Imagine Children’s Festival: 10th-26th February at Southbank Centre

Celebrating children’s literature and performing arts, the Imagine Children’s Festival is back for a fortnight this February with 53 free and paid events for kids of all ages including opera for babies, a musical tour of the animal kingdom with Carnival of the Animals, a craft pavilion, and a 5 minute live performance of an [...]

Donna Wilson Endangered Species Exhibition at Yorkshire Sculpture Park

I’m a huge fan of Scottish designer Donna Wilson who I had the pleasure of meeting earlier this week. Her eccentric style across knitted goodies, homewares, furniture, prints, and accessories (check out the house blanket that Kat featured last week) have become instantly recognisable and earned her the coveted title of Elle Decoration’s Designer of [...]

Cool Spot: Purple Dragon Chelsea

Last year we fell in love with Purple Dragon, a members club for families that at the time was based in Battersea. Like a relaxation paradise with your kids (yeah I know, who woulda thought, eh?), where you don’t need eyes in the back of your head and a stiff drink to cope with the [...]

Christmas at Marwell Wildlife

Last week we were invited to take the children to the opening night of Christmas at Marwell Wildlife. Santa having skydived into the park earlier in the day he was in residence at the house and ready for visitors. We visited after the park had closed and at five o’clock it was already dark. Fairy [...]

10 Best: Kids’ travel accessories

If, like me, you’re heading off for some winter sun (read: travelling to the other side of the world for a wedding) with your little one, you’ll be in the market for items to make your life as easy as possible, so you’re at least in with a chance of relaxing on holiday. A Trunki is [...]

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink and other cool spots for skating

  Last week, we were lucky enough to attend the launch of the 2011 Royal Pavilion Ice Rink in Brighton and I’m happy to report that it’s at least as fabulous as last year. Now, between you and me, I’m no Jayne Torvill, so I sent my envoys out onto the slippery stuff, while I [...]

Children’s Theatre Review: The Magician’s Daughter

I’m  on a one-woman campaign to encourage my family to love Shakespeare. Last month my husband and I went on a rare child-free day out to the Old Vic to see the wonderful Kevin Spacey as Richard III. He (my husband that is) dismissed it as ‘boring’ and ‘wordy’. I might divorce him soon. Luckily [...]

Cool Event: South Ken Kids Festival

South Ken Kids Festival is a literary extravaganza for children at Institut français in London. Held over four days there are a plethora of events and workshops featuring the biggest names in children’s literature. There will be drawing duels, workshops, talks, film, theatre and the opportunity to meet the authors and illustrators at book signings. [...]

Cool Spot: Alex James Presents Harvest 2011

Following two successful Harvest festivals at Jimmy’s this year saw the first Alex James Presents Harvest. A mix of musical, foodie and family entertainment it offers something a little bit different from your average summer festival. Held over three days on 9 – 11th September 2011 the festival featured performances from The Kooks, Athlete and [...]

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum

Given that it’s the National Children’s museum, it’s perhaps odd that we haven’t featured Eureka! before – but then, it’s located in Bradford Halifax, meaning it’s not necessarily on everyone’s beaten track. For us, holidaying in Yorkshire, it became clear it was going to feature on our agenda, even before we’d arrived: the train track passes [...]

Loveabell bell tent hire

  When my friend Dave invited us to a camping weekend for his 40th birthday I immediately went to bagsy the campervan we share with four friends. But, shock horror, someone had got there before us, so I decided it was the perfect opportunity to book a bell tent, as I’d wanted to stay in [...]

Cool Spot: Wilderness Festival

Catherine is the author of Bristol Parenting Cafe and today is sharing her experiences and pictures of Wilderness Festival. Hooray – I’m finally back in the world of festivals after a five year absence! I heard about The Wilderness Festival back in June and in a rare moment of decisiveness booked tickets a few weeks [...]

Cool Spot: Just So Festival 2011

Last weekend saw the second annual Just So Festival held at Barneswood near Leek, Staffordshire. I took my family along to check it out on Sunday and Eve was there on Saturday. Just So Festival is all about the children with extras to keep their parents happy while they have fun. Held over three days [...]

Cool Spot: Lollibop Festival 2011

A couple of weeks ago, I got up early and made enough food to feed the five thousand and headed for Lollibop, the “big bash for little people” in Regent’s Park. We were given a family pass for six which meant I ‘dragged’ my mate and her two along and we were pretty frazzled by [...]

Children’s Theatre Review: Bob, the Man on the Moon

  A friend recently asked whether her two year old was too young to be taken his first trip to the theatre. My reply? No, of course! I love the theatre! One of my strongest memories is of being taken to Manchester’s Contact or Library theatres as a child and seeing all sorts of magical [...]

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