World Book Day is a great charity, that celebrates authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) reading. It is designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries […]
Category: Family Time
The Best Coding Clubs for London Kids
One of our passions here at the Depot, is to shout as loudly (and politely of course) about all issues relating to equality and removing stereotypes of boys and girls ambitions (and success) when it […]
A Book Club for 2 – 4 Year Olds
Originally posted on Creative Bus Stop:
We had a light-bulb moment when we were fixing the front suspension of the bus last weekend. Why not get all the kids in the class to share their…
Kids Architecture Courses at Sir John Soane’s Museum
Originally posted on Creative Bus Stop:
Now here is what seems to be one of the best kept secrets in children’s museum workshops/ courses in London. It’s all happening at the Sir John Soane museum…
Craft Project, A Zip-Up Purse
Originally posted on Creative Bus Stop:
How to make a zip-up purse Turn leftover fabric into a neat little purse. It’s quick, easy and economical, says Perri Lewis A handmade zip-up purse can make a…
Craft Project, Colouring Animals
Originally posted on Creative Bus Stop:
? Thanks to the wonderful V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, here is a printable of three animal-colouring-sheets to play with this weekend. Just colour in the pictures of the…
5 Best Valentines Cards to Make At Home
1. You’re My Cup of Tea (The Hand Crafted Cottage) 2. Cute feet card (Pinterest) 3. Wax resist valentine card (Happy Hooligans) 4. The Thumbprint Family (Simplykierste.com) 5. Pom Pom print card (Spoonful.com)
Craft Project, Drawing Penguins
This post is quick, to the point and in homage of one of our favourite sites Krokotak. It’s going to become a post similar to a trusted friend, that will allow you to show off […]
The Best Family Dance at Sadler’s Wells 2015
Did I tell you one of my New Year thoughts (I don’t really do resolutions, too much disappointment and all that…) was to try and search out the best art-y & cultural events, and let […]
The Mini Vault Festival, Waterloo, Jan, Feb & March 2016
Discover a magical world for under 11s at the Mini Vault Festival which runs until March 6th this year with special events at the weekends for kids. (Schedule is on the link above, with weekend […]
5 of the Best Children’s Theatres in London
1. Discover Children’s Story Centre (Stratford, near the new Westfield) Discover Children’s Story Centre is a place where children (aged 0-11) and their families can enjoy time together playing, reading, and get fully immersed in the ‘Story Room’ […]
5 Best Educational Kids Websites
1. NGKids : National Geographic Kids Weird but True : A spider hears using tiny hairs on its legs, Lightning can make the air around it five times hotter than the sun’s surface! and Apples float but […]
Q+A with Designer & Author Kate Lilley of Minieco Blog
Originally posted on Mama's Secret London:
This time, you must believe the hype. If you live in a semi-blog world like a few of us Mama’s then you will already know about the excitement…
5 Best Charities to Help Out
1. Basket Brigade. Last year the London Yes Group Basket Brigade 2012 had over 550 volunteers and we delivered 1,050 hampers in one day!!!! They need you even more this year so please invite your family […]
You will Love Stationary and Tags by Alison Carmichael
Originally posted on Mama's Secret London:
We adore all things Alison Carmichael. We have a box of her cards, and they are very special. These tags will definitely give those ’emergency’ presents or dinner…
5 Best Homemade Festive Biscuits
Originally posted on Mama's Secret London:
A combo of some green icing, sweeties and[…]
5 Best Birthday Cards to Make At Home
I didn’t want you to feel left out, and not remind you how super-easy it is to make your own cards with the kids. These cards, are also certain to get a super smile from […]
Sparkly Christmas Markets & Pop Ups 2013
If you know us lot in the bus depot, you will know that we truly only get excited about a nice cup of strong tea, a secret look at Daily Mail online showbiz pages, and […]
5 Best Family Carols & Concerts 2013
We are spoilt for choice with seasonal concerts over the Christmas holidays. To help you find your way amongst the carol concerts we have chosen a quick ‘5 best’ of the family events in central […]
5 Best Museums & Exhibitions 2013
Cutty Sark : Royal Museums Greenwich : Christmas Crafts & Holiday fun Take part in a range of family-friendly activities at Cutty Sark this winter and get creative with Christmassy crafts in December and January. Look out for family […]
5 Best Santa’s Grottos
Shopping & Carols : Clifton Nurseries, Maida Vale Head over to this enchanting boutique garden centre at any time for tea, cake and then admire a beautiful selection of tree decorations and other christmas treats. Event […]
The Best London Christmas Fairs
A round up of all the late night shopping, craft fairs and charity sales happening across London this Christmas 2015.
We Love The Loop Kids Newspaper
Originally posted on Creative Bus Stop:
This is a great great great idea if you need one for a different type of birthday present for an 8-13 year old, then get them a subscription to…
Ice Skating in London
You know you want to, so grab your knee pads, ear muffs, and arnica gel, and get ready to show off your pike, twist, flip routine amongst all the wobbly-urbanite-skating crews out there. Leave me […]
Q&A with Tom Cohn Founder or KIGU
I have a feeling that ‘you’ wouldn’t find it hard to slip on a Kigu for a cosy night in, or a wild night out on the town. There aren’t many ‘complete’ outfits, that are […]
What’s On at The London Puppetry Festival 2013
As my 6-year old would say “…seriously, you have to check out the puppetry talent at this years Suspense London Puppetry Festival“. Watch the trailer above, and make up your own mind, but if you […]
Q & A with Sarah Bridgland Artist & Sculptor
Luckily for us travellers, we met the charming and talented Sarah at a creative workshop at the V&A. Her work is totally stunning… the detail, the craft, the beauty, the movement, the ingenuity, and the […]
The Twelve Dancing Princesses Book by Shelia Robinson
Originally posted on Creative Bus Stop:
The Twelve Dancing Princesses : A Grimms’ Fairy Tale We recently fell upon the work of illustrator and printmaker Shelia Robinson, and got quite excited when we saw that…
The Best Family London Events in October 2013
Originally posted on Creative Bus Stop:
Here’s our pick of a few of the many exciting events and things we love for your October. Please leave us a comment if you have any recommendations or…
5 Best Choirs, Music Classes & Courses
I know that there are 101 reasons why kids love music, but I’ll start with the first 5 that come to mind … it’s noisy, fun, they dance, sing and are able to pick it […]
The Best London Family Events in October 2013
Here’s our pick of a few of the many exciting events and things we love for your October. Please leave us a comment if you have any recommendations or ideas for family events happening in […]
The Best Writing Courses for Kids in London
Somehow we almost nearly missed this one, but for those of you wanting to be in the know and feel inspired by our local ‘bright young things’, stay in touch with the Spread the Word […]
The Kings Cross Square Carnival
The Kings Cross Square Carnival Network Rail are putting on a show this weekend to celebrate the opening of their shiny new square at Kings Cross. If you are after some Victorian family fun over the weekend, […]
Creative Bus Stop : Contemporary Dance for kids : Place, Euston :
ABOUT : THE PLACE The Place is a fantastic warren of light, airy and inspiring dance studios, and home of The London Contemporary Dance School, The Richard Alston Dance Company. It offers an exciting schedule […]
Little Angel Theatre : Puppet Making Days & Courses : 2013/14
The Children & Families activities run by The Little Angel Theatre are pretty much at the top of their league. Set up in 1961 by South African, John Wright, they have maintained their position as […]
Royal Family Time in London
1) BUCKINGHAM PALACE Buckingham Palace The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace 27 July -31 August 2013 : Open daily 09:30-19:00 : (last admission 16:45) & 1-29 September 2013 : Open daily 09:30-18:00: (last admission 15:45) A typical visit lasts between 2 and […]
The Creative Bus Stop : Family Day Out : Whitstable – the perfect catch
Originally posted on Mama's Secret London:
Some things are meant to be … and taking children to the beach, with fish and chips on your lap, and ice-cream messy t-shirts are just a few…
5 Best Fountains & Water Play
Who isn’t always up for some silly wet play (whilst the sun shines), for those that carry around those teeny tiny shrink towels in their bags, here are 5 of our favourite fountains & water parks […]
Creative Bus Stop : August Outdoors : Free Children’s Events : National Theatre
Watch this Space presents AUGUST OUTDOORS a free pop-up festival at the National Theatre on the Southbank on Fridays and Saturdays between 2 – 31 August 2013 The line-up includes pop-up music, pop-up dance, a pop-up gallery and […]
Creative Bus Stop : Best Museum Workshops (part 2) : Summer 2013
1. Geffrye Museum (Ages 2+, 5+) From Tuesday 30th July – Friday 16th August, The Geffrye Museum will be running their famously fabulous workshops for children. The activities are always interesting with the children making a quality product […]
Creative Bus Stop : Best Museum Workshops (part 1) : Summer 2013
1. Royal Academy of Art, Piccadilly (Families, Ages 5+) Art Detectives Family Trail pack, family led activities. available from the information desk. Art Trays are also available for free, including a sketch book & pencils to […]
5 Best London Lidos
We’re slightly in love with the Art Deco brilliant design achievements of London Lidos. There are a few out there, but to get you started here are 5 of our favourites for some family play […]
5 Best Nature Workshops & Days Out
1. Holland Park, Ecology Centre Bring your kids to take part in fabulous activities where they explore nature, play games and make a quality craft and keepsake. There are sessions that run 10-noon and 2-4pm, for […]
Spread the Word : Young Writers : Go get your Booker Prize
Young Writers Courses & Awards At what age you stop being ‘young’ is more or less your own affair though the opportunities for ‘young writers’ tend to tail off after the age of 25. That […]
Family Summer Activities 2013 : Museum of London Docklands
ABOUT This museum which is a sister to the Museum of London at the Barbican, is surprisingly based in the Docklands. They have permanent exhibitions where you can discover the story of the world’s greatest […]
Festivals & Events : V&A Childhood Museum : Summer 2013
We are such fans of the V&A Childhood Museum in Bethnal Green, and as would be expected they have joined forces with the local community and have an inclusive family day out at the heart […]
Imagine Childhood a Book by Sarah Olmsted
For children, potential is limitless, curiosity is an electrical current, and every moment is open to the possibility of the unexpected. Day-to-day life is filled with adventure. Road blocks are invitations to try new routes. […]
The Amazings : Craft Something You Love : Online Craft Tutorials & More
The Amazings is, well, just a great concept, with a great title, doing great things. Just like Lloyd says, you can start by accident and before you know it you can make a career out […]
Free Children’s Theatre : Sundays in July : Jubilee Park : 2013
June 30 – July 28th : Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf : Free Free Free ABOUT Spend Sundays relaxing at Canary Wharf this July with this series of charming afternoon performances especially for children of all […]
British Museum : Family Activities & Beyond El Dorado exhibition
Beyond El Dorado power and gold in ancient Colombia Organised with Museo del Oro 17 October 2013 – 23 March 2014 Free to members / £10 The myth of El Dorado For centuries Europeans were […]
The Magical Summer Festival that loves Babies : Just So Festival : Cheshire, 16-18 Aug
above : coco and the butterfields This is JUST SO up our festival path, that we wish we were part of the cosy cultured family that invented this magical boutique weekend of adventure. The Just So […]
British Library Family Event : The Full English Discovery Day : Sat 13 July : 11-4.30pm
Join us for a fantastic folk-flavoured day for all the family at The British Library All events are free but some will be ticketed because of number restrictions. Create! 11.00 & 16.00 Help our artists build […]
Dance Summer Schools around the UK
Here at our bus stop regional HQ in Croydon, we were thinking about how when we grown up, we would like to have mastered 3 things; 1) Be able to play the piano, so we […]
Science Museum : ‘The Garden’ & Whats On Now : 3-6 years : Free
The Garden at the Science Museum Kensington is an interactive gallery created especially for the very youngest visitors to the museum age 3-6 yrs. It is located in the basement, conveniently near a cafe, the loos, and […]
Royal Academy : Summer Exhibition 2013 : Buying Art from £20
Royal Academy of Arts : Family Workshops I often wonder how many people out there just don’t realise how much you can get for free from this incredible British institution. You might know that we […]
Must see : Hackney House installation : Leandro Erlich : Beyond Barbican : End Aug 4
We are so loving this installation by Argentine artist Leandro Erlich, for the Barbican, as part of their Beyond Barbican season. Internationally known for his captivating, three-dimensional visual illusions, Argentine artist Leandro Erlich has been commissioned by […]
5 Best London Castles & Palaces
English Heritage champions history, and the historic places that make our nation quite a good one. With every visit (and entrance fee) to an English Heritage site, of which there is an incredible list of […]
We Dance, Wee Groove : Under 5’s : The Unicorn Theatre : 30 July – Sun 11 Aug
This looks like plain new fashioned fun for the little pixies out there. They are very welcoming to ages 5-7 also. £10 This includes 1 adult & 1 child : shows at 11am and 1.30pm. Book […]
OAE Tots : Southbank Centre : 30Nov & 16Feb
Judging by the sell out bookings of the Southbanks classical London Philharmonic Orchestra events for families, these OAE TOTS sessions have to be a sure bet for all of you that like to take the […]
Kids Dance Day : Something Happening for Kids : The Place, Euston : 20 July 2013
Clever old us, have already booked our tickets for the annual event at The Place : Something Happening For Kids on Saturday 20 July 2013 Tickets are £6 each or £20 for a group of […]
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