Cheap & Cheerful Ideas for Spring 2026

It's that time of year when we really want to get out and about with our children but we are still feeling the pinch after Christmas. February Half Term is lurking and we need some suggestions. So here we go with a few ideas...

• Playgrounds - there are so many great playgrounds around, some in Romford and some a little further afield. We love to go a little further and visit somewhere different.  Check our our Top 10 Playgrounds here
• Trails - there so many trails to do that the kids will love. Just remember while the trails may be free, there will be parking costs at most of the venues. In addition to the trails mentioned in our article here,  there is also the new Stick Man trail at Thames Chase which has just launched.
• Parks & Woodland we are so lucky in Havering to have so many great country parks to explore. Get the wellies on and let the kids do some splashing in muddy puddles! Check out some suggestions here
• Beaches - ok so its not beach weather I agree, but we love to go hunting for shells or pretty pebbles at this time of year. A day by the sea is invigorating and not too busy either. Beaches near us
• Pets Corner Harlow - this is a great free venue to visit although they do rely on donations. Pets Corner can be found in Harlow Town Park which is another new park to explore and get to know. Parking charges will apply.
• Planes - we love to go and watch the planes at either Damyns Aerodrome at Upminster or Stapleford Airfield at Stapleford Abbots. Both have a cafe with an enclosed garden area so you can enjoy a coffee while the kids enjoy the planes. 
• Mighty Mornings at Vue - bargain cinema visits for just £2.49 per person on weekend and daily during school holidays
• Feed the ducks/geese - Why not feed the ducks at Raphael Park or Langtons Gardens (you might even spot a couple of turtles in the lake here!) or visit the swans at Harrow Lodge Park. It's not recommended to feed the birds bread any more but you can get some ideas of what to feed them here
• Farms - Wellgate Community Farm is open daily and is free to visit. You can also visit Foxburrows Farm in Hainault County Park which is free to visit although there are parking charges here. 
• Percy The Park Keeper - pop down to Raphael Park and visit this local hero - Percy can be found as you walk past the lake, take the path to the left. This has recently been resurfaced which will make it more easily accessible now. 
• Havering Museum is free for children to visit, adults pay just £3. It's open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Updates Loading...

Please bear with us while we update the information held on Mum's guide to Romford.

There are over 1100 business listed in our directory and it will take considerable time to go through them all and ensure that all of these listings are up to date.

There will also be updates coming for Easter! Watch this space!

Wild World Heroes

Summer Reading Challenge 2021

We are very pleased to say that we are back with a physical Summer Reading Challenge this year – with a couple of adaptations to make it as safe as possible for families to take part.

Registration opens on Saturday 10th July at all 10 Havering Libraries.

Background

The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at all children aged 4-11 years old.  The Challenge is for them to read 6 books over the summer holidays – a time when reading levels often dip.  It is a very successful national reading initiative that has been running for over 20 years.

This Year's Theme – Wild World Heroes

We have teamed up with the WWF to deliver a Challenge all about wildlife, nature and protecting the environment.  So a very topical theme.

How to take part

Children will need to visit their local library to register from 10th July onwards.  They will be given a pack that includes a collector's folder, six stickers, a book review sheet, a 'How to Take Part' leaflet and a couple of other surprises.  If they are not already members of the library they can join straight away.  On this first visit they can also borrow all 6 books or just take a couple to start them off. 

They can choose any books – whatever interests them - fiction, nonfiction, poetry, joke books etc.  But they must be library books.  They are welcome to visit the library to choose more books as many times as they want to over the holidays.  But they should be aware that on occasion they may have to queue due to social distancing guidelines.

They then go away and start reading their books.  This year we are asking parents/carers to talk to their children at home about the books that they have been reading and to hand out one sticker at a time after they have read each book.   Children will also need to fill in the book review sheet with a short piece about the book or draw a picture on the review sheet.

Unfortunately we won't be having library staff or volunteers in our libraries to talk to the children about each book they have read this year.  Hopefully we'll be able to return to doing this next year.

When all 6 books have been read, they should return the completed book review sheet to the library, where a member of staff will mark down that the child has completed the challenge and all children who have completed the challenge will receive a certificate and medal in school in the Autumn term (library staff will deliver the certificates and medals to each school).