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Geffrye Museum The Geffrye Museum (p20) offers free events for children throughout the year, from baking classes to magic lessons to craft workshops. 136 Kingsland Road E2 8EA, geffryemuseum.org.uk
Kids
Hackney Picturehouse A great spot on a rainy Saturday morning and a brilliant way to start the weekend: blockbusters and classic children’s films are screened every week at the Kids’ Club. 270 Mare Street E8 1HE, picturehouses. co.uk/cinema/Hackney_Picturehouse; children aged 3–12; membership £4 a year, tickets for members and accompanying adults £1.50 Hoxton Hall A excellent array of free workshops: 7–13 year olds can learn to make puppets, dance hip-hop and join a band, while 7–19s can take drama classes with professional actors, perform in open mic nights and learn to produce and record music. 130 Hoxton Street N1 6SH; hoxtonhall.co.uk; free Monster Supplies Shop Styled as an old-fashioned confectioners, Monster Supplies sells deliciously creepy treats: glass jars filled with eyeball sweets, guts and garlic chutney, and organ marmalade. All proceeds go the Ministry of Stories (p85). 159 Hoxton Street N1 6PJ, monster supplies.org; Tues–Fri 1–5pm, Sat 11am–5pm Rhythm Studio Rock and Pop Academy A chance for parents to say ‘it wasn’t like this in my day’, as their kids spend a week forming a band, recording a CD and finally getting a gig at a local venue. In addition, they can join production classes learning
composition, video-making, remixing and DJing. Rhythm Studio East also runs regular classes, with one-to-one tuition or band sessions. Rhythm Studio East, Dalston Studios, Stamford Works, Gillett Square N16 8JH, therhythmstudio.co.uk; from £195; regular classes from £250 for a ten-week term
Ship of Adventures The ship-shaped shop of brilliant literacy charity Hackney Pirates (p84), supporting their work. Browse Hackney guides and audio projects created by local children, and buy jewellery handmade by HP volunteers, ethical gifts and kids’ books. There’s also a zero-waste café. 138 Kingsland High Street E8 2NS; hackneypirates.org/shop-of-adventures Victoria Park Bookshop A great choice for kids, with a range of teen fiction as well as picture books. 174 Victoria Park Road E9 7HD, victoria parkbooks.co.uk; daily 10am–5.30pm