Kids

Muddy reviews: Creation Theatre’s online drama club

This engaging and innovative new online drama club is a brilliant way of exploring classic literature and ways of storytelling and if your idea of a Zoom call involves sitting still and glazing over in front of a screen, think again.
Bedford Girls’ School, Bedford

This independent school for girls age 7-18 is a truly refreshing environment, with outstanding facilities, where girls can try everything, take responsibility for their choices and feel completely confident in their own skin.
How to manage back-to-school anxiety

With the nation’s schoolchildren poised to go back to school, it’s a tense time for everyone. So, how, as parents, should we control our fears? Muddy finds out.
Back to school

Spent summer wondering whether they will even go back in Sept (bore off, Covid) and left back to school shopping til the last minute? Same. Sack off the supermarket for these clickable local buys.
What’s on this week in Northants

All the gear and no idea? Leave it with us, we've got all the latest on what's happening this week in Northants, so slip on your stilettos and skip this way.
10 books for younger kids

Kids have had a lot on their plates: no school, no play dates, and slim chance of a summer of fun in the sun. Here's 10 great book for ages 5-8 to create a fictional escape route from the madness.
25 fun things to keep the kids entertained this summer

Schooools out for.... erm... ever it feels like, but at least we can sack off homeschool and do some some fun stuff. Here's 25 fab ideas to keep the little ones off their screens. For a bit.
Is it time to try an online school?

With many children struggling to study at home and doubts over September start dates, specialist ‘virtual’ schools are gaining huge traction - but what do they offer that’s different?
Parent ‘Lockdown learning’ survey – the results

Earlier this month we commissioned our own comprehensive survey amongst Muddy readers into Lockdown Learning – and we’ve been blown away by the response! Thank you to the 1200 of you who expressed how you felt about virtual-schooling, the difficulties you and your children were facing, as well as revealing surprise success stories and offering […]
The staying in boredom buster

It's a bit nippy for the sunlounger this week so head for the sofa instead - and get stuck into this week's best new at-home culture picks.
Kids driving you nuts? The best parenting books

And we all thought parenting was hard BEFORE lockdown. Jeez! We've got five brilliant new books that promise to help.
Living in lockdown with teens – eek!

Here are 20 things to do that might encourage your teenagers to get out of bed by midday – or at the very least by least by nightfall (fingers crossed).
Homeschooling: the Muddy inside guide

The kids are off school indefinitely thanks to coronavirus. You're at home indefinitely thanks to coronavirus. Here's your insiders guide to surviving homeschooling.
10 lonely walks in Northants

Day 1 of self-isolation and already climbing the walls? You can still get out in the fresh air and let the Mudlets run amok. Here's our roundup of the best walks in and around Northants.
Get creative! 5 fun at-home classes for kids

Stuck indoors? Internet to the rescue! We've rounded up some of the best digital classes to boost your kids' creativity and keep them engaged.
5 things I’ve learned about motherhood

Acclaimed author (and Muddy favourite) Clover Stroud is in the midst of raising her 5 children. Miraculously she's found time to write a book about it all. Here's a taster.
Easter activities SORTED!

Are you in Half-Term recovery mode? Now the kids are back at school (praise be), plan for an easier Easter with Barracudas Activity Day Camps – I reckon your ankle-biters will love it.
How to get your child to engage with reading

All the mums at Muddy HQ are struggling with this at the mo: how to get our little darlings to step away from the darn screen and read more books. What to do? We asked an expert.
J’adore/ J’abhor

Parlez-vous teen slang? The language barrier has always been a problem when it comes to parent/child communications. Do you find the way your little darlings speak totally basic or, like, lit?
Your ultimate Autumn Walks guide

Grab your kids, your besties, your dog and anyone else who is free to join you on our first Autumn Walks initiative with Joules - and win coats and wellies for the whole family!