familieseast london 69 septoct2012

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Issue 69 September/October 2012

East

The FREE pick-me-up for busy young families in East London

Local News

Contact us: Families East Magazine P.O. Box 2358, Ilford, Essex IG1 8BD Tel: 07766 705655

www.familiesonline.co.uk Email: editor@familieseast.co.uk Printed by Warners Midlands PLC. Tel: 01778 391000 Designed by: www.sambrannangraphicdesigner.com Front Cover image: Trupti Patel Kush Digital Photography

Easy2Name Off to School set winners: J.Toloczck E18; E.Colling RM3; V.Kastelyn E14; H.Springfield RM14 and A.Baxter, E11.

Wanted! Mini Witches and Wizards for Perform Workshops this autumn There’s more than a hint of magic in the air this autumn as Perform enters the Magician’s Chamber for its most spell binding term yet. So children are invited to don their finest wizard robes, seize their magic wands and enter the weird and wonderful world of Arthurian Legends.

As always, Perform’s unique drama, dance and singing workshops will be full of thrills, spills and laughter and unlike other drama schools, Perform focuses exclusively on FUN. So apart from having great fun, they are also learning confidence, communication, concentration and co-ordination skills giving them a head start in life.

Perform offer Free Trial sessions, so why not bring your 4-8 year old along this September to discover the wonderful world of Perform for them? There are now local classes are in Chigwell, Chingford, Victoria Park, Loughton, Walthamstow and Wanstead.

For more information or to book call: 0845 400 1271

The Baby Laughter Project Scientists at the world-famous BabyLab at Birkbeck, University of London are launching a new study to help us understand more about that most delightful of sounds: a baby’s laughter. Long before they can talk babies can communicate their experience of the world through laughter and tears. The study will provide new perspectives on infants’ social and emotional development.

Dr Caspar Addyman hopes to collect evidence from parents of children aged under 2 ½ years old to discover how the things that make a baby laugh change during the first two years of life and how these changes relate to other milestones in their cognitive development. Dr Addyman said: “Much work is undertaken on infants’ social and emotional development

but up until now laughter has been strangely neglected, with most studies focusing on moments of stress and confusion. I believe that studying when and why babies laugh will provide a good insight into what they understand about the world at different ages.”

A shared joke can help mother and baby to bond and, from toe-nibbling to peek-a-boo (the ultimate in baby entertainment), the things that babies chuckle at can explain how much they understand about their own bodies, about how to interact with others, and even about the basic laws of physics.

If you have a child under 2 ½ years old and would like to participate in the survey, which takes between 15-20 minutes to complete, or to find out more about the project, please visit http://babylaughter.net.

Copyright and Disclaimer: We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences. Any original material submitted for publication is sent at owner’s own risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families® nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families® is one of a group of magazines established in 1990. It is a Families® franchise independently owned and operated under licence by Lesley Bishop.

Local News

Family Day at Stratford Circus This September everyone can enjoy the magic of the circus! Stratford Circus is delighted to announce a FREE Circlets Family Day on Saturday 29th September. The day will include circus performances and a chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to join the circus!

Families will be able to watch breath-taking aerialist and trick-cyclist acts, participate in juggling and plate-spinning workshops, make juggling balls, balloon animals, get faces painted and even have a turn on a German Wheel!

Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 1BX – 29th Sept, 11.30am - 4.30pm

Return to the Forbidden Planet The Queen’s Theatre is launching its new season with the award-winning intergalactic rock ‘n’ roll musical Return to the Forbidden Planet performed by the Theatre’s actor-musician company cut to the chase….

It’s back by popular demand from 25th August – 22nd September.

This magnificent production celebrates its 30th anniversary since it was first created by the Queen’s own Artistic Director Bob Carlton

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who also directs this special commemorative show. Return to the Forbidden Planet, loosely based on William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, won a hugely prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical and enjoyed massive worldwide success.

Dashing Captain Tempest and his fearless crew take everyone on an exciting interplanetary adventure, where they meet mad scientist Prospero, his beautiful daughter Miranda and the amazing rock ‘n’ roller-skating robot Ariel!

This unmissable rock ‘n’ roll party for all ages is exploding with more than 25 classics by The Animals, The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and many more with its stunning soundtrack performed live on stage! So prepare for blast-off!

September/October 2012 Families East | 3

Local News Leading artists and designers unveil transformed William Morris Gallery Walthamstow’s William Morris Gallery has been transformed to create a new worldclass destination and was reopened to the public on 2nd August 2012. The £5m redevelopment was unveiled by leading artists and designers including Grayson Perry and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Grayson Perry is the first artist to exhibit in the new temporary exhibition gallery displaying his Walthamstow Tapestry until 23rd Sept 2012.

The 18th Century, Grade II listed building has been completely refurbished, revealing

many of the original Georgian features for the first time. Almost 600 objects will now be on display across 12 galleries. Several artefacts are on display for the first time and arranged across six major themes exploring different aspects of Morris’ life.

With its new galleries, learning resources and Georgian orangery-inspired extension, housing a new tearoom and balcony overlooking the gardens, it creates a new world-class destination to explore the life and works of William Morris whose design and work still influences us today.

Local theatre workshops East End Shed is a vibrant inclusive theatre company for children and young people in Tower Hamlets, set up to inspire and empower through the provision of performing arts workshops. They run weekly acting, singing and dance workshops with professional practitioners, create theatre and put on performances.

East End Shed work using an inclusive, creative process in an environment where everyone is valued and everyone’s ideas and contributions are important. Everyone is welcome regardless of background, disability or ability to pay. And there are no restrictions on who can attend and no auditions.

Exciting, Embracing, Empowering – East End Shed is for everyone.

Weekly session times: Youth Theatre for 12-16 year olds- Mondays 6pm-7.30pm at The Central Foundation Girls’ School, Harley Grove (Lower School Entrance), Bow, E3 2AT Children’s Theatre for 7-11 year olds - Tuesdays 6pm-7.30pm at Marion Richardson Primary School, Senrab Street, Stepney, Tower Hamlets, E1 0QF For more information get in touch: Ruth (Artistic Leader ) on 07952 716181

4 | Families East September/October 2012

Wonderland Ceramics is a new ceramics

studio & café conveniently located in the vibrant shopping area next to Victoria Park (some parking still free). Wonderland Ceramics is no ordinary paint a pot but a special place to express your creativity. From money boxes, dog bowls, plates, tea pots, and trains there is an object to express creativity.

Ceramics prices start from as little as £8.

Wonderland also specialize in baby handprints and footprint on ceramics. Your ceramic will be ready for you to collect within a week. They also do 3D Plaster Casting of faces, hands and feet.

Open Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays, they cater for birthday parties, groups and individuals. The studio is also open in the evening for special regular events like mums nights out (check on our website). Private functions and take away services also welcome.

You can also enjoy a wide selection of teas, organic coffee, smoothies, homemade cakes and delicious sweet and savoury pancakes whilst decorating.

Children birthday parties package starting from £13 to £18 per child.

Join our mum and toddlers group on Thursday mornings and enjoy a free hot drink. High chairs and baby changing facilities available.

Wonderland Ceramics Studio/Café, 237 Victoria Park Road E9 7HD 020 8985 1214 www.wonderlandceramics.com.

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Local News

Co-founders of LEON invited to improve school food The Government has asked co-founders of LEON restaurant chain, Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent, to create an action plan to accelerate improvement in school food and determine the role of food more broadly in school life.

Over the last decade, there has been a big change of attitude towards school food and significant improvements in many schools due a large array of people. This includes the School Food Trust, charities such as School Food Matters, and Jamie Oliver’s Foundation along with individual cooks, teachers, parents, and pupils who have all embraced the cause.

However, School Food Trust research shows that there is a lot of work still to do with: • Take up of school lunches is just 38 per cent in secondary schools and 44 per cent in primary schools; • Only 22.5 per cent of schools provide at least one portion of fruit and veg per pupil every day; • Half of secondary schools offer pizzas and starchy food cooked in oil on most days; • A third of young people are not choosing a healthy balanced meal at school.

The plan from Henry and John is to speak to experts, review research and visit schools to identify what is being done well and why. Fundamentally it will involve looking at what factors influence school food choices and understand what needs to be done to make tasty, nutritious food available to all school children? This is along with working out how we excite children about the food so that they want to eat it? They will be bringing experience in creating nutritious food that tastes good, in large volume, to a budget to this work.

Local Arts in Loughton Local mum, artist & crafter – Lynn Abery – is holding an art exhibition in Loughton for 2 weeks showing paintings, murals and interior design works. Open from Friday 26th Oct to Fri 9th Nov 2012, 10am – 5pm at Loughton Arts Centre, High Road (next to Lopping Hall).

There will be a special promotional day on Saturday 27th Oct where a face painter will be available from 12noon to 2pm for the kiddies! There will be a small play area set-up for little children throughout the event so you can feel free to view throughout the 2-week period.

Lynn is the creative force behind littlebabyblu who offer unique products and design services for babies, children, public and commercial spaces by transforming bedrooms, playrooms and nurseries with an unique use of colourful and bold designs.

For more information visit: www.littlebabyblu.com

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September/October 2012 Families East | 5

Education • Education • Education Food for thought To stay mentally on form we all need to eat healthily and this is even more important for young growing minds. Local nutritionist Karen Poole offers readers some culinary tips on how to keep their childrens’ brains sharp, focused and active now they are back to school.

Good education requires good nutrition and giving children the energy to keep their focus and concentration at school is crucial. Variety and imagination are the keys - so here are some healthy ideas that may help.

Breakfast sets the tone for the day’s performance as, after a night’s rest, fast little bodies are raring for fuel and a meal that contains all the food groups: protein, fat and carbohydrate. Sweet cereals are very attractive but won’t sustain blood sugar levels or energy until lunchtime. Better to opt for a sugar-free cereal adding a crunchy fruit like apple or some berries for sweetness. You could also try rice or oat milk to increase the fibre content to slow down that sugar high.

When you’re in a hurry, a time-saving alternative is a smoothie made with one cup of oat milk, half a banana, a handful of oats and a dash of fruit juice. You can supercharge this with a spoonful of ground

Classes in Bethnal Green

seeds or flax oil providing brain-loving omega 3 to this fibre-rich energy giving drink. For a savoury alternative, an egg on toast does the trick, providing concentration enhancing choline, muscle building protein plus b vitamins for energy.

Good hydration also aids concentration as all cells function more efficiently if they are watered. Although schools often provide drinks these days, it pays to steer clear of sweetened juice or carbonated drinks as they are high in sugar and raise acidity impairing energy production, clouding concentration and dampening the immune system. Plain water or diluted fresh juices are the best options.

Lunchtime needs to sustain an active mind through to hometime avoiding that mid afternoon slump. Protein builds muscles and provides the essential amino acids needed to make and protect the body’s structure while carbohydrates feed the brain; a good lean protein and complex carbohydrates work best. So try something like chicken, tuna or cheese, brown pitta, mixed beans with rice, sweet pepper and a crunchy fruit like apple.

Finally, a light snack before bed such as warm milk, toasted brown bread, a small apple with slice of cheese or an oatcake can fend off an evening drop in blood glucose and aid restful sleep.

On a general note, establishing regular meal times can determine how children view food and its role in life. Eating together as a family is fun and reassuring and can

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encourage children to experiment with new tastes especially if they see others embracing them.

Evening and weekend meals are in your hands so try and build time into your schedule for preparation, variety and experimentation, treating cooking - as well as eating - as quality time with your family. Remember the negative and positive attitudes to food that children develop now can stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Karen Poole Nutritionist DipCNM mBANT can be emailed at K.E.Poole@hotmail.com or visit www.karenpoolenutrition.co.uk or call 07876452008

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Advertorial

Boost your child’s confidence and unlock their learning potential As we begin another new school year, it’s time to think about how you can support your child’s learning.

At your local study centre, Kumon offers individualised maths and English study programmes tailored to all ages and abilities. For over 50 years and well-recognised throughout the world, Kumon’s unique worksheet-based method can help your child to excel academically, develop their capacity for learning independently and boost their all-round confidence.

Kumon was established in Japan over 50 years ago by Toru Kumon, a father and maths teacher who wanted to help his son. In 1954 Toru Kumon created a series of carefully sequenced materials for his son who was struggling with maths. Through daily practice and a commitment to mastering each concept, the young boy improved his maths skills and gained the ability to solve maths problems well beyond his school level.

As Toru Kumon’s neighbours heard about the success of his son they began asking him to work with their children. To meet this spontaneous demand, the first Kumon study centre was opened in 1956.

With over 66,000 students studying at more than 640 centres across the UK and Ireland, Kumon is the UK’s leading supplementary education provider. Over 4.4 million students study Kumon worldwide.

We all know the importance of maths and English. At the start of a new term it’s especially important that your child gets to grips with these core subjects and with the learning skills vital for academic progression.

The Kumon study programmes are tailored to the needs of each individual child. Through daily practice and repetition, students build their confidence, improve their concentration and gain effective study skills that will enhance their ability to self-learn.

Some of these study skills include accuracy, time management and concentration. Through Kumon study, each child can develop an attitude to learning that enables them to overcome obstacles and succeed in life. Daily Kumon study can also help to make all the difference when it comes to keeping brains in shape between school terms and throughout the year.

Children who develop independent learning skills at a young age can apply these to many areas of learning and life, both at school and beyond. This does not mean that we shouldn’t help and support our children when necessary but rather encourages us to take a step back and allow our children the opportunity to www.familieseast.co.uk

problem-solve and tackle new challenges independently. It is only by doing this that we get a true understanding of our child’s level of knowledge and understanding.

Before enrolling on the Kumon Maths and English Programmes, your child will benefit from a Free Assessment. This will determine where on the programmes they will begin and will ensure that their Kumon study is individualised to their needs from the outset.

Once enrolled, your child will visit the centre every week and have daily worksheets to study at home. They will begin studying at a level they are comfortable with, consolidating familiar topics before moving on to something new. It is an integral part of the Kumon philosophy that each student begins their Kumon studies with straightforward work. This ensures that your child establishes a positive daily study routine and that there are no gaps in their understanding of the subject before moving on. By completing easier work in the initial stages of study your child will also experience success from the start, building confidence and motivation from a solid foundation.

The instructor will monitor your child’s progress at the study centre and will set new and eventually unfamiliar work, challenging the student to take ownership of their learning. The essence of this support is guidance rather than explanation; helping students to apply what they have already learned to solve work they have never seen before. It is through this on-going experience that the seeds of self-confidence are sown and children feel able to discover and succeed by themselves. Your child will have a unique study goal towards which they are working, and will encourage them to take ownership of their learning in communication with their experienced instructor.

Kumon focuses on long-term learning and achievement rather than just exams or catching up with schoolwork. Not only are maths and English key to academic success, but the study skills and self-learning abilities they gain through the Kumon programmes will stand them in good stead for adult life, as well as for the pressures of homework, university coursework and timed exams. Through working at their own pace over a period of time, children are given the self-assurance to reach their potential both at school and throughout life.

For details of your local Kumon study centre and to book a Free Assessment, call 0800 854 714 or visit www.kumon.co.uk. Alternatively, see the advertisement on page 9 for your nearest Kumon Study Centre.

September/October 2012 Families East | 7

Education • Education • Education How to encourage your child to read

Step 1 - Set a time every day Decide when and where a reading session will take place, make sure it fits your household schedule, and then keep to it - 10 minutes is fine.

Encourage your child to read aloud remember they don’t have to get every word right and to praise them often. Read aloud with them as the pleasure of listening to you read can keep them enthusiastic. Offer to read every other sentence, page, chapter, and have conversations and discussions about the content.

Step 2 – Make reading fun for them When reading aloud to them make it fun by using sound effects, different voices, and pulling faces. Introduce a bookmark where you stop after a few pages and pick up where you left off at another time. Provide an accessible, special place for children to keep their own books.

Use special incentives like an extra 5 minutes to finish a chapter, a promise to take them to see the film of the book, sticker charts and certificates.

Notice what attracts your children’s attention, even if it’s only pictures, and build on that interest by getting more information on that subject. Don’t forget to listen to audio books in

Many of us know the value and enjoyment of reading. Good readers become better writers, learners and more well rounded individuals. So taking an active part in encouraging your child to read is vital. Families East outlines five simple steps that can help. the car too as this helps develop visualisation, a critical pre-reading skill. Let them choose their own books and don’t worry if the books are too young or too easy, early reading success can come from several “non-traditional” sources such as comics. Why not buy a special notebook and keep a record all the books they have read, add their thoughts and a star rating.

children and gives them a chance to use their imaginations. There are many ways to encourage your child to read, and the best ways always include participation on your part.

Helping reading for children with learning difficulties

Step 3 - Judge their reading level Find out what reading programme the school follows and aim to supplement it at home.

Speak to their teacher to know what level your child is at and understand what they need to do to move to the next level. There is no race to be the first to read, it just puts things into context.

Turn on the TV subtitles for TV or DVD to help increase sight word vocabulary, whilst developing a sense of flow of written and spoken language. Make your child the star of its own audio book where they read into a recorder and then follow the book together during playback. Reserve 30 minutes each evening for family reading time and get family member to read different material or read aloud from the same book.

Help ensure your child doesn’t get behind in reading necessary for school subjects by asking for help with obtaining textbooks on CD ROM. Together identify unfamiliar words you come across and show your child how to look up the meanings of words.

Children with specific learning difficulties and dyslexia could benefit from the PQ4R strategy.

For more information on PQ4R visit http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/ instructionalmaterials/a/pq4rstrategy. htm)

Step 4 - Plan specific reading linked activities Extend your child’s positive reading experiences so if they enjoyed reading about dinosaurs, visit the Natural History Museum. Encourage activities that require reading - a recipe, instructions, and directions, play games that require reading, use a reference book to look up something you have seen. Get your child a library card so they can choose their own books.

Step 5 – Be a role model Let your children see you reading for pleasure.

Read aloud everyday items - menus, road signs, food labels. Give books as gifts. Leave books, magazines, and colourful catalogues around your home. Write short notes for your child to read.

Reading opens up new worlds to your

Reading Eggs - Give your child a head start at school With recent media reports about the level of literacy in the UK you may be thinking if what your children are learning at school is enough.

One of the resources currently available is Reading Eggs from educational publisher Blake Publishing that is entirely available online.

This programme has been designed for 3-7 year olds and older children struggling with reading. It currently offers 120 reading lessons that take children who have little or no reading experience right the way through

to reading books confidently. It also has a series of spelling lessons, an introduction to comprehension and grammar, a story factory where children can put together their own books, plus additional educational games and activities to keep children motivated. It uses a teaching system of phonics that supports what children are learning at school.

For 7-13 year olds already reading there is Reading Eggspress that focuses on comprehension and grammar, writing and

reading fluency. It includes the Library that holds over 1000 e-books and the Stadium where they can compete against the computer or other children to test their knowledge.

A free trial to both Reading Eggs and Reading Eggspress is available for all new registrations.

To get your free 5 week trial simply visit www. readingeggs.co.uk, click the ‘Parents click here’ button and follow the set up instructions.

Once your account has been activated and you have added a child enter code UKB24LNE.

Get your child get off to a flying start this term!

Research has found that at least two thirds of children fall behind in their studies over the summer holidays. This large break from studying can leave a child feeling insecure about their ability and lead to a lack of confidence when returning to school in September.

The beginning of a new academic year is an ideal time to seek extra support. Explore Learning is a network of Maths and English tuition centres for children aged 5 to 14, designed to improve knowledge, confidence and enjoyment of learning. With 63 centres located nationwide, they are the perfect way to help your child get off to a flying start in the new term.

For more information and to find your local centre visit www.explorelearning.co.uk or see their advert in this issue.

8 | Families East September/October 2012

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The importance of children learning other languages East London is one of the most diverse and multi cultural parts of London and we all recognise the importance of communication and what a vital skill it is today. Families East takes the opportunity to take a closer look with Roger Gerke-Bonet, owner of Language4kids Ltd specialists in teaching languages to Under 11’s, at some of the exciting benefits gained from learning a second language.

Over the last few years, the spotlight has moved onto looking at people who speak more than one language and establishing what makes them different from other people. As more research is produced, it has become apparent that learning a second language has profound benefits on the brain. Results have proven that learning languages makes our brain not only more flexible but also more able to fully focus on a particular task without getting distracted by the environment.

These two changes result in a number of advantages for children who start learning a

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second language with the effects appearing from the very beginning and becoming much more pronounced as fluency improves.

Current research identifies some of the main advantages as: • Enhanced cognitive function (higher IQ); • SAT’s results that are on average 5% better across the board; • Higher levels of concentration, focus and memory; • Enhanced lateral thinking, ability to prioritise and problem solve; • Enhanced grammar and diction; • Higher levels of empathy and the ability to place yourself in other peoples’ shoes; • The ability to acquire additional languages easily throughout life.

As more answers are found, it can be said that the one language brain is on a diet compared to one where two or more languages coexist, so supporting the idea that learning a second language invigorates the brain

and enhances development.

Apart from the above benefits, the brain being exposed to a second language has a direct effect on how well we perform in everything from reading and mathematics to driving and map reading. Therefore, the longer and earlier in life we are exposed, the more benefits we will reap as we get older.

When we learn or speak an additional language, the brain is constantly performing mental gymnastics as the two languages are always present and we have to constantly make a decision about which language to use depending on the context. It has also been found that this mental flexibility has the direct effect of protecting against mental deterioration in old age, to the point that in people prone to Alzheimer’s, bilinguals delay the onset of symptoms on average by an amazing 5 years.

Although it is much easier to learn a second language before the age of 11 years when the brain is more naturally predisposed to language acquisition, it is

becoming increasingly evident that the benefits also apply to those people who learn a second language later in life.

If you are interested in learning more Waltham Forest Bilingual Group are hosting a talk (and question and answer session) by a prominent expert in the field Professor Colin Baker from Bangor University and an advice session for families and teachers on Thursday 20 September at 6.30pm at Vestry House Museum, Church Path, Walthamstow E17 9NH (which is 7 mins from Walthamstow Central tube station). Local author Claire Thomas will be launching her book “Growing Up With Languages”.

For more information visit website: www.wfbilingual.org.uk or email Claire Thomas at claire thomas2000@yahoo.co.uk

September/October 2012 Families East | 9

Out & About At Families East we make every effort to ensure our Out & About listings are correct at the time of going to press. During this summer a number of locations/venues we usually list reduced their opening hours or were closed. Please check ahead before you plan a journey or day out.

THEATRE, CONCERTS & FILMS APOLLO THEATRE

31 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 7EZ 0844 412 4658 nimaxtheatres.com/nickjr.co.uk/ shows/dora Dora The Explorer Live!

To 16 Sept From £13 With the help of the audience, Map, Backpack, Boots, Diego and their courageous friends, Dora uses her map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to pass through the number pyramid and the mixed-up jungle to reach the City of Lost Toys

BARBICAN

Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS 020 7638 8891 www.barbican.org.uk Family Film Club Discover a world of film together with your family on most Saturday mornings at the Barbican. Membership is free, and you can join via the website LSO Discovery Family Concert: Music for the Big Screen Sun 14 Oct 2.30pm £10/£5 7-12yrs Featuring the unforgettable sounds of Star Wars, Indiana Jones and many more. Take your own instrument to join in too Pre-Concert Workshops 10am-12.30pm £5 per person (open to concert bookers only) Get the chance to compose music with LSO members and make props for the concert too Free Foyer Activities 1-2.30pm Enjoy pre-concert events and activities

BLOOMSBURY THEATRE

15 Gordon Street, WC1H 0AH 020 7388 8822 www.thebloomsbury.com Horrible Histories - Terrible Tudors and Vile Victorians Tues 2nd-Sat 6th Oct, Mon 8th-Sat 13th Oct (show times vary) £19.50/£15.50 Family £65 School Groups £9.50 Everyone wants to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead!

Using actors and ground-breaking 3D special effects, these two astounding shows – The Terrible Tudors and The Vile Victorians – are guaranteed to thrill! Historical figures and events will come alive on stage and hover at your fingertips

BFI SOUTHBANK

Belvedere Road, South Bank SE1 8XT 020 7928 3232 bfi.org.uk Peppa Pig and Friends Family Funday Sun 9 Sept Meet some of the top creative minds

from Astley Baker Davies, the animation studio behind Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly’s Magic Kingdom

GREENWICH THEATRE

Croom’s Hill SE10 8ES 020 8858 7755 www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk Suitcase Circus Sun 30 Sept 11am £9/£7.50 Family £28 A delightfully heart-warming and interactive family-friendly spectacular, featuring the world’s only acrobatic potato sack, a daredevil ski glove, an incredible dancing milkshake straw, the hypnotic tie snake Windsor Knot, and the lovable yet bizarre magical Mexican hat Timrek, all accompanied by live music Dumbs Up! Sun 21 Oct 11am £9/£7.50 Family £28 A stand-up comedy show for kids (and their keepers). Brilliantly interweaving a kooky gallery of voices with an absurd imagination, Ian Billings has galloped across the world with his acclaimed stand-up comedy for kids

HACKNEY EMPIRE THEATRE

291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ 020 8985 2424 www.hackneyempire.co.uk Angelina Ballerina The Mousical Fri 14 Sept 10.30am 1.30pm, Sat 15 Sept 10am 1pm 4pm, Sun 16 Sept 10am £16.50/£10 Angelina and her friends think their dreams have come true when Camembert Academy wins the opportunity to appear in their favourite television programme ‘Dancing With Mice!’ but when the girls and boys have very different ideas for the show and just can’t seem to agree on anything, it’s up to Angelina as Dance Captain to ensure that the show goes ahead

LYRIC THEATRE HAMMERSMITH

Lyric Square, King Street, W6 0OL 0871 22 117 20 www.lyric.co.uk All tickets £8, Family £30. Special Offer Buy a show ticket and get messy play ticket for £11 Handa’s Surprise Fri 28 Sept-Sun 30 Sept 10.30am 11.30am 1.30pm 2.30pm 2-5yrs Nurseries and Schools £6 Travel to Kenya with Handa as she sets out on a journey to surprise her best friend. With a blend of live music, song and puppetry, this captivating production includes some very mischievous animals Little Sunshine, Little Rain Sat 6 Oct 11am 1pm 3-7yrs In this charming story set in a magical garden, a cheeky fox is causing trouble.

Traditional Japanese songs, dance and origami help our gardeners tell this delightful tale Circle of Tales Sat 13 Oct 11am 1pm 4-7 yrs This is a tale from long ago, before there were any stories at all, told with wood and wire puppets and music played on traditional African instruments

10 | Families East September/October 2012

Your guide to the best entertainment and local events London has to offer.

To list an event contact editor@familieseast.co.uk There is a Monster In My Piano Sat 13 Oct 11am 1pm 4-7 yrs What do you do when you hear a strange noise inside your piano? Call the Piano Doctor of course. With his bag full of ears, can he stop the musical notes from packing their bags and running away?

Cabbage Heart Sat 27 Oct 11am 1.30pm Sun 28 Oct 12pm 2.30pm 5-10yrs When Jelly wanders into a secret, overgrown garden she finds something that changes her life forever. A magical tale with drawing and painting live on stage

NATIONAL THEATRE

South Bank SE1 9PX 020 7452 3000 nationaltheatre.org.uk The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - by Mark Haddon To 27 Oct £12/£20/£32 Suitable for 13yrs+ Roald Dahl Day with Michael Rosen A morning of brilliant stories about Roald Dahl, celebrating his birthday and a new book about him, Fantastic Mr Dahl Sat 8 Sept 10.30am Cottesloe Theatre £3/£4

QUEEN’S THEATRE

52 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT 01708 443333 www.queens-theatre.co.uk Story Play Fun Theatre Workshops 10am 5-7 yrs 45mins £5 Sat 1 Sept - Three Little Pigs Sat 6 Oct - Puss in Boots Sat 3 Nov - Halloween - Room on a Broom Kids will love these storytelling workshops, packed full of fun and games, based on popular children’s stories Mr Popcorn’s Funtime Magic Show Sat 6 Oct 11.30am £5 2–6 yrs Mr Popcorn and Scruffy the puppy bring you lots of fun, games and a guess the cartoon competition with a chance to win one of Mr Popcorn’s drawings

SHAKESPEARE GLOBE THEATRE New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT 020 7902 1400 Bookings: 020 7401 9919/020 7087 7398 www.shakespeares-globe.org Open daily for tours 10am-5pm £13.50/£8 Under 5’s free Family £36 Plays this season include Henry V, The Taming of the Shrew, Richard III, Twelfth Night, Hamlet & As You Like It. Please see website for times and prices and run until Sun 14 Oct

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX 0844 875 0073 www.southbankcentre.co.uk OAE Tots Sun 4 Nov 10am 11.30am £9/£1 plus booking fee The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s popular series of events for the very youngest music-

lovers. Children aged two and over require tickets. Children younger than two go free provided they do not need their own seat London Philharmonic Orchestra FUNharmonics That’s All Folk!

Sun 21 Oct 12pm £18 - £10 plus booking fee So many composers from Brahms to Britten have been fascinated by folk music - come and hear some of the best.

Try your hand at playing an orchestral instrument in one of the Have-a-Go sessions or join the Family Orchestra workshops from 10am-2.30pm

STRATFORD CIRCUS

Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 1BX 0844 357 2625 www.stratford-circus.com Afrovibes Festival presents The Sibikwa Arts African Indigenous Orchestra Celebrate the spirit of South African music & jam with the orchestra after the show!

Fri 5 Oct 7pm & Sat 6 Oct 4pm 7yrs+ £10/£25 Family ticket Baby Dance Fri 28 Sept-Fri 7 Dec 10am £50 per 10 weeks or £6 drop-in 3-12 months Join this fun class for you and your baby Circlets Family Day Sat 29 Sept 11.30am-4.30pm 2yrs+ free ticketed event Roll up! Roll up! The circus is in town and looking for new recruits! Join in for a day of family fun with circus performances, crafts and circus workshops. Watch breathtaking acrobatic and juggling acts, make juggling balls, balloon animals and get your face painted The Incredible Book Eating Boy Sat 20 Oct from 10.30am & Sun 21 Oct from 12pm £7/£5 The story of Henry, a boy with a voracious appetite for books – in fact he eats them! Henry loves books he realises the more books he eats, the smarter he gets!

Chris and Pui Sat 3 Nov 11am 2pm £12/£10 Family £40 CBeebies’ favourite double-act Chris and Pui are coming to town and are inviting you to join them. A fabulous new roadshow packed with fantastic songs, games and a few surprises along the way

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET

18 Suffolk Street, SW1Y 4HT 0845 481 1870 (Theatre Royal) trh.co.uk Private Peaceful – A National Theatre production based on the book by the third Children’s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo.

18-29 Sept £10-£25 Private Tommo Peaceful is a young WW1 soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. During the night he looks back at his short but joyful past growing up

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Out & About in rural Devon, and the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the front line. Suitable for 8yrs+

UNICORN THEATRE

147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ 020 7645 0560 www.unicorntheatre.com Tickets £15/£10 See website for show times as these vary each day Drawabout Sun 7 Oct 12-1.30pm & 2.30-4.20pm £5 Spontaneous creation, expression, laughter and knowledge for the curious, adventurous and brave. Drawabouts are real-life walkabout drawing experiences. Everyone has a story to tell – go and draw yours The Big Draw 12-3pm free The Big Draw is the world’s biggest celebration of drawing, and runs throughout the UK every October. Drop into the Unicorn this year and explore your creative side Handa’s Surprise Tue 9 – Thu 11 Oct 2-5 yrs £16/£13/£10 (performance times vary see website) Travel to Kenya with Handa as she journeys to see her best friend Akeyo.

As you can’t visit a friend emptyhanded, Handa takes seven delicious fruits as a surprise – but seven different animals have seven very different ideas

EVENTS BRITISH LIBRARY

96 Euston Road NW1 2DB 020 7412 7332 bl.uk/whatson The Hobbit at 75 Fri 21 Sept. 6.30pm-8pm £5/£7.50 In the run up to the release of part one of Peter Jackson’s filmed version of the tale, join a celebration of this fabulous and hugely influential book, with readings, conversation and special guests

LORD MAYOR’S THAMES FESTIVAL 2012

Sat 8 & Sun 9 Sept Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge www.thamesfestival.org This promises to be a fantastic end to the Olympic events in the city. Kid’s choir, dance, music and fireworks. Lots of family friendly events on land and on the water all day and all evening

OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND 2012

Sat 22 & Sun 23 Sept www.londonopenhouse.org Open House London celebrates all that is best about the capital’s buildings, places and neighbourhoods. This is a unique opportunity to get out and under the skin of London’s amazing architecture, with over 700 buildings of all kinds opening their doors to everyone – all for free

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT TOURS

Houses of Parliament, Parliament Square, St Margaret Street, Westminster SW1A 0844 847 2498 parliament.uk/visiting/ visiting-and-tours/summeropening Wed 19 Sept - Sat 6 Oct. £6/£10/£15 Tours take in some of the most important areas of the Palace in which

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Parliament meets and explain what Parliament does, what it has meant at different times and how it came to be what it is today

THE BIG DRAW

www.campaignfordrawing.org/ bigdraw The Big Draw 2012 is an annual festival of over 1,000 events, which takes place across the UK and in 20 other countries throughout October. Big Draw partners include national and regional museums and galleries, shopping and community centres, libraries, art clubs and village halls

GALLERIES NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

St Martin’s Place, WC2H 0HE 020 7306 0055 www.npg.org.uk Open: daily 10am-6pm, Thu & Fri 10am-9pm Family Events: Meet in the Ondaatje Wing Main Hall Big Draw 2012: Walk the Line Sat 6 Oct 1pm-4pm free drop in all ages Join guest artists for an afternoon exploring movement and line drawing in the galleries. This is part of the Big Draw 2012 with the Campaign for Drawing. With BSL interpretation Family Audio Visual Guide £6 for up to 5 players/£4 for 2 Follow four specially recorded tours in English (for 7-11yrs) to leader you through the Gallery with amazing facts and stories about the people in the collection Storytelling with Art for Families Every third Sat 10.30am 1.30pm free 3yrs+. No ticket required. These sessions will last about 30 minutes Family Art Workshop Every third Sat 11.30am 2.30pm free ticketed 90 minutes 5yrs+ Explore portraits in the Collection, followed by an art activity. Places are limited and are allocated on a firstcome, first served basis

TATE BRITAIN

Millbank, SW1P 4RG 020 7887 8888 www.tate.org.uk/britain Open: daily 10am-5.50pm until 10pm the first Friday of the month Liminal Every weekend 11am–3pm all ages A physical, material and social experience of sculpture through touch, interaction and collaboration Family Multimedia Guide £3.50 6yrs+ available anytime during gallery hours What makes a portrait? Join this tour of seven artworks in the gallery and decide for yourself encouraging children and adults to explore together

TATE MODERN

Bankside, SE1 9TG 020 7887 8888 www.tate.org.uk/modern Open Sun-Thu 10am-6pm Fri & Sat 10am-10pm Family Day: Film Action Sun 28 Oct 11am-5pm free All ages can explore moving image

September/October 2012 Families East | 11

Out & About through interventions, projections and the live creation of 16mm film works with moving image collective Under 5s Zone Level 5 Concourse free This is a play space for under 5’s and their families Children Multimedia Guide Daily from the Info Desks on Levels 3 £4.50 5yrs+ Keep youngsters captivated and animate artworks through music, video clips and entertaining games – a sensory experience for all the family to enjoy Weekend Sessions – Open Studio Every weekend 11am-4pm Level 3 Concourse free, 5yrs+ With the help of a friendly Start Team, stimulate your weekend with games, map-making or clue-matching Tate Modern Family Resources Available daily from the Info Desks on Levels 1 and 2 free for all ages Pick up a free families resource and set off to explore the Galleries with paperbased activities that will help you look, enjoy and learn about art

THE NATIONAL GALLERY

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN 020 7747 2885 www.national gallery.org.uk Open daily 10am - 6pm Fri until 9pm free Take One Picture: Primary School Children Inspired By Veronese Room E Until Sun 16 Sep free How can a single painting ignite the imagination and curiosity of young people?

Family Sundays Join us for free hands-on art workshops (11am & 2pm), while under- 5s can jump aboard the Magic Carpet for storytelling (10.30am & 11.30am) Drawing Sundays 11am & 2pm Young artists explore how National Gallery paintings can be used as inspiration Studio Sundays – Washing Lines Sun 6 Oct & 6 Nov 11am & 2pm Water, water everywhere! Make a splash and experiment with water drawing Family Walk & Talk Join the themed journey through the collection where you will walk, talk and bring paintings alive! Suitable for all ages – check website for themes

WHITECHAPEL GALLERY

77-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX 020 7522 7888 www.whitechapelgallery.org Family Trails 4-12 yrs Devised in collaboration with artists to coincide with each major exhibition at the Gallery.

Encourages children to talk about exhibitions and suggesting ways to respond creatively. Materials included. Available at the Info Desk (suggested donation £1) or downloadable on line

MUSEUMS BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

Entrance in Bartholomew Street, off Threadneedle Street, EC2R 8AH 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum Open: Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm, free Open House Weekend Sat 22 Sept-Sun 23 Sept 9.30am-5pm The Bank of England will be open to visitors for 30 minute guided tours. No booking required. Last entry 4pm Titanic Documents Display Until 10 Nov Claims for replacement of Bank of England notes from relatives or representatives of victims of the disaster are on display for the first time Gold and The Bank of England Until 10 Nov In the year of the Olympic Games in the UK, when the ultimate accolade of gold is given to the best of the world’s athletes, this exhibition examines the part gold has played during the Bank’s long history and the Bank’s role in relation to gold today

BRITISH MUSEUM

Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG 020 7323 8000/8299 www.britishmuseum.org Open: daily 10am-5.30pm, free Shakespeare: Staging the world Until Sun 25 Nov £14 Members and under 16s free Discover the world of William Shakespeare and the emerging role of London as a global city through objects and contemporary performance For a full list of free family activities please see the website – here are some highlights Museum Reporter Sun 23 Sept Sun 28 Oct 11am & 2pm Create a Comic Sun 30 Sept Sat 27 Oct 11.30am-3.30pm Magical Mosaic Masks Sat 29 Sept 11.30am-3.30pm Mega-mummy animation workshop Sun 7 Oct 11am & 2pm Shakespeare’s London: Bards, Bears & Boards Mon 29 Oct – Fri 2 Nov 11am-4pm

CHURCHILL MUSEUM AND CABINET WAR ROOMS

Clive Steps, King Charles St, SW1A 2AQ 020 7930 6961 www.iwm.org.uk/churchill Open: 9.30am-6pm. £12.80/£15.95, under 16s free Undercover – Life in Churchill’s Bunker Extended until 2013 due to popular demand Visitors can hear the first-hand personal accounts of those who worked in the Cabinet War Rooms during the war. Learn what life and conditions were like underground

DESIGN MUSEUM

Shad Thames, SE1 2YD 020 7940 8787, www.designmuseum.org Sun 14 Oct

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Design Museum Family Day An exciting day of activities and fun with workshops, exhibition trails, games and competitions, when the whole museum becomes a hive of fun-filled family activities!

GEFFRYE MUSEUM

136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, E2 8EA 020 7739 9893 www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Open: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm5pm free Holiday and weekend activities are for children aged 3-16 yrs and are free. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis 30 minutes prior to the beginning of each activity. All children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult Fruity Boxes Sat 22 Sept 2pm-4pm Decorate a mini box with fun fruity patterns Ceramic Celebrations Sun 23 Sept 2pm-4pm Paint a mug to mark an event from 2012

HORNIMAN MUSEUM

100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ 020 8699 1872 www.horniman.ac.uk Open: daily 10.30am-5.30pm, free Hands on Family Workshops Saturdays 11.45am 1pm 3 yrs+ You can touch real museum objects from all over the world in these family sessions. Use all your senses to explore the animal kingdom, musical instruments, costume, toys and puppets from all over the world in themed workshops Artmakers Sat 1.30pm 2.45pm Rainsticks Sat 8 & 15 Sept Re-create the sound of a gentle drizzle or a tropical downpour with your own version of this South American instrument Chinese Moon Festival Lanterns Sat 22 & 29 Sept Make your own lantern to light the way for Mid-Autumn Festival

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ 020 7416 5320/5321 iwm.org.uk Build the Truce 21-23 Sept 11am-1pm & 2-4pm Call a truce, whatever your differences, and hear a slimy story of slugs, snails and truce time tales. Find out what united the slugs and snails in this funny and inspiring tale and make your own unique artwork inspired by the story International Day of Peace (10.30am5pm) 22 Sept 10.30am-5pm Storytelling and art sessions for children Poppy Field Sat 27 Oct–Sun 11 Nov 11am-5pm Grow your own poppy from paper and wire. Plant it in the Poppy Field and remember those who gave their lives to protect their country, from both world wars to conflicts today To 1 Jan 2013. A Family in Wartime – Experience life on the Home Front through the eyes of one London family

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB 020 7565 7299 www.ltmuseum.co.uk Open: Sat-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri 11am6pm, £6/£8/£10 Admission to the museum and family activities are free to accompanied children under 16 Mind The Map (until Sun 28 Oct) A new exhibition about the inspiration, history and creativity behind London transport maps All aboard! (Up to 6 yrs) Children can let their imaginations run wild as they climb aboard the fun versions of a bus, train, Tube and taxi.

They can take the wheel, becoming a driver for the day, or bump around with the other passengers in the back. They can also explore miniature London, taking control of the transport system, moving buses and trains around London’s most famous landmarks Interchange (7-11 yrs) Children can explore the Museum’s collection in this interactive hands-on area. They can discover the range of people who have worked on public transport in London over the last 200 years, try on replica costumes and guess the origins of the mystery objects.

The highlight of a visit to the gallery is a chance to drive the Optare bus

MUSEUM OF LONDON

150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN 020 7001 9844 www.museumoflondon.org.uk Open: daily 10am-6pm, free See website for full details of regular groups held at Museum of London for “Mini Moles” (6 months – walking) and Little Moles (walkers – 5 yrs) Museum Explored Sun 16 Sept, 30 Sept, 14 Oct, 28 Oct, 11 Nov, 25 Nov, 9 Dec & 23 Dec 11.30am & 2pm 5yrs+ Join one of the Museum’s Hosts and explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities Perfect pattern Sun 23 Sept 12.30pm 2pm & 3.30pm 5yrs+ Using digital technology in the e-Learning Studio, design a pattern for a cushion or T-shirt based on some of the colourful clothes on display Characters from history - meet Mary Prince Sun 7 Oct 1pm 2pm & 3pm 5yrs+ Mary Prince’s fight for freedom brought her to London where her story was used to help end slavery in the 1800s.

Meet Mary and hear her story of determination, compassion and survival Punch and Judy Sun 21 Oct 1pm 2pm & 3pm 5yrs+ Come and join in with this popular Victorian entertainment celebrating 350 years

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS

West India Quay, Canary Wharf, E14 4AL 020 7001 9844 www.museumindocklands.org.uk Open: daily 10am-6pm, £5 annual adult pass, kids free See website for full details of regular groups held at Museum of London

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Docklands for “Mini Mudlarks” (6 months – walking) and Little Mudlarks (walkers – 5 yrs) and a full list of family activities Please note Mudlark groups restart Mon 1 Oct and Under 5’s storytime begins on Thu 4 Oct after summer closure London Forever Sat 20 Oct 12.30pm & 2.30pm 5yrs+ London is forever - from the Romans to the Olympics. Celebrate London as a centre of global trade, industry, the arts and sport. Draw, cut, stick, take photographs and add things to our animated film The Ghost Chicken of Pond Square Sat 27 Oct 12.30pm 2.30pm & 3.30pm 5yrs+ Hear the story of the first frozen chicken The Flying Machine Sat 27 Oct & Wed 31 Oct 12.30pm 2.30pm & 3.30pm 5yrs+ Learn all about flying machines and test your designs We Can Fly! Mon 29 Oct 11am & 1.30pm 2yrs+ Make some things that fly and launch them together Meet Sir Isaac Newton Mon 29 Oct 12.30pm 2.30pm & 3.30pm 7yrs+ Sir Isaac Newton visits Docklands on a skateboard to explain optics, gravity and much more Explorer Storytime Tue 30 Oct Wed 31 Oct Thu 1 Nov & Fri 2 Nov 3pm 6 months+ Puppets, museum objects and music Transforming Objects Tue 30 Oct Thu 1 Nov 12.30pm & 2.30pm 4yrs+ Discover objects in the collections, giving them a new life using collage and computer animation Edmund Halley and his Comet Tue 30 Oct & Thu 1 Nov 12.30pm 2.30pm & 3.30pm 5yrs+ Join in for this tale of science and ‘hairy snowballs’ Paper Science Wed 31 Oct, 11am 11.30am 12pm 1.30pm 2pm & 2.30pm 5yrs+ Go and have a ‘ripping’ time The Electric Mr Faraday Fri 2 Nov 12.30pm 2.30pm & 3.30pm 7yrs+ Meet the famous scientist and hear all about his work with electricity Creatures from the Deep Fri 2 Nov 12.30pm & 2.30pm 3yrs+ Make a magical murky collage Fantastic Forms: fun and facts with felt Sat 3 Nov 12.30pm & 2.30pm 5yrs+ Find out about felt, then design and make a felt object to take home

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM

Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HT 020 7730 0717 nam.ac.uk To March 2013 War Horse: Fact and Fiction – A major new exhibition exploring the true history behind the popular War Horse novel - interactive displays, costumes and props from the Spielberg film Victorian Soldiers Action Zone – Quizzes, games and hands-on activities

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to learn about life as a Victorian soldier and the part they played in the shaping of Britain’s Empire Kid’s Zone – A new play area exploring aspects of army life from camping to clothing, with a soft play space for babies, art and crafts and dressing-up

Out & About

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM and THE QUEEN’S HOUSE

Romney Road, Greenwich, SE10 9NF 020 8858 4422 www.nmm.ac.uk Open: daily 10am-5pm, free Please note The Queen’s House will be closed until Fri 21 Sep - see website for details Titanic Remembered Until Sun 30 Sept 10am-5pm A small exhibition to mark the centenary of the sinking of the passenger liner Titanic in 1912 Play Tuesdays in Sept 10.30am 11.30am 1pm 2pm under 5 yrs free Young children can have fun with their families as they explore the Museum through making, music, dance and stories Explore Saturdays in Sept 12 noon 1pm 2pm 3pm 6yrs+ free Meet a character from the past and take part in an exciting performance that will bring maritime history to life Discover Sundays in Sept 11.30am 2pm all ages free Be inspired by our maritime past and explore your personal connections to the sea Open House 2012: The Queen’s House Sat 22 & Sun 23 Sept 11am-5pm Tours 12pm 2pm free The 17th Century Queen’s House is a turning point in English Architecture.

As part of London 2012 Open House weekend this is an ideal opportunity to hear about the history of this building The Big Draw: Come draw With Me Wed 24 Oct 11am-5pm free This year the Big Draw is based on caricature and cartoons, with demos and tutoring by a cartoonist Halloween Family Fun Day Sat 28 Oct 11am-4pm Family £40 Visit the Cutty Sark and the Queen’s House for a spooky fun day out.

Discover the story of Nannie, the Cutty Sark’s own witch, create fancy dress accessories, sing songs, hear stories and even try to win a prize for your fancy dress

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD 020 7938 9123, Info 020 7942 5000 www.nhm.ac.uk Open: Mon-Sat 10am–5.50pm, Sun 11am-5.50pm free Events for Families - check the full listing on www.nhm.ac.uk/whats-on Animal Inside Out Until Sun 16 Sept £9/£6 Family £27 Get under the skin, strip away the flesh and travel on an anatomical safari of the natural world. A unique chance to explore the intricate biology and physiology of some of the world’s most spectacular creatures. With almost 100 plastinates and capillary specimens on display this is a UK premiere

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Out & About Wild Planet (until Sun 30 Sept) The wildest landscapes and most endangered species are showcased in a free outdoor exhibition. Each image is captioned with the story of how it was taken and information on the species portrayed, ready to inspire and educate a new generation of wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts Explorer Back Pack Mon- Fri 11am- 5pm Younger visitors can pick up an Explorer backpack and take a mini adventure around the Museum. Don’t miss the Dippy floor puzzle, perfect for under 8’s.

Complete the puzzle of the 26-metre long “diplodocus” and you’ll get a funky Dippy sticker

SCIENCE MUSEUM

Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD 0870 870 4868 www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, free (charges for special exhibitions, IMAX cinema and simulator rides) Science Museum Live comes to London Wed 17 Oct–Sat 4 Nov This October, hot from its successful tour of UK theatres, the best of Science Museum Live is coming to the Science Museum’s IMAX theatre. This 60-minute theatrical adventure will take you into the wonderful world of science with dangerous demonstrations, extraordinary experiments and spectacular science The Garden 3-6 yrs Inquisitive children are free to explore floating and sinking, shadows and reflections, music, giant building blocks and much more while developing the skills of observing, predicting, testing and drawing conclusions Pattern Pod 5-8 yrs Like scientists, children explore the world by trying to make predictions about events happening around them. Using truly amazing multi-sensory exhibits this contemporary gallery looks at the many types of patterns in the world around us and encourages children to recognise and copy patterns – or create entirely new ones of their own Launchpad Science Shows Daily free 8 yrs + With over 50 interactive exhibits, plus electrifying shows and lively demonstrations, while there’s plenty to keep the adults occupied too

SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM

13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP 020 7405 2107 www.soane.org Open: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, free Junior Audio Tour Introduced by Stephen Fry and read by Eleanor Bron In this atmospheric tour, lasting 59 minutes, the actress Eleanor Bron guides the listener through Soane’s Museum, accompanied by sound effects and music. It is suitable for children and first-time visitors to the Museum

V&A MUSEUM

Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL 020 7942 2000 www.vam.ac.uk

Open daily 10am – 5.45pm, until 10pm Fri free Big Draw, Big Make V&A HOSTS THE NATIONAL LAUNCH OF THE BIG DRAW Sun 30 Sept The V&A will host the launch of the annual Big Draw festival, the world’s largest celebration of drawing, with a full day of free drawing activities for everyone, inspired by the Museum’s collections. Quentin Blake, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, Gerald Scarfe and Richard Seymour will give 30 minute talks to inspire visitors to get drawing, designing and creating and Mister Maker (as seen on CBeebies) will show how to make a crown. Visitors can drop-in to ‘pop-up’ studios throughout the Museum, meet professional artists, designers and makers and take part in various creative challenges, from fashion illustration in the V&A’s newly reopened Fashion Galleries to designing fountains in the Medieval & Renaissance Galleries. A fun filled day for all the family Family Backpacks for ages 5-12 yrs Choose from: The Emperor’s Party, Chinese Treasures, Metal Detector, The Antique Detective, Magic Glasses, Fancy Furnishings, Time Traveller, Middle East Marvels and the new Agent Animal bag for under 5s and search for creatures in the Museum using fabric cubes and animal noises

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD

Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA 020 8983 5200 www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Open: daily 10am-5.45pm, free Mascots of the Olympic Games Until Sun 28 Oct This display showcases over 50 mascots from the last 44 years of summer and winter Olympic Games including the London 2012 mascots, Wenlock and Mandeville Playing In or Out? Until 4 Nov 2012 Are kids today deprived of the outdoor adventures of previous generations?

This display is an exploration of how notions of children playing indoors and playing outdoors have changed dramatically over the past 50 years London Design Week: Design a News Sheet Sun 16 Sep 11.30am 1.30pm 3pm free booking required all ages “Extra, extra, read all about it!” Join in a creative workshop led by the team from Okido – the art and science magazine for children. Budding reporters can write their latest scoop while learning how to use type, layout and images and take their news sheet home to impress their friends The Big Draw: Sizing Up Sat 13 Oct 11am (free - drop in) Calling all scribblers and doodlers! Help create a large-scale drawing of Robbie the Robot as part of The Big Draw. A chance to try out a range of drawing techniques, using crayons, pencils, pens and chalks Pop-Up Circus Sat 20 & Sun 21 Oct 12pm (free - drop in) Enjoy gravity defying aerial dance, jugglers, music and a magical

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performance piece that combines hand balancing and… knitting!

Mon 29 Oct – Fri 2 Nov 10.30am-4pm (drop in) Journey back in time to the 1950s with a vintage half term week of trails, storytelling and arts and crafts Montessori Rucksacks A selection of rucksacks for under 5’s are available for families to borrow from the Info Desk. Designed by Montessori, there are four to choose from depending on age More daily activities: A variety of free activities every day, including storytelling, arts and crafts, tours and treasure hunts. Activities are tailored to children aged 3-12 yrs unless otherwise stated

THE WALLACE COLLECTION

Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN 020 7563 9500/9551 www.wallacecollection.org Open 10am-5pm, free Family Activities: Children must be accompanied by an adult The Little Draw Sun 7 Oct - free drop in art workshop all ages The Big Draw: Ready Steady Draw!

Sat 20 Oct 12pm all ages King David’s Shield Tue Oct 30 10.30am 7yrs+ Armour handling workshop Animal Mask Magic Wed 31 Oct 10.30am 2pm 5yrs+ Change yourself into an animal for Halloween Free Armour Handling Find out what a brigandine is and how heavy a bullet-proof breastplate really was

PLACES OF INTEREST CANARY WHARF

Wood Wharf, Canary Wharf www.canarywharf.com The Lunch Market Tue 25 Sept 11am-3pm Now settled in its new home and offering a vast array of delicious food from around the world The Lunch Market at Wood Wharf invites you to explore global flavours! More than 30 stalls offering authentic cuisine!

Autumn Winter Fashion Weekend Fri 28 Sept 9am-8pm Sat 29 Sept 10am-6pm Sun 30 Sept 12pm-6pm free Revamp your wardrobe!

THE CENTRE OF THE CELL

Blizard Building, 4 Newark St, Whitechapel, E1 2AT 020 7882 2562 www.centreofthecell.org Free admission – booking essential Content suitable for 9yrs+ Register online to book your visit in the timed show.

Centre of the Cell is an exciting science education centre. It is the first science education centre in the world to be sited in biomedical research laboratories with digital interactive games; body parts; films and microscopes

CUTTY SARK CLIPPER SHIP

King William Walk Greenwich SE10 9HT

10am-5pm £12/£6.50 Family £29 bookings@rmg.co.uk

Opening a new chapter in the extraordinary life of one of the world’s most famous ships. The last surviving tea clipper and the fastest and greatest of her time, she is a living testimony to the bygone, glorious days of sail and, most importantly, a monument to those that lost their lives in the merchant service

DISCOVER

383-387 High Street, Stratford, E15 4QZ 020 8536 5555 www.discover.org.uk Open Tues-Fri during Newham school term time: 12pm-1pm and 3pm-5pm Open Sat and Sun: 11am-5pm Open all day everyday during the school holidays £4.50, Family £16 under 2 yrs free Superheroes Until Sun 4 Nov SOS! HELP! Urgent Message: Alphabet City is under threat from a mysterious villain. Can you help rescue the city from destruction? Be empowered by supersonic skills, hit the letter lab to conduct secret scientific experiments, crack the code, find the Superheroes’ hideouts and defeat the evil mastermind Super Tots Every Tue–Fri (except 29 Oct-2 Nov) 11am–12pm and 1.45pm–2.45pm 6mths+ Enjoy a story and playtime in the area for very young babies and toddlers Every Sat & Sun 11.30am Super Stories 3pm 2yrs+ Join the Story Builders as they bring you a supersonic superhero themed story Dear Zoo Weekend by Rod Campbell celebrates its 30th anniversary Sat 6 & Sun 7 Oct 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm 2yrs+ Farmer Clegg’s Night Out with Peter Bently Sat 6 Oct at 2.30pm The atmosphere is electric down on the farm! But who will be the star of the show? Followed by a craft workshop for even more farmyard fun!

Super Daisy by Kes Gray & Nick Sharratt Sun 14 Oct 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm 2yrs+ Oh no! If Planet Pea collides with Planet Earth, there’ll be peas with EVERYTHING! Superfrog by Michael Foreman Sat 20 & Sun 21 Oct 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm 3yrs+ Tue 30 Oct & Fri 2 Nov (check for times) Little Frank lives in Pond City, where life among the lilies couldn’t be better ... during the day, that is. At night time the pond folk quiver in their slippery skins as slimy bug-eyed monsters emerge from the watery underworld Storytelling with Winston Nzinga from Spud and Yam Sat 20 Oct 2.30pm 4yrs+ Join Winston, an African-Caribbean percussionist as he combines storytelling and music

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Out & About Traction Man Is Here by Mini Grey Sat 27 & Sun 28 Oct 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm 3yrs+ With an action outfit for every occasion, he patrols the house saving toys, guarding toast, searching for lost wrecks and rescuing damsels in distress Clara Vulliamy Event Sat 27 Oct 2.30pm Today Muffin is going on an adventure but where is he going to?

Charlie’s Superhero Underpants Mon 29 Oct 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm 3yrs+ On a wild and windy day all the washing blows away. Socks and vests, a woolly hat, and far worse than all of that - Charlie’s Superhero Underpants!

Disaster! Charlie sets off around the world to find them Emma Thomson Event Tue 30 Oct 2.30pm 4yrs+ An afternoon that brings together all the essential ingredients to delight any little girl’s imagination – storytelling, drawing, and glittery craft activities!

Spook Fest Wed 31 Oct A day of all things Halloween – listen to some classic Winnie the Witch stories, make bouncy spiders and fangtastic finger puppets. Don your best Halloween costumes and you will be entered for a prize draw!

Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul 12.30pm, 1.30pm & 3.30pm 3yrs+ A beautifully-crafted story with a colourful final twist delivered by the Story Builders A Very Spooky Workshop with Louie Stowell 6yrs+ 2.30pm Play with weird and wonderful objects and make-up ghoulish characters to put in to your very own Halloween story

HMS BELFAST

Morgan’s Lane, Tooley Street, SE1 2JH 020 7403 6246 www.iwm.org.uk Open: 10am-6pm £14 under 16s free Interactive Operations Room HMS Belfast could once be controlled from the Operations Room, the nerve centre and brain of the entire ship.

Visitors can now imagine exactly what this would have been like as the Operations Room is updated with exciting interactives Points on a Compass Sat 8-Sun 9 Sept drop in 11am12.30pm & 2pm-4pm Find out more about the countries, cultures and journeys HMS Belfast has taken whilst in service What Lies Beneath – Part of the ‘BIG DRAW’ Festival 2012 Sat 27 Oct – Sun 4 Nov Drop in 11am–4pm free Take part in a fun, free archaeological drawing event examining what can be found on the Thames below the hull of HMSB

KENSINGTON PALACE

Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX 0844 482 7777 www.hrp.org.uk Big Draw Event Sat 27 Oct 11am-4pm free all ages

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Explore and draw inspiration from all the wonderful ceilings, paintings and patterns at Kensington Palace in this interactive drop in drawing workshop

KEW GARDENS

Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3AB 020 8332 5655 www.kew.org Open 9.30am-5.30pm (until March 26) with weekends close an hour later, £11.90/£13.90, children under 17 free Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway The 18-metre high, 200-metre walkway guides visitors around the crowns of lime, sweet chestnut and oak trees.

Supported by rusted steel columns that blend in with the natural environment, it provides opportunities for inspecting birds, insects, lichen and fungi at close quarters, as well as seeing blossom emerging and seed pods bursting open

LEE VALLEY REGIONAL PARK

08456 770600 www.leevalleypark.org.uk Lee Valley White Water Centre From 8 Sep the centre will re-open to the public for a new season of white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking so don’t just talk about it, do it Summer Wildlife Spectacular Sat 15 Sep (free) Join the Wild Place Your Space team for a free activity packed summers day to celebrate Lee Valley and its spectacular wildlife Open House Weekend - Three Mills Sat 22 & Sun 23 Sep 11am – 4pm free Take a look around the largest Tidal Mill still standing in Britain. The Grade I listed Mill House is the largest standing Tidal Mill in Britain today Countryside Live: A weekend packed with wildlife and countryside activities Sat 29 & Sun 30 Sep 10am-5pm single day pass £4, two day pass £6 (children free) Bringing the countryside into London, don’t miss a weekend packed full of wildlife and countryside activities.

With over 40 different exhibitors, there’ll be a whole array for all ages to get involved in: the infamous dancing Sheep Show, natural arts and crafts, guided walks, birds of prey & sheep dog displays, get up close to some of our farm animals and more

LONDON ZOO

Regents Park Outer Circle, Marylebone, NW1 4RY 020 7722 3333 www.zsl.org Bedbugs Sleepovers Every Saturday until Nov 2012 8-11yrs £50 per person Games, story-telling, talks - all animal themed of course! Plus you’ll explore the zoo by torchlight. Breakfast is included. Sleepovers are held in BUGS! so your neighbours could include spiders, beetles or tamarins. The lions sleep nearby too...

RICH MIX

35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA 020 7613 7498 www.richmix.org.uk Offers a broad range of arts-based

activities and performances for children aged 0 to 12 years and their parents/ carers. Many of the events are free or low-priced supporting families who are on a low income and who may find it difficult to access arts and cultural activities – see the website for details Kids’ Cine Time - Every Sat & Sun, 12pm, £1.50 Sat 15 & Sun 16 Sept - Top Cat: The Movie (U) Sat 22 & Sun 23 Sept - Mirror Mirror (PG) Sat 29 & Sun 30 Sept - Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG) Autism-friendly Screening - Sun 16 Sep, 1pm - Top Cat: The Movie (U) Parents and babies screenings - Every Mon, 12pm Wiggly Jigglers Creative Movement for Babies and Toddlers Mon 10 & 24 Sept 1pm-3pm At these creative movement sessions they will get the space, the freedom and the time to move in ways that support their development, and that stimulate their imaginations Mwalimu Express Sun 16 Sept 2pm-6pm free (also Sun 21 Oct) London’s only Pan African family adventure chugs in with a dazzling experience of Africa and the Diaspora.

Awesome music from around the continent - balafon, mbira, talking drum, molo, oud and kora are just some of the instruments Handa’s Surprise Sun 7 Oct 10.30am 11.30am 1.30pm 2.30pm £6/£5 Tower Hamlets Residents Travel to Kenya with Handa as she sets out on a journey to surprise her best friend. With a blend of live music, song and puppetry, this captivating production includes some very mischievous animals StoryCraft Workshops with Apples and Snakes Mon 15 Oct 1.30pm–2.30pm £2 per child 2–5 yrs Led by a different storyteller or poet every month the sessions encourage families to enjoy stories together in an active and fun way. Using puppets and percussion instruments, stories are animated and involve actions, singing and discussion Rapunzel and the Tower of Doom Sun 4 Nov 11am 2pm £6/£5 Tower Hamlets Resident 4yrs+ Tangles? Split Ends? Frizzy? Flyaway?

It’s hard enough having a bad hair day but pity poor Rapunzel spending her life in a tower with a wicked old witch using her captive’s locks as a step ladder!

RSPB RAINHAM MARSHES

01708 899840 Open: daily Sun 1 Nov-Wed 31 Mar open 9.30am-4.30pm, 1 Apr-31 Oct open 9.30am-5pm Unique wetland reserve with innovative visitor centre, shop, café, wildlife garden, and children’s adventure play area - boardwalks throughout for wheelchair and pushchair access Entrance charges: Free to RSPB members and residents of Havering &

Thurrock. Non-members: £2.50 adult, £1 child, £7 family (2 adults and up to 4 children) Rainham Marshes RSPB Wildlife Explorers: Grand re-opening Sat 22 Sept 10.30am This group is for children aged 8-13 yrs with an interest and enthusiasm for wildlife. Children can take part in a wide range of activities from pond dipping to insect collecting as well as bird related topics Kids’ Birdwatching Club Sat 14 Sept 10am £5 Are you a budding birdwatcher? Then why not join us on these special days held once a month? Explore the reserve through the seasons, watching and learning about the birds that visit and live here. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book

SUTTON HOUSE

2 & 4 Homerton High Street, Hackney, E9 6JQ 020 8986 2264, suttonhouse@ nationaltrust.org.uk Adult £3, Child £1, Family £6.90, National Trust Members FREE. Cool Costumes Sun 30 Sept 12.30pm-4pm Get creative making Halloween themed costumes in preparation for October Halloween House Sun 28 Oct 12.30pm-4pm The House of Fairytales will transform the oldest house in East London for Halloween Halloween House Week Thu 25 & Fri 26 Oct 2pm–4pm and Sat 27 & Sunday 28 Oct 12pm–4pm See the haunted rooms of 500 year old Sutton House, play games and dress up for Halloween, all week long.

Black History Month Trail This October is the 25th annual Black History Month that aims to promote knowledge of Black history, culture and heritage; disseminate information on positive Black contributions to British Society; and heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people to their cultural heritage. This free, self guided trail is an exploration of the lives of influential black Londoners. Available every day in Oct (& Nov).

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH

Royal Observatory, Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, SE10 8XJ 020 8858 4422 www.nmm.ac.uk Open: daily 10am-5pm, free Saturday Space Explorers Sat 29 Sept 2pm 2.30pm 3pm 3.30pm 4pm free 5yrs+ Families can make simple cardboard instruments, including constellation finders, planet finders, lunar calendars and other models, which they can take away and use at home

TOWER OF LONDON

Tower Hill EC3 0844 482 7799 hrp.org.uk Royal Beasts – To 31 Dec For 600 years, wild and exotic beasts were held captive in the Tower. Discover

September/October 2012 Families East | 15

Events

School children from Hackney discover the countryside in east London School children from a number of primary schools in Hackney will experience and discover the wonders of the countryside at the annual Countryside Live at the WaterWorks Nature Reserve in Leyton on 26th & 27th September. This two-day festival involves 3000 London primary school children.

Managed and hosted by Lee Valley Regional Park, this unique country fair offers school children a fantastic day out and a unique opportunity to experience and learn about all aspects of the countryside right in the heart of east London.

Run in partnership with the national charity Countryside Learning, the event brings the classroom into the countryside and provides children and teachers from across London with a memorable and educational experience that links with the National Curriculum.

For some school children, it will be the first time they have ever experienced the countryside, through hands on activities, demonstrations and arena events including willow weaving, corn dolly making, woodturning and mini beast hunting. Children will also have the opportunity to get close to a range of animals not often seen including bats and otters as well as marvelling in the sheepdog and falconry shows. designing and creating and Mister Maker Countryside Live is also open to the public for a family (as seen on CBeebies) will show how to weekend on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th September V&A hosts the national launch of make a crown. from 10am - 5pm. Adult cost: single day pass The Big Draw, Sunday 30th September Visitors can drop-in to ‘pop-up’ £4, two day pass £6. Children go FREE. 2012, 11am – 5pm, free studios throughout the Museum, meet The V&A will host the launch of the professional artists, designers and WaterWorks Nature Reserve is located at annual Big Draw festival, the world’s makers and take part in various creative Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road, largest celebration of drawing, with a challenges, from fashion illustration full day of free drawing activities for in the V&A’s newly reopened Fashion Leyton, E10 7GB everyone, inspired by the Museum’s Galleries to designing fountains in the collections. Organised with the Campaign Medieval & Renaissance Galleries. for Drawing, Big Draw, Big Make will Family Sunday - The Big Draw Ranulf Flambard’s Great Children’s book illustrators will be on – Re-inventing the Mansion Escape bring together leading artists and design hand to help visitors illustrate their own Sun 6 Oct 11.30am-2.30pm all 29 Sept-7 Oct (timings to be practices to demonstrate the importance stories. There will also be a chance to join ages (free drop in) confirmed). When King Henry of drawing across the creative industries a ‘sketch mob’ of artists, architects and Drop in to the Drawing Room I succeeds his brother William and in everyday life. engineers on a drawing tour of highlights and help build an enormous II, his first act is to imprison his work of art. Explore the mansion brother’s hated tax collector in Contributors including Quentin Blake, from the V&A’s collections and experts inside and out and then become their father’s impregnable new Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, Gerald Scarfe will be on hand throughout the day to fortress, the Tower of London but an inventor and redesign your and Richard Seymour will give 30-minute provide advice and guidance to improve the wily Ranulf Flambard is soon favourite parts of the mansion, talks to inspire visitors to get drawing, drawing technique. mixing the old with wild new scheming to get out

Big Draw, Big Make

VALENTINES MANSION

Emerson Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4XA. 020 8708 8100 www.valentinesmansion.com Open: Tues & Wed 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm Open Studios Sun 16 Sept 11am–4pm (all ages free drop in) The Valentines Mansion Studios Artists will open their doors to the public for this special event in which visitors will have the opportunity to browse their private workspace and view some of their creations, including stained glass, ceramics, paintings and much more London Open House 2012 Sun 23 Sept 11am-4pm all ages free drop in

ideas! A fun and creative drop-in workshop for all abilities and all ages, families and adults Under 5’s Explore, Make, and Do - Autumn Colours Tue 16 Oct 11am-2pm 1-5 yrs (free drop in) Enjoy the autumn colours at this month’s session. Try our Autumn Leaves challenge in the gardens, and experiment with colour by making your own coloured spectacles!

Family Sunday - Fabulous Fireplaces Sun 3 Nov 11.30am-2.30pm 3 yrs+ free drop in As the weather grows chilly, imagine living in an old mansion with no central heating!

Investigate the beautiful fireplaces and make your own.

Use your imagination to create beautiful wallpaper for your fireplace

The Junior Vintage & Craft Fair in East London this autumn Entering its 7th year, Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair is the UK’s largest travelling vintage marketplace and this autumn it brings you the UK’s first vintage event specifically tailored for kids – The Junior Vintage & Craft Fair.

From bedroom to playroom, classroom to clothes, the fair promises to offer you something different from the norm: whether prams to toys; comics to cots; parkas to school bags to crafts and blankets. Eclectic, accessible and easy on the pocket, The Junior Vintage & Craft Fair avoids the need to shop around by bringing together and showcasing vintage,

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retro and handcrafted items but minus the extortionate price tags.

They will be transforming York Hall so it becomes as much about family fun as it is hunting for goodies. The event will feature a vintage kids tea party with healthy snacks and games to boot. A magician is set to entertain, with face- painters and balloon artists on stage. There will be Junior’s beauty teams on hand, with special prices for mums and daughters wanting to get coiffed in the vintage salon.

The fair looks set to offer pain-free retail therapy without having to leave the kids at home.

The Junior Vintage & Craft Fair, Saturday 13th October 2012, York Hall, Old Ford Road, London, E2 9PJ, Open: 10am – 4pm, Entry: £2