LONDONFAMILIES

 

 

 

                             

                    

February

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Theatre For shows, concerts, & other live performances in June see our Shows page Shows, theatres, concerts

Mon 18th to 22nd

 

11.30am & 2.30pm

 

Ages 5+

 

Family Storytelling: When the Lights go out the Fairies will Sprout

A week of activities inspired by two Gallery exhibitions: Vanity Fair Portraits and the Photographic Portrait Prize 2007

National Portrait Gallery

Mon 18th to 22nd

 

 

10.30am, 11.15am & 12pm

 

Ages: 4-11

 

Museum Trail

Enjoy a 10-minute story then follow the clues in the Museum trail to rescue a little alien from the Moon inspired by the children's story, "The Way Back Home" by Oliver Jeffers

Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green

Mon 18th to 22nd

 

 

Family activities

Activities including military style drill, dressing up in military uniforms, daily treasure hunt, paintball range, talk live on Firepower's radio station, rolling-rock climbing wall and the chance to fire a genuine World War Two 25 pounder gun

Firepower, Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich

Tues 19th - Sat 23rd

 

11am & 2pm

 

Ages 5-11

 

Art Workshop: Time Bandits

Mixed-media workshop, with artist Dillwyn Smith - workshops last two hours

National Gallery

Wed 20th - 24th

 

10-10.45am & 2-2.45pm

 

Ages 5+

Spinning Webs

With Charlotte and her web in place for half term, these textile workshops will explore the world of spiders with a chance to spin your own web

The Arts Depot, Finchley

Thurs 21st

 

10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm

 

 

Put Yourself in the Picture

Become a foundling!  See yourself as a Victorian!  Put yourself into one of the Museum's archive photographs using computer technology.  We can print the result or email it to you.

The Foundling Museum, WC1N

Thurs 21st

 

10-12pm (5-8 years)

 

2-4pm (9-11 years)

The Big Picture

This workshop will explore the many ways in which we can create stories using images and words. Children will take their own photographs of Walpole Park and use them to tell their own story.

PM Gallery & House, Walpole Pk, Ealing

Thurs 21st & Fri 22nd

 

12.30pm & 2.30pm

Ages 5+

 

Lets Have A Frost Fair

Imagine a cold London, so cold that the river Thames freezes. This happened in the past and Londoners made the most of it, by using the frozen Thames for Frost Fairs. But what is a Frost Fair? In this workshop you will find out and make a piece of art to help you remember

Museum in the Docklands

Thurs 21st & Fri 22nd

 

10.30am-3.30pm

 

Ages 15-17

 

Art Workshop: Out of the Ordinary

Working inside and outside the Gallery, this mixed media and printing workshop will explore contemporary sculptural materials and techniques with installation artist Viyki Turnbull

National Gallery

Fri 22nd

 

11.30am & 2.30pm

Bollywood Moves

Find your Bollywood groove and live the Bombay dream as you take part in our fun introduction to one of India's most energetic dance styles

Discover, Stratford

Fri 22nd

 

11am-12pm & 1-2pm

 

Ages 5+

Storytelling - a picture is worth a thousand words

Families are invited to join storyteller Katy Cawkwell to explore PM's 'What Happens Next?' exhibition.  Taking 'What Happens Next?' as inspiration, Katy will encourage children to look closely at the images and examine them for the stories within them. Working as a group, they will create their own special story.

PM Gallery & House, Walpole Pk, Ealing

Sat 23rd

 

1-4pm

 

Ages: Teens

 

Rocket Science

Learn about the history of space travel and model rocketry and find out how you can join in the fun of building and launching model rockets with Science Boffins

Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green

Sat 23rd

 

12.20-2pm

 

Ages 7-11

 

Handel Birthday Music Workshop

Join Composer in Residence John Habron to create a brand new birthday song for Handel. You’ll be amazed what you can achieve together. You will also get the chance to learn about the life of Handel, and hear some of his music performed.  Participants are welcome to bring their own instruments. Please let the museum know in advance if you plan to take an instrument

Handel House Museum, Mayfair

Sat 23rd

 

12.20-2pm

 

Ages 3-7

 

Handel Birthday card Workshop

Education Officer Claire Parker will lead this craft workshop in which participants can make birthday cards and birthday decorations for Handel, or for anyone else whose birthday needs celebrating

Handel House Museum, Mayfair

Sat 23rd

 

11am-5pm

 

A Day in the 18th Century

Experience a day in the life of the 18th-Century French elite where hunting, dancing and duelling were typical pursuits of the ruling classes. Encounter two of the most powerful women of their age, Madame de Pompadour and Queen Marie Antoinette, in the glittering setting of the Wallace Collection, join in the ball and test your mettle at cards, perhaps losing your fortune in the process!

Wallace Collection, London W1

Sat 23rd

 

11.30am

 

 

 

Feed the Birds, Make a Bird Feeder

Joint event with the Countryside Ranger Service looking at the types of food suitable for feeding birds and constructing simple feeders. Bring yoghurt pot or coconut shell. Booking essential

Farnborough, Kent

Sun 24th

 

11am & 2pm

 

Ages 5-11

 

Family Gatherings: Back to the Future

Looking at Nicolas Poussin’s series of paintings, 'The Sacraments', with painter Dillwyn Smith, make a visual newspaper about your own family. You’ll also invent captions to go with images that illustrate episodes of your life story

National Gallery

Sun 24th

 

11am

 

Ages 8+

Film Funday: Peter's Piratey workshops

Put your pirate skills to the test with the green screen 'act like a pirate' challenge! Also thrilling sword-fighting displays from trained actors, it all adds to the Funday excitement!

BFI, Southbank

Sun 24th

 

11.30am & 2.30pm

Ugly Bug Ball

Make your own creepy-crawly creature then squirm like a worm and click like a cricket in our wiggly-wobbly ugly bug parade!  Make your own creepy-crawly creature then squirm like a worm and click like a cricket in our wiggly-wobbly ugly bug parade.

 

Discover, Stratford

Wed 27th

 

10.30am-12.30pm

 

Ages under 3-5

 

Pre-School Nature Play

Natures Gallery – Pictures and decorations from natural  materials.  Booking essential

Iver Nature Study Centre, Bucks

Fri 29th

 

10.15-12pm & 12.45-2.30pm

 

Ages under 5s

 

Wondertots: Alien Antics

Join in with a spin through space. Meet aliens, play on planets and sleep on stars

Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green

March

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Theatre For shows, concerts, & other live performances in June see our Shows page Shows, theatres, concerts

Sat 1st

 

11am-1pm & 2-4pm

 

 

 

Fabulous Fossils

Roll up your sleeves and join our artists in Fossil Marine Reptiles for exciting crafty workshops. Use interesting materials to make fun creations based around fossils

Natural History Museum

Sat 1st

 

12.30pm & 2pm

Ages 4+

 

Chinese Tales

Join museum staff in the celebration of Chinese New Year and enjoy fabulous tales followed by a workshop where you can turn your favourite character into a puppet

Museum in the Docklands

Sat 1st

 

10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm

 

 

Thanks Mum

Make your own card and love token for Mother's Day.

The Foundling Museum, WC1N

Sun 2nd

 

11.30am & 2.30pm

Mummy's Little Helpers

Join the Story Builders and create a flowery decoration to celebrate your mum's special day

 

Discover, Stratford

Sun 2nd & 30th

 

11am & 2pm

 

Ages 5-11

 

Fabric: Brocades & Brushes

With printmaker Thomas Gosebruch you will look at Gerard David’s painting 'The Virgin and Child with Saints and Donor'. Find out about the techniques the artist used to paint the beautiful velvets and golden brocades in the garden – did he have some kind of magic brush?!

National Gallery

7th, 14th, 21st  & 28th

 

10.15-12pm & 12.45-2.30pm

 

Ages under 5s

 

Wondertots: Alien Antics

Join in with a spin through space. Meet aliens, play on planets and sleep on stars

Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green

Sat 8th & Sun 9th

 

11am

East Meets West

As part of the Mayor's East Festival Discover invites you to a rich feast of brilliant workshops, traditional folklore, live music, drama and story telling, all with a special connection to the East End of Europe

 

Discover, Stratford

Sun 9th

 

11am & 2pm

 

Ages 5-11

 

Discoveries in Animal Magnetism

Join sculptor Felicity Powell and be inspired by Joseph Wright’s painting 'An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump'. You will create a moving picture of an animal using magnets so that it can flee the situation

National Gallery

Sun 9th

 

2-3.45pm

 

Ages 5+

 

Purim Pick 'n' Mix

Get ready for Purim! Join Anna, from the Jewish Museum, in the Great Gallery, to hear the story of Purim (on the hour and half hour). In the Armouries meet Hayley and Miranda, from the Wallace Collection, to try on armour and make a mask inspired by the fantastical parade helmets. Free drop-in workshop - no need to book

Wallace Collection, London W1

Sat 15th

 

11.30am & 2.30pm

 

Ages 5+

 

Family Portraits

Create a family portrait and an album to put your special picture in

National Portrait Gallery

Sat 15th

 

2 & 3pm

 

Ages 3+

 

Family Storytelling: Adventures of the Musical Instrumentst

A musical tale of musicians

National Portrait Gallery

Sat 15th

 

11am-1pm & 2-4pm

 

 

 

Fabulous Fossils

Roll up your sleeves and join our artists in Fossil Marine Reptiles for exciting crafty workshops. Use interesting materials to make fun creations based around fossils

Natural History Museum

Sat  15th

 

2-5pm

Pick Your Brains Family Day

Join us at the Petrie Museum to find out about mummification and then move on to the Hunterian Museum (at the Royal College of Surgeons) to discover more about the dissection process. Free but book in advance

Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London WC1E

Sat 15th

 

10.45am

 

Ages Under 5s

 

Music Workshop

Discover the remarkable story of George Bridgetower, the Polish son of a former slave and a local domestic servant who settled in London and became one of the leading violinists of his time. Musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will help children explore his music in a fun hands-on workshop as they tell his story and introduce the wonderful sounds of the orchestras instruments

Museum in the Docklands

Sat 15th

 

11.30am & 12.15pm

 

Ages Under 5+

 

Music Workshop

Discover the amazing life of the African virtuoso George Bridgetwower as you join musicians from the Royal Philharmonic orchestra in this fun hands-on workshop. You discover his music and, after hearing some of his work, play along with the professionals

Museum in the Docklands

Sun 16th

 

11am & 2pm

 

Ages 5-11

 

Spring has Sprung

Put a spring in the heels of Rembrandt’s goddess of spring, Flora, and watch her leap to life in this painting workshop led by Ansel Krut

National Gallery

Sun 16th

 

10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm

 

Ages 5-9

 

Wishing you a Glittering Easter

Sit in a golden room and be dazzled by its treasures. See how gilding is done, then make your own 'golden' eggs and decorated box to take home. With artist Fay Ross-Magenty

Wallace Collection, London W1

Sun 16th

 

2pm

 

Ages Under 7+

 

Get Reading with Caroline Lawrence

Use the Museum's Roman collection to help author Caroline Lawrence create a London mystery for her new book. You choose an artefact to be the vital clue to solving a mystery. It might even end up playing a part of her final version of The Legionary from Londinium and Other Mini-Mysteries. The event will be followed by the chance to ask Caroline questions about her books and book signing

Museum in the Docklands

Sun 16th

 

11.30am & 2.30pm

Irish Jig

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, get those little feet flying with our Irish dancer

 

Discover, Stratford

21st, 22nd & 24th

 

11am-1.30pm

 

Ages 4-7

Easter Weekend Treasure Hunt & Teddy Bear's Picnic

The whole of artsdepot is home to adventure once again as we welcome back our annual treasure hunt! Take part in art challenges, drama games, dance routines and more as you follow the clues all around artsdepot to your final reward: a picnic lunch for you and your furry friend!

 

The Arts Depot, Finchley

21st

 

11.30am & 2.30pm

Cheeky Chick

Grab a sock and hatch a fabulous cheeky chick

 

Discover, Stratford

Sun 23rd

 

11am & 2pm

 

Ages 5-11

 

Family Gatherings: Back to the Future

Looking at Nicolas Poussin’s series of paintings, 'The Sacraments', with painter Dillwyn Smith, make a visual newspaper about your own family. You’ll also invent captions to go with images that illustrate episodes of your life story

National Gallery

Sun 23rd

 

12.30 & 2.30pm

 

Ages Under 5+

 

Chocolate Mobiles

Cocoa beans were unloaded into the West India Docks before they were taken to be made into delicious chocolate. Have fun with chocolate and make your own Easter mobile

Museum in the Docklands

Sun 23rd

 

12-6pm

 

Hallelujah for Easter

Drop in and listen to live baroque music all afternoon, including excerpts from Handel’s Messiah. You can also take part in a special Handel House Easter Egg trail, with chocolate egg prizes for all participants

Handel House Museum, Mayfair

Mon 24th

 

11.30am & 2.30pm

Easter Parade

Hats, bonnets and headpieces - decorate what suits your head best, then wear it in our Easter Parade

 

Discover, Stratford

Mon 24th

 

10.30am-12.30pm

 

Ages under 5-9

 

Lanterns & Decorations

Make Easter candle lanterns and table decorations.  Please bring one or two clean jam jars.  Booking essential

Iver Nature Study Centre, Bucks

Wed 26th

 

10.30am-12.30pm

 

Ages under 3-5

 

Pre-School Nature Play

Zoo Time – Egg box bugs, fish fingers and spiralling snakes to make.  Booking essential

Iver Nature Study Centre, Bucks

Sat 29th

 

12.30pm & 2.30pm

 

Ages 7+

 

Tea from Warehouses of the World

Which is your favourite tea? Did you know that China was once the largest producer of teas that were imported and drunk in London? Find out about the different types of tea, then have a chance to make a 3D teapot filled with tea to give a special someone

Museum in the Docklands

Sun 30th

 

12.30pm & 2pm

 

 

 

Natural Puppet Tales

Judy Preece and her puppets invite you to lively and popular storytelling workshops based on amazing insights into the natural world. To reserve a place, please visit the Central Hall information desk when you arrive

Natural History Museum

Sun 30th

 

12.30pm - 4.30pm

 

Ages 5+

 

London Playfest

Bring the whole family along and join London Play's 10th anniversary celebration. Take part in and enjoy games from throughout the centuries to present day

Museum in the Docklands

Sun 30th

 

11.30am & 2.30pm

Sing Along Stories

Wake up the heart of the Gruffalo as you sing along with this fabulous children's favourite story

 

 

Discover, Stratford

 

April

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Theatre For shows, concerts, & other live performances in June see our Shows page Shows, theatres, concerts

Sat 5th

 

12.30pm & 2pm

Ages 4+

 

Chinese Tales

Join museum staff in the celebration of Chinese New Year and enjoy fabulous tales followed by a workshop where you can turn your favourite character into a puppet

Museum in the Docklands

Sat 5th

 

10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm

 

 

In The Service of King & Country

Explore our paintings about soldiers and sailors and make a bookmark to use at home

The Foundling Museum, WC1N

Sun 6th

 

11am & 2pm

 

Ages 5-11

 

Fabric: Brocades & Brushes

With printmaker Thomas Gosebruch you will look at Gerard David’s painting 'The Virgin and Child with Saints and Donor'. Find out about the techniques the artist used to paint the beautiful velvets and golden brocades in the garden – did he have some kind of magic brush?!

National Gallery

Mon 7th - 18th

 

 

Family activities

Activities including military style drill, dressing up in military uniforms, daily treasure hunt, paintball range, talk live on Firepower's radio station, rolling-rock climbing wall and the chance to fire a genuine World War Two 25 pounder gun

Firepower, Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich

Tues 8th

 

10.30am-12.30pm

 

Ages under 5-9

 

Flying Through the Holidays

Make a kite to fly and a windmill to spin.  Then try your hand at designing some recycled paper planes.  Booking essential

Iver Nature Study Centre, Bucks

Sun 13th

 

11am & 2pm

 

Ages 5-11

 

Family Gatherings: Back to the Future

Looking at Nicolas Poussin’s series of paintings, 'The Sacraments', with painter Dillwyn Smith, make a visual newspaper about your own family. You’ll also invent captions to go with images that illustrate episodes of your life story

National Gallery