10 Back To School Rules For Parents of Teenagers

This is an advert for August 2023. Any edits / reshares after this date have not been asked or paid for. 
All items featured are from Very. 

It's almost time to go back to school and this year, my children will be going into years 8, 10 and 12. I have been thinking about how crazy back to school shopping was when my children were little. It certainly seemed a lot more stressful than it is now. Or maybe I'm just an old hand? 

I thought I would share a little post about how back to school shopping has changed for us now that my kids are older. 

Beamish Museum : Top Tips for Visiting

This post is based on (and includes photos from) our numerous visits to Beamish over the years. Prices and information last checked in Summer 2023. Please always check with venue direct for the most up-to-date info before heading out as information can change over time. 

I do sometimes work with Beamish but this specific post is not an advert. 

 

Beamish Museum is one of the best attractions in the North East (I would argue the world). It's an award winning open-air living museum where you can step back in time and experience history from across the North East from the 1820s to the 1950s. 

There is lots of hands on fun and walk through experiences, many special events across the year and your Beamish Unlimited Pass allows unlimited entry for a full year during normal daytime opening hours. 

Beamish is accessible to all and dog friendly. 

Visiting Paxton House and Grounds

This post was published in August 2023 by our writer Bethanie. Please check with venue direct for the most up-to-date information before heading out as information can change with time. 

Up in the Scottish Borders, just a short drive from Berwick Upon Tweed, you will find Paxton House. We always have a lovely day out when we visit here and I wanted to share more information with you about what’s on offer for families. 

Spittal Splashpad, Playground & Beach

This post was published by Gaia in August 2023. Always check with venues direct for the most up-to-date info before heading out. 

Gaia and her kids met up with friends in Spittal, which is a seaside town just 5 mins away from Berwick-upon-Tweed. It's a perfect place for a day out or a stopover on the way to Scotland as it's just off the A1, about halfway to Edinburgh (St Abbs to see Thor's House or Harestanes Accessible Playground are other stop off ideas). 

• Splashpad which is regularly maintained
• Newish playpark with pirate theme
• Free parking (for up to 72 hours)
• Typical seaside cafe selling chips, hot dogs, ice-creams, candy floss
• Small traditional amusement arcade 
• Accessible with an accessible swing, a private changing place for wheelchair users and beach wheelchairs available to hire (this scheme is in it's final stages and will be open very soon)
• Large stretch of sandy beach with bathing water classified as 'excellent' 
• 5 mins south of Berwick-upon-Tweed
• Good stopover on a journey to Scotland

Haltwhistle Outdoor Pool Review

This post has been published by our writer Gaia and is based on a visit in August 2023. Always check with venues firect for the most up to date info. Over to Gaia...... 

We had a brilliant day at Haltwhistle swimming pool, and would definitely recommend it for a fun day out. In fact it's our new favourite North East pool!

Our highlights include:

Woodhorn Museum Review

This is an advert for August 2023. Any edits / reshares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. We have visited Woodhorn a lot over the years and this post shares photos and information from previous visits but is up to date and checked for correct information as of August 2023. If you're visiting after this date, please check with venue direct for the most up to date information as changes may be made. 

What is Woodhorn Museum? 

Woodhorn Museum is a popular visitor attraction in Northumberland. The museum brings to life Northumberland's mining history through a range of permanent interactive exhibitions, special tours, art and contemporary exhibitions and events.

FREE Summer Reading Challenge 2023

Thanks to our writer Alyssa for this guest post. 

Summer Reading Challenge 2023

Another day- another challenge! 

This one will not have you walking 5-10 miles like my usual challenges - instead, I'm encouraging you to put your feet up and relax - there are so many ways to take part and it’s completely free! *insert happy dance here* 

Check out Alyssa's previous challenges here: 

Visit 12 Lighthouses in One Day Challenge 

Cross the River Tyne via 7 Bridges in One Day Challenge 

This challenge is fantastic for encouraging children (ages 4-11) to continue reading throughout the summer, avoiding that pesky summer slide (the decline in reading/ other academic skills over the course of the summer).

Danby Lodge National Park Centre

This is an advert for August 2023 and based on a visit in July 2023 - any edits/shares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. Please check with the venues direct for the most up-to-date information when making plans as info can change. 

This post shares an idea for a fantastic low-cost family day out in the beautiful location of the North York Moors National Park.

When many of us think of the National Park, we may think of woodland and forests but there is so much more to explore including 700 Scheduled Monuments, 26 miles of coastline and lots of local businesses including cafes, restaurants, galleries and visitor centres. 

A Trip to Albania - 5 Reasons to Visit

This is an advert for August 2023. Any edits / shares beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. 

If you enjoy a cheeky TikTok or Instagram scroll, no doubt you'll have noticed videos from beautiful unspoilt beaches in Albania popping up.

The country is currently undergoing a huge tourism boom, especially with younger travellers and this is largely thanks to their rising social media presence. 3.4 million foreign nationals have visited Albania so far this year. 

Scran! & A Trip on the Shields Ferry

This is an advert for August 2023 and is based on a visit in August 2023. Any shares or edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. Please check with venues direct for the most up to date information. 

Scran! A history of Food & Drink in South Tyneside is a new exhibition at South Shields Museum & Gallery which runs until 25 January 2025 and is FREE to visit during normal museum opening hours. No booking is required - just pop in.

Myth Quest at Great North Museum - A FREE Day Out

 This is an advert for August 2023 and based on a visit in August 2023. Any reshares/edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. 

Myth Quest: Monsters and Mortals is a FREE interactive exhibition available for all to enjoy at Great North Museum : Hancock (Newcastle City Centre). Myth Quest runs daily until 3 September and you don't need to book - just drop in during normal museum opening hours (10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat and 11am-4pm Sun).