WHAT’S ON
What’s on Compiled by Robina Cowan
All details are as provided when going to press. However, in case of changed plans, do double-check before setting out.
HALF TERM CAMPS
Perform: The Ice Queen Venues in Blackheath and Dulwich www.perform.org.uk/icequeen 12-14 February Join Perform and The Ice Queen this February half-term! Three days of Frozen-themed fun awaits your child in a glittering drama, dance and singing adventure with Elsa, Ana and friends. Ending with a dazzling performance, this is the coolest half-term treat. Ages 4-10.
how to find signs of animals in the garden. Activities include trail making, animal sounds, stories and games. Book first. The Kids’ Table: Peckham Levels Rye Lane SE15 4ST www.peckhamlevels.org Sundays and 14 & 16 February The Kids’ Table is a pop-up children’s corner service that provides supervised crafts, games and creative table-top fun while parents enjoy some ‘me’ time. Ages 3-10. FREE. Borough Market London Bridge SE1 9AL www.boroughmarket.org.uk 13-17 February London’s iconic Borough Market is hosting a selection of free half term events for children to get involved in, including treasure hunts, try and take home recipes, ‘you are what you eat’ themed face painting and more.
Funky Monkey Keyboard Workshops Various locations www.funkymonkey.info 12-16 February Funky Fingers workshops are imaginative, fun-packed workshops from Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes which introduce basic keyboard techniques including reading and writing music, performance skills, plus extra fun and games. Ages 4-8.
Mum2mum Market Various venues www.mum2mummarket.co.uk 3 February in Bromley Nearly new baby and children’s clothes, toys, books and baby equipment.
Global Camps Kelvin Grove School SE26 6BB www.globalcamps.co.uk 12-16 February A unique mix of language learning, sports coaching, art & craft and outdoor adventure to keep young ones active and engaged during all school holidays. Ages 4-12.
10 February Shelf: The Kids’ Show Join best friends Rachel and Ruby for a kids’ comedy show that’s full of sketches, songs, pranks and silliness. Fun for all the family! Ages 3+.
SPECIAL EVENTS Air Giants: The Glowbot Garden Strand Aldwych WC2R 1ES www.airgiants.co.uk 17-20 January A spectacular outdoor promenade experience featuring a series of wonderful interactive creatures. Interact with huge pneumatically controlled creatures among a dreamscape of giant vines, arches and ferns. FREE. Imagine Children’s Festival Southbank SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk 7-17 February Inspiring creativity for ages 0-11, this fabulous festival returns with over 100 events, author meets and book fun this half term. Book your tickets for brilliant theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, dance and flat-out family fun – including FREE events every day! Family Nature Detectives Centre for Wildlife Gardening SE15 4EE www.wildlondon.org.uk 12 & 13 February Tune into your senses and learn 14 Families South East London
THEATRE & SHOWS Blackheath Halls Lee Road SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com
24 February The Magic Word Let’s All Dance Ballet Company is back with another family-friendly ballet, where the beautiful Forest Queen meets the Forest Elf in a magical forest. All ages. The Broadway Theatre Catford Road SE6 4RU www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk 15 February Milkshake! Live on Holiday Join your favourite Milkshake! friends in a brand-new, all singing, all dancing family show. Stanley Arts Centre South Norwood Hill SE25 6AB www.stanleyarts.org 3-18 February Journey of a Refugee This powerful and moving production explores the journey and arrival of a refugee and the universal theme of people searching for a place they can call home. Ages 8+. 18 February The Great Big Dinosaur Show Join poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko for a family show full of
poems, raps and songs about all your favourite pre-historic protagonists (and some you haven’t heard of yet!). Ages 4-11. Bromley Churchill Theatre High Street Bromley BR1 1HA www.churchilltheatre.co.uk 14 & 15 February Claytime A play with clay where the earth’s natural material spurs imaginations. Join in and create fabulous forms, amazing animals and morphing monsters. Ages 3-6. Shakespeare’s Globe New Globe Walk SE1 9DT www.shakespearesglobe.com 10-17 February Workshops This half term’s live storytelling and interactive workshops include Macbeth, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Ages 5-12 plus grown ups. Unicorn Theatre Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com 20 January – 18 February The Three Billy Goats Gruff Following a hugely successful run last Easter, Stiles and Drewe’s joyful hit musical The Three Billy Goats Gruff returns to the Unicorn for a strictly limited run. Don’t miss out! Baby, Middle and Big are three very hungry goats and there is absolutely no grass left to eat on their side of the valley. Come on their adventure as together with Little Bo-Frilly they hatch a plan to cross the bridge to the lush green grass on the other side. They just need to outwit that horrible tricksy troll first. Ages 3-7. 17 January – 18 February Ready Steady Lift Off! A Line Art returns to the Unicorn with their unique brand of interactive arts and musical theatre for the whole family. Ready Steady Lift Off! is an immersive theatre show combining live performance, music, storytelling and painting into one interactive theatre show. This fun, craft-based theatre experience will get the family colouring and creating together and once you’ve decorated your rocket, you will orbit around space! Ages 3–8. Southbank Centre Southbank SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk 7-17 February Mish Mash Family Trail Gather your family and friends and prepare for an interactive and colourful art journey across the site. Ages 3+.
7-9 February The Sticky Dance Three dancers shimmy through the audience in this tactile dance performance for young children. Ages 3-5. 9 February Rug Rhymes What rhymes with rug? National Poetry Library puppets Federico and Firebird can’t wait to tell you at a session of nursery rhymes, poems and rhyming stories. Ages 0-5. 10-16 February Wellbeing Wind Down FREE mindfulness sessions designed to help the family relax. Bring Your Own Baby Comedy Various venues www.byobcomedy.com A funny, friendly afternoon of top comedy, where baby can come too. Shows feature a new line up of comedians each month. Ages: adults + under 12 months. 25 January in Greenwich 30 January + 27 February in Crystal Palace 5 February in Bromley 1 February in East Dulwich Kings Place York Way N1 9AG www.kingsplace.co.uk 4 February Megson Family Folk Show The award-winning Megson duo blend an infectious mix of heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and folk songs old and new, into concerts for younger children. Ages 0-8. Little Angel Theatre Dagmar Passage N1 2DN www.littleangeltheatre.com Until 27 January WOW! It’s Night-time Discover the wonders of night-time in this stunning adaptation of Tim Hopgood’s nocturnal sequel to Wow! Said the Owl. Ages 2-5. Until 4 February Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book A musical adaptation of the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, featuring the bookloving Charlie, a pirate, puppets and enchanting songs. Ages 3-8. Puppet Theatre Barge Blomfield Road W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com 3-25 February and 2-24 March The Insect Circus Forget reality and become immersed in the strange and beautiful world of the Insect Circus, performed by puppet beetles and grasshoppers, wasps and dragonflies. Ages 4+. Familiesonline.co.uk