12 family-friendly ways to usher in 2012 in style…

HOT SPOT
1. Whether you plan to brave or escape the fireworks at midnight, the South Bank Centre’s Winter Festival offers kids’ shows (White, Slava’s Snowshow), outdoor market, Winter Garden Grotto, carousel and more to put all the family in a festive mood.

2. Get in the party spirit at Mojo, a riot of puppetry, music and dance for all the family, playing out at the Barbican Centre. 12pm & 7pm; adult £15/under 16s half price (until Dec 31)

3. Groove with the wee ones into the wee hours at a New Year’s Eve Funk Party for all ages with Funkification at The Forge, NW1. 7pm, adult £30 adv/£50 door; under 12s £11 (Dec 31)

4. Reminisce on your own Dazed & Confused era at the Somerset House retrospective on the iconic magazine. 10am-6pm, FREE (until Jan 29)

5. Last chance to see the clash of fashion, storytelling and light installations that transformed Kensington Palace into the Enchanted Palace. 10am-6pm, adult £12.50/under 16s £6.25/under 5s FREE (until Jan 3)

6. Hear the story of Babar the Elephant as told by the LMA Orchestra in the last of this year’s Mini Maestro concerts for under 5s at St Martin-in-the-Fields. 11.30am, £6.50/under 16s £4.50 (Dec 31)

7. Spend a Magical Night at the Royal Opera House for the closing performances of the spectacular Christmas ballet. 12.30pm & 4pm; £10.50-£23.50 (until Dec 31)

8. Toast to 2012 at a lavish Champagne Afternoon Tea at Bea’s of Bloomsbury, St. Paul’s, EC1. 12pm onwards, £22 per person (ongoing)

9. Explore High Arctic at National Maritime Museum – a dazzling, immersive exhibition using poetry, visuals, sound and light to recreate the Arctic – past, present and future. 10am-5pm, adult £6/child £4/under 6s free (until Jan 8)

10. Get Lost and Found at Discover Story Centre in a heartwarming tale by Oliver Jeffers about a boy who decides to take a misplaced Penguin back to the South Pole. For ages 3+. 11.30am & 2.30pm, £4.50/under 2s free (until Dec 31)

11. Enjoy high-tech fun and games at Namco Funscape in County Hall, SE1 where there’s pool tables, video arcades, bumper cars and bowling until the New Year strikes. 10am-midnight,
free entry (daily)

12. Check out the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at Natural History Museum, then skate until late on the magical ice rink outside. Museum 10am-6pm, FREE; ice rink open until 1am, adult £13.50/child £8.50 (ongoing)

More Ideas

31 Ideas for New Year’s Eve (with Kids)

Top Shows for Under 5s

Babes Christmas Guide for London Families

Top 10 Family Films at Christmas

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

New Year’s Weekend Scoop for London Families

We’ve had oodles of family fun around London this year but one of the most exciting things we did was riding a speedboat along the Thames.

It wasn’t just thrilling, it was thrillaxing.

We were invited on the Thames RIB Experience by travel company iExplore and my 5-year-old described it as the ‘funnest time ever’.

The speedboat takes you on a tour of the River Thames from the Embankment to Canary Wharf and back, giving you a unique vantage point of city attractions like the London Eye, Tower Bridge and the Golden Hinde.

There’s a cheeky tour guide and mood music (Hawaii 5-0!) and while part of the 1-hour tour is quite leisurely, other parts are pure white-knuckle rush.

Thames RIB speedboats are the ultimate adrenaline experience for all ages. Here’s a clip I shot on our ride – excuse the wobbly camera, I was clinging on tightly to my 2-year-old with the other hand!

12 Days of Xmas Giveaways: Win a Family Ticket on the Thames RIB Experience!

It’s Day 10 of our 12 Day giveaways and Thames Rib Experience has generously thrown in a Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children) on their Canary Wharf Experience worth £102 to our Christmas lucky dip. NB: Passengers must weigh at least 15kg.

Simply email us at editor@babesabouttown.com with the subject: 12 Days of Xmas Giveaways, your full name and address and the answer to this question:

What did my true love give to me on the 1st day of Xmas?

For full details of this competition, how you can increase your chances of winning and to see the entire prize list as it unfolds, read 12 Days of Xmas Giveaways

Visit www.thamesribexperience.com

The circus comes to Greenwich, there’s a barn dance near Regent’s Park and Christmas puddings are on the run in Covent Garden. Another swinging weekend for London kids and families!

Fri-Sun: Greenwich Circus Festival, Hangar Arts Trust, unit 7a, Harrington Way, SE18 (Greenwich DLR)
Aircraft Circus present a three-day festival under the creative direction of Alex Frith (aerial choreographer for Lord of the Rings), packed with interactive circus fun for the kiddies by day and some jaw-dropping action for adults after dark. 12-6pm (family-friendly) & 7pm-12am (adults-only); adult £10-£20/under 16 £6/under 5s FREE (Dec 2-4)

Fri-Sun: East London Design Show, Shoreditch Town Hall, Old St, EC1 (Old St tube)
Browse more than 100 stalls by the finest indie designers of jewellery, fashion, interiors and accessories, plus children’s area with creative activities. 12-9pm (Fri), 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun); £5/£3 concs/under 15s FREE (Dec 2-4)

Sat: The Great Christmas Pudding Race, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
An annual tradition, this wacky race of seasonal fancy dress wearers carrying Xmas puds happens for the 31st time in aid of Cancer Research. 11am, FREE (Dec 3)

Sat: Christmas Fair at Hampstead Town Hall, 213 Haverstock Hill, NW3 (Hampstead tube)
Shop for gifts in one of the neighbourhood’s historic buildings. Food stalls, jewellery, crafts, skincare and more on offer. 10am-5pm, FREE (£1 donation) (Dec 3 & 17)

Sun: The Magic of Christmas Concert at Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1 (Sloane Square tube)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s festive programme features the Nutcracker Suite, Sleigh Ride and White Christmas, Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant and the world premiere adaptation of The Fib, introduced by Gary Lineker and narrated by author George Layton. In aid of Breast Cancer Campaign. 3.30pm; £12.50-£37.50 (Dec 4)

Sun: EFDSS Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
End of season party with the English Folk Dance and Singing Society. Fling your self and family members about to lively dances from the British Isles, with a caller to guide your steps. 3pm; adult £5/child £3 (Dec 4)

Local Pick

Sat: A Cally Christmas, Tilloch St, off Caledonian Rd, N1 (Caledonian Rd tube)
The side street off Caledonian Road will be transformed into a winter wonderland with Santa’s grotto, trees decorated with lights, live music band-stand, table-top market and craft activities. 1-6pm, FREE (Dec 3)

Don’t miss Babes Christmas Guide for London Families

Images via event websites

If the season of jolly brings out the Scrooge in you, then consider this a warning: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is like Christmas cheer on steroids.

There are life-size Santas up to all sorts of tricks around the park and the only thing low-key is the voice of the animatronic Reindeer head near the entrance, belting out a Christmas song to passers-by.

Clearly, minimalism is not what has turned Winter Wonderland into a London institution and this year’s event is bigger and bolder than ever.

I remember being somewhat underwhelmed on our first visit to the Hyde Park extravaganza, years back when I was pregnant with my eldest.

But last Friday I was pretty much blown away by its scale and had that toasty feeling inside as we entered the charming Angels market.

The largest of its kind in London, it’s lined with artisanal chalets and food huts selling Bavarian beer and bratwurst.

Under the glow of the Giant Observation Wheel, the park’s centrepiece attraction, there’s a mind-boggling mix of stuff to see and do.

The babes were entranced by skaters gliding under sparkling lights on the open-air rink.

Sadly both Zippo’s Circus shows were closed on opening night (due to filming for Children in Need), but this left plenty of time to explore the rides.

The fairground attractions range from freaky fun houses and terrifying vertical drops to sweet and gentle rides for younger visitors.

The park looked magical lit up at night and being out so late meant we didn’t have to queue for any attractions.

Still, the whole experience could be sensory overload for little ones so it’s best to time your visit according to what you think your kids can cope with.

Oh and bring plenty of cash, as while entrance to the park and Santa’s Grotto are free, (and we were lucky enough to have press comps) everything else adds up.

So whether Wonderland gives you a Cheshire cat grin or a Queen-sized headache, do keep an eye on that shrinking wallet!

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland runs until Jan 3, 10am-10pm daily (closed Dec 25) at the park’s main entrance, opposite Hyde Park Circus tube station. Visit www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

We’ve handpicked some cracking activities and events for London kids and families this Christmas.

SIGHTS & SCENES

LEGO Christmas Tree (pic) at St. Pancras Station, NW1
Built over 2 months using 600,000 bricks and decorated with LEGO baubles made by local school kids. Fun activities include treasure hunts around the station throughout the season.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, W1
Giant Observation wheel, Zippo’s Circus, free Santa’s Grotto, rides galore, German Christmas market and the gorgeous outdoor ice rink. Prices for individual attractions vary. 10am-10pm daily (closed Dec 25); ticket range £10.50 adult to £34.50 family, park entry FREE (until Jan 3)

Digital Nativity Scene at Covent Garden Piazza, WC2
Artist/director Martha Fiennes (Ralph’s sis) presents the Christmas tableau reborn in an ever-changing digital art installation. 11am-9pm daily, FREE (until Jan 2)

Giant Wooden Victorian Advent Calendar at Tower Bridge, SE1
Explore the walk-in calendar with surprises behind each door. Each kid gets a candy cane and certificate. 9.30am-6pm, adult £8/child £3.40/under 5s free (Dec 1-23)

Christmas at Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 (Kew Gardens overground)
Seek out Santa in his grotto, ride the Christmas carousel, go on a guided spice tour and catch up on Xmas shopping. Opens 9.30am, adult £13.90/under 17s free (Dec 10-Jan 2)

FESTIVE FUN

Mrs Santa’s Crafts Corner at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E3 (Bethnal Green tube)
Pop by to knit festive gifts including teddies, pom pom baubles and Christmas Crackers with Mrs Claus and her team of helpers. 12-4pm, FREE (Nov 26-27 & Dec 3-4)

Trafalgar Square Tree and Carol Singing, WC1
See the tree from Norway, sent every year since 1947, being lit up for the first time on Dec 2 and hear diverse groups sing carols nightly in the square. Daily from 5-9pm, FREE (Dec 5-22)

Christmas at Geffrye Museum, Shoreditch E2
Explore the exhibition Christmas Past then on the seasonal Family Day (Dec 3) make Art Deco decorations and sing carols, find your Festive Spirit (Dec 8, 5-9pm) and finally say Farewell to Christmas with 12th Night cake (Jan 6). Workshops 10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm, FREE (until Jan 8 )

Storytelling by the Tiffany Christmas Tree at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2
On select nights in December, hear tales including The Winter Carousel and Oliver Moon read by famous authors, with book signings to follow. 3.15-3.45pm, FREE (Dec 3-21)

London Wetland Centre Winter Wonderland Weekend (pic), Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes SW13 (Hammersmith tube)
Hang with Santa and his huskies, experience the magic of a sleigh ride or take a pic with the huggable hounds. There’s also arts and crafts, live entertainment, shopping and Christmas lunch in the Water’s Edge cafe. 10am-4pm, adult £10.55/child 4-16 £5.85/under 4s free; Santa visit £5 per child (with goody bag) (Dec 10-11)

SEASONAL SHOWS

The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave, W1 (Piccadilly Circus tube)
A mouse on a walk in a deep, dark wood finds tall tales, songs and laughs in this adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s classic story. 11am (Wed-Fri), 10am & 12pm (Sat-Sun), times and dates vary, check web site; tickets from £13 (Nov 23-Jan 15)

Cinderella at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St, E8 (Hackney Central overground)
Panto time? Oh yes it is. Join Cinders and her hideous sisters on a crazy quest for Prince Charming and the blinged-out slipper. Manic, musical fun for all the family. Varying dates at 1pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 5pm & 7pm; £9.50-£27.50 (Nov 26-Jan 8 )

The Snowman (pic) at Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2 (Holborn tube)
Annual festive fantasy based on Raymond Briggs’ warm-hearted story brings sparkling choreography and a flying Snowman to the stage. For all ages. 11am, 2.30pm & 7pm (varying dates); £12-£32 (Nov 30-Jan 8 )

White, Spirit Level at Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Enter a dazzling world where everything is white until, magically, colour appears. A playful and visual treat for ages 2-4. 10.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm (times vary by date, check web site); from £12 (Dec 17-31)

Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Roseberry Ave, EC1 (Angel tube)
Dance theatre spectacular with a witty, wondrous take on the classic ballet. Suitable for all ages. 2.30pm & 7pm (times vary by date, check web site); £10-£60 (Dec 6-Jan 22)

Don’t miss our guide to Top Christmas Shows for Under 5s

SANTA & FRIENDS

Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Selfridges, Oxford St, W1 (Bond St tube)
Let Little Miss Sparkle and Jack Frost in a Box guide you into Santa’s grotto, with assistance from the 3D wish fairy. 10am-8pm (times vary), adult £7/child £3 (Nov 19-Dec 24)

Department store Santa’s a super-busy guy, also popping up at the world famous Harrods grotto, breakfast at Hamleys and in a 5D experience at Westfield London

Reindeer at London Zoo, Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
Catch them strolling through the zoo (until Dec 24) or hanging out in the Reindeer Lodge, the zoo’s new permanent exhibit. 10.30am-4.30pm, adult £/child £13.20/under 3s free

NB: You can also pet live reindeer in the East Piazza at Covent Garden (Sats until Dec 24, FREE)

Victorian Grotto at Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, Canary Wharf E14
Go back in time to meet a period Santa in Sail Town (Dec 10-23) then get a taste of bah humbug in Scrooge’s Grotto (Dec 27-Jan 1). 10am-6pm; museum entry FREE, child grotto entry £5 (with gift) (Dec 10-Jan 1)

Lapland UK, Bewl Water Estate, Kent TN3 8JH (Wadhurst rail)
Can’t make it to the real Lapland? Escape to the wintry woodlands of Lamberhurst for a magical experience with the big red suit. 9am-10pm, £44.50-£62.50 (Nov 26-Dec 24)

ICE SKATING

Westfield Stratford City Ice Rink, Stratford, E20 (Stratford overground)
Skate under the open roof with the Olympic Stadium as your backdrop. Varying times from 9.15am-11pm (Mon-Sat) and 11.30am-6.45pm (Sun); max adult £10.65/child £7.65 (until Jan 8 )

Skate at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
Live DJs, a Skate School for beginners (Penguin Club for under 8s) and a dazzling setting at London’s coolest ice rink. 10am-11.30pm, from £7.50 (until Jan 22)

National History Museum Ice Rink, Exhibition Rd, SW7 (South Kensington tube)
You’ll have room to shine on the 950 square metre ice rink, with Bob skates for toddlers (two blades on a shoe) and sessions for wheelchair users. 11am-10pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-10pm (Sat-Sun); from £8 (until Jan 8, closed Dec 24-25)

EyeSkate at London Eye, South Bank, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Glide on the spectacular rink in the shadow of the London Eye. Stabilising seals for younger skaters (ages 4+). 12-9pm (Nov), 10am-9pm (Dec-Jan); £9.45 adult/£6.75 child (until Jan 6)

Tower of London Ice Rink, EC3 (Tower Hill tube)
Winter cocktails and hot choc from the bar keep skaters fuelled on the stunningly lit rink outside the magnificent fortress. 10am-10pm daily (closed Dec 25); adult £12.50/child £8.50 (until Jan 8 )

There’s more action at the indoor rink at Westfield London, Canary Wharf, turn up and skate at Broadgate Circle, day trip to Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink and of course, all year round skating at Ally Pally

SHOPS AND MARKETS

Christmas Lantern Parade and Shopping at Greenwich Market (pic), SE10 (Cutty Sark DLR)
Watch the enchanting lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on, join in for carol singing and mince pieces, then shop more than 150 stalls for unusual gifts, art and stocking fillers. Parade 4-4.30pm, late shopping until 7pm (regular hours Tue-Sun, 10am-5.30pm), entry FREE (Nov 30)

Shop West End VIP Weekend, Oxford St and Regent St, W1 (Oxford Circus tube)
Enjoy traffic-free browsing along Oxford Street and Regent Street, admire the Christmas lights, join in a Christmas Carol-a-thon with Kids Company and of course, shop until your wallet pops. (Dec 10-11)

Angels Christmas Market at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, W2 (Hyde Park Corner tube)
The German-style market is the largest in London, selling anything from gourmet honey to handmade ornaments. Daily 10am-10pm, FREE (until Jan 3)

Cologne Christmas Market at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
The annual winter fair returns with more than 60 chalets along the riverside, selling hand-crafted gifts, food and drink. 11am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-10pm (Sat), 10am-8pm (Sun), FREE (until Dec 23)

Real Food Christmas Market at Covent Garden, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
Browse specialist stalls for handmade minced pies, chocolate treats and spiced drinks (hot apple juice for kids) from the Mulled Wine hut. From 12-7.30pm (Thu-Fri); 12-9pm (Dec 3, 10 & 17); Mulled Wine hut 12-10pm (Mon-Sat), 12-6pm (Sun); FREE (until Dec 31)

Images via event web sites

This week’s highlights include drawing duels in South Kensington, line dancing in Bethnal Green, a loveable alien flick in Bayswater and to get you in the seasonal spirit, the reindeer have arrived at London Zoo!

Look out for our bumper guide to Christmas in London!

HOT TICKET
Meet Santa in his Reindeer Lodge at ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
A chance to cosy up with Mr Claus amid live reindeer in the Zoo’s parklands. Tickets are selling out fast! 10.30am-3.30pm, adult FREE (with regular Zoo ticket)/child £5 (available dates Dec 20-23)

Thu-Sun: South Ken Kids Festival Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, SW1 (South Kensington tube)
Authors and illustrators converge for four days of talks, films, book signings, workshops and drawing duels!

Top billing includes Quentin Blake, Lauren Child, John Hegley, Axel Scheffler and Hannah Shaw. 10am-7pm daily, £5-£7 per event/Dolphin pass (12 tickets) £40/Whale pass (20 tickets) £50 (Nov 24-27)

Sat: Winter Illustration Festival at the Illustrated Cupboard, Bury St, SW1 (Green Park tube)
Celebrate the annual Winter Exhibition at this one day event with book signings by Angela Barrett and Shirley Hughes (Alfie), kids’ reading corner, music, tea, cake and raffle. 11am-5pm, FREE (Nov 26, exhibition until Jan 31)

Sat: Family Day at Homemade Festival, Chisenhale Dance Space, 64-68 Chisenhale Rd, E3 (Bethnal Green tube)
Come along for kids’ creative dance tasters, hula hooping, line dancing, DIY arts and crafts plus tea and cakes. 2-5pm, FREE (Nov 26)

Sun: E.T. at Whiteleys Shopping Centre, W2 (Queensway tube)
Relive your childhood wonder at the Nomad Pop-Up Cinema’s screening of the Spielberg alien classic. Altogether now: ‘Phoooone home!’ Doors 2.30pm, film 3pm; adult £8/child £4 (Nov 27)

Sun: Primrose Hill Christmas Fair, on Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Chalk Farm tube)
Enjoy traffic-free shopping with gift and craft stalls, food, mulled wine, kids’ rides, Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw plus Santa and elves. 11am-5pm, FREE (Nov 27)

Local Pick

Sat-Sun: Enchanted Christmas House, London Art House, 2-18 Britannia Row, N1 (Angel tube)
Meet Mrs Claus and her old man in a world of enchantment, enter the Busy Elves workshop, dive into the Genie cave, savour the Gingerbread House, play in the Garden of Winter Wonder, watch a live show and round it off with a family meal, minced pies and mulled wine. All kids (age 18 months to 9 years) will get a gift from Santa. 10.30am-2.30pm; £49/family of 4 £159 (until Dec 24)

Find out more great London Family Events in our November Calendar

Thrillax? Just do it.

Babes about Town experienced serious thrillaxation last week bombing up the Thames on a speed boat.

Yeah baby.

The Thames RIB Experience takes you on a part leisurely, part adrenaline-packed tour (with wisecracking guide) from Embankment to Canary Wharf and back, offering rare views of landmarks like the Golden Hinde, Tower Bridge and the London Eye.

As you pass the offices of MI5 and MI6, the boat speeds up and James Bond theme music kicks in. Then just as you’re lulled into a false sense of cool, the ride cranks up to roller-coaster pace, complete with sideways dips and people yelling ‘Woaaaah!’

What a rush.

The special blogger event was set up by travel company iExplore to introduce their unique holiday concept (and funky catchword) to a family audience.

Apparently lying comatose on a beach for 2 weeks, as idyllic as it sounds, doesn’t do much for recharging your batteries. We need extra stimulation, both mental and physical, to switch off from the daily hum, release stress hormones and really connect with friends and family.

iExplore offers a one-stop shop of activity and experience holiday packages, with more than 1600 options across every continent for everyone from single-parent families to stag parties.

And it’s not all about climbing the Himalayas or leaping out of airplanes – the team at iExplore acknowledge that for families with young kids, just getting there and back is an adventure in itself!

That’s why they set up an Inspirator quiz to make it simple for holidaymakers to pick and choose breaks according to their peculiar needs, interests and budget.

The crucial thing about a ‘thrillaxing break’, especially for babes about the globe, is that it can strengthen relationships and build memories that last a lifetime.

The photo below was taken on one of our escapes to Corsica back in 2009. The entire holiday was blissful but I’ll never forget the thrill of watching my then 3-year-old boy, unable to swim and afraid of the water, braving a kayaking trip with his Dad. My little hero.

After the Bond-esque action last week, we were treated to lunch at the Royal Horseguards hotel with TV presenter and iExplore ambassador Craig Doyle.

Three things I learned about Craig: 1) He is dimple-prodding cute 2) His idea of a perfect break involves travelling the world with wife and 4 KIDS. Now that’s thrillaxation! 3) He is super broody. Watching him cuddle my 2-year-old, it was obvious that he’s yearning for kid number 5. Look out, Mrs Doyle!

Thanks to the team at iExplore for a fab event. We left feeling totally chilled out and at the same time buzzing.

Chuzzing?

Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.

Visit www.iexplore.com to book your next adventure

For a thrill ride on the Thames, check out www.thamesribexperience.com

Big bangs aren’t much fun for little people, but you can still enjoy Guy Fawkes at a craft workshop or toddler-friendly fireworks display.

Here’s our pick of where to celebrate a family Bonfire Night with your mini firecrackers.

GUY FAWKES CRAFTS

1. Fizzing, Whooshing and Banging Hats at Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Rd, E2 (Hoxton Station overground)
Craft a cracking hat for bonfire night. Aimed at ages 5 to 11, but younger kids are welcome at these workshops. 10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm; FREE (Nov 4)

2. Crash Bang Wallop at Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1 (Sloane Sq tube)
Hugely popular family concert featuring magical orchestral pieces with pre-show activities including wand making and puppets. 11am, adult £8/child £6 (concert sold out, returns only but pre-concert activities are free and no booking is required) (Nov 5)

3. Fireworks over the Docks at Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, E14 (West India Quay DLR)
Design your own sparkling paper fireworks to take home on Bonfire Night. For ages 3+. 12.30-1.30pm & 2.30-3.30pm, FREE (Nov 5)

4. Guy Fawkes at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
In the Free Family Workshop: A Glow in the Dark (Sat, 2-4pm), kids ages 6+ and their parents can make glowing constructions inspired by the abstracts in the Courtauld Gallery. For under 5s, Mini Make Believe: Super Sparklers (Sun, 11.30) will have them whizzing, whooshing and popping with stories, songs and crafts. First come first served, FREE (Nov 5 & 6)

CHILD-FRIENDLY FIREWORKS

5. Coram’s Fields Fireworks, 93 Guildford St, WC1 (Russell Sq tube)
A spectacular show aimed at the kiddies, held in the popular park. No unaccompanied adults. 4.30pm, FREE (Nov 4)

6. Children’s Fireworks at Crystal Palace Park, SE19 (Crystal Palace rail)
Family funfair, food stalls and a smaller display for kids with less bangs for those little ears, before the main event. Gates 6pm, kids show 7pm, main show 8pm; adult and 14+ £5, child £3, under 5s free (Nov 5)

7. Children’s Fireworks at Ravenscourt Park, Paddenswick Rd, W6 (Hammersmith Broadway tube)
Fabulous show with a myths and ghouls theme, rides, stalls and more, plus spectacular fireworks for grown-ups after. Gates 6pm, kids show 7.15pm, main show 8pm; adult £7/under 5s free (Nov 5)

8. Guy Fawkes Experience at Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 (Waltham Cross rail)
Historic reenactment of the Gunpowder Plot with craft activities, BBQ, funfair and fireworks over two afternoons. 2-7pm, fireworks from 6pm; adult £8.50/child £6/family £26/under 3s free (Nov 5-6)

MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

9. Battersea Park Fireworks, SW11 (Victoria 9 tube)
Traditional Guy Fawkes, stunning pyrotechnics, BBQ, toffee apples and more. 6pm gates, 8pm fireworks. Adult £6 adv/£10 door/under 10s free (Nov 5)

10. Blackheath Common Fireworks (Lewisham tube)
South London’s biggest and brightest free display with funfair and food stalls. 8pm, FREE (Nov 5)

Le freak, c’est chic. Sink your teeth into our London Kids Halloween events guide!

Babes Choice

Sun 23: One Bigg Party at Fulham Palace, SW6 (Putney Bridge tube)
A fangtastic mix of entertainers, workshops, stalls and prizes for ages 2-10. 11am-6pm, child £16.50/adult £11.50/babies under 18 months free (Oct 23)

Fri 28: Pumpkin Carving Competition at Fortnum & Mason, Regent St, W1 (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Test your skills with other kids up to 10 years old (and adults aged 11 to 99 plus). Points awarded for skill, scariness, creativity and luminosity. 3-5pm (kids contest), 7pm (adults), FREE (Oct 28)

Sat 29: The Secret Spooky Garden, Secret Garden, Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath, NW3 (Hampstead tube)
Join families from all over in fancy dress on an enchanted tour of the Heath’s secret garden. 3-5pm, FREE (Oct 29)

Sat 29: House of Fairytales: Permission to Haunt at Cardinal Place, Victoria, SW1 (Victoria tube)
Interactive and surreal fun and games with the maverick crew established by artists Gavin Turk and Deborah Curtis. Ectoplasm experts will be in force! 12-4pm, FREE (Oct 29)

Sun 30: Wicked Day at London Film Museum, County Hall, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Spooktacular family fun with the cast of ‘Wicked’ the musical, raising money for green causes. 12-4pm, FREE (OCT 30)

Local Pick

Sat 29-Sun 30: Halloween Boat Trips at London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Rd, N1 (King’s Cross tube)
A ghoulish narrowboat ride through Islington tunnel, with candies and glowsticks for kids, plus spooky stories in the museum. Boats depart every 20 mins from 3-9pm; adult £10/child ages 0-15 £8 (Oct 29-30)

Central and West London

Sun 23-Mon 31: Boo at the Zoo, London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
Ghostly walks, creepy crafts and a macabre makeover for the Animal Adventure zone. 10am-5.30pm (until Oct 29), 10am-4pm (from Oct 30); regular entry adult £19.50/child £15.50/under 3s free (Oct 23-31)

Sat 22-Mon 31: The Spooky Rainforest at Sealife London Aquarium, County Hall, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Meet the Fish witch bubbling up a cauldron of fun and go on a Hallo-marine trail. 9am-8pm; adults £14.28/child £10.55/under 3s free. (Oct 22-31)

Sat 22-Mon 31: The Wicked Witch of the London Sky at London Eye, South Bank, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Brace yourself for a wild ride over London’s haunted landscape with Wilhelmina the witch as your guide. Includes free entry to London Eye 4D experience. 10am-8.30pm; adult from £16.74/child £8.58/under 4s free (Oct 22-31)

Wed 26: Mini Make Believe: Hubble Bubble at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2 (Charing Cross tube)
The magic cauldron’s bubbling over with songs, stories and games for under 5s. 11.30am, 12.45pm & 2.30pm, FREE (Oct 26)

Sat 29: To Trick or Not to Treat from Paddington Bear Statue, at Paddington Station, W2
A ghostly walk with spooky storytelling and treats along the way. Fancy dress welcome. 2pm, free (Oct 29)

North and North West London

Sat 28: Halloween Party at Burgh House and Hampstead Museum, New End Sq, NW3 (Hampstead tube)
Ghastly games, weird stories and a spooky tea. 3-5pm, child £15 (Oct 28)

Sat 29: Ian Saville Halloween Magic at Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, N6 (Highgate tube)
Magic spells and teddy bear tricks for ages 3-8. 10-10.45am & 11.30am-12.15pm; £4.50/£3 concs. (Oct 29)

Sat 29-Sun 30: Witch Weekend at RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, NW9 (Colindale tube)
Ever wondered how broomsticks fly? Come and make your own! 11am-1pm & 2-4pm, FREE (Oct 29-30)

Mon 31: Halloween at Kentish Town City Farm, 1 Cressfield Close, off Grafton Rd, NW5 (Kentish Town tube)
An evening of scary storytelling, dress-up and witches’ cafe. 5.30-7pm, £1 entry (Oct 31)

Mon 31: Spooky Walk and Adventure Trail at Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, N6 (Highgate tube)
Witches, wizards, skeletons and sprites take a nighttime stroll around the ‘haunted’ grounds. Best for ages 3+, although buggies welcome. 5-5.45pm (early booking advised); £6 (Oct 31)

East and South East London

Tue 25 & Thu 27: Halloween at the Horniman Museum, 100 London Rd, Forest Hill SE23 (Forest Hill rail)
Dig up spooks from your imagination and uncover the secrets of real skeletons. Ages 3+. 1.45-2.45pm, child £3/adults and under 3s free (Oct 25 & 27)

Fri 28: Halloween at Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton St, E1 (Whitechapel tube)
Come along for pumpkin soup, pumpkin carving, stories, costumes and jacket potatoes around the fireside. 5-10pm, £10 (Oct 28)

Sun 30: Family Day: Global Gargoyles at Sutton House, 2 & 4 Homerton High St, Hackney E9 (Hackney Central rail)
Rez Kabir, creepy costumes and marvellous monsters take over the historic house. 12.30-4pm; adult £3/child £1 (Oct 30)

Sun 30: Halloween Family Fun Day at National Maritime Museum, Romney Rd, Greenwich SE10 (Cutty Sark DLR)
A blood-suckingly tasty day out for all the clan in the Queen’s House with costume prizes, dance workshops and more. Early booking advised! 11.30am-4pm; adult £6/child £3.50 (Oct 30)

Sun 30: Halloween Disco Skate at Lee Valley Ice Centre, Leyton Marsh, Lea Bridge Rd E10 (Walthamstow Central tube)
Get your freakiest outfit on for an ice skating shebang. 2.30-4.30pm; £6 incl. skate hire (Oct 30)

South and South West London

Sat 22-23: Bats and Spiders Weekend at London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 (Hammersmith tube)
Dare to meet exotic spiders and bats, with face painting, games and more scary fun. 9.30am-5pm, adult £10.55/child £5.85/under 4s free (Oct 22-23)

Sun 23-Tue 25: Time Travellers Go: Ghosts and Ghouls at Eltham Palace & Gardens, Court Yard, Eltham, SE9 (Eltham rail)
Go on a ghost-hunting escapade around the palace grounds with crafts and activities along the way. 11am-4pm, adult £9.30/child £5.60/under 5s free (Oct 23-25)

Photos via London Eye, Lauderdale House, National Maritime Museum and London Wetland Centre web sites

We were invited to a preview screening of the documentary Meerkats 3D (review coming soon) in Maplin Pavilion at London Zoo and afterwards, we got to check out live meerkats and other zoo creatures.

Right opposite the pavilion, wallabies bounded around. ‘Look, there’s a rabbit!’ cried my observant 2-year-old.

The zoo is beautifully designed over a vast expanse and makes a lovely day out with an active toddler. Jed was nothing but squeals of excitement as we spotted reptiles and pygmy hippos and spider monkeys swinging.

Sadly the lions were nowhere to be found (snoozing perhaps?) but we got up close and personal with Sumatran tigers. It’s funny how much they act like house cats, preening and stretching… cats that could bite your head off if the glass broke!

We shared a brief, extremely smelly moment with bucktoothed llama (boy do they reek), cuddly alpaca and donkeys giving it some proper heehaw.

London Zoo is lovely to visit even in dodgy weather as, during sudden downpours, we easily found shelter under canopies of trees.

In Animal Adventure, the kids’ zoo, there are fountains to splash through as well as a wooden playhouse and a tipi where story-telling happens at midday. It’s in this area that we finally saw the teeny meerkats and crawled through a tunnel to get a closer look.

The zoo’s well-equipped with family-friendly facilities, baby-changing and the toilets in the Animal Adventure area were clean and fresh-smelling.

We had a quick snack at the cafe here, one of many food stops at the zoo, and I picked up a couple of 75p animal masks for the boys. This turned out to be a smart move as Jed was too busy with his new toy to notice all the goodies in the main gift shop.

The main shop is placed strategically (some might say cheekily) so you have to go through it to exit – a proper money trap.

I’ve always been somewhat ambivalent about animals in captivity. But it was a real treat exploring the wonders of nature with my little one and learning about London Zoo’s work in conservation and helping endangered species like gorillas.

Judging by the action we caught in Gorilla Kingdom, it won’t be long before they hear the pitter patter of tiny feet and paws.

London Zoo is open daily except Christmas day, from 10am-5.30pm/10am-4pm (Oct 30 to Spring 2012). Tickets start from Adult £16.60/Child £13.20, under 3s are free. Best bet is an annual membership allowing unlimited visits yearly to both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo at a heavily discounted fee.

Visit www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/ for full opening times and prices.