SWL 284 Mar April 2019.qxp_Layout 1 19/02/2019 15:20 Page 1 FREE TAKE ME HOME

South West

Your guide to Easter Over 150 local events Take your copy home!

IN THIS ISSUE Zero waste shopping, the rise of self harming, prep schools, parties, local city farms, days out, child friendly museums, theatre, Easter activities and much more

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Do something fun this Easter. Check out our Easter and What’s On listings for activities, days out, courses contents and fun things to do indoor and outdoors Photo: Go Ape March/April 2019 Issue 284/285

4-5 Local news 37 Your local Clubs & Classes news • Families London South West is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in 39 Favourite places to enjoy the Great the group are independently owned and operated 6-7 Ways to live sustainably under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of Outdoors this Easter LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow 8-20 EDUCATION FEATURE Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. • What’s wrong with League tables? 41 The rise of self harming • Why choose a school in Bath • The contents of Families London South West are 42-47 EASTER HOLIDAYS fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial • Falcons School for Girls music From sport to art, days out, music, or photographic matter may be reproduced in any scholarship programme form without prior consent of Families London South drama and much more West. • News from our local Prep schools

• Designed and Printed by Ridgeway Press, Wilts. • School Open days 48 EDITOR’S PICK Our editor chooses 5 things to do • Every care is taken in the preparation of this 23 Cutting the cost of childcare magazine, but Families SW, our distributors, the this spring franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle 24-29 BABY FEATURE Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims 48-54 WHAT’S ON • When should your baby start being of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or • Diary dates any consequence thereof. active? • Mother’s day treats • Very useful local baby services • Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed • Theatre sustainable sources. 29 Helping parents keep their children • Museums and galleries Tel: 020 8696 9680 through fostering Editorial: [email protected] News: [email protected] 31-33 PARTIES Adverts/Artwork: [email protected] • Top tips for a budget party Events/Diary Dates/What’s On: • Top party ideas from our local party [email protected] specialists and planners Find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram FamiliesSWLon Next Issue: May/June 2019 ISSN 1354-9553. All contents ©Families SW 2019. Advertise in our next issue. Contact us on 020 8696 9680

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Polka Theatre closed for renovation Further to a £1.2 million award rehearsal and development studio, from Mayor of London’s Good a creative learning studio designed Growth Fund, our beloved Polka with particular reference to theatre is closed until the summer children with sensory needs, as of 2020 to allow much needed re- well as improved access facilities. building and refurbishing–excellent Polka is one of the few theatres in news to celebrate its 40th birthday the UK dedicated exclusively to year and make ready for the next children. A further £1 million Congratulations to children from Priory CofE School in Wimbledon who 40 years. The development approx is still needed to help have been judges of the Blue Peter Book Awards 2019. Although adult includes a new Adventure Theatre complete this £7.5 million project. judges chose the shortlist, the winners will be decided by children from 12 specially designed for young https://polkatheatre.com schools around the country. The winner will be announced on Blue Peter children up to age 5, a new on 7th March on World Book Day. Like to get involved with Families magazine? Could you help us by distributing a batch of magazines in your school? Would you like to review shows and events and share your reviews? If so, why not join our team of ‘roving mums’! We want to involve you in the production of the magazine: share your passions, your favourite eateries and in exchange you will get a chance to win prizes, tickets to shows and to review products to keep. There will be a limited number of mums in the team. Email [email protected] or call 020 8696 9680.

About WIFI and Smart Meters In our Jan/Feb issue we mentioned home display showing spending on a piece published in ‘The Lancet’ energy in pounds and pence, smart about the potential health risks to meters equip families with the tools humans associated with prolonged necessary to eliminate energy waste exposure to WIFI (mobile phones, at home and reduce bills. By computer routers, masts, baby reducing energy use, we can cut the monitors etc). If you haven’t read it amount of carbon we produce as a yet, do, it is very important. country and help to tackle climate One reader wanted his viewpoint change. To reassure the public that expressed about smart meters (not smart meters are safe, Public Health about the potential risks of WIFI England has conducted and use). At Families we like our published extensive peer-reviewed readers to make up their own research. This research has found minds, so please read the Lancet that while smart meters do use Enjoy British Science Week report here radio waves, they do so at a typical http://bit.ly/Lancetarticle, or find rate of a millionth of the minimum Families can enjoy a wonderful can also download a series of FREE out more about smart meters here international guidelines and time together during British activity packs at http://stopsmartmeters.org.uk/ and significantly lower than existing Science Week 2019 which will take www.britishscienceweek.org filled here’s what our reader has to say: devices such as mobile telephones place from 8 to 17 March. Science with resources and ideas to try out “New gas and electricity smart or WI-FI.” Week is a celebration of science, at home or school, without the meters are being offered to every technology, engineering and maths need for a science background or home across Great Britain at no To learn more about the benefits with fascinating, entertaining and expensive equipment. extra cost. With an end to of smart meters and protections in engaging activities for all ages To find an event close to you, visit estimated bills and a portable in- place, visit www.smartenergygb.org taking place across the UK. You www.sciencelive.net

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Knightsbridge School pupils become kindness detectives In February pupils at Knightsbridge very thoughtful game of bingo. School took on the roles of Much like the much-loved game, kindness detectives to raise the children were given a sheet full awareness for Children’s Mental of things to tick off, only instead of Health Week. Each child in the a list of numbers, the page was school was given the name of filled with a variety of kind deeds. someone in their class and These included sitting with embarked on a secret mission to someone who looked lonely, do something kind for that person donating something they no longer during the course of the week. needed to charity and holding the Acts of kindness included helping door open for someone. their classmates tidy their lockers “We wanted to let them know that and carry their bags as well as sometimes it is OK not to be OK.” Powerleague introduces new flagship site at Nine Elms sharing pencils and helping each www.knightsbridgeschool.com other in class. The original provider of small-sided side of the pitch and upload goals The younger pupils in the school football in the UK, Powerleague, is to watch them back on the were also encouraged to play a proud to showcase a brand new Powerleague website or upload to club in Nine Elms, Battersea. The social media channels. new Club features five 5-a-side Powerleague Nine Elms caters for pitches, one 7-a-side pitch and all your football and league wearable tech for players which requirements, as well as corporate tracks game performance and events and children’s parties with stats. The club features exciting pitches for hire and additional digital advances including on-pitch games including Zorb Football, cameras to replay and record game Nerf Parties and more. triumphs. Hit a red button on the www.powerleague.co.uk

Two books we love this month: The Montessori Toddler by Montessori teacher and parent Simone Davies (Workman, £14.99, 10 April) suggests how to bring the values of a Montessori classroom into your own home. Designed to be a practical guide on how to raise self-sufficient, curious and independent toddlers, the book also aims to help Commission a beautiful artist portrait parents become more easy going and attentive. Mary-Maye Lorriman works to customer: "Such a fun surprise create beautiful bespoke portraits. present for my husband, Mary- WHY Do I Have To Sleep? by best-selling author Signe She paints beloved family pets, Maye has captured our wonderful Rhode (Make Your Mark Global, £11.98) tells the story of a children, adults, and even deceased dog perfectly and we are both over child who doesn’t want to go to bed but slowly opens up loved ones. Commissioned all the moon with it." to wanting to sleep while his mother shares with him the through the year for special Contact Mary-May on 07825 importance of a good night’s rest. This book is truly one occasions and anniversaries, her 511850, of its kind as it uses mindfulness and meditation tips to work creates lasting memories. [email protected] soothe the child to sleep. Here’s the reaction of one recent @marymayelorriman

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Sustainable M By Ara Yoo, a local mother of two

It takes 15,415 litres of water to of personal hygiene and house Choose your future produce 1kg of beef. cleaning products tend to utilise "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, • Swap recipes that have lentils, single use plastic. Nothing is going to get better. It's not." chickpeas, beans etc. Try your • You can clean your house classic recipes without the meat. basically with vinegar. This is the — Dr. Seuss, from The Lorax We now love our chicken-free recipe I use for all-purpose fajitas! cleaning: one part white vinegar, ustainability is a big word, it’s lower the water temperature and • When food shopping, bring your one part water, lemon rind and only when we break it down use your tumbler dryer a little less. own bags, where possible buy local rosemary sprigs into a spray bottle Sthat it can become less • Refrigerants from fridges and air produce and in bulk. (or use essential oils). For kitchen daunting. Searching for perfection conditioners are the biggest • Food author Micheal Pollan once counters and appliances, add 4 can sometimes become the enemy culprits in warming the summarised it in 7 words: “Eat tablespoons of baking soda to a of good, you can delay atmosphere, much more than litre of warm water. Pour on clean food, not too much, mostly plants”. procrastination and get your CO2. When buying new appliances, sponge to wipe. Eat food that your grandmother sustainable you started today. We buy energy efficient ones. Try to fix • You should consider trialling soap would recognise, stop before you all lead busy lives and as a working if broken and recycle wherever bar shampoos (wild-sage.co.uk and are full and be generous with fibre. mum of two girls myself, I have possible. uk.lush.com). We now use water incorporated one new, sustainable, • Is your electricity bill green? and apple cider vinegar (four parts habit, at a time. An overview of Switch to www.bulb.co.uk 3. Does it spark joy? and one part respectively) in spray some practical steps you can take • We insulated our house. Cavity And in third place, manufacturing is bottles as conditioner. Apple cider is set out below. wall insulation can save you up to 21% of global greenhouse gas vinegar is one of the best natural £250 a year of heating bills. emissions. antidotes for nits. 1. Power brings responsibility • First and most important rule, buy • Ladies, check out menstrual cups. Electricity generation is the 2. Food for thought less. It takes getting used to but you principle source of greenhouse gas The next major source of emissions • Limit presents to your children should find them safer, cheaper emissions: 25%. is agriculture at 24%. Some and consider eco ones such as and so much more • Switch to energy saving light research shows that reducing meat gardening kits, chalks to decorate environmentally friendly than their bulbs as these last 10 times longer. consumption is by far the most pathways, a mud kitchen, even a traditional equivalent. Organicup is • Switch lights off and turn off effective way to reduce global worm farm! highly recommended but you can switches at plug sockets too. warming. find many brands in health stores, • Do less laundry, do big loads, • Eat less meat, especially red meat. The reality is that the vast majority Boots and online.

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Try also: Hetu Vegan Zero Waste Store They sell whole foods in bulk and sustainable reusable items without unnecessary packaging. They say no to animal products, no to palm oil, no to exploitation, no to single use and no to over consumption.

201 St Johns Hill, Battersea. Experience the zero waste shopping revolution! e Me B

4. To travel is to live Transport makes 14% of We love BYO Zero waste shop in Tooting market. Remember to bring your own or purchase bottles, jars, bags greenhouse gas emissions. etc...to refill with whole foods, household detergents and toiletries—by weight. Their aim is to reduce Packaging • Whenever possible, use public transport. and Food Waste in our Homes and Community. • Cycle by using bike2work scheme and newly installed bike paths. • Car pooling with neighbours when you take children to school or parties is also great to socialise and avoid parking or use a car club. • Consider taking one less international flight this year. 5. Caring is Sharing Connect and engage with your community and neighbours. • Create a Facebook group for your local area: encourage each other to borrow or lend to each other or repair. Lend your lawnmower against a helping hand with some DYI? • Volunteer at a local clean up. • Become a board member of a local school and support their sustainability steps.

I’d love to hear about the steps you are taking to become a more With a network of stores across the world, The Source Bulk Foods offers over 500 quality wholefoods, dried fruits, sustainable you! Tweet me at oils and cooking liquids, cereals, snacks and household goods for all of the family, with a focus on organic, vegan, @Ara_Yoo_Me gluten-free and paleo-friendly products. 99 St John's Rd, Battersea.

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Education Feature

What’s wrong with League tables? By Mrs Katharine Woodcock, Headmistress Sydenham High School

Discouraging children from comparing their achievements with those of their peers is one schools are ‘academic’, regardless of how they of the biggest challenges parents and teachers face. We work hard to ensure that all rank in league tables. The process of pupils celebrate their success in the context of identifying their own potential. It is not education is not a precise science. We should necessarily a good thing for them constantly to measure themselves, or be measured, not be defined by letters and numbers; what against the performance of others. matters is how a school has helped to shape and prepare an individual for their next steps, very year, I wince when for their future. league tables come out, Ecalculating schools’ results Mental health and wellbeing are key and ranking them. Is this publicity priorities for us all today, when, helpful, and more to the point is it according to a recent survey healthy? What concerns me most conducted by the charity Action for about league tables is that they do Children, one in three young not tell the whole story about the people suffer from mental health school or the pupils behind the troubles. Theresa May has statistics published. Equally, league announced new plans to alleviate tables can be confusing and even this problem and the teaching of misleading, as they do not all use resilience is to become part of the the same measure of comparison. national curriculum. We have to As a result, parents may make consider whether by publicly unfair assumptions about an comparing every cohort’s results institution, without considering the with those of another, we are wider context, or indeed the perpetuating a culture that is breadth and spread of results. tables, but they are no less worthy, no less damaging the wellbeing of our children? impressive than those institutions that do. League tables do not reflect the starting point Furthermore, league tables do not predict the We hope to join a number of other schools in of any given pupil future path of any child and how successful not submitting our results to the national It is innate in any good teacher to want to they will be, given the strong grounding press. bring the very best out in a child. in terms of academic and personal We no longer want to feed the frenzy of results Natasha Devon MBE Schools that are super selective, for development a school may have comparison and participate in what Natasha rightly pointed out last example, rejecting applicants who provided. Devon calls the media’s seasonal ‘soap opera’ summer that results “don’t fail to hit the target academically in of results. I have been so immensely proud of tell you anything about all selection tests at the tender age of Measuring the success of the results my classes, and those of the schools those little moments that 10, should inevitably be high up in pupils must transcend mere I have worked in, have achieved. “Success leave an indelible mark on the league tables. What these letters and numbers means doing the best we what we have”—wise pupils intellectually and tables do not measure, however, is GCSE and A Level results alone words from Zig Ziglar. So let us celebrate what emotionally. They simply the progress made, the wider should not define the worth of a we have, for it is the best our pupils can give can’t quantify what has distance travelled and the value- pupil, or indeed a school. What us. Let us help our young people to identify been ‘learned’.” added aspect of those pupils who are matters is that a school holistically and nurture their talents and abilities, feel that perhaps late developers. Schools that have enables all its pupils to do their very all-important sense of worth, take pride in who succeeded in helping such pupils fulfil their best, grow into the person they want to be, in they are, and rightly applaud their potential beyond expectation, may not an environment where they can be true to achievements. necessarily make the top places in any league themselves, and those around them. All www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net

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Education Feature Strike a chord with the Falcons School for Girls

Falcons School for Girls, situated in the leafy conservation area of Applications are now welcome from pupils Woodborough Road, Putney, has launched its music scholarship currently in Year 3 and provided that satisfactory music standards are met, the programme, offering unrivalled opportunities for girls across the local area chosen individual will be eligible for a with a passion for music. percentage of their annual school fees to be covered. art of the prestigious Alpha Plus woodwind players working towards or beyond In addition to its new scholarship initiative, the grade 3 standard, the Falcons Music Group, the school has introduced the Falcons School for Girls offers a thriving Pinitiative to allow talented young Scholarships provide a much-coveted academic scholarship programme for girls in prospect. Singers are also encouraged to musicians in Year 3, both current and non- Year 4 which lasts throughout their time at the apply, but they must be willing to take up a current pupils who otherwise may not school. The scholarship assessments take second instrument offered by the school. have the opportunity, to benefit from a place at the end of the Spring term and are first-class education while receiving the open to both internal and external candidates In line with the launch of the scholarship in Year 3. finest musical tuition. programme, the school also marks the opening of its new music technology suite, the For more information on Falcons School for The music scholars will begin their study in the ‘Creation Station’. Pupils are welcome to enjoy Girls, or to register for the Open Day on 13th academic year starting September 2019, with the specialist facilities to maintain good March, call Harriet Stokes, Head of Admissions the scholarship lasting throughout the pupil’s progress on their instrument and allow their on 020 8992 5189 or email time at the school. Available to string or creative talents to flow. [email protected]

Schools that ban mobile phones improve results Excellent 11+ results for Sinclair House school Should children be allowed to take mobile phones to school? Opinion is divided. Some advocate a complete ban because of the potential for Congratulations to Sinclair House School, distraction, while others promote the use of phones as a teaching tool which has continued to deliver its 100% in the classroom. pass rate at 11+. Schools in England and Scotland have complete autonomy regarding their mobile phone policy, which has resulted in large differences in SHS's broad and engaging curriculum the timing of the introduction of bans. focuses predominantly on cross- Schools that ban pupils from carrying mobile phones show a curricular and in-depth learning from sustained improvement in exam results, with the biggest Reception and ensures the children advances coming from struggling students, according to receive exam paper practice during their research published by the London School of Economics. preparation year, allowing pupils to The large-scale study found schools in London, Leicester, develop a strong and confident skill set Birmingham and Manchester that banned mobiles enjoyed a whilst also nurturing passions and boost in the proportion of pupils getting five good passes at curiosities that enable them to shine at GCSE, compared with schools that allowed pupils to keep interview stages. their phones, even if switched off. www.sinclairhouseschool.com www.lse.ac.uk

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Southfields call 020 8870 8300 email southfi[email protected] Battersea call 020 7223 1882 email [email protected] www.numberworksnwords.com/uk

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Education Feature The Ursuline Prep School

The Ursuline Preparatory certain knowledge that only School, Wimbledon, is a through the equal development of Roman Catholic preparatory all three can a child truly become school for girls and boys aged the person they are born to be; the 3-4 and girls aged 4-11 years, best that they can be. Our aim is to with a strong and very clear inspire every child to continue their ethos characterised by the educational journey with a strong teachings of the Catholic foundation and a desire to go out church and in particular, the into our rapidly changing world lifelong commitment of its and make a positive difference. We foundress, St. Angela Merici. remind our children that we are far stronger together than apart. The Ursuline focus is on the spirit of ‘Serviam’ educating the children Our School Song finishes with the to show care and concern for words “My voice is one, others and strive to achieve their loving and strong, personal best, looking to the future but with you I In March the ursuline with confidence, keen to make a become a song. Preparatory School is picking up difference in the world. Insieme, the eco baton and taking on the Insieme, ursuline Zero Waste challenge. “Our commitment is to ensure that Together.”” They are calling on their pupils, every girl and boy will be loved, families and the community at cared for and believed in to create large to take on the the fertile soil within which all #ursulineZeroWaste challenge. children can flourish. Equal value is Will you have a go? placed on the education of the heart, the mind and the soul, in the www.ursulineprep.org

Kensington Prep School is Prep School of the Year! Congratulations to Kensington Prep School in Fulham which has been named ‘Independent Prep School of the Year’.

Ground-breaking facilities have been created by transforming classrooms into powerful new learning spaces. There are spacious classroom breakout spaces, an immersive high-tech Explore Floor with multi-screens and moveable furniture, a multi-media recording studio and an eco-greenhouse. The school's innovative 'Creating Spaces for Growing Minds' programme particularly impressed the Independent School Parent Magazine judges making the award. Kensington Prep School encourages independence and questioning thinking and the new facilities are designed to promote critical thinking, curiosity and collaborative learning—essential ingredients to help equip young pupils for success in our fast-changing world. www.kensingtonprep.gdst.net

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School Open Days Update...

MAR/APR 2019 SW10 The Alton School Community Wimbledon High School 11-18 school 2/4, 7/5 Please book a tour Girls Senior School Open SW1 Redcliffe School 3-11 Co-Ed by calling the school office on 020 Mornings 19/3 and 26/3 at Open Day 10/5 at 9am, places 8876 8482 www.altonschool.org.uk 8.50am, Junior School Open Eaton House Belgravia Pre-Prep must be reserved, plus tours SW16 Mornings 12/3 and 25/6 3-8 Boys Open Evening 13/3 Tuesdays and Thursdays 020 8971 0900 7-9pm 020 3917 5050 throughout March-May 9.30am Streatham and clapham High www.wimbledonhigh.gdst.net www.eatonhouseschools.com booking required 020 7352 9247 School 11-18 Girls Prep School Kings college School 7-16 Boys, SW3 www.redcliffeschool.com Open Morning 15/3 9am-10.45am, 16-18 Co-Ed Junior School (7+, Senior School Open Morning 22/3 8+, 9+ and 10+ entry) Open The Hampshire School Co-ed 3- SW11 9.15-11.30am, limited places, Morning 21/6 9.30am-12pm, Sixth 13yrs 21/3 9-11.15 020 7352 7077. register online 020 8677 8400 Form Open Evening 10/6 L’Ecole De Battersea 3-11 Co-Ed www.schs.gdst.net www.thehampshireschoolchelsea.co.uk School visits are held on Friday 6-8.15pm, Lower School Open Hill House 4-13 Co-Ed. Tours of mornings 8/3, 15/3, 22/3, 29/3 and SW18 Evening 12/6 6-8.30pm school available every Monday, 26/4 at 10am, by appointment only 020 8255 5437 www.kcs.org.uk Tuesday, Thursday & Friday during The Roche School 2.5-11 Co-Ed 0207 371 8350 Albemarle Primary School 4-11 term time at 8.30am, no Open Mornings 10/5 and 12/6 at Co-Ed Open Day 15/3 at 11am www.lecoledespetits.co.uk 9.30-11.30am call to make an appointment necessary 020 7584 020 8788 3170 Thames christian School 11-16 appointment on 020 8877 0823 1331 www.hillhouseschool.co.uk www.albemarle.wandsworth.sch.uk Co-Ed Open Morning 6/3 and 25 www.therocheschool.co.uk SW4 April 11am-1pm 020 7228 3933 St Michael’s cofE Primary School SW20 www.thameschristianschool.org.uk 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 3/6, Eaton House The Manor schools Belleville Primary School 4-11 17/6 and 1/7 at 9.30am by The Norwegian School co-Ed (Nursery, Girls’ School, Pre-Prep and Co-Ed Tours of the school 21/3, appointment only 020 8874 7786 3-16 Open Day 11/5 12-2pm Prep schools) regular Open 25/4 and 23/5 at 9.30am 020 www.stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk 020 8947 6617 Mornings (9-10.30am) on 6 and 20 7228 6727 www.belleville- www.norwegianschool.org.uk March, bookable via the website at school.org.uk SW19 www.eatonhouseschools.com The Study Prep School 4-11 Girls W6 [email protected] SW12 Open Morning 9/3 9.30am-12pm, or on 0203 917 5050. plus Tours on Tuesday mornings Ravenscourt Park Prep School W6 Hornsby House School 4-11 Co- 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 7/3, SW6 Ed Open Morning 14/3 at 9am throughout March 9.20-10.30am 020 8947 6969 9/5 and 11/6 9am, booking 020 8673 7573 www.thestudyprep.co.uk necessary 020 8846 9153 Fulham Prep School 4-13 Co-Ed www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk Willington Independent Primary www.rpps.co.uk Pre-Prep Open Mornings 26/3 and Ravenstone Primary School 4-11 27/6 at 9.15am, 10.15am and School 4-13 Boys Open Day 29/3 Co-Ed Open Days 26/3, 23/4 and book online 020 8944 7020 SE26 11.15am, call to book a place and 23/5 at 9am, booking required 020 time slot 020 7471 4217, Prep www.willingtonschool.co.uk 8673 0594 Sydenham High School 4-18 Girls School tours by appointment only Wimbledon common Prep (also www.ravenstoneschool.co.uk/ Prep School Open Morning 26/3 020 7386 2444 known as Squirrels) 4-7 Boys Open The White House Preparatory 9.30-11am, Senior School Open www.fulhamprep.co.uk Morning 15/5 9.15-10.45am, School 4-13 Co-Ed Open Day Morning 19/3 9.30-11am 020 L’Ecole Des Petits 3-6 Co-Ed bookings are open now 27/4 at 9.30-11.30am 020 8674 8557 7000 School visits are held on Thursday 020 8946 1001 9514 www.whitehouseschool.com www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net mornings 7/3, 14/3, 21/3, 28/3, 4/4 www.wimbledoncommonprep.co.uk and 25/4 at 10am. Visits are by SW15 appointment only 0207 371 8350 Call to book your place now! www.lecoledespetits.co.uk Falcons School for Girls 3-11 Open Sinclair House School 4-11 Co-Ed Day 13/3, 9.15-11am. To book call Please check the date has not been changed or cancelled before setting out. Open Day 14/3 10am-11.30am 020 8992 5189 or email 020 7736 9182, [email protected] www.sinclairhouseschool.co.uk Ibstock Place School 3-18 Co-Ed The Prep School Open Morning SW7 1/5 at 9.30am, Senior School Open Eaton House Belgravia (Nursery, Evening 8/5 5-7pm booking Pre-Prep and Prep schools) Open required 020 8876 9991 / 020 Evenings from 7-9pm on 13 March 8392 5803 and 12 June, bookable via the www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk website at Putney High School 4-18 Girls www.eatonhouseschools.com. Senior School Open Day 8/3 [email protected] 8.45-11am 020 8788 4886 or on 0203 917 5050 www.putneyhigh.gdst.net St Nicholas Prep School 3-11 Co- Mosaic Jewish Primary School Ed Open Morning 2/5 9.30-11am 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 15/5 020 7225 1277 at 9.30am 07973 137002 www.stnicholasprep.co.uk www.mjps.org.uk

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Education Feature Prep school feature Why choose a school in Bath By Mrs Sarah Patten, Head of Marketing & Communications, Kingswood School

eing a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath is a popular destination with many recent development includes outstanding support for working parents is very much part Bvisitors each year. There is something facilities for children at the Prep School, of the Kingswood ethos. Parents know their very special about what it can offer with its including Bath’s first education-based STEAM children are surrounded by friends and looked boutique shops, lively theatre and music scene, and Innovation Centre, an unrivalled space that after by dedicated staff. and great transport links to London. Bath is a will equip children with the practical skills Academic results are consistently excellent. small city and everything is within easy reach. needed in an ever-changing workplace. The In recent years, Kingswood has been ranked in It has also been labelled as one of the safest development is the UK’s largest timber shingle the top 5% nationally for added-value, and cities in England, so parents can be happy development, with custom-built joinery and regularly placed in the top 10 co-educational knowing their children will be studying and age-specific play areas. Each room has been boarding or boarding/day schools. In the most living in a safe environment within beautiful purpose-built to allow the children to flourish recent ISI Inspection, Kingswood School was parks and top universities. as they start their educational journey. rated as "excellent" in all nine categories of the Kingswood School is situated on a Kingswood promotes confidence and open- Inspection. magnificent 200-acre site in Lansdown, Bath, mindedness along with creativity and a spirit of Kingswood School believes that every and offers an inclusive boarding and day enquiry. Academic achievement takes place individual has talents to be discovered and community for pupils between the ages of 9 within the context of all-round personal nurtured. With an extensive co-curricular months and 18 years. It is free of pretention development, and students excel on a personal programme offering over 100 activities a week, and balances academic rigour, strength in the level while also making a real difference to pupils achieve astonishing successes as they arts and sport, traditional values and others. constantly progress well beyond their natural outstanding pastoral care. Offering a home-away-from-home potential. In addition to ‘The Garden’, our new nursery, atmosphere and boarding from the age of 7, www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk

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OAK TREE DAY NURSERY 3 months to 5 years 8am to 6pm (Mon to Fri)

* Excellent facilities * Newly renovated premises * Stimulating, caring and homely environment * Qualified and experienced staff * Outside garden * Good OFSTED report * French * Music & movement * Fun Sports sessions * Early years foundation stage curriculum * Baby unit * Close to public transport * Sensory room 56 - 58 Blairderry Road, Streatham Hill, London SW2 4SB 020 8674 4844 www.oaktreedaynursery.com

Monday to Friday mornings and afternoon sessions now available

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FLEDGLINGS ON THE COMMON Fledglings Kindergarten ‘Where childhood memories are made’ A place to blossom and grow • Ofsted registered for 28 children KATHERINE LOW SETTLEMENT, 108 BATTERSEA HIGH STREET, • Open 9.15am – 12.15pm term time only LONDON SW11 3HP • Staff are qualified, committed and enthusiastic practitioners Children Ages 2 - 5 years • Exceptional outside environment able to support high quality learning opportunities which build on the children’s Term time interests and capabilities • Full and part time sessions offered We provide a safe, secure nurturing environment to support your child’s individual needs • Places available for EECP funded children FNEP Funding accepted • 2year old Early Education funding available for eligible Contact 0207 101 2033 children fl[email protected] Please contact: John Barleycorn Fledglings on the Common 1 O’Clock Centre visit our website at Chivalry Road www.cbcservices.org.uk SW11 1HT Tel No: 0207 7101 2034 [email protected] Email: fl[email protected] 0207 738 1958 Ofsted rated: good Ofsted rated: good This setting is managed by Childcare & Business Consultancy This setting is managed by Childcare & Business Consultancy Services (CBCS) a registered Charity (1083895) and Company Services (CBCS) a registered Charity (1083895) and Company Limited by Guarantee (4060959) Limited by Guarantee (4060959)

FLEDGLINGS EARLy yEAR FLEDGLINGS ON THE COMMON & OUT OF SCHOOL CARE CHIVALRy ROAD, WANDSWORTH COMMON SW11 1HT 0207 101 2034 ‘Where childhood memories are made’ fl[email protected] Affordable and high-quality childcare for children aged from 6 months to 5 years Out of School for 3 – 11 year olds OPEN PLAy SESSIONS Our Early Years provision is open from 8.00am-6.00pm all year Set in a safe environment with outside play round and offers full day care, wrap around and sessional care. • Monday to Friday (term time) Qualified, experienced, dedicated and enthusiastic staff team • 1.15 pm – 3.00pm under 5s £3.00 per child Safe, secure and nurturing indoor and outdoor learning 1.15pm – 4.45pm under 5s £4.50 per child environments to support children’s interests and capabilities • 3.00pm – 4.45pm under 8s £3.00 per child Flexible full time and part time packages • Nutritious meals cooked freshly on the premises each day Monday to Friday (school holidays) • Quality care and early years education 10.00am – 1.00 pm £4.00 per child • Nursery education grant funding accepted for eligible children 1.00pm – 4.00pm £4.00 per child • 10.00am – 4.00 pm £7.50 per child Nursery vouchers accepted • Ofsted rating good • Children must be accompanied by an adult over 16 years Available for Party Hire Contact: Also available for party hire on Saturdays and Sundays Sherrill Fitkin, 101A Derinton Road, London SW17 8HZ For further details call us on Telephone: 0208 672 7358 EXT1 0207 738 1958 Email: fl[email protected]

This setting is managed by Childcare & Business Consultancy This setting is managed by Childcare & Business Consultancy Services (CBCS) a registered Charity (1083895) and Company Services (CBCS) a registered Charity (1083895) and Company Limited by Guarantee (4060959) Limited by Guarantee (4060959) SWL 284 Mar April 2019.qxp_Layout 1 19/02/2019 15:23 Page 23

Cutting the cost of childcare By Stephanie Rough

Childcare can cost parents up to 45% of their disposable Employees are entitled to make a formal income; after housing, it is the second largest household cost. application for flexible working hours annually and many employees arrange informal flexible At the most expensive end, a full-time nursery place or child working direct with their line manager. Can minder can set you back over £1,300 per month. When you you work from home to help take the pressure factor in other costs such as commuting, it’s no surprise that off commuting and being late to collect your many parents decide it is not financially viable for both child? Are compressed hours or term time parents to continue working. only working an option? Co-ordinate a plan with your partner to work out a weekly routine. However, with some foresight and planning, Au pairs If one of you starts work early and the other there are some ways to cut your childcare Live-in au-pairs are now very popular providing later, this may reduce childcare costs. costs. families with childcare and help with general household duties. At £100 to £140 per week Free hours and tax-free childcare Help from family and friends for 25 to 30 hours of work, au pairs are a good Tax credits and a new style of childcare Many parents turn to family members for at option for some families. voucher (replacing the employer scheme) can least some element of their childcare, if this create savings of up to £2,000 per child for not an option, building a network of local company benefits parents meeting the eligibility criteria. In working parents offers the opportunity for Are there benefits available from your addition, children ages 3 and 4 in England are sharing childcare responsibilities. Looking after employer? Whilst company childcare vouchers entitled to 15 hours free childcare for 38 weeks each other’s children on days when you are are now closed to new entrants, those already per year. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you not working can reduce costs especially during in the scheme can continue to save up to £243 may be entitled to 30 hours free. Whilst most school holidays. If the arrangement is regular per month tax free to pay towards OFSTED nurseries do offer these free hours, you do registered childcare. In addition, companies and more formal, you may want to consider need to check (especially for the 30 free hours) may also offer discounts at certain childcare public liability insurance in case a child has an and calculate if any additional costs must be providers to help save you money or offer a accident in your home. factored in. To check if you are eligible, go to back-up care provision. www.childcarechoices.gov.uk Nanny sharing Re-consider working hours Nannies are expensive which is why it’s Childcare is inherently inflexible but maybe Stephanie Rough is Corporate Childcare common place now to share, particularly your working arrangements don’t have to be! Manager at Parental Choice, the essential when/if you only have one child. Whilst it’s not So before searching for childcare see if you one-stop shop for guidance on making as easy as a 50/50 split in relation to costs, as can make them more flexible. If you are the right decisions on your childcare each family must be registered separately as an considering working part-time, check whether needs. For further information, visit employer, there are definite savings on both local nursery providers offer discounts on less www.parentalchoice.co.uk employer National Insurance and the nanny’s popular days (some do!) before confirming salary. your work days.

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PAINTING & DECORATING DISTRIBUTORS Interior / Exterior Experienced, Reliable, Clean WANTED... Fully Guaranteed / Insured Families South West Magazine is looking for distributors in the local area FREE ADVICE & QUOTE Do you have a car and a few spare hours a month? John:- James & Lamont Join our delivery team and earn some pocket money. 020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695 Email [email protected]

THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

CallingHelp us discover all baby how babiesScientists! learn! Calling all infants from birth to 18 months to take part in fun studies at the Birkbeck Babylab in central London. We THE MONTESSORI HOLIDAY AND AFTER provide a black cab if you live within 5 miles of Birkbeck, CHILDREN SCHOOL CLUBS or we refund any travel expenses. We provide a delightful Local children up to the age of 020 7631 6258 environment for children from 8yrs are welcome to join in with [email protected] 2yrs of age. Offering the full our fun and creative activity Montessori curriculum with days during school breaks. www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk visiting teachers for Music, School pick-ups and homework Dancing, Yoga, French, Drama, clubs are also available Sports & Gymnastics. during term time. TEA TIME FOR CALL US TO BOOK A TODDLERS VISIT TO THE NURSERY This session takes place from 0208 673 8037 3:30pm to 4:30pm for children 102 Chestnut Grove Balham, from approximately 2yrs of age London, SW12 8JJ to attend with an adult www.themontessorischool.co.uk

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All our applicants are personally ! Nannies, Maternity Nurses, interviewed Housekeepers and Mother’s Helps

and their ! Permanent and Temporary references ! Residential, Daily, Full and Part-Time checked ! Evening Babysitting Register Tel: 020 8947 4666 [email protected] Facebook: Wimbledon Nannies www.wimbledonnannies.com Twitter: @wimbledonannies Instagram: wimbledon_nannies 184 Copse Hill, SW20 0SP

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When should your baby start being active? By Tobias Rossberg of The Little Gym Wandsworth & Fulham

The simple answer is as soon as possible— importance of these very early years in their The Little Gym offers a safe, sensory although mums, please don’t worry—you have development. environment where their qualified teachers can already started the process before your little assist parents in their early journey with lots of one was even born! Movement begins in the So what kind of stimuli should baby receive? new ideas and challenges. mother’s womb at 7 weeks and peaks between Provide baby with a variety of sensory-motor They offer a 7% discount for new members experiences. Hanging cot toys or playing with the 15th and 17th week and so all babies have in their Birds (10-19 months) or Beasts (19-36) a variety of toys on a play mat promotes had a fairly active start in life… classes if you mention “ SW Baby”. reaching, which aids hand-eye coordination, Families Ring 020 8874 6567 for details. improves the knowledge of their limbs and Baby’s neurons need stimuli to wire up nicely Or maybe win your first six months of their overall sensory perception. Include a When a baby is born the brain is merely a classes with the SW/TLG competition variety of basic gross-motor activities that Families jumble of neurons waiting to be “glued” below. involve postural control, coordination of together. Some neurons are already hardwired, movements and locomotion (sitting, reaching, such as those for breathing and beating of the crawling, creeping, body rolling) which all help heart. However, trillions remain unattached, with core strength. Also add a little music, as WIN OVER £500 OF waiting for some stimuli to “glue” them research shows that early music exposure aids together. So for example when a baby visual-spatial, verbal and mathematical CLASSES! perceives a visual stimulus, say mum’s face, a performance. As the child gets older and more The Little Gym is offering one neuron connection is made from the retina to mobile vary the experiences, colour, texture, the visual cortex in the brain…. and so the sound, distance and smell. Do lots of things Families reader a chance to win six process begins. together, mum, dad and all the family, as this months free membership and classes It has been found that the more stimulus a builds intimacy and helps develop strong only (10-36mths). baby experiences—and at the earliest bonds and trust. You will see your little one New members to TLG only (no existing). Competition closes opportunity—the better the baby develops in start to gain competence, which leads to a 18th April at 5.30pm. To enter email ‘TLG competition’ to the future. The brain develops at an [email protected] On Facebook Like the TLG sense of mastery and in turn confidence which competition post and add your name. Winner will be the first to astonishing rate and is 80% of the size of an is a great foundation for life. Most importantly be drawn from all entries received. adult by the age of two, highlighting the have fun with their learning.

Are the wheels on your bus a bit deflated? Is winding the bobbin up winding No talent or experience needed. YOU up? Then bring your baby No nursery rhymes. and join others at Pram Chorus, the friendly parent’s choir. Sessions in Streatham, Brixton, Beckenham, Balham and Tooting. Group singing is great for: Postnatal depression and anxiety, For more info please email reducing stress, bonding with your [email protected] or visit baby, boosting energy levels and www.pramchorus.com meeting other local parents, it will www.facebook.com/pramchorus also support your baby’s cognitive, @pramchorus social and emotional development. Join Pram Chorus, the friendly parent’s choir to lift your spirits!

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Baby Feature

If you have a baby, here is a little round up of great things to do and places to go. NcT Baby change A new baby can cause untold disruption to routine and life in general. This app helps you to locate changing facilities to use in your surrounding area and aims to take the stress away from being out of the house. The app relies on parents providing feedback on changing facilities after use and adding any new locations to the map. More info at www.nct.org.uk/parenting/nct- babychange-app

Italian villa with child friendly activities

Villa Radicata is ideal for families: peace of mind, knowing your it sleeps up to 12 people, offers children are happy with their stunning lake and mountain Italian ‘Nonna’. Choose from: views, a fenced pool and garden, yoga, fitness classes, cooking stair gates for little escapers and lessons, mini yoga, art, baby plenty of toys and baby Italian, massage for mum and equipment baby, excursions, shopping and (highchairs/cots/sterilizer). horse riding. Would you like to earn extra money? Finding time for yourself as Ideal for mums with a baby at home, Capital Focus Groups are looking well as making sure quality time Contact Rita on 0039 349 for people who enjoy giving their opinions and are willing to share their is spent with your children is a 5018679 / 07785 571 292 views on the products and services they use for many of the country’s challenge for any parent—Villa www.mum-and-baby- largest companies and well-known products. It’s free, it’s fun and you Radicata has it covered with a experience.co.uk will be financially rewarded as a thank you for taking part! Register now variety of activities, true Italian www.holiday-villa-in- to earn extra money, by calling Liz on 07761128059 or hospitality, delicious food and tuscany.com [email protected]

We love Mini Potters in Earlsfield! Mini Potters is an independent Pottery Painting Studio in the heart of Earlsfield. It is open 7 days a week and perfect for creating your own baby prints, personalised gifts and clay impressions. There are also many creative opportunities available from evening classes for grown ups, Painting and Prosecco evenings and Fine Art classes. Call to book 020 8944 7466. www.minipotters.co.uk

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the antenatal education market with a new who offer impartial guidance and knowledge Join the Bump and Baby club wave of cool parenting classes helping to based on the latest evidence-based research. With sunset yoga on the roof, dinners in funky support and prepare thousands of couples with Find your nearest venue here venues and modern antenatal classes at its child birth, parenting, breastfeeding and baby www.bumpandbabyclub.com. core, the Bump & Baby Club are revolutionising first aid classes, delivered by a team of experts

Helping parents keep their children through fostering Fostering has evolved over the years. Fostering now includes the fostering of unaccompanied asylum seekers and of parents with their child/ren. For each type of fostering, different skills are required. We asked the Fostering Support Group to tell us more about Parent and Child fostering — we found this really interesting.

What is “parent and child” fostering? Not everyone grows up in a loving and nurturing environment and knows what it means to provide good parenting for their child. Many are faced with challenges parenting their child, and that is where “parent and child” fostering comes in. Essentially, parent and child fostering is supporting parents to help them keep their of the foster carer is to provide guidance and unemployed (even if you are on benefits), children in their care. A mother, father or both, support to help the parent care for their child single or married, have children or not, come into care with their babies or toddlers to effectively. homeowners or renting, from a faith receive guidance and life skills such as cooking, With specialist training from the Fostering background or not. We want to hear from you. providing stimulation and providing a routine Support Group (FSG), our foster carers share FSG offer a competitive fostering allowance for their child. A parent and child foster their skills with young parents who have with robust 24hour support from a dedicated placement offers a parent the opportunity to different difficulties. supervising social worker, ongoing training and learn these valuable life skills in a home encouragement. Working from home as a environment. can you foster? foster carer has never been so rewarding. Our foster carers come from different Get in touch with us to discuss your individual What is entailed? backgrounds and experiences. Working with circumstance and to learn how you can foster. Parent and child fostering is different from FSG is like one big happy family where you are other types of fostering because the parent is provided with 24hour support, guidance and Call 020 8778 9669 or visit responsible for the care for their child—the role training. Foster carers can be employed or www.fosteringsupportgroup.com

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Great for small parties

Perfect for Baby Showers, Gender Reveal and Bridal Showers

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Top tips for a

budget party Home baking

It is hard not to feel the pressure when arranging a birthday celebration. Parents often try and out do each other and of course if one child has something at their party, then the next one wants it at theirs, which can lead to unnecessary expense. There is wisdom in the timing Planning ahead If you hold a party between 3pm and 5pm, you Plan ahead and keep your eye out throughout can provide party snacks or treats instead of a the year for party decorations that are reduced. meal. Try fruit kebabs that you dip in melted Chances are you could pick up everything you Simple arts & craft chocolate for a fun treat. Hiring a chocolate need for a fraction of the cost. fountain — or try borrowing one from your local Facebook group—could also be a fun way Share to end the party. Just warn the parents not to Split the cost by sharing the party with a dress their children in their best party clothes! classmate whose birthday is at a similar time. Older children would probably prefer a pizza Just make sure you agree who is doing what! delivery, Pappa Ciccia deliver to your home or party venue. Don’t forget to say thanks Take a group photo of all the children at the Food party and print it off at Boots or use an online The tip is to keep it simple and don’t prepare site. Get your child to write a thank you note too much. The classics are always the best for on the back with a Sharpie or gold pen. A great a child’s party—sandwiches, crisps, jelly and memento and thank you all at once! cake—the perfect combination. Believe me, it is all they want. Make it sustainable! Dressing up Don’t forget to keep hold of candles, cake Try e-invites stands and party decorations and reuse them Create your own digital invitations to email to year after year. One of the biggest expenses guests. You can also use the free option at and the most plastic-ladden can be party bags. www.paperlesspost.com and pay a small They are a party must-have but why not think amount using various other websites, like outside the box and find alternatives? You www.mini-epic.com. Founder of the business could do crafty activities throughout the party Jonathan says “Our digital invitations can be where the children make their own items for created and sent in just a few minutes, with no the party bags. Plastic bags are a definite no- paper or postage involved, which not only no. saves you time and money but also saves some trees! But what's proving really popular is the Seasonal birthdays ability to download your Mini-Epic invitation to share via WhatsApp." If your child has a summer birthday why not organise a picnic with games in the park to Look for bargains celebrate? That way you get wide-open Your pound shop can be a treasure trove of spaces, plenty of fresh air and all the fun of a Football party in the park party napkins and decorations. Buy plain paper picnic hamper. bags and get the children to personalise them. And if your child is a winter baby, a game of You could also make cupcakes and get the football or rounders is always a favourite, children to decorate them. Party favours and whatever the weather. All you need is the toast entertainment all at the same time! and hot chocolate afterwards to warm everyone up.

Painting is always fun!

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PARTIES

Children’s parties are always a hot topic of conversation in most households across the country. Who to invite? What theme? Which location? We’ve talked to local party specialists and planners to find out the top party ideas for 2019, so you don’t have to.

Become a jungle VIP with Go Ape Become a Jungle VIP with a unique birthday party at Go Ape. If you're planning a birthday choose your own theme and make it let the experts do the hark work celebration for a group of young explorers Nutty’s children’s Parties offer a variety of fun- London and the South East. They also have a then a Tree Top Junior adventure is the answer. packed, exciting, dynamic, interactive, team up in Tyne & Wear. imaginative and original parties. Adventure All parties are run by experienced, dedicated, Release those little monkeys onto a Go Ape Parties (with action packed, themed, original fully DBS checked professional actors and most course designed just for them. They’ll enjoy an characters including: Pirate Dan, Super Dan, themes can be catered for. hour of canopy exploring, trail blazing and Wizard Dee, The Princess and many more), For more info on Nutty’s and to book, please wobbly obstacles, all up to 6m off the forest Discos (highly energized games and competitions call Danny on 07884-050954, email floor. Return to earth by descending an epic with a full soundsystem and lights), Drama [email protected] or visit zip wire, then enjoy a picnic lunch in their Party Workshop Parties, Holiday Workshops and more www.nuttyschildrensparties.co.uk Room; it's the perfect place for the children to are all on offer for ages 3-11. For regular updates and their many 5* reviews exchange gifts and dig into their well-deserved Nutty’s is run by father of two Danny Nutt please also visit Go Ape party bags. Guaranteed thrills ! (hence the ‘Nutty’s’!) and cover the whole of www.facebook.com/nuttyschildrensparties Battersea Park www.goape.co.uk

Memorable interactive fun filled children’s entertainment!

With more than 20 years experience, The From a large selection of vetted Action Station offers unique entertainment performances, they make sure their solutions, tailored to the age of the entertainers have what it takes to impress children, your preferred theme and budget. the young and the restless looking for Specialising in Imaginative Interactive original entertainment. Juggling acts, stilt Storytelling, a team of professional actors walkers, fire eaters, puppet shows, mad cap and actresses share their passion with their magicians and clowns, face painters …. and audience, taking them along their unique much more! – they seek out the best and adventures. Choose from mermaids, most unique entertainment option for your witches, fairies or princesses, knights, pirates, cowboys, and many more! party. Alternatively their Spy, Cheerleader or Create unique parties with the Action Drama parties for older children create a Station – 0870 770 2705 unique, fun and creative experience for all. www.theactionstation.co.uk

PARTIES! Wonderfully fun musical parties Action Station performances are for your under-5’s! Guitar-accompanied songs sure to captivate young audiences with actions, joining in, jumping and dancing, instruments, puppet and parachute! The perfect party for little ones. Call 020 8677 6871 [email protected] www.blueberryplaysongs.co.uk

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Have a legendary Pizza making party

Pappa ciccia offer an all round solution for a wonderful stress free party. Their package includes the venue, educational fun and the party food all in one place in Fulham.

Have a pirate party ... on real pirate ship!

Ahoy! Climb the gangplank on a real-life pirate Their immersive sleepover experience is ship with your own birthday crew for a truly fantastic for children aged 6-11. Learn the skills unique party. The Golden Hinde is the perfect to be part of Francis Drake’s crew and do your party venue for pirates turning 5 and up, you bit against the Spanish. Feast together in the can even have a sleepover experience aboard hold on Tudor fare of stew and grog, and bunk the ship too! down in authentic sleeping quarters. The Golden Hinde crew will help you Oh I wish I was a child! become the best pirate crew in London. If “I highly recommend this pizza making, it’s you're worthy pirates, they'll teach you how to The Golden Hine is moored in central London. both fun and educational. My husband fire cannons, hunt for treasure, raise the anchor To find out more visit www.goldenhinde.co.uk and I were well looked after with a glass of and set sail for glory. Who knows? You might or call 020 7403 0123. vino and olives while your staff took care even come across a Spanish galleon to plunder! of the party.” Mrs Harty

… or get pizzas delivered to your party venue New for 2019 - Pappa Ciccia also deliver delicious amazing Lego authentic Italian pizza right to your party venue, church hall, school, nursery, a park parties etc

They deliver in SW3, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW10, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW18, parts of SW19, W6 and W14.

Contact Pappa Ciccia on 07956970258 or visit www.pappacicciacatering.com Adam Ants parties Adam Ants offers amazing parties at affordable prices. Adam Ants and his talented team make sure their parties are non stop fun. With something for all ages: magic, balloon modelling, puppets, music, dancing, games, face painting.

They also offer amazing disco/sports parties or the ever popular a Build a Bear party. You can hire tables and chairs/bouncy castles/soft play and ball ponds.

Why not invite your favourite character to the party from Mickey Mouse to Pepper Pig and many more? 020 8959 1045 / 07969 121094 [email protected] www.adamantsparties.co.uk

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0208 679 4243

3 Performing arts training of the highest standard 3 For children aged 4 - 13 Years 3 Working towards a yearly performanace & LAMDA examinations 3 Building Confidence and Promoting social development 3 Fun & Inspiring tuition taught in a Enrolling safe and stimulating environment NOW! 3 Small class sizes

Little Voices lessons are held at: St Mary’s Church, Putney - Every Monday & Wednesday BOOK A FREE TRIAL LESSON! For more information and to book a free trial, visit: www.littlevoices.org.uk or call: 0208 088 0112, Email: [email protected]

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Cricket parties

Bespoke Term time clothing for courses schools and clubs in Wimbledon and Wandsworth Looking for a club? Cricket Dynamics are Also Holiday recruiting new players for courses. the coming season. Playing in the NEC league. Under 9s, under 11s & under 13s age groups welcome.

1:1 Coaching Equipment manufacturer

[email protected] Follow us @cricketdynamics 07946 559 572 www.cricketdynamics.co.uk Like us /cricketdynamics

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Your local clubs and Clubs and Classes News classes news...

Taking part in extra-curricular activities after school can have a positive impact on children academically and socially. Learning something outside of the classroom can give children a sense of wonder about the world, and more time to explore their wider interests. Extra- curricular activities are also useful for broadening their academic and social lives.

LAGAD Gymnastics & Dance classes in chelsea

LAGAD provides high quality, dynamic and fun Gymnastics and Dance classes in London. Their classes in Chelsea run on Saturdays from 2nd March and are specially designed for children aged 3 ½-16 years, General, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Highly trained and qualified coaches work with all abilities to bring out the best in every child. Fun filled drama and singing lessons Little Voices prides itself on creating for all children are fantastic and it is an All abilities welcome, inspirational, fun filled Drama and Singing accessible activity for all young people not Trial Classes available. lessons for children aged 4-13 years just for the theatrically talented few. LAGAD, 155a King’s Road, preparing children for the prestigious London SW3 5TX LAMDA examinations as well as yearly Little Voices are enrolling now for their 020 8883 4675 performances. Their exam pass rate is LAMDA exam semester, with FREE TRIAL [email protected] exemplary with 98% of their pupils gaining LESSONS. www.lagad.co.uk either Merit or Distinction grades. The life skills that develop by attending Little Voices 020 8088 0112 [email protected] Four ways to boost your child’s self-esteem

Perform offer a unique mix of drama, dance Encourage laughter and show you care and singing—specially developed and written Play, chat, share jokes and funny stories. by them—to bring out every child's true Laughter helps children relax and feel good potential. They have teamed up with positive about themselves. Be affectionate. Snuggle parenting expert, Anita Cleare, to bring Families and cuddle! Show your child they are utterly top tips for boosting self-esteem. lovable exactly as they are.

Encourage independence More tips from Anita can be found at When children do things for themselves and www.anitacleare.co.uk are praised for this, they feel proud. Teach your child to dress themselves and wash their To book a FREE confidence-building Perform own hair. drama class in your area, visit The Art club in www.perform.org.uk/try use believable praise Wimbledon It’s not believable to tell your child he did The Art club in Wimbledon is held on Saturday something well when he clearly didn’t. Praise mornings during term times at the Building concrete achievements. Saying ‘Well done for Blocks Hall, 184b Kingston Rd, SW19 3NU. keeping on running' (even when he lost the Classes last one hour and are ideal for children race) tells your child exactly what they have aged 6-16 who enjoy art and would like to done well. develop their creativity. The cost is £8.50 per week payable termly in advance. A free trial Listen to their ideas class can be arranged. Expressing ideas and being listened to help Please email [email protected] or children feel valued. Involve them in practical [email protected] for information family problem-solving by asking for their or visit input. This helps them feel they are making a www.theartclubinwimbledon.co.uk positive contribution.

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38 Families South West • March/April 2019 familiesonline.co.uk SWL 284 Mar April 2019.qxp_Layout 1 19/02/2019 15:27 Page 39

Feed the sheep at Bocketts Farm in Surrey. See their Easter activities pages 45 Children need to spend time in nature

London, then go cycling in Bishops Park or let Get out for some them have fun in the large playground.

Hever castle fresh air this Easter! Edenbridge, Kent, www.hevercastle.co.uk Explore the historic Castle and grounds of the Here are some of our favourite places to enjoy the Great childhood home of Anne Boleyn, where children can go wild in the Tudor Towers or Outdoors this Easter. Acorn Dell play areas. Admission £46.85 city farms and parks diverse variety of plants and explore the 250 families. We are blessed with many parks in south west year history of the Gardens. Balance, hop and 6-22 April. Family entertainment throughout London, did you know we also have the most skip along the Log Trail. Discover the secret life the Easter holidays includes an Easter trail and amazing farms? Deen City farm in Merton and of bees in The Hive. Explore the underground craft workshops. Vauxhall City farm are firm favourites in our world of badgers in the life-sized sett, where family. You can see many small farm animals you can enter into a warren of tunnels that like ducks, rabbits, sheep, you also book pony connect food stores, sleeping chambers and Need more inspiration? Visit Ham House and rides. Have you taken your child to see the five nests. Get scared from the Treetop Walkway, garden in Richmond then go a walk along the dinosaurs that lurk around the lake in Crystal admire the largest Victorian glasshouse in the Thames, visit Morden Hall park (next to Deen Palace? There are remains of a Victorian pre- world. Look for bananas, coconuts, cocoa, City Farm) and of course make the most of historic theme park created on the site by vanilla, and coffee in the Palm House. Spot Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park for Benjamin Waterhouse-Hawkins. There is a orchids, cacti, prickly pears, and giant cycling farm there too. All three farms are free to visit. waterlilies in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Families 2 adults & up to 2 children £44*/£40 chelsea Physic Garden buy online it’s cheaper! 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HS, www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk WWT London Wetland centre Tucked away beside the Thames, Chelsea Barnes SW13 9WT, 01453 891 900, Physic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in www.wwt.org.uk London and houses around 5,000 different An urban oasis for wildlife and people. Stroll medicinal, herbal, edible and useful plants. among the lakes, ponds and gardens, take your Family activities include exploring the world of children to the play areas and stop for cafe mini-beasts to learning how to make your own refreshments. Open 9.30am to 5.30pm daily, herbal remedies and chocolate blends. Family entry £35.54 families. Check the Easter ticket £25. activities online. There will run many Easter activities including learning to make your own lotions and potions on 9th April, ages 8+. On the 11th Fulham Palace April Dine with dinosaurs: use a Garden map, Bishop's Avenue, Fulham SW6 6EA, find living fossils then create your very own www.fulhampalace.org Mesozoic garden-terrarium to take home, ages The Museum of Fulham Palace charts the long 5-12. On 18th April learn how to photograph history of the palace site, from Prehistoric wildlife, make plant portraits and turn your times and Roman settlement, through pictures into great gifts, ages 12-17. All Medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian workshop tickets are £15. bishops to the present day. Admission free. There will be many Easter activities for Kew Gardens children, check our What’s on column for www.kew.org details. Spend an afternoon in the walled Make lotions and potions at Chelsea Physic Connect more closely with nature, discover a garden, one of our favourite gardens in Garden

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The rise of self-harming: What can be done? Expert advice from leading psychiatrist Dr Maite Ferrin

epression and self-harm are If your child is self-harming: Avoid punishing the self-harming act or imply growing concerns for parents of that their feelings aren’t important - this may Dadolescents, particularly teenaged Approach gently deepen their feelings of guilt or shame. The majority of young people who are self- girls. According to findings in a recent Focus on the underlying struggles of the child study by the Children's Society, nearly a harming feel ashamed of their behaviour. An initial soft, empathetic approach is rather than the actual act of self-harming – quarter of 14 year old girls may have self- recommended, as they may worry about you remember that the self-harm is a consequence harmed in the last year. As your child judging them negatively. and often a coping mechanism so you need to approaches adolescence, it’s advisable to address the causes and not the symptom. watch out for signs of stress and anxiety Listen Encourage healthy ways of coping with stress Young people who self-harm often feel because it is these that can give rise to – exercise, meditation, deep breathing reading invisible, unheard and misunderstood. Try to self-harming behaviour in the teenage or art are all de-stressors. You can help your create a safe space in which they can freely years. child find a coping mechanism that suits them. discuss their problems without interruption, so that they are more inclined to open up and talk Self-harm is an adaptive coping mechanism to Reinforce your child’s strengths – sometimes discuss their problems. deal with any stressor in life. Stressors may it’s all too easy to focus on the negatives rather include social media pressure, bullying, issues than embracing and celebrating your child’s use empathic language concerning sexuality, school pressure or positive attributes. Use simple empathic responses to what your problems within the home or social child is saying. Phrases such as “Sounds like environment, to name a few. However, self- Don’t expect a quick fix for the self-harming things have been quite tough for you,” “I can harming may also reflect a more impairing behaviour - it can take a long time to break a see how this would be very challenging,” “I psychological condition such as anxiety, habit or change mindset. Be patient. understand how difficult this must be for you” depression or PTSD. It’s important that a can be useful. It is also vital to offer your child correct diagnosis is made and effective and Allow your child time to learn alternative some hope and support e.g. “Thank you for adequate treatment is obtained from a medical coping mechanisms to replace the self-harm sharing this with me. Let’s think about how we behaviours. expert specialising in this field. If, at any stage, can make you feel better.” you have reason to believe your child is self- Accept that you cannot solve this problem harming, do seek medical support immediately. Remain calm - getting upset, uptight or alone – seek support from school counsellors, emotional (despite the fact that you will be medical professionals and people that have There are many reasons that may contribute feeling this way) may cause your child to close shared a similar experience. There are lots of towards a child self-harming including an up and refrain from talking. online resources that also provide great attempt to alleviate emotional pain that cannot information. be expressed verbally, self-punishment, an Validate and acknowledge your child’s attempt to relieve feelings of shame or guilt, an emotions and struggles - share any relevant Dr Maite Ferrin is a Consultant Psychiatrist at attempt to stop feeling numb, the and relatable experiences of your own. Re:Cognition Health, a brain and mind clinic communication of psychological anxiety, a cry with a specialist Children’s and Young Peoples for help or an act to seek attention. The reason If your child does not want to talk – don’t put Service which diagnoses and treats a wide your child is self-harming may be one of the overwhelming pressure on them as this could range of mental health conditions. For more above or a complex combination of many escalate problems. information, visit www.recognitionhealth.com different reasons.

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We took every care in preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times changed. Please double check event with the organiser to avoid disappointment.

Arts & crafts The wonders of biology - Why is the world so diverse and how are Dove Studios various species interconnected? 105 Dovehouse Street, Chelsea Learn about animal and vegetable SW3 6JZ cells, microorganisms and their 07775 682094 importance. Book now for your Playball Easter camps: they are always very popular! dove-studios.com Age 4-7 and 8-12, 9.30am-3.30pm, children to computer coding in a Creative Writing, Handwriting, Dates in Easter Holidays with early drop off available. fun, engaging environment. Comprehension and Composition, Making Art Fun Fun arts and crafts Available are courses on Minecraft English Exam Prep, Interview Skills for all, ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-18, Languages Modding, Roblox Coding, Robotics, and recently added Reasoning hourly sessions, all levels welcome. Games Design, MicroBit & Arduino workshops. With extensive Includes Portfolio prep, painting, Alpine French School coding, Python, HTML/CSS, knowledge of the British school drawing, 3D and puppet making. French Alps JavaScript and Unity/C# in a fun, system the workshops offer +33 4 50 79 08 38 engaging environment. Ages 5-7 practice and support to children www.alpinefrenchschool.com Kids En Cuisine years, 8-12 and 13-16. preparing for 7+, 8+ and 11+ Venues across SW London 8-12 and 15-19 April entrance exams whilst aiming to 020 3015 2966 Intensive French GCSE and A-Level build confidence and enlighten Camps Intensive French GSCE and Naomi Martin Touch www.kidsencuisine.com Typing children to the joy of learning. Dates in March and April A-Level courses, helping you to Sinclair House School, 59 Fulham Cookery Camp Learn about focus on exam skills and how to High Street SW6 3JJ healthy food by cooking real dishes excel in examinations. Learn insider 07949 204553, with vegetables, fruits, aromatic tips, plus targeted exam www.nmtouchtyping.co.uk herbs and spices. Join them at preparation and interactive and Throughout Easter Holidays Whole Food Market, Planet communicative activities, with Touch Typing Courses for children Organic, As Nature Intended, in emphasis on getting speaking and aged 7-18, classes are 90 minutes their kitchen in the heart of listening skills up to level. Prices start from 280€ for one week. long, mixed age and ability. Sibling Westminster or they can even discounts available, 9.30-11am or Role Models Day Courses come to you with all the kitchen 11.30am-1pm, £250 for the week. Chelsea Academy School utensils needed to have fun. Et Patati Patata SW10 0AB Venues across SW London NumberWorks’nWords 020 3637 7107 Little House of Science 07966 893674, www.rolemodels.me, [email protected] Battersea [email protected] Venues in SW7 187a Lavender Hill, Clapham www.etpatatipatata.com 8-12 April 0800 092 1062, Junction SW11 5TB 8-12 and 15-19 April Leadership Course Leadership is [email protected] 020 7223 1882 Fun French Easter Day Camps Join being able to support, encourage www.littlehouseofscience.com numberworksnwords.com/uk/our- the award winning French and motivate others to achieve a 1-18 April locations/united- immersion programme and learn shared goal, and one of the most Easter Holiday Camps Join in kingdom/battersea French without leaving London. important qualities in order to do captivating scientific journeys Dates throughout Easter Fun activities including French this is a high level of empathy and where children will discover a GCSE Revision Courses GCSE music, French art, patisserie, emotional intelligence. Learn to variety of interesting facts from revision courses and SATS practice French coding, French musical, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. courses run throughout the Easter identify and understand emotions, sport…and it’s all 100% French fun! Join in a week of discoveries of the holidays. Call them for times and strengths and weaknesses in this Age 4-10, plus a Teen GCSE most amazing inventions of prices. Plus maths tutoring, English course. Age 8-11. programme, 9am-3pm. humanity: hot air balloons, tutoring and individual tuition Resilience Course Helping your airplanes, rockets, cars, submarines programmes. child to develop their resilience is and Mars exploration rovers. Developing skills one of the most effective ways to The Science geniuses who Yellowbird Education help them thrive at school, home, changed the world - familiarising Spark4Kids work and in life in general. By SW6, SW4, SW12, W4 and now young scientists with the work of Venues in Dulwich developing a growth mindset, they some of the greatest scientists and 020 8090 1444 NW11 can learn to push themselves their fascinating discoveries inc www.spark4kids.com 020 7731 0695 / 07790 912318 outside of their comfort zone, atoms, DNA, evolution, forces, Dates in Easter Holidays www.yellowbirdeducation.com embrace new experiences and electricity, mechanics, gravity, Easter Holiday Computer Coding 1-5 and 8-12 April persist within areas that might not medicine, light, space travel and Workshops Spark4Kids runs Hugely popular educational be their strengths. Age 8-11, 10am- much more! holiday workshops that introduce workshops to develop skills in 3pm.

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Music and Drama learn whilst having fun. Age 4-8, a performance in the amazing Tara 9.30am-1.30pm, £30 per pupil, Theatre for family and friends, with a £5 sibling discount. complete with lighting and costume! Great for building Perform Drama confidence, learning new skills and Venues across SW London making friends. 9am-3.30pm. 020 7255 9120 / [email protected] The Strings Club www.perform.org.uk Tooting Primary School, Franciscan Dates in April Road, Tooting SW17 8HE Allsorts drama Alice in Wonderland Have fun 0121 296 9204 tumbling down the rabbit hole into www.thestringsclub.org Notting Hill Prep School W11 8-12 April 020 8969 3249 the topsy-turvy world of Wonderland. Meet the white rabbit, Easter Holiday Camp Inspire your www.allsortsdrama.com the Queen of Hearts and Alice child through music this Easter herself on this colourful adventure with The Strings Club’s multi DRAMA WORKSHOPS into the land of your own award-winning, Ofsted registered imagination. And things stand to Holiday Camp in Tooting. Children Popular and fun drama get 'curiouser and curiouser' thanks will learn skills, make friends and workshops for ages 4-6 and 7- to tea with The Mad Hatter, a game grow in confidence. Book half days 11, 8–12 April . The perfect of imaginary flamingo croquet and from £20, 8th-12th April. New to way to keep your child even a chat with The Cheshire Cat. them? Bring a friend for free! entertained and stimulated in a Ages 4-10, 10am-3pm, £206. creative and structured way. Upbeat Music 9.30am – 3.30pm. Fee £230 Stagecoach Battersea Thomas’s Academy, Parsons Green Yellowbird Education Northcote Lodge, Bolingbroke SW6 4LY Dantastic Grove SW11 6EL 07816 901396 www.upbeatmusiccourses.co.uk Across SW London including 07956 288928 3-5 and 8-12 April Southfields Library, Sindbads www.stagecoach.co.uk/battersea Pop and Rock Fun at Upbeat Easter Raynes Park and Corfield Centre, 15-18 April Camps Sing, dance, play in a band, Streatham Easter Holiday Performing Arts record your tracks and then 07460 222003 Camp 4 days (or mornings) of dance, acting and singing with perform them. Courses end with a www.dantasticproductions.com/cl performance and CD presentation. asses experienced West End professionals. Come and put on a Age 4-14, sibling discounts Dates in Easter Holidays show for friends and family to available, 10am-4pm. Baby and Toddler Classes Action enjoy. You don't have to attend packed, interactive musical Stagecoach classes - everyone is adventure classes aimed to inspire, Sport welcome! Childcare vouchers educate, build confidence and accepted. 9.30am-12.30pm for 4-6 All Star Tennis improve fitness. Expecting plenty of year olds, £120, or 10am-4pm for Leaders Gardens SW15 1LS singing, dancing, puppets, 7-16 year olds, £165. King Georges Park SW18 2GJ instruments and sensory activities. Wandsworth Common SW18 3RT Drop in for only £8 (£5 siblings), Stars Performing Arts club Tooting Common SW17 8JU dates vary depending on venue. Tara Theatre, Earlsfield 020 8871 4706 Funky Monkey Keyboard 07846 385 423 www.allstartennis.co.uk/holiday- www.starspaclubs.com camps Classes 8-12 April 1-24 April Funky Monkey Streatham, Clapham and Easter Holiday Club. Spend the Easter Holiday Tennis Camps All Blackheath, Herne Hill, Sevenoaks, week rehearsing the smash hit Star Tennis award-winning camps Sydenham musical ‘School of Rock’, whilst are back this Easter and filling up 01732 457100, mixing it up with lots of games and quickly. They will be extra special [email protected] prop making. Finish the week with this time as they celebrate their www.funkymonkey.info 8, 9, 11 or 12 April One Day Easter Holiday Workshops The perfect opportunity to try out the keyboard and make music the fun way. Children learn in small groups how to write and play notes C-G and try some famous tunes using electronic keyboards. It's a wonderful, relaxed introduction to practical and theoretical music, and with games, quizzes and art activities all based around music thrown in for good measure, you'll be amazed how much they can Stagecoach Battersea

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20th Anniversary, and as always will £21 per day, with discounts for There are also drop in classes be packed with games, drills, tennis booking the whole week. 3-14 years. available. Spaces are limited so book technique, match preparation, fun in advance. tournaments, trick shots, prizes and GoApe Battersea team games. Plus, a chance to Battersea Park SW11 4NJ Playball dress up on the last day. 3-4 years goape.co.uk/days- Battersea Park and Oak Lodge Battersea Park Zoo - 3-4pm, 5-7 years - 10am-1pm out/london/battersea School, Nightingale Lane and 3-5pm, 8-12 years - 10am- Throughout Easter Holidays 020 8123 2217 www.playball- Multi Activities 3pm, Teens - 12-4pm. GoApe Battersea is open 9am-5pm London.com every day throughout the Easter 8-12th April Battersea Park Children’s Chelsea FC Soccer School break, with its Tree Top Junior(1 hour Easter Holiday Camps: Fun camps Zoo activity), £21. For the fully grown Venues across SW London for 3-8 year olds, with treasure hunts, www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk/ Tarzans and Janes, you won’t even 020 7957 8220 Playball games and skills, water There will be many games, craft and feel like you’re in the city as you’ll be [email protected] balloons and a whole lot more. You chocolate activities this Easter at our fully immersed in the pursuit to / [email protected] may do as many days as you would beloved zoo. See website for full conquer some of the longest and www.chelseafc.com/foundation / like and you do not have to be a details. Here is a taster. highest crossings with the Tree Top www.chelseasoccerschools.co.uk Playballer to join... Dates vary 6-22 April Easter Egg Search Adventure (3 hour activity), from £28. Throughout Easter Holidays depending on venue. 10am-1pm How many lucky zoo animals have Their friendly instructors are ready London Soccer School For boys and (lunch at around 11:30am). Parents got colourful Easter eggs this year? and waiting to propel you into a leafy girls aged 4-13. All abilities welcome, may drop children off for the Simply purchase a quiz sheet upon world of canopies too, including entry & use the clues to help you times vary according to course, from duration of camp, as there will be 7 bridges and zip wires that guarantee work out where those eggs are! £30. coaches present… a family vibe across the tree tops. 9 April Hedgehog Day The PTES (People’s Trust for Cricket Dynamics Jonathan Markson Easter SwimWay Endangered Species) are coming to Venues across Wimbledon and Balham, East Sheen, Putney, the zoo; there will be lots of Wandsworth Tennis Clinic Kensington, Kew Gardens and Hedgehog themed activities: 07946 559572 Barn Elms Sportsground, Barnes Wimbledon Hedgehog arts + crafts, Hedgehog cricketdynamics.co.uk www.marksontennis.com/london- 020 8871 3972, [email protected] story time, a chance to chat with a 8-11 and 15-18 April, dates vary tennis-camp www.swimway.co.uk hedgehog rescuer and meet a real hedgehog! according to venue 15—18 April & 19—22 April Dates throughout Easter Holidays Easter Holiday Courses Easter tennis Intensive tennis coaching clinics for Swimming Courses Intensive courses for Under 7s, Under 10s and children 7 - 17 years old (15 - 18 April) courses to improve your child’s Barracudas Activity Day Under 13s, for beginners to and adults (19 - 22 April). Focus on a swimming technique, on a private or Camps advanced. Times vary depending on keystroke per day to help improvers semi-private basis. Courses run for Visit www.barracudas.co.uk/camps age groups, see website for details. and allow experienced players to half an hour each day, book early to or phone 01480 467567 for further Single day play options available, or perfect their skills in groups of one to avoid disappointment. Age 3-9, dates details. book for the week. six players. and times dependent on venue. Easter holiday entertainment is £315 pp, 10am—4pm each day. sorted for 4.5–14 year olds with a Fulham FC Foundation brilliant programme of over 80 S W Swimming School amazing activities. Standard hours are Venues in Fulham Little Gym Emanuel School SW11 1HS 8.30am to 5.30pm and cost £40/day. 0870 442 5432, Smugglers Way SW18 1DB Ernest Bevin School, Beechcroft The camps run at Streatham and [email protected] 020 8874 6567, Road, Tooting SW17 7DF Clapham High school from 8-18 www.fulhamsoccerschools.com [email protected] 0208 767 2723, April. Early & late pick-ups are Throughout Easter Holidays www.wandsworthfulham.thelittlegym.eu available to extend the day from 8am [email protected] Holiday Courses Soccer schools run 16, 17 and 18 April to 6pm. every day, 9am to 3pm. Play tons of Easter Holiday Gym Camps Don’t www.swswimschool.co.uk football, learn new skills and make miss out on the opportunity to join Dates in Easter Holidays TBc Bocketts Farm Intensive Courses Intensive splash lots of new friends. Taking place at these popular classes for children of www.bockettsfarm.co.uk courses where children swim Fulham FC’s Training Ground in all ages. The programme focuses on 5th – 23rd April 2019 everyday with same instructor. All Motspur Park, Bishops Park in building new skills and developing Easter Eggstravaganza. Enjoy a great lessons are 30 minutes each day, Fulham, Dundonald Rec in confidence while the kids have loads family day out this Spring, as the Wimbledon and other venues across of fun. Age 3-8, 9.30am-12.30pm, running between 9am-12pm Monday lambing season gets into full swing! South West London. Prices start from members £39, non-members £46. to Friday. With over 350 gorgeous newborn

Jonathan Markson Tennis Bocketts Farm

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lambs due you might even watch one being born! Children will also love to get up close to the baby Book ahead for the Summer chicks, ducklings and bunnies, in addition to goat milking, tractor rides, pony rides and pig racing.

Eddie Catz Wimbledon and Earlsfield 42 Station Road SW19 2LP 279 Magdalen Road SW18 3NZ 0203 4755268 eddiecatz.com Throughout Easter Holidays Holiday Activities Across the two branches in SW London – Earlsfield and Wimbledon Colliers Wood – there will be plenty of holiday camps, creative workshops and parties to choose from. See www.eddiecatz.com for more information and to book online. Prices usually include lunch and a free play at the venue, plus Eddie Catz appears in all venues twice a day to meet and greet the children.

Join All Stars Cricket accredited by the England & full of goodies to help them get Barnes, Sheen, Putney, Wales Cricket Board and delivered their summer of cricket started Wimbledon, Fulham and at the nationwide at over 2,000 centres. and fully look the part when they Youngstars Multi-Sports Spencer Cricket club. All Stars Cricket will help your attend their 8 weekly sessions. and Activity Camp To get involved this summer, child develop key skills in a fun This year they have a brand-new and safe environment where Cricket World Cup themed activity Balham, Clapham, Parsons Green, simply visit parents can join in too and help book that is full of top tips, games Putney and Wimbledon www.allstarscricket.co.uk, 07749 343116, info@young- sessions begin May 2019. create #BigMoments you’ll both and, it’s a great place to keep stars.co.uk All Stars Cricket is a programme treasure! those weekly stickers to celebrate www.young-stars.co.uk aimed at children aged 5-8 years Following successful your All Star's achievements. Plus, 8-18 April old to give them a great first registration, All Stars Cricketers it’s all delivered straight to your Easter Holiday Camps Plenty of fun, experience in cricket. Sessions are will receive a brand-new kit bag door. games and excitement whilst kids are introduced to all aspects of sports in an all inclusive and non-competitive environment. 3-12 years, times and prices vary so see website for details.

Paint Pots Easter Fun Location: Paint Pots, St Mary The Boltons, The Boltons, London, SW10 9TB Book online at Go glamping with your Go Kid Music, and a free bowl of with their easy to use system get www.paintpotshouse.com under 5s their famous veggie soup with in touch to arrange your class Monday 1st —Friday 5th April most stays. They have unique camp for 2020, limited availability Wowo is a wonderful place to Arts, crafts, music, games and glamping options in different for 2019. New since 2018 they take the family this summer, other seasonal activities for locations with yurts, shepherds now host Sacred Seeds a western check out availability online children aged 3-6 yrs huts, and lotus bell tents or bring herbalist offering consultations www.wowo.co.uk 9.30am-12.30pm, £45 / your own tent and choose your and products. Little Wowo is a family 9.30am-3.30pm, £65. Led by pitch. campsite in the heart of Sussex their fully qualified Nursery They host special events for Wowo is a wonderful place to offering an adventure for the School and Creative Classes families with under 5 year olds: take the family this summer, whole family. Enjoy campfires, teachers. Little Wowo Weeks 3rd-6th check out our availability on the workshops, nature’s playground, *All sessions are un- June and 1st-4th July 2019. website www.wowo.co.uk. music in a tipi with Al Start from accompanied. Specialising in group camping

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Editor’s Pick! Here is my choice of the best shows or events for the whole family this March and April…

Have endless fun at Easter

Get some crafty inspiration Solo craft fair Balham Bowls club, Ramsden Road, SW12 8QX Meet independent businesses sell their handcrafted wares from local unique traders 12am-5pm Feature of interest: There will be a creative workshop for mum and an activity corner for the children. Date: 30 March Price: Free entry

See a play in which underbelly Festival 2019 Southbank SE1 8XX • www.underbellyfestival.com nothing happens The biggest family programme ever kicks off with Family Fest, which includes the acclaimed adaptation of The Gruffalo, and The Witch and The Warthog. Other classic children’s tales include the mega hit Monstersaurus and a new theatrical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows. Feature of interest: This year’s family programme includes ultimate family singalong Massaoke for Kids, the original adult and baby mixed bill comedy Screaming With Laughter and the wildly popular Fun Kids Radio Hour. When? From 5 April and throughout the Easter holidays The Show in which hopefully nothing happens The unicorn Theatre, SE1 2HZ • www.unicorntheatre.com Welcome to the most boring show in history: an actor who never gets to Take your child on a theatre barge perform and a security guard who just hopes nothing will occur. Age 6-10 Feature of interest: Created in the Netherlands, this carefully crafted, absurdist masterpiece of hope, humour and failure has been adored by critics and children across Europe, the US and Canada for the last 12 years. Date: 21 March – 28 April Price: from £10 Try a new exciting multi sensory space

Squish Space Barbican centre • www.barbican.org.uk My Shadow and Me Try this new multi-sensory adventure: Squish Space offers children a safe Puppet Theatre Barge environment to experiment with versatile material giving them the freedom Blomfield Road (opposite 35) W9 2PF • www.puppetbarge.com to redesign the space. In this curiosity driven playground for the senses, The show uses practically no words with electronic music, a kazoo, a children and their families have the chance to connect through shaker and non- verbal voice effects. We love this truly simple, theatrical construction play. blend of amazing skill, humour and shadow magic. 4+ Feature of interest: Make it a day out and go to a Parent and baby or a Feature of interest: It’s on a real barge! Family screening. When? To 14 April When: Until 30 June 2019 Price: Adults £13, children £9 Price: It’s free

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What’s On

Bug Hunting at Morden Hall Park Tabby McTat at Southbank

If you only do one thing this Easter…

Go and see Beasts of London At the Museum of London www.museumoflondon.org.uk From 5 April This is the Museum of London’s next major experience, created especially for families. Beasts of London brings to life the history of animals in the city told from the unique perspective of the animals themselves. You will be guided by various animal characters through time, from the Roman era through medieval London and right up to present day. Discover how animals—from lions and elephants, to horses, rats and pigeons—have shaped the city and its beastly history. This is definitely one not to be missed! Age 7+, family tickets from £20.

Southbank Centre Dates in March and April 6-23 April Diary www.southbankcentre.co.uk Sample delicious chocolates on Easter Family Programme. Loads of Sat 6 – Sun 14 April board the London Eye. It’s a family activities for all ages during Come to Southbank chocolate lover’s dream: sipping the Easter holidays, including chilled Prosecco whilst learning all Centre this Easter exploring the colour spectrum and Dates ... about the world of chocolate and holiday for FREE finding out what colour means to taking in the incredible views of the sensational shows activities! plants. London skyline. You’ll find out how and free family fun. From 18 May Mum2mum Market to taste it, when to taste it and, of Enjoy original songs Children’s Garden. Kew’s most Ricards Lodge High School, course, do a fair bit of actual Wimbledon and other venues and a sprinkling of magic in the tasting as well – perfect! ambitious design project of recent across SW London heart-warming family show Tabby years opens this May. The size of www.mum2mummarket.co.uk McTat or perhaps you would prefer NCT Bumps and Babies nearly 40 tennis courts, this giant to play in giant sandpits illuminated 9 March Group new children’s garden has been by beautiful graphics at Soundpit. designed for children to play and Come along and buy all kinds of Riverside Pub, St George’s Wharf And expect lots more! explore the hidden treasures, trees nearly new toys, clothes, books, SW8 2LE and adventure parks. Includes a strollers, car seats, feeding Every Tuesday in March and April BFI giant sand pit, quirky play hut accessories, baby equipment and Come along at 2.30pm to meet up W1T 1LN www.bfi.org.uk/families village and tunnel slides, a Sun so much more. Or if you fancy a with other pregnant people or quick clear out, why not book a Saturdays in March and April Garden with rings of sunflowers Saturday Film Clubs. These people with babies - completely stall? Admission £2 on the door, free and nice drinks available. and pergolas festooned with edible children free. Visit the Mum2mum Saturday film clubs are a must for fruits, and a Water Garden with any child who loves film and wants Contact Caroline Flint Market website to get 2 for 1 07973 657 642, email water pubs and splash pools. admission. 10am-12pm to have fun! Topics cover Ages 2-12. everything from animation and [email protected] adverts, to sci-fi and special Kew Gardens Where’s Wally? Fun run effects. The clubs are hugely Comedy Club 4 Kids at Richmond, Surrey Clapham Common popular so book early. Mini Soho Theatre www.kew.org To book literacytrust.org.uk/wally Filmmakers for ages 8-11, 10.30am Sohotheatre.com To 10 March 17 March – 12.30pm, Young Filmmakers for To 16 March Dress up as Wally and join ages 12-15, 2-4.30pm. Orchids Festival. Colombia is the Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 thousands of runners and book world’s most bio-diverse for Kids has been getting the best lovers to raise money for the work Hotel Chocolat Tasting orchids, with over 4270 species! stand-ups and sketch acts from the of the National Literacy Trust. 5k Experience Also, enjoy Carnival music, street international circuit to do their food and crafts for kids – there or 10k run, as well as a 1k version Coca-Cola London Eye thing for an audience of children promises to be loads to do to keep for children under 12. You can run, www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/experi and their families but without the jog or walk. Family £60 ences even the littlest entertained. rude bits! It's just like a normal

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Family Workshop, Foundling Museum 2-14 April London Games Fesitval Mum goes free on Mother’s day at Morden Hall Park comedy club, but it's on in the day, second hand goods at our award Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. experience. place of magic, wonder, and kids are allowed in, and thus there winning, pop-up baby and Train to become one of your enchantment. Hang on the is a higher than usual chance of children's market nearly new sales. favourite Marvel characters using trapeze, hula hoop, juggle, spin heckles like "why is that your Admission £2 on the door, children authentic props and technology by high in the silks and more. Family face!?" free. 3.30-5.30pm NASA. Enjoy never-before-seen classes accommodate all ages and character displays spread over abilities, allowing the entire family St Patrick’s Day several rooms, and discover the to have fun and get fit together. Morden Hall Park backstory and super workings of Across central London Designed for parents and children SM4 5JD each Avengers character. under 5, the talented Circus 17 March www.nationaltrust.org.uk Join in the lively Irish celebrations Dreams team will constantly be on 24, 30 and 31 March London Games Festival hand to teach you and your little with St Patrick’s Day events and Mum’s The Word. Make a gift for activities in London. This year’s 2019 ones the tricks of the trade, mum that just keeps growing. You'll allowing you to master the art of theme is #LondonIsOpen. Across London get to plant up your very own Acrobatics, Ariel Silks, and the Hula games.london flower and decorate its pot for a Hoop. 2-14 April Can You Foster? present she'll never forget. £4 per Celebrate the art, culture and Venues in Wandsworth child, drop-in, no need to book, all Now Play This business of gaming, and try out www.wandsworth.gov.uk/carer_ex ages, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm. Somerset House WC2R 1LA hundreds of games at the 2019 periences somersethouse.org.uk London Games Festival. Includes 21 March 6-14 April Fulham Palace the amazing Games Character Find out more about fostering at The annual games festival returns Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA Parade on 6 April. one of these events. Go to the for its biggest edition ever, with www.fulhampalace.org website or call 020 8871 6666 to more exciting hands-on gameplay find out more. 24 March Circus Dreams for all ages to enjoy. From £6.50. Hands-on Archaeology. Explore Stoke Newington Plus two free outdoor installations, NCT Clapham Branch the wealth of archaeology at www.circus-dreams.com including a large-scale labyrinth in Baby First aid course Fulham Palace and discover the 4 April the courtyard and an adventurous At Physio For All, 40 Webbs Road past through investigating artefacts Families’ Drop In Sunday. Circus trail around the site. £8 / £6.50 SW11 6SF www.nct.org.uk and exploring the world around Dreams will whisk you away to a concessions. 23 March you. Free, all ages welcome, The course is run in conjunction 1-3pm. with First Aid for Life and consists 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 25 March of a single session (2-5pm). £59 Palace Explorers. These fun and Mum Goes Free for creative facilitated sessions are Mother’s Day Learn to Play Day geared specifically to 2-4 year olds WWT London Wetlands Centre Venues across London and their adults. Each week we will ww.wwt.org.uk/wetland- musicforall.org.uk/learntoplayday explore and learn together around centres/London 23-24 March a different theme, with arts and 31 March A free event to crafts, storytelling and dressing up, Don’t Treat your mum to a relaxing day encourage everyone games and gardening. £5 per child. to start making music, miss this! out with a walk to watch the wildlife flitting among the gardens with music shops, Wondrous Libraries! teachers, venues and schools and meadows. Your mum gets free throughout London partnering with British Library NW1 2DB admission to the Centre when leading musical instrument brands www.bl.uk/learning accompanied by a paying child or to offer thousands of FREE music 24 March adult. Just quote ‘Mother’s Day’ at lessons. Includes Croydon Music Join in this creative workshop and admissions. Hub, Unity Centre of South London design your own extraordinary in Balham, Early Music Shop on library map. 12-12.30pm and 1- Painshill Park Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea Denmark Street, and Yamaha Music 3.30pm, age 5-11 but younger www.painshill.co.uk London on Wardour Street. children welcome. Free, first come, 31 March first served. Mum2mum Market Bring Mum for a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea in the enchanting 18th century walled garden, with seasonal flowers Immanuel and St Andrew's Church, Marvel Avengers and plantings. Choose from finger sandwiches, homemade mini 452 Streatham High Road S.T.A.T.I.O.N. scones with jam and clotted cream and cakes, served with SW16 3PY ExCel, Royal Victoria Dock specialty tea or coffee and a glass of Prosecco. Adults £18.50, www.mum2mummarket.co.uk To 31 March children £8, members get extra discount. 23 March Step into the world of superheroes Buy top quality baby and children's with the immersive Marvel

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Ben and Holly at New Wimbledon Meet Judith Kerr The Jungle Book, Streatham Space Project 11-14 April Theatre 4 & 5 March. Don’t miss it! at the Barnes Literature Festival

Charlie and the Chocolate Colour House Theatre 20 April 10 March Factory Afternoon Tea www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk The Three Billy Pigs. Once upon a Braniac Live! Based on the Original time there were three little pigs, TV Show and celebrating its 10th One Aldwych WC2B 4BZ SW19 2RD Saturdays and Sundays to 14 April and now it is time for them to leave Anniversary live on tour, Brainiac www.onealdwych.com home. They set off to build their Live! is back. More mischievous From 9 April Beauty and the Beast. Many years ago a wicked witch put a spell on dream houses. But then these than ever before, Brainiac Live! will From golden chocolate eggs and homes are put to the test by a take you on a breathless ride an arrogant young prince, turning chocolate caramel milk to playful misunderstood wolf who has a through the wild world of the weird him into a hideous Beast. The spell homemade candyfloss, wonderful little bit of a problem. 11am & 1pm, and wonderful. Expect exploding teatime treats are on offer in a can only be broken if the Beast ages 3–8. dustbins, combusting microwaves magical experience inspired by the learns to love and be loved in 27 April and loads of live daredevil stunts! sweet shop. return, before a magical rose loses Hansel and Gretel. Deep in an 2pm. its final petal. 2pm and 4pm, enchanted forest, everybody’s from £10. The Jungle Book looking for something to eat. Omnibus Theatre Streatham Space Project SW2 4PA Hansel and Gretel are lost, SW4 0QW www.streathamspaceproject.co.uk Lyric Hammersmith searching for a way home, only to www.omnibus-clapham.org 11-14 April W6 0QL find themselves on the menu of a 24 March High energy family theatre packed www.lyric.co.uk sweet-toothed witch. 11am & 1pm, Escape from Dragon City. When a with adventure, comedy, puppetry To 16 March ages 3–8. and original music that takes you dragon descends on a city, a boy The Animals and Children Took to has to pack a rucksack and search deep into the magical heart of the the Streets New Wimbledon Theatre jungle. Have you discovered for a new home. He crosses Like a graphic novel burst into life, SW19 1QG mountains and oceans, looking for Streatham’s new events space? 1927 invites you on a theatrical It’s great. atgtickets.com/venues/new- someone who will let him live with journey of startling originality. wimbledon-theatre them. An interactive storytelling Seamlessly synchronising live 4-5 March and craft workshop for under 5’s, THEATRE music, performance and Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom. created and performed by Amie storytelling with stunning film and From the makers of Peppa Pig Taylor. 11am, £6. Cambridge Theatre animation. From £10. comes this BAFTA award-winning 31 March Don’t miss out! WC2H 9HU television animation live on stage. Wow! It’s Night Time. The curious 13 April uk.matildathemusical.com Join Ben & Holly, and their friends little owl is back, and this time she’s Out Of The Hat! When Doris and Throughout March on this exciting, enchanting and ready to discover the wonders of Delilah wake up to find something Matilda The Musical. Inspired by magical musical adventure packed night-time, from the big, bright strange and sparkly has fallen from the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, full of games, songs and laughter. moon to the bats in the sky and the the sky, they are inspired to put on Matilda revels in the anarchy of This beautiful story of elves, foxes deep in the forest. But where the world’s greatest magic show. childhood, the power of princesses and childhood are all the other owls? When the But will the conjuring trick work imagination and the inspiring story innocence will delight all the wind blows the leaves from her and will anything ever come out of of a girl who dares to change her family! Mon at 16:30, Tue at 10:00, tree, you’ll soon see… destiny. the hat? 11am & 1pm, ages 2–8. 13:00 and 16:30 11am, 1pm & 2.45pm, £9/£7, ages 2-5. Barnes Children’s Book your ticket Literature from 16th March, don’t miss out! www.barneskidslitfest.org Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th May 2019 London’s largest dedicated and free children’s literature festival returns! Attracting some of the UK's best authors and illustrators for a fun- filled weekend for children of all ages and led by UK Laureate Lauren Child and master story tellers Judith Kerr, Michael Rosen, David Almond, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Francesca Simon, this year’s programme looks better than ever. The Festival is centred around Barnes Green beside the much-loved duck pond, lending it's unique 'village fair' feel. Polar Bears Go Go Go at the unicorn Theatre

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Orchid Festival, Kew Gardens Watch the Insect Circus at the Puppet Theatre Lyric, Hammersmith, The Animals and Children took to the Streets

Peacock Theatre 21-23 March discovering the world anew and British Library WC2A 2HT Young Companies Double Bill. how we experience it differently, NW1 2DB www.sadlerswells.com / Join them for an exciting Double wherever we are. Age 2-5. www.bl.uk/events www.peacocktheatre.com Bill performed by G64 Young 26 March – 28 April To 12 May To 9 March Company of 16-19 year olds. The Polar Bears Go, Go, Go! Join Frendship Before Facebook. How the two very loveable but slightly Cirque Eloize. Celebrating their Tickets from £5. were friends selected, collected hapless Polar Bears on their holiday 25th anniversary, Canadian and put on display, before the adventures. Will they ever reach contemporary circus crew Cirque Sadler’s Wells digital era? Explore the Library’s their destination? Or are they just Éloize open the doors to their new Rosebery Avenue EC1R collection of pocket-sized show, Hotel. In an art deco grand www.sadlerswells.com going around in circles? Have your ticket ready, find your seat, fasten friendship albums – made between hotel, tourists and travellers, the 26-30 March the 16th and 19th centuries – full Northern Ballet – Victoria. Queen your seatbelt and anchors aweigh famous and infamous, mingle in of celebrity autographs, music, Victoria’s irrepressible love for – take off and go, go, go! the 1920s, stopping over in the miniature paintings and lift-the-flap 1970s and 2040. Sneak behind Albert sparked a royal dynasty, but pictures. closed doors to witness their his untimely death brought the intimate stories, guided by the world’s most powerful woman to time-spinning groom and the artful her knees with grief. MuSEuMS, Charles Dickens Museum maître d’hôtel. Choreographed by Cathy Marston WC1N 2LX (Jane Eyre), Northern Ballet’s latest GALLERIES AND www.dickensmuseum.com Puppet Theatre Barge creation Victoria reveals the life of DAYS OuT Last Sunday of every month Blomfield Road (opposite 35) one of history’s most intriguing Highlighting the Collection. W9 2PF women – a life so fascinating that Drop-in object handling sessions www.puppetbarge.com her daughter Beatrice tried to To 24 March rewrite history. The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. The two famous mouse Matthew Bourne’s Swan cousins take it in turns to visit one Lake another. First the Town Mouse New Wimbledon Theatre goes to stay with the County SW19 1QG Mouse and has to face up to the atgtickets.com/venues/new- unfamiliar world of the wild wimbledon-theatre countryside. Then, the Country 16-20 April Mouse heads into town and has to This Swan Lake is perhaps still best learn to escape from the house cat known for replacing the female and navigate the noisy city traffic. A corps-de-ballet with a menacing delight for young and old, told with rod puppets, music and sing-along male ensemble, which shattered songs. conventions, turned tradition 30 March – 24 April upside down and took the dance The Insect Circus. Visiting world by storm. Don’t miss it company String Theatre invites when it comes to Wimbledon this you to forget reality and become spring. £13 -61 immersed in the strange and beautiful world of the Insect The Unicorn Theatre Circus. Beetles and grasshoppers, SE1 2HZ wasps and dragonflies, www.unicorntheatre.com demonstrate their dexterity with To 10 March great skill and humour. Presented Icarus. A new take on the classic using marionettes, the show myth. What can one boy do breathes new life into the against injustice? Will he save his traditional techniques used in father? Will he save himself? Victorian trick marionettes. A show Age 8-12. without words, age 3+. To 10 March It’s Hot, It’s Not. This surreal, funny Putney Arts Theatre and carefully crafted physical Ravenna Road SW15 6AW performance explores the weather www.putneyartstheatre.org.uk in all its forms and takes delight in

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Learn to Play Day 23-24 March, FREE event Swan Lake, New Wimbledon Theatre Come aboard the Cutty Sark Photo: Alan Fletcher Photo: Johan Persson throughout the historic interior of production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s in their composition workshop. Led the natural wonder of a coral reef 48 Doughty Street. Discover a Pirates of Penzance. Enjoy an by composer Charlotte Harding, to the modern marvel of the unique set of Dickensian curiosities evening of sentimental pirates, explore the identities expressed in international space station, travel from a cheque signed by Dickens, blundering policemen, absurd the bedrooms featured in their through history and explore over to a beautiful dolls house, an adventures, improbable paradoxes – exhibition, then create and perform 70 models made using half a engraved snuff box and even a and realistic women. £28, your own musical creation. million LEGO® bricks. Build your collection of original props from age 11+. Suitable for age 5+, 11am-12.30pm, imagination at the interactive play The Invisible Woman. 1.15-2.45pm, 3-4.30pm, free, book areas, and don’t miss two special Foundling Museum a session on the day. models of Horniman icons, Cutty Sark 40 Brunswick Square, Camden designed especially for the show. Greenwich Town WC1N 1AZ Hampton Court Palace rmg.co.uk/cuttysark www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk KT8 9AU London Transport Throughout March 9 April www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace Museum Come aboard to hear Cutty Sark’s Star Baker: House Challenge. Throughout March incredible stories brought to life by WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk Does the smell of baking make you The Magic Garden. Discover characters from the ship’s past. Lots going on during the Easter feel at home? Work with artist Anne something new around every twist Harild to bake biscuits in the shape holidays including Singing and and turn in an immersive world Stories and Illustrating London, Try and outwit the crew of fantastical houses, then use populated by mythical beasts, drop in. FREE. in the Sailors’ them to construct imaginative and including a 25m dragon! Take the Challenge game inspiring structures. Suitable for Future Engineers Gallery. Families, family to become Tudor Knights, young people and ‘big kids’ can get Book now to save 10% age 5+, 11am-12.30pm, 1.15- besiege the battlements, storm the 2.45pm, 3-4.30pm, free, book a hands-on and have fun exploring Tiltyard Towers and explore a the fascinating world of transport session on the day. mysterious secret grotto. Included Meet Captain Woodget, the ship’s engineering in the new Future 11 April in palace admission. most daring master; Jock Willis, the Toy Homes. Thinking about how Throughout March and April man who built Cutty Sark; Nannie, 29-31 March London Stories. Visit this new important homes are as places for Florimania: Embroidered the ship’s figurehead; or the ship’s exhibition featuring 100 children to feel safe and happy, Treasures of Hampton cook, James Robson, who all have illustrations celebrating London work with artist Anne Harild to Court Palace. This Mother’s an extraordinary story to tell, follow and revealing some of the make a roll-along home to take Mother’s Day Day Event a family trail or take part in fun fascinating tales of London life past with you on your travels. Suitable weekend, the much- workshops. Daily, age 3+. and present. From urban myths, 21-23 March for age 5+, 11am-12.30pm, 1.15- loved Florimania historic events and remarkable The Pirates of Penzance. To 2.45pm, 3-4.30pm, free, book a extravaganza will return to the characters, to daily lives and celebrate 150 years since work session on the day. King’s State Apartments, bringing adventurous animals, the exhibition began on building Cutty Sark, Merry 16 April the opulent interiors to life with offers new insights into the cultural Opera bring an exuberant Music for Bedrooms. Get creative vibrant floral displays and the sweet scents of spring. This year’s theme history and heritage of London. is ‘Embroidered treasures of The illustrated stories include the Hampton Court Palace’ and will Cross Bones Graveyard, a ghost see the flower arrangements bus, St Pineapple’s Cathedral, the complemented by a variety of Faceless Woman of Becontree, and historical objects. the baffling story of an intrepid rabbit travelling alone on London Horniman Museum and Underground. It’s quirky, amusing and bizarre! Gardens All ages. SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk Throughout March World Gallery. The Horniman’s exciting new gallery, displaying over 3,000 extraordinary objects from around the globe. Free entry. Throughout March Brick Wonders. Discover amazing wonders from around the world made entirely from LEGO® bricks. From an ancient Egyptian pyramid to Old London Bridge, and from Lyric Hammersmith, Three Little Pigs

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Underbelly Festival My Shadow and Me, Puppet Barge Where is Wally Fun run 17th March

Museum of London Royal Observatory led experience revealing the beauty To 31 March Docklands Greenwich and wonder in the science and Life in the Medieval Palace. Step back 700 years and enter the E14 4AL SE10 8XJ mathematics that shape our lives. Tower of London’s Medieval Palace, www.museumoflondon.org.uk/mu www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory Truly fascinating! £8/£6. home of King Edward I, Hammer of seum-london-docklands Throughout March To 6 May the Scots. Meet characters from the 16-17 March The Sun: Living with Our Star. Space Safari. Follow the adventures past, including Edward’s new wife East End Entertainments. The sun, its beauty and power have of Ted as he searches the Solar and Queen, Margaret of France and The Museum of London Docklands inspired us since the dawn of System for the great, big bear in enjoy live drama exploring a world has partnered with Comedy Club 4 civilization. Set at the centre of our the sky, visiting the Sun, the Moon of chivalrous knights, troublesome Kids to offer a free weekend of solar system, its brilliant light and the Planets. In collaboration lords and royal prisoners. music, laughs and jokes with with local schools, music and shapes our sense of time, our special side-splitting workshops songs have been developed by health and our environment. This is V&A Museum of designed especially for children. Trinity Laban Conservatoire of the story of humanity’s ever- Childhood Enjoy a variety of stand-up Music and Dance. Age 7 and under, changing relationship with our E2 9PA comedians, street musicians and from £5.35. nearest star. Free for children aged www.museumofchildhood.org.uk captivating craft makers Weekends in March 16 and under. To 22 April throughout the weekend. Free. Young Astronomers Workshop. A Pirate’s Life for Me. Developed in Royal Opera House Get hands-on in these Tower of London collaboration with children, the short drop-in family www.roh.org.uk FREE! EC3N 4AB exhibition’s immersive and playful workshops themed 17 March and 14 April www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london set design takes its young visitors around space science Mily Sundays. Discover more Throughout March and April into an imaginary swashbuckling and exploration, from the most about opera, ballet and the Royal Armoury in Action. A family friendly world of adventure and exploration recent discoveries about the Solar Opera House in a fun-packed, exhibition revealing the fascinating where they will travel from a System to our latest understanding themed family-friendly day filled story of arms and the armoury at moody coastal inn to a tropical of the wider universe. The team of with exciting and creative activities. the Tower. From shooting arrows treasure island in search of Observatory Explainers can answer Ages 3-10 with parents and carers, and assembling firearms to sparkling riches. At its heart a large- your burning space questions such 11am-3pm. brandishing swords, a thousand scale pirate ship inspires learning as: how big is the Universe and 11 March and 29 April years of history at the Tower is through active play. This fantastic why is Pluto not a planet anymore? exhibition is not to be missed! Ballet Dots. Discover the world of brought to life in this exciting, Also if you've always wondered ballet through creative, fun and hands-on experience. sensory dance workshops for what it takes to become an WWT London Wetland astronomer - they are the people Selected Sundays to 7 April Centre children and adults. Ages 3 months Twilight Tours. Join the Tower’s to ask! 12.45-4.15pm, free, age 7+. www.wwt.org.uk to 5 years in 45-minute, age-block Yeoman Warders as they lead sessions. 27 April exclusive tours of the Tower after Science Museum Dawn Chorus. Make an early start Natural History Museum SW7 2DD dark. Take in world famous sights, and enjoy the reserve before SW7 5BD Sciencemuseum.org.uk such as Traitors’ Gate, the scaffold daybreak to celebrate international www.nhm.ac.uk Throughout March and April site and the Bloody Tower, and be dawn chorus day. Throughout March Wonderlab: The Statoil Gallery. appalled and amazed by tales of 30 April Introduction to Birdsong. Whales Beneath the Surface. Don’t miss out on this fantastic prisoners and past residents, of As songbirds declare their A major exhibition exploring the interactive gallery with live royal gossip and of the secrets kept territories, learn how to identify extraordinary life of whales. demonstrations and an Explainer- within these ancient walls. All ages. birds by song.

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