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IN THIS ISSUE
What’s on Education Summer Fun ACT, SING, DANCE SUMMER HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS
Join us on a trip into the wonderful world of magical musicals.
Unlock your child’s potential at Stagecoach Performing Arts by giving them creative courage for life.
Stagecoach Chiswick www.stagecoach.co.uk/Chiswick Stagecoach Kensington & Hammersmith www.stagecoach.co.uk/Kensington Stagecoach Acton & Ealing Broadway www.stagecoach.co.uk/Acton
Issue 148 July/August 2022 familiesonline.co.uk
NEW SCHOOLS IN EALING BROADWAY AT CHRIST THE SAVIOUR
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Open Now!
Brand new state of the art nursery and pre-school from 3 months to 5 years in Regency Heights
DAY NURSERY & PRE-SCHOOL
Easily accessible from Park Royal, Ealing, Acton and Alperton • 500m from Park Royal and 750m from Hanger Lane tube stations • 3 minute drive from Hanger Lane Gyratory north of the A40 • Ample space for drop off and pick up.
Contact us today
t 0204 553 0790 e managerlt@littlenurserygroup.com Little Tigers Day Nursery & Pre-school 8 Lakeside Drive | London | NW10 7GS
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Join JTL Football Club based in West London. We offer a Youth Development Programme, After School Football Club and School Holiday Camps. Our coaching staff have experience at premier teams – Paris Saint Germain, Crystal Palace FC and RC Lens. We guarantee that your child will learn, have fun, and improve their football skills.
Ages 4- 13 years Interested in a FREE session email
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A nurturing, caring environment for your child with a 'home from home' atmosphere. The Montessori approach encourages active learning, individuality, and independence in learning, at your child's pace. Based in Greenford with breakfast club option available from 7.30am. Open from 8.30-5.30pm term time. Contact us to arrange a visit: Laila Crawford: 07768 946643 Amira El-Aghel: 07888 710516 info.lailamontessori@gmail.com lailamontessori.com
...endless ideas for families of young children in
In this issue News & information EDUCATION 8 Preparing for School 9 How to have an educational holiday SUMMER FUN 10 The summer holiday childcare jigsaw 12 Summer lunches and picnics 13 Summer camps, clubs and activities 14-15 Where to visit Summer 2022 16-18 WHAT’S ON 19 EARLY YEARS What are babies and toddlers thinking
Chiswick • Ealing • Hammersmith • Kensington • Maida Vale Notting Hill • Uxbridge
3-7
From the Editors... @FamiliesWestLondon
West London
FamiliesWest
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The long summer holiday is nearly here! We’re very much looking forward to spending time as a family, but as with many parents, the juggle of summer childcare arrangements and keeping the kids entertained for at least six weeks are not without their own challenges. This issue we have lots of ideas for local events and activities to make the summer memorable close to home as well as some suggestions to spruce up your picnic offering. Check out our bumper Summer section on pages 10-18. Where we can, we’ve also included the postcodes in our Where to Visit article, so why not keep a copy in the car, pop them in the sat nav and you’re good to go! Plus, whilst the return to school might seem a long way off, September is (unfortunately) closer than you think, so in our Education section, we share some ideas on helping your school starter prepare for their big day. Have a wonderful summer holiday!
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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
Junior Wetland Rangers to the rescue! Do you think you have what it takes to care for the London Wetland Centre and help keep their feathered and furred animals safe and healthy? As a Junior Wetland Ranger your animal knowledge, mess cleaning and more will be tested to see if you’re up to the task! Join Top Trainer Sam Feather and Rookie Ranger Charlie Beak in this fun interactive family session, taking place throughout the summer holiday. Set off to explore WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) London wild reserve after the session with the Junior Wetland Rangers trail card and discover what makes wetlands amazing! On daily from Saturday 23 July to Friday 02 September. Times: 11: 30, 12:30, 13:30 and 15:00 (30 min duration). It’s free to take part. Capacity is limited to 30 attendees. First come, first-served. Suitable for children age 5-11. www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/whats-on/junior-wetland-rangers-2025
BE GOOD AT BEING YOURSELF
NEW SCHOOLS IN EALING BROADWAY AT CHRIST THE SAVIOUR
Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 -18 year olds
Stagecoach Chiswick www.stagecoach.co.uk/Chiswick
Stagecoach Kensington & Hammersmith www.stagecoach.co.uk/Kensington Stagecoach Acton & Ealing Broadway www.stagecoach.co.uk/Acton
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News News&&Information Views
Enjoy a family break by the sea
Stagecoach Acton & Ealing Broadway Opens New School Due to popular demand, Stagecoach Performing Arts will be opening a new Saturday afternoon school at Christ The Saviour School on The Broadway for students 6-16yrs. The new school will be opening with a Discovery Day on Saturday 17th September. Principal Sally Catlin who has been running schools in Chiswick since 2000 says of her new school: “I’m buzzing with excitement at the opportunity to be building another strong, creative school that will challenge even more children of Acton and Ealing Broadway, whilst being fun, educational, stimulating and rewarding for them". In the meantime, they will be running week long holiday workshops at the end of July and beginning of August in Chiswick and Ealing Broadway, which will be a great opportunity to come and see what they’re all about. Stagecoach Performing Arts is one of the biggest network of extra-curricular performing arts schools in the UK. The classes are divided across Early Stages (ages 4-6) and Main Stages (ages 6-15) covering singing, dancing and acting.
If you fancy a seaside break with the family but don’t want to go abroad, Weymouth in Dorset with its famous sandy beach, has much to offer. We recently enjoyed a stay at The Hotel Prince Regent, an attractive seafront property on Weymouth’s historic esplanade with views across Weymouth Bay and Dorset’s Jurassic coastline. Popular with the retirement crowd, this hotel can be overlooked for families, but situated right across from the beach and just a 5 min walk from the town centre, it offers the perfect base for a short break. With five of us all in one room, it can sometimes feel as if we are all on top of each other, but their spacious family rooms ensured that wasn’t the case. We were fortunate to have a sea view and loved the little reading nook in front of the floor to ceiling window. Run by family-owned business Daish’s Holidays, bookings are only available as half-board, but if you don’t mind set meal times for breakfast and dinner, they offer a three course evening meal every day and the friendly staff went the extra mile to make sure the children were well catered for. The hotel also hosts a programme of live entertainment every evening, which is geared towards the older crowd, however during the school holidays there is an opportunity to watch a children’s film after dinner with popcorn and a drink provided. Plus, if you tire of the beach, the newly renovated Sealife centre which boasts a splash park and adventure playground, is one attraction worth visiting and is less than a half hour walk along the front. To book your stay visit: www.daishs.com/weymouth/hotel-prince-regent Hotel Prince Regent, 139 The Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7NR • 01305 771313
For more information about Stagecoach Acton and Ealing Broadway, please visit their website at www.stagecoach.co.uk/acton
Laila Montessori nursery now offering bilingual Arabic and English Laila Montessori based in Greenford are now offering bilingual teaching in both Arabic and English, as appropriate to each child. The staff’s bilingual communication can be used throughout the whole Montessori philosophy - a holistic approach which aims to develop the whole child and bring about independent learning. The bilingual skills can be used in both spoken and written word throughout a child’s growth and development. The nursery was founded by Laila Crawford who set out to create a Montessori nursery which is ‘home from home’ after studying Montessori Early Childhood at Montessori Centre International (MCI) in London in 1994. The nursery has an arts and crafts room, a play and learn room and outdoor space. If you would like to arrange to have a look around please contact Laila or Amira on 07768 946643 or 07888 710516. www.lailamontessori.com 4
2022 Summer Reading Challenge - Gadgeteers The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children ages 4 to 11 to read six library books during the long summer holiday and collect rewards, such as stickers, on their way to receiving their challenge certificate and medal. Children’s reading can decline during the holidays if they don’t have regular access to books or encouragement to read for pleasure. This year’s science-themed challenge called ‘Gadgeteers’ will inspire children to discover the amazing science and innovation behind the world around you. The Challenge will launch in libraries in England on 9 July. More info: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
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News & Views
Superheroes, Orphans & Origins: 125 years in comics
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
Discover our free family workshops Free for under 21s Book online with code ENTRYFAM to receive 10% off admission foundlingmuseum.org.uk
Engineering Open House Day 2022 Now in its seventh year, Engineering Open House Day is all about showing children and their parents just how exciting a career in engineering can be! On Friday, 29 July, companies across the country will be opening their doors to give exclusive behind the scenes access to the wonderful world of engineering and technology! Plus, we’ll be holding our very own event in London with lots of interactive exhibits and two very exciting live shows hosted by Greg Foot, with special guests including Dangerous Dan! You don’t want to miss it.
Visit our website to find out what’s happening near you or register for our London event
theiet.org/OpenHouse TheInstitutionofEngineeringandTechnology #IETOpenHouse @TheIET The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No. 211014) and Scotland (No. SC038698). Futures Place, Kings Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2UA, United Kingdom.
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News News&&Information Views
A love of performing can develop key skills for life. 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. At PQA we believe that our 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. www.pqacademy.com
West London Dance Academy
B R A N D N E W P R O F E S S I O N A L D A NC E P R O G R A M M E FOR YOUNG DANCERS SEPT 2022 IDTA LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN TEACHING DANCE AGE 15 - 18 YRS IDTA LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA IN TEACHING DANCE AGE 18 - 21 YRS PREMIERE ELITE TRAINING PROGRAMME AGE 8 -11 YRS
Take nature’s pulse in the Big Butterfly Count The Big Butterfly Count (15 July to 7 August) is a UK-wide survey aimed at helping the Butterfly Conservation charity assess the health of the environment by counting the amount and type of butterflies. According to the Butterfly Conservation charity, counting butterflies is essential because they play a vital part in the ecosystem as both pollinators and components of the food chain. The data gathered by the public will be used to assess where conservation efforts should be targeted. Taking part in the Count is easy: just spend fifteen minutes counting the butterflies you see and then submit sightings online or via the free app. There’s also a handy free downloadable butterfly chart to use. More info: www.bigbutterflycount.org
School Holiday Football Camp DATES: 11 to 15 JULY & 2 & 3 SEPTEMBER TIME: 9:00AM TO 3:00PM (DROP OFF FROM 8:30AM)
Age: 4 to 13 years old Cost £200 for 5 days or £50 per day Location: St. Charles Sixth Form College W10 6EY At Our Fully Equipped Dance Studio In Chiswick.
contact: 07795578781 visit: westlondondanceacademy.com. email: natalieparnell.wlda@gmail.com limited spaces available via audition
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INTERESTED?
Email: contact@jtlfcacademy.com
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News & Information
Illustrations © Beach, 2022
�e hilarious new book in the bestselling series – with a truly EXPLOSIVE ending.
The second book in the bestselling Blazing Bottom series – with a truly explosive ending. Perfect for fans of The Dinosaur that Pooped series
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Sir Wayne and Dragon are back! And on yet another adventure to get Dragon’s flame round the right way...Luckily Wayne knows JUST what to do! BUT, is doing everything in reverse ALL day long really a good idea? And when the friends start to dress as each other, swapping EVERYTHING round, what on earth might happen?!
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Education
Preparing for school By Emma Lewry No sooner has summer arrived than we are starting to talk about ‘starting school’ or ‘back to school’ preparation. Uniforms line the shop rails tempting us to think about being organised and ready for school. If you’re already thinking ahead, here are some top tips for preparation. If your child is starting school this year it can feel like a huge event with lots of pressure. You may be aware of parents swapping notes about how ready their children are to start school. Try not to compare your child with others; each child is unique and individual in their strengths and in the areas with which they need support. Teachers are ready for this and they know how to support lots of different children in a class. In fact, the uniqueness of each child is often what they love best about the job! When you start to think about preparing your child to begin school there are some key skills which are beneficial to practise and develop. I’m not talking about academic things; your child doesn’t need to be able to read the alphabet or do the two times table. The three skills I recommend are building CONFIDENCE, COMMUNICATION and INDEPENDENCE. These skills can be developed through play and fun at home, giving lots of opportunities for your little ones to try new things and offering plenty of praise and encouragement. Talking to your child and reading books about school opens up lots of valuable communication too.
schools want children to be working on developing those confidence, communication and independence skills. It can be helpful to offer additional emotional support in the lead up to going back to school, especially if your child is moving to a new school. Talk about what will be different but also what will be the same. These constants support many children’s need for things to feel safe and familiar. What if your child isn’t keen on talking? Looking at pictures, reading stories and role-playing school are all great ways to initiate conversation over the summer. Good luck with starting and going back to school! Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, headteacher and mother of two. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk) which guides families through starting school with courses, groups and a school starters planner.
If your child is heading back to school and moving up a year group, many of the starting school ideas apply. At all ages,
Maria Montessori School NEW Bilingual Mandarin school for 2-6 year olds in Notting Hill Authentic Montessori Child-led and hands-on learning Beautiful classrooms, outdoor space
Come and see us! Book a visit or open evening Discover our 5 London sites: www.mariamontessori.org
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Education
How to have an educational holiday By Jemma Z Smith Holidays are all about swimming, having fun and playing games, all past bedtime, aren’t they? Living in the UK, our ‘big annual holiday’ often takes place in the summer and whether you are jetting off abroad or staying in a tent at home, this break is generally considered to be a time that is free from the demands of school and everything that comes along with it. What does it mean then to have an educational holiday? Do you have to stay inside and read books all day? Well, no. Holidays can be fun AND educational. You can use these tips to make sure that your child comes back from their summer break knowing a little bit more than they did before. Get kids involved with planning Whether you are choosing to go to Spain or Salcombe, get your child to look up the location on a map or on Google Earth. They can find out how many kilometres you will travel to get there, how long it will take to drive, walk or fly. This will help them contextualise the place they are visiting, hopefully avoiding the ‘are we nearly there yet?’ questions as well. Learn a bit of the local language Regardless of where you are travelling to, the locals will have a specific vernacular. Learning hello, goodbye and thank you is not just a way to introduce a new language to your child, it is also a great way to get along with the locals. Discuss any similarities between English and the local language, for example, in French the word for ‘dance’ is ‘danse.’
Take an immersive class If you are travelling to Italy, how about learning how to make pizza or pasta? If you’re on holiday in France, learn how to play boules; in Spain, try a bit of flamenco! It is a great way to celebrate a local culture and learn a new skill; after all, not all learning happens in the classroom. If you’re holidaying by the beach and your child likes being in the water, consider scuba diving, fishing or surfing tuition. Waiting games Instead of handing your child your phone when you’re in a queue for an attraction, try some simple word games. See how many words you can think of that are … a type of hat? Trilby, sombrero, cap, bowler! You could even bring along a pocket quiz game to keep you all occupied. Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).
BRAND NEW SOFT PLAY AND BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGES
COMING SOON TO KENSINGTON
AT KENSINGTON LEISURE CENTRE Brand new soft play opening this summer for children aged 10 and under, plus exclusive birthday party packages will be available too. Find out more at better.org.uk/kensington Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no. XR43398.
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Summer Fun
The summer holiday childcare jigsaw By Andrew Campbell For many parents, the long summer holidays can cause a massive childcare headache requiring an enormous amount of juggling and ‘piecing it together’ and involving substantial cost. If you’re facing the school holiday childcare puzzle right now, then here are some of the pieces you might be able to fit together in your jigsaw. Family care Family members, typically grandparents, are often more than happy to share the childcare burden and with this comes the advantage of knowing your children are with someone you all trust. Your kids will benefit by learning they don’t need you all the time and will build long-lasting bonds. Other parents Teaming up with other parents by taking turns to care for each other’s children is a great way to spread the load. But this will require forward planning and organisation - so get in now. Try setting up a summer childcare WhatsApp group with the parents of your child’s friends. Private nursery Many nurseries continue as normal throughout the summer but those adjoined to schools and pre-schools usually follow school term dates. Some private nurseries will take on some younger children just for the summer holidays. Contact them to enquire. Childminders Childminders care for small groups of children of different ages in the childminder’s home. The children usually come from different families and sometimes include the childminder’s own children. If you currently use a childminder, ask about availability
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for summer childcare as they take holidays too. Nanny share A nanny share or ‘home childcarer’ is when you and another family share the costs and responsibilities of employing a nanny to look after your children in your home. Nannies can often work for two or more families, by caring for the children all at the same time or by splitting the week between them. Holiday camps and workshops Run by private providers, these can be multi-activity day camps focussing on a variety of sport and/or creative activities or single activity camps focussed on a specific sport/creative activity. Holiday workshops tend to take place for shorter more intense periods and, often organised by providers that also offer weekly term time classes, they offer a valuable opportunity to receive elite coaching and tuition. Holiday play schemes Playschemes are usually for children of primary school age. Run by schools, councils, youth clubs and community groups, they provide a range of activities and typically cost around £30 a day although this can vary widely, with subsidised prices offered for low-income households.
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Summer Fun
Summer lunches and picnics By Neha Gandesha
Neha Gandesha is a mum from North West London who shares her colourful kid-friendly meals and snack recipes on her Instagram page @Squashedpickle.
Hands up who’s hungry? From a mum who knows, here are three crowd-pleasing recipes you can make with the kids this summer that will grab their attention, teach them some skills, taste great and be perfect for easy summer lunches or a picnic.
Pesto cheese twists
Rainbow pizza
Egg and pea cheesy waffles
These twists are a doddle to prepare and so delicious. A perfect kitchen activity for little ones to learn basic cutting and pastry twists. Great for on-the-go snacks.
Fun and healthy, this recipe teaches basic kitchen skills and includes lots of vegetables. Using a ready-made pizza base makes this super easy for even the youngest chefs.
This three-ingredient recipe couldn’t be any easier and it’s perfect for little hands. You can switch up the vegetables or even use a frozen veg mix if you prefer. So good for picnics or lunch in the garden.
You will need:
You will need:
You will need:
Ready puff pastry Pesto Cheddar and Parmesan cheese (finely grated) Egg (whisked)
Ready-made pizza base Passata Grated mozzarella Rainbow vegetables, chopped up Olive oil
2 eggs (whisked) A handful of frozen peas (cooked) A handful of cheese
Step 1 Lay the puff pastry on a floured surface and spoon and spread pesto on half the sheet. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the pesto.
Step 1 Start by spreading a layer of passata on the base and adding the grated mozzarella cheese.
Step 1 Whisk the eggs until light and fluffy.
Step 2 Fold the puff pastry over. Use a rolling pin to lightly roll to seal the pastry. Step 3 Slice 2cm strips. Twist each strip and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Press the edges and egg-wash. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Step 2 Arrange the chopped vegetables as a rainbow. I have used cherry tomatoes, yellow peppers, sweetcorn, grated carrot, broccoli and red onion.
Step 2 Add the peas and cheese and mix with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper (optional).
Step 3 Drizzle with olive oil.
Step 3 Pour into a hot greased waffle iron and evenly spread the peas on top. (If you don’t have a waffle maker, you can bake these in a muffin tray in the oven).
Step 4 Bake at 180c for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Step 4 Cook, slice and serve!
Step 4 Bake for fifteen minutes at 180c.
www.bilingualnurseries.com
Mars Montessori in Angel
Ages 18 months – 4 years
Les Trois Oursons in Paddington
Ages 10 months – 4 years
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Camps, Clubs & Activities For anyone still wondering about booking up clubs and activities to entertain the children, we take another look at our pick of those taking place during the school holidays. We can’t guarantee spaces on any of them as they do book up quickly, but it’s worth a try. Camp Beaumont offers adventure day camps during the Summer holidays, for children aged 3-16 years in Ealing and Chiswick. Visit their website for more information and to book. www.campbeaumont.co.uk Chiswick Holiday Courses for ages 6-11 years are running from the last week in July and throughout August this year, Monday to Thursday. www.chiswickcourses.co.uk Club Petit Pierrot are running the following French holiday clubs and workshops from 18 to 29 July: Full Day in Chelsea for 4 to 8 years old. Half Day in New King’s Road for 3 to 6 years old. Children enjoy a wide variety of activities to learn and practise French without pressure in a fun and peaceful environment. The immersion holiday clubs include creative and educational activities such as worksheets, arts and crafts, sporty games, stories, yoga indoor and outdoor weather permitting (Chelsea only), singing and dancing…all in French! Children flourish and learn French without realising it. Suitable for all levels (beginner to fluent speaker), as children are divided into small groups according to their age and level. For more information and to book visit: www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk/join-the-club/ holiday-clubs-2020 Heathfield School in Ascot has been running its own Summer activities Camp for almost 30 years. As a girls only Camp they ensure that they offer not only a full range of sports but also a lot of creative activities, including arts & crafts, cookery, dance, design, drama, flower craft and music. Every week girls put on a Show or Exhibition for their families to attend. They offer excellent lunches with a great choice of food plus drinks and snacks at breaks. As well as a full-day programme, there is also a breakfast option and late stay for day girls. Boarders enjoy a really fun evening programme with their international Summer School girls. www.heathfieldsummerschool.co.uk JTL Football Club offers a Youth Development Programme, After School Football Club and School Holiday Camps. Their coaching staff have experience at premier teams – Paris Saint Germain, Crystal Palace FC and RC Lens. It’s all about fun, learning and great football skills. They offer a free trial session so familiesonline.co.uk
you can try a session before joining. The School Camp for Summer is from 11-15 July and the 2 & 3 September. www.jtlfcacademy.com contact@jtlfcacademy.com Miniversity Holiday Camps are running for a week in July and August this year. The Camps take place at Chelsea Academy and cover ICT topics with a career theme and are specifically designed for children aged 5-12 years. www.miniversity.com/holiday-campslondon-chelsea
Perform are running Peter Pan summer courses for 4-10s. Inspire your child’s imagination this summer with a unique drama, dance and singing holiday course. In July or August, your 4-10 year old can fly away to Neverland with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and friends on an unforgettable confidence-building adventure. With a sprinkle of Perform fairy dust, a team of skilled actors, musicians and dancers will ensure your child enjoys every minute as they work towards a show-stopping performance to delight family and friends. Courses are running as follows: 25-29 July 10am-3pm Belmont School, Belmont Rd, Chiswick W4 5UL 1-5 August 10am-3pm St. Barnabas Church Hall, Ealing W5 1QG 8-12 August 10am-3pm Holy Innocents Church, Paddenswick Rd, Hammersmith W6 0UB 15-19 August 10am-3pm St. Michael’s Hall, Elmwood Road, Chiswick W4 3DY Three day course: 3-5 August and 24-26 August 10am-3pm at St. Peter’s Hall, 59a Portobello Rd, Notting Hill W11 3DB www.perform.org.uk/peterpan Sen Swim, who run swimming lessons for children and young people with additional needs in West London, are also offering swim crash courses at Horsenden Primary School (Greenford,
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UB6 0PB) on the following dates during the summer holidays: Week 1: 25th - 29th July 2022 Week 2: 1st - 5th August 2022 For more details: phone 07883 737266 or email info@senswim.org www.senswim.org Stagecoach where your children can make new friends, learn new skills and gain confidence in term-time classes. During the holidays they also run one-week holiday workshops which focus on singing, dancing and acting skills which end in a performance for friends and family. There are options for Little Performers (4-6 year olds) and Big Performers (6-12 year olds). For availability and more information please check your local Stagecoach website: www.stagecoach.co.uk/acton (and Ealing) 25 - 29 July at Christ The Saviour School, Springbridge Rd, W5 www.stagecoach.co.uk/chiswick 1-5 August at William Hogarth School, Duke Road, W4 The Little Foxes Club are running flexible camps in Chiswick, Hammersmith and Kensington over the summer holidays with a variety of sports on offer. www.thelittlefoxesclub.com/sportsand-activities/holiday-camp The Young Film Academy ‘make a film in a day’ course takes place on July 23 at Chelsea Academy. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. They are also running a 4 day film school in July for ages 10-17 years. www.youngfilmacademy.co.uk West London Dance Academy summer camp offers the opportunity to learn different styles of ballroom and latin over 1, 2 or 3 days. Camps run from 9am until 12pm daily on the 25, 26 and 27 July at their fully equipped dance studio in Chiswick (Sutton Court Road W4 4NL) and are suitable for ages 6-11 years. Prices start from £40 for one day. For more information or to book a place, contact Natalie on natalieparnell.wlda@ gmail.com or call 07795 578781 www.westlondondanceacademy.com Details correct at time of going to press (June 2022) but may be subject to change. Families West London
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Where to visit
Where to visit this Summer The summer holidays can feel like a long time to fill so here at Families we’ve pulled together our top suggestions for things to do in London over the summer months. Please do remember to check online for up-to-date information and bear in mind that in some cases booking is advisable. Happy holidays! COUNTRY PARKS If you want to get close to nature, plan a cycle or walk or have a picnic with the children without the worry of too much traffic, the following are all great suggestions for a day out:
orangery and an impressive wooden adventure playground and toddler park. Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playgound, Kensington Gardens W2 4RU is inspired by J M Barrie’s novel, Peter Pan and boasts a huge wooden pirate ship.
Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ as well as plenty of green space and a boating lake, the park is also home to a Children’s Zoo. Meet monkeys, lemurs, meerkats, otters, farmyard animals and birds. There’s also a play area and a cafe.
London Wetlands Centre SW13 9WT, is a nature reserve brimming with wetland wildlife. Meet the otters and explore the adventure playground www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/ london
Brockwell Park, Herne Hill SE24 9BJ offers a miniature railway, BMX track, children’s playground and wet play area
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richmond TW9 3AE. Visit the Children’s Garden specifically designed for ages 2-12. Based in a natural setting the size of 40 tennis courts, children can explore all the things plants need to grow. www.kew.org/kew-gardens/families
Crystal Palace Park in South London has much to offer including full-size dinosaurs, a skate park, maze, national sports centre and plenty of green space. www.crystalpalaceparktrust.org Hampstead Heath NW3 7JP offers great views of the London skyline and is one of London’s most popular green spaces. Holland Park W8 6LU just a short walk from the tube the park hosts both a Japanese and Dutch garden plus an
Regent’s Park open air theatre NW1 4NU 101 Dalmations runs July 12 to August 28. www.openairtheatre.com Richmond Park The perfect place to do some deer spotting www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmondpark
Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets encompasses canals, ponds, a pavilion, tennis courts and a sports ground. Open air pop and rock concerts are held in the park during the summer. ZSL London Zoo NW1 4RY www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo
SPLASH PARKS AND WATER FUN Brockwell Lido SE24 0PA boasts an olympic size 50m pool and cafe. www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/ brockwell-lido GoBoat Paddington, this self drive boating experience begins at Merchant Square. Travel along Regent’s Canal through Little Venice, the 249 metre Maida Hill Tunnel, Regent’s Park and London Zoo to Camden Lock. Options available for 1,2 or 3 hours. www.goboat.co.uk/paddington Liquid Leisure Windsor SL3 9HY, is home to the UK’s number one water sports facilities, with boat and cable wakeboarding, water skiing, slalom and kneeboarding, as well as an amazing Aqua Park. Free wetsuit hire with their backpage ad www.liquidleisure.com London River bus is a great way to see the sights. A River Roamer ticket allows the user to hop on and off the boats an unlimited number of times throughout the day. Book the Family River Roamer ticket from £37.80 online (for 2 adults, 3 kids aged 5-15 years). https://booking.thamesclippers.com Parliament Hill Lido, Hampstead NW5 1LP 4+ years. Open all year round. Pools on the Park, Richmond Park TW9 2SF has both indoor and outdoor swimming facilities. Ruislip Lido, Reservoir Road, Ruislip, HA4 7TY. Build sandcastles, hunt for buriedtreasures, or splash in Ruislip Lido Splash Pad. Also miniature railway and woodland park walks.
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Where to visit OTHER ATTRACTIONS Adventure golf courses, Hounslow Golf Park, TW14 0HH Two huge 18-hole golf courses complete with massive erupting volcano and incredible lifesize moving dinosaurs. Beginners can play on a Knockabout9 course with 9 holes and borrow some clubs for free. Alternatively, test your skills on the Games Range; a double-decker golf driving range with arcade-like virtual games. Make a day of it with lunch or snacks at the on-site affordable café. www.hounslowgolfpark.com Buckingham palace - Visit the palace and watch the changing of the guard www.changing-guard.com/datesbuckingham-palace Chiswick House and gardens W4 2RP. www.chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk Emirates Cable Car Book a One-way or round trip ticket from the Royal Docks or Greenwich Peninsula https:// emiratesairline.gttickets.com/en/london Hamleys 188-196 Regent Street W1B 5BT with seven floors of demonstrations, events and elaborate displays, exploring the iconic toyshop is a day out for kids of all ages! Hampton Court Palace East Molesey KT8 9AU Don’t forget to include a visit to the Magic Garden adventure playground www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace Hobbledown Heath, Hounslow TW14 0HH opens on July 1. Home to over 150 unique and fascinating farm and zoo animals, from playful Pygmy Goats to mischievous Meerkats, as well as a specialist Bird of Prey centre, visitors will get the chance to meet the new furry residents of Hounslow through interactive experience sessions. With both indoor and outdoor adventure playgrounds, kids can climb 15 metre wooden towers, explore a labyrinth of underground tunnels, scale aerial walkways, discover secret passages, and dart through water sensors www.hobbledown.com/hounslow HMS Belfast The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2JH www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens W8 4PX www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace Legoland Windsor resort, SL4 4AY New walk through attraction for 2022 - LEGO® MYTHICA’s Magical Forest. Pre booking your day visit to the park is advised. www.legoland.co.uk London Dungeon The Queen’s Walk SE1 7PB www.thedungeons.com/london London Eye Riverside Building, County Hall SE1 7PB www.londoneye.com
Odds Farm Park, HP10 0LX. Plenty of amazing outdoor adventures to be had and animals to meet, a visit promises to be a full and fun day out. www.oddsfarm.co.uk Scenes in the Square, WC2H 7DE Leicester Square’s interactive bronze statue trail. Spot statues of various film stars and characters across Leicester Square including Harry Potter on his Nimbus 2,000. www.leicestersquare.london/scenes-inthe-square Shreks adventure Riverside Building, County Hall SE1 7PB Interactive family fairytale experience which includes a 4D ride www.shreksadventure.com The Tower of London EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london Tower Bridge SE1 2UF. A visit to the engine rooms is a must for kids. www.towerbridge.org.uk/your-visit/ families Wembley stadium tour HA9 0WS Behind the scenes experience for all the family https://bookings.wembleytours.com/ stadiumtours Windsor Castle, SL4 1NJ www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
FOR THE ADVENTUROUS Gripped London, Staines Road, Hounslow TW14 0HH Opens in July in Hobbledown. Aerial adventure park for all ages www.begripped.com
INDOOR VENUES, THEATRES AND MUSEUMS
Beck Theatre Grange Rd, Hayes UB3 2UE www.becktheatre.org.uk Kidzania Westfield Shopping Centre W12 7GA Interactive indoor city made for kids aged 4 -14 www.kidzania.co.uk London Transport Museum The Piazza, Covent Garden WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk Lyric theatre Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk Madame Tussauds Marylebone Rd NW1 5LR www.madametussauds.com/london Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD Don’t forget to book your free tickets to see Dippy, the nation’s favourite dinosaur, whilst he’s back for a short visit! www.nhm.ac.uk Peter Harrison Planetarium, Greenwich Blackheath Ave SE10 8XJ www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/planetariumshows
Go Ape, Black Park SL3 6DS. Treetop Adventure, Nets, Segways, Zip Lines and High Ropes www.goape.co.uk
Science Museum Exhibition Rd, South Kensington SW7 2DD www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Go Ape, locations also at Alexandra Palace and Battersea Park www.goape.co.uk
Sealife Centre London Aquarium Riverside Building, County Hall, SE1 7PB www.visitsealife.com/london
The Slide at ArcelorMittal Orbit, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park E20 2AD For thrill-seeking children aged eight and above, try this speedy slide which starts from a height of 76 metres. You’ll experience 12 twists, a 50m straight run and experience speeds of up to 15 miles per hour www.arcelormittalorbit.com/whats-on/ the-slide
The Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition at The London Film Museum in Covent Garden 45 Wellington St WC2E 7BN www.harrypotteronlocation.co.uk
Tower bridge glass floor, SE1 2UF Experience the spectacular glass floors in the high-level walkways when you visit Tower Bridge. 42 metres above the River Thames, and 33.5 metres above road level. www.towerbridge.org.uk/your-visit/glassfloor
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Visit a local library. The 2022 summer reading challenge will be The Gadgeteers - discover the amazing science and innovation behind the world around you. The challenge will team up with Science Museum Group for a very special science-themed Challenge that will inspire you to use your imagination and creativity! www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/ news/general/gadgeteers-intro Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR www.wbstudiotour.co.uk Families West London
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What’s On
All details correct at the time of going to press. Please do remember to check online for up-to-date information and remember that in most cases you will need to book.
If you’d like your event featured please email editor@familieswest.co.uk with details. Event times and dates do change, please try and check that an event is still going ahead before you head out.
Ongoing
OPEN FROM FRIDAY JULY 1 HOBBLEDOWN HEATH Staines Rd, Hounslow TW14 0HH New adventure park and zoo. www.hobbledown.com/hounslow UNTIL SUNDAY JULY 17 UNDERBELLY FESTIVAL Earls Court just off Lillie Road www.underbellyfestival.com UNTIL SUNDAY JULY 31 I WANT MY HAT BACK Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage N1 2DN Jon Klassen’s beloved books will have a brand new life live on the Little Angel stage. Ages 3-6 years. www.littleangeltheatre.com UNTIL SUNDAY AUGUST 28 SUPERHEROES, ORPHANS & ORIGINS EXHIBITION AND WORKSHOPS The Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ Enter into the world of superheroes and comics at the Foundling Museum, Bloomsbury, with their exhibition and family events. Under 21s go free! Book online with code ENTRYFAM to receive 10% off admission www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk UNTIL SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4 FAMILY GLOBE THEATRE GUIDED TOUR Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside SE1 9DT Ideal for ages 7-11 years. www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on UNTIL SEPTEMBER SOUTHBANK CENTRE SUMMER POP-UPS Southbank Centre, Queen’s Walk Riverside food and drink pop-ups 11am Free and Unticketed www.southbankcentre.co.uk/visit/cafes-restaurants-bars UNTIL DECEMBER HARRY KANE: I WANT TO PLAY FOOTBALL Museum of London, 150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN Exhibition features rarely seen personal items, family photos and iconic objects to document Harry’s career so far. www.museumoflondon.org.uk UNTIL DECEMBER SOUTHBANK CENTRE FOOD MARKET Southbank Centre Square, Belvedere Rd 11am Free and Unticketed www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/ southbank-centre-food-market?eventId=902316 UNTIL MONDAY JANUARY 2 2023 VISIT DIPPY THE DINOSAUR Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/dippy-returns.html
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UNTIL JANUARY 2023 BEATRIX POTTER EXHIBITION The Porter Gallery, V&A Museum, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL Family friendly exhibition in collaboration with the National Trust. £14 www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/beatrix-potter-drawn-to-nature
July WEEKENDS IN JULY AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS CUTTY SARK RIG CLIMB Cutty Sark, Royal Museums Greenwich SE10 9EF Climb the masts and enjoy views of the Thames and London. 10.30am-5pm 12+ years. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult www.rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark/attractions/cutty-sark-rig-climb-experience WEEKENDS IN JULY AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS CUTTY SARK CHARACTERS Cutty Sark, Sammy Ofer Gallery and Main Deck SE10 9EF Hear incredible stories brought to life by characters from the ship’s past. 11am; 12pm; 1.30pm and 2.30pm Free with admission to the ship. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/cutty-sark/cutty-sark-characters TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS UNTIL FRIDAY JULY 22 SINGING AND STORY SESSIONS London Transport Museum Covent Garden WC2E 7BB Under 5s. Sessions at 10:30am, 11:30am, 13:20pm and 14:20pm www.ltmuseum.co.uk SATURDAY JULY 2 PINK RIBBON WALK Chiswick House and Thames, W4 2RP Raising funds for breast cancer research and support www.breastcancernow.org/ribbonwalk SATURDAY JULY 2 DANCING THROUGH LIFE Beck Theatre, Hayes, UB3 2UE Performers from age 3 up to adults invite you to join Hillingdon Theatre Dance Centre on a journey through a year of life! www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/ticketshillingdon-theatre-dance-centre-hayes-2022 SATURDAY 2 AND SUNDAY JULY 3 FAMILY FUN WEEKEND Cutty Sark Royal Museums Greenwich SE10 9EF A weekend of sailor fun on board. 10am-4pm 4+ years Free with admission to the ship www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/cutty-sark/family-fun-weekend SUNDAY JULY 3 HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL JUNIOR Beck Theatre, Hayes, UB3 2UE PQA Uxbridge is proud to present High School Musical Jr - a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. https://becktheatre.org.uk/Online/ticketshigh-school-musical-jr-hayes-2022
MONDAY 4 TO SATURDAY JULY 9 HAMPTON COURT PALACE GARDEN FESTIVAL East Molesey KT8 9AU Hands-on family activities alongside gorgeous gardens, great places to eat and so much more. www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-hampton-court-palace-garden-festival/ news/2022/fun-family-day-out WEDNESDAY 6 AND WEDNESDAY JULY 13 TODDLER TIME Cutty Sark, Dry Berth, Greenwich SE10 9EF Songs stories and playtime. 10am-11.30am and 1.20pm-2.50pm Age 3 and under. £5 per child with accompanying adult, includes admission to the ship. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/cutty-sark/cuttysark-toddler-time WEDNESDAY JULY 6 TO MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3 PETER RABBIT GARDEN ADVENTURE Blenheim Palace Woodstock OX20 1PP www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/ peter-rabbit SUNDAY JULY 10 FIND YOUR POETRY DAY The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall Free workshops and readings for 11-17 years. 11am-4pm. Drop in www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/literature-poetry/find-your-poetry-day MON JULY 11 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4 THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Theatre Royal, Haymarket SW1Y 4HT www.fromtheboxoffice.com/city/2957-london/1ECKW-the-tiger-who-came-to-tea TUESDAY JULY 12 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 28 101 DALMATIANS Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Daily including afternoon matinees on most Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Kids go half price at performances Monday – Thursday subject to availability. Children under 4 will not be admitted to the venue. Food is served in the theatre grounds before the show, or why not bring your own picnic. www.openairtheatre.com THURSDAY JULY 14 THE POET, THE WITCH AND THE CLIPPER SHIP Cutty Sark, Sammy Ofer Gallery SE10 9EF A fun, engaging deep dive into how one Scottish poem inspired the name of the famous tea clipper. 11.30am Free with admission to the ship SATURDAY JULY 16 INTERNATIONAL BUSKING DAY Wembley Park Free festival with music, dance and circus acts. www.wembleypark.com/international-busking-day-wembley-park THURSDAY JULY 21 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4 ROOM ON THE BROOM Lyric Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 7ES Ages 3+ years www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/25225room-on-the-broom
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What’s On
If you’d like your event featured please email editor@familieswest.co.uk with details. FRIDAY 22 TO SUNDAY JULY 24 THE LUNA CINEMA Chiswick House and Gardens, Burlington Ln, Chiswick, London W4 2RP www.chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/ event/the-luna-cinema/ SATURDAY JULY 23 TO FRIDAY SEPT 2 JUNIOR WETLAND RANGERS WWT London, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT Help care for the London Wetland Centre! Times: 11: 30, 12:30, 13:30 and 15:00 (30 min duration) Free, First come, First-served. Suitable age 5-11 Explore the reserve afterwards. www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/ whats-on/junior-wetland-rangers-2025 SATURDAY JULY 23 TO SUNDAY AUG 28 CROWNS AND CORONATIONS Pug Yard Learning Centre, Windsor Castle SL4 1NJ Bring along a picnic to have within Pug Yard and enjoy some Coronation themed crafts. Free upon admission to the Castle. Note castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays MONDAY 25 TO FRIDAY JULY 29 WILD WEEK Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Join for the whole week of outdoor adventures including jewellery making over the fire, hapizome and the great IEC tournament. Age 7-11 years www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-week-at-iverenvironment-centre-26th-30th-of-july-tickets-153816732989 TUESDAY JULY 26 MARVELLOUS MARVEL ME The Founding Museum, 40 Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ Select a character from the exhibition and insert yourself into the story! Workshop is Suitable 5+ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk WEDNESDAY JULY 27 MAKE YOUR OWN COMIC BOOK The Founding Museum, 40 Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ Workshop is Suitable 5+ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk THURSDAY JULY 28 DESIGN YOUR OWN SUPERHERO The Founding Museum, 40 Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ Workshop is Suitable 5+ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk THURSDAY JULY 28 TO SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 3 HORRIBLE HISTORIES - TERRIBLE TUDORS Garrick Theatre 2 Charing Cross Rd WC2H 0HH www.garrick.londontheatres.co.uk/horrible-histories-terrible-tudors FRIDAY JULY 29 3D CHARACTER DESIGN The Founding Museum, 40 Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ Create a 2-dimensional character using drawing and collage, then bring it to life using clay in a 3D design. Workshop is Suitable 5+ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk
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FROM SATURDAY JULY 30 KLIMT THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE The Boiler House, 152 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RU Enter into a wonderland of moving paintings and be amazed by the golden era of modernism. www.klimtexpo.com/london SATURDAY 30 TO SUNDAY JULY 31 MARLBOROUGH 300 PAGEANT Blenheim Palace Woodstock OX20 1PP Bring the family to have fun, learn about history and experience the thrills of battle www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on
August MONDAY 1 TO FRIDAY AUGUST 5 WILD WEEK Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Join for the whole week of outdoor adventures including jewellery making over the fire, hapizome and the great IEC tournament. Age 7-11 years www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-week-at-iverenvironment-centre-26th-30th-of-july-tickets-153816732989 TUESDAY AUGUST 2 TINY TALES STORYTELLING Beck Theatre, Hayes, UB3 2UE Join them in the Beck Garden for a day of storytelling with professional storyteller Hannah Brailsford. These hour-long interactive sessions will provide engaging adventures for children of all ages, in a fun yet educational environment. www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/tickets-tiny-tales-storytelling-hayes-2022 TUESDAY AUGUST 2 JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION Beck Theatre, Hayes, UB3 2UE This summer, experience the epic conclusion to the Jurassic era as two generations unite for the first time. www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/ tickets-film-jurassic-world-dominion-hayes-2022 WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS TO SUNDAYS IN AUG PHANTOM PEAK: AN IMMERSIVE OPEN-WORLD ADVENTURE Surrey Quays Rd, London SE16 7PJ Embark on a thrilling boat ride into the depths of the mountain to discover the mysteries within www.feverup.com/m/114237
TUE 9, THUR 11 AND FRI AUGUST 12 FAMILY FUN DAYS Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Two sessions available: 10am-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings FRIDAY 12 TO SATURDAY AUGUST 13 THE ADDAMS FAMILY Beck Theatre, Hayes, UB3 2UE SPA productions with Stagecoach host this spooky classic www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/ tickets-film-jurassic-world-dominion-hayes-2022 MONDAY 15 TO FRIDAY AUGUST 19 WILD WEEK Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Join for the whole week of outdoor adventures including jewellery making over the fire, hapizome and the great IEC tournament. Age 9-13 years www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-week-at-iverenvironment-centre-26th-30th-of-july-tickets-153816732989 TUESDAY AUG 16 TO SUNDAY SEPT 4 THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL 1+ years 11am and 1pm www.lyric.co.uk/shows/the-very-hungry-caterpillar TUESDAY 23 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 28 OUTDOOR CINEMA AT THE BARBICAN Barbican Sculpture Court www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/series/outdoor-cinema TUE 23, THUR 25 AND FRI AUGUST 26 FAMILY FUN DAYS Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Two sessions available: 10am-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings
Upcoming FRIDAY 2 TO SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4 PUB IN THE PARK Chiswick House, Burlington Ln, Chiswick W4 2RP www.pubintheparkuk.com/chiswick
FRIDAY 5 TO SATURDAY AUGUST 7 IN THE NIGHT GARDEN Beck Theatre, Hayes, UB3 2UE Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show Igglepiggle’s Busy Day! https://becktheatre.org.uk/Online/tickets-inthe-night-garden-hayes-2022 SATURDAY 6 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 7 FEARNE COTTON’S HAPPY PLACE FESTIVAL Chiswick House and Gardens, Burlington Ln, Chiswick, London W4 2RP www.chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/ event/fearne-cottons-happy-place-festivalreturns-for-summer-2022/
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17
What’s On
All details correct at the time of going to press. Please do remember to check online for up-to-date information and remember that in most cases you will need to book.
Clubs, Classes and Activities If you are looking for a new club for your child, want to help them run off some excess energy, or find a new hobby, below are some great suggestions for you to check out! When you call please don’t forget to say you saw them in Families West London Magazine.
Hartbeeps www.hartbeeps.com
West London Dance Academy
Multi-award winning immersive, sensory music classes for the little folk and their grown ups! Filled with original music, sensory lighting and textures, massage, dress up, role play and more. Hartbeeps is inspired by curiosity, backed by research and sprinkled with magic since 2003. Classes designed for each stage of your child’s development. Baby bells (Newborn to Sitting) Baby Beeps (Sitting to Standing) Happy house (Toddlers and Siblings) Bayswater, Maida vale, Notting Hill, Shepherds Bush, Mayfair and Kensington Loulou@hartbeeps.com Ealing, Acton, Hammersmith, and Chiswick Kimmy@hartbeeps.com
Classes in Ballet, Tap & Contemporary Modern Jazz. Exams and Shows. Venue: WLDA Dance Annex, Chiswick W4 4NL Contact: 07795578781 email: natalieparnell.wlda@gmail.com WWW.WESTLONDONDANCEACADEMY.COM
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Early Years
What are babies and toddlers thinking? Babies can’t tell you what they’re thinking and toddlers may not have all the words necessary to explain themselves. But sophisticated advances in technology are making it possible to get an understanding of their behavioural and cognitive development. This is the work of the Birkbeck Babylab & Toddlerlab (www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk), a specialist university research centre in the heart of London, which has spent decades perfecting the art of running non-invasive studies of babies and toddlers, with the aim of uncovering how they develop and learn. Elena Throm is part of a new study at Birbeck which looks at babies’ social interactions and development. As part of the study, she is seeking to understand what environmental cues facilitate the development of brain regions involved in social interaction in that first year of life.
oxygen levels of blood in the brain) to investigate whether toddlers brains are interested in a specific task. Toddlers brains are studied via a novel child-friendly ‘helmet.’ Currently, Lisanne is running a behavioural study with 3-yearolds investigating whether children use both hands when constructing a toy house.
This pioneering study combines an artificial intelligence algorithm with babies’ responses to a range of visual, auditory, or live stimuli, analysed in real time. The algorithm uses the information about individual brain responses to the presented stimuli to identify the set of characteristics that leads to stronger responses in the baby’s social brain network.
The ability to co-ordinate the use of both hands at once is thought to develop in the second year of life. However, when the task is hard, 3-year-olds tend to rely on just one hand. Lisanne’s new toy house task will use easy goals to monitor whether or not these enable 3-year-olds to use both hands.
Elena is recruiting babies ages 5 to 12 months to help her with this exciting study.
Lisanne is also conducting studies with older children up to age 6, including one which involves children doing tasks with parents.
Although babies are happy to sit through Elena’s study, busy toddlers are not! Developments in mobile technology have allowed Birbeck to create studies that work for toddlers and children who are too busy to stay still. These take place in a ground-breaking and custom designed lab called the CAVE (cave automatic virtual environment). In this immersive virtual reality environment, projectors direct images at the walls and floor of a room size cube. The CAVE allows researchers to recreate any environment or scenario of interest, from playgrounds and school classrooms to meadows and mountains. The hope is that by conducting research in more naturalistic settings, the findings will be more relevant to life in the real world.
Using Birbeck’s new virtual reality lab, Chiara Bulgarelli is researching the role of empathy in toddlers’ daily social interactions. Her project will use virtual reality and fNIRS to investigate the social situations and behaviours that trigger empathic reactions in toddlers. She aims to map the behaviours through which toddlers express empathy and understand which brain regions are responsible for it. Birbeck also has researchers studying a variety of other areas, including the development of curiosity as a tool for learning and the impact of socioeconomic status and the home environment on school readiness. If you have a baby, toddler or older child, and would like to help Birbeck with any of its research, you can find out more at www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk/toddlerlab
In her current research, Lisanne Schröer is using a combination of motion capture and fNIRS (a child-friendly method to measure
From Baby to Ballerina
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CUT AN OU DK T E� P
Make dairy-free Neapolitan ice cream! We asked Emily Leary, multi-award-winning food, lifestyle and parenting writer, presenter, photographer and author of A Mummy Too (www.amummytoo.co.uk) to share her delicious, creamy dairy-free Neapolitan ice cream recipe with us. So the secret ingredient in this wonderfully tasty ice cream is …. banana! When you freeze sliced bananas and then blitz them in your blender or powerful food processor, the banana eventually turns into a silky, creamy ice cream which can be flavoured with vanilla, cocoa and frozen strawberries to create gorgeous Neapolitan ice cream. Freeze in a container to create that classic Neapolitan look.
Instructions Ingredients
Step 1 Grab a non-stick tray that will sit flat in your freezer. In a single layer, add the banana slices to the tray with the strawberries to one side. It’s okay if the layers overlap a bit, you may just have to break them up once frozen. You may need more than one tray. Then freeze your fruit.
Step 2 Blitz the frozen bananas in a blender. Set the frozen strawberries to one side. The bananas will look chunky/sandy at first; continue until you have a pale, creamy mixture. If you don’t have a strong blender, bliz in batches. If your bananas won’t blend, let them defrost for five minutes, until softer.
Step 3 Divide the banana mixture between three freezer-safe bowls.
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6 large bananas (750g peeled weight) sliced into 2cm (3/4 inch) pieces
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150g (5.3oz) strawberries, hulled and halved
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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2 tsp cocoa powder (dutch processed)
Equipment • • • • • • •
Weighing scales Measuring spoons Chopping board Kitchen knife Food processor 3 bowls 1 litre freezer-safe tub with lid
Makes approx. 1 litre of ice cream.
Step 4 Add the vanilla to the first bowl, the cocoa to the second and the strawberries to the third. Stir well. Pop the third bowl with the strawberries and banana back into the blender and blitz until smooth. You now have your three flavours.
Step 5 Your ice cream may have become quite loose, which can make sectioning it in the container tricky. If necessary, cover all three bowls and firm back up by freezing for an hour.
Step 6 Once the three flavours are firm enough to hold their shape, transfer into a 1 litre tupperware container in the traditional Neapolitan pattern. Pop on the lid and freeze for another hour, or until firm enough to scoop. Enjoy!