Little London’s Guide to Half Term…
Whether your little Londoner is a mini culture vulture or the get up and go type, our list of activities and events for the week ahead will keep them busy all half term.
MINI CULTURE VULTURES:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Based on Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel, the theatre adaption of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is equally successful as the winner of seven Olivier Awards. This star-studded production has been fantastically reviewed and will be hugely enjoyed by your slightly older little Londoners.
Until 23 May 2015 | Southbank
Oliver Jeffers’ The Way Back Home
This charming little number is difficult to resist. The sweet stories and cute characters of Oliver Jeffers’ timeless children’s book have been given a fun and imaginative makeover for this fantastic stage production. Plenty of fun and songs will have your little ones giggling all afternoon.
29 October-2 November | Southbank
Sherlock Holmes at The Museum of London
Hunt down an antique pipe and dust down that deer-stalking hat, because we’re going old school. The Museum of London’s latest exhibition transports your little Londoners to dark and dangerous Victorian London as they examine the mind of one of the world’s most famous fictional writers, Arthur Conan Doyle and his greatest creation, detective Sherlock Holmes.
Until 12 April 2015 | City of London
Horrible Histories Spies
Can’t get enough of the 007 action? Fear not, the Imperial War Museum’s Horrible Histories Spies interactive family exhibition is just as exciting. Visitors are immersed in a world of WWII spy-craft, including codes and cyphers, disguises, camouflage, forgeries, gadgets, even exploding rats used to sabotage German factories, and what secret agents carried in their suitcases (apart from their socks!).
Until 4 January 2015 | Lambeth
Albert’s Band Presents to Infinity and Beyond
This Saturday, head to the Albert Hall for this very special intergalactic musical journey. Aimed to inspire and engage with children, the interactive family concert will be packed full of fun for all ages and has a special area reserved at the front for children to get up close to the action. A great way to sit back and relax whilst your little Londoners are kept busy.
25 October | Kensington
Romeo and Juliet Explored
If your little Londoner loves being centre stage, then the National Theatre’s pre-show Romeo and Juliet workshop for children aged six to twelve is a must! This lively family workshop offers a fun and engaging glimpse into the world of theatre. Find out about the Montagues and Capulets’ ancient grudge, stage a street fight and join in with tonnes of Shakespearean adventure. Don’t forget to book tickets to see the real thing – a fantastic, child friendly adaption of this iconic play.
29 October – 1 November | Southbank
GETTING CRAFTY:
Tate Britain’s Free Weekend event, the BP Family Festival: Close Encounters of the Art Kind
Led by artists, performers and musicians, visitors will be taken on a creative exploration of the unknown planet of Tate Britain and the life forms of British art within it – through film-making, experimental electronic music, and live performance throughout the galleries. Little Londoners will have the chance to let their imagination loose on movie making, including costume, performance and props; they’ll also hear experimental electronic music, explore Henry Moore’s sculptures and encounter playful performances in response to artworks.
25-26 October | Southbank
LIAF – Barbican Framed Film Club: Amazing Animations 0-7 years + Drop-in Animation Workshop
Animation, like childhood, can be full of wonder with the biggest pleasures being the simplest ones. This programme carefully chosen for the London International Animation Festival’s littlest and most special audience strips away all the soft-sell toy ads and the over-the-top blockbuster-style special effects and delivers up a programme of wonderful films full of simple joys. Suitable for 0-7 years.
25 October | Barbican
Saatchi Gallery Animation Studio
Learn how to make stop-motion videos like a pro. Discover 2D and 3D techniques with character design, cutout puppets, and speech bubbles. From storyboarding to the editing suite, you’ll learn everything you need to know on this workshop master class with animator and author Helen Piercy. This workshop is a fantastic opportunity to really learn the fundamentals of animation. Click here to learn more about Animation Studio
30 October | Chelsea
Biscuiteers – Super Heroes
The amazing Biscuiteers boutique in Notting Hill is one of the best places to while away an afternoon. With tonnes of different icing colours and all the decorations and glitter you could possibly think of, the lovely icing workshops at Biscuiteers will ensure your Little Londoners are entertained for hours making all sorts of delicious treats, whilst you put your feet up with a cup of tea… or mulled wine.
23 October | Notting Hill
For Very Little Londoners: Unicorn Up Club
If you have a very little Londoner who likes to get up early at the weekend, then head to the Unicorn Up Club. Every Saturday from 12-1.30pm you can take part in FREE activities from rocket building to portrait painting, giant Jenga tournaments, cake decorating and lots more. Though there will always be something happening to keep the UP Club kids entertained, they do hold extra, extra special event days, such as this weeks the little pumpkin decorating classes, so keep an eye on their web page.
Every Saturday | Bermondsey
LITTLE OUT AND ABOUTS:
The Boxtrolls at Selfridges
Hands down London’s most stylish Cinema, the Everyman at Selfridges has everything you could want from a cocktail and champagne bar to interiors taken straight from the 1920s. Old school Hollywood glamour is what this cinema is all about! This week, The Boxtrolls hits the big screen letting your mini fashionistas join in with the fun. Advance booking is essential.
25-30 October | Westminster
Deadly and Disgusting Plants
Embark on a fantastic family adventure this October at Kew’s Deadly and Disgusting Plants festival. Your little Londoner’s must save London from the dastardly plans of the evil Smedly Deadly by following an interactive theatrical trail around the Gardens, taking in some of the deadliest plants in the world.
Poisonous plant puzzles, hands-on activities featuring unusual and scary plants and fungi, and a hilarious live performance where the evil Smedley Deadly gets his comeuppance! Great fun for all ages, whatever the weather.
18 October-2 November 2014 | Kew
Urban Food Festival
If your Little Londoner loves their street food, then supper at the Urban Food Festival will be a real treat. Dozens of food stalls and trucks serving almost everything the world has to offer – jerk chicken, wood-fired oven pizza, pad thai, halloumi souvlaki, burritos – the list goes on. Up-and-coming bands and entertainers round out the experience, while the night market’s ever-evolving line-up ensures second and third visits are well worth the effort. Entry is free.
Until 20 December | Shorditch
Real Food Market
If the gods are being kind, and we are blessed with some sunshine this half term, this is the perfect place to enjoy a lunchtime outing in the sun. Bringing you an amazing range of great produce and the rising stars of London’s street food scene, the Real Food Market carefully select each trader based on their commitment to producing the very best quality, sustainably and ethically produced food and drink.
Most weekends from Friday-Sunday | Southbank
VeloPark
If you’re little Londoners are bursting with energy this week, take them to the Olympic Park’s Lee Valley VeloPark where they can cycle like mad until their heart’s content. Cycle the track in the iconic Olympic velodrome, race on the road circuit, tackle the mountain bike trails or jump and bump on the berms of the re-modelled Olympic BMX track.
25 October-1 November | Stratford
