Families South East London Magazine

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Families South East London Magazine The really useful FREE local magazine for families with children aged 0 to early teens in southeast London. Visit our website www.familiesse.co.uk

We are THE local guide - featuring local news, events, activities and the most comprehensive WHAT'S ON calendar We distribute in every southeast London postcode, and Beckenham BR2. Over 16,000 copies are distributed every month through local clubs and classes, nurseries, schools and family-friendly shops, cafes, libraries and more.

Be really careful when buying for under 3s as they’re most at risk from dangerous products.Take care when shopping at ma...
17/12/2025

Be really careful when buying for under 3s as they’re most at risk from dangerous products.

Take care when shopping at marketplaces online (think AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Groupon, Joom, OnBuy, Shein, Temu, TikTok Shop and Wish). There might be dangerous products that haven’t been safety checked.

Stick with brand names you know.

Check if the product has been removed from sale. Visit gov.uk for a list of recalled products.

If you buy something that looks unsafe, trust your instincts and send it back.

The Child Accident Prevention Trust has more information on which toys are particularly dangerous.

🎁 Great Christmas Gift Ideas for BabiesA cosy clothing set (especially soft, easy‑fastening outfits). A comfortable baby...
16/12/2025

🎁 Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Babies

A cosy clothing set (especially soft, easy‑fastening outfits).

A comfortable baby blanket or a soft swaddle — always useful in winter.

A safe baby sleeping bag / sleep sack — ideal for winter nights

Soft / Sensory toys: plush toys, crinkly books, rattles — great for newborns to 6 months.

Activity play mats — help with tummy time, reaching & coordination.

Interactive / Educational toys (when baby is a bit older): things that light up, play music etc

· · · · · · · · ·

Five of the best indoor play spaces in London.Kidspace, CroydonAt 30,000 sq ft. Kidspace Croydon is one of the biggest a...
15/12/2025

Five of the best indoor play spaces in London.

Kidspace, Croydon
At 30,000 sq ft. Kidspace Croydon is one of the biggest and best indoor play centres in the country, with a huge wooden play frame, go karts, and plenty more!
Kidspace Croydon

Mudlarks, London
Mudlarks is located at the Museum of London Docklands.
There's plenty for kids to get hands-on with. Drive a DLR train in the soft play area, move ships along the docks on the water table and help the workers move their cargo using wheelbarrows.
London Museum


Snakes and Ladders, Syon Park, Brentford
Soft play adventure for kids from 0-12 years!
Outdoor play area
Slides & Rope Climbs
Snakes and Ladders, Brentford

Kidspace, Romford
Kidspace has a huge play centre in Romford featuring a giant play frame, soft play area, Sky Trail, and electric go-karts – it’s also a perfect party venue.
Kidspace Romford

Art Play Pavillion
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Calm and Immersive soft play inspired by paintings.
Dulwich Picture Gallery

✨ Day-After-Christmas Turkey Soup ✨Mums, if your fridge is still full of Christmas leftovers and the kids are asking for...
11/12/2025

✨ Day-After-Christmas Turkey Soup ✨
Mums, if your fridge is still full of Christmas leftovers and the kids are asking for something warm and comforting, this is your lifesaver! 🍲💛
You’ll need:

Leftover turkey (about 300g, chopped)
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, chopped
1 celery stick, chopped (optional)
1 potato, diced (optional, for extra comfort)
1-2 litres chicken or vegetable stock
1 tsp dried thyme or mixed herbs
Salt & pepper to taste

Optional: small pasta shapes or rice for little ones

Method:
1️⃣ In a large pot, sauté onion, carrot, and celery (if using) until soft.
2️⃣ Add potatoes (if using), turkey, and herbs.
3️⃣ Pour in stock and bring to a gentle boil.
4️⃣ Simmer for 15–20 minutes until veggies are tender.
5️⃣ Optional: add pasta or rice and cook until soft.
6️⃣ Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm with crusty bread or soft rolls for the little ones.



For more family friendly easy recipes head to our website via
Families UK and find your loca and find your local magazine.

10/12/2025

✨ Happy Wednesday, mums! ✨

We’re officially into the cosy December days — the kind where the kids want hot chocolate for breakfast, the school run feels like an Arctic expedition, and the Christmas to do list somehow keeps growing overnight. 😅🎄

The kids' wish list also just keeps growing. 💕❄️

Mine too! Feel free to drop your own ideas in the comments 👇

With another long school holiday - screen time inevitablWith another long school holiday - screen time inevitably creeps...
09/12/2025

With another long school holiday - screen time inevitablWith another long school holiday - screen time inevitably creeps up .

One way to stop the mindless doomscrolling is to get them playing an educational game.

Below is our pick of the best educational apps and games for learning English and Literacy skills and to keep their little brains busy ↘↘↘

You can also find more apps on our website and at Families UK

Reading Eggs

Reading Eggs (iOS, Android) helps children aged 3–12 master phonics, comprehension and spelling. With interactive lessons, engaging characters and detailed progress tracking.
ReadingEggs.com

Teach Your Monster to Read

A phonics-based app (iOS, Android) perfect for ages 4 to 7. Children customise their own monster and embark on reading adventures, reinforcing sounds, words and sentences in a fun and motivating way.
Teachyourmonstertoread

BBC Bitesize

BBC Bitesize (iOS, Android) is a FREE UK-focused learning app covering English, maths, science, history and more. Designed for ages 5 to 16, it offers lessons, quizzes and videos aligned with the UK curriculum.
BBC Bitesize

Khan Academy Kids

Completely FREE (iOS, Android) Khan Academy Kids offers maths, reading, science and logic activities. Best for ages 2 to 8, it provides colourful, personalised learning pathways and high-quality interactive content.
Khan Academy

Night Zookeeper

Available via browser and iOS, Night Zookeeper gamifies creative writing for ages 6 to 12. Children invent characters, write stories, and even receive feedback from tutors, building literacy and imagination in engaging ways.
Night Zookeeper

Sumdog

Sumdog, (iOS, Android) turns maths and spelling into exciting games aligned with the UK curriculum. Children ages 5 to 14 compete, earn coins and receive personal feedback, making practice sessions lively and rewarding
Sumdog

DREADING THE AMOUNT OF SCREEN TIME YOUR KIDS WILL HAVE OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS?Educational apps have turned learning...
08/12/2025

DREADING THE AMOUNT OF SCREEN TIME YOUR KIDS WILL HAVE OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS?

Educational apps have turned learning into gaming! So it's one way to stop them scrolling the brain rot.

🤖Technology has transformed how children learn.

Below is pick of the best apps for Maths 🔽🔽🔽

You can also more options via our website & Families UK

Prodigy Math Game

A FREE maths app (iOS, Android) that transforms arithmetic and problem-solving into a fantasy role-playing adventure. Children solve challenges, earn rewards and grow confidence, while parents and teachers can easily track progress.

Sumdog

Sumdog, (iOS, Android) turns maths and spelling into exciting games aligned with the UK curriculum. Children ages 5 to 14 compete, earn coins and receive personal feedback, making practice sessions lively and rewarding.

Khan Academy Kids

Completely FREE (iOS, Android) Khan Academy Kids offers maths, reading, science and logic activities. Best for ages 2 to 8, it provides colourful, personalised learning pathways and high-quality interactive content.
Khan Academy

BBC Bitesize

BBC Bitesize (iOS, Android) is a FREE UK-focused learning app covering English, maths, science, history and more. Designed for ages 5 to 16, it offers lessons, quizzes and videos aligned with the UK curriculum.
BBC Bitesize

04/12/2025

We love this list of the best new children’s gift books for Christmas hand-picked by Sarah Campbell for Families Magazine.

From beautifully illustrated classics to dazzling new releases, here are the most special, collectable children’s books of the season.

Here are her picks for 2-4 year olds.

Paddington’s Twelve Days of Christmas by Michael Bond & Karen Jankel
This delightful hardback is perfect for young readers and Paddington fans alike. Inspired by the classic carol, the Brown family are busy celebrating their Christmas gifts - but Paddington is puzzled when he can’t find the partridge in a pear tree. Ever determined, he sets off to investigate, leading to plenty of festive fun and his very own spectacular Christmas Day surprise. With charming illustrations and Paddington’s trademark mischief, this joyful story is ideal for reading (and singing!) together over the holidays.

Fold Out + Play: Doll’s House illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius
This ingenious interactive board book transforms into a beautifully designed 3D doll’s house for hours of imaginative fun. Children can press out and assemble furniture, stand up the charming characters and use colourful stickers to decorate each room - from kitchen and bathroom to cosy bedroom and living room. Once playtime is over, all the pieces pack in the sturdy built-in drawer, making it perfect for on-the-go adventures. This is a book, a toy and a delightful gift all rolled into one.

Lost and Found Jigsaw Book by Oliver Jeffers
This charming interactive jigsaw book features Oliver Jeffers’ beloved classic Lost and Found. The heartwarming story of a boy who discovers a penguin at his door and sets out on an unforgettable adventure to help it find its way home is accompanied by six beautifully illustrated and easy-to-assemble twelve-piece puzzles. Ideal for little hands and curious minds, this clever combination of story and play will provide hours of festive fun this Christmas and beyond.

Oh Dear, Look What I Got by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
From the legendary creators of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt comes a brand-new rhyming delight that feels like an instant classic. In this playful hardback edition, each trip to the shop brings an unexpected surprise – a carrot turns into a parrot and the fun just keeps building! With Michael Rosen’s witty, read-aloud rhymes and Helen Oxenbury’s joyful illustrations, children will be giggling and guessing what comes next. Perfect for story time, this energetic and hilarious tale brings a final twist to leave little readers smiling.

Sarah Campbell is co-founder of Parrot Street Book Club , an online children’s bookshop offering a handpicked collection of high-quality children’s chapter books, plus an award-winning monthly book subscription for 5 to 14 year-olds.

03/12/2025

🎄🎁🤶🕛🔔
For more christmas ideas head to Families UK
🎁

💣 Ever catch yourself going from chill to 💥 “absolutely NOT” in 0.2 seconds? 🗯 Or saying things like “you always do t...
02/12/2025

💣 Ever catch yourself going from chill to 💥 “absolutely NOT” in 0.2 seconds?

🗯 Or saying things like “you always do this” or “you never listen”? Yep… those are your buttons being pushed.

🤖 Those little triggers can make you feel angry, ignored, or like nothing you say is landing — and your brain hits autopilot before you’ve even blinked.

🔘 Here’s the hard part: finding your pause button.

Because honestly, when has shouting at a kid ever made them stop and go,
“Wow, amazing point Mum. I shall now change my entire behaviour forever”?
Exactly.

If you want to learn how to build healthier habits (the kind that actually work), keep an eye out for the next article by Ann Magalhaes, co-founder of The Parent Team .

And for more parent tips + heaps of family inspo, head over to the bio at Families UK to find your local issue with activities, clubs and classes happening near you.

Returning to work?Keeping up to date and finding flexible hours are the two biggest challenges faced by parents returnin...
01/12/2025

Returning to work?

Keeping up to date and finding flexible hours are the two biggest challenges faced by parents returning to work according to Cheney Hamilton, the proprietor of flexible job search site The Flexible Job Board Network and mummyjobs.co.uk

Embracing AI will keep your resume relevant.

AI is making a significant impact in:

Automation

AI systems can handle repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on more complex and creative activities.

Data analysis

AI can process large datasets quickly and provide actionable insights.

Personalisation

AI technologies enable personalised customer experiences in sectors like retail and healthcare.

There are a variety of ways in which you can develop AI skills.

Numerous online platforms offer courses and certifications in AI and related fields. Some recommended platforms include:

Coursera offers courses from top universities and companies, including ‘AI for Everyone’ by Andrew Ng.

edX provides courses from institutions like MIT and Harvard, such as the Professional Certificate in AI.

Udacity features nano degree programs in AI and machine learning, designed in collaboration with industry leaders.

Engage in AI-related projects to apply your knowledge practically. Kaggle offer datasets and competitions to practise AI skills.

Find more on this in the latest edition of Families Magazine or on the website at famiiesonline.co.uk

NEW YEARS DAY 🎁🎁🎁 FREE!The London ParadeLondonParade celebrates its 40th anniversary! This milestone parade blends show...
01/12/2025

NEW YEARS DAY 🎁🎁🎁 FREE!
The London Parade

LondonParade celebrates its 40th anniversary!

This milestone parade blends show-stopping entertainment with community spirit, kicking off 2026 in unforgettable London style. Featuring over eight thousand performers, including Sam Ryder, Heather Small, Andy Day with life-sized dinosaurs, Boogie Storm and The Dream Engine’s Heliosphere floating overhead.

Expect international marching bands, samba dancers, cheer squads, stunt teams, vintage cars, international cultural groups and creative floats from London boroughs.

Starts 1pm on Piccadilly (next to The Ritz) and travels over two miles through Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, St James’s, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, finishing at Parliament Square. FREE, open to all ages. Grandstand/VIP tickets available via Ticketmaster.
www.londonparade.com

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Welcome to Families South East

SO much more than a page - Families South East magazine was launched in 1996 and is available FREE from shops, cafes, schools, libraries and many other family-friendly places, reaching up to 40,000 local parents with every issue. You can also read back issues online, or download the latest issue by clicking on the front cover image at www.familiesse.co.uk