I swear those kids only just went back to school after Christmas but they tell me it’s half term next week. If you’re similarly unprepared then let me give you a few ideas of what you can do to pass the time in those chilly February days. A good starting point this time of year is always the Imagine Festival at the Southbank Centre and this year there seems to be loads going on, including appearances from Jacqueline Wilson, Harry Hill and CBeebies’ Cerrie. Check out the full list of events here.
Other favourites of the LWAT family are Big Fish little Fish, who are bringing their family raves to venues all over the country this half term – see the listings here – and Chickenshed who return to the Royal Albert Hall after their triumphant “Dreams of Freedom” show last summer. This time it’s a smaller scale affair, allowing littler ones to get up close to the “Tales From The Shed” gang. It’s in the Elgar Room at the RAH on 12th and 13th Feb. More details here.
Seguing smoothly from chickens to hedgehogs, there’s a really lovely sounding event at the Camley Street Natural Park this Saturday (10th Feb). It’s a “Hedgehog Discovery Day” with hedgehog related crafts and activities. We hung out in Kings Cross this time last year and it was a gorgeous day to be by the canal so I reckon it’ll be well worth popping down to.
(Yes that really is Kings Cross in the photo above)
Another thing we’d like to check out in Kings Cross is a new family indie disco, called “Indie Kids’ Kids“, which launches on 18th at the Water Rats (and the day before in Putney I believe). As you probably know by now, Nathan and I are quite the aged britpoppers so it sounds like a lot of fun. Our kids might be too old to go along with it but last time we played them Supergrass they enjoyed it. Who wouldn’t?!
Last half term we had a good romp around the V&A and this half term they’re hosting an exhibition on Winnie the Pooh which looks utterly lovely. Even their website is fun, with a floating blue balloon and bees that follow your mouse everywhere. Yup, I’m having a productive evening. The exhibition runs until 8th April but over half term there are workshops to fit in with the theme with pop-up performances and the chance to make mini picture books. Reuben is nagging me to go back to Wonderlab after his school trip there today so maybe we can combine the two.
On a West London tip, I’d also like to visit the Museum of Brands in Ladbroke Grove sometime soon and they’re hosting a Teddy Bear Adventure Trail over half term. It’s free for kids under 7 (£9 for adults) so maybe one for the toddler-wranglers among you.
Which brings me smoothly onto my last recommendation – See Saw at the Unicorn Theatre, a very whimsical looking show for the age 3-6s. Eva’s bestie is going to see it so I’m sure she’ll report back on what happens but it sounds lovely.
And of course if all else fails, you have Pancake Day AND Valentines Day falling in the same week. That’s at least one day you can use up baking gruesome looking heart-shaped cookies and one you can spend cooking up misshapen pancakes. We’re opting out of the cooking this year and going to the one at church (13th Feb, 6-8pm). You’re welcome to join us!
Happy half term everyone….
