13 minute read
AGENDA
MARTHA ALEXANDER reveals what’s going on in the capital AGENDA
EASTER SUNDAY FAMILY LUNCH AND EGG HUNT Sunday 12 April, 12 noon until 4pm A pre-polo-season shindig, this annual family lunch is sure to be a smart but relaxed occasion, taking in the gorgeous surroundings and salubrious hospitality of Ham Polo Club. And for competitive youngsters, the real highlight of the day will be the club’s thrilling egg hunt, which will have them searching far and wide across the vast verdant grounds. Admission: TBC Ham Polo Club, Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 7AH hampoloclub.com
DUST Wednesday 18 to Monday 23 March is is the story of Little Titch, who moves into a huge pink house and nds it full of mess, dust and chaos. When she meets bona de hoarder Nelly, Titch begins an unexpected, beautiful friendship. With the help of puppetry, poetry and music, Dust is a beautiful spectacle. Admission: £7 Half Moon Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND halfmoon.org.uk
DISNEY ON ICE MAGICAL ICE FESTIVAL ursday 2 to Sunday 5 April Take adventure to new heights as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and your friends from around the Disney Kingdom come together as Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival. Gear up to enter a world of excitement as the show skates into the arena. Admission: From £24, family tickets available The SSE Arena, Wembley, Arena Square, Engineers Way, London HA9 0AA disneyonice.com
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Saturday 4 to Sunday 19 April Enjoy a great family day out as the lambing season gets into full swing at Bocketts Farm! With more than 500 newborn lambs due and Meet the Shepherd sessions daily, there will be plenty of opportunity to learn about the lambs and even watch one being born. Kids will also love to get up close to the baby chicks, ducklings and bunnies in the Small Animal Village. Plus, complete the Easter stamp trail to take home a chocolate treat, and enjoy fun live Easter shows. Admission: Children aged three to 17 years, £12.95, adults £11.95 Bocketts Farm, Young Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 9B bockettsfarm.co.uk Bocketts Farm
PEPPA PIG: MY FIRST CONCERT Tuesday 14 April to Sunday 31 May Ideal for under-ves, this unique show sees Peppa and her crew learn all about the wonderful world of classical music, accompanied by an incredible live orchestra. Dance and sing along with this interactive performance, as Peppa and her brother George learn all about the various sounds that musical instruments can make, while enjoying a range of iconic orchestral pieces. Admission: child, £16; adult £20 Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX southbankcentre.co.uk
FUN FRENCH EASTER DAY CAMP! Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 April Calling all mini bilingual enthusiasts aged four to 16 years old! Et Patati Et Patata, the French immersion programme, is hosting an Easter Day Camp which promises a wide range of fun and creative activities in French! Over the course of 30 hours (9-3pm), kids will explore the sounds, ¡avours, customs, and cultures of France. Language will be taught through stories, songs and workshops. Admission: TBC Flora Gardens Primary School, Dalling Rd, Hammersmith, London W6 0UD etpatatipatata.com Disney on Ice Magical Ice Festival
LITTLE PRINCE AND PRINCESS TEA Served every day 12-5pm As the Queen celebrates her 93rd birthday on 21 April, why not get little ones into the royal spirit at e Rubens at e Palace? e Little Prince and Princess Tea sees all the luxuries of traditional afternoon tea sweetly adapted for smaller guests. Treats include bite-size sandwiches, baked scones, selected pastries and a choice of drink. A true delight! Admission: £19 per child The Rubens at The Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PS rubenshotel.com
ADVENTURES AT THE DOCKS Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March Travel around the Museum of London Docklands solving puzzles as you go, earning special cards to complete your quest. ere will also be workshops with games and mini-challenges to take part in this weekend. Admission: Free Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, London E14 4AL museumoflondon.org.uk
THE GREAT RACE! Saturday 2 May, 11am and 2pm For kids aged four to seven years, e Great Race! champions taking part – not just winning. lnspired by the 2020 Olympics, it tells a traditional Japanese story with a core theme of competition. Using original music, dance, puppetry and Taiko drumming, the show reveals that kindness and courage help us cross the nishing line. Admission: From £9 artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA artsdepot.co.uk
Dino Coaster at LEGOLAND
DINO COASTER AT LEGOLAND From Friday 13 March March marks LEGOLAND Windsor opening for its main season, and this year it’s even more exciting than ever. e world’s rst DUPLO Dino Coaster will be set in the heart of the DUPLO Valley, which is bigger and better than before. is is the perfect rst rollercoaster for little ones. Admission: From £29pp when booked online one day in advance LEGOLAND Windsor, Winkfield Rd, Windsor, SL4 4AY legoland.co.uk
THE BOAT RACE Sunday 29 March e rst Boat Race between students of Oxford and Cambridge universities took place in June 1829 at Henley-on- ames. Now, the annual meet is a world-famous sporting xture that takes place on the ames between Putney and Mortlake. Older kids will love the race-day atmosphere down by the river. Admission: Free Various riverside locations through Putney, Barnes and Mortlake theboatrace.org
GREAT FIRE OF LONDON FAMILY WALK Until Saturday 21 March Suitable for those aged ve plus, this 45-minute walk through the City takes in key sites of the Great Fire of London, setting little challenges along the way – and in doing so, takes you back in time. From Pudding Lane to diarist Samuel Pepys’ garden – the biggest story of 1666 is brought to life. Admission: child, £5; adult £7.50 Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN museumoflondon.org.uk
ALL POINTS EAST IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD Monday 25 to ursday 28 May, 10am to 9.30pm daily Sandwiched between East London’s popular music festival’s adults-only concert dates, there are family-friendly days at the venue oering a range of activities including music, arts, a circus and an abundance of delicious street food. Admission: Free Victoria Park, E9 7DE allpointseastfestival.com
101 DALMATIANS Saturday 16 May to Sunday 21 June Given that Dodie Smith’s iconic story was set in the heart of Regent’s Park, it’s tting that a brand new musical version of the tale should be performed there, in the Open Air eatre. Prepare to be completely charmed. Admission: From £25 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Regent’s Park, Inner Circle, NW1 4NU openairtheatre.com
EGGS ON LEGS Monday 13 to ursday 16 April Poetic and playful, this is a slightly bonkers puppet show is all about a family of eggs living in a tree. Suitable for children aged between three and eight. Admission: child, £11.50; adult £13.50 Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN littleangeltheatre.com
TRAILS Until Tuesday 31 March, 10am to 5.45pm e Undiscovered Museum paper trail is a visual treasure hunt and is part of celebrations to mark the opening of the V&A Exhibition Road Quarter. A brilliant way to learn about the museum’s history. Admission: Free Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL vam.ac.uk
GULLIVER’S TRAVELS Sunday 15 March to Sunday 3 May Jonathan Swift’s much-loved novel is retold with fresh humour by three teenagers armed with a camera, projector and props. Admission: From £8 Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ unicorntheatre.com
OH NO, GEORGE! Saturday 14 March Cake-loving canine George tries to be a good boy, but can’t resist temptation. Adapted from Chris Haughton’s book, the show’s acrobatics and slapstick will delight audiences young and old! Admission: £7 Half Moon Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND halfmoon.org.uk
HORNIMAN EASTER FAIR Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 April, 10.30am to 4.30pm is annual celebration at the Horniman Museum is where families can discover a host of craft workshops, storytelling performances, face painting and, of course, a hunt for some delicious chocolate eggs. Admission: Free Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ horniman.ac.uk
All Points East In the Neighbourhood
Little Monster
LITTLE MONSTER Sunday 8 March, 11am and 2pm Go on a mission to nd a mystery monster, with only two storytellers to assist. Shadows, songs and puppetry make this tale of of friendship and dierences magical. Ideal for children aged three to six. Admission: From £9 artsdepot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA artsdepot.co.uk
WILD Tuesday 17 March to Sunday 3 May Best suited to kids aged between two and six, Wild tells the tale of a free-spirited girl who lives in the forest, learning from the animals who live with her. Admission: From £12 Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ unicorntheatre.com
LONDON EASTER CHILDREN’S EASTER EGG SCURRY Monday 13 April, 10.15am is 10k run is open to everyone aged four and over. Too far? ere’s also a two-mile fun run and children’s race for younger athletes. Medals and Easter eggs are up for grabs at the nish line. Admission: £4 The Regent’s Park, NW1 4NR runbritain.com
HOW TO BE A PHARAOH SLEEPOVER Saturday 14 March, 6.15pm to Sunday 15 March 9am Who wouldn’t love to spend the night with kings and gods in ancient Egypt? Children aged eight and above are invited to a sleepover at the British Museum, where they’ll learn all about pharaohs via workshops, activities and storytelling, before lights out. And be sure to take one last look around before doors open again. Admission: From £45 The British Museum, Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org
COVENT GARDEN MAY FAYRE AND PUPPET FESTIVAL Saturday 9 May e rst recorded Punch and Judy show took place at Covent Garden some 350 years ago. ese days, Mr Punch’s birthday is celebrated on the second weekend of May with a brass band procession, and a special service takes place at St Paul’s Church, during which he usually makes an appearance in the pulpit. Afterwards, the church gardens are alive with puppetry. Admission: Free St Paul’s Church & Garden, Bedford Street, WC2E 9ED
REVIEW: BY REBECCA MOORE SEA LIFE Daily opening times vary, see website for details I took full advantage of my niece’s London visit by adding a stroll around Sea Life to our itinerary. After a string of goldsh pals as a child, and having lived here for ve years, a visit was well overdue. It’s much larger than I’d imagined, venturing way beyond the tropical sh scene, with plenty of dierent aquarium zones and thrilling viewpoints at each turn. We saw everything from crocodiles to baby penguins, with a few sea turtles thrown in for good measure. And the action kicks o as soon as you arrive, walking over a glass window as underwater chums (including sharks!) swim beneath your feet. is of course inspired a rendition of Baby Shark, much to everyone’s delight. I’d recommend taking note of the feedings times too, as the residents gobble up their grub. Ruby loved watching penguins dip, dive and glide their way to food. A wonderful afternoon! Admission: Tickets from £34 per person when purchased online. Sea Life Centre, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB visitsealife.com/london Little Ruby was mesmerised by the underwater world
BARNES DUCK RACE Monday 20 April, 12pm Be there for noon to witness a multicoloured raft of ducks gliding over Beverley Brook. All entrants, who can buy ducks in advance from local vendors and customise them, will receive an Easter egg while larger prizes will go to the owners of the rst, second and third-placed ducks. Admission: Free (£5 to buy a duck) Vine Road Pavilion, SW13 0NE barnes-ca.org
ROALD DAHL AND THE IMAGINATION SEEKERS Friday 17 April, 11.30am and 2pm is interactive show takes a new look at the author’s much-loved stories, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and e Twits. Admission: child, £9.50; adult £18 Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES greenwichtheatre.org.uk
CAMELLIA SHOW Until Sunday 22 March, 10am to 3pm is annual spectacle, where the stunning Grade I listed Conservatory at Chiswick House blooms with rare camellias, makes for a glorious family trip out. ere are 33 varieties – some of which are descended from the original planting in 1828. is year marks its 10th anniversary. Admission: Free Chiswick House, Chiswick House, Conservatory Yard, W4 2QN chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk
THE GRUFFALO + THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE IN CONCERT Friday 29 May, 11.30am is double-bill screening of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheer’s classic tales is accompanied by live music from the brilliant BBC Concert Orchestra. Admission: From £15 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP royalalberthall.com
Tales from the Round Table
RAVER TOTS COMES TO INDIGO AT THE O 2 Saturday 7 March from 3pm Indigo at the O 2 will have its roof raised by revelling toddlers as Raver Tots takes over for the country’s biggest-ever indoor family festival. Expect great tunes, including a live set by the world’s youngest DJ, DJ Archie. Admission: From £10 Indigo at e O2, 205 Peninsula Square, Greenwich, SE10 0ES ravertots.co.uk
WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT Friday 1 May to Sunday 12 July is lyrical story of a family setting out across hill, dale, river and sea to capture a big bear is an enduringly popular book, and on stage it’s just as appealing. Admission: From £5 Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN littleangeltheatre.com
TALES FROM THE ROUND TABLE Tuesday 14 to Sunday 19 April Stories of Merlin, Sir Lancelot, King Arthur and many more are rebooted in performances full of music, puppetry and movement. Each story has been crafted by a dierent artist, making each one completely unique in every possible way. Ideal for children aged three to seven. Admission: £7 Chickenshed Southgate, 290 Chase Side, N14 4PE chickenshed.org.uk
BABY BROADWAY FAMILY CONCERT ursday 2 April Well-known numbers from the world’s most popular musicals belted out by professional West End stars are the order of the day at Baby Broadway. But as well as the melodies, there are bubbles, puppetry and a whole lot of audience interaction. Kids of all ages are welcome. Admission: £6 Chickenshed Southgate, 290 Chase Side, N14 4PE chickenshed.org.uk
My First Ballet: Cinderella
MY FIRST BALLET: CINDERELLA ursday 9 to Saturday 18 April A shorter version of Prokoev’s gorgeous score, this performance comes with a narrator to help young audiences (of three years and above) follow the story. A awless collaboration between th English National Ballet and the English National Ballet School. Admission: From £10 The Peacock, Portugal Street, London, WC2A 2HT peacocktheatre.com
THATMUSE EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday 28 March, 10.30am to 1pm Teams of up to four can bunny hop around the Natural History Museum solving clues. Treasures, such as dinosaur eggs must be found – and photographed within a short time frame. But chocolate lovers be warned – there are no sweet-treat prizes! Admission: From £8 Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD nhm.ac.uk
LSO FAMILY CONCERT Saturday 16 May, 10am to 1pm Suitable for kids aged between seven and 12 years, this concert by the London Symphony Orchestra is set up with families in mind. e music is themed and includes well-known favourites, as well as introductions to more unusual pieces. Participation is encouraged, and there’s a heap of free activities before the concert starts at noon. Admission: From £5 Barbican Hall, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS lso.co.uk
LSO Family Concert
