Families North London Issue 87 November - December by Families Magazine

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

e! e r F Issue 87 Nov/Dec 2010

• Christmas Gift Guide • Family Film Fun • Soft Play Centres

Festive Fun

Covering the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Westminster

Let your kids drive in London. Now they can drive a Tube train, climb in a bus cab and lose themselves in our exploration zone. Better still, kids go free at London Transport Museum, Covent Garden.

ltmuseum.co.uk Registered charity number 1123122

Stretching childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imagination for 20 years

E! C N A G! D

! W O N T AC

SIN

Performing Arts Training 4 - 16 year olds

The original, largest and still the best network of performing arts schools in the world.

ENROLLING NOW!

STAGECOACH PRIMROSE HILL

077 6622 7810

Nurturing and developing young peoples potential through dance, drama and singing. For 4-16 year olds, after school and at weekends.

Stagecoach Highgate is now taking bookings

Call: 07956 436028

email: highgate@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/highgate

Venues: Friday School: Primrose Hill Primary Princess Road, London NW1 Saturday School: 14 Gloucester Gate email: primrosehill@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/primrosehill

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Contents

Issue 87 | November/December 2010 | Families North London

This Issue 10 The Dairy Dilemma 12 Christmas Gift Guide 18 Family Film Fun

Regular Features

4 News 9 Book Corner 9 Eating Out 17 Five of the Best: Soft Play Centres 17 Dud & Rhu Do Pets 20 Out & About

Families North Magazine PO Box 56943, London N10 9AE Tel: 020 8815 1351 Proprietor/Editor: Harriet Taylor Editor-at-Large: Naomi Reynard Web Manager: Melanie Carpigo melanie@familiesnorth.co.uk Advertising: advertising@familiesnorth.co.uk Listings: Contact Kathy Brown on listings@familiesnorth.com Distribution: distribution@familiesnorth.co.uk Design: Positive2 020 8444 5050 Print: Bishop’s Printers Next Issue: Issue 88 January/February 2011 Focusing on: Nurseries Deadline: 1st December 2010

Get in touch editor@ familiesnorth.co.uk

By ordering a letter today, you can help us to end cruelty to children.

Welcome

We are here to guide you through the best activities and seasonal treats that London has to offer. A wet, windy November day is also the best time to go to the cinema, so do have a look at our Family Film Feature. For a healthier life, Kirsten Davies, our contributing Nutritionist, is here to give you some advice on alternatives to cows’ milk. This issue also brings you a bumper Out & About guide, brimming with suggestions and ideas for entertainment over the festive period. Merry Christmas to you all!

Call us on 0845 839 9304 or visit:

Naomi Reynard

LFS A5 Advert Landscape.indd 1

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

(Harriet Taylor is on Maternity Leave)

3/9/09 13:17:05

news

News who why where

CHristmas competitions Did you know there are always fabulous prizes up for grabs on the Families North London website? This Winter, you could win one of two family tickets to the Pleasance Theatre in Islington to watch Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play (running from 1 December 2010 through to 2 January 2011).

Got some news for us? If you are a North London based group or organisation whose services or products are for families of young children, we’d love to hear from you. Send press releases and pictures to: editor@familiesnorth.co.uk

available to Families North London readers. Whatever your preferences, do log on to www.familiesnorth.co.uk, register and simply click on ‘Competitions’ and follow the instructions to enter. The next winner could be you! www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Or how about one of these beautiful wooden book boxes (pictured) from Tidy Books? A beautiful addition to any family home that will positively enhance story time! Or perhaps £250 worth of Hamley’s vouchers to give you a helping hand this Christmas. These are just a few of the competitions

spark your child’s imagination Delighting families since 2003, unique parent and child classes with a real difference. The basis of Debutots, be it Baby Story Play (6 months – 2 years) or Early Years Drama (2 – 4 years), is learning through interactive storytelling, drama and play. What’s so special is that the learning and fun is for parent and child alike. Imaginations will soar, communication skills grow, creativity and confidence blossom. It’s imaginative, it’s funny, it will make you smile and laugh out loud! Taking part will delight your child and inspire you… that’s not a buggy you’re pushing… it’s a magic carpet! Classes weekly in Crouch End, Hampstead and Muswell Hill. First class free! Private sessions also available for parties or a group of friends at home. Call 020 8442 2380 or email jennifer@ debutots.co.uk to find out more. Please enquire about our Christmas sessions, mixing Debutots with other creative and festive fun.

Looking for a Babysitter? Sitting Pretty, the brain child of Muswell Hill based mum-of-two, Sara Orford, offers to take the stress out of your social life by providing professional babysitters, whenever you need one. All the sitters have been very carefully selected and are all professional child-carers with excellent references. Whatever the need and occasion, Sitting Pretty is on hand to provide the childcare. And, at no extra cost, once they’ve tucked up the little ones, they’ll do the ironing, too. The Families North team have used them several times, the service is fantastic – and now that we are registered, I can simply send a text to request a sitter, and within minutes the Sitting Pretty team are on the case. We have peace of mind knowing that my children will be looked after by one of their fabulous, capable and thoroughly vetted sitters. I particularly like the way my allocated babysitter calls me on the day of the booking to confirm and introduce herself. It also gives us the opportunity to discuss all important bed times for the children and baby! You can register for free at any time, through their website www.sittingprettybabysitters. co.uk. Bookings are taken via telephone, text or email. Not only will Sitting Pretty Babysitters send you a confirmation, your babysitter will also call you on the day. All that remains is for you to enjoy your night out... Oh, and don’t forget to leave out the pile of ironing! enquiries@sittingprettybabysitters.co.uk www.sittingprettybabysitters.co.uk

A New Cycle Solution for Parents Check out the Babboe cargo bike – which could well be a very real solution to that dreaded school run. No more time wasted hunting for parking spaces along with the rest of North London. This bike is also guaranteed to keep you fit and give your family plenty of quality time together! Three London mothers have started a new company called Wheel Happy Ltd. They are committed to getting parents with young children cycling in London, and have managed to secure a deal to make the number one selling cargo bike from Holland available to UK parents for the first time via their online website www.Babboe.co.uk. I trialed the Babboe ‘Big E Power’ model. Not only did it carry my four children, school bags and shopping, my husband even perched on the frame behind me for a Sunday excursion along the disused railway line! The fun factor was immense, safety ticked all the boxes with all children strapped into their own 3-point harness, and – most importantly I had great peace of mind being able to see all the children were sitting comfortably, rather than worrying about pulling a trailer along behind me. For hilly North London, the electric pedal assisted model was the natural choice, although the price tag and weight are both a bit heftier. But take into account the money saved on petrol, stress and zero-emissions, it really does seem worth it. www.Babboe.co.uk

We are looking for children between the ages of 2 and 12 years to assist us in a range of fun activities investigating how children see. The Child Vision Lab is based at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in Central London. We will refund any travelling costs up to £20. 020 7608 6819 www.childvisionlab.org

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

news Families Magazine Celebrates 20th Anniversary! Today Families North London is part of a thriving group of TH franchised magazines across the UK from the nn Solent to Fife. The first r iversa issue in October 1990 was a cut and paste affair in black and white – meaning scissors and glue, not copy and paste! The very first edition, Families® South West, had a mere 4,000 print run, and colour wasn’t to be seen until Oct 2000. There are now 30 editions of Families in the UK and well over 500,000 copies are printed across the group. But throughout it all, Families has remained true to the original thinking, a handson magazine for busy mums with useful information, centred around the local community. Families is the best source of local

Stop that child! 150,000 children per year in the UK are reported to the authorities as missing. This equates to one child disappearing every 4 minutes. But a new child tracking system from Iseeka could put an end to the misery that most parents have experienced when they realise that their child is missing at the beach. The device consists of a waterproof watch-like bracelet worn by a child, and a hand-held parent unit. Mums & Dads will be warned if their child has wandered out of a pre-set safe-play area, from which the parent can set the distance of their choice. The futuristic gadget will then direct the anxious parent quickly and easily to the whereabouts of their child by using ascending audible bleeps and a directional indicator on the hand-held parent unit. Unlike Iseeka’s competitors which rely on GPS technology, Iseeka’s patented innovation uses only Radio Frequency, which means it’s completely free to use anywhere in the world. £99.99 from: www.iseeka.com

The contented parent The Contented Parent is an emotional support organisation for parents seeking help with parenting issues from prebirth to university years. It has been created by Sipora Levy, a North London resident, who has 20 years experience in the field of counselling, coaching and personal development. She has two grown up children, and also worked for 7 years running parenting courses and support groups. Sipora offers face to face counselling and coaching, as well as groups and workshops on various topics including ‘Counselling from Conception’ a workshop for mothers-to-be designed to help them bond with their unborn baby. To find out more you can contact Sipora on 020 8445 7198/07946 588221 or visit www.thecontentedparent.co.uk

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

information, news and what’s on for parents. And now we have the Families website, a powerful resource that currently reaches into nearly all areas of the UK. Local editors look after their own local section filled with local articles, listings, discussion forums and free small ads. Register as a user and find at the bottom of your chosen articles a list of relevant companies local to you. It’s almost like having a really knowledgeable friend at virtually every school/ nursery gate in the country. So whereas one parent may get some information on self-esteem for older children, another will find exactly where to take two toddlers on a rainy Monday. www.familiesnorth.co.uk has a huge bank of really useful articles. How often have I Googled something to be taken to my own website! We have loads of great online competitions for the festive season (including £250 Hamleys vouchers). And by logging in, it also means Families North London becomes your default Home Page when you visit us. Isn’t it clever!?

CAKE POP PARTY TREATS!

Award Winning Activity Classes! Enjoy-a-Ball, a positive coaching programme that teaches girls and boys, from 2½ to 9 years, a variety of team games and eight different ball sports, triumphed earlier this year at the ‘What’s On 4’ 2010 Awards, winning Best National Activity for Children Aged 5 to 12. Enjoy-a-Ball in North London is run by Nicole Golembo, and classes are available in Mill Hill, Finchley and Hampstead Garden Suburb. Games include basketball, tennis, football, rugby, volleyball, cricket, baseball and hockey. Early on, the programme focuses on agility, balance and coordination then gradually introduces the core elements of the sports. Rewarded for perseverance, courage and showing team spirit, kids have fun whilst learning in a sociable environment under the guidance of a professional coach. With no more than 10 children of similar ability per session, each receives a great deal of attention and learns at their own pace. Nicole Golembo from Enjoy-a-Ball North London, said: ‘We are so excited and proud to have won this award. Every week our Enjoy-a-Ball coaches work very hard to make sure kids are getting active and learning about sport and life skills and we’re so happy that this has now been recognised at a national level!’ Contact 08452 262694 or visit www. enjoy-a-ball.com for further information.

POP Bakery is a mother / daughter run bakery in North West London, and the home of the english cake POP. With the Christmas party season approaching why not order some of these cute, eye-catching sticks of yumminess to liven up your party menu. Consult the deliciously tempting website, and don’t forget to order a few extra for the hosts! We recently ordered a batch of rock n roll glittery skulls in a variety of stylish colours for my daughter’s 9th birthday at her ‘School of Rock’ party! I wonder whether they will be producing any Christmas elves for the festive season! www.popbakery.co.uk

4 Drama and Creative Classes for 2-7 year olds Let you child’s imagination Little supernovas explode with a different incorporates storytelling action adventure each week! theatre, music, props, drama, movement and plenty They’ll travel to mystical of giggles. lands, boogie with baboons or even blast off into space. hello@littlesupernovas.com Wherever our imaginations call/text: 07791 235 247 www.littlesupernovas.com take us!

news Whoosh away on a Magic Carpet..... And journey over wind-swept deserts to help Aladdin and Princess Jasmine rescue the magic lamp from the evil Jafar! Local children will come together this Christmas to make new friends, stretch their imaginations and enjoy plenty of fun and laughter as they join Aladdin for the adventure of a lifetime at the Perform Winter Holiday Courses. Together with a team of experienced theatre professionals, the children will combine live original music, inspirational dance and quick-witted improvisation into a colourful mini performance on the final day. Exclusively for 4-8 year olds, Perform Winter Experiences are threeday courses specially designed to encourage creativity, confidence and communication skills as well as being a kaleidoscope of fun! Visit www.perform.org.uk or phone: 0845 400 1274 to book your child’s place.

Don’t forget to say you saw the advert in Families North!

Waste not? Are you going to school with a waste free lunch? How families can save money and the environment by packing a lunch without the waste.

Parents advised to double check car seat harness tension this winter The Department of Transport estimates that up to 80% of car seats are being used incorrectly by parents, simply because they are not tightening the harness straps correctly Parents are being advised to double check the tension of car seat harnesses, particularly when their babies and toddlers wear thick coats or snowsuits this winter. The advice comes from baby company Morrck, who says many UK parents don’t realise the effect that thick outdoor clothing can have on the fit of car seat harness straps or the potential consequences of straps being too loose. To test whether you have correct harness tension when using a coat or snowsuit, Morrck advises you do the two finger test: • P ut the coat on the child. • Strap the child into the car seat and tighten to ensure a snug fit. • Remove the child from the car seat – without loosening the straps. • Take the coat off the child. • Strap the child back into the seat – but don’t adjust the straps. • Do the two finger test. If you can fit more than two fingers underneath the harness at the child’s shoulder bone, the harness tension needs to be tightened or avoid using the coat in the car seat.

Lunchboxes often includes cartons, plastic bottles, sandwich bags, yoghurt pots, crisp bags, biscuit and bar wrappers, dip containers, cling film and sandwich bags. Multiply this with the number of lunches you prepare in a year and you start to see how much you are contributing to landfill. Packing a waste free lunch means that you have no waste to throw away when you have finished. A waste free lunch does not only save on packaging and the environment it saves money too. By buying bulk rather than pre packed convenience foods there are pounds to be saved. My Friendly Lunchbox (http://www. myfriendlylunchbox.co.uk/), a newly launched website selling products for a waste free lunch, advises families to buy a block of cheese and a big bag of raisins rather than the snack packed cartons and individually wrapped cheese portions. You can also mix your own flavoured water and make your own dunkers with soft cheese and bread sticks – saving both money and packaging. Those who want to avoid BPA, should look out for products that are made from stainless steel or plastic items that are marked or sold as ’free from BPA’. www.myfriendlylunchbox.co.uk

kidsunlimited naturally inspiring childcare

w All inclusive fees (nappies, milk and food) w Experienced managers with care focused and enthusiastic teams w Flexible part time sessions and work friendly opening hours w Safe & secure nursery environments

Mars Montessori Bilingual Nursery

Islington Green (Angel). 2-5 year olds. 8.00 am - 6.00 pm 2 days, 3 days or 5 days a week 47 weeks a year

020 7704 2805 www.marsmontessori.com

w Care for children from 3 months to 5 years

Find your nearest kidsulimited nursery

Save £50 on your registration fee bring this leaflet with you

Call 0845 365 2988 www.kidsunlimited.co.uk www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Music classes for babies and young children! ® d no blues ! all r hythm an Hampstead & Notting Hill 020 8451 7626 Muswell Hill, Crouch End & Highgate 020 8889 0114 High Barnet, Mill Hill & Whetstone 020 8449 4025 Southgate, Winchmore Hill & East Barnet 020 8360 2730

www.monkeymusic.co.uk

Action songs and rhymes Music and movement Fun with percussion Musical games

Since 1993 thousands of children across the UK have grown up with Monkey Music. Our unique teaching curriculum was written by classically trained musicians, and introduces music to very young children in a way they can easily understand and enjoy.

Rock ‘n’ roll - from 3 months Heigh ho – from 12 months Jiggety jig – 2 & 3 year olds Ding dong – 3 & 4 year olds It’s fun, formative and a great way of making friends!

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

TIME FOR A CHANGE? NEED EXTRA INCOME? £500 – £2,000 per month

PROFESSIONAL BABYSITTING

Home Based Business

enjoy a ball 64 a copy 30/3/07 14:08 Page 1 “Without compromising your home Sitting Pretty is here for you with professional or business life” babysitters whenever you need them. Each of our sitters has been interviewed face to face, Global Product (Est. 29 years) thoroughly vetted and background checked. “Look Good Feel Good Industry” Our costs are straight-forward and affordable. Call us or visit our website for more details. You could be anything from a parent, struggling to balance work/life through to topping up your pension … People from ALL walks of life … If you are honest and ethical and have a desire to succeed, we would like to hear from you.

www.sittingpretty babysitters.co.uk

07971 083207

arty Wizard SPR06

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Free Ironing Service Once the children are tucked up in bed, your babysitter will do your ironing!

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Call: Alison or Ian on 01923 232242

★ MAGIC ★ JUGGLING ★ GUITAR & SONGS ★ MINI DISCO ★ ★ PUPPETS ★ STORYTELLING ★ FACE PAINTING ★

Themed Parties & Complete Party Organisation Available “Bewitching!” Daily Telegraph

Magical Parties with Laurie Temple and his Company “A regular favourite with all our nurseries” A. Cook, Director, Happy Child Nurseries Ltd.

“Highly Recommended” Time Out

Tel: 020 8951 9469 Mob: 07951 596240 www.thepartywizard.co.uk

Creative Movements Movement, Dance and Rythmn for all ages and abilities

Classes for children 15 months to all ages • Creative Movements • Dance: Ballet, Musical Theatre, Jazz • Mums and Toddlers • Jazz/Street • CM en Francais • Holiday Workshops • Parties: 2-10 Years • Adults’ Movement

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As seen on London News, ITV HOLIDAY CLUBS for 3 -7 year olds Year round Programmes 1 - 3 yrs

Customised Art & Music Birthday Parties 1-12yrs and after school club

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email: creativewizkids@gmail.com www.creativewizkids.com

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Ballet

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Based in Muswell Hill North London Street Dance: Mondays 5pm-6pm 5 week course Ballet, Royal Academy of Dance: Tuesdays, 3yrs & over Performing Arts School: 4.15pm-6.15pm Thursday Holiday workshops – see website for details

FRENCH & SPANISH

lessons for Babies, Toddlers and Children aged 3 to 13

07881 553480 kidzonthehill@gmail.com

0208 4921 474 info@icanlearnal.co.uk

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www.familiesnorth.co.uk a_kidz_advert3.indd 1

03/08/2010 08:03

Book corner Book Reviews

The Children’s Bookshop 29 Fortis Green Road,   Muswell Hill,  London N10 3HP visit: www.childrensbookshoplondon.com

by Cornelia Funke Age 11+

A captivating magical tale that offers an absorbing escape to another world.

Dead Man’s Cove: A Laura Marlin mystery Set in a wintry St Ives this Cornish mystery story is perfect for young readers to curl up and ignore the London weather

All children’s book recommendations this issue courtesy of:

Reckless

Here are some winter warmer books to entertain you by the fire!

by Lauren St John Age approx 8 – 12

book corner • eating out

Stories By Firelight

The Tree House

by Shirley Hughes Age approx. 2 – 6

by Gillian Cross Age approx 6 – 8

A delightful collection of stories, poems and wordless tales that carries its readers from autumn through to spring again.

An absorbing tale of two brothers who, across one autumn, use the gifts their father sends them to augment the tree house in the ancient chestnut tree.

Eating out The Orange Tree

Bald Faced Stag

Queens Pub & Dining Room,

Totteridge Village, N20 8NX

69 High Road, N2 8AB Tube: East Finchley Visit: www.thebaldfacedstagn2.co.uk

Crouch End 26 Broadway Parade, N8 9DE Visit: www.thequeenscrouchend.co.uk

After a trip to the Phoenix Cinema on a Saturday or Sunday morning you need merely glide across the road to the Bald Faced Stag for a roast in this large comfortable gastro pub. Children will love the booths, the open kitchen gives the place a warm and noisy (no one will be bothered by your screaming toddler) feel and the food is excellent. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding at £13.50 followed by chocolate brownie at £5.00 ticked all the boxes. Children’s menu available.

This lovely ornate Victorian pub, mentioned in Pevsner, was originally built as a hotel, just down the road from the Clock Tower in the middle of Crouch End. It has two lovely rooms, the big bar with its central counter, and a dining room with wonderfully ornate ceiling and open kitchen. In addition, it has a garden at the back (heated in winter), handy for escaping to with the children. Roast rib eye of Scottish beef with all the trimmings at £13.00 or half a garlic and herb roast chicken – £11.00

Sunday roasts, roaring log fires, Bloody Marys, Sunday newspapers, leather sofas... Is there a better way to spend time with family or friends? A Sunday roast is a great treat for the whole family at The Orange Tree. The Sunday roasts are tasty and reasonable with two courses from £12.95 and of course no one is left to do the washing up. Visit: www.theorangetreetotteridge.co.uk

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

health

The Dairy Dilemma By Kirsten Davies

For centuries, when our children reach the age of one, it has been common to wean them off breast/formula feeding and onto cows’ milk. The dairy council have marketed milk as consideration, when weaning your child ‘one of the most nutritionally complete on to cows’ milk, is the low iron content foods available’ and as such, we have of milk. Iron is of vital importance to the been lead to believe that cows’ milk is developing child and infants consuming an excellent food; high in calcium and large amounts of cows’ milk have a therefore brilliant for the development of greater incidence of iron deficiency young children bones. anaemia. In particular, infants who drink Whilst cows’ milk does contain calcium cows’ milk in their first year of life are and calcium is important for bone health; at a much higher risk of iron deficiency for the body to absorb calcium it needs anaemia. a calcium to magnesium ratio of 2:1. So, how do we ensure our children Although milk does contain magnesium, get enough calcium? How do we prevent it is in such low quantities that only 25% anaemia? And most importantly, what of the available calcium can be absorbed. are the alternatives to cows’ milk? It is important to recognise that the milk of every mammal is unique and Providing enough calcium significantly tailored to the requirements There are many sources of calcium, of her young. Cows’ milk is designed for which can contribute to your child’s daily the rapid growth that calves need and not calcium intake. Foods such as: salmon, for the continual growth and development sardines, whitebait, breads, broccoli, of our children. spinach, almonds, oats, beans, soya, tofu, Calves have a four-stomach digestive cabbage and lots of other green leafy system, in comparison to the human’s vegetables can provide good sources of single stomach; which could be why lots calcium for your child. of people struggle to digest casein and lactose found in milk. This can lead Preventing anaemia to digestive complaints, including To help ensure you child has enough bloating and constipation. In some cases iron in their diet, ensure that they have a the protein casein found in cows’ milk well balanced diet, full of iron rich foods can irritate a child’s intestine causing low (such as chicken, sardines, almonds, oats, level, gradual blood loss in the humus, lentils, raisins, beans and eggs). intestinal tract. Only give cows’ milk separate from AnotherClare-118mmx70mm-1.pdf important fact to take in meals, and never to children under one 1 to11/10/2010 17:48 year old.

So, how do we ensure our children get enough calcium? How do we prevent anaemia? And most importantly, what are the alternatives to milk? Possible alternatives to cows’ milk.

Natural yogurt is a great food for those who shun milk or are lactose intolerant. It has the same amount of protein and calcium as milk, but contains much less lactose, so most people who are lactose intolerant can tolerate yogurt. Almond Milk

Naturally sweet, and has some beneficial fats and calcium (not suitable for those with nut allergies). Goat Milk

Goat’s milk has only slightly less lactose than cow’s milk, but with different proteins. Slightly sweet and salty. Rice Milk

The least allergenic milk alternative, the only possible negative would be the lower protein content. Oat Milk

Oat milk is high in fibre, but low in protein. A slightly sweet taste and light consistency. Not suitable for children with celiac. Soy Milk

This is high in protein and the most popular cows’ milk alternative. However, recent research and questions have arisen over soy’s phytoestrgen levels and possible link to interference with children’s hormonal and sexual development. Paediatricians caution not to give more than 2x a day to children.

Fun, Creative Yoga for children aged 2½ to 12 years!

Call Clare: 0845 863 0680 or clare@yogabugs.com 10

If you have any concerns about yours, or your child’s, diet and would like to arrange a consultation, Kirsten Davies Bsc NTdip BANT can be contacted on thefoodremedy@yahoo. co.uk or by calling 07780007361

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Don’t forget to say you saw the ad in Families North!

Enjoy-a-Ball Sports coaching for 3-9 year olds in a fun, positive and non-competitive environment. Classes running in Finchley, Mill Hill and Hampstead Garden Suburb. Children’s parties also available! Call 08452 262694 to book a FREE trial session.

www.enjoy-a-ball.com

Cookery Parties at The Food Clinic Have fun, get creative and messy, then eat your beautiful creations with your friends! Delicious birthday cake created on the day – a tower of beautiful cupcakes hand decorated by the children. Menus tailored for all ages. Price includes all ingredients, aprons and goodie bags. Parties held in Muswell Hill or at your home. For info call 0208 883 7338 or visit www.thefoodclinic.org

Weekly and Saturday Dance, Music & Drama classes for 3 - 8 year olds in Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Highgate

Unleash the creative potential in your child with the Crazee Kids innovative method which combines dance, music and drama. Develop your childs confidence and imagination whilst enhancing their physical health, and stimulating their mental ability. It’s also great fun!

020 8444 5333 / 07958 501919 www.crazeekids.co.uk

Christmas holiday football courses in NW3 PLUS: Exciting football parties for 5 to 11 year olds.

We are now recruiting 7-11 year olds to join our training sessions for the North London Youth Football League for the 2010/2011 football season. Call for more details:

020 8446 0891

info@leagueone.co.uk www.leagueone.co.uk www.familiesnorth.co.uk

gift guide

Christmas Gift Guide Complied by Holly Wadsworth-Hill & Naomi Reynard

Competition!

The nights have drawn in, there’s a magical feel to the chill in the air and there’s more than one kind of wrappingup on everyone’s mind. It can only mean one thing... Christmas is on its way! Whether that fills you with ho, ho, ho’s or Scrooge-like groans, we hope our guide to all things festive, will help make this year a Christmas to remember...

Hamley’s Top 10 Toys for Christmas 2010! If you want guaranteed smiles or favourite aunt/ uncle status, you can’t go wrong tracking down something from this list. Be warned though, these toys are set to fly from the shelves quicker than Santa’s sleigh, so don’t miss out! Your comprehensive list of this year’s most-wanted: • Toy Story 3 Buzz Lightyear Action Figure • Dr Who Sonic Screwdriver • Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Disc Ultimatrix • Beyblade Metal Fusion Super Vortex Battle Set • Barbie Video Girl • VTech Storio Animated Phonics Book • Kung Zhu Hamsters • Armouron Action Set • VTech Kidizoom Video Camera • Monopoly Revolutions Board Game

To celebrate 250 years of The Finest Toys in the World, Hamleys have teamed up with Families North London to give you the chance to win £250 of Hamleys vouchers. To enter log on to www.familiesnorth. co.uk and click on competitions. Vouchers can be used online at www. hamleys.com or in one of their UK stores. Closing date for the competition is 8th December 2010. See online for full Terms and Conditions.

BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS Latest additions may be slightly oblivious to the seasonal chaos but you’ll remember their first Christmas forever and will be keen to make it extra special. Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a keepsake or something they can cherish for years to come. Imago Doll £16 From O baby

Vintage Matinee Coat & Winter Booties £69 From Aravore babies

Cashmere Hat & Scarf £125.00 From Stellina baby

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

gift guide

Wool Pixies £26 From Cherish & Cherubs

Personalised Fleece Blanket £34 From Cherish & Cherubs

Ella & Otto baby grow suit £18 From O baby

Buisjes en beugels, ‘my dog’ head warmer £32 From Quirky Collective

For him Boys of all ages need to be kept busy and love fun and games that they can really get stuck into. If he can burn off some energy, create mess and make some noise, he’ll be in his element!

Rock 3 Guitar From £24.99 From Paper Jamz

Wooden London Bus £45 From O baby

Pedal Fire Engine £134.99 From I Love Toys

Castle in a box £58 From I Love Toys

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

gift guide Sgt Pepper Fleece £32 From Quirky Collective

Armouron Action Set £30 From Bandai

For HER

‘pants to poverty’ undies £18 for 3 pairs From Pookie & Peach

Sugar and spice and all things nice, most of the time anyway! Creativity is a girl’s best friend; indulge her imagination with everything from dressing-up costumes, role-play sets and arts and crafts.

Wovenplay, ribbon socks £20 From Quirky Collective

Wall Stickers £14.99 From Belle & Boo

Bubbles Before Bed book £6.99 From Belle & Boo

Catimini Red Patterned Corduroy Dress £66.50 from Igloo

It’s all about quality time... ‘Tis the season to spend with your loved ones: keep things merry with fun and games for the whole family. Georgeous sticky tape £8 From Belle & Boo

Party Bag From £1.60 From allaboutpartybags.co.uk

Game Chest £60 From Hamleys

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gift guide

for parents and kids

Ask for Organised Mum this Christmas Choose from our great range of 2011 calendars, diaries and home stationery designed especially for busy women.

Great for presents! Diary covers, stands and new 2011 diary gift packages

Log on to www.organisedmum.co.uk to see the full range of products or phone 0845 644 7505

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10%f of

r ove nd uggle e p S at h ive e 0 ÂŁ5 nd rec your ff se a o 10%urcha p

offer valid until 15th Jan 2011 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, voucher or discount

gift guide

Traditional markets No need to go to Germany to get that European market and those unusual wooden toys. If the thought of a shopping mall depresses you, then check out one of these markets as an alternative. Country Living Christmas Fair Business Design Centre, Islington 10th – 14th Nov 2010 www.countrylivingfair.com Everything you need for the perfect Christmas, from the market with hand-crafted decorations to traditional toys, the latest fashion, limitededition jewellery and a mouth watering array of festive food and drink. Real Food Christmas & Christmas Chocolate Festival Market Southbank Centre Square 3rd Dec – 12th Dec Typical seasonal treats like mince pies and mulled wine sit alongside other tasty delicacies including fabulous cheeses, delicious chutneys and pickles, hams and charcuterie, and all manner of chocolate delights. Stock up your Christmas larder with gourmet goodies, find gifts for your friends and family, and enjoy yuletide tastings and live cookery demonstrations.

Stockists: Spirit of Christmas Fair – Olympia 3 Nov – 7 Nov 2010 To book tickets call 0871 230 1089 www.spiritofchistmasfair.co.uk Includes a Food Hall, Producer’s Market, and a British Designer’s Market Traditional German Christmas Market Hyde Park Open from 10am – 10pm Sat 21st November 2010 – Sun 3rd January 2010. Entry to the market is free. Over 50 beautifully decorated chalets offering continental gifts and refreshments. www.hydeparkwinterwonderland

www.aravore-babies.com www.hamleys.com www.belleandboo.com www.cherishandcherubs.co.uk www.stellinababy.com www.allaboutpartybags.co.uk www.pookieandpeach.com www.justmustard.com www.ilovetoys.co.uk www.fiestacrafts.co.uk www.organisedmum.co.uk www.bandai.co.uk www.paperjamz.com/uk www.iglookids.co.uk www.quirkycollective.com

Cologne Christmas Market 19th Nov – 23rd Dec 2010 Between Southbank Centre and London Eye A German style Christmas Market in London with more than 30 wooden chalets.

We hope this guide has given you some ideas and eased you into the spirit of things. We wish you a fun-filled festive season and a very happy New Year!

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Christmas Market 19 November - 23 December Southbank centre / The London Eye

Along Queen’s Walk between Southbank Centre and the London Eye there will be numerous chalets offering traditional handcraft, unique gifts and culinary specialities. For more details:

www.xmas-markets.com

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Five of the Best:

Soft Play Areas

Topsy Turvy World Members only Topsy turvy world, at Brent Cross Shopping Centre houses a multi-level maze of tunnels, climbs, drops, slides and ball cannons providing endless energetic entertainment for children up to the age of twelve and accompanying adults. With hot lunches and refreshments at the cafe too, why not go as a family so the kids can let off steam, and the grownups can take it turns to get their Christmas shopping done!

five of the best • dudley and rhu Park. Great coffee, good healthy food and temptings snacks. There is even a bouncy castle outside, and of course the surrounding park to enjoy in good weather.

The Grove, Muswell Hill side of Alexandra Park 020 8444 1338 www.littledinosaurs.co.uk

Talacre Sports Centre, Dalby Street London, NW5 3AF 020 7974 8765 www.camden.gov.uk/talacre

Entry Fee £3.50 /£4.50 Peak times (weekends, school/bank holidays).Under 1’s free.

Cost: £1.90 under 5s / £2.10 over 5s

The Pirates Playhouse Indoor adventure playground. Five level play frames with slides, ball pond, rope bridges and soft play area for under 5s. Café area with refreshments including toasted sandwiches. Adjacent to the Castle Climbing Centre.

GoKids N20 An exciting indoor adventure playground with facilities including a multi-level play frame with high level rope bridges and a drop slide down to soft ball areas. They also run activity sessions on weekday mornings, including arts and crafts, cookery and singing. Free wifi and plasma screens. Café serves food all day, free car park at rear.

Brent Cross, Unit L1, Prince Charles Drive, Hendon, London, NW4 3RW 020 8359 9927 www.topsyturvyworld.com

1105 – 1111 HIgh Road Whetstone London, N20 0PT Telephone: 020 8445 8889 www.gokidsn20.com

Membership costs: £10 per family per year, £5 for renewals. Children over 5 – £6.75. Under 5s – £4.75 and £6.75 on weekends/ holidays. Under 1’s – free.

Cost: £3.50 under 2s / £4.75 – over 2s. Weekends – £4.75 all children over 10 months (under – free).

Treetops A magical, multi-layered soft play centre for children from six months to 11 years age, with dedicated areas for under 5s and under 2s. A great place to entertain toddlers,

Little Dinosaurs A bespoke adventure soft play centre complete with slides and cafe, all in a beautiful partly wooded setting in Alexandra

whilst older siblings are booked into the excellent Talacre sports classes (gymnastics, football, trampolining etc).

271 Green Lanes, London N4 2HA 020 88001 771 www.piratesplayhouse.com £3.90 per child / £2.50 babies still crawling

Dudley and Rhu do... Pets Rhu: Christmas coming then Dud! Have you got some presents lined up for the ladies of the house?

have been abject failures, disliked by all. Dud: Goodness, what animals? Rhu: Well, we’ve tried goldfish (delicate creatures easily murdered by clean water) rabbits (violent towards small digits), hamsters (smelly and psychotic) and tortoises (still alive after 4 months and rumoured to live for 70 years).

Dud: Well, as a Flat Coated Retriever, I’m not welcome in most shops but I always look forward to Christmas. I’m very easy to please and the girls do always leave a little something out for me on Christmas Eve. Mince pies, a drop of sherry, I’m not sure why they think I like carrots though?

Dud: Any treats for you in that lot?

And what do the young ladies of your house want for Christmas?

Rhu: But puppies are often handed out merrily at Christmas and by the end of January are handed on again to Battersea.

Rhu: Well, bizarrely (I can’t imagine why) they are always asking for more pets. PETS. As if anything could compete with a dog. Every single animal we have allowed before

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Rhu: No, I get nowhere near them. The rabbits would have been tasty but they only lasted a few weeks before that naughty Mr Fox got them. Dud: Most small creatures are a bit dull compared to Man’s chosen companion.

Dud: Who could be so callous?

They nip small children and not just when their tails are pulled, they often get caught short in the kitchen (although it has to be said they are much faster at learning this than human offspring!) and they love chewing everyone’s favourite teddy. Dud: Plus if dogs aren’t taken for lots of walks, they get even more hyperactive and badly behaved. Many families just don’t have the time to walk a dog. Best to wait until the children go to school or even better get a toy dogs. These ones from Hasbro walk, bark and go quietly to the back of the cupboard at bedtime! That’s the sort of imposter I can manage.

FurReal Friends ‘My Walking Pup’ £44.99 from www. play.com

Rhu: Well puppies aren’t always that perfect.

cinemas

Family Film Fun

The newly refurbished and splendid Phoenix Cinema offers a Saturday morning club at 12.00 every Saturday.

Although you might feel guilty about allowing your children to watch too much television, somehow a trip to the cinema seems so much more stimulating. North London has plenty to offer the cinema-goer, especially at this time of year. Living in North London, families are within easy reach of the Barbican Centre – the largest arts centre in Europe, and home to the London Children’s Film Festival. Now in it’s sixth year, the festival has been attracting thousands of children, young people and their families to enjoy a world-class film programme with an exciting mix of films, animated features, workshops, events and handson film fun in 12 different locations throughout London. In addition to the excellent programme of films themselves, there are plenty of free fun activities for the entire family in the drop-in zone at the Barbican during the LCFF. The two themes in November – Be Animated, and Be Musical. The Barbican also run a family film club every Saturday morning, complete with fun and creative pre-movie

activities for children and their carers before each show to ensure the friendly, club atmosphere. Each month has a theme, for example Animal Antics and Awesome Adventures! Members pay £3, non members pay £5. The beauty of Kids Clubs at most cinemas, are the incredible discounted prices. A family cinema trip can set you back £30 at least when you have bought the obligatory popcorn and sweets, yet at most film clubs the tickets are generally just a couple of pounds per seat, and often adults go free. The fact that they tend to be morning screenings also means less crowds, better seats, and all in all a more relaxing and enjoyable experience. And for something a bit special, how about taking the kids to a sing-a-long screening at the Prince Charles Cinema

Prizes for all the family up for grabs www.familiesnorth.co.uk It’s packed full of useful information, interesting articles, local directories and a fantastic round up of what’s on in and around North London this winter. Check out our on-line competitions, there are some fabulous prizes up for grabs. 18

in Leicester Square. There is irresistible fun to be had with this innovative, interactive and inclusive experience, and on 26 November 2010 and 10 December 2010 Sing-a-Long Sound of Music will be the film of the evening!

For futher information visit: www.barbican.org.uk/family-film-club www.singalonga.net www.curzoncinemas.com www.phoenixcinemaonline.co.uk www.everymancinema.com www.myvue.com www.themayfairhotel.co.uk/ forthcoming-films www.picturehouses.co.uk www.odeon.co.uk www.cineworld.co.uk

Drama Dance Singing Christmas holiday courses in NW3 Star in exciting, original dance shows, musicals & plays Plus: Term time Saturday morning Drama & Dance classes.

020 8446 0891

info@dramarama.co.uk www.dramarama.co.uk

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

cinemas

The Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley The newly refurbished and splendid Phoenix Cinema offers a Saturday morning club at 12.00 every Saturday: a bargain at £2.00 for both adults and children. The Phoenix also offers one of the most relaxing birthday party ideas for children in the form of a cinema party here on a Sunday morning – £250 to hire the whole cinema + the cost of the film (generally between £100-£150). The Everyman, Hampstead & Belsize Park: Everyman Baby Club Baby Club screenings are exclusively for parents (and carers) accompanied by their babies. This provides a unique and wonderful way to enjoy film without having to worry about disturbing others. Tuesdays at 11.30 (Belsize Park),

MAYFAIR HOTEL: Best of the Brunch! A suave outing can be had at the very lovely Mayfair Hotel with brunch in their trendy restaurant followed by a film in one of the capital’s largest private screening rooms, the May Fair Theatre. This autumn sees a ‘British Connections’ season with films such as The Railway Children and Nanny Mcphee. May Fair Film Club – Film and Brunch for £25.00 per person. Kids under 12 go free with every paying adult. 1.30pm showing Stratton Street Radisson Edwardian Mayfair Hotel, London W1J 8LT (2 mins walk from Green Park tube)

Wednesday at 12.00 (Islington) and Thursday at 12pm and 3pm (Hampstead). Adults must be accompanied by at least one screamer! Turn up early as it can be extremely busy. Tickets cost £12 and include a hot drink and cake; babies are free of charge. Vue Cinemas Outstanding Value viewings can be found at Vue Cinemas every Saturday & Sunday morning. Kids can see selected screenings (they are often films released a couple of months ago) every Sat and Sun morning for only 95p a ticket. Accompanying adults can also pay just 95p per ticket! Kids am screenings also take place every day in the school holidays. Vue Cinemas at North Finchley Lido, Islington and Finchley Road (O2 Centre)

HALF PAGE 88 X 128 mm

ANNA FIORENTINI THEATRE FILM SCHOOL

A full consultancy package for parents to determine the most suitable school for their child. Services include:

• Advice for parents of children with special needs.

• Up to date advice on state, state selective, independent and faith schools.

• Knowledge about how your child compares against the national average and others competing for year 7 places.

• Specialist knowledge of North London schools and admissions criteria. • Help with application forms, dates, deadlines and understanding admissions criteria for each school.

• Advice on the best 11+ preparation books and resources to buy. • Help for ex-pats looking to find school places back in Britain.

Mobile: 07003 451785 Email: kateek@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.katiekrais.com www.familiesnorth.co.uk

The aim of the school is to provide a safe and supportive environment for all children to explore their creativity regardless of what career path they eventually choose to follow.

FREE TASTER DAY

Saturday 8th January

Work alongside prestigious Reserve your place now industry professionals. Plus LIMITED PLACES! opportunities to join our agency See website for details and audition for professional work. Drama / Singing / Dance / Film / Set & Costume Design Saturdays in North London and Hackney Wednesdays in Docklands Ages 7-18. Winner of 3 Business of London Awards.

www.ANNAFIORENTINI.com tel: 020 7682 1403 “The talent I saw from this school was superb” - Barbara Windsor

out & about festive fun

Out & About

Your guide to North London family entertainment

Festive fun CAPEL MANOR GARDENS Bullsmoor Lane,Enfield, EN1 4RQ (M25/J25) 08456 122122 capelmanorgardens.co.uk Christmas Carousel December 4, 5 Meet Santa in his grotto in the Manor House. Enjoy magic shows, face painting, tractor rides and carol singing. Family admission (2+3) £10.50.

The Enchanted Christmas House 2-18 Britannia Row, Islington N1 8PA ( Angel) 020 3227 3200 enchantedhouse.net November 27 – 28 December 1 – 24 For the price of a theatre ticket, a truly memorable adventure in this thrilling and imaginative enchanted setting. Enjoy The Garden of Winter Wonder, The Gingerbread Kitchen, Mrs Claus’s sitting room, Santa’s Grotto and the Busy Elves Workshop. Build snowmen, make baubles, wands, decorate cup cakes and gingerbread and more. Tickets from £45.

ENFIELD COUNCIL Forty Hall, Forty Hill, EN2 9HA 020 8363 8196 enfield.gov.uk/fortyhall Winter Wonderland November 9 At Edmonton Green Shopping Centre, N9 OTZ. Christmas lights, family fun and entertainment. Wild Winter Lights November 20

Bring a clear plastic litre bottle to decorate. Santa’s Grotto December 18 – 23 At Dugdale Centre, EN2 6DS. Visit Santa and receive a special present. Bookable. The Tale of the Beauty and the Tail of the Beast December 18 – 23, 29 – 31 Dugdale Centre, EN2 6DS Tickets 0800 411 8881 Magical musical with a hilarious and unusual twist!

FORTNUM & MASON 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER ( Piccadilly Circus) 020 7734 8040 fortnumandmason.com Christmas Events November & December Various in-store attractions and festive events during the Christmas period.

HAMLEYS 188-196 Regent Street, W1 ( Oxford Circus) 0844 855 2424 hamleys.com Breakfast or Tea with Santa December 1 – 24 Be greeted and entertained by Santa’s elves, sit down for a special chat with Santa and leave with an exclusive goodybag. 3+ years. Book in advance. Cost £45.

HARRODS Brompton Road, SW1 ( Knightsbridge) 020 7893 8877 harrods.com

Christmas Parade November 6 Father Christmas will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage. The theme this year is Peter Pan. Christmas Grotto From November 6 – December 23 Meet Father Christmas, receive a gift and have a photo taken of the event. High demand for tickets so book well in advance.

HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND ( Hyde Park Corner) hydeparkwinterwonderland.com November 19 – January 4 Attractions include a giant observation wheel, Zippo Circus, ice skating, a Christmas Market and a visit to Father Christmas and his elves. Free admission but separate charges apply to each attraction.

KENTISH TOWN CITY FARM 1 Cressfield Close, NW5 4BN 020 7916 5421 www.ktcityfarm.org.uk Christmas Fair December 12 1pm to 4pm. Adults £1. Kids Free. Grotto £3/2. Pony Rides. Santa on a pony. Arts and Crafts. Live music. Cafe.

KENWOOD HOUSE & ESTATE Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR 020 8348 1286 englishheritage.org.uk Festive Family Trail November 20, 21 Follow the trail to find the reindeer and get a chocolate prize. Children £1.

MARYLEBONE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Marylebone Village, Marylebone High Street, W1 ( Bond Street) marylebonechristmaslights.com November 17 Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm. Food markets, carols, music and fireworks and meet Father Christmas.

OLYMPIA LONDON Grand and National Halls, ( Kensington Olympia) eco.co.uk Spirit of Christmas Fair November 3 – 7 spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk Shop for unusual Christmas gifts and decorations. Cost £17/£8.50. London International Horse Show 0871 230 5574 olympiahorseshow.com December 14 – 20 Equestrian competition, displays and Christmas entertainment. War Horse, life-sized horse puppets, will be appearing at the end of every performance as the popular Christmas finale. Cost £27.50 – £52.50.

PUDDING RACE Covent Garden Piazza ( Covent Garden) xmaspuddingrace.org.uk December 4, 11.30am Register a team to run a relay race in fancy dress carrying a pudding and raise money on behalf of Cancer Research.

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festive fun • christmas concerts out & about REGENT STREET LIGHTS regentstreetonline.com November 9 The lights will be switched on by a celebrity, lots of Christmas themed entertainment in a traffic-free shopping environment.

SEA LIFE LONDON AQUARIUM County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd SE1 7PB tube: Westminster/Waterloo 0871 663 1678 sealife.co.uk/london 18th December – 2nd January Fun festive family trail around the attraction – find the Christmassy fish and claim an xmas treat. Regular Christmas Santa Dives. £16.20 adults, £11.25 children, £49.40 family ticket.

SELFRIDGES 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB ( Marble Arch) selfridges.com 0800 123 400 Santa Express November 22 – December 24 Book early for a seat on the magical Santa Express. Visit the grotto on the lower ground floor.

020 7960 4200 southbankcentre.co.uk The Chocolate Festival December 10 – 12 Chocolate stalls, products, cakes and kits. Free entry. Cologne Christmas Market November 19 – December 23 German gifts, live music and food. Also Santa’s grotto and carousel rides. Free entry. Gamelan Christmas Chimes December 12 Free family workshops with percussion. 6+ years.

TRAFALGAR SQUARE 020 7983 4750 ( Charing Cross) london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare Tree Lighting Ceremony December 2 Lighting of the Norwegian Christmas tree in the square. Carols December 7 – 22 Carol singing every evening to raise money for charities.

Ceremony of Carols December 19 Festive ceremony of carols and customs.

Christmas concerts

Christmas Gala December 19 Classics and carols. Cost £16 – £37.50.

SEVEN DIALS LIGHTS (near Covent Garden) WC2 sevendials.co.uk November 25, 5 – 9pm Celebrate the switch on of the lights with a 20% off shopping evening with participating retailers. Download a voucher.

SOUTH BANK CENTRE Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. ( Waterloo) Regent Street lights

Viennese New Year’s Eve Gala December 31 Cost £19.50 – £42.50.

EFDSS Cecil Sharp House 2 Regent’s Park Road, NW1 7AY ( Camden Town) 020 7485 2206 efdss.org

BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS ( Barbican) 0845 120 7528 barbican.org.uk

Neals Yard near Seven Dials

Carols at St Pauls Cathedral

Candlelight Christmas December 20 Music performed in a candlelight setting. Cost £16.50 – £38.50. Carols & Classics December 23 Seasonal and traditional music. Cost £16.50 – £38.50. The Sound of Musicals December 28 Including Mamma Mia and The Lion King. Cost £16.50 – £40. Johann Strauss Gala December 31 Cost £16 – £37.50.

KINGS PLACE 90 York Way, N1 9AG ( Kings Cross) 020 7520 1490 kingsplace.co.uk Christmas Concert December 23 Magical Christmas music. Cost £9.50 – £29.50. New Year’s Day Concert January 1 Cost £9.50 – £39.50

ROYAL ALBERT HALL Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP ( South Kensington) 0845 401 5045 royalalberthall.com Classical Spectacular November 18 – 21 Including thundering canons and indoor fireworks. Cost £13.50 – £52. Christmas Carol Singalong December 12, 16, 18, 20, 21 Christmas hits and carols. Cost £11.50 – £42.50. White Christmas December 19, 21 Favourite Christmas songs. Cost £11.50 – £42.50. Santa’s Christmas Cracker December 22, 23 Family fun presented by Santa and his elves! Cost £11.50 – £40.

ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ ( Charing Cross) 020 7766 1100 stmartin-in-the-fields.org

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Family Carols December 4 Carols and hymns. Cost £12/£6. Carols for Christmas December 10 Cost £18. Peter and the Wolf December 11 Popular family classic. Cost £16/£12. Carols for Shoppers December 18 New London Singers. Cost £14 & £7.

ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD ( St Paul’s) 020 7246 8357 stpauls.co.uk Most events are free and un-ticketed. Advent Procession November 28, 29 Ceremony of Carols December 11 Celebration of Christmas December 16 Carols, choir and readings. Family Carols December 18 Christmas favourites in a service lasting 45 minutes. Christmas Carol Service December 23, 24 Midnight Eucharist December 24 Carols and music by the Cathedral Choir.

WIGMORE HALL 36 Wigmore Street, W1U 2BP ( Bond Street) 020 7935 2141 wigmore-hall.org.uk Cavatina Family Concert December 4 Interactive concert. Cost £7/£5. Swedish Christmas Concert December 23 British and Swedish festive songs and carols. Cost £28 – £12.

SOUTH BANK CENTRE Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX ( Waterloo) 020 7960 4200 southbankcentre.co.uk

out & about christmas concerts • theatres National Children’s Orchestra December 5 Talented young musicians in under 13’s and main orchestra performances. Cost £20/£17/£12/ children £5. The Mozart Question December 5 London Philharmonic Orchestra. 7 – 11 years. Cost £18/£14/£9/£7. Hansel & Gretel December 16 – January 1 Classic fairytale with music, gadgets and gizmos! Free baking workshop on special days. Cost £15 – £27.50. Peter & the Wolf Live December 29, 30 Theatrical and cinematic experience. Free music workshops. Cost £14 – £50.

Theatres ARTS DEPOT Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 ( West Finchley & Woodside Park) 020 8369 5454 artsdepot.co.uk Sunflowers & Sheds November 7 Seeds of friendship, memories and dreams. 4 + years. Cost £7. Laura’s Star November 14 Laura finds a star lying on the pavement. 3 – 7 years. Cost £7. When We Lived in Uncle’s Hat November 21 Who you live with is important. 5 – 9 years. Cost £7. Handa’s Surprise November 28 A Little Angel Theatre production with puppets and music. 2 – 5 years. Cost £7. Catching Father Christmas December 3 – January 2 Amy stays up late to catch Father Christmas but ends up protecting him instead. 4+ years. Cost £10. Family £32.

BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street, EC2 ( Barbican) 0845 120 7550 barbican.org.uk Flyboy is Alone Again this Christmas December 18, 19, 22, 23, 26, 28 & January 2 Flyboy – half human, half fly tries to live a normal life. Afternoon family performances with art activities. Age 8+ years. Cost £15. Discounts available.

BLOOMSBURY THEATRE 15 Gordon Street, WC1H OAH ( Euston) 020 7388 8822 thebloomsbury.com George’s Marvellous Medicine December 14 – January 22 A Roald Dahl story about a boy who makes a medicine to cure his grandmother’s terrifying temper. Cost £19.50/£14.50

CHICKENSHED Chase Side, Southgate, N14 4PE ( Cockfosters/Oakwood) 020 8292 9222 chickenshed.org.uk Badjelly’s Bad Christmas December 1 – January 15 Badjelly the witch is trying to ruin Christmas for everyone. Family show based on Spike Milligan’s best-loved children’s characters. Cost £11 – £20.

HACKNEY EMPIRE 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ (Hackney Central) 020 8985 2424 hackneyempire.co.uk Jack & The Beanstalk November 27 – January 9 Meet the usual panto favourites including Buttercup, the break dancing cow! Cost £9.50 – £24.50.

HALFMOON THEATRE 43 White Horse Road, E1 OND (Limehouse )

020 7709 8900 halfmoon.org.uk Tickets £6. Limited free tickets offered to parents under 26 years and their children. From Here To There November 13 How children play. Short play session after performance. 18 months – 4 years. Farm Boy November 18 Based on the book by Michael Morpurgo. 7 – 11 years. The Bug & The Butterfly November 20 A story of love and friendship. 18 months – 3 years. When we Lived in Uncle’s Hat November 27 It doesn’t matter where you live, it’s who you live with that matters. 5+ years. How the Koala Learnt To Hug December 4 Songs and lots of hugs! 4+ years. The Paper Washi Wish December 11 Join rabbit in a magical paper journey – with messy activities after the show. 3+ years. The Sleeping Princess December 18 Enter a fairytale world with puppets. (BSL). 3 – 7 years.

LONDON COLISEUM St Martin’s Lane, WC2 ( Charing Cross) 0871 911 0200 eno.org ballet.org.uk The Nutcracker December 10 – 30 English National Ballet. Cost £10 – £65.

HAMPSTEAD THEATRE Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, NW3 3EU ( Swiss Cottage) 020 7722 9301 hampsteadtheatre.com

The Little Big Club Live November 6, 7 On stage with Barney, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam, Fifi Forget-me-not and Pingu. Cost £14/£10.

Beasts and Beauties December 10 – 31 Classic fairytales retold by Carol Ann Duffy. 8+ years. Cost £18 – £10. Patrick Monahan December 20 – 31 Storyteller and stand up comedian. 5+ years. Cost £8.

JACKSONS LANE 269A Archway Road, N6 5AA ( Highgate) 020 8341 4421 jacksonslane.org.uk The Bug & The Butterfly November 5 – 7 An insect falls in love with a beautiful butterfly. 3+ years. Cost £7.95.

13 DEC – 22 JAN BLOOMSBURY THEATRE 020 7388 8822 thebloomsbury.com

From Here To There November 14 Discover new ways to play together. 18 months – 4 years. Cost £7.95. Fantastic Mr Fox December 4 – 31 Three greedy farmers try to get rid of Mr Fox. A Little Angel Theatre production. 4+ years. Cost £14/£10. Family £42. £5 tickets on Dec 4, 31.

LYRIC THEATRE King Street, Hammersmith, W6 ( Hammersmith) 0871 22 117 29 lyric.co.uk Twinkle Twonkle November 13 Stella and her brother climb on a telescope into space. Bookable messy play. 4 – 7 years. Cost £8/£6. Snow Play December 2 – January 2 Interactive show on playing in the snow. Bookable messy play. 2 – 7 years. Cost £8/£6. Dick Whittington November 27 – January 8 A journey to London to find fortune and fame. 6+ years. Cost £10 – £25.

MILLFIELD ARTS CENTRE Silver Street, Edmonton, N18 1PJ (Silver Street ) 020 8807 6680 millfieldartscentre.co.uk

Jack & The Beanstalk November 25 – January 2 Pantomime fun with an all star cast. Cost from £9.50.

NATIONAL THEATRE South Bank, SE1 9PX ( Waterloo) 020 7452 3000 nationaltheatre.org.uk Beauty and the Beast November 24 – January 4 Enchanting fairytale with music and magic. 8+ years. Cost £28 – £10.

NEW DIORAMA THEATRE 15 – 16 Triton Street, Regents Place, NW1 3BF ( Great Portland Street) newdiorama.com Granny’s Christmas Journey November 30 – December 23 Granny Onie remembers what it was like when she was a child. 3 – 5 years. Cost £6.

PEACOCK THEATRE Portugal Street, WC2 ( Holborn) 0844 412 4322 sadlerswells.com

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theatres out & about Balé de Rua November 2 – 20 Brazilian dance show. 5+ years. Cost £15 – £40. Children half price. The Snowman December 1 – January 9 A young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve. Cost £12 – £30.

PLEASANCE THEATRE Carpenters Mews, North Road, N7 9EF ( Caledonian Road) 020 7609 1800 pleasance.co.uk Charlie & Lola’s Best Bestest Play December 1 – January 2 Hit TV series on stage with puppets, live action and music. Cost £9.50. The Tempest at the Puppet Theatre Barge

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE Blomfield Road, Little Venice W9 2PF ( Warwick Avenue) 020 7249 6876 puppetbarge.com The Tempest November 6, 7, 12 – 14, 19 – 21 Shakespeare’s play with puppets and music. 10+ years. Cost £10/£8.50. A Christmas Carol December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 – 23, 27 – 31 January 1, 2, 8, 9 Christmas production of Dickens’ story with puppets and special effects. 4+ years. Cost £10/£8.50.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Covent Garden, WC2 ( Covent Garden) 020 7304 4000 roh.org.uk Cinderella November 20 – December 31 Rags to riches ballet. Cost from £10.

ROUNDHOUSE Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH ( Chalk Farm) 0844 482 8008 roundhouse.org.uk

Pinocchio November 22 – December 24 Popular story with puppets and music. 4+ years. Cost £9/£7.50. Hamlet December 18 Production created for family audiences. Cost £10/£5. Comedy of Errors December 21 For family audiences. Cost £10/£5.

SADLERS WELLS & LILLIAN BAYLIS STUDIO Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN ( Angel) 0844 412 4300 sadlerswells.com Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella November 30 – January 23 Set in London during WW2. All ages. Cost £10 – £50.

SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT ( London Bridge) 020 7401 9919 shakespeares-globe.org Globe Exhibition November 13, 14 , December 11, 12 Special family activities and events.

SOHO THEATRE 21 Dean Street, W1 ( Tottenham Court Rd) 020 7287 5060 sohotheatre.com

A Concert for Winter December 9 Celebration of songs and music with school choirs. Free ticketed event.

Comedy Club 4 Kids November 6, 20, December 4 Comedy shows and classes for kids. 6+ years. Cost £10.

Christmas 2010 Tickets from just £5 presents Little Angel Theatre’s

Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox Sat 4–Fri 31 Dec 2010 Directed by Steve Tiplady, Designed by Peter O’Rourke, Adapted by Sarah Woods, Music and Lyrics by Ben Glasstone

‘ Wonderful work’ The Guardian

www.jacksonslane.org.uk Ticket office 020 8341 4421

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Supported by

out & about theatres • ice skating • further afield HYDE PARK hydeparkwinterwonderland.com November 19 – January 4 Open air ice rink as part of the Winter Wonderland attractions. Cost for skating £10/£8.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ICE RINK 0844 847 1576 nhm.ac.uk November 5 – January 9 Skate in a magical setting with a junior rink for younger skaters. Also fairground carousel, open-air viewing balcony and refreshments. Cost £13 – £8. Family £36/£31. Bagpuss December 9 – January 9 Featuring Bagpuss and friends. Under 7 years. Cost £13.50/£11.50.

Mole in the Hole December 4 – January 2 Meet the mole family in their underground home. Lots of messy audience participation. 3 – 6 years. Cost £10.50.

THE TRICYCLE 269 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR ( Kilburn) 020 7328 1000 tricycle.co.uk

Beauty & The Beast December 4 – January 23 Will Belle and the savage beast manage to tame one another? 7+ years. Cost £19/£9 (previews)

The Selfish Giant November 13 A giant builds a wall to keep children out of his garden. 5+ years. Cost £6/£5.

YOUNG VIC 66 The Cut, SE1 8LZ ( 020 7922 2922 youngvic.org

The Tim Bat Trick Show November 20 Magic, juggling and music. 4+ years. Cost £6/£5. Rapunzel November 27 Traditional musical play. 4+ years. Cost £6/£5.

Waterloo)

My Dad’s A Birdman November 25 – January 1 The great human bird competition comes to town! An enchanting play by the author of Skellig. 5 – 8 years. Cost £10/£8.

Robinson Crusoe & The Pirates December 3, 4 Buried treasure, pirates and laughter. 5+ years. Cost £6/£5. The Frog Princess December 10, 11 Three brothers look for a bride. 3+ years. Cost £6/£5 in advance. Gingerbread December 18 Mrs Magg bakes a gingerbread man. 4+ years. Cost £6/£5. The Very Noisy Night December 27 – 31 Little mouse is scared and wants to share Big Mouse’s bed. 3 – 7 years. Cost £7.50.

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street, SE1 ( London Bridge) 020 7645 0560 unicorntheatre.com Sunflowers & Sheds November 8 An enchanting story with original music. 4+ years. Cost £10.50.

Ice skating One hour skating sessions available to book from 10am – 10pm. Skate hire is included in the price while ice guides and skating lessons are extra. Wear suitable clothing as the ice rinks will operate in all weather conditions.

CANARY WHARF 0844 847 1556 canarywharficerink.com November 13 – February 20 Outdoor skating in Canada Square Park, with festive music and refreshments. Cost £12/£10/£7.50. Family £32.

SOMERSET HOUSE 0844 847 1520 somersethouse.org.uk November 23 – January 23 Special Penguin club for children under 8 years to learn first steps on the ice and Skate School for those older. Cost £13 – £8.50. Family £36/£30.

TOWER OF LONDON 020 8241 9818 toweroflondonicerink.com November 20 – January 9 Open air skating rink in a festive setting. Ice guides also available. Cost £12 – £7.50. Family £32/£30.

Further afield BLUEBELL RAILWAY Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex TN22 3QL 01825 720800 bluebell-railway.com Santa Specials December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 23, 24 A ninety minute return trip where Santa visits every child on board the special steam train. Advance bookings. Cost £18/£10/£6.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE RAILWAY CENTRE Quainton Road Station, Quainton, Nr Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 4BY (M25/A41) 01296 655720 Day out with Thomas December 4, 5, 11, 12 Santa’s special steam train will be pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine. Enjoy a magic show, story telling and crafts. Book in advance. Cost £15/£14. Santa’s Magical Adventure December 18, 19 Reserve a seat on Santa’s special steam train and meet Santa and his pixie helpers. Cost £13/12.

CADOGAN HALL 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ ( Sloane Square) 020 7730 4500 cadoganhall.com Crash, Bang, Wallop! November 28 Family concert. 5 – 14 years. Cost £8/£6. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt November 30, December 1, 2, 4, 5, 14 – 18 An exciting adventure based on the book. 3+ years. Cost £10.

CHELSEA THEATRE Kings Road, SW10 0DR 020 7352 1967 chelseatheatre.org.uk Twinkle Twonkle November 23 – December 22 Stella and her brother wish upon a star. Under 7 years. Cost £8.

EPPING FOREST Visitor Centre, High Beach, IG10 4AE (M25/J26, Epping) 020 8508 0028 cityoflondon.gov.uk/epping Father Christmas December 4, 5 At The Temple. Visit Father Christmas. Refreshments and craft stalls. Cost £6.50 includes gift. Father Christmas December 18, 19 At Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge. Cost £6.50 includes gift.

HARROW ARTS CENTRE Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, HA5 4EA ( Harrow on the Hill) 020 8416 8989 harrowarts.com Aladdin December 19 – 22 Adventures in Old Peking. Cost £10/£8.

KEW GARDENS Kew, Richmond, Surrey (Silverlink) 020 8332 5655 kew.org Christmas at Kew The gardens will be lit with festive lights. Families can visit Father Christmas in his festive grotto and take a horse and carriage ride. Entry £13.50/children free.

MEAD OPEN FARM Stanbridge Road, Billington, Bedfordshire LU7 9JH 01525 852954 meadopenfarm.co.uk Christmas ‘Fantastica’ November 27 – December 23 Meet Santa in his grotto and receive a special ticket to choose a gift in the toy shop.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

further afield • special events • cinema • museums out and about POLKA THEATRE 240 The Broadway, SW19 1SB ( Wimbledon) 020 8543 4888 polkatheatre.com The Snow Queen November 19 – February 5 Enchanting tale of friendship and discovery. 6 – 11 years. Cost £16/£14.

ROYAL ALBERT HALL Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP ( South Kensington) 0845 401 5045 royalalberthall.com Fantastic Mr Fox November 25 – 28 A Little Angel Theatre production. 4+ years. Cost £10 – £12.

WATFORD PALACE THEATRE Clarendon Road, Watford (Watford Junction) 01923 225671 watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk Aladdin November 25 – January 1 A magical pantomime. Cost £11.50 – £20.

WWT LONDON WETLAND CENTRE Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, SW13 9WT (Barnes ) 020 8409 4400 wwt.org.uk/London Vole in the Woods December 18 – 21 Wildlife theme pantomime. 5+ years. Tickets £4 + entrance £9.95/£5.50.

Rookie Rangers Wildlife Club November 14 8 – 12 years. Booking required. Winter Wreath Making December 12 Booking required.

HIGHGATE WOOD 020 8444 6129 cityoflondon.gov.uk/highgatewood Fungi November 20 Walk to look at fungi. Free. Winter Walk December 4 Booking required. Free.

KEATS HOUSE Keats Grove, NW3 2RR ( Hampstead) 020 7332 3868 cityoflondon.gov.uk/ keatshousehampstead Deck the Halls December 4 Family fun. Free with adult annual entrance fee £5. Victorian Museum December 12 Costumed musicians and period instruments. Timed presentations. Free with admission ticket. Tudor Musician December 18 Music from the Tudor Court. Free with admission ticket. Teddy Bear’s Picnic December 22 Songs, stories and poems. Come with a teddy and a Santa hat! Free London Jazz Festival

Special events

HAMPSTEAD HEATH 020 7482 7073 (bookings) cityoflondon.gov.uk/ hampsteadheathdiary hampstead.heath@cityoflondon. gov.uk Fungi For Beginners November 13, December 12 Booking required.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Jazz Improvisation Workshops November 20, 21 At South Bank Centre. Bring an instrument. Book in advance. 8+ years. Cost £5.

The Last Airbender (PG) November 27

Cinema

THE TRICYCLE CINEMA 269 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR ( Kilburn) 020 7328 1000 tricycle.co.uk

London Children’s Film Festival lcff.org.uk Until November 7

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (PG) November 13

Come and Play November 6, 7 ‘Be Musical’ workshops as part of the film festival. Free.

BFI IMAX 1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, SE1 8XR ( Waterloo) 020 7199 6000 bfi.org.uk/imax Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Opens November 19 Part 1 of the seventh and final adventure in the series. Cost family (2+2) £42.

EVERYMAN BELSIZE PARK 203 Haverstock Hill, NW3 4QG 020 3145 0520 everymancinema.com Kids Club November 6, 13, 20, 27 Saturday film screenings with activities. 4 – 10 years. Cost £5.

Curious George November 6 Kids club screenings with activities. Cost £2.

LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL November 12 – 21 londonjazzfestival.org.uk Jazz for Kids November 14 southbankcentre.co.uk At Southbank Centre. Bells, gongs and drums. Cost £10. Jazz for Toddlers November 17, 20 artsdepot.co.uk kingsplace.co.uk At Arts Depot and Kings Place.

Play Centre Matinees Cats and Dogs The Sorcerer’s Apprentice The Illusionist The Last Airbender

BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS ( Barbican) 0845 120 7528 barbican.org.uk

PHOENIX CINEMA 52 High Road, N2 9PJ ( East Finchley) 020 8444 6789 phoenixcinema.co.uk

Family Barn Dance November 7, December 12 Live band and refreshments. All ages. Cost £5/£3.

November 6 Family friendly event.

The Illusionist (PG) November 20

Baby Club November 9, 16, 23, 30 Screenings for parents with babies. Free cake and drink. Cost £12.

EFDSS Cecil Sharp House 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 7AY ( Camden Town) 020 7485 2206 efdss.org

FIREWORKS DISPLAY Enfield Town Park Cecil Rd EN2 6TW enfieldscouts.org/fireworks

Improvisation using percussion and voice. 2 – 5 years.

Shrek Forever After November 13

The Last Airbender (PG) November 20 Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (U) November 27 Alice in Wonderland (PG) December 4 A Christmas Carol (PG) December 11 Despicable Me (PG) December 18 Toy Story 3 (PG) January 1

Museums BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM Bartholomew Lane, EC2 ( Bank) 020 7601 5545 bankofengland.co.uk Lord Mayor’s Show November 13 Face painting in characters from ‘The Wind in the Willows’ on the day of the Lord Mayor’s show. Free. Christmas Calligraphy November 29 – December 3 Watch professionals demonstrate different writing styles. Free.

BRITISH MUSEUM Great Russell Street,WC1B 3DG ( Tottenham Ct Road) 020 7323 8000 britishmuseum.org

Ancient Egyptian Book of the

Aladdin November 20 Cats & Dogs November 27

RIO CINEMA 107 Kingsland High Street, E8 (Silverlink) 020 7241 9410 riocinema.org.uk The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (PG) November 13

British Museum

Journey Through the Afterlife: Dead From November 4 The Egyptian’s journey from death to the after life – with collections of

out & about museums HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY MUSEUM Horse Guards, Whitehall, SW1 ( Charing Cross) 020 7930 3070 householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk Christmas Trail December 18 – January 4 Fun trail around the museum with prizes. Christmas Crafts December 18, 19 Make cards, calendars and decorations. Booking required. Story Telling December 21 manuscripts, treasures, masks and jewellery. Introductory family film, trails and events. Cost £12/ children free. Family Day December 22 Family activities based on the exhibition. Free drop in sessions.

BRUCE CASTLE MUSEUM Lordship Lane, N17 8NU ( Seven Sisters) 020 8808 8772 haringey.gov.uk Family Events November & December Art and craft activities on Sundays and during school holidays. Free.

CARTOON MUSEUM 35 Little Russell St, WC1A 2HH ( Tottenham Ct Road) 020 7580 8155 cartoonmuseum.org Fun Days November 13, December 11 Drop-in cartooning activities for families. Also special holiday workshops. Entrance £5.50/children free.

FOUNDLING MUSEUM 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ ( Russell Square) 020 7841 3600 foundlingmuseum.org.uk Drop-In sessions November 6, December 4 Free family fun days and holiday workshops. 3 – 12 years.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM Kingsland Road, E2 ( Old Street) 020 7739 9893 geffrye-museum.org.uk Deco Door Hangers November 6 Create a door hanger based on 1930s patterns. 5 – 11 years. Free. Ace Advent Calendars December 4 Create an advent calendar. 5 – 11 years. Free.

Holiday Activities December 20 – 23 Craft activities. 5 – 11 years. Booking required.

JEWISH MUSEUM 129 – 131 Albert Street, NW1 7NB ( Camden Town) 020 7284 7384 jewishmuseum.org.uk Light up the Night December 12 Make a beautiful lantern. 4+ years. Admission £7/£3.

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB 020 7379 6344 www.ltmuseum.co.uk Hands-on Galleries Discover the history of public transport with the Interactive gallery for children aged 7 to 11, try on replica costumes, drive the Optare bus and more. All Aboard! Climb aboard a bus, train, tube and taxi. Take the wheel, become a driver. Explore miniature London, taking control of the transport system, moving buses and trains around London’s most famous landmarks.

MUSEUM OF LONDON London Wall, EC2, ( St Paul’s) 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk Sparkling Fireworks November 7 Help create a firework display. 3+ years. Free. Mini Moles Babies Group November 10, 17, 24 December 1, 8 6 months+. Book in advance. Spooky Christmas Ghosts December 29 Creative workshop. 2+ years. Tickets allocated on arrival.

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS West India Quay, E14 4AL (DLR West India Quay)

020 7001 9844 museumindocklands.org.uk Storytime November 4, 11, 18, 25 December 2, 9 Stories, music and fun. Under 5 years. Musical Monday November 15 Songs and rhymes. Book in advance. Under 5 years. Cost £1.50. A Christmas Carol December 18 Special family performance. 7+ years. Tickets allocated on arrival.

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM Royal Hospital Road, SW3 ( Sloane Square) 020 7730 0717 national-army-museum.ac.uk Remembrance Event November 14 Make poppies to be woven into wreaths. Free.

NATIONAL GALLERY Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN ( Charing Cross) 020 7747 2885 nationalgallery.org.uk Family Events November 7, 14, 21, 28 December 5, 12, 19 Free workshops and storytelling. Places are limited.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY St Martin’s Place, WC2 ( Leicester Square) 020 7306 0055 npg.org.uk Free family events once a month and during school holidays. Tickets available on the day. The Pirate Prince November 20 Listen to a story and make a pirate ship. 3+ years. Free. Regency Games November 20 Make a game and find out about games played 200 years ago. 5+ years. Free.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD ( South Kensington) 020 7942 5000 nhm.ac.uk Crafty Nature November 6, 20 December 4, 18 Workshops based on natural history themes. Under 7 years. Free. Dino Snores November 13 – 14 December 11 – 12 Stay overnight at the museum. 8 – 11 years. £45 per child. Adults free.

Natural Puppet Tales November 28, December 26 Puppets and storytelling based on the natural world. Under 7 years. Free.

PETRIE MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGY Malet Place, UCL, WC1E 6BT ( Euston Square) 020 7679 2884 ucl.ac.uk Dust to Diamonds Until November 12 Extraordinary diamonds and scientific research. Free. From Ankh to Asteric November 13 Create comic book characters. Materials provided. Free.

ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL ( Colindale) 020 8205 2266 rafmuseum.org Family History Weekend November 21, 22 Tracing RAF ancestors. St Andrew’s Day November 27, 28 Make a paper plane. Wartime Christmas December 19 – 23 Activities based on Christmas during WW2.

SCIENCE MUSEUM Exhibition Rd, SW7 2DD ( South Kensington) 0870 870 4868 sciencemuseum.org.uk Cosmos & Culture Ends December 30 Astronomy and the Universe in a multimedia display. Special weekend tours on space exploration for 5+ years. Free. Icy Cool Adventure November & December Story telling sessions at weekends, with erupting volcanoes and giant glaciers. Under 7 years. Free.

SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP ( Holborn) 020 7440 4263 soane.org All Wrapped Up December 22 Make printed wrapping paper. Book in advance. 7+ years. Cost £15 whole day. Roman ‘Arty’ Facts December 30 Get messy with clay. Book in advance. 7+ years. Cost £8 half day. Picture Room Calendar December 31

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

museums • workshops out and about Make a calendar. Book in advance. 7+ years. Cost £15 whole day.

SOMERSET HOUSE Strand, WC2R 1LA ( Temple) 020 7845 4600 somersethouse.org.uk Flash Bang Whizz November 7 Create colourful crafts and sing sizzling songs. Under 5 years. Watercolour Wetlands November 13 Create a watercolour landscape. Quick Draw Couture November 20 Fashion inspired activities. Figure it Out November 27 Sculpture figures in action.

V&A MUSEUM Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL ( South Kensington) 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk Drop in Design November 7, 14, 21, 28 December 5, 12, 19 Design activities using ideas from the galleries. Free. Potters Playful Puppets December 27 – January 3 Make puppets and masks based on Beatrix Potter characters. Free.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA ( Bethnal Green) 020 8983 5200 museumofchildhood.org.uk Up, Up, in the Air November 27, 28 December 4, 5 Aerial dance performances lasting 15 minutes. Free drop-in. Victorian Toy Theatre December 28, 29, 30 Paper puppet show. Bookable. 4+ years. Cost £3.

Workshops CREATIVE DRAWING STUDIO 1097 Finchley Road, Temple Fortune, NW11 OQB 020 8458 0707 creativedrawingstudio.com Drawing & Craft Workshop December 13, 14 After school art workshops. Check website for additional holiday sessions. 6+ years.

CREATIVE MOVEMENTS 020 7435 8217 creativemovements.co.uk

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

The Little Fir-Tree December 14 – 16 Held at St Mary’s, Primrose Hill, NW3 3DJ. 3 – 6 years. Cost £100. Puff the Magic Dragon December 17 Held at Primrose Hill. 2 – 4 years. Cost £40. The Little Prince December 20 – 22 Held at Primrose Hill. 3 – 6 years. Cost £100. The Little Prince December 20 – 22 Held at Quaker Meeting House, NW3 1DR. 4 – 8 years. Cost £100.

CREATIVE WIZ KIDS St Lukes Church, Kidderpore Avenue, NW3 7SU 020 7794 6797 creativewizkids.com Holiday Club December 20 – 24 Art, dance, imaginative play, cooking and acting. 3 – 7 years. Cost £135 per week. Early bird & sibling discounts.

DRAMARAMA STAGE SCHOOL South Hampstead School, NW3. 020 8446 0891 dramarama.co.uk Xmas Club December 17, 18, 20, 21, 22 Classes for ages 3 –11 years.

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE 6 Park End, NW3 020 7431 9866 jcclondon.org.uk

PERFORM 49 Chalton Street, NW1 1HY 0845 400 4000 perform.org.uk Aladdin December 20 – 22 At Highgate United Reform Church. Music, dance and improvisation. 4 – 8 years.

(THE) PLAYING SPACE 5 Bridge Road, N22 7SN 020 3083 8887 theplayingspace.co.uk

Adult Ballet Courses in NW6

Adult Ba

For Beginners & Improvers led by former ballerina Serena Cundari ARAD, Dip. PDTD

For Beginn led by form Serena C

Next term: 17 Jan - 9 Apr 2011

Next term: 1

Call 07956 260 108 or register online at

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SALLY SUNSHINE FACE PAINTING FUN !

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The Night Before Christmas December 20 – 22 Drama workshop and presentation. Half day sessions. 4 – 8 years. Cost £45.

Advertiser: bAllet for you WIGMORE HALL 36 Wigmore Street, W1U 2BP29 september 2010 Ad CreAted:

( Bond Street) 020 7935 2141 wigmore-hall.org.uk Advert booked for issue: 69 Chamber Tots November 10, 19, December 1 siZe of Ad: H32 40X30 Music workshops for toddlers. –3 years & 3 – 5 years. Bookable. Cost £6. finAl proof sign off: For Crying Out Loud! November 17 Music for new parents and their ApprovAl: are proud to present babies in a calm environment. All Artwork to be publisHed requires ApprovAl by tHe Advertiser Cost £6.

HENRY HEDGEHOG

ApprovAl is required witHin 7 dAys offorreCeiving 2–8 year oldstHe proof, or As s

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Glee Club November 6, 13, 20, 27 At Jacksons Lane Theatre. Sing, dance and perform. 9 – 11 years. Booking required. Cost £50. 69 Balletforyou(H3).indd

Bubbulas November 11 Launch event for expectant parents. Dealing with Anger & Tantrums November 24 Interactive talk on difficult emotions. Cost £10. Baby First Aid Course December 6 Basic first aid. Cost £22.50.

LEAGUE ONE SPORTS ACADEMY South Hampstead High School, Maresfield Gardens, NW3 020 8446 0891 leagueone.co.uk

Piano LESSONS Ages 5 – Adult All levels CRB checked Tel. 07792 052 919 www.pianotalents.co.uk

Xmas Club December 17, 18, 20, 21, 22 Football fun with fitness training, skills and tournaments. 3 – 4 years and 5 – 11 years.

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Issue 46 : (E)

The Enchanted

CHRISTMAS HOUSE NOVEMBER 27TH & 28TH AND DECEMBER 1ST – 24TH 2010

n unforgettable journey of awe, wonder and sheer delight for you and your children in a stunning theatrical setting with present making, dressing up, gingerbread decorating, storytelling, an audience with Santa Claus, gifts, festive food for all and much, much more….a wonderful Christmas treat for all the family.

live on stage!

family tickets e availabl

HRISTMAS NEW FAMILY C LONDON’S FABULOUS PPEN! ICAL THINGS HA

AG HERE TRULY M ADVENTURE W

Tickets prices £45-£62 per ticket.

9 december 2010 – 9 January 2011 020 7478 0100 / sohotheatre.com 21 Dean St. London W1D 3NE

Tottenham Court Road or Leicester Square

To book and for more details please visit our website or contact us: www.enchantedhouse.net Tel: 0203 227 3200 Email: info@enchantedhouse.net