February. Don’t you just love it? For us, we’re celebrating three birthdays (my eldest had his earlier this week). There’s also February Half Term, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day and Pancake Day to look forward to. Look out for next week’s Scoop which will be packed with suggestions for all. In the meantime, browse the Lockdown Kids Weekend Scoop and let me know what I should add next time. Have a warm and safe weekend, whatever you get up to.
12 Cool, Cultural Ideas for Families this Weekend on Lockdown
Michael Rosen: On the Move
Join the former Children’s Laureate in a talk with writer/broadcaster Nicolette Jones as they discuss his latest, deeply personal poetry collection for kids, On the Move. It explores topics from his childhood in London as a first generation Polish family to the Holocaust. Part of Jewish Book Week Children’s Day. ‘What you leave behind/Won’t leave your mind/But home is where you find it/Home is where you find it.’ All ages welcome (best for slightly older kids). 11.30am live streaming, then on demand until 11.59pm Sun Feb 14; £9.50 (Feb 7-14)
Electronic at Design Museum
If you missed out on this much-hyped exhibition, you can do the next best thing and live it from your living room. Take a specially-curated, immersive tour through a brief history of electronic music. The show features exclusive interviews and audio-visuals from the likes of Weirdcore for Aphex Twin and Smith & Lyall for The Chemical Brothers. Suitable for older kids and grownups. On demand; £7 (until Feb 14)
Visit the Tower of London with a Beefeater
The Historic Royal Palaces are making the best of lockdown by opening up for some virtual tours and behind the scenes programming. In this short but informative YouTube video, you can take a tour of the Tower of London with a Beefeater, officially known as a Yeoman Warder. Available on demand; FREE (ongoing)
The Met Unframed
Now this is pretty cool. If your mini me won’t stop gaming on your phone, lure them into some culture instead. The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art has launched this digital exhibition that takes you right into the heart of the art. Using augmented-reality technology, you can see paintings by Van Gogh, Jackson Pollock and others in a whole new light. Available throughout February on mobile devices only; FREE (ongoing)
The Twits: Virtual Reading
The filthiest, nastiest couple from kids’ fiction (probably) are brought to life in this ‘gleeful, gunge-filled’ storytelling production. The Twits is one of Roald Dahl’s funniest and best-loved books and you can hear it all via Unicorn Theatre’s theatrical reading. Best for ages 6-12. Streaming on demand https://youtu.be/W4yDqcD2qsw; FREE (until Mar 3)
Illustrating the Curriculum (not just for Homeschool)
Crafty (or fidgety) kids can get their hands on one of six free downloadable learning resources from House of Illustration. Each resource introduces techniques and materials used by professional illustrators. You can use these techniques to explore other subjects (from biology to English), inspires creative writing and storytelling, or just have fun. Great for ages 7-11/KS2. Available online; FREE (ongoing)
Huddle
Brrr. Is it true there’s more snow on the way? Huddle up with your little penguins and watch this Christmas hit show via Unicorn Theatre’s YouTube channel. It’s such a sweet show about a daddy penguin and his new chick learning to thrive against all odds. Rather suitable for our current times. Narrated by Madeline Appiah with music and hand-drawn animation, a treat for families with kids ages 2-5. All day, on demand; FREE (until Mar 31)
Myths and Adventures from Ancient Greece: Theseus and the Minotaur
Do you love Greek myths? I couldn’t get enough of these as a kid, so I love the sound of this theatre series. Enter a miniature world of four online adventures with battered insect Hope as your guide. You’ll journey into Ancient Greece and watch our companion try to escape Pandora’s box, defy King Midas, look for Persephone in the Underworld and help Theseus battle the Minotaur. With original dialogue, set design and music, this is entertaining and educational for kids ages 3-8 or at KS2 level. On demand via YouTube; FREE (Feb 4-Apr 15)
The Show Must Go Online
As featured on BBC Newsnight, The Show Must Go Online is an innovative production featuring a global cast reading a different play (in order) from the complete works of Shakespeare, every Wednesday evening. Coming up next week is Pericles (Feb 10, 7pm), but you can catch past readings of popular plays such as Twelfth Night, Othello, The Tempest, Macbeth and Henry V via their website and YouTube channel. 7pm every Wed; FREE but donations via Patreon encouraged (ongoing)
Bringing Hogwarts To You
Missing a little magic in your life? Head to the Studio Tour at Home where you can engage in a range of fun online activities. These short videos and crafts are brought to you by the creative wizards behind the Harry Potter universe. Try your hands at everything from screenplay writing to movie makeup and costume design. All day; FREE (ongoing)
Painted Hall Virtual Tour
It’s been described as London’s Sistine Chapel and definitely worth a visit in person. But in these Covid times, you’ll have to make do with a virtual tour of the baroque walls and ceilings. You can take a 360 tour of the building and zoom in on each masterpiece. Even through your screen, it will make you catch your breath. Online; FREE (ongoing)
Handel and Hendrix
Two legendary musicians who once lived at the same spot (not at the same time, obvs) attract London families to this small, quirky home/museum every weekend. While its doors are closed for lockdown, you can still enjoy a virtual tour of the spot where Jimi hung his hat. You can also watch videos of performances by baroque musicians who would have played at the venue. Available 24/7; FREE (ongoing)
20 Questions for Ezra on his 15th Birthday
