Just an hour drive north there is a magical place, writes Officréche mum Sarah Booker Lewis. We were ready to make a journey through the deep dark wood, where a mouse saw a nut and the nut looked good. Yes, Chessington World of Adventures beckoned for my daughter’s fourth birthday treat, and the new Gruffalo […]
Board games are making a comeback. In a world where we’re becoming ever more digitally interconnected, and subsequently physically disconnected, there’s a small rebellion going on. Board game sales have been increasing, year on year, and the increase is getting bigger every year too. For example, 2014 saw a 6% rise in board game sales. 2015 […]
Puppets, balloons and three baby discos, there is so much aimed at the under fives during this year’s Brighton Fringe. After taking her daughter to Fringe shows before she was two-years-old, mum and Officréche blogger Sarah Booker Lewis seeks out the best this year has to offer. Most shows are shorter than an hour keeping […]
Spring is here and lambs are appearing in farmers’ fields with their mothers. Many farms in Sussex open their doors to families so children can learn about rural life, writes Sarah Booker Lewis. It is a chance for our youngsters to get up close to farm animals and learn about country life. Coombes Farm in […]
Chopping and grating, kneading and mixing, children love cooking at Officrèche, writes Sarah Booker Lewis. Our preschoolers had a full hands on experience making different dishes every day when Foodini Club sent in their recipe packs for a week. The Brighton-based company launched its child-friendly recipe kits for families on a trial basis back in […]
BIRDS are all around us in the streets, our garden and in parks. Here in Brighton and Hove we have numerous seagulls and the evening delight of starlings flocking around the pier at night, writes Sarah Booker Lewis. Even tiny babies can delight at spotting the birds flying around, so why not join in the […]
EXPLORING space is amazing. Preschoolers have enjoyed in Officréche’s Yellow Room have built a rocket as they learn about space, writes Sarah Booker Lewis. My three-year-old is very excited by the whole project. We have talked about men going to the moon on a big rocket called Saturn 5. With foil mini rockets on the […]
Spotting Snowdogs is a new sport in Brighton and Hove. It’s like Pokemon Go in real life with something to touch and enjoy, writes Sarah Booker Lewis. For children of all ages it is a wonderful learning experience with added excitement when you come across a giant colourful dog in an unexpected place. When they […]
Going from place to place must be a magical experience for babies and young children, writes Sarah Booker Lewis. When they’re babies they fall asleep in a pram or sling in one place and wake up somewhere else. As they grow up the wealth of different transport options is a thrill. “Look a bus!” “The […]
There’s always something on in Brighton and Hove, and September brings a month of events with the annual Digital Festival. You may think it’s for the adults and older children, but Sarah Booker Lewis found four family friendly events for smaller folk. Hello Lamp Post It is a little embarrassing that my three-year-old holds up […]