10 things to do in London for kids over half term
1. Get active with football and tennis half-term clubs
We’ve enjoyed doing more activities outdoors this term, and for May half term there are lots of outdoor holiday club options, including football classes with The Little Foxes Club in South Park and tennis holiday camps with Henry Lamb Tennis and Teddy Tennis for children of different ages in venues around South West London. Big Girl have tried all three of these camps in the past, and she’s enjoyed spending time outdoors and learning new skills. Henry Lamb is now also taking bookings for its week-long residential summer tennis camp on the Jurassic Coast for children aged 8 to 13 years
2. Experience Flip FabriQue circus acrobats at Underbelly Festival
Flip FabriQue, the new faces of Canadian circus, will be making their London premiere with Catch Me at Southbank’s Underbelly Festival, which opens before the May half-term. Expect high flying acrobats, dramatic turns on a trampoline and inventive parkour (see photo).
3. See Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom Live at New Wimbledon Theatre
Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom Live, from the makers of Peppa Pig Live, is on tour again this year, and little Londoners can catch the stage show at New Wimbledon Theatre on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June.
4. Book a holiday club with Miss Sophie’s
I’ve been excited to hear about Miss Sophie’s Holiday Club, a new London based holiday club provider, which offers a unique programme of London excursions for children aged 4 to 11. Miss Sophie, a primary school teacher in a school in the area, and her staff meet the children at Chelsea Old Town Hall at 9.30am in the mornings and take them on a trip to a London attraction, incorporating literacy, art, history and science. There are up to 12 children in the group and all staff are teachers or teaching assistants. Places are easy to book via Miss Sophie’s Holiday Club’s recently-launched website, and trips for the May half-term include a visit to Hampton Court Palace, a theatre outing and a visit to the Institute of Imagination.
5. Watch SING on DVD
I can’t wait to see the animated comedy Sing, which I’ve heard friends say is funny and entertaining. It will be available on Digital Download, Blu-ray™ and DVD in time for half term from 22 May, courtesy of Universal Pictures (UK)
6. Catch The Man Who Knows It All at Unicorn Theatre
At children’s theatre Unicorn Theatre, known for contemporary theatre productions, The Man Who Knows It All, by leading Dutch theatre-makers Theater Artemis and Maas Theatre, will be playing from 31 May to 4 June. The surreal production sees two performers and a musician go on a quest in search of everything it is possible to know. The show is recommended for children aged 4 to 10 and the running time is 50 minutes.
(See photo above by Phile Deprez)
7. Get crafty
Children who love arts and crafts may enjoy the half-term workshops at Kite Studios in Brook Green for children aged 4 and over, and it’s also possible to book one-to-one clay sessions for children and adults at Kite Studios. In Battersea, I’ve collaborated with the welcoming Battersea pottery studio Sammy Duder for several years, and children of different ages will enjoy painting pottery at Sammy Duder. Parents with babies who want to create memories to treasure will also like the options to make special keepsakes like silver jewellery or clay imprints.
8. Go bouncing
Let the children run around in the fun Play Base at the recently opened National Army Museum in Chelsea, or bounce around in a giant trampoline park like Flip Out in Wandsworth. There’s a separate area for little children and plenty of parking at Flip Out, which has also recently opened a trampoline park in Brent Cross.
9. Visit The Corner House in Brook Green
In Brook Green there’s a new family venue called The Corner House, which requires no membership and offers a play area for children, a cafe and restaurant and a shop. It looks welcoming and I can’t wait to pop in.
10. Escape the city and head to a farm
My family loves farm animals, and we regularly visit farm parks on weekends. Charming farms Bocketts Farm Park and Odds Farm Park are within easy reach of South West London, and Hobbledown is also a great alternative for a mix of outdoor and indoor play and animal encounters. Willows Activity Farm has become another favourite, and I keep recommending friends to go to experience the pretty Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground.
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