Families SE London JanFeb 2019 issue 195

Families january / february 19.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2018 4:06 pm Page 1

FR EE

TAKE M E

South East

HAPPY NEW YEAR Bring on 2019

WHAT’S ON Where to go, what to see, what to do this winter

Issue 195 January February 2019

familiesonline.co.uk

HOME

Families january / february 19.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2018 4:06 pm Page 2

While we’re still picking out the occasional fir needles from the carpet and the cats’ fur (the mark of a festive season well spent), a squeaky new year has arrived.

Family life? Great days out? Half term fun to look forward to at the end of February? Sorted. Read on - 2019 starts here... Greetings, everyone!

Robina Cowan, editor

LocalNews email your news to editor@familiesse.co.uk

Calling all sailors!

IN THIS ISSUE 2-3

Local News and Views Trusted childcare, day trips to Greenwich and Peckham, storytelling and birdwatching for all

4-5

2019 Starts Here Fitness for the whole family, and easier term time routines

6

Education News Hands-off homework advice, and the benefits of mobile-free schools

7

Clubs and Classes Southeast London drama classes, and encouraging girls to enjoy sports

8-9

What’s New Plastic-free shopping and living, safer home commutes, and new products to enjoy

10

The Book Page Read your way into 2019 with a lovely new book or two, chosen by the bookseller Justine Crow

11-15

What’s On Our pick of the best events, shows and workshops to see you up to and into half term

Front cover: Boy wears unisex Blizzard Winter Jacket, ages 2-12, £85, and Knitted Bobble Hat £16, both from Muddy Puddles, 01299 407150, www.muddypuddles.com March-April issue out 1 March, deadline 8 February

Take the family to Cutty Sark in Greenwich for an action-packed day out on the fastest ship of its time.

Meet characters from the ship’s past such as Captain Woodget and the ship’s cook and listen to their epic stories about life on board. Try and outwit the crew in a Sailors’ Challenge game, get your sea legs by taking the helm at the ship’s wheel, follow a family trail or take part in regular workshops.

READER OFFER: Book now to save 10%: www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark

Granny as Nanny - childcare you can really trust The biggest challenge for most working parents is finding childcare we can really trust.

Eight years ago after the birth of her daughter, ex-journalist Sarah Gooding found herself in the same position: “What mattered most was that she was brilliantly looked after, and felt loved and nurtured. In an ideal world, I’d have liked my mum to be the one to help, but I live in southeast London and she lives 200 miles away, so that wasn’t an option.”

Sarah would have jumped at the chance of employing someone nearer to home with her mother’s years of experience and wisdom - an idea was born and she set up Granny as Nanny, a childcare agency which offers parents a stable, secure and loving environment for their little ones, and children all the warmth, skills and patience they need - through reliable, trustworthy, experienced, referenced and vetted childcare. Live-in, live-out, after school, temporary or emergency, Granny as Nanny can help.

For empty nesters, perhaps you’ve raised your own family and are looking forward to embarking on a new chapter in your life? Either way, to find out more, call Sarah for a friendly chat on 020 7356 4789 or read far more online. www.grannyasnanny.co.uk

Families South East PO Box 11591, London SE26 6WB 020 8699 7240, editor@familiesse.co.uk

www.familiesse.co.uk for back issues and our media pack

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

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Not so ‘free’ childcare Peckham Levels is open to all In December, Peckham Levels celebrated its first birthday. The former unused multi-storey carpark is now a cultural hub offering local creatives, businesses and communities a place to work, grow and come together.

The lower levels of the building, made up of affordable studio spaces and public creative facilities, are occupied by some of London’s most exciting artists and entrepreneurs; among them award-winning online magazine gal-dem, all-female radio station Foundation FM, jewellery designer Ella Bull and photography darkroom Bright Rooms.

At the heart of the Levels, though, is floors 5 & 6. Both are open daily for visitors of all ages to eat, play, learn and explore. With a yoga studio, a children’s play area, a live music space and lots of amazing street food to try, it’s a great space to explore with the family. www.peckhamlevels.org

Reading volunteers wanted Reading charity Beanstalk is seeking more volunteers to support children who struggle with reading in primary schools and early years settings.

London father Pete Murphy has been a Beanstalk reading helper for almost four years: “During my years as a Beanstalk volunteer the experience has been extremely rewarding, witnessing children learn and grow, developing confidence and improving their reading skills not only through reading itself but also by chatting and listening. It all contributes highly in building rapport and boosting self-confidence.”

Beanstalk trains volunteers who deliver vital one-to-one support across England to children aged 3-13 who lack essential language and reading skills. To join them, call Beanstalk on 0845 450 0301, or read more online. www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk

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Up to 30 hours a week government-funded childcare is available to eligible parents who sign up to an approved preschool provider, including schools with nurseries, private day nurseries, childminders, playgroups and pre-schools.

All good news, except the allowance doesn’t always cover costs, particularly here in London where decent childcarer pay, rent and rates are not always covered by the payments brought in by parents.

As a result, some local nurseries have had to shut down or charge for extras. Research for the Department of Education confirms that 56% of parents are charged for additional items or activities including meals and snacks, and special activities such as music, gym lessons or outings. Furthermore, almost half of parents said that they had seen restrictions placed on when they could use the hours or that they had to be taken at times specified by the provider.

Parents can save money with a Tax-free Childcare account. Pay in £8 and the government will top it up with an extra £2, raising the amount available to spend on childcare to £10. Across the year, this could cut your childcare bill from £6,000 to £4,800. The credit can be used for all kinds of regulated childcare from nannies, nurseries and childminders, to breakfast, after-school and holiday clubs. Check online to see if you are eligible. www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Spin a tale during National Storytelling Week The first week of February marks National Storytelling Week, a chance to reflect on one of the oldest art forms in the world. We are all immersed in stories - from conversations during which we retell events in our lives, to watching our favourite television shows.

Speech and language therapists believe that storytelling is vital for children’s academic success as it promotes narrative skills and strengthens the ability of children to correctly sequence ideas. To be a good reader and writer a child needs firstly to be a good speaker and listener.

Above all though, storytelling is fun. Whether we are listening to someone else’s story or telling our own, inventing and adapting narratives can open doors to exciting new worlds - both real and imaginary.

National Storytelling Week takes place in storytelling clubs, theatres, museums, schools, hospitals, spoken word venues, and care homes.

To find a local event or to look through its extensive archive, visit the organisers’ website. www.sfs.org.uk

The Big Garden Birdwatch The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place this year from 26 to 28 January and is the largest wildlife survey in the world. The information collected helps monitor bird species in the UK, and is great fun for children.

Participants are asked to look out for birds in your garden or local park for just one hour at some point over the three days and report your results to the RSPB. Try challenging your children to see who can spot the most birds; head to the park to look for birds, or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place.

You can request a free Big Garden Birdwatch pack from the RSPB which includes a bird identification chart and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden. www.rspb.org.uk

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2 01 9 S TAR T S H E R E

Happy new year everyone! ... and to get you started...

About diddi dance

Keeping children and families active with diddi dance

By Anne-Marie Martin At the beginning of every new year, we often turn our attention to new starts, new resolutions and think about new habits.

At diddi dance we are dedicated to getting children moving. We want children to enjoy being active from a young age and encourage them and their families and communities to adopt healthy habits for life.

With childhood obesity rates at an all-time high and exercise and health at the top of the government’s current agenda, diddi dance is leading the way in keeping young children active with its funky pre-school dance classes that all girls and boys, aged 16 months 5 years, and their families can enjoy. We believe that instilling healthy habits in children under the age of five is most important for ensuring physically active and healthy lifestyles into adulthood.

Diddi dance classes help with co-ordination, rhythm and gross motor skills while also helping develop social skills, communication skills and is a fantastic confidence booster. Using various dancing games and exercises, bells, hoops and dance ribbons to diddi dance’s own funky pop songs,

little ones not only improve their rhythm and co-ordination but spatial awareness, creativity and gross motor skills.

Research has shown that even from babies; humans have a natural love of moving to music, you may have noticed when an up tempo song comes on your child may naturally bounce, wave their arms, tap their feet or wiggle to it. It’s this natural love that makes a dance class so appealing, as long as it’s fun and engaging then most children will enjoy it.

It’s never too young to start! We’ve had children in our diddi dance classes as young as 16 months! We find they can follow a few basic instructions and are confident on their feet. It’s amazing at this early age what they can remember week after week through fun repetition and structure.

The diddi dance classes were devised and created by Anne-Marie Martin, a professional dancer with over 20 years’ teaching experience.

After running for over 10 years in London there are now diddi dance classes all over the UK. diddi dance is the only pre-school dance class in the UK to offer 16 different dance styles, with a new style adopted each half term. diddi dance is a completely inclusive, fun and sociable activity for children and their families alike. Giving support to parents and encouraging children to express themselves and have fun in a structured learning environment. The perfect way to kick start your new year with your little ones! www.diddidance.com

Dulwich College Sports Club Get fit, have fun and meet new people in 2019 with the diverse range of sports, classes, courses, children’s parties and activities for all the family at Dulwich College Sports Club.

Take advantage of no joining fee in January and February (normally £100) to join this family-friendly sports club or check out all the resident clubs and activities available for the whole family. www.dcsportsclub.co.uk

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2 01 9 STA R TS HERE

De-stressing term time routines I’m typically part-bear during winter. While not actually hibernating, bears’ metabolism slows and they fall into torpor. Sounds familiar.

The part of me that is awake growls about the dark, the cold and the wet - no fun for our cubs!

Muffled, speaking-through-scarves school playground chat reveals how many parents and carers feel the same way, particularly about winter school runs and term time routines.

Useful, then to read fellow parent Linda Stone’s tips for making the all-important ‘stress points’ of the term time week - before school, after school, weekends - a little easier.

The night before

Before school 1 The crucial 10 minutes Experiment with getting up ten minutes earlier.

This may give you a chance to grab a cup of tea or coffee, have a shower and get dressed in less of a rush than usual.

Being up ten minutes earlier does, in theory, also give you a fair chance of making sure both you and your children are ready ten minutes before you have to leave! This will give you time to gather your thoughts and make sure you have everything. No more (or perhaps just less) rushing out of the door and rushing back to pick up forgotten items.

2 Have a checklist Either write an actual checklist for your child’s school morning routine, or just verbally repeat the jobs they are expected to do until they remember them. A checklist could include: eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth and hair, packing lunch and water bottle, putting on shoes and coat. It’s good to have a plan of their weekly school routine somewhere handy too so that you know when school library books are due back, which day is games or recorder club and so on.

3 Use devices Set reminders on your phone for special tasks such as remembering to give your child signed permission slips or leaving early for a school club. Think about an alarm for children who struggle to wake up. Set a timer for tasks such as 15 minutes to eat breakfast or five minutes for showering, so that you can keep your children on schedule.

1 Get the homework done It’s SO easy to let your child leave it until they are too tired to do it. Beware the pleas to do homework after tea. This is always a disaster for us as it leaves our daughter ‘tired but wired’ and often in bed later than is ideal or struggling to switch off and go to sleep. It also means we’re more tired too. It definitely works for us to give our daughter 30 minutes of wind down time when she gets home, but then, homework is ON! 2 Do preparation with your child before bed Retrieve the items of uniform strewn around the house - your child will need to help you find items that are hidden behind the couch or the curtains! Put dirty items in the laundry and lay out the remainder for the next day. Check all homework and sports kit are bagged up for the next morning, and put them by the front door.

Make showers/ baths and hair washes part of the night time routine, rather than obstacles to overcome in the morning.

It works to make sure you get in a really good chat with your child before they get into bed otherwise, in my experience, they will delay going to sleep until said chat has been had!

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1 Don’t over-schedule Having too much scheduled activity at the weekend often means our daughter doesn’t get to catch her breath and replenish her energy before Monday. Try to make sure there’s chill time for everyone.

2 Get the homework done part 2 In my experience, like toothache, the longer you leave it, the worse it gets! Don’t let homework hang over the heads of the family all weekend.

Try dividing the work into two parts and schedule one just after breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday.

3 Build in quiet time Our daughter seems to need at least an hour of ‘unwind’ time after dinner, if she’s to go to bed and to sleep quickly. She would like to dress up, dance, sing, watch screens, and research online. Instead, we have a compulsory half hour (minimum) of quiet activity such as reading to herself or drawing.

3 Plan the schedule As a family, we chat about the week ahead over dinner on Sunday evening. We check email from our daughter’s school to see what’s happening in the coming week, and make sure we annotate details of extra sport/ music practices, Book Club books, late finishes, early starts etc on our calendar.

4 Do your prep Make packed lunches, sort snacks, fill in permission slips, ensure you’ve written in your child’s homework or reading diary, if they have these.

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E D U C AT IO N N E W S

Should you help with homework?

Schools that ban mobile phones improve results

When your children settle down to do homework, do you keep close tabs on them and routinely offer to help?

Or is your approach more hands off?

Should children be allowed to take mobile phones to school? Opinion is divided. Some advocate a complete ban because of the potential for distraction, while others promote the use of phones as a teaching tool in the classroom.

Schools in England and Scotland have complete autonomy regarding their mobile phone policy, which has resulted in large differences in the timing of the introduction of bans.

Schools that ban pupils from carrying mobile phones show a sustained improvement in exam results, with the biggest advances coming from struggling students, according to research published by the London School of Economics.

The large-scale study found schools in London, Leicester, Birmingham and Manchester that banned mobiles enjoyed a boost in the proportion of pupils getting five good passes at GCSE, compared with schools that allowed pupils to keep their phones, even if switched off. www.lse.ac.uk

Researchers from Finland have found that although most homework assistance aims at helping the child, one approach is much better at instilling persistence.

The study looked at children aged from 8 to 11 years and found that when parents offered opportunities for their child to work independently, the child demonstrated an increased ability to work persistently on his or her school assignments when tested 12 months later.

However, when parents provided concrete assistance to their child, the less task-persistent the child’s behaviour later became. This in turn, made parents offer more and more help.

Associate Professor, Jaana Viljaranta from the University of Eastern Finland explained: “One possible explanation is that when a parent gives a child the opportunity to do homework autonomously, this sends out a message that they believe in their child’s skills and capabilities.

This, in turn, makes the child believe in him or herself, and in his or her skills and capabilities�

Similarly, concrete homework assistance - especially if not requested by a child - may send out a message that a parent doesn’t believe in their child’s ability to do their homework.

When a parent offers the child an opportunity for autonomous working, the child will work persistently, which leads to better development of skills. If, however, a parent’s homework assistance involves plenty of concrete help, the child will work less persistently, leading to poorer development of skills.

It is important for parents to take their child’s needs into consideration when offering homework assistance. Of course, parents should offer concrete help when their child clearly needs it. “However, concrete help is not something that should be made automatically available in every situation - only when needed,� Viljaranta added. www.sciencedaily.com

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CLUB S & CLAS SES New principal for Stagecoach Bromley

Raising confident children with Perform Sara has two children, Honor (8) and James (6) who have both been attending Perform classes since they were four years old.

“I’ve always wanted my children to feel confident speaking in public and chatting to all sorts of people. I think these are essential life skills these days” says Sara.

Sara was drawn to Perform because of its focus on developing confidence and self-esteem in a fun way. “It’s not a pushy stage school” she explains. “Each week, the classes focus on a topic like manners, making eye contact or introducing themselves, but this is wrapped up in a highly engaging way in the context of drama and songs.”

“Since my children started attending Perform, other parents frequently remark on their confidence and how well they speak in school assemblies. I’m really impressed with how they chat to adults in places like shops and restaurants.”

Classes at Perform are small with two teachers per class. “The teachers are professional actors with amazing energy and enthusiasm. They go out of their way to understand and engage every child.” reports Sara.

Perform offers a FREE no-obligation dance or dramaclass in Dulwich, East Dulwich, Beckenham, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Blackheath, Greenwich, Hither Green and Herne Hill. Book your trial online. www.perform.org.uk/try

Lloyd Bagley’s latest role is that of new principal at Stagecoach Bromley, in which he promises to offer a fun, positive and safe environment where children can become who they want to be.

A graduate of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in southeast London, Lloyd’s professional acting career to date has taken him from the West End to the Edinburgh Festival and New York, and back to London where he also represents stage and screen actors as a talent agent in Covent Garden.

Lloyd told Families: “The ethos of Stagecoach is ‘creative courage for life’, which nurtures children’s talents and needs to achieve their full potential through acting, singing and dance. I have been teaching young performers for the last eight years, including SEN but mostly within performing arts. I love watching children achieve and grow, whether this means singing a line of a song in class on their own or auditioning for the bright lights of a West End musical. Together with my talented teaching team, Stagecoach Bromley is the right place for any young, imaginative individual.

Stagecoach Bromley runs termtime Saturday classes for Early Stages (4-6yrs) and Main School (6-18 year-olds), at Hayes Primary School BR2. As with all Stagecoach schools, no previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm for singing, dance and drama. For details including a two week trial, call Lloyd on 020 3780 4893 or read more online. www.stagecoach.co.uk/bromley

Girls play less sport than boys Boys spend significantly longer than girls on sporting activities.

A report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that boys spend an average of 40 minutes per day on sports activities, compared with 25 minutes a day for girls.

But encouragingly, boys and girls who do participate in sport enjoy it equally, according to the study.

One way parents can change this is by setting an example. Research shows that by being active themselves, parents, particularly mothers can influence their child’s activity levels.

Another way is to make it social.

Research by Women in Sport shows that girls are most interested in making friends and having fun when playing sport. Seek out sports clubs, dance classes or activities that may have girls of a similar age as your daughter, or encourage her to take up new classes with her existing friends. www.womeninsport.org

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What’sNew Plastic-free shopping

Cold feet?

Thankfully we’re all now getting the message about reducing plastic packaging as much as possible. In southeast London this is getting easier from new zero waste new shops.

• Bring Your Own in Peckham sells quality, organic grains, pulses, nuts, dried fruits, pickles and spices, plus household goods including cleaning products and body care essentials, all without the plastic wrapping.

Shoppers use reusable containers and weighing scales to buy just the amount you need - helping you to reduce your environmental footprint and cut down on food waste at the same time. The shop is at 147 Evelina Road, Nunhead SE15 3HB, www.bringyourownuk.com • In Forest Hill, plans are afoot to open a zero waste greengrocer stocking plant based food - fresh juices, smoothies and salads in glass jars, glass bottles and paper boxes for take away. Customers will be welcome to bring their own packaging to fill with beans, grains, rice, and pasta, pickles, vegan products, plus veggie and vegan meals. The shop is due to open in the former Sugar Mountain sweetshop, in conjunction with next-door’s award-winning Aga’s Little Deli on Dartmouth Road. For updates, see www.se23.life

Moccis are a hybrid sock and slipper in one, making them the perfect indoor footwear.

Featuring a soft leather sole that reduces slipping, they’re super soft and cosy, yet indestructible. The luxury hand-sewn Swedish (where they know about cold winters) moccasins bring fashion and function to indoor footwear for everyone from babies to adults. www.moccis.co.uk

How about a plastic-free on-the-go lunch box?

This one is made from organic rice husk with a food grade silicone seal.

Non-toxic, BPA free, dishwasher safe, oven/ microwave and freezer safe, it is also 100% biodegradable.

Inside you’ll find a spork, box strap and removable divider, rrp £16.99. www.wearthlondon.com

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Safe though ‘London tap’ is to drink, a new water filter promises to go beyond the call of duty.

ZeroWater’s patented, five-stage ion exchange filtration system removes virtually all dissolved solids from water - which may include lead, mercury, minerals, chemicals and pesticide run-off - and 99% of all fluoride. To show how good is it, if you pour red wine into the top, pure water comes out. (A waste of wine of course, but good to show the point - other brands would produce pink water at the end).

Seven, 10 and 12 cups are available, as well as a travel and sports bottle, priced from £14.99. Read more and order online. www.zerowater.co.uk

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Be safe - be seen Children and returning commuters are particularly vulnerable when walking or cycling home during the dark winter months; and the number of pedestrians killed on Britain’s roads increased by 11% during 2017.

The creators of the innovative Albedo100 spray believe it could help to reduce this statistic. Invisible to the human eye in daylight, the highly reflective spray shows up in headlights from over 500 feet away during darkness and can be applied to bicycle, pushchair and scooter frames, shoes, clothing and backpacks - potentially saving thousands of lives by enabling motorists to spot them.

Albedo100 has a range of reflective sprays for different surfaces, priced from £9.99. A small price to pay for increased safety. www.albedo100.co.uk/shop

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Shampoo for sensitive heads Make hair washing less of a stress with a new 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner from Child’s Farm, which cleans and detangles hair in no time. With its colourful, fairground design bottle and amazing vanilla custard and rhubarb fragrance, the product is suitable for newborns and upwards and all hair types.

Childs Farm products contain naturally derived ingredients and essential oils.

All products are dermatologist and paediatrician approved as suitable for sensitive and also eczema-prone skin.

The shampoo is available from Tesco stores nationwide rrp £4 for 250ml, and online. www.childsfarm.com

Rooooar!

All right we’ll concede that this is rather random - we’re just tickled by the idea of children who really, really want to dress up as a Triceratops.

And why not? Role play, discovery and exercise keep little monsters active all day long. Tiny T.rex options also available - set them free on a miniature rampage, £22 for babies, £28 for three to nine year-olds. www.nhmshop.co.uk

Blackheath Office Grant Saw House, 8 Tranquil Passage, Blackheath Village, London, SE3 0BJ

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The Bookseller Crow

is a fantastic, volume stuffed shop run by some of the most knowledgeable bookworms in the business.

Call in for the feel of a real bookshop, or if you’re too busy, pick up the phone or head to their website for a fast mailorder service. Justine Crow recommends this month’s best titles.

I think that as long as we avoid politics, arms sales, rail companies and the fact that California uses more water to irrigate its avocado and almond crops in a month than Botswana does annually, we’ll all survive 2019. In a effort to remain fit, as someone for whom being a plank comes naturally, I’m finally trying Pilates.

So we’ll do a quick hip twist with stretched arms and then scissor our way towards what the publishing world has in store for the youngest side of the family for the start of this shiny new year.

AMAZING by Steve Antony - Hodder rrp £12.99.

Given the general state of the things that we’ve just agreed to avoid, we’ll be needing a darling picture book on the business of learning to ‘play nicely’.

Having a pet dragon as a best friend would test the tolerance levels of all toddlers (of any age) and there are cracking illustrations here too that put me in mind of the late, great Janet Ahlberg.

ANIMALS WITH TINY CAT by Viviane Schwarz Walker rrp £6.99. The beginning of January also sees us welcoming back the lead character from There Are Cats in This Book and its follow-up, There Are No Cats in This Book. I love her work - deft, funny, uncomplicated, Schwarz captures the casual surrealism of feline intent with minimum brush strokes that produce some choice whiskery expressions. In this adventure, our famous moggie dresses up as lion just to see how it feels. As you do.

COLLECTING CATS by Lorna Scobie - Scholastic rrp £6.99. I am utterly qualified to review this tale of four-pawed overspill, albeit utterly prejudicially, because when I was growing up at one joyously mad point in our lives we had seven cats living with us - Bilbo, Frodo, Sebastian, Jackson, Calico, Smash and Prune. Just don’t ask me to remember my own children’s names. Each one of the ridiculous fluffmongers portrayed here has a recognisable personality and through their myriad quirks and furry foibles, we see our own human idiosyncrasies reflected. Rightio, I’m off to claw the back of the sofa.

MACCA THE ALPACA by Matt Cosgrove Scholastic rrp £6.99. According to the catalogue on my lap we are apparently riding a “llama trendwave.”

Picture that for a moment. It would certainly make 2019 more interesting for us all. One thing I’m sure of is that the author of this wide-eyed romp about friendship and bullying was influenced by somebody in an old band called The Beatles. What do you think?

Uncanny.

MOLLY’S MOON MISSION by Duncan Beedie Templar rrp £6.99. To be published in February, we

meet Molly the moth, who lives in a wardrobe. Yep. And she has ambitions that lie far beyond wrecking that rather nice Jaeger overcoat you spent too much on in the sales. I’m not moth-ist (some of my best friends are Jersey Tigers) but I’ll be thrilled if the clothing predicated species of Lepidoptera on this particular planet was blasted up into space, thanks.

HELLO MR DINOSAUR and HELLO MRS ELEPHANT by Sam Boughton - Templar rrp £8.99 each. Also for February, a reminder of just how much fun can be had with cheap crayons and a paintbox, these terrific ink wash and wax illustrations are the perfect introduction to non-fiction with jolly lift-theflappery and simple gatefold engineering.

MOLE’S STAR by Britta Teckentrup - Orchard rrp £6.99. Available now, from the indomitable Germanborn artist who epitomises the spirit of Europe with her stylish simplicity and use of colour, the story of a dear little creature who wishes he could have a star or two of his own. I never understood the antipathy towards moles (or indeed, stars) and stripy lawns are sooo last decade.

DEAR DONALD TRUMP by Sophie Siers & Anne Villeneuve - Templar £6.99. Come back. I know I said no politics but hear me out. I recall the days when all that bothered us parents was whether they were going to make school holidays shorter but more frequent (in truth, I did have to have a lie-down at the notion) and the most contentious book in the library was Dear Greenpeace about a whale in a garden pond. Sam has to share a bedroom with his brother and the incumbent president’s idea of putting up a wall is attractive, but who is going to pay for it? Us parents may have decided to turn our backs for the sake of some peace and quiet but the kids are asking questions.

THE LEGEND OF KEVIN by Philip Reeve, illustrated by Sarah McIntyre - Oxford rrp £8.99. For burgeoning readers from the delightful team that brought us Pugs of the Frozen North and Cakes in Space, comes their latest production whereby a magical flying pony called Kevin blows onto Max’s balcony. It could happen to anyone. Being called Kevin that is.

THE GIRL WITH THE SHARK’S TEETH by Cerrie Burnell - Oxford rrp £6.99. Another book from the increasingly prolific local to South London telly presenter, actress and writer, this time a fantasy novel for Year 4s upwards about Minnow who “feels an irresistible pull to water.” Speaking as possibly the only swim-teaching bookseller on the circuit, I can tell you now that particular pull isn’t to be taken for granted.

The pull to the pub however...

HOW TO WIN A NOBEL PRIZE by Barry Marshall, illustrated by Bernard Caleo - Oneworld rrp £7.99. For the same age group, out in February, and bursting with excitement and discovery, we have a hybrid novel-cum-science activity adventure describing Mary’s time-travelling encounters with erstwhile winners of the famous award, including Mr Einstein and Mz Curie.

THE UNWORRY BOOK by Alice James - Usborne rrp £8.99. Providing a sort of toolkit to the problems and anxieties that beset our progeny which have absolutely nothing to do with the way the adult human race, um, conducts itself, this easy-going manual features stress-busting ideas for writing worries down as well as approachable relaxation and calming tactics. Quietly on the side, mum or dad might take a sneaky peak too.

BADASS BABY NAMES by Marvella Nomine Head of Zeus rrp £10. If your new year’s resolution is to have a baby sometime soon, you may want to consider expanding on the current craze (and long may it last) for highlighting heroines, and heroes, and notables, and the mislaid from history, by naming the newborn after someone special. Boys’ and girls’ names are arranged alphabetically in the usual fashion but this time with kickass ratings for the likes of Amina, after the Hausa warrior queen, all the way to Zora, as in Neale Hurston, author, anthropologist and ace of the Harlem renaissance.

THE TRUTH ABOUT FAT by Anthony Warner Oneworld rrp £14.99. I’m not going to please publishers out there by eschewing their new year schedules that are bulging with vegan bandwagon, carb denying, booze busting, beat yourself up books because, believe me, they are just atoning for their own behaviour and then pocketing the dosh. Blogger and cook the Angry Chef knows all about this.

Scrutinising the evidence to try to get to the bottom of the epidemic as it consumes us, he tries to understand who is to blame whilst encouraging us not to be fooled. We are all gullible. In a recent Pilates class we beginners were all bowled over (not difficult seeing as we were extremely wobbly) by a stand-in instructor who was very hypnotically spiritual and accompanied by a beguiling jingle of background music. Dazzled by plinky-plonk chimes, pain and the prospect of core stability forever and ever, we asked when she would teach us again. Never, it seems. This was her last lesson before taking up a position as a hedge fund manager on Wall Street. And there I was looking forward to riding that llama trendwave!

The Bookseller Crow, 50 Westow St. Crystal Palace, London SE19 3AF Telephone: 020 8771 8831 email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk Twitter @booksellercrow www.booksellercrow.co.uk 10 Families South East

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DULWICH COLLEGE SPORTS CLUB

PERFORM

CHINESE NEW YEAR

What’sOn H AL F T E R M C AM P S A ND WO RK SH OPS HOLIDAY DROP OFF MULTI SPORTS CAMPS

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

Every school holiday including 18-22 February and 1-19 April at DULWICH COLLEGE SPORTS CLUB SE21, www.holidaydropoff.com

18-20 February in BLACKHEATH with Perform, 020 7255 9120, www.perform.org.uk/lion If travel broadens the imagination, imagine what a trip to Narnia can do at Perform’s three day drama, song and dance course.

Watch your child go through the wardrobe with Susan, Peter, Edmund and Lucy as they battle the White Witch and cheer Aslan the Lion. With magical creatures, snowy landscapes and a triumphant royal victory, Narnia is the perfect half term destination.

The three fun-packed full days of drama, dance and singing offer an energetic friendly team of actors, dancers and musicians, a colourful performance on the last day for friends and family with original music and costumes, and a personalised certificate of achievement for every child. 10am-3pm each day, ages 4-10 years.

Your children will have a blast at HDO’s fantastic multi-sports camps! Children from age 5+ can take part in a whole range of incredible indoor and outdoor sports to keep them happy and active through the school holidays, including swimming pool inflatable sessions and many new exciting activities www.holidaydropoff.com. If your children simply can’t wait for the holidays, you can book one of their amazing weekend party packages www.eventdropoff.com.

SYDENHAM HILL WOODS

D I AR Y DAT ES FO R G R OWNUP S BUILD IT LIVE 9 + 10 February, KENT EVENT CENTRE, Kent County Showground, Detling, Maidstone ME14 3JF, www.builditlive.co.uk A weekend of inspiration and expert guidance for those wanting either to build their own home or add space and value to their current home. Attracting all kinds of self-builders and renovators, the show offers the chance to see a section of a new build home as it comes together, expert seminars, face-to-face consultations, suppliers’ products and services, products from leading suppliers, and large and small displays. Live the dream! Open 10am-5pm Saturday, to 4.30pm Sunday. Adult tickets £12 includes a copy of the latest ‘Build It’ magazine; under 16s free.

HELP YOUR CHILD THRIVE AT SCHOOL 23 February, MYCENAE HOUSE, 90 Mycenae Road, Blackheath SE3 7SE, email olyviashaw@icloud.com Book your place at a workshop aimed at parents and carers of 0-11 year-olds who are looking to nurture a love of learning.

Discover the key factors to unlock you child’s full potential.

Practical strategies, activities and resources to enhance your child’s resilience, perseverance and independence, plus useful tips to support your child’s reading and vocabulary. The workshop is led by Olyvia Shaw, a teacher and senior leader with over 15 years’ experience, who specialises in accelerating children’s (of all abilities) progress. 1.30-3.30pm, tickets £25. Details and bookings by email.

THE BABY SHOW 1-3 March, ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway E16 1XL, www.thebabyshow.co.uk/excel The UK’s largest event for parents-to-be, new parents, grandparents and babies is a unique family-friendly shopping and advice experience. Expert speakers give advice on sleep, birth, breastfeeding, weaning, health and wellbeing as well as celebrities sharing their experiences of parenthood. Save money and time with leading baby brands all under one roof, plus boutique, not on the high street products and tons of exclusive show offers.

T H E G RE AT O UT DO OR S CHINESE NEW YEAR 10 February, CHINATOWN and TRAFALGAR SQUARE, www.chinatown.co.uk Join London’s Chinese New Year celebrations, the largest outside Asia, with colourful parades, performances and displays. Watch colourful floats and more than 50 teams take part in the vibrant Chinese New Year parade, which kicks off with dragon and lion dances and handcrafted floats. The fun includes screen shows and a thanksgiving ceremony, followed by firecrackers, speeches and the Lions’ Eye-Dotting Ceremony. 10am-6pm.

DULWICH/ SYDENHAM HILL WOOD Entrances on Sydenham Hill and Crescent Wood Road, Sydenham Hill SE26 6SA, 07734 599286, www.wildlondon.org.uk WONDERFUL WOODLAND, 20 February. Explore the woods with London Wildlife Trust and play a range of educational nature games. Aimed at families with young children. 11am-12.30pm, free.

NATURE DETECTIVES, 22 February. A fun day out finding out about the animals living in Sydenham Hill Wood. Tune your senses and look for tracks and signs of life with bird watching, minibeast hunting, tracking and games. Suitable for children of any age with their grownups. 11am to 4pm, free but book first by phone 020 7252 9186, or email dwallace@wildlondon.org.uk

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CENTRE FOR WILDLIFE GARDENING LONDON WILDLIFE TRUST, Centre for Wildlife Gardening, SE15, www.wildlondon.org.uk TENTS, TALES AND BUSHCRAFT, 18+19 February. Have fun making shelters, food foraging, filtering water and learning some fire lighting skills over the two days. This is an informal course for parents to spend time with their children learning about their natural surroundings. Suitable for children of any age with their grownups. 11am to 4pm each day, free but book first by phone 020 7252 9186, or email dwallace@wildlondon.org.uk.

WWT LONDON WETLAND CENTRE Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT, www.wwt.org.uk An urban oasis for wildlife and people, just 10 minutes from Hammersmith. Stroll among the lakes, ponds and gardens.

Whatever the weather there’s lots to do: play areas, pond zone otters and much more. Open from 9.30am daily. Under 4s free, admission £8.50 children, £14 adults, £38.25 families.

LONDON PUDDLE JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS, 16-24 February. Children of all ages are encouraged to grab their wellies and have fun jumping in puddles. Put on your wellies and wet weather gear and have a splashing time! Puddle jumping is free with paid admission to the centre and free to WWT members.

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HS, www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk London’s oldest botanic garden contains a unique living collection of around 5,000 different edible, useful and medicinal plants that have changed the world. Open 11am - 4pm Mondays to Fridays.

Admission £11 adults, under 5s free, family tickets £24.15.

CHOCOLATE TUESDAY, 19 February. Learn about the history, geography and science of chocolate and celebrate this very special plant-based food. The day includes craft activities, a Garden tour, chocolate tasting and the chance to create your own mixtures to take away. 10.30am-2.30pm, ages 6-11, tickets £15.

CREEPY CRAWLING GARDEN SAFARI, 21 February. A day of discovery about the wonderful world of animals. Find out how they adapt to their habitats, hold some of them (if you like), meet the fauna of the Garden and be dazzled by the many creatures that live in a drop of pond water. Finally, explore the treasures of the Garden, including the jungle room and some of collection’s medicinal, poisonous and vampire plants. 10.30am-2.30pm, tickets £15.

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BIG FISH LITTLE FISH

CUTTY SARK

ANGLO SAXON KINGDOMS

MoreWhat’sOn M US E U M S AN D E VE NT S BIG FISH LITTLE FISH FAMILY RAVE 3 February, THE AMERSHAM ARMS, 114 New Cross Rd SE14 6TY, 0791 959 8008, www.bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk World famous, award-winning, Glastonbury Festival performing, family rave sensation BFLF offers family fun for the post-rave generation of parents. Shake your stuff to old skool, acid house, hip hop, electro, techno, UK garage, drum’n’bass and anything else that takes DJ Will Nichol’s fancy. The multi-sensory dancefloor has glitter cannons, bubbles, giant balloons and a parachute dance finale. Captain Cookie Craft tables with giant mural, themed crafts and playdoh table. There’s a licensed bar, free transfers and glowsticks. Optional fancy dress: Vikings & Dragons. 2-4.30pm, tickets £10 adults, £7 children, pre-walking infants free.

THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk The museum’s music gallery and hands-on base, regular weekend and holiday drop-ins and workshops allow family visitors to explore the collection through arts and crafts, music, stories and hands-on sessions. All this within 16 acres of beautiful green space which has the oldest nature trail in London, an animal corner, a butterfly house, and a Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning. Museum open 10.30am-5.30pm daily, admission free, charges apply for special exhibitions and the aquarium.

BRICK WONDERS, from February. Discover amazing wonders from around the world made entirely from LEGO bricks. From an ancient Egyptian pyramid to Old London Bridge, and from the natural wonder of a coral reef to the modern marvel of the international space station, travel through history and explore over 70 models made using half a million LEGO bricks. Build your imagination at the interactive play areas, and don’t miss two special models of Horniman icons, designed especially for the show. Admission £2.50.

THE LORE OF THE LAND, until 2 June. Artist Serena Korda has worked with a collective of local community members to create an immersive, multi-sensory installation that considers our relationship with the natural world. The exhibition features ceramic artworks dispensing scents inspired by the Horniman Gardens, and a soundscape based on the chemical processes occurring in plants and trees, alongside 100 objects from the Horniman’s anthropology collection. Free.

EVOLUTION OF THE ARTIST AND THE EXHIBITED WORKS, until 17 March. Visit Shauna Richardson’s beautifully crafted, life-size crochet animal sculptures, inspired and informed by natural history. Trophy heads of animals including a bear, lioness and wild boar look down at visitors from the walls, while monkeys and an ‘Evolution’ graphics panel chart the development of Shauna’s work and life as an artist from inherited traits, skills learned and adaptation to environment. Free.

ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark, Greenwich SE10, 020 8858 4422, www.rmg.co.uk Royal Museums Greenwich holds the world’s largest maritime collection. It is housed in historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and incorporates the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the 17th-century Queen’s House, and Cutty Sark. The Museums works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people, and is also a major centre of education and research. On Saturdays and Sundays free performances and workshops entertain family visitors, while on Tuesdays preschoolers can make music and play with parents and carers.

Open 10am-5pm daily. General admission is free; some buildings, special exhibitions and events have an admission fee.

AHOY! Drop into NMM’s brilliant children’s gallery for a boatload of fun and adventure. Stoke the boiler of a steamship, land a fish and work in the interactive boatyard. Polar exploration, pirates and a host of other maritime themes are brought to life in this playful and immersive gallery, which also has a buggy park and easy access to all the facilities you need to have a stress-free visit.

Ages 0-7, free and open daily (sometimes pre-booked for schools groups).

CHINESE NEW YEAR, 9 February. Get into the spirit of Chinese New Year with colourful creative activities. Family-friendly workshops will be running across the day, including crafts and a dragon dance workshop suitable for all ages.

RAINBOW WEEK, 16-24 February. Each February half term the National Maritime Museum celebrates LGBT history month. Visit for a week of themed workshops drawing these stories out of the collection.

THE GREAT EXPLORER is an interactive game for families.

Borrow a tablet device and set sail across The Great Map to explore distant lands and discover treasures from all around the world. Where will you visit and what will you find? Take a photo and share your adventure. 11am-4pm, free.

CHARACTER ENCOUNTERS, Saturdays. Join an exciting performance and journey bringing maritime history to life. 12noon, 1, 2 and 3pm.

12 Families South East

CUTTY SARK CUTTY SARK, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT, 020 8858 2698, www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark The world famous 19th century tea clipper offers visitors four levels to explore. Take in the views from the main deck and steer at the ship’s wheel, meet the crew who worked on board, explore the various cargoes from wool to whiskey, and see how tea was loaded on board through interactive displays, props, information boards and animations. Family friendly events run at weekends and during school holidays. Open 10am-5pm daily, admission from £6.30 children, £12.15 adults, from £24 families. Bundled tickets are available with the other Royal Museum Greenwich attractions.

THE TOWER OF LONDON St KATHARINE’S & WAPPING, EC3N 4AB, www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london Discover London’s castle - a secure fortress, royal palace and infamous prison. Open 9am-4.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 10am Sundays and Mondays. Admission £17.70 children, £22.70 adults.

ACTIVITY TRAILS, daily. Explore the home of the Queen’s Crown Jewels and the rooms of Edward 1 with a family trail, packed with fun quizzes, activities, facts and illustrations.

ROYAL BEASTS, daily. Discover the fascinating stories of the many exotic animals kept at the Tower of London and explore how they lived in the Royal Menagerie.

THE POSTAL MUSEUM 15-20 Phoenix Place WC1X 0DA, 0300 0300 700, www.postalmuseum.org For more than 75 years, Mail Rail was a vital part of Britain’s communications network, carrying post along its own underground network, hidden from view beneath the streets of London. Journey back in time through the original tunnels and station platforms under Mount Pleasant to explore the surprising and fascinating story of the first social network. From a jam-packed programme of free workshops and a dedicated playspace, The Postal Museum is a fascinating, family-friendly destination. Open 10am-5pm daily, admission £10.45 children, £17.05 adults.

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R, 020 7601 5545, www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank. Examine intricately-designed banknotes, feel the weight of a genuine gold bar and see the pikes and muskets that were once used to defend the Bank. Children’s activity sheets provide fun for younger visitors. Open 10am-5pm Mondays to Fridays, admission free

Easter issue Out 1 March Booking deadline 8 February

DOWN HOUSE - HOME OF CHARLES DARWIN DOWN HOUSE, Luxted Road, Downe, Kent BR6 7JT, www.english-heritage.org.uk/downhouse CHARLES’ CREEPY CRITTERS, 9 February. Could you handle a lizard or snake? Get hands on and meet Charles’ creepy critters at Down House’s animal handling event. 11am, 12noon, 1 and 2pm, family tickets £31.20.

DISCOVER WITH DARWIN, 18-22 February. Have you ever wondered why giraffes have long necks? Why a penguin can’t fly?

Why a monkey has a tail? Join the man himself - Charles Darwin and explore evolution at its birthplace as you delve daringly into the mysteries of science with storytelling and hands-on activities of a Darwinian theme. 11am, 12noon, 1.30 and 2.30pm, children £7.20, adults £12.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEU

Email info@familiesse.co.uk or download our ratecard online

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Families january / february 19.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2018 4:09 pm Page 13

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM

RY MUSEUM

VIDCOM LONDON

THE FOUNDLING MUSEUM 40 Brunswick Square, Camden Town WC1N 1AZ, 020 7841 3600, www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk Britain’s first home for abandoned children and London’s first public art gallery reveals the stories of the Foundling Hospital’s founder Thomas Coram, the artist William Hogarth and composer George Frideric Handel. Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 11am Sundays. Admission free for under 16s, from £10 adults.

BEDROOMS OF LONDON, 8 February - 5 May. A new photographic exhibition documenting the living conditions of London’s most disadvantaged children. Focusing on the spaces in which children are sleeping, the photographs are shown alongside first-hand narratives from families, and offer a poignant insight into the lives and experiences of children living in poverty across London.

HOME: FAMILY POETRY WORKSHOP, 17 February. Acclaimed poet Paul Lyalls is well-known for his funny, fast-moving, hip and clever performances. Join Paul for an interactive workshop for the whole family. Using your wild imagination, create and perform your own poems on the theme of home. Suitable for age 5+, 2pm, included with admission DREAM ROOMS, 19 February. What does your dream bedroom look like? Does it feature a slide or a window you can see the stars through? Inspired by Bedrooms of London, work with art collective Sculpture Lab to construct a 3D model of your ideal bedroom.

Light up your imaginary world then photograph your dream interior. Ages 5+, free - book a session on the day.

PILLOW PRINTS, 21 February. Does your bedroom express your identity? In this workshop inspired by the Bedrooms of London exhibition, print images and slogans onto pillowcases for your bedroom at home. Led by artist Isobel Manning. Ages 5+, free - book a session on the day.

IWM LONDON IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ, www.iwm.org.uk IWM shows and records war through the eyes of the people who lived it. Be moved. Be inspired. Be transformed. Open 10am to 6pm daily, admission free.

DOCUMENTARY CHALLENGE, until 31 January. Make and feature in your own mini-documentary. Which stories are too important to be kept inside the museum? This is your family’s chance to share stories ranging from spies to bomb shelters and from refugees to ration books. No booking necessary; pick up your documentary film making device from the Information Desk.

Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HT, 020 7730 0717, www.nam.ac.uk The National Army Museum is a leading authority on the British Army and its impact on society past and present. Through its collections the museum preserves and shares stories of ordinary people with extraordinary responsibilities; exploring the role of the army and its relevance today. Free children’s trails cover a wide range of topics and suit a variety of age groups. Open 10am 5.30pm, admission free.

GIANT GAMES FOR LITTLE SOLDIERS, 16-24 February. Step inside a life-size board game and battle it out to see who wins.

Take on the family-friendly tasks and complete First World War-themed challenges to be the first over the finish line.

PLAY BASE, daily. Whether your child wants to take on the soft play assault course, climb aboard a truck or prepare scoff in the cookhouse, Play Base lets every child shine. Ages 0-8, £4.50 per child for an hour-long session.

CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM 48 Doughty Street WC1N 2LX, 020 7405 2127, www.dickensmuseum.com Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Sundays, admission £9 adults, £4 children. A visit to the Museum includes a free family trail for each child. Suitable for children between 4 and 12 years, the trail takes children on a journey of discovery through No. 48 Doughty Street, where Dickens once lived with his wife and young family.

Exploration of the basement reveals a wonderful Victorian kitchen, full of period and replica items you can interact with. Try your hand at grinding coffee and look out for resident hedgehog, Bill Spikes!

There are costumes for dressing up in both the kitchen and the attic to give a flavour of what life was like upstairs and down. There is even a beautiful Victorian toy theatre in the timeline room where you can put on your own play.

FULHAM PALACE Bishop’s Avenue, Fulham SW6 6EA, 020 7736 3233, www.fulhampalace.org The Museum of Fulham Palace charts the long history of the palace site, from Prehistoric times and Roman settlement, through Medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian bishops to the present day. The museum collection includes paintings, archaeology and artefacts. Open noon-4pm Sundays, 12.30-3.30pm Mondays to Thursdays, admission free.

YOUNG ARCHAEOLOGISTS’ CLUB, 19 January. Explore the wealth of archaeology at Fulham Palace and discover the past through investigating artefacts and exploring the world around you. Age 8-16, 10.30am-12.15pm.

BRILLIANT BRICKS, 21 February. See first-hand the amazing work being done by the Palace’s skilled craftspeople as part of the restoration project in this family fun day. 12-3pm.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD, 020 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.uk Dinosaurs, volcanoes, precious gems and creepy crawlies discover the diversity of the natural world through the nation’s finest collection of natural history specimens. Fascinating exhibitions display up to 70 million plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals, with a hands-on education centre where you can meet real scientists at work. Museum open 10am-5.50pm, admission free.

MUSEUM ICE RINK, until 20 January. Whether you can dance on ice like Torvill and Dean, or you skate more like Bambi, experience the thrill of skating surrounded by fairy lights nestled in frost-covered trees. Tickets from £8.80.

LIFE IN THE DARK, until 24 February. Are you afraid of the dark?

Well, it’s the perfect time to find out. Descend into underground caves, plunge to the depths of the oceans and see what awakens in the night in this immersive exhibition. Free for under 16s, adults from £8.50.

INVESTIGATE FOR FAMILIES, every weekend. Get a feel for how scientists work by having a go yourself. Explore hundreds of real nature specimens that form the evidence Museum scientists use in their daily work. Drop-in, ages 3-11, 11am-5pm.

DINO SNORES, once a month on Saturdays. Discover what really happens at the museum when the staff and visitors have gone home. Children aged 7-11 years, from 7pm to 9.50am the following day. Tickets from £54.

DAWNOSAURS, 10 February and 28 April. A free event for children on the autism spectrum, free from the hustle and bustle of the general public. Visitors have access to a wide-ranging programme of activities, including a chance to see, meet and even touch live animals. All activities are supported by experienced, autism-aware facilitators. A dedicated Sensory Room is also available for those children needing a quieter and calmer space. 8-10am, ages 5 to 15 with grownups, free but book first.

MUSEUM OF LONDON MUSEUM OF LONDON, 150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN, www.museumoflondon.org.uk From specially-designed interactive children’s galleries, free activity bags and stimulating online games, as well as all-important details like high chairs and baby-changing spaces, the Museum of London is a perfect fun family venue. Open 10am-6pm daily, admission free.

LONDON FOLKTALES FOR CHILDREN, 26 January. Discover folktales from London’s past and present, sing London songs and explore what it means to be a Londoner through interactive storytelling sessions and performances, in celebration of a new book ‘London Folktales for Children’. 30 minute storytelling sessions at 12pm and 3.30pm. At 2pm there will be an hour of folktale filled fun, with music, tales and opportunities to get involved. No tickets required, just turn up at the start of the session.

STYX, STONES AND ROMAN BONES, 16-24 February. Roman Londoner Claudia passed away over 1,800 years ago, and according to her beliefs, her soul should have crossed the River Styx to the Underworld long ago. For some reason, she’s still here!

Can you help her find her way to where she belongs? Learn what this ancient Londoner has seen over the centuries and explore the differences between modern London and Roman Londinium.

Then, help Claudia finish the journey she started more than 1,800 years ago by recreating a Roman funeral to guide her to the Underworld. Celebrate Claudia’s life with music and other Roman traditions in the interactive and sensory show. Ages 7+, 12noon, 1.30 and 3pm, free but book first.

ROMAN MOSAIC MAKING, 20 February. Help create a giant Roman mosaic based on the mosaic flooring in the museum’s Roman London gallery. Stick on as many pieces as you like, or create a Roman-inspired paper mosaic bangle to take home.

Ages 2-5, 10am and 1.30pm, free family drop in.

MORNING EXPLORERS: ROMAN LONDON, 23 February.

Explore the museum at this relaxed early opening, sensitive to the needs of children with autistic spectrum conditions. The galleries will be open exclusively to Morning Explorer families from 8.3010am, alongside activities for the whole family such as object handling, arts and crafts sessions, and a sensory space. Free; book first.

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THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER

THE SINGING MERMAID

HORRIBLE HISTORIES

MoreWhat’sOn MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, Warehouse 1, West India Quay E14 4AL, www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands Find out more about London’s history, through displays covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life. Open daily 10am-6pm, admission free. On Sundays, museum hosts help visitors explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities at 11am and 2pm.

PAINTED SEAS, 12 January. Be inspired by the different paintings in the museum’s collection and create your own marine watercolour paintings. Ages 5+, 12noon and 2.30pm, free drop in.

MAKE DO AND MEND, 26 January. Get thrifty in this art workshop! Learn the technique of rug making as well as how, when and why many families in London would have put this skill to use. Ages 5+, 12noon and 2.30pm, free drop in.

CHINESE NEW YEAR, 2 + 3 February. Celebrate the Year of the Pig at this weekend long family festival in the heart of London’s original Chinatown. Listen to classic Chinese folktales, learn how to ribbon dance, master martial arts moves, practice on some traditional percussion instruments and create beautiful artworks to take home. What better way to start the new year? Ages 3+, 11am start, free drop in.

MYTHS AND LEGENDS FAMILY FESTIVAL, 16 + 17 February.

Storytelling is common to all cultures and has long been a chance to bring people together, share wisdom and entertain. Hear traditional tales, watch captivating performances and take part in creative workshops at this vibrant family festival weekend. All ages, 12-4pm, free drop in.

PEG DOLLS, 17 + 22 February. Many poor children in the East End during the 1800s could not afford to buy toys. Instead they would make their own from materials they found. Get crafty in this art workshop and make your very own peg doll like those made by Londoners in the past. Ages 5+, 12 and 2.30pm, free drop in.

PEARLY KINGS AND QUEENS, 18 February. Explore and wonder through the old streets of London finding and collecting as many buttons as you can to decorate and make your very own Pearly Box. Then have fun filling your box with some yummy edible buttons to take home. Ages 2-5, 10.30am and 1.30pm, free drop in.

THE FIRST PEARLY KING, 18 + 19 February. Henry Crofts was the first Pearly King of East London. What inspired him to famously cover his suit in pearl buttons? How is he still an inspiration to the ‘royalty’ of East London? Find out in this enchanting storytelling session. Ages 5+, 1, 2 and 3pm, free drop in.

CAN YOU ADAM AND EVE IT? 22 February. Is Cockney Rhyming slang ‘brown bread?’ Find out in this interactive workshop which explores an East End way of speaking. Learn how to tell your ‘loaf of bread’ (head) from your ‘plate of meat’ (feet) and see what new words you can come up with using the rules of rhyming slang. Ages 5+, 1, 2 and 3pm, book first.

THE BRITISH LIBRARY 96 Euston Road NW1 2DB, 01937 456030, www.bl.uk The British Library is open to everyone and offers Reading Rooms for research and study, exhibitions and events for curious people of all ages, tours and great places to eat, drink and shop. Open 9.30am - 8pm Mondays to Thursdays, to 6pm Fridays, 7pm Saturdays, and 11am-5pm Sundays, admission free.

CATS ON THE PAGE, until 17 March. Cats and their capers are celebrated in rhymes and stories familiar to us from childhood.

Whether raising a smile, solving a crime, wreaking magical havoc or even performing in theatre, cats take centre stage in this free exhibition. An unmissable offering for families, the exhibition features a reading corner complete with books, a family trail and sound recordings. Free.

FELINE FABLES AND FOLKTALES, 19 January. Cats have stalked stories for hundreds of years - each one with a secret to share and tale to tell. Listen to cat folktales from around the world that show the different sides to these most mysterious of creatures - from the heroic and magical, to the downright naughty, you will meet them all in this playful family workshop. Ages 5-11, 10.30am and 1pm, free drop in.

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ANGLO-SAXON KINGDOMS: ART, WORD, WAR, until 19 February. The people of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms tell their story, in their own words. Explore the beginnings of the English language and English literature. Read some of the earliest-surviving words inscribed in English on objects large and small. Come face-to-face with manuscripts of Old English poetry and prose and the first letter written in English. Wonder at the wit and wisdom in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Under 4s free, £5 children, £16 adults, book first.

ANGLO-SAXON KINGDOMS, 2 February. Travel back to the 5th century and the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms exhibition. Take part in a hands-on creative workshops: help Beowulf slay a monster, design and make your own treasures and experience international Anglo-Saxon culture. Ages 5-11, 11am - 3pm, free drop in.

FRIENDSHIP BEFORE FACEBOOK, 26 February - 12 May. How were friends selected, collected and put on display before the digital era? Explore the Library’s collection of pocket-sized friendship albums - made between the 16th and 19th centuries full of celebrity autographs, music, miniature paintings and bawdy lift-the-flap pictures.

IMAGINE CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM V&A MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL, 020 7942 2000, www.vam.ac.uk/families Pick up a family trail from the Information Desk and explore the museum through puzzles, drawing and observation. Suitable for 7-12 year-olds. There are also hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits containing plenty to touch and try out. Museum open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free.

BACK-PACKS, Saturdays. Pick up a back pack and explore the museum with fantastic jigsaws, stories, puzzles and games.

10.30am-5pm.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk This gem of a museum houses dolls, dolls’ houses, puppets, teddy bears, games, childcare, clothing, furniture and art and photography. Everyday drop-in activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, and trails. There’s dressing-up, role play and an under 3s area, an indoor sandpit, and regular special events. Open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free.

BIG FISH LITTLE FISH: FAMILY RAVE, 26 January. The award-winning, world famous Big Fish Little Fish crew bring their pioneering family rave to the Museum of Childhood. Dance together on a floor filled with bubbles, balloons, glitter and topped by the parachute dance. Get piratically crafty on the craft tables, enjoy some shore leave in the baby chill out or play areas. Pirate fancy dress encouraged. 12noon and 3pm starts, tickets £8 children, £13 adults.

A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR ME, until 22 April. Enter an imaginary swashbuckling world of adventure and exploration from a moody coastal inn to a tropical treasure island in search of sparkling riches. This is the V&A Museum of Childhood’s first major exhibition to focus on fictional pirates and their influence in popular culture, featuring key loans from the V&A collections, including toys, games, books, real pirate coins and treasures and more, spanning over 300 years. At its heart, a large-scale pirate ship inspires learning through active play. Admission free.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM St THOMAS’S HOSPITAL, 2 Lambeth Palace Road SE1 7EW, 020 7188 4400, www.florence-nightingale.co.uk Known as ‘The Lady with the Lamp’, Florence Nightingale was a pioneering nurse, writer, and noted statistician. The Florence Nightingale Museum celebrates her life and work, through personal material associated with Florence Nightingale, items relating to the Crimean War and nursing artefacts. Open 10am7pm daily, admission £7.50 adults, £3.80 children.

WOW! IT’S NIGHT TIME

VIDCON LONDON 14-17 February, EXCEL LONDON, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL, www.vidconlondon.com The, biggest festival for creators and influencers in the world, VidCon is the place for fans meet their favourite creators and YouTubers, attend Q&As, panels, workshops and meet and greets.

In a time where social media is becoming increasingly prominent in children’s lives, this event will show parents how different platforms can be used in a positive way and encourage confidence in young people. Tickets from £35.

THE BRITISH MUSEUM BRITISH MUSEUM, Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG, 020 7323 8181, www.britishmuseum.org The British Museum was founded in 1753, the first national public museum in the world. Each year nearly 6 million visitors pour through the doors to see the museum’s collection of ancient and historical artefacts including the ever-popular Egyptian mummies, or to take in the latest block-buster exhibition. Open 10am-5.30pm daily, admission free, charge for some exhibitions.

REMBRANDT: THINKING ON PAPER, 7 February - 4 August.

To mark the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt’s death, this show examines his exceptional creative output on paper through the museum’s collection of his graphic works. Around 70 prints and drawings demonstrate Rembrandt’s unrivalled immediacy and brilliance of touch as a graphic artist, bringing us close to witnessing and following his creative thinking.

DIGITAL DISCOVERY CENTRE, weekends. Learn, discover and create in the Museum’s digital centre. Free activities and workshops using the latest Samsung digital equipment, enabling children to bring the world’s history and cultures to life through advanced technology.

THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR LONDON, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR, 0345 084 0900, www.wbstudiotour.co.uk Follow the footsteps of Harry, Ron and Hermione deep into the grounds of the Forbidden Forest. The unique attraction offers visitors the ultimate chance to get up close to authentic sets, discover the magic behind spellbinding special effects and explore the behind-the-scenes secrets of the Harry Potter film series. Tickets £25 children, £43 adults, £140 families, book first.

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M U SIC A ND T H E AT RE UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ, 020 7845 0580, www.unicorntheatre.com ICARUS, 26 January - 10 March. Icarus, oldest son of the builder Daedalus, sits looking out over the sea and thinks about his father.

His country is in turmoil. His family is falling apart. His father, far away across the sea, is forced to work for the tyrannical King Minos. What can one boy do against injustice? Will he save his family? Will he save his father? Will he save himself? A bold, contemporary and playful take on the ancient myth. Ages 8-12, tickets from £8 children, £10 adults.

IT’S HOT, IT’S NOT, 2 February - 10 March. Why is it that sometimes I’m hot but you’re cold? Why are there puddles and sometimes not? How can it be sunny and rainy all at once and also not at all? And if it’s summer here, why is it winter there?

Reckless Sleppers’ surreal, funny and carefully crafted physical performance explores the weather in all its forms and takes delight in discovering the world anew and how we experience it differently, wherever we are. Ages 2-5, tickets £10 for a child and adult.

GREENWICH THEATRE Crooms Hill SE10 8ES, 020 8858 7755, www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk THE SINGING MERMAID, weekends until 3 February. One day, the singing mermaid is tempted away from all of her sea creature friends and her peaceful home at Silversands to join a travelling circus. The audiences love to hear her sing, but the poor mermaid was tricked - will she ever escape? Through beautiful puppetry and performance, Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ The Singing Mermaid is brought to the stage, tickets from £8.50.

CHURCHILL THEATRE High Street, Bromley BR1 1HA, 020 3285 6000, www.churchilltheatre.co.uk ELMER THE PATCHWORK ELEPHANT SHOW, 17-19 January.

Elephants, as everyone knows, are big, have trunks, and are grey.

But Elmer is a patchwork of brilliant colours! His fun-loving and cheerful personality keeps everyone in a playful mood, until the day he gets tired of being different and tries to blend in with the herd. Based on the classic children’s book series by David McKee, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant is a celebration of individuality and the power of laughter. Tickets £13.50.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: TERRIBLE TUDORS & AWFUL EGYPTIANS, 6-10 February. Prepare yourselves for two amazing shows with Horrible Histories live on stage. Using actors and ground-breaking 3D special effects, these two astounding shows are guaranteed to thrill you and your children. Historical figures and events will come alive on stage and hover at your fingertips.

Ages 5+, bookings available for single or both shows.

TWIRLYWOOS LIVE, 12 February. From the producers of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show and Sarah and Duck Live on Stage comes another enchanting show for young audiences. Expect beautifully inventive puppetry, mischief, music and plenty of surprises as the Twirlywoos share the delight of discovery. Tickets £13.50.

THE CONSERVATOIRE 19-21 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RQ, 020 8852 0234, www.conservatoire.org.uk FAMILY JAZZ CONCERT, 3 February. Bring your young ones along for a great introduction to live music, as Joe Thompson and his fellow musicians play you the best in jazz and show you how it’s done. Perfect for aspiring young musicians, or families who want some quality musical time together, this really is some of the best jazz in town. All ages welcome. 4pm, tickets £5 children, £10 adults.

AESOP’S FABLES, 24 March. Enter an enthralling world of adventure - meet the Hare and the Tortoise, the mighty Lion and the brave Mouse, march with the Ants and sing, sing sing with Grasshopper. Young audiences are introduced to classical music through flute, piano, singing, narration and a big helping of love and care. 2.30pm, all ages, tickets £5 children, £10 adults.

SOUTHBANK SOUTHBANK CENTRE, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX, 020 3879 9555, www.southbankcentre.co.uk IMAGINE CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL, 13-24 February. The biggest festival of its kind in London, Imagine Children’s Festival fills the 17-acre site with jam-packed fun for ten days. Over fifty per cent of the programme is free, including the best children’s theatre, comedians, DJs, inspirational authors, family parties, activities and interactive fun for children aged 0-12 years and their families. The Kids Takeover returns for another year, giving children the chance to take the reins of the festival alongside the Southbank Centre programming team in all areas of the festival production, from contributing to the line-up to selling programmes, assisting technicians, making tannoy announcements and ensuring shows start on time.

GONG BABIES, Mondays until 1 July. A relaxing music workshop aimed at new parents, carers and pre-crawling babies, featuring the mesmerising chimes of gamelan (Javanese percussion orchestra). 2pm start, adult and child ticket £5.

DRAGON BABIES, Mondays until 18 February. Shake, rattle and gong in a gamelan-filled, music and movement session. 3-5 yearolds with their grown ups, £3 per adult and child ticket.

LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE 6 Leicester Place WC2H 7BX, 020 77134 2222, www.leicestersquaretheatre.com ALICE IN WONDERLAND, 19 + 20 February. Let’s All Dance returns with this fabulous family favourite. Join Alice as she enters the curiouser and curiouser world of the White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts and Mad Hatter. Stunning dancing, much loved characters and super costumes bring the famous tale to life in this magical ballet production. Suitable for all, especially 2 - 11 year olds, including children with special needs. Tickets £21.50 children, £24 adults.

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE, 14 Dagmar Passage, Cross Street N1 2DN, 020 7226 1787, www.littleangeltheatre.com WOW! IT’S NIGHT TIME, until 27 January. The curious little owl is back, and this time she’s ready to discover the wonders of night-time, from the big, bright moon to the bats in the sky and the foxes deep in the forest. But where are all the other owls? When the wind blows the leaves from her tree, you’ll soon see. Tickets £11.50 children, £13.50 adults.

THE SINGING MERMAID, until 27 January. One day, the singing mermaid is tempted away from all of her sea creature friends and her peaceful home at Silversands to join a travelling circus. The audiences love to hear her sing, but the poor mermaid was tricked - will she ever escape? Through beautiful puppetry and performance, Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ The Singing Mermaid is brought to the stage. Ages 3-8, tickets £11.50 children, £13.50 adults.

RISE AND FALL, 30 January - 3 February. Explore an ecosystem of balloons: universes in miniature. Forever expanding and contracting, balloons are free to float, fly and sway. Hold your breath and go sailing away. Rise and Fall is a poetic and intriguing performance for young audiences about holding on and letting go.

Ages 3-6, tickets £11 children, £13 adults.

THE SELFISH GIANT, 6-10 February. Inspired by the touching children’s story by Oscar Wilde, Bristol’s two leading family theatre experts combine forces to explore an unusual friendship, and how even the grumpiest giant’s heart can melt when Spring finally comes. Powerful storytelling, captivating puppetry, beautiful design, enchanting music and a sprinkling of magic sum up this very special show. Ages 3-8, tickets £11 children, £13 adults.

A RT AC T IVI T IES DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY

THE DESIGN MUSEUM

DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

DESIGN MUSEUM, 224-238 Kensington High Street W8 6AG, www.designmuseum.org The museum offers a programme of regular events and activities with plenty of opportunities to get creative, offering free and ticketed workshops and gallery experiences for adult visitors and families with children aged 5-11 years. Open 10am-6pm daily.

HOME FUTURES, until 24 March. Are we living in the way that pioneering architects and designers throughout the 20th century predicted, or has our idea of home proved resistant to real change? Explore today’s home through the prism of yesterday’s imagination. Admission £8 children aged 6-15, £16 adults.

CREATE AND MAKE, once a month on Sundays and during school holidays. Be inspired by the museum and its exhibitions through informal drop in sessions focusing on light-touch design and making. Ages 5-11.

GET INTO DESIGN workshops and courses run for families and young people. Led by specialist tutors, they include input and inspiration from some of the rising stars in contemporary design.

Check the website for dates and details. Ages 8-11.

Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Fridays, from 11am weekends and bank holidays. Admission free for accompanied children, £8 adults. Listed activities free for families with a gallery ticket or £3 per child.

HARALD SOLHBERG: PAINTING NORWAY, 3 February 2 June. Harald Sohlberg (1869-1935) was one of the greatest masters of landscape painting in the history of Norwegian art.

Timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Sohlberg’s birth, this exhibition presents the first ever exhibition outside his home country, bringing together over 90 works, including archive material, to reveal the importance of colour and symbolism in his art as well as his unwavering passion for the Nordic landscape.

ART PLAY, first and last Sunday of each month. Creative drop-in workshops for adults and children, with a different activity each session. Make anything and everything from bunting to block printing and all things in between. 2-3.45pm.

FREE FAMILY TRAIL. Ask a gallery assistant or stop by at the Gallery Friends desk for a free trail; updated frequently and available for the permanent and temporary exhibitions.

THE BRITISH MUSEUM BRITISH MUSEUM, Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG, 020 7323 8181, www.britishmuseum.org NEW ACQUISITIONS: GOZZOLI TO KARA WALKER, until 27 January. Over the past five years, the museum has acquired important prints and drawings from some of the world’s most famous artists. This new exhibition displays 150 rare works from artists including David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Jeremy Deller, Raphael, Edgar Degas and Phyllida Barlow. Admission free.

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NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE, 020 7306 0055, www.npg.org.uk The gallery features thousands of portraits of the most famous people in British history, from the 16th century to the present day.

Open 10am-6pm daily.

DROP IN FAMILY SUNDAYS. On the third Sunday of every month, families are invited to drop-in with children aged 3+ to take part in portrait-related events.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION THE WALLACE COLLECTION, Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN, 020 7563 9500, www.wallacecollection.org The Wallace Collection displays wonderful works of art collected in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the son of the 4th Marquess, in their main London townhouse. Family multi-media tours and trails bring the exhibits to life for younger visitors. Open 10am-5pm daily, admission free.

ART AT SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3PB, 020 7440 4263, www.soane.org Tucked away in Lincoln’s Inn Fields at the heart of London, this magical, mysterious museum encourages young visitors to explore Soane’s treasures and develop new skills with specialist guidance. Sir John Soane (1753- 1737) was an inveterate collector, filling every nook and cranny of his beautiful home with items that fascinated him. From fossils to classical fragments from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and from contemporary paintings to architectural models, drawings and literature, he intended that after his death both his house and its extraordinary contents should be used to educate and inspire. Free drop-in activities run on the third Saturday of every month, with activities for all ages and families can take part together from 1.30-4.40pm.

SOMERSET HOUSE SOMERSET HOUSE, Strand WC2, 020 7845 4600, www.somersethouse.org.uk Art and culture in the heart of London in a stunning riverside setting. Open daily, admission free with a charge for some exhibitions. Free family workshops run on occasional Saturdays check the website for details. Children aged 6-12 years must be accompanied by an adult.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2N 5DN, 020 7747 2885, www.nationalgallery.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays to 9pm, admission free.

With over 2,300 paintings in the collection, there are hundreds of reasons to visit the gallery, along with free hands-on art workshops and magic carpet storytellling for families at weekends and during school holidays. No need to book, but places are limited and allocated on arrival up to one hour before the start.

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