kids direct liverpool summer 2014

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Free!Free!Summer 2014Summer 2014

Win a great day out at the Albert Dock!

5 of the best beaches for families.

Should children do chores?

www.kidsdirectliverpool.com

Kids Direct Liverpool Education Summer 2014

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Learning is all around us – you just need toknow where to look - that’s what Children’sUniversity is all about, getting involved in funactivities and learning something new at thesame time!Children aged 5 to 14 years old can joinLiverpool and Wirral Children’s University,which signposts exciting learning activitiestaking place outside the normal school dayand celebrates the achievements of itsmembers!How can I join?Firstly, ask your school if they subscribe toChildren’s University. If they don’t, it couldbe for a number of reasons. It may be thatthey don’t know about Children’s Universityand the wonderful benefits Children’sUniversity brings – so please tell them!Children who live in Liverpool or Wirral arealso welcome to join Open Children’sUniversity with an individual annualmembership.

To join, or for more details, visitwww.ednet.co/CU-for-Parents-EYFMembers will receive a Passport to Learningand access to the E-Passport: this is whereyou can keep track of all your CU credits, findout what CU activities there are and it willgive you access to news and events, evenyour countdown to graduation!Get involved! Get your Passport to Learningstamped at your activities and you’ll be ableto keep track of your credits via the E-Passport and share what activities you’vebeen taking part in as well!Spread the word!We hope you enjoy being a part of OpenChildren’s University - and don’t forgot tellyour friends!

Kids Direct Liverpool Editors Note Summer 2014

3To advertise in Kids Direct Liverpool email: [email protected]

It’s here at last! Long awaited hotweather (fingers crossed), yummybarbecues’s, exciting days out and goodold summertime fun!

Our lovely friends at the Albert Dockhave another fabulous competitionprize for you. One lucky family can wina lunch at What’s Cooking, Tickets forthe Beatles story and Tate Liverpool alltopped off with free milkshakes - agreat day out so enter now! (page 24).

If it’s a day at the races you fancy, thenenter our competition on page 22 towin 4 open-course tickets to theMBNA family funday at Chesterracecourse on Sunday 3rd August!

For those that would like to getorganised for September take a look atEasy2name on page 26, who areoffering 10% discount off their labelsand one lucky reader can win one oftheir Off to School Sets too.

Many thanks to our schools, nurseries& libraries for distributing Kids Directand remember, if you have any eventsyou would like us to publicise, do getin touch, we’ll be happy to add you toour calendar for free.

On behalf of all of us at Kids Direct,Happy Summer!!!

Kids Direct is owned by Megan Kneale. Registered trademark no. 1468409. Kids Direct Liverpool is a franchise owned, operated & publishedunder licence by Anna Taylor. We believe all information to be correct but do not endorse any products or services. The views expressedin Kids Direct are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot be held responsible for any breach of copyright arising fromartwork supplied by its contributors and clients. Reproduction, in whole or in part, of any of the text, illustrations or photography withoutthe express permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. Competitions: Prize winners will be drawn at random, no cash alternativeswill be offered. Personal information will not be shared with organisations external to Kids Direct unless a third party is issuing the prize.

Anna x

Read our interviewwith the one and onlyFrank Cottrell Boyce!

(pages 8 & 9).

Find out about thisyears summer

reading challenge(page 5).

If you’re heading to thebeach this summer,read what Colin the

coastguard has to sayto keep you safe.(pages 20 & 21)

Fancy working fromhome to fit in with

your familycommitments? Why

not join us at KidsDirect? (page 29)

The Hueys in None the Number by Oliver Jeffers.The Hueys are discovering numbers, 0 to 10. They are having lots of fun on the way!This book really is a counting adventure! It is a great introduction tonumbers. 0 is explained really well to children and at the end of thebook there is a note for parents, which is informative andinteresting. The illustrations and little captions are quirky and theHueys are adorable! This book will encourage children to have funwith numbers.Reviewed by Lesley Mitchell, Croxteth Library.

Grendel: A Cautionary Tale About Chocolate by David LucasGrendel, a chocolate loving monster is delighted one day to receive 3wishes inside a chocolate egg. Disaster follows as his first two wishesare fulfilled. Fortunately, he still has his last wish left. Can he use itwisely or risk losing everything he really loves? A thought-provokingtale delightfully illustrated, adding weight to the old adage to “becareful what you wish for!”Reviewed by Stella Swindell, Childwall Library.

Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell.A beautifully magical tale about a young girl called Sophie, who as ababy, is shipwrecked, then rescued and taken in by Charles Maxim,an unlikely guardian. Sophie believes that her mum survived theshipwreck and Charles, who encourages her never to ignore life’spossibilities, decide to go and find her when Social Worker, MissEliot, tries to take Sophie to an orphanage. Both Sophie and Charlesescape to Paris, where they meet the Rooftoppers who try tosearch for her lost mum. A fast paced book that will keep readershanging on till the cliff hanger at the end of the book.Reviewed by Helen Vincent, West Derby Library.The Killer Underpants by Michael Lawrence.

A hysterically funny story about Jiggy McCue who always wears thesame underpants, which become smelly and holey. His mum finallydecides to buy him a pair of y-front underpants. He hates them, butwhen he puts them on, they will not come off!!! In fact, they have amind of their own. The Killer Underpants squeeze him and hold him inlike glue every time he tries to take them off. They get tighter andtighter and get him into all sorts of trouble. Will he find a way to getthem off? A book that will leave parents and children laughing out loud.

Hysterically funny! Reviewed by Helen Vincent, West Derby Library.

Liverpool libraries share a few oftheir favourite children’s books with us:

Inspiring children to read in the summer holidays.This year’s theme is Mythical Maze and it challenges children aged four toeleven to find their way around a labyrinth that introduces them to fantasticalcreatures, collecting stickers of each character along the way.

Each year the Summer Reading Challenge to children is simple.Children are encouraged to read six or more books of theirchoice – fact books, joke books, picture books, audio books justas long as they are borrowed from the library – during theholidays. There are collectable incentives and rewards, plus acertificate for every child who completes the challenge. Childrencan sign up at their local library from the end of June onwardsand all materials are absolutely free.

Anne Sarrag, Summer Reading Challenge director for The ReadingAgency, says: “Mythical Maze is all free fun, which is top news forparents. So mums, dads and carers, pop down to your local libraryand find out more about what's happening locally, and help yourchildren discover a love of stories this summer whilst they maintainand develop their reading skills over the summer holidays. ”So are you ready for a fantastical world of legend and mythology thatwill keep children reading throughout the school summer holidays?Mythical Maze, the 2014 Summer Reading Challenge™ run by independent charityThe Reading Agency.

▪ Head to your local library during the summerholidays and enrol. It's completely free andanybody can take part.

▪ If you're a parent or carer then take a look at theirFamily Leaflet to find out more or join them ontheir Facebook page for all the latest news.

▪ Children can chat, get reading recommendationsand enter competitions on our Summer ReadingChallenge website.

▪ If you're a teacher take a look at their resources tohelp you support children's reading for pleasure.

SummerReading

Challenge

Kids Direct Liverpool Feature Summer 2014

6 www.kidsdirectliverpool.com

Kids Direct Liverpool Education Summer 2014


Little Actors Theatre Company is aRegistered Charity offering performingarts activities for children aged 2 ½ - 11.A grant from the John Thaw Foundationenables them to offer discounts for lowincome families. In L15 they are offeringDramaTots for pre-school children andtheir parents/carers which is a class ofsinging, dance and drama. Theatre ClubLiverpool is for 5-11 years and offers twohours of drama and musical theatre. Allfacilitators are professionally trained andexperienced actors. Participating in theperforming arts improves health andwellbeing. It is also a great way of buildingchildren’s confidence, self-esteem andcommunication skills; as well as havingfun. Contact Samantha Giblin on 0151336 4302, [email protected] www.littleactorstheatre.com.

Jean Robb and Hilary Letts, the acclaimedauthors of the Creating Kids Who Canseries, offer tutoring with a difference.At Successful Learning parents andchildren find the support they need todevelop their potential and get the mostfrom school and family life.Using methods developed over forty yearsof teaching, Jean and Hilary achieveamazing results with:● helping children learn how to learn.● changing children who feel they can't

into children who know they can!● creating an environment where

children learn more effectively.● creating confident parents.

From pre-school to secondary, theirmethods work with all children includingthose diagnosed as having dyslexia,dyscalculia, dyspraxia, ADD and ADHD,Asperger's Syndrome and Autism.Summer School dates: Thursday 28��,Friday 29�� and Saturday 30�� August.



Frank Cottrell Boyce is the awardwinning children’s writer of Millions,Cosmic and Framed, as well as a new seriesof sequels to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Youmay also know he wrote the script to theamazing opening ceremony of theOlympics and that he’s from Liverpool…

Kids Direct went to meet him when hevisited Leasowe library back in March toread and talk about his children’s books atan event organised by The ReaderOrganisation (see p10) of which Frank is apatron. Frank is also famous as a scriptwriter and in fact the children’s bookMillions was originally written as a filmscript and was made into a film by DannyBoyle (who also created the 2012 LondonOlympics Opening Ceremony). Can you seea pattern there?How did you get started in your writingcareer? “I started out on Brookie because theywere just taking anybody with a Liverpooladdress! It was quite easy to get on but difficultto stay.”

How did you start filmmaking? “I met someonewho wanted to make films who was an editorat Thames, that’s the thing about making filmsyou need to be in a band! If there’s two of youit’s quite powerful, you’re sort of 4 times as

strong as one. He was calledMichael (Winterbottom) and wemade loads of films together.”

How come you’ve managed to stayliving on Merseyside and notmoved to Hollywood? “I think it’ssort of exciting when I go toLondon, I’ve got that extra springin my step and at the same timepeople hesitate about bringing youin for a meeting as they’ve got topay your train fare”. Also, film is sointernational now.”

Films or books? “Oh books x 10, it’s muchharder to write a book than a film script butmuch easier to get a book published than a filmmade.”

Kids or Grownups? “Kids”

Millions is a book about a boy who sees saintsand asks them for advice, lots of them areforgotten now, why did want to bring themback? “It just sort of came out of the story thathe would like saints and when I started to lookin the dictionary of saints, there were thesenames that were very familiar, as we namestreets and hospitals and schools and blooddisorders after saints but we’ve forgotten thestories. They are fantastic stories - when wesay saint we mean someone who’s really good,but of course that’s not who becomes a saint,crazy people become saints and they’re allbrilliant, brilliant stories, so that was likemy bag of cash really”.

What did you think when you got theOlympic Ceremony Job? “When I got thejob, well, everyone said it was going to berubbish and don’t do it, and I did it forfriendship without any particularexpectation that it was going to be good,and it’s all forgotten now but all the pressthought it was going to be a disaster so it,well it taught me to ignore the pressbecause it was brilliant! I just did itbecause I’m really good friends with

Frank Cottrell Boyce

Kids Direct meet with…



Danny (Boyle) and he wanted friendsaround him and it was going to be reallytough”.

Did you come up with the Queen jumpingout of the helicopter? No I didn’t, a guycalled Mark, in our team of 5, and he designsthings and figures out how to build things.Everyone just said, well we can’t do thatthey’ll never agree, and it stayed on the wallfor months and no one could think ofanything better so we asked and they saidyes!

Do you play computer games and do youthink they can be a good guide to life, likefor Liam in Cosmic? “I don’t think there’sanything wrong with playing games,anything you do well is useful isn’t it? I do alot of things that are game versions ofteaching you something useful like Spanishvocabulary”.

You’ve got seven children: what’s your best“Dadly” quote, - something you say a lotlike Liam in Cosmic who says “I’ll speak toyou later..” - “We’ll have to agree todisagree”.

What’s your next project? “I’m just aboutto do an episode of Dr Who so that’s quitegood. It’s so greedy, Dr Who so you needloads of ideas for one episode as it’s so fastand the Dr can be so many things at once”.

Books by Frank Cottrell-Boyce:When a bag full of money falls out ofthe sky 8 year old Damian and 11 yearold Anthony suddenly findthemselves very rich, but as Englandis about to swap to the Euro they onlyhave 17 days to spend it. Damienwants to save the world, but Anthony

wants to spend, spend spend! “Funny, direct andoften moving it’s hard to imagine the person whowouldn’t enjoy it”. The Sootsman

Dylan is the only boy living in the tinyWelsh town of Manod. This story isinspired by real events in WWII,when pictures in London's NationalGallery were stored in Welsh mines.Once a month, a masterpiece wouldbe unveiled in the village and then

returned to London for viewing. This is a funny andtouching exploration of how Art touches the lifeof one little boy and a very small town.

Liam is too big for his boots, for hisfootball strip, and for his school blazer.Very tall Liam makes a giant leap forboy-kind by competing with a groupof adults for the chance to go intospace. “Frank Cottrell Boyce has awonderful ear for dialogue and is a

master of comic pathos. The off-the-wall humourand comic language he employs here makes this avery funny book” Carnegie Award Judges

Two refugee brothers from Mongoliaare determined to fit in with theirLiverpool schoolmates, but bring somuch of Mongolia to Bootle that theirnew friend Julie, is hard-pressed toknow truth from fantasy. This

magical and compelling story is enriched bystunning photos.

When Mr Tooting loses his job heembarks on an exciting new projectto restore a broken down VW campervan. Adding a racing car engine thevan – with the family inside – aresoon off on a trip of a life time! Firstin a trilogy.



‘When Patrick reads it’s like we’re in thewords. I can hear them all in my head andin the room. I understand it more.’ Pupilfrom St Anne’s Primary School on Readerin Residence Patrick FisherIt has been shown that reading for pleasureimproves educational outcomes andpromotes emotional well being for youngpeople.Sacred Heart Primary School in Moreton,Wirral commissioned a reader in residenceand are one of the many primary schoolsin the UK who have used a Reader inResidence from The Reader Organisation;charitable social enterprise whose aim isto build a reading revolution and instil alove of reading for pleasure in children andyoung people.“I cannot speak highly enough of TheReader in Residence, or the impact thatthis project had in enabling the child sheworked with to realise his true potential.The child was enthused and engaged andit led to him showing a real interest inreading and regaining his enthusiasm forhis other work. At the end of the year, thechild secured a Level 4 in both the readingtest and teacher assessment. I have nodoubt that the project and The Reader inResidence’s caring approach had a hugepart to play in this child’s achievement. If

we are serious about narrowing the gapbetween disadvantaged children andthose more fortunate, then this is the typeof project which should be developedmore widely.” Mr Freeman, Sacred HeartSchool, Moreton, Wirral.St Anne’s Primary School, Glasgow,commissioned Patrick Fisher, their Readerin Residence in 2012 and continue tore-commission the project each yearhaving seen the vast benefits this approachto shared reading has had to pupil’s wellbeing, confidence and improvements totheir work across the curriculum.‘We notice the improvement in theclassrooms both in their written work andoral contributions and how the childrenleave each session smiling. My staff and Iwho are in offices nearby are often all satlistening in to the stories! The impact ofthe project has been outstanding and weare determined to continue this projectwell beyond the third year.’ LouiseHamilton, Head Teacher, St Anne’s PrimarySchool.

How schools are building a reading revolution!

“I have never seen boys reading in thelunch queue before. That’s the effect of

Patrick’s work with our Primary 7's;children want to and it’s now seen as

‘cool’ to be reading.”



Specific aims for the St Anne’s Project:▪ To develop and deliver Get IntoReading groups in schools within oneLearning Community in Glasgow.▪ To be flexible about which youngpeople they are working with.▪ To raise staff awareness of theimportance of reading for pleasure.▪ To deliver and promote a range ofreading events beyond regular Readerin Residence groups.▪ To provide an adult reading group forparents.▪ To train and support senior pupils todeliver a ‘Reading Buddy’ system

Spending one day a week in St Anne’s,Patrick utilises a variety of stories andpoems to engage with children at theschool, working across age groups in bothgroup and 1:1 sessions and beneficiarieswere chosen after consultation with bothsenior staff and subject specific teachers.During the academic year over 500individual sessions with 300 young peoplehave taken place. Young people, parents,teaching and support staff have been verypositive about being involved in thisproject.

In addition to clear educational benefits,Reader in Residence sessions haveprovided children with an opportunity toexperience reading as a way to boostconfidence that they can develop furtherthemselves. Reading has also been a wayfor young people to safely exercise theirimaginations, make sense of their ownlives and better understand those aroundthem.

‘This is a beautiful project. My daughterbrings home poems to me even though Icannot speak English and she helps me tounderstand. I cannot help her get anybetter with English now she has grown upand I am so happy that she has people likeyou to help her enjoy reading and getbetter at school.’Parent of student at St Mungo’s Academywho had read in group in St Anne’s PrimarySchool the previous year.

“The combined effect on children'sprogress of reading books often, goingto the library regularly and readingnewspapers at 16 was four timesgreater than the advantage childrengained from having a parent with adegree.” Dr Alice Sullivan, Institute ofEducation Study 2013.

Educational Showcase LiverpoolIf you’d like to find out more abouthow schools in Liverpool have beenutilising a Reader in Residence, TheReader Organisation will be holding aneducational showcase at CalderstonesMansion, Liverpool on the 8th July -4.30pm to 6.30pm. A chance to askquestions, hear from some Readers inResidence and explore differentoptions they can offer you and thepotential benefits these opportunitiescan have for your school and widercommunity, you might even get thechance to enjoy a shared readingsession. Call Emily Crawford or 0151724 5000 or [email protected]

If you’d like to find out how The ReaderOrganisation can work with yourschool contact Katie McAllister,Development Manager,[email protected] orcall 0151 724 5000.

Kids Direct Liverpool Parties Summer 2014


Take the stress and hassle out of yourBirthday Party arrangements and enjoya party to be proud of at Bubbles’ Worldof Play. Choose from their underwater,jungle or African savannah themedparty booths, each of which creates afantastic party atmosphere where thechildren eat together and sing happybirthday.Their parties last 2 hours and include 80minutes of play and 40 minutes in theirdedicated party area with a choice of hotand cold buffet or toddler lunch boxes.Also, choose from a range of party extrasavailable including party bags or a visitfrom Bubbles the Panda. All partiesinclude invites and a party host to ensureyou too have a great time on your child’smagical day. 0151 691 6030

Sugar and Spice offer fantastic themedparties in their brand new party venueconveniently located in Anfield. You willhave sole use of the venue for theduration of the party including a firstclass party crew to pamper and entertainyour children and a party bag for eachchild. There is also a cocktail bar and abuffet of party food.Themes include Teddy Heaven,Hollywood Oscar Party, Neon Theme,Beach Theme, Talent Shows and manymore. You name it, they can theme it,so why not hire Sugar and Spice for yourchild’s party! Ideal for children agedfrom 4 -12 years, and with a minimumnumber of 10 children.Contact: 07903 067421 or visit:www.sugarandspiceparties.co.uk.

Kids Direct Liverpool Parties Summer 2014


The Creepy Crawly Show is a fun packed party roadshow that’s great for children’sparties of all ages … and the adults are entertained too! Their shows are filled withcomedy, games, music, challenges and not forgetting the awesome animals, withsnakes, tarantulas, lizards, scorpions, turtles, hissing cockroaches and many more.Their comical Rangers are experienced children’s entertainers and ensure that youroccasion is an exciting, fun and very memorable one.There are no restrictions on party sizes or guest numbers and their shows work equallyas well on the large stages of Butlins and BBC events as they do in the comfort of yourown living room. Your guests can just sit back, watch and laugh or get hands on withlots of amazing creatures which makes for great photo opportunities.

They are available 7 days a week and travelthroughout the North West and North Wales forbirthday parties, communions, christenings,weddings, 40��’s, fetes, fairs, school shows andmore.If you would like The Creepy Crawly Show to comeand set up camp at your party or event give them acall on 01244 646045 or [email protected]

What do you get when you cross a

chicken and a caterpillar?

What did the hen say when shesaw scrambled eggs?

What do you call a dinosaur thatis a noisy sleeper?

What’s the difference between

dinosaurs and dragons?

What’s green, sits in the

corner and sulks?

What do vampires crossthe sea in?

Knock-Knock,

Avenue,

Why did the computer sneeze?

Why was the centipede 2 hours late for

the football match?

Why is Cinderella so bad at sport?

What belongs to you but isused more by other people?

What cup can younever drink out of?

What does a crab use to call someone?

15

July 2014Sat 5�� July, 12pm, Meet Darren Shan,Waterstone’s Liverpool One. Meet thefantastically popular and best-sellingteen author Darren Shan as he signscopies of his book Zom-B Chronicles.For more details call 0151 709 9820.

Sat 5�� & Sun 6�� July, 11-4pm,Scarecrow Festival, NationalWildflower Centre, Court Hey Park.Meet the scarecrows. Entry to theCentre will be free with free workshopsfor you to enjoy and selection of vintageand craft stalls for you to browse aroundbefore taking a break in theirCornflower Café to enjoy a cup of teaand a tasty piece of homemade cake.For more information call 0151 7381913 or email [email protected] Event.

5�� July to 26�� October. The 8thLiverpool Biennial Exhibition bringingcontemporary art to the city, entitled ‘ANeedle Walks into a Haystack’, will takeplace in various venues across the city.For lots more information visitwww.biennial.com/2014.

11�� July to 7�� September 2014, Daily10am to 8pm, Tickle the Ivories. Music-makers and performers of all kinds areinvited to book free time slots toperform with and around pianos placedon the streets of Liverpool ONE at theTickle the Ivories festival this summer.For more info and to book 0151 4784550 or email [email protected]

Sat 12�� July, 2pm, Family Bike Ridewith Pedal Away, National WildflowerCentre, Court Hey Park. Join PedalAway for a ride around the Park andenjoy the Great Outdoors. Don't worryif you haven't got a bike. There will besome bikes available to use free ofcharge - availability will be on a firstcome first served basis. For moreinformation please call 0151 738 1913or email [email protected]

12�� and 13�� July, 10.30am to 5.30pm,Stalls in the City, Thomas Steers Way(next to John Lewis and Hilton). An openair market showcasing craft and designcreations by local entrepreneurs andartists. Featuring unique homewares,original prints and photography,handmade beauty products, glassware,upcycled accessories, textiles, candles,jewellery, stationery and much more!Visit www.liverpool-one.com for moredetails.

Sun 13�� July, 12-4pm, Dogs TrustMerseyside Open Day and Fun DogShow. Fun for all the family, two leggedand four. Enter their Fun Dog Show,Doggy Dash or Have a Go Agility withyour canine pal. Have a go at the games,paint a pottery dog or bounce on thecastle in their children's area. There willalso be a BBQ, homemade cakes, GrandRaffle, Tombola and lots of stalls. Allproceeds go to the dogs in their care -raising Pounds for Hounds. £1 adults,50p children, Dogs FREE! Dogs Trust,Whiston Lane, Huyton, Liverpool,Contact telephone: 0151 949 5518

Summer Calendar

Sat 19�� & Sun 20�� July, 1-4pm,Egyptian Coffins, World Museum,Discover why Ancient Egyptian peoplebelieved in a life after death and createyour own Egyptian style coffin to takehome. Free drop in event, no need tobook. For more details visit:www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml

Sat 19�� & Sun 20�� July, 11-5pm, SpekeHall Vintage Festival, Speke Hall,Garden and Estate. See beautifulveteran and classic cars, grab a bargainin their fabulous vintage market andlisten to some retro music. For moreInformation: call 0151 427 7231www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall

23�� to 27�� July, Giant Spectacular,Memories of 1914. The giants are backto help commemorate the role ofLiverpudlians in the Great War.Visit www.giantspectacular.com formore information.

Sat 26�� & Sun 27�� July, 1-4pm,Egyptian Hieroglyphs, WorldMuseum,q Find out why the ancientEgyptian people used little picturescalled hieroglyphs to write down thesounds of their language. Free drop inevent. No booking required. Visit:www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml

29�� July to 31�� August, Summer FamilyFun, Speke Hall, Garden and Estate. Adifferent activity every day that they'reopen. Try den building, crafts, outdoorgames, fun family tours and lots more.For more Information visit their website

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall orcall 0151 427 7231.Free event (normaladmission chargesapply).

August

Sat 2ⁿ� & Sun 3�� August, 1-4pm, Fossils,World Museum. Make your own fossilwhile finding out more about trilobites,ammonites and shark teeth fossils. Freedrop in event. Booking not required.For further details visit:www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml

Sun 3�� August, 11-5pm, KnowsleyFlower Show is the largest FREEhorticultural Show in the North Westand is set in the grounds of Court HeyPark - home of National WildflowerCentre. With a giant floral marqueeablaze with colour and housing over400 exhibits - there will be a fantasticarray of entertainment and attractionson offer. Free event and free entry tothe National Wildflower Centre.Contact telephone: 0151 738 1913

Sat 9�� & Sun 10�� August, 1-4pm,Ancient Greek Patterns, WorldMuseum. Find out more about thefantastic patterns on Greek potteryfrom hundreds of years ago. Copy someof the patterns to make a card souvenirto take home with you. Free drop inevent. Booking not required.www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml

Summer Calendar

16

Tues 12��, Wed 13�� & Thurs 14��August, Hansel and Gretel, CroxtethHall (in the walled gardens). Bookingessential. £5 for adults, £4 for childrenunder the age of 12. Box office 07894866 432. www.pastproductions.co.uk

14�� to 17�� August, Southport FlowerShow, Victoria Park. Featuring stunningshow gardens, the finest flower andvegetable displays, specialist foods andbooks, celebrity guests and much more.Tickets at the gate £22, Tickets boughtin advance £17 and children under 16Free. Lots more details available atwww.southportflowershow.co.uk

15�� to 30�� August, LiverpoolInternational Music Festival, SeftonPark. Over 200 acts will represent 20countries and playing a total of 150hours of live music. Visitwww.limfestival.com for details and fullline up.

Sat 16�� August, Walton Farmers’Market, Walton Church Grounds. Acommunity event with a variety ofstalls for all ages local butchers, fruit &veg shop, fresh flowers, bagel bar,Artisan Breads, Cupcake stall and muchmore. Free event open to the publicwith a variety of stalls for all the family.Contact 07933 991747

Sat 16�� & Sun 17�� August, 1-4pm,North African Dancing, World Museum.Ya Raqs are a traditional Arabic dancetroupe. They will be performing a rangeof dance styles from Egypt and NorthAfrica and running short workshops for

anyone who would like to have a go!Free drop in event. Booking notrequired. Visit website for more details:www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml

23�� and 24�� August, 10.30am to5.30pm, Stalls in the City, ThomasSteers Way (next to John Lewis andHilton) An open air market showcasingcraft and design creations by localentrepreneurs and artists. Featuringunique homewares, original prints andphotography, handmade beautyproducts, glassware, upcycledaccessories, textiles, candles, jewellery,stationery and much more! Visitwww.liverpool-one.com for moredetails.

Sat 30�� August, Red Bull HarbourReach, Albert Dock. Watch some of theworld’s most elite athletes inWakeboarding, compete with eachother. For more details visitwww.albertdock.com.

Sat 30�� & Sun 31�� August, 1-4pm,Viking Brooches, World Museum. Learnhow to recognise a Viking from theirbrooch and make one of your own totake home. Free drop in event. Bookingnot required, just turn up. Visitwww.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml

September

Sat 6�� & Sun 7�� September, 1-4pm,Dinosaur Masks, World Museum.Discover lots of facts about dinosaursand ancient reptiles and make your owndinosaur mask to take home. Free drop

Summer Calendar

17

18

in event. Booking not required.www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml

Sun 7�� September, Liverpool will be the'Grand Depart' city for this year'srenowned Tour of Britain race. StageOne will start and finish on The Strand,taking in the world-famous backdrop ofthe Three Graces and will consist of tenlaps of a 13-kilometre circuit.

Sat 13�� and Sun 14�� September, 1-4pm, DNA bracelets at the WorldMuseum. An introduction to DNA andmake your own DNA bracelet using 4different coloured beads to representthe some of the DNA code for a human,animal or plant. Free drop in event.Booking not required.www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml

Fri 19��, Sat 20�� and Sun 21��September, Liverpool Food and DrinkFestival, Sefton Park. A deliciousweekend of great food, drink, cookingdemo’s and entertainment. There willalso be a ‘chocolate area’, an ‘ediblegarden’ a ‘children’s zone’, dedicated tofamily entertainment, as well as a wholeprogramme of masterclasses andcelebrity chef demonstrations.www.liverpoolfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk

20�� & 21�� September 2014. SouthportAir Show. Southport Beach.2 days of packed entertainment for theentire family. Tickets from £7 if boughtin advance, children under 5 go free. Tobook and to see ticket prices visitwww.visitsouthport.com

21�� September 12am- 6pm, VintageFair, Sefton Park Palm House. A great amix of stalls selling men and women’svintage/retro clothing, recustomisedvintage/retro fashions, jewellery,accessories, homeware /collectablesand retro inspired cakes and bakes. Forlots more details visit:www.pillboxvintage.com

Sat 27�� & Sun 28�� September, 1-4pm,World Museum. Be inspired to createyour very own animal mask. Free dropin event. Booking not required.www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml

Please note: Whilst every effort hasbeen made to ensure accuracy, detailsmay change. Please phone the venueconcerned or visit their website tocheck dates, times, prices and ifbooking is required before setting out.

Keep up to date:For lots more family friendlyevents, services, competitionsand of course oodles of fun,

come along and join us on ourfacebook page:

www.facebook.com/kidsdirectlpl.

Summer Calendar

Kids Direct Liverpool Great Days Out Summer 2014




Bubbles' World of Play is the ultimateChildren's Entertainment Centre offeringa whole new concept of play that is bothfun, educational and fitness enhancing.Housing one of the largest play frames inthe UK (if not the largest), children areencouraged to learn and explore over 30different countries and zones, from theSydney Harbour Bridge to their city roleplay area comprising of a police station,vets and shop to name a few. Withinteractive projectors, their very owntalking penguin maze, ball cannon zoneand numerous time challenge games;Bubbles' World of Play is the mostinnovative play centre around.Parents can relax in the comfortableseating areas enjoying quality food anddrink and free WIFI whilst knowing that

their children are safe and secure thanksto their extensive CCTV system, alarms onall exit doors and secure check in/checkout processes. Parents can also explorethe play frames with their children.Babies and toddlers are also well cateredfor with a large baby sensory area,separate secure baby feeding room withbottle making facilities and passcodeaccess, baby change facilities on bothfloors and plenty of high chairs. Toddlershave the benefit of their own Toddlerframe and a 'New York' themed play area.Located in Marine Point, New Brighton, ithas its very own 90 space car park and afurther 600 parking spaces within theMarine Point complex and just a 5 minutewalk from New Brighton train station.www.bubblesworldofplay.co.uk



Albert DockAlbert Dock Liverpool are offering one lucky family of

four a fantastic prize!Lunch at What’s Cooking, tickets for the Beatles Story

and Tate Liverpool, plus complimentary milkshakescourtesy of the fabulous Funky Shake Bar!

Name the famous artist whose works will take centrestage during Tate Liverpool’s summer 2014 Exhibition?Email your answer to [email protected]

by Thursday 17th July.

Competition!

www.albertdock.com

Terms and conditions apply. The prize is for two adults and two children under the ageof 16, is non transferable, cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion,and no cash alternatives will be given. The prize must be taken by 9th December 2014.

Albert Dock Liverpool is proud to unveil afantastic programme of fun-packed, freesummer events that will entertain visitors ofall ages!The summer season highlights include:-

● Tate Liverpool’s summer exhibition,Mondrian and his Studios (June 6-October 5)

● The Dazzle Ship in dry dock (fromJune 12)

● International Mersey River Festival(June 13-15)

● Liverpool Biennial at Tate Liverpool(July 5-October 26)

● Brouhaha carnival parade (July 11)● Red Bull Harbour Reach (August 30)● Liverpool Pirate Festival (September

13-14)There will also be continued free activity atMerseyside Maritime Museum, such as theever-popular, Titanic and Liverpool: the

untold story exhibition (running until theend of 2017), The Brutal Exposure: theCongo exhibition at the InternationalSlavery Museum (until September 7), not tomention the fab Beatles Story.There will also be plenty of enticing offers atthe Dock’s popular bars and restaurants,plus regular outdoor musical performancesfrom the likes of the famous Merseycats.Look out for the new pop up Albert DockWelcome Centre which will showcase theDock’s many attractions, restaurants, bars,shops and cafes. Another new familyattraction for 2014, is the arrival of theMagical Mystery Tours booking office, nowlocated in Anchor Courtyard, and thegateway to a fabulous two-hour tour of theplaces linked to the Fab Four.For lots more details about events andoffers visit www.albertdock.com.



Robots join Time Travellers at Spaceport!Venture to Spaceport to see the brand newRobots exhibition featuring Wall-E, theterrifying Terminator, Futurama’s Bender,Westworld Robot Gunfighter Yul Brynner andmany more. The Robots are joining the existingTime Travellers exhibition so you can still seeall your favourites including batman,Cybermen, life-sized Daleks and K9.Intrepid space explorers can also enjoyunlimited simulator rides & take a virtualjourney through space in the 360 degree spacedome theatre, venture through the themedgalleries, interactive hands-on exhibits andexciting audio.Visual experiences then if you’re feelingpeckish refuel at the cafe and play area atSeacombe terminal.COSTUME CHARACTER VISITSSpaceport will be invaded with costumecharacters as part of their Time Traveller

exhibition! Go and see some of your favouritecostume characters including Silurian Warrior,Scarecrow and Sycorax on the following dates:

SAT 19TH JULYSAT 6TH SEPTEMBERSAT 8TH NOVEMBER

SAT 21ST FEBRUARY 2015SAT 16TH MAY 2015

Make a day of it with a trip on the iconicMersey Ferry, with great value family pricescombination tickets available for River Explorercruise and Spaceport.

four a fantastic prize!

Kids Direct Liverpool For Parents Summer 2014


A fantastic competition courtesy of:

FROCKSST JOHNS CENTRE

LIVERPOOLSTOCKISTS OF:

PLUS MANY MANY MORE!!!SPREAD THE COST, EASY PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE

ADD US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM frocks_stjohns- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

£10 OFF WITH THIS ADVERT WHEN YOU SPEND £50 OR MORESEE INSTORE FOR T & C'S

Easy2name will solve all your labellingproblems. With waterproof stickers forlabelling shoes, lunchboxes and equipmentand a choice of clothing labels, includingStick-Easy clothing labels - the no sew, no ironoption, lost property will be a thing of the past.Their "Off to school" set is great value as itincludes stickers, iron on labels, a shoe bagand bag tag and you can choose from red,blue or lilac sets. Their innovative range oflabels can be used on every single item ofchildren's belongings from socks and shoes tostationary, sports kit and mobile phones.Easy2name give 10% discount to Kids DirectReaders - simply enter the code KD2014 atthe checkout and you will automatically get10% off. For a chance to win an Off to schoolset please tell us what colours they come in?Email your answers along with your name,address and child's age [email protected].



www.facebook.com/InSightImgs

Call Claire on 07852 924451 Email: [email protected]

Newborn and baby photographyFamily and Children portraits

Cake smash sessions

InSight Images offers a high quality andprofessional service throughoutLiverpool, Wirral and the Merseysidearea.Claire is the photographer behind InSightImages and undertakes all areas ofportraiture including Newborn andChildren's portrait sessions. She providesmobile studio and location sessionsthroughout Merseyside all year round.Her aim is to capture beautiful, timelessimages that capture your child'spersonality and create lasting memories

of such ap r e c i o u stime. There are anumber ofp a c k a g e savailable that

have been designedto suit all budgets.Packages includeprints and productsas well as a selectionof digital imagesensuring you have a collection of stunninghigh quality images for years to come andcurrently there is 25% off their discountpackage, now £150.Another very popular package they offerincludes 3 sessions: Bump, Newborn andBaby's 1st Birthday, which beautifullydocuments the special milestones duringyour baby's first year.They are also happy to price up anybespoke requests that you may have.Contact Claire on 07852 924451 or [email protected].

Maternity sessions



FOR SALEKIDS DIRECT

MERSEYSIDEEver dreamt of owning

your own business?You must be:

● Self disciplined● Able to sell● Have good computer skills● Able to deal with people easily

Benefits include:● Flexible Hours● No need to work during school holidays● Work from home● Fits in around the children and family commitments● Small investment● Minimum capital equipment needed

Interested?Call 07980 304998 or email

[email protected] forfurther details.

It is normal to want to spend as much timeas you can get with your children, but it canbe difficult balancing family life with work.Getting a job with flexible hours can be areal challenge and we often don’t knowwhere to begin to get the most out of ourwork/life balance.

‘I always struggled with childcare. School pickups and the holidays were a major problem forme. Becoming my own boss was the best thingI could have done. I have the flexibility andrewards of a part-time job and play hardduring the school holidays with my family.’

‘If one of my children was off sick, I used to haveto take a day off work too. Now I just workround it and don’t ever feel guilty.’

The perfect job for mums with children ofschool age is a part-time work-from-homejob that allows for school holidays. Runningyour own business can give you theflexibility to fit a job and business aroundyour family. The home is the work place. Forsome mums, buying a small franchise is agood option and Kids Direct has both

existing franchises for sale and also excitingnew opportunities in the North West.

Kids Direct is a thrice yearly publicationaimed at families with children under theage of 12. The magazine is published justbefore the three main school holidays;Easter, Summer and Christmas and providesvaluable information to the localcommunity, whilst working from home.The work load is such, that most of ithappens during school term time, so thismeans you have most of the holidays freeto spend with your family.

Why not contact us at Kids Direct withabsolutely no obligation? You will besurprised at how reasonable the cost is tobuy your own business.

Kids Direct Liverpool Sporting Fun Summer 2014


Liverpool Tae Kwon Do

First Lesson Free!

Tues & ThursJuniors 6-7 pm,Seniors 7-8 pm

Kensington CommunitySports Centre, Jubilee

Drive, Kensington,Liverpool L7 8SJ

liverpooltaekwondo.co.uk

Train with the best!

Think you have what it takes to be the nextTae Kwon Do champion? Or looking to getfit in a friendly club then look no further.Juniors and Seniors can train with multipleWorld and European champion RogerLawrence also a former team Scotlandcoach. He has won unprecedented successthat led Scotland to be ranked number 3 inthe World. Call Roger on 07973 195 301 oremail [email protected]. Also,Liverpool Tots Kwon Do for toddlers aged 2to 4, use merit badges to mark your child’sprogress. Tots Kwon Do can improvebalance, coordination and give your childconfidence in the art of learning, whilsthaving fun. Parental participation isrequired! So go along and have some fun.Friendly female instructor. For bookings orfor further details call Claire on 07507 720040 or email [email protected].

SaturdaysTots Kwon Do

12.30-1.15 pm (toddlers aged 2-4 years)

Childwall Sports & Science Academy, Fiveways, Queens Drive,

Liverpool, L15 6XZliverpoolsports4tots.co.uk

Kids Direct Liverpool Sporting Fun Summer 2014


Airborn Academy is a state of the art urban sport centre based close to Liverpool Citycentre on Boundary Street, in the Liverpool Film Studios Complex and less than 10 minuteswalk from Sandhills railway station. This unique and exciting new venue is the first of itskind in the UK and unites an array of urban sports under one roof; freerunning,cheerleading, trampolining, tumbling, break dancing, aerial skills and martial arts.Their facilities include an urban obstacle training space, competition size cheerleadingfloor, aerial equipment, dance studio and innovative raise training zone with freerunningbar space, sunken trampolines and fast track, all leading to the central foam landing pit.Their professional and fully qualified coaches offer the highest quality of instruction in asafe and inspiring environment. Regardless of age, ability, or fitness level, AirbornAcademy has something for everyone and is the perfect place to get active, explore theprogression of movement, participate in upcoming, exciting urban sports and also meetsome awesome people in the process.Open every weekday evening and from 10:00am -9.30pm at weekends, classes are offeredfor complete beginners right through to thosewith a high level of skill and experience. Partiesand private bookings can also beaccommodated and keep a check on theirwebsite for extra daytime activities duringschool holidays. For lots more details visit:www.airbornacademy.com.

kids direct liverpool summer 2014

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