Families South East London November/December 2022 Print

South East

Welcome

Some of you love it and others find it overwhelming… think you all know what we’re talking about! Yes, the festive season is just round the corner and it’s not too soon to start planning. Read on; we have two gift guides to inspire you in this issue, and our What’s On pages are filled with exciting ideas for festive shows and days out.

As things get increasingly busy, it’s important that you don’t burn out before Christmas even arrives. Take a look at our tips for lightening your load in the run up.

Meanwhile, life ticks on. You may be choosing your child’s first school, musing on your child’s future education or planning for the arrival of a baby sibling. We have you covered!

Finally, in this issue, we some fabulous Christmas gifts giveaways; all free to enter. We have tonnes of Weebles to giveaway. Apply for these adorable wiggly, wobbly minitoys at familiesmag.co.uk/go. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

This kind of Christmas comes but once in a lifetime. Whisk your family away to magical Lapland where you’ll meet Santa and his cheeky elves.

Christmas 2022 and 2023 on sale now Visit SantasLapland.com

school

By Gabrielle Nash

If your child turns four this academic year, they’ll be starting Reception next September and now’s the time to make their primary school application. Exciting times!

Your child’s primary school and its community becomes a large part of your family’s life, so feeling happy about the choice is very important. Depending on where you live you might have just one, two or maybe three schools to apply to. Or there may be numerous schools if you live in a city. So how do you go about knowing which will be a good fit for you and your child?

The catchment area

School catchment area is a key admission criterion for schools. This is generally based on the furthest distance that a pupil was admitted to the school the previous year but boundaries can be extended or shrink, according to the variables of each intake year. For example, one year there may be a larger cohort of siblings or looked-after children taking priority or it may be a year with a high birth rate, so the map alone does not guarantee your top choice.

You can check each school’s catchment area through your local authority to establish whether you’re likely to fall within it. Think carefully before aiming for a school for which you’re not in the catchment area. You don’t want to waste one of your choices.

Consider your working week. If you’re commuting to work, how will you do that after school drop-off? Is there a train or bus nearby or space to park your car?

A good fit

Every school is organised and managed differently, so you’ll need to do some research to see what each school offers and what matters most to you. When you’re shortlisting schools, it’s important to visit to get a feel for each one. Go armed with lists of questions and an open mind.

Each school will have its own personality but so does your child. Are they loud or reserved? Smaller schools with just one-form entry might suit a quieter child. If your child has any special educational needs, you’ll want to know the school caters well for them.

Extras

What wrap-around care does the school offer? If it doesn’t suit your needs, are there sufficient alternative options? Find out which secondary schools pupils go on to and see how that impacts on your thought process. For example, if a high proportion of the pupils go to the best local secondary school, then that’s a plus.

Educating for the future

By Louise Livingston

Children are often asked what they want to be when they grow up. From farmers to flight attendants, astronauts to doctors, the answers are always a mix of familiar careers. But astonishingly, over two thirds of children joining primary school this September will end up in jobs that don’t yet exist. Think back thirty years - there were no social media managers or Bitcoin traders!

Today’s workplace is rapidly changing. As Richard Riley, former Secretary of Education, said:

‘We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.’

It’s a challenge and mainstream education will be required to adjust. Is an education system that focuses mainly on teaching children academic subjects outdated? Focusing on tests and exam results will not deliver for a future which will need creative, flexible problem-solvers who can collaborate.

The visionary educational pioneer, Maria Montessori, recognised this when she wrote,

‘Education must no longer be mostly imparting knowledge but must take a new path, seeking the release of human potentialities.’

In Montessori education, children are guided by a teacher trained in child observation and development. Classrooms provide open-ended, hands-on activities where children choose tasks appropriate to their stage of development.

With activities so targeted to each child’s individual needs and interests, children are engaged and motivated to concentrate, persevere and develop self-discipline. In addition, the activities are designed to encourage children to think flexibly and come up with creative solutions. In the early years, this may simply be how to unbuckle their shoes or share a snack. Later, it may be an exploration of the Jurassic period or a novel approach to solving quadratic equations.

Mixed-age classes with children aged up to three years apart is another key feature of Montessori education. Younger children learn from older role models and older children benefit from the experience too. In this mini community, children share resources, put things away ready for someone else after they have used them and help each other. This fosters social collaboration and builds emotional intelligence.

Louise Livingston has over thirty years’ experience in education and a background in educational neuroscience. She is Head of Training at the Maria Montessori Institute (www.mariamontessori.org), which offers Montessori teacher training, online short courses and the Maria Montessori School for ages 2 to 12 in London.

A new approach at home

Supporting your child’s development with a Montessori approach doesn’t require expensive equipment. It’s all about changing your mindset. For example, instead of automatically doing things for your children, you can encourage them to do things themselves as much as possible and support them only as and when they need it.

When they try to do things for themselves, children find their own way. If they ask ‘how do you do that?’ turn that question on its head and ask ‘how do you think it should be done?’

Age is just a number

In a Montessori environment, children with a three-year age span work alongside each other, choosing and taking part in activities as and when they are developmentally ready. This is in sharp contrast to mainstream approaches which typically require children to learn the same things at the same time, in the same year group.

Developmentally, there can be a marked difference in the abilities of the youngest and oldest children in a standard classroom and how readily they can pass set milestones and tests.

With Montessori, children develop capacities at their own pace, building on a firm foundation of what they can already do.

Mistakes are viewed positively as an opportunity to find a different way of doing something, whereas sometimes mainstream approaches can make children feel that ‘getting it right’ is all that matters. When mistakes are valued as part of the learning process, a child’s confidence grows, they are able to try new things and contribute their ideas, exemplifying the fact that everyone has a unique perspective to offer.

Montessori is about optimising human capacity rather than filling children with facts that can usually be accessed with a few taps on a device. It’s so well-suited to preparing for future jobs because it recognises that with the right encouragement, children are motivated, curious, flexible and creative.

What the parents say….

As part of a recent, anonymous parent survey, Herne Hill School in South London, the largest independent school in the UK focussing on early childhood education for 2-7 year-olds, asked parents about what they felt are the school’s greatest strengths.

There was no end to the superlatives from parents with children in the Kindergarten. In particular, parents emphasised the level of care and attention their children receive. ’Our daughter has been so loved. The pastoral care she has received at Herne Hill is the best I’ve ever seen’ one parent reported. Parents also spoke particularly enthusiastically about how engaged they find the Kindergarten team using words including ‘they really do go above and beyond daily’ and ‘we’ve been so very impressed.’

Pastoral care is a big strength in the eyes of parents from other year groups too. A Year 1 parent described it as ‘incredible’ and reported being unable to imagine better teachers or school staff. Almost all the parents surveyed used either the word ‘nurturing’ or ‘kind’ (or both!) when talking about the school. The kindness of the school’s teachers and staff extends into an emphasis on kindness generally. A Year 2 parent explained that, in her view, the emphasis on thinking of others and open-hearted friendship has given her son ‘a really nurturing beginning’ to his school journey.

Parents in all year groups commented particularly positively about the school’s teachers and staff. ‘Our son has benefited from the dedication of all his teachers over the past five years’ remarked one. Described variously by other parents as ‘such an engaged team,’ ‘inventive, energetic and joyful,’ parents clearly feel that the enthusiasm of the teachers has a truly infectious effect on their children’s approach to learning. ‘All the staff at Herne Hill are incredibly dedicated to what they do’, one concluded.

Another common thread amongst the parents surveyed was the strength of the teaching and curriculum at Herne Hill. Particularly praised were the variety of the learning methods, activities and

topics on offer in the Kindergarten, all encapsulated in a very gentle routine and structure and the specialist teaching that is introduced to children once they move into the Reception Cycle, giving a specific focus to different subjects. One parent explained that she feels fortunate that her child is at a school where the investment in learning is ‘continual’ and ‘such a huge effort and emphasis is placed on making learning interactive, exciting and fun.’

Parents were really appreciative of the amount of time the children spend outside whilst at school too, enjoying outdoor learning across the curriculum, exploring their surroundings and even eating outdoors in fine weather.

Clearly the teaching and curriculum at Herne Hill stimulates children’s engagement. Parents commented that the school encourages their children to become ‘passionate about learning, curious and inquisitive.’ Having ignited a love of learning in children, the school then harnesses this as children are gently prepared for the 7+ examinations that determine which school they will go on to attend. ‘The way the school manages the academic demands of the 7+ process is impressive’ commented a Year 2 parent.

Schools have a personality and Herne Hill parents definitely feel that their school is simultaneously friendly and highly skilled in its education of young children. ‘There’s specialness built into everything they do’ reported one parent.

In overview, Herne Hill School’s survey, showed that an overwhelming eighty five percent of parents were ‘very satisfied’ with the school and a further ten percent were ‘satisfied.’ The broad survey covered parents’ satisfaction with their child’s education experience, learning and academic progress, personal, social and emotional development, satisfaction with other aspects of school life and with the school’s communication, administration and leadership.

Herne Hill School in South London is a family-feel school which specialises in expert Early Childhood Education for boys and girls ages 2 to 7 in a Kindergarten and Prep-Prep school. For more information, visit www.hernehillschool.co.uk

Why should my child aim for university?

Your child is probably still at primary school or may not even have started school yet but, at some point during their education, the question of whether or not they will go to university will doubtless come up.

Deciding whether to go to university or not depends on the career your child wants to pursue but not every student that embarks upon a university course is dead set on a specific career.

The good news is that all university courses equip students with transferable skills that benefit their careers. Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh believes that whatever the course, a university education will equip your child with these skills. Here they explore why the key skills learnt at university can make a student more employable.

Teamwork

Group projects undertaken at university are valuable because teamwork is an essential skill that’s required in almost any job you can think of. Even if your child pursues a career that involves a lot of individual work, like becoming an author or photographer, they will still need teamwork skills.

Through team activities at university, students learn how to work with a variety of other people. In our lives and careers, many of us might have experienced group work with someone who does not pull their weight or someone who wants total control.

Knowing how to deal with these issues professionally will be vital for your child’s future career. They will also gain valuable experience in supporting others, as well as collaborating with other people to come up with new ideas.

Planning and organisation skills

Alongside time management, the ability to plan out their workload and organise tasks and events will be useful for your child in any number of employment roles. If they choose to undertake a degree that is very practical, they will have a lot of opportunities to hone these skills in scenarios that will present themselves in the world of work. If they are considering a more theory-based degree, they will learn how to plan tasks that require a lot of work hours, like their dissertation.

Outside of their studies, there are other opportunities to hone these skills at university too, like volunteering. Student Volunteering Week, which usually happens during February, gives students an amazing opportunity to take part in organised volunteering projects.

Volunteering doesn’t have to be limited to one week each year either. Most universities have partnerships with charities and businesses, offering volunteering opportunities year-round.

This could involve organising fundraising events for a chosen charity, providing support during an event, or even getting out on the streets to raise awareness or money. All these events can help students enhance their planning and organisational skills, as well as many others.

When the time comes, whether your child has a dream career carved out in their head or they are still pondering their options, going to university can equip them with skills that are valuable in any job role.

One of the key benefits of university is the transferable skills it delivers; these can make a young person more employable, whichever degree they have studied.

In fact, transferable skills are key to your child’s future at work. Their ability to problem-solve, be creative, resilient and adaptable and willing to lead, will contribute massively to any job in any industry.

That’s why, these days, employers consider transferable skills to be a priority when evaluating potential candidates for positions. According to Barclays, three quarters of employers prioritise these above or

Introducing a new sibling

Introducing a new baby into the family can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking time for parents. Here are some tips on the best ways to prepare your older children for the impending arrival of their baby sibling and help them to feel loved and included during the process.

Explain what’s going to happen

If they are under the age of two, they may not be that interested at all and take the idea of a new addition to the family in their stride. However, a slightly older child might be bursting with questions or struggle emotionally with the transition.

Prepare them for what to expect

Explain that the new baby is going to be with mummy or daddy most of the time and the baby is going to do a lot of sleeping, crying and feeding. This will also help manage their expectations so they won’t expect their new sibling to be a playmate from the moment they enter your home!

Tell the story of their birth

Show your children some old photographs of when you were pregnant with them or of them when they were a baby. Talk to them about what it was like when they were younger and how they too cried and fed all hours of the day. This will be a lovely bonding exercise and help them understand why the new baby will need more attention initially.

Role play looking after the baby

Using a doll is another great way to introduce your children to the idea of having a baby around the home. They can practise

how to be gentle, hold the baby and talk to them. Overall, this helps to normalise the idea of a baby. Better still, if you’ve got friends or family with small babies, set up meet ups or playdates so your child can get used to hearing baby cries, being around a baby and observing how mums and babies interact.

Get them involved in the planning

Ask them what they think of the names you’ve picked for the baby. Chances are they won’t like your choices and would much prefer Spider-Man or Peppa but the key thing is to value their opinions!

Take them shopping for newborn essentials

It will help them feel important if you let them pick some baby clothes. They could also help put new items away, pack the baby changing bag or even prepare the nursery.

With thanks to leading UK baby brand, Nuby (www.nuby-uk. com) for this article.

When baby arrives

Get your children involved in caregiving.

It’s tempting for any parent to be extra cautious when managing a toddler or young child around a baby. However, allowing your older children to have some involvement in looking after the baby is key in making them feel included rather than pushed out.

Singing to the baby, helping bathe them or passing the wipes or a clean nappy are all easy little tasks that can help a new older sibling feel like they have an important role in the family.

Let them meet their new sibling as soon as possible. A hospital may feel big and scary but the more included they feel at this stage, the more they will continue to do so down the line.

Your child is not going to understand perfectly how to behave around their baby sibling straightaway. They will make mistakes. One thing to avoid is punishing them or telling them to go away when this happens. Just be patient, calmly explain what they should do instead and let them have another go.

Dance – movement with purpose

By Andrew Campbell

If your child is always prancing around the house practising their moves and can’t be dragged away from Strictly even if chocolate or ice cream are on offer, signing up for dance classes is a great way to tap into their enthusiasm for music and movement.

As well as being lots of fun, dance classes offer a host of other advantages:

Physical health

Dance improves flexibility, coordination, balance, range of motion, stamina, lung function, muscle tone, strength and posture.

Self-awareness

Through dance, children develop spatial awareness, become less clumsy and pay more attention to others sharing their space. They can feel more at home in their own skin.

Self-expression

Children struggling with language can express their feelings and creativity with immediacy in a positive way through dance and movement.

Socialisation

Dance is a highly social activity. In a dance class, children learn how to work as part of a team, develop a greater sense of trust and co-operation and make new friends; all skills they will carry through life.

Cognitive Development

Children strengthen their cognitive abilities and memory skills through learning and remembering choreography.

Behaviour

Dancing requires intense focus, discipline and co-ordination. This can have a calming effect and help children release pentup energy.

Weight management

Anything that gets children moving when school lessons are largely sedentary has to be a good thing. Regular dancing is a fun way to tone up and burn off calories without realising.

Mood boosting

Studies have shown that dance can increase levels of the hormone seratonin, which can improve happiness levels.

Self-confidence

Dance helps build self-confidence with each new routine children practise and master. The sense of accomplishment encourages them to push themselves to learn more.

Demonstrating their new skills for family and friends in end of term showcases are great confidence boosters.

It keeps you warm! There’s nothing like getting the blood pumping to warm up on a chilly day, so why not crank up your favourite tunes and all dance around the house together (like no one’s looking)!

There is a wide range of dance classes available locally for both boys and girls, from pre-school music and movement classes to primary ballet, tap, street dance, contemporary dance, pop dance and many more.

Saturday

for

Located in

own dance studios in central Herne Hill.

Barekind Bamboo Socks

These jolly Bamboo socks are great stocking fillers that save endangered animals too. Bright and colourful, they will brighten up your children’s feet, while 10% of the profits are donated to help save the animal on the sock. £7.50.

www.barekind.co.uk

By Claire Winter

Christmas GIFT GUIDE

Spread a bit of festive joy by being good both to your family and the planet this year. These gorgeous gifts for kids and adults will make everyone’s day without costing the earth.

Elf Letters

We’re all for an advent calendar that encourages children to read! This one has daily, personalised Elf letters directly from a North Pole Elf. Read the stories every day to find out what happens in the North Pole as Santa and the elves get ready for Christmas. £25.99.

www.elfforchristmas.co.uk

Nature Curious Subscription Boxes

Buttercup’s Nature Curious activity subscription boxes encourage children to explore the British wildlife on our doorsteps. Their eco-packaged worksheets and nature prints with augmented reality are designed and printed in the UK. £20 per month with bonus access to an online community.

www.buttercuplearning.com

Families has an annual subscription to give away! Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go

Kabode Alphabet Children’s Bedding

This gorgeous natural children’s bedding from Kabode is designed to inspire big dreams. The Alphabet collection makes it fun for your child to learn their ABCs and the playful design is decorated with colourful letters. Made from 100% certified organic cotton. £44.95.

www.kabode.co.uk

Play Kits Subscription Boxes

The Play Kits imaginative subscription boxes help parents make the most of playtime and support pre-school brain development. Created with leading child development experts, these are built to last and are made with sustainable wood, organic cotton, non-toxic paint and baby-safe plastics. From £80.

Bake at Home Gingerbread People

Cake or Death’s Bake At Home Gingerbread People make the perfect gift for little bakers. Delivered through your letterbox, each kit comes complete with delicious ready-made gingerbread dough, a cutter and recipe card. £15.

www.cakeordeath.co.uk

Try some family curling at Southbank!

This winter, the latest cool seasonal family activity is returning to Southbank! From 2 November you and your family will be able to head down and try your hand at casual curling.

Based on the Winter Olympic sport of curling, the sport’s ambassador, Eve Muirhead, captained Team GB to gold glory in February. You can now emulate her and the team by gliding your stones down a fit-for-purpose sheet giving you an experience as close to the real deal without the need for ice or specialist footwear.

Combining casual curling with wintery cocktails, delicious food and festive music, The Curling Club is the perfect way to experience après ski vibes in an all-inclusive, competitive, social environment.

Spaces are limited and The Curling Club will only last until New Year so book today and make a date to do something different this winter!

Book at www.thecurlingclub.com/south-bank

10 MOST WANTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Just Williams is a family run toy shop with stores in East Dulwich and Beckenham. Who better to ask what children are crossing their fingers for this year? Buy instore or order from their fast online shop at www.justwilliamstoys.com

Baby Einstein Strum Along Songs Magic Touch Guitar £30, age 1+

LCD Doodle Tablet £10, age 3+

This 8.5” pressure-sensitive LCD device is perfect for drawing, learning, and playing games! It’s super light, so it’s ideal for trips in the car or carrying around in a bag or pram, plus you can delete your work without any mess or crayons.

Sky Dancer £21, age 3+

Simply pull the string to set the Dancers into flight and then marvel as they flutter back down in style.

Baby’s first jam session will be full of musical discovery. This wooden toy puts music at baby’s fingertips, with no buttons or strings required. Realistic guitar sounds respond to your baby’s strumming movements to put their creativity on the main stage, whether creating their own chord combinations or playing along to pre-recorded tunes. Use the whammy bar to enter Silly Mode for sound effects galore.

Hape Geometric Rattle Trio

£20, suitable from birth

The softly-coloured Geometric Rattle Trio is expertly designed to fit snuggly into little hands, and will aid your child’s hand-eye coordination skills when shaken and played with. Made from rice-based materials.

Colour in Cooshie £44, ages 6-13

For sofa days, lazy days, camp days or days when you want to be drowned in a huge self-hug, Cooshie will keep you warm, cosy and comfortable. The Cooshie’s generous one-size fits all design is lined with fluffy, sherpa fleece and a soft and smooth exterior which children can customise using the permanent fabric pens supplied. Two designs available, both with a large hood, front pocket and cuffed sleeves, packaged in a high quality dust bag which can also be customised.

Draw It See It Say It £15, age 8+

Draw, memorise or bluff your way to victory in this awesome party game trio that has everyone guessing. Roll the dice and the category cards will show if your turn is drawing, seeing or saying. Perfect for families and groups of up to eight friends, with an average of 30 minutes’ gameplay.

Human Body Puzzle

£25, age 4+

Dare we say it, educational yet fun. This 50 piece big puzzle is a fun way to teach anatomy. Start with the body then layer up bones, muscles and organs. The carry case also comes with a double-sided poster (in 11 languages) with fun facts about the human body.

Korko Building Block Set £20, age 18 months

+

Korko are building blocks made of cork, which connect children with nature in a playful, intuitive way. Cork is a natural, sustainable product with a soft texture and the blocks are all rounded, reducing the risk of children injuring themselves during play. The insulating properties of cork ensure that even the tallest tower poses no danger and barely makes a sound as it falls.

XSHOT Skins Dread Blaster £17, age 6+

X-Shot Skins brings the in-game experience of skinning your blaster into the real world! Choose your Skin and join the battle. With a 12-dart capacity, the double trouble rotating barrels mean you are locked and loaded for fun and can blast the competition from up to 27m/90 feet away.

Pomea Dolls £40, age 18 months +

Beautifully made, machine-washable lightweight dolls with soft bodies and sleeping eyes. Solid eco-credentials with accessories made of FSC certified cardboard and wood and doll’s padding made of recycled fibres.

Lightening the mental load this Christmas

By Chloe Lowe

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for parents. The pressure to create the perfect experience for everyone builds into a behemoth balancing on a plate of mince pies, threatening to crumble at any minute.

The upward comparison with Insta-perfect mums and crafting geniuses, let alone the constant narrative in the press, on television and on social media, means the mental load reaches an all-time high during the festive season and it’s well documented that mums bear the heaviest burden.

The sheer volume of things to think about and do can quickly lead to high-stress, low mood and burnout and not enjoying a minute of Christmas.

It’s very British to need to present the perfect picture. But when you realise that you can’t control everything, including the actions of your extended family or your delivery man, it can be truly liberating!

How to create your ‘perfectly imperfect’ Christmas

Here’s a few tips on how to manage the mental load this Christmas and feel good about it too.

Grab a pen and paper and write a list of the top three things that mean the most to you this Christmas.

Focus on those first. Doing a few things well will feel so much better than spreading yourself too thin and doing lots of things, just ‘ok’.

Ask for and accept help - it’s a sign of strength, not a weakness.

Slow down to speed up. Running on caffeine at one hundred miles per hour is detrimental to your mind and body. Slowing down and taking some deep breaths or even indulging in a Christmas movie, will help you reset, re-energise and get some headspace.

Ask yourself what your children really want and need this Christmas and focus on that rather than succumbing to the pressure to spoil them or compete with peers.

Reduce your time on social media. It’s amazing how many hours you’ll get back.

Avoid too many excesses. Don’t deprive yourself of a glass of fizz and a few mince pies but counter them with a family walk in the fresh air or a healthy breakfast or lunch.

And don’t forget to give yourself the gift of self-care so that you can enjoy Christmas too.

Chloe Lowe is founder of @parentlistapp (www.parentlist. app), the app for busy parents who want to find joy in parenting.

Choosing and caring for your Christmas tree

We all want a fabulous Christmas tree that lasts as long as possible. Here are some tips for selecting and maintaining your tree.

How do I select a tree that’s the correct height for my room?

Measure the distance between your ceiling and floor, which gives you the vertical height limit. Take a note of the height of your tree stand. Deduct the height of the stand from your vertical height limit and you have the maximum possible height of tree that your room can accommodate. Take these measurements with you. Doing this preparation will ensure you don’t end up coming home with a tree that is too tall.

Is my tree fresh and how long will it last?

A healthy tree will have bright and shiny needles, not dry and dull. If you spot any grey sections, that’s a sign of dehydration which means that the tree is not that fresh.

If the tree is fresh, the needles should not break easily and should be hard to pull off. If the trunk is sticky and there is any sap residue, the tree is fresh. Also, the tree should be heavy, which means it is freshly cut and still contains all its water.

Which trees typically survive longest?

Choose Douglas or Nordmann Firs as the best options. If cared for well, they can last for about six weeks before withering, offering the best longevity throughout the Christmas season.

Lower the temperature in the room where you put up your tree, as this really slows down the drying process and keeps your tree fresher for longer.

What are the best watering tricks?

Your tree will need one litre of water per three cm of the stem diameter. That means a fresh cut tree can consume four to five litres a day. Watering is critical, especially for Norway Spruce trees.

Check the water level daily and never let it go below the tree’s base. Without water at the tree’s base, the tree will dry out within a week. The temperature of the water is not that important and no, you can’t overwater your tree, it will absorb only as much as it wants.

How to give a fading Christmas tree new life

Give your tree a good trim which will reduce the number of water-requiring branches. Keep the room as cool as possible and move your tree to the darkest place of the room.

Families would like to thank Fantastic Services (www.fantasticservices. com) for this article.

What’s on

Compiled by Robina Cowan

All details are as provided when going to press, however in case of changed plans, do double-check before setting out.

Dulwich Christmas Market St Barnabas Parish Hall SE21 www.solocraftfair.com

Family Curling at the Curling Club

Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX www.thecurlingclub.com

From 2 November

Enjoy family sessions at this exciting new alpine-themed pop-up. A great winter sport for families to play together with delicious food, festive music and an après ski vibe.

The Independent Schools Show Battersea Park SW11 4NJ www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk

12 & 13 November

The world’s largest school open day brings together leading independent schools, the brightest thinkers and the most respected heads to help you make informed education decisions for your child.

Lightopia Crystal Palace Park SE19 london.lightopiafestival.com

17 November to 2 January

Illuminated tree walks, mythical creatures and a massive Christmas-themed water show provide a magical and heartwarming immersive experience for all ages.

26 November

A London Solo Craft Fair of over 60 independent stalls selling hundreds of festive gifts plus a tea room for refreshments. 11am to 4pm.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Hyde Park W2 2UH www.

hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

18 November to 2 January

The jewel in the crown of London’s festive calendar is back with thrilling rides, attractions, games, food and drink cabins. Highlights include the giant observation wheel, UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, a Magical Ice Kingdom and Zippos Christmas Circus. Book first.

Jurassic World: The Exhibition ExCel London E16 1XL www.jurassicworldexhibition. com

Until January Jurassic World is a huge, movieinspired immersive experience where visitors roam among lifesized dinosaurs including Bumpy from the popular animated Netflix Jurassic World series.

Greenwich Theatre Crooms Hill SE10 8ES www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

24 November to 8 January

Robin Hood

The poor citizens of Nottingham have just about had enough of their scheming, tax-raising Sheriff but fear not, our hero Robin Hood is here to right those wrongs. Boo, hiss and cheer as the pantomime team join the good fight! Age 5+.

Theatre Peckham Havil Street SE5 7SB www.theatrepeckham.co.uk

1 to 23 December

Scroogelicious ‘Christmas?! That’s bare humbug, innit!’ An original, big-hearted production based on Charles Dickens’ immortal classic ‘A Christmas Carol’. Feel-good, funny and full of music and joy, this cracker of a production immerses the community in this uplifting Christmas tale for all ages.

CHRISTMAS

AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL

Blackheath Halls Lee Road SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com

3 December

A Festive Family Sing-a-long Join the choirs in singing along to all your favourite Christmas songs.

11 December

The Snowman with East London Brass Watch Raymond Briggs’ classic Christmas film accompanied by one of the UK’s top brass bands playing Howard Blake’s original score live.

20 & 21 December

The Nutcracker

Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they travel through magical lands, meet the Mouse King, Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy in the beautiful Land of Sweets.

The Albany Douglas Way SE8 4AG www.thealbany.org.uk

26 & 27 November

Theres a Rangtan in My Bedroom

A magical mix of puppetry and music as we discover more about our animal friends and what we can do to help - because no one is too small to make a difference. Ages 5-11.

2 to 4 December

The Tin Foil Assistant

Join the Man in the Moon on a journey to a little known planet called Earth, where Alba Dinkley is shooting for the stars and planning to enter the Space Race. Ages 3+.

Canada Water Theatre

Surrey Quays Road SE16 7AR www.thealbany.org.uk

4 to 10 December

Jack Frost and the Search for Winter

An enchanting new play by poet and playwright Joseph Coelho with important environmental themes, a touch of wintery fun and original live music. Ages 3+.

Shakespeare’s Globe New Globe Walk SE1 9DT www.shakespearesglobe.com

15 to 31 December

The Fir Tree

In a beautiful wood stands a little Fir Tree. Kept company by woodland creatures, it enjoys a peaceful life. Gather friends and family for a wonderfully festive dose of storytelling, song and hope that will delight all ages.

Unicorn Theatre

Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com

6 November to 31 December

Pinocchio

A spectacular new version of the much-loved classic tale: enter a world of gingerbread villages and snow-capped mountains in this adventure of friendship and family. Ages 7+.

17 November to 31 December Christmas in the Sunshine

This Christmas Elias is going to visit his family in the Caribbean for the first time. He gets to go to the beach, play in the sunshine, and there’ll be a big party. It’s going to be the best. A joyful, warm and festive story of celebrating Christmas and family, wherever you are. Ages 3-6.

Royal Festival Hall Southbank SE1 8XX www.heyduggeelive.com

14 December to 8 January

Hey Duggee Live

It’s time for a Duggee hug! Join Duggee and the squirrels in this new vibrant interactive production bursting with music, puppets and barrels of laughs along the way.

CAROLS AT THE HALL

MY CHRISTMAS ORCHESTRAL ADVENTURE

WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS

NUTCRACKER

Picture Perfect Christmas at the National Gallery

12 November to 7 January

A Christmas Carol

The Old Vic’s big-hearted production of Charles Dicken’s classic fills the auditorium to the brim with mince pies, music and merriment. A unique staging immerses the audience in this uplifting story. Ages 8+.

Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com

2 to 20 December

Storytime with Father Christmas Step inside a whimsical world where you’ll be greeted by Father Christmas and his merry Head Elf. A charming Christmas storytelling session of Chris NaylorBallesteros’ ‘Tiny Reindeer’ will end with a gift for each child.

11 December

My Christmas Orchestral Adventure

Father Christmas has lost his map and needs the young audience to join him on a magical Christmas adventure, with a live orchestra.

28 to 31 December

The Nutcracker

It’s not Christmas without The Nutcracker! Birmingham Royal Ballet’s festive favourite, featuring Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, is a sparkling festive treat for the whole family.

National Gallery Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN www.ng-london.org

From 26 November

Picture Perfect Christmas Hendrick Avercamp’s ‘Winter Scene’ comes to life in a special musical theatre performance for all the family. Expect songs, dancing and plenty of Christmas cheer - picture perfect for a winter’s day.

Peacock Theatre Portugal Street WC2A 2HT www.sadlerswells.com

19 November to 31 December

The Snowman

Based on Raymond Briggs’ beloved children’s book and the subsequent animated film, The Snowman is a timeless story transformed for the stage with dazzling and whimsical sets, dancing and music performed by a live orchestra.

Leicester Square Theatre Leicester Place WC2H 7BX www.leicestersquaretheatre.com

Until 2 January

Stick Man

Freckle Productions’ delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man is back in town for Christmas! Featuring a trio of top actors, the production is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.

Duke of York’s Theatre

St Martin’s Lane WC2N 4BG www.thedukeofyorks.com

15 December to 29 January

Mother Goose

Running an Animal Sanctuary for waifs and strays, Mother Goose and her husband live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams. But when a magical goose comes a-knocking, will fame & fortune get the better of them? A hilarious family-friendly panto starring Ian McKellen, John Bishop and Mel Giedroyc.

Bromley Churchill Theatre High Street Bromley BR1 1HA www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

4 to 31 December

Jack & The Beanstalk

Join Jack and climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in the spectacular 3D family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, starring TV favourite Anton Du Beke.

10 to 23 December

Little Red Riding Hood

An original telling of the well-loved fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood with song, silliness and dressing up. Ages 3+.

Puppet Theatre Barge Blomfield Road W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com

26 November to 29 January

Little Red Riding Hood

The much loved story of Red Riding Hood is injected with humour and new twists, performed using marionettes and shadow puppets. Age 5+.

Various dates and venues Bach to Baby Critically-acclaimed classical concerts for babies and their grownups. Outstanding musicians put on exhilarating performances where babies can ‘join in’ with as much noise as they like! See www. bachtobaby.com for venues and dates.

Horniman Museum London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk

Until 16 April

Elmer and Friends

Walk through Elmer’s jungle, encountering David McKee’s beloved characters and stories along the way. As well as illustrations from the Elmer series there’s original artwork from Not Now, Bernard and Mr Benn; cosy reading areas and dressing up opportunities for under 7’s.

London Transport Museum Covent Garden Piazza WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk

From 25 November

All aboard to meet Santa Follow a wintry trail, enjoy Christmassy crafts and meet Santa in a twinkling winter wonderland.

National Maritime Museum Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/nationalmaritime-museum

Once a month on Saturdays SENsory Sailors

An explore-the-collection session for families with children with special educational needs and disabilities. Ages 13 and under. FREE , book first.

31 December Safe Harbour

Free workshops created specifically to provide a safe space for foster and adoptive families.

Queen’s House Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/queens-house

19 November to 8 January Ice Rink

The magical open-air ice rink takes centre stage once again in the beautiful grounds of Royal Museums Greenwich.

Ongoing

All the Queen’s Men

Uncover the lives of Elizabeth I’s male courtiers and their personal and political relationships with the monarch at the Queen’s House. Featuring paintings of Sir Francis Drake, Thomas Seymour, and the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I, one of the treasures of Royal Museums Greenwich’s collection. FREE.

Cutty Sark

King William Walk SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark

Half term week and weekends

Cutty Sark Characters

Climb aboard to hear Cutty Sark’s incredible stories brought to life by characters from the ship’s past. Ages 3+.

3 & 4 December

Family Fun Weekend

A weekend of sailor fun, with sea shanties and tales from characters past. Join a drop-in workshop and learn how to gild Christmas tree decorations.

National Gallery

Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN www.ng-london.org

From 26 November

Picture Perfect Christmas Hendrick Avercamp’s ‘Winter Scene’ comes to life in a special musical theatre performance for all the family. Expect songs, dancing and plenty of Christmas cheer.

The British Museum

Great Russell Street WC1B 3GD www.britishmuseum.org

Until 19 February

Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt

Inscriptions and objects helped scholars unlock one of the world’s oldest civilisations 200 years ago. See the Rosetta Stone alongside some of the world’s most famous ancient objects on loan from national and international collections.

Hey Duggee comes to Southbank!

Squirrels get ready! Everyone’s big lovable dog Hey Duggee is coming to the Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall from 14 December to 8 January. Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show will be huge and feature many of your favourite characters on stage for the first time!

Betty wants to make costumes, Happy wants to sing, Tag wants to make music, Norrie wants to dance, Roly wants jelly and you’re invited to join them for non-stop family fun in this brand new production. A-Woof!

Tickets from www.southbankcentre.co.uk

The Old Vic

Cut SE1 8NB

Elmer

Horniman