Another week, another costume… that’s the way it feels sometimes! Non-crafty mum Phoebe Doyle has some no-sew, no-stress ideas to help you create a simple, effective costume for History Week at school, whether your child needs to look medieval, prehistoric or Victorian.

It’s free, portable, quiet enough to play anywhere and has powerful brain-boosting benefits for kids – and it’s fun, too. Here’s why you should get your child hooked on chess.

Word problems, place value, number bonds, polygons and pictograms – they’re all taught in KS1 maths and can be tested as part of the Y2 SATs. We review the learning objectives in parent-friendly language and give you examples and tips to help you support your child’s mathematical education at home.

Examine fossilised eggs, creep through a royal palace after dark, make a sticky critter, meet Doctor Who monsters, join a Mad Hatter's Tea Party, free a captured Empress and launch a rocket... There are some amazing activities, workshops and opportunities for families all over the country during the Easter 2013 school holidays. Loads of them won't cost you a penny, so start planning some (educational) time off now!