Half Term London Kids Scoop (February 12-22, 2015)

 

 
Half term is coming… but don’t lose your hats! With a little forward planning, you can gallop through the next 10 days feeling more cultured, entertained and bonded as a family.

My Half Term London Kids Scoop will point you to the best things to do in London with the kids over the February school break. Saddle up!
 

BABES CHOICE

 
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Se1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Another unmissable half term highlight filled with kids literature, performance, activities, music and more. Hear Russell Brand reading from The Pied Piper of Hamelin, settle in for The Big Sleepover on Royal Festival Hall stage (Feb 20), see site-wide installations celebrating 150 years of Alice in Wonderland, play Flamingo Croquet, watch Charlie & Lola’s Best Bestest Play, join Pirate School, watch Cowboy Max in action (top pic), take part in an Animal Parade, watch a play for babies Circles in the Sand, plus much much more. All ages. Varying times and prices, many events are FREE (Feb 9-22)

Harry Potter Studio Tour: Animal Actors at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Experience the magic of Harry Potter right before your eyes, as Hedwig and his animal pals show off their acting skills and take part in live demos. Meet animal trainer Julie Tottman and pose with creatures from the movies! 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult £31/child £23.50/family £93/under 4s FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (Feb 13-25)

The Golden Hinde II: Tudor Battle Experience & Pirate Fun Days, 1, Pickfords Wharf, Clink St, SE1 9DG (London Bridge tube)
Pirates in training can raise the anchor, fire the cannons and hunt for hidden treasure on the ship in Pirate Fun Days for ages 4+, 11am-1pm; adult £7/child £5/family £20 (Feb 14, 18 & 19). Slightly older kids ages 6+ will enjoy the Tudor Fun Days where they learn about the House of Tudor through crazy games and activities. 11am-1pm; adult £7/child £5/family £20 (Feb 17 & 20) Or the Tudor Battle Experience for ages 6+ where they’re transported back in time to become crew members in the 16th century Golden Hinde. 11am-1pm; adult £7/child £7/family £25 (Feb 21)

Kids Go Free at The View from the Shard, Joiner St, SE1 9SG (London Bridge tube/rail)
Take the kids up to Western Europe’s highest point for an exciting game of I Spy, with 360 views of London. Up to two children go free with every paying adult. Daily from 10am-10pm; adult £24.95 adv/£29.95 door + up to 2 children and under 3s FREE (Feb 16-22)

Mini Vault at Waterloo, The Vaults, Leake St , London SE1 7NN (Waterloo tube/rail)
Go underground into Waterloo’s secret tunnels for this fantastic family friendly element of Vault Festival that rolls on until March. This half-term catch Decomposed! My Brother’s Turning into a Zombie a hit show for kids ages 6+ with London Symphony Orchestra soundtrack (Feb 21 & 22, 10.30am); riotous acts in Comedy Club for Kids (Feb 21, 12.45pm); and multi-talented all-girl troupe Show Off: Figs in Wigs (Feb 22, 12.45pm). All shows £9.50 (festival ongoing until Mar 8)

 

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

 
It’s Pancake Day on Feb 17! Pancake lovers from all over town will be joining in or cheering along the Great Spitalfields Pancake Race (Tue Feb 17, 12.30pm) and other popular tosser titles. Our full Pancake Day in London 2015 guide is out tomorrow.

Kung Hei Fat Choy! The Year of the Sheep (or Goat) falls on Thu Feb 19, but there are activities over multiple days. Start with storytelling and performance, fairytales, calligraphy and dress up for Chinese New Year at V&A Museum of Childhood (Thu Feb 19, 10am-4pm, FREE). Then you can head to the Chinese New Year Family Festival Day at National Gallery for a full family day of storytelling, crafts and puppet making (Sat Feb 21, 10.3am-4pm, FREE). There’s more family fun for Chinese New Year at National Maritime Museum in Greenwich (Sat, 11am-4pm). The big Chinese New Year in London celebration with Lion Dance and Dragon Parade, martial arts and music demos, delicious street food and more takes place around Charing Cross Rd, Shaftesbury Avenue and Chinatown. (Sun Feb 22, 10am-6pm, FREE)

London Children’s Book Swap at Discover Children’s Story Centre (Stratford overground/tube) and participating venues across London
Valentine’s Day is for book lovers this year at the 4th annual London Children’s Book Swap. There’s storytelling and activities at multiple venues, also including Barbican Centre, Southbank Centre, House of Illustration, Arts Depot, Jacksons Lane, Rich Mix, V&A Museum of Childhood, Polka Theatre, Unicorn Theatre and more. Visit the London Children’s Book Swap Facebook page for full venue details and times. (Feb 14)

Fun DMC (pic) at Blueberry Bar, 4 Paul Street, London EC2A 4JH (Old St tube/Shoreditch High St overground)
We can’t wait for this one! Charlie Dark (Attica Blues/Run Dem Crew) and Spin Doctor (The Doctor’s Orders) have come together to create Fun DMC, a Hip Hop daytime dance party for kids and families with special guest DJ Shortee Blitz. They promise 4 hours of child-friendly hip hop, funk, disco and block party anthems. Plus hip hop inspired fancy dress, graffiti wall, Ruff & Huddle clothes shops, rapper themed smoothies and a workshop for anyone ready to bust some serious moves. 11am-12pm Break Dance workshop, £15 per walking kid (includes entrance to FUN DMC party/adults need tickets too); 12-5pm Party, adult £6/walking kid £5/family of 5 £20/non-walkers FREE (Feb 22)

Art of the Brick at Old Truman Brewery, Loading Bay 91, Brick Lane, E1 6QL (Shoreditch High St overground, Liverpool St/Aldgate East tube)
Extended by popular demand, this is your chance to check out the 80 LEGO sculptures on Brick Lane (where else?). Spitalfields City Farm is nearby if you want to make a full day out of it. All ages. 10am-6pm (Sun-Wed), 10am-8pm (Thu), 10am-7pm (Fri-Sat); adult £14.50/child £8/family of 4 £40 (Mon-Thu); adult £16.50/child £9.50/family of 4 £47 (Fri-Sun) (until Apr 12)

 

 

MUSEUMS & WORKSHOPS

 
British Museum: Year of the Goat, Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square tube)
Chinese New Year is at the centre of half-term fun at British Museum. Welcome the Year of the Goat (or Sheep) with daily activities including crafting your own creation to take home, helping to make a giant artwork to go on display, and hearing tales from China in the Great Court. 11am-4pm, drop-in, FREE (Feb 16-20)

V&A Museum of Childhood: Miniature Worlds, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube)
Inspired by their Small Stories exhibition, explore Miniature Worlds throughout half-term at Museum of Childhood with dolls dress-up, dolls house wallpaper making, tiny tea parties and miniature furniture and book construction. 10.30am-4pm, drop-in, FREE (Feb 16-20)

Natural History Museum: The Animal Story Puppet Show, Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Join Charlie the Fox on an entertaining romp through the animal kingdom as he learns about our native wildlife. Find out what a baby squirrel is called, what badgers like to eat and the difference between stoats and weasels. All ages. Shows on the hour between 11am-2pm (shows last 30 minutes); FREE but booking essential (Feb 17-19)

Geffrye Museum: Awesome Ornaments (pic), 136 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
Get inspiration from the fabulous ornaments and artefacts around the museum this half-term, for a series of crafty workshops. Everything from making photo frames, collages and canvas shopper bags, to clay pot building and candlestick creating is on the cards. Workshops are split into ages 5+, 8+ and 11+ but there are daily activities for all ages. 10.30am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm; FREE (arrive 30 minutes before workshops as it’s first come, first served) (Feb 17-20)

Shaun the Sheep Half Term Fun at Debenhams, 334-348 Oxford St, W1C 1JG (Oxford Circus tube)
Fans of the new movie and the popular series can ‘flock’ to this half-term workshop to make your own model of Shaun with an expert from Aardman Animation in Debenhams 5th floor Restaurant. All ages. 11am, 1pm & 3pm, FREE (arrive early to secure a spot) (Feb 20)

We also like
There are lots of free make and take sessions at Cutty Sark and National Maritime Museum; design your own Tattoo T-Shirts on HMS Belfast (Feb 14-22); get into the Shapes Parade with Maths on Toast at St Pancras Library; hear Striking Gold Stories at Bank of England Museum (Feb 16-20); there’s shadow puppet cinema, storytime and family fun station activities all week at London Transport Museum in Covent Garden (Feb 16-20); and there are wonderful sounding family workshops at National Portrait Gallery including Connect Four sculpting, making friendship trees and post-it note animation! (Feb 15-20)

 

 

FAMILY THEATRE & CONCERTS

 
Aurora Family Concerts at Kings Place, Hall Two, 90 York Way, N1 9AG (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Go on a magical musical adventure through Chopin’s Preludes and Waltzes with the Aurora orchestra in their special concert for kids ages 0 to 5 and their carers. There’s also a later concert for older kids. 10.15am, 11am and 11.45am (ages 0-5, Fri-Sat) and 1.30pm (ages 6+, Sat Feb 14 only); from £4.50, book early to avoid disappointment (Feb 14-15 & Feb 21)

The Elves & the Shoemaker at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street Tally Ho Corner North Finchley London N12 0GA (Finchley Central)
Sam Lacey is a shoemaker who couldn’t give them away if he tried. Then one day tiny beings steal into his workshop and start stitching, gluing and changing his life in more ways than one. Stuff & Nonsense present stunning puppets, music and a fun spin on this enchanting classic. For ages 3+. Craft workshops to make your own wacky shoes take place at 1pm (Mon-Wed, £6). Shows at 11am & 2pm, £10 (Feb 14-18)

Insect Circus at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Rd, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
We fell in love with the Insect Circus at Camp Bestival 2014, but they’ve been doing the rounds for years. Watch human creepy crawlies perform awe-inspiring stunts in this fantastic and funny show for all ages. 12pm & 3pm, £12.95/concs £10/family ticket £10 per person (Feb 17-22)

Cirque Eloize: Cirkopolis at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Jaws will clatter at the sight of what this Canadian circus can do: their unique show blends breakdancing, acrobatics, juggling, contortionists, stunt bicycling and more. Brilliantly entertaining for ages 5+ and adults too (younger ones will not be admitted). 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 2.30pm (Sat-Sun only); adult £15-£42/child half-price (Feb 17-28)

Three Billy Pigs at Little Angel Theatre 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
See this lively fairytale adaptation combining two popular legends, brought to life with puppets and music. Best for ages 4-11, baby-friendly performances on Sundays at 11am. And don’t miss the Funday puppet making workshops for ages 5+ (Feb 18 & 19, 10.30am-4pm, £45/conc £25). Shows at 11am & 2pm (Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun), 1pm & 5pm (Fri); adult £10/child £8/Friday 5pm shows £5 (Feb 18-22)

We also like
Red Riding Hood on Puppet Theatre Barge (ongoing); Mini Maestro family concerts offering Great Opera for little ears at St-Martin-in-the-Fields (Feb 14, 4.30pm); Dotty the Dragon at Lyric Hammersmith for ages 3-7 (Feb 17-21, 11am & 1pm); The Star that Lost its Twinkle at Lauderdale House Saturday morning family show (Feb 14, 10am & 11.30am); catch Pied Piper and Handa’s Surprise at Half Moon Theatre in E1 (Feb 14, 11am & 2pm; & Feb 21, 11am, 1pm & 3pm): and is that Basil Brush at Millfield Theatre? Boom boom! (Feb 16, 11am & 2.30pm)

 

 

FAMILY FILM

 
See the quirky and hugely entertaining Penguins of Madagascar at Vue Kids AM pocket money price screenings, daily at Vue Cinemas nationwide (Feb 14-19)

Bop along to The Jungle Book (Feb 14, 11am) or see the beary brilliant Paddington in Half Term Matinees at Rio Cinema adult £6/child £5/family £20, 1.30pm (Feb 16-21)

Robin Williams stars in Hook at Barbican Centre’s Framed Family Film Club (Feb 14, 11am, £2) and you can catch Howl’s Moving Castle the following Saturday (Feb 21)

BFI February Half Term Workshops and Screenings at BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Younger ones ages 0-7 can watch Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and take part in fun crafting and animation workshops before the screening. 12.30pm-2.30pm workshops, 2.30pm-4pm screening, £5/£4 siblings (Tue Feb 18). For older kids ages 8-14, there are screenings and workshops trying out stop-motion animation, green screen technology, props and horror techniques. See The Great Escape (Mon Feb 16); Chicken Run (Wed Feb 18) and The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Thu Feb 19); 10am-2.30pm workshops, 2.30pm-4pm screenings; £27.50/£18.50 siblings, bring a packed lunch (Feb 16-19)

Frozen Singalong at Prince Charles Theatre is going strong with more dates added into perpetuity it seems. Warble those tunes with the windswept wee ones from £13.50-£16, 12pm on Feb 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 etc etc.

You can enjoy Saturday buffet lunch, ice cream, movie and popcorn (+ prosecco for grown-ups) in the cozy comforts of Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club where great flicks Ratatouille (Feb 14) and Despicable Me 2 (Feb 21) are on the menu at 1.30pm.

We also like
The Book of Life at Phoenix Cinema (Feb 14); box office hits Big Hero 6, Peppa Pig: The Golden Boots and Shaun the Sheep now playing nationwide

 

 
NATURE & OUTDOORS
 
Butterflies in Your Tummy at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
This February half term only, little visitors can discover butterflies and moths in the ‘Secret Garden’ at ZSL London Zoo’s activity den. Collect nectar with your own human-sized proboscis – a tongue-like stem that butterflies use to drink and eat – and learn all about about the butterfly and moth lifecycle using interactive models. 10am-5pm; adult £22.50-£24.30/child £16.65-£17.10/under 3s FREE (Feb 14-22)

Isis Education Centre Discovery Days & Nature Explorers at The Lookout, Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Help feed the birds as food gets scarce in winter at a Discovery Day for all the family (Wed Feb 18 & Thu Feb 19, 11am-3pm, FREE but donations welcome). Or older kids ages 8-11 can be dropped off to discover the wonderful patterns of the season and make a giant outdoor sculpture in the Nature Explorers: Winter Art activity day. 10am-3pm, £15, bring a packed lunch, booking essential (Feb 17)

We also like
Make a love bird puppet in Valentines Fun workshop at Battersea Park Zoo (Feb 14); Orchids at Kew Garden (ongoing); say hi to the animals at Freightliners Farm in Islington (Tue-Sun); or take a day trip to Willows Farm

Photo sources: Southbank Centre, The Doctor’s Orders, Geffrye Museum, Aurora Family Concerts, The Penguins of Madagascar, London Zoo