Families North London magazine May/June Issue 130

North London IN THIS ISSUE

Camps & Activities WIN! “Junior Dinosaur” Happy Hatchday!

By Rob Biddulph WIN! Tickets to see We’re Going On A Bear Hunt! in the West End How many paw prints can you spot in this issue?

See page 2 for details

Issue 130 May/June 2018

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T E G S ’ T E L Y T R A P S I TH STARTED! ns hing from invitatio We’ll supply everyt rt ith dedicated pa y to food and drink w . ur own special host areas and even yo g is the kids!

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Families North London is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families North London are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families North London. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families North London; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

2 Families North London

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Welcome to the May/June issue!

CONTACT US:

Families North London Magazine Publisher: Heather Waddington Managing Editor: Lisa Ralph PO Box 2378, Watford WD18 1RF T: 01923 237 004 M: 07402 613 042 E: Editor@FamiliesNorthLondon.co.uk www.FamiliesNorthLondon.co.uk

UPCOMING ISSUES July/August 2018—”What To Do With The Kids This Summer!”

Deadline : 1 June 2018 Send in your news, stories and advertising bookings to the details left.

IN THIS ISSUE:

North London IN THIS ISSUE

Camps & Activities WIN! “Junior Dinosaur” Happy Hatchday!

By Rob Biddulph WIN! Tickets to see We’re Going On A Bear Hunt! in the West End How many paw prints can you spot in this issue?

See page 2 for details

Issue 130 May/June 2018

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Front cover image credit www.depositphotos.com

3 Competitions 4 Local News 6 Open Day Listings 7 Education 8 Childcare 9 Family Health 10 Actitivies & Camps 12 What’s On 18 Children’s Theatre 20 Parties, Clubs, Classes & Activities

For families from birth to twelve.

Read by over 60,000 local families 6 times a year.

www.facebook.com/FamiliesNorth @FamiliesNthLon

COMPETITIONS CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS! The smash-hit production We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is returning to the West End this Summer! To celebrate, we’re giving away one family ticket (admits 4).

There are a number of bear paw prints hidden throughout this magazine. To WIN, find them all and email your answer together with you name (subject heading BEAR HUNT FAMILIES NORTH LONDON COMPETITION) to info@kennywax.com before midnight 30 June 2018). Join our intrepid family of adventurers for this fun-filled adaptation of Michael Rosen’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at the Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue from 4 July.

Live music, original songs and lots of audience interaction makes this the perfect summer treat!

Terms & Conditions – Prize is for one family ticket (admits 4, min 1 adult) to see We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue from 4 July – 2 September 2018. The winner will be selected by random prize draw of entries with the correct answer. Tickets are subject to availability, hold no cash value, and are nontransferable. Answers will not be accepted after the closing date of midnight 30 June 2018 and all decisions will be final.

WIN! Dinosaur fans will love the brand new, Creatively Cretaceous story from bestselling author from North London, Rob Biddulph.

Our friends at Harper Collins have 10 Free Copies to give away of the first in the series of Rob’s new series of picture books Dinosaur Juniors which follows a group of baby dinosaurs from the day they were hatched.

Go to bit.ly/HarperCollinsGiveaway and answer the following question to be in with a chance to win. How many horns did a Triceratops have? One, Two or Three? Closing date is 30 June 2018.

T&Cs - The prize is for one book Dinosaur Juniors: Happy Hatchday by Rob Biddulph, published on 5th April 2018. The winner will be selected from by random prize draw of all entries with email addresses, full names and addresses. Entries from the UK only. Entries will not be accepted after the closing date of 30 June 2018. Winner(s) will be contacted by email 48 hours after the giveaway ends. There is no cash alternative to the prize. HarperCollins will send prizes to the winners within 14 days after the competition ends. The decisions will be final.

Contact us for further information

020 8343 3567 info@nacelesl.co.uk • www.nacelesl.co.uk 53-55 Ballards Lane, London N3 1XP. Finchley Central

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Local News Superheros and Circus Extravaganzas take over Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School During the forthcoming summer schools, children aged 7-16-years will experience the closest thing to performing in P. T. Barnum’s circus show in a Musical Circus Extravaganza – minus the fire breathing and trapezing of course! They will get to perform as their favourite villains and super heroes in the Superhero Musical Mashup and will be in their very own production of Gleeville, based on the songs from the number 1 hit TV show Glee. As an added treat they will also go on trips to the West End’s Aladdin and Wicked as well as the Regent’s Park Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors. Once the excitement of the summer is over the part-time Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School, for 4 - 18 year olds, will be taking on new students in Camden, Hackney, Greenwich and the Docklands. You can sign up for a Free Taster Day now.

As an independent drama school, and not a franchise, Anna Fiorentini and team are able to devote time and commitment to ensuring the happiness and progression of each of the students. Their award-winning school is widely praised and respected for nurturing young talent and instilling confidence, self-esteem and personal well-being in their students.

Current students will be performing in their Variety Performance Extravaganza at the Hackney Empire on Saturday 15th September.

A great chance for potential students to see what we are all about and get inspired for the term ahead.

Quote Families North for a 20% Discount off your first term or Summer School. More details at www.annafiorentini.com For adults we have www.stageandthecity.com

Family Fun Day in Hendon in support of Microtia UK On Saturday 16 June at Hendon School there will be a Family Fun Day in aid of Microtia UK. Microtia (Greek for little ear) is an underdevelopment of the external part of the ear and is often accompanied with hearing loss. It affects about 1 in 6000 babies.

The event brings those with Microtia and their families together. The fun day is crucial in gathering information from professionals and doctors. It is about raising awareness, educating others and providing support, whilst also having fun. Rising Stars have been amazing support during the Fun Day. They gather the children, with/without Microtia, and take them on a fun day of their own.

Playing, learning and growing confidence together. You can support the charity in different ways including a one-off donation to help the charity to keep running.

More information, visit www.microtiauk.org

Book Your Free Taster Day plus Join our fun-packed Summer School

4 Families North London

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Local News New grammar school reminder service launched A new service has been launched to remind parents about important educational dates. RemindMum.com will send text messages reminding you about open days, deadlines for submission of registration forms, exam dates, mock tests and more. The service has been launched initially with reminders specifically for grammar school entry, with plans to include educational events in schools, colleges and universities in the pipeline.

Sandra Nicol founder of RemindMum.com says “with so many dates to remember, some parents miss out on school places because they simply forgot or were not aware of the relevant dates.” Deadlines for the submission of application forms, supplementary forms, appeals, open days and the list goes on. For a small fee RemimdMum.com will send you text messages reminding you of important dates if intending to get your child into a grammar school. Simply choose the school area, make the payment and wait for RemindMum text reminders. Easy and effective! www.remindmum.com www.reminddad.com

Minister joins charities’ call to help carers be ‘Healthy and Connected’ Carers Week 2018 will take place from 11-17th June.

Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign which takes place to celebrate and recognise the vital contribution made by the UK’s 6.5 million carers. It is also a time of intensive local activity with hundreds of events planned for carers across the UK. There are lots of different ways to get involved in Carers Week. From sharing information with a struggling friend, to handing out leaflets at your local GP’s surgery, we all have a role to play in helping carers stay Healthy and Connected.

Visit www.carersweek.org and pledge your support for Carers Week by spreading awareness of caring, as well as ways carers can stay Healthy and Connected in your area. Twitter @CarersWeek and use the hashtag #Carersweek. Like Carers Week on Facebook (www.facebook.com/carersweek)

Summer in the Alps The Alps may be an obvious destination for the ski season, but how about a summer visit?

Summer offers enough green (the mountains) and blue (the sky) to set you up for the whole year - and plenty of fresh air to fill your families’ lungs.

With reasonably priced flights from London airports to Geneva then a short drive to Morzine, there is a warm welcome waiting from Paul and Francesca Eyre at Chilly Powder. With the main chalet - Au Coin du Feu - plus two chalets next door, you can organise your own meals, or join the party at ‘Au Coin du Feu’ for dinners that you usually only dream of. Family friendly early evening meals for the children and a daytime crèche for little ones not quite as active as you, with drinks in the bar for the grown ups – or in the Jacuzzi on the terrace – Paul and Francesca will make you wish that this was home!

For more about Chilly Powder chalets for summer and winter visit www.chillypowder.com

Perform’s three and five-day summer courses for 4-12s.

Inspire your child’s imagination this summer with Perform’s unique holiday courses. During July and August, your 4-7 year old could be flying away to Neverland on one of Perform’s three or five day courses. We’re setting sail for an unforgettable drama, dance and singing adventure.

With a sprinkle of fairy dust, our team of skilled actors, musicians and dancers will work their magic to ensure your child enjoys every minute as they work towards a show-stopping performance to delight family and friends. 7-12 year olds can be part of The Greatest Show On Earth this summer. Together with Phineas Barnum, we’ll be risking everything to put on a spectacular circus designed to show the public things they’ve never seen before. “They seemed to have fun from the moment they walked in to the moment they left. A really wonderful week!” Alex Estwick, parent Summer Course at venues across North London. 020 7255 9120 / enquiries@perform.org.uk or go to www.perform.org.uk/try

Contact us

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020 8343 3567 English Language Courses 10% 53-55 Ballards Lane, London N3 1XP. Finchley Central

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Lesson

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Independent Schools Open Days Compiled by Anna Blackshaw. Please check websites to confirm in advance of visiting advertised open days. Listings are subject to change.

Abercorn School W1B Boys and Girls 2 ½ - 13 yrs 8www.abercornschool.com

Open Day: Fri 18 May; Wed 20 Jun; both 9.15am.

(020 7100 4335

The American School in London NW8 Boys and Girls 4-18 yrs 8www.asl.org

Open Day: By appointment.

(020 7449 1200

Arnold House School St John’s Wood NW8 Boys 5-13 yrs 8www.arnoldhouse.co.uk

Open Day: By appointment.

(020 7266 4840

Belmont School Mill Hill NW7 Boys and Girls 3-18 yrs 8www.belmontschool.com

Open Day: Sat 29 Sep, 9am-12pm; Wed 7 Nov, 9-11.30am.

(020 8906 7290

Cavendish School NW1 Girls 3-11yrs, Boys 3-7 yrs.

8www.cavendishschool.co.uk

Open Day: By appointment. *admissions@cavendish-school.co.uk

Devonshire House School Hampstead NW3 Boys & Girls 2½–13 yrs 8www.devonshirehouseschool.co.uk

Open Day: Wed 2 & Thu 3 May, 9.45-11.30am.

(020 7435 1916

Francis Holland School NW1 Girls 4-18 yrs 8www.fhs-nw1.org.uk

Open Day: Thu 21 Jun, Thu 28 Jun, both 8.45am (11+).

(020 7723 0176

Goodwyn School Mill Hill NW7 Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs 8www.goodwyn-school.co.uk

Open Day: Tue 5 Jun. (020 8959 3756

Grange Park Prep School N21 Boys 3-4 yrs, Girls 3-11 yrs.

8www.gpps.org.uk

Open Day: Tue 1 May; Tue 5 Jun; Tue 3 Jul, all 9.30am (020 8360 4869

Hendon Prep School Hendon NW4 Boys and Girls 2-13 yrs 8www.hendonprep.co.uk

Open Day: Thu 14 Jun. (020 8203 7727

Hereward House School Hampstead NW3 Boys 4-13 yrs 8www.herewardhouse.co.uk

Open Day: By appointment *office@herewardhouse.co.uk

Keble Prep School N21 Boys 4-13 yrs 8www.kebleprep.co.uk

Open Day: By appointment *office@kebleprep.co.uk

Kilburn Grange School Kilburn NW6 Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs 8www.kilburngrangeschool.org.uk

Open Day: Weekly Tours – every Wednesday from 2.30–3pm. Stay and Play – every Fri 9-10am (020 7504 0547

King Alfred School NW11 Boys and Girls 4-18 yrs 8www.kingalfred.org.uk

Open Day: Lower Sch: Thu 24 May; Thu 20 Sep. Upper Sch: Thu 3 May; Thu 20 Sep. All 9.30-11am (020 8457 5285

Lyndhurst House School Hampstead NW3 Boys 4-13 yrs 8www.lyndhursthouse.co.uk

Open Day: Wed 23 May, Wed 17 Oct, Tue 30 Oct, all 9.30-11am.

(020 7435 4936

Lyonsdown Prep School New Barnet EN5 Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs 8www.lyonsdownschool.co.uk

Open Day: Tue 15 May, 1.30pm.

(020 8449 0225

Mulberry House School London NW2 Boys and Girls 2-7 yrs 8www.mulberryhouseschool.com

Open Day: By appointment.

(020 8452 7340

North Bridge House School NW1/3 Boys and Girls 2yrs 9mnths - 18 yrs 8www.northbridgehouse.com

Open Day: Tue 15 May, Tue 5 Jun, both 9.30am (Nursery); Fri 4 May, Thu 14 Jun, both 9am (Prep).

(020 7267 6266

North London Rudolf Steiner School N8 Boys and Girls 0-7 yrs 8www.rudolfsteiner.london.sch.uk

Open Day: By appointment.

(020 8341 3770 *info@rudolfsteiner.london.sch.uk

St Anthony’s School NW3 Boys 4-13 yrs 8www.stanthonysprep.org.uk

Open Day: By appointment *sadhna.halai@stanthonysprep.co.uk

St Margaret’s School Hampstead NW3 Girls 4-16 yrs 8www.st-margarets.co.uk

Open Day: Wed 20 Jun, 9.15-11am; Thu 20 Sep, 5-6.30pm; Wed 26 Sep, 9.15-11am.

(020 7435 2439

St Martin’s School Mill Hill NW7 Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs 8www.stmartinsmillhill.co.uk

Open Day: By appointment.

(020 8959 1965

St Paul’s Steiner School N1 Boys and Girls 3-14 yrs 8www.stpaulssteinerschool.org

Open Day: By appointment.

(020 7226 4454

Salcombe Prep School N14 Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs 8www.salcombeprep.co.uk

Open Day: Thu 20 Sep, 9.15am (020 8441 5356

University College School Pre-Prep NW3 4-7 yrs 8www.ucs.org.uk

Open Day: Jun Sch: Thu 7 Jun, Thu 13 Sep, Thu 4 Oct, all 4.30pm. Sen Sch: Tue 11 Sep, Mon 17 Sep (11+ & 13+) Thu 20 Sep, Tue 25 Sep (16+) Tue 6 Nov (11+).

(020 7722 4433 *pre-prep@ucs.org.uk

Vita Et Pax Prep School N14 Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs 8www.vitaetpax.co.uk

Open Day: By appointment.

(020 8449 8336

6 Families North London

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Education STEM: Helping Children with the Fundamentals of Education

By Christopher Cederskog It’s not easy being a parent. You want to do the best for your children, but sometimes it’s hard to work out what that actually is. Education is one of those areas where advice is constantly changing. If you are interested in helping your kids with the fundamentals of education there is an acronym which you should become aware of: STEM. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and it is fast becoming the core of the British and global education system.

There is hardly a career which does not involve some element of STEM, from farming to neurosurgery, and it also plays a part in a many everyday activities. This is why it’s important our children can understand its key tenets.

As a parent, then, what can you do to help form the STEM of your child’s tree of knowledge? I have always believed that learning should be fun and the popular perception is that the subjects of STEM are anything but. However, science, engineering and technology are particularly well-suited to play and mathematics can be applied to virtually any day-to-day situation. It’s just a matter of identifying the right opportunities.

The next time you’re baking pastry together, let your child measure out the ingredients and ask them questions: what does ‘half fat to flour’ mean? Let them work out, according to that rule, how much flour is needed if you’re using 100 grams of fat.

Get them to count out how many pastry cases were made from that ratio, then work out how much more pastry it would take to double the number of cases, or how many pies each family member will get based on the current number. Talk about the ingredients, what they are and where they’ve come from.

When you’re out with your children, encourage scientific observations: when walking to the park, talk about why the leaves are green or why they fall in autumn. See if your children can spot any mini-beasts and set them the challenge of learning

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about them when they get home.

And when at home, help bring out your child’s inner-engineer by encouraging them to put those endless MegaBlocks and LEGO bricks to work.

Every activity can be a learning opportunity without a child needing to identify it as such.

Your job as a parent is to try to find ways to make the learning opportunity fun. While I’m not saying that all education should be done by stealth, I am an advocate of learning through play. The lessons I most strongly remember from my childhood are those that were learned while I was having fun: the Van de Graaff generator sparking as much imagination as electricity; the recreation of the witches’ scene in Macbeth making Shakespeare seem relevant and interesting; the days in the garden, learning where food actually comes from and that there is a point to worms.

Children were born to learn and their brains are busy absorbing information from the second they leave the womb. If you can make your lessons fun, informal and an integral part of everyday life, then your little ones will learn by osmosis and you can sit back in the happy glow of a good job, well done.

Christopher Cederskog is MD of Wonder Workshop which teaches children coding through robotics and enables them to master critical thinking, problem solving, cause and effect, communication, and collaboration. For more information, visit www.makewonder.com

Families North London 7

Childcare Childcare Options for your Family

By Stephanie Rough There are many different types of childcare and deciding on the right option can be a daunting task. You may need childcare for as many different reasons as there are childcare options: you’re returning to work; you need someone to pick the children up from school; you need someone to help with your new-born.

So how do you go about finding the right childcare for your family? The biggest piece of advice for any parent thinking about childcare is to plan ahead. Many nurseries have limited places which can get booked up even years in advance, whilst finding the right nanny or childminder can equally take weeks, if not months.

Here are some initial questions to consider: • How old are your children and do they have any special requirements?

• How many hours per week do you need childcare?

• Would you prefer a home or nursery environment?

• Does your childcare have to be near your place of work and what is your available travelling time?

• What is your budget?

Your potential childcare options include family, nurseries, child-minders, nannies and au pairs. Each option has its pros and cons.

Family offers the great benefit of being free, home based and flexible to suit your hours. However it IS important for the family member(s) to be fully committed and not inclined to take lots of holidays when you need cover! Misunderstandings between family members over childcare can sometimes cause more problems than a professional arrangement.

Nurseries can provide toddlers with opportunities for social interaction but not the one-to one attention that an infant requires.

Nursery hours are the least flexible but your child can attend all year round, except when they are unwell.

Childminders provide a home-from-home setting with relatively fixed hours and more flexibility for families who need less standard hours, shorter days or part-time care. Fees for childminders are charged per child so if you have 2 or 3 children, this may prove more expensive than a nanny. Childminders have to hold a minimum childcare qualification and are regulated by Ofsted. Their rating and reports can be checked online.

Nannies are unregulated and do not need to have any qualifications. However, many ARE qualified and can hold degree level qualifications in childcare. Whilst some nannies are registered with Ofsted it is a voluntary process which benefits mainly the employer who can then use childcare to pay her. Nannies are widely regarded as the most expensive childcare option, but this isn’t necessarily the case if you have 2 or 3 children as nannies are paid a salary for the job regardless of the number of children in a family. They also provide the most flexibility and are based at your home. You can also join forces with another family and share a nanny. Having a nanny means you have to become an employer, register with HMRC and provide your nanny with a contract.

However there are nanny payroll services available that make this process very simple.

When children start school, childcare decisions can become even more difficult.

Au-pairs are a very popular choice for school age children. Financially they offer the cheapest childcare option, providing you have a spare room available for them. However, au pairs often have zero or very limited childcare experience and travel to the UK for a cultural experience lasting only between 6 and 12 months.

Cost considerations will play a large part in the decision about childcare, as it’s essential to find something affordable. It’s important to check to see if you are entitled to Tax Free Childcare and the new style Childcare Voucher and you can do so at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk The options for childcare are very varied and having so much choice can make the decision harder! Naturally, you need to establish available options in your local area, so research is key.

What you finally choose must work for you and take account of your work commute and/or your daily routine. Ultimately, the right childcare option is the one that leaves your children happy, stimulated and safe and you with great peace of mind.

Stephanie Rough works for Parental Choice, the essential “one-stop shop” for your childcare needs. Parental Choice offers childcare searches for nurseries, childminders, nannies and au pairs. It also supports employers of nannies with payroll and employer responsibilities. For more information, www.parentalchoice.co.uk 8 Families North London

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Family Health Cow’s Milk allergy – What you need to know

By Dr Chodhari, The Royal Free Hospital London Providing good nutrition during the first year of your child’s life plays a significant role in promoting healthy development. Fussy and unsettled babies can cause concern about possible food allergies as a culprit.

Breastfeeding remains the best source of nutrition for babies. However, if you are not able to breastfeed then formula milk is a safe alternative. The majority of babies handle formula milk made from cow’s milk well.

What is cow’s milk allergy (CMA)?

Cow’s milk protein allergy is an allergic response to proteins in milk by the baby’s immune system. It is one of the most common forms of food allergy seen in the first year of life. Cow’s milk is the most frequently found cause of food allergy in babies and young kids, affecting between 2 - 5% of children. Parents are often the first ones to notice signs of allergy when formula milk is introduced. Babies who are exclusively breastfed can occasionally develop the allergy due to cow’s milk in the mother’s diet.

What are the symptoms of milk allergy in babies?

CMA can present itself in two common ways: signs of illness within minutes or a delayed onset, over a period of hours or days.

Common symptoms are restlessness, poor sleep, hives or skin rash, colic or tummy pains.

How is CMA diagnosed?

One of the difficulties in diagnosing CMA is that symptoms can be confused with common baby ailments such as regurgitation, reflux and colic. Your doctor will take a structured allergy focussed approach with clues such as family history of food allergy, asthma, eczema or hay fever. Depending on history and examination, a skin prick test (SPT) or blood test can help to confirm the diagnosis.

Is dairy allergy different to lactose intolerance?

Unlike CMA which is linked to the protein in milk, lactose intolerance is caused by the body being unable to digest the natural sugar lactose found in milk. Often in children, it is temporarily caused by tummy bugs. Usually, children have digested cow’s milk formula well before falling ill to tummy bugs.

How is CMA treated?

Your GP or a paediatrician should support you in managing CMA. You may be referred to a dietician. In babies fed on formula milk, cow’s milk formula is replaced by hypoallergenic infant formula. In babies which have been breastfed, mothers may be advised to exclude cow’s milk from their diet. Mothers will need added calcium and vitamin D to prevent calcium deficiency. Children with CMA are often allergic to other common foods such as eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. Your doctor will evaluate these at the same time to support appropriate weaning of foods. Fortunately, most children grow out of their dairy allergy by the age of five.

More information is on offer from the NHS www.nhs.uk > Could-my-child-be-intolerant-to-cows-milk? or at www.allergyuk.org/information-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/36-types-of-food-allergy

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Camps & Activities

We aim to be as accurate as possible, but these listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please check before setting out.

When the school doors close, keep kids entertained and have a fun and stress-free Summer Holiday with these great ideas.

Your child can learn a new skill such as cooking or IT during the school holidays, or enjoy their favourite hobby such as football, drama or arts & crafts.

Day Camps Active Day Camps - Designed to make your child’s holiday one to look forward to and remember. Multi-Activity camps for children aged 5-12 at UCS Junior School, Hampstead. Children also take part in a specialist-led session each day including Football, Tennis, Graffiti Art and Capoeira. From £35 per day.

8www.activedaycamps.com (07739 388 553 Arts Depot – Run family friendly workshops and clubs during the school holidays. 8www.artsdepot.co.uk Chickenshed – Summer Shed 2018 (N14) Week 1 Mon 23 - Fri 27 Jul. Week 2 Mon 20 Jul - Fri 3 Aug. Both creative weeks will be different so choose to do one, or both weeks. Ages 5-11.

Participants at these brilliant week-long events. Children will be part of a group that will together come up with am Idea, create a story, learn songs and make up dances all in time for a performance on the Friday afternoon! Parents and friends will see the performance. For ages 5-11 years.

(020 8292 9222 8www.chickenshed.org.uk Danny Grant Soccer School is running exciting actionpacked Summer for kids aged 3 to 12! From Mon 16 Jul - Fri 10 Aug in NW3. It will be non-stop fun at our FOOTBALL CAMPS this summer! Enthusiastic coaches welcome boys and girls of all abilities for fitness training, football skills and daily tournaments.

To reserve a place call (020 8446 0808.

8www.dgsoccer.co.uk Dramarama A summer full of drama for creative kids aged 3.5-14yrs! Dramarama is running exciting Summer Holiday Performing Arts Courses from 16 July - 10 Aug in NW3.

DRAMATOTS (3.5-4.5yrs) will enjoy drama games, and ages 5-14 will perform in exciting PLAYS, MUSICAL THEATRE or STREET DANCE SHOWS! With 3-DAY WORKSHOPS, plus a TRINITY COLLEGE DRAMA EXAM COURSE for talented kids & teens.

(020 8446 0891.

8www.dramarama.co.uk.

Summer Holiday Performing Arts Courses

16 July – 10 August, in NW3 Holiday Courses include: • Dramatots (3-4yrs) • Stage 1 Drama (4-6yrs) • Musical Theatre (5-11yrs) • Street Dance (5-11yrs) • Youth Theatre Group (11-15yrs) • 2-week Trinity College Drama Exam Course (7-18yrs) PLUS TERM-TIME SATURDAY CLASSES & BIRTHDAY PARTIES!

info@dramarama.co.uk | 020 8446 0891 | www.dramarama.co.uk 10 Families North London

Explore Learning – Offer Maths and English tuition sessions for 5-14 year olds throughout the school holidays. (01895 636 378 8www.explorelearning.org.uk Holiday Academy is a children’s day camp in NW1 London, for children aged 3-12 (in age groups) from all schools. Go along for exciting sessions including music, drama, art, sport and forest school each school holiday. Sessions running over the May Half Term Tue 29 May – Fri 1 Jun, Summer Holiday Mon 16 Jul – Fri 17 Aug at Cavendish School. (07585 002 327 *ruth@holidayacademy.co.uk 8www.holidayacademy.co.uk JK Educate 11+ Workshops in Maths and English for Y5 and Y6 children. A series of engaging 11+ workshop days to boost children’s motivation and confidence, teaching and practising many of the skills needed to successfully sit the 11+ exams. The next workshops will take place on Sun 10 Jun, Sun 1 Jul, Tues 28 Aug, Sun 28 Oct and Sun 2 Dec with Maths in the morning and English in the afternoon. To book a place for your child at one of their workshops or Mock Exam sessions In May or October, please call (020 3369 3390 or email *info@jkeducate.co.uk.

Full Workshop details available at: 8www.jaderbergkrais.co.uk/workshops Jigsaw Summer Schools – Week long summer schools with end of week show. Designed to provide enjoyable and stimulating performing arts activities for students during the school holidays.

The sessions are split into age groups of 3 to 5 years and 6 to 16 years. (020 8447 4530 8www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk Leaders Are Readers – Their Summer School is attended by children from all over the world and early booking is advised.

This year they are running from Mon Mon 23 Jul - Fri 10 Aug (3 weeks) at St Andrew’s Southgate Primary School, Southgate N14 6JA. The aim is to cover a year’s essential work in 3 weeks, fill in learning gaps and prepare children on advanced topics so they can zoom ahead when they return to school in September. Open Days: 5, 12, 19 & 26 May and 9, 16, 23 & 30 June.

(01992 651 300 8www.leadersarereaders.co.uk

SUMMER HOLIDAY FOOTBALL CAMPS 16 JULY – 10 AUG, IN NW3

FUN & GAMES AGES 31/2 - 41/2

SKILLS, DRILLS, FITNESS & FUN AGES 5-12

PLUS SATURDAY CLASSES, MATCHES & PARTIES!

info@dgsoccer.co.uk | 020 8446 0891 | www.dgsoccer.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Little Kickers Some courses running during the Summer Holidays, Mon 23 Jul – Wed 15 Aug. Football training for kids from 18 months to under 7 years.

For Finchley Central, Friern Barnet, Golders Green, Hampstead, Mill Hill, Muswell Hill & Swiss Cottage, contact Julia. *jlevene@littlekickers.co.uk or call (020 8201 1084 For Enfield, New Barnet, North Finchley & Southgate contact Emma. *ehanna@littlekickers.co.uk or call (020 7684 7969 For more information go to 8www.littlekickers.co.uk 11+ Mock Test Masters - 11plus Limited and Mock Test Masters™ are specialist providers or information and resources for the 11+ entrance exam. They demystify and ease the 11+ preparation process for parents and their children. BIG 11+ events are run in local centres in Finchley and Barnet. Also available are: Holiday Learning Clubs, Mock Test Review Sessions, Pass Club - Saturday tuition and Weekly Practice Tests. 8www.mocktestmasters.com Holiday Microsport offers fun, multisports classes for children aged 3-7 years will run in the Half term Tue 29 May and Summer holidays Mon 30 July at Kentish Town Congregational Church from 9:30 - 11:30am. Visit 8www.micro-sport.co.uk for details and to book or email *ben@micro-sport.co.uk London Academy of Gymnastics and Dance (LAGAD) Summer Camp runs Monday 23rd July to Friday 10th August.in Muswell Hill (N10) and Wood Green (N22). Fun-packed mix of gymnastics, circus skills and dance routines for children aged 3½ to 11.

Morning, afternoon and full day sessions.

Book online: 8www.lagad.co.uk (020 8883 4675 Mini Chefs Cookery classes for kids! Fun and exciting cooking classes for 2 -8 year olds in Muswell Hill and Southgate. Summer classes are also running. Please have a look at the website for more details: www.minichefs.co.uk. Contact Sarita on (07946 507 119 or *saritakapur14@gmail.com.

Perform Three and five-day summer courses in July and August.

Neverland (N5, E5, NW3, NW11, NW1, NW8) This summer, your 4-7 year old could be flying away to Neverland on one of Perform’s three or five day courses. We’re setting sail for an unforgettable drama, dance and singing adventure. With a sprinkle of fairy dust, our team of skilled actors, musicians and dancers will work their magic to ensure your child enjoys every minute as they work towards a performance to delight family and friends.

The Greatest Show on Earth (N10, NW3) Dance, sing and join the fun this summer. In Perform’s five-day courses for 7-12 year olds, your child could rehearse and perform a specially written show combining songs, dancing and a heart-warming story.

(020 7255 9120 *enquiries@perform.org.uk 8www.perform.org.uk/summerfun 8www.perform.org.uk/try Rising Stars Activities Camp (N2 / NW2) Football & Multi activity camp - choose from sports, arts & crafts, indoor games, drama, music and specialist activities such as skateboarding and tennis lessons. Camps are Ofsted registered and childcare vouchers are accepted. For further enquiries, contact *info@risingstarsactivities.com or call (020 8150 6655 8www.risingstarsactivities.com The Place Join the exhilarating atmosphere of The Place this Summer. Jam packed with dance activities and performances for all ages from babies to over 60’s, including workshops the whole family can enjoy together! More info at 8theplace.org.uk or call (020 7121 1100 The Strings Club Inspire your child through music every holiday with ​The Strings Club’s multi award-winning, Ofsted registered Holiday Camps in N1 and NW3. Book half days from £25. Find out more at 8thestringsclub.org/northlondon

Nacel Computer Coding Camps (N3) Weekly camps in July and August. Learn digital skills, game programming with JAVA, mobile app development. Ages 12-18, all levels.

8www.nacelesl.co.uk (020 8343 2567 Offering the best children’s activities in: ● Holiday Camps ● Football Clubs ● Birthday Parties ● Personal Training ● PE Teaching & School Clubs Ages: 3 – 12 years old Venues: North & North West London Ofsted registered – childcare vouchers accepted

info@risingstarsactivities.com 020 8150 6655 www.risingstarsactivities.com

Contact us

020 8343 3567 info@nacelesl.co.uk • www.nacelesl.co.uk

All Levels

53-55 Ballards Lane, London N3 1XP. Finchley Central

Computer Coding Camps WEEKLY CAMPS - July & August

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familiesonline.co.uk

Vital digital skills Game programming with JAVA Mobile App development for Android & IOS Qualified and Experienced Coding Teachers

Ages 12-18 Equipment included

Start and finish a project

Families North London 11

What’s On

Listings for all the family Compiled by Anna Blackshaw We aim to be as accurate as possible, but these listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please check before setting out.

Fri 11 – Sun 13 May - Clissold Park Food & Drink Festival (N16) The Food and Drink Festival will be returning to Clissold Park in Stoke Newington following their successful launch in 2016. It has all the right ingredients for an excellent weekend of trading, with an informed and enthusiastic public, a family friendly environment and the back drop of a beautiful 18th Century Manor House.

8www.marketsquaregroup.co.uk

Woolly Mammoth bone, on display in the Enfield Museum

May On Until August - Enfield Museum’s Exhibition The Dugdale is very excited to announce for the first time the Museum of Enfield has a programme of great events this season. With an abundance of talks and tours to awaken your curiosity.

The museum is full of amazing finds, for example a mammoth tooth and bones. www.dugdalecentre.co.uk Wed 2 May - ZSL London Zoo Friendly Spider Programme The Friendly Spider Programme is an afternoon course, carefully designed to ease or eliminate the condition of arachnophobia – fear of spiders. The programme is a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and hypnotherapy. The course takes place in the Zoological Society of London’s meeting rooms. No animals, photographs or illustrations are used until the end part of the course. Booking required. Spaces limited.

8www.zsl.org/experiences/friendlyspider-programme Thu 3 May - Project Light: Early Years Workshop (N1) Generate meaningful experiences with art and process through playful experimentation with light and shadow at the Parasol Unit. Immerse yourself in a process-driven architectural floor piece that spans the entire space.

Using paper, objects and light, create shadows that grow and extend along the surrounding walls to produce an urban skyline. 8www.parasol-unit.org Sat 5 May - Bulgarian Folk Festival (EN2) Join the charity Organization Bulgarian Folk Tradition and Culture for their 7th annual Folk Festival at Forty Hall! The day is packed with music, songs, dances and traditional food tasting from the lovely country, Bulgaria. More than 20 folklore dance groups, singers and musicians will perform for their London and Enfield audience… don’t miss the fun! Free Entry.

8www.fortyhallestate.co.uk 12 Families North London

Sat 5 – Sun 6 May - Art of Style (NW4) Brent Cross will host a brand-new fashion and beauty event, The Art of Style.

Combining free beauty makeovers, live pop-up catwalks and fashion sculptures, shoppers will be invited to enjoy the latest trends with an art exhibition twist.

8www.brentcross.com Sun 6 May - Bug Club: Beetles (EN2) Learn all about beetles including the mighty Stag at Forty Hall! Explore their habitats, play a crazy beetle game and then make a home to encourage beetles in your garden. For ages 4 - 11 years.

11am-12.30pm.

8www.fortyhallestate.co.uk Sun 6 – Mon 7 May - Elizabethan May Bank Holiday Event (HP8) Experience traditional Elizabethan May Day Merriment with dancing and music at Chiltern Open Air Museum. Discover what it was like to live in Elizabethan times and experience an Elizabethan May Day celebration. 8www.coam.org.uk Mon 7 May - The Mad Hatter’s Arty Party (N9) Join us at Salisbury House at 9.30am, 12pm and 3pm. Create a Tea Cup Wonderland. Gaze into your own Looking Glass. Make a Mini Mad Hat. Pom pom Flamingo making. Then off to the Tea Party for refreshments followed

by Bonkers Games that only Alice could imagine. Hosted by Characters straight out of the magical book.

8www.enfieldfestivals.co.uk Wed 9 May & Wed 13 Jun - Bach to Baby Family Concerts in Kensal Rise (NW10) Bach to Baby is the critically acclaimed classical concert series for babies, toddlers and their carers. Tots dance, roam about and revel in the wonder of live music. Hear top notch performances by outstanding musicians. And for the grand finale, it’s your turn! Come gather around the musicians and request your favourite nursery rhymes for the jolly sing-along!

8www.bachtobaby.com/kensal-rise

Sat 12 May - May in a Day! (NW1) Help Cecil Sharp House celebrate the spring at their fun-filled family festival, filled with fun and creative activities for all the family! Enjoy ceilidh, maypole dancing and live music, or take a breather whilst watching dynamic morris side, Fool’s Gambit. Make folk-inspired creations with Shelagh McCarthy in an arts and crafts workshops, join enchanting folk singer Aimée Leonard for lively song sessions or find activities held in the beautiful garden led by Permaculture. Limited tickets available on the door, advanced booking recommended.

8www.cecilsharphouse.org Sat 12 May - Dino Adventure (SG3) Go and experience the prehistoric world of the dinosaurs with Dino Adventure at Knebworth House and Gardens. Aspiring palaeontologists and brave explorers can conquer the special dinosaur trail, travelling back in time to face the 72 lifesized dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures!

Adventurers who complete the dinosaur trail quiz and find all the dino eggs can claim an exciting reward. Join Tara from Tiny T’s who will be telling her hand written tales about what she found on her explorer adventures!

8www.knebworthhouse.com Sun 13 May - Forty Hall Village Fete (EN2) Go and browse through the Craft Market in the historic courtyard or enjoy all-time favourites including Punch and Judy, Morris Dancing and don’t forget to bring your Teddy, so he can have a go on the Teddy Zip Wire! This year will also see the launch of the Forty Hall Farmers Market, at the farm where high quality produce from local makers and growers will be available to purchase. 10am-5pm.

8www.fortyhallestate.co.uk Sun 13 May - Tulip Tea Party & Plant Sale (EN2) Tulip Tea was traditionally held in the garden to celebrate Mr Bowles’ birthday, often coinciding with the flowering of the tulips. Myddelton House Garden’s has proudly restored this tradition, and would like to invite you to celebrate with them among the flowers! Go along for a day of live musical performances, stalls and children’s entertainment, including seed planting, paper pot crafting and seed ball making.

There will also be a refreshments stand selling tea and cake, bee keeping demonstrations, woodcarving, tombola, bric-a-brac and more!

8www.visitleevalley.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk

What’s On Thu 17 – Fri 18 May - Museums at Night: ‘Candle Lit’ Architectural Tours (WC2N) The atmospheric rooms of Benjamin Franklin’s only remaining residence will be the feature of this night-time architectural tour, highlighting the original features of our Grade I listed Georgian townhouse in evening light.

8www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org Fri 18 May - Pyjama Walk In aid of The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre (EN1) Go and join the biggest pyjama party in Enfield. Take your family and friends to this 15km walk around Enfield and raise money for The Nightingale too. Starts and finishes at Enfield Civic Centre and goes via Southgate. Refreshment stops on route. 8www.nightingalesupport.org.uk Sat 19 May - Museums at Night: Forty Hall by Candlelight (EN2) Go and visit Forty Hall after hours, when the office workers have gone home for the night.

Sneak around the period rooms that have been lit by candlelight as it would have been in the 17th century. As you walk around, you may come across the servant cleaning, the cook, or a member of the family! Watch these characters from past centuries as they go about their duties in the silence of the dark. 6pm - 9pm.

8www.fortyhallestate.co.uk Sat 19 May - Chelsea Fringe at the Geffrye (E2) Head to the lush lawns of the Geffrye for a day celebrating the joys of the urban garden. With something for everyone, the day will include vegetablecarving workshops, stalls, lawn games, tree sculptures, face painting, deckchairs to lounge in – and for those inclined, a free guided cycle around the greenest local hotspots at 11am.

8www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Sat 19 – Sun 20 May & Sat 16 – Sun 17 Jun - Special Children’s Day @ ZSL London Zoo (NW1) Special Children’s Day is a unique annual event at ZSL London Zoo welcoming children with special needs and their families and friends. With increased specialist facilities and number of staff, as well as special interactive events and discounted entry, Special Children’s Day is an exciting and exceptional event not to be missed. All Special Children’s Day activities are free and all Zoo visitors are welcome to join in the fun! 8www.zsl.org Sun 20 May - Enfield Market Charter Fayre (EN2) 2018 represents the 400th Anniversary of the issuing of a Royal Charter by King James I to run a Saturday Market in Enfield. There will be a series of events in and around the Market Place.

The Charter Fayre will feature a varied ensemble of musical artists performing on the Market House, as well as craft stalls, art and photographic exhibitions, poetry recitals from local creative talents, a well being area and a children’s area in St Andrews Church grounds featuring pony rides, face painting, storytelling and the other activities. A varied selection of food and drink will be available throughout the day. 11am-7pm.

8www.enfieldfestivals.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Pyjama Walk in Enfield, Fri 18 May Sun 20 May - TEXT ME: Sunday Family Workshop (N1) Celebrate the powerful role of inter-generational learning through creative collaboration and freedom of expression at the Parasol Unit. Get the chance to experiment with printed texts to create striking designs for urban interventions using the techniques of collage, photo weaving and mosaic.

8www.parasol-unit.org Sat 26 – Mon 28 May - Enfield Pageant of Motoring (EN1) Car enthusiasts get ready for this popular three-day motor show at Enfield Playing Fields, offering you the chance to see more than a thousand vintage and custommade cars and motorbikes. The show is widely acknowledged as one of the UK’s biggest and best shows of its type. Other attractions include live music, a parade of classic and vintage cars, and a host of stalls selling automobile memorabilia.

8www.enfieldfestivals.co.uk

May Half Term Sat 26 May - Sun 3 Jun - Superheroes & Villians @ ZSL (NW1) This May Half-Term, London Zoo is inviting everyone to be superheroes, with a wild new adventure for the whole family to enjoy. Kids will be able to dust off their capes and join ZSL’s own Justice League of Vets, Keepers & Scientist in their epic battle against three of Earth’s toughest enemies: plastic, poaching and climate change.

8www.zsl.org/superheroes Sat 26 May – Sun 3 Jun - Spring Special (AL4) The Spring Special programme at Willows Activity Farm will include live sheep shearing demonstrations by Tuck the Shepherd, new shows in the Peter Rabbit Theatre, Sheep Racing around the animal race track and all your Willows Favourites including Tristan the Runaway Tractor. You can also visit Mr Tod’s Lair and the Super Secret Squirrel Test - the perfect additions to the hugely popular Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground.

8www.willowsactivityfarm.com

Sat 26 – Sun 27 May - Light up London (EC2Y) Create atmospheric pictures by using special art materials and techniques with water soluble graphite pencils, crayons and collage at the Museum of London. This is a drop-in workshop, so stop by anytime between 12.30-2pm or 2.30-4pm.

8www.museumoflondon.org.uk Sat 26 – Sun 27 May - Hertfordshire County Show (AL3) A family day out, with all entertainment included in the ticket price. Livestock, horses & dogs, arena displays, fun, food & shopping. At The Showground in Redbourn. 8www. hertsshow.com Sat 26 - Sun 27 May - Moon Man (EC2Y) Dance the night away when the man in the moon visits London for one night only at the Museum of London! An astronomy enthusiast attempts to spot constellations in London’s polluted sky. She tells the story of Moon Man by Tomi Ungerer.

Hear how the man in the moon comes to earth to dance the night away after having watched people on earth dancing.

Together with the astronomer, learn some of the dances the man in the moon might have seen. Each performance is 30 minutes long. 8www.museumoflondon. org.uk Sat 26 May – Sun 3 Jun - Sheep Week (EN9) Sheep week is back at Lee Valley Park Farms for another May half term packed with fun-filled activities for all the family, alongside seeing your woolly friends getting their hair cut! There’s going to be loads to get involved with including lamb racing, sheep shearing demonstrations, lamb bottle feeding, a sheep trail and much more! It’s set to be a fun filled half term that ‘ewe’ won’t forget!

8www.visitleevalley.org.uk

Continued on page 14 Families North London 13

What’s On decorate your very own flying goggles! On Fri 1st and Sat 2nd Jun, hear ‘Cher Ami’, the fascinating story of a Pigeon who managed to rescue an entire Battalion of Soldiers during the First World War. 8www.rafmuseum.org.uk Tue 29 May - Fairies, Pixies and Elves Day (N9) Celebrate the start of Spring at one of these fabulous workshops at Salisbury House, from 9.30am-12pm and 1-3.30pm.

You can make fantastic fairy/ pixie houses, bows and arrows and pixie and fairy wands. A magical morning or afternoon suitable for ages 5-12years.

8www.enfieldfestivals.co.uk

Roman Gladiators Battle, Sun 27 May - Mon 28 May Sat 26 May – Sun 3 Jun Half-term: Be a Journalist (SW3) Go along to the National Army Museum this May half-term to flex your tech skills and create a minidocumentary about some of the Museum’s objects. Discover the stories behind the objects, write a script and record your film using the Museum’s iPads.

Sessions daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Pick up a free ticket from the Welcome Desk on a first come first served basis.

8www.nam.ac.uk Sat 26 May – Sun 3 Jun – Half Term at the National Maritime Museum (SE10) This half term celebrates 100 years since the right to vote was given to lots of women and men in the UK. Discover inspirational stories from the past and think about the rights that are important to you today. See website for details of activities and times.

8www.rmg.co.uk Sun 27 – Mon 28 May - Roman Gladiators Battle (HP8) If you’re looking for a great educational and fun family day out this Bank Holiday then go along to Chiltern Open Air Museum and see the Roman Gladiators battle! Meet costumed re-enactors, explore the living history encampment and learn about life in Britain in the 1st century AD. Enjoy thrilling combat displays as Roman gladiators compete for the Emperor and the favour of the crowds.

8www.coam.org.uk

14 Families North London

Mon 28 - Tue 29 May London After Dark (EC2Y) London at night can be a magical place. This was certainly true 200 years ago in the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens which attracted Londoners with rare lighting and firework shows. Design a spinning paper plate which will reveal this magical scene.

This is a drop-in workshop, so stop by the Museum of London anytime between 12.30-2pm or 2.30-4pm.

8www.museumoflondon.org. uk Mon 28 – Wed 30 May - Out of this World: Moon (SE10) A Moon-themed morning at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich includes a planetarium show, interactive quiz and immersive virtual reality activity. Join the Royal Observatory Astronomers for a series of activity packages for older children that include a brain-bending Moon quiz, the chance to feel what it’s like to step onto the lunar surface and a rock handling demonstration to show what features to expect on the Moon. 10am – 12.30pm. Ages 7+. www.rmg.co.uk Mon 28 May – Fri 1 Jun Pop-up Performance (SW7) Go along to the V&A Museum for making and performance activities this May half-term, inspired by The Future Starts Here exhibition. Time travel to the future by taking part in energetic sound and dance performances directed by Scanners Inc. and performed

by House of Absolute.

‘Stardust’ is a promenade performance with level access., that moves from the John Madejski Garden to the Sackler Courtyard and will last approximately 40 minutes.

11am – 3.45pm.

8www.vam.ac.uk Mon 28 May – Fri 1 Jun Transbook Exhibition (E15) To read is to look. You move between word and image and navigate page to page.

But a reader can also touch, listen, feel, ‘put on’ 3D glasses and scroll. Different children’s authors from Europe take you and your family on a sensory adventure through different materials, textures, cut paper, inks and transparencies with a fantastic exhibition that invites you to experience books in new and unexpected ways. 11am-4pm drop-in at Discover Children’s Story Centre.

8www.discover.org.uk Mon 28 May – Fri 1 Jun Sailors’ Challenge (SE10) Can you catch the sailors as they travel at top speed across the Indian Ocean? Answer questions and take part in our ship-themed tasks as you try to outwit the crew of Cutty Sark and take over the ship and her precious cargo.

11.30am–1.30pm and 2-4pm.

8www.rmg.co.uk Mon 28 May – Sat 2 Jun May Half Term at the RAF Museum (NW9) Go along for storytelling and craft workshops in the First World War in the Air Galleries. Join Craft Work for a high flying craft activity - make and

Tue 29 May – Sat 2 Jun - Weird and Wonderful Wildlife (WC1E) Flying lizards, giant starfish, duck-billed platypuses, thorny devils and spiny anteaters, the Grant Museum is home to some Weird and Wonderful Wildlife.

Go along and take part in fun hands-on specimen based activities and come face to face with these beasts and many more. 1-4.30pm, free drop in sessions.

8www.ucl.ac.uk Wed 30 May - Drawings of Discovery: Penguins to Polar Bears (NW1) Could you draw a kangaroo from memory?

What if you were seeing it for the first time? Experiment with drawing animals through playful challenges at the British Library. Gather your sketches in a traveller’s portfolio and hear how Captain James Cook’s artists drew animals to amaze their friends back home. 11am – 12.30pm and repeated at 1.30 – 3pm. 8www.bl.uk Wed 30 May - Stories & More (EN2) Summer’s nearly here!

Get out of the house and enjoy a trip to Forty Hall to see the Estate bursting into bloom.

Go along to the interactive storytelling of traditional tales and new stories appropriate for younger children. Packed with rhymes and craft activities to help bring the stories to life! After the session you can explore the house and gardens – perhaps with some new friends!

10.30am - 11.30am. 8www. fortyhallestate.co.uk Wed 30 May - Bees, Bugs and Birds Day (N9) A workshop making homely habitats and scrumptious feeders PLUS creature models using different clays and materials. familiesonline.co.uk

What’s On A morning or afternoon of natures wonders suitable for ages 5-12years at Salisbury House. 8www.enfieldfestivals. co.uk Wed 30 May - Drawing in the Dark (EC2Y) Help create a special collaborative piece of artwork at the Museum of London. Grab a UV pen and draw a night-time scene that can only be revealed under a UV torch. This is a drop-in workshop, so stop by anytime between 12.30-2pm or 2.304pm.

8www.museumoflondon.org. uk Thu 31 May - Mythical Creatures Day (N9) A workshop making Mermaid and Unicorn plaques, Heraldic wall hangings and Dragon eggs and medallions. A morning or afternoon of creative fantasy suitable for ages 5-12years at Salisbury House.

8www.enfieldfestivals.co.uk Thu 31 May - Bring in the Spring! (EN2) The days are getting longer and summer is nearly here… Celebrate the season at a holiday workshop at Forty Hall! Find out about May traditions and make your own green man woollen doll, a green man mask and a clay secret bulb box! 11am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3pm.

Ages 4 - 11 years. 8www. fortyhallestate.co.uk

Thu 31 May – Fri 1 Jun Holiday to Space (SE10) The morning starts in the planetarium at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, with a fun filled Space Safari show, filled with spectacular close up views of the planets and a chance to sing along to help Ted find the great big bear. Learn more about Ted’s adventure in this workshop by choosing which planet would make a good holiday destination and helping the brave teddy bear prepare for his stay. 10–11.30am. Ages 4-7 years.

8www.rmg.co.uk Thu 31 May – Fri 1 Jun - The Royal Wedding Big Screening (SE10) You’re invited to watch the wedding of the year in the stunning surroundings of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gather on the lawns of the Royal Museums Greenwich and see Harry and Meghan tie the knot on their giant screen.

Delicious food, snacks and drinks will be available from our cafés. Royal fancy dress optional, but encouraged.

Begins at 12pm but earlier arrival is recommended.

8www.rmg.co.uk

June Sat 2 Jun - Moana Family Sing-Along (NW1) A special screening of the Academy Award-winning Disney animation at the British Library. In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches Moana’s island Motunni, she answers the ocean’s call to seek out the Demigod and make things right, setting off on an epic adventure across the Pacific. Go along for this sing-along screening of the film hosted by Hanalee Vaike.

2-5pm.

8www.bl.uk Sat 2 - Sun 3 Jun - Max at Night (EC2Y) Go along to the Museum of London and meet a small kitten called Max. Max is very sleepy and goes on a night time adventure across London, climbing all of London’s famous landmarks in his quest to say goodnight to the moon. This story is an adaptation of Max at Night

by Ed Vere. Each performance is 30 minutes long. 8www. museumoflondon.org.uk

Sun 3 Jun - Hertfordshire Heavy Horse Show (EN1) Enjoy a family day of nostalgia and living heritage at Capel Manor Gardens with different breeds of heavy horse participating in the Herts Heavy Horse Show. There will be a farrier offering specialist advice and you will also be able to enjoy dray rides, Capel’s gardens and animal collection, dog agility display, stalls and refreshments.

8www.enfieldfestivals.co.uk Sat 9 Jun - Architecture Explorers (NW1) Take a journey from the red bricks of the British Library to the striking pink palaces of Jaipur and use your imagination to design your very own building!

Families will have a chance to experiment with different materials and collage to make 2D pictures or a 3D model of their designs. 10.30am – 12pm and repeated at 1 – 2.30pm.

8www.bl.uk

Continued on page 16

11+ Mock Tests

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Latymer School Henrietta Barnett School Writing Mock Tests

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SLE EPI NG B E A U T Y KENNETH MACMILLAN’S CLASSIC ROMANTIC BALLET

6 – 16 JUNE 2018 ballet.org.uk/sleepingbeauty Children go half-price!* *T&Cs apply

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Families North London 15

What’s On Sun 17 Jun - Father’s Day at Capel (EN1) Challenge Dad to a game of supersize football, treat him to a beer and kick back and enjoy his special day. Tire the kids out as they explore the rambling 30 acre estate in search of their activity stamps. Activities include: inflatable large footballs, hop around area, craft activities and pot a chilli for dad. 10am to 4pm.

8www.enfieldfestivals.co.uk Sun 17 Jun - Lazy Sunday Afternoons in Hilly Fields (EN2) Free live music for all ages, supporting local charities. Take the whole family and a picnic! 3pm - 5.30pm at The Bandstand, Hilly Fields Park.

8www.hillyfields.info

Superheroes & Villians @ ZSL London Zoo, Sat 26 May - Sun 3 Jun

Sat 9 Jun - Enfield’s Race for Life Pretty Muddy & Pretty Muddy for Kids (EN4) Race for Life Pretty Muddy at Trent Park is Cancer Research UK’s brilliant 5k muddy obstacle course. Scramble over the A-frame. Crawl through the mud pit. Have fun with your friends. And raise valuable funds for beating cancer. *rfl@cruk-raceforlife.co.uk or call (020 3425 9350 Sat 9, Sat 16 & Sat 30 Jun - Pop-up Performance: London Music Month (SW7) Go along to the V&A Museum for free music performances for all the family, including early years. Gather inside the wondrous wooden Globe with talented young musician, Luke Saydon, on 9 June for a fun music making session inspired by objects in the gallery and go along to lively music sessions from around the world with students from the Royal College of Music on the 16 and 30 June.

These events are part of ‘London Music Month’ - London’s largest celebration of music.8www.vam.ac.uk Sat 9 – Sun 10 Jun – Open Garden Squares Weekend (various) With over 200 gardens to discover, it’s worth taking the time to plan in advance what you want to see. Including cutting-edge spaces, Lonodon’s rooftops, regeneration and transformationNew garden for 2018 - Wild Cat Wilderness is a community green space and food-growing garden offering bushcraft activities and natural outdoor arts and crafts. Spot some of the rarest plants and wildlife just beyond your doorstep, or experience the best of London’s culture, with a programme of activities for all the family. For more information on this event, as well as other venues, please visit the website.

8www.opensquares.org

16 Families North London

Sat 16 Jun - Family Fun Day in Hendon in support of Microtia UK There will be a Family Fun Day at Hendon School in aid of Microtia UK. Microtia (Greek for little ear) is an underdevelopment of the external part of the ear and is often accompanied with hearing loss. The event brings those with Microtia and their families together, and is crucial in gathering information from professionals and doctors, raising awareness, educating others and providing support, whilst also having fun.

Supported by Rising Stars.

8www.microtiauk.org Sat 16 Jun - The Highgate Fair in the Square (N6) The annual free event brings together the community and welcomes thousands of visitors for a fun packed afternoon of live entertainment, traditional attractions and over 100 colourful stalls selling gifts, crafts, plants, clothes, books and a variety of street food. There are lots of children’s activities with a kids’ tent, fair rides, circus skills workshops, Punch and Judy and the ever popular Sheep Show and its dancing sheep! Over at St Michael’s Church you can take tea in its Café or book a Tower Tour for a spectacular view over the capital. 8www.fairinthesquare.co.uk Sun 17 Jun - Family Barn Dance (NW1) Take the entire family to Cecil Sharp House and take part in lively dances from the British Isles in a supportive and fun environment! Live music inspires the dancing and expert callers guide the moves with simple instructions. Groups should include a minimum of one adult for every four children. Children under five should be partnered by an adult and may need guiding or carrying through the dances. No unaccompanied children or adults! Advance booking recommended.

3-5pm. 8www.cecilsharphouse.org

Sun 17 Jun - Father’s Day at the Farms (EN9) Treat the man in your life this Father’s Day to a jam packed day of family fun activities at Lee Valley Park Farm. Learn about the farm animals, explore outdoor activities and take a break in the café for a bite to eat. The best part is Dads go FREE! 8www.visitleevalley.org.uk Sun 17 Jun - Father’s Day at the National Army Museum (SW3) Go along to the National Army Museum this Father’s Day for a range of family-friendly tours and workshops. All activities are free and there’s no need to book.

8www.nam.ac.uk Sun 17 Jun - Father’s Day Medieval Jousting (SG3) The turrets and towers of Knebworth House provide a spectacular backdrop to the costumed knights on majestic warhorses galloping at full tilt across the arena in a fantastic display of horsemanship. The crowds are encouraged to cheer and jeer the Knights of Arkley as they demonstrate their skills in hand-to-hand combat. There are two scheduled jousting displays on both days at 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

8www.knebworthhouse.com Thu 21 Jun - The Railway Children (EN2) Gather around Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis on platform one as they pass the time by sharing the classic tale of The Railway Children at Forty Hall. Living by the railway line, the children spend quite a bit of time watching the trains and making some unexpected friendships. There is the old gentleman who regularly takes the 9.15 train and helps them solve the mystery of what happened to their father and the Russian immigrant who teaches them that compassion and understanding crosses all boundaries.

8www.fortyhallestate.co.uk Sun 24 Jun - Whitewebbs Museum Open Day (EN2) Located in a beautiful red-brick Victorian pumping station, the museum is home to an impressive collection of old vehicles, including fire engines, motorbikes, vintage delivery vans, classic cars and a model railway.

There will be a wide variety of motorbikes for all to see. So please go along and explore the museum at this special open day!

8www.whitewebbsmuseum.co.uk

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What’s On Sat 30 Jun - Armed Forces Day (NW9) Go along to the RAF Museum to celebrate 100 years of the Royal Air Force this Armed Forces Day. They will be remembering and celebrating Service personnel with music and activities throughout the day. It promises to be a day out for the whole family to enjoy.

11am – 4pm.

8www.rafmuseum.org.uk Sat 30 Jun – Sun 1 Jul - The Geronimo Festivals at Knebworth House (SG3) The Geronimo Festivals (dubbed ‘Glastonbury for Kids’), are unlike any other family event in Britain offering something for both seasoned and newbie festival-goers.

What sets Geronimo apart from other festivals is not only the unrivalled value for money the event offers, but also the sheer number of unique attractions to enjoy for all ages! Without doubt one of the most popular zones of any Geronimo Festival is the Main Stage. 2018 will see some of children’s TV royalty take to the stage to entertain including the one and only Justin Fletcher.

8www.geronimofest.com

July Sun 1 Jul - Music on the Lawn (EN2) This year there will be new surprises, great live music and the same much loved atmosphere at Forty Hall. There will be craft stalls and hot food stands, an ice cream van, home-made cakes, fruit and chocolate kebabs and a children’s corner, plus lots of other entertainment. Take a picnic, enjoy the Pimms tent, food and craft stalls, children’s activities, face painting and bouncy castle. 12-6pm.

8www.fortyhallestate.co.uk

Summer Science Exhibition, Mon 2 Jul Mon 2 - Sun 8 Jul - Summer Science Exhibition 2018 (SW1Y) The Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences, will open its doors to the public to celebrate some of the most cutting edge research in the world. The 2018 edition of the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition will feature 22 exhibits expecting to draw more than 15,000 visitors over the course of the week.

8www.royalsociety.org/summer-science Sat 7 Jul - Fancy Fair Summer Festival on the Green (N21) An annual massive street party which attracts thousands of the local community to enjoy a full day of entertainment, local arts and crafts, street food and licensed bars at The Green, Winchmore Hill. This year’s Victorian Theme includes a magnificent Carousel of painted Horses, Thomas the Tank Engine Children’s Ride, Sideshows with prizes, Brighton Beach Donkey Rides, Petting Farm Animals, and a large live Show Stage. This free event is open to all.

8www.fancy-fair.co.uk

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Sun 8 Jul - The Color Run (HA9) returns to London for the sixth time. 2018 is set to be “Marvel-lous”, as families and friends are invited to celebrate their favourite heroes - whether that be The Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman, Mum or Dad. To sign up, go to 8www,thecolorrun.co.uk Sun 8 Jul - A Summer Carol (EN2) Adapted from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Ebeneezer Scrooge still cannot escape the ghostly visits and their foretelling. As the town prepares for their Summer Picnic, there is just one person who simply refuses to get involved. An outdoor performance full of laugher by New Horizons. Bring a picnic (and perhaps an umbrella, just in case.)

8www.fortyhallestate.co.uk/whats-on/asummer-carol/ Sat 21 - Sun 22 July 2018 London’s only Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place at Enfield Park on. Organisers Show Time Events Group will bring the park to life for The Enfield Balloon Festival, which will be jam-packed with so much to see and do for all the family, including street food from local traders, bars, funfair rides, stunts and shows (including acts such as Knights of Nottingham, Broke FMX and the Stunt Monkeys) a huge firework display, kids zone, reptiles tent, owl displays and, of course, a colourful and stunning array of hot air balloons.

8www.enfieldballoonfestival.co.uk

The Color Run, Sun 8 Jul familiesonline.co.uk

Families North London 17

Children’s Theatre

Compiled by Anna Blackshaw. We aim to be as accurate as possible, but these listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please check before setting out.

Artsdepot 5 Nether Street, North Finchley, N12 020 8369 5454 www.artsdepot.co.uk Sun 6 May - The Owl and the Pussycat Join Owly-cat and fellow family members, Jumblie and Quangle Wangle Quee, in a story inspired by the nonsense world of Edward Lear. The spongetaneous trio travel to the dolomphious land where the bong tree grows, learning all about the creatures who live there and their curious habits. Will this meloobious family return together, will they always be a three? A fizzgiggious show all about where, what and who our family really are. Ages 4+ Sun 13 May - Kaleidoscope Blink.

Blink again. What do you see? Day by day your world is filling up with colour, little one. Reds and blues, yellows and greens. Twinkling lights that glisten and gleam. Watch as your baby enters the multicoloured world of Kaleidoscope, inspired by research into how a baby’s sense of sight develops and how they instinctively begin to categorise colour. Ages 6-18 months Sun 20 May - David Gibb: Climb That Tree Join award-winning songwriter and musician David Gibb on a musical journey through his hilarious and often surreal imagination, where bears live in the cupboard under the stairs, wolves are roaming the corridors at school, and trips to the moon are a regular occurrence. Children and families will be entranced as he introduces them to his magical musical tree and, as each flower opens, shares a new song for them to sing along with. Ages 3+ Wed 30 May - Sun 3 Jun - Twinkle Twinkle There are melodies that live in all of us. No one knows that more than Marty the puppy, whose bedtime songs and playtime with his Dad are the best part of his day. But sometimes, you have to learn how to find the music inside yourself… Twinkle Twinkle is a beautiful adventure in music and light, featuring brilliant puppetry, magical interaction and a gorgeous original score. Ages 1-3 yrs Sat 2 - Sun 3 Jun - Michael Rosen’s Chocolate Cake When I was a boy, I had a favourite treat. It was when my mum made… Chocolate Cake! Follow the adventures of two brothers and the mysterious night-time disappearance of a chocolate cake in this scrumptious new musical adaption of Michael Rosen’s beloved poem Chocolate Cake, by the team that adapted We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Ages 4+ Sun 10 Jun - Sourpuss Sourpuss is a very grumpy ginger cat. When shut out of the house he feels lost and confused, but the beautiful garden soon intrigues him. Watch Sourpuss on his journey of discovery and enjoy learning the secrets of the great outdoors. From buzzing 18 Families North London

Twinkle Twinkle, Arts Depot bees to a chirpy robin, stinky rubbish and vibrant flowers this visual show is a feast for little eyes. Featuring string and shadow puppets beautifully crafted by hand and original music, Sourpuss is a brand new theatre production

by Lori Hopkins. Ages 3-8 yrs Sun 17 Jun - Nutty Noah: Wear Your Pants with Pride Noah is loved and revered by family audiences for his explosive mix of music, magic and madness.

His trademark goofy shtick is interspersed with funny, sometimes weird, and wonderful music; with many songs performed on instruments he has invented himself. Nutty Noah’s Wear Your Pants with Pride is a show that has a true universal appeal, delighting kids of all ages from 4 to 94 year olds. In recent years Noah has been seen on CBBC’s The Slammer and ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. Ages 4+ Sun 24 Jun - Keepy Uppy Joey absolutely loves football. Playing it, watching it, talking about it.

He gets it from his mum - a footy fanatic! Life is busy for Joey and mum, but today nothing can get in their way as the big day has arrived: the cup final and a chance for Joey to score a winning goal.

Keepy Uppy is a play for the 2018 World Cup year, for football fans, non-football fans, children and families. Go and celebrate the joy of the beautiful game with popping rhymes, fab footie moves, flicks and sidesteps underscored by toe tapping live music. Ages 3+

Chickenshed Chase Side Southgate N14.

020 8292 9222 www.chickenshed.org.uk Fri 4 May – Sat 9 Jun - Planet Play Summer Season A magical world of sensory learning, wonder and exploration, for babies and toddlers aged 0-3 years.

Devised by the creative Tales from the Shed team, Planet Play has been specifically developed to encourage play and early communication development in young children. So go along every

Friday and Saturday morning for musical fun and games, learn lots of new songs, play with puppets, dance and enjoy time with your little one.

Fri 4 May - Sat 9 Jun – Tales from the Shed Summer Season Vibrant, interactive theatre shows that are perfect for young children. They are informal, lively and amazingly engaging as the performers and audience share the same space children are always encouraged to make a lot of noise and to make the story happen. It is guaranteed that every show will be fun, really silly and that there will be plenty of colourful puppets and live songs.

Shows run weekly on Fridays and Saturdays. Ages 0-6yrs

Cockpit Theatre Gateforth Street, London, NW8 020 7258 2925 www.thecockpit.org.uk Sat 26 May - Stories From Africa See the tales of How Anansi became King of all of the Stories and How the Zebra got his Stripes dramatically unfold as the children create vibrant African scenes. The storyteller will skillfully engage the children with drama activities and role play, bringing these traditional African tales to life. Ages 4 – 11 yrs Sat 30 Jun - Young Herbert’s Horrors Young Herbert is a little horror. Living on a boat should be the ideal life for a wannabe pirate, but the boat’s grounded until Herbert can learn to tidy his cabin, eat his greens and be more polite.

A big storm brews up when Herbert is sent home from school and Mum calls on Great Uncle Albatross - navy captain and scourge of all pirates - to warn him of the dangers of rebellion. Featuring swashbuckling verse, jaunty music, gallows humour and the obligatory parrot, Young Herbert’s Horrors is a brand new spoken word show for children. Ages 4-9 yrs

Dugdale Theatre 39 London Road, Enfield, EN2 020 8807 6680 www.dugdalecentre.co.uk Wed 30 – Thu 31 May - The Elves & the Shoemaker Set in the village of Uppersole, which was recently cursed by the evil and menacing Dame Verruca, meet Mr Cobbler who just happens to be a cobbler and his wife who are struggling to afford the leather for him to make any shoes to sell. But could their fortune change as watching from on high is Fairy Insole who may just use her magic to help the Cobbler’s? A brand-new Puppet Musical for all ages. Ages 2+ Sat 2 Jun - Molly & the Owl Molly and the Owl is a jazz piece for young children. It combines a spoken story with an original jazz score to introduce children to the basic elements of the music. The piece centres on the story of a young girl called Molly, her strange meeting with a saxophone playing owl, and subsequent adventures in a town called ‘Jazzville’. Ages 7- 11 yrs

Half Moon Theatre 43 White Horse Road, London E1 020 7709 8900 www.halfmoon.org.uk Thu 17 – Tue 22 May - The Owl and the Pussycat Join Owly-cat and fellow family members, Jumblie and Quangle Wangle Quee, in a story inspired by the nonsense world of Edward Lear. The spongetaneous trio travel to the dolomphious land where the bong tree grows, learning all about the creatures who live there and their curious habits. Will this meloobious family return together, will they always be a three? A fizzgiggious show by Full House Theatre all about where, what and who our family really are. Ages 3+

familiesonline.co.uk

Children’s Theatre

14 Dagmar Passage, Cross St, N1 020 7226 1787 www.littleangeltheatre. com Sat 12 – Sun 13 May - A Heart At Sea Be enthralled by this epic musical folktale told on a miniature scale. A Heart at Sea uses haunting live music to tell the story of a young Boy who bottles up his heart and throws it into the sea. Original song-writing is set to breathtaking visuals centred around a beautifully carved wooden chest that holds the secrets to the story.

Ages 7-12 yrs Sat 19 - Sun 20 May - One Item Only If you had to take a long journey away from home and you could only take one item with you – what would it be?

This is the decision our young hero has to make in their story of human migration. Follow one child’s journey across continents in search of refuge from her troubled homeland, in this eventful and uplifting story of hope and resilience where the human spirit triumphs. Ages 7-12 yrs Mon 28 – Tue 30 May - Tom Thumb Outwitting his parents and the ogre Tom shows everybody that even though he is small he is still mighty as he protects his brothers, finds the treasure and makes sure they’ll never be hungry again. Performed entirely on and under a kitchen table this wee wonder of a show is full of Lyngo magic with feathery spinning birds, a flying house and a portable forest. Cbeebies Patrick Lynch, who has been performing it for more than a decade, brings this classic story to life in a playful and fascinating show. Ages 4-8 yrs

Sat 2 – Sun 3 Jun - The Pixies’ Scarf Inspired by the powerfully evocative tale of The Pixies’ Scarf by Alison Uttely, Soap Soup Theatre present a brand new theatrical treat for children and their families, set in the wet, craggy lands of Dartmoor. With deliciously visual story telling, beautiful puppetry, charmingly funny characters and magical music, offering audiences their most unforgettable adventure yet!

Ages 3-8 yrs Wed 6 – Sun 10 Jun - Cardboard Carnival With their own inimitable style Lempen have taken the fantastic music by Camille SaintSaëns, and an exploration of the material of cardboard, to make a fun, visual production with no text.

Refreshingly focused on the simple magic of puppetry, audiences are left inspired by both the animal theatricality of the music and the creative potential of the simple cardboard box. Ages 4 -10 yrs Mon 18 Jun - Leaf Go along to hear the life story of a very special leaf in this warm, intimate and playful new piece for under 3s inspired by nature and the seasons.

Framed within an evocative soundscape, this is the perfect introduction to theatre for the very young. Ages 4 months-3 yrs

Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES 0844 482 9674 www.nimaxtheatres.com

‘Ingenious’ Daily Mail

From 4 JULY BOOK NOW

bearhuntlive.com familiesonline.co.uk

thick oozy, squelchy mud! Expect catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-on adventure!

Ages 3+

Millfield Theatre Silver Street, London, N18 020 8807 6680 www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk Sun 20 May - There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly. I don’t know why she swallowed a fly... But The People’s Theatre Company do! And now you can too as they bring one of the world’s best loved nursery rhymes to life just in time to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Pam Adams’ best selling book! With a feast of sing along songs, colourful animal characters and heart warming family fun. Ages 2+ Fri 1 Jun - Milkshake Live! The Magic Story Book Starring Milkshake! Favourites and two Milkshake! presenters, this all singing, all dancing, musical masterpiece, will take audiences on a journey through the world’s favourite fairy tales. Set amongst Milkshake’s magical bookcase, this brilliant live show is sure to amaze and delight! The Milkshake! cast will be singing songs and sharing stories that audience members, young and old, will know and love.

Puppet Theatre Barge Little Venice W9 020 7249 6876 www.puppetbarge.com Until Sun 13 May - The Birdman plus Monkey Business The Birdman - A play without words, Birdman tells the story of a small bird rejected from the nest, using specially composed music and expertly carved marionettes.

Enchantingly tranquil and moving – the antithesis of television.

Monkey Business - Imagine if the monkeys took over the circus! A programme of light-hearted fun for all the family, with monkey marionettes performing hilarious tricks – stilt-walking, juggling, trapeze and much more besides!”

Sat 19 May – Sun 8 Jul - Red Riding Hood The much-loved story of Little Red Riding Hood is given a new and humorous twist in the tale, in this specially commissioned version by prize-winning author Deborah Jones. The Granny is arty but forgetful, Red Riding Hood is fearful but feisty and the Wolf as dark and mysterious as his forest. Using a combination of marionettes and shadow puppets, this is a magical show that will enchant both children and adults alike.

Wed 4 July – Sun 2 Sept - We’re Going On A Bear Hunt Michael Rosen’s award-winning book We’re Going On A Bear Hunt is brought to the stage in director Sally Cookson’s fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower’s versatile lively score. Join the intrepid adventurers on their quest to find a bear; as they wade through the gigantic swishy swashy grass, the splishy splashy river and the Illustrations © 1989 Helen Oxenbury from We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

Little Angel Theatre

Sat 2 & Sun 3 Jun A scrumptious musical adaptation of Michael Rosen’s much-loved poem AGES

4+

Box Office: 020 8369 5454 www.artsdepot.co.uk artsdepot // North Finchley // N12 0GA Families North London 19

Parties, Clubs, Classes and Activities

ADULT EDUCATION Nacel English School – English Language Courses (N3) All Levels – All exams. Special discounts for UK Residents and Au-Pairs.

Get a Free test. Try a Free trial lesson. Also join the Job Club and Social Club. Quote promotion code F-56 for a 10% discount, valid until 30 June 2018. *info@nacelesl.co.uk (020 8343 3567

CHILDREN’S PARTIES Adam Ants – offers high energy parties. Adam Ants and his talented team make sure their parties are non-stop fun. With something for all ages: magic, balloon modelling, puppets, music, dancing, games and face painting. They also offer amazing disco/sports parties or the ever popular Build a Bear party. You can hire tables and chairs/bouncy castles/soft play and ball ponds.

(020 8959 1045 (07969 121 094 8www.adamantsparties.co.uk

20 Families North London

We aim to be as accurate as possible, but these listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please check before setting out.

Danny Grant Soccer School (N12) Book football and general sports birthday parties. Courses for energetic & enthusiastic players for ages 3 to 11. Non-stop football fun! Develop fitness & football skills! Exciting matches each day! Specialised term-time weekly football classes for 3 & 4 year olds and 5 and 6 year olds.

Plus weekly football training and league matches for 7 to 12 year olds. Call for more details!

(020 8446 0891 *info@dgsoccer.co.uk 8www.dgsoccer.co.uk Dramarama We offer Drama, Street Dance or Musical Theatre Parties for children aged 5-12. Parties can be arranged at your home or venue of choice. Can be held at the weekend, afterschool or during the school holidays.

8www.dramarama.co.uk KiddiKicks If your child is mad for football, they also offer child and toddler football themed birthday party entertainment.

Book a tailor-made party for football mad youngsters that packs in the fun. They come to your venue too! Score a great happy birthday party with your kids. South West London, East London, North London, West London.

(020 7937 7965 *info@kiddikicks.co.uk 8www.kiddikicks.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Parties, Clubs, Classes and Activities Little Volcanoes Science Birthday Parties A unique combination of science experiments and hands-on sensory activities with drama and singing. Learn while having fun! Ages 4-8 years.

Topic across Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Geography. To take home; Invaluable topic hands-outs and toys or hand-made products.

(07889 920 117 *contact@littlevolcanoes.co.uk Facebook: Little Volcanoes Science 8www.littlevolcanoes.co.uk Microsport (NW1, NW3 & NW8) offers fun, multi-sports parties for children aged 2-8 years. Our entertaining, unique programme is adapted from our weekly classes and can include ball sports like tennis, football, hockey, rugby, cricket, basketball as well as general sporting skills and athletics. *ben@micro-sport.co.uk for more info.

Minichefs Cookery parties for kids! Fun Pizza or Cupcake making parties for children aged 5 - 10 years old. Cupcakes can be carrot cake, lemon, vanilla or chocolate flavour. Children can eat their own made pizzas at the party or take home their decorated cupcake creations!

(07946 507 119 *saritakapur14@gmail.com Paradise Party Dj’s – An Experienced, Modern and FUN Party Entertaining Company. The DJ’s tailor your party to exactly what you want, or if you have no idea they can arrange it all for you so that you don’t have to worry. No party is too big or too small, so what are you waiting for... give them a call!

(020 3637 0019 8www.paradisepartydjs.co.uk Puddles Professional Party Planners deliver adventurous, environmentally friendly and hassle-free parties in London.

Perfectly matched elements: the party location, entertainers, decorations, food, timings and parents’ micro-entertainment.

Themes include hunt for treasure in nature sites, up-cycled crafts, sing and dance with pirates, fairies and mermaids, superhero or secret agent and more.

(07835 689 841 8www.puddles.london Rising Stars Birthday Parties (N2 + greater London) A full service offering which includes venues, entertainment, invitations, catering and going home presents so parents can sit back and enjoy the party! We offer various themes including football, multi – sports, nerf guns, dance, gymnastics and bespoke themes whilst playing the latest big tunes. For further enquiries, *info@risingstarsactivities.com or (020 8150 6655.

8www.risingstarsactivities.com

familiesonline.co.uk

DANCE A&F Chantraine, The Dance of Expression (South & West Hampstead) for all those who love to dance! Welcoming new and old pupils/ children from 5 years to teenagers are introduced to an exciting new year of dance with a friendly and creative approach. All main styles – classical – contemporary – jazz.

Contact: Patricia on (020 7435 4247 or *patricia.woodall194@gmail.com The Kensington Ballet School (NW6) Ballet for ages 18 months – 6 years at St James’s Church in West Hampstead, Unity Hall in Islington, and Rudolf Steiner House in Marylebone. FREE TRIAL CLASS. Call Karen Fisher-Lowe (07961 992 957 or *kfisherlowe@icloud.com 8www.kensingtonballet.com

LANGUAGES & CHILD DEVELOPMENT Lingotots Muswell Hill North London Join our French and Spanish group classes tailored for babies, toddlers and children from 0-11 years old. We provide a range of age-specific term time classes where children are introduced to the fascinating sounds of a new language though our unique multi-sensory blend of music, movement and rhymes. These incorporate singing, dancing, stories, play and crafts, which instil confidence in languages in a fun environment. Holiday camps, private classes and School PPA Cover are available on request.

Book your free trial: 8www.lingotot.com *MuswellHill@lingotot.com or call (0845 0680 8148 Sing and Sign Classes Across North London! With musical/fun baby signing for early speech and communication, we offer three award-winning courses for new-borns (Sing and Sign BABES), babies (Stage 1) and toddlers (Stage 2).

8www.singandsign.co.uk

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT Colourstrings – for a brilliant start in music! Call (020 8444 9435 for a trial of 3 discounted lessons or email *admin@nlcolourstrings.co.uk 8www.nlcolourstrings.co.uk

Continued on page 22

Families North London 21

Parties, Clubs, Classes and Activities The Strings Club (NW3 & N1) Enhance your child’s development through our award-winning Term-Time courses for children aged 4 to 11. Bespoke sessions designed and delivered by the best musicians in the UK. Will inspire your child’s love of music and promote all-round musicianship. Delivered in small groups, starting from only £15 per lesson.

(01212 969 204 8www.thestringsclub.org/northlondon

Rising Stars Football Club (N2 + NW2) High quality football coaching in a safe and fun environment. Children will learn and develop core football skills to ensure that they progress and fulfil their potential. Teaching will also focus on appreciating good sportsmanship and teamwork. We offer a boys and girls only football club! Age structure: Pre Reception – Year 6.

Book now (020 8150 6655 *info@risingstarsactivities.com

SPORTS AND EXERCISE

SWIMMING

Danny Grant Soccer School offers action-packed football classes for energetic & enthusiastic players aged 3 to 11. Nonstop football fun for 3 & 4 yrs and 5 & 6 yrs as they develop fitness and football skills and play exciting weekly matches.

7-12 yrs can join our Belsize Rockets team for weekend football training and league matches. Football and general sports birthday parties also bookable.

Call (020 8446 0891 for more details or visit 8www.dgsoccer.co.uk

Swimming Rocks is a premier swimming lesson provider offering lessons to babies, children and adults in 7 venues across London.

Recognised as one of the leading swimming tuition company’s delivering progressive swimming lessons with a strong reputation based on effortless service and employing some of the most experienced swimming instructors in London. Term time and holiday crash courses. Lessons 7 days a week. Private and shared lessons and small groups for babies.

8www.swimmingrocks.co.uk *Info@swimmingrocks.co.uk (07557 051 904

Go Ape! (N22 & EN4) Tree Top Junior (a course designed for Junior Tarzans available at Alexandra Park) as well as Tree Top Adventure (our classic adventure for the over 10’s at Alexandra Park and Trent Park).

Call (08458 381 612 and quote FAMAP7 8www.goape.co.uk Gojumpin (EN1) Interconnecting trampolines for free jumping, foam pits, tumble tracks, battle beams and more. Under 5s have their own area devoted to them. Also, birthday parties, school and group events, free running classes, fitness classes, teen nights, toddler classes and other special events and sessions throughout the year.

8www.gojumpin.com/enfield/ Kiddikicks (NW1, N16, NW6, W9) Football Coaching for children 18 months to 10 years old.

(020 7937 7965 *info@kiddikicks.co.uk 8www.kiddikicks.co.uk/timetable London Academy of Gymnastics and Dance (LAGAD) N2, N3, N8, N10, N14, N15, N20, N22, NW11, HA9. Quality, fun and safety conscious gymnastics classes with fully trained, highly qualified coaches. LAGAD run After School, Weekend Classes, Holiday Camps & Birthday Parties. In Muswell Hill, Crouch End, East Finchley, Totteridge, Wood Green, Tottenham and Wembley.

Classes for ages 3 ½ - 18 yrs. Beginner to Advanced. If you missed the fun when you were young, try Adult Ballet Classes in Muswell Hill. LAGAD aim to inspire and ignite a passion.

8www.lagad.co.uk *info@lagad.co.uk or (020 8883 4675 Little Kickers Enabling children aged 18mths up to their 7th birthday to develop their coordination, balance and agility through football activity classes.

Mill Hill, Swiss Cottage, Hampstead, Golders Green, Muswell Hill, Friern Barnet: Julia Levene (020 8201 1084 *jlevene@littlekickers.co.uk.

North Finchley, Southgate, Enfield town, Enfield St Lukes: Emma Hanna (020 7684 7969 *ehanna@littlekickers.co.uk 8www.littlekickers.co.uk Microsport (NW1, NW3 & NW8) offers fun, multi-sports classes for children aged 2-8 years. We run weekly sessions during term times in venues across NW1, NW3 & NW8 and do holiday Microsport clubs. 8www.micro-sport.co.uk for details and to book or email *ben@micro-sport.co.uk for more info including parties!

North London Schools of Taekwondo The Korean Martial Art of Taekwondo, for Self Defence, Fitness, discipline and Confidence.

Classes for 3-5 yr olds, 5-11 yr olds and mixed Family/Adults.

Classes in Barnet, Cheshunt & Enfield 8www.taekwondo-northlondon.co.uk 8www.selfdefence-london.com Phone Richard on (07967 128420

22 Families North London

Tiny Swimmers (N3, N4, N7, EN5) Swimming courses are based on a rolling 10-week progressive programme. Baby, Toddler, Entry level and 1to1. Join at any stage through the school term.

Structured classes with a different focus each week. Classes teach safety in and around the pool whilst gaining water confidence in a fun, safe and nurturing environment. Email *info@tinyswimmers.co.uk or call (020 8351 4413 8www.tinyswimmers.co.uk

THEATRE & PERFORMING ARTS Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School: Saturday workshops in Drama, Singing, Dance and Film all taught by leading industry professionals. Our Camden branch takes place at Parliament Hill School at 9.30am - 2pm or 2.30pm - 5.30pm for 7 - 18 year olds.

Fiorentini Weenies for 4 - 6 years takes place at 9.30am - 11am.

More details at 8www.annafiorentini.com Dramarama: Saturday Morning Drama, Drama Exam, Street Dance & Musical Theatre classes in NW3, for boys & girls aged 3 to 15. Performing Arts classes aim to develop acting skills and performance technique with creative activities and exciting end of term plays, dance shows and musicals. Drama, Musical Theatre & Street Dance birthday parties also bookable.

Call (020 8446 0891 or visit 8www.dramarama.co.uk Holiday Academy (NW1) is a children’s day camp in NW1, for children aged 3-12 (in age groups) from all schools. Go along for exciting sessions including music, drama, art, sport and forest school each school holiday. Sessions running over the May Half Term Tue 29 May – Fri 1 Jun, Summer Holiday Mon 16 Jul – Fri 17 Aug at Cavendish School. (07585 002 327 *ruth@holidayacademy.co.uk 8www.holidayacademy.co.uk Jigsaw - The perfect start to performing arts. A new term lies just around the corner and with more children attending Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools than ever before, there has never been a better time to take to the stage than now. Performing arts classes are hugely enjoyable for children of all ages and they are an excellent way to build confidence and social skills. With classes in Crouch End, Enfield, Finchley, Hendon, Winchmore Hill and across North London, why not book a two-week trial today?

Visit 8www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk or call (020 8447 4530.

Perform New Classes in Dartmouth Park and Belsize Park!

Weekly drama, dance and singing. Ages: 4-12. A unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child’s true potential. Small classes and lots of individual attention. No-obligation FREE trial for newcomers. [N1, N2, N4, N5, N6, N8, N10, N11, N12, N14, N16, N20, N21, NW1, NW3, NW5, NW7, NW8, NW11, EN5 and HA8) (020 7255 9120 *enquiries@perform.org.uk 8www.perform.org.uk/try

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Parties, Clubs, Classes and Activities The Place Join the exhilarating atmosphere of The Place this Summer. Jam packed with dance activities and performances for all ages from babies to over 60’s, including workshops the whole family can enjoy together! More info at 8theplace.org.uk or call (020 7121 1100 PQA Islington (N1) Brand new Academy at PQA Studios London, 242 Pentonville Road. Free open day on Sat 12 May from 8.45am-12pm. ~Sample classes in Musical Theatre, Comedy & Drama and Film & Television. Parents are welcome to stay with their children. 8www.pqacademy.com (0800 531 6282 Young Actors Theatre (N1) are offering free trial classes for new comers. Free classes are a great opportunity for your kids to experience then first-hand, feel the family atmosphere before enrolling for regular classes. Join a diverse range of groups: Acting – Explore acting exercises, get the skills and have fun; Musical theatre: learn a song from musical theatre, pop and rock; Dance: find out how to follow choreography and move to the music; Performance: Discover all aspects of performance and put on a play. Register your interest now as spaces are limited!

(020 7278 2101 *info@youngactors.org.uk 8www.youngactors.org.uk

AFTER SCHOOL CLUB / EDUCATION 11+ Mock Test Masters - 11plus Limited and Mock Test Masters™ are specialist providers or information and resources for the 11+ entrance exam. They demystify and ease the 11+ preparation process for parents and their children. BIG 11+ events are run in local centres in Finchley and Barnet. Also available are: Holiday Learning Clubs, Mock Test Review Sessions, Pass Club - Saturday tuition and Weekly Practice Tests. 8www.mocktestmasters.com Bilingual Nurseries (N1) French/English Mars Montessori Bilingual Nursery is a small private nursery in the heart of Islington, offering Montessori education and a bilingual environment, coupled with extended day care for children aged 1-4 years. We have only 24 children, and 6 members of staff. The nursery is open from 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday for 47 weeks of the year. (020 7099 0452 8www.bilingualnurseries.com

JK Educate provide educational advice, assessments and tutoring for all children 7 +, 11+, 13+ to GCSE’s and A levels. Help your child achieve the result they deserve.

8www.jkeducate.co.uk Leaders are Readers award-winning reading programme, exemplary English, maths, 4+, 5+, 7+ and 11+ curricula have helped more than 3500 children from 3+ to 13 years old, for over 17 years, with a 90% pass rate for children taking entrance exams to top grammar & independent schools. Saturday School for the Summer 2018 and Autumn 2018 term enrolling now. St Andrews’s CE Primary School 297 Chase Road, Southgate N14 6JA. Free assessment on open days. Open Days on 5, 12, 19 & 26 May and 9, 16, 23 & 30 June.

(01992 651 300 8www.leadersarereaders.co.uk SDE Finchley Susan Daughtrey Education has operated extremely successful 11+ Courses for over 25 years. The classes are taught by a qualified KS2 teacher and prepare Year 4 & 5 students for both CEM and GL Assessment tests (and is therefore suitable preparation for Henrietta Barnett (Stage 1), Latymer, SW Herts Consortium, QE Boys and other counties such as Bucks and Berks). (020 3551 5099 8www.sde11plus.com/courses *wbarns@sde11plus.com Teachers Teach Education Centre (EN1 EN2 N9 EN3 EN7 N21) Offers professional tuition by qualified teachers. They teach students from reception age through to those studying for A-Levels covering: SATs, 11+ & Entrance exams, GCSEs, A-LEVELs - as well as mock exams and informal school tests. OFSTED registered. (Use childcare vouchers or claim Childcare tax credits). Call (020 8363 5008 8www.teachersteachenfield.co.uk *info@teachersteachenfield.co.uk

Explore Learning – Award-winning tuition with a difference.

With over 120 centres across the UK, head online to find your nearest centre. (01483 447 414 to book your free trial session today. 8www.explorelearning.co.uk Fleet Tutors Run a 5-day or 3-day small group preparation small group preparation courses for 11+ or 13+ entrance exams. These are run by highly successful Maths, English, Verbal reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning during the week, with students sitting mock exam papers. Call (08456 445 452 or go to 8www.fleet-tutors.co.uk

The Kensington Ballet School

WEST HAMPSTEAD SHERRIFF CENTRE ST JAMES’ CHURCH, NW6

ISLINGTON UNITY HALL 277 UPPER STREET, N1

in Muswe ll Hill and Southg ate

Fun filled cookery classes for children aged 2.5 to 10 years. Making and baking has never been so much fun! Join your mini chefs to help them create somethin g special to take home.

MARYLEBONE RUDOLF STEINER HOUSE 35 PARK ROAD, NW1

Ages 15 months - 5 years * FRE E T RIAL CLAS S

Office: 07957 650 042 kfisherlowe@icloud.com www.kensingtonballet.com familiesonline.co.uk

Families North London 23

Peace of mind for you and your family At the Royal Free London Travel Health and Immunisation Clinic, we offer a wide range of vaccinations for both children and adults.

Our expert team, led by Dr Jane Zuckerman, are on hand to provide a best-in-class service to each and every one of our patients.

To book an appointment, please call: 020 7317 7751

OPENING

W: www.royalfreeprivatepatients.com/travel-clinic/ E: rf.privateenquiries@nhs.net A: Royal Free London, Private Patients Unit, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG

MONDAY 8AM – 7PM TUESDAY 9AM – 5PM WEDNESDAY 8AM – 7PM

Travel clinic advert Families North London Magazine 180x130.indd 1

HOURS: THURSDAY 9AM – 5PM FRIDAY 9AM – 5PM SATURDAY 10AM – 4PM

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