Family events

―

By Holly O'Mahony

imAginAtions tHis WAy

An annual highlight of the February half-term, the Southbank Centre's Imagine Children’s Festival is a melting pot of shows, talks, music, dance and more. With over 100 events in total – half of which are free – you're sure to find something your child will like, whether they're two or 12. Highlights include an activity trail encouraging visitors to decipher mysterious scripts; a multi-sensory underwater adventure; hip-hop workshops with the youth company of leading dance troupe ZooNation and a chance to hear from leading authors.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. February 8 - 18, times vary depending on event. Admission: dependent on event. www.southbankcentre.co.uk/

A sHoW For sLeePyHeADs

It’s hard to get out of your snuggly bed on cold, dark mornings, isn’t it? But what’s life like for the animals that sleep throughout the whole of winter? Little Bulb theatre company is taking audiences into the nests of creatures famous for their hibernation habits. There’s no shame in falling asleep in this cosy production – in fact, little ones are invited to bring a blanket and their favourite cuddly toys. All performances are relaxed, with audiences invited to move around, plus there’s a special sensory-adapted performance on February 17 at 2pm.

Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN. February 14 - 18, 11am & 2pm.

Admission: recommended price £10, but pay-whatyou-can. www.bac.org.uk/whats-on/hibernation/

A soutH LonDon coming-oF-Age story

One for those aged 14 and up, Brixton House is staging young playwright Corey Bovell’s coming-ofage story and ode to growing up in south London: Chicken Burger N Chips. Directed by T.D Moyo, who is also resident director at top-notch theatre the Almeida, the comedy tells a story of gentrification and growing up in a racially uneven playing field. This is through the eyes of Corey, a teen content with hanging out in his local branch of Morley’s fried chicken shop with his friends, until Jodie comes along and gives him something of a political awakening to the changes in his home borough of Lewisham. A compelling introduction to theatre for teens.

Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8GL. January 31 - February 11, performances at 3pm, 7pm and 7:30pm depending on date. Admission: £21/£17 concessions.

www.brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/housematesreturns-chicken-burger-n-chips/

meet tHe Lego DinosAurs

In a collaboration bound to delight most little ones, dinosaurs have been recreated in LEGO® form for an exhibition at the Horniman Museum. The Brick Dinos exhibition, which features over 20 dinosaur species in total, features a model of the 125-million-year-old herbivore Polacanthus among its highlights, with its spiky, armoured shell replicated in coloured bricks. While the exhibition is largely the creation of artist Warren Elsmore, it also features rarely shown items from the Horniman’s collection, including a replica skull of a Nanotyrannus – a smaller relative of king of the dinosaurs, the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Brick Dinos is showing at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, London SE23 3PQ. From February 10 - October 29, 10am - 5:30pm daily. Admission: £10/£5 children/£22 family of four.

www.horniman.ac.uk/event/brick-dinos/