Category: families

As the Bounce Back Movement challenge continues, we reflect on the benefits of getting outside. The Bounce Back Movement challenge takes place every May and encourages children to exercise every day for 30 mins. You can read more about this challenge here! Physical activity has many benefits on our minds and bodies, and being in a […]

As the Bounce Back Movement challenge continues, we reflect on the benefits of group activity. The Bounce Back Movement challenge takes place every May and encourages children to exercise every day for 30 mins. You can read more about this challenge here! In the last blog we published, we shared our thoughts on the benefits of […]

As the Bounce Back Movement challenge continues, we reflect on the benefits of exercising. The Bounce Back Movement challenge takes place every May and encourages children to exercise every day for 30 mins. You can read more about this challenge here. Physical activity is important to grow and strengthen children’s muscles and bones, prevents excessive […]

Every May, Citywise runs something called the Bounce Back Movement Challenge for a selected group of classes that are taking part in term-time mentoring projects at our partner schools. The Bounce Back Movement Challenge aims to get children moving and exercising! It was started after the pandemic with the aim of supporting children to bounce […]

With the escalating war in Ukraine dominating our news, social media feeds and conversations, many of us are feeling overwhelmed and worried. But it can be easy to forget that the children in our lives will also be aware of the news – to different degrees depending on their age and exposure to media – […]

The week beginning 7th February is Children’s Mental Health Awareness week! On social media, you may have seen Citywise posting top tips that help our children’s mental health. The next few blog posts will not only be expanding on those tips, but also sharing activities that families can do at home to be aware of […]

The week beginning 7th February is Children’s Mental Health Awareness week! On social media, you may have seen Citywise posting top tips that help our children’s mental health. The next few blog posts will not only be expanding on those tips, but also sharing activities that families can do at home to be aware of […]

The week beginning 7th February is Children’s Mental Health Awareness week! On social media, you may have seen Citywise posting top tips that help our children’s mental health. The next few blog posts will not only be expanding on those tips, but also sharing activities that families can do at home to be aware of […]

Change can be scary for everyone, and for children it can feel unpredictable, daunting, and exciting all at once. This activity is a helpful way to encourage children to develop a sense of hope in the face of uncertainty, by inspiring helpful conversations about things to look forward to in the future. Hope is one […]

This is a perfect activity to get the children involved in – there’s a role for everybody when making Oreo Truffles! Why not print this recipe out and see if your children can follow it? You’ll not only impress your friends and family with the delicious result of this recipe, but it’s a great opportunity […]

At Citywise when we speak about kindness, we like to speak about kindness to ourselves, kindness to others and kindness to the planet. This last category is just as important as the others. One big way we can be kind to the planet is to to help the environment become a cleaner space. To do […]

The Fork Fireworks activity will help you to express yourself through creativity! You’ll create a colourful picture for you to hang up on your fridge and this is a great thing to do as a family, so make sure to get everyone involved! You’re probably familiar with the tale of Guy Fawkes night. It started years and […]

Making a mindfulness glitter jar is a great activity for the whole family. The jar can help children and adults feel relaxed, reflect on their thoughts and explore what mindfulness is. Here’s how we make Mindfulness Glitter Jars! Our minds are so powerful! When we feel a negative emotion it doesn’t only affect our hearts, […]

How can we develop a Growth Mindset? It’s one of the first topics we cover as it is fundamental within our mentoring curriculum.

(2 minute read) It’s not everyday that character-development experts from the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, choose you for a prestigious grant and two-year partnership. But in 2018, that’s exactly what happened to us, and we’ve spoken a lot about it since then (wouldn’t you?). That’s because it has helped […]

Although we’re living in unusual times it’s comforting to know that the nature is still doing its thing! The sun continues to rise and set every day, flowers are blooming, leaves are changing colour; there is so much to see and appreciate.  Nature is good for you Spending time in green space is beneficial to […]

21 Jan 2021 **THE HALF TERM CAMP IS NOW FULL** We’re so pleased to be able to offer new activities and groups to children aged 8-12 in Manchester starting in February! Take a look through the details, and please sign your children up using the link.  Any of the older children in our Citywise community […]

(4 minute read) Lockdown has given us the opportunity to ‘reinvent’ our families, be present, support each other, and find new ways to teach and learn. In the midst of big changes, we can still create positive memories, spend quality family time and make sure everyone is well, inside and out! These 5 simple ways […]

(1 minute read) We all love being on the receiving end of kindness. A kind word, a friendly smile or help before we’ve even asked for it. Scientists love to talk about the ‘ripple effect’ and how one simple act of kindness can spark another, and another, and another! Kindness can take courage. It can […]

As the UK heads into another lockdown, the team at Citywise want to send all teachers, parents and children a big lockdown hug! Yeti sends you all the love! The Citywise Yeti wants to remind you all that this time of lockdown and waiting will be over one day…but not YET! If you’re feeling frustrated […]

A different kind of Christmas, but a very special one! Even though we can’t interact in the normal ways this Christmas we have still gathered and celebrated in every way we can! This December, children in our communities have gathered for two Christmas sessions and we’ve hosted a Family Drop-In too! We’ve been able to […]