We’ll be whooping it up in style at Disco Loco this weekend, here’s what else is on for London kids and families.

ALL WEEKEND
Thu-Sun: Art by Animals (pictured) at Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, UCL, University St, WC1 (Euston tube)
Marvel at the handiwork of apes, elephants and other creatures and explore what distinguishes ‘art’ from nonsense. 1-5pm, FREE (until Mar 9)

Thu-Sun: Storytelling with Rachel Rose and Nell Phoenix at Selfridges, Oxford St, W1 (Bond St tube)
Fall under the spell of storytellers who have enchanted audiences at the Secret Garden Party and Burning Man Festival (Rose) and Sydney Opera House (Phoenix). Hear and share tales to inspire kids and adults alike. 11am-1pm (daily), 12-2pm (Sun), FREE (until Feb 5)

SATURDAY
Sat: Family Day: Model Your World at Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St, E1 (Aldgate East tube)
Go on an artist trail around the gallery, then join in drawing and sculptural workshops to create a 3D landscape model and animate it to its own soundtrack. 12-4pm, drop-in; FREE

Sat: Comic Strip Bookmarks at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1 (Russell Square tube)
Be inspired by the exhibition Quentin Blake: As Large as Life (running until Apr 15) and make a cool comic strip bookmark to give as a gift or save for yourself. For ages 3-12. 1-4pm, FREE (book ahead 020 7841 3600) (Feb 4)

SUNDAY
Sun: Chinese New Year at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 (Shoreditch High St overground)
The party’s still on for the Year of the Dragon at this family day of folk dance, string music performances, calligraphy, paper-cutting and Chinese watercolour workshops, food and stalls. 11.30am-4.30pm, FREE (Feb 5)

Sun: Little Bookniks at Jewish Museum, Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert St, NW1 (Camden tube)
Enjoy a day of laughter, stories, puppetry, film and music with Where the Wild Things Are screening and workshop, rip-roaring poetry, author/illustrator James Mayhew and his magic suitcase and more family fun. 10am-4.30pm, £3-£5 per event (Feb 5)

LOCAL PICK
Sun: Not So Silent Movies at King’s Place, 90 York Way, N1 (King’s Cross tube)
Stephen Warbeck (Shakespeare in Love, Billy Elliot) is this month’s guest composer providing the live soundtrack to a classic black and white flick starring comic heroes like Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd. 3pm; £12.50/£9.50 online savers (Feb 5)

Visit our February Calendar for more top family activities and events

Happy Birthday to ya, February babes! We love this month as not only are there three anniversaries to celebrate (we made it a hat trick on poor papa), but the Muppets are back and can we forget Love is in the air?

Leap into the month ahead with our top London family activities and events.

David Shrigley: Brain Activity at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Feb 1-May 13)
Tales from the Shed Spring Season at Chickenshed Theatre, Southgate, N14 (Feb 3-Mar 24)
National Storytelling Week, venues across London (until Feb 4)
Tropical Extravaganza at Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey TW9 (Feb 4-Mar 4)
Leonardo Da Vinci at National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2 (until Feb 5)
Red Riding Hood at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 (Feb 8-19)
The Muppets, in cinemas nationwide (Feb 10)
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Feb 10-26)
Circlets Family Disco at Stratford Circus, Theatre Sq, Stratford E15 (Feb 11)
LolliBop Mini Disco at Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt St, Elephant & Castle, SE1 (Feb 12)
Cirque du Soleil: Totem, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 (until Feb 16)
Shrek the Musical at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane WC2 (until Feb 19)
Great Spitalfields Pancake Race at Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 (Feb 21)
The Big Egg Hunt, across London (Feb 21-Apr 13)
The Baby Show at ExCel London, 1 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 (Feb 24-26)
Disco Kids at the Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 (Feb 26)

Ongoing
Magic Worlds at V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, E2 (until Mar 4)
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 (until Mar 11)
Welcome to Monsterville at Discover Story Centre, Stratford E16 (until Mar)
David Hockney at Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1 (until Apr 9)
Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre, WC2 (until Oct 21)

Calendar Cutie
The blue-eyed belle above is Emilia, pictured just 6 days after celebrating her 1st birthday. Emilia’s favourite hobby is looking at board books, especially those with peekaboo flaps. ‘She also likes shaking maracas at music class!’ says mum Tina.

Send in your favourite photos of your babes (ages 5 and under) for a chance to be our next Calendar Cutie and be entered into a prize draw! Email photos and a short description to editor@babesabouttown.com

Anybody who follows us knows the babes love to boogie.

We’ve bopped at Baby Loves Disco, waved our hands at Hip Hop Babies with Charlie Dark and this February half-term, you’ll find us four to the floor at Ministry of Sound for the LolliBop Mini Disco.

Both boys and mama share Birthday Month in February, with Ezra kicking off the celebrations at Disco Loco this weekend.

We’d heard great things about East London’s monthly family groove and couldn’t wait to check it out last November.

Disco Loco is a laid-back affair that welcomes ravers from crawlers upwards and features a busking room, occasional main stage acts, and regular guest DJs spinning funky tunes.

Ezra and Jed were soon in their element, throwing crazy shapes and bending low for the limbo.

Host Chu-E and DJs Emily and Reverend Milo Speedwagon kept the main crowd bubbling over, while a double bassist and his mini accompanist made the bar swing.

We stuffed our faces with popcorn, samosas and yummy cupcakes from Little Tart and partied until they swept us out the door.

Good times.

Wardrobe check: Lightning McQueen (Ezra) and Spiderman (Jed) outfits – both H&M

And a special Trendy Toddler shout out to Baxter below, very Mariachi chic!

On the Spot
Ane Larsen and Baxter, age 3
‘We live in Stoke Newington and had come once before. We heard about Disco Loco through a friend. It’s just a great idea and a place where I can have fun with my son, as well as have a dance and a drink!’

Disco Loco runs monthly, now at Core Arts on Homerton High St, E9, next event on Feb 5, 3-6pm, £3 entry, babies-in-arms FREE. Visit www.discoloco.org

Look out for more photos from our Disco Loco outing on our Facebook Page

Don’t forget to check out Trendy Toddler Tuesday at Mummy’s Busy World every week!

It’s a weekend to celebrate, as we Enter (the Year of the) Dragon and Londoners get down in Chinatown. Happy New Year!

Hot Pick

Sun: Chinese New Year Celebrations, Chinatown, Shaftesbury Ave and Trafalgar Square (Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square tubes)
Spectacular Dragon dancing, Lion parade, acrobatics and more kick off the Year of Colin Farrell, Salvador Dali and other famous Dragons. There will be speeches, music and performances on the Trafalgar Square main stage and Chinese cuisine to enjoy. 10am (parade), 12-6pm (activities); FREE (Jan 29)

Sat: Hackney Children’s Variety Show- St John at Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Rd, E5 (Hackney Central overground)
Danny and his amazing balloons, jugglers, acrobats and a Tiny Travelling Tightwire Show are all part of the exciting action at this one off family special. 10am & 11.30am, £3 (Jan 28)

Sat-Sun: What a Wonderful World at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Sq, King St, W6 (Hammersmith tube)
Another highly interactive show from Lyngo lets kids imagine what it’s like to create a new day from scratch. For ages 2-5. 10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm & 2pm; £8/family £30; optional Messy Play activities 15 mins after each show (£11 with ticket). (Jan 28-29)

Sat-Sun: Walk London: Winter Wanders Weekend, various locations
Put your best foot forward on one of more than 50 free led walks, including the London of Oscar Wilde and Hidden Secrets for London, funded by Transport for London. Most trails are family-friendly but check ahead. From around 10am, FREE (Jan 28-29)

Sun: Laura Veirs sings from Tumble Bee at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
Come along for an afternoon of folk & roll as singer-songwriter Veirs sings from her children’s album Tumble Bee, featuring works by Harry Belafonte and Woody Guthrie. All ages. 4-4.30pm, drop-in; FREE (Jan 29)

Local Pick

Sat: Puppetry at Parasol, 14 Wharf Rd, N1 (Angel tube)
Join a member of the London School of Puppetry at this family workshop where you can see a professional string-puller in action and make your own puppet. For ages 4-8. 2.30-4pm, drop-in (booking advised): £3 (Jan 28)

Image source: www.imagerelax.com

Swagger.

I can’t even spell it, but mama says I’ve got it in spades.

Anyone can see I love to pose. I was dancing here, at the London A Cappella Festival last weekend and Mummy snapped me mid-flow.

It was a fun afternoon at King’s Place, there were people breaking out in song all over. This is one of our top spots to kick about – it’s not soft play exactly, but there’s usually something happening that kids can enjoy too.

And the floors are good for running and sliding.

Like my look? Dad said the jacket pattern’s a bit ‘Van Halen’ but Mum thinks it’s rocking.

Jacket by Nike (from my big friend Marcus).

Cord trousers by Gap.

Trainers by Puma.

Oh yeah, and swagger by Jed.

Editor’s note: Background painting is of filmmaker Isaac Julien, part of a really cool portrait series of famous graduates of Central Saint Martins arts school. If you’re in the area, do check it out!

Don’t miss Trendy Toddler Tuesday on Mummy’s Busy World every week!

I am standing with two children 42 metres above the ground, overlooking the murky waters of the Thames and feeling safe as houses.

We’re at the Tower Bridge Exhibition, taking a look inside the monument that’s dominated the London skyline since 1894.

We accepted complimentary passes to check out the ‘World’s most famous Bridge’ and the babes couldn’t wait to climb up the famous structure.

It’s exciting enough being on the outer bridge at the North Tower entrance, but then we went inside and took the lift up and up and up. From the high-level walkways, it’s an amazing panoramic view across the city.

‘I can see the whole world!’ Ezra cried, nose against the glass.

You can gawp through the windows at surrounding attractions, such as HMS Belfast, then read about them on signboards around the exhibition.

There’s also a gallery of famous bridges around the world and currently a vintage photo exhibit of London in Black and White.

It’s a well laid-out exhibition that gives a fascinating insight into London’s history, including short films showing footage of the bridge’s design and construction.

There’s a toilet with baby-changing station and lift to each section, with helpful tour guides along the way.

Come out on the south side of the bridge and head towards the Victorian Engine Rooms, where you can marvel at the machinery and imagination once used to power the bridge.

This is probably the most kid-friendly part of the exhibition, with amazing interactive models of Tower Bridge complete with teeny tiny taxis, buses and pedestrians.

The babes could have spent hours pushing buttons and pulling levers to make the bridge lift and watch the ship steer through.

Here you can see the actual motorbike and costume of motorcross star Robbie Maddison and watch video of him literally flying across the open bridge in a 2009 record-breaking stunt.

Tower Bridge Exhibition is a fun-packed (and occasionally dizzying) family day out. The gift shop is a bit of a let-down, not much more than a London tourist trap.

But the kids were happy enough receiving a free Guy Fox ‘passport’ to collect stickers at various points around the exhibition.

We left the exhibition just after 5pm, in time to see Tower Bridge lit up at night. A truly stunning sight.

Tower Bridge Exhibition is open daily 9.30am-6pm (Oct-Mar) and 10am-6.30pm (Apr-Sep); adult £8/child 5-15 £3.40/under 5s free.

It’s Friday the 13th coming up, are you feeling lucky? Put your game face on for the Ice Sculpting fest in Canary Wharf, play African board games and funky sounds at Rich Mix or sing your heart out at King’s Place.

Fri-Sat: London Ice Sculpting Festival at Montgomery Square + Canada Square Park, E14 (Canary Wharf tube)
The chill season returns to three spaces in Canary Wharf with 8 teams competing for ice sculpture glory, with wintry food and drinks at the Frost Fayre, masterclasses to learn to make your own snow husky, and a Snow Pit filled with real snow for sculpting. Opens from 9am-7pm (varying times and venues); FREE (Jan 13-14)

Sat-Sun: The Flight of Babuscha Baboon at Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, opposite 35 Blomfield Rd, W9 (Warwick Ave tube)
Spoken word, marionettes, shadows and music tell the story of a baboon who wants to fly to the moon in a hot air balloon, but gets diverted by an elephant on the run from ivory hunters. For ages 3+. 11am & 3pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun); adult £10/child £8.50 (until Mar 18)

Sat-Mon: Baccala Clowns at Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Enjoy 60 minutes of acrobatics, theatre and clowning around from some of today’s leading young circus stars, part of London International Mime Festival. 7.45pm (Sat & Mon), 4pm (Sun); £15/concs half-price (limited availability). (Jan 14-16)

Sun: A Bag Full of Art at Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York Sq, King’s Rd, SW3 (Sloane Sq tube)
Take kids ages 4 to 12 on a family-friendly exploration of the gallery, with an opportunity to draw and do activities based on the current exhibition. 10.30am, 12pm, 3pm & 4.30pm; £3 per child (first 3 Sundays monthly, until Apr 29)

Sun: Mwalimu Express at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Rd, E1 (Shoreditch High St overground)
All aboard for London’s only Pan-African adventure for all the family. This weekend it’s Destination Lagos, with live Afrobeat and Nigerian DJ sessions, parent & toddler dance, crafts stalls, African board games (Oware). Plus a Q&A with filmmaker Jeremy Marre and screening of his film Konkombie featuring Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, IK Dairo and more music legends. 2-6pm, FREE (Jan 15)

Local Pick

Thu-Sat: London A Cappella Festival at King’s Place, York Way, N1 (King’s Cross tube)
Bringing together the best in choral, jazz, Scandinavian rock choirs, beatbox and British Barbershop, this vocal festival sweeps over King’s Place for one weekend. Includes Schools on Stage (Fri, 4pm) plus free foyer performances daily – audience participation mandatory! Varying times from 11am; tickets from £9.50, foyer shows FREE (Jan 12-14)

Find more great family events in our January Calendar

Pic via London Ice Sculpting Festival web site

Sponsored Post

If you are looking for something new and fun to do with your kids, then have you considered exploring Greenwich in South East London?

You may have been to Greenwich before with your partner or your friends to visit the famous market, which sells everything from stylish clothes and traditional international cuisine, to beautiful accessories – similar to ones you might have seen on 77 Diamonds – as well as stunning paintings by local artists. But what does Greenwich have to offer for families?

The Biscuit Café

If you and your kids love arts and crafts, then you are sure to like The Biscuit Café. Situated just opposite the University of Greenwich, this modern art café allows you to design and paint your very own piece of crockery, while enjoying a cup of tea and a home made cake or the speciality ice cream. Mugs, bowls, plates and vases are just a few of the items you can choose from. Then you simply sit down, help yourself to coloured paints and brushes and get creative!

Greenwich Park

On a beautiful summer’s afternoon, why not take your children to see the roaming deer in Greenwich Park? The park is also home to dozens of birds who are normally found splashing around in the small boating lake. Alternatively, if you are feeling adventurous, you could hire a small pedalo and take your children for a little boat ride.

Sweet Treats

We all know how much kids love sweets, so why not take them to Mr Simms Olde Sweet shop, situated on Church Street? The vintage styled sweet shop sells a mixture of modern and old fashioned treats, from Rhubarb and Custards to Jazzies and White Mice. In addition, music from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is normally playing which adds a wonderfully magical atmosphere to the shop.

This is a guest post, with a little bling from our sponsor.

Pic: Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich

The pavements may be lined with tree carcasses but London’s ice rinks are still open and we’ve not lost our seasonal cheer.

Don’t forget to stop by our Holiday Guide and Top Shows for Under 5s for family activities ongoing through mid-January. Here’s looking at you, 2012!

Spaghetti Western Orchestra at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (Jan 5-11)
Cirque du Soleil: Totem, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 (Jan 5-Feb 16)
Ice Palaces at Somerset House, WC2 (Jan 7 & 14)
The Railway Children at Waterloo Station Theatre, SE1 (until Jan 8)
The Snowman, Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2 (until Jan 8)
Bagpuss at Soho Theatre, Dean St, W1 (until Jan 8)
Mr Rabbit Meets Brer Santa at Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, W9 (until Jan 9)
Olympic Gymnastics Qualifier at O2 Arena, Peninsula Sq, Greenwich, SE10 (Jan 10-18)
London International Mime Festival, various venues (Jan 11-29)
Cinderella at Chickenshed Theatre, Southgate N14 (until Jan 14)
Mwalimu Express at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Rd, E1 (Jan 15)
Apassionata at O2 Arena, Peninsula Sq, Greenwich, SE10 (Jan 21)
David Hockney at Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1 (Jan 21-Apr 9)
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker, Sadler’s Wells, Angel, N1 (until Jan 22)
Fireman Sam Live at Hammersmith Apollo, W6 (Jan 28)
Chinese New Year Celebrations, across Chinatown and Trafalgar Square (Jan 29)
Goldilocks at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 (until Jan 29)
Winter Exhibition at the Illustration Cupboard, SW1 (until Jan 31)

Ongoing
Leonardo Da Vinci at National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2 (until Feb 5)
Shrek the Musical at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane WC2 (until Feb 19)
Magic Worlds at V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, E2 (until Mar 4)
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 (until Mar 11)
Welcome to Monsterville at Discover Story Centre, Stratford E16 (until Mar)
Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre, WC2 (until Oct 21)

Calendar Cutie
Our first cover girl of the New Year is cheeky Tuna, aged 15 months, caught out shopping with her mum on a visit to London from Istanbul. Turn that (balloon) frown upside down, Tuna!

Send in your favourite photos of your babes (ages 5 and under) for a chance to be our next Calendar Cutie and be entered into a prize draw! Email photos and a short description to editor@babesabouttown.com

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