Toys R Us Free Lego? Not today.

Toys R Us are currently hosting a series of make and take events at their stores. You go along, make a Lego model from a small kit, and then take it home - for free.

In theory.

They've published a blog post about it, which is about as vague as it gets, with a link to their store locator. Unsurprisingly,  parents have commented on the blog post asking the obvious question: "when is it at my local store?"  As of now, there are almost a dozen such queries.

No replies.

So I did the next obvious thing: I phoned the local store (using the store locator, naturally). "Let me check...  yes. You come to the store and can make a Lego model and then take it home,  post pictures on the website. It's while stocks last because children take the model home... starts at 9:00 am tomorrow."

Guess who was there with two children at 9:05 the following morning?

No Lego at the front desk. None at the click and collect desk. Two children growing increasingly impatient as we were directed to the front,  the back, the Lego, and even the Star Wars corner. The helpful lady I spoke to you on the previous day was nowhere to be seen and neither was her manager. No, no Lego had come in.

We didn't stay. The children were too upset for me to spend time on the Christmas shopping we had planned and I had to promise them treats on the way home. I'm sorry to say that I won't be revisiting my local store for some time - the extra cost compared to online stores isn't worth it (the expert advice and opportunity to see the toys "for real" are decreasing in value).

The comparison with online brings me to an interesting conclusion: Toys r Us have a deeply flawed online strategy. Firstly,  I found out about the free Lego offer from a Google alert I've set up for Free Lego, which actually found this page from BT.  TRU didn't exactly make an effort to reach out and advertise it.

Secondly - when they did promote it,  it was on their blog,  but 1) they didn't post details of stores, dates and times - parents like these sorts of minor details - and 2) worse still,  they haven't replied to any of the queries about those details. It's a blog - it isn't offline media like a poster;  it's interactive and if you have a blog,  then you really need to respond to comments on it.

And then there is the lack of communication between online and offline - only some of the staff seemed to know about the website promotion. And the execution?  Non-existent, almost. There's a whiteboard at the front of the store promoting upcoming events in coloured pen, but that's about it. My local independent store is doing better at this.

Will I return to Toys r Us? Possibly, but I think it's unlikely I'll be taking my children - assumimg they'll even want to come along.

October Half Term in Stoke on Trent

It's half term soon, so here is a list of activities in and around Stoke on Trent, to keep you sane and your children occupied!

Kicking off the week, I've found a fireworks display on Sunday 25 October at Newcastle Lyme Valley Parkway, starting at 5:00 pm.  It may be early in the year for fireworks, but it's a good way to start the school holidays!

Potteries Shopping Centre (intu Potteries) are having a week of activites themed around Charlie Brown and Snoopy - in advance of the upcoming film.  There are various family-friendly activities, and they're all free!
Quadrant Road, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 1PS
 
If you want to actually meet Charlie Brown and Snoopy, you'll need to go to Hamleys at the Trafford Centre (intu Trafford), which has a meet and greet for the characters on Thursday 29 October (book in advance, get there early).  All the other daily Charlie Brown activities will be taking place at the Trafford Centre too.

If you'd prefer to stay closer to home, then there's a Superheroes craft activity at the City Central Library in Hanley on Tuesday 27 October, from 11:00-12:00.  Mask-making and stories should make this a great morning!
Bethesda Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3RS

The Emma Bridgewater Factory in Stoke-on-Trent will be hosting a number of events centred around the theme of birds. The highlight of this will be a 'Meet The Owls' event on Wednesday 28 October where visitors can get up close and personal with owls and falcons

Also close to home is a Frozen sing-a-long at the Mitchell Arts Centre on Wednesday 28 October.  It's £2.00 per child, accompanying adults go free.

Broad Street Hanley Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 4HG

 

The Evening Sentinel has their own list of activites - I haven't through checked it, but it's here:

 

Coming up in Autumn 2015

Here are a few recommended activities for the next few weekends...  (and half term!)

Sunday 25 October - Newcastle Lyme Valley Parkway, 5pm onwards - fireworks (early in the year for fireworks, but this will give you chance to do other things that weekend, as we shall see!)

Saturday 7 November - Nanocon - Nantwich's very own Science Fiction convention - featuring loads of activities, and the East Midlands Garrison (Star Wars characters - Stormtroopers, Darth Vader and the gang).

Saturday/Sunday 7-8 November and 14-15 November - Star Wars Garrison at Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester.  The Discovery Centre itself is worth a look, and with the UK Garrison there, it should be doubly good.

Saturday 6 December - South Wigston Christmas Capers
It's not our usual West Midlans region, but this is a major event, featuring (so far)
The Transformers vehicles (Optimus, Bumblebee, Barricade and Old Bumblebee, "Beaterbee")
Lightning McQueen
Olaf
lots of other stalls and activities (worth it just for the Transformers vehicles, which don't get out much)

Stoke on Trent City Council have provided their list of Christmas-related activities (switching on lights, markets and other events), which should be good.  A word of warning - some of them can get very crowded and consequently may not be suitable for very small children.

Potteries Transport Rally

Potteries Transport Rally & Running Day
Sunday 17 May 2015
1000 – 1700
Britannia Stadium, Stoke
Buses (especially vintage buses),coaches, commercial vehicles, classic cars and trade stands.  This is a great show for those who like cars (and especially older cars and buses).  It's not to be confused with the Stoke on Trent show which usually comes around later in the year, where there are car traders with current showroom models on display.

However, there's no admission fee, free parking, and free bus tours around Stoke-on-Trent (in open-top double-decker buses) if the weather is fine.  Recommended, but as I mentioned above, it's not the Motor Show which will probably be coming later in the year.  There isn't quite as much for younger children, but it's worth a wander!

For more information, visit the Potteries Omnibus website.

City Waterside Community Centre Family Fun Day

On 18 February, City Waterside Community Centre are holding their Family Fun Day, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.  They'll have a special visit from the Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, and there will be a range of fun activities - tombola; cake stall, raffle, balloon modeller, candy floss and much more.  The entry cost is just £1 per child. If you're looking for something to do and want to get out and about for an afternoon, this should be ideal. The Community Centre is within easy walking distance of St Luke's Primary School on Wellington Road.

City Waterside Community Centre
Dresden Street
Hanley
ST1 3QG

Messy Church, Salem Methodist Church, Smallthorne

Salem Methodist Church on Smallthorne Bank (Ford Green Road) are holding a Messy Church session tomorrow, 14 February, from 12-2.

Messy Church is a relatively  new initiative that churches nationally have started, where the church opens its hall or play area and invites children and families in.  There's usually lots of space, lots of activities, cutting, sticking, craft and so on, and then a Bible story and a snack (these vary from church to church, so I can't say exactly what will be happening).

Highly recommended for children who like craft activities; you get to make at least one picture or model, and bring it home.

Salem Methodist Church
Ford Green Road
ST6 1NX

Dimensions Leisure Centre Holiday Club, February Half Term

Half term is nearly upon us, and so it's time to start looking for activities for the family.

The first one I've found is at Dimensions Leisure Centre in Burslem.  Dimensions are running a daily holiday club, with a wide range of sporting activities for children aged 4-12.

It's from 9-3 each day, and costs £7.50 per day, or £30 for the full week.  The only activity which requires parental supervision is swimming (so you can have a proper Day out With Daddy); otherwise you'll be able to leave your children there for the full day.

Dimensions Leisure Centre has a wide range of activities, and for their Holiday Club, they're providing
Football
Cricket
Basketball
Gymnastics
Dance
Volleyball
Rounders
Swimming (with parental supervision)

There will be prizes, games and competitions, and it will be run by NGB qualified coaches.  Dimensions is well suited for a day's activity - so you can be sure your children will have a great day.  

Dial 01782 616227 to book!

Alder Hey Hospital Fundraiser Concert, Prestbury

Alder Hey Hospital Fundraiser,
Saturday 07 February 2015
St Peters Church Hall: The Village, Prestbury, MACCLESFIELD, Cheshire, SK10 4DG
Concert from  2:00 pm

The Star Wars Garrison are making an appearance in Prestbury (just north of Macclesfield) which is just on the edge of the area I usually cover in this blog, and as it's one of the closest appearances they've made, I am featuring it here.  Ordinarily, it'd be Manchester, Birmingham or Leicester, so this is close!

I don't have complete details of who'll be present, but so far I've gathered from various sites:
The Star Wars characters will be present from 1:30 onwards.
Elsa and Batman will also be appearing (expect Batman around the same time as the Star Wars characters, since Reel Icons are connected with the Garrison).

Mums in the Know have some more details and include information about the other activities taking place, including raffle, auction and craft stalls.

I can't rate how good this is going to be, and I haven't been able to get details of which Star Wars characters are appearing, but if it's in your neighbourhood, it may be worth a visit.  Tickets can be purchased in advance for £5 adult £1 child or can be bought on the door for £6 adult and £1.50 child

Saturdads, 7 February, Norton Children's Centre

This month, Saturdads is on Saturday 7 February, from  and will be held at Norton Children's Centre (just off St Nicholas Road, Norton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 8JW).  Events at the Children's Centres are always good - the baby-change and toilet facilities are excellent, and the activities are always fully set up for young children (particularly aged 3-10).

This month's Saturdads is a fabulous session planned with ‘Soundpots’ called ‘Build it, hit it, bash it and build it some more!!’ They'll be having fun making a large junk instrument, as they have done before last September in Burslem Park, which went very well, and everyone who attended loved it.  This should be a great opportunity to have lots of noisy fun with your child or children!

Saturdads is always recommended; provided by Stoke City Council (and it's free)... and breakfast is included too!  What's not to like? :-)

 

Library Bargain Book Sales 2015

Books are a great alternative to a day out, especially if the weather's bad and there's nothing really exciting going on (which can often be the case in January and February).  I would always recommend the local library for a wander, a browse, or a borrow, and I try to feature any special child-friendly events that local libraries host (Newcastle and the Stoke libraries regularly have events around storytime or craft).

Better still are the book sales, and Stoke Council have just released the 2015 book sale dates on their website.  The great news is that we haven't got long to wait until the first sales:  Hanley library have already started the first sale of the year, with a sale of reference books, along with Meir and Longton.  Check with your local library for opening times, but doors open at 9:00 and there's usually plenty on sale - including children's books, CDs and DVDs.

The first few sales:

Monday 26 January - Saturday 7 February - City Central Library 

Monday 26 January - Saturday 7 February - Meir Library 

Monday 26 January - Saturday 7 February - Longton Library 

Monday 2 February - Saturday 14 February - Bentilee Library 

Monday 9 February - Saturday 21 February - Stoke Library

And while you're there - have a look at what's available to borrow ;-)

North Staffs Traction Engine Club Events for 2015

This club have planned ahead, and have already decided their 2015 diary.  They've planned three events this year, at their club house located at Klondyke Mill Preservation Centre in Draycott in the Clay.

6-7 June 2015
June Steam Party
10:00 - 4:00
Adults £4.50
Children £1.00

This will have all the usual items for the steam rallies:
Engines in steam; workshop; open tractors; stalls; hot and cold refreshments - basically, something for the whole family, and with prices held at 2014 levels.

17-18 October 2015
October Steam Party
10am - 4pm -
Adults £6.00
Children £1.50
It's likely that you'll get slightly more for the increased cost - so it's the same as the June party, plus:
Vintage tractors; Stationary engines; Cars; Bikes; Lorries and miniatures

I would mention the November bonfire party but that just seems way too far ahead!  More information is on the Traction Engine Club website.

Location:  Klondyke Mill Preservation Centre, Draycott in the Clay, DE6 5GZ

Approximate Location Map - the North Staffs and Cheshire Traction Engine Club are a little vague with their map.

Saturdads, Dimensions Leisure Centre, 10 January

Saturdads
Swimming at Dimensions Leisure Centre, Burslem
10 January, 10:00 start

Limited places!

 This Saturday sees the start of Saturdads for 2015.  This is a regular Stoke City Council event (first Saturday of the month) which typically moves around the various Children's Centres in Stoke.  This month, it's at Dimensions Leisure Centre, in Burslem.

It will be on a first come first served basis on the day due to tickets being allocated last year and not used.  Alison Shelley, the co-ordinator, will be arriving at 10am to issue the tickets to the first arrivals.  Breakfast (which is usually provided at Saturdads events) will not be provided for this because you will be able to stay swimming for as long as you wish.If you're thinking of going, please contact Alison on 01782 236655 or by email : alison.shelley@stoke.gov.uk

Recommended - especially as it's free!

Dads 2 - Father and Child Event

"Dads 2"
The Crescent Children's Centre
Pinewood Crescent, Meir, ST3 6HZ
Saturday 31 January 10:00 - 12:00

Provided by Stoke City Council, this is a new fun session for children aged 0 - 11 years.  Take along your dad, step-dad, uncles, brothers and granddads. Go and spend some time with your children to explore, play and gain new early years experiences, and take part in games and craft activities.                          

This looks very similar to the Saturdads scheme which is run on the first Saturday of the month in the northern half of Stoke on Trent (typically Tunstall, Burslem, Chell), and it's highly recommended. There's usually plenty to do - cutting, sticking, gluing, painting - and there's minimal cleaning up afterwards!

EM Con - Nottingham Sci Fi Convention

Sunday 15 March 2015
Nottingham Capital FM Arena

Nottingham EM Con

This is some distance outside the usual catchment area for Days Out With Daddy, but it's worth mentioning if you're a science fiction fan.

The 501st Garrison will be there - full uniform Stormtroopers, Star Wars characters and so on, along with a large number of science fiction actors (Red Dwarf, Atlantis, Doctor Who, Torchwood etc).  There'll be merchandise, opportunities for photos and autographs and all that sort of thing.

As a special feature (for this Daddy), the Transformers Bumblebee and Barricade will be attending too, in their vehicle mode! 

Tickets are £8-£12 each for the standard day tickets, but you'll probably see a lot on the car park outside if you don't want to pay to go in :-)