Tag: best

School Holiday changes

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It can be hard to keep track of everything as a parent whilst trying to plan activities with the kids so here is a roundup of the big recent stories.

Lincolnshire breaks the mould

Two schools in Lincolnshire have become the first to change from the traditional summer term.  White’s Wood and Mercer’s Wood Primary Academies in Gainsborough have confirmed that when the school term ended last week, their children would have a four-week holiday instead of the normal six weeks.  Their opinion is that this will both help with learning and allow parents to take their kids on holidays during off-peak times.

The government welcomes the change and said it was aiming for all schools to be able to set their own term dates in the near future.  This is also a move to help combat the fining of parents for removing children during term time.  The kids will return to class on 19th August and will have two extra weeks added to terms in September and November as well as in May. 

Easter holiday clash

Parents in Dacorum, Hertfordshire, are facing a complex Easter holiday schedule after many of the secondary schools elected to split up the traditional Easter holidays.  Their plan would involve a long weekend for Easter then returning to school for four days before then having two weeks off.  But it seems that the primary schools in the area, despite being in favour of the change, didn’t put it into place.

What this means for parents is that if they have a child in both primary and secondary schools, they will be facing a different holiday period for each with only a week overlapping.  The schools normally get together each year to organise holidays under the new county council model but somewhere the communications broke down and now parents will find themselves in a potentially awkward position over time off at Easter. 

No fines for Carmarthenshire parents

Good news for parents of kids in Carmarthenshire schools after the council announced that next year there would be no fines for taking kids out on pre-booked holidays.  The move comes after the announcement of new school holidays and terms times from the Welsh Government that were in conflict for those already published by the schools in the area.  The mix up included October half term being a week earlier and the return from the Christmas break also being a week earlier.  Even the January 2017 term will be slightly different.

The confusion led to the county council saying that pupils would not be fined for not attending school for holidays booked in those times, when the parents thought the kids were due to be on holiday.  However, the move has yet to be signed off by the government in Cardiff so parents are advised to speak to the school directly if holidays are being affected.

Inset days used to save parents money

A school in Newport has come up with a new way to help ease the pain of parents wanting to take their kids on holiday but finding that peak times are too expensive.  Eveswell Primary School have said they will use their five teacher training days all together at the end of the Whitsun half term in June 2016 to allow parents to make use of cheaper holidays

Unusual UK days out for the family

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A La Ronde

A La Ronde is a historic house with a difference – well a few of them actually.  The house is found near Lympstone in Devon and is now owned by the National Trust.  It was built in the 18th century for a pair of spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter and has sixteen sides to it.  It also has unusual diamond shaped windows and a shell gallery that contains nearly 25,000 shells collected by the two women across their lives.  There are also extensive gardens to explore that are grade II listed in their own right.

Brimham Rocks

One look at Brimham Rocks and you feel like you want to keep out of the way in case it falls off but being that the rock has been balanced there for a very long time, it is highly unlikely.  The rocks are found on Brimham Moor in north Yorkshire and were caused by the water and wind erosion to create strange and unlikely shapes.

Chislehurst Caves

Chislehurst Caves is a popular tourist attraction during the day, 22 miles of tunnel under the south-eastern suburbs of London.  While called caves they are manmade and parts date back as early as the 1250s.  For a family day out idea that’s a little different, there is now the chance to stay with night in the caves, said to be so haunted that only one person has managed to complete the challenge.  From druids to smugglers and murderers, the caves are filled with the spirits of the deceased and the challenge of staying with them for a night isn’t to be undertaken by those of a nervous disposition.

Creekside Discovery Centre

The Creekside Discovery Centre is located in one of the most famous beach combing spots in the UK, the Thames estuary.  It holds a variety of sights from wildlife to the remains that travel down the river from the urban areas such as London.  Each day when the tide goes out the area can be combed for interesting sights and for unusual walks.  The centre can provide waders, waterproofs and walking sticks to help enjoy the experience to the full.

Forbidden Corner

The Forbidden Corner is an attraction with a difference a short distance from Middleham in North Yorkshire.   The site is home to a unique labyrinth including chambers, tunnels and follies as well as plenty of surprises.  Brave the temple of the underworld or conquer the tricky paths around the massive glass pyramid while admiring the amazing statues that line the way to help and hinder.  The park started out as a fir tree wood back in 1979 with features being added over the years to make a fascinating and challenging place to visit.

Gnome Magic

The gnome has been the standard for garden decorations for generations but at Gnome Magic in Colchester, Essex, there are enough of them to enchant or spook even the hardiest garden.  In fact, there are 800 of the little characters dotted amongst the plants on the site to make for a walk in the park with a difference.  There is even a gnome painting facility as well as tea rooms to relax after the walk, or de-stress if all those little eyes were a bit too creepy!

The best ice-cream parlours

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When the sun comes out and the day is warm, there is nothing more enjoyable than an ice cream or a sorbet.  Ice cream is available everywhere these days from the traditional ice cream van to the supermarket.  But if you want something a little special, then visiting an ice cream parlour is the perfect idea for a children’s fun day out.  And the UK has some of the best going ice cream parlours going.

Minghella’s, Isle of Wight

Minghella’s is a family run business that has been making their ice creams and sorbets for over 60 years.  They price themselves on the award winning quality of what they make and their new, innovative flavours.  They produce only the highest quality yet have managed to make over 200 different flavours, meaning no visitor will ever be lacking for choice in what to buy.  Their ranges are all made with fresh milk and cream from local farms along with natural ingredients meaning they are suitable for vegetarians and mostly for gluten-free.  As well as ice cream, they stock fruit sorbets, exclusive sorbets and even cocktail sorbets for the adults with a splash of complementing alcohol in them.  A visit can also include seeing the factory where everything is made and taking home something special.

Roskilly’s, Cornwall

Roskilly’s is an organic farm on the south tip of Cornwall that has been working on ice creams and other dairy products for over 60 years.  They started out producing clotted cream in the 1960s and added ice cream to their range in the late 1980s.  They opened their ice cream parlour over twenty years ago and have continued to add new products to their range since.  As well as ice creams, they make fudge and yoghurts, all from the Jersey cows that call the farm home.  Their range of ice creams only use natural ingredients such as fruits and nuts and they even condense their own milk for the products.  The farm also has a shop to pick up a few treasures to take home with you after you have finished sampling the ice cream.

Treleavens, Cornwall

Treleavens are proud that their ice creams and sorbets have won more awards that any other Cornish producer and their range is comprehensive, stocking over 90 different flavours.  They have been producing artisan ice creams and sorbets for fifteen years and most of the production is carried out by hand.  This makes for denser products that taste different to machine-made ice cream and are made using only the best natural ingredients, most of which are locally sourced.  Their ranges include those suitable for diabetics as well as for fans of chocolate or fruit and even a few for the adults with real alcohol in.

Mr B’s, Cornwall

Mr B’s make artisan ice creams every day of the week to ensure the best quality, freshest products no matter when you visit.  Formed in 2004, the idea was born when the owners realised there was an ever increasing demand for good quality ice cream.  They use a combination of the best locally sourced ingredients with the finest Italian produce to make ice creams, sorbets and other treats of superb quality.  Their ranges start at traditional flavours such as vanilla and strawberry then continue into modern combinations, including triple chocolate chunk with fudge.  There are also plenty of refreshing sorbets such as red grape or kiwi flavoured.  And the toppings mean you can have the perfect dessert with fresh sauces on offer as well as other desserts, smoothies and even milkshakes.

Otter Valley Dairy, Devon

Otter Valley Dairy is located in the beautiful Otter Valley and is a family run business producing ice creams, sorbets and frozen yoghurts.  They are inspired by traditional Italian Gelato to produce a vast range of flavours from traditional vanilla to lemon and lime meringue flavoured.  They even produce ice cream cakes, ideal for special events that feature ice cream and whipping cream in a mouth-watering dessert.  The dairy has won a number of local and national awards since they were founded in 2010 and make use of the best fresh ingredients.  The milk used comes from the dairy itself so can become ‘cow to cone’ in a single day.

Boho Gelato, Brighton

Boho Gelato offers a range of ice creams and desserts with an interesting story behind them.  The company is part of Fareshare, a food waste charity that sees waste items from warehouses such as biscuits, maple syrup and juices reused into the ice cream that is then sold to the public.  They also use ingredients from other restaurants around Brighton to make a range of unique flavours.  These range from Battenberg flavour to a tipsy mojito and apple.

Billy-Bob’s Parlour, Yorkshire

Billy-Bob’s Parlour is part of the Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream Farm and offers a range of homemade ice creams in a vintage 1950s American-style diner.  Music from the time, leather booths and even an Airstream around the corner serving coffee makes for a unique venue and the range of ice creams is suitably dazzling.  From traditional flavours to modern innovations such as Yorkshire rhubarb or liquorice and blackcurrant there is something for all tastes.  There is also an adventure playground for the kids to run off all that ice cream on the site!

S Luca, Musselburgh

S Luca have been making ice cream since 1908 in the seaside town of Musselburgh and recently added a second café in Edinburgh, serving their quality ice creams and desserts.  The root of the business came when Luca Scappaticco and his wife Anastasia arrived from Cassino in Italy in the late 1800s and learned to be a pastry chef.  He later added how to make ice creams from a Swiss chef and soon opened his own business.  Many years later, the family still run the business and offer the tastiest desserts to the town.  Their cakes are all made from the ice cream and include a lemon sorbet slice and a traditional Neapolitan cake with its three flavours in one.  There are also cakes to order for special occasions.

The best Theme Parks in the UK

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Ask a kid where they want to go and a theme park is probably one of the first places they come up with.  Theme parks also offer activities and fun for kids of all ages from the special rides for little kids right up to the white-knuckle rides that even adults think twice about riding.  Some of them even have animals as well so a double-up on the unmissable stakes.  Here we look at the top 11 Theme Parks in the UK in no particular order.

Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Alton Towers is the UK’s biggest theme park, located in the grounds of a 15th century country estate.  It opened in 1980 and has a total of eight high-speed roller coasters, 11 thrill rides and a number of other rides including those suitable for the little kids.  Add to that the new Cbeebies Land, an aquarium, cable car, monorail and even gardens to explore, there is more than a day’s worth of children’s entertainment.  There are even two hotels on the site including one that features a giant pirate ship as its downstairs area, which the kids will love.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire

Blackpool Pleasure Beach may be one of the most well-known spots in the country but doesn’t lack for rides despite its urban location.  There are 40 rides in the park including five steel roller coasters, five wooden ones and plenty of family-friendly rides as well.  For the smaller kids there is a Nickelodeon Land while older kids will love the Ghost Train and Go Karts.  The Big Blue is the pleasure beach hotel but the central location means there are plenty of other accommodation options too.

Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey

Chessington World of Adventures has a staggering range of things to do from the thrill rides and roller coasters to the zoo and a Sea Life centre.  Nor is the zoo just an add-on – it has over 1000 animals including gorillas and tigers spread over eight different zones.  One of the notable rides is the Dragon’s Fury, an unusual roller coaster that spins around a half kilometres track encasing the Land of the Dragons zone.  There are two hotels within the park and a monorail system to get around.

Crealy Park, Devon

Crealy Park is actually two sites, one in Devon and one in Cornwall.  The Devon site includes a range of water rides, swinging boat and even quad biking among around 60 attractions.  It is aimed more at the under 10 age group and doesn’t have the big thrill rides for the older kids.  There is a Dino Jeep virtual ride that takes kids through the dinosaurs that most will love as well as a Roman themed roller coaster.  A small zoo includes friendly faces such as guinea pigs and meerkats while there is a campsite next door as well as places for motorhomes.

Drayton Manor, Staffordshire

Drayton Manor is another theme park built on a former mansion site and contains a great mixture of roller coasters, thrill rides and rides for the kids as well as a zoo.  There is a dedicated Thomas Land for the little kids – dedicated to that famous little tank engine.  For the older kids there is The Shock Wave, a coaster where you stand up and loop through a Zero-G roll as well as a double corkscrew.  There is a four-star hotel on the site as well as plenty of nearby camping options.

Flamingo Land, Yorkshire

Flamingo Land was named for the former bird residents of the Yorkshire Zoological Gardens that the site started out life being.  Situated between York and Scarborough, the park is now filled with thrill rides, roller coasters, kids’ attractions and the best zoo in the northeast.  The zoo has many famous animals including white rhinos, tigers and giraffes while one of the newest ride is called Hero and is a vertical position tower similar to the Air ride at Alton Towers.  Accommodation on site is varied as well including everything from luxury lodges to camping spots.

Gulliver’s Land, Buckinghamshire

Gulliver’s Land is a combination of theme park, water area, farm and a campsite so there is something for kids of all ages.  It is aimed at children from the age of two to thirteen and everything is aimed at children, with no alcohol on site for example.  Lilliput Land is particularly special for the under-fives with rides such as teacups and a cycle monorail.  There is no on-site accommodation but its central location means there are plenty of options nearby.

LEGOLAND, Berkshire

LEGOLAND used to be one for the younger kids but not anymore and most adults will admit to loving a chance to play with those famous bricks.  There may not be the white-knuckle rides of many of the parks but there are plenty of great rides for the kids to enjoy and Miniland will fascinate young and old.  Using nearly 40 million bricks, this is a series of detailed models of scenes from around the world with animated cars, boats and scenery included.  Even the on-site hotel has a completely Lego theme to it that the kids will love.

Paultons Park, Hampshire

Paultons Park is on the edge of the New Forest National Park and is home to over 60 rides and attractions as well as Peppa Pig World, a must-see for the little kids.  There is a period themed garden with a real Victorian carousel contrasting with the brand new 4D cinema.  There is also a beautiful African themed gardens area to explore after the rides.

Pleasurewood Hills, Norfolk

Pleasurewood Hill has recently undergone a major refurbishment meaning the site now has four roller coasters as well as thrill and kiddies rides.  Animal shows include a sea lion show and a parrot show so something for the animal fans.  For the thrill seekers, HoBs PiT is said to be the scariest ride in the UK, travelling through an abandoned mine.

Thorpe Park, Surrey

Thorpe Park is located on an island raised from a former gravel pit near both the M3 and M25 motorways.  From wet rides to thrill rides and even seven roller coasters, the park is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise while the new Angry Birds Land is great for younger kids.  Stealth is one of the fastest coasters in the UK, reaching over 80mph while Saw – The Ride is based on the horror franchise and is typically billed as the ‘most terrifying coaster’ including a hall of horrors and vertical drops.  Accommodation comes in the form of shark-theme hotel that rises out of the lake within the park.

Entertaining the youngsters

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So, the kids have stopped playing with their Christmas presents ages ago and they’re board. Would you like some ideas on how to entertain them?  We’ve come up with some great places to take them and also some DIY at home children’s entertainment for hire.

A day at the museum
London museums open their doors on weekends, and at the Science Museum there’s a fab exhibition on the birth of the space age; great for any budding cosmonauts.

But if you don’t fancy going out albeit only in the garden, build yourself a bubble-powered rocket fuelled by indigestion tablets. We are sure you will be able to find a great children’s entertainer. The right entertainer will keep them amused for hours.

A Prima ballerina
Make a budding ballerina’s dream come true with a performance of The Nutcracker by the English National Ballet. 

Our suggestion: You can book ballet dance shows, with a prima ballerina teaching your child and her friends a ballet class, hair and makeup techniques and even giving a private performance. Move over Angelina mouse!

Ski Sunday
Take the kids to an indoor snow centre like Snow-Dome in Tamworth – and of course other dry ski slopes are dotted about throughout the UK, where they can toboggan, snowboard and freestyle to their heart’s content. 

Why not hold a ski party! For inside parties, hire an ice sculpture and watch on a big screen some snow-boarding.  For outside events, hire an ice rink and even a snow machine if budget will allow. And, of course, you’ll need suitable music – a Snow Patrol tribute band perhaps?

Fun at the circus
Circus acts are definitely cool this year, and there are some excellent circus shows on offer this year. As the summer holidays are fastly approaching Circus tents will be popping up all over the country which will include trapeze artists, clowns, jugglers, aerialists and acrobats. 

Hopefully we’ve given you a bit of inspiration and made you think that next time, instead of you going to the fun; the fun can come to you… Have a great weekend!

Night club disco theme

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13 is a big birthday (welcome to the teen years!) and this girl wanted to do something really fun to celebrate it! This teenage party theme is definitely not only for 13 yr. olds. It can be adapted for any age group! This party is just going to be between me and eight of my girlfriends. That way we can just be crazy and laugh and just hang out without having to worry about impressing any boys.

INVITATIONS: I’m just going to e-mail my friends their invitations.

ACTIVITIES: My friends are going to show up at my house, eat dinner (pizza), have snacks (crisps, peanuts etc.) and drink some coke or lemonade and stuff like that. Then we’ll eat cake and open presents.

After that, my family is going to drive my friends to the local cinema to go see a movie. Once the movie is over, we’ll come back to my house, and just party! They will stay overnight and leave at 10:30 the next morning.

DECORATIONS: When my friends first arrive at my house, the furniture will be rearranged a little bit. Because my dad plays in a band, he owns lots of stage lights that will be set up. Those will be the only things up. However, while my friends and I are at the movie, my family will be hard at work turning my house into Club 13″.

Once my friends arrive back at my house there will be glow-sticks hanging from the ceiling the room will be dark and the stage lights will be flashing! There will be some Christmas lights lining the room too. I’m going to borrow a huge disco ball from a friend as well as a couple little ones and hang them from the ceiling. I will also borrow a fog machine from my dad’s friend and use that just to add something really cool. I want a strobe light really badly so we’re going to look and see if we can rent one!

GAMES: There won’t be too many games available but we will be doing karaoke. When things start to wind down we can play low-key games.

Party Bags. my party bags will be filled with sweets and snacks that the girls can take with them to the movie. Rather than buying expensive popcorn at the theatre I’ll fill some bags up with a bag of popcorn some sweets some little chocolate bars and a bag of crisps. The girls will also get the choice of a can of coke or a water bottle to take with them. That way they can really enjoy their party bags and my family won’t have to break the bank! I hope that my party turns out really well and I also hope that I inspired you for your next party!!!”

Budget Activities for the Kids

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The school summer break can be a logistical nightmare for parents – from juggling child care to trying to book your own holiday, it can be hard to spend as much quality family time as you’d like.

The May bank holiday, therefore, is a great opportunity to get everyone together for some old-fashioned fun – and that doesn’t mean having to spend a fortune on expensive days out. From sensory treasure hunts to making dens, here are are some budget activities the kids will love.

Go On a Sensory Treasure Hunt

Small children love picking things up and touching them, so a sensory treasure hunt is guaranteed to go down well. Plus, it’s a great way to help them learn about the world around them! Draw up a list of things for them to find, such as ‘a tree with shiny leaves’, ‘something that’s been warmed by the sun’ and ‘a brightly coloured flower’.

Make a Den

Every child loves making dens to hide away from the grown-ups in. Provide them with old sheets, blankets and chairs that they can drape over garden furniture (or indoor furniture if the weather takes a turn for the worst!). You could even get creative and help them make a ‘no grown-ups allowed’ sign for the entrance.

Stage a Spring Olympics

If you’ve got a big enough garden or a nearby park, a Spring Olympics can be lots of fun. Split your children’s friends into groups of twos and threes, and ask them to pick a country to represent out of a hat. You can then set up ‘events’ such as a relay race and discus, which would involve throwing a Frisbee as far they can.

Set up an Obstacle Course 

You can easily set up an obstacle course in the garden with items you already own, such as ropes, a wooden ladder (laid flat on the ground) and hoola hoops. Not only will the course test the kid’s agility, it will keep them entertained for hours!

 Set up a Lemonade Stand

Setting up a lemonade stand is a classic summer activity for older children – plus, it will teach them a little bit about business too. Help them make the refreshing drink by following a lemonade recipe and get creative setting up the stall in the back garden. Then all you have to do is invite everyone round to sample their creation!

Ideas for a Minions party

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As a parent, it’s unlikely that you haven’t heard of the ‘Minions’. But if they’ve somehow passed you by, they’re essentially small, comical characters with their own language, who’ve been around for thousands of years. All they want is to serve the most despicable villain around but unfortunately, they have a bad habit of getting them killed due to their persistent oafishness.

However, the only thing that you really need to know is that kids love them. And if you’re planning a party, ‘Minions’ is guaranteed to be a popular theme. Here are some great ideas.

Minion Food

When it comes to kids party food, you can really get creative with a Minions theme. Some great ideas include:

Minion Birthday Cake

Simply cover a sponge cake in white icing and then mould the Minion figures and shapes from coloured fondant. 

Single Minion Birthday Cake

If you’re not a confident baker, this single Minion birthday cake is the perfect choice. Simply coat the cake base in coloured frosting before decorating with black piped icing and fondant.

Minion Decorations

Minion decorations are all about the colour scheme. A great example is:

Blue, White and Yellow Table Decorations.

A blue table covering and yellow, white and blue tableware is the easiest way to get the look. On a side note, we also love this blue and yellow popcorn idea! 

Minion Games

No party is complete without some children’s fun games and activities – don’t forget to hand out prizes.

Stick the Goggles on the Minion 

A twist on the classic ‘stick the tail on the donkey’, ‘stick the googles on the Minion’ is guaranteed to be lots of fun. First, draw a Minion on a large piece of paper (minus the goggles, of course!) and then draw some goggles on a piece of card and cut them out. Place some double sided tape on the back of the goggles, blindfold each child in turn and see if they can guess where to stick the goggles on the Minion! 

Minion Fancy Dress

Fancy dress is always a popular party activity and Minion fancy dress is a great opportunity to get creative. The simplest outfits only require a long sleeved yellow top and dungarees. However, if you want to go all out, making goggles and decorating yellow hats will be lots of fun.  

A Minion party theme is guaranteed to be popular with the kids – plus you can have lots of fun creating the food décor and activities.

Parties on a budget

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Kids parties can be hugely expensive. With growing pressures to keep up with the Jone’s, kid’s parties can be a big stress if you’re on a budget. 

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to give the kids a good time. In fact, we’d even say the kids will quite possibly have more fun if you don’t!

When it comes to parties, kids love simplicity! They don’t need loads of different things to have a good time. It’s amusing to see, that often the more lavish a party is, the less the children enjoy it. Quite simply because there are too many activities competing for the kids’ attention: a bouncy castle in one corner, entertainer in the other, then a face painter, a mascot thrown in for good measure and why not a popcorn machine? Sounds amazing but it’s too much!

Kids will become frantic and not be able to concentrate on very much for very long and it’s usually a big stress and panic to squeeze it all in to the 2 hrs.

But having less does not mean doing away with the fun. Far from it. 

The first thing is to decide what you want to do for your kid’s party. Give your child a few options and ask what they think they might like.

Themed children’s parties have loads of mileage and give you a lot of room for creativity at very low cost.

Costumes- You can have a lot of fun making your kids costume and it will cost you nothing. e.g. a pirate costume -get out the scissors and snip away at an old white shirt and tatty old pair of school shirts/ trousers, and a nice red scarf around the head.

Or what about fairy wings cut out from card board and covered in pink wrapping paper and sprinkled with a bit of glue and glitter. These give just a few ideas of how to make costumes from very little. 

Party Invites – if you are computer savvy and have a bit of creative flair you could do your own cool invites on the computer, of just do an Internet search for party invites and download free templates available. 

Make your own Cake – the sky is the limit when it comes to cake ideas.

Decorations – balloons are very cheap and usually all you need to create a super party atmosphere. Just have lots of them!!! You could also make your own colourful paper chains, or get some reasonably priced party decorations from any online party store.

Entertainment – every party needs some sort of entertainment. You could of course do the entertainment yourself but you’d need to be confident you could lead a group of kids through sufficiently fun activities for 2 hours. If you can’t then this is something you might want to budget for. if you are hiring a Children’s entertainer then this is likely to be where most of the cost of your party will go, but you needn’t spend a fortune – if you went for a week day after school, then entertainers are far more likely to give better deals as weekdays are not as busy as weekends. or a morning slot like 11 am – 1 pm. 

Food – parents can work tirelessly in the kitchen to create the most amazing party food but you’ll be surprised how little kids can eat at parties so do remember this before buying loads or going to loads of trouble. If you want to keep it cheap and simple, sandwiches and crisps and a few finger foods like sweets and small fruit like strawberries, grapes etc. is perfect. Finger food is always best. But if the creative guru in you can’t resist to try and dazzle and amaze, then you can be super creative and theme your food in so many different ways whilst still sticking to your budget. 

Party bags often go in the bin or get left lying around the minute kids get home if they’re just cheap toys, so you might want to settle for a piece of cake and a small but decent quality toy. Or maybe give kids a small pocket sized children’s story book. This has become increasingly popular and kids are far more likely to keep them. You can pick them up in shops for about 50p – £1 each.