What’s On London Family Events November
Shutter and Sketch: London’s Only Bespoke Children’s Portrait Artist. Read about my son’s “sitting” and look for forthcoming drawn portrait.
Come and join Linda Hedenstrom in Hyde Park Wednesday evenings, 7pm; or Holland Park Saturday mornings, 11am, and try Turn it Up Boot Camp. Also, Linda offers fabulous three month bespoke mums personal training packages tailored to get results through activity, mind-set and diet. Learn more
Have you gotten around to sorting through your children’s art work yet? Let Super Southwest London Mum Ann sort this out for you, she will beautifully photograph all your kid’s art work (paintings, junk modelling, you name it) and make a gorgeous keepsake treasure for you and your family. An excellent gift for any family member, check out my review and look at mykidsartbook.com or email [email protected].
Family Events Saturday 10th November:
Christmas Lights in Duke of York Square: Come and pet reindeer, ride in a horse and carriage, go in the arts and crafts tent, drink mulled wine, east mince pies and popcorn. You will listen to Natalie Coyle and the choir from Holy Trinity Church sing carols . Then watch the lights turn on at 5:15 and you might have a visit with Father Christmas from 5:30. The whole time Duke of York Square will be covered in falling snow. From 3pm
London Jazz Festival at Southbank: Jazz Line-up, three up and coming jazz bands playing in the Clore Ballroom. This is a very family-friendly area with high chairs, food on sale and you can bring your own. Free, all ages, from 3:30
Family Events Sunday 11th November
Remembrance Sunday: going down to Parliament Square you will get an excellent view of the parade going by. Now you will not be close enough to the Cenotaph to see Her Majesty lay the wreath, but you will be able to listen to the ceremony.
National Gallery Art Workshops for Families: Come and explore stop action and learn how to represent motion in paintings using zoetrope and flip-book workshop. Free, ages 5+, tickets allocated up to half an hour before start. 2 hour workshop starting at 11am and 2pm (keep in mind with your travel plans that Whitehall will be completely closed)
National Gallery Magic Carpet Storytelling: Bring the littlest ones to the National Gallery to sit in front of a great work of art and learn the story behind it. Absolutely charming. Free, under 5s, tickets allocated on arrival up to on half hour before start. 10:30-11am and 11:30-noon.
And on to the upcoming week:
Just for Babies
Big Scream Gate Cinema: Located just up the steps for the Notting Hill Gate Underground, the historic and charming Gate Cinema puts on a fabulous baby cinema each week. Come on your own or with friends, there’s low lighting, changing tables and coffee … great way to brighten up the doldrums of sleepless nights and feedings. For infants under 1 year old, tickets £8, Tuesday 13th November, 10:30am. This week’s screening: The Third Man, classic Film Noir, directed by Carol Reed and starring Trevor Howard, Orson Wells. 1949
Bach to Baby Notting Hill: This is just the most wonderful morning. Come join Camilla Pay on harp and Miaomiao Yu on piano for a morning of the highest quality music for babies, toddlers and children. Adults £10 each, kids free. Notting Hill Community Church.
Forge Arts Venue Imagination Station: A fantastic sensory movement and music session for infants from 4 months to toddlers 2 years. At the amazingly family-friendly Forge Arts Venue, The Foundry is a fabulous post-class gathering place for mums and coffee. Wednesday 17th November, 10:15 – 11:00. Tickets £5 in advance, £7 at the door
Pippa’s Poppets: come join award-winning composer and musician Pippa Cleary for her high-energy, original scored Pippa’s Poppets. Held at the ever popular, family-friendly private member’s club Beaufort House in Chelsea, at St. Columbus Church on Pont Street, and St. Gabriel’s Church in Pimlico, do contact Pippa to try out a class if you have not been. Great fun and a fantastic group of mums.
Family Events:
National Portrait Gallery Storytelling. Saturday 17th November. Come and hear at story about one of the portraits in the gallery and then head off to make a craft. Excellent activity, , 10:30-11:15 , ages 3+, free, drop-in.
National Portrait Gallery Family Art Workshop: Clay Characters. Saturday 17th November. Make your own clay mug inspired by portraits in the gallery in this fantastic workshop. Be prepared to transport home a drying mug!! 11:30-1pm, free, drop-in, tickets allocated one hour before the start.
Forge Arts Venue, Children’s Storytelling with Music. Saturday 17th November. Come and watch Giles Andreae’s beloved Giraffes Can’t Dance come to life in an enchanting session of old-fashioned storytelling brought to life with music. 10:30am, tickets are £6 per child (when booked in advance), £7 at the door. Adults free
St. Martin-in-the-Field, Mini-Maestro Family Concert: Saturday 17th November. Join London Musical Arts Orchestra and their charismatic presenter John Landon for an hour of Beethoven in St. Martin’s Church. Children are warmly welcomed and encouraged to participate in the concert. 4:30-5:30pm, £8.50 for adults, £6.50 children.
Barbican, When Santa Fell to Earth. Sunday 18th November. Get in the holiday spirit at this special family preview of this joyful adaptation of Cornelia Funke’s novel. Tickets £3 for children, £5 for adults. 11:15, cinema 3 (located off Beach Street). Ages 7+
Royal Academy of Art, Wax and Soap Family Art Workshop: Sunday 18th November. As part of the Bronze Exhibition, bring your kids to explore sculpture through carving wax and clay. Free, drop-in, 11am-2pm. All ages welcome
Camden Arts Centre, Card Making Workshop: Saturday 17th November. Come in between 2 and 4pm and make cards with artist Clare Beaton. Free, drop-in, all ages
Upcoming Events:
South Kensington Kids Festival at Le Institute Francais, South Kensington. This is one of London’s finest children’s literary festivals. Hurry, while tickets last (there are still some plumb workshops available) and book an illustration session with Alex Scheffler, Quentin Blake, Emily Gravett, Mario Ramos to name a few well-loved artists who will be leading workshops over the weekend. Books will be available on site for purchase, give a signed copy of the Gruffalo for Christmas pressies.
Royal Academy of Music Family Play Day: A Christmas Carol. Saturday 24th November. Begin by exploring Dickens, listening to some of his writings about Christmas and then work on your own Christmas composition. 11am-12:30 5-7 year olds (this looks to be sold out) 2-3:30 8-11 year olds. Free, booking essential.
NCT Kensington and Chelsea’s Christmas Party, Friday 7th December, generously sponsored by The King’s Road favourite family-friendly private members club (check out my review), Beaufort House. Goody bags and children’s gifts donated by onefinesstay, London’s premier bespoke holiday letting service. Entertainment provided by Froggle Parties, children can create their own Christmas cards and decorations at the art station run by Little Art Studio. There will be stalls with unique Christmas gifts, provided by a host of fabulous mumprenuer and other local, independent businesses. Tombola prizes from our favourite Baby Friendly retailers. Tickets £5, booking essential
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Wish I’d seen this earlier… the Duke of York Square event sounded like fun. I would’ve gone but never mind, there’s always next year.