Families SE London NovDec 2017 issue 188

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FR EE

TAKE M E

South East

IN THIS ISSUE HERE COMES XMAS Top toys and countdown events

WIN Toys from Just Williams

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

Issue 188 Christmas 2017

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Well, the shops are certainly ready. Buckets of Quality Street, wrapping paper and turkey foil before we've even started Christmas shopping... and even hot cross buns (talk about forward planning).

Bring on the list making, cake baking, grotto booking, children being extra helpful because Santa might be looking, guestbed plumping, sibling taunting and sherry sipping season.

When it comes down to it of course, it's all about having your important people around you come 25 December. And so it will be - we wish our readers and advertisers a very happy and healthful festive season.

Robina Cowan, editor

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

NEWS FOR PARENTS

IN THIS ISSUE 2-3

Local News and Views Trees and cards that make a difference, a new bookshop just for children, and Christmas activities for children

4-5

Education News Following up on parents’ evenings, and local schools’ news

6-7

Family Health At last - a guaranteed solution to headlice, Anti-Bullying Week, little picky eaters and more

8

The Secret Life of 4 and 5 Year Olds We’ve all loved the Channel 4 series - find out what a psychologist from the show has to say about children’s first years at school

10

Top 10 Toys for Christmas Chosen by Vicky Brown, owner of two southeast London toyshops. Plus the chance to win some toys!

12

Christmas Countdown Ten great ideas to get the whole family into the festive mood (you know you want to...)

13

The Book Page Justine’s stockingful of book ideas for all your literary and gift requirements

14-19 What’s On Our pick of the best events, shows and workshops to see you up to and into the festive season Front cover: Girl wears fiery red Military Coat and black Princess Skirt, both from Angel’s Face, 01732 823 700, www.angels-face.co.uk New year issue out 12 January, deadline 9 December

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

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

@FamiliesSELon

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

2 Families South East

Yes. Kings Christmas Trees has been feeding homeless people since 2011. Weekly drop in meetings called The Feast provided 4,500 three course meals last year for rough sleepers and vulnerable individuals in southeast London.

It’s simple, buy your real Christmas Tree at a similar price to other retail outlets and all the profit goes to helping local homeless people throughout the year. Last year Kings Christmas Trees sold out of their Scottish supplied freshly cut Nordman Fir Trees and expect to do the same again in 2017.

Tree sizes range from 4ft to 8ft, prices start at £35 and home deliveries are available. For more details call 020 8690 5121 or order online. www.kingschristmastrees.org

Can Christmas cards help find a cure for brain tumours?

Well, they can certainly help. Pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research has taken an innovative approach to their range of Christmas cards this year, signing up supporter and artist, Caroline Copland, to design a new card for 2017.

Caroline, who sadly lost her mother Janet to a brain tumour three years ago, was inspired by the Christmas Hope Trees which decorate the charity’s Research Centres of Excellence across the UK each year. The Hope Tree cards will join other festive favourites in the charity’s range. All cards are priced at £4 per pack of ten, with at least 60% of the proceeds going towards supporting vital brain tumour research.

Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK focused on funding sustainable research to find a cure for brain tumours, which kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/christmas-cards

Family comedy and magic show

Families South East

Families London South East

Can Christmas trees feed the homeless?

You know that bit between Christmas and new year when everyone starts getting scratchy because you’ve all been cooped up in the house too long? Book a marvellous surprise that will blow their minds and have the whole family hooting with laughter.

Amigo’s Magic and Klassy Magic have joined forces to present two shows filled with mayhem comedy, eye-popping magic and plenty of audience participation. The fun will take place in the afternoon of 30 December at the Ivy House in Nunhead, tickets £8 children, £10 adults, £30 family of four - book first before they sell out. www.magicmindreadingandmayhem.co.uk

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Smallprint for small people Forest Hill now has a bookshop just for children - hurrah!

Smallprint Books is an enchanting children’s book shop stocking hand picked titles and art chosen to make brilliant gifts that adults may want for themselves. Set behind a dear little storefront, the surprisingly deep family-run shop offers captivating storytelling, awe-inspiring imagery from some seriously talented illustrators and artists, brilliant interactive books for babes and crafty masterpieces for the pre-schoolers. The best of the best from a range of small and independent publishers, all enjoyed and road-tested in the owners’ own home.

You’ll find Smallprint at 37 David’s Road SE23 3EP and online. www.smallprint-online.com

Making music with The Strings Club

Street party Still in Forest Hill, with Dartmouth Road’s smart new pavements finally nearing completion, a group of local traders are planning to close the road to traffic and put on a massive weekend ‘do’.

Scheduled for late February, Sugar Mountain sweetshop owner Pauline promises something for adults and families alike - a fabulous street party with an area for performances, DJ’s, music acts, food, stalls and independent store specials. Watch this space, or read more on the area’s local forum. www.se23.life

AC T I V IT I E S F O R C H ILDR EN Whippersnappers’ Winter Wonderland Every year Whippersnappers create an immersive theatrical Christmas experience for all the family at the beautiful College Lodge site in Dulwich Park.

Come and visit the elves’ woodland café with hot chocolate, mince pies and mulled wine and snuggle up in Santa’s sleigh. Visit the elves’ log cabin cinema and take your children into a magical yurt to brighten up your Christmas with a bit of African sunshine and musical extravaganza. Then into the house to meet Mrs Claus and decorate your very own gingerbread biscuits followed by face painting upstairs in the Victorian parlour plus of course, a VIP visit with Father Christmas.

This is a fundraising event helping to support Whippersnappers’ activities for children with disabilities. And it usually sells out fast! Here’s a sample from a happy visitor: “Visited today for the second year, it is the best, best, best grotto in London. It’s not loud, it’s not brash, it’s not cheap and tacky - it’s absolutely fantastic.”

The whole experience lasts around one hour and 15 minutes, tickets £22.50 children, £9 adults via online bookings. www.whippersnapperswinterwonderland.co.uk

Christmas is coming and musical instruments remain popular choices for special gifts under the tree. But where do you start when considering what to buy? And how do you make sure your child gets the most from their wonderful new gift? Amy, director at The Strings Club, an award-winning music education company, offers some great advice for anyone looking for an inspirational musical gift: 1. Choose an instrument to suit your child’s age. For children aged 4 or 5 we know from experience ukulele and violin are perfect because they are small and light.

2. Make sure it is the right size and good quality. Be careful when buying an instrument online. We’d recommend visiting your friendly local music shop to try out some instruments.

3. Don’t forget to accessorise. You will need things like a tuner, violin rosin, cases for ukulele/ guitar.

4. Support your child. Learn how to tune the instrument - this is a hard thing for children to master and will boost your listening pleasure!

5. Practice makes perfect! Weekly music lessons will help turn their new gift into an amazing skill for life.

The Strings Club’s spring term time classes start on 13 January, from 9.30am, and priced from only £15 per lesson. Have any questions about instruments and courses or want to book? Give The Strings Club a call on 0121 296 9204 or find out more online www.thestringsclub.org/termtime

Jingle Bells musical workshops Leave your little ones in capable, creative hands and nip off to your local shops to indulge in a little ‘you’ time just before Christmas! Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes’ fun filled music workshops are a perfect Christmas themed taster day for 4-8 year old beginner musicians. The children are introduced to the electronic keyboard and discover how to start reading and writing music. With art activities and games all based around music, they may not even want to come home in time for the big day! The dates are 21 December in Sydenham and 22 December in Herne Hill and Streatham, £40 / £35 per child includes equipment and a snack, book first. 01732 457 100. www.funkymonkey.info

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EDUCATION NEWS You may come away from a meeting and realise you’ve forgotten something or you don’t understand how the school is reporting on progress. Contact the school if you still have questions, or look on their website as you should find a wealth of information on there.

Explore Learning help you

make the most of your recent

parents’ evening So you’ve been to a meeting with your child’s teacher and you’ve got an overview of how your child is progressing. But what do you do next to help?

Discuss with your child the feedback from their teacher, they may already be aware of what they need to work on but if they don’t, talk about it. Set a goal together of something they would like to achieve based on their feedback and aim to complete this by the end of next term. Make a plan together about how they are going to get there.

For example: you’re told they give up every time they have to learn something new, especially times tables. The goal you come up with together is to have a can-do attitude. Steps to getting there could be taking a new set of tables and learning them in small batches.

Praise them for the ones they have got right alongside highlighting when they are being positive towards their learning so they know what kind of attitude is expected.

If you’ve set any goals with the teacher, plan a time to review these. Depending on how the teacher likes to work this could be an email, phone call or face to face catch up 6-8 weeks after the initial meeting. Review how things are going and make changes if needed.

Ask others for help, don’t worry if you don’t understand something or want to know what others are doing. Lots of people will be in the same position so talk to fellow parents for advice. Alternatively, there are some great advice websites like www.theschoolrun.co.uk and www.oxfordowl.co.uk, or if you have a tutor, talk to them. At Explore Learning our tutors always help parents when they need advice and will take into account your child’s recent reports and feedback when tailoring their learning. Never be afraid to ask, there is no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your child’s learning.

About Explore Learning - and free trials Explore Learning offers 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.

There are local centres in Lewisham, New Cross Gate, Sydenham, Abbey Wood, Brixton and Greenwich - all of which offer FREE trial and holiday sessions. Book a place by calling 030 3003 4006, or online. www.explorelearning.co.uk

We’re giving them the con dence to tackle the new school year fearlessly!

EducationInvestor

Awards 2016

4 Families South East

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EDUCATION NEWS

School transformed into operating theatre

A pavilion in the playground

In October, the Science Department at Bromley High School held its first Live Operating Theatre event for a selection of GCSE and A-level girls in the school. The unique opportunity allowed pupils to hone their surgical skills in a medical environment over the duration of a single day, which was hosted by Sam Piri from Operating Theatre Live, who also sits on the interview panel for medical students at The University of Manchester.

The event provided a fascinating insight into the medical world as students examined the carcass of a pig; participating in anaesthetics, organ removal, dissection and surgical stitching.

Year 12 pupil, Rebecca Seed commented: “The girls and I had so much fun despite being stinky at times and found it so interesting. This has definitely had a positive impact on our desire to study anatomy or medicine further”.

The whole day was funded by The Parents’ Association of Bromley High School and the Science department is indebted to them for their support.

Bromley High’s next open morning is 4 May 2018, and there are regular 4+, 7+ and Year 5 Taster Days throughout the year. Contact admissions@bro.gdst.net or call 020 8781 7066 to arrange a visit. www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net

The Dulwich Pavilion - a temporary events space built for Dulwich Picture Gallery’s Bicentenary year - is to find a new use when it becomes the focal point of Goose Green Primary School’s playground in East Dulwich next year.

One of the triumphs of the 2017 London Festival of Architecture, the pavilion formed the backdrop for a summer of artistic and cultural events, and became a popular destination where thousands of people came to relax and enjoy themselves during long summer evenings. The pavilion will be moved to storage until next summer when it will be rebuilt as a permanent outdoor space at Goose Green Primary School. Children and parents will be encouraged to have their say on how they would like the pavilion to be repurposed to provide a safe outdoor, waterproof play area and outdoor learning space.

Goose Green School is now raising funds for the reconstruction of the pavilion, working closely with the Rotherhithe-based architecture practice IF_DO, who will continue to act as design guardians for the newly reinstalled pavilion which is due for summer 2018. www.ifdo.co www.goosegreenprimaryschool.org

School children sell own-grown produce at Borough Market On 5 October, children from ten London primary schools set out their stalls to sell fruit and vegetables grown from seed at Borough Market’s Harvest Sale.

Pupils were taught the art of growing veg from seed by Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins, and Borough Market traders shared their selling secrets with the budding stallholders.

The Young Marketeers programme, run as a partnership with food education charity School Food Matters, is now in its sixth year at Borough Market. To date, 7,200 children from over 80 London schools have helped grow fruit and vegetables at their school to raise money for FareShare, providing 13,738 meals for vulnerable families across the capital.

Borough Market and School Food Matters are calling on the Government to support food-growing in every primary school and include gardening skills in the national curriculum; helping connect children to the food they eat and boosting both physical and mental health. www.boroughmarket.org.uk www.schoolfoodmatters.org

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FA M I LY

H E A LT H

The Hairforce lice assassins Ask any parent about head lice and their face immediately registers the pain and anguish these little blighters inflict. 50% of all 4-11 year olds now get head lice and not only is the number rising for this group, but the over 11s and under 4s are joining them in significant numbers too.

Local entrepreneurs, Sarah Marcou and Heather Leveton have arrived in southeast London and Bromley with every parents’ dream - a unique service that removes and completely shuts down head lice infestations - quickly, effectively, without a chemical in sight. It is 100% effective - and guaranteed.

The professionally trained ladies deliver a clearing process that is all about naturally killing and removing the problem. The lice are removed efficiently and effectively with a specialist lice hoover, and then using revolutionary technology from the University of Utah, they simply dehydrate the eggs - those persistent nits - without a chemical or pesticide in sight, using just controlled heated air. Finally, the eggs are combed and tweezered out, taking all the workload off the parent’s hands.

Two appointments, seven days apart and the infestation has been completely shut down. As Sarah and Heather say, “parents and children deserve effective support and not to be sold false hope in a bottle as we were for so many years.”

Featured on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies as ‘the lice experts’, The Hairforce guarantee to shut down any infestation quickly, effectively and in style. Simply call Sarah and Heather on 020 8249 7381 and book an appointment to put an end to your nightmare. www.thehairforce.co.uk READER OFFER: The Hairforce is offering Families readers a half price check during November and December at £16 instead of the usual £32: “Our check service is very thorough, we divide the hair into sections and then hoover and look through to find evidence of an infestation. If lice or eggs are discovered we can move to our full clear service, details of which can be found on our website. If nothing is found, it is a small price for peace of mind!” Offer expires on 21 December 2017. Quote ‘SE Families 2017’ when booking.

Now you see me Be safe and seen when out and about on dark evenings.

Hippychick’s buggi lights are bright forward and rear-facing lights. They attach in seconds - just a simple hook and loop will fit them to almost any sized bar; £14.99 per set in a variety of colours.

While you're there, check out the Buggy Buddy Lock too, as unfortunately expensive buggies have been known to go walkabout when their owners weren't looking. Easily secure your pushchair to fences or railings for £8.95. www.hippychick.com

Have patience with picky eaters Most toddlers go through bouts of picky eating, but infants with more inhibited personalities are more likely to turn up their nose at new foods, according to researchers.

In a study, researchers observed how infants responded to new foods and new toys throughout their first 18 months. The study found that infants who were wary of new toys also tended to be less accepting of new foods, suggesting early food attitudes stem from personality.

“From the time they’re very young, some infants are more ‘approaching’ and react positively to new things, whereas other infants are more ‘withdrawing’ and react negatively to the same stimuli,” said Kameron Moding from the University of Colarado, Denver and author of the paper. Her advice is to keep trying. Research from other labs has consistently shown that infants and children can learn to accept new foods if their caregivers continue to offer them. www.sciencedaily.com

6 Families South East

Comfymitt organic PJs When itchy eczema disrupts peaceful sleep, Cotton Comfort’s all in one pyjama suit comforts and protects damaged eczema skin, lessening the urge to scratch. Made from the softest 100% organic cotton, the pyjamas have smooth flat seams, double-layered fabric around the ankles and wrists, and integral mittens which stay on at night. Available in a variety of sizes to fit children from 6 months to around 11 years, priced from £26. www.eczemaclothing.com

All different, all equal Anti-Bullying Week runs from 13 to 17 November this year and the theme, ‘All Different, All Equal’ aims to promote difference and equality in schools.

The idea is to help children and young people celebrate what makes them, and others, unique and help them understand why it’s important that every child feels included at school and able to be themselves without fear of bullying.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance will be supporting schools with a range of free activities to help them take action to prevent bullying and create safe environments for their pupils.

Anti-Bullying Week will also see the ‘Power for Good’ award made to teachers, school support staff and youth workers who go beyond the call of duty to help children with issues such as bullying, relationships, family life and mental health. www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

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REGISTER FOR WEAR A HAT DAY 2018

Register for Wear A Hat Day 2018 and start planning your event!

Wear A Hat Day is the UK’s premier brain tumour research fundraising event.

It takes place on Thursday 29th March 2018. March is also UK Brain Tumour Awareness Month. Schools and families across the country get involved to help raise funds for research into brain tumors’.

Brain tumors kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer… yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Families are being left devastated by his dreadful disease. This is unacceptable!

Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK that is purely dedicated to raising funds for continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours.

Taking part can be as simple as putting on a hat and donating on the day, but most families like to create entertaining fundraising events. Many schools for example have inventive hat competitions, parades and fashion shows and raise hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

On average, organisations raise £250, with small ones £50 and some raising more than £2,000! Whatever target you set yourselves aim to smash it!!

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More information, event ideas and fundraising tips can be found online: www.wearahatday.org.

Register now on www.wearahatday.org and start planning your hattastic fundraising event.

Your fundraising pack will be sent out in early 2018 and will include leaflets, posters, balloons, wristbands and badges to help promote your event and smash your fundraising target!

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FA M I LY

L I F E

The Secret Life of 4 and 5 Year Olds Most parents and carers wish they could be a fly-on-the-wall when their child starts school. Well, Channel 4’s Secret Life of 4 and 5 year Olds which returns this November, allows them to do just that. Filmed in a specially rigged Essex school, the new series aims to give viewers a child’s perspective of their transition to a school setting.

Claire Winter talks to Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, a psychologist from the show, about what she learnt whilst filming the series.

Can you tell us more about the series?

“It offers this wonderful window, through which we can watch the children playing and interacting with each other. We give them lots of things to do, to see how they manage and play.

It’s an amazing way of showing viewers what their children are actually doing at school.”

How did the children cope with the transition to school?

“Parents’ main worry is generally ‘will my child be all right?’ and some children are very anxious. A great example is that wonderful picture of Prince George looking a bit worried on his first day of school. What I can now confidently tell parents and carers is that their children are absolutely fine, once they are gone. They are doing lots of interesting things and coping brilliantly.”

Not all children cope with the transition so well, what advice would you give to them?

“Take a calm, pragmatic approach. Essentially children tend to be worried about what they think might happen. In reality, they are going to be fine, but they just don’t know that yet. Be

8 Families South East

confident and reassure your child that everything will be okay. Children are inherently social beings. They are curious and want to interact with people so even timid children will find something that sparks their imagination. Remember, the school setting is designed to engage them. It’s getting them to go in which is the tough bit. Once they are there they’ll be fine.”

What advice can you give parents whose children haven’t started school yet?

“Children need to develop communications skills, get used to talking and relating to others and playing cooperatively. All of these social abilities will be vital later in life. Encourage lots of play with other children and get them to question how things work because natural curiosity is the main driver for learning.”

How can children deal with friendship issues, if they have fallen out with someone?

“It’s very tempting as a parent to want to fix this problem, but children fall in and out of friendships hundreds of times a day and can usually sort issues out themselves.

If the problem is more complicated and you think there is unkind behaviour or bullying, then an adult might need to step in. But on the whole, conflict, when you are learning to be social is perfectly normal. Ask your child, “Is there any thing you can do to sort the situation out?” Try and help them understand the other child’s perspective. As parents, we often overcomplicate issues. We can learn a lot from children, particularly the way they are so open and forgiving.”

How can we deal with the issue of gender with young children?

“I feel that gender isn’t particularly a driving

force for children this age. They do make assumptions about children but they are happy for them to be corrected and they play on a much more straightforward basis. Gender becomes a much bigger issue for children towards the end of primary school. It’s important to encourage them to keep an open mind and understand that children of all ages and genders need the same opportunities because that is what is important for their development. Brains are not gendered, brains allow our children to learn.”

What can you do if a child is exhibiting OCD type behaviour?

“Anxiety needs a non-emotional response and a calm authority can be incredibly helpful. It’s tempting to offer support to someone who is suffering by saying, “isn’t this terrible,” but this reinforces the idea that there is something to be scared of. Parents shouldn’t try to neutralise the anxiety or reinforce it; it is best to carry on, with a business as usual approach.

If you are concerned or the behaviour is continuing over a long period of time and in more than one setting, get some advice from your school, GP or Health Visitor.”

What was the most interesting insight you gained from watching the children?

“I learnt that children of this age are hilarious and multi-layered. They are not that different from adults. They have amazingly rich social lives. They test hypotheses, ask questions, fail and then carry on. They are resilient and incredibly complicated, just like we are.”

The Secret Life of 4 and 5 Year Olds will be aired on Channel 4 in November. www.channel4.com/programmes/thesecret-life-of-4-5-and-6-year-olds

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just williams’

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

10 most wanted Christmas gifts

1The Great British Sewing Bee Sewing Studio

7Lottie Stargazer

Just Williams is a family run toy shop with stores in East Dulwich and Beckenham.

Who better to ask what children are crossing their fingers for this Christmas? Here are owner Vicky Brown’s top picks:

A great sewing machine with foot pedal control, finger safety guard, two speed settings, upper and lower thread, mains plug - everything you would expect. The set also includes scissors, measuring tape, two spare machine needles, a sewing needle and needle threader, two metal bobbins, two thread reels, 20 headed pins, a pattern to make a clutch bag and assortment of fabrics to get you started. Age 6+, £45.

Nitro - MotoFury Rapid 2Nerf Rally

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1

Blast into motorized, rapid-fire stunt challenges with the Nerf Nitro MotoFury Rapid Rally set.

Power up the blaster’s motor, take aim, and unleash the cars into fast-firing action. The set comes with nine foam cars including three that are special to this set, obstacles, ramps, and a clip that holds up to nine cars. Age 5+, £49.99.

8Toilet Trouble Game

2

A hilarious and suspense filled game where players take turns spinning the toilet roll, flushing the toilet and hoping they don’t get sprayed with water to stay in the game. Age 4+, £17.99.

3Magformers - My First 30 Set

3

A perfect first construction set, easy to use as the magnets always attract, making construction for young hands simple and fun.

Includes construction ideas and colour and shape matching activities. 18months +, £32.99.

Hawk RC Quadcopter 4JSF Drone

This Quadcopter brings you high speed flying, astonishing aerial photography (0.3MP HD camera), superior technical features, amazing acrobatics (including a 360 degree flip), high precision manoeuvres, superbly stable flights and much more. Ages 5+, £49.99.

5

Thinking Putty - Mixed By Me Kit Create your own custom-coloured Thinking Putty with the Mixed by Me Kits. Each kit includes everything you’ll need to make and name five cool Thinking Putty colours that are all your own. Ages 8+, £19.99.

6

Deluxe Mini Micro Microscooters The Deluxe version now has an adjustable handlebar allowing the scooter to grow with your child. An anodised stem, anti slip silicone footplate and superior rear brake all combine to make this the scooter for every pre-schooler.

Age 2-5yrs, comes in a variety of colours, £79.99.

5

10 Families South East

This Special Edition Gold Collection ‘Stargazer’ Lottie doll was designed by a six-year-old in collaboration with the European Space Agency.

As with all Lottie dolls she is based on the proportions of a nine year-old-child, dressed in comfortable clothes and tactile fabrics. If she is lucky she just might see a shooting star!

Includes solar system collector cards and a factsheet of notable women in astronomy. Ages 3+, £21.99.

8

9Giant Giraffe

Over four feet tall, Melissa & Doug’s gentle giant brings a touch of safari magic into any environment. Attention to authentic details and excellent quality construction make this giraffe easy to love and look up to for many years.

Age 3+, £69.99.

10Slither Bendable Plush

The 8” bendable, squishy plush toys are cute, cuddly and loaded with personality. There are eight Slithers to collect, featuring fan-favourite colours from the hit web-based Slither.io game.

Ages 3+, £9.99.

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Where to buy

10

Just Williams has everything your 0-12 year-old could desire, from dolls and soft toys to construction and science sets, fancy dress kits, action figures, stationery and art supplies, collectible figurines, gadgets, puzzles and scooters.

The shops are open daily at 106 Grove Vale, East Dulwich SE22, 020 8299 3444, and 226 High Street, Beckenham, 020 8663 6334. www.justwilliamstoys.com

WIN WIN WIN Just Williams have two much-wanted prizes up for grabs: • 1 x Nerf Moto fury Rapid Rally and a 6 pack refill of cars worth £60, and • 1 x Slither Bundle of the cute collectables from the squishy to the plush (a selection from all types the shop has) worth £60.

Simply enter the draw online - and good luck!

The winner will be announced and contacted on Friday 8 December. www.justwilliamstoys.com

6

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Mon 4 – Sun 31 Dec 2017

Book Online thealbany.org.uk Box Office 020 8692 4446

Festive Treat

Illustration: Jessica Knight

Families nov / dec 2017.qxp_Layout 1 30/10/2017 5:15 pm Page 11

Ages 3+

The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG

b ec k e nham - ea st dulw i ch

CELEBRATE

CHRISTMAS with Campbell Books

The perfect Christmas books for babies & toddlers www.campbell-books.com

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ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

The countdown starts here

By Claire Winter and Robina Cowan

Every day we get closer to Christmas the children (and adults) get a little bit more excited.

Here are ten great ideas to get the whole family into the festive mood.

1

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a festive show, and with The Nutcracker at Blackheath Halls, Cinderella at Greenwich Theatre, Ugly Duckling at the Albany, Santa Claus and the Night Before Christmas at The Broadway Theatre in Catford, and Snow White at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre, you won’t have to travel far to enjoy the fun. Alternatively, take the short trip to town and you’re in the sparkly West End, where you can treat your family to see The Gruffalo’s Child, The Snowman, Pinocchio, Slava’s Snowshow or The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show - see our What’s On listings for details.

2

Go ice-skating. It’s magical with hot chocolate at the beautiful ice rink at Somerset House on the Strand, and there are also pop-up rinks at Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, Natural History Museum, Alexandra Palace, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Hampton Court, which are open right through till the new year.

3

Bake with the kids. The smell of baking, ginger and cinnamon immediately evokes the scent of Christmas. Start with festive gingerbread men and if you’re feeling ambitious, bake biscuits to construct a gingerbread house too. (You can also cheat and buy a readymade set from supermarkets like Asda, Aldi and Lidl).

4

Make reindeer food. Generate excitement about the arrival of Father Christmas and his reindeer by making special food for Rudolf and friends. You can pre-make it and have it ready to sprinkle on the lawn or hallway on Christmas Eve, so Santa and his friends know where to go! Mix oats with edible glitter (don’t use normal glitter as it could be harmful to

animals) and cake sprinkles and then pop the mixture in a suitable bag. You can also get the children to design their own festive labels and give the bags to family and friends at school.

5

Visit a Christmas market. Many cities and towns across the UK now have wonderful choice of markets, where you can buy a vast array of gifts, drink mulled wine and soak up the festive atmosphere. Greenwich Market at Christmas is decked out with glitzy lights, festive goodies from over 100 stalls, and a magical Santa’s Grotto. The South Bank Winter Market is now an established fixture with its traditional wooden chalets along the banks of the Thames; there’s a market in front of the Tate Modern, at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, and closer to home, Winterville on Clapham Common.

6

Oooh and ahh at the Christmas lights.

Oxford Street stores are partnering with the NSPCC this year with glittering gold and silver baubles mixed with thousands of magical stars; Regent Street’s lights have over 300,000 lights and 16 magnificent spirits; also see the lights along the South Bank, in Covent Garden and Bond Street. Stately homes and gardens light up with festive brilliance across the country. Christmas at Kew has its annual show, where the garden is illuminated by a million twinkling lights along a mile-long trail; Chiswick House Gardens are hosting a Magical Lantern Festival. For the biggest festively dressed tree, standing at over 20 metres high, head to Trafalgar Square, home to an annual gift from Norway since 1947.

7

decorations out and have fun making your home all Christmassy. Collect greenery from the garden or your local flower stall; real holly and ivy looks great draped over a mantelpiece or around a doorframe.

Children love making their own decorations - card, glue and glitter is all you need.

8

Help others. Buy a lovely tree from King’s Christmas Trees and help feed a Lewisham homeless person. Find out what your local food bank or church is asking for at Christmas time. Maybe they are collecting stocking fillers for children or need extra festive food. Get your children to think of someone locally who might like a visit or some extra help during the Christmas period.

9

Watch a Christmas film. Snuggling up with a hot cocoa and watching a festive classic can be just what the doctor ordered after a hectic day of Christmas shopping. It’s a Wonderful Life, The Polar Express, Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone and Frozen are reliable crowd-pleasers.

10

Tell us about it!

Join in the Christmas fun and share your Christmas moments with familiesonline.co.uk Families on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #FamiliesMagsFestiveFun.

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Deck the Halls. Put on some Christmas tunes and decorate the house as a family. Get all the

HHHHH ‘Everything good children’s theatre should be’ The List

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The Gruffalo’s Child © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2004 – Macmillan Children’s Books

ADAPTED FROM JULIA DONALDSON AND AXEL SCHEFFLER’S AWARD-WINNING PICTURE BOOK

Give homeless people a gift this Christmas!

Freshly-cut Nordmann trees starting at £35.

Collect locally or pay extra for home delivery.

Helping local homeless people through the Jericho Road Project.

Order at kingschristmastrees.org or call 020 8690 5121

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The Bookseller Crow

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

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.

So there I am on an unassuming street for an assignation that finds me furtively hauling books out of the boot of my car. At the appointed hour, my acquaintance darts out of her MPV and quickly flicks through each title, often checking over her shoulder to make sure no small humans are watching. This is no ordinary encounter. This is serious emergency last minute gift supply. A little light present dealing if you will. Just call me the book peddler. For all your literary and gift requirements.

THE MODERN COOK’S YEAR by Anna Jones Fourth Estate rrp £26. And because Trasha is away at the Witch Fame Academy studying modules in Perfect Eyeliner Flicks, Smoke-ring Blowing & Rocky Horror Script Analysis, I’ve had to be my own book doctor and send off all sorts to keep her happy. Not this however because it will break the postman’s back. Though it is an absolutely fantastic tome for those of a discerning palate, who prefer their vegetables desirable. Bad luck Trasha.

LITTLE BOOK OF BUILDING FIRES by Sally Coulthard - Head of Zeus rrp £10. But as she limbers up for her weekly flame-eating class, I admit that smoke is in the genes. I’ll never forget catching my dad, ever the educating grandpa, handing her little brother a box of Swan Vestas and saying: “I’ll show you how to light a bonfire.” Surely, he reasoned, once I’d confiscated his three-year-old grandson, a child should learn to do it properly? This from a man who once set a whole box of New Year’s Eve fireworks off in one go because he threw the match away after sneaking a celebratory midnight cigar. After resolving to give up smoking. He doesn’t need this book, obviously.

MINDFUL PREGNANCY & BIRTH by Riga Forbes Leaping Hare rrp £ 8.99. I spent three Christmasses fully rounded and as taut as a plum pudding in cling-film wondering what the slippers from Santa actually looked like on my feet. To this day I can recall wistfully sniffing the fumes off the trifle, longing for normality and at least one full hour without reflux. This takes a spiritual view of the whole shebang and counsels relaxation and empowerment through meditation and our old friend mindfulness. So it’s perfect to give to the frustrated mum-to-be beached on a sofa near you for most of Boxing Day. Place a glacé cherry on top for the full effect.

THE BABY DETECTIVE by Sarah Norris - Orion rrp £14.99. Baby charmer to the stars, Norris shares her

no doubt expensive wisdom with us normal folk, getting new parents to crack the myriad mysteries of the creature nature has kindly bestowed upon them with barely an IKEA diagram, let alone set of instructions.

BUSY LONDON by Marion Billet - Campbell £5.99.

I love this series, not least because it features Busy Bookshop alongside Busy Farm, Zoo and Airport. I mean, what better way to encourage your toddler to understand the difference between a library and, um, my stock. With lots of familiar sights to name - in this particular case double-deckers, post boxes, Big Ben - these useful board-books are not so precious that they can’t be chewed or chucked. Once paid for.

Thankyou. For a pukka seasonal feel, other titles include Busy Nativity and Nutcracker, as well as Busy Santa (well, you’d hope so eh?).

MORRIS WANTS MORE by Joshua Seigal & Amélie Falière - Flying Eye Books rrp £9.99.

Ah, revenge is sweet. Morris is an ungrateful little tyke for whom one present is not enough. We’ve all been there. Slogged our souls out to get it just right, only to have the small hurtful human scowl and kick the discarded wrap. Or worse, to silently regard the carefully purchased item and then go straight back to their Nintendo. To my sister, Aunty Biff, I have three words: man bun Ken. PARROTS DON’T LIVE IN THE CITY! by Lucy Reynolds & Jenna Herman - Doodles & Scribbles rrp £7.99. There’s a nice London vibe to this breezy distraction that features a special surprise right at the end. But for now, peeking through the trees, the idea is to spot our green-feathered interlopers on every leafy page.

MOPOKE by Philip Bunting - Scholastic rrp £6.99.

Lowpoke. Poshpoke. Poorpoke. Snowpoke.

Crowpoke! Irresistible picture book. My favourite of 2017.

SPY DAD by Jukka Laajarinne & Timo Manttari - Pikku rrp £7.99. There’s a snowy finale to this trendy picture book full of high speed retro references that gives the reader the sensation of viewing the excitement of unexpected parental espionage as if their 3-D glasses had been erroneously omitted during the process. If you see what I mean.

THE LOST WORDS by Robert MacFarlane & Jackie Morris rrp £20. This doesn’t know what it is. Glorious giant picture book? Poetry? Natural history journal?

But it doesn’t matter in the slightest. It just is.

THE SNOW ANGEL by Lauren St John & Catherine Hyde - Head of Zeus rrp £10.99. Another exquisite looking book which I’m awarding a shameless extra plug because when I punted this extraordinarily rich novel for older children last month, I told you the e-price and not the old fashioned analogue rrp though who on earth would want to read something as exquisite as this on something as mundane as screen?

AN ALMOST PERFECT CHRISTMAS by Nina Stibbe - Penguin rrp £9.99. From the author of Dear Nina, which was adapted for telly starring Helena Bonham Carter (it’s a toss-up between her and Catherine Zeta Jones to play me in the biopic), we have a blow-by-blow account of every chaotic episode in a Midlands middle-class Christmas. She achieves frighteningly familiar territory and recently a customer bought Stibbe’s novel, Paradise lodge, saying she always gives it to friends in hospital to make them laugh. Indeed, I posted a copy of to my cousin while she was having chemotherapy. Surely there can be no finer compliment to a writer.

TONICS & TEAS by Rachel de Thample - rrp £9.99.

I did send this to Trasha - a delightful spell book of ideas for transforming turmeric root or even nettles into something drinkable that’ll get her fellow Magentas digging out their lab coats, fishnets and funnels. Personally I’d add a slosh of vodka to every recipe but don’t tell.

NEW YORK COCKTAILS by Amanda Schuster Cider Mill rrp £14.99. I am beguiled by the idea of a tipple called A Screen Door Slam or the Sharpie Mustache but sister and I make do with Negronis on the 32nd floor of the Shard as festive seasonal treat.

Hey Manhattan, we got skyscrapers here too you know. Mindyou, we almost got busted on the dress code - luckily Biff had a back strap to her Vivienne Westwood sandals otherwise the bouncer would have barred her on the no flip-flops rule. I meanwhile dodged the style police in my Debenhams jeggings by keeping my overcoat on (I think you can guess which of us doesn’t peddle books for a living). I was very hot and a chunk of pointy ice kept entering my nostril every time I tilted the fancy glass but it was fun pretending I do this kind of thing all the time. Perched up there among the sparkly party outfits, the Shard was like a gigantic Christmas tree and I was the Poundland fairy.

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

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Children’s events Nov-Dec 2017

ALADDIN SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER 11.30am & 3pm

SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER 3.15pm Tickets £8.50

WHIPPERSNAPPERSWINTERWONDERLAND CO UK

Tickets £8 adults | £5 under 16s

THE NUTCRACKER SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 1.30pm & 3.45pm Tickets £14 adults | £10 children

17-19 Blackwater Street East Dulwich SE22 8SD

Box office 020 8463 0100 facebook.com/ Blackheathhalls blackheathhalls.com facebook.com/ @blackheathhalls Blackheathhalls

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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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MINDFUL MUMS

BABY TO TODDLER SHOW

What’sOn

MORE

ONLINE familiesonline.co.uk

D I AR Y DAT E S FO R G RO WNUPS BABY TO TODDLER SHOW

BLACKHEATH CHRISTMAS FAIR

18 +19 November, EXCEL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway EC16 1XL, www.babytotoddlerevents.co.uk Good news as Baby to Toddler, the shopping event for modern parents of children aged 0 to 4 returns for a second year. The two day shopping event has partnered with Peppermint, giving visitors access to exclusive offers and deals from some of the biggest brands and names you know and trust.

A natural progression from the hugely popular Baby Show with a greater focus on toddlers and preschool children (but not forgetting babies too!), guests will also receive a free book worth up to £4.99 by Campbell Books upon arriving, whilst stocks last.

The Kids Zone makes a return, to keep little ones entertained, and the MAM Feeding Area has everything needed to feed the attending tots, including bottle warmers, microwaves, bibs and more. Open 10am-5pm each day, tickets £12 on the door, under 16s free.

READER OFFER: Save over 40% on admission by pre-booking online with the code FAMILIESSE.

19 November, BLACKHEATH HALLS, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RQ, 020 8318 9758, www.blackheathhalls.com Presented by stallholders from near and far, the fair features superb ceramics, jewellery, elegant clothes, gourmet food and drink, sumptuous fabrics, children’s games, plants and flowers, gifts for dogs, original artwork, homeware, Christmas decorations and cards. There will also be the chance to win a hamper.

10.30am-4.45pm, under 16s free, adults £2.

MINDFUL MUMS COURSES

25 November, BACON’S COLLEGE, Timber Pond Road SE16 6AT, www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Nearly new children’s clothes, toys, walkers, high chairs, stair gates, pushchairs, refreshments and lots more. 1pm start, entry £2 on the door, children free.

From 7 November in DEPTFORD, from 10 November in CROFTON PARK, 07850 639 818, www.mindfulmums.org.uk Mindful Mums’ free five-week courses are for pregnant women and new mothers with children aged up to one year, who live in the borough of Lewisham. Learn tips and techniques to look after yourself and build resilience to handle the stresses and anxieties of being a mum. Build confidence while making new friends with other pregnant women and new mums. A different topic is covered each week, the courses are run by trained volunteers and include pre-bookable creche facilities. Book first.

FAMILY CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT 18 November, St BARNABAS PARISH HALL, 23 Dulwich Village SE21 7BT, www.dulwichmusicfestival.co.uk Join Lorraine Liyanage for a recital of harpsichord music and storytelling. This is a family classical music concert - babies and children of all ages welcome. 10.30am, adults from £10, children free.

FAMILY MAGIC

WHIPPERSNAPPERS GROTTO

BEING A MAN 24-26 November, SOUTHBANK CENTRE, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX, 0844 847 9944, www.southbankcentre.co.uk What makes, and unmakes, a man? Southbank Centre’s BAM festival returns, exploring the changing nature of masculinity in a weekend of vibrant talks, debates, comedy, performances, interactive workshops and free events including a Build a Dad session with the Lego group.

MUM2MUM CHILDREN’S MARKET

BABY AND CHILDREN’S MARKET NEARLY NEW SALE 25 November, St BARNABAS PARISH HALL, 23 Dulwich Village SE21 7BT, 0780 957 1989, www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk Lots of stalls bursting with top quality like new and new baby & children’s items from birth to 8 years. Plus a small selection of unique businesses in the baby & children’s industry showcasing and selling their products & services. 1-3pm, entry £2, children free.

PIZZA AND PROSECCO FESTIVAL 25-26 November, Building Six, The 02, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX, www.fatsoma.com/pizza--prosecco-festival/8rilov81/pizza-prosecco-festival-london What better way to enjoy bubbles than with a fresh slice of piping hot pizza straight from the oven? Enjoy a ‘grown-ups only’ day out at London’s Pizza & Prosecco Festival, featuring a range of London pizza traders and chilled music. 2pm Saturday - 1am Sunday, over 18s only, tickets from £10.

BIG XMAS DISCO BALL 9 December, BLACKHEATH HALLS, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RQ, 0796 716 3247, www.haventstoppeddancingyet.co.uk HSDY’s hugely popular Disco Ball takes features hula-hooping vinyl DJ Da’Lynne playing 70s and 80s soul, funk and disco classics, dance line-ups to get everyone into the groove, free retro sweets and ice pops & glitter face-painting. Perfect for a birthday celebration, or Xmas get together for friends or colleagues.

7.30pm - midnight, tickets £15 in advance, £18 on the door.

FE ST IVE E VE NT S GREENWICH MARKET GREENWICH MARKET, 5b Greenwich Market, Greenwich, London, SE10 9HZ, 020 8269 096, www.greenwichmarketlondon.com GREENWICH CHILDREN’S LANTERN PROCESSION, 22 November. The Christmas festivities at Greenwich Market begin with the local school children’s lantern procession and the switching on of the new Christmas sparkly lights. The parade will start at 4pm at Discover Greenwich ORNC, led by a jazz band from Trinity Laban, and walk through the grounds, into Cutty Sark

Gardens and into the Market at 5pm for the big Christmas Lights On. Characters from this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, will switch on the lights. Afterwards Stagecoach Blackheath will put on a Christmas Show. Children can meet up with Father Christmas in his Greenwich Grotto.

CHRISTMAS GROTTO, 13-24 December. Visit Father Christmas in his Greenwich market grotto this Christmas. His funny elf will treat the children to lots of magic fun while they wait their turn to talk to Santa and collect their Christmas gift bag. 12.30-5.50pm daily, raising funds for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice.

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LOVE WEST DULWICH CHRISTMAS FAIR

CHRISTMAS BY THE RIVER

THE NUTCRACKER

MoreWhat’sOn GREENWICH WINTER TIME FESTIVAL 1-31 December, OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9NN, 0871 220 0260, www.greenwichwintertime.com Embracing the heart-warming traditions of the season, this new winter festival is set to give visitors a truly unforgettable experience. The Mirror Stage will host a line up of live performers, DJs and choirs covering all genres; watch The Snowman film on a huge screen; visit Father Christmas in a magical launch pad.

Munch on artisan street food, shop for seasonal treats and take to the ice rink with its musical backdrop composed by students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire. Pre-booked timed tickets £8 children, from £15 adults.

LOVE WEST DULWICH CHRISTMAS FAIR 25 November, in and around WEST DULWICH SE21, www.facebook.com/lovewestdulwich/ Businesses, shops and community groups from Park Hall Road, Croxted Road and Rosendale Road join together in a festive fun day for all the family. There will be special instore activities, craft workshops, a market of arts, crafts and food stalls, seasonal refreshments and live street entertainment. 11am-4pm.

HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND 17 November - 1 January, HYDE PARK W2 2UH, www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com If you fancy getting the whole family into the festive spirit then look no further than Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. Packed full of fairground rides, ice skating rinks, Zippos Christmas circus, Cirque Beserk, the Sooty Christmas show, grottos and deliciously festive food. Admission free.

XMAS FAMILY COMEDY MAGIC SHOW 30 December, THE IVY HOUSE, 40 Stuart Road, Nunhead SE15 3BE, 020 8480 8176, www.magicmindreadingandmayhem.co.uk Magic before your very eyes, Mayhem, comedy, one lucky person to have their stress removed and lots of audience participation.

Klassy Magic & Amigo’s Magic provide great family entertainment in two shows, with a free Bunny Copter to all those attending.

1-3pm and 4-6pm, tickets £8 children, £10 adults, £30 family of four, book first.

WINTERVILLE 23 November - 1 December, CLAPHAM COMMON SW4 9DE, 020 7223 9837, www.winterville.co.uk Visit south London’s beautiful Christmas town which promises an entirely different festive experience. Glide across the outdoor ice rink, enjoy the unique Roller Disco and munch on streetfood. For children, there are fairground rides, a live adaptation of Mimi & The Snow Dragon from War Horse creator Michael Morpugo, a family rave-up with Big Fish Little Fish, the World Beyond the Wardrobe immersive experience from A Tea Dance For Little People, plus the chance to meet Father Christmas in his workshop.

EAST DULWICH CHRISTMAS CRACKER 2 December, LORDSHIP LANE and beyond, SE22, www.facebook.com/eastdulwichchristmascracker Dulwich Festival presents a free event filled with sparkling family entertainment, food, music, carol singing and gifts from the local independent traders. 11am-5pm.

16 Families South East

CHRISTMAS BY THE RIVER 30 November - 3 January, The Queen’s Walk to the Scoop at More London, LONDON BRIDGE CITY SE1 2DB, www.londonbridgecity.co.uk With stunning views of Tower Bridge, The Tower of London and the iconic City skyline, Christmas by the River is the perfect setting for the market which boasts 68 twinkling wooden chalet stalls selling boutique gifts, food and drink. Throughout December, live music and a wide range of craft workshops will make sure you’re ready for the holiday season.

WINTERTIME AT SOUTHBANK CENTRE 10 November - 4 January, SOUTHBANK SE1 8XX, 0844 847 9944, www.southbankcentre.co.uk Enter a Nordic Wonderland for Wintertime with a feast of offerings capturing the magic of winter. The ever-popular Wintertime Market will see alpine chalets lined across Queen’s Walk offering the very best in global street food, artisan gifts and more. Festive fun and entertainment will be in abundance including the return of the multi award-winning international clowning sensation Slava’s Snowshow; and the spectacular A Vintage New Year’s Eve created by HemingwayDesign. There will be array of free events to get everyone involved from dances to music performances and a jubilant programme of choirs and classical music including the chance to join a carol singalong with the magnificent Royal Festival Hall organ.

CHRISTMAS AT KEW 22 November - 1 January, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, Kew, Surrey TW9 3AB, www.kew.org Enter an enchanted wonderland where an illuminated trail features over a million twinkling lights, snowflakes and stars. The trail will feature unique artists’ installations, a glowing Sledge Tree constructed from over 360 wooden Santa’s sledges, a chorus of singing trees, a warm Fire Garden and of course, Santa and his elves. Pause for roasted chestnuts, toasted marshmallows and other tasty offerings on your way to the Palm House finale where laser beams and kaleidoscopic projections light the pond and glasshouse. Open from 5pm, tickets from £10 children, £16 adults, £48 families.

CINDERELLA

ENCHANTED ELTHAM PALACE 15-23 December, ELTHAM PALACE, Court Yard, Eltham SE9 5QE, www.english-heritage.org.uk/enchanted Join with friends and family to explore the grounds of Eltham Palace after dark amid a winter fairy-tale of light, colour and sound.

Strings of lanterns laced through the boughs of trees and fairy lights twinkling behind leaves will lead you along an enchanting garden trail into a magical wonderland. There will be plenty to enjoy besides - from mince pies and mulled wine, to Christmas shopping at the heritage-inspired shop. 4.30-9pm, adults £12, children £7.50, families £31.50.

MAGICAL LANTERN FESTIVAL 24 November - 1 January, CHISWICK HOUSE GARDENS, Dukes Avenue Gate, W4 2RP, www.chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/event/magic-lanternfestival Chiswick House Gardens will see its picturesque, 65 acres packed with hundreds of handmade, illuminated silk installations, magical grottos, rides and Christmas Markets. Admission from £10, under 3s free.

WWT WINTER WEEKEND 2-3 December, WWT LONDON WETLANDS CENTRE, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT, 020 8409 4400, www.wwt.org.uk/london Get into the festive mood at the Wetland Centre’s wonderful winter weekend. Children will be thrilled to hop aboard for a husky sleigh ride and visit Santa in his magical grotto. Head over to their northern pine forest; Father Christmas will be ready to welcome families in his cosy grotto among the trees (tickets to see Santa must be pre-booked). £8 per child including a goody bag.

WHIPPERSNAPPERS’ WINTER WONDERLAND 2-24 December, Dulwich College Lodge, Old College Gate, College Road, DULWICH PARK SE21 7BQ, 020 8693 1682 or 020 7738 6633 www.whippersnapperswinterwonderland.co.uk Visit Santa’s Grotto in Dulwich Park, where Santa’s elves greet visitors with festive refreshments ahead of a trip through a Wyld Woodland filled with music and fun, gingerbread decorating, a Christmas tree fairy, sing-alongs and tree decoration workshops.

The journey leads to Santa’s grotto where children can hang their Christmas wishes on his tree, meet the big man in red for some words of wisdom and a magical present to take home, before visiting the arts and crafts/ toy shop to collect their finished tree decorations and a keepsake photograph.

Father Christmas and his elves will be helping Whippersnappers raise money to support their work at the Lodge delivering activities for children with disabilities. Children £22.50 includes photo, adults £9, book first.

T H EAT R E SHO WS BLACKHEATH HALLS

CANADA WATER SPACE

23 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RQ, 020 8318 9758, www.blackheathhalls.com ALADDIN, 18 November. This colourful tale from the Arabian Nights is set in the Middle East: a place of mystery, enchantment and strange, mythical creatures. Large scale contemporary Shadow Puppet theatre tells of a poor street boy who falls hopelessly in love with a Royal Princess. What magic would he need just to see her again? Follow Aladdin’s wild and dangerous adventures as he gets caught up in excitement way beyond his control. 11.30am and 3pm, ages 4+, tickets £8.50.

THE NUTCRACKER, 25 November. Journey through the magical night with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, meet the Mouse King and join the Sugar Plum Fairy in the beautiful Land of Sweets. After sell-out tours, Let’s All Dance presents this much-loved Christmas classic for the festive season once again. With dazzling dancing, all the famous characters and sumptuous music, this shortened version is a perfect treat for the whole family. Fantastic dancers, crystal-clear storytelling and stunning visuals enchant audiences of all ages, immersing them in the spectacular world of professional dance. 1.30 and 3.45pm, tickets £10 children, £14 adults.

21 Surrey Quays Road SE16 7AR, www.canadawaterculturespace.org.uk TIDY UP, 18 November. Inspired by the child’s desire to create order, patterns and systems,Tidy Up is an unforgettable dancetheatre party where tidiness becomes exciting for children and chaos becomes joyful for parents. 1 and 3pm, ages 3+, family tickets £24.

HARE & TORTOISE, 25 November. A funny, tender adaptation of Aesop’s well-loved fable about opposites, time and friendship.

Who’s the fastest; who’s the best? Who will finally win the race?

Journey through the seasons in a production brimming with music, movement and colour. 1 and 3pm, ages 3+, family tickets £24.

STORY JAM, 7 December. Top tellers and songsters get together to sing stories and tell songs, shanties and sagas. There’s a cello, a choir, one man and his uke and lots more. With a different line-up of tellers each month, enjoy tales from every corner of the world. 7.30pm, ages 14+, tickets £8, concs £7.

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ERELLA

THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD

UGLY DUCKLING

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

CINDERELLA

THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD

17 November - 7 January, GREENWICH THEATRE, Crooms Hill SE10 8ES, 020 8858 7755, www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk Watch Cinderella go from rags to riches in an all-singing, alldancing magical pantomime. The greatest heroine of them all shows us what can happen with a great pair of shoes and sprinkle of fairy dust. Packed full of all the amazing Greenwich pantomime ingredients, dust off your finest linens, practise your booing and join Cinders and her two horrible stepsisters as they embark on an adventure full of magic, mischief and musical mayhem. Adults £29, children half price.

22 November - 7 January, LYRIC THEATRE, Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 7ES, 0330 333 4812, www.gruffaloschildlive.com One wild and windy night, the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he? Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning sequel to ‘The Gruffalo’ has a new set and costumes, songs, laughs and lots of fun for young audiences.

Ages 3+, tickets from £15.

SANTA CLAUS AND THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 29 November - 17 December, BROADWAY THEATRE, Catford SE6, 020 8690 0002, www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk It’s Christmas Eve and while most children are hanging up their stockings, there are a few boys and girls in southeast London who are not! They don’t believe in Santa and with Christmas morning fast approaching cheeky elves Charlie and Kara must help Santa prove that he is indeed real. With magic tricks, songs and stories, can they make them believe before it’s time to board Santa’s sleigh and deliver the presents? A truly unforgettable experience which includes the magical moment when snowflakes fall over the audience, this interactive show has an added Christmas treat, where good boys and girls in the audience can meet Santa after the show and receive a special present of their own. Ages 2+, tickets £10 children, £13 adults.

THE ALBANY ALBANY, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 5AG, 020 8692 4446, www.thealbany.org.uk GOBLIN’S PETER AND THE WOLF, 19 November. Join Peter on a hilarious adventure through the fields and forest as he discovers new sounds and noises. Featuring new music lovingly inspired by Prokofiev’s classic, created live with a variety of instruments and objects, including real musical vegetables.

Combined with imaginative puppetry, physical comedy and fun interaction, the show will have children jumping for joy. 1 and 3pm, ages 4+, family tickets £24.

UGLY DUCKLING, 4-31 December. Meet the most unusual duckling the pond has ever seen! Teased and called Ugly by his siblings, our hero goes on an adventure in search of a place to fit in. As the woodland trees change from dark weathered branches to silver sticks of frost, the lost and lonely fledgling hides in brushwood and stares skyward at the migrating swans, yearning to belong and marvelling at their beauty. Moving through all four seasons, tutti frutti and York Theatre Royal bring to life Hans Christian Andersen’s well known tale. With inventive physicality and live music, this charming production plays with the importance of identity, self-worth and takes us on a journey to discover inner beauty. Ages 3+, tickets £12, concs £8, family tickets £34.

THE OLD VIC THEATRE OLD VIC, 103 The Cut, Waterloo, London, SE1 8NB, 020 7928 2651, 0844 871 7628, www.oldvictheatre.com A CHRISTMAS CAROL, 18 November - 20 January. On a bitter Christmas Eve night a cold-hearted miser is visited by four ghosts.

Transported to worlds past, present and future, Ebenezer Scrooge witnesses what a lifetime of fear and selfishness has led to and sees with fresh eyes the lonely life he has built for himself. Can Ebenezer be saved before it’s too late? An uplifting story for families, Jack Thorne’s joyous new adaptation is vividly brought to the stage in a big-hearted production full of music and cheer.

Ages 11+.

VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

CHURCHILL THEATRE High Street, Bromley BR1 1HA, 020 3285 6000, www.churchilltheatre.co.uk SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, 2 - 31 December.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs pantomime will be spectacularly brought to life in an abundance of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes and stunning scenery. Star of stage and screen Jessie Wallace will be joined by comedian and magician Pete Firman as Muddles and hilarious panto dame Jason Sutton as Nurse Nancy. Throw in a magical Mirror, a beautiful princess, a handsome prince and plenty of audience participation and you have a festive treat for all ages. Tickets from £18.

THE SNOWMAN

PINOCCHIO

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ, 020 7845 0580, www.unicorntheatre.com THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, 17 November - 31 December. 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. First published in 1922, this classic American tale loses nothing of its power, magic and charm in this bold and adventure-filled adaptation for the Unicorn stage.

Ages 5+, tickets from £10.

BOING! 22 November - 31 December. Capture the delirious excitement of two boys waiting for Father Christmas to arrive on the most magical night of the year. There are beds to be jumped on, pillows to be fought with, seas to be sailed. 0n this most extraordinary night, let your imagination soar right up to the stars.

Ages 2-6, tickets from £12.

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW 13 December - 7 January, AMBASSADORS THEATRE, West Street WC2H 9ND, 020 7395 5405, www.hungrycaterpillarshow.com Enjoy a menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets during a magical 60-minute show that faithfully adapts four of Eric Carle’s best loved books for the stage: ‘The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse’, ‘Mister Seahorse’, ‘The Very Lonely Firefly’ and, of course, ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. Tickets from £15.

THE SNOWMAN

SOUTHBANK

23 November - 31 December, PEACOCK THEATRE Portugal Street WC2A 2HT, 0844 412 4322, www.peacocktheatre.com Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to see The Snowman! Now in its 20th hit year, this enchanting stage show of Raymond Briggs’ classic book tells the story of a boy and his magical snowman’s wintery wonderland adventure. As a friendship is kindled, the two embark on a starry-skied adventure to the North Pole, where they meet dancing penguins, an Ice Princess, Father Christmas and escape the clutches of Jack Frost.

Tickets from £15.

SOUTHBANK CENTRE, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX, 0844 847 9944, www.southbankcentre.co.uk SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW, 18 December - 4 January. Experience a joyous world that touches both your heart and funny bone, culminating in a breath-taking blizzard that leaves you literally knee deep in snow. The multi-award-winning international sensation is back due to popular demand, having delighted audiences in over 80 cities globally including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro and Moscow.

Ages 8+, tickets from £20.

Until 7 January, LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE, 6 Leicester Place WC2H 7BX, 020 7734 2222, www.stickmanlive.com “Stick Man lives in the family tree, with his Stick Lady Love and their Stick Children three...” This delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s amazing tale of The Stickman is full of live music, songs, funky moves and puppetry from a small yet brilliant professional cast. Ages 3+.

familiesonline.co.uk

SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW

STICKMAN LIVE

PINOCCHIO 1 December - 7 April, NATIONAL THEATRE, Upper Ground, South Bank SE1 9PX, 020 7452 3000, www.nationaltheatre.org.uk On a quest to be truly alive, Pinocchio leaves Geppetto’s workshop with Jiminy Cricket in tow. Their electrifying adventure takes them from alpine forests to Pleasure Island to the bottom of the ocean. For the first time on stage, featuring unforgettable music and songs from the Walt Disney film including I’ve Got No Strings, Give a Little Whistle and When You Wish upon a Star in dazzling new arrangements, Pinocchio comes to life as never before. Tickets from £15.

CADOGAN HALL 5 Sloane Terrace SW1X 9DQ, 020 7730 4500, www.cadoganhall.com THE SNOWMAN and THE CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS, 20 December. Watch The Snowman on a big screen while the Mozart Symphony Orchestra provides a live soundtrack.

Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals will be performed with lots of extras and fun surprises including poetry, terrible Christmas jokes and wonderful cartoon animations. Ages 4+, tickets from £15.

FATHER CHRISTMAS and PETER AND THE WOLF, 21 December. Raymond Brigg’s Father Christmas is brought to life on the big screen with live orchestral accompaniment from the Mozart Symphony Orchestra and actors providing the dialogue and sound effects. Prokofiev’s chilling tale of one small boy’s bravery against a wild wolf has thrilled generations of children and is the ideal way to introduce young people to orchestral music. Ages 4+, tickets from £15.

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE, 14 Dagmar Passage, Cross Street N1 2DN, 020 7226 1787, www.littleangeltheatre.com GO NOAH GO! 10 November - 4 February. A Great Flood is coming and Mr and Mrs Noah have been set the most impossible task: to take two of each animal and build them a home. A magical ark that is built on stage, over 50 carved animals and a host of songs to sing along with make this production one of Little Angel Theatre’s most successful and impressive shows, combining puppetry, masks, stories and songs. Ages 5-10, tickets from £13.

SANTA’S LITTLE WORKSHOP, 1-24 December. Ever wanted to be an elf for a day? Put on your best elf outfit, get into the festive spirit and turn up for your first day of work at Santa’s Little Workshop. Start your experience by seeing ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, brought to life with a touch of magic and sparkle in the Little Elf Cinema. Then enjoy crafty festive puppet making on the elf production line. You’ll even get a chance to meet “The Boss”, the puppet Santa. Ages 3-9, tickets £12.50 children, £10.50 adults.

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S0MERSET HOUSE ICE RINK

MUSEUM OF LONDON

HRP TOWER OF LONDON

MoreWhat’sOn M US E U M S & E VE NT S 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.

YOUTH LATE, 18 November. A night of live bands, Djs, photobooth and more. Organised by and for young people, ages 14-19, admission by wristband on the night. 6.30-9.30pm, free.

HORNIMAN CHRISTMAS FAIR, 16 December. Join in the festivities and get into the spirit of the season at Horniman’s Christmas Fair. Pick up your seasonal produce at the Farmers’ Market, take part in festive themed craft workshops, and enjoy a carol concert with mince pies and mulled wine. 10.30am-4.30pm.

THE TOWER OF LONDON St KATHARINE’S & WAPPING, EC3N 4AB, www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london ACTIVITY TRAILS, daily. Explore the home of the Queen’s Crown Jewels and the rooms of Edward 1 with a family trail, packed with fun quizzes, activities, facts and illustrations.

ICE RINK, 17 November - 2 January. Glide around the rink and take in the magical ambience of the castle beside the Thames, which offers a unique and unforgettable setting.

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

MEDIEVAL LIFE, until 23 December and 2 January - 9 February.

Step back seven hundred years in time and into the palace of King Edward 1, Hammer of the Scots. Enter a world a world of chivalrous knights and beautiful ladies, troublesome lords and royal prisoners. There are money problems at home, too, as the King leads his armies off to war. Join the knights and ladies at any time between 11am-12:30pm and 1.30-3.30pm.

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

COLOURING IN 2018, 18-22 and 27-29 December. Colour your way into 2018 by decorating a Museum-inspired calendar and bring some of your favourite Museum objects to life. The calendar will include museum events for 2018, the perfect way to plan ahead, and there’s a free chocolate coin 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.

18 Families South East

ANIMAL CHRISTMAS CRACKERS CONCERT, 17 December.

Join the Waldegrave Ensemble for a magical animal-themed family concert. Enjoy the story of dancing mice, cats and fauns in Berio’s Opus Number Zoo, and discover the fate of the duck escaping from the hungry wolf in Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.

The Waldegrave Ensemble brings together some of Britain’s top young chamber musicians who share a passion for making music accessible and fun. There will be a free Christmas cracker-making workshop following the concert. 3pm start, free with museum admission.

THE GEFFRYE MUSEUM 136 Kingsland Road E2 8EA, 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk CHRISTMAS PAST, 21 November - 7 January. Escape from the hustle and bustle of Christmas today and step back through time to Christmas Past. Authentic festive decorations, lighting, music and greenery transform the museum’s period living rooms, giving an evocative glimpse into how Christmas has been celebrated in English homes over the past 400 years. Seasonal food and drink will be on the menu in the cafe and the shop will be full of Christmas decorations and cards, stylish home-wares, gifts and treats.

CHRISTMAS SPARKLE, 9 December. Create some Christmas magic for your home at this decoration-making family workshop.

11.30am and 3pm, free drop-in.

FAREWELL TO CHRISTMAS, 6+7 January. Say goodbye with a bang to both Christmas and the museum which will be closing on Sunday 7 January for almost two years for a transformational development project. Enjoy street food, winter cocktails, live music and bargains in the shop’s big sale.

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

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

There are costumes for dressing up in both the kitchen and the attic to give a flavour of what life was like upstairs and down.

There is even a beautiful Victorian toy theatre in the timeline room where you can put on your own play.

FULHAM PALACE 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.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS SEWING BEE, 29 November. Your child can learn the basics of traditional crafts and create a wonderful Christmas surprise to take home with them. A fun and creative workshop, the activities are geared specifically at budding young sewing enthusiasts and do not require any prior knowledge or skills 4.30-6pm. Ages 8+, £5.50, book first.

FATHER CHRISTMAS, 2, 3 + 10 December. Delight in one of London’s most atmospheric chances to meet Father Christmas.

Far from the seasonal crush, you’ll knock on the Tudor Great Hall door and listen for the bell that welcomes you to your very own audience with Father Christmas beside his roaring fire. £11 per child, book first.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, 10 December. Fee-fi-fo-fum!

Join Jack on his magical adventure full of enchanted beans, giants in the sky and a goose that lays golden eggs! With plenty of songs to sing along to and tons of audience participation, this pantomime will keep the children enthralled and the grown-ups laughing. 11am and 4pm, tickets £11, book first.

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

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

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. Travel 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.

MUSEUM OF LONDON MUSEUM OF LONDON, 150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN, www.museumoflondon.org.uk BEHIND THE SCENES OF PADDINGTON 2, until 19 December.

This display about the second film provides a glimpse behind the scenes with a focus on the costumes and props used, including marmalade of course! Learn more about some of the props, sketches and costumes on display.

VICTORIAN SANTA’S GROTTO, 2-23 December. Get into the festive spirit this Christmas as Santa visits the Museum of London. Experience the Victorian Walk, transformed with festive decorations and the sound of Victorian carols being sung in the distance. Visit Santa in his Victorian grotto and go home with a festive gift. £10, book first.

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

MARITIME MUSIC FESTIVAL, 18 + 19 November. Heave ho and away we go! Get ready for this special festival weekend bursting with songs and stories of the sea. Sit back, relax and enjoy performances from a whole host of acts including Hughie Jones, Impressed, Keith Kendrick & Sylvia Needham and Caz Forbes & Ste Moncrieff. Learn to sing like a sailor in foot-stomping sea shanty workshops and get hands on with nautical workshops and crafts for all ages. Noon-4pm, free.

VICTORIAN SANTA’S GROTTO, 2-23 December. Experience the Sailortown gallery, transformed with festive decorations and the sound of Victorian carols being sung in the distance. Find Santa in his grotto and receive a festive gift. From £10 per child (includes gift). Photographs available at an additional cost.

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.

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WINNIE-THE-POOH: EXPLORING A CLASSIC, 9 December 8 April. Experience the timeless and universal appeal of this much-loved bear and discover the story behind the creative partnership of A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepard, brought to life through sketches, letters, photographs, cartoons, ceramics and fashion.

Tickets £8.

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.

MICHAEL MORPORGO: A LIFETIME IN STORIES, until 25 February. An exhibition celebrating the life and exceptional writing power of one of Britain’s best-loved storymakers. Exhibits include draft manuscripts, photographs, notebooks and correspondence that chronicle Michael’s creative and writing career, including the writing of War Horse, Kensuke’s Kingdom and The Butterfly Lion, as well as artwork loaned by some of Britain’s greatest illustrators, including Sir Quentin Blake, Patrick Benson and Michael Foreman.

Explore an atmospheric soundscape and learn about Morpurgo’s themes of war, farming, and friendship as well as seeing inspiring original material for famed works like War Horse. Free.

CHRISTMAS DESIGNER MARKET, 29 November. Enjoy festive, stress free shopping to the melodic sounds of the Becontree Brass Band while buying unique gifts directly from established and emerging independent designers and makers. Find the perfect gift or a little something for yourself. There’s jewellery to home ware, children’s clothes and toys to festive cards and prints, and Craft your own Christmas workshops. 10am-5pm, admission free.

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.

LIVING WITH GODS, until 8 April. Belief is a key aspect of human behaviour and this exhibition explores behaviours inherent in everything from modern urban ideas of wellness and mindfulness to pilgrimage and prayer. Exhibits include everyday objects relating to world faiths, traditional indigenous, archaeological and modern civil practices. See intriguing pieces from the end of the last Ice Age that depict beings that do not exist in nature, and familiar objects of everyday practices of all periods - including a remarkable 18th-century replica of a Hindu ceremonial chariot.

Admission free for under 16s, adults £15.

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.

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.

DEATH IN THE ICE. Explore the mysterious fate of Sir John Franklin and his crew on their final expedition - a mystery that still remains unsolved today. With over 200 objects on display, alongside finds from HMS Erebus- whose resting place was only discovered in 2014 - the exhibition begins to answer questions about what may have happened to those men on their fateful journey to the Arctic all those years ago.

THE GREAT EXPLORER is an interactive game for families.

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

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

ART ACTIVITIES

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.

TOVE JANSSON (1914-2001), until 28 January 2018. Known internationally as creator of the Moomin characters and books, a phenomenon which continues to stretch across generations, Jansson’s wider outputs of graphic illustration and painting are relatively unseen outside her home country of Finland. ‘Tove Jansson’ brings together 150 works, tracing the key stages of her prolific career including her surrealist-inspired paintings of the 1930s and abstract work of the ‘60s, her satirical anti-war cartoons and book jacket designs, as well as a comprehensive display of early sketches for the Moomin characters and original comic strips. Tickets £15.50 adults, children and Friends free.

A MOOMIN WINTER’S DAY, 16 + 17 December. A weekend of Moomin-themed activities including the chance to see puppets from Polka Theatre’s Moominsummer Madness, a live performance on Sunday, a glass bauble-making workshop, interactive storytelling, a free family trail and the opportunity to write a letter to Father Christmas taking inspiration from Tove Jansson’s 1963 illustrated letter to children around the world.

10am-5pm, children free, adults £8.

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 a vailable for the permanent and temporary exhibitions.

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

THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER 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.

ART AT SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE

DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

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.

CHRISTMAS DECORATION WORKSHOP, 2+3 December.

Join in with this make and take Christmas decoration workshop inspired by Cutty Sark’s gleaming hull. Make gold and copper coloured decorations and hang them on your tree when you get home. 11.30am and 2pm starts, free with ship admission.

A MOOMIN WINTER’S DAY

BRICK LIVE 28 November - 6 January, SAATCHI GALLERY, Duke of York’s HQ, Kings Road SW3 4RY, www.bricklivechristmas.com BRICKLIVE Christmas offers the ultimate LEGO experience for the entire family. From LEGO Christmas decorations to a dedicated Star Wars Zone, visitors can expect an interactive brick filled experience, stretching across the entire top floor of the gallery - a place renowned for its creativity and imagination.

Explore four themed zones and build your way through a unique seasonal journey, and stock up on bespoke baubles and exclusive brick-built winter roses. Admission £15, families £17.

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

Open 10am-6pm daily.

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

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

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.

SKATE, 15 November - 14 January. Take to the ice alongside a stunning 40ft Christmas tree and join in on and off-ice activities including skate lessons for all abilities, rinkside music from celebrated artists and Djs, food and drink from Fortnum’s Lodge and a Christmas Arcade of Fortnum’s goodies. Tickets from £7.50 include skate hire; booking advised.

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.

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

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