Family Life

A generation of children are growing up without experiencing simple pleasures such as splashing in puddles or mud, building a sandcastle - or even making daisy chains, a study has revealed.

Researchers found a whole range of traditional nature activities could soon become a thing of the past as children spend their spare time playing computer games, watching TV or just hanging out with friends instead.

Playing in open spaces and woodland, planting their own seeds and climbing trees are also among the activities a large number of today’s youngsters have never tried.

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Bikeability cycle training is helping families in Devon to cycle together, according to a new survey by Devon County Council.

The survey results come as the County Council has successfully secured £264,000 of funding from the Department for Transport to provide cycle training for another 6,600 children in 2015/16.

Bikeability is a national initiative providing “cycling proficiency” for the 21st century which has been adopted by Devon County Council as the cycle training standard in the county.

Just over 350 parents in Devon completed the County Council’s Bikeability...

Visit The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth during the Easter holidays to take part in Donkey Grooming and a spectacular Easter Holiday Hunt.

The Sanctuary’s Easter activities will be taking place between Friday 27 March and Sunday 12 April and are sure to be a hit with children of all ages. Donkey Grooming takes place daily between 10.30am-2.30pm and, at £3 per person, is the perfect opportunity to make friends with some of the charity’s rescued donkeys.

Explore the Sanctuary’s walks and woodlands with the chocolatey Easter Holiday Hunt or get your daily dose of fresh air by...

Every day from 28 March to 12 April, Killerton near Exeter are hosting their annual National Trust Cadbury Easter Egg Trail.

Little tots to big kids are invited to unleash their inner Eggsplorer at Killerton, crack the clues and earn their Cadbury chocolate Egghead prize.

Killerton’s prize Egghead, Bryony Wilde, said: “The challenge is to keep your eyes peeled for signs of the legendary dragon that lives on Killerton’s extinct volcano and find hidden gems nestled in the garden, swings, dens and climbing frames along the way.’

Bryony continued: ‘It costs £2 to take...