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🍀 Leprechaun Hat Treats Recipe If you’re looking for a fun and easy St Patrick’s Day treat, these Leprechaun Hat biscuits are absolutely perfect! We made these for our St Patrick’s Day celebrations and they were such a hit — not just because they look adorable, but because they’re super simple to make too. They’re ideal for: Party food 🍀 School treats 🍀 A fun kitchen activity with the kids 🍀 And the best part? No baking required! 🛒 Ingredients Oreo biscuits (or any large round biscuits) Marshmallows White chocolate Milk chocolate Green oil based food colouring Shamrock sprinkles (optional) 👩‍🍳 How to Make Leprechaun Hat Treats Step 1 Line a tray with baking paper. Step 2 Split the Oreo biscuits in half and place them onto the tray (cream side up works best). Step 3 Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each burst until fully melted. Step 4 Add a couple of drops of green oil based food colouring to the melted chocolate and stir it in. Add a couple of drops at a time until you get your desired colour. Step 5 Add a small amount of melted white chocolate to the bottom of each marshmallow and place it on top of a biscuit to form the hat shape. Step 6 Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to set and secure the marshmallow to the biscuit. Step 7 Insert a wooden skewer into the top of each marshmallow. Dip the whole marshmallow into the melted chocolate until fully covered. Gently shake off any excess and place back onto the lined tray. . Step 8 Repeat until all hats are coated in chocolate Step 9 Place in the fridge for 10 minutes  to set. Step 10 While they are setting, melt the milk chocolate (again in 20-second bursts) and transfer it into an icing bag. Step 11 Remove the hats from the fridge and pipe a chocolate band around each one to look like a leprechaun hat band. Add a shamrock sprinkle before the chocolate sets. Step 12 Return to the fridge for 15 minutes  until fully set — then they’re ready to enjoy! ✨ Tips & Variations You can use any biscuit slightly larger than the marshmallow to create the “hat brim” Add gold sprinkles for a “pot of gold” look ✨ Use dark chocolate instead for a richer flavour Perfect for little helpers — kids will love decorating these! 💚 Final Thoughts These Leprechaun Hat treats are one of those recipes that look impressive but are actually incredibly easy to make — which is always a win! They’re fun, festive, and just a little bit magical… the perfect way to add some St Patrick’s Day sparkle to your celebrations 🍀 A bite-sized treat that’s as lucky as it is delicious! ✨

🍋 A Fun St Patrick’s Day Drink We Tried at Home For our St Patrick’s Day party this year, we wanted something fun, festive… and most importantly, something the kids would actually drink! Alice and Leo love lemonade, so we decided to give it a little St Patrick’s twist — turning it bright green 🍀 And honestly? It turned out so much better than I expected! The secret ingredient is spinach (don’t worry, you can’t taste it at all), which gives the lemonade its vibrant green colour without using any artificial food colouring. 🛒 Ingredients 300g granulated sugar 10 lemons (approx. 360ml lemon juice) A handful of baby spinach 3 litres water 🥤 How to Make Green Lemonade 1. Juice the lemons Slice your lemons in half and squeeze out the juice.(I use a lemon juicer which makes this much easier!) 2. Blend the spinach Add the baby spinach to a blender along with 1 litre of water. Blend for around 60 seconds, until completely smooth. 3. Strain the spinach water Place a sieve over a jug and slowly pour the spinach mixture through.This removes all the pulp so you’re left with smooth green liquid. 4. Add the sugar Pour the granulated sugar into a large pitcher. 5. Add the lemon juice Pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and stir until the sugar has fully dissolved. 6. Add the water Add the remaining 2 litres of water  and stir. 7. Add the green magic 🍀 Pour in the strained spinach water and mix everything together. ✨ Our Thoughts This was such a fun one to make, and it looked amazing on our St Patrick’s Day party table! The best part is that it’s: ✔️ Naturally coloured ✔️ Easy to make ✔️ Great for kids ✔️ Perfect for parties And most importantly… the kids loved it (and had no idea it contained spinach 😄). 💡 Top Tips Chill before serving for the best flavour Serve with ice and lemon slices for a party-ready look You can adjust the sugar slightly depending on how sweet you like it 🍀 Final Thoughts If you’re looking for a fun, easy and slightly magical drink for St Patrick’s Day, this green lemonade is such a lovely one to try. Such a fun little party drink that looks so magical on the table – and even better, the kids absolutely loved it! 🍀 ✨

Brave Bettie -A Magical Woodland Adventure for Young Theatre-Goers Family theatre trips are some of my favourite days out, especially when the show is designed to spark imagination and gently encourage children to join in with the story. Brave Bettie at Z-arts Manchester is a charming family theatre show for children aged 3–8, blending storytelling, music and audience interaction into a magical woodland adventure that completely captured the children’s attention. Our Visit to Z-arts On Saturday 14th March, we caught the bus into Manchester to see the 11am performance of Brave Bettie  at Z-arts. One of the things I really like about visiting Z-arts is how easy it is to get to. The bus stops just across the road from the venue, which makes travelling with children really simple. We caught the 9:55am bus and arrived at Z-arts around 10:10am, giving us plenty of time before the show started. Whenever we visit Z-arts we always try to arrive early because there are lots of fun things for children to explore before heading into the theatre. Alice and Leo’s first stop was the big red bus in the downstairs play area. Alice quickly decided she was the driver and “picked us up” from the bus stop before driving us all to Z-arts for the show. After that we headed upstairs to the café area, which is right next to the theatre doors. There’s a lovely little play kitchen there, and the children happily spent time making pretend lunch for me and Lawrence while we waited for the theatre to open. At 10:55am, a bell rang and there was an anouncement that let everyone know the doors were opening. We were seated in Row G, seats 14–17, and as always at Z-arts the view was excellent. The theatre is really well raked, which means children can see the stage clearly even if you’re sitting further back. The Story Brave Bettie  begins with Bettie reading a story about Paida Moyo, a legendary figure from Zimbabwean mythology known for her bravery. Bettie loves spending time in the woodland near her home and sees it as her special place. When she discovers that the council plans to cut down her favourite tree and turn the forest into a car park, she feels devastated. Wanting to be brave enough to help save the forest, Bettie wishes on a star. That’s when something magical happens — Paida Moyo appears, stepping straight out of Bettie’s storybook and into Bettie’s world. Together, the two set out on a woodland adventure to try and protect the forest and the animals who live there. Along the way the story explores themes of friendship, courage and believing in yourself, all brought to life through storytelling, music and audience participation. The Show Experience Before the show even began, one of the performers was already on stage chatting with the audience while everyone found their seats. She taught the children a few words in the Shona language, as well as a rain dance that would be used later during the story. She also asked the children to shout out their favourite animals, choosing a few audience members to share theirs. Both Alice (8) and Leo (6) were picked, which they absolutely loved. Alice said her favourite animal was a penguin, while Leo proudly chose a giraffe. The show itself mixes storytelling, music and audience participation, with plenty of moments where the children are encouraged to join in. Alice particularly loved the moment where Bettie helps a hedgehog collect leaves to help camouflage it, while Leo’s favourite part was when the audience joined in with the rain dance to help fill the Beaver’s dried-up lake with water. Seeing the children around us joining in with the dancing and shouting out answers made the whole performance feel lively and engaging. At a Glance 📍 Venue:  Z-arts, Manchester ⏱ Running Time:  50 minutes (no interval) 👧 Age Recommendation:  Suitable for ages 3–8 🎭 Company:  Half Moon 🌳 Themes:  Friendship, courage, imagination and caring for nature 💃 Interactive Elements:  Audience participation, dancing and learning new words ☕ Facilities:  Café, children’s play areas and a small library space 🚗 Parking:  Z-arts does not have its own car park , but the venue is easy to reach by public transport A Lovely Family Day Out in Manchester If you're looking for things to do with kids in Manchester, a visit to Z-arts is always a fantastic option. With its welcoming atmosphere, play areas, café and regular programme of family theatre, it’s a brilliant venue for family days out in Manchester. Pairing a theatre show like Brave Bettie  with some time exploring the play spaces makes it a really enjoyable morning or afternoon out with children. If you’d like to read my full theatre review of Brave Bettie, including more details about the production and performances, you can find it over on my theatre website All About Theatre . Final Thoughts Brave Bettie  is a thoughtful and imaginative piece of children’s theatre that blends storytelling, music and audience participation into a magical woodland adventure. With engaging performances and plenty of opportunities for children to join in, it’s a lovely introduction to theatre for younger audiences. Both Alice and Leo really enjoyed it, especially the moments where they could take part in the story. A magical theatre adventure that left our little audience completely captivated 🌳✨ Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.

Last Saturday (28th February 2026) we headed off on a little family adventure from Manchester to Liverpool to see Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic at the M&S Bank Arena — and it turned into one of those really special days that the kids will remember for a long time. This was Alice and Leo’s first time ever seeing Disney characters live, so excitement levels were already very high before we’d even left the house. Our Journey to Liverpool We started the morning by getting the tram into Manchester Piccadilly to catch the 10:54 train to Liverpool Lime Street. We arrived quite early — which was lucky because I hadn’t had any breakfast — so we quickly popped into Greggs just outside the station where I grabbed a bacon roll and orange juice, and the kids chose chocolate star biscuits for the train. Platform 14 is one of the furthest platforms at Piccadilly, so we headed down early and waited there. Our train ended up being about five minutes delayed, but once we were on, we found a table seat and settled in. One thing I always love is that we never need to bring entertainment for train journeys — Alice and Leo are completely happy just looking out of the window the whole time. The journey takes around an hour, and we arrived in Liverpool just after midday. Lunch Before the Show Once we arrived, we walked straight across to St John’s Shopping Centre (literally opposite the station) to grab some lunch before heading to the docks. Alice and Leo had Happy Meals from McDonald’s, while Lawrence and I went for KFC — quick, easy and perfect before a busy afternoon. After lunch, we walked down towards the waterfront and the M&S Bank Arena. It’s about a 20-minute walk, but we took our time and had a little look around the docks, so it was probably closer to 30 minutes. We arrived at the arena around 1:40pm, with doors opening an hour before the show. Security was very straightforward — we walked through scanners, and although the website says you can’t bring outside food or drink, they didn’t say anything about the water and juice we had in our bags (I think they’re often more relaxed for family shows). Merchandise (and Expensive Bubble Wands!) As soon as we got inside, the kids were immediately drawn to the merchandise stands — there were lots of them around the arena which helped keep queues manageable. The merch is definitely pricey. We had planned to bring Alice’s Little Mermaid bubble wand from home, but it stopped working the night before, so we ended up buying a Mickey one at the venue for £33. That felt very expensive, so we just bought one for them to share — although it definitely added to the excitement once the show started. There were loads of options though — plush toys, light-up wands, costumes, T-shirts, popcorn buckets and more. Our Seats We were seated in Block 10, Row JJ, which is in the upper tier but still offered a really good central view of the ice. We could clearly see the characters and choreography, and it was actually a great perspective for the big ensemble numbers. I’d definitely sit there again. The Show — Pure Disney Magic From the moment the lights dimmed and the arena filled with colour, the atmosphere felt magical. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy opened the show before the stories began, which instantly had the kids excited — especially seeing Mickey and friends live for the first time. The show is made up of different Disney stories, which works really well for younger audiences because the pace stays fast and exciting. Beauty and the Beast This section featured a huge castle set and the iconic Be Our Guest  number, which was full of colour, energy and large ensemble skating. It was such a strong opening to the show, and the romantic Tale as Old as Time  duet between Belle and the Beast added a lovely fairytale moment. Coco The Coco segment looked completely different visually, with glowing skeleton costumes and vibrant lighting creating a Day of the Dead atmosphere. Even though I’m less familiar with the songs from this film, it was still really engaging to watch. Tangled Tangled was a big highlight for us — especially Alice, who absolutely loves Maximus the horse. Seeing him brought to life on the ice made her so happy. Rapunzel and Flynn’s aerial sequences added something really special, and one magical moment involved a child from the audience holding a lantern before releasing it as it soared up into the air. The arena went completely quiet watching it — such a lovely interactive touch. The big ensemble numbers I’ve Got a Dream  and Something That I Want  were really impressive too, filling the entire rink with movement and energy. Interval Snacks During the interval I caved and bought Alice the popcorn she really wanted — which came in a Mickey popcorn bucket for £15. Worth it? Probably for the memories 😄 Cinderella After the interval, Cinderella began with the Fairy Godmother casting her spell before Cinderella appeared in a beautiful transparent carriage that glided across the ice. The ballroom scene with the Prince was elegant and romantic, and the glass slipper search included audience interaction with characters pretending to try the shoe on audience members’ feet before finding Cinderella. Frozen Frozen was one of the biggest highlights for the audience. Snow effects, dramatic lighting and Elsa performing Let It Go  from an elevated staircase platform created a really powerful moment. Lots of children were singing along — including ours. Moana The finale story was Moana, featuring a moving boat set that travelled across the ice. Maui appeared early in the sequence, bringing humour and energy, followed by Tamatoa the giant crab during the Shiny  number — complete with disco-ball style lighting that scattered sparkles across the arena. It looked incredible. The show ended with a grand finale featuring characters from across the stories skating together before waving goodbye to the audience. Merchandise & Snack Prices There were multiple merchandise stands around the arena, which helped keep queues manageable, although prices are definitely on the higher side (which is fairly typical for arena shows like Disney On Ice). Here’s a full list of the merchandise available when we visited: Toys & Light-Up Items Mickey Light-Up Bubble Wand — £33 Stitch Bubble Gun — £26 Light-Up Wand (various designs) — £33 Spinning Wands (various designs) — £28 Light-Up Maui Hook — £33 Light-Up Tiara — £16 Mickey Binoculars — £15 Mickey on a Motorcycle Toy — £16 Mickey & Minnie Figurines — £16 Princess Figurines — £16 each Buzz Lightyear Light-Up Blaster — £26 Woody Hat — £14 Mickey Sword — £25 Plush Toys Stitch Plush — £32 Maui Plush — £35 Hei Hei Chicken Plush — £25 Pua Plush — £25 Thumper Plush — £32 Small Mickey Plush — £20 Small Minnie Plush — £20 Large Mickey Plush — £50 Large Minnie Plush — £50 Lightning McQueen Plush — £32 Princess Plush Dolls — £32 each Clothing & Accessories Mickey T-Shirt — £20 Princess Power T-Shirt — £20 Moana T-Shirt — £20 Olaf T-Shirt — £20 Princess Cap — £20 Necklaces — £14 Light-Up Ears — £28 Disney On Ice Reusable Bag — £5 Programme — £12 Snacks & Souvenirs Popcorn with Mickey Popcorn Bucket — £15 Candy Floss with Olaf Hat / Stitch Hat / Crown — £15–£16 Snow Cone with Character Cup — £14–£15 Photo Opportunity There was also a photo opportunity with an Olaf cardboard cut-out and icy backdrop: Standard Cardboard Frame — £13 Disney Character Frame — £16 💡 Top Tip:  If you already have Disney toys at home, it’s worth bringing them with you — many children were using toys they’d brought from previous visits. Sensory Notes There are occasional loud sound effects and flashes of lighting throughout the show, which add excitement but may be worth noting for younger or more noise-sensitive children. Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic Final Thoughts There’s no denying that Disney On Ice is completely magical . Sitting there listening to the songs and singing along with the kids definitely brought back all the nostalgic feelings for me too. What makes it special isn’t just the skating or the production — it’s seeing the joy on your children’s faces and sharing that excitement together. For Alice and Leo’s first time seeing Disney characters live, it couldn’t have been more perfect. A truly memory-making family experience. Tour Information Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic is touring the UK throughout 2026. You can find more information about the show and book tickets on the official Disney On Ice website. If you’d like to read a more detailed review of the production itself, including staging and performance insights, you can visit my full theatre review over on All About Theatre .

On Monday 23rd February, I headed into Manchester to see the first performance of the Mean Girls UK Tour at Manchester Opera House — and honestly, it turned into such a fun theatre night. The show started at 7:30pm, but I made an afternoon of it. I got the tram into town around 5pm, grabbed some food from KFC in the Manchester Arndale food court, and had a quick wander around Primark before walking up to the theatre. I arrived at the Opera House around 6:40pm, took a few photos outside, and then headed in to soak up the atmosphere before the show. Merch Stand & Pre-Show Experience One of the first things I always do when I arrive at a theatre is check the merch stand (I can’t resist adding to my collection), and Mean Girls had loads available. Some of the merch included: Logo T-shirt £30 Wednesdays T-shirt £30 Doesn’t Go Here Hoodie £48 Fetch cap £25 Fetch beanie £25 Socks £18 Get In Loser Tote Bag £15 Pin £9 Magnet £9 Cool Mom keyring £10 Badge set £10 Sticker set £8 Sexy Compact Mirror £12 You Go Glen Coco Bauble £15 Fans £10–£18 Cast and film soundtrack CDs £22 Queen Bee book £12 Programme £6 I bought a magnet and a programme for my collection — which felt very on brand for me! Seats & View — Budget Ticket Win Once the auditorium opened, I headed up to the Circle to find my seat. I was sitting in: Circle — Row Q, Seat 23 (£15 ticket) This is right at the back of the Circle, but the view was actually very good. I could see the stage clearly, and I’d definitely sit there again. It also felt like that row had slightly more legroom compared to some others I’ve experienced, which is always a bonus. I was in my seat by 7:05pm, so I had plenty of time to read through the programme before the show started. The Show Mean Girls is one of those films that I grew up loving, so I went in with a mix of excitement and curiosity about how it would translate to the stage — and it absolutely delivers. The story follows Cady Heron, who moves from being home-schooled in Africa to navigating the complicated world of American high school for the first time. She befriends outsiders Janis and Damian, who introduce her to the school’s social hierarchy — including the infamous Plastics, led by Regina George. What follows is a hilarious, chaotic and surprisingly relatable journey through friendship, identity and popularity, packed with iconic lines and big musical numbers. The production itself is energetic, funny and full of attitude. The music has huge pop energy, the choreography is sharp and dynamic, and visually it’s bright, modern and constantly moving. There are so many standout moments throughout the show, but Janis’ I’d Rather Be Me  is a real showstopper that gets a huge audience reaction. Interval Surprise The interval was around 20 minutes long, and during the break I realised my brother was actually sitting a few rows in front of me — which was a lovely surprise — so I went to chat with him before Act Two started. End of the Night The show finished at around 10pm after a runtime of approximately 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval), and I left the theatre feeling genuinely happy — the kind of feel-good theatre buzz you hope for. I loved it so much that I’m already hoping I can see it again before it leaves Manchester. Mean Girls UK Tour Final Thoughts Mean Girls is funny, nostalgic, energetic and completely fetch — a brilliant night out whether you grew up with the film or are discovering the story for the first time. It’s one of those shows that feels perfect for a girls’ night, a theatre treat, or just a fun evening in the city. And honestly… for a £15 ticket, it was an absolute bargain. ⭐ A fabulously pink, feel-good night that proves the Plastics still rule Mean Girls The Musical will be at the Manchester Opera House until Saturday 7th March 2026. Tickets are available to book via the official ATG Tickets website . For more information about the show, you can visit the official Mean Girls The Musical website . If you’d like to read a more detailed review of the production, including staging and performance insights, you can find my full theatre review over on All About Theatre .

A fun St Patrick’s Day craft you can make at home If you're celebrating St Patrick’s Day or planning a themed party, this DIY Leprechaun Hat craft is a fun activity to try with the kids. Made using simple materials like coloured card, scissors and glue, this craft creates a wearable leprechaun hat that’s perfect for dress-up, parties, school celebrations or festive photos. The best part is that you can measure the hat to fit your child’s head, so it’s comfortable to wear while they hunt for pots of gold or pretend to be mischievous leprechauns. Let’s get started! What You Will Need Measuring tape 4 × A4 green card 2 × 12 × 12 pieces of green card (or two A4 sheets glued together) 1 × A3 black card (or two A4 sheets glued together) 1 × A4 yellow card Double-sided tape or glue Scissors Pencil Compass (optional) Step-by-Step Instructions For Your 1. Measure Your Child’s Head Use a measuring tape to measure around your child’s head. Add 1 cm to this measurement so the hat fits comfortably. Example:If your child’s head measures 53 cm, add 1 cm so the final measurement is 54 cm. 2. Create the Hat Cylinder Cut a piece of green card that is: 13 cm high ( 5 inch ) × your child’s head measurement + 3 cm ( 1 inch ) Example: Leo's head measured 53 cm (21 inch), I need to add 3 cm to this so my card would need to be: 13 cm (5 inch ) × 56 cm (21 inch ) If your card isn’t long enough, simply glue two pieces of card together. 3. Make the Tabs Draw a line 1 inch from the top of the card. Draw another line 1 inch from the bottom of the card. Fold or score along both lines to create tabs. On one of the tabs, cut triangle-shaped teeth along the edge. 4. Form the Hat Shape Place glue or double-sided tape on one short edge of the card. Attach the other short edge to create a cylinder shape. The triangle teeth should be at the top of the cylinder. Fold the triangle teeth inwards. 5. Create the Top of the Hat Place the cylinder on top of another piece of green card and draw around it. (If you want to be more precise, measure the diameter of the cylinder, divide it in half to find the radius, and use a compass to draw the circle.) Cut out the circle. Place the circle onto another piece of green card, draw around it and cut out a second identical circle. 6. Fit the Inside Circle Check if one of the circles fits inside the cylinder. If it’s slightly too large, trim it until it fits snugly. This circle will form the inside top of the hat. Add glue or double-sided tape around the edge and middle of this circle. Place it inside the hat and push it up until it touches the folded triangle teeth. 7. Attach the Top Add glue or double-sided tape to the second circle. Turn the cylinder upside down and press it onto the glued circle. The two circles will stick together, sealing the top of the hat. 8. Create the Hat Brim On the t ab at the botton of the cylinder, cut straight slits along the edge to create small tabs and fold them outwards Take one of your 12 × 12 green card sheets. Place the hat in the centre and draw around it. Measure the diameter of this circle and draw another circle 10cm (4 inches) larger around it. Cut around the outer circle. Fold the circle in half and cut out the inner circle to create a halo shape. 9. Double the Brim Place this halo shape onto another piece of green card and draw around it. Cut it out so you now have two halo shapes . 10. Attach the Brim Add glue or tape to one halo and slide it down over the hat. Stick it to the bottom tabs. Turn the hat upside down and place the second halo on top of the first. Press them together so the tabs are sandwiched between the two layers. You should now have the full hat shape. 11. Add the Hat Band Take your A3 black card and cut a strip 5 cm (2 inches) wide. Wrap the strip around the hat and glue it into place. 12. Make the Buckle Cut a rectangle from the yellow card measuring: 5 cm (2 inches) × 8cm (3 inches) Draw a 2cm (1 inch) × 5cm (2 inch) rectangle inside it and cut it out so it forms a buckle shape. Glue the buckle onto the black strip at the front of the hat. Optional Decoration For an extra festive touch, cut a shamrock from a different shade of green card and glue it onto the hat. Your DIY Leprechaun Hat is Finished! 🍀 Your Leprechaun hat is now ready to wear. This craft is perfect for: St Patrick’s Day parties School dress-up days Irish celebrations Craft afternoons with the kids You could even make a whole set of hats for a St Patrick’s Day party so everyone can join in the fun. Happy crafting

A simple St Patrick’s Day decoration you can make at home If you're decorating your home for St Patrick’s Day, this DIY Shamrock Paper Chain is a fun and easy craft to make with the kids. Using just coloured card and a few basic craft supplies, you can create a festive shamrock garland that looks great hung across a wall, fireplace, doorway or party table. This craft is also perfect for using up different shades of green card, which makes the finished paper chain look even more colourful and festive. Let’s get crafting! What You Will Need Paper trimmer, guillotine or scissors A4 green card (it looks best if you use several different shades of green) Stapler, double-sided tape or glue Step-by-Step Instructions 1. Cut the Card Strips Take a piece of A4 green card and cut it into 1-inch strips across the length of the card. You will use these strips to create the shamrock leaves. 2. Create the First Leaf Take one strip of card and fold it in half to form a V shape. Next, fold the two ends of the strip inward so that they meet at the top of the V. This should create a heart shape, which will form one of the shamrock leaves. Secure the ends together. I usually staple them when making these myself. If younger children are helping, double-sided tape or glue may be safer. 3. Make Three Leaves To make one shamrock you will need three heart shapes. Repeat the same process two more times using strips in the same colour. 4. Join Two Leaves Take two of the hearts and staple or glue them together at the sides so they sit next to each other. 5. Create the Stem Take another strip of card in the same colour and cut it in half. This piece will form the stem of the shamrock. Place the stem along the side of one of the leaves. Now place the third heart next to it and staple everything together so the three hearts form a shamrock shape. Gently bend the stem backwards slightly to give it a more natural look. Your first shamrock is now finished! 6. Make More Shamrocks Repeat the process to create as many shamrocks as you need for your paper chain. Using different shades of green will make the finished decoration look even more colourful. 7. Link the Shamrocks Together Take a piece of A4 card in a different shade of green. Cut a 1-inch strip across the width of the card, then cut it in half. Use this strip to link two shamrocks together by threading it through two of the leaves and securing the ends together. (You can staple, glue or tape the strip.) Repeat this process until all your shamrocks are connected, forming a shamrock paper chain garland. Your Shamrock Paper Chain is Finished! 🍀 Your DIY shamrock paper chain is now ready to decorate your home. It’s perfect for: St Patrick’s Day parties Classroom decorations Decorating a fireplace or doorway A fun craft afternoon with the kids You can make the chain as long or as short as you like, depending on how many shamrocks you create. Happy crafting!

If you’re looking for a fun and simple St Patrick’s Day treat to make at home, these Pretzel Shamrocks are perfect. They’re quick to make, only need a few ingredients, and are a lovely activity to do with children. The salty pretzels combined with sweet white chocolate make a delicious little snack, and the shamrock shape makes them perfect for St Patrick’s Day parties, school events, or themed family movie nights. Best of all, they look impressive but are incredibly easy to make! 🍀 Ingredients Mini pretzels Pretzel sticks 250g bar of white chocolate Green chocolate food colouring 🧁 Equipment Baking paper (or greaseproof paper) Baking tray Microwave Microwave-safe bowl Spoon Toothpick or lolly stick (for adding colouring) 🍀 How To Make Pretzel Shamrocks 1. Prepare your tray Line a baking tray with baking or greaseproof paper. This will stop the chocolate sticking while the shamrocks set. 2. Melt the chocolate Break the white chocolate into small pieces and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate in 20 second bursts, stirring between each burst until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. 3. Colour the chocolate Dip a toothpick or lolly stick into the green chocolate food colouring and stir it into the melted chocolate. If your colouring comes in a dropper, add a couple of drops at a time, stirring between each addition until you reach your desired shade of green. 4. Dip the pretzels Take a mini pretzel and dip it into the melted chocolate, making sure it is fully covered. Gently shake off any excess chocolate and place the pretzel onto the lined baking tray. Repeat this step two more times, placing the pretzels next to each other so they form the three leaves of a shamrock. 5. Add the stem Take a pretzel stick and break it in half. Dip one half into the chocolate, shake off the excess, and place it underneath the three pretzels so it looks like the stem of the shamrock. (The other half can be used for your next shamrock.) 6. Join everything together Using a spoon, drizzle a little extra chocolate over the points where the pretzels and the stem meet. This will help everything stick together once the chocolate sets. 7. Repeat Continue making shamrocks until you run out of chocolate.From one batch I managed to make around 16 shamrocks. 8. Let them set Place the tray in the fridge for about 15 minutes until the chocolate has completely set. Once set, you can trim away any excess chocolate with a knife. 🍀 Ready To Serve Your pretzel shamrocks are now ready to enjoy! They make a brilliant addition to: St Patrick’s Day parties School celebrations Lunchbox treats A fun themed snack for family movie night 🥨 Storage Store the shamrocks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. 🍀 Final Thoughts These pretzel shamrocks are one of those treats that are simple, fun and surprisingly effective. They’re quick to put together, children can easily help with the dipping and arranging, and they make a lovely festive snack. If you’re planning a St Patrick’s Day celebration at home, they’re a great little treat to add to the table.

A Joyful Family Theatre Experience with Plenty of Peppa Magic Taking young children to the theatre can sometimes feel like a bit of a leap, so finding a show that’s colourful, engaging and genuinely family-friendly is always a win. Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show  at The Lowry turned out to be exactly that — a joyful, low-stress theatre trip that worked beautifully for our family. We were kindly invited to review Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show  at The Lowry on Saturday 7th February at 11am, and it turned into such a lovely family outing for us. The show was on in The Lowry’s Lyric Theatre, and we were seated in the stalls, row K, seats 15–18. We had an excellent view from these seats, with a clear sightline to the stage and plenty of space for the kids to see what was going on. Booster seats were available too, which is always reassuring — we spotted them by both side doors in the stalls (doors B and J), making them easy to grab if needed. Getting There & Facilities We travelled by tram, which couldn’t have been easier, as there’s a stop right by The Lowry. If you’re travelling by car instead, there’s a multi-storey car park just a three-minute walk away, which is really convenient for families. There was also a pram/trolley park near the cloakroom, so if you’re bringing a pushchair, you don’t have to worry about squeezing it into the auditorium. The Show Experience Although Alice (8) and Leo (6) are slightly older than the usual target age range, they’re both still huge Peppa Pig fans and were incredibly excited — especially to see baby Evie Pig  on stage. The show itself is colourful, gentle and very familiar, feeling just like stepping into a Peppa Pig episode brought to life. Alice was completely captivated by baby Evie from the moment she appeared, with the biggest smile on her face, while Leo absolutely loved the bubbles and water effects — anything involving bubbles is always a winner for him. There’s lots of audience participation throughout, but it’s done in a very relaxed and inclusive way. One of the highlights for us was musical statues. Alice isn’t usually one to join in, but as soon as they announced musical statues, she was straight up dancing and having the best time. Both kids also loved singing along, especially to the Bing Bong song, and Splish Splash in Muddy Puddles  has been stuck in my head ever since. A Lovely Staff Moment Once the show finished, we headed out — and I suddenly realised I didn’t have my phone. Panic set in, but the staff were absolutely amazing. One of the team suggested checking with the box office and said she’d look in the auditorium. While I was at the box office, she came out with my phone, which had slipped down the side of the chair. I was so grateful. Every member of staff and volunteer we spoke to was friendly, calm and genuinely helpful, which turned a stressful moment into a really reassuring one. Merchandise There was plenty of merchandise available , with a stall in the foyer as well as staff walking around inside the auditorium selling items. Some of the merch on offer included: Spinning light-up George wand – £13 Light-up dinosaur wand – £9 Dinosaur plush – £15 Teddy plush – £14 George plush in dinosaur outfit – £17 Peppa in rainbow dress plush – £19 Duck plush teether – £5 Peppa bag – £13 Peppa tote-style bag – £8 Peppa backpack – £12 George Peppa Pig Live  T-shirt – £17 Peppa Peppa Pig Live  T-shirt – £17 Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show  sticker book – £5 Peppa Pig Fun Day Out  activity book – £3 After the show, they were also selling Peppa balloons  — I didn’t catch the exact price, but they’re usually around £6–£8 . Final Thoughts Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show  was a really lovely theatre experience for our family. It’s colourful, interactive and perfectly pitched for younger audiences, while still offering plenty of moments that older siblings can enjoy — especially if they already love Peppa. Between the easy travel, helpful facilities, friendly staff and a show that kept both Alice and Leo engaged, it felt like a genuinely stress-free family day out — and that’s always a win. A joyful, bubble-filled visit to the theatre that left us all smiling 🐷✨ Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show will be showing at The Lowry until Sunday, 8th February 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below. Click Me For more information about the show, please click the link below to visit the official website. Click Me Photo Credit - Mark Senior *Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.

During February half term we were looking for something fun to do that was close to home and wouldn’t cost a fortune. I came across the Spies, Lies and Deception exhibition at Imperial War Museum North and thought it might be perfect for Alice, who is currently obsessed with spies and is always pretending to be a secret agent at home. On Wednesday morning Lawrence had been working an early shift and got home at about 10:30am, and not long after that we left the house around 11:45am to catch the tram to the museum. Despite living quite close to Imperial War Museum North, I realised this was actually the first time I had ever visited. I’ve always been more interested in ancient history than wartime history, so I had never really thought about going before — but this exhibition sounded really interesting, especially for the kids. Getting There Getting to the museum by tram is really easy. There’s a tram stop right outside the museum, but on this occasion we got the MediaCityUK tram, which stops just around the corner. From there it’s only a short walk across the bridge to reach the museum. We arrived at around 12:30pm and after a quick bag check at the entrance, the friendly staff explained what was on at the museum and pointed out where the facilities were. When you walk into the main entrance, the gift shop is on the left and the café is on the right. At the far end are the toilets, and opposite them there’s a wall of lockers where you can leave coats and bags if you don’t want to carry them around the museum. You’ll need a £1 coin to use the lockers, although you do get the coin back afterwards. We had come specifically to see the Spies, Lies and Deception  exhibition, which is located on the first floor. The stairs and lifts to the exhibition are just past the shop on the left. Entering the Exhibition When we entered the exhibition, the first thing we did was watch a short animated video introduction, which sets the scene and explains the world of espionage and deception. After that we walked through into the Mission Room, where the interactive elements begin. In the Mission Room there were trench coats and hats hanging on pegs, with both children’s and adult sizes, so visitors could dress up as spies and take photos. Alice absolutely loved this and immediately wanted to try it on. Leo isn’t keen on dressing up though, so he decided to skip that part. Alice was so excited that she wanted to keep the spy outfit on while we explored the exhibition — and since it was fairly quiet I let her wear it as we walked around. The Secret Mission Trail On a desk in the Mission Room there were Secret Mission booklets and pencils that visitors could pick up. The booklet explained that your mission was to find five people hidden around the exhibition and uncover their secrets by answering questions about them. Lawrence went off around the exhibition with Leo, while Alice and I followed the trail together. Alice quickly turned it into a game of her own. In her version of the story she was the spy and I was her assistant, and we had to sneak around the museum hiding from other visitors while searching for clues. She had so much fun with this and it really brought the whole exhibition to life for her. Learning About Real Spy Stories While we were following the mission trail, we also spent time looking at the different displays and learning about real stories of espionage. The exhibition is divided into five sections: Mission Room Using Deception Uncovering Deception Being Deceived Debriefing Room There are lots of fascinating objects on display showing the creativity and ingenuity behind spy operations — including disguised weapons, hidden gadgets and forged documents. One story that particularly caught my attention was Operation Mincemeat, a daring Second World War deception plan involving fake military documents planted on a body to mislead the enemy. I actually had tickets to see the Operation Mincemeat  musical the following week, so it was really interesting learning about the real history behind the story beforehand. The exhibition also tells the story of Noor Inayat Khan, the first female SOE wireless operator sent into occupied France during the war. Her story is incredibly powerful and shows the real human risks behind espionage work. Interactive Fun One of Alice’s favourite parts of the exhibition was the camouflage wall, where visitors can put on camouflage clothing and see how well they blend into the background. She found this hilarious and spent ages trying to disappear into the pattern. The interactive elements really help bring the exhibition to life, especially for younger visitors. Completing the Mission Once Alice had filled in all the answers in her mission booklet, we headed to the Debriefing Room. Here we entered the answers into a digital screen, which helped us crack the final code word. After that we went down to the gift shop, told them the code word, and Alice was given a badge as a reward for completing the mission. She was so pleased with herself — it really made the whole experience feel like a proper spy adventure. How Long to Spend We spent about an hour exploring the exhibition and left at around 1:30pm. Most families will probably spend 45–60 minutes in the exhibition as part of a wider visit to the museum. Practical Information 📅 Dates:  29 November 2025 – 31 August 2026 📍 Location:  Imperial War Museum North, Manchester 💰 Cost:  Free entry 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Suitable for families  (reading age around 8+, but younger children can still enjoy the interactive parts) There’s also a café and gift shop at the museum if you want to make a longer day out of your visit. Final Thoughts I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect before visiting the Spies, Lies and Deception  exhibition, especially as wartime history isn’t usually my main area of interest. But we all ended up really enjoying it. The mix of real historical stories, fascinating spy gadgets and interactive elements makes it both educational and genuinely fun. For Alice and Leo, the Secret Mission trail and dressing up as spies were definitely the highlights. Watching Alice sneak around the exhibition whispering about secret missions was one of those moments that just makes a family day out feel special. If you’re looking for a free family activity in Manchester, especially during school holidays, this exhibition is definitely worth visiting. ⭐ A fascinating, hands-on exhibition that turns visitors into spies for the day — and proves learning history can be a real adventure. Watch Our Visit in Weekly Vlog #442 If you’d like to see what we got up to during our visit to the Spies, Lies and Deception exhibition at Imperial War Museum North, you can watch it in Weekly Vlog #442  below. Our trip to the museum starts at 17:42  in the video, although the vlog also includes some other moments from our week.

Some weeks feel busy, others feel slow and cosy — and this one felt like a really lovely mix of both. From bargain toy finds and happy kids, to theatre nights, creative projects and a big food win for Leo, this week was full of small moments that meant a lot. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 19th – 25th January. ASDA Bargains & Happy Kids 🛍️ On Monday, I headed to ASDA with my dad to do a bit of shopping. Mum was supposed to come too, but she wasn’t feeling great, so it ended up just being the two of us. I mainly needed some boring essentials like new leggings and shampoo, but I ended up finding the biggest bargain ever — Rainbow Friends plushies  reduced from £7.50 to just £2.50 each . Alice has been asking for them for ages, so I got orange for Alice and yellow for Leo . When I gave them the toys, their faces absolutely lit up. They were so excited and gave me the biggest hugs. £5 very well spent, and they spent the whole evening playing together with their new toys — which honestly made my heart melt. Theatre Night at The Lowry 🎭 On Tuesday, I spent the day updating the blog and then in the evening I headed to The Lowry  to review Murder at Midnight  (gifted tickets). Performed by Original Theatre, Murder at Midnight  is a darkly comic comedy thriller written by Torben Betts and directed by Philip Franks. Set on New Year’s Eve, the play opens after a violent incident before rewinding to show how everything spirals completely out of control. At the centre of the chaos is Jonny “The Cyclops” Drinkwater, a one-eyed gangster returning home expecting celebration and reunion, but instead finding a house full of secrets, tensions and far too many people with something to hide. An undercover policeman posing as a priest, a jittery burglar in a clown mask, a clairvoyant mother and her terrified carer all collide under one roof, leading to a fast-paced story full of misunderstandings, sharp dialogue and escalating mayhem. Rather than a traditional whodunnit, the play leans into farce and dark comedy, blending crime, absurdity and theatrical excess into a night that is knowingly grisly but consistently entertaining. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Reviews, Reels & Creative Work 🎬 Wednesday was a proper home admin day. I spent the day writing up my Murder at Midnight review, creating a reel and social media posts to go with it, and also started working on something new — a brand new intro for my theatre YouTube videos. I’ve wanted to refresh my channel visuals for a while, so it felt really exciting to finally start bringing it all together and seeing it slowly take shape. York Day Trip & More Editing 🚆 On Thursday, Lawrence went on a day trip to York , where he visited York Minster  and The Yorkshire Museum , and he had a great time. While he was out and the kids were at school, I stayed home and carried on working on my theatre intro and also made an outro video  as well. It felt really productive and creative — one of those days where you actually feel like you’ve achieved something. Housework & An Exciting Delivery 📦 Friday and Saturday were mainly housework and editing days, but I did get an exciting delivery on Saturday — the stack cutter  I bought so I can make notebooks and planners more easily. I still haven’t opened it yet because life has been busy, but I’m so excited to try it out and start making more of my own stationery and creative projects. Blog Time & A Big Food Win 💛 On Sunday, Lawrence took the kids to the park while I stayed home working on my blog: https://sarahlouisemonaghan.wixsite.com/sarah-monaghan It’s almost exactly how I want it now — I just need to finish organising all the blog posts into their new categories, and I’m really happy with the new design and layout. We ended the week with homemade chicken fajitas , and we even managed to get Leo to try some , which was a huge win. He’s a very fussy eater and only eats a small range of foods, so moments like that feel massive for us. Final Thoughts 💛 This week felt like one of those really nice, balanced weeks — a mix of everyday life, creative work, theatre and cosy family moments. From bargain toy finds and happy hugs, to theatre and a fussy eater trying something new, it was full of little wins that made it feel really special. Sometimes it’s not the big events, but the small moments that really make a week memorable. Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #438  — come and join us for all the behind-the-scenes moments, shopping finds, theatre nights and cosy family life.

Some weeks feel non-stop busy, and others feel calmer and creative — and this one was a really good mix of both. From a rare grown-up theatre date night and lots of behind-the-scenes blog work, to crafty experiments and helping Leo with a school project, this week was full of creative moments and little wins. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 26th January – 1st February. Big Night of Musicals & A Grown-Up Date Night 🎭 On Monday, I spent most of the day at home editing YouTube videos while Lawrence was working an early shift. In the evening, the kids went to their grandparents, which meant Lawrence and I could head into Manchester for a proper night out — something that doesn’t happen very often. We were lucky enough to attend The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals  at the AO Arena, which has become one of our absolute favourite theatre nights of the year. Tickets are released for free each year as a thank you to National Lottery players, with just a small booking fee, and we’ve somehow managed to get tickets every single year since the event began. This year felt very grown-up — no kids, no school runs, just the two of us. We got the tram into Victoria Station, which is right next to the arena, and despite how busy it was, everything ran really smoothly getting inside. We were seated in Block 214, Row R, right at the back of the upper tier. We were very high up, but the view was actually much better than expected, and being near the side of the stage meant we could see everything clearly without needing to rely on the screens. The atmosphere before the show even started was incredible, with music, singalongs and a real buzz around the arena. Once the performances began, it was just non-stop magic. The opening Lion King  performance was absolutely breathtaking, with performers and puppets moving through the audience. Some standout moments for me included Sam Ryder in Jesus Christ Superstar , Ava Brennan in Oliver! , the Annie  performance with children from Oldham, and the huge singalong with The Choir of Man . One of my favourite moments of the night was the Disney medley, introduced by Alan Menken and performed by Mae Ann Jorolan, Lucy Jones and Trevor Dion Nicholas, alongside young performers from local training programmes. It was such a special reminder of what this event is really about. When we got home, Lawrence went straight to bed as he’d been up since 3am, while I stayed up filming my YouTube review — tired but still buzzing from the night. Reviews, Videos & Shrink Plastic Experiments 🎬 Tuesday was a very productive day. I wrote my reviews of Big Night of Musicals, edited my vlog and review video, and finally tried out printable shrink plastic to make charms of my theatre characters. There was a lot of trial and error involved — adjusting colour settings so the designs wouldn’t oversaturate when they shrank, and figuring out how to get my Cricut to cut them properly. I didn’t have a deep-point blade at first, so I had to use several repeat cuts, but once it worked, it felt so worth it. I baked them in my mini oven at 160°C for around 5–10 minutes, flattened them under a heavy book, and was honestly so impressed with how they turned out. Next on the list is finishing them with UV resin so they can become proper pins. Blog Work, Editing & Craft Deliveries 🖥️📦 Wednesday through to Saturday were mainly spent working on my blog and YouTube content. I redesigned some pages, rewrote older reviews so they work better on the site, and did more video editing. On Friday, I had a craft delivery arrive from Hobbycraft. I ordered a deep-point blade for my Cricut, replacement fine-point blades, and a new green mat. They had a buy-two-get-one-free offer on Cricut accessories, and I also had a 15% off code, so it felt like a really good deal. I also picked up some UV resin, a UV light, pin backs, and sublimation pen blanks, which I’m hoping to experiment with using my old air fryer. An Arctic School Project with Leo ❄️ On Sunday, I helped Leo create an Arctic habitat for school. We used a cardboard cake box, cotton balls and tissue paper for the snow and water, and a printed background. I also cut out Arctic animals on my Cricut, which he then stuck into his scene. He decided he wanted to add an igloo, so I attempted to make one using plaster cast strips. It didn’t turn out quite as planned — and in hindsight, air-drying or polymer clay would probably have worked better — but the finished scene looked great, and Leo was so proud of it. Seeing how happy he was with it made all the effort completely worth it. Final Thoughts 💛 This week felt busy but really fulfilling — a lovely mix of theatre, creativity, behind-the-scenes work and family time. From a rare grown-up theatre date night and creative experiments, to blog progress and a school project Leo was proud of, it was full of small moments that made it feel really special. Sometimes it’s not the biggest events, but the little wins that make a week memorable. Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #439  below. It includes our night at Big Night of Musicals, some of my creative projects, and a glimpse of everyday family life.