No need to wait around for a bus again; download the London Bus Checker Smartphone app for your iphone or Android for a mere £1.99.  Real-time updates from busses en route, easily downloadable route maps with stops indicated on street maps … read my review, or download from itunes here

Also, head over to Earl’s Court Destinations: The Holiday and Travel Show on Sunday 5^th February, noon, theatre 1 to hear London dad, safari specialist, conservationist and National Geographic presenter Hayden Turner talk about his award-winning documentary “Hunters of the Lost World” where he followed and documented the hunting and survival skills of 7 rare tribes.  Hayden will also be on hand to discuss family safari travel … read more

Just for Babies:

Gate Cinema: Tuesday 7^th February.  Big Scream.  Come and see Carnage this Tuesday without the crowds, hassle or need to pay a sitter.  Doors open at 10am, movie begins at 10:30, free coffee and pastries http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Gate_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Clubs_Groups/

 For Toddlers and Babies

Classical Babies: Wednesdays, 11:00am, Belisize Park, Interchange Studios.  £10 per family for a delightful classical concert that is completely baby and toddler friendly, the perfect mid-week bit of brain candy read more about the fabulous bit of motherhood: My review. 

Classics with my Baby: a classical concert series for mums and tots.  Classical concerts specifically designed for mums and children (0-5 years) to enjoy together. Tickets: Adults £10, children FREE (special offers on website)

 Tuesday Febuary 7th Islington - Christ Church, Highbury N5 1SA 2012 10:00am:  ”Eat Cake and Mingle” 10:30am:  Concert begins. Ends by 11:30am Tickets:  Adults £10 at the door, discounts available online, children FREE

 Wednesday Febuary 8th 2012 Chelsea - Christ Church, Christchurch Street, off Flood Street, London, SW3 4AS 10:00am:  ”Eat Cake and Mingle” 10:30am:  Concert begins. Ends by 11:30am
Tickets:  Adults £10 at the door, discounts available online, children FREE

 Le Institute Francias: Baby French Tales, A La Decoouverte De Paris (ages 0-3) Saturday 4^th February, 11am.  1 hour, in easy French.  A new baby elephant has arrived in town looking for his big city adventure.  Bring your kids along to Baby French Tales and explore the fabulous South Kensington area before or after.  £7 per adult, £5 per child.  www.institut-francais.org.uk/kids-and-teens/baby-and-kids-french-tales

 For Bigger Kids:

Somerset House: Mini Make Believe. Sunday 5^th February from 11:30 – 12:30.  Bring your 2-5 year olds along to learn about pairs.  Look, sing, dance, make and learn in this fabulously designed and run little workshop for very young children.  Free, tickets allocated on arrival.  www.somersethouse.org.uk/learning/family

 Somerset House: Family Workshop, Imaginary Menagerie.  Saturday 4^th February, 2:00-3:30pm.  Construct your own weird and wonderful beasts and mythical monsters at this drop-in making workshop.  Free, no ticket required, but you may have to wait for a turn to make something http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/learning/family/free-family-workshops

 Saatchi Gallery Family Art Workshop: A Bag Full of Art.  Sunday 5^th February, 10:30, noon, 3:00 and 4:00pm.  Explore the exhibition highlights through family oriented tours that incorporate interactive conversations and drawing activities.  The tour begins with the opening of a bag that contains media used by artists in Gesamkunstwerk.  Children will have the opportunity to touch, experience and interact with the materials.  Ages 4-12, younger siblings welcome, £3.00 per child.  Book required valeria@familyartworkshops@gmail.com  www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/a_bag_full_of_art.htm

 Kids Club, Saturdays at Gate Picturehouse: Scooby Doo, PG
From 10am they have activities, then watch the foodie/kiddie feel good flick at 10:30.  £4 to join the Kids Club, but then tickets are £1 after, popcorn and juice for the kids £2.  http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Gate_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Clubs_Groups/Kids_Club/

 Read more about the day out here.

Wallace Collection Little Draw: Sunday 5^th February 1:30 – 4:30.  Bring the kids along to a drop-in art workshop.  Come here after going to the expansive Marylebone Farmer’s Market (10am -2pm Sundays in the car park just behind Waitrose) and the gorgeous Paddington Green playground, located in the park just beyond the car park. http://www.wallacecollection.org/whatson/activitiesforadultsandfamilies/familyactivities

 For the Family Over Half Term

Half term week is rapidly approaching.  I will have an in-depth list next week of what to look out for, but you may want to book into an art workshop at The Wallace Collection, weaving at The V and A, a family concert at Cadogan Hall, events at The Imagine Festival at Southbank, Lollibop Mini Disco at Ministry of Sound, events at the Holland Park Ecology Centre.  Not ready to commit?  Don’t worry, there are loads of drop-in events coming in the complete list next week.

 For Adults:

NCT Interior Design Short Course A fabulous fundraiser for the National Childbirth Trust, an interior design course at Whole Foods Market on High Street Kensington.  Put together with the help of London Property Makeover, you can learn the basics of interior design (how to write a brief, colour theory, how to mix fabrics, create a mood board, spatial planning and lighting – wow!!).  This is intended for mums creating a nursery for their new-borns, but I want to come, too!!  Four Wednesdays 8pm – 9pm, from 29^th February.  £80 for the course, donation to the NCT included.  Read on … 

Want to take your child to listen to the highest echelon performers in the classical music world at 10:30 in the morning? Do not miss the next Classical Babies concert in Knightsbridge where you and your progeny can enjoy passionate and enthusiastic music played by today’s leaders in the classical music field.

Classical Babies is the brainchild of Antonia Azoitei and Estella Garcia, both full-time mums and professionals in the arts who wanted to unite all their passions in one place. What a better way than to bring world-class talented musicians to vigorously perform classical repertoire to mums, dads, carers, babies, toddlers and children? This is such an amazing treat for anyone; whether you are a seasoned musician or a newbie to classical music, you and your offspring will enjoy a professional grade concert for £10.

 Antonia and Estella bring the highest calibre concert hall musicians; harpists, pianists, cellists, violinist, flutists to come and perform mid-morning concerts for children. Antonia has performed with the world’s leading musicians: she heads the Vilensky String Quartet, was a full-time member of the BBC Concert Orchestra, and continues to play with City of London Sinfonia and various other orchestras and performing groups.

Classical Babies Knightsbridge brings together all the elements for a perfect London-baby day: a world-class performance hall classical music concert a short walk from Sloane Square, around the corner from Harrods, ten minutes from the playground and Serpentine in Hyde Park: the perfect day out on the town with the little ones.

Have a coffee, browse the shops, treat you and your child to a beautiful concert, then top it all off with a trip to the playground near Hyde Park Barracks and feed the ducks to boot. You may even see the Regimental Cavalry out practicing, or better yet, returning from Changing of the Guard in full ceremonial attire. The Dell Restaurant just at the end of the Serpentine is particularly child and push chair friendly with a huge terrace filled with picnic tables (no one is really going to care if you buy a coffee and bring your own food for the kids) where the kids can lean against the rails and watch the water fowl.

Gate Cinema: Tuesday 20^th December, 10:30am: We Have a Pope.  A favourite at Cannes this year, directed by Nanni Moretti.   The film is about a reluctant, newly elected pope who is not sure he is up for the job and engages with a therapist to resolve his inner conflicts.  A feel-good movie making light hearted jabs at dogma where you can breast feed. More info

For Babies and Toddlers (and big kids this week)

Classical Babies, Belsize Park.  Come and listening to duelling cellos, bring the family for £10 and enjoy a fabulous child-friendly classical concert.  Mince pies and mulled wine to follow and Christmas Carols (we will be there barring illness or a previous commitment to the Lyric theatre) More info

National Gallery

Magic carpet Story Telling for the Under Fives: Sunday 18^th December 10:30 – 11:00 & 11:30 – noon.  Wednesday 28^th & Thursday 29^th 10:30 – 11:30.  Walk through the National Gallery, take a seat on a magic carpet and listen to a description of a story told in one of the masterpieces.  An absolute delight; makes you take a deep breath of pride and say with great confidence, raising kids in central London is a good thing More info

London Transport Museum

Storytime:  Tuesday 27^th December – Tuesday 3^rd January 11:00am.  Bring the under fives to hear a story and do some singing. more info 

Gruffalo’s Child Arts Depot Theatre, ages 3+, £12 per ticket or family ticket £40. I have won a ticket to attend this theatrical adaptation of the charming book.  Looking forward to taking the family to a new arts venue. 

 Family Activity: Celebrate Chanuka the Festival of Lights: Monday 19^th December, 10:30-12:30 and 2:00-4:00pm, Come and learn the story of Chanuka and make your own clay menorah to take home with you.  £7 ages 5+.  More info

Drop in Art Workshop: Make a Christmas Cracker.  Tuesday 20^th December, 2:00-4:00pm.  Come along and make a Christmas cracker and sing some carols.  Free, drop in ages 5+more info

Family Activity: Winter Wonderland.  Come and make a gold glittery transfer sticker snowflake inspired by ceiling roses and other ornamentation in the Wallace Collection.  Ages 7+, £7 book ahead more info

V and A

Make it Family Event: Tuesday 27^th – Saturday 31^st, 10:30 – 12:30 or 2:00-4:00.  Come and make a glittery box to keep your secrets in.  We have done loads of these workshops and they are brilliantly put together.  You take younger siblings and still help the older make a very special keepsake they can keep for a long time.  Loads of staff on hand happy to help out a bit.  £3, you need to book more info

The Imagination Station: Tuesday 27^th – Saturday 31^st, 10:30 – 5:00pm.  Make you own puppet and perform with it in a Winter Wonderland Storytelling Session.  Free, drop in, suggested age 4+ (but anyone is welcome to have  go) more info

Gallery Tales: Tuesday 27^th – Tuesday January 3^rd, 11:30, 12:30, 2:00, 3:00 & 4:00 daily.  Come and hear stories about fairies, magic, mystery and delight in a 30 minute interactive play.  Children are welcome to bring the puppets they have made and join in the storytelling.  Free, drop in. more info

London Transport Museum

Mosaic Making: Monday 19^th – Friday 23^rd December, noon – 3pm daily.  Head over to the Transport Museum, have a great look around and learn London’s history through transit, and head over and make a mosaic coaster or wall hanging to take home or give as a gift. Free and drop in more info

Kite Making: Tuesday 27^th December – Tuesday 3^rd January noon – 3:00pm.  Make a box or diamond kite with fabric and card.  Free and drop in. more info

Gate Picturehouse Big Scream: Tuesday 15^th November, 10:30, babies less than 1 year of age.  The Awakening with Imelda Saunton, Dominic West and Rebecca Hall; set in a 1920’s English country boarding school, the film explores a sceptics encounter with supernatural phenomena. 

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Gate_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Clubs_Groups/

Babies and Toddlers:

Classical Babies: Wednesday, 11:00,InterchangeStudiosBelsizePark, £10, babies and toddlers.  Come join Anna Wagstaff and Tanya Ursova Owens for a cello and piano recital. 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=200150270059506

Babies, Toddlers and Children:

Hyde ParkWinter Wonderland: Thank you to the very fabulous Anna for giving my family tickets to the press opening; London-baby.com has moved to an asset from a liability in my husbands eyes. We look forward to posting a review of all the rides, food and cocktails next week!!

http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

Meet the Gruffalo at Selfridges: Saturday 19^th, 2-4pm, 4^th floor toy department Selfridges.  Come join the Gruffalo for storytelling and face painting (great way for one parent to get some shopping done)

http://style.selfridges.com/whats-on/meet-gruffalo-selfridges-london

Mini Maestro London Musical Arts Orchestra at St Martinin the Field, Saturday 19^th, 4:30 – 5:30, Beethovan’s Eroica Symphony, ages 4 – 12.   Fantastic, interactive orchestra who bring children into the performance. 

http://www.lmaorchestra.com/

South Kensington Festival:

Start booking for drawing workshops, film and book signing.  Quentin Blake and Lauren Child are just a few of the top children’s literati who will be working with our kids. 

http://www.institut-francais.org.uk/southkenkidsfest/events/sat26nov.html

 This weekend:

 Saturday 5^th November noon – 5pm, all ages

Wellcome Collection Day of the Dead: Come and experience the colourful and playful Mexican festival for what is honoured in the liturgical calendar as All Saints Day.  Religious in origin, the festival tries aims to interact and have fun with the idea of the afterlife.  Loads of crafts and interesting things to do while learning more about this fascinating Mexican festival. 

 Saturday 5^th November, all day, all ages

Regent Street Motor Show:Regent streethas been shut down and there will be 100 pre-1905 cars to view, cars from variousLondontoBrightonraces, 50 Mini Coopers … Loads to look at and roam around

 Sunday 6^th November, 3-5pm

Family Barn Dance: Cecil Sharp House, NW3.  Take the family to a traditional British Folk Dancing Party (no previous knowledge required).  An event for the whole family to learn and participate with the English Folk Dancing Society.  All ages, £5 adults, £3 children/

 Sunday 6^th November, 11:30

Mini-Make Believe at Somerset House:  Bring the under fives along to have a session of dancing, craft-making, singing and thinking about fireworks.  Free and brilliantly run. 

 Sunday 6^th November, 11:30

Daunt Books Heath Walk and Talk: Join Daunt Books on South End Road with your kids, dogs, prams for a walk in the Heath and a discussion about John Le Carre’s sublime novel, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.  Free and all ages

 Wednesday 9^th November, 11:00

ClassicalBabies: BelsizePark, Interchange Studios, babies and toddlers.  £10 per family.This is such a great time on a Wednesday morning, the venue is just a few doors down from the tube, the neighbourhood is very kid friendly, you can walk to the heath (a long-ish walk) a great way to enjoy some culture with your child

 Friday 11^th November 10:30 and 12:30

London Symphony Orchestra concert for the Under Fives, St. Luke’s Church, Old Street EC1.  Book now for an interactive concert for the very littlies, two performances 10:30 and 12:30.  Tickets are £3 per person, babies under 12 months are free.

  Next Weekend:

 Saturday 12^th November

The Kensington Hotel, Lessons in Table Manners for kids, ages 5 – 10, 3-4pm, The Aubrey Restaurant: FREE!!! Bring the kids in for some etiquette lessons at The Kensington Hotel. Leave the kids at the table to polish up their manners and adults can go partake in their own tea or enjoy cocktails!!  The children’s tea is free! Ring 020 75896300 or Email thedoylecollection@77pr.co.uk to reserve a place.

 Saturday 12^th November

Family Concert from The Little London Music School, 10:15 – 11:00am, £6 children & £8 adult.  Come enjoy an interactive concert for children.  Held is St. Columba’s upper hall onPont Street(a block or two from Harrods), a great location, wonderful room and near-by loads of shopping and playgrounds.  A great day out!!

British Museum  Prehistoric Britain: Flints, Farms and Flesh Hooks, Monday 24^th – Friday 28^th 11 – 4pm, free, drop in, all ages. Watch an expert flint knapper make stone tools, contribute to an art instillation, make your own art to take home and join in family talks about art and animals, ancient Romans in Britain, The Bronze Age and more.  http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/october_2011/prehistoric_britain.aspx

 Natural History Museum Investigate Room, 11am – 5pm, free, drop-in, ages 3+, younger sibs welcome.  Join Science Educators in the Investigate room to go on a guided investigation of one of the specimens in the collection.  Learn about red tailed deer antlers, handle an ancient ammonite, touch a 7 metre snack skin, watch giant bugs moult their cocoons: your child will want to become a scientist!! http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/daily-events/investigate/index.html

 St. Martin’s In the Field Mini Maestro with the LMA Orchestra, Saturday 29^th October 4:30.  £8.50 adult, £6.50 child.  Bring the kids along to an interactive concert designed especially for children to explore and engage with the orchestra.  Lots of participation, investigating and learning about music and instruments.  http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/jserv/concerts/view.jsp?id=3678

 Wallace Collection Hallowe’en Photography Project: Dream and Nightmares Friday 28^th October, ages 5+, free, drop in, 10:30 – 12:15.  Have your picture taken as a spooky or fantastic character.  Use make up, mask making, lighting and other props and effects to create wild, weird and wonderful versions of yourself.  http://www.wallacecollection.org/collections/event/3777

 Royal Albert Hall Family Ignite Myths and Legends Tuesday 25^th October noon and 2:30, all ages, free, tickets allocated on arrival (get there early) Held in the Hall’s Elgar room with an area for children reserved right next to the stage for children to sit and engage directly with the music.  Healthy snack boxes on sale (sandwich, carrots and grapes) along with teas and coffees. http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/family-ignite/myths-legends.aspx

 Sommerset House:    Mini Make Believe Hubble Bubble 12:45 -2:30, free, drop in, under 5’s.  Have a fabulous make and play session in Sommerset House!  Make crafts, dance and sing along to the theme of magic.  These workshops are perfect for little ones and enjoyable for adults, too. Shadows of Sommerset House, Saturday 22^nd & Saturday 29^th October 11:00- 1:00pm & 2:00 – 4:00pm, all ages, free, drop in.  Make your own spooks and glowing ghosties in these great family workshops. http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/learning/family/half-term

 Portrait Gallery:     Tour and Draw, ages 3+, free, drop in.  Mon 25^th – Fri 28^th 11-11:45 & 1:30 – 2:15.  Discover stories and secrets behind the portraits in the gallery, just as interesting for parents as the kids! Family Art Workshops, ages 5+, free, tickets allocated on arrival, 11:30 – 1:30  Monday October 24^th Colourful Collage wtih artist Seiwa Cunningham.  Tuesday 25^th Chasing Tales with storyteller Alia Al Zougbi.  Wednesday 26^th Caligraphy with artist Mustafa Jafar.  Thursday 27^th A Royal Tale with storyteller Seema Anana.  Friday 28^th Animate, learn how to make an animation inspired by the collection. http://tinyurl.com/64prndl

National Gallery:      Holiday Art Workshops: Tuesday 25^th, Wednesday 26^th, Thursday 28^th 11am- 1pm & 2- 4pm, 5+, free, places allocated on arrival.  Make a collage fashion plate with a collection of patterns and shapes with artists Charles Hustwick and Jo Rhymer. Storyscape 10:30 – 11am, Tue 25^th & Thu 27^th, under fives, free, spaces allocated on arrival.  Take part in an interactive storytelling session.  Drawing Stories: 10:30 – 11:00am, Wed 26^th, under fives, free, spaces allocated on arrival.  Tell a story through art and play. http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/families/

V and A:     Digital Kids: Monday 24^th – Friday 28^th, 10:30- 5:00pm, free, all ages, drop in. Come join artist in residence Postler Ferguson and make a digital creation. Gallery Lights – The Boy Who Sat on the Dragon Throne, 11:00am, 1:00pm & 3:00pm Saturday 22^nd and 29^th October.  Come see the play about a two year old boy who reigns over the Forbidden City in the China Galleries.  Make-it Invent-it: Mon 24^th – Fri 28^th, 10:30 – 12:30 & 2:00 – 4:00pm, age not specified, £3 per child, call to book tickets.  Join a designer and work to bring your visions to life! tp://www.vam.ac.uk/page/f/family-events/

Mostly For Babies:

Sunday 9^th October, Little Angel Theatre,  11:00am, £8

The DaSilva Marionette Circus: This very special and intriguing marionette show has been touring for over fifty years.  The large marionettes perform circus tricks that involve balance, tricky movements and other feats of entertainment.  The Sunday performance is baby-friendly, so you can bring the littlies along.

Tuesday 11^th October, Big Scream, Gate Cinema, £8.50 (mention London-baby.com and have your £4 membership fee waived)

Tyrannosaur: Paddy Considine (the story of a working class man’s path to redemption after the untimely death of his wife)

Wednesday 12^th October, Classical Babies, Interchange Studios, Belsize Park, £10

Solo Violin Recital: This is such a treat with babies and small children, older children are very much welcome.  This is a proper classical concert, but there is room for your pushchair, places for babies to crawl around, toys and books for slightly older children.  It is extremely easy to get to from the Belsize Park Underground Station

Saturday 15^th October, Half-Moon Theatre, 11:00am, 1:00pm & 3:00pm, £6 (ages three and under)

Circles in the Sand: Take your very youngest children to the theatre for an interactive performance perfect for babies and toddlers.  An experiential performance about sand, everyone can watch and everyone can play, too. 

Tuesday 18^th October, Big Scream, Gate Cinema, £8.50 £8.50 (mention London-baby.com and have your £4 membership fee waived)

Midnight in Paris: Woody Allen’s latest story about a writer in Paris.

For Older Children:

Saturday 15th October, Storytelling with Art Activity, National Portrait Gallery, 10:30, ages 3+, free

Edward’s Expedition: Hear the story of a young boy’s adventure to a far away land and then make your own map to take home.

Saturday 15^th October, Treasure from Your Travels, National Portrait Gallery, 11:30 – 1:30, free, ages 5+

Work with Clay: What did Victorians like to collect from their travels?  What souvenirs did they like to return from their travels with?  Find out in this workshop and make your own mini-museum treasure using clay.   

Sunday 16th October, Family Day at the V and A, 11:00am – 5:00pm, free, all ages

Big Draw: Bring the entire family to the V and A and everyone can take part in various drawing activities.  Little ones can use the imagination stations, where they can draw, stick and cut out creations; older children can take part in the drawing workshops held hourly from 11:30.  Loads of other workshops, demos, events and competitions, too. 

Next week, look for half-term activities from the Wallace Collection, British Museum, V and A, Portrait Gallery and more …

The Big Draw’s Big Splash, King’s Place (King’s Cross Station), NI.  Noon – 5pm, free all ages

Well-loved, ubiquitous and fabulous children’s illustrator and author Quentin Blake will be hosting an illustrating workshop filled with amazing activities focusing on different aspects of book art and illustration.  Marion Deuchars, Sarah Bridgland, Kerrie Fansman, Nina Chakrabati are just a few of the children’s book illustrators and artists who will be hosting workshops on this fabulous day of learning and fun.  Further, there will be a floating studio on a canal boat taking artists around town to sketch.

All events are free and all ages are welcome.  Check out the workshops listed here , they can be booked in advance, or drop in and see if there is space.

If you miss that, log in and see Quentin Blake online: http://www.quentinblakevirtuallylive.co.uk/20110928/index.asp

Tuesday 27 September

Gate Cinema, Big Scream 10:30am

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.  Bring your child, under 1 year of age, to the Gate Cinema’s Big Scream Film club and check out this
sell-out movie.   You must join the Big Scream club to bring your child into the cinema (apologies, no baby, no entry).  Low lights are left on, bring the push chair right into the cinema, nappy changing facilities provided.

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Gate_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Clubs_Groups/

Saturday 1  October

Trotters 20^th Birthday Party, Duke of York Square, 11am – 5pm

Come and celebrate Kings Road favourite independent children’s shop birthday!!  This is a birthday party done properly:  petting zoo, Victorian Carousel, music, biscuit decorating, traditional fete stalls, dancing, pampering from Liz Earle … loads of high-quality amusements and interacting.

Bring the family out to the Duke of York Green and have very child-centred fun family day out raising money for the Cairn Trust to help fund a school in Nepal

http://www.trotters.co.uk/blog/index.php/2011/09/08/celebrating-21-years/

Wigmore Hall

Giant, Lyrics and Lions in Partnership with the Wallace Collection, come take part in a day-long workshop using inspiration from the Wallace collection to create original musical compositions.  Explore the story of Hercules in the Wallace collections works featuring bulls, lions and giants with lecturer Bridget Crowley.  Children will be able to perform their work, if they like, on stage at The Wigmore Hall (I understand you are then free to claim that your child has performed at the Wigmore Hall on school forms!) From 10am at Wigmore Hall.

Ages 7+, adults must help children participate so younger siblings allowed only if they can participate, too.  £12 adults, £8 children. 10:30am – 3:30pm

http://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/productions/giants-lyrics-and-lions-28250

Sunday 2 October

Wallace Collection

Little Draw Free Drop in Workshop.  Come join artist Julia Iwasz whose work explores the connection between photography and painting, as she lead little ones and older ones on a drawing journey exploring different media.  Free, all ages, 1:30 – 4:30pm

http://www.wallacecollection.org/collections/event/3716

Somerset House

Mini Make Believe: Into the Woods

This is SUCH a great event to take very small children to on the weekend.  The events are teeny tiny workshops that involve singing, dancing, movement, making, art, bubbles all based on a monthly theme.  These events are free, just collect a ticket up to an hour before in the Seaman’s Hall.  If you arrive early, have a coffee in the amazing courtyard and watch the kids run around.

Under 5’s, 11:30

http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/learning/family/mini-make-believe

Saturday 8 October

British Museum

The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Great Court,  11am – 4pm, all ages, free

The Great Court of the British Museum will be filled with various stations where you and your kids can make, create and interact.  Bring your teddy bear, your kids and have fun drawing your bear with different works of art from the museum.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/october_2011/the_big_draw.aspx

Pippa’s Poppets

Spaces are rapidly filling up, but there are still a few spaces for babies, toddlers and small children in the Knightsbridge and Chelsea Venues

http://www.pippaspoppets.co.uk

Things are changing around London museums, but this change is genuinely worth the £2.50 per child the NAM is now charging for children over 1 year to enter the play zone.   If you plan to go regularly, you can by a season pass for £30 (the current pass is good until April) and put up to three adults on it and take up to three children with you. 

They have introduced new session times.  Instead of the first session being extremely long and the others a bit shorter, all the sessions are one hour long with a twenty minute break between sessions.  Further, you can obtain tickets for upcoming sessions when you enter the desk; if you find out the 10am session is filled, you can get a ticket for the 11:20am or a later slot and go off down The Kings Road for a while. 

The session times are as follows: 10:10 – 11:10; 11:20 – 12:20; 12:30 – 1:30; 1:45 – 2:45; 3:00 – 4:00; 4:15 – 5:15

The new Play Zone has been lavishly redesigned and brilliantly reconfigued.  The space is larger, big enough for children to run around in, with an even bigger climbing frame than before.  You can easily see into the climbing area and find out which child is tormenting and which child is crying, or see if a little one needs help getting around.   The kitchen is larger with room for loads of children to play, instead of just a few.  There are new, clean costumes to dress in and a swirling slide.  The best part of all, there is a section filled with soft climbing blocks for babies to pull themselves up on and fall down without getting hurt. 

There are no loos in the new Kids Zone, but there is one just across from the cafe that is wheelchair/pushchair accessible with a changing table.

The space is available for hire for birthday parties, complete with catering.

 Hope you enjoy!!

 V & A

The V & A is an amazing art education resource for the little ones.  Monday – Friday 10:30am – 5:00pm from now until the start of September, you can take your kids to the Imagination Station and create a really good piece to take home.  You and the kids take an adventure around the museum and get inspired to create an underwater themed craft.  In addition to the summer holiday workshops, the V & A offers Drop in Design every Sunday.  Children and their parents collect the materials in the Sackler Centre and go have a self-guided look around the museum and come back to create a keepsake.  Lastly, be sure to make the Marvellous Manuscripts Sunday 21st August Family Event for learning about Jain manuscripts.  Explore the theme with activities, storytelling and then make your own to take with you.

Free, drop-in, all ages (except Imagination Station is 4+ with younger siblings welcome), 10:30am – 5:00pm.

The Victoria and Albert Museum

Cromwell Road

London SW7 2RL

http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/f/families/

Horniman Museum

 Take your kids to the Horniman this summer and take part in Horniman Museum’s Family Art Fun (ages 3+ and younger siblings welcome) every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (various time throughout the day) for the remainder of the school holidays.  The children make a quality craft in the art studio of the museum. Further, the collection is interesting and very good for small children, so take along the big ones for the art and let the little ones have a good discovery of the rest of the collection. These sessions are free with spaces allocated on arrival.  Check with the desk when you arrive for information.

Horniman Museum and Gardens

100 London Road

Forest Hill

London SE23 3PQ

http://www.horniman.ac.uk/events/family.php

Saatchi Gallery

The Saatchi Gallery has just begun running family art workshops on Sunday mornings with Valeria Almadie.  These delightful workshops are for ages 4+ and generally run 11:00am & 2:00pm.  The workshop begins with a look around the gallery at three different works in the current show; the children are then taken down to the art studio and led in a discovery of design.  The classes are very small, with Valeria working very closely with each child.  This is a very child-friendly museum, please come out and support their latest efforts to cater to little ones.

Saatchi Gallery

Duke of York HQ

Kings Road

London SW3 4SQ

valeriaamadei@hotmail.it

http://familyworkshops.wordpress.com/about/

British Museum

On Tuesdays and Thursdays in August, the British Museum is offers activities for children to explore the Treasures of Heaven: Saints, Relics and Devotion in Medieval Europe exhibit.  They may make a glittering treasure box, hear tales of saints and monsters, create a pilgrim badge… different activities where they learn a bit about the exhibit and have a really cool artefact to take home with them.  Read the Family Events listings before heading off and have a great time learning and enjoying the British Museum.

British Museum

Great Russell Street

WC1B 3DG

http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/family_events.aspx

National Gallery

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the National Gallery is holding different interactive workshops for the under fives.  Some are just based on stories and movement, others involve making something.  These workshops are not pre-bookable; however, you may arrive up to half an hour before the workshop begins to be allocated a place.  You meet in the education foyer, which is off the entrance all the way around the building, opposite Trafalgar Square. 

The National Gallery

Trafalgar Square

London WC2N 5DN

http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/families/

National Portrait Gallery

Nearly every morning for the next few weeks, the National Portrait Gallery will be running Tour and Draw sessions for ages 3+.  In addition to these sessions, they will be offering Family Art Workshops for ages 5+, with younger siblings welcome to tag along.  These workshops are so enjoyable for young and old alike, the staff is really enthusiastic and make the sessions fun for all.  Check the web site for specific dates, times and activities.

National Portrait Gallery

St. Martin’s Place

London WC2H 0HE

http://www.npg.org.uk

Holland Park Ecology Centre

Over the summer holidays, be sure to take your kids to the very charming Holland Park Ecology Centre.  They have a lovely staff that will lead your child on a wildlife discovery focusing on fauna of the local area.  The session will start in the Ecology Centre which is located very close to the cafe, near the athletic fields.  The kids will begin learning about the topic (minibeasts, reptiles, making a shelter, orienteering) and then go on to create something to take away with them (potted seeds, a tree fairy, a clay lizard) and then go outside to explore and play games.  It’s very low-key and very enjoyable.  As a bonus, children over the age of 8 may be dropped-off.  Sessions cost £4 for residents and £5 for non-residents.  You may also book the Ecology Centre for birthday parties during the school year.

Holland Park Ecology Centre

The Stable Yard

London W8 6LU

http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/environmentandtransport/ecology.aspx