Activities Archives | Page 5 of 8

Half Term Theatre Fix

If you have kids under 8 and a slot in your half term schedule – go and immerse yourself and the little ones in a bit of culture and see Mrs Armitage and The Big Wave at the theatre.

It is a fast passed (only 1 hr long) multi sensory adaption of Quentin Blake’s popular book about a women and her dog Breakspear and the adventures they embark on at the beach. Simple but not boring!

Developed by The Gaga Theatre Company, they are touring London in October. We went to a viewing at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill.

Although that ship has sailed, Mrs Armitage will be at Clapham, Brixton & Chelsea (Royal Albert Hall is sadly sold out) this week and there are still a few tickets left.

I recommend reading the book before you go so they can you compare the book with the play (make it educational) and also the little ones will have a vague idea of whats going on.

Surprisingly, our 2 year old sat through it too, thanks to the bright lights, the huge interactive screen and the music.

That’s our theatre fix until Christmas….

Book Now

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Activities Days Out Events

Flat White Masterclass With Costa Coffee

I have converted! Having been a plunge coffee kinda girl, after creating my own Flat White on last week , there is no turning back. Perhaps it is like getting your children to cook their own food – they are more inclined to like it, however the creamy texture, strong kick AND expertly created florette (that all the Costa barista’s have mastered to perfection), will now be my regular.

My friend Jess and I headed to Great Marlborough Street in Soho for a preview of the ‘Flat White Masterclass‘ that Costa is hosting in 170 Costa Coffee’s across the UK on Wednesday 21st September 7-8pm THIS WEEK! (They are FREE too! Get a babysitter – it’s all about interractive ‘dates’ nowadays anyway!) Sign up here

We were given a bit of background into Costa and how it was started by two brothers in 1977. We learnt how & where they are grown, about the types of beans, how & when they are picked, roasted, transported and delivered. It was fascinating! The most interesting topic was the different types of coffee’s you can order. Great for the novice’s amongst us who usually just say ‘cappuccino!’

IMG_3190(1)

All Costa’s beans are 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified and in 2006 Costa set up a foundation to provide coffee growing communities, 70 countries along the ‘Bean Belt’ (above and below the Equator) and to date they have set up 40 schools. Then it was time to have a try ourselves. It is easier than it looks!

How a florette on a flat white is meant to look…

How mine looked… (We thought like a sad, fat, genie!) Free pouring isn’t that easy though!

xxxlatte

If you are a coffee lover or simply want to do something other that sitting in the pub, grab a friend, sign up and head along. See who can make the most beautiful florette. It wasn’t me that’s for sure but don’t judge until you have tried!

Costa Masterclass

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Activities Days Out Family Life

Port Lympne Safari Park & Dinosaur Forest

Yesterday, I went on Safari to the African Plains followed by a trip through a Dinosaur Forest. We were even back in London by wine o clock. No, the summer holidays haven’t made me completely bonkers (yet), this was all on a day trip to Port Lympne Reserve in Kent.

It was mega! Port Lympne is the ‘sister’ of Howletts, yet much larger – 600 acres to Howletts 100. The reason we headed there was that I had heard on reliable grounds that it is a must for any budding dinosaur fans as it has of the most extensive displays in the UK.

This sight won’t be erased from one little guy’s mind for a long time!

We then hopped on one of the Safari trucks. (No queues and if there were, each station has a playground next to it so the kids won’t hang off you whist you are waiting). As you can see from the photo below it was incredible and we were so close to the animals – rhinos, giraffes, zebras, bison, bears & lions.

We decided to walk back to basecamp via the Gorillas and primates so these complimentary buggy’s came in use!

And a little photo that will go down in history… #tripletsnottriplets

Port Lympne also has 6 different types of accommodation ranging from a beautiful Hotel to tree houses and my favourite were the camping pods. definitely adding a stay in them to my bucket list!

As we were heading back to the car, we made a slight detour as we saw a sign ‘Tigers’. Thank goodness we did – we were the only people within a couple of metres of beautiful & happy healthy tigers. That was my highlight! The excellent coffee and friendly staff are also worth a mention as so often both are rubbish. We left a coat down by the dinosaur cafe and they willingly went on a 15 minute round trip to collect it for us. We love Port Lympne!

aspinallfoundation.org/summer

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Activities Days Out

Topgolf : Golf For All

Whether you are into golf or not, Topgolf is something you have to try. It takes the traditional driving range and adds a ‘ten pin bowling’ like scoring system to it and the ability to order food and drinks from your booth.

There are 3 just outisde London – Chigwell, Watford & Surrey. We bombed down the A3 and headed to the Surrey Topgolf but depending where you are in London, all 3 are very accessable.

It was like being in the States (!) the service was impeccable and the staff were super friendly (and patient!) This summer they have a fantastic deal for the kids – Eat, Drink & Play. Two games (40 balls) and food & drink from a snazzy menu for £10. (Adults £16) That’s a very reasonable way to entertain the children and they are also learning a new skill!

We went en famille and by the end of game, there was a mega improvement (apart from the 2 year old, who funnily enough, wasn’t too interested in playing but she did love watching the scores come up on the screens.)

The idea is that you score by hitting the ball into one of the circles. You activate your ball before you hit it and then your score comes up on screen. The further away the higher the score.

There is also coaching, junior camps and FOOT GOLF. No, I hadn’t heard of it either but it was brilliant.

After a yummy lunch of nachos, burgers and a caeser salad, we headed off to the golf course for a game. Basically, everyone has a football and there is a flag with a whole (for the football) and each hole is given a par (how many kicks they estimate it should take to complete the hole). As you can imagine it was a great success.

As we drove off, there were cries of ‘please can we come here again?’ And that was just my husband…. 🙂

Topgolf

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Activities Days Out

9 Day Trips From London

So, you have your summer holiday booked but how do you fill the days in between? If you want to head to a farm within driving distance of London, have a look at a recent post I did on ‘Fun Farms‘ but for the more intrepid, I have compiled a few places that you may never have even heard of. Enjoy!

Pooh Corner Ashdown Forest, Hartfield, East Sussex

Grab a map from the shop and visit all places that are mentioned. My favourite is the bridge for a game of Pooh Sticks. Make sure you read (reread) the books so you are up to speed and then watch Winnie & friends come to life.

Fishing London Northolt, London

Book a 2 or 4 hour introduction lesson at one of their 6 lakes in West London. They don’t give a starting age but if you have a keeno, this would be a very novel thing to do. They also do parties!

Crockford Bridge & Farm Shop Weybridge, Surrey

Crockford Bridge Farm grows more than 20 fuits and veg on its 75 acre farm. All for the picking. There is also an ice cream parlour and garden centre in case they haven’t eaten enough strawberries. I am going to try and make my own jam if I pick enough!

Berkonscot Model Village Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

I have heard on many accounts that this is a wonderful day out. (It’s on my to do list…) It is the oldest model village in the UK and is a mini England in the 1930’s. Educational and fun.

Hatfield Park Farm Hatfield, Hertfordshire

Tractor rides. demos and Hungarian Wooly Pigs. If that isn’t enough to entice you, there are huge sandpits and a massive play area and the cafe looks qaint too.

Diggerland Medway, Kent

There are Diggerlands all over the UK now, but if you want to do a day trip from London, head to the one in Kent. The kids can ride on every type of farm transport possible and they even have a tractor themed roundabout. Possibly alot of little boys (don’t kill me) definition of heaven.

Bluebell Railway East Grinstead, Sussex

Take a ride through the beautiful countryside on an old fashion train. Stop for lunch and a peruse the gift shop… and then come back again! Not for the fidgety! (Speaking from experience!)

Chiselhurst Caves Chiselhurst, Kent

Not for the faint hearted, this fun filled 45 minute tour guides you through the caves carrying only a lamp for light. Wooooooo. The tour covers many aspects of the national curriculum including light & dark and the WW2.

Discovery Walk at Priory Farm Redhill, Surrey

A magical interractive walk through tunnels, across bridges, along planks & through little houses with lots of adventure obstacles along the way. The highlight is the sunflower maze and duck racing! There is also a brilliant cafe attached to a fenced in play area so you can actually switch off!

I hope this gives you some ideas. If you would prefer to drop them off at a camp, check out 9 Summer Holiday Camps.

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Activities Days Out Events

9 Summer Holiday Camps

One of the things I planned to do before the end of term was to sort out holiday camps. With only three weeks to go, I haven’t done so yet and have been spurred into doing so by the plethora of emails circulating from school and nursery friends about what to book the kiddios into. I have been collating a file of holiday camps over the last 3 months that I am interested in or have done before. Here they are!

Wild Learning

This summer club is a young intrepid explorer’s dream. Between fire making, shelter building, mud sculptures, making dams, whittling, making whistles and crowns, making mini towns, giving the trees faces, making Viking knitting machines or puppets, finding stick men, playing stealth games, learning how to make rope bridges, making and tackling assault courses, making bread or cakes on the fire, mini beast hunts, scent tracking, magic listening stones, ground pictures, story chains, drum and music games, being explorers and much much more no day is the same.

Various locations across the South East including Wimbedon Common and Putney Common in London.

Call Rachel or Julie 01483 424 400

Dance Grooves

Get your kids active and one step ahead of the curve with dance lessons from Dance Grooves.

All over London.

Book here

Clarendon Inspires

If you are keen to get your child educated both culturally and academically, you must try Clarendon Tutors for their cultual itiniaries for kids around London. Not only will it include an hours tutoring, they will be exercised and invigorated at various interesting locations around London.

Contact Henry or Orlando to book here

Danceworks International Ballet Academy

Open to all students 6 to 18 years of age July 18th – 29th 2016

DIBA welcomes you to our second International Ballet Summer School Intensive. This unique two-week programme held in Danceworks London studios for children and teenagers, is founded on the belief that the arts have a unique power to motivate and engage young dancers to achieve excellence. Classes are taught by internationally renowned dancers from leading ballet companies.

Mayfair, London

Apply here

Summer Music Camp in French

Perfect for tiger parents. Music and french in one. If you child is between 8-12, this fun interractive music camp finishes with a performance for parents at the end of the week.

Clapham, London

Book here

Little House of Science

My 5 year old did one of their morning workshops on space and absolutely loved it. Small groups and fully interactive, this is great for a budding scientist.

Various locations in London.

Contact here

My Little Boarders

No, I am not suggesting you pack them off to boarding school for the summer (!) this holiday camp is perfect if you have a budding skate boarder in your midst.

Westway Sports Club & Westminster Academy.

Ages 6-13

Book here

Shooting Starz Holiday Camp

My ultimate favourite football camp (and we have done ALOT of football clubs and classes). The teachers are so kind, interested in the kids, know all the children by name and give specific feedback. The days are super fun and the boys love it.

Ravenscourt, Acton, Fulham.

Book here

Or call Luke to discuss age and siblings (they welcome my 3 year old as he is footy mad!) 07549 982 243

Miss Sophie’s Holiday Club

A spin off from Sophie’s Taste For Knowledge website which supplies cooks and tutors, Sophie has deeveloped days out for children in London. See below!

Contact Sophie here

For more indepth search of holiday camps, try Kidsorted who are up to speed on everything, everywhere! Also, if you want to go it alone in the smoke, sign up to London’s Little Thinkers newsletter with lots of information on what’s on, in and around the Capital.

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Activities Days Out Family Life Food Places

Cocktails & Mocktails

If you are feeling a bit fried over half term, meet up with a friend and take the tribe to Balans Soho Society at the Westfield, Shepherd’s Bush for a cocktail.

Ok, so the Westfield gives me a slight headache if I spend too long in there (although there is loads of free stuff that would keep the kids amused such as the ‘musical armchairs’ and a good dose of lego building in the lego shop to name a few).

We went to the Kids Club Cinema first. It is on every Saturday and a Sunday at 1030. (I don’t advise going on a Sunday though as I snuck out with the youngest to do some shopping but hte shops didn’t open till 12. Of course. Doh.)

Away from the main concourse of restaurants, Balans Soho Society is a little gem of a restaurant not only serving all your favourites beautifully, they have just started a Cocktail and Mocktail menu for you and the little ones. (The former for you, the latter for them – unless they are a bit hyper then knock them out with a cocktail – joke).

They are presented exquisitely and taste as good as they look. I went for a gin based ‘Mummy’s Pick Me Up’. Alex had a slightly more manly sounding ‘The Society Teddy Bear(!)’ which included bourbon, vanilla, cinnamon and cranberry. The kids tried all of the mocktails – the favourite was unsurpsingly ‘Cheeky Little Monkey!’ We were even allowed to take home the bear bottles!

Icce cream, pancakes AND maple syrup. We rolled out of the restaurant! The kids from food and ourselves from one or two ‘Teddy Bears!’

Try it, you will be looked after so well – the staff are fun & friendly (especially Elias who had of averting disasters before they happened!)

balans.co.uk

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Activities Days Out Places Services

London Cultural Trips For Kids

Clarendon Tutors offer a bespoke tutoring service in London. However, it isn’t another tutoring agency that matches child to tutor and leaves you on your way. They understand a parents need for continuous feedback and they also maintain open communication with whichever schools the children attend, ensuring that they are working in co-operation rather than conflict.

‘The thing I loved about Clarendon was the constant support. The agencies I have used in the past have just sent us anonymous tutors and that’s been the end of it. Clarendon helped us through every step of getting ‘M’ into his school.’

The charming and knowledgeable founders, Henry and Orlando, are excellent at matching their highly experienced Oxbridge tutors with a pupil, being tutors themselves, and have a 100% track record of getting your child into the school of your choice.

What makes Clarendon Tutors really unique is their Cultural Trips. Consisting of 1 tutor to 1-2 children, the day out combines traditional learning with experiences such as visiting a museum and also a more active pursuit such as a tennis lesson or a round of crazy golf, for example. Whatever you require, they will endeavor to tailor the day for you and your child including picking them up and taking them home. The tutor also visit a few days before so that you are comfortable with who will be looking after your children for the day.

What’s Included

9am pick up from home (or the train if your child is old enough to come into London for the day)
1 hour of tutoring in the morning
An exhibition or museum such as Imperial, Natural or Design Museum
A healthy lunch
An Afternoon activity such as tennis, football, Go Ape, Putt In The Park
1 hour tutoring
5pm finish

Outside the Ai Wei Wei Exhibition at the RA

Ready for tennis at The Hurlingham Club

For international parents and children that are new to London, they are able to help you by showing them the British culture and system. Whatever your requirements are, these are your guys. With the gaping summer holiday looming, they will be able to take the children off your hands knowing they are being well looked after and educated in a fair few things too!

Tuition rates start at £50/hr. Day trips start from £200/day.

Drop them an email for more information and to ask any questions – henry@clarendontutors.com / orlando@clarendontutors.com or give them a call anytime on 020 7206 2569

clarendontutors.com

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