Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

10th August 2022

Find your cool in the forest, make blackberry lipgloss, sing sea shanties! Plus be calmed by hot air balloons and go crazy for elephants!

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

10th August 2022

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

10th August 2022

DO GLADE TO BE ALIVE
Exploring forests in summer is a dreamy way to spend a sunny afternoon, and the leafy shade provides some relief from the heat. Forest bathing boosts mental and physical health, and children can learn about all kinds of topics through being in the woods. Here are six more of our tips to create a deeper connection to the wild world with your children.
You’re bound to spot some blackberries on your woodland adventures; they seem to be earlier and bigger than ever this year! Find ideas for how to use them in recipes – including blackberry and chocolate pizza – here, use them to make pinky lipgloss, or they even make a planet-friendly clothes dye.
While you’re in the woods, why not spend some time looking for natural bits and pieces to make some instruments? Try creating a percussion stick, shaker, a pine cone mbira, driftwood xylophone (you can also use forest wood), or even a branch flute. Be inspired by more incredible natural instruments here.

EVENT ALL RISE
Europe’s largest hot air ballooning event, the sight of dozens of beautiful, colourful craft soaring serenely across lush countryside at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will stay with you for a long time. Held from Thursday to Sunday at the picturesque Ashton Court Estate, hot air balloons shaped like stars, fish and galleons drift overhead, while, on the ground, there are attractions, children’s entertainment, live music, stalls and much more to keep everyone entertained. Get there at 6am to watch the balloons rise, and don’t miss the enchanting night glows on Thursday and Saturday nights, when balloons are illuminated from within and float around to a soundtrack broadcast on BBC Radio Bristol. There are also spectacular firework displays to enjoy. Free, but book parking in advance.

EVENT LEFTS OUT
Saturday is Left Handers Day; a chance to tell family and friends how proud you are of being left handed and to raise awareness of the issues that face lefties in a world designed for righties. Find out about famous left handers here and more fun facts about southpaws. Or head over to our site to read a piece about supporting left-handers.

EVENT SHANTY TOWN
Celebrating traditional music and dance for over 50 years, the Broadstairs Folk Festival is a music diary stalwart. The beautiful seaside town plays host to cloggers, shanty-singers, morris men and the ever-so-slightly-terrifying dancing hooden horses in a feast of frolics. From tiny pubs hosting impromptu singing sessions to family ceilidhs and dancing workshops, there’s an event for everyone – find the Young Folk line-up here. And if it all gets too much, there’s one of the most family-friendly beaches and seafronts in the south east on hand. Until August 12. Free and ticketed.

EVENT JUMBO-SIZED FUN
Friday is World Elephant Day, which celebrates one of the world’s grandest animals. Find practical steps towards protecting the magnificent creatures here. Join online events all week; perhaps a talk or a sketching workshop, or try elephant crafts. We love these toilet roll elephants or go large scale and create your own life-sized baby elepant paper mache sculpture.

WHAT WE’RE EATING Amy Chaplin was raised by vegetarian parents and here shares one of her favourite nourishing dishes, perfect for a little weekend indulgence. Here, the deep red colour and tart, tangy flavour of cranberries cooked in orange juice pairs beautifully with the almond topping. If cranberries aren’t available, try using blueberries, blackberries, raspberries or a combination. Find out more here

WHAT WE’RE READING What makes a great parent: “Raising kids is a complicated endeavour, and there’s no one recipe for doing it right. Still, certain ingredients are an indispensable part of the mix. Here, top child and family therapists share their insights into the qualities that are essential in an excellent mum or dad.” Read more here

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