Families North and East London

Issue 118 Jan/Feb 2016

North and East London’s premier free family magazine

Annabel Karmel Carole Ann Rice Clubs & Classes Places to Go

Covering the boroughs of: Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey and Islington Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest

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Contents

Issue 118 | Jan/Feb 2016 | Families North and East London Magazine

This Issue 6 Health and Happiness

Go from Dogsbody to Top Dog by Extending your Boundaries

11 Activity ideas for Toddlers 12 Education

4

6

11

17

8

Regular Features 4 Annabel Karmel 10 Ed’s Reading Room

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16 Clubs & Classes 19 Places to Go

Welcome Families North & East London Magazine 120 Brent Street, Hendon, London NW4 2DT. For all news and features contact: editor@familiesnorth.co.uk or editor@familieseast.co.uk or call 020 8202 2034.

For all advertising enquiries contact: adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk or adverts@familieseast.co.uk or call 0208 202 2034.

For all listing enquiries contact: listings@familiesnorth.co.uk or listings@familieseast.co.uk.

Welcome to our Health and Happiness Issue. As the New Year begins, a fresh new start lies ahead for us all.

A small change can make the biggest difference to our lives and a little effort can reap a great reward. I hope you enjoy this issue of Families North & East London magazine and feel inspired to achieve your goals this year! I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2016. Until next time‌ Sharon Editor

Families North & East London cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, details are subject to change and Families North & East London take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any material. All rights reserved.

To advertise in Families North London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk

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annabel karmel

Healthy Helpings If you’ve vowed to eat healthier this year, then shake up your family’s food routine with these top recipes packed full of yummy goodness. Enjoy!

Chinese-Style Pork in Lettuce Leaves

Carrot, Apple and Sultana Muffins

1 tbsp sesame oil ½ small red pepper, de-seeded and diced 1 onion, diced 300g minced pork 225g tin water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped 60g baby sweetcorn, cut into quarters 75g bean sprouts 3 tbsp oyster sauce 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar 12 little gem lettuce leaves

175g self-raising flour 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 100g light brown sugar 2 eggs 3 tbsp golden syrup 150ml sunflower oil 150g carrots, peeled and grated 50g apple, peeled, cored and grated 75g sultanas

Method 1. Heat the sesame oil in a wok or large frying pan, add the red pepper and onion, and stir-fry for three minutes.

2. Meanwhile fry the minced pork in a dry frying pan until browned, stirring with a fork to break it up.

3. Add the meat to the wok, stir in the water chestnuts, sweetcorn and beansprouts and stir fry for two to three minutes. Stir in the oyster sauce and rice wine vinegar, then stir fry for a further two to three minutes until slightly thickened.

4. Spoon into lettuce leaves and serve

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6.

Line a muffin tin with 12 paper cases.

2. Sift the flour, spices and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl, then add the sugar. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, syrup and oil, then pour them into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Whisk until smooth. Stir in the carrot, apple and sultanas.

3. Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases.

Bake for 20-22 minutes, until the muffins are well risen and golden brown. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Makes 6 portions

Makes 12 muffins

For those busy days, stock-up on Annabel’s Chilled Toddler Meals.

Inspired by her popular cookbook recipes, they are low in salt and a tasty way towards their 5-a-day.

Find them in the chiller aisle at Sainsbury’s and Tesco.

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Pesto Rice Salad 200g long grain rice ½ red pepper, deseeded and diced 1 x 189g can sweetcorn 150g cherry tomatoes, sliced into small pieces 1 bunch spring onions, sliced 2 cooked chicken breast, cubed 100g French beans, sliced 75g small broccoli florets Dressing: 4 tbsp fresh pesto 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar 3 tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 tsp sugar 3 tbsp basil, chopped Method 1. Cook the rice in boiling salted water, drain and leave to cool. Measure the pepper, sweetcorn, tomatoes, spring onion and chicken into a mixing bowl.

2. Either steam the beans and broccoli for a few minutes until tender or cook in boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Drain and refresh in cold water.

3. Mix the dressing ingredients together and pour over the vegetables. Add the rice, beans and broccoli and season well.

Chill until ready to serve.

Makes 4 to 6 portions

To advertise in Families East London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familieseast.co.uk

annabel karmel Little Nemo Nursery 49 Tufnell Park Road, London N7 0PS TeL: 020 7609 7516 Email: info@littlenemonursery.co.uk Contact: Victoria Watson, Nursery Manager

Little Nemo Nursery is a new child daycare nursery that opened in the autumn team in 2015. The nursery provides outstanding childcare for children between the ages of 15 months to 5 years.

We have an outstanding indoor and outdoor play area. Our aim is to provide a safe, stimulating and caring environment that will help children develop positive relationships with other children and adults. We have places for the 2 and 3 years free funded places. We accept childcare voucher payments.

Prawn Pasta Bows

Method 1. Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of lightly salted water according to the packet instructions. Add the peas for the final 3 minutes of cooking before draining.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in another saucepan. Add the onion and red pepper and fry for 8 minutes until just soft. Add the garlic and fry for 30 seconds. Add the stock, vinegar, soy sauce and sugar. Bring to the boil. Whisk the cornflour with 1 tablespoon of cold water.

Add to the sauce and stir to thicken.

3. Melt the butter in a frying pan. Add the prawns and fry until pink and cooked through.

4. Drain the pasta and peas and add them to the sauce with the prawns. Toss together and season to taste. Stir in the Parmesan and serve.

Makes 4 portions

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200g bow-tie pasta 50g frozen peas 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 red pepper, deseeded and diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 300ml chicken stock 1 tsp rice wine vinegar 2½ tsp soy sauce 2 tsp caster sugar 2 tsp cornflour Knob of butter 325g raw king prawns, shelled 30g Parmesan cheese, grated Salt and black pepper

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www.familywellnesspractice.com The Family Wellness Practice offers an expert and friendly service to children and families on a wide range of issues such as: • Emotional/behavioural difficulties at home or school – e.g low mood/anxiety • Speech & language difficulties • Poor sleep/appetite • Adjustment to divorce/bereavement We offer professional therapy for children, adults and families as well as parenting courses.

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To advertise in Families North London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk

5

health and happiness When, for goodness sake, are you going to find the time for a new fitness regime to shift those few pounds you put on over the winter or to get the baby weight off? Don’t despair, we have a few great ideas.

How to start a new exercise regime when you’re a busy mum

New Year – New You?

By Sally J. Hall

It seems as soon as Christmas Day is over, two types of advertisement start to appear on the television; the first are for holidays for the following summer, showing gorgeous people in tiny bikinis and trunks, cavorting across golden sands.

The others – yes, you’ve guessed it. Weight loss.

It’s no surprise that the fitness industry targets us just as we throw ourselves, groaning with overeating, onto the sofa for a few hours of feel-good films.

Their research shows that most people start a new exercise regime in January, with a huge boost in gym memberships around that time. It seems there is something motivational in having a whole new year to look ahead to and many of us start of with great new resolutions – even if they fall by the wayside by March.

Add to this the complication of being a busy mum – and when, for goodness sake, are you going to find the time for a new fitness regime to shift those few pounds you put on over the winter or to get the baby weight off? Don’t despair, we have a few great ideas.

Preparation is key Before you start any kind of exercise routine, check with your doctor (or midwife if you’re pregnant) that it’s

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OK. If you’re recently given birth, wait until after your six week checkup. If you had a C-section or other complications, you might want to wait a while longer. Always start with stretches to warm your muscles and don’t overdo anything. If you start to hurt, it’s your body’s way of telling you to stop. Start with a small, short routine and gradually increase the time you spend and the intensity of your work-out.

Let’s swap Chances are your nearest and dearest may also be feeling the belt pinch.

So talk through your desires for a little time to yourself to get a little fitter and suggest you swap. He has the kids while you go to the gym, for a swim, for a long walk in the woods – whichever you feel you like the most.

Then do the same for him another day.

If you’re single, could you and a friend swap exercise times?

Do what you like It may sound obvious but choose an activity you actually enjoy. If you join a spinning class, can’t keep up, end up red in the face and aching all over and dread going back, it’s not the right exercise for you. Try out a few different classes – everything from kick boxing to zumba is available these days, in gyms and church halls – and then pick the one you like the most.

If you have joined a gym, you might find it works better to do a different thing each time. Try to include something that gets your heart racing, something stretchy and something that involves weights.

Kids come too Can’t palm the kids off onto a relative?

Want to get a few more steps done this week? Take the kids with you. Go to a local park with scooters and bikes and baby in a pushchair and walk around the outside of the park, encouraging the kids to race you. Not only will you all get an oxygen boost, they will sleep really well that night.

Using baby If you are stuck at home quite a lot with a very young baby and don’t yet feel ready for the communal changing rooms, try some exercises at home. There are quite a few postnatal exercise DVDs now that start you off gently and most importantly, know how to support and strengthen your body as it returns to your prepregnancy shape. Pop in the DVD, do a few exercises and have your baby on a play mat next to you so that you’re still close. You can even use your baby to strengthen your arms by lifting her over and over – and she’ll love it too!

Quick bursts The time when your baby naps can be great for a quick burst – one of the hottest new fitness trends right now. Do push-ups against the wall or on your knees, use small weights to tighten arms (tins of beans work just as well), do squats and a few yoga poses for flexibility and strength in your core.

To advertise in Families East London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familieseast.co.uk

health and happiness

Three of the best post-baby fitness DVDs

Baby2body Pre and Postnatal Workout DVD £15.99 Melinda Nicci

Best for: those who are quite serious about their fitness routine This video has two workouts that take 45 minutes – one for when you’re pregnant and one for afterwards. Though you may find it hard to find the energy and the time to do the whole thing, choose the parts that you can do and start to increase as you get used to it. There’s a warm up section, a cardiovascular work out and toning and floor exercises. You’ll need some hand weights too.

My Pre & Post Natal Workouts £34.99 Davina McCall You name the reason for exercise, Davina has made a DVD for it. But she really does know quite a bit about fitness during pregnancy and afterwards. In this DVD, Davina and her personal trainer Jackie Wren show you how to do a workout in two sections for before and after you have your baby. Well thought out and well presented.

Post Natal Pilates £9.99 Caroline Sandry Pilates is a very powerful form of exercise that gives you great strength in your core, abdominal muscles and also has the muscle lengthening effects of yoga. This DVD offers safe and effective exercises designed to be used at different stages, from right after birth or as soon as you feel able. Stage one works on your pelvic floor and the muscles of the pelvis and abdomen. Stage two checks that those muscles are getting back to normal and then moves on to improving their strength and tone. There are also two workouts to get you breathing hard and that oxygen coursing around your body to help with the healing process.

Recommended equipment

Dumbbells

Rowing Action Exerciser

Pilates Stretch Bands

£5.05 Reebok Weighing from one to five kilos, these weights are ideal for banishing the bingo wings. Get pumping! They come in five colours – one colour for each weight.

£12 Pineapple This little gadget will help you get fitter at home and will tuck away under the bed when not in use. It can be used in a rowing motion to help tone your thighs, bottom, abdominal muscles and back.

£8.10 Calmia Use this oversized stretch bands to give you resistance to help tighten abdominals, tone your arms and back and shoulders and slim your legs and behind. In three colours.

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health and happiness If folk have been used to stampeding through your life without a second thought it’s going to take time to get them to understand that you no longer allow this.

Go from Dogsbody to Top Dog by Extending your Boundaries

Life Coach Carole Ann Rice shows you how.

Do you ever wonder why everyone else seems to cope except you? Some sail through life getting things done, having a ball, scoring promotion and being the heart and soul of the party too.

It’s so unfair it’s enough to turn you into the muttering mad person on the bus. Life’s just not like that for you.

Sometimes it even feels like you don’t exist. People fail to acknowledge or thank you even though you do so much for them. No one seems to hear you and all your requests and needs fall on deaf ears no matter how many times you repeat yourself. You’ve given up on shouting.

Some folk, even loved ones, talk to you as though you were, at best, something nasty stuck on their shoe and at worst a special needs case.

It’s got that you tolerate so much bad behaviour you’re angry enough to go three rounds with Mike Tyson. Except

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you’re too busy licking your wounds and doing your ‘poor me’ routine.

Sound like you?

Self pity and occasional resentment maybe your oft-used coping strategies but it’s not going to change this spiral of powerlessness and self disregard.

You may be kind and loving and the sort of person others depend on but unless you start respecting your time, space, body and self, sadly, nobody else will.

The good news is you can seriously change your life by making a few simple but dramatic tweaks. The best and most powerful way to do this is by putting in a boundary.

Boundaries are an imaginary line of protection you place around yourself which shows others how to behave around you. Without a strong boundary people feel free to ride rough shod over you and your feelings and just as you tell your child what is acceptable or not, so you have to do that with others in your life too.

So often we think we show love by letting people do what they want around us, never picking them up when they say hurtful things or they fail to acknowledge our generosity. But in reality it means we let them know we don’t honour ourselves so why should they?

Healthy Boundaries – Happy You A good starting point is to make a list of areas in your life that are not being respected by others. What needs to change here? Now ‘get’ that you deserve better treatment than this and you’re on the road to increased respect, more energy, healthy relationships, less fear, more trust, true friends and less heart ache. Sounds good doesn’t it?

The next step is ‘educating’ others and this is the tricky bit. If folk have been used to stampeding through your life without a second thought it’s going to take time to get them to understand that you no longer allow this.

But you can do this with care and attention (after all ‘accommodating’ is your middle name, remember?) but most of all you must do it with conviction.

For example sit down with each person and share with them your process. It might go something like this – ‘I am happy to drive us all to bingo/ work/the pub each week but I think a thank you wouldn’t go amiss and a contribution to the petrol from now on would be great. Or why don’t we take it in turns?’ Gentle but firm is the key.

No less than demand that every single person in your life is always unconditionally constructive in every comment to you. No more snide comments, underhand digs, unkind nicknames, deprecating remarks in any situation. Like, ever!

Tell them what happens for you when they don’t respect your boundary. ‘When you don’t comment on what I do I feel unappreciated, hurt and fed up’ or ‘when you talk like that I feel hurt and I’d like it to stop’ and they will see the consequences of their behaviour and hopefully change.

Some will get it and others will want to push the boundary because Health and Fitness OlivesBodycare is helping children and adults with or without ailments to become healthier and fitter. For more information please ring Olive on 07961 188727.

To advertise in Families East London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familieseast.co.uk

health and happiness they have had free reign for years they won’t want to tow your boundary line.

But stick with it. Request they stop, then demand they do if they don’t and then walk away without getting into an argument. Keep it up and soon they’ll realise you mean business.

Remember to thank those who respect your boundaries as these are people who are acknowledging and helping you in your development.

As your confidence increases the boundaries will become automatic and you will grow as a person, have a great circle of friend and colleagues and you will live life fearlessly and happily.

In short, put in a boundary and you make life limitless.

Your Boundary Tool Kit • S ay ‘no’ 100 times more than you already do • Stop volunteering to get love/respect/ notice/friends • Shouting or swearing at or around you is strictly forbidden • Do not allow anyone to touch you in a way that feels uncomfortable • Always build in time for yourself each day • Ask people to acknowledge your good deeds • Give people the chance to grow with you but never back down on a boundary • Don’t use boundaries to get even with others • Always put a boundary in with care and grace • Remove yourself from the situation if someone consistently abuses your boundaries

‘Get’ that you deserve better treatment than this and you’re on the road to increased respect, more energy, healthy relationships, less fear, more trust, true friends and less heart ache. Sounds good doesn’t it?

Visit Carole Ann at her website www.realcoachingco.com or call 020 8566 2862

Are You DisRespecting Me? Here’s what happens when your boundaries are weak: • Y ou often feel hurt by other people’s thoughtlessness • People intrude upon your time and space • You accept verbal abuse • There is a lack of respect in your life • You are a dogsbody • You often volunteer and are seldom thanked • You attract and create needy people • You’re often the butt of jokes • You get overlooked and feel invisible • You find it hard to trust

The MultiSports Group Change your game

MultiSports Crouch End MultiSports Mill Hill Weekend sports for boys & girls aged 4-16 of all abilities

Tel: 0844 3350450 www.themultisportsgroup.co.uk 18 sports a year – professional coaches – Ofsted registered Little Sporties for 4 & 5 years – Main school for 6 -16 years

Your Own Creative Franchise Work Life Balance

Fantastic opportunity for mothers and other professionals to own their own business working with children through movement, story telling and imagination.

Provides full training, on-going support and a positive financial reward.

Special New Year’s Offer 1. January - 28. February

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To advertise in Families North London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk

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book corner

Hi kids, parents, grandparents, teachers – and book lovers everywhere! I’m Ed and here is my New Year book selection for you to enjoy. Ed’s Reading Room is an exciting free book review website for primary children in homes and schools.

Room

Reading

Ed’s See these reviews, download the specially written reading activities for these books and buy the books online at www.EdontheWeb.com. Have fun reading!

FOR AGES 5-7 YEARS

5-7

Dixie O’Day and the Haunted House

by Shirley Hughes & Clara Vulliamy (Red Fox £6.99)

Ed says: ‘Dixie and Percy are off on another holiday – this time they are going camping.

Putting the tent up proves quite a challenge but finally it is ready, complete with sleeping bags and wood laid for a campfire outside. Soon trouble arrives in more ways than one so they decide to abandon the campsite and head for the spooky dilapidated house they passed earlier. What will the brave twosome find when the door creaks open?

‘Here is another action-packed adventure in this super series, ideal for boys and girls reading on their own or reading together.’

Claude: Lights! Camera! Action!

by Alex T Smith (Hodder Children’s Books £8.99)

Ed says: ‘When Claude starts bouncing on his trampoline he never knows where he is going to land. His latest adventure involves a giant gorilla in a dressing gown, drinking a cup of tea. Claude decides to investigate, naturally with his best friend Sir Bobblysock, and discovers an amazing film set in Waggy Avenue. Not long after their arrival, disaster strikes and the film

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director has to find two understudies.

Will Claude and Sir Bobblysock be able to help?

‘This laugh-out-loud story is as funny as all Claude’s adventures and as always is complemented by brilliant illustrations.’

FOR AGES 7 YEARS PLUS

7+

Heartsong

by Kevin Crossley-Holland (Orchard Books £9.99)

Ed says: ‘Many children are abandoned at the orphanage in Venice but Laura is different from the others as she is mute. She receives a warm welcome but it is when she meets the music master Father Antonio – the great composer Vivaldi – that her life is transformed.

He encourages her to develop her musical gifts in which he has considerable faith.

Can the power of love and music turn darkness into light in Laura’s life?

‘This beautifully written story with superb illustrations was inspired by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. You may well find your heart singing as you read this compelling tale.’

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir

by Jacques Papier as told to Michelle Cuevas (Simon & Schuster £6.99)

Ed says: ‘Jacques Papier wonders whether everyone hates him as he is usually ignored except by his sister Fleur who he adores.

One day he overhears a conversation suggesting that Fleur has an imaginary friend she had never told him about. Jacques becomes even more angry and confused when he realises that he is not her brother – he is her imaginary friend. He thinks his heart is broken – but do imaginary people have hearts?

‘This wonderfully written memoir offers much food for thought about imaginary companions. It is an amusing story but also says a lot about life – real and imaginary.’

Ed’s Reading Room is at www.

EdontheWeb.com, a DTI award-winning website. It was created by Maggie Humphreys, a teacher of more than 25 years, and Les Snowdon, who together are authors of several books on fitness walking and healthy eating.

See Maggie’s latest ebooks at www.

WalkWalk.co.uk.

You are very welcome to contact Maggie on 01753 730019 or by email at maggiehumphreys@aol.com.

To advertise in Families East London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familieseast.co.uk

childcare

Toddler Activity Ideas

By Kathryn Mewes

At this time of year entertaining your toddler can be challenging. The weather can be bitterly cold and standing in the park can test the best of us! It is dark by 4.30pm and life tends to be more home based. So how can you entertain the little mites?! After 20 years of working with children I have come up with my Top Ten ways to entertain children at home.

1

Build a Camp Ask your child to collect their duvet or blankets from around the house.

Use clothes pegs and build a camp in either their bedroom, playroom or even under the kitchen table. Encourage them to bring their cuddly toys into the den and some books.

Give them a torch and a healthy snack and ask them to look after their toys and read them a story. This is something they are likely to return to throughout the day.

2

Cooking Encourage your child to help you with cooking. Allow them to chop soft vegetables, make marinées for meat or create a stew in a slow cooker. Children can take great pleasure and pride in making the ‘family dinner’. If you have enough energy you can also have them bake a dessert. This activity can be exhausting, as they have to listen and follow instructions from you. A quiet time is needed after working in the kitchen!

3

Free Art Cover the kitchen table with paper.

Wallpaper lining is the best to use.

Make potato stamps, find some small cars and allow the children to dip these in paint and decorate the paper. They can walk around and around the table driving the cars through the paint and pressing the potato shapes onto the paper.

4

Body Art – For the Brave!

Line the kitchen floor with rolls of paper and get the children to strip off down to their underwear. Allow them to paint one another’s hands and feet and print them onto the paper. Get the washing up bowl full of soapy water for after the art.

This can be an activity in itself.

5

Dolly washing Fill the sink with bubbly water and allow your child to wash their dolls.

Give them some shampoo to wash their hair and hand towels to wrap them in for after the bath. They can finish by dressing their dolls in nappies and pyjamas. Your child can then read them a story in the den!

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Making Play dough 1 cup of flour ½ cup salt 1 cup coloured water 1 tsp cream of tartar 1 tbls oil Have your child measure out the ingredients and put them all into a saucepan. The pan then sits over a low heat and you continue to stir until the mixture forms a dough. This MUST be supervised and done together.

There is nothing quite like warm soft homemade dough!

7

Mask Making Use a paper plate and simply cut circles for eyes. Have your child use paint, feathers, sequins and glitter to decorate the mask. Thread elastic onto the mask and then ask your child to ‘put on a show’. This is great for children who have the tendency to be shy because they feel the barrier between their face and the ‘audience’.

do something similar by asking your child to make a café. They will need to make the cakes from play dough!

9

Washing Up Children love to feel they are ‘helping’.

Why not allow them to wash up after you have cooked. Leave out the knives or anything too heavy! I have been known to ‘invent’ the washing up just to keep them busy!

10

Wrapping Up Children love to ‘wrap up’ presents. I have been known to visit the ‘Pound Shop’ and buy 5 things and ask children to choose who they want to give them to. This is a good way of teaching children to ‘give’ as well as receive.

They then wrap the present in paper and selotape and then brown paper and take it to the post office. A fun and rewarding activity for any child.

These activities can take 20 minutes to an hour of your day. They are the types of activities that create memories for both you and your child. Capture the moment on camera and store it in their memory box!

Happy Days!

8

Making a Shop Take things from the kitchen cupboards and let your child put ‘price labels’ on them. This can be stickers you have written numbers on or simple post-it notes. Let them decide where the shop is to be and build a till for them. This can be as simple as a shoebox with some copper coins in. Now you need to visit the shop with a list and purchase your goods! Remember to ask for a receipt and your change! You can

For further information on Kathryn Mewes please visit her website www.bespokenanny.com

To advertise in Families North London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk

11

education

There’s more to school than lessons

By Liat Hughes Joshi

These days, education is about much more than what goes on in the classroom. Most schools – whether state or private – offer a range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities and these can be fun, educational, sociable, confidence-boosting or all of these.

So how can you ensure your child capitalises on the opportunities on offer but still gets the balance right between work, rest and play?

Choosing activities Follow your son or daughter’s lead when deciding which classes to sign up for – most kids have a strong feel for what appeals to them. That said, it’s also worth pointing them towards something you think they might benefit from, such as drama sessions for a shy child.

Don’t force a square peg into a round hole It might be ‘daddy’s dream’ for your son to be the next Beckham but if your little boy hates the idea, it’s unwise to force him into the football club. Making children take up an activity that they really don’t feel good about, in the hope it’ll grow on them, can be counter-productive.

Encourage persistence Some of us have flighty children who get super-excited about an activity but within weeks, lose enthusiasm – unfortunately only once you’ve coughed up a whole term’s fees.

Consider having a rule that your child does have to see the period you paid for out before they can give up – they might well change their mind back after a few weeks anyway!

How much is too much?

There’s no set answer about how many

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activities are optimal – it varies for each child.

Some will get more tired than others and find just one or two classes suffice, others embrace a packed schedule of karate to clarinet without losing energy.

Needs change over time Certainly most reception children are exhausted enough from school for the first term or so, without lengthening their day by adding extra activities. Keep things simple at this stage. Older primary children have a decent opportunity to learn a few different skills and enjoy classes, whereas once they start secondary, longer commutes, more homework and exam pressures might mean reining things in.

Relaxation time is vital too Watch out for activity overscheduling – quiet contemplation and scope to be creative and relax is just as important as that second musical instrument or third sport. If your child doesn’t have space to just play and chill out, consider cutting back.

If your child is struggling: particularly if he or she finds their class work difficult, it might be worth putting additional effort into building skills at home or with a tutor. Talk to their teacher about what help they need to focus on. Perhaps they can suggest fun but educational games, or workbooks.

Tutoring can be expensive and you need to check the tutor’s credentials (because anyone can set up and call themselves a tutor) but one-to-one attention can have a remarkable impact on learning.

Try tutorhunt.com to search for local tutors.

Taking things to the next level: if your child is coping well with all that school throws at them and they’ve found their passion – be it gymnastics or music – you could contact local clubs and associations to see how they can take their talent to the next level, with matches/ performances or extra training.

Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including New Old-fashioned Parenting and How to Unplug Your Child (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: The Primary Years (Pearson).

To advertise in Families East London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familieseast.co.uk

education

Award-winning tuition Maths & English ages 5 -14

New skills Confidence Enthusiasm

Free trial session - book today!

Barnet 020 3375 4248

Chingford 020 3714 1228

Crouch End 020 3375 4245

Edmonton 020 3714 1226

Enfield 020 3713 9721

Finchley 020 8150 2218

Islington 020 3597 7856

Palmers Green 020 3597 7858

West Hampstead Whitechapel 020 7993 1309 020 3770 7194

Wood Green 020 3770 7195

www.explorelearning.co.uk

To advertise in Families North London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk

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education

School Open Days CITY OF LONDON BOYS Queen Victoria Street, EC4V 3AL 020 7489 0291 clsb.org.uk

Open Mornings January 20, 21 Whole school open mornings including The Oak Tree Nursery. For parents only.

GRANGE PARK PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Independent School Boys 10-18 years Open Afternoons March 10 Register your interest and book a place online via email. Early bookings recommended.

DEVONSHIRE HOUSE PREPARATORY SCHOOL 2 Arkwright Road, London NW3 6AE 020 7435 1916 devonshirehouseschool.co.uk Independent Co-educational School for 3-13 years. Nursery from 2½ years.

13 The Chine, Grange Park, N21 2EA 020 8360 1469 gpps.org.uk Small Independent School Girls 3-11 years Open Mornings Contact the school office for current dates or special visits.

HABERDASHERS’ ASKE’S BOYS’ SCHOOL Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AF 020 8266 1700 habsboys.org.uk Independent School Boys 5-18 years

0845 644 5452

Visits Visit the school during a normal working day. Check dates online and contact the admissions office to book an appointment.

KING ALFRED SCHOOL

37

Manor Wood, North End Road, NW11 7HY 020 8457 5200 kingalfred.org.uk

Don’t forget to say you saw the advert in Families North and East London!

Middle & Upper School Open Morning January 28 Email to reserve a place.

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THE CAVENDISH SCHOOL 31 Inverness Street, NW1 7HB 020 7485 1958 cavendishschool.co.uk

Open Morning February 10 Guided tours and talks. Contact the school to arrange an appointment.

Independent Preparatory Girls 2 years 9 months to 11 years. Sibling Boys up to 7 years.

MAPLE WALK SCHOOL 62A Crownhill Road, NW10 4EB 020 8965 7374 maplewalkschool.co.uk Independent Prep School 4-11 years Open Day February 9, 23 Email or telephone the admissions office to book a place.

QUEEN’S COLLEGE LONDON 43-49 Harley Street, W1G 8BT 020 7291 7000 qcl.org.uk Independent School Girls 11-18

NEW VIOLIN ORCHESTRA for KIDS

FREE TRIAL

learn co-ordination, rhythm and great moves to funky pop songs and boost confidence

info@ktmontessori.co.uk 07708 485447

Open Mornings Request a prospectus online or call for further admissions information.

Independent Pre-Preparatory and Preparatory School for boys

Favourite

ktmontessori.co.uk

Independent School Boys & Girls 11-16

24 Lyndhurst Gardens, Hampstead, NW3 5NW 020 7435 4936 lyndhursthouse.co.uk

Age 2 months to 3 years

Have fun, make friends and learn more about child development.

Wye Street, SW11 2HB 020 7228 3933 thameschristiancollege.org.uk

LYNDHURST HOUSE SCHOOL

KINDERMOZART

Call: 0755 485 4247 www.kindermozart.co.uk

THAMES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Lower School Open Morning February 25 Email to reserve a place.

*Group lessons *Orchestra *One to one lessons

Montessori Parent & Child Classes

Open Days January 26 Call or email to book a place in advance.

Coeducational Independent School 4-18 years

Classes held in Crouch End, Highgate, Islington, Muswell Hill, Highbury, Swiss Cottage, North Finchley

Open Days March 15 Tours and displays. Visits to the school can also be made by special appointment.

THE LYCEUM SCHOOL 6 Paul Street, EC2A 4JH 020 7247 1588 lyceumschool.co.uk Independent nursery and school Children 3-11 years.

Open Days January 12, February 2, March 1 Open days held on the first Tuesday of the month. To book a place call or apply online.

PERFORM FEBRUARY HALF TERM HOLIDAY COURSE – NARNIA St Johns Highbury Vale Primary School, N5 1DL The Hall Senior School, NW3 4NU Mansergh Club, NW8 9QG If travel broadens the imagination, just think what a trip to Narnia can do. Watch your child go through the wardrobe with Susan, Peter, Edmund and Lucy as they battle the White Witch and cheer Aslan the Lion. With magical creatures, snowy landscapes and a triumphant royal victory, Narnia is the perfect destination for the February half-term.

Over three full days your child will work alongside an energetic team of theatre professionals combining live music, dance and improvisation. The course culminates in a magical mini-performance with colourful costumes and props on the last day.

Courses are exclusively for 4-7 year olds and run for three days (10am-3pm) from Monday 15th-Wednesday 17th February.

To book visit perform.org.uk/narnia or call 020 7255 9120 Email enquiries@ perform.org.uk.

To advertise in Families East London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familieseast.co.uk

education

Classes for children with Special Needs in North & East London Museums LONDON CANAL MUSEUM 12-13 New Wharf Road, N1 9RT ( King’s Cross) 020 7713 0836 canalmuseum.org.uk Disabled Access Day March 12 Free refreshments and an extra welcome for disabled visitors.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY St Martin’s Place, WC2H OHE ( Leicester Square)

020 7611 2222 wellcomecollection.org Accessibility Regular access tours – British Sign Language interpreted, audio described and speech-to-text tours. Wheelchairaccessible with a range of services for those with disabilities.

020 7306 0055 npg.org.uk

Theatres

Digital Photoshoot February 7 Studio and outside shoots. BSL or communication support available on request. 14-21 years. Free.

521 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 4DH 0844 414 2731 smptheatre.co.uk

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS Burlington House, W1J OBD ( Green Park) 020 7300 8000 royalacademy.org.uk Painting the Modern Garden February 14 Family workshop for children with special educational needs. Booking required. Free.

ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL ( Colindale) 020 8205 2266 rafmuseum.org.uk Autism Friendly Aircraft Trail Download a copy of the Autism Friendly Trail to help visitors who have autism enjoy a visit to the museum.

WELLCOME COLLECTION

THE INTIMATE THEATRE

Sleeping Beauty January 21, 24 Signed performance. Family pantomime with the Saint Monica’s Players amateur dramatics group.

Special Events AUTISM AWARENESS autism.org.uk Schools’ Autism Awareness Week March 14-18 Special week for schools to raise awareness about autism and take part in fundraising activities. In preparation for World Autism Awareness week at the beginning of April. Free materials available online.

DISABLED ACCESS DAY disabledaccessday.com March 12 A special day set aside for disabled

183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE ( Euston Square)

people and their families, friends and carers to visit a new place. Venues taking part include Kensington Palace, Tower Bridge Exhibition, London Canal Museum, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, Foundling Museum, Cutty Sark and local coffee shops and stores.

ENGLISH FOLK DANCE AND SONG SOCIETY Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Road, NW1 7AY ( Camden Town) 020 7241 8953 efdss.org Get Your Folk On! Plus February 17, 18 Introduction to folk music for young people with learning disabilities or physical or sensory impairment. All abilities and levels of experience welcome. Book in advance.

12-19 years. Cost £10 per session.

FAMILY WELLNESS PRACTICE 07471 863332 familywellnesspractice.com Family Service Expert and friendly service to children and families – emotional and behavioural difficulties at home or school, speech and language difficulties, poor sleep problems and divorce or bereavement adjustment issues.

TREATING AUTISM treatingautism.org.uk Charity Provides emotional support and practical information for parents of children with autism to help them reach their full potential. Free guide available.

Explore Learning in North and East London Inspiring tuition– free trial session!

Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition for 5 to 14 year olds of all abilities.

The centres are open 7 days a week, meaning Explore can fit into busy family life.

As Explore members, children work with tutors who are great educational role models, enthusiastic about learning and fantastic motivators. Each child has an individualised learning programme, and all Explore courses map to the National Curriculum in England and the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland.

Find out how your child can benefit from Explore Learning membership today. Book your free trial at www.explorelearning.co.uk.

High quality care and education settings across London.

Caring for babies from 3 months to children up to 5 years of age.

0333 920 0411 brighthorizons.co.uk parentenquiry@brighthorizons.com

To advertise in Families North London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk

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clubs and classes

Clubs & Classes In this section we feature the very best clubs and classes in North and East London. This season there is a wealth of great clubs and classes to attend. If you would like your class to feature in this section please call 020 8202 2034.

Art & craft

Classes Fun and energetic dance and gymnastics classes in North London with coaching from a number of former International Gymnasts. 3½ to 17 years.

HOXTON HALL 130 Hoxton Street, N1 6SH ) (Hoxton 020 7684 0060 hoxtonhall.co.uk

JUMP UP DANCE ACADEMY

Art, Music, Drama & Dance Dance classes on Wednesdays, messy art sessions on Tuesdays, drama classes on Thursdays and musical instruments sessions on Mondays. Online registration.

7-13 years. Free.

JW3 341-351 Finchley Road, NW3 6ET ( Finchley Road) 020 7433 8988 jw3.org.uk info@jw3.org.uk Fusion Juniors Half Term February 15-19 Hands-on workshops with drumming and junk percussion for 5-11 years. Cost £35 per day/early booking discounts available.

Kangarookids Sunday morning musical sessions for accompanied children under 4 years.

Dance

The Rooms Above NW6, St Luke’s School NW3, UCL Academy, Mill Hill Music Complex NW7, O2 Centre NW3 07946 581933 jumpup.co.uk erna@jumpup.co.uk Dance Classes RAD ballet, ISTD modern, ISTD tap in a wide range of ages and abilities. New, Street Dance at O2 Centre, NW3. Take part in shows on a regular basis with invited guests and work towards RAD ballet examinations. 3-18+ years.

Languages CLUB PETIT PIERROT St John’s Wood, Notting Hill, Chelsea & Putney Free Trial Lesson 020 7385 5565 clubpetitpierrot.co.uk French Language Classes Fun French for children using the especially adapted ‘immersion method’ programme.

Songs, rhymes, dances and movement, art and crafts, theatre, role-play, fun language games and exercises, cooking, puppets… all great fun! Many different clubs across London. Parent and toddler groups. After-school classes. Saturdays and holiday clubs. Also private tuition/minigroups at home during term-time and holiday periods and they teach in many prestigious schools too. 8 months-8 years.

Check website for special events.

CHANTRAINE SCHOOL OF DANCE S & W Hampstead, Kilburn 020 7435 4247 chantrainedance.co.uk patricia.woodall@yahoo.com Dance Classes Creative approach to all aspects of dance. Weekday and Saturday classes in contemporary, classical, jazz – creativity, choreography and more. Classes for children and teenagers. First class free.

5-18 years.

Learn French CD for kids Fun educational CD ‘Learn French: Original songs and rhymes for children’ is available to buy on amazon.co.uk.

Suitable for all ages.

LONDON ACADEMY OF GYMNASTICS & DANCE (LAGAD)

KEREN’S NURSERY

Muswell Hill, Alexandra Palace, Southgate 07887 367171 lagad.co.uk info@lagad.co.uk

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Shouldn’t you be seen in the Number 1 magazine for families and young people in North and East London? Contact adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk or adverts@familieseast.co.uk.

020 8455 9646 kerensnursery.com Bi-lingual Bilingual nursery – English and Hebrew.

Stimulating curriculum, Kosher meals freshly prepared. Book a visit by phone or email Contact@kerensnursery.com

LA PETITE ÉCOLE DES CROCODILES Baden Powell Primary School, E5 8DN les-crocodiles.org info@les-crocodiles.org French Mondays and Saturdays French classes for francophone children 0-11 years. French classes for English speaking children; Drama in French; French library twice monthly and Little French Film Festival.

Play, songs and stories for young children; writing, grammar, spelling, reading and drama classes for older children.

Mini Crocodiles Saturday French class for babies and toddlers with songs, stories, puppets and playful activities. 0-4 years.

LES PETITES ETOILES St George’s Hall, Crayford Road, N7 OND 020 7697 8110 lespetitesetoiles.co.uk French – English Bilingual Nursery School. Organic 4-course lunches. 1-5 years.

MARS MONTESSORI BILINGUAL NURSERY Islington Green 020 7704 2805 marsmontessori.com Bilingual Nursery 2 days, 3 days or 5 days a week.

2-5 years.

Learning & tuition EXPLORE LEARNING Crouch End 020 3375 4245 Edmonton 020 3714 1226

Enfield 020 3713 9721 Finchley 020 8150 2218 Islington 020 3597 7856 New Barnet 020 3375 4248 Palmers Green 020 3597 7858 West Hampstead 020 7993 1309 Wood Green 020 3770 7195 Chingford 020 3714 1228 Whitechapel 020 3770 7194 Barking 020 8090 3055 Hornchurch 01708 629 620 Ilford 020 3770 7198 Romford 01708 767 819 Woodford Green 020 8090 6716 Chingford 020 3714 1228 Whitechapel 020 3770 7194 explorelearning.co.uk Tuition Centres Tailored courses to support children of all abilities to become confident and engaged learners, providing Maths, English and 11+ tuition. Each child has an individualised learning programme.

Children attend centres twice a week on a drop-in basis and centres are open seven days a week. Childcare vouchers accepted.

Book a free trial session. 5-14 years.

FAMILY WELLNESS PRACTICE 07471 863332 familywellnesspractice.com Family Service Expert and friendly service to children and families – emotional and behavioural difficulties at home or school, speech and language difficulties, poor sleep problems and divorce or bereavement adjustment issues.

FLEET TUTORS 0845 644 5452 fleet-tutors.co.uk Tuition Help students reach their potential with private home tutoring.

JADERBERG KRAIS Tutoring Assessments Consultancy 020 3488 0754 jaderbergkrais.co.uk

To advertise in Families East London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familieseast.co.uk

clubs and classes

Danny Grant Families ad 87x62_Layout 1 19/12/2012 13:50 Page 1

Danny Grant Soccer School

Action-packed Holiday Football Courses for energetic & enthusiastic players aged 3 & 4, 5 & 6 & 7 to 11.

Non-stop football fun! Develop fitness & football skills! Exciting matches each day!

Specialised term-time weekly football classes for 3 & 4yrs and 5 & 6yrs. Plus weekly football training and league matches for 7 to 12yrs.

Also bookable football and general sports birthday parties.

Call for more details!

info@dgsoccer.co.uk

020 8446 0891 www.dgsoccer.co.uk

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY BBC & DAILY TELEGRAPH

FREE TRIAL LESSON

Fun French Lessons for Children Est 1993

A wonderful headstart in French

www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk

020 7385 5565 - admincpp@btconnect.com

AS SEEN ON

MAKE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT MORE FUN!

TRY RUGBYTOTS NW1 / NW6 / NW8 / N19

age range

020 7937 7965 Find your local class

www.kiddikicks.co.uk

Quote FamNorth for a 5% discount

Real Skills Real Fun

18 months - 10 years

Our dynamic weekly play sessions enable boys and girls aged 2–7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment.

For more details, just call or email.

0345 313 6703

keith@rugbytots.co.uk

rugbytots.co.uk

The world’s favourite rugby play programme

To advertise in Families North London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk

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clubs and classes North Finchley, Muswell Hill 08452 26 26 94 enjoy-a-ball.com Enjoy-a-Ball holiday camps February 16-18 Fun, action packed camps during the school holidays for 3-9 year olds. Different sport every day for 5+ years and active games for 3-4 years, plus arts and crafts for all ages. Full and half day weekly sessions. Check online for dates, prices and venue address. Action packed birthday parties also bookable.

Tutoring & Assessments Educational advice, assessments and tutoring for all children with specialist teaching in exam technique, strategy and problem solving. 7+, 11+, 13+, GCSEs and A Levels. Help children achieve the results they deserve. Call for further information.

TREATING AUTISM treatingautism.org.uk Charity Provides emotional support and practical information for parents of children with autism to help them reach their full potential. Free guide available.

Music THE STRINGS CLUB Hampstead, Primrose Hill and Belsize Park 0121 369 1950 thestringsclub.org Music Tuition Term-time fun-filled lessons concluding with a grand performance at the end of term for children 4-11 years. Ukulele or violin classes with The Strings Club Minis for children 4-5 years. Older children can learn guitar, violin or ukulele in the Sound Start group.

Performing arts CRAZEE KIDS

Spring Term Weekly Drama Classes Weekly workshops for 4-7 year olds run by an expert team who create a magical space for imaginations to run free. Specially written shows with original music and high energy dance. Curriculum is designed to boost confidence, improve communication and give children a creative outlet to make friends and have fun. Free no-obligation trials.

New Classes Brand new street and hip-hop classes for 6-12 years. Call or visit the website to find your nearest venue.

Sport DANNY GRANT SOCCER SCHOOL

Spring Term From January 12 Tuesdays and Saturdays weekly classes in a wide variety of creative activities, dance, drama, music and art, tailored to different age groups. 3-10 years.

DRAMARAMA STAGE SCHOOL North & North West London 020 8446 0891 dramarama.co.uk info@dramarama.co.uk Spring Term From January 9 Wide range of Performing Arts Classes for 3-12 year olds, including drama, dance exams, musicals, theatre exams and street dance. Birthday parties also bookable.

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PERFORM Belsize Park, Crouch End, East Finchley, Edgware, Finchley, Finsbury Park, Friern Barnet, Golders Green, Hampstead, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Highbury, Islington, Kentish Town, Mill Hill, Newington Green, North Finchley, Primrose Hill, Southgate, Stoke Newington, Totteridge Village, St John’s Wood, Swiss Cottages, West Hampstead: 020 7255 9120 Barbican, Chigwell, Chingford, Epping, Hackney, Loughton, Stoke Newington, Victoria Park, Walthamstow, Wanstead, Woodford Green: 020 7255 9120 perform.org.uk enquiries@perform.org.uk

New Classes Brand new street and hip-hop classes for 6-12 years. Call or visit the website to find your nearest venue.

Jacksons Lane, Archway Road, N6 5AA 020 8444 5333 or 07958 501919 crazeekids.co.uk lisa@crazeekids.co.uk

Half Term Holiday Courses February 15-19

Held in NW3. All action fun-packed drama and stunning plays, musicals and street dance shows for 3-12 years.

North & North West London 020 8446 0891 dgsoccer.co.uk info@dgsoccer.co.uk Spring Term From 9 January Football classes on Saturday mornings for 3-4 years and 5-7 years. Weekly football training sessions for 7-12 years (children in School Years 3-6). Teams play in the Camden and Regents Park Youth League.

New players welcome to join at any time.

Football and sports birthday parties also bookable.

Half-Term Holiday Courses February 15-19 Non-stop football fun in NW3 for 3-12 years.

ENJOY – A – BALL Mill Hill, Temple Fortune, East Finchley,

Physi-ball Develop stability, balance, hand-eye coordination, rhythm and motor skills.

Morning classes for children 18 months-2 years. Classes held in Muswell Hill, Mill Hill and Finchley. Early reservations recommended.

Enjoy-a-Ball ‘BB1’ Morning and afternoon classes for children aged 2½ years-3 years in January. Classes held in Mill Hill, Finchley and Muswell Hill. Call to reserve a place.

Enjoy-a-ball ‘BB2’ Keep kids active during the long, dark winter days with a different sport every week. Book early for places for children 3-9 years.

KIDDIKICKS NW1, NW6, NW8, N19 E3, E8, N19 020 7937 7965 kiddikicks.co.uk info@kiddikicks.co.uk Football Fun training sessions, courses and parties with qualified coaches. Classes for children 18 months to 5 years move indoors from November to March. Check website to find local classes. Age range 18 months-10 years.

MULTI SPORTS Crouch End & Mill Hill 0844 3350450 themultisportsgroup.co.uk Weekend Sports Take part in a variety of sports activities18 sports a year, with professional coaches. Weekend sports for boys and girls of all abilities. Little Sporties for 4-5 years and Main School for 6-16 years.

POOLSIDE MANOR Lyndhurst Gardens, Finchley, London N3 1TD 020 8349 1945 poolsidemanor.com Swimming Lessons Learn to swim in a warm and friendly pool. Swimming lessons for all ages, activity day camps and birthday parties with swimming and a range of sports.

Check web page or call for further information on bookings for Spring Term swimming lessons and pool parties.

Holiday Courses Multi Activity day camps with swimming crash courses, a range of sports, arts and crafts, dance and drama. Check online or call for dates.

RUGBY TOTS Finchley N2, Highbury/Islington N7, Crouch End N8, Muswell Hill N10, Cricklewood NW2, Parliament Hill NW5, Queens Park NW6 07754120751 rugbytots.co.uk keith@rugbytots.co.uk

Classes Rugby specific play programme designed to build confidence and enhance physical and social skills. Led by qualified and trained coaches. Check online for local classes and booking information. Weekly sessions for boys and girls 2-7 years.

Theatre workshops ARTS DEPOT Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, London N12 OGA ( West Finchley & Woodside Park) 020 8369 5454 artsdepot.co.uk Arts Depot Mini & Junior Performers January 12-April 20 Term time classes in drama and movement. Opportunities to see shows and perform in front of family and friends.

5-11 years. Cost £70 for 10 weeks.

Arts Depot Messy Play From January 15 Weekly term time messy play activities.

Book in advance. Accompanied 10 months-3 years. Cost £8 per session.

HACKNEY EMPIRE 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ ) (Hackney Central 020 8985 2424 hackneyempire.co.uk Vocalize Workshops February 24-March 23 Team up with Hackney Music Service to create a new choir. Various singing styles.

Email or call for more information. 12-19 years. Free.

Toddlers & babies COLOURSTRINGS Muswell Hill, Highgate, Islington, Stoke Newington 020 8444 9435 nlcolourstrings.co.uk Music Kindergarten Active fun, musical learning for babies, toddlers and children 17 months to 6 years, based on traditional and classical music. Small age-related classes where every child is treated as an individual.

Featured in The Times and praised by BBC Music Magazine & the Strad. Early bookings for instrumental places.

DIDDI DANCE Charlene 07892 711162. diddidance.com Pre-school Dance Classes Move to funky pop songs and boost confidence. Learn co-ordination, rhythm and great moves. Parties also available.

Classes held in Crouch End, Highgate, Islington, Muswell Hill, Highbury, Swiss Cottage, North Finchley. 2-4 years.

KT MONTESSORI 07708 485447 ktmontessori.co.uk Montessori Parent and child classes to have fun, make new friends and learn about child development. From 2 months-3 years.

To advertise in Families East London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familieseast.co.uk

museums • exhibitions places to go

Places To Go

Your Guide to North and East London Family Entertainment

Welcome to our great guide of all the very best places for you to visit. We hope you enjoy all your days out. To advertise in this section call 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk or adverts@familieseast.co.uk.

Museums & Exhibitions BRITISH MUSEUM Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG ( Tottenham Court Road) 020 7323 8000 britishmuseum.org Celts – art and identity Until January 31 Explore Celtic art and history.

Cost £16.50/children free.

Egypt: Faith after the Pharaohs Until February 7 How Jews, Christians and Muslims transformed the land from 30 BC. Cost £10/children free.

Holiday Activities February 13-21 A range of activities with creative and digital sessions for all ages. Activities vary from day to day. Free.

FOUNDLING MUSEUM 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ ( Russell Square) 020 7841 3600 foundlingmuseum.org.uk

GEFFRYE MUSEUM 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA ( Old Street) 020 7739 9893 geffrye-museum.org.uk Half Term Activities February 16-19 Take part in holiday activities on a firstcome-first-served basis, to explore homes from a different century – from Tudors and Stuarts, Georgians, Victorians and the twentieth century. Free.

Geffrye Explorers Quiz desk, feely boxes, back packs and pretend hampers – activities for children under 5 years to enjoy every Saturday and during school holidays. Free.

GRANT MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY Rockefeller Building, University College London, 21 University Street, WC1E 6DE ( Euston Square) 020 3108 2052 ucl.ac.uk

Family Fun February 13, 15-20 Hands-on specimen based activities. Free.

HUNTERIAN MUSEUM The Royal College of Surgeons, 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3PE ( Holborn) 020 7869 6568 (Bookings) rcseng.ac.uk Leeches, Lancets & Blood-Letting February 17 Meet a Barber-Surgeon and his pet leeches and learn the secrets of surgery in centuries past. Accompanied 6+ years.

Cost £2. Book in advance.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ ( Waterloo /Lambeth North 020 7416 5000 iwm.org.uk/iwm-london Protest and Survive February 13-21 Create collages and drawings on the subject of protest, in a free drop-in

workshop with political artist Peter Kennard.

MUSEUM OF LONDON 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN ( St Paul’s) 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk Family Tour January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12 Half-hour gallery tours especially for families.

Families Find Out Festival March 12, 13 Explore the world of Science as part of British Science Week, with science students from Imperial College London.

5+ years. Free.

MUSEUM OF LONDONDOCKLANDS West India Quay, E14 4AL (DLR West India Quay) 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands

Family Workshops January 23, February 16, 27 Family events. 5+ years. Free for children and up to two accompanying adults.

Book on the day.

Tanglefields Circus January 23 Hands on family workshop featuring Hetty Feather. 5+ years. Free for children and up to two accompanying adults.

Book on the day.

Treasure Boxes February 16 Create special tokens to share. 5+ years.

Peter Pan Shadow Puppet Theatre February 27 Family workshop inspired by the illustrations of Peter Pan. 5+ years. Free for children and up to two accompanying adults. Book on the day.

Drawing on Childhood Until May 1 Original drawings, first editions and special illustrated editions depicting characters in fiction who are orphaned, adopted, fostered or found. Entrance £7.50/children free.

‘The Boy who bit Picasso’ at the Arts Depot

To advertise in Families North London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk

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places to go museums • exhibitions • theatres • concerts Chinese New Year February 13 Chinese dance, folktales and art sessions to celebrate the Year of the Monkey. 5+ years. Free.

Under 5s Storytime January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 25, March 3, 10, 17 Puppets, stories, music and play. 1 year and older. Free.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY St Martin’s Place, WC2H OHE ( Leicester Square) 020 7306 0055 npg.org.uk

Little Mudlarks Toddlers Group January 18, 25, February 1, 8, 22, 29, March 7, 14 Soft play and creative sessions for accompanied young children. Book in advance. Walkers to 5 years. Free.

Drawing Faces January 17 Family drawing sessions to explore paintings and take part in activities.

Accompanied children 3+ years. Free.

NATIONAL GALLERY Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN ( Charing Cross) 020 7747 2885 nationalgallery.org.uk Messy Mondays February 15 Tactile drop in sessions for children under 5 years and accompanying adults.

Talking Tuesdays February 16 Develop language and communication skills though painting and play.

Accompanied children under 5 years. Free.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD ( South Kensington) 020 7942 5000 nhm.ac.uk Otherworlds: Visions of the Solar System From January 21 Photographic exhibition bringing art and science together. Cost £9/£5.40/family £26.10.

Human Evolution Gallery Newly opened gallery tracing species’ evolution from the first upright primate through to modern humans. Features original skulls, teeth and jawbones and fossils of animals who shared the same environment. Free.

David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef A virtual experience to explore the world’s largest coral reef. Book in advance. Adults £6.50.

In Style February 15-19 Be inspired by fashion and costume in portraits and take part in a week of half term activities. Free.

Futuristic Fashion February 21 Family art sessions. 3+ years.

PETRIE MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGY University College of London, Malet Place, WC1E 6BT ( Goodge Street) 020 7679 2884 ucl.ac.uk/museums/petrie Make an Amarna Pavement February 17-19 Family half-term activities. Make a tile or a wall hanging based on the Amarna Palace pavements. Free drop-in.

REDBRIDGE MUSEUM 1st Floor Exhibition Area, Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1EA 020 8708 2317 redbridge.gov.uk/museum Walking with Mammoths February 16-20 Family trail and mask making activities.

Cost 50p.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS Burlington House, W1J OBD ( Green Park) 020 7300 8000 royalacademy.org.uk Fresh Prints January 17 Creative art in the family studio. Free.

Playful Pets and Curious Creatures February 7, 28 Hands-on family workshop to celebrate International Women’s Day. Free.

THE RAGGED SCHOOL MUSEUM

based on the painting of an incredible procession, The Ommegang from 1615.

3+ years. Free.

Make-it: Costume February 15-19 Create a costume for a procession. Family event held in the Art Studio. Book in advance. 5-12 years. Cost £7.50 per child accompanied by one adult.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA ( Bethnal Green) 020 8983 5200 museumofchildhood.org.uk

46-50 Copperfield Road, E3 4RR ( Mile End) 020 8980 6405 raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk

Martin Luther King Day January 18 Event to mark Martin Luther King Day with talks and refreshments. Adults £10.

Sunday Open House February 7, March 6 Explore the history of the East End with a visit to the Victorian Classroom. Visits take place on a first-come-first-served basis on the day of arrival. Limited capacity. Cost suggested £2 donation.

London Children’s Book Swap February 13 Recycle old books and trade with other visitors. Drop-in event for children with book making activities. Free.

Holiday Activities Special events during the school holidays.

Check online for information.

V&A MUSEUM Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL ( South Kensington) 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk Digital Kids February 13-21 Transport yourself into Botticelli paintings with green screen photography. 5+ years.

Free drop-in sessions in the Learning Centre Reception.

Half Term Activities February 13-21 Free drop-in sessions and bookable workshops for 5+ years.

Imagination Station February 13-21 Drop-in sessions to create designs

Theatre Shows & Concerts ARTS DEPOT Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 OGA ( West Finchley & Woodside Park) 020 8369 5454 artsdepot.co.uk Handa’s Hen January 17 Meet a host of colourful animals and birds as Handa and her friend Akeyo go looking for Grandma’s black hen Mondi.

2-6 years. Cost £7.

Thumbelina January 24 Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of a girl no bigger than a thumb and her adventures as she meets a frog, mouse, mole and swallow. 2-7 years. Cost £7.

The Boy Who Never Grew Up January 31 Take a trip to Neverland to visit Peter Pan’s underground home with music and puppets. 4-10 years. Cost £7.

Tom Thumb February 7 A small hero with exciting adventures to tell – with puppets, music and wonderful design. 4-9 years. Cost £7.

The Cat in the Hat February 13-17 Sally and her brother know a most mischievous cat with tricks and crazy ideas. But what will mum find when she gets home? Based on the book by Dr Seuss. 3+ years. Cost £13/£11.

Comedy Club 4 Kids February 14 Comedy shows for a young audience.

6+ years. Cost £7.

The Many Doors of Frank Feelbad February 19-21 Join an inquisitive Frank on his adventure to find his Mum, and solve puzzles along the way. 5+ years. Cost £10.

The Boy Who Bit Picasso February 28 Hands-on show with stories, music and art activities, introducing children to the great artist through the eyes of a young boy. 4-8 years. Cost £8.

‘The Cat in the Hat’ at the Arts Depot

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Here Be Monsters March 6

To advertise in Families East London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familieseast.co.uk

theatres • concerts places to go Sail through monster-infested waters in search of a mysterious island. New musical adventure based on the children’s book. 3+ years. Cost £12/£10.

Orion and the Dark March 13 Overcome fears of the dark in an adventure with Orion who is scared of more or less everything! 3-8 years. Cost £7.

The Amazing Bubble Man March 26 Advance booking for the fun with bubbles Easter performance. 4+ years.

Cost £13/£11/£9.

BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS ( Barbican) 020 7638 4141 barbican.org.uk Play On, Shakespeare!

February 7 LSO Discovery family concert with a Shakespearian theme. 7-12 years.

Cost £10/£5.

The Next Generation of Jazz February 19 The Young Jazz East Big Band with 8-16 year olds performing the music of Jazz greats. Cost £5.

Barbican Shakespeare Weekender: Play On March 5, 6 Free and ticketed events with workshops, talks and performances, for all ages.

THE COCKPIT Gateforth Street, NW8 8EH 020 7258 2925 thecockpit.org.uk The White Reindeer February 27 A boy called Aldred is saved from a snowstorm by a magical white reindeer.

Cost £7/family £24/£5 and family £16 for local residents.

DUGDALE CENTRE Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Road, Enfield EN2 6DS (Enfield Town ) 020 8807 6680 enfield.gov.uk/millfield The Pirate Squad – the Battle with the Admiralty February 18-21 Join Captain Sidd the Kid, Sparky the Parrot, Redd the Bosun and Joe the cabin boy as they take you on the adventure that caused the infamous rivalry between the Squad and Lord Walter of the Admiralty – the baddie of the stories. Puppets, dance and audience participation. 3+ years. Cost £11/concs £9.50/online £10/concs. £8.50/family £36/online £32.

Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood March 22-April 10 Advance booking for the Easter pantomime with the story of Robin Hood.

3+ years.

HACKNEY EMPIRE 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ (Hackney Central ) 020 8985 2424 hackneyempire.co.uk Alter Ego 2016 February 5 The best young talent from Hackney, as part of the Discover Young Hackney Project. Cost £4/£5 on door.

HALFMOON YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE 43 White Horse Road, E1 OND ( Stepney Green) 020 7709 8900 halfmoon.org.uk Big Wow Small Wonder January 16 Justin is so small that he can swim with goldfish. Can the Big Wow help Justin to be tall in time, before the bullies catch up? Cost £6.

Lullaby Lane January 22-28 Introduction to string instruments for young children. 3-6 years. Cost £6.

Rumpelstiltskin January 30 Puppets and storytelling. 3-8 years.

Cost £6.

A Real Mermaid’s Tale February 6 Adventure on the high seas with pirates and sea creatures. 3+ years. Cost £6.

Flyaway Katie February 13 Colour, movement and surprises.

2-7 years. Cost £6.

Shiny February 20 Dazzling show for a young audience.

6 months-4 years. Cost £6.

Handa’s Hen February 27 Join Handa and Akeyo on an exciting adventure. 2-5 years. Cost £6.

Need a Little Help March 3-5 Based on the experiences of young carers.

3-7 years. Cost £6.

Tom Thumb March 12 4-9 years. Cost £6.

JACKSONS LANE 269A Archway Road, London N6 5AA ( Highgate) 020 8341 4421 jacksonslane.org.uk Goldilocks & the Three Bears February 15-19 Puppets, music and mischievous moments!. 3+ years. Cost £12.95/£10.95.

MILLFIELD ARTS CENTRE Silver Street, Edmonton, N18 1PJ ) (Silver Street 020 8807 6680 enfield.gov.uk/millfield Snow White & the Seven Superheroes Until January 17 Urban version of an old classic.

Cost £15.75/£12.75/family £50/ online discounts.

‘Handa’s Hen’ at the Arts Depot

Alice in Wonderland March 29 Advance booking for the classic children’s favourite with songs and puppets. 5-9 years. Cost £12/£10.

PEACOCK THEATRE Portugal Street, WC2A 2HT ( 020 7863 8222 peacocktheatre.com

Holborn)

Cirque Berserk!

February 8-24 Circus thrills and skills with dancers, drummers, stunt men and clowns.

5+ years. Cost £15-£38/2 x under 16s half price with 1 x full paying adult.

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE Blomfield Road, Little Venice, W9 2PF ( Warwick Avenue) 020 7249 6876 puppetbarge.com Joey’s Fireworks January 16-March 13 Marionette spectacle celebrating the arrival of the New Year. 3+ years.

Cost £12/£8.50.

LDN Wrestling February 7 Live events includes American wrestling stars. Family entertainment fun. Back stage passes available to meet the stars at the end of the show. Cost £15/£12/ family £45/online discounts.

Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP ( High Street Kensington) 020 7589 8212 royalalberthall.com

Count Duckula – The Jewels of Duckula February 13 Help Duckula, Nanny and Igor to solve the clues, and to find the long, lost treasure buried deep within the castle before it’s too late! 3-8 years. Cost £10/£9 online.

Nick Cope’s Family Songbook February 17 Interactive concerts for families to sit back and relax or get up and dance. Held in the Heineken Green Room. 0-8 years.

Subsidised tickets available check online for eligibility.

ROYAL ALBERT HALL

SADLER’S WELLS & LILIAN BAYLIS STUDIO Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN ( Angel) 020 7863 8000 sadlerswells.com Flamenco Festival London February 16-28 Annual event with flamenco dance and music. Cost £12-£40.

Kaash March 3-5 Akram Khan Company. Cost £12-£32.

SUTTON HOUSE MUSIC SOCIETY Held at Sutton House, Hackney shms.org.uk info@shms.org.uk Classical Concert February 21 English songs with violin. View Sutton House before the concert. Cost £12/under 26 years free entry/visitors with disabilities and carers free entry.

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ ( London Bridge) 020 7645 0560 unicorntheatre.com Grass January 15-31 Dance show for young children with special mini beast event at extra cost.

4+ years. Cost £16/£12.

It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It February 6-March 20 Three people with a lot to say!

3+ years. Cost £16/£10.

To advertise in Families North London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk

21

places to go local events KENWOOD HOUSE Local Events Barnet Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR (Hampstead Heath ) 020 8348 1286 0370 333 1181 englishheritage.org.uk

ARTS DEPOT Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, London N12 OGA ( West Finchley & Woodside Park) 020 8369 5454 artsdepot.co.uk

Under 5’s Fridays January 15, 22, 29 Term time craft, stories and sing-alongs.

Cost £1.

London Children’s Book Swap February 13 London-wide book event for young children to swap with each other, a book they have enjoyed. 2-12 years. Free.

Car Conversations February 14-20 Installation by Anna Macdonald with toy cars arranged in play, movement and flow patterns. Free entry.

BARNET WALKS Paul Baker 020 8440 6805 07506 761294 barnetwalks.talktalk.net

Gardeners’ Coffee Morning February 3 Tour of the gardens with coffee and cake and gardening hints and tips. Booking required. Cost £10.

THE INTIMATE THEATRE

Camden CAMDEN ARTS CENTRE Arkwright Road, NW3 6DG ( Finchley Road) 020 7472 5500 camdenartscentre.org Ceramics Techniques January 16-March 26 Term-time course in basic techniques.

8-11 years. Cost £200.

MUSEUM OF COMEDY

Children’s Magic Workshops January 30, February 27 Interactive workshops on basic fundamentals of magic. 7-13 years.

22

BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE 52 Upper Street, Islington, N1 OQH ( Angel) 020 7288 6475 businessdesigncentre.co.uk London Art Fair January 20-24 Established artists and new talent.

Adult entrance charges apply/children under 12 years free.

ESTORICK COLLECTION OF MODERN ITALIAN ART 39a Canonbury Square, N1 2AN ( Highbury & Islington) 020 7704 9522 estorickcollection.com Family Art Days February 17, 18 Drop-in family workshops. No booking required. Children free with paying adult £5/£3.50 concs.

KINGS PLACE 90 York Way, N1 9AG ( Kings Cross) 020 7520 1490 kingsplace.co.uk

Sleeping Beauty January 21-24 Family pantomime from the Saint Monica’s Players amateur dramatics group.

Family Workshop March 5 Musical methods led by Rod Paton.

Simple instruments provided or bring your own. Cost £4.50.

HACKNEY EMPIRE

Fun with Folk February 15 Dance, music and song. Book in advance.

6-9 years. Cost £15.

Islington

britishscienceweek.org

LACF Kids 2016 January 30 Fun day of performances, workshops and events. 4-11 years. Cost £10.50/family £25.50.

291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ (Hackney Central ) 020 8985 2424 hackneyempire.co.uk

Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Road, NW1 7AY ( Camden Town) 020 7485 2206 efdss.org

Special Events

521 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 4DH 0844 414 2731 smptheatre.co.uk

Hackney

ENGLISH FOLK DANCE AND SONG SOCIETY (EFDSS)

The Undercroft of St George’s Church, Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2SR ( Holborn) 020 7534 1744 museumofcomedy.com

Mothering Sunday Concert March 6 Live music and afternoon tea. Cost £20.

Bull Cross, Enfield, EN2 9HG (Turkey Street ) 03000 030 610 visitleevalley.org.uk

Dickens in North London February 7 Guided walk to celebrate Charles Dickens’s birthday. 5+ years. Cost £9/£4 under 12 years.

Folk Hop Jam February 19 Folk dance remixed. Book in advance.

12-19 years. Cost £15.

FORTY HALL Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9HA (M25/J25) 020 8363 8196 fortyhallestate.co.uk

MYDDELTON HOUSE GARDENS

Battle of Barnet – Guided Walk January 17, February 27, March 13 Guided tour of the Wars of the Roses battlefield of 1471. A great outing for young historians. 5+ years. Cost £9/£4 under 12 years.

Get Your Folk On! February 16 Folk music sessions. Book in advance.

9-12 years. Cost £15.

Enfield

Nigerian Art Exhibition Until Mid-February Exhibition of paintings from Eastern Nigeria from Emmanuel Ekong Ekefrey. Free.

Alter Ego 2016 February 5 The best young talent from Hackney, as part of the Discover Young Hackney Project. Cost £4/£5 on door.

SUTTON HOUSE MUSIC SOCIETY Held at Sutton House, Hackney shms.org.uk info@shms.org.uk Classical Concert February 21 English songs with violin. View Sutton House before the concert. Cost £12/ under 26 years free entry/visitors with disabilities and carers free entry.

Haringey BERNIE GRANT ARTS CENTRE Town Hall Approach Road, N15 4RX ( Seven Sisters) 020 8365 5450 berniegrantcentre.co.uk

PARASOL UNIT FOUNDATION FOR CONTEMPORARY ART 14 Wharf Road, N1 7RW ( Angel) 020 7490 7373 parasol-unit.org londonartfair.co.uk/parasol London Art Fair Workshop January 24 Off-site educational workshop at Islington’s Business Design Centre.

Drop-in workshops. Cost £10.50/children under 12 years free.

Rock Wall February 7 Family art workshop based on current exhibitions. Booking required. 5-15 years.

Cost £7 per family.

Youth Programme February 15, 16 A series of workshops for young people 9-14 years. Booking required. Free.

BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK March 11-20 Organise an event or activity and take part in British Science Week – a programme of science, technology, engineering and maths events around the country.

CHINESE NEW YEAR chinatownlondon.org The Year of the Monkey February 8 Celebrate the start of the Year of the Monkey – those born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 and 2016.

National Maritime Museum February 13 Chinese New Year activities for all ages.

Rich Mix richmix.org.uk – February 13 Chinese New Year celebrations with dance, stalls and family workshops organised by the Chinese Association of Tower Hamlets. Free.

London Celebrations February 14 A parade through Chinatown and shows on stage in Trafalgar Square.

DISABLED ACCESS DAY disabledaccessday.com March 12 A special day set aside for disabled people and their families, friends and carers to visit a new place. Venues taking part include Kensington Palace, Tower Bridge Exhibition, London Canal Museum, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, Foundling Museum, Cutty Sark and local coffee shops and stores.

EASTBURY MANOR HOUSE Eastbury Square, Barking IG11 9SN ( Upney) 020 8227 2331 lbbd.gov.uk/eastburymanorhouse Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea March 6 Traditional English Afternoon Tea with cakes and sandwiches. Book in advance.

Cost £14 per person.

EXCEL LONDON (Custom House DLR) E16 1XL 020 7069 5000 excel-london.co.uk thebabyshow.co.uk/excel/ The Baby Show February 19-21 Pregnancy and parenting event with retailers, brands, advice and demonstrations.

Facilities available for those visiting with children. Online registration.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY internationalwomensday.com alternativearts.co.uk March 8 Events held to celebrate achievements and to inspire women throughout the world.

KEATS HOUSE Keats Grove, NW3 2RR ( Hampstead Heath)

To advertise in Families East London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familieseast.co.uk

special events places to go 020 7332 3868 cityoflondon.gov.uk/keats-house Heroes and Heroines January 17 Family day with stories and activities.

Free drop-in sessions.

There was a Naughty Boy February 21 Joint event with Keats Community Library.

Free drop-in sessions.

LEARN TO PLAY DAY 2016 learntoplayday.com March 12, 13 Nationwide event with music shops and venues. Participate in free instrument ‘taster’ lessons and a chance to make music. All ages welcome.

LONDON CHILDREN’S BOOK SWAP worldbookday.com February 13 Story book swap sessions with free family activities and displays. Check online for local events including Discover Children’s Story Centre, Redbridge Libraries, V&A Museum of Childhood and William Morris Gallery.

NATIONAL LIBRARIES DAY nationallibrariesday.org.uk February 6 A day of special events and activities at many local libraries.

NATIONAL STORY TELLING WEEK sfs.org.uk/national-storytelling-week January 30-February 6 Tell a story – visit clubs, theatres, libraries, museums and schools to take part in story telling events.

OLYMPIA LONDON Hammersmith Road, Kensington, London W14 8UX ( Kensington Olympia) 020 7385 1200 olympia.london The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show March 3-6 Craft show with demonstrations and advice. Cost on door £16/£7.

REDBRIDGE CULTURE & LEISURE Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford, IG1 1EA 020 8708 2317 redbridge.gov.uk Community Event January 23 Help plant an orchard in Roding Valley Park, IG4 5PP. Activities, music and refreshments. Enquiries 020 8559 2316.

All ages.

Redbridge Cycling Centre February 15, 17, 18, 19 Various cycling skills workshops for children 5-16 years. Book in advance on 020 8500 9359. Cost £10 per session/ bike hire extra.

Half Term Multi Sports February 15-19 At Wanstead Leisure Centre.

Fun club with a range of activities.

Bookings 020 8989 1172. For children 5-14 years.

Sports Camps Ashtons Playing Fields February 15-19 Call 020 8559 0486 for booking details.

6-14 years.

REDBRIDGE LIBRARIES redbridge.gov.uk/libraries Harry Potter Night February 4 At Hainault Library. Free activities.

Booking required. 5-12 years.

Terri’s Puppet Mania February 6 At Redbridge Central Library. Puppet show with music, celebrating National Libraries Day. 2-6 years.

Book in advance. 8+ years. Cost £30.

Exotic Animal Encounters February 17 Learn about the animals and meet them up close. Make a mask to take home.

Booking essential. 3+ years. Cost £10 per child + 1 adult.

WILLOWS FARM VILLAGE Coursers Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 OPF (M25/J22) 0870 129 9718 willowsactivityfarm.com February Frolics Lambing Event February 13-21 Plenty of holiday activities with a special

lambing event – see new-born lambs, baby lamb bottle feeding demonstrations, fleecy arts and crafts and lots of family shows. Undercover adventure play area and a free prize for finding Bo Peep’s lost sheep! Check online for current entrance charges.

WORLD BOOK DAY worldbookday.com March 3 School children will receive £1 book tokens to use on special books produced for the event. The tokens can also be used against other book titles. Resource packs available for schools and nurseries.

London Book Swap February 13 Check local libraries for details.

For children under 11 years.

Half Term Holidays February 15-19 Drop in for board games and fun with a monkey theme. Check Redbridge libraries for details. 4-12 years.

World Book Day March 3 After school sessions at Redbridge Libraries and dress up with a chance to win a prize. Check local library for details.

5-12 years.

World Book Day Balloon Mania March 5 Balloon modelling and activities. Free drop-in sessions at Redbridge Libraries.

Meet Author Trudi Esberger March 5 Fullwell Cross Library. Meet the author of ‘The Boy who lost his bumble’ and take part in activities. Booking required. Free.

Chinese New Year

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC Marylebone Road, NW1 5HT ( Regent’s Park) 020 7873 7373 ram.ac.uk Academy Tots February 23 Discover instruments, sounds and explore making music. Interactive music sessions for children 3-5 years. Cost £3/ children £5.

ST PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN ( Charing Cross) london.gov.uk March 13 Mayor of London celebrations with a colourful parade from Piccadilly to Trafalgar Square.

VALENTINES MANSION & GARDENS Emerson Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4XA ( Gants Hill) 020 8708 8100 valentinesmansion.com Made with Love February 14 Gift stalls and ideas for hobbies.

Free entry.

Marvellous Magic February 15 Magic tricks and workshops. Booking required. 5+ years. Cost £10 per child + 1 adult.

Mosaic Workshop February 16 Make Roman and Greek mosaics.

To advertise in Families North London please call on 020 8202 2034 or email adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk

23

New Dramarama Families North 87x62_Layout 1 19/10/2015 09:28 Page 1

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