Families SE London March April 2019 issue 196

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FREE

TAKE M E

South East

HAPPY EASTER Daycamps, workshops and Easter egg hunts

ONLINE EDITIONg

with workin website links

Issue 196 March April 2019

FAMILY-FRIENDLY CAREERS Flexible hours for mothers and fathers

WHAT’S ON Where to go, what to see, what to do this spring

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We do like Spring. The sun has a bit of warmth about it, the cheery daffodils are out, we’ve Mother’s Day and the clocks going forward to look forward to, and the schools give us back our children to play with during the Easter holidays - yay! As ever, we have a cracking issue for you, bringing you the best things to do and enjoy in our favourite corner of London.

Mmm, it smells like the hot cross buns are ready to come out of the oven - Happy Easter everyone.

Robina Cowan, editor

LocalNews

IN THIS ISSUE

Lewisham council has been awarded a £10,000 government grant to pilot ways to influence levels of childhood obesity across the borough - where nearly one in five children is already overweight or obese on entering Reception, rising to more than one in three in Year 6.

The pilot is a collaboration between the council, City University’s Centre for Food Policy, Outsmart (who represents the advertising companies), and the main brand advertisers represented by Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA). Plans include a borough-wide ban on advertising high fat, high sugar and salty foods, complemented with a high profile advertising campaign of behaviour change messages, for example Change 4 Life, Daily Mile and Sugar Smart activities. After the exploratory phase has finished in April, Lewisham will be eligible to bid for up to £300,000 of further funding over three years to fully implement and evaluate the impact of the ban. www.lewisham.gov.uk/news

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Local News and Views Piloting healthier local advertising, a festival in Crystal Palace, increasing parents’ confidence through art, a miniature world in Forest Hill, and two more reasons to visit Greenwich

4-5

Easter Holiday Fun Daycamps and workshops, and celebrating spring and chocolate in the great outdoors

6

Education News A great Tate project, Big Pedal is back, the benefits of STEM subjects, and Beanstalk’s intergenerational reading project

7

Clubs and Classes ECB’s fun cricket for youngsters, and boosting children’s self-esteem

8-9

Parent and Child Fostering How parent and child fostering is teaching valuable skills and keeping families together

12

Mothers Mean Business Making the most of oodles of childcare experience - Sarah Gooding talks about her new agency Granny as Nanny

13

The Book Page It’s not just daffodils that are out for spring - Justine Crow reviews a whole bunch of new books for parents and children

15-19

The chips are down

Family Life The benefits of family-friendly work both to parents and employers - and how to ask for flexible working. Plus, how to help your children spot ‘fake news’

10

email your news to editor@familiesse.co.uk

What’s On Our pick of the best events, shows and workshops to see you up to and into the Easter holidays

Crystal Palace Festival 2019 Running from 15-23 June, this year’s Crystal Palace Festival will be going back to its roots to focus on supporting local businesses and the community, promising visitors an exciting week of arts, culture and heritage in and around the Crystal Palace Triangle and local green spaces.

The festival was launched in 2006 and has grown each year to become a popular event enjoyed by around 30,000 visitors of all ages. The festival is organised by The Great North Wood Collective, an independent arts charity; along with a dedicated group of volunteers. It firmly believes in the power of creativity to improve and enhance the life of the local community through involvement in local arts, heritage and culture. Participants, donors and volunteers are invited to join in the success. www.crystalpalacefestival.org.

Front cover: photograph by Hannah Tasker at Unsplash May-June issue out 26 April, deadline 5 April

Creative families in Camberwell

Families South East

The children’s charity 1st Place is working in partnership with the South London Gallery, and South London and Maudsley Parental Mental Health Team to provide a therapeutic art programme to support local parents experiencing mental health difficulties.

‘Creative Families’ is being led by artist Judith Brocklehurst who is working alongside participants to explore the possibilities of paper. Over 10 weeks, families will use both experimental and craft techniques to make books, play games and create large-scale sculptures. The programme aims to help parents who are experiencing mental health difficulties by reducing feelings of social isolation, anxiety and stress, while also increasing self-esteem and parenting confidence.

Based in Camberwell, 1st Place is hosting five of the sessions, with the other five hosted by the South London Gallery. Both venues provide a safe, relaxed and welcoming space to promote emotional wellbeing, playfulness and family relationships. www.1stplace.uk.com

PO Box 11591, London SE26 6WB 020 8699 7240, editor@familiesse.co.uk

www.familiesse.co.uk for back issues and our media pack

Families South East London

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Families South East is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families South East are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families South East. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families South East, its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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Look up - it’s beautiful

Brick Wonders

A career in hospitality

The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich reopens on 23 March after a two-year National Lottery Funded conservation project which has brought its magnificent painted interior vividly backto life.

Extending to 4000 square metres, the vast decorated interior is a masterpiece of English baroque art.

Visitors can take a guided or self-guided tour of the extensive Old Royal Naval College site, alongside a collection of exquisite touch objects inspired by characters and items depicted on the ceiling. For younger visitors, a family trail has been developed alongside a range of sensory backpacks. The extensive grounds, the refreshed Visitor Centre, Chapel and the King William Undercroft are accessible to all visitors for free. Entry to the Painted Hall is free for under 16s, adult tickets at £12 are valid for a full year after purchase. www.ornc.org

Brick Wonders at the Horniman is proving to be a proper blockbuster. The newest exhibition features more than 50 models, dioramas and mosaics, with an interactive play area that is a hit for all ages. Exhibits include a specially created Lego model of the museum’s original 1901 building in incredible architectural details - and a Lego walrus!

The Horniman is also displaying selected objects from its natural history and anthropology collections showing human beings’ widespread fascination with miniaturising and modelling our world.

The Horniman Museum and Gardens are at 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ. Open daily from 10am-5.30pm, general admission free, Brick Wonders tickets £5 children, £9 adults, £20 families. www.horniman.ac.uk

Travelodge has launched a new recruitment programme to help unemployed parents return to work.

The UK wide hotel chain plans to open 100 new hotels over the next five years and is looking to fill 3000 new jobs by offering jobs that fit around school hours, a work buddy and access to management training. Jobs will be available across the company’s hotels and head office including roles in reception, restaurants and housekeeping as well as flexible hours in head office roles.

Peter Gowers, Travelodge Chief Executive said: “We see vast untapped potential in parents who want to return to work. Hospitality can offer a great career for parents, with jobs close to home, hours that can match the school run, benefits that suit families and a path into management.”

For careers advice and further details on all positions at Travelodge, read more online. www.travelodge.co.uk/careers

Calling all sailors Take the family to Cutty Sark in Greenwich for an action-packed day out on the fastest ship of its time. Meet characters from the ship’s past such as Captain Woodget and the ship’s cook and listen to their epic stories about life on board. Try and outwit the crew in the Sailors’ Challenge game, find your sea legs by taking the helm at the ship’s wheel, follow a family trail or take part in fun workshops.

Book now to save 10%: www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark

familiesonline.co.uk

Discover whodunit in Dulwich Budding detectives will need to put on their thinking caps to solve a new murder mystery Treasure Trail surrounding Dulwich.

The historic village plays an important part in south London’s history and now Trailers have the opportunity to discover its secrets by spotting and solving clues on a circular route which takes in local green spaces, key buildings, plaques, signs, statues, monuments, images, engravings and other unique features found in the area.

Lasting around two hours, the self-guided trail is suitable for groups of up to five people and is just £6.99. Other London Treasure Trails have enticing titles including ‘Lion Hunting in Stoke Newington’, ‘The Clerkenwell Clown Caper’ and ‘The Ghost of Dick Whittington’. www.treasuretrails.co.uk

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Easter Holiday Fun Spring is on its way and school is out time for some family fun - or childcare if you need it C AM P S AN D W OR KSH OPS COMPUTER CODING WORKSHOPS 8-12 April Easter holiday computer coding workshops in DULWICH, 020 8090 1444, www.spark4kids.com Spark4Kids are running all-day holiday workshops that introduce children to computer coding through the medium of games.

Available are courses on Minecraft Modding, Roblox Coding, Robotics, Games Design, MicroBit & Arduino coding, Python, HTML/CSS, JavaScript and Unity/C# in a fun, engaging environment. Ages 5-7, 8-12 and 13-16 years. Visit www.spark4kids.com for more details.

HOLIDAY DROP OFF MULTI SPORTS CAMPS Every school holiday including 1-19 April at DULWICH COLLEGE SPORTS CLUB, Pond Cottages, SE21 7LE, 020 3488 1410, www.holidaydropoff.com Children have a blast at HDO’s fantastic daylong multi-sports camps. Coaches from a variety of sports backgrounds run a whole range of indoor and outdoor sports to keep them happy and active through the school holidays, including ball sports, trampolining, team games, swimming pool inflatable sessions, arts and crafts and many new exciting activities. Ages 5-15, 9am-4pm with extended hours available.

FUNKY MONKEY KEYBOARD EASTER WORKSHOPS 8, 9, 11 or 12 April in HERNE HILL, SYDENHAM, CLAPHAM and STREATHAM, 01732 457 100, details and online film at www.funkymonkey.info Sign up your little chick to a one-day ‘Funky Chicken’ workshop.

Perfect for beginner keyboard players, children can try out the keyboard and make music the fun way, all with an Easter theme.

Children learn in small groups how to write and play notes C-G and try some famous tunes using electronic keyboards. It’s a wonderful, relaxed introduction to practical and theoretical music, and with games, quizzes and art activities all based around music thrown in for good measure, you’ll be amazed how much they can learn whilst having fun! Ages 4-8 years, 9.30am-1.30pm each day, £30, £25 sibling discount.

THE POINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY CLUB 1-18 April, 37 Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath SE3 7HS, 020 8293 1331, www.pointers-school.co.uk/holidayclub A varied programme of activities includes arts and crafts, team games, sports, special visitors and theme days to stimulate and entertain children. Pointer’s holiday club offers a safe environment with excellent adult: child ratios, under the watchful eye of experienced staff who are all DBS checked, first aid qualified, and have experience in the Early Years. Ages 3-11, 10am-4pm with extended hours available.

ART CAMP: BOTANICAL NOTEBOOKS ALICE IN WONDERLAND WITH PERFORM 15-17 April in BLACKHEATH, 020 7255 9120, www.perform.org.uk/holidays Tumble down the rabbit hole into the topsy-turvy world of Wonderland with Perform for three fun-packed days of drama, dance and singing in Alice In Wonderland. A dynamic team of actors, singers and dancers inspire and encourage children as they create a thrilling performance for family and friends on the final day. Ages 4-10, 10am-3pm each day, book first. Term-time classes with free trials also available in Dulwich, East Dulwich, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Blackheath, Greenwich, Hither Green and Herne Hill.

EASTER TENNIS CAMPS 8-11 and 15-18 April in LADYWELL, www.southeastlondontennis.com Four day group activities with professional coaches in weekly blocks. Each session includes tennis coaching, games and other team events, with a mini tournament at the end of each week.

Beginners and improvers welcome in age bands from 4-15 years.

From £15 per day/ £50 per four day course.

INTENSIVE TOUCH TYPING School holidays and Saturday classes in SYDENHAM, 020 7515 1707 or 07961 427640, www.yes-tuitionandtraining.co.uk Learn a new skill with a touch typing courses run by YES. Children find them fun, and they work - most children are tapping away proficiently in just ten hours. Sessions can be booked to fit around other holiday commitments so children can progress at their own pace.

9-11 April, DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Over three days, children will create work inspired by their surrounding landscape. Working in the gallery’s grounds, experiment with botanical inks, printing, sketching and much more. All of these experiments will be collected into a journal to take home. 10am-4pm each day, ages 6-9, £90 for all three days, book first.

E AST E R EVENTS HALL PLACE 8-28 April, HALL PLACE AND GARDENS, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ, 01322 526574, www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk Find out which bunnies are competing in the Egg-Olympics and the sports they’re playing! Pick up a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre for hoppingly good fun around the gardens finding the posters, with a small prize at the end. 10am-4.30pm, £2.50 includes a trail sheet and a small gift at the end.

FULHAM PALACE 21 April, FULHAM PALACE, Bishops Avenue, Fulham SW6 6EA, 020 7736 3233, www.fulhampalace.org Celebrate all things springtime at the palace’s Easter Sunday family activity day, with storytelling, creative crafts, Easter trails and a host of fun-filled activities. 11am-3pm, ages 3+ and their adults, free, no need to book.

Easter 1 t Jus

17-19 Blackwater Street East Dulwich SE22 8SD

020 7720 1144 4 Families South East

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4-8 yrs £H3O0URSss 01732write 457 100 Read, & play!

4 t cla n! f 1s itio Small groups mo usic t u

Workshops!

Keyboard tuition Read/write music Art, games, fun!

9.30am-1.30pm 4-8 yr beginners

8/9/11/12th April

www.funkymonkey.info 01732 457 100 familiesonline.co.uk

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HEVER CASTLE

GREENWICH MARKET GREENWICH MARKET SE10 9HZ, 020 8269 5096, www.greenwichmarketlondon.com Visit Greenwich Market and meet many talented arts, craft and designer makers. Enjoy temptingly delicious street food.

There’s eggcellent fun to be had over the Easter weekend. The very chocolatey Easter Egg decorating always raises a smile and some very sticky fingers - Saturday 20 April. Browse the Easter market and discover delicious handmade Easter treats chocolates, cakes, biscuits as well as handmade designer maker gifts. On Monday 22 April The Blackheath Morris Men return for their annual Easter Monday Easter Chair Lift - ladies beware!

From 3pm. Market open 10am-5.30pm.

HORNIMAN MUSEUM AND GARDENS 8 - 21 April, HORNIMAN MUSEUM and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk Enjoy the Easter holidays at the Horniman with the whole family.

Free and fabulous craft activities will run through the week, inspired by the exhibitions and gardens.

EASTER WEEKEND, 20-21 April. Follow the Easter trail, create something crafty, have your face painted and join in family activities across the Gardens. 10.30am-4.30pm, suitable for families with children aged 3+, admission free.

SPA VALLEY RAILWAY Easter holidays, SPA VALLEY RAILWAY, West Station, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5QY, 01892 537715, www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk Experience a steam or heritage diesel train journey and look out for eggs around the line to win a yummy chocolate reward. The station will be open to show its locomotive and carriages undergoing restoration, along with face painting, arts and crafts, a model railway and miniature cinema. Or stop off and explore at any of the other destinations along the line including Royal Tunbridge Wells, Eridge and Groombridge. Family tickets £30 for unlimited travel all day or £28 when prebooked.

6-22 April, HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG, 01732 865224, www.hevercastle.co.uk Explore the historic castle and grounds of the childhood home of Anne Boleyn; go wild in the Tudor Towers and Acorn Dell play areas. There is a free Easter trail, facepainting and daily craft workshops with a chance to show off your creations in a parade in front of the Castle every day with prizes for the best bonnets.

All this and an adventure playground and yew maze to explore.

Gardens open 10.30am, castle 12noon, exit 4.30pm.

Admission £17.74 adults, £9.95 children, £46.85 families.

CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE 14-17 and 21-24 April, Hill Hoath Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7AD, 01892 870347, www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk Pick up a clue sheet to help you find all the Easter bunnies which have been hidden around the Castle grounds. Discover fascinating history within its walls and marvel at exhibits of Japanese, Egyptian, Buddhist and Stuart and Jacobite artefacts.

Castle and grounds admission free for under 5s, £4.50 children, £9.50 adults, clue sheets £2.

CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNTS Various National Trust venues, www.nationaltrust.org.uk Run through muddy woodlands, around mystical lakes and along nature trails on a Cadbury Egg Hunt. Take a picnic and make a day of it among spring flowers. There are over 250 hunts across the country - for full venue details and dates, check the Trust website.

Kids Crafts & Egg Decorating Friday 19 th april & saturday 20th april

CREATIVITY IN EVERY CORNER

MARKET

ARTS&CRAFTS MARKET ANTIQUES&COLLECTABLES Nearest Station DLR Cutty Sark

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Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Weekends Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays

#greenwichmarket www.greenwichmarket.london

Sat 6 – Sat 13 Apr The purrrr-fect treat for the whole family, presented by Freckle Productions Tabby McTat © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Published by Alison Green Books, an imprint of Scholastic Children’s Books

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E D U C AT IO N N E W S STEM for girls

Big Pedal 2019

School standards minister Nick Gibb is seeking to challenge and dispel the misconceptions some girls have about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

While the number of girls taking STEM A-levels has increased by 26% since 2010, new Department of Education research shows that boys are more likely than girls to see STEM subjects as being useful when it comes to getting a job and that girls are less likely to consider a STEM subject as their favourite. Nick Gibb commented: “... We are funding programmes to increase the take up of maths, computing and physics, and have reformed the school curriculum to make sure it meets the needs of employers.� https://bit.ly/2WUYm5m

Families across London are being invited to take up the Big Pedal 2019 challenge.

Organised by the walking and cycling charity Sustrans, the competition will run from 25 March to 5 April to encourage children from across the UK to travel by bike, foot or scooter for their journey to and from school. Walking and cycling play a key role in improving air quality outside the school gates while helping to boost children's activity levels.

Big Pedal 2019 is open to individual classes as well as whole schools, and offers daily prize draws for rewards, including scooters, if more than 15% of a school cycle, walk or scoot on each day of the challenge. www.bigpedal.org.uk. www.sustrans.org.uk

Tate Year 3 Project

Reading to children

Over half of London's primary schools have signed up to take part in one of the world's most ambitious contemporary art projects, conceived

by Turner Prize-winning artist and Oscar-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen.

Through a partnership between Tate Britain, Artangel and A New Direction, Year 3 classes are being specially photographed to create a mass portrait representing an entire age group of Londoners; and each and every London primary school with Year 3 pupils is invited to take part.

By registering, they can choose a date and time for a Tate photographer, briefed by McQueen, to visit their school and take their class photo.

Specially created learning resources are part of the project.

Registration is open to schools until 5 April, with resulting photographs on display at the Tate from November this year to May 2020. www.tateyear3project.org.uk

The UK's leading retirement housebuilder has chosen Beanstalk as its 2019 charity partner of the year.

McCarthy and Stone's partnership aims to raise at least ÂŁ100,000 during the year for the charity, and is actively seeking to engage retired homeowners and staff from across the UK as volunteers to support children who struggle to read.

Beanstalk recruits, trains and supports volunteers to provide one-to-one support to children aged 3 - 13 years old who have fallen behind with their reading levels and confidence. One in four children across the UK leave primary school without the skills to read, whilst 5.1 million adults are functionally illiterate. The support Beanstalk volunteers provide significantly improves the outcomes for children across the UK by transforming reading abilities, enjoyment and confidence. www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk

How to help your child thrive at school Parent Workshop

Led by Olyvia Shaw PGCE and MA Education, Goldsmiths College

Mycenae House 90 Mycenae Road SE3 7SE

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS FROM 3 TO 11 YEARS

Aimed at parents and carers of children aged 0-11 years Discover the key factors to unlock your child's full potential.

Practical strategies, activities and resources to enhance your child's resilience, perseverance and independence, plus useful tips to support your child's reading and vocabulary.

Olyvia Shaw has over 15 years' experience as a teacher and senior leader.

Tickets ÂŁ25, book by email

Saturday 23 March 1.30pm - 3.30pm

olyviashaw@icloud.com

Saturday 27 April 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Please choose the most convenient date

Saturday 25 May 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Nurture your child's love of learning

YES, I can touch-type

Touch-typing taught in just 10 hours

Saturday & Easter Holiday Courses

With proper tuition children can learn to touch-type surprisingly quickly and, what’s more, enjoy the whole experience. ■Improved speed and effectiveness in study. ■Well presented work increases self-esteem. ■There are particular benefits for those with dyslexia or dyspraxia.

Courses run in SYDENHAM

020 7515 1707 To find out more call:

email: info@yes-tuitionandtraining.co.uk or call Norman on 07961 427640

www.yes-tuitionandtraining.co.uk

6 Families South East

FIRST CLASS EXAM RESULTS

NEW 10 ACRE SPORTS GROUND

OUTSTANDING PASTORAL CARE

FRESHLY PREPARED ORGANIC FOOD

CHILDCARE VOUCHERS ACCEPTED

OPEN DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

COMPETITIVE FEES

50+ EXTRA-CURRICULAR CLUBS

BREAKFAST CLUB & AFTER SCHOOL CARE

CHRISTIAN/EVANGELIST FOUNDATION

.BJO 4DIPPM 19 Stratheden Road, SE3 7TH &BSMZ :FBST 37 Shooters Hill Road, SE3 7HS 020 8293 1331 oďŹƒce@pointers-school.co.uk pointers-school.co.uk

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CLUB S & CLAS S ES Four ways to boost your child’s self-esteem A child’s self-esteem is influenced by feeling loved, valued and believing good things about themselves.

Perform have teamed up with positive parenting expert Anita Cleare, to offer top tips for boosting selfesteem.

Encourage independence. When children do things for themselves and are praised for this, they feel proud. Teach your child to dress themselves and wash their own hair.

Use believable praise. It’s not believable to tell your child he did something well when he clearly didn’t. Praise concrete achievements.

Saying ‘Well done for keeping on running’ (even when he lost the race) tells your child exactly what they have done well.

Listen to their ideas. Expressing ideas and being listened to help children feel valued.

Involve them in practical family problem-solving by asking for their input. This helps them feel they are making a positive contribution.

by Anita Cleare at Perform Encourage laughter and show you care.

Play, chat, share jokes and funny stories.

Laughter helps children relax and feel good about themselves. Be affectionate. Snuggle and cuddle! Show your child they are utterly lovable exactly as they are. More tips from Anita can be found at www.anitacleare.co.uk

Drama classes are renowned for confidencebuilding. To book a FREE Perform class in Dulwich, East Dulwich, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Blackheath, Greenwich, Hither Green or Herne Hill, visit www.perform.org.uk/try

Join All Stars Cricket today!

All Stars Cricket is a programme aimed at children aged 5-8 years old to give them a great first experience in cricket.

Sessions are accredited by the England & Wales Cricket Board and delivered nationwide at over 2,000 centres.

All Stars Cricket will help your child develop key skills in a fun and safe environment where parents can join in too and help create #BigMoments you’ll both treasure!

Following successful registration, All Stars Cricketers receive a brand-new kit bag full of goodies to help them get their summer of cricket started and fully look the part when they attend their eight weekly sessions. This year there is a brand-new Cricket World Cup themed activity book that is full of top tips, games and, it’s a great place to keep those weekly stickers to celebrate your All Star’s achievements. Plus, it’s all delivered straight to your door.

To find out more about how to get involved this summer, and book a place starting in May, visit the website. www.allstarscricket.co.uk 1 4/2/2013 5:05:13 PM

1 4/2/2013 5:05:13 PM

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Tiny Tots

Little Aces Junior Champs Grand Slammers

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age 3-4

age 5-7

age 8-11

fun filled tennis games and activities indoors with sponge balls and mini tennis rackets classes held across SE London for more information and to book call Anne-Marie : 07973 982790 email: info@diddidance.com

FREE introductory session phone

07877 391005

www.tennis-4-kids.com email: gordon@tennis-4-kids.com

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11+ • GCSE • A Level Book a free assessment today Maths

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FA MI LY L I F E

Finding more family-friendly work

By Mandy Garner

Flexible working is one of the top three benefits that today’s jobseekers look for - particularly if they are parents. Meanwhile, employers are being encouraged to publish their parental leave policies and increasing numbers of employers are offering family-friendly parental leave policies, from carer’s leave to the ability to buy extra holiday.

Modern family life requires flexibility It’s not just women who want family-friendly working. Workingmums.co.uk’s recent survey of fathers shows 73% say they are considering seeking flexible working. The truth is that modern family life requires flexibility and employers who don’t offer it will lose out.

Employers also need to do more than offer flexible working policies; they need to back this up with a culture that normalises different ways of working. Otherwise employees often feel sidelined or end up working overtime because expectations are not reduced in line with hours.

When this flexible working policies and the right culture work together, great opportunities arise: • Samantha Hamilton-Davies is a Senior Associate [Due Diligence] in the homeworking legal team of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, based in Manchester.

Samantha works four days a week from home and has been promoted since joining the homeworking team. In her previous role Samantha had faced a long commute.

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She says that without her homeworking role she might have eventually left the legal profession.

• Claire Brown left a ‘million miles an hour’ job in the City and is now working part time as Internal Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] Manager at Carpetright.

The post means she can use her skills and experience in a senior role and still has enough time for her family and a voluntary job running her village’s residents’ association.

Such cases are not confined to the big corporates. SMEs like IT firm Hireserve have grown by employing experienced professionals on flexible hours. Their hours have increased as their families and the firm have grown.

So how do you land this kind of job?

The answer is research and being clear about what you want and why it is good for your employer. Research the best family-friendly employers. Don’t just look at their policies everyone can look good on paper, but read what others say about them; talk, if possible, to people who work there; find out what the companies offer beyond the statutory requirements; and look at whether they are shouting out about it on their careers page or LinkedIn. Does it matter to them? Do they really get it?

It’s not just the provision of a flexible role that matters. It is about the employers’ overall attitude to flexible workers. Line managers’ attitudes, in particular, are crucial to ensuring flexible working doesn’t mean career stagnation.

With regard to clarity, it is best to be upfront about what you need and to put a business case for why it is in both your interests and that of your potential

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employer. What do they get by allowing you flexi hours? What do you bring to the organisation that they need? Remember not to downplay or apologise for skills gained outside the workplace.

The benefits of jobsharing When Visa in Europe was advertising the post of Director of Talent, mum-of-four Pippa Edwards, who was a Talent Manager, expressed her interest but told her manager that she didn’t want to work full time. He said: “Have you considered a job share?” “In that one sentence everything changed for me,” says Pippa. “I started to believe I could have my cake and eat it.” Pippa now job shares with mum-of-three Vicki Mawson, former Talent Acquisition Director at L’Oréal. Both women think the company has benefited from the job share, getting a depth of expertise that one person alone would not provide.

“Before I thought that I would have to make a choice between working part time and having a career” states Pippa. “I had come to accept that that was the reality, but my boss showed me that I could have both and that was so powerful. So many women should have that opportunity and not have to make that choice.”

About the author Mandy Garner is editor of Workingmums.co.uk, which links top family-friendly employers with female professionals and highlights examples of best practice to encourage greater innovation across sectors. They have just launched a partner website for dads. www.workingmums.co.uk www.workingdads.co.uk

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FA MI LY LIF E

Helping your children spot ‘fake news’

By Katie Harrison The term ‘fake news’ first came to the fore during the course of the last American presidential election, when Donald Trump used it to describe some of the news reporting around the campaigns. Since then, debate about ‘fake news’ has hit the headlines amidst concerns that its proliferation is disrupting elections around the world: it’s one of the most talked about subjects of the year.

But what is it? What does it mean to you and your family? Being news-savvy empowers children and keeps them engaged and motivated to find out about the world around them. But what should we be teaching them about ‘fake news?’

A recent BBC survey of 18 countries worldwide found that nearly 8 in 10 people said they worried about what was fake and what was real on the internet. Fake news can easily go viral via social media so it’s vital that children learn to question what they see and read and have the opportunity to discuss it and share their views.

Most school children know what fake news is, but teachers report that many of them aren’t always able to correctly identify it. They don’t always know what they are looking for.

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Here are our top 5 tips for helping children spot fake news: Question, question, question!

Who made this? Who is the target audience?

Who paid for this? Or, who gets paid if you click on this? Who might benefit or be harmed by this message?

Is the article angry or emotional?

Facts, facts, facts!

If it makes you feel very strongly, it could be ‘clickbait’ - a grabbing headline to get you to follow a link.

What proof or evidence does the article give?

Does it cite credible research or expert opinions?

Check what other media are saying

If you can help familiarise your children with what is real and ‘fake’ news, they will soon be able to critically assess what they are reading and seeing.

Don’t rely on a single source. Are other well-known news providers sharing this news story? If not, it may not have been verified.

Spell check!

Obvious grammatical errors or spelling mistakes can be a sign that an article hasn’t been professionally produced or proofread and can be a giveaway.

About the author Katie Harrison is an early-years educational expert and founder of Picture News, a new service for schools helping them teach children about the news. www.picture-news.co.uk

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FA MI LY L I F E

Helping parents keep their children through fostering

by FSG - the Fostering Support Group

Fostering has evolved over the years to now include fostering unaccompanied asylum seekers and parents with their children. For each type of fostering, different skills are required. In this article we discuss parent and child fostering.

What is parent and child fostering?

Not everyone grows up in a loving and nurturing environment to know what it means to provide good parenting for their child. Many are faced with challenges on how to parent their child, and that is where parent and child fostering comes in.

Essentially, parent and child fostering is supporting parents to have their children remain in their care. A mother, father or both come into care with their babies or toddlers to receive guidance and life skills such as cooking, providing stimulation and providing a routine for their child. A parent and child foster placement offers a parent the opportunity to learn these valuable life skills in a home environment.

What is entailed?

Parent and child fostering is different from other types of fostering because the parent is responsible to care for their child; the role of the foster carer is to provide guidance and support to help the parent care for their child effectively.

With specialist training from the Fostering Support Group (FSG), our foster carers share their skills with young parents who have different difficulties.

Can you foster?

Our foster carers come from different backgrounds and experiences. Working with FSG is like one big happy family where you are provided with 24-hour support, guidance and training.

Foster carers can be employed or unemployed (even if you are on benefits), single or married, have children or not, homeowners or renting, from a faith background or not. We want to hear from you.

FSG offer a competitive fostering allowance with robust 24-hour support from a dedicated supervising social worker, ongoing training and encouragement.

Working from home as a foster carer has never been so rewarding. Get in touch with us to discuss your individual circumstance and to learn how you can foster. Call 020 8778 9669, text ‘foster’ to 81222 or visit us online. www.fosteringsupportgroup.com

Safety in the home Accidents are the biggest killer of children and young people with at least one child under five killed each week. Every year, over two million children under the age of 15 have an accident in and around the home which takes them to A&E, and half of the under 5s visiting do so as a result of a preventable accident.

Family Safety Week, which commences on 1 April, is run by the RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) to help raise awareness of the “simple things you can do to stop your child becoming an accident statistic.”

RoSPA provides free resources and advice to help families keep children safe in their homes. Its free Keeping Kids Safe packs also enable schools, nurseries, playgroups and children’s centres to hold child safety session for parents. www.rospa.com

Safety online Research released by the NSPCC has revealed that one in four young people has been contacted via social media by an adult they didn’t know, and a third of these were children under 13.

Over two thousand children and parents were surveyed for Net Aware, an essential guide to 40 of the most popular social media sites, apps and games that young people use.

Children and parents were asked if they’d seen violent, bullying or adult content on the social networking sites and games they use - with Facebook and YouTube receiving high risk ratings across the board.

Other sites found to be risky include Twitter and Reddit, with both rated high for inappropriate content, as well as lesser known names such as Sarahah, Episode: Choose Your Story, Omegle, ROBLOX and Yubo (formerly called Yellow).

The NSPCC encourages parents to use Net Aware to learn about the various platforms their child may be using, together with the risk rating of each. www.net-aware.org.uk

10 Families South East

Lack of sleep damaging for children More than a third of primary school children are failing to get sufficient sleep, according to research by the University of Leeds.

The study has linked poor sleep with difficulties in paying attention in class, keeping up with school work, forgetfulness and absenteeism.

The NHS recommendation is that children of that age should get 10 hours sleep per night but the study discovered that out of 1,100 children ages 6 to 11, 36% were getting only eight hours sleep or less on a weekday night.

Just under a third of children reported that worrying about school work was keeping them awake, while around one in six children reported that they found it difficult to sleep because of concerns about bullying or friendship.

The researchers identified that children who had access to technology in their bedroom were more likely to experience a shorter night’s sleep and recommend that parents consider removing technology from their children’s bedrooms. www.leeds.ac.uk

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FA MILY LIF E

We need you

to foster

Right now there is a shortage of foster carers in our area and we have children who need a caring, nurturing, stable home.

You can apply to be a Foster Carer if you: • Are single, married or in a same sex relationship • Employed or unemployed, self employed • Are flexible and have the ability to care for children with a range of different needs • Have good support networks • Have a spare bedroom in your house • Have an ability to work with professionals • Are over the age of 21 years (there is no upper age limit)

call: 020 8778 9669 www.fosteringsupportgroup.com Email: fsginfo@fosteringsupportgroup.com

We offer: • A dedicated supervising team member • A generous weekly allowance • Two weeks paid respite • Ongoing training • Monthly support Text ‘foster’ to group meetings • Out of hours support plus much more

81222

Greenwich Office 8th Floor, 6 Mitre Passage, Greenwich, London, SE10 0ER

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Blackheath Office Grant Saw House, 8 Tranquil Passage, Blackheath Village, London, SE3 0BJ

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M OT HE R S ME AN B U S INE S S

Sarah Gooding is the founder of Herne Hill-based

Granny as Nanny and mother to Scarlett, aged eight and Orlando, six

Sarah came up with the concept of her childcare agency back in 2011, and finally had the courage to break free from employment to set it up in 2018. Families caught up with her to find out more.

Have you always worked in childcare or did motherhood change your career?

I’d never worked in childcare before last summer! But as a parent I’d experienced the nightmare of trying to secure reliable, trustworthy and long-term childcare. So many of my friends with babies and young children seemed to suffer similarly that I really wanted to provide parents with a viable alternative to the existing nanny agencies that I’d been in touch with in the past.

What makes Granny as Nanny different from other childcare agencies?

Our USP is that we only employ experienced, reliable nannies, in whom we feel confident about their trustworthiness and ability to do the job. Ostensibly, this might mean older people, who’ve arguably got a lot more life experience under their belts, and who may not have actually worked as a nanny before, but have tons of equally valuable childcare experience through raising their own families, or having worked in a comparable, caring profession.

The bulk of the nannies on our books are in their 30s, 40s and 50s, but if I’m impressed by someone, it really doesn’t matter to me whether they’re 25 or 55. Ultimately, it comes down to attitude, ability and empathy; I would never put forward a nanny for a role whom I wouldn’t employ myself.

As a parent, I’ve employed part-time nannies, live-in nannies, full-time live-out nannies, you name it; I must have interviewed hundreds of nannies in the course of the last eight or nine years and I’ve learned so much from the experience, from both sides. I feel a genuine empathy with the parents who contact me.

What was the inspiration for Granny as Nanny?

There were two things, really. The first was that I genuinely felt there are very few options for parents when it comes to sourcing reliable, trustworthy childcare - just exorbitantly expensive, monolithic agencies. The other inspiration was one of the most amazing humans I’m lucky to have in my life; my lovely mother, who has regularly stepped in to look after my children since the day they were born, and who has more love, kindness and empathy in her little finger than pretty much anyone I’ve ever met.

12 Families South East

How do you see the agency developing?

Obviously, I would love to see the agency grow. But one of the things that gives me the greatest satisfaction is when someone contacts me saying that I came highly recommended from a friend or parent at the school gates - it means the world to me! What I care about, ultimately, is building a really strong reputation, for people to come to Granny as Nanny because they know they can trust us, that their families will be safe in our nannies’ hands.

What do you love most about your job?

Talking to people! Funnily enough, it’s what I loved most about working as a journalist for over 20 years: talking to people, finding out about people; reading between the lines of what is said and unsaid. It’s fabulous to introduce a family to a nanny when you know instinctively that it’s a really fantastic match, that you’ve made two parties really happy!

How easy or difficult is it to juggle your work and family life?

It’s a lot easier than it used to be! When I was working on a newspaper, I worked 12 hour days most days, family life ceased to exist and I suffered the plight of so many working mothers - feelings of guilt when I wasn’t with my children balanced with feelings of guilt when I wasn’t in the office.

I’m really aspiring to a better balance, to make the most of working from home. That said, as anyone who’s started their own business knows, you find yourself working at the oddest hours, either all the time or most of the time. At some point I’ll reinstate a few work/ life boundaries... but not yet!

When you have time off yourself, what do you like to do?

Spend time with my family. I don’t care what we do together, whether it’s stealing away for breakfast at the Brockwell Lido Café on a Saturday morning or curling up to watch a Sunday afternoon movie on the sofa, as long as we’re together, I’m happy.

Have you always lived in southeast London? If not, what brought you here?

I’m from Yorkshire originally, but moved to London at 18 to go to university - and never left.

I had thought that when I had children I’d want to move out as I couldn’t imagine raising city kids, but then I discovered southeast London -

and all that changed! I feel so lucky to live where I do; we’re right at the heart of an amazing community that really looks out for each other, whether it’s a WhatsApp group with our neighbours, set up to help everyone feel safe, or the fact that I’ve got so many friends within a stone’s throw whom I can count on if I need an emergency school pick-up or a restorative cup of coffee mid-morning.

The fact that we’re just a 10-minute train ride from Central London so we can enjoy everything the city has to offer is the icing on the cake.

Do you have a favourite shop, café or park in southeast London?

Too many to choose from! I love all things local; cafés like The Roome for proximity and The Parlour for dog-friendliness - or tucking into a cracking fish-finger sandwich at Café Provencal as a Friday lunch-time treat. Brockwell Park is a stone’s throw from our house, but I love Dulwich Park and the woods for a run - and we recently discovered The Nun’s Head in Peckham, which is fantastically child- and dog-friendly, with great food and superbly friendly staff; it defines what a pub should be a ‘public house’ in every sense of the term!

What’s the best way to find out more about what you do?

Call me! 07876 758 220 or 020 7326 4789.

Email me! Sarah@grannyasnanny.co.uk. Or visit www.grannyasnanny.co.uk. I love talking to people!

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The Bookseller Crow

is a fantastic, volume stuffed shop run by some of the most knowledgeable bookworms in the business.

Call in for the feel of a real bookshop, or if you’re too busy, pick up the phone or head to their website for a fast mailorder service. Justine Crow recommends this month’s best titles.

One of the best things about owning a bookshop - and let me say right now, the list of advantages isn’t long - is that I’m not flogging any old tut. I never feel bad about extracting a brown drinking voucher in return for a kaleidoscope of images, some terrific escapism and a product that can be re-used multiple times without recharging. Granted, not everybody appreciates the stuff I sell. We are fond of recounting the time when a estate agent from across the road popped in with some mis-delivered post, took a sideways glance around the premises, clocked our impecunious appearance and noted suspiciously: “Books.

My wife reads them.”

THE LOST BOOK by Margarita Surnaite Andersen rrp £11.99. Young Henry the rabbit doesn’t much appreciate books either. He can’t get his head round why anyone would bother.

Still, when a rather fetching yellow tome beckons, he leaves Rabbit Town behind with its glorious bookshop window full of enticing reads, and discovers a city bill-stickered with internet ads. The illustrations by this talented Lithuanian writer are heartbreakingly accurate – in the street, on escalators and inside the metro, Henry notes that everyone is glued to their phones. I have never seen so many handsets in a picture book. But then, I look out of my own real-life bookshop window and...

NOT JUST A BOOK by Jeanne Willis & Tony Ross - Andersen rrp £6.99. Remember what adults used to say when we watched too much TV? “You’ll get square eyes.” All those Candy Crushing elders definitely don’t use that threat anymore. In this instant classic by two veterans of children’s publishing, we learn that books can be many things including, as in Henry’s story above, a portal to a different world. Not so much square eyes as opened ones. Bring it on!

WHEN THE CROCODILES CAME TO TOWN

by Magda Brol - Hatchette rrp £12.99. This is a bonkers debut from a Polish author about the arrival of two colourful reptiles in a hitherto sleepy place whose inhabitants initially can’t accept the fact that these guys are a bit different. Cue a crisis. And who do you think comes to the rescue?

AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS retold by Antonis Papatheodoulou & Iris Samartzi - Faros Books rrp £12.99. From a pair of accomplished Greek creatives comes the ultimate adventure story. I’m often asked to recommend gifts for 6 year olds by customers baffled at the chasm between bright picture books for the 3 and 4s and the dense

requirement of chapter books. Yes, there are some great early readers out there (one to come shortly) but classics are hard-going for adults let alone a generation raised on Fortnite and Rainbow Slime. For a special occasion, this wittily illustrated retelling is perfectly accessible.

Just ask Monsieur Passe Partout.

I HAVE AN IDEA by Herve Tullet - Chronicle rrp £12.99. And what about the creative process itself? An esteemed French artist whose works adorns many a decent board-book in our shop takes the reader on a little trip that visits first the notion, then the frustration and crack in confidence, and finally ends up with something very worthwhile.

THE LOST BOOK OF ADVENTURE, edited

by Teddy Keen - Frances Lincoln rrp £20.00.

Well this is curious: a trove of vintage sketches and escapades recovered from the Amazon, with many things to watch out for, and hints and tips for survival in the wild, including how to make a shelter, what sort of knots to use and how to make a head-torch lantern out of a recyclable plastic milk carton. Hang on...

HOTEL FLAMINGO by Alex Milway - Picadilly Press rrp £6.99. A grey day, some grey news headlines, all the whites gone grey in the washing machine, and suddenly this bouquet of ebullience bursting with exotic mischief plops onto my desk. T Bear, Lemmy the Lemur, Eva Koala and dear, dear Anna are all battling to save the hotel of our dreams in this neat new series for early readers by the creator of Pigsticks. I gather the story has also been turned into a show at the Southbank. That’s me booked in for a week then, en suite with a view of the pool.

THE BOOK YOU WISH YOUR PARENTS HAD READ by Philippa Perry - Penguin rrp £12.99. Due out in April, this psychotherapist of renown encourages us to break that cycle of intergenerational regret. By age seven, I’d learned a lot from my unconventional mum and dad, such as who was the greatest jazz trumpeter, the best way to crack a crab claw and how to nick grapes from a St Tropez vineyard at dusk but what I was determined not to repeat was the endless seat-of-yer-pants scenarios, of always being the last to be collected and of having Clothkits bell-bottoms to wear to school, instead of a gingham dress like everyone else.

POTTY TRAINING MAGIC by Amanda Jenner - Vermilion rrp £7.99. It’s not just the philosophy of parenting, we need help with the practicals too and here all the, um, slippery issues are

addressed. Mindyou, when struggling to get First Born out of nappies, I was taught a valuable lesson by our childminder: bribery works. “Put a sweetie on the window ledge in the loo, just out of reach of the little darling.”

She was right. It concentrated both our minds to perfection.

LITERARY PLACES by Sarah Baxter - White Lion rrp £14.99. Psssst! Kids, what a magnificent present this would make for Mother’s Day. I suggest tipping the nearest grown-up upside down and emptying their pockets (so long as it isn’t mum herself) to indulge her in an extravagant exploration of sites at home and abroad that appear in famous fiction, from the Yorkshire moors of the Brontes to the labyrinthine Paris of Victor Hugo, taking in Spain and India and Manhattan on the way. I wish. Or, offer her a quiet corner and, if you haven’t been trained to mix a Negroni yet (parenting just ain’t what it used to be), a cup of tea and give her something really gripping to read like DISTURBANCE by Marianne Kavanagh, Hodder rrp 18.99. This is a dark but funny thriller featuring a put-upon wife stuck with an awful selfish family, whose life changes irrevocably after an accident, and then the neighbours come to play... Also recommended for those that could do with a rest and a page-turner, THE LITTLE ITALIAN BAKERY

by Valentina Cebeni, Abacus rrp 7.99, a tasty morsel of a novel with added recipes. And from two authors who visited our shop for a memorable evening full of twists, risks and maternal revelation, the paperbacks of LOVE AFTER LOVE by Alex Hourston, Faber rrp £8.99 and BITTER by Francesca Jakobi, Orion £8.99. MIDNIGHT CHICKEN by Ella Risbridger - Bloomsbury rrp £22.00. Finally, another Mother’s Day suggestion du jour - I fully expect the international flavour of my reviews this month to spook that estate agent - this extraordinary cookbook that combines simple yet mouth-watering dishes like tomato soup with roast garlic and (Nigella’s favourite) Skillet Pie, with honest writing that carried the author from the true hell of depression to the exquisite savouring of ‘the moment’. The publisher muses that it is “the kind of cooking you can do a little bit drunk” and in these uncertain times, I’ll raise a glass to that. Especially as it seems it will take a lot more than a sweetie on the window ledge to concentrate the minds of those out there supposedly in charge of us all.

The Bookseller Crow, 50 Westow St. Crystal Palace, London SE19 3AF Telephone: 020 8771 8831 email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk Twitter @booksellercrow www.booksellercrow.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

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14 Families South East

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FAMILY RACE DAY AT ASCOT

KEW GARDENS

KEW GARDENS

What’sOn D I AR Y DAT ES FO R G R OWNUP S THE VILLAGE BABY SHOW 30 March, STANLEY HALL, 12 South Norwood Hill SE25 6AB, www.tranquilbirth.co.uk It really does take a village to raise a child; discover a wide range of south Londoners offering professional services and products created by parents, for parents, through pregnancy and into early parenthood. There will be talks from well-known local authors and parenting figures in the area, free support services, a directory of local services, exclusive on-the-day offers, buggy & changing areas, refreshments and goody bags. 10am-3pm, admission free but book first to guarantee your goody bag.

HELP YOUR CHILD THRIVE AT SCHOOL - PARENT WORKSHOP 23 March, 27 April or 25 May, MYCENAE HOUSE, 90 Mycenae Road, Blackheath SE3 7SE, questions and bookings by email Olyviashaw@icloud.com Nurture your child’s love of learning in a workshop aimed at parents and carers of children aged 0 -11; where you will discover the key factors to unlock your child’s full potential. Pick up practical strategies, activities and resources to enhance your child’s resilience, perseverance and independence, plus useful tips to support your child’s reading and vocabulary. The workshops are led by Olyvia Shaw, a teacher and senior leader with over 15 years’ experience, who specialises in accelerating the progress of children (of all abilities). 1.30 -3.30pm, tickets £25, book first.

T H E GR EAT O UT DO O RS CENTRE FOR WILDLIFE GARDENING

DULWICH/ SYDENHAM HILL WOOD

LONDON WILDLIFE TRUST, Centre for Wildlife Gardening, SE15 4EE, www.wildlondon.org.uk NATURE TOTS FOREST SCHOOL, term time Mondays. Nature Tots children explore their natural surroundings, discovering the animals and habitats around them. Activities include minibeast hunting, woodland games, music and nature crafts. 10.30am 12 noon, ages 18 months to five year-olds with parents/ carers, booked by term or pay as you go. Email amarch@wildlondon.org.uk.

TOAD DAY, 17 March. Everywhere you look at the Centre for Wildlife Gardening you will find toads. Toad Day celebrates all their amphibian wonder, with toad, pond and amphibian related activities for all the family including pond dipping, quizzes, crafts and trails. 11am-4pm, free drop in.

BEAUTIFUL BIRDS, 8 + 9 April. A fun packed two days finding out about the birds around us. Learn to identify some common birds using sight and sound, find out about their nesting habits, take part in a nest challenge and on day two there will be some eggciting activities involving eggs. Games, stories and crafts. Free for parents and children, 11am-4pm, book first 020 7252 9186 or email dwallace@wildlondon.org.uk.

MINIBEAST MAGIC, 11+ 12 April. Two days finding out about minibeasts in the lovely wildlife garden, with minibeast hunting, behaviour, racing, model making, games crafts and stories.

11am-4pm, book first 020 7252 9186 or email dwallace@wildlondon.org.uk.

Entrances on Sydenham Hill and Crescent Wood Road, Sydenham Hill SE26 6SA, 07734 599286, www.wildlondon.org.uk WONDERFUL WOODLANDS, 23 March. A fun day out in Sydenham Hill Wood finding out about the trees and a little about the history of the wood. Learn to identify trees by using their bare twigs, leaves and bark, search for minibeasts and other woodland wonders. A free, fun day outdoors for parents and their children.

11am - 4pm, book first 020 7252 9186 or email dwallace@wildlondon.org.uk.

WWT LONDON WETLAND CENTRE Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT, 01453 891 900, www.wwt.org.uk An urban oasis for wildlife and people. Stroll among the lakes, ponds and gardens, take your children to the play areas and stop for cafe refreshments. Summer open 9.30am to 5.30pm daily until 31 October, entry from £13 adults, £7.90 children, £35.54 families.

MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH, 31 March. Treat your mum to a delicious Sunday lunch followed by a stroll around the beautiful nature reserve. Entry for mothers is free on the day.

DAWN CHORUS, 27 April. Make an early start and enjoy the reserve before daybreak to celebrate international dawn chorus day.

INTRODUCTION TO BIRDSONG, 30 April. As songbirds declare their territories, learn how to identify birds by song.

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SPRING FAMILY RACEDAY AT ASCOT 31 March, ROYAL ASCOT, High Street, Ascot, Berks SL5 7JX, www.ascot.co.uk For Mothering Sunday with a difference, try a day out at the races. Ascot’s first family raceday of the year offers a thrilling combination of top class racing and free countryside themed activities. Join in with ‘build a den’ foraging, cooking demos, bird of prey and dog agility displays, ferret racing, pony rides, a petting zoo, fairground rides and more. Under 18s free per paying adult, advance adult tickets from £26.

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HS, 020 7352 5646, www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Tucked away beside the Thames, Chelsea Physic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in London and houses around 5,000 different medicinal, herbal, edible and useful plants. Family activities include exploring the world of mini-beasts to learning how to make your own herbal remedies and chocolate blends.

Admission from £11 adults, under 5s free, children £6.50, families £34.50.

LOTIONS AND POTIONS, 9 April. Can a food be a medicine?

Can a poison be a medicine? Explore a brief history of medicine and find out about the amazing power of plants to heal and soothe. Learn how to make your own natural and low-cost remedies to tackle spring ailments, and plant a mini medicinal garden to take home. 10.30am-2.30pm, ages 8+, tickets £15.

DINNER WITH DINOSAURS, 11 April. Use a garden map and dino profiles to find the living fossils that these magnificent reptiles wolfed down for breakfast, lunch and dinner; then create your very own Mesozoic garden-terrarium to take home. 10.30am-2.30pm, ages 5-12, tickets £15.

HEVER CASTLE

CHOCOLATE TUESDAY, 16 April. Learn about the history, geography and science of chocolate and celebrate this very special plant-based food. The day includes craft activities, a Garden tour, chocolate tasting and the chance to create your own mixtures to take away. 10.30am-2.30pm, ages 6-11, tickets £15.

SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE GARDEN, 18 April.

Learn how to photograph wildlife, make plant portraits and turn your pictures into great gifts. 10.30am-2.30pm, ages 12-17, tickets £15.

KEW GARDENS ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE, www.kew.org ORCHIDS FESTIVAL, until 10 March. Colombia is the world’s most bio-diverse for orchids, with over 4270 species. See some wonderful specimens at Kew, enjoy Carnival music, street food and crafts for children.

EASTER FAMILY PROGRAMME, 6-23 April. Family activities for all ages including exploring the colour spectrum and finding out what colour means to plants.

CHILDREN’S GARDEN, from 18 May. A giant new Children’s Garden is opening at Kew. The size of nearly 40 tennis courts, it has been designed by a Kew garden designer around the elements that plants need to grow: earth, air, sun and water.

Children will be able to play and explore as they wind their way through a landscape filled with over 100 mature trees, discovering hidden treasures and adventure, and developing their love of nature, plants and the outdoors along the way.

HEVER CASTLE HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG, 01732 865224, www.hevercastle.co.uk Explore the historic Castle and grounds of the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, where children can go wild in the Tudor Towers or Acorn Dell play areas. Gardens open 10.30am, castle 12noon, exit 4.30pm. Admission £17.74 adults, £9.95 children, £46.85 adults.

MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND, 30+31 March. Afternoon tea in beautiful surroundings, now that would be rather a treat, wouldn’t it? Work up an appetite for sumptuous refreshments with a wander around the stunning 125 acre grounds. Children can take part in a free workshop or a (small charge) cupcake decorating session.

Afternoon teas from £24.50 adults, £12 children, book first.

EASTER ACTIVITIES, 6-22 April. Family entertainment throughout the Easter holidays includes an Easter trail and craft workshops.

MAY DAY FESTIVAL, 4-6 May. Hever’s May Day Festival incorporates traditional celebrations to welcome the summer from the mythical Green Man of folklore and Jack-in-the-Green plus Maypole dancing on the Castle forecourt.

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ANANSI THE SPIDER-BOY

BACH TO BABY CONCERTS

BITESIZED BALLET

MoreWhat’sOn M US I C AN D TH E AT RE ANANSI THE SPIDER-BOY: CARIBBEAN SUPER-HERO! March and April weekend dates, Spontaneous Productions at the SYDENHAM CENTRE, 44a Sydenham Road SE26 5QF, www.spontaneousproductions.co.uk, www.kirkdalebookshop.com Anansi is a spider in Jamaica - a very naughty spider! When he discovers that he has super-powers, he sets out to outwit his arch-enemy, the even naughtier Brother Tikoomah. Will Anansi listen to the good advice of his friend Aso the Butterfly and the Wise Old Woman who tries to help him choose the right path?

Or will Anansi do things his own way as usual? Spontaneous Productions’ fast-moving, musical theatre show is staged in association with Kirkdale Bookshop. Ages 3-10, tickets from the bookshop.

PECKHAM LEVELS FILM CLUB Levels 1-6, Peckham Town Centre Car Park 95a Rye Lane SE15 4ST, www.peckhamlevels.org A new family-friendly film club has launched at Peckham Levels community space. Taking place every weekend afternoon, visitors of all ages can head up to the Levels’ Auditorium from 2pm to enjoy a screening of a nostalgic film - for free. Check the website for forthcoming listings.

BACH TO BABY CONCERTS VARIOUS DATES and venues, www.bachtobaby.com Bach to Baby provides concerts enjoyed by the whole family from newborns to great-grandparents, giving everyone a chance to experience live performances of classical music up close and in a relaxed environment. Tots dance and roam about as adults are able to take time out of their busy days to listen to the performance and have a much needed cup of coffee. Local venues include Borough, Sydenham, West Dulwich and Dulwich Village.

SOUTHBANK SOUTHBANK CENTRE, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX, 020 3879 9555, www.southbankcentre.co.uk TABBY MCTAT, 6-13 April. Tabby McTat is a cat with the loudest of meee-ews and a best friend with a guitar. Together they sing their favourite songs delighting the crowds, until one day Fred disappears. Interwoven with original songs and a sprinkling of magic, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Tabby McTat is a heart-warming tale from Freckle Productions. Tickets £12 children, £16 adults.

KALEIDOSCOPE, 9-11 April. Blink. Blink again. What do you see? Reds and blues, yellows and greens. Twinkling lights that glisten and gleam. Fill your little one’s world with colour at an immersive experience inspired by research into how a baby’s sense of sight develops. Ages 6-18 months, tickets £7 per adult and child.

DIANE ARBUS: IN THE BEGINNING, until May. Diane Arbus made most of her photographs in New York City, where she was born and died. Her photographs of children and eccentrics, couples and circus performers, shoppers and female impersonators are among the most intimate, surprising and haunting works of art of the 20th century. See more than 100 photographs, many of which have never before been exhibited in Europe. Hayward Gallery, tickets £15.50.

SOUNDPIT, until 2 June. Have you ever wondered what sound feels like? Or what music looks like? Run your hands through the sand, or even walk across it. Play in giant sandpits illuminated by beautiful graphics, creating music with your own movements.

You are the composer of your own masterpiece. Through play, children and adults can explore their individual sense of sound, vision and touch. Admission £8.

16 Families South East

GONG BABIES, Mondays until 1 July. A relaxing music workshop aimed at new parents, carers and pre-crawling babies, featuring the mesmerising chimes of gamelan (Javanese percussion orchestra). 2pm start, adult and child ticket £5.

ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL SOUTHBANK CENTRE, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX, www.southbankcentre.co.uk CONDUCTING SCIENCE, 30 March. Music meets science with the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s FUNharmonics family concert, presented by comedian Helen Arney and guest presenter Wendy Sadler. Explore the human voice, looking into how we make sounds and what happens when we sing. With a collection of experiments ranging from big balloons and musical tubes to duck quacks and decibel meters, the presenters will demonstrate how your voice works live on stage, culminating in a scientific singalong led by the orchestra and Greg Tassell. The repertoire will include the prelude to Bizet’s Carmen, Flight of the Bumble Bee by Rimsky-Korsakov, Do-Re-Mi from the Sound of Music and more.

12noon start, tickets from £6, with free pre-concert activities in the foyer from 10-11.45am.

FUNHARMONICS: CONDUCTING SCIENCE, 30 March. Join the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for an OAE Tots workshop. A magical, interactive introduction to music-making where children sit up-close to orchestral musicians and take part.

Ages 2-5 with parents, guardians and carers, tickets £1 children, £8 adults.

BITESIZED BALLETS VARIOUS DATES until 17 April, cinema venues include Beckenham, Greenwich, Surrey Quays, West Norwood and East Dulwich, www.bitesizedballets.com Northern Ballet began creating short ballets specifically for young children in 2013 and has since added to its repertoire which now includes six ballets based on well-known children’s fairy tales. A new venture into cinema is providing an engaging introduction both to ballet and cinema. Tortoise & The Hare, Elves & the Shoemaker and Three Little Pigs have been enhanced with charming animations and offer an interactive experience with stories narrated by BBC star Anita Rani and dance demos with the loveable characters for children to learn.

ZIPPOS CIRCUS 4-22 April, THE BIG TOP, Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath SE3 OUA, www.zippos.co.uk The circus is back in town, with jaw-dropping acrobatics and daredevil acts, equestrian marvels and side-splitting clowning, presented by the world’s most famous ringmaster, Norman Barrett MBE, and his colourful fun-loving budgies, a perennial hit amongst children and adults alike. Tickets from £9.

ALBANY THEATRE Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 4AG, 020 8692 4446, www.thealbany.org.uk JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, 24 March. Expect lots of surprises from CBeebies’s Patrick Lynch as he tells the classic fairy tale of Jack, who sold his cow for five magic beans and found himself in the land above the clouds. Lyngo Theatre’s show has enormous shoes, tiny houses, showers of silver and gold and a big, leafy explosion! 1 and 3pm, ages 3+, tickets £7.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT, 26 March. With mouth-watering music and visuals, and a sprinkling of tangy humour this is a fresh bite into what we think we know about the food industry in the UK and overseas. From farmer to factory, land to laboratory and grower to grazer we meet a host of characters from the food chain whose lives are ruled and fuelled by what is munched every day. Join Displace Yourself Theatre in a feast for the senses and tastes from around the world. 7pm, ages 12+, tickets £14.

ZIPPOS CIRCUS

THE BOY AND THE MERMAID, 31 March. Join three shanty singing fisherman as they weave a fishy tale of musical merfolk, menacing monsters and spectacularly bad town planning. With live music, puppetry, a rapping octopus and a shifting set full of surprises - this enchanting tale is fun for all the family. 1 and 3pm, ages 5+, tickets £7.

THE NOISE NEXT DOOR - AT SEA! 9+10 April. The Noise Next Door are the UK’s premier improv comedy troupe. Join them for a shanty-filled adventure on the high seas as you help chase down the fearsome Captain Bloodbeard. 1 and 3pm, ages 8+, tickets £7.

HANSEL & GRETEL, 28 April. This contemporary retelling of the classic fairy tale finds our two young heroes lost in London, overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and smells. Together the brave duo must outwit the adults to find their way back to their family in a show where kids are number one! 1 and 4pm, ages 5+, tickets £7.

CANADA WATER THEATRE 21 Surrey Quays Road SE16 7AR, 020 7525 2931, www.thealbany.org.uk COMFORTABLE CLASSICAL, 11 and 20 March. Comfortable Classical is City of London Sinfonia’s latest series of relaxed classical concerts for anyone and everyone, from young children to older adults. The short lunchtime concerts have introductions from the musicians and classical music inspired by nature and birdsong. Feel free to relax along by drawing, colouring or knitting while listening to the music! 1.30pm start, all ages, tickets £5.

THE BOY AND THE MERMAID, 30 March. Join three shanty singing fisherman as they weave a fishy tale of musical merfolk, menacing monsters and spectacularly bad town planning. With live music, puppetry, a rapping octopus and a shifting set full of surprises - this enchanting tale is fun for all the family. 1 and 3pm, ages 5+, tickets £7.

SOURPUSS, 16+17 April. Sourpuss is a very grumpy ginger cat.

One day, much to his horror, he is shut outside. Watch Sourpuss on his journey of discovery as he learns all about what lives and grows in the garden. Using string and shadow puppets, with buzzing bees and a chirpy robin to stinky rubbish and vibrant flowers, this visual show is a feast for little eyes. 1 and 3pm, ages 3+, tickets £7.

BIRD’S NEST BILLY, 4 May. One day, when his big brother is at school and Billy has no-one to play with, a magical bird chirps out of his big, curly, bird’s nest hair. The bird grants him three wishes.

This playful show brings his fantastical adventures to life, blending imaginative storytelling, puppetry and playful audience interaction.

1 and 3pm, ages 3+, tickets £7.

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ, 020 7845 0580, www.unicorntheatre.com THE SHOW IN WHICH HOPEFULLY NOTHING HAPPENS, 21 March - 28 April. Welcome to the most boring show in history: an actor who never gets to perform and a security guard who just hopes nothing will occur.Created in the Netherlands, this carefully crafted, absurdist masterpiece of hope, humour and failure has been adored by critics and children across Europe, the US and Canada for the last 12 years. Ages 6-10, tickets from £10.

THE POLAR BEARS GO, GO,GO! 26 March - 28 April. Join the two very loveable but slightly hapless Polar Bears on their holiday adventures. Will they ever reach their destination? Or are they just going around in circles? find your seat, fasten your seatbelt and anchors aweigh - take off and go, go, go! Ages 2-5, tickets from £8 children, £10 adults.

CHURCHILL THEATRE High Street, Bromley BR1 1HA, 020 3285 6000, www.churchilltheatre.co.uk BO PEEP’S ADVENTURE, 9-18 April. Counting her sheep always sends Bo Peep off to sleep by bedtime but she’ll be up all night with them missing. Bo Peep needs you and your family’s help to save her little lambkins from danger before bedtime!

Tickets from £10.

BING LIVE GOES TO THE THEATRE, 13-16 April. Join Bing, Sula, Coco and Pando as they find out how to tell stories by pretending, dressing-up and singing songs. In this magical world of make-believe things don’t always go according to plan. This brand new show is full of fun, laughter and music. Tickets from £17.50.

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THE NOISE NEXT DOOR

PICCADILLY THEATRE

SOURPUSS AT CANADA WATER

THE CONSERVATOIRE 19-21 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RQ, 020 8852 0234, www.conservatoire.org.uk AESOP’S FABLES, 24 March. Enter an enthralling world of adventure - meet the Hare and the Tortoise, the mighty Lion and the brave Mouse, march with the Ants and sing, sing sing with Grasshopper. Young audiences are introduced to classical music through flute, piano, singing, narration and a big helping of love and care. 2.30pm, all ages, tickets £5 children, £10 adults.

LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE 6 Leicester Place WC2H 7BX, 020 77134 2222, www.leicestersquaretheatre.com MUSEUM OF MAGIC! CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS, 9 March, 27 April and 25 May. Once a month, magicians from the prestigious London Magic Circle and West End Magic congregate to present an unforgettable afternoon for children and families alike, where children are taught jaw-dropping tricks and illusions, while parents can relax in their own space with newspapers, coffee and the magic of some peace and quiet. Book a place before they vanish! 1.30pm start, ages 5-13, tickets £7.50 children, £12.50 adults.

TALES FROM THE SHED, 30 March, 27 April and 25 May. Performers and audience share the same space and help make a story happen - children are always encouraged to make a lot of noise, have a lot of silly fun alongside the colourful puppets and live songs. 10am and 11.30am start, under 7s with their grownups.

16 Denman Street, Soho W1D 7DY, 0844 871 7630, www. thepiccadillytheatre.com THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, until 27 April. 15-year-old Christopher stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog. It’s been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in the book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. Following its acclaimed UK and international tour and based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, the smash-hit, multi-award-winning National Theatre production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time returns to London for a strictly limited season.

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE, 14 Dagmar Passage, Cross Street N1 2DN, 020 7226 1787, www.littleangeltheatre.com THE FLYING BATH, 1 March - 20 April. When everyone has left the house in the morning, the bath toys spring into action and head off on exciting adventures in their magical flying bath! Julia Donaldson and David Roberts’ playful and adventurous story splashes into life in this adaptation, featuring catchy songs, quirky bath toys and everyday heroes. Ages 2-6, tickets £11.50 children, £13.50 adults.

THE JOURNEY HOME, 24 April - 5 May. Join Polar Bear as he sets off in search of a new home when the ice starts melting.

Travelling through storms, busy shipping lanes and across oceans, he picks up some exciting friends along the way. Meet all the animals on their adventure to find a new home; what else will they encounter on their journey of discovery and friendship?

Based on Frann Preston-Gannon’s acclaimed children’s book, the production is brought to life through puppetry, lyrical music and transformative design. Ages 5-11, tickets £12 adults, £14 adults.

M US E U M AN D EV ENT S ST PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL 17 March, TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2N 5DN, www.london.gov.uk/events Now approaching its seventieth year, the London St Patrick’s Day Festival attracts many thousands of visitors to central London and Trafalgar Square to enjoy the best of Irish food, music, song, dance, culture and arts. Sunday’s parade sets off at midday from Piccadilly, with the Trafalgar Square Festival running from noon to 6pm.

FEAST OF ST GEORGE 20 April, TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2N 5DN, www.london.gov.uk/events Wave a flag, enjoy tea, cake and great entertainment, all in the surrounds of iconic Trafalgar Square. The event promises a strong and varied live music programme with traditional and contemporary acts. The square will also host an artisan craft market and interactive activities for all the family to enjoy.

Noon to 6pm.

GREENWICH MARKET GREENWICH MARKET SE10 9HZ, 020 8269 5096, www.greenwichmarketlondon.com Visit Greenwich Market to meet many talented arts, craft and designer makers, and enjoy temptingly delicious street food.

Open 10am-5.30pm daily.

MOTHER’S DAY CARDS, 23 April. Join the marketeers in a card-making workshop to treat mother. All materials and lots of help provided! Other activities include face painting, glitter tattoos and art craft workshops.11am-3pm.

EASTER EVENTS, 20-22 April. See pages 4-5 for listings.

ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark, Greenwich SE10, 020 8858 4422, www.rmg.co.uk Royal Museums Greenwich holds the world’s largest maritime collection. It is housed in historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and incorporates the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the 17th-century Queen’s House, and Cutty Sark. The Museums works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people, and is also a major centre of education and research. On Saturdays and Sundays free performances and workshops entertain family visitors, while on Tuesdays preschoolers can make music and play with parents and carers.

Open 10am-5pm daily. General admission is free; some buildings, special exhibitions and events have an admission fee.

familiesonline.co.uk

AHOY! Drop into NMM’s brilliant children’s gallery for a boatload of fun and adventure. Stoke the boiler of a steamship, land a fish and work in the interactive boatyard. Polar exploration, pirates and a host of other maritime themes are brought to life in this playful and immersive gallery, which also has a buggy park and easy access to all the facilities you need to have a stress-free visit.

Ages 0-7, free and open daily (sometimes pre-booked for schools groups).

THE GREAT EXPLORER is an interactive game for families.

Borrow a tablet device and set sail across The Great Map to explore distant lands and discover treasures from all around the world. Where will you visit and what will you find? Take a photo and share your adventure. 11am-4pm, free.

CHARACTER ENCOUNTERS, Saturdays. Join an exciting performance and journey bringing maritime history to life. 12noon, 1, 2 and 3pm.

CUTTY SARK CUTTY SARK, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT, 020 8858 2698, www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark Take the family to Cutty Sark in Greenwich for an action-packed day out on the fastest ship of its time. Meet characters from the ship’s past such as Captain Woodget and the ship’s cook and listen to their epic stories about life on board. Try and outwit the crew in the Sailors’ Challenge game, find your sea legs by taking the helm at the ship’s wheel, follow a family trail or take part in fun workshops. Family friendly events run at weekends and during school holidays. Open 10am-5pm daily, admission £7 children, £13.30 adults. Bundled tickets are available with the other Royal Museum Greenwich attraction.

SPECIAL OFFER: Book now to save 10%: rmg.co.uk/cuttysark

THE TOWER OF LONDON St KATHARINE’S & WAPPING, EC3N 4AB, www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london Discover London’s castle - a secure fortress, royal palace and infamous prison. Open 9am-4.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 10am Sundays and Mondays. Admission £17.70 children, £22.70 adults.

ACTIVITY TRAILS, daily. Explore the home of the Queen’s Crown Jewels and the rooms of Edward 1 with a family trail, packed with fun quizzes, activities, facts and illustrations.

ROYAL BEASTS, daily. Discover the fascinating stories of the many exotic animals kept at the Tower of London and explore how they lived in the Royal Menagerie.

THE POSTAL MUSEUM

THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk The museum’s music gallery and hands-on base, regular weekend and holiday drop-ins and workshops allow family visitors to explore the collection through arts and crafts, music, stories and hands-on sessions. All this within 16 acres of beautiful green space which has the oldest nature trail in London, an animal corner, a butterfly house, and a Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning. Museum open 10.30am-5.30pm daily, admission free, charges apply for special exhibitions and the aquarium.

BRICK WONDERS, until 27 October. Discover amazing wonders from around the world made entirely from LEGO bricks. From an ancient Egyptian pyramid to Old London Bridge, and from the natural wonder of a coral reef to the modern marvel of the international space station, travel through history and explore over 70 models made using half a million LEGO bricks. Build your imagination at the interactive play areas, and don’t miss two special models of Horniman icons, designed especially for the show. Admission £5 children, £9 adults, £20 families.

YOUTH TAKEOVER FAMILY DAY, 23 March. The Horniman Youth Panel take over the museum for a day of family friendly activities inspired by performance. Part of the Lewisham Live Festival. Noon-4pm, free drop-in.

THE LORE OF THE LAND, until 2 June. Artist Serena Korda has worked with a collective of local community members to create an immersive, multi-sensory installation that considers our relationship with the natural world. The exhibition features ceramic artworks dispensing scents inspired by the Horniman Gardens, and a soundscape based on the chemical processes occurring in plants and trees, alongside 100 objects from the Horniman’s anthropology collection. Free.

EVOLUTION OF THE ARTIST AND THE EXHIBITED WORKS, until 17 March. Visit Shauna Richardson’s beautifully crafted, life-size crochet animal sculptures, inspired and informed by natural history. Trophy heads of animals including a bear, lioness and wild boar look down at visitors from the walls, while monkeys and an ‘Evolution’ graphics panel chart the development of Shauna’s work and life as an artist from inherited traits, skills learned and adaptation to environment. Free.

SPRING WELLY WALK, 27 April. Get your wellies on and follow the Horniman Nature Trail to explore the animals, insects and plants that thrive there in spring. Have a go at sweep-netting, tree-beating and identifying what you discover. 1.45-3.30pm, children £3, adults £5.

FAMILY ART FUN, various days from 8-18 April. Enjoy free and fabulous craft activities inspired by spring and the museum gardens. Different days have different activities including mask, puppet and chick nest making - check the website for the full line up. 11am-3.30pm, free.

EASTER FAIR, 20+21 April. A weekend of Easter fun with a trail to follow, craft workshops, storytelling, face painting and more.

10.30am-4.30pm, free entry.

THE POSTAL MUSEUM 15-20 Phoenix Place WC1X 0DA, 0300 0300 700, www.postalmuseum.org For more than 75 years, Mail Rail was a vital part of Britain’s communications network, carrying post along its own underground network, hidden from view beneath the streets of London.

Journey back in time through the original tunnels and station platforms under Mount Pleasant to explore the surprising and fascinating story of the first social network. From a jam-packed programme of free workshops and a dedicated playspace, The Postal Museum is a fascinating, family-friendly destination. Open 10am-5pm daily, admission £10.45 children, £17.05 adults.

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R, 020 7601 5545, www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank. Examine intricately-designed banknotes, feel the weight of a genuine gold bar and see the pikes and muskets that were once used to defend the Bank. Children’s activity sheets provide fun for younger visitors. Open 10am-5pm Mondays to Fridays, admission free.

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THE FLYING BATH

GREENWICH MARKET

BRICK WONDERS AT THE HORNIMAN

MoreWhat’sOn NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM

FULHAM PALACE

Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HT, 020 7730 0717, www.nam.ac.uk The National Army Museum is a leading authority on the British Army and its impact on society past and present. Through its collections the museum preserves and shares stories of ordinary people with extraordinary responsibilities; exploring the role of the army and its relevance today. Free children’s trails cover a wide range of topics and suit a variety of age groups. Open 10am 5.30pm, admission free.

PLAY BASE, daily. Whether your child wants to take on the soft play assault course, climb aboard a truck or prepare scoff in the cookhouse, Play Base lets every child shine. Ages 0-8, £4.50 per child for an hour-long session.

Bishop’s Avenue, Fulham SW6 6EA, 020 7736 3233, www.fulhampalace.org The Museum of Fulham Palace charts the long history of the palace site, from Prehistoric times and Roman settlement, through Medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian bishops to the present day. The museum collection includes paintings, archaeology and artefacts. Open noon-4pm Sundays, 12.30-3.30pm Mondays to Thursdays, admission free.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Bow Street, Covent Garden WC2E 9DD, www.roh.org.uk The Royal Opera House is in the heart of London’s theatreland.

Open daily, there are plenty of events and behind the scene tours as well as world-class productions to enjoy.

FAMILY SUNDAYS, 17 March and 14 April. Discover more about opera, ballet and the Royal Opera House in a fun-packed, themed family-friendly day filled with exciting and creative activities. Ages 3-10 with parents and carers, 11am-3pm.

BALLET DOTS, 11 March and 29 April. Discover the world of ballet through creative, fun and sensory dance workshops for children and adults. Ages 3 months to 5 years in 45-minute, age-block sessions.

OPERA DOTS, 25 March. Discover the world of opera through fun participatory workshops for children and adults, full of singing, music and stories. Ages 3 months to 5 years in 45-minute, age-block sessions.

CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM 48 Doughty Street WC1N 2LX, 020 7405 2127, www.dickensmuseum.com Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Sundays, admission £9 adults, £4 children. A visit to the Museum includes a free family trail for each child. Suitable for children between 4 and 12 years, the trail takes children on a journey of discovery through No. 48 Doughty Street, where Dickens once lived with his wife and young family.

Exploration of the basement reveals a wonderful Victorian kitchen, full of period and replica items you can interact with. Try your hand at grinding coffee and look out for resident hedgehog, Bill Spikes!

There are costumes for dressing up in both the kitchen and the attic to give a flavour of what life was like upstairs and down. There is even a beautiful Victorian toy theatre in the timeline room where you can put on your own play.

BODY WORLDS LONDON PAVILION, 1 Piccadilly Circus W1J 0DA, 0330 233 3233, www.bodyworlds.com/exhibition/london Dr Gunther von Hagens’ renowned exhibition of real human bodies has sparked curiosity and awe around the world with over 47 million visitors globally. The ‘Plastinating’ technique replaces body fluids with a sort of silicone rubber, allowing them to be positioned in a variety of active positions, showing which muscles are used for different activities such as jumping, dancing and playing tennis. As well as providing fascinating insights into the inner workings of the human body, the exhibition is designed to stimulate curiosity about the science of anatomy and physiology, and provide engaging and life-changing experiences in science and technology. Open 9.30am - 7pm Sundays to Thursdays; to 9pm Fridays and Saturdays. Ages 6+ recommended, single and family tickets available in advance or on the door.

IWM LONDON IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ, www.iwm.org.uk IWM shows and records war through the eyes of the people who lived it. Be moved. Be inspired. Be transformed. Open 10am to 6pm daily, admission free.

18 Families South East

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD, 020 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.uk Dinosaurs, volcanoes, precious gems and creepy crawlies discover the diversity of the natural world through the nation’s finest collection of natural history specimens. Fascinating exhibitions display up to 70 million plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals, with a hands-on education centre where you can meet real scientists at work. Museum open 10am-5.50pm, admission free.

INVESTIGATE FOR FAMILIES, every weekend. Get a feel for how scientists work by having a go yourself. Explore hundreds of real nature specimens that form the evidence Museum scientists use in their daily work. Drop-in, ages 3-11, 11am-5pm.

DINO SNORES, once a month on Saturdays. Discover what really happens at the museum when the staff and visitors have gone home. Children aged 7-11 years, from 7pm to 9.50am the following day. Tickets from £54.

DAWNOSAURS, 28 April. A free event for children on the autism spectrum, free from the hustle and bustle of the general public.

Visitors have access to a wide-ranging programme of activities, including a chance to see, meet and even touch live animals. All activities are supported by experienced, autism-aware facilitators.

A dedicated Sensory Room is also available for those children needing a quieter and calmer space. 8-10am, ages 5 to 15 with grownups, free but book first.

SCIENCE MUSEUM THE SCIENCE MUSEUM, Exhibition Road SW7 2DD, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk The Science Museum’s world-class collection makes sense of the science that shapes our lives through the iconic objects, award-winning exhibitions and incredible stories of scientific achievement.

FAMILY DAY, 23 March. Take the children to a chemistry-themed family day, featuring fun workshops delivered by chemistry professionals. Visitors can also hear live performances from the Girls’ Choir of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and even rehearse and sing a periodic table-themed song with the choir live in the museum. This is part of the choir’s STEM in SONG project, which encourages young girls to engage in the STEM subjects through music. Free.

POWER UP, 5-22 April. Take an interactive journey through four decades of gaming history with 160 consoles and hundreds of games, right from retro arcade classics such as Space Invaders through to the latest in VR technology, catching a glimpse at what the future may hold for the world of gaming. From Pong and Pacman to Sonic and Super Smash Bros, there is something to suit everyone, whether you’re a parent looking for child-friendly Easter holiday activities or a games aficionado who wants to revel in the classics. Ages 5+, child tickets from £8, adults £10, families £20.

THE SUN: LIVING WITH OUR STAR, until 6 May. The beauty and power of the sun have inspired us since the dawn of civilization. Set at the centre of our solar system, its brilliant light shapes our sense of time, our health and our environment. This is the story of humanity’s ever-changing relationship with our nearest star. Under 16s free.

BALLET DOTS AT ROH

MUSEUM OF LONDON MUSEUM OF LONDON, 150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN, www.museumoflondon.org.uk From specially-designed interactive children’s galleries, free activity bags and stimulating online games, as well as all-important details like high chairs and baby-changing spaces, the Museum of London is a perfect fun family venue. Open 10am-6pm daily, admission free.

FAMILIES FIND OUT: INVENTIONS, 9+10 March. Get curious with scientists from Imperial College London and be inspired by science and technology at this family festival. Don’t be surprised if you bump into Little Miss Inventor from the Mr Men & Little Miss books! She’ll be around to share some of her ideas and encourage the next generation of inventors. 11am-4pm, free.

BEASTS OF LONDON, 5 April - 5 January 2020. Step into an immersive tour through London’s history, narrated by the animals who once lived here. Beasts of London explores the fascinating role animals have played in shaping the capital. Be guided through time, from the Roman era through Medieval London and right up to present day, narrated by the beasts themselves (with help from Brian Blessed, Pam Ferris, Stephen Mangan, Angellica Bell, Nish Kumar and more). Discover how animals - from lions and elephants, to horses, rats and pigeons - have shaped the city and its beastly history. Ages 7+, family tickets from £20.

BEASTS AT EASTER, 6-21 April. Explore beastly London with a range of Easter holiday storytelling sessions, craft workshops and more. Free family drop ins.

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, Warehouse 1, West India Quay E14 4AL, www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands Find out more about London’s history, through displays covering events such as Roman life, the Great Plague, and Londoners’ jobs and occupations. Open daily 10am-6pm, admission free. On Sundays, museum hosts help visitors explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities at 11am and 2pm.

EAST END ENTERTAINMENT, 16+17 March. Roll up, roll up for a barrel of laughs as the museum celebrates East End entertainments. Enjoy a selection of stand-up comedians, be serenaded with songs from a bygone era by a street musician, and create captivating crafts in this event run in partnership with Comedy Club 4 Kids. From 11am, ages 5+, free drop in.

THE STORIES IN STREET ART, 6+7 April. From the Romans to modern day street artists, people have been using graffiti to tell stories to the world. Travel through time with a museum storyteller as she recounts the history of street art in London. 12noon, 2 and 3pm, ages 5+, free drop in.

SECRET LANGUAGES, 10+11 April. Discover how and why codes were used throughout history. Explore secret alphabet symbols and create your very own decoder dial to write covert codes. 12noon and 2.30pm, ages 5+, free drop in.

MORSE CODE MASTERS, 9-14 April. Can you decode secret messages? Have a go at communicating in Morse code, then spell out your name to make your own Morse code bracelet in this fun craft workshop. 12noon and 2.30pm, ages 5+, free drop in.

MARITIME MESSAGES, 12+19 April. Before phones or the internet, how could you get a message from London to Portsmouth in less than 15 minutes? Learn now the semaphore system changed how people sent maritime messages and how this new way of communicating helped the war effort during World War One. 12noon, 2 and 3pm, ages 5+, free drop in.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk This gem of a museum houses dolls, dolls’ houses, puppets, teddy bears, games, childcare, clothing, furniture and art and photography. Everyday drop-in activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, and trails. There’s dressing-up, role play and an under 3s area, an indoor sandpit, and regular special events. Open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free.

A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR ME, until 22 April. Enter an imaginary swashbuckling world of adventure and exploration from a moody coastal inn to a tropical treasure island in search of sparkling riches. This is the V&A Museum of Childhood’s first major exhibition to focus on fictional pirates and their influence in popular culture, featuring key loans from the V&A collections, including toys, games, books, real pirate coins and treasures and more, spanning over 300 years. At its heart, a large-scale pirate ship inspires learning through active play. Admission free.

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CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE LITERARY FESTIVAL

BODY WORLDS

BEASTS OF LONDON

HARALD SOLHBERG - PAINTING NORWAY

THE BRITISH LIBRARY

FOUNDLING MUSEUM

96 Euston Road NW1 2DB, 01937 456030, www.bl.uk The British Library is open to everyone and offers Reading Rooms for research and study, exhibitions and events for curious people of all ages, tours and great places to eat, drink and shop. Open 9.30am - 8pm Mondays to Thursdays, to 6pm Fridays, 7pm Saturdays, and 11am-5pm Sundays, admission free.

CATS ON THE PAGE, until 17 March. Cats and their capers are celebrated in rhymes and stories familiar to us from childhood.

Whether raising a smile, solving a crime, wreaking magical havoc or even performing in theatre, cats take centre stage in this free exhibition. An unmissable offering for families, the exhibition features a reading corner complete with books, a family trail and sound recordings. Free.

FRIENDSHIP BEFORE FACEBOOK, until 12 May. How were friends selected, collected and put on display before the digital era? Explore the Library’s collection of pocket-sized friendship albums - made between the 16th and 19th centuries - full of celebrity autographs, music, miniature paintings and bawdy lift-the-flap pictures.

40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ, 020 7841 3600, www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 11am Sundays.

Admission free for under 16s, from £10 adults.

BEDROOMS OF LONDON, until 5 May. A photographic exhibition documenting the living conditions of London's most disadvantaged children. Focusing on the spaces in which children are sleeping, the photographs are shown alongside first-hand narratives from families, and offer a poignant insight into their lives and experiences.

TOY HOMES, 11 April. Thinking about how important homes are as places for children to feel safe and happy, work with artist Anne Harild to make a roll-along home to take with you on your travels.

11am, 1.15 and 3pm, ages 5+, free MUSIC FOR BEDROOMS, 16 April. Get creative in a composition workshop. Led by composer Charlotte Harding, explore the identities expressed in the bedrooms featured in their exhibition, then create and perform your own musical creation.

11am, 1.15 and 3pm, ages 5+, free.

VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM V&A MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL, 020 7942 2000, www.vam.ac.uk/families Pick up a family trail from the Information Desk and explore the museum through puzzles, drawing and observation. Suitable for 7-12 year-olds. There are also hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits containing plenty to touch and try out. Museum open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free.

BACK-PACKS, Saturdays. Pick up a back pack and explore the museum with fantastic jigsaws, stories, puzzles and games.

10.30am-5pm.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM St THOMAS’S HOSPITAL, 2 Lambeth Palace Road SE1 7EW, 020 7188 4400, www.florence-nightingale.co.uk Known as ‘The Lady with the Lamp’, Florence Nightingale was a pioneering nurse, writer, and noted statistician. The Florence Nightingale Museum celebrates her life and work, through personal material associated with Florence Nightingale, items relating to the Crimean War and nursing artefacts. Open 10am7pm daily, admission £7.50 adults, £3.80 children.

4-7 May, CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE, Hill Hoath Road, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7AD, 01892 870 347, www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/literaryfestival Four days of talks, performances and workshops set in Chiddingstone’s historic house and grounds, carefully curated to ensure there is something for all ages and interests. Bank Holiday Monday 6 May is Family Day, with bestselling authors and illustrators, musical performances, modelling workshops and more. Individual adult events £13.50, children’s events £6. Day tickets available on Saturday and Sunday

THE BRITISH MUSEUM BRITISH MUSEUM, Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG, 020 7323 8181, www.britishmuseum.org The British Museum was founded in 1753, the first national public museum in the world. Each year nearly 6 million visitors pour through the doors to see the museum’s collection of ancient and historical artefacts including the ever-popular Egyptian mummies, or to take in the latest block-buster exhibition. Open 10am-5.30pm daily, admission free, charge for some exhibitions.

REMBRANDT: THINKING ON PAPER, until 4 August. To mark the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt’s death, this show examines his exceptional creative output on paper through the museum’s collection of his graphic works. Around 70 prints and drawings demonstrate Rembrandt’s unrivalled immediacy and brilliance of touch as a graphic artist, bringing us close to witnessing and following his creative thinking.

DIGITAL DISCOVERY CENTRE, weekends. Learn, discover and create in the Museum’s digital centre. Free activities and workshops using the latest Samsung digital equipment, enabling children to bring the world’s history and cultures to life through advanced technology.

THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR LONDON, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR, 0345 084 0900, www.wbstudiotour.co.uk Follow the footsteps of Harry, Ron and Hermione deep into the grounds of the Forbidden Forest. The unique attraction offers visitors the ultimate chance to get up close to authentic sets, discover the magic behind spellbinding special effects and explore the behind-the-scenes secrets of the Harry Potter film series. Tickets £25 children, £43 adults, £140 families, book first.

A RT AC T IVI T IES CRYSTAL PALACE ARTISTS’ OPEN HOUSE 27+28 April, 4+5 May, in and around CRYSTAL PALACE SE19, @PalaceOpen on Twitter Crystal Palace’s first Artists’ Open House will showcase local artists, designers and makers all displaying and selling their creations from their homes, studios, shared spaces and venues.

For the full line up, pick up a programme from libraries, local shops, bars, cafes and galleries.

DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Fridays, from 11am weekends and bank holidays. Admission free for accompanied children, £8 adults. Listed activities free for families with a gallery ticket or £3 per child.

HARALD SOLHBERG: PAINTING NORWAY, until 2 June.

Harald Sohlberg (1869-1935) was one of the greatest masters of landscape painting in the history of Norwegian art. Timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Sohlberg’s birth, this exhibition presents the first ever exhibition outside his home country, bringing together over 90 works, including archive material, to reveal the importance of colour and symbolism in his art as well as his unwavering passion for the Nordic landscape.

NATURE CREATORS, 9-12 and 16-19 April. Explore nature and gain confidence through creating, storytelling and singing at Foxglove Forest School’s outdoor family workshops in the gallery’s gardens. 2-4pm, ages 4-12 with grownups, tickets £3 per child.

FAMILY FESTIVAL: LOVE YOUR LANDSCAPE, 14 April. Spend a day at the Gallery exploring nature, inspired by the Harald Sohlberg exhibition. In a series of different drop-in workshops, visitors can build a flower field, craft a fabric patch, explore the grounds and much more. 10am-5pm, free for under 18s.

ART PLAY, first and last Sunday of each month. Creative drop-in workshops for adults and children, with a different activity each session. Make anything and everything from bunting to block printing and all things in between. 2-3.45pm.

FREE FAMILY TRAIL. Ask a gallery assistant or stop by at the Gallery Friends desk for a free trail; updated frequently and available for the permanent and temporary exhibitions.

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THE DESIGN MUSEUM DESIGN MUSEUM, 224-238 Kensington High Street W8 6AG, www.designmuseum.org The museum offers a programme of regular events and activities with plenty of opportunities to get creative, offering free and ticketed workshops and gallery experiences for adult visitors and families with children aged 5-11 years. Open 10am-6pm daily.

HOME FUTURES, until 24 March. Are we living in the way that pioneering architects and designers throughout the 20th century predicted, or has our idea of home proved resistant to real change? Explore today’s home through the prism of yesterday’s imagination. Admission £8 children aged 6-15, £16 adults.

CREATE AND MAKE, once a month on Sundays and during school holidays. Be inspired by the museum and its exhibitions through informal drop in sessions focusing on light-touch design and making. Ages 5-11.

GET INTO DESIGN workshops and courses run for families and young people. Led by specialist tutors, they include input and inspiration from some of the rising stars in contemporary design.

Check the website for dates and details. Ages 8-11.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE, 020 7306 0055, www.npg.org.uk The gallery features thousands of portraits of the most famous people in British history, from the 16th century to the present day.

Open 10am-6pm daily.

DROP IN FAMILY SUNDAYS. On the third Sunday of every month, families are invited to drop-in with children aged 3+ to take part in portrait-related events.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION THE WALLACE COLLECTION, Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN, 020 7563 9500, www.wallacecollection.org The Wallace Collection displays wonderful works of art collected in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the son of the 4th Marquess, in their main London townhouse. Family multi-media tours and trails bring the exhibits to life for younger visitors. Open 10am-5pm daily, admission free.

ART AT SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3PB, 020 7440 4263, www.soane.org Tucked away in Lincoln’s Inn Fields at the heart of London, this magical, mysterious museum encourages young visitors to explore Soane’s treasures and develop new skills with specialist guidance. Sir John Soane (1753- 1737) was an inveterate collector, filling every nook and cranny of his beautiful home with items that fascinated him. From fossils to classical fragments from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and from contemporary paintings to architectural models, drawings and literature, he intended that after his death both his house and its extraordinary contents should be used to educate and inspire. Free drop-in activities run on the third Saturday of every month, with activities for all ages and families can take part together from 1.30-4.40pm.

SOMERSET HOUSE SOMERSET HOUSE, Strand WC2, 020 7845 4600, www.somersethouse.org.uk Art and culture in the heart of London in a stunning riverside setting. Open daily, admission free with a charge for some exhibitions. Free family workshops run on occasional Saturdays check the website for details. Children aged 6-12 years must be accompanied by an adult.

NOW PLAY THIS, 6-14 April. The annual games festival returns for its biggest edition ever, with more exciting hands-on gameplay for all ages to enjoy. Admission £6.50 children, £8 adults. Free outdoor installations include a large-scale labyrinth in the courtyard and an adventurous trail around the site. Admission £6.50 children, £8 adults.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2N 5DN, 020 7747 2885, www.nationalgallery.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays to 9pm, admission free.

With over 2,300 paintings in the collection, there are hundreds of reasons to visit the gallery, along with free hands-on art workshops and magic carpet storytellling for families at weekends and during school holidays. No need to book, but places are limited and allocated on arrival up to one hour before the start.

Families South East 19

S P R I N G F A M I LY R A C E D AY S U N DAY 3 1

ST

MARCH

Tickets from £26pp | Children under 18 go FREE Fine Dining ticket inclusive packages from £118 + VAT

Book at ascot.co.uk

20 Families South East

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Families South East Tel: 020 8699 7240 Email: info@familiesse.co.uk Contact: Robina Cowan Website: www.familiesse.co.uk MAGAZINE DESIGN: Lancasters 020 8658 9975 www.lancasters.co.uk Printed on paper from sustainable forests. www.ridgewaypress.co.uk

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