Families North London issue 117 Nov-Dec 2015

Issue 117 Nov/Dec 2015

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North London

North London’s premier free family magazine

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Christmas Crafts Three Day Nanny Gift Guide Festive Places to Go

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Contents Issue 117 | Nov/Dec 2015 | Families North London

This Issue

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6 Christmas Fun 12 Ten Best Xmas Gifts 16 Health and Happiness 18 Education

Regular Features 4 Annabel Karmel

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21 Ed’s Reading Room 22 Clubs & Classes 28 Places to Go

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Families North London Magazine 120 Brent Street, Hendon, London NW4 2DT. For all news and features contact: editor@familiesnorth.co.uk or call 020 8202 2034. For all advertising enquiries contact: adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk or call 020 8202 2034. For all web enquiries contact: adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk or call 020 8202 2034. For all listing enquiries contact: listings@familiesnorth.co.uk. Families North London Ltd cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, details are subject to change and Families North 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

A Festive Family Feast Cook up a feast for your family to tuck into this Christmas. Don’t worry about eating countless turkey sandwiches, as there’s plenty of ways to use leftover meats and veggies. If you fancy being creative, try turning jacket potatoes into reindeers, cupcakes into snowmen or chocolate sponges into Christmas trees. The festive possibilities are endless. Happy holidays! Annabel

Turkey Pilaf

Rudolph Baked Potato

150g basmati rice 2 tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 50g frozen peas 100g sweetcorn 175g cooked turkey, finely diced 2½ tsp sweet chilli sauce 1 tsp soy sauce A knob of butter 2 eggs, beaten 2 tbsp milk

4 medium baking potatoes Vegetable oil ½ medium butternut squash (approx 300g) 40g butter 40g Parmesan cheese, grated 1 tsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp milk 40g Cheddar cheese, grated Cherry tomatoes Twirly crisps Peas for eyes Salt and pepper

Method 1. Cook the rice in boiling salted water.

Drain and refresh under cold water, leave to drain and cool.

2. Heat the oil in a saucepan.

3. Add the onion and garlic and sauté over a low heat for 8 minutes until soft.

4. Add the peas and stir for 3 minutes.

Add the turkey, sweetcorn and cooked rice.

5. Stir-fry over the heat to heat through.

Add the sweet chilli sauce and soy sauce.

6. Heat a small frying pan. Mix the eggs with the milk and season with a little salt.

7. Melt the butter. Add the eggs and scramble until the eggs are cooked and dry. Break up into small pieces, then add to the rice. Season to serve.

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5. Prick the potatoes in several places, place on a baking tray and brush all over with the oil. Bake for 75 minutes or until they feel soft when pressed 2. Cut a medium butternut squash in half, scoop out the seeds and brush with a knob of melted butter. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes or until tender.

3. When they are cool enough to handle, cut the tops off the baked potatoes and scoop out the flesh. Scoop the flesh out of the cooked butternut squash and mash together with the baked-potato flesh, Parmesan, mustard, milk and butter. Season with a little salt and pepper. Put the mixture back into the potato shells, cover with the grated Cheddar and cook under the grill until golden. Add twirl crisps for antlers, peas for eyes and cherry tomatoes for the nose.

Makes 6 portions

Chocolate Christmas Trees 3 eggs 175g self-raising flour 150g caster sugar 25g cocoa powder 175g soft butter 50g plain chocolate melted 50g milk chocolate melted 1 tsp baking powder Decoration: Writing icing pens Candy canes Mini Smarties Method 1. Preheat the oven to 160C°Fan. Line a square tin 24 x 24cm with parchment paper and grease.

2. Measure all of the cake ingredients into a bowl and mix using an electric hand whisk until smooth.

3. Spoon into the tin, and bake for 20-25 minutes until springy to the touch (a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake should come out clean). Leave to cool.

4. Slice into 9 squares and then slice into triangles, then decorate with writing icing pens or piped icing and Mini Smarties. Push short lengths of candy canes into the base of the chocolate triangles to make the tree trunks.

Makes 9 Christmas trees

Makes 4 portions

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annabel karmel Celebrate the Season: Festive Ways to Ring in the Holidays with Your Family

Turkey Pasta Bake with Creamy Parmesan and Tomato Sauce 225g fusilli pasta Tomato Sauce: 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 red pepper, deseeded and diced 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes 2 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp tomato purée 1 tsp caster sugar 3 tbsp fresh oregano chopped or 1½ tsp dried oregano 85g sunblush tomatoes, snipped into pieces 225g cooked turkey or chicken, sliced into strips White Sauce: 45g butter 45g flour 400ml hot chicken stock 100ml double cream A little salt and pepper 100g Parmesan cheese, grated Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4.

2. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water – it’s best to slightly undercook it as it will be cooked again in the oven. Drain and refresh in cold water.

3. To make the tomato sauce, heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the onion, pepper and garlic and simmer for 8 minutes until just tender.

4. Add the tomatoes, vinegar, tomato purée and sugar and simmer for 5 minutes.

5. Add the oregano and sunblush tomatoes, then the turkey and the pasta.

Mix together, then spoon into a shallow ovenproof dish (approx 30 x 20cm).

6. To make the white sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and stir over the heat for 1 minute.

7. Add the stock, slowly stirring until thickened. Stir in the cream and 50g of the Parmesan. Spoon over the pasta and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top.

8. Bake for 20 minutes and then finish off under a preheated grill for about 4 minutes or until golden.

Makes 6 portions

For our family, Christmas truly is – and always has been – the most wonderful time of the year! That’s due in large part to our family’s Christmas tradition of spending the holidays with one of Santa’s scout elves, or The Elf on the Shelf®, and also because we get to be together as a family. When the kids are out of school, and we’re all gathered together, it’s the perfect time for quality time. If you’re looking for festive, fun ideas to keep your little ones entertained this Christmas, try out some of our family’s favourite festive holiday activities.

1. Santa may fill the stockings, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind a little help making them! Stocking templates are easy to find online and felt can be bought cheaply from craft shops. All you’ll need is a pair of scissors, a needle and thread, glue and your imaginations!

2. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without delicious desserts, and getting children involved in baking always creates a fun family activity. The possibilities are endless – gingerbread men, pies, cakes, s’mores, muffins – if you can dream it, you can bake it!

3. Add a personal touch to each present you

wrap by creating custom paper. Grab some plain brown packing paper and let children draw Christmas scenes (including a picture of their scout elf!) and decorate with glitter and sparkly snowflakes.

4. Stage a Christmas play for the family.

Let children choose a scene from their favourite Christmas book or write their own play to perform for the family. Don’t forget the costumes!

5. Christmas shopping can be tiresome for little ones. Make it more fun for them by bringing along bingo or activity cards that they can tick off as they go along. This could include things such as ‘Spot the biggest turkey in the shop’ or ‘Count how many presents are under the supermarket Christmas tree’.

6. And whatever you do, don’t forget this top tip for Christmas: spend the holidays with The Elf on the Shelf® to create a fun-filled season! Each night you can gather your little ones to read the magical story The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, and each day you and your children can engage in the fun tradition of finding your scout elf in a new hiding spot.

Chanda A. Bell, co-author of The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition

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In a drive to inspire every generation to explore new foods, Annabel has cooked-up a new Family Cooking app.

From lunchboxes to light snacks, everyday essentials to prep ahead, it’s packed with more than 120 easy recipes. Download Annabel Karmel Family Cooking via the App Store. For more information, visit www.annabelkarmel.com.

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

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christmas fun

‘Tis the season of stress, mess and meltdowns Top life coach Carole Ann Rice helps you steer from sneer to Christmas cheer.

If it’s the season to be jolly why are you feeling like a sociopathic serial killer? Our expectations of jollity, merriment and family harmony quickly morph into a bad episode of the Kardashians on acid and pre-ops.

Take a deep breath in and with a little bit of planning, managing your expectations and dropping all perfectionistic tendencies it is entirely possible to have fun too. Here are some tips for seasonal mine fields and how to negotiate them.

The In-Laws coming over • One of the first things you need to remember is that you can’t please everyone and nor should you try.

Don’t forget to consider your happiness too.

• Drop all need for perfectionism which will only cause you stress and attempt to go with the flow more. Your guests are there to enjoy not judge you.

• The house doesn’t have to look picture perfect so don’t sweat the small stuff like cleaning and dusting – aim for cosy not House Beautiful. Pretty candles and nice decorations can hide a host of housework sins.

• Ask your in-laws to bring around old family photo albums – keeps everyone amused for hours and the worst that you’ll suffer is terminal boredom.

• A hot and tense running host/ hostess isn’t at their best so prepare ahead, order your party food online, decide upfront you are going to enjoy this and build in time for a relaxing bath too before your guests arrive. Life really is too short to stuff a mushroom.

One of the first things you need to remember is that you can’t please everyone and nor should you try. Don’t forget to consider your happiness too.

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Present Shopping: • Plan ahead. Make a list of who you have to buy for, what to get them, work out your budget and plan a strategy of where to shop to buy them.

This saves time and energy.

• If in doubt ask people what they want up front. Get them to write ‘Dear Santa’ lists – it may not be a surprise but they’ll get what they want and save you the stress of thinking up ideas or the chore of post-Xmas returns.

• Buy lots of neutral gifts – store vouchers, foodie things, candles, yummy drinks, bath products that would be well received by anyone and can be kept as stand-by pressies for unexpected visitors.

• Shop online – save time, shoe leather and sanity and keep your stress levels crisp and even. Make sure you’re in when they arrive though.

• If you have a big family put all the names in a hat a draw one out – you buy one gift (set a price limit) for one person – everyone gets something without the strain on your bank account or blood pressure.

Family Rows • Christmas is always a time of heightened emotions, complex needs that must be met and a myriad of differing expectations. Let go of a need to control and give people space to do what they want too.

• A walk around the park is good for changing bad atmospheres and raising energy.

• Thrusting family and friends together in an atmosphere of enforced jollity can be incendiary. Marriages rock and relationships tumble. Suggest walks, allot chores and get people joining in and helping. ‘You make sure Uncle Fred’s glass it topped up’ – ‘You can

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be the crisps and snacks monitor’ etc.

• A sk people upfront what they would like to get out of the Christmas festivities and write it down. Ensure each person gets their wish met whilst requesting all are tolerant of other people’s desires too.

• If you know that difficult situations will arise or that they may be conflict plan ahead with games, activities, old movies, DVDs, photo albums, kids performing a song etc to keep people amused and occupied.

• In the worst case scenario escape to the bedroom and take it out on a pillow and return oozing peace and goodwill.

Pad-lock the alcohol cabinet if things get out of hand.

• Have lots of headache and indigestion tablets in stock.

Choosing/Fitting into Party Outfit • Plan ahead for your party season by going on a pre-Xmas de-tox – fruit juices, soups, healthy snacks, lots of veggies so you feel and look good before the partying starts.

• Check out the fashion magazines before you go shopping to get an idea of the latest looks. This will save you’re the stress and humiliation of the overheated changing rooms which appear to be suddenly full of super models.

• Opt for cool classic comfort over corseted high maintenance styles if you want to enjoy the party season in style.

Tight clothes can cause indigestion and can make you look and feel more trussed up than the Xmas turkey.

• Keep the agony of killer heels to a minimum with fold-away party pumps for that sharp exit, taxi shortages and the dreaded long walk home.

• Managing your finances at this time of year can be very stressful. If your budget won’t stretch to full party outfit invest in some wild and funky accessories for an instant wardrobe make-over.

Carole Ann Rice: www.realcoachingco.com

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christmas fun

Dear Santa...

By Alison Hathaway

So your children have spent the past three months constructing increasingly long and complicated Christmas wishlists (glow-in-thedark Barbie, platinum-plated X-Box, inflatable yurt) while you’ve looked long and helplessly on, wondering why parents can’t put in their own special requests for the festive season. So in honour of stressedout mums everywhere, Families North has put together the following parental wishlist for the 12 most important moments of Christmas.

Santa’s list

1 2 3

Dear Santa, please let my husband return safely from his 48-hour Christmas work party and not be arrested for impersonating a suicidal reindeer outside the local tapas bar at four in the morning.

Please let Amazon Prime fulfil their promises of overnight delivery with optional giftwrapping. Or there will Hell to Pay.

Please let the Christmas tree not catch fire due to dodgy Korean fairy lights like it did last year and fuse all electrics in the house resulting in three dozen undercooked mince pies and a badly singed miniature Norwegian Pine.

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Please let the mammoth Ocado delivery I booked back in August with catering provisions for 32 relatives arrive safely and not be affected by adverse weather conditions, lightning strikes, global food shortages or other acts of God lest I find myself rushing about Sainsbury’s like a headless turkey at 6pm on Christmas Eve desperately searching for leftover mini-sausages wrapped in bacon.

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Please let the kids wake up no earlier than 5am on Christmas morning. And for the roast potatoes not to come out black on one side and raw on the other. And for my parents not to forget the Christmas turkey, obliging us all to eat fishfingers instead. Like they did last year.

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Please let my know-it-all teenage niece Chloe not let slip to my six-year-old son that there is no such person as Father Christmas and that the pile of badly Sellotaped presents was not left

by Santa and his merry elves but by my son’s very own parents after 17 undercooked mince pies and one-toomany glasses of cherry brandy. Whilst pointing out that his house doesn’t even have a chimney. So there.

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Please let Uncle Bernard not eat too many Brussels sprouts. Or Aunt Mavis drink too much festive sherry.

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Please let me not receive yet another scented candle in the PTA Secret Santa, but rather a bottle of anything not less than ten per cent proof in any shade of red or white.

Please let Uncle Bernard not argue with Aunt Mavis over exactly what happened to Great-Aunt Mary’s silver candlesticks. Or for Aunt Mavis to ask sarcastically what the strange smell in the room might be. Or for Uncle Bernard to retort that at least he for one has not been over-doing the Amontillado so badly that he can no longer stand up. Or for Aunt Mavis, attempting to disprove the accusation, to fall headfirst into the horseradish sauce.

Like she did last year.

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Please let there be not too much washing up.

Please let my husband not intervene with a carving knife at the height of Uncle Bernard and Aunt Mavis’s endless squabbling. Or for my parents to summon the fire brigade to extinguish the out-of-control Christmas pudding soaked in brandy.

Or for my son to chisel a hole in the living room wall attempting to locate a non-existent chimney. Like they all did last year.

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Please let there be a Cadbury’s Chocolate Orange and a bottle of Chardonnay left over at the end of it. Or there will be Hell to Pay.

Alison Hathaway’s new novel, Class – a tale of twisted love, even more twisted parents, PTA politics and how to cook the perfect mashed potatoes – is out now on Amazon Kindle (bit.ly/classkindle).

Follow Alison Hathaway on Twitter @ChalfenMagna or visit her at www.AlisonHathaway.co.uk for news and special free book giveaways.

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christmas fun

Festive Cheer Written By Kathryn Mewes, author of The Three Day Nanny and star of the C4 TV show The Three Day Nanny

I tend to get contacted by many parents at the start of the year. It tends to be after the festive time when families come together and along with the cheer there can also be tears, not just from the children but also from exhausted parents!

There is so much hype around Christmas and it seems to be promoted earlier and earlier each year. Children are aware as early as October that ‘Christmas is on its way.’

So how can we prepare for the festive season and keep the children calm and patient?

Plan Ahead First write a list of everything that needs to be done for Christmas and then see how much of it you can delegate. The festive season is a time when families pull together and help one another. Grandma can make the pudding; Auntie Flo can buy the crackers etc!

Don’t aim to do everything yourself.

You will feel far better knowing you have support from others.

I suggest that in your diary you set goals you need to achieve at the end

First write a list of everything that needs to be done for Christmas and then see how much of it you can delegate. The festive season is a time when families pull together and help one another. Grandma can make the pudding; Auntie Flo can buy the crackers etc!

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I sit and write a list of things they need to do before Christmas. Example: 1. B uy and wrap presents for Grandma and Grandad.

2. Make and write Christmas cards for school teachers.

3. B uy and wrap presents for Auntie and Uncle X etc.

of each week. Approaching a busy time in little bit size chunks stops things from feeling so overwhelming.

This can be started as early as October depending on how much you have to do.

This makes them aware that Christmas is about giving as well as receiving.

It makes them aware that the world doesn’t revolve around them and they have to think of others before themselves.

Week 1: Buy presents for X,Y and Z and wrap.

Week 2: Order the food delivery for Christmas.

Week 3: Make the mince pies and put them in the freezer.

Week 4: Write 10 Christmas cards.

Week 5: Buy 5 presents for the children and hide them well!

Week 6: Order the turkey and buy wrapping paper and Sellotape, and batteries!

The Night before Christmas I suggest going out for dinner with the children to be a good idea and not to be concerned about getting them to bed ‘on time’.

The last thing you want is hyped children at bedtime who claim they ‘can’t sleep’.

Aim to have dinner a walking distance from home and you can then walk home looking at the various Christmas lights in peoples windows.

On the walk home ask the children to look up at the sky and talk calmly about Father Christmas coming and on how all children need to be resting in their beds before he leaves the presents.

Go home and place the port and pie out for FC. Take the children for a calm bath, story and then into bed.

Focus 100% on the children. Don’t be distracted with other things or they could start to become excitable.

Aim for the children to be in bed 90 minutes after their usual time, or 3 hours after the usual time. These are when the next ‘windows of tiredness’ occur and they are ready for sleep.

Tuck them up in bed and answer any questions they might have but then say

Keeping the Children Excited yet Calm As soon as the children see the first Christmas decoration in a shop they can start to ask ‘When is Santa coming?’

I suggest that the best thing to say is that he isn’t coming until after a certain event. For example: The school Christmas play, X’s birthday, End of school term.

Explain the month of December and tell them you will talk about it then.

Play it very low key The advent calendar is a great tool for the countdown to Christmas or an advent candle burnt every evening at dinnertime.

With older children (age 3 onwards)

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christmas fun ‘Now I need to do the cooking ready for Christmas Day. Sleep tight.’

Don’t mention them getting up too early in the morning as this might sew the seed in their mind.

On the eve of Christmas do as much prep in the kitchen (if you are hosting) as you can. Involve your partner and anyone else who is staying with you. My advice would be ‘Don’t do it all alone.’

The Big Day If the children wake at a ridiculous time such as 5am I am afraid you have to ‘ride with it’! There is ‘no way’ they are going to settle back to sleep.

Today is a day of ‘Divide and Conquer’ as well as team work.

Each have your own tasks. Example: You are cooking the main meal but your partner is laying the table and preparing the pudding; or your partner is clearing the table and loading the machine while you settle the children in front of a film on TV. It is a great feeling when you each know what you are doing and don’t need to discuss it at the time.

This is a good thing to run through the night before Christmas while drinking port and eating mince pies (wink wink!)

I would always make the children aware that there is going to be a quiet time after lunch. This can either be taken in their bedrooms playing quietly with their toys or flopped in front of the TV all dozing together. Either way you need to down tools in the middle of the day.

A blast of fresh air is a great thing to do. Head outside, either your partner can take out the children while you prepare the lunch or dinner or you can all head out in the afternoon before dinner time.

For dinner it was always tradition in our house to make our own sandwiches with the left over turkey and stuffing.

A DIY dinner. Everyone helps themselves to a spread laid out on the table.

Christmas day is when the children do need their bedtime to be ‘on time’.

They will be exhausted, as will you!

Relax about Routine I believe that over the festive period it is important to have a loose routine for the children but with family and friends staying or regularly visiting people you need to ‘let things slide’ a little.

Things can always return to their usual pattern in the New Year when everyone returns to work and school.

The one thing I believe needs to remain consistent is a bedtime routine.

By this I mean that a bath/shower and a story is had before going to sleep.

I suggest that if you are visiting

friends for the day you ask if you can bath your children and put them in their pyjamas before you leave.

The children can sleep in the car and then fall into bed on your return home.

Equally if they are staying up late you can explain to them that a bath might be skipped and a short story is read to them at the end of the night.

The one thing you want children to have is a rested night and this is usually done by a calm routine at the end of everyday, wherever you are.

In summery – 3 meals and a good nights sleep is all that most children need. Relax about routine over Christmas. Let the children learn to ‘Go with the flow’.

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

Finally – Stop and Breathe!

Over the festive season try to take time to stop and look around you at your family, your children. Capture the memories on camera and embrace the chaos – I believe that this is the only way to enjoy Christmas!

THE ELF ON THE SHELF An enchanting tale of Christmas tradition wrapped up in a seasonal box set that includes a beautifully illustrated children’s book and a scout elf sent by Santa from the North Pole.

A self-publishing phenomenon that has sold over 8 million copies in the US in the last 10 years.

Launching in the UK from official scout elf adoption centres, including elfontheshelf.co.uk, John Lewis and select specialty retailers.

Christmas 2015 heralds the UK launch of The Elf on the Shelf® bringing something new, exciting and different to Christmas this year.

Official adoption centres will open in select locations throughout England, making a number of the beloved scout elves available for adoption by families across the UK. This U.S. publishing phenomenon is set to capture English hearts this winter with its charming tale of Santa’s helpers and their special role at Christmas time.

The Elf on The Shelf: A Christmas Tradition is a magical story that explains how Santa’s scout elves help him manage his naughty or nice lists.

Each illustrated, hardback book comes as part of a box set that also includes one of Santa’s scout elves, whose job is to watch during the day and report to Santa every night.

When a family adopts a scout elf and gives it a name, the scout elf receives its Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole each

night to tell Santa Claus about all of the day’s adventures. Each morning the scout elf returns to its family and perches in a different place to watch the festive fun, creating a unique family moment. Children love to race around the house and see where their scout elf has landed.

Select retail locations will also feature the book Elf Pets: A Reindeer Tradition and the Claus Couture Collection®, which features unique and fun clothes to compliment the scout elves and their Elf Pets® Reindeer counterparts.

About The Elf on the Shelf® This enchanting tale was written by motherdaughter duo Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell, and is based on their own family’s Christmas tradition. After receiving countless rejections from publishing houses across the U.S., Carol, Chanda and her twin sister Christa Pitts decided to self-publish the book by creating their own company, Creatively Classic Activities and Books (CCA and B, LLC). Pooling all of their resources, including the proceeds from the sale of a house and the contents of a retirement account, Carol, Chanda and Christa self-published The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition in early 2005, and successfully sold out of the first 5,000 copies. Ten years later, the book has sold more than 8 million copies and continues to grace the top of multiple bestseller lists.

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christmas fun

A Crafty Christmas Christmas, in my mind, is a time to get cozy, drink too much hot chocolate and use the dark afternoons to get crafting some unique and beautiful homemade Christmas decorations. There’s no better way to keep the little ones busy while using their imagination, it’s also an excellent way to avoid splashing out on pricey shop-bought decorations.

We take a little jaunt down memory lane with three nostalgic crafts that are just as fantastic today as you remember them.

Snow Globes

Aged 5+

Pom Pom Wreath

Aged 8+

A classic and magical toy that even adults love, no Christmas in our house is complete without at least a couple dotted around. Go classical with a beautiful winter scene or personalise it with your favourite character, a fab way to re-use those tiny plastic toys lying in the bottom of the toy chest!

Who remembers making pom poms back at school? Well, the addictive craft is back in a big way and a fantastic way to get older kids crafting. I love this pom pom wreath which looks so fun and festive. Be creative with your colours; bright neons look fresh or stick to classic Christmas colours like we have.

1. Decorate the jar lids with tissue paper and paint over the paper with PVA glue to seal. We added some sparkle with glitter and gems around the outside too, more is more to us!

2. When the lid is dry turn it upside down and stick your figures to the lid base using a hot glue gun or waterproof glue, creating your snowy scene.

3. Next up fill your jar ¾ full of bottled water, add two drops of glycerin to stop your glitter falling too fast, add a shake or two of glitter or snow.

4. Once your scene is dry screw your lid on (I glued the lid too in order to avoid a glitter spill!).

5. Add a ribbon to the lid and there you go a beautiful snow globe.

1. Draw two large and two smaller circles on a piece of firm cardboard. Cut them out and cut out a smaller circle in the middle.

2. Cut a length of wool reasonably long (2 metres roughly) and double it over, loop the wool over your two large circles pulling the ends of wool through the smaller hole and through the loop.

3. Wind the wool around wrapping it over the circle and pulling it through and repeat until your circle is covered in wool, I find going around twice makes a nice fluffy pom pom.

4. Next carefully cut the edges of the wool being careful to hold the circle shape in place.

5. Slip a piece of wool through the two pieces of cardboard and tie a tight knot to secure.

6. Pull the cardboard off or cut off and there you have a pom pom.

7. Repeat the process until you have 9 pom poms in assorted sizes and colours.

8. Cut a large wreath shape from card cardboard, tie your pom poms on.

9. Tie a length of ribbon onto your wreath to use to hang it on your door.

Crafty Tip; To get a multi coloured pom pom use two contrasting shades on step 2, you can wrap both the colours at the same time to make it a bit faster.

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christmas fun Felt Christmas Tree

18 months +

London-based KidSitter provides Trusted Babysitters for Parents, even on Short Notice

Decorating the tree can be a bit stressful with a toddler running around but with this felt craft they can have their own tree which they can re-decorate as many times as they like!

1. Cut out Christmas tree shape out of green felt and stick it onto another piece of larger felt using PVA glue. Create a stump and pot and glue onto your background. Place your tree out of the way as your felt tree needs to be dry for your decorations to stick.

2. Cut out circle shapes for your baubles and a star for the top.

3. Have a selection of sequins, glitter and ribbons set up and get to work making your baubles sparkly and fun. Put aside to dry.

4. Using a stick from the garden the length of your felt square, wrap it over and secure with glue or a stapler and tie ribbon to each side of your stick to create a loop to hang your tree.

5. Once your tree and decorations are dry you can decorate your tree, the felt will stick to itself creating a beautiful tree that can be rearranged as many times as you like.

Monogrammed Decorations

For mums!

Most of our crafts are all about getting the little ones to get creative and I always encourage the more is more approach, more glitter, always more glue! This one however is simple and quick to make but really effective and pretty. An ideal craft while enjoying a well earned mulled wine!

1. Cut out letter shapes out of a thick cardboard, for fancy shapes like ours use a font and print it out as a template.

2. For a 3D shape, stack the letter shapes on top of each other or you can jump ahead to step 3.

3. Tie your wool onto your shape and simply wrap until your letter is covered.

4. Use a contrasting wool or ribbon to tie onto the top of your letter.

As the party season approaches there comes a time when we as parents are invited to an event where it is either impractical or impossible to take our little angels along.

So Families North and East are very excited to introduce KidSitters to you this holiday season. Read below to learn more about their great and very useful service.

London-based KidSitter provides local, highly rated and experienced babysitters, even at short notice. It was co-founder George Chan, who first felt the need for such a service. George is a parent of a fiveyear old and often found himself declining social invitations because his regular babysitter is not always available.

In an era of on-demand services like Uber, AirBnb and JustEat, the basic premise of KidSitter as well, is flexibility. According to Faisal Laljee, co-founder and CEO of KidSitter, ‘We want to make it very easy for parents to get a babysitter any time they want. So we do the work of finding the best possible babysitters and conduct thorough background checks to make sure every babysitter we have, is someone we would trust with our own children’. This, coupled with a convenient online booking system, and a simple price of £12 per hour, makes it very easy for parents to book a babysitter on KidSitter.co.uk.

According to Marie Doogan, former Chairwoman of the Islington Childminders Association, ‘KidSitter has highly-rated babysitters and gives parents quality childcare and peace of mind’.

Readers of Families can get £10 off their first booking when they use voucher code FAMILIES10.

All these great craft activities were kindly provided to us by Jennifer at The Crafty Bunch. Visit her website for more great ideas and details of her classes, or visit her on facebook. www.thecraftybunch.com Telephone: 07740354074 https://www.facebook.com/ thecraftybunchlondon

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

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ten best christmas gifts

Ten Best Christmas Gifts For Babies 1

Glass Christmas Angel Bauble £10 My 1st Years With a beautiful angel inside, this glass bauble is a great gift for baby’s first Christmas. Engraved with a message over three lines with up to 20 characters on each line.

2

Christmas Pudding Leggings £11 Blade and Rose How cute will your baby look crawling around on Christmas Day in these seasonal striped leggings with their cheeky Christmas pudding on the tush. They’re made from, soft fabric with a thick waistband for comfort and you can add matching socks, a bandana bib and a hat.

3

Pirate Ship Personalised illuminated Canvas from £55.95 Illuminated Canvas A picture for your baby’s nursery wall but with a twist; not only can you have your child’s name on the canvas but it lights up, showing an illuminated window in the ship and on the masts.

4

Maya Organic Peppy Five Stackers £25.95 Igloo Kids These stacking toys are hand made

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from quality wood and finished with child-safe paint and lacquer. Sweet to look at, your baby will also enjoy taking the stacks apart and gradually learning to put them together again.

5

My Wondercube £17.99 My Wondercube This fabric cube toy was invented by a mum inspired by how fascinated her baby was with a box of tissues. Inside the bright colourful organic cotton cube are soft squares that your child can pull out of the cube, pull apart, stick back together and push back inside. Each square has a squeak or a crinkle or a rustle and it’s machine washable too.

8

Octotunes £17.99 Lamaze Not just a colourful toy, this is also educational as every time your baby plays with one of the Octopus’ legs, it plays a different note. It’s designed to stimulate your baby’s imagination and to help with developing motor skills. It comes with a song book and it has a pleasant vanilla perfume.

6

Apptivity iPad Case £32.99 Fisher Price There are so many apps for babies now to educate, fascinate and soothe but the last thing you want is sticky fingers and drool all across your iPad. Step forward the Apptivity case, which covers your pad and offers chunky handles for your baby to hold, as well as three colourful rings.

7

Five Piece Bath Fun Toy £12.99 Brother Max Bath time can always be fun with this neat set of bath toys that not only amuse your baby but help to get her clean too. There’s a sprinkler scoop with a chunky colourful handle, a wash mit with a shaker in the middle, a brush to practice hair grooming, a rattle and a wearable wrist toy.

They are all BPA, PVC and phthalate free.

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Personalised Wooden Star £9.50 Not On The High Street A lovely keepsake, this wooden star can be personalised with a baby’s name and birth date or any characters you like to celebrate his first Christmas. It is finished with beeswax and arrives in an organza bag.

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Newborn Star Gift

Set £24 JoJo Maman Bébé For any baby born in 2015, this is the perfect gift set and the stars are a nice nod to the Christmas season if you don’t want red and green everywhere! The set comprises of an embroidered sleepsuit with matching star hat and a JoJo bunny that will be treasured all through childhood. It comes in a gift box and is suitable for babies from newborn to three months.

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ten best christmas gifts

Ten Best Christmas Gifts For Children 1

Magic Elf Door £20 The Magic Door Store Creating a whole world of imagination and anticipation, these sweet doors can be put at the bottom of a wall or even on a tree in the garden. Your child will love leaving little gifts for the Elf or Fairy and who knows – they may even get a response!

2

Bon Bon Bear £30 Hamleys Every child needs a teddy as a best friend, so treat your little one to a bear from the World’s most famous toy shop. Bon Bon has glossy cream fur, a hand-embroidered face and the Hamleys name embroidered on the sol of one foot. For Christmas, he also sports a fetching red bow tie.

4

Sudokube £5.95 Prezzybox If you used to love the Rubik’s cube, this is a great new take on the classic game that’s good for maths-minded kids. The idea is to get all the numbers form one to nine on each and every side of the cube. If nothing else, it will keep the kids quiet until lunch is ready.

5

Constructive Eating Cutlery Set £14 The Great Gift Company Fussy eater? You’ll soon find your child likes to eat when you encourage them to play with their food! There’s a fork shaped like – of course – a forklift, a spoon that’s a front-loader truck and then there’s a bulldozer to help your child push food onto the fork or spoon. Just add truck noises!

6

Superman Cape Towel

£15 Debenhams Bathtime refusals?

With this clever super hero towel, your little one can ‘fly’ to the bathroom and then save the world once they’re clean again.

This is a fluffy and soft towel with Velcro tabs that’s perfect for wrapping him up for cuddles after bath time is over.

3

Personalised Christmas Sack £22 Harrow and Green For when a stocking just won’t do, these quality hessian sacks can be personalised with your child’s name and left under the tree on Christmas Eve. It has stenciled wording on it with ‘Delivery Date 25th December’ as a reminder to Santa.

7

Bath Bomb Factory £12.99 Argos There are several Wild Science kits and this one will create a beautiful bathtime. With all the ingredients to make scented, fizzing bath bombs, it sparks your child’s interest in science

too. In fact, it support Key Stage Two and there aren’t many bath products that can make that claim.

8

Style One Direction £5.95 Prezzybox If your child is a huge Directioneer, he or she can dress up the boys from the band with this tongue-in-cheek set. Whoever is their favourite, they’re all here just waiting for you to style them. There’s also an activity book packed with band facts and stickers.

9

Rainbow In My Room Nightlight £25 Debenhams This colored projector sends a rainbow onto the wall or ceiling of your child’s room and is great if your child is a little scared of the dark. It has two modes, a fully beamed rainbow or a more soothing glow that fades in and out. It has an auto shut off feature and is battery powered.

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Colour Your Own Palace £13.99 Calafant If you child would love to live in a palace and princes costumes litter her floor, this is a great way for her to play at make believe. The large and strong cardboard palace is assembled without glue or scissors and can be decorated with coloured pens, pencils, glitter – anything they like.

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

13

ten best christmas gifts

Ten Best Christmas Gifts For Mums 1

Mini Biscuit Selection

£30 Biscuiteers With colourful snowmen, a tree and reindeer, this is a sweet and thoughtful gift for a busy mum who may not have much time to give herself a treat.

2

Luxury Mummy Spa Kit £39.99 Love Boo A great gift for mums, this is the ultimate home pampering kit. With three products inside – Bosom Buddy, Body Wash and Miracle Oil, they will leave skin glowing and firmed and they can help prevent stretch marks. They are safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

4

Fail-Safe Fondant Dessert Kit £19.99 Lakeland Make up to six individual puddings with light, fluffy chocolate sponge on the outside and a gooey, melting chocolate middle.

With clear instructions and easy-release silicone moulds, it’s easy to make a decadent dessert just like Nigella.

5

The Giant Stocking £15 Prestat The best Christmas stocking for mum, this is packed with 12 delicious hand made truffle chocolates, one for each of the twelve days of Christmas. There are three velvety chocolate truffles, three rich, dark truffles, three snowy white truffles and three of the luxury brand’s award winning sea salt caramel truffles, all wrapped in rich chocolate.

just the right place and it’s black, so will suit the inside of any bag. There’s even a clip for your keys and it’s machine washable.

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Personalised Heart Bracelet £29 Merci Maman When you’re a mother, it’s lovely to have reminders of your children and this bracelet keeps your little ones close at all times. With a quality leather wrist strap, you can add hearts or other charms with your children’s names on them, engraved in silver.

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3

Mini Indoor Herb Garden £24.95 Gifts Direct With the increase in popularity of gardening and cookery programmes on the television, this sweet little garden will help you create your very own tiny allotment. It comes with three tiny plant pots with drainage holes that fit neatly in the fence. Inside the shed are tiny snippers, soil pellets and a packet of three kinds of seeds; coriander, basil and oregano. The shed can be used to store more seeds for next time.

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Classic Coffret of Diptyque Candles £60 Space NK This is a luxurious set of candles and though there are cheaper brands, the intense perfume of these lasts well and is good value for money. There’s Figuier, the scent of fig wood, Baies which has bouquets of roses and blackcurrant leaves and Roses, smelling like a freshly picked bouquet.

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Handbag Organiser £12.99 Periea So you have more than one handbag and when you want to swap quickly from one to the other, it’s such a chore swapping over all the things you just can’t do without. But no more! This handy organiser has 11 pockets to keep everything in

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Miniature Bath Oil Collection £39 Aromatherapy Associates A great gift if you’re not sure if the woman in your life needs to relax or be invigorated, these tiny bath oil phials have a range of fragrances to promote good sleep, energise, relax or help you to de-stress!

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Portable Phone Charger £19.99 Anker Easy to pop into a pocket or bag, this tiny charger will hold a full phone’s worth of charge to use just when you need it. Then simply re-charge with a USB plugged into your computer. Comes in several colours.

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ten best christmas gifts

Ten Best Christmas Gifts For Dads 1

Car Driving Day from £495 Virgin Experience Days If you have a special gift in mind and he’s a car lover, what better way to say you love him than with a car driving experience that will blow his mind? He can take a Ferrari or Lamborghini around a race track with expert tuition for the right speed and turning point.

4

Laptop Bag £55 Herschel He can look smart but still hip with this soft-sided messenger bag that’s just the right size for a laptop. It has the Herschel signature striped lining and has a padded section for any laptop up to 13 inches.

The shoulder strap is padded for comfort and can be removed.

5

Leather And Brass Book Cover iPad Case £33.95 Zazzle If you love old leather bound books and the look of PaperBlanks notebooks, this iPad case is great. In several different designs these are custom made with premium book cloth and finished with a glossy laminate.

They hold the iPad securely and have rubberised edges so it doesn’t slip.

2

Haig Club Scotch Whisky £44.95 Haig If he fancies himself as a David Beckham type, this will be his tipple of choice. From Scotland’s oldest whisky distillery, this is smooth and pleasing on the palate and looks great too.

3

Coffee Subscription £7.95 per month Kopi For just £7.95 per month, your coffee lover can receive a little shot of caffeine kindness to your door.

Sourcing only from small-scale farmers and including a tasting booklet, this is an education in coffee.

8

A Gentleman’s Guide to Beard and Moustache Management £6.95

By Chris Martin If he’s gone all trendy Hoxton Man with a bushy beard and tufty moustache, make sure he knows how to groom with this tongue-in-cheek book. It does actually have some great tips on trimming, waxing and maintaining facial fuzz as well as a guide to famous hair celebrities from Marx to Des Lynam!

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Self Stirring Mug £9.95 Prezzybox For the man who has everything – or the lazy – this has a little switch that, when flipped, will stir the contents of this mug.

Juts insert batteries. Just don’t put it in the microwave or dishwasher!

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Fitbit Charge Large Activity Tracker £84.99 Fitbit If he’s trying to get fit, this will help keep track of activity and calories. On a chunky wristband this tracks steps taken, distance travelled, calories burned, floors climbed and active minutes. It even helps monitor your sleep patterns.

7

CoolTec Shaver £99.99 Braun With an aluminium bar built into its head, this will not heat up as you shave, minimising redness and itching. Shaves closely and best of all it’s waterproof up to 5m – though why you’d shave under water is beyond us.

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Personalised heart tray and Love Heart Sweets £14.95 The Gift Experience Nothing says I Love You quite like Love Heart sweets. Remember slipping them to your crush when you were at school? This tray has space for your personalised message that will be revealed as the sweets are eaten.

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

15

health and happiness

How to cope with winter woes

By Sally J. Hall

Coughs And Sneezes

Brain Tumour Research BROOCHES

There are over 200 separate cold viruses around, so it’s no wonder that our children seem to come down with a cold almost every five minutes. And with the weather being gloomy and the days getting dark so early, we all tend to feel a little more run down than usual.

We still don’t know exactly what causes the ‘Common Cold’ but we are all familiar with the symptoms. A runny nose, sore throat, a temperature and a general feeling of poor health are only too familiar. So when do you let nature run its course, and when do you call the doctor?

For very small children and babies, the worst effect may be a blocked nose that stops him being able to breath properly.

This can interfere with breastfeeding, as it’s difficult to feed with a blocked nose.

Clear blocked nostrils gently with a soft cloth soaked in sterile saline solution or if really blocked, a nasal aspirator.

You can try to help relieve the symptoms by using a decongestant rub on your child’s chest at night or by using a few drops of a decongestant spray or eucalyptus oil on a tissue; leave it near (though not in reach) of your baby as he sleeps. You could also use a vaporiser or humidifier in your child’s bedroom to help with breathing.

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: • E motional/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.

CALL US ON 07471 863332 FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Sleep may be affected, especially if your child has a cough, so try to encourage naps during the day– and you may need one yourself if your little one has kept you up half the night!

If your little one has a slight fever, this can be dealt with using an infant paracetamol or ibuprofen solution but make sure you read the instructions and use the right amount for your child’s age.

Never use a cough and cold remedy with children under six years old.

Make sure that your child continues to get plenty of fluids, even if he is off his food. So keep breastfeeding. For older children, water should be offered frequently but try to avoid lots of sugary drinks and cordials, as you’ll have tooth decay to cope with later on!

If your child is under three months old, it’s always worth checking the symptoms with your doctor, as very small children can become very ill very quickly. If your child is floppy and unresponsive or very fussy, call the doctor or go straight to the hospital.

If you’re worried that it’s not ‘just’ a cold but something more serious, do seek medical advice. Flu is a worry during the winter months and can be serious in young children. Croup, a viral illness that causes a bark-like cough can be swiftly treated with steroids, and whooping cough, a bacterial infection, needs antibiotics (remember that your child must take the full course to avoid becoming antibiotic resistant). If you are concerned that your child may have meningitis, you must go to the hospital at once. Symptoms include a headache, sensitivity to light, a rash, seizures and listlessness but some indicators may be mistaken for a cold or flu. If in doubt, get to A&E – the staff will be only too happy to be able to set your mind at rest.

familiesnorth.co.uk

Brain Tumour Research’s Limited Edition brooches are the perfect stocking filler!

Celebrated Milliners Rachel Trevor Morgan and Vivien Sheriff are among those who have collaborated with the charity to produce these gorgeous brooches in order to raise funds for their annual Wear A Hat Day. Suggested donation £10.

Visit www.braintumourresearch.org or call 01296 733011 to secure yours today!

(Each brooch is limited to a run of 500)

Could you sell a box of cards to help fund vital brain tumour research?

We have a fantastic selection of festive cards to choose from, with four beautiful new designs for 2015 – available to purchase in packs of 10, or to sell on our behalf.

Could you sell a box of cards to help fund vital brain tumour research? Our boxes of cards contain 100 packs of 19 different designs. (Each pack contains 10 cards) We’d love to send you a box to sell to your friends, family and work colleagues! Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Buying your own? Email or call us to place your order: supportercare@ braintumourresearch.org/01296 733011 Help us fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.

If you’re worried that it’s not ‘just’ a cold but something more serious, do seek medical advice. Flu is a worry during the winter months and can be serious in young children.

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health and happiness

Hope and Hard Work: One Family’s Journey out of Autism

By Irina Porter

Autism is on the rise. Statistics tell us that autism affects an estimated 1 in 60 children in the UK, or approximately 100,000 children in total. What statistics do not tell us is what life is for children with autism or their families.

When our daughter Lilia received a diagnosis of autism at the age of 3, we were devastated to face a life-time of disability. The paediatricians’ verdict?

‘There is no cure, and she will be disabled for life.’ We had a good share of problems: severe allergies, constant ear and chest infections, asthma, neurological issues, fine and gross motor skills delay, lack of communication skills, severe separation anxiety and tantrums.

But did that have to mean a lifetime without hope?!

I would not give up and armed myself with books and the internet, reading everything that could give us a chance to improve Lilia’s condition. It was clear to me that there must be a direct connection between her allergies and a dysfunctional immune system and her autistic behaviour.

We were lucky to find a specialist in biomedical treatments and nutrition, who could answer our questions and offer some solutions. Soon after starting the nutritionist’s programme and gluten and casein free diet we saw a slow, but steady improvement both in Lilia’s health and in her autistic symptoms. Within a couple of years we were off constant antibiotics and antihistamines, and Lilia’s health has been going from strength to strength ever since.

It was important to have educational intervention in place. Our child had missed developmental milestones due to the disabling effects of her autistic symptoms. She needed specialised help to catch up, and it made sense to try to meet those milestones while she was still small.

We started an ABA programme at the same time as the biomedical/ nutrition programme, shortly after her diagnosis. Applied Behaviour Analysis is an individualised learning programme

I would not give up and armed myself with books and the internet, reading everything that could give us a chance to improve Lilia’s condition.

aimed at improving areas such as speech and language, communication, academic learning, problem behaviours, and general life skills. Recent research indicates that ABA is one of the most effective early interventions for autism.

We could only afford less than half recommended hours per week, but our brilliant team of consultants and therapists turned Lilia’s behaviour around in a matter of months. They taught Lilia to communicate and opened up a whole new world of relationships for her. They guided us through potty training, learning life and play skills, how to talk to people and how to make friends. They held our hand through nursery and school, and now we are working on how to be independent and happy. With relentless hard work, lots of help, and yes, some luck, Lilia has achieved a great improvement in disabling health problems and autistic symptoms that made her life incredibly difficult. She is thriving in a non-autistic world.

What did I learn on my autism adventures?

• Autism is a journey, not a disability for life. The beginning may be hard and gloomy, and there are often extreme challenges along the way, but if you are determined and open to new ideas, the rewards can be life changing; • Autism is not a constant and static psychological condition. Autistic behaviours are often manifestations of underlying medical problems, and treating those can reduce or eliminate autistic behaviours; • Autism is a whole body disorder. Just as you cannot separate your head or tummy from the rest of your body, in autism you cannot teach speech and language without considering how a child is feeling at the time.

Autistic children are often unable to express feeling pain or how severely they are affected by sensory issues, and this hinders their development.

Recognising and treating those symptoms is the key to success in treating autism – reducing its disabling

symptoms and improving a child’s level of functioning and independence.

• There is no one solution that fits all.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, covering a range of symptoms, and each of those can vary in severity. This is one of the reasons that scientists have not yet found a ‘cure’ for autism. Some treatments may work well for one person, but not at all for another.

• This does not mean that your autistic child has no hope of a better life.

It is up to you, the parent, to find the causes and solutions for your child.

If and when you do, the quality of life of your child and your family can improve dramatically.

• We tried a variety of treatments and intervention, from homeopathy and diet to music therapy and yoga, and as we saw Lilia’s progress, the darkness with which autism covered our family lifted.

While searching around for things to try, I came across an inspirational charity, Treating Autism, which provides hope, emotional support and practical information for parents of children with autism. Having joined TA, I found likeminded people who had the same ups and downs on the autism journey as me. Now I am closely involved in helping TA spread information about autism interventions, provide support to parents and carers of people with ASD and help them to reach their full potential.

Treating Autism has published a free guide for parents called Treatments and Therapies for Autism, which provides parents with a quick overview of some of the available interventions. It is available online on our website, or TA can send free printed copies (email your name, address and the number of copies you’d like to mail@treatingautism.org.uk) On 27th November Treating Autism will hold TA Roadshow – An Event for Autism Parents in Central London. Highly qualified and experienced specialists will talk about how simple nutritional strategies for autism can improve health and behaviours in children and adults on the autistic spectrum, as well as advanced and novel approaches in treating autism.

I will also be sharing my family’s journey through autism, because we know at TA that parents helping parents can make the biggest difference in countless way. This is an opportunity to meet TA members and like-minded parents and have plenty of time to visit during a gluten-free lunch.

For more information on the event and to book, visit www.treatingautism.org.uk.

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

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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

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education

Classes for children with Special Needs in North & East London Jack and the Beanstalk December 5 Relaxed Performance & Sign Language Interpreted Annual pantomime show. Pre-show meet and greet. Cost £10-£34.50.

Museums ISLINGTON MUSEUM 245 St John Street, EC1V 4NB ( Angel) 020 7527 2837 islington.gov.uk

HALFMOON THEATRE

Sensory Art Workshops Monthly workshops for those with sensory impairments. Carers and relatives welcome. Free.

MUSEUM OF LONDONDOCKLANDS West India Quay, E14 4AL (DLR West India Quay) 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands Audio-described Tours Audio-described tours available during gallery hours. Email to book a tour at least one week in advance.

Theatres

43 White Horse Road, E1 OND (Stepney Green/Limehouse Station) 020 7709 8900 halfmoon.org.uk The Singing Ringing Tree December 19 German fable about a princess, a bear and an evil Troll. Fully integrated sign language.

Suitable for deaf and hearing audiences.

3-7 years. Cost £6.

LONDON COLLISEUM St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES ( Charing Cross) 020 7845 9300 eno.org Access Limited half price tickets available for visitors with disabilities. Signed performances on selected dates.

Call or email for further information.

ARTS DEPOT Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 OGA ( West Finchley & Woodside Park) 020 8369 5454 artsdepot.co.uk Land of Lights December 17, 29 – Relaxed Performance A magical experience for young children with sights, sounds, smells and textures.

3-5 years. Cost £10/£8 schools.

HACKNEY EMPIRE

NATIONAL THEATRE

020 7609 1800 pleasance.co.uk Nutcracker! The Musical December 20 Relaxed Performance Modern musical score influenced by the famous ballet. Cost £12-£16.

Special Events LEE VALLEY HOCKEY & TENNIS CENTRE Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park E20 3AD (Leyton ) visitleevalley.org.uk NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters December 2-6 International Paralympic tennis stars take part in a tournament. Information and tickets from wheelchairtennismasters.com

Health and Fitness OlivesBodycare is helping children and Adults with or without ailments to be come healthier and Fitter. For more information please ring Olive on 07961 18827

South Bank, SE1 9PX ( Waterloo) 020 7452 3000 nationaltheatre.org.uk I Want My Hat Back December 19 Relaxed Performance Show suitable for those with an Autism Spectrum condition, sensory and communication disorders or learning disabilities. 3+ years. Cost £12/£15/£10 under 18 years.

0845 644 5452

PLEASANCE THEATRE

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

Inspiring tuition – free trial session!

Carpenters Mews, North Road, N7 9EF ( Caledonian Road)

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St George’s Hall Crayford Road (entrance on Carleton Road) London N7 0ND 020 7697 8110

www.lespe�tesetoiles.co.uk

Immigration The Legal Guys are helping children and adults to remain in the UK. For more information, please ring the Legal Guys on 020 8808 0178 x217.

STARS 4 YOU TUTORS & SATURDAY SCHOOL

French-English Bilingual Nursery School Children aged 1 to 5 Organic 4-course lunches Open 8am to 6pm 47 weeks/year

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.

Mars Montessori Bilingual Nursery

Islington Green (Angel). 2-5 year olds.

8.00 am - 6.00 pm 2 days, 3 days or 5 days a week 47 weeks a year

020 7704 2805 www.marsmontessori.com

Proven track record of student success.

KS1 – KS4 Maths, English & English as an additional language.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

07930 547643 07988 769382

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

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education

Keren’s Nursery

TUTORING & ASSESSMENTS

ENROLMENT NOW OPEN FOR SEPTEMBER 2015 BOOK A NURSERY VISIT TO FEEL THE MAGIC OF KEREN’S!

Ofsted Outstanding Developing self-Confidence, Self-Esteem and Independence Stimulating Curriculum Kosher meals freshly prepared daily Bi-lingual Nursery (English and Hebrew)

Why leave your child's education to chance?

Opening hours are 08:00-16:00 (Fri 08:00 – 14:00)

7+, 11+, 13+, GCSEs, A Levels

WELCOME

Celeb ratin g

020 8455 9646 Contact@kerensnursery.com YEAR S www.kerensnursery.com

Jaderberg Krais, London's leading educational consultancy, will help your children achieve the results they deserve...

LEARNING IS A TREASURE THAT WILL FOLLOW ITS’ OWNER EVERYWHERE!

For more information, please call 020 3488 0754.

Visit: www.jaderbergkrais.co.uk.

TUTORING - 87MM X 130MM

Maria Montessori School

Back for a second year

Dedicated to helping each child lay the best foundation for life

17– 30 Dec

Our three schools in North London offer an authentic Montessori education for children from 2½ to 6 years old

Get Happy

Hampstead - Lyndhurst Gardens, NW3 West Hampstead - Abbey Road, NW6 Hornsey Rise (Crouch End) - Ashley Road, N19

‘Anarchically inclusive joy…’ ★★★★★

Comedy, music, acrobatics and silly dancing in Told By An Idiot’s show for kids of all ages this Christmas Suitable for everyone aged 4+

Image: Hugo Glendinning

The Sunday Times

barbican.org.uk

Contact us to find out more about our parent information sessions.

020 7435 3646 schools@mariamontessori.org www.mariamontessori.org

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book corner

Hi kids, parents, grandparents, teachers – and book lovers everywhere! I’m Ed and here is my Winter 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

Dirty Bertie: Aliens!

by Alan MacDonald & David Roberts (Stripes £4.99)

Ed says: ‘Bertie’s back – with three of his latest adventures.

Bertie is fascinated by the idea of seeing comets, shooting stars and, most of all, aliens.

How would you react if two aliens arrived at your front door? When Eugene suggests an exciting day birdwatching, Bertie can’t think of anything more boring – but then he wouldn’t mind spotting a hawk. Bertie has to think up ideas for making his school report a bit more acceptable but perhaps Bertie’s idea of improving his report won’t fool his parents.

‘This comic character is very popular with boys and girls alike. With super illustrations throughout, this book is great for newly confident readers or for reading together.’

The Adventures of Miss Petitfour

by Anne Michaels (Bloomsbury £10.99)

Ed says: ‘Miss Petitfour’s life is full of fun and adventures.

She loves baking – and eating – little cakes and she also loves her adorable cat companions.

Above all she loves to fly, which she does most days, on a tablecloth with each

cat’s tail wrapped round another. She might choose to fly this way or that but sometimes she flies whichever way the wind takes her. Her expeditions may start out in an ordinary way such as with a trip to a jumble sale or they may be to prepare birthday treats for one of her feline friends.

‘This is an absolutely delightful, heartwarming book with beautiful illustrations and, thanks to Miss Petitfour, a child’s vocabulary will be broadened by the magic of words!’

FOR AGES 7 YEARS PLUS

7+

Pugs of the Frozen North

by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre (Oxford £8.99)

Ed says: ‘Shen has had to abandon ship when winter suddenly arrives – the first True Winter for a long time. He is all on his own except for the dogs – 66 pugs! Luckily he meets Sika who wants to take part in the race to the North Pole to see the Snowfather. With her grandfather’s sled and Shen’s 66 pugs they set off for the frozen north. They know they will face stiff competition but will they be able to deal with the Kraken and a pack of hungry yetis?

‘This madcap adventure is fun from start to finish. The action-packed story is full of wonderful descriptions of the wintery setting, complemented by amazing illustrations.’

A Boy Called Christmas

by Matt Haig (Canongate £12.99)

Ed says: ‘Nikolas is an 11 year old boy living with his father in Finland. He was born on Christmas Day but there are never many celebrations as life is difficult. When Nikolas’ father leaves for the Far North, things become even harder and Nikolas decides he must leave to try and find his father. He believes in happiness and also believes that nothing is impossible. He needs all the optimism in the world as, although he has some amazing adventures and makes some wonderful friends, he has many problems to overcome.

‘If you ever wondered what the true story of Father Christmas was, this is the book for you! Brilliantly written, it is very entertaining and is sure to delight readers both young and old.’

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

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clubs and classes

Clubs & Classes Shouldn’t you be seen in the Number 1 magazine for families and young people in North London?

Contact adverts@familiesnorth.co.uk.

In this section we feature the very best clubs and classes in North 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

bond with baby, make new friends and help with baby development.

STARTING WITH ART startingwithart.com startingwithart@gmail.com Workshops Contemporary art workshops with a difference for babies, toddlers and children in Hampstead.

Dance 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.

LATINO BAMBINO 07961 838349 latinobambino.com

Toddler Dance Class Energetic classes with instruments, Spanish singing, Latin moves in fun weekly sessions for you and your bambino. 1-4 years.

LONDON ACADEMY OF GYMNASTICS & DANCE (LAGAD) Muswell Hill, Alexandra Palace, Southgate 07887 367171 lagad.co.uk info@lagad.co.uk Classes Fun and energetic dance and gymnastics classes in North London with coaching from a number of former International Gymnasts. 3 ½ to 17 years.

JUMP UP DANCE ACADEMY 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

Take part in shows on a regular basis with invited guests and work towards RAD ballet examinations.

3-18+ years.

Film School STUDIO FILM SCHOOL Balham, Hampstead and Highgate 020 7101 9329 studiofilmschool.co.uk info@studiofilmschool.co.uk Classes Join Studio Film School and make your own movies each Saturday in Hampstead or Highgate! Unleash your creative imagination, increase in confidence and make friends in a fun and friendly environment as you explore all aspects of filmmaking including camera work, editing, crewing, acting and editing. Courses available for ages 7-18 years. Book a place by calling 020 7101 9329, or email info@studiofilmschool.co.uk Alternatively visit the website: www.studiofilmschoool.co.uk

Dance Classes RAD ballet, ISTD modern, ISTD tap in a wide range of ages and abilities.

Mum & Baby Dance Class Newworkouts Dramarama Families North 87x62_Layout 1 at 19/10/2015 09:28 Page 1 Dance to increase confidence, New, Street Dance O2 Centre, NW3.

Languages BI-LINGUAL BEATS North London bilingualbeats.com info@bilingualbeats.com Lessons Learn music, Spanish and French. Early childhood programme that integrates music and a foreign language in a fun and creative way. Under 5 years.

CLUB PETIT PIERROT St John’s Wood, Notting Hill, Chelsea & Putney Free Trial Lesson 020 7385 5565 clubpetitpierrot.co.uk Autumn Term 19 September to 11 December 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

Stage School ExCiting Holiday PErforming arts CoursEs

Star in exciting PlayS Street Dance ShowS anD MuSicalS! Plus tErm-timE drama, drama Exam & strEEt danCE ClassEs on saturdays in HamPstEad attEntion boys & girls agEd 3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7-10 & 11-14.

Join our fun-PaCkEd tErm-timE and Holiday CoursEs.

exciting BirthDay PartieS alSo BookaBle.

Call 020 8446 0891 www.dramarama.co.uk

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clubs and classes private tuition/mini-groups at home during term-time and holiday periods and they teach in many prestigious schools too. 8 months8 years. Check website for special Christmas events.

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.

KEREN’S NURSERY 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 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.

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.

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE 07572579501 worldofmyl.com mylclubs@gmail.com Language Fun Fun French language classes, cooking with French sessions and music and games.

Fridays at Christchurch Islington and Saturdays at Dalston Hackney. 4-11 years.

Learning & tuition EXPLORE LEARNING Crouch End 020 3375 4245 Finchley 020 8150 2218 Islington 020 3597 7856 New Barnet 020 3375 4248 Palmers Green 020 3597 7858 West Hampstead 020 7993 1309 Enfield 020 3713 9721 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.

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 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.

KIP MCGRATH EDUCATION CENTRES 5 Crowndale Road, Camden, NW1 1TU 020 7383 9060 kipmcgrathcamden.co.uk camden@kip-mcgrath.com Tuition Professional tutoring in fully equipped educational centres. Maths, English, Reading, Spelling, Exam Prep and comprehension. Childcare vouchers accepted. Free assessment. 6-16 years.

TOP TUTORS 020 8349 2148 toptutors.co.uk Tuition Tutors who specialise in Primary, 11+, GCSE and A Level Maths, Science and English. Other subjects also available – Geography, History and Languages. Help with exam preparation, modules and to build confidence. Book online or call for information.

Music PIANO LESSONS David Moss 07713957902 Lessons Piano lessons in the home for beginners and advanced by experienced and patient teacher.

PIANO LESSONS IN YOUR HOME Highly qualified, experienced and patient teacher. Beginnersadvanced welcome.

References on request.

Enquiries David Moss 07713957902

THE STRINGS CLUB Hampstead, Primrose Hill and Belsize Park.

0121 369 1950

Dramarama

NW1 / NW6 / NW8 / N19

age range

020 7937 7965 Find your local class

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

Quote FamNorth for a 5% discount

Real Skills Real Fun

18 months - 10 years

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clubs and classes 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 Dramarama

CRAZEE KIDS Jacksons Lane, Archway Road, N6 5AA 020 8444 5333 07958 501919 crazeekids.co.uk lisa@crazeekids.co.uk 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 New Danny Grant Families ad 87x62_Layout 1 19/10/2015 09:24 Pagedramarama.co.uk 1 info@dramarama.co.uk Christmas Holiday Performing Arts Courses December 18, 21-23 At South Hampstead High School, Maresfield Gardens, NW3. All action fun-packed drama and stunning plays, musicals and street dance shows for 3-12 years.

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.

020 8446 0891 www.dgsoccer.co.uk Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools

ek Two we ilable!

Trial ava

3–18 years

Class e Cam s in: Crou den ch En d Fin Enfield chley Winc • Hendon hmor e Hill

Spring Term From 5 January Wide range of Performing Arts Classes held on Saturday mornings in NW3 for 3-12 year olds including drama, dance exams, musical theatre exams and street dance. Birthday parties also bookable.

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 perform.org.uk enquiries@perform.org.uk 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.

RAZZAMATAZ THEATRE SCHOOLS Barnet 01923 805846 07788 592171 Michael barnet@razzamataz.co.uk Hampstead 020 8150 7198 07875 331254 Frances

020 8447 4530 www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk

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hampstead@razzamataz.co.uk razzamataz.co.uk Drama Classes Dance, drama and singing with classic West End musical theatre, pop singing and street dance. Musical theatre, dance and drama. Razz Tots aged 2-3 years.

Razz Minis for 4-5 years and Dance, Drama and Singing for 6-18 years. Trial sessions available.

STAGECOACH THEATRE ARTS SCHOOLS Highgate 07956 436028 – Odette stagecoach.co.uk/highgate Theatre Workshops Fun confidence building, educational classes in acting, singing and dance.

Quality training in performing arts can help children fulfil their potential in all aspects of life. Book a two week trial or register interest online. 4-18 years.

THE ANNA FIORENTINI THEATRE & FILM SCHOOL North London & Hackney, Bethnal Green, Docklands, Lewisham 020 7682 1403 annafiorentini.com Classes Drama, singing, dance, film, set and costume design with shows, competitions, annual Oscar Night and holiday schools.

Classes on Saturdays in North London and Hackney, Tuesdays in Bethnal Green, Wednesdays in Docklands and Thursdays in Lewisham. 3-18 years.

Sport DANNY GRANT SOCCER SCHOOL North & North West London 020 8446 0891 dgsoccer.co.uk info@dgsoccer.co.uk Christmas Holiday Football Courses December 21-23 Non-stop football fun in NW3 for 3-12 years.

Spring Term From 5 January Weekly after school and Saturday morning classes for 3-4 years and 5-7 years. Saturday training sessions and matches 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.

ENJOY – A – BALL 08452 26 26 94 enjoy-a-ball.com Enjoy-a-Ball holiday camps 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 and prices.

Term Time Play Ball – throwing, catching, bouncing and balancing.

Play Ball Level 2 – Sports Skills including basketball, baseball and touch rugby.

Year 2 – Champs: Sports skills, team work, rules and matches.

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clubs and classes Parties Enjoy-a-Ball parties are for super-active 3-9 year olds full of high energy games for boys and girls.

KIDDIKICKS NW1, NW6, NW8, N19 020 7937 7965 kiddikicks.co.uk Football Fun training sessions, courses and parties with qualified coaches.

Age range 18 months-10 years.

MULTI SPORTS Crouch End & Mill Hill 0844 335 0450 themultisportsgroup.co.uk Weekend Sports Take part in a variety of sports activities-18 sports a year, with professional coaches. All abilities welcome. 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

UP Club + November 14, 21 Fairytale fun workshops. Booking required. 6-11 years. Cost £8.

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.

Book online. Weekly sessions for boys and girls 2-7 years.

SNOZONE snozoneuk.com/family-fun 0871 222 5673 Snocamps Supervised ski and snowboard lessons during every school holiday. Suitable for beginners and experienced skiers/ snowboarders. 7-15 years. Family private lessons and family sledging sessions also available.

Theatre workshops ARTS DEPOT

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.

Call for more information.

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

Holiday Courses Multi Activity day camps with a range of sports, arts, dance, drama and swimming crash courses.

Arts Depot Mini & Junior Performers Term time classes in drama and movement. See shows and perform in front of family and friends.5-11 years.

Once Upon a Christmas December 8-23 Interactive story telling sessions with festive craft activities. 2-5 years.

Cost £12 (adult + child).

Danny Grant Soccer School

Arts Depot Messy Play Weekly term time messy play activities.

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

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 OQL ( Hammersmith) 020 8741 6850 lyric.co.uk Acting Up Term time classes in performance skills. Groups 9-11 years, 11-13 years & 14-17 years.

Code Club Digital playspace. Groups 7-13 years and 13-19 years.

Film Hub Termly classes to use technical equipment.

15-19 years.

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street, London SE1 2HZ ( London Bridge) 020 7645 0560 unicorntheatre.com

Toddlers & babies CATERPILLAR MUSIC Mill Hill & Hampstead 020 3475 2483 caterpillarmusic.com Musical Sessions Music for little ones with activities, instruments and puppets. New born to 4 years. Free trial class.

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.

DEBUTOTS Finchley, Hampstead, Muswell Hill, Swiss Cottage 020 8442 2380 debutots.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

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 Classes Interactive storytelling and dramatic play classes. 6 months-7 years.

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.

JW3 341-351 Finchley Road, London NW3 6ET

( Finchley Road) 020 7433 8988 jw3.org.uk info@jw3.org.uk

Parent Gym November 20, 27, December 4, 11 Different parenting theme each session.

2-11 years. Free.

Baby Café at Zest Wednesday morning events with soft mats and toys for accompanied children under 2 years.

JW3 Playgroup November 17, 19, 24, 26 December 1 Play, songs and games. Under 2 years.

Cost £5.

Baby Babble Mornings November 17, 24, December 1 Practical information. Different topics each session for mums and new babies.

Cost £8.50-£10.

Hartbeeps and Babybeeps November 18, 25, December 2, 9 Interactive sessions for little ones.

Cost £7.50-£8.50.

TEMPO TOTS 07541 642602 www.tempototsnorthlondon.com Musical Sessions Development with live music.

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.

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

Tel: 07754120751 keith@rugbytots.co.uk

Parties All you need to have a great party

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clubs and classes My Melody Music House

Jigsaw Performing Arts

Club Petit Pierrot

With over 15 years of experience in teaching and performing, My Melody Music House offers private violin lessons at affordable prices in the comfort and convenience of your own home – the ideal environment in which to take violin lessons.

Students of all ages and levels can learn to play the violin. With the inspiration of passing the knowledge to young candidates, our Suzuki teacher instructs you and your children personally in preparation of school and grade exams.

Private lessons are conducted on a one-toone basis in your home where parents may have a chance to attend and observe their children. The lessons are initially offered as half an hour for younger students, starting usually from 4 years old. The length of the lessons increase for more advanced students based on their goals.

Students who wish to play violin and try out the instrument are welcome for a free trial lesson. Book for your trial lesson now and get more information about the course outline.

Visit www. mymelodymusichouse.com or call 07468623637 for enquiries.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary and will be offering a FREE scholarship place at their Camden school for the Spring term 2016! Classes take place on Saturday mornings at ‘The Bridge School’ for students aged between 3-18 years that wish to learn new skills, build their confidence and make lots of new friends. A term’s scholarship runs from Saturday 16th January until Saturday 20th March. Each scholarship place is worth £150 for 3-6 years and £280 for 7-18 years.

To be entered into our prize draw please email your name, address, telephone number and your child’s name and age to admin@jigsaw-arts.co.uk. Please quote ‘Families Scholarship’ in the subject box.

The deadline is Monday 14th December.

Club Petit Pierrot, London’s leading French club for children, has launched an exciting educational French CD with 36 original songs & rhymes, which children of all ages will enjoy. It includes a booklet with all the French lyrics, a full English translation and tips on how to practise at home.

Children (and parents!) will soon be singing along to the cool music and, without realising it, will effortlessly be absorbing French vocabulary, grammar and linguistic patterns. The funky, contemporary music has been arranged and recorded by the talented composer/musician Alex Grigelis (keyboardplayer in Disney’s West End hit musical ‘The Lion King’).

Price: £20, Available to buy on amazon.co.uk

Studio Film School

Jigsaw Performing Arts Instead of buying more plastic toys that children will tire of, how about buying them a place at a Jigsaw Performing Arts school?

Jigsaw provides Performing Arts classes for 3-18 year olds – a great way to build confidence, learn new skills and make lots of new friends!

You’ll be purchasing that special child, 11 weeks of Performing Arts fun! If you book a place and pay in full before Christmas then you will also be given a free T-Shirt (Worth £10) that you can wrap up along with the voucher.

Call us on 020 8447 4530 and quote ‘Families Gift’ to book a place at your nearest Jigsaw School. www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk

‘An inspiring new CD of songs.

I couldn’t recommend this highly enough for any family wanting to embrace the beautiful French language.’

Angels and Urchins magazine

Kiddikicks Local parents’ favourite football team Kiddikicks are pleased to announce the start of their indoor season.

All classes for children from 18 months up to age 5 year move indoors from November to March. The majority of their classes for 5 to 10 years which focus on individual ball skills, retention, passing and match play remain outdoors. It’s worth checking with the friendly team at Kiddikicks HQ to be sure of where to go. Booking for new player essential. Get in touch 020 7937 7965 info@kiddikicks.co.uk

Give your little star the red carpet treatment on their big day! Studio Film School specialise in creating fun, memorable and unique children’s birthday party experiences for children aged between 4 and 16. Each film made during a party is completely unique, based all around your child’s ideas and imaginations. We take away the stress of party hosting as our team entertain the children for between 1 and 3 hours. Visit www.studiofilmschool.co.uk for more information!

My Melody Music House offers private violin lessons at affordable prices in your own home – the ideal environment in which to take music lessons.

With over 15 years of experience in teaching and performing, our degreed violin teacher develops an individual program based on your preferences and goals.

Students of all ages can learn to play the violin...

Our teacher can instruct you and/or your children in preparation of school and grade exams.

The lessons are offered as 30 or 45 minutes or 1 hour based on the goals of students.

For more information please call, text or visit us online:

0746 862 36 37

www.mymelodymusichouse.com

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

27

places to go festive fun • christmas concerts

Places To Go

Your Guide to North London Family Entertainment

Welcome to our great seasonal 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.

WEAR A HAT DAY 2016 wearahatday.org Brain Tumour Research March 24 (2016) Advance notification to register online for fundraising activities.

Christmas Concerts BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS ( Barbican) 020 7638 4141 barbican.org.uk

Regent Street

Festive fun CAPEL MANOR GARDENS Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, EN1 4RQ (M25/J25) 08456 122122 capelmanorgardens.co.uk Festive Wreaths December 13 Held at Forty Hall Farm. Visit the animals and take part in a wreath-making workshop. Cost £3/under 16s free.

CARNARBY STREET W1 ( Oxford Circus) carnaby.co.uk November 12 Entertainment, discount shopping, DJs, live music and complimentary food and drink.

EXCEL LONDON E16 1XL (Custom House DLR) 020 7069 5000 excel-london.co.uk Simply Christmas November 19-21 Gifts, demonstrations, festive food and drink. Cost £8.

GREAT CHRISTMAS PUDDING RACE LONDON Covent Garden Piazza ( Covent Garden) xmaspuddingrace.org.uk The London Race December 5

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Register online to compete in the race.

Fancy dress fundraising event on behalf of Cancer Research UK.

HAMPSTEAD HEATH ( Kentish Town/Hampstead) 020 7332 3322 cityoflondon.gov.uk/hampstead Winter Wreath Making for Children December 6 Make and decorate a wreath. Booking required on 020 7332 3773. 8+ years.

Cost £5 per wreath.

KENWOOD HOUSE Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR (Hampstead Heath Station) 020 8348 1286 englishheritage.org.uk Family First Sundays December 6 Monthly creative workshops for families.

Cost £1.

LONDON NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS london.gov.uk December 31 Welcome in the New Year with events along the River Thames, opposite the Houses of Parliament. In partnership with UNICEF. Tickets £10 from See Tickets agency only.

OLYMPIA LONDON Grand Hall, W14 8UX (Kensington Olympia) olympia.london

familiesnorth.co.uk

International Horse Show December 15-21 Dressage, show jumping and driving.

Also shopping village for Christmas presents. Book tickets online.

Junior Trinity Winter Festival November 21, 22 Choir, Wind Orchestra and Baroque music.

Cost from £10/£5.

The Snowman and Peter and the Wolf December 19 Milton Court Concert Hall. Two animated films for the family with live orchestra and a pre-concert talk for children. Cost £16£30/children under 16 years half price.

REGENTS STREET LIGHTS regentstreetonline.com November 15 Traffic free day with activities and a variety of Christmas themed events starting from midday followed by the annual Christmas lights switch on celebrations with special guests.

Star Wars and Beyond December 30 Includes music from films and TV shows.

Cost £16.50-£39.50.

SERPENTINE SWIMMING CLUB

BURGH HOUSE & HAMPSTEAD MUSEUM

Serpentine, Hyde Park serpentineswimmingclub.com Peter Pan Cup December 25 Spectators are welcome to watch the Swimming Club members take part in this annual race in icy water!

TRAFALGAR SQUARE ( Charing Cross) london.gov.uk Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony A tree will be placed in the Square from early December to early January. Different groups apply to perform Christmas carols at the base of the tree, raising funds for charities. A torch lit procession and the blessing of the crib takes place after the tree has been lit. Dates and times will be confirmed on the website.

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New End Square, NW3 1LT ( Hampstead) 020 7431 0144 burghhouse.org.uk Carols and Christmas Cheer December 2 The St Genesius Chamber Choir.

Cost £12.

Christmas Art & Craft Fair December 6 Stalls, carol singing and kid’s activities.

Free entry.

CADOGAN HALL 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ ( Sloane Square) 020 7730 4500 cadoganhall.com

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where to find santa • ice rinks places to go Family Jazz All-Stars November 21 Family concert for all ages. Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. Cost £10/£5.

Mr Popper’s Penguins December 4, 5 Story telling with songs and puppets.

3+ years. Cost £14.50, £12.

Let it Snow December 12 Family concert with pre-concert activities.

3-8 years. Cost £10/£8/family £30.

Paddington Bear’s First Concert December 20 Symphony orchestra and narrator.

Cost £30, £27, £25.

The Snowman & Peter and the Wolf December 21 Film screening and live orchestra.

Cost £30, £27, £25.

KENSINGTON PALACE Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX ( High Street Kensington) 0844 482 7777 hrp.org.uk Christmas Carols December 8, 11, 15 Festive event with Victorian-inspired carols, guided tours and refreshments.

Cost £15/£10.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC Marylebone Road, NW1 5HT ( Regent’s Park) 020 7873 7373 ram.ac.uk A Topsy Turvy Family Play Day November 21 Comic opera sessions to learn about WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan who was a composition student at the Academy.

Free tickets available via email. 5-7 years.

Carols by Candlelight November 27 At St Marylebone Parish Church, NW1 5LT. Annual festive event. Cost £8.50.

ST JOHN’S Smith Square, SW1P 3HA ( Westminster) 020 7222 1061 sjss.org.uk Michael Morpurgo: On Angel Wings December 8 Michael Morpurgo narrates accompanied by traditional carols. Tickets £17.50, £15, £10/under 12s half price.

National Youth Music Theatre December 20 Christmas festival with readings, music and stage performances. Cost £25, £20, £15, £10.

ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD ( St Paul’s) stpauls.co.uk Advent Procession November 28, 29 Advent theme procession of light in darkness with the Cathedral Choir.

Family Carols December 19 Children welcome.

Christmas Services with Carols December 24, 25, 26

ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ ( Charing Cross)

020 7766 1100 stmartin-in-the-fields.org

0333 300 2300 harrods.com

Family Concert December 5 Carols and classical music. Cost £7-£16.

Christmas Grotto November 6-December 24 Visit Santa on the fourth floor and take home a special gift. Before meeting him take a trip through his toy workshop and after your visit enjoy a Tea Time and Grotto Café Experience. Special visits in November for children under 4 years.

Tickets available for Harrods Rewards Members with a refundable £10 booking fee. Afternoon tea £42/£30.

SUTTON HOUSE MUSIC SOCIETY Sutton House, Homerton High Street, Hackney, E9 6LQ ( Hackney Central) shms.org.uk Christmas Concert December 13 Festive concert with complimentary mince pies. Tickets include free admission to view Sutton House before the concert.

Cost £10/under 16s free.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY SW1P 3PA ( St James’s Park) 020 7222 5152 westminster-abbey.org Christmas Concert December 17 Traditional carols and seasonal readings.

Book in advance. Cost £15-£36.

Christmas Services November 29, December 23, 24, 25 Some popular services may require free tickets to be obtained in advance.

Where to Find Santa FORTY HALL Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9HA (M25/J25) 020 8363 8196 fortyhallestate.co.uk Magical Christmas November 28 Visit Santa in his grotto, go on and Elf trail around the Walled Garden; make a Christmas wreath; make a lantern for the Parade of Light and bring a teddy bear for a spin on the teddy zip wire! Small charges for each activity.

Carols for Christmas December 19 Choir of St Mary Magdalene. Cost £10.

HAMLEYS 188-196 Regent Street, W1B 5BT ( Oxford Circus) hamleys.com Meet Father Christmas November 21-December 24 Enjoy a meeting with Father Christmas, take part in activities, enjoy snacks and receive a special gift. One hour long sessions bookable at various time slots.

Charges apply.

HAMPSTEAD CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Hampstead High Street, NW3 hampsteadvillagelondon.com November 29 Family fun with stalls, funfair, music, Santa’s grotto, reindeer, children’s activities and free screening of a children’s movie at Hampstead Everyman Cinema.

BBC’s Fiona Bruce and guests will be switching on the Christmas lights.

HARRODS 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL ( Knightsbridge)

HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND W2 2ET ( Marble Arch entrance) hydeparkwinterwonderland.com Santa Land November 20 (5pm)-January 3 Entry is free to visit Santa in his grotto and receive a gift from 10am to 6pm on a first-come-first-served basis. Charges apply for fun fair rides in Santa Land.

Pre-bookable tickets for Ice Skating, Magical Ice Kingdom, Circus and Giant Wheel with fast track entry. The main area is free to enter.

KEW GARDENS Kew, Richmond, Surrey ( Kew Gardens) 020 8332 5655 kew.org Christmas at Kew November 25-January 2 After dark experience in the sparkling winter trail through the gardens. Younger visitors can ride on the Victorian carousel and meet Santa and his elves along the way. Evening entrance from £16/£10. Day entry from £15/£3.50/under 4 years free.

LAUDERDALE HOUSE Highgate Hill, Waterlow Park, N6 5HG ( Archway) 020 8348 8716 lauderdalehouse.co.uk Events take place at other locations due to refurbishment at Lauderdale House.

Father Christmas December 12, 13 Held at Highgate Dental Practice, 21 Highgate High Street, Highgate Village, N6 5JT. Santa will set up his grotto at the new location with help from the Tooth Fairies. Come and meet Santa, find out about the reindeer and leave with a present. Cost £6.50 per child.

LEE VALLEY PARK FARMS Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF (Cheshunt ) 01992 892 781 visitleevalley.org.uk/farms Christmas at the Farm December 12, 13, 19-23 Meet Santa and his elves and take part in indoor play activities.

MUSEUM OF LONDON 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN ( St Paul’s) 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk Victorian Santa’s Grotto December 5, 6, 12-23 Advance booking required for a visit to see Santa in his secret grotto in the festive nineteenth century Victorian Walk.

Cost £7-£9.

Holiday Activities December 27-January 3 A range of activities with a festive theme. Free.

RAINFOREST CAFÉ 20 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7EU ( Piccadilly Circus) 020 7434 3111 therainforestcafe.co.uk fatherchristmas@therainforestcafe.co.uk Santa’s Grotto Weekends from November 14-29 Daily from November 30 Visit the Secret Forest in a magical winter wonderland setting. Meet Father Christmas and his elves in his enchanting snowy woodland grotto for a magical memory to last a lifetime. Limited places so advance booking required.

ROYAL ALBERT HALL Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP ( High Street Kensington) 020 7589 8212 royalalberthall.com A Victorian Christmas December 7-24 Festive tour and creative activities with a meeting with Father Christmas and a goody bag to take away.

2+ years. Cost £25.

WESTFIELD Stratford City, E20 & Shepherd’s Bush, W12 westfield.com/london westfield.com/stratfordcity Adventure to Santa’s Grotto November 9-December 24 Fun, interactive and personalised activities with favourite Shrek characters. A cinematic Shrek experience on the journey to meet Santa supported by DreamWorks Animation.

WILLOWS FARM VILLAGE Coursers Road, St Albans, AL4 OPF (M25/J22) 0870 129 9718 willowsfarmvillage.com Santa Spectacular November 25-December 24 Plenty of Christmas activities down on the farm with a nativity story, festive funfair rides, a magical ice rink, indoor play and a reindeer hunt. Write a letter to Santa and visit him in his grotto to collect a golden key to unlock a gift. Weekend and weekday prices apply check online for current entrance charges.

Outdoor & Indoor ice rinks Open air ice rinks operate during all weather conditions over the festive period, so come prepared with suitable clothing and note the safety rules and regulations. Hourly day and evening sessions are bookable in advance with skate hire included. Young children must be accompanied on the ice by an adult.

ALEXANDRA PALACE Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY ( Wood Green) 020 8365 2121 alexandrapalace.com November & December Indoor ice rink open all year round.

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 cinema • museums • exhibitions Check online for special festive events, school holiday courses and toddlers on ice activities.

BROADGATE ICE RINK Exchange Square, EC2A 2BQ ( Liverpool Street) 0845 653 1424 broadgate.co.uk/ice November 16-February 25 Skate in the heart of the city surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants. Spitalfields Market is also close by. The rink will be closed to the public during sessions for school children. Cost £13/£9/family £35.

CANARY WHARF Canada Square Park, E14 5AB ( Canary Wharf) 08456 531 431 icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk October 31-February 27 Magical outdoor ice rink with shops nearby. Book tickets online and check closures for local schools skating sessions. Skate aids extra to hire. Cost £14.95/£9.95/family £41.95.

HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND hydeparkwinterwonderland.com November 20-January 3 Outdoor ice rink set around the Victorian bandstand and illuminated with many lights. Combined attraction tickets available.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ICE RINK ( South Kensington) 0844 847 1576 nhm.ac.uk October 29-January 3 Outdoor ice rink against the backdrop of Hintze Hall surrounded by fairy lights.

Special parent and toddler sessions. Cost £12.65/£8.80/family £39.60.

SOMERSET HOUSE Strand, WC2R 1LA 0844 847 1520 somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink November 18-January 10 Open-air ice rink in the courtyard. Young children can skate with the Polar Cub Club in a safe training rink and older children can take lessons at the Skate School. Special DJs club nights with music, bar and café.

The Christmas Arcade November 18-January 3 Visit the pop-up version of Fortnum & Mason store with gifts, fashion accessories, decorations and a dedicated children’s section.

Tuesday Treats November 24-December 22 Skaters and spectators can enjoy seasonal food, drink, music and late-night shopping.

TOWER OF LONDON toweroflondonicerink.com November 20-January 3 Open-air ice skating fun with spectacular views in historic surroundings.

Refreshments served at the Ice bar and café. Cost Off peak £12/£9.50/£8.50/ family £38.

WESTFIELD Sherpherds Bush, W12 westfield.com/london

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November 19-January 3 Indoor ice rink in the Atrium event space with festive backdrop, lighting and music. Family entertainment, penguin and seal skating aids and school choir competitions throughout December.

Animate Celtic Craft December 5 Free drop-in sessions to recreate woven patterns found on jewellery and weapons.

7+ years.

Cinema

48 Doughty Street, WC1N 2LX ( Russell Square) 020 7405 2127 dickensmuseum.com

BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street/Beech Street, EC2Y 8DS ( Barbican) 020 7638 4141 barbican.org.uk/film Framed Film Festival November 21-22 Annual celebration of children’s cinema from all over the world with workshops and family activities.

PETRIE MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN ARCHAEOLOGY University College of London, Malet Place, WC1E 6BT ( Goodge Street) 020 7679 2884 ucl.ac.uk/museums/petrie Murder in Mesopotamia December 3 Film club event with screening of Agatha Christie’s murder mystery. Booking may be required. Free-suggested £5 donation.

ROYAL ALBERT HALL Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP ( High Street Kensington) 020 7589 8212 royalalberthall.com Disney in Concert: Alice in Wonderland December 12 Watch Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland on the big screen with live orchestra and choir. Various online seating prices.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Live screenings for cinemas roh.org.uk The Nutcracker December 16 Live screening at various local cinemas including Everyman Cinemas, Art House Crouch End, JW3, Vue Islington, Vue North Finchley and Barbican Centre.

Museums & Exhibitions

CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM

A Wartime Christmas December 20-23, 27-31 Family craft activities to help decorate the Christmas wreath and learn how Christmas was celebrated on the Home Front. Free entry.

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB ( Covent Garden) 020 7565 7299 ltmuseum.co.uk

Christmas Events Online information on special events during the festive period.

Family Play Zone Hop onto a real bus, play in the Lost Property office, help at the mini information desk or have fun at the Baby DLR with wall and building blocks.

0-7 years.

DESIGN MUSEUM Shad Thames, SE1 2YD ( London Bridge) 020 7403 6933 designmuseum.org

Family Station Borrow a coin-bag and choose a variety of activities. 3-12 years. Annual ticket £15/children free.

Jingle (bicycle) Bells December 6 Christmas decoration workshops, chocolate tasting session and carol singing. Family activities to coincide with the Cycle Revolution exhibition. Entrance charges apply.

MUSEUMS TAKE OVER DAY kidsinmuseums.org.uk November 20 An annual event when children from local schools are given decision making roles within museums, galleries and historic sites. Check online for local events.

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

ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM

Garlands and Holly Wreaths December 5 Drop in family workshop to create wreaths and garlands for Christmas.

5+ years. Free for children and up to two adults.

Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL ( Colindale) 020 8205 2266 rafmuseum.org.uk Santa Scramble Trail December 1-23 Museum trail to find the Secret Santas.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM

ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH

Kingsland Road, E2 8EA ( Old Street) 020 7739 9893 geffrye-museum.org.uk Christmas Past November 24-January 3 Free exhibition to take a glimpse into how Christmas has been celebrated through the ages.

Farewell to Christmas January 6 Outdoor garden event with carol singing, stories, mulled wine and Twelfth Night cake. Free.

HANDEL HOUSE MUSEUM

National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, SE10 9NF (DLR Cutty Sark) 020 8858 4422 rmg.co.uk Toddler Time – Cutty Sark December 2, 9, 16, January 6, 13 Term-time afternoons for young visitors.

4 years and under. Entrance to Cutty Sark £13.50/£7 for 5-15 years/family £24 or £35. Combined museums tickets also available.

V&A MUSEUM

25 Brook Street, W1K 4HB ( Bond Street) 020 7495 1685 handelhouse.org

Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL ( South Kensington) 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk

Bartholomew Lane, EC2R 8AH ( Bank) 020 7601 5545 bankofengland.co.uk

A Christmas Celebration December 6 Interactive family concert with music from around the world. Cost £9/£5.

Sparkling Silver, Glittering Gold December 21-24, 29, 30, 31 Explore the collection of silver and gold objects and decorate a money box to take home with a chocolate gold coin inside.

Bejewelled Treasures – India Festival From November 21 Indian jewellery design during the early twentieth century. Entrance £14/children free.

The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2JH ( London Bridge) 020 7940 6300 iwm.org.uk/hms-belfast

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

BRITISH MUSEUM Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG ( Tottenham Court Road) 020 7323 8000 britishmuseum.org Celts – art and identity Until January 31 Examine the full history of Celtic art and history. Cost £16.50/children free.

familiesnorth.co.uk

HMS BELFAST

Cracking Codes December 12, 13 Family activities to decipher secret messages. Drop-in events.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ ( Waterloo/Lambeth North 020 7416 5000 iwm.org.uk/iwm-london

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V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA ( Bethnal Green) 020 8983 5200 museumofchildhood.org.uk The Tales We Tell November 14 onwards Exhibition on the traditions of Warli, a tribal art form from Western India.

Half Moon Theatre November 14, 21, 28 Workshops and performances. Booking

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theatre shows • pantomimes places to go required. 3-12 years. Free.

Christmas Designer Market November 29 Independent designers and makers.

Free entrance.

Theatre Shows & Pantomimes ARTS DEPOT Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 OGA ( West Finchley & Woodside Park) 020 8369 5454 artsdepot.co.uk Jazz for Toddlers November 15 Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Music and jazz moves workshop.

2-5 years. Cost £7.

Once Upon a Snowflake November 22 Liza has gone missing and no-one knows where she is. Stories and adventure with mysterious Winter Sprites. 3+ years.

Cost £7.

The Night before Christmas November 28, 29 Eddie the little mouse wonders why only humans are allowed to get presents so he sets off to find Father Christmas.

Along the way he meets the family cat, a cowardly robot and a magical fairy on top of the tree. 3-8 years. Cost £9/£6.

Hetty Feather December 2-6 Family adventure story from author Jacqueline Wilson, brought to life on stage with original music and circus skills.

7+ years. Cost £24.50/£21.50/£18.50 Room on the Broom December 8-January 3 Tall stories musical stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book. A stormy wind blows the witch’s hat away and her cat, a helpful dog, bird, frog and the hungry dragon help retrieve it! But is there room on the broom for everyone? 3+ years.

Cost £14/£12.50/£8.

Mr Popper’s Penguins December 4th -1.30pm & 4.30pm December 5th -10.30am & 1pm Painter and decorator by day, Mr Popper spends his time dreaming of Antarctic adventures. He is astounded when one day a packing crate arrives on his doorstep, out of which waddles a penguin! Cost £12, £14.50

CHICKENSHED THEATRE Chase Side, Southgate, N14 4PE ( Cockfosters/Oakwood) 020 8292 9222 chickenshed.org.uk Twelve Days of Christmas November 25-January 9 Four brave children flee from their mean step family and get to meet the characters from the traditional song including the

DUGDALE CENTRE Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Road, Enfield EN2 6DS (Enfield Town ) 020 8807 6680 enfield.gov.uk/millfield

ND A BRAAMILY F NEW SICAL MU

Christmas Tales December 2-27 Chickenshed Theatre’s popular Tales from the Shed characters with silly songs and puppets. 0-6 years. Cost £9/free for babies under 1 year.

Children’s International Voices of Enfield December 5, 6 Top choirs for children and young people of Enfield. Cost £12/£11/£6/£5.

HACKNEY EMPIRE 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ (Hackney Central ) 020 8985 2424 hackneyempire.co.uk Jack and the Beanstalk November 21-January 3 Music, gags, outlandish costumes and fantastic dance routines in the annual pantomime show. Cost £10-£34.50.

INTIMATE THEATRE 521 Green Lanes, N13 4DH (Palmers Green ) acorntheatre.com Aladdin December 27-January 3 Acorn Theatre Company amateur dramatic society production.

JACKSONS LANE 269A Archway Road, N6 5AA ( Highgate) 020 8341 4421 jacksonslane.org.uk The Snail and the Whale December 5-January 3 A tiny snail and a humpback whale journey together. 4+ years. Cost £12.95.

LONDON COLLISEUM St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES ( Charing Cross) 020 7845 9300 eno.org Nutcracker December 16-January 10 Enter the magical world of Clara and her Nutcracker doll – a magical ballet for all the family. Special family friendly performances on January 4 & 10 when under 5s are admitted.

LONDON INTERNATIONAL MIME FESTIVAL mimelondon.com January 9-February 6 International mime artists take part in a variety of events, films and activities across London venues.

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH Lyric Square, King Street, W6 OQL ( Hammersmith) 020 8741 6850 lyric.co.uk

FRI 4 - SAT 5 DECEMBER www.cadoganhall.com

BOOK NOW 020 7730 4500 Running time 55 mins

For ages 3+

The Tiger Who Came to Tea LIVE ON STAGE

a musical play adapted and directed by DAVID WOOD based on the book

by JUDITH KERR

“This Tiger is the cat’s meow”

★★★★ The Times

LYRIC THEATRE SHAFTESBURY AVENUE

WED 25 NOV - SUN 10 JAN BOOK NOW 0330 333 4812 www.thetigerwhocametotealive.com

THE HIT MUSICAL ADAPTATION OF THE AWARD WINNING PICTURE BOOK BY JULIA DONALDSON AND AXEL SCHEFFLER

S

Cadogan Hall 3 Sloane Terrace, London SW1 9DQ Tel: 020 7730 4500 www.mrpopperspenquinslive.com

Christmas Tales December 5-23 Fun and festive celebrations with the Tales from the Shed characters. 0-6 years. Cost £8/free for babies under 1 year.

’ !

HE CK BA

Land of Lights December 15-January 3 A hot air balloon floats over a tiny alternative world. A multi-sensory experience for young children with sights, sounds, smells and textures. 3-5 years.

Cost £10.

Partridge, Three French Hens and Two Turtle Doves! 5+ years. Cost £11-£20.

“A FINE PIECE OF CHILDREN’S THEATRE”

★★★★ The Sunday Times

“MONSTROUS FUN!”

★★★★ Daily Mail

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE

TUE 15 DEC - SUN 3 JAN BOOK NOW 0330 333 4814 nimaxtheatres.com

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31

places to go theatre shows • pantomimes • nct Cinderella November 21-January 3 Meet Cinderella and her charming Prince in the annual pantomime with festive fun in true Lyric style. With Samuel Buttery, Sara Crowe, Krystal Dockery and Karl Queensborough. Colourful characters, live music and lots of laughs. 6+ years. Tickets £15-£35.

Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas November 20-December 24 Father Christmas awakes from a dream to find it is Christmas Eve – the busiest time of the year. Live music and puppets. Under 6 years. Cost £10.

LYRIC THEATRE (LONDON) 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES ( Piccadilly Circus) 0844 482 9674 The Tiger Who Came to Tea November 25-January 10 Return of the popular family show with magic, songs and chaos. Cost £14.50£23.40.

MILLFIELD ARTS CENTRE Silver Street, Edmonton, N18 1PJ (Silver Street ) 020 8807 6680 enfield.gov.uk/millfield Cinderella November 26-January 3 Magic, mayhem and outrageous costumes in the rags to riches pantomime with Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother.

Cost £19.50/£18.50 online. Family and group tickets available.

Snow White and the Seven Superheroes January 7-10, 14-17 Urban street dance pantomime.

Cost £14.75/family £46.

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

Holborn)

The Snowman November 25-January 3 A young boy’s adventures to the North Pole with a magical snowman and on the way he meets dancing penguins, reindeer and Father Christmas. Tickets from £15.

PLEASANCE THEATRE Carpenters Mews, North Road, N7 9EF ( Caledonian Road) 020 7609 1800 pleasance.co.uk Nutcracker! The Musical December 8-January 3 Modern musical score influenced by the famous ballet. Cost £12-£16.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD ( Covent Garden) 020 7304 4000 roh.org.uk The Nutcracker December 8-January 14 Classic ballet. Cost £5-£117.

The Firework-Maker’s Daughter December 10-January 2 Linbury Studio Theatre. Opera based on a fairytale by Philip Pullman with shadow puppets and light projections. Cost £8-£26.

SADLER’S WELLS & LILIAN BAYLIS STUDIO Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN

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( Angel) 0844 412 4322 sadlerswells.com

& 25214011.

The Little Match Girl December 12-January 3 At Lilian Baylis Studio. A young street girl’s hopes and dreams told through dance and music – based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale. 5+ years. Cost £18/£12.

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ ( London Bridge) 020 7645 0560 unicorntheatre.com

WYLLYOTTS THEATRE Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 2HN (Potters Bar ) 01707 645005 hertsmereleisure.co.uk/wyllyotts-theatre The Nutcracker November 22 Vienna Festival Ballet production.

Aladdin December 11-January 3 Live music and adventure.

NCT – North London BARNET, ENFIELD HARINGEY, TOTTENHAM BRANCHES nct.org.uk/branches/enfield nct.org.uk/courses 0300 330 0700 helpline bookings5b@nct.org.uk Contact Belinda on 020 8752 2343 Twins and Multiples Workshops November 14, January 23 In Muswell Hill. Quote 24668639

familiesnorth.co.uk

THE BULL THEATRE 68 High Street, Barnet, EN5 5SJ ( High Barnet) 020 8441 5010 thebulltheatre.com Sleeping Beauty December 8-30 Family pantomime.

HARINGEY BRANCH

404 Strand, London WC2R 0NH www.nimaxtheatres.com ( Charing Cross) Box Office: 0330 333 4814

Running time: 55 minutes, no interval.

The Gruffalo is aimed at pre and primary school children aged 3+ and their grown-ups!

The Consciousness Field December 13-January 2 Interactive art installation with hundreds of pompoms of different colours and sizes. Free.

Signature and Essentials Antenatal courses Search with due date and postcode on nct.org.uk/courses.

Vaudeville theatre

21 December – 3 January Standard: £15 & £17.50 Premium: £24.50 (Premium seats include a free poster.)

Restricted view: £12.50 Family: £60 (admits four) (applies to £17.50 top price tickets only)

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

Refresher Antenatal Course January 13 For second time and expecting parents.

Crouch End. Quote 25213947.

The Snow Child November 18-January 3 A man and his wife decide to sculpt a child of their own out of snow. Russian folktale.

15 – 20 December Standard: £15 & £17.50 Premium: £22.50 (Premium seats include a free poster.)

Restricted view: £12.50 Family: £60 (admits four) (applies to £17.50 top price tickets only)

ARTS DEPOT

Early Days Postnatal Course Starting November 26 5-week courses for new mums with babies 1-6 months old. Crouch End. Quote 23904770. Starting January 14.

Quote 24668628.

Waterbirth Workshop December 13 Any stage of pregnancy. Courses in Crouch End. Quote 24922095.

Baddies: The Musical Until December 24 Meet fairy tales’ most villainous characters. 6+ years. Cost £12-£24.

The Gruffalo 15 December 2015 – 3 January 2016 Press performances: Fri 17 Dec 11am, Sat 18 & Sun 19 Dec 10am & 12pm

Local Events Barnet

Introduction to Solid Foods Workshop November 16, December 14 For parents/carers of 3-6 month old babies in Crouch End.

nct.org.uk/haringey 0300 330 0700 helpline parentsupport@haringeynct.org bookings5b@nct.org.uk

Camden BRITISH LIBRARY

Expectant Parents Pub Night January 6 (8pm) Social event held at The Old Dairy, 1-3 Crouch Hill, N4 4AP. For those expecting a baby near January, February or March. Non-NCT members welcome.

Confirm attendance on events@ haringeynct.org

96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB ( Kings Cross) 01937 546546 bl.uk

Weekly Events Mondays: NCTea@Blend N8 Pequenit@s – Stroud Green and Haringey Library, N4.

Tuesdays: NCTea@Bills, N10 NCTea@Delicia, N2 Thursdays: NCTea@Pickled Pepper Books, N8 Bumps and Babies@The Woodman, N6

HAMPSTEAD ARTS FESTIVAL

Saturdays: Stay & Play@MyCreche, N8 Fortnightly: Dads and Babies meet up@The Salisbury, N4 every other Saturday.

Mamás y Bebés@ various locations every 2 weeks.

Monthly Events Startup Mums@The Alex, N8 Book Club@The Bull, N6

ISLINGTON & HACKNEY BRANCH nct.org.uk/islington nct.org.uk/courses 0300 330 0700 helpline Contact Caroline: bookings5d@nct.org.uk 020 8752 2495

General Courses NCT offer a range of courses for support through pregnancy, birth and new life as a parent. Check website or contact above.

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The African Market and Discovery Day December 5 Family workshops, demonstrations and performances inspired by West African culture.

hampsteadartsfestival.com

Fridays : NCTea@Bills, N10

Introducing Solid Foods Workshop November 29 Held in Shoreditch/Islington, N1.

Suitable for people with babies aged between 3 and 6 months.

Journey to Wonderland November 28 Family activities to discover and adapt stories from Alice in Wonderland. Limited places allocated on a first-come-firstserved basis. 5+ years. Free.

Cavatina Family Concert November 21 At St John’s Church, Downshire Hill, NW3.

Musical experience for children 5+ years and accompanying adults. Cost £10/free for children.

JW3 341-351 Finchley Road, NW3 6ET ( Finchley Road) 020 7433 8988 jw3.org.uk info@jw3.org.uk Chanukah Light-Ups December 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 Crafts, dancing, candle lighting, music and doughnuts. 2-9 years. Free.

Funukah Chanukah December 6 Celebrate the first night of Chanukah with various activities. 2+ years. Cost £2-£6.

Family Fun Sundays A variety of fun sessions for all the family with concerts, activities, craft and films.

More information online.

KEATS HOUSE Keats Grove, NW3 2RR ( Hampstead Heath) 020 7332 3868 cityoflondon.gov.uk/keatshouse

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local events • further afield places to go Michael Rosen’s Family Show December 6 Michael Rosen performs poems from his books for families and children 3-11 years. Booking recommended. Cost £4.

Christmas Tales December 20 Festive songs and stories and craft activities. Free drop-in.

ST JOHN’S HOSPICE NW8 9NH stjohnshospice.org.uk Christmas Fayre December 6 St John’s Wood High Street. Annual fundraising event.

Enfield ENFIELD CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHT Enfield Market Place enfieldfestivals.com November 29 Vintage vehicles, brass band and entertainment. Parade starts at the Civic Centre. Also carols, tree lighting and fireworks. Free.

and young people held at BSix College Theatre, Clapton. No previous experience necessary. Everyone welcome. Book a taster session. 7-19 years.

ST JOHN AT HACKNEY CHURCH Lower Clapton Road, E5 OPD ( Hackney Central) 020 8985 5374 stjohnathackney.org.uk Children’s Carol Service December 24 3pm & 5pm.

Haringey ALEXANDRA PALACE Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY ( Wood Green) 020 8365 2121 alexandrapalace.com Cinderella on Ice December 14-21 Annual family pantomime on the ice with adult and child skaters. Cost £12/£10.

BERNIE GRANT ARTS CENTRE

Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9HA (M25/J25) fortyhallfarm.org.uk

Town Hall Approach Road, N15 4RX ( Seven Sisters) 020 8365 5450 berniegrantcentre.co.uk

Food Festival November 28, 29 Cooking demonstrations, craft masterclasses and local produce to buy or order for Christmas. Visit the farm animals and take part in a taste trail. Cost £7/£5/£3.

Cinderella December 9-19 A new take on a familiar story – a musical set in Russia with Cossack dancing and traditional pantomime fun from The MTA drama college performers. Cost £10/ Concessions £5.

FORTY HALL FARM

ST LUKE’S CHURCH Phipps Hatch Lane, EN2 OHL Craft Fair December 12

WHITEWEBB MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT Whitewebbs Road, Enfield EN2 9HW (Crews Hill Station) 020 8367 1898 whitewebbsmuseum.co.uk Open Day November 29 Admission £4.

New Year Autojumble January 3 Admission £5/accompanying children under 13 years free.

Hackney HACKNEY CITY FARM 1a Goldsmiths Row, E2 8QA ( Bethnal Green) 020 7729 6381 hackneycityfarm.co.uk Christmas Craft Fair December 13 Mulled wine, carol singing and lots of stalls selling home crafted Christmas gifts.

12noon-4.30pm.

HACKNEY SHED hackneyshed.co.uk sarah@hackneyshed.org.uk Classes Theatre and drama classes for children

Islington BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE 52 Upper Street, Islington, N1 OQH ( Angel) 020 7288 6475 businessdesigncentre.co.uk London Toy Soldier Show December 5 For traders, collectors and figure painters.

Tickets £5, £6, £10. Children under 14 years free.

ISLINGTON MUSEUM 245 St John Street, EC1V 4NB ( Angel) 020 7527 2837 islington.gov.uk Messy Play Christmas November 30 Christmas themed messy play activities for under 5 years. Cost £2 per child.

Christmas Party December 7 Stories, games, songs and crafts. Messy sessions. Cost £2 per child.

PARASOL UNIT FOUNDATION FOR CONTEMPORARY ART 14 Wharf Road, N1 7RW ( 020 7490 7373 parasol-unit.org

Angel)

Abstraction at the Roll of the Dice December 6 Family workshop with geometric shapes and colour combinations using a dice for selections. Book in advance. 5-15 years.

Cost £5 per family.

Tickets from £10 020 7684 0060 I hoxtonhall.co.uk PARK THEATRE Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP ( Finsbury Park) 020 7870 6876 parktheatre.co.uk Rapunzel December 3-January 2 Cost £25, £20/concessions available.

Further Afield WADDESDON MANOR Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 OJH (A41) 01296 653226 waddesdon.org.uk

Christmas Fair November 18-December 6 Garden event with wooden chalets and produce from local and national artists.

Entrance charges apply/free for National Trust members and children under 5 years.

Decorate a Christmas Bauble November 21, 22, 28, 29 December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19-23 Family workshop. Cost £3 per bauble.

WATERSMEET High Street, Rickmansworth, WD3 1EH (Rickmansworth ) 01923 711063 watersmeet.co.uk Cinderella December 4-31 With Sandra Dickinson as the Fairy Godmother. Cost £17.50/£15.50.

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role of Prince Charming and Alex Scott Fairley as one of the Ugly Sisters. Joining them on stage are Alexandra Da Silva (Cinderella), Jon Bolitho-Jones (Buttons), Nicholas Maude (Baron Hardup), Philip Day (Ugly Sister) and Ashley Stirling as the Fairy Godmother.

The perfect festive activity for family and friends – relax and unwind before or after the performance in the Millfield Bar & Kitchen, serving up delicious dishes and a wide range of beverages Book a ticket to make all your wishes come true... ‘Cinderella’ runs at Millfield Theatre, Edmonton from 27 November 2015 until 3 January 2016. To book tickets visit www. millfieldtheatre.co.uk or call 020 8807 6680

Cinderella at Millfield Theatre The award-winning Millfield Theatre pantomime is back with the most loved panto of them all – Cinderella!

This Christmas you are invited to the ball as Millfield Theatre magically bring to life the famous rags-to-riches story with comedy, stunning sets, outrageous costumes, some mice, a pumpkin and lots of sparkling fairy magic.

This year’s production of Cinderella promises to be another showstopper with a whole host of new faces plus a couple of old favourites.

Returning this year is Scott Jones, this time to the

of her shoes behind.

The prince tries the shoe on lots of women throughout the land, including the ugly stepsisters, until he finds Cinderella. They get married and live happily ever after.

Read this to win a family ticket to Cinderella* Cinderella, tells the tale of a girl who lives with her cruel family, including two ugly stepsisters, who make her work all day whilst dressed in rags. One day, the sisters receive an invitation to a ball. Cinderella is upset not to receive an invitation until a fairy godmother appears and helps her to get to the ball, where she dances with a Prince who falls in love with her. At the stroke of midnight Cinderella leaves knowing that her clothes will turn back to rags after 12 o’clock and as she rushes out she leaves one

Arts Depot A bumper Christmas line-up at artsdepot North Finchley’s artsdepot is a firm favourite with families and this December the venue presents a fabulous line-up for the festive season.

The season kicks off with a West End transfer of Hetty Feather; an absolute must for Jacqueline Wilson fans. Then the witch swoops in with Julia Donaldson’s Room on The Broom, a magical musical treat for ages 3+ by the company behind The Gruffalo.

Meanwhile in the Studio Theatre children’s theatre specialists Oily Cart stage The Land of Lights; an interactive experience with a sparkling finish, where little ones aged 3-5 year explore colours, textures, sounds and smells and discover other worlds.

Simply delightful.

Artsdepot hosts performances for families every weekend, has a family friendly café, and a free soft play. With so much on offer it’s easy to see why the venue was twice voted best neighbourhood theatre in the Love London Awards.

Answer this question: ‘What does Cinderella leave behind at the ball’?

Send your answers to editor@ familiesnorth.co.uk. *Available on the following dates Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November, Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th Dec and Sunday 3rd Jan

THE GRUFFALO ‘Tall Stories’ hit musical adaptation of the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Vaudeville theatre 15 December 2015-3 January 2016 Press performances: Fri 17 Dec 11am, Sat 18 & Sun 19 Dec 10am & 12pm

The Gruffalo returns to the West End direct from Broadway for a monster christmas season.

Everyone’s favourite furry monster, roars

back into the West End, by popular demand, this Christmas in Tall Stories’ smash hit production of The Gruffalo, direct from a ten week summer season seen by almost sixty thousand people and a smash-hit Broadway run. The production opens on the 15 December at the Vaudeville Theatre for a limited season.

The Gruffalo is the must see family show for lovers of the timeless story and everyone looking for a smashing day out!

Silly old Fox doesn’t he know?

There’s no such thing as a Gruffalo!

THE TIGER ROARS INTO THE WEST END THIS WINTER! Wednesday 25 November 2015Sunday 10 January 2016 Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue The tea-guzzling Tiger pounces back into the West End in this truly magical Olivier Award nominated production of The Tiger Who Came To Tea, opening at the Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue on Wednesday 25 November 2015 and running throughout Christmas to Sunday 10 January 2016.

When Sophie and her mummy welcome

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Photos: Donald Cooper

places to go news

familiesnorth.co.uk

the hungry Tiger to tea, he proceeds to eat all the sandwiches, buns, biscuits and more.

He even manages to drink all the water in the tap! What will Sophie’s Daddy say when he gets home? The Tiger Who Came To Tea is the perfect slice of teatime mayhem with sing-a-long songs, oodles of magic and interactive fun for children ages 3 plus and their families.

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger!

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places to go LONDON’S FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SHOW

A magical treat for the festive season

The live stage show

© Snowman Enterprises Ltd 1982, 2012

based on Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman Music and lyrics

by Howard Blake

Especia lly designe d for age s 3-5

“Sheer theatrical magic. Go see The Snowman and melt” The Times

“Oily Cart creates the kind of children’s shows you want to take home and treasure forever”

£110

TICKET eOonNeLY FAMILY, mu under 16 st includ ‘Walking in 4 tickets Max £2.50 ies. appl fee ion sact Tran the Air’ g Featurin

25 Nov - 3 Jan

Time Out

TUE 15 DEC – SUN 3 JAN

020 7863 8222 peacocktheatre.com

North Finchley

Box Office: 020 8369 5454 www.artsdepot.co.uk

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREAT THE OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATED SHOW FROM THE COMPANY THAT BROUGHT YOU THE GRUFFALO

Based on the best-selling book by

Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Sparkling Silver, Glittering Gold 21–24*, 29, 30 & 31* December 10:00am–4.30pm

Free admission

*Museum open 10:00am–1:00pm

L ive on Stage

★★★★ Sunday Times

Discover the Museum’s collection of glittering silver objects and the allure of the gold on display, and then get creative and decorate a gold bar money box to take home. There’s a chocolate gold coin for every child.

★★★★ Sunday Express

★★★★ Time Out

TUE 8 DEC - SUN 3 JAN NORTH FINCHLEY

BOX OFFICE 020 8369 5454 www.artsdepot.co.uk

10:00am–5:00pm Share your experience Monday to Friday. @boemuseum Closed weekends and Bank Holidays. Entrance T: 020 7601 5545 in Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum

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

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THERE’S

A SECRET IN THE FOREST

this christmas

advanced booking essential

0207 434 3111

fatherchristmas@therainforestcafe.co.uk 20 shaftesbury avenue, london w1d 7eu www.therainforestcafe.co.uk /rainforestcaf e london @rainforestcafe