Soft Play in Streatham at Toddlers' World

Streatham, like West Norwood, has a fairly new leisure centre so not only do locals of Streatham have a new pool (review coming soon!) but they have a new gym and the opportunity to have a new Toddlers' World! How exciting! Soft play spaces for preschool children are always welcome so to see if this one was any good I took my two year old daughter to test it out.

The soft play is located in one part of the leisure centre's main hall. Buggies are parked outside the hall and there are lockers for people's belongings. Toilets are close by though if I remember correctly, there is only one baby change!!! Upon entering the hall, shoes, coats and bags are placed by the wall if you haven't left them locked up.

The space is filled with soft shapes for babies and young toddlers to climb and jump on. My daughter had a clamber on these objects trying to avoid the babies and their mums who were sitting around the space creating an obstacle course.  I had to keep a close eye on my daughter's interactions with the little ones as she doesn't always understand that she needs to be careful around babies.

There is also a big bouncy castle with a slide which clearly works best with older kids. One side is for bouncing which is an easy win with kids (and mums). The other part of this inflatable is a slide. To access the top of the slide the children have to climb up a dark and quite steep tunnel which has no room for a parent's helping hand. Young toddlers regularly attempted to climb the stairs. They would then get scared and stuck, and their mums would have to go in to coax them out.  Often you would see a great big grown-up bottom sticking out of the entrance to the tunnel steps, head inside trying to persuade the nervous child to come back down.

In some cases, the kid would get out of the tunnel at the top and then decide they didn't want to go down the slide. On a normal slide, mum or dad can lean in and help their child down but this isn't so easy to do on this strange bouncy slide thing. So yes, I found myself going up the bouncy tunnel steps to persuade my daughter to slide down with me.

This slide and tunnel really works better with the four to five year old children. Those who were around had no problems, often walking over -  yes over - the small kids who were crying because they were half way up a dark tunnel, not sure how to get down and they couldn't see their parent.

To sum up, everything is still sparkly and new, there are soft shapes for the very little and a big bouncy thing for the big but I'm not sure it serves the 2-3 year old children very well. It also feels overcrowded which means I'm uncomfortable with letting my child really run around.

For me, the most eventful moment was when my two year old managed to bang her head. A big egg bump started to appear and I asked the guy in charge if he had a first aid kit with a cold compress. He didn't so he went up to reception to ask. They told me to put some water on a tissue and hold it to her head. This is a leisure centre with an ice skating rink! No-one was very sure about first aid for a small child!! I really wasn't impressed with that but hope it was a one off.

I'd love to hear other's experiences of the space. Did it work better for you and your family?

Streatham Ice and  Leisure Centre Information

Streatham Ice and  Leisure Centre is located at 390 Streatham High Road  London, SW16 6HX

It costs £2.85 a session.

The centre can be contacted on 020 8677 5758.

The opening times of the Toddlers' World are:

Monday       10:00 to 12:00pm  
Tuesday       10:00 to 12:00pm
Thursday     10:00 to 12:00pm
Friday           10:00 to 12:00pm

.................................................................................

Want to know more about soft play facilities in the Lambeth area and beyond? Read the following:

• our review of soft play at Peckham Pulse Healthy Living Centre
• our review of soft play at Brixton Recreation Centre
• our review of soft play at Bertie and Boo Adventure Island

LattjoPop : A new space to eat, play and shop!

Most parents want somewhere to sit, have a cuppa, a cake and somewhere to let the kids run off some steam so the opening of LattjoPop, a family friendly cafe, in South Streatham is a great addition to the area. Located between Streatham Common and Norbury, on a quiet shopping parade, LattjoPop offers a large relaxing space  which includes room to park the buggies and a little kids play area. There is a big outdoor space which will be great when the weather warms up again.

 

The cafe area

Regular activities for parents and children are held each week including crafts, messy play and singing and storytime. Check out their website for the latest timetables. Special family activities such as seasonal crafts run throughout the year. The space can also be hired for birthday parties.

Making Christmas cards.

Not only is it a family café  but there are things to buy including cards, toys and jewellery offering a much needed opportunity to buy gifts in the South Streatham area. But LattjoPop isn’t just about selling food and gifts; it’s a place which supports local businesses by offering the possibility to rent the space to sell products, to run events or to use it as a hot desk space.

Space to sell

The retail boutique can accommodate two businesses a week to pop up and offer their products to local people. The back office room is available if you need a space to work.  The main café can be hired to run workshops as part of the daily LattjoPop family friendly café or can be taken over for a day or an evening to run an event such as an all-day sewing workshop. This is a really great opportunity for South Streatham and for those looking for a platform to promote and sell their products or services.  

I’m currently doing a free singing and storytime session on Fridays from 1pm to 2pm.  Come along and join in. Bring your instruments – it’s an opportunity to make noise.

Making music!

LattjoPop is located at 544 Streatham High Road, SW16; it is open Monday to Friday 10 til 5 and Saturday 10 til 4. For those interested in the business opportunity, contact Isra through the LattjoPop Facebook page or go and visit the shop.  For those looking to start out in business, there is a great opportunity here.  Let’s use it and not lose it! 

Lambeth - What's on for the family - October 19th/20th 2013

I’m back – fingers crossed that I can keep this up for a while! But, hey let’s get back to the weekend. It’s that lovely time of year when the leaves turn brown, a chill hits the air yet there are still things to do outdoors.

So what’s on?

SATURDAY (19^th October)

Head to the Southbank and make friends with some grazing goats! From 12pm head up to the wildflower meadow on Queen Elizabeth Hall roof gardens. There will be seed and woodworking activities with tea and food in the garden.

The 59 and 68 to Waterloo will take you there. Or catch the tube or overground.

Fancy traveling further afield? Then head up to Russell Square for the Bloomsbury festival. Family activities on offer include:

• ·          The Indonesia Kontemporar at SOAS, University of London (10 Thornhaugh St, London WC1H 0XG) featuring music, dressing up, storytelling, crafts and food.
• ·         Turn your doodles into cartoons at the Cartoon Museum (25 Little Russell Street, WC1A 2HH) from 12pm to 12:45pm and 2pm to 2:45pm.
• ·          Lots of walking tours – check the programme for more details. Great for parents with little babies in buggies or slings.
• ·         Love anything underwater? Then take a look around the Grant Museum of Zoology, (UCL, Rockefeller Building, University Street, London WC1e 6DE) from 1pm to 4pm, for their Life Under the Waves activities.

The buses 59 and 68 will take you to Euston which is close by. Festival continues through to Sunday.

And one more for those who want to stay closer to home, pop over to Myatts Fields for the Big Draw! From 1 to 4pm, draw with chalks around the bandstand and enjoy live music!

Myatts Fields on a rainy day.

 

Myatts Fields is located on Cormont Road( SE5 9RA). Buses 36, 185 and 436 to Camberwell New Road, Buses 3, 59, 159  and 133 along the Brixton road. It's a ten minute walk from there.

SUNDAY (20^th October)

Heading back into Lambeth, take a stop at Streatham Common Community Gardens, located next to the Rookery and enjoy their Apple and Squash day. From 12pm to 4pm, you can make juice and eat squash. Yum! Buses up that way include the 417 and 249. 

More apples? Then head down to the Globe to catch the Lion’s Part perform… as part of October Plenty and Borough Market Apple Day. There will also be traditional games, storytelling and an apple orchard. To get to Bankside on bus, the 45 which passes through Brixton stops at Blackfriars Bridge Road. Alternatively, there is always the tube to Southwark.

Green Man at Lion's Part performance

And finally if it’s raining, check out A Family at Wartime exhibition at the Imperial War Musem (Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ). It tells the real experiences of a family in Stockwell. The Museum is open from 10am to 6pm. The 3, 344, 59 and 159 buses pass the museum.

Have a good weekend!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - January 12th-13th 2013

Taking a glance at the weekend weather, it looks like it's going to be a cold one.So I've had a look for indoor adventures to be had!

SATURDAY (12th January)

Went my dad was a kid back in the 1940s in America, a Saturday morning would be spent at the cinema, so in the tradition of parents and grandparents, why not take the kids to the pictures? I've mentioned in a previous post that the Clapham Picture House and Ritzy Cinema have kids club. The Odeon in Streatham has a Saturday and Sunday kid's screening. This weekend they are showing the Lomax at 11am. Prices range from £1 to £4 per child and adults go free.

The Streatham Odeon is located at 47-49 Streatham High Street, SW16. To get there, catch buses 133, 59, 109, 118, 333, 255 and 319.

Those with babies in buggies and happy to brave the cold, there is a January full of free walks run by Footprints of London. There are a few to choose from at the weekend. Click through and book yourself on one!

Looking for a bit more culture, then head to central London and visit the Wallace collection who are holding a family event called A Day in the Seventeenth Century. This includes meeting a 17th century Dutch merchant, making a delft tile or participating in an interactive music workshop.

The Wallace Collection is located at Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN, which is off Wigmore Street behind Selfridges. Catch buses 2, 137 or 159.

SUNDAY (13th January)

One of my favourite London Museums is the British Museum. There are so many things to look at from all over the world. This Sunday, children over 7 can get involved in a Manga Comic Workshop.

The British Museum is located at Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG. Hop on the 59 bus to get there.

Another great central London outing is a trip to the National Gallery. They are also doing regular Sunday events for the family. Under fives have the Magic Carpet Storytelling at 10:30am and 11:30 am; and five to eleven year old children have a hands-on art workshop running at 11am to 1pm and 2am to 4pm.

The National Gallery is located in Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. Hop on the number 3 bus or 159 to get there.

And for anyone who is prepared to travel further afield than my normal suggestions, we have the London Ice Sculpting Festival in Canary Wharf. Many different things to do and see, running all through the weekend!

I would recommend the tube for this one. Head out on the Jubilee line or pretend to drive the train by travelling on the Docklands Light railway!

Boo-boo wrapped up for her travels!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - December 22nd-23rd 2012

I imagine many parents will be trying to sort out some last bits of shopping and making sure everything is grand for Christmas day.

So here's some things to keep the children busy:

SATURDAY (22nd December)

Need to do some shopping still for christmas goods? Here's a list of local shops selling toys. Take the kids along!

Brixton

Morleys is located at 472-488 Brixton Road, SW9 8EH opposite the Underground and opens from 9:30am to 8 on Saturday, 10:30 to 5:30 on Sunday and 9am to 6pm on Christmas Eve

Diverse is located at 65 Atlantic Road, Brixton, SW9 8PU.  Their opening times are 11.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday and 12.00pm to 5.00 on Sundays.

20 Storey is situated at 2A Market Row, Brixton, SW9 8LD and is open from 10:30am.

Buses through Brixton include P4, P5, 188, 196, 59, 159, 3, 133, 333, 45, 345, and 37. Alternatively you can catch the tube or the overground into the area.

Clapham

Under the Greenwood Tree shop is located at 11 The Polygon, SW4 0JG and opens from10:00am to 6 on Saturday, 11:00 to 5:00 on Sunday and 9am to 4pm on Christmas Eve 

The area is served by Clapham Common tube stations and buses 37, 345, 322, 35 and 88.

Herne Hill

Tales on Moonlane is located at 25 Half Moon Lane, SE24 9JU and is open Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 10:30am to 4:30pm.

Just Williams has two shops, one at 18 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, SE24 9HU and one at
8b Balham Hill, Balham, SW12 9EA. Both are open from Saturday 9:30am to 6pm and Sunday 10:30am to 4:30pm.

There is a farmers market at Streatham Vale this weekend from 10am to 2pm and it includes kids activities. It's located at Granton Primary School, Granton Rd, SW16 5AN, Buses 60 and 118 will take you nearest the school.

Alternatively pop up to the Southbank and head toward the London Eye to check out the Christmas Market which has 80 chalets of goodies to see!

To get to the London Eye, catch the 159, 77 and 12 or take the tube to Waterloo.

Perhaps take this evening to go and look at the Christmas lights. See our guide here.

SUNDAY (23rd December)

Need to get stuff done in the home? Then pop to the library and get out a few DVDs for the kids. Films usually cost a £1. Current offer at Brixton library is get 2 out for the price of 3!

You can find a map of Lambeth libraries here.

Another option is to take them swimming. Check out our list of reviews here. I should also mention that there are some reviews of local soft play facilities. I expect these places will be very busy!

So if you are looking for things to do at home, check out the Spit-Spot website. One of my favourite suggestions from their site is painting with condensed milk - I'm going to have to give that a go!

Hope you get everything done this weekend and have a wonderful Christmas day!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - September 1st -2nd 2012

Another week, another weekend. Hope you all had a good bank holiday. We popped along to the Leonard Street party and then wandered along to Spitalfields City Farm where the baby proceeded to sleep whilst we enjoyed viewing the animals. The joys of sharing stuff with the children!

So what’s on this weekend? Well, unlike last weekend we have some good local bits and pieces. Southwark has its Elephant and Nun festival which celebrates community from the Elephant and Castle through to Nunhead. We have listed a couple of events which are fairly local to Lambeth with the usual details of bus routes.

SATURDAY 1st September

Performing at Camberwell Green on Saturday at 12:30pm  and 2:30pm will be one of Barcelona's finest street clowns, Leandre. Buses 35, 45, 36 and 345 all run past the green.

Just down the road in Burgess Park,  Circumloqui present Ne Ne Titere Pas, a mixture of mayhem and theatrics presented by a puppet and a musician on top of one of those three-wheeler french little vans. Press the link and watch the clip - it looks like good fun entertainment for little and big kids! Head towards Chumleigh gardens within the park. Showtimes are at 1pm and 3:30 pm. Buses to the Camberwell Road side of the park are the 35 and 45.

If you want a bit more of an outing, then attend the  Peckham Rye Fete on the common from 12pm to 5pm. They have a dog show!! Borrow a pooch and enter him! They have a tea tent! Nom cake! They have Punch and Judy show and a Pimms tent! Sit the kids in front of the puppets and leisurely sip a glass of Pimms. An entertaining afternoon has been conjured up on the common so pop along. The number 37 will take you there!

If you are down that way don’t forget to check out the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre in East Dulwich off Lordship Lane. We mentioned it in an older blog post and then visited the other week. The baby had a go at pressing some buttons and although the exhibition is little, it was very enjoyable – definitely a family winner!

So that’s a good choice of local events happening. However for those who like a good long bus ride adventure, up in Kings Cross (at the end of the 59 route) they are having an ice cream festival. Now as a kid I loved ice cream, so free ice cream is always something I find exciting. This event has a petting zoo and an opportunity to milk a cow as well as the story of ice cream in London and lots of free ice cream samples. It is a bit in the middle of no-wheresville in Kings Cross so good if you are pushing a little one in a buggy or have kids who don't mind a little bit of walking.

SUNDAY 2^nd September

There are more events at the Elephant and Nun festival today.

The Burgess Banquet is a music and food event held at Burgess Park from 12 to 5pm near the lakeside. It features an afternoon of live music, cooking demonstrations and food-themed arts and crafts activities. Buses that run from Brixton to near the park entrance are the 35 and 45.

Caramba is a celebration of Latin music and dance held at St Mary’s Churchyard (Newington Butts, SE11) – that’s the bit of land next to the (now being dismantled) Elephant and Castle Leisure Centre. There is also a children’s play area there. Events are on between 12 to 6pm. The 133, 45, 35, 155 and 415 all go past this green space.

If none of this is quite your cup of tea, the Tate Modern has a family day in the newly opened up tanks beneath the main structure. Entitled Sound and Performance, it is described as a “participatory event inviting visitors of all ages to explore, collaborate and create, in an experiential day of sound and performance”. So parents who are experts at singing songs and making shapes with the little ones should be able to take this to the next level and make it arty. The family event is on between the hours of 11am to 5pm. I haven’t been to the tanks yet but my daughter has….

Another thing to check out while you are there, is the Under Fives Zone on the 4^th floor – an opportunity for your little ones to clamber and explore giant shapes from a cubist still-life drawing! To get to the Tate Modern on bus, the 45 which passes through Brixton stops at Blackfriars Bridge Road. Alternatively, there is always the tube to Southwark.

For those who really want to stay in Lambeth or if you loved yesterday’s Southwark dog show so much that you want MORE, there is a fun dog show from 2 til 4pm opposite the cafe on Streatham Common which is situated by the car park at the intersection of Covington Way and Streatham Common south.

Have you got a dog you want to enter or do you just want to have a look at all the dogs. Events include cutest puppy, dandiest dog, bonniest bitch, dog and spoon race and includes stalls and raffles. Event should come with a warning as undoubtedly some kids will be asking their parents for a puppy! Buses to Streatham Common are 159, 50, 333, 118, 109 and 250.

Have a great weekend!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - August 24th -26th 2012

It's the bank holiday weekend - time to raise our glasses, plastic baby cups/bottle and toast the end of the summer. Here's to the end of one season and the beginning of the smells and sights of Autumn.

So what to do, what to do? Well, we are not sensing any major free local events to go to! Perhaps I'm missing a trick. So I'm just going to have to suggest some general local free things and some other events a bus ride away!

SATURDAY (24th August)

So Saturday, if the sun is out head to Slade Gardens, Robsart Street, SW9 in the Stockwell/North Brixton area (Bus 159, 3 133 and 59). It's a rather small flat piece of land with several playgrounds, from a recently added one for the under-fives, to the big adventure playground next door.

It certainly suits a family with kids of different ages who want to let off some steam. It lacks a bit of shade and really can't compete with the big parks, however, take a picnic and unleash the children and it might keep everyone happy for a couple of hours.

Parents, you can always stop in the new pub the Crown and Anchor, by the exit onto Brixton Road. It's children friendly so you can get some lunchtime food for the kids, and for the grown ups, they have a wide range of beers, ales and ciders for you to try (not that I'm encouraging you to get drunk whilst parenting!). No baby changing facilities and the toilets are downstairs, however they are probably the nearest set of loos if the children are doing the "I need a wee" hop.

Of course, this is very much an outdoor activity and we know what the British summer is like, so for something in doors, take a visit to the Tate Britain. A number 2 or 88 bus ride across the river takes you to view some art. Fabulous.

And they cater for a wide range of ages! Liminal is a family event every weekend betweeen 11 til 3pm. Go to the information desk for details. Website says it " invites families into a physical, material and social experience of sculpture through touch, interaction and collaboration" so basically a chance to not have to tell the children not to touch the artwork. Sounds good. I'll check that out soon and properly review it!

SUNDAY (25th August)

If you don't do local and want to travel, this weekend is the Leonard Street Party at Shoreditch... yes, I know it sounds mile away but it's only a bus route from Brixton or Clapham. Yes, the 35 takes you to the home of the hipster. From 12pm to 8pm, there'll be music, DJs, food and games. Not specifically aimed at children, it probably works better for parents with buggies rather than a gaggle of toddlers. So whilst the little one is locked in her baby wagon, you can bop around the pushchair like it's a handbag and stuff your face with streetfood. Cool!

Of course, if you in the area, check out the Hackney City Farm or Spitalfieds City Farm - both a walk or bus ride away. I'm not going to write them up as, well, we are starting to spread out of the realms of local. So links included and you can make your own mind up.

What if you want to be local, well one for parents with buggy bound children is the Streatham Society local history walk - an opportunity to learn a few local stories and meet some of your neighbours.  The walk starts at 2:30pm at Streatham Station. Buses to Streatham include the 109, 50, and 159.

MONDAY (26th August)

We mentioned farms earlier and a not so local but not too far away farm is Deen City Farm near Colliers Woods. So from any of Lambeth Tube stations, make your way on the northern line to Colliers Wood. Then follow the signs to Merton Abbey Mills which sits on the River Wandle. You can stop there for a bite to eat or look at the shops and the water wheel.

But on, on, find the Wandle, and take a walk up it, heading away from Wandsworth and up towards Carlsharlton. The farm isn't too far away (though alternatively if you drive that might just be easier....) Anyway, on Monday, the farm has a summer extravaganza with a BBQ, stalls, games and a bouncy castle as well as the usual farm animals to look at. On the couple of occasions I've been, they have had a white peacock - very impressive (probably more for the grown ups than the kids). And the adults get to make funny noises at the animals, something that isn't so easy to get away with when one is childless. This outing works best for the littleuns in buggies or with older children. There is probably a bit too much walking for toddlers.

Usually I try to list the free and cheap however I thought I'd throw this next event in here. It is free for under 15s however does cost £14 for adults. It is the Festival of Flowers at Southwark Cathedral (from 23rd to 27th August). This is probably a nice thing to take a little one to as there is opportunity to see and smell  a variety of flowers in a beauiful setting whereas the older child might just find it all rather boring! Buses to Southwark Cathedral are the 133 and 35 - get off at London Bridge.

Have a good bank holiday and let me know if you visit any of these places!

Singing the rain away at Pram Chorus

Last Tuesday Milo and I headed to Pram Chorus. If you're tired of singing The Wheels on The Bus then this is the group for you! Mummies sing while the babies play (in theory) or even join in! Ruth, who runs Pram Chorus was very warm and welcoming and instantly put us at ease with some fun and slightly comedic yet certainly necessary warm up exercises before we began singing a few tunes. Admittedly I do tend to sing Wind The Bobbin Up at least 5 times a day (at the bus stop, during nappy changing as well as regularly marching through Brockwell Park) but I haven't really had a chance to do what I would call 'proper' singing so it was great to have a go. We sang a fab tune from the 'deep south' and had a wonderful choice of other tunes from Zulu to Rock'n'Roll ! There are still places on the regular Tuesday morning session (best for afternoon nappers and for a hearty, rousing start to a grey day!), there's also a Thursday afternoon session but at the moment it's full. It's all happening in Streatham - a little off the beaten track for me but definitely worth the effort! Contact ruth@PramChorus.com for further info!

Little Lambeth & Streatham Mums do coffee

Little Lambeth is teaming up with Streatham Mums to host a coffee morning 

When ?? Next Tuesday 24th April from 10.30am

Where ?? At the delectable Earl Grey and Rose very near Streatham Hill from 10.30am

We would be delighted if you would join us as it would be fab to meet some lovely local mums/dads/aunts/uncles etc and of course our little'uns. It isn't very big but as you'll see it is rather fabulous and quaint with great cakes/coffee/sandwiches. I'm afraid there's no nappy changing but there were some toys last time we went. We've been trying to think of the best central Lambeth cafe with a baby area & baby changing so suggestions are more than welcome otherwise I may end up starting my own baby friendly café.....

 

For those of you who don't know what I look like -

here I am in the café where they shot Amelie!

Also don't forget to check out the extremely handy Streatham Mum's Network on Facebook which is an excellent message board for any questions, ideas, recommendations, events coming up in Streatham.

Latte-mama and Milo

My Mr. Milo has just had his modelling debut on the wonderful www.latte-mama.com website. Latte-Mama is the lovely kids' clothes company set up by Lambeth Mummy Isra. The clothes are designed in Sweden and are cute, quirky and very affordable so I highly recommend you check out the new Spring/Summer collection. We have this great Marc Cardigan which is certainly unique and stylish -  our little man gets comments wherever he goes!

Ruby Rhymes rocks!

Last Tuesday we checked out Ruby Rhymes.

From the minute Ruby starts her Tingaling welcome song you can't help smiling and swaying and my friend's little one danced about for the whole session. The group was big when we went which could be overwhelming for little ones but this just highlights how fun and popular this group is.

The Brixton sessions are £5 per family and £3 for unwaged families. and at 10.30am on Tuesdays so they do coincide with Brixton library storytime but the best things are the space, funky catchy tunes and Ruby's enthusiasm. I was also impressed how she remembered so many of the kids' names too. I'll be reviewing Ruby's CD soon which I'm sure we'll be bopping along to as soon as we press play!

There are many Ruby Rhymes sessions across Lambeth.  They all start at 10.30am and last 50 minutes, including an organic juice and rice cake/biccy break.

No enrolment, just turn up and join in!

Monday: Herne Hill United Church, corner of RedPost Hill and Herne Hill, SE24

Tuesday: Trinity Congregational Church, St Matthews Road, Brixton SW2 Small church situated halfway along St Matthews Road, directly opposite Tenants hall. Entrance is on left side of church.

Wednesday: Clapham Youth Centre, 61 Lyham Road, Brixton SW2 5DH (corner of Mauleverer Rd)

Thursdays: Streatham Friends Meeting House,11 Redlands Way, Roupell Estate. Brixton Hill, SW2 3LU.  

Friday: The Brix at St Matthews, St Matthew's Church, Brixton hill, SW2 1JF.

Email: rubyrhymes@gmail.com for further information.
 

Other Fun and Frivolity this Half-Term - Spring 2012

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Imagine Children’s Festival at the Southbank 10th-26th February

A Festival for Children run By Children!

Expect music, comedy and performance for the young also a Funfair, bingo, something for all ages

Play With Clay

Based at Streatham & Clapham High School in South London, they run pottery classes for children aged 6-14 years. The children encouraged to use their own imaginations, as well as being given stimulating ideas for projects involving different techniques. 

Holiday workshop 20-23rd February but they have regular Saturday workshops too!

A little further afield.... Animate a Medieval Tournament and Joust!

I will running Medieval Stop-Frame Animation Workshops at The British Library

(straight up the Victoria Line, just by Euston Station)

Tuesday 14 February         10.30 - 12.30 and 14.00 - 16.00

Wednesday 15 February    14.00 - 16.00

Thursday 16 February        10.30 - 12.30 and 14.00 - 16.00

£3 per child, adults free

Animate

Places are still available - call the Box Office +44 (0)1937 546 546 

Check out www.sarahvaci.com for future animation workshops!

Discovery of a delightful café in Streatham! Review of Earl Grey and Rose

Last week Mr. Milo and I arranged to have coffee with a friend at the delectable  Earl Grey and Rose  which I had espied from afar. If you ever pass by you'll see why I was compelled to explore it's delightful decorative interior.

Earl Grey and Rose, Streatham

As you enter you are transported to a fabulous 50s garden party with bunting, cute cups, teapots and sewing machines (to rent by the hour) and are also lovely cakes and sandwiches. 

Cakes at Earl Grey and Rose Cafe

Mr Milo and I shared a lovely chocolate and Guinness cake but there was such a range to choose from. Luckily the space is quite large so my friend and I put our little men on the floor and were given some lego to play with. Be warned though, there are a few delicate bits and bobs around so you still have to keep a close eye on any curious fingers!

Earl Grey and Rose is located at 1 Streatleigh Parade, London SW16 1EQ

Please phone them on Tel: 0208 696 0375  or  email: info@earlgreyandrose.com for further information on opening times.