When I'm helping my son to read a new book from school, I write a list of the words he struggles on. We go through the list separately and tick off every word he gets right. He is then able to relate the word to the book and by the following week he reads the words perfectly.
Re-use the small string bags that come with washing tablets. They're ideal for storing hair bobbles, nail varnish and make-up. They're also good for children's small toys like marbles and conkers.
Amanda Evans, North Yorkshire. Tip from Woman's Weekly
When my son, Charlie, was potty-training, I made it fun by giving his
favourite bear, Tom, his own potty. It was only a spare soup bowl, but
Charlie loved the fact they were training together.
Bella Smith, 28, Bournemouth, Dorset, mum to Charlie, 2
I had nowhere to keep my daughter's sand-pit toys so I washed out my old kitchen bin and keep the toys in there. If it rains, I put the lid on to keep the toys dry
Kim, via email
Don't waste money buying expensive pet blankets and bedding from pet shops. Baby blankets and bedding items from charity shops serve the purpose equally well and cost a lot less.
Hilary Burfoot, Berkshire. Tip from Woman's Weekly
When it's all going pear shaped, rebalance yourself with a move that's a bit yoga-ish. Sit comfortably; inhale for the count of 3, exhale for a count of 6, until you feel calm. You'll find you can't breathe and count and hold on to stressful thoughts!
Woman Magazine
Fancy a weekend lie in? Now that my kids are old enough to tell the time, I tell them they'll get a prize if they manage to stay in bed until the clock says seven. While they're asleep, I change the clock to run an hour slow. A bit naughty, but it's worth it!
Watch their eyes light up when you take your kids to visit Santa in Santa's grotto, complete with fake snow and his little helpers.
We know kids love to visit Santa's grotto, not just because they'll get a present (whether they've been good or bad), but because it truly feels like Christmas has arrived. Here's our guide to some of the best Santa's grottos near you.
Visit Father Christmas and his elves in a festive grotto at Perrywood Garden Centre in Tiptree, Essex. Â٣ per child, with present. Enter via the woodland walk. See more at www.perrywoodnurseries.co.uk Open Saturdays and Sundays in December and 20-23 December.
Lorna Spencer
we are having a great santas grotto in Yates in Croydon on the 12th of December, mums and dads bring your kids down to see santa and stay for some christmas festive food and drinks if you like! see you there! starting from noon onwards!
Busy Bees, Woking
Busy Bees in Woking are holding an Santas Grotto on Saturday 18th December, 11am until 2pm. The event is FREE. All children recieve a present, and there will be stalls and refreshemnts. Come along and meet santa!! Contact Natalie or Charlie on 01483 797966 for any more information, or check our website at www.busybees.com
Twinlakes Family Theme Park
Experience A Magical Winter Wonderland Discover a truly incredible experience as a spellbinding Family Theme park is magically transformed into an enchanted Winter Wonderland..! Dreams are discovered at the 70 Acre all-weather Park, as its transformed into a stunning illuminated whiteout with thousands of stunning lights and twinkling snow scenes as the truly magical family experience is opened Saturday 21st November. Twinlakes Winter Wonderland Park, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, offers more NEW attractions this winter. There’s something for everyone - little ones gasp in excitement as they enter the NEW inviting Interactive indoor Snowman Adventure Experience, kids test their skills and delight in snowball showers! The NEW Running Bears –Summit Plummet sledging attraction - a 25ft high Toboggan run for those that dare! And Squaw Valley-Skike Hike the NEW Nordic skating ski track provides fun for the adventurous - Join Santa’s helpers on the magnificent magical express Train ride, over 2.2km of welcoming fun for all ages. Twinlakes Real Reindeer take time to relax before the Christmas Eve rush in their enchanted new home where kiddies can join the elves in feeding sessions. The wonderful and unique indoor Eco-friendly synthetic Ice Skating rink sparkles with energetic skaters and the laughter of those not so dynamic! Discover a truly magical experience with your friends and family In Penguin Fantasy Land as Father Christmas and his Elves wait for all good boys and girls with sacks of presents. In the festive workshops, children’s imaginations flow creating special Christmas surprises to take home and enter into our competitions, There’s prizes to win and yummy treats for everyone!! Plus 125,000 sq ft heated indoor venture zones and 70 acres of attractions. So get your skates on and join us for the Magical Winter Wonderland the best value family day out ever!! Twinlakes Winter Wonderland is only Â٦.99 per person and under 95cm are FREE admission includes, 70 acres of attractions, over 300 animals and birds, ENDS For More information and comments contact Sandy Gyorvari 07870835349 Twinlakes Leisure Park Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 4SB Tel: 01664 567777 Fax: 01664 560070 General information Twinlakes is located just outside Melton Mowbray. It has a FREE car and coach park for up to several thousand vehicles. It opens at 10am daily The winter wonderland is open from 21st Nov 09 – 2nd February 10 Entry charges Winter Wonderland price Â٦.99 (under 95cm free Details and tickets can be found on www.twinlakespark.co.uk
Steve Hammon
Please add us! We're offering a fabulous Santa's Grotto for Christmas 2009 at Heart of England Adventure Park, Fillongley, Near Meriden, Warwickshire. It's a 40 minute, guided experience which includes a trip through the woodlands on our Park train - activities in the 'departure lounge', a drink (mulled wine/squash) and mince pie, gift for the children, a stunning woodland grotto - and the latest in Sleigh Technology deep in the Woodlands! Play in the playbus afterwards, coffee shop, free parking. Adults (13+) Â٤, Child (2-12) Â٦, Babies (under 2) Â١. Visit www.heartpark.co.uk
gordon
could you please add these grotto's on your site for the NORTH WEST SALFORD CITY SHOPPING CENTRE SALFORD MANCHESTER AND WIDNES SHOPPING CENTRE WIDNES CHESHIRE THANKS
Geoff Belson
Please add this grotto to your list for south east,good value Â٤ per child and a quality time and present guaranteed. The Grotto is at Weald country park Brentwood Essex cm14 5qs Saturdays and Sundays December 6th,7th,13th,14th 20th & 21st Christmas at Weald Country Park This Christmas visit Weald Country Park to enjoy a traditional Christmas. Father Christmas will be in his grotto with his live animal friends Including Fudge a barn owl. Other attractions include Christmas music with Brentwood Junior string and wind orchestra and a free Children’s show (Sun 7th and Sun 14th 1pm) A visitor centre packed full of gifts for all ages Mulled punch and a lovely Christmas atmosphere. Grotto open 11am-12 noon-1pm- 3.30pm (no booking necessary) Also grotto open Tues 23rd Dec & Christmas eve 11.am-12 noon 1pm-2pm Visitor Centre open 10am-4pm (weekends) Tues-Fri 11am-3pm all winter weekdays Phone 01277 261343 for more Information. E mail wealdcprgr@essex.gov.uk
Your comments
Hannah
Visit Father Christmas and his elves in a festive grotto at Perrywood Garden Centre in Tiptree, Essex. Â٣ per child, with present. Enter via the woodland walk. See more at www.perrywoodnurseries.co.uk Open Saturdays and Sundays in December and 20-23 December.
Lorna Spencer
we are having a great santas grotto in Yates in Croydon on the 12th of December, mums and dads bring your kids down to see santa and stay for some christmas festive food and drinks if you like! see you there! starting from noon onwards!
Busy Bees, Woking
Busy Bees in Woking are holding an Santas Grotto on Saturday 18th December, 11am until 2pm. The event is FREE. All children recieve a present, and there will be stalls and refreshemnts. Come along and meet santa!! Contact Natalie or Charlie on 01483 797966 for any more information, or check our website at www.busybees.com
Twinlakes Family Theme Park
Experience A Magical Winter Wonderland Discover a truly incredible experience as a spellbinding Family Theme park is magically transformed into an enchanted Winter Wonderland..! Dreams are discovered at the 70 Acre all-weather Park, as its transformed into a stunning illuminated whiteout with thousands of stunning lights and twinkling snow scenes as the truly magical family experience is opened Saturday 21st November. Twinlakes Winter Wonderland Park, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, offers more NEW attractions this winter. There’s something for everyone - little ones gasp in excitement as they enter the NEW inviting Interactive indoor Snowman Adventure Experience, kids test their skills and delight in snowball showers! The NEW Running Bears –Summit Plummet sledging attraction - a 25ft high Toboggan run for those that dare! And Squaw Valley-Skike Hike the NEW Nordic skating ski track provides fun for the adventurous - Join Santa’s helpers on the magnificent magical express Train ride, over 2.2km of welcoming fun for all ages. Twinlakes Real Reindeer take time to relax before the Christmas Eve rush in their enchanted new home where kiddies can join the elves in feeding sessions. The wonderful and unique indoor Eco-friendly synthetic Ice Skating rink sparkles with energetic skaters and the laughter of those not so dynamic! Discover a truly magical experience with your friends and family In Penguin Fantasy Land as Father Christmas and his Elves wait for all good boys and girls with sacks of presents. In the festive workshops, children’s imaginations flow creating special Christmas surprises to take home and enter into our competitions, There’s prizes to win and yummy treats for everyone!! Plus 125,000 sq ft heated indoor venture zones and 70 acres of attractions. So get your skates on and join us for the Magical Winter Wonderland the best value family day out ever!! Twinlakes Winter Wonderland is only Â٦.99 per person and under 95cm are FREE admission includes, 70 acres of attractions, over 300 animals and birds, ENDS For More information and comments contact Sandy Gyorvari 07870835349 Twinlakes Leisure Park Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 4SB Tel: 01664 567777 Fax: 01664 560070 General information Twinlakes is located just outside Melton Mowbray. It has a FREE car and coach park for up to several thousand vehicles. It opens at 10am daily The winter wonderland is open from 21st Nov 09 – 2nd February 10 Entry charges Winter Wonderland price Â٦.99 (under 95cm free Details and tickets can be found on www.twinlakespark.co.uk
Steve Hammon
Please add us! We're offering a fabulous Santa's Grotto for Christmas 2009 at Heart of England Adventure Park, Fillongley, Near Meriden, Warwickshire. It's a 40 minute, guided experience which includes a trip through the woodlands on our Park train - activities in the 'departure lounge', a drink (mulled wine/squash) and mince pie, gift for the children, a stunning woodland grotto - and the latest in Sleigh Technology deep in the Woodlands! Play in the playbus afterwards, coffee shop, free parking. Adults (13+) Â٤, Child (2-12) Â٦, Babies (under 2) Â١. Visit www.heartpark.co.uk
gordon
could you please add these grotto's on your site for the NORTH WEST SALFORD CITY SHOPPING CENTRE SALFORD MANCHESTER AND WIDNES SHOPPING CENTRE WIDNES CHESHIRE THANKS
Geoff Belson
Please add this grotto to your list for south east,good value Â٤ per child and a quality time and present guaranteed. The Grotto is at Weald country park Brentwood Essex cm14 5qs Saturdays and Sundays December 6th,7th,13th,14th 20th & 21st Christmas at Weald Country Park This Christmas visit Weald Country Park to enjoy a traditional Christmas. Father Christmas will be in his grotto with his live animal friends Including Fudge a barn owl. Other attractions include Christmas music with Brentwood Junior string and wind orchestra and a free Children’s show (Sun 7th and Sun 14th 1pm) A visitor centre packed full of gifts for all ages Mulled punch and a lovely Christmas atmosphere. Grotto open 11am-12 noon-1pm- 3.30pm (no booking necessary) Also grotto open Tues 23rd Dec & Christmas eve 11.am-12 noon 1pm-2pm Visitor Centre open 10am-4pm (weekends) Tues-Fri 11am-3pm all winter weekdays Phone 01277 261343 for more Information. E mail wealdcprgr@essex.gov.uk