Families London East Jul-Aug 2011

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Issue 62 July/August 2011

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

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Competition & Local News

The Toybox is 2 years old!

The Toybox Hackney’s first destination for affordable, quality toys recently celebrated its 2nd birthday – Congratulations!

It has undergone some minor changes recently with even more space now turned for toys but it also stocks gorgeous clothes from Petit Bateau and Mini A Ture. The latest addition of products is Ravensburger puzzles from 12 pieces all the way to 1,000 pieces including Disney themes, Star Wars, landscapes and Doctor Who! Watch out for the 32,000 pieces puzzle in the coming months! It always a treat to pop into The Toybox for a great selection of toys and a friendly warm welcome from Loic and staff.

Follow “The Toybox Victoria Park” on Facebook.

The Toybox, 223 Victoria Park Road, E9 7HD, 020 8533 2879 www.thetoyboxshop.co.uk

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

East

Tel: 07766 705655 www.familiesonline.co.uk Email: editor@familieseast.co.uk Printed by Bishops. Tel: 02392 334900 Designed by: www.samanthabrannan1.moonfruit.com Front Cover: ©Trupti Patel www.kushdigital.com

Of Sp fer ec : 1 ial 5% Re Dis ade co r un t

French classes in Hackney Les Crocodiles, Hackney’s Frenchspeaking children’s community group, is expanding its after-school clubs for francophone children in Hackney. Sessions take place in the Round Chapel off Upper Clapton Road, E5 0LY on Tuesdays and Thursdays and provide Frenchlanguage education through play.

Les Crocodiles was set up three years ago by a small group of likeminded French-speaking parents.

It now serves over 40 families from France, Martinique, Canada, CongoBrazzaville, and other parts of French-speaking Africa, settled in east London. While London boasts a large French community, most French-language schools and services are in the south-west London.

“It was important for us to create an environment where our children could see the French language come alive,” says Makila Nsika, mother of two. “Bilingual children need to see the language used outside the home.

It’s an important part of maintaining their identity, and of making them feel at home in their community.”

Les Crocodiles hopes the new after-school sessions, led by local French teachers, will help these children and encourage francophone families to get in touch.

For more information email: les-crocodiles@hotmail.com and check their blog: http://www.lescrocodiles.blogspot.com If you are non French speaking but would like to learn French, ‘La langue au CHAT’, led by Pauline Moisy (who teaches at Les Crocodiles) offers lessons from babies to adults.

For more information contact: lalangueauchat@hotmail.com

As soon as you can walk you can play football Kiddikicks Head Coach, James Nesbitt explains, “Our coaches genuinely seek to improve the sporting skills of players in a super fun environment. We have dedicated the last 5 years to finding out what makes this age group tick, and making sure when they attend they have fun, learn skills and improve. We are incredibly proud of our programme, our coaches and what we do.”

KIDDIKICKS have an exclusive offer for all FAMILIES EAST readers. Where, if you book for their autumn term before Monday 1st August you receive free membership worth £19 plus a further 15% off the term fees - a saving of £36 today. To arrange call Kiddikicks HQ on 020 7937 7965 and quote FAMILIES EAST. Autumn Term: Saturdays 17 Sept – 17 Dec 2011, London Fields Park (next to the Lido) and London Fields Fitness Studio from Nov. Age Groups and times: 1.30pm - 2.30pm Ligasoccer (Under 8’s) 2.45pm - 3.30pm Racers (3 ½ up to 5 years) 3.30pm - 4.15pm Runners (2 ½ up to 3 ½ years) 4.15pm - 5pm Nippers (18mths up to 2 ½ years)

WIN! An Easy2Name Off to School set Families East has 5 Easy2Name Off to School sets to give away, each set is worth £17.90 and contains 30 waterproof stickers, 30 iron on name tapes, 1 set of shoe covers, 1 bag tag and 1 shoe bag.

To enter the draw, simply send a postcard to: Families East Magazine, PO Box 2358, Ilford, Essex IG1 8BD Or email: competitions@familieseast.co.uk Please state clearly the full name of your child and whether you require the shoe bag in red or blue along with your contact details.

More information about the full Easy2Name range can be found at www.easy2name.com. If you enter “Families” as a promotional code at the checkout you receive a 10% saving on your order.

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

Mini Musicians at Redbridge Music Service Mini Musicians is a new class run by Redbridge Music Service for children aged 6 months to 4 years. Led by professional musicians and Early Year’s Music specialists, the classes offer fun and structured sessions to parents with their children and include singing, dancing, stories and playing a range of appropriate musical instruments.

Victoria Scott, a singer and instrumentalist, is one of the professional musicians leading the sessions. She explains the benefits: “Music has proven time and time again to benefit all children from an early age. The Mozart Effect, as documented by Don Campbell, studied the connection between music, body and soul, stating many cases of real-life situations in which physical and mental health improved with measured and planned exposure to classical music.”

Music classes for babies? How does that work? Music is a communication medium that can transcend all language barriers and be understood universally. Why should a baby’s understanding be any different? The classes run by Redbridge Music Service underpin the objectives set out in the Early Year’s curriculum. Hand and eye coordination is encouraged through the use of percussive instruments.

Vocal, speech and listening skills improve though singing. Sharing and cooperation are encouraged through taking turns with instruments. Self-confidence is developed through conducting games.

The parent and child can also bond through a positive shared experience.

For more information on these exciting new classes please call Redbridge Music Service at John Savage Centre, Fencepiece Road, Ilford IG6 2NB on 0208 501 3944.

Summer Performing Arts Course Little Actors Theatre Company is running a summer performing arts course for children aged 7-11 years old. The course will be held from Mon 15th Aug to Thu 18th Aug between 10am-3pm and on Friday 19th Aug, 9am –1pm. It is held at Wanstead House, 21 The Green, Wanstead, E11.

Each day starts with a dance and singing warm up workshop with the remainder of the day spent devising a play to show to family and friends at the end of the week. The course is led by professional actress Annie Roper. Little Actors Theatre is a not for profit company offering drama, dance and singing workshops to children in the community who believe that participation in the arts considerably improves a person’s health and well being. Skills learned can provide a good foundation for future life in the work force and the community. Having a go at drama, dance and singing can improve a child’s self confidence, communication skills and help develop their imagination as well as being great for team building, not to mention being great fun.

There are limited spaces so contact Samantha today on 0151 336 4302 or email: mail@littleactorstheatre.com

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July/August 2011 Families East | 3

Local News

Westfield Stratford City W estfield Stratford City is coming to East London on 13th September 2011. This 1.9 million sq ft development will be the largest urban shopping centre in Europe and is located at the gateway to the new Olympic Park.

It will transform London’s retail landscape and create a new lifestyle destination that infuses international shopping with the creative spirit of East London.

The centre will include a number of new flagship stores such as Forever 21 making its London debut and major stores for Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Waitrose.

It will also house over 300 dynamic brands from high street to boutique, established to contemporary set in a magnificent three level mall and beautifully designed lifestyle street. There will be 5,000 dedicated shopper parking spaces too.

It also has a strong entertainment offering that will

see it become a key new leisure destination for London with it featuring a large multi-screen, all digital Vue Cinema and this will be joined by many other exciting leisure brands.

In creating a new destination for London, food is a key component of the scheme and Westfield Stratford City’s has designed a ‘Progressive Dining’ experience that ensures the food mix is forward-thinking and cutting edge. Inspired by the some of the best global markets, the Great Eastern Market has been

4 | Families East July/August 2011

Opens 13th September 2011

created and this will celebrate local culture and cuisine. The market, located at the entrance to the 32,000 sq ft Waitrose food store, provides a modern interpretation of a traditional market, within an original and unique trading space. It consists of a mix of food specialists including a variety of delicatessens showcasing food from across the world. Retailing diverse goods the market will pay homage to the original Great Eastern Market that operated in the area over 100 years ago. Boasting an initial 16 retailers

it will also feature a cookery demonstration kitchen adding to the sensory experience the market will bring.

It includes The Loft, a family dining area overlooking the Central Arcade that will contain Giraffe, GBK, Las Iguanas, Strada, Jom Makan, Pizza Express, Nandos, Wagamama and TGI Friday.

The developer has actively worked with many local community and education projects to create a retail academy delivering a centre of excellence for selecting new staff from the local community with the aim to employ 2000 people from surrounding boroughs. To celebrate and nurture East London’s creative spirit, last year Westfield Stratford City joined forces with Tracey Emin, Erin O’Connor and Mary Portas to form a panel to launch the Studio East initiative that is tasked with identifying and supporting local emerging talent.

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Local News

Swimming - Fun, Family Time and Exercise all in one If you are looking for ways to spend more time with your family and have fun keeping active then look no further than your nearest swimming pool. Many offer a range of different sessions for you all to really enjoy the water. Check out pools like Everyone Active who run well-supervised fun sessions for all the family. Family swim sessions with rafts, games, floats, toys and balls are brilliant and with crazy inflatables, waves and flumes they offer even more excitement.

Everyone Active also have poolside workout cards so you can perform a structured water workout and improve your fitness. These involve anything from kick boards to paddles and mean that both adults and children will get a real workout in the water.

Many pools also offer fantastic water awareness courses, rookie lifeguarding and fun activities including Octopush and water polo. Why not either call or pop into your local pool to find out what is on offer and get the whole family active in the water this summer!

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July/August 2011 Families East | 5

When Sam hates Dan Bebe Jacobs has a BA in Child Psychology, an MA in Education and is a Master Practitioner of NLP. She is an accredited Parenting Practitioner from Positive Parenting. She has 25 years experience of helping families and running parenting workshops through her own business Parenting Coaching Now

“M

um, get rid of my brother ”.

When Jenny first heard 4 year old Sam say this she was shocked.

Until now he seemed to accept his baby brother often smothering him with kisses and cuddles. It was true that these had recently become more squeezes than cuddles but still he hadn’t shown sibling jealousy until that outburst.

Most parents will admit that children can have strong negative feelings about siblings causing parents to question their vision of a wonderful, supportive family life. Sibling rivalry can knock parents’ confidence and is often the cause of family disharmony and unhappiness.

Healthy sibling rivalry is common and may involve fighting, name calling and competitive behaviour. It is a way of learning to share, sort out arguments, compete, and negotiate adult life. How do you know if what is happening between siblings is building appropriate skills, or is out of hand and more like World War 3?

To judge that, ask the following questions: 1.

Is the sibling rivalry more than fair competition?

2.

Is it causing family disharmony, affecting your family’s ability to enjoy spending time together?

3.

When the kids are alone, do you worry that they may harm each other?

4.

Does their sibling rivalry involve yelling, hitting, biting, kicking, pulling on hair or clothes, punching or name calling?

5.

Do they attack or try to destroy or spoil each others possessions?

6.

Does one accuse the other of being the favourite – often?

7.

Does one behave in a way which demonstrates that he/she feels he fits into the family less than others?

Here are common causes of sibling rivalry.

• You are highlighting their different personalities causing jealousy - especially if one is naturally cleverer, or more skilled than the other • In your family, real feelings are hidden not expressed, so animosity builds up • Privacy is not respected • One sibling is forced to take care of the other too frequently • If one has a hobby and the other is forced to join in. The sibling with the talent may

be angry having to share his interest, the other jealous of his sibling’s talent or resents having to do that activity too • You interfere too quickly without allowing your children to problem solve when conflicts arise • They may not be real siblings having to learn to live together • How do you and your spouse behave?

Are they imitating you? Is one of you jealous of the other for any reason?

• They haven’t been taught the skills of negotiation?

So now try these strategies: •

Next time your siblings have a row step back, wait, take a deep breath and if you feel it’s escalating, go in and - here’s the key - without shouting tell them their behaviour is not acceptable.

When everything is calmed down, listen carefully, don’t take sides and ask them what they think they could do to sort it out

• Avoid comparisons. Write a list of what makes each child unique and special •

Give each child individual attention.

Write a chart (days of the week and then times of each day) with times you spend with your children giving them quality time (not time when cooking or on the phone or computer). Is it equal?

•

Praise them when they are playing well together and not fighting. Be specific about why you are praising them - relate it to how well they’re playing together now, or how well they’re sharing their toys

• Plan doing things together which are fun

and which they share

Bebe Jacobs www.parentingcoachingnow

Armed with strategies, you no longer have to over react when your siblings fight. Stay calm – tell yourself it’s all part of developing highly prized negotiating skills.

info@parentingcoachingnow.com Mob: 07939880856 6 | Families East July/August 2011

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Barkingside 020 8503 9272 Chingford 020 8524 7417 Dagenham 020 8599 8090 East Ham 020 8472 0465 Goodmayes 020 8598 9922

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Hornchurch

01708 471687

LoughtonÂ

020 8508 2090

South Woodford 020 8530 3773 Walthamstow

020 8223 1205

July/August 2011 Families East | 7

Sizzling Summer Xxxxxxxxx

Exciting family attractions to discover on the River Thames this summer.

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3 Syon Park breath of fresfor a h air for Parliament 5 Houses ofof democracy a dose rt for a 1 Hampton Cou slice of histor y

12 St Paul’s Cathed awe-inspiring archi

6 St James’ Park to row, row, row your boat 6

10 Thames River Festiva

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2 Kew Garden to explore the wors ld

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8 London Eye to soar like a bird

a river runs through it 8 | Families East July/August 2011

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dral for itecture

20 Thames Barrier for the world’s largest flood barrier

15 Tower engineer Bridge for an ing mar vel

19 The O2 Arena to find the Dinosaurs Unleashed Exhibition

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12 15 19

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17 Royal Naval College, Greenwich and the National Maritime Museum

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Southwark

17 18

Greenwich

13 Shakespeare’s Globe for a dramatic step back in time

16 The Design Mus wicked design woreum for kshops

d 11 Oxo Tower anany m s k’ the Southban delights

18 Royal Observatory Greenwich for London’s only Planetarium Thanks to Visit Britain for all images except for: 2 Kew Gardens - Shelduck at London Wetland Centre, photo by Nick Cottrell 9 National Gallery - © National Gallery, London

14 HMS Belfast for a 20th century naval voyage

t...

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10 Thames River Festival - Image

by Barry Lewis 3 Images of objects found in the River Thames © Museum of London. www.museumoflondon. org.uk This River Thames image is not to scale nor to be used as a map.

Lions and Tigers and Bears…

For something a bit further afield take a trip to Woburn Safari Park.

There’s the Foot Safari where you can walk through lemurs, wallabies, squirrel monkeys or enjoy the various animal-feeding times. Then there is the Road Safari, where our children were blown away by the magnificent condition of all the animals including elephants, lions, bears, giraffes, tigers and much more. In fact, when we slowly drove into the tiger enclosure we came face-to-face with a majestic looking tiger pacing just a few feet away from the car – amazing! There were also lots of laughs and shrieks of joy when the monkeys started climbing all over the cars!

We were really impressed with the variety of animals and activities available as part of the entry price – you could definitely spend the whole day here. On top of that if you did want to splash out there were some fantastic special encounters and tours available to book too.

What’s more at only just over an hour’s drive from most of east London we were surprised at how accessible it was without the children getting bored. Woburn Safari Park really does feel like the closest you can get to see this variety of animals in a natural, open environment in this country. Go discover it for yourself!

Woburn Safari Park, just off junction 13 of the M1, Bedfordshire MK17 9QN Call 01525 290991 or visit www.woburn.co.uk for more information about available activities or to get hold of special online ticket prices.

July/August 2011 Families East | 9

Out & About Xxxxxxxxx

THEATRE & CONCERTS BARBICAN

Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS 020 7638 8891 www.barbican.org.uk

SEE OUR AD ON P3

Watch me Move: The Animation Show Wed 15 Jun – Sun 11 Sep 11am–8pm (Wed until 6pm,Thur until 10pm) Special Family Viewing every Sat from 10am £12/£8 Under 12s free Animation started back in 1911.

A century later, it is one of the most popular and prevalent of visual art forms.

This show brings together over one hundred films by contemporary artists and will delight visitors of all ages.

Family Film Club Discover a world of film with your family every Saturday morning at the Barbican.

Get free membership via the website with films in July part of ‘Watch me Move’.

Barbican Weekender – Extraordinary Voices Sat 23 – Sun 24 Jul free Two days of free events from artists & performers, choirs, poets, beat boxers, storytellers and installations for all ages

GREENWICH THEATRE

Crooms Hill, SE10 8ES www.greenwichtheatre.org Terry Pratchett’s Mort The Musical [Youth Music Theatre] Wed 10 - Sat 13 Aug 7.30pm, Thu & Sat matinee 2.30pm £17.50/£15 Concessions £10 Meet Mortimer, an awkward, unemployable young man who gets an offer he can’t refuse – free room and board – but being Death’s apprentice comes with great responsibilities. A ‘dead funny’ treat for all ages...

KENNETH MOORE THEATRE

Oakfield Rd, Ilford IG1 1BT 0208 553 4466 www.kmtheatre.co.uk The Mister Men Live Party Road Show Sat 30 Jul 1pm 3pm £13/£11 family £44 The Mister Men and Little Miss are going on the road to celebrate their 40th birthday in a brand new song and dance show. Enjoy a singing summer treat for all the family Musical Theatre Summer Course Mon 1 – Sat 6 Aug 10am-2pm, Suitable 7-12yrs, £85 An intensive course for young people seriously interested in musical theatre that culminates in a show High School Musical 2 Theatre Summer Course Mon 22 Aug – Sun 4 Sept 10am-4pm, Suitable 8-16yrs, £100 A summer performance workshop with shows on Sat 3 & Sun 4 Sept

QUEEN’S THEATRE

52 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT 01708 443333 www.queens-theatre.co.uk

SEE OUR AD ON P14

Bob the Builder Wed 10 Aug 1.30pm 4.30pm, Thu 11 & Fri 12 Aug 10.30am 1.30pm 4.30pm, Sat 13 Aug 10.30am 1.30pm £11.50/£10.50 Join the world’s favourite builder for 90 minutes and fun, song, dance and plenty of fixing!

Cinderella Tue 13 Dec – Sat 14 Jan A fun-packed family panto is now taking bookings so beat the rush and book now!

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE

404 Strand, WC2R 0NH 0844 412 4663 SEE AD ON P2 The Tiger Who Came to Tea Wed 6 Jul – Sun 4 Sep, £20/£15.50/£12.50 3yrs+ For the first time ever, this much-loved tale of a tiger is brought vividly to life on stage. Featuring magic and sing-along songs, it is the ideal introduction to theatre for pre and primary school children and their families

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX 0844 875 0073 www.southbankcentre.co.uk Family Gamelan Taster Sessions Sat 9 Jul 3pm £8/£4 booking fee £1.75 6yrs+ Join in and experience the beautiful Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra at Southbank Centre. The session lasts for 2 hours. Under 13s must be accompanied by an adult Family Javanese Dance Workshop Sun 24 Jul & Sat 24 Aug 12 noon 2pm £6/£3 (booking fee £1.75) 6yrs+ Join with leading Indonesian dancer Ni Made Pujawati for a fun workshop exploring the basics of Javanese dance and movement. Each workshop lasts approx 1 hr

STRATFORD CIRCUS

Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 1BX 0844 357 2625 www.stratford-circus.com Parent/Carer and Baby Creative Dance To Fri 15 Jul 10am, £6 drop in Classes for babies from 3 months to crawling provide a movement, sensory, rhythmical experience in a playful environment supported by their parent or carer The Forest Thu 7 Jul & Fri 8 Jul 11am 2pm & Sat 9 Jul 11.30am 3pm, £6/£5 4yrs+ There is a place at the very heart of the forest where things are not quite what they seem. People become animals, birds become music, day becomes night time, leaves become light. A thrilling and enchanting performance Summer School 1 - Creative Club Carnival Summer School Mon 8 Aug-Fri 12 Aug 11am–1pm (5-7 yrs), 1pm-3pm (8-11 yrs), £50 Dance, drum and get creative at this multi arts summer school. Children will experience a fun fusion of different dances and music styles, culminating in a carnival procession through the Stratford Circus Summer School 2 - Creative Club Summer School Mon 15 Aug - Fri 19 Aug 9.30am–11am (5-7 yrs), 11am–12.45pm (8-11 yrs), £45 The BBC’s Paul Lyalls is back using high-energy drama and movement games to explore story telling, rhyming, rapping and creative writing with the children. Bring your imagination and get ready to have some serious fun!

10 | Families East July/August 2011

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

To list an event contact editor@familieseast.co.uk UNICORN THEATRE

147 Tooley St, Southwark, SE1 2HZ 020 7645 0560 www.unicorntheatre.com See website for show times as these vary each day Ballet Central & Central School of Ballet Thu 14 – Sat 16 Jul 7.30pm (Sat 16 Jul 2.30pm), £16.50/£10.50, 6yrs+ Ballet Central returns with an exciting new programme of ballet, contemporary and jazz for their 2011 tour

EVENTS THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE

Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 020 7928 3535 www.bfi.org.uk The Disney 50 £6.75/£9.50, family £20 Some of the world’s most celebrated family films of all time are showing on the big screen throughout 2011 The Fox and The Hound Sat 9 Jul 2pm & Sat 16 Jul 4pm The Rescuers Mon 11 Jul 6.20pm The Black Cauldron Sat 16 Jul 2pm & Tues 19 Jul 6.20pm The Great Mouse Detective Sat 23 Jul 1.30pm & Thu 28 Jul 6.30pm

CENTRE OF THE CELL

Blizard Building 4 Newark St, Whitechapel, E1 2AT 020 7882 2562 www.centreofthecell.org SEE OUR AD ON P14 Free admission – booking essential, content suitable for 9+ but everyone is welcome Centre of the Cell is an exciting new 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. An exciting summer programme includes extra workshops and shows: Sensational, Vicious Venoms & Poisonous Parasites and Making Science Beautiful

DAGENHAM TOWN SHOW AND CRAFT VILLAGE

Central Park, Raynham Road North, Dagenham, Essex RM10 7ES Sat 16 & Sun 17 Jul 11am–7.30pm, admission free www.lbbd.gov This is an unforgettable event with entertainment and attractions for all the family including the craft and trade village, funfair, rides, competitions and exhibitions and concert stages featuring named artists, tribute bands and up and coming acts

KIDS WEEK IN THE WEST END

www.kidsweek.co.uk Fri 12 Aug – Fri 26 Aug Children aged 5-16 can go free to any participating show when accompanied by an adult paying full price. You can also purchase up to two extra children’s tickets at half price per transaction. Kids can also take part in a fantastic range of free activities and events – dance workshop, singing workshop, there’s something for everyone to enjoy

LOLLIBOP FESTIVAL – THE BIG BASH FOR LITTLE PEOPLE

Regents Park Fri 5 - Sun 7 Aug 11am–7pm www.lollibopfestival.co.uk Lollibop is set to be the biggest ever festival for kids. The event will host the best and most exciting entertainment for under 10s so join us for tons of world class acts and activities designed especially for your little ones including Rastamouse, Zingzillas, Charlie and Lola, Horrible Histories and many more

MUSIC IN WANSTEAD PARK

Sat 9 Jul 2pm-10pm £7/£4 under 4yrs free www.aldersbrook.info A music festival that features a complete mix of pop, rock, folk and blues with fun family activities such as a climbing wall, puppets, live owls and snakes.

Refreshments and craft stalls available

WALTHAM FOREST FESTIVALS:

Young People’s Caribbean Carnival Sun 10 Jul 11.30-7pm (free) Leyton Cricket Ground, E10 6YP Arts in the Park Sun 17 Jul 2pm-8pm (free) Langthorne Park, E11 4YG Waltham Forest Mela Sun 24 Jul 1pm-7pm (free) Chestnuts Field Town Hall Complex, E17 4JF Chingford Day Dance Festival Sun 31 Jul 1pm-7pm Ridgeway Park, E4 6RS For more information contact Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX 0844 875 0073 www.southbankcentre.co.uk Urban Beach and Beach Huts Queens Walk Until Sun 4 Sept Enjoy a piece of British seaside in central London with a display of customised beach huts opposite the Royal Festival Hall, stretching alongside the river Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden Until Sun 4 Sept, with three new gardens Family Javanese Dance Workshop Sun 24 Jul–Sat 13 Aug, Suitable for adults and children over 6 yrs Le Cirque Invisible Queen Elizabeth Hall Tue 2 Aug–Sun 21 Aug £27/£15 Enter Le Cirque Invisible’s enchanting theatre of imagination, beauty with an infectious sense of fun

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 Storytelling for Families 10.30am & 1.30pm 3yrs+ Every 3rd Sun join the storytellers for a monthly drop-in sessions in the gallery, inspired by the collection

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Xxxxxxxxxxx Out & About Family Art Workshop 11.30am & 2.30pm 5yrs+ Every 3rd Sat explore portraits, followed by an art activity. Free but ticket required and available 1 hr before the event

SOMERSET HOUSE

Strand, WC2 1LA 020 7845 4600 www.somerset.org.uk Saturday Free Family Workshops Tickets available from 1pm on the day in the Seamen’s Hall Info Desk - allocated on a first come, first served basis The Prints Sat 9 Jul 2pm 6-12 yrs Explore our major Italian fashion photography exhibition and design an ad campaign using printed patterns with an Italian flavour Style it Out! Sat 16 Jul 2pm 6-12 yrs Be inspired our major Italian fashion photography exhibition in then create your own fashion drawings with a classic Italian style Under 5s Mini Make Believe Workshops 11.30am-12.30pm, aged 5 & under Come on an exciting adventure with drama games, craft activities and storytelling that will take you from the deepest jungles to the furthest reaches of space Cultural Olympiad Open Weekend The Recycling Plant Sat 23 & Sun 24 Jul Take the challenge to fill our space with your unique 3D designs created with materials most people would throw away and revitalise trash into treasure!

Real to Reel Sat 30 Jul Discover how to transform your drawings into moving images through different simple forms of animation Holiday Drops-In 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm, Suitable for children of all ages but must be accompanied by an adult If the workshop is full, families are welcome to wait until spaces become available, activities last about 30mins

TATE BRITAIN

Millbank, SW1P 4RG 020 7887 8888 www.tate.org.uk/britain Open: daily 10am-5.50pm until 10pm the first Fri of the month Tate Together Sat 23 Jul 10am–3pm 5-12 yrs free Visit Tate Britain for a free day of events, activities and art Art Trolley, Rotunda Every Weekend Free for all ages Kids are encouraged to imagine and create by making colourful collage, styling a sculpture or perhaps make a sketchbook and fill it with great ideas

TATE MODERN

Bankside, SE1 9TG 020 7887 8888 www.tate.org.uk/modern Open Sun-Thu 10am-6pm Fri & Sat 10am-10pm Under 5s Zone Level 5 Concourse free A new play space for under 5’s and their families invites children on a creative, physical and sensory exploration of themes inspired by Cubist artworks Children Multimedia Guide Daily from the Info Desks on Levels 3, £4.50, 5yrs+

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Keep youngsters captivated and animate artworks through music, video clips and entertaining games Weekend Sessions Every weekend 11-4pm Level 3 Concourse, free, 5yrs+ Stimulate your weekend with games, map-making or clue-matching Tate Modern Family Resources Daily from Info Desks on Levels 1 & 2, free Pick up families resources and set off to explore the Galleries to enjoy and learn about art

THE NATIONAL GALLERY

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN 020 7747 2885 www.nationalgallery.org.uk Open: daily 10am–6pm, Fri 10am–9pm, free Family Walk and Talk Sun 3 Jul 12.30pm Join the journey though the collection where we walk, talk and bring paintings alive Carpet Storytelling 10.30am & 11.30am every Sun, 2-5yrs Fly away on the magic carpet, which comes to land in front of a different painting each Sunday Family Sundays 11am & 2pm alternate Sundays, 5-11 yrs Hands-on workshops that start in the Gallery and are followed by a studio session Take One Picture Until 25 September, free Display of work by primary schools inspired by the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio’s Tobias and the Angel

WHITECHAPEL GALLERY

77-82 Whitechapel High St, E1 7QX 020 7522 7888 www.whitechapelgallery.org Meet the Experts Sat 9 Jul 12 noon-4pm free Bring your family to delve into the fascinating history of ceramics, both historical and contemporary. Meet archaeologists, collectors, artists and other experts

MUSEUMS BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

Entrance in Bartholomew St, off Threadneedle St, EC2R 8AH 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum Open: Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm, free

SEE OUR AD ON P13

The Museum tells the story of the Bank, from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank. Among the exhibits are Roman and modern gold bars (visitors are invited to lift a genuine gold bar), the country’s oldest paper money, pikes and muskets once used to defend the Bank and many other objects. Interactive displays give visitors the opportunity to explore the intricate, changing designs and evolving security features contained within banknotes.

Digging Deep - part of the Festival of British Archaeology Mon 18 Jul – Fri 29 Jul 10am–5pm The Bank of England sits on a site that has been inhabited for nearly 2,000 years.

A chance to discover the layers of history hidden under the Bank’s buildings, with a new display and family trail Come Write With Us Fri 15 Jul – Fri 2 Sep 10am–4.30pm Turn your visit into a story to remember.

Use ideas from the Museum displays and your creative talents to record your visit in words and pictures in a book to take home. Materials will be provided.

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Out & About BRITISH MUSEUM

Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG 020 7323 8000/8299 www.britishmuseum.org Open: daily 10am-5.30pm, free Indian Summer Family Activities Tue 26 Jul - Sun 28 Aug 11.30am & 2pm Enjoy family activities inspired by Garden and Cosmos and the Indian landscape. Different activities each day of the week, including storytelling and creative art sessions

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 Out of the Box Sat 16 Jul & Sun 17 Jul, Sat 27 Aug & Sun 28 Aug, drop in 11am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm An engaging drop-in session where all visitors can examine replica objects that have become unique symbols of Churchill such as his hats, coats and cigars Undercover – Life in Churchill’s Bunker Extended until 2013 Visitors can hear the first-hand accounts of those who worked in the Cabinet War Rooms during the war and learn what life and conditions were like underground walking through the corridors where Churchill made history Roosevelt & Churchill Aug 2011 and beyond Rarely seen items relating to the friendship of President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill will be on show to mark the 70th anniversary of the Atlantic Charter, the establishment of the ’special relationship’

DESIGN MUSEUM

Shad Thames, SE1 2YD 020 7940 8787, www.designmuseum.org Get Creative! Workshops: Champion Chairs Sun 24 Jul 2-4.30pm £11/£4.50, 5-11yrs booking essential Explore the range of innovative chairs and then create your own miniature chair. Use your exciting ideas and unusual materials to transform your chair from an everyday piece of furniture into a champion chair

GEFFRYE MUSEUM

136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, E2 8EA 020 7739 9893 www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Open: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm5pm free . SEE OUR AD ON P13 At Home in Japan: Beyond the Minimal House Until Sun 29 Aug In the west the Japanese house has reached iconic status in its architecture, decoration and style but is this neat, carefully constructed version of Japanese life in fact a myth?

Saturday Specials 10.30am & 2pm, 5-11 yrs free spaces allocated on a first come basis 30 mins before Inside Outside Homes Sat 2 Jul Be inspired by our special exhibition and create an inside/outside Japanese folding home

London 2012 Open Weekend Event: Supreme Summer Sun 24 Jul 12 noon–5pm, free Come and join the summertime fun and be taken back to the 1960s! Make seaside photo frames, learn and develop photography skills, and everyone can dance to 1960s music, play garden games and listen to stories. Refreshments and lunch are available in the restaurant or bring a picnic to eat on the grass Summer Holiday Activities: Inside/ Outside Tue 26 Jul – Fri 12 Aug 10.30am 2pm Three weeks of exciting activities for children exploring English and Japanese home and garden spaces Animal Madness Sun 14 Aug 12 noon-5pm, free Learn about animals from around the World with AnimalEDUtainment, see a Japanese tea ceremony demonstration, make a rabbit pop-up card, play garden games, listen to music and hear amazing stories

HORNIMAN MUSEUM

100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ 020 8699 1872 www.horniman.ac.uk Open: daily 10.30am-5.30pm, free Busy Bees Wed 20 & Fri 22 Jul 10.30am, 11.15am & 12 noon, under 5yrs Fun sessions to discover the museum through creative play, enchanting stories from around the world, museum objects and simple craft activities, changing every week Holiday Workshops Wed 3, 10 & 24 Aug 10.30am-4.30pm £35 per child 8yrs+ Puppet-making: Work with professional artist Judith Hope to craft your own puppet, inspired by our magical collection of puppets from across the world. Create your character, build it, paint it and animate it Nature Detective: Learn new nature explorer skills in our gardens, aquarium, nature trail and wildlife garden Take a trip to Bali: Screen-print a bag, become a shadow puppeteer, try on masks and play the Gamelan with activities inspired by the incredible culture of the Indonesian island of Bali Discovery for All Every Tue 26 Jul – 30 Aug 2-3.30pm, free drop in 3 yrs+ How sharp are shark’s teeth? How do you wear a sari? Have you ever played a West African thumb piano, balanced a gourd on your head or stroked a badger? Explore thousands of real objects from around the world in these special sessions

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ 020 7416 5320/5321 www.iwm.org.uk Open: daily 10am-6pm, free Once Upon a Wartime: Classic War Stories for Children Until Sun 30 Oct, £5.95/£3.95 family £12.50 The exhibition brings five stories of war dramatically to life through objects, photographs and films Children’s Literature Festival Sat 13–Thu 21 Aug This festival takes a fresh look at the art of storytelling through a host of drama and illustration workshops with readings led by well-known children’s authors

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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 for “Mini Moles” (6 months – walking) and Little Moles (walkers – 5 yrs) Gladiator Games Sat 30 & Sun 31 Jul 12-1pm & 3-4pm Step back in time to witness an epic clash of the titans in Guildhall Yard, the site of London’s only Roman amphitheatre as fearsome gladiators dramatically reconstruct games once held in ancient Londinium

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 for “Mini Mudlarks” (6 months – walking) and Little Mudlarks (walkers – 5 yrs) Pirates: The Captain Kidd Story Until Sun 30 Oct £7/£5 Focusing on the legendary privateer turned pirate, Captain Kidd, the exhibition reveals the surprising truth of how London’s corrupt political activities were entrenched in piracy. It looks at gruesome ritual executions and the greed and manipulation of the infamous East India Company London forever Sat 2 Jul, Sat 24 Sep & Sat 26 Nov, 12.30-1.30pm & 2.30-3.30pm, 5yrs+ Help create an animation that reflects London as a melting pot of cultures and traditions Billy Jenkins: a pirate’s life for me Sun 3 Jul– Sun 30 Oct, 12.30-1pm, 2.30-3pm & 3.30-4pm, 7yrs+ Meet our pirate and learn the truth about life in the old port of London and on the high seas Illustration Masterclass Sat 9 & Sun 10 Jul, 12.30-1.30pm & 2.30-3.30pm, 5yrs+ Join us to meet some expert illustrators from Anorak magazine. Learn some new techniques and create a giant map

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 Sammy Ofer Wing Opens Thu 14 July 2011 The new Wing, a £35m capital project, includes a special exhibitions gallery, a permanent gallery, a state-of-the-art library. The building gives the Museum a new main entrance from Greenwich Park and an opportunity to focus on the stories of adventure, discovery, tragedy, courage and disaster Play Tuesdays Tues 5, 12 & 19 Jul 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm, & 2pm free under 5 yrs Young children can have fun with their families as they explore the Museum through making music, dance and drama Play Tuesdays: Big Blue Sea Tues 26 Jul, 2, 9, 16 & 30 Aug, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm & 2pm under 5yrs Celebrate the opening of the Museum’s new wing by exploring what the sea

means to you. Discover the sea has played a central part in people’s lives throughout history and today, and add your connections to the sea Discover Sundays Sun 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Jul 7, 14, 21, 28 Aug 11.30am & 2pm, all ages free Be inspired by our maritime past and explore your personal connections to the sea

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 Highlights include: Family Earth Lab, A Sting in the Tale, Wonderful Wire, Underneath the Beach Towel, Crawly Crime Fighters, The Big Seaweed Search Age of the Dinosaur Until 4 Sept Dinosaurs make a dramatic return in this summer blockbuster exhibition.

Combining stunning imagery with amazing specimens and interactives, this will take visitors on a journey through millions of years to life on Earth with the gargantuan reptiles Sensational Butterflies Until 25 Sept Experience the sensory world of butterflies, explore the five different sensory zones of sight, smell, taste hearing and touch and come face to face with live butterflies and learn about the surprising life they lead 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) Launchpad Science Shows Daily free 8 yrs + Launch a rocket, turn your head into a sound box, control a magnetic cloud and play with 50 more brand new interactive exhibits demonstrating light, sound, electricity and magnetism and more amazing physics phenomena Born to be Wild 3D Opens Sat 2 Jul Born to be Wild 3D is an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals, narrated by Academy-Award® winner Morgan Freeman. This film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them - saving endangered species one life at a time Spend your Summer in Space!

Sat 23 Jul – Wed 31 Aug free Make this your destination of choice and get a passport to journey through the Museum. Marvel at the original Apollo 10 Command Module, see the

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Out & About laws of gravity in motion, explore the wonders of Hubble 3D on our huge IMAX 3D Cinema screen and be part of the Apollo moon landings!

SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM

13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP 020 7405 2107 www.soane.org Open: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, free Holiday Activities for Children Whole or half day workshops 10.30am2pm £18/£10 7yrs+ Booking essential - 020 7440 4263 or email: administrator@soane.org.uk Time for Tea! Wed 4 Aug (2 x half days) Have fun finding and sketching unusual patterns in the museum, then paint your own colourful cup and saucer, inspired by what you’ve found Heads Galore!

Thu 5 Aug (whole day) Explore the Ancient Egyptian secrets of mummification and look at the magnificent sarcophagus of Seti I. Then make your own canopic jar fit for a Pharaoh Wed 10 Aug (2 x half days) Hunt for weird and wonderful heads made of stone, clay or plaster, then make your own special head from clay Mono-Printing Fri 12 Aug (whole day) Learn the magic of mono-printing for making cards based on the Museum’s amazing and inspiring collection Glorious Glass Wed 17 Aug (2 x half days) Make your own version of stained glass using acetate, tracing paper, black paper and pens and coloured inks Cast Away!

Thu 18 Aug Create your own clay relief sculpture, then make a plaster cast from it to take home Make Me a Mini Model Mummy Wed 24 Aug (2 x half days) Investigate the sarcophagus of Seti I and discover why some ancient Egyptians were mummified after they died. Make a miniature model mummy to take home Preposterous Pets Thu 25 Aug (2 x half days) Hear the story of the Soanes’ family pet and get inspired by animals in the Museum Ancient Egyptian Amulets Fri 26 Aug (2 x half days) Discover the secrets of ancient Egyptian amulets and the powers the Egyptians believed they had. Make your own amulet and learn to write a magic spell in hieroglyphs

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD

Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA 020 8983 5200 www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Open: daily 10am-5.45pm, free SEE OUR AD ON P4 From the Tiger Who Came to Tea to Mog and Pink Rabbit Sat 28 May – Sun 4 Sept A retrospective of children’s author and illustrator Judith Kerr, featuring original illustrations from The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Mog and Pink Rabbit New Voices Festival Sat 16 Jul 12 noon–6pm, free drop in all ages. Celebrate the rich diversity of London’s new communities with a day of world music and dance, theatre, kids’ workshops and tasty food, taking place at the Museum

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Mog with Judith Kerr Fri 29 Jul 2pm Book from 18 Jul all ages Join much-loved author and illustrator Judith Kerr as she talks about her popular series of Mog books and reads from The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Judith will also be signing books from 3.15pm Tiger Tea Party Fri 12 Aug 12 noon (drop in all ages) A rip-roaring afternoon based on The Tiger Who Came to Tea, including lipsmacking tea tasting, tiger face painting and tiger-themed arts & crafts Feline Festival Fri 19 Aug 12 noon (drop in all ages) An afternoon of feline fun, music and games! Dress up as a cheetah, tiger, lion or leopard - or even your own pet moggy - then swing your tail down our ‘Cat Walk’ for the chance to win a prize Sketch, Scribble, Squiggle Fri 26 Aug 12 noon (drop in all ages) Be inspired by Rebecca Fortnum’s pencil portraits of children, and then dabble in an afternoon of sketching and drawing 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 A drop-in art workshop held in the galleries on the first Sunday of each month from 1.30-4.30pm Painting Sumptuous Patterns: Silk Painting for Children Wed 3 Aug 10.30am & 2pm, 7yrs+ Treasure Hunt: Free Drop-in Workshop Thu 4 Aug 10.30am & 2pm, 7yrs+ Daily: Family Multimedia Tour with interactive games (small fee) Free Armour Handling Find out what a brigandine is and how heavy a bulletproof breastplate really was Family Trails Themed family trails available from the information desk at the front entrance

PLACES OF INTEREST DISCOVER

383-387 High Street, Stratford, E15 4QZ 020 8536 5555 www.discover.org.uk Open: daily Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm, £4.50, family £16 SEE OUR AD ON P11 Welcome to Monsterville Until Mar 2012 Play, smell and taste the mankiest exhibition ever this summer!

Pip and Posey Fri 8,15,22,29 Jul 11.30am Come and join us for songs and stories for toddlers by The Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler Sit back and have fun enjoying these stories: Big Scary Monster by Thomas Docherty Sat 9 & Sun 10 July 11.30am & 2.30pm The Troll by Julia Donaldson and David Roberts Sat 16 & Sun 17 July 11.30am & 2.30pm Bedtime for Monsters By Ed Vere Sat 23 July 2.30pm

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Out & About The Beasties by Jenny Nimmo Sun 24 July 11.30am & 2.30pm FREE EVENT in STRATFORD TOWN CENTRE Sun 24 July: All Day SHEDspace – places to explore, amuse, thrill, share and discover this July.

Come and find Discover’s SHED – find the words and letters all over Stratford and put a story back together again!

Morris the Mankiest Monster by Giles Andreae & Sarah McIntyre Mondays: 25 Jul, 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Aug and 5 Sep 11.30am & 2.30pm Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak Tuesdays: 26 Jul, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Aug & 6 Sep 11.30am & 2.30pm The Gruffalo Shadow Puppet Show Wednesdays: 27 Jul, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Aug & 7 Sep 11.30am & 2.30pm The Troll by Julia Donaldson & David Roberts Thursdays: 28 Jul, 4, 11, 18, 25 Aug & 2 Sep 11.30am & 2.30pm Emily Brown and the Thing by Cressida Cowell & Neal Layton Fridays: 29 July, 5, 12, 19, 26 Aug & 2 Sep Summer Holiday Weekends The Grunt and the Grouch with Tracey Corderoy (meet the author) Sat 30 Jul 2.30pm Big Scary Monster by Thomas Docherty Sun 31 and Sat 27 Aug 11.30am & 2.30pm Can you see Sassoon with Sam Usher (meet the author) Sat 6 Aug 2.30pm The Grunt and the Grouch by Tracey Corderoy & Lee Wildish Sun 28 Aug 11.30am & 2.30pm The Beasties by Jenny Nimmo Sun 7 & 21 August & Sun 4 Sep 11.30am & 2.30pm The Secret Seed Society Sat 13 & Sun 14 Aug 11.30am & 2.30pm Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere Sat 20 Aug & Sat 3 Sep 11.30am & 2.30pm

EPPING FOREST

Visitor Centre, High Beech, IG10 4AE 0208 508 0028 SEE OUR AD ON P3 Pond Dipping Drop-in Tue 26 Jul 1pm-4pm free Epping Forest Field Centre Safaris – Holiday Activities for Children Wed 27 & Thu 28 Jul, Wed 3 & Thu 4, Wed 10 Tue 16 Wed 24 Aug 10am 2pm Epping Forest Field Centre booking essential Forest Explorers & Mini Beast Drop In Fri 5 Tue 23 Aug 1pm Epping Forest Field Centre Meet Dick Turpin!

Thu 28 Jul 1pm Visitor Centre, High Beach free drop in A costumed highwayman will tell gripping tales of dangerous times!

Supported by images and documents from the Epping Forest collection High Beach Family Walk Tue 9 Aug 1pm Epping Forest Field Centre booking essential

Fantastic Mr Fox The Temple, Wanstead Wed 10 Aug 3pm £10.95/16 & under £5.95/3 & under £1.95, Family ticket (2+2) £29.95 Guided Bike Ride: Family Bike Ride in Epping Forest Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge Car Park Sun 14 Aug 10.45am, Suitable for competent cyclists of all ages Join Forest Keeper, Ian Greer, for a family ride around Epping Forest.

Please bring refreshments and puncture repair kit Map & Compass Drop-in Wed 17 Aug 1pm Epping Forest Field Centre Meet the Victorian Keeper & Poacher Thu 25 Aug 1pm, 2pm, 3pm at The Temple, Wanstead (free drop in) Learn about the poachers and miscreants the keeper had to deal with Tudor Spices and Exploration Sat 27 & sun 28 Aug 1pm Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge (free drop in) Rich Tudors used spices that came to England from newly discovered lands. Learn about spices; do a fun quiz and make a globe Witch Hunt Sat 6 Aug – Sun 11 Sep Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge Find out about the strange phenomenon of Tudor and Stuart witchhunts. What did people really believe and why did witch-hunts happen

HMS BELFAST

Morgan’s Lane, Tooley St, SE1 2JH 020 7403 6246 www.iwm.org.uk Open: 10am-6pm, £12.95, 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 was like as the Operations Room is updated with exciting interactive facilities Gun Turret Experience From 31 Jul Immerse yourself and have a chance to see what fighting at sea would have really been like. Lights, audio, videos and projections will recreate the experience, highlighting the hectic and cramped conditions that would have seen twenty-six men in this confined space at any one time Painted Skin Mon 8- Sun 21 Aug 11am & 2pm Get creative designing your own tattoo onboard HMS Belfast and learn the traditions behind original naval tattoos

LEE VALLEY REGIONAL PARK

08456 770600 www.leevalleypark.org.uk SEE OUR AD ON P11 See website for full list of activities, here are some highlights: King George Sailing Club Open Days Sat 6 Aug from 10am suitable for everyone free Come and try some of the exciting water sports on offer at this special open day. For more information visit www.kgsc.org.uk or www.leevalleypark.org Family Cycle Ride Wed 10 Aug 10.30am free booking essential

14 | Families East July/August 2011

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Out & About Meet in Old Mill & Meadows Car Park, River Lee Country Park, off Station Road, Broxbourne EN10 6LX Join us for a 15-mile leisurely circular cycle ride taking in the views. This route is mainly flat with one hill. Bring your own picnic. For all cycling abilities The End of the Pier Show – Outdoor Theatre WaterWorks Nature Reserve and Golf Centre. Sat 16 Jul 3pm £7.50/£5

RICH MIX

35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA 020 7403 6246 Box Office 020 7613 7498 www.richmix.org.uk SEE OUR AD ON P11 Kids’ Film Fun Workshops Sun 10 Jul & Sun 14 Aug 1.30pm– 3pm £4 per child £5.50 including Kids’ Cine Time screening Extend the fun after a visit to Kids’ Cine Time by joining our hugely popular film-making workshops where children have the opportunity to make their own short animated films.

Wiggly Jigglers! Creative Movement for Babies and Toddlers Mon 11 & 25 Jul 1pm–3pm £3 per child (* families registered with Little Oaks Children’s Centre attend FREE) At these creative movement sessions children get the space and freedom to move in ways that support their development and stimulate their imagination StoryCraft Workshops with Apples & Snakes Mon 18 Jul 1.30pm–2.30pm £2 per child, 2-5 yrs Using puppets and percussion instruments, stories are animated and involve actions, singing and discussion. All sessions feature a hands-on craft activity Young & Talented present On the Beat Route Sat 16 Jul 2.30pm, 7.30pm Venue 1, £7/£5 student/concs It’s time to feel the rhythm and hear the beat on this wonderful new adventure from Young & Talented.

Tim and Light Sat 30 Jul 11am & 2pm £5 per person (* Tower Hamlets residents (you need ID) pay £4) This riveting story examines exclusion, hope, friendship and charts Tim’s epic journey from boy to young man

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Rich Mix and Broadgate Estates Outdoor Summer Screenings Tue 26-Thu 28 July Broadgate Circle, Liverpool Street, free A series of FREE outdoor screenings for the whole family to enjoy - Alice in Wonderland (PG), Shrek Forever After (U) and Toy Story 3 (U). Dress up as your favourite character from any of the films with prizes awarded for the best dressed! Bring your picnic rug, food and drink (no glass)

REDBRIDGE CYCLING CENTRE

Forest Rd, Ilford, Essex IG6 3HP 020 8500 9359 www.vision-rcl.org.uk/redbridge_ cycle_centre.html See website for scheduled events from 25 July – 26 Aug. The centre is the most exciting leisure facility for cyclists in London with purpose built road & off road tracks to give a great cycling experience for the whole family

VALENTINES MANSION

Emerson Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4XA 020 8708 8100 www.valentinesmansion.com Open: Tues & Wed 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm A Local Dialogue - Exhibition Until 24 Jul During 2011 Artist in Residence Sadia Ur-Rehman has conducted a series of themed tea parties collecting memories and stories of the local area and Valentines Park from participants. This multi-media exhibition explores the various experiences collated and acts as a record of the project Under 5s – Explore Make and Do Tue 19 Jul 11am, 1-5 yrs, free drop in This month’s drop-in is all about plants! Explore the gardens with our treasure trail, decorate a pot, get messy with compost and plant some seeds. Take them home and watch them grow!

Move It! Wed 27 Jul 11.30am-3pm, free drop in Get a chance to make your own Olympics-themed objects

Valentines Garden Landscape Drawing Wed 3 Aug 10.30am 1.30pm, £3 Families with children aged 5yrs+ Pre-booking essential Learn the secrets of drawing nature in the beautiful flower gardens.

Learn how to capture light, shade and contrast that creates exciting and realistic landscape drawings Family Sunday - Beautiful Recycled Jewellery Sun 7 Aug 11am-4pm, free drop in Bring along used wrapping paper or old magazines or catalogues and transform them into beautiful necklaces, earrings or bracelets!

Family Gardening at Valentines Mansion Wed 10 Aug 10am 11am 1.30pm, 2 yrs+ free pre-booking essential Come and help us in the kitchen garden! Come rain or shine everyone can help from weeding to picking vegetables Festival of Britain Day Sun 14 Aug 12 noon-3pm, free drop in Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain with this special family event Explore, Make and Do Tue 16 Aug 11am, free drop in, under 5yrs Explore fabrics, colours and textures and make yourself a peg doll to play with, just like a Victorian child The Secrets of Drawing Portraits Wed 24 Aug 10.30am & 1.30pm £3 families with children aged 5yrs+, prebooking essential Learn to develop your observational and drawing skills in order to create more realistic portraits covering tone, proportions, light, shade and texture Future Family Fun! Tue 30 Aug 11am, free drop in Shape the future of family fun at Valentines Mansion!

Come and test new activities and tell us your ideas about how we can help families enjoy the mansion in the coming years

MARKETS COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET Columbia Road, E2 http://columbiaroad.info Open: Sundays 8am-3pm Nearest Underground Station: Old Street, Bethnal Green Flower Market selling plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and accessories for the garden

OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET 105a Commercial Street, Spitalfields, E1 6BG www.visitspitalfields.com Open: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sun 9am-5pm Nearest Underground Station: Liverpool Street, Aldgate East Fashion, clothes, antiques, art, records, books

LEADENHALL MARKET

Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LR 020 7621 0709 www.leadenhallmarket.co.uk Open: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm Nearest Underground Station: Bank, Monument. Fine food and clothing

BROADWAY MARKET

E8 4PH www.broadwaymarket.co.uk Open: Saturdays 9am-5pm Nearest Underground Station: Hackney Central. Diverse range of shops and restaurants

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Events

The Creative Fair for Local People Sat 6 August, 11am-5pm Come and experience the relaxing atmosphere at this arty, fun event where you can keep the kids amused too. There will be hands-on projects and mini workshops in the children’s marquee along with face-painting, spray tattoos, bouncy castle and a range of entertainment.

Discover wonderful gifts for

every occasion or treat yourself to a treatment in the new relaxation

room offering reiki, reflexology, manicures, pedicures, tarot reading and more. Or sit down and enjoy homemade cakes and jams in the tea area, with hot food and further stalls in the garden.

The Creative Fair Theydon Bois Village Hall, CM16 7ER, adults £2/children £1 www.thecreativefair.com

Lee Valley 10k and Family Fun Run - Sunday 10 July It’s back – and it’s bigger and better than ever!

The hugely popular Lee Valley 10k and Family Fun Run is back on Sunday 10 July and open for entry. Now in its 5th year the event at the 1,000-acre River Lee Country Park provides scenic, winding footpaths alongside streams, lakes and canals

making for an attractive, flat and traffic-free route. Start and finish locations are ideally located in the Showground site at the south of the Country Park, just 5 minutes from the M25 (J26) between Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross, with plenty of free car parking on site.

The chip timed 10k, starting at 10am, is for competitive and club runners whereas the 3k Fun Run, starting at 11am, is ideal for the whole family and a great way to get active

whilst enjoying the great outdoors.

On their return, 10k runners will receive an event T-shirt with medals for children completing the fun run.

Free massages are also available for tired legs with a steel band to add to the atmosphere.

Booking is strongly recommended, £10 for the 10k and £5 for the Fun Run and to enter visit the event page on www.leevalleypark.org or call 08456 770 600 for an entry form.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea - Live on Stage!

Based on the children’s classic picture book written and illustrated by Judith Kerr. The Tiger Who Came To Tea has been adapted for the stage with songs and lyrics by David Wood. David Wood OBE is undisputedly the country’s leading writer and director of plays and musicals for children. His many successes include Shaun the Sheep, Fantastic Mr Fox, BFG, The Witches and Spot.

Following on from the highly successful 2009 tour, the tea-guzzling tiger makes his west end debut in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos!

For children aged 3 and above.

Running time: Approx.

55 minutes Wed 6 Jul - Sun 4 Sep Vaudeville Theatre 404 Strand, London, WC2R 0NH

“a modern classic” The Independent

FREE FISHING IN THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS AT PUDDLEDOCK FARM These special free sessions will again be taking place at Puddledock Farm Fishery. The dates are Tue 26 July, Thu 28 July, Tue 2 August, Thu 4 August, Tue 9 August and Thu 11 August. First session starts at 9.30am with the

last one at 4pm on each day. Each session is half hour long and is on a first come, first served basis.

Puddledock Farm Fishery, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, Essex RM14 3NX www.puddledockfarmfishery.co.uk

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Please email feedback@ familieseast.co.uk To advertise in with your views

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16 | Families East July/August 2011

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