May in a Day!
Saturday 7 May, 2:00pm-5:00pm, Cecil Sharp House, London,
May in a Day is filled with fun and folk for all the family! This year the fantastic Folk Dance Remixed will be providing us with high energy performances incorporating folk and hip hop, along with exciting participatory workshops that fuse traditional and contemporary art forms.
Take part in workshops that remix break dance with broom dancing and make music in our body percussion workshops that also feature clog and step dancing. Unleash the performer in you and take part in the vibrant finale at the end of the afternoon; the perfect opportunity to showcase your new skills! Decorate and make your own trilby hats to wear during the finale in our arts and crafts session, along with other fun creations. A popular workshop led by artist Shelagh McCarthy.
Join in with an abundance of other folk fuelled fun including the ever popular English ceilidh, which will incorporate maypole dancing hosted by Folk Dance Remixed, featuring music from their live band. Outdoor activities in our beautiful garden will be led by Permaculture.
Celebration Ceilidh
Saturday 18 June, 7:00pm-11:00pm, Cecil Sharp House, London
Participate in lively folk dancing to the dynamic sounds of folk fusion band, Steamchicken, guided by leading caller and MC Andrew Swaine. Be dazzled by a selection of England’s finest morris, sword and clog dancers performing guest spots throughout the evening. Including:
Boggart’s Breakfast (Border Morris) – Sheffield, Laura Connolly (Clog dancer) – Newcastle, Fools Gambit (Cotswold Morris) – London, Gog Magog Molly – Cambridge, Tower Ravens (female Rapper team) – London
Suitable for everyone over 10 years. All dancers from beginners to advanced are welcome. No prior experience needed as all dances are explained in a walkthrough.
English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) in association with the Friends of Cecil Sharp House
Tickets: £14 | £10 Youth Ticket (under 26yrs)
www.cecilsharphouse.org/component/content/article/21-shared/shared-events/3538-celebration-ceilidh
Tickets: www.musicglue.com/cecilsharphouse/events/18-jun-16-celebration-ceilidh-cecil-sharp-house/
May 2016 AT CUTTY SARK
FAMILY FUN WEEKEND
Puppet Pals
Lots of different animals lived on board Cutty Sark including pigs, chickens and the captain’s pet monkey. Choose your favourite and make a puppet to star in your own puppet show.
7 and 8 May 2016 Sammy Ofer Gallery, Cutty Sark 11.30-13.30 | 14.00-16.00 for all ages
Don’t put your paw in the sugar bowl!
Storyteller on board the ship for tales of animal adventure. Find out what happened when the monkeys got into the galley, the dogs wanted to go on deck during a storm and the pigs caused a right rumpus.
7 and 8 May 2016 ‘Tween Deck, Cutty Sark 11.30 | 12.30 | 14.00 age 3+
HALF TERM
Dancing Sailors
Stamp your feet and clap your hands, Cutty Sark’s sailors are having a dance. Make a colourful sailor puppet to dance around the ship and take home to play with.
30 and 31 May 2016 Sammy Ofer Gallery, Cutty Sark 11.30-13.30 | 14.00-16.00 all ages
TOURS
Audio-Described Tour
Explore the ship and its fascinating story on this audio-described tour for blind and partially-sighted visitors. Come on board and get hands-on with history on the world’s last remaining tea clipper.
0 May 2016 Cutty Sark 14.30-15.30£17 adult | £13.50 concessions (includes visitors with disabilities)
Toddler Time
Wednesday mornings. Bring your little sailors along for songs, stories and playtime on board.
4, 11, 18, 25 May 2016 Sammy Ofer Gallery, Cutty Sark 10.00-11.30 ages 4 and under
Cutty Sark Characters
Come aboard to hear Cutty Sark’s incredible stories brought to life by characters from the ship’s past. Meet Captain Woodget, the ship’s most daring master; Jock Willis, the man who built Cutty Sark; Nannie, the ship’s figurehead; or the ship’s cook, James Robson, who all have an extraordinary story to tell.
Every weekend and weekday Sammy Ofer Gallery and Main Deck, Cutty Sark ages 3+
Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory Greenwich and Queen’s House operate under the banner of Royal Museums Greenwich.
www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark. 020 8312 6608.
Family Activities at IWM London – May Half Term
May – June 2016 FREE
May Half Term Activities
Art Workshop: Drawing a Somme Flipbook 28 May – 5 June 2016 11am – 4pm
Object Conversations: The Battle of the Somme 30 May – 3 June 11am – 12.30pm; Feel the weight of a shrapnel piece
Introduction to the First World War 25 – 26 June 11am – 12.30pm; 2pm – 4pm ages 11+
Introduction to the Holocaust 30 April – 1 May 21 – 22 May 11.30am – 12.30pm; 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Every Saturday and Sunday in May and June 11am – 12.30pm; 2pm – 4pm immersive object handling session
Creative Response 1, 8, 15, 22 May 12, 19, 26 June 11am – 12.30pm; 2pm – 4pm
www.iwm.org.uk
The Lyric Hammersmith
wins the Get Creative Family Arts Festival Audience Choice Award for Best Venue.
Monstersaurus
Tue 31 May – Sat 04 Jun 11am & 1pm / 50 mins Ages 3 – 7
Based on the book by Clare Freedman and Ben Court this brand new show from the creators of Aliens Love Underpants is monsterously good. Follow young inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of whacky inventions and incredible monsters.
Lyric Hammersmith Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0QL 020 8741 6850 www.lyric.co.uk
Hyde Park
Half Term Activities for the whole family
Nature Explorers: Hedges & Hedgerows Tuesday 31 May 2016: 10am – 3pm
£15. Suitable for 8 to 11 year olds Book online now to avoid disappointment.
Drop your 8 – 11 year old off at Education Centre for a fun filled (and educational!) day of outdoor games and activities. Drop off at 10am and collect at 3.00pm.
Activities include:
- Become a hedgehog architect! Discover what makes a good hedgehog habitat, then put this knowledge into practice in the gardens of our Education Centre
- Follow our nature trail to uncover prickly facts about the nations favourite little mammal
- Try out some of the scientific equipment we use to survey hedgehogs as we study them in the Royal Parks
- Get crafty in our discovery rooms, fashioning hedgehogs out of paper plates
- Explore the wilder parts of the park and picnic outside (if it’s sunny!) – visit Kensington Gardens allotment to meet the resident chickens
- Discover mini-beasts in a meadow sweep-netting session
- Be awarded a ‘Nature Explorers Club‘ badge and passport – every time your they visit our Education Centre they will get a brand new stamp!
Discovery Day: Hedgehog Heroes
1 & 2 June 2016
: 11am – 3pm
Free of charge. Suitable for the whole family!
Booking not necessary – just drop in. More information on our royalparks!
Drop in any time between 11am and 3pm for a day of hedgehog themed activities including:
- Craft a hedgehog from a paper plate or colour your own hedgehog picture to take home
- Try out some of the scientific equipment we use to survey hedgehogs as we study them in the Royal Parks
- Follow our Discovery Trail, uncovering prickly facts about our spiny friends
- Become a hedgehog architect and design a hedgehog friendly habitat, then make your own clay hedgehog to live in it (£2 suggested donation)
- Discover what you can do to help hedgehogs in your garden
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
NEW FOR MAY HALF TERM: PENGUIN POINT PLUS RECENTLY OPENED FROZEN PLANET: FACE TO FACE REALITY EXPERIENCE
Penguin Point – an expanded state-of-the-art viewing and learning experience complete with a colony of Gentoo penguins.
Ten Gentoo penguins will be resident in the bespoke new enclosure. The significantly enlarged area features two pools, a waterfall, underwater jets, rocks and landing areas and ice flakes. The indoor location of the enclosure will enable SEA LIFE’s expert Penguin Keepers to carefully control temperature, lighting and humidity in line with the species’ needs.
Continuing the sub-zero theme is Frozen Planet: Face to Face – which opened for Easter (25 March) and enables visitors to experience the magical polar ice worlds of BBC Earth’s epic natural history series: Frozen Planet
Penguin Point and the Frozen Planet: Face to Face experience will be permanent additions to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium and included in the entrance price. Visitors can also enjoy getting up close to over 6000 colourful aquatic inhabitants representing over 600 species in 65 immersive displays.
- Discounts and priority entry available with online booking – visit www.visitsealife.com/london
SKY PRESENTS THE SKY KIDS CAFÉ
AN IMAGINATIVE PLAY & CAFE EXPERIENCE WHERE KIDS CAN ENTER THE WORLDS OF SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, SCOOBY DOO AND BEN & HOLLY FOR THE FIRST TIME
For half term family fun, Sky presents the first ever kids TV themed play & cafe experience. Open from Monday 30th May through to Wednesday 1st June, the Sky Kids Café will offer children the exciting chance to step into the captivating worlds of some of their favourite TV shows, all of which are available through the new Sky Kids app.
They will be able to play amongst famous scenes, come face to face with their beloved characters, and be part of their magical worlds – all for free. Children and parents will also enjoy flavourful fun through a special food and drinks menu created by celebrity chef and mother Lisa Faulkner, inspired by the playful storylines and charismatic characters from each show.
The Sky Kids Café will offer arts and crafts, and three imaginative play areas for children to discover; Nicktoon’s SpongeBob SquarePants , Boomerang’s Scooby-Doo, and Ben & Holly from Entertainment One (eOne), which airs daily on Nick Jr., They will be able to explore SpongeBob’s underwater world, complete with his Pineapple House and colourful sea creatures, enter the haunted house and help to solve Scooby-Doo mysteries, and jump into Ben & Holly’s oversized Little Kingdom with magic wands and fairy dust trails.
WHERE: The Vinyl Factory, 18 Marshall St, London W1F 7BE
WHEN: Monday 30th May – Wednesday 1st June
AGES: Recommended for pre-schoolers – 9 years old
OPENING HOURS: Book a slot between 10AM – 6:30PM
COST: Free, book your time slot via www.skykidscafe.eventbrite.co.uk
HOW TO GET THERE: Walking distance from Piccadilly (5 mins), Oxford Circus (6 mins) and Tottenham Court Road (7 mins) tube stations. Parking available at Q-Park Soho
Visitors are advised to pre-book their free 90 minute Sky kids Café slot in advance. A member of the Sky Kids Café team will be in touch 72-48 hours ahead of the event via email and phone to confirm your booking. Each session will include access to discover all three worlds, arts and crafts activities, and refreshments in the Cafe. Families will also have the opportunity to try out the new Sky Kids app on tablets.
The Sky Kids app features thousands of episodes of kids’ favourite shows in an app that’s just for them. It features 16 of the 20 highest-rated shows, all available on demand and gives them their own profile with shows tailored to their age. Sky Kids is available to download now from both Google Play and Apple’s App Store. The app will work on 3G/4G and Wi-Fi and is available at no extra cost for customers with the Sky Family or Variety bundle or Sky Q.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Family Activity Days
Chocolate Tuesday
Geography and science of chocolate. The day will include craft activities, a Garden tour, chocolate tasting and the chance to create your own mixtures to take away. Rococo Chocolates. For ages 7+ 10:30am-3pm on Tuesday May 31
Marvellous Masks
We will be joined by Delphine Mercier, curator at the UCL Ethnography Collections, who will be bringing a selection of masks from around the world and explaining their significance and the stories behind them. Then it’s your turn to create your own marvellous mask and decorate it with leaves, twigs and seeds from around the Garden. For ages 7+ 10.30am-2.30pm on Wednesday June 1
Thinking with your Nose: an introduction to plant perfumes
Captivating Scents: fresh floral fœtid, we are teaming up with the wonderful Organic Pharmacy to bring to life the scent-sational world of plant perfumes. Learn the basics of perfumery and how to make your own perfect personal blend to take away (as well as your own mini scented garden). For ages 11+ 10.30am-2.30pm on Thursday June 2
Family Garden Trail
Self-led trail (with stickers) around the Garden which was designed by artist Kerry Lemon and helps with your garden exploration. Free on entry to the Garden.
66 Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HS 020 7352 5646 www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
Syon Park
Foodies Festival 28th – 30th May 2016
www.foodiesfestival.com/syon-park/visit/show-information/
www.SeeTickets.com – or call the box office 0844 995 9673
Opening hours.
Saturday 28th May: 11am until 7pm
Sunday 29th May: 11am until 7pm
Monday 30th May: 11am until 6pm
Syon Park, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 8JF
Tel. 020 8560 0882
Lee Valley
Animal antics on the farms
Lamb racing and watch sheep having their annual haircut every day during sheep shearing from Saturday 28 May to Sunday 5 June, when the farms celebrate Sheep Week. There are many activities and attractions, including taking a thrilling toboggan ride and meeting the 300 animals, including Meerkats, llamas, guinea pigs, rabbits and exotic species such as Bearded Dragons and Meerkats.
Date: Sheep Week – Saturday 28 May to Sunday 5 June
Time: 10:00 – 17:00 Price: Adults £9.50, children/concessions £8.50, under 2s free (book online for 10% off)
www.lvfarms.co.uk
Summer Splash at Lee Valley White Water Centre Sunday 29 May 2016, 11:00 – 16:00 Treasure hunt, disc golf, Scuba® diving, bouncy castle, falconry displays, face painting, plus an all-day Beer Festival, as well as other exciting white water activities available at the centre. It is also an opportunity to try many of the water sports available at the centre such as Go Sup – stand up paddle boarding for the over eights on the lake and rafting the rapids (age 14 and upwards) down the same 300 metre course where Team GB won gold and silver in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Date: Sunday 29 May Time: 11:00 – 16:00
Price: FREE entry but some activities, including white water sports (need to prebook these) have a charge
www.gowhitewater.co.uk or call 03000 030 616.
Go Canoeing Week
As part of Go Canoeing Week (Saturday 28 May- Sunday 5 June), and for those that want to paddle their way to a fitter 2016, why not try an hour long taster session for families for just £5 per person, on the crystal clear lake – for children aged 8 and over. On Thursday 2 June there is also a special competition open to all canoeists taking part in the taster, with a prize for the winner at the end of each session. Prizes will be presented by Olympian Tim Baillie who won gold at the London 2012 Canoe Slalom event.
Date: Saturday 28 May – Sunday 5 June; Thursday 2 June-canoe competition and taster day
Price: £5 per person
Address: Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, EN9 1AB.
To find out more: www.gowhitewater.co.uk or call 03000 030 616.
Lee Valley Aquathlon
For the more competitive, the first of the 2016 Aquathlon events at Lee Valley White Water Centre is on Tuesday 3 May. The Aquathlon – for those aged 18 + – involves swimming in the lake and running in the River Lee Country Park.
Date: Tuesday 3 May
Time: From 19:00
Price: £12-£15: choice of two race distances for beginners and those more experienced
Address: Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, EN9 1AB.
To find out more and to enter: www.gowhitewater.co.uk or call 03000 030 616.
Athletics fun
For children eager to experience a fun packed day, throwing the javelin, jumping hurdles and clearing high jumps then Star Track is ideal. These popular sessions are for 6-8 year olds, for building both fitness and athletic ability.
Date: Tuesday 31 May – Thursday 2 June
Time: 14:30 – 17:00
Price: £29
Address: Lee Valley Leisure Complex, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, London N9 0AR;
To find out more and to book: www.visitleevalley.org.uk/athletics or call 020 8344 7230.
Be a tennis hot shot
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has sessions for both hockey and tennis, for beginners all the way through to advanced players.
Tennis
Children can learn to play tennis, make friends and have fun with a range of tennis courses for different ages and pay and play sessions. Take your pick from the many different tennis programmes in May. Among the many choices are the Hotshots tennis courses for both 5-10 year-olds and 11-16 year-olds every Saturday between 16 April and 28 May.
Date: Every Saturday from 16 April to 28 May
Price/booking: £3 per session
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Eton Manor, Leadmill Lane, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 3AD.
Find out more: www.visitleevalley.org.uk/hockeytennisor call 0300 003 0614 Twitter: @LeeValleyHTC
Hockey
For hockey enthusiasts, there is the Investec Women & Men Hockey Knock Out Finals at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. Join this festival of hockey and celebrate all aspects of the game watching knockout games.
Date: Saturday 30 April to Sunday 1 May
Time: From 09:30
Price: from £5
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Eton Manor, Leadmill Lane, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 3AD.
Find out more at: www.visitleevalley.org.uk/hockeytennis
Lee Valley Ice Centre
For ice skating enthusiasts, the Lee Valley Ice Centre offers a range of learn to skate courses, public skating sessions and lessons that suit all ages and abilities from toddlers to adults.
There’s a chance to learn new skills on the ice over the school holidays with special five day ‘crash’ courses to build confidence on the rink, as well as learn a range of skating concepts. All courses are taught by qualified NISA instructors.
The international sized ice rink is also home to the Lee Valley Lions Ice Hockey teams (Junior & ED2), as well as the London Raiders Ice Hockey team and the Lee Valley London Skating Club. The venue is also popular for booking birthday parties and group skating sessions.
Date: May half term – check website for details
Address: Lee Valley Ice Centre, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7QL
To find out more and to book: www.visitleevalley.org.uk/iceskating or call 020 8533 3154.
Cycle the Olympic Way
Join this circular, leisurely cycle ride to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from River Lee Country Park, taking a break at Lee Valley VeloPark. Suitable for the family.
Date: Sunday 15 May
Time: 10:00 – 15:00
Price: FREE
Meeting point: Fishers Green car park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF
FootGolf
For a sport with a difference, try FootGolf, available weekends and school holidays at Lee Valley Golf Course.
Date: Weekends and school holidays
Price: £5 for juniors and £10 for adults for 18 holes. Children under 14 need to be accompanied by an adult.
Address: Lee Valley Golf Course, Meridian Way (next to Lee Valley Leisure Complex) Edmonton, London N9 0AR.
To find out more and to book call: www.visitleevalley.org.uk/golf or call 020 8884 1987
Meridian Lantern Procession
Bring a lantern and join in this magical night time lantern procession along the Meridian Line in River lee Country Park. This year’s walk is in support of the Haven House Children’s Hospice that cares for children from birth to age 19 with life limiting conditions.
Date: Sunday 1 May
Time: 20:30 to 22:00
Price: donations
Meeting point: Waltham Abbey Gardens, Abbey View, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1XQ