TOXIC SUMMER HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE
Keeping your kids entertained throughout the school holidays does not need to be a constant struggle for parents. Toxic, the action-packed magazine for  boys aged 7 - 12, has compiled some great summer fun boredom busters that are not only affordable but will keep boys busy, whatever the weather. What’s more, there is not a TV or games console in sight!
For even more fun, pick up a copy of the Toxic summer bumper issue (RRP £3.50), on sale 28th July. It’s packed full of summer essentials, comics, movies, games, competitions and loads of free gifts to give boys an extra treat and is available from all good newsagents and supermarkets.
The Toxic Team says “Our summer boredom busters provide parents with foolproof ideas to entertain boys over the summer holidays whilst encouraging them to try something new. Whether they’re experiencing the outdoors or getting creative, why not join in the fun and enjoy some quality time as a family.”
Activities for the home:
1. Make oozy, gooey gunge from the special Toxic recipe**
2. Create a giant monster out of household rubbish, such as egg boxes, cereal cartons and plastic milk bottles
3. Help them design their own magazine. Grab some pens and paper and create your own version of Toxic!
4. Break out the board games. Get all the family around the table for a marathon Monopoly session!
5. Make the brilliant A-Team model van and tank from the summer bumper issue of Toxic
Activities for out and about:
1. Go to a theme park and try out the scariest rollercoaster! Try Moneysupermarket.com for discount vouchers you can use for money off the entry price
2. Visit the seaside. Many places in the UK are close to the beach, so try to build the biggest sandcastle around! See EnjoyEngland.com for information and attractions at a seaside near you.
3. Enjoy a bike ride as a family. There are trails throughout the UK with varying degrees of difficulty for novice and experienced cyclists – pack a picnic for extra fun. Visit CTC.org.uk for details of family friendly cycle routes and information on making cycling safe.
4. Organise a family sports tournament, the kids can run different events and give prizes to the winners
5. Go pond dipping. Boys love looking at creatures and creepy crawlies and you’ll be amazed by what you find in your local pond or river!
**Toxic recipe to make gunge:
Ingredients:
50g Cornflour
Green food colouring
Water
Instructions:
1. Add several drops of food colouring to a glass of cold water.
2. Tip cornflour into a container.
3. Add small amounts of water to cornflour.
4. Fold in the water to the cornflour. It is best to lift and fold from the sides and bottom of the container.
5. Keep adding small amounts of water until a thick mixture is produced.
Care must be taken not to produce a watery-runny mixture, so only add small amounts of water at a time.
Use under adult supervision. Slime may stain. Keep away from clothing and soft furnishings.
About Egmont UK (www.egmont.co.uk)
Egmont is the UK’s top specialist children’s publisher with three award-winning divisions selling more than 30 million books and magazines each year: Egmont Magazines, Egmont Press (fiction and picture books) and Egmont Publishing (licensed character books). The UK’s no. 1 character book publisher, Egmont’s diverse catalogue caters for children of all ages, featuring popular licensed characters such as Thomas & Friends, Winnie-the-Pooh, Postman Pat and Mr Men; an impressive picture book list with stars such as Helen Oxenbury; and an award-winning fiction list featuring authors such as Michael Morpurgo, Michelle Magorian, Andy Stanton and Lemony Snicket.
Egmont Magazines is a leading publisher of magazines for children aged 3 – 12 and has a growing own brand portfolio (girls’ pre-teen magazine Go Girl and boys’ lifestyle title Toxic plus two websites), as well as an extensive range of licensed magazines including Disney Princess, Ben 10, Barbie, Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine and Fireman Sam |
