Out and about in the countryside We've spent lots of time in the great outdoors, both in and around Milton Keynes. We've been on scores of guided walks with Milton Keynes Parks trust, as well as fungus forays, owl talks and demonstrations. We're currently helping to manage part of Hazely Wood on a regular basis. We are regular visitors to Randall's Farm Environmental Education Centre at Stewartby, and enjoy their practical sessions, learning loads about the environment.We've also been orienteering at The Hanson Centre, dug for fossils at Coombs Quarry and explored lots of farms, most recently Rectory Farm where we looked at its history and explored the various demands on the land, including the present farmer's improvements to benefit wildlife.
Arts and Crafts We've explored all sorts of craft undertakings, from metalwork to batik, from Fimo jewellery to green wood totem poles. We've had lots of support from the Arts Workshop Trust, and often use their premises, sometimes finding our own artists, and sometimes taking part in their own workshops. Of course we also arrange our own crafty sessions sometimes with a seasonal theme, making Christmas wreaths, May Day garlands, decorating Easter eggs, and marking Chinese New Year.There are also regular and frequent hands on activities especially for the younger ones with lots of chances to be creative (and messy!)
Theatre We are frequent and enthusiastic theatre-goers, both to the large theatres in MK and Northampton and to the regional theatres. We have also taken part in numerous ‘behind-the-scenes' tours and workshops, often focussing on the performance we are about to see.Sometimes we are lucky enough to see our own home-educated children performing, and several of our young people have gone on to careers on stage. We have our own entirely home-educated dance troupe, which has met weekly for over three years.
Museums and Trips We have made countless trips to museums, education centres, historic buildings, exhibitions etc, not only in the Milton Keynes area, but also as far afield as London, Coalville, Leicester, and Cambridge. Particular favourites are Bradwell Abbey Living History days, and Northampton Museum where we keep up with all the special exhibitions, usually with a practical workshop.We usually bring a group with a full range of ages (toddler to 16), and especially and enthusiastically enjoy hands-on activities.
Sport and Energetic Activities We have lots of meetings to burn off steam, for instance summer group picnics are often near a playground so that the twin needs of parents to chat and youngsters to run around can be met! We also go swimming and ice skating together and are connoisseurs of all the indoor play centres in the area!We recently hired an athletics expert for coaching sessions in running, hurdling, jumping and ball skills, which was instructive, exhausting and a lot of fun.
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