Spring Half Term Activities

- These activities run for the week of 25 – 29 May

ALSO, PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL LISTINGS BY DAY

Toy Stories at the V&A Museum of Childhood Bethnal Green (E2)

• Monday 25 – Friday 29 May
• If the toys in the Museum could talk, what story would they tell? Come and help us bring the Museum’s toys to life with a bumper half-term week of storytelling, creative writing, trails and activities.
  • 10.30-12.30: Pop-up Storybook Workshop – Make a simple pop-up storybook based on some of the Museum’s best-loved toys.
  • 14.00-16.00: Story Writing Workshop – Write a story or draw a picture about your favourite toy in the Museum. Plus, find out how storybook characters are brought to life on paper with author David Lucas, whose books include Peanut and The Lying Carpet.
  • 14.00-16.00: Art Smarts – Get creative with an afternoon of Toy Stories-themed arty-smarty activities.
  • 10.30, 11.15, 12.00: Storytrails – Toy Stories-themed storytrails will be taking place every day throughout the morning.
  • Plus! The paper trail is available from the Information Desk at any time.
    FREE; Spaces limited for some activities; Ages 3–12
  • See our review of the Museum here.
  • This is a free event but space is limited. Reserve your place at the Information Desk or call   020 8983 5200  .

 

One Little World at the Polka Theatre (SW 19)

• Runs from 26 May – 30 May
• A beautiful, moving story of friendship, power struggles and creative play. We meet two characters who play together – exploring a new space, new objects, dressing up and taking turns – but struggles arise when one of them wants to be the only captain of the ship! This gentle production directed by Andrew Manley and underscored with a specially commissioned soundtrack by Tayo Akinbode, captures children’s imaginations and tells a meaningful story with just one little word!
• Suitable for children ages 3 – 6 years (40 minutes long)
• Contact the Box Office on   020 8543 4888   or at boxoffice@polkatheatre.com.
• The Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1SB

 

Wiggly Worms at the WWT London Wetland Centre, SW13

• This Spring Half Term from 23- 31 May
• Do you dig worms? Come and try your hand at worm charming at the WWT London Wetland Centre.
• Also available all week- art workshops to make dragonflies and butterflies, pond dipping with experts or simply the chance to wander through beautiful wetland habitats.
• No booking required. Regular admission rates apply
• Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, London, SW13 9WT

 

Also, check out the Maggie & Rose website for superb half term activities by the experts.

 

D-Day Week onboard HMS Belfast

• 25th May 2009 to 31st May 2009
• During this half term HMS Belfast will be hosting a series of events to help bring history to life for our visitors.  Visitors can interact with re-enactors as they journey round the ship and listen to the amazing stories of past crew members and learn about their experiences during this extraordinary time. Includes 4″ gun drills demonstrations, object handling and re-enactors will help to bring the ship to life.
• No pre-booking required.
• See the website for more details or call   020 7940 6300  
• HMS Belfast, Morgan’s Lane, Tooley Street, London, SE1 2JH.

 

The Art Trolley this Half Term at Tate Britain, SW1

• This half term, the art trolley is available from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May from 11:00 to 17:00.
• Planning a Trip? See Mini-et-Moi’s Vital Stats on the Tate Britain.
• See the website for more details or call   020 7887 8888  

 

The RAF Museum NW9

• 25 May – 29 May
• Discover the fascinating stories behind our helicopters, some of which will be lit up for visitors to see inside.
• We will be allowing children to make their own simple helicopter to take home and keep free of charge in our Aeronauts Interactive Gallery. Session times are 11.00 – 13.00 and 14.00 – 16.00.
• As a special treat, children can also decorate their own Helicopter shaped biscuit with a variety of icings and toppings in our Wings Restaurant. The charge for this activity is £2.50 per child.
• For further information please telephone   020 8358 4896  .
• RAF Museum Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5LL

 

Start at the Tate Modern, SE1

• This Half Term, Start is opening from Monday 25 May 2009 to Friday 29 May from 11.00–17.00
• Tate Modern  UBS Openings: Family Zone Level 3 Concourse.
• Free for 5 years and over, children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Planning a Trip? See Mini-et-Moi’s Vital Stats on the Tate Modern.
• See the website for more details or call   020 7887 8888  

 

Drop-in Design: Get into Shape at the V&A Museum (SW7)

• 25-29 May at 10.30-13.00 & 14.00-17.00
• Discover crazy objects frozen in shape. Go on a hunt for cool or ridiculous shapes and then use your ideas to design a crazy plate, bowl, teapot or cup to take along to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. (Lunchroom and the Design Studio, Sackler Centre)
• Victoria and Albert Museum Cromwell Road, Kensington and Chelsea SW7 2RL
• For further details call   0207 942 2211  

 

Storytelling at the London Transport Museum

• From 26 – 29 May 2009 at 11:00
• Listen to transport tales then sing-along with catchy tunes and railway rhymes.  With the Wheels on the bus, Chuff-chuff trains and flying saucers, these action-packed story telling sessions have all forms of transport covered. 
• Suitable for under 5s.
• Covent Garden piazza, Covent Garden, WC2E 7BB
• For further details call   020 7379 6344  
• The event is free but normal admission applies.

 

Or enjoy some fun ‘n games at Eddie Catz (with venues in Putney and Wimbledon). See the website for details.

 

London Transport Lotto at the London Transport Museum

• From 23 – 30 May 2009 at 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00
• Join us for London transport lotto – a game of bingo with a transport twist; instead of numbers our bingo cards show objects in and around the Museum.  During the game, find out fun facts behind every square, discover the name of Covent Garden’s Underground ghost, why a bus was converted to house pigeons and which Tube station has the longest escalator.  There will be an opportunity to handle objects from the Museum’s collection, wear a conductor’s hat and get to grips with a working Gibson ticket machine. The winner will take home a special limited edition badge.
• Workshop, suitable for 5+.
• Covent Garden piazza, Covent Garden, WC2E 7BB
• For further details call   020 7379 6344  
• The event is free but normal admission applies.

 

Massive Graphics: Drop-in Design Special  at the V&A Museum (SW7)

• 25-29 May at 10.30-13.00 & 14.00-17.00
• Help make life-size graphics of Baroque furniture and objects and transform the Sackler Centre’s Design Studio into an amazing interior world. Part of National Family Week.
  (Lunchroom and the Design Studio, Sackler Centre)
• Victoria and Albert Museum Cromwell Road, Kensington and Chelsea SW7 2RL
• For further details call   0207 942 2211