovely lunch. The pizzas were absolutely delicious and just what we needed after a busy morning of climbing and exploring. We had hoped to visit the stunning The Savill Garden too, but we ran out of time. In a few weeks it will be even more beautiful as everything begins to bloom — so we are already planning a return trip. Good to know: Parking is free  if you’re visiting the Adventure Playground — which is a real bonus as parking can be a bit pricey. You’re not allowed to bring your own food into the playground , but you could easily pack a picnic and head out into Windsor Great Park afterwards for a lovely outdoor lunch. There’s also a free playground within the park , which is perfect if you want to extend the day without extending the budget. The Adventure Play area is open daily throughout the year (except 24 & 25 December) with booked 2-hour play sessions The park itself is free to visit dawn until dusk, but the Adventure Play area requires a ticket and booking All in all, it was one of those simple, sunshine-filled mornings that remind you how special family days out can be. Fresh air, happy boys, beautiful surroundings. We will definitely be back!

A blog post by Lizzie Lock, Boogie Mites West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire Children LOVE a good story (again… and again… and again!) Sharing a book with your child brings so many benefits (for us parents too) – but did you know that music-making is also a really powerful way to help develop early literacy skills? Recent research suggests that children up to around 6 years old actually process language as music –when they hear speech, their brains are picking out rhythms, pitch, melody. It explains why we as parents instinctively speak to young children in a sing-song voice – and why you might notice your child responds to a request or instruction if you sing it rather than say it. There’s plenty of evidence that music and sound games serve a really valuable purpose in helping our children to process language, and ultimately become ready for learning to read and write. “Sound before symbol” is a well-recognised concept in music education, and is relevant for language learning too: in order to be able to read and write, first we need to be able to hear the sounds that make up our language, and produce those sounds. So how can we use music at home to support our children’s early literacy skills? There’ll be LOADS of things you already do with your child intuitively: singing or chanting songs or rhymes together; speaking in ‘parent-ese’ (that sing-song, exaggerated voice that slows down speech, often repeating words or short phrases); dancing together to your favourite music; to name just a few! Here are some ideas you might like to try too: “Found Sounds”: what sounds can we make with everyday objects? Pots and pans are a firm favourite of course, banging on the highchair or table – maybe running a stick along some railings. Junk percussion (cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, rubber bands on margarine tubs) make great instruments too! This kind of play helps children differentiate between sounds – and that ‘tuning in of the ears’ will support them to hear different speech sounds. Add in mimicking the sound with your own voices, maybe taking turns, we’re layering on the opportunity for children to master their voice and listen to others, which leads us onto… Vocal play: Did you know you use around 100 different muscles when you speak? That’s a lot to co-ordinate! Next time you’re reading a story together with your child, why not try out some sound effects with your voice? Encourage your child to join in – it could be exaggerating voices for each character, a sound for an action or movement (e.g. whoosh, pop, blowing a raspberry) or setting the scene (maybe the sound of the weather or environment the story takes place in). There are some great books for children which have really clear opportunities for vocal play: e.g. We’re Going On a Bear Hunt, Room on the Broom, Little Red Riding Hood, Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear? Sounds that get repeated through the story are especially brilliant – giving children the chance to anticipate when to use the sound, and practise making it. Tapping out words : Facing your child, try clapping or tapping out the syllables of words as you sing or chant a song your child knows and loves. You can use your hands, or objects (2 sticks from the park or garden, 2 wooden spoons, or just drumming on a hard surface). Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is a simple one to start, as the word rhythm is more or less 1 syllable per musical beat. Singing or chanting naturally slows down our speech, giving children a chance to see how we form each syllable with our mouths. Adding a tap or clap further emphasises each syllable. Lizzie offers WBFL families a free 1 week trial of the "Let's Tap A Word" song resources as well as 15% off first block bookings on her Boogie Mites Classes. See here for booking details: Newbury and Hungerford Music Classes | Boogie Mites

How is it March already? It feels like the year has only just begun, yet spring is slowly starting to arrive. After a few very rainy months (and plenty of muddy walks), it’s a welcome change to see daffodils and snowdrops popping up across our towns and villages. The sun has even made one or two appearances recently which is hopefully a sign of brighter days ahead! March is also a special month for celebrating the important people in our lives. Mother’s Day gives us the chance to recognise all the wonderful mums and mum figures who do so much for us. And of course, there’s World Book Day, always a highlight for local families, as children head to school dressed as their favourite book characters. Arts and Crafts : Songs and Stories in the Gallery When: 7th & 26th March Where: The Gallery, The Base Cost: £8.25 Explore the Gallery and creative spaces of The Base through songs, stories, sensory play and movement with professional classical singer Louise Ashdown Glass Fusion (for teens) When: 7th March Where: City Arts Cost: £50 Choose to make a small sun catcher or a mini S-curve and explore your artistic side with colour, shape, and light. World Book Day Doodles with Tim Furr When: 7th March Where: City Arts Cost: £16.50 This workshop is for children 6 to 12 years old. Create some of the wild and wonderful doodles with Tim Furr Little Artists After School Club When: 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th March - 16:15 Where: The Base Cost: £8 per session Join The Base for this fun, creative after school club for children aged 7-11. The Gruffalos Child When: 13th – 15th March Where: Corn Exchange Cost: Full price £16.25 / Child price £14.25 Join the Corn Exchange for the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in Tall Stories’ enchanting adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Swallows & Amazons When: 19th -21st March Where: Watermill Theatre Cost: From £15 Most suitable for ages 6+ Wildlife Clay Animals When: 21st March Where: The Base Join Susie Oates from Pots of Hope to make your own clay animal.These family fun sessions, suitable for 7 to 12 year olds, Bring Your Baby Art Class When: 27th March Where: The Base Cost: £25 Join Base resident artist Ellie Kerr-Smiley and develop your artistic skills in a relaxed art class. Hop & Knot: Macramé Easter Bunny Ears When: 28th March Where: The Base Cost: £32 Celebrate Easter with a fun and creative workshop designed especially for children ages 8 and up. The Dinosaur that Pooped: A Rock Show When: 28th March Where: Corn Exchange Cost: Full Price £18.75 / Child £17.75 Linoprint your own Minecraft character When: 30th March – 11am to 1pm Where: City Arts Cost: £18 This workshop is suitable for children 8 and over Children’s Easter Safe Print When: 30th March Where: City Arts Cost: £12.50 Join City Arts for a colourful printmaking session where you’ll design your own Easter and spring-inspired artworks The Utterly Revolting Science Show When: 31st March Where: Corn Exchange Cost: Full price £19.25 / Child price £17.25 Join the Corn Exchange for this explosive science stunt show. Mothers Day Events 4 Kingdoms - Mums go Free When: 14th & 15th Where: 4 Kingdoms The Silver Clay Cabin Mum and Daughter Silver Clay Jewellery Workshop When: Various Dates Where: Silver Clay Cabin Cost: £175 Treat your mum to a private workshop where you will each make a piece of jewellery. Mothers Day Mini Photoshoot When: 2nd March Where: Little Play Lounge - With Parker-Wilson Photography Mothers Day Play Sessions When: 9th - 13th March Where: Little Play Lounge Cost: From £3.50 A special 1.5 hour play session for you both, a slice of cake, and a loyalty card with a discount code for your next play. A flower bouquet Mothers Day Afternoon Tea When: 15th March Where: ORIDA Newbury Cost: From £20 Join Orida for a Mothers Day Afternoon Tea with a complementary glass of bubbly. Mothers Day at Bucklebury Farm When: 14th and 15th March Where: Bucklebury Farm Cost: Farm entry over Mother’s Day weekend is £7 per person FREE coffee for every mum. Flowers for the first 50 mums each day Outdoors Nature Tots - Nature Discovery Centre Where: Nature Discovery Centre When: 5th,6th,7th March, 10:00am - 11:30am Cost: £8 per child & booking fee. Accompanying adults free Explore the nature reserve and enjoy wildlife themed activities suitable for children aged 18 months to 4 years Family Fun World Book Day Play When: 5th March Where: Little Play Lounge Cost: From £3.50 1 hour play session, an enchanting story time and a book to take home Eggventure Sessions When: 30th March - 2nd April Where: Little Play Lounge Cost: From £3.50 ​Little one ticket includes:An outdoor Easter egg hunt with a sweet treat on completion. Play lounge session. Easter dress up.Easter colouring and crafts.