Where have the summer holidays gone? Those precious moments with my girls are slipping away and they are both starting new school adventures in September. This has meant whole new uniforms, shoes, bags and books to buy for me but the apprehension of new teachers and friends for them.

Are you ready for the new school year to start? With school uniforms and shoes to fit and new routines to think about, finding the time to choose the best books to buy may not always be a priority. There are lots of great books to choose from and Letts has some engaging and motivating learning books to help your child get back into a learning frame of mind. All of their books support the national curriculum so that you know they are reinforcing what your child is being taught at school.

Have a little look at their website to browse their range of books by age group. What’s more they are offering a 30% discount on all books until 30 September 2016 when you use code BACK30 at www.lettsrevision.co.uk.

Would you like to win a bundle of Letts books tailored to your child age this Back to School? I am thrilled to say that we have £50 worth of books to giveaway.

 All you need to do is enter below.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Terms & Conditions

The Prize: £50 worth of Letts Books
The winners will be chosen at random by the random winner generator on Rafflecopter and notified within 7 working days by email
Letts will make every effort to tailor the books to the age of the children but this cannot be guaranteed
By entering this competition, you understand that your details may be retained for future mailings. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
There is no monetary equivalent.
Little Lilypad Co take no /responsibility for loss or damage in the despatch of prizes
If the prize is unclaimed within 7 days we reserve the right to redraw the winner.
End Date 03/09/2016 at 12am

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We are big fans of Hatton Country World and this Summer sees the launch of their brand NEW activity, Waterwars; and what is more exciting is that Hatton Adventure World is the only place that you can play this in the whole of the West Midlands. So on a very sunny August day we decided to go and check it out!

Based in Hatton, Warwick, Hatton Adventure Park has something for all ages but I really think this summer that they have worked extremely hard to target the 8-13 year olds. We have always struggled to find days out that appeal to the differing ages of our girls, so having a range of activities at Hatton meant that everyone was kept happy! The little ones didn't want to get wet so didn't try Water Wars but the older girls LOVED it and it was a perfect way for them to cool down on a VERY hot summers day. Take a look at the video to see what we mean!

 

You can take part in the timed battles throughout the day (but make sure you check the timetable to avoid disappointment) and you and other combatants will be armed with water pistols and with only a few obstacles to hide behind you’ll have to do plenty of running to avoid trouble! We took towels with us but given how warm it was, the girls soon dried off although if you went on an overcast day you may want to take a change of clothes.

Although Hatton Adventure World is always busy we have never found that we are stuck in long queues waiting for our turn, which is just as well when the children want to have a go on EVERYTHING.

In addition to the Water Wars, the packed programme for up to 13's includes:

• Laser Combat
• Orienteering
• Survival Skills
• Assault Course
• Superslide

So while the big kids were enjoying their adventures, it gave us time to let the little ones do what they wanted to do and that included everything from petting and feeding the animals to the Zoobee puppet show and tractor ride, all of which is included in the entry cost. The only additional thing we had to pay for was a Pony ride at £2.50 per child.

 

  

The outdoor fairground rides for the younger children were a big hit (I can't tell you how many times they went on the teacups) and the sandpit is a lovely way for them to enjoy some sensory play but Hatton really do have every area covered, so if the weather isn't as glorious as we found, they have a fantastic indoor play area too.

We were gifted our entrance tickets but we know that a day out with the family can be costly so we would recommend taking a picnic as there are lots of places to sit and eat but our top tip is:

BOOK YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AND SAVE

Save 25% when booking 7 days in advance

Save 17.5% when booking 4 days in advance

Save 7.5% when booking 1 day in advance

We have been to Hatton every year for as long as I can remember and the range of activities and adventures grows every year. Come rain or shine, there really is something for every age ...... including lovely ice creams for the Mums! The Water Wars will be at Hatton until the 4th September, so grab the family and enjoy a fun filled day out while the sun is still shining.

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We’ve all been there, that feeling of impending doom when we realise that the children’s summer holidays have again crept up on us unannounced, followed by a sense of panic as you wonder just what you’re going to do with your children over the six weeks’ holiday.

When we have children, it’s easy to build up a routine, so when the summer holidays do raise their head, it can seem like there’s so much to consider. I have a theory about this and make a consicous decision that the summer holidays don’t have to be associated with stress and panic.

Children Don’t Worry About Money, So Neither Should You

During the holidays, it’s not unusual to have a series of requests fired off at you, all more expensive than the last. Instead of buckling under the pressure and turning the summer holidays are a financial commitment, think of some free alternatives that can be allow children to spread their wings.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a day out at the zoo or amusement park, but children only need two things to prosper outside, and that’s space and freedom. So if you have a local park, make full use of its facilities. A big park nearby, then why not schedule a picnic?

The summer holidays are not about how much money you’re able to spend on your children, but how much quality time you can instil into the school holidays. As such, children are very rarely going to hold you to account as to how much their day out cost.

Just Go with The Flow

When the children are off school, it’s very easy to try and come up with some sort of schedule to ensure the children are fully entertained at all times. However, while having a number of activities prepared can only be a good thing, try not to instil a heavy schedule onto the children themselves.

Of course, ensure you still employ your own rules around the home as you normally would, but remember children are having a break, so the last thing they need is more schedules to contend with.

Instead, why not have a few days where you watch some family films, or have them lounge in a paddling pool in the garden?

Remember, just because you may not be doing what other parents are doing from a financial point of view, it doesn’t mean that your children are enjoying themselves any less. Children are programmed to have fun, it’s a default setting and a child can make fun of almost any situation as long as they are given the tools.

Enjoy!

The summer holidays are not only for your children to enjoy some relaxing time, but also for parents to spend some real quality time with their children, that’s just not possible when they’re attending school. As such, you should ensure that you enjoy the time as much as your children do. This state of mind not only allows for greater clarity, but it also ensures that you are not left exhausted and stressed by the thought of it all. 

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