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Kids

  • Summer holidays – sorted!

    Schooool's out for summer (nearly!)... and for six weeks at that. Yikes! Don't worry, your trusty Muddy guide is packed with ideas for all ages, from antsy tots to monosyllabic teens, to help it go by in the blink of an eye.

  • Seven reasons your kids will love Camp Beaumont this summer

    Wondering how to keep your child entertained during the long summer school holidays? Camp Beaumont offers fun, flexibility and a feast of fabulous activities for kids and teenagers.

  • St Columba’s College, St Albans

    This Catholic school puts equal stock in moral guidance as it does in academia, making for well-rounded young people, eager to reach their full potential and give something back to the wider community.

  • Has the IB finally overtaken A levels as the smart choice for kids?

    The International Baccalaureate is admired by universities, respected by companies and gaining traction in the UK with online school Kings InterHigh offering the first ever fully-virtual IB from Sept 22. What’s the fuss about? We ask Head of Sixth Form Alessandro Capozzi

  • May Half Term – 30+ things to do for kids of all ages

    If your face looks a bit like this when we mention - *whisper it* - Half Term, we can help! Here's our trusty guide to what's on locally, for less boredom and more 'thanks mum'!

  • Newsflash – Tring Park Prep opens doors to Year 3!

    Think you might have a wannabe actor, dancer, musician or singer on your hands? Great news - this excellent performing arts school in Herts is widening its intake this year. Check out our Q&A for the deets.

  • Bishop’s Stortford College, East Herts

    Muddy says: This vast and impressive co-ed day and boarding school has a dazzling array of facilities and a strong community vibe.

  • Aldwickbury School, Harpenden

    Don't be fooled by the trad appearance of this boys' Prep - it has a relaxed and modern outlook, and teaches kindness and humility alongside a curriculum that propels boys into happy and successful futures.

  • Hey, Kids! Politics can be fun(ny)!

    Politics is a minefield for young minds, but it certainly isn’t boring, and it can actually be pretty funny if you ask Tatton Spiller, Founder of kids' stage show. Simple Politics. We caught up with him to find out more…

  • 30 awesome Easter holiday fillers

    Spring has sprung, the daffies are in bloom and... erm... school's out again - yikes! Here's our local guide to planning a fun-packed fortnight guaranteed to keep boredom at bay.

  • No parents allowed! Why kids love holiday camp

    It's official! Kids love holiday camp. Could they be the killer combo of fun, new friends and affordable childcare? Muddy's cub reporter puts Camp Beaumont to the test.

  • Stressed or unhappy child? Here’s how to help

    Have a kid that's struggling with their feelings? Take five and read these five nuggets of advice from author Poppy O'Neill before you tear your hair out.

  • Kids & eco anxiety: how to tackle it

    Getting past the doom and gloom to focus on positive action isn't always easy - but here's how from Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, who's written books for Sir David Attenborough's TV series

  • Christmas gift guide: for tweens & teens

    Wondering what to get those mopey teens? From TikTok gadgets to trendy fashion to the all-important skincare, here are 28 hand-picked gift ideas they'll love (even if they won't admit it).

  • Does the world need another online school?

    Pearson Online Academy UK Global thinks so! With the launch of the educational behemoth's founding school in September, Muddy gets the lowdown from Principal Jo Vigneron

  • Their words: what kids really think of online school

    What if you're too scared to put your hand up in class, too exhausted to get out of bed, struggle with SEN, or too busy playing golf? Four kids explain why they made the switch and what they think of life at InterHigh, an online school.

  • The 7 questions everyone asks about online schools

    Where does the social side, sport and extra-curricular come in to virtual education, and what about a timetable and exams? We tackle the big questions about online schools

  • Half-term hack: the best online courses for kids

    Run out of ways to entertain the kiddos? Check out Muddy's list of the best online classes and workshops that you can do from anywhere across the country, just in time for half-term.

  • Harrow School online – your prayers answered?

    Combining Harrow's heritage with leading online tech, Harrow School Online offers co-ed learning for ages 16-18. We spoke to the new head for the full lowdown.

  • FREE specialist fitness class for tweens and teens

    The brilliant online FitLife Academy focuses on fun classes for 10-15 year olds. Try for free and, if they like it, use our Muddy exclusive deal to keep them active (and out of your hair) all month!

  • Stop fussing! And other lockdown lessons

    Parenting can be a little fraught when you're essentially under siege in your own house. So we decided to talk to our young people to find out what they think we could be doing better.

  • How to help your kids get the careers they want

    It’s never been tougher for young people to find a foothold on the labour market so how, as parents, can we help them get ahead?

  • 6 reasons to consider InterHigh

    If you're one of the many parents considering an alternative to mainstream education right now, virtual school InterHigh could be the answer to your prayers.

  • 10 of the best subscription boxes for kids

    Running on empty when it comes to entertaining the kids? Royal Mail comes up trumps with these brilliant subscription boxes – time to sit with a gin and wait for the postman.

  • 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.

  • Children's books

    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.

  • 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 […]

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Sweetest summer fashion

    There's no shortage of gorgeous children's companies, but high street brand Joules is our pick for the best-dressed kids on the beach.

  • Cute babywear

    Is there a new little prince or princess in your family too? Click this way for the cutest newborn clothes around. Awwww!

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