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What to do with the kids this summer! Summer Camps Parenting Issue 149 July/August 2022 Familiesonline.co.uk
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CLUBS & CLASSES
A love of performing can develop key skills for life with PQA Whether it be diving into their dressing up box or stepping onto the stage, performing is important to children and young people, and the benefits of this can often go unnoticed. Performing arts can teach children and young people key skills that can be used in everyday life. Creativity Children are naturally imaginative, and pretend play and make believe comes easily to them. Imaginative play can enable a child’s social and emotional development, helping them to form new ideas and develop resourcefulness. Problem solving The ability to solve problems creatively within the safety of a performing arts environment can be transferred to everyday life when dealing with a variety of issues. If children feel comfortable exploring and dealing with problems in a non-linear way, this makes them more confident overall. Empathy Performance is a classic form of storytelling, not only for entertainment but for sharing tales and ideas. Performing in character can help children appreciate another person’s point of view. To accurately portray a character, we need to be able to step into their shoes, understand their situation and what has brought them to that situation. If a child understands a character in this way, they can apply this to everyday life, helping them to react to friends and adults and develop their social skills.
Listening The ability to listen is an important skill, especially when a child is in a new setting with new routines and expectations. During performing arts classes children take direction from their teachers and peers. This encourages them to be receptive to others’ ideas and work collaboratively. Confidence Building Some children are never happier than putting on a show for their family and friends, but for some standing up in front an audience can be daunting. Performing arts are hugely beneficial to children’s confidence levels. Learning new skills, rehearsing, and performing in a safe space, with the support of expert teachers and encouragement of their peers, can prepare children to deal with situations in which they feel anxious. PQA believe that their three core modules, Musical Theatre, Comedy & Drama and Film & Television, offer our students the very best mix of both performance based and technical training as well as providing them with skills for life to help them grow into well-rounded individuals. Find out more at www.pqacademy.com
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NEWS
CONTACT US: EDITOR:
Heather Waddington T: 01923 237 004 E: Editor@FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk P.O. Box 2378, Watford WD18 1RF LISTINGS AND FEATURES EDITOR:
IN THIS ISSUE: 2 4 6 7 8 10 12
Clubs & Classes Parenting Summer Days Out Children’s Theatre Clubs & Classes Directory Summer Camps What’s On
Anna Blackshaw E: Listings@FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk WWW.FAMILIESNWLONDON.CO.UK www.facebook.com/FamiliesNWLondon @FamiliesNWLon @Families_nwlondon_mag
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PARENTING
Auditory Processing Disorder Usha Patel - Neurocongntive Therapist - talks about Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a condition where those with normal hearing constantly mishear what is said. While APD is neurological and may be inherited or caused by developmental problems, research has also shown that early childhood ear infections can be a significant contributory factor in causing it. Children develop critical language skills between 6 months to 3 years. Language centres within the brain learn to map out sounds and store them for language processing. When a child starts reacting to words with a smile or starts speaking their first words, it effectively associates these sounds with meanings. If a child suffers from constant middle ear infection during the critical period, the ability to process language/speech can be affected. Sounds that usually become imprinted in the brains memory and language centres do not get established. The mishearing happens because the brain recognises aural information differently from what they heard. A good example is commonly found when children can’t differentiate between thirteen and thirty. While hearing can be perfectly normal, their brain cannot process those sounds accurately due to their similarity. This inability of the brain to process accurately results in the Auditory Processing Disorder condition. APD is often difficult to diagnose in children as they may have other learning difficulties such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, or dyspraxia, which may mask the condition. Standard hearing tests cannot be used to establish whether a child has APD, it is diagnosed using specialist audiology testing. Children with APD have also been observed to: •
Have trouble paying attention to and remembering information presented orally
•
Have problems carrying out multi-step directions
•
Have poor listening skills
•
Need more time to process information
•
Have low academic performance
•
Have behaviour problems
•
Have language difficulty (e.g., they confuse syllable sequences and have problems developing vocabulary and understanding language)
•
Have difficulty with reading, comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary
Without proper intervention, those with APD can find it confusing to interpret verbal information and their difficulties can be further exacerbated when in a noisy environment or having competing sounds. In a classroom situation, if the child is not at the front of the classroom or paying full attention, distracting sounds can make learning incredibly challenging. Children with dyslexia and APD Children diagnosed with dyslexia may not have experienced any language delay. Dyslexic children are often very articulate, however, due to phonological difficulties, reading is found to be challenging. Dyslexic children often prefer to read by whole word recognition rather than decoding sounds in order. APD is the worst-case scenario for these children because they may not get the help early enough to build their confidence back to pre-reading levels. These children acknowledge the difference between their intelligence to talk and relay ideas and reading and acquiring new knowledge. Without help, their self-esteem can plummet. A home-based solution The Raviv Practice London offers a structured language programme to help APD called Fast ForWord. FastForWord is a computer-based learning program founded on over 25 years of scientific research. The individual works on the program at home, and the therapist monitors the results remotely. For more information on APD or to check the symptoms, please visit the website to complete an APD questionnaire and discuss the results directly with Usha Patel. www.ravivpracticelondon. co.uk/auditory-processing-disorder-questionnaire Find out how Raviv Practice can help APD and accelerate learning. www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk or call 0203 887 0486.
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PARENTING
Different parents, different rules By Susie Ramroop When you have responsibility for a child, you probably don’t even think, consciously, about what your rules are. You have them, you do your best to make sure they are followed daily, but you may not think about the details, origins or impacts on other people. So, when it comes to your child being supervised by other parents, how do you know if you’ll be comfortable with it? As my daughter gets older this is something that I am becoming more aware of. At school I have complete trust. Rules are communicated clearly, and what is and isn’t acceptable largely matches my own rule book. I can say the same of Brownies or the after-school clubs that she attends, but what about the other people looking after our children? Drop offs at parties are now the norm. Invites to public places like the cinema, bowling, and trampoline parks are coming thick and fast. And now sleepovers... Here’s what I have learned so far: just because you like someone or have made friends at the school gates, it doesn’t guarantee that your values are shared. Here are some tips to consider: Be clear about your values Our values are what feed our beliefs about what is and isn’t OK. The first person that needs to be clear about this is you, then your child, then anyone else who is choosing to supervise them temporarily. My child reports things to me that she doesn’t think I’d be comfortable with, which means I can decide if I let people look after her again or whether I need to communicate our needs. Decide what is not OK I don’t want my daughter sitting in a room with a smoker, being left on her own, not being fed if she’s hungry, crossing the road without being ushered, or listening to negative language / viewpoints. I also don’t want to issue my rule book to another parent, but I can observe how they handle this from a distance. Then I can decide whether I think they would look after my child sufficiently well in advance of handing her over. What is not OK for me, might be absolutely fine for you. Manage other people’s children like your own When I took children to the cinema on my daughter’s 7th birthday, I told parents that I would cross the road at the traffic lights, that my mum was helping me to supervise, and what they
would be eating. I did this to reassure, and to give other parents the opportunity to state any preferences while I supervised their child. Doing this gave them an invitation to speak up and brought them confidence that their child would be safe in my care. I did what I would have appreciated someone else doing for me, rather than finding out later that my child was unsafe (according to me) in a public place. Don’t feel guilty if you have certain preferences about your child. Don’t keep quiet because you fear judgement. As parents we have a right to our foibles and keeping our children safe is of the utmost importance. Be clear about your boundaries and manage them the way you want to. You’ll inspire others to do it too. Susie Ramroop is a Mindset Coach, professional speaker on Leadership and author of Amazon Bestseller, Be The Leader You Want To See. To find out more visit www.susieramroop. com
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Viking Raids and Medieval Jousting at Chiltern Open Air Museum
SUMMER FUN
Summer Days Out There is so much to see and do this summer in North London and the surrounding areas. Here’s our pick of some family favourites to enjoy. Don’t forget to check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed. Alexandra Palace (N22) Lots of activities to keep the family entertained this summer. The ice rink which is open year round, pitch and putt, soft play and the boating lake, Garden Centre and café. www.alexandrapalace.com
free children’s wonderland opened in memory of the late Princess. There is a sensory trail, teepees, a beach around the pirate ship and various toys and play sculptures; all set against a lush backdrop of trees and plants. www.royalparks.org.uk
Bank of England Museum FREE (EC2R) Visit the museum at the Bank of England and explore it’s history and what it does today. Travel through 300 years of history and discover the events and people that have shaped the Bank of England over the centuries. www.bankofengland.co.uk/ museum
Knebworth House and Gardens (SG3) Enjoy the famous Dinosaur Trail in the Wilderness Garden. 72 life-sized dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures can be found grazing amongst the shrubbery. There are swings, slides and play equipment at the Adventure Playground and a zip wire and trim trail for grown-ups. www.knebworthhouse.com
British Museum (WC1B) Summer activities include FREE designing a mask inspired by objects from Japan, creating an Egyptian-themed family photo with a little green screen magic, and exploring Roman history through Minecraft. www.britishmuseum.org
London Bridge City – Summer by the River (SE1) FREE Running until 2 Sept, this years festival is bringing 1930s Miami vibes to the banks of the Thames over three locations – The Scoop, Hay’s Galleria and The Pier. www.londonbridgecity.co.uk/ events
Buckingham Palace – FREE Changing of the Guard Immaculately turned-out guards, precision drill and bands playing stirring music all combine to make Changing of the Guard one of London’s most popular attractions that epitomises the pomp and military ceremony for which Britain is famous. www.changing-guard.com/datesbuckingham-palace.html Discover Children’s Story Centre (E15) Two floors of immersive play spaces, where children can let their imagination roam. Add timed exhibition visits, storytelling sessions and events to your booking. Ages 0-11. www.discover.org.uk Gulliver’s Land (MK15) Designed for children aged 2-13 years, comprising thrill rides, fun rides, family rides, indoor rides, attractions, shows and play areas. www.gulliversfun.co.uk Kensington Gardens (W2) FREE Head to Kensington Gardens and you’ll find the Diana Memorial Playground, a
Museum of London (EC2Y) FREE & Museum of London Docklands (E14) Can you help Riley Ratcliffe? She’s visiting the museum to learn about some of her ancestors on display and complete her family tree. Go help her spot members of her furry family and find out what life was like in the past for these little Londoners with this fun, free trail around the museum galleries. www.museumoflondon.org.uk
Roald Dahl Museum (HP16) Visit the Roald Dahl Museum and come face-to-face with Fantastic Mr Fox, measure up to your Roald Dahl heroes, pull a power pose next to Matilda and discover Roald Dahl’s famous Writing Hut - the, birthplace of your favourite characters - at the Museum of the World’s No.1 Storyteller. www.roalddahl.com/museum Royal Museums Greenwich (SE10) Home to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the iconic historic sailing ship Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House Art Gallery. All the attractions are within easy walking distance of each other within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. www.rmg.co.uk Science Museum (SW7) FREE Explore the numerous family friendly exhibitions, films, activities and events at the Science Museum this summer. Pre book online. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Natural History Museum FREE (SW7) Get up-close with nature, discover fascinating creatures and intriguing science, and enjoy fun, family-friendly activities for curious kids and inquisitive parents. www.nhm.ac.uk
Stepney City Farm (E1) A three-acre working farm; a rural oasis, in the heart of FREE Tower Hamlets. They give children and adults a chance to meet farm animals, learn how to grow food and try out arts and crafts. Every Saturday, the Farm hosts a popular Farmer’s Market. www.stepneycityfarm.org
Parkside Farm Pick Your Own (EN2) Nearly 20 different fruits and vegetables are grown exclusively between June and October. Crops include strawberries, raspberries, beans and sweetcorn. Advanced booking required. www.parksidefarmpyo.co.uk
Tate Modern (SE1) FREE This summer, go dotty for Yayoi Kusama’s The obliteration room. From 23 July to 29 August, everyone is invited to transform a completely white domestic apartment into a sea of colourful dots. All ages. www.tate.org.uk
Chiltern Open Air Museum (HP8) Every Tuesday in August is a Terrific Tuesday at Chiltern Open Air Museum. These are themed craft and activity days organised by the Museum’s Learning Team. This summer’s themes will focus on nature and time travel and all activities are included within the standard admission price or free to annual pass holders! Everyday throughout the holidays there will be a trail and lots of special events at weekends including Viking Raids and Medieval Jousting. www.coam.org.uk Tower Bridge (SE1) Enjoy a perfect day out with the family, with plenty of fun things to do and see inside Tower Bridge. Family activities are FREE with entry and are available throughout the day. www.towerbridge.org.uk V&A Museum of FREE Childhood (E2) Enjoy free activities every day. There are hands-on making events and performances for all ages. www.vam.ac.uk/moc Wicksteed Park (NN15) Along with 30 exciting rides and activities, there’s 147 acres of beautiful rolling parkland. Stay the night in the cosy campsite, wander round the woods, or jump aboard the narrow-gauge railway www.wicksteedpark.org Willows Activity Farm (AL4) Summer Spectacular from 23 July 4 Sept. Get lost in the Maize Maze, enjoy the NEW Puddle Play Park and have a splashing good time! www.willowsactivityfarm.com
Founding Museum (WC1N)
Celtic Harmony (SG13)
Enter the world of superheroes and comics at the Foundling Museum, with their exhibition and family events. Superman. Batman, Spider-Man, Black Panther, X-Men, have you ever noticed they are all foundlings, orphans, adoptees, and foster children?
Stay Overnight in a Roundhouse! For an extra special adventure this summer, enjoy a one night overnight stay from 24 July to 7 August in the comfort of your own roundhouse at Celtic Harmony Camp, the Prehistory settlement located in a beautiful woodland setting. Each roundhouse is equipped with king size bed and single beds (up to 2 adults and 3 children) all linen and towels provided!
The superheroes’ early life experiences impact on the stance they take over good and evil in their comic lives. Look beyond the traditional ‘superhero’ story in this exhibition exploring comics, graphic novels. There are also characters from early newspaper comic strips, Japanese Manga and contemporary graphic novels, with examples of international comics rarely exhibited in the UK, as well as three new artistic commissions by comic artists Asia Alfasi, Bex Glendining and Woodrow Phoe-nix. under 21s go free! www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk 6 Families North West London
Enjoy a tasty BBQ dinner with vegan and vegetarian option and explore the woods at night on a Bat Walk before roasting marshmallows and storytelling around the fire. Wake up to freshly baked croissants for your continental breakfast. Organise a special family and friends gathering and enjoy the Camp to yourselves when you book all 6 roundhouses. www.celticharmony.org Familiesonline.co.uk
What's On
Children’s Theatre
The Alban Arena Civic Centre, St Albans 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk
favourite films and musicals. Tue 9 Aug - Teddy Bears’ Picnic Back by popular demand the adorable, cuddly, cheeky Barney Bear. Hosted by ex-Crackerjack presenter Jan Hunt, the show is full of songs, games, stories, fun and laughter and is suitable for under5s, mums, dads, grandmas and grandads and teddy bears!
Sat 23–Sun 24 Jul In The Night Garden Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden! You’ll see all your favourite characters beautifully brought to life with fullsize costumes, magical puppets, and enchanting music. Wed 17 Aug - Rapunzel Scott Ritchie Productions presents this exciting and fun tangled musical adventure! With a wicked witch, a feisty heroine, a tap dancing horse and a host of adventures, Rapunzel promises to be a vibrant take on a classic and much-loved story. Sat 20–Sun 21 Aug Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever Peppa Pig is excited to be going on a special day out with George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig – it’s going to be her best day ever! Prepare for the brand new Peppa Pig live show packed full of songs, games and laughter, it really is the best day ever for Peppa Pig fans! Fri 26 Aug The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Trapped by self-delusion and memory loss, the Hatter and the Hare remain at 6 o’clock, forever drinking tea. The Hatter embraces it. The Hare rejects it. But who is to blame for this never-ending party? Take a trip down the proverbial rabbit hole with Brother Wolf’s ground-breaking adaptation of one of the most beloved stories of all time. Ages 8+ Artsdepot 5 Nether St, North Finchley, N12 020 8369 5454 www.artsdepot.co.uk Sat 23-Sun 24 Jul - Pirates Set your compass, lift your anchor and set sail for an immersive family dining experience. Pirates is a fully immersive dining experience together with an amazing acrobatic performance, that you and your family will love. Pirates is aimed at families, so children of all ages will be shore to have a great time! The Beck Theatre Grange Road, Hayes. 020 8561 8371 www.becktheatre.org.uk
Thu 11 Aug - Captain Calamity Science Explosion A brand new show full of stretchy slime, pop rockets, smoke rings, flying toilet roll, fountains of foam, cola can roulette and a bonanza of bombastic bubbles. from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved titles. Chickenshed Chase Side Southgate N14. 020 8292 9222 www.chickenshed.org.uk Sun 31 Jul-Sun 14 Aug Children’s Festival of Fun Two weeks packed full of fun events for children ages 0-11 years. Visit the website for further details on events and dates. Ages 0-11yrs Wed 3-Sat 13 Aug Cinderella in Boots A unique modern spin on the classic Cinderella story, playing in Chickenshed’s Studio Theatre, parks and festivals across London this summer. The slipper fits but that’s just the start of the story, Cinderella is soon back working, but this time it’s in a shoe shop. And now the boot is most definitely on the other foot! Ages 3+ Harrow Arts Centre Hatch End HA5 0208 416 8989 www.harrowarts.com Sat 16 Jul - The Wagon of Dreams Jellyfish Theatre roll up with their joyful new outdoor show. Three best friends are going on an exciting ocean adventure. Go and meet the outrageous mermaids and fantastical sea creatures who live in the wonderful “Wagon of Dreams”. A playful, inventive family show, set on a retro caravan: packed with puppetry, music and laughter. Ages 3+ (best suited for ages 4-8)
contains a laugh out loud script, heaps of audience interaction, a host of catchy songs, unforgettable characters, and maybe even the odd water gun or two! Ages 4+ Little Angel Theatre 14 Dagmar Passage, Cross St, N1 020 7226 1787 www.littleangeltheatre.com Until Sun 31 Jul I Want My Hat Back Trilogy Jon Klassen’s beloved books, I Want My Hat Back, This is Not My Hat and We Found A Hat, will have a brand new life of their own LIVE on the Little Angel Theatre stage. All your favourites including Bear, Little Fish and the Turtles will be making an appearance in this one-of-a-kind trilogy. Ages 3-6 yrs
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park, London, NW1 0844 826 4242 www.openairtheatre.com Tue 12 Jul–Sun 28 Aug 101 Dalmatians When infamous Cruella de Vil (Kate Fleetwood) sets her sights on a new Dalmatian fur coat, there’s trouble ahead for Pongo, Perdi and their adorable litter of puppies. Based on the classic story, this new musical adaptation, packed with puppetry, is a perfect day. out
Puppet Theatre Barge Little Venice W9 (16 Jul-18 Sep in Richmond TW10), 020 7249 6876 www.puppetbarge.com
Watersmeet High St, Rickmansworth WD3 01923 711 063 www.watersmeet.co.uk
Sat 16 Jul–Sun 14 Aug The Hare and the Tortoise A production for all the family. Expect lions and mice, spiders and cats – there are storms to be weathered and always a few morals to take away! Ages 3 +
Fri 5 Aug - Pop Princesses A musical spectacular starring four fabulous Fairy tale Princesses who just love to sing!
Wed 17 Aug–Sun 18 Sep - The Three Pigs plus Captain Grimey Each pig has an air of mischief and naivety, while the wicked wolf has just a hint of a wry smile. Captain Grimey is the dirtiest, most miserable, one-legged sea captain in the world who polutes the sea with his rubbish - find out how the Golden Dolphin helps him in this humorous morality tale. Ages 3+
Fri 5-Sun 7 Aug In The Night Garden... Live Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show with costumes, magical puppets, and music.
Sat 6 Aug - The Three Little Pigs An inclusive show for 5–7 year olds and children with speech, language and communication needs. This well-known tale is brought to life through colour, puppetry and sound! Be delighted by the sights and smells of breakfast, before battling winds and rain to find the ultimate building material!
Cadogan Hall 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 020 7730 4500 www.cadoganhall.com
Headstone Manor & Museum Harrow, HA2 6PX 020 8863 6720 www.headstonemanor.org
Mon 25–Wed 27 Jul - The Gruffalo Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children. Ages 3+
Fri 29 Jul-Sun 21 Aug Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales – Live on Stage Bursting at the seams with live music, puppetry, and laughs
Mon 25 Jul - Outdoor Theatre: Rapunzel Let your hair down and get tangled in a brand-new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale! This fastpaced, larger-than-life production
Fri 29 Jul - Pop Princesses A musical spectacular starring four fabulous Fairy tale Princesses who just love to sing! Featuring a soundtrack of top pop hits, plus all the best songs from all your
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Wed 24–Thu 25 Aug Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever Peppa Pig is excited to be going on a special day out with George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig - it’s going to be her best day ever!
The Radlett Centre 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk
Sat 20–Sun 21 Aug Hexwood School of Sorcery Join Maisey on her adventures through sorcery school as she meets lots of eccentric and hilarious characters and learns to embrace her magical mishaps and finally love herself, warts and all. Ages 4+ Watford Palace Theatre Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 01923 225 671 www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk Wed 27–Thu 28 Jul Zog And The Flying Doctors Zog, super keen student turned air-ambulance, still lands with a crash-bang-thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu. However, Pearl’s uncle, the King, has other ideas about whether princesses should be doctors, and she’s soon locked up in the castle back in a crown and a silly frilly dress! Ages 3+
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EARLY LOCALYEARS CLUBS & CLASSES
ACTIVITY CENTRES Ninja Warrior Watford (WD25) www.ninjawarrioruk.co.uk/watford Our Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park is a supervised activity and fitness venue inspired by ITV’s hit programme Ninja Warrior UK! A great place for supervised family activities and for keeping fit, we welcome you on your Ninja journey. No charge for spectators to come and watch your Ninjas from our Café area and treat yourself to our full range of hot and cold food plus a wide selection of drinks!
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS Harrow Woodcraft Folk www.woodcraft.org.uk Join our Elfin group (6 to 9 years). Meeting in Central Harrow. Tuesday evenings (term time): 6:30-8pm. Email harrowwoodcraftfolk@yahoo.co.uk for more details. Holidaytime After school club is part of Activetime Children’s Activities Limited (HA1) www.activetimedaynursery.co.uk Pick up from four local schools at the end of the school day, then take the children back to the club for a snack and the daily activity. Open Mon-Fri 3-6pm at The Cadet Centre, Harrow, HA1 2QA. Call 07575801623, email holidays@activetime.co.uk Willesden and Brent Chess Club (NW2) www.willesdenchess.wordpress.com Provides social chess for players of levels, set up Club competitions and tutor juniors. For the more competitive player they enter teams into local leagues and refer members to our county team. At Cricklewood Library, 152 Olive Road, NW2 6UY. Call Anthony on 07974 238357, email fulton790@aol.com
CODING Code Ninjas www.codeninjas.co.uk Kids learn to code in a fun, safe, and inspiring learning environment, with a game-based curriculum that they love. Parents love it too, because their kids make real progress and gain valuable skills while having a great time. Everyone wins at Code Ninjas! DiscoG Coding Academy (HA3) www.discogcodingacademy.com Run weekly term-time classes and holiday courses and workshops for students aged 6 to 18. Join in to learn Computer Science, Coding, Robotics, AI and Machine Learning. Summer courses from 4 July to 2 September. Contact Gerard & Kat on 07767300940. info@discogcodingacademy.com Little Coders www.littlecodersclub.co.uk Coding class for children aged 4 to 6 years. Develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication.
ARTS AND CRAFTS Blank Canvas Art Club www.Facebook.com/BlankCanvasArtClub Online, fine art classes for kids and adults from 6-106
Calling all young Scientists! Help us discover how babies & kids learn! We’re recruiting infants from birth to school age to take part in fun studies at Birkbeck’s Babylab & ToddlerLab in central London. Our prime locations are easy to reach and we refund travel expenses. We also have online studies you can do from the comfort of home www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk/online-studies
020 3926 1207 babylab@bbk.ac.uk www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk 8 Families North West London
teaching skills & techniques whilst encouraging imagination and finding your own style whatever your experience. Weekday afterschool kids classes. Adults evening or daytime classes suitable for beginners or refreshers. Email Suzi blankcanvasartclub@gmail.com
EDUCATION SUPPORT Brain Train Tuition Centre (HA2) English and Maths Tuition For Ages 5 to 16 years. Brain Train Tuition will help to improve your child’s academic and social skills, as well as building their confidence and a belief in their ability to succeed. braintraintuition@gmail.com, call 0208 426 84250. Free Readers (various) www.freereaders.co.uk At Free Readers, your child’s academic success is their utmost priority. They help children of year groups and individual needs, from ages 3 to 11. They offer your child enrichment or extra help in Reading, Maths and English, homework and test preparation. Individual teaching and attention in small groups is the preferred way to help children on their journey to freedom. They encourage them how to learn, enabling them to reach their full potential. Integratedbrain - Improve Co-ordination for learning! (UB5) www.integratedbrain.co.uk Activities to help those with poor co-ordination, dyspraxia, dyslexia or fine motor difficulties. Small groups of 4/5 children working to develop better allround motor integration. Call Usha Patel 07766 837 616 or email ushapatel.raviv@gmail.com Knowledge Above Standard (HA7) www.knowledgeabovestandard.co.uk Maths, English, Verbal and non-verbal reasoning, 7+, 11+ 13+ exam preparation. (07985 588 085) Little Big Leaders (HA8 & WD23) www.littlebigleaders.com Maths/English or Phonics & Writing for 3.5 to 11 year-olds at our Saturday School, Summer School and Winter School. Tutors support and challenge pupils to improve their learning and have a track record in enabling pupils to demonstrate progress in their mainstream setting and/or in 5+, 7+ and 11+ examinations. Childcare vouchers accepted. Free trial lessons. Call 020 3637 6266 for more details.
FIRST AID MCS Training (HA1, HA5) Paediatric First Aid Course. Accepted for full and voluntary Ofsted Registration. Certificate valid for 3 yrs. Call Margaret 07814 191 395 or email mcstraining@hotmail.co.uk
HEALTH AND WELLBEING Etiquette and Emotions Etiquette and Emotions offer live, interactive, and enjoyable workshops for children and teens aged 7-15 to elevate their emotional intelligence and social etiquette. The workshops currently running over the school holidays include: • • •
Confidence, Conversations, and Charisma workshop (7-10 yrs. or 11-15-year-olds) Emotional Intelligence Workshop (8–12-year-olds) 11+ School Interview Support
The workshops are run by a certified children’s coach and include videos, discussions, and a quiz. Get 10% off! Use discount code: ee10off at checkout! Full details and bookings at: www.etiquetteandemotions.com
The Learning Wheel (Eastcote) www.thelearningwheel.co.uk Maths and English tuition classes which target identified needs to improve achievement levels. They set goals for your child, monitor progress and provide regular progress reports. Cater for all levels from Reception to Year 11. Raviv Practice London (UB5) www.ravpracticelondon.co.uk Catch up reading course. Improve reading age by 1 year in 3 months of home-based work. The computer interventions is similar to having a tutor in your home with daily monitoring and feedback. Call 07766 837 6168 info@ravivpracticelondon.co.uk (registered therapist).
DANCE Street Dance Academy (various) www.streetdanceacademy.co.uk Teach children aged 5-18 yrs every weekend during school term time, with clubs in and around London, Hertfordshire and Surrey. Street Dance Academy also teach Adult Street Dance and Zumba Classes in Twickenham every Wednesday. Call 0800 0236 236 Elina Patrou Academy of Dance (HA7) www.elinapatrouacademyofdance.com Ballet classes to develop poise, technique and expression through dance, for boys and girls aged 3-16 years with Royal Academy of Dance examinations. Online private ballet lessons available. Email elinapatrouacademyofdance@gmail.com or call 07555 861561.
World of Children’s Yoga Pause, breathe and share some joy with your loved ones exploring how yoga can help you grow with joy and ease 11+ Yoga Essentials Workshop for Children and Families: Calm the mind to stimulate the mind Ease 11+ exam preparation through yoga, to improve brain function and help with: *Confidence * Focus * Memory Recall Just for the Girls Workshops: Understand yourself – love yourself – be yourself For Tweens and Teens only AND For Tweens/Tweens and their Mums Time and space for girls to grow with ease through yoga, to manage: Body Changes; Emotions; Hormonal Fluctuations FREE Taster Sessions in Bushey for one week from 11 July. anjli@worldofchildrensyoga.com 07784 370034 Facebook & Instagram: @worldofchildrensyoga Familiesonline.co.uk
LOCAL CLUBSEARLY & CLASSES YEARS
LANGUAGES AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Divine Yoga (Borehamwood and Kenton) Yoga is a movement connecting the mind, body and breathwork. In each of our classes yoga is brought to life using creative games and mindful movement ending in a relaxing mindful activity. The power of yoga helps children gain a mental and physical balance, an open heart and mind, create better social interactions and most importantly recognise self - love. Classes are for children 4-10 years, teens, families, schools and nurseries. ‘My aim is to empower children to learn techniques, such as breathing and mindfulness, and apply it to when they need it most during the pressures of life. The yoga sessions are tailored to create a happy, fun and positive mindset.’ Why not trial a FREE class? To book: www.divineyoga.com/booknow Enquire: divineyoga143@gmail.com Kids Yoga with Yana (Watford) www.facebook.com/kidsyogawithyana Yana is a qualified Kids Yoga teacher with a passion for empowering children to be the best version of themselves through yoga and mindfulness practice. MD Massage Therapies www.mdmassagetherapies.co.uk Massage has many health benefits - it helps to reduce pain, anxiety and fatigue, helps with repetitive injuries, increases range of motion, relieves stress and much more! Gift vouchers available. Intro 20% off first treatment. Email info@ mdmassagetherapies.co.uk, call 07950 84674.
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Baby Lab (WC1E) www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk Have fun for free with your baby making discoveries about brain development at the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development. Birkbeck College. Travel expenses refunded. Call 020 7631 6258. Phonics with Robot Reg (various) https://robotreg.co.uk Provide fun, high energy classes which teach early phonics skills to children 1 to 4 years. A Phonics with Robot Reg class is fun, varied and educational, and the best part is that children are learning.
MUSIC & MOVEMENT Colourstrings (various) www.nlcolourstrings.co.uk Music Kindergartens for babies, toddler, and children up to 6 yrs with small, age-related classes. Classes are enjoyable and inspire learning, developing inner hearing and core music skills. Call 020 8444 9435, email admin@nlcolourstrings.co.uk Gymboree Play & Music Watford https://gymbo.co.uk/locations/watford Sensory classes for babies, art and music classes, as well as Play & Learn classes for little ones who are on the move. They also offer a range of fabulously fun birthday parties. Find them upstairs in the Atria shopping centre at the top of the Queens Car Park. Monkey Music (Various) www.monkeymusic.co.uk Award-winning Monkey Music, trusted by parents since 1992, introduces babies and young children aged 3 months to 4 years to music with a unique four-stage curriculum tailored to each age group. Classes run 6 days a week, in Uxbridge, Eastcote, Northwood, Ickenham, Harrow, Stanmore and Watford. Call 020 8427 6595.
SIGN LANGUAGE Sing and Sign (Various) www.singandsign.com Fun classes combining the benefits of baby signing with music to develop language, memory and attention skills. For babies 6 to 30 months. Email info@singandsign.co.uk for more information.
SPORTS AND EXERCISE
Coding class for children aged 4 to 6 years old
TISKA Karate www.tiskakarate-harrow.co.uk/ www.tiskakaratenorthwood.co.uk/ www.tiskakarate-wembley.co.uk Learn the fascinating art of Karate. Classes held weekly in Harrow, Northwood and Wembley.
Watford Cycle Hub www.watfordcyclehub.org.uk Offering cycle repair services, maintenance courses and cycle training. They also offer advice and information about cycling and bikes, including local cycle routes and maps, news about locally led rides and cycling opportunities.
SWIMMIMG Aqua Vie www.Aqua-vie.com Regular after school weekly Tues, Wed and Sunday classes in Bushey during term times. Spaces for new babies, toddlers and adults on Tues and Wed. Learn mindful effortless swimming in a calm environment in warm water. Use less effort, swim further and experience the joy of water. office@aqua-vie.com or call 01923 245 773 or 07814 987 153.
THEATRE AND PERFORMING ARTS PQA (Pauline Quirk Academy) (various) www.pqacademy.com PQA provides outstanding performing arts tuition for 4 to 18 years. Each week students rotate through specialist sessions in Musical Theatre, Comedy and Drama and Film and TV taught by leading industry professionals. PQA is enrolling for September. Book a free taster session at your local Academy. Sharpe Academy of Theatre Arts (HA5, HA6) www.SharpeAcademy.co.uk Performance based theatre school for children aged 3-18 with venues based in Hatch End and Northwood. Weekly classes in Musical Theatre, Ballet, Tap, Modern, LAMDA and Acrobatics. Stagecoach (Various) www.stagecoach.co.uk Training in three disciplines: drama, dance and singing. Great for building confidence, making new friends and beginning to hone talent and enthusiasm for performing, or being coaxed out of their shell by having fun! Call Harrow 020 3504 0100, Harrow on the Hill & Sudbury Hill 01923 248 294, Stanmore & Harrow Weald 020 3504 2154, Watford 01727 768 738, Queen’s Park 020 7723 5861 or Northwood 01442 263 599.
CLASSES FOR GROWNUPS Woodcarving (Iver) A small group who would welcome new members. Drop in for a chat! Meet Monday mornings 9.30am12.30pm at Evreham Centre. Email Iver.webb1959@btinternet.com. ERS BEGINN FFER O L IA SPEC
Develop Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication
BOOK NOW AT
Families welcome, minimum age 4 yrs. 4 week free trial (07739 572487) patel.karate@icloud.com.
S 4 W EEK FREE
WWW.LITTLECODERSCLUB.CO.UK
Classes held Every Thursday at 5.00pm
Preston Park Primary School, College Road, Wembley, HA9 8RJ
Every Saturday at 9.00am Harrow High School, Gayton Road, Harrow, HA1 2JG
Every Saturday at 2.00pm
Email: hello@bakedbyTerri.com FB & IG: @bakedbyTerri www.bakedbyTerri.com
For more information please contact us on
07739572487
patel.karate@icloud.com
St Helens School Green Lane, Northwood, HA6 1AF
www.tiskakarate-harrow.co.uk www.tiskakarate-nortwood.co.uk www.tiskakarate-wembley.co.uk
ALL OUR INSTRUCTORS HAVE ENHANCED DISCLOSURE AND BARRING CERTIFICATES
Familiesonline.co.uk
Families North West London 9
SUMMER CAMPS
Summer camps Camp Beaumont Adventure Day Camps - Childcare from Just £43 a day! Dedicated to delivering confidence-building adventures throughout the school holidays, we run award-winning day camps offering over 50 activities including archery, football and arts and crafts across 45 locations in London and the surrounding areas. Camp Beaumont is looking to support families and help children to get back on track this summer following the pandemic. With a focus on reducing stress and learning new skills through carefully selected activities we that get children moving, socialising and back in the great outdoors!
Camp Beaumont Adventure Day Camps
Book a multi-activity programme and ensure your child learns new skills, makes new friends and enjoys their most exciting school holiday yet! Camp Beaumont has over 40 years’ experience caring for children and our fully DBSchecked Group Leaders ensure safety and fun for every 3-16 year old. Join them and help children bounce back this summer! www.campbeaumont.co.uk DiscoG Coding Academy DiscoG Coding Academy run weekly term-time classes and holiday courses and workshops for students aged 6-18. Join them to learn Computer Science, Coding, Robotics, AI and Machine Learning. Summer courses from 4 July to 2
Early Bird Rates U N T I L 3 1 ST
MAY 2022
ENROL IN OUR
SUMMER
LEARNING CAMP
Edgware HA8 July 25 to August 12 Northwood HA6 August 1 to 19
Small group classes with individual attention, for children aged 3 to 11 AT FREE READERS
WE HELP YOUR CHILD WITH
Free Readers Summer Learning Camp Offer a range of subjects to suit the needs of your child and the goals you have for them. Small group classes with individual attention, for children aged 3- 11. Learning to read and write, 11+ and 7+ exam prep, post-pandemic catch up and more. 25 July to 12 August in Edgware and 1 to 19 August in Northwood. www.freereaders.co.uk/ourcourses/summer-school Fun Fest Holiday Clubs Fun Fest Holiday Clubs are Ofsted registered and take children from 3-12 years. They offer children a choice from a menu of different activity sessions every morning and afternoon. Stanmore (Stanburn Primary School, HA7 2PJ) 25 July - 25 August, 8am5.45pm. Call 07543 552349 or email: harrowoffice@ funfestholidayclub.co.uk www.fun-fest.co.uk/stanview Ruislip (Sacred Heart Primary School, HA4 6EZ) 25 July - 26 August, 8am-6pm. Call 0208 432 3223, email: ruislipoffice@
funfestholidayclub.co.uk www.fun-fest.co.uk/ruiview Watford (Hartsbourne Primary School, Bushey, WD23 1SJ) 25 July - 23 August, 8am6pm. Call 07892 721317, email: watfordoffice@ funfestholidayclub.co.uk www.fun-fest.co.uk/watview To find out more about the clubs and to see their summer activity timetables, visit the website at www.fun-fest.co.uk Little Big Leaders Academic Summer School with Little Big Leaders in Stanmore only a few spaces left. 9am1.30pm weekdays. KS1 - KS4 for catch up, acceleration and exam prep, including 11+, 13+ and GCSE. Maximum of 5 pupils per group. Tax Free Childcare/ Vouchers accepted. Email info@littlebigleaders.com for more information. Perform’s Peter Pan Summer Courses for 4-10s Inspire your child’s imagination this summer with a unique drama, dance and singing holiday course. In August, your 4-10 year old can fly away to Neverland with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and friends on an unforgettable
3 Learning to read 3 11+ Exam Preparation 3 Learning to write
(GL, CEM, Independent Schools)
3 Maths
3 7+ Exam Preparation
3 English
3 Targeted Intervention
3 VR & NVR
3 Post-pandemic catch up
CHIL D VOUC CARE HERS
G TEACHIN SMART ILLED BY SK RS E TEACH
September. Contact Gerard and Kat on 07767300940 or email: info@discogcodingacademy. com
BOOK NOW! LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE
3
CHIL VOU DCARE HMR CHERS & CT CHIL AX-FREE D ACC CARE EPTE D
ED LOCAT HA6 ood Northw re HA8 a & Edgw
discog coding academy
LEARN THE LANGUAGE THAT
writes THE FUTURE
Summer School Join our short courses and workshop sessions from Monday, 4th July – Wednesday, 31st August
OUR ETHOS is to recognise the potential in every child and provide the highest quality of teaching to help them succeed. Our culture supports, encourages and inspires our children to strive for excellence.
Coding & Robotics 020 7117 6147
office@freereaders.co.uk
www.freereaders.co.uk 10 Families North West London
Call Gerard & Kat on:
07767300940
Ages 6-18
info@discogcodingacademy.com www.discogcodingacademy.com Familiesonline.co.uk
SUMMER CAMPS Perform’s Peter Pan Summer Courses
confidence-building adventure. Eastcote Methodist Church from 8–12 August. St Mark’s Church, Kensal Rise from 15 to 19 August. www.perform.org.uk/peterpan Tiska Karate Hold a Karate Camp during some of the School Holidays. These days consist of games and challenges, which helps develop Team Work and Communication skills, plus a focus on a specific element of Karate. Medals for the winning team, plus much more... www.tiskakarate-millhill.co.uk The Learning Wheel The Learning Wheel’s (Eastcote) summer school is open throughout Summer to provide tuition in Maths and English
for children of ALL abilities in primary and secondary schools. Nurturing, supportive and tailor made tuition for every child. There is also availability for 1-1 tuition with a Dyslexia Specialist teacher. Book now, call/text 07930 557 870 www.thelearningwheel.co.uk Sharpe Academy Sharpe Academy is again running two Musical Theatre summer schools at Harrow Arts Centre. The Vocational Musical Theatre Week (25-29 July) is for performers aged 14-21. The Jungle Book Kids, (22-26 August) is open to younger performers aged 6-14. For more information and booking visit www.SharpeAcademy.co.uk/ summer-2022
Intensive Vocational Musical Theatre Week Harrow Arts Centre 25th-29th July Ages 14-21 £275 Workshops & West End Masterclasses
Book your place online at SharpeAcademy.co.uk /summer-2022
Musical In A Week
Junior Musical Theatre Week The Jungle Book Kids Harrow Arts Centre 22nd-26th August Ages 6-14 £250 (Siblings £125) End-of-week Performance
Harrow Stanmore Stanburn Primary School, HA7 2PJ
Ruislip Sacred Heart Primary School, HA4 6EZ Watford Hartsbourne Primary School, WD23 1SJ
Where children To see our latest timetables and to book your children’s chosen activities go to:
fun-fest.co.uk
Ofsted registered
Familiesonline.co.uk
Families North West London 11
What's On
listings for all the family
Compiled by Anna Blackshaw
To promote your local event, coffee morning, nearly new sale, parenting courses or community group in the next What’s On listing. Email Listings@FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk. Listings in this section are FREE for most non-commercial ventures. Please check details of the events before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.
www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk for all our local weekly regular events.
it's updated every day!
Many activities and events require advance booking. Please check the website in the listing to confirm terms and conditions for attending before heading out. Mon 4 Jul Conflict Resolution for Parents of Teens (online) A workshop for parents of children aged 12+. Conflict with pre-teens and teenagers is natural. The key thing is to manage it constructively. Managing conflict with your child has many benefits for both you and your Teen. 7-9pm, online. course is run by Hope Harrow. Call 0208 863 7319/0749 8881496 to book a place. www.learnharrow.ac.uk Sat 9 Jul Big Beat Playgrounds Family Friendly Mini-Festival Summer Sizzler (N12) Grab your Hawaiian shirt and get ready for a fun filled party for the family to enjoy at Artsdepot. Expect a confetti filled dance floor with plenty of action, spaces to create and discover or simply lay back and relax. 2:30-5pm. www.bigbeatplayground.co.uk Sat 9 Jul Explorers Family Festival: Natural History in Islam (SW3) Get ready to celebrate Eid with your family and friends by heading to the Natural History Museum to explore the relationship between natural history and Islam. Enjoy the fun and festivities as you celebrate the importance of the natural world in Islamic culture in a series of free events. www.nhm.ac.uk/events/ explorers-family-festival-naturalhistory-in-islam.html Sat 9 – Sun 10 Jul Children’s Art Week (NW9) Head to the RAF Museum for a free (drop-in) craft workshop. Led by staff from the Access and Learning team, children will use a range of materials and techniques to explore and create an RAF uniform (past, present or future) for their very own peg doll. The finished designs will have the opportunity to be pictured in front of a small-scale museum. 11am-2pm. www.rafmuseum.org.uk/ london/whats-going-on/events/ childrens-art-week Sat 9 Jul & Sat 13 Aug SENsory Sailors (SE10) Families with children with special educational needs and disabilities (under 13) are invited to a monthly session at the National Maritime Museum. Explore the collection, enjoy the opportunity to be creative together as a family, and meet other local families. 11am12.30pm, pre-booking required. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ national-maritime-museum/ sensory-sailors 12 Families North West London
Sat 16 Jul Silver Screen Science Fiction presents... WALL-E (SE10) Silver Screen Science Fiction returns to the Royal Observatory Greenwich with this beloved and visuallystunning film from the makers of Toy Story and Finding Nemo. Go along for a short family workshop before watching the film in all its glory in the unique venue of the Peter Harrison Planetarium. Dropin family workshops will run from 17:50 with the film beginning at 6.25pm. The film will run until 8pm. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ royal-observatory/silver-screenscience-fiction
Summer Holiday Workshops at the Foundling Museum
Sat 9 Jul – Sat 10 Sep Summer Reading Challenge (various) The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to enjoy the benefits of reading for pleasure over the summer holidays, providing lots of fun as well as helping to prevent the summer reading ‘dip’. This year’s theme is Gadgeteers, and will spark children’s curiosity about the world around them. With resources and activities from the Science Museum Group, the Challenge focuses on inspiring children to see the science and innovation behind everyday objects, showing that reading and science are for everyone. Find out more at your local library! www.summerreadingchallenge. org.uk Sun 10 Jul Family Workshop: Fabulous Fish (HA2) Play with colour, shape and decoration to design and make your own ‘Fabulous Fish’ the only limit is your imagination. 11am, 12pm, 1:15pm & 2:15pm at Headstone Manor & Museum. Suitable for ages 5+ and their grown-ups! www.headstonemanor.org/ events/family-workshopfabulous-fish Sun 10 Jul Museum Gardens Day (HP8) Chat to the Garden’s Team and find out more about the gardens at Chiltern Open Air Museum. Children can help dig for potatoes, plant their own seed pot, follow the scarecrow trail and help make bug houses. www.coam.org.uk/events/ museum-gardens Fri 15 Jul Market Lates (WD17) Watford Market is opening late! Includes live music alongside craft beer, a prosecco bar and street food from around the globe. 5.30- 10pm. www.watfordmarket.co.uk/ events
Sat 16 Jul Imagine Watford (WD17) Watford’s much-loved annual open-air performance festival returns! Join the biggest street party in town, where you’ll witness the high street transformed into a giant marble run adventure, make friends with a tropical island castaway and his pet lobster, be astounded by a 7-metre-high dance performance, party with Bhangra and Brass music, and much, much more! This year the festival will take place in Watford town centre, between 12-8pm. www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/ imagine-watford Sat 16 Jul International Busking Day 2022 (HA9) International Busking Day is back at Wembley Park for 2022 with an incredible line up. With big name acts, up-and-coming artists and grassroots performers, International Busking Day 2022 is set to be bigger than ever with 10 stages across the neighbourhood and over 120 acts including music, dance and circus arts. A familyfriendly day out, taking place on what we hope will be a very sunny day, International Busking Day is all about the hottest home-grown talent and world-class street performers. wembleypark.com/internationalbusking-day-wembley-park Sat 16 Jul LGBTQ+ Family Network (SE10) As part of their regular LGBTQ+ programming, the National Maritime Museum hosts a space for LGBTQ+ families to meet and get creative bi-monthly. Pop in with your family and join in with artist-led activities inspired by Greenwich, the maritime world, and LGBTQ+ histories. Together you can explore, create and get to know other families within the Network. 10am-12pm. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ national-maritime-museum/ lgbtq-family-network
Sat 16 – Sun 17 Jul Viking Raid (HP8) The Vikings have arrived and taken over a Saxon settlement at the Chiltern Open Air museum! Get involved in games, music, storytelling and fun activities from the Viking age. Then watch as the raid unfolds and see who wins in the battle between the Vicious Vikings and the Christian forces of Wessex. www.coam.org.uk/events/vikingraid Fri 22 Jul The Tales of Peter Rabbit (HP18) Quantum Theatre return with an enchanting new adaptation of two of Beatrix Potter’s bestloved tales. Michael Whitmore’s charming adaptation will have you spellbound, so why not grab the kids, a blanket and a picnic and join Peter and Benjamin on their hair-raising adventures? www.waddesdon.org.uk/whatson/the-tales-of-peter-rabbit Fri 22 – Sat 30 Jul The Spitfire Scramble Obstacle Course (NW9) Tackle the Spitfire Scramble Obstacle Course this summer at the RAF Museum! Race against your friends or try to compete for the top spot on the leader board. You will face the ninja wall, crawl under cargo nets and swing over water to get to the finish line. There are two NEW courses for families, one for ages 4–8 and the other ages 8+. www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/ whats-going-on/events/thespitfire-scramble-obstaclecourse Sat 23 July - 7 Aug Celtic Harmony Camp (SG13) Enjoy a day of games, crafts, storytelling, exciting talks and good food. Roundhouse Overnight Stays: Relax on a 1 night break with evening entertainment, BBQ dinner, your own family roundhouse and continental breakfast www.celticharmony.org Familiesonline.co.uk
WHAT’S ON Sat 23 – Sun 24 Jul Classic Vehicles Show (HP8) A celebration of classic cars, motorbikes, boneshakers and tractors at Chiltern Open Air Museum. Go and admire an amazing collection of classic cars, motorcycles and historic bicycles. You will also be able to see a collection of historic tractors and wagons on the farm, which was once used for filming TV drama Downton Abbey. www.coam.org.uk/events/ classic-vehicles-show Sat 23 Jul – Sun 21 Aug Theatre on Kew: The Jungle Book (TW9) Fun, songs and adventure await in this heartwarming story for all of the family at Kew Gardens. Join Mowgli on her journey through the jungle as she meets the wise Bagheera, the noble Akela and the enthusiastic Baloo. An enchanting show for children and adults of all ages. 11am and 2pm, Tues to Sun. www.kew.org/kew-gardens/ whats-on/jungle-book Sat 23 Jul – Sat 27 Aug Eliza’s Pet Trail (HA2) Eliza Brightwen had some peculiar pets. Can you find them all to win a prize? Family fun for all ages at Headstone Manor & Museum. The trail is FREE to complete during normal museum opening hours. www.headstonemanor.org/ events/elizas-pet-trail Sat 23 Jul - Mon 29 Aug Hidden Beneath Our Feet! (TW8) Did you know under the London Museum of Water and Steam there is a network of pipes which still supply water to
Summer Fun at COAM
London? Discover more about the hidden world underneath our feet! With crafts, hands-on activities, and trails there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. 10am-4pm. www.waterandsteam.org.uk Sat 23 Jul – Wed 31 Aug Summer of Colour at London Zoo (NW1) Brighten up your summer as you meet the colourful characters at ZSL London Zoo. Discover nature in all its full technicolour beauty. Along with all the brightest stars of the animal kingdom, you can explore how camouflage keeps others hidden, the role of colour in animal communication and how some animals see the world very differently to humans. You’ll even discover which animals have the surprising and incredibly beautiful ability to emit their own light! www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/ whats-on/summer-of-colour-atlondon-zoo
Sat 23 Jul – Wed 31 Aug Summer of Play (SE10) This summer, go and enjoy lots of maritime-themed fun. They will be running a host of outdoor and indoor activities for the whole family. Make sure to check their website closer to the holidays for a full list of events taking place. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ national-maritime-museum/ summer-play Sat 23 July - Fri 2 Sep Junior Wetland Rangers (SW13) Do you think you have what it takes to care for our beautiful wetlands and super wildlife, and help to save wetland nature? Why not head along to WWT London and become a Junior Wetland Ranger this summer and put your skills to the test! Join Top Trainer Sam Feather and Rookie Ranger Charlie Beak in this fun interactive family session. www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/london/whats-on/ junior-wetland-rangers-2025
Sat 23 Jul – Sun 4 Sep The Ultimate Animal Challenge (LU6) This summer, take on The Ultimate Animal Challenge at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Follow the Ultimate Animal Challenge trail around the zoo, testing your skills against the best of the best, before combining all the skills you’ve learned to take on the final challenges in the event hub. Plus, head over to the games station to play animal board games, with the option to make your own playing piece out of clay! www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/ whats-on/the-ultimate-animalchallenge Sun 24 Jul & Sun 21 Aug Sunday Markets (WD17) Watford’s historic town market will open on Sundays for the first time in recent memory, with new stalls and speciality markets opening once a month during the summer. Antique, collectables & vintage on 24th July, and Vegan and green on 21st August, 10am to 3pm. www.watfordmarket.co.uk/ events Mon 25 Jul – Sun 7 Aug Big Beach (WD17) With Watford Borough Council’s Big Beach, you don’t need to travel to the coast to feel the sand between your toes – just head to The Parade in the Town Centre! Big Beach is free and is the perfect chance for people of all ages to lap up the summer sun, with deck chairs and tables provided to help you relax. There will also be exciting games for you to play. 10 to 5pm. www.watfordbigevents.co.uk/ bigbeach
Jellyfish Theatre presents
Superheroes, Orphans & Origins: 125 years in comics
Discover our free family workshops Free for under 21s Book online with code ENTRYFAM to receive 10% off admission foundlingmuseum.org.uk
Familiesonline.co.uk
New York World’s Fair Comics, Vol. 1 #2, Jack Burnley & ™ DC. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. Zenobia, 2016 Morten Dürr and Lars Horneman
Until 28 August 2022
Joyful Outdoor Theatre Show Saturday 16 July | 11am, 2pm & 5pm
Ages 4-8 | £8/£6 Concessions
www.harrowarts.com
Families North West London 13
WHAT’S ON Tue 26 - Thu 28 Jul The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny (N3) Peter Rabbit and his naughty cousin Benjamin know very well that they are not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden, but they cannot resist and soon they find themselves face to face with Mr McGregor himself! But how will they ever escape? Join Peter and Benjamin on their hair-raising adventures in this enchanting adaptation of the much loved Beatrix Potter classic. www.stephenshouseandgardens. com Tue 26 – Fri 29 Jul Summer Holiday Workshops at the Foundling Museum (WC1N) 26 Jul: Marvellous Marvel Me. 27 Jul: Make Your Own Comic Book 28 Jul: Design Your Own Superhero 29 Jul: 3D Character Design Sessions for each day run from 11am-1pm & 2–4pm. Ages 5+. Workshops must be pre-booked. www.foundlingmuseum.org. uk/event/summer-holidaysworkshops Wed 27 Jul Family Workshop: Springing Frogs & Curly Cats (HA2) Bring a spring in your step to this fun workshop creating a family of cats (a very simple origami) and frogs that actually jump! 11am, 12:30pm & 2pm at Headstone Manor & Museum. www.headstonemanor.org/ events/family-workshopspringing-frogs-curly-cats Sat 30 Jul Safe Harbour (SE10) Safe Harbour is a new series of free
workshops at the National Maritime Museum, created to provide a safe space for foster and adoptive families with children under 13 years. Head along from 12.30pm, take along a snack or lunch and say hello to other families. After refreshments, take part in creative activities inspired by the items in the National Maritime Museum. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ national-maritime-museum/safeharbour Sat 30 Jul Morning Explorers at Museum of London (EC2Y) Explore the museum at this relaxed early opening, sensitive to the needs of children with autistic spectrum conditions. Enjoy quiet time in the galleries between 8.30-10am and visit the object handling table and sensory space. This event is free. Pre-book. Siblings and children with other SEND are welcome. www.museumoflondon.org. uk/museum-london/eventdetail?id=305408 Sat 30 – Sun 31 Jul Family Festival of Flight (NW9) Head to the RAF Museum between 10.30am–4pm, for two days of free family fun. Enjoy a variety of drop-in and timed activities which include challenging your coding skills; test flying a paper rocket; making and releasing your own parachute; discovering materials included in RAF clothing; feeling inspired in the storytelling sessions for the under-5s. www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/ whats-going-on/events/familyfestival-of-flight-2
UN
F ILY
M FA
CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM
Pre-book online and save £1 per ticket.
MEDIEVAL JOUSTING 20 & 21 AUGUST Explore Chiltern Open Air Museum this summer and discover over 30 historic buildings including a 1940s prefab, Victorian tollhouse and working historic farm.
Sat 30 – Sun 31 Jul Wellington’s Army (HP8) Be transported back in time to the Napoleonic era at Chiltern Open Air Museum and learn about Wellington’s Army. Meet Napoleonic soldiers and find out about the life of a Rifleman in Wellington’s army during the Peninsular War. Visit the living history encampment and learn how the soldiers’ families lived. Watch a thrilling display of military skill as the soldiers skirmish (includes gunfire). www.coam.org.uk/events/ wellingtons-army-event Sun 31 Jul Big Jiveswing Festival (WD18) One of the UK’s largest FREE Jazz Festivals featuring some of the best internationally acclaimed Jazz musicians, bands and dancers within the UK. It’s a great family day out with live cabarets, dance classes for children and adults and a vintage photo booth, all for FREE! 12 to 6pm at Cassiobury Park bandstand. www.watfordbigevents.co.uk/ big-jiveswing-festival Sun 31 Jul Evening with the Moon (SE10) Enjoy a planetarium show in the Peter Harrison Planetarium as we explore the night sky and head into our Great Equatorial Telescope dome to see the 130-year-old telescope in action, all presented by astronomers from the Royal Observatory. Ages 7+, 5.45-8pm. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/royalobservatory/evening-moon Tue 2 Aug Tiny Tales Storytelling (UB3) Head along to the Beck Theatre Garden for a day of storytelling with professional storyteller Hannah Brailsford. These hourlong interactive sessions will provide engaging adventures for children of all ages, in a fun yet educational environment. Hannah uses themes from around the world to inspire and ignite the imaginations of the next generation of storytellers and creators. Everyone will leave these sessions feeling equipped and enheartened to tell and listen to more stories, and maybe even meet some new puppet friends. www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/ tickets-tiny-tales-storytellinghayes-2022
Tue 2 – Tue 30 Aug School Summer Holiday Fun (HP8) Terrific Tuesdays are themed family craft and activity days organised by the Chiltern Open Air Museum’s Learning Team. All crafts and activities are included in the standard admission price! The themes for the summer holidays will be Nature and Time Travel. Sessions take place every Tues in August. www.coam.org.uk/events/ summer-holiday-activities Wed 3 Aug Family Workshop: Funky Birds (HA2) Make your own quirky pet from paper mache to cheer your home. This workshop involves sculpting a small bird from household items, paper mache and decoupage. You will need to bring a tupperware or container with you to transport your new pet home as it may still be sticky at the end of the session. 11am & 1:15pm at Headstone Manor & Museum. Suitable for ages 5+ and their grown-ups! www.headstonemanor.org/ events/family-workshop-funkybirds Fri 5 Aug The War of the Worlds (HP18) The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons invade the stage in this funny yet faithful new adaptation as they use musical instruments, puppetry and, um, enthusiasm to recreate deadly heat-rays, giant fighting-machines, squidgy tentacled Martians and interplanetary warfare on an epic scale. The chances of success? A million to one… So why not pack a picnic, bring a blanket and go along for an evening of outdoor fun, excitement and adventure at Waddesdon? www.waddesdon.org.uk/whatson/the-war-of-the-worlds Mon 8 – Sun 21 Aug Big Screen (WD24/WD25) Grab your blankets, pack a picnic and head to one of two locations, then just sit back and relax whilst watching some old favourites alongside new blockbusters. The Big Screen is FREE and no booking is required, just turn up and enjoy the outdoor cinema experience! 8 to 14 Aug at Knutsford Playing Fields, 15 to 21 Aug at Woodside Playing Fields. www.watfordbigevents.co.uk/ big-screen
23 July to 7 August
Special events including: Viking Raid, Garden’s Day, Classic Vehicle Show, plus family crafts and activities.
www.coam.org.uk Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB. 14 Families North West London
Book your magical day out at: Familiesonline.co.uk
WHAT’S ON
Sat 13 – Sun 14 Aug The Great War (HP8) Learn about World War One in a special weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum, with costumed reenactors where you can find out about the home front and the role of women. There will also be the opportunity to see the WW1 and WW2 Nissen hut, 1940s post-war prefab, ‘Dig for Victory’ allotment as well as the other buildings at the museum. www.coam.org.uk/events/thegreat-war Sun 14 – Sat 27 Aug The Nickelodeon Experience (SG3) The Nickelodeon Experience is coming to Knebworth House this summer, and promises to be an epic adventure for the entire family. Adventure seekers, aged 2-14 years old, will have the chance to explore the worlds of their favourite Nickelodeon TV shows where they’ll get to map their own journey and curate their own fun at this first-of-its-kind experience. www.thenickelodeonexperience. co.uk
Sat 20 Aug Herts Pride 2022 (WD18) Hertfordshire’s largest LGBTQ+ festival will take place at Cassiobury Park, Watford from 12-10pm. Herts Pride is an all inclusive event supporting the local LGBTQ+ community, and anyone is welcome to attend. www.hertspride.org Sat 20 – Sun 21 Aug Medieval Jousting (HP8) Medieval Jousting returns to Chiltern Open Air Museum. During this special August weekend valiant knights will battle in a jousting tournament to win the favour of the crowds – go along and cheer for your favourite! Inbetween jousts go and meet the knights along with Henry VIII and his six wives and find out more what life would have been like. www.coam.org.uk/events/ medieval-jousting Sat 20 – Mon 29 Aug Colourscape (WD18) Enter a new world of colour and light. Explore a unique labyrinth of 70 interlinked chambers of intense colours and discover musicians and dancers interacting with you. Weekends will feature ensembles; dancers; new instruments, computer music. Weekdays will feature resident
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Sun 21 Aug Unbound Theatre: Robin Hood (HP18) Unbound Theatre present a fantastically-funny family show perfect for a summer’s day at Waddesdon. A riotous thirty-minute retelling of the story of England’s greatest folk hero, featuring swashbuckling adventure and a lot of cunning disguises. 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3pm. www.waddesdon.org.uk/whatson/unbound-theatre-robin-hood
Sat 27 Aug Spitfire Family Run and Spitfire Family Dash London (NW9) Go along to the RAF Museum for the Spitfire Family Run and the Spitfire Family Dash. The Spitfire Family Run is a 2KM race around the Museum’s Historic Hangars. Your race will be timed and the fastest in each age group will receive a prize at the end of the race. www.rafmuseum.org.uk
Wed 24 Aug Family Workshop: Flappy Garden Birds (HA2) What’s that kerfuffle in the garden? It’s some funny birds flapping about. Make your own and join in the fun. 11am, 12pm, 1:15pm & 2:15pm at Headstone Manor & Museum. Ages 5+. www.headstonemanor.org/ events/family-workshop-flappygarden-birds
Sun 28 Aug A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Play in the Park (HA5) Shakespeare’s timeless comic masterpiece explores every colour in the spectrum of love, from arranged marriage to elopement, from infatuation to hatred, from chivalric devotion to raw sex. Ages 5+. www.heathrobinsonmuseum. org/whats-on/a-midsummernights-dream-play-in-the-park
Thu 25 Aug onwards Jurassic World: The Exhibition (E16) Jurassic World: The Exhibition, a 20,000-square-foot immersive experience is coming to ExCeL London this August 2022. Based on one of the biggest thrill-seeking blockbusters, this breathtaking real life experience will be bringing the fear factor to London with life-sized roaming dinosaurs, stomping their way through the exhibition site. With never seen before baby dinosaurs,
Fri 2 - Sun 4 Sep Chilli Fest (HP18) Turn up the heat at the annual Chilli festival taking place in the Waddesdon Manor gardens. The festival guarantees to bring you the best of local artisan producers. You can also enjoy live music, family fun and children’s activities and the opportunity to walk around the gardens. www.waddesdon.org.uk/whatson/chilli-festival
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AMAZING ANAGRAM Unscramble the letters to find things to do this summer! 1. V I T S I
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When you’ve finished, unscramble the circled letters to spell a special message!
Jan/Feb 2022 familiesonline.co
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visitors will be able to interact and explore the environment in which earth once was. www.JurassicWorldExhibition. com
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Wed 10 – Sat 13 Aug Sundown Cinema at the RAF Museum (NW9) Sundown Cinema is back at the Royal Air Force Museum this summer! The family friendly outdoor screenings will include films for all ages, with plenty of space for the kids to move about. The screenings at 12pm and 3pm which gives you time to explore the Museum. Films include Encanto, PAW Patrol and Moana! www.rafmuseum.org.uk/ london/whats-going-on/events/ sundown-cinema-at-the-rafmuseum-2
Thu 18 Aug The Detective Project (HA4) The Detective Project offers awardwinning forensic science-based events that explore the way in which crime is investigated in the 21st Century. Participants will investigate a crime from beginning to end using real forensic techniques and equipment. Fingerprinting, DNA, shoe marks, and code cracking are used to try and identify the culprit and bring them to justice. This event takes place in the Stables at the Manor Farm site in Ruislip. www.hillingdontheatres. uk/index.php/events/thedetectives-project
musician Michael Ormiston presenting family-friendly music where you can join in. 12 to 5pm. www.watfordbigevents.co.uk/ colourscape
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Wed 10 Aug Family Workshop: Blotting Paper Butterflies (HA2) If you love experimenting with colour, go and make a beautiful butterfly by blending ink and water to create some stunning effects. 11am, 12pm, 1:15pm & 2:15pm at Headstone Manor & Museum. Suitable for ages 5+. www. headstonemanor.org/ events/family-workshopblotting-paper-butterflies
Wed 17 Aug Family Workshop: Fire Brigade Badges (HA2) Superheroes have striking logos, including the brave firefighters of the London Fire Brigade. Go and make your own badge, or maybe even design a new one? 11am, 12pm, 1:15pm & 2:15pm at Headstone Manor & Museum. Suitable for ages 5+ and their grown-ups! www.headstonemanor.org/ events/family-workshop-firebrigade-badges
Answers: 1. Visit the beach 2. Ride your bike 3. Eat ice cream 4. Go swimming 5. Play with your friends. The answer to the special message is: Remember to wear suncream.
Tues 9 – Sat 20 Aug Prehistory Family Adventure (SG13) Enjoy a 3 day 2 night break of discovery with workshops from Archery to Outdoor Cooking lead by experienced educators. www.celticharmony.org
Families North West London 15
OPEN EVENTS CHOOSING RMS IS EASY! Nursery Prep Senior Sixth Form Whole School Open Day Sunday 18th September
Book your tour online www.rmsforgirls.com/openevents We look forward to meeting you RMS for Girls, Rickmansworth Park, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 4HF | admissions@rmsforgirls.com | 01923 725354
16 Families North West London
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