Family Day Out at Cotswold Wildlife Park, Oxfordshire

http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/

Since living in Oxfordshire I have visited Cotswold Wildlife Park a couple of times with the nursery I was working in at the time.  However I hadn't been for about 6 or so years so when we were arranging a day out with my brother and sister in law and nephew we decided to visit here. On the edge of the Cotswolds and not far from Oxford its a popular attraction for families in my neck of the woods.

Price

£15(gate) £14(online) Adult

Under 3s free

Children 3-16yrs £9.50(online)£10(gate)

Whats on

• feeding talks daily
• adventure playground
• train rides
• skymaze interconnecting treehouse maze
• specialised events (link below)

http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/whats-on/events/

Eating Facilities

As I always say a cheap way of feeding your children is to bring a picnic and there is lots of outdoor seating and grass areas to pitch up.  As our visit had not quite hit spring at this point it was still quite chilly so we went and had a main meal in the Oak Tree Restaurant.  The food was okay I had lasagne and chips and a drink for under £10.

Value for money?

There is a wide variety of animals including lions, zebras, rhinos, birds, reptiles, penguins and many more.  You can easily spend a day here as a family as there is plenty to do.  My nephew enjoyed the animals but he also just loved running around in lots of wide open space.

Interactive features

The park have an app on the apple store that you can download prior to your visit.  This has quizs, interactive map and will tell you fun facts about the animals in the park.  This is good if you are with older children and want to make more out of your visit.

Favourite Part

I liked the penguins and have done on previous visits here. You get really close to them and I think its at a good height for little ones to be able to see whats going on. 

Accessibility

Most of the park is quite flat and has paths of a good quality for pushchairs and to walk around.  Lots to see but its not spread out to far so you are never far from when you need to walk back on yourself for restrooms/coffee etc.

Throughly recommended for a fantastic family day out if you are ever in Oxfordshire.

Nanny Bicester

Activity of the Week-Obstacle Courses

Its been a while since I've written an Activity of the Week blog so I thought I better do one.  This week I am focusing on Obstacles Courses.  This can be done with small children to older children and its really fun.
What myself and my charges do is that we get a variety of garden equipment/toys and set ourselves challenges.  We also time ourselves and see if we can improve on our time. Below I have listed some bullet point ideas of things you can do.

• play tunnels to climb through
• bouncing tennis balls on rackets for a certain amount of times
• getting a ball in a net
• hopping on one leg
• jumping in a bin liner/sack race
• skipping
• press ups for sporty individuals
• bouncing on a trampoline
• running laps
• throwing hoops

I'm going to create a pin board on my pinterest with some further ideas link is www.pinterest.com/nbicester

How to cope with teething babies and toddlers

Teething. It's a horrible time. Not just for the child but for parents,nannies and anybody else looking after young children. This blog will give a quick insight into tips and tricks to make the process bareae and signs to look for if you think a new tooth is coming through.

Teething can typically start between 4-6 months of age in babies but it is possible for it to start a little before or after.

Signs to look for

• Constant dribbling
• Rosy red cheeks
• Red and sore gums
• raised temperature
• gnawing or chewing on hands,feet, clothes and anything else

How to ease teething

• Teethers in fridge
• Flannels in fridge
• Teething capsules
• Calpol or nurofen to minimise pain, discomfort or if temperature is raised
• distraction with fun activities

What you need

• plenty of bibs, dribble cloths
• teething capsules
• medicine
• lots of teethers

Hope you found this blog useful and if you are going through the process now Good luck!!

Activity of the Week-Chocolate Easter nests

Easter will soon be here and a time to enjoy lots of choccy goodness.  One of my favourite things to make and eat as they are so simple are Chocolate easter nest.  Me and the hubby were discussing whether they taste best with rice krispies, cornflakes or shredded wheat.  You can use any of these and they will be yummy but my personal favourite is shredded wheat so this is what I have used for this recipe.

You will need

• big bar of chocolate of choice. I used plain dairy milk.
• 4-5 large shredded wheat bars
• pack of mini eggs
• 12 cupcake cases
• baking tray
• wooden spoon
• bowl to melt chocolate
• saucepan
• mixing bowl

Method

1.melt your chocolate over boiling water in a glass bowl

2. gradually stir in the shredded wheat into the melted chocolate

3.put the mixture into the cupcake cases and then add a few mini eggs on top.

4. put in the fridge to chill them for a while.

5.Take them out when hard and no longer goey.

For a dairyfree option I would use specialty chocolate. Simple baking again with Nanny Bicester.

5 St Patricks Day (17th March) Fun ideas

So I know St Patricks Day is not for two days but I thought I would post this a couple days early to give you some ideas of some fun things to do with your little ones on the day. I have created a pin board on my pinterest so I will link that at the bottom for the wide range of ideas as there are loads. So here are a few ideas I wanted to highlight in this blog.

1. Green Velvet St Patricks Day Cupcakes

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/st-patricks-day-green-velvet-cupcake-shamrocks

2. St Patricks Day Slime

Ive included a recipe http://thesimpleparent.com/easy-st-patricks-day-slime/

3.Lephrcan hats

4. Greeting Cards

5. Costumes

https://uk.pinterest.com/nbicester/st-patricks-day/


Happy St paddys day if you celebrate it if not why don't you join in the fun anyway.

Activity of the Week-making kites

Inspired by the crazy wind today I was thinking this weeks activity of the week could be how you can get outside and experience crazy Doris or whatever they are calling her.  Also I am trying to get this a day early from normal as this will make more sense.

What you will need

• card
• sticks
• string
• tape

The photo below I think describes how to go about making a simple kite but I have linked some instructions below to help you.

Useful links
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Kite
http://www.my-best-kite.com/how-to-make-a-kite.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Paper-Kite-for-Kids/

Happy Kite Making Everybody and Enjoy Doris!!

Activity of the Week-Junk Modelling

Wow we are into February already and hopefully you are all set for half term as children in Oxfordshire are breaking up today. Hopefully you have read my what to do in Half term blog which I posted earlier this week.

This weeks activity of the week is Junk Modelling.  Junk Modelling is so simple as all you need to do is use items that would normally just go in your recycle bin. Some times all you need is a cardboard box and some toilet rolls and there is hours of fun right there.

Items

• paint/felt tips
• carboard boxes
• empty containers, bottles etc
• sellotape, glue
• toilet roll, kitchen roll
• egg containers

What to make

• role play areas
• spaceships
• cars
• models
• houses for animals

I think this is quite self explaintary but tweet me if you need any inspiration @nannybicester

The importance of Role play areas

Role Play is an important part of childhood.  It enables children to use their imagination and act out what they see in their everyday life.

When working in a nursery it is common that you will find a good role play area but there is no reason why you cannot make one at home and this blog will share some ideas on how you can do this.

Hospitals, Shops, Restaurants
Easy to recreate as children will often have small tables, pretend tills, and dressing up outfits already so you can go from this.
For my example I am going to show you how you create a shop.


ideas on what you can use

• pretend tills
• plastic food, empty food packaging
• dressing up clothes
• wendy house/playhouse if you have one

Extras

• make some price labels
• posters to put over areas In your shops
• print out vocabulary posters to help children learn new words

Outdoor role play

Another popular role play area is construction and this is great for having outside in the garden.

This photo is a great way of showing you what you can do and you can source a lot of this stuff at tips.

Where to source items for role play areas

• leaflets
• menus from takeaways
• Charity shops are great for sourcing old dressing up outfits
• amazon and ebay
• asking around
• brochures from travel agents

Do your children like role play? Have you created a role play area?

Activity of the Week-Building Dens

This weeks Activity of the Week is building dens.  Who doesn't like to build a den? Whether its getting some blankets and sheets and chairs together in the living room or being more adventurous and gathering sticks and putting them together to build something in the garden.

Below I have showed two very different types of dens.  One indoor, one outdoor.


What you need

• carboard boxes
• blankets/sheets
• cushions, soft furnishings

Children can construct dens themselves particularly indoor ones but may need more assistance with outdoor ones as they are working with least manageable materials.  Lots of outdoor places do den building activities within their opening hours look online to see whats near you.

The eden project website gives some great advice about how to build your own den so I have the link below for you to have a look:

https://www.edenproject.com/learn/for-everyone/how-to-build-your-own-den

Happy den building

Christmas Blogember Day 2-elf on the shelf

Providing my elf on the shelf actually arrives I plan to do my own take on this during December. If you have one you might already be in the swing of it.  Working with older children this has not been an activity they could enjoy fully but younger children really enjoy it.
For those of you who don't know you name your cuddly elf and each morning the children find the elf in different spots around the house usually upto naughtiness.
Link to purchasing Elf on the Shelf goodies-https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=elf+on+the+shelf&sprefix=elf+on+the+%2Caps%2C278&crid=MFVXRKVY2F23



I have also noticed some of the shops,supermarkets are selling their own versions slightly cheaper so I reccomend having a look around if you don't have one already.

Wellington country park near Reading in Berkshire

A few hours spent in the late October sunshine with two of my uni friends and gorgeous baby girl at Wellington Country Park near Reading.
http://wellington-country-park.co.uk/

This is a very quick blog post about my trip here in half term as I didn't spend very long here and did not engage with all the activities on offer as we were with a 8 month old so there was not as much she could engage with but did love the animals.

 As you can see from the photo here the weather was beautiful and we had a lovely stroll around the lake which would be lovely at anytime of year as it doesn't take to long and you could stop and have a picnic. 
The petting zoo area is a lovely size and a few different farmyard animals for children to look at.  In the wooded area there were some cool dinosaur models to look at so would be great for any dinosaur enthusiasts.

Facilities include a large café and shop with plenty of indoor seating and outdoor seating. The cost is reasonable for what it is so go on over to the website for further information and details on special events.

They also arrange scavenger hunts and work shops which sounds fun defintley a must for small children.


I liked it here and a day could be made of it but more for 2-8 years for my recommended age of children.

Remember Remember the 5th November

The year is going really fast and this weekend is Bonfire Night.  This is a lovely time of year to share with your family and friends.  I thought I would devote this blog to some fun activities you can do on the lead up to the 5th.

Fireworks collages/paintings

Most effective with black paper as your base.  Use tissue paper, glitter, paint and get your children to create their own art masterpiece.

Make some firework party food

I found loads of different ideas on pinterest and have saved some to my board.  Here is the link to ideas.

Make some Firework decorations

Hold a firework party

After making lots of delicious food why not invite friends and family round to enjoy it.  If you are having fireworks at home make sure all little ones are aware of firework safety and are kept away from the fireworks.

Remember to keep safe when using fireworks around young children. Happy Bonfire Night.

Halloween Activities

Do you participate in Halloween in your household? Do you think its a load of nonsense?

I personally am not a huge believer in Halloween however think its a good opportunity to have some fun with children as there is so much you can do with it activity wise with young children to older children.

1.Dressing up for Trick or Treating                                           2.Face Painting

3.Make a Halloween Grotto


                                                                                                              4..Pumpkin Carving

                                                                    5. Spooky themed sensory play
                                            

                                                   

Whats going on in Oxfordshire/Further afield this half term?

October Half Term will shortly be upon us and although I will be enjoying some more annual leave I thought I would share whats going on in Oxfordshire this half term.


Millets Farm-Halloween Events
http://www.milletsfarmcentre.com/event/290

Creepy maze trails, pumpkin carving and Halloween circus to name a few events going on at Millets Farm this week.

Blenheim Palace
http://www.blenheimpalace.com/attractions-and-events/events/2016/autumn/halloween-at-blenheim-palace.html

Spooky tours and ride the ghost train to the pleasure gardens and if you fancy some spooky storytelling sessions.  There is lots to offer here.

Get Creative with Halloween
See my Halloween blog shortly to be published on some fun ideas to do at home with the kids and get those creative juices flowing.

Explore the museums
As always the local museums have some trails, activities and some special events on so check out the websites for Ashmolean, Pitt Rivers etc.

LEGOLAND
http://www.legolandholidays.co.uk/legoland-windsor-events/brick-or-treat.html

Kids go free during half term!! Which is a good incentative to go especially as LEGOLAND is not cheap.

Activity of the Week-Postcard world and country maps

Inspired completely by my cousin in the states I thought id share a new idea for parents/nannies to do at home with the little ones.

My cousin started by getting a map of the America and asking relatives and friends to send postcards from the different states.  When they received the postcards they would stick them on and learn about the state/place together.  Just to add my second cousin is three years old and sounds very intelligent wanting to learn about the world already.  My cousin has extended this into different countries.  I have a postcard from oxford to send just currently abit useless for sending it.

Such a fab idea so really wanted to share it.

Photo credit-My cousins photo

Good presents for a 1 year old

Our nephews first birthday is fast approaching and this gave me an idea for a new blog exploring different toys suitable for one year olds.

VTech Toot toot range

There are many different toys in this range and also the fab news is that you can link them altogether so could have one huge toot toot city. 

Megabloks
When our niece turned one we bought her some of these. Classic toy for youngster's to begin their construction skills!!


Happyland range



Small selection from many.  Great first toys for imaginary play.

Toddler activity walker


Little Tikes Car

I cant believe they still make these.  I had one when I was two but clearly a car that has stood the test of time. This is great as to move it encourages little ones to move their legs and feet rather than a motorised/battery operated one.  Don't get me wrong though those are very cool too.

Books

So many good books out there my personal favourites are ones that have flaps to get children involved in storytelling and sharing. Follow the link below to take you to a fantastic website Toppsta that will help you search books according to age and reviews.

https://toppsta.com/