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- Irish Examiner
Tots to Teens: Bugs and beasties for nature lovers
Get in touch with nature by taking part in the Wild Garden Adventures series at the National Botanic Gardens.
These interactive events start tomorrow, July 23, and continue weekly until August 27.
First up is a 'Biodiversity — Bugs & Beasties', which will introduce children to the bugs and creatures found in various habitats in the gardens.
Next is the 'Budding Botanist', which will involve an expedition through the gardens and learning how to identify and collect various plant specimens.
They will then press these plants in a flower press that they construct themselves.
The third event is 'Pond Dipping', which will teach children about the weird and wonderful diversity of insects that live in and around the ponds in the gardens.
The fourth event is the 'Bird Safari', during which the bird author Glynn Anderson will bring children on a guided walk through the gardens, pointing out all the different birds he spots along the way.
There's another 'Biodiversity — Bugs & Beasties' event on August 20 and a 'Budding Botanist' one on August 27.
All of these tours are suitable for children aged eight and up. Tickets, €5, can be booked online via
Woodies fundraiser
Woodies' Heroes.
Woodie's has announced the return of Woodie's Heroes, its annual fundraiser in aid of Irish children's charities.
The DIY, home and garden store has held this fundraiser since 2015 and has raised over €4.1m in that time.
This year, the Woodie's Heroes campaign will run from now until August 9, and every cent raised will be donated to Childline by ISPCC, Down Syndrome Ireland, Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, and the Cancer Fund for Children.
Supporting the campaign is easy. All you have to do is donate at the till in any Woodie's store or contribute online at
Adventuring in Ireland
My Irish Adventure
My Irish Adventure is a great book to pack in the suitcase if you're planning on taking a trip anywhere in Ireland this summer.
It was written by five-year-old Eoghan Corrigan and his mum Carol, and reading it will encourage children to discover more of what this country has to offer.
The book follows Eoghan as he journeys across Ireland. Each page is devoted to a different county and features colourful illustrations as well as Eoghan's favourite facts about that particular part of the country.
On the page devoted to Cork, for example, he mentions the Blarney Stone, Cobh and its association with the Titanic and how Spike Island was once the world's biggest depot for convicts.
My Irish Adventure is widely available and costs from €10.
Summer schooling
Top of the Class
The Irish summer can be hit or miss weather-wise. One minute, the kids are happy playing outdoors in the sunshine. The next torrential rain can force them back indoors, where they are likely to complain of having nothing to do.
The 'Top of the Class' board game is a great thing to have on hand when such complaints arise.
It's an Irish general knowledge and trivia game suitable for all ages from six and up.
To win, participants must answer questions based on English, maths, history, science, geography and general knowledge they will have learned at school. They must also avoid hazards, handle the principal's instructions, and pass their summer tests.
This board game can be purchased from for €34.95.
M&S back-to-school
It's never too early to plan for the children's return to school, especially if there are special offers available.
Marks & Spencer has announced that it is keeping its prices locked at 2021 levels for another year and is currently offering 20% off its back-to-school range.
Parents can now avail of deals like two cotton unisex polo shirts for €6. Offer lasts for a limited time only.
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