London Mums’ favourite Summer holiday activities in London & beyond

Dear London Mums

Brace yourself as school holidays officially start next week and this can only mean one thing: needy children to be entertained 24/7 for 45 days. Are you ready? Here is a list of FREE Summer holiday activities chosen by London Mums as well as ideas on how to entertain the family. The Capital is exceptionally good when it comes to free stuff. Make the most of it and enjoy some well deserved time off.

Get set for SPLASH FEST Sunday 7 August 2016

summer activities london SplashFest - Slip-Slide Stream (artist impression)

SPLASH FEST, London’s first family-friendly aqua obstacle course, will transform Battersea Park on Sunday 7 August. With five zones of water-themed challenges and games – plus a lively event village – families can expect slides, foam, water spouts and more. Organised by lifesaving charity the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), SPLASH FEST is ideal for families with children aged around 7-12, and promises to be one of this summer’s unmissable events. Tickets cost £22-25 for adults and £10-12.50 for under18s; under 3s go free. For tickets and further information, visit www.splashfest.co.uk
Time: All day, starting from 9am
Venue: Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ
Nearest station: Battersea Park

Top 10 Things to do this Summer with Kids Who Love Water

We have caught up with Rebecca Adlington who has given us tips on how to get kids active in the water.

Rebecca Adlington_Edit_0012.jpg_cmyk

 

FREE BP Portrait Award 2016 Exhibition at National Portrait Gallery including Family Activities (until 4 September)

BP portrait_award_work_2119

The BP Portrait Award 2016 exhibition showcases over fifty of the very best contemporary painted portraits from around the world, including the winner of the £30,000 First Prize, Girl in a Liberty Dress by Clara Drummond. From expressive sketches to piercing photo-realism, the variety and vitality in the exhibition continue to make it an unmissable highlight of the annual art calendar.

Free Family Activities

bp_portrait_boyhats_2
Explore this year’s exhibition with a special Family Trail featuring illustrations by Emily Rand. Join us for two weeks of free workshops, drop-in sessions and holiday activities every week day from 25 July – 5 August 2016.

Meet and work with BP Portrait Award-winning artists, create your own portraits and connect with other young people. Programme for 14-21 year olds includes Taster Sessions, drop in drawing, Summer Schools and our exclusive Young Peoples Private View on Tues 2 August hosted by the Gallery’s Youth Forum.

 

Activities at REGENT’S PLACE including a FREE Rio Carnival party

Summer Live Regents Place London

To celebrate summer, Regents Place will once again host a giant open air screen showcasing the very best sporting highlights, alongside popular films throughout the summer: an action packed series of free, interactive events until September. A giant open-air screen will pop-up until the end of August, showcasing a variety of sports – including the Olympics – as well as a range of film favourites. In addition, a schedule of hands on activities will be in place for all to enjoy, making Regent’s Place the perfect summer destination.  To mark the start of the Rio Olympics in August, Regent’s Place will throw a carnival to bring the Rio party atmosphere to London. Free to attend, the carnival will offer a celebration of dance, music, culture and food. Highlights from the tournament will be aired on the giant screen throughout the month, while an accompanying series of fun sporting activities will include a “tough mudder” style ninja assault course, adult sports day, and mini golf tournament.

Regent’s Place will come alive with the spirit of film this summer too, by showcasing a series of open-air movies. Immersive classic cinema during the week will see Regent’s Place transformed into scenes from the silver screen, with weekend family films wowing adults and little ones alike.

 

Museum of London Docklands

This summer the Museum of London Docklands has loads of amazing, interactive, family friendly activites to get involved with. This August, pirates are taking over the docks with our FREE exciting and interactive family shows Shiver me timbers! Join us on a whirlwind journey of discovery about life on the high seas. There’s something for everyone with loads of fun opportunites to get involved and a special show just for under 5s. Here is some more information:

The Museum of London Docklands summer Fishing © Alex Bell at Portland Education

Hello Barbados it is © Alex Bell at Portland Education

Shiver me timbers! Every Wed-Sat in Aug (no shows 13 Aug)
11.30am – 12pm Suggested Ages: Under 5s
12.30-1.15pm & 2.30-3.13pm, Suggested: Ages 5+

The Museum of London Docklands summer Shiver me timbers! (c) Museum of London

Shiver me timbers is © Museum of London

On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 August, the Museum of London Docklands is bringing the Caribbean to Canary Wharf. Celebrating 50 years of Bajan independence, this family weekend festival has something for everyone taking its take inspiration from the Bajan festival ‘Crop Over’. The museum has lots of exciting performances and workshops on offer, including traditional and modern music, dance, crafts and storytelling.

 

Tower Bridge interactive exhibition

Tower bridge exhibition diego

For discounted tickets to the Tower Bridge exhibition visit http://londonmumsmagazine.entstix.com/tickets/tower-bridge-exhibition

London Tower Bridge interactive exhibition explained by 9 year old Diegoin this video.

Tower Bridge exhibition reviewed by Kids Club reporter Diego (9)

 

Kids Club Amelie & Frankie review  LEGOLAND Windsor

LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Main entrance

 

New movie releases

Swallows and Amazons film Boat

Swallows and Amazons (out on 19 August) – our review will be live on the website on 23 July.

Disney’s Pete’s Dragon (out on 12 August) – our review will be live on the website on 18 July.

Film Review: Finding Dory (out on 29 July)

Film Review: The Secret Life Of Pets (out now)

 

Remember safety

top tips when travelling with children

Top tips when travelling with children

Fun in the sun (without the worry-lines)

 

Summer Bedtime stories

BOOKS FOR KIDS book page The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home_Child&book3

Our personalised bedtime story this week: The Incredible intergalactic Journey Home

The Feel Brave series – Little stories about big feelings books

 

Summer Recipes

recipe quinoa-320x190

 

Apricot and pistachio power balls by Davina McCall

Quinoa Tabbouleh  by Hemsley Hemsley

The perfect Picnic Checklist including food & activities

 

Back to School – Preparing for 11+ tests and other exams

Tutoring to support children's preparation for entry tests like 11 plus exams explore learning 1

Prep school entrance assessment pressure!

Tutoring to support children’s preparation for entry tests like 11 plus exams

Prepare for the 3+ 4+ school entrance assessments this Summer

Using technology to support your child’s early learning

 

London Mums on YouTube

For more entertainment from us, you can subscribe to our London Mums YouTube channel where we regularly upload film reviews, exclusive interviews with celebrities, first reactions, children views and insights into London Attractions! Watching a short video or vlog is often more relaxing and fun than reading! This is why most of London Mums’ activities will hit YouTube before this website.

London Mums YouTube channel screen shot Summer 2016

Enjoy Summer! Til the next one, get in touch if you want to share your thoughts and ideas with fellow London Mums.

 

Monica

monica@londonmums.org.uk

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LONDON MUMS TV CHANNEL 2892798_youtube
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Read the latest London Mums magazine for FREE online

London Mums magazine Summer 2016 issue 18 collage

 

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