Where To Spot The Gruffalo In The UK

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Oh Help! Oh No! It's The Gruffalo! The Gruffalo has been one of our favourite stories since little J was younger and we have followed the Gruffalo trail through Delamere Forest many times to try and find him. Over the past year several of the Gruffalo trails and orienteering have been closed however now as some restrictions have lifted there are quite a few Forestry England places in the UK where you can join in with the Gruffalo Trail. When planning a day out with the kids please do check with each Forest before you visit to check opening times and temporary closures.

Gruffalo Orienteering

Gruffalo Orienteering is the perfect outdoor activity with fun for all the family. Pick up a map and certificate at the Forest's visitor centre for just £1.50 then follow the route to find the Gruffalo. 

There are twelve Gruffalo markers to find using the simple map. 

The Gruffalo Orienteering is available at

Alice Holt

Cannock Chase

Dalby Forest

Delamere Forest

Fineshade Wood

Grizedale Forest

Haldon Forest Park

Mallards Pike Lake 

Salcey Forest

Sherwood Pines

Wendover Woods

Whinlatter Forset

Wyre

Spot A Gruffalo Sculpture

If you take a stroll in the deep dark wood, you might spot the Gruffalo and it will be good! The wooden sculptures of the Gruffalo have all been carved in to different positions so you can spot him in his different positions by visiting different locations.

Spot a Gruffalo Sculpture at

Alice Holt

Bedgebury

Cannock Chase

Dalby Forest

Delamere Forest

Fineshade Wood

Hamsterley Forest

High Lodge

Kielder Castle

Moors Valley

Sherwood Pines

Wendover Woods

Westenbirt Arboretum

Whinlatter Forset

Wyre

The Gruffalo Spotters Trail

Interact with all your favourite characters from the Gruffalo story as you search for him in the deep dark wood. Download the Gruffalo Spotters 2 app before you arrive to help bring the characters to life.

The Gruffalo Spotters Trail is available at 

Alice Holt

Bedgebury

Beechenhurst

Cannock Chase

Dalby Forest

Fineshade Wood

Hamsterley Forest

Hicks Lodge

High Lodge

Jeskyns Community Woodlands

Kielder Castle

Moors Valley

Salcey Forest

Sherwood Pines

Wendover Woods

Westenbirt Arboretum

If you found this post useful there are a few ways that you could say thanks and support Playdays and Runways.

Comments - I love reading your opinions and thoughts - Have you visited any of the above? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you thought.

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Michelle

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Where To Spot The Gruffalo In The UK

No comments

Oh Help! Oh No! It's The Gruffalo! The Gruffalo has been one of our favourite stories since little J was younger and we have followed the Gruffalo trail through Delamere Forest many times to try and find him. Over the past year several of the Gruffalo trails and orienteering have been closed however now as some restrictions have lifted there are quite a few Forestry England places in the UK where you can join in with the Gruffalo Trail. When planning a day out with the kids please do check with each Forest before you visit to check opening times and temporary closures.

Gruffalo Orienteering

Gruffalo Orienteering is the perfect outdoor activity with fun for all the family. Pick up a map and certificate at the Forest's visitor centre for just £1.50 then follow the route to find the Gruffalo. 

There are twelve Gruffalo markers to find using the simple map. 

The Gruffalo Orienteering is available at

Alice Holt

Cannock Chase

Dalby Forest

Delamere Forest

Fineshade Wood

Grizedale Forest

Haldon Forest Park

Mallards Pike Lake 

Salcey Forest

Sherwood Pines

Wendover Woods

Whinlatter Forset

Wyre

Spot A Gruffalo Sculpture

If you take a stroll in the deep dark wood, you might spot the Gruffalo and it will be good! The wooden sculptures of the Gruffalo have all been carved in to different positions so you can spot him in his different positions by visiting different locations.

Spot a Gruffalo Sculpture at

Alice Holt

Bedgebury

Cannock Chase

Dalby Forest

Delamere Forest

Fineshade Wood

Hamsterley Forest

High Lodge

Kielder Castle

Moors Valley

Sherwood Pines

Wendover Woods

Westenbirt Arboretum

Whinlatter Forset

Wyre

The Gruffalo Spotters Trail

Interact with all your favourite characters from the Gruffalo story as you search for him in the deep dark wood. Download the Gruffalo Spotters 2 app before you arrive to help bring the characters to life.

The Gruffalo Spotters Trail is available at 

Alice Holt

Bedgebury

Beechenhurst

Cannock Chase

Dalby Forest

Fineshade Wood

Hamsterley Forest

Hicks Lodge

High Lodge

Jeskyns Community Woodlands

Kielder Castle

Moors Valley

Salcey Forest

Sherwood Pines

Wendover Woods

Westenbirt Arboretum

If you found this post useful there are a few ways that you could say thanks and support Playdays and Runways.

Comments - I love reading your opinions and thoughts - Have you visited any of the above? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you thought.

Growing my social media is something I work hard on. If you would like to follow us - Like us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

If you have found this post or our blog useful you can say thanks by - Buying Us A Virtual Coffee

If you think a friend of family member would like this post - Tap the share button below.

Michelle

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Changing Our Colour Scheme To Match The Seasons

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Last October we decided that we would start to change our colour scheme in our living room to match the seasons. We bought lots of oranges and browns for Autumn, red was the perfect colour for Christmas and for Spring we chose yellow. Supermarkets and other shops that have a homeware department are the perfect place to look and you can usually buy most of the items in one place. When it came to Summer I wasn't too sure what colour to choose but we went for pink and grey. 

There are two main focus points in our living room, the fireplace and the walls. We have a rug in front of the fireplace so that sets the tone for the room. Our walls are quite big so we need large pictures or art to fill the spaces so they don't look bare. We found some lovely prints online at Desenio that not only matched our new Summer colour scheme but are personal to us too. 

Desenio was founded in 2010 and has grown over the years to now have an online presence in 33 countries. The idea behind the brand is to offer stylish wall art at affordable prices. 

As well as wall art you can also add Desenio frames, hangars, picture ledges and clips to suit your needs.

Whilst browsing Desenio I looked through the maps and cities section. There are a few places that are special to us and I was hoping that I could find a print of New York and Paris. New York is where we got married and Paris is one of our favourite cities as it's home to Disneyland Paris the most magical place on Earth. 

When I found the New York in Bloom picture it was just a perfect fit. It has a lovely Summer feel, it's pink and it's New York. I then found Blooming Paris which is a similar colour scheme with the Eiffel Tower in the background. 

These were perfect and I knew they would go together well and match our colour scheme. If I was unsure I could use the Gallery Walls tool. This is perfect for those who don't have an eye for what things may look like. You start the by choosing a background. Our pictures are going above the sofa so I chose the sofa background. You can then choose how many pictures you wish to hang in the space and the sizes. I could then added my chosen prints and the tool showed me how it would look. You then have the choice to add frames to your order giving you a choice of colours. You can select the different colour frames to see which suits your print better. Once you are ready you can add to cart ready for you to purchase. 

The Desenio prints arrived swiftly and match the colour scheme perfectly. We have ordered some different prints too so we can swap after a few months but for now I love seeing our two favourite cities in bloom in our living room. 

There are lots of simple ways to improve your homes interior. Do you change your colour scheme to match the seasons?

Michelle

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5 Screen-Free Activities to Explore with Your Child | AD

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Disclosure - This is a paid collaboration. 

It's undeniably difficult for us to get away from technology, especially our smartphones. The same applies to children and lots of parents have concerns about their child’s screen-time. The question is: Are children using their phones and games consoles at a detriment to their physical and/or mental health? 

Of course, there are lots of benefits to technology. It allows us to stay connected with friends and family all around the world, and the internet is a great source of information. We have also used technology over the last year to help us make homeschooling fun. There are also downsides to technology and parents should try and find some alternative activities to get their kids into so that they’re not staring at a screen every waking moment.  A prep school in Lincolnshire have the following suggestions for some screen-free activities.

Yoga

If you’re looking for something different for your child, and perhaps a way to help them relax, yoga might be a good option. It can be done indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather, and all you’ll need is a mat. Yoga improves strength, endurance, balance, and aerobic capacity, so it’s also great for their physical health.

Scrapbooking

Ask your child to keep an eye out for pictures and words that have meaning to them in newspapers, magazines, or books. They could even print some out and stick them into their scrapbook. Scrapbooking is a great way for children to express themselves and get their creative juices flowing. In school, children are often told they are right or wrong during lessons and are restricted to a timetable. Creative activities like scrapbooking make a nice change because there are no rules, no right or wrong, and no time constraints. 

Cooking/Baking

If there’s promise of a tasty treat at the end, most kids love to get involved with the cooking or baking. It’s actually a very education activity for them, because they learn how to use utensils safely, how to follow instructions in a recipe book and how to calculate oven times and measurements. 

Gardening 

Lots of kids love hands-on activities, so getting them to help you out in the garden might be a good option. Watching plants grow from seeds is a rewarding activity and teaches important life skills, like patience and determination. Gardening is also a chance for children to get some fresh air and exercise. 

Survival Skills

Another way to get your kids outside is to teach them some fun survival skills, like water purification or building a fire. Perhaps it could be turned into a screen-free family camping trip, during which time you get to bond, make memories and teach your child some valuable skills.

One of our favourites isn't mentioned above but we love searching for places to visit in the North West and heading out on a day out. It's such a lovely way to spend a morning, an afternoon or even the whole day. There is nothing better than exploring in the woods, riding a rollercoaster or having a picnic in the park. 

Do you have any screen free activities you enjoy?

Michelle

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Why Are School Trips Important for Children? | AD

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Disclosure - This is a paid collaboration. 

One of the things little J is most looking forward to when restrictions lessen is going on a school trip. It's been well over 18 months now since he last hopped on a coach and headed out for the day with his class mates. Big J is always telling him stories about the time he went to Wales, France and his favourite a skiing holiday with his school friends. First-hand experiences for children are one of the best ways for them to learn, which is why school trips are so important. They can form some of a child’s fondest memories and generally just give youngsters a well-deserved break from a traditional classroom environment. I have teamed up with a private school in Hertfordshire to discuss the benefits of school trips in further detail. 

Improves Academic Performance

There’s a unique sense of excitement that comes with bringing a subject to life outside of a classroom. This interactive learning helps students develop a deeper understanding of the topic at hand. It often easier to remember information when it is attached to a fond memory, so students might find it easier to recall facts and figures that they have learnt on a trip, as opposed to from a textbook. As a result, students who attend school trips are likely to have improved academic performance. This is especially true for kinaesthetic learners who are better at absorbing information when they are moving around and engaging their senses. 

Classroom learning is obviously crucial, but without a break from time to time, students can find it tedious and lose their momentum. School trips are great for re-capturing a child’s attention and interest in a particular topic and may even inspire new passions and pursuits at home. 

Builds Relationships

School trips provide an opportunity for students to bond with their peers and teachers. They are often asked to work in pairs or groups during their trips, helping with their interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team. In addition, they will be able to see their teacher in a different light – someone who can have fun too. As a result, students are more likely to feel a sense of belonging within the school community, helping them with their confidence and feeling of security. What’s more, they may be more comfortable engaging in group discussions and collaborative tasks back in the classroom, again contributing to better progression in lessons. 

A New Challenge

For students who are a little shy and don’t feel comfortable stepping out of their comfort zone, a school trip can force them to face new challenges. They might have to ask for directions or order food without their parents there to help them, which will ultimately help them with their self-assurance. It’s even important for adults to challenge themselves from time to time and try something new.

I am guessing little J's first trip after restrictions may just be a short visit to the park, farm or cinema but he cannot wait.

Michelle

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May 2021 | Looking Back

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A little late posting our looking back post this month. Half term is always busy here and I try to stay away from my computer as much as possible. We had a nice May and towards the end it was lovely to see the weather starting to perk up a little. 

I joined a monthly book club through a friend this month. I always say I am going to read more but never do so I thought joining the book club would give me the motivation to read. This months book was 'If I Was Your Girl' and I managed to finish the whole book before our discussion about it. It wasn't my usually genre but I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to getting stuck in to Junes. 

Took a much needed trip to one of our local shopping centres. Due to the warmer weather creeping in both John and little J needed some shorts and t shirts. It actually rained on our visit and for days after so we didn't need to rush out to buy some. 

Double birthday celebrations this month for both me and big J. Both of us celebrated our big birthdays (18 and 40) last year in lockdown and didn't get chance to celebrate with anyone so it was lovely to have people round this year. This photo is me crying of laughter thanks to an amazing t-shirt John bought me. It really made me laugh and it was by far my favourite present. If you know you know. 

We had two unexpected days out that we didn't plan but we enjoyed both. First we headed to Chester for the day and explored the city as well as taking a boat ride on the River Dee. We also visited Tatton park Farm and Woodland Playground which was also lots of fun. It's just so nice to be able to go out again. 

It was then my turn to head to the shops and stock up on some Summer outfits. I got quite a few bits in Primark and also some lovely t-shirts and tops in Asda. They always have Disney tees so if you are a Disney fan then make sure you remember to take a look next time you are doing your shopping. 

In Other News

We are all now fully vaccinated (except for little J). It does make you have that extra peace of mind knowing you are protected as much as possible. We still socially distance and wear our masks when out and about. 

We are all looking forward to half term and will be heading out on lots of adventures. We will probably need another week off to recover. 

How was your May?

Michelle

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What are the Three Main Learning Styles for Children?

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Disclosure - This is a collaborative post. 

Did you know that different people process and absorb information in different ways? In other words, we don’t all learn in the same way. There are three main learning styles and it’s important for parents to try and understand which one is most suited to their child so that they are in a better position to help them succeed in school. For instance, you will be able to change the way you explain things or invest in some more appropriate learning tools. 

Visual Learners

Visual learners like to read, write, and draw to help them absorb information and they often like to doodle. They typically find graphs and diagrams helpful when interpreting data and tend to enjoy the use of lots of colours and visual cues when studying. They also tend to have a good sense of direction. 

Auditory Learners

While a visual learner might like to read for pleasure, auditory learners prefer to listen to audiobooks or podcasts. They are better at understanding information when it is verbally explained to them rather than read from a textbook. They are also great communicators because they are good at listening and also engaging in discussions. If your child is an auditory learner, it's important that they are able to listen so having hearing check ups is a must incase they are in need of phonak hearing aids. You may notice them reading aloud while studying to help them process the material at hand. 

Kinaesthetic Learners

If your child is a kinaesthetic learner, they will be drawn to hands-on subjects like drama, art, or sport. They are better at processing information through sensory cues so like to move around and feel things. Kinaesthetic learners typically struggle to sit still for long periods of time and often like to fiddle with something. 

To determine which type of learner your child seems to be, you will need to observe them and consider what sparks their interests. Do they like to get their hands dirty and play outside or are they quite happy curling up with a book for hours on end? There is a chance your child might fall into more than one of the above categories, so that’s also something to bear in mind.

Once you have established what type of learner your child is, you should have a greater understanding of how you can aid their learning. For instance, if you think your child is a visual learner, you can buy them lots of coloured pens and paper to use when they’re studying.

Michelle

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How to Raise an Inquisitive Child | AD

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Disclosure - This is a paid post

When our children are being inquisitive, they are constantly learning. They ask lots of questions about the world around them and like to explore and uncover new information. Although their relentless questions can be exhausting for parents, it’s important to encourage this sense of curiosity to help aid their overall progression. Here are some tips from a prep school in Surrey to help you raise an inquisitive child.

Try New Things

The more you expose your child to new experiences, the more curious they will be. Try and mix up your routine from time to time to spark their imaginations. This doesn’t have to be anything major, just a new recipe or a trip somewhere you haven’t been before. 

When people ask you what they can get for your child for their birthday or Christmas, encourage them to give experiences rather than gifts. This will open your child’s world up to a range of new encounters that they will always remember.

Wonder Aloud

Voicing your thoughts out loud for your child to hear will show them that it’s perfectly normal to be inquisitive. Say things like “I wonder where this banana was grown” or “why do you think the leaves on this tree are green?”. Ask open-ended questions so that your child has to think about their answers. As a result, your child will feel more comfortable voicing their own thoughts and questions and will encourage them to think more deeply about things that are seemingly pretty boring.

Encourage Your Child’s Interests

If your child has demonstrated a natural interest in something, try and help them pursue it. For instance, if they seem interested in gardening and nature, buy them some seeds to plant and some gardening tools so that they can turn their interest in a hobby. Take them on walks through the woods and show them how to take cuttings. Your child will be more inquisitive about things that they’re interested in.

You should also try and promote their sense of discovery by allowing them to play and explore in an unstructured way. Supply them plenty of toys and tools that stimulate their learning.

Ask Your Child for their Own Thoughts

If your child comes to you with curious thoughts and questions, ask them what they think before you answer. Encourage them to do their own research using the internet and books, so that they don’t have to rely on you to answer their questions. 

Michelle

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