AN Aberystwyth family has decided to put fun at the top of the agenda for the October half-term holidays.

The Rowlands family is backing The Education Begins at Home campaign organised by the Welsh Government which aims to encourage parents across Wales to do more little things at home, as a family, to support the wellbeing and learning potential of their children at school.

Dwynwen Rowlands said: “My husband and I have three children, Noa 11, Magi nine and Nel who’s seven.

"After-school hours are full-on in our house. Noa plays football for a few different teams, Magi has gymnastics training four times a week, in between trumpet lessons, and Nel goes to Brownies, swimming lessons and gymnastics club.

“But no matter how busy we all are as individuals, we always make time to slow down and have fun together as a family every Sunday. Just the five of us. Sometimes it’s a family walk along the coast or a bike ride through the woods.

“Other times it might be as simple as turning off the television and playing good old-fashioned board games or having a kick about with a football in the garden. It’s what keeps us close-knit as a family unit, happy and healthy.”

Cabinet secretary for education, Kirsty Williams, said: “The most precious gift we can give to our children is our time. Those little extra things we all do at home with our children can make a big difference to their wellbeing and performance at school.

“That’s why we’re encouraging parents across Wales to make one day a family day this October half-term to have fun together.”

Some of our favourite free activities for families in and around Aberystwyth this October half term are:

• Take a walk and watch red kites being fed Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre

• Explore the battlements at Aberystwyth Castle;

• Walk the Glyndwr’s Way National Trail: Machynlleth SY20 8EE. dayoutwiththekids.co.uk

• Visit Ceredigion Museum

• Go dolphin spotting from the shore line at Ceredigion’s beaches www.discoverceredigion.co.uk

• Enjoy a leafy walk in the Hafod Estate http://hafod.org/

For more information and family fun ideas, visit facebook.com/beginsathome or facebook.com/dechraucartref or find us on Twitter @edubeginsathome or dechraucartref