Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Latest Berkshire News
THAMES HOSPICE SANTA DASH RETURNS TO SWINLEY FOREST
Thames Hospice invites you to take part in Berkshire’s best Santa Dash at 10am on Sunday 24th November. Start the festive season in style by donning a Santa suit and dashing around Swinley Forest, Bracknell to raise vital funds for your local Hospice so they can continue providing compassionate care and support to local families this Christmas and beyond. This year the charity is introducing a brand new Christmas experience - not only will families have an opportunity to run or walk a 3k, 5k or more challenging 10k route, there will also be a special visit from Santa and his sleigh, children’s entertainment, music and refreshments.
There is an option to purchase a family Christmas experience package for £95 – this includes entry fee for a family of four, children’s priority Santa experience, raffle ticket and refreshments. T: 01753 842121 W: www.thameshospice.org.uk/santadash
I was able to look after myself and my family!
As the cold weather starts to bite, the Primary Times team chatted to one parent about dealing with inevitable winter illnesses.
“Last winter my children and I were hit hard by a sickness bug. I visited www.nhs.uk for information about what to do next and what to look out for if things get worse. My medicine cabinet had everything I needed, from re-hydration solutions and painkillers to hand sanitiser. We made it through after a horrid few days and came out stronger!
We got better by doing simple things like regularly washing our hands and cleaning door handles! A doctor didn’t need to tell us that! By staying home we made sure we didn’t spread the bug to friends, family or classmates.” W: www.nhs.uk
If you go down to the woods today
Suited and booted; the rain doesn’t stop them at Jubilee! Set in 63 acres of private woodland, gardens and a working farm, both Jubilee Day Nursery and Jubilee Gems promise to give children a learning experience which is truly unique. Each week Forest School Leaders take the children on woodland adventures to spark their imaginations. It is this type of ‘experiential’ learning that equips children with practical skills and an appreciation for being outdoors which they can transfer to experiences beyond their early years. Outdoor learning is part-and-parcel of the children’s time at Jubilee, whether that be wood whittling, learning to use tools, fishing in the stream or building camp fires.
Jubilee Day Nursery T: 0118 970 1600
W: www.jubileedaynursery.co.uk/learning/forest-schools
Jubilee Gems T: 0118 983 4018
W: www.jubileegems.co.uk/learning/forest-school
Kids get water confident with Seriously Fun Swimming Schools
Seriously FUN Swimming Schools run term time weekly swimming lessons for children aged 3 to 12 years and welcome all abilities. They have a maximum of six children per class, caring teachers and term time fees are payable in two instalments. When your child joins a term time course they receive a free swim bag, awards file and wall chart! Lessons take place at warm indoor pools at St Piran’s School (Maidenhead), Manor Green School (Maidenhead), Teikyo Japanese School (Slough), Thorpe House School (Gerrards Cross), Aylesbury Grammar School (Aylesbury) and new from Spring 2020 The Beacon School (Amersham). Give them a ring or book online. T: 01753 364364 W: www.seriouslyfun.net
Busy Buttons celebrates all things Victorian with ‘THE little GREAT EXHIBITION’
'THE little GREAT EXHIBITION' is an event for the whole family to enjoy at Windsor Yards. From 17th November to 5th January, it features 10 majestic arches celebrating Queen Victoria’s 200th anniversary with valuable educational insights into the Victorian Era. The arches have been designed and realised by Busy Buttons along with 300 school children. They were commissioned by the Royal Windsor Rose and Horticultural Society for the Mackintosh Shield school competition. This exhibition offers a number of free creative family events and is supported by Windsor Yards. W: www.busybuttons.org
Challow Hurdle Family Day at Newbury Racecourse
Looking for a different way to get some fresh air post-Christmas? Newbury Racecourse hosts its most popular family day on Challow Hurdle Day on Saturday 28th December where racegoers can go and enjoy fun for all the family. As well as seven thrilling races, racegoers can enjoy face painting, slime making workshops and crafty activities provided by the ever popular Creation Station. Don’t forget children go free, and tickets bought online in advance are just £19. W: www.newburyracecourse.co.uk
Camp Comradery at Leighton Park
Year 7s at Leighton Park were delighted to enjoy a night under canvas at the start of their new senior school experience with a camping trip to the School’s orchard! Being careful not to pitch their tents on the fallen apples, the youngest students in the school set up their accommodation with much hilarity and some successful teamwork; the girls beating the boys in the tent race for the seventh year running! Hot chocolate, games around the camp fire and a (little) bit of sleep made the evening a huge success and a wonderful way to get to know each other outside the classroom. Book online to go and see the school for yourself. W: www.leightonpark.com/visitus
Reading gets set for a Magical Christmas
It’s going to be a magical Christmas in Reading! Families will be enchanted by more than 40 events including an astonishing day-long extravaganza with boat rides and storytelling on the river, entertainment in the haunting Abbey Ruins, acts all along the main shopping street and culminating in stunning fireworks on top of The Blade skyscraper. Meanwhile, little ones – and older ones too! - will be captivated by Santa’s Grotto at Broad Street Mall as well as a breath-taking fire show, all set against new super-sparkling Christmas trees in the town. And each day in December a whole range of events will take place as part of Reading’s imaginative Living Advent Calendar, all of them free. W: www.magicalreading.co.uk
Canine Capers at Dogs Trust Christmas Fair
Dogs Trust Newbury will be holding their Christmas Fair on Sunday 1st of December where you can expect to see lots of Christmas goodies, stalls, crafting and even visit their very own Santa Paws! There’s also the chance to win prizes, take part in their fabulous Christmas raffle and ‘hunt a festive feast’ for dogs and humans! They are asking for a small donation on entry and their Rehoming Centre will also be open to meet a few of the residents up for adoption. They look forward to giving you a festive fun welcome and hope to see you there! T: 01488 658 391 W: www.dogstrust.org.uk