About Matt Brown
With a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and a Master's in Residency specializing in Biomolecular Sciences and roots in the Midlands, Matt has developed a passion for writing about London. As a former editor and prolific contributor to Londonist.com, he has authored several books exploring the city's hidden gems. In addition to his work, Matt enjoys spending time with his two preschool-aged children.
Family interest
In house speciality
Education
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science specializing in Chemistry
- Master of Research specializing in Biomolecular Sciences
Recent Work
Forget the Beach… the Best Alternative Family Experiences For Summer
Having a family day out in the summer break does not have to involve the beach.
With a little creative thought, you'll find more summer activities in your region than you'll have time to pursue. Many are free and easy to try, and all will give parents and the kids some golden memories of the season to treasure forever.
The following list includes energetic family activities such as wild swimming and bike rides, to gentler activities such as visiting a butterfly centre or lavender field. All will provide both kids and parents with unforgettable experiences that go beyond just sitting on a beach (or staying at home).
You might also want to build a summer bucket list using these tips, including many summer activities to do at home.
Chill With These Top Summer Movies For Families
Summer and movies go together like cola and ice. Film studios know this, and release their big blockbusters in July and August. But outside the cinema, what classic films might you stream or download to surf the summer vibe?
We’ve picked 12 family favorites that will transport you to the beach, summer camp or some other holiday destination. It’s a list packed with sun, sea and surf (if not Smurf).
Have You Made Your Summer Bucket List?
Looking for some good summer bucket list ideas?
We've put together a mouthwatering list of fun summer outdoor activities, from the simple (fly a kite in the park) to great ideas that may need a bit more planning. All will help you create treasured memories for you and the kids this summer.
22 Items You Only Have In Your Bag If You’re A Parent Of Small Children
Parenthood brings with it a lot of baggage. Literally. Mums and dads must carry round a veritable army kit bag of supplies to cater for every eventuality. Here are 22 objects we can guarantee are always to be found in our handbag or rucksack.
1. A pack of wet wipes. ALWAYS. The one thing you should never leave home without.
2. A used wet wipe (now dry, soiled and somewhat crisp). You placed it in the side pocket of your bag, in the absence of any public bins, and it now lies forgotten.
3. A note from a teacher or key worker with details of a minor injury that you no longer remember your child receiving.
4. Two dusty raisins. No more, no less.
5. Your keys have a novelty keyring, which junior bought you for a birthday present. Kind of unwanted, but you have to go along with it.
6. A tiny but once-precious toy, which they lost months ago and have now forgotten about.
7. Spare socks as a minimum, but also spare pants, shorts, shirts and anything else that will fit in.
8. A first-aid kit which somehow never seems to have the one item you suddenly need.
9. An aged fruit bar with more hairline fractures than Evel Knievel’s tibia.
10. A couple of random Lego blocks. Why?
11. An ‘emergency’ colouring book, with a cheapo pack of crayons that are about as effective as ear wax.
12. A cuddly toy that your child insisted on bringing, but which you have to carry.
13. A packet of chocolate buttons that have melted and reformed more times than the T-1000 from Terminator.
14. A general-purpose cloth, which probably should have been washed by now.
15. A map and guide to Great Aunt MacDonald’s Activity Farm, or some such, which you carry around ‘just in case’ you ever return.
16. An invitation to Mable’s 4th birthday party in 2018. Nobody can remember who Mable was or is.
17. A pack of diaper bags, long after your kids are out of nappies. They’re so handy.
18. A spare carrier bag, or bag-for-life, which would seem like an essential, but never finds its purpose.
19. A small bottle of hand sanitizer, whose nozzle is damaged just enough to make it difficult to use, but not yet bad enough to throw away. See also suncream.
20. A receipt from Hobbycraft.
21. That novel you picked up a few weeks before they were born. It’s now five years later and you’ve looking forward to starting chapter 12.
22. An old dummy. It has been left unprotected in your bag for weeks, if not months, and is now caked in crumbs and fluff. You should probably bin it... but not just yet.
Kidadl's 10 Meal Time Commandments
Kids and table manners do not always go together like bread and butter. It can take years for children to learn the dos and don’ts of the dinner table. To help parents in the process (or, really, just for a laugh), we thought we’d enshrine in stone the 10 commandments of meal time.
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caption="" photo_credit="" title="commandments-of-meal-time.jpg"]
I. Thou Shalt Not Receive A Treat Until Thou Hast Eaten Thy Vegetables.
II. Thou Art Within Thy Rights To Dismiss Broccoli And Sprouts, But Never Peas Or Carrots.
III. Thou Shalt Not Speak With Thy Mouth Full, Even If I Ask Thee A Question Just As Thou Shovels In A Heap Of Pasta.
IV. Thou Shalt Not Eat One Pea At A Time And Occasionally Lick Thy Potatato In A Vain Effort To Delay Thy Bed Time.
V. Thou Shalt ALWAYS Use Thy Cuttlery, Unless Dinner Be Hot Dog, Or Burger, Or
Nachos, Or Pizza, Or Chicken Wings, Or… Actually, This Be A Confusing And Inconsistent Rule.
VI. Thou Shalt Not Mix Together Thy Mustard, Mayo And Ketchup. Thou Art Not Bob Ross.
VII. Fries Count Not As One Of Thy Five A Day, And Neither Do Fruit Skittles.
VIII. Thou Shalt Not Refuse To Eat Thy Food, Then Engage Me In A Futile Power Struggle Until i Finally Cave In. Again.
IX. Chocolate Sauce Be Not A Valid Condiment For Pizza.
X. Thou Shalt Remain Seated Throughout The Meal, Unless Some Random Toy Catches Thy Eye, Or Thou Feelest The Urge To Run Up To The Television, Or Thou Need The Toilet, Or Thy Fork Fell On The Floor AGAIN, Or Thou Must Dance Along To A...
