Families London SE March April 2017 issue 183

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EE

ESTABLISHED 1996

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EASTER 2017 ISSUE NO. 183

®

southeast london familiesSE.co.uk

GLORIOUS GREENWICH The Tall Ships Festival is coming

online edition

with working website links

MOTHERS MEAN BUSINESS Local theatre and crafts entrepreneurs WHAT’S ON Easter egg hunts, family events and workshops

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6A MEI Theatrical and Polka Theatre present

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14 M

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OUR LAST gas bill was an eye-watering £600 plus, despite my turning down the boiler at every opportunity and recommending either another jumper, or a good half hour of hoovering to get the blood flowing, hint hint. So I'm deeply grateful for the promise of spring sunshine, the joy of the clocks going forward, and mother's day celebrations. It's time to shake off the hibernation habit and head out for a leg stretch in the great outdoors, where there might even be chocolate eggs to be found - happy Easter everyone. Robina Cowan, editor

IN THIS ISSUE 3-4

Local News and Views Award-winning local businesses, and local activities for children

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Glorious Greenwich The Tall Ships Festival is coming to southeast London and it’s going to be amazing. Plus, win a family ticket to Cutty Sark

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Easter Egg Hunts and Events Chocolate flavoured fun and games, plus holiday workshops

award-winning winning CBeebies duo and ffriends See the e BAFTA award

8-10

Education News Facing exams without fears, local school news and teaching children their times tables

6 April - 14 May 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB

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Mothers Mean Business Not one, but two. Families talks business and pleasure with Claire Guy at Stagecoach, and Bumble Box founder Kimberly Mears

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The Book Page Books for spring, for children and parents. Justine pulls the best new reads from her bookshop shelves

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What's On Wonderful family events, shows and creative workshops - all the best reasons to head out with your family

Families London South East

@ FamiliesSE

Front cover: Baking accessories from Early Learning Centre, www.elc.co.uk

Next issue 12 May, deadline 14 April

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

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 the publisher. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

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LocalNews email your news to editor@familiesse.co.uk

NEW S F O R PAR ENTS

Families in southeast London New ‘home away from home’ On 28 February, The Duchess of Cambridge officially opened a 59-bedroom accommodation facility, built and managed by Ronald McDonald House Charities, for families whose children are being treated at Evelina London Children’s Hospital on St Thomas’ Hospital site on London’s South Bank. The new £13 million House opened its doors to its first families in December 2016. Just a short walk from the hospital, it will be able to accommodate some 975 families a year, who can stay free of charge, close to their children, for as long as they need, with some staying months and even years. The new building is more than just a place to stay. It has a large day-room, kitchens and dining areas, laundry rooms, playrooms and has full disabled access. Provision has been made for siblings and larger families to be able to be together. There is a telephone in each bedroom with a direct line to the child’s ward. The facilities have been honed as a model of best practice over the charity’s 28 years of existence, in the belief that every child should have the right to have their family nearby when sick in hospital. There are 14 Ronald McDonald Houses across the UK, close to children’s hospitals, and ambitious expansion plans to build more. See www.rmhc.org.uk

As well as our much-loved magazine, Facebook and Twitter feeds, Families is online as well, with local sites in Greenwich, Southwark and Lewisham. Home-based work opportunities are available for Area Managers to run our local sites. If you have good networking and communication skills, love your Facebook and Twitter, want to release your inner blogger and are interested in working flexibly from home with the opportunity to earn from it, this could be for you. There are no set up costs, you will be trained by industry experts and develop CV-boosting skills in digital, print and social media marketing. Find out more by emailing some brief details about yourself to recruitment@familesonline.co.uk.

Something to promote? You can post your own events, fairs, table top sales and other events, or add a free business listing to our website - for FREE. Simply go to www.familiesonline.co.uk, click the ‘promote your event’ box then follow the menus.

Alhambra scoops small business award A Sydenham company added a former ‘Dragon’ to its list of admirers, when Theo Paphitis chose Alhambra Tiles from thousands of entrants to win a Small Business Sunday Award in February. The company sources a range of handmade marble and terracotta tiles, offering bespoke designs as standard. Founded in 2009 by Rebecca Leathlean, Alhambra has supplied prestigious clients such as Mary Portas and Levi Roots, and collaborated with top interior designers including local Forest Hill design duo, Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead, aka 2 Lovely Gays. Jordan featured in The Great Interior Design Challenge, BBC2. Rebecca says: “It was an absolute honour to receive the award from Theo. The Alhambra team has worked hard to perfect our offering. We work exclusively with Spanish manufacturers because their tiles are the best, and we are adding more unique products to our collection all the time.” Find out more about Alhambra Tiles at www.alhambrahome.co.uk

Fitness in Camberwell A £1 million investment has given Camberwell Leisure Centre a brand-new fitness suite and indoor cycling studio. The centre now offers a modern fitness facility kitted out with the latest equipment, and Southwark borough residents can use the gym and swim for free. Call Camberwell Leisure Centre on 0333 005 0401 or find the centre at www.everyoneactive.com.

Propertyworld scoops ‘best in London’ awards The ‘Best Estate Agency in London’ is right here in the southeast hurrrah! Sydenham and Penge-based Propertyworld scooped the award from BUILD magazine in the 2016 Real Estate and Property Awards, in recognition of the agency’s innovation and customer service. The family run agency has grown four-fold in the last three years, expanded into their new Penge High Street HQ; and won the vote following nomination by BUILD, and voting on the site. Founder and managing director Richard Crowley said: “It’s been a great year and a real honour, having already been awarded best estate agent in southeast London by allagents.co.uk, the tripadvisor for our industry, to now win the award for Best Estate Agency in London by BUILD. I believe our ongoing focus on client satisfaction, our commitment to being different and our supportive approach has helped us win this award.” Nathan Angell, the Real Estate and Property Awards coordinator added: “The 2016 Real Estate & Property Awards celebrates the very best companies, and the talented individuals behind them, that have shaped the built environment globally over the past twelve months. I’m delighted to confirm that Propertyworld wins their award for the Best Estate Agency in London.” Sydenham and Penge are frequently mentioned local hotspots for affordable family accommodation; good transport links and schools. Find out more at www.propertyworlduk.net.

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Mush in southeast London

Jack and the Beanstalk

Mush is an ever-growing app that was created by two south London mothers to enable like minded mothers to team up, and make new mum loneliness a thing of the past. Described as ‘Tinder for mums’, users can create a profile, see what you have in common with other users, message, connect and meet up for adult conversation, advice or playdates with the children. On 21 March, The Nines on Rye Lane in Peckham will be hosting the first ever Mother’s Day meet up in association with Mush. Fellow Mushers Nadia and Mavra are running the event to celebrate all the yummy mummies in the area and promote Mush in the borough of Lewisham. It will run from 11am - 2pm, is free to attend, and babies/ children are welcome too. To RSVP, start by downloading the app at www.letsmush.com, and find ‘Mush Mother’s Day Meet Up’ on Facebook.

Spontaneous Productions in association with Kirkdale Bookshop are bringing a brand new musical adaptation of the beloved fairy tale to the Sydenham Centre. The family show will be staged every weekend from 22 April to 28 May; tickets from Kirkdale Bookshop from the end of March, and details at www.spontaneousproductions.co.uk.

AC TI VITI ES F OR C HILDR EN

SLDS bring Coraline to life On Saturday 8 April, over 100 students of South London Dance Studios will perform a new ballet at Langley Park Centre for the Performing Arts in Beckenham. The new ballet is based on Neil Gaiman’s gothic horror novel, ‘Coraline’ and school Principal, Zoe Dawson, has been working for over a year with composer, Stuart Rush, to create the music especially for the show. “It has been a challenge to adapt such a complex story into a ballet for children to perform on stage” said Zoe, “but I chose Coraline because so many aspects of the novel are ideal for making a visually exciting and dramatic ballet”. “What is so perfect about this story for a dance school to perform is the theme of a little girl growing up, meaning many of the children in our cast can, or in future will, be able to relate to her ‘tweenage’ hopes and fears”, said Zoe. Ida Lambrette, age 12, is playing the lead role, “I am so excited and couldn’t wish for more. I love the character of Coraline and look forward to doing all of the dancing. I am only a bit anxious about all the acting I will also have to do”, she said. Choreographer Rosie Porter joined the artistic team at the start of this year and she has been impressed at how the young cast have improved their acting skills as they support Coraline’s journey into the ‘other world’. “The ballet is packed with unusual characters that are so much fun for the children to create through dance”, said Rosie, “and the talented children of South London Dance Studios are working extremely hard in their rehearsals to bring together this exciting and unusual project”. Ex-student Natasha Chu who is now in full-time training at Central School of Ballet, returns to South London Dance Studios to play the part of Coraline’s ‘Other Mother’. Natasha thinks the ‘Other Mother’ is an interesting character because she does not simply have to be evil, instead Natasha is exploring the idea that she is a lonely soul who never had a family. The cast, aged 5 to 17 years, have been rehearsing the show since December and can’t wait to get into the theatre and dance in their costumes and make-up. The performances on Saturday 8 April are at 2.30pm and 7pm. For tickets, contact South London Dance Studios on 020 7978 8624 or email info@southlondondancestudios.co.uk.

Explore Learning arrives in Lewisham Explore Learning, the popular provider of maths and English tuition for children aged 4 to 14, has opened a new centre at 71 Loampit Vale, Lewisham. As with the other centres, the new venue will provide tailored tuition in maths and English for 4 to 14 year olds as well as courses for eleven plus preparation, creative writing skills and creative maths for numeracy enthusiasts. A ‘succeed in secondary school’ course is also available for transitioning pupils. Katy Hennessey, Centre Director at Explore Learning Lewisham, told us: “We have a fantastic team of passionate and inspiring educators who are excited to meet the local families and children in Lewisham. Our aim is to make a difference to the academic and social development of local families in the area. We want to build children’s confidence and support them in shaping their attitude to become ‘fearless learners’. All parents are eligible for a FREE trial session where parents and children can come in, meet the tutors and receive an assessment to find out how Explore can help. For more information and bookings, call 020 8834 4849 or visit www.explorelearning.co.uk/tuition-centre/londonlewisham/www.explorelearning.co.uk. Explore Learning also has local centres in New Cross Gate, Sydenham, Abbey Wood, Brixton and Greenwich, and all are offering the FREE trial sessions. Book yours by calling 030 3003 4006, or online at www.explorelearning.co.uk.

Perform weekly drama, dance and singing Perform offers a unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child’s true potential, in small classes with lots of individual attention. The curriculum uses a mix of energetic games, catchy songs and funky dances. All class materials are written by Perform with a different theme each term to keep young imaginations buzzing. The summer term starts on 18 April with two brilliant and inspiring themes: for 4-7 year-olds a Wild West adventure to find the Horse with the Golden Mane, while the 7-12s will be zooming off on a fun-filled outer space adventure with Robinson Crusoe in a space-age version of the castaway survival classic. Classes are held locally in Blackheath, Dulwich, Forest Hill, Greenwich and Hither Green, where Perform offers a no-obligation, free trial session. To book yours, call 020 7255 9120 or visit www.perform.org.uk/try. Or how about dance instead? Perform X classes use original street and hip-hop music and are based around a specially designed curriculum. All class materials are produced by Perform and at the end of each term, there’s a performance of a choreographed piece to a specially written track. There are classes in Blackheath and Dulwich, where children aged 6-12 years old can try a free, no-obligation trial. For bookings, call 020 7255 9126 or visit www.perform.org.uk/x.

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Glorious Greenwich Ships ahoy! Greenwich will be the place to see and be seen this Easter, as a jam-packed weekend of events arrives in the Royal Borough

Tall Ships The Tall Ships festival is taking place over the Easter weekend (13-16 April), bringing four days of live entertainment, fireworks, ships visits and cruises. Over a million visitors thrilled at the last Tall Ships event in Greenwich in 2014, and this year’s organisers are expecting a great event, leading up to the close on Sunday with the Parade of Sail as the fleet of Tall Ships head out to along the river to sea. Maritime entertainment, live music and fireworks will mark the start of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta - a exciting transatlantic race organised by Sail Training International. The race will celebrate 150 years of the Canadian Confederation with the Tall Ships leaving from Greenwich en route to Quebec via Portugal, Bermuda and Boston. Around 50 young people from the borough have been awarded places as Sail Trainees on the first leg of the race from Greenwich to Sines in Portugal. This has been achieved through sponsorship from local organisations and will be an amazing experience for them. Visitors will be able to visit over 30 tall ships along the river front, via the piers, by a ferry shuttle service, or even book a Tall Ships cruise. Maritime Greenwich and Royal Woolwich Arsenal will both host festival villages where shoreside attractions and events will include live music, historical re-enactments, street entertainers, children’s activities, traditional funfair rides, street food stalls and bars, and evening fireworks. To find out more about the festival, type ‘Tall Ships’ into the search bar at www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk, or find ‘Royal Greenwich Tall Ships’ on Facebook.

Come along and enjoy four days of music, ships visits, river cruises and ! "#"$%&' ()'*+

WIN a family ticket to Cutty Sark! The world famous 19th century tea clipper offers visitors four fascinating levels to explore. Take in the views from the main deck and steer at the ship’s wheel, meet the crew who worked on board, explore the various cargoes from wool to whiskey, and see how tea was loaded on board through interactive displays, props, information boards and animations. Family friendly events run at weekends and during school holidays. Open 10am-5pm daily. The Easter holidays are perfect for family visits. To see what’s on, see our listing on page 14 or start your adventure at www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark.

For further information or to book a river cruise: www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/tallships

COMPETITION: We have a super Family Ticket to Cutty Sark be won. For your chance to win, just answer this question: What is the cargo that Cutty Sark is most famous for? Is it a) Tea, b) Coffee or c) Easter eggs? Email your answer, together with your contact details, to FSEcomps@aol.com by the closing date, Sunday 16 April 2017. Terms & Conditions: The ticket prize admits 4 (consisting of 2 adults and up to 2 children, or 1 adult and up to 3 children). Only one entrant per household is permitted. The Family Ticket is valid until 30 September 2017, and can’t be used in combination with any other discounts.

And there’s more... See our What’s On pages for more fun events taking place at Greenwich Market and Greenwich Theatre.

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INTENSIVE TOUCH TYPING

Easter egg hunts & events

School holidays and termtime 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.

SUPER CAMPS 10-21 April, various venues including Blackheath High School in BLACKHEATH and St Dunstan’s School in CATFORD, 01235 467300, www.supercamps.co.uk Super Camps keep children active in body and mind, with a range of multi-activity camps and themed courses to suit everyone. The venues offer sports, water activities, outdoor and indoor games, arts and crafts, and great new activities for 2016. You can also rest assured knowing that your children are at the best camp in town after receiving yet another Outstanding Ofsted rating in 2016. Ages 4-14 years, 8am-6pm, bookings available by day or week. From £47 per day and £188 per four day week; call or see the website for details.

SOUTH EAST LONDON TENNIS EASTER CAMPS 3-6 and 10-13 April in CATFORD SE6, 0773 993 6999, www.southeastlondontennis.com Tennis coaching, games and other team events with a mini tournament on the last day, all run by enthusiastic, professional coaches. Facilities are available for wet-weather activities if necessary. Beginners and improvers welcome.

FAMI LY F UN EASTER CRAFTS MORNING

NATIONAL TRUST HUNTS

1 April, WIGWAM TOY SHOP, 109 Rosendale Road, West Dulwich SE21 8EZ, 020 8676 4815, @Wigwamfamily Join the West Dulwich toy shop for a morning of crafting fun. Children can enjoy making Easter themed crafts, Easter cards and enter the colouring competition. The event is free of charge and parents are asked to stay with their children, join in the fun and enjoy Easter cupcakes from the Dulwich Bakery. 10am-12 noon.

VARIOUS VENUES, www.nationaltrust.org.uk Every year, the National Trust joins forces with Cadbury to run trails around the gardens of many of its properties. 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.

* 7 to 10 year olds, Prendergast Playing Fields SE6, 9am-12pm, £48 for a 4 day course or £15 per day. * 11 to 15 year olds, Catford Wanderers Tennis Club, 1-4pm, £48 for a 4 day course of £15 per day.

HOLIDAY DIVING COURSES

ROBOTICS EASTER CHALLENGE

BATTERSEA PARK ZOO

1-17 April, NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HT, 020 7730 0717, www.nam.ac.uk Discover how the army uses technology with robotic hands. Can you master them to create a piece of art and complete missions? Collect Easter eggs with robotic arms and try to fill a basket without breaking the eggs. 10.30am,11.30am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm.

1-17 April, Chelsea Gate entrance, Battersea Park, Chelsea Embankment SW11 4NJ, 020 7924 5826, www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk Track down all the brightly coloured eggs in the animal enclosures and fill in a quiz sheet to win a prize. £1.50 plus admission.

4-7 and 11-14 April, CRYSTAL PALACE DIVING, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, Ledrington Road SE19 2BB, 07776 284 651, www.crystalpalacediving.co.uk

DEAR ZOO

BUBBLE AND HARNESS. Four days of two hour sessions including harnessed practice over trampolines leading to jumping and diving in the pool. Ages 6-13, £80.

1 -23 April, HALL PLACE AND GARDENS, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ, 01322 526574, www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk How many famous sheep can you think of? Come and find them all hidden in the gardens. 10.30am-4.30pm, £2.50 includes a trail sheet and a small gift at the end.

1-17 April, ZSL LONDON ZOO, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY, 0344 225 1826, http://www.zsl.org Celebrate the 35th anniversary of legendary author Rod Campbell’s famous book, ‘Dear Zoo’. On a self-guided adventure trail, discover the real-life animals that inspired the childhood read. Collect stamps at each stop, before settling down for a cosy book reading session at the storytelling hub. Dear Zoo experience included in Zoo entry price.

FOAL FARM’S BUNNY SUNDAY

THE GREAT EGG ROLL

9 April, FOAL FARM, Jail Lane, Biggin Hill, Kent TN16 3AX, 01959 572386, www.foalfarm.org.uk Take a trip to the rescue centre and meet the animals. There will be an Easter egg hunt, tombola, games, raffles, rummage sale, refreshments and competitions. 1.30pm, admission free, donations welcome.

16 April, LAUDERDALE HOUSE, Highgate Hill N6 5HG, 020 8348 8716, www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk Go along to Lauderdale House for their annual Easter Egg Roll. Create and decorate your own egg, join in The Great Egg Roll and look for hidden eggs in the park. 11am start, all ages welcome, £8.50.

EASTER GARDEN TRAIL

WOODLANDS FARM TRUST EASTER TRAIL

3-7 April, Alleyn’s School in DULWICH, 020 8949 4116, www.stagecoach.co.uk/dulwich Stagecoach Dulwich will be running their annual Easter Workshop for 4-7 year and 8-16 year olds. Let your children join in the fun with Matilda the Musical. Your child will have five days to work with professional actors, dancers and musicians teaching them script work, exciting routines and learning those all so famous catchy songs. This will lead to the final big performance on the last day; a truly special way to enjoy the Easter holidays. The students will be performing in the Michael Croft Theatre at Alleyns School. Costumes, lighting and sound equipment will all be provided. It will be fast and furious but promises to be lots of fun! Children do not need to be regular Stagecoach students to attend and no previous experience is required - just enthusiasm! Ages 4-6: 9.30am12.30pm, show day 5pm on Friday. £150 per child/ £125 siblings. Ages

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SPORTS AND DRAMA CAMP 10-13 April, JULIAN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Wolfington Road SE27 0JF, 020 3691 4576, www.moving-matters.org Moving Matters and Nutty’s Children’s Parties have joined forces to present a unique Sports and Drama Camp this Easter. The four days will involve various sports, games, drama games, acting, arts & crafts and above all, fun! Aimed at children aged 6-11 who love physical activity and drama, this promises to be an exciting camp with plenty of variety on offer. 8.30am-3.30pm, £25 per day, book first through the Parents section at www.moving-matters.org. For more info on Nutty’s Children’s Parties, visit www.nuttyschildrensparties.co.uk.

3-13 April, HEBER SCHOOL, East Dulwich SE22, www.nimblearts.co.uk Creative holiday fun where no two days are ever the same. Immersive adventure and arts activities are tailored around a chosen theme. Ages 4-11, open from 8am-6pm each day, book by day or week.

EA S TER W O R KSHO PS MATILDA WORKSHOP WITH STAGECOACH DULWICH

JUST DIVING. Four days of one hour diving lessons for children who are fairly new to diving and wanting extra practice. Ages 6-13 years, £45.

NIMBLE ARTS HOLIDAY CLUB

13 April, 331 Shooters Hill, Welling, Kent DA16 3RP, 020 8319 8900, www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org Follow a trail to find hidden Easter eggs and spring animals throughout the farmyard. 10am-2pm drop in, £2 per child includes a chocolate egg to take home.

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* 4 to 6 year olds, Catford Wanderers Tennis Club, 9.30am- 12noon, £37.50 for the four day course or £12.50 per day.

THE HIVE OUTDOOR MISSIONS 3-13 April at Eltham College in GREENWICH, 020 3435 6848, www.thehive-kids.com

7-18: 10am-4pm, show day 6.30pm on Friday. £185 per child/ £160 siblings. Read all about Stagecoach Dulwich on page 11.

FUNKY MONKEY KEYBOARD EASTER WORKSHOP 3-14 April in HERNE HILL, SYDENHAM, STREATHAM and SEVENOAKS, www.funkymonkey.info, 01732 457 100 ‘Funky Chicken’ workshops are brilliant taster one or five day courses for 4-9 year old beginners. Carefully devised fun-packed, varied one day or week long courses which incorporate learning how to read, play and write notes C-A alongside learning basic keyboard technique. Wrap this around countless inspired music-based activities including composition, artwork, singing and performance skills and you have the perfect music making course that little ones love. Booking early essential - 10 places ONLY per course.

Sign up for a week of amazing outdoor missions, with not one but five to choose from. Explore habitats, conservation and biology; Find lost jewels; put on a play and make your own adventures into amazing stories. Ages 51⁄2 to 11 years, bookable by day or four day week.

MAGPIE DANCE EASTER SCHOOL 5-7 April in BROMLEY, 020 8290 6633, www.magpiedance.org.uk/easter-school Magpie’s annual Easter School enables young people with learning disabilities to explore creative movement and related arts in a supportive, safe and stimulating atmosphere. All Magpie Dance Youth Group activities are carried out in a clear, understandable, open and fair way, with the young people fully involved in their planning, execution and evaluation. These creative sessions are fun, a way to make friends and no previous dance experience is necessary. Ages 8-15 and 16-25 years, £20 per day.

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Call your local Stagecoach: Dulwich 020 8949 4116 Blackheath 020 7112 8242 Sydenham 020 7228 0981 Upper Norwood 0744 253 2386 www.stagecoach.co.uk

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Education News

Take the fear out of exams By Explore Learning We all know that the lead up to exam season can be a daunting time for child and parent. With phonics screening checks, teacher assessments, and SATs, you might often wonder how best to support your child. While there is no magic formula for exam success, there are many ways to help children feel prepared and confident about assessments. • Start early by planning ahead. Revisiting a range of subject areas in manageable, weekly chunks can be much more beneficial to supporting memory, skills, and confidence than ‘cramming’. • Everyone learns and revises in their own way. Some children like visual representations and sticky notes around the house whereas others will respond better to conversations and answering questions aloud. Find a learning style and timetable that works for your child and create a plan to suit this. • Be sure to remain positive and praise them when you see them accomplish something great: hearing “you’ve done a fantastic job today!” will undoubtedly build their self-belief. Explore Learning supports the whole family from day one. The tuition specialists offer tailored maths and English tuition from expert staff, and exam preparation workshops and parent information evenings throughout the year so that everyone feels confident at home. For more advice and top tips, visit www.explorelearning.co.uk/blog/exam-preparation-how-to-support-your-child. Explore Learning has local centres in Lewisham, New Cross Gate, Sydenham, Abbey Wood, Brixton and Greenwich - all of which are currently offering FREE trial sessions. Book yours by calling 030 3003 4006, or online at www.explorelearning.co.uk.

Register now for Wear a Hat Day Did you know that Brain Tumour research is severely underfunded, with just 0.7% of national cancer research spending in the UK? Brain Tumour Research charity is asking families and schools across the UK to support Wear a Hat Day on 31 March. Whether a coffee morning with friends or a hattastic community event, the first step is to register today and order a fundraising pack, from www.braintumourresearch.org/wearahatday

LOCAL SCHOOLS

How going ‘soft’ helps Sydenham High students get ‘tough’ The high levels of mental toughness delivered by Sydenham High School GDST’s student development and mental wellbeing programmes have been confirmed by new research. The research was conducted by leading psychometric test publisher AQR International for the Independent Schools Council (ISC), using a model which looks at important so-called ‘soft skills’ such as control, commitment, challenge and confidence. In the test, which defines mental toughness as the ‘mindset that every person adopts in everything they do’, nine and ten year old students (Year 5) at Sydenham High Junior School achieved a strong total score of 4.2. This is in line with the average across all ISC schools taking part and contrasts with the lower 3.94 recorded by state schools. It was also higher than the average score for all female pupils in the study (4.0). In addition, a number of students scored considerably above this, particularly for confidence, challenge and emotional control - some as high as 8-10. By performing at the top end of the scale,

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‘Careers Lunch’ proves a hit with pupils

Sydenham High’s students show an exceptionally positive ‘can do attitude’; are more content and able to manage stress; more ambitious; more aspirational and prepared to take risks; more likely to persevere and achieve their goals in higher education and employment. According to the Head of Sydenham High Junior School, Claire Boyd, the school’s innovative Flourish and Fly programme, introduced two years ago, has added a new dimension to the school’s already successful approach to mental wellbeing and developing resilience. Embedded into all aspects of Junior School life, Flourish and Fly is designed to inspire, challenge and embolden pupils. The initiative works across all subjects and through year groups to stretch ability, build confidence and develop collaborative working. Ms Boyd commented: “We can’t predict what the future will hold for our students but we can prepare them with the skills - psychological as well as academic - that they will need to face that future head on.” For open day dates, school news and entry criteria, go to www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net.

Following the success of its bi-annual Careers fair, which represents over 35 different Careers, Thames Christian College has introduced its first ever ‘Careers Lunch’. These networking and information gathering sessions are designed to give pupils with an interest in a particular Career the opportunity to chat informally with an experienced professional for further insight into the job. Thames’ first guest, easyJet Pilot Tim Oakdon, recently joined pupils to inspire them to consider a future in Aviation. The new lunch and learn format was a great success with many pupils giving up their free time to gain more in-depth vocational knowledge including what employers look for, the skills and qualifications needed and how to make their CV stand out from the crowd. Stephen Holsgrove, Head, Thames Christian College says: “We believe that personal qualities and life skills are crucial partners to academic success. In an increasingly competitive higher education market it is important that pupils consider the most appropriate GCSE options to match their individual gifts and preferred Career paths at an early stage.” For more information about the Battersea based independent secondary school, visit www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk, or the school itself on the next open day, Tuesday 25 April from 11am to 1pm

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www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk

Smaller school Bigger opportunities Personal attention Great results Affordable Scholarships available

OPEN MORNINGS: TUESDAY 7th MARCH 11.00-13.00 TUESDAY 25th APRIL 11.00-13.00 For full list of open mornings, enrolment and fee details contact 020 7228 3933 Thames Christian College, London SW11 2HB

Resilience in girls starts with Nursery

Five minutes’ walk from Clapham Junction

Prep School and Nursery Open Morning From starting school to school life, home learning, early learning and special educational needs, Families website is a veritable fount of useful information on all things educational; including local school listings. Far more than we can squeeze into our magazine pages

Register for Open Days at www.schs.gdst.net or contact us for an individual tour.

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How to... teach your children their times tables In February, education secretary Nick Gibb announced that all pupils will be expected to know their times table up to 12 x 12, with the first tests for 11 year-olds coming up in summer 2019. In the ‘old days’, mental arithmetic and spelling tests were a standard, weekly feature of school life, but for the calculator generation, it doesn’t come naturally, so here is how you can help your children to learn their times tables.

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Hands up who got their iPhone out the last time they had to add anything up? You’re not the only one. Relying on a calculator is easy and convenient but getting to grips with maths and, in particular, times tables, is vital for children if they are to succeed at school. Helping your little ones at home and doing some extra work to ensure they feel confident in their learning can almost be as important as what they do in the classroom. It can, however, be tricky to navigate the teaching journey when you’re not actually a teacher. The thing that can really turn children off learning their times tables is the practice it will take. Mixing up the way they spend their time practising is important for sparking their interest and holding their attention. Here are some top tips to help you.

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How and what children learn in primary school sets them up for success in secondary school. If the foundations are in place for them to be able to work out an equation like 3 x 6 = 18 without using a calculator, then they will find it easier when it comes to tackling harder arithmetic.

How can you help them know it? Buy posters of times tables or make your own; then stick them up throughout the house. On the wall opposite the loo, or under a magnet on the fridge, so that they are taking it in without even realising it. You can even tape it to the ceiling above their bed so that they have something to talk about with you when you’re snuggling down, after their bed-time story.

Start with the twos Adding two to a previous number is something most children will find achievable in primary school and this sets up a pattern for learning about the other times tables. The 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 pattern has an easy rhythm to help children remember it.

Apply it to real life If multiplication is something your children can apply to daily life, they will show much more of an interest. Instead of testing what they know, be playful about it when you’re at the supermarket and they’re helping you with the shopping (it can happen sometimes). If you’re buying loose fruit and veg, ask them if they know what the price would be if you bought three instead of two.

Find out what works best for your child Like anything with children, once you discover what works best for them - stick to it. If your child learns best using visual aids then go down that route. If, on the other hand, listening and chanting helps them learn, then explore the different types of apps available on the iPad or computer and try downloading some of them. It may be a good idea to keep these activities supervised so that if your child does make a mistake and comes up with a wrong answer, you are on hand to explain where they may have gone wrong and encourage them to try again.

Pick out the patterns Come on, admit it; everyone has a favourite times table. It’s probably your favourite because you find it the easiest to remember or you like the pattern. Picking up on things like this will make it easier for your little ones to learn. The 9 times table has one of the easiest patterns to remember because, whilst the tens go up each time, the other number just goes down; 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81 and 90.

Don’t bring your own feelings into it Teaching methods have changed a lot since we parents were learning our times tables. Your children are probably learning in a completely different way now so chances are that you may have to brush up on your arithmetic too. Ordering yourself something like Maths for Mums and Dads by Mike Askew and Rob Eastaway, rrp £10.99, could help if you are feeling out of your comfort zone when you’re topping up the teaching at home. Discovering new ways of learning can make it fun for both of you.

Build their confidence There is more to maths than arithmetic and it’s important that your little ones don’t lose interest in maths as a subject because it feels too difficult or seems too time consuming. Break down learning into bite-size chunks and make it as playful as possible. Encourage your children and praise them for trying when they do. Show them how far they have come since last week or last month and this should spur them on to keep improving.

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Mothers Mean Business

Claire Guy, Stagecoach Dulwich Claire Guy is coming up to her tenth year as a Principal at Stagecoach. She first ran Stagecoach Tooting and Mitcham before taking over Stagecoach Dulwich in 2014. Claire is a mother of two wonderful boys Joel (9) and James (5). Over 250 children from ages 5-18 years come and share in the joy of singing, dancing and acting every week at Stagecoach Dulwich. Families chatted with her to find out more. FSE: How did you come to be Principal of Stagecoach? Have you always worked in theatre? I have always loved music and performing. I studied oboe and voice at the Royal College of Music, was signed to Sony/Universal as a song writer and wrote for many international popstars like TATU and Valeriya. I was first introduced to Stagecoach by my parents as they ran a Stagecoach in Manchester. I also taught singing at many Stagecoaches and became a Principal in 2007 when I had my first little boy Joel. It was a natural fit for a mother and performer. FSE: What do you love most about running performing arts classes? The heart of everything we do is to help build confidence in children and give them creative courage. Stagecoach Dulwich is the perfect way to help children whether they are 5 or 16 years old to express themselves, find their voices and stretch their imagination. I love being part of seeing that evolve, and get the most pleasure when a student goes from no voice to being the star of the show. This can take time over quite a few terms, but it is the most rewarding thing watching that happen.

FSE: Your Stagecoach classes mean working after school on Fridays and all day Saturdays. How easy or difficult is it to juggle your work and family life? Planning is the key; just like putting on a show. As the business has grown I have taken on a virtual PA and it’s the best thing I ever did. Delegating and trusting people is definitely the key to a happy balance.This has become even more important since my lovely James (5) was diagnosed with autism late last year, so it’s important that I spend quality time with him after school. FSE: What would you say are the benefits of working for yourself? I love the flexibility of my time. I can do the school runs and watch their school plays, but also run a business. As I work on Fridays and Saturdays, Sundays are an important family day for us. FSE: Have your boys inherited your theatrical gene and if so, would you advise them to follow in your footsteps? It is definitely a family business as my eldest son Joel has caught the acting bug for sure! He is one of the leads in CBBC’s Secret Life of Boys which just won a BAFTA. We are incredibly proud of him. James can’t wait to step out on stage as well. The house is always full of song and laughter and as with every family a bit of drama too. We also have a family motto ‘ Never give up!’ Whatever they choose to do in life, I want them to have the confidence to be brave and work well in a team, and I am so glad they get to develop these skills at Stagecoach.

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FSE: When you have time off yourself, what do you like to do? I love going to see shows and try not to sing along. Some girlfriends and I are starting up a cocktail club which will be once a month, kicking off on my birthday. FSE: Have you always been a southeast Londoner? If not, what brought you here? We now live in south west London near Wimbledon. However my husband lived in Nunhead for years, so we spent all our early 20s there. It feels great to be back here now running Stagecoach Dulwich. FSE: Do you have a favourite shop / café or park in southeast London? It is such a hub of creativity and art. I do love a cheeky coffee at Gail’s and popping into Tomlinsons next door. They had the most exquisite glass tree decorations that I bought for all my Stagecoach Dulwich teachers. FSE: What’s next? We are super excited with our jam-packed term. We are looking forward to starting our rehearsals for our Summer Show Hairspray - the 8-18 year old students can’t wait. Our 4-6 year olds are discovering the Magic of the Musicals at the moment. As well as our weekly classes, we run amazing workshops in the holidays.The next ones coming up are our Matilda Easter workshop from 3-7 April at Alleyn’s School; and a Beauty and The Beast Summer Workshop from 31 July - 4 August at Alleyn’s School. The stage is set for 2017 to be a really exciting year! FSE: How can readers find out more about what you do? Many ways! Our website is www.stagecoach.co.uk/dulwich, or phone 020 8949 4116. Also we are Stagecoach Performing Arts Dulwich on Facebook, and @StageDrama_Dulw on Twitter.

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Mothers Mean Business

Kimberly Mears, Bumble Box Kimberly Mears is the founder of Bumble Box an innovative company that brings families together through activity kits. As she says, “Each Bumble Box kit contains a nudge of inspiration and all the makings for three activities that include everyone in the family.” Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it! With a new kit about to come out for Easter, we met up with Kimberley for a chat. FSE: So, tell us about Bumble Box. What is it and how does it work? It’s simple, really. Bumble Box offers monthly and term-break kits to help families make memorable moments together. Each kit contains three activities which scale to include everyone in the family. This way, subscribers have season-appropriate inspiration and all the materials they need to create memorable family moments. FSE: When did you set up the company, and how is it going? I started Bumble Box in autumn 2015 and it has been growing steadily. I love coming up with the concepts and activities and our subscribers love our kits - this makes me very happy. The only downside so far is that it can be a bit lonely working for yourself - I’ll be ecstatic when we’re able to add a few team members. FSE: Where did you find the inspiration to create Bumble Box? On a particularly gloomy autumn day, my children wanted to overturn the sofa (their ship) and play pirates again - for the thousandth time. Needing more variety to stay engaged during playtime, I looked around for a kit to do the job. All the kits were crafty and child-focused rather than family-focused. I decided to create the family-time kit I was looking for. Bumble Box’s tech-free activity kits are designed with the needs of active families in mind and are engaging for everyone in the family. FSE: You are a mother yourself. Do your two boys help with ideas or testing the contents? Absolutely! I couldn’t do it without my children (aged 3 and 5)... and their friends, actually. Every playdate and family day is a chance to test new concepts.

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Early-stage concepts are often rough and ready and my kids can be harsh critics, so I owe them much credit. FSE: How easy or difficult is it to juggle your work and family life? Over a year in, I’m getting better at setting and sticking to my boundaries. Meditation helps to keep my mind clear and setting a plan for the day using a ‘self journal’ helps to keep me accountable and focused on what really matters most during each workday. FSE: What do you love most about working for yourself? Flexibility. Rather than striking a balance between work, family and me-time each day, I aim to strike a balance during each month. Working for myself has also forced to be more courageous - I like that. FSE: When you have time off yourself, what do you like to do? This is a great thing about Bumble Box - I get to explore so many fun things while concepting new kits. For me, putting together each new kit is a real joy! I love to be outdoors. So, aside from Bumble Box and family-time, I’m a sucker for a day-hike in the countryside and I’m always on the lookout for a new family-friendly trail to try. FSE: Have you always lived in southeast London? If not, what brought you here? American by birth, my husband and I moved to London in 2006. We lived in a tiny place in Belsize Park, but soon outgrew it after our first child was born. So, we spent six months of free weekends looking all around London for a villagey, walkable, friendly, leafy, affordable, lovely place with good schools and easy transport. Tough brief! We chose Herne Hill, but so many lovely spots in southeast London fit the bill. We love south London - just wish we’d made the move sooner! FSE: Do you have a favourite shop, café or park in southeast London? The Lido Café at Brockwell Park is a favourite. Whether it’s grey and dreary, or the sky’s shining brightly, I always love to rock up for a latte and pretend I’m on holiday. I also love the bread and ambiance at Christopher’s in Herne Hill. FSE: Finally, your Easter Bumble Box kits are now available. What’s in the box? Our spring term-break kit was inspired by my children’s love of digging into old logs to see what’s

hiding inside. Mini beasts start to appear at this time of year and we’re itching to get Bumble Box families back outdoors; so mini beasts are the theme for our April kit. Families will be playing a mini beast game, learning a bit about the food chain and raising and releasing mini beasts of their own. The kits will ship out to Bumble Box families on 4 April. FSE: How can readers order a Bumble Box and find out more about what you do? Ah that’s easy. Visit www.Bumblebox.co.uk to find out more about our kits, or for a nudge of inspiration, follow us on Twitter @bumbleboxuk.

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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. IT SEEMS AS if we have waited forever for the days to get longer and, importantly, to finally hang the washing out in the realistic hope of it actually getting dry. That first load is always exciting, huh? To think that once upon a time it took oysters at Sheekey’s or a trip up in a balloon above an 18th century chateau to make me feel alive. Now I’ll settle for getting the sheets up over the soggy uncut lawn and a luxurious five minutes without next-door’s dog barking. Meanwhile, my thoughts have turned to optimising the rest of the muddy space for future sunshine, should it choose to revisit the Northern hemisphere ever again. Let’s hope there’s some mileage in this global warming thing as I’m looking forward to my chocolate melting in the sun this particularly late Easter. THE DECKCHAIR GARDENER by Anne Wareham - O’Mara rrp £8.99. I’ve always been a keen ‘speed gardener.’ Again, while other younger, pre-parenting specimens of the human race get their kicks from white-water rafting in Bali, I’ve found that nothing beats the thrill of some unscheduled extreme container planting - so long as the compost is swept up off the patio nobody ever need know I just spent a blissful selfish hour swearing at cat poo, rescuing worms and chucking baby geraniums into chipped pots. Billed as an improper manual for gardening avoidance, I rather like the advice that to succeed in not feeling horticulturally inadequate, you must give up all gardening telly programmes and Sunday supplement columns. Yes, that DOES include cold-turkeying Monty. Furthermore, it says only buy non-tender plants that need no protecting (the only one in fleece should be you), forget roses and anything else that needs pruning and, significantly, embrace the ‘shaggy look.’ Afterall, if you like looking at fine gardens, take the kids to an RHS show. Then they can trash someone else’s hard work. SOWHOW by Paul Matson & Lucy Anna Scott Pavilion rrp £12.99. This is a sleek no nonsense veg growing primer with absolutely zilch photos of Chelsea style plots of paradise frothing with foliage and blossoms, laden with fruit in exquisite flowerbeds that double as location shoots for Vogue. Instead, one is guided through the sensible stuff like light and shade, spinach and chillies, snails and couch grass without so much as a fox’s whiff of hysteria, using straight-forward infographics that any five year old will understand. So, ensure you show them the section on weeds first and then, hand ‘em a trowel. THE WILD GARDEN designed by Mary Cartwright & Emily Beevers - Usborne rrp £12.99. When I noticed that this was referred to in the catalogue as a ‘rub-down transfer book,’ I confess my rarely revealed cynical side (ahem) sprouted from the warm soil of my customarily optimistic personality - was this really some kind of gimmicky therapy involving cowslips and deep tissue manipulation aimed at small

children? Publishing has gone too far this time. But then I realised on receipt of the finished item this is much more fun! With illustrated pages for your nascent Titchmarshes to embellish with adhesive vinyls of teasels and lavender, cacti and nasturtium, we can prove to them that there are many, many different kinds of garden environments out there, and often without a trampoline in sight. THE NIGHT GARDENER by the Fan Brothers Frances Lincoln rrp 12.99. This utterly stunning picture book starts off a shade spookily but soon develops into something wonderful - a story about topiary. Yup. I know you think all this fresh air must have gone to my head but in truth, name me one child who isn’t fascinated by the skill and mischief that goes into the art of snipping privet hedges into animal shapes? C’mon, we’ve all been there and wished we were a whizz with the shears. THE LITTLE GARDENER by Emily Hughes - Flying Eye rrp £6.99. Aaaah. Here’s a modern nursery tale with a touch of the Tom Thumbs about it. The miniature world inhabited by our dogged diminutive gardener who is determined to keep his plants alive reminded me of the long wall at my childhood home that was studded with tiny alpines, moss and heathers that seemed to us children to be a veritable fairy landscape. I have an awful feeling there’s a Barretts housing estate on top of it now... THE SECRET GARDEN - BBC Audio CD rrp £10.99. Is it time to resurrect our love of books on CD? Aunty Beeb thinks so and has seen fit to mine the archive and along with the original cast recording of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic starring Harriet Walter, they are also re-releasing classic radio drama recordings of The Railway Children, 101 Dalmations and Treasure Island. Back in the mid 2000s, I recall several “happy” (note the punctuation - it’s all relative) memories of hitherto stressful, travel-sick ridden car journeys suddenly rendered bearable by the insertion of a story CD - the notion of coffins bumping around in the flooded crypt beneath the congregation’s feet in Moonfleet kept our lot quiet for hours. ANGLO SAXON BOY by Tony Bradman - Walker rrp £5.99. Last year we had this renowned children’s author in our bookshop dressed in a Jacobean doublet in honour of Shakespeare’s birthday and his then latest, The Boy and the Globe. I wouldn’t dare ask him to don the woollen tunic and draughty loin-cloth of this year’s young hero Magnus, son of Harold Godwinson, but shut your eyes and thanks to his able quill, we can imagine the ferocious Battle of Hastings and the blood-stained feud that led up to it. WOMEN IN SCIENCE: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World, words & illustrations by Rachel Ignotofsky - Hodder rrp £12.99. So now that the rest of

the world has caught up with what 50% of it already knew, be prepared to fill your shelves with female brilliance. This one features Katherine Johnson; one of the team of Afro-American NASA scientists who have finally been celebrated in the movie Hidden Figures. GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS EXPERIMENTS - Puffin rrp £7.99. Inspired by Roald Dahl’s story about young master Kranky and his life-changing elixir, here’s a bunch of science experiments with easy-to-follow instructions that include home-made slime and erupting volcanoes. What could possibly go wrong? MY ZERO WASTE KITCHEN - DK rrp £6.99. My eldest, accustomed to frugality due to the cost of her student education (don’t get me started) is always telling the rest of the family off for not embracing, as Manhattanites refer to it, ‘leftover cuisine.’ Instead of cultivating green fur coats in the fridge, this clever little tome has tips and recipes to use up everything from tangy bananas to carrot tops - though admittedly a smoothie made with stale cake does sound suspiciously close to something scientific a hungover student would chuck-up after a heavy night in the union bar. LIFE HACKS FOR PARENTS by Dan Marshall Summersdale rrp 9.99. Want to make sure your son doesn’t leave his PE kit at school? Need a pesky splinter removing? How do you make a cold compress that doesn’t involve dripping ice-cubes? And why-oh-why is it so impossible to find the tv remote? Fascinatingly, the answers are all here. Honestly, who’d have thought that you could have so much fun solving First World problems? Disclaimer: No baking soda, glue-guns or bananas were hurt during the making of this book - the swimming pool noodles however, get it in the neck big time. THE LITTLE BOOK OF INNER PEACE by Ashley Davis Bush - Gaia rrp £5.99. I was about to say that this is a problem solver of a different kind, with calming sections on relaxation with the 4-7-8 breathing technique, practising the butterfly hug (any small child will do) and on being compassionate, accepting and serene but then I came across the item that advocated travel through visualisation. Shut your eyes, it said, and imagine you are far away. Right. Like I don’t do that a squillion times a day already. Yes, this neat little book solved a problem. Once I’d hung that washing out, it made the perfect coaster for my cuppa while I sat back and dreamed.

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 w w w. f a m i l i e s o n l i n e . c o . u k

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CUTTY SARK

ROBOT ZOO AT HORNIMANS

GREENWICH MARKET

What’sOn

MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND AT HEVER CASTLE

D IAR Y DATES FO R GR OWN UPS DUET MUSIC WORKSHOP

FIRST AID FOR LIFE

19 March and 13 April, THE CURVED HOUSE, Trouville Road, Clapham, 07951 957067, www.chillderness.co.uk/duet

24 March, 1, 5 and 21 April in BALHAM and WESTMISTER, www.firstaidforlife.org.uk A certified, three hour emergency course covering commonly occurring childhood injuries and illnesses such as choking, bleeding, breaks, bleeds, burns, head injury, febrile convulsions, as well as care of the unconscious baby and child while awaiting further help. 9.30am12.30pm, from £60.

This unique workshop focuses on the art of piano duets, bringing together adults and children (aged 7-12 years). You and your chosen partner in crime will learn an uplifting song or two together in a cool environment, guided by energetic and inspiring people. You don’t need any experience of playing a musical instrument, although seasoned musicians should find much to discover in this fun, engaging afternoon. There will also be a ‘Science of Sound’ session worked into the day along with an afternoon tea break - perfect bonding time all amongst the amazing surroundings of the Curved House in Clapham (featured on Grand Designs, 2005). 2-6pm, £75 per pair includes tuition, home baked cakes and a G&T for adults. Book first.

MOTHERS’ DAY 26 March, your house Or wherever you are lucky enough to be taken to. Put it in your diary.

WEST NORWOOD FREE FILM FESTIVAL 25 March - 1 April, various venues, www.freefilmfestivals.org/westnorwood West Norwood is set to host its first ever free film festival this year. Featuring cult classics, art house favourites and new releases, the volunteer-run festival will take place in an eclectic mix of venues across the West Norwood neighbourhood, with all screenings completely free to watch. The debut festival follows the success of similar events in nearby Herne Hill, Streatham and Camberwell, to encourage both regular movie goers and those, who for whatever reason, don’t get to film venues much, to join in. See the festival website for the full line up.

MUS EUMS A ND EVENTS STEP ON BOARD THE WORLDFAMOUS CUTTY SARK THIS EASTER! 3-17 April, CUTTY SARK, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT, 020 8858 2698, www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysarK The Tall Ships are coming to Greenwich this Easter, so climb on board Cutty Sark, London’s very own tall ship, for an action-packed programme of events for all the family. Bring along your little sailors for nautical themed arts and crafts underneath the ship. Help create a textile sculpture inspired by the multitude of sails gathered together on the River Thames, and learn about the language of maritime flags. Let your children take the helm at the ship’s wheel, climb into the crew’s bunk beds and have a go at navigating the ship on the interactive displays. Follow the free family trail or borrow a backpack of toys and stories.. Cutty Sark is also introducing a brand new character on board. Meet Mrs Ray, the mother of Clarence, a young ship’s apprentice, as she tells you about why her son went to sea and reads from the letters he sends back to her from around the world. The programme changes daily; visit rmg.co.uk/cuttysark to plan your visit. Grown-ups can enjoy a night of dancing to 40s and 50s classics at the Sailor’s Ball on 14 April or a two-course sailor’s dinner at Beef Beer and Boats on 15 April. Book ahead: rmg.co.uk/tallships2017 Start your adventure at rmg.co.uk/cuttysark.

SPRING IS IN THE AIR, 4-7 April. Decorate plant pots, make scented herb bags and create garden animals from clay. Age 11 and under, 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm. A WORLD OF STORIES, 14 and 17 April. Popular storytellers bring the museum collections alive with stories from around the world. 11am, 12.15pm, 2pm and 3.15pm, drop in. HORNIMAN EASTER FAIR, 15+16 April. Follow an Easter Egg trail, find goodies in the arts and crafts market, or venture through the rabbit hole.

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

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25+26 March, HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG, 01732 865224, www.hevercastle.co.uk The romantic castle in Kent is the perfect place for a delicious meal over Mother’s Day weekend, or simply to enjoy some quality family time together. Children can decorate a flower pot filled with flowers in a free craft workshop to give mum on her special day and join a biscuit decorating workshop between 11am and 4pm. Special lunch and afternoon tea menus will make the day extra special.

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH, 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 10am5pm Mondays to Fridays, admission free. CHICK’S GREAT EGGSCAPE, 3-13 April. Join the hunt to find the hidden chicks and golden egg by following the trail around the Museum and then decorate an Easter animal mask or finger puppet to take home. There’s a chocolate egg for every child.

THE FOUNDLING MUSEUM 40 Brunswick Square, Camden Town WC1N 1AZ, 020 7841 3600, www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk Britain’s first home for abandoned children and London’s first public art gallery reveals the stories of the Foundling Hospital’s founder Thomas Coram, the artist William Hogarth and composer George Frideric Handel. It houses significant collections of eighteenth-century art, interiors, social history and music. Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 11am Sundays. Admission free for under 16s, £8.25 adults. BACH TO BABY, 16 March and 6 April. Classical concerts for babies and their families, performed by mother and pianist Miaomiao Yu, along with other internationally-renowned musicians. 10.30-11.30am, adults £12, children free. PLAY PHOTOGRAPHY, 4 April. Build an imaginative play area out of recycled household materials in this artist-led family workshop inspired by Child’s Play. Age 5+, sessions 10am, 1pm and 3pm, free. KNOTS AND ROPES, 7 April. Learn how to tie knots and make your own skipping rope in this free family workshop. Age 5+, 10am, 1pm and 3pm, free.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

323 South Norwood Road, Herne Hill SE24 9AQ, 020 8674 5787, www.slbi.org.uk SOW GROW AND SHOW, 4 April. Sow your seeds in your own handmade container, and take seeds home in your very own seed packet, designed and made by you. Also learn how to press seedlings to make your own beautiful collection at home. 10am-12pm and 2-4pm, £2 per child, £5 per family. Book first by phone or email info@slbi.org.uk. NATIONAL GARDEN’S SCHEME OPEN DAY, 23 April. Enjoy spring in the garden and house with delicious teas, cakes and plants and seeds for sale. Chat to the gardeners and find out more about the Institute. 2-5pm, tickets £3 on the door.

THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk Museum open 10.30am-5.30pm daily, general admission free, charges apply for special exhibitions and the aquarium. 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 and a Farmers’ Market every Saturday. ROBOT ZOO, until 29 October. Come face to face with a robotic rhino, a squid with 18-foot tentacles and a huge housefly with a vacuum cleaner for a mouth. Robot Zoo houses larger-than-life robot animals made from familiar machine parts and gadgets, in an exciting hands-on family exhibition revealing some of nature’s most amazing adaptations. Interactive games and challenges explain how a chameleon changes colour, what makes grasshoppers leap so high, and why a platypus looks so strange. Children £4.40, adults £7.70, families £18.70.

HEVER CASTLE

GREENWICH MARKET GREENWICH MARKET, 5b Greenwich Market, Greenwich, London, SE10 9HZ, 020 8269 096, www.greenwichmarketlondon.com MOTHER’S DAY CRAFT WORKSHOPS, 25 March. Create and paint your very own water lily with ArtyParty - inspired by Monet’s Water-Lily Pond. 11am , 12noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm, £4 on the door at 7A Greenwich Market. Miss Libby Rose will be running sewing workshops on her Pink Bus. Make an apron with a beautifully embroidered pocket and a slogan of your choice using the Janome 350e embroidery machine. £25 per session for one adult and child, book first at www.misslibbyrose.com. TALL SHIPS EASTER EXTRAVAGANZA, 14 + 15 April. Celebrate the arrival of The Tall Ships by joining in with marine themed craft workshops, puzzles and gifts at the market, and lots of chocolate! Open 9.30am7pm.

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, 11am-5pm. WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR, throughout March and April. Enjoy the world’s best nature photography revealing the astonishing diversity of life on our planet, from urban foxes to mountain hares. COLOUR AND VISION. Discover the earliest life on Earth and trace the evolutionary history of colour and vision. Find out how early interactions gave rise to the wide variety of colours that we now see in the natural world. Adults £12, children £6. 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 £60. T.REX GRILL. A fun new dinosaur-themed restaurant, primarily aimed at families with children aged 12 and under, transports visitors back millions of years to dine with dinosaurs. The animatronic velociraptors are a big hit alongside a dinosaur themed menu which includes T.rex burgers, fish and stone-baked pizza and dino topped ice creams.

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MUSEUM OF LONDON MUSEUM OF LONDON, London Wall EC2Y 5HN, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk Find out more about London’s history, through displays covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life. Open daily 10am6pm, admission free. On Sundays, museum hosts help visitors explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities at 11am and 2pm. FIRE! FIRE! Until 17 April 2017. The museum’s most theatrical exhibition to date combines a variety of sights, sounds, smells, textures and interactive exhibits to immerse visitors in the events leading up to, during and after the Great Fire of London in 1666. From an imagined Pudding Lane, a giant AV panorama of London on fire and a restored 17th-century fire engine, the exhibition has plenty of star attractions. Handle Great Fire artefacts, examine them more closely with microscopes and X-rays, try your hand as a firefighter in an interactive touch screen game and listen to audio extracts from original letters written by terrified Londoners. Then follow in Christopher Wren’s footsteps and build your own vision of London. Under 5s free, adults £8, children from £4. GREAT FIRE FAMILY WALK, 18 March. Visit the sites struck by the fire in this fun and interactive family walk. 11-11.45am, age 5+, £5-£7, book first.

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, Warehouse 1, West India Quay E14 4AL, www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands STORY SEEKERS FAMILY TOURS, Sundays to 30 April. Join a member of the host team to learn about life in London as you hear, see, feel and smell the past in these multi-sensory, interactive family tours. Ages 5+, 1.45pm, free. THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF CROSSRAIL, until 3 September. See the most complete range of archaeological objects unearthed by the Crossrail project, and discover the story of this great feat of engineering. All ages, 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.

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 3’s area, an indoor sandpit, and regular special events. Open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free. MAGICAL MUSEUM SLEEPOVER, 25 March. Enjoy an evening of creative activities, a magical museum trail and storytelling, before settling down to a special night’s sleep in the company of fairies, puppets, dolls and trains. In the morning breakfast will be served on the Marble Floor of the Museum. 7pm-9am, £45, age 7-12, book first. BOARD GAMES REDISCOVERED, until 23 April 2017. Are you a Scrabble champion? A wannabee Chess grandmaster? Or a Monopoly megalomaniac? This exhibition showcases some of the world’s best known and most loved board games and includes hands-on interactives.

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. 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.

EMMA HAMILTON: SEDUCTION AND CELEBRITY, until 17 April. Emma Hamilton was one of the most famous international celebrities of her time and her life is the ultimate costume drama. Now largely remembered as the woman who captured the heart of the nation’s hero, Admiral Horatio Nelson, Emma was an extraordinary woman in her own right. Find out all through a dazzling exhibition and accompanying events. 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 The world famous 19th century tea clipper offers visitors four levels to explore. Take in the views from the main deck and steer at the ship’s wheel, meet the crew who worked on board, explore the various cargoes from wool to whiskey, and see how tea was loaded on board through interactive displays, props, information boards and animations. Family friendly events run at weekends and during school holidays. Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Sundays, admission £7 children, £13.50 adults, from £24 families. Bundled tickets are available with the other Royal Museum Greenwich attractions. TODDLER TIME, Termtime Wednesdays. Bring your little sailors along for songs, stories and playtime. 10-11.30am. NANNIE THE WITCH, 18+25 March. Find out how the ship got her name, as Nannie shares amazing stories about Cutty Sark. 11am, 12, 1.30 and 2.30pm. SEA SIGNS, 25 March. A fun-filled day of BSL-led or supported family activities. 11.30am-4pm. TALL SHIPS FAMILY FUN: LET’S SAIL AWAY BIG BUILD, 13-16 April. Nautical themed arts and crafts underneath the ship to make and take home. Help create a textile sculpture inspired by the multitude of sails gathered together on the River Thames. There will be the opportunity to add welcome messages to the artwork and learn about the language of maritime flags. 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-4pm. MEET MRS RAY, 13-16 April. Introducing a new character on Cutty Sark: Mrs Ray, the mother of Clarence, a young ship’s apprentice. Mrs Ray misses her boy, but she is comforted by the letters he sends to her from around the world. Find out more about their lives and his letters from Cutty Sark, as Mrs Ray tells you about why her son went to sea and what it takes to be a young apprentice. 11am-1.30pm and 2-4pm.

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THE QUEEN’S HOUSE GREENWICH THE QUEEN’S HOUSE, Romney Road, Greenwich SE10 9NF, 020 8858 4422, www.rmg.co.uk/queens-house Designed in 1616 by Inigo Jones for James I’s wife, Anne of Denmark, the Queen’s House is Britain’s first classical building and a masterpiece of 17th-century architecture. The House showcases over 450 works of art focusing on the people and events key to the building’s creation and history. Highlights include the beautiful Tulip Stairs, which in turn have inspired a spectacular art commission on the ceiling of the Great Hall by Turner Prize-winning artist, Richard Wright. Open 10am-5pm, admission free.

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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. 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.

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GEFFRYE MUSEUM EVENTS GEFFRYE MUSEUM, Kingsland Road E2 8EA, 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Special workshops and quizzes inspire creativity and provide amusement for accompanied 5-11 year-olds on the first Saturday of each month and during school holidays. Places allocated 30 minutes in advance of each workshop. Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, from noon Sundays. SPRING IS IN THE AIR, 4-7 April. Celebrate the new season by decorating plant pots; make scented herb bags and create garden animals from clay. 10.30am12.30pm and 2-4pm,. Free, tickets allocated 30 minutes before start. Under 11s to be accompanied by an adult.

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020 7720 1144 march april 2017 - families south east

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AMIGO’S MAGIC SHOW

WOJTEK AT GREENWICH THEATRE

GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU

MoreWhat’sOn

FUNHARMONICS - SOUTHBANK

Find even more activities: www.familiesonline.co.uk then click What's On

THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER

THE ROYAL INSTITUTE

From 31 March, WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR LONDON, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR, 0345 084 0900, www.wbstudiotour.co.uk The Forbidden Forest may be strictly off-limits to Hogwarts students, but for the first time this March, visitors to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London are invited to defy Professor Dumbledore’s orders and 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.

ROYAL INSTITUTE, Albemarle Street, Mayfair W1S 4BS, www.rigb.org FAMILY MASTERCLASS, 19 March and 29 April. These workshops are aimed at children aged 7-11 with their families. 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm, includes Paper Folding, Problem Solving and Briefcase Breakout. EXPLOSIVE FOOD, 10 April. Find out about the incredible amount of energy contained in food in this deliciously interactive show packed with exciting chemistry and physics demonstrations. Age 7+, 2.30 and 6pm.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM

FULHAM PALACE

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 10am-7pm daily, admission £7.50 adults, £3.80 children. THE AGE OF THE BEARD, until 30 April. In collaboration with Beard historian Dr Alun Withey, the Nightingale Museum will showcase the best of Victorian facial hair, including some bristly soldiers that Florence Nightingale herself might have nursed. The hairy celebrations are brought up to date with a series of events including beard and moustache trimming and styling in the museum and a quiz to test your beardy knowledge. What is a Soup Strainer? Or a Thigh Tickler? Find out at the Florence Nightingale Museum this winter.

Chicks’ Great EGGscape

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. HANDS-ON ARCHAEOLOGY, 19 March. Come along to this drop-in session for a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some of their archaeological finds and learn more about the rich history of this ancient site. No booking necessary.

Free admission

Join the hunt to find the chicks and golden egg by following the trail around the Museum and then decorate an Easter animal mask or finger puppet to take home. There’s a chocolate egg for every child. 10:00am–5:00pm Share your experience Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and boemuseum Bank Holidays. Entrance T: 020 7601 5545 in Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH

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THE 02 02 ARENA, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX, www.the02.co.uk/events UP AT THE 02. Just in time for Easter, Up at The O2 are now allowing children aged as young as 9 years to experience the climb (previous age was 10). Dressed in full explorer attire, journey to the viewing platform for spectacular views of the city. Tickets from £30, booking recommended. STAR WARS IDENTITIES, Until September. Rediscover the unforgettable characters of Star Wars in a whole new way, through an exclusive collection of 200 props, models, costumes and artwork from the Star Wars films. Explore what makes the characters of Star Wars who they are, and take on an interactive identity quest to discover your own personalised Star Wars character. Tickets from £10 children, £20 adults, £48 families.

THEATRE SHOWS

3–13 April 10:00am–4.30pm

www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum

THE PALACE EXPLORERS, Mondays and Tuesdays in March and April. Weekly sessions for children aged 2-4 and their parents/ carers. £4 per child includes a drink and healthy snack. 9.30am-10.30am, book first. LITTLE GREEN FINGERS, 8 April. Sow seeds in a specially prepared Little Green Fingers bed and explore how vegetables and flowers grow during this hands-on gardening workshop. 10.30am-12pm. SPRINGTIME AT THE PALACE, 16 April. Celebrate all things springtime at this Easter Sunday activity day, with whimsical storytelling, an Easter trail, Georgian chocolate making workshops and a whole host of fun art and craft activities. Chocolate making workshops will be held at 11.30am and 1.30pm, £5 per person, booking essential. Storytelling and Easter trail are free, 11am-3pm, no booking necessary.

CORALINE

GREENWICH THEATRE

8 April, LANGLEY PARK CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, South Eden Park Road, Beckenham BR3 3BP, 020 7978 8624, info@southlondondancestudios.co.uk, www.southlondondancestudios.co.uk Neil Gaiman’s gothic horror novel ‘Coraline’ is interpreted on stage as a brand new ballet production, with original music composed by Stuart Rush. The show will be performed by over one hundred students from South London Dance Studios, whose ages range from 5 to 17 years. Performances 2.30 and 7pm, book first.

Crooms Hill, Greenwich SE10 8ES, 020 8858 7755, www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk WOJTEK: THE HAPPY WARRIOR, 3 April. A playful imagining based on the unbelievable true story of Private Wojtek; a Syrian Brown Bear who was enlisted into the Polish Army Corp during WW2. Through ensemble storytelling, live music and playful physical Theatre, Quarter Too Ensemble brings to life a version of true events that highlight the nature of friendship and empathy against the chaos of war. Ages 7+, 2pm and 7pm, tickets £13.50 adults, £8.50 children. THE EXPLORER, 3+4 April. See The Explorer leap, swim, float into space and enjoy a rather bumpy elephant ride as she tries to find a way back home. She might need a little help along the way too. This delightful new marionette show will make imaginations soar. Ages 3-8, 1 and 4pm, tickets £11 adults, £8.50 children. THE THING THAT CAME FROM OVER THERE, 6-8 April. Join three daring actors as they play over 15 roles in 75 minutes of shocks, spine tingling silliness, and blood curdling terror. The critically acclaimed Gonzo Moose are back in another rip-roaring comedy adventure, inspired by the Horror movies of the 1950s. Ages 10+, 7.30pm, tickets £16 adults, £8.50 children. SAMMY AND THE SNOW LEOPARD, 9 April. Sammy is 9 years old and loves animals, the problem is his Mum won’t let him have any pets. When his best friend Hokey Pokey tells him about the ‘Adopt a Snow Leopard’ programme, Sammy reckons he’s found a way to have a pet that doesn’t actually come to the house. This is a high-energy show involving stuffed animals, evil neighbours, school projects and limes. Ages 5+, 1.30pm and 4.30pm, tickets £11 adults, children £8.50. GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, 12 April. Join Little and Big Nutbrown Hare, from the best-selling Guess How Much I Love You and I Love You All Year Round collection, as they leap off the page and onto the stage in this magical journey through the seasons. The playful story unfolds on stage through puppets, live music and interactive play for children aged 3 and up. Tickets £16 adults, £11 children.

ALBANY THEATRE Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 4AG, 020 8692 4446, www.thealbany.org.uk DISCO KIDS: JURASSIC JIVE, 26 March. Step back in time for this pre-historic jive! Gather your tiny tyrannosaurs and diddy diplodocus for a dino themed disco party with live dancers, video art and much more. Under 7s, 2-5pm, family tickets £20. THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER, 2 April. The classic tale of the poor shoemaker visited and helped by elves comes to vivid life with toe-tapping music, comedy, puppetry and real magic! Sure to make the whole family feel warm and cosy inside - like your favourite pair of comfy old slippers. Ages 3+, 1pm and 3pm, tickets £7, families £24. THE INSECT CIRCUS, 4-8 April. Amongst astounding arthropod aerialists, balancing beetles and beauteous butterflies, astonishing novelties will be performed by this outstanding troupe of circus stars. Ages 2+, 11am and 2pm, tickets from £8, families £33. FAMILY CIRCUS WORKSHOP, 23 April. Tumble, balance and spin on a hairpin: learn circus skills in partnership with your child. Brilliant and bonding! Ages 3+, 12noon and 2.30pm, £16 per adult and child. PAT-A-CAKE BABY, 23 April. Grab a spoon because it’s pat-a-cake time! Long Nose Puppets offer up a marvellous moonlit show full of riotous rhyme, zany puppets and spiffy special cake; all iced with music and songs. Delicious fun for your little ones, based on the book written by Joyce Dunbar. Ages 2+, 1pm and 3pm, tickets £7, £24 family ticket.

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UP AT THE O2

WARNER BROS STUDIO TOUR

PETER AND THE WOLF - LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE

CHESTER TUFFNUT, 14-17 April. Chester Tuffnut isn’t your ordinary treemole! Chester likes wearing jumpers and sitting in his armchair, but most of all he loves adventure! Told with puppets, original music and imaginative antics, this show is full of humour, thrills, spills, near misses and great escapes. You can also have your very own adventure, with the chance to stay, meet the Woodland creatures and explore their dens after the show. Ages 2-5, tickets £11 adults, £8.50 children. THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW, 23 April. Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, the critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show features a menagerie of 75 loveable puppets, faithfully adapting four of Eric Carle’s stories. The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 1 and 4pm, tickets £11 children, £16 adults.

PRAM JAM, 5 and 12 April. Kick off your day by moving and grooving with your under 5, as Pram Jam returns, this time influenced by urban music and movement, as part of Urban festival. 10.30am, £5 for one adult and up to two under 5s. FUNHARMONICS, 30 April. Jump on a tour bus of the imagination and be whisked away with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra travels thousands of miles every year to play to people around the world, and you can join the players on a whistlestop tour of some of the cities they visit, all without leaving the foyer of the Royal Festival Hall. Children can have a go at playing different orchestral instruments under expert guidance, and the concerts are perfect for families which children aged 6+. 12noon start, tickets from £10.

EASTER FAMILY COMEDY MAGIC SHOW

Portugal Street WC2A 2HT, 0844 412 4322, www.peacocktheatre.com MY FIRST BALLET: CINDERELLA, 11-22 April. Everyone’s favourite rags-to-riches story, in a beautifully adapted ballet version for children aged three upwards. With a narrator to help the young audience follow the story, and a shortened version of Prokofiev’s ravishing score, this production is a unique collaboration between English National Ballet and English National Ballet School. Family tickets £65.

April 17, THE IVY HOUSE, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead SE15 3BE, www.magicmindreadingandmayhem.co.uk Amigo’s Magic are back with an amazing show for Easter Monday. There’ll be mayhem, comedy, one lucky person will have their stress removed, and lots of audience participation. Great family entertainment with a free Bunny Copter for all those attending. 1-3pm and 4-6pm, doors open 30 minutes beforehand. Tickets £8 per child, adult £10, family ticket £30 for four. This sold out last year so please book early to avoid disappointment.

CANADA WATER CULTURE SPACE 21 Surrey Quays Road SE16 7AR, 020 8692 4446, www.canadawaterculturespace.org.uk FRIENDS FOR ALL, 24 March. Eight year-old Lexi doesn’t make friends as easily as some. If only her school would allow a non-school uniform day then she could be herself and find others like her. Inspired by Grandad’s hippy stories from the swinging 60s, she decides to fight the powers that be, namely her class teacher Mr Marsh and the class bully, Suzy. An interactive spoken word performance for families, with rapping, dancing and far-out video projections. Ages 5+, 10.30am and 3pm, tickets £7, families £24. SKY IN THE PIE, 29 April. Forced out of her home; where will the mysterious pie maker Dorothy Butterworth and Whiskey her crafty cat go? In desperation they choose an extraordinary mode of transport and collect mismatched companions on the way. How will this unusual group overcome their disagreements, face the hazards of their journey and defeat their adversaries? Weaving audience participation with exciting storytelling, puppetry and circus, this new show keeps a young audience spellbound. Ages 3+, tickets £7, families £24.

ZIPPOS CIRCUS 5-18 April in BLACKHEATH, and 11-16 May in HERNE HILL, 0871 210 2100, www.zippos.co.uk See Zippos’ sensational new equestrian and fearless acrobatic performers. Marvel at the thundering hooves of acrobatic ‘trick’ Cossack riding from Kazakhstan; The Hot Dogs - a loveable quartet of tail-wagging superstars and, back by popular demand, Zippos’ 21st Century ‘Jigits’ - the Brazilian motorbike daredevils in the Globe of Death. Plus comic hilarity, amazing feats on the swinging trapeze, real knife throwing, and more, all presented by the world’s greatest ringmaster, Norman Barrett, MBE, and his mischievous Budgerigar pals. Tickets from £7.50.

OLD VIC THEATRE The Cut, Waterloo SE1 8NB, 0844 871 7628, www.oldvictheatre.com THE MISSING LIGHT, 20 March - 1 April. When loneliness is replaced by a far off flickering light, two elderly friends break free on a journey to reconcile their pasts and find what remains of their futures. Mark Arends for Make Mend and Do has created an inventive and enchanting daytime puppetry show for children aged 8+. Tickets £12 adults, £6 children.

SOUTHBANK SOUTHBANK CENTRE, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX, 0844 847 9944, www.southbankcentre.co.uk ADVENTURES IN MOOMINLAND, until 23 April. The first major UK exhibition on The Moomins features more than 40 items of archive material including original drawings and explores the internationally-recognised stories of the Moomin family through the life of its author Tove Jansson. Tickets from £10. FUN DMC, 2 April. Get partying with child-friendly hip-hop, funk and disco anthems, hosted by Spin Doctor. Fancy dress is encouraged. Ages 3+, 12.30pm, free. TONGUE FU FOR KIDS, 9 April. A lively show where poems, songs, stories, games and improvisation meet. In this special version of one of the UK’s leading spoken word shows, little ones become poets and musicians in an hour of fun, dreaming, games and spoken word musical mayhem. Ages 7-10, 2pm, £10, concs half price.

PEACOCK THEATRE

BATTERSEA ARTS CENTRE BAC, Lavender Hill SW11 5TN, 020 7223 2223, www.bac.org.uk FAMILY SATURDAYS. On the last Saturday of every month, families take over BAC for a day of fun, food and free activities. There is something for everyone to get involved with and space for the whole family to chill out and relax. 10am-3pm, check website for details. BOAT, 5-8 April. A group of teenagers on the very edge of adulthood imagine what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes. A new play inspired by ongoing work exploring the European migration crisis, by Company Three - one of the UK’s leading companies making theatre with young people. Ages 11+, tickets £10.

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ, 020 7845 0580, www.unicorntheatre.com UP CLUB, Saturdays to 31 July. Join the Unicorn Play Club most Saturdays for free drop-in activities from portrait painting and potato printing to giant rocket making and more! Just turn up to join or sign up online for e-news. All the arts and crafts are activities designed for you and your tiny human to create together. There will usually be cutting and sticking responsibilities for the grown-ups. 12noon - 2pm. BABY SHOW, 30 January - 19 August. Time for a walk, better wrap up warm. Poppers, buttons, zips. Scarf, hat, mittens. Inside out, upside down, back to front. This brand new show is a sensory performance with captivating images and intriguing sounds that will keep your little ones rapt. £10 per adult and child. THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, 17 March - 17 April. There once was a Velveteen Rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid. He was fat and bunchy, as a Rabbit should be; and for at least two hours the Boy loved him. This Easter visit the Unicorn Theatre as one of their biggest hits returns for a third time after a New York transfer. The Velveteen Rabbit is a heart-warming story about a very shy toy rabbit who longs for nothing more than to become real. This is a bold and adventure-filled adaptation of the classic American tale published in 1922. Age 5+, tickets from £8. JERAMEE, HARTLEBY AND OOOGLEMORE, 12 March - 10 April. Jeramee, Hartleby and Oooglemore are at the seaside. They have a towel, an inflatable ball, a picnic and three contrasting temperaments. Revelling in delightful innocence and glorious stupidity, Jeramee, Hartleby and Oooglemore is a surprising and surreal encounter with three people who have a lot to say but only three words with which to say it. Ages 3+. Tickets from £10.

OMNIBUS CLAPHAM 1 Clapham Northside, London SW4 0QW, 020 7498 4699, www.omnibus-clapham.org BRIGHT SPARKS, 19 March. Link and Rex are like light and dark, left and right. Watch these two opposites get their wires crossed as they strive to find ways to work and play together. A playful, visually rich and delightfully humorous show that explores the beauty of difference. 11am and 2.30pm. A STRANGE NEW SPACE, 9 April. A non-verbal one woman show for 3-7 year olds and their families, with physical theatre, beautiful hand-made puppets and original music by Matt Huxley. 11am-2.30pm.

LYRIC THEATRE HAMMERSMITH LYRIC HAMMERSMITH, One Lyric Square, Hammersmith W6 0QL, 020 8741 6850, www.lyric.co.uk THE CURIOUS ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO, 18 March. Crickets, cats, foxes and, of course, the world-famous puppet, will spring out of our collection of dusty, old, magic books, while Patrick Lynch from CBeebies pulls all the strings and turns all the pages. For ages 5-11. GOLDILOCKS, 25 March. Feisty ragdoll Goldilocks enters the Raggedy Woods and you can follow her hilarious journey to the three bears’ house. Expect hurdy-gurdy music, naughty goblins, helpful spiders, porridge, and sing-a-long fun! For ages 3-8. A STRANGE NEW SPACE, 22 April. The life changing adventure of a spaceobsessed young girl. Amira must leave her home and her imagination catapults her into an intergalactic voyage that mirrors her real-life journey as a refugee. For ages 3-11.

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CHESTER TUFFNUT

ZIPPOS CIRCUS

MOOMINLAND

VELVETEEN RABBIT

THE MISSING LIGHT

MoreWhat’sOn

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE

Find even more activities: www.familiesonline.co.uk then click What's On

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE, 14 Dagmar Passage, Cross Street N1 2DN, 020 7226 1787, www.littleangeltheatre.com THE UGLY DUCKLING, 3+4 April. The story of a little bird who sets off on an adventure to find out who he is. Inspired by the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, the performance features hand shadow puppetry, live cello music and whimsical humour. Ages 5-11, £8 children, £10 adults. PETER AND THE WOLF, 6-8 April. Peter is a fearless, mischievous boy who lives with his Grandfather in an old cottage near the forest. Grandfather has warned Peter many times of the dangers of playing near the forest because a Wolf lives near by. Peter isn’t bothered by these warnings, and he goes out of the gate to see if he can find his animal friends. After a great deal of fun, the wolf arrives. Is Peter worried, not a bit? Find out how this clever boy with his animal friends triumphs in this classic musical tale. Ages 4-9, £8 children, £10 adults. RAPUNZEL AND THE TOWER OF DOOM, 13-15 April. Theatre of Widdershins have taken this traditional tale right back to its roots, teased out the tangles and styled it into a beautifully coiffured hair piece! This enchanting show promises plenty of body, volume and loads of highlights. Make an appointment to see the show today - because you’re worth it! Ages 4-9, tickets £8 children, £10 adults. DOGS DON’T DO BALLET, 22 April - 16 July. Biff is not like ordinary dogs. He likes moonlight. And music. And walking on his tiptoes. The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this hilarious story of a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams, brought to life using beautiful puppets, well-loved ballet music and dazzling theatrical comedy. Ages 2-7, tickets £10 children, £12 adults.

SARAH AND DUCK

RED RIDING HOOD AND THE WOLF, 27 April - 16 July. You may think you know the story of Red Riding Hood, sugar and spice and all things nice. But there are two sides to every story, so let’s hear it from the Wolf himself! Here’s the story never heard of a kind and hungry wolf who strayed from the path and lost his friends. Ages 5 to adult, tickets £10.50 children, £12.50 adults.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE ROH, Bow Street, London WC2E 9D, 07304 4000, www.roh.org.uk FAMILY SUNDAYS, Last Sunday of each month. Explore the Royal Opera House, its artists and the world of opera and ballet. Sundays are packed full of creative and practical activities for all the family including informal performances from Royal Ballet dancers, plus interactive singing and dance activities. Ages 6+, 12-4pm, £5 adults, £3 children. FIRST OPERA: WELCOME PERFORMANCES. Welcome Performances are for families who have never been to a ballet or opera at the Royal Opera House before. You don’t need to know anything about either - just come along and give it a try. Tickets £5-£20. BACKSTAGE TOURS. The Backstage Tours include an introduction to the colourful history of the theatre, an insight into the redevelopment of the Royal Opera House and a look at aspects of current productions. Each tour is a unique experience, and may include opportunities to see The Royal Ballet in class, or the magnificent backstage technology in operation. Suitable for ages 8+, book first.

Little Venice, Blomfield Road W9 2PF, 020 7249 6876, www.puppetbarge.com THE RED BALLOON, UNTIL 19 March. The story of a small boy’s friendship with a balloon and the poignancy of a child’s imagination. Performed using long string wood-carved marionettes, and accompanied by specially commissioned music. Suitable for age 3+ BABUSCHA BABOON, 25 March - 14 May. The story of a baboon who wanted to fly to the moon in a hot air balloon. On the way, she meets an elephant who is threatened by ivory hunters. Will Babuscha save the elephant and reach the moon? String marionettes, shadow puppets, music lighting and moving poetry for ages 3+.

POLKA THEATRE POLKA THEATRE, 240 Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB, 020 8543 4888, www.polkatheatre.com TO DREAM AGAIN, 10 March - 2 April. Dreams meet reality in a new play inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Sophie’s world is changing, so she reaches out to her parents, Demetrius and Helena. Through her stories maybe she can help them recapture the moment when they were young and in love? Age 7-11, adults £13.50, children £10. THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA, 15-19 March. Become part of this playful and comic story of a prince in search of a real princess, a clever queen, a tower of mattresses and of course a tiny pea. Hans Christian Andersen’s classic bedtime story is played out among sheets and blankets with puppets and projections. Age 3-7, adults £12.50, children £9 WOW SAID THE OWL, 24-26 March. Curious owl is determined to stay awake to see what day light brings. Despite the beauty of the daytime world, the nighttime stars are the most beautiful of all. Age 2-5, adults £12.50, children £9. SARAH AND DUCK’S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY, 6 April - 14 May. See the BAFTA award-winning Cbeebies duo and friends live on stage. Sarah and Duck decide to hold a circus party for Scarf Lady in their garden, to celebrate her birthday. All their friends turn up to practise different routines and create a big top birthday to remember. Age 3-6, adults £15, children £10.

THE GR EAT OUTDO OR S BROCKWELL PARK COMMUNITY GREENHOUSES BROCKWELL PARK, Dulwich Road SE24 0PA, www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk On the first and third Saturday of the month, volunteers hold creative, hands-on sessions exploring a whole array of fun things to do both in and around the Greenhouses. PAPER AND SEEDS, 18 March. Learn how to create your own recycled paper decorated with leaves and petals from the garden. Make a seed mat to take away and grow as the perfect mother’s day gift. Ages 5+, 10.30am-12.30pm, £5.

THE CENTRE FOR WILDLIFE GARDENING 28 Marsden Road SE15 4EE, 020 7252 9186, www.wildlondon.org.uk WILDLIFE ON SATURDAYS, Drop in to free, fun family activities run by London Wildlife Trust on Saturdays at the Centre for Wildlife Gardening. The sessions are jam packed with fun activities including pond dipping, bug hunting, wild crafts, stories, games, songs, making wildlife habitats and bushcraft. 10.30am - 12.30pm for younger children (up to 7); 1.30pm - 4.30pm for older children (7 and up), all courses for parents/ children together. TOAD DAY, 19 March. A free open day for all, celebrating toads, amphibians and ponds, with related family activities including pond dipping, quizzes, crafts and trails. 11am-4pm. BEAUTIFUL BIRDS AND EXTRAORDINARY EGGS, 3-4 April. A two day course for parents and children. Have fun learning about birds through games and activities. Nest making, egg decorating, bird watching and more. 11am-4pm both days, suitable for families with children of all ages. Free but book first by email dwallace@wildlondon.org.uk. NATURE’S FILM MAKERS, 10-11 April. Find out how animals see the world and learn how to take pictures of nature and make a short film. Games, crafts and activities. A two day course for parents and children. 11am-4pm both days, suitable for families with children of all ages. Free but book first by email dwallace@wildlondon.org.uk.

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WHERE’S WALLY FUN RUN 19 March, CLAPHAM COMMON SW4, www.eventrac.co.uk/listed-races/where-s-wally-2017 Join hundreds of others to walk, jog or run your way around Clapham Common, dressed as the well-loved children’s character Wally, and help disadvantaged children gain the literacy skills and confidence they need to succeed. There will be a choice of 5k or 10k for adults and a 1k race for under 12s. The common will also be alive with festival activities including live music, free fun races for children, rides, food and refreshments. Registration £25 for adults with Wally costume, £22 without, under 12s: £12 with Wally costume, £9 without; family tickets available. Races start from 9.30am.

HALL PLACE AND GARDENS Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ, 01322 526574, www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk/hallplace PONY RIDES, 25+26 March. Join the ponies of Pony Parties Kent for a ride around Hall Place’s award winning gardens, and decorate a real horseshoe to take home. Ponies Bella, Twinkle and Ash look forward to meeting you. Children aged 2+, safety equipment provided. 11am-4pm, £3 per ride. This event is weather permitting - if the weather looks grotty, check for an update on the day. THE SLEEP SHEEP, 3-6 April. Everyone counts sheep to fall asleep, but what happens when one goes missing? Find out with this hilarious story and make your own fantastic paper pompom sheep to take home. 10am and 2pm, £4 per child, adults free, book first.

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HS, www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk CHOCOLATE TUESDAY, 4 April. Delve into the world of chocolate, create your own unique blend and taste some unusual flavours. During the day you’ll have the chance to look into the rich history, geography and science of chocolate. 10.30am-3pm. EASTER ACTIVITIES, 5-13 April. Holiday workshops and events include Art of the Garden, Lotions and Potions, The Wiggly Wild Show, Passion for Plants and much more. Ages and prices vary, see website for details.

ROYAL GREENWICH TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL 13-16 April, ROYAL GREENWICH SE10, www.tallshipsevents.com/event/tall-ships-royal-greenwich-2017 An international fleet of around 40 tall ships will meet on the Thames at Greenwich for the Tall Ships Festival, the first event of the 2017 Tall Ships Regatta. Visitors can admire or even step aboard many beautiful tall ships from across the world while thousands of crew members meet before their transatlantic race to Canada. Maritime themed activities, music and fireworks will add to the festival, held in the presence of the world’s most famous Tea Clipper; Cutty Sark. The weekend culminates in a huge Parade of Sail at around 5pm on Easter Sunday, as the Tall Ships are joined by a number of smaller sailing vessels setting off past key London landmarks such as the 02 and the Thames Barrier en route for Canada.

WOODLANDS FARM TRUST 331 Shooters Hill, Welling, Kent DA16 3RP, 020 8319 8900, www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY, 11 April. Dress up join the celebrations by making fun hats and preparing food to start the party! 10.30am and 2pm, £4 per child, book first. MARVELLOUS MINIBEASTS, 12 April. Find out all about minibeasts using magnifying glasses, and join a craft session. 10am and 1pm start, £4 per child, book first.

KEW GARDENS Royal Botanic Gardens, KEW, Surrey TW9 3AB, www.kew.org Just 30 minutes from central London, Kew Gardens boasts landscapes, glasshouses, historic buildings and a vast range of rare and beautiful plants. MOOMIN ADVENTURE, 1-17 April. Experience the wonderful world of the Moomins this Easter. With the arrival of spring they will be coming out of hibernation and visiting the Gardens for all sorts of mischief and fun. Try and find them in and amongst Kew’ fascinating plants.

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WHERE’S WALLY FUN RUN

WILDLIFE GARDENING

TALL SHIPS AT GREENWICH

VANESSA BELL AT DULWICH GALLERY

A RT A CTI VITI ES 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. PICASSO’S PORTRAITS, until 23 April 2017. Picasso’s portraits epitomise the variety and innovation of his art. This major exhibition of over eighty works focuses on the artist’s portrayal of family, friends and lovers and reveals his creative processes as he moved freely between drawing from life, humorous caricature and expressive painting from memory. On display will be portraits from all periods of Picasso’s career and in all media, from the realist paintings of his boyhood to his later ultra-spontaneous canvases.

THE CONSERVATOIRE THE CONSERVATOIRE, 19-21 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RQ, 020 8852 0234, www.conservatoire.org.uk The Conservatoire is Blackheath’s local independent arts centre, offering a broad mix of music, art, drama and cultural classes for all ages. CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION, 19 March. This is a lovely chance to pop in and explore the work created on the various children’s art courses during the Spring term. Friends family and curious members of the public are all very welcome. 11am-1pm free.

RIBA ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS, 66 Portland Place, W1B 1AD, 020 7580 5533, www.architecture.com As part of a major new free exhibition ‘Mies van der Rohe & James Stirling: Circling the Square’ (8 March - 25 June), RIBA is organising a series of public events, including talks, curator tours, film screenings, courses and workshops. The children’s workshops are all led by teaching artists and RIBA architects and run from 11am-4pm. Unless shown they are priced at £40, or £25 for those eligible for free school meals. DESIGN QUEST: TRANSFORM THE CITY, 3 April. What should London be? You decide. Draw, print, animate and build the city of your dreams. Ages 5-7. DESIGN QUEST: POMO PARK, 3 April. Play around with different shapes, styles and colours to create a park for the people - in the sky! Ages 8-11. DESIGN DAY: LESS IS A BORE? 4 April. Dare to be different in this workshop all about breaking the rules. Ages 11-15. 5 April, 11-4pm. SKILL UP: SKYLINE ATELIER, 5 April. Explore, debate and deconstruct London’s skyline to create bold new building concepts. Ages 15-18. DESIGN DAY STUDIO: PLACE-MAKING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, 10-13 April. Tate Harmer (www.tateharmer.com) leads a four-day workshop looking at how new technologies and social media influence our built environment and how we design urban places for the future. Learn about place-making and the role of the architect in shaping urban spaces before making your own 1.50 scale city. 11am-4pm, ages 11-15, £200/ £175 (eligible for free school meals). SKILL UP STUDIO: SKYLINE STYLE WARS, 10-13 April. Mobile Studio (www.themobilestudio.co.uk) leads this fun and engaging four-day workshop designed to ‘skill up’ teenagers thinking about careers in architecture or design. Through a series of hands-on activities of various different scales and mediums, explore and debate the issues surrounding contemporary architecture set against historic London. Learn and practice new skills as we debate ideas of place, taste, style, planning and our sense of space. 11am-4pm, £200/ £175 (eligible for free school meals). FAMILY FUN DAY: CIRCLES AND SQUARES, 8 April. Circles and squares - they’re EVERYWHERE! Join this fun-filled day of workshops and events all about shaping up the city. Suitable for all ages. 10am5pm, Free (registration required).

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. THE LITTLE DRAW, 2 April. Free drop-in drawing workshop for all ages and abilities with artist Luisa Rivera, whose work draws on folk culture, history, and storytelling to create narratives. 1.30 - 4.30pm, all ages. PERFECT PORTRAITS, 5-7 and 10-12 April. Explore the portraits, learn about traditional techniques for painting people and then use the artworks in the collection to inspire your own creations. From Portrait Miniature badges to traditional silhouette drawing and mixand-match body books; you will be taking a fun and playful look at portraiture through the ages and creating our own masterpieces to take home. Free drop-in, 12.30 and 2pm.

GAME CHANGERS, 7 April - 7 May. Discover how traditional forms of chess, billiards and mazes continue to influence designers making exciting new games today. Running as an extension of Now Play This, Game Changers will provide an in-depth look at the creative process behind game design. 10am-6pm Monday, Tuesday and weekends, 11am-8pm Weds-Fridays, free. NOW PLAY THIS, 7-9 April. Three days of pervasive and interactive games for all, part of London Games Festival. 10am-8pm Friday and Saturday, 10am-6pm Sunday, adults from £15, children from £6.50, under 12s free.

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. MESSY MONDAYS, 3+10 April. Become a mini artist by exploring materials and mark making in a tactile environment inspired by a painting. Under 5s, 10.30am-1pm and 1.30-3pm, free drop in. HATCHING OUT, 4-6, 11-13 April. Become a botanical explorer and create your own mini-environments inspired by the natural worlds and symbols in paintings. Ages 2+, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm. INVESTIGATING PAINTINGS, 4+11 April. Bringing a painting to life through singing, talking and playing. For under 5s. 10.30am-1pm and 1.30-3pm.

Registered charity numbers 1153487 (England and Wales) SC046840 (Scotland)

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. VANESSA BELL, 8 February - 4 June. Widely acclaimed as a central figure of the Bloomsbury Group, the modernist painter, Vanessa Bell (1879-1961) was a pivotal player in 20th century British art, inventing a new language of visual expression. This first major exhibition of her work shows approximately 100 paintings, ceramics, fabrics and photographs arranged thematically to reveal her pioneering work in the genres of portraiture, still life and landscape. £14 adults, children free. PUPPET SHOW, 26 March. Drew Colby will tickle your giggle switch, conjuring up magical images and stories by using his hands to make delightful puppets. 10.30am and 1.30pm, ages 2-8, tickets £5. 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.

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.

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THE VELVETEEN RABBIT By Margery Williams Directed by Purni Morell

Ê‘TheÊchildrenÊsatÊentranced’ÊÊ Daily Mail

17 MAR – 15 APR For ages 5+

‘UtterlyÊgripping’ÊÊ The Guardian

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

A Unicorn Production