Want to know what to do with the little ones over the Summer? Baby London’s put together ten CAPITAL ideas to inspire you.
1. Puppet Barge of Little Venice
Over August the enchanting Puppet Barge of Little Venice (puppetbarge.com) moors up opposite Terrace Gardens in Richmond-on-Thames, TW10 6UT. This Summer, creativity flows in the form of The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse for two weeks, followed by A Child’s Garden of Verse for two weeks. Something the children (and you) won’t want to miss. Adults £12, children £8.50.
2. London Zoo
How long since you visited London Zoo (zsl.org)? This summer, Pygmy Hippos are in town, complete with hilarious toilet tricks (they use their tails to scatter their poo everywhere). Small children will love the potty humour, the hippo talks, and story telling, along with the rest of the animals at the zoo. Adults from £24, children from £17.50, under 3s go free, (see family ticket offers online).
3. Night Garden Live
The musical theatre experience In the Night Garden Live (NightGardenLive.com) is running two separate shows this summer. Choose from either The Pinky Ponk Show or the Ninky Nonk Show at the O2 from May 29 – June 14 and at Richmond Old Deer Park from June 21 – July 5. Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and friends are all brought beautifully to life on stage using full-size costumes, magical puppets, enchanting music and breath-taking projections. Tickets priced £12.50 – £33.
4. The Southbank Centre
The Southbank (southbankcentre.co.uk) is London’s much-loved urban hub for culture, with loads going on daily from 10am. Jeppe Hein’s fab aquatic sculpture will be back on display all summer, so don’t forget your swimmers and towels.
5. South London Gallery
Children of 3-12 years are invited to get creative at Peckham’s South London Gallery (southlondongallery.org) in their Sunday Spot workshops between 2-4pm. These free sessions encourage exploration of the work on display in the gallery. No booking required.
6. Deen City Farm
Children will love the National Trust’s Morden Hall Park Estate, Deen City Farm (deencityfarm.co.uk). It provides a unique educational source with various animals to feed at certain times of the week. It is closed on Mondays.
7. Kensington Gardens
nspired by Peter Pan, the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens is a monument that celebrates the life of the late princess and offers a magical play area for children. Open from 10am. Combine your visit with a trip to the Serpentine Gallery (serpentinegallery.org) where the new ovate pavilion will be unveiled in late June.
8. Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge gets three quarters of a million children into libraries to keep up their reading skills and confidence during the long holidays. This year, the theme for 4-11year-olds is a mythical maze. Visit your local library for details.
9. Outdoor Adventures
It’s easy to find fun outdoors. Sand and water play are an essential part of a young child’s development. Hold a teddy bears picnic or tea party. Create rose petal perfume or a wizard’s spell concoction. Let your little one play Mary Mary Quite Contrary, decorating a space in the garden with shells. Or chalk up pictures on the pavement. Try growing vegetables to harvest and eat. And lastly, a torch, a tent and nerves of steel, and you’re all set for a camp out!
10. Making Ice Lollies
Delicious and refreshing, children will love homemade ice lollies, and costing a fraction of shop bought ones, you will too! Simply pop the fresh fruit of your choosing into ice lolly moulds, top up with fresh squeezed fruit juice, and freeze for at least four hours. ✿
DON’T FORGET – having fun means staying safe
✱ Stay safe around water and refresh your First Aid with St John’s Ambulance. Find a course near you at www.sja.org.uk
✱ We love the Rockley Cove (rockleycove.co.uk) cool and contemporary UPF50+ beachwear.
✱ Teach your baby or child to swim as soon as you can. It could save their life. Find baby and toddler classes near you at:
www.waterbabies.co.uk or lessons for older children at www.swimlessons.com
