Welcome back to

Eastbourne, Sussex

Celebrate the simple things.

Thursday 7 April

I've just added loads of new events to the online diary, including lots of new 
Easter activities for kids, Eastbourne Festival, the new Green Fayre and even Eastbourne's own Royal Wedding celebration details.  Do have a look, as I wouldn't want you to miss a thing!  

Don't forget that there are also plenty of things for kids to do for FREE listed on the Tikes and Tinies Go Out pages.  Plus masses of FREE ideas and links to printables for Easter crafts, gifts and activities on our Mums, Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages.  

Wednesday 30 March

Copyright www.marthastewart.com

It's Mothers' Day this weekend, so whether you want to give your partner and the kids a nudge in the right direction, or simply find ways of treating your own mum - you are in the right place.  I've updated the diary to include some new Mothers' Day events and you'll find plenty to keep yourself and the kid occupied on our Mums, Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages.  There's all the usual links and ideas for kids crafts but also a section for mums to do something nice for their own mum, too.  I've outlined some thrifty ideas that require much more love and thoughtfulness than money on the Mums Celebrate page, these include a Happy Thoughts Jar and an Emergency Rations Box.  They require a little bit of thought and effort on your part, so you'll need to start now.  But for those of you who just want to impress there is always a link to Martha Stewart's inspirational pages!

Lots of new events have been rolling in - Eastbourne is going to be positively buzzing this year.  So I will be updating the diary regularly over the next few days and weeks.  Keep checking back to make sure you don't miss the new big thing!

Monday 14 March

Well, it's all happening this week!  

We have the lovely St Patrick's Day on Thursday (a great excuse to drink revolting green drinks, tell each other Irish jokes and talk about leprechauns and other fairy folk), Red Nose Day on Friday and it's the first day of Spring on Sunday! (This is the Spring Equinox - the clocks don't go forward until 27 March.)

You can find out about St Patrick, print off shamrock coasters, learn how to make a leprechaun and a leprechaun trap, plus how you can make all the colours of a rainbow on on our Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages.  You might also want to visit them early to get ready for Mothers' Day on 3 April.  (Especially for mums who want to do something special this year for their mums - there are some more thoughtful ideas on the Mums Celebrate pages.)

As if all that wasn't enough, Moira House School is presenting a FREE Rainbow Theatre production called "Fairytales" for kids aged 3-7 on Saturday 19 March.  See the Kids Fun File online diary for more details.

Have a great week!

Thursday 3 March

It's World Book Day today and it's going to be a much more exciting event than ever before.  Go online to: www.worldbookday.com  for all sorts of entertainment.  The Tree of Tales, where you can watch videos of celebrities reading wonderful stories, is your first port of call.  Mums and dads especially will want to hear Bernard Cribbins reading one of the tales from "Winnie the Pooh".  (What a nostalgia fest!) There is a lot of traffic to the site today, of course, so don't forget to come back again later to have a look at all the games and resources available for kids, all based on favourite children's characters.

Older sisters (and their mums) can also visit www.lovetwit.co.uk for 10 episodes over 10 days of a comic story specially written for World Book Day by "Queen of Teen" Louise Rennison.  

Books have never been such fun!

Wednesday 23 February

I've added some new events and links to the online diary that are not in the paper version of Kids Fun File, so do take a look.  I will add more as I come across them.  This edition covers all the way through Easter until May, so there are bound to be lots of events cropping up that were not finalised when the paper Kids Fun Files were published.  Check back regularly to keep up-to-date.

Thursday 6 January

Happy New Year!

Don't forget that today is Twelfth Night and so you need to get all your Christmas decorations down and tidied away.  In the Christian calendar, Twelfth Night is the anniversary of the day when the three kings visited the baby Jesus, so maybe that's why we don't need twinkly lights about the house anymore!

We are just starting work on the Spring Kids Fun File which will be available from 14 February.  It's going to be a fun-filled season, with Valentine's Day, Mothers' Day, Easter and a Royal Wedding to look forward to.  We'll certainly be getting 2011 off to a great start, so let's hope the rest of the year is just as exciting.

Friday 26 November

You can tell we are now on a countdown to Christmas as there are no less than three Christmas fayres to go to this weekend!  At Communitywise, Old Town; The Leaf Hall, Seaside and Sharnfold Farm, Stone Cross.  You are guaranteed to find one close to home.  Why not get along to one of these (or even all three) to start stocking up on Christmas goodies and to get yourself into the Christmas spirit?  The weather is certainly conspiring to make the local scenery look like a Christmas card.  
Little ones can also attend the Advent Workshop at St Mary's Church, Old Town, where they can make all sorts of crafty decorations and presents.   Slightly older kids can also make Christmas crafts in the special workshop at Masterpiece Studio, Whitesmith.  All the details of these events are on our diary page, as usual.
If you haven't already made a Christmas pudding, you are a week behind, but you can always catch up this weekend.  Everything you need to know, including recipes and traditions for this activity, can be found on the Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages.  You'll also find loads of Advent related activities including how to make your own Advent calendars.  It's going to be a busy weekend! 

Monday 22 November

Now that it is getting toward the end of November I feel it is safe to mention Christmas.  

The NSPCC have been very busy creating Christmas eCards and liaising with Santa to make it an especially happy Christmas for children this year.  For a suggested donation of £5 you can get your child's name onto Santa's letters list and he will then send a personalised letter to be delivered in time for Christmas.  This will not only bring joy to your own child, but will also help provide support for children who are not so lucky.  Every single letter will make a significant difference - £20 of donations enable the NSPCC to answer 5 calls to ChildLine.  Letters can be ordered through the NSPCC wishes website where you will also find the details of Christmas eCards for friends and family.

As the NSPCC say, "help to put smiles on the faces of the nation's children this festive season, starting with a magical letter from Santa himself!"

Thursday 11 November

Today is Remembrance Day which means that this weekend it will be Remembrance Sunday.  I hope you have already got a poppy for everyone in the family.  You can find out why Remembrance Day is so important by clicking here for more details (these are suitable for 5-11s): Tikes.  

Thursday 4 November

More excitement in the next few days with Guy Fawkes & Bonfire Night and Diwali too.  There are lots of ideas for crafty things, online games, recipes and loads of Bonfire Night facts all over at the relevant Celebrate pages.  Just click on Tinies, Tikes or Mums on the tabs at the top of the page and select Celebrate.

Wednesday 27 October

I couldn't get the details for the Saffrons Sports Club Fireworks Night in time for the printed edition of Kids Fun File.  However, I have them now.  If you live over on the east side of town, Haven School PTA are having a Community Fireworks Night on the beach by the Martello Tower at Sovereign Harbour, which may be more convenient.  You'll find all the details in the diary under 4 and 5 November.  Official events are always much cheaper than buying the fireworks yourself!

As the weather has been a bit disappointing and you are probably stuck at home, have a look at this new BBC website www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone/wallaceandgromit/
Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention starts next Wednesday at 7.30pm on BBC1 and there is already a website to accompany it.  The site encourages you to "Build, explore and invent your socks off!"  There are instructions for a tiny car injector seat and how to build a devilish robot (perfect for Halloween) plus Wallace's Workshop where you can make virtual inventions and gadgets.  Great fun for kids on rainy days - it will really spark their imagination.

Saturday 23 October
The new Autumn / Winter diary can be viewed by clicking the Diary of Events box on your left.  If you'd like to see the whole of the printed Kids Fun File online (including the adverts for our sponsors) you can view this by clicking on the image on the top right of this home page.   You can now find everything you need, even when you are at work or away from home!

I've also updated the Things to Do for FREE pages (click on the Tikes and Tinies buttons at the top of the page, then go to Tinies or Tikes Go Out).  These page include full details of the FREE Eastbourne Play Ranger and the Active Play Sessions, which are designed to get your kids out of the house and making new friends while having fun being active.

Finally, don't miss our Tinies and Tikes Celebrate pages for ideas and links to lots of free, simple ideas and printables for Halloween, Bonfire Night and (dare I say it) Christmas! 

Thursday 14 October

We will be delivering the printed Kids Fun Files to the schools on Monday.  If you would like to be one of the first to book half term activities, copies will be available from locals libraries and Tourist Offices on Saturday afternoon.  It's all set to be another exciting season of fun events, with lots of new and interesting things happening between now and Christmas.  Highlights include The Big Draw, Halloween, Diwali, Bonfire Night, Advent and Christmas itself.

Copyright Early Learning HQ

Monday 16 August
I've just been sent a link for a new early years learning resources site called www.earlylearninghq.org.uk
It's a user friendly site, for parents as well as teachers of children aged 0-5, with colourful posters, banners and other resources available to download and print for FREE.  Definitely one to bookmark!  

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 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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