London Family Weekend Edit
Picks for Whole the Family:
Babyccino Kids Shop Up: Head over to Chelsea Old Town Hall on Sunday 4th December from 1-6:30pm and Monday 5th December from 9:30-5pm for a fabulous afternoon of shopping and children’s entertainment. The venders have unique and beautiful gifts at a very good price point. Last year I scored a table-top ping-pong set, a charming stationary set, met local family photographers and other business owners. An added bonus, there are children’s activities to help keep the little ones amused while you shop. All ages, free entry.
Winterwonderland: This is either heaven or hell, it just depends on the person. I can survive it if we get there for about 10am and let the kids go on a ride or two and then get out. It is very festive and VERY fun for the kids. Opening 18th November at 10am, free entry, all ages.
Picks for Slightly Older Kids and Their Younger Siblings:
Le Institute Francais, South Kensington Literary Festival: Book now for a variety of literary and art workshops run by the luminaries of children’s literature including Alex Scheffler and Sam Usher. In addition to workshops there will be screenings and performance.
National Gallery Studio Sunday: Sunday 11am and repeated 2pm (2 hour workshop). Get inspired by Rembrandt’s painting and then create mini-clay portraits of you own family members. These events are artist-led, highly engaging and children glean a great deal of information about the selected painting. Free, ages 5-11.
JW3 French Classical Music Workshop: Sunday, 3pm. Le Carnaval des Animaux is a musical suite of fourteen movements by the French Romantic composer Camille Saint Saens. Elise Lefay will introduce each of the 14 pieces and the animals the represent. Ages 3+, children £7, adults free.
St. Martin-in-the-Field, Mini Maestro Family Concert: bring the kids to enjoy an audience participation, family friendly performance of Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony and sing along to Ode to Joy. Tickets just £10 for adults, and £8.00 for children
South London Gallery, The Sunday Spot: Sunday 2-4pm. Artists Jack Brown and play worker Kelda Lyons present “Sculptures you can Hide in” a series of workshops about creating artwork you can inhabit, play or retreat into. Families will create their own dens to spend time in and record their artwork with photographs and drawings. Free, ages 3-12 years.
Babies and Toddlers
Book Now for Villa Pia, Italy’s finest baby-friendly, all-inclusive (four course meals … wine, beer, spirits, too), fabulously valued family holiday destination (in pounds, truly exceptional value at the moment) – fabulous savings for off-peak stays, perfect for families with children not yet in school. Read my review of Villa Pia and book for the October school holidays as a there are just a few places remaining.
Upcoming: Whitechapel Gallery Crib Notes, William Kentridge. Wednesday Decemer 3rd 10-noon. Join Sofia Victorino and children under 3 for a tour and talk of the delightful artwork of William Kentridge.
Local mum, and artist, Margarida, has a lovely new phone number bracelets for children that has your phone number. Check out Call my Parents.
Christmas in on the way - it is such a special season to enjoy with little ones and Monkey Music makes it even more enjoyable. Monkey Music would love to invite you to come in from the cold and join in the fun for a FREE first music class with your little one.
Leading up to Christmas, Monkey Music classes will enjoy decorating Monkey’s special tree, meeting all the wonderful Christmas toys, exploring an amazing Christmas blanket … and it might even snow!
Email or ring to book your place and avoid disappointment. [email protected] or ring 020 8767 9827 to book your first FREE class.
Royal Albert Hall, Storytelling and Music Sessions: bring children ages 0-4 to Royal Albert Hall on Wednesdays for a magical experience with storytellers Paul Rubinstein and Olivia Armstrong where singing, storytelling and musical instruments are woven into one story session. £4, 11:30am
Pimlico Toy Library: Pimlico Toy Library has a new web site showcasing all their wonderful children’s workshops and baby playtimes. This is a fantastic resource for any parent or carer, the toys are fastidiously cleaned and the art workshops are brilliantly planned with high quality materials.
Electric Cinema, Electric Scream: Mondays 11am. This week’s feature: Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them. Bring babies under 12 months to this amazingly plush cinema, relax with some coffee and catch a flick.
Family Cinema
Gate Picturehouse, Kids Club: This week’s programme: Big Hero 6. £1 with £4 membership, popcorn and juice £2. (best £3 you will ever spend on a rainy Saturday)
Regent Street Cinema, Kino Club: This week’s feature, Kubo and the Two Strings. Tickets just £1.75, Saturdays 11:30 am.
Electric Cinema, Kid’s Club: This week’s feature, Phantom Boy (amazing film, screened at Regent Street Cinema last week) 10:30am. Check out the 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.
