BRITISH MUSEUM

Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG

Tel: 020 7323 8394

www.britishmuseum.org

Open 10:00-5:30 pm daily

Admission: free for permanent collection

SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES: SOUTH [...]]]> BEST OF JULY AND AUGUST FUN FOR THE UNDER FIVES ….

 Here is a list of what I found to be the most promising events for the little ones this summer in London.  Enjoy!!!

•  PADDLING POOLS AND PARKS: http://www.london-baby.com/browse-by-category/paddling-pools-and-outdoor-water-fun/

• MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS:

BRITISH MUSEUM

Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG

Tel: 020 7323 8394

www.britishmuseum.org

Open 10:00-5:30 pm daily

Admission: free for permanent collection

SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES: SOUTH AFRICA LANDSCAPE

Tuesdays and Thursday throughout August, 11:00 – 4:00 pm

Take part in a range of activities based on the plants, animals, landscape and arts of South Africa.

Free, all ages

HORNIMAN MUSEUM

100 London Road, SE23 3PQ

Tel: 0208 699 1872

www.horniman.ac.uk

Admission: free, except for some temporary exhibitions

Open 10:30 – 5:30 pm daily

SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES:

Nearly every day at the Horniman Museum there are events for the Under Fives; specimen handling, storytelling, arts and crafts … if nothing is planned, the museum has loads of toddler-friendly exhibits and an enormous garden with picnic areas.

• THEATRE AND SHOWS:

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX

Tel: 0871 663 2500

www.southbankcentre.co.uk

VISUALISE: RELOADED

A smash-hit at two Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, Visualise Reloaded is a mischievous mix of physical theatre, live science demonstrations, projected images and music.  The lack of language means less explanation and more exploration, making this show suitable for all ages.

Sat July 3rd, 2:30 pm

Tickets £10.00 adults, £5.00 children

All ages

THE PUPPET THEATRE BARGE

Little Venice, London W9

Tel: 020 7249 6876

www.puppetbarge.com

A DOUBLE BILL: THE BIRDMAN AND MONKEY BIZ

A magical and poetic double bill of two puppet shows.  The first half, The Birdman, tells of an old man who rescues a small bird that has fallen out of the nest.  Beautiful lighting and original composed music guarantee enchantment.  The second half, Monkey Biz, entertains with monkey marionettes performing tricks and turns with skill.  Includes a dissecting skeleton and a contortionist.

Tue June 1st – Sun June 6th daily 3:00 pm

Saturdays & Sundays June 12th – July 11th, 3:00 pm

THE TOWN MOUSE & THE COUNTRY MOUSE

These two famous cousins visit each other and both experience exciting new sights and sounds.  They end up all the wiser as a result of these adventures.  A very special delight for both young and old with music, songs and rod puppets.  Town Mouse meets the Billy Goats Gruff and other well known characters whilst the Country Mouse meets a cat and a grandfather clock, and faces up to the noisy city traffic.

July 31st – August 15th, daily 2:30 pm

Tickets: children £8.50, adults £10.00

THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE AND OTHER TALES FROM AESOP

These well-known fables are brought to life with drama and humour.  Staged with beautiful lighting and carved marionettes, enchantment is guaranteed.

August 18th – September 5th, daily 2:30 pm; Sept 11th & 12th, 18th & 19th, 25 & 26th at 2:30pm

Tickets: children £8.50, adults £10.00

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE

14 Dagmar Passage, London N1 2DN

Tel: 020 7226 1787

www.littleangeltheatre.com

FANTASTIC MR FOX

Roald Dahl’s classic take of wit and determination is brought to life with ingenious puppets and enchanting music.  Discover the thrill of the chase and join Mr. Fox and his family underground as they battle to save themselves and the rest of the countryside from disaster.

Performances held daily Wednesdays to Sundays; baby friendly performance at 11:00am on Sept 26th.

Tickets: from £5.00 – £12.50

Ages 4+, please note children under this age will not be allowed in the auditorium

OPERA HOLLAND PARK

Central Library

Phillimore Walk W8 7RX

Tel: 020 7361 3570

FANTASTIC MR FOX

An operatic version of Fantastic Mr. Fox commissioned by Opera Holland Park especially designed to be performed in the beautiful gardens and natural scenery of Holland Park.

Tue August 3, Thu August 5th, Sat August 7th, Tue August 10th, Thu August 12th & Sat August 14th; 3:00 pm

Tickets: £2.50 children, £5.00 adults

All ages

FOR KIDS A LITTLE BIT OLDER …

• Kid’s week in the West End, children ages 5 – 16 attend selected plays for free with their paying adult www.kidsweek.co.uk.  August 13th – 27th

• Attend the Gorilla Flying Trapeze School in Regent’s Park, ages 6+, www.gorillacircus.com.  July 27th – August 23rd (AGES 6 AND UP, BUT YOU CAN TAKE THE LITTLE ONES TO HAVE A LOOK)

By the time my daughter was born, I had been living in London for two years.  I had no family near me and the only friends that I had made were co-workers who, because they [...]]]> WESTMINSTER VICTORIA CHELSEA NOTTING HILL BELGRAVIA KNIGHTBRIDGE MAYFAIR PIMLICO KENSINGTON PADDINGTON BAYSWATER SOUTH KENSINGTON BLOOMSBURY HOLBORN COVENT GARDEN SOHO MARYLEBONE

By the time my daughter was born, I had been living in London for two years.  I had no family near me and the only friends that I had made were co-workers who, because they did not have young children, seemed to live on a different planet than me after my daughter came along.

We lived in a tiny, central London flat; not being much of a homebody to begin with, my new-born and I immediately set out in October 2005 to discover what London has to offer the under 5’s.   I have found this city to be amazingly friendly to carers of small children.  In 2007, we moved to a different neighbourhood and I discovered an entirely new part of Central London.  Now that our son has joined us in 2009, I can continue to discover London for babies, toddlers and mums with more than one small child.

My reviews are the result of nearly three years of caring full-time for my daughter, and now infant son, in London while also experiencing being a parent travelling to different cities and towns in Europe and North America.  This web site is based on all the friendly chats that we have had in playgrounds here in London and elsewhere about destinations and activities for our small children.  Further, as a teacher I have accompanied and led groups of children around greater Chicago and London and I bring these experiences to this site.

Having listened to and given so many reviews of these destinations and others, I guarantee they will have exactly the kind of information that you will need for you and your baby and/or toddlers. If you know of new playgroups and classes in your area, please let me know and I’ll add them to the site!

To find local activities, playgroups and great child friendly places, just click on a neighbourhood from the list above to get started.