Welcome back to

Eastbourne, Sussex

Celebrate the simple things.

Tuesday 20 July
I have added a whole host of extra events to the diary since last week, so do take a look as some of these are happening soon.  You mustn't miss is the dates of the Punch and Judy shows on the seafront.  It wouldn't be summer without them!  

Tuesday 13 July
Time to start planning things to do over the summer holidays.  This season's Kids Fun File is absolutely jam-packed with events for kids and families in and around Eastbourne (and many of them are free).  I really believe this could be the best summer holidays ever!  

We have the Hailsham Active Communities Festival and Eastbourne Extreme for all those who like their days to be action-packed.  

   

Then there are the more gently paced Eastbourne Town & Country Show and the Lammas Festival for those who like to celebrate the natural and traditional things in life.  

The Moscow State Circus is coming to town and Airbourne will be back in August with the Red Arrows and all the exciting displays and entertainment that accompany it. 

We are exceptionally lucky to have the sensational show "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" coming to the Congress Theatre, 

plus a big summer funfair and England's Medieval Festival over the Bank Holiday.  

There really must be something for everyone in this line-up!

All the details can be found on the diary pages.  Plus for those occasions when you feel the need to count the pennies I have rounded up all the free events on the Tinies and Tikes Go Out pages.  

There are actually far more events planned than I was able to squeeze into the printed Kids Fun File, so look out for added events and updates to the diary pages in the next few days.  I bet all those long hot weeks of summer holidays ahead of you don't seem quite so daunting now after all!

Tuesday 27 April

It's going to be an exciting Bank Holiday Weekend with both the Brighton Festival Children's Parade (on Brighton seafront) and our own Magnificent Motors event on Eastbourne seafront.  You'll find the details in the diary section.  I'll be highlighting more activities in the next few days, I just wanted to make sure you knew about the big ones!

Thursday 8 April

copyright Mary Mackins 
(winner of Arlington Bluebell Walk 2009 photographic competition)

I hope you are having lots of fun during your Easter holiday, especially now that Spring has finally sprung!  There are still plenty of exciting events to attend this week.  Just pop over to the diary section for details.  There are lots of outdoor, art & craft, historical and science activities, so there should be something for everyone.  Also - don't forget to look to earlier sections of the diary (ie February half term) for ongoing events that may have started earlier this year.  The Play Ranger and Sports Centres sessions details are all there.

Please note that, due to the bad weather, the dates of the Arlington Bluebell Walk are now slightly later than advertised.  The walk will now be open from 17 April until 23 May.

Wednesday 24 March

Don't forget British Summer Time begins on Sunday, so you'll need to put your clocks forward 1 hour either on Saturday night or Sunday morning.   

It's not long until the Easter holidays, so if you can't wait to get on with Easter crafts and activities, visit our Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages for links to lots of free, simple ideas and printables. 

Friday 19 March

Tomorrow, 20 March is the Spring Equinox, or the first day of Spring - so it's time to clamber outside your warm, cosy home and greet the new life that is suddenly bursting forth.  There is inspiration for celebrating Spring on our Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages.  You don't have to smother yourself in green paint and pretend to be the Green Man, even something as mundane as a trip to the garden centre shows you are acknowledging the start of a new season!

Thursday 18 March

Hot news for cash strapped parents  
If you buy anything at WH Smith (even as small as a newspaper) before Sunday 21 March, you'll be given a 2 for 1 Theme Parks Booklet.  This contains vouchers for Alton Towers, Chessington, Legoland, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life Centres and Warwick Castle.  The voucher is for one free adult / child entry when buying one full priced adult ticket on the day.  These vouchers can be used until at least 31 October, 2010.  The dates vary and some exclusions apply, so obviously check before you leave! The booklets will also be available between Monday 5 and Sunday 11 April, in case you can't get one this week.  There are a whole host of similar theme park deals to discover over at Money Saving Expert.

Monday 15 March

 
copyright familyfun.go.com

Goodness me, there is something to celebrate every week in March!  This week it's the incomparable St Patrick's Day.  Who can resist a celebration that includes rainbows, pots of gold and mischievous little men dressed in green? You'll find everything you need for games, crafts, activities, stories, colouring pages and even leprechaun traps over on the Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages.

Friday 5 March

I've found some new free Mothers' Day crafts and activities, which I've added to the Mums,  Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages.  Have a look, I think you'll like them!
  
  

Monday 1 March
March is a funny month.  It's as though everyone suddenly wakes up and starts celebrating all sorts of things we take for granted.  This week alone we have the start of Veggie Month, World Maths Day and World Book Day plus exciting Dark Monarch events at the Towner, lambing time at the Seven Sisters Sheep Centre and the Eastbourne Half Marathon.  
See the diary for updated details of all of these.
Talking of things we take for granted, you might want to take a look at the Celebrate pages for ideas on how to celebrate Mothers' Day (on the 14th).  The Mums Celebrate page has some inexpensive ways to show your own mother how much you love her.  They may take a little bit of time, so it's worth being prepared.  You could also nudge your kids (or your partner) toward the Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages, just to ensure you are not forgotten!

Monday 22 February

This is a quick newsflash.  
I've just heard about a brand new baby and toddler group.  It's called BROADWAY BABES 
and it runs on Wednesday mornings (term-time only) from 10-11.30am in the church hall at Broadway Church , Lindfield Road , Eastbourne .  It's open to all carers and children under 3.  There is lots of space to play plus play equipment, a crafts table and music and movement sessions, all in a warm and friendly environment.  Refreshments include a healthy snack for the children, coffee and biscuits for the adults.  £1 per child per session.  Sounds like a fun and friendly way to break up these long wet winter Wednesdays!

Friday 19 February

Just wanted to share these lovely ideas with you, I came across them in a blog called Full Circle.  Now you know what to do with all those outgrown (or partnerless) plastic shoes you have around the house!  
The photo on the right also comes from the same blog.  The writers' children were making entries for a Funny Foods competition and came up with some wonderful ideas.  Why not try this with your own kids?  There are more fun pictures like the one above on the Full Circle site.

Thursday 18 February

Acts of Random Kindness Weekend starts tomorrow (Friday 19th).  Well, at least it does in Canada, but I really think we should celebrate it too!  Most parents will be keen to introduce this to their kids, as it encourages them to think of others and show gratitude to those who are kind to them.

The official website www.actsofkindness.org has a number of suggestions for kind deeds.  
It also offers downloads such as posters, calendars, bookmarks etc to encourage kids to keep up these random acts all through the year.  The phrase "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty" was written by a peace activist, Anne Herbert, in the early '80s and it has inspired many books, films and campaigns.   You and your family can learn more about the whole kindness movement with these resources:

"Join Me" by Danny Wallace (author of the book, then film, "Yes Man").
Danny Wallace is a young, humourous writer who jokingly started a cult called the Karma Army to perform random acts of kindness - and was astounded by the public's positive response.  "Join Me" is their story.  www.join-me.co.uk

"The Seventeen Secrets of the Karma Club" by Karen McCombie has a similar theme, involving two girls who start their own Karma Club.  This is teen fiction for girls.

The film "Evan Almighty", starring Steve Carrell and Morgan Freeman.  Evan begins to build an ark and gather together animals with which to fill it.  However, God tells Evan that we can only change the world with one Act of Random Kindness (A.R.K.) at a time.  

I'm just offering these resources as a way of inspiring enthusiasm for the cause.  You should be able to pick up the books and possibly also the DVD from your local library.  I've always found that fiction is by far the most inspirational way of moving people to act, there's just something in the way it ignites the imagination.
  

Sunday 7 February

Although everything you need to know about half term activities can now be found in the diary I'd like to draw your attention to the BRIGHT SPARKS FAMILY FUN DAY which is part of the Brighton Science Festival.  This is a terrific day out for everyone in the family and, with tickets for a family of 4 costing only £18, it's also kind to your wallet.  Even if you thought you had no interest in science whatsoever, there will be something to inspire you. Activities range from dalek and robot demonstrations to wildlife and insects, from photography tricks to an egg drop challenge and a Spaceball gyroscope ride.  It's amazing how much fun you can have whilst learning all sorts of interesting things!  You never know, it may even inspire your children to become scientists.  To explore their huge website and for more details visit www.brightonscience.com  
The Bright Sparks Family Day (most suitable for ages 7-12) is February 13th.  If you have older children (or just want to go back for more) there is a White Heat Family Day (most suitable for ages 10-14) on the 14th.  If you can only make one of these days, don't worry, the age ranges are only a guide.

Tuesday 19 January

It's not long now until Chinese New Year (February 14th).  
This is the Year of the Tiger and you'll find lots of information about it, along with fun ways to celebrate, on those Celebrate pages.  This is day is an especially fun one for the kids because of all the colourful stories and traditions associated with New Year in China.  With all this time to prepare, you could even consider having a party - preparing for it would certainly cheer up those dull February days!

Thursday 7 January

Robin photo by Vanda Pellins courtesy of www.sussexwt.org.uk

Just had to share this photo with you.  It's from the Sussex Wildlife Trust website and is my photo of the day.  If the kids are stuck inside due to school closures, they'll enjoy the Sussex Wildlife Watch website for kids at: www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/Where-you-live

There are fun online games with Rocky the Vole and Maurice the Mole, plus spotting and activity sheets (learn how to make a nest box for frozen robins!)  There are also wildlife wallpapers for your PC and bird and animal call ringtones for your mobile.  Even when you are stuck inside, you can still marvel at all the beautiful creatures and plants living just a few miles from your door.

Don't forget to put out any little titbits you can find for the birds - in this weather they'll really appreciate it and you'll get to spot all sorts of unusual birds.  We've been putting out peanuts and balls of fat over the last few days and they've proved very popular.  We've seen many birds recently who have never visited our garden before.  Visit this Big Garden Birdwatch page for a spotting and recording sheet.  You'll look very knowledgeable when you can tell friends and family exactly what type of bird that is on your patio.  

If you would like to make something really special (but still fun and easy) try this recipe from the RSPB for a Speedy Bird Cake.  The kids will be kept busy and the birds will love you, so everybody wins! 

Wednesday 6 January 2010

I hope you had a great Christmas and are feeling all excited about the new decade (especially all those resolutions you are definitely going to keep this year.)  I hope you enjoy all this snow and the excuse to come in out of the cold for a steaming mug of hot chocolate (preferably with those little marshmallows on the top!)

New to this website? 

                


There are lots of ideas for celebrating special days in Spring on the Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages.  

They cover Valentines Day, Pancake Day, St Patricks Day, Mothers Day and, of course, Easter.  
Just click on the relevant word: Tinies are under 5s, Tikes are 5-12s.  
Alternatively, you can use the folder tabs at the top of the page and explore all the different sections of these folders.  
Look for the Go Out sections in each folder for things to do for FREE.

Also in the Tinies and Tikes folders (see tabs at top of page) you'll find suggestions for kids' reading and  homework help, clubs to join and lots of ideas for fun things to do.  

In case you're confused about when the school holidays are this year, term dates can be found under 'Schools info' on the tab on the left-hand column.  
You'll also find schools addresses, phone numbers and email addresses at the same place.  These are handy for phoning/emailing the school when your child is ill.

You can go straight to the online Radio Times for today's TV schedules simply by clicking on the "What's On" button on the left and choosing "television".  
Links to local cinema and theatre listings are in the same place.

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