Issue 118 November-December 2017
familiesonline.co.uk
In this issue...
“It's the most wonderful time of the year!”
If you need something to kickstart your Christmas planning, you've come to the right place. Our pages are jam-packed full of ideas. Read and enjoy some wonderful family time. From all of us at Families West Magazine, we hope the end of 2017 brings much joy and happiness. 2 News & Views
4 Helping your child with spelling 6 FREE Childcare?
8 Christmas Gift Guide
10 Where’s Santa this Christmas?
12 10 things you MUST do... 15 What’s On in west London 19 Classified advertising
20 Activities, Clubs & Classes
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. Order your card packs via: www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/ christmas-cards
Waiting for Santa!
Lemon Tree and St Matthew’s Montessori schools based in Ealing Broadway offering both full day care (8.00am-6.00pm) and term time (9.15am-3.15am) for children aged from 1 years to 5 years old. We offer French, Ballet, Yoga, Drama and PE inclusive of fees. Full and part time sessions available. Qualified and experienced teachers offer a high standard of learning, nurturing and care.
Lemon Tree Montessori: 07495 898 760 (Full Day Care) St Matthew's Montessori: 07564 834 687 (Term Time) Website: www.lemontreemontessori.com
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November-December 2017
News & Views Baby to Toddler returns to London!
Good news as Baby to Toddler, the shopping event for modern parents of children aged 0 to 4 is returning for a second year! Coming to the London ExCeL from 18th to 19th November, the two-day shopping event will partner with Peppermint where visitors will have 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 (and 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 will make a return, to keep the kids entertained and the MAM Feeding Area will have everything needed to feed the attending tots, including bottle warmers, microwaves, bibs and much more! Tickets are on sale now via: www.babytotoddler.seetickets.com/event/baby-to-toddler-excel/ excel-london/1132917 · www.babytotoddlerevents.co.uk
Feeling Festive with The Oxford & Cambridge Singing School London Course
The Oxford & Cambridge Singing School is coming to Marylebone Church for carols and festive music on the 22nd (10-4pm) and 23rd (10-1pm) December. There is a final concert and carols-for-all starting at 12.30 on the Saturday, and participant friends and families are very welcome to attend. Marylebone Church is a short walk from Baker St. tube station and Oxford and Bond Streets - great for last minute shopping or coffee with friends. The Singing School was established in 2013 by Dr Edward Wickham, Director of Music at St Catharine's College, Cambridge for children who love to sing. Courses are carefully crafted by Dr Wickham and his fabulous team to include full and small-group singing, music theory in the form of games and exercises, music history, music appreciation - everything to stimulate and engage children aged 7-13 interested in music. Children have been raving about their courses and so they now also offer courses in Oxford, London and Guildford. No previous experience of classical singing is necessary and children are grouped according to age. A perfect way to finish up some Christmas shopping while your young ones have some festive fun! For more information visit: www.oxbridgesingingschool.co.uk or email: oxbridgess@gmail.com
November-December 2017
Pines and Needles premier Christmas Tree Services.
Christmas isn't Christmas until you've chosen your tree. Their experts (wearing kilts!) will be on hand to give advice at their stores in Ealing, Fulham Broadway, Maida Vale & Notting Hill from the 18th November, so pay them a visit and let them get the festivities well and truly under way. It’s a great family day out and they even have a delivery service from their stores between 7pm-10pm to local postcodes for an extra cost. It couldn’t be easier! Their stores are re-stocked every morning with dozens of trees, freshly cut and delivered straight from their plantations. You won't get fresher, fuller or more fabulous trees anywhere else! USE CODE : FAM17 to get your free gift with purchase. www.pinesandneedles.com/christmas-tree-stores
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Helping your child with spelling: A Parent’s Guide word as you say it, and then check that it is spelt it correctly. • Rainbow writing. Using coloured pencils in different ways can help to make parts of words more memorable. Highlight the tricky part of a word or write the tricky part in a different colour. • Rearrange letters from your child’s name or other known words to make new words. • Enjoy playing word games with your child eg. Scrabble, Boggle, Hangman and Word lotto.
The new school year is here, and pretty soon your child may start bringing home weekly spelling lists to study. As a parent, you may be wondering, how can I help my child become a better speller? Firstly, it is useful to understand the different ways in which children remember spellings. Visual ‘Does it look right?’ The child responds to the shapes of words and patterns of the letter-strings within them. Auditory ‘Sound it out!’ The child recognises the relationship between sounds and letters or groups of letters and analyses words in these terms.
Kinaesthetic ‘Let the spelling come out of the end of your pencil!’ The child becomes accustomed to making specific hand-movements to produce particular words or letter strings.
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Linguistic ‘Why is it spelt like that?’ The child learns to be aware of relationships between words or parts of words based on meanings, syntax, derivations etc. Next, it is helpful to appreciate that all children have a preferred learning style and by offering your child activities which suit their style, you will help them learn more quickly and effectively. Visual Learners learn by looking at the letter/word as it is said or written. A visual link is created to the manual, oral and auditory channels of their brain. Oral Kinaesthetic Learners learn by saying the letter/word as it is viewed or written. An oral link is created to the manual, visual and auditory channels of the brain. Manual Kinaesthetic Learners learn by writing/creating/ modelling/ tracing the letter/word as it is viewed or spoken. A manual link is created to the oral, visual and auditory channels of the brain. Here are some activities you can try at home with your child to help them with their spelling skills. • Show your child how words can be broke down into syllables e.g. together = to-get-her, discovery = dis-cov-er-y.
• Ask your child to draw pictures for each of the spelling words. Get them to write the word below the picture. Take all the pictures and create a spelling reference book. • Create a word search with your child’s spelling words. You can do this by making a grid of 10 squares by 10 squares, writing the spelling words in the grid, then filling up the other squares with random letters. Keep a list of your child’s spelling words nearby for them to refer to. • Together, think of ways to remember the words. For example, You HEAR with your EAR; He will be a FRIEND until the END; Big Elephants Can Always Upset Small Elephants. These types of memorisation tricks are called mnemonics. • Encourage your child write a story using as many of their spelling words as possible and also include illustrations. • Trace, copy and replicate. Write the word out on a sheet of paper ensuring that it is spelt correctly and is large enough to trace over. Trace over the word and say it at the same time. Then, move to the word you have just written and write it out as you say it. Turn the page over and write the
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• Play the ‘plasticine writing challenge’. Flatten a piece of plasticine and use a pencil to ‘write’ a spelling word in it. Now look at the word together. After a while, smooth over the plasticine and challenge your child to write the word from memory. When studying spelling, encourage your child to use the ‘Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check” method. Look: first look at the whole word carefully and if there is one part of the word that is difficult, look at that part in more detail. Say: say the word as you look at it, using different ways of pronouncing it if that will make it more memorable. Cover: cover the word. Write: write the word from memory, saying the word as you do so. Check: Have you got it right? If yes, try writing it again and again. If not start again - look, say cover, write, check. Repeat the process and keep practising until the word has been spelt correctly three times.
Above all, ensure that your child feels confident that, as a writer, they always have your interest, admiration and, your support.
Article by Andrew Campbell
November-December 2017
January/ February 2018 Nurseries - Childcare feature
Please email: familieswest@yahoo.co.uk for all the details on how to be included in this issue. Great Deals on offer!
November-December 2017
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Can you REALLY Get 30 hours of free childcare per week?
The recent increase from 15 to 30 hours of free early education and childcare per week brings with it no shortage of complications for parents looking to take advantage of the scheme - and confusion is rife.
In theory, the new 30 hours of free childcare scheme should be hugely helpful for parents of 3 and 4 year olds in England who will be eligible. However, there are sure to be some difficulties in the transition and the reality may be somewhat different from what was envisaged. Applications must be made by parents through the Government’s childcare service on the gov.uk website the term before they plan to start using free childcare. There are strict termly deadlines for application, so it's important for parents to keep a close eye on the Government’s cut off dates - or they will miss out on funding for the following term. If parents are eligible, they’ll receive a code that will allow them to arrange their childcare place with any childcare provider on Ofsted’s Early Years Register. This code will allow for childcare with the provider for three months, before the code expires. Parents will be notified before the expiry date, giving them the opportunity to log back in and either confirm or
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update their circumstances. To be eligible, children must be 3 or 4 years old, each parent (or sole parent) must be working, based in England and earning more than £120 per week (for those aged 25 or over) and no more than £100,000 year. Participating childcare settings include nurseries and nursery classes, playgroups and preschools, childminders and Sure Start Children’s Centres. The key word is ‘participating’ as not all childcare settings will be participating in the scheme. Parents who are not eligible will be able to continue receiving 15 hours of funded childcare. Those who become ineligible after commencing to use 30 hours funded childcare will receive a ‘grace period’ of 30 hours funded care, before returning to the 15 hour entitlement. One of the key issues is the negative impact of the 30 hours funded childcare on the business models of childcare providers.This is because the hourly rate received
by the provider from the Government may not cover the running costs of setting, leading to a funding shortfall. As a result, some providers have chosen to opt out of the scheme all together, whilst others will be charging parents for additional things such as nappies and food, or charging more for babies and children under 2 years old, meaning that the socalled ‘free’ childcare may not actually be free at all. The consequence of childcare providers opting out of the scheme is that parents need to act as quickly as possible to secure the places that are on offer. Some providers may choose to offer only some of the funded hours, so parents may also need to consider splitting their childcare between more than one setting. Another factor to consider is the time period over which the funded childcare hours are distributed. The existing 15 hours are usually taken weekly over 38 weeks and many participating parents in the new 30 hours scheme will be
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expecting to use them in the same way. However, childcare providers are perfectly entitled to offer fewer hours over a longer period. Whilst this may be helpful for parents looking to spread the hours out to cover more weeks, it will mean that you actually get fewer than 30 hours of funded childcare each week. It is important that parents are fully aware of all their options. Check eligibility and in particular, discern whether your preferred childcare setting will offer some or all - of the free hours and how they will implement the scheme. Ben Black is CEO at My Family Care. You can find out more information on the new childcare options on the My Family Care website at: www.myfamilycare.co.uk as well as on the new Childcare Choices website set up by the HRMC at: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk This also gives information about the new Tax Free Childcare Scheme.
Article by Ben Black
November-December 2017
November-December 2017
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We’ve got The Christmas countdown has begun - to make sure you stay on your kids ‘good’ list here is our 2017 definitive Christmas gift guide. Avoid last minute panic shopping by getting most of it done now! By Claire Winter
all wrapped up!
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FOR BABIES 1. Rosa & Bo Nesting Babies, £20 www.rosaandbo.com Age: 3months - 3years. How cute is this stylish, Russian doll inspired sensory toy? You can find Bo the Bunny inside and as an added bonus he chimes too.
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3. Talking Peter Rabbit, £15.99 www.what2buy4kids.co.uk Age: Suitable from birth. Whether they are fans of the original Beatrix Potter books or the hit TV Show on CBeebies, your child will be hopping with delight when they receive this lovely talking Peter Rabbit.
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2. Lion Stacking Toy, £16 www.double-flip.com Age: Suitable from birth. A classic set of brightly painted stacking rings that will look great in any nursery. Your little one gets to place the rings on the wooden pole and finish it off with a cheerful lion head. Great for babies and toddlers hand eye coordination.
FOR CHILDREN 4. Little Tikes Princess Horse & Carriage, £99.99 From Amazon (amazon.co.uk) Age: 18 months+ For the little princess in your life. This amazing toddler ride-on comes complete with clip-clop sounds and a horse that moves side to side.
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5. Stickibox Cardboard Box Car Kit, £18 www.stickibox.com Age: 3+ Capitalise on the premise that all children like playing with cardboard boxes with this great kit, where you can make your own customised cardboard car with its very own personalised number plate!
6. Fisher Price ‘Teach n Tag Movi’, £54.99 from Argos Age: 3+ Tech inspired toys will always grab children’s attention and this cool little robot will get kids moving and learning along with him. With 360 degrees of mobility it encourages pre-schoolers to get their minds and bodies moving while teaching them to follow directions and think critically about the world around them.
7. Pie Face Sky High Game, £26.99 From Amazon (amazon.co.uk) Age: 5+ Messy fun for the whole family, a new take on the runaway hit game of the last two Christmases - Pie Face. This is a new ‘fairground style’ version where you hit the hammer and see how far up you can get the pie to splat your opponent. Pies at the ready!
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November-December 2017
8. Vtech Kidizoom Flix Playset, £59.99 From Amazon (amazon.co.uk) Age: 4+ Meet Flix! An alien VTech Kidizoom camera. It can detect faces and will sound out funny alien responses when you speak to him. You can customise his look by using his camera, you can change the colour of his eyes and background. Available in blue and pink, it also has a ‘guard mode’ where it takes secret photos or videos.
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9. Hatchimal Colleggtibles, £10 from Argos Age:5+ Hatchimal look set to be another must-have toy this year with their colleggtible range. Hold the egg in your hands, 8 rub the heart and when it changes from purple to pink, it's ready to hatch. There are over 70 to collect. You have been warned!
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November-December 2017
10 FOR OLDER CHILDREN 10. Anki Cozmo, £199.99 From Amazon (amazon.co.uk) Age: 7+ Another tech toy with a hefty price tag but this is an amazing gift. Cozmo is a real-life robot that is truly interactive. He’ll nudge you to play with him and his personality evolves the more time you spend with him.
11. SelfieMic, £19.99 from Argos Age: 8+ This toy combines a karoke mic with a selfie stick and pop-star style ear-piece. Like many toys out this year it also comes with an app. Expect to be inundated with lots of videos!
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12. Airhogs DR1 Official Race Drone, £99 from Argos Age: 10+ A great gift for a tween. Download the free app, place a smart phone in the headset, and start piloting like a DR1 drone racing professional with a live stream from the camera on the drone.
13. The Very Merry Christmas Game, £19.99 From Amazon (amazon.co.uk) Age:8 + Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a family board game. Why not get this festive themed one? You move around the board collecting presents to put in your stocking. You can also land on a singing space, where you will have to belt a verse from a Christmas carol or song and watch out for the dreaded Sprouts card!
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Where is
this Christmas? HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND W2 2UH
www.hydeparkwinterwonderland. com/santaland 17 Nov -1 Jan See your little ones’ faces light up as they enter the home of Santa. With plenty of eateries, rides for the little ones and Santa in his grotto, it is a magical place for the children. Visit Santa’s Toy Factory fun house where Santa and his elves are making gifts ready for the big day.
MUSIC HOUSE FOR CHILDREN W12 7LJ
www.musichouseforchildren.com/ events/carols-by-candlelight 3 Dec Under the sparkling chandeliers of Bush Hall, families, friends and children will enjoy Christmas carols, performances and readings by children and artists. Expect an appearance from You Know Who…For age 2+
KEW GARDENS TW9 3AB
www.kew.org/christmas 22 Nov -1 Jan There’s something for everyone at this festive time of year as their one mile sparkling path winds its way through the
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Gardens in a magical after dark experience. A botanical wonderland awaits, with brightly coloured laser beams dancing over water, a Tunnel of Lights, scented Fire Garden and fairy-tale avenues of flora. Santa and his elves will be in the North Pole village, plus favourite vintage rides, Christmas gifts and traditional festive fare.
ODDS FARM PARK HP10 0LX
www.oddsfarm.co.uk 25 Nov - 24 Dec Present your Christmas Festival Pass and come and meet Father Christmas, before heading onto the Cuddly Creative Christmas Corner and finally onto the Elves’ Workshop to collect something extra special! Plus, enjoy Festive Entertainment, take part in fun Christmas-themed arts and crafts and train to become an Elf at the Elf Academy. Book ahead.
WWT LONDON WETLANDS CENTRE SW13 9WT
www.wwt.org.uk/london 2-3 Dec Get into the festive mood at WWT London 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.
ROYAL ALBERT HALL SW7 2AP
www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/ tours-and-exhibitions/a-victorianchristmas 5-24 Dec FATHER CHRISTMAS AT THE HALL A magical adventure through the Royal Albert Hall, where children will collect Christmas Spirit to help Father Christmas fly his sleigh in time for Christmas. A 30-minute journey of activities and performances around the Hall is followed by a meeting with Father Christmas at his magic sleigh, where children will receive their present and have an opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa. For age 2+
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HAMLEYS W1B 5BT
www.hamleys.com 25 Nov-24 Dec Join Father Christmas and his lovable elves at The Finest Toy Shop in the World for fun, magic and theatre at this very special time of year. Meeting Father Christmas at Hamleys is an extra special experience where children will take part in seasonal activities, enjoy delicious snacks, spend time with Father Christmas and receive an extra special gift bag to take home. Please book early as it was nearly full at time of going to press.
HARRODS SW1X 7XL
www.harrods.com/grotto Until 24 Dec Whether marking a child's first Christmas or honouring a family tradition, a visit to The Harrods Christmas Grotto is the perfect way to start the festive season. Such a classic. Book early.
FORTNUM AND MASON W1A 1ER
www.fortnumandmason.com/event s/father-christmas-storytelling-2017 Weekends in Dec Storytelling with Father Christmas. Children aged
November-December 2017
3-11 can sit and listen as Father Christmas himself tells a very special festive story. In the run-up to Christmas, the Man in Red will be welcoming boys and girls on his Nice List into our Fifth Floor Boardroom to hear a yuletide story like no other, before handing out festive goodie bags to take home, and listening to any of your lastminute present requests. (Yes, parents too!). Book ahead.
DUKE OF YORK SQUARE SW3 4LY
www.dukeofyorksquare.com 1-23 Dec Santa’s coming! Take a trip to Chelsea and visit Santa in his cosy abode where he will receive your wish lists, while his little helpers take photos as keepsakes. Book ahead.
RAINFOREST CAFÉ W1D 7EU
www.therainforestcafe.co.uk 18 Nov-24 Dec Hidden in the depths of the jungle is a magical Winter Wonderland with elves waiting to greet all the good little boys and girls before taking them for a grotto experience which includes an invite from Santa for a personalised meeting followed by a meal and soft drink.
FULHAM PALACE SW6 6EA
www.fulhampalace.org 2, 3, 10 Dec Knock on the Tudor Great Hall door and listen for the bell before the whole family enters for a special one-on-one meeting with Father Christmas, who gives each child a small gift. £11 per child, booking essential.
OSTERLEY PARK AND HOUSE TW7 4RB
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ osterley-park Weekends in December. Book your visit to Father Christmas' grotto and bring the whole family to meet him in his workshop. If you've been good all year you may even get an early festive gift. A Christmas pudding stirring activity will be available in the grotto waiting room so come along 5 minutes early to enjoy.
November-December 2017
SYON PARK GARDEN CENTRE TW8 8JG
www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk/ breakfast-and-tea-with-fatherchristmas 18-24 Dec Have breakfast or tea with Father Christmas. Enjoy a delicious, freshly-prepared breakfast or tea and watch the excitement build until everyone joins in to help the elves welcome Father Christmas. Meet Father Christmas and choose your own present, enjoy delicious food and decorate a Christmas cookie.
BATTERSEA PARK ZOO SW11 4NJ
www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk 2-3, 9-10 and 15-24 Dec Come and tell Santa what you’d like for Christmas. £6 to see Santa, plus entrance fee. Includes a small gift and a sticker, plus a drink and Christmas treat. Bookable in advance by ringing the zoo or just turn up. Plus, join in the fun Christmas Stocking search throughout the zoo from 2 to 24 December.
MUSEUM OF LONDON
www.museumoflondon.org.uk 2, 3, 8, 9 10 and 15-23 Dec Join Santa in their Victorian Walk and then explore his enchanting Grotto. Each child who meets Santa receives a special gift, with the option (for an additional £8) to take home a photograph of the magical moment. From £7, book in advance.
SANTA TO YOUR DOOR
Arrange a magical visit from Santa on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or any other time. He will deliver your presents and chat to your children about their favourite things. He may even sing a few festive songs before he says goodbye having nibbled a mince pie, or two. Call the Santa hotline on: 0208 959 1045 Mobile: 07969 121094 or email: info@adamants parties.co.uk
DIARY DATES 16 Nov REGENT STREET CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Regent Street gets its usual Christmas makeover with garlands of lights down the length of the road. This year’s theme is ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ inspired by the first ever display in 1954! The switch-on event promises celebrity appearances, family activities and live entertainment. It will be a traffic-free evening of Christmas shopping. Activities from 12 noon followed by a star-studded Christmas show.
18 Nov MUM2MUM MARKET IN EALING
A pop up market where you can buy or sell nearly new baby, children's and maternity goods in good condition at fraction of high street prices. Takes place at St Barnabas Church Hall, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, W5 1QG, 2-4pm. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk/north-andwest-london-nearly-new-sales.html
25 Nov EALING 135 CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIR
Taking place at Kingsdown Methodist Church, Northfields Avenue, W13. 10am-12.30pm. Gifts, crafts, homemade refreshments, kids Christmas crafts, free children’s taster sessions and more. Email: ealing135events@gmail.com www.ealing135.org.uk
23, 25 and 26 Nov SWEDISH CHRISTMAS MARKET
A wonderful julmarknad (Swedish Christmas Market) with Christmas decorations, bread, gifts, glögg (mulled wine with raisins and almonds), candles, food and textiles. Swedish Church, 6 Harcourt Street, Marylebone, London W1H 4AG. www.swedishfood.com/christmas-market
CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS
3 Dec MUSIC HOUSE FOR CHILDREN INSTRUMENTAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Try a magical range of instruments including piano, guitar, violin, ukulele, percussion, drums and brass instruments. For ages 4-11. www.musichouseforchildren.co.uk
21-22 Dec PERFORM DRAMA WORKSHOP:
NARNIA. An unforgettable three full day festive treat for 4-7 year olds. Children will work to project their voices, learn energetic dance routines and sing catchy songs, and put on a performance for family and friends at the end. Venues include St Peter's Hall, W11 3DB and Kensington URC, W8 6BL and (18-20 Dec) at Baden Powell House, SW7 5JS. www.perform.org.uk
22, 23 Dec THE OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE SINGING SCHOOL
Taking place at Marylebone Church. Carols and festive music on the 22nd (10-4pm) and 23rd (10-1pm) December. There is a final concert and carols-for-all starting at 12.30 on the Saturday, and participant friends and families are very welcome to attend. For ages 7-13. For more information please visit: www.oxbridgesingingschool.co.uk Or email: oxbridgess@gmail.com
PINES AND NEEDLES PREMIER CHRISTMAS TREE SERVICES
Christ The Saviour Church, Ealing Broadway W5 2XA 18th -19th Nov, 25th Nov-24 Dec: Mon-Sat: 8am-9pm · Sun: 10:30am-8pm St John’s Church, North End Road SW6 1PB 18th-19th Nov, 24th Nov-24th Dec: 8am-9pm, 24th Dec: 8am-5pm 123 Shirland Road, Maida Vale W9 2EW 18th Nov-23th Dec: 8am-10pm 24th Dec: 8am-5pm St John's Notting Hill, Landsdowne Crescent W11 2PD 19th Nov, 25th-26th Nov, 2nd-3rd Dec, 16th-17th Dec: 8am-8pm
PAINT POTS FESTIVE FUN
Age: 3-6 yrs *All sessions are un-accompanied. Location: Paint Pots The Boltons, St Mary The Boltons Church Hall, The Boltons, London, SW10 9TB Dates: Monday 18th-Friday 22nd December Times & Prices: 9.30am-12.30pm, £45 9.30am-3.30pm, £65 Our festive fun sessions include arts, crafts, music, games and other seasonal activities. All sessions are run by our fully qualified nursery school and creative classes teachers. Book online at: www.paintpotshouse.com
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TEN things your family MUST do this Every day as we get closer to Christmas the children (and adults) get a little bit more excited. Here are some great ideas to get in the festive mood with the whole family. 1. It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Panto! Oh no it wouldn’t! Many families make it a tradition to watch a festive show. The Richmond Theatre is putting on Aladdin this year- an all-time favourite. We’ve listed plenty more in our What’s On. If Panto isn’t your thing you could take a trip into town and watch ‘Pinocchio’ is on at the National Theatre. They have bought the rights from Disney so it will include all the popular songs that your kids love. Plus, it’s directed by John Tiffany, the Broadway hit maker responsible for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.’ www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows /pinocchio Or why not go and see the English National Ballet perform the iconic ‘Nutcracker’at the London Coliseum? ballet.org.uk/production/nutcracker/
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2. Go Ice-skating. Check out your local outdoor rink. The Natural History Museum ice rink, set against the backdrop of the Waterhouse building, is one of the most magical places to be this winter. Skaters are surrounded by fairy lights nestled in frost covered trees with the smell of mulled wine and toasted marshmallows from the café bar. (www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/ ice-rink.html) or make a special trip to have hot chocolate at the beautiful ice rink at Somerset House in London (somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/skate-somersethouse). There are also pop-up rinks at Canary Wharf and Hampton Court, which are open right through till February next year.
3. Bake with the kids. Make festive gingerbread men with the children. The smell of baking, ginger and cinnamon immediately evokes the scent of Christmas. You could also be ambitious and bake biscuits to construct a gingerbread house too. Don’t worry 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 a 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 kids to design their own festive labels and give the bags to family and friends at school.
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November-December 2017
5. Visit a Christmas market. Where you can buy a vast array of gifts, drink mulled wine and soak up the festive atmosphere. The Wintertime Market at the Southbank features Nordic-inspired wooden chalets filled with festive food, drinks, gifts and treats for all. Visit top traders from across London, the UK and beyond along the riverside bringing an array of festive treats and gifts, alongside delicious street food favourites. Enjoy mulled wine, quality food and handmade crafts while taking in the sights and sounds of London at wintertime. www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/ 125192-wintertime-market-2017
6. Check out a Christmas Light show. Stately homes and gardens are lighting up with festive brilliance across the country. Christmas at Kew has its annual show, where the garden is illuminated by 1 million twinkling lights along a mile-long trail (kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas-at-kew). 7. Deck the Halls. Put on some Christmas tunes and decorate the house as a family. Get all the decorations out and have fun making your home all Christmassy. Collect some greenery from the garden or whilst you are on a walk. The traditional holly and ivy looks great draped over a mantelpiece or around a doorframe. You could also get the kids to make their own decorations card, glue and glitter is all you need! 8. Go and see the Christmas lights. The dazzling Christmas lights at Leicester Square will just be the start! The Square’s gardens will be home to a beautiful Belgian Spiegeltent, where kids will be
November-December 2017
spellbound with a programme of live performances running from 10 Nov -6 Jan. Highlights include The Showstoppers Christmas Kids Show, an improvised musical for all ages, and laugh out loud antics at Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Medicine. The whole family can take to the floor during Monski Mouse’s Christmas Baby Disco Dance Hall - a first ever Christmas dance party for children aged 0-5 (and parents of all ages featuring an array of festive songs, dances and games. Tickets from: www.christmasinleicestersquare.com 9. Help others. Find out what your local food bank needs 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. 10. 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 and Home Alone are just some of the films people love to watch.
Article by Claire Winter
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What’s On & Events Listings
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM
EC2R 8AH www.bankofengland.co.uk 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. 18-22 and 27-29 Dec COLOURING IN 2018 Decorate 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! There’s a free chocolate coin for every child. Plus, banknote jigsaws, interactive games and displays, and the opportunity to try your hand at safe-cracking. You can even hold a genuine gold bar.
BRITISH MUSEUM
WC1B 3DG www.britishmuseum.org until 31 Jan CELTS-ART AND IDENTITY A vast collection of objects that provide clues to and raise questions about Celtic identity.
FOUNDLING MUSEUM
WC1N 1AZ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk 3 Dec LUCKY BUTTON DAY: BOOK READING WITH MICHAEL MORPURGO AND ART WORKSHOPS Join children’s author Michael Morpurgo for a reading from his new book Lucky Button, inspired by the Foundling Hospital, and enjoy music featured in the story. 10 Dec HETTY FEATHER’S CHRISTMAS: ART WORKSHOPS Have fun making a Christmas lantern and stained-glass window inspired by Hetty’s latest adventure. 10 Dec HETTY FEATHER’S CHRISTMAS: TALK & BOOK SIGNING a very special event with Dame Jacqueline Wilson to celebrate the launch of the new book Hetty
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Feather’s Christmas. 14 Dec BACH TO BABY: CHRISTMAS FAMILY CONCERT An innovative classical babies’ concert created by mum and pianist, Miaomiao Yu, inspired by Handel. 10.3011.30am. 17 Dec ANIMAL CHRISTMAS CRACKERS: CONCERT AND ART WORKSHOPS Join the Waldegrave Ensemble for a magical animalthemed family concert and create animalthemed Christmas crackers.
IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM
SE1 6HZ www.iwm.org.uk EXHIBITIONS: HOLOCAUST Film, photographs and a large number of rare artefacts document the history of the Nazi persecution of the Jews and other groups before and during the Second World War. For ages 14+ A FAMILY IN WARTIME Explores the lives of William and Alice Allpress and their ten children and what life in London was like during the war. SECRET WAR The clandestine world of espionage, covert operations and the work of Britain’s Special Forces. FIRST WORLD WAR Discover the story of the war - Over 1,300 objects including weapons, uniforms, diaries, letters and souvenirs, will be on display as well as a recreated trench with periscopes and a dug-out, along with a soundscape and projection will evoke what daily life was like for the troops. Every Sat and Sun OBJECT CONVERSATIONS New immersive object handling sessions where families can explore objects from the collections- feel the weight of a shrapnel piece from the First World War and come to grips with real objects. Drop-in, free, for all ages. 11am - 12.30pm and 2 - 4pm.
NATIONAL GALLERY
WC2N 5DN www.nationalgallery.org.uk Every Sun FAMILY SUNDAYS Activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 3pm. MAGIC CARPET STORYTELLING For children aged 2-5. Sundays 10.30 -11am and
11.30am-12pm. Fly away on the magic carpet, coming to land in front of a different painting each day. DRAWING SUNDAY Explore gallery paintings as inspiration for your art. For ages 5 -11. Sundays 11am and 2pm. Drop-in. 19 Nov ZOOM, DRAW, OOH LA LA Take part in a procession through Florence and draw the amazing people, costumes, animals and instruments you see along the way. STUDIO SUNDAYS are hands-on workshops that start in the Gallery, followed by a studio session (11am and 2pm). 12 Nov, 10 Dec BOOK FOLD, STORY TOLD Find out about the life of Saint Francis by exploring Sassetta's beautiful paintings and create an intriguing illustrated book. 17 Dec POTS APLENTY Shop for vegetables in Beuckelaer’s bountiful market stalls and transform your purchases into miniature clay vegetable pots. FAMILY WALK AND TALK Free family walk and talk to bring paintings alive. For all ages, 12.30-1.30pm. 3 Dec DAMSELS IN DISTRESS 15, 22, 29 Nov, 6 Dec WELCOME WEDNESDAYS Bring paintings to life through interactive music, storytelling, art and messy play activities. Every Wednesday, 10.30 and 11.30am for walkers under age five, 1pm for sitting babies to walkers. HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS 13 Dec BABYJAZZ CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Swing and sing your way into Christmas at a tailored jazz workshop.10.30-11.10am for ages 16 months + 27-29 Dec HOW’S MY HALO? Create your own magnificent halo inspired by Cione’s adoring angels altarpieces and other radiating crowns found in the Gallery’s Renaissance paintings.11am-1pm, drop-in.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Every weekend INVESTIGATE FOR FAMILIES Get a feel for how scientists work by having a go yourself. Come and explore hundreds of real nature specimens that form the evidence Museum scientists use in their
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daily work. Drop-in, 11am-5pm. 9 Dec DINO SNORES CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Ever wondered what goes on at the Natural History Museum at night? 7-11 years. 7pm till morning, torchlit trails through the museum, live animal shows and more. For ages 7-11. 22, 29 Dec PUPPET SHOW: RAPUNZEL, GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS Meet the main characters in this colourful puppet show and learn some amazing facts about the natural world. Children will be encouraged to think about things like the strength and structure of hair, and can handle real specimens from the Museum's collection. Shows at 12 and 1.30pm.
VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
SW7 2RL www.vam.ac.uk Every Sat POP UP PERFORMANCES Storytelling, interactive plays and dance. For all ages at 11am, 1 and 3pm. Free, drop in. Every Sun DROP-IN DESIGN Pick up a design challenge, hunt for ideas in the galleries, then create your own. 10.30am-5pm, for age 5+ 9, 10, 16, 17 Dec DIGITAL KIDS-MUSICAL CHRISTMAS Design your own interactive musical decoration. 10.30am-5pm. 28- Jan POP UP PERFORMANCES: CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR Sing-along to Christmas classics from around the world with Captain Christmas and his musical elves from Chickenshed and create new festive jingles for everyone to enjoy. 11am-3.30pm. 28 Dec - 2 Jan IMAGINATION STATION: CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR A musical Christmas treat- make and play your own musical instruments10.30am - 5pm. Free, drop-in, for age 3+ FREE ART FUN-BACK-PACKS, ACTIVITY CART AND ANIMAL BAGS Families can pick up an activity Back-Pack, get creative at Drop-in-Design or go on a gallery adventure trail. Free, drop-in. Suitable for children aged 4 to 11. Activity Cart: Fantastic hands-on art fun for children to create collages and pictures to take home. Agent Animal bag: A sensory activity bag
November-December 2017
be led by Wajid Yaseen, a British artist who develops sound-based artworks involving live performances, acousmatic music and sound sculptures. Free, drop-in for ages 5-11. 2 Dec HARRY POTTER: A HISTORY OF MAGIC FAMILY DAY Hands-on workshops delving into the magical world of storytelling. Create your own puppets, make and gaze through your own star telescopes and hear some amazing stories. For ages 5 -11, 10am4pm.
CUTTY SARK
Christmas Illuminations Trail at KEW GARDENS that has been developed especially for under 5s. Each bag contains an audio map and fabric cubes.
WALLACE COLLECTION
W1U 3BN www.wallacecollection.org 3 Dec THE LITTLE DRAW Free drop-in drawing workshop for all ages and abilities with artist Grace Holliday, an illustrator, markmaker and creative educator who uses sensory patterns and experimental drawing to explore her favourite sources of inspiration - heritage design, textiles and crafted object collections. Suitable for all the family.1:30 - 4:30pm, all ages. 17 Dec GET CRACKING Get ready for Christmas and Hanukkah by making some festive crackers inspired by the Wallace Collection. Free, drop-in, 11am-1pm, all ages.
DAYS OUT BRITISH LIBRARY
NW1 2DB www.bl.uk Until 28 Feb HARRY POTTER: A HISTORY OF MAGIC New exhibition celebrating the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It combines centuries-old British Library treasures, including the oldest items in the collection, the Chinese Oracle bones, with original material from Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury and J.K. Rowling's own archives, going on display for the first time. 19 Nov SOUNDHOPPERS FAMILY WORKSHOPS Experiment creatively with sound. Come and get involved in some sound experiments, and explore different qualities of sound through engaging games and fun listening exercises. The session will
SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark Every weekend CUTTY SARK CHARACTERS: Come aboard to hear Cutty Sark’s incredible stories brought to life by characters from the ship’s past. Suitable for ages 3+ Every Weds TODDLER TIME Bring your little sailors along for songs, stories and playtime on board. 10-11.30am for ages 4 and under. 17 Nov TODDLER TAKE OVER DAY The annual celebration of children's creativity in museums, designed and led by children from a local Greenwich school, who will present themed arts, crafts, storytelling and play for children under five years old. 10am-4pm. 2, 3 Dec CHRISTMAS DECORATION WORKSHOP 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.
FULHAM PALACE
SW6 6EA www.fulhampalace.org every Mon and Tues (until 12 Dec) THE PALACE EXPLORERS A weekly parent/carer and toddler sessions for children aged 2-4. £3 per child, which includes a drink and healthy snack.
KEW GARDENS
TW9 3AB www.kew.org 22 Nov-1 Jan CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS TRAIL A sparkling trail of over one million twinkling lights, illuminating heritage trees and buildings through the Gardens. Fairy-tale meets fantasy in a world of singing trees, larger-than-life flora, ribbons of light, giant baubles, and a flickering Fire Garden. The Palm House leaps into life with a dazzling show of laser beams, jets of light
WHAT’S ON LISTINGS CONTINUE ON PAGE 16
From Baby to Ballerina
Classes for Boys and Girls aged 21/2 to 16 years old Ballet, Pointe Work, Jazz, Tap, Annual Performances
Classes held in: Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate, Oxford Street, Shepherds Bush and South Kensington
November-December 2017
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What’s On and kaleidoscopic projections. Little ones can catch a glimpse of Santa and his elves at the North Pole village and enjoy a vintage fairground ride. Not so little ones can warm up with some mulled wine or hot chocolate and toast marshmallows around the fire.
BARBICAN THEATRE
ODDS FARM PARK
EC2Y 8DS www.barbican.org.uk/theatre 13-23 Dec SNOW MOUSE Watch two friends embark on an adventure in a magical forest full of play, puppetry, music and wonder in this enchanting tale for babies and the very young to enjoy with their families.
FAMILY THEATRE
UB3 2UE www.becktheatre.org.uk 19 Nov THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! Packed with oodles of magic, singalong songs and clumsy chaos, this is a stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem... expect to be surprised! A musical play adapted and directed by David Wood based on the book by Judith Kerr. 29 Nov-3 Dec ROBIN HOOD The awesomely awesome Robin Hood and his Merry Men are busy robbing the rich to give to the poor! The horribly horrid Sheriff, with his cronies Snivel and Grovel, is trying to thwart our hero - but he has a cunning plan! A fun-filled adventure jam packed with dancing, singing and much Merry-Men-t! 9-31 Dec ALADDIN a lamp-full of laughter, music, mayhem, a wish-granting genie and plenty of audience participation.
HP10 0LX www.oddsfarm.co.uk A FABULOUS DAY OUT AT THE FARM! Meet the farmers and get close to the animals in the hands-on area and in the large undercover animal barns. There is a massive adventure play area with a four lane astra slide, two drop slides, a netted area with zig zag chicanes and tunnels, swinging ropes and much more. Also, a special Toddler and Under 5’s areas. 25 Nov-24 Dec CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS Present your Christmas Festival Pass and come and meet Father Christmas, before heading onto the cuddly creative Christmas Corner and finally onto the elves’ workshop to collect something extra special. Plus, festive entertainment, take part in fun Christmasthemed arts and crafts and train to become an elf at the Elf Academy. Finally, don’t forget to drop in and meet the Christmas lambs.
THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE
WC2H 9ND www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk 13 Dec-7 Jan THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW Four stories from the wonderful world of Eric Carle Live on stage and in the West End for the first time. Featuring a menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets in a magical 60-minute show.
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BECK THEATRE
CHELSEA THEATRE
SW10 0DR www.chelseatheatre.org.uk Booking until May 18: 30 Nov-22 Dec ONCE UPON A SNOWFLAKE Liza has gone missing, and no-one knows where she can be. One thing’s for certain: those mysterious Winter Sprites have something to do with it. Every winter, these tiny elf-like creatures can be found hiding in pockets, shoes and sock drawers, watching everything and hearing everyone. Follow Liza into a colourful whirlwind of stories and adventure, led by a tiny Sprite with a fascination for snowflakes. Shadow puppetry, storytelling and enchanting original songs from Darren Clark for ages 3+
GREENFORD HALL
UB6 9QN www.heos.org.uk 28, 30 Dec DICK WHITTINGTON This traditional family-friendly pantomime is packed with excitement, slapstick, romance, a ghost scene, stunning costumes, song and dance. Plenty of audience participation wanted! With his faithful companion, Tommy the Cat, at his side, Dick Whittington travels to London seeking his fortune. Sadly, London’s streets are not paved with gold, and a plague of rats threatens to let the evil Ratbag rule. Determined to do away with Dick, she frames him for theft then shipwrecks him. Will Dick and Tommy survive?
THE LILIAN BAYLISS STUDIO
EC1R 4TN www.sadlerswells.com 13-24 Dec THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL A magical dance theatre show with live music based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic story of a young street girl's hopes and dreams.
LONDON COLISEUM
WC2N 4ES www.ballet.org.uk 13 Dec-6 Jan NUTCRACKER Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker doll discover a magical world, where she battles with the Mouse King and meets a handsome stranger. As the air grows colder, Clara and her valiant Nutcracker take a hot air balloon ride across London to the glistening Land of Snow where her adventure really begins. A treat for all the family.
LYRIC HAMMERSMITH
W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk 22 Nov - 24 Dec RAYMOND BRIGGS’ FATHER CHRISTMAS A charming show is back to delight children under 6 and their families. Follow Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. This timeless festive story bursts into life with live music, playful puppets and a magical set.
CAMBRIDGE THEATRE
WC2H 9HU www.matildathemusical.com Booking until May 18: MATILDA THE MUSICAL The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Roald Dahl’s magical story about a girl with extraordinary powers.
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November-December 2017
18 Nov-6 Jan JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Plenty of magic beans, a huge loveable cow, an enormous beanstalk, a gigantic giant and a massive adventure. This year's panto has crazy characters, live music, dancing, singing and loads of laughs.
LYRIC THEATRE
W1D 7ES www.nimaxtheatres.com/lyric-theatre 22 Nov-7 Jan THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep dark wood. One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he? Expect 55 minutes of magical, musical fun for families with children aged 3+
MUSIC HOUSE FOR CHILDREN
W12 7LJ www.musichouseforchildren.co.uk 20 Dec THE SNOWMAN, AN INTERACTIVE MUSICAL SHOW An interactive musical show to go on a magical adventure to the North Pole with the snowman to visit a certain someone… For ages 2-6.
PEACOCK THEATRE
WC2A 2HT www.sadlerswells.com 23 Nov-31 Dec THE SNOWMAN Based on the book by Raymond Briggs. step into the wonderful wintery world of a boy and his magical snowman. As a unique friendship is kindled, the two embark on a starry-skied adventure to the North Pole, where they meet Father Christmas and narrowly escape the clutches of Jack Frost.
PLAYGROUND THEATRE
W10 6RQ www.theplaygroundtheatrelondon 15 Dec-7 Jan THE LITTLE PRINCE All grown-ups were once children... but only a few of them remember it. Based on the story by Antoine De Saint-Exupéry.
PUPPET THEATRE BARGE
W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com 2 Dec-7 Jan THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS
November-December 2017
Christmas Family Workshops at the FOUNDLING MUSEUM TREE The Little Christmas Tree is a bit wonky, so no one wants to buy it... that is until a young boy called Joe turns up and finds himself drawn to the tree. All he has to do now is get the rest of his family to agree to buy the tree and not to throw it away in the New Year! This new Christmas production combines exquisitely carved wooden marionettes and beautiful shadow puppets to tell the poignant story of the unique friendship between a boy and a little Christmas tree.
QUESTORS THEATRE
W5 5BQ www.questors.org.uk 14 Dec-1 Jan MOTHER GOOSE A fun family adventure to Magic Mountain to save a little goose from a wicked troll.
RICHMOND THEATRE
TW9 1QJ www.atgtickets.com/Richmond 9 Dec-14 Jan ALADDIN Jump aboard a high-flying, magical carpet headed for Old Peking. Follow Aladdin, his hapless brother, and of course his mother Widow Twankey, on a spectacular adventure featuring a beautiful love story, flying carpets, a wishgranting genie, an evil sorcerer and a lamp packed full of spectacular family entertainment.
SHAW THEATRE
NW1 2AJ 0844 248 5075 · www.shaw-theatre.com 9-30 Dec JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Poor hero Jack and his dotty mum Dame Trott are tricked into selling their beloved cow Daisy for a useless bag of beans. You know what happens next! Featuring a star cast, great songs, amazing dance routines and plenty of laughter for all the family.
SADLER’S WELLS
EC1R www.sadlerswells.com 9 Dec-27 Jan CINDERELLA Matthew Bourne's interpretation of the classic fairy tale, has, at its heart, a true war-time romance. A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.
WHAT’S ON LISTINGS CONTINUE ON PAGE 18
SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE
SE1 9DT www.shakespearesglobe.com Visit the exhibition desk to buy tickets every day or calll 020 79021599 for more information. Learn about Shakespeare’s world and his plays through interactive activities and demonstrations at Shakespeare’s Globe. £10 Family tickets for a limited period. Ages 5+
SOUTHBANK CENTRE
SE1 8PX www.southbankcentre.co.uk 17, 24 Nov, 1, 8, 15 Dec RUG RHYMES FOR THE UNDER FIVES A short session of nursery rhymes, poems and rhyming stories, and the opportunity to look at and borrow books. Free but booking essential. 20, 27 Nov, 4, 11, 15 Dec DRAGON BABIES Bring your little ones to shake, rattle and gong. Gamelan for ages 3-5.
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Please make sure you tell them you saw them in Families west London magazine!
What’s On
CONCERTS BACH TO BABY
www.bachtobaby.com/londonnorth All concerts at 10.30am. 21 Nov, 12 Dec in Notting Hill (St. John's Church, Lansdowne Crescent, W11) 24 Nov, 1 Dec n Chiswick (St. Michael and All Angels, Bath Road, W4) 4 Nov, 18 and 20 Dec (in Covent Garden (St. Paul's, Bedford St, WC2)
MUSIC HOUSE FOR CHILDREN
W12 7LJ www.musichouseforchildren.co.uk 3 Dec CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Under the sparkling chandeliers of Bush Hall, families, friends and children will enjoy Christmas carols, performances and readings by children and artists.
CADOGAN HALL
The Gruffalo’s Child at the LYRIC THEATRE 25 Nov BUILD A DAD: FATHERHOOD AND PLAY LEGO® WORKSHOP Do some hands-on LEGO® brick-building while discussing and reflecting on the role that play has in fatherhood. 25 Nov CRAFT A MAN WORKSHOP What makes a man? Craft your own paper man with artists Sam Wingate and Steph Parr. All the family is welcome to draw, design and make in this drop-in workshop. 25 Nov HOW TO BE A SUPERMAN? GENDER EQUALITY FOR BOYS Ever feel frustrated by problems you see around you? If so, come along to our session for boys under 10 on making the change you want to see. Join other boys for an interactive workshop exploring what changes you would like to see in the world around, and how you can be a positive role model in the future. For boys aged 7-10. 18 Dec-4 Jan SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW Experience a joyous dream-like world that touches both your heart and funny bone, culminating in a breath-taking blizzard that leaves you literally knee deep in snow. For ages 8+
19-31 Dec NIGHT LIGHT Go on a magical journey through the dark and beautiful night in this theatrical work for children. The blackbird sings to welcome the night. The day slows and soon all are asleep. All except one who cannot sleep. A child, curious to know who looks after the night. For ages 3-6. Autism friendly performance on 21 Dec. 21 Dec RAVE-A-ROO WINTERTIME All the family can dance, let loose or sit back, watch and chill in this club experience for all ages. Madcap hosts have audiences in stitches with their hilarious antics, drum and bass musical statues and massive jungle dance-offs. 23 Dec NORDIC WINTERTIME An afternoon of Nordic-themed music, storytelling and crafts for the whole family. 30 Dec GLAMOROUS GRAN! AND OTHER TALL STORIES East London's sweetest drag star, Ginger Johnson, brings her unique take on storytelling for all ages to Southbank Centre. Expect songs, sequins and shouting galore for everyone ages 7 and over. Are you sitting comfortably?
THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE
WC2B 5JF www.reallyuseful.com/theatres/theatreroyal-drury-lane Until 7 Jan CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Roald Dahl's deliciously dark tale of young Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonka in a musical directed by Sam Mendes. 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
UNICORN THEATRE
SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com 17 Nov-31 Dec THE VELVETEEN RABBIT A heart-warming story about a very shy toy rabbit who longs for nothing more than to become real. He spends his days waiting patiently on the nursery floor, watching the Boy play with other toys and dreaming of being picked up and loved. And then, one day, he is rediscovered and all his hopes start to come true...For age 5+ 22 Nov-31 Dec BOING This piece of dancetheatre captures 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... On this most extraordinary night, let your imagination soar right up to the stars. This is a deaf-friendly show. For age 2-6.
SW1X 9DQ www.cadoganhall.com 16 Dec ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA CHRISTMAS CRACKER Christmas songs, best-loved carols and plenty of joy and sparkle! 20 Dec THE SNOWMAN AND CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS A film screening of The Snowman with the Mozart Symphony Orchestra providing a live soundtrack, and Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals, with lots of extras and fun surprises. 21 Dec FATHER CHRISTMAS AND PETER AND THE WOLF Raymond Brigg’s Father Christmas is brought to life this Christmas 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. For ages 4+
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at the LYRIC HAMMERSMITH
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November-December 2017
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Activities, Clubs & Classes MUSIC AND MOVEMENT HARTBEEPS Award-winning, original, multi-sensory musical baby and toddler classes with original music, bubbles, costumes, twinkles, sparkly parachutes, puppets and more. Classes in West Kensington, North Kensington, Notting Hill, Shepherds Bush and Maida Vale. Contact Louise. e: loulou@hartbeeps.com t: 07738 522856
CIRCUS
ALBERT & FRIENDS INSTANT CIRCUS Mondays at The Hub, St Alban’s Church W6 8HJ Wednesdays at Melcombe Primary School W6 9ER Thursdays at Melcombe Primary School W6 9ER Saturdays at The Hub, St Alban’s Church W6 8HJ Email or visit the website for all the classes. e: Info@albertandfriendsinstantcircus.co.uk www.albertandfriendsinstantcircus.co.uk
DANCE
BALLET4LIFE Since 2004. Ballet4life offers top quality welcoming daily ballet, dance and fitness classes taught by professionals. All classes are held in large dance studios and our programme includes creative dance classes for kids, beginner ballet and barre courses, and dance fitness. Mums and babies welcome. www.ballet4life.com Follow us: @ballet4lifeuk Like us: www.facebook.com/ballet4life.uk/ DANCE GALLERY Dance Gallery is Ealing’s leading dance school and specialises in modern, jazz, tap and musical theatre productions for children aged 4-18 years. e: jill@dancegallery.co.uk t: 0208 566 9672 · www.dancegallery.co.uk
KENSINGTON BALLET 18 months - 2 years. Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill and Fulham. t: 07957 650 042 www.kensingtonballet.com
STAGECOACH PERFROMING ARTS Provide fun and engaging weekly classes in dance, drama and singing in a safe and happy environment. Students aged 4 to 18 years are taught by a professional and experienced team of teachers. They offer two-week trials for all new students so that your child can try the class out. To enrol go to: www.stagecoach.co.uk info@stagecoach.co.uk Chiswick - 020 8398 4709 Hammersmith & Kensington: 020 8398 8106 Ealing: 01494 260249 WEST LONDON DANCE ACADEMY Ballet classes in Chiswick & Ealing. Free Trial Lesson. e: natalieparnell.wlda@gmail.com t: 07795 578781 www.westlondondanceacademy.com
WEST LONDON SCHOOL OF DANCE 21/2 - 16 years. 020 8743 3856 westlondondance@aol.com www.westlondonschoolofdance.co.uk
DRAMA
ARTSED EXTRA Saturday Skills Academy. Weekly Musical Theatre, Drama and Dance classes in Chiswick. Creative fun for children of all ages and abilities. For ages 4-16 years. e: ptc@artsed.co.uk · t: 020 8987 6692 www.artsed.co.uk
PERFORM Drama, Dance and Singing in term time and holidays for ages 4 -12 years. A unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child's true potential. Small classes and lots of individual attention. No-obligation FREE trial for newcomers. Venues: Acton, Brook Green, Chiswick, Ealing, Hammersmith, Kensington W8, Ladbroke Grove, Maida Vale, Marylebone, Nottinghill, Shepherds Bush, Turnham Green, and West Kensington. e: enquiries@perform.org.uk · t: 020 7255 9120 www.perform.org.uk/try
STAGECOACH PERFORMING ARTS Provide fun and engaging weekly classes in dance, drama and singing in a safe and happy environment. Students aged 4 to 18 years are taught by a professional and experienced team of teachers. They offer two-week trials for all new students so that your child can try the class out. To enrol go to: www.stagecoach.co.uk e: info@stagecoach.co.uk Chiswick: 020 8398 4709 Hammersmith & Kensington: 020 8398 8016 Ealing: 01494 260249
FOOTBALL/SPORTS
KIDDIKICKS Football (W2,W4,W8,W10,W11,TW8). For boys and girls from 18 months to age 7. e: info@kiddikicks.co.uk t: 020 7937 7965 www.kiddikicks.co.uk
JUMP LDN Empowers people through Double Dutch Skipping! Double Dutch is a socially fun sport and street game which promotes teamwork, communication and unity. Harrow Club, 187 Freston Rd, London W10 6TH (2mins from Latimer Road Station) JUMP YOUTH: 6pm-7pm (16yrs and under) JUMP FITNESS: 7pm-8pm (16yrs and over) e: info@jumpldn.com www.facebook.com/jumpldn1 www.jumpldn.com
SWIMMING
Swimming Lessons. From 3 years. Crowne Plaza Heathrow. t: 01753 364 366 www.seriouslyfun.com
TUITION SUPPORT
EXPLORE LEARNING Maths & English Tuition Centres. 5 -14 years. Free Trial session. Ealing 020 8090 8710 Hayes 020 8561 8530 Westfield London 020 809 01216 www.explorelearning.co.uk VICTORIA PAGE Private tuition 21/2 - 11 years. t: 07050 246 810
VIVIEN BORNEMANN Home tuition. Art, Craft and design. All ages. t: 020 8932 1010.
BABY YOGA & MASSAGE
WEST LONDON BABIES Chiswick Sling Library, Family First Aid session, Breastfeeding Buddy sessions and Pregnant Parents Social Club. Also The Bub Hub which runs every fortnight and is a collective of professionals working together to support parents during the first year of their baby's life. Subjects covered include baby massage and babywearing, sleep, feeding, managing expectations, returning to work, Mums of More than One, 6-12 month old focus and lots more. Ealing. t: 020 8090 8710
LANGUAGES
ARABIC For Women and Children. Female teacher. t: 07956 845 053