Visit London Blog - Enjoy the very best of London

Archive for the "Kids" Category

< Older Entries
28 Sep

Eat Film at London Restaurant Festival

Posted by Claire Doble in Cinema, Eating Out, Kids, Special Events 1 Comment

Eat Film - just one of many tasty treats at London Restaurant FestivalYou know what it’s like, you see a really cool movie and, as you leave the cinema, you can’t help but feel like you want to wear that dress, kiss that boy or sit down to that feast from the film.

Well, we may not be able to provide the first two but London Restaurant Festival delivers the meal & movie thing on a plate!

Eat Film is one of the coolest events happening during the festival’s week-long celebration of food and restaurants in London.

At Eat Film you get to watch a film then eat food inspired by it.

For example, watch Goodfellas in the comfortable Soho Hotel screening room, then dine afterwards on delicious spaghetti and meatballs and drink funky Goodfellas-themed cocktails, such as “The Godfather” –  a tasty concoction of whisky, Amaretto and orange zest – or “The Wiseguy” – a muddled apple and rasperry drink featuring Ivan the Terrible vodka.  I bet that hits the spot (pun fully intended).

Or why not sample the new Meryl Streep film, Julie & Julia, which follows two very different American women, separated by time and geography, but brought together by a shared love of French cookery. It’s followed by a très bien French meal, naturellement.

Or you could taste cult film Eat Drink Man Woman, then be treated to a Taiwanese banquet at Keelung restaurant, featuring won tons, “drunken” chicken,  sichuan flavours and a pig’s trotter hot pot.

And families will enjoy the lunchtime screening of Ratatouille at The Barbican, followed by a kid-friendly meal in Searcy’s restaurant at the venue.

I’m getting hungry just writing about it. Get your tickets today from the London Restaurant Festival website.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
This article has 1 comment. Why not add yours?
17 Sep

A Wicked Weekend in London

Posted by Jo in Attractions, Eating Out, Kids, Theatre No Comments
Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre, London

Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre, London

Gina Gitonga aged 11 lives in Kenya and recently spent a few weeks in London. We know it’s a bit early for Halloween, but here are her highlights for a frighteningly fun weekend in London.

Friday night kicks off with one of the best musicals around. Wicked is about the witches of Oz before they became Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. The pair meet at university: one is popular and one is not and yet they become friends. Catchy songs, brilliant singing and spectacular sets make an amazing show. I loved it!

Saturday morning is a visit to the London Dungeon. We braved the queues and once we got inside it was really scary! I found out about London’s horrible past from Jack the Ripper to the Great Fire of London. There are also two rides; a boat through Traitors’ Gate in the dark and the terrifying Extremis: Drop Ride to Doom where you get lifted up and then freefall down! To recover we went to Dim T – my first ever dim sum – delicious.

Then it’s off to the Tower of London for the afternoon to see the real Traitors’ Gate and the scene of many executions including Anne Boleyn. We also saw Henry VIII’s armour and the famous crown jewels.

On Sunday head off on a thrilling, high-speed boat ride with Thames RIB Experience. Our trip started slowly like a normal tour and then we sped up and the boat rocked from side to side! We went under Tower Bridge  and as far as Canary Wharf before turning round.

I enjoyed every minute of my time in London and look forward to coming back again soon.

Do you have any suggestions for Halloween high jinks in London?

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
This article has no comments. Why not add yours?
8 Sep

Darwin Centre Opens at the Natural History Museum

Posted by Hannah in Attractions, Kids No Comments

Darwin CentreThe spectacular new Darwin Centre opens next week at London’s Natural History Museum.

Dubbed “the cocoon”, the £78m building houses 17 million insects and three million plant specimens.

But the exhibits aren’t the only attraction.

You also get to observe some of the 200 scientists at work in the centre, and there are plenty of opportunities to meet the experts and ask questions.

In the Attenborough Studio, curators give daily talks and demonstrations.

These vary from day to day: you may see a bottle of spiders collected by Charles Darwin, handle fossils, or see live scorpions that glow under ultraviolet light.

Dr Caroline Smith, Curator of Meteorites, and Alan Hart, Head of Mineralogy, are a fascinating double act.

Alan Hart and Dr Caroline Smith show off their specimensIn their presentation, they show off two exhibits:

  • A  460-carat diamond crystal which, at three billion years old, is one of the most ancient things you’re ever likely to see
  • A 1.3 billion-year-old meteorite from Mars called Nakhla, which landed in Egypt in 1911

They ask the audience to vote for the most impressive object. Which would you choose?

All in all, the new Darwin Centre is well worth a visit – for the architecture, the exhibits, and the unique opportunity to interact with scientists working in this interesting field.

The Darwin Centre opens to the public on 15 September. Entrance is free.

Tags: , , ,
This article has no comments. Why not add yours?
18 Aug

Oliver! at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Posted by Claire Doble in Arts, Comedy, Kids, Music, Theatre No Comments

Omid Djalili as Fagin in Oliver! Photo: Seamus Ryan

Oliver! Oliver! Never before has a boy wanted more…

I’ve had this song stuck in my head since seeing the Theatre Royal production of Oliver! last week. Directed by Rupert Goold and choreographed by Matthew Bourne this musical production of Dickens’ classic novel is an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular.

I considered myself at home as the familiar tunes were performed in front of amazing sets in Covent Garden’s beautiful old Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Whoever said you shouldn’t work with kids or animals should “eat their head”, as the kids were the stars of the show – first appearing as orphans, then as Fagin’s urchins and other London street strays. And Bullseye – Bill Sikes’ dog, played by a real live dog – was a big hit with the audience.

Oom Pah Pah, Oom Pah Pah, that’s not to say the adults didn’t belt out a few good ‘uns (literally, in the case of Sykes, ahem). Omid Djalili as Fagin was fickle, funny and just the right side of fiendish. And Nancy sang up a storm.

Proving you’ve gotta pick a pocket or two – I particularly liked the Act 1 scene where Oliver is sold to work in a Funeral Parlour and the undertaker and his wife were styled to look like Riffraff and Magenta – bit of a timewarp, but it worked.

This is a great production that’s suitable for young and old. I’m sure you’d do anything to see it for yourself and, luckily, all you have to do is buy a wonderful theatre ticket.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
This article has no comments. Why not add yours?
13 Aug

Bees, Workshops and a Giant Sandpit at Covent Garden This Summer

Posted by Covent Garden London in Attractions, Kids, Shopping, Special Events 3 Comments

Urban Farming

Covent Garden is the place to be today, with a jam-packed schedule of exciting events from talks on Urban Beekeeping, to grow-your-own workshops, at The Covent Garden Real Food Market.

Speakers’ Corner (the series of free, weekly talks and demonstrations for London’s foodie community) will feature two of the UK’s leading experts in Urban Beekeeping and Urban Allotments:

  • Thursday at 1pm: Beekeeping advice, honey & beeswax workshops with The Hive Honey Shop
  • Thursday at 6pm: Urban Farming talks and demonstrations with Capital Growth

If you can’t make it today, there’ll be more talks and demonstrations on Thursday 20 August at the same times.

Don’t forget, if you’re struggling to entertain the kids this holiday, Covent Garden is running The Kids Are Alright summer promotion until Sunday 23 August. This massive free event includes juggling and puppet workshops, cupcake decorating classes, and even a giant sandpit.

The Kids Are Alright also sees great offers on toys and family dining from some of the area’s leading shops and restaurants, including complimentary kids meals from top Covent Garden restaurants, free Disney goodies and the chance to win a Build-A-Bear Workshop party.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
This article has 3 comments. Why not add yours?
10 Aug

Zoo Nights at ZSL London Zoo

Posted by Jenny in Attractions, Kids, Special Events 2 Comments

A lion is less than impressed by visitors at Zoo Nights

Following in the footsteps of several other London attractions that offer late night opening, ZSL London Zoo is now open after hours on selected Friday nights for its Zoo Nights events.

It’s a visit to the zoo with a twist; last Friday night they added a bar, a jazz band and lots of animal feedings and displays to keep nocturnal visitors entertained.

Last time I went to London Zoo was on a school trip, and armed with a glass of Pimms this time, instead of a stack of worksheets, I was eager to explore.

Zoo Nights certainly attracted a different crowd to the daytime staple of families and school trips. Couples and groups of people in their twenties and thirties made up the majority of evening visitors. That’s not to say there weren’t any families or kids about (there were lots), but you have a much better chance of getting near new kids’ exhibit Animal Adventure. It may be designed for children, but us adults managed to fit into the underground tunnels too!

Red Panda

So what did the animals make of all the noise and activity going on after their bedtime? Well, the giraffes seemed more than happy with their late night feed, the nocturnal lemurs were excitedly running around in their enclosure, and the lions simply viewed us with disdain!

Zoo Nights was certainly a different way to spend a Friday night. My top tip would be to make sure you see your favourite animals first, as you don’t have the luxury of a whole day to explore, and the indoor animal houses close at 9pm.

Zoo Nights itself closes at 10pm but with Camden just around the corner, you can easily continue your Friday night out.

Tags: , , , ,
This article has 2 comments. Why not add yours?
7 Aug

Start Making Music

Posted by Claire Doble in Arts, Attractions, Kids, Music, Special Events 1 Comment

David Byrne with his Playing the Building installation. Photo: Jonathan Birch

Ever fancied playing a musical instrument the size of a house? How about one the size of Camden’s Roundhouse? Well, now you can.

From tomorrow a new installation created by musical maverick David Byrne, Playing the Building, will be open to the public to play with.  It’s yet another example of participatory events happening in London this summer.

Byrne, probably best known as the Talking Heads frontman, showed off his creation today in a press preview. The instrument looks like musical version of a Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory machine – an old pump organ sprouting with coloured wires that are attached to the building’s rather beautiful Victorian poles and girders.

In keeping with the steampunk aesthetic, it’s entirely mechanical, with Byrne noting the instrument could as easily have been produced 150 years ago as today. It produces sounds using a system of air pressure and sonar magnets to tap, whistle and vibrate through the Roundhouse’s  pillars and posts. The result is a range of flute-like whistles and xylophone-style pings.

“You can’t play Bach on it,” Byrne notes, but that’s not the idea. People are encouraged to wander through the space, have a tinkle, experiment and enjoy the ambience of the building and the sounds produced.

The Roundhouse is hosting several jam sessions and events where you can play your own music along with the building – book tickets and find out more from the Roundhouse website.

It only costs a fiver to enter, unless you go on Mondays when it’s “pay what you can”. If you do go, please tell us about your experience by commenting on this post.

Tags: , , , , ,
This article has 1 comment. Why not add yours?
6 Aug

Walking with Dinosaurs

Posted by Steve Pugh in Kids, Special Events 2 Comments

An even scarier T. Rex, from Walking with Dinosaurs

It’s turning into Dinosaur week in London. Which, as any six year old, or any grown up dino-nut (guilty as charged), will tell you is only right and proper.

Last night saw the first London performance of Walking with Dinosaurs at The O2. It’s on there until Sunday and then comes to Wembley Arena at the end of the month.

Huxley the paleontologist narrates the journey from the first dinosaur eggs in the triassic through to the meteor impact at the close of the cretaceous (was that a spoiler?). He does the science bit, covering evolution and plate tectonics to tell how the world and its animals and plants have changed over millions of years. But the stars are, of course, the dinosaurs themselves – nine different species, plus one pterosaur.

T. rex is, as in all dino-films, a shameless scene stealer, stomping and roaring as she defends her child from a pair of (justifiably) upset herbivores.

For me the stars were the Brachiosaurs. When Huxley describes the beast towering over him as a youngster and goes on to tell how much bigger he will grow (as tall as a three storey building, as long as two buses, as heavy as ten adult elephants “give or take an adult elephant”) you may think “ah, that’s why they made a small one, there’s no way they could do an adult”, but then a full grown titan joins him in the arena!

The dinosaurs are wonderful creations – they look, move and sound like living animals. For anyone who loves, or even just likes a little bit, dinos, this is probably the closest we’ll come to seeing them in life.

Tickets are selling out fast so book now or enter our competition to win a family ticket.

Tags: , , ,
This article has 2 comments. Why not add yours?
5 Aug

Peter Pan Kensington Gardens

Posted by Julie Chappell in Kids, Open Spaces, Theatre No Comments

Peter Pan Kensington Gardens: Captain Hook

Sophie May (12) reports.

As we approached the huge, white tent in Kensington Gardens, little children excitedly fluttered about in fairy costumes. In fact, everyone seemed very excited about seeing Peter Pan.

The atmosphere inside the tent was magical. The actors were wonderful (especially Captain Hook) and the set design was brilliant. The beautiful, animated 360 degree projections on the inside of the tent made us feel as though we were right in the story – and the images changed every time the setting changed. It was truly awe-inspiring when Peter and his friends flew over London because it felt as though we were flying as well. There were delightful moments when the audience got involved and children tinkled their fairy bells, which was so lovely.

Everything about the play was enjoyable. I had a really great time and I think anyone of any age would love the show.

Tags: , , ,
This article has no comments. Why not add yours?
23 Jul

The Big Lunch in Brixton

Posted by Claire Doble in Attractions, Eating Out, Kids, London, Music, Open Spaces, Special Events 1 Comment

mpho2Last Sunday, people all over London turned out for The Big Lunch – a huge communal event that was also satisfyingly local.

Consisting of a series of street parties across the capital (and indeed across Britain), the idea behind The Big Lunch was to encourage community spirit by allowing folks to get to know their neighbours during a relaxed afternoon of food and fun.

Although I’m a dedicated North Londoner, I went to Brixton to attend the Big Lunch with some South London friends. Here I joined “Poet’s Corner” residents from streets Chaucer, Milton, Shakespeare and Spenser who were gathered to share wine, women and song.

Well, maybe not women. But there was food and drink a’plenty as well as a bouncy castle for the kids and a makeshift stage in the courtyard of a block of flats.

In true London style, the event featured celebrities (restaurant critic Jay Rayner took to the BBQ, then tinkled the ivories), up and comers (we were serenaded by next big thing MPHO Sounds – whose new single Box N Locks mixes the “Echo Beach” riff with a hip-hop/RnB vibe), Buddhist prayer flags for bunting and even a real London Bus!

And connections were made – my local friend met a guy from two streets down and they decided to form a jazz duo; kids of all ages bonded over the joy of free cupcakes; and we all ended up back at the neighbours’ place for some post-Big Lunch African singing and drumming.

This was just one of many communal events in London that people can be part of this summer. All in all, I’d say The Big Lunch was a Big Success!

Did you go to The Big Lunch? Tell us about it…

street1

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
This article has 1 comment. Why not add yours?
« Older Entries