Halloween Activities to Do with the Whole Family

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Halloween Activities to Do with the Whole Family

Halloween is just around the corner. The celebration is a great opportunity to get kids and parents together to collaborate on spooky activities and creative projects. Over the years, hundreds of these activities have been devised, so you’ll have no shortage of inspiration when it comes to your household’s Halloween celebrations. Probably the best-known activity for kids at this time of year is trick-or-treating – but this is falling out of fashion, thanks to concerned parents and annoyed residents who don’t want to have to keep a massive bag of sweets by the door. So what are the alternatives?

Costumes

Halloween just wouldn’t be Halloween if we didn’t dress up for the occasion. Grown-up costumes tend to be increasingly grim and gory, and informed by villains from film and television. Kid’s costumes aren’t quite as grisly, but they’re still a great opportunity to dress up as a favourite character from the world of cinema (or literature). If you’re willing to pay for it, you might find a brilliant costume online, but it’s usually more fun to make your own. Older children can help out with the design and the ideas, and parents can pitch in with any sewing. 

Pumpkin-Carving

Here’s another chance to get creative with the most famous of all Halloween decorations: the carved pumpkin. You needn’t limit yourself to the traditional grinning face, here: modern jack-o-lanterns can carry just about any image or message you like – provided that you can carve it into the vegetable. If you get a few kids sitting side-by-side on a suitable bench, you can set up a neat little pumpkin production-line.

Other home-made Halloween decorations, like slime, stringy-cobwebs and fake blood, can be just as fun to make. Just make sure that you supervise your children’s efforts, as you don’t want them to come up with anything that will stain your walls or carpet.

Witch’s Cauldron

Particular mention should go to the witch’s cauldron, which makes a great centrepiece for Halloween parties. If you put another bowl inside the cauldron, you can fill it with an actual drink, and serve a grisly treat to all of your guests. As well as looking the part, this will let you teach the kids (and yourself) some basic chemistry. Just make sure you handle the dry ice yourself, as it can burn the skin if handled directly. Make sure you don’t put any in the drink directly, either, as you don’t want to swallow it!

Cooking

Why stop at your punch? If you want to involve the whole family, then get them to chip in by making some Halloween-inspired treats for the occasion. You can put all of that leftover pumpkin into a few dozen snack-sized pies, for a start. This approach will allow you to skip those mass-produced chocolates, and provide your kids with the skills they need to stay healthy when they need to fend for themselves. What better way to celebrate Halloween could there be?

The Problem With Tea And Cats

It’s been a bit wizard of Oz here with emotional whirlwinds all the place but I’m hoping to come down to Earth now .I think it’s going to take a while for me to settle down and get my sleep back on track not that my sleep pattern has ever been what you call normal.But you know something isn’t quite right when you wake up at 2 am thinking now where did I put that bottle of antibacterial cleaner .Do not fear I’ve not morphed into Mrs Hinch in my sleep.

I’ve cleaned some windows so now I can see clearly ( not song lyrics ) I’m trying out some stardrops white vinegar spray .Dont worry I didn’t clean the windows in my sleep , I actually did that this morning.Actually having some sleep does revitalise you and you take on a new zest for life.

I can now climb any mountains and my mountain is currently my knicker mountain.It is warts and all in this household and also it’s life meeting you full circle when your university son tells you to check his jeans pockets before you do the washing. I continue to issue parent instructions like eat friend and vegetables.

Cats cats cats what would we do without cats our lives would surely be a lot more dull.Here is Jack looking like I’ve just asked him for a massive bank loan.

Ooooh and doesn’t my new lamp match my cat oh so very well and it was a bargain for £6.95 from a charity shop ( the lamp and not the cat )

It’s now time for a cup of tea the only problem is that I just can’t seem to move thus is the problem of tea and cats!

Family Days Out In London

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Family Days Out in London

Planning a family day out in London? The capital is a fantastic place to visit with the kids because it is a city that is bursting at the seams with culture, history and entertainment so you are never short for options when planning a trip here. Here are a few of the best places to take the family which will provide for a fun, educational and memorable family experience.

Natural History Museum

The superb Natural History Museum is an absolute must-visit with kids as it provides a fascinating insight into the world’s natural history with some truly breathtaking exhibits. If the kids have a love of animals and anything nature related then they are sure to love this treasured museum which even allows them to come face-to-face with dinosaurs. The museum is free to enter and housed in a magnificent building in the pretty region of South Kensington. There is plenty to see and do in the area and it is easy to reach with a train from Watford Junction to Kensington Olympia.

The Science Museum

Right next door to the Natural History Museum is the equally impressive Science Museum which, fortunately, is also free. There are all kinds of incredible interactive exhibits here which ensures that this museum is as fun as it is educational and highly worth a visit.

Kensington Palace

While you are in the area it is also highly worth visiting Kensington Palace which is the beautiful palace and birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to royals for over 300 years. Now the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, you can spend time exploring the peaceful grounds and explore the Royal State apartments.

Royal Albert Hall

Also in the area is the legendary performance venue the Royal Albert Hall. This breathtaking Victorian era performance venue hosts all kinds of entertainment so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for what’s on during your trip - be warned, you may need to book in advance!

These are just a few ideas for what a trip to London with the family could involve. London is a special city and somewhere that can be an excellent destination for a trip with the kids because there is so much to see and do in terms of history, culture and entertainment. It is important that you plan your day ahead so that you can maximize time and see as much as possible for a truly special and memorable day for the entire family.

Take A Kent Mini Break

It’s a long time since I’ve been back to Kent and going back is quite emotional as going over the Dartford Bridge. I just wanted to feet off to Broadstairs and see my Grandparents who are sadly no longer with us.

Stopping off first at a Premier Inn near Sevenoaks all this I add on a Friday afternoon on a Bank holiday weekend.But not to worry as we had our trusty Sat Nav to guide us on our way , I,ll never forget how once the Sat Nav guided us into a classic car rally.

First on our list was Quebec house in the village of Westerham 

And the super thing about Westerham is that you get three hours free parking which is enough time to visit Quebec House and have a wander and lunch in the town.We opted for a meal deal in Costa ~ who says Pom Bears are just for kids?!

Also Westerham has a quaint church with a 14 th century staircase what wouldn’t look out of place in Tomb raider!

Then after this it was into the home of Sir Winston Churchill at Chartwell  ( National Trust ) and it is a beautiful place but do ensure you book on line before setting of to visit as your given a timed ticket.

Sunday was Dover Castle and again I stress you must get there early as there is so much to see.I would head to the wartime tunnels first , you’ll have to queue there’s 2 of these tunnels to look at each with a brilliantly guided tour.

We hold both English Heritage membership and National Trust , Dover Castle is English Heritage and you will pay an additional charge if something special on like it was in the Sunday we went and that was jousting .The additional charge was only £3.50 each.

I Need The Kindness Of Life

I can’t even to begin to describe the turmoil of the past year I have had running in the background of my life like a computer virus.Those who know me will know what I’ve been through and I am going through.To say I feel alone at times is an understatement but thank heavens for family and friends, tea and cats.

It’s true when they say “ Be Kind you never know what people are going through “

I’ve had the police in my house so many timed my neighbours are going to think I’ve buried my husband under the patio .The patio is wonky but this isn’t the reason why ... My humour saved me it is that line that saves me .I need kindness I need life to be kinder to me.

I need promises that are made to be not to be made of wet tissues, I am a fiercely loyal person and I’m not a rule breaker.

I’m here I’m still here I’m me.

And I keep plodding away and tinkering away with walking photography and tea and cats .