FE73 May/June 2013

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Issue 73 May/June 2013

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

Summer Classes from Perform especially for 4-8 year olds Perform’s weekly drama, dance and singing workshops are a fun-packed mix of confidence-building games, energetic dances and catchy songs exclusively for 4-8 year olds. Running from April to July 2013, children will set off on an amazing journey of discovery. Whether rescuing Polar bears from Iceland or dancing at the Rio Carnival, with so many sights and sounds to discover there’s something for every explorer in their Around the World adventure. Guaranteed to be the best fun that your child has all week! All interested children are entitled to a FREE TRIAL SESSION! Call 0845 400 1271, email enquiries@perform.org.uk or go to www.perform.org.uk Local Perform classes held at: Round Chapel Old School Rooms, Powerscroft Rd, E5 0PU, Sat 9.30am-11am Exmouth Market Centre, Church Of Our Most Holy Redeemer, 24 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE, Wed 4–5pm & 5–6pm Victoria Park Baptist Church, Grove Rd, Bow, E3 5TG, Thu 4–5pm & 5–6pm

Contact us

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

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 51 Cambridge Park, Wanstead E11 2PR, Thu 4–5pm & 5–6pm and Fri 4-5pm United Reformed Church, 58 Orford Road, Walthamstow, E17 9QU, Thu 4–5pm & 5–6pm

Join the adventure with Tilda’s NEW range for kids Tilda and its new Tilli the elephant character will be helping busy mums to feed their hungry hoards with the launch of their delicious NEW rice and veggies range – Tilda Kids.

The new range is full of goodness providing 1 of your 5-a-day with a selection of the best natural ingredients to make four tasty child-friendly rice and vegetable meal accompaniments. They are sure to help busy mums keep their little ones happy and satisfied at mealtimes.

Choose from familiar classic flavours such as Cheese & Tomato, Sunshine Vegetable, Sweet Vegetable & Wholegrain and Mild & Sweet Curry…. yum yum! Available in 125g pouches each meal has been specially developed to cater for a child’s taste pallet and growing appetite. They can be eaten on their own or as an accompaniment with all their favourites - meat or fish.

Ideal for kids who are weaned and happily eating solids, each pouch takes only 40 seconds to cook in the microwave and is a nutritious alternative to other starchy carbohydrates that children need for energy. It even caters for fussy eaters as each pouch contains a blend of hidden vegetable puree as well as small pieces to help boost your youngster’s vegetable intake!

Join in the fun at: http://www.tilda.com/kids 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 New Step Outside Guide arrives!

Family Fun Fundraiser in Walthamstow

The newest Step Outside Guide, ‘If Statues Could Talk – a London Adventure’, is out 13 May and offers a special extra as families using it gain free entry to Westminster Abbey!

This beautiful building, with 1,000 years of our nation’s history inside, is normally £18 per adult but visit with the Guide and get invited to enter the Abbey to discover extraordinary statues and other riches for free.

If you have used a Step Outside Guide before then you will know they offer a terrific day exploring London on the cheap with your kids. On this trip you are escorted by Hodge, Samuel Johnson’s beloved cat, whose statue comes to life to show you around.

Beautifully illustrated by Sam Fenn, The Step Outside Guide books fill your day with free-to-see places and things to do and are written so that children can lead the day. Each starts and finishes at Tube stations and highlight free toilets and picnic places. ‘If Statues Could Talk.... a London Adventure’ out 13 May, £5 available from www.stepoutsideguides.com and bookshops

Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre hosts its annual fundraiser on Sunday 12th May in Walthamstow Village from 11am – 2pm. Aimed at all ages, this year’s charity fundraiser promises to be a fantastic, fun-filled day.

Entertainment includes a real fire engine, live music, Tony Roberts – international street performer and magician, Bouncy Castle for over 5’s, Ball pool for under 5’s, Face Painting, BBQ, loads of stalls and raffle. Entry costs just 50p for adults, children free.

Comely Bank Community Clinic, 46 Ravenswood Road, E17 9LY, 12 May 2013 11am–2pm

Grab yourself a bargain!

Summer Fayre in Chingford St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Chingford is holding a Summer Fayre on Saturday 6th July from 11am - 3pm. Join in the family fun, which includes bouncy castles, face painting, craft stalls, Beat the Goalie, BBQ and many more stalls.

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Station Road, Chingford, E4 7BP, £1 adults, children free

RICHMIX HUE BOY

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Sun 5 May 11amVARIETY & 2pm £6, £5 for Tower Hamlets Residents Ages 3-7

Hue Boy is small and doesn’t seem to be growing “at all, at all”. Until one day he understands what it is to be tall despite his height GRAND UNION YOUTH V ORCHESTRA WORKSHOP

VARIETY

un 12 May Sun 9 Jun S 10.00am–1.30pm Free Age range: 12–25 London’s pioneering world music youth ensemble runs master classes for aspiring young musicians from all musical cultures

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VARIETY

WIGGLY JIGGLERS

Mon 13 May, Mon 10 & 24 Jun 1pm-3pm £3 Age range: 0-2 Give your children the space, freedom, and time to move in ways that support their development and stimulate their imaginations

Families East for Sale - New Owner Wanted

The award winning, Mum2mum markets are coming to East London with events in Woodford and Ilford this May. They give you the chance to buy and sell top quality second-hand baby and children’s goods.

Need to declutter? Then why not sell your outgrown baby and children’s toys, books, clothes, cots, highchairs, pushchairs, etc., at their pop-up indoor markets and keep 100% of your takings.

Don’t worry if you haven’t sold before as they can guide you through the process by offering seller tips to get the pricing and presentation right to maximise your sales. Stalls must be booked in advance at www.mum2mummarket. co.uk/book-a-stall.html Prospect Hall, 42 Prospect Road, Woodford IG8 7NA, 4 May 2-4pm. Parkside Community Association, 176 Goodmayes Lane IG3 9PP, 18 May 1.30-3.30pm

Are you interested in owning and becoming Editor of Families East magazine?

Families East is a successful, long-established franchise, part of the growing group of nationwide Families magazines. It offers a fantastic business opportunity for someone wanting to run their own business from home that works around your life and your children.

Interested? Give Lesley Bishop a call on 07766 705655.

RICH MIX is a family-friendly venue with plenty of FREE or affordable creative family activities, equipped with full pram and buggy access; baby change facilities; lifts to all floors; a mezzanine area perfect for family lunches; and a café on site MWALIMU EXPRESS

MUSICAL RUMPUS: V MOVERS AND SHAKERS

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Sun 19 May 2pm-6pm VARIETY Free All Ages The family-friendly adventure that explores music from a different African country in the afternoon of every third Sunday of the month Credit: James Berry

LITTLE SUNSHINE V LITTLE RAINFALL Sun 2 Jun 11am & 2pm £6, £5 for Tower Hamlets Residents VARIETY

Ages 3-7 Little Sunshine and Little Rainfall invite you to their magical Japanese garden, but when naughty Storm Fox arrives, all mayhem breaks loose. Find out how the garden is saved in this enchanting new show

STORYCRAFT V WORKSHOP WITH APPLES AND SNAKES VARIETY

Mon 17 Jun 1.30pm £3 per child Age Range: 2-5 For mums, dads, carers and children 2-5, these fun and active sessions are led by a different storyteller or poet each month

VARIETY

Thu 20 Jun 10.30am & 12pm Free (booking required) Ages 0-2 Part of Spitalfields Music Summer Festival - experience a world of rolling, running and Monteverdian melodies

CELEBRATING SANCTUARY LONDON Sun 23 Jun 11am-7pm Free All ages This iconic London festival celebrates the music, art and culture from refugee and migrant communities. A day of workshops, games, a marketplace and performance for all

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Hotel Transylvania (U) Sat 25th May & Sun 26th May 12pm AUTISM FRIENDLY SCREENING Finding Nemo (U) Sun 19th May 1pm Ice Age 4 - Continental Drift (U) Sat 1st May & Sun 2nd June 12pm The Odd Life of Timothy Green (U) Sat 8th & Sun 9th / 12pm AUTISM FRIENDLY SCREENING Top Cat: The Movie (U) Sat 15th 12pm / Sun 16th 11am Happy Feet Two (U) Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd 12pm The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (U) Sat 29th & Sun 30th / 12pm AUTISM FRIENDLY SCREENING Top Cat: The Movie (U) Sun 16th / 1pm

ParaNorman (PG) Sat 4th & Sun 5th May 12pm The Croods (U) Sat 11th & Sun 12th May 12pm Finding Nemo (U) Sat 18th May 12pm, 35-47 Sun 19th May 11am

Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA

(Liverpool Street tube, Shoreditch High Street Station or Bethnal Green tube)

www.richmix.org.uk For more information & booking Grand Union Youth Orchestra Workshop

www.familieseast.co.uk

Little Sunshine, Little Rainfall

Musical Rumpus: Movers and Shakers

020 7613 7498

May/June 2013 Families East | 3

Family Matters Need to Diagnose Dyslexia and other Learning Difficulties?

Educational Psychologist service now available from Fleet Tutors Currently 10% of the British population are dyslexic, but too often this issue is not identified at school. Many dyslexic children are very bright, but struggle to fulfil their potential in the classroom if dyslexia or other learning difficulties are not properly identified.

For many children, despite the best efforts of our over-burdened schools, many are unable to achieve their full potential due to a lack of resources, or more worryingly, through a lack of understanding. A growing number of parents do not trust our schools to recommend strategies that help their child progress with their education once learning difficulties are identified.

Due to this growing demand from parents, Fleet Tutors, Britain’s leading Tutoring Service, has now extended its range of services beyond tutoring to

include independent educational psychologist assessments to identify dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning difficulties.

These assessments will help parents and pupils address their difficulties within the school environment and before the child loses confidence. Assessments are conducted by a fully qualified member of the British Psychological Society, with over twenty-five years’ experience and a comprehensive understanding of various learning difficulties.

Appointments are available now at Fleet Tutor’s West London and Farnborough offices.

With thirty-five years’ experience helping students of all ages achieve their goals, Fleet Tutors operates a network of over 5000 qualified, experienced tutors across the country. Contact Fleet Tutors’ services, via www. fleet-tutors.co.uk or call 0845 644 5452

To advertise in Families East please email familieseastmagazine@ googlemail.com or call 07766 705655 for details

Dealing with the stress of separation and divorce?

Mullis & Peake’s specialist Family Law team of solicitors are holding a free seminar on Friday 24th May, 11am -12.30pm in their Romford offices. The event run by Bebe Jacobs, Child Psychologist & Parenting Coach aims to help you to help your children deal with separation and divorce.

Come along and join a small group of individuals in the same situation as you. They will offer advice and support regarding separation and divorce from a child’s point of view. It will also cover supporting your children through this difficult time, helping you talk to them about the issues and avoiding conflict with your ex-partner. If you wish to attend email emilysmith@mplaw.co.uk by 24 May to book your space.

Mullis & Peake, 8-10 Eastern Road, Romford, Essex RM1 3PJ

4 | Families East May/June 2013

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May/June 2013 Families East | 5

Babies, babies, The media focus on Kate and William’s pregnancy has already highlighted to expectant mums some of the complications faced with pregnancy but it has also drawn attention to the wide range of options available in trying to deal with the different stages of having a child from pregnancy to childbirth through to postnatal recovery.

Families East has spoken with a number of specialist local practitioners to gain a better appreciation of what benefits each of them offer to you at this exciting time.

Top tips for a healthy pregnancy 1. Vitamins and Supplements Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily before becoming pregnant and in the first three months of pregnancy to help prevent birth defects. 10 micrograms of Vitamin D daily during pregnancy is also recommended.

2. Pregnancy nutrition Many women start pregnancy with low iron or slightly anaemia so good sources of iron include red meat, kidneys, pulses, eggs and green vegetables extra Vitamin C helps you absorb iron better.

3. Exercise Exercise during pregnancy keeps you and your baby healthy, and prepares your body for labour although contact sports are not recommended after the first three months.

4. Pelvic floor exercises Pelvic floor exercises help prepare for an easier birth and recovery as the hormones released during pregnancy relax these muscles in preparation for

labour. Regular pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy help prevent long-term problems.

5. Drugs and prescriptions Be careful about what drugs and medicines you take and avoid taking over-the-counter medicines without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell anybody advising you on your health that you are pregnant including any use of homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy preparations or herbal oils.

6. Antenatal depression Pregnant women can experience changes in emotions but if you feel constantly tired, have lost interest in yourself or your pregnancy, always feel down or anxious or angry, then you may have antenatal depression. Talk to your midwife or GP if you feel depressed, they can help you.

7. Travelling/flying while pregnant Avoid flying to an area where you require a vaccination. When booking flights tell your booking agent how far pregnant you will be on your return. Most airlines require a certificate or letter from your GP if you plan to travel when over 28

Natal Hypnotherapy From Womb to World A calm birth leads to a calmer baby in their ‘womb to world’ transition according to research about birth hypnosis and this must be a good. But is that easier said than done? Well not when using Natal Hypnotherapy (NH), the British form of hypnobirthing and created with the UKs maternity system in mind.

As a local antenatal teacher and NH practitioner, Lisa Quinn often has to deal with fear and anxiety from mothers about their forthcoming birth, whether it’s their first time or due to a previous traumatic birth experience. Some fear is normal but NH teaches mothers to let go of their fear and relax deeply during pregnancy, focusing positively on the birth of their baby. Anxiety is replaced with positive belief whilst skills like simple breathing and relaxation techniques are taught to help mothers deal with any challenges during labour and birth, allowing mothers and their partners to be more relaxed, calmer and in greater control of what is happening. As a result a calmer mum means a calmer baby. NH is non-invasive and the mother is completely in control of the whole process.

The great thing about NH is it is ideal for all mothers and types of birth – high/low risk, first or subsequent births even includ-

6 | Families East May/June 2013

weeks pregnant. Try to book an aisle seat and drink lots of water as pregnant women are more susceptible to dehydration.

8. Getting ill during pregnancy Your immune system is suppressed during pregnancy to protect your foetus but this makes you more susceptible to every bug. If you are ill, contact your GP immediately. Rest when you need to and keep your stress levels to a minimum.

9. Drinking and smoking during pregnancy Government guidelines advise to stop drinking alcohol during pregnancy but if you want to drink no more than 1 or 2 units of alcohol once or twice a week.

It’s common knowledge that smoking is bad for your health and your unborn baby but if you cannot stop then cut down your smoking.

10. Bodily discomforts Back pain is common in pregnancy with the baby’s weight putting a strain on your lower back so keep an eye on your posture and wear flat or low-heeled shoes. Many women also suffer from heartburn and indigestion so try eating smaller meals more often.

ing multiple births and works in all settings from home to hospital and even theatre. Research has shown that birth hypnosis can lead to more spontaneous and shorter labours, less noticeable/perceived pain, less need for pain relief and medical intervention. Babies have a higher APGAR score, breastfeeding is easier to initiate and babies are generally calmer. The skills aren’t just for birth either they are for life and particularly useful to aid recovery and deal with sleep deprivation. So much so that the NHS has just adopted NH in some hospitals, as featured on the ITV News, including Queens Hospital, Romford and the Duchess of Cambridge is rumoured to be using NH to deal with her morning sickness and as a way of preparing for birth.

NH can be self-taught using CDs however the best way to learn is to attend workshops (which are very affordable) or to have a one-to-one session. As a NH practitioner, Lisa works with the parents specifically to their individual needs helping them create a portable and calm birth environment to welcome their baby into the world. The award winning CDs then should be used as maintenance and practice leading up to and during birth.

Lisa Quinn runs workshops in East London and Essex to find out more information about NH and Lisa Quinn please visit www.birthwithconfidence.co.uk , email lisa@birthwithconfidence.co.uk or call her on 07866 413879

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babies Baby Names – What’s popular for 2013 Babynames.co.uk has published its last figures for popular baby names for the first quarter of 2013. Some of the top names from 2012 look set to stay popular this year with Amelia, Olivia and Mia maintaining their high ranks for the girls and Harry, Oliver and Jacob still holding their own in the boys’ top ten. Even more names are being taken from our grandparents’ era with a notable shift in attitude towards what are often seen as more middle class names.

‘Names follow trends, just like clothes and hairstyles – with some taking longer to come full circle than others. Interestingly we have seen a significant increase in popularity of the names Violet and Arthur popular at the start of the 20th Century, and Evelyn which was popular in the 1930s.’ said Siobhan Thomas, Chief Editor at BabyNames.co.uk.

A number of girls’ names that have been sitting just outside the top 50 are making a sudden leap towards the top ten this year – Amelie and Florence being two notable climbers. Whilst in the boys’ camp Toby, Sebastian and Jasper are all looking set to become more popular choices for 2013.

There is also huge speculation as to what William & Kate’s baby will be called this year and names with Royal connections continue to be popular, particularly boys’ names William and Harry are still amongst the top ranking for 2013 and Henry is attracting even more attention. For more information for 2013 including the sites official top 40 figures for each gender visit: http://www. babynames.co.uk/blog/the-top-40-boysand-top-40-girls-from-2013-so-far/

The beautiful journey of yoga through pregnancy to birth and beyond The ancient self-help system of yoga promotes mental and physical well-being and balance. The experience of being pregnant and giving birth involves great physical and emotional changes and knowing how to use and adapt yoga techniques to breathe, move and relax during this time will help you to lay deep foundations for decades of mothering.

First Trimester: Conception to Weeks 14/16 Develop techniques to rest, relax, breathe, self-nurture, provide physical and emotional support for adaptation to change.

Second Trimester: Weeks 14/16 to 33 Strengthen, energise, expand breathing capacity, lengthen exhalation, develop bonding

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Back and pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy.

Some pregnant women develop back pain that could have come on even when not pregnant. The usual advice for taking care of your back applies as pregnancy progresses, avoid overstraining the small spinal joints or damaging the disc, which could lead to pressure on the sciatic nerve and back and leg pain.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) in pregnancy arises from the pelvis, and results from the relaxation of the elastic pelvic ligaments to allow your pelvis to expand during delivery.

The change in posture and the downward pressure of the baby can lead to strain on the pelvic joints.

PGP may come from the sacroiliac joints, on either side of the tailbone at the base of the spine. Pain increases when putting weight on the leg whilst walking, when standing still or when trying to get comfortable in bed.

Pain felt at the central pubic joint at the front of the pelvis, and often spreading to the groin and thighs, is referred to as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). It is aggravated by separating the legs, especially when getting in or out of a car, or by squatting.

Physiotherapy can help by determining the cause of your pain, applying mobilisations and massage and giving you appropriate advice on posture, support and exercises.

In order to help prevent back pain then take regular moderate exercise, keep active, watch your weight, maintain good posture and avoid heavy lifting. If you do have to lift then bend your knees, keep the weight as close as possible and avoid twisting.

Elaine Atkins Physiotherapy, 154 High Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 9EF 020 8504 0478 www. elaineatkins.com

Mention Families East for a £20 saving on your first appointment for physio. Valid until end September 2013

with the baby, respond to postural changes, toning your pelvic floor, trust yourself and listen to your body and its emotional changes.

Start to find stillness within, awareness on nature and what is natural. Understanding our rhythms.

Third Trimester: Weeks 33 to 40/42 Release, learn to let go, prepare for birth, birthing breath, prepare for motherhood, relax, serene, safe.

As yoga increases your range of movement, postures become fluid and enjoyable, creating space for you and your baby helping your body release and relax in preparation for labour. Your breath eases as you learn to breathe for two but breathing techniques are important for relaxation, focus and natural pain relief. Classes allow you to meet other pregnant women and share together.

Postnatal The change from being pregnant to having a baby to care for is enormous, so the need to rest and adjustment is vital for you both. After giving birth, the spine needs to realign and the pelvic muscles need to be strengthened.

Learning to create core strength is a solid foundation for long-term health.

For further information please contact: Maxine 07950 684893 www.thetreeofyoga.co.uk

May/June 2013 Families East | 7

Babies, babies, babies...

Mummy Motivator Lou Prior has worked as a Personal Trainer for over 10 years but decided to specialise in Pre and Postnatal fitness so 2 years ago launched ‘Mummy Motivator’. Working out of her small gym at home in South Woodford, complete with her wheel of doom - a killer ab workout device! New mums are more than welcome to bring babies and there’s free offstreet parking so no need for costly creche fees.

Lou says, “You can often find me juggling a tired baby and keeping count of mum’s repetitions at the same time! I also train in all the local parks around Wanstead, Chingford and South Woodford, it’s great to get some fresh air and take the buggies and bumps out when possible.”

“It’s all about maintenance during pregnancy, not trying to improve fitness levels. We work at a level that is safe and suits you and concentrate on important core and pelvic work, essential for your labour. Regular exercise can also help to alleviate back pain and offer an all important good night’s sleep.”

“For new mums, it’s about losing baby weight and toning up that yummy mummy body. I work a lot on re-aligning posture and restoring and strengthening the pelvic floor and tummy muscles. I also cover certain conditions such as diastasis recti, carpal tunnel syndrome, blood pressure problems and mild cases of prolapse.“ Summer Offer - 10 sessions for £195 or £20 per hour so call to have a chat and arrange a free consultation with Lou on 07590 764222

Baby Sensory sessions come to Queen’s Theatre The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch has recently launched Baby Sensory, a new award-winning programme for babies from birth to 13 months. It includes unique activities that aim to build up a vocabulary of sensory experiences to enhance physical contact between mother and baby. Recent research indicates that the first year of life is the most important time for development.

Each class includes a variety of baby development activities plus a discovery playtime during which you and your baby can make new friends and enjoy their exploratory play area. Experience fibre optic light shows, bubbles, bells, musical fun, baby signing, puppet shows, amazing light balls and so much more.

Up-coming sessions: Thurs 9 May & 6 June, 11am – 12pm with tickets £5 per baby (adult tickets not required) but book early as sessions are very popular. Contact Queen’s on 01708 443333 or visit www.queens-theatre.co.uk

The benefits of Pilates for postnatal recovery It takes the body at least nine months to recover fully from pregnancy, even longer if you are still breastfeeding so think of nine months pregnant and nine months of postnatal recovery.

Before starting back with exercise you need to get the go-ahead from your midwife or GP, as much will depend on the length and nature of your labour and the type of delivery.

During pregnancy your abdominal muscles separate to allow the baby to grow and sometimes they do not draw back together sufficiently, which can impact on how well they support the spine. This is called diastasis recti and your medical or fitness professional should be able to check if this affects you.

Pilates can help to: • Progressively strengthen your deep abdominals to help correct this condition; • Strengthen your pelvic floor; • Work on your pelvic stability; • Improve your upper body movement and posture to counter the effects of breast feeding, or bottle-feeding and infant care; • Relax you.

Urinary stress and urge incontinence are also both very common during pregnancy and postnatal. After all, the baby has been bouncing up and down on your pelvic floor for the last few months. The birthing process can also damage your pelvic floor so you may need extra help with locating and strengthening your pelvic floor. If you feel you need help, then ask your GP to refer you to a women’s health physiotherapist.

Belinda Moss, Body Control Master Pilates Instructor & Specialist Lower Back Pain Practitioner 07713 810 220 or 0208 504 7454/ belindajanemoss@gmail.com www.pilatesenvigour.co.uk

8 | Families East May/June 2013

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Apart from giving you ideas on how to deal with pregnancy, Families East has also put together a list of some really interesting, innovative and practical products for you to look at.

Mutsy Easyrider £105, www.mutsy.nl The Easyrider from Mutsy is a lightweight, stylishly designed stroller that features a very easy and compact fold mechanism.

Available in a range of stunning, stylish colours the Easyrider has an adjustable back support, full sized canopy, shopping basket, integral foot support and swivel wheels. Weighing in at just 7kg the Easyrider is designed to be exceptionally easy to operate.

Clevamama Splash & Wrap Baby Bath Towel, £15.00 RRP, Boots, Kiddicare and other UK retailers

Sassy Hug n Tug Horse, from £8.99, www. eastcoastnursery.co.uk The new Hug n Tug Horse from Sassy is suitable for use from around 6 months up with beads in both its belly and feet to help develop vision and to attract baby with vivid sounds. Its range of textures makes the horse extremely tactile helping baby to explore through touch and teach cause and effect. The Hug n Tug Horse can be attached to a stroller or car seat so keeping baby amused while out and about too.

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Skip Hop Dash Deluxe Sequins, £59.95 RRP exclusively from www.happybags.co.uk

Easy View Mirror, £12.99, www.diono.com

Axkid Minikid, £295 www.securatot.co.uk The Axkid Minikid can be easily installed in a wide variety of vehicles using the vehicles standard 3-point seatbelt and is designed for children to stay rear facing until they are 25kg in weight or approximately 6 years old. Its integrated 5-point harness ensures maximum safety for your child, and together with its headrest they automatically adjust according to the size of the child. It also has a unique tether strap that automatically tightens by simply rocking the seat other features include deep side wings for additional side impact protection, five recline positions and has passed the Swedish Plus Test - the strictest car seat standard.

The Gold award winning Clevamama Splash and Wrap Baby Bath Towel is a great bath time aid that lasts from when baby is born right until toddler stage. 100% cotton and available in cream, white, pink and blue, it offers complete softness for baby and great absorbency. The extra large towel fastens around your neck like an apron leaving both hands free to safely lift your baby from the bath and instantly wrap them with a hood included.

Tiny Love 3-in-1 Rocker Napper, £129.99, www. eastcoastnursery.co.uk

Most modern cars have passenger side airbags, which mean it’s not always possible to place rear facing baby seats on the front passenger seat. The Easy-View from Diono is the first back seat mirror that rotates 360 degrees to let you view your child in the rear of the car. Easily fitted in seconds, it adjusts for different drivers or for the passenger to have the largest reflection of any back seat mirror of their back seat passenger and is made from child safe plastic.

This new, highly functional changing bag is designed to withstand the rigours of everyday use in its stunning finish. Its 11 pockets include a zipped personal pocket mean so there’s more than enough room for everything you and baby need. Strong hidden magnets allow the flap to close in different ways and keep contents secure. Measuring 31 cms x 29cm x 11cm its durable poly-canvas construction comes complete with a cushioned changing mat, stroller clips and an adjustable shoulder strap. The patented Shuttle Clips attaches to a pram without removing the shoulder strap.

The multi-functional Tiny Love 3-in-1 Rocker Napper goes way beyond the traditional baby seat.

Its three positions convert simply and quickly. The seat can be used to entertain baby with its removable baby activated mobile of soft, friendly toys and a music box that plays 9 different tunes. With the rocking function locked and mobile removed it creates a perfect feeding seat and once your little one is tired its one-handed operation enables you to recline the seat fully. Baby can also sleep in one of the reclined positions and it can be used up until the baby weighs approx. 18kgs.

May/June 2013 Families East | 9

Out & About

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

At Families East we make every effort to ensure our Out & About listings are correct at the time of going to press. Please check ahead before you plan a journey or day out.

without the rude bits The Monday Family Workshop Mon 6 May 11am 2pm £6/£3 7yrs+ Using the early ‘cries’ of the London street traders as a starting point, join in to learn and share songs from neighbourhoods far and wide Circus Maximus Tue 7 May–Sat 1 Jun (various performance times) £22.50-£15.50 all ages.

Twenty acts, one prize, the UK’s first circus competition. The country’s finest circus talents compete for the votes of the audience and judges for a £5,000 prize and the opportunity to develop a new show with Underbelly Productions and Circus Space. Four rounds of heats – the audience decides - then the finals.

The panel of expert judges chooses the ultimate competition winner. Their discussions are in strict secrecy, but they take the audience vote into account, so be there to support your favourite. Each show runs for an hour London Philharmonic Orchestra FUNharmonics: Peter & the Wolf Sat 11 May 12 noon £18-£10.

Join Bird, Duck, Cat and plucky little Peter, as they outwit the snarling Wolf in Prokofiev’s timeless classic Peter and the Wolf. You can try your hand at playing an orchestral instrument in one of the have-a-go sessions or join the Human Orchestra workshops from 10.30am2.30pm in Royal Festival Hall foyers too Hook, Line and Singer: A Family Sing-Along with Cerys Matthews Sat 25 May 2013 3pm FREE Everyone can sing and Cerys Matthews wants to stop us feeling so shy about it.

Join her in this big family-sing-along Southbank Centre’s Fairytale Walk Sat 25 & Sun 26 May 1pm £5 Go on this magical mystery tour of Southbank Centre and experience the building in a way you’ve never seen it before. Interactive stories and songs from one of the UK’s leading poetry and spoken word artists Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Sun 26 May-Sun 15 Sept £8 under 5yrs DJ Monski Mouse brings high energy with her hit dance event for under 5’s. Monski and her team get heads and shoulders, knees and toes bopping along to retro dance tracks, pop favourites and funky nursery rhymes. Runs approximately 45 minutes. Two children per adult Contemplating the Honey Bee : A Workshop for Children Mon 27 May 11am £5 6yrs+ Artist Amy Shelton and Beekeeper Steve Benbow introduce children to the wonders of the beehive. Learn about the flowers that bees forage on to make honey and see the tools of the beekeepers’ trade up close. Children also have the opportunity to make a beeswax-coated artwork celebrating the honeybee Other shows include: Dog’s Don’t Do Ballet Mon 27-Thu 30 May; Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids Mon 27-Thu 30 May; The Adventurers Club Sat 15 Jun–Sun 16 Jun; Slap Dash Galaxy Sat 29 & Sun

HACKNEY EMPIRE THEATRE

291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ 020 8985 2424 www.hackneyempire.co.uk Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom Sat 6 Jul 1pm 4pm, Sun 7 Jul 10am 1pm, £13.50/£11.50. Ben and Holly live in the Little Kingdom, a tiny land where flowers and grass rise high above them and every day is an adventure. Join them on this exciting musical adventure packed full of games, songs and laughter on an enchanting journey. With actors, masks and colourful costumes this beautiful story of elves, princesses and childhood innocence will delight all the family

THEATRE, CONCERTS & FILMS BARBICAN

Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS 020 7638 8891 www.barbican.org.uk LSO Discovery Concert: America Sun 5 May 2.30pm £10/£5 7-12yrs Join in and take a leap across the pond and raise a salute to some of the StarSpangled Banner’s greatest musical hits. Dance a hoedown, stroll across the prairie and go into the Bronx to meet the gangs of New York who inspired West Side Story Pre-concert workshops 10.30am– 12.45pm. Tickets £5 per person (adults & children) open to Family Concert bookers only. Get those creative juices flowing ready for the afternoon’s performance in exciting workshops based on the concert theme. Compose music alongside members of the LSO, make your own props to take into the concert Free foyer activities 1.15pm–2.15pm Arrive early for the Family Concert to join in the exciting pre-concert events and activities Crèche 2–4pm - For families with younger siblings, a free crèche is available for children aged 6 months to 6 years

BROADWAY THEATRE

Broadway, Barking, IG11 7LS 020 8507 5607 www.thebroadwaybarking.com The Magical Playroom with CBeebies’ Cerrie Burnell Tue 6 & Wed 7 Jul 2pm £6 Family of 4 £20 3-6yrs. Libby is a young girl who dreams of being a ballerina but is told her dream won’t come true because of her disability. She escapes into an exciting imaginary world when she discovers the “Magical Playroom” and the toys within come to life. Will her new friends be able to help Libby make her dreams come true?

GREENWICH THEATRE

Croom’s Hill, SE10 8ES 020 8858 7755 www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk The Elephant Bridesmaid Sun 12 May £10/£7.50 Family £27.50 A magical musical about weddings and wombats and the loveliest elephant the world has ever known.

Slapdash Galaxy Sun 9 June 1.30pm 5pm £12.50/£7.50 Family £32. This is the tale of Sam and Junior, two brothers who must flee their war torn planet and embark on an epic journey across the galaxy. Some scenes may frighten under 7yrs

LYRIC THEATRE

Shaftesbury Ave, W1D 7 ES 0844 579 1972 www.bearhuntlive.com We’re going on a Bear Hunt From Wed 3 Jul-Sun 1 Sep 11am Sat & Sun 10am 12 noon £21.50 - £14 Family £60

QUEEN’S THEATRE

52 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT 01708 443333 www.queens-theatre.co.uk Jesters Drama Club Sat 4 11 18 May 1.30pm-3.30pm £6 7-11yrs. A drop-in drama club with weekly 2 hour workshops full of fun drama games Fun theatre workshop for 5-7yrs £5 Sat 1 Jun We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Sat 6 Jul The Gruffalo Baby Sensory: Precious Early Learning for Babies Thu 9 May & 6 Jun 11am-12 noon £5 Award winning baby development classes designed for babies from birth to 13 months. Unique activities that will surprise and delight both you and your baby. Textures, special equipment and techniques to stimulate, activities for the development of language, exercises to enhance the bonding process, varied sensory experience to encourage learning Skull & Crossbones - The Potty Pirates.

Sat 4 May 11.30am 4–7yrs £5 Jolly Roger with the Potty Pirates, Captain Crossbones and Sally Skull, in their special magic pirate show Magic and Mayhem with AJ Sat 1 Jun 11.30am 4–7yrs £5 Fun for everyone! With as much dancing, magic, bubbles and party games as you can fit into an hour

SADLERS WELLS

Rosebury Avenue, EC1 0844 412 4300 www.sadlerswells.com Varmints Fri 17 May 10.30am Sat 18 May 2.30pm & 7pm £12/£7 8yrs+. Varmints is the brand new children’s dance theatre show, which tells the poignant tale of one small creature’s struggle to preserve a world in danger of being lost forever

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX 0844 875 0073 www.southbankcentre.co.uk Comedy Club 4 Kids Until Sat 13 Jul (once a month) 4.15pm £15-£10 6yrs+. Now in its third year at Udderbelly Festival, the Comedy Club 4 Kids is back, bigger and better than circuit doing what they do best, but

10 | Families East May/June 2013

To list an event contact editor@familieseast.co.uk 30 Jun and Robin Hood and his very Merry Men Sat 6 & Sun 7 Jul

ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS CHURCH

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ 020 7766 1100 lmaorchestra.com Peter and the Wolf Sat 25 May 11am £12/£6. Jonathan Pryce narrates as the Northern Lights Symphony Orchestra present Prokofiev’s masterpiece, in a double bill with the world premiere of a new arrangement of Edward Gregson’s Aztec Dances for Flute and Orchestra Free Lunchtime Concerts The lunchtime concerts (Mon, Tue & Fri 1pm) are a great way for the whole family to enjoy classical music

STRATFORD CIRCUS

Theatre Square, Stratford, E15 1BX 0844 357 2625 www.stratford-circus.com Andy & Mike’s Tick Tock Time Machine Sun 12 May 1pm 3pm £12-£10 3yrs+ Andy Day (CBeebies) stars alongside comedy partner, Mike James. They discover a door that was locked many years ago by their great, great, great grandfather Wally Bum. Inside they find a mysterious Time Machine. Will they make it back to the here and now or be trapped in the mists of a time forever?

One thing’s for sure; they haven’t a chance without your help Sat 18 May Deep in the Woods (Age: 2-5) 30 mins 11.30am 3.30pm £8-£6 Workshop 12.30pm 1.45pm £2 In a Deep Dark Wood (Age: 5-8) 45 mins 4.35pm £8-£6 Workshop 5.15pm £2 In a Deep Dark Wood is a fun and highly interactive show about a little girl who bravely ventures into a dark and mysterious wood. Encountering strange shadows, tempting trees to climb and beguiling creatures, the tale unfolds as the young audience take to the stage to help build the forest and guide the little girl through her bewitching adventure.

The show intertwines shadow play, interactive video installations and a thrilling fusion of contemporary dance and acrobatics. For those aged 2-5 years, Deep in the Woods is a special version with all the same magical and interactive fun (...but all the scary bits taken out!)

Flown - Fri 24 & Sat 25 May 7.30pm £12-£10. International new circus with a twist! With a crash of drums, the Circus arrives – a tour-hardy troupe of acrobats, aerialists, dancers, musicians, stuntmen and adventurers. A vibrant, poignant and surprising show, Flown mixes comedy and chaos with bold physicality and an eclectic live sound-scape Spring into Summer celebrations Wed 29 May-Sat 1 Jun £8-£6 0-8yrs Wed-Fri: 9.30am 10.30am 11.30am 2.30pm 3:30pm 4.30pm Sat: 9.30am 10.30am 11.30am. Celebrate the change of season, play with the confusions of time in the Timekeepers workshop and prepare for the midsummer disco with the pixies in their den. An interactive space to play, relax and enjoy your holiday with artist-led activities all day

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Out & About Family Disco - Sat 1 Jun 2pm £8-£6 0-11yrs. Boogie on down to Stratford Circus’ family disco. Bop along to current chart hits and old favourites, meet the Timekeeper and get playful with our Pixie on the dance floor. There may be some barn dancing and face painting too!

Varmints - Fri 21-Sat 22 Jun, Fri 10am & 1.45pm Sat 3pm 8yrs+. Varmints is the brand new children’s dance theatre show, which tells the poignant tale of one small creature’s struggle to preserve a world in danger of being lost forever Varmints Family Day - Sat 22 Jun will be an exciting day of Varmints themed workshops and activities including readings, dress up, installations and much more

THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE

Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 020 7928 3535 www.bfi.org.uk Doctor Who at 50 Throughout 2013, BFI Southbank will be marking the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who with regular monthly events celebrating all the different Doctors throughout the show’s history Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani Thu 4 May 2pm FREE Films for Families FREE films in the amazing Mediatheque! Sit down in front of a viewing screen and call up many weird and wonderful titles which have been digitised from the archive, from full length feature films to old cinema adverts, TV children’s programmes and documentaries. The Mediatheque is FREE but booking may be advisable, especially at the weekends

UNICORN THEATRE

147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ 020 7645 0560 www.unicorntheatre.com Something Very Far Away 2013 Tue 21 May-Sun 2 Jun 8yrs+ £16/£10 (show times vary see website) Kepler is an ordinary man who loves two things beyond all others: the cosmos and his wife Tomasina. After a sudden and tragic loss he looks to the stars for answers. With live animation You’re Not My Friend Anymore Tue 28 May-Sun 2 Jun 11.45am 1.45pm £16/£10 3yrs+. Can it ever work having two best friends? This is a funny and poignant look at the ups and downs, ins and outs of friendship My Father and Other Superheroes Sun 16 Jun 2pm £16/£10 8yrs+ Celebrate Father’s Day with this heart-warming story about the trials and tribulations of fatherhood with an optional family brunch before the show Foyer Event Superheroes’ brunch £5, booking required via Box Office Aston’s Stones Tue 18-Sun 23 Jun under 5yrs This is a story about the ability to see the value in small things – even in a little stone. When Aston starts bringing stones home, his patient and understanding parents don’t mind. But after a while they start to worry – how many stones can one household look after?

Foyer Event FREE Sat 22 & Sun 23 Jun after the 12pm & 2pm performances,

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Concrete Creatures – decorate your stone and take home a friend

EVENTS CITY OF LONDON FESTIVAL

Sun 23 Jun–Fri 26 Jul www.colf.org An amazing series of musical concerts, walks & tours, talks, exhibitions and free summer events; including a pop up orchard!

COVENT GARDEN PUPPET FESTIVAL & MAY FAIR

Sun 12 May ALL DAY. This is an annual event celebrating the art of puppetry and the origins of Punch and Judy.

Originally sighted by Samuel Pepys in May 1662, Mr Punch has become a central part of British heritage. The day begins with a brass band parade starting at the church garden gate of St Paul’s Church Garden. Crowds can take part in traditional fun in London, including live music and a stream of puppeteers

FATHER’S DAY

Time to take your Dad out for a treat on Sun 16 Jun – look through the listings and find something new to do

GREENWICH & DOCKLANDS FESTIVAL

Thu 20-Sat 29 Jun www.festival.org This year’s Greenwich + Docklands International Festival of outdoor arts, theatre, dance and family entertainment takes as its inspiration the democratic spirit of outdoor theatre. Events, most of which are free, take place at different sites in Greenwich; see the festival website nearer the festival’s date for the full programme

LONDON PET SHOW

Earls Court 0844 873 7332 Sat 11 & Sun 12 May £14/£9.50 under 5yrs free. www.londonpetshow.co.uk Dancing dogs, racing micro-pigs, rabbit show jumping and skate-boarding chickens are among this year’s spectacular pet attractions. The UK’s largest pet showcase will feature the wonderful world of creatures great and small, from guinea pigs to geckos, as well as offering a fun day out for families and pet enthusiasts

MUSEUMS AT NIGHT

www.museumsatnight.org.uk Thu 16–Sat 18 May The annual after-hours festival of arts, culture and heritage when hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites open their doors for special evening events

THE KENSINGTON SUMMER SHOW DOLL’S HOUSE FESTIVAL

Kensington Town Hall W8 Sat 11 & Sun 12 May www.dollshousefestival.com Sat £11 Sun £8 Weekend £16 Child £4 Family £20 Under 2yrs FREE Children’s Workshops 2pm-4.30pm on Sat 11 May 12pm-4pm on Sun 12 May Golden Scavenger Hunt Search for Golden Miniatures and have the chance to win a prize

May/June 2013 Families East | 11

Out & About Gingerbread Craft Club: Party Dresses 5yrs+ Dress a doll for a party in your dolls house. Choose from a huge variety of fabrics, trimming and plenty of sparkle

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 Family Audio Visual guide £6 for up to 5 players/£4 for 2 Four fun specially-recorded tours to lead you through the Gallery with amazing facts and stories about the people in the Collection Family Resources A new range of FREE trails to help families explore the Gallery is now available. Pick yours up from the Gallery and learn more about portraits. Titles include: Look! Sketch! & Explore!

Storytelling with Art for Families Sat 18 May 10.30am 1.30pm FREE 3yrs+ Family Art Workshop Sat 18 May 11.30am 2.30pm FREE ticketed 90 minutes 5yrs+ Portraits in Sculpture Workshop Mon 27-Fri 31 May 11.30m–4pm FREE 3yrs+. Build, shape, construct and create during this week of activities inspired by contemporary and traditional sculpture. No ticket required.

Sessions last approximately 45 mins

TATE BRITAIN

Millbank, SW1P 4RG 020 7887 8888 www.tate.org.uk/britain Open: daily 10am-5.50pm until 10pm the first Friday of the month Big & Small: Tate Britain’s Early Years family programme Workshops and activities for local families with children under 5 yrs. Tate runs projects, family days and outreach ‘taster’ visits in the local area. All activities are FREE to attend and many of the families who take part have never been to Tate before. All the activities use the gallery collection as a source of inspiration and involve a range of activities including play, movement, making, looking, sound and music. There is an emphasis on developing areas of language, interaction, imagination and creativity, with a strong focus on learning through play in an informal setting Liminal Every weekend 11am–3pm all ages A physical, material and social experience of sculpture through touch, interaction and collaboration

TATE MODERN

Bankside, SE1 9TG 020 7887 8888 www.tate.org.uk/modern Open Sun-Thu 10am-6pm Fri & Sat 10am-10pm Family Multimedia Guide £3.50 6yrs+ available anytime during gallery hours What makes a portrait? Join this tour of seven artworks in the gallery

and decide for yourself, encouraging children and adults to explore together What’s going on here?

Every weekend and Thu & Fri in the school holidays 11am-4pm.

Activities for children and families. Drop in to pick up artist-devised resources to take into the free collection displays Sonic Trails Sat & Sun plus school holiday Thu & Fri FREE. Listen…Sonic Trails for children and families. Explore Tate with Sonic Trails specially created by selected sound artists. Starting with Emiliano Zelada’s A Wild Chase, take a journey into nature and space through the levels of Tate Modern Weekend Sessions – Open Studio Every weekend 11am-3pm FREE 5yrs+ Experiment, play and create with ideas and materials before or after visiting the related artworks in the free collection displays

THE NATIONAL GALLERY

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN 020 7747 2885 www.national gallery.org.uk Open daily 10am - 6pm Fri until 9pm FREE Magic Carpet Storytelling Sundays 10.30am 11.30am FREE Fly away on the magic carpet, which comes to land in front of a different painting every Sunday Workshops for Children 5-11yrs Free hands-on art workshops and drawing sessions every Sunday at 11am & 2pm. No need to book for any of these workshops, but places are limited and allocated on arrival. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment – children must be accompanied to all events Family Walk and Talk FREE family talk for all ages – see website for details

WHITECHAPEL GALLERY

77-82 Whitechapel High Street, E1 7QX 020 7522 7888 www.whitechapelgallery.org Daniel F. Hermann on Gert & Uwe Tobias Wed 1 May 10am-11.30am Booking essential £3 including refreshments Join Curator Daniel F. Hermann for a tour of the exhibition with your baby in tow Children’s Art Course Thur 30 May & Fri 31 May 11am-3pm 9-12yrs. £45 per child per 2 day course Explore folk tales and create playful narratives through print and collage.

Responding to the art of Gert & Uwe Tobias and Blossfeldt, children build giant murals through collage techniques, colour mixing and printing with natural materials Penone: Spazio di Luce Family Trails Explore the Whitechapel Gallery with the series of Family Trails, devised in collaboration with artists to coincide with each major exhibition at the Gallery.

Trails are aimed at children age 4–12yrs and focus on particular artworks, encouraging children to talk about exhibitions and suggesting ways to respond creatively. Materials included.

Available at the Information Desk (suggested donation £1) or downloadable on line

12 | Families East May/June 2013

MUSEUMS BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

Entrance in Bartholomew Street, off Threadneedle Street, EC2R 8AH 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum Open: Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm, free Examine banknotes, the intricacies of their design and their security features.

Take the audio tour for a fascinating insight into the Bank of yesterday and today. Lift a genuine gold bar, one of several on display. Complete activity sheets providing fun for all ages The Huguenot Legacy Until Fri 10 May The first Governor of the Bank of England, Sir John Houblon, was the grandson of a Huguenot refugee. This exhibition celebrates the achievements of the Huguenots and their early connection with the Bank Museums at Night Fri 17 May 5.30pm-9pm Banknotes experts will be conducting short presentations giving background information about current Bank of England notes as well as explaining how to use the intricate design and security features to identify genuine notes. Also some of the Bank’s bullion experts will be on hand to answer any questions about gold Money Talks - 28–31 May 11am–4pm Well known historical figures who feature on the Bank’s notes will ‘come alive’ to talk about their life and times. Charles Darwin will be in the Museum on Tues 28 and Thurs 30 May; Boulton & Watt on Wed 29 and Fri 31 May. There will be special presentations on banknotes in the Museum cinema at 12.15pm and 1pm. Test your knowledge of banknotes with the quiz and enter a prize draw.

BRITISH MUSEUM

Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG 020 7323 8000/8299 www.britishmuseum.org Open: daily 10am-5.30pm, free For a full list of free family activities please see the website Free family activities There is always something for families to do at the Museum including: Hamlyn family trails: Dancing with Shiva - a counting trail for young children; activity backpacks with puzzles and games (deposit required), both available from the Paul Hamlyn Library Villas, Vines and Volcanoes Mon 27–Fri 31 May 11am–5pm FREE drop in. A week of family activities inspired by Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Help make a mosaic pavement in the Great Court, find out how the fashionable Pompeian lady had her hair done, and learn about food for rich and poor. Try doing a bit of ancient graffiti and hear Pliny the Younger talk about what he was doing the day Vesuvius erupted Children in Pompeii and Herculaneum Fri 31 May 1pm FREE booking essential 7yrs+ Roman Mysteries author Caroline Lawrence explores what life was like for a Roman child. The talk will be animated with illustrations and lively audience debate

CHURCHILL MUSEUM AND CABINET WAR ROOMS

Clive Steps, King Charles Street, SW1A 2AQ 020 7930 6961 www.iwm.org.uk/churchill Open: 9.30am-6pm £17/£13.60 under 16s FREE Undercover – Life in Churchill’s Bunker. Extended until end of 2013 due to popular demand. Visitors can hear the first-hand personal accounts of those who worked in the Cabinet War Rooms during the war. Learn what life and conditions were like underground

DESIGN MUSEUM

Shad Thames, SE1 2YD 020 7940 8787 www.designmuseum.org Family Trails All family visitors to the Design Museum can pick up FREE from the admissions desk. With the help of The Thinkerer kids and adults can get the most from their visit to the museum Get Creative! Workshops 5-11yrs What are Sunday afternoons for if not to get creative? Budding designers are invited to join our team of designers.

With a rich variety of monthly themes there is something to satisfy everyone Design Museum Family Day An exciting day of activities and fun with workshops, exhibition trails, games and competitions, when the whole museum becomes a hive of fun-filled family activities. Sign up for Family Day 2013 updates by email

GEFFRYE MUSEUM

136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, E2 8EA 020 7739 9893 www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Open: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm5pm FREE Lotions and Potions - for all ages Sat 11 May 10.30am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm. Create pampering products using herbs, flowers and plants from the garden. Workshop places are allocated on a first-come, first served basis 30 minutes before each activity. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult Homes in the sky: Nursery Rhyme Time Tue 28-Fri 31 May 10.30am1.30pm & 12pm-1pm FREE 2-5yrs Explore flats, nests and other homes in the sky through stories, songs and craft activities

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB 020 7565 7299 www.ltmuseum.co.uk Open: Sat-Thu 10am-6pm Fri 11am6pm £15 allows unlimited admission to the museum for a 12 month period from date of purchase. Tickets are intended for use by the purchaser only and are non transferable/£11.50 concessions.

Admission to the museum and family activities are FREE to accompanied children under 16 Mon 27 May–Sun 2 Jun Poster People Storytime 11am 2pm 3-7yrs. Cedric Shopping bags is on a trip around London but he can’t find any peace and quiet!

Meet Cedric and the poster people he encounters on his journey

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Out & About Make and Take Craft Workshop 11.30am 2.30pm 4-12yrs. Work with air-hardening clay to create your own tiny Poster Person and bring it to life.

Make it walk, dance, clap or wave and use it to tell your own stories, before taking it home to dry off FREE Family Activity Book 5-10yrs Check out the new FREE family 12 page activity book. This book contains a time travelling device, a horse, 16 passengers from the world’s underground railway, a house, a poster design studio and an art class!

MUSEUM OF LONDON

150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN 020 7001 9844 www.museumoflondon.org.uk Open: daily 10am-6pm, FREE See website for full details of regular groups held at Museum of London for “Mini Moles” (6 months – walking) and Little Moles (walkers–5 yrs) and a full list of family activities Fire! Fire!

Mon 6 May, 1pm 2pm & 3pm FREE 5yrs+ Travel back in time to 1666 and the Great Fire of London with our costumed storyteller Animated animals Sun 19 May 12.30pm 2pm & 3.30pm FREE 5yrs+ Join the digital learning team and bring some of the animals in the galleries to life Tamesibuga, dweller by the Thames Sat 25 May 11am 1pm & 3-30pm FREE 5yrs+. Meet Tamesibuga, an Iron Age woman, and discover why the river was so important to her Tales of old London Bridge Sat 25 May 12pm 2pm & 4pm & Sun 26 May 1pm 2pm & 3pm FREE 5yrs+ Enjoy an action packed tale and recreate the sights, sounds and movement of the crowds on old London Bridge A mudlarking adventure Sat 1 & Sun 2 Jun 12.30pm 2pm & 3.30pm FREE 5yrs+. Digitally recreate the stories of Mudlarks with real objects from the Thames Crossing the Thames Sat 1 & Sun 2 Jun, 12.30pm-2pm & 2.30pm-4pm FREE 5yrs+ Discover how many bridges cross the Thames in this art workshop Soldiers on the march Sun 16 Jun 11.30am–4pm FREE 5yrs+ Meet a company of Roman soldiers and take a closer look at their clothes, armour and way of life Characters from history - meet a Victorian spice seller Sun 30 Jun 1pm 2pm & 3pm FREE 5yrs+ Having arrived from Morocco, our Victorian spice seller sells his goods as medicines and ointments

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS West India Quay, Canary Wharf, E14 4AL 020 7001 9844 www.museumindocklands.org.uk Open: daily 10am-6pm, £5 annual adult pass, kids FREE See website for full details of regular groups held at Museum of London Docklands for “Mini Mudlarks” (6

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months – walking) and Little Mudlarks (walkers–5 yrs) and a full list of family activities May Day on the docks Mon 6 May 11am–4pm FREE 3yrs+ Celebrate May Day in traditional style.

Choose from a range of craft, dancing, storytelling and object handling activities. Help to make a Jack in the Green, listen to stories and take part in our procession Billy Jenkins: a pirate’s life for me Sat 25 May & Sat 1 Jun 12.30pm 2.30pm & 3.30pm FREE 6yrs+ Meet the pirate and learn the truth about life in the old port of London and on the high seas Mudlarks on the River Thames Mon 27 May 11am & 1.30pm FREE 1yr+ Create your very own River Thames and become a Victorian Mudlark Creatures from the deep Tue 28 May 12.30pm & 2.30pm FREE 3yrs+ What is lurking at the bottom of the river? Make a magical murky collage John Taylor and the boat of paper Wed 29 May 12.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm FREE 4yrs+ Hear about the incredible journey of John Taylor who sailed down the Thames using paper and dried fish Explore the Estuary Thu 30 May 12.30pm & 2.30pm FREE 5yrs+ Look at and create digital images of the Thames Estuary Frost fairs on the Thames Fri 31 May 12.30pm & 2.30pm FREE 4yrs+. Hear about festivals held on a frozen river and create your own chilly design

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 Play Tuesdays 10.30am 11.30am 1pm 2pm under 5yrs FREE. Explore the museum through making, music, dance and drama Explore Saturdays 12pm 1pm 2pm 3pm 6yrs+ FREE Meet a character from the past and take part in an exciting performance that will bring maritime history to life Discover Sundays 11.30am 2pm all ages FREE Be inspired by the maritime past and explore your personal connections to the sea Weave together, Stitch Up, Creative Cargo. A series of half-term events inspired by Alice Kettle’s textile installation at the Queen’s House

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 Extinction: Not the End of the World?

Until Sun 8 Sep 10am £8/£4 Family £21 Giant deer, bizarre insects and supersized birds – millions of species that

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Out & About once roamed the planet are no longer around. Yet, while 99 per cent of them have met their demise, they have made room for the huge diversity that has bloomed in their place Sensational Butterflies Exhibition Until Sun 15 Sep £4.50 Family £16 (book online). This popular outdoor butterfly exhibition returns allowing you to explore one of the planet’s most amazing life cycles. Experience the magic of coming face to face with 100s of free-flying live butterflies as you walk through our tropical butterfly house 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) See the website for a fantastic on line diary of daily shows and events Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!

Free every hour from 10.30am until 3.30pm (check website for dates) This interactive show features bubbles of all sizes going up, down, this way, that way, and all over the place… with a little help from the audience!

The Garden 3-6yrs Inquisitive children are free to explore floating and sinking, shadows and reflections, music, giant building blocks and much more while developing the skills of observing, predicting, testing and drawing conclusions Pattern Pod 5-8yrs Like scientists, children explore the world by trying to make predictions about events happening around them. Using truly amazing multi-sensory exhibits this contemporary gallery looks at the many types of patterns in the world around us and encourages children to recognise and copy patterns – or create entirely new ones of their own Launchpad Science Shows Daily FREE 8yrs + With over 50 interactive exhibits, plus electrifying shows and lively demonstrations, while there’s plenty to keep the adults occupied too!

SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM

13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP 020 7405 2107 www.soane.org Open: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, FREE Building Box Wed 29 May £20.

Observe models of buildings in the Museum and then create a box in the shape of a building Fantastically Fashionable Creatures Thu 30 May £20.

Print your own designs on to T-Shirts in time for summer, inspired by the fantastical creatures in the Museum

Junior Audio Tour Introduced by Stephen Fry and read by Eleanor Bron. In this atmospheric tour, lasting 59 minutes, the actress Eleanor Bron guides the listener through Soane’s Museum, accompanied by sound effects and music. It is suitable for children and first-time visitors to the Museum

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 1.30pm-4.30pm A drop-in art workshop held in the galleries on the first Sunday of each month Weekend Events Special Day Events take place approximately four times per year at the weekends. They comprise an entertaining day of talks, craft activities, hands-on sessions and more Drop in Art Workshop: Good Gods Wed 29 May 10.30am 2pm 6yrs+ Family Activity: Pop up Fancy Furniture Fri 31 May 10.30am 2pm 7yrs+ 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

V&A MUSEUM

Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL 020 7942 2000 www.vam.ac.uk Open daily 10am–5.45pm, until 10pm Fri FREE The Imagination Station Sat 4 May-Mon 6 May 10-12yrs Create mini furniture and add it to a fantasy room Sat 18 May 11am. Using the Theatre and Performance collection as inspiration, create your own model for a show Sat 25 May–Sun 2 Jun. What will your first album cover look like? Pick up materials to create your design Mini Musicians Sat 25 May–Sun 2 Jun. Use your body and musical instruments to explore rhythm & music making Make-it: Music Icon Mon 27 May–Fri 31 May 5-12yrs Get the pop star look with costume, make up and photography, with photographer, producer and DJ Edward Otchere Make-It: Music Icon Sat 15 Jun 11am 10-12yrs Using photographs you will take during the session, create your own iconic image where you are the star Family Backpacks Ages 5-12yrs Choose from: The Emperor’s Party, Chinese Treasures, Metal Detector, The Antique Detective, Magic Glasses, Fancy Furnishings, Time Traveller, Middle East Marvels and the new Agent Animal bag for under 5s and search for creatures in the Museum using fabric cubes and animal noises

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Family Trails and Drop in sessions are also available in the museum and on line – including Glorious Gardens, Silver, Tudor, Picnic Party and one especially written by Jacqueline Wilson

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD

Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA 020 8983 5200 www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Open: daily 10am-5.45pm, FREE Romp and Roll Sat 4 11 18 25 May 8 15 29 Jun & 6 13 20 Jul 10.15am-11am £3 2-4yrs Bust a move in this fun, playful dance session for toddlers and their carers, led

by Adrenaline Dance Children’s Dance Sat 4 11 18 25 May 8 15 29 Jun & 6 13 20 Jul 11.15am-12 noon £3 4-6yrs Enjoy a new dance class exploring rhythm and creativity with Adrenaline Dance Spy Kids Mon 27–Fri 31 May 10.30am-4pm Decode! Detect! Become a master of disguise. Unravel secret messages at the Cypher Station, make your own secret agent ID card and complete the I Spy trail for your chance to win a prize I Spy Trail 10.30am-4.30pm Story Spinner 10.30am 11.15am & 12noon Cypher Station 10.45am & 11.45 am Disguises 12noon–4pm Secret Agent ID 2pm-4pm Montessori Family packs A selection of rucksacks for under 5s are available for families to borrow from the Information Desk. Designed

by Montessori, there are four to choose from: Baby Explorers (6-18 months); People Like Me (18 months-3 years); Animal World and On the Move (both age 3-5yrs) More Daily Activities: A variety of free activities every day, including storytelling, arts and crafts, tours and treasure hunts. Activities are tailored to children aged 3-12yrs unless otherwise stated. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or carer

WILLIAM MORRIS GALLERY

Lloyd Park, Forest Road, E17 4PP 020 8496 4390 www.wmgallery.org.uk Wed to Sun 10am–5pm FREE Here are some highlights of family activities: Creative Kids: Under 5yrs FREE booking essential Every kind of People Thu 9 May 10am 1pm Brer Rabbit Thu 13 Jun 10am 1pm Family Days: Revolting Crafts Sat 25 May 1pm Comics & Comedies Sat 29 Jun 1pm

PLACES OF INTEREST CUTTY SARK CLIPPER SHIP

King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT 10am-5pm £12/£6.50 Family £29 bookings@rmg.co.uk Pirate Party Sun 5 May 11am-4pm. A swashbuckling adventure with all your family. Join in the pirate takeover at the National Maritime Museum and on-board Cutty Sark for a fun-filled day of activity that’ll shiver your timbers! Booty to be won by the bestdressed pirates

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 under 2yrs FREE Space Babies Tue–Fri 11am 1.45pm 3pm every week (except half term only 11am) Sat & Sun 11.30am 0–3yrs. Journey out of this world in the cozy hideaway downstairs for a fun-filled session that will include a story, songs and action rhymes All Day Craft Activity: Build your own Rocket 3yrs+ & 7yrs+ Sat 4–Mon 6 May Stay indoors and have fun with card, stickers and glue or go into the story garden and have a blast with Professor Moon Aliens in Underpants Save the World

by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort Sat 4 & Mon 6 May 12.30pm 1.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm 2yrs+ When Aliens fly down to Earth, they don’t come to meet us – they just want our underpants! Revealed how their love for underwear saves the day Where on Earth is the Moon? by Ruth Martin & Olivier Latyk Sun 5 May 12.30pm 1.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm 3yrs+.

Luna knows that the Moon always watches over her at night, but where does it go during the day?

Beegu by Alexis Deacon Sat 11 & Sun 12 May 12.30pm 1.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm 3yrs+.

Beegu is lost on earth far from home. She is a friendly little creature but the Earth People don’t seem very welcoming at all, at least, not the BIG ones. Help Beegu find her way home Dr Xargle’s Book Of Earthlets by Jeanne Willis & Tony Ross Sat 18 & Sun 19 May 12.30pm 1.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm 3yrs+ Learn all about those strange creatures down on earth as part of Dr Xargle’s class of alien children. This alien’s-eyeview of the human race isn’t always accurate but is always very funny Craft Activity: Build your own Solar System Sat 25-Mon 27 May 4yrs+ Why not create an alien world where giant planets revolve around a tiny star?

What colour will your planets be and who will live on them?

Whatever Next! by Jill Murphy Sat 25 & Sun 26 May 12.30pm 1.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm 3yrs+ Baby Bear wants to go to the moon, but he’ll need a rocket first. It’s amazing what you can build if you use your imagination Half term Every Day, All Day Craft Activity: Make your own Robot Mask Create your very own robo-fabulous robot mask 3yrs+ The Man in the Moon by William Joyce.

Mon 27 & Thu 30 May 12.30pm 1.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm 4yrs+ An adventure of a lifetime. The Man in the Moon was once an ordinary boy but after fleeing the King of Nightmares he embarks on an exciting scheme to protect Earth’s children How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers Tue 28 & Fri 31 May 12.30pm 1.30pm 2.30pm 3.30pm 3yrs+

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Out & About There once was a boy who loved stars so much that he wished he had one of his very own. So one day, he sets out on a mission to make his dream a reality…

Moon Man by Tomi Ungerer Wed 29 May 12.30pm 1.30pm & 3.30pm 6yrs+ The man in the moon wants to join all the people on earth having fun. He hitches a ride on a passing comet, only to be locked away on earth by the people who see him as a scary invader rather than a friendly visitor Mrs Vickers’ Knickers With Deborah Allwright.

Wed 29 May 2.30pm 3yrs+ A thrilling adventure – follow Mrs Vickers’ pair of unruly knickers as they wreak havoc one day when they are blown off the line

HMS BELFAST

Morgan’s Lane, Tooley Street, SE1 2JH 020 7403 6246 www.iwm.org.uk Open: 10am-6pm £14 under 16s FREE Free Family Activities - Included in general admission price Drop-in events suitable for all ages with parental supervision Points on a Compass Sat 11 & Sun 12 May 11am 2pm FREE drop in. From bananas in Borneo to a 21 gun salute in San Francisco harbour, explore the many countries and cultures that HMS Belfast encountered as she sailed 500,000 nautical miles across the globe in her 30 year career Sailor Tales Sat 25–Fri 31 May FREE drop in (especially suitable for a younger audience). Join the storytellers as they spin a dit (tell a story) about life on board HMS Belfast. Decide for yourself whether stories are genuine or whether they are tall tales. Imagine yourself as a sailor or one of the ship’s furry stowaways and join in by telling your own seafaring story

LEE VALLEY REGIONAL PARK

08456 770600 www.leevalleypark.org.uk See website for full list of activities, here are some highlights Fun on the Green Sat 11 May 12noon-4pm Celebrate the exciting new developments at Three Mills Green with a day full of fun packed activities for everyone. With activity on the newly developed Three Mills Green as well as within the spectacular Grade I listed House Mill, there’ll be entertainment, arts, historical guided walks, performances, sports and lots of play Star Track Tue 28 May to Fri 31 May 10am-2pm £52 in advance £62 at start This holiday course offers budding athletes of 8-12yrs expert tuition in a range of athletics skills. Run over a series of days the camps give pupils the chance to test and improve their skills in all of the different athletics disciplines from hurdles to high jumps, sprints to javelin. A three day course is also available for 6-8yrs on Tue 28 to Thu30 May from 2.30pm-5pm. To book a place call 020 8344 7230 or download an application form

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Petunia’s Pick - Timmy Time Wed 29 May 10am-5pm Timmy from Timmy Time will be making appearances at intervals throughout the day, when he spends the day at the farms. Meet the farm animals and make friends with cuddly sheep, giant rabbits, rare breed pigs, long-necked llamas and a loveable meerkat family. The indoor and outdoor play areas are great to run around and explore and the tractor and trailer ride to our dairy farm just adds that little bit more

LONDON BOROUGH OF REDBRIDGE

Hainault Forest Country Park Romford Road, Chigwell Essex IG7 4QN foresthainault@btinternet.com Woofs and Wellies - Sponsored dog walk through Hainault Forest Sat 19 May. A sponsored walk for you and your dog in aid of Saint Francis Hospice, following a lovely woodland route through enchanting Hainault Forest. All welcome - time will be confirmed when booking your place.

Free of charge although a contribution/ donation towards costs is very much appreciated. All children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult Wildflower Walk James Leal Centre, Ray Park, Snakes Lane East, Woodford Green, IG8 7JQ nature.conservation@visionrcl.org.uk or call 020 8559 2316 Sat 25 May 10.30am-12noon Join local expert Brian Ecott to learn how to identify the wildflowers growing in Ray Park and Roding Valley Park.

Identification sheets will be provided Beach Volleyball FREE Taster Days Sat 25 & Sun 26 May 8yrs+ Sat 12noon -2pm Sun 2-4pm FREE Meet the coaches and have a go at beach volleyball. Try something new on the beach courts in Loxford Park.

All equipment provided for organised sports sessions and coach/supervisor in attendance. Wear comfortable sports clothing (no shoes or socks to be worn on the sand) Enquiries: 020 8708 0952 Donkey Rides Wed 29 May 10.30am-3.30pm £2.50 per child. Riffhams Donkeys will be providing rides on Foxburrows Farm/ Zoo, Hainault Country Park All welcome. Enquiries: 020 8500 7353 Mad About Minibeasts!

Wed 29 May 1.30pm-3pm 5yrs+ £3 Ray Park, Snakes Lane East, Woodford Green, IG8 7JQ Bookings: 020 8559 2316 Learn all about the different minibeasts that live in the secret garden in Ray Park. You’ll get a chance to look for minibeasts in 3 different habitats, draw the creatures you find and play some wildlife themed games. Booking essential as places are limited

RICH MIX

35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA 020 7613 7498 www.richmix.org.uk For ages 0-2 Wiggly Jigglers Mon 8 & 29 April, 13 May, 10 & 24 June 1-3pm. FREE for Tower Hamlets residents and £3 per child for non Tower Hamlets residents . At these creative movement sessions your young ones

will get the space and freedom to move in ways that support their development and stimulate their imaginations For ages 2-5 Storycraft Workshop Mon 15 July 1.30pm £3 per child Led by a different storyteller or poet every month, Storycraft encourages families to enjoy stories together in an active and fun way For Families Numbi Workshops Sun 19 May, 16 June 11am-3pm £10, £5 concs, £10 for Family of four Sing, clap, beat a drum, play an instrument and put words together in new ways with other people. Facilitated by musician Mayda Narvey and poet Sai Murray. All ages welcome Mwalimu Express Sun 19 May 2pm FREE The family-friendly adventure that explores music from a different African country in the afternoon of every third Sunday of the month Family Theatre Hue Boy Tutti Frutti (3-7yrs) Sun 5 May 11am & 2pm £6, £5 Hue Boy is small and doesn’t seem to be growing “at all, at all”. Until, one day, Hue Boy understands what it is to be tall despite his height. A heart-warming storytelling performance suitable for ages 3-7.

A Thousand Cranes - Little Sunshine Little Rainfall (3-7yrs) Sun 2 June 11am & 2pm £6, £5 Tower Hamlets. Little Sunshine and Little Rainfall invite you to their magical Japanese garden, but when naughty Storm Fox arrives, all mayhem breaks loose. Find out how the garden is saved in this enchanting new show. Suitable for ages 3-7.

Tucked In - The Golden Cowpat (4yrs+) Sun 7 July 11am & 2pm £6, £5 Tower Hamlets residents. A dexterous piece of storytelling with beautifully inventive music, this show combines a delightful story, talented performers and catchy energetic music Autism-friendly Screenings Every 3rd Sun 1pm £1.50 Parents and Babies Screenings Mon 12pm Grand Union Youth Orchestra (GUYO) Music Workshops Sun 12 May 9 Jun 14 Jul 10am-1.30pm Free monthly workshops run by London’s pioneering world music and jazz youth ensemble, led by professional jazz and world musicians from the renowned Grand Union Orchestra.

Young musicians aged 12 to 26 from any background and culture are welcome. For more information and to join, contact Izzy Bianchini, GUYO Coordinator - Isabel@grandunion.org. uk or 020 7375 1122

RSPB RAINHAM MARSHES

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

members and residents of Havering & Thurrock. Non-members: £3 adult, £1.50 child, £9 family (2 adults and up to 4 children) Kids Bird Watching Club Sat 11 May & Sat 15 Jun Wildlife Explorers Club Sat 25 May & Sat 29 Jun

SUTTON HOUSE

2 & 4 Homerton High Street, Hackney E9 6JQ 020 8986 2264 Suttonhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk 50 things to do before you are 11 and ¾ Sun 26 May FREE Family day 12-4pm Family Fun Thursdays Thu 30 May 2-4pm, Adult £3.50, Child £1, Family £6.90, Sun 30 June FREE Family day 12–4pm Fete de la Musique – FREE Family Day

VALENTINES MANSION

Emerson Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4XA 020 8708 8100 www.valentinesmansion.com Open: Tues & Wed 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm Pretty Portraits Sun 5 May 1.30pm 4pm 5yrs+ £3.50 (drop in) Follow our special portraits trail, learn artists’ drawing tips and create your own! We will use a range of materials and will gain inspiration from old masters and more contemporary artists!

The Friends of Valentines Mansion May Fair. Sat 11 May 11am-4pm £2 on door. A day of music and entertainment with many varied art and craft stalls, historical societies and attractions for all ages Farmers’ Market Sun 26 May 11am-3pm FREE admission. Fresh bread, tempting cakes, homemade chutneys and jams – just some of the fantastic local foods on offer at the ever-popular farmers’ markets Spring Bank Holiday Monday at Valentines Mansion Mon 27 May 10am-5pm entry FREE Craft £2. Spend a great day out in Valentine’s Park with loved ones. On offer will be range of outdoor games and backpacks to borrow, and a special spring card making activity for all Time Machine Tue 28 May 10.30am-12.30pm £3.50 per child 3yrs+.

Step back in time and find out about leisure activities in the Regency parlour, with an introduction to card games, ladies hobbies, and the ceremony of tea drinking! Young gentleman and ladies and their chaperones only Explore, Make & Dos for under 5s Dinosaur Roar Tue 28 May 11am-2pm 1-5yrs £1 per child. Make a cheeky dinosaur and hunt for dinosaurs in our picture trail. With stories, play and dressing up too Bees & Flowers Thu 30 May 1-5yrs 10.30am 1.30pm £3.50 per child booking essential Make your own musical bee instrument and buzz into a colourful flower garden full of stories, sound and music. Learn about – and smell! - lots of flowers from the Valentines gardens and join in the interactive story about the life of a bee living there.

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Events