Five Things To Do With Your Family This Weekend

DO A GENTLE START
For many, it’s back to school time. Starting school is a huge leap for many families, a time when ties start to be stretched and new horizons open. Daisy Upton (the Five-Minute Mum) has created a lovely list of reads for The Book Trust that explore separation, big emotions and how to prepare practically for the next step. Find them here and our tips for how not to feel small at big school here. There are also some reassuring stories from parents here.

There are other ways to make second-hand living more fun. Throw a swish party to swap unloved clothes, find out more about upcycling the clothes you have or try new ways to give existing garments a new lease of life such as dyeing them with flowers or making baby rompers from pre-loved T-shirts.

EVENT CHARITY SHOP STYLE
11 million items of clothing end up every week in landfill. Throwaway fashion is putting increasing pressure on our planet and its people - it’s unsustainable. Each year, more of us join Oxfam’s Second Hand September and pledge to say no to new clothes for 30 days (and perhaps beyond that!) Take the pledge and find shopping tips, styling tips and inspiration here; sign up and you’ll get a limited edition poster and postcards.

EVENT DAIRY GOOD

Not only does Caerphilly have a beautiful castle to explore, but it’s also home to one of the most fun, free festivals in Wales, The Big Cheese. This year, as the castle is undergoing exciting development works, it’s on a smaller scale. The Little Cheese! Head there over the weekend to catch music, workshops, craft sessions as well as plenty of live music.



DO PLAY IN THE DARK

Make the most of the last of the summer with outdoor games. We’ve got a great selection of ideas from Mission Impossible obstacle courses to prop-free pirate fantasies and group skipping. The nights are drawing in, but that shouldn’t stop the fun. Bring your flashlights and play torch tag, or torch limbo. Smaller children will enjoy I-Spy and making animal shadows, while older kids love the big team games Capture The Flag and Ghosts in the Graveyard. These activities are also perfect for when you’re camping in a group.

DO GO BORAGING!

Forage for borage! Find this edible herb growing wild across the country in woodlands, pastures and parts of the city – you can’t miss its brilliant blue flowers. Use those flowers and leaves in salads (this foraged Fatoush is crazily good), wilt the larger leaves in olive oil or butter, eat the flowers with cream cheese, use the leaves to make a refreshing, cucumber-flavoured tea, or use a sprig to add a cool twist to cocktails and beers - find some recipe ideas here. Celtic warriors drunk borage tea to gain courage, and a cup will still lift spirits today – it’s also meant to have a beneficial effect on the heart and digestive system. If you want to grow your own, planting borage near strawberries is meant to benefit fruiting - there’s some good gardening information here. Find more about edible flowers here.

WHAT WE’RE EATING Crushed Potato Bubble and Squeak, The Ultimate Velvet Macaroni Cheese, Jam Jar Swirly and Salted Caramel Shortbread Hearts; the best recipes for a relaxing weekend at home together Find the recipes here

WHAT WE’RE READING How to help your child manage the transition to university: Nearly 426,000 young people will start university in the next few weeks; with new studies, places and people. Often they’ll be living away from home for the first time too. Exciting - and the result of hard work – this time can also feel daunting or lonely, for students and parents alike. So how can parents help their young adult children prepare emotionally and practically? Read more here