Kites at Greatness

So windy today so we took our kite down to Greatness playing fields. We were the only people there (except a couple of dog walkers and some skaters) so we had the whole field to ourselves.

The playing fields are much nicer than they were - we had a go on the swings but didn't have time to feed the ducks at the lovely tidied up Mill Pond.

It was a great, spur of the moment afternoon that we all really enjoyed.

If you like kite flying look out for the Kite Festival at Teston Bridge Park on Saturday 11 August and a giant kite festival in Margate in September.

Greatness Recreation Ground
Mill Lane
Sevenoaks TN14 5BX
Free parking

Last chance to horse around

There are hobby horses galore at the Kaleidoscope Gallery in Sevenoaks - but only until Saturday.

The Farningham Hobbyhorse Project was launched last year as part of the Kent Cultural Baton. Its 120 horses were decorated by the people of Farningham and are meant to represent an ancient horse fair.

They are very bright and colourful - perfect for little ones. Orla and I loved looking at how different each one is. We might even have a go at one ourselves!

The exhibition is free and the project is run by Rosalind Barker and Franny Swann.

Kaleidoscope Gallery

Sevenoaks Library

Buckhurst Lane

Sevenoaks TN13 1LQ

Lard at the nature reserve (I'm told it was smelly)



Oooh - lard!

I found lots of free things to do around Kent at half-term - the most revolting was rubbing lard into a pine cone at Sevenoaks Nature Reserve.

Calum said it was "disgusting and smelly" but he actually really enjoyed making the bird feeders and our small donation was definitely worth it.

Here's what you'll need to make your own bird feeders:

lard (bleugh)
a selection of bird seed
grated cheese
raisins
pine cone (with string to hang up the bird feeder)
plastic gloves (optional - but quite a nice option I feel . . .)

Mix the ingredients together with your hands and then push the mixture into the gaps in the pine cone. Then voila! You have your very own bird feeder to hang in the garden.

Sevenoaks Nature Reserve often has events in the school holidays - we've been pond dipping and been to their big wildlife festival in the summer. Keep an eye out for them!

Free parking

Sevenoaks Nature Reserve
Bradbourne Vale Road
Sevenoaks TN13 3DH

Duck attack at Bradbourne Lakes

On a sunny afternoon with half an hour to spare, we stocked up on bread and took ourselves off to Bradbourne Lakes.          
                                                                          
Famous among the parents of Sevenoaks, Bradbourne Lakes are actually a series of ponds and they are full - and I mean full - of ducks.

Over the five years I've lived here I've been chased by angry ducks and geese more times than I care to remember.

But if you time it right (when the ducks are well fed and don't rise up out of the water when you walk into the park), it can be quite a nice place to while away some time.

There are two parts to the park - each with its own network of ponds. The northern part is closer to Bradbourne Vale Road so it's a bit noisier, but the ducks there are slightly less crazy.

The southern part is much prettier and more fun to walk around. And once you've run out of bread the ducks tend to leave you alone.

Don't be put off by the ducks though. That is, of course, why my family goes in the first place!

Bradbourne Lakes
Betenson Avenue
Sevenoaks TN13 3EP
Parking is free.

Splish, splash, hop and all things glittery

Orla's wonderful Christmas decoration

Last Friday Orla and I tried out one of Spring House's free offerings. Splish, splash, hop is a great messy play session for babies to two-year-olds.

There was an amazing amount for the little ones to do - we tried our hand at Christmas decoration making (check out the photo of Orla's first ever glittery creation!) Sooo pleased we didn't attempt that at home . . .

Add to that sand pits, fabulously glittery play-doh and painting, along with colouring, toys and books, and you have a fun-filled morning for just about any tot.

Orla loved the sensory corner, with its different textures and water-filled light thing (sure it has a technical name, it was filled with fish and bubbles too).

At around 10am all the babies sat down for a little snack. And then Orla unfortunately went into meltdown because we'd missed her morning sleep so we hurriedly, and quite noisily, left.

We got a really nice welcome from the staff there. Most of Spring House's events have a limited amount of places so you need to get there early, but you won't have hundreds of children to contend with.

Spring House is just behind the hospital, through the top right hand corner of the main car park. It is sign-posted but can be a bit difficult to find if you haven't been there before.

Spring House has lots of free events for the under fives, and I'll be trying out more over the next few weeks. So keep an eye out for more reviews.

Splish, splash, hop
Spring House Family Centre
Hospital Road
Sevenoaks TN13 3PT

(0-2 years) Friday 9.15am - 10.45am
(2+ years) Friday 11.15am - 12.30pm

Maracas, tambourines . . . and the wheels on the bus

Quadrapop

On a damp and grey Thursday morning Orla and I headed off to the centre of Sevenoaks for a spot of singing.

We sneaked into the library late to find around 20 grown ups and their babies shaking maracas and singing nursery rhymes.

Baby Bounce and Rhyme used to be in the main part of the library, but it's now in the gallery upstairs. So everyone's singing skills are a little bit less on show than they were, and there's less chance of your tot getting lost among the books (happened to me more than once).

The volunteers that help to run the session look like they are really enjoying themselves, and there are lots of little instruments for the children to play with.

There was a bit of chatter towards the end as some of the grown ups and children (including mine!) got a bit restless. And the set-up could be a bit better - most of the adults sit on chairs in a circle while the little ones play in the middle.

But Orla loved it and even though she's far too little to join in the singing, she certainly made up for it with the shakers. And we got to sing some of our favourite songs, so Baby Bounce and Rhyme has definitely passed the no price tags test.


Baby Bounce & Rhyme 11 - 11.30am Thursday
Sevenoaks Library
Buckhurst Lane
Sevenoaks TN13 1LQ
Car parking 90p for one hour

More free singing sessions run throughout the area - check your local library and Children's Centre for more details.