East London Easter/Spring 2020 Primary Times by Alison Watson

What’s On Where

53,640 COPIES FOR FAMILIES OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

East London

www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com

DAYS OUT • CAMPS & COURSES • COMPETITIONS • THEATRE

SPRING/EASTER 2020 16 MARCH - 10 MAY 2020 ISSUE 72

What’s On

What’s On Your family diary for March, April and May March Fri 20 Mar

Pop-Up Community Picnic, Christchurch Green, Wanstead, E11 2RH

2.30-4.30pm. An all age informal get together near the playground. Take along your rug or seating, snacks and friends and join in for ecofriendly games, face painting, litter picking and eco living tips. For more information visit www.redbridge.gov. uk/ourstreets

Fri 20 Mar – Mon 13 Apr

Great British Spring Clean, Various Locations

Take part in the Great British Spring Clean and demonstrate that you love where you live. Pledge to pick up litter while you’re walking the dog or doing the school run, host a clean-up, or join someone else’s clean up. For more information visit www. keepbritaintidy.org

live there. Charges apply. Drop-in. For more information visit www.rspb.org. uk/rainhammarshes

Families Go Wild for The Spring Equinox, Spitalfields City Farm, Shoreditch, E1 5AR 11.30am-1pm. Celebrate the Spring Equinox, the official end of Winter! Light a fire and share some tasty food together. For more information visit www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org

10am-12.30pm. One for the young wildlife lovers. Explore the reserve through the season, watching and learning about the birds that visit and

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

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World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day is an invitation to reflect on the power of language and the full development of each person’s creative abilities. Celebrate in your school by organising poetry readings, or investigate types of poems such as the Haiku. For details visit www. un.org/en/events/poetryday

Sun 22 Mar

Visit the Conservatory, Barbican, EC2Y 8DS

12noon-5pm.Visit the second biggest Conservatory in London and explore the hidden tropical oasis. Home to exotic fish and over 1,500 species Sat 21 Mar of tropical plant and trees, it’s the Dog’s Life Pet Market and perfect way to enjoy a lazy day. Free, Show, Old Spitalfields Market, no booking required. For more details visit www.barbican.org.uk E1 6EW This guest market will be packed Mothers’ Day Dining Trains, with 25+ stalls, whilst on the Epping Ongar Railway, Essex, mezzanine level there’ll be doggyCM5 9BN friendly activities, pet photography Why not treat your mother with and portraits, talks and workshops. a dining experience as you travel Throughout the day there’ll be through the Essex countryside on a light-hearted doggy show. For board one of the heritage trains. more information visit www. There is a choice of three dining oldspitalfieldsmarket.com options: brunch, three course Saturday Slime Attack, lunch, or afternoon tea. For more Valence House Museum, information and to book visit www. eorailway.co.uk Dagenham, RM8 3HT 11am-12noon, 1-2pm, 2.30-3.30pm. Mothers’ Day, RSPB Rainham Get messy in this fun workshop Marshes, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 for kids as you take part in slime 1SZ experiments and make your own Enjoy a lovely stroll around the slime creations to take home. reserve then enjoy lunch in the café Ages 3-12. Booking essential. For or a special Mothers’ Day cake. Buy more information visit www. your mum a gift from the shop – valencehousecollections.co.uk beautiful scarves, smellies, a candle or Muddy Matters: Art in something to look after the wildlife in the Park, Tower Hamlets her garden. Mums go free. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/ Cemetery Park, Mile End, E3 rainhammarshes 4PX 10.30am-12.30pm. Join Artist in Residence, Louise Hildreth for a series of workshops where you’ll be Our listings making earthy artworks for the park. She’s been gathering natural materials are prepared a long and needs your help to use them. time in advance. Free. For more details and to book To make sure you have visit www.eventbrite.co.uk

Kids’ Birdwatching Club, RSPB Rainham Marshes, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1SZ

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I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

up to date details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure the information hasn’t changed.

Mothers’ Day Afternoon Tea, Rainham Hall, Havering, RM13 9YN 12.30-3pm. Treat your mum to a lovely afternoon tea where you will receive a selection of sandwiches, cakes, cream scones and hot beverages in the beautiful surrounding of the Hayloft Gallery. Booking essential. For more information visit www.nationaltrust. org.uk/rainham-hall

Mothers’ Day, Lee Valley Park Farms, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF

10am-5pm. Take advantage of the ‘one parent goes free offer’ and enjoy all the fun activities on the farm from tractor rides, falconry displays, indoor and outdoor play areas and more. For more details and to buy tickets visit www.visitleevalley.org.uk

Fri 27 Mar

Sat 28 Mar

Easter Bonnet Decorating Workshop, Romford Shopping Hall, RM1 3AB 10am-4pm. Enjoy creating an Easter Bonnet, using all your artistic skills. Charges apply. For more information visit www.romfordshoppinghall.com

Families Go Wild in the Farmyard!, Spitalfields City Farm, Shoreditch, E1 5AR

11.30am-1pm. It’s that time again – the animals need mucking out, so get your wellies on! For more information visit www. spitalfieldscityfarm.org

Family Day: Spirit of Holi, William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow, E17 4PP

1-4pm. The Gallery will be packed full of fun activities for families to make and do together. Join in with some marbling fun to celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours. Free, dropin. For more information visit www. wmgallery.org.uk

Sun 29 Mar

Kids’ Club, Exchange, Ilford, EG1 1RS

11am-4pm. The activity is about Easter. Children will get to decorate Easter Eggs and are invited on an Egg hunt around the Centre with gifts to collect. For more information visit www.exchangeilford.com

Drop in Mud Kitchen, Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E1 8HY

The Oxford and Cambridge Goat Race, Spitalfields City Farm, Shoreditch, E1 5AR

Pop-Up Community Picnic, Loxford Park, Ilford, IG1 2PL

London Dog Week Parade, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2ST

3.30-5pm.You can play with mud and use your imagination to make muddy creations. Make sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Meet at the picnic bench next to the Wellclose Square park entrance. For more information visit www.fothcp. org

Wear A Hat Day, Nationwide

Wear A Hat Day is one of the UK’s biggest and most important brain tumour research fundraising and awareness-raising days. Join thousands of people across the UK and organise your own amazing event. For more details and to sign up visit www.braintumourresearch.org

12noon. Coinciding with the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, two goats (one representing Oxford and one representing Cambridge) go head to head – just a stone’s throw from the Thames. All proceeds go to the farm. For more information and to book visit www.thegoatrace.com

10-11.15am. Dog lovers from all over the capital head to the Park, raising funds for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Enjoy a scenic walk around the beautiful parklands whilst making new furry friends and raising money. For more information visit www.queenelizabetholympicpark. co.uk

Family Farm Club, Stepney City Farm, E1 3DG

1-4pm. Whether you opt for a spot of gardening or are more at home with craft activities, enjoying

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 8 Follow us on Instagram - @primarytimesse

Hi Readers Primary Times in East London 7 Southbrook Mews London SE12 8LG Tel: 020 8318 0400 Email: office@primarytimes.biz Website: www.primarytimes.co.uk Twitter: @PT_LondonSandE Instagram: @primarytimesse Publishing Editor: Peter Watson Sales: Andrew Langridge, Gill Pearce Kathy Jordan & Catherine Dillon Listings: Catherine Draisey & Hayley Hughes Production: Alison Watson Office Manager: Chris Blower Administrators: Claire Wood & Tina Love Proof Reading: Christopher Fox Editorial Assistant: Eleanor Getting Social Media: Rachel Benson Primary Times is independently published and distributed free in primary and junior schools throughout the boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. Its aims are to inform families and children of current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses and attractions and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or joining in the competitions which we run. It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically based material whatsoever. We also undertake not to carry any advertising which we would consider to be offensive to young families or harmful to the best interests of young children. The opinions expressed in either the editorial or advertisements within this publication are not necessarily those held by the editor or publisher. While we take great care with the compilation of information within this magazine, neither the editor nor publisher will accept any liability for the accuracy of the editorial or advertising contained within the publication. We welcome listings being sent to us for inclusion in our What’s On section. Free listings are dependent on available space and we cannot guarantee to print all the listings we are sent. Please send them to listings@primarytimes.biz. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in the boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest for their assistance in distributing the magazine and for their contributions to its contents. We would also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible. Please support their endeavours when and where you can. No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, in part or in whole, without the express written permission of the Publishing Editor. Primary Times is currently publishing over 2.5 million copies per issue under franchise licences throughout England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Primary Times East London is operated under franchise licence.

Welcome to our Spring/Easter magazine. I’m writing this letter to you in lovely sunshine, a blue sky, not too much cloud and not so cold that I have to wear a thick jumper. Long may it continue. Spring has a real positive feel to it, with flowers and tree blossom starting, warmer days breaking through and lots of fun days out to look forward to in the school holidays. Do look through all our hundreds of listings. Some of them are free to enter but all include contact details so do check the events before visiting. We prepare our listings a long time in advance and details do change. Spring is a busy time of the year. Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday is on 22 March. Easter Weekend is 10-13 April. The London Marathon is on Sunday 26 April. Brighton Fringe is from 1-31 May. Then there’s St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday 17 March and St George’s Day on Thursday 23 April. Not forgetting Save the Frogs Day on Saturday 25 April! Don’t forget that the May Day Bank Holiday has changed from Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May to celebrate the 75th VE Day anniversary. Whatever you are celebrating, enjoy the next few weeks. We always have lots of great competitions for you to enter but sometimes we can’t give the prizes out to the actual winner as they haven’t included contact details for themselves. We don’t pass contact details on to any other companies so please do remember to include them with your competition entries. Entries can be sent by post or by email. See our Competitions Page for more details. We’ll be back the week beginning Monday 11 May. Happy Easter!

Contents

inside this issue.... What’s On.................................2 Local News...............................4 Family Theatre..........................6 Spring Adventures.........................9 Out of School Activities.............. 15 Competitions........................... 19 What’s New............................. 21 All Your Own Work!.................23

Peter and the Primary Times Team This magazine is audited by BPA Worldwide 53640 copies - Easter Edition 2019

Winners of The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards We told you in the last issue about the Laugh Out Loud Awards (“The Lollies”), a set of awards created by Scholastic, to celebrate the funniest children’s books. The winners have now been announced. The award is now in its fourth successful year. The Lollies were awarded in three categories: Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book, Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 6–8s and Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 9–13s. The winners were selected from a shortlist drawn up by a panel of judges, which included head judge, Michael Rosen, children’s novelist, poet and former Children’s Laureate. Teachers and their classes, parents and children were then encouraged to get involved to read and discuss the books and cast their vote for their favourites in each category to determine the winning titles. Teachers were able to cast votes online on behalf of their class, and children were also able to vote via the PopJam app. Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

The winners are: Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book Ten Fat Sausages by Michelle Robinson and Tor Freeman Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 6–8 year olds The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams and Tony Ross Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 9–13 year olds I Bet I Can Make You Laugh by Joshua Seigal and Tim Wesson Head Lollies Judge, Michael Rosen, told Primary Times, “Funny books are a fantastic springboard into reading for pleasure for all children that’s why the Lollies Book Awards are so important. The prize is unique in that winners are selected by children themselves, and as such holds up a mirror for what they are looking for in books and what they really want to read. The prize creates a real buzz and many talking points about humour, children and of course literacy.”

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

Latest News

An International Dining Experience

Fun Study Camp at Leaders are Readers Summer School

Prue Prue Leith’s Leith’s Simnel Simnel Cake Cake Ingredients

Large pinch each of salt and baking powder 225g plain ﬂour 55g rice ﬂour 110g glacé cherries 225g butter 225g caster sugar 1 lemon, zest only 4 eggs, separated 225g sultanas 110g currants 30g candied peel, chopped 340g marzipan 1 tbsp apricot jam 110g icing sugar, sifted

Method 1.

2. 3. 4.

Set the oven to 180˚C/Fan 160˚C/gas mark 4. Prepare a 20cm cake tin with a double lining of greased and floured greaseproof paper. Wrap the outside of the cake tin with a double thickness of brown paper to insulate the cake from direct heat. Sift the salt, baking powder and flours. Cut the cherries in half. Cream the butter until soft. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the lemon rind. Beat in the egg yolks. Whisk the whites until stiff.

5. Fold 1/3 of the sifted ﬂour into the mixture. Fold in the egg whites by degrees, alternating with the remaining ﬂour and the fruit peel.

6. Put 1/2 the mixture into the tin, spreading ﬂat. 7. Take just over 1/3 of the marzipan. Roll it into a smooth round. 8. 9.

10. 11. 12.

Place it on the cake mixture in the tin and cover with the remaining mixture. With a palette knife make a dip in the centre of the cake to counteract any tendency to rise in the middle. Bake for 1¾ hours, then stick a skewer into the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If sticky cake mixture adheres to it, reduce the oven heat to 150˚C/Fan 130˚C/gas mark 2 and bake for a further 30 mins. Roll the remaining marzipan into a circle the same size as the top of the cake. Cut a piece from the centre about 12.5cm in diameter and shape into 11 balls. Thinly spread the apricot jam round a 1cm margin of the cake top. Lay the ring of marzipan on top of the cake. Arrange the marzipan balls on top of the ring. When the cake is cold mix the icing sugar with a teaspoon or two of boiling-hot water and mix to a smooth, just liquid consistency. Pour the icing into the centre of the cake. Tie a ribbon around the outside.

Prue Leith’s new book, The Vegetarian Kitchen, written with Peta Leith, is available Baking withher Mrsniece Bun the Baker is available for £12.99 from online andand high street retailers at a RRP of £25. online from all good book stores. For more information, please visit www.mrsbunthebaker.net

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

Family Theatre

18 Apr

Hanuman Tales

A comic takes on one of the earliest Hanuman stories, which lifts us up, celebrates the sun and teaches us a lesson. This lovable Monkey’s tale is told through puppetry, Kathak, Tabla and play.

Stratford Circus

Box Office: 020 8279 1080 28 Mar

The best shows around... Barbican

Box Office: 020 7638 8891 23 Mar

Music For Youth: The Future is Now

Music For Youth kick off their 50th birthday celebrations with an evening of fresh, cross-genre performances, showcasing the diversity of music from young emerging UK talent.

2 May

David Walliams and the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Best-selling author David Walliams invites you into his delightful and topsy-turvy world with a concert of words and music. There will also be a reading from his brilliant books by David himself. Ages 7+.

16 May

LSO Discovery 30th Anniversary Family Concert

This family concert is specially designed to entertain the whole family. Be led through a themed programme featuring popular favourites alongside music you’ll never have heard before. Ages 7-12.

Broadway Barking Box Office: 020 8507 5607 4 Apr

The Wizard of Oz

Follow the yellow brick road as you go on a toe tapping musical adventure somewhere over the rainbow. Join Dorothy and Toto as they search for The Wizard, and make friends along the way.

10 Apr

The Sooty Show

Izzy wizzy, let’s get busy! Join Sooty for his brand new Laugh Out Loud Magic Show! Be astounded at Sooty’s flying 6

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

car, Soo’s singing unicorn and Sweep’s levitating sausage. Ages 3+.

Half Moon Young People’s E1

When Little Titch and her scruffy rucksack arrive at the giant, pink house it is not what she expected – a blanket of thick grey dust covers everything in sight. Ages 4-9.

5 Apr

Box Office: 020 7709 8900 www.halfmoon.org.uk 18 – 27 Mar

Dust

Sing in the Spring

Support the work of the Youth Music charity in this amazing evening of song, led by the resident youth choir Enjoy NewYVC. Expect the show! incredible young musicians and And don’t surprise guests. forget to say Suitable for all you saw it in ages.

(Selected dates). When Little Titch and her scruffy rucksack arrive at the giant, pink house it is not Primary what she expected 14 – 16 Apr Times! – a blanket of thick grey dust covers everything in Little Red Riding sight. Ages 4-9. Hood

Kenneth More Ilford Box Office: 020 8553 4466 25 Apr

Mr Men and Little Miss

Join your favourite Mr Men and Little Miss characters as they leap off the page and onto the stage in this beautifully crafted and hilarious live stage show.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch

Box Office: 01708 443 333 21 Mar

Mad Science: Crazy Chemistry

Discover crazy chemistry and roaring reactions through a number of awesome experiments including flash paper, sugary explosions and elephant’s toothpaste!

13 Apr

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain

We all want to meet people from history – the trouble is everyone is dead. What if a Viking moved in next door? Will you see eye to eye with Admiral Nelson? It’s history with the nasty bits left in.

It’s Christmas Eve and Grandma is not feeling too well… Luckily Little Red has a basket of supplies to help. Keep on the path, don’t talk to strangers and don’t mention Grandma’s whiskers. Ages 3+.

to live world-class jazz together and take part in interactive musical activities. Great for all ages.

Wilton’s Music Hall Box Office: 020 7702 2789 7 – 9 Apr

Unbelievable Science

Morgan & West present captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics, and bonkers biology in this fun for all the family science extravaganza. Ages 7-107.

Southbank Centre

Box Office: 020 7960 4200 4 – 5 Apr

Comedy Club 4 Kids

The best stand-ups around do their thing for a family audience – without the rude bits. Familyfriendly, but not dumbed down, kids add their own surreal edge to the heckles.

7 – 11 Apr

Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales

Meet a whole host of colourful characters from best-loved titles including Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze. Ages 3+.

14 – 15 Apr

Peppa Pig: My First Concert

(Also 30-31 May) Sing and dance along with everyone’s favourite pig family in an interactive introduction to live orchestra for the whole family, taking in Mozart and ‘Muddy Puddles’.

15 – 19 Apr

25 Apr

Big Up!

Slime

Being a slug is hard. Everyone thinks you’re disgusting. Slug and Caterpillar are starving, and the only leaf left in the garden is just out of reach. Slug thinks they should work together, Caterpillar has other ideas.

What happens when a beatboxer, a singer and a puppeteer arrive on stage but nothing is ready? No set, no instruments, no puppets. No rules. Ages 4+.

9 May

High in the sky, clouds sit above us, out of reach and all alone. But one day, Claud has an idea! The 11.15am performance is smaller and calmer for children with SEND needs or on the autistic spectrum.

Arthur’s Dream Boat

One night, Arthur has an amazing dream about a beautiful pink and green boat with a stripy mast. He can’t wait to tell everyone about it, but no one (not even his dog) is interested. Ages 3+.

16 May

Family Jazz Sessions

Jazz sessions with a childfriendly twist, where adults and little ones can bop away

16 – 17 Apr

intotheclouds

9 May

Southbank Sinfonia Family Concert

In a live performance featuring big-screen projections, 33 energetic musicians become your guides. Hear straight from the performers and discover the ingredients of classical music. Ages 5-11.

Raphael Independent School, Hornchurch Park Lane, RM11 1XY OPEN DAYS: 21st, 28th March, 18th, 25th April, 2nd, 9th, 16th May

THIS EASTER HOLIDAY

Mon to Thu 17:30 - 20:30

FROM 6TH April TO 17TH April 2020

Available in participating JRC branches

VISIT WWW.JRC-GLOBALBUFFET.COM FOR FULL T&CS

16 Mar - 10 May â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;20

What’s On

More What’s On Your family diary for March, April & May

March a few hours on the farm is great way of getting involved in the local community, especially for children who may not have visited a working farm before. For more details visit www.stepneycityfarm.org

We Can Be Heroes, Walthamstow Trades Hall, E17 4RQ

12noon-3pm. A daytime disco for grown-up geeks and kid sidekicks. For fans of comic books, superheroes, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Star Trek, Dungeons & Dragons and every aspect of geek culture, past and present. An afternoon of awesome. For more details visit www. walthamstowtradeshall.com

April Fri 3 Apr

Pop-Up Community Picnic, Barkingside Recreation Ground, IG6 2PE

Fri 3 – Sat 4 Apr

FAM EAST Family Market and Social, Old Spitalfields Market, E1 6AA.

Kick off the holidays with this ultimate market day out. Shop at the pop-up market packed with the best kid’s clothes, accessory and toy brands. Play at the all-day creative play space or book a creative workshop including slime making, art or bag making. For more information visit www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.co.uk

Fri 3 – Sun 5 Apr

Now Play This, Somerset House, WC2R 1LA

London’s leading festival of experimental games returns with a weekend of exciting gameplay for all ages to enjoy. There’ll be a host of interactive arcades, immersive displays, workshops and performances. For more information visit www.somersethouse.org.uk

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have up to date details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure the information hasn’t changed. 8

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

Sat 4 Apr

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Eco-Easter Egg Cups and Crafts, Poplar Union, E14 6TL

11am-1pm. Get crafty and creative this Easter with this eco-friendly family workshop. Upcycle your empty egg cartons with a splash of paint, a dried flower and stripy straws to make a colourful spring flower decoration and hanging mobiles. Charges apply. For more details visit www.poplarunion.com

Bush Craft and Campfires, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

(Also 16 Apr). 1.30-2.30pm, 2.303.30pm. Fun wood whittling as well as cooking a pitta bread pizza on an open fire. Ages 4+. Charges apply. Booking required. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Sat 4 – Sun 5 Apr

Magical Museum Sleepover, V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA

7pm-10am.Visit the museum for an evening of enchanted exploration, magical mayhem, exploding potions (and wands) and find out what happened to the mischievous apprentice in a musical bedtime story. For more information visit www.vam. ac.uk/moc

Sat 4 – Sat 18 Apr

Easter Egg Hunt, Epping Forest District Museum, EN9 1EL

(Not Thurs). 10am-4pm, Sat 10am5pm. Follow the trail around the museum to claim your chocolate prize. Drop-in. Charges apply. All ages. For more information visit www. visiteppingforest.org

Sat 4 – Sun 19 Apr

Wild Families, RSPB Rainham Marshes, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1SZ

Pick up a trail sheet at the visitor centre, go wild in the playground or hire a bike and explore. Every Tues, Weds and Thurs through the holidays, join in pond dipping adventures to delve into the wildlife ponds and discover hidden creatures. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk

Easter Eggstravaganza, Lee Valley Farms, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF An action-packed Easter holiday to guarantee smiles all the way home. Watch interactive shows, explore the fab Easter grotto where the Easter bunny can be found, bottle feed lambs, meet and greet farmyard favourites and more. For more information visit www.lvfarms.co.uk

Mon 6 – Fri 17 Apr

Easter Trail, The Mall I saw your Walthamstow, E17 7JR event in The Easter Bunny is setting off to Primary Times.... travel the world in 2020 and he’s dropping off Easter eggs along the Please mention you way, but where is he going? Solve the saw the event listed in clues and at the end of the trail you’ll receive a personalised certificate Primary Times

Mon 6 Apr

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Easter Egg Hunt, Romford Shopping Hall, RM1 3AB

10am-4pm. Charges apply. Search for Easter eggs around the centre. For more information visit www. romfordshoppinghall.com

Autism Friendly Easter Explorer Backpacks, Valence House Museum, Dagenham, RM8 3HT 11am-2pm. Autism-friendly session for children with autism and/ or sensory or learning needs to enjoy with their families. Dress up and explore the museum with the Easter themed backpack, filled with different fun activities. Under 8s. For more details visit www. valencehousecollections.co.uk

Easter Bonnets, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

10-11am, 11am-12noon, 1-2pm. Create a fun Easter bonnet for the holiday. Charges apply. Booking required. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Storytelling with Amanda Addison, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ

2.15-3.15pm. Join author Amanda Addison for an interactive reading of Boundless Sky, the story of a bird, a chance encounter and a long journey home. Then create a colourful swallow to fly together with the flock before taking it home. Free. Ages 4+. For more information visit www. discover.org.uk

Messages from Space, Metropolitan Tabernacle Baptist Church, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6SD

(Also 17-18 Apr). 10am-4pm. This free Deaf Children’s Holiday Bible Club is for children aged 8-16 and will include games, crafts, talks and a visit to Greenwich Planetarium. Deaf Sunday School runs every Sun 3-4pm. For more details and to book email tabernacledeaf@gmail.com or call 020 7735 7076.

THCP Forest School, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3 4PX

(Also 14-17 Apr). Forest School is made up of a wide range of experiences and adventures, which can include bush craft skills, whittling, fire lighting and cooking on fires, through to bug hunts and bird watching. For more information visit www.fothcp.org

and a small gift. For more details visit www.themall.co.uk/walthamstow

An Easter Eggs-pedition, Bank of England Museum, EC2R 8AH (Closed 10-13 Apr). 10am-4.30pm. Follow the Easter trail to find the brightly decorated eggs placed around the museum. Note the letter on each egg then unscramble them to find a hidden message. Also, enjoy Easter crafts. Free, drop in. For more details visit www.bankofengland. co.uk/museum

Tues 7 Apr

Eggcellent Easter Creations, Valence House Museum, Dagenham, RM8 3HT

11am-12noon, 1.30-3pm. (4-5pm, Autism-friendly session with a reduced sensory experience). Spring into Easter and get creative with these Easter themed arts and craft activities. Charges apply. Sign up at Reception 1 hour before session as spaces are limited. For more information visit www. valencehousecollections.co.uk

Simnel Cake Making Workshop, Rainham Hall, Havering, RM13 9YN

10.30am-1pm. Learn how to make Simnel Cake and pick up tips from the expert in-house chefs. Take your finished cake home to share with your family. Children welcome with adult supervision. Booking essential, charges apply. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ rainham-hall

Tues 7 – Sat 18 Apr

Easter Explorer Backpacks, Valence House Museum, Dagenham, RM8 3HT

(Selected dates). 10am-4pm. Calling all young explorers. Explore the Museum with the Easter themed backpacks, filled with different fun activities. Pick up your hat and binoculars to help you on your adventure. Under 8s. Free, dropin. For more details visit www. valencehousecollections.co.uk

Create and Play – Treasure Trails, Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT

10am-12noon. Two jam-packed hours of creative fun involving drama games, storytelling and craft activities. The session is themed around a children’s story and includes a ‘make to take home’. Charges apply, booking required. Ages 4-6. For more information visit www.queenstheatre.co.uk

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 14...

Fun Days Out with the Family

Step out into the great outdoors and enjoy fresh air and exercise for the whole family. The walk is a fun day out with inflatables for the kids, as well as providing a huge sense of achievement for all involved. There will even be a medal for all participants, a free t-shirt for adults and a goody bag for children As you Step into Summer you will be raising money to provide specialist care for local people with life limiting illnesses.You could even decide to walk in memory of someone special. Participants can register online today. Use code PT10 to receive 10% off the ticket price. For more information, visit www.sfh.org.

The Great Shoreditch Easter Egg Hunt

Step into Summer – Brand New Saint Francis Hospice Walk

Shoreditch Town Hall is throwing open its doors on Saturday 11 April for building-wide famfun with The Great Shoreditch Easter Egg Hunt. Hop along during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend and join in the hunt for hidden eggs, nestled in nooks and crannies throughout this beautiful Victorian building. There’ll also be a basket-load of surprises, activities and performances for everyone to enjoy. For more information, visit www. shoreditchtownhall.com.

Join hundreds of walkers taking steps to raise awareness and muchneeded funds to support local people affected by life-limiting illnesses. The brand-new family-friendly event on Sunday 21 June in Bedford’s Park, Havering-atte-Bower offers a 5k or 10k route through the beautiful Essex countryside. What more could you ask for on this year’s summer solstice weekend? Every step you take, and every penny raised, will continue to support the outstanding care that the Hospice provides to local families in need.

ily

5k and 10k walk

Sunday 21st June 2020

Bedford’s Park, Havering-atte-Bower

For 10% off, use code PT10

Join hundreds of walkers taking steps to raise awareness and much-needed funds to support local people affected by a life-limiting illness. Find out more or register online

www.sfh.org.uk/step-into-summer Supported by

#SFHWalk Search Saint Francis Hospice 190mmx135mm_Step into Summer.indd 1

Saint Francis Hospice is a registered charity, number 275913.

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

04/03/2020 09:30:46

Spring Adventures

Easter Fun in Old Spitalfields Market

The guys at FAM EAST are back in Old Spitalfields Market with a school’s out Easter 2020 Social on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 April. The Easter Social 2020 kicks off the holidays with this ultimate kid’s market day out. This two-day family social will feature creative workshops for kids and a pop-up market packed with the best clothes, toys and accessories. It will also be a chance to try some of London’s finest street food. The market floor will host a line-up of the hottest kids, family, fashion, homeware and eco brands including FAM EAST favourites Annual Store, Little Dottie, My Vintage Kid and Bandit Circus. On the Market’s Mezzanine, the free creative play space with contemporary art educators Leap Then Look will offer children a ‘spring growth’ themed session and the chance to create interactive sculptures and artworks using a variety of fun and inspiring materials. A workshop space will host bookable creative sessions for kids aged 2 – 16 years including slime making, art by Dot Kids and bag design by Billy Goats and Raincoats. Plus there will be face painting by Faye’s Painting, an Easter egg hunt, all-day craft and puzzle stations on the market floor. The whole crew can feast on London’s best street food in The Kitchens and enjoy the Market’s surrounding shops and restaurants. A list of traders and details on how to book workshops can be found at www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/events/fam-east.

An Easter Eggs-pedition at the Bank of England Museum

Join a fantastic eggs-pedition to find some decorated eggs at the Bank of England Museum this Easter break. Find a letter on each egg then unscramble them for a hidden message. There are also some animal masks and finger puppets for some Easter crafts. Choose between rabbit, sheep or chick to colour in. You can also pick up a real 13kg gold bar and try cracking a safe for a small prize. Families can try their hand at taking control of the economy through an interactive game and children can also complete activity sheets for a small prize. These events are free and run from 6 to 17 April but places are limited, so you are advised to get to the Museum in good time to avoid disappointment. Please note that the museum is closed from 10 to 13 April for Easter. For more information, please visit www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum.

Pond Dipping Adventures at Rainham Marshes

Across the UK, RSPB reserves are showcasing egg-straordinary wildlife this Easter. Go along to RSPB Rainham Marshes and discover beautiful birds and magnificent minibeasts. While you’re there, you can take part in some egg-citing family activities. Pick up an adventure trail sheet at the visitor centre, go wild in the playground or hire a bike to explore. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through the holidays, there are pond dipping adventures to discover the hidden creatures beneath the surface of the water between 10.30am to 12noon or 1.30 to 3pm. You don’t need to bring any equipment as the site has everything you need. Pond dipping is really popular and there are limited spaces, so guarantee your place by booking. If you turn up on the day, they should be able to squeeze you in, but you may need to wait for a few minutes to start. They suggest arriving half an hour early to give you time to collect your tickets and get to the special pond dipping area - you can take part in the self-guided trail on the way. Outdoor boots or wellies are needed. Tickets cost £2 per child (£1.50 for RSPB members). Visit www.rspb.org.uk/PTRai for more information or call 01708 899 851 to book. Photo credit: Rosemary Despres (rspb-images.com)

s e i l i m a Wild f at Easter with RSPB Rainham Marshes!

Saturday 4 to Sunday 19 April Drop-in this Easter to take part in some fabulous family activities! You can pick-up an adventure trail sheet at our visitor centre, go wild in the playground or hire a bike to explore. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through the holidays, join us for pond dipping adventures to delve into our wildlife ponds and discover the hidden creatures beneath.

RSPB Rainham Marshes, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ Tel: 01708 899851

rspb.org.uk/PTRai Image: butterfly by Steve Round (rspb-images.com).. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787. 891-1067-19-20

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

Romford Shopping Hall have opened their very own exciting Kiddiewinks soft play area for children 8-years-old and under. Roary the Lion, Romford Shopping Hall’s mascot, has been welcoming youngsters to his play frame, Kiddiewinks Soft Play Romford. Children, along with their families, can enjoy a host of fun with action-packed play equipment. The play area has two sections and includes a soft play area for under 4s, perfect for the confident crawler to discover the mini slide building bricks, trampette and interactive sensory zone. The larger area caters for older guests from ages 4 to 8 and includes giant balls, a high height tunnel to crawl through, a monster slide and tonnes of rope bridges, stepping-stones and mirrors. Michelle Fitzgibbons, Sales and Marketing Manager at the centre, told Primary Times, “This will be an excellent addition to Romford Shopping Hall. It’s not only cheaper than other soft play areas, but it provides families with small children with a really enjoyable yet stimulating experience in a safe environment. Parents are free too, which is always a bonus. With the Easter holidays just around the corner I’m sure it’ll be very popular. I recommend pre-booking tickets online.” To book tickets for the Easter half term, visit www.kiddiewinkssoftplay.com.

An Easter eggs-pedition

Spring Adventures

Kiddiewinks Soft Play at Romford Shopping Hall

Free entry

6–17 April Closed 10 and 13 April for Easter 10am–4.30pm

Join us this Easter for an egg hunt around the museum. You can also decorate animal masks and finger puppets to take home. There’s a chocolate for every child. 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and bank holidays. Entrance in Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH

Share your experience boemuseum T: 020 3461 5545

www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum

EASTER ACTIVITIES AT ROMFORD SHOPPING HALL 43 MARKET PLACE, ROMFORD, RM1 3AB

www.romfordshoppinghall.com SATURDAY 28th MARCH 10 AM - 4 PM

£3.00

EASTER BONNET DECORATING WORKSHOP

MONDAY 6TH APRIL 10 AM-4PM EASTER EGG HUNT £3.00 PER CHILD FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: ROMFORDSHOPPINGHALL TWITTER: @ROMSHOPPINGHALL INSTAGRAM: ROMFORDSHOPPINGHALL Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

Spring Adventures

Family Friendly Urban Village Fete

Urban Village Fete on Greenwich Peninsula is a free, one-day music and arts festival that features a range of unique pop-ups, walkabout entertainment and curated marketplaces. Go along to enjoy a village summer fete atmosphere in the city and eat from London’s best street food vendors, learn a new creative craft with workshops for all ages and dance in the park with live music and DJs. Round up the troops for another get-together on Greenwich Peninsula to kick off your summer. Urban Village Fete unites creatives from across the city to learn new skills, discover design-led products and dance the day away in Central Park, Greenwich Peninsula’s largest green space. Curated by Hemingway Design for Greenwich Peninsula, Urban Village Fete will feature a DJ set by Gilles Peterson and talks by BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms, attracting 35,000+ attendees this spring. Immerse yourselves in the sounds of live DJs, family-friendly workshops and activities, walkabout entertainment, gourmet street food and designer fashion and gifts. It’s the ultimate city festival for all the family. Stay tuned for the full line-up. Join in the fun on Sunday 17 May on Greenwich Peninsula.Take the bus or tube to North Greenwich. Find out more at www.hemingwaydesign.co.uk or www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk.

An Easter Egg Hunt by Tube and Steam Train

The Epping Ongar Railway has a special Easter Egg Hunt from 10 to 13 April. It stretches over 5 miles from Ongar to Coopersale with 10 eggs hidden in various places. Find them all and collect an Easter Egg prize from the shop. In addition to the hunt there will be other activities for the children including colouring sheets, a magician, face painting and, of course, the Easter Bunny. In addition, the Epping Ongar Railway is the only steam railway with a direct connection to the tube at Epping. A typical journey time from Stratford is 26 minutes and, as Epping is in Zone 6, for many the off-peak fare is just £1.50. From Epping, a traditional London Bus will pick you up from outside the station. This brilliant combination of egg hunt, fun onboard and the magic of travelling by a steam train and heritage bus must make this one of the places to take the family this Easter. You can also go and see Peppa Pig and her little brother George. Take a ride on the steam and diesel trains and see the cheeky little piggies at intervals on 25 May. Tickets cost £16 for adults, £10 for children and a family ticket costs £43. Epping Ongar Railway Family Railcards are valid. For more information, visit www.eorailway.co.uk.

www.parnhamfunfairs.co.uk

• SCHOOL, EASTER & MAY BANK HOLIDAY’S •

KIDZ WORLD

FAMILY WRISTBAND FAIR

Easter Egg Hunt

10,11,12,13 April

Easter Bunny Visit Activity Train Face Painters

2020

VALENTINES PARK MELBOURNE RD ENTRANCE • ILFORD • IG1 4SD Sat 28 MAR to Sun 10 MAY th

123 128 145 179 296 364 366 396 462 679

OPEN EVERY WEEKEND & EVERY DAY OF SCHOOL BANK HOLIDAYS 1pm - 8pm BIGGER & BETTER VALUE!

*PAY ONLY £9.99 PER PERSON PER SESSION

facebook.com/johnnys children’s fairs

INSTAGRAM @PARNHAMFUNFAIRS

& GET UNLIMITED

FREE RIDES! * ACTIVITIES NOT INCLUDED IN WRISTBAND

*ENTRY BY WRISTBAND ONLY: £2 Non-Riding Wristband. OAP’S & Under 1m FREE ENTRY. SESSION TIMES APPLY.

Session Times: 1.00 - 4.30pm and 4.00 - 8.00pm

DinoAd-2020.pdf

Dinosaurs

06/02/2020

14:36

Come and see

at the Railway 10 May & 19 July

31 August

Come and meet Dexter, the walking, roaring baby Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur!

Characters will be appearing at intervals on each date. Take the tube to Epping Underground Station where our heritage buses pick you up from right outside.Visit our website for more details.

eorailway.co.uk

01277 365200

www.kidsworldilford.co.uk • HOTLINE 07956 245531

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

26/02/2020 10:15

The Easter Bunny is setting off to travel the world and he’s dropping off Easter eggs along the way at The Mall in Walthamstow. But where is he going? Collect a map and use your knowledge to discover his travel locations by deciphering the clues at each point on your map. Solving the clues will take lots of teamwork, so gather a group of Easter egg lovers and get solving. Work together as a group to come up with the solution to each clue. On reaching the end of the trail, you will receive a fantastic personalised certificate and a small gift to take home and show off to your family and friends. What a great way to celebrate Easter. The Easter Egg Trail will be running on weekdays from 6 to 17 April, from 10am to 4pm. For more information, visit www.themall.co.uk/walthamstow.

Easter at Laser Mayhem

Battle Royal returns to Laser Mayhem in Abridge this Easter on 8 and 15 April. Jump off your battle bus and grab your laser tag gun for two hours of actionpacked battles on and around the awesome battle fields with real battle tanks, planes, forts and woods. Enjoy lasering your opponents in team-based games with hidden loot on the map. Sessions fill up fast so please book online as soon as you can. Keep your eyes peeled for extra sessions. The laser tag equipment is awesome. You can shoot an opponent over 100 meters away. It’s perfect for children from 7 years old, so get the kids out of the house this Easter and get them running around outdoors in the fresh air. They also have a heated party room and indoor playing field. Laser Mayhem is open all year round and is perfect for laser tag, paintballing, low impact paintball and airsoft birthday parties as well as days out. For more information or to book, visit www.laser-mayhem.co.uk or call 01708 688 517.

WHERE HAS THE EASTER BUNNY BEEN EXPLORING?

Spring Adventures

The Easter Bunny arrives at The Mall, Walthamstow

Follow our exciting trail to find out and earn your Easter World Explorer certificate! The Mall Walthamstow Weekdays 6th - 17th April 2020 10am - 4pm

For more info check out themall.co.uk/walthamstow

PLUS: MAYHEM HOLIDAY CLUB! – AIRSOFT FUN FOR AGES 11+ – 9TH & 16TH APRIL Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

What’s On

More What’s On Your family diary for March, April & May

April Whittling and Cooking, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

10-11am, 11am-12noon. A fun packed morning of wood whittling and cooking on an open fire. Charges apply, booking required. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Street Dance Masterclass S20, Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT 1-3pm. Get active and learn from leading industry professionals. Like hip-hop or don’t know what a krump is? Get involved! Ages 6-10. Charges apply, booking required. For more information and to book visit www. queens-theatre.co.uk

Wed 8 Apr

Battle Royal, Laser Mayhem, Abridge,

(Also 15 Apr). Jump off your battle bus and grab your laser tag gun for two hours of action-packed battles on and around the awesome battlefields with real battle tanks, planes, forts and woods. Ages 7+. For more information visit www.lasermayhem.co.uk

Roman London Family Quest, Various Locations Across the City of London

11am-4pm. Discover London’s Roman Amphitheatre, the Temple of Mithras and Billingsgate Roman House and Baths. Follow the factfilled walking map, visiting the sites in any order and completing fun activities at each location. For more details and to book visit www. cityoflondon.gov.uk/artgalleryfamilies

Easter Farm, Valence House Museum, Dagenham, RM8 3HT

11am-4pm. Animals from Gemma’s Farm visit the Museum for a day of fun and frolics.You can also take part in the Easter egg hunt. Free, drop-in. Also, 10-11am - an Autism-friendly, sensory-reduced session, which requires advanced booking on 020 8227 2034. For more details visit www.valencehousecollections.co.uk

Georgian Easter Celebration, John Wesley’s House, EC1Y 1AU

11am-3pm. Explore the House and discover more about how the Georgians celebrated Easter. Meet residents preparing food in the kitchen or making lace in the Parlour. Complete the Easter trail for a prize, plus make seasonal crafts to take home. For more details visit www. wesleysheritage.org.uk

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

Family Fun Day, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2ST

11am-3pm. Round up the kids and head to the Timber Lodge Café in the north of the Park for a fun-packed day of free activities to suit all ages, including garden games, interactive storytelling and more. For more details visit www. queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk

Bird House Decoupage, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

10-11am, 11am-12noon, 12noon-1pm. Make a mini papier mâché bird house with hanging cord then decorate with paint, deco pens or decoupage papers. Charges apply, booking required. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Storytelling with Annabelle Sami, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ

11.15am-12.15pm. Can you help author Annabelle Sami uncover what happened to The Missing Diamonds in her interactive Spy Games? Join this workshop of storytelling fun and games for young sleuths. Free. Ages 6+. For more information visit www. discover.org.uk

Forest School Day, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

9am-4pm. Do your children love to be outdoors? Make dens, climb trees, get muddy, use tools, create art and more. Sessions will be outdoors whatever the weather. Take a packed lunch. Charges apply, booking essential. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Wed 8 – Thurs 9 Apr

Victorian Easter, Ragged School Museum, Mile End, E3 4RR (Also 15-16 Apr). 10am-5pm. Easter was regarded as one of the main festivals during the Victorian era. Victorian practices forever changed the way we celebrate Easter and still remain popular to this day. Free craft activities on offer. For more information visit www. raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have up to date details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure the information hasn’t changed.

“

I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

Thurs 9 Apr

”

Easter Cupcake Decorating, Valence House Museum, Dagenham, RM8 3HT

11am-12noon, 1-2pm, 2-3pm. Decorate some delicious spacethemed cupcakes in this yummy workshop and make a fancy box for your cupcake creations. Charges apply, materials provided. Ages 3-12. For more information visit www. valencehousecollections.co.uk

Pop-Up Community Picnic, Barley Lane Recreation Ground, Seven Kings, Ilford, IG3 8TG

Create and Play – Spring Chickens, Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT

Chocolate Egg Decorating, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

10-11am, 11am-12noon, 1.30-2.30pm, 2.30-3.30pm. Go along and decorate your own chocolate Easter egg to take home – the only limit is your imagination. Charges apply, booking essential. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

From Fri 10 Apr

Mini Golf, Columbus Courtyard, Canary Wharf, E14 5AB

Mon-Fri 12noon-7pm, Sat-Sun 12noon-6pm. Get your friends and family together for a fun competition. Free, with balls, clubs and scorecards provided. For more information visit www.canarywharf.com

Fri 10 Apr

The Passion of Jesus, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN

12noon and 3.15pm. See the biblical story spectacularly brought to life at the annual performance of The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday. Free. For more information visit www.wintershall. org.uk

Storytelling with Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ

11.15am-12noon. See what you’ll find when Luna visits the library and discover the magic of the hairdo that gets away. Filled with poetry, live drawing and lots of surprises. Free, Ages 4+. For more information visit www.discover.org.uk

Fri 10 – Mon 13 Apr

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, Rainham Hall, Havering, RM13 9YN

11am-4pm. Inspired by Anthony Denney’s food photography, hunt high and low for clues around the garden discovering the fruits you would use in an Elizabeth David recipe. Tickets sold on the day on a first come, first served basis. For more information visit www. nationaltrust.org.uk/rainham-hall

Easter Egg Hunt, Epping Ongar Railway, Essex, CM5 9BN

Bertie Bunny will be leading what is probably the longest Easter egg hunt in Essex. Running the length of the railway track, the distance covered is equivalent to 131,579 eggs placed end to end! Use the steam and diesel trains to find them all. For more details visit www.eorailway. co.uk

Sat 11 Apr

The Great Shoreditch Easter Egg Hunt, Shoreditch Town Hall, EC1V 9LT

Hop along and join in the hunt for hidden eggs, nestled in the nooks and crannies throughout the beautiful Victorian building. There’ll also be a basket-load of surprises, activities and performances. For more information visit www. shoreditchtownhall.com

Second Saturday Family Activities, Guildhall Art Gallery, EC2V 5AE

(Also 9 May). 11am-4pm. Decorate eggs inspired by the ornate designs in The Enchanted Interior exhibition, and hunt for eggs amongst the artworks.Visit the story corner and dip into the book collection to discover the world of art, the Victorians, the Romans and London. For more details visit www. cityoflondon.gov.uk/artgalleryfamilies

Sat 11 – Sun 12 Apr

Easter Eggstravaganza, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

11am-3pm. Take part in a range of activities including Easter trail, coconut shy, tin can alley, egg archery, face painting, badge making and welly wanging. Collect your free Easter Egg from the Visitor Centre. Charges apply, booking required. For more information visit www. essexwt.org.uk

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 20...

West End to Broadway, Rock Legends to Superheroes

An amazing opportunity awaits for children wishing to create their own characters within their very own devised musicals this Easter and Summer at the Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School, one of London’s leading independent stage schools. All weekend, evening and holiday workshops are led by West End and industry professionals seeking to nurture talent, build confidence, and foster wellbeing in children aged 4-18. Weekly inspirational quotes help to motivate the students in all areas of their life. One parent told Primary Times, “The course and final production exceeded our expectations once again as we were left perplexed thinking how are they going to re-enact their own version of Bugsy in a week. He ended every day practising or telling us about something new he had learnt. Our son’s confidence has grown so much….”

Out of School Activities

This award-winning stage school has part-time branches in Hackney, Docklands, Greenwich and Camden. Many students have secured leading roles on TV, film and on the West End stage thanks to its agency. However, it is just as interested in those that wish to increase in confidence, self-esteem and life skills. To book into a Holiday School or a Taster Day at one of the parttime Saturday or evening schools, visit www.annafiorentini.com or call 020 7682 1403. For adults that also wish to have fun and learn new performing arts skills there is www.stageandthecity.com.

A Confident Start with Jigsaw Performing Arts

As the days grow longer and we hold out hope for the sun to reappear, there is some good news – Jigsaw is now open for booking for the Summer term. Jigsaw’s popular dance, singing and drama weekend classes for 3 to 18-year-olds develop children’s confidence, self-expression, focus and social skills, while they have fun and make lots of new friends. Parents share in their children’s progress and excitement with regular presentations, shows and reports from Jigsaw’s team of highly experienced teachers. For more information or to book a two-week trial, search for your nearest school on their website, www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk.

Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools

dr ama singing dance School in:

Ilford 3–18 years

BOOK NOW for

New Term & Holiday Schools TWO WEEK TRIAL AVAILABLE. BOOK NOW!

Find your nearest school at: Jigsaw-arts.co.uk Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

Out of School Activities

Deaf Children’s Sunday School

Deaf Children’s Sunday School is part of the largest Sunday School in London, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Elephant and Castle, SE1. This has been running for over 200 years and teaches around 600 children (deaf and hearing) every Sunday across five sites around South London. The school welcome all children and teenagers from 3pm to 4pm every Sunday and is free of charge. Newcomers are welcome to join on any Sunday and parents can go to see what their children are taught. Deaf youngsters have their own dedicated class, where they are taught from the Bible using BSL, speech, and SSE. The school use colourful pictures and words to make the lessons easy to understand. Every year, they have a summer outing and winter parties to which all children are invited. All teachers and regular assistants hold DBS certificates, and they operate a Child Protection Policy. A Deaf Holiday Bible Club will also be taking place, which this year is on 6, 17 and 18 April. Children are welcome to any or all of these days and there is no charge. The final day will include an outing to the Greenwich Planetarium. For more information, see the school’s advert in this issue.

Holiday Clubs from YMCA Thames Gateway

YMCA Thames Gateway provides a range of high quality, affordable, Ofsted-registered childcare across Havering and Barking & Dagenham. The Romford based holiday club provides a wide range of activities to suit all ages with lots of opportunities for indoor and outdoor play. The team are energetic, qualified and experienced in delivering activities to children, enhancing development and social skills in a fun, caring and dynamic way. You can book individual days/ weeks with the option to use childcare vouchers as payment. Discounts are available for siblings, NHS staff and early bird bookings. A FREE hot meal is also included. YMCA also provides the following services: • Pre-school for children aged 2-5 years old, five days a week. • Out of School Clubs from 3-6pm, five days a week for 3-12 year olds, on-site and from five local schools. • Youth Club for 8-14 year olds every Friday from 6.458.45pm. • A wide range of themed children’s parties from just £110. • Mobile Crèche – quality childcare brought to you. • Youth fitness – junior gym, fencing, climbing, gymnastics and more! Arrange a visit today. For more information, visit www.ymcatg. org, call 01708 766 211 or email Qualitychildcare@ymcatg.org. 16

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

Dynamos Cricket

The ECB has launched Dynamos Cricket, a new programme to inspire children aged 8 to 11 to play cricket. Two programmes in May and July will allow up to 35,000 more children to enjoy cricket this season. Dynamos will encourage boys and girls to have fun and fall in love with the game. The programme is designed for children graduating from ECB’s All Stars Cricket programme for 5 to 8-year olds but is also designed to welcome those who are new to the game. Up to 35,000 children will take part in Dynamos Cricket in their local centres at one of two 6 to 12week courses, which will take place during the summer term, beginning mid-May, and over the school holidays, alongside The Hundred. Each week, participants will develop new cricketing skills including batting, bowling and fielding. They will have the chance to play a fast-paced and exciting game of countdown cricket – a new format that mirrors The Hundred. Every child taking part will receive a new Balance Dynamos shirt with their name and number on the back. They will get access to a Dynamos app providing cricket tips, activities and quizzes, alongside skills and tips so that they can practice at home and with their friends. Parents can find out more about Dynamos Cricket and sign their kids up to take part at www.dynamoscricket.co.uk or for All Stars Cricket at www.allstarscricket.co.uk.

YMCA THAMES GATEWAY

Find out more

Free hot

Mceludaedl in

Romford

Holiday Club For children aged

Let your child release some energy, make friends and create memorable experiences.

3 - 16 years

We also provide: Pre-school

Activities include: Cinema, Bowling, Golf, Swimming, Football, Cookery, Arts & Crafts, Day trips, Jump Evolution Early bird, Sibling and NHS staff discounts available. All major childcare vouchers accepted. Gym, café and parking on site.

Birthday Parties Out of school clubs Youth Club Mobile crèche

Download our full programme and book now at:

www. ymcatg .org

www.ymcatg.org/ymca-romford-childrens-services/holiday-clubs

Pop in or call us on 01708 766211 for more information. Find us at: YMCA Thames Gateway, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0PH

qualitychildcare@ymcatg.org

Two weeks of Easter holidays are looming, which means the prospect of keeping the kids happy and entertained is starting to weigh on parents’ minds. But look no further, as Stubbers Adventure Centre has the perfect solution in its SMASH Camps programme. Aimed at children aged 5½ to 16, SMASH Camps will be hosting a fun-packed mix of activities all Easter long at its popular Upminster base. With 35+ adventure activities including Laser Tag, Quad biking, climbing and jet skiing on offer there will always be an activity for every child. Adventures start from just £41pp for a day pass or £148 for a week pass (saving you £57). So get your children off their screens and into the great outdoors, where they can make new friends and learn new skills all within Stubbers’ 130 acres of outdoor adventure space supervised by well trained, DBS checked staff. They really do have something for every child. Contact Stubbers Adventure Centre on 01708 224 753 or log on to www.smashcamps.co.uk to find out more and to book online.

Out of School Activities

Don’t Just Banish School Holiday Boredom, Smash It

MESSAGES from space

Deaf Children’s Holiday Bible Club

6th, 17th & 18th April 2020 10am-4pm - Ages 8-16 Games, crafts, talks Visit the Greenwich Planetarium Metropolitan Tabernacle Baptist Church Elephant & Castle London SE1 6SD

tabernacledeaf@gmail.com 020 7735 7076 Book now!

Deaf Sunday School - Every Sunday 3.00-4.00

HOOL C S E T A M I T L THE U

! P M A C Y A D HOLI

, pick up 6pm Drop off from 8am m 51/2 to 16 Activities for kids fro checked team Experienced DBSOfsted Registered rs accepted Childcare vouche tivities on offer 30+ adventure ac

Easter! is h t s y a d d e k c a TURE p 2 weeks of ADVEN

H SCHOOL IS N A B T S JU ’T N O D M! SMASH IT! O D E R O B Y A D LI O H Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

BOOK NOW AT

SMASHCAMPS.CO.UK 16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

Katie

lownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s R acey R odents

Word Search A H L I B R E G N M

R L K C O Y P U J D

A B MU L E L I E S M L MA I N NM G T

Y S R R H K R E O N

P K R E D C A A U E

A R I V T M N P S D

C A U A O A X I E O

F T Q E G L R G H R

C J S B R N E B V C

Can you find all these words in the word search? Rat, Chinchilla, Squirrel, Beaver, Coypu, Gerbil, Rodent, Mouse, Capybara, GuineaPig, Vole, Mara, Muskrat, Lemming

A n s w e r s

Quiz Corner

Why did the mouse stay inside? Because it was raining cats and dogs!

Can you spot 10 differences?

What do rodents say when they play bingo? Eyes down for a full mouse!

What did the mouse say when his friend broke his front tooth? Hard cheese! What goes dot, dot, dash, squeak? Mouse code!

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s small, furry and brilliant at sword fights? A mouseketeer!

Why did the mouse eat a candle? For some light refreshment!

Can you draw a picture or write a poem about anything to do with mice, squirrels or other rodents. Make it as wacky and colourful as you can! Send it to us to have a chance of winning a Primary Times Tee Shirt AND seeing your prize winning entry published in the next Primary Times! Categories: ages 4-7 and 8-11 Name: Age: Address:

Postcode: School:

Send your entry together with this completed form to:

Annie's Competition, Primary Times, 7 Southbrook Mews, London, SE12 8LG or scan them both and email them to:

competitions@primarytimes.biz Closing date 24 April 2020. Good Luck!

Help the mice get home...

What mouse was a Roman Emperor? Julius Cheeser! What kind of cheese do rodents like? Mousearella! How does a mouse feel after it takes a shower? Squeaky clean!

Did you know... All rodents have two front teeth that keep growing every day. Most rodents are small but the South American Capybara can weigh up to 115 pounds. Rodents usually only live 3-4 years. There are 56 known species of rats. Most rodents are herbivores. Rat pups can reproduce every 3 weeks.

Win an Exclusive Spy Bundle with MY SPY To celebrate the UK release of MY SPY starring Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Kristen Schaal and Ken Jeong, we are thrilled to be hosting a competition to win an exclusive MY SPY prize bundle including a hoodie, a special spy pen, a notebook and a portable power pack. JJ, a hardened CIA operative, finds himself at the mercy of a precocious 9 year old girl, having been sent undercover to surveil her family. Despite his reluctance, JJ finds he is no match for Sophie’s disarming charm and wit. The family comedy MY SPY is out in cinemas now. For your chance to win this great prize, tell us how old the junior spy is. See below for details of how to enter.

Win VIP Tickets to See Zippo’s Circus 2020 ‘Nomads’ The brilliant Zippo’s Circus, “London’s Favourite”, and several times voted “Britain’s Best Circus”, is coming to Central Park, East Ham from Tuesday 28th April to Sunday 3rd May with a brandnew production titled ‘Nomads’. The thrilling Brazilian Lucius Team of motorcyclists in the famous Globe of Death will take centre stage. Back by popular demand is Paulo Dos Santos– a brilliant 3 foot 6 inches (107cm) tall showman, acrobat and martial artist. They will be joined by an amazing and colourful troupe of acrobats from Mongolia, appearing in Britain for the very first time, all under the watchful eye of the World’s Greatest Ringmaster (and budgietrainer!) Norman Barrett MBE. Buy discount tickets at www.zippos.co.uk or book by phone on 08712 102 100. Use code PEM130 for up to 30% off.

Enter our competition to win a VIP Ringside Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children). Winners get free popcorn and candy floss for all four of you! To enter, tell us how tall the showman and acrobat Paulo Dos Santos is. See entry details below. Please note the closing date is 20 April.

Win a Copy of Find the Spy

Competitions

Competitions Find the Spy by Zoë Armstrong and Shelly Laslo, published by Puffin on 19 March, is a fascinating introduction to the world of spies. Discover the true stories of eight spies: one who crawled across the rooftops of Paris, one who hid secrets in her wooden leg, and even the grandma-nextdoor who turned out to be a spy. With eight fiendish spotting scenes, only the most cunning reader will be able to find the real-life spies hidden throughout this book. Learn top-secret skills such as the art of disguise, coding secret messages and writing in invisible ink. This Easter, Imperial War Museum London will be putting the kids through their paces with a secret agent crash course, inspired by real life spies. This free family event is taking place on 4 and 5 April between 11am and 4pm. Assemble at 11am either day for your secret mission. For more information, visit www.iwm.org.uk. For your chance to win a copy of Find the Spy, tell us where the secret agent crash course is being held. See below for details of how to enter.

Win a box of books for your school

Primary Times are offering schools the chance to win a selection of great books for their library. We have a whole box full of titles from super stories to fun educational books. We have several boxes of books to give away and the titles in each may differ. To enter the competition send your name, address, phone number and the name of your school using the details below.

IWM Find the Spy COMP.indd 1

To enter any of the competitions send your answer along with your name, age, school, address and phone number to Primary Times, 7 Southbrook Mews, London, SE12 8LG. Don’t forget to include the name of the competition. Alternatively email your answer and details to

competitions@primarytimes.biz with the competition name as the subject by Friday 24 April 2020. If you are entering more than one competition you can put all entries in the same envelope.

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

What’s On

More What’s On Your family diary for March, April & May

April

Arts and Crafts for Bengali New Year Celebration, Poplar Union, E14 6TL

Mon 13 Apr

Big Adventure Monday, Stubbers Adventure Centre, Upminster, RM14 2TY

(Also 8 May). 10am-4pm. Fun-seekers looking for things to do can try out some of the centre’s most popular activities. With water and land-based challenges, adventures don’t get much bigger than this. For more information visit www.stubbers.co.uk

Birds, Nests and Egg Trail, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

10am-3pm. Follow the map around the country park solving the clues in this Easter bird-themed trail. Then head back to the Centre for a prize. Charges apply. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Storytelling with Alex Willmore, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ

11.15am-12noon. Meet author and illustrator Alex Willmore as he shares his latest picture book, The Big Trip, then create your very own dancing animal and join others with their creations in one extraordinary conga line. Ages 3-7. Free. For more information visit www.discover.org.uk

Family Fun Art and Craft – Easter Flower Blower, Epping Forest District Museum, EN9 1EL

12noon-3pm. Fun family art and craft activities for you to make together and take home. Drop-in, charges apply. All ages welcome, most suitable for ages 5-11. For more information visit www.visiteppingforest.org

Fairy Trail and Craft, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

(Also 22 Apr). 10.30-11.30am, 11.30am-12.30pm, 1-2pm. Can you solve the fairy clues? Once you’ve solved them all then head back to the Centre to create your own fairy crown. Charges apply, booking required. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Tues 14 Apr

Storytelling with Sarah Coyle, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ

11.15am-12.15pm. Can you be a tiny ant? A huge elephant? A gigantic T-Rex? Errol’s going to need your help to make this story big. Join Sarah Coyle, author of The Biggest Story, for an animal-packed interactive storytelling workshop. Ages 3-7. For more information visit www.discover. org.uk

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

3-4pm. Enjoy a day of celebratory activities to welcome in Bengali New Year. Renowned artist Abu Jafar will lead a session of arts and mask making for local families to celebrate. All welcome. Pay what you feel. For more information visit www. poplarunion.com

Create and Play – Eggcellent Adventure, Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT

Wed 15 Apr

Storytelling with Lara Hawthorne, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ

Join Lara Hawthorne to hear her story, Alba the Hundred Year Old Fish, and learn all about the effects of pollution and the potential for regeneration. Take part in a craft session where everyone can design their own Alba shaped fish. Ages 4+. For more information visit www. discover.org.uk

Magic Makers, Valence House Museum, Dagenham, RM8 3HT 11am-12.30pm, 1.30-3pm. Abracadabra! Make magic wands and spellbinding tricks in this creative workshop. Charges apply, sign up at Reception 1 hour before session as there are limited spaces. Ages 3-12. For more information visit www. valencehousecollections.co.uk

Chocolate Birds Nest Making Workshop, Rainham Hall, Havering, RM13 9YN

10am-12noon, 1-3pm. Learn how to weigh the ingredients, melt the chocolate and mix the Birds Nest together, then decorate them and take them home (don’t forget to take along a suitable container to put them in). For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rainhamhall

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have up to date details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure the information hasn’t changed.

“

I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

”

Wildlife Walk, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

10-11.30am, 12noon-1.30pm. Experience the fantastic array of wildlife that the valley holds. Suitable for beginners. Take along your own binoculars. Charges apply, booking required. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Bug Hunting, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

2-3pm, 3-4pm. Go on a bug hunt and find many of the insects that live in the Ingrebourne Valley. All equipment supplied. Please dress to suit the weather. Charges apply, booking essential. Ages 3+. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Thurs 16 Apr

Drop in Tree Art, Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E1 8HY

2-4pm. Join in to create wild tree art.You’ll be using chalk to decorate the trees (which will wash off in the rain) and making tree rubbings. Meet at the picnic bench next to the Wellclose Square park entrance. For more information visit www.fothcp. org

Create and Play – Up, Up and Away, Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT

Musical Theatre Masterclass, Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT 1-3pm. Sing and dance your way through one of your favourite musical numbers as you learn a full musical theatre routine from a west end show. Ages 6-10. Charges apply, booking required. For more information and to book visit www. queens-theatre.co.uk

Fri 17 Apr

Storytelling with Jennifer Bell and Alice Lickens, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ

11.15am-12.15pm. Join Jennifer and Alice for an event full of interactive games, quizzes and live-drawing which share incredible information about the wildlife we share with our planet. For more information visit www.discover.org.uk

Fraud and Forgery, City of London Police Museum, EC2V 7HH 11am-4pm. Could you spot fake money? Do you know how to spot a scam? Attend this masterclass to learn how to detect frauds and forgeries. For more information visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ policemuseum

Soft Archery, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

1-2pm, 2-3pm. The perfect activity for the whole family, all equipment supplied. No experience required. Loads of different games and targets to aim at. Charges apply, booking required. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Sat 18 Apr

Disney Family Quiz, Valence House Museum, Dagenham, RM8 3HT

1-4pm. Gather your friends and family for this Disney themed quiz afternoon. With food, drink and prizes for all the family. Ages 8+ and adults of all ages. Max 6 people per team. Advanced booking essential, call 020 8227 2034. For more information visit www. valencehousecollections.co.uk

Sat 18 – Sun 19 Apr

Spring Diesel Gala, Epping Ongar Railway, Essex, CM5 9BN

The first of the ever-popular Diesel Galas for 2020, where the home fleet, along with some interesting visiting locomotives, come out to be put through their paces over some of the most challenging gradients in preservation. For more information visit www.eorailway.co.uk

St George’s Day 2020, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN

12noon-6pm. Trafalgar square will turn red and white in honour of England’s national day and its patron St George. For more information visit www.london.gov.uk

Dinosaur Trail, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

10.30am-3pm. Follow the fun map around the country park answering dinosaur-related questions. Drop-in, charges apply. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Sun 19 Apr

Storytelling with MG Leonard, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ Work together with award-winning author and eco-warrior MG Leonard to discover the global journey our rubbish takes. Then join the plastic-fighting crew and learn all about the different things we can be doing to help make our planet a happy one. For more details visit www.discover.org.uk

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 22...

t ’ s a h N ew W

Customise Your Shoes with Mythical Canvas

With Mythical Canvas, children can use their incredible imagination to customise a special pair of plimsolls with vibrant, colourful designs, bringing their drawings to life. Your kids will love the Mythical Canvas Combo Pack, which includes a pair of white canvas plimsolls with changeable straps (extra straps are provided), fabric pens and stencils, all for £29.99.You’ll love seeing all of the kids’ creative designs and encouraging them to customise their plimsolls with the pens provided, switch straps, have fun and remember… there are no mistakes in art! For more information, visit www.mythicalcanvas.co.uk or check out their social media accounts @mythicalcanvas.

Elephant in my Kitchen!

What would you do if there was an elephant in your kitchen? Or a gorilla in your bedroom? Or a tiger in your toilet? This is a funny, silly and hugely topical picture book, with an unexpected twist ending. Elephant in my Kitchen! is perfect for introducing little ones to the issues affecting the planet in an accessible way.The book is written by Smriti Halls, who worked for the BBC and began a career in children’s publishing and television as a writer and commissioning editor. She started writing her own books in 2012 and is now published in more than 30 languages worldwide. Elephant in my Kitchen! will be available online and from all good bookstores for £6.99 from 2 April.

Inspirational Women 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Dino Dump Piece together the amazing stories of some of the

Dino Dump is an easy game with a bunch of scratch-n-sniff world’s impressive women with Inspirational dino-poomost forfeit stickers.The aim of thethis game is to lose all Women jigsaw puzzle from Ridley’s Games. Each beautiful your Dino Cards as fast as possible. Get caught with any in illustration accompanied by a short your handisby the end of th biography so you can learn more about some of history’s most amazing women and their incredible achievements. The circular nature of the puzzle means that wherever you are sitting around the table you will be able to participate. Featuring 54 inspirational icons, it’s both educational and perfect for everyone who enjoys jigsaws. The 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle is available online for £20. For more information, visit uk.wildandwolf.com.

Grab Millions in Bank Attack

Bank Attack is a new, intense and addictive cooperative game for all the family. Work together as criminal masterminds to crack the vault and release the gold hidden inside.You’ve got just ﬁve minutes to pull off the heist of the century. Pick your role in the group - hacker, money man, look out or explosives expert - and use your special talents to break the bank. Select a difﬁculty level, then follow the spoken commands without delay. Grab the right tools, pass them on at the right moment, use them quickly and grab the millions. Bank Attack is for 2 to 4 villains aged 7+ and available to buy at Argos, Smyths, Amazon and The Entertainer for £24.99.

Geomag - Playing Together for a Healthier Planet Geomag products explore the incredible potentialities of magnetism, adding movement and magical effects to your creations. Achieve a limitless number of shapes, geometric ﬁgures and models of every kind. While Geomag Classic is an inventive system of simple construction made of rods and spheres, Geomag Panels offers new-found stability, versatility and design potential. Geomag’s new green strategy means that products will be made of 100% recycled materials to provide lower environmental impact. The Classic (60 to 93 pieces) will be available to buy online from March and the Classic Panels (52 to 78 pieces) will be available to buy online from June. For more information, visit www.geomagworld.com.

Magicube – Fun Construction that Aids Learning Magicube is a cutting-edge construction system that turns the concept of traditional building blocks into something extra magical. Developed for different age groups, the Magicube collection provides a supply of fun SOS Dino activities that reinforce those basic skills and a handsSOS Dino is a cooperative children’s game for up to on approach to learning. For a greater understanding four players. Help Marie, Freddy, Nessie and Louis of learning principles, the Math and Word Building reach safety by avoiding the lava flows and meteorites, Magicubes offer activities helping to reinforce a child’s collecting the eggs and seeking shel first numeracy and literacy skills.These activities encourage number and letter recognition as well as first sums and words. For more information, visit www.geomagworld.com.

Match a Mummy: The Ancient Egypt Memory Game Locate and match up pairs Hear to learn more about how the Egyptians lived. Why Ranvir Cannot did they but who wearcrosses wigs, use Ranvir is ashave lonelytheir littleheads elephant thedark eye make-up and worship dung of beetles? didofthey make toothpaste plains India inHow search his hearing, but on the andhe which internal organs They did they remove way meets many friends. teach Ranvir before This do funsomething and historical that justmummiﬁ because cation? you cannot that is game includes matching onis40 cards expected of you,20you may ﬁndpairs there something andyou a booklet else can do.with Theyexplanatory all support htext. The game is perfect for families to play at home or can be used to complement school lessons on the Egyptians. Match a Mummy: The Ancient Egypt Memory Game will be released on 6 April and will be available online from Amazon for £12.99.

What’s On

More What’s On Your family diary for March, April & May

April POP-Corn presents: Aladdin, Poplar Union, E14 6TL 2-4pm. Join street-urchin Aladdin, strong-willed Princess Jasmine and a magical genie on a magical carpet ride through the sandy streets of Agrabah in this live-action remake of the Disney classic. Free. PG. For more information visit www. poplarunion.com

Sunday Market, Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster, RM14 3NS

(Also 17 May). 10am-2pm. Local produce and handmade crafts, all brought to you by local people. For more information visit www. thameschase.org.uk

St George’s Day Celebrations, V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA

11.30am-4.30pm. Ahead of St George’s day itself, go and stomp your feet with the dynamic and anarchic ceilidh and get dizzy in a Maypole dancing workshop in a day of music and dance. Also, create your own art inspired by St George’s traditions. For more information visit www.vam.ac.uk/moc

Wed 22 Apr–Tues 5 May Sustrans Big Pedal, Nationwide

Join in with the UK’s largest interschool cycling, walking and scooting challenges inspiring pupils, staff and parents to choose human power for their journey to school. To register and for free fun and interactive resources visit www.bigpedal.org.uk

Thurs 23 Apr

Pond Dipping, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park, RM12 6DF

2-3pm.You’ll be looking underwater to explore what lives there. It will be fun for all the family and equipment will be provided. Booking essential, charges apply. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Sat 25 Apr

Muddy Matters: Art in the Park, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Mile End, E3 4PX

10.30am-12.30pm. Join Artist in Residence, Louise Hildreth for a series of workshops where you’ll be making earthy artworks for the park. She’s been gathering natural materials and needs your help to use them. Free. For more details and to book visit www.eventbrite.co.uk

Vaisakhi, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN

12noon-6pm. Join the Vaisakhi festival, a celebration of Sikh and Punjabi tradition, heritage and culture, commemorating the birth of the

16 Mar - 10 May ‘20

Khalsa (the inner core of the Sikh faith) over 300 years ago. For more information visit www.london.gov.uk

Sun 26 Apr

Family Farm Club, Stepney City Farm, E1 3DG

1-4pm. Whether you opt for a spot of gardening or are more at home with craft activities, enjoying a few hours on the farm is great way of getting involved in the local community especially for children who may not have visited a working farm before. For more details visit www.stepneycityfarm.org

2020 Virgin Money London Marathon, Various Locations

The mass race starts at 10am from Blackheath and Greenwich Park, winding its way around London to the finish line at The Mall. Spectators help create the atmosphere, so pop down, cheer on the runners and watch out for fun costumes. For more details visit www. virginmoneylondonmarathon.com

Kids’ Club, Exchange, Ilford, EG1 1RS

11am-4pm. Children will get the chance to learn about the science of slime and take away their own pot of slime at the end of the session. For more information visit www. exchangeilford.com

Tues 28 Apr – Sun 3 May

Zippo’s Circus, Central Park, East Ham E6 6ET

Zippo’s Circus is back in town with a brand-new 2020 show titled ‘Nomads’. Acrobats from the Mongolian steppe, astonishing aerialists, clever comics, daredevil bikers all come together to excite and astound. For more information visit www.zippos.co.uk

May Sat 2 May

Bat Walk, Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E1 8HY

8-9.30pm. Learn about amazing local bats. Using bat detectors, listen to them as they hunt for their insect prey.You are welcome to leave early

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have up to date details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure the information hasn’t changed.

“

I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

”

if you need to. Please arrive promptly at the picnic bench next to the Wellclose Square park entrance. For more information visit www.fothcp. org

Sun 3 May

Adventure and Farm Open Day, Lambourne End, Essex, RM4 1NB

11am-4pm. A charity fundraising event with plenty of activities including low ropes, kayaking, bush craft, bouncy castle, farm animals and more. Buy activity tokens on the day. No tokens required to visit the farm. For more information visit www. lambourne-end.org.uk

Fri 8 – Sun 10 May

Fairy Tale Weekend, Lee Valley Farms, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF Enter a magical realm at the farms where anything is possible and you can be whoever you want to be. For more information visit www.lvfarms. co.uk

Sat 9 May

Clare and Cory Share a (Glorious) Story!, Poplar Union, E14 6TL 11-11.45am, 2-2.45pm. Join this acclaimed duo on their return to Poplar Union for a glorious story of sharing, exploring and daring, accompanied by a picture book illustrated by award-winning Steve Smallman of Poo in the Zoo. Charges apply. Ages 3+. For more details visit www.poplarunion.com

Clay Creations, Valence House Museum, Dagenham, RM8 3HT 11am-12.30pm, 1.30-3pm. Take inspiration from the collection of treasures and make imaginative clay creations of your own. Ages 3-12. Sign up opens at Reception 1 hour before session. Limited spaces available. For more information visit www.valencehousecollections.co.uk

Sun 10 May

Storytelling with Frann Preston-Gannon, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ

Join author and illustrator Frann for a reading of her brand new book The Bad Day followed by the chance to get crafty and make your very own woodland wall-hanging to take home. For more information visit www. discover.org.uk

Dinosaurs at the Railway, Epping Ongar Railway, Essex, CM5 9BN Meet Dexter, the walking, roaring baby Tyrannosaurus Rex. Dexter will be performing at intervals

at Ongar. Also, meet the baby dinosaurs on board the train and follow a dinosaur trail. For more information visit www.eorailway. co.uk

Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, St Paul’s Church, WC2E 9ED 11am-5.30pm. Celebrating the 258th anniversary of the first sighting of Mr Punch in England by Samuel Pepys, with Punch and Judy Professors from all over the country and abroad in the church garden. For more information visit www.alternativearts.co.uk

Mon 11 – Sun 17 May

Peppa Pig’s Muddy Puddle Walk, Nationwide

Join thousands across the UK and organise a Muddy Puddle Walk with your family and get sponsored to raise money for Save the Children. For more details and to sign up for a free fundraising pack visit www. savethechildren.org.uk

Sun 17 May

Urban Village Fete, Central Park, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0BN 11am-7pm. A free one-day music and arts festival featuring a range of unique pop-ups, walkabout entertainment and more. Eat from London’s best street food vendors, watch debates and take part in workshops for all ages. For more details visit www. greenwichpeninsula.co.uk

Baby Broadway, Poplar Union, E14 6TL

11am-12noon. An interactive family concert of songs from hit musicals and films, performed by West End singers. Enjoy interactive elements along the way such as bubbles, puppetry and dance moves. Ages 0-8. Charges apply. For more information visit www.poplarunion. com

Mon 25 May

Peppa and George, Epping Ongar Railway, Essex, CM5 9BN

Take a ride on the steam and diesel trains and see the cheeky little piggies at intervals. A great day out for all the family – especially the younger ones. There’ll be a small Kids Market selling Peppa Pig goodies, and face painting for an additional charge. For more information visit www.eorailway. co.uk

Our next copy deadline is

24 April 2020 If you have something you would like us to try and publicise (space permitting) please email it to

listings@ primarytimes.biz

All your own work! Areeba Islam aged 8

Faye U aged 4 Moloney competitions in our February Half Term issue. Clare Congratulations to the following people who won Hesketh. Emilia and s Phillip Liz by won were bundles is the lucky Little Mix winner. Asterix DVD and book nfield Infant School. Eloise Smith, Alex English, Grace Aidan Jones won a box of books for his school - Crow ni a Maleficent: Mistress of Evil DVD. Jenson Day, Imaa Masterson, Molly Mayhew and Clara de Rennes won Pig: copies of 'The Boy with the Saucepan Hat' book. Peppa Muhaimin, Ewan Freeman and Jowita Gostek won n World of t. Malaki Mates won a family ticket to Chessingto My First Concert tickets were won by Arianne Knigh a etition for the under 8s and our older winner was Areeb Adventures. Faye U aged 4 won Annie's drawing comp ers on this page and enjoy all the artwork! Islam, aged 8. Well done to all our competition winn If you would like to see your work displayed here then just send us a drawing, poem, riddles, jokes or short story and we'll do our very best to include it. Send it to: Good Work Page Primary Times 7 Southbrook Mews London SE12 8LG

Thank you to Amanda aged 6 for her lovely painting, Sanaya Azeem for her happy garden picture, Lusia Banbury for her illustrated poem that she must have spent a lot of time on and Emilia Narkevic for her 'best family ever'. We love seeing your work so do please keep sending it to us. We're happy to receive artwork from the whole class so do feel free to send us class entries.

East London Easter/Spring 2020 Primary Times

Articles inside

Out of School Activities

What’s New

Competitions

Local News

All Your Own Work

Spring Adventures

What’s On

Family Theatre