What’s on for London Babies, Toddlers, Kids and Families

Feb 20, 2013 by admin

Would just like to give a cheeky little plug to Love Swimming as my son learned to swim in just two lessons with Bila. He went from refusing to put his goggles on, refusing to put his face in the water, to cruising around Dolphin Square pool like a pro.

Family Events Saturday 22^nd Feburary

Royal College of Music, Sparks: Discover Carmen. For ages 7+, take a behind the scenes tour of Royal Albert Hall before enjoying a production of Carmen. Return on Sunday and participate in a variety of workshops where you dive deeper into the story, the characters and the music. £40 for 1 adult and 1 child, £15 for each additional ticket.

Mini Maestro LMA Concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields: Beethoven, Ode to Joy. Come to the dynamic, interactive, family-friendly concert for young and old alike and listen to familiar Beethoven while children are encouraged to look and listen to the instruments. All ages, 45 minutes, £8.50 adults, £6.50 children.

Garden Museum, Seasonal Saturdays. If you have not yet been to the gorgeous Garden Museum, located next to Lambeth Palace, stop in for the drop in activity from 2-4pm on Saturday. Bring the kids, plant a bulb, entry is free and the activity is open to children ages 2-10years old.

Tate Britain Big and Small Family Day: Come and make music, create cardboard structures, dance with paintings and interact with the art in fabulously innovative ways. For children under five with big siblings welcome.

Wallace Collection: Little Draw. Join comic artist Tom Humberstone to explore the narrative and storytelling possibilities inspired by the collection. A very special afternoon, free, drop in, all ages, 1:30-4:30

Film:

Barbican Family Film Club: Pick N Mix Flicks. Tickets are £2, bring the kids and escape the cold while you chill and watch a movie. Great price. 11am, all ages

Gate Picturehouse, Princess Lillifee. Tickets £1 with £4 membership, popcorn and juice £2. My husband’s rainy day ace in the hole, fabulous value for Saturday morning family time in a great location.

Electric Cinema, Kid’s Club: This week’s feature, Tinkerbell and the Secrets of the Wings 3D; 10:30am. Check out the newly refurbished Electric Cinema with its plush, red velvet beds, sofas and armchairs. Looks like a great way for Dad to occupy the kids on a Saturday morning. Tickets £8 per person. All ages

Shutter and Sketch: London’s Premier Bespoke Children’s Portrait Artist. I could not give Shutter and Sketch a higher recommendation or be more pleased with my son’s portrait created entirely in pencil strokes, check out Lucy SM Johnston’s fabulously affordable and beautiful results. I am eagerly awaiting my daughter’s portrait. Lucy offers vouchers, fabulous fall-back when you are shopping for special gifts for parents, grandparents or yourself!! Do get in touch if you are on the fence with this, you will not be disappointed: [email protected].

Family Events Sunday 24^th February

Forge Arts Venue, Keys and Coffee. Join Duo Diez, violin and guitar duet, for folksongs and chamber music. Great way to begin a Sunday with little ones. Tickets £10

The Imagine Festival, Southbank. The festival finishes up on Sunday but it looks like you can still get tickets to The Wobbly World of Opera and you can pop into the foyer for Colour Me a Story and the Etherington Brothers

And on to the upcoming week:

For Babies and Toddlers:

Love Swimming, Pimlico: London’s premier specialist swimming school (cited in this month’s Triatholon 220 as London’s top swim coach) has opened up morning lessons for babies and toddlers, 10am-4pm, see the timetable for all availability. This is an excellent chance to get your kids in their swim school as there is a waiting list for school-age kids; the demand for places is huge as Love Swimming kids go to join swim on competitive and elite swimming squads all over London. The Baby Lessons are an affordable way to get your kids into this highest quality, over-subscribed, specialist swimming school.

Pippa’s Poppets: SW1’s favourite singer and songwriter is kicking off another term. There is an early morning class at St. Saviour, St. George’s Square (just by the Pimlico Tube) from 9:35am for 4 months- 3 years. £7.50 per class. Mondays and Wednesdays at St. Gabriel’s Church, Pimlico. Thursdays in Chelsea at Beaufort House (fabulous London family club) and Tuesdays in Knightsbridge.

Electric Scream: Come and see To the Wonder. Experience the luxury of the newly refurbished Electric Cinema. Monday 18^th February, 11am. This screening is only for carers with infants under 12 months, dim lighting, changing tables, quality food, even wine!! £15.50 for an armchair, very pricy but great fun.

Gate Picturehouse, Big Scream. Bring your infant under 12 months on Tuesday 29^th January at 10:30 for a screening of The Lore. Tickets are £8.50

Mums and Babies Dolphin Square Gym: Thursdays 10:30-11:15. You do not have to be member to try out this brilliant class brainchild of London’s celebrity yummy mummy trainer, Nina Turner. If you want to get motivated to get fit, come to Nina: she will make you crack a rib laughing as you train so hard you might vomit (she is a bit gentler on new mums) but bring the baby and get your energy levels back. No need to childcare, just come along and get your game back on. £60 for 6 sessions for non-members, £50 for members: use them as and when. Alternatively, try Buggy Fit with Nina in St. George’s Square SW1, 9:30am Monday mornings. You bring the pushchair, Nina supplies the weights, skip ropes, mats and other torture devices er, fitness equipment. Same prices and policy. [email protected]