By Kate Hodges
21st March 2021
MONDAY: World Water Day
Today is World Water Day, a time to celebrate the wet stuff and raise awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. Water means different things to different people. Today, why not think about what it means to your home and family life, your cultural practices, wellbeing or local environment? Find a downloadable toolkit to help inspire your family and friends here, lesson plans here, and ideas for conversations here. Younger kids might like to hold a mini water party using these ideas for sensory play or learn to embrace the rain with these inventive soggy-day play ideas!
TUESDAY: Hidden Winter
Add another dimension to your walk around the park with Hidden Winter, a free story walk adventure. Created by Stand and Be Counted and The Herd Theatre groups, this colourful, clever audio trip starts at home, but continues in the open air. All you’ll need is a phone or tablet, a pair of headphones and a park. The voyage takes about an hour. Don’t forget to download the activity pack to stretch the fun even more! Suitable for 5+
WEDNESDAY: Earth Hour
This Saturday is Earth Hour, a day when people across the globe celebrate a commitment to the planet by turning out our non-essential lights. From cottages to skyscrapers, farmhouses to office blocks, the lights will dim in order to harness the power of the people to drive major legislative change. Perhaps you could mark the occasion in an exciting way with your family; try stargazing from your favourite dark spot, play home-made board games by candlelight, grab a torch and play flashlight games in the garden or park, or simply look out of your window at the spectacle of a city a little darker than usual. 2021 focusses on the ‘Virtual Spotlight’,with the gang behind the Hour attempting to share a must-watch video as many times as possible, in order to spread the word.
THURSDAY: Tolkien Reading Day
Do you have a Hobbit habit? Fans of Frodo and Gandalf groupies can revel in reading their huge tomes today. Created by The Tolkien Society to coincide with the downfall of Sauron and the fall of Barad-dûr, avid Lord Of The Rings readers are encouraged to celebrate and promote the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien. This year, the Society has teamed up with the Centre For Fantasy and the Fantastic at the University of Glasgow to host and celebrate the event. Attend a free Zoom session, or even run your own event at home or school – download a resource pack here. Find mystical-yet-earthy, Tolkien-related lesson plans here.
FRIDAY: Alice in Wonderland at the V&A
“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” The much-anticipated Alice In Wonderland exhibition at the V&A ‘opens’ this week. Of course, you won’t be able to book a ticket to see it right now, but head online to grab one for later in the year. Online you’ll find tempting peeks at the show; Salvador Dali’s ‘A Mad Tea Party’, an original drawing of the White Rabbit by Ralph Steadman and an Alice screen print by Peter Blake. Or head here for a deeper dive into Wonderland; a VR trip, a peep into the world of artist Kristjana S Williams as she creates her own wonderland for the museum, and a chance to read about the real Alice. Plus, of course, a series of events hooked around the show; online performances for families, teacher resources and online talks
What We’re Listening To This Week
How to raise girls in a challenging world
“Kasey Edwards, author of Raising Girls who Like Themselves, and Madonna King, author of Ten-ager, know all too well the joys and challenges of raising girls. In this episode, a recording of Guardian Australia’s Zoom book club, they share their personal struggles, research and wisdom with features editor Lucy Clark”
Listen here
Found something inspirational to read that you’d like to share? Want to share your creations with us? Have an idea for things to do? We’d love to hear from you. Email Kate
