of an acre of gardens and a great outdoor children’s area. With so much on offer, you may never want to go out, but it would be a shame not to venture into the beautiful local countryside. The Knook is located in the pretty hamlet of Sandford, just a mile

Getting the children back to school after the summer break can be stressful so a short stay at Augill Castle in Cumbria is just the place to regain your equilibrium. There are 15 acres of landscaped grounds to explore before you even venture out

Sicily is a colourful island all year round, but never more so than during the February Carnival period. The Acireale Carnival (February 4–21)on the island’s east coast at the foot of Mount Etna, just a few miles from the tourist hotspot of Taormina

draw pictures. Get your children used to checking what they need for the following day the night before.Reward them You can use your chart as a star chart and reward stars for each task they complete; or for just getting to school on time. A whole week

Family-friendly fun combines with luxury at The Elms Hotel & Spa in Worcestershire. Set within ten acres of beautiful gardens overlooking the Teme Valley, this Queen Ann mansion aims to make travelling with children just as relaxing as a romantic

hair, saliva or urine, it may be best just to avoid keeping a pet altogether. However, if that will leave you all feeling sad, the best bets, maybe reptiles, and fish. If you are desperate for something fluffy, guinea pigs and hamsters are a good bet so

■ The Llawnroc hotel has just opened in the village of Gorran Haven, Cornwall, featuring 18 lovely rooms and fine local cuisine, such as Fowey Estuary mussels steamed in Cornish cider. Book before December 20 and get a 30 per discount, so a double

1 PebblesLook at the pebbles on the beach and see if you can match them to the rocks in the nearby cliffs. Large pebbles are great for making beach art or even just for spelling out a child’s name. Collect large smooth pebbles to make paperweights

makes them more susceptible to malformation.3. A baby's foot perspires at twice the rate of an adult's – so only use socks and shoes made of breathable, absorbent material.4. The foot contains approximately 19 muscles.5. Research has shown the use

One of the greatest temptations with a smaller-than-average child – for parents, teachers and other children alike – is to shield them from anything to seems too dangerous. After all, they are still “so small”. Yet their smallness belies