Kids

DUNCOMBE SCHOOL, HERTFORD

This little gem of a co-ed prep school nestled within its own woodland has a lot to shout about – from outstanding academic results and happy, hardworking kids to a forward-thinking Head and an accredited Forest School. Hands up who wants to be on Team Duncombe!
St Margaret’s School, Bushey

Muddy says: A history-rich independent co-ed day and boarding school for pupils aged two to 18. Excels in the arts, empathy, diversity and sport, in addition to its strong academic results.
What’s on locally this Easter? We know!

The Easter holidays are upon us, so fill the diary with egg hunts, cutey-pie animals and loads of fun-packed activities. Hop to it then!
7 fun things to do in the garden with kids

Make a mini golf course, plant a jam jar garden and measure a tree with your bum! Cabin fever begone with these brilliant gardening ideas kids will dig.
Lockers Park, Hemel Hempstead

Muddy says: A traditional boys’ pre-prep and prep school with an intimate, home-from-home feel and an emphasis on inclusivity and individuality.
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.
St Hilda’s School, Harpenden

A small, friendly family-owned prep school, St Hilda’s day school for girls is a good option for those who hanker after a warm, home-from-home atmosphere and great pastoral care.
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!
St Albans High School Prep, Herts

Staff at this girls' Pre-Prep and Prep foster a lifelong love of learning and offer pupils the chance for a seamless educational journey from an early age.
Kingshott Co-ed Prep School, Hitchin

Muddy says: This innovative co-ed prep school in central Hertfordshire has outstanding facilities, offers a dynamic curriculum and certainly isn't afraid of change.
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.
St Albans High School for Girls

Check out my update on this highly-regarded selective girls day school for ages 11-18 in the centre of St Albans with fantastic results across the board and a brilliant new Sixth Form Centre.
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?
Queenswood Girls’ School, Hatfield

Muddy says: Looking for a super-sporty boarding school in a bucolic setting? I have just the thing...
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.
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!