Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

11th April 2019

Meet the lambs, brand-new ways with rhubarb, new Museum of London animal exhibition, Easter egg science fun and games, boot fair hacks – save money and declutter!

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

11th April 2019

Kate Hodges

By Kate Hodges

11th April 2019

EVENT We’re Lambin’
It’s that magical time – lambing season. Meet the new, bouncing arrivals, and, if you’re lucky, you may get to feed or snuggle them. This Sunday, just outside London, the Woodlands Farm Trust’s Lambing day is your chance to look at the little fluffy things, but also to buy home-made cakes and honey and go on a tractor trailer ride. Search online to find more community farm or open farm events near you – there are more ideas here

RECIPE Think Pink
Field-and-garden-grown rhubarb should now be ready to pick. This vegetable (yes!) is super-healthy – packed with vitamin C, potassium and fibre. This year, we’re going beyond the crumble (although there will still be plenty of those!) and trying some new ways with rhubarb. Rhubarb and Yoghurt Cake, Rhubarb Cordial, Rhubarb, Oat and Cinnamon Loaf, and Curried Lentils and Rhubarb Chutney will all get a look in. In fact, all the vegan recipes at Naturally Ella look amazing – Noodles with Kale and Spicy Rhubarb Sauce, anyone? And, in bathroom rather than kitchen news, did you know that you can use rhubarb as a lightening hair rinse?

EVENT City Critters
The Museum of London and The Museum of London Docklands are two of our favourite places to go for a holiday treat trip. They’re never too crowded, there are loads of free things happening, and their permanent exhibitions are thoughtful and very child-friendly. This year’s big, interactive exhibition has just opened: Beasts of London (ticketed) showcases the animals who have shaped London’s history. There are animal-inspired events taking place over the Easter holidays; older kids (6+) will adore the family sewing workshops where they’ll make a pair of fox ears and tail, while there’s a chance to explore the world of fatbergs, make puppets and create your own chimera. Plus lots more critter-based craziness! Explore the full programme here

EVENT and DO Bargain Hunt
Boot sales are starting to pitch up again across the UK! We love a good boot – they’re green, save you tons of money, and are a great way to spend a weekend morning together. Find one near you here. They’re also, of course, a great way to get rid of any junk and old kids gear and clothes. There are helpful guides to selling your bits and bobs here and here and an insightful and funny piece about the world of car booting here. If you’re looking specifically for baby equipment, the legendary NCT Nearly New Sales are musts for penny-watching parents – we have snagged some incredible bargains at them over the years! Find one near you here

DO and LEARN Cracking Up
Get in the Easter mood with some real-life Egg STEM play and learning. Find out what happens when you float different eggs in salty water. Perhaps this might spark a conversation about research published this week which shows that UK households throw away 720m perfectly good eggs every year (and the simple test to avoid waste). If you have eggs beyond their best, why not use them constructively? Egg drop experiments are fun and require cunning and thought – keep an egg whole while you drop it from the greatest height (find out how to set them up here). This is a great activity if you have a wide spread of ages in your family – everyone can chip in with ideas, and build hair-brained projects, and it will while away an afternoon – end it with a dramatic challenge finale! All you need to do is supply a good range or materials (or to let everyone have a good rummage around the house). There are some good ideas for methods here some more here. Who will triumph?

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