It’s finally happened – School have said that they don’t want to teach Reuben anymore. At least not until he starts Year 1 in September. If you have a similarly set-loose child, you may be wondering how to fill those weeks. Well, wonder no more…. we have some summer highlights for you. For a waaaaaay more comprehensive list, have a look at fellow Walthamstowian Museum Mum’s blog and activity calendar.
Talking of Walthamstow, I’m very sad to be missing the Walthamstow Garden Party on Saturday 26th July because we’re going to Scotland. There’s a feast of music and entertainment going on, from the ukuleles of the Walthamstow Acoustic Massive to the ukuleles of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Obviously, I’m not singing with WAM this time but I will be at the Stow Festival in September. Bring a ukulele. Apparently you can’t enter E17 without one.
Back in the old ‘hood meanwhile, there’s the Southbank Festival of Love. The beach is back, the fountains are back and the giant purple cow is back too, which is always a hit with toddlers, regardless of what’s happening inside. I also hear rumours of an edible bus stop and a slide but that might just be a cunningly constructed ruse to lure us back to South London. On a South London tip, there’s some free art workshops on at the Horniman, as well as huge grounds to run around in (bring a change of clothes if it’s muddy. And shoes.)
There’s also a smattering of events at some of our favourite toddler-friendly cafes this summer. The Dish is currently having a refit but they have a lovely new gazebo outside where you can sit and enjoy a coffee and a people-watch (and Dulwich is just the best for people watching). Then there’s a new cafe, down near Wimbledon, which is running art sessions over the holidays. It’s called CraftedLondon and we haven’t been yet, but will report back soon! The Rabbit Hole has its new menu now – put together by a Michelin chef, not a Mexican one – and is running messy play sessions over the summer, as well as pamper sessions for stressed-out parents. They are also running some special events, which I’ll let Nicci explain:
“We have a Workshop Fun Day on Saturday 23rd August all day to see what local suppliers get up to usually behind the scenes in their workshops! Then on Saturday 30th August there is a workshop, led by an expert, for anyone over 10 years old to learn to crochet an accessory of their choice whether it be a headband, flower or earing. All materials will be provided. Class is from 11am til 1pm with juice and biscuits included for only £9. Lastly in September there is a ‘back to school disco’ for the under three’s.. where parents will be able to make requests for their little ones favorite tracks and their will be a photographer on site to capture and give photographs straight away to parents from a booth. Entry is £3 per person.” See the Rabbit Hole’s Facebook page for more details.
Don’t forget, there’s also LolliBop on at Hatfield House, with an exciting array of CBeebies stars and also Justin. And if you’re heading to Camp Bestival, be sure to say hello to our friends at Big Fish Little Fish!
Of course, if this all seems too much effort, there’s always a local park to go to. I’ve been to a few over the course of this blog – the Google map might be a good place to start, along with the (somewhat outdated) sandpits and paddling pools map.
View London With A Toddler in a larger map
So, enjoy it. We’ll be launching our own little summer project once we’re back from Scotland….keep an eye out for it. In the meantime, if you have any other summer highlights you think we should include here, comment below or on the Facebook page. See you in a week or so…
