When I was asked to write this post on the top 5 things to do in London with young children my first reaction was “how on earth will I choose”! There is so much available […]
Category: Family Time
5 of the Best Studio Ghibli Films
1. My Neighbour Totoro 2. Ponyo 3. Arrietty 4. Sprited Away 5. Howls Moving Castle In homage to the cultural landmark that is the British Film Institute on the Southbank, we are joining them celebrating […]
Something For The Weekend
(** denotes : Extra gold stars for appealing to kids) Daydreams and Diaries: The Story of Jacqueline Wilson : 5 April – 2 November 2014 : This exhibition celebrates all things Jacqueline Wilson, giving you a […]
Things To Do for London Kids this Weekend 7/8th June 2014
Weekend Weather : This weekend looks to be the sort that we can handle, warm starting at 16 degrees (check here for more updates), feeling like 16 degrees and rising to 22 degrees with variable […]
5 Best English Hertiage 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…
5 Best City Breaks for Families
Look what I found for you lovely lot who really really need a (city) break, some fantastic food, and a shot of culture for 1/2 term. Here is a bespoke list of the best City Breaks […]
5 Best Spring Events
Don’t forget to check out the Events Diary on the home page, there are listings of events running over the whole of 2014! 2014 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition :1 – 18 May 2014 Saturday […]
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…
Family Time : Storystock Festival : Saatchi Gallery, London
This weekend my two girlfriends, (with their most adorable, cheeky children) joined us for a play at the Storystock Festival. We joined […]
5 Best Easter Holiday London Theatre
1. Theatre-Rites: Rubbish (Southbank) “A clever and charming puppetry show, with brilliant actors, and the sweetest washing up glove man…” Puppeteers show children of 5+ and their adults how to create magic with the contents of […]
Q&A with Rosie Fuller, Freelance Museum Educator
Tell us a little about you, your family, and where you live. I live with my very naughty cat in Walthamstow. How did you choose your career, and can you tell us a little […]
Where to See Great Music for London Kids
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…
5 Best Places Kids Eat Free in London
1. Mark Hix Group Monday to Friday 4pm – 6pm, and on the weekends from 12pm – 6pm (except on Saturday at Chop House it is only between 5pm-6pm) for all children under 10 years old when accompanied by […]
What’s On At The Polka Theatre in Easter, 2014
Act, sing, dance, direct and create at Polka workshops over the holidays. Whatever you’re interested in, experience life behind the scenes of a real working theatre by creating work of your very own. There’s something […]
Craft Project, A Free Alphabet Poster
Look at this, it’s a freebie from the wonderful Mr Printable. You can download the poster and print it in your choice or language (English, Spanish or French). Ahhh, how we love Mr Printable and…
5 Best Nature Activity Centres in London
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…
Easter Workshops at The Cartoon Museum
The Cartoon Museum In 1988 a group of cartoonists, collectors and lovers of the art form came together as The Cartoon Art Trust with the aim of founding a museum dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, promoting […]
5 Best Family Travel Websites
1. Conde Nast Traveller Packed with features on all things family, yes on the more luxury side, but if you dig around you are likely to find relevant information that will help you research your […]
Dim Sum & Ramen joints & Market Stalls
I must be 1/2 Asian, because my idea of heaven in a ‘pearly gated home delivery’ type of way, is to eat Asian 6 days out of 7 … of course, it’s just marmite on…
Watch and Learn, Etsy Personalised Prints
We love Etsy, (especially all you wonderful UK Etsy makers out there) … so in honour of all things personal, beautiful names, baby celebrations or just making someone feel special with a print in honour […]
Q+A with Lucy Ryder Richardson Founder of Midcentury Modern Show
Today we are feeling a little sleek, stylish and ever so classic as we have been chatting to Lucy Ryder Richardson, one half of the duo (with Petra Curtis) who created the vintage and modern Midcentury […]
5 Best Reading Book Plates to Print At Home
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 […]
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
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 favourite books with each other ?…
Kids Architecture Courses at Sir John Soane’s Museum
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 at Lincoln’s Inn Fields. They have…
Craft Project, A Zip-Up Purse
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 great gift. Photograph: Perri Lewis Sometimes…
Craft Project, Colouring Animals
? 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 animals : giraffe, ostrich or camel!…
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
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 THE LOOP. It’s the magazine that thinks…
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
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 an archive fairytale book of the…
The Best Family London 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…
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 […]
