Lambeth - What's on for the family - January 26th-27th 2013

Well, the snow was wonderful last weekend and a great excuse to run around outside making snowmen and throwing snowballs.

Will there be more snow for another weekend of fun or is it back to finding other things to do?

SATURDAY (26th January)

If it's not too cold, then head out to the Horniman museum in Forest Hill on the P4 from Brixton, for their Big Garden Birdwatch. Starting at 11am, there are lots of free activities including story telling for under fives and Garden bird bingo - suitable for all the family.

Happy to embrace the cold, then this weekend is Walk London's Winter Wanders Weekend, a chance to go on a free guided walk. Great for parents with buggy babies or older children happy to walk. Check out the website and pick a walk. Many are local to Lambeth

SUNDAY (27th January)

Have lots of energy to Junior Dig the Park at Brockwell Park in Herne Hill? Well, this weekend lend a hand creating loggeries and insect habitats . Meet at 10.30am at the Community Greenhouses.

They are located not far from the cafe on the top of the hill in Brockwell Park. Buses to the main park entrance at Herne Hill include  3, 196, 322, 68 and 37. You can also catch the overground to Herne Hill.

Head out of the area to the Museum of London for "Enter a Victorian Photograph" - a chance to create fictional Victorian characters, dress up as them and enter a photograph using the technology of blue screen. This is on at 12:30, 2 and 3:30 and it's free!

The museum is in the Barbican which can be reached by tube or bus (133 and 35) to Liverpool Street and a ten minute walk.

And finally I've mentioned it the last couple of weeks, so here's a reminder that the National Gallery has Sunday story time for under fives and art for older children. Boo-boo went with her dad last week and had a great time.

Boo-boo likes the painting!

Enjoy the weekend!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - December 29th-30th 2012

It's a bit of a slow weekend as many people remain on holiday and places stay shut.

However, visit my blog post of things to do over the Christmas period for some ideas.

SATURDAY (29th December)

Head to the Victoria and Albert Museum to catch a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet. Or pop in for family fun at the Imagination Station. The number 345 bus will take you to South Kensington; alternatively take the train or tube to Victoria and catch the District Line.

If you don't fancy the V & A, then head to the Natural History Museum which has lots of family activities. An investigation of teeth and dinosaur diets sounds interesting!

Take a stroll through the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park: the market and Santa land is free! Buses 2, 36 and 137 will take you there.

SUNDAY (30th December)

 

Pop to the Museum of London to learn about London Bones. The museum is in the Barbican which can be reached by tube or bus (133 and 35) to Liverpool Street and a ten minute walk.

If the rain stops and you fancy a family walk, then we recommend you check out the Capital Ring Walk. Section 4 is a pleasant walk between Crystal Palace and Streatham. Check out the website to download a map and directions which include facts about the area.

The buses 3, 417, 249, 432 and 322 take you into the Crystal Palace area. The walk starts at Crystal Palace Train Station.

Hope you manage to stay entertained! Have a happy new year!

Ten things to do during the Christmas holidays 2012

Well, I'm sure the kids are still playing with their new toys  (and packaging) but if they are getting restless, here are a few suggestions:

1. Take a walk along the River Thames! The weather isn't as cold as it has been - Start at Lambeth Bridge (bus 3 will take you there) and finish at Blackfriars Bridge. (Bus 45 will take you home)

2. Get a little bit cultured! Visit the British Museum which is located at  Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG. The number 59 bus will take you there. For those kids over 7, there is a chance to make your own secret code. For those with buggy babies or older children, take a free tour.

3. Have a swim at one of Lambeth's pools. Visit the Brixton Rec or Clapham Leisure Centre.

Swimming is hard work!

 4. Now is the time to see the Christmas lights! See them before the 5th of January!

5. Hop on the 118 bus through Streatham and Mitcham to visit Morden Park Hall! Free guided history tours at the weekend.

6. View some art! Head out to the Tate Modern! Catch the 59 or 45 bus.

Boo-boo becomes an art instillation!

7. Learn a bit of local history with a trip to the Museum of London. Visit Mr Scrooge and tell him of your Christmas complains. To get there catch 133 to Liverpool Street and walk there or catch the underground to Barbican.

8.  The animals need to be fed even over the Christmas holiday! So go take a gander at the creatures  of Vauxhall City Farm. To get to Vauxhall, catch the 88, 36 , 2 or 196 bus.

9. Jump around at Soft Play! There's lots of choice- Bertie and Boo Adventure Island in Balham, Brixton Recreation Centre's massive structure and Peckham Pulse.

10.  Hop up to the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill on the P4 bus to check out their collections including the aquarium.

Have fun!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - November 3rd-4th 2012

Wow! Hasn't the year gone fast! November is here and Christmas just around the corner. Let see what the weekend has to offer.

SATURDAY (3rd November)

For those with kids under five, there's a fantastic day of art (called Tiny Tate) at the Tate Britain between 10am to 3pm. Hop on the buses 2, 185, 36, 436 and 88 or catch the tube to Pimlico.

Want a bit more art and happy to travel further? Then head to the Barbican to see Random International's Rain Room - an art installation where you control the rain! It is open between 11am - 8pm  and queues are big. So maybe one for a weekday visit!

Also visit the Lumacoustics' YrWall in the foyer  - a digital canvas which allows you to keep painting - fun for young and old!

And if you're up that way, check out the Museum of London for an event called Stories Retold which looks at how a story can go from a story to a book and back again. This is aimed at the over fives and is on at the following times: 1-1.30pm, 2-2.30pm & 3-3.30pm. The event is repeated on Sunday.

To get to the Barbican and the Museum of London, catch the 133 to Liverpool Street and catch the 153 or 100. Or take the tube to Barbican Station (which has lifts!)

If you want to keep it local, pop to the Imperial War Museum and make a poppy to put in their poppy field. This activity is on from 11am to 5pm in the Atrium til the 11th November. The 3, 344, 59 and 159 buses pass the museum.


And a quick reminder that this weekend is the last chance to take a tour around Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. More information here.

SUNDAY (4th November)

Head up to West Norwood for this month's Feast. Shop at the different markets and let the kids run off some steam at the front of St Luke's Church. The event runs from 10am to 4pm.

West Norwood Feast seen from St Luke's steps.

To get to West Norwood, you can catch buses 2, 68, 315 432 and 322.  The area is also served by the overground at West Norwood Station.

For those with babies in buggies, first Sundays of the month are the West Norwood Cemetary tours. Learn about the famous people buried here. Meet at 11am at the Cemetary gates. Donations welcome.

Learning about the history of West Norwood Cemetery.

Alternatively head out on the P4 bus to Forest Hill and take a visit to the Horniman Museum for a World of Stories at the Hands On Base. This starts at 11am and lasts for 45 minutes.

So lots of possibilities! Enjoy them! Happy weekend!