Archive for The Kids

Babysitting Advice for Peace of Mind

| May 2, 2013 | No comments

Francesca LiberatoreLeaving your baby with a new babysitter or nanny can be really stressful!

Being mum to a 19-month old I fully understand other parents’ anxiety leaving their child – I have had to go through it myself quite a few times – and so I thought I’d share some babysitting advice and babysitting tips with you.

Through running Granny and I, and my personal experience, I’ve learnt there are a few things you can do to make the experience a happy one for your child, and a stress-free one for you!

  •  Book your sitter 30 minutes to an hour before you are due to leave. That way you’ll have enough time to show her around your home, explain your child’s habits or routine, and watch how she interacts with your child.
  • Spend a little time with the babysitter and child before leaving; your words, actions and body language will show your child that you know and trust the babysitter, and they are more likely to be happy to stay with her.
  • If you’re really nervous and have never left baby with anyone unfamiliar, book one or two short ‘trials’, of 3 hours or so, during the day; that way, you can get to know the babysitter, see how she gets on with your child, and you’ll feel more confident leaving next timeGranny And I
  • Make sure you leave detailed instructions about your baby or child’s routine and exactly what you would like the sitter to do; you’ll avoid misunderstandings and feel more at ease leaving your child. Make sure you tell the sitter if your child has a comfort toy, blanket or dummy that usually helps to calm them if distressed.
  • Exchange phone numbers with the sitter so she can call you if needed, and you can let her know if you’re running late. You could also ask her to text you with updates.
  • Stay close to home the first time you book a sitter, so you can pop back and check on your child half way through if you feel the need.
  • Use an agency that carries out strict background checks, or carry out the checks yourself. It’s really important you feel you can trust the carer – so ask to see her CRB check, call up 3 of her referees, and interview her thoroughly in person.
  • Be patient. For some babies it will take a while to get used to a child-carer that is not you!  This is totally understandable, and you just need to give your child some time. Eventually they will see they are in safe hand
  • Bear in mind that often, once mum has left, the child is totally fine and happy! We only get to experience the distressed child as we leave, but very often this is not representative of the child’s experience with the carer.

We hope this helps!

Granny and Iby

Francesca Liberatore – Francesca founded babysitting agency Granny and I  with her mother in September 2012, after realising how important extended family is for parents with young children. Granny and I run a Granny babysitting service in London, and also an online meeting place of Grandmas and families around the UK. All their carers are experienced Grandmothers!

Have you got any Babysitting Tips you could share with us?

Category: Mum Stuff, The Kids | Tags: , , ,

Bowood House, Gardens & Tractor Ted’s Little Farm

| April 18, 2013 | No comments

A Perfect Family Day Out at Bowood House

A family day out was planned and Bowood House & Gardens was our destination.  Located between Calne and Chippenham in Derry Hill village it was a little over an hour from our house according to the Satnav. We were prepared with our wellies, a picnic and three very excited children and fingers crossed the weather man would be wrong.

DSC07827We arrived at Bowood House main entrance (Temple Gate) just as they opened at 11am after a very straight forward journey on well sign posted route and even on the drive through the gardens, it was impressive to see how the lawns were immaculately tendered and the budding florals – I would love to come back later in the year to see all the different colours.

DSC07817The staff were polite, they explained Bowood House’s grounds with a map and directed us to our first attraction, Tractor Ted’s Little Farm, which is new this year. As soon as my three excited children saw the mini farm, they all broke into a sprint to find their own tractor at the mini tractor track. From here they headed into Ted’s Barn. They saw pigs, calves, sheep with lambs, rabbits, guinea pigs & chicks and each area / pen had information and posters which were educational & informative. There was also an area to watch Tractor Ted’s real action farming films. My son who’s 6 years old took a shine to the chicks and even got close enough to stroke one – which put a big smile on his face. The staff were very helpful with answering questions and there was also a mini digger den where you could scoop play balls.

DSC07834Our next stop was the Adventure Playground and it was simply spectacular. One of the largest and most impressive ones I’ve ever seen and worth the entrance fee alone! I just wished I was under 12 years to go on it! The playground included a life-sized pirate ship, giant slides (of which we counted eleven), aerial rope-walks, trampolines and a scary space dive (death slide). Our older two children (5 & 6 year old) became totally absorbed and really surprised us with all they attempted and achieved. The aerial rope-walks linked the slides together and were about 25ft up… so not for the faint hearted, and I had to walk away to hide my fear. Thankfully there were scramble nets under everything just in case. This area was also manned by first aid staff members who wore distinctive red uniforms. The biggest shock was my son going on the wide vertical slide with a 19 foot vertical drop – madness! With all this temptation my youngest (3 years old) didn’t want to miss out so we found the Partridge Play Pen which was designed for the under 7’s. This included log bridges, swinging log steps, stepping stones and balancing beams. Her favourites were the large wooden wendy house, sea saw, trampolines & ball pool (this had open sides but under cover).  It was great to see my children thriving on having a great time playing out in the fresh air.

We had a quick lunch buying a much needed coffee & cake to go with our picnic eating this at one of the many picnic benches dotted around the grounds.

DSC07873We then pretended to be Ladies & Lords living in the historical Bowood House and its beautiful & fragranced garden terraces. There were many stone statues and water features. Water always being a big hit with my children but they became very interested with a particular lady bird doing back stroke….. Daddy with his lifesaving skills rescued it from the water after persistent pleas. We briefly visited the house which also had a restaurant (offering two course Sunday lunch but pre-booking is required) & gift shop.

As the weather looked like it would soon change we headed for the Soft Play Palace. It wasn’t too busy and our children had lots of fun running around and playing in the ball pool. This was also opposite another coffee shop but we resisted temptation on this occasion.

DSC07857

The day flew past with such fun and it was so refreshing for all to enjoy this beautiful location as a family and so many of its qualities. It really made up for the disappointment of poor weather in the Easter break! The feeling of spring in the air was just one more bonus. We will definitely return to Bowood House in the summer months and hopefully enjoy more of the grounds we missed this time. This is definitely somewhere I would recommend to my friends and family and I haven’t stopped raving about our day yet…..

Check out the Bowood House Website to see more information.

Bowood House opening times and ticket prices

Win some Tractor Ted Goodies

 

Category: Sian's Blogs, The Kids | Tags: , ,

British Red Cross – First Aid For Baby and Child

| November 19, 2012 | Comments Off

British Red Cross First Aid CPRI’ve recently been looking around for first aid courses to attend as my first aid knowledge was a bit rusty and having three young children made me question my ability to act in an emergency.

Accidents & incidents happen when you least expect them and I thought I needed to be more prepared so I decided on the British Red Cross – First Aid for Baby and Child course, as among other things, this first aid course is fully certificated. Secondly, I would have struggled to take this on a week day, but the option of a Saturday course meant I had child care, as I would one of the evening courses. This course would suit any expectant couples and baby & child carers (parents, grand parents, foster parents, baby sitters etc) 18 years+.

When I was booking this course I had a letter & email detailing the course date, time and venue with good written directions & a map. It also mentioned wearing loose fitting clothes and flat shoes which was ideal when doing practical role plays.

child with broken armI arrived early not to get refused entry as the course details were very clear that late entrants would not be accepted. The facilities were easy to find, parking was easy, and the facilities were very clean. We were also offered complimentary hot & cold drinks throughout the day during our regular breaks.

The teacher was very friendly and approachable which put me at ease when asking questions, and as there were nine of us on the course (including three expectant Mums) there was a good atmosphere.

The course itself was mainly on the big screen but we covered many practical situations which definitely helped as we were able to put into practice what we’ve learnt. We covered many common & important topics from raised temperatures, choking, burns, bleeding & allergic reactions to unconscious babies and children (to name but a few). I was most interested in the CPR and was really glad I did the course as it had changed since the last time I covered it! I know first aid is updated regularly and quite often changes so I think I’ll do an update this time next year to keep me up to date on all practices.

I would highly recommend this First Aid Course to anyone caring for babies & children. For a cost of approximately £37.50, it is a small price to pay when you find yourself needing this knowledge at home, in the playground or anywhere with your children or others.

 

Category: Baby Things, Health, Sian's Blogs, The Kids

Tell Tale Signs Your Child May Need Braces

| October 29, 2012 | Comments Off

The Perfect Smile from East Coast OrthodonticsHaving a perfect smile is a great way to boost confidence and self-esteem.

The best way to accomplish this is through the use of braces, preferably in childhood. It is not always clear if a child needs braces, so a visit with a children’s orthodontist can be helpful to evaluate how the teeth are coming in and if any intervention is needed.

Some signs and habits parents should look out for are outlined below.

The Bite
An overbite or underbite can occur when there is a misalignment in the mouth. This situation almost always requires braces to correct, but it is best to consult with an orthodontist before making a final decision.

Baby Teeth
The timing of baby teeth loss is very important in determining the need for braces. If the baby teeth remain too long, it can be difficult for the permanent teeth to come in properly, resulting in the need to correct alignment.
Braces for your smile - East Coast Orthodontics
Teeth That Do Not Meet
The upper and lower teeth should always meet to form a proper bite. When this does not happen, braces are usually required.

Chewing Problems
If a child has trouble biting or chewing, this can indicate a need for corrective measures. If this problem is left untreated, it can lead to issues with the digestion and absorption of nutrients.

The Top Front Teeth
The top front teeth extending past the bottom teeth by more than 25 percent, or presenting with a “buck” look, are a definite call for braces.

Sucking Habits
Children who enjoy sucking on their fingers, or having a pacifier in their mouth past the age of five, may be at a greater risk for needing braces later on.
Braces For Children's Teeth
Teeth Positions
Teeth that come in crooked, or are blocked by other teeth, may cause crowding later on, which would require realignment.

Not Smiling
A child that is embarrassed by crooked teeth and tries to avoid smiling would greatly benefit from braces to increase confidence.

If any of the above apply, it is time to consult with an orthodontist to have as many options as possible. In some cases, the teeth will come in normally during the teenage years and not require braces. This is not always true, and it is best to have the teeth thoroughly checked to ensure the best possible outcome.

 

About this Post: This post has been written by East Coast Orthodontics, an orthodontic practice that was established in Dublin, Ireland in 1997. They specialise in dental braces for children.

Category: Health, The Kids | Tags: , , ,

A Wheelybug for Christmas

| October 12, 2012 | Comments Off

Wheelybug Family

Invest in a Wheelybug this Christmas and help a terminally ill child realise their dreams too!

A great idea for a present this Christmas is the adorable Wheelybug. This is a great robust, yet lightweight ride on toy, and a quality gift that has kept our little one entertained for hours and hours. The range of toys are bright in colour with a luxuriously padded body allowing a comfy ride & a padded handle to hold onto. We chose the Ladybird as our youngest has a real affinity with Gaston from “Ben and Holly” and she gets so excited every time she sees it! Having four multi directional castors allows it to move easily & effortlessly in all directions  on both our carpets and hard floors. The Wheelybug comes in two sizes, Small suitable for 1-3 years & Large suitable for 2.5 – 5 years. These ride on toys retail at £59.95 – £69.95.

There are six different Wheelybug design so plenty of choice for your little ones – Ladybird, Bee, Cow, Tiger, Mouse and Piglet. I guarantee this toy will become more than a ride on, more like a pet….

Also, for every Wheelybug that is sold this Christmas, a percentage of the profits will go to the children’s charity, Make-A-Wish Foundation uk.

Buy a Wheelybug from Amazon

Category: Baby Things, Children's Toys & Games, Christmas Blogs, Sian's Blogs, The Kids

Worlds Apart ReadyBed

| August 6, 2012 | One comment

Moshi Monsters Tween ReadyBed by Worlds Apart

This summer holidays we’ve got lots of trips organised so we purchased a Moshi Monsters Tween ReadyBed for our son who’s almost six. Having three young children with camping, weekends at Grand Parents and the odd night sleepovers we thought this would help.

The Moshi Monsters cover was an instant hit for both my son (almost 6) & daughter (4) and my youngest (2) didn’t want to miss out either. We all helped to inflate using the small blue foot pump included, which easily attached to the top of the pillow of the bed. The Moshi Monsters cover was already on so it’s quick and simple to set up with just a zip at the front to climb in and out (once pumped up)!

Here is the start of many hours of playing..

As my son has asked for a bunk bed to share with his baby brother (news to me) we have overcome this my placing the ReadyBed under his current (cabin) bed and said he can share with his sister having a sleepover. Thankfully he seems happy with this and no more babies…

This can also be used as a blow up seat (having clips in place) and folds to a compact packet within in its own lining. Covers are easily removed for cleaning too. What a good multi function and useful item.

See more at www.worldsapart.co.uk

Category: Sian's Blogs, The Kids

Children’s Parties – Catering for Vegan Children

| April 2, 2012 | 2 comments

Vegan CakeFinding ideas for vegan food at children’s parties can be difficult. A lot of parents will simply confuse vegan with vegetarian, while others may not understand how strict a child’s diet might be. However, there are lots of options for parents to try, which if successful can become a staple of children’s parties.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to be creative with food choices. People are often surprised by how much you can do with vegan food, from mixtures through to tasty sides and cakes. In this way, everything from table food to hotter meals and cakes can be easily prepared for different party sizes, while some easy tips can be followed to suit a range of children.

Basic Foods

The easiest, if not always the most creative, solution for vegan children is to use lots of fresh vegetables. Carrots, cucumbers and peas cut up or mixed into salads can be served in bulk, or mixed into sandwiches. Spreads like vegan margarine, marmite and hummus can also be added to bread. It is also worth checking though to see if a child’s diet restricts particular types of bread.

Substitution

Vegan Party FoodVegan ham, Tofurkey slices, Smart Bacon and Sheese (a hard vegan cheese) can be bought from most supermarkets and stores, and can be used to provide an alternative to meat based products. Vegan sausages, sausage rolls, fish fingers and fish pieces are also generally good ideas, although it is worth trying a few brands beforehand.

More Savoury Options

Most kinds of biscuits, from Hob Nobs through to chocolate digestives, are suitable for vegan parties, as are pretzels and different kinds of crisps. However, always check labels beforehand to make sure that they don’t use any meat byproducts. Indian food like dairy and egg free samosas and onion bhajis can be popular with older children.

Meals

If looking for something more substantial, think about mixing together potato salads, rice, pasta and couscous. For hotter meals, vegan Shepherd’s pies, and lasagna are good options, although you should avoid Quorn, as it is not suitable for vegans. Pizzas made from French bread and topped with puree, peppers and oils can be grilled, while black bean tamales and nut butter squashes, as well as fried tofu, can significantly add to a party.

Cakes and Desserts

Dairy and egg free cakes and cupcakes are essential for children’s birthday parties. These can be made using egg substitutes and other ingredients, and can be enhanced by vegan approved sprinkles. Ready made vegan cakes can alsoStrawberry be bought, as can dairy free ice cream. Soya desserts that don’t use milk are similarly recommended, while vegan jelly sweets can be found that are free from gelatine.

Drinks

Most drinks will be fine for a vegan children’s party as long as they don’t include dairy milk. Soya milkshakes are particularly popular, as are most types of natural fruit juices.

Final Tips

Always do research before preparing vegan food for a children’s party. A parent might want to see ingredients beforehand, and don’t take a risk on something that may or may not be vegan. Similarly, check to see if vegan and other children also have an intolerance to certain types of food.

Written by Christina Appleworth of DNA Kids

Category: The Kids | Tags: , , ,

Children’s Birthday Party Tips

| March 30, 2012 | Comments Off

If you think back to your childhood and memories that have stayed with you, I’m sure a memorable birthday party will be one.

As a child your imagination is at its best, your mind is open to creativity, new ideas and wants to have fun. An old cardboard box isn’t simply for recycling, it can be pirate ship, a fairy cottage or a superhero’s disguise station. Birthday parties should be a wonderful opportunity for children to have fun and embark on an imaginative adventure. It should be a brilliant occasion for your child and their friends to celebrate their imagination through fun games, silly dancing and story-telling. This is why the memory of a good birthday party stays in our minds forever.

Over the past ten years I have attended thousands of children parties and have seen closehand what works brilliantly, and where people often falter. I’ve learnt from my own mistakes – spy training with 9 year old boys and using a laminator to make spy passes, it was very fiddly, took ages and everyone got restless; to what works really well – 4 year olds laughing their heads off at the silly fairy who just can’t tell the difference between a cow’s moo and a duck’s quack. I do think there are a few things to bear in mind to make it as stress free as possible for you.

Planning your child’s party shouldn’t be a chore, I always think it’s best to keep it simple, 2 hours is a suitable length for most parties and includes a food break. For numbers, parents tend to organise a larger party for their child’s 4th or 5th birthday party. You’ll find this is an age when your child has a larger social circle with friends from school, nursery, classes, neighbours and relatives. As they get slightly older, children will be more vocal about who they want to invite to the party as they develop their own friendship group. Parties can easily be held at venues or at home. Just clear any valuables or large pieces of furniture out of the way. If you’re having a joint party divvy up responsibilities and jobs beforehand.

To have a stress-free time at the party (and you really can!) plan a clear structure, be clear on the invitations with your timings and structure the party around that.  Know when the guests are arriving and departing and when the entertainment starts and finishes. For 2 – 5 year old parties, I usually suggest an hour’s worth of entertainment and then a food break and then the entertainment to continue. Ask for a 5 minute signal so you know when to serve the food. I find that when children start to get upset at a party, they mostly need a juice or snack break. If you’re not having entertainment after tea, account for time before pick up. Some children will happily play and run around, whilst others may want more attention. Have a few back-up games and music to keep the atmosphere going. Assign another adult (aunt/grandparent) to take pictures and have another adult to help with loo trips. I wouldn’t recommend opening presents at the party, this is when chaos ensues. Make sure you have phone numbers of parents and know who’s collecting who at the end of the party.

If you’re inviting adults, have an idea beforehand of where you want them to hang out. For younger children they will want their parents within eyesight, some will feel confident to join in the games whilst others may want to sit on a grown up’s knee and watch. It’s a good idea to set up a clear seating area for parents, if you’ve chosen to have an entertainer encourage the adults to keep noise to minimum so as not to distract. At an older party – 4years plus – most children feel more confident to be by themselves away from the grown ups. If at home, organise entertainment in the lounge and encourage parents to hang out in the kitchen. A few nibbles is a good idea, offer some more grown up food – humous and dips, cold meats, tortilla chips, and even serve some wine or cold beers. If you’re at a venue, I would always check to see if there is an ante-room for the adults.

It needn’t cost the earth, if you want to spend money on entertainment – have the party at home or in the garden. Keep costs down by avoiding extravagant party bags, a slice of cake, some sweets in a bag and a balloon is plenty and a great take home present.

Most importantly, ask your little one what they want and include them in the planning process. Talk them through the party so they know what to expect and have a party countdown so they can build up the excitement!

Happy party planning!

by Maddy Carrick of Dreamcatcher Parties

If you follow @Dreamcatch on Twitter you can get a 10% Discount

Category: The Kids | Tags: , , , , ,

February Half Term in London – Part 3

| February 10, 2012 | Comments Off

So, I’m back for the last time to talk about my family’s favourite days out in London.

There’s no time like half term than to indulge your children and bring them to their Capital City for the day and you don’t have to spend a fortune (although you certainly could if you wanted) because London really does have the best selection on offer for absolutely free. Lots of places, museums in particular ask for no more than a donation that suits your pocket so it really does make it viable to travel from further afield and grasp with both hands all we have to offer families here in London! I’ve talked previously about free things, something for a modest budget and a total treat and in this instalment it’s no different but I may just have saved some of the best till last…

BEST FOR FREE

The Science Museum, South Kensington – District Line, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

We go to the ‘Science Museum’all the time and never get bored, we sometimes while away hours upon hours trawling round everything and going back to the bits we love the most and other days we just pop in to have a play in the ‘Basement’ which is set up especially for under fives. With a whole area for them to play, explore and try out experiments suitable for their age it’s a fabulous day out in itself forgetting that there are floors upon floors and displays upon displays of other things to keep the little ones (and the big ones) entertained. While you’re there check out one of the ‘Bubble’ talks which are not only fun, interactive and educational but suitable for children of all ages.

Playing with water at the ‘Science Museum’

Playing with water at the ‘Science Museum’

Upstairs the ‘Launch Pad’ is also designed for little minds but slightly older ones this time. With lots of hands on experiments as well as more ‘talks’ there really is something for everyone. For the rest of your time there my favourites have to be the human body exhibition, the area where your photo can be taken and aged up down or changed in sex and I simply love the household goods from  bygone times not least because there is a ‘Baby Daisy’ vacuum cleaner donated to the Museum by my own Grandmother on view.

What else is in the vicinity?

When visiting the ‘Science Museum’ why not check out the ‘Natural History Museum’ next door. A stones throw away and with a world of entertainment for little ones it’s certainly not one to be missed and it definitely won’t be forgotten. Dinosaurs, stuffed animals, fossils… This really is for any little explorers you might have and despite it not being as hands on and interactive as The Science Museum it’s still a great day out for the children! A short walk away from both museums is the ‘Princess Diana Memorial Playground’, a playground like no other you will have ever been to.

On the warmest October day ever in the ‘Princess Diana Memorial Playground’

On the warmest October day ever in the ‘Princess Diana Memorial Playground’

In Hyde Park and right next door to ‘Kensington Palace’ it’s a lovely central location from which you can start or finish your day. In summer children can splash about in the water feature but in winter it’s like an enchanted garden, a BIG one. There may be a small queue in busier times but it’s worth the wait and your offspring, no matter how old they are will NOT be disappointed! From a giant pirate ship to Tee Pee tents, tunnels and tree houses, this place has it all!

BUDGET TREAT

The National Army Museum, Kids’ Zone £2.50 per child (under 2s FREE)

Sloan Square – Circle and District Lines,

www.nam.ac.uk

Now this is one we haven’t actually been to ourselves yet but I have it on very good authority that it’s a wonderful experience! With the majority of the museum and its exhibitions being completely free of charge and only having to pay for the Kids’ Zone it’s a very inexpensive day out and I hear the children love it! It’s one we’ll be visiting in half term that’s for sure as it would appear that it’s suitable for absolutely all ages from tiny babies to adults!

Having a splashing time in the grounds of the ‘Chelsea Hospital’

Having a splashing time in the grounds of the ‘Chelsea Hospital’

At the moment there is the popular ‘War Horse’ exhibition which explores the hugely popular Michael Morpurgo novel alongside touching real-life stories of war horses and the men who depended on them. Featuring exclusive content from Michael Morpurgo, the acclaimed stage production by the National Theatre and the Spielberg-directed film, this hands-on, interactive exhibition is one for all the family and one I’m particularly looking forward to! Of course there’s so much more to this museum with an extensive program of events and activities complementing their permanent galleries and for the children not only is there the ‘Action Zone’ where older ones can get interactive bringing history to life but the aforementioned Kids’ Zone for the tiny ones. As stated this is chargeable and is hugely popular so a slot MUST be booked in advance to avoid disappointment. This new children’s play area explores aspects of army life from camping to clothing. It includes a dedicated soft-play space for babies, plus arts and crafts, dressing-up costumes, books, interactive toys and panels. Worth a visit I think don’t you?! When you leave don’t forget to pop down the road and take a walk round the ‘Chelsea Hospital’, home to the Chelsea Pensioners.

We took a fabulous walk round the grounds there in the summer, it’s free to get in and beautiful so don’t miss it! It’s quite moving to see the elderly gentlemen taking the air and enjoying their well deserved retirement.

Having a splashing time in the grounds of the ‘Chelsea Hospital’ last summer.

A SPECIAL DAY OUT

Lollibop’s Mini Disco, Ministry of Sound, Elephant and Castle – Northern and Bakerloo Lines, 12-5pm £10 pp or £15pp on the door (for ages 3 – 10 years), Booking line 0844 844 0444 or online with Ticketmaster,

 www.lollibopfewtival.co.uk

The ‘Lollibop Festival’ comes to London once a year in the summer and is the only festival entirely dedicated to little ones. Just as with an adult festival there is live music, dancing, food and attractions galore and do you know, it was one of the best days out we have ever had so when we left after our magical day knowing it would be another year before we could experience some ‘Lollibob festival’ glory again it was with a little sadness in our step.

Florence at ‘Lollibop Festival’ in the summer

Florence at ‘Lollibop Festival’ in the summer

Imagine our delight then, when we heard about the disco they are specially hosting for this half term! Kick off the kid’s holiday with a banging start and head down to what will undoubtedly be a brilliant day out for the whole family! DJ’s Dick and Dom will be pumping out the tunes while special appearances will be made by favourites such as Scooby Doo! Plus there’ll be loads of activities during the day such as beat boxing and hula hoop workshops, dance games, live music, story telling, bubble shows and entertainers! If it’s even a smidgen of just one hour’s worth of the normal festival it’s gonna be a sure fire winner and you’d be mad to miss it if you can help it!

So there we have the last of my top picks for half term and don’t forget all the best of the rest London has to offer from City Farms dotted all over the place with FREE entry, ‘Kids AM’ film screenings at ‘Vue Cinemas’ across the Capital (costing from just £1.50 per ticket for adults and children, www.myvue.com) and all the other wonderful and FREE museums of which there are plenty… It’s also worth looking to see if your train operator offers two for one entry on many attractions as so many do and then you can take a real treat to affordable in one easy step! Just get googling and come to your Capital City!

Ruth

Ruth Davies blogger at http://rocknrollerbaby.livejournal.com

Category: Mummy Blogs, The Kids, Travel, Holidays and Hotels | Tags: , , ,

February Half Term in London – Part 2

| February 9, 2012 | Comments Off
Museum of Childhood

Pretending to drive a police car in the ‘Museum of Childhood’

Well, as you may have realised from my previous post, I’m passionate about taking children out in London, showing them the sights, teaching them the history behind this beautiful City and showing them what London in 2012 has to offer!

Besides the upcoming Olympics there is a tremendous amount to be enjoyed with children in our Capital City but with the games approaching what better time is there to bring your children to London and sample the delights on offer! The summer will be truly hectic and while it will surely be fun and exciting I think February half term could be just the time to come and experience a little bit of London life. I have been writing about things to do for free, something for a small budget and a blow out treat and I hope you enjoy my selections for this, my second instalment.

BEST FOR FREE

The Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green – Central Line.

This is a great little place to stop by and feed your own nostalgia as well as being given the opportunity to show your children what you were playing with when you were their age. With so many toys from other eras it’s a treasure trove of interesting finds but it doesn’t stop there. There is always an exhibition or two which will capture your little ones attention (at the moment it’s ‘Magic Worlds’ where children can delve into the realms of fantasy, illusion and enchantment with the major new exhibition revealing how magic has been embraced for hundreds of years) and a program of events which are full to the max for half term. There are of course the regular features too like the rocking horses, a little ones play area and a sensory zone! Plenty of interactive play to wear the children out and thoroughly have a good time!

What else is in the vicinity?

After the ‘Museum of Childhood’ why not hop on the tube a couple of stops to Stratford, home of the Olympic stadium and the new ‘Westfield Shopping Centre’ which also has surprisingly great facilities and play areas for the kids as well as a brilliant viewing platform of the work in progress for the games. You could pop in for a bit of retail therapy before taking the kids to your next stop of the day. Next try out the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) which is actually a bit of a treat in itself and I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t like to sit at the front and pretend to be driver! Either alight at the next stop, Pudding Mill Lane, and take a walk along the Green Way where you will be able to view the stadium up close in all it’s amazing glory or just watch as it goes by from the window of the train and head on to West India Quay, home to the ‘London Museum of Docklands’.

Building a dam at the ‘London Museum of Docklands’

Building a dam at the ‘London Museum of Docklands’

I always head here when in the area because it’s a simply fascinating museum and you can book a slot for their magical soft play area for the children to have a run around in. It’s actually a little bit more than just soft play with lots of hands on and interactive games and display, our favorite being the real river where you can build a dam; you could easily spend more than just your allotted hour which is why we go back time and time again. While you wait for your time slot neither you nor your children will be disappointed with everything else on offer and will enjoy learning about the history of the docks in the extra special way that it is provided!

A BUDGET TREAT

Thames Clippers, various routes, Adult fares from £3, children from £2 and under 5’s FREE.

Us with friends enjoying a ‘Thames Clipper’ trip

Us with friends enjoying a ‘Thames Clipper’ trip

Not to be used just by commuters and passengers who have to travel this fun boat on the Thames acting like a bus service can be used to travel from destination to destination and really become an attraction of the day itself! It’s really easy to hop on and hop off and your usual tube pass can be used with a top up fee making it incredibly easy too! If for instance you want to travel from the ‘Southbank Centre’ to the ‘Tate Modern’ why not hop on a ‘Thames Clipper’ instead of the tube or bus! Enjoy a scenic trip down the Thames and let the children have an experience they will remember as they watch the famous landmarks from a different view point! I loved taking Florence on the Clipper and the friends we travelled with had just as much fun as us. If you’re looking round some of the free things in London it’s an inexpensive way to really spice up the day and give it an extra twist. Buy a day pass and use it for your entire trip or just hop on for one ride only, either way it’s something that bit more unusual than your average public transport and not something you’ll do every day! Unless you’re a commuter of course!

A SPECIAL DAY OUT

The Tower of London, Tower Hill – District, Circle Lines and DLR, ticket prices start at (individual rates) of £19.80 for adults, £10.45 for children between 5 and 16 (under 5’s are free) and £17.05 for concessions, packages are available.

Possibly not a great one for the very tiny, as steps are in abundance here but if you’re seasoned sling wearers like us then it shouldn’t prove a problem and the little ones will find just as much to enjoy here as the big ones so don’t let the steps put you off if you can cope! We love walking past the Tower as often seems to happen living in London but hadn’t been inside before and when recently we finally did we realised we had been missing out! It is steeped in history with something to capture all imaginations and stimulate an interest in the ‘Tower of London’.

My family enjoying our day out at the ‘Tower of London’

My family enjoying our day out at the ‘Tower of London’

It is a brilliant day out! I’d say 3 hours is probably about the best amount of time to allocate when visiting with children as there is enough to capture their attention for that long but it is tiring due to the walking and stair climbing so too long might be a bit over the top for young ones. Visit the gory bloody tower, take a tour with a Yeoman Warder (or Beefeater as they’re more popularly known), check out the Royal Beasts exhibition and see the many beast sculptures throughout the tower. Watch live enactments of historical scenes, see carvings on the walls left by prisoners and get to visit the crown jewels and try to make the soldiers who guard them smile (impossible)! Walking round the battlements and looking out over London is a lovely experience for both old and young and I really do think that if it’s history, fun and something totally special to London that you’re after then here is the place to be!

So that was my second lot of choices for fabby days out with children in London but if nothing has caught your eye just yet, do come back and read the third and final part of this series soon.

Ruth

Ruth Davies blogger at http://rocknrollerbaby.livejournal.com

Category: Mummy Blogs, The Kids, Travel, Holidays and Hotels | Tags: , , , ,
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