Festive Tales With Father Christmas At Woodhorn Museum

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On Saturday we were invited along to Woodhorn Museum in Ashington, Northumberland to experience the Festive Tales with Father Christmas event and the children had such a lovely time. 

For those who don't know Woodhorn Museum is a former colliery based just outside of the former mining town of Ashington at the Queen Elizabeth two Country park in Northumberland - about half an hour north of Newcastle. Despite only living 20 minutes away I have never visited Woodhorn since I was a child and the children had never visited before. 

Festive Tales with Father Christmas costs £6.50 per child and includes a gift, which I think is really good value. Adults do not pay but they do need to either buy or use their annual membership which costs £7 per year - under 16s are free. Arriving at Woodhorn in the afternoon everywhere was lit up with hundreds of white twinkling fairy lights which looked magical. 

Jack And The Beanstalk Pantomime At Whitley Bay Playhouse Review

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It just wouldn't be Christmas without a trip to the pantomime and as a family, one pantomime that we always look forward to is the one at Whitley Bay's Playhouse. We have been going to see the pantomime here for the past four years and it is always the children's favourite one as it is perfect for families.

 This year's panto was Jack and the Beanstalk produced once again by Blue Genie Entertainment and starring Ashleigh Butler and Sully the dog, former X-Factor contestant Molly Scott, Playhouse legend Steve Walls and the return of Playhouse favourites Damian Patton, Dame Patsy Trott and David Burton. 

Settling in our seats we were transported to Happyvale and as soon as the curtains were up the audience was captivated with the singing, dancing and non-stop silliness of the cast. Last year I mentioned that there were not enough jokes for us grow-ups well this year there was plenty, myself and my husband were laughing along just as much as the children with many of the jokes going totally over their heads. 

What Parents Of Teenagers Need To Know About TikTok

Disclosure: This is an advertorial post in partnership with TikTok. 

 

Have you heard of the popular app TikTok? As a parent to a 17-year-old, I certainly have as my teenage daughter has been a fan for a while. However, I thought it was an app where you made music videos - but I was wrong. TikTok is much more than that and I have to admit since downloading the app, I am now a fan myself.

What is TikTok? 

Destination 1850 At Newcastle Central Train Station - Review

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* Destination 1850 is no longer open *

Destination 1850 has recently opened in Newcastle's Central Station, train station and it is a great new place to eat. Now you might be wondering why I am writing about train station food as its normally fast food or sandwiches - well Destination 1850 is different and has changed that preconception. 

Destination 1850 is from the people behind popular North East venues YOLO and STACK and is the ideal place to grab a bite to eat before or after a train journey - or even just lunch out if you're passing the area. 

Located just inside the train station entrance you will find Destination 1850 inside the glass covering, beautifully decorated it is cosy and welcoming and even has heated seats to keep you warm. Serving a range of hot drinks, wines, soft drinks and cocktails it also has an impressive food menu - expect to see the likes of pizzas, wraps, salads, loaded fries and sharing boards as well as brunch on the menu. 

Cookhouse And Pub Holystone Family Meal - Review

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* Cookhouse and Pub Holystone has now shut down *

 

We have visited the Cookhouse and Pub Holystone a few times over the last couple of years but this was the first time we have visited with all three children. After a busy morning of swimming lessons and shopping, we headed to the Cookhouse and Pub with rumbling tummies on Saturday lunchtime. We were warmly greeted and shown to a seat in the conservatory area which is bright, modern and perfectly cosy on a crisp autumn day. 

Activity sheets and crayons were provided for the children along with little pots of popcorn for them to nibble on whilst we pursued the menu. They were also offered vegetable sticks but they passed on these. 

Alnwick Castle

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As part of our magical stay at Macondland Linden Hall experiencing the Harry Potter Package we were given a family ticket to Alnwick Castle as this is where some of the first two Harry Potter films were filmed. 

Alnwick Castle is located in Alnwick, Northumberland in the town centre and right next to Alnwick Gardens and the famous treehouse restaurant. We had a family day ticket as part of our Harry Potter package but you can buy tickets for either just the castle or the castle and the garden combined on the day or in advance online. 

Snapstar Dolls Review

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My six-year-old daughter adores playing with her dolls, she likes fashion dolls and spends hours changing their clothes, making up imaginative games with them and playing happily on her own or with her friends. Now there is a new fashion doll in town for children to play with called Snapstar dolls, a squad of six 'influencer dolls' with their own app - yep really. 

There are six Snapstar dolls to collect and each doll looks different and likes different things such as music, make-up, travelling, animals, fashion and crafts. The dolls are a similar size to other fashion dolls and they have moveable limbs and look really appealing for children with lovely sparkly eyes and nice outfits.