top tips

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Top Tips!

Top Tips!

To spread some festive cheer (and keep the children entertained!) we’ve put together some Christmas activities to try this December. We’d love to see your photos and feature them in the newsletter – send them to info@theriversidedaynursery.co.uk  

Bake and Take

A gift that no one forgets is the one that is handmade and tastes amazing! BBC Good Food offers a wide selection of recipes to bake and take to loved ones all aimed at involving little hands. Take a look here:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/christmas-kids

Family Time In

Nothing is more Christmassy than watching a movie with all the family (onesies and popcorn optional). This time of year, there is a feast of films to tuck into on the free view channels. Following a quick poll, our nursery team’s all-time favourites include:

Elf, The Grinch, Polar Express, Home Alone 2, A Charlie Brown Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Snowman, of course.

Family Time Out

From meeting Santa to wintry walks followed by afternoon tea, this handy ‘What’s On’ guide will help you plan activities for the Christmas holidays for all ages. You’ll find a whole host of activities to do throughout out Windsor and the rest of Berkshire.

https://www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/christmas

Please make sure you send us your photos of your fun days out or festive creations.

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Top Tips! Family-friendly things to do in and around Windsor this autumn

Autumn is a fab time for going out on long rambles, kicking up the leaves, before warming up with a yummy hot chocolate.

There are lots of great walks and activities to do in and around the Windsor area. Here are a few you might like to try with your little one(s).

 Windsor Pumpkin Party, Saturday 26th October – Always a popular event, this annual Halloween celebration takes place in the heart of Windsor Royal Station. The event includes free entertainment and pumpkin carving. No booking is required so it is best to get there early to guarantee a free pumpkin! There’s also a Halloween fancy dress competition so don’t forget to don your spookiest attire. Read the details here.

Halloween Fun at Waddesdon Manor – If you fancy travelling further afield there’s lots to do at Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury for families, including nature walks and spooky Halloween themed activities. During the October half-term (Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November) the venue is running a jam-packed schedule of child-friendly events, such as a ‘Spooky’ trail and pumpkin carving.  Find out more here.

Burnham Beeches – If you’re craving a long woodland walk with mounds, and we mean mounds of leaves, then take a trip to Burnham Beeches. Only 20 minutes’ drive by car from Windsor, Burnham Beeches is a large green space with acres of beech woodland and winding pathways, ideal for pushchairs or if your child wants to scoot or cycle. You’ll also find a café close to the main car parks. See more information here.

Help the hedgehogs – If you’re seeking a home-based activity, put those falling leaves to good use by building a hedgehog home. Hedgehogs are much scarcer than they used to be, so you can help by building them a safe, cosy home this autumn. This website has handy instructions, and the good thing is you don’t need nails or wood, just a handful of bricks.

Wishing you all a cosy autumn!

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Top Tips – 5 things to do with under 5s this summer!

Top Tips!

With summer holiday season almost here, here are some ideas for having fun outside and making lifelong memories:

 1.Teach your child to ride their bicycle

Their first memorable taste of freedom is when they finally ride their bicycle unaided. This can take time and requires lots of gentle trips out on a soft surface. Check out the Halford’s web site for a comprehensive guide.

https://www.halfords.com/blog/how-to-teach-a-child-to-ride-a-bike/

2.Pick your own strawberries at a local PYO, then cook up a storm with this simple homemade scone recipe on CBeebies.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/makes/scone-bake

3.Buy a butterfly net and have fun not quite catching one! The Eden Project website also provides a step-by-step guide to building a simple insect house.

https://www.edenproject.com/learn/for-everyone/how-to-build-an-insect-home

4.For rainy days, we love this crafty website with sixty cheap and easy ideas to pass the time and keep little minds occupied.

 https://www.care.com/c/stories/3344/60-ways-to-get-your-kids-crafting-this-summer/en-gb/

5.This innovative blog suggests five free ideas of things to with the kids in Windsor, as well as more expensive suggestions for a special occasion.

https://tinboxtraveller.co.uk/free-windsor-with-kids/

Wishing you all a warm, wonderful summer!

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Top Tips – How to Stay Water Safe this Summer!

May is National Water Safety month, there are countless tips to keep children safe in and around water but here is a selection of top tips you may or may not have considered:

  1. Don’t assume a child that can swim is not at risk of drowning, always be vigilant
  2. If a child is missing check the water first as seconds count
  3. Never swim during a thunderstorm, exit the water immediately
  4. Always go down feet first on water slides
  5. Empty blow-up paddling pools after each use
  6. Nine feet is the minimum depth required for jumping or diving into water

With school half-term here it is the perfect time to take little ones swimming or kick start some lessons at the local pool.

Here are some water-based ideas for the holiday: 

Chiltern Pools in Amersham has three different options, a fun pool with slides, a fitness pool and a diving facility:

https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/chiltern/the-chiltern-pools/a8426617-fddb-4ae0-b5bd-fd6b81f19b36

Coral Reef at Bracknell offers the ultimate in fun days out, it is a water park with a difference having undergone a major refurbishment. Children can go on a pirate shark infested adventure on choppy waters or fly out of the cannonball if they are feeling brave!

https://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/coral-reef-bracknells-water-world

Nothing however is a substitute for learning to swim formally, here at Windsor Leisure Centre there is a range of swimming lessons for children of all ages:

https://www.leisurecentre.com/windsor-leisure-centre/Activity/childrens-swimming-lessons

Finally the RNLI web site is a fantastic resource for adults engaging in water based sports and activities over the summer. We should never stop learning about the dangers of water. The RNLI are currently visiting local schools to promote water safety and educate children on the risks of water.

 https://www.respectthewater.com/activities/

With the right approach water is an amazing resource offering fun and fitness for all the family. Enjoy and please stay safe around water this summer!

 

 

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Top Tips – Easter Activities 2019!

Top Tips – Easter Activities!

With Easter just around the corner, we have put together some activities in Bucks and Berks to do with your little one(s)!

Chocolate workshops – What better way to celebrate Easter than making and shaping chocolate?! Auberge Du Chocolate in Chesham run specific courses and school camps for children, with sessions running through April as well as Easter drop in sessions.

https://aubergechocolat.co.uk/kids-workshops-2/

Funky Forest Holiday Club – If you’re working in the holidays or just fancy some quality Mummy time, the children will love the Funky Forest Holiday Club run by Chiltern Forest School in Great Kingshill and surrounding areas. (8th/9th April)

https://www.chilternforestschool.co.uk/

Wycombe Museum – Make Springtime clay creatures at Wycombe Museum (9th/11th April). Better suited to school age children but all ages welcomed with supervision. This artistic adventure is available every Tuesday and Thursday in the holidays and lasts 45 minutes per session.

https://www.bucksfamilyinfo.org/kb5/buckinghamshire/fsd/service.page?id=KkQbv4Tj-6o

Little Pigs at Amersham – For a truly a unique experience this Easter get to know some fantastic little pigs and learn about the art of pig keeping.
This activity lasts just over an hour and is aimed at piggy enthusiasts aged 3 to 16 years. There are plenty of skills to learn and some free time to play and capture pictures. Certificates are awarded for taking part and over Easter Kew Little Pigs are offering 20% discount off this course.

https://kewlittlepigs.com/

Have a wonderful Easter time with friends and family!

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