Five Things To Do With Your Family This Weekend

DO BEACH PLEASE
Pollution, aggressive fishing and corporate irresponsibility are putting our nation’s sparkling seas at risk. Why not give a little back, and do your bit to help keep our beaches beautiful?
The Marine Conservation Society run The Great British Beach Clean, which starts this weekend and is the UK’s biggest beach clean-up and citizen science survey. Not only are beaches spruced and tidied, but all the litter found is categorised, recorded and analysed in order to help come up with solutions for preventing more rubbish appearing, and to tackle the sources of marine trash. Paddle along to an event or organise your own; find out more here. Find out more about the day and other sea-based action to get involved in here.

EVENT LONDON CREATES
The super-hip London Design Festival combines installations, art, talks and workshops to celebrate the capital’s position as the design capital of the world. It’s a great opportunity for creative teens and young people to mix with professionals and learn, and there’s plenty of fun for smaller kids too.
Part of the party, The Peckham Festival celebrates the diverse community and creativity that makes SE15 unique; visit local artists, see performances and grab some street food! Or head to Castle Square for the Urban Elephant festival that brings global music, street art and peformances to the streets of SE17.
Elsewhere in the city, you might wander around open studios, learn about interior design at Wolf & Badger, make a Moroccan water cup at Chance, or follow the Greenwich Peninsula Public Art Trail.
The creative fun continues in the Design Museum’s annual competition aimed at young adults aged 13–16, Design Ventura. This year, artist and designer Kangan Alora has set the brief. She has invited students to design a product inspired by the words “Colour” or “Community”. The winning team of students will have their product manufactured and sold in the Design Museum Shop, with the profits going to a charity of their choice. Watch the video brief and find resources here, and find out more about the competition here

EVENT AND DO NEW START

This weekend sees the start of Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. It’s a two-day festival that commemorates the creation of the world. It’s a time for people to reflect on the achievements of the last year, as well as assessing priorities in life. Whether you’re religious or not, creating a Family Blessing Journal is a lovely idea for everyone Alternatively, try special New Year recipes here (find vegan takes here ). It’s a tradition to eat apples and honey during the holiday – why not follow the suggestions here of making apple-print tablecloths or turning one into a honey bowl (find other fun ideas there too).



DO AND RECIPE GET HIP

Rosehips are studding our hedgerows, gardens and woodlands. The red berries are high in vitamin C but full of tiny hairs that surround the seeds - be sure to strain them at least once, preferably twice, before you eat or drink them. Try them added to a cup of green tea, make a tonic or a classic, warm and floral hedgerow syrup that will perk up your winter porridge. Alternatively, this cordial is fragrant, and great for winter colds and flu, these rosehip, raisin and apple muffins will make you long for autumn and this rosehip and crab apple jelly is tart and delicious. Alternatively, make your own rosehip oil; find more about its benefits for your skin here. Find more to forage for this Autumn in our guide to Wild Medicine for Wild Kids

DO AND MAKE BONKERS FOR CONKERS
Early autumnal walks to school wouldn’t be complete without kicking around some horse chestnut cases and breaking them open to reveal nut-brown conkers. Did you know that there’s no proof that they repel spiders, but that they might keep moths at bay? Find out more conker facts here and ten things to do with conkers here. Conkers are, of course, great for crafts – we are in love with these cute painted horse chestnut hedgehogs – but did you know you can use conkers for making soap? If you fancy brewing the ultimate in wild detergents, discover how here. Alternatively, gear up for the World Conker Championships in October and practice your gameplay; find tips here (you might like to give passing your conker through a pig a miss).

WHAT WE’RE EATING COLD-BUSTING ORANGE WONDER SOUP If you feel as if you’ve had a cold for months now it’s time to take action! Soups are very easy for the body to digest: when we’re feeling under par they give our bodies one less thing to think about, so more energy can be devoted to recovery. They’re easy to make, the limit in terms of ingredients is your imagination, and once you’ve got a big pot on the stove it can see you through a few meals and snacks (and afternoon slumps). Find the recipe here

WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO RAISING HEALTHY MOTHERS: Tasha D’Cruz is a nutritionist and natural chef.Her podcast, Raising Healthy Mothers is no-nonsense, wide-ranging support for parents, which puts the wellbeing of mothers and fathers high on the agenda. Find episodes about sleep (or lack of it) in motherhood, finding joy in food, and finding equity in relationships. Read more here