Top Tips for Families Traveling in the UK
Top Tips for Families Traveling in the UK
Our family spent 5 months living in the United Kingdom. During that time, we homeschooled our boys (9,10) and traveled extensively throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
These are our top tips for families traveling to the UK.
It does not include specific places, but if you would like a recommendation, send an email to info@ValleyFamilyFun.ca and we will happily give you some suggestions!
Top Tips for Families Traveling to the UK
Eat out of the Grocery Store and Take Picnics
Food in the grocery store is incredibly cheap. It’s so much cheaper than Canada, your mouth will drop in amazement!
However, food in restaurants is expensive, and portions are smaller. When looking at prices, you think, “yeah, I’d pay that!” before you realize you have to almost double the amount!
We have perfected the art of eating out of a grocery store for our lunches. Either make sandwiches or buy bread, cheese and fruit, or go for a sandwich combo! These combos are at all major grocery stores and for around 3Pounds, you can get a sandwich, a drink and a snack.
What a great deal, and gives you more time for exploring rather than spending time in a restaurant!
2. Go Early in the Day
Aim to get to a major attraction when it first opens in the day.
Places don’t seem to get busy until very late in the morning or after lunch. Chances are, if you are there first thing in the morning, there will be fewer people around! British people don’t seem to get going until later in the day!
3. Check for Vouchers
I can’t stress this enough. Before you go to any attraction in the UK, head to Google and type “name of attraction AND Voucher” (or use the word discount). You will be amazed at how many online coupons you will find! We have saved hundreds of dollars by doing this.
Also check the venue’s website. Many times, the cheapest thing to do is to buy a ticket online a few days in advance. Or, other places offer a “GREEN” discount, that if you can prove you came by public transportation, you will get a discount.
There aren’t really any specific sites to check, just Google, and you will probably find something!
4. Bring a Raincoat
No, it’s not a stereotypical statement. It really DOES rain all the time in the UK. Sometimes, when it’s not even listed on the weather forecast!
In Wales alone, apparently there are 200 micro climates, so it could be sunny in one town and the next one over is raining!
Bring a raincoat!
A huge shout out to Phinney’s in Kentville, where I bought my UK “uniform”. Best purchase EVER!
5. Consider a National Trust Pass
If you are going to be doing a lot of traveling throughout the UK, and for an extended period of time, consider getting a National Trust Family Pass.
Just by visiting Stonehenge and a few other sites, we got our value for our money almost immediately. There are hundreds of sites throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland (not Scotland) that you can visit for free!
You may end up visiting some places you never knew about, and never thought you would enjoy!
6. Take Advantage of the Free Museums
The United Kingdom is full of FREE museums. From the British Museum in London to the National Slate Museum in Wales and the Natural History Museum in Scotland, there is something for everyone!
If you want to save some money while traveling, check the area for these free museums. A Google search will help you out, too.
Of course, they always usher you through the gift shops, and the cafes are more expensive, but they need to bring in an income somehow!
7. Do a Treasure Trail!
If you want a unique and fun way to explore a city, try a Treasure Trail.
These are guided tours that take you around thousands of places in the UK. On your walk, you must answer questions to solve one of the puzzles. It’s like a walking tour, but so much more interesting for kids. These trails take you by key monuments and historical places, and give you cool facts.
We fell in love with these trails and have done several of them throughout the UK.
8. Carry a Pocketful of Change
There are still a lot of places you need to have cash to buy things, so make sure you always have some on hand, especially coins!
If you are driving here, virtually every place to park is a “Pay and Display” parking lot. 
Go to the machine, pick your allotted time and drop in your coins. Then, put the printed out receipt on your dashboard.
Even if you aren’t driving a car in the UK, you will still need a pocketful of change for emergency bathroom runs! Many public toilets are by paid entrance only. They can range from 20pence to 40pence per person (around 50cents to 70cents).
Otherwise, try the larger grocery stores for a free bathroom run!
9. Ask for Tap Water with your Meals
Eating in restaurants can get expensive, especially if you are ordering drinks. When you order water in a restaurant make sure you say “Tap Water”. Still water is bottled water and fizzy water is carbonated water.
If you don’t specify, you could end up with a bill for over $13 for a bottle of water, like we did in Paris!
10. Use Public Transportation
Public transportation in the UK is fast, efficient, reliable and so easy to use. This goes for buses, trains and the underground.
By the end of our trip to London, Thomas (9) had the underground map and was plotting out our route and leading us through the stations himself. We were chockablock full sometimes on the underground, but it was all part of the experience.
There are often family prices and kids often travel for free. Be sure to ask.
Plus, this way, you can avoid having to park and pay for parking!
11. Carry a Pack of Tissues
This is more so for the ladies!
With such a big population there are many people around using the toilets. I have now learned that before you sit in ANY stall, check to make sure there is toilet paper. I have been caught too many times where there is none left (too much information?)
So, carry an emergency pack of tissues with you, or pay the money to go into a public toilet which is bound to be well stocked!
12. Stay in Touch via Cell Phone
Europe is light years ahead of Canada in terms of the cellular phone market. Coverage is nearly total, and competition for your business is intense among the many companies that exist. We used Google Maps a lot when we were there, and also several couponing apps right on the phone gave us discounts on days out (see #3 above). When we were in Cardiff David was even able to register and pay for our car at a car park with his phone, and if you think you’re going to over-stay your time in the car park, you can use the app to remotely add credit so you don’t get a ticket. We also used a great London Underground app to help us with navigating the Tube in London too.
The point is that your phone can be a real asset in the UK, and UK coverage extends to the Continent too. But how do you use your phone there without getting destroyed by North American roaming charges? If you have an unlocked phone, it’s easy. Just pop out your sim card and buy one in the UK. There is LOTS of choice. We went for a pay-as-you-go monthly top-up plan sold by Tesco, a big grocery chain. Other chains – Asda, Walmart – also sell plans, and there are MANY “traditional” phone-carrier choices too, if you want to go that route. We went the Tesco route for three reasons:
1. Price: A couple of days after we arrived in January, David went to his sister’s local Tesco and spent ten pounds (about $16) to buy a sim card for a pay-as-you-go plan. Once it was activated (which a sales assistant in Tesco did for him) the ten pounds was added as CREDIT to his account (so the card was actually free). He then used part of that credit to buy a monthly-top-up plan. For seven pounds fifty (about $11), he got 500 minutes talk time, 500 texts, and 500 megabytes of data per month. This is far less than half what an equivalent plan would cost in Canada. And there was an even cheaper five pound monthly plan if you wanted that! A Tesco Mobility app downloaded from Google Play Store kept track of usage, renewal dates, and all that, so there were never any surprises.
2. Convenience: You can top up your credit, so you can roll the monthly plan, using a credit card registered on Tesco’s site, if you wish. But far more convenient was simply to buy a 12-digit top-up number when you were in Tesco buying groceries. You simply added it to your bill and the twelve-digit top-up number was included in your groceries receipt. You then entered the number on the Tesco App on your phone, and you were good to go for the next month! It really was that easy!
3. Usefulness: As mentioned, David’s phone was really helpful in London, and in Glasgow, and in confirming our Air BnB reservations, and in getting GPS coordinates to our Travelodge motels, and in getting confirmation for our flights, and… well, you get the picture. EVERYTHING is confirmed by text in the UK, and having a UK phone number was essential when we were booking tickets for museums, stately homes, castles and so on.
Even if you’re only going for a couple of weeks, and aren’t going to use the full month, a single-month pay-as-you-go plan from somewhere like Tesco will cost you a lot less than $20, sim card included.
It’s incredibly useful to have your phone in such a communication-rich environment and you’ll be surprised by how useful it is (and you’ll likely end up wondering why we’re in the cellphone equivalent of the Stone Age in Canada!).
What are your best tips for traveling in the UK?
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo 2017
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo 2017
*Disclosure: Our family received ticket to attend the media preview show of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in exchange for telling you about this year’s upcoming show. We are huge fans of the Tattoo, so all opinions are our own.*
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is back and better than ever! Get ready for incredible, heart-pounding, fast-paced, family entertainment!
Over 2,000 performers from far and wide will take part in the event of a lifetime from June 29 to July 6 at the Scotiabank Centre in downtown Halifax.
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday with a special show and they are bringing performers from far and wide to make this a show to remember. Pipes, drums, dancers, bands, gymnasts, acrobats, comedy, military routines, historical re-enactments…it’s all there!
Photos of the 2016 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, at the Scotiabank Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 30 – July 07, 2016 / Copyright TrevorMacMillanPhotography 2016
This year, performers from Australia, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States will take part in the Tattoo, alongside its Canadian contingent.
So, who’s coming?
The IMPS Motorcycle Display Team is a team of talented youngsters based out of London. They start young – some are five years old – and learn the slick tricks that have made them world-famous.
If clowning around is more your style, Holmikers will brighten your day with their comedic “Horror Show” routine. These Swiss gymnasts are award-winning performers recognised by the International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo.
Gebirgsmusikkorps Garmisch-Partenkirchen, or the German Mountain Army Band, has travelled around the world at least 50 times in their 61-year history.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more unconventional percussion group than the Groove Onkels from Germany. They call themselves “trash percussionists” because they use large garbage and recycling bins as instruments.
The Scotch College Pipe Band is a Swanbourne-based band that has been an icon of the school for 70 years, and this summer they’ll join the Massed Pipes & Drums.
The United States Navy Fleet Forces Band is called the “Finest of the Fleet” and performs throughout the mid-Atlantic, the Ohio River Valley, and Central/South America.
The Kalutskih Brothers from Moscow are acrobats and Guinness World Record holders who will showcase their precision and power on the Scotiabank Centre floor.
The North American Brass Band Summer School will return, featuring the best brass musicians from around the world who are led by expert tutors.
As for the Canadian performers?
The Calgary Stetson Show Band is an award-winning high school marching music ensemble, and the Calgary Fiddlers is an impressive group of youngsters that have performed for royalty, prime ministers and presidents. These groups will represent Western Canada at the Tattoo.
La Baie en Joie, an Acadian dance troupe will perform alongside the Tattoo Highland Dancers. The Massed Pipes & Drums will return, as will the Fanfare Trumpets, and the Canadian Cadets musicians.
Atlantic Cirque, the biggest circus school east of Montreal and Atlantic Canada’s first school of Circus Arts, will wow you with their tricks and acrobatics.
The ever-popular RCMP National Ceremonial Troop will return with a full drill unit, and the Canadian Armed Forces will be well-represented by the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, the National Band of the Naval Reserve, the 5 Canadian Division Band, and the Royal Canadian Navy Enhanced Boarding Party.
The Canadian Armed Forces Obstacle Race will take place again this year with teams from the military and the Halifax Regional Police.
Vocal soloists will appear in the show, as will the Tattoo Adult Choir, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year! The Children’s Chorus will also perform.
In addition to Canada 150, the Tattoo will commemorate the solemn centenaries of two major historical events: Vimy Ridge and the Halifax Explosion.
Canada’s national – and international – identity was solidified during the First World War on a battlefield in France when four Canadian Battalions did what countless others couldn’t do: take control of a crucial stretch of land, Vimy Ridge.
Later that year, Halifax was devastated on the morning of December 6, when a cargo ship collided with a vessel in the Narrows of the Halifax Harbour and exploded. The city banded together and rose from the ashes of the disaster, but at a significant cost – 2,000 people were killed and a further 9,000 were injured.
The Halifax Fire and Emergency will appear in the scene, recognising the largest loss of life of firefighters in Canadian history.
Can’t get enough?
During Tattoo Week, enjoy free festival events around Halifax and watch the Sobeys Tattoo Canada Day Parade on July 1 – the largest Canada Day Parade east of Ottawa!
How can I get tickets?
Tickets are available online at www.nstattoo.ca, by phone at 1-902-451-1221 or in person at the Ticket Atlantic box office.
Show Times and Dates
June 29, July 4 and 5 – 7:00 pm.
June 30, July 1, 2, 3 and 6 – 2:00 pm.
Treat you and your family to trip to the Royal International Tattoo! You won’t regret it!
Make this the year!
GIVING KIDS THE EDGE: The Valuable Skill of Debating: Debate Camp 2018
GIVING KIDS THE EDGE: The Valuable Skill of Debating
*This is a guest blog post by Nick Szymanis to demonstrate the value of youth learning debating skills, and to encourage participation in the Debate Summer Camp at Kings Edgehill, Windsor. Having learned debating, and practiced countless hours with my parents and now my own children, it’s a valuable skill!*
After 18 years of experience in the education system, debating is still one of the most effective ways for students apply their learning
By Nick Szymanis
Have you ever asked your child after school, “What did you learn today?” and they reply with, “I don’t know.” In your mind you hope they are just saying “I don’t know” because they don’t feel like talking. But in reality, this “I don’t know” is real and much of what children learn at school is not being retained.
Educational research of the last 10 years has advocated a set of declining percentages for just how much students remember from year to year.
The model is called the “Learning Pyramid” and it is widely accepted that students retain 5% of what they hear, 10% of what they read, 20% of what they see, and 30% of what they see demonstrated by another person. The questions remains: What about the other 70%?
As a teacher of 18 years, at some of Canada’s best schools, I still find myself stepping back from the school day and questioning “where is the learning here?”
Can teaching professionals make learning meaningful and have what children learn “stick”?
In many cases, students default to the age-old habits of hard work and well-developed study habits. The ultimate goal for most students in Canada, is admission to a good university and hopefully the sound preparation for a successful career. Education systems are built to facilitate this journey and inside the schools, teachers aim to keep the learning meaningful and rigourous.
But does this always work?
Good teachers generally check their classes, for understanding and retention, often with tests or exams. We assume, that as students advance successfully to the next level, they have learned something. But what if we are wrong?
Feedback from the universities themselves asks the same question. We at the secondary school level track our graduates as far as second and third year university – just to ensure we are doing our job well.
A common lament among the universities we poll is that a number of undergraduates lack a true foundation.
In sum, there is a feeling in the universities that many students have advanced by figuring out how to earn good marks, but when truly tested in either the university seminar group, tutorial, or when the level of their analytical skills are put to the test in writing, students are falling short.
I believe Canada’s best teachers are constantly striving to ensure they do not produce graduates who have mimicked knowledge and “played the system” for marks, but who have actually “learned” and / or knowledgeable. The answer is not in harder exams, but in the design of a learning experience that demands students to apply their knowledge; to engage their learning at several points in the school day – not simply at the end of a term.
In Ancient Greek times this used to be in the form of a Socratic dialogue, where students at the Academy would be questioned constantly in a kind of academic sparring with the teacher – this was seen to sharpen the students’ minds. This ancient method of learning still appears in the modern classroom in such forms as the inquiry approach or Harkness table discussion / dialogue.
But after 18 years in the system and seeing my graduates in most cases, thrive in university, I remain convinced that one of the most rigourous and exciting ways to have students apply their learning is debating. To bring traditional debate into the lives of young people stands to provide an intensified learning experience – one kids always remember – – and here’s why:
Debating asks student to take a side – whether they believe in it or not.
Immediately, they need to suspend their subjective worldview and learn to construct a case or argument in favour (or against) a topic. They need to access their learning – – with purpose. They have to learn how to organize and prioritize information, align it with a greater point, and ultimately make their learning make sense to an audience.
Perhaps best of all, debating honours knowledge itself because it is a 2 way street: Too often in education, students are acquiring knowledge and then putting it back on the page.
In debating, students must not only present their side, but they must listen effectively to their opponent’s points.
This honours the true aspect of knowledge itself – – that the further we develop an understanding of something, the deeper we probe the depths of an argument by accessing all of it’s possible sides, the closer we get to real knowledge – – something philosophers call “the truth” of a subject. In real educational forums, it is clear this level of learning is not achieved easily, and not achieved by simply taking in knowledge from one source.
Debating engages students, right from the beginning, asking them to delve into the opposing views and honour what is being said by countering it well. A sharpening of the mind indeed…
From Ancient Greek times till today, debating stands to be among the richest, most rewarding intellectual exercises young people can participate in.
The universities also recognize it, with accomplished high school debaters being among the most sought after by leading universities – – largely because they have stood out against their peers in the university setting demonstrating their educational foundation is well-built. Moreover, as I stand inside schools and listen to my students, I remain convinced that debating, is one of those activities that guarantees learning is happening, and happening well.
According to the Learning Pyramid, students retain 50% of what they learn if they can engage it in discussion, 75% of it if they can practice in some form and 90% if given the opportunity to teach it to others!
So next time you pick up from school, and ask that very general question “what did you learn today? – don’t take “nothing” for an answer. Ask instead; “Any interesting conversations today?” See what they say – and then follow with, “So what do YOU think about that”
Prepare for an opposing view – – and then enjoy the debate! Ultimately, you are setting up a forum for your young learner to teach you! Believe it or not, you are helping the learning “stick” and perhaps even become more meaningful along the way…
Debate Camp: August 13-17, 2018
Kings Edgehill, Windsor
Debate Camp is a place to learn, and we believe one of the best ways to develop new skills is through practice and effective feedback. At camp, debaters are on their feet, raising points, countering and developing new abilities in an active way. We are more about this active form of learning and less about lecture-style teaching.
This camp will be held at the Kings Edgehill Campus, Windsor from August 13-17 for grades 5 to 11.
Learn more
Nick Szymanis has been teaching for 18 years, as well as having been Head of Social Studies at both Crofton House School in Vancouver, and Havergal College in Toronto, as well the past 4 years as Academic Director at The Sterling Hall School in Toronto. He is the founder and lead director of Debate Camp Canada, a summer training program in public speaking and debate for students in grades 5 – 11. In 2016, he and his team will facilitate 15 camps across Canada, serving 909 lucky students. For more information visit: http://www.debatecamp.com/halifax
KartSTART by Toyota 2017
KartSTART by Toyota 2017
Last summer, Daniel (10) had the time of his life when he was invited to participate in the KartStart Program in Halifax, presented by Toyota.
READ ABOUT DANIEL’S KARTSTART EXPERIENCE HERE
And… They are back again this year, holding KartSTART sessions across Canada!
kartSTART Presented by Toyota is a unique family driving education program that travels across Canada every summer (see the schedule here). kartSTART is designed to give kids, teens and their families a true, real-world understanding of the physics behind driving motorized vehicles.
The half-day course gives children and teens as young as 10 a driving experience in a vehicle that fits them — our go-karts. The driving experience includes: interactive safety briefing by professional driving instructors including one-on-one interaction; use of a professional racing kart; Snell-approved helmet, and CIK racing suit. Karting participants take part in safety-oriented lead/follow sessions with the instructors. Families will experience the Toyota Safety Sense demonstration exercises that are fun for the whole family. And they include a catered lunch for all attendees.
The goal at kartSTART is twofold. First, to give young drivers an initial understanding of driving a motorized vehicle., and then to give them their first experience behind the wheel.
Secondly, to give the entire family a better understanding of current Toyota Safety Sense safety systems available on Toyota vehicles. Find out more about the Toyota Safety Sense systems at www.toyota.ca
kartSTART Presented by Toyota is an ASN Canada FIA Safety-endorsed program.
That’s a $250 value for only $79 + taxes.
Use this Promo Code today and receive an extra $20 off the regular price making it $59 + taxes!
Promo Code: VALLEYFAMILYFUN
This awesome session is open to anyone (child, teen or adult who is aged 10+).
Book today
WIN a ticket to participate in the kartSTART program anywhere in Canada!
2017 Dates
- Chilliwack Area – Greg Moore Raceway July 1 to 4 – Chilliwack, BC
- Red Deer Area – Westerner Park July 8 to 10 – Red Deer, AB
- Regina Area – 3 Flags Motorsports Park July 14 to 16 – Lumsden, SK
- Winnipeg Area – MTS Iceplex – July 19 to 21 – Winnipeg, MB
- Hamilton Area – Flamboro Speedway July 26 to 28 – Millgrove, ON
- Toronto Area – Sunset Speedway August 7 to 10 – Innisfil, ON
- Montreal Area – Autodrome August 14 to 16 – Saint Eustache, Québec
- Trois-Rivières – SC Performance August 18, 20, 21 – Saint-Célestin, Québec
- Moncton Area – Champlain Motorsports Park August 24, 25, 27 – Dieppe, NB
- Halifax Area – Scotia Speedworld August 29 to 31 – Goffs, NS
Cooking Asian Food for Kids
Cooking Asian Food for Kids
When the kids were really little, we started introducing them to Asian food, and now they love it! These are a few of our family’s favourite recipes for Asian food that your kids might love, too!
2. Balmi
3. Sweet and Sour Chicken
4. Yaki Soba (Japanese stir-fried noodles)
5. Pork Meatballs with Water Chestnuts
6. Okonomiyaki
