Finding activities and days out to suit the whole family can be difficult, especially with the rising cost of living.

Parenting NI in partnership with Discover Northern Ireland have created this free family fun day out guide.  All the places on the map are free to enter (parking charges apply in some locations) and are great spots to visit as a family.

Autumn is a great season to explore the great outdoors, but even on rainy days there are some indoor activities that will keep the whole family entertained. Where will you visit? What other local places make for great family days out?

Explore what is available at www.discovernorthernireland.com

It’s officially October which can only mean one thing… It’s nearly Halloween!!

Have you decided what your little ones are going to be dressing up as yet? Whether they’re going as a witch, a zombie or perhaps something less scary don’t get tricked into buying an unsafe costume.

Remember:

 Halloween costumes are highly flammable so stay well away from naked flames and other heat sources at all times.

 Try to buy from a reputable store or website. Cheap costumes may not meet UK safety standards.

 Look for a costume with a UKCA or CE mark and be aware that cheap costumes may carry fake safety labels.

 The British Retail Consortium has introduced stricter fire safety tests for children’s dressing-up costumes. Look for a label that says: “This garment has undergone additional safety testing for flammability”.

 Masks are spooktacular but they can make it harder for children to see or hear traffic. So, consider using face paint for trick or treating and save the masks for indoors.

 Help make children more visible to drivers by adding reflective tape to their costumes or accessorising with glow sticks.

For more top tips on how to #ScareSafely this Halloween visit: http://ow.ly/Uh3w50KWVAR