Make the most of half term and indulge your childish side as well
THINGS TO DO
LION KING 3D IMAX
Everyone loves a bit of Lion King, and when it not only promises to be in 3D but also extra big on the IMAX screen, this offering is impossible to resist. 2-27 October, child ticket: £11, adult ticket: £16.
LONDON ZOO
Always a great place to take the kids. Visit the penguin beach, the otter enclosure and the scary reptile house where crocodiles lurk underwater. 10am-5.30pm, Regent’s Park
ROLLER DISCO FAMILY JAM
This is a great way to graduate from baby disco. For those over toddler-age, this is the way to work off that extra energy: the good old school roller disco. The Renaissance rooms, Vauxhall. Every Saturday 11am-5pm, £7.50
BEGINNER’S GARDENING CLASSES
Entry-level horticulture on how to grow and take care of your plants. A lovely family activity to get the young ones helping out in your plot. 26 October, Chelsea Physic Garden
THE THREE LITTLE PIGS AND THE WOLF AND CAPTAIN GRIMEY
London’s only floating theatre is putting on two delightful puppet shows both familar and new. Oct 22-28, Puppet Theatre Barge, www.puppetbarge.com
MAKE YOUR OWN GROMIT
This is a crash course in crafting the loveable dog, Gromit, in a “Gromit building” session, led by the senior model maker at Aardman Animations. 12pm and 2pm, 22 October. Booking essential. The Cinema Museum
POWER OF MAKING: FANTASTIC MR FOX
Watch a special screening of Fantastic Mr Fox at V&A before visiting the puppets in the Power of Making exhibition. 11am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm, 22-30 October, Sackler centre, Victoria & Albert museum
MAGIC AND MAKE BELIEVE
Week of arts and crafts, performance and storytelling. Shadow puppet storytelling, magicians and magical crafts. 10.30am-4pm, 24-28 October. Drop-in. Museum of Childhood, www.vam.ac.uk/moc
THE FROZEN IMAGE
This all-day workshop is aimed at teens. They’ll learn about the early forms of photography, make a camera and take photos that are inspired by the past. Age 13-18, 27 October, Somerset House. Booking essential.
CHILD FRIENDLY EATS
JACK’S
As well as serving a varied menu of kid-friendly food (American pancakes, red Thai curry, burgers), this relaxed joint in Queen’s Park village has the added benefit of being right next to Brondesbury Park, so the kids can work up an appetite beforehand. 101 Salusbury Road, NW6 6NH, www.jacks-cafe.com
THE DINER
Waffles with jam and cream? Macaroni cheese with spinach? Yes please! The menu will attract the young and not-so-young alike with its hearty, fun food. Trendy, but great for children (they hand out crayons and the like) this place is a haven for North London families with its branches in Kensal Rise, Islington, Camden, Shoreditch, and Soho. www.goodlifediner.com
BYRON
The resounding success of Byron is not just down to its burgers, but the friendly and unique atmosphere in each of its branches. Like the Diner, it has got the kit for the kids – great staff, crayons and a lot of personality. Branches throughout London. A new branch has opened on Northcote Road, Battersea. www.byronhamburgers.com
FRANCO MANCA
These informal pizzerias fast have become cult classics. Sourdough thin crust pizzas, cooked in a minute in their wood-fired ovens, with fresh ingredients – made to their own specifications. And the best part? Children love them too. 4A Market Row, Brixton and 144 Chiswick High Road, www.francomanca.co.uk
GETAWAYS
NORMAN CARR SAFARIS, ZAMBIA
Whisk your family away and experience a safari in the South Luangwa National Park. There’s a kids club: the Luangwa Lion Cubs, which the young ones can join. Experience a ranger’s life as they’ll get the chance to identify footprints and droppings with an expert guide on the foot safari, meet the local schoolchildren and learn a little of the local language. And there are also lessons in African drumming around a campfire, and wildlife quizzes that are put on for the whole family. Bailey Robinson www.baileyrobinson.com has 3 nights at Kapani Camp and 4 nights at the Norman Carr Bush Camps from £3,980 per person (under 12’s would be £3290 per child).
Includes BA flights to Lusaka, light aircraft transfer to Mfuwe in the Luangwa National Park and fully inclusive accommodation at the camps including all activities and park fees.
CASTEL MONASTERO
Alternatively, keep it in Europe, and stay in a gorgeous private villa or suites surrounded by Tuscan countryside, 23km from Siena. Castel Monastero are putting on a special half term package – a mini-club for the kids that will keep them occupied from 9am-6pm, and a children’s cinema every night. Or for family activities, there’s go-karting, horse riding, biking and tennis. For more information visit www.coxandkings.co.uk/europe.
A five night stay for a family of four will cost £6,790. Valid for stays from 21 October to 3 November.
DUBROVNIK sun gardens
With temperatures staying in the balmy late teens along the Adriatic Coast, Dubrovnik Sun Gardens will offer October sun for the family. On offer is six nights’ accommodation, and unlimited, complimentary access to the spa, sailing to Elafiti islands and the old town of Dubrovnik nearby.
For more information email [email protected], or phone +385 20 361 901