Easter sits at that unpredictable time of year when the weather can swing from glorious sunshine to drizzle and grey skies in a matter of hours. That can make planning for the school holidays a challenge, especially when you’re trying to keep costs low.

To help, we’ve pulled together some weather‑proof, budget‑friendly ideas and activities that can keep your children occupied throughout the Easter break.

If the sun is on your side grab a blanket, pack some Easter‑themed snacks (think hot cross buns, chick-decorated cupcakes, or carrot sticks for that bunny vibe), and head to your local park, favourite countryside spot, or even your own garden. Add toys or books and you’ve got yourself a perfect relaxed afternoon. If the rain sets in you can create a cosy indoor picnic instead. Just scatter cushions on the floor, pile up some blankets, and enjoy the same treats in dry, snuggly comfort.

Creating some sweet treats to eat is an easy way to capture your child’s attention for a while and a great way to tempt them away from screens, so if Easter has left you with a mountain of chocolate turn it into a family fun activity. Choose easy-to-make cookies or cake bites – just mix melted easter egg with your favourite cereal and a little golden syrup and pack it into cupcake cases – then just top with mini eggs. Alternatively, you can fold your chopped up chocolate it into your cookie dough for some creative bakes or making your own chocolate bark by adding melted chocolate on to a tray (extra points for swirling different colours together) and adding colourful edible sprinkles or dried fruit. As well as getting children to mix the different ingredients together, let your children feel all the ingredients as they are added for some extra sensory exploration.

Egg decorating is a great Easter activity and can be a fun way to pass the time. Simply hard boil some eggs and when they are cooled decorate them with some non-toxic paint, stickers or stamps. You can also add different types of material to them for sensory appealing textures, such a brightly coloured ribbons, bubble wrap, fuzzy or fluffy material. This activity isn’t just fun; it can also help with fine motor skills too.

For a longer, more involved craft, create your own Easter egg salt dough decorations. Just mix two parts plain flour with one part salt and one part water, knead into a smooth dough and roll to 5mm-1cm thick. Then you can cut out egg shapes (or bunny or chick shapes) before they are baked at 100°C-140°C for 2-3 hours until hard. Once cooled, paint and decorate them together, but be sure to add a small hole before baking if you want to hang them as decorations or attach them to Easter cards.

If you want your children to burn off some energy, create a mini Easter sports challenge. Ideas include an egg and spoon race, or a bunny hop obstacle course – which can also be done indoors if the weather is bad. For obstacles you can use whatever you have to hand such as piles of cushions, rolled up blankets or boxes.

A scavenger hunt either around the house or in the garden is the perfect way to keep children occupied for a while and encourages problem solving skills. Leave visual clues for them to work out at each stage so they can find their ‘treasure’ at the end in the shape of their favourite treat.

Creating space for calm moments is important too, so make a calm-down glitter jar which can help children regulate their emotions. Not only can they be fun to make together you can then take it out with you wherever you go. To make, fill a jar with warm water, clear glue, and pastel glitter, or use clear hair gel and the glitter colour of your choice, then add different size Easter confetti and small objects such as small rubber ducks. If a jar isn’t practical, use strong freezer bags which are completely sealed.

If you need some quiet time to re-charge, then some story-time snuggles are in order. Just grab some Easter-themed books from your local library, book shop or charity shop, or check what’s available online. If the weather is nice head outside for some fresh air reading (add a blanket if the air is still a bit chilly) but curling up on the sofa can be just as magical.

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Not all ventures and attractions are created equally when it comes to ease of disability access, so here we take a look at those who make life a little easier for families with children who have special educational needs, disabilities or anxiety.

Drayton Manor Resort in Staffordshire has a Digital Access Pass you can opt for when applying for Nimbus Access Card, which is free and is valid for three years, or you can opt for a physical Nimbus Card which allows you to visit multiple attractions and costs £15 for a three-year membership. The Easy Access Service allows eligible guests who are unable to use conventional queue lines to access rides via the exit or designated access queue line. More information can be found here. They also offer a wheelchair and scooter hire, disabled toilets situated at every toilet block and a hoist room located in the medical centre that includes a fully adapted adult restroom and changing bed hoist.

Although London Zoo is over 200 years old, most of it is accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. They offer regular accessible activities, including British Sign Language, Audio Described and Relaxed Opening tours, at ZSL London Zoo – and they are hoping to improve this programme to be more diverse and more inclusive. Any suggestions you may have for new activities that supports disabled access at the zoo can be emailed to London Zoo.

The Penguin Pass queue hopper for visitors who find queuing difficult can be downloaded and printed and passes are also available to collect on arrival from the admissions team.

Changing Places toilet facilities are available and have a ceiling track hoist, a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench and height adjustable washbasin. A limited number of wheelchairs and mobility scooters are also available to hire.

For those who like history, there are Heritage sites around the UK, but they all differ when it comes to accessibility. However notable accessible sites include Lincoln Castle, Mount Stuart, Lancaster Castle, and Ely Cathedral. For more information about the sites and their accessibility, visit their individual websites.

National Trust Sites have many locations across the country, such as Attingham Park and Stourhead which offer wide-open spaces, sensory trails as well as quiet exploration areas.

Being out in nature can be a great way to ease anxiety and The Eden Project in Cornwall has lots to offer (but there are plenty of sheltered and indoor spaces too). It is also a great place to explore the senses with plenty to see, hear, touch and smell. To help with exploring there is lots of places to rest, including seating and grass. For children with SEN or disabilities there are free manual wheelchairs available as well as self-propelled wheelchairs which need to be booked, assistance dogs are welcome and water is available for them around the site. A Changing Places toilet is also available in the Visitor Centre and includes a height adjustable changing bench, a hoist system, shower and space for one person with a disability and up to two personal assistants. There are also ADI toilets on site for the blind and permanent catering outlets have dropped counters to help with accessibility. For more information click here

Most major cinemas offer relaxed screenings which include lights being dimmed rather than turned off, reduced volume, no trailers and relaxed rules about moving about and making noise. Some venues may offer social story guides on what to expect and even have chill out areas. Call your local cinema to discover the latest information.

The Thinktank Science Museum is a great place for children to learn while having fun – and is accessible for wheelchairs and has wheelchairs you can pre-book, has central lifts to all floors, and the floor surface is smooth non-slip plastic in many places, while others have carpets and tiles. There are accessible toilets, and guide and assistance dogs are welcome. There is audio access through fixed hearing loops in some places and videos are subtitled. The museum does have sensory friendly areas and quiet rooms are available on request. In ‘Morning Explorer’ sessions the museum opens early for people with children on the autistic spectrum or who live with a sensory processing disorder, so they can visit at a quieter time. For dates, see What’s On.

Aquariums can be incredibly soothing, but fascinating at the same time, with lots to offer for the whole family. A few which offer great accessibility include:

The National Marine Aquarium (Plymouth, Devon) which as the largest aquarium in the UK, is highly rated for accessibility. It provides ramps or lifts, wide corridors suitable for wheelchairs, has a free wheelchair hire, and exhibits are designed for viewing from a wheelchair.

The Blue Planet Aquarium (Cheshire Oaks, Cheshire) is known for having one of the largest shark collections in Europe and was designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a long underwater tunnel which is flat-level for visitors with mobility issues.

The Deep (Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire) is a large aquarium designed to be fully accessible with lifts that allow visitors to travel through the building.  There is a Changing Place facility, has a support scheme designed to make visits less daunting and more enjoyable and their website has a social story to help families with additional needs plan their day in advance.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium (Located on the Southbank) is fully wheelchair accessible across all three floors and has lifts for ease of access. They also accommodate assistance animals, and on selected dates open earlier for visitors who prefer a quieter environment with centre music switched off until 10.00am, lighting reduced to a static mode and televisions turned to a minimal volume.

TIPS

• Many places offer free places for carers, but you will need to check to make sure.
• Visit websites to see what individual sites offer when it comes to accessibility.
• If you don’t see the information you need, call the visitor centre who will be able to provide specific information to meet your needs.
• If the website says you need to book equipment, don’t leave it to chance, especially as some venues may only have a small amount of equipment available, or be able to accommodate a set number.
• Many accessible toilets which have a hoist still require you to bring your own sling.

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Helplines Awareness Day on February 23 shines a spotlight on the incredible work of helplines across the UK, which not only celebrates the dedicated people who make a difference every day but also raises awareness of just how much they can help.

Whether you need information, support or just someone to listen to you without judgement, helplines can provide a lifeline at a time when you are struggling or don’t know who to turn to.

At Newlife, the Nurse Helpline is staffed by professionally qualified registered nurses so you can be sure that when you ask questions specific to your child, you are getting a knowledgeable answer, and that all the support they offer is backed by experience too.

While the rest of Newlife’s Charitable Services team can provide information and updates about our Equipment Services, callers to the Nurse Helpline can speak to nurses about:

• Information on rare or complex health conditions
• Access to Newlife’s Equipment Services – Equipment Grants, Emergency Equipment Loans, Play Therapy Pod
• Information about local health and care professionals
• Information on national and local statutory and charitable services
• Support to address your individual needs
• Emotional care and support
• Supporting families when they have been given a diagnosis

Consultant Nurse Karen Dobson said: “I have been working with Newlife for more than 20 years and in all the time one thing has remained central – supporting children with disabilities and their families – which is why the helpline was launched.

“All callers are listened to and receive kindness and compassion – without a clock ticking down on how long we can speak with them.

“We support on a wide range of issues and parents and carers as well as wider family are welcome to call as often as they need us.”

Sometimes just talking things over with someone on the phone is easier than a face-to-face meeting, and with children, hospital appointments and jobs to juggle, the helpline is invaluable, especially as callers can speak to nurses who truly understand.

The Nurse Helpline team can also speak to those struggling with mental health issues.

Karen said: “We know caring for children with disabilities can be hard in so many ways. We speak to many who have no one else to talk to, or they don’t feel like they can talk honestly with their friends and family.

“When calling the helpline they can say exactly what’s on their mind, what’s really concerning them, without any judgment. It can help clarify things in their own minds or even help them see things from a different perspective.

“We also find parents and carers are often so caught up in caring for their children that they forget about themselves until they reach breaking point. We can help them navigate to find the help and support they need, which is something they don’t always know how to do, especially when they are overwhelmed and in survival mode which can means they aren’t able to look further than the moment.

“The most important thing we can do for those who call us is give them our time – and the whole team are great problem solvers!”

Call the Newlife Nurse Helpline Reception Team on freephone 0800 902 0095 to connect to our Nurses and arrange a Nurse call back or book an appointment to assist with your enquiry. The Nurse Helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm – excluding Bank Holidays (free from UK mobiles and landlines). Alternatively, you can email nurse@newlifecharity.co.uk

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Ten‑year‑old Laigan Hammond from Catterick now has freedom, independence and a renewed joy for life, thanks to a powered wheelchair funded by Newlife.

Laigan is unable to walk due to having Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1, which causes progressive muscle weakness resulting in movement loss, breathing, and swallowing difficulties – and is the same condition recently confirmed for the twins of Jesy Nelson of Little Mix fame.

Although he used powered wheelchairs when he was younger, Laigan had been left with a basic heavy manual wheelchair after his local wheelchair services went into administration – until Newlife was able to step in and provide him with the powered wheelchair he needed.

Laigan’s mum, Nataleigh, raised concerns about his “ragdoll‑like” muscle weakness for six months before a locum GP recognised the severity of his condition when he was 11 months old and sent him to hospital where the rare genetic condition was diagnosed.

At the time, SMA was fatal before the age of two in 95 per cent of those diagnosed. But the arrival of the treatment Spinraza on the NHS in 2019 was able to halt the disease’s progression – but it isn’t a cure and couldn’t reverse the muscle loss Laigan had already experienced.

As he grew, specialist powered chairs allowed him to stay mobile, including one with a bespoke seat to support a severe 96‑degree spinal curve. Following surgery to help correct this last year, that chair no longer fit him – but the only replacement immediately offered by his local wheelchair services, NRS, was a bulky manual wheelchair, which completely took away his independence.

While waiting for something more suitable to be provided by NRS it went into administration, leaving the family stranded, until they tuned to Newlife, which funded a new powered wheelchair suited to his needs. Now Nataleigh says the equipment has not only restored her son’s mobility but also brought back his smile.

“Not having the right wheelchair removed all his independence and he really struggled. He got very down about having to constantly ask for people to move him. He struggled to spend time with friends without a parent or adult supervising him and wheeling him around.

“But now because, because of this powered wheelchair he can do all those things he wanted to.

“I didn’t think the first day of school would happen, but now he’ll go to high school this year, it’s mind-blowing. He’s still so vulnerable, but his powered wheelchair is his shield.”

Now Laigan is able to join in games with his brother Theo, aged six, and sisters Lola, 14, and Lenia aged nine – as well as their dogs, Rowley and Russo. He has also joined a local choir too, which he loves, along with the simple pleasure of playing games with his friends in the playground.

Laigan added: “One thing I really wanted to do was walk home from school with my friends instead of being picked up and taken home – and now I can do that! I love my new wheelchair.”

Nataleigh is now calling for SMA to be added to the routine newborn heel prick test, arguing that early treatment can save lives and significantly reduce long‑term NHS costs.

She said: “It would be very cheap to add in the tests they already do, it would save other parents from going through this heartache as the treatment could be administered before symptoms start, saving the NHS money later on.

“It’s the difference between living an able life or spending a lifetime in a wheelchair.”

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When news emerged that former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson’s twins had received a Spinal Muscular Atrophy diagnosis, it sparked an outpouring of public support. Messages of love flooded social media, headlines shared updates, and a very personal and frightening experience was made visible to millions.

That visibility matters. But what matters just as much is what happens after the headlines fade.

For countless parents across the UK, receiving a medical diagnosis during pregnancy or shortly after birth is not a one-off news story. It’s the beginning of a journey filled with uncertainty, fear and life-altering decisions. Most of these families will never have a platform or a public voice and instead many turn to charities for guidance, reassurance and hope.

A diagnosis whenever it is received can feel like the ground shifting beneath you. Parents often describe an overwhelming mix of emotions, grief for the future they imagined, anxiety about what lies ahead, and confusion as they try to absorb complex medical information in a short space of time.

In these moments, charities are often the first place families find clarity. Here at Newlife The Charity for Disabled Children, our free national Nurse Helpline offers emotional and practical support to families caring for children with disabilities, including specialist health information and support. They translate medical language into something understandable. They provide a helpline, signposting and sometimes simply a voice at the end of the phone saying: you are not alone.

This support is not a ‘nice to have’. It is essential.

Charities working to support children with disabilities or a terminal illness fill gaps that statutory services often cannot. We step in to provide continuity, emotional support, and tailored information long after families leave the hospital.

For parents navigating appointments, treatment plans, financial strain, or the emotional toll of caring for a child with additional needs, charities often become trusted partners for years, not weeks.

High-profile cases like Jesy Nelson’s briefly bring these issues into the public eye, but media attention is often fleeting. Once the immediate news cycle moves on, so too does the wider conversation about the realities families continue to face.

We know that many of the challenges parents encounter include long waiting times, inconsistent care pathways, limited mental health support, inadequate financial assistance. And these topics are what charities like Newlife have been raising as concerns for years.

Here at Newlife, we campaign and advocate on behalf of our families to give them a voice. We don’t just help families cope within the system; we work to change the system itself. From speaking with our families, we understand lived experiences, identify patterns of inequality or failure, and share these stories to policymakers.

We do this on behalf of families who are often too exhausted, overwhelmed or emotionally stretched to advocate for themselves. We know that many are tired from having to fight or battle on behalf of their child or for some they simply do not know where to go.

We campaign for clearer guidance, responsibility and more equitable access to care and will continue pushing these issues onto the agenda, so more families are heard.

By campaigning we are not just responding to crises, we are preventing future ones. By supporting families early, advocating for better systems and amplifying voices that might otherwise be lost, we are joining others to create a society that is more compassionate, informed and fair.

Jesy Nelson’s openness has helped shine a light on a reality many families live every day. The challenge for us all is to ensure that the light doesn’t switch off once the headlines do because for every story that makes the news, there are thousands that don’t. And for those families, charities remain a constant from emotional support to campaigning and speaking up when others cannot.

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The Newlife campaigning and public affairs team had a busy 2025, right up until the end of the year which included assisting Parliamentarians on a House of Lords debate which examined the Government’s plans to publish a strategy for wheelchair provision.

Newlife Campaigns and Public Affairs team engaged with Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, who tabled the debate and opened the discussion by highlighting the long-standing systemic issues within wheelchair and community equipment provision.

A wide range of issues were discussed, including service fragmentation, delays in assessments and repairs, unsuitable equipment, lack of national oversight, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the human impact on independence and dignity. These issues were also highlighted in the recent report Barriers to Accessing Lifesaving Disability Equipment by the APPG for Disability Equipment.

Newlife’s Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager Ceara Chamberlin said: “Many of the issues parents and carers of children with disabilities deal with were discussed, from fragmentation and postcode lottery to employment and economic impact. Peers highlighted significant inconsistencies in wheelchair and community equipment provision across England. Lord Hunt also noted that services are inconsistent and under-resourced and that each Local Authority and Integrated Care Board operates differently leaving service provision a postcode lottery.

“To showcase the real-life impact of delays and bureaucratic barriers, Lord Harries shared Rhys Porter’s story, a teenage boy who has cerebral palsy and went without essential equipment, including a hoist and home adaptations for two years. When Rhys needed essential surgery to reset his hips and femurs, it could not go ahead safely without the right equipment at home. Newlife were able to provide a portable hoist which allows Rhys’ surgery to go ahead.

“Several Peers highlighted how wheelchair and equipment provision impacts employment and that many disabled people cannot access or sustain work without the right equipment.

“During the debate Lord Rennard contributed that there was a need to address balancing the costs of the provision of wheelchairs and community equipment with long‑term benefits including preventing accidents, reducing the need for health care intervention in future, enabling people with disabilities to work, pay taxes, and reduce their dependency on benefits, whilst at the same time significantly increasing emotional wellbeing for many families.

“Peers from across the House called for a national strategy to tackle inconsistency, update equipment provision, strengthen commissioning, and establish clearer lines of accountability. Proposals included stronger national leadership and oversight, consistent eligibility and quality standards, a move away from lowest-cost purchasing towards value-based procurement, and sustained investment to modernise services and reduce system fragility.

“However, responding on behalf of the UK Government, Baroness Merron recognised the issues raised but stressed that responsibility for commissioning wheelchair and community equipment services sits primarily with integrated care boards and local authorities.

“She confirmed that there are no plans to publish a national wheelchair strategy, instead highlighting existing mechanisms such as the Wheelchair Quality Framework, the NHS 10-year health plan and Personal Wheelchair Budgets, which are intended to drive improvement at a local level.

“At Newlife we will, of course, keep campaigning on these issues and will keep you informed of any progress that will help families. In the meantime, we would urge anyone facing equipment difficulties for their disabled child to contact Newlife.”

Newlife’s contacts can be found here.

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January can feel overwhelming. The days are short, the weather is cold, and the month seems to stretch on forever – none of which helps our mental health. For parents already juggling too much, this time of year can feel very challenging. But it can also be the perfect moment to prioritise your own well-being and reach out for support.
The first month of the year is significant for parental mental health because of Parent Mental Health Day (PMHD), an annual campaign by the UK teenage mental health charity, stem4, usually held on January 30th. This highlights the vital link between parents’ well-being and family health – emphasising that parental mental health is key to having a thriving family, especially during tough times.
For parents or carers of children with disabilities life can often feel isolating. Resources may not meet your needs and finding meaningful support can feel impossible. Many parents of children with disabilities often don’t have friends or family who really understand the challenges they face every single day.
Even when your child’s condition is stable, it can feel like living on a knife edge – never knowing when the next hurdle will come. That’s why having someone knowledgeable and empathetic to talk to can make a huge difference.
At Newlife, we understand these challenges. Our team of registered nurses offers more than just support – they provide a safe, non-judgemental space to talk. Whether you need guidance on an application, condition-specific information (including complex conditions), or simply to talk to someone who understands, Newlife’s nurses are there to help.
Our nurses can also signpost you to a wide network of organisations, tailored to your needs. This includes:
• National and local statutory and charitable services
• Financial support and money worries
• Education options and EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans)
• Bereavement and emotional support for parents, carers, and families
Some signposting information which may prove helpful can be found here.
Consultant Nurse, Karen Dobson, said: “At Newlife we are best known for offering a wide range of services which are primarily equipment-based, whether this is a grant for equipment, or the emergency loans of equipment to meet a child’s changing medical needs, or loans of specialist sensory toys through the Play Therapy Pod service. But our Nurse Helpline is equally as important and can offer a real lifeline.
“Speaking to a member of the Newlife nurse team can be your first step, even if you aren’t quite sure what you need. Each nurse brings decades of experience and insights gained from supporting thousands of families with a wide range of disabilities.
“We know how difficult life can be and understand the unique challenges families can face. We’re here to support you, not just today, but throughout your journey.”
The Nurse Helpline is available on Freephone 0800 902 0095, Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm *Incoming calls to the Newlife Nurses can be taken from 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays.

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For eight-year-old Zack Carswell from South Lanarkshire, a specialist lightweight wheelchair has transformed his entire world, giving him the independence and freedom that every child deserves.

Zack was born with Sacral Agenesis, a condition where five bones are missing in his spine, which means he will never walk. But, just like every boy his age, he wants to play games with his friends, play sports and test out his budding independence.

However, after growing too big for his old wheelchair, the only one he could receive from his local statutory services would be too heavy and difficult to manoeuvre, so he would have to be pushed by an adult.

Independent, capable and full of energy, Zack faced losing out on the freedom his friends are now beginning to enjoy, such as exploring new surroundings and trying new things, without adults watching every move.

But, thanks to the generous donations made when Newlife took part in a BBC Radio Four Appeal, Zack has now received the specialist lightweight wheelchair he needed to make the most if every opportunity.

He has already been able to do some of the activities he longed to, such as make his own way to school in the small village of Law where he and his family live.

He has also been able to take his labradoodle, Mila, out for a walk on his own. Because the wheelchair has such a lightweight frame it means he can easily propel himself safely while also holding on to her lead.

Zack’s mum Fiona said: “Zack has no issues other than physically being unable to walk, so having the right equipment really helps so much.

“He loves to self-propel and his new wheelchair is amazingly light so it means he doesn’t need my help anymore and can do all the things he has really been wanting to.

“He can go outside to play and join in games with his friends, and the new wheelchair also makes it easier for him to join in with activities at Cubs, to get to and from his basketball lessons or play with his brother, Adam who is 10.”

For Zack, this wheelchair isn’t just equipment, it’s a ticket to independence and childhood adventures which will help shape his future.

Zack said: “My new wheelchair is amazing. I really love it!”

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Whether you are looking for a slow day to keep frazzled children calm or the weather is too bad to want to venture outside, it can be difficult to keep coming up with different activities to keep kids occupied over the Christmas holidays that don’t involve endless screen time. So we’ve put together a few simple options you can use if you need to.

Festive no bake recipe

A fun and yummy no bake recipe which involves a lot of hands-on decorating with icing and sweets is making Christmas tree cones.

For this festive confection you will need:

• Ice cream cones with flat bottoms so they can stand up nicely when they are upside down.
• Green icing – which can be from pre-made tub to make life easier.
• Small sweets and sprinkles such as Skittles, Smarties, little star sprinkles for the top or even a chocolate Magic Star.

Instructions:

1. Begin by placing the upside-down ice cream cones onto a sheet of parchment paper or a plate.
2. Next spread the green icing over the entire surface of the cone. Although this step is messy it can be a very tactile experience for children as they spread the gooey icing over the cones.
3. Various sweets can be pressed into the sticky icing as baubles and either star sprinkles or a chocolate star can be placed on top.
4. As these don’t need any baking or chilling you are able to distribute them as a snack as soon as you are done – which is always a bonus when your children don’t want to wait to eat their creations!

Making your own Christmas decorations

Making a Christmas decoration can be a nice way to spend some time together, either just enjoying the time with each other or making memories that can be laminated and hung on the tree or taped to walls for years to come.

If you don’t mind getting messy then you can get out all the craft supplies and things to draw and paint with, so you can have your own collection of Christmas Trees or stars to turn into bunting, create Rudolph pictures from your child’s handprint which can be cut out, laminated and added to a tree or joined together to form wreaths.

If you want something a little more personal, salt dough fingerprint or handprint ornaments for your tree are easy to make and can look amazing.

For this you will need:

• 250g plain flour
• 125ml water
• 125g table salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 50C or its lowest setting and line a baking sheet with baking parchment.
2. Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the water slowly and stir it until it all comes together in a smooth ball. Finish bringing it all together with your hands and knead the dough for around 5 minutes or so.
3. Place the dough to a floured work surface and create your chosen shape. You can use biscuit cutters, spoons, or anything else you can think of to create your desired shape. Then, add your child’s fingerprints as part of the decoration. Be sure to leave a small hole for ribbon to thread through when it’s finished if you intend to hang it on the tree.
4. When you are happy with your shape and design, put your finished items on the lined baking sheet and bake for 3 hrs or until solid.
5. Leave to cool and then paint and decorate however you want.

Squishy sensory bags with a festive spin

There are all sorts of themes for squishy sensory bags that you can create with your child so not only do you have the fun of making them, but they also get to play with them afterwards.

For this you will need:

Heavy duty freezer bags

Strong duct tape/ packing tape or a method to safely seal the bags

Choose your ‘squish’ to add movement – this could be hair gel / hand sanitiser/ hair conditioner/ shaving foam

Add-ins such as glitter, foil stars, small beads, small plastic snowflakes.

Marker pens if you want to create a design on the outside of the bag.

Instructions:

There are no hard and fast rules here, so try out different things, but for a winter theme you could add clear hair gel, blue, silver and white glitter, plastic snowflakes and mini white marshmallows to your bag. Or opt for white shaving cream, colourful snowflakes and glitter. Make sure to firmly seal the bag before allowing your child to play with it.

For something Christmas themed, draw a Christmas tree on the outside of the bag then add in clear hair gel or hand sanitizer, along with small beads in different shapes and colours along with strands of tinsel and a star or angel shape to the bag. Once it has been firmly sealed the beads and tinsel can be moved into place to decorate the tree design in different ways.

The post Sensory festive fun for families this Christmas appeared first on newlifecharity.

The words calm and Christmas are rarely uttered in the same sentence, but it may be exactly what you need this year – especially as 2025 seems to have been a rollercoaster for many.

From school nativities and carol services, to shopping for gifts and Christmas food, arranging travel plans and festive fun with overexcited children, it’s already a stressful time for parents who feel like everything needs to be perfect.

Add in children with disabilities, or any extra or complex needs and it can lead to everyone feeling frazzled before the festivities even begin. But if your Christmas is starting to feel more manic than magic there are ways to slow everything down and keep overwhelm to a minimum.

In the run up to Christmas one of the first big activities is putting up the tree and decorations. This can be hugely exciting, but the changes can also be stressful for children who thrive on routine and regulation. To make things easier put the decorations up over a week or so, letting children get used to each change and opting for gentle glowing lights rather than those which flash repeatedly. Keeping furniture in the same place so there are no big changes to navigate can also help.

While it tempting to equal festive cheer with a huge number of decorations, try to keep them out of bedrooms – maybe just a cosy festive blanket to snuggle with. Having some rooms completely free of festive additions means there’s always somewhere to escape to when it all feels too much. This can work well for adults as well as children, especially if the day is proving stressful and you need to retreat and reset.

While Christmas is a season of the senses and there are many tempting new foods to try as well as Christmas fragrances around – in everything from diffusers to candles, wax melts to sprays – for children who have sensory issues this can be an upsetting change to be aware of.

When it comes to creating calm, one of the biggest things that can help everyone feel grounded is sticking to your usual routine as much as possible. Although it can be difficult over the festive season, try to keep wake up and bedtimes the same as well as mealtimes – which should stick to tried and tested favourites too.

When it comes to the school Christmas holidays, you may be trying to make magical Christmas memories. But try to schedule lots of days where you can do quiet activities too – like watching your favourite festive movies together, make Christmas cookies or make your own decorations. And, if the weather allows, get out into nature for some quiet time to reset.

If you are going out to take part in an activity, large crowds, loud music and bright lights can all lead to overload, so take some time to plan ahead. Contact the team at your destination to see if it has a sensory room or chill out space you can use – even if it’s not something official. If there isn’t anything available, ask staff if there are quieter times to visit or areas which may be best to retreat to if you need to take your child for some quiet time when they reach their limit.

And as much as we enjoy visiting family, when you have children with extra needs it can easily become fraught if you aren’t all on the same page. Arrange a safe place for your child to retreat to in advance, even if it means going out to the car. If possible, you can also arrange a code word with your child so they can let you know when they need to find some space away from everyone before it reaches the point that they are completely overloaded. You can also prep your family or friends so they know what may happen, especially if will be lots of people about or new people to meet.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, manage expectations, for yourself and others. Will it be important to see everyone over Christmas? Will it matter if presents don’t all get opened on Christmas Day, or if you don’t have a traditional Christmas dinner? If calm and connection are what is needed this year, then finding your festive joy quietly may be the key.

Other tips that may help include:

Use a social story about an upcoming situation so they know what to expect. Click here for help to create your own.

Making a visual planner for your child so they know what’s happening next. Look here to learn how to create your own versions.

Set a timer they can check so they can see how long there is left until they leave to go home or on to the next activity.

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