October 2015 Newsletter including things to do over Halloween Half Term Holidays

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Published on Friday, 02 October 2015 11:10

Last Updated on 07 October 2015

Monica Costa

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Dear London Mums

After handing over the children over to the teachers, it feels we have started breathing again after the long Summer holidays. But actually with less than a month away to Halloween and less than three to Christmas, more holidays are creeping up again.

Halloween Half Term week is not that scary though. Look at our list of things to do in London and you will be spoilt for choice, from lots of free events to expensive ones. There’s something for every pocket.

Our London Mums magazine Christmas issue will be here soon with a surprise double cover and our first celebrity dad on the cover. I cannot wait to share it with you all. Every issue is like a new baby!

If that isn’t enough, we have already organised a smashing Christmas Party with entertainers Funky Moves who will teach both parents and children of all ages a street dance together with a super Marvel-lous guest: Spiderman!

Book early as I suspect this party will be our best ever. Details are here (click on the link to the information page):

London Mums Christmas Party 20 November 2015 at Eddie Catz Putney

The chillier days and nights make us want to eat more comfort food. We can certainly indulge a bit more, especially if the comfort food is also healthy. Read the London Mums guide to honest food for this Autumn.

HELLO KITTY LIVE FAMILY TICKETS GIVEAWAY

London Mums have partnered with Hello Kitty Show Live to offer 10 family tickets on a first come first served basis.

The premiere event is on 8 October 2015 7pm at Eventim Apollo (45 Queen Caroline Street – London W6 9QH) – Nearest tube is: Hammersmith (Piccadilly, District and Hammersmith & City lines). Email monica@londonmums.org.uk if you want a family ticket.

Set in modern-day London, Hello Kitty is a young girl who is full of dreams and ambition for her future. But before she can get there, she is faced with a challenge ahead. Luckily Hello Kitty is not alone and with the help of her fantastic friends including My Melody, Dear Daniel and Mimmy, she will take on this amazing opportunity that can change her
life forever! This is a story of talent, friendship and a passion for creativity combined with fantastic fashion and costumes. Combined with a lively and sparkling soundtrack, including songs from Clean Bandit, Charli XCX, Bruno Mars and Echosmith, this is a chance to take part in this unique show for children, families and fans of all ages.
We can offer you 1 family ticket per request.
Please note: You will collect your tickets from the box office at the area marked LONDON MUMS Due to the high number of tickets being issued on the day of performance, please make special effort to get to the venue as early as possible to collect the tickets. The box office will be open from 4pm on the day and we ask that you try and get to us before 6pm at the latest to collect your tickets.

 

The honest Autumn Food Trends 2015

If you are at a loss for books to read with or without your children, here is some inspiration.

Autumn reads for children

Top 10 children’s books about London

Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travelist

Book review: The Greenfingers of Monsieur Monet

Things to do with the kids throughout October and Halloween Half Term

Eddie Catz Annual Family Halloween Party

The Halloween party at Eddie Catz is most certainly the best ghostly celebration of the year in London. Don’t miss it! We won’t!

Candy Spook-tacular Fun

 

Have you ever wanted to give your child a key to a Candy Factory? Wanted to host your child a one of a kind party or have the sweetest family outing that London can offer?

The Candy Mum Can!

Spun Candy, the international, premium confectionary company are on a mission to sugar coat this Winter. We’d love to welcome the whole family into our state of the art candy kitchen stores located at Hamleys, Spitalfields and Covent Garden.

Here, not only do Master Candy Makers create beautiful, bespoke hard rock candies everyday to an audience, but we are also the only company in the UK to offer Candy Making Masterclasses, Parties and Festive Events. Educational and uniquely entertaining!

Head down to Spitalfields this half term for “Spun Candy’s Spook-tacular” and in December for our “Santa’s Sweet Grotto”.  Make sure to use code LONDONMUMSDC for an exclusive discount.

 

Disney’s Frozen in Concert at the Royal Albert Hall

Can’t ‘Let It Go’? Then we have some good news: the world premiere of Frozen in Concert takes place at the Royal Albert Hall Thursday 29 October 2015 (2pm and 6:30pm), as a full Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra conducted by David Firman with a chorus from the Maida Vale Singers accompanies this beloved winter warmer on the world’s most famous stage.
The Hall was chock-full of little Disney princesses last year as the venue hosted three wildly successful screenings of the Frozen Sing-Along, with special appearances from Anna, Elsa, X Factor star Lauren Platt and a pair of reindeer. Frozen is the highest-grossing Disney film of all time, having made over $1 billion at the box office, and scooping two Oscars, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. Tickets from www.royalalberthall.co

 

 

October Half Term at the National Media Museum (24 Oct – 1 Nov 2015)

  

Free art and light activities, including artists-in-residence grand show

Visit the National Media Museum between 24 October and 1 November 2015 for a half term extravaganza themed around art and light, featuring The Big Draw (www.thebigdraw.org), a BAFTA Kids live show, and the Museum’s very own artists-in-residence. CBBC presenters Katie Thistleton and Chris Johnson host a fun-filled mix of live demonstrations and behind-the-scenes films and interviews, highlighting the talent behind the games, TV shows and websites nominated for a BAFTA Children’s Award. The event also includes challenges, a drawing competition and an exclusive signing (12.30pm – 2pm, Monday 26 October. Tickets £3 adults, £2 children – for booking details visit www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk).

 

FREE LONDON Installation Bompas and Parr unveil a magical wishing well for MERGE Bankside today

When: 24th September – 18th October 2015
Where: 88 Borough High Street, SE1
Cost: Free
Bankside, London, 24th September 2015 – Art duo Bompas and Parr have today launched their latest installation ‘The Chamber of Wishes’ for MERGE Bankside – MERGE Bankside is a month-long free arts festival.

The piece is interactive installation that takes inspiration from the lost springs, wells and grottos of London’s Bankside. It uses the rare phenomenon of bioluminescent sea water, created with the help of Microbiologist Dr. Simon Park. By entering a magical grotto, guests will be able to observe the lights of the well in a phosphorus shimmer and then view and interact with the algae’s luminescence. For the full MERGE festival programme, please visit www.mergefestival.co.uk

 

DARE YOU TAKE ON HOWL’O’WEEN AT CHESSINGTON?
Visit Chessington World of Adventures Resort between the 23rd October –2nd November 2015  for a spooky, thrilling and hair-raising Howl’o’ween experience!

As the sun goes down, the eerie, the spooky and the creepy come out to play this Howl’o’ween at Chessington World of Adventures Resort. A spine-chilling week filled with thrills, howls and family fun awaits the bravest of guests, with jumps and goosebumps and rides in the dark around every corner. Open late every night until 8pm, Chessington’s Howl’o’ween presents two brand new attractions – the Curse of the Lost Tomb maze for braver souls and Trick or Treat Wood for courageous little explorers, as well as rides in the dark and spooky animal shows. Rides in the dark are also making their return this year, with Chessington remaining open for last ride entry at 8pm! Take a flight of fright on Vampire to soar through the trees of Transylvania, enjoy Dragon’s Fury’s spectacular spin underneath the stars, or incur the wrath of Rameses’ Revenge with Chessington’s favourite rides available to enjoy under the dark cloak of night.

With  over 40 rides and attractions in 10 themed lands, Chessington offers a world of excitement for the whole family this Howl’o’ween, with creepy crawly animal shows, the new Penguins of Madagascar Live: Operation Cheezy Dibbles show on the main stage and lots of character meet and greets promising fun and spooks around every corner. Ticket prices start from just £27pp, individuals and families can save up to a whopping 43%. Remember guests under 0.9m get in for FREE! You can also stay at one of the two Chessington Resort Hotels with packages starting from just £257 per family in Chessington Safari Hotel.

Fun for all the family in Hyde Park:
Nature Explorers – Wild Photography

27 October 2015: 10am – 3pm
£15. Suitable for 8 to 11 year olds
Book online now
Ensure your 8 – 11 year old has a happy half term by dropping them off at the Isis Education Centre for a fun filled (and educational!) day of nature inspired games and activities.

Activities include:

• Using photography and sound recording equipment to document wildlife activities.
• Learning how to storyboard a film and learning about angles, focus and using a tripod.
• Using digital microphones to record some sounds of nature and interviewing your friends for fun!
• Exploring the park’s wilder spots and having a go at editing your photographs to take home on a memory stick.
  

Discovery Day – Hair-raising Halloween
28 – 29 October 2015: 11am – 3pm
Free of charge. Suitable for the whole family!
Booking not necessary.

Further details on Royal Parks website.
Drop in any time between 11am and 3pm to take park in a host of exciting activities, uncovering and discovering the magic of nature.
Free activities include:

• Daring to explore our ‘feely boxes’
• Arts and crafts including making your very own owl mask to take home
• Learning about hibernating hedgehogs and how to track their behaviour
• Exploring our nature trail
• Potion making using the natural resources around us
  

Dressing up is definitely encouraged so why not get into the spirit and come dressed as a ghoulish ghost or wicked witch.

West End Shows

KINKY BOOTS

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

 

Films

PAN & my three minutes chat with Hugh Jackman

You might have missed this, but I actually had a 3 minute window opportunity to ask Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) a question. Check the PAN piece out to watch me getting all flirty with Blackbeard / Wolverine aka Hugh J.

Horrible Histories’ Bill – if you haven’t seen it already, this is the best film to spend a couple of hours laughing out loud (it’s not just for kids by the way)

Macbeth – 2015 is the year of the Fass (Michael Fassbender). Bring it on!

A Walk In The Woods – A mature Robert Redford in action who never looses his charm. How does he do it?!

COMPETITIONS

We have lots of new giveaways and ongoing competitions for everyone. Don’t forget to enter them. Everyone loves freebies.

Our Christmas issue is out (shortly also in supermarkets)! A sneak peak on the double cover special before it is posted online.

Have a happy Halloween!

Monica

monica@londonmums.org.uk

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