What's on for the family: 31st May - 1st June 2014

Hello Little Lambeth, it's been a little while since one of these was posted and as it's my first time writing one of these posts I'm hoping I've got the right idea!

I hope you've all had a good week and for those with young children on half term, I hope you've managed to keep everyone entertained during the rainy spells - there has been a lot of puddle splashing going on here!

According to the BBC we've got a dry weekend ahead of us - I'm keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way!

SATURDAY

Bliss have got their London Buggy Push at Battersea Park for anyone who wants to go along and help raise money 'for babies born too soon, too small, too sick'. It's a 5k walk around beautiful Battersea Park with children's entertainment happening too. PS. You don't actually need a buggy to take part! Meet at 9.15am at the Bandstand!

There's Venn Street Market at Clapham Common - open from 10am until 4pm get there early for a delicious Pain au Chocolat from The Old Post Office Bakery and head over to the park to enjoy it whilst your little ones entertain themselves in the playground!

Toddle in the City have got a pre-festival 'toddle' happening in Crystal Palace this weekend at 10am, 1pm and 3pm. Treasure hunts for 3-6 year olds and their favourite adults (that will be A's aunts and grandparents then!). Free for Toddle teams you get given a digital camera and lots of clues of what you can find, but most of all you get to make some wonderful memories.

If you fancy a trip (a lot) further north to Bethnal Green then be sure to check out the V&A Museum of Childhood. It's definitely a worthwhile journey and I could go on and on about it, but I'll leave that for another time... Every term-time weekend they run four sessions on both Saturday and Sunday: sensory storytelling and arts and crafts are but two - see here for more details!

While you're there you could take a walk over to Victoria Park which has a lovely playground and some new water-play features according to Kate over at London with a Toddler.


SUNDAY

The National Trust's Morden Hall Park is described as a 'green oasis in the city' and with the launch of '50 things to do before you're 11¾' now seems as good a time as any to head down there for some Sunday family fun. Check out the website for how to get there...

Families with a gallery ticket can enjoy ArtPlay or Gallery Stories at Dulwich Picture Gallery for their Family Sunday. Free for under 18s (£6 for adults going into the permanent collection) and open from 11am - 5pm there's even a Children's Trail to be picked up or downloaded to keep the little ones entertained while you wander through the gallery.  

West Norwood's community market FEAST is happening this Sunday and it's all about dance, but as always there is something for everyone - they've even got a 'Spot the Local Landmark' quiz! Open from 10am - 4pm you've got the usual children's activities and live music to enjoy.

Whatever you get up to this weekend I hope you have a wonderful time!

If you're running any events, any day of the week then get in touch so we can let the people of Little Lambeth know!

*Half Term Timetable Update*

Although I couldn't get my hands on an electronic copy of the Clapham Manor / Heathbrook Children's Centre half term timetable, they were kind enough to let me know what is going on Thursday and Friday - just incase you are still looking for suggestions:

THURSDAY:

Clapham Manor - Make, Bake & Take @ 9.45am (booking req. call 020 7627 9917)
Heathbrook - Speech & Language group 'Chattertime' @ 1.30pm

FRIDAY:

Clapham Manor - Little Diggers @ 10am

Heathbook - Little Diggers @ 9.30am 

                   - Baby Fun Time @ 10am

Hope this is helpful! 

Hurrah for Children's Centres!

Just a quick post to let you know about some of the Half Term activities going at your local Children's Centres.

Afternoon sessions are running at Streatham Wells Primary School and Children's Centre (SW2 3NJ). Click here to see what's on!

Jessop Children's Centre (SE24 0BJ) has a mixture of morning/afternoon sessions, click here to see what's going on!

At Woodmansterne Primary School and Children's Centre (SW16 5XE) you've got Stay and Play sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 'Milk Spot' on Wednesday afternoon at 2pm. Click here for session times!

You've got morning sessions at Hitherfield Children's Centre (SW16 2JQ). Click here to see what's on!

Take a look here for what's going on at Kingswood Children's Centre (SE27 9RD) this week.

Afternoon Stay & Play sessions are running on Wednesday and Friday at Crown Lane Children's Centre (SW16 3HX) and you've also got 'Dad's Time' on Saturday morning. To see what else is going on and session times, click here!
Enjoy your half term Little Lambeth and keep an eye on Twitter for last minute half term ideas!

N.B. Not all of the Children's Centres have an online timetable available, let us know in the comments below if you know of any that are open that aren't listed here.

May Half Term Fun

As is to be expected when your only child is 18 months, I have been completely unaware of the school year and the fact that half term is here! So apologies for the last minute post, I hope that you all find a little something to whet your children's tastebuds!

Today I've been having a little look around to see what's on in and around Lambeth in the hope that it will give you a couple of ideas if you get stuck!

Check out Lambeth Council's website here for some family friendly activities available throughout the week. You've got your wonderful library offerings across Lambeth for the under 5s that include stories and craft, along with a couple of half term specials.

A couple of events to note here are:

- Vauxhall City Farm who are hosting a Spring Open Day tomorrow. You'll see sheep shearing, the Vegetable Orchestra and get to meet the animals as well as take home a free starter growing pack. 

- Herne Hill Free Film Festival is showing The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! at Carnegie Library at 11.15 am - a great rainy day option!

If you don't mind the travel then the V&A have a few options for half term, some free, some with charges, some suitable for the whole family, some suitable for children over 5. The Digital Kids event sounds pretty good to me - you get to grow your own garden using drawing, model making and animation.

The Science Museum also has its fair share of half term happenings, I'm hoping to go along to Up, Up and Away - a free interactive storytelling session suitable for under 7s. 

Returning south of the river the Horniman Museum has some Family Art Fun sessions running over half term, with a lovely little aquarium and a wonderful outdoor space it's definitely on my list! 

I should probably mention the much anticipated Postman Pat movie, which you can see at the Ritzy in Brixton, ODEON in Streatham and also the Multiplex in Peckham.

An alternative choice - not free I might add - is the Comedy Club 4 Kids at the Udderbelly which has a show tomorrow at 4.15pm. It's aimed at children over 6, but has had some pretty good reviews and I think could be great fun for an older child.

Another activity worth mentioning is over at the Southbank Centre - The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean; it's aimed at children over 7 and also comes well recommended however it does come at a price £14 for adults and £7 for children.

If you want to look further afield then take a look at The Londonist for their comprehensive guide to half term activities - they are on the ball!

I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for more local events happening, but for now I'll leave it at that. If you or anyone you know is running an event suitable for families then get in touch at ashleyjane.rogers@gmail.com

It would be awesome if you readers could let us know if any of these suggestions are useful and what you want to see more of for the next holiday instalment! 

I will be keeping my fingers crossed for sunny warm dry weather...