Parenting Without Tears

How to get your child into ballet

Leading Ballerina Laurretta Summerscales gives her “Top Tips” on how to get your child into ballet ahead of the Barbie Ballet Class on 16/17 March in celebration of Barbie In The Pink Shoes DVD to be released 18 March.

Photo books from Vistaprint

Photobooks make a wonderfully personal present for any occasion so with Mothering Sunday in mind, Anne Coates has been working on a photo book from Vistaprint.

National Trust – special days out for February half-term

Across the country, many National Trust places will also be hosting fun family events during half term week, from forest trails to zip wires for teddy bears... time to get out and active!

Get the children cooking

With scandals about processed meat, now has never been a better time to encourage children to learn to cook. Apollo Housewares has a range of child-friendly products to help set the scene for our junior chefs. Anne and Harriet Coates tried out the spatula and alphabet biscuit cutters.

Create a Chinese meal with Blue Dragon

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a meal at home with Blue Dragon Restaurant Specials range or try a recipe from Ken Hom.

Free entry to Kew Gardens during festive season

For the 12 days of Christmas – 22 December 2012 to 4 January 2013 – Kew Gardens is offering free entry when you book online.

Gingerbread for Christmas

Gingerbread and Christmas go together and here's a simple recipe that junior chefs can help with and decorate afterwards.

Sacla' Serves Up Meals Parents and Kids Love by Hannah Schraer

Tempt the family's taste-buds with some real Italian cooking brought to you by Sacla'.

English Christmas Markets

Top ten Christmas markets to visit in England from Birmingham to York, Norwich to Ludlow each one has a distinct style and welcome.

Ice skating during the Christmas season

From Bath to York and London to Newcastle, we list the top ten places to don your skates. Take advantage of the festive ice skating around England.

Planning for Halloween

A week to go and all the small ghouls, witches, vampires and skeletons will be roaming our streets trick or treating. Time to get in the treats and plan your Halloween party, suggests Anne Coates.

Ten of the top National Trust places to enjoy a walk with the family

Plan your half-term with a family walk with activities included at National Trust properties throughout the UK.

Annabel Karmel's hidden vegetable tomato sauce

An autumn/winter warming sauce that's full of goodness to encourage fussy eaters created by Annabel Karmel.

Sky Go & Looby Lou Designs

Hazel Bothma and her daughter, Frida, went to the launch of Sky Go and also tried out a Canvas Kit from Looby Lou Designs.

National Trust Recruiting for Kids' Council

To offer children a chance to try out the National Trust and get inspiration on what they would like to change if they were appointed to the Kids' Council, the Trust is offering children free entry at over 200 places during August .

Love Parks Week

Masses of free entertainmanet in your local park to kick-start the summer holidays. Love Parks Week runs from 21 to 28 July and there are over 1000 activities and events to choose from.

Beethoven al fresco

Five minutes of Beethoven's 9th to inspire and set you up for the day!

The LEGO Friends 2012 Roadshow

Beginning it's UK tour in London, The LEGO Friends 2012 Roadshow will be at West End Live – Trafagar Square on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 June before moving on to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Newcastle Metro, Birmingham Airport, Pony Club, LEGOLAND Windsor, Westfield London and Merry Hill.

Things to make & do