Can Man beat the beasts?

We humans might think we’re the most advanced species on Earth, but judging from the evidence on show in Animal Planet’s spectacular new wildlife adventure series In Too Deep, maybe it’s time we thought again.

Spotlight on Hannah Montana

Hannah Montana, she's everyone's favourite girl, now your kids can join in the fun with a little help from Nintendo DS and Wii, and guys have we got something amazing to share with you, Zoe Salmon on video giving you loads of cool cheats so your child can wow all her friends and become the coolest kid in school.

Bonjour…Judi!

An interview with Judi Curtin based on questions from Primary Times reader, Ciara McGivern, aged 9.  Download the first chapter of Bonjour Alice - and get some free Judi Curtin posters too!

A Child's Poem

The poem below was written by an 11 year old called Katie Fowler of Alphington Primary School, Exeter, Devon. Her class has been learning about pollution and writing poems linking into the topic

National Gardens Scheme’s free child entry

From woodland walks and wildlife sanctuaries to model railways, farm animals and tractor safaris, there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy at more than 1,000 gardens which will be opening to the public with The National Gardens Scheme across England and Wales during the summer school holidays. And the good news is that it won’t break the bank with the average admission price only £3 and more than 900 gardens offering free entry to children 16 and under.

Kick for Children with Cancer

Kick for Children with Cancer’ is a nationwide initiative run by CLIC Sargent which encourages schools and youth football clubs across the country to organise their own fun football fundraising events in support of children with cancer.

The Alton Towers Resort opens Third Hotel!

The Alton Towers Resort has created a new hotel especially for its smallest visitors.  Following a quiet opening ceremony last weekend, the 35 room hotel has already received its first guest and is hoping to attract many more over the coming months.

The KidsOutdoors Campaign

The KidOutdoors campaign, being led by The Scout Association, aims to inspire a million new outdoor adventures. We want more young people to embrace outdoor activities and find that doing things outdoors is a more attractive alternative to TV and computer games

Get kids active with the Nature Detectives

The Woodland Trust is offering IKEA FAMILY members 25% discount for children to enrol in their Nature Detectives Club. Each Nature Detective receives a welcome pack, two seasonal activity pack mailings and weekly emails with challenges to keep your children busy throughout the year. The scheme aims to get children active and learning about the UK’s native woodland and wildlife. Visit www.woodlandtrustshop.com for more information 

Read the first chapter of Toby Alone

It was a no 1 bestseller for children in France before being translated, and Toxic magazine (for boys 7-11 yrs) had a giveaway mini booklet of the first chapter 2 weeks ago) – it’s an amazing title and the most exciting start to any book! 

World Kids Colouring Day

Primary schools throughout the UK are invited to participate in the first World Kids Colouring Day on Tuesday 6 May and help children in Colombia have better access to schooling.  The World Kids Colouring day is part of Save the Children’s’ Rewrite the Future project.

CITV Screen Signed Children Shows

5th – 11th May 2008 is Deaf Awareness Week so in light of this, CITV will be dedicating a weekend of programming to our deaf viewers, visually signing all shows between 13:30 and 18:00 on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May.

Run for the Children

"Children helping children!" is the message from Run for the Children, a national initiative in association with Nationwide aiming to get everyone off their sofas, into the parks and raising money for charity in 2008. 

Goodyear search for "tyred" Playgrounds

Leading tyre manufacturer and safety expert, Goodyear, has announced the launch of its 2008 Playground Appeal – an annual campaign which aims to raise awareness of the need for safe play in the UK

Petplan Equine National Riding Festival

This summer, thousands of people across the country will be ‘taking up the reins’ as part of the Petplan Equine National Riding Festival. The Festival, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, runs from May until September and sees UK riding centres.

Great Lumley Pupils Have a Potato Day Experience

Children from Lumley Infant and Nursery School, Great Lumley, Co. Durham had a truly international potato experience on Tuesday March 11.  They won the chance to host a Potato Day as first prize in a competition for the British Potato Council’s (BPC) Grow Your Own Potatoes project. 

RSPB  - Rainham Marshes Appeal

Young people across the UK can buy a new home for water voles and other wildlife as the RSPB launches its youth fundraising campaign – the Rainham Marshes appeal.

Bob The Builder Live! Tour

Can Bob fix it? Yes he can!  The lovable and iconic Bob the BuilderTM will be thrilling audiences around the world as HIT Entertainment and IP LIVE proudly present Bob the Builder’s brand new live stage show - Spuds Big Mess! Children will be delighted to see and sing a-long with their favourite characters such as Wendy, Spud, Scoop, Dizzy, Scrambler and many more in Sunflower Valley.

Yellow Pages UK Challenge

Youngsters at White Court School in Great Notley, Essex are celebrating after being voted winner of the Yellow Pages UK Sculpture Competition 2007.

Children from the school used old Yellow Pages directories to build their artwork, ‘A Mellow, Yellow Gecko’, as part of the Yellow Woods Challenge – a fun and educational environmental campaign for schools based on recycling old Yellow Pages directories.

Unlocking Your Child's Creativity

More than two thirds of Brits believe children use their imaginations less than in past generations. Innocent drinks are keen to encourage children to unleash their imaginations by inviting them to have a go at designing new packaging for their smoothies for kids.

www.swapitshop.com

www.swapitshop.com is being heralded as the new eBay for children and teenagers and is popular with parents too, as its safe (you don’t have to give out any personal details) and helps relieve the pressure on the family budget. The website has revitalised the eighties swapping phenomenon, introducing a whole new generation to the idea of swapping the things they don’t want for the things they do

Mencap Launches Anti-bullying Campaign

‘Don’t stick it, stop it!’ is Mencap’s new campaign to stop the bullying of children and young people with a learning disability. 8 out of 10 children with a learning disability are bullied and this can wreck their lives. Mencap needs your support to help stop this – click here to find out more about the campaign, and what you can do to help.

Be Safe on Inland Waterways

It seems like summer is finally here and British Waterways is reminding people not to swim in the West Midlands’ canals, rivers and reservoirs, and to enjoy the inland waterways in safety.  While waterways are great places to visit during the school holidays for walks, feeding the ducks, fishing and a whole host of other fun activities, children should always be supervised by an adult when close to water

Read Chapter 1 of Alien Timebomb

Walter Speazlebud, the boy with the amazing talent for spelling backwards is back for another time travelling adventure. A meteorite is on it’s way to collide with earth ready to wipe out all of humanity. The FBI have heard about Walter’s special talents and need his help. Soon enough, Walter and his dad are in New York, discovering that an alien nation is holding the world to hostage.